The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores What’s the latest Winchester/Browning news???Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
One of Us |
Anyone know if Browning is going to go forward with “Winchester-like Model 70†production? -eric " . . . a gun is better worn and with bloom off---So is a saddle---People too by God." -EH | ||
|
| One of Us |
I have only heard that the parent company will restart the production of the rifle when the current union contract expires. I don't believe that will be too long down the road. IIRC, the machine equipment at the old plant was replaced/refurbed over 10yrs ago when the company was geven a $$ incentive to stay. I'd heard that much of the equipment was considered in need of repair or replacement by the time they shut things down. I suspect they will be up and going some place(s) in the world before too long (years) and probably w/ brand new production equipment. I'd also think they would market the rifle as a "Winchester M-70" regardless who they have make it. GVA | |||
|
Moderator |
winchester's old equipment was auctioned off a year ago opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
|
One of Us |
I guess I would have to ask myself, if it didn't sell well enough before, why would it come back out as the same; regardless of who made it? Unless somehow it was much less expensive in order to compete better...? "Hunt smart, know your target and beyond" | |||
|
| one of us |
IMO if Browning does start manufacturing the M-70, in Japan, they will have a winner. If you look at the quality of the last couple of years of Winchester manufacture you will notice it was pretty bad. You can read on the forums here, about misaligned scope mount holes, poor fitting and bedding, etc.....The Japan made lever actions, like the 1892, 1895 and the Hi-Wall are very nicely done. The fit and finish is far above what Winchester was putting out. One other thought, and many, many companies do it, is DO NOT LIST SOMETHING YOU DON'T, OR WON'T, PRODUCE. An example of this was that Wincehster listed the .416 Rigby as being available from their custom shop. I called to see about ordering one and was told they weren't going to produce it. I mentioned that it was still on the website, and the person said they would update it sometime in the future. And who can forget the Remington 45-70 double!!!! I guess I am just not that concerned as to who makes, or where, a product is made. I AM concerned that when I pay good money for something that I get what I paid for. The last M-70 stock design fit me well and I am hoping that they make it the same way. It is an easy, and fairly inexpensive, way for me to think about building a .404. | |||
|
One of Us |
I personnaly don't think it was lack of sales but deteriorating product quality, poor management and piss poor morale on the workers part. I think if you can agree that these were enough to put Winchester under you can also see that if the same product were produced in another location using workers who gave a damn and management that had their act together then the Model 70 product could very well be a success again. I too am fond of the Model 70's and although I've never owned or even handled one that had the troubles that Congo alluded to I heard plenty of people complain about it. All the ones I've owned I am real happy with and would continue to buy more. Several years ago the direction Winchester was headed was very apparent. On several occasions when ordering Win parts I became so frustrated dealing with those folks that I could scream. If you didn't know exactly what you wanted by cat# they couldn't or wouldn't help at all, everyone I spoke with was abrasive, condescending and completely "put out" by having to deal with customers. Thats not how you run a business for long. Consequently I found out that I could order all the same Winchester parts I was looking for through the NICE folks at Browning in Utah and they were extremely helpful as a matter of fact they would help me go through all kinds of options and end up getting just what I wanted and they would input the order from there and I'd get the same stuff as I was trying to get from Win. in Conn. The products are winners the people working at and running Winchester is what put them under. I for one am anxiuos to see the product for sale again and like Congo I hope it is the same folks that are turning out the 1895's. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Well, I hope that whatever people want, it happens. I do own a Win M70 and have nothing against them really, though the wooden stock did crack on mine behind/below the bolt handle; I also have a couple of Brownings too. By the way, I have written Browning twice (emails) in the past about a question I have on an older model A-bolt Medallion I own in 30-06, and have never received an answer from them. It's been almost a year now since I tried last though, but wouldn't mind trying again. Is it possible for you to let me know what email address, or the Utah contact you used so I could try again? A PM would be find if you want, and if it is not too much trouble for you. Thanks, and take care. "Hunt smart, know your target and beyond" | |||
