http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/RSS.ashxShooting Industry October 2008 PagesWed, 01 Oct 2008 16:23:37 +0200http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=1http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=1INDUSTRY SENDS STRONG MESSAGE: VOTE! OCTOBER 2008 Showdown In Gun Valley HANDGUN SALES BUCKS Slump? What Slump? COWBOY ACTION BATHROBE p20 www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 237 on Inquiry Card Trade Show Attire:2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=2http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=2PREDATORY ACCURACY Savage’s dominant accuracy knocks predators a link down the food chain. The Predator Hunter: One rifle to rule them all. Anything less deadly will be prey. Circle No. 229 on Inquiry Card savagearms.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=3http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=3Circle No. 233 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=4http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=4OCTOBER 2008 • VOLUME 53 • NUMBER 10 Features 26 30 Page 26 Shooting Industry Masters — 2008 Showdown In Gun Valley Raises $16,500 For Step Outside! Ray Hurley Slump? What Slump? Pump Up Your Handgun Sales With Proven Strategies. John Morrison 37 43 Cowboy-Action Shooting! Make Big Bucks In This Specialized Market. Carolee Anita Boyles Bowhunting! Maximize Crossover Gear And Profit! Mark Kayser Industry News 8 Industry Sends Strong Message: Vote! 11 Big Rock Sports Raises $40,000 For NSSF 12 Ruger Presents $125,000 To NRA-ILA 15 Remington Awarded Army Contract Page 30 Columns 18 20 22 24 Page 37 Lethal Force Selling The Staples Just Makes Sense. Massad Ayoob Outdoor Marketplace Attend A Trade Show In Your Bathrobe. Carolee Anita Boyles Arms And The Woman Education Draws Women, Creates Customers. Lisa Parsons-Wraith Back Blast & Other Hot Gases Don’t Try This With Fake “Deterrent Guns.” Commander Gilmore 54 Industry Watch Vote. Russ Thurman Departments 6 Letters 48 New Products 52 53 Reader Service Classifieds Page 43 4 OCTOBER 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.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=5http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=5SINCE 1955 — THE INDUSTRY’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE PRESIDENT Thomas von Rosen Russ Thurman PUBLISHER & EDITOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Roxanne Smith ART DIRECTOR Eric Tse ART ASSISTANT Andy Loy PRODUCTION MANAGER Dennaye Cusick Anita Carson ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Steve Evatt, Jeff Morey, Delano Amaguin, Scott McGregor PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR Randy Moldé PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Lorinda Massey NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR 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 Publisher & 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 SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES . . . . . . 858.605.0250 EXPRESS SERVICE . . . . . www.shootingindustry.com General Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . Click: Contact Us EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858.605.0243 PRODUCTION www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 214 on Inquiry Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . russ@shootingindustry.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 Coming This December: Buyer’s Guide Does Your Listing Need Updating? See pg. 10 OCTOBER 2008 5 The Universe’s Greatest PRODUCED IN THE U.S.A. www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=6http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=6I read the article in the July 2008 issue of Shooting Industry about Kim Rhode (Arms & The Woman). I’ve had one-onone shooting time with this young lady here in Alaska, at an airgun store back in ’96 or ’97. When my wife and I arrived, she made herself available for autographs and was handing out Marksman hatpins. Kim and I got to shoot airguns at moving targets on a projection screen. I always prided myself on being a darn good shot, and was eager to see if I could outshoot this 17-year-old young lady. Well, I kept up with her to a point, but man, let me tell you, she can shoot and I cherish the day I shot against Kim Rhodes, even if it was airguns. After it was over, we shook hands and she let me wear her gold medal. I’m proud of Kim and hope she does well in Beijing. Dennis J. Hermannes Mizzou Mule Guns Anchorage, Alaska Proud Of Kim Mr. Hermannes, you are among the many who are proud of Kim. We were honored to present her the 1997 Shooting Industry Award on behalf of the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence for her gold medal performance at the 1996 Olympics. At 17 years old, she was the first woman to receive the award. As you know, she has added to her shooting medal count over the years, including a silver medal in women’s skeet in Beijing. Thank you for featuring Project STAND in Outdoor Marketplace (June 2008). The National Bowhunting Education Foundation greatly appreciates this support. While the project is moving in a positive direction, funds are still needed to help carry the project to the next level. Ongoing expenses include Web site development costs, start-up funding for new products and funds for printing new materials. Taking A STAND It is time for the hunting industry to take treestand safety personal, because it is personal to each one of us. Whatever the incidence of accidents, it is universally held that treestand accidents represent not only personal tragedy, but also have the potential to damage the image of hunting in general. With proper funding, Project STAND will reduce treestand accidents and deaths. Without funding, it will just be another good idea. Please urge your readers to pledge their support now. Marilyn Bentz Executive Director National Bowhunting Education Foundation To learn how you can help, contact Ms. Bentz at (479) 649-9036, e-mail: mbentz@ nbef.org or visit www.nbef.org. 9 E-mail the Editor russ@shootingindustry.com Circle No. 201 on Inquiry Card 6 OCTOBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=7http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=7MORE THAN THE BEST EVER MADE, A RITE OF PASSAGE. For many, our Model 870™ Express is the first and ® last shotgun they ever buy – for good reason. It’s built on the smoothest, most dependable, most proven pump action in history. With 9 million sold, the Model 870™ has stood as the standard for more than 50 years. We’re proud to make them, but prouder that so many generations have made them America’s favorite. MODEL 870™ EXPRESS ® MODEL 870™ EXPRESS® Features: Sleek, swift-pointing design / Receiver milled from a solid billet of steel / Smooth twin action bars / Updated wood laminate, synthetic and camo versions available / 3" and 3 1/2" chambers LOAD UP ON SAVINGS with the Model 870™ Express® rebate, 8/1/08 - 12/31/08. Visit www.remington.com/FallPromo or see store for details. ©2008 REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, INC. Circle No. 227 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=8http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=8Attend A Trade Show In Your Bathrobe — page 20 Industry Sends Strong Message: Vote! he firearms industry is in a final, all-out campaign to educate gun owners and sportsmen, and to encourage them to vote on Nov. 4. The stakes have never been higher, according to Steve Sanetti, NSSF president. “The threat to our rights hasn’t receded. Elections matter. And it’s not just a question of who is sitting in the Oval Office. There are also 35 U.S. Senate races this year and 435 races for the U.S. House of Representatives. Plus there are thousands of races at the state and local level. The balance of power is up for grabs across the country,” Sanetti said. Sanetti points out there are major differences in the positions held by the candidates. “For example, Sen. John McCain stood up against baseless lawsuits that attempted to blame the shooting sports industry for the criminal acts of third parties. Senator Barack Obama, by contrast, voted to let antigun politicians like New York City Mayor Bloomberg file ridiculous lawsuits T against the industry. Those lawsuits threatened to bankrupt this firearms industry and deprive hunters and shooters of our Second Amendment rights,” Sanetti said. There are also vast differences in how the two parties’ vice presidential candi- “There’s a lot at risk for gun owners and sportsmen during this national election.” Despite the immense contrasts, there is significant concern over getting gun owners, hunters and sportsmen to vote. “Here’s the sobering truth: So far in this presidential election, there has been a twoto-one turnout difference between voters supporting antigun candidates, versus voters supporting pro-gun candidates. Hunters and shooters are on the wrong side of two-to-one odds,” Sanetti said. For several months, NSSF has driven that message home with its “Don’t Risk Your Rights” camSteve Sanetti, NSSF president paign, a national effort to register voters. Officials point out that there may still be time to register to vote dates view firearms and gun ownership. since the deadlines vary greatly from state Republican VP candidate Alaska Gov. to state. However, the message is shifting Sarah Palin’s official Web site describes from “register” to “vote.” her as “a lifetime member of the NRA “There’s a lot at risk for gun owners [who] enjoys hunting, fishing . and all and sportsmen during this national electhat Alaska’s great outdoors has to offer.” tion,” Sanetti said. “On Nov. 4, vote and Democratic VP candidate Delaware make sure your friends, family and fellow Sen. Joseph Biden often boasts of ban- hunters and shooters to do the same. It’s ning firearms. that important.” Firearm Dealers: Will You Help? he November elections will be upon us in less than a month, and many of the nation’s 90 million American gun owners will be headed to the polls to support candidates who will preserve, protect and defend our firearms freedoms. No doubt, as a proactive firearms retailer, you have already taken the necessary steps to educate yourself on where the candidates stand on issues related to hunting and our Second Amendment rights. With crunch time upon us though, it is imperative we focus on getting the people — our people — out to vote on Nov. 4. The 2008 elections will be extraordinarily competitive, perhaps even the closest races we’ve ever seen, and though sportsmen comprise a voting bloc second to none, our numbers only matter if the votes are cast. To this end, we must encourage every gun owner to educate themselves on the candidates and show up to vote next month. By now, you have heard about, and most likely visited, the NSSF Voter Education Web site. This easy-to-navigate site is loaded with information on political candidates and is updated regularly. The site, www.nssf.org/votered, provides information on where candidates stand on Second Amendment-related issues and links to key public opinion polling data. So, please, help us and yourself by referring back to the NSSF Voter Ed site routinely 