New Products for 2002

Winchester Uncoiless Rifle

Winchester, committed to the short rifle – fat cartridge concept, announced its new “Uncoiless” rifle. Under normal carry conditions, the rifle will has a barrel length of 20″, however, this extends to a more useful 32″ when the gun is fired. The barrel’s flexibility is attributed to a new compound constructed entirely of a carbon fiber wrapped in recycled Marlin 1895G recoil pads. This gun was designed to quiet critics who suggested it was impossible to make a cartridge even more overbore than its predecessor magnum, and show improved performance with a shorter barrel. Bore cleaning is accomplished by blowing into the barrel, a process which also makes a nifty noise for party goers.

Thompson Center Ultimate Encore

Who said single shot firearms are not acceptable for big game hunting ? T/C’s new Encore accessories fill in the gaps that had prevented the Encore from being the field piece of choice.

Now, with the use of T/C’s Ultimate Accessory Pak, by simply snapping in a 24″ barrel, adding a conversion bolt action receiver, and slipping a 5 shot magazine well into the kit’s full length stock, the Encore is ready for big game service. Without the UAP, the Encore is ideal for hunting in states where follow up shots at disappearing game are not permitted.

Winchester’s Exciting New 12 WSM

When Winchester introduced the .300 WSM in response to Remington‘s 300 Ultra Mag challenge, Remington retaliated by introducing even more useless versions of the Ultra Mag; 7mm and .375. Winchester, retaliated with the .270 WSM and 7mm WSM. Remington paused, while in mid launch of a rifle with a glued on barrel, to retaliate by introducing the cartridge equivalent of the “jumbo shrimp” in the form of the SUM, or SM….or some other such reference to a shortened version of the already undersized Ultra Mag case. To tell you the truth, I don’t know the exact details, I fell asleep while reading the press release and nearly sustained a concussion when my head hit the desk.

Winchester, beginning to see a certain trend developing, dropped an industry  bomb shell in the form of the 12 WSM. Winchester’s contribution to the short – fat fad was to shorten the 12 gauge and increase its diameter to…..well, 10 gauge. An excited Otto Stadhome, chief designer and project leader for the 12 WSM said, “A new carbine sized slug gun will be released mid year 2002, or about the same time .300 WSM rifles will be available”. Winchester intends to extend the WSM shot shell family with 12 and 20 gauge versions.

Saf-T-Hammer

Saf-T-Hammer, after purchasing Smith & Wesson from Tompkins, is assuring all that they bare no semblance to the anti-gun, Brady loving management that had been running Smith & Wesson. Leading gun magazines had earlier condemned S&W’s anti gun agreement with the Clinton’s, and punished them severely by taking large amounts of their advertising dollars.

Tompkins still holds Saf-T-Hammer’s $10 million balloon note, which is due this coming May, however Saf-T-Hammer assures us this arrangement will not influence product marketing decisions. At the left, is the new M627 eight shot. Can’t see it? It’s in the safe. Consistent with Saf-T-Hammer’s philosophy, the only safe gun, is a gun in a safe. Saf-T-Hammer is also the maker of “Barrel Blocker”, “Trigger Stopper”, “Keep Away”, and now they own “Take Away”.

 

Enjoy your holidays, and have a happy New Year.

Thanks
Joe

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