Gun maker will take look at Winchester factory

New Haven Register ^ | 03/22/2006 | Andy Bromage and Damian J. Troise

[neverdem]

NEW HAVEN — Smith & Wesson, the nation’s oldest and once its largest handgun maker, was named by city officials Tuesday as one of three manufacturers eyeing a takeover of the soon-to-close Winchester firearms factory.

Mayor John DeStefano Jr. confirmed Tuesday that Smith & Wesson executives will be in town this weekend to tour the U.S. Repeating Arms Co. factory at 344 Winchester Ave., where "The Gun That Won The West" has been manufactured for 150 years.

"There is a serious interest in the plant by a credible manufacturer," DeStefano said Tuesday. "Where it’s going to lead, I am not going to handicap at this point."

City Hall is asking USRAC’s parent company, Belgium-based Herstal Group, to cede control of the plant to the city or another gun maker. In exchange, the city has offered to forgive $17 million in tax abatements, lease obligations and workers’ pay the city says Herstal owes.

Meanwhile, the city is pressuring Utah-based Olin Corp., owner of the Winchester brand name, to grant the Winchester license to a firearms maker willing to take over the New Haven factory.

Smith & Wesson’s chief financial officer, John Kelly, confirmed the visit Tuesday, but both he and DeStefano sought to downplay its significance.

"We’ve been asked to come down and take a look" Kelly said. "Obviously, it’s a great brand, but I wouldn’t read too much into it.

DeStefano also struck a cautious, if hopeful, tone.

"Herstal does want to sell the plant," the mayor said. "Herstal has an interest in retaining the license from Olin, but Olin has said they would deal only with a bonafide manufacturer, which Smith & Wesson clearly is."

DeStefano added, "This is just a step in the process. I don’t want to build expectations that are unreasonable."

DeStefano said the city is...

[MD_Willington_1976]

FYI: CDNN is having a Winchester blow out sale...

[herkbird]

I finally found the manufacture year of my Winchester 94/.32 Winchester Special. My rifle was made in 1949 which makes me happy.

I found a web site to date many guns:

OldGuns.net
Address:http://oldguns.net/cgi-bin/f2f/f2f.pl?http://oldguns.net/q&a10_02.htm

Go to the main page and on the left side they will have an area where you can search for different gun makers dates of manufacture for the various brands they made. I hope your gun is an old and valuable gun as well. I'm sure my grandfather paid much less than what one sells for today. The 1956 model that was listed they wanted $525.00, is that too high, or low?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

My dad owned the 300 H & H. Sadly, it was sold.

[punster]

There is one piece of irony, Smith and Wesson originally invented a lever-action pistol. They could not make a commercial success out of the gun, and were forced to sell the design to Oliver Winchester. Winchester used the design for building his famous lever-action rifles. Winchester became synonymous with rifle. Now, S&W may take over the plant and be making Winchester Rifles.

[masadaman]

If memory serves, FN/Herstal is owned by the Belgian government. Somewhat incongruous to me given that Belgium is the home of 2nd Amendment-hating leftists and the capital of the EU.

[osagebowman]

Eric-the M-94 was made in .32 Win Spl; had one many years ago. The story the gunsmith told me was that when the 30/30 was introduced it used smokeless powder, the .32 Win Spl was made so it could use black powder, has a different twist in the rifle barrel. Smokeless powder was always available in those early days. Like I said, that's the story I was given.

Herk: freepmail me the serial number (use XXX for the last three digits)I can look up the serial number and let you know when it was made.

[snoringbear]

Well, being that the good citizens of Connecticut never saw a gun that the didn't "love to hate", I say the manufacturing plant should be relocated to Texas. Not only would this be a more gun friendly location but the state is pro business, less taxes, right to work, etc, etc.

[nutmeg]

Connecticut ping!

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[nutmeg]

Thanks for the heads up, neverdem... I pinged my CT list here.

[basil]

Ping!!

[CFC__VRWC]

I have 2 Winchesters in my collection, a Model 190 .22LR that I bought used about 10 years ago at a gun show, and a new synthetic stock Model 70 in .270 that I picked up at a gun show in January. The 190 is a great little gun, just a deadly little tack driver even in my desperately-needing-more-practice hands. The only problem I had with it was the cocking handle falling out and getting lost, but eight bucks to Numrich fixed that.

