Winchester Repeating Arms

The SHOT Show is over, but there’s more to come.

Roger — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:38:52 +0000

This is the afternoon of the last day of the 2012 SHOT Show. Just because the show is ending doesn’t mean our coverage will. We will be adding information in coming days on products introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms at the show. There is never time enough to talk about it all while we are here working the show.

We hope you had a good time and enjoyed some of the news and great new products. Remember, all the SHOT Show Specials are accessible from a link on the home page or from clicking right here.

If you find a gun you are interested in the best thing is to call your dealer as soon as possible and give him (or her) the name and number of the model. That is the only way you can be sure your dealer will order one of these special rifles.

The Jack O’Connor rifles have been extremely popular and are going to be in very strong demand. That means, hard to get. The regular Tribute version is one you will want to hunt with — and so will lots of other hunters. So you will want to reserve one very soon.

Thanks again for joining us for this amazing week,

Browning

It’s been 75 years for the Model 70.

Roger — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:50:07 +0000

So much attention has been given to the Jack O’Connor Tribute Model 70s that it is easy to forget that this is the 75th Anniversary of the Winchester Model 70. To commemorate the anniversary a special Anniversary Edition is being built. This is probably what you would call a true collector’s rifle. The historical significance is high and the level of embellishment is equal to it’s importance in history.

This Model 70 is not for everyone — Because of its extreme level of fit and finish, because of the engraving and because of the incredible walnut stock it is just a bit pricy for some. But if have had experience with Winchester rifles like this in the past you know that this is a keeper.

Here are a few photos I just took. Below that is copy and specifications from the new 2012 Catalog.

It doesn’t happen often that a firearm has the endurance to celebrate its 75th Anniversary. The Winchester® Model 70 has earned it, with thousands of sportsmen the world over having relied on its smooth-handling Pre-‘64 style action and legendary accuracy. The 75th Anniversary Edition is here, as noble as ever and determined to earn another 75 years as “The Rifleman’s Rifle.”

• Grade IV / V Full Fancy Walnut Stock with Shadowline Cheekpiece allows perfect eye alignment with scope
• Engraved Steel Grip Cap adds a touch of class
• Highly Polished Metal Surfaces adds style and elegance
• Special 75th Anniversary Engraving on bottom metal honors this legendary rifle
• integrated Sling Swivel Studs to attach your favorite sling
• Decorative Steel Crossbolt adds a touch of refinement
• Steel One-Piece Bottom Metal adds solid rigidity for better accuracy
• M.O.A. Trigger Systemfor zero take-up, zero creep and zero overtravel
• Forged Steel Receiver for strength, engraved and bedded action front and rear to eliminate shifts in zero for exceptional long-range accuracy
• Three-Position Safety shows safety status at a glance
• Integral Recoil Lug is forged and machined as part of the receiver for perfect barrel alignment and greater accuracy
• Blade-Type Ejector for full ejection control
• Pre-’64 Style Controlled Round Feed with Claw Extractor fully controls the cartridge from magazine, to chamber, to ejection
• Recessed Target Crown protects rifling
• Cold Hammer-Forged Free-Floated Barrel means pinpoint accuracy
• Pachmayr® Decelerator® Recoil Pad for optimal protection against felt recoil

One of my favorite specials of the year.

Roger — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:14:06 +0000

For a gun guy,just about everything in the Winchester booth is something I like. But I get a real kick out of one rifle in particular. I am a Model 70 fan, but this is one that I would like to add to my specialty collection.

I think this guy could put the hurt on some of the song dogs in the hills behind my house.

(Click on the photos to make them bigger, then even bigger.)

