By Bob Morrison, Taurus Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Taurus does it again, recreating the famous shooting gallery rifle, Winchester's Model 62. This pump action .22 LR rifle is fun to shoot... for that kid in all of us!
I have always had a fascination for old Winchesters, and Taurus's recent purchase of the right to build these guns at our exceptionally modern facility in Brazil gave us the opportunity to return a wonderful old design, with some needed improvements, to American shooting enthusiasts.
For those of you who don't want to read any further - take my recommendation and go buy one.
So, what's the big deal? Well, just hold on. The Taurus engineers have a most unique design center in the gun industry, so when they asked us what changes should be made to this legendary model, things got interesting in a hurry.
Let's go back a bit. As usual, we did considerable research here in the United States. We decided, after a lot of discussion with knowledgeable Winchester fans, to change the ol' 62 as little as possible to suit current requirements. We gathered several good examples of the old Winchester gun, and sent them to our engineers to incorporate these important differences:
The end result should be exactly like the old Winchester Model 62 as much as possible with a few exceptions:
1) Button rifle the barrels - accuracy is of utmost importance.
2) Make the guns feed .22 LR reliably - don't be concerned with .22 Shorts or .22 Longs (we were advised this was always one of the problems with the older Winchesters - failures to feed on the shorter cartridges plagued the owners).
3) Clean up the insides and make everything fit tightly but still able to take down easily.
4) Stock color is important, as is the density of the wood. Since we don't have walnut plentiful in Brazil we decided on "Imbuia." Imbuia wood is a dense, tough wood, similar in many ways to walnut.
5) Give the gun a firing pin safety - the old guns cannot pass a modern day drop test.
6) Add the unique Taurus Security System to the hammer.
7) Keep the exact dimensions of the old rifle. 8) Make the action sound and feel like the old Winchesters.
9) Give a trigger pull that is crisp and safe.
10) Give the "corncob" forend the exact feel and dimension of the old guns, including the flat bottom.
11) Match the stock to the metal by sanding the wood on its own unique action to assure a perfect fit - that specific stock to that specific action - just like the old days at Winchester.
12) Keep the price reasonable, making it an affordable choice for beginning shooters.
When the first test samples arrived we couldn't wait to get outside and start plinking. But first, we looked at the new guns closely and observed a nice, attractive fit, finish, and stock coloration. The deep blue metal finish and the tasteful markings are certainly reminiscent of the old guns. In fact, the sound and feel was Winchester all the way.
After familiarizing ourselves with the new safeties, we were impressed with the execution. Although these guns differ from the originals (two more safeties), we have managed to make them look like those of days gone by, with the little top mounted firing pin safety tang and the unobtrusive, but effective, Taurus Security System safety on the hammer. Since we anticipate selling a lot of them for adults to use with their kids and grandkids, we felt it was especially important to make the gun very safe to use and store around kids. Even if you're not a safety fanatic, both additional devices make sense in this day and age. If John Browning would have designed and put a firing pin safety in place, I'll bet it would have looked just like the one on this neat little gun. The Taurus Security System on the base of the hammer is convenient in locking the gun up when you are finished, and ready to store it away.
Out we went with bricks of ammo. We put up a bunch of targets and shot away the rest of the day.
ANTICIPATED REQUIRED GOVERNMENT WARNING LABEL: Plinkin' with this beauty is habit forming.
The results:
1) Problems - None - Zero!
2) Out of the box accuracy - Very Acceptable - No, that's not true. Astounding is a better description.
3) Sore arms from cranking that pump action almost all day.
4) Slightly flatter wallet and no gas in the car from repeated trips to the store for more economical .22 LR ammo and more targets.
5) Feeding - No Problem - shot everything without a hitch.
We formed a Focus Group with our ready-to-respond national sales reps, and here's what they told us at our National Sales Meeting. They all shot their sample guns, and we had a hard time getting them off the range to answer our questions. Focus Group Suggestions and Response from Taurus's Morrison:
SUGGESTION - Make a tang sight available.
RESPONSE- Already being done.
SUGGESTION - Make a scope base available.
RESPONSE - Ditto to the above. We will use a Weaver style base, but remember to use a long eye relief scope or a red dot or "Holo" type display. We have tried them all and it makes a great accessory, and really helps shooters who want to see everything on one focal plane.
SUGGESTION - What about "speed loading" tubes so I can pre-load at home and maximize my shooting time on the range?
RESPONSE - These are available at $12 per 2 pack. Please call our customer service at (305) 624-1115 to order. I know the feeling. It takes too much time away from plinkin' to have to stop and load one at a time.
SUGGESTION - I'm a wood freak, so how about some custom wood?
RESPONSE - Imbuia, the wood we use from Brazil is a tough, dense wood, much like walnut. I've already discussed this idea with our engineers in Brazil. They can, at some expense, select unusually nice grain and send it up at additional cost. Remember, each gun is individually fitted, sanded and finished with its specific wood. We are looking at the possibility of bringing in select, upgraded stocks, but it is complicated and costly.
SUGGESTION - Keep the quality I found in my sample available on all the rifles.
RESPONSE - Thanks. We intend to do that. You have to understand, Taurus is a company chock full of shooters. We hunt, we plink, we unabashedly enjoy the sporting use of firearms. Proud shooters, and great engineers! We like our guns to shoot and we like accuracy.
TIP OF THE DAY- Watch for the new Model 172 in .17 HMR. Same features, same finishes, same barrel lengths. We all fired a test sample at the Sales Meeting. WOW! Finally a reliable pump action .17 HMR!
What you found in your gun is indicative of the New Taurus - that's probably why we have been so innovative and why we were selected Manufacturer of the Year 2000 by our peers in the industry. That's why we have won the award for Handgun of the Year Award two of the past three years from the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence. Yes, our Model 62 is built to last, and will always be made to measure up to the accuracy and quality standards found in the first samples distributed.
Oh, and try our other products, too. You are in for a treat.
Se ya' - I gotta go plinkin'. All the best from Taurus! |
