So as I understand it, you issue isn't with the 700 cp pistol but with bolt action rifles in general. It seems you are asking why bolt action guns still exist given that ARs exist now in most any caliber...yes?Im not really arguing either way. Im just trying to figure out the attributes that a bolt pistol has that can be filled better by another platform. I always look at a firearm from the perspective of “is this a firearm I need, or a firearm I want?”. For me, it has to fill a role, so I am just trying to figure out what role this platform would fill.
The fact that flamethrowers exist is proof that someone thought “I want to set those people on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done”.
They always have been for the general gun-buying public.single shot/bolt action rifle caliber pistols are a tough sell
That wasn't the case back when they first became popular. In the very beginning, Contenders were unable to handle anything over .357. The early ones were improved; .30-30 was offered. But that's as far as it went. You couldn't safely get .308-class cartridges in the Contender until the G2 came out and that was after silhouette shooting and the market for rifle-caliber pistols had mostly died.the niche market they are made for is already dominated by T/C
They always have been for the general gun-buying public.
That wasn't the case back when they first became popular. In the very beginning, Contenders were unable to handle anything over .357. The early ones were improved; .30-30 was offered. But that's as far as it went. You couldn't safely get .308-class cartridges in the Contender until the G2 came out and that was after silhouette shooting and the market for rifle-caliber pistols had mostly died.
To those of us who remember what a PITA the original Contender was (lousy accuracy, limited chamberings, painful ergonomics, mechanical failures, seeing the action cracked open after every shot, etc.), the thought of accepting any T/C pistol today is vomit-inducing.
OK, I admit that the above is overstated. I hate T/C pistols more than just about anyone. Still, if you want the best accuracy from a rifle caliber pistol with the least work, bolt pistols just walk all over any break-open design. I say that as someone who owns and has extensively shot the T/C, the Merrill, the Wichita (bolt, not break-open) and the XP.
If you really want the one advantage of the T/C, the easily interchangeable barrels, the MOA is probably the way to go. Yes, I have one of those, too.
ETA: Just out of curiosity, I went over to the MOA website and it hasn't been updated in years. Phooey. That does not bode well for me ever getting any more new barrels.
The Remington 700 CP aren't single shot. Changing calibers is no more difficult than any other Remington 700 action....My Son's intention is to eventually re-barrel in .458 Socom.....
I would agree the 700 CP isn't for everyone, but it does have potential for very specific uses/applications.