http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/RSS.ashxShooting Industry May 2008 PagesMon, 22 Sep 2008 23:09:01 +0200http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=1http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=1INDUSTRY DEFIES ECONOMIC DOWNTURN p8 MAY 2008 L.E./TACTICAL • Cash In On Trends p16 • SHOT Show Sizzle! p24 • New Products Gallery p33 Get FREE Fanny Packs with Para’s Hot Carry Models BOOMING HANDGUN SALES Academy Picks P Service Nominees LIMITED TIME: Special Dealer Offer for Shooting Industry Readers Only PDA 9mm Product Code: CSX89R IT’S EASY: Order a 3-Gun Drop Ship From Your Favorite Distributor. Here are the pistol product codes that this offer is valid for: CSX89R, CWX645R, CWX645B, CWX645S, CWX645G, CWX79R, CWX745S, CWX745G, CCWX745S, CTX1245N, CTX1345S, CX745S Act now, this offer expires May 30, 2008. More SHOT Gems www.shootingindustry.com shootingindustry shootingindustry.com Outdoor Marketplace www.para-usa.com/fannypack Circle No. 220 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=2http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=2Circle No. 226 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=3http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=3ANNOUNCING THE 2008 FNH USA STOCKING DEALER PROGRAM The Only Thing That’s Better Than Getting One FREE FN Gun Is Getting Two FREE FN Guns! FN TPS™ Tactical Police Shotgun C-More Systems™ sight shown not included. FN Five-seveN® Handgun SO HERE’S THE DEAL: Just buy a 2008 FNH USA Stocking Dealer Program package* consisting of one each (six total) of the following FN guns in any available model: The 2008 FNH USA Stocking Dealer Program has been created to help drive your retail sales of FN products, increase consumer visibility for the FNH USA brand and add REAL PROFITABILITY to your firearms business. Here’s the good part! For each qualifying FNH USA Stocking Dealer package you order, you will receive your choice of a FREE Five-seveN USG pistol in black with three 20-round magazines (Part number 3868929120) or a FREE Five-seveN USG pistol in black with three 10-round magazines (Part number 3868929130). That’s a $1067.91 retail value absolutely FREE! FNP-9 Handgun FS2000 Carbine FNP-40 Handgun PS90 Carbine Now comes the even better part! When you purchase two (2) or more Stocking Dealer packages you will also receive your choice of a FREE Tactical Police Shotgun for each stocking dealer package you purchase! (The qualifying TPS part numbers are 17700, 17702, 17703 and 17705.) That’s up to a $841.75 retail value IN ADDITION to the FREE Five-seveN USG pistol that’s already included with each package. The profit potential from this program will put your retail operation in the black and put the finest FN firearms into your customers’ hands! CALL YOUR FNH USA COMMERCIAL DISTRIBUTOR TODAY TO PLACE YOUR FNH USA STOCKING DEALER ORDER! Become an FNH USA Stocking Dealer today by calling (703) 288-1292 or visit www.fnhusa.com for a free catalog and a list of registered FNH USA Commercial Distributors. FNP-45 Handgun Five-seveN Handgun We want to thank you for your continued support of FNH USA. We are 100% dedicated to energizing the retail marketplace and capturing the market leadership position. Working together we can make that happen in 2008. *Terms and Conditions: All FNH USA Stocking Dealer package purchases must be made through a single FNH USA authorized distributor between January 1, 2008 and August 31, 2008. All qualifying FNH USA Stocking Dealers will forward copies of distributor invoices and their signed FFL to FNH USA’s sales office. All documentation should be sent via U.S. Mail to: FNH USA, 2008 Stocking Dealer Program, P.O. Box 697, McLean, VA 22101. Upon receipt of these documents, the qualifying FREE FN products will be shipped directly from FNH USA inventory to the stocking dealer. Please contact your FNH USA representative or the FNH USA sales office at (703) 288-1292 if you have any further questions. www.fnhusa.com Circle No. 210 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=4http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=4Features 24 33 41 Page 24 SHOT Show 2008 — Part II Law Enforcement And Tactical Gear Boosts Traffic! John Morrison 2008 L.E./Tactical New Products Here’s A Sampling Of New Offerings In This Dynamic Market. SI Staff Booming Sales! Are Your Handgun Sales Robust? They Can Be! Carolee Anita Boyles Industry News 8 Industry Defies Economic Downturn During First Quarter 9 Academy Of Excellence Selects Service Nominees 12 Kimber Donates $100,000 To USA Shooting 14 Newsmakers Columns 16 18 20 22 46 Lethal Force Cash In On L.E./Tactical Trends. Massad Ayoob Outdoor Marketplace Uncovering More Gems From SHOT. John Morrison Arms And The Woman Pink Firearms As Savvy Marketing Tools. Lisa Parsons-Wraith Back Blast & Other Hot Gases “Most Creative Robbery Disguise” Award. Commander Gilmore Industry Watch The Many Forms Of Gun Control. Russ Thurman Page 41 Departments 6 Letters 40 Reader Service 40 44 Classifieds New Products Page 16 4 MAY 2008 SHOOTING INDUSTRY® (ISSN 0037-4148) is published monthly by Publishers’ Development Corporation at 12345 World Trade Dr, San Diego, CA 92128. Periodical Class Postage paid at San Diego, CA 92128, and at additional mailing offices. Subscription $25 yearly in U.S.A. Single copies $3 (except for the December SHOT SHOW issue, $25). Change of address: Four weeks notice required on all changes. Send old address as well as new. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: SHOOTING INDUSTRY® 12345 World Trade Dr, San Diego, CA 92128. PRINTING SERVICES/PREPRESS: Democrat Printing Company. CONTRIBUTORS submitting manuscripts, photographs or drawings, do so at their own risk. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by sufficient postage. PAYMENT will be made at rates current at time of publication and will cover reproduction in any or all of the editions of SHOOTING INDUSTRY®. OPINIONS expressed in bylined articles or columns are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or its staff. Copyright© 2008 by Publishers' Development Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any portion of this magazine without written permission is prohibited. www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=5http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=5SINCE 1955 — THE INDUSTRY’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE PUBLISHER TM Thomas von Rosen EDITOR Russ Thurman EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Roxanne Smith ART DIRECTOR Eric Tse ART ASSISTANT Andy Loy PRODUCTION MANAGER Kimberly Thorne Delivering Strobe Light SIMPLIFIED ! We engineered a rechargeable, multi-function LED Flashlight that provides dynamic flexibility, without confusion. High output 120 lumen LED, never-change bulb Exceptionally strong anodized aluminum construction Precision focused machined aluminum reflector Multiple modes: constant, momentary, strobe and dimming Rechargeable Li-Ion battery, charger included Run time: 2 hours on high, 300 hours on low 5.9" L x 1.3" bezel x 1" body . Anita Carson Steve Evatt, Jeff Morey, Delano Amaguin, Scott McGregor PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR Randy Moldé PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Lorinda Massey ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Massad Ayoob Shari LeGate John Morrison Carolee Anita Boyles Ray Oeltjen Lisa Parsons-Wraith FMG Publications Editor: Dave Douglas Advertising: Delano Amaguin americancopmagazine.com Editor: Roy Huntington Advertising: Steve Evatt americanhandgunner.com Editor: Jeff John Advertising: Jeff Morey gunsmagazine.com Special Editions Editor: Sammy Reese Advertising: Scott McGregor fmgpublications.com CUSTOMER SERVICE www.shootingindustry.com SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES . . . . . . 858.605.0250 EXPRESS SERVICE . . . . . www.shootingindustry.com General Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . Click: Contact Us EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858.605.0243 Toll Free: 877-744-4802 Circle No. 213 on Inquiry Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . russ@shootingindustry.com PRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858.605.0202 . . . . . . . . . production@shootingindustry.com National Advertising: 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128 858•605•0209 866•972•4545 FAX: 858•605•0211 GOLANI SEMI-AUTO SPORTER RIFLE, CAL. .223 NJ, MA, NY, CA, CT, HI or where prohibited by law. Look what we have here! A genuine semi-auto Golani style rifle, fresh from the Gaza strip and lovingly restored to its original glory! Now is your chance to own a true army workhorse at a very attractive price! Each semi-auto Golani comes with a spare 35 rd. mag. Barrel: 21", Overall: 29" (folded), Weight: 8.13 lbs. Visit our new e-commerce and auction website at: www.centuryarms.com and www.centuryarmsauction.com PRODUCED IN THE U.S.A. RI1438-X Condition: Excellent 430 South Congress Ave. Suite 1 Dept.0805SI Delray Beach, FL 33445 Circle No. 206 on Inquiry Card Toll Free:1-800-527-1252 Tel: 561-265-4530 Fax:561-265-4520 MAY 2008 5 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=6http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=6I am a Ph.D. economist and, together with colleagues at the Australian Defence Force Academy, have begun to study the firearm industry’s structure, competitive strategies and performance. Economists study all kinds of industries, but apparently no one has done so for the firearms industry in recent times. I saw a copy of your 2007 industry report, with production data for 1986-2005 (“U.S. Firearm Business,” July 2007). While most of your data conforms to the ATF’s AFMER data for its 1998-2005 reports, some, especially for 2005, are different. In particular, for 2005 you report an increase in production, whereas BATF reports a decrease. Is this an oversight, or are the ATF data updated, but either you or ATF has not posted the update, or something else? Economists rely on numbers, of course, and I am just trying to lay my hands on basic, reliable industry statistics. I would appreciate if you could assist me in this. J. Brauer Augusta, Ga. Correct Data? Mr. Brauer, you likely have an older version of the 2005 report. The ATF “updated” the 2005 data three times, perhaps four. I lost count. It caused a lot of headaches for those studying the data, using it to produce reports, such as ours, and the ATF itself. During the production of the 2005 report, the ATF had a change in personnel who assemble the data, which accounted for many of the errors. That, it appears, has been corrected, and the data for 2006 seems as solid as possible, given the reliance on reporting companies to provide accurate, timely data. Look for this year’s “U.S. Firearm Business” report, with its charts and graphs, in the July issue. I purchased a holster from CrossBreed Holsters after reading about it in your magazine (American Handgunner, March/ April 2008). I am a retired deputy sheriff who still carries a weapon full time. Well, the holster was so comfortable I ordered a second one for another gun. Recommending CrossBreed Then the no-no happened. On a cold and damp night, I placed my pants (with no gun in it) too close to a heat source, burned my pants and damaged the belt clips on the holster. The following day, I called CrossBreed, explained what happened and placed an order for new replacement clips. What a company; they sent me new clips at no charge, even free shipping! A company like that deserves high praise. I highly recommend them to my friends and students — I am an NRA firearms instructor. G.F. Oldziej Via: American Handgunner Magazine 9 E-mail the Editor russ@shootingindustry.com DARK, SLEEK, AND CURVY SEEKS LIFE LONG RELATIONSHIP I ENJOY LONG DAYS AT THE RANGE I’M TRUSTWORTHY, I’M RELIABLE, AND I’LL BE FAITHFUL TO THE END. AND I LOVE TO BE HELD. THE AR-24. FALL IN LOVE. 6 MAY 2008 Circle No. 201 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=7http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=7Give your valued customers more of a great thing. Circle No. 224 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=8http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=8Cash In On L.E./Tactical Trends — page 16 Industry Defies Economic Downturn During First Quarter Russ Thurman, Editor n contrast to the nation’s overall economic downturn, the firearm industry fared well during the first quarter of 2008. Manufacturers, distributors and gun dealers report that while there are “soft” areas in the market, overall sales of firearms were “great,” with some reporting “upsurges.” A strong indicator of firearm sales during January, February and March is reflected in the number of firearm background checks. According to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Checks System (NICS), there was a 7.9 percent increase in background checks over the first three months in 2007. NICS conducted 3,004,549 background checks during the first quarter of this year, an increase of 219,481 over the same quarter last year. There were increases in each month — January: +5.4%, February: +11.6% and March: +6.7%. These increases are notable since NICS data indicates records were set in the number of background checks during January, February and March 2007. The data also corresponds with the “robust buying” re- I ported at the SHOT Show in early 2008. “The first day was probably the best day Legacy has ever had at the SHOT Show,” said Gene Lumsden, Legacy International president and CEO. In addition, while not a desirable indicator, numerous manufacturers are reporting “backlogs” in firearm production, especially those in the personal defense category. Why is the industry doing well, while most other industries are reporting “sluggish sales”? “I don’t know,” said Bryan Tucker, CEO of Davidson’s. “In our sales, December was really good, January was a little soft. February was fantastic. March was really great. If you would have asked me that in November of last year, I would have said, ‘Oh, man, it’s terrible.’ But now, it’s back. I don’t know if the election talk and the Democrat’s cloud is starting to spur this thing, or not. I just know we’re up.” Gun dealers also report positive sales numbers. “We have not seen the big hit everyone is talking about,” said Gregg L. Bouslog, NICS Background Checks — Owner of On-Target Indoor Shooting Range in Laguna Niguel, Calif. “Since Christmas, we have seen a slowdown, but the past few weeks we witnessed an upsurge due to spring break. Most of the people buying guns are concerned about not being able to buy what they want this time next year.” How will the industry fare for the remainder of the year? At best, “very soft” sales; at worst, “very rough.” “I’ve seen over the years that we’ve been pretty recession-proof. We always seem to suffer during the start of a recession, with all the doom-and-gloom talk, but then pull out of it,” Tucker said. “The last two years, we have grown at a 40-percent rate. This January, we were up 40 percent over January 2007, so we’re on track to have another very strong year,” Lumsden said. Bouslog is not as optimistic. “My crystal ball is a bit foggy, but looking only at California, I feel we are in for a rough time. I think the money is going to dry up in a couple of months. For the most part, the discretionary income that I live by will be reduced by 50 percent or more during the next 12 to 18 months. If a Democrat is electJanuary 1999 — March 2008 ed, I expect an upsurge around Christmas for those who want a rifle with detachable magazines before a ban becomes law again,” Bouslog said. Sanetti New NSSF President, Painter Changes Role teve Sanetti, former Ruger president, became president and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) May 1. Doug Painter, who held the NSSF’s top position for six years, has assumed a new role as NSSF’s Senior Advisor and Trade Liaison. Sanetti, a well-known figure in the industry, spent 28 years with Sturm, Ruger and Co. as an executive and general counsel, and has been a member of the NSSF Board of Governors and the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) Board of Directors. “Stev2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=9http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=9Academy Of Excellence Selects Service Nominees he Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence has announced the 2008 nominees for its four “service” awards. These awards recognize companies for manufacturing, distribution and citizenship, plus an individual is honored with the Shooting Industry Award. At press time, the academy’s 2008 nominees for its 10 product awards were still undergoing the verification phase to ensure they are “in production,” as required by the academy. (They will be announced in the June issue of Shooting Industry and on www.shootingindustry.com.) The academy considered 37 entries in the four service award categories, before selecting 12 nominees for the 2008 Final Ballot. The academy uses a two-step voting process. Academy members consider all entries in each category, casting votes to determine who will be placed on the ballot. They then cast a second, final vote to determine who will receive the annual awards. The award recipients will be kept secret and revealed during a special Academy of Excellence reception to held July 25 in Windsor, Conn., in conjunction with the Shooting Industry Masters. The 2008 service award nominees are: • BLACKHAWK! Products Group: For reinvesting its profits in U.S. capabilities by opening three new factories in the U.S. in the past three years, which helps inventory management and quickly responds to customer demands. For rehiring all the American workers when buying the Boise, Id., facility from a competitor, while the competitor shipped jobs overseas. • Ruger: For remaking the company to better serve the firearms industry, including creating new firearm and ammunition combinations that eclipse current performance standards, such as Ruger Compact Magnum rifles and the Ruger SP101 .327 Federal Magnum revolver. For the Voice of the Customer program seeking input from consumers and resulting in the M77 Hawkeye rifles, Charger pistol, the SR9 and the LCP. For enhanced dealer offerings including co-op advertising, special order programs and expanded Web site content. • Smith & Wesson: For being a leader in the firearms industry and shooting sports, supporting at the highest levels the NSSF, NRA and USA Shooting Team, and playing an instrumental role in the NRA’s Insure Your Gun Rights and HAVA. For the introduction of 71 new firearms featuring several new M&P series products and the Night Guard revolver series. For the largest dealer and distributor incentive program in the industry’s history, Shooting for Hawaii, with a new program for 2008, Aiming for Alaska. • AcuSport: For hosting an annual dealer show that strengthens the independent retailer by providing educational seminars, simulated retail space, an ammunition price protection program and inventory planning. For the support of independent retailers through extensive product knowledge, business planning and promotional support. For partnering with vendors such Continued on page 10 lawsuits filed against our industry.” In 2004, Sanetti received the Shooting Industry Award from the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence for his fight against the “big city” lawsuits and other anti-gun campaigns. About his new position, Sanetti said that despite his years in the industry and experience with NSSF, “the challenges we all face will be new and constantly changing.” “The only way we will survive and prosper is to be flexible in our thinking and creative in our problem-solving,” Sanetti said. “I am excited to begin this new phase of my career at a place where I can have a positive and lasting impact on the future of hunting and shooting.” www.shootingindustry.com T Different By Design Manufacturer of the Year Distributor of the Year Painter requested the change in his role at NSSF in late April. “Recognizing the many challenges we face down the road, I felt the time had come after 35 years to give more focus to building strategic alliances and partnerships that will continue to strengthen the extraordinary unity of our industry 2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=10http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=10Continued from page 9 as ARS, Strategic Business Partners, EZ-4473 and FFL Guard to provide services that add value to the independent retailer. • Ellett Brothers: For taking great pride in serving and supporting the independent retailer for 75 years. For its continuing work with manufacturers to develop new and innovative products such as the newly introduced Taurus Model 327. For continued support of industry organizations such as the NSSF, NRA, Congressional Sportsman Caucus and NASGW. For its commitment to the growth and future of the shooting sports industry by working with organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and local conservation groups. • RSR Group: For over 30 years of leading the shooting sports industry with superior customer service, a knowledgeable sales staff, excellent product selection and same-day shipping. For pioneering the first virtual trade show, allowing thousands of dealers to attend and take advantage of specials without disrupting their daily business. For actively working to preserve the future of the industry through various organizations such as the NSSF and NRA, including the NRA Recruitment program. • Brownells: For its contributions to the NRA endowment for youth educa- tion programs, support of 4H programs in Iowa, the Progressive Farmer magazine’s youth shooting program, and the Iowa Pheasants Forever Build a Habitat program. For its first-of-a-kind gunsmith’s job fair. For its continued support of the NRA, including an NRA membership drive with 1,000 members signed up in 2007. • Ellett Brothers: For continued support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and support of the NSSF Heritage Fund by hosting a silent auction at its yearly dealer show. For supporting the local Boy Scouts of America council and other local charities such as the Adopt a Family program, in which the company provided Christmas gifts and sponsored Thanksgiving dinners for needy families. • Hodgdon Powder Co.: For commitment to community that transcends the entire organization, including the Hodgdon Family Donor Advised Fund, which has supported funding to over 145 charitable organizations. For supporting organizations including the Boy Scouts, 4H, SCI, Pheasants Forever and others financially, with product donations and through volunteer involvement. • F. Hewitt Grant, Ellett Brothers: For his 40 year dedication to the shooting sports industry though his work as an ad- Citizenship Award Shooting Industry Award vocate for gun rights on the local and national levels. For supporting the education of legislators in the importance of concealed carry laws by working closely with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus as well as the SC Sportsman Caucus foundation. For his involvement in the NRA and the NASGW. For supporting and leading the Ellett team to unheard of sales growth over the last five years. • Bob Hodgdon, Hodgdon: For spending 60 years with Hodgdon Powder providing propellants for shooters and hunters. For helping build the company into what it is today, a company featuring 54 reliable, highperformance muzzleloading and smokeless powder products. For being a tireless defender of the Second Amendment and being instrumental in starting the NRA Handloading Endowment. For being an avid hunter, reloader and shooter. • Tom Taylor, Smith & Wesson: For being a leader in the rejuvenation of Smith & Wesson and leading the development of over 200 products, including the M&P series. For developing the incentive program, Shooting for Hawaii, the largest customer incentive in the industry’s history, and introducing a new program for 2008, Aiming for Alaska. For serving as chairman of the NRA’s Insure Your Gun Rights, and leading an industry initiative to support Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA). F. Hewitt Grant Bob Hodgdon Tom Taylor LaserMax Manufactures Colt Laser System aserMax announces it is the exclusive manufacturer of the new Colt CGLR/L fore grip laser system, a red aiming laser and traveling 2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=11http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=11>> Forged A4 Upper Receiver >> A2 Flash Hider, 1/2-28 Thread >> 6-Position Tactical CAR Stock >> 16” Chrome-Lined, Chrome Moly R4 Barrel, 1:9 Twist 1 MOA @ 100 Yards >> R-4 Handguard with Double Heat Shields >> Star Safety Selector >> Two Stage Match Trigger >> Hogue Rubber Grip 1.5 MOA @ 100 Yards the farm, your record at Camp Perry or anything in between, has a rifle to get the job done. You can even customize your firearm, choosing from a wide selection of calibers, receivers, stocks, handguards, barrels, triggers, grips, and accessories. This combined with Rock River’s unsurpassed quality make Rock River the ultimate choice for durability, dependability, accuracy, and versatility. It’s not just another AR, it’s a Rock River LAR. .75 MOA @ 100 Yards Scope not included .75 MOA @ 100 Yards Circle No. 222 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=12http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=12Lone Wolf Knives makes cutting anything “Look Good!” Paul Executive with Cocobolo Handle LM23410 Paul® Executive, 2.5 inch blade, Patented Paul lock system locks blade open and closed, marble Cocobolo handles, 1.6 oz. LM23410. Also available with 3-D Carbon Fiber handles LM23415. Kimber Donates $100,000 To USA Shooting K imber owner and CEO Leslie Edelman presented a $100,000 check to USA Shooting at the 2008 SHOT Show, bringing the company’s contributions to the team to $600,000. This continues Kimber’s standing as the largest donor among firearm companies. The donation is based on commercial sales of the Kimber Team Match II pistol, which is also used by USA Shooting’s Rapid Fire Pistol Team. For every pistol sold, Kimber donates $100 to Leslie Edelman, right, Kimber owner and CEO, presents USA Shooting. Kimber officials a check for $600,000 to Buddy DuVall, USA Shooting. indicate they are continuing the program and “additional contributions are sure to follow.” For more information, contact Kimber at (406) 758-2222 or www.kimberamerica. com. For information on becoming a USA Shooting sponsor, contact Buddy DuVall at (719) 866-4880 or via e-mail: buddy.duvall@usashooting.com. ATK Honors 2007 Dealer Of The Year Diablo-DA Micarta® LD23153 Scale release automatic or manual one-handed-opening. 3.3 inch CPM-S30V blade, locking-liner, green/black layered Micarta®, 4.1 oz LD23153. Also available in one-handed-opening’ Non-automatic version LC23156. 9373 SW Barber Street, Ste A. Wilsonville, OR 97070 Dealer Locator At www.lonewolfknives.com Circle No. 217 on Inquiry Card ike Goschinski, owner of Fin Feather Fur Outfitters, has been named ATK’s Dealer of the Year for the second year in a row and the third time in four years. “We’re just flattered,” Goschinski said. “Winning this award for the third time is attributed to the employees who work with me and have stood by me. It is also because of ATK and our extremely talented sales rep. The applause goes right to these people.” When Goschinski was named the 2006 ATK Dealer of the Year, it marked the first time there was a repeat winner. “Once you get behind a company’s product line, and that company gets behind you, it’s like a marriage that works very well,” Goschinski said. “Their product line, from trap throwers to bi-pods to rests to ammunition, just really fits our business model.” Goschinski’s Ohiobased Fin Feather Fur Outfitters continues to improve on recent success, according to ATK. “After taking home last year’s award, thanks to a 30-percent increase in overall sales, they again increased their business by about the same amount,” ATK officials noted. Mike Goschinski (center) accepts the 2007 ATK Dealer of the Year ATK’s Premium award from his ATK sales rep, Beau Nicholson (left) and Michael Partner program helps Halleron, director of domestic sales. dealers succeed in today’s competitive market, according to Goschinski. “The terms, and things like freight, are easy to work with,” Goschinski said. “They’ve figured out how to do business with the independent dealer. And it’s working. Hopefully, other dealers see this as the company they want to work with.” For more on ATK’s Premium Partner program, visit www.premiumpartners.atk.com. Visit Goschinski’s Web site at www.finfeatherfuroutfitters.com. www.shootingindustry.com M 12 MAY 20082008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=13http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=13All scopes and rings are not included. Cal: .338 Federal RFLR-338L Weighs Just 7.9 lbs! Cal: 6.5 Creedmoor RFLR-65 Also Available in .308 Win. & .260 Rem. Cal: .308 Win. RFLR-308L Also Available in .260 Rem. Weighs Just 7.9 lbs! Cal: .204 Ruger RFA3-204 Also Available in .223 Rem. Cal: 5.56 x 45mm RFLP-WCP Bridges the Gap Between Sporting and Tactical! Weighs Just 6.3 lbs! Made in the USA! Please send your FFL for our new catalog. DPMS Firearms, LLC • 3312 12th Street SE, Dept. SIND • St. Cloud, MN 56304 • 1-320-258-4448, Ext. 7463 • 1-320-258-4449 (Fax) • dpms@dpmsinc.com Circle No. 207 on Inquiry Card WWW.DPMSINC.COM ONLINE ORDERING AVAILABLE!2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=14http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=14avidson’s Inc. has unveiled Gun Genie, a Web-based consumer firearm purchasing tool. “We are proud to offer consumers a simple and convenient way to find the firearm they want, when and where they want it,” said Bryan Tucker, CEO of Davidson’s. “Our current GunLocator service has shown that consumers love the benefit of choosing from the tens of thousands of firearms we keep in inventory, all backed by our Guaranteed Lifetime Replacement Program.” Tucker says Gun Genie is an improved version of the GunLocator service, which consumers utilize to purchase firearms from more than 2,000 Davidson’s Gold Dealers nationwide. “Consumers enjoy the ultimate convenience of shopping from home, while dealers enjoy new customers and the benefit of expanding their product offerings through Davidson’s huge inventory,” Tucker said. Gun Genie provides additional benefits, according to Tucker. “Many consumers hate shopping, taking time out of their busy schedule only to find out that their favorite gun store does not have their desired firearm in stock,” Tucker said. “With today’s high fuel prices, this is not only aggravating, but also expensive. We have solved this problem. With our service, a consumer knows instantly if the firearm is available and the price he will pay. He simply secures it with a small online deposit and we ship it to the Davidson’s Gold Dealer of his choice to complete the transaction. Fast, easy and hassle free.” For more information, visit www.GalleryofGuns.com or call 1-800-367-4867. D Davidson’s Releases Web-Based Gun Genie Pelican Products has hired Nick Newman for the newly created position of vice president of worldwide operations. Additionally, the company has promoted Kevin Deighton to vice president of research and product development, and Kevin Emmons to director of consumer and dive sales. Newman assumes the leadership of more than 400 Pelican plant staff on