I too think alot of people out there tend to disreguard the proper procedures for using a black powder rifle. Manuals are provided with rifles for a reason. I guess some people dont think its necessary to read them. I saw a guy beating the ramrod of his rifle against the range pole trying to push a sabot down the barrel. I asked him how many times he had shot it and he said twelve and that was without cleaning at all. Theres an accident waiting to happen. Would that be the companies fault? I dont think so.Even If they do read the manual, there is still a time when some peoplefeel they must experiment with something along the way,not knowing what the outcome may be. This is where I think most accidents happen. Ive noticed posts on herewhere people using rifles that specify not to use FFFg powders where using them and the manuals do not list them as safe to use.
Im sure there are incidents involving alot of the brands out there but all are not heard of. Alot of settlements from Big companies involve paperwork that require the injured not to speak of the facts of the case to anyone(confidentiality clause). Money will make anything go away.If the consumer could access the cases and files of the major manufacturers in ledigation for consumer injury due to product failure, he might get some big surprises. I dont think the Spain made rifles would be in a class by themselves. I cant understand why someone would trust an Austin & Halleck and speak highly of them but not a Traditions or CVA. I had one and it was made in Spain and the only difference I saw was the difference in price and some cosmetic features. I read the instructions and feel if I do something wrong it is my fault. IfI followed what the manual said and an incident occurs then it is the company who made the rifles faultor there may be a problem with the brand of propellent. Maybe some of the accidents with foreign guns were operator error and we allow this to affect what we buy in the future. Maybe some companies are better covering up accidents of poor quality or stupdity of the operatorthan others. We should think on that for awhile. Ever heard the saying "what you dont know wont hurt you".