2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=9http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=9Blackened Stainless with OD Green Brushed Stainless Blackened Stainless ® ® NEW Bladed Trigger with Less Overtravel and Reduced Length-of-Pull Legendary Ruger Reliability Perfectly Sized to be Comfortable and Controllable Adjustable, High-Visibility 3-Dot Sight System Unique Reversible Backstrap (Flat or Arched) Built-in Picatinny Rail 17 + 1 Capacity (Also available with 10-round magazines) Ambidextrous Manual Safety and Magazine Release Slim, Ergonomic Grip and Slide The SR9® is one of the slimmest, most comfortable and controllable 9mm pistols available today. The SR9 boasts a 17+1 capacity, an adjustable 3-dot sight system, Picatinny rail, ambidextrous manual safety/magazine release, a unique reversible backstrap, and a NEW bladed trigger with less overtravel and reduced length-of-pull. Loaded with all these features at an affordable price, the SR9 packs everything required by today’s most demanding shooters. ® Circle No. 236 on Inquiry Card RECALL OF SR9 PISTOLS WITH SERIAL NUMBER PREFIX “330”, VISIT WWW.RUGER.COM/SR9RECALL FOR DETAILS.2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=10http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=10The Hunt is Over! For the Ultimate Gun Care System Tetra® Gun care’s new limited edition Cleaning Pack is the only complete chemical cleaning set available for the true firearm enthusiast featuring high-performance fluoropolymer based lubricants and non-etching highstrength barrel solvent. The 2009 limited edition Cleaning Pack is value-priced and peg-boardable in an attractive clamshell package, and for a limited time, includes a FREE ‘Tips From the Pros’ Gun Cleaning Made Easy DVD! Circle No. 212 on Inquiry Card Coming This December: eretta has received three contracts from law-enforcement departments. The Rochester (New York) Police Department has purchased 775 Beretta Px4 Storm .45 pistols. “Beretta demonstrated their commitment to our organization during the testing process by redesigning the original safety lever of the Px4 to resemble the lever on the 92 series and the Cougar series of pistols previously issued to the RPD,” said David T. Moore, Rochester chief of police. Virginia’s Division of Capitol Police, located in the state’s capital of Richmond, has purchased 85 Beretta .40 Px4 Storm pistols for issue to its officers. The College of William and Mary in historic Williamsburg, Va., is providing its campus police officers with Beretta’s Cx4 Storm carbine/patrol rifle. “The William and Mary Police recognizes that the Cx4 carbine is a cost-effective, accurate and reliable tool that allows the patrol officer to quickly respond to threats that are beyond pistol range,” said Elio J. Oliva, vice president, Beretta Law Enforcement and Defense Division. For additional information, visit www. berettausa.com. Beretta USA Wins L.E. Contracts B Greatest Buyer’s Guide Updated! • Update your company’s information, or submit your listing. • Review your listing in the December 2007 or July 2008 issues. • Download the Buyer’s Guide Form from www.shootingindustry.com. (Click on the link at the bottom of the home page.) • Fax to: (858) 605-0247. The Universe’s CMG Marketing And Events Awarded Contract E Deadline For Updates In The December Issue: Oct. 31, 2008. 10 OCTOBER 2008 mpire Event Promotions, in cooperation with the Boomer Esiason Foundation, has awarded CMG Marketing and Events the sponsorship marketing contract for the 2009 All-American Sporting Clays Championship & World FITASC Challenge, and the Boomer Esiason Sporting Clays Pro-Am Events. The events will be held at Elk Creek Hunt Club in Owenton, Ky. “We wanted an agency that could help us leverage sponsorship marketing for these events, which generate critical research dollars for the Boomer Esiason Foundation as it moves closer to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis,” said Lee Becker, president of Empire Event Promotions. For more information, visit Boomer Esiason Foundation at www.esiason.org and CMG Marketing and Events at www. cmgmarketingandevents.com. www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=11http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=11AcuSport Offers American Tactical Imports Products A cuSport Corp. is now distributing the new GSG 5 and other items from American Tactical Imports. The German Sport Gun (GSG 5 model) is modeled after the MP 5 and shoots .22 ammunition. AcuSport also will offer a pistol version of the GSG 5 and a model based on the AK47 platform, also in .22 caliber. Accessories for all models will be available. “With the increase in consumer demand for firearms that shoot less expensive .22 ammunition, these products will generate excitement and additional sales opportunities for our customers,” said Kenan Ikels, AcuSport director of sales and marketing. For more information on American Tactical Imports, call 1-800-543-3150 or visit www.americantactical.us. For more information on AcuSport, visit www.acusport.com. Big Rock Sports Raises $40,000 For NSSF ig Rock Sports raised $40,000 in support of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) at their Second Annual Golf & Sporting Clay Target Shoot-Out in June at The American Club in Kohler, Wis. More than 50 participants spent a day at the sporting clays range and a day on the Whistling Straits golf course in partneredauction events. The two-day Shoot-Out concluded with a live auction, featuring hunting and fishing trips, unique collectorquality guns, optics, shooting accessories and more. “The second annual Big Rock NSSF Shoot-Out far exceeded everyone’s expectations. Evening discussions over cocktails and dinner allowed for senior management of our industry’s top companies to trade ideas and discuss key issues facing the shooting sports industry,” said Gary Zurn, senior vice president of marketing for Big Rock Sports. Doug Painter, NSSF senior advisor and trade liaison, was on hand to receive the donation from Ed Small, Big Rock Sports president and CEO. Big Rock Sports is the parent company of All Sports, AWR Sports, CSI Sports, Henry’s and MT Sports. Visit www.bigrocksports.com for more information. B Circle No. 202 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com OCTOBER 2008 112008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=12http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=12Ruger Presents $125,000 To NRA-ILA S turm, Ruger & Co. recently presented a check for $125,000 to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). The check represents a portion of sales of a special edition Ruger Mini-14. Ruger CEO Michael Fifer presented the check to NRA-ILA executive director Chris W. Cox. “Ruger is pleased to provide a vehicle for NRA members and firearms owners to support the important activities of the NRA-ILA as they protect our Second Amendment rights. Since a portion of the sale of each NRA Mini-14 goes to the NRAILA, purchasers can share in a win-win situation by receiving a special-edition, rugged, reliable Ruger Mini-14 and contribute to the future of firearms ownership at the same time,” Fifer said. For more information, visit NRA-ILA at www.nraila.org and Ruger at www.ruger.com. Norfolk PD Selects BLACKHAWK! Holster T ATK Trailer Helps Dealers Promote Products new trailer is touring the country, touting Federal Premium Ammunition, Nitrex, Weaver Optics and related brands. The 48-foot trailer features product displays visitors can touch and feel. It also has in-depth information on Federal’s Trophy Bonded Tip, Black Cloud and Champion’s DuraSeal Targets. “Our customers have a chance to use some truly innovative and interactive tools. They’ll also be able to see our new Bullet Breakdown video, which offers an indepth look at how different bullet styles perform. It’s designed to help them make a more informed ammunition selection. And, of course, they’ll be able to get product info and a chance for some free gear,” said Kyle Tengwall, ATK Armament Systems marketing director. By the end of fall, the trailer will have visited nearly 50 store events across the country. For more information, visit www.federalpremium.com. A he City of Norfolk (Va.) Police Department is equipping their uniformed officers with BLACKHAWK!’s SERPA duty holster for recently issued Taser X-26s. Department officers have the option of duty belt or leg platform carry, which is possible with BLACKHAWK!’s modular design. The purchase includes 673 duty belt Taser SERPA holsters and 256 Taser SERPA leg platform holsters. For more information, visit www.BLACKHAWK.com. Pelican Products Forms New Group elican Products has launched a new division focused on bringing to market “environmentally sustainable, energy-efficient and powerful Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting products.” The Advanced Area Lighting Group (AALG), known as Peli AALG Limited, combines Pelican’s nearly 30 years of lighting technology with the expertise and products of the newly acquired Blue i UK Ltd. “The lighting industry hasn’t even scratched the surface in effectively integrating LED technology into commercial applications for lighting large areas,” said Lyndon Faulkner, Pelican Products president and CEO. Visit www.pelican.com/aalg for more information. P Hawk Associates Selected As PR Agency H awk Associates of Tucson, Ariz., owned by Rich Walton, has been selected to handle advertising and PR functions for Game Tamers Treestand Co. and Mountaineer Sports LLC. “Rich will help us get the word out on our exceptional line of products with features not found in any other stand,” said Jay Decker, CEO of Game Tamers. “Our product, The Missing Link in Treestand Safety, is, we think, vital to the safety of all persons hunting from a treestand,” said Dr. Norman Wood, CEO of Mountaineer Sports. “With Rich’s industry savvy and experience, I feel confident our product will be introduced and marketed properly to help us save as many hunters as possible from serious injury and death.” For more information, visit Game Tamers at www.gametamers.com and Mountaineer Sports at www.treestandsafetybelt.com. Buyer’s Guide Update See pg. 10 www.shootingindustry.com 12 OCTOBER 20082008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=13http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=13Circle No. 237 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=14http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=14Bushnell Acquires Millett Industries idOcean Partners, a leading middle market private equity fund, and Bushnell Outdoor Products have announced that Bushnell has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Millett Industries. The terms of the purchase agreement were not disclosed. “Millett enjoys a strong brand equity and customer loyalty for their rings and bases and their recently expanded line of optics, particularly on the tactical and law enforcement side of the business, will complement and strengthen our existing product lines,” said Joe Messner, Bushnell president and CEO. This is the second acquisition for Bushnell this year. Earlier in the summer, the company acquired the assets of Simmons Outdoor Corp. from Meade Instruments. For more information, visit Bushnell at