Plant closing ends run for traditional Winchester rifles

The Times-Tribune (Scranton, PA) ^ | 19 February 2006

[Tree of Liberty]

A couple reasons, I think. One, demand is dropping, according to FN, so it's not profitable to keep USRAC open. There's also been labor issues going on for a long time. Second, the term of FN's license on the Winchester name is coming up. The name actually belongs to Orlin, which is the manufacturer of Winchester branded ammo.

My guess is that the "classics" will still be built in the future (keep in mind that the patents on them expired decades ago, its' the name that's copyrighted), but it'll be done in Belgium or Japan under the Browning name, which FN owns outright.

[I got the rope]

I think I'm going out to buy a Winchester Classic or pre 64 in a .308 or a 30-06 this week.

I may go out and buy a few more shotguns too.

[Tree of Liberty]

Glad I bought a couple, including a never fired bicentenial special edition, just after the news hit.

[Inyo-Mono]

A western movie wouldn’t be a western movie if the likes of Gary Cooper, Tex Ritter, Rex Allen, Randolph Scott, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Roy Rodgers and the Lone Ranger didn’t carry a Model 94 in their saddle scabbard.

Which is historically inaccurate, as it was the model 1873 Winchester that "Won the West."

[CFC__VRWC]

Anyone heard if Olin is going to license the Winchester name to another manufacturer?

A gun store owner I talked to said they're still going to market ammunition and reloading supplies under the Winchester name.

[Henchster]

PING!

[Tree of Liberty]

It'll probably cost you. The shop that I bought mine from had one left, built in 1950 and in 30-30win, for about $950.

[Servant of the 9]

Another American icon that's now foreign-owned.

Owned by Browning Arms, a company founded by John Browning, the inventor of the Model 94.

One of the replica makers will be making Model 94s within a year, and making them better than Winchester has since WWII.

SO9

[mwyounce]

A gun store owner I talked to said they're still going to market ammunition and reloading supplies under the Winchester name.

My understanding is that Olin owns the Winchester brand name and makes the ammo, but had a contract with U.S. Repeating Arms to manufacture rifles under the Winchester name.... that contract is due to expire next year anyway, whether this came about or not.

[yarddog]

I always thought the model 94 or a Marlin would make a good rural guerilla rifle.

The fact that you can keep topping off the magazine from loose rounds is a great feature. Shoot one, load one, and still have those in the mag available just in case.

[Ed Condon]

Had a model '92 .25-20 caliber when I was a kid. Pawned it to buy a wedding present for my friends sister, never got it back.

[I got the rope]

Do you want to sell it? LOL.

[ol' hoghead]

John Browning, the inventor of the Model 94...and the 1886

[Simo Hayha]

I have one in .32 special with a serial number around 1.8 million. A hand-me down. Shot my first two whitetails with it, dropped them both where they stood, both shots at around 40 yards. Someone suggested I not hunt with it anymore, cause of its age/value. I now have other Winchesters, Remingtons, and a Sako to use.

[the invisib1e hand]

the good thing is that they might knock down that freaking minaret that's been atop the old factory and visible to all passers.

googled for a link to a photo but to no avail...

[billhilly]

Fortunately, I got my model 70 about fifteen or so years ago. It is not a pre 64 but a very good rifle that has done everything I needed it to do. The .270 has been just right for me, but now it sits in my guncase waiting for me to give it to an heir. Having lost my right eye to retinal detachment, I have been unable to shoot for the past few years. It has taken deer, bobcat and turkey. The reason for the turkey is the fall turkey season that runs parallel with deer in Virginia. Rifle is permitted.

That is more than anyone wants to know, but I do love my Winchester. I also own two Winchester Model 12 shotguns.

[Servant of the 9]

John Browning, the inventor of the Model 94...and the 1886

And the 1885, 1892, 1895, 1897 and many many more, effectively every Winchester between 1885 and 1900 except the Lee Navy straight pull rifle.

So9

[yarddog]

Around 15 years ago I was forced to sell nearly all my guns for financial reasons. I am very slowly rebuilding my collection.

The only lever action I have now is a Marlin model 94CL in 32-20. For any performance it is necessary to reload as the factory ammo is really weak.

[umgud]

Legacy Sports offers this Puma model. They've been around awhile.

[Mr. Brightside]

Interesting read.

I used to work for Marlin, another New Haven rifle maker.