Solstice Arms (Gary Guiccino) Review

Caspian · February 28, 2003, 16:09

I received my Krinkov AOW back from Solstice Arms and here is my review broken down by pros and cons:

Pro:
1. Gary did a great job spraying it with spray paint. there were no runs.

Cons:
1. a 2-4 week time frame was promised and it took 16 months.

2. Numerous delays which bordered on questionable at best. Somehow, his neighbors' cousins' friends health problems affected his work.

3. I got tired of the delays and TWICE asked for an honest approximation of time. i even said, "if it'll take 2 years, please tell me that so long as it IS done in 2 years". Both times i got dates that weren't kept.

4. I repeatedly asked him to forgo finishing it if it would save time. I was willing to use Brownells Teflon Moly coat and do it myself. I got the gun back "refinished" with spray paint. Now i have to strip it off and do it myself. How do i know it's spray paint? Attempting to insert** the mag once rubbed the paint off the mag catch ad side wall of the mags.

5. I had to beg and plead to get the gun back. I don't think you should have to beg your smith daily to get your gun back.

6. I have 30+ e-mails from Gary regarding broken dates and excuses if he thinks i am trying to deceive anyone.

7**. after finally getting my gun back, which he delayed becauce he wanted it to be perfect, IT WON'T ACCEPT A MAGAZINE . I have tried 10 different mags which work fine in my other AK. The lip of the mag won't fit into the slot. It is also tight all around. I will look further into it and send it out to a REAL smith to get the final verdict, but initial examination show signs of it being bent. keep in mind this is a gun he delayed because he wanted it to be perfect. hummmm

If anyone still sends work to Solstice after reading the FAL Files, then it will be tough to feel sorry for them.

Guys who still have work with Gary, i feel sorry for you and hope he returns your items so that you can send them to another smith who will do the job and do it right.

regards,
Caspian

GG-SA · March 01, 2003, 14:10

Its best to cover the history of this AOW. It was built by the customer himself using screws instead of the proper rivets for assembly. Furthermore, it was a 5.45 build using a ITM model MK99, 7.62x39 receiver. It wouldn't function for him, hence the reason for sending it to me. After a few discussions he liked the idea of converting it to a 7.62x39 caliber.

I will not go into the delays as that's beating a dead horse. #1,2,3,5,6 are all related to the same thing, just extended for obvious reasons. He did say that I could return the rifle unfinished if it would reduce the return time.... it wouldn't so I refinished the rifle as originally agreed. (His allegation of "spray paint" is obscured, and ridiculous. It lack any proof of any kind.)

#4 The finish is the exact same finish applied on http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...threadid=67457 and many others. Its phosphate/enamel. I didn't have any problems, then again I handled it carefully while packaging it. I inserted several mags (for pictures) and the finish never chipped, etc. as has been claimed (he would have mentioned it if it had.) Granted, I didn't force anything in the mag that would damage the finish as I guess he did.

#7 I sent several photo's of the completed firearm to C. before shipping it. I'll post the photos here....

as you can see mags fit without problem. I used a polymer "waffle" mag. I'm not claiming that he didn't have problems of some kind, .. but obviously his claim isn't correct. Since he used screws to assemble the firearm, its logical that he would only need to loosen the screws and move the trigger guard slightly towards the rear to gain more clearance. Its a easy, a small adjustment which wouldn't justify his claim of poor workmanship.

C. sent an e-mail that I received this morning.... I offered to:
[list=1][*]Cancel the remaining funds still due for the services rendered.[*]Pay return shipping, refinish and/or enlarge the mag well.[*]Refund for the services he wasn't happy with.[*]Give him free accessories, etc.[/list=1]

whatever I could do to make it "right" in his eye's. I also requested that he forward his phone number and we would discuss this as adults instead of flaming without allowing a chance to address and correct whatever he alleges to be concerns.... he refused.

Caspian · March 01, 2003, 14:32

To be fair to Gary, I e-mailed him a copy of the post i sent to the FILES. He got the e-mail prior to the post being put up in the public forum.

