PTR Industries has just announced they will be moving out of Connecticut...a state with an unemployment rate close to 9%, extremely high cost of living, and anti-gun state agenda, and a governor who states the loss of a "few jobs" won't hurt them. You Texans, welcome your new firearms manufacturer.

On a side note, Magpul is already making good on their promise to dump Colorado; i suspect the attitude of Colorado government is much the same of their twisted sister state, Connecticut.

That's great, but I just wish some of the Big Boy's like Smith, Colt, etc. would follow suite. Quite honestly, I'll bet that even though the Big Boy's employ a lot of people, the do-gooder Anti's secretly hope they do move out of their States for political reasons anyway.

I just hope the "Citizen-Subjects" who think that their States are better off without these Companies and that strict gun control is really protecting them, question why the violence didn't stop the next time there is a School or Mass Shooting. Not that I am wishing this will happen again, but as we all know this type of thing can hardly be legislated out of existence, so it's just a question of when. We need to relentlessly ask them.... "with all the new gun laws and legislation, how could this possibly happen again"? I had better stop now before getting riled up!

Hi Viz is also moving out of Colorado, as is the Outdoor Channel.

The problem for the bigger companies is that it's much harder to move. In addition to moving tons of equipment, they have to either move existing skilled employees or find new ones. S&W has an average tenure of 30 years for their employees. That's a lot of experience that they risk losing.

I think a lot of smaller companies will move to states that are both more business and tax friendly than the blue states that they are currently in.

What dose PTR make, I don't think I ever heard of them, but when they're up and running in Texas I'd like to support them if I can. Ivan

They make an HK styled rifle. It is a nice looking rifle. I don't own one but I wouldn't mind having one. I also heard Stag Arms is pulling out too. No official word yet confirming it though.

H&K stopped production of the G3 rifle, which was a favorite of many SpecOps shooters worldwide. Cheap clones popped up, but were just that...cheap clones of inferior workmanship, accuracy, and material. PTR stepped in, acquired from H&K the blueprints, and now make consumer versions as well as custom designs for our very special warriors. Everything is made in the USA, and now Texans will have something to be proud of, besides their Chile.

PTR makes 308 caliber military style semi auto rifles based on the Heckler & Koch model 91 rifle. IIRC it's a licensed copy but won't put any money on that.

As for larger companies looking for skilled workers, they need to look no further than good old Michigan. The simple fact is that we currently have a very large number of skilled Machinists who never belonged to any union and who are now flipping burgers or driving trucks simply because the Big Three are now outsourcing their stamping dies and the like to India and Korea. There are also a lot of Design and Quality Control people in similar straights for the very same reason.

Not to hijack the thread, but does PTR still produces the clone? The H&K G3 was my service rifle for 4 yrs and I wouldn't mind to have a (semi auto) clone in my safe.

Back to topic; I'm glad companies start moving out. Bigger companies should offer their employees to go with if they want. I'm sure some of them wouldn't mind getting out of state as well. Hope they all move to AZ

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Jorge

Since PTR has bought H&K's blueprints and tooling for their rifles, I would say they make an authorized "clone" of their G3 which would be the PTR-91, which will fire both the .308 and NATO 7.62. Break out your checkbook.

Ohio has lots of skilled labor too.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

The question to be asked of you Michigan and Ohio folks, are you 2A friendly; it does appear neither state is on the top 10, or even top 20 of friends of the 2A.

I had a HK 91 back in the 80's, I tripled my money when I sold it at the first assault weapons ban. It was a great shooter but I needed longer barrels for the long shots. HK made a sniper rifle on the 91/G3 reciever and a heavier sniper rifle on the 21 (Light machine gun) reciever. I passed one up in the 80's and will not have the money for one without hitting the lotto! Ivan

I posted this same info the other day and got no response from anyone. I guess no one knew who PTR Industries was. I didn't drop any clue as to who they were and what their business was like you did. Now they know.