|
| One of Us |
Unit 5a let me take a look in my notes and see what number I was calling the Browning people at they were very very helpful and friendly every time they picked up the phone. I may have time tomorrow to look it up. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Thanks. I appreciate that when you have time. Take care. "Hunt smart, know your target and beyond" | |||
|
| One of Us |
Good time to be buying Winchesters. Except for the larger bores .375 and up the prices are back to what they were selling for before Win annonced their demise. My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost. | |||
|
| One of Us |
The winchester rep at the NRA show stated they needed a year and half to start production.I ask straight out if they going to be built in Japan. He said he couldn't say where but definitely not Japan. Lets hope Belgium. | |||
|
| One of Us |
China?  | |||
|
| One of Us |
browning only builds their very finest (and most expensive) guns in Belgium. there will be no winchesters built in Belgium unless you are willing to pay $5,000.00 for a mod 70 and with that stupid safety they deserved what they got.... out of business. good riddance ! TOMO577 DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
|
| One of Us |
I remember when Browning A-5s went to Japan from Belgium. The warrenty repairs fell to almost nothing. The Belgian guns were turning into absolute crap in their last years. Even our direct buy Browning rep admitted it. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Why would you care? Why do we care what you care? | |||
|
| One of Us |
luv2, why do you care if Tomo cares? Why should we care if you care, or that you are concerned/upset that Tomo has an opinion? This is a forum, a place for the open and free exchange of ideas and opinions. The deal is to (hopefully) disagree with the message, not savage the messenger. Personal attacks on internet website posters are a sign of someone who may be a little, shall we say, immature...? Recent history supports Tomo's assessment. Nobody disagreed with what he said. regards, Rich DRSS | |||
|
| One of Us |
Rich, I don't care.  Lighten up; it was in good fun. Maybe I should have used a wink, however.  Lectures have always bored me.  | |||
|
| one of us |
I don't care either, but tomo577's little dig at the Win safety would have likely drawn flack from many people. Not me though. | |||
|
One of Us |
The Browning/Winchester rep at the Rambouillet Show told me they would be made in Portugal. Some Browning over and under shotguns are already made there. _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
|
| One of Us |
luv2safari, just a good-natured jab back at you...hope you took it as a "funnin" not seriously.  Rich DRSS | |||
|
| One of Us |
I'm betting they'll (Winchester model 70s, that is) be mass-produced in a plant in S.C., USA and be on display for the 2008 SHOT show. | |||
|
| Moderator |
man, now that is what I think is a good bet, even odds.. .i wouldn't bet against it!! "stupid safety" ...LMFAO... again, that insight ... anyone ever seen a new custom mauser rifle without saide safety? yep, must be a "Stupid safety" opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
|
| One of Us |
OH man lets hope so!! I will say that is not the first time I have heard that!!!! You can't kill them setting on the couch. | |||
|
| One of Us |
just re-reading Tomo's dig at the M70 safety, does anyone here work one faster that the old Ruger tang safety? Didn't think so. Rich DRSS | |||
|
| one of us |
I had a Ruger tang safety and also a ND. Mind you I was young and stupid once. The thing I found with a tang safety and a lame brain is that it's "there" . IE whether on or off, at a quick feel it could be either. The new Ruger and Win is "here" for on and "there" for off. Now only Brno's fool me. PS. No one was injured in the ND in a safe direction. My mate thought s**t was trumps though. | |||
|
| One of Us |
If the wing safety is so superior, why don't DRs come with them. Make it a 98-style, drill a hole in it, and have it flip from right to up and use it as a peep? DR/Shotgunning is instinctive, you don't have time to fart around. Nor with bolt rifles...except with vertical or horizontal wing-type safeties. Not puffing myself up, but I have extensive hunting experience with truly dangerous game: the kind that packs an AK or SKS, and there's a reason serious rifles don't have the wing safeties...you generally don't have time to think...you just react! Just my thoughts, don't get your panties in a bunch. Rich DRSS | |||