two continents. Prior to joining Pelican, he served as vice president of worldwide operations for Magellan Navigation. He has run manufacturing and supply chain operations for various European, Asian and South American companies. “Hiring Nick underscores Pelican’s commitment to building a team that will take this company to the next level both internationally and domestically,” said Lyndon Faulkner, Pelican’s president and CEO. Newman holds an HNC degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Brooklands Technical College in the U.K. Before his promotion, Deighton served as Pelican’s director of product development. Prior to joining Pelican, he served as a mechanical engineer for Vickers Defense Systems in England. Deighton holds a master’s degree in business administration from Cal State Long Beach, Calif., and earned his bachelor’s degree in technology and management science from the University of Bradford in the U.K. Emmons previously served as Pelican’s consumer sales manager and was 2006 Pelican Sales Person of the Year. Prior to joining Pelican, he served as director of sales and product manager for Wenger Swiss Army’s North American market. Emmons holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware. N. Newman Pelican Products Names VPs, Sales Director We’re Calling You Out! Gun Valley Showdown. Page 32 K. Deighton K. Emmons Circle No. 215 on Inquiry Card 14 MAY 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=15http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=15Savage Range Systems has hired Thomas Alexopoulos as installation coordinator. Thomas, a licensed construction supervisor and electrician, most recently held the position of project engineer/manager at Abel Womack Inc., where he designed, quoted and managed projects throughout the Northeast. Savage Range Systems Appoints Installation Coordinator Magnum Research Inc. has appointed Todd Seyfert, vice president of sales and marketing, as a member of the company’s research board. Prior to joining Magnum Research, Seyfert spent three years at Birchwood Laboratories, followed by 11 years at Michael’s of Oregon. After Bushnell Outdoor Products purchased Michael’s, Seyfert became vice president of sales and general manager of law enforcement. “Todd really gives us significant experience in Magnum’s three focus areas: product development, marketing and sales. Magnum is really strong in all three areas and that’s a big reason why Todd is part of the team,” said John Risdall, chairman of the board and COO of Magnum Research. Seyfert holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. Magnum Research Names Board Member Circle No. 229 on Inquiry Card Jack T. Muety, CEO and president of Blaser USA, retired on Jan. 31. He leaves the company with nearly 35 years of experience in the outdoor sporting goods industry. Prior to his position with Blaser, Muety helped start Benelli USA and was their vice president of sales and strategic marketing. He also served as vice president of sales and marketing for Beretta USA. “The entire Blaser organization, both in Germany and in the United States, wish to thank Jack for this commitment to our company over the past 15 months,” said Bernhard Knöbel, CEO of Blaser Germany. “Mr. Muety has formed the foundation that will allow the Blaser brand to be the top choice of hunters and shooters in the United States for the years to come.” 9 Blaser USA Jack Muety Retires HELPS YOUR BOTTOM LINE BBA Brownells Business Advantage is an exciting new program that gives you big savings on four essential business services: • Full-service credit/debit card processing with rates as low as 1.38%. • Exceptionally low rates or cash back on Visa business credit card. • Generous discounts on UPS shipping. • Complete liability/property insurance coverage designed specifically for firearm-related businesses like yours. Source Code: BP1 BNY Get all 4 services for one low $100 annual membership fee. Call 800-741-0015 or visit BrownellsBusinessAdvantage.com to learn more about how BBA can save you money. Circle No. 205 on Inquiry Card 231.23826 BBA Shoothing Ind May01 1 3/25/08 9:05:19 AM • Zoom In On Optic Sales • Selling Handgun Accessories • Black Powder L OOK IN G T O T H E FUTU R E ! www.shootingindustry.com MAY 2008 152008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=16http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=16Massad Ayoob Cash In On L.E./Tactical Trends ealers attending the SHOT Show the past few years know the fastestgrowing segment of the event is the Law Enforcement (L.E.) & Tactical Gear section. It’s invaluable to know what the law enforcement preferences in guns and ammunition are, since they often translate into civilian demand. Older dealers recall that when most cops carried revolvers, most private citizens with concealed carry permits did, also. The service-size wheel gun or the snub revolver likewise dominated the home-protection handgun market. While private citizens were ahead of cops in semiauto pistols for concealed carry and home defense, autoloaders didn’t approach dominance in the private sector until the late ’80s, when law enforcement D agencies began to switch en masse from the service revolver to the service pistol. Those influences continue today, which is why it’s important to know what trends the L.E./tactical market is creating. At SHOT Show 2008, the L.E. section looked like the Internet forum AR15.com come to life. Black rifles were everywhere, with the overwhelming majority in the AR15 or M4 format, plus, of course, the occasional green rifle. Even Remington, in a project with Bushmaster, has an AR Rock River’s new Entry Tactical has a 16" chrome moly R-4 barrel, tactical carry handle and RRA two-stage match trigger. Black Rifle Market line, a trio of full-camo R-15s marketed to varmint hunters. Dealers can select high-end, top-quality AR15s from Rock River, Sabre Defence, DPMS, Wilson Combat, Ed Brown and, of course, Colt. Mainstream pricing is available from many makers. Very reliable, good-quality AR15s at the lowest Calibers, Size Drive Handguns F or cops and civilians, caliber is the major driving force in handguns. We’ve seen a few police departments go from .40 or .45 back to 9mm, usually for reliability reasons, and we’re seeing more civilians trading in their larger caliber pistols for 9mms, with different motivation. The ammo cost crunch has hit shooters big time and 9mm is less expensive for training. According to Denny Reese, CEO of Springfield Armory, until last year, sales of .40 and .45 Springfield XDs were neck-in-neck in popularity, with 9mm behind them. But, in the past few months, demand for the smaller caliber has increased so much that 9mm, .40 and .45 XD pistols are selling in about equal volume. The .357 SIG version, the fourth caliber offered in the XD line, accounts for about 5 percent of sales, Reese said. Visit www.springfield-armory.com. Look for this trend to continue, since it’s not likely ammo will be getting cheaper in the foreseeable future. Adjust inventory orders accordingly, and make sure you have a good selection of 9mm pistols in stock. Even so, don’t neglect revolvers. Dealers across the country tell me that snub-nose .38 revolvers, especially the lightweights, are steady sellers. Cops like them for backup because their rounded “handles” allow for a quicker draw from deep concealment, such as ankle, pocket or vest holsters. New shooters like them for their simplicity. Concealed carry civilian customers often go through stages. Many dealers tell me the first-time permit holder often buys a fullsize handgun, but quickly tires of the unaccustomed weight. He or she then visits the gun shop to buy a lightweight snub so they can be armed more comfortably. Smith & Wessons, particularly the Airweights, and TauMAY 2008 rus revolvers seem to be the best sellers. With the little five-shot Smiths, the all-steel models get a bit heavy in the pocket, while the Scandium Taurus’ Model 605 .357 and Titanium super-light Magnum has fixed sights, models have a relatively single/double-action trigger high price-point due to and a transfer bar. the rare and costly metals used in their construction. The aluminum-frame Airweights split the difference in heft, and are seen by many as the most cost-effective choice. Visit www.smith-wesson.com and www.taurususa.com. In new Rugers, the little 2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=17http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=17available price-points come from firms like Bushmaster and Stag. In many shops the AR15 platform is the fastest-moving centerfire rifle in inventory. Don’t neglect other options. The Steyr AUG became a much-sought-after cult gun when imports of “assault rifles” were banned. An AUG clone is now available from Microtech. Called the STG 556, it isn’t cheap, but it’s more cost-effective than a grandfathered original AUG. Visit www.msarinc.com. Don’t neglect the old Ruger Mini-14. At this year’s SHOT Show, a Mini was the centerpiece of a Ruger display — the NRA Model, which is the first in recent memory to be offered to the public with genuine Ruger 20-round magazines. Visit www. ruger-firearms.com. The difference in price of the Mini-14 and ARs isn’t as great as it once was, but the Ruger will still sell to a lot of customers who want a .223 high-capacity autoloader now. You also have customers with more conservative ways who prefer the Ruger Mini over the AR, due to personal preferences in styling and handling. Selling crossbows is an easy transition for a firearms-only dealer. If you are not selling them, you are missing out on one of the fastest growing categories in the hunting industry. people don’t know that my competitive firearms shooting “ Most career developed out of my passion for hunting. I hunt all seasons with all weapons, including compound bows and, yes, crossbows. Like all of my equipment, I chose TenPoint because of its quality, durability, and accuracy. TenPoint is the best. ” Doug Koenig World Champion Professional Shooter Ammunition Sales ome highly acclaimed high-tech defense ammo is “police only,” such as Winchester Ranger. Some is not, such as Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber (including their successful Bonded series) and Federal HST. Federal HST has garnered much attention lately. One large Northwestern department has had spectacular success with it in .40, another with HST in 147-grain subsonic 9mm. Meanwhile, LAPD reports extraordinary success with the HST +P 230-grain in the optional .45 autos carried by thousands of their officers. HST is affordable, your customers are reading about it on the Net and in the gun magazines and, best of all, you can actually get it. Visit www.federalpremium.com. Police tactical trends don’t exactly rule civilian tastes, but they are certainly harbingers of what private citizen gun buyers are likely to be looking for in the defense arena. It’s worth keeping an eye on L.E./tactical trends to stay a step ahead of your competition and be ready ahead of time for the next wave of customer interest. 9 www.shootingindustry.com To find out how to get started, Call Randy Wood, TenPoint’s National Sales Manager. S TenPoint Crossbow Technologies 1325 Waterloo Road Suffield, OH 44260-9608 330.628.9245 800.548.6837 Circle No. 230 on Inquiry Card Glock / Kel-Tec Dealers Fax FFL for catalog Fingertip Extensions also fits many other small pistols in .22, .25, .32, and .380 calibers. Kel-Tec / Bersa cherer upplies Inc 205 Four Mile Creek Rd. Taxewell Tn, 37879 M-1 Garand One Shot FAX 423-733-2073 Adapter Circle No. 223 on Inquiry Card S Slug Plug #5 for The New Glock® Model 21SF MAY 2008 172008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=18http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=18John Morrison Uncovering More Gems from SHOT J ust as the Las Vegas Convention Center couldn’t hold all of SHOT Show 2008, Shooting Industry can’t hold a fraction of the new and interesting products in its regular features. Here are a few more gems of the show, uncovered by the sleuths on our staff. Many dealers passing CZ-USA’s booth asked, “Is CZ making an AK-47 clone now?” While CZ’s reproduction of the Czech SA Vz58 7.62x39mm service rifle appears superficially similar to the Kalashnikov carbine, its striker-fired, gas piston-operated action was derived from the German StG 44. Seen by many as superior to the AK, the VZ 58 has a bolt hold-open feature, a fast, ergonomic safety, is more compact and, even with its milled receiver, is almost a pound lighter than a stamped-receiver AK. Produced in Tactical and Military Sporter models, the VZ 58 is suitable for hunting, recreational and home-defense applications. You can “Czech out” the details at www.cz-usa.com. CZ-USA’s VZ 58 ammo for those AKs and the VZ 58 is plentiful, but for the best accuracy and hunting performance possible, Cor-Bon’s got you covered. Their 125-grain Traditional JHP loads are excellent for all-around use and personal defense. The 150-grain JSP Hunter loads feature bonded lead-core slugs. The DPX 123-grain Deep Penetrating Extreme rounds use Barnes TripleShock X-bullets to punch through tough hide and heavy bones. Visit www.cor-bon.com. L a s t year, Black Hills Ammunition and Barnes Bullets developed a 36-grain, .223 load with a slug originally designed for military use. Instead of a conventional lead center, the core is composed of a compressed copper and tin mixture that disintegrates explosively on impact. The Black Hills’ hyper-velocity Varmint Grenade rounds are an instant hit with customers. Plenty Of Ammo Inexpensive Russian 7.62x39mm same slug is used in Black Hills’ Varmint Grenade rounds — an instant hit with varmint shooters. For 2008, Black Hills has loaded the same 36-grain bullet in a .22-250 cartridge at 4,700 fps velocity, and a 62-grain loading in .243 Winchester at 3,700 fps. Accuracy is excellent, and “varmint vaporization” is the result. Browse the bullets at www.black-hills.com. Federal Premium had its own traffic jam in front of displays of their shiny new nickel-plated VitalShok Trophy Bonded Tip ammo. This new offering adds several features to the proven Trophy Bonded Bear Claw platform for a substantial increase in performance. Fifteen different loads in popular calibers will undoubtedly be increased in the future. Keep an eye on them at www.federalpremium.com. Wiley X Partners With Dealers any dealers have complained to SI that they have to stock several different makes of shooting safety eyewear because customers’ tastes vary so drastically. Wiley X will solve that problem for you. Wiley X has developed dominating lines of eyewear in the fashion, auto and bike racing, fishing and hunting, and protective military and law enforcement ballistic fields. Now many of the best features of each genre are offered to satisfy virtually any buyer’s tastes. “No matter the size or scope of a dealer’s business, we will work with retailers to create a program that meets their needs,” said Rob Maser, Wiley X Rob Maser, Wiley X commercial sales manager, said, “We will work with retailers to create a program that meets their needs.” M 18 MAY 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=19http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=19MSAR Grabs Attention ut in “Tent City,” SI staff found a familiar face, a familiar rifle profile and an unfamiliar name. The face belonged to Karl Walter, a longtime industry insider and weaponry wizard who has occupied executive positions with Glock and Taser, among others. The rifle looked like a Steyr-AUG — but slightly different. The booth’s banner read “MSAR Inc.,” and we discovered the knife-making company Microtech is now Microtech Small Arms Research, with Walter serving as executive vice president. They are producing a thoroughly updated, improved and very