www.bushnell.com and MidOcean Partners at www.midoceanpartners.com. M Armstrong Tools, Pelican, UFPT Win Contract rmstrong Tools, Pelican Products and UFP Technologies have won a contract to design and build a mobile tool kit for the U.S. Army and Marines that meets Berry Amendment “Made in the USA” requirements. Over the five-year, $125-million contract’s life, the companies will manufacture more than 96,000 tool kits. Armstrong Tools supplied more than 175 forged alloy steel tool pieces designed to operate in the hottest and coldest environments. The set can be used for servicing and repairing armored and conventional vehicles. To protect the contents, Pelican Products has engineered their first-ever, dedicated mobile tool case that will secure, organize and make the tools virtually impervious to impact and moisture. For interior protection and tool control, UFP Technologies contributed a closed-cell, multicolor foam tray system to secure and organize multiple items and to prevent foreign object damage resulting from misplaced tools. For more information about Armstrong Military Tools, visit www.armstrongtools. com. For more on Pelican Products, visit www.Pelican.com. For more on UFP Technologies, visit www.ufpt.com. A Rocky Brands Awarded Contracts R ocky Brands Inc. has received a $6 million extension to an existing contract, in addition to a new $1.2 million contract from the U.S. Armed Forces. The U.S. Army has extended an original $6.4 million contract awarded to Rocky Brands in July 2007 for combat “hot weather” boots. Shipment of the additional boots is expected to begin in early 2009. The $1.2 million contract is for Rocky’s S2V tactical assault footwear developed specifically for U.S. Special Forces. The first order, worth $500,000, is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2008. “We are pleased to continue our relationship with the United States military by providing U.S.-made footwear that is built to perform at the highest levels,” said Mike Brooks, Rocky Brands chairman and CEO. For more information, call 1-866-762-5972 or visit www.rockybrands.com. • Safety & Storage Sales - Eye & Ear Protection - Safes - Gun Locks - Security • Target Varmint Hunting BONUS: Airguns & Paintball Profits L OOK IN G T O T H E FUTUR E ! Circle No. 218 on Inquiry Card 14 OCTOBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=15http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=15Remington Awarded Army Contract emington Arms Co. has been awarded a $12 million contract from the U.S. Army-TACOM for the purchase of M24 Sniper Weapon Systems (SWS). “Remington welcomes the continued relationship with our nation’s military and the opportunities to further develop and provide the solutions needed by our combat forces. We are tremendously proud to supply them with weaponry, such as the M24, that meets and exceeds their combat needs to win the global war on terrorism,” said Brian Marvin, senior vice president, Military, Law Enforcement and International for Remington. For a complete listing of Remington military products and full details on the Model M24 SWS and its variations, visit www.remingtonmilitary.com. R ATK To Distribute FNH USA Ammo A TK Commercial Products is now the exclusive distributor of the FNH USA commercial 5.7x28mm, SS197SR sporting ammunition (P/N 10700016) for the U.S. commercial market. The ammunition will be sold and marketed under the FN brand name. “This unique cartridge is now showing promise in the U.S. commercial sport shooting market. With our sales and distribution leadership in the ammunition category that includes the Federal, CCI and Speer brands, we have the advantage of getting this round out on shelves in an efficient and widespread manner,” said Anthony Acitelli, vice president of sales and marketing for ATK. All restricted military and law enforcement rounds will continue to be offered by FNH USA. For more information, visit ATK at www.atk.com and FNH USA at www. fnhusa.com. Circle No. 216 on Inquiry Card oolrich Elite Series Tactical clothing is made with trademark Woolrich quality and designed for comfort and functionality. See our full line of tactical apparel and accessories at woolricheliteseriestactical.com. ELITE LIGHTWEIGHT OPERATOR PANT The Elite Lightweight Operator pant combines the best features found on our Elite tactical pant and the current issue ACU (Army Combat Uniform) pant. • Light, durable 7 oz. 100% cotton ripstop. • 10 strategically placed multi-use pockets, with 2 hidden back pockets for wallet or ID. • 2 oversize bellows cargo pockets have internal elastic webbing to secure magazines or other sensitive items. • Lower magazine pockets on both legs accommodate a 30round AR-15 magazine on the inside, with 2 elastic chemlight holders on the outside. W Visit us online at www.woolricheliteseriestactical.com www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 238 on Inquiry Card OCTOBER 2008 152008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=16http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=16Liv Circle No. 207 on Inquiry Card Savage Range Systems Supplies Companies avage Range Systems recently completed delivery of new bullet traps to firearms manufacturers worldwide. PUBLICATION: CLIENT: AGENCY: Kimber Corp. and Stoeger (Turkey) recently took delivery of Crimson TraceManufacturing, Olin Guns Advertising Expeditions Proof and Function Model PF13000 bullet traps. TITLE: Shooting Industry Dan Cox, 503.780.0963 Remington Arms Co. Inc. recently received a Custom Model R-24 trap intended Aftermath American Handgunner ARTbox DIRECTOR: FILENAME: LIVE: Matt Warner for velocity, accuracy and feed and function testing. CT_Aftermath_7x6.67 x 6.67" COPYWRITER: Kahr Arms ordered a custom7" Model 810 box trap for testing their product line at their Dan Cox manufacturing plant in Worcester, Mass. PHOTOGRAPHER: Savage Range Systems is a subsidiary of Savage Sports Corp., which includes SavJohn Mulligan age Arms and BowTech. For more information, visit www.savagerangesystems.com. 16 OCTOBER 2008 S Buyer’s Guide Update See pg. 10 DIGITAL RETOUCHING: Bruce Harris PRODUCTION: Lenore Prato, 503.758.9156 www.shootingindustry.com Liv2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=17http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=17Starline has added Hunter Pilant to its support services team. Pilant will represent Starline at shooting and media events and provide technical support to shooters using Starline cases. Pilant has been involved in the shooting sports for 14 years and has participated in IHMSA, IDPA, The Masters, Sportsman’s Team Challenge, American Handgunner World Shootoff Championship and USPSA Pistol and Three-Gun events. Pilant rejoined Starline in early 2008. He previously was a production technician at the company for seven years, operating various presses and building production tooling, and assisting in manufacturing and quality control H. Pilant processes. Starline Adds To Support Team Seace previously held the position of western regional sales manager at Leica. He joined the company in 2007. AcuSport Corp. recently honored Rick Robison for 35 years of service to the company. During Robison’s career, he has worn many hats, working in almost every area at AcuSport. He started in the company’s AcuSport Honors Employee distribution center. “AcuSport is proud to be celebrating this great milestone in Rick’s career. Rick is a man of great character, with tremendous industry knowledge and exceptional loyalty to AcuSport,” said Jim Broering, AcuSport president. “Rick’s leadership skills and valuable insight have helped AcuSport grow from a regional business into a leading, national distributor,” said Bill Fraim, AcuSport chairman and CEO. 9 Legacy Sports International has promoted Brett Kennon to inside sales associate. Kennon joined Legacy Sports in 2006 as warehouse manager, after spending two years in retail sporting goods sales in Southern California, where he rose to assistant store manager. Kennon is a 2004 graduate of Iowa Wesleyan University where he majored in physical education. Legacy Sports also has promoted Jarrod Cato to warehouse manager. He joined Legacy in 2006 as assistant warehouse manager, and was instrumental in Legacy’s relocation from Alexandria, Va., to Reno, Nev. Cato was previously warehouse lead-man at RSR J. Cato Group for five years. Legacy Sports Announces Promotions Leica Sport Optics has promoted Walter Seace to national sales manager. In his new role, Seace is responsible for the development, management and motivation of all independent sales reps across the entire United Sates. He also is tasked with working closely with key accounts and expanding Leica sales into new channels of distribution. www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 208 on Inquiry Card Leica Sport Optics Promotes National Sales Manager OCTOBER 2008 172008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=18http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=18Massad Ayoob Selling The Staples Just Makes Sense A s I travel around the country, I outselling the other calibers,” said Bolton. or firearms. Staples sell. make it a point to visit as many “In revolvers, it’s Smith & Wesson, So it is with products such as the Glock gun shops as possible. One ques- particularly the J-frames,” added Gunn. and the Smith & Wesson lines. Each, right tion I always ask is, “What’s selling best That is par for the course. Dealers men- now, is the brand leader in their field. for you on the defenseFor several years, the gun side of the market?” folks at Glock said their The answers differ, de.40 and 9mms were about pending on the region neck-and-neck in sales. and changing economic However, Glock now says factors. the 9mm has become the In the past few years, clear sales leader nationnation I’ve heard more and more ally in the private sector, dealers saying, “Springreflecting what the folks field Armory XD.” A few at Nichols are experiencexperienc have told me, “Rugers.” ing. Skyrocketing ammo One dealer in Cook prices, which have dramadrama County, Ill., told me, “I’m tized the cost difference selling more secondhand between 9mm and .40 revolvers than anything S&W ammunition, seem else.” Go figure. to be the driving factor in Recently, I passed this shift in the most poppop through Rock Hill, S.C., ular Glock seller. and stopped at Nichols Smith & Wesson also Store. The back layout confirms what Nichols of this large operation Nichols Store salesman Shannon Gun (center) and manager Jeff Bolton (right) and the other shops have is devoted to hunting explain the features of a Glock and S&W J-frame to customer Jonathan Martin. reported: The J-frames garb, treestands and arare the largest-selling chery. The front of the product line of the largstore is a well-stocked gun shop. tion these two perennial best-sellers often est U.S. revolver manufacturer. Two of Nichols’ knowledgeable staff, — evidence enough that no matter the In both cases, two things are going appropriately named firearm salesman number of new products introduced, of- for these products. They have the mix of Shannon Gunn and manager Jeff Bolton, fering firearm staples is good business. features that a large number of customers answered my usual question. It’s the same in any industry, whether want, and they bring with them sterling “In pistols, definitely Glock, with 9mm it’s automobiles, soft drinks, fishing tackle reputations for quality and reliability. Glock Covers Semiauto Market et’s look at what Glock offers. Their little 3.6" barrel subcompacts hold lots of ammo for their size and will work with the magazines of larger models in the same calibers. The 4" barrel compacts are intermediate in size, big enough that in 9mm they’re the most popular NYPD uniform service pistol, but small enough that they’re very popular for concealed carry. The Glock 4.5" barrel service-size guns are still concealable. (New York State Police issues its plainclothes detectives the same full-size Glock 37 in caliber .45 GAP as uniformed troopers carry.) All these sizes are available in four calibers: 9mm Parabellum, .40 Smith & Wesson, .357 SIG and .45 GAP (Glock Auto Pistol). Glock also has a 5.3" barrel Tactical/Practical model, with the same grip length as the service-size gun, available in 9mm and .40, and will occasionally do a production run of 6" barrel target guns in The Glock 30, an 11-shot the same two calibers. .45 ACP compact, is a Add to that the larger-frame models, full size or compact, in best buy. This is the SF .45 ACP and 10mm Auto, and you can see that the Glock catalog model with reduced grip pretty much covers the waterfront for centerfire semiauto pistols. dimensions. 