In a related point to this discussion...when we first approached Wilson Combat about 5 or 6 yers ago they treated us like we were not a serious customer and even though we initially placed to a large parts order (to test the water), they made no effort in doing the paper work at their end or communicating further with us to fill the order. The following year at Shot Show, we again pushed them about doing the order and placing a large (for us and them) handgun order. This time we brought a photo portfolio of our store and gun inventoty when we sat down with Bill Wilson and his staff. When Bill saw our store photos and the volume we were doing (even a few years ago) he was stunned as he felt their was no real sales potential in Canada for handgun sales. After we gave them the order and paid prior to delivery we have continued to be the largest importer of their product and one of his largest dealers even in the USA. Most of Wilson's business seems to be customer direct at retail with a few guns at a time going to USA dealers as all his guns are built on order as he carries no inventory. In spite of the fact that we have imported their handguns and shotguns (Scattergun Tech.) the US govt. refused the export permits for his AR 15's (we are still working on a future order). Phil.
How the hell did this make it into the country?
- Thread starter Mr. Spectacular
- Start date
Like Kev said it is a pain in the ass dealing with the US State Dept., if you are a civie. It's a different case when dealing with Government sales. The RCMP bought $25,000 worth of Larue products direct. It only took them about 2 weeks to get there order. That's including order it, getting export permits and shipment.
The majority of Larue's business is government sales. It's where the bread and butter is. It's not the retail market. Larue was behind on orders, so the US government bought him two or three more CNC machines to keep up with production. So who do you think will take priority???
The majority of Larue's business is government sales. It's where the bread and butter is. It's not the retail market. Larue was behind on orders, so the US government bought him two or three more CNC machines to keep up with production. So who do you think will take priority???
Yep but if we were a Mexican drug cartel I am preaty sure the administration would wave all the paper work.
The stuff that Mark & Phil talk about is a theme of american firearm buisness. They still can't believe that we have more firearms per capita then they do. Although once you get around this stigma they useally end up being quite nice to deal with.
The US Gov does not buy people more machines.
Secondly Mark does not take handouts -- he builds his compnay just like Reed Knight did, a piece at a time in cash with no loans.
Mark got a a very lucrative USMC scope mount order (ACOG throw lever) aprox 250,000 of them -- to fit over our 2-600m Micro Rear Sight.
But other than Targets, and Mounts (our PAS-31 Thermal uses his mount) he really does not have many contracts (though growing).
Gun wise I dont think he can keep up to demand down here for his 5.56mm and 7.62mm guns.
Lastly at SHOT, its a tough time for companies -- Larue, us and others arrived the previosu weekend for a Mil demo - then long long hours on the floor at SHOT, meetings with .gov folks, and evening meetings -- you dont get a lot of sleep and people get cranky -- those who know me now my demeanor changes at SHOT and approaching me the last days I was not at my best.
I had a meeting with Mark at SHOT, he was extremely polite to me, and I consider him a friend (and have for many years even when I was in Canada...)
ITAR issues also abound -- so lets just say don't take a breif meeting with him at SHOT sour you on his views.
As a side note - the main reason Darren is getting some SR-25 EMC's when we are not shipping them commercially down here due to the fact we have more government orders for Carbines than we can handle currently is 1) His tenacity and 2) My desire to give Canadians a gun that I really wanted when I lived in Canada, and could not get.
Freddie Blish now works for Larue, so I think you may see a much more Canadian friendly atmosphere in Larue for shipping North, as when Freddie was at Aimpoint he saw both the CF (CANSOF) and Commercial market as a potential for business if it was properly supported.
- Location
- 54°52'56"N 112°10'7"W Alpha Bravo
Agreed. Perhaps he doesn't like out colored money... lol
WTF are you talking about? Who said anyone was hiding there "Canadian-ness", as you put it? OK fine maby the "typical arrogant American" shot was too much for the sensitive, fine. Get over it. I've never met the guy but I've read many many threads on here over the years about his arrogance towards Canada. Awhile back I called his outfit to inquire about importing a lower and some odds and ends, and I got attitude, as if I was the enemy not worthy of his product.
I took from that what it was...
..The next day I called LMT and got amazing customer service a full product description and where I could purchase their products. I guess LMT will take any kind of money...
I agree, perhaps my comment was a tad ignorant. Shoulda used, " Typical arrogant douche" instead.
Well there ya go, its just 50calshooter that he's a jerk to, I guess we found the problem!
