WESTFIELD — Investors led by Savage Arms CEO and President Al Kasper purchased the gun manufacturer from sporting goods conglomerate Vista Outdoor for $170 million earlier this month.

Savage, which employs about 300 workers at its Westfield factory and headquarters, is one of the city’s largest private employers.

Savage also has a rifle factory in Ontario, Canada.

The buyers paid $158 million at closing and will pay $12 million at the maturity of a five-year seller note, according to a news release from Vista.

"Savage is an extremely strong brand and in a great position to keep charging forward," the new ownership group wrote in a letter to customers. "The momentum gained under Vista Outdoor will propel us for future success. It is business as usual and Savage is excited to continue building on existing relationships within the firearms industry. Rest assured, the focus on our exciting future and continuing to drive our brand forward has never been stronger. We are excited to continue this journey with you, our trusted partners, by our side."

Savage Arms president and CEO Albert F. Kasper led the investor group that bought Savage Arms earlier this month. Here he is in a file photo with rifles waiting the final quality check before being packaged and sent to distributors and customers. (The Republican File)

Savage recently started a state-funded training program to improve its workforce and replenish its ranks of skilled machinists.

Savage had been for sale for more than a year as part of a Vista’s corporate reorganization and refocusing on its other businesses. Those businesses include ammunition, hunting and shooting gear, CamelBak hydration containers, outdoor cooking products and Bell helmets for skiers and bicyclists.

Vista, based in Utah, took criticism last year for its connections to the National Rifle Association and donations to politicians who oppose gun control. Consumer activists targeted Vita and its nonfirearms brands and got some traction.

In March 2018, retailer REI stopped ordering products from Vista’s CamelBak, Giro, Camp Chef and Blackburn brands, saying it wanted Vista to make a clear plan of action to combat gun violence. Bicyclists also complained and organized boycotts of Vista products.

Vista still owns ammunition brands including Estate Cartridge and Federal Premium and the Bushnell lines of scopes and binoculars.

The Savage Arms deal was announced with a Vista Outdoors news release and recorded in documents on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

This sale is the latest turn in what's been a long and complicated ownership history for Savage.

Defense contractor ATK, also known as Alliant Techsystems, bought Savage Sports Corp. for $315 million in 2015. ATK spun off a bunch of its outdoor brands into Vista Outdoor in 2015.

Arthur Savage first organized The Savage Arms Co. in 1894 in Utica, New York. In 1920, the company bought Stevens Arms, of Chicopee, according to the company website.

During World War II, Savage made millions of firearms for the military. After the war, Savage used its excess capacity to make a number of products, including the world’s first motorized lawnmower.

But from the 1960s through the 1980s, the company was passed from owner to owner, including a stint as part of Black & Decker. Savage declared bankruptcy in 1988 and was losing $25 million a year.

Ronald Coburn took over and brought Savage out of bankruptcy by cutting costs and focusing on bolt-action rifles. In 1995, Coburn and investors bought Savage and its subsidiaries for $33 million. Coburn retired as CEO in 2013.

Gunmakers have faced tough times in recent years. Enthusiasts bought up guns and ammunition during the administration of Democratic President Barack Obama, fearing tighter gun laws. With Republican Donald Trump now in the White House, they no longer feel that sense of urgency.