Winchester

NCOutdoors · 04-03-2006, 12:33 PM

I thought Winchester had stopped making guns a while ago but the plant just closed Friday. Pretty wild that after well over a hundred years, the Winchester rifle is a thing of the past. Apparently no buyers could be found.

Here's a link to an article about how the workers are ticked about the way they were let go.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/a...youre_out.html

CalHunter · 04-03-2006, 05:20 PM

This is a sad day indeed.[X(]

North Texan · 04-03-2006, 05:25 PM

I hate to see them go, but really, what has Winchester done recently to keep their place in the market? What have they offered that no one else has? I can't say I've picked up a Winchester lately and thought "Wow, I want that!"

RedAllison · 04-03-2006, 10:23 PM

"Taking the summer off, gonna do lots of fishing", "I'm gonna get my un-employment checks and just take it easy for awhile", "I was retiring April 1st anyway so it doesn't really matter too me", "We are going to pick up our checks and just go shopping"...

Doesn't sound like they were all that worried about being chitcanned in the first place if you ask me!

Typical union mindset, all they were worried about was what was in it for them, screw the rest of the world. More concerned about healthcare costs than what they would do for the rest of their lives. And they wonder why American factories are leaving like flies from poision. It aint JUST about labor costs and regulations!!!

Before some of you get all puffy chested and start badmouthing Winchester just remember two things. 1). Winchester Olin, the ammo maker is NOT the same company as USRAC, U.S. Repeating Arms Company was the name of the company who built the guns. They (USRAC) paid for the rights to name their guns "Winchester" (paid too Win Olin). And 2). USRAC is a directly owned subsidiary of Herstal Group/Miroku which is a French/***anese holding company who also own Browning! So "lil ol Winchester" aint the guilty party in this mess.

I think several reasons exist for Winchesters demise, much of which I believe is because Herstal/Miroku spent much more time and devoted much more money too Browning for the last 2 decades. BUT look at what Browning has done in the last 20 years vs Winchester. So who was right?

I suppose it will be just as it was... "Winchester Repeating Arms" was just a name from 1964-2006 and I believe that Herstal's agreement extended through nextyear. At some point in the future I think someone else will come along and pick back up the Winchester gun name as we know it. But then again it will just be a licensed name more than a true gun, just as it has been for the last 42 years!
RA

PiedmontPete · 04-04-2006, 09:53 AM

Excellent information and points RedAllison.

North Texan, I agree - I shopped Winchester's shotguns last fall andnone oftheir offerings made my sort list (or even my long list, for that matter). In fact, I can't remember even seeing a Winchester at my gun club in the past few years.

I'd like to have a Winchester Model 21, but they stopped making them a long time ago.

Deleted User · 04-04-2006, 11:35 AM

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North Texan · 04-04-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

I think several reasons exist for Winchesters demise, much of which I believe is because Herstal/Miroku spent much more time and devoted much more money too Browning for the last 2 decades. BUT look at what Browning has done in the last 20 years vs Winchester. So who was right?

Browning's newest offerings have been very high on my list. I have been very satisfied with their guns and impressed with some of their newer models. Maybe all that development paid off.

NCOutdoors · 04-04-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

So there is no Winchester manufacturing anywhere now? No other plants to carry on the name?

I THINK the company still manufactures some overseas.

But they are discontinuing the Model 94 and the Model 70.

Red: great post.

PiedmontPete · 04-04-2006, 02:45 PM

I thought this was an interesting snippet from the London times:

"Local officials say that three companies- including Smith & Wesson- have shown interest in buying the factory if they can get hold of the [Winchester] name."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-2113500,00.html

excalibur43 · 04-04-2006, 06:38 PM

NCOutdoors is right. I talked to a Winchester Rep a few days ago.Theyare stillmaking guns,not Winchester, as they haven't made guns for awhile now. If you remember, they were bought out by U.S. Repeating Arms some time ago, and I believe it was in the early 90's that Browning bought U.S. Repeating Arms. If you noticed the Super X #2 is an all Browning action with a Winchester name on it. They are still making firearms, in fact, New for 06 is the Super X #3 and the Super X rifle, along with a few others. They just won't be making anymore Model 70's or Model 94's. I don't know why though, I always thought they were great guns.