marketable evolution of the 30-year old Austrian-designed bullpup rifle. Its new designation: STG-556. While retaining the short, compact, highly ergonomic profile and quick-change barrel of its ancestor, modern materials and reengineering have made the STG-556 lighter — only 6.2 pounds — stronger, and much cooler in rapid or sustained fire. A bolt forward assist and bolt hold-open after the last shot combine with newly designed anti-binding guide bushings for the action Josh Gunther, MSAR design engineer, shows off the new STG-556 rifle, a vastly improved and modernized version of the famed Steyr-AUG. O rods to make it far more efficient. The STG-556 is shipping now, along with a version chambered in 6.8mm SPC, the model STG-680. MSAR’s firearms are made entirely in the U.S.A. — “100 percent by NRA members,” Walter added. Priced competitively with higher-end AR clones and offering a generous margin, this is one worth watching — closely. If the STG-556 wasn’t exciting enough, Walter then revealed MSAR’s next offering, to appear in summer 2008: A bullpup multi-caliber carbine. To be chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W, 10mm auto, .45 ACP and 45 GAP, each will be convertible with only a barrel, bolt head and magazine sleeve change, using standard Glock magazines. The MCS — Modular Carbine System — is planned to retail at $995, and may prove to be a red-hot seller for home-defense and recreational shooting. Keep on top of developments at www.msarinc.com. 9 TRAUSCH GRIPS Really a NEW DESIGN! The thinnest grip ever made! TJ 92 for BERETTA 92 TJ 101 for SP 101 Ruger TRY IT, ADOPT IT! Grips for: BERETTA 92 - CZ 75 fiber glass Rubber grips for: SP 101 - Speed Six RUGER S&W K/L-N frames RB/SB All products: www.trausch.com Grips informaton by Jeff Quinn http://gunblast.com/trausch.htm mail to: trauschgrips@trausch.com commercial sales manager. “We’ll help you determine which models your customers may prefer and work toward your success, because your success is ours. At Wiley X, we don’t just sell you the products, we are your sales and marketing resource.” Their latest release is the Climate Control Series, a hybrid designed to meet multiple shooting sports, law enforcement and military challenges. Models include the Airborne and Jake. Removable foam gaskets lock securely into lightweight ANSI-certified frames, creating a Facial Cavity Seal against wind, debris and precipitation while maintaining a wide, full field of vision. Lenses are distortion-free Selenite polycarbonate, with scratch-proof coatings, UVA and UVB protection and military-approved ballistic resistance. See what’s included with each set at www.wileyx.com. Although Thermold Products didn’t have a booth at SHOT Show, SI learned Thermold magazines are back! After a period of lapsed production and reorganization, Thermold is once again making lightweight, all-polymer, high-capacity magazines to fit AKs, Ruger Mini-14s, M14/M1As and others. Highly regarded for strength and smooth function, these have been — and should be again — hot-selling aftermarket items. By the time this issue goes to print, a new Web site should be up and running at www.thermoldproducts.com. Magazines From Thermold TRAUSCH GRIPS INTL. CORP P.O. Box 1339 Morristown, TN 37816 Fax: 770.234.3992 Phone: 312.206.7677 Sales online - Fast Delivery! Wholesalers, Retailers WELCOME! Circle No. 231 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com MAY 2008 192008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=20http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=20Lisa Parsons-Wraith Pink Firearms As Savvy Marketing Tools C olor is the new marketing trend. We see it in everything from iPods and cell phones to computers — and now it’s part of the shooting world. An amazing number of manufacturers are embracing pink firearms as a way of cornering the women’s market. I have to admit, I’m not a pink person. When my friend got a pink cell phone and then a pink iPod, I thought it was overkill, but she is exactly the type of person who would be attracted to a pink firearm. To her, pink is a signature color and her way of marking the tools of her life with her own personal style. It seems there are plenty of women out there who feel the same way. Gander Mountain has been leading the pink charge by first carrying a pink shotgun and then entering into an agreement with Taurus to sell pink pistols. Other manufacturers picking up on the color trend include Remington, Browning and Keystone Sporting Arms. Remington jumped into the pink arena with the 870 Express Jr. shotgun with a pink stock made exclusively for Gander Mountain. Taking note of the pink shotgun’s success, this year Remington made the Model 597 .22 rifle in Mossy Oak Pink camo available to all gun stores. Having admitted that I’m not a “pink person,” the camo gun is the gun I’d bet on to be the most successful. Camo has gone completely mainstream — you can find camo patterns on everything from baby clothes to bedspreads — and this Remington fits the bill for fun and function. I showed the pink camo rifle to a couple of 10-year-old girls, and their immediate reaction was, “I want one!” Remington’s Model 597 .22 rifle gives camo a feminine twist. Filling A Need M said. “It’s a wonderful item. If that’s what it takes to get girls involved, I’m all for it.” itch Mode, owner of Mel’s Trading Post in Rhinelander, Kids like to have things customized, Minto noted, and Camo Wis., said he decided to stock a few of Keystone Sport- & Lace is currently working with their local gun shop to get some ing Arms’ Crickett rifles with pink stocks for Christmas and he custom-colored firearms for their youth members. She said they quickly sold out. plan to order some pink guns for the girls, but that she’d also like “Those little pink .22s really stand out on a gun rack,” Mode a few neon green guns to appeal to both sexes. said. “They definitely draw attention and they’re eye-catching.” “If we want to keep kids involved in shooting, we have to He said he wasn’t all that surprised to sell out of the pink rifles make it fun,” Minto said. “We have to compete with a lot of other because he has noticed an increase in young girls getting involved stuff like video games and computers.” in the shooting sports. Browning offers their Cynergy Euro Sporting shotguns in “We have so many young girls coming in here now who go yellow, the Cynergy’s only custom color offering. The 12-gauge deer and bear hunting with their parents. It’s a good thing,” Mode shotgun comes with a steel, silver-nitrate finished receiver and said. “That pink rifle fits the girls and it fills a need.” a yellow composite stock with black rubber overmoldings. It’s Arlene Minto, treasurer for the Camo & Lace ladies gun club a very modern-looking gun that will certainly appeal to target in Michigan, thinks pink firearms are a great idea. shooters looking to stand out on the range. “The first time I saw them,” Minto said, “I thought they were Chief Operating Officer Dan Compeau of Williams Gun Sight great and wondered why they waited so long.” Co. in Davison, Mich., said his store stocks Keystone Sporting She said she thinks a lot of grandfathers and dads are buying Arms’ pink Crickett rifle, Remington’s pink camo rifle and the this gun for their little girls. Taurus Model 85 with pink grips. “I think the gun manufacturers are really targeting dads and “They’re attractive to women who want to have something grandpas. When they see a pink gun in a store, it piques their in- unique,” Compeau said. terest2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=21http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=21ink guns probably aren’t for every lady shooter and that really isn’t the point of this new trend. The point is women and young shooters, the future of the shooting sports, are accustomed to being able to express themselves by personalizing nearly everything they own. They view a colored firearm as a declaration of style and a way to stand out in a crowd. P Declaration Of Style “Feminine color choices send the message that shooting isn’t just for men and that your store is female-friendly.” The idea isn’t really new; for years people have been engraving their firearms and choosing custom finishes to make their guns more unique. Advances in technology and materials have made multicolored firearms more affordable and available, thus making them more desirable. Feminine color choices also send the message that shooting isn’t just for men. Grandfathers see a pink gun in a store and think, “Maybe my granddaughter would like to go hunting with me.” Women see a pink gun or even a pink camo gun case in your store and know your store is female-friendly. Stocking a couple of pink or brightly colored firearms in your store is certainly an attention grabber that will draw in customers. It isn’t necessary to invest heavily in the colored-gun market, but having a few unique guns sends a powerful message about your store. Investing in cases and hats in feminine colors also sends a similar message without tying up your cash. You want your customers to know they are welcome and you are available to help them personalize their shooting experience. 9 With Millett Precision Hunting Optics and Mounting System Millett windage adjustable scope mount systems are the most significant improvement to the traditional Weaver-Style mount in many years. All components are made of heat treated nickel steel for rock solid durability. When compared to others, 3 - 12 X 44 AO Millett scopes & scope mounts can’t be beat! Turn-In Mounts Millett New Generation Side Focus Scope Series Angle-Loc Mounts 4 - 16 X 56 Side Focus Available in three reticles 1 (800) 645-5388 16131 Gothard Street • Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (714) 842-5575 • FAX (714) 843-5707 • www.millettsights.com Circle No. 218 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 221 on Inquiry Card MAY 2008 212008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=22http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=22Commander Gilmore “Most Creative Robbery Disguise” Award e’ve reported on the Duct-Tape Bandit who wrapped his head in duct tape, the idiot who tried to rob a California drive-thru with fresh cookie dough smeared over his face, and another weirdo in England who covered himself from head to foot in a colorful “skin” of bakingflour paste and ketchup. Now, we pause to honor the creative genius of Robert C. Lavery. It is unknown if Brilliant Bobby used a trowel to plaster his entire noggin with lumpy drywall compound before sticking up the New Cumberland Federal Credit Union in Fairview Township, Penn., but witnesses reported that his own momma would never have recognized him. It worked pretty well, and he scampered away with $7,910 in his lunch bag. It was obvious he had taken pains to look about as nondescript as possible with his choice of clothing, and he should have gone to the same lengths with his getaway car. Apparently there aren’t that many distinctive Rusty Wallace NASCAR license plates tooling around Fairview Township. Several witnesses noticed it, and then put two and two together with the news of the bank robbery. Bobby and his driver, Robert Miller, were still cleaning up drywall mush when the cops arrived. Illustration by Nick Petrosino W Federal agents reportedly “felt sure there was something fishy” about Leroy Carr, but they couldn’t pin anything on him. On four occasions over a period of months, he was stopped while either coming back from Canada or lurking near the border with thousands of dollars in cash, night-vision goggles and a GPS device programmed with coordinates along a known drug-smuggling trail. Something fishy? Each time, Carr just smiled and kept his mouth shut, and was released without charges. Then he called the feds to ask if they had found his cocaine stash. Carr explained that he had hidden two blue backpacks containing 68 pounds of cocaine in the woods near a Boy Scout Camp just south of the border. He returned the following day to pick ’em up, but he couldn’t find them. He was hoping the feds had found his dope, and they would put out some kind of news release saying the cocaine had been seized. That way, Carr said, his “employers” might believe his “lost dope” story. He figured they would otherwise think he had stolen their drugs and they’d sort of stuff him 22 MAY 2008 Lost Dope in a shallow hole somewhere. The problem for the feds was that even with Carr’s weird confession, they couldn’t arrest him without some evidence that the cocaine actually existed. That proof came two weeks later, when a Boy Scout stumbled across Carr’s coke, packaged just as he had described it. Officers promptly scooped up Stupid, probably saving him from execution at the hands of his employers, and assuring him of “three hots and a cot” for several years. Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who seemed to be on a campaign to earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for strangest laws and policies, suffered a setback — before his really big setback — in his battle to issue New York driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. Oh, of course he didn’t call ’em that — such a phrase might make illegal aliens feel “illegal” — or even alienate them! First, Spitzer proposed simply issuing driver’s licenses to “unsolicited guests” without all that messy proof and docu- It Ain’t Over Yet! mentation that citizens have to go through. All they would have to do is say, “I’m an illegal alien.” Of course, they wouldn’t have to say it in English; translators would be provided at taxpayers’ expense. New York, by the way, does not consider driver’s licenses issued by any other state to be proof of identity. Spitz was shot down on this plan by the federal government, which let him know that if he did as he planned, New York driver’s licenses would not be accepted as identity by federal agencies — or by the airlines. That includes agencies like ATF, like, for the purchase of firearms. Under the original plan, illegal aliens mig2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=23http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=23Circle No. 202 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=24http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=24John Morrison Law Enforcement And Tactical Gear Boosts Traffic! aw Enforcement and Tactical Gear played a significant role in boosting SHOT Show 2008 to new levels in the records books. NSSF officials report the event in early February set records in every category possible as the industry gathered for the 30th annual trade show. There were impressive increases in the number of attendees, the number of exhibitors and the amount of square feet the show covered in and out of the Las Vegas Convention Center. 