He has since offered to fix my gun or refund my money on the project.

I replied that i would not e sending my gun back after a 16 month delay but if he would send the money, i would appriciate it.

I will post a follow up when/if i get my money refunded. If i do, then i will post that i am satisfied with the end result. that being my money was refunded because i was not satisfied with the work done on my rifle.

I will post follow up as this transaction continues.

Regards,
Caspian

Caspian · March 04, 2003, 06:39

Quote:

Originally posted by GG-SA
sent an e-mail that I received this morning.... I offered to:
[list=1][*]Cancel the remaining funds still due for the services rendered.[*]Pay return shipping, refinish and/or enlarge the mag well.[*]Refund for the services he wasn't happy with.[*]Give him free accessories, etc.[/list=1]

For those interested, Gary has since pulled his offer for a refund.

Also, there were no funds still due. I have e-mails confirming we are square.

If members read the AK build it yourself area, you will see that building with screws is a viable alternative to riveting. It has been done before and works fine.

When i sent the gun to Gary for repair it was to elongate the ejector. The gun held a magazine and fired, it just would not eject reliably. After 12 months of waiting, i finally e-mailed and said to either replace the 5.45 ejector or convert it to 7.62 whichever would be quicker. All i wanted was my gun back.

The finish may indeed be the enamel as claimed by Gary, however it was improperly applied. Even the best finished will not perform well if not applied correctly. If the enamel is supposed to be that fragile, then every gun finished with it is rubbed off. Is that the case?

no matter how you cut it and spin the words, this gun is far from perfect. i am sending it out for repair and will report on the final condition. I will ask the person working on it to report on the condition of the gun as received.

Regards
Caspian

19 Delta · March 04, 2003, 06:41

That is one BAD ASS krink. You dont want it Ill take it!

must..move...to...AOW...friendly....county....

Caspian · March 04, 2003, 07:40

My intent is/was to give an honest review of the work performed. I did just that. Apparently a negative review is a flame. I call it the truth.

Gary, in lieu of sending me the refund you offered, please send it to the FAL Files. I am not out for financial gain. Please PayPal Jen so that she can use it for the purpose of running this board which has allowed free exchange of information.

Regards,
Caspian

johnmc63 · March 04, 2003, 19:21

Gary
It seems like you always have excuses as to Why. Well, Why have you had my Polytech for 20+months to install an Underfolding stock?
Caspian, If you received yours back in 16 months, Feel Lucky

JohnMc

March 04, 2003, 06:41	#5
19 Delta Registered FALaholic #: 5135 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Charlotte, Nc Posts: 377	That is one BAD ASS krink. You dont want it Ill take it! must..move...to...AOW...friendly....county.... __________________ I am a desert power......

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February 28, 2003, 16:09	#1
Caspian Registered FALaholic #: 26 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 914	Solstice Arms (Gary Guiccino) Review I received my Krinkov AOW back from Solstice Arms and here is my review broken down by pros and cons: Pro: 1. Gary did a great job spraying it with spray paint. there were no runs. Cons: 1. a 2-4 week time frame was promised and it took 16 months. 2. Numerous delays which bordered on questionable at best. Somehow, his neighbors' cousins' friends health problems affected his work. 3. I got tired of the delays and TWICE asked for an honest approximation of time. i even said, "if it'll take 2 years, please tell me that so long as it IS done in 2 years". Both times i got dates that weren't kept. 4. I repeatedly asked him to forgo finishing it if it would save time. I was willing to use Brownells Teflon Moly coat and do it myself. I got the gun back "refinished" with spray paint. Now i have to strip it off and do it myself. How do i know it's spray paint? Attempting to insert the mag once rubbed the paint off the mag catch ad side wall of the mags. 5. I had to beg and plead to get the gun back. I don't think you should have to beg your smith daily to get your gun back. 6. I have 30+ e-mails from Gary regarding broken dates and excuses if he thinks i am trying to deceive anyone. 7. after finally getting my gun back, which he delayed becauce he wanted it to be perfect, IT WON'T ACCEPT A MAGAZINE . I have tried 10 different mags which work fine in my other AK. The lip of the mag won't fit into the slot. It is also tight all around. I will look further into it and send it out to a REAL smith to get the final verdict, but initial examination show signs of it being bent. keep in mind this is a gun he delayed because he wanted it to be perfect. hummmm If anyone still sends work to Solstice after reading the FAL Files, then it will be tough to feel sorry for them. Guys who still have work with Gary, i feel sorry for you and hope he returns your items so that you can send them to another smith who will do the job and do it right. regards, Caspian