A local news story last week here in Abilene said Colt is in serious talks with Texas, Breckenridge to be exact, it is 60 miles from here. Not sure if they meant their entire operation or just a division, I suspect a division to begin with. Haven't heard any more on it since then.

Alnamvet68,

I just looked at a 2011 BRADY BUNCH rating for Ohio.

They gave us 7 points out of 100, that would have to be not bad for us.

Ohio has many Shooters, Shooting Clubs, Hunters, Ranges, Gun Stores, a few of the BEST GUNSMITHS in the country,

Gun Shows galore (Jerky and all), Camp Perry National Shooting Championships, TDI (Tactical Defense Institute) training facility near Athens, Ohio.

CLASS III items are permitted in this state with the proper federal tax stamp. (owning & shooing of)

We are a SHALL ISSUE state.

We have over 250,000 CCW Permit Holders in a state with 10-11 million in population.

We were the home of THE GRAND AMERICAN TRAP SHOOT (Vandaiia, Ohio) for decades until a newer even larger facility was built elsewhere.

If we could get SUMMIT RACING and JEG'S to get a FFL AS A SIDELINE, WE WOULD BE REALLY ROCKIN'!!!!!!!

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

There are a lot of things that go into the decision regarding whether to move and if so, where to move. I here Beretta is chafing under some of the new laws that Maryland enacted. Some of the older companies might be able to go from Union labor to non union labor. There are probably a lot of things we aren't aware of. I think Magpul's move was primarily intended to make a statement to progressives. Still at the end they will land in a lower tax state and may have state "help" with the cost of the move.

How on earth did Kimber end up in Yonkers, NY?

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Luke 22:36

Bully to all the companiers standing up and saying NO MORE!

It is official, a division of Colt is moving from Oregon to Brackenridge, Texas. It is the division of Colt that produces their competition rifles.

What is your source for that info please?

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Jorge

Maybe the larger companies could move one division at a time. Start a new product line, do it in another state. It might take a few years but they would eventially be moved. Right to work laws are also very attractive in other states. I know in my area there is plenty of room in the industrial park for many gun manufactorers. Also there is a university that specializes in polymers and another that specializes in machining nearby that would be glad to help or train workers. Kohler has been successfully making engines here for several years and there are also several companies that do injected plastic molding here. Any new manufactorer that moves here almost always gets help with infrastructure and tax breaks. Most important, we need the money and will work for it.

I've been asking myself that ever since they started. I grew up in Riverdale (the countrified section of the Bronx), and Yonkers was on our northern border. Yonkers today, and even back then, has always been considered the poor man's Westchester County...a real poop hole; Mt Vernon to the east is also another pyscho-social gem. I'm waiting for Kimber to announce a move, since it's only getting worse in NY.

Jorge, go here for the story. The company is actually Bold Ideas but they DBA Colt Competition.

I know that Colt was building a facility somewhere in Florida a couple of years ago but if they have ever produced anything there, I'm not aware of it. Colt's union, I believe, is the UAW and they are allowed a Union Shop in Connecticut. I read something the other day that the UAW was really concerned about a Colt move to Florida which is a right to work state.

CW

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μολὼν λαβέ

I was already planning on visiting STI and Tripp. Soon I'll have all kinds of places to visit. Maybe I can quit my stupid office job and go to work manufacturing or distributing guns. I've got distribution experience. I'm pretty excited about maybe becoming the gun manufacturing state.
Welcome to the Republic of Texas.

We still need more ammo for all these guns.

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Hold on. SWAT's at my door.

"AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Senate is sending a message to gun makers across the country: C'mon down, the Lone Star State wants you.

The Senate gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a bill encouraging Gov. Rick Perry's office to recruit gun manufacturers to Texas. The bill by Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, is mostly a symbolic measure as Perry already has been courting companies to relocate."

It just makes good business sense. Not only do we have a bustling economy, our representatives are pro gun all the way and have no problem telling feds to kiss our *****. It's a totally different world here in Texas and I'm damn glad I'm here. Now if we could just move closer to secession .

