Since I can afford to buy all the gun companies about the same as I can afford to buy one of them, I'd buy them all. Then I'd cut off all the police departments of cities that sue gunmakers kind of like Ronny Barrett did with LA.
If you had a chance to buy a gun company...
- Thread starter Skofnung
- Start date
- Status
Ruger
A line of service/target P series with these features;
1)P90/P97,redesigneed with 10 round mags
2)Sturdy,adjustable rear sights,options-white outline rear/red front'
fiber optic Hi-Viz type alternates.
3)Convertability;factory options would/should include .45 acp/Super,with factory .400 Cor Bon.>40's would come with .357 Sig as an option,9mm,a .30 Luger(was actually offereed in European markets with the p94)
3)5 inch revolver and auto pistol barrel lengths
4) to concur with another poster,RERAL useable iron sights on all of the rifles,maybe some M77 based Scout type rifles with 5&10 round mags,stripper clip guides where appropriate for caliber.
A line of service/target P series with these features;
1)P90/P97,redesigneed with 10 round mags
2)Sturdy,adjustable rear sights,options-white outline rear/red front'
fiber optic Hi-Viz type alternates.
3)Convertability;factory options would/should include .45 acp/Super,with factory .400 Cor Bon.>40's would come with .357 Sig as an option,9mm,a .30 Luger(was actually offereed in European markets with the p94)
3)5 inch revolver and auto pistol barrel lengths
4) to concur with another poster,RERAL useable iron sights on all of the rifles,maybe some M77 based Scout type rifles with 5&10 round mags,stripper clip guides where appropriate for caliber.
ksnecktieman
Member
When you guys get in will you make the ruger 10/22 with dovetail grooves? Make a 30.06 or a .308 the same size and style, as they did with the .44?
If you take over keltec, we need a single stack 9mm like the P11.
If you take over keltec, we need a single stack 9mm like the P11.
Texas Bob
Member
If you "buy" Ruger, you also get their foundry that produces the titanium frames Caspian sells. 
DMK
Member
I'd buy Hipoint. 
First order of business - Fire the design team. Good guns, nice price, but cosmetically?
Second order of business - Start making 1911s. I think it might have some potential as a niche market.
First order of business - Fire the design team. Good guns, nice price, but cosmetically?
Second order of business - Start making 1911s. I think it might have some potential as a niche market.
Jay Kominek
Member
I'd buy DSArms and move them to a gun friendly state.
Maybe broaden their product line.
Maybe broaden their product line.
HogRider
Member
I would buy Glock. Then I would recall all the pistols again (upgrade) and melt them into a big huge blob of pastic .... hahaha.
Parker Dean
Member
Therein lies the problem. When you use other peoples money they want it, and a lot more, back. That means you have to do whatever it takes to make a quick buck just to keep your investors happy and that seems to be the road the gun makers are already on.
IMO you would have to own the company outright and make it a labor of love. Or at least accept that it won't make you a billionaire anytime soon, if ever.
BHPshooter
Member
I would buy FN (who also owns Browning).
I would take FN and Browning back to where they were in the seventies and eighties -- Marketing not ONLY for military sales or hunters, respectively, but for private citizens (self defense) as well.
I wouldn't let the Hi Power stagnate, like they're doing now. Hi Powers would come with (drumroll please... ) TRIGGER JOBS!
I'd also make a modernized version, with more modern bells and whistles. How about a longer grip tang? Factory night sights? No magazine disconnect?
Each gun would come with 2 different sets of grips so that you can decide which ones you like. It would also come with enough magazines to fit a box of ammunition (50 rounds) -- so 4 thirteen-round magazines. I believe this practice should be a worldwide standard.
How about a single-stack version for Concealed Carry? And a compact maybe?
I'd also try to make Browning a common name in America again. Stop trying to be an outdoors outfitter, and start doing what they were in the first place -- an arms company.
The Auto-5 would be resurrected, as would the earlier Browning-designed lever actions (if rights could be obtained).
