In service,
A few comments:
-Col. Cooper has stated publically that he has NO financial stake in Steyr, and frequently criticizes factory decisions. If you have proof that this is incorrect, please share.
-The MSRP for Jeff Cooper scout package is just about $2600 including Luepold scope, mounts, sling, two mags and carry case, not the $3000.00 you keep quoting. Given normal market practices a buyer should be able to shave something off MSRP.
-The Scout concept is a general purpose rifle in a compact carryable size able to competently perform in a wide array of situations, not a piece specialized to perform excellently in one situation at the expense of performing poorly in others. You state that up to 300 yards standard battle sights are good, beyond that use a standard scoped rifle. All well and good, but how do you know beforehand which rifle to carry in all situations? Logistically speaking, how would you carry multiple arms and their gear. Financially speaking, how much would you have invested in a battery of arms of comperable quality specialized to each situation?
-I agree with you that the 10mm is probably the finest semi-auto pistol cartridge avilable. I disagree with your assertion that it's limited sucess can be laid at the Col's feet as there are a variety of other factors.
Factors such as:
-The still-born BrenTen from Dornus and Dixon, with which Cooper was admittedly involved. Mostly a function of poor business practices and decisions by the company from my understanding which nonetheless left a number of folks financially wounded and PO'd
- Early 10mm Deltas beating themselves to pieces when first released.
-The fact that other than the Glock 29 it was only chambered in full size pistols. Look at what most cops carry, usually a mid size Glock 19 type.
-Many didn't like the recoil, noise and muzzle flash of the full house 10mm, leading to the attenuated FBI loading which was quickly duplicated in the more popular mid sized pistols by the .40 S&W. In this the 10mm shared much the same fate as the .41 mag championed by the likes of Bill Jordan.
The 10mm, .41 mag and scout concepts are more for conisours than the "shoot a box of ammo a year" types. When the FBI abandoned the 10mm in favor of the .40S&W after such a short time, for very valid reasons, it really put the brakes on any popularity that 10mm might achieve.
-I'm not aware of any "final nail in the coffin of Styer", although the company has been sold and things seem to be somewhat up in the air at this time. Even if Steyr does fail the scout concept will likely live on, as has happened with many other good ideas over the years. In a modified form I believe Springfield's M1A Scout is doing quite well, and in the latest editon of SOF Chuck Karwan has a very good article discussing the advantages of the Scout M1A over the traditional M1A. If you feel a bolt gun isn't adequate, perhaps this is the way to go, although it is heavier and longer than the Col's ideal.
-Col Cooper WAS and IS a great man with a lifetime of acomplisment. I see no need for him to affect false modesty per your expectations even if his performance is diminised by age. Even if his shooting was sub par, I'd still like to see main proponant of the Scout concept put the genesis of his dream through it's paces. It seems a bit hippocritical and illogical to first accuse him of promoting the scout concept for personal gain from Steyr and then say he his failure to present it better via his shooting demonstration doomed the product.
-You state you don't own a Scout rifle. Have you ever handled or shot one? I've handled one but admittedly have not shot one, though I look forward to doing so someday, hopefully soon. Even though I haven't shot one, I still can recognize and appreciate the reasoning the Col. had for many design features. Perhaps if you put one through it's paces you might feel differently. From the tone of your posts however it sounds as though your animosity towards Col. Cooper precludes your open investigation of his concept.
Manny
[This message has been edited by Manny (edited 10-29-2001).]