Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Very Sad News

Sad news to report-

I just got word (from the horse's mouth so to speak) that a major US (sort of) firearms manufacturer closed thier doors today.

I don't want to say which one, because it hasn't been announced or made official yet, but I am bummed to no end. Press releases should be forthcoming.

The upside is that about 2/3 of the guns in my safe have just gone up in value.

High labor costs, and poor profits are to blame.

USRAC?

Say it ain't so.

rb

It would only be sad if I liked the items that they produced.

Thread up in the campfire section that has better details and says it is likely just a temporary union negotiating threat.
art

Looks like that they are trying to "finish" there business in up north and head to pastures in the south that are much more business friendly.

Huntr

is it the one near you, I heard something about layoffs recently

Which rifles were produced in New Haven and which rifles were produced in SC .... Looks like an M70 375 may not be in my future .... CZ????

According to Leslee Dengler at the Custom Shop - take this with 4 year's worth of salt grains as that's how long ago I heard this - the 70 actions were made in South Carolina then shipped to New Haven for final assembly.

I'm still waiting to see if they don't just move total production to South Carolina.

Hey just curious if you know why not just say it, don't understand why you'd bring it up if you don't want to say it...

Mark D

Found this on predatormasters.com:

USRAC Issues

U.S. Repeating Arms announces plans to close Winchester plant
By MATT APUZZO
Associated Press Writer

January 17, 2006, 2:23 PM EST

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- U.S. Repeating Arms said Tuesday that it is preparing to close its flagship factory in New Haven, where Winchester rifles have been made for 140 years.

The announcement touched off a lobbying effort by city officials and union leaders who hoped to find someone to buy the plant before it closes March 31.

"It's part of who we are as a nation just like it's part of who we are as a city. It's the gun that won the West," Mayor John DeStefano said. "What are we going to have, Winchester rifles manufactured in China? Is this what we're coming to?"

Everett Corey, a representative of the International Association of Machinists District 26, said 186 workers will lose their jobs if the plant closes. The company said it had more than 19,000 workers during World War II.

"Several generations have worked at this place, a lot of fathers and brothers, sons, uncles and daughters," said Paul DeMennato, facility director at U.S. Repeating Arms. "A lot of marriages were people who met at Winchester."

U.S. Repeating Arms, which is owned by the Herstal Group, a Belgium company, has said for years that it was on the brink of closing the plant. The company said sales have fallen off steadily.

DeMennato said the company is negotiating the sale of its plant. The Winchester name is owned by Missouri-based Olin Corp., which had sold U.S. Repeating Arms the right to use the name until next year.

Olin had no immediate word on its plans for the Winchester name.

Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.

Betja it gits outsourced to Jaa-pan.

they wouldn't have that problem if they lowered there prices.. I mean around here winchester m70 ftw is the most expensive bolt action some prices rival custom jobs...

Robert...

I figured when they stopped the 9422 the end was coming..

Be curious to see if they move production overseas. If Win M-70's are made in Japan, then according to the post about Browning A-Bolt's, alot of folks will quit buying M-70's.

I would be surprised to learn production was out sourced to Japan. Japan is actively outsourcing manufacturing to China and SE Asia.

I agree, that's why my last 3 rifles have been Remington.

From what I heard today, it is just the New Haven plant that is closing. I believe they only make the 70 and the 94 in New Haven.

I can't imagine they would outsource any work to Japan, I doubt the Japanese would take it. They've already peed in that punchbowl by ramping up production on the Brownings a couple of years ago and then laying off workers when business slowed (a major faux pas in Japan from what I understand).

There is something in the contract (I believe between Herstal and Olin) that won't allow the Winchester name to be used by another entity until 2008.

It looks like the M70 is a goner, at least for now.

Mark,

I wanted a chance to lay up a couple of super grades before the news broke and caused a run on them.

I'm selfish <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Besides, no one on this board knows me, or has any idea how credible I am as a source of such information.

I had also sworn on a stack of 'shooter's bibles' that I wouldn't be specific until it was public.

Got the word today from a bud in the Gun Rag industry.

No more 1300's 94's and M-70's.


It's obvious that FN a foreign entity is at the helm.

There ain't a coner of of hell hot enough for the bean counters and executives that have made the decision over there in Europe.

I trust there will be some legal action and a rebirth.
Just as I tust the concept of sovregnity.

FN can burn in hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


E4E

That would be a tragedy is the model 70 was a nice rifle, but if they move production to japan, maybe quality control will become acceptable again.
Have you handled a recent production m70, junk, actions dont fit in the stocks, barrels touching one side, safeties so stiff you can barely move them. Another great old company done in by inferior products.