Features

• RECEIVER – Stainless Steel; Matte finish
• BARREL – Matte stainless; Free floating; Target crown; Threaded for suppressor/muzzlebrake; Thread protector cap included
• ACTION – M.O.A.™ Trigger System; Pre-64 action; Three-position safety; Controlled Round Feed; Controlled ejection
• STOCK – Pepper laminate; Featherweight Thumbhole; Vented forearm
• FEATURES – Pachmayr® Decelerator® recoil pad; Dual sling swivel studs on forearm

Suppressor not included – Available through Class 3 Dealers

Winchester Model 1892 chosen by Baron Technologies for SHOT Show auction gun.

Roger — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:08:52 +0000

Winchester guns have been know for great engraving for nearly a Century and a half. It is part of the Winchester legend and tradition. Engravers included greats like the Ulrich family of engravers, John Kusmit, William Gough, Angelo Stokes and others.

Today, Winchester Repeating Arms continues this tradition with our association with a company considered by many as the leading engraving establishment in North America: Baron Technologies. At the SHOT Show Baron Technologies is celebrating its 30th year of being in business. Company owner David Baron manages a team of celebrated engraving artists and experts who have worked on guns, knives and other outdoor products for the best brands in the world. But the gun they have chosen to commemorate their anniversary is the Winchester Model 1892.

David Baron not only provides the finest engraving services in the country, he also gives back to hunting and shooting by supporting major conservation groups and especially youth shooting — in any way he can. We are proud to congratulate the Baron team on their many acheivements over the years.

This amazing rifle is being auctioned as part of the SHOT Show’s annual auction program conducted by GunBroker.com.

Below are a few photos of their commemorative rifle. More photos are available at GunBroker.com.

: David Baron — Owner of Baron Technologies

: Baron Technologies 30th Anniversary Model 92

If you are interested you will want to read this overview on the rifle and the auction.

No company in the American firearms industry has played a greater role in the success of the SHOT Show auctions than Connecticut-based Baron Engraving. And so, in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of Baron Engraving, it is both exciting and appropriate that Baron was invited to select and engrave the 2012 SHOT Show rifle.

David Baron, 2011 SHOT Business Man of the Year and President of Baron Engraving, selected the iconic Winchester Model 1892 TakeDown rifle as the platform for the 2012 rifle and called upon highly respected engraver Rob Bunting to hand engrave the Model 1892.

The Serial Number (0082), was carefully selected as representing the year that Frank Baron and son David began their business.

Bunting selected the unique single-line shading style of the legendary engraver Lynton McKenzie as the featured engraving style and employed it to cover both sides of the Model 1892′s receiver. This uncommon engraving technique allows the fine detailed cuts to reflect light from any angle viewed, with each perspective seemingly changing the design of the leaf-style scroll itself.

In the center of the presentation side is the Winchester horse and rider logo, engraved in fine detailed and overlaid in 24kt gold.

The full engraving coverage on the receiver, as well as detailed handwork on the lever, hand jewelling of bolt, the overall nickel finish of receiver and hand jeweled hammer and trigger complete this magnum opus from the master craftsmen of Baron Engraving in their 30th year.

The wood on this amazing rifle is of the finest American walnut, and full of figure and color.

The rifle is “new-in-box” Deluxe TakeDown in .38-40 Win with 24″ Octagon barrel. The rifle will come with the original factory box and all original Winchesters booklets and other materials.

The high bidder will also receive a custom display case. The rifle will be displayed at the Baron Booth, Number 15929, at the 2012 SHOT Show.

NRA TV inteviews on the Jack O’Connor Model 70s.

Roger — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:17:09 +0000

The team from NRA’s American Hunter Website came by and did an interview with Glenn Hatt, product manager for the Jack O’Connor Tribute Model 70s. As you probably know, this has been the most talked about Winchester product of the show.

Here’s the video link: Video clip — Winchester product maanger talking about Jack O’Connor Rifles

Bradford O’Connor drops by.