How about sponsoring televised shooting events like CAS, IDPA, etc.
Oh, how a man can dream.
Wes
I would take FN and Browning back to where they were in the seventies and eighties -- Marketing not ONLY for military sales or hunters, respectively, but for private citizens (self defense) as well.
I wouldn't let the Hi Power stagnate, like they're doing now. Hi Powers would come with (drumroll please... ) TRIGGER JOBS!
I'd also make a modernized version, with more modern bells and whistles. How about a longer grip tang? Factory night sights? No magazine disconnect?
Each gun would come with 2 different sets of grips so that you can decide which ones you like. It would also come with enough magazines to fit a box of ammunition (50 rounds) -- so 4 thirteen-round magazines. I believe this practice should be a worldwide standard.
How about a single-stack version for Concealed Carry? And a compact maybe?
I'd also try to make Browning a common name in America again. Stop trying to be an outdoors outfitter, and start doing what they were in the first place -- an arms company.
The Auto-5 would be resurrected, as would the earlier Browning-designed lever actions (if rights could be obtained).
How about sponsoring televised shooting events like CAS, IDPA, etc.
Oh, how a man can dream.
Wes
Jerry the Geek
Member
BUY a gun company? A firearms manufacturer?
No question, hands-down, it's Strayer-Tripp International (STI) in Georgetown, Texas.
Okay, so maybe you've never heard of it. It's a small manufacturer of pistols which are generally applicable to IPSC competition. Small, but at the USPSA (IPSC American-style) National Matches, more competitors use them than any other make. Yes, they are that good.
How would I change it?
I would rehire the current owner, Dave Skinner, as VP in charge of marketting, VP in charge of design philosophy, VP in charge of ... anything else, which is what he currently does. And send him all over the world to get multi-thousand gun orders to national police, SWAT, etc. Which is what he currently does. And I would send him to regional and area championship matches to promote the brand, which is what he does now.
In fact, the only change I would make would be to send myself to the same IPSC matches all over the world, to compete more-or-less at my current level of mediocirity, and charge it to 'marketting'. But without the requirement to go to matches even when I'm suffering from the Hong Kong Flu because I've just got back from a sales trip to, well, Hong Kong. Vomiting all through an 18-hour plane ride, then competing in a three-day IPSC match isn't my idea of fun.
Which is what Dave currently does.
The man has the endurance of someone half his age, he's a marketting genious, makes the best product in the business and stands behind every gun he sells with a 100% warranty, and he makes it all work.
No, I wouldn't change that.
Jerry the (Essentially, I'm looking for a free ride!) Geek
No question, hands-down, it's Strayer-Tripp International (STI) in Georgetown, Texas.
Okay, so maybe you've never heard of it. It's a small manufacturer of pistols which are generally applicable to IPSC competition. Small, but at the USPSA (IPSC American-style) National Matches, more competitors use them than any other make. Yes, they are that good.
How would I change it?
I would rehire the current owner, Dave Skinner, as VP in charge of marketting, VP in charge of design philosophy, VP in charge of ... anything else, which is what he currently does. And send him all over the world to get multi-thousand gun orders to national police, SWAT, etc. Which is what he currently does. And I would send him to regional and area championship matches to promote the brand, which is what he does now.
In fact, the only change I would make would be to send myself to the same IPSC matches all over the world, to compete more-or-less at my current level of mediocirity, and charge it to 'marketting'. But without the requirement to go to matches even when I'm suffering from the Hong Kong Flu because I've just got back from a sales trip to, well, Hong Kong. Vomiting all through an 18-hour plane ride, then competing in a three-day IPSC match isn't my idea of fun.
Which is what Dave currently does.
The man has the endurance of someone half his age, he's a marketting genious, makes the best product in the business and stands behind every gun he sells with a 100% warranty, and he makes it all work.
No, I wouldn't change that.
