I talked to Robert last week about a special order from the factory and he didn’t mention anything.

 

His website still shows that he is a Kolar distributor.

Kolar

 

it was posted in the last day or so on Facebook. Existing orders will be honored

 

Bummer! Robert is one of the best. Total class act!

Didn't they end the relationship with another dealer last year?

Recently saw Novak isn't doing engraving for them any further either. A shame as his work is head and shoulders above any factory engraving for any brand (IMO).

 

Didn't they end the relationship with another dealer last year?

I believe Michigan Shooting center was ended within the last couple of years (speculation on my part, but that might have been a dealing with a sponsored shooter who switched to a different brand?)

I think Indiana Gun Club was a dealer for a while too.

 

Some of the largest and better dealer previously sold Kolars, DuPont, Joel Etchen, Chris Maest, JTH agency, Pacific Sporting arms and now Paxton! Don’t know why they stopped but It makes you wonder!. I have done business with the dealers listed. Thanks

 

If it’s true, it’s Kolar’s loss.

 

I spoke with

I spoke with Robert today, and it is true.

He is no longer a distributor for Kolar.

As was said previously, that will be Kolar's loss.

 

I ordered a Kolar through Paxton a little over a month ago, I’m hoping this doesn’t cause any delays/issues. The anticipation has already been killing me lol

 

Incredibly disappointing news that I expect will have a negative effect in the long run. I have purchased from Robert Paxton several times and have recommended him countless times to others. To say this is Kolar's loss is putting it lightly; my interactions with some of their other dealers has been lackluster. A more local dealer wasn't willing to give me a price quote on new subgauge barrels at all. They only wanted to steer me into used barrels they had on hand which didn't match finish on the gun I was adding them to.

 

Yep that's the dealer i was thinking of.

Could be their volume is so low they want to consolidate and have more for each dealer?

 

Could be their volume is so low they want to consolidate and have more for each dealer?

I suspect it has more to do with minimum guaranteed order quantities at price points than any intentional distribution network consolidation.

Elite shotguns is now the only dealer?

Not quite yet per Kolar's website: Kolar Arms Distributors | Kolar Arms

 

Elite shotguns is now the only dealer?

 

The only thing better than having Robert Paxton representing and selling your firearms would be 2 Robert Paxtons selling and representing your firearms.

 

Kind of like putting all of your eggs in one basket? Doesn't promote much faith in the future hope, i'm wrong.

 

I have a feeling elite is going to be the exclusive dealer for Kolar. I think the principal partner/founder of elite actually tried to buy Kolar. Maybe that has come to fruition.

I hope whatever is happening does not hurt Kolar. While I never owned one, I have a lot of respect for their product and I have heard a lot of positive things about their customer service.

 

I have a feeling elite is going to be the exclusive dealer for Kolar.

I have the same feeling.

 

Wouldn't switching to an exclusive dealer make it tougher for Kolar to dictate pricing?

 

Is Kolar likely to be over concerned about pricing to the end-user. After all, their customer is the distributor.

 

From their website.

 

Kolar Arms Distributors | Kolar Arms

Kolar Distributors / Dealers ARIZONIA Shotguns WestRyan Costanti • 360-661-2131 • ryan@shotgunswest.com • Vendor Tucson Trap & Skeet: 7800 W Old Ajo Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85735 • Mobile UNITS: AZ, UT, OR, AK Gamemasters- AZ/MobileJohn Harden • 317-840-6384 • jharden@comcast.net • Mobile Tucson Trap...

www.kolararms.com

 

in this case it's not a distributor but a dealer. and i'm thinking the dealer can just say 'nope, we're paying $1k less this year' and how does Kolar deal with that? if we're talking about Elite they have some other popular brands and i doubt they would be hurt too bad if Kolar threatened to pull the line.

 

I heard they hired John Fournier. He used to work for Kolar... The timing on this seems funny?

 

Robert is a great guy, his shop is just down the road from house. Kolar's loss for sure. Actually not long ago I traded him a Kolar sporting for a K80 Pro Sport, best shotgun move I've ever made. Robert made it easy.

 

Funny, I hated the K80 pro sporter I had. I absolutely love my Kolar.

 

Does anybody have any updates as to why Mr. Paxton is no longer a Kolar dealer? I ordered a Kolar through him exactly 2 months ago and it has taken quite a bit longer to receive than originally anticipated.

 

First, I think you have nothing to worry about dealing with Paxton. Second, I’m sure Kolar has their reasons, but doubt it had anything to do with his performance. More like another case of a manufacturer jumping at the grass is greener concept.

 

I think Elite committed to buying all of their production. For Elite it is their flagship brand, for Paxton it competed with Krieghoff and was not Paxton’s #1 seller or brand.

Elite has a pretty good reputation, but Paxton’s reputation is unmatched.

 

Thanks guys, I was just curious. Not worried, just anxious as hell. The Elite situation seems to make the most sense.

 

I wonder if his pricing was grandfathered/lower or something to that effect. He quoted me $800 lower than Elite on a max lite sporting.

 

His pricing was always better than most.

This has nothing to do with Elite, the answer was laid out above, it is about personalities.

 

Glad I got my Kolar while Robert was still selling them. His price was also lowest of the 3 places I checked. Just a great guy to deal with. Target Shotguns was second lowest. Wonder if they will continue to be a Kolar dealer?

 

I bought my new Kolar from Robert late last year. The reason I went with him was his willingness to spend time with me on the phone discussing all the options and making sure I got what I wanted. I did not get this from other dealers I worked with, who shall remain nameless. I hate to hear this. RP is a guy I would like to do business with long term.
DD

 

I had the same experience with Paxton, when I bought a K80 10 years ago. A couple other dealers pretty much blew me off. Robert spent nearly an hour discussing different options and pricing for each one. 8 months later, I called and told him I was ready, expecting to have to go through all the options again. However, he had kept a file on me, verified what was available and previously quoted prices were still good. The next day my vintage scroll was on its way from Krieghoff to Briley for sub-gauge tubes and 3 weeks later arrived at my FFL. If I ever buy another high end shotgun Paxton Arms is the first stop.