I read this. What really surprised me is that this came out before SHOT -- Dana Loesch interviewed Chris Barrett -- and not a single word was spoken about the company being sold.
Which means it was termed to the interview. They don't want people to talk about it.
And I'm the reason why.
I'd wanted an M82 since I was a kid. Old enough to be able to actually afford one -- it was to be a gift for a big 10 birthday. That came when the world was going nuts in 2020 so I thought I'd wait until they got back around 8k. Well, early Jan I noticed a few places where I could get one right at 9k and figured the way things are now, that's as good as it'll ever get.
So, I was about to buy one. Then I stumbled upon a random article saying Barrett had been sold. To an aussie defense contractor.
I had to stop and mull that over for a few days. Why did I want the Barrett, did this change that for me, etc.
And it did. I wanted the Barrett because it was a piece of American history, national pride, and now they're just another sellout. Sure, that's their company to do with as they wish -- but it no longer carries the same meaning to me as it once did. Would I still want an M82? Well, hell yes. But I won't pay that much for it -- so I'll probably never own it.
Instead I went and bought a Desert-Tech STI in .50 instead.
I considered other rifles -- but the M82 is really the iconic semi-auto .50 so once that was out I was more interested in other things. Like portability and accuracy.
I have to think this is going to damage Barrett's business. I won't be doing business with them again. Not that I'm of import to them, but multiply me by thousands and I suspect that's the thing that's going to get them. And why they want this to blow over quietly.