Jerry the (Essentially, I'm looking for a free ride!) Geek
I'd buy Ruger too, because I get Pinetree in the deal, you know, nah probably not, the shop that does Caspian's castings and makes significant parts of most American made SIGs already.
TODO List:
Make a 1911 in Carbon, stainless and Ti. and price them between $400-900.
Not change a thing on the GP-100 and SP-101 except to make a deal with Robar in AZ for NP3 batch finishes for every internal part that winds up in the factory bin for revolver assembly if the cost could be kept reasonable on that volume of work for Robbie.
Open up a full service custom shop.
Redesign the M77 for better bedding options.
Find and destroy the "safety essay" roller.
If the '89 import ban remains in place, license the rights to build the following: Valmet/SAKO M-76 and latter rifles. The FN/FNC. The Galil. The FAMAS, and make clones of the FAL, M1A, and Garand. I would unabashedly get into the assault rifle and MBR business and tell any objecting blissninnies "this nation is at war."
Make full capacity magazines for everything we sell.
Hold a well publicized clean sheet design contest for a new series of automatic pistols scalable up and down the size and caliber spectrum. Anything using a slide mounted lever is automatically disqualified.
Make lever action rifles and a Winchester 1897 clone.
Get R&D full behind pioneering vitreous metals and start using it when and where it can be successfully employed. Start with custom revolvers, which would be lightweight, but infinitely stouter than anything currently on the market. LOOKIE HERE!
Field full factory sponsored teams in all significant shooting sports.
And that'd just be the first wave anouncements at the 2005 SHOT show.
TODO List:
Make a 1911 in Carbon, stainless and Ti. and price them between $400-900.
Not change a thing on the GP-100 and SP-101 except to make a deal with Robar in AZ for NP3 batch finishes for every internal part that winds up in the factory bin for revolver assembly if the cost could be kept reasonable on that volume of work for Robbie.
Open up a full service custom shop.
Redesign the M77 for better bedding options.
Find and destroy the "safety essay" roller.
If the '89 import ban remains in place, license the rights to build the following: Valmet/SAKO M-76 and latter rifles. The FN/FNC. The Galil. The FAMAS, and make clones of the FAL, M1A, and Garand. I would unabashedly get into the assault rifle and MBR business and tell any objecting blissninnies "this nation is at war."
Make full capacity magazines for everything we sell.
Hold a well publicized clean sheet design contest for a new series of automatic pistols scalable up and down the size and caliber spectrum. Anything using a slide mounted lever is automatically disqualified.
Make lever action rifles and a Winchester 1897 clone.
Get R&D full behind pioneering vitreous metals and start using it when and where it can be successfully employed. Start with custom revolvers, which would be lightweight, but infinitely stouter than anything currently on the market. LOOKIE HERE!
Field full factory sponsored teams in all significant shooting sports.
And that'd just be the first wave anouncements at the 2005 SHOT show.
six 4 sure
Member
My tastes are a bit different than most, so I would choose Winchester.
1.) Dump the safeties on the 1894
2.) Dump the rebounding hammer on the 1894
3.) Dump 1894’s with pistol calibers
4.) Offer 1894’s in 30-30, 38-55, 32 Winchester special, and other rifle calibers it have been offered in the past
5.) Full time production of the 1892
6.) American made versions of the 1886
7.) Bring back the Model 12
8.) Bring back the 1897
9.) Bring back the mod 21 and 24 SXS shotguns
10.) New Winchester M1 Garand
11.) New Winchester M14 with a forged receiver
That would be a good start
1.) Dump the safeties on the 1894
2.) Dump the rebounding hammer on the 1894
3.) Dump 1894’s with pistol calibers
4.) Offer 1894’s in 30-30, 38-55, 32 Winchester special, and other rifle calibers it have been offered in the past
5.) Full time production of the 1892
6.) American made versions of the 1886
7.) Bring back the Model 12
8.) Bring back the 1897
9.) Bring back the mod 21 and 24 SXS shotguns
10.) New Winchester M1 Garand
11.) New Winchester M14 with a forged receiver
That would be a good start
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
SIG-SAUER/SIGARMS
We would get into the revolver business!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
We would get into the revolver business!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Ruger
1. scrap the "mini" line and replace it with an AK ripoff series (multiple reciever sizes) in ALL the big military calibers - from 5.45x39 up to 8mm including 6.5x55 and 30-06. All would use surplus mag styles where feasible (ie M16 for 223, AK for 7.62x39, BAR for 30-06)
