US Firearms still exist?

There's another thread on this if you search USFA. Sounded like the owner is a tad eccentric and is going to try out the Zipgun thing for a year or two.

Sadly the ZIP...thing...... is USFA.

Yes, the traditional USFA still exist along side their Zip .22 . You can find them at http://www.usfasingleactions.com/

USFA told me at the SHOT Show in Vegas the traditional side is on hold for a couple years, after which they plan to start it up again.

In reality, if the Zipper fails, I think that'll be the end of USFA.
Denis

... and I don't see a bright future for the Zip gun.
Bad timing on the introduction of it as well.

This is the first I have ever seen of this "ZIP" thing. What . . . . . .the hell? I can't even imagine how it would even be held! I don't get it. They need to stick to Cowboy Action.

I found a SAA USFA .357 magnum online a few months ago...It is a beautiful gun, every bit as well made as any Ruger I've seen, with deep bluing and very nice polish, everything was very well made and fitted.
The price was obscenely low. Under $300. I hope they keep making those SAA's when that zip gun goes the way of the dodo.

I have a couple USFA Rodeos - one in matte blue and one in nickel. Outstanding quality guns.
If the owner got bored, why didnt he just sell the single action business to someone else ?
I'm a revolver guy, and usually pass on gimicks - but I'd look one of those Zip guns over.

How do the USFA products compare to a current Colts P model?

If the Zipper goes the way of the Dodo, you can pretty much figure on USFA following it.
Denis

Hmmmm I'm guessing they aren't taking the big gamble because the CAS side was making money hand over fist. I seem to recall the sixguns were really nice, but have Ruger and the nicer Uberti's for some serious competition. The Zip guns seemsss... uh... I don't know what to say that THR.

They still exist and are in business...

http://www.usfasingleactions.com/


tipoc

tipoc said:

They still exist and are in business...

http://www.usfasingleactions.com/


tipoc

Click to expand...

But there are no revolver available for sale on their site any longer!!!

That's really too bad because they made a better Colt SSA than Colt does!
Now they are only making that stupid Zip .22 crap. (and they can't even make their own magazines) It really is a stupid looking piece of plastic with no character at all...

^. . . . . . and looks entirely uncomfortable to hold. For a company who made such nice single action revolvers, . . . . what the crap are they thinking??? On top of that, . . . it appears that the only way to unchamber a round is to put your fingers WAY too close to the end of the barrel. Not on my watch.

They are NOT producing or selling the traditional revolvers.
See Post 5 above.
Denis

Donnelly is a nutcase and all USFA is producing is the Zipper. The machinery and staff used to produce their single actions are gone. This ain't a gun shop rumor.

CraigC said:

The machinery and staff used to produce their single actions are gone. This ain't a gun shop rumor.

Click to expand...

The website seems to indicate that they are retooling the factory where they made the SAA clones and the ZIP...thing... is being made elsewhere.

. . . And so we are re-tooling and re-processing every part, every component updating every machine to continue that great work.

Click to expand...

Is this not the case?

That's how Doug is spinning it but all evidence points to the contrary. Several of us have been watching USFA for two years as things have gradually unraveled. The people and machinery that created their fine single actions are gone. He wouldn't have let that happen if he intended to stay in the revolver business.

At SHOT I stood four feet from Doug who was showing off the Zipper to three or four other guys. He was busy & I didn't have time to wait till he was done.
One of his USFA fellow reps told me as I was handling one of the Zippers on display that the revolvers are on hold for two years while they focus on the .22, after which the plan is to start up the traditional side again.

I have an email here prior to SHOT from Doug saying the Zipper may be all that's left.

I'm going with direct contact, as opposed to whatever the USFA website says.

I don't wish USFA any ill, they put out excellent quality revolvers, and the Model 1910 .45 ACP I had here years ago was first rate in terms of quality.
It just appears to me that with the peaking of the CAS movement and demand for a high-quality Colt clone slowing down, the decision was made to transfer focus and bet the future on plastic.

After handling the Zipper & failing to see a sustainable market for it, my feeling is that IF the future of USFA is riding on it, that future is doubtful.
Denis

They have taken significant and maybe fatal hits during the downturn it seems. If not enough folks buy your product, and the price of materials rises, you can't keep in business even if selling an outstanding gun.

Speculate all we like but we will see in time what happens.

tipoc

If USFA is gone, it is a real shame. The ZIP is a drip. You can't make money selling stupid gimmick guns. The guy is a loon. *tsk*

IMHO, you cannot make the same assumptions you would about any other company. Sales were never a problem, they sold every gun they made and had trouble keeping up with demand. The problem is Donnelly. He ran the company like his personal candy store and its direction depended on whatever whim he was riding at the moment. Had he been in charge of a company he did not own, he would've been fired a long time ago.

Aw, come on. Quit holding back & say how you REALLY feel!
Denis