I called Tristar about ordering parts!

[DexterGSP]

I would like to do a trigger job and possibly an SA conversion on my C-100.  My trigger job would mean altering some of the parts like the sear and hammer.  The SA conversion may mean altering some parts as I plan to install a CZ SA trigger in it and would then need to alter the firing pin safety lever for it to work.  If something went south I would need to be able to replace the parts that I worked on.  It?s always a good idea to have spare parts available when modifying the original parts.

Anyway, I called Tristar and spoke to Garret. We had a pleasant conversation and he was very professional.  I explained to him that I planned to modify my C100 by doing a trigger job and wanted to know if parts were available.  He said they were, but most individuals would need to send in the pistol for the warranty work and the shipping cost of the pistol would be on the owner?s dime.  He stated that they would release parts to individuals on case by case bases depending on their working knowledge of the pistol.  If they release the parts to an individual it would have to be through an FFL or a gunsmith (who presumably has an FFL).  I told him that CZ does not have this policy and they will sell parts to whoever needs them.  He went on to state that they do this for liability reasons. He said that shipping parts to an FFL would help them being absolved with any liability too.  Bottom line, this parts policy makes it more difficult obtaining parts.

I did have a question for him regarding if the fire control group (at least the sear and hammer) and whether the sear and hammer were case hardened or hardened throughout.  He told me that Dallas is their gunsmith and he would not be back in until Monday.  If told me that if I wanted to I could send an email with questions for Dallas that I have and they would respond back to me.  I told him that I?m a forum member here and other forum members have inquired about parts availability too.  I went on to say that I would post this conversation and asked other forum members what questions they may have about the parts and send the email to him.

I would like to keep the questions to a bare minimum, like a half a dozen.  It would not be fair to send 50 questions to them.

The first question will be regarding the hardening of parts.  What other questions do you guys have for them?

When I send the email to Garrett I will attach a copy of the link to this thread.  That way if I misspoke or misunderstood what he said he can clear it up on the forum.

Thanks, Paul

[Farmerbob]

I would like to know if they require serial numbers to order parts. I have an older Canik 55 S-120 that was not imported by Tristar and would like to order parts from them.

[terry mc]

Sounds like Tristar has a severe case of CYA!
But it is, as I suspected.
And it is a shame as some of the parts are so proprietary on sizing etc., that you cannot buy and modify a CZ part to replace it (most specifically the sear and FPB lifter assembly)

[DexterGSP]

Sounds like Tristar has a severe case of CYA!
But it is, as I suspected.
And it is a shame as some of the parts are so proprietary on sizing etc., that you cannot buy and modify a CZ part to replace it (most specifically the sear and FPB lifter assembly)

The whole liability thing doesn't make sense.  If they are worried about someone modifying extra parts the owner of the pistol can always modify the original parts anyway.  Also, if an owner fails to put in a new part correctly that can happen when someone is doing a deep cleaning and putting the original parts in wrong.  I just don't get it.

[DexterGSP]

I would like to know if they require serial numbers to order parts. I have an older Canik 55 S-120 that was not imported by Tristar and would like to order parts from them.

You would need to call them directly regarding the parts and if they think you are competent to replace the parts they will send them to you FFL.  However, since Tristar was not the importer they may not honor your request, but I'll give the question to them.

Paul

[wdbutcher]

I've contacted Dallas by email in the past. He was the most knowledgeable and responsive person I dealt with at Tristar. Dallas sent a new safety lever to me after I sent pictures to them showing casting marks on the one that was originally on my new P-120. There was no discussion of a parts policy at that time.
I contacted Tristar before I purchased my first Canik and I was told that parts were readily available. I'm hoping you will get better answers and a clearer picture of Tristars parts policies after you talk to Dallas.

[philltubes]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't an FFL transfer only required with serialized parts?

[DexterGSP]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't an FFL transfer only required with serialized parts?

The only serialized part regarding a firearm would be a frame/receiver.  If some one else want to chime in feel free if there's anything else.  There could also be things like full auto parts and suppressors/silencers that would require an FFL.