2. Bring back the Speed Six and Security Six
3. Make a pump and auto shotgun
4. Introduce a traditional line of lever action rifles to match the Vaqueros and chamber one in 32 H&R mag.
5. Make EVERY non FFL spare part available for purchase.
6. Get rid of the cheesy synthetic stock they use and replace it with a full profile synthetic.
1. scrap the "mini" line and replace it with an AK ripoff series (multiple reciever sizes) in ALL the big military calibers - from 5.45x39 up to 8mm including 6.5x55 and 30-06. All would use surplus mag styles where feasible (ie M16 for 223, AK for 7.62x39, BAR for 30-06)
2. Bring back the Speed Six and Security Six
3. Make a pump and auto shotgun
4. Introduce a traditional line of lever action rifles to match the Vaqueros and chamber one in 32 H&R mag.
5. Make EVERY non FFL spare part available for purchase.
6. Get rid of the cheesy synthetic stock they use and replace it with a full profile synthetic.
Skofnung
Member
Oh yhea, Those Ruger syntheyic stocks slipped my mind yesterday. Yhea, they would be GONE.
If Ruger got into the MBR biz, and made an M14 clone, man, they could put a HUGE dent into the market.
If Ruger got into the MBR biz, and made an M14 clone, man, they could put a HUGE dent into the market.
Ruger
Produce a P series in 10mm & 45ACP/super.
I also like the idea of a M14/M1A clone.
Perhaps a compact P series line of downsized pistols. With all the states that allow concealed carry,I think they would sell.
And yes.........make the mini 14/30 more accurate.
Produce a P series in 10mm & 45ACP/super.
I also like the idea of a M14/M1A clone.
Perhaps a compact P series line of downsized pistols. With all the states that allow concealed carry,I think they would sell.
And yes.........make the mini 14/30 more accurate.
SodiumBenzoate
Member
I'd buy colt, and:
- make $500 1911's in 10mm, .40S&W, .357SIG, and .45ACP
- Start remaking all the classic guns
- Come out with a line of lever and pump action shotguns
- Boycott states of CA, NJ, MA, and IL
- Come out with completely new .30-06 semi-auto Garand-style rifles, but decidedly different
- Start giving CongressCritters who introduce pro-gun legislation a new firearm (single action .45LC revolver, most likely) that is not sold or given to anyone else.
- Competitor to SKS and Mini14: Relatively accurate, cheap, reliable, light semi-auto rifle
- make $500 1911's in 10mm, .40S&W, .357SIG, and .45ACP
- Start remaking all the classic guns
- Come out with a line of lever and pump action shotguns
- Boycott states of CA, NJ, MA, and IL
- Come out with completely new .30-06 semi-auto Garand-style rifles, but decidedly different
- Start giving CongressCritters who introduce pro-gun legislation a new firearm (single action .45LC revolver, most likely) that is not sold or given to anyone else.
- Competitor to SKS and Mini14: Relatively accurate, cheap, reliable, light semi-auto rifle
Sodium Benzoate said:
I think I'd sell into these states at a net zero gain. I'd try to get a firearm into the hands of every voter legally able to own. Imagine ReichsKommandandt Daley trying to push anti-gun legislation with nearly every voter having a gun in his home.
then he said:
Now this is a REALLY good idea except you'd have to sell it to them and even then the antis would probably demand a conflict of interest investigation and get all sorts of free press over it. I'd like to see some of our brighter brethren (perhaps a lobbyist) work out a way around the ethical considerations.
