Winchester & Browning

[The Sodbuster]

Saw a press release dated today (8/15) on  Winchester's website indicating they had entered into an agreement with Browning to manufacture and distribute Winchester brand rifles and shotguns.  It didn't mention the model 70 or 94 specifically, so I don't know if they'll be included in the agreement or not. 

[SuperstitionCoues]

I've gotta feeling that the 94 will be back as it was, but the Model 70 will be modified somehow.  Just my gut two cents worth...

[AuProspector]

Did it say where the Winchesters would be mfg?  USA, Japan, or Europe?

[The Sodbuster]

AuProspector asked:

Did it say where the Winchesters would be mfg?  USA, Japan, or Europe?

Didn't say.  Since posting this I've read another thread on the same topic on the Winchester Firearms forum.  The Graybeard made some lucid points in that a Belgium company (Fabrique Nationale or the Herstahl Group or something like that) owns both Browning and U.S. Repeating Arms (former manufacturer of Winchester firearms); and, that Browning doesn't manufacture anything, they contract that work out.  So it's more about the Belgians moving things around from their right pocket to their left, and putting the Winchester brand under the supervision of the suits at Browning.  Still don't know if the Model 70 will be part of the new agreement.

[HuntingGuy]

Im not going to say where I heard, but they are producing a line of rifles called Winchester "X" rifles - being produced overseas.  I have not yet been able to get a look at these, but within the next 6 months, they are looking to have them hit the market.  It may be some sort of rendition of the 70, but I doubt it-- And from what I got from everything, the 70 is gone.

[Graybeard]

I'd not swear to it but I think the Union Contract they had with the workers at the old plant prohibits the manufacture of any of the firearms made there until the contract expires. I think that's about two more years. So I don't expect to see any of the guns made that any time soon under either the Browning or Winchester name.