Beeman /weihrauch parts etc.

[tjk]

Just curious if there has been any new news or developements in the recent purchase of SR industries. I have heard that the bulk of the Beeman /HW parts, accesories, etc will be going to PyramydAir and David Slade. Haven't seen anything on the PA web sight, but I havebe toldthey will also becarrying the Theoben pumps as well as the preasure gauge for the HW-90/RX-2 rifles. BTW,I see the Beeman R1 Carbinedelivery date has been set back yet another month!!!! tjk

[creeper]

tjk - 5/11/2010  5:57 AM  Just curious if there has been any new news or developements in the recent purchase of SR industries. I have heard that the bulk of the Beeman /HW parts, accesories, etc will be going to PyramydAir and David Slade. tjk

Haven't really heard anything more recent than this myself... and got what I do know from Kevin at Straight Shooters a few months ago. However, in a recent e-mail conversation I had with Hans Weihrauch, AoA was included in the "cast of characters".

C

[tjk]

Thanks for the input C. Yes I had read the same thing on the SS forum too, but haven't heard anything else though. So I guess AOA will have a roll in the "play" huh. That's good for a healthy competition,....maybe this will bring the HW prices down to where more people (those that wouldn't normally purchase a +$500 rifle) can afford to get into the better quality guns and contribute to the growing popularity of our chosen sport. Don't get me wrong,...cheap guns are alot of fun,...but the good stuff is still the good stuff!!! I wonder if one of the cast members will import the guns under a new name since the "Beeman" name is pretty much going with the buyers in China. I can't wait to see how this drama unfolds. tjk
PS If I've made any mis-statements, please feel free to jump in and make any needed corrections, thanks.

[Gene_SC]

Certainly will be interesting to see what pans out with these suburb air guns. I own both the Beeman and HW air guns and they are basically the creme of the crop as far as build quality and overall shooting, consistency and accuracy. Hope these qualities do not go down the tube. And hopefully the parts will be more readily available than before.

[eddie1976]

So, HWs will be made in China now? Sorry for the confusion, do I need to rush and get me a HW50s now before they go down the tubes? Thanks

[Gene_SC]

I certainly hope not!!!!!

[tjk]

No my friend. HW's are German made guns,....The 'new' Beemans are/will be the Wal-mart grade guns that are made in China. It would be cool if some venture capitalist bought the "Marksman" name rights and introduced a new American importer for the finely made Weihrauch's. You know,....keep them styled in the Beeman/American  tradition. Without all the hype. Call it the "American Marksman" brand, that's kind of a hip brand name no?!?!. I should have gotten into marketing,... and not construction?!?!  Yeah right.  tjk

[creeper]

It's all a mystery to me.

As I currently understand it, Pyramyd obtained Beeman's "contract" with Weihrauch, and it is they who are the current importer for new, Weihrauch made, Beeman marked rifles. AoA, who has a well deserved reputation for Beeman sales, may have some sort of special agreement with Pyramyd and Weihrauch to continue selling both Beeman and Weihrauch rifles... this is a guess on my part.
Mr. Slade... perhaps he purchased the remaining US Beeman/Weihrauch parts inventory?

One wonders where this leaves other well respected sellers like Straight Shooters? Do they purchase Beeman marked Weihauchs from Pyramyd... can they purchase Weihrauchs from Weihrauch? I suppose the easiest way to find out is to ask Kevin at SS, Robert at AoA and the owner of Pyramyd (who I do not know) what the deal actually is. Off the top of my head, Steve at PAG is also someone who might be able to shed some light... in his usual, forthcoming way.

In closing, a thought (or two) has crossed my mind. What does the name Beeman represent to North American shooters? Is it a more "sellable" name than Weihrauch... at least to entry level shooters or shooters with a lower budget? Does the name Beeman have a recognition value the warrants a premium?

I do like the fact that my two 97Ks are marked "Beeman/Huntington Beach, CA."... both of which I'd purchased just as Beeman was changing hands. A reminder of times, and our little AG world, changing.

Luckily, I don't have to think about those marketing concerns. Best of luck to them and us... sorting it all out.
C

[Gene_SC]

I personally think AOA will be out of the picture all together.

[creeper]

Gene_SC - 5/11/2010  7:56 PM  I personally think AOA will be out of the picture all together.

Think so Gene?

AoA was one of the dealers that Hans Weihrauch listed in his e-mail... and oddly enough, that "list" was unsolicited, as I was asking a question unrelated to US dealers/distributors. But... what's going on now might all be an interim situation... hell, for all I know, in 6 months, you'll be the sole US distributor.

