ELR Researcher
Gold $$ Contributor
Big Iron Lovers Rejoice – the Windrunner M18!
Keary Ritchie, son of deceased Bill Ritchie and proprietor of Vigilance Rifles, has been kind enough to share a great story, the “new” Windrunner, the Windrunner M18.
In design for over 20 years, its available as a repeater, and as a single-shot. The most obvious differences between the “old” and “new” Windrunner are that the barrel is not “quick change” via barrel nut and the design does not have the classic Windrunner dual-rod collapsible buttstock. The barrel is “standard”, i.e., threads up to/locks up against the face of the action. The buttstock is also “standard”, but AR standard. So Keary’s design supports normal fitting and chambering, like of a Rem 700, and supports typical AR rear furniture. The included bipod is from the Vigilance M12, the included 10-round mag is from the Vigilance M14, and the included muzzle brake is from the Windrunner M96.
The action itself is huge,13.75 long, takes Rem 700 triggers (an actual Rem 700 factory trigger is supplied), is threaded 1 ½-12, and includes a zero MOA optics rail and Windrunner “quick-fire” firing pin. The rifle, as shown in the stand-alone, table-top pic, weighs in at 29.5#. The barrel, by K&P, is 29” long with a 1 in 15 twist. The muzzle is threaded 1-14 in case you would prefer an AR-50 brake (not a current option). Targeted at accuracy-focused .50 BMG shooters (tight chamber, .559 neck), rifles will also be available in .50 DTC and smaller chamberings - .338 LM, .375, and .408 CT. While not currently available as an action-only, Keary could probably be talked into just providing the action, if you have a way to go from there (only a barrel block setup comes to mind).
One of the Windrunner M18s will be on display in the THOR Global Defense booth (#6208) at SHOT Show 2018.
Keary has been accepting pre-orders for a while now and expects to start shipping in April – or 12 weeks after receipt of a 50% deposit. The repeater is priced at $3999 and the single-shot at $3599. Vigilance is located in Chino Valley, AZ and can be reached at 1-928-910-3623 or VigilanceRifles@gmail.com.
BTW, no, the side of the receiver will NOT include".50 BMG."
And, no, I am not employed by or otherwise indebted to Vigilance, just wanted to post up a “good news” story.
Keary Ritchie, son of deceased Bill Ritchie and proprietor of Vigilance Rifles, has been kind enough to share a great story, the “new” Windrunner, the Windrunner M18.
In design for over 20 years, its available as a repeater, and as a single-shot. The most obvious differences between the “old” and “new” Windrunner are that the barrel is not “quick change” via barrel nut and the design does not have the classic Windrunner dual-rod collapsible buttstock. The barrel is “standard”, i.e., threads up to/locks up against the face of the action. The buttstock is also “standard”, but AR standard. So Keary’s design supports normal fitting and chambering, like of a Rem 700, and supports typical AR rear furniture. The included bipod is from the Vigilance M12, the included 10-round mag is from the Vigilance M14, and the included muzzle brake is from the Windrunner M96.
The action itself is huge,13.75 long, takes Rem 700 triggers (an actual Rem 700 factory trigger is supplied), is threaded 1 ½-12, and includes a zero MOA optics rail and Windrunner “quick-fire” firing pin. The rifle, as shown in the stand-alone, table-top pic, weighs in at 29.5#. The barrel, by K&P, is 29” long with a 1 in 15 twist. The muzzle is threaded 1-14 in case you would prefer an AR-50 brake (not a current option). Targeted at accuracy-focused .50 BMG shooters (tight chamber, .559 neck), rifles will also be available in .50 DTC and smaller chamberings - .338 LM, .375, and .408 CT. While not currently available as an action-only, Keary could probably be talked into just providing the action, if you have a way to go from there (only a barrel block setup comes to mind).
One of the Windrunner M18s will be on display in the THOR Global Defense booth (#6208) at SHOT Show 2018.
Keary has been accepting pre-orders for a while now and expects to start shipping in April – or 12 weeks after receipt of a 50% deposit. The repeater is priced at $3999 and the single-shot at $3599. Vigilance is located in Chino Valley, AZ and can be reached at 1-928-910-3623 or VigilanceRifles@gmail.com.
BTW, no, the side of the receiver will NOT include".50 BMG."
And, no, I am not employed by or otherwise indebted to Vigilance, just wanted to post up a “good news” story.
Attachments
Last edited:
