[Snake]

A guy I know told me they went under... then I noticed a Youtube video mentioning that Winchester don't sell particular models any more. But I ordered a catalog from them last week, and just got it in the post this morning!

So did they go bust or not? I know it's a bad economy, but I can't work out whether they still manufacture or not. Nobody answered the company phones this afternoon.

[rustycrusty]

Originally Posted by Snake

A guy I know told me they went under... then I noticed a Youtube video mentioning that Winchester don't sell particular models any more. But I ordered a catalog from them last week, and just got it in the post this morning!

So did they go bust or not? I know it's a bad economy, but I can't work out whether they still manufacture or not. Nobody answered the company phones this afternoon.

I may be wrong on this. I often am wrong,especially when talking to my wife, but I understood they were divvied up and somebody got the ammo part and somebody else got the gun part and a third got their clothing line. That is what I understood anyway, and the gun portion went to someone that is a gun maker like FN or Browning et c.

[lonyaeger]

I believe Browning now owns Winchester firearms. I believe Hodgdon now owns Winchester powders and whatnot.

When I call Browning, they answer as "Browning/Winchester."

[cpttango30]

FN owns the rights to the Model 70. Browning owns the rights to a few other firearms. Now Browning is owned by FN as well.

Hodgdon bought out the powder part along with IMR. Hodgdon, winchester, IMR are all made by HODGDON.

Winchester it's self as the original company died a long time ago.

Here is a better article than I can put in here.

Winchester Repeating Arms Company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Txhillbilly]

Actually,The Olin Corporation,owns Winchester,Browning,F.N. and several other companies.
They closed the old Winchester plant,and then started producing the Model 70 in North Carolina along with other brands of bolt action rifles.

The model 94 lever action was dropped,but then they started to build high end versions,along with other models of lever actions and falling block actions in the Japan plant that also builds alot of Brownings.

[Snake]

Aw man, it's like a "who owns who" of firearms manufacturers. So, the main question I have is: is the model 70 still as good as it ever was, or did the buyout affect how the products were made, or the quality of parts in any way?

Sometimes when a company buys out another company they tinker with things, and sometimes it ain't good...

[cpttango30]

Yes it is. FN makes quality firearms and weapons systems and have for a very long time.

FN has been around since 1889. So they must be doing something right.

[cpttango30]

Originally Posted by Txhillbilly

Actually,The Olin Corporation,owns Winchester,Browning,F.N. and several other companies.
They closed the old Winchester plant,and then started producing the Model 70 in North Carolina along with other brands of bolt action rifles.

The model 94 lever action was dropped,but then they started to build high end versions,along with other models of lever actions and falling block actions in the Japan plant that also builds alot of Brownings.

Olin owns Winchester Ammunition. Herstal Group owns WInchester, Browning, and FN.

Winchester has been bought and sold and split a few times so it is hard to keep straight.

Olin

Herstal Group

Winchester Ammunition is a totally different company than winchester firearms.

In 1931, Western completed its integration into small arms and ammunition with its purchase of the legendary Winchester Repeating Arms Co., which had been founded in New Haven, CT, in 1866. Winchester also greatly expanded production during World War I, but to absorb the excess capacity and pay down debt it made a disastrous foray into manufacturing and selling hardware goods, from roller skates and refrigerators to batteries. This failed experiment eventually drove Winchester into receivership and led to its sale to the Olins and Western Cartridge in 1931. The Olins quickly ended Winchester's foray into the hardware field, paring it down to its core competencies in arms and ammunition.