If you are just getting in to guns or you're an enthusiast, you might notice that Remington Arms either has an impeccable reputation, or one that has dissolved over the years. Some have a wonderful experience with Remington firearms, while others never want to hear that name again. So are Remington's glory days over? Or is this company just not getting the respect it deserves?
I think it's a little of both.
Remington, unlike companies like Browning and Beretta, market do a different crowd. Remington's goal is to cater to your average, every-day sportsman/hunter. Whether that be a new shooter looking to purchase their first gun or an experienced hunter looking to buy the most modern high end rifle. But the characteristic that seemingly remains unchanged between all of their products, is quality. Of course there are always some exceptions, but most of what Remington produces, is something you can rely on*.
*With the exception of the first generation R51 subcompact pistol that was introduced recently. Remington made quite a lemon with that piece. Which is a shame because it was one of the few subcompact guns I was looking forward to getting my hands on.
Like I said in my previous post, my inexpensive Remington 770 works like a charm and I don't have to worry about it getting banged up. Same for my 887 Nitro Mag shotgun. These weapons are bargain-priced, but serve the same purpose and function as their super high-end counterparts. Yes, they might not be the best looking weapons on the market, nor are they made of the best materials, but I couldn't ask more of them. Obviously, if you did want a hunting rifle or shotgun that is made of the best materials possible, Remington can serve you as well. The Remington 700 rifle and 870 Wingmaster shotgun are possibly two of the most famous firearms in history. It's not unusual to find an 870 Wingmaster in like-new condition that is almost 40 years old and functions flawlessly. Both have earned the trust of millions of hunters and hundreds of thousands of military personnel worldwide.
I think that the negative perception about Remington stems from it's legacy. Remington is the oldest gun manufacturer in America, so that leads people to believe that it's glory days are all in the past. I can't blame them for thinking that. Remington has not done a great job of producing groundbreaking new products, and when they tried, they made the R51. Yes, you could argue that they've produced several truly amazing weapons recently, such as the Versa Max shotgun and the R1 1911 pistol. But again, Remington needs more than that. They need another 700 or 870 to come along to restore customer's confidence in the Remington Arms name. They NEEDED the R51 to work.
But it didn't work. And now Remington has been slapped again with the "unreliable" sticker and they're left with trying to find a new way to build back up. It will take some doing. No matter how many truly amazing firearms they make, people will remember the failures. The firearms industry today is pretty brutal. You cannot afford to have a product fail to live up to expectations, because then that "unreliable" sticker will spread to your other products, including the ones that are flawless.
And that right there really sums up Remington Arms as a company. Remington is a firearms manufacturer from old America that still produces great products, but is struggling to to meet the needs of modern America.
But there's still something about a Remington. Something that you can't quite explain. Holding and firing a 700 or 870 shotgun feels like shooting your father's rifle as a child. Even the name "Remington" fills you with a sense of confidence, knowing that you own a legendary piece of equipment that will never let you down.
Hopefully I didn't deter you. Remington is still a brand-name manufacturer in the firearms industry. It's products are easily up there with some of the firearm greats. If you are looking for a gun that is reliable, built to last, has great customer service, and is made right here in the U.S.A., Remington Arms is definitely worth a look.
