eight seventy71 wrote:
should trade my VM sportsman which doesnt feel as nice for that V3? Im a little hesitant because that VM sportsman has be incredibly reliable and has never malfunctioned. I even cycles 7/8 reloads

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People tend to think WAY too much. It sounds like you're getting all cranked up over gunshop noise. You already know better, based on your "VM sportsman has be incredibly reliable and has never malfunctioned." You need to sell it because of what, exactly?
I'm far better at foretelling the past than predicting the future, but I've seen all of this before, as have others. Doesn't anyone here remember when Winchester closed?
January 17, 2006. The text is included below:
U.S. Repeating Arms Company To Close New Haven, CT Facility – U.S. Repeating Arms Company, maker of Winchester brand rifles and shotguns will close its New Haven, Connecticut manufacturing facility. Many efforts were made to improve profitability at the manufacturing facility in New Haven, and the decision was made after exhausting all available options.
Quote:
Effective March 31, 2006, the New Haven manufacturing facility will stop manufacturing the Winchester Model 70, Model 94 and Model 1300.
Winchester Firearms will continue to sell and grow its current line of Select Over & Under shotguns, the new Super X3 autoloading shotgun, the new Super X autoloading rifle and Limited Edition rifles. The company also plans to introduce new models in the future. There will be no change in Customer Service.
This action is a realignment of resources to make Winchester Firearms a stronger, more viable organization. Winchester Firearms plans to continue the great Winchester legacy and is very excited about the future.
What happened in 2006 was this: New Haven Winchesters (USRAC) instantly flew off the shelves, their prices doubling overnight. Seemingly EVERYONE wanted a New Haven made Winchester. The product was no better or worse than it was prior to New Haven's announced closing, but we always want what we can't have. The same thing happened with "Genuine North Haven" Marlin's.
You'll see the same thing with Remington. The day that Ilion closes,
everyone will want a genuine Ilion, New York made V3, 870 Wingmaster, 1100, 11-87, or Model 700. It has
already happened:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/875741533 . Remington has had a massive backlog of orders for TAC-13's: MSRP $933.
Yet, they have been selling for over $2000 for some time.
V3 Waterfowl Pro's and Turkey Pros are hard to find. You could do a lot worse than buying a dozen of each (
if you can find them) and sticking them in the safe.
Regardless of the outcome, the V3 is a terrific shotgun. I've felt that since I first shot pre-production prototypes. If you think I'm selling any of my V3's, forgetaboutit. The only rational way to value something is replacement cost. There is nothing out there that works as satisfyingly well as a V3 at anywhere near its price point.
Nobody makes mass-produced repeating shotguns from blocks of solid steel except Remington. Anyone could-- the patents are long ago expired. Just as soon as you can't get them, you'll want them.