S&W eyeing Marlin/H&R1871

[carbineman]

This is "rumor only" from my buddy returning from the shot show. In their move to diverisfy and get into the sport hunting market, S&W purchased TC Arms and rumor has it they are looking at Marlin/ETC. If this came to pass do you think that the H&R segment would be shut down to pad the way for the more expensive TC line? They could add the Marlin line and eliminate some of the competition in the single shot line. Just a thought................

[shaner]

i have heard the same thing about a month ago at  one of the dealer trade  shows , all i know is say it aint so,,, S&W i think would ruin it , they havent been able to  do much in the sporting arm biz like shotguns and rifles , so i would see it as a bad thing its also been heard remington is on its last leg too thats what all the imprting is now is to  try an get  some cash flowin better

[Mac11700]

i have heard the same thing about a month ago at  one of the dealer trade  shows , all i know is say it aint so,,, S&W i think would ruin it , they havent been able to  do much in the sporting arm biz like shotguns and rifles , so i would see it as a bad thing its also been heard remington is on its last leg too thats what all the imprting is now is to  try an get  some cash flowin better

You guys haven't seen the new T/C Icon yet have you...This might change you opinion on S&W not doing much in bolt guns .....When S&W was in the market...it was stagnant...totally flat...Their bolt guns..and their shotguns were much better quality than anything Remington/Winchester/Mossberg's/or what anyone else has out...and production cost were killing them...So they started with drawing from the lines...I have owned several...all were great shooting guns...fit & finish far exceeded others in the price range...

Do I think it bad that they would want to acquire NEF or Marlin...nope...S&W is stepping up to fill the void let by Winchesters disappearance...and are bringing a much needed breath of fresh air along with it to the industry... NEF will go...long before the family owned Marlin...Folks said it would be the demise of T/C if and when  S&W took over...anything but that has happened...and new innovative products are emerging...Think of the possibilities for NEF...Is there room for 2 single shot lines in the company...Sure there is...NEF has been holding it's own against them so far..and they don't buy up a company and make it fold now-a-days...They own several gun companies...Think what could happen if they had the baking of a company this big...that was forward thinking...not stuck with the late 19th century mentality...The T/C's and Encores are very distinctive..so to are the Handi's...and they are cheaper to produce without as much overhead...

One can only hope..

Mac

[Paul5388]

I think Mac's got the right idea.  The Marlin connection with NEF seems to be a little slow in responding to market demands.  Probably with a little better quality control the NEFs could be turned into a non-factory add-on barrel model, similar to the T/C and additional chamberings could be implemented a little easier.  I find very few barrels as it is that aren't pretty well universal in fit, so it shouldn't take much to ensure their universal fit.  Easily added barrels should make a booming market!

[nomosendero]

If S&W bought NEF does anyone think that NEF would listen LESS to Handiholics than they do now? How could they when at this point they don't listen to us at all !!!! That aspect of it could only get better.

[bigjeepman]

All anyone can do at this point is speculate. If S&W completes a buyout of Marlin/H&R, they could go in dozens of different directions with their business plan. I remember just a short time ago when S&W purchased Thompson Center. Many members here thought it was the end of the world and others thought it was going to be a good thing. I think it will be some time before we will know for sure how it will affect each of us. Like Mac's referral to the TC Icon, TC is putting out a product that could prove to be a real winner. S&W could not have played any part in the Icon's research and development but they could have possibly pulled the plug so to speak and stopped the project. I am speculating that S&W liked what they saw in TC's Icon and will use this project to expand their customer base.

As always, time will tell. If S&W buys Marlin/H&R, let's just hope for the best.   

[shaner]

yu know after i been thinkin on this more maybe it would be a good thing, iwas lookin atthe way benelli and the group all got togather ,  see withthem yu have benelli, franchi, stoeger, and uberti all intogather, things on all those gun have improved a lot, could work, to all favor?? i really dont  see mossberg goin anywhere but remington??? iam a wonderin,  they all ready  are havin problems on the edges, they losttheir clay target production  , and the ammo production is gettin slower , reloading componets are  comin an goin , so  they may wantto jump on board too???

[hellacatcher]

This mit be a good thing.