I know it's not a popular answer but, too many choices was probably another part of the downfall, only part, I agree that the American and it's ilk are another significant portion of the reason. Yes you have to listen to your end-users, yes you have to innovate. However, at some point there are so many choices that retailers throw up their hands and decide that SS/Syn Hawkeyes are going to be "Special Order Only". People with $$ in their hands want to walk out of the LGS with a gun the day they decide to buy one.