By the way, I like your handle... I use your stuff all the time at work
Keith
I think I'd sell into these states at a net zero gain. I'd try to get a firearm into the hands of every voter legally able to own. Imagine ReichsKommandandt Daley trying to push anti-gun legislation with nearly every voter having a gun in his home.
then he said:
Now this is a REALLY good idea except you'd have to sell it to them and even then the antis would probably demand a conflict of interest investigation and get all sorts of free press over it. I'd like to see some of our brighter brethren (perhaps a lobbyist) work out a way around the ethical considerations.
By the way, I like your handle... I use your stuff all the time at work
Keith
BerettaNut92
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2002
- Messages
- 9,723
HK because they seem to have their HUA.
While I'm at it, I'll make a Volksgewehr or something, a 10-round clip fed .223 Garand Scout the size of a Mini-14 that is $300. Very un-HK but it'll be fun anyway.
**PING**
While I'm at it, I'll make a Volksgewehr or something, a 10-round clip fed .223 Garand Scout the size of a Mini-14 that is $300. Very un-HK but it'll be fun anyway.
**PING**
Tamara
Senior Member
I'd buy S&W. First order of business would be some key personnel acquisitions: We would wave money at Doug Turnbull until he caved and set him up as a separate division, a la the Performance Center. All the engravers go work at his shop. Set up for bringing back blued revolvers (without the case-colored frames, and with square-butt conversion grips on them) in key models, like the 17, 14, 19 and 27. Then we drive out to Geneseo, IL and drag Dave Williams kicking and screaming from the Springfield Custom Shop. Muffle his cries by sticking a really big paycheck in his mouth. Chain him to the Performance Center and get him to work his voodoo on the place. Then we tool over and take some hostages at the Justice Department and issue demands that what's left of the goofy agreement be torn up on live tv, and see if that'll convince a couple of gun owners to put their money where their mouths were.
Yeah, buddy, you think their last Chairman was a colorful character? Elect me!
Yeah, buddy, you think their last Chairman was a colorful character? Elect me!
cratz2
Member
Well... I sure have a soft spot in my heart for Colt. I think with enough capital to initially work with, they could do great things.
First, they need someone high up in either the quality department or customer service to be on the 1911forum as strongly as the presence of Dan Wesson and Springfield.
Next, they need to offer a near Kimber-like variety of sizes, materials, finishes including boron carbide and hard chrome option on all handguns.
They should offer more guns in 10mm, 9x23 and 38 Super.
They definately need more consumer-oriented products rather than hoping for to take away government contracts from Bushmaster.
I'd try to bring in two or three lesser known yet top notch smiths to be the 'custom shop'.
For new products, I'd take the AR market up a notch or two. Bring back revolvers at a reasonable cost. Come out with a good poly gun along the lines a Glock/XD/SIG Pro and produce it in 9mm, 40, 357SIG, 45ACP, 45GAP and 10mm. I'd try to get a couple well-known guys in on the development.
I'd also look into the possibility of building as economicly as possible semi auto grease guns, Tommy guns etc... and pretty much everything used during WWI and WWII. Not sure how overwhelming that would be.
I don't know that I would be able to make money for the company, but since I own it, I dont really need to, right? And I could sure offer some pretty spiffy guns that would create a buzz on the 1911forum.
And I agree with pignock... I'd actively campaign in every state that is resistant to the gun industry. I'd have a division set up specifically to ensure that low income folks could protect their homes and families all the way up to donating so many guns each month. Might have to buy or go in with Hi Point for this. Every major bill that came up, I'd have people there fighting and doing what they can to talk to voters on the streets, public access, whatever!
First, they need someone high up in either the quality department or customer service to be on the 1911forum as strongly as the presence of Dan Wesson and Springfield.
Next, they need to offer a near Kimber-like variety of sizes, materials, finishes including boron carbide and hard chrome option on all handguns.
