It's sad to see any gun go, but I'm really gonna miss the Model 70's. Like you said though, this doesn;t seem to be an industry that can depend on outdoorsman to remain in business. I guess there aren't enough new hunters/shooters every year to sustain a business like this. I hope this is the extent of it, and no other companies have to shut down factories or halt the manufacturing of certain models. Looks like the anti's are grinning tonight, but we're long from being done.

My last winchester 1300s I sold for $75.00 in almost new condition shot maybe 30 times. Was defective out of the boxwas sent to factory and sent back saying it was test fired sure hope they hit the target because I could not 5 inch groups at 100 yards? bench fired? I think I screwed the guy I sold it to.

Two things come to mind that choke off new growth for the gun industry. The first is the overwhelmingly conservative bent of gun culture including most magazines, ranges and the NRA. This goes beyond just the gun control issue and extends into things like gay rights and the Iraq war that have nothing to do with guns but still seem to be part of what's for dinner. Right off the bat, gun culture deliberately excludes 50% of Americans who might be down with the guns but are opposed to everything else on the Republican agenda.

The second thing holding the firearms industry back is the difficulty of trying out hunting. There's no such thing as a learners permit in most states for adult would-be hunters who don't have their own land to hunt on. Here in Virginia, we're very hunter-friendly but in order to get a hunting license you have to take a state-approved class. I *still* don't have my license because the next class within 100 miles doesn't happen until next April. I am lucky to be license-exempt when I hunt on my family's property. So how does an interested person of ordinary means try hunting out to see if he likes it? He can't. You've got to jump in with both feet. So the only hunters that we have for the most part is children of hunters who grew up with it. Naturally, you're going to see some attrition as not all of those kids keep up with it. Eventually, we'll be a dying breed unless they come up with a way to make this past time more accessable to new sportsmen.

Furthermore: why have I never seen an ad for Winchester (or any other gunmaker) in National Geographic? How about 'Mother Earth News?' 'Organic Gardening?' 'Sports Illustrated?' I see gun ads all the time in American Rifleman and Field and Stream. How much good does Winchester think it's going to do them to spend all of their advertising budget on publications read exclusively by people who already have guns? Guns are tools that all sorts of people can use. Let's see some marketing outside of the usual echo chamber.

I think it is sad that this plant has closed,but of the last three 94's I have bought. Two had to be sent back and fixed, and the last boxes of 30-30 Winchester 170 grain power points I purchased 6 shell cases split. I am a die hard 94 fan, but people are not going to buy your products with problems like this.

I didn't know Winchester didn't make there own ammo. either. I have tried to buy US products whenever the option is available. When an average of 2 shells per box are duds, should I go buy one of there guns and try one of them also? Come on, if once they had a good product and were a booming industry and along came new company managment "know it alls" and wouldn't listen to anyone else except the college text books, it was my vision of what happend and why I stopped buying Winchester products. Browning has moved over seas and has pumped up the companys image with there "Buck Mark" logos. Why couldn't Winchester advertise and keep the plants open here? And NO I don't own or buy Browning guns or ammo, I buy Remington because they are still here in the USA.

I think it is a sad day to see a company like winchester close. I have a closet full of there shotguns and rifles like the 94,s. model 12, super-x, model 70,s. I also shoot there shells and have never had a misfire. I will bet John Wayne is turning over in his grave right now thinking Winchester is closing. Sad day in America

Does anyone know what is wrong at Sturm Ruger? Their stock has gone to the dogs.

Wow!! This is a shock, to see a land mark in the Firearm Industry closing it's door's.
The Model 94, the Model 70 are the finest firearm's ever produced, the history alone of these two models, should be enough to keep the plant open. Im a PROUD owner of a few Winchester Model 70's and 94's, and I will cherish these legacy's forever, and my children will also. Thank's WINCHESTER!!

Great rifles and shotguns sincepre64,and mod70,1200,1300 shotguns,ecxelent,it,s a shame

I felt numb heard the sad news.
Winchester is a name with a very long history and it should not be allowed to fail. The mere mention of the name Winchester brings up images of the old west ,old hunting memories,etc.

Its my understanding that the company was partially subsidized at the local, state and federal level in one way or another . Its also no secret that its been strugglin' for some time but I wish some how this tragedy could have been averted.

I own 2 94's, 2 1300's and a couple of old 22's and was in the process of ordering a M70 in .338 when the dealer informed me .

Once again , sad event in our country's history when an iconic company like Winchester will outsource its manufacturing.
Sorry , but I would have a hard time buying an Asian Model 94 if they to ever do so.

My $.02

Robert Cruz
Hialeah, FL

Where went the rifleman's rifle? Between this and Colt giving the shaft to the non-law enforcement sector, where are Americans supposed to get the quality guns we could purchase a mere 20 years ago? It would not surprise me now if S&W said they werent making revolvers anymore. Of course quality of workmanship had dropped even if technology was better. The new Winchesters probably had better metal and engineering than the old 70s, but there was darn near no fit and finish on the new ones. They were as personnal and beautiful as tupperware. I guess I will just continue to hit the shows for old Winchesters. Where have the good old days gone?