Winchester Guns

Luke · 12-20-2003, 08:49 PM

A friend just told me that Winchester no longer manufactures their rifles and shotguns, but that another company, US Repeating Arms, has licensed the "Winchester" name and produces the current products under that brand name.

Perhaps this is OLD NEWS to everyone else, but I was startled by the statement.

Does anyone know the story behind this?

Luke

policeluger · 12-20-2003, 09:18 PM

As I understand, this is the old Winchester factory and employees under a new company, now "new" is about 20 years ago. I bought a mod. 70, .257 Roberts about the the time the changer over took place, box had a "U.S. Repeating Arms" lable ove the old Winchester label and the recoil pad was an old Winchester one, not the newer "U.S.Repeating Arms" logo pad. Got it for my son who was about 5 at the time and now just turned 25, so it was that long ago as I best I guess it too be. Now When you call the place, as I do from time to time, they answer "winchester-browning" ???...about time they give 'ol John Browning his due.

Luke · 12-21-2003, 08:30 AM

In some vague and undefinable way this is a little disturbing.

"Winchester" always seemed like such an American institution.

I recently bought a new Winchester 9417, and there is no indication that it is anything other than a Winchester. Guess I'll have to go back and look more carefully.

Luke

wterrell · 12-21-2003, 10:29 AM

Luke,
Give up on Winchester. The last product of theirs that I purchased was approx 20 years ago and was extremely disgusted with the quality. I purchased a 20 ga. shotgun for my son and expected a metal firearm, not one consisting of plastic parts.
This is hardly a product of an American insitution. I hope that the use of plastic in their products comes back to bite them in the butt.
I shall never purchase another Winchester product.
Olin saw more profits in the ammunition end of his business and only kept rights of the Winchester name for the ammo. Other Winchester name rights were sold.

policeluger · 12-21-2003, 11:05 AM

Luke...it is Winchester, just not you grandfathers Winchester...than again what is. Perhaps that is why the older classic arms are in such high demand, and bring high prices...like say Lugers?

Stevie · 12-21-2003, 11:09 AM

I think Winchester(U.S. Repeating Arms) is now either owned or affiliated with Browning Arms. I know that the model 70 rifles are as good as ever and in some models include the Browning "boss" muzzle attachment. The pump shotguns are a little bit cheesy looking, but I own a 1300 Defender and it's not to bad. I would like to own a new Super X2 3" shotgun(very nice).

Stevie.

Luke · 12-21-2003, 05:21 PM

Thanks for all the comments. My very first gun was a single-shot Winchester 22 when I was about 12 years old.

It probably shows, but it has now been over 20 years since I purchased a long gun. Guess I am REALLY out of date on the subject.

The Winchester 9417 I bought recently is a fairly nice gun (Haven't found any plastic . . . yet.) but it is not up to the quality of my old Browning 22 rifle.

Luke

Roadkill · 12-21-2003, 06:29 PM

I just bought a 30-30 Mod 94 for deer hunting, finally gave up with the milsurps after missing another one, had to get something with a scope. Just can't see good enough to hunt without one. This one is a 70ish model with a 3x9 Tasco 40mm scope, well worn, faded, very good mechanically, I fired thirty rounds through it before I took it out, am very comfortable with it. Wes, haven't heard from you in a while.

rk

wterrell · 12-21-2003, 08:46 PM

rk, I have been extremely occupied and un-stationary. Business has finally allowed me to sit on my own furniture.
I have monitored the forum as opportunity allowed and now look forward to the discussions on a daily basis.
Thanks for the post to the 1903 Springfield site.

Doubs · 12-21-2003, 09:08 PM

My last two new-gun purchases have been Winchesters. I have one of the first Winchester Model 52-B Sporters made in Japan in 1993 with a serial number in the low 700's. A few years ago I purchased another 52-B Sporter with the heavy barrel. Both are 100% steel and walnut and nicely made.