18 OCTOBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com L2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=19http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=19Plenty Of J-frames T he S&W J-frames owe part of their popularity to the broad array of choices the manufacturer offers in .22 Long Rifle, .22 Magnum, .38 Special, and .357 Magnum. They can be had in a weight range from just under 11 ounces to something over 25 ounces. Most run 2" in barrel length (1 7/8", to be specific), but Jframes are available with barrels up to 5" long. The traditional .38 Special is by far the most popular caliber. Moreover, at least in .38 Special and .357 Magnum, these little wheel-guns are available in three formats, all with fiveshot cylinders. There is the Centennial style, with a completely concealed hammer. Called a “hammerless” by tradition, it actually does have a hammer that’s simply inside. However, it is genuinely “hammerless” from the shooter’s standpoint, since it is doubleaction-only and cannot be thumb-cocked. The aluminum-frame Airweight .38 Special Model 642 version has proven to be S&W’s single most popular SKU for many years. Also available is the Bodyguard style, with the frame shaped as an integral hammer shroud to retain exposedhammer, thumb-cocking capability by allowing the thumb access to a barely exposed hammer tip. Finally, there is the Chiefs Special line, true double- and single-action with a conventional hammer spur. This is the only line offered in .22 Long Rifle and .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, and thereby hangs a sales tip. Be sure your customers know that you can sell them an easy- and cheapto-shoot .22-caliber version. They make huge sense for practice. There also are .22 Long Rifle conversion units available for Glock pistols. S&W offers several rimfire options of the J-frame revolver, all of them in the exposed hammer Chiefs Special style. The Model 317 is an eight-shot .22 LR, available as a 2" snubby that weighs perhaps 11 ounces, or with a 3" “Kit Gun” style barrel. The all-stainless Model 63 with 5" barrel is a modernized reincarnation of the great, old Model .22/.32 Target revolver and a super-fun plinker or trail gun. Finally, for the very recoil-sensitive person who just can’t handle a harderkicking pocket or purse gun, there is the Model 351 PD, a super-light snub that holds seven rounds of .22 Magnum. DSA announces the TP-9 Range Demo Gun Program! Put the fun in your range rental program with one of the most innovative tactical pistols to come along in years . The B&T TP-9 Pistol or TP-9 Short Barreled Rifle! FFL holders with a shooting sports facility, indoor or outdoor range qualify for DSA’s TP-9 Range Demo Gun Program and special promotional pricing. A wide variety of accessories including transferable sound suppressors are available to customize your B&T TP-9 for a unique shooting experience in the economical 9x19mm cartridge! For more details, call DSA. TP-9 Pistol: $925 • TP-9 SBR: $1075 • Suppressor: $750 • SBR & Can Combo Deal: $1725 DSA Inc. / P.O. Box 370 / Barrington, IL 60011 / Tel: 847-277-7258 Fax: 847-277-7259 / customerservice1@dsarms.com / www.dsarms.com Circle No. 209 on Inquiry Card Different guns sell better in different shops — in different regions of the country. However, it makes sense to have an adequate supply of these staple guns in stock, or readily available with a phone call or e- Here’s a good selection of Smith J-frames that helps answer the mail to the appropriate customer’s question, “What’s exactly right for me?” From left, Model 340M&P .357, Model 638 .38, Model 36 .38 and Model 442 .38. distributor. 9 OCTOBER 2008 19 The Perspective www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=20http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=20Carolee Anita Boyles Attend A Trade Show In Your Bathrobe ealers, you’re invited to another trade show! Now, that’s welcome news, right? Travel expenses, overly expensive hotels, rushed meals, too many booths to visit in too little time, being away from your store for three, four, five days. Yes, just what you needed. But what if you could attend a trade show without leaving your store, visit manufacturers’ booths when you wish, yet still enjoy the benefits of a traditional trade show, including getting “smoking deals”? Well, you can if you attend one of RSR Group’s Virtual Trade Shows. “RSR pioneered the concept of an EShow, whereby a retailer doesn’t have to leave their store and can sit at home in his or her bathrobe and fuzzy slippers and attend our show via the Internet. The concept is really gaining traction,” said Bob Steger, RSR Group president and CEO. During an E-Show, dealers can visit manufacturers’ “virtual booths,” view new items, get special deals on popular products, take advantage of exclusive giveaways and place orders 24 hours a day from anywhere they have access to D “There are graphics that show different booths, giving the retailer the experience of going to an event and walking into a vendor or manufacturer’s booth, where you can see new products, specials and different programs,” Von Brocklin said. At RSR’s most recent E-Show, held last month, there were more than 35 vendors “exhibiting.” Christina Fisher, RSR’s vice president of marketing, says the company designs the shows to ensure each booth is separate and distinct so “attendees” have the sense of entering each one. “This way, dealers are able to easily select from multiple vendors,” Fisher said, emphasizing how this has contributed to the show’s success. “Since we first started these online shows, we have seen considerable growth and each one is more successful than the last.” Fisher also said dealers can expect quick fulfillment of orders placed at E-Shows. “Our team works hard to ensure we have the merchandise available for imRSR’s E-Shows feature virtual exhibitors’ booths mediate shipment during the show, and and easy-to-navigate options to view show dealers receive their special purchases specials, new products, dealer programs, exhibi- within a day or two of placing their ortors and more. ders,” Fisher said. the Internet. Jarrod Von Brocklin, RSR’s national sales manager, said the company has worked hard to give the Virtual Trade Show the feel of a traditional industry trade event. Quick & Easy Smoking Deals! G len Fuller, owner of East Main Trade Center in Farmington, N.M., is one dealer who takes advantage of the E-Shows. “The RSR online show is very useful to us. The merchandise at the E-Show has show pricing and we have it in hand to sell in two days. The trade shows we physiphysi cally go to take weeks, sometimes even months, to process our orders,” Fuller said. Dewayne Irwin, president of Cheaper Once “inside” the exhibitor’s booth, dealers can place orders and take advantage of package deals. Than Dirt Outdoor Adventures in Fort Worth, Texas, also gives the shows high marks. “The E-Shows RSR puts on are the most beneficial shows we do, even more so than SHOT,” Irwin said. “While SHOT lets us in on what’s new, it’s very hard to place orders of any significance. We have attended other dealer shows and it is always a pain, because Exhibitors offer special pricing even with great deals and pric- and package options at RSR’s ing, you have the travel issues, E-Shows. dinner nightmares and such.” These challenges were considered when RSR began developing the E-Show concept. “We took a look at, ‘What do our customers have to deal with?’” Van Brocklin said. The result: It made sense to give retailers an alternative to www.shootingindustry.com 20 OCTOBER 20082008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=21http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=21Good Specials For Dealers R SR has held eight E-Shows in three years, along with a few smaller, vendor-specific events called “E-Vaults.” At first, the shows were bigger, but in refining the concept, RSR has opted for quality and efficiency over quantity. “Based on customer feedback, we’ve shrunk the number of vendors,” Van Brocklin said. “As we’ve fine-tuned the format, we’ve asked our vendors to bring some really nice specials and programs to the table. We’re looking for them to bring innovative programs.” Limiting the number of vendors, Fisher said, has encouraged those who do participate to come up with specials that have a lot of value for dealers. “If a vendor wants to participate, he needs to come with a good special for our dealers,” Fisher said. At some shows, RSR has included prize giveaways for dealers. “Dealers can enter for daily prizes,” Fisher said. “In the past, we’ve given away $1,000 in credit each day and posted the winners. We do a lot of the same things that are done at a trade show.” That includes “talking” in real time with RSR’s credit department. “If you have a valid customer account with us, you can chat with the credit manager,” Fisher said. With just a “click,” dealers can enter the booth of a manufacturer “exhibiting” at an E-Show. attending several out-of-town dealer shows a year. “I think the trend toward E-Shows is going to continue, especially with the rising cost of fuel that’s translating over into airfare, as well,” Van Brocklin said. At Cheaper Than Dirt, Irwin is well aware of the convenience of attending RSR’s online event. “During one E-Show, we were in the middle of hosting Clint Smith (Thunder Ranch director) for two weeks at our shooting school,” Irwin said. “I was very, very busy. When the E-Show opened online, I simply came down from the range deck and went to my office at the range, logged on and ‘went to town.’ I found some really smoking deals on handguns, ammo and other items in a matter of minutes.” www.shootingindustry.com an Brocklin doesn’t see E-Shows replacing traditional events, such as the SHOT Show. “There’s no replacing the importance of the SHOT Show,” Van Brocklin said. “It’s such a large event and being hands-on is still incredibly important, especially when you’re debuting new products.” Fuller agrees. “We still have to go to at least one show early in the year to see and get hands on the upcoming new products, to get feedback and discuss any problems with manufacturers reps,” Fuller said. However, RSR E-Shows offer significant advantages, including attending two shows at the same time. “We’ve had dealers who were attending a competitor’s (traditional) show, but in the evening, they were on our site placing orders,” Fisher said. “E-shows give dealers a lot of flexibility in their ability to take advantage of what’s out there.” At East Main Trade Center, Fuller says the savings in time and money are the major benefits of E-Shows. “The best thing about the online show is not having to leave your place of business for three or four days, which can be very costly, and then it takes about a week just to catch back up,” he said. “Usually we’ve gone to three trade shows each year, but thanks to my RSR sales rep Jeff Jetton and the RSR E-Shows, we’ve been able to eliminate one road trip and accomplish the same thing.” While the Virtual Trade Show may not replace the SHOT Show, Irwin sees the concept becoming a trend. RSR’s Five Regional Sales Centers “I have been doing this for 20 years and I believe this is the wave of the future. A huge part of the success is that RSR management has spent the time and money to put together a fantastic online program. They have become my main supplier of firearms, ammo and RSR offers 12,000 products from five regional sales centers. accessories because of the ease of the system. I think you will see other companies learn and begin to emulate what RSR has accomplished,” Irwin said. RSR’s future shows will likely be different than those hel2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=22http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=22Lisa Parsons-Wraith Education Draws Women, Creates Customers E ducation is the cornerstone of the continuation of our shooting and hunting heritage. There are abundant opportunities to introduce women to the shooting sports and many theories on the best methods of creating lifelong shooters. Dealers have discovered that by teaming up with another organization, they can advance the shooting sports and create new customers for their stores. The key to a successful partnership is finding a program that truly meets the needs of women and understands that teaching women about firearms can be very different from teaching men. Glen’s Army Navy in Grand Rapids, Minn., has formed a successful partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and actively supports its educational efforts. Kraig Kiger, shooting sport program administrator for the MDNR, said one of the most successful programs offered by the MDNR is a Mother/Daughter Firearms Safety Class. The class has been offered for six years, and was created because women who participated in Becoming an Outdoors Woman wanted to bring their children along. Kiger said having moms, aunts and grandmothers act as mentors to young girls gives the classes a unique dynamic that makes the women and girls feel very comfortable. “We get really exciting questions from all the women,” Kiger said. “Firearms have a language all their own. If you don’t teach women the language, then they can’t join in the conversation.” Kiger pointed out that from an early age, boys tend to absorb the language of firearms, but that most young girls aren’t exposed to it. It feels perfectly natural for most men to refer to a rifle as a “two-seventy,” but Glen’s Army Navy actively supports firearm education classes and reaps the rewards with new gun sales. S Fit The Firearm ince the mother/daughter classes are 15 hours of instruction held over two days, Kiger is able to cover lots of information and introduce participants to many different types of firearms. To make the shooting experience as comfortable as possible, a section of the classes devoted to firearm fit. With the support of gun stores like Glen’s Army Navy, Kiger is able to introduce women to many different types of guns and ammunition. He has the women try full-size and youth-model guns. “We note that when female shooters go to a too-large firearm, their balance is off and they don’t enjoy shooting,” Kiger said. “We can see their out-of-line body posture.” Most of the manufacturers are currently providing shorter length stocks in their production guns, Kiger says. “You have two choices: buy a production youth firearm or buy what you like and have the stock fit to your measurements. If it doesn’t fit you, you won’t like the way it shoots and will become frustrated,” Kiger said. Kiger says that when it comes to rifles, a good .22 bolt-action The Beretta AL391 Urika (top) in a youth model and the Benelli Nova Pump Short Stock are good sizes for women. 22 OCTOBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=23http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=23most 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 donate2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=24http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=24Commander Gilmore Don’t Try This With Fake “Deterrent Guns” eah, you’re just cruisin’ along doin’ 20 over the limit when you spot that police cruiser sorta semi-stealthily squattin’ at the side of the road and screeeech!!! You stand on the brake pedal, hoping the cop didn’t get you on radar. You’ve been there and done that, right? Soon, you might be in luck, and that cop-mobile won’t be a real police car — just a hollow shell, a deterrent put there to get you to slow down. A Sacramento company called National Police Presence is marketing “decoy cop cars,” promising public officials the cruiser look-alikes will slow down speeders and intimidate crooks. For $12,990 you get a realistic-looking fake police car with no engine or real doors, just wheels, so it can be towed and dropped off at selected locations. Years ago Sweden tried to slow traffic down by using life-size one-dimensional fake police cars, traffic cops holding radar guns, and — the overwhelming favorite of the hundreds of people who began “liberating” them and carrying them away — a really cool-looking motorcycle cop perched on his bike! Folks were walking away with those lightweight deterrents as fast as the state could put them out. In Vilnius, Latvia, the city distributed hundreds of “cardboard cops” along problem stretches of streets and boulevards, and they too learned that people liked ’em a little too much. And, when it rained or there was just a heavy fog, the “paper police” just kinda melted and curled up Y on the ground, leaving a sodden lump of soggy cardboard in the middle of a spreading pool of blue paint. Illustration by Nick Petrosino So, you’ve got a clown dead-to-rights on a murder charge, but you know if he pleads “not guilty” the trial might bankrupt your county. He offers to plead guilty, but for a price: He wants a break from jailhouse chow. Tremayne Durham, 33, agreed to cop a plea in exchange for an all-he-could-eat marathon meal of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Popeye’s chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, carrot cake and ice cream, with options for an Italian feast following sentencing. What do you do? If you’re Multnomah County, Ore., Judge Eric Bergstrom, you take it, saving your taxpayers countless dollars and your court docket maybe months of disruption. That fast-food fiesta was on the county’s tab. After sentencing — Durham won’t be eligible for parole for 30 years — he gets to binge on calzones, lasagna, pizza and ice cream. But he or his defense attorney has to pay for that. Kinda makes you wonder how many expensive felony trials we could avoid if we offered “double-bacon cheeseburgers for a month” incentives, doesn’t it? 24 OCTOBER 2008 Fast-Food Fiesta They wouldn’t have missed a nail clipper, but airport security personnel in Brisbane, Australia, admitted they missed a big duffel bag with the word BOMB written on its side. The story got even better after the bomb-bag passed through Qantas check-in screening. Following about 40 minutes of muddling and wondering what to do, unnamed managers dragged the bag, still unscreened, into a more populated area of the airport. Finally some grownups arrived. The bomb-bag was isolated, carefully removed to an appropriate remote area and examined. Explosive ordnance experts determined the only volatile thing about the bag was the language marked on it. Some people weren’t very comforted by that. Asked for comment, TWU national airline official Scott Connolly said, “What happened today is far from ideal, and if the device was actually a real bomb, the way it was handled would have been a disaster.” Duh. Really? Police in Santa Cruz, Calif., were initially kinda confused when a recent stab- Bomb Bag Chaos Free Pass bing victim called and asked why the woman who stabbed him was out of jail and wandering around the downtown area — close to where she had stabbed him, in fact. After a quick check of their arrest records, they wanted to know why too! Denise Jones, described as having a significant history of 2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=25http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=25CALL FOR DEALER INFORMATION. 866-223-9388 WWW.FUSIONAMMO.COM ©2008 ATK Circle No. 213 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=26http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=26Shooting Industry Showdown In Gun Valley Raises $16,500 For Step Outside! Ray Hurley Photos: Jaime Poulin Sixth Annual Masters T Steve Matulewicz of Team BLACKHAWK! used his military expertise to lead his team to a third-place finish in the Open Class. Susan Houde-Walter, LaserMax president and CEO, takes on the rifle stage. USA Shooting competitor John McGrath exhibits his impressive shotgun skills while winning top honors at the five-stand shotgun event. 