Actually, especially regarding the 870, I think you are dead right. I still think the 700 will reappear in a modified form.

Having said that, such a reorganization does not necessariy mean poorer products. I am really impressed with Savage, for example. The Accutrigger was an outgrowth of the Savage reorg and it is in my experience a superb and feature. Some of the nicer grades of Savage rifles are very nicelooking indeed. A downsizing in these industries may not be wholly a negative thing for gunbuyers, thought the sad demise of Ithaca is a a real loss. As far as I am concerned, their shotguns are the best pumps ever made.