Grace Engineering Acquires Montana Rifle Company

[AfricaHunting.com]

Grace Engineering Acquires Montana Rifle Company
Precision Manufacturer set to Introduce two new models in 2024​

Memphis, MI. (January 4, 2024)– Grace Engineering, the sister company of G5 Outdoors and Prime Archery, announces its entrance into the firearms market by acquiring Montana Rifle Company (MRC). Known for precision manufacturing, Grace Engineering is a 3rd generation precision machining manufacturer with over 50 years of industry-leading experience. They have long provided components to many leading firearms companies, and the acquisition of Montana Rifle Company will now allow them to apply their expertise to the entire firearm construction. Honoring the American hunting tradition, all Montana rifles are designed, manufactured, and assembled at the Grace Engineering headquarters in Memphis, Michigan.

"We have been producing precision parts for the firearms industry for a number of years," stated Grace Engineering President Matt Grace. "When the opportunity to acquire Montana Rifle Company was presented to us, we knew it would be a good fit. Montana Rifle's much sought-after action design and highly accurate barrels have been well known among avid rifle hunters. We are excited to continue the MRC legacy and take it to new heights. We have relocated many key pieces of equipment from the original Montana Rifle, such as barrel making. In addition, we have invested heavily into new state-of-the-art machining centers to make a world-class rifle."

Applying their expertise in design and engineering, Grace Engineering enhanced the performance, quality, reliability, and accuracy of the original Montana rifle by integrating a fully machined receiver that is made from a single 416 stainless steel billet. This MRC 2022 receiver is a continuation of the original MRC 1999 receiver and is one of only a few manufactured in this manner. This allows for tighter tolerances and greater control over the finished product compared to receivers built from castings.

Each Montana Rifle also features a breakthrough development in rifle feeding, which marks a monumental shift for rifle hunters. Many avid rifle hunters know that control round fed guns set the standard in reliability for rifles. The one draw back was the inability to single load the rifle like you can with a push feed. Montana Rifles Adaptive Control Round Feed is unique to the market in its design, which allows for loading from a magazine as a control round feed traditionally does. Plus, you can single load a cartridge directly into the chamber. Now, you don't have to make a choice between a Push Feed or a Control Round Feed. Adaptive Control Round Feed actions gives you the best of both worlds. Making Montana rifle the "Fastest, most reliable feeding rifle on the market."

In addition, these premium hunting rifles are constructed with hand-lapped, button pulled ultra-accurate barrels – something Montana Rifle Company has always been known for. All 24" threaded barrels are built in-house using the same equipment and methods as the original Montana Rifle Co.

Additional MRC features:

• A Mauser-style claw extractor made from tool steel for consistent round ejection and a smooth feed for the cartridge.
• 3-Position Safety. With safety in mind, the rifles utilize a 3-position safety – the gold standard of modern sporting rifles.
• Patent-pending licensed M-Lok interface with traditional sling stud and QD socket. Made from high-thickness anodized aircraft aluminum, this rail is perfect for easy integration of M-Lok style bipods, tripods, and other attachments.
• Threaded Muzzle Brake – Every factory rifle comes with a standard threaded muzzle brake and includes a thread protector.
• Nitrided ChroMoly Bolt – Stronger than standard stainless steel, chromoly provides a high strength-to-weight ratio. The slick nitrided surface also delivers a smoother cycle compared to stainless steel.
• Adjustable Trigger. Inspired by the Pre-64 Model 70 trigger geometry, the MRC trigger is simple to adjust and operate. It features precision wire EDM cut from tool steel and is coated in Titanium Nitride for enhanced operation and wear resistance. The performance trigger is set at 3 lbs. with the ability to adjust down to 2 lbs.
• Premium Stocks – Montana Rifle Co. is working with premium stock manufacturers, McMillan for its carbon stocks and Minelli for its wood stocks for superior performance in the field and an elegant look in any collection.
• Guaranteed ½" MOA Accuracy. All Model 2022 rifles are guaranteed to hold ½" MOA from a cold barrel when using premium ammunition.
• 100% American Made. Proudly made in Memphis, MI, using world-class manufacturing processes.

Availability
The MRC Model 2022 is currently available in two models. The premium walnut stock Junction and the ultra-rugged Highline. Both are now available in 6.5 Creedmoor and.308 Win, with .300 Win Mag, 6.5MM PRC, 7MM PRC, and .375 H&H Mag being introduced later this year.

6.5 Creedmoor Junction Specs:
Weight: 7.5 lbs.
Overall Length: 45.25"
Twist Rate: 1:8
Barrel Length: 24"
Mag Capacity: 5

6.5 Creedmoor Highline Specs:
Weight: 6.8 lbs.
Overall Length: 45.25"
Twist Rate: 1:8
Barrel Length: 24"
Mag Capacity: 5

About Montana Rifle Company:
Montana Rifle Company is the premium manufacturer of American-made hunting rifles backed by over 50 years and three generations of machining and hunting industry expertise. Montana Rifles are built from the action out. All critical parts are blueprinted, made in-house, and built to meet Grandpa's standards and your toughest adventures - to be handed down for generations.

 

[USN]

Can’t wait to see the 375 Junction.

 

[VonJager]

junction

 

[Newboomer]

Can’t wait to see the 375 Junction.

I would just love to see a 9.3x62 with wood stock. My dream rifle. They probably won't build one, it being so close to 375HH.