I also purchased a new Winchester Lightweight Model 70 made by USRA in 7x57mm. Out of the box it was a shotgun, mostly caused by the pressure created by a poorly bedded action and lousy barrel channel. I glassed the action and relieved the channel and now it will put 3 shots inside of an inch with 175 grain bullets at 100 yards. My Remington Classic in 6.5x55mm will beat the Winchester and it's straight out of the box.

Michigan Gunner · 12-25-2003, 11:56 PM

Any of the "Winchesters" that are made in Japan are of very good quality. They are made by the same company as Brownings. I have a Model 92 lever action in 45 Colt. Good quality, accurate, and reliable.

Lock and Load!

kidvett · 12-26-2003, 12:14 AM

I like Old Winchesters...

I have a few 94's ( Pre 64s, 375 & 22s ) that I use for hunting. Guns manufactured 15+ years ago...

I will almost never pass on a good 101 Shotgun as they are my favorite hunting & clay bird guns. Especially the Pigeon Grade ones...

Old Winchesters were quality firearms with very good fit & finish.......Accurate too...( Pre 64 30 WCF does 1 1/2 in at 100 yd open sights )

I cannot speak of their current products as I have not bought a new gun for a couple of years now...

MARK <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Herb · 12-26-2003, 03:57 PM

Not so strange, how many of you knew that the Weatherby Vanguard rifle is made in Japan by Howa rifles? (added) Howa also makes thier own, model 1500, which is identical to the Vanguard, the only difference is the price.

George Anderson · 12-26-2003, 04:10 PM

Seems the Japanese make guns for everybody but Japanese.

Luke · 12-26-2003, 05:25 PM

I have a Browning 22 semi-auto rifle made in Japan. Excellent, excellent quality.

Luke

Doubs · 12-26-2003, 06:13 PM

There's no question that the Japanese make excellent firearms. My 101 Winchester O/U and my Model 23 Side x Side are both made in Japan and both are of top quality. I bought both while stationed in England nearly 20 years ago.

12-20-2003, 08:49 PM	#1
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Winchester Guns A friend just told me that Winchester no longer manufactures their rifles and shotguns, but that another company, US Repeating Arms, has licensed the "Winchester" name and produces the current products under that brand name. Perhaps this is OLD NEWS to everyone else, but I was startled by the statement. Does anyone know the story behind this? Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

12-21-2003, 08:30 AM	#3
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	In some vague and undefinable way this is a little disturbing. "Winchester" always seemed like such an American institution. I recently bought a new Winchester 9417, and there is no indication that it is anything other than a Winchester. Guess I'll have to go back and look more carefully. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

12-21-2003, 10:29 AM	#4
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Luke, Give up on Winchester. The last product of theirs that I purchased was approx 20 years ago and was extremely disgusted with the quality. I purchased a 20 ga. shotgun for my son and expected a metal firearm, not one consisting of plastic parts. This is hardly a product of an American insitution. I hope that the use of plastic in their products comes back to bite them in the butt. I shall never purchase another Winchester product. Olin saw more profits in the ammunition end of his business and only kept rights of the Winchester name for the ammo. Other Winchester name rights were sold. __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

12-21-2003, 05:21 PM	#7
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Thanks for all the comments. My very first gun was a single-shot Winchester 22 when I was about 12 years old. It probably shows, but it has now been over 20 years since I purchased a long gun. Guess I am REALLY out of date on the subject. The Winchester 9417 I bought recently is a fairly nice gun (Haven't found any plastic . . . yet.) but it is not up to the quality of my old Browning 22 rifle. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

12-21-2003, 08:46 PM	#9
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	rk, I have been extremely occupied and un-stationary. Business has finally allowed me to sit on my own furniture. I have monitored the forum as opportunity allowed and now look forward to the discussions on a daily basis. Thanks for the post to the 1903 Springfield site. __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

12-20-2003, 09:18 PM	#2
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	As I understand, this is the old Winchester factory and employees under a new company, now "new" is about 20 years ago. I bought a mod. 70, .257 Roberts about the the time the changer over took place, box had a "U.S. Repeating Arms" lable ove the old Winchester label and the recoil pad was an old Winchester one, not the newer "U.S.Repeating Arms" logo pad. Got it for my son who was about 5 at the time and now just turned 25, so it was that long ago as I best I guess it too be. Now When you call the place, as I do from time to time, they answer "winchester-browning" ???...about time they give 'ol John Browning his due.

