Winchester M1885 Limited Edition BPCR Creedmoor rifles

[TexasMac]

A few words on the Winchester M1885 Limited Edition Creedmoor rifles

I’ve reported on these rifles some time ago and touched on some of the details of the sales agreement between Winchester and Davidson’s (the exclusive distributor).  Since their introduction around two years ago I’ve sold over 30 rifles.  During that time there have been some question concerning Winchester/Davidson’s agreement and their use of the term “Limited Edition”, hence the reason for this posting.

The Davidsons/Winchester deal resulted in the manufacture of 251 of the .45-90 Win. 34" barrel Creedmoor rifles with sights. The same deal also resulted in the manufacture of 126 Creedmoor rifles in .45-90 Win. with 30" barrels and no sights and 126 Creedmoor rifles in .50-90 Sharps with 30" barrels with no sights.

I understand that the Limited Edition deal Davidsons & Winchester worked out was actually structured to manufacture 126 rifles of each model per year as long as there was sufficient customer interest.  But after the above noted quantities were manufactured, Davidsons made it clear to dealers that there would be no more.  Apparently there wasn’t sufficient customer demand to justify additional quantities.

All similar descriptors such as limited series, special editions, express caliber, magnum caliber, etc. are in fact "marketing terms" to catch your attention and sell more firearms.  But in this case, based on the planned small quantities to be manufactured each year, I can easily see how they justify calling them "limited editions".  Most firearms models are made in quantities of at least several thousands over many years, and some in the hundreds of thousands.

For those of you that may be interested in one of the Winchester Creedmoor rifles, allow me to give you something to consider.  In 1998 Browning made only 330 Creedmoor rifles in .45-90 caliber with 34" barrels.  The MSRP at the time was around $1700.  These rifles are now being sold for $3000 or more in like new condition.  I know of two recent sales for $3500 each.  Assuming only a similar increase in value, what do you think the Winchester's will be worth in a few years?  The two models of only 126 rifles should increase in value at a faster rate.

As many of you realize, the U.S. Repeating Arms Company (USRA) is no longer in business and the right to use the Winchester trademark is now licensed from the Olin Corporation by Winchester Repeating Arms (WRA).  WRA is now a part of Browning Arms.  So the rifles are actually built by Miroku (in Japan) for Browning and marketed under the Winchester brand.

Wayne

[TexasMac]

For anyone reading my earlier posting, please do not interpret it as a veiled attempt to sell more rifles.  After reading my initial post again I can just hear someone saying, “There’s ol’ TexasMac again, once more deviously attempting to use this forum to sell rifles”.  If you feel that way, you couldn’t be more wrong.  If you have read my posts on this and other forums, going back as far as 1996, I have continued to post updates on Browning and now Winchester BPC rifles as I continue to research and try to stay current on the subject.  I sell Browning and Winchester BPCRs as a sideline and do well to break even on the sales.  The main reason is it helps in my research and I get to meet and exchange information with lots of folks on this and other forums that share the same interests, and with new shooters to the sport of BPCR silhouette and Creedmoor competition.

I have and will continue giving Denny Wilcox & Browning a lot of credit for stepping up and introducing a reasonably priced “complete” BPC production rifle in 1996, at a time when the only “good” BPCR silhouette rifles were available from custom suppliers costing much more.  It’s unfortunate that a few years later they decided to discontinue the entire M1885 line, including the three versions/calibers of BPCRs.  Now, under the Winchester brand, Browning & Davidsons is giving shooters another chance to purchase one.  I only wish the rifles were also available in .45-70, .40-65 or .38-55, but the current crop of Win. Limited Edition Creedmoor rifles are certainly chambered for a very popular round (.45-90), which is ideal for the extended target ranges in Creedmoor competition and very successfully used by some for silhouette.

Wayne