Les Jones

Guns > Winchester to Close Its Factory if it Can't Find Buyer

From The Boston Globe via The High Road:

U.S. Repeating Arms Co. Inc. said Tuesday it will close its Winchester firearm factory, threatening the future of a rifle that was once called "The Gun that Won the West."

"It's part of who we are as a nation just like it's part of who we are as a city," Mayor John DeStefano said.

The announcement touched off a lobbying effort by city officials and union leaders who hoped to find a buyer for the plant before it closes March 31. If no buyer comes forward, it could spell the end for nearly all commercially produced Winchesters, said Everett Corey, a representative of the International Association of Machinists District 26.

That's terrible news for a great old American gun company. Besides their cowboy-era guns Winchester was a major producer of M1 Carbines and M1 Garands during the second World War. I still have both of my dad's Winchesters and don't plan on ever selling them. Here's hoping someone steps forward and buys them.

LATER: More news and an official announcement