Good afternoon chaps. I have to report that one of the nicest things in the sporting world happened recently. I received my copy of a firearms periodical this month and found a nice, colour advertisement for a new Mossberg LEVER action rifle. I just kind of sat there and stared at the ad. Now for those who are wondering just exactly what in tarnation I am palavering about, don't fret. I am getting around to it. You see, last year a true American legend passed from our midst. The late, great Winchester Model of 1894 lever action rifle. Chambered in the "good ole thutty-thutty" , .30-30, or as it was originally known in 1895 when it was introduced, the .30 W.C.F.(Winchester Center Fire). It was made continuously for 112 years. Winchester Co.(U.S. Repeating Arms)closed the Connecticut plant last year bringing an end to the 1894, the Model 70 bolt rifle, and the model 1300 shotguns. A sad gasp passed through the hunting and shooting sports community. I tell you men, this was a BAD day in American history. For you chaps in the British Empire, think of your grandfather's stories about the heyday of Rigby, Holland & Holland, Snyder, Kynoch and others. You get the point. A piece of your history died when those companies folded up ownership by the families that started them. The same goes with Winchester. It was bad enough when the family sold to Olin in the early 60's. There were a lot of held breaths when they offered it up for sale in 81. We all sighed relief when it became clear that U.S. Repeating Arms was serious about restoring Winchester's reputation and they did a good job of it. However, when the news came in 2006 that U.S.R.A. was going to close the plant and there was no serious shot of it reviving anytime soon, all us fans got a little misty eyed. What in hell was this world coming too?
Now comes a ray of hope. If you follow the link I posted above you will arrive at the website of O.F. Mossberg and Son's. A venerated old American firearms company who has been "doing it right" for well over 100 years. They have introduced the Model 464 traditional lever action rifle chambered in .30-30! They even have a poll up to see what calibre of cartridge fans want chambered next. I believe this model will sell well. Typical of Mossberg, it is priced competitively, looks very traditional, AND has a lot of engineering updates that makes it stronger than any Winchester '94 ever made with the possible exception of the short lived Big Bore model from the early 80's. It even has an unobtrusive tang safety which is so much more elegant than the godawful cross bolt saftey/eyesore that USRAC and Marin cobbled into their rifles to keep the liability lawyers happy. This one just disappears into the tang if you look at it from the side. I personally hope that Mossberg collaborates with Hornady or Federal to come up with a proper, .33 calibre rimmed cartridge for this rifle. The wonderful .338 Federal introduced a couple of years ago begs to be chambered in a rifle like this. Albeit in a rimmed version at the proper pressure levels for a traditional lever action. However, if you look at the photos and read Jon Sundra's article at the Mossber site, this thing has a receiver that is so much more STOUT than a Marlin or Winchester lever action. Do check it out. If nothing else you will get to see a rifle that screams cowboys and indians.
Regards, Todd
I should add that Winchester has not completely disappeared. FN Herstal owns the brand now. I suspect that most of any manufacturing that reoccurs will happen in Japan or the East. Nothing against them but I want Winchesters made in America.
Now comes a ray of hope. If you follow the link I posted above you will arrive at the website of O.F. Mossberg and Son's. A venerated old American firearms company who has been "doing it right" for well over 100 years. They have introduced the Model 464 traditional lever action rifle chambered in .30-30! They even have a poll up to see what calibre of cartridge fans want chambered next. I believe this model will sell well. Typical of Mossberg, it is priced competitively, looks very traditional, AND has a lot of engineering updates that makes it stronger than any Winchester '94 ever made with the possible exception of the short lived Big Bore model from the early 80's. It even has an unobtrusive tang safety which is so much more elegant than the godawful cross bolt saftey/eyesore that USRAC and Marin cobbled into their rifles to keep the liability lawyers happy. This one just disappears into the tang if you look at it from the side. I personally hope that Mossberg collaborates with Hornady or Federal to come up with a proper, .33 calibre rimmed cartridge for this rifle. The wonderful .338 Federal introduced a couple of years ago begs to be chambered in a rifle like this. Albeit in a rimmed version at the proper pressure levels for a traditional lever action. However, if you look at the photos and read Jon Sundra's article at the Mossber site, this thing has a receiver that is so much more STOUT than a Marlin or Winchester lever action. Do check it out. If nothing else you will get to see a rifle that screams cowboys and indians.
Regards, Todd
I should add that Winchester has not completely disappeared. FN Herstal owns the brand now. I suspect that most of any manufacturing that reoccurs will happen in Japan or the East. Nothing against them but I want Winchesters made in America.