2008 L The greatest growth in recent SHOT Shows has been within the Law Enforcement and Tactical Gear section. The section has grown so large, NSSF officials consider it to be a “show within the show.” “The law enforcement and tactical exhibitors now occupy such a large part of SHOT Show that if they were gathered together for a separate show, it would be the second largest such event in the United States,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president. “Traffic was nonstop at both our law enforcement and hunting booths. In fact, it was so busy that it was tough for anyone working the booths to even take a break,” said Steven Giordano, Aimpoint director of commercial sales. Giordano captures the overall state of the show, as dealers, distributors and other buyers swarmed the convention center, especially the L.E./ Tactical sections. Beretta USA drew large crowds Nonstop Traffic at its law enforcement booth, as the company rides a wave of recent L.E. contracts, most centered around the growing Storm family of weapons. The company’s L.E. efforts also extend to Benelli tactical shotguns and Sako and Tikka sniper rifles. The Storm Px4 full-size pistol and its subcompact variant offer changeable grip inserts to fit different hand sizes, as well as different frames and barrel lengths for all uniformed and plainclothes duties. Teamed with Cx4 carbines and Rx4 rifles, they have been adopted by a number of L.E. agencies. Matteo Recanatini, marketing manager for the L.E./DOD Division, pointed out the goal of Beretta’s Total Solution approach, which brings together a broad array of firearms, less-lethal systems, training programs, armorer courses and “more to meet all L.E. agencies’ needs.” He also reaffirmed Beretta’s sponsorship of Project Allegiance, which provides at no cost a $10,000 line-of-duty death benefit for peace officers who purchase or are issued a Px4 Storm pistol. “We are absolutely committed to our L.E. dealers and customers,” Recanatini said. “And, we’re actively seeking new dealers across the country.” Visit www.berettausa.com. At the Mossberg booth, Paul Hahn, owner of Shooting Specialties LLC in Kalispell, Mont., praised the company’s tactical shotguns for their versatility. “And it seems that regardless of which versions I order and receive, I can’t keep Retired police officer and dealer Paul Hahn (left) says Mossberg’s tactical shotguns are hard to keep in stock. Mark Kresser (right), Mossberg’s V.P. of sales and marketing, leads Hahn through a long series of different tactical configurations. 24 MAY 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=25http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=25John DeLuca, Troy Industries executive V.P. and general manager, holds the M14 MCS (Modular Chassis System), which updates the veteran M14 rifle. Below, Colt’s family of ARs receive attention. them on the racks in my shop. They sell out that fast,” Hahn said. Hahn, a retired police officer, has a significant customer base of cops, concealed-carry and self-defense citizens, and he reports that Mossberg’s tactical shotguns, virtually all in 12-gauge, are a staple of his business. “They are an excellent buy for the money,” Hahn said. “And Mossberg is always coming up with new accessories and options,” like breacher muzzles, which also make formidable impact weapons, and rails for mounting optics, lights and lasers. “If you’re not carrying them, you’re missing out, and if you haven’t looked at what Mossberg offers in a while, you owe it to yourself to check them out,” Hahn advised. Visit www.mossberg.com and click “Special Purpose.” Sig Sauer’s booth was thick with dealers eager to handle the new SIG .556 SWAT rifle. Feature heavy, the rifle has a 16" military-grade, cold hammer-forged barrel, quad rail, flipup combat front and rear sight system and a MAGPUL CTR Carbine Buttstock. The new Sig Sauer P250 also received a lot of fingerprint time. The modular pistol’s design permits changing caliber (9mm, .357 SIG, .40 S&W and .45 ACP) and size (subcompact, compact and full). Visit www.sigsauer.com. Smith & Wesson has captured numerous L.E. contracts during the past year, a number of them for the M&P45. “The M&P line of polymer pistols has been widely accepted in numerous police agencies across the globe. To date, 276 domestic www.shootingindustry.com MAY 2008 252008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=26http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=26law enforcement agencies have purchased, approved for purchase or approved for on-duty carry our M&P polymer pistols,” said Leland Nichols, Smith & Wesson president. At the SHOT Show, Smith debuted a midsize version of the M&P .45. It has a 4" barrel and is available with or without a frame-mounted ambidextrous thumb safety. Visit www.smith-wesson.com. Remington Law Enforcement continues to improve the 870P Police shotgun line. The new 870P MAX tactical shotgun has a Parkerized 18" barrel, Davis Speedfeed IV-s 13" LOP full pistol grip buttstock, Wilson Combat/Scattergun Ghost Ring sight system and SureFire Tactical forend flashlight. Shortly after the SHOT Show, Remington announced a $1.7 million contract from the U.S. Army for 1,400 of the company’s Model 870 Modular Combat Shotgun systems. Visit www.remingtonmilitary.com and www.remingtonle.com. FNH USA drew crowds with an array of new and enhanced firearms, including the P90 Laser Visible (LV) models, which feature a front-mounted laser. For law enforcement and military customers only, the tactical carbines come in two models: the P90 Laser Visible and the P90 TR Laser Visible, which has three M1913 mounting rails. FNH USA also promoted its 2008 Stocking Dealer Program. Qualifying dealers who purchase a package consisting of six guns will earn a free FN Five-eveN handgun. Dealers who purchase two or more packages will earn a free FN TPS (Tactical Police Shotgun). Visit www.fnhusa.com. TDI designs and manufactures advanced weapons systems for the global military and L.E. market, and their latest model is the KRISS Super V Vector submachine gun. The lightweight compact .45 ACP subgun’s patented action vectors recoil energy down and away from the shooter, virtually eliminating kickback and muzzle rise even in full-auto fire. Qualified L.E. dealers should contact TDI via www.kriss-tdi.com. A civilian-legal semiauto variant, the CRB/SO, is available exclusively through AcuSport. Vahan Kelerchian, owner of AutoWeapons in Warminster, Pa., provides automatic and suppressed firearms to military and L.E. customers, and he strongly recommends products from AWC Systems Technology. “I’ve been selling and using AWC suppressors and weapon systems since 1999 and I couldn’t be more pleased,” Kelerchian said. “My customers, governmental and private, are very demanding, and with AWC suppressors, the customer satisfaction rate has been 100 percent. Quality, effectiveness and precision fit are excellent. And rugged? An AWC suppressor is a lifetime unit.” Kelerchian praised AWC’s rifle and subgun suppressors, which are used by all the military’s special warfare units. “Their Amphibia, an integrally suppressed Ruger Mark III .22 pistol specially prepared for marine and marshland environments, is a best seller; nothing compares,” Kelerchian said. Visit www.awcsystech.com. For dealers looking for high-quality specialized ammo, Danny Garcia, manager of The Sharpshooter in Corpus Christi, Texas, told SI he recommends Extreme Shock Ammunition. Developed specifically for counter-terrorist operations, the ammo has proven to be a strong seller with his home-defense and concealed-carry customers. “We do a lot of L.E. business and sales of Extreme Shock, especially their Air Freedom handgun rounds, have been great and growing steadily,” Garcia said. Air Freedom’s slugs are made of compressed tungsten-Nytrilium composite, designed for maximum impact and wound channels, while minimizing over-penetration and ricochet. “Relatively expensive, specialized rounds like these won’t sell themselves,” Garcia advised. “But all you have to do is explain their performance characteristics — including their safety factors — to concerned customers, and they sell very well.” Visit www.extremeshockusa.com. Lightfield Ammunition displayed seven less-lethal 12-gauge loads for use by police and correctional officers. Extended- and mid-range rubber solid slugs and buckshot are offered, as well as the new Super Star and StarLite 2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=27http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=27Circle No. 208 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=28http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=28BAE Systems, the global aerospace, military, law enforcement and security company, has grown greatly during the past decade. Its North American L.E. and tactical divisions alone have 11 major corporations. “The amazing thing is that each one of their enterprises stays right on the cutting edge of technology and innovative design,” said Sean Conville, V.P. of Atlantic Tactical, which offers thousands of products from over 400 manufacturers. “It would be almost impossible to pick the fastest moving, best-selling items from so many companies, so let’s just look at one: Safariland,” Conville said. “Their ALS holsters are a great illustration of materials science (referring to their “SafariLaminate” thermal-molded construction), ergonomics and engineering — specifically, the Automatic Locking System. Making a holster that fast and intuitive, yet that secure is a real feat.” Conville also rates high the Safariland RLS (Rapid Light System). “Just one light that clips to your belt or pants, attaches and releases from your weapon in a flash, and it’s a first-rate hand-held flashlight, too. No special holster or holder is needed, and it gives 50 hours runtime on three AAA batteries,” Conville said. Visit www.baesystems.com. Click “Businesses,” then “BAE Systems Product Group,” then “Divisions.” At the Maxpedition Hard-Use Gear booth, Ed Head, Gunsite director of operations, pointed out the toughness of the company’s products. “Maxpedition’s packs, bags and concealed-carry gearslingers are first-quality and really innovative designs. Whether it’s on the range or deployed on operations, we know our users can rely on Max- Matteo Recanatini, Beretta’s marketing manager for L.E. and Defense, is all smiles about the sales of the Storm family of weapons. He’s holding the new Px4 Storm subcompact. Dealer Pat McGuire (left), of ProDefense, says PentagonLight products “fly off the shelves.” Pentagon’s Bruce Walker, director of business development, is happy to hear that. 28 MAY 2008 pedition products,” Head said. The Gunsite pro shop carries Maxpedition Gear. “When we think highly enough of a product to put our black raven logo on it, you can bet it has earned it,” Head said. Visit www.maxpedition.com. In the heart of the L.E. & Tactical Gear section, Mesa Tactical attracted attention with their “professional grade” tactical shotgun accessories. One buyer was Steve Barlow, a master gunsmith and owner of Barlow’s Custom Guns in West Valley, Utah. “They’ve got a new, really impressive hydraulic recoil buffer (Enidine Shot Stock Hydraulic Buffer) that fits right into Mesa’s telescoping stock systems,” Barlow said, who specializes in building entry shotguns for L.E. agencies. Mesa Tactical’s tactical shotgun stock adaptors accommodate a variety of alternative buttstocks, including mil-spec collapsibles and products by LMT, Magpul, Vltor and others. Visit www.mesatactical.com. At the Troy Industries booth, the company displayed its M14 Modular Chassis System (MCS), which vaults the 50-yearold M14 rifle into the new millennium. The M14 MCS permits mounting optics, IR illuminators and lasers, and collapsible buttstocks. Troy’s quad-railed billet T6 aluminum chassis duplicates the ergonomics of the M16/M4 weapons family, while retaining consistency with original operating and fieldstripping procedures. The Army, Marine Corps and growing numbers of L.E. agencies have adopted the MCS. L.E. dealers are learning it has a place in their shops, also. Visit www.troyind.com. What Troy Industries has done for the M14, Sage International has accomplished for tactical users of Ruger’s Mini-14 and the M1 Garand. Precision machined multifeatured chassis systems are virtual dropins, requiring no permanent modifications or bedding to achieve greater accuracy and reduced felt recoil. Visit www.sageinternationalltd.com. At the Hoffners Holsters & Training booth, Jim Pruett, owner of Jim Pruett’s Guns & Ammo in Houston, Texas, singled out the Ultrux MinimalES Paddle holst2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=29http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=29©2008 Shooters Ridge® SR151 Send your customers into the field with the latest in portable shooting benches. . . the Voyager Shooting System from Shooters Ridge®. This fully-functional handcart hauls gear and game with ease and converts into a shooting bench in just seconds. Best of all, shooters can quickly and quietly pull up stakes and reposition for non-stop shooting action. Portable. Stable. Versatile. The Voyager from Shooters Ridge. And remember, any customer purchasing $30 or more of Shooters Ridge® products receives a FREE multi-tool (a $24.99 value)! TM To learn more about the Voyager Shooting System, call (800) 635-7566 Circle No. 203 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=30http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=30Dave Merkay (left), of AcuSport, and Andrew Finn, of TDI-Kriss, are pleased with dealers’ reaction to the innovative new Kriss Vector .45 ACP subgun. provide reinforced wear points and ample gear-carrying capacity without looking like a combat uniform, Atlanco expects 24-7s to be popular for everything from surveillance details and desk duties to social activities. Visit www.truspec.com. Bullet50 clothing, designed by police officers for TAG Tactical Assault Gear, fills a need for dedicated concealed-carry garments for plainclothes, undercover and off-duty wear, according to Colin Burgos, president of Combat Ready USA in San Clemente, Calif. “In my retail store it’s (Ambush Jacket) a fast mover already. It has incredible features, the quality is excellent, and my customers appreciate the fact that all Bullet50 clothing is 100 percent made in the USA,” Burgos said. Most of Burgos’ business is “theaterspecific combat equipment,” but he says Bullet50 garments appeal to a wide range of users including concealedcarry citizens, contractors and private security personnel. Visit www.tacticalassaultgear.com. Haix, a high-end German footwear firm renowned in Europe for military, firefighting and L.E. specialty boots, has been rapidly expanding its North American presence. Haix designed the boots worn by Germany’s famous GSG-9 counterterrorist unit, and various models contain features like Kevlar cut and puncture protection, Gore-Tex linings, a proprietary air circulating system and anti-static properties. Visit www.haix.com. SureFire always has a batch of new tactical flashlights for SHOT, and this year was no exception. The one getting the most attention when SI stopped by the SureFire booth was the G3 Nightrolon LED. The three-battery powerhouse has a tough polymer case and nine-hour runtime, with three spare CR123 batteries stored in a duty belt carrier. Visit www.surefire.com. At the Streamlight booth, dealers were handling new power-LED versions of eight key products featuring C4 technology (Controlled Collapse Chip Connection). The C4 provides brightness rivaling incandescents, with much longer runtimes. A new Super-Tac twocell C4 LED tactical light delivers 135 lumens for 3.5 hours, and is compatible with Streamlight’s accessory rail mounts and remote switches for use as a weaponlight. Visit www.streamlight.com. SI staffers found a “treasure in the Bright Lights Maxpedition CEO Tim Tang (left) meets with Ed Head, director of operations at Gunsite training facility. Head rates Maxpedition as “innovative and first-quality.” specifications and Hoffners’ reputation.” “With those features at that price, it’s a lot of gun for the money,” Pruett said. Visit www.hoffners.com. At the Revision Military Eyewear booth, the makers of protective goggles and multi-lens systems for the armed forces and L.E. tactical units introduced the Hellfly. The new line of stylish, almost weightless wraparound ballistic sunglasses is designed for police officers and sportsmen. The Hellfly is offered in six lens variants and six frame colors, all meeting military requirements for impact resistance, optical clarity and UVAB-C protection. Visit www.revisionready.com. Outfitting The Operator BLACKHAWK! has expanded their Warrior Wear garment line with ITS — Integrated Tourniquet System — pants and