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Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Erusen on May 07, 2009, 08:06:12 AM

Title: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: Erusen on May 07, 2009, 08:06:12 AM
If someone has already written on this subject, I apologize, I missed it.

I was watching a rerun of Shooting USA the other night and the words of Jim Scoutten gave me a flash of genius (well, at least I think so).

      What Jim was talking about was the production of the M-1 Carbine during WWII.  He mentioned that among the companies that pitched in to produce the little brother of the Garand was General Motors.  So when times where tough and the then present gun manufactures alone could not meet the demand for more guns, a multitude of companies, including GM, stepped in and helped out, to the betterment of there own bottom lines no doubt.

     So, the idea that came to mind was that instead of GM taking our tax dollars and going down in flames anyway, they could instead retreat to days of old and help out with the shortages in the firearms industry.  This could specifically apply to ammo.  Why should GM not once again temporally jump into one of the hottest markets out there during tough times? This could be a great service to Americans. Not only would you and I have access to the ammo we need again, but our police departments, some of which have reported ammo shortages of their own, could again stock up.  Even our awesome training groups, like I.C.E., would no longer have to reduce the number of rounds that their students get to punch through in a class, just because ammo is tough to get.  Furthermore, (double) tapping into this market could seriously boost GM's bottom line.  I know that the Joyce Foundation Spawn would never think of this plan, but the flailing auto companies could certainly try this one on there own. Maybe GM does not have the leadership these days to make this kind of move, but someone should step up. Like one of MOPAR's past leaders put it "lead, follow or get out of the way."
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: PegLeg45 on May 07, 2009, 03:24:49 PM
Great....that's just what we need.........bullets with air bags.........   ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D


I think I read that during WWII, GM made over twice as many M-1 carbines as Winchester (the designing company).
But, that was back then....the way they operate nowadays they would just end up lookin' like a possum humpin' a football before it was over.
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: MikeBjerum on May 07, 2009, 03:50:13 PM
I think I read that during WWII, GM made over twice as many M-1 carbines as Winchester (the designing company).
But, that was back then....the way they operate nowadays they would just end up lookin' like a possum humpin' a football before it was over.

GM built according to design specs, and that is why the M-1 Carbine turned out as good as it did.  However, even though it met its intended purpose, construction wise, the Liberator is more what you could expect an auto company to design and manufacture.  Have you ever wondered why the Liberator was built like it was and looked like it did ...  Look at one next to an old style GM trunk lock mechanism.
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: r_w on May 07, 2009, 04:18:27 PM
Cerebus owned Chrysler and Remington.
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: ericire12 on May 07, 2009, 05:19:40 PM
I'm writing our President, that sounds like a great idea..... I'm sure he will get right on it as soon as I bring it to his attention. ;D
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: Erusen on May 07, 2009, 08:44:42 PM
We just cannot let GM make any of the optics.  Imagine a scope with "objects may be closer than they appear" printed on it.
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: Hazcat on May 07, 2009, 08:55:24 PM
We just cannot let GM make any of the optics.  Imagine a scope with "objects may be closer than they appear" printed on it.

LOL!!  (http://www.smileyx.com/smilies/Y7IEYY000009b.gif)
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: ericire12 on May 07, 2009, 08:59:32 PM
LOL!!  (http://www.smileyx.com/smilies/Y7IEYY000009b.gif)

+1
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: Harmony Hermit on May 08, 2009, 07:47:58 AM
How about those "Hydra Matic Corp" M16's McNamara foisted on hapless GI's during Viet Nam. Every one I was issued was an outright POS. Would jam just because...the forward assists never worked, would not even move when hit. They added greatly to the myth of the malfunctioning AR's because they always malfunctioned!

Hydra Matic built auto transmissions for GM IIRC although I am not a gearhead. I seem to remember my parents owning a Chevy with one of their slushboxes on it.
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: PegLeg45 on May 08, 2009, 12:57:13 PM
We just cannot let GM make any of the optics.  Imagine a scope with "objects may be closer than they appear" printed on it.

Now THAT was damn funny right there........  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: Erusen on May 11, 2009, 07:28:44 PM
Maybe Fire It Again Tony could make us some cheaper ammo. New cheaper than dirt catalog just came and the "cheap" 9mm ammo is $30/50 rounds! Was $9 in the last catalog.
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: Rob10ring on May 11, 2009, 07:37:29 PM
Great idea. With how empty shelves are here, I'd love to see a Chevy AR-10, or even a Dodge Hemi 12 Gauge. If Singer and IBM could make guns, why not some of what some already call American Metal. Ooh, a Harley 1911…
Title: Re: GM in the Guns & Ammo Buisness
Post by: Erusen on May 12, 2009, 06:21:59 AM
Yes, I would be thrilled to buy a Harley 1911 softtail.