Gun maker will take look at Winchester factory

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.

"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."

http://www.rbcd.net/ is a primo source for some wicked unofficial official goodies for the small snubs also..... the 37's are alloy thus sweat is moot per my experience with em. I was stationed in Florida for a few years and carried mine. I have a scandium 340S&W these days that I packed around down there when I visited some family and friends last year. The barimi's make for a very light weight rig that stayed in my swim suit pocket at the pool and took dunkings on a regular basis with no ill effects.

If yer really concerned with acidic sweat then give the uncle mikes pocket holster made of cordura and nylon a peek.....they are a great product. I sometimes use one for packing a small snub or a seecamp . Lots of methods as you well know.

If your inclined to try look at IDPA games for a pretty good time that also projects some skills like point shooting under stress. Sights are IMO for ranges beyond 50 ft. Such speed and ability drills that IDPA etc exercises is good stuff for a civy that doesn't get to go to thunder ranch or gunsite on a regular basis. Point shooting is pretty much a lost art that is still a viable skill for self defense. Give it a peek / try and let me know what ya think.

Again....just some ideas. I gave my 72 year old Mom a 637 with crimson trace grips and rbcd speciality ammo w/ a galco leather purse that has a hidden pocket for the snub. She likes the laser grips as it keeps her within minute of torso accuracy. Good tool, something I don't like to use but a good piece of gear none the less.....

Stay safe !

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.

Thanks for the additional information.

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