New Single Shot Rifles Coming From Turkey... Maybe?

Although they're not tacticool and not even favoured by hunters, there is certainly a market niche for single-shot rifles, and that market niche is very under-served these days. But now, putting a few pieces of info together, it appears that we might see some new options on the market in coming months, built in Turkey.

The information comes by way of US-based Midland. The name should be familiar to many Canadian shooters, as Midland was a British gunmaker with similarities to Parker-Hale (after World War II, Parker-Hale actually owned Midland). Now, Navy Arms owns Midland, selling imported firearms under that name. While the 1950s-1970s Midland focused on bolt-action hunting rifles built on imported Mauser actions, the current iteration sells Turkish single-shot shotguns, of a pattern very familiar to Canadians. We see the same designs sold here under other names.

But like the Turkish single-shot designs sold here in Canada, Midland's lineup so far has focused on shotgun chamberings, although there was talk of rimfire rifle offerings a while back. And now, those talks have resurfaced over the past few months, with Midland reportedly hoping to offer centrefire rifles as well, in the $300 USD range. One report from the US had Midland offering a .308 single shot at that price; for $400, buyers could have an accessory 12 gauge barrel included. But when you go to Midland's website, no such offer appears, and there are no rimfire offerings either. So what's up? Is the plan off?

According to Midland staff, it comes down to selling what's available. Currently the Turkish factory doesn't have the single-shot centerfire rifles available for Midland yet, but Midland says that as soon as they can let us know more, they will, but at their end, the plan is still a go.

Buyers are waiting

If these rifles do actually come to market, and the prices are as predicted, that should work out to roughly $400 CAD, if someone brings them into Canada. And at that price, there would certainly be interest. Currently, there are no new single-shot rifles readily available; Baikal's imports are banned, H&R ended its production of the SB1 and SB2, and Henry's single shots are extremely hard to find and expensive when you do find one (at least when you compare them to the bargain-basement MSRPs that H&R and Baikal used to sell for).

The H&R line was relatively well regarded in its time and probably would still be popular today but for two problems: Many of them had a reputation for popping open when fired, and when Savage introduced the Axis, it was roughly the same price. While many shooters like a single shot rifle for various reasons, the Axis shot so well that it basically torpedoed the SB1 and SB2 lineups overnight. H&R was sold in the latest Remington Arms breakup, and there is no indication that the new owners want to restart single-shot production.

So, if Turkey is willing to sell reliable, accurate single-shot rifles at a low price, they will have the North American market practically to themselves...

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