They should offer more guns in 10mm, 9x23 and 38 Super.
They definately need more consumer-oriented products rather than hoping for to take away government contracts from Bushmaster.
I'd try to bring in two or three lesser known yet top notch smiths to be the 'custom shop'.
For new products, I'd take the AR market up a notch or two. Bring back revolvers at a reasonable cost. Come out with a good poly gun along the lines a Glock/XD/SIG Pro and produce it in 9mm, 40, 357SIG, 45ACP, 45GAP and 10mm. I'd try to get a couple well-known guys in on the development.
I'd also look into the possibility of building as economicly as possible semi auto grease guns, Tommy guns etc... and pretty much everything used during WWI and WWII. Not sure how overwhelming that would be.
I don't know that I would be able to make money for the company, but since I own it, I dont really need to, right? And I could sure offer some pretty spiffy guns that would create a buzz on the 1911forum.
And I agree with pignock... I'd actively campaign in every state that is resistant to the gun industry. I'd have a division set up specifically to ensure that low income folks could protect their homes and families all the way up to donating so many guns each month. Might have to buy or go in with Hi Point for this.
Every major bill that came up, I'd have people there fighting and doing what they can to talk to voters on the streets, public access, whatever!JohnBT
Member
If I was filthy rich I'd buy Cooper and I wouldn't change a thing. I'd be the proud owner and they'd have to send me rifles to check out and pay for the shipping and the ammo.
John
John
Selfdfenz
Member
CZ
And....... I have an idea or two that would make everybody, LE or civilian, want a CZ if they don't already.
And....... I have an idea or two that would make everybody, LE or civilian, want a CZ if they don't already.
KRAUTGUNNER
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 255
......I would build a nice 'lil carbine in .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 WinMag and .50 AE with a 18 1/2" barrel. It would sport all the bells and whistles like a folding stock, a pistol grip, a muzzle break and 20-round magazines.
Now that would be a mega-seller!
I did. Bought some Ruger stock almost 25 years ago, watched it go up and down, and have used the dividends to pay my property taxes for many years now. My thought then was that they knew what they were doing, made good stuff, and could make good decisions. That, compared with the way the other gun companies operated, made it easy. I don't agree with everything they've done, and I think old Bill lost his edge in his dotage, but if they made a car I would buy it.
I would cut back the P-series to polymer frames only in 9mm, .40, and .45.
Similarly simplify ALL the lines. They are now trying to make every imaginable variation of everything. Ridiculous.
A custom shop. They just started an engraving service. Don't like the style used, but maybe it will improve.
Either improve the Mini rifles or drop them. Bring the XGI on line.
Bring back the Security Six line of revolvers. The GP is NOT a a real replacement for it--great cannon but BIG.
Forget all the double shotguns and come up with something to compete with the Remington 870--if possible.
Go after the law enforcement-security market big time. That's where the money is and will be for a long, long time to come. Perhaps a Ruger version of the Beretta "Storm" at half the price.
Make up a Single Six in 5-shot .38 Spl, adjustable sights.
And just for me--make a smaller, .36 cal. Old Army Percussion.
I would cut back the P-series to polymer frames only in 9mm, .40, and .45.
Similarly simplify ALL the lines. They are now trying to make every imaginable variation of everything. Ridiculous.
A custom shop. They just started an engraving service. Don't like the style used, but maybe it will improve.
Either improve the Mini rifles or drop them. Bring the XGI on line.
Bring back the Security Six line of revolvers. The GP is NOT a a real replacement for it--great cannon but BIG.
Forget all the double shotguns and come up with something to compete with the Remington 870--if possible.
Go after the law enforcement-security market big time. That's where the money is and will be for a long, long time to come. Perhaps a Ruger version of the Beretta "Storm" at half the price.
Make up a Single Six in 5-shot .38 Spl, adjustable sights.
And just for me--make a smaller, .36 cal. Old Army Percussion.
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