My PIF 10/24/05 RBL was delivered 4/5/07. Because the RBL received so much earlier commentary I was not going to opine, BUT......
The checkering was dreadful - double cut or something with no diamonds visible on most of forearm and a large area on the wrist. The front bead was not on the gun, but loose in the case. When I called Lou in the gun room he told me he had personally seen my gun, and all the RBL's checkering looked like that. He did agree to let me return the gun to have the checkering cleaned up. It was sent back to me a week later with no improvement to the checkering (the bead was attached). I honestly do not feel they touched the checkering.
I asked for a refund and they gave it to me in about 7 to 10 days. You really can not argue with them standing behind the product in this regard.
After 18 months of waiting I was disappointed that the gun did not live up to my rather modest expectations. Unlike many I was not expecting a work of art for my $3,850. I was expecting a gun with reasonable cosmetics, and a more lively feel to hand.
Most of what I had seen on various threads was accurate, the engraving was thin and the stock had a strange satin finish. I could have lived with the engraving, the finish, and possibly the handling, but not the checkering. It's too bad, I really wanted to add one of these guns to my cabinet - american made and all.
For those considering wood upgrades I was disappointed with what they considered "Exhibition Wood". It was ok but I am not sure it was worth an additional $700. Someone, on this site, had an RBL for sale and I think it had 3x wood that was equally as nice as what they sent me.
Wish I had received one of the good ones. Coming from a maker of of some repute, I am baffled why the quality control is so poor.
