Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Just got an email from a regional director to the RMEF that stated that Knight rifles will cease to exist on June 30th??? Did I miss the announcement or is this new news?

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

txhunter58


Wow! but there has been other rumors flying also...

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

That would sure be too bad. I'm glad I have the knight's I do but now maybe I need to stock up on some spare parts.
Art

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

If all of this happens that's to bad. But, if it doesn't happen this really puts a bad light on the RMEF. (Rocky mountain Elk Foundation)

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

This is what the email said:

Knight Rifles will be ceasing operations on June 30th, 2009. The Knight Shadow .50 Muzzleloaderin our RMEF Merchandise Catalog will no longer be available. Any open orders will be fulfilled but they will not be accepting any new orders.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Thanks for the information. I was going to send one of my guns back for a trigger adjustment. NOT NOW;)

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Man, I hate to hear that...

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

This is very bad. Knight made some really good guns.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

This would indeed be too bad. Knight innovated the inline and has always made a quality, ACCURATE product. I have never owned one but have always respected the company.

I never bought one due to the DISC requirement, then when that went away I did not like their newer designs. IMHO opinion they have struggled in recent years to find an innovative design that could compete with some of the others on the market.

This isone reasonwhy I didn't want a DISC rifle, who's going to keep supplyings DISCs now if this is true?

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

If true... not happy about this !:( Hope they/someone will still offer spare parts like breech plugs.

Wouldn't be surprised if they reorganize.. ormerged with Green Mountain Barrel. (Both ownedby the same parent company).

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

another fine american gun company going down.I'm saddend by the thought. karl

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Too bad but they have been putting out product that isn't in the same league as the Encore and Triumph...ie, the Rolling Block and KP1...

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

I use Green Mountain barrels almost exclusively. I hope they are not in financial trouble.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

I hope this is untrue. I have found Knight Rifles to be of very good quality, and their employees are a pleasure to deal with. I hope Knight Rifles will bearound for a long time.

They don'thave themarketing and distribution strength that TC or CVA has.This is the area that Knight should invest in. If they are having financial troubles (which I don't know is true or untrue), it probably would be most beneficial for KnightRifles to be acquired byan established, large firearm maker that has a wide distribution network in the US andperhaps internationally.

IMO, marketing and distribution (whilemaintainingits high quality)is more critical to Knight than trying to develop the next technological advancement in black powder firearms.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Knight rifles is owned by a very large corporation. They are owned by Ebsco, which owns approximately 40 companies, including summit treestands, green mountain barrel company etc etc. They started as a publishing company of all things.They own quite a few sporting goods companies.They aquired Knight rifles in 1998

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Someone probably already said it, but perception is very important in today's market place.It seems every TV hunting show today, the guy is using an Encore.I can remember when Knight was the "king of the hill" in the MZ in-line market. It seemed you couldn't pick up a hunting magazine without seeing Jim Shockey and his MK-85 with anothertrophy. Knight had all the big name hunters in their stable.. like T/C does today.

Then T/C introduced the Omega with a media blitz... followed by the Encore and Knight was been chasing T/C's tail ever since... and getting further and further behind. CVA's re-emergence also hurts Knight.

I hope Knight survives and gets back in the game.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

I am aware the EBSCO Industries owns both Knight Rifles and GMRB. It does not appear, though, that EBSCO (or GMRB) is providing Knight with the broad marketing and distribution channels that Knight needs. TC appearsmuch stronger than Knight in marketing and distribution -- the difference in marketing and distribution between the 2 companies far surpasses adifference in the quality of their productsifthere is any difference in quality between TC and Knight muzzleloaders. That's why an acquisition by an established firearms maker with broad distribution channels maybe helpful to Knight -- if Knight is having financial difficulties. EBSCO does not own any other firearms manufacturer, as best as I can tell.

I think Knight Rifles provides a good quality product, andIthink they have a place in the black powdermarket. They may need to re-solidify quality in a few areas. But, their main problem, imo, is that they are getting beat in marketing and distribution. They need to put an end to that by emphasizing and marketing quality and re-building their relationships with distributors and dealers.

Just my 2 cents.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Knight has a great brand, good customer service, and good products. I really like my Knight.

If this is true, somebody will acquire them, or at least their assets. Another firearm company must see some value here.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Lets hope this is true. I'm real happy with my KRB7other than the factthat it won't shoot Balckhorn209.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Well in my book the Encore SUCKS!!! Had one in BP and also a .30-06 barrel. Both SUCKED!!! I have enjoyed my Knight Vision and my NEF Sidekick and the performance they gave me over the Encore. To me the Encore was a piece of junk that SUCKED!!!

I know, I know, you want me to tell everyone how I really feel. "ENCORES SUCK!!!

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

They are just a very poor designed ML. T/C paid alot of money for advertising to get people to buy them. Guess what, it worked.The Omega made them millions. The only ML that T/C made that even compares to the Knight Extreme or Elite is the Triumph. Heck, the Knight Vision is better in just about every way over an Omega. Yet, Knight got to sell these cheap just to get rid of them.They just don't have professionals doing there marketing for them.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Only time will tell. However I was under the impression that Knight just received a substantial military contract. May be they are just refocusing their efforts?? Tom.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Not in my experience... My Encore PH is an outstanding MZ.

Nothing from Knight in years has been of the same quality....

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

Like rdpettit, I must be missing something-I am very happy with my Pro Hunter. I am certain there are many very good muzzleloaders out there, and I hope to try them. But the PH is a very long way from junk.

RE: Knight rifles ceasing?
 

I sent 2 barrelled actions to have the quick release installed.. week before last. I then called Knight Tech Support twice last week. Got the " due to call volumes.. please try later". Next time I just hung on the line, and a nice lady answered both times and connected me to Gordy (Tech Support).

Gordy called me back last Thursday to say my guns are done and he is sending them back. Then he said "Does that Elite .45 shoot OK ?" Yeah... why ? "The barrel looks like it has a bend in it". My jaw just about hit the floor. Then he starts laughing.. and says "I"m just having some fun with you man!"

We had a nice talk for about 10 mins about BH209 loads in the Disc rifles...he was in realgood mood. I didn't mention about the Knight Internet talk... but he seemed confident Knight was getting it's act together and was hopeful the new rifle will be a winner (next year). Just hope he's not totally blind slided.