FX has surely taken over my rifle collection. 400,500,Vermy Ext, Independence, Wildcat, Revo (Past rifles - Impact, Streamline, Bobcat, 2nd 400), VS an AA S-510 and Benji 392 pumper. I've got others but, they're all about nostalgia and not so much about accurate shooting.
But, I wouldn't say they are taking over the market. I'd say they are dominating the high end market, competitive in the mid level market. But, the biggest market by far is the low end market which is primarily springers, pumpers, and CO2 that you find in big box retailers.
And, rightfully so IMO. Look at the amount of innovation they bring to the market. FX continues to bring new and creative ideas to us. No, they were not the first to create an arrow shooting airgun. But, when they made theirs they did it "extremely" well (pun intended). I don't think they were the first to bring externally adjustable regulators. But, they did it well. They took these ideas, re-designed them, and made them all work together for the consumer.
Take a close look at their lineup from oldest to newest. You'll see features being introduced along the way. The Cyclone brought a straight pull cocking system. Then the Revo and Monsoon brought in semi-auto. Then, the Royale brought us one of the best designed mag fed bottle gun ever created. Somewhere along the way, the soft touch synthetic stock came out. Then someone at FX said, "Hey lets make a high end pumper!" in comes the Independence. "Lets make a pistol". All the while, their fan base grows, their sales grow, their business grows. This is where the neat stuff starts happening. "Let's make an arrow launcher!" "And, lets do it so it breaks down into a suitcase... and shoots pellets... and comes in both calibers." "Let's go big, .30 cal big" "We need to get a bullpup out to the market." "I think we can make a less expensive, lighter weight, true bullpup that retains accuracy."
"Hey, lets give the shooters what they're asking for... A Bullpup design where you can adjust everything to exactly how you want." Then... later on in the design process, "I have an idea... If we do this, I think we could allow this rifle to be multiple calibers."
Other manufacturers are rehashing the same old technology, doing it in their own special way, and coming out with some really great products. But, they're basically resigning what's already working. So, it's kind of stagnant in that regard. Or, every so many years they look at their rifles and make a slight change. Great rifles, but nothing necessarily new. Gamo Swarm Maxxim - There's something new. A mag fed break barrel. I want one!
I think that's how it goes in the FX factory. "I have an idea" is met with open arms and creative minds. They may not be the first to do a particular thing. But, they dissect it and build it back up it in their own special way and they're not afraid to take chances. Those chances have paid off for them. Sure they've stumbled. It's no secret the Impact had some issues that needed to be sorted out. I haven't been seeing many issues come up lately. The Bobcat had some leak issues that got sorted out as well (and that mis-shaped picatinny rail).
"Hey, let's spend $10,000,000+/- on this neat machine that will allow us to do more, in less time, cost us less per part made, and retain quality, so that we can bring a mid level priced FX quality rifle to the market." Enter, Streamline. I can't think of any real mechanical issues that have come up on this one. Oh sure, you get opinions about length, balance, height, materials. But, mechanically, it's been a winner. Mine sure was. It's these ideas and risks that keep FX at the top.
Forrest Gump, "That's all I've got to say about that."
Happy Shooting,
Tom
Disclaimer: None of these quotes are actual quotes. It's all conjecture on my part.
I'd be REALLY interested to have a peek at some of the failed ideas that FX has come up with in the past!