I don't think anyone ever said the Portugal guns weren't as nice as the SC FN's. To be honest, the SC plant was having some QC issues: Fit and finish and quality of stocks. They decided to move production to Portugal to remedy some of the issues they had here in the states. I still don't plan on buying any Portugal made rifles as they are not real Winchesters as far as I'm concerned. The last ones were made in a place they call New Haven, Connecticut...