Well, as a last comment, I will say this. Your assertion that Remington "has no quality control....and that the quality has been sliding downhill for 17 years".... is just exactly the kind of unsubstantiated drivel with which I have taken issue. You spoke about "hard evidence", then made this incredibly broad assertion - which you cannot prove in any way. I happen to know that this statement you've made is nonsense. So, because you don't like the finish on the SPS...it's obviously inferior to the other models ? Baloney. Your friend, who accurizes Remingtons, says that they are junk ? If so, then why would he waste his time with them ? Obviously, they have some good potential (so they are not junk, are they ?) ...or your friend is a fool, perhaps ? Certainly either you or he have seen Remington's facilities...so that you have some real evidence to support your claims ? Or you have metalurgy reports, which indicate that the "cheaper" Remingtons are truly inferior to the more expensive models ? No? I didn't think so.

I've owned 6 Remingtons (1-Model 7 and 5- 700s) over the last 15 years, or so. Every one has been a very good rifle. I have never experienced a bad barrel (all of mine would shoot 1 MOA or less @ 100 metres, with the right loads)....I have never had any reliability issues, either. I have not seen any decrease in quality, as well. The metalurgy is the same as it always has been...unless my friend, the engineer, is lying. Hmm...so, I'd have to say, in addition to the direct knowledge I have of my particular rifles...and the indirect knowledge I have from my friend (who WORKED at Remington, in charge of many of the production processes they use)....and the things that I have seen there (which contradict your assertions).... that you are likely just talking out of your a**.

If you don't like Remingtons, that's fine....don't buy them. Are they the greatest thing since sliced bread....or the finest - made firearms in existence ? Of course not. Are they perfect ? Again, of course not. They are no more (or less) perfect than any other similar firearms. They are certainly equal to the others on the market, in the same price ranges...and perhaps, better than some.

As I said before, please don't try to sell - what you don't have. Some of us do know better... and are not buying the bull.