Response from NHC/Cooper (April '25)

[MTPaul]

Early this week I had a pleasant conversation with one of the leaders of NHC, now the owner of Cooper Firearms of Arkansas that may have interest to some here.

My primary question was 'what is the future of Cooper rifles'? From the conversaton, it was readily apparant that those guys read and pay attention to the various gun forums where this subject has been discussed ad nauseum. I can relay that the honcho's at NHC are well aware of our grief at the demise of Cooper of Montana, and according to them, are working to rectify the situation.

I was told that one of the primary employees of the MT operation is now with NHC in AR, and is leading the operation in terms of producing once again the rifles we've come to miss. They are using up components that remain in inventory and building the big game rifles we see on their website that are of little interest to those reading this. When I asked about the small calibers we want and miss and the single shot small actions, they told me that eventually those rifles will reappear in mostly the same configurations as before, but the transition will take "a year or two" to get going. But they promised they would do all they can to reestablish both our trust and ensure they keep the old modes of MT rifles in their lineup. It was emphasized that this transition will take some time.

So after a day or two digesting what I was told, I came away somewhat satisfied, but still wonder just how long this 'transistion' will actually take. As with all business's, the bottom line is the only thing that really matters. So it is my thought that if enough of us whine, complain, and contact them as to our wants, this 'transisition' may go quicker than it would without our input. If "we" want those nice wooden stocked, single shot bolt guns once again, we'll have to make our desires known to them.

One thing that inhibits all of this in terms of the old rifles newly produced by NHC is the incredible rising cost of some of the components that go into these rifles, nice figured Claro walnut being one of them, as those blanks now go for four times the cost of what the MT outfit was paying. When asked about who will supply the barrels for the new rifles, no real answer there, but assurances that whomever it is, it will be of high quality. I just hope that if/when these new rifles come to market, we'll be able to afford them.

That's it in a nutshell. For those who want more information in this regard, it's my hope they'll call NHC for themselves, ask for Chris in Marketing and post whatever outcome is relayed and post it here on the forum. I know I'd purchase at least one more Cooper varmint rifle if I live long enough to see them come to fruition. So for anyone else with the same interest, call NHC and get your wants known, as they are indeed open to our input as I was told more than once. Sitting back reading forums and complaining won't cut it. If you want it, be proactive and help make it happen.

Now it's time for me to get back to staging gear for an upcoming 'Rat Rodeo' coming up soon. I love this time of year.

Rick,

Thank you for taking the time to post the results of your most recent conversation with NHC. With all that is no doubt on your plate, what with the upcoming "Rat Rodeo" and all the preparation that goes into getting ready for such an event, I appreciate you keeping us up-to-date.

As the old saying goes "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" and it appears the prospect of the revered small actions only being a fond memory may not be entirely true - although we may need to be patient as the tooling is geared up. It will be incumbent on those of us who wish to see the Cooper varmint rifles once again reappear to make our wishes known to those in the head shed. At least NHC appears to be receptive to the idea but realistically they are in business, and it will take some time to deliver on this promise. As you stated;

If "we" want those nice wooden stocked, single shot bolt guns once again, we'll have to make our desires known to them.

Thanks again and best of luck with your upcoming high desert adventure.

 

[HuntClub]

I once had a cooper that was a beautiful rifle. Probably 12 years ago now. 7mm-08 Stainless with a beautiful wood stock. I really loved that rifle. Spent more than I could really afford to spend (looks like new pricing will keep me out of that game now, too). I could not get that thing to shoot for nothing. Finally, took it back to the dealer and they bought it back from me... and I got a Tikka. Not the "pretty" the Cooper was but man that gun could shoot. I'd really love to have another one.... a Cooper that is. Maybe one day. Maybe in 7mm Rem Mag or 30-06.

