Brownells gone..?

[fnq22]

got an update on a magazine holder order on the 10th saying they would be in australia by the 14th and sent out after that...

Went to order tracking today and saw this...

I sure I'm part of the ones that they are working to deliver the orders for but I'm not holding my breath..

I hope no one else has been burnt.

[Oldbloke]

I heard a whisper there was a compliance issue.
Unsure how accurate that is.

[straightshooter]

This link might shed some more light on the issue.
https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/news ... YWxsPTE%3D

[Billo]

Yeap some very silly boys thinking they would get away with manufacturing Pistols and selling them for big $$$ to the drug dealing Bikies

[fnq22]

Thanks for the info...Well aint that just grand...!...

Do you guys think Brownells USA would honour the order..?

I'm not sure whether these guys are/were distributors/ partners/subsidiary of the parent usa company...

[straightshooter]

Unlikely.
Brownells Australia was in effect what the Americans call a jobber. They would consolidate orders and buy with a discount. The consolidated order might be shipped weekly or fortnightly.
It's worth an email to Brownells USA in the event your item was already paid for by Brownells Australia but don't get your hopes up.

[fnq22]

Well I hold out hope that they will honor orders from what they have already received goods from the USA..

The only real way not to do that and not supply refunds for goods not delivered would be to declare bankrupcy wouldnt it...?

Given the strife they are already in it would be a fair bet they wouldnt like to see their books and business under the scutiny that comes with liquidators and insolvency proceedings..

I'll give it till the end of the week...

[Bugman]

Many moons ago, I ordered a small part from Brownells USA. They sent it without question and did not mention, at the time, that there was a "subsidiary" here in oz....then again I didn't ask. Sad to see them go.

[fnq22]

Many moons ago, I ordered a small part from Brownells USA. They sent it without question and did not mention, at the time, that there was a "subsidiary" here in oz....then again I didn't ask. Sad to see them go.

Yep a real shame to see them close down...there is really no-one else with that many lines of bits and pieces in australia...

[bladeracer]

Yep a real shame to see them close down...there is really no-one else with that many lines of bits and pieces in australia...

I really only used them for things that require import permits as they already had the import permissions - magazines, folding stock adapters, collapsible stocks, bullets, brass, that sort of thing.

[fnq22]

Well my order turned up today so thanks for that Brownells australia...

Larry we used to import/export live plants seeds on a regular basis years back but just gave up in the end as customs/quarantine became very hit or miss in the end and the employees seemed to not give a toss whether their decisions and actions/inaction right or wrong could cost $1000's of dollars ...

So as you mention a mob like brownells taking that responsibility off a customners hands is really invaluble for knick-knacks..australia is such a small market compared to the USA for gun components that its real shame to see them gone..

Hopefully some gun shop will pick up the distributorship or add their catalog to their existing online website...

[Jackaroo]

Four charged with more than 50 offences over alleged illegal firearm manufacturing ring on the NSW/ACT border - Strike Force Calpe
Wednesday, 05 March 2025 11:56:14 AM

NSW Police have charged four people for their alleged role in an illegal firearm manufacturing ring on the NSW/ACT border.


In October 2024, Strike Force Calpe was established to investigate the manufacture and supply of privately-manufactured firearms and firearms parts in the Monaro Police District.


Following extensive inquiries, from 6.45am yesterday (Tuesday 4 March 2025), Southern Region Enforcement Squad with assistance from Southern Operations Support Group, Monaro Police District, State Crime Drug and Firearms Squad executed four search warrants in Queanbeyan, Gundaroo and Nanima.


About 6.55am, officers arrested a 60-year-old man at a Crest Road, Queanbeyan address, he was taken to Queanbeyan Police Station. Police seized four privately-made firearms and two printed firearm parts and electronic devices containing the blueprints to 3D printed prohibited firearms. He was charged with six offences - including five counts of unauthorised supply of pistol and unlawfully sell firearm parts. He was refused bail to appear in Cooma Local Court today (Wednesday 5 March 2025).


About 7.45am, officers arrested a 31-year-old man at a home in Queanbeyan. A Taser was deployed to effect his arrest when he allegedly attempted to escape. Police seized seven prohibited pistol firearms allegedly from his vehicle parked in the driveway. Police also searched a garage in the backyard which police will allege was used to manufacture privately-made firearms. Police seized multiple firearm parts, ammunition and methylamphetamines. He was taken to Queanbeyan Police Station and charged with 23 offences – including eight counts of acquire prohibited firearm part no authority to do so and two counts of unauthorised supply of firearm part and possess unregistered firearms, 1 is prohibited/pistol. He was refused bail to appear in Cooma Local Court today (Wednesday 5 March 2025).