I haven't fired the Model 70 as much yet, but from what I've done with it so far, I have no complaints. I put a Nikon scope on it a few weeks ago and have to finish zeroing it - hopefully I can get out and do that this weekend (as well as deflower my newest toy, a S&W Model 637 Airweight).

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Granted, Winchester went to hell for over a couple decades after 64. Then took a turn for the better, where they did manage to straighten up for a few years with some decent pieces, but I think one had to pay extra if one desired the quality work.

[kstewskis]

ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease.....

[Beagle8U]

I understand. While he loves to punch paper, he also uses it for deer and varmints in the 6mm rem. caliber.

If you want to shoot a sweet shooting rifle try to pick up a good used Marlin MR-7 if you ever get the chance.

They were only made for a few years in the late 80's to early 90's, but I've never seen one that wouldn't shoot sub MOA groups.

A super well made rifle that sold very cheap when they closed them out. You could buy one new for about $350 close out, but few people would sell one used after they found out what they were.

I wouldn't sell mine in 280 rem. caliber for $1000.

My son bought one in 25/06 cal. that shoots 4/100" groups at 100 yds. for $300 but they are damn hard to find in any caliber now.

They will be collectors items because so few were made.

Just something to think about if you ever come across one in good shape at a gun show.

The Winchester mod. 70 and the Remington 700 are jack-handles compared to the Marlin MR-7. IMHO.

[Squantos]

My Dad also left me a Model 74 Winchester .22 auto that is a tack driver....... I gave it to my nephew a few years ago when he turned 16. You picked a great little snub as I carried a Mod 37 airweight with a bobbed hammer in a ankle rig when I had to wear a suit to work. Good little tool, great self defense round for that critter is the 158gr LHPSWC from federal (old FiBi load). Not a plinking load by far yet is a viable stopper.

Also (just a suggestion) if yer gonna carry it as a CHL or CCW rig consider some of the barimi grips or their laminated clones called hip grips. Negates the need for a holster. When combined with the bianchi speed strips it makes for a very concealable carry rig. Flat, lightweight and easy to don and doff as needed without wresting with a belt and holster everytime.

[The Red Zone]

"Gunmaker shooting to renovate old factory"

[Inyo-Mono]

There is one piece of irony, Smith and Wesson originally invented a lever-action pistol. They could not make a commercial success out of the gun, and were forced to sell the design to Oliver Winchester. Winchester used the design for building his famous lever-action rifles. Winchester became synonymous with rifle. Now, S&W may take over the plant and be making Winchester Rifles.

True. S&W first produced the Volcanic pistol in 1856 which used the same receiver that was used on the Henry rifle in 1861 and later the Winchester model 1866, model 1873 (The Gun that Won the West) and models 1886 and 1894.

[archy]

I may regret not getting that Model 70 I have always coveted!

Better yet: get one made in the year in which you were born, and take care of it. Treat it like something special, because to you,it will be.

1934 first 19 units built
1944 last of pre war s/n 58987
1964 started with s/n 581471 with 101769 manufactured
All serial numbers before 700,000 are pre-64 Model 70's

[bert]

The question I would ask ...is therre anything there worth having?

I would guess the plant is old and perhaps obsolete.

The city is blowing smoke about the back taxes. They didn't collect them hoping the place wouldn't close. A subsidy given can't be reclaimed.

[CFC__VRWC]

Thanks very much for the advice. I've been thinking that I'd like to try some 158 grain stuff in the snubby, but so far I haven't been able to find anything around here in that weight except FMJ target stuff. What I do have so far for defense loads is 110 grain and 129 grain Hydra Shoks. If push comes to shove, I'll load my own once I get a set of .38 Special dies.

I took a peek at the Barami grip you mentioned - a pretty neat little gadget. My main concern with that is protecting the gun from my sweat when I carry - I sweat like crazy, and being in Florida I have lots of time for it. Also, Crimson Trace makes a grip set with an integral laser for the J-Frame, and I'm thinking hard about getting that when they have a rubberized version available (coming soon, according to their web site; all they have now is a hard plastic set, and sweaty hands and plastic grips don't work well together). I don't see any other way to make the snubby ready for night use since the sights are integral (any other ideas on that?). One advantage my Sig has over it - I just ordered Trijicons for that one today - should be in ready for install in about a week.