At $700 the demand should be zero. IF produced today I would put a fair price at $300. I know there is lots of nostalgia for them and that inflates prices, as does fanatic following. But realistically they are not high quality, well finished or well designed. They were the gun for that time in history. They were safe and somewhat reliable. In 1975 lots o fthe available guns were pretty terrible. By comparison TC was good. Many of today's knowledgeable shooter demand better. And those who don't care about quality or authenticity are happy with Traditions and the like. So a TC Hawken today does not fill a market need. S&W is struggling and making unprofitable ML's would not be a good idea for them.
I think the future lies with outfits like Jim Kibler's company. He is making fantastic rifles using modern manufacturing techniques. He is passionate about what he does and his rifles reflect that. A company like S&W could never do what he does. Jim's price point is about half of what an equal rifle cost 5-years ago. He claims to have a Hawken on the radar screen. If and when that happens you can be sure it will be the best quality and most authentic styling of any mass produced Hawken replica ever marketed.
My information says Thompson Center stopped making sidelocks in late 2006. They were bought by Smith & Wesson in 2007.T/C stopped making sidelock guns, flint and percussion long ago, in the Mid/Late 1990's I think, after they suffered a big fire. And before they were bought by Remington.
They only make inlines now.
I for one, wish they would return to the traditional sidelock market.
But, like the old saying goes … "Wish in one hand, and Sh** In the other, and see which one gets full first."
I doubt they well ever return to the sidelock market.
Their price went too $700 + and the demand went too 0...
If Kibler makes a Hawken I’m going to have at least one!!
I'm not that big of a Hawken fan, but the Idea of Kibler making a Hawken makes me smile. (especially full stocked and/or small caliber)
Done right, it could be affordable and awesome.
I'd say that right now, price is the biggest factor limiting traditional muzzleloader popularity.
My information says Thompson Center stopped making sidelocks in late 2006. They were bought by Smith & Wesson in 2007.
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