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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles
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EricD
.416 member


Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
Winchester to cease producing the M70
      #46857 - 18/01/06 06:32 AM

According to people I talked with today at their customer service, Winchester will no longer be producing any versions of their Model M70, M94 and their model 1300!

I don't quite get why they are cutting out the M70, which is so popular all over the world?

I asked the guy if they'd lost their mind...

Erik

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iwantadouble
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Reged: 06/06/05
Posts: 104
Loc: Gallatin County, Montana
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: EricD]
      #46862 - 18/01/06 06:46 AM

While I am not a fan of the newer Winchesters, it seems like suicide for them to cease production of those three models. More suicidial than the infamous 1964 changes.

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500 is a nice round number, either followed by "Nitro Express" or by "cubic inch displacement".

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: iwantadouble]
      #46870 - 18/01/06 07:20 AM


I find it hard to believe that they will stop M70 production but
Winchester is getting creamed in the marketplace by Weatherby Vanguards et al
(ie other "cheaper" guns - both in price and quality).

We'll see at the Shot Show.

500 Nitro

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banzaibird
.333 member


Reged: 18/09/05
Posts: 358
Loc: S.C. Pennsylvania, USA
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: 500Nitro]
      #46871 - 18/01/06 07:32 AM

This is apparently the news. Though there are a lot of details that either haven't been hashed out or haven't been released to the public.
Story Link

BB

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GreenjoyTJ
.224 member


Reged: 04/05/03
Posts: 28
Loc: Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: EricD]
      #46875 - 18/01/06 09:16 AM

I guess that means my 2005 M70 Safari express 375H&H is a collectors item now!
I suspect the operation will turn it to a small custom gun maker like Dakota Arms inc..
I stead of 200 employees they will have less that 20 and just make custom firearms that have a 5 year waiting list and cost minimum $10G.
Wouldn't it be nice if the produced a nice double rifle with the winchester name on it, it certenly do able and their are plenty of people in this world with more money than God.

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Taos
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Reged: 09/05/04
Posts: 169
Loc: Nevada, U.S.A.
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: GreenjoyTJ]
      #46881 - 18/01/06 10:53 AM

I won't miss the 1300!! It was an abortion to begin with. Don't think I have ever seen one work for 2 days running.

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iwantadouble
.300 member


Reged: 06/06/05
Posts: 104
Loc: Gallatin County, Montana
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: Taos]
      #46892 - 18/01/06 11:41 AM

I am long through shedding my tears over Winchester repeating shotguns. I have a pre-war workhorse M12 with 32" full choke Magnum tube to keep me in rememberance of good Winchester repeating scatterguns. Unlike the 1300, it works.

--------------------
500 is a nice round number, either followed by "Nitro Express" or by "cubic inch displacement".

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JoeR
.224 member


Reged: 19/01/04
Posts: 41
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: iwantadouble]
      #46901 - 18/01/06 12:36 PM

Actually, they're stopping production when, IMHO, the quality of their product was coming up significantly. Just got a Safari Express in 458 two weeks ago and it is a much better rifle than the last Safari I bought (375) and ditched. New one has NECG rear sight, Williams extractor that easily slips over round in chamber giving it a four shot capacity, one piece bottom metal, newer Miller design stock, and overall fit and finish is superb, everything's straight, feeds just fine, shoots pretty much to POA right out of the box over the irons. Can't find anything that needs to be fixed just yet, and, it's a much smoother action than my BRNO. Maybe Winchester quality has gotten pretty dismal, but this is still a classic rifle. I took two rifles to Zim in 94, a (Roberts era) Rigby in 416 Rigby, and a Safari Express, pretty much as out of the box in 375 as a backup rifle. Apprentice PH from another group passes through our camp in Chewore and asks me if he can see my rifle. I proudly produce my London work of art, and he says, no, not that one, I want to see the Winchester which he fawned all over. The Safari Express was his dream rifle and he was going to get himself one as soon as he could afford it!

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RLI
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Reged: 01/10/03
Posts: 534
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: JoeR]
      #46929 - 18/01/06 05:37 PM

I think my Winchester M70 "Safari Express" .375H&H Left Hand just went up in value! They should do what Savage did just concentrate on one model the M70 dump the rest have standard, Super Grade and possible synthetic only with common/standard calibers and bring back quality. This could all be a ploy to make a rush of orders who knows?

Steve

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"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." — John Wayne

Edited by RLI (18/01/06 05:43 PM)

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Oldsarge
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Reged: 07/02/05
Posts: 180
Loc: SoCal Borderlands
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: RLI]
      #47006 - 19/01/06 01:22 PM

"Winchester" hasn't produced rifles in years. The name belongs to Olin Chemical and they use it to produce ammunition. A long time back, they licensed the name to United States Repeating Arms who sold to someone who sold to Heimstal, a Belgian company. My bet is that after all the screaming and hollering, Heimstal will sell the plant and name to some American investors and the whole cycle will start over again. BTW, Heimstal also owns Browning.

