7.62FMJ
Just have a quick review about limiting product line, exchange rates with the EU, and future developments. We understand fully about price increases as the US dollar falls to the EU in exchange however just my conversation you are limiting a production of models that could be released.
Example the 5.56 series. In your overall assessment of current market conditions of the US and plans to go toward a more traditional stamped receiver you neglected one simple fact, the US market would bear greater toward 5.56NATO rifles than almost any other market. As of now you are competing with your 7.62 and 5.45 lines against many domestic and foreign imports. However if you were in the future to concentrate on the 5.56NATO line, adding folding stocks, 24mm FSB with slotted flash hiders in stamped receiver configurations you would almost wholly capture a market segment that is being neglected. The Russians produce the 100 series in 5.56NATO on stamped receiver as well as Arsenal producing their milled version which seem to being phased out or neglected for development. Essentially with the exception of the Romanian low quality 5.56NATO rifles their is limited 5.56NATO AK's available except your no frills bare bones SAM 5 series.
My point is that the American market with current lapse in importation of foreign dependant ammo in the 5.45 and 7.62 calibers has readily made a need for 5.56NATO production rifles. The only reason few of these are being purchased overall is two fold: first lack of available 5.56NATO magazines and second because your current production line of 5.56 rifles does not have any real upgrades such as the folding stocks or 24mm FSB.
My advice would be focus future production on this caliber especially since the com bloc countries are going that route in the future and many have already done so. If you were to bring a semi-auto version of the Arsenal 5.56ar-M7F or the M9F with either the plastic or metal folding stock respectively into the US market then you would corner that share.
http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/5,56ar-m7f.htm
http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/5.56x45_arsenal_assault_rifle_ar-m9_ar-m9f.htm
Basically increase the 5.56 line since the com block countries are already phasing out 5.45 and future 7.62 AK production along with the fact that the US market uses heavily the 5.56NATO caliber. It makes sense, your marketing to a country that has huge stores and uses 5.56NATO when at the same time your own com bloc parts suppliers are also going to that caliber. The 7.62 and 5.45 in the future will only be limited production calibers especially the 5.45 line with Russia being the only country still holding but planning to going to 5.56 in the future. Know your market.
Essentially drop the 5.45 line entirely; concentrate on 7.62 and 5.56NATO exclusively. The Russians are planning to phase out 5.45 and essentially the US market is a 5.56NATO caliber country.
Just my .02,
7.62FMJ
Financial Investment Market Consultant by trade.
Example the 5.56 series. In your overall assessment of current market conditions of the US and plans to go toward a more traditional stamped receiver you neglected one simple fact, the US market would bear greater toward 5.56NATO rifles than almost any other market. As of now you are competing with your 7.62 and 5.45 lines against many domestic and foreign imports. However if you were in the future to concentrate on the 5.56NATO line, adding folding stocks, 24mm FSB with slotted flash hiders in stamped receiver configurations you would almost wholly capture a market segment that is being neglected. The Russians produce the 100 series in 5.56NATO on stamped receiver as well as Arsenal producing their milled version which seem to being phased out or neglected for development. Essentially with the exception of the Romanian low quality 5.56NATO rifles their is limited 5.56NATO AK's available except your no frills bare bones SAM 5 series.
My point is that the American market with current lapse in importation of foreign dependant ammo in the 5.45 and 7.62 calibers has readily made a need for 5.56NATO production rifles. The only reason few of these are being purchased overall is two fold: first lack of available 5.56NATO magazines and second because your current production line of 5.56 rifles does not have any real upgrades such as the folding stocks or 24mm FSB.
My advice would be focus future production on this caliber especially since the com bloc countries are going that route in the future and many have already done so. If you were to bring a semi-auto version of the Arsenal 5.56ar-M7F or the M9F with either the plastic or metal folding stock respectively into the US market then you would corner that share.
http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/5,56ar-m7f.htm
http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/5.56x45_arsenal_assault_rifle_ar-m9_ar-m9f.htm
Basically increase the 5.56 line since the com block countries are already phasing out 5.45 and future 7.62 AK production along with the fact that the US market uses heavily the 5.56NATO caliber. It makes sense, your marketing to a country that has huge stores and uses 5.56NATO when at the same time your own com bloc parts suppliers are also going to that caliber. The 7.62 and 5.45 in the future will only be limited production calibers especially the 5.45 line with Russia being the only country still holding but planning to going to 5.56 in the future. Know your market.
Essentially drop the 5.45 line entirely; concentrate on 7.62 and 5.56NATO exclusively. The Russians are planning to phase out 5.45 and essentially the US market is a 5.56NATO caliber country.
Just my .02,
7.62FMJ
Financial Investment Market Consultant by trade.