Fierce or Christensen Arms?

[RugerHawg413]

Good Morning,
I have a hunt coming up in November and I am looking to buy a rifle and try my best to stick with that same rifle for years to come for my out west hunts (I live in Arkansas). This search of mine has been going on and off for several months now. The main issue for me is that I shoot left-handed so this obviously makes the field of rifles that I can buy a lot smaller. I have been doing a good amount of research on pretty much all different brands of rifle manufacturers that make left-handed rifles. I have always preferred to get a Weatherby Mark V but I don't really like the caliber offerings that they offer for left-handed rifles. And a custom left-hand rifle is a little bit too expensive for me right now. After doing some research, I have seen and read both plenty of positive and negative reviews for both Fierce rifles and Christensen Arms rifles on here (HuntTalk), other sites, and even Google reviews. So, I want to hear from anyone that has either personally or through family/friends had experiences with Fierce rifles and/or Christensen Arms rifles. It doesn't matter if the rifle was right or left hand, I just want to hear about your experience with rifle itself and the company (customer support). I am truly not leaning either way so please be completely honest in your opinions regarding the 2 companies. I don't really want to support a company that I am not confident in so, please let me know your thoughts regarding them both.

Thank you and all info and wisdom are greatly appreciated!

Thanks again,
Daniel

 

[npaden]

I haven't seen many negative reviews for Fierce but maybe I'm not looking in the right places.

I have seen several negative reviews for Christensen Arms but that's what I have experience with. My son has a 7mm-08 CA Mesa and it shoots right around 1 MOA or a little less with factory ammo. It does have a tight feed, but I think part of that is the short action and it has gotten smoother the more it has been fired. Probably could do some work to get it to feed better but it isn't enough of an issue to bother with. It does feed, just a little tight sometimes. Really no complaints at all on it other than the tight feed. Never have had to use customer service so don't know on that. Had it for 4 years now.

P.S. My son shoots left handed and that is a big part of why we ended up with the Christensen Arms.

 

[RugerHawg413]

I haven't seen many negative reviews for Fierce but maybe I'm not looking in the right places.

I have seen several negative reviews for Christensen Arms but that's what I have experience with. My son has a 7mm-08 CA Mesa and it shoots right around 1 MOA or a little less with factory ammo. It does have a tight feed, but I think part of that is the short action and it has gotten smoother the more it has been fired. Probably could do some work to get it to feed better but it isn't enough of an issue to bother with. It does feed, just a little tight sometimes. Really no complaints at all on it other than the tight feed. Never have had to use customer service so don't know on that. Had it for 4 years now.

Understood. Thank you for the info about regarding CA.

Understood regarding Fierce. I have seen a few negative reviews here and there but not as many as CA. But I have seen enough of them to still make me ask the question and get some more info before committing to them. But I also know that everyone can make a lemon here and there.

Thank you,
Daniel

 

[chevyman181]

I don't have anything negative to say about my Fierce. It shoots .5 moa if I do my part. I have the Reaper the only thing I wish was different is I wished the chassis folded over the bolt. That way everything that sticks out is on one side and I have a flat side to my pack. I've only shot about 150 RDS through it and taken it out to 700ish yards. Mine is in a 7prc, if I had to do it over again I'd probably go with something in a SA.

 

[RugerHawg413]

I don't have anything negative to say about my Fierce. It shoots .5 moa if I do my part. I have the Reaper the only thing I wish was different is I wished the chassis folded over the bolt. That way everything that sticks out is on one side and I have a flat side to my pack. I've only shot about 150 RDS through it and taken it out to 700ish yards. Mine is in a 7prc, if I had to do it over again I'd probably go with something in a SA.

Understood, that is great. Thank you for sharing your experience!

Thanks again,
Daniel

 

[325 WSM]

I have both Fierce Carbon Rival in 28 Nosler & CA Ridgeline in 300 WM. Both shoot great 1/2 moa on both I have had problems with the Ridgeline not chambering or chambering very hard once fired brass I’ve tried many different things to try to rectify this with no luck, new brass shoots fantastic. The Fierce hasn’t given me any problems chambering anything & it shoots great as well. Rival was a little more expensive but worth it

 

[RugerHawg413]

I have both Fierce Carbon Rival in 28 Nosler & CA Ridgeline in 300 WM. Both shoot great 1/2 moa on both I have had problems with the Ridgeline not chambering or chambering very hard once fired brass I’ve tried many different things to try to rectify this with no luck, new brass shoots fantastic. The Fierce hasn’t given me any problems chambering anything & it shoots great as well. Rival was a little more expensive but worth it

Understood. Thank you for sharing your experience with both rifles!

Thanks again,
Daniel

 

[SFC B]

My perspective is from selling (I personally don't own either, have not been impressed enough to buy either). We have had several (more than should be expected for the price points) issues with CA quality control through out the models except the MPR for some reason. Our interaction with them for service for our customers has been what I would describe as acceptable (again, not what I would expect at the PP). I have had a couple of friends, however, that have been given the run around by them over accuracy issues (folks that I am confident in their shooting skills). We have only been selling Fierce about a year and I have only shot them once. Rifles shot well, rep was NOT prepared for range day (brought rifles with NO optics we had to mount and zero). We have not gotten any of them back as of yet. I have heard varying degrees of reports on their service.

