Gun Industry News: Smith & Wesson Buys Savage, Beretta Reaches 25% of Ruger, and Bear Creek Arsenal Launches a Bolt-Action AR

Two of the biggest names in American rifles changed hands, or partly changed hands, in the same week. Smith & Wesson now owns Savage Arms outright, and Beretta now owns about a quarter of Sturm, Ruger & Company. On the product side, Bear Creek Arsenal is rolling out a new line of bolt-action AR rifles and uppers this week. Here's what happened and what it could mean for those of us who hunt with these guns.

1. Smith & Wesson acquires Savage Arms

On Wednesday, October 21, Smith & Wesson Brands announced it had acquired the Savage Arms business from an affiliate of JDH Capital, a Houston-based private investment firm. The deal closed the same day.

According to Smith & Wesson's announcement, the transaction values Savage at $160 million, subject to the usual adjustments, paid in a mix of cash and roughly 9 million shares of Smith & Wesson stock. That makes JDH Capital Smith & Wesson's largest stockholder at about 16.7%, and JDH gets a seat on the board. Savage brought in about $160 million in net sales over the twelve months ending September 30.

If you hunt, you probably own a Savage or know someone who does. The company has been building rifles for more than 130 years, and its bolt guns have been a staple at deer camp for generations. Smith & Wesson, on the other hand, is best known for handguns. The company said plainly that the deal "meaningfully expands our presence in the hunting category."

"The acquisition of Savage is a transformative step for Smith & Wesson and an important milestone in our strategy to be the undisputed market leader in the firearm industry," said Smith & Wesson President and CEO Mark Smith.

What it means for hunters: Right now, nothing changes on the gun counter. The announcement doesn't say anything about changes to Savage's product lineup, warranty service or its Westfield, Massachusetts, headquarters, so I'm not going to guess. What we do know is that one company now makes everything from the M&P pistol on your hip to the Savage bolt gun in your truck. Keep an eye on whether that leads to more hunting rifles and better parts support, or fewer choices down the road.

2. Beretta now owns about 25% of Ruger

The day before, on Tuesday, October 20, Beretta Holding announced the final results of its cash tender offer for shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company. Beretta offered $44.80 a share for up to 2,400,184 Ruger shares. Shareholders tendered more than 6 million shares, so the offer was oversubscribed and Beretta bought its maximum on a pro rata basis.

After the tender, Beretta Holding will own about 25.0% of Ruger's outstanding shares, according to its release. That's a big stake, but it isn't a takeover. Ruger remains its own publicly traded company. A cooperation agreement between the two companies, signed earlier this year, caps Beretta at 25% of Ruger's voting shares and limits further buying for three years, according to deal coverage.

Why it matters: Ruger is one of the largest American gunmakers, and Ruger American and Hawkeye rifles are all over hunting camps. Beretta's family of brands already includes names many hunters know well. With a quarter of Ruger in Beretta's hands and Savage now under Smith & Wesson, a handful of big companies are holding more and more of the rifles we hunt with.

3. Bear Creek Arsenal launches the Bear Bolt Pro series

This week, Bear Creek Arsenal is launching a new line called the Bear Bolt Pro series. The company's product page lists the release date as October 27.

The idea is a true bolt-action rifle built on the AR platform. Bear Creek Arsenal will offer both complete rifles and complete upper assemblies. The line launches in .308 Winchester, and the company says more AR-10 and AR-15 calibers are "arriving soon." In its announcement, Bear Creek Arsenal says all Bear Bolt Pro complete uppers are compatible with mil-spec lowers.

Here's what the company highlights on its product page:

• 70-degree bolt lift instead of the more common 90 degrees, which the company says makes cycling faster and smoother.
• One-piece bolt that comes out of the upper receiver without tools for cleaning and maintenance.
• Out-of-battery safety that covers the firing pin whenever the bolt isn't fully closed, so the rifle can't fire unless the bolt is closed and locked.

Why AR owners should pay attention: Bear Creek Arsenal already sells "bolt action style" AR-10 uppers, but the Bear Bolt Pro is presented as a new, redesigned line. For hunters, a bolt-action AR upper is interesting for a few reasons. It lets you use the lower and trigger you already know and shoot well. It can also be an option in places with rules on semi-automatic rifles, and it gives you a quieter, cleaner action behind a suppressor. Bear Creek Arsenal hasn't published detailed specs or pricing for the Bear Bolt Pro yet, so check the product page once it goes live October 27. And since AR-10 patterns aren't standardized the way AR-15s are, confirm that your specific lower is compatible before you order.

The bottom line

This was a big week for who owns the guns we hunt with. Savage is now part of Smith & Wesson, and Beretta holds a quarter of Ruger. Neither deal changes anything in your safe today, but they're worth watching as these companies plan their next rifles. Meanwhile, Bear Creek Arsenal is betting that AR owners want a bolt gun that drops onto the lower they already own.

This article is for entertainment and informational purposes only. It isn't professional, legal, or safety advice. Always check the facts, local laws and regulations, and manufacturer data for yourself, and use your own judgment before you buy, hunt with, or handle any firearm or ammunition.

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