NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- 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.
"Winchester would be pretty much defunct," he said. "They're not going to produce them, other than a couple custom-type models."
I am, by no means, a gun expert. But I am a hunter and outdoorsman and have enjoyed using my guns to pursue those interests. And Winchesters are all I've ever owned.
I have a Winchester Pre-65 Model 70 30-06 rifle that I used to shoot my first bear, moose, caribou and deer. It was given to me by my godfather and was made back in the 1950's. I also have a 4-10 breakdown shotgun that was originally part of a junior trapshooting kit put out by Winchester back in the 1920's in addition to a newer Winchester Model 1300 "Blackshadow" 12 gauge shotgun which I use for hunting winged game. I also had, once upon a time, a Winchester .22 rifle, which was the gun I learned to shoot on.
I've never owned any of the legendary Winchester handguns (the only handgun I own is a Smith & Wesson .357), but to say that the Winchester brand name holds some sentimental value for me is a bit of an understatement.
It is hard to imagine such a storied company going out of business.