|
| Moderator |
I don't prefer tang safeies... opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
|
One of Us |
a wise person once said a safety is not a switch its between the ears... 577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375 *we band of 45-70ers* (Founder) Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder) | |||
|
one of us |
Why wouldn't the model 70 go into the same type of production (by Browning) that the Winchester 1895, 1885 and 92 are in now? Build 500 per year with upgraded features and sell them at a premium price (like $1500.00). It is working for them now and the low production would hold the high retail price (and large profit margin) of the product. If I were king that's how i would do it. | |||
|
| One of Us |
I don't know what all the flap is about concerning safeties. I have two old style Rugers with tang safeties and four Pre-64 Mod 70's and I have had no trouble with using any of them on DG. But then I can chew gum and walk at the same time. 465H&H | |||
|
one of us |
I heard North Korea. They give up nukes and get to make Model 70s. "Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson. | |||
|
One of Us |
Oh boy, I can't believe I am going to post about the M70 safety (you could substitute the Ruger MKII if it makes you warm and fuzzy), but here we go. The "superior" mystique of the M70 comes from a few areas and here they go.... 1) Familiarity (kinda acts like the safety on a '03 springfield.. People liked what they know. 2) You can open the bolt or lock the bolt with the safety still on. Something that if remington did, they would have a near perfect rifle. Thankfully Sako still allows you to do this. 3) Positive firing pin lock. Especially if you want to bash game over the head with your rifle without it discharging. 4) Darn quiet. Having had an A-bolt with a tang, I was oft surprised how loud that ball detent was when going from Safe mode to kill mode. Other than that, I guess its a matter of personal preference. I miss the quality Mod 70's that were produced in the early 90's, but when the company failed to redo the machinery, the quality suffered. I have a 270 win classic with Boss, a 375 Safari express, and a 458 Safari express and yet I hunt with a Sako -06 or a Sako 375 and occasionally a 350 rem mag in a 673 guide gun. John | |||
|
| One of Us |
I hope we see them improve the product, no matter where they are made, at the very least. If we can keep production in the U.S., that would be even better. Times change, I guess. -eric " . . . a gun is better worn and with bloom off---So is a saddle---People too by God." -EH | |||
|
| one of us |
I do admire a man that tempts fate. Or are you all done in Africa? | |||
|
One of Us |
I think Winchester failed because for years they have been turning out junk. I say we should let the Model 70 rest in peace! Dave Dave DRSS Chapuis 9.3X74 Chapuis "Jungle" .375 FL Krieghoff 500/.416 NE Krieghoff 500 NE "Git as close as y can laddie an then git ten yards closer" "If the biggest, baddest animals on the planet are on the menu, and you'd rather pay a taxidermist than a mortician, consider the 500 NE as the last word in life insurance." Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (8th Edition). | |||
|
one of us |
I've also heard from fairly reliable sources that the M70 will be produced in South Carolina as soon as the old USRAC contracts and obligations expire. Tomo577 makes a good point about production in Belgium. To produce a M70 or FN Deluxe in Belgium would probably cost the consumer north of $2000. Something of the same quality as the FN Deluxe Sporter or Browning Safari would cost even more. Old FNs selling today for a few hundred dollars are pretty good bargains. NRA Life Member, Band of Bubbas Charter Member, PGCA, DRSS. Shoot & hunt with vintage classics. | |||
|
| One of Us |
There is no fate to tempt. You just need to be familiar with your rifle through a lot of use. As for tang safeties,the best British double rifles all use them and I have never heard anyone complain about them. Also I am booked for two elephant bulls again next February in Zim. For Idaho Sharpshooter, they tang maybe slightly faster but either is plenty fast enough to disengage as you mount your rifle. So, the additional speed is really a non-issue IMHO. 465H&H | |||
|
| One of Us |
465H&H, but I can't chew gum and walk at the same time. You've been around me for nearly 30 years...you should know that by now. The tang safety is as simple as a cast iron anvil; and as dependable. Rich DRSS | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores What’s the latest Winchester/Browning news???
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia