Interesting for sure, but I can’t help but be completely skeptical
based on all the previous attempts to bring the Auto Mag back, and on the words
of wisdom shared with us all in the past by people who actually know the
firearms industry.
To start with, I cant help but feel that building the gun as
a hybrid (original design lower and new experiential upper) will be their first
undoing. Wouldn’t it be far better to
produce the known quantity that has been tested and its problems are few, well
known, and mostly were quality control.
Plus if it were all original you would have a “potential” market in
replacement part sales.
So then based on Max G’s very specific comments about what
is necessary
(his words) for the successful production of firearms; do these folks have any experience in mass
production and specifically of firearms? Do they have the specialized dedicated
equipment and tooling, or are they relying on CNC and universal machinery.
And from Lee Jurras; do they have the facilities to perform
the extensive testing needed to ensure their products are safe (remember this
is a whole gun not just parts) Do they have
the connections necessary for distribution, it will be very difficult to get a
gun into the stores from a very small company.
Like it or not liability will be almost a show stopper for any volume of
sales.
Now maybe they have a bigger plan,,, Build some prototypes, do EXTENSIVE testing, partner
with a major manufacturer, there are ways forward, but I don’t see
this working as a small business operation, its just too complicated, too
expensive, and not likely a successful activity for first-timers to succeed
at. It seems like the best they can hope
for is a handful of direct sales before the house of cards falls in.
So to me it looks like a fun project and great dream, but
based on all the words of wisdom communicated here by Lee, Max, Bruce, Eric,
and others, this looks like a Mount Everest climb to produce a gun that will
have a very limited sales potential. And
with todays liability risks, super high manufacturing costs, and challenges to
break into a market like firearms manufacturing – distribution – sales, I have
my doubts.
Anyone who wants to bet the
cost of one, that I will not be able to walk into any local gun shop and buy
one in the next 2, 3, 5 years,,, well I’m
up for that bet.
That said, it will be interesting to watch unfold and I
certainly wish them well, and I will be very happy to test anything they want
to send my way ;-)