Quote:
Originally Posted by chief38
With no exception that comes to mind, ALL the American Gun Company's are not much more than a shadow of their former selves. NONE of them produce the quality, variations, customized choices, customer service, or pride of yesteryear. OK - MAYBE Ruger is the one exception, but only MAYBE.
Any of us that have vintage guns should cherish them as they will NEVER be made that way ever again! Again, with the exception of maybe Ruger, the American gun Company's have been mismanaged, misguided, forced into producing undesirable products and bought by conglomerates that either no little to nothing about the business or only care about the profits.
I HATE to be so negative about the future of our hobby, but in the long run (just being realistic) I see NO shinning future.  If you have vintage Remington's, Winchester's, Browning's, Colt's, High Standard's, Smiths, Marlin's, etc. shoot them, care for them and enjoy them as long as you can! |
I agree.
20 or 30 years from now those wonderful collections of Pre-1964 Winchester bolt-action rifles, Model 12 shotguns, classic Weatherby and Mauser rifles will only bring pennies on the dollar of their current values. It will be even worse for guns from the black powder era, with the POSSIBLE exception of Colt SA Armies. Wealthy Arabs, Russians, and Chinese Communist Party Officials may be the ones buying those up, at reduced prices.
Most younger shooters want adjustable plastic stocks, rapid fire, quick-change components and accessories, and have little knowledge or appreciation for good quality hand fitted guns required years of experience to learn how to fit them up right.
Loss of hunting habitat and land suitable for recreational shooting
are more and more of a problem every year, not to mention the nasty politics involved. These make it easier for prospective shooters to opt out entirely and choose something less controversial to do in tjeir spare time like golf and video games.