shirts. Conceived by a military medical trauma physician, ITS garments may be able to prevent 10 percent of combat deaths, which are due to uncontrolled extremity bleeding. Currently 50 to 70 percent of all combat injuries are extremity wounds. Security contractors were taking a hard look at them. Visit www.blackhawk.com. A few years ago Atlanco Tru-Spec, a longtime supplier of uniforms to the military, made big news and bigger sales with the introduction of their TRUs — Tactical Response Uniforms. Now, Tru-Spec offers 24-7 pants, designed to cross the line between duty and casual wear. Styled to 30 MAY 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=31http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=31tents” at the Pila Torch booth, located in the Gold Hall across from the convention center. The company’s lineup of tactical lights feature LEDs at one end and powerful incandescents at the other. A unique accessory, the Codex module can be threaded into the body of most Pila models, which allows the user to preprogram their menu of brightness levels and strobe and signal functions, including SOS. Superior Cree components and lithium ion recharging units distinguish this emerging line. Visit www.pilatorch.com. At the First-Light booth, Ed Santos, author of “Rule the Night, Win the Fight,” heavily endorsed the Liberator, a handsfree, hand-held tactical light. “It’s a fantastic light and a great seller, too,” said Santos, the owner of Center Target Sports, a premier gun shop, tactical training and range facility in Post Falls, Idaho. “Just acquaint the customer with its use and you’ve got a sale.” How can a light be “hands-free” and “hand-held”? Visit www.first-light-usa.com. Pat McGuire is the L.E. buyer and consultant for ProDefense L.E. and Personal Security Products in Webster, Texas. SI found him settling in for an ordering session at PentagonLight’s booth. “PentagonLights have just flown off the shelves,” McGuire said. “Compared to their competition, the durability, ergonomics and power for their size can’t be beaten. Our customers love them and repeat sales are outstanding. Officers usually buy a handheld like the eX2 Xenon or the L2 LED, then come back to buy a weapon-mount unit like the MD2 Xenon LaserLight or the MD3 model. I expect the K2 Porcupine light, with its retractable crenellated bezel, will be a winner, too.” Visit www.pentagonlight.com. McGuire is also impressed with Zero Tolerance Knives, which he says have created “a real surprise” in sales. “They are expensive — MSRPs run from $150 to $295 — but our buyers, mostly police officers, think they’re worth every penny and sales are growing. And they are truly zero-tolerance knives. People whose lives may depend on a knife for a backup can appreciate that kind of quality,” McGuire said. Visit www.ztknives.com. Next year’s SHOT Show will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 15-18. For hotel reservations and other information on the show, visit www.shotshow.org. 9 Firearms Business Insurance Circle No. 214 on Inquiry Card Circle No. 216 on Inquiry Card Don’t let the BAD GUYS smell you coming! E NVIROCLEAN FA — Firearm Cleaner » Less smelling » Great cleaning » Biodegradable SHOT Show 2009 Distributor’s wanted! OGRE MANUFACTURING, LLC. • 414.475.9339 • www.ogremfg.com Circle No. 219 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com MAY 2008 312008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=32http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=32SHOWDOWN IN GUN VALLEY We’re Calling You Out! TIME TO STEP OUTSIDE AND SHOOT! Limber up your trigger finger, practice your steely eyed stare and plan to join teams from inside the industry for the Sixth Annual Shooting Industry Masters. 2008 Sponsors: July 25-26, 2008 This three-gun shooting match features handgun, rifle and skeet/trap events. Shooters will be able to shoot in one of two classes: the Open Class for those who want to compete against professional shooters, and the Industry Class for everyday shooters who just want to have fun without the stress. A raffle of incredible items donated by companies throughout the shooting industry will be held during the event to raise funds for the NSSF’s Step Outside® Program. SIGN UP YOUR TEAM TODAY! EVENT SCHEDULE: Masters Team Check-In at the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Awards presentation Handgun, Rifle & Trap/Skeet team events & lunch Masters Awards Banquet with Raffle to benefit the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Step Outside® Program For additional information, including donating raffle prizes, raffle tickets, area airport and hotel information, please visit www.shootingindustry.com or contact Elizabeth Jarrell at (800) 537-3006 ext. 279. E-mail: elizabeth@shootingindustry.com BENEFITTING: Friday, July 25, 2008 Saturday, July 26, 2008 Saturday Evening National Shooting Sports Foundation’s To download team entry form, go to: http://shootingindustry.com/08SIMstrs.html SPONSORED BY: Mail or FAX with payment to: FMG Publications 12345 World Trade Dr. San Diego, CA 92128 FAX (858) 605-0247 No Gun? No Excuse. Loaner guns will be available for each event. Match Ammunition, Shooter’s Goody Bag, Match Lunch and Awards Dinner2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=33http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=33Text First Line Text NEW PRODUCTS Text 2008 Company Phone # Website Text First Line Circle # 000 Text First Line Text Law Enforcement/Tactical Gallery Here is a small sampling of the new L.E./Tactical offerings. Look for additional new products in future issues of SI and on our Web site, www.shootingindustry. com. For insight on Company the law enforcement market, visit Phone # the Web site of our sister magazine, American COP, at Website www.americancopmagazine.com. Circle # 000 T he number of new L.E. and Tactical products presented at SHOT Show 2008 was record setting. The Law Enforcement/Tactical areas of SHOT Show 2008 were overrun by Company dealers, distributors and other industry buyers eager to handle Phone # — and purchase — the latest firearms, ammunition and gear Website in this dynamic area of the market. represented Circle # 000 Text First Line Text Laser Devices Inc. Company EOLAD Phone # Website Laser Devices and L-3 EOTech present the Circle #EOLAD 000 laser with HOLOgraphic Weapon Sight. Designed to meet military standards, the EOLAD withstands extreme high and low temperatures, shock, vibration and is waterproof to 10 meters. Features include a single laser activation switch, activation and low battery indicator light and fully adjustable windage and elevation controls. The integrated mounting system allows the unit to be attached to any small arms weapon system equipped with a standard NATO or Picatinny mounting rail. Safariland ALS Duty Holsters Safariland’s Model 6320 and Model 6325 Automatic Locking System (ALS) duty holsters are available for the first time in an open-top design without the Self Locking System (SLS). The ALS auText First Line tomatically “locks” the weapon in place once holstered. The locking device is completely operable with the thumb. Text Both models provide Level I Retention, feature SAFARI-LAMINATE thermalmolded construction, fit belt widths of 2" and 2.25", and are available in STX Tactical, STX Basket, STX Hi-Gloss and STX Plain finishes. Beretta USA Text First Line Px4 Storm Sub-Compact Text The Beretta Px4 Storm Sub-Compact pistol is available in 9mm, with 13-round magazine capacity, and .40 S&W, with 10-round magazine capacity. Available in all the traditional configurations (F, G, C, D actions), the pistol uses a locked breech and features a stainless steel barrel, a Picatinny rail, interchangeable backstraps, an ambidextrous manual safety and a lowprofile slide catch. Snap-Grip allows for maximum concealment when the firearm is holstered. A reversible magazine release button can be mounted on either side. Company Laser Devices Inc. Phone # 1-800-235-2162 Website www.laserdevices.com Safariland 1-800-347-1200 www.safariland.com Beretta USA Company Circle # # 000 282 Circle (301) 283-2191 Phone # www.berettale.com Website Circle # # 000 298 Circle www.shootingindustry.com Circle # 304 MAY 2008 332008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=34http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=34Barska Universal Red Laser Pistol Sight The Universal Red Laser Pistol Sight kit from Barska contains a 5mW laser sight with on/off switch, universal trigger mount and mount inserts, three LR-44 lithium batteries and two Allen wrenches for adjustments. The laser’s wavelength measures 635-655 nm with a maximum reach of 500 yards. Taurus International Mfg. 800 Series The 800 Series, derived from the Taurus OSS model, has an added external hammer and is available in .45 ACP, .40 and 9mm. The Series features Strike Two capability, quick fieldstripping with takedown levers, forged slide and captured recoil spring with stainless-steel guide rod. The pistols have ambidextrous magazine releases and extended magazine bumpers, which double as finger rests. Three magazines are included with each firearm. The 800 Series is available in blue or stainless steel finishes. SureFire WeaponLight SureFire’s X300 combines the features of the two versions of the X200 WeaponLight. The X300 provides a maximum output of 110 lumens and offers a tightly focused beam for extended reach and a wider-angle beam for CQB (closequarter battle) situations. Barska Taurus International Mfg. 1-800-327-3776 www.taurususa.com 1-888-666-6769 www.barska.com SureFire 1-800-828-8809 www.surefire.com Circle # 281 Circle # 308 Circle # 3072008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=35http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=35Monadnock AutoLock HG The AutoLock HG baton from Monadnock offers the feel of a straight baton in an expandable model that closes with the push of a button. Friction-lock and positive-lock technology help ensure the baton remains locked open while striking. It is available with the Safety (urethane) Tip, the Power Safety Tip or the 3xT Lime-Green Tactical Targeting Tip; with smooth or fluted foam textured grips; and with an AutoLock Front Draw Holder with eight locking positions. Finishes are black chrome and bright nickel. Aimpoint MPS3 Aimpoint’s new MPS3 Sight is a passive electronic reflex collimator for use on medium- to heavy-support weapons. It is a rugged, parallax-free, non-magnifying optic with unlimited eye relief, featuring an adjustable brightness red dot with multiple day- and night-vision compatible settings. Designed to withstand heavy recoil forces, the 2 MOA red dot engages targets at all distances. The MPS3 has 80,000 hours of constant-on power using one AA battery. Revision Eyewear Hellfly Ballistic Sunglasses Revision Eyewear introduces the Hellfly Ballistic Sunglasses. The Hellfly provides high-impact fragment protection and 100-percent UV protection in a lightweight design. The glasses exceed the high-impact military requirements for spectacles, as well as the ANSI Z87.1 standard for impact and optics. The Hellfly comes in a variety of frame and lens color options and weighs less than 1 oz. Monadnock (603) 585-6810 www.batons.com Aimpoint 1-877-Aimpoint www.aimpoint.com Revision Eyewear Circle # 302 (802) 879-7002 www.revisioneyewear.com Circle # 299 Circle # 279 Circle No. 228 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=36http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=36Sig Sauer SIG .556 Rifle SWAT Sig Sauer introduces the SIG .556 Rifle SWAT, with a twoposition adjustable gas piston operating rod system. The rifle has a 16" military-grade, cold hammer-forged barrel, chambered in 5.56 NATO, with a 1:7" twist. The rifle is equipped with a flash suppressor, two-stage trigger, ambidextrous safety and front and rear sight system. The quad rail has four integrated Picatinny rails, and the receiver is carbon steel with a wear-resistant Nitron X finish. Overall length is 37" and the rifle’s weight is 8.7 lbs. Super-Fast. Super-Dependable. Loads cartridges into revolver instantly! SPEED LOADER $ 95 ONLY 10. REVOLVER (603) 772-2302 www.sigsauer.com Sig Sauer Circle # 306 DoubleStar Inc. Patrol Rifle DoubleStar’s design of the Patrol Rifle is based on input from frontline police officers. The lightweight A-1 configuration, with 1:9 twist barrel, is mounted on a forged flat-top upper receiver. Standard features include a 5-slot A-2 phantom flash hider, four-rail hand guards, three low-profile rail covers, GG&G flipup MAD rear sight, Hogue rubber pistol grip and DoubleStar’s six-position M-4 buttstock. Upgrades are available, including a chrome-lined barrel, two-stage trigger, H buffer and bipod. The Patrol Rifle weighs 6.5 lbs. and has an overall length of 32.75". MAGAZINE SPEED LOADER $ 95 ONLY 13. DoubleStar Inc. (859) 745-1757 www.star15.com 10 models available. Loads, .380, 9mm, 40cal., 45cal., or 10mm single and double stack mags. Magazine slips into loader and is held in by hand. Depress thumb lever to load. Loads ammo. into magazines faster and easier than ever! Circle # 289 Sabre Defence Industries M5 Tactical Rifle Sabre Defence introduces the M5 Tactical rifle available in 5.56mm, 6.5 Grendel and 7.62x39. The M5 has a 14.5" chrome-moly-vanadium barrel with a 1:7 twist, and comes with an A2 flash hider, midlength gas system and railed handguard. The stock is adjustable for length-of-pull. The rifle features an Ergo Grip and 552 EOTech Holographic weapon sight. MAGAZINE SPEED LOADER $ 95 ONLY 3. Featuring: Flex brake arm & lock down stop! HKS .22 L.R. Cal. loads, Browning, Ruger I & II, Ruger 22/45, Colt, S&W, Mitchell Arms (H.B.) No more sore fingers when loading .22 mags! .22 Caliber Sabre Defence Industries (615) 333-0077 www.sabredefence.com Circle # 303 FNH USA P90 LV Laser Visible FNH USA has enhanced its P90 carbine line with the LV Laser Visible models. New for law enforcement and military customers only, the tactical carbines now feature a pressure switch-activated laser target designator mounted to the forward face of the front handguard, allowing an operator to quickly and accurately bring the firearm onto target without raising the optical or electronic sighting system to eye level. HKS PRODUCTS, INC. 7841 FOUNDATION DR. FLORENCE, KY 41042 SEE YOUR LOCAL DEALER www.HKSspeedloaders.com Circle No. 212 on Inquiry Card (703) 288-1292 www.fnhusa.com FNH USA Circle # 291 www.shootingindustry.com 36 MAY 20082008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=37http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=37Savvy Armor Female Body Armor The Savvy line of body armor provides precision-fit, bullet-resistant vests for females. Two concealable options, the Retro and the Flair, feature all-woven aramid materials for flexibility with four-point cup positioning for an exact bust (apex) alignment. Made of soft ballistic and carrier materials, the vests are protected by waterproof Gore-Tex with an interior lining of Anti-Microbial Yarn. Each vest features Level II and IIIA ballistic packages that meet NIJ ’05 compliance standards. BLACKHAWK! ZW5/ZW7 Side-Zip Boot BLACKHAWK! Warrior Wear has expanded its boot line with the ZW5 and ZW7 Side-Zip waterproof boot, available in 5" or 7" heights. Built on Vibram Multisport oil-resistant TC4+ compound outer sole with large, open lugs for traction control, the boots also feature a long-wearing, water-friendly PU mid-sole. GG&G ACOG Quick Detach Mount The GG&G Accucam ACOG Quick Detach Mount with Integral Lens Covers combines the Accucam QD Mount with Flip Up Lens Covers. The GG&G front and rear lens cover adapters allow the mounting of GG&G custom-prepared Butler Creek lens covers that provide weatherproof, dust-proof and moisture-proof protection to the Trijicon ACOG lenses. Two versions are available. One model fits the TA01, TA31, TA31F and TA31RCO, and a second is for the TA01NSN. Savvy Armor 1-888-346-7288 www.savvyarmor.com BLACKHAWK! 