Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. most women would call a .270 a “two hundred and seventy.” Kiger said simply teaching women the correct terms for firearms and accessories is a tremendous boost to their confidence. To give women a varied perspective on firearms, Kiger often invites local gun stores to be part of the MDNR shooting classes. Dana Benton, sales associate at Glen’s Army Navy, says his store likes to assist the MDNR by providing ammunition, support personnel and range guns. “It’s well worth it for us to be a part of it,” Benton said. “Twenty boxes of ammo donated to a class isn’t very much in the short run because they’ll buy much more from us in the future.” Benton says another reason it’s important for gun shops to support women’s shooting classes is to try to reach beyond the traditional sportsman. “It seems like the hunting segment is decreasing. We need a new market and new people to keep the sport up,” Benton said. Being involved in this type of class also has a positive effect on the store’s sales. “After every class, we get a lot of women who come in to buy guns,” Benton said. “Most of these people are brand-new shooters and they plan to buy a gun soon after the class. That’s the purpose behind attending.” Benton says that because they are new shooters, they tend to buy plenty of accessories as well. “We also sell a lot of fanny pack holsters,” Benton said. “Uncle Mike’s and BLACKHAWK! sell well.” seems to illustrate the fundamentals. During the course of the classes, he has found several firearms that seem to work well for women, including the Marlin 915Y bolt-action, Ruger 10/22 standard carbines, Remington Model 7 Youth and the Savage Model 10GY. In shotguns, the Remington 870 Youth, Franchi 48 AL Field Short Stock, Benelli Nova Pump Short Stock and Beretta AL391 Urika 2 Youth in 20 gauge are popular. When it comes to purchasing a firearm, Kiger says to select a caliber that matches the game pursued. “A 7x30, .30-30, .243, .260, 7mm-08, .308 covers a large array of game and keeps the recoil down,” he said. “Look into the managed or low-recoil ammo from Remington or Federal and a .270 or .30-06 might work. The best advice I can offer is to start out small and work up until you find which one the shooter likes the best.” www.shootingindustry.com The finest Pistol & Revolver grips in a variety of styles and materials. Soft rubber, Aluminum, Titanium and exotic hardwoods such as Kingwood, Rosewood, Coco Bolo, Tulipwood etc. OverMolded™ Rifle and Shotgun stocks in OD Green, Camo & Black. Handall® grip sleeves PowerSpeed holster EZG™ Recoil Pads AR-15 OverMolded grip & free floating forend OverMolded Rifle Slings & Swivels Other fine accessories Hot New Products! Extreme™ Aluminum Grips Ghillie™ Stocks Custom textures Call for a Free Catalog and Free Dealer Display Pack 1-800-Get-Grip www.getgrip.com HOGUE INC 805-239-1440, fax-805-239-2553 PO Box 1138, Paso Robles, CA 93447 • • • • • • • HOT NEW PRODUCTS! Ghillie Stock & Extreme Aluminum Free Dealer Display Pack Hogue products are available from your favorite distributor or order direct Circle No. 217 on Inquiry Card eing part of a class or range day is also a great opportunity to get some inexpensive advertising. “We’re right in front of them in the class and we make sure to hand out cards and stickers with the store information,” Benton said. Supporting instructional programs that bring in new shooters benefits your business. When you team up with your local department of natural resources or shooting range, you’re reaching motivated buyers who are attending a class with the plan B Target Marketing to purchase a firearm in the future. It’s also a great opportunity to do some creative advertising. If you’re donating ammo, put a sticker with your store information on every box. You could also hand out “buy one box of ammo, get one free” coupons. If you provide range guns, display your store’s name somewhere on the case or on the firearm itself. You can put your store name on targets and donate those to an introductory firearms class — the advertising possibilities are limitless. 9 OCTOBER 2008 23