If Texas wasn't so dang close to that other place, I'd move there in a heartbeat.

What? Oklahoma? Yeah, I hear ya...

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Jorge

I moved here in '91 because the Mrs (ex now) took a transfer to save her job. Was apprehensive about moving to the Bible belt but all in all it has turned out good. People are friendly, prices are great (except property tax, but no state income tax), weather is good cept'n for the dang HOT summers and best of all...................GUN friendly!

So gun manufacturers, come'on down we'll put some beef on the BBQ and beer on ice!!

Forget Texas...come to Virgina; I'll put the Evans on the rocks in your tumblers, and all the sushi you can eat.

Remington announced that they are not moving nor did they ever consider moving, but are spending $20 mil on a plant expansion and plan on moving Marlin into Ilion as well. Looks to me NY state bought Remingtons principal with massive loans and grants. Remington is not worried about the average citizen as they have years worth of work for the military. Thats what this plant expansion is mainly for.

Because of NYer Leslie Edelman, who bought Kimber and moved operations to NY, and whom without there would be no Kimber today basically.

"Kimber was founded as "Kimber of Oregon" in 1979 by Greg and Jack Warne in the small town of Clackamas, Oregon. Jack Warne moved to Oregon in 1968 after Portland-based Omark Industries purchased the Australian firearms manufacturer, Sporting Arms (or SportCo), he founded in Adelaide, South Australia, following World War II.
Following its founding, Kimber of Oregon, which quickly built a reputation for accurate .22 long rifle caliber rifles, began to expand its product line and eventually acquired a second manufacturing plant in the nearby Colton.
In the late 1980s, the company began to struggle after a private stock offering fell short of covering the costs of developing the M89 Big Game Rifle. In 1989, Kimber of Oregon was sold to Oregon timber baron Bruce Engel, who founded WTD Industries, Inc. Engel had difficulty running Kimber and soon the company sought bankruptcy protection. However, Kimber of Oregon's assets were liquidated.
In 1990, several Kimber employees, including Dan Cooper, left to found Cooper Firearms of Montana.[2]
In the mid-1990s, Greg Warne tried to revive Kimber, but much of Kimber of Oregon's original tooling had ended up in a junkyard north of Portland. Greg soon found a financial backer in Les Edelman, who owned Nationwide Sports Distributors. The two purchased the original tooling and partnered to found Kimber of America. The company grew quickly, but Edelman forced Warne out after acquiring a majority interest in the company.
While Edelman was partnering with Greg Warne, he had also invested in Yonkers-based Jerico Precision Manufacturing, which manufactured hand tools and mechanical components for the defense industry, which was adjusting to cuts in defense spending. Edelman decided to connect Jerico Precision's existing infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities and Kimber's reputation and extensive network of dealers to build a line of M1911-style handguns. He eventually moved Kimber's production line to Jerico's facilities in New York, ending Kimber's presence in Oregon."

If I were a CEO of a gun manufacturer, I'd move to a red state, not blue or purple, for my long term health.

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Sure you did

And Leslie Edelman also owned two large gun stores on Long Island. One in Nassau county and the other in Suffolk county. the one in suffolk county off route 110 was probably the best gun store that Long Island had at the time. Besides firearms, reloading supplies, and just about anything firearms related. What I do know is that they sure did get a lot of my money over the years. Their going out of sale had some great bargains. 180 grain 30cal round nosed bullets $5 a box. Dies were just about any caliber you wanted. I picked up a rcbs 3 die set for 32-20 for $10. Went out there one day and the doors were locked and no one around. I think that they also had a place in pennsylvania also. Frank

Yep, THAT Leslie Edelman, known to every NYer from the mid Hudson to Montauk. They actually have plans to expand but are meeting some resistance from their neighbors. Better they should high tail out of there to TN or SC, or perhaps KY. Move once, get it over with.

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Sure you did

The eyes of Texas are up on you all the live long day. You know the tune. Texas is not perfect. But we try to do right.

