Now that you have had the chance to look at them, with the possible exception of the shotgun, what do you think of the prices? Even with the difference in the dollar, I'm getting a strange vibe from Savage. Maybe it's me.
Savage has been an innovator in the past. Perhaps they feel it's time to try the higher end factory rifle market. I'm getting an odd vibe from this however. WRT the Ultra Lite and Elite line, the Proof barrels are an interesting idea, but is it a gamble? They have spent the money to produce a higher end product, but I wonder if the shooting public will buy in. Some might say that it is a factory rifle after all. Real competitors build their own. The UL being the exception.
Savage might have something however. There is a growing number of shooters who consider themselves 'tactical ninjas'. Perhaps that's what the marketing dept sees as their customer base for the Elite line. I will be watching to see how this plays out.
The rimfire market is a tough one. If you are going to charge more than $150 to $200, it had better be very good.
There's no doubt that some of their designs put the Ugh in ugly. Even with the upgrades, I am not convinced that the shooting public will buy in. Savage will need a bunch of positive feedback from users.
I've seen train wrecks that look prettier than any of those firearms. Yuck. Savage is just continuing a theme: "just good enough and built as cheap as possible. Priced at the maximum that the market will bear"
I think they went the wrong way with rifles. Everyone wants a gun under $500 bucks these days. I would not pay a third of their asking prices. I beat my guns up pretty bad. I am not a buy the best gun for the money type guy. I am actually to the point I will spend more but I dont see a whole lot more there than just another synthetic gun.
But the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, Gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5: 22&23
I don't think you're alone. These rifles are attracting some attention, but will they have staying power? Has the firearms industry gone the way of cell phones? That is, constantly offering upgrades when there isn't always a need?
And what about these AR like, bolt action rifles? Are they the next big thing?
I can't remember who first said it, but it goes something like this. "Life is to short to hunt with ugly guns". I have a Mirkoru Deluxe Mod. 71 Win. next to me as I type this, when I look at it and the new Savage offerings I realize how old I am and out of touch with the new age of firearms.