Important development at EAA Corp, Russians, and Remington.

[KingPolymer-III]

I called the European American Armory to get a new copy of their catalog and the lady on the phone told me that they will no longer carry any long guns and a visit to their website confirms this as they only have links to Tangfolio Witness handguns.  I love CZ clones and the Tangfolio Witness line specifically, but I also enjoy the Saga line as well, but the lady tells me that they had contract distribution problems with the Russians and that Remington is going to now import all of the EAA long guns and shotguns and Saigas through the Remington Spartan line, which IMHO means higher $$$$$ prices probably, so I would buy a few Saigas now at the $200-$250 level (.223 and 7.62x39) before prices go up.  I am not bad mouthing Remington at all, but if the Russians want the Remington-Spartan name attached to the Saiga line then its gotta be better distribution and marketing and as a result, more $$$, but who knows,  I still love the guns, but maybe it will be better,  I know Remington does good distribution with Walmart and the Sports Authority, so maybe that will translate into better pricing,  Heck,  My gunshop has a basic Remington 597 for $250 and Walmart is $159.99.  As much as I love mom and pop gun shops,  $90 is alot of ammo. LOL,  so I thought I would inform folks about this.

[Dos]

I had heard about this just prior to looking over some Saiga 308's.  If Remington will just refrain from changing any scribing, logos, or etc. on the Russian receivers, it would be wonderful.  Seeing Remington import marks and other scribe marks, on a piece like this, just detracts from the aesthetic appeal of it to me.  I love the Cyrillic letterings and Russian Arsenal markings as issued.  Hopefully they will arrive unchanged in that respect.  If not, Ughhh !

[KingPolymer-III]

or they could just manufacture them here.

[Dos]

Quote: KPIII "or they could just manufacture them here".

Double Ughh!   There goes the nostalgic allure of the elusive Russian showpiece.  I just hate to see it become so commercialized.  Guess I'm just an old fashioned fart.  I firmly believe that the Izmash QC would surely be far Superior to Remingtons.  For what it's worth...this is only my view.  Time will tell... maybe others will find advantages to them being built here... if that turns out to be the case.

[KingPolymer-III]

yes, and its just another example when price does not necessarily equal superior quality.

[Unregistered(d)]

Since I just got a line on a cheap Saiga 308 I MAY be able to afford, a new importer for MAGAZINES and such is a god thing...especially the nice new 20 round mags....

[Fred Flinstone]

Baikal was in the same boat, Remington had signed a deal with them, the Spartan line is a higher quality finish in the blued steel & wood dept. Here in Canada what Baikal had ommited saying to Remington is that Baikal had signed an exclusive right to sell the Baikal brand shotguns to one of their distr. The distr. rang the law-suit bell, seems Remington will have to wait.

[KingPolymer-III]

I have several Remingtons, but had never heard of Spartan until this event.  Is Spartan just a different subsidiary name brand of Remington, kind of like Tangfolio and Witness , or is there a notable difference in quality.  I went to the Remington website.   ,(very easy www.remington.com) and there is no mention of Spartan.  
  Only time will tell what this deal will develop into , who knows?,  I just hope that the Saigas will not go up through the roof in price, as I plan to get several more.

[Fred Flinstone]

Spartan was a trade name(which Remington initiated) which were in reality Baikals which were gussed-up for the North American market. This is relatively old news, this Spartan story eminated a few months ago. Since then Remington had to withdraw all mention of Baikals, Spartans, etc.(legal reasons). The Baikals were made in U.S.S.R. and were simply imported. Roughly the same as CZ-UB and Huglu(Turkish made but imported under the trade name CZ-UB. If you could sell 50,000 units/yearly we could ask CZ-UB to start a new Polymerking series handgun

All the best,
Fred

[KingPolymer-III]

Thanks, thats very informative.  I appreciate it.

[Fred Flinstone]

The Spartan issue is only ticklish in Canada.

[KingPolymer-III]

"The Spartan issue is only ticklish in Canada. "

Fred:
  Can you elaborate further,  I am always interested in firearms laws in other municipalities and nations vis a vis caliber, barrel length, etc.

[Fred Flinstone]

The sole Baikal Canadian distr. had signed a deal with Baikal thus with legal rights, these right only apply in Canada since this distr. was only authorised to sell in Canada, the U.S. is another ballgame.

Prices for the consummer in these type of deal is'nt necesarily going to increase, it is simply that Rem. demanded a higher quality finish to meet market demand, THIS is the reason why prices will go up.

[KingPolymer-III]

thanks for elaborating,  it was helpful.

[txn]

Actually, Remington only picked up the Baikal line of shotguns.  The Saiga rifles and shotguns are being picked up by a different importer:
 
Russian American Armory Corporation
3038 Breckenridge Ln.
Suite 204
Louisville, KY 40220
502 499 0852

A member of AR15.com got this info from Izhmash.
see the bottom of the page:
www.jobrelatedstuff.com/f...80&t=67081