Perhaps you should do a little more reading in the SHOT forums, it wasn't just me. ...and for the record, I run my own business aswell, I know how to talk to people and I fully understand the concept of, "treat people how you want to be treated" So any dealings I've had with Larue were completely respectful on my part anyways.
True, but the same can be said for the other side of that coin.
I'll be perfectly honest. When it comes to Larue products, really the only thing that strikes my fancy are the billet lowers for $250ish. The only billet lower made in Canada is 3x that.
Everything else is pretty ho-hum and I would no go out of my way to be able to purchase any of it.
Everything else is pretty ho-hum and I would no go out of my way to be able to purchase any of it.
What gauge of aluminum foil do you use? It's time for me to make a new beanie.
(Okay, I know it's a joke.
)Not certain but I think they beat us. I remember a line from some anti-gun documentary I saw on television maybe thirty years ago:
"Canadians own more guns per capita than anyone else in the world except Americans ... and we think they're crazy!"
Great line. It's the only thing I remember from that show.
They grew up watching different movies Smellie, or in many cases, playing video games!
But I know where you're coming from. To paraphrase that famous line: "if you're going to kill a man it costs nothing to be tasteful!"
In fact those old rifles with wood n'all are not only cheaper, they'd do it better and at longer ranges.
Ah well, that's "progress" for yah!
LaRue (company) has helped me out plenty of times with their products (mounts and misc. parts, no firearms obviously) both on the phone and by email and were always cordial....I made them blatantly aware I was Canadian and appreciate the quality of their stock.
- Location
- Grande Prairie, Alberta
not according to wikipedia, based upon the Small Arms Survey of 2007. USA: 88.8 guns per hundred people. Canada: 30.8 per hundred people.
we're in 13th place. the USA is in first...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_gun_ownership
if anyone can come up with solid proof we have more guns per capita than the US, i'd like to see it. it would be great material when discussing guns with antis.
- Location
- 42 Band of Eight Central
An export permit can be had by a US citizen w/o even leaving the country permanently.. for either temporary or permanent export.
not according to wikipedia, based upon the Small Arms Survey of 2007. USA: 88.8 guns per hundred people. Canada: 30.8 per hundred people.
we're in 13th place. the USA is in first...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_gun_ownership
if anyone can come up with solid proof we have more guns per capita than the US, i'd like to see it. it would be great material when discussing guns with antis.
As I said, this documentary was very long ago, perhaps three decades. Back then the best estimate was that there were 21,000,000 firearms in Canada, mostly hunting rifles and shotguns. Now the estimate is 11,000,000, apparently based on the theory that, since 10,000,000 have been registered and everyone knows Canadians are obedient sheep, there can't be more than a million unaccounted for.
So either 10,000,000 guns have evaporated or at least one of these estimates is completely out to lunch. Personally I don't believe either of them.
Off topic -- anyone who thinks Canadians are sheep should read up on "Canada's Hundred Days". We didn't win WWI but any other country with our record would claim just that.
- Location
- 42 Band of Eight Central
As I said, this documentary was very long ago, perhaps three decades. Back then the best estimate was that there were 21,000,000 firearms in Canada, mostly hunting rifles and shotguns. Now the estimate is 11,000,000, apparently based on the theory that, since 10,000,000 have been registered and everyone knows Canadians are obedient sheep, there can't be more than a million unaccounted for.
So either 10,000,000 guns have evaporated or at least one of these estimates is completely out to lunch. Personally I don't believe either of them.
Off topic -- anyone who thinks Canadians are sheep should read up on "Canada's Hundred Days". We didn't win WWI but any other country with our record would claim just that.
Sheeple as in mostly apathetic and unwilling to fight back against our gov... that the majority are in spades.
There are those of us whom are not sheeple though and you pointed out an excellent example of such.
Sheeple as in mostly apathetic and unwilling to fight back against our gov... that the majority are in spades.
The first place to fight back is the voting booth. Forty percent can't be bothered.
The second place is anti-government demonstrations. Look what happened at the G20 conference last year.
The third place is a law court. How much luck are we having with that?
The last and absolutely worst place to fight back is literally, gun in hand. Only lunatic rednecks like Timothy McVeigh do that.
I guess we can always write to our MPs. Come to think of it, that should be first place.
mudgunner49
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
1. I was just responding to your assertion that he apparently doesn't like Canadians but I got on well even though he knew that I was Canadian - don't read too much into it;
2. I pretty much am;
3. Crazy me, basing what I said on personal experience instead of what I read on the Interweb;
I guess our frame of reference is just different...
blake
