ltwguns.com

While not directly related to custom rifles, Winchester long guns will go away by the end of March. USRA is closing their plant in CT. The company, which is owned by Browning, is not for sale and there is no information on the future of Winchester long guns.

On another note, Smith & Wesson will is now in the "black rifle" business and will introduce a line of M-4 style rifles at SHOT.

Rob

_________________
We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. George Orwell

The S&W AR15 looks good. I can't help but think-
They came out with the SW1911.
Now the SW M&P15.
One could argue the 586 could have been called the SW Python.
Is the SW SAA next, just to complete the Colt sweep?

I heard the Winchester thing at the gunshop a couple of days ago. Ironically, it was the day they got their 2006 winchester catalogs in.
My first thought was- I guess Beretta didn't want them.
They've bought everybody else in the past few years, what's one more?

I guess Winchester says the M70 and 94 rifles, and the 1300 shotgun are done, while other models will continue being made and sold.
The ones sticking around are made elsewhere- like the Miroku-made shotguns, and the new SXR (Super X Rifle) semi-auto rifle (which is pretty much a Browning BAR ShortTrac with Winchester markings).

I doubt this closing is a shock to many. There is a little history of ups and downs there. The way things end up, with what guns being sold, and where they're made, could get interesting however.
If I understand correct, they were only making three model lines at New Haven- the above mentioned 70, 94, and 1300.

The 1300- see ya. Don't let the plant door hit you on the buttstock on the way out.

The M70- I have to wonder if the M70 will continue on, but be made in another FN plant.... the one in SC maybe.
I hope so. I like the newer "pre-64" style M70. I just don't seem to see many (more on that later).

The 94 I wonder about. I really prefer Marlins over Win 94s, but hate to see any classic go- especially a JMB design. I do have to wonder how sales of the 94 have been. I know it's said to be the most popular sporting rifle made, but that may just be it's curse- there always seem to be plenty of used ones around.
Maybe Uberti will make them.

I may ahve bought more new Winchesters if I could have found them. Each year, I would get a new Winchester catalog and see a few guns I liked- almost always M70s (pre-64 style, and wood stocked). They weren't the greatest, but they looked better than most run-of-the-mill Savages and Rugers to me.

But over the course of the next year, I would hardly see any Winchesters. Most of the new Winchesters I saw were 94s, and maybe some 1300s at WalMart. The few M70s I saw were either Coyotes or Shadows, and half of those were in a WSM or WSSM caliber. I guess if I wanted to scour the gunshows or internet I could do better, but I didn't want one that bad.

I looked at the 2006 catalog, and I think I counted 25 M70 models, not counting Custom Shop guns. I doubt if I've seen 25 new M70s total in the past few years.