Roger — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:59:41 +0000

A few minutes ago we received a visit from Bradford O’Connor, son of the late Jack O’Connor. Bradford is the one who really helped make the Jack O’Connor Tribute guns happen. In fact, a few years ago he began posting trophy images of himself and his dad together from various hunts around the world on the Winchester Repeating Arms Website’s Trophy Room. I remember saying “wouldn’t it be cool if . . . “

Since then the Winchester product manager, Glenn Hatt, made contact with Bradford and began work on what will certainly become one of the most historic Model 70s every.

For many of us at Winchester Repeating Arms this is a dream project. Jack O’Connor passed on many, many years ago. But his legacy of great hunting and firearms knowledge, combined with the courage to say it like it is, made his style of journalism uniquely enjoyable for generations. Bradford accompanied his dad on many hunts and he works hard to keep the Jack O’Connor legacy alive. It is a privilege to have him associated with Winchester Repeating Arms on this Tribute to his father.

Bradford O'Connor compares the old with the new with visitors to the Winchester Repeating Arms booth.

Bradford O'Connor poses with a visitor. The rifle is his Dad's original Model 70 in 270 Winchester. Bradford is on the right.

Jack O’Connor and Winchester. What more can we say?

Roger — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:01:11 +0000

Jack O'Connor with a Red Sheep.

When I was growing up my dad talked a lot about one of his favorite gunwriters: Jack O’Connor. The Winchester Model 70 and Jack O’Connor are two names linked together by destiny and history. I have my dad’s O’Connor books in my own library now. And some day I will pass them along to my kids.

The fact is that no gunwriter in history ever did more for a rifle and caliber combination than Jack O’Connor: Of course I’m talking about the Model 70 in 270 Winchester.

And another fact is that no rifle every served a legend better than did the Model 70 for Jack O’Connor.

These are just some of the reasons that Winchester Repeating Arms is so proud to introduce two very special Jack O’Connor Tribute Model 70s. I will write more on this in a while.

Jack O'Connor Custom Tribute

Jack O'Connor Custom Tribute Floorplate

Jack O'Connor Custom Tribute buttplate.O'Connor's actual signature looked like this.

The SHOT Show has begun.

Roger — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:52:53 +0000

It has been just a while since they opened the doors here at the Sands Convention Center here in Las Vegas. It looks like a pretty good crowd and people are streaming into the booths all around the Winchester Repeating Arms area. Around us we can see Calico, Bushnell, TruGlo, Swarovski, Colt, Nikon and more. Lots of things to see so it will be a little while until the next post.

The view from the top of the booth after the show opened.

The start of the 2012 show is just hours away.

Roger — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:26:42 +0000

It is Monday afternoon here in Las Vegas and the start of the 2012 SHOT Show is not too many hours from now. The giant Sands convention center is packed with booths like a small city that wasn’t here just a couple of days ago. Yesterday the place was a mess, but today it looks better and booths are being cleanup up, surfaces polished and products put in their racks.

Many companies have new producfts and special displays. Do does the Winchester booth. Winchester Repeating Arms has a booth separate from the Winchester Ammunition booth. Although we are close partners in just about every way, here at the show we have separate booths and put on our own presentation and promos for our dealers. I’ll get some photos of the Ammo booth and post them a bit later.

Here are a few photos right now. Of ourse, you will see that the big deal in our booth the Jack O’Connor. More on that later.

Looking down on the Winchester Repeating Arms booth.The "tower" area of the booth with two rams taken by Jack O'Connor.Taken by Jack O'ConnorAlso taken by Jack O'Connor.

It’s January 13, 2012. The SHOT Show is four days away.

Roger — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:59:21 +0000

All the news on the Web in the past week has been about the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). But for all of us hunters and shooters that is nothing compared with the SHOT Show. Winchester booth left our offices here on Monday with all the guns, displays, flatscreens and catalogs. Set up is going on as I write this — but the small media center in the upper area of the booth is not ready yet, so the Web team can’t use it, probably until Monday. In fact, our team doesn’t even leave until Sunday. We look forward to providing you with all the updates and info you want as the show progresses.

A look at the Winchester booth during the 2011 show.