--------------------
Sarge

Holland's .375: One Planet, One Rifle!

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mickey
.416 member


Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: Oldsarge]
      #47008 - 19/01/06 01:46 PM

In reply to:

Heimstal also owns Browning.




Herstal,

Named after the town where Brownings were made.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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Oldsarge
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Reged: 07/02/05
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Loc: SoCal Borderlands
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: mickey]
      #47010 - 19/01/06 02:36 PM

Ah! Thank-you for the correct spelling.

--------------------
Sarge

Holland's .375: One Planet, One Rifle!

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39433
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: Oldsarge]
      #47016 - 19/01/06 02:59 PM

If the brand name licensing agreement is expiring next year and is currently being negotiated, maybe the rumour is just part of a price negotiating strategy (?).



--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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60falconclif
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Reged: 14/01/06
Posts: 13
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: EricD]
      #47017 - 19/01/06 03:28 PM

I was talking to the folks up in Alaska at Wild West Guns yesterday. And they mentioned the same, only added that this was do to the closer of the plant. but if lisencing is up? hopefully we see a move back to the Quality side.

Recoil Builds Character!!

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GreenjoyTJ
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Reged: 04/05/03
Posts: 28
Loc: Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: Taos]
      #47302 - 22/01/06 12:28 AM

My 8 year old 1300 pump gun has never failed to function perfectly.
It will fire just as fast as I can pump it and has never jamed.
I can't say I have seen my other shooting buddys auto loaders work as well.
My compaint is the look or apperance of the stamped steel parts even though the part work as designed they give the gun a cheaper than it cost look.
And the plastic triger guard also looks cheap but it is strong. An machined investment casting should have been used.
I do hate the location of the safety button on the trigger guard it a bit far for my small hand to reach.

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MopaneMike
.300 member


Reged: 03/01/06
Posts: 147
Loc: So Cal USA
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: EricD]
      #48451 - 29/01/06 04:06 PM

Confirmed by Winchester at SCI.... No buyer of Winchester by march..... The fat lady sings....

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MopaneMike


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RLI
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Reged: 01/10/03
Posts: 534
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: MopaneMike]
      #48458 - 29/01/06 07:31 PM

I have located a Lefty Winchester M70 in .30/06 in Melbourne if anyone is interested. Will not last long

Steve

--------------------
"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." — John Wayne

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allenday
.333 member


Reged: 18/04/04
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Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: Oldsarge]
      #48493 - 30/01/06 03:25 AM

Sarge, I think you're right.

Personally, I'd like to see a smaller, smarter, better-heeled, gun-savvy company enter into a licensing agreement with Olin, and I think that in this day and age a more tax-friendly, union-free state might be a smart new starting point.

If Dakota, Shilo, Ballard, Cooper, and U.S. Firearms can produce fine-quality firearms, then surely someone can figure out a way to still produce fine Winchesters..........

AD

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thumper
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Reged: 29/10/05
Posts: 21
Loc: New Mexico, USA
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: RLI]
      #48664 - 31/01/06 10:04 AM

Just purchased a Win M70 Custom African Express in 458 Lott just before going to DSC. Guess I will leave it unfired until the dust settles on the company's future, (if any).

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mikeh416Rigby
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Reged: 24/02/03
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Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: allenday]
      #48717 - 31/01/06 03:31 PM

You mean that South Dakota could have another rifle manufacturer?

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500Nitro
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Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #48726 - 31/01/06 05:35 PM


Smith and Wesson are the latest rumour.

500 Nitro

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iwantadouble
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Reged: 06/06/05
Posts: 104
Loc: Gallatin County, Montana
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: 500Nitro]
      #48846 - 02/02/06 12:24 AM

S&W would be interesting to see how it would play out. The quality will be there, but would they put ignition keys on the rifles, or do the right thing and make them faithful M70s?

I took this picture a few weeks ago, and if this rumour plays out, I guess it would not be so mismatched as I thought it was at the time...

--------------------
500 is a nice round number, either followed by "Nitro Express" or by "cubic inch displacement".

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Peterb
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Reged: 07/07/04
Posts: 288
Re: Winchester to cease producing the M70 [Re: iwantadouble]
      #49157 - 04/02/06 03:29 PM

The important thing is the Winchester name. Anyone can make guns under that name. The current company loses the name anyways Dec 31. Someone will come along and want to make Mod 70's and lever guns. Hopefully no one will want to make those 1300's.

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