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Remington Arms

A Chronicle of American Firepower and Industry

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Company Overview

Foundation and Legacy

Remington Arms Company, LLC, was a prominent American manufacturer of firearms and ammunition. Founded in 1816 by Eliphalet Remington as E. Remington and Sons in Ilion, New York, it stood as one of the oldest gun makers in the United States, claiming to be the oldest factory in the country still producing its original product. Remington was recognized as the largest rifle manufacturer in North America by 2015 ATF statistics and developed or adopted more cartridges than any other gun or ammunition maker globally.

Corporate Evolution

The company underwent significant structural changes throughout its history. It was formerly owned by Remington Outdoor Company, which filed for bankruptcy in 2020. Subsequently, its business lines were sold to various purchasers. The firearms manufacturing operations now continue as Remington Firearms, owned by RemArms, LLC, while the ammunition business operates as Remington Ammunition, owned by The Kinetic Group (part of Czechoslovak Group).

Market Reach

Remington Arms served a worldwide market, offering a diverse range of products including firearms, ammunition, and accessories. Its influence extended across civilian, law enforcement, and military sectors, solidifying its position as a key player in the global arms industry.

Historical Trajectory

19th Century Origins

The company's genesis traces back to 1816 when Eliphalet Remington II, at age 23, began crafting a flintlock rifle. His venture officially began after a shooting match where his superior craftsmanship garnered numerous orders. By 1828, the operation relocated to Ilion, New York, a site that remains central to Remington's manufacturing legacy. In 1888, E. Remington & Sons was sold to Marcellus Hartley and Partners, leading to its formal renaming as Remington Arms Company.

  • 1816: Founding by Eliphalet Remington II.
  • 1828: Relocation of operations to Ilion, New York.
  • 1888: Sale to Marcellus Hartley and Partners, renamed Remington Arms Company.

20th Century Contributions

During World War I, Remington played a crucial role in the war effort, manufacturing vast quantities of arms and ammunition for the US government. The Great Depression saw DuPont acquire the company, which later purchased the Peters Cartridge Company. Remington's involvement in World War II included producing significant numbers of firearms like the M1903A3 Springfield rifle. The mid-20th century also marked diversification, with the acquisition of Mall Tool Company in 1956, expanding into products like chain saws.

  • World War I: Extensive government contracts for arms and ammunition.
  • Great Depression: Acquisition by DuPont; purchase of Peters Cartridge Company.
  • World War II: Manufacturing of M1903A3 Springfield rifles and other armaments.
  • 1956: Acquisition of Mall Tool Company, expanding into non-firearm products.
  • 1962: Introduction of the highly successful Model 700 bolt-action rifle.
  • 1969: Establishment of a new ammunition plant in Lonoke, Arkansas.
  • 1993: Sale by DuPont to investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.

21st Century Challenges

The 21st century brought significant financial and legal challenges. In 2007, Cerberus Capital Management acquired Remington Arms, integrating it into the Freedom Group, later renamed Remington Outdoor Company. Despite strong ammunition sales in 2009, the company faced declining sales and mounting debt, exacerbated by product defect issues and legal actions, notably related to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. This led to multiple bankruptcy filings, culminating in the sale and division of its assets in 2020.

  • 2007: Acquisition by Cerberus Capital Management.
  • 2009: Acquisition of Advanced Armament Corporation.
  • 2012: US Army contract for M4A1 carbines.
  • 2014: Announcement of a new plant in Huntsville, Alabama, citing NY SAFE Act impact.
  • 2017-2018: Facing debt and declining sales, Remington filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
  • 2019: Connecticut Supreme Court ruling allowed a lawsuit over marketing practices to proceed.
  • 2020: Second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing; assets sold off.
  • 2022: Settlement reached with Sandy Hook families for $73 million.

Product Portfolio

Rifles

Remington has a storied history in rifle manufacturing, producing iconic models for military, law enforcement, and civilian use. Their bolt-action and semi-automatic platforms are renowned for accuracy and reliability.

Bolt-Action Rifles

  • Remington–Keene rifle
  • M1903 Springfield
  • Pattern 1914 Enfield
  • M1917 Enfield
  • Mosin–Nagant
  • Model 700
  • Model 783
  • M24 sniper weapon system
  • M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle
  • Modular Sniper Rifle (MSR)

Pump-Action Rifles

  • Model 7600
  • Model 141
  • Model 572

Semi-Automatic Rifles

  • Nylon 66
  • Model 7400
  • Model R-25
  • Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR)

Shotguns

Remington's shotguns are equally legendary, particularly the Model 870 pump-action and the Model 1100 semi-automatic, which have become industry standards for versatility and durability.

Pump-Action Shotguns

  • Model 31
  • Model 870
  • Model 887

Semi-Automatic Shotguns

  • Model 11-48
  • Model 1100
  • Model 11-87
  • Versa Max
  • V3

Break-Action Shotguns

  • SPR 100
  • SPR 210
  • SPR 310

Handguns

While perhaps more known for long guns, Remington has produced notable handguns, including revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, catering to various market segments.

Semi-Automatic Pistols

  • Model 51
  • 1911 R1
  • R51
  • RM380

Revolvers

  • Model 1858
  • Model 1890

Derringers

  • Model 95
  • Zig-Zag Derringer

Cartridges

Remington's influence extends significantly to ammunition, having developed or adopted a vast array of cartridges that have become standards in hunting, sport shooting, and military applications.

  • .22 Remington Fireball
  • .223 Remington
  • .22-250 Remington
  • 6mm Remington
  • 7mm Remington Magnum
  • .30 Remington
  • .300 Remington Ultra Magnum
  • .35 Remington
  • .41 Remington Magnum
  • .44 Remington Magnum

Financial and Legal Hurdles

Financial Distress

By the late 2010s, Remington Arms faced substantial financial difficulties, including significant debt and declining sales. Factors contributing to this included a reduction in "panic buying" of firearms, perceived declines in product quality, and the economic impact of legal challenges. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection multiple times, most notably in 2018 and again in 2020.

Sandy Hook Lawsuit

A pivotal legal challenge involved a lawsuit filed by the families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The suit alleged that Remington's marketing practices for the Bushmaster rifle used in the attack were negligent and irresponsible. Despite initial dismissals based on federal immunity laws, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the case could proceed, focusing on marketing claims. This ultimately contributed to a $73 million settlement in 2022, with costs borne by insurers.

Company Breakup

The 2020 bankruptcy led to the dissolution and sale of Remington Arms' assets. The ammunition business and brand name were acquired by Vista Outdoor, while the firearms manufacturing operations were purchased by RemArms, LLC. Remington's subsidiary, Marlin Firearms, was acquired by Sturm, Ruger & Co. This marked the end of Remington Arms as a singular, integrated entity.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Remington Arms Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be entirely comprehensive, up-to-date, or reflect the most current status of the entities discussed.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for expert consultation regarding historical business practices, manufacturing, or legal matters. Always consult with qualified professionals for specific advice.

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