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wa_cowboy24

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May 16, 2005
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Everett Washington
Hey guys can someone please tell me what the true story is with Winchester, I understand there is a rumor curculating that they will be closing there doors forever, is this vrifiable? and if so does this affect the ammunition side on the company as well, I am concerned that there succession may drive ammo prices higher and higher since they are a significant supplier I appreciate any feedback on this Thanks all.
 
The amunition and gun businesses are separate at winchester. Meaning that Olin owns the amunition side, and FN (from belgium) owns the gun side.

The rumor right now is that FN will be shutting down the american winchester plant, possibly ending the whole line of winchester guns as well.

IIRC Olin owns the rights to the winchester name, and licenses it to FN, so it is possible that someone else could pick up making winchester branded firearms in the future.
 
Don't worry about ammo, this only affects the plant that built certain models of rifle and shotgun. It's USRAC that's closing, and they're just some factory that bought the rights to stamp "Winchester" on the rifles they build.

A lot of these good ol' American companies are just some guys who plunked down cash for the legal right to use a famous brand-name. Not saying that the rifles that Armalite, USRAC, and others produce are necessarily bad, just that it's a bit odd that folks get all misty-eyed about the name when there's zero connection between the original business and the current one.

So yes, there are downsides in that the Model 70 and 94 won't be coming onto the shelves (until someone buys the name again, gets Miroku of Japan to build more outstanding Winchester copies at high prices, and legally stamps "Winchester" on them), but the Winchester company that makes ammo is a totally separate entity.

Not to bust your brass, but it would make things a lot easier to run a Search before asking this question, as it's been covered extensively on the board this week, and also to put in a clearer title, like "How will Winchester closing effect ammo prices", instead of the equivalent of "Hey you guys!". That way the folks with the best info will immediately arrive to answer your question, as opposed to people like me who are just procrastinating and willing to look at a thread which gives no indication of its content.

Not knocking you personally, tons of folks do both those things. But the more we all run a Search first and use clear titles, the smoother the board will run.

Take care,
-MV

(EDIT: TheDrew beat me to the punch while I was typing)
 
No need for apologies, glad to have you here.

By the way, you being in Everett and all, have you ever been to DJ's Loan and Sport down in Bothell? That was my favorite of all gunshops in the Puget Sound area when I lived there. I wrote a review of the shop, which you can also find using the Search button.

If you run across any better gunshops in the Seattle area, drop me a line and I'll be sure to check them out next time I go back there to visit relatives.

Hope you continue to find THR a good place to get all your questions answered. You get the hang of the whole posting process pretty quick, so don't sweat it.

Take care,
-MV
 
I was wondering about the ammo , WalMart has been out for a little while then got in Remington and not the Winchester in the 100 count boxes
 
This may not be applicable, but....didn't the American motorcycle firm Harley Davidson go out of business several years ago? They're BACK, and making more money now than ever before!

Wasn't Smith & Wesson sold off to a British conglomerate several years ago? As far as I know, it is now back in American ownership, and doing quite well!

Winchester may be "down", but don't count it "out" just yet! The mere NAME of Winchester has always been looked upon as AMERICAN quality. It may take awhile, but I think that you'll see the "re-birth" of an American legend!
 
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