Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Ressurection of the M-70?

I talked to an industry insider today. I'll not name him just in case I don't get this 100% right.

He said FN has kept the M-70 production line open over the last few years by buying 15,000 M-70 actions. He also says FN is buying several hundred fiberglass stocks per month for M-70s.

He said Winchester is not for sale and the reason FN hasn't moved the plant and started production is because of labor agreements. He said in about a year and a half the labor agreement not to move the plant expires, and then FN will likely move the plant to Portugal or someplace similar and make M-70s and M-94s.

He said the 1300 is probably done for good, since FN is going to have the Model 12 made again but made in Russia. He said the quality of Russian M-12s are much better than the current Win 1300s.

It's to bad it costs more to make poorer quality stuff in this country. Then again, maybe we Amercians really aren't interest in being laborers anymore.

I doubt it. EU labor costs are still higher and import taxes higher yet. If they wanted to ressurect the M70 they'd easier build them in the southern US in a non-union shop. An M70 stamped "Made in Portugal" would be a non-starter.

Interesting

Maybe they'll make them in Russia................

I would have thought Japan,beside the Brownings.

Yes in S E US where the mex labor rules... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Not sure if the "Winchester" name is for sale, but the way Beretta (SP? too early in AM & the NYQUIL isn't working)has been buying up "names" to add to their product lines, they may make a move?

Blaine,

I have heard from a guy who was in on the original smithing side of the project that the FN model 70s are all tadtical/SWAT type-rifles. They are marketed as FNs but the moving parts are all Winchester.
You have probably seen the ads on them in the gun rags -- the ditributor, whose name I forget, is in McLean VA.

If this is what your contact has in mind, I doubt that it points to the salvation of the Model 70 as a sporting rifle in an identifiable Model 70 package.

1B

The FN tactical rifles were an explanation of how Win was able to keep in business for the last few years. The labor is why FN didn't keep production going. It makes ense production will resume after the labor contract expires. We'll see in a couple years.............

Out of curiousity, what are the main differences between the CZ550 American and the nearest equivalent M70? I'm not talking custom shop offerings, but off the shelf rifles from both companies...

IN my experience and opinion, the model 70 safety is superior to the CZ. For a non dangerous game gun I like the CZ trigger better, for a DGR I prefer the model 70. The CZ and model 70's both are usually quite accurate right from the box. I see the CZ competing with Ruger to be the likely hier apparant to the M70 for those of us who insist on CRF bolt action rifles.

There was talk that Kimber has a big bore on the way?

I feel really bad about Winchester closing. I would not buy a gun made in japan.

A Kimber in the same price range as the Model 70 in good big game chamberings would be a real draw, I think.

This is how rumors spread. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

"Anyone have an opportunity to see or talk with Kimber about the new line of Express Rifles they are coming out with?
I have heard a rumor to this effect."


Frank

Kimber Express

I don't like the CZ trigger, but when you adjust out the set trigger feature it is okay.

The CZ Safari is a bigger, beefier action that can take a case with an OAL of 3.85" vs the 3.6" of an M-70. The extractor is beefier as well.

I DO NOT like the three-position M-70 safety. I prefer the simplicity of "off" and "on".

The three position safety is one of the things I like about the M-70.