 

[Doug3006]

They have always made a fine rifle. I’ll be interested to see if they'll offer any classic safari rounds besides the 375 H&H. That said, if you’re only going to produce one safari rifle, that’s the right caliber to choose.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I like the idea of more competition but haven't we seen this movie before?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Sad to see the Montana Rifle is now made in Tennessee. I worked with Brian Sipe at the aluminum plant. A great American success story building that company from the ground up ... only to have Remington wreck it. The first thing this new outfit should do is sack everyone working in customer support. Hopefully the reputation of Montana Rifle Company can be resurrected.

My Mauser 98 is controlled round feed and snaps over on rounds dropped in the chamber. It's been a feature of that design for over a hundred years. A concept that's hardly proprietary to MRC.

 

[93marlin]

I, for one, are glad to see the company moving some operations to Michigan.
Memphis, MI is about 3hours south of me, but I'll gladly make trip there if they are going to allow prospective buyers look things over.

 

[DPHunter4570]

Sad to see the Montana Rifle is now made in Tennessee. I worked with Brian Sipe at the aluminum plant. A great American success story building that company from the ground up ... only to have Remington wreck it. The first thing this new outfit should do is sack everyone working in customer support. Hopefully the reputation of Montana Rifle Company can be resurrected.

My Mauser 98 is controlled round feed and snaps over on rounds dropped in the chamber. It's been a feature of that design for over a hundred years. A concept that's hardly proprietary to MRC.

I don't follow, it seems like they will be made in Michigan with G5's other products. Did Remington at one point own MRC through that big cerberus corporation?

 

[DPHunter4570]

Grace Engineering owns G5 archery equipment, which makes G5 broadheads and Prime bows. I don't own a Prime bow but know quite a few shooters of them. I do use the G5 m3 broadheads extensively on deer and bear and love them. They might not be as fancy as an iron will but they've never let me down.

I'm not a MRC expert, nor have I handled any of the good ones from the old days, but this seems like it could work out well.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I, for one, are glad to see the company moving some operations to Michigan.
Memphis, MI is about 3hours south of me, but I'll gladly make trip there if they are going to allow prospective buyers look things over.

You and me both...
I live 10 minutes from the G5 Archery / Grace Engineering facility.
Shortly after Grace acquired MRC, about a year ago, they posted a sign near their front door stating essentially, No visitors without an appointment.

 

[93marlin]

You and me both...
I live 10 minutes from the G5 Archery / Grace Engineering facility.
Shortly after Grace acquired MRC, about a year ago, they posted a sign near their front door stating essentially, No visitors without an appointment.

I wonder what would happen if you/we made an appointment....

 

[Aaron N]

My Mauser 98 is controlled round feed and snaps over on rounds dropped in the chamber. It's been a feature of that design for over a hundred years. A concept that's hardly proprietary to MRC.

I’m fairly certain that this is the EXACT opposite of how the actions were designed over 100 years ago.

 

[Aaron N]

I wonder what would happen if you/we made an appointment....

I bet it involved and apple, and standing at the business end of a bow range…

 

[RR 314]

Sad to see the Montana Rifle is now made in Tennessee. I worked with Brian Sipe at the aluminum plant. A great American success story building that company from the ground up ... only to have Remington wreck it. The first thing this new outfit should do is sack everyone working in customer support. Hopefully the reputation of Montana Rifle Company can be resurrected.

My Mauser 98 is controlled round feed and snaps over on rounds dropped in the chamber. It's been a feature of that design for over a hundred years. A concept that's hardly proprietary to MRC.

Or Michigan.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I’m fairly certain that this is the EXACT opposite of how the actions were designed over 100 years ago.

The military Mausers of WWI were designed to snap over on rounds dropped in the chamber. Makes sense in a combat situation. A lot of sense. According to Duane Wiebe, making Mausers without that feature is a fairly recent phenomenon. Cheaper to manufacture extractors without beveled face claws and receivers without the pocket to allow claws to snap over.

 

[Aaron N]

The military Mausers of WWI were designed to snap over on rounds dropped in the chamber. Makes sense in a combat situation. A lot of sense. According to Duane Wiebe, making Mausers without that feature is a fairly recent phenomenon. Cheaper to manufacture extractors without beveled face claws and receivers without the pocket to allow claws to snap over.

Nope, no they were not made that way

 

[Aaron N]

The military Mausers of WWI were designed to snap over on rounds dropped in the chamber. Makes sense in a combat situation. A lot of sense. According to Duane Wiebe, making Mausers without that feature is a fairly recent phenomenon. Cheaper to manufacture extractors without beveled face claws and receivers without the pocket to allow claws to snap over.

Post in thread 'best bolt action for dangerous games'
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/best-bolt-action-for-dangerous-games.71636/post-987635

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Post in thread 'best bolt action for dangerous games'
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/best-bolt-action-for-dangerous-games.71636/post-987635

Perhaps I was wrong. Wiebe said: "Contract Mausers always have the necessary 1mm clearance in the ring to allow this 'snap over' feature. Sadly, some of the recently manufactured Mauser clones do not." My military Mauser with snap over extractor/receiver is BRNO vz.24. Presumably it is considered a "contract Mauser?" My Springfield 03A3, also a military rifle from that era, paid patent infringement penalties to Mauser. It has the same snap over claw feature.

At any rate, the new MRC marketing snap over CRF feature as some kind of new breakthrough proprietary innovation seems disingenuous.

 

[Sandile]

Sad to see the Montana Rifle is now made in Tennessee. I worked with Brian Sipe at the aluminum plant. A great American success story building that company from the ground up ... only to have Remington wreck it. The first thing this new outfit should do is sack everyone working in customer support. Hopefully the reputation of Montana Rifle Company can be resurrected.

My Mauser 98 is controlled round feed and snaps over on rounds dropped in the chamber. It's been a feature of that design for over a hundred years. A concept that's hardly proprietary to MRC.

Kinda judgy for never having handled one huh?