26 OCTOBER 2008 he Shooting Industry Masters “Show- NSSF President Steve Sanetti, who has down in Gun Valley” in July drew a competed in every Masters competition. record number of shooters who, in “On behalf of the National Shooting addition to busting clays and ringing steel Sports Foundation, I’d like to thank FMG targets, raised money for NSSF’s Step Publications for its support. We all know Outside program and had “just plain fun.” that introducing new people to the shootMore than 150 shooters from through- ing sports is important to the preservation out the industry stepped of our industry and our to the firing line at the heritage. Step Outside Hartford Gun Club in does that and we thank East Granby, Conn., all those taking part in July 26 to take part in the event for their supsup the sixth annual event. port,” Sanetti said. Every segment of the inThis year’s match dustry was represented, sponsors were Aimwith companies fieldpoint, Benchmade, ing teams that included B L A C K H AW K ! , executives, sales reps, Black Hills Ammunifactory craftsmen and tion, Brownells, Corprofessional shooters. Bon, Gunsite, Howard Produced by FMG Leight, Lansky SharpPublications, the eners, Midland, PACT, event’s raffle raised Remington, Ruger and $16,500 for the Step Smith & Wesson. Outside program, “We could not hold which targets the this event without the development of new strong support of our shooters and gets sponsors. We continue inactive shooters into be impressed with volved again. these companies’ com“We were impressed Steve Sanetti, NSSF president mitment to the future with the enthusiasm of of the industry,” said industry shooters durRuss Thurman, Shooting the competition. The good-natured ing Industry magazine’s editor and match kidding about who were the best shooters director. “In addition, we appreciate the was overshadowed by the unity and sup- many companies that donated products for port of the industry and the Step Outside the raffle. We sincerely thank them.” program,” said Randy Moldé, FMG proJust Plain Fun motions director and Masters chairman. In addition to supporting Step Outside, The Step Outside program is important to the future of the industry, according to the Masters provides an opportunity to “The Masters is one of my favorite events. It’s just plain fun.” www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=27http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=27get away from the daily business of doing business, according to Sanetti. “The Masters is one of my favorite events. It’s just plain fun. It’s a time when we get to go out, have our friendly competition with each other, doing what we love and what got us into this crazy business to begin with. It’s got it all. The camaraderie, the give and take, the friendly banter — it’s really a great event,” Sanetti said. “As always, thank you for putting this event together,” said Randy E. Luth, DPMS/Panther Arms president. “I know what it takes to pull it off and your team did a fantastic job. We had tons of fun and look forward to next year’s event.” Team DPMS won the Masters Open Class and swept the top three individual shooters honors. “What a terrific event and evenings! This is singularly the best shooting industry event available and a testimony to our cohesiveness and passion for the sports. Thank you (FMG) for all that you do — we are a better industry because of your efforts and energy,” said Ron Coburn, Savage Arms CEO. “The guys on our two teams are still talking about the event and asking about next year’s match,” said Linda Powell, of Remington. “It was a lot of fun and gave us an opportunity to talk with many in the industry without the pressure that surrounds other trade events.” “You (FMG) have, as usual, done a helluva job in the prep and delivery of the event. If there is more that Gunsite can do to ensure future successes, just let me know; we will be there for you folks,” said Buz Mills, Gunsite CEO. “You (FMG) sure know how to throw a party. We’re impressed with the company you keep and we made a bunch of new friends and got back together with a bunch more old ones. A really good time,” said Susan Houde-Walter, LaserMax CEO. “Once again, the Shooting Industry Masters delivered an event that brought the industry together to take a break from competing in the business realm and have some fun competing on the shotgun, rifle and pistol lines,” said Leland Nichols, Smith & Wesson Firearms president and COO. “It is also an excellent opportunity for the industry to raise money and aware- Team S&W-1 (from left): Mike Plaxco, David McDaniel, Tony Miele and Jim Unger took second place in the Open Class. Match Safety sponsor Howard Leight sent two teams to this year’s Masters (from left): Chris Leight, Jennifer Stritzinger, Volker Fremuth, Rod Culwell, Laura Hays, Brad Hays, Mike Moorefield and Watt Moorefield. Jon Pastusek of XS Sights helped advance his team to a third-place finish in the Masters Industry Class. 2008 Sponsors: www.shootingindustry.com OCTOBER 2008 272008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=28http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=28ness for the NSSF’s Step Outside program. This year, it was exciting to see a team of disabled veterans competing on behalf the industry’s HAVA (Honored American Veteran’s Afield) program.” For the second year, the Masters was held in conjunction with the Shooting In- dustry Academy of Excellence, which honors companies and individuals for innovation, service and dedication to the industry. “This is healthy competition, on the shooting fields and in the Academy of Excellence awards program. Hosting the Academy of Excellence awards as part of the two-day event offers all of us the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of our peers,” said Mike Fifer, Ruger CEO. Ruger was honored with the Academy’s 2008 Manufacturer of the Year and Handgun of the Year awards, plus the company’s Team-1 recaptured the Industry Class trophy at the Masters. “Not only did we have the top Industry Class team, but Kevin Skinner from our Newport, N.H., facility was the top individual shooter. This is a great event that allows those working in the industry to get together and support NSSF and a program important to all of us, the Step Outside program,” Fifer said. Unlike most shooting events, the scores of shooters at the Masters are not released. “This is in keeping with the spirit of the Step Outside program,” Thurman said. “It’s not the score that’s important, but rather, the focus is on having a safe, fun experience. That said, we know shooters are competitive, so we do recognize the top-shooting teams and individuals.” The Masters has two shooting classes. The Open Class is for professional shooters and those who want to shoot at that level. The Industry Class is for “everyday” shooters. In the Open class, DPMS took first place, with Smith & Wesson Team-1 placing second and BLACKHAWK! taking third. Individual Open Class trophies went to (1st) Jim Clark, DPMS, (2nd) Tate Moots, DPMS and (3rd) Randy Luth, DPMS. In the Industry Class, the first place trophy went to Ruger Team-1, with Colt placing second and XS Sights taking third place. The top three individual shooters in the Industry Class were: (1st) Kevin Skinner, Ruger Team-1, (2nd) Scott McGregor, FMG and (3rd) Dennis Veilleux, Colt. In addition to the match sponsors, companies donated manpower, products and loaned firearms for the three-gun event. “We especially thank Smith & Wesson, who provided invaluable assistance and numerous volunteers for the event. There’s a tremendous amount of work needed to conduct this event, and the efforts of the folks at Smith & Wesson can only be called ‘above and beyond,’” Moldé said. Five companies loaned firearms to FMG for use during the match. Ruger provided over-and-unders for the shotgun stage and Vaquero revolvers for the cowboy handgun stage. Smith & Wesson also provided shotguns and handguns. Marlin provided lever actions for the rifle and .22 stages. ADCO Arms provided coach guns www.shootingindustry.com Top Shooters Steve Sanetti, NSSF president, says the Masters is “one of my favorite events.” Elizabeth O’Neill Team Aimpoint (from left): Steven Giordano, Matt Swenson, Brian Lisanskie and Freddie Blish. Sixth Annual SHOOTING INDUSTRY MASTERS Aimpoint Benchmade Benelli USA Birchwood Casey BLACKHAWK! Brownells Bulldog Barrels LLC Crimson Trace Galco Gould & Goodrich Hornady Howard Leight LaserMax Leatherman 28 OCTOBER 2008 RAFFLE PRIZES Leupold Professional Marksmen RCBS RCI Remington Sig Sauer Smith & Wesson SOG Sturm, Ruger & Co. SunBuster SureFire Taurus Trijicon USA Shooting Waffentechnik Borkott Invaluable Support These companies donated products for the raffle, which raised $16,500 for Step Outside.2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=29http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=29for the final portion of the cowboy stage. Thompson/Center provided .22s for the final portion of the rifle stage. “We appreciate the loan of these firearms,” Thurman said. “Without them, we could not hold the match, because we want to provide shooters with everything they need. Yes, some shooters bring their own firearms, but for those who choose not to, or don’t own, say, a shotgun or lever action, they can show up and compete. That’s also why every shooter gets a bag with safety gear.” This year’s Shooter’s Bag sponsor was BLACKHAWK!. Included in the Mobile Operations Bag was eye and ear protection from Howard Leight, the match’s Safety Sponsor, and items from Brownells, Colt, Gunsite, Lansky Sharpeners, Remington and Smith & Wesson. For the 2009 Shooting Industry Masters, FMG is returning to Gun Valley and the Hartford Gun Club July 24-25. Holding this year’s event at the club proved to be a hit. “I support having the Industry Masters in Gun Valley as it allows greater partici- Be At The 2009 Masters pation by many top companies. We (Ruger) were able to field three teams because of the location this year,” Fifer said. “This year’s event drew a record level of participation and we at Smith & Wesson hope to see support for this event continue to grow,” Nichols said. “Team DPMS looks forward to defending our team title next year in Hartford and we challenge everyone in the shooting industry to step outside and join in the fun, while helping promote the shooting sports and the Step Outside program,” Luth said. Organizers of the Masters are planning “an even bigger event” for 2009. “Based on the success of the Masters, and the tremendous feedback we’ve received, we are expanding the event to two days of shooting, plus we’re adding some shooting stages and other facets we can’t announce yet,” Moldé said. “We’re also increasing the number of teams for the event to 50.” FMG is already taking team entries for the 2009 match. Entry forms and additional information is available on www. shootingindustry.com, or by calling Elizabeth Jarrell O’Neill, Masters Coordinator, at 1-800-537-3006, ext. 279. 