In what might appear to be a counter-intuitive move, Wilson Arms plans to move its barrel production facility from Wisconsin to Connecticut. But the company already has operations in Connecticut and this move will be a consolidation of operations. The company owner, Hugo Vivero, purchased the company from the Wilson family six years ago. Wilson Arms was founded in New Haven, Connecticut back in 1954 when firearms regulation and legislation were more sane and reasonable . . .
Wilson’s acquisition of the former Badger Defense Company, located in Wisconsin, occurred in 2012. So what’s really happening is a Connecticut-based company purchased a Wisconsin-based company and is moving the machinery to Connecticut, where its main base of operations has existed for nearly six decades.
Because Wilson Arms deals in gun barrels rather than complete firearms or receivers, they’re not subject to many of the worst of the emotionaly-based firearms regulations and laws passed in the Constitution State in the last few months.
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Link to Gun Watch
For clarity’s sake, I’m going to presume Wilson Arms is in no way related to Wilson Combat, which last I heard, was still located in Arkansas?
Like most folks, I would have to wonder what incentive, other than consolidation, they would have to move assets from Wisconsin to Connecticut? I sorely hope that if the state was involved that it wasn’t a deal with the devil, because that’s just what it would be.
Tom
Can you say “tax break?” And the Wilson executive suite is already well-established among the Ruling Class ™ In Connecticut.
And their finished barrels won’t smell like cheddar until they’re broken in.
why on earth would you stay in CT. high taxes, expensive labor, unfriendly climate, and its only going to get worse**. The move should be to move the HQ to Wisconsin.
** oh, and you never know when people will get pissed at manufacturers that stay in gun unfriendly states and decide to boycott.
“Because Wilson Arms deals in gun barrels rather than complete firearms or receivers, they’re not subject to many of the worst of the emotionally-based firearms regulations and laws passed in the Constitution State in the last few months.”
… but of course, that’s no guarantee that Connecticut won’t pass more dumb laws in the future that do directly impact what they produce.
They should have taken this opportunity to move to Wisconsin.
After all, they ARE barrels for Salt Rifles.
I live in Wisconsin. They should have moved their Connecticut operation here where there are bazillions of hunters and rifle fans along with reasonable laws and a conservative governor.
They may own a site that due to a long history of manufacturing they cannot sell for various reasons and need to consolidate locations.
Trapped in Connecticut with no way out.
Or business is such that they cannot afford to buy new property, or secure credit to make such a move.
Short term not a good PR move. But the need to keep the doors open without interruption may have resulted in them needing to make these type of decisions. I get the feeling they don’t have the deep pockets of other manufactures. Will wait for more info…
No, it’s just the least expensive option. Quisling would be proud.
Thanks, but I’ll buy barrels made by FN. South Carolina. Gun friendly (friendlier, anyway).
In what way is SC not gun friendly?
Open carry (lack of it).
When did they get rid of it. They had it when I was a cop in the 90’s.
Sane and reasonable gun regulations?
Military intelligence?
Jumbo shrimp?
Watch your language, we’re in a No Oxymorons Zone…
Maybe we should be glad they didn’t move to China. Boycotting manufacturers because of where they locate, in the USA no less, seems like a counterproductive strategy. I mean they are making guns right? We like guns right? Who would be happy if they went out of business? Oh yeah, MDA and Bloomberg.
Boycotts are lame and usually fail unless market forces are leaning in that direction anyway. But regardless why would anyone on the pro-gun side advocate punishing a gun manufacturer because of the State they are in?
If you have to ask that question, Then you really don’t have any idea where their tax dollars go do you?
So they’re putting all their eggs in one basket. A burning one at that.
I’m not going to boycott them. They’re already gambling their business as it is.
I don’t care who or what company it is.
If its n Connecticutit.
I wont buy it.
I just added Pachmyer to my personal list.
No more of their products from grips to snap caps.
If its made in Connecticut or New York.
Its on my personal shitlist.
That includes Remington anything, ammo and all.
I will never own a Kimber even if given to me etc etc.
The Wilson plant has been in the same building in Branford CT, right off I95 Exit 56 for 30+ years. They have ties to the community and employees that they would not rather uproot in a move.
There are currently NO restrictions on gun barrels with respect to state or federal law, other than ITAR and that only applies if they wan to export.
The CT business climate sucks. So I’m considering this to be a kind of charity. Our state government has managed to do everything wrong. There is so much blame to go around, it transcends party affiliations. Yes Malloy is a douche. But lets not forget that we’ve had a Republican governor in CT for the last 20 years.