Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. and being able to share it with so many outstanding people has been our honor.” Ellett Brothers, which marks its 75th year in 2008, held a birthday party at the SHOT Show, with nearly 2,500 in attendance, many of them dealers. The down-home hospitality in a ranch setting included plenty of food, drinks, country-dance lessons, a boot-shine stand and a full-sized horse display and murals. “We wanted a small, old-fashioned country image, which is what we are. We come from a very small town — we’re not the big city type. We wanted to project what we really are: a friendly atmosphere in a country setting,” said Hewitt Grant, Ellett Brothers president and CEO. John Bianchi was at the SHOT Show to help Bianchi International celebrate its 50th anniversary. The “father of the modern holster” spent hours signing collectors’ reprints of the wellknown “Bianchi Histographs” — the landmark ads of 40 years ago that helped propel the company to a worldwide status. “The methods and materials that go into making holsters are the biggest changes I see today,” Bianchi said. “It’s come a long way.” Bianchi made his first holsters by hand in the garage of his southern California home. Remington enjoyed an “outstanding show,” according to Sean Dwyer, a Remington senior vice president. “We always have a good show, but there seemed to be increased interest and excitement in what Remington is doing and its direction. Our trade partners know our new owners are positioning Remington for growth. That means more new and innovative products, which means more sales and greater profitability for our customers,” Dwyer said. At the Leupold booth, dealers swarmed around the expanded VX-L riflescope line and Green River Mojave Binoculars, but were equally attracted to Leupold’s introduction into the lighting market with the new MX Modular Flashlight series. Ruger’s biggest attention-getter at the company’s booth was one of the smallest firearms at the show. The company surprised a lot of distributors and dealers with the debut of the Ruger LCP (Lightweight Compact Pistol). “It is absolutely the hit of the show,” said Steve Sanetti, Ruger president. “It has a lot of advanced features, which is typical of Ruger. We listened to the market and the market said you really ought to get into self-protection. All of our dealers and distributors have been saying Ruger needs to be in that market. So, here it is. The LCP is the real buzz here.” At the Minox booth, Thorsten Kortemeier, Minox managing director, said the German optics company is being recognized for its cutting-edge technology and high-quality binoculars and spotting scopes. “We offer excellent products that have good value for the dealer and the consumer,” Kortemeier said. Minox has gained a following in the United States, under Kortemeier’s leadership, through selective product introductions, like the Minox HG (High Grade) series of binoculars and the MD 40 W Spotting Scope. “Mostly, we want dealers to know they can make 30- to 40-percent profit selling Minox optics. We only offer products that meet very high standards and have a good value and price relationship,” Kortemeier said. At the Taurus booth, Bob Morrison, president and CEO, took every opportunity to show buyers a well-ventilated Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C target, evidence of the capabilities of The Judge. Chambered to handle .410 shotshells and .45 Colt, the revolver has become a best-seller. “You wouldn’t have thought it would catch on, would you?” www.shootingindustry.com Working The Show Top: Dealers crowd the Sierra Bullets booth. Bottom: At the Smith & Wesson booth, David McDaniel (center), national account manager, fields questions about the M&P15 line. 26 APRIL 2008