1-800-694-5263 www.blackhawk.com GG&G 1-800-380-2540 www.gggaz.com Circle # 305 Circle # 285 Circle # 292 www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 204 on Inquiry Card MAY 2008 372008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=38http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=38Wiley X Eyewear Airborne and Jake Wiley X has added two styles to its Climate Control Series eyewear line, the Airborne and the Jake. They feature removable vented foam gaskets that lock into lightweight ANSI-certified frames. The Facial Cavity Seal protects the wearer’s eyes from the elements, and the lenses are impact-resistant, shatterproof and scratchresistant. The Airborne and Jake are available in three color and lens options: smoke lens with gloss black frame, polarized smoke green lens with metallic black frame and LATM light-adjusting bronze brown lens with gloss root beer frame. Bianchi International Models 75 Venom, 77 Piranha Bianchi’s leather concealment holsters, the Model 75 Venom and Model 77 Piranha, feature a contour-sculpted design and flat back for exact weapon fit and concealment. The Model 75 offers an ultrahigh ride and open-muzzle design, with a 15-degree forward cant. The Model 77 features a low-cut front and three-slot design, with a 15-degree cant for strong side carry. Both holsters fit 1.75" belt widths. Hatch MP-100 Defender MP The Model MP-100 Defender MP glove from Hatch has an extended cuff and uses high-density EVA foam padding for additional knuckle, finger and forearm protection. The Defender features a full Kevlar lining and Nomex thread throughout the glove, and Ergo-Cut for maximum dexterity. It is closed to the forearm with a hook and loop closure to keep the glove taut. The Defender is manufactured with goatskin leather, with a water-repellant finish. Wiley X Eyewear 1-800-776-7842 www.wileyx.com Bianchi International 1-800-477-8545 www.bianchi-intl.com Hatch 1-800-347-1200 www.hatch-corp.com Circle # 310 Circle # 284 Circle # 293 Hiatt Handcuffs Chain, Hinge Style Hiatt’s lightweight handcuff models are available in chain style (Models 3103 and 3105) or hinge style (Models 3154 and 3155). Manufactured with Steloy, a steel and aluminum combination, the models use three solid links to connect the cuffs and feature True-Swing Technology, boss rivets, a leaf spring in the double-locking mechanism and three six-teeth retaining bars. Models 3103 and 3154 are available in nickel-plate finish and Models 3105 and 3155 are available in black finish. Iosso Products AR-15 Brushes Iosso’s kit for AR-15s contains four brushes: upper receiver brush, chamber brush, bolt carrier brush and a bore brush. The upper receiver brush fits the receivers of the AR-15 and the AR-10. When used with the Iosso Bore Cleaner and Iosso Gun Oil, the kit will remove carbon burn and all fouling. Kimber SIS Kimber’s SIS pistols, in .45 ACP, have stainless steel slides, frames and serrated mainspring housings. Features include flat-top slide, SIS Night Sight and lightweight SIS Hammer. Beavertail grip safeties are bumped and grooved, and slide and frame edges are softened with a Kimber Service Melt. Included are a stainless steel KimPro Tac-Mag magazine, stippled black laminate logo grips and the finish is gray KimPro II. The SIS Custom and SIS Custom RL feature a short guide rod. The SIS Ultra incorporates a rounded mainspring housing and frame. Hiatt Handcuffs 1-877-HIATTCUFF www.hiatts.com Iosso Products (847) 437-8400 www.iosso.com Kimber (406) 758-2222 www.kimberamerica.com Circle # 294 38 MAY 2008 Circle # 295 Circle # 297 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=39http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=39PentagonLight P2 Porcupine PentagonLight introduces the P2 Porcupine, a self-defense illumination tool, featuring a sharpened spike head. When not in the defensive mode, the spikes are guarded and hidden under a protector head. Speed threads permit the extension and retraction of the spike’s head. Powered by two CR123A lithium batteries, the P2 Porcupine’s xenon lamp provides 65 lumens of light for approximately one hour of continuous use. The Porcupine is 5.6" long and weighs 3.7 oz. Command Arms Accessories FGA Flashlight Grip Adaptor The FGA Flashlight Grip Adaptor, a mount and vertical grip combination, holds any 1" flashlight. A thumb-activated pushbutton on the grip operates the flashlight’s on/off switch, with a safety-on button to prevent accidental illumination, and a constant light-on button. A Picatinny rail allows mounting of a side laser in three locations. Buffer Technologies Sig Sauer P229 Buffer Responding to demands from law enforcement, Buffer Technologies introduces a recoil buffer for the Sig Sauer P229. The unit includes a stainless steel guide rod with a high-density, shock-absorbing polyurethane buffer. The unit is used within the P229’s factory spring. PentagonLight (650) 877-1555 www.pentagonlight.com Command Arms Accessories (267) 803-1518 www.commandarms.com Buffer Technologies 1-877-628-3337 www.buffertech.com Circle # 301 Circle # 287 Circle # 286 www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 211 on Inquiry Card MAY 2008 392008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=40http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=40The companies listed have featured advertisements or products in this issue. Look to them first when you are ready to make a purchase. ACCESSORIES Companies ADVERTISERS ArmaLite ATK/Federal Premium ATK/Shooters Ridge Barska Brownells Century International Arms DPMS European American Armory First-Light USA FNH USA Fobus Holsters HKS Products, Inc. Insight Technology Joseph Chiarello & Co. Kwik-Site Lewis Machine & Tool Co. Lone Wolf Knives Millett Ogre Manufacturing, LLC. Para USA Pearce Grip Rock River Arms Scherer Supplies Sig Sauer Sporting Products Sports South Springfield Stag Arms STI Ten Point Crossbow Trausch Grips Circle # 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 Page 6 23 29 37 15 5 13 27 9 3 39 36 5 31 14 31 12 21 31 1 21 11 17 7 48 2 47 34-35 15 17 19 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 Companies Nighthawk Custom North American Arms Para USA Rock River Arms Rossi Firearms Seecamp Sig Sauer Smith & Wesson Springfield Armory STI International Sturm, Ruger & Co. Taurus International Thompson/Center U.S. Fire Arms Mfg. Uberti USA Walther USA Weatherby & Sons Wilson Combat Circle # 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 Page 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 35 34 33 38 37 39 39 36 36 37 38 38 38 38 33 35 39 35 36 33 37 36 34 34 38 45 45 44 44 44 44 44 2008 L.E./TACTICAL NEW PRODUCTS Aimpoint 279 Barska 281 Beretta USA 282 Bianchi International 284 BLACKHAWK! 285 Buffer Technologies 286 Command Arms Accessories 287 DoubleStar Inc. 289 Gold Plated FNH USA 291 GG&G 292 Hatch 293 Hiatt Handcuffs 294 Iosso Products 295 Kimber 297 Laser Devices Inc. 298 Monadnock 299 Pentagon Light 301 Revision Eyewear 302 Sabre Defence Industries 303 $49.00 Safariland Add $4.00 S/H 304 Savvy Armor 305 Sig Sauer 306 SureFire 307 Taurus International Mfg. 308 Wiley X Eyewear 310 COLLECTORS IDENTIFY YOURSELF THIS BADGE MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE Police Quality Gold Plated 100% LEGAL FOR PERMIT HOLDERS Badge Case & Shipping FREE With Order Order Toll Free Size 2” x 3” Money Back Guarantee HANDGUN SALES American Derringer Beretta USA Bersa (Eagle Imports) Bond Arms Browning Charles Daly Charter Arms Cimarron Firearms Cobra Enterprises of Utah Colt’s Mfg. CZ-USA Dan Wesson Firearms EMF Co. European American Armory FireStorm (SGS Importers) FNH USA Freedom Arms Glock Inc. Heckler & Koch Heritage Mfg. High Standard Mfg. Hi-Point Firearms H-S Precision Inc. Kahr Arms Kel-Tec Kimber Les Baer Custom Magnum Research Navy Arms Co. 40 MAY 2008 MSRP: $58.00 You Save $20.00 PO Box 970057 Coconut Creek, FL 33097 $38 1-877-332-2343 www.maxarmory.com NEW PRODUCTS Barnes Bullets Beretta USA Corp. DeSantis Holster & Leather FMG Publications Kahr Arms Pelican Products Inc. Weatherby 280 283 288 290 296 300 309 To request FREE information and materials from these companies, use the Reader Service Card. Or, just send us a postcard, indicating the issue’s date, company’s number and include your business address. Send to: Reader Service, SHOOTING INDUSTRY, P.O. Box 502794, San Diego, CA 92150-9833. If the company doesn't have a number, write them directly and say you saw their ad, product or name in SHOOTING INDUSTRY. You can also download the Reader Service page and Reader Service Card from our Web Site and fax, (858) 605-0247, or mail it to our office. Go to www.shootingindustry.com and click on Reader Service. Classified ads are: $2.00 per word per insertion with a 20-word minimum OR $1.50 per word per insertion for three or more issues with a 25-word minimum. No charge for CAPS. Bold words add $1.00 per word. Copy and rerun orders must be accompanied by PAYMENT IN ADVANCE. NO AGENCY OR CASH DISCOUNTS ON LISTING OR DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING. All ads must be received with 2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=41http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=41BOOMING Carolee Anita Boyles SALES! Are Your Handgun Sales Robust? They Can Be! andgun sales are booming. more of what he would consider a “nor- Focus On The Customer “In my opinion, there’s nothing more “We know what our retail cus- mal” market. tomers are buying from us, and we “January and February were still very important than good customer service,” know handgun sales to our customers are strong months for us in handguns,” Mc- McClain said. “That means training your up,” said Laurie Aronson, president of Clain said. “Our handgun sales have al- guys so they know what the guns are and Lipsey’s. “That’s a good indication that ways been good, and they continue to can make recommendations.” Those recommendations aren’t just handgun sales are up in general.” be.” Further, due to uncertainty about the Jim McClain, owner of Jim’s Firearms presidential election, McClain predicts about which gun to buy, but also about in Baton Rouge, La., is a retailer who’s strong handgun sales through the rest of which cleaning kit, ammunition and other accessories customers need. seen huge “ups” in the handgun market in the year. Aronson agrees, saying, “You don’t the past few years. What can you do to make the most of “We have, on average, between 7,000 handgun sales? Aronson and McClain of- want your salespeople to be the ‘know-italls’ behind the counter. Instead, you want and 10,000 guns in stock,” McClain said. fer several suggestions. “We carry everything from Taurus and Bersa to $7,000 Wilson Combats.” McClain said the store has always done a very strong business in handguns. Because of that reputation, he “caught the wave” when disaster struck Louisiana in 2005. “After Hurricane Katrina, on one day we sold more than 700 guns,” he said. “Sometimes people had to wait between four and eight hours to buy a gun. We were running three registers as fast as we could, and were working 18 to 20 hours a day; instead of our nice uniform shirts, we were in t-shirts and shorts and flipflops. We didn’t even have time to go home and change.” McClain said his store rode that wave of sales for almost two years. In the past 18 months, Jim McClain, owner of Jim’s Firearms, stocks thousands of handguns and says, “Nothing is more important he’s finally seen it drop off to than good customer service.” www.shootingindustry.com MAY 2008 41 H2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=42http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=42best gun for him.” The key to making the right sale, Aronson said, is to find out the real reason the customer is buying the firearm and address it. “And don’t be too intimidating about it,” she said. “Have an attitude that makes people feel comfortable about approaching the counter and asking to look at a firearm.” A special challenge in customer service is when a couple comes in and the husband says, “I want to buy a gun for my wife.” “Talk to them as a couple, but be sure you find out what the woman wants,” McClain said. “Sometimes the man thinks he knows what’s best for his lady. But a .44 Magnum 2 1/2-inch snub nose is not a good choice for a woman. Just because it will top off his collection of cool .44 Magnums doesn’t justify you selling it as a good protection gun for his wife, who’s 5'2" and weighs 110 pounds.” Laurie Lipsey Aronson, president of Lipsey’s, in the company’s new training room, says, “One of the biggest things retailers can do to promote sales is hold training classes for their customers.” Ichiro Nagata Jim McClain uses Smith & Wesson Performance Center guns to attract customers, knowing he’ll sell more “less expensive guns. But a few people will come in and buy the Performance Center guns,” like this Model 325 Thunder Ranch Defensive Revolver. them to really ask questions of your consumers to find out what it is that they’re looking for, instead of just trying to get them to buy one product over another.” Selling isn’t about telling your customer what you think he should buy. In fact, some sales experts say “selling” really should be called “listening.” “Ask questions like, ‘Are you a target shooter?’ and ‘Are you interested in a gun with a lot of safety features 42 MAY 2008 on it?’” McClain said. “Find out if the customer is looking for a gun for personal protection.” In other words, learn all you can before you make a recommendation, and then be sure you make a recommendation that meets the customer’s needs, not just one you happen to like. “When you ask a lot of questions, that relaxes the customer,” McClain said. “Then he feels like you’re trying to get the “A lot of dealers carry just the top sellers, and I think that’s a mistake,” McClain said. “When you do that, you’re going head-to-head against everyone else who looks at the top sellers. However, if you have the complete product line and a wide assortment of brands — such as Taurus, Smith, Springfield Armory, Sig Sauer, HK, Glock, Kahr Arms — and you have the accessories to go with them, you get the consumer excited about their purchase. The way to increase your handgun sales is to increase the size of your customers’ purchases.” Other accessories you should be selling with every gun include a cleaning kit, practice ammo, personal defense ammo and a holster that suits the customer’s needs. “Spend a little time with each customer showing him how to use the gun, and how to clean it,” McClain said. “Then say, ‘By the way, you got a few minutes? Let me try these grips on the gun for you. If you don’t like them, we can take them off, but I think you’ll really like the way they feel.’ “Ninety percent of the time, if you put a pair of grips on, you don’t take them off,” McClain said. “The customer isn’t looking at the bottom end price anymore; instead, he’s feeling good about the purchase, and very comfortable about what he bought. And he’s going to tell his friends that you sold him the gun he really liked, and took good care of him at the same time.” Six months later, when that friend wants to buy a gun, he or she is going to come into your store looking for the same level of service. www.shootingindustry.com Have Product To Sell2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=43http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=43“When we do, for instance, a Smith & Wesson promotion, we put the inexpensive guns on sale just like everyone else does,” McClain said. “We also put in a Performance Center gun, a .44 Magnum, and a 6-inch .357 Magnum. People are going to come in and buy 50 of the less expensive guns. But a few people will come in and buy the Performance Center guns.” And some customers will come in and look longingly at the Performance Center guns. “They really want that $1,200 Performance Center gun, but they just can’t do it,” McClain said. “So I say, ‘Well, let me show you their entry-level 1911. It has a lot of features, and we’re throwing in two free magazines with every purchase.’” You can downsell that customer to an $800 gun, make him happy, and put dollars in your pocket all at the same time. “No one advertises those $1,200 guns,” McClain said. “But customers come in to see them, knowing they can’t afford them, and you can show them three other models that they can afford.” “One of the biggest things retailers can do to promote sales is hold training classes for their customers,” Aronson said. “That includes handgun safety courses and concealed carry permit courses.” Even if you don’t hold classes yourself, if you know of law enforcement agencies, wildlife agencies or other groups that do, advertise them in your store. “All of this encourages handgun sales,” Aronson said. If you have a range in your store, you’re at a distinct advantage when it comes to classes and, by extension, handgun sales. “More and more firearms stores have ranges available to their customers,” Aronson said. “And many times a gun shop will open up a range in a separate location.” Either scenario gives your customer a chance to shoot a gun and develop a sense of ownership about it that encourages him to buy it. If you don’t have or can’t add a range, don’t give up on letting your customers shoot before they buy. “Develop a good relationship with someone in town who does have a range,” Aronson said. “Then exchange business with him. There’s nothing wrong with a gun shop that doesn’t have a range sending customers to a nearby range, and the range sending retail customers back to the gun shop. Smart dealers build those mutually beneficial relationships.” Customers who are interested in new firearms, such as the Ruger SR9, will likely have a lot of questions. Aronson advises: “Have an attitude that makes people feel comfortable about approaching the counter and asking to look at a firearm.” Hold Classes he uses for direct mail before every instore promotion. “We send out 20,000 well-designed, multicolored fliers that have 20 or 30 guns on them,” he said. “People come in with a gun circled and say, ‘I want this one.’” McClain doesn’t chase co-op dollars when he prints his fliers. “I have a budget that I use for direct mailing,” he said. “If a vendor reimburses me some of that, I’m tickled. If they don’t, I budgeted that money anyway.” These sales, McClain said, probably won’t cover the cost of the mailing. However, he said, over the next six months, he will continue to make sales because of people who saw the flier but couldn’t come in at the time. “The residual effects of the sale carry over for six months,” he said. “That’s the big picture you have to look at.” 9 H-S Precision Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kahr Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kel-Tec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kimber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Les Baer Custom . . . . . . . . . . . . . Magnum Research . . . . . . . . . . . . Navy Arms Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nighthawk Custom . . . . . . . . . . . . North American Arms . . . . . . . . . . Para USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rock River Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rossi Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seecamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sig Sauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Smith & Wesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . Springfield Armory . . . . . . . . . . . . STI International .2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=44http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=44Text First Line See Your Product Here! If you are a manufacturer, importer, distributor or entrepreneur with a newsworthy, new or revised product available to dealers or distributors, let us know! Text Address all releases to: New Products Editor SHOOTING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE 12345 World Trade Dr. San Diego, CA 92128 SHOOTING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE www.shootingindustry.com Phone #be color, if possible. Electronic images, should transparencies and glossy prints are acceptable. Website Company We have room for about 80 words. Pictures Text Line FMG First Publications Defensive Revolver Product releases are printed on a space-available basis at the discretion of the editorial staff. Text First Line Text Weatherby SA-08 Semi-Auto Weatherby Company (805) 227-2600 Phone # www.weatherby.com Website Circle # 309 Weatherby introduces the SA-08 Semi-Auto line of shotguns available in three models: Upland, Youth and Synthetic. The shotguns feature a dual-valve system, alloy receivers, drop-out trigger systems and lengthened forcing cones. Three screw-in Integral Multi-Choke Systems are compatible with the Briley thread pattern. The Upland and Youth models feature walnut stocks. The Youth is available in 20-gauge. The Synthetic features a black composite stock. The Upland and Synthetic are available in 12- and 20-gauge. Text New for 2008, Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch presents “Defensive Revolver: Logical Solutions For The Real World.” Filmed at Thunder Ranch in Oregon, the two-disc DVD is packed with tips, techniques and Clint’s personal observations about the tactics and gear that work best. Smith presents a Mental Preparation and Logic Lecture and covers Proper Technique and Application; Loading, Unloading and Malfunction Clearance; Carry and Draw Demonstration; Range Drills; Demonstration and more. Company FMG Publications Phone # 1-800-628-9818 Website www.americanhandgunner.com Circle # 290 Text First Line Text Kahr Arms Thompson 1927A-1 Kahr Arms Company (508) 795-3010 Phone # www.kahr.com Website www.tommygun.com The Thompson 1927A-1 Deluxe Pistol TA5 has an aluminum construction with a 10.5" barrel, and walnut, horizontal foregrip. It is 23.3" long and weighs 5 pounds, 14 1/2 ounces. Included is a 50-round drum magazine. A 30-round stick, 10-round and 100-round drum magazines are available. Text First Line Text DeSantis Holster D94 Paddle Holster Made entirely of Kydex sheet, the D94 DS Paddle Holster is adjustable for forward to rearward cant and has a dual-tension device. The D94 is currently available for the Glock 17, 19, 22 and 23, in right- and left-hand models. Other models will follow. Circle # 296 Text First Line Pelican Products Mossy Oak Tactical Lights Text Pelican introduces the PM6 3330 LED and PM6 3320 Incandescent in camouflaged Mossy Oak Break Up. Constructed of engineering-grade polymer, the PM6s weigh 3.45 ounces. The PM6 LED uses high-output batteries to drive a one-watt Luxeon LED (good for 10,000 hours of life), producing 41 lumens of light for up to 20 hours. The PM6 Incandescent has a high-intensity Xenon bulb that produces 74 lumens of light for up to one hour of continuous use. Company Pelican Products Inc. Phone # 1-800-473-5422 Website www.pelican.com DeSantis Holster & Leather Goods Co. Company (631) Phone841-6300 # www.desantisholster.com Website Circle # 300 44 MAY 2008 Circle # 288 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=45http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=45Continued from page 46 Southwick Provides Market Insight S Barnes Bullets Triple-Shock X-Bullet For 2008, Barnes is introducing an “improved” Triple-Shock X-Bullet, with the addition of a polymer tip. The tip and a reengineered nose cavity provide faster expansion. The new Tipped TSX features the same 100-percent copper body with multiple rings cut into the shank as the Triple-Shock X-Bullet. outhwick Associates has released its data on the top-selling brands in six categories for January and February. The data is from Southwick’s Internet program: HunterSurvey, a monthly consumer monitoring service. Southwick can provide greater detail on these and many other product categories on a subscription basis. For a sample of monthly reports and pricing, contact: info@ southwickassociates.com. Top-Selling Brands January Category Rifles Shotguns Handguns RifleAmmo Riflescopes GameCalls Brand Ruger MS* 9.2% Winchester 25.4% Glock Remington Bushnell Primos 20.8% 33.2% 23.9% 34.9% February Brand Ruger H&R1 871 S&W Remington Bushnell Primos MS* 10.5% 1 6.0% 1 7.5% 30.8% 27.2% 35.4% * Marketshare: The percentage of all retail transactions. Barnes Bullets (801) 756-4222 www.barnesbullets.com Circle # 280 ow much money is there in selling turkey-related firearms, ammo and gear? A bundle big enough that Remington assembled a 16-page catalog devoted to gobbler-getting stuff early this year. Nicely designed, it had hunters drooling over eye-popping images of the new Model 11-87 Sportsman Super Mag ShurShot Turkey 12-gauge, along with tom-taking ammo and all the musthave accessories. The Remington 2008 Turkey Products Guide was available for download on www.remington.com. Smart marketing. H Remington Targets Turkey Hunters Beretta USA UGB25 Xcel Beretta’s UGB25 Xcel shotgun features an innovative locking system with break-open action. The second round is not hidden inside the magazine tube, but is always visible in its side cartridge carrier. The 12-gauge, with 30" barrel, operates on a short-barrel recoil system. The UGB25 Xcel features a light alloy receiver, select walnut stock and Optima-Bore Barrel with a lengthened forcing cone for enhanced pattern distribution, reduced felt recoil and shot velocity optimization. he delayed delivery of Heckler & Koch’s HK45 hasn’t dampened consumers’ enthusiasm for the pistol. Internet blogs are heavy with praise for the pistol’s “shootability,” “reduced recoil” and “interchangeable backstraps.” The HK45 is available in 10 HK variants, including the double-action and single-action Law Enforcement Modification (LEM). Visit www.hk-usa.com. T HK45 Hits Target Beretta USA Corp. (301) 283-2191 www.berettausa.com Circle # 283 www.shootingindustry.com ongratulations to Shari LeGate, who has been hired by NBC to be the shooting sports analyst for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. LeGate, a two-time national champion and World Cup medalist, was a member of the U.S. National Team in skeet for 12 years, winning numerous titles and medals. She was the target sports analyst for ESPN’s Great Outdoor Games and currently produces and hosts the ACUI Intercollegiate Clay Target National Championships. In 2001, she was presented the Shooting Industry Award by the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence for her accomplishments Shari LeGate in introducing thousands of women to the shooting sports. The former executive director of the Women’s Shooting Sports Foundation, she is currently the spokesperson for the NSSF’s Project ChildSafe and is a representative for the First Shots program. LeGate is also a Shooting Industry contributing editor, and will again compete in the Shooting Industry Masters in July. 9 MAY 2008 45 C LeGate Calls Shots For NBC2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=46http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=46Russ Thurman The Many Forms Of Gun Control al-Mart’s decision to sign the Bloomberg agreement in April blindsided the industry. But for the retail behemoth, it’s just business. Just as it was in 2006 when Wal-Mart stopped selling firearms in 1,000 of its stores; it was a business decision. Wal-Mart’s support of the measures created by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” provides significant benefit. By agreeing to abide by the 10 points of the “Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership,” Wal-Mart wraps itself in a layer of protection from anti-gun forces. And, anti-gun forces are powerful. For those in the industry who think the anti-gun movement has been neutralized, based on its lack of progress on the national level, think again. Microstamping, bullet serialization, ballistic imaging, onerous zoning, restrictive and prohibitive sales of firearms and ammunition — and more — are driven by anti-gun proponents. W There are many forms of gun control. The Bloomberg agreement is a powerful one. The Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership is a “masterful” form of gun control, developed by those vehemently opposed to the private ownership of firearms. While you go about the business of running your business, anti-gun zealots are going about their business. And, they “The Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership is a ‘masterful’ form of gun control.” are good at what they do. The challenge: In addition to making and/or selling firearms, ammo and myriad associated gear, you have to battle anti-gun forces — every day. Anti-gun forces, however, don’t do anything but develop ways to stop you from doing business — every day. Wal-Mart’s “business” decision will likely endear them to Mr. and Mrs. America, who, while they believe in and support the Second Amendment, also want “Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership(s)” and who wouldn’t want to support “Mayors Against Illegal Guns”? These are the Wal-Mart customers who generally don’t buy firearms and ammo from the retailer, but they sure push a lot of shopping carts to the checkout stands every day. That’s business. Undoubtedly, the firearm and ammo companies who sell a significant number of guns and pallets of ammo through Wal-Mart will be hurt. That Wal-Mart would enter into the Bloomberg agreement without notifying its longtime firearmindustry partners is, yes, a shock, but not surprising. Remember, it’s business. It’s important for all of us to know about the Bloomberg coalition. Visit www. mayorsagainstillegalguns.org. There you will discover how the industry is being targeted and if your mayor is a member of the coalition. Summit Looks To Future he NSSF 2008 Shooting Sports Summit, June 23-25 in Colorado Springs, Colo., is attracting a lot of attention from leaders throughout the industry. The focus of the event: the future of hunting and the shooting sports. The summit is attracting a growing number of sponsors, including Outdoor Channel, Safari Club International (SCI) and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA). “Ensuring a strong future for our sports is a common goal shared by all of us in the hunting and shooting community,” said NSSF Senior Vice President Chris Dolnack. “With the support of Outdoor Channel, SCI, USSA and others, this year’s summit is shaping up to be perhaps the most significant industry gathering of this decade.” This is the first NSSF summit in six years, with organizers planning numerous sessions designed to “forge new strategies T aimed at taking current recruitment and retention programs to the next level.” NSSF will present a comprehensive three-year $389,000 study aimed at improving hunter and shooter recruitment and retention. Results of the “Future of Hunting and the Shooting Sports” project, funded by a U.S. Fish & Wildlife grant and conducted in partnership with Responsive Management, will serve as the basis for the summit. The summit’s keynote speaker is former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. For more information, vis2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=47http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=47Circle No. 227 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=48http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/May2008/?Page=48www.JPSauerUSA.com 866-219-8552 Circle No. 225 on Inquiry Card2008-09-22T23:09:01+02:00