There are other serialized parts on guns that don't require an FFL like barrels, slides or other important fitted parts.

[jwc007]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't an FFL transfer only required with serialized parts?

The Serialized Frame of a Firearm is what is legally controlled and must be transferred by an FFL.  Everything else is open to direct purchase, but apparently Tristar's Policy may be otherwise.

[Guntoter]

Every major and minor gun manufacturer or distributor I'm familiar with has this policy to some degree ranging from only certain parts will be sold to the end user to the weapon has to be returned for ANY repair or replacement. Serialization has nothing to do with the FFL requirement. It's required because they want a gunsmith installing parts who knows what he's doing, has a license to lose, and assumably has some sort of insurance. It adds a layer of liability protection between them and the home 'gunsmith' intent on that illusive but absolutely necessary 5-ounce trigger. Some have very valid concerns, others not so much. It'll probably get a lot worse.

[Grendel]

I think he's either made a mistake or misunderstood what you were asking.

[DexterGSP]

Every major and minor gun manufacturer or distributor I'm familiar with has this policy to some degree ranging from only certain parts will be sold to the end user to the weapon has to be returned for ANY repair or replacement. Serialization has nothing to do with the FFL requirement. It's required because they want a gunsmith installing parts who knows what he's doing, has a license to lose, and assumably has some sort of insurance. It adds a layer of liability protection between them and the home 'gunsmith' intent on that illusive but absolutely necessary 5-ounce trigger. Some have very valid concerns, others not so much. It'll probably get a lot worse.

Agreed! Although, it would appear CZ has a more rational understanding of this.  Things like a sear and hammer from CZ are easily obtainable.

I was an insurance claims adjuster for three different companies over the past 14 years.  I can tell you that an FFL's general liabilities policy would not be liable if they simply received the part and handed it to the owner of the pistol.  And since when do those gunshop cowboys know anything other than selling guns?  I would run circles around 99% of them in my gunsmithing abilities then those idiots working in those shops.

[terry mc]

Every major and minor gun manufacturer or distributor I'm familiar with has this policy to some degree ranging from only certain parts will be sold to the end user to the weapon has to be returned for ANY repair or replacement. Serialization has nothing to do with the FFL requirement. It's required because they want a gunsmith installing parts who knows what he's doing, has a license to lose, and assumably has some sort of insurance. It adds a layer of liability protection between them and the home 'gunsmith' intent on that illusive but absolutely necessary 5-ounce trigger. Some have very valid concerns, others not so much. It'll probably get a lot worse.

Agreed! Although, it would appear CZ has a more rational understanding of this.  Things like a sear and hammer from CZ are easily obtainable.

I was an insurance claims adjuster for three different companies over the past 14 years.  I can tell you that an FFL's general liabilities policy would not be liable if they simply received the part and handed it to the owner of the pistol.  And since when do those gunshop cowboys know anything other than selling guns?  I would run circles around 99% of them in my gunsmithing abilities then those idiots working in those shops.

I agree Paul!
And yes as precise as you are on your equipment, I would much rather have your hands in my gun than someone I do not know. There are couple shops I know and trust beyond that I would be tearing the gun down myself, post work  to verify the work.

[DexterGSP]

I just sent two questions to Derek at Tristar.  I'll post his reply when I get it.

"Derek, I've got a couple of questions for you regarding parts.  I had original contacted you last Tuesday inquiring about spare parts including a sear and hammer for my C100.  By the way, I started a small thread on the CZ forum.  I hope I did not misquote you the last time we spoke.  If I did feel free to correct me on the thread.
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=65193.0
Here are the two questions:
1.   Are the fire control parts (things like the hammer and sear) case hardened or are they hardened throughout?  The question is asked because there are a few of us that may want to do some trigger work on these pistols.
2.   If someone has a pre-Tristar pistol, like a P120, can they order parts from you?  Another forum member posed this question.
Thanks, Paul"

[DexterGSP]

I spoke to Garrett today (his name is not Derek as I previously wrote, I changed the initial post to correct this, I really need to get my hearing checked) and he said they are still working on the email I sent him and should have a response to me by today.