I used to drool over their six shooter and finally saved enough money to buy one of thier nickle plated revolvers. Problem is I cannot find the website anymore. What does pop up is a website for a zip gun. Would sure appreciate any information.
What happened to USFA????
- Thread starter ms6852
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Airman Basic
Member
Old news, but whatever, I guess:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/282433-usfa-aka-us-fire-arms-out-business.html
"From what I have learned, USFA quietly phased out its SA manufacturing and is now exclusively promoting a .22 contraption. You can find it if you check the link to the USFA site, which is completely redesigned. Most USFAs, except for the Rodeo, were considerably more than $700-900. Speculators are now asking ungodly amounts for NOS models ... so be it. The company made fine pistols in low supply, which catered to a very small niche of high end SA enthusiasts. Tough to compete against Cimarron, Uberti, and Ruger in the SA marketplace."
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/282433-usfa-aka-us-fire-arms-out-business.html
"From what I have learned, USFA quietly phased out its SA manufacturing and is now exclusively promoting a .22 contraption. You can find it if you check the link to the USFA site, which is completely redesigned. Most USFAs, except for the Rodeo, were considerably more than $700-900. Speculators are now asking ungodly amounts for NOS models ... so be it. The company made fine pistols in low supply, which catered to a very small niche of high end SA enthusiasts. Tough to compete against Cimarron, Uberti, and Ruger in the SA marketplace."
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
If you want a USFA single action revolver, it's the used market for you. And bring your Visa card, as they say...
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
President Doug Donnelly decided to take his ball and go home. The Zipper is all that remains.
I don't know how tough it was, they sold every gun they made and had 18months worth of backorders only months before stopping production.
Was there a reason for closing up? Seems like a 18-24 month back log of orders should be a profitable operation. I scanned that link quickly but didn't see a reason. I saw their zip gun thing and was less than impressed. Thought it must be a ripoff company trying to cash in on the USFA name.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Not really, just Doug's wishes. I suspect that they were never able to charge what the guns were worth.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Only thing I can figure out is, it has something to do with CRACK!
Kinda like the mayor of Toronto CA.
Thats the only logical explanation I can come up with for the ZIP Gun, and the demise of a once very fine firearms compamy.
rc
Kinda like the mayor of Toronto CA.
Thats the only logical explanation I can come up with for the ZIP Gun, and the demise of a once very fine firearms compamy.
rc
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Funny thing is, USFA made a better Colt SAA than Colt did. Too bad I waited too long and didn't get one.
I understand not being able to charge what the gun is worth and changing your business plan/model, but doing a complete 180 into making a cheap plastic gun that (by most reports) doesn't even work is what I find odd.
To go from being one of the best in the game to one of the worst, is just unfortunate for everyone
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Yep!
USAF_Vet
Member
There was a time, not long ago, that I heard of this zip thing, and was excited about it. Then as reviews started coming in, and got less and less excited, until it was obvious that even for the $200 they were asking for it, I wasn't willing to pay. At that same time, I had no interest in single action revolvers.
Now, I couldn't care less for the Zip, and have a single action on my short list. But yeah, sad to say it, the USFA of old, and their new production high quality single actions are gone, and a hunk of plastic with a 5000 round life expectancy has taken its place.
Now, I couldn't care less for the Zip, and have a single action on my short list. But yeah, sad to say it, the USFA of old, and their new production high quality single actions are gone, and a hunk of plastic with a 5000 round life expectancy has taken its place.
MagnumDweeb
Member
For all we know it was an interior corporate move. The things I see Directors, CEO's, and CFO's do to divest themselves of shareholders in an effort to buy the dumped shares in order to gain control of a company is astounding. For all we know the President was tired of being worked and decided he wanted to be let out of his contract and as such he took the company in a strange if not precarious direction to be let out of his contract or have his shares bought out to release control of the company. It happens way more than you think.
It's actually very easy for a company to do as the shareholders, directors, etc. want to keep the matter quiet so as to maintain the public value and image of their company. So they'll usually pay out to avoid bad press or loss of faith by other shareholders. It's one of those quiet, dark, dirty things lawyers get to bear witness to in conference rooms where negotiations take place and nondisclosure agreements are signed.
It's actually very easy for a company to do as the shareholders, directors, etc. want to keep the matter quiet so as to maintain the public value and image of their company. So they'll usually pay out to avoid bad press or loss of faith by other shareholders. It's one of those quiet, dark, dirty things lawyers get to bear witness to in conference rooms where negotiations take place and nondisclosure agreements are signed.
I ordered a USFA like three years ago, paid a deposit to my local (backwater) dealer, and then waited. Like twelve months later, I check on the order, and all is well. A few months after that I check, and I'm told my gun is next in production. A month later I'm told USFA went out of business. :-o
I should've had one of the last ones off the line, but my stupid dealer didn't send in a deposit to USFA (he had mine), and it never got made. At least I'm not bitter.
I should've had one of the last ones off the line, but my stupid dealer didn't send in a deposit to USFA (he had mine), and it never got made. At least I'm not bitter.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I just can't understand how he could take a company who was producing an extremely high quality SA revolver and turn it into a 3rd rate gun maker?
http://www.zipfactory.com/
http://www.zipfactory.com/
Jim Watson
Member
I wish they had lasted long enough to get out the Woodsman, not to mention the Maxim Silencer for it.
I was less enthused with their centerfire autos. Like some of their revolvers, most were "reproductions" of guns never produced in the first place.
I was less enthused with their centerfire autos. Like some of their revolvers, most were "reproductions" of guns never produced in the first place.
BCRider
Member
The only void that the Zipper should fill is the one in the local landfill.
Even if their price for the SA's was too low to justify the work a price increase would have fixed that. And the guns are/were nice enough that the public that was eating them up would have only grumbled a little as they reached for their wallets.
As is so often said good quality shines through and makes the cost of acquisition less painful with each viewing or use. Poor quality and the waste of money that goes with it irks for a lifetime.
Even if their price for the SA's was too low to justify the work a price increase would have fixed that. And the guns are/were nice enough that the public that was eating them up would have only grumbled a little as they reached for their wallets.
As is so often said good quality shines through and makes the cost of acquisition less painful with each viewing or use. Poor quality and the waste of money that goes with it irks for a lifetime.
Panzerschwein
member
That Zippity Zip Zip Zipper gun is absolutely ridiculous.
It has more value as fuel for the wood stove than an actual gun.
It's sad to see this company has stopped making revolvers. I was in the market for one for sure. Guess I'll have to get me Colt instead!
It has more value as fuel for the wood stove than an actual gun.
It's sad to see this company has stopped making revolvers. I was in the market for one for sure. Guess I'll have to get me Colt instead!
Radagast
Member
Make sure you unload it before you do!
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