 

[jonbearman]

I remember when these rifles were less than 1800.00 Its so good of them to over double the price's. I would rather find a clean Kelbly receiver and build my own. I have shot many coopers, but they are too expensive on a fixed income.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

From my perspective, rifle shooting has become a world of bottom feeders. Visiting my local SHOOTERS lndoor range now and then l see folks pay big money for quality 223/556 ammo. Then l see them load up their ARs. Next they BLAST away at a paper 10 yards from them. Sometimes they get really BRAVE and shoot ''LONG RANGE'' with the target hanging MAX @23 yards. UNBELIEVABLE

I see em bench shooting ARs with a scope at like 25 yards on steel I shoot at 550 from shooting sticks and a lawn chair

I love walnut and blue. I resisted all the new fangled chassis, carbon, and what not for years. I pretty much sold em all now except a custom laminate and a cz. Not many people want a cooper these days.

 

[danny]

With many here lamenting the loss of Cooper of Montana to NHC, and owning four Cooper Montana rifles myself and pursuent to our ongoing discussions here, I sent an email to NHC asking about the old single shot rifles, their future and their plans for those of us that have an affinity for the MT legacy rifles.

For full disclosure, this is the email I sent to NHC:

I've been a Cooper rifle shooter for 30 years, have four; M38's and M21's in small calibers. Now I don't see any of the calibers myself and many others have used for decades in your lineup such as the .20 VarTarg, 221FB, 204 Ruger, even the venerable 223 in varmint configurations. I'd buy at least one or two more, but I do not see ANYTHING in your lineup now I'm remotely interested in now. Do you intend to bring back what we've come to love and shoot for all those years, or just offer high-priced "tacticool' rifles none of us are interested in? We collectively think you've "blown it" big time.
Looking forward to a response; thank you.

This is the response that arrived in my inbox this morning from NHC:

Good morning Richard. We’ve used receivers we purchased from Cooper Firearms of Montana for most of the Cooper Rifles that we’ve built so far. We’re calling these the Cooper Legacy models.

We also have our new Cooper Montana Heritage rifles that we’re making. These will bridge the gap between the Cooper Montana Legacy rifles and our new rifles that we will be releasing in the future. This is the first meshing of Cooper Rifles with Nighthawk Custom, and we showed this with the Nighthawk Moonhawk and Cooper Phoenix both engraved on the rifle.

https://www.nighthawkcustom.com/montana-heritage-edition-rifles

I have some more options for Coopers that our Preferred Dealers have for sale below.

Single Shot 6.5 CM
https://lockedloaded.com/product/cooper-firearms-model-22-6.5-crdmr-single-shot-walnut-stock

Repeater .223
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/m51-phnx-223

Bunker Gun Shop – 9 available
https://www.gunbroker.com/all/search?includesellers=3865149&pagesize=96&sort=13&view=1&ch-manufacturername=Cooper Firearms

Cooper Gunbroker Listings
https://www.gunbroker.com/all/search?keywords=cooper&pagesize=96&sort=5&view=1&ch-manufacturername=cooper firearms

Chase Gott
Nighthawk Custom
1306 W. Trimble
Berryville, AR 72616
870-929-6278
www.nighthawkcustom.com

So unless I'm missing something, it appears the Cooper of MT rifles we've all come to appreciate and love are now in the rear view mirror, as it sounds like once the old stock of parts has been exausted, we'll not see any more of the small action (M38) rifles ever again, and few if any single shot, solid bottom receiver varmint rifles as well in calibers that many here really liked such as the various Bee's, VarTarg, etc.

Their 'new' offerings have prices that in some cases are three times what Cooper of MT previously sold their rifles for also. So for those that have any of the original MT rifles, take care of them, shoot them, love them, as they are the only ones we'll ever see again sold as new. Personally, I feel like I've lost a good friend.

My Cooper of MT M38 Varmint in 20VT. She'll be going on an extended rat shoot very soon here in the Orygun outback. Sure glad I have the ones I have, as they now cannot be replaced:

Today, I tried to go to the tactical "Cooper" website, and every way I clicked on links, I got " Forbidden. You don't have permission to access this resource".