March 01, 2003, 14:10	#2
GG-SA Registered FALaholic #: 7605 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25	Its best to cover the history of this AOW. It was built by the customer himself using screws instead of the proper rivets for assembly. Furthermore, it was a 5.45 build using a ITM model MK99, 7.62x39 receiver. It wouldn't function for him, hence the reason for sending it to me. After a few discussions he liked the idea of converting it to a 7.62x39 caliber. I will not go into the delays as that's beating a dead horse. #1,2,3,5,6 are all related to the same thing, just extended for obvious reasons. He did say that I could return the rifle unfinished if it would reduce the return time.... it wouldn't so I refinished the rifle as originally agreed. (His allegation of "spray paint" is obscured, and ridiculous. It lack any proof of any kind.) #4 The finish is the exact same finish applied on http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...threadid=67457 and many others. Its phosphate/enamel. I didn't have any problems, then again I handled it carefully while packaging it. I inserted several mags (for pictures) and the finish never chipped, etc. as has been claimed (he would have mentioned it if it had.) Granted, I didn't force anything in the mag that would damage the finish as I guess he did. #7 I sent several photo's of the completed firearm to C. before shipping it. I'll post the photos here.... as you can see mags fit without problem. I used a polymer "waffle" mag. I'm not claiming that he didn't have problems of some kind, .. but obviously his claim isn't correct. Since he used screws to assemble the firearm, its logical that he would only need to loosen the screws and move the trigger guard slightly towards the rear to gain more clearance. Its a easy, a small adjustment which wouldn't justify his claim of poor workmanship. C. sent an e-mail that I received this morning.... I offered to: [list=1][]Cancel the remaining funds still due for the services rendered.[]Pay return shipping, refinish and/or enlarge the mag well.[]Refund for the services he wasn't happy with.[]Give him free accessories, etc.[/list=1] whatever I could do to make it "right" in his eye's. I also requested that he forward his phone number and we would discuss this as adults instead of flaming without allowing a chance to address and correct whatever he alleges to be concerns.... he refused.

March 01, 2003, 14:32	#3
Caspian Registered FALaholic #: 26 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 914	To be fair to Gary, I e-mailed him a copy of the post i sent to the FILES. He got the e-mail prior to the post being put up in the public forum. He has since offered to fix my gun or refund my money on the project. I replied that i would not e sending my gun back after a 16 month delay but if he would send the money, i would appriciate it. I will post a follow up when/if i get my money refunded. If i do, then i will post that i am satisfied with the end result. that being my money was refunded because i was not satisfied with the work done on my rifle. I will post follow up as this transaction continues. Regards, Caspian

March 04, 2003, 07:40	#6
Caspian Registered FALaholic #: 26 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 914	My intent is/was to give an honest review of the work performed. I did just that. Apparently a negative review is a flame. I call it the truth. Gary, in lieu of sending me the refund you offered, please send it to the FAL Files. I am not out for financial gain. Please PayPal Jen so that she can use it for the purpose of running this board which has allowed free exchange of information. Regards, Caspian

March 04, 2003, 19:21	#7
johnmc63 Registered FALaholic #: 3055 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 9	Gary It seems like you always have excuses as to Why. Well, Why have you had my Polytech for 20+months to install an Underfolding stock? Caspian, If you received yours back in 16 months, Feel Lucky JohnMc __________________ Better to have and not need, Than to need and not have.