good to hear your 1885 is working for you
The lack of twist rates isn't the only wonky thing in the last couple of years on the site though; the 300 h@h showed up for a while but was pulled about the time my brother was going to make an order.
Also, if I remember correctly, Win was going to re-introduce some lh m 70 rifles again. I prefer the left hand action to the point that I'll switch brands and make mods before I'll buy a rh action in most cases.
I realize you are using the info you are given, but those giving the info to you need to realize that people
DO watch the web for introductions and specs; it's not just there as an ad tool or because everyone has a web site.
Thanks. I love the Model 1885.
I can understand your frustration and appreciate your thoughts on the website.
For the most part products show and don't show based on the product managers directly in charge of the product. Let me illustrate what might be the case with the 300 H&H and LH Model 70s.
Browning and Winchester Repeating Arms as also other companies may introduce a product, often at an event like the SHOT Show. There is usually a small window (couple months or so) for dealers to order these products. Product quantities are set into motion with the manufacture based on the demand and orders received. From time to time a product may not receive enough orders to justify production.
In the case with Model 70s there are also other complexities regarding manufacturing plants that have changed a couple times in the past decade that may cause products to drop unexpectedly. I would guess this is the case with the LH models.
Here is an example with the Model 1885 in 300 Win Mag: Model 1885 rifles are produced every year but only in limited quantities and in ever changing calibers. This is the first time I have seen a 300 Win Mag produced since I started working in 2000. This being the case, I jumped on getting my order in because who knows how long it might be before they produce any more. The 300 Win Mag was introduced at the 2014 SHOT Show last January and based on the orders/demand I can see that only 45 of the rifles were produced and all shipped out in December.
My advise to you and others is if you see a particular caliber or variation of a firearm that may not be the common bread and butter variety, I suggest you contact your dealer immediately to get an order in to reserve one.
Here is another scenario that might be the case with the 300 h&h. And again I will refer to the Model 1885 in 300 Win Mag. The 300 Win Mag was introduced at the 2014 SHOT Show and thus was flagged by the product manager to show on the website in the main product line area starting in January of 2014. The product delivered and was shipped out to all the dealers in December and now I see that the product manager has flagged the product to move it to the historical section of the website. The product just barely made it into the dealers hands and is now "Historical." Yes, I think this is not right and have fought this battle for years and will continue to do so.
The 1885 in 300 Win Mag is now here in the historical section.
Model 1885, High Wall Hunter, -- Winchester Repeating Arms -- Historic Product Model
I also notice that the "last catalog year" shows 2013. This should be 2014 because that was when it was introduced and apparently not going to be produced again for some time if the product has been moved to Historical. I will contact the product manager and ask them to add the missing twist rates and correct the "last catalog year."
You should now that we are working as hard as we can to supply the best and most accurate information. I will pass along your feedback and will continue to work to improve the information provided to you through the website.
Indecently my oldest son and I will be carrying Model 1885s (270 WSM & 300 Win Mag) hiking in a couple miles tomorrow morning looking for some cow elk.