Heckler & Koch going under?....

C

ClydeFrog

Moderator
I saw a media item that HK is now $168,000,000 USD in debt & may go under soon if they can't secure a few new military contracts. :eek:

Im fond of the HK45 compact(LEM) & the P2000 LEM but I won't buy any HK weapons if the firm is starting to circle the drain. :rolleyes:
I thought something was up when HK moved from NOVA(north VA) which is pricey to AL & Georgia.

Any other TFLers know any inside scoops?...
 
H&K's finances and solvency are the subject of this thread. Snark about the brand in general, or about the Germans in general, will be met with deep hurting.

Posts have been deleted accordingly.
 
While there may very well be more consolidation in the firearms industry the HK brand carries a lot of value and isn’t going anywhere. Now, there could be new owners or even mergers with other companies, but I suspect we’ll be lusting after their line for a long time. I hope…
 
They should start making American market guns in the states and separate the
German military products arm and American civilian sales.
 
I don't agree. When I want to buy a German made gun, I want it made in Germany, not the US.

This is what SIG-Sauer has done and I guess my brand new SIG-Sauer buying days are over if they have stopped importation as well.
 
The Bundeswehr recently released a report that the G36 rifle has accuracy issues due to the plastic barrel trunion that can appear at temps as low as 80F - so you don't even need to shoot the rifle to get zero shift. They also noted groups as large as 20-24" at 100m after just 90 rounds.

The same report also slammed the P8 pistol. Apparently HK has been aware of these design deficiencies fir some time and has engineered fixes for them but the German government continues to buy the original design.

That report may have sparked the money trouble rumors.
 
I had heard those issues appeared after long strings of automatic fire. Do you have an article stating such? I would like to see it.

Thanks
 
How is a companies customer service reputation not related to their long-term market feasibility? How'd the, "We make government contract guns and civilians can take it or leave it," approach work out for Colt?

It is bad business for companies to rely entirely on contracts that are highly political, especially when there is no guarantee they will even be there b/c the equipment isn't really broken.
 
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How is a companies customer service reputation not related to their long-term market feasibility?
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While there may be some correlation, I've not seen causation reported. While there has been no shortage of complaints about H&K's perceived arrogance towards the civilian market over the years, I've seen little proof that this has affected their finances.

If you can prove that, we'll consider letting this degenerate into an "OMG did you see the one where they loaded the bullits backwards" thread.
 
Heckler and Koch cannot make most weapons stateside because of importation laws set under G.H.W.Bush. H&K produc great firearms that are used by many militaries, LEO's and other three letter organizations. But they were kind of screwed by OUR government about importation of their components unless for the government. Go to HKPRO, I assure the employees there will explain everything is good in the HK world.
 
Its funny to read the some of the comments on the article talking about the G3 and they shouldnt have gone to the g36. Sounds like something I have read before haha
 
Heckler and Koch cannot make most weapons stateside because of importation laws set under G.H.W.Bush.
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It isn't that they can't make it. They can't IMPORT it.
Glock has been manufacturing in the US for about a year. When things cool down I bet they bring their 380 to market in the US.
IWI opened a plant in the US so they could sell some of their SMG models(9mm Tavor included I believe).
A half dozen other manufacturers or more have done the same.
From this I can only assume HK doesn't care about US civilians or even US gov't contracts. At least it isn't a priority with their current limited financial liquidity. Maybe that is all it is an if they get a little better financially they will follow everyone else's lead.

I don't see how ignoring a huge growing market that already has demand outstripping supply doesn't affect a companies bottom line. At the rate US gun ownership is increasing, led by female and liberal owner increases, ignoring the US civilian market is just foolish. If HK had met demand for their pistols in the US market, how could that not have put them in better financial shape? HK pistols ARE hot in the us, despite their arrogance. One might say "it isn't bragging if you can back it up."

What if the G5 also flops? "All your eggs in one basket."
 
Rumors are they are tying to start making the G36 stateside. The problem is that Hk has thousands of dollars of equipment to produce their "German Steel" and other proprietary stuff. As far as Hk not caring about civilians, that's a crock. The very best customer service I have had was with Hk over a lost part in the mail. They continue to make some of the finest firearms used today. No worries about them shunting their doors, although I did hear about a crazy woman who wanted to pour cement on their roof... Lol
 
HK; US customer service....

Im not a HK owner & I hold HK to a higher standard than most brands.
But, I would say the US customer service does seem lacking.
In the past few years(2007, 2008, etc), I would contact HK & get a current product catalog.
Since the firm relocated to GA & AL, the customer service office seems to have gone down. HK no longer sends out print catalogs to individuals, :mad: .

The articles I read stated the new HK contracts won't affect the US office but I've heard the same story from other companies in serious economic trouble too.

Heckler & Koch has a few US military contracts(Mark 23 .45acp, MP5 SMG, etc) & a few large LE agencies like CBP(US Customs & Border Protection) & the US Border Patrol(P2000 LEM).
They should be in the black with the huge upswing in US gun sales but with retail prices that run from $850.00 to $1200.00 USD, the HKs are only for a select few.
 
From this I can only assume HK doesn't care about US civilians or even US gov't contracts.
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Maybe, just maybe it's the other way around. I've tried to like HK handguns. But, they appeal to me about as much as a Hi-Point. In fact, most HK handguns look like a cross between a Glock and a Hi-Point. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they work good enough. You know, if they still made the sleek P7 (and eliminated that stupid squeeze-cocker) in different calibers, capacities, etc. I'd be willing to part with $1,000+ for one, or maybe more. But, with Sig making super-accurate gorgeous guns for about the same price as HK.....WHY HK? Even Tanfoglio, former maker of the EXCAM 25, has stepped up their game and make some of the nicest looking, most accurate, CZ knock-offs around. Some day, they may even offer good customer service.

There is a place for unattractive guns - just not in the $800+ market. HK is in a very awkward price-point for the style of handgun they produce. I think their sales are sorely reflecting this.
 
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Funny, I think Sigs are ugly, and like, and own some HK's. The squeeze cocker on the P7 is an excellent part of the design. Different strokes.
 
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