Political Crossfire Forums

[Rankor and Pissing]

I haven't seen this hit PCF yet, so I'll post it. I actually was suprised that the New Haven Connecticut plant, which has such a rich history was let sag and die like this.

This is a sad sad story - Hopefully this is not the last chapter in the Winchester history. I still have a .22 rimfire that was passed down from my father to me, made sometime in 1928 or 1929, with a little peep site and a 5 shell clip that shoots as accurate as anything new today. Damn shame...

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?fid=1&tid=3508

[Winchester]

It is a sad story. Lot of history in that plant.

[armstrong001]

I was reading an interesting article the other day about how lever actions were fading fast because you could only safely use flat tipped ammunition, reducing the effectiveness of the rounds. But someone just recently came out with ammunition that has a tip soft enough not to set off the round in front of it, but hard enough to retain its shape and offer ballisticlly superior performance. Too bad that the model 94 is going away now that their biggest drawback appears to have been solved...

Oh well, get 'em while you can.

[Winchester]

armstrong001 wrote: I was reading an interesting article the other day about how lever actions were fading fast because you could only safely use flat tipped ammunition, reducing the effectiveness of the rounds. But someone just recently came out with ammunition that has a tip soft enough not to set off the round in front of it, but hard enough to retain its shape and offer ballisticlly superior performance. Too bad that the model 94 is going away now that their biggest drawback appears to have been solved...

Oh well, get 'em while you can.

Sadder yet is the Model 70.

Based on what I've seen Lever Actions are going through somewhat of a comback with cowboy action shooting although Marlin not Winchester seems to have captured a large part of this market.

As far as needing flat tipped ammo in a lever action, yes that is true, but if superior balistics was the sole cause of the lever's demise it would have happened decades ago with the advent of the bolt action rifle. Levers are accurate enough for the calibers offered and their intended ranges.

I'ld be curious to read the article if you can point me in the right direction.

[mathurin]

eh, there are tons of those 94s around, they would have stopped making them soon enough, im pretty sure we have 3 in this house alone, when the market is that glutted they are going to stop soon enough

eventually somebody like navy arms or something will make a high end version for those who want a perfect one, but used ones will exist for another 50-100 years

[OneZero]

Rankor and Pissing wrote: I haven't seen this hit PCF yet, so I'll post it. I actually was suprised that the New Haven Connecticut plant, which has such a rich history was let sag and die like this.

This is a sad sad story - Hopefully this is not the last chapter in the Winchester history. I still have a .22 rimfire that was passed down from my father to me, made sometime in 1928 or 1929, with a little peep site and a 5 shell clip that shoots as accurate as anything new today. Damn shame...

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?fid=1&tid=3508

The most fascinating part of the whole story was when the CT government fell all over themselves trying to keep Winchester here. I just wish they had changed a few laws while they were at it. :wink:

[armstrong001]

Winchester wrote: armstrong001 wrote: I was reading an interesting article the other day about how lever actions were fading fast because you could only safely use flat tipped ammunition, reducing the effectiveness of the rounds. But someone just recently came out with ammunition that has a tip soft enough not to set off the round in front of it, but hard enough to retain its shape and offer ballisticlly superior performance. Too bad that the model 94 is going away now that their biggest drawback appears to have been solved...

Oh well, get 'em while you can.

Sadder yet is the Model 70.

Based on what I've seen Lever Actions are going through somewhat of a comback with cowboy action shooting although Marlin not Winchester seems to have captured a large part of this market.

As far as needing flat tipped ammo in a lever action, yes that is true, but if superior balistics was the sole cause of the lever's demise it would have happened decades ago with the advent of the bolt action rifle. Levers are accurate enough for the calibers offered and their intended ranges.

I'ld be curious to read the article if you can point me in the right direction.

Here are a few sources, although you need a subscription to read the whole article. I think the one I read was in American Rifleman, but I could be wrong. It's Hornady ammunition.

http://hornady.primediaoutdoors.com/HDlv_04.html
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/new_products/hornady_111105/#cont
http://www.chuckhawks.com/leverevolution.htm

[leftneckredwing]

The Winchester Model 94 is my favorite all time weapon.

[Wolverine]

That is very sad indeed. We have one Winchester, a model 63 I beieve, it was made in the 20's.

[perdidochas]

armstrong001 wrote: I was reading an interesting article the other day about how lever actions were fading fast because you could only safely use flat tipped ammunition, reducing the effectiveness of the rounds. But someone just recently came out with ammunition that has a tip soft enough not to set off the round in front of it, but hard enough to retain its shape and offer ballisticlly superior performance. Too bad that the model 94 is going away now that their biggest drawback appears to have been solved...

Oh well, get 'em while you can.

Well, I've gotta admit, if I was in the market for a .30-30, I wouldn't have even considered the Model 94. The Marlin 336 is a much smoother, stronger action. Every 94 I've handled has seemed kind of rickety.

[leftneckredwing]

perdidochas wrote: armstrong001 wrote: I was reading an interesting article the other day about how lever actions were fading fast because you could only safely use flat tipped ammunition, reducing the effectiveness of the rounds. But someone just recently came out with ammunition that has a tip soft enough not to set off the round in front of it, but hard enough to retain its shape and offer ballisticlly superior performance. Too bad that the model 94 is going away now that their biggest drawback appears to have been solved...

Oh well, get 'em while you can.

Well, I've gotta admit, if I was in the market for a .30-30, I wouldn't have even considered the Model 94. The Marlin 336 is a much smoother, stronger action. Every 94 I've handled has seemed kind of rickety.

Well, yeah. That's part of their charm.

[Thrilla]

sad day indeed.... im not a happy camper

i own only one Winchester... a pre-64 model 70... one of the best rifles in existence as far as im concerned.

[leftneckredwing]

Thrilla wrote: sad day indeed.... im not a happy camper

i own only one Winchester... a pre-64 model 70... one of the best rifles in existence as far as im concerned.

I have a model 94, but my Buddy form the 199th LRRPs has it in the Ottawa Valley to keep the bears away from his shack. I may have that unit wrong, but that's what I remember.

[brian_in_idaho]

It'll be interesting to see what happens. The plant in question is owned by US Repeating Arms Company, which in turn is owned by FN Herstral; they are licensing the Winchester name from Olin. My understanding is that the license is to expire in '07 anyway. USRACs other plant that builds the semi-auto shotgun (Super X2??) will remain open. I haven't heard any word on plans for their O/U, I think its made in Japan. I don't have any idea who owns any patents or designs for the '94 or M70, but it would be great to see production start again, especially in a more pro-gun and pro-business state.

All in all, very sad news.

Bri

[lilwolf]

Winchester was and will always be a legend in it's own right. I still have a couple of pre 64 model 70's Darn good brush gun. Hunted alot of deer with that gun. An icon has fallen - sad day