There are a lot of rumors flying around, but unfortunately this one is true.
This is the official Press Release from Knight.m It was supposed to be released on June 1, 2009 but I don't think it was posted until June 2, 2009.
"Knight Rifles to Close
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Modern Muzzleloading, Inc. Press Release
Modern Muzzleloading, Inc. is announcing today that it will close its Knight Rifles division (“Knight”) in Decatur, AL effective June 30, 2009. The decision to close the Knight operation resulted from an overall industry downturn.
This closure will not affect service of Knight Rifles’ products. Customer service for wholesale and retail customers will be provided by Modern Muzzleloading, Inc. All warranty, non-warranty, and replacement part services will remain in place for the various customer categories and all customers will have access to experienced service personnel for consultation, questions, and repair of Knight products (in serviceable condition.) Sales of Knight’s parts and accessories will be also be handled by Modern Muzzleloading, Inc.
Until June 30, 2009, you are requested to continue to use your regular customer contacts and service department personnel. Prior to Knight’s closure on June 30, 2009, you will be provided with new customer service contact information.
Modern Muzzleloading, Inc. will continue to operate the office functions for Knight so as to provide continuity for its customers and vendors until resolution is concluded.
Knight Rifles’ management and staff would like to extend its appreciation to all of the Knight customers for the support of Knight’s products over the years.
Inquiries regarding the content of this press release should be directed to:
Lynn Schlichte or Tom Rainey @ (256) 260-8900 or via email at krcs@knightrifles.com"
http://www.knightrifles.com/PressRoom/PressReleases/Knight_Rifles_to_CloseI posted this on another site a couple weeks ago. I think I called it pretty close.
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 2:08 pm Post subject:
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IMO, Knight has spent too much money trying to engineer the next best thing, and have fallen short. Now don't get me wrong, these rifles all shoot, and some may be your favorite rifle, but they definitely are not in favor of the masses. I have had a MK-85 since they were introduced, and several other Knights (7 total) since.
EBSCO Industries Inc., the parent company of Knight Rifles has lost touch with the end consumer of the muzzleloading market. Click on the link and read their 7 values.
http://www.ebscoind.com/
Knight has never been the same since the Disc Rifle, the Elite was arguably one of the best "out-of-the-box" shooting muzzleloaders of all time. Yet they discontinued it a year after it's introduction to make room for muzzleloaders that don't sell. The proprietary FPJ was also a big setback IMO, they continued to build rifles around that ignition source instead of working to improve their breech plugs like T/C has.
The dire straights Knight Rifles is now in started with the Revolution, then then throwing good money after bad the Revolution II. Then came the Vision, the KRB7, the KP1, and the Shadow. These rifles have all been toads, not one of them has resided at my address. The KP1 REALLY could have been their savior, but they introduced it without proper engineeering and testing, further turning off their customer. I really wanted one of the KP1 rifles, until I spent some time with one. As a matter of fact it seems several companies are letting their customer do some of their R&D after the fact. This all costs money and time, something several companies are running out of these days. Now in Knights defense, the KP1's I have handled as of late with the new improved short throw hammer have really been nice, but guys have to send in their rifles to be retrofitted with the new trigger/hammer group that should have been engineered into the original design.
I sure hope they can pull themselves up by their bootstraps and weather the storm. These big corporations just don't get it, 'til it is too late to do anything about it. With all the outdoor products and the good people involved at EBSCO/PRADCO Outdoor Brands, you would think that not all of these guys have lost their way. Unfortunately once these smaller companies sell out to Mr Big, their vision gets clouded and their voice muted with all the corporate BS. EBSCO is a very diverse company, Knight is just another fish in their barrel.
If Knight is waiting until next year to introduce the EUS, because they want to further engineer the ignition system to get it right, then I aplaude them. I already know there is a better ignition system than the 209, I hope Knight has discovered that too and is working in that direction.
This is my take on where Knight is today, I could be totally off the mark, but it parallels my experience in dealing with Corporate America.
Wherever Knight is today, I wish them well, and we NEED them around!
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 9:37 am Post subject:
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I just ordered some parts from Knight this morning. Either the top brass at EBSCO/Knight hasn't announced this to their workers, which would be typical being more than a month out, or it is simply a misunderstanding with RMEF. I was informed the Shadow in question still has some issues, and that some models are being discontinued.
Now with that said, when I made an inquiry through the Knight site almost a month ago, I got an e-mail about 2 weeks later with an answer. I also received a 2008 catalog in the mail at the same time. I was informed the distributors received 2009 catalogs, and more were to be ordered. I haven't seen one, has anyone else?
I am not so blind, that I can't see, but I am going to wait for Knight's "Press Release", before jumping to any conclusion that they will "cease to exist". We could only hope Tony could get it back, and keep in touch with what the buying public wants.
Big corporations ruin good companies every day. I have seen it happen way too many times.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 10:34 am Post subject:
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Thanks *****! If this rumor is true, they were going to totally blind-side the workers, which is also typical. But at only 1 month out, they need to know if it is truely coming down the pike.
To be honest, I really seen this coming when they moved operations away from Iowa. They went from rifle builders and craftsmen, to rifle assemblers and corporate BS.
Let's hope for the best.
If you will notice Toby's "Editors View" pretty much parallel's my thoughts above. The only thing I would add to his is the Revolution II and the Knight Shadow, they just didn't cut it with the masses either.
http://www.knightmlhunt.com/EditorsView.html
