Montana Rifle Company Junction 308Win Field Evaluation

[Formidilosus]

I don't ... and happy with my Tikkas, so not even sure how I'm in this thread, but ...

While the question wasn't directed at me, I'll pick it up for the sake of adding my experience.

I doubt the number of sales is anywhere near as much as the total percentage of left-handers (roughly 11%, depending on whose stats you source).

But that would be a bit chicken and egg - if more manufacturers made left-handed rifles and supported them, they'd sell more. And if it was as easy to get (and have always got) left-handed rifles, there wouldn't be as many left-handers who had grown up thinking that rifles were as with many other things in life - made for right-handers, and we just have to live with it.

I've asked every left-handed shooter I've met if they've always been able to find the rifle they want in left-handed, and the answer is always no.

Conversely, I've also asked right-handed shooters what they would think if almost every gun shop they went into only stocked left-handed rifles, and the sense of confusion, ranging to understanding how manufacturers and retailers aren't providing to their market, becomes apparent.

The issue is that when companies bring out left handed rifles (especially not cheap left hand rifles), sales are abysmal- like 0.5% of right hand sales, or less.

MRC plans to, and will make a left hand rifle if they can. I expect they will sell all of 10 of them a year. I am not speaking for them- this is an educated response: It is not good sense to stop or interrupt production of a product that you are still trying to get caught up on, to produce a product that will not sell.

 

[atmat]

The issue is that when companies bring out left handed rifles (especially not cheap left hand rifles), sales are abysmal- like 0.5% of right hand sales, or less.

MRC plans to, and will make a left hand rifle if they can. I expect they will sell all of 10 of them a year. I am not speaking for them- this is an educated response: It is not good sense to stop or interrupt production of a product that you are still trying to get caught up on, to produce a product that will not sell.

I don’t disagree with any of that. It all makes sense.

But also, it is crappy business communication if they’ve truly been saying “in the near future” for 2 years. That leaves people (who may have saved a long time for a rifle of this cost) in limbo.

I have given up on MRC rifles. They have been promising to bring out a left handed version "in the near future" for 2 years.

 

[Formidilosus]

I don’t disagree with any of that. It all makes sense.

But also, it is crappy business communication if they’ve truly been saying “in the near future” for 2 years. That leaves people (who may have saved a long time for a rifle of this cost) in limbo.

I would agree with that. But, I don’t think it’s “lying” to anyone. “We hope to have left hand rifles in the near future” is a hope, not a lie.

Frankly people that get upset over these things, generally never were going to buy one anyway.

 

[atmat]

I would agree with that. But, I don’t think it’s “lying” to anyone. “We hope to have left hand rifles in the near future” is a hope, not a lie.

Ehh, that’s semantics. And ultimately, it’s still unclear to consumers — which businesses should not want.

I’m not saying anyone’s perfect or can predict the future. But saying, “Hey, we’d like to get it out soon but we’re swamped with other priorities so it may be a few years” at least gives the consumer the opportunity to plan accordingly.

 

[atmat]

Hey @Imac45acp — do you anticipate having more calibers down the road? Additionally, are you open to selling the action as an individual item?

 

[Snowwolfe]

I would agree with that. But, I don’t think it’s “lying” to anyone. “We hope to have left hand rifles in the near future” is a hope, not a lie.

Frankly people that get upset over these things, generally never were going to buy one anyway.

I offered to write a check for three of their left handed rifles at SCI in Nashville if they would deliver them in a year. They declined. I also suggested they consider offering a custom order program for left hand rifles. That way they lose nothing. Take a deposit then build and deliver the rifle.

And for the record, less than a year ago I gave up on my quest to buy rifles from them and instead purchased three new Weatherbys Mark 5's.

Your bias for MRC is showing.

 

[Formidilosus]

I offered to write a check for three of their left handed rifles at SCI in Nashville if they would deliver them in a year. They declined. I also suggested they consider offering a custom order program for left hand rifles. That way they lose nothing. Take a deposit then build and deliver the rifle.

That’s not how designing, testing and building an action and stick works. Three rifles won’t pay for the CAD drawing let alone the product.

And for the record, less than a year ago I gave up on my quest to buy rifles from them and instead purchased three new Weatherbys Mark 5's.

Ok?

Your bias for MRC is showing.

What bias is that? Here’s my “bias” that I have stated numerous times about left hand rifles from almost any maker- “I wouldn’t waste the time, money, or headache on it, until there were no more work to be done on any other project”. While it sucks for left handed shooters, they simply do not buy rifles in any quantity to even recoup the initial cost to make them.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

And for the record, less than a year ago I gave up on my quest to buy rifles from them

So then why are you following this thread, and taking the time to make numerous comments? Seems pointless.