About 8.30am officers arrested a 27-year-old man at a home in Sibley Road, Gundaroo. Police seized 27 registered firearms, more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition and 850 shotgun shells. He was taken to Queanbeyan Police Station and charged with 12 offences including unlawfully sell firearm parts 3 times or more within 1 year, supply ammunition to person not authorised, two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm. He was refused bail to appear in Cooma Local Court today (Wednesday 5 March 2025).


About 10.10am, a 34-year-old man was arrested near a property in Nanima. Police searched a utility and premises, allegedly seizing a commercial quantity of cocaine and more than $26,500 in cash. He was charged with 12 offences including the supply of prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), recklessly deal with proceeds of crime (more than $5000), possess unauthorised pistol, and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority. He was refused bail to appear in Cooma Local Court today (Wednesday 5 March 2025).


Officers from ACT Criminal Investigations, ACT Firearms Registry, Proactive Intervention and Diversion Team, with assistance from AFP Forensics, executed search warrants at a residence in Gungahlin and business premises in Mitchell. More than $100,000 in cash and prohibited weapons were located and seized during the warrants, and breaches under the Firearms Act 1996 (ACT) relating to the storage, licencing and permits of firearms and firearm parts were also identified.


New South Wales Police Force’s Southern Region Operations Manager, Detective Superintendent Tim Beattie, said these arrests sends a strong message to those involved in the illicit supply of firearms.


“This has been a lengthy investigation from a number of specialist units within the NSW Police to dismantle an alleged organise crime syndicate.

“We will allege the group was privately-manufacturing illegal firearms in New South Wales and supplying illegal firearms in NSW and across the border in the ACT. With assistance from ACT Police we have taken a significant number of illegal firearms off the streets,” Supt Beattie said.

“We know in the wrong hands firearms can have a devastating and deadly impact on communities. We encourage members of the community to contribute to combatting illicit firearms and provide information to police by calling on Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”


Inquiries into Strike Force Calpe continue.

[Wapiti]

Did Brownells Aust supply some parts?

[Bugman]

Did Brownells Aust supply some parts?

Yes. i would also like to know the answer to that question. All that appears to have been quoted in the media is that a business in Mitchell was raided.

[yoshie]

Did Brownells Aust supply some parts?

Probably a bunch of glock or AR parts. Most 3D printed guns are AR or Glock based

[JohnV]

Well that also means no Australian local buying of Sinclair International products which was taken over by Brownells .
Could this be a result of Trumps tariffs ? I though Australia was not charging any import duties .

[Wapiti]

Strange, a mate of mine a week ago had a muzzle brake dropped off in his farm letterbox from Brownells Aust, he wanted a thread on his rifle to fit it. So they are still filling previous orders it seems.

[Oldbloke]

Well that also means no Australian local buying of Sinclair International products which was taken over by Brownells .
Could this be a result of Trumps tariffs ? I though Australia was not charging any import duties .

My understanding is AU had free trade agreement with the US. Trump has just broken that agreement.

Sooo,,, can we rely on the US to abide by other signed agreements?

ANZUS
AUKUS
Both come mind.

[Wapiti]

Isn't this thread about Brownells? Or do we have to hear another Trump whinge thread-creep
This is just as relevant I suppose -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UaJAnnipkY

[Billo]

Isn't this thread about Brownells? Or do we have to hear another Trump whinge thread-creep
This is just as relevant I suppose -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UaJAnnipkY

Trump has thrown our FTA under the bus, pull ya head out of the sand, Trump doesnt respect you or your country Wapiti

[straightshooter]

Isn't this thread about Brownells? Or do we have to hear another Trump whinge thread-creep
This is just as relevant I suppose -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UaJAnnipkY

Trump has thrown our FTA under the bus, pull ya head out of the sand, Trump doesnt respect you or your country Wapiti

Is there no end to this simplism.
FTA my A$$.
The whole thing was generously tilted in favour of corporate USA with just a few scraps thrown Australia's way.
Thank you Australian leadership of whatever political persuasion?
Any negotiation amounts to US says jump, Australia says how high.

Maybe this should be moved to something like a "USA vs.The world" thread.

Regarding Brownells.
It was a good business model for we in Australia.
Hopefully somebody else will acquire the franchise.

[fnq22]

Sounds like good news....