Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Whatever happened to American gunmakers.

taxes, healthcare, litigation, regulation, guns and butter lecture from Econ 101, diminishing returns, lack of obsolescence.


In a nutshell.

If the market was folks who wanted to pay $2500 for a really nice rifle its what Winchester, Ruger, Savage and Remington would be making ( Ok maybe not Remington). What we all seem to want is a Axis or American for $350, Thats what they are making.

Another issue is that there is a lot more turn over in product design these days. Rather than set a line that was going to produce mostly similar rifles for a couple of years, there are so many models and variants now that its more like Set up, run 500 or 1000, break down and set up for the next run. It seems as QC would be trickier under the new fast moving model.

it might come down to who is wanting to buy what? back in the day, the marlin 336 and the rem mdl 742 were right in line with consumer demand. and maybe they or their later descendents still are.

but it's all about price, in relation to where to shoot, how often, and is hunting on the agenda?

we can't do away with tech improvements, and material advances.

the issue now is what do the suburbanites want?

+1, Do you think "Accutrigger" has anything to do with accuracy?

Older the better for me ...no new guns ever catch my eye..I quit looking at the new gun racks years ago...this applies to just about everything from sporting goods tools chainsaws cloths dishes you name it..I find myself shopping at antique malls pawn shops and consignment auctions a lot...
My latest were the herters coat and down vest for free at auction
028 Stihl chainsaw for 100 bucks
Plano tackle box like new in a thrift store for 2 dollars
6 beer glasses at the same thrift store .50 each

You and I have some things in common. I'd rather have old stuff. Trucks and guns anyway.

There’s still beautiful rifles that are as good or better than any “older” made comparable. They ain’t cheap but they’re available. The makers are doing the responsible thing and catering to what the market is demanding. Reasonably priced, accurate, plastic stocked rifles because the modern consumer isn’t a rifleman, it’s comprised of those that prefer function over form.

Seems we've become a nation of extremes. The masses mostly do seek the lowest price. There are a rare few, however, that will keep Holland & Holland in business too.