For lefty, I would suggest (other than Weatherby) you check into Tikka and Bergara models. I enjoy shooting (have 2 Tikkas) and selling both of them as I think they are great value platforms. Plus, if you want to customize there is plenty of aftermarket support for both. I put my Tikka 22-250 in a MDT XRS chassis and it is my most accurate rifle.

 

[RugerHawg413]

My perspective is from selling (I personally don't own either, have not been impressed enough to buy either). We have had several (more than should be expected for the price points) issues with CA quality control through out the models except the MPR for some reason. Our interaction with them for service for our customers has been what I would describe as acceptable (again, not what I would expect at the PP). I have had a couple of friends, however, that have been given the run around by them over accuracy issues (folks that I am confident in their shooting skills). We have only been selling Fierce about a year and I have only shot them once. Rifles shot well, rep was NOT prepared for range day (brought rifles with NO optics we had to mount and zero). We have not gotten any of them back as of yet. I have heard varying degrees of reports on their service.

For lefty, I would suggest (other than Weatherby) you check into Tikka and Bergara models. I enjoy shooting (have 2 Tikkas) and selling both of them as I think they are great value platforms. Plus, if you want to customize there is plenty of aftermarket support for both. I put my Tikka 22-250 in a MDT XRS chassis and it is my most accurate rifle.

Understood. Thank you for the info and for sharing the experience that you have had with both companies, it is very appreciated.

Thank you again,
Daniel

 

[jdf]

No experience with Fierce.
But my CA Mesa 7mm is a flat out shooter. Might not be norm but mine is 0.5 moa with my handloads.
Good value to me.

 

[RugerHawg413]

No experience with Fierce.
But my CA Mesa 7mm is a flat out shooter. Might not be norm but mine is 0.5 moa with my handloads.
Good value to me.

Glad to hear it! Thank you for the info!

Thanks,
Daniel

 

[Buzzy]

I’d stay away from Fierce. Lot of posts on Rokslide with complaints. This is just 1 thread.

Yet another Fierce Firearms Issue...2024

What exactly does a $600 rifle rest look like? Here's what a $2k one looks like.

rokslide.com

 

[RugerHawg413]

I’d stay away from Fierce. Lot of posts on Rokslide with complaints. This is just 1 thread.

Yet another Fierce Firearms Issue...2024

What exactly does a $600 rifle rest look like? Here's what a $2k one looks like.

rokslide.com

Wow! Understood. Thank you for the info and the link.

Thanks,
Daniel

 

[belshawelk]

For what its worth, I know you didn't ask but for the money did you look at the Nosler 21. I don't know about sneaky southpaws.

 

[RugerHawg413]

For what its worth, I know you didn't ask but for the money did you look at the Nosler 21. I don't know about sneaky southpaws.

That is a beautiful rifle! But, I don't think that they make any left-handed rifles unfortunately. Sometimes I wish that I shoot right-handed, LOL! Thank you for replying to the thread though!

Thanks again,
Daniel

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I’d stay away from Fierce. Lot of posts on Rokslide with complaints. This is just 1 thread.

Yet another Fierce Firearms Issue...2024

What exactly does a $600 rifle rest look like? Here's what a $2k one looks like.

rokslide.com

That one was a bit less clearcut than the "Fierce Firearms Disaster" thread where the guy detailed his experience getting a fierce that had no rifling in the barrel but still got the run-around on customer service. Anyone who wants someone else to mount a scope for them and have a custom turret made before ever seeing/shooting the rifle is not someone i'm going to have a lot of faith in regarding reviews on firearm function.

From spending too much time on gun forums it seems that both CA and Fierce are prone to send out some turds but CA is better to work through issues with. And Fierce is just fugazi if you watch some of their content. "The Fierce Life!".

 

[MaddH]

I’ve got a CA Mesa in 28 Nosler and it shoots way better than I do . Absolutely love it. Take a look at a Weatherby Vanguard, great shooting gun and very reasonably priced

 

[Big Sky Guy]

My hunting buddy has a CA in .300WM (Ridgeline I think). Couldn't get it to feed in the dark with more than 1 shell in. Not sure what the issue was but he is experienced with firearms, he likes the rifle other than that issue as far as I know.

Another hunting buddy has Fierce (Fury IIRC) in .338 Lapua and I was considering Fierce and asked him if he would buy another Fierce and his response was "I don't think so." It's a very large caliber for the size of the rifle IMO, but he thinks it's too inconsistent and he handloads.

My advice with all firearms is after you read everything on the internet go handle them in person and go with what you like best.

I would also suggest considering Sako, depending on your pricepoint. Eurooptic has quite a few left hand models I believe.

 

[RugerHawg413]

That one was a bit less clearcut than the "Fierce Firearms Disaster" thread where the guy detailed his experience getting a fierce that had no rifling in the barrel but still got the run-around on customer service. Anyone who wants someone else to mount a scope for them and have a custom turret made before ever seeing/shooting the rifle is not someone i'm going to have a lot of faith in regarding reviews on firearm function.

From spending too much time on gun forums it seems that both CA and Fierce are prone to send out some turds but CA is better to work through issues with. And Fierce is just fugazi if you watch some of their content. "The Fierce Life!".

Understood. Good to know. Thank you for the info!

Thank you again,
Daniel

 

[RugerHawg413]

I’ve got a CA Mesa in 28 Nosler and it shoots way better than I do . Absolutely love it. Take a look at a Weatherby Vanguard, great shooting gun and very reasonably priced

Glad to hear it! Thank you for the reply.

Thanks,
Daniel