Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors What's the aversion to BACO M70 Winchesters?

i have two south carolina fn manufactured m70's, an ew in 308 and a super grade in 270 win. both are outstanding in every way. i've killed deer, hogs, and elk with both. i like the moa trigger just fine. from all i've read the portugal m70's are equally good but i've never handled one. fact is, if you want a new m70, right off the line, you'll get a Portugal (assembled) version. if that doesn't grab you then used is in your future. i know i wouldn't hesitate to buy a new m70, assembled in portugal, if that's what i wanted. and i wouldn't give a thought to the enclosed trigger versus the older version. ymmv.

I will never own another BACO M70... don’t like the MOA trigger, and only want “Made In Portugal” on my bottles of Port. A “real” M70 has the original trigger and is made in New Haven, CT... or at least somewhere in the USA.

That pretty well sums up my opinion.

These days most Deer skin gloves are assembled in China. That makes me more upset than a Portugal Model 70.

Lots and lots of things upset me more than where my Winchester was assembled.

Ditto....

Not averse to the BACO guns, just can’t recall ever handling one.

To all that took the time to share their experience, thank you!
It's been most helpful.

shotgunjock

I've had plenty, I sold them and keep the pre 64's..

Agree 100%.

"Upset" about it? Nope. Out of my control, and I've got my good ones.

I will, however, do my part by voting again for Donald J. Trump in hopes he can bring them and many others back here, where they belong.

Yep, the model 70 shouldn't be farmed out to another country. If I'm going to buy a rifle built overseas, its going to be a Tikka... The model 70 has been a piece of American history. The new ones are a browning import as far as I'm concerned...

This is as close to "Made In Portugal" any M70 I own will ever get

I am curious to learn what the factual issue(s) why BACO "assembled in Portugal " rifles may be lower in quality compared made/assembled in USA?

Many strong OPINIONS, but no facts, or finite issues about Portugal-assembled model 70 rifles.

Can anyone provide a finite quality issue with Portugal-assembled model 70 rifles? The Craftsmen there may be every bit as talented as USA workers. Maybe not, don't know. Has anyone who has owned or handled a Portugal-assembled m70 encountered a quality issue with it?

Just the facts please.

I suppose we all should throw rocks at Mausers, Tikkas, Sakos, and CZs, since they're also made in Europe.
Oh, and M1917s too - they are a European design.

I did some research on this 2-3 years ago, and discovered that the reason "assembly" was moved to Portugal was the assembly in South Carolina was at a plant mostly focused on military rifles. Consequently they did not know how to deal with walnut stocks--and the Portugal gunsmiths did. Which is why the assembled-in-Portugal walnut stocks are pretty nice--and the rifles shoot so well.

I know the last from buying and shooting some of the Portugal-assembled rifles, rather than guessing. They are more accurate and reliable out of the box than pre-'64 Model 70s--and the most recent New Haven rifles.

I have a Portugal-assembled 280 FWT. Sweet rifle. I can't see any difference between it and the SC manufactured 70's And it's a dang sight better than some of the "Made in USA" guns that came out of NH in the last few years there.

Fact: The New Haven USA Model 70 trigger is the finest hunting trigger ever made. Other than that, nobody has said anything about Portugal guns being lower quality. I will personally never know as long as they have their current trigger.

Maybe the craftsmen there are just as good.... not the point. The point is the Model 70 has been the AMERICAN riflemans rifle since 1936, and some of us true American patriots are not interested in one made ANYwhere else. Pretty simple.

If I needed another Model 70, which I don't, I would buy one of these without a second of hesitation.

Winchester makes what appears to be a great rifle and it is shunned by some because it is not made here. And you become a “True American Patriot” by doing so? Help me Rhonda!!!!

Wonder how many of those patriots are not driving American cars, or using Leupold’s, or typing here on something that came out of China. What a hoooot!!!!

A Portuguese made “Winchester” is exactly like this, an older American Co. now made offshore - an ignoble end. "The British are coming! Hide your Kim Chi!"

Three if by FedEx....

Classic Patriotic American revolutionary marketing. I like it....👍😃