They had 2 stores in PA. One in Philly , one in Montgomeryville , which I went by every day , and probably stopped in every other day. Bought my 696 during their closing sale back around '93 or so.

Edelman also owns Nationwide Sports Distributors , one of the largest gun wholesalers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimber_Manufacturing

For the big publicly held corporations moving shop is not so simple, politics aside.
In addition to the union/personnel issues already mentioned, the directors are responsible to the stockholders to make a continuing profit.
While a move may be the "right" thing ethically, if the bottom line is affected its not very likely to happen.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

well said!

just ask us marlin lovers about the loss of quality after Remington moved marlin to my home state, I am glad they brought the jobs here but I will wait until the workers get there issues sorted out before I buy a marlin without the JM proof marks

Instead if moving plants and merchandise and jobs, they need to move attitudes and legislation. This slow attrition of states to the dark side will eventually be all our downfalls.
Stop retreating!

Siskorsky helicopter will be out of ct in five years or less.

Yup let's tax these big companies right out of the state.

I'll bet that Pratt &Whitney follows them too.

Other states are offering incentives for any company moving there.

The more gun companies moving out the better.

I suppose that you can get a taste of CHILE in Texas in that we get grapes here from Chile. They're pretty good, too, and we get other fruit and excellent Chilean wines. One good Brand is Santa Carolina.

But I believe that you're referring to our CHILI. It's best eaten fresh. Why, over in new Mexico, they keep some chili so long that it turns green!

BTW, have you looked at the flags of Chile and of Texas? Quite similar.

I've never met anyone from Chile. I've met a Peruvian or two and some Argentines. A few Brazilians. We don't see a lot of South Ameicans here, really.

I realize that some references do mention chile pppers or powder. But I prefer to spell the dish to which you refer as CHILI. I think most from CHILE would agree.

Kudos from a Brit who takes comfort from the fact that there are businesses and law abiding shooters unwilling to accept unecessary restrictions through no fault of their own SOMEWHERE no matter how restrictive firearms laws get in other parts of the world like the UK.

Good to see.

If only sufficient numbers had the same attitude here...

Thank you! My maternal grand father was from Chile & later moved to Panama. Also, the Puerto Rican flag is similar.

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

Them chiles start out green. The best chiles are from Hatch and they are the best chiles grown on planet earth.

Bless your heart...no.

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

No. Not more Yankees.

IIRC Ruger has opened a plant somewhere in N. Carolina???
JIM................

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SWCA # L-1911

Not all replies read, but I see NY is placing AD's, for tax free to co's, for 10 years, trying to lure some in.

Ruger has a plant in NH. I'm not sure what's left in Southport,ct.

Connecticut is a ghost town of old manufacturing factories already. Who either closed up and went out of business due to foreign imported goods or there products were outdated for the Times.

Into today's times your on top of your game or you snooze or lose. You need to cut costs to survive. The main problem is giving the shareholders profits rather than keeping Americans working. If you hear a big company is laying off workers look at there stock going up right away. They cut the employees and there shares rise? When the business in down and the orders for there product is down there in trouble so they cut employees.

Every time I got caught up in this corporate head chopping during a recession I changed my trade. My point is most people are doing this to survive. Once there settled in with the new job there not going back to the old job on a recall. I didn't.

The companies in ct are taxed to death anyway.

A working class family doesn't stand a chance here.

The voters in ct need to remember the politicians who hurt us and when November comes around its time to let them get real jobs and see what they have caused. Vote them out.

We need to unite and vote them out for the problems they caused for the gun manufacturers too. It's karma and pay back time.

Watch that ...... I'm from Connecticut orginally.

Collinsville: Collins Machetes. Thomaston: Seth Thomas clocks. Terryville: Terry clocks. Lots of others.

There was an article a few days ago which said the Beretta is seriously talking to the official in Tennessee about moving its entire operations from the People's Republic of Maryland.

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Bill