I purchased a Traditions XLT II Extreme from Bass Pro in December. I installed a scope and headed to the range. After a few shots the barrel didn't want to lock closed and after a couple more shots the gun broke down/flew open on the rest. I cleaned the gun and returned to the range the following day. After 4 shots of 2, 50 grain 777 pellets and a Hornedy 250 grain SST bullet , the gun didn't want to close. After 5 shots I had to repeatly slam the gun closed before the barrel locked shut. The sixth shot recoil caused the gun to fly open while on the rest. I contacted a gun smith who stated it is an on going problem with Traditions. He believed the gun gets dirty and the barrel will not lock shut. I believe it's the cheap Spanish metal expanding to the point the barrel will not fit the receiver correctly until it cools off. Six shots would not create enough dirt to prevent the barrel locking shut, nor should cause enough heat to cause problems. I was sighting in so I was not shooting fast but I didn't allow for a cool down either. When I spend $500 on a gun I'd better be able to shot that gun with out it flying open or having to let it cool down. I emailed Traditions and they have not acknowledged my mail therefore I believe this to be a common problem. As I stated earlier I ordered this gun from Bass Pro. I called Bass Pro in Cincinnati Ohio and explaned my situation and was told to bring the gun back. I drove two hours one way only to be told "you have to send it back". Tha manager was a true BUTT head, I sent the gun back and almost two weeks from the confirmation of receiving the gun, they refunded my money. I contacted Cabela's who states they will take back any thing they sell any where any time at their stores or by mail.
NO ITS NOT an isolated incident i had 3 TRADITIONS ..the lt has an alloy frame and i also had to slam it shut ,after a while the hinge pins were loose ..the firepin would hit off center on the 209 primer ..the pro is better made it has a steel frame but the trigger pull i horrible ..to make a long story short i sold all 3 and got my T/C ENCORE ..no more CHEAP rifles for me
Traditions is a crap company that mimicks other companies' designs as closely as they can without getting sued, then sells these cheaply designed/constructed products to unwitting consumers.
I know this sounds inflammatory and I know some people are happy with their Traditions guns, but I have owned two of them. The only gun I ever hated enough to sell was Traditions. While they may be accurate enough when they shoot, the quality and tolerances are poor, components cheap. Mine were actually unsafe...I had to reset the trigger on mine to 10lbs before I felt safe selling it (and did so with full clarity as to its faults) because any lighter and sometimes if you did not put the safety on when you closed the bolt it would fire.
If you are stuck on the lower end of the spectrum, get a CVA. Otherwise reach for a low-end TC or Knight product.
Traditions Pursuit XLT II Extreme