What... it could happen.

C

[Gene_SC]

LOL Chris, I hope not... But there is some scuttle butt about AOA and some issues pending...

[tjk]

Ok, so will Weihrauch continue to manufacture a "Beeman" stamped sellection of rifles?!?!?  Even though the Beeman name was sold to the SAG company in China?!? You know, I"ve read on other forums that there are folks that  like/dis-like the Beeman name on the Weihrauch made guns, but lets face it, Robert Beeman did more for the sport in this country than probably anyone else. Sure some might not agree with the marketing practices that the Beeman enterprise employed, but the fact is he introduced a quality product, followed up with a full line of accesories, maintenance supplies, and most importantly a wide array of pellet sellection. Think how many pellets we try out in our rifles, and if it wasn't for that one particular size, weight, and styled  Beeman (ok H&N) pellet that shoots the best in our fav shooter,......we would/might be stuck with un-happy, sub-standard results. Luckily  for us there are other pellet makers too.
So if PA, AOA, etc., become the shared importers of the Weihrauch guns, then I suppose they will be imported as Weihrauch brand,...Does this mean we'll be stuck with the European styled stocks? I mean they are fine, but I prefer the longer American styled stocks myself.  And Yes C, I believe a western brand name would appeal to the American consumer more than a German name as far as it's marketability in the USA. Personally I don't care,...just as long as AOA, or PA isn't stamped on the side of the gun. American Marksman has a much better 'ring' to it!! LOL's tjk

[creeper]

Gene_SC - 5/11/2010  11:46 PM  LOL Chris, I hope not... But there is some scuttle butt about AOA and some issues pending...

I guess we'll all know soon enough Gene. It's fun (or frustrating, depending on your state of mind) to speculate though, ain't it?

tjk - 5/12/2010  5:22 AM Ok, so will Weihrauch continue to manufacture a "Beeman" stamped  sellection of rifles?!?!?  Even though the Beeman name was sold to the  SAG company in China?!? tjk  

As far as I know... at least until that original contract expires, which as I understand it, is good for the next 4-5 years. Saying that, anything can happen, considering the economy.

Tell you a story tik. You familiar with the Magpul "Masada" combat rifle? There's tons of info on the interweb. Anyway, Magpul designed it but couldn't afford to bring it to market. Bushmaster and Remington bought the rights to it... but Magpul is still involved in some aspects as they are experts in reinforced polymer molding. Renamed the "ACR" or "Adaptive Combat Rifle", Bushmaster produces and sells the semi-auto version of the rifle to civiilians, while Remington produces and sells the select fire version to law enforcement and military. The economy is responsible for producing some interesting bedfellows.

An interesting, but totally unrelated to the above, element... Remington developed a proprietary, permanent coating application that allows the rifle to operate with no lubrication what so ever. A very useful feature for military desert operations, but it raises the retail price of the gun to over $3000... which takes it out of the hands of many potential civilian buyers, and reduced sales for Bushmaster. One can assume that over time, as the coating process amortizes - distributed over a broader set of applications, the per gun costs associated will be reduced, but one wonders how long Bushmaster can afford to manufacture a gun with such a (for now) narrow demographic.

Sorry to be so wordy... my brain likes to play "connect the dots" sometimes.

C

[Big_Bill]

Hi Chris,

When a company develops a new and improved coating, caliber, battle rifle or anything, they incur research and development coasts. When it's a patented item, they only have, I believe, 15 years to recoup their costs before the patient expires.

So anyone, especially when they sell mostly to the Government, will attempt to recoup their costs, and make a good profit from their discovery before everyone can can use it !

And I know many shooters that have spent more than 4,000.00 for their A.R., but I don't know why ?

Perhaps Remington will make an air rifle with this coating !

Bill

[creeper]

Big_Bill - 5/12/2010  10:58 AM


And I know many shooters that have spent more than 4,000.00 for their A.R., but I don't know why ?

Perhaps Remington will make an air rifle with this coating !

Bill

I'm just saying that it's too bad for "Joe Average" that due to the added expense of the coating, the cost of the Bushmaster version of the ACR is too costly. I fully understand how people can spend $4000 for an AR platform, especially for competition... hell, I've done it several times myself, but for general purpose, home defense, that sort of thing, the "regular guy" that will spend a grand or so for an AR... well, $3K plus is just too much. I guess that's why we have Ford... and Ferrari eh?  

Ha ha ha.... that, at least at present, might prove to be a very  expensive air rifle.