12-21-2003, 11:05 AM	#5
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Luke...it is Winchester, just not you grandfathers Winchester...than again what is. Perhaps that is why the older classic arms are in such high demand, and bring high prices...like say Lugers?

12-21-2003, 11:09 AM	#6
Stevie User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ok. Posts: 212 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think Winchester(U.S. Repeating Arms) is now either owned or affiliated with Browning Arms. I know that the model 70 rifles are as good as ever and in some models include the Browning "boss" muzzle attachment. The pump shotguns are a little bit cheesy looking, but I own a 1300 Defender and it's not to bad. I would like to own a new Super X2 3" shotgun(very nice). Stevie.

12-21-2003, 06:29 PM	#8
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	I just bought a 30-30 Mod 94 for deer hunting, finally gave up with the milsurps after missing another one, had to get something with a scope. Just can't see good enough to hunt without one. This one is a 70ish model with a 3x9 Tasco 40mm scope, well worn, faded, very good mechanically, I fired thirty rounds through it before I took it out, am very comfortable with it. Wes, haven't heard from you in a while. rk

12-21-2003, 09:08 PM	#10
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	My last two new-gun purchases have been Winchesters. I have one of the first Winchester Model 52-B Sporters made in Japan in 1993 with a serial number in the low 700's. A few years ago I purchased another 52-B Sporter with the heavy barrel. Both are 100% steel and walnut and nicely made. I also purchased a new Winchester Lightweight Model 70 made by USRA in 7x57mm. Out of the box it was a shotgun, mostly caused by the pressure created by a poorly bedded action and lousy barrel channel. I glassed the action and relieved the channel and now it will put 3 shots inside of an inch with 175 grain bullets at 100 yards. My Remington Classic in 6.5x55mm will beat the Winchester and it's straight out of the box.

12-25-2003, 11:56 PM	#11
Michigan Gunner User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Michigan, on the border Posts: 75 Thanks: 2 Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts	Any of the "Winchesters" that are made in Japan are of very good quality. They are made by the same company as Brownings. I have a Model 92 lever action in 45 Colt. Good quality, accurate, and reliable. Lock and Load!

12-26-2003, 12:14 AM	#12
kidvett User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I like Old Winchesters... I have a few 94's ( Pre 64s, 375 & 22s ) that I use for hunting. Guns manufactured 15+ years ago... I will almost never pass on a good 101 Shotgun as they are my favorite hunting & clay bird guns. Especially the Pigeon Grade ones... Old Winchesters were quality firearms with very good fit & finish.......Accurate too...( Pre 64 30 WCF does 1 1/2 in at 100 yd open sights ) I cannot speak of their current products as I have not bought a new gun for a couple of years now... MARK <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

12-26-2003, 03:57 PM	#13
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Not so strange, how many of you knew that the Weatherby Vanguard rifle is made in Japan by Howa rifles? (added) Howa also makes thier own, model 1500, which is identical to the Vanguard, the only difference is the price. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

12-26-2003, 04:10 PM	#14
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,772 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Seems the Japanese make guns for everybody but Japanese.

12-26-2003, 05:25 PM	#15
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	I have a Browning 22 semi-auto rifle made in Japan. Excellent, excellent quality. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

12-26-2003, 06:13 PM	#16
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	There's no question that the Japanese make excellent firearms. My 101 Winchester O/U and my Model 23 Side x Side are both made in Japan and both are of top quality. I bought both while stationed in England nearly 20 years ago.