Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Barrett Fieldcraft LW, Just curious...

Not to mention that RH guys have several options in the FC category, but if Barrett made a LH action, it'd be the only game in town for a high-end, lightweight rifle for lefties. A higher percentage of lefties would be buying than righties, I'm guessing...

Well then maybe they should make a bunch of LH guns for all the right hand shooters? It would work just as well.

NULA builds high end lightweight LH rifles, so lefties aren't exactly left out in the cold - they're just lacking in options for an "upper level lightweight production rifle".

I suppose Barrett would build some lefties if you guys were to front the large chunk of money it would take to build an entirely new action. I suspect their market research guys looked at the LH option and decided it wouldn't pay for itself anytime soon, especially when they're just getting ramped up with RH options.

I think Darrik (or someone) mentioned this before - the best way to get Barrett to build LH guns is to buy RH guns now, so Barrett will sell enough to make a great profit and offer other options.

Yeah, good plan. They might even sell a couple hundred of them before going bankrupt.

So, I saw the .224 Valkyrie on Youtube at the Shot Show, but no mention of the micro action or other chamberings like the .223 Rem in the Fieldcraft. Has anyone seen or heard any further information?

For a site with so many members attending the show, you would think we’d have an update.

Went to the Barrett booth. They are moving forward with the field craft. Most of the ones they sell are in 6.5 Creedmoor. I think they sell all of those they can make!

Probably crashing in their hotel room after the show... It’s a big busy place

Looks like a 6.8 SPC is coming too. Would make an excellent low recoil deer rifle here in the east.

There will be no LH Barrett Fieldcraft rifles built. I learned this today here at SCI. The decision was just recently made and I'm led to believe it was in the past 2 weeks. This disappoints me terribly. Barrett spokesperson said their market research showed that 5% of the market would buy a LH rifle and it just will not provide them with the return they need.
Dammit.

Well I am not even a lefty when it comes to shooting but I still think that sucks!!! And kinda shady given what they eluded to previously.

The LH guys who are buying right hand guns do have an effect it turns out. I'll buy a Tikka and it will be every bit as accurate or better plus will be about 2 1/2 times cheaper.

I spent more than a little time with them last week at SHOT talking about all sorts of issues... They realize there is little market in LH... their guns do not just get chambered in whatever happens to get ordered. Every gun is tested and must prove worthy. They know exactly what it costs to ready a new cartridge for market. They realize the low numbers of guns in any given cartridge in LH will not cover the cost of building a rifle to their standards.


It sucks, but they know the numbers.

That bites. But I get it. Woulda been nice if they never listed them though.

Thanks for the info, OSU.

Barrett should make one LH model because they said they would.It's important to keep your word regardless of what it costs you.

Just make one LH model in one caliber. They should make their money back on just one. Perhaps in the 6.5 Creedmoor.

I personally think they are miscalculating the demand that there would be for a LH FC. Even with a very limited line. But it's their business and their decision.

I agree with this. My mouth has cost me a bit of money at work over the last 30 years. But if you say something is going to happen, then come hell, high water, or perhaps a loss of money, nothing should get in the way. Make one run of 200 short action lefties and walk away if you can't make money on them.

I'd like to see a LH FC, I'd buy one for my 3 left eye dominant kids. ...butI can certainly understand from a business standpoint. It's not just putting the bolt on the other side, it's a complete change to production including the stock. Time spent making the left hand rifles that "might" sell to 5% of the market is not only losing money there because they won't make enough to pay for making those rifles, it's also losing all of the $ that could have been made making rifles for the 95% that are buying all the 6.5's that come off the line....that is assuming that right hand production would have to be stopped for the left hand production.

Amazing how many people want to risk other people's money on their notions. How many semi-custom makers have gone belly-up in the last few years because of poor business decisions?

Buy something else.

To me,it would be about keeping my word,even if it cost me money personally. I guess a man's word doesn't mean anything in the business world though.