Danny

 

[Gary in MD]

Well, their website comes up for me. Plenty of blued steel and walnut rifles still being built.
I handled a couple at a local shop a few weeks ago. Prices reflect modern times... where NOTHING is the same price that it was 25 years ago. Those bastards! LOL. I think if you want to buy a rifle at walmart prices then you need to shop there. Coopers never were carried at all small gun shops, just the ones that carried nicer stuff. I have 4 from the Montana shop and I'm glad that I have them, but the newer ones seem pretty nice too. I think that it is better that someone took over the company than for it to just have disappeared totally.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

I respect your disappointment.

However it’s not like savage bought them. Nighthawk is probably going to make some beautiful rifles. Probably really expensive. But at least they won’t crap on the legacy.

 

[danny]

The Tactical Cooper site comes up for me now, but only with a different browser.

Danny

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Well, their website comes up for me. Plenty of blued steel and walnut rifles still being built.
I handled a couple at a local shop a few weeks ago. Prices reflect modern times... where NOTHING is the same price that it was 25 years ago. Those bastards! LOL. I think if you want to buy a rifle at walmart prices then you need to shop there. Coopers never were carried at all small gun shops, just the ones that carried nicer stuff. I have 4 from the Montana shop and I'm glad that I have them, but the newer ones seem pretty nice too. I think that it is better that someone took over the company than for it to just have disappeared totally.

I respect your disappointment.

However it’s not like savage bought them. Nighthawk is probably going to make some beautiful rifles. Probably really expensive. But at least they won’t crap on the legacy.

Glad the Cooper tradition is being carried on But.
I think I bought mine in 17 for around $1750, now today you would expect that to be a little north of $3500 for the clientele Cooper of Montana served. My guess is the new Cooper is serving only the top end market at double or more of that price.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Glad the Cooper tradition is being carried on But.
I think I bought mine in 17 for around $1750, now today you would expect that to be a little north of $3500 for the clientele Cooper of Montana served. My guess is the new Cooper is serving only the top end market at double or more of that price.

It’s unfortunate in a way, on the other hand they are sure to be fine rifles. Cooper people are either going to have to pony up the price of a decent used car to get one now or piece together a custom rifle for half that. I guess if you love the cooper wood, I don’t know what that’s worth? Cooper was kinda in their own category I suppose.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

It’s unfortunate in a way, on the other hand they are sure to be fine rifles. Cooper people are either going to have to pony up the price of a decent used car to get one now or piece together a custom rifle for half that. I guess if you love the cooper wood, I don’t know what that’s worth? Cooper was kinda in their own category I suppose.

I think everyone on this forum will bypass them for the custom rifle now for sure where before it was a nice option. I know I just basically repeated your comment, lol.

 

[Janeau]

What does this have to do with the original post?

Absolutely nothing thats how the treads are derailed, by people who are unhinged.

 

[danny]

I respect your disappointment.

However it’s not like savage bought them. Nighthawk is probably going to make some beautiful rifles. Probably really expensive. But at least they won’t crap on the legacy.

Too late, they already crapped on the legacy of Cooper. They have started going all tactical fruity.

Danny

 

[sw282]

The most accurate rifle l own is a Cooper 21 Varmint in 222Rem. l first fondled a Cooper on a trip to Mt Rushmore. Scheels had a store in the Mall there. l was almost tempted to cash my ticket back to Columbia SC. Instead l put a deposit dn on a Mod 21 Varmint in 222. That little signed target sealed my forever love of Coopers. Maybe 5 years back l was cruising GB l spied a Cooper Mod 21 Phoenix in 20 TAC with a 26'' fluted barrel and synthetic stock. ''Buy now'' price was so low l thought it was a misprint. l hit the button anyway! My first wildcat caliber! Out of curiosity l called Cooper of Montana asking the age/history of the gun. l was surprised upon being told in was the very last gun to leave Dan Cooper's ORIGINAL Stevensville Mont plant. l guess l should asked for a ''Letter''. Good or bad, l did NOT. Now there are no Montanas being made. Ammo is bit of a PAIN. Perhaps l may get Jarrett Rifles to run a ''204 Ruger'' reamer down its throat. Ammo problem solved!

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