Rifle Scopes Premier selling out?

[Big_Country]

I have heard from a pretty reputable source that Premier is selling out to someone in Canada and that the company is pretty much gone. I know there was someone in Canada that helped finance Premier back into business but I didn't know they were selling out completely. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

-Sv

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: Premier selling out?

I believe a company in Canada has had a significant stake in Premier for sometime.

 

[Turk]

Re: Premier selling out?

Does it really make a difference?

 

[poison123]

Re: Premier selling out?

lol...here we go again.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: Premier selling out?

Nunya...

 

[rickey]

Re: Premier selling out?

it does if the quality of the scopes goes down it doesn't if nothing changes....
poison do you know more then we do?

 

[ScarBliss]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Turk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Does it really make a difference? </div></div>

It kind of sucks that we can't get a dealer in VA even though they are based in Winchester, pretty much the only reason I've never bought any of their glass.

 

[Turk]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Trigger Monkey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nunya... </div></div>
Drum roll please!

As far as quality; I don't see it going down.

 

[poison123]

Re: Premier selling out?

Nope don't know shit. BUT these threads were a dime a dozen last year, about the end of the world as far as Premier is concerned.

Its always a "pretty reputable source" too.

 

[Kiwi Greg]

Re: Premier selling out?

I have been waiting for a couple of moa 5-25 Heritage for a couple of months so I thought I would chase it up today to see where I was at...got this email.....

Greg,

Premier Heritage is currently out of business so it is extremely hard to get ahold of these. If I could get them it would take at least 3-4 months.

When I questioned him to make sure I understood what was written I got this back

Greg,

Premier is out of business. Armament Technology will be making the tactical from now on, but these will not be available until roughly september.

So I have waited over two months to go back to my original choice of another 2 or 3 NSXs.....

BUGGER...

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: Premier selling out?

I really like my Premier and would not trade it for another comparable scope.

I am also not worried about the company going anywhere. However, I was bummed to see their retail pricing go up 14% on the 5-25 scopes because the next batch will be made at Optronika in Germany.

 

[vonbalkenbush]

Re: Premier selling out?

Gotta love these threads. They have been coming and going for a year and a half now. Have you tried to buy a Premier lately? Nobody can keep them on the shelves, they are damn near as hard to get as an S&B. There's a reason for that, and it's not because their production is tiny. It's because they make a badass product that everyone wants to get their hands on. Until their product starts to suck, they will be here to stay, perhaps under the same name, perhaps not. The product is not going anywhere. Reputable source my ass...

-SBS

 

[Twitch2120]

Re: Premier selling out?

isnt there someone who works for premier that posts on here. all will become clear soon me thinks

 

[totenkopf]

Re: Premier selling out?

Wow, too bad. When I was in the Navy Dick Thomas did some great work with us, really helped with our requirements...good history....

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SagebrushShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gotta love these threads. They have been coming and going for a year and a half now. Have you tried to buy a Premier lately? Nobody can keep them on the shelves, they are damn near as hard to get as an S&B. There's a reason for that, and it's not because their production is tiny. It's because they make a badass product that everyone wants to get their hands on. Until their product starts to suck, they will be here to stay, perhaps under the same name, perhaps not. The product is not going anywhere. Reputable source my ass...

-SBS </div></div>

I was told that newly placed dealer orders on the 5-25 will not be delivered until sometime in September.

 

[unreconstructed]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: totenkopf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow, too bad. When I was in the Navy Dick Thomas did some great work with us, really helped with our requirements...good history....

</div></div>

True. I had good experiences with Dick Thomas, but unfortunately he passed away a few years ago.
The personnel that run Premier now are another story.
I sold my Dick Thomas converted Gen2 mildot scopes after what PR did to Liberty Optics.

 

[unreconstructed]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Twitch2120</div><div class="ubbcode-body">isnt there someone who works for premier that posts on here. all will become clear soon me thinks </div></div>

That would be plange... sp?

 

[jrbet83]

Re: Premier selling out?

Maybe whoever bought them, will start offering the Light Tactical scope in a 4-20 or 5-25 version

 

[Plange]

Re: Premier selling out?

Hi Guys,
Premier riflescopes are not currently being produced at the Winchester VA facility. All current production is being undertaken in Germany by the original design team, and I am undertaking warranty and other service in the U.S.. Armament Technology is continuing with distribution within North America.
So if you need help with your scope just drop me a PM.
Thanks
Paul

 

[vonbalkenbush]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Plange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi Guys,
Premier riflescopes are not currently being produced at the Winchester VA facility. All current production is being undertaken in Germany by the original design team, and I am undertaking warranty and other service in the U.S.. Armament Technology is continuing with distribution within North America.
So if you need help with your scope just drop me a PM.
Thanks
Paul </div></div>

As I suspected, the product is still alive and well. I have no problem with the scopes being fully produced in Germany as long as there is still a service center stateside. This will actually probably help with quality control anyway, with the only downside being the cost increase. But if you want German performance in a tactical optic you're gonna have to pay the German price. Thanks for the info update Paul. Most of us that use and support this product knew this had been in the works for a long time, glad to hear things are finally moving forward.

-SBS

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: Premier selling out?

a pretty reputable source told me that the paralax knob on premiers fall off without warning

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Premier selling out?

Paul,

Did the company change ownership ? You never addressed that part of it ...

Are there gonna be changes to the line in the coming months if the ownership did in fact change ? Nothing about that either.

Is the line going to continue as it has, or will it be changed where they are only supporting the previous models >

Pretty vague answer based on the discussion as well as the investment made by many members.

 

[vonbalkenbush]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RMW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I was told that newly placed dealer orders on the 5-25 will not be delivered until sometime in September. </div></div>

Two months to wait for a top of line optic of your choice is nothing. Try talking to some of folks loyal to S&B who waited 18-24 months before finally getting their hands on their pre-ordered S&b 3-20x50's, and they weren't even moving their production across the Atlantic ocean. Two months of interruption in product availability for a shift in production to a another continent is pretty smooth if you ask me. Just saying...

-SBS

 

[Rob01]

Re: Premier selling out?

Sagebrush that's because the 3-20s weren't even being made yet. Apples and oranges although I don't think a 2-3 month wait is a problem.

You and I don't have any problem with German made scopes but the people who cry made in the USA as their reason for going with the Premier might.

 

[vonbalkenbush]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sagebrush that's because the 3-20s weren't even being made yet. Apples and oranges although I don't think a 2-3 month wait is a problem.

You and I don't have any problem with German made scopes but the people who cry made in the USA as their reason for going with the Premier might. </div></div>

I understand the comparison and you make a valid point. I was just saying 2-3 months ain't that long to wait. I never cared where they were made, we all know how hard it's been on manufacturing here in the states over the last decade, it's not a surprise to me to see more production moving over sees. As long as the product performs as it's intended I have no qualms about where it came from. Having the production moved to Germany can do nothing but good things for the quality of the product as far as I'm concerned, I would like to know a little more about the money train though. Who owns what etc... All the questions that Lowlight just posted.

-SBS

 

[fw707]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SagebrushShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

As I suspected, the product is still alive and well.
-SBS </div></div>

Sounds to me like it's dying a slow death.

Paul, hasn't the VA location been closed for a couple of months?

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: Premier selling out?

The old location, 175 Commonwealth Court, is currently for sale. Premier now occupies a smaller facility in Winchester.

 

[bth87]

Re: Premier selling out?

From what I understand, Premier is now overseen and funded by the individual who has extremely deep pockets, and has a vested interest in Primer. What this means, as it has been explained to me, is that Premier will have the monitory backing to maintain production of current offerings while pursuing new projects, something they previously could not do. Given this information, which I believe, I don't think Premier is going anywhere.

 

[Turk]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a pretty reputable source told me that the paralax knob on premiers fall off without warning </div></div>
What type of warning would you like?

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Premier selling out?

That line is all well and good, but it has also been said the Line is being changed, the Lever locks are going away, the only existing scope to be continued is the Light Tactical, and however you want to slice it, the company is now a Canadian company, not as it was before.

As Rob said, Made in USA was a big selling point for a lot of people.

I think they would have been better off announcing the purchase instead of twice now giving the same exact paragraph as an answer.

The name may certainly remain but that doesn't make it the same. Look at Unertl someone bought that name too and tried to produce the MST scope. Google that scope company.

There is an element here, which does not lend to confidence...

Sure Mr Webber has an interest, Armament also, so does Optronika in Germany, all those coming together to produce a new scope doesn't make it the same as the old scope. At any time they can get together and change everything, discontinue the Heritage line, make them more like the Steiner, make them all like the Light Tactical... anything is possible.

But I think once it happened an announcement to give confidence to the customer was in order.

 

[Turk]

Re: Premier selling out?

Vagueness and ambiguity seems to be a long standing trait w/ them.

 

[Twitch2120]

Re: Premier selling out?

are nightforce scopes now being made here in the states or are they still carrying hecho en japan on the bottom? how about USO? plenty of high quality options for the made in USA crowd.

 

[Turk]

Re: Premier selling out?

Just for educational purposes; who exactly is Optronika??

 

[lazy21]

Re: Premier selling out?

I just saved $20 on my car insurance

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Premier selling out?

optronika are guys from S&B who left and opened a new company in Germany.

They are basically the design element behind scopes. Similar when a company goes to Japan and spec's out a scope, you can have one spec'd out and built in Germany much in the same way.

the FFP and Compact Line from NF is made in the US, the NXS line is a combination but mainly produced in Japan.

 

[Turk]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">optronika are guys from S&B who left and opened a new company in Germany.

</div></div>
So basically they are a start up design company? No manufacturing in house? Funny the engineers leaving S&B reminds me of the movie "The Right Stuff"... Kinda like when the guy says "their german engineers are better then our german engineers"!

 

[para1505]

Re: Premier selling out?

Who gives a shit about your car insurance

 

[lazy21]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: para1505</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Who gives a shit about your car insurance</div></div>

I do idiot! Get your head out of your ass

 

[Goin'Hot]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: para1505</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Who gives a shit about your car insurance </div></div>

I do, I do.

 

[-Nick-]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just saved $20 on my car insurance

</div></div>

BWAHAHAHAHAHA... No seriously Julio I busted out laughing...

 

[Big_Country]

Re: Premier selling out?

Thanks for all the information.

It's really to bad Premier can't figure out a way to finance themselves w/o turning to Canada and Germany for assistance. Kind of pisses me off really.

I love my Premier 5-25 and my concern (for the future) is that if I need something fixed on it, I will be waiting a long time to get it fixed, if I can. Will the warranty be the same? Or will I be paying out of pocket?

With that being said, if Germany starts changing shit, origional product (turret's etc.) will be non existant. Just as I read above, we will be looking at another Steiner...

I look foward to more comment's from Plange on this matter to stop rumor's and find out what is really going on.

The more I read, the more it does sound like the Premier is going to change for the worse.

A relative of mine was told to sell his, get what money he can out of it and buy something else.

Keep it comming!
Regards,
-Sv

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: Premier selling out?

I plan on keeping my Premier regardless of what happens.

 

[Valken]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">love my Premier 5-25 and my concern (for the future) is that if I need something fixed on it, I will be waiting a long time to get it fixed, if I can. Will the warranty be the same? Or will I be paying out of pocket?</div></div>
There future warranty will most likely be the same as the Leupold conversions and the S&B conversions which was NUNYA if I remember correctly. OR MAYBE it should be good luck. Sorry that was the past but to help predict there future possibility of servicing there products one only has to look at there past.

 

[Plange]

Re: Premier selling out?

Hi Guys,

The reason I can't give you more info is that there is none to give right now.

ATI has taken the responsibility of service and warranty and I take care of that but as far as PR goes it is in the same status that it was at SHOT so there is nothing new to report. Instead of me or ATI guessing, we are just waiting until there is a true final outcome of which I will then be able to say something that isn't conjecture or opinion or just flat out guessing.
I'm sorry, but I just don't know anything more than that right now.
As far as the line goes, it will continue as is and full support will be available up to and beyond whatever corporate changes may occur.
Again I am here to support the product and when I know something concrete I will certainly let you guys know.
Thanks again,
Paul

Edit to say "If I can be of any further help, please PM me as this issue has been beaten to death here, I promise I will let everyone know as soon as I know something"
Paul

 

[Triad]

Re: Premier selling out?

I know that we have gotten two 3-15x scopes shipped to us this week. I think the September date is only for the 5-25x.

 

[Sgt.Henry]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Plange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi Guys,
Premier riflescopes are not currently being produced at the Winchester VA facility. All current production is being undertaken in Germany by the original design team, and I am undertaking warranty and other service in the U.S.. Armament Technology is continuing with distribution within North America.
So if you need help with your scope just drop me a PM.
Thanks
Paul </div></div>
Paul,
PM sent need Help!please

 

[CSTactical]

Re: Premier selling out?

We have been getting Premier scopes, some models are backordered but they will be back in stock.  Premier / ATI stands behind their scopes and will continue to do so! 

I love my Premier scopes. 

Mike CST

 

[vonbalkenbush]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Plange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi Guys,

The reason I can't give you more info is that there is none to give right now.

ATI has taken the responsibility of service and warranty and I take care of that but as far as PR goes it is in the same status that it was at SHOT so there is nothing new to report. Instead of me or ATI guessing, we are just waiting until there is a true final outcome of which I will then be able to say something that isn't conjecture or opinion or just flat out guessing.
I'm sorry, but I just don't know anything more than that right now.
As far as the line goes, it will continue as is and full support will be available up to and beyond whatever corporate changes may occur.
Again I am here to support the product and when I know something concrete I will certainly let you guys know.
Thanks again,
Paul

Edit to say "If I can be of any further help, please PM me as this issue has been beaten to death here, I promise I will let everyone know as soon as I know something"
Paul </div></div>

Thanks for the update Paul. At least we know the current line is not going anywhere and will continue to be fully supported. That is not of little consequence and gives a lot of us with large dollar amounts invested a little bit of peace I guess. I would definitely like to be kept in the loop when information on ownership and direction becomes available. I love my Premier scopes and will continue to run them and support the product.

-SBS

 

[Møønlight]

Re: Premier selling out?

So when should we expect the price to skyrocket on the price of these scope's?

-Ms

 

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Re: Premier selling out?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Moonshadow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So when should we expect the price to skyrocket on the price of these scope's?

-Ms </div></div>

Used Premier 3-15 Mil-dot scopes have been a great value. I love mine. Those turrets were made for my bear claw hands.

Is there a definative post that tells the whole story of what is going on? I seemed to have missed the start of the story.