9 Shooting Industry Masters Teams Aimpoint Benchmade (2 Teams) BLACKHAWK! Brownells (2 Teams) Bulldog Barrels Colt’s Mfg. Cor-Bon Crimson Trace DPMS Ellett Brothers Galco Gunleather HAVA Howard Leight/Sperian (2 Teams) LaserMax Marlin Firearms Mayville Engineering NSSF (3 Teams) Remington (2 Teams) RSR Group Savage Arms Smith & Wesson (3 Teams) Sturm, Ruger & Co. (3 Teams) SureFire USA Shooting U.S. Fire Arms XS Sights FMG Publications (2 Teams) Individual Shooters From: Gunsite Hodgdon Lansky RCI THANK YOU: Smith & Wesson for providing significant help before, during and after the Masters. To the following companies that provided loaner firearms for the event: •ADCO •Marlin •Ruger •Smith&Wesson •Thompson/Center Each shooter at the 2008 Shooting Industry Masters received a BLACKHAWK! Mobile Operations Bag packed with Brownells Nylon Bore Brush, Patches and Friction Defense Gun Oil; Colt M4 Logo Pins; Howard Leight Quiet Band Earpods, Leight Plugs, Super Leight Plugs, Genesis Eyewear, LOF Folding Earmuffs and SmartFit; a Gunsite calendar; Lansky Sharpeners LSPED; Remington 100th Anniversary Pins, Key Chains, Pencils and a Cap; and Smith & Wesson Window Decals, Key Chains and Caps. OCTOBER 2008 29 Team Ruger out-shot all teams to reclaim the Industry Class trophy. They are (from left) Kevin Reid (partially hidden), Mike Martin, Randell Pence and Bob Stutler. Shooter’s Bag Team DPMS recaptured the Open Class trophy at the 2008 Shooting Industry Masters. They are (from left) Randy Luth, DPMS president, Charles “Tate” Moots, Tony Holmes and Jim Clark (2008 Masters top shooter). www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=30http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=30This year, Ruger chambered the Redhawk in .45 Colt. The large-frame revolver has a triple-locking cylinder, fully adjustable white outline rear sight and red ramp front sight. SLUMP? Pump Up Your Handgun Sales With Proven Strategies S W 30 ometimes, just sometimes, it’s really great to be wrong. Armed with the question, called C.J. Hebert, co-owner of Hebert Guns in Prairieville, La., and Ray Sanchez, sales manager of Jensen Arms in Loveland, Colo. Their responses completely disarmed us. cluded that sustained, growing handgun sales are the result of the essential nature of the company and shaping their operations to fit a specific niche. The success stories of these two dealers stem from very different dynamics, leading to the same results — results that can be replicated by others like you. “When handgun sales are slumping, what can you do to pump them up?” we “Slumping?” laughed Hebert. “Why should handgun sales be slumping?” Sanchez paused for a moment, then said, “I was just trying to remember if we’ve ever had a slump in handgun sales. No, I don’t think so. Maybe I can’t help you.” Of course, there was more to their sto- ries, and SI pressed for it. Essentially, Hebert Guns owners C.J. and Nancy Hebert have engineered “slump conditions” out of their business through a number of strategic planning and marketing moves. Ray Sanchez, reflecting on the slumpavoiding success of Jensen Arms, con- Taking Chances, Seizing Opportunities ith a population of less than 30,000 people, Prairieville, La., is not a big city, and neither are surrounding towns like Bullion, Hobart and Little Prairie. Yet Hebert OCTOBER 2008 Guns has grown so rapidly that they have moved and significantly expanded their facilities three times in the past five years. True, the larger cities of Baton Rouge and New Orleans are only 20 and 66 miles away respectively, but Hebert Guns’ explosive growth period takes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in late 2005, which seriwww.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=31http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=31The Sig Sauer P220 Combat, in .45 ACP, has a Flat Dark Earth finish on its alloy frame and Sig’s Nitron finish over the stainless slide. WHAT SLUMP? ously affected Baton Rouge and virtually emptied New Orleans. Hebert Guns obviously draws customers from an impressive extended area. How do they do it? “First, when you talk about slumps, handguns aren’t as affected as long guns by seasonal activities, so you don’t have as big a problem,” Hebert explained. “But handguns are also affected by the traditional spring sales slowdown. People are spending their money on other summer outdoor-sports equipment: boats, jet skis, fishing and so on. We beat that slump by planning our biggest promotions of the year during that time, focusing on handguns. We plan, coordinate and budget for them at least a year in advance.” Hebert said their two biggest spring handgun promotions feature Smith & Wesson and Glock products, and both are usually two-day events held on Fridays and Saturdays. This past spring, he said, was typical — and terrific in sales. “Working with our Smith & Wesson area sales rep, we stock up, line up all the Smith & Wesson discounts and special offers — they’ve had great ones lately — www.shootingindustry.com John Morrison Herbert Guns co-owners Nancy and C.J. Hebert help customers make smart selections. OCTOBER 2008 312008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=32http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=32This is the well-stocked Smith & Wesson counter at Hebert Guns. Owners C.J. and Nancy Hebert report that it empties and refills fast. and advertise it heavily in local papers, on the radio and in our mail-outs,” Herbert said. “We let people know our rep, Chad Patrick, would be here both days to answer all their questions about Smith & Wesson products. That’s been very popular and his enthusiasm is contagious.” Hebert recommends looking beyond the manufacturer in planning promotion days. “When planning events like this,” Hebert said, “also look for distributors’ specials, like Ellett Brothers’ limited runs of 500 specially set-up .460 Smith & Wesson revolvers.” Hebert said the M&P pistols, in all calibers and frame sizes, were the hottest sellers during the spring promotion. “The big Glock promotion brings them in, too,” Hebert reported. “We pile up an ample supply of Glocks, again advertising heavily. This year, our new rep, Beau Phillips, who is a certified armorer, offered to inspect any Glock pistol brought into the store. He advised customers on steps to bring pistols back to factory specs, if necessary, and provided lots of expert tips and professional comments on maintenance and handling.” Hebert said those who brought in older 9mm Glocks often bought new .40s, and many of those with full-size pistols purchased compact models for concealed carry. Top sellers this year were .40-caliber Models 22, 23 and 27. “The Glock promotion is so popular that we get early birds coming in scouting our stock, and two months later, those who missed the sale are still coming in based on that advertising. It establishes that we are their source for Glock pistols. And, of course,” Hebert smiled, “we’re signing everyone up for our mailing list.” Circle No. 222 on Inquiry Card How important is a mailing list? “We learned the hard way,” Hebert said. “Four years ago we bit the bullet and hired a marketing consultant. The firm had no particular experience with firearms sales, but marketing is marketing: The principles are the same. We learned a lot about advertising in print, radio, TV — we’ve even done billboards — and that you can’t look at results in the short-term. You have to look at long-term benefits. We carefully spend thousands on advertising now. It all pays off in the long run.” With a marketing plan in place, Hebert says every aspect of getting the word out is for one purpose. “Everything we do is styled to build up our mailing list,” Hebert explained. “First, we selected and bought an existing mailing list. Then we built it through promotions. In conjunction with storewide sales, we’ve offered prizes like a big-screen TV, an upscale outdoor barbecue — we offered $600 items down to $50 stereos. No purchase was required to win, but you had to come in and register to win — that was the key — and they could earn extra points by bringing in a new customer. The response has been fantastic, and our direct-mail program is our most profitable marketing tool.” Here’s another Hebert tip for attracting customers: Close your store. “Do you really want to build excitement? Heavily advertise a big sales event, close your doors for two days and newspaper over all your windows so people can’t see in while you’re decorating and setting up displays. You wouldn’t believe how curious people are, and it pays off.” “You’ve got to spend money — wisely — to make money,” Hebert concluded. “And always play the long game, not the short.” www.shootingindustry.com Hard Way Pays Off 32 OCTOBER 20082008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=33http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=332009 SHOT SHOW JANUARY 15-18, 2009 ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER ORLANDO, FL WWW.SHOTSHOW.ORG Get ready for an entire year’s worth of new products, new segments, new product lines, and new merchandising ideas. Get ready for new SHOT Show specials, new discounts and new buying opportunities. It’s the annual best of the shooting, hunting and outdoor trade. And remember, the only way to ensure your business is fully primed and on target is to attend the SHOT Show every year. It’s time to reload. REGISTER TODAY AT: www.shotshow.org AN EVEN WIDER SCOPE (YET TARGETED FOR EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED.) Circle No. 228 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=34http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=34Lone 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. Tactical Is Practical, L.E. Connection Rules “H 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. 224 on Inquiry Card andgun sales never Success Steps In Selling Tactical slump here because For dealers wanting to cash in on the “L.E.we’re tactical,” said Ray Tactical Connection,” Sanchez has a number of Sanchez, sales manager of recommendations. Jensen Arms in Loveland, Set aside an area dedicated to “tactical” — Colo. “Tactical has no seahandguns appropriate for L.E., home and son. There are new models personal defense and concealed carry. You probcoming out constantly, and ably already have many handguns in these catwhile tactical customers may egories; they’re just mixed in with sporting and be the most demanding of recreational-use models. Clearly post that area as purchasers, they are also the your “Tactical & Self-Defense” section. most enthusiastic buyers.” Find out what local L.E. agencies are SI asked Sanchez to define issuing or approving for on-duty and “tactical” — both the customoff-duty carry. If, for example, they issue the ers and the handguns — as full-size Beretta Storm, a Glock or the Smith applied to his client base. & Wesson M&P, stock those and the compact “The law enforcement version, also. That way you’re stocked for both connection is important, as officers and civilians. is the military connection,” Get proper backdrop and display elements for Sanchez explained. “People your tactical section: posters, counter mats, want to carry and use handetc. Many times they’re free or at minimal cost from guns designed for the exmanufacturers and distributors. treme conditions of police Several “civilian” handguns are available in a or military use. So we carry military/tactical version or finish, like the Sig what our local officers want, Sauer P220 Combat and the P250 with digital camo but they are vastly outnumfinish. These are hot with tactical buyers and can bered by civilian buyers make the difference between a sale and a “pass.” — defensive shooters, conContact the L.E. reps for your handguns. Tell cealed-carry handgunners, them you want to develop this aspect of sales competitive shooters.” and ask for advice — you’ll get it. Sanchez says the conGet the word out in your advertising. Let sistency and sheer enthusiconsumers know you are their go-to place for asm generated by civilian tactical handguns, ammo and accessories. tactical shooters keeps “our Offer “bundle deals” on spare magazines, sales numbers growing out mag-and-ammo combinations — use your of sight.” imagination. There is value in a reputation for “al“And consider this: we ways having some different kind of deal going.” don’t routinely offer disMake it happen. “You have to put energy counts or special sales, just and confidence in to get increased sales out,” fair prices and the biggest, Sanchez said. deepest selection and stock possible. There’s no secret to our success. We sell fighting handguns, long guns, accessories and ammunition. Sporting arms are few and usually multi-use. We’ve simply established Jensen Arms as the area’s premier tactical source,” Sanchez said. That reputation is just the base on a deep inventory of firearms, Sanchez emphasized. “Aside from selective stocking, the single most important factor is our staff’s product knowledge and per- Developed for the Los Angeles Police’s Special Invessonal interest. We’re all tac- tigation Section, Kimber’s SIS pistol is po2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=35http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=35231.24402 ShootInd Oct08.pdf 8/21/08 11:40:02 AM enthusiasts. Tactical customers are drawn in not only because we carry what they want, but because we speak their language,” Sanchez said. 9 HANDGUN SALES American Derringer . . . . . . . . . . 239 Beretta USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 Bersa (Eagle Imports) . . . . . . . . 241 Bond Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Charles Daly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 Charter Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Cimarron Firearms . . . . . . . . . . 246 Cobra Enterprises of Utah . . . . . . 247 Colt’s Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 CZ-USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Dan Wesson Firearms . . . . . . . . 250 EMF Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 European American Armory . . . . 252 FireStorm (SGS Importers) . . . . . 253 FNH USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Freedom Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Glock Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 Heckler & Koch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Heritage Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 High Standard Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . 259 Hi-Point Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . 260 H-S Precision Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Kahr Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 Kel-Tec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Kimber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Les Baer Custom . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Magnum Research . . . . . . . . . . 266 Navy Arms Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Nighthawk Custom . . . . . . . . . . . 268 North American Arms . . . . . . . . . 269 Para-Ordnance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 Rock River Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Rossi Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Seecamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Sig Sauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Smith & Wesson . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Springfield Armory . . . . . . . . . . 276 STI International . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 Sturm, Ruger & Co. . . . . . . . . . . 278 Taurus International . . . . . . . . . 279 Thompson/Center . . . . . . . . . . . 280 U.S. Fire Arms Mfg. . . . . . . . . . 281 Uberti USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 Walther USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 Wilson Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 204 on Inquiry Card Business FOR SALE!! KING’S GUN WORKS Parts Manufacturing For Inquiries Call: 818-956-6010 Tues.-Sat., 10AM-6PM Ask for Arnold or Pat Capone 1837 W. Glen Oaks Blvd. Glendale, CA 91201 Circle No. 221 on Inquiry Card Coming This December: Buyer’s Guide Does Your Listing Need Updating? See pg. 10 OCTOBER 2008 35 The Universe’s Greatest2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=36http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=36Circle No. 234 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=37http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=37COWBOY-ACTION Carolee Anita Boyles SHOOTING! out there, we have most of the cowboyaction business in Tucson.” Serving the cowboy-action market means understanding cowboy-action shooting and keeping up with trends. A number of Web sites can give you a window into the sport. These sites can provide Make Big Bucks In This Specialized Market T here’s money in cowboy-action shooting. It’s a specialized market and not for every gun shop, but if you’re in an area with a lot of cowboyaction shooters, you can make big bucks serving those customers. “We’re a full-service shop, but at least 50 percent of our business is cowboy-action shooting,” said Michael Gordon, Thunderstick Trading Co. in Tucson, Ariz. “If we didn’t have the cowboy-action business, I think we would just close up.” Gordon said it was a customer’s urging that caused his store to start carrying cowboy-action inventory. “When we first opened, we had a customer who was into it,” Gordon said. “He got us into it, and since we do it and are Stay Informed Black Hills Ammunition offers cowboy-action ammunition in 14 calibers. The engraved 1860 Henry rifle and 1873 Peacemaker are from Cimarron Firearms. www.shootingindustry.com OCTOBER 2008 37 Photo courtesy of Black Hills Ammunition Kevin Eilbeck2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=38http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=38The Model 1895 Cowboy in 45/70 from Marlin features a 26" tapered octagon barrel with a nine-shot tubular magazine. resources for newcomers and, for veterans, can help draw customers into your store. The Single Action Shooting Society Web site, www.sassnet.com, provides a lot of information about cowboy-action shooting and a calendar of events so you can find out what’s going on in your area. It also has a list of merchants who carry all kinds of cowboy-action gear. “Having our name on the SASS Web site has brought us business,” Gordon said. “We’ve had customers who were out-oftown shooters and have forgotten something, or who have come into town for a match and needed something. Sometimes SASS members who are passing through just come in to see what we have.” The Web site of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, www.cowboymountedshooting.com, is a horse of a different color, literally — these shooters all do their thing on horseback. The Web site also has a calendar of events on it. Another Web site, www.cascity.com, has lots of resources, as well as a list of vendors of cowboy-action supplies, a newsletter and an events calendar. In addition to these sites, a quick Google search will turn up lots of state and local cowboy-action shooting sites. All of these can provide resources or give you an opportunity to become a local resource. Cowboy-action shooters buy rifles, shotguns and revolvers. A shooter starting out in the sport is going to buy a pair of revolvers, a rifle and a shotgun, which is not an inconsequential purchase. And that’s only the beginning. “We carry the guns that people who are winning matches are shooting,” Gordon said. “We carry the Uberti 66 and 73 rifles. They’re the top rifles on the match circuit here. Generally people are buying .38s and .357s, but there are some categories that require larger calibers.” Other top-selling lever-action rifles in- Equipping Shooters clude Winchester and Marlin. When it comes to revolvers, Gordon says nothing replaces the Ruger Vaquero. “That’s what the majority of customers purchase,” he said. “There are some Italian clones that are copies of the Colts and they do well — particularly if they’re tuned up by a gunsmith who knows how to do it.” Uberti makes several revolvers in Colt’s image. Other guns are available from Navy Arms, Colt and Cimarron. Then there are shotguns. “We carry shotguns that are replicas of the Remington 97 pump, made in China,” Gordon said. “We also carry the Remington side-by-side double barrel. Those are probably the top two shotguns in the matches in this area. Some people are shooting older brands of shotguns that aren’t manufactured anymore.” If you deal in used guns, this is an excellent opportunity to pick up older Winchesters and other shotguns for your cowboy-action clients. It’s also an opportunity to serve as their FFL when they order one 38 OCTOBER 2008 Circle No. 205 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=39http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=39from Gunbroker.com. In addition to the very consequential purchase of multiple firearms, cowboy-action shooting is an ammunition-intensive enterprise. Although some shooters buy factory ammunition, most get into reloading fairly quickly. “We sell a lot of reloading components,” Gordon said. “At a one-day match, a shooter will go through 50 rounds of pistol ammunition, 50 rounds of rifle ammunition and a box of shotgun shells. At a two-day match, it’s double that. At a three-day match, it’s The Ruger New Vaquero includes color-case blued, stainless steel and engraved models in .357 Magnum and .45 Colt calibers. three times that. And that doesn’t include going out to practice.” It’s not just about guns and ammunition, Gordon says. There’s also leather to consider. “We have a full line of holsters and cartridge belts for rifle and pistol ammo and for shotgun shells,” Gordon said. “We buy leather that’s made locally at Old Pueblo Leather, which is also nationally known.” Other popular brands include Rustedfables, Circle KB, Mernickle and M. Shelhart. Many more brands can be found once you start looking. Getting outfitted for cowboy-action shooting is also about the dress. “The shooter has to dress correctly to the period,” Gordon said. “No ball caps, no short-sleeved shirts — everything has to be reasonably period-correct.” Gordon doesn’t get into period clothing. Instead, he has a short list of stores and Web sites where he sends customers. “One place we direct customers to is Wild West Mercantile in Phoenix,” he said. “They have an extensive line of clothes and a very nice Web site. Some western wear shops have a few items that will work, but not a lot.” Here’s another advantage to being on the Web sites mentioned above. Not only do they contain lists of gun shops that carry cowboy-action guns, but clothing stores are also listed. Across the country in Baton Rouge, La., Jim McClain, owner of Jim’s Firearms, has a somewhat different perspective on the cowboy-action phenomenon. Although he doesn’t sell nearly as much cowboy-action gear as Thunderstick Trading Co., he says cowboy action is a sport that’s growing in his area. McClain said he sees two different categories of cowboy-action shooters. One is the die-hard, full-bore shooter who wants one of everything — the same kind of shooter Thunderstick Trading Company is serving. “Those customers get into cowboyaction shooting wholeheartedly, with the clothing and everything,” McClain said. “They want everything that goes with it.” The second category of shooter, however, is the more casual shooter. “There are a lot of people who like to shoot cowboy action, but who don’t dress up,” McClain said. “They don’t get all Be Accommodating ” www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 203 on Inquiry Card OCTOBER 2008 392008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=40http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=40your market can help you ease into cowboy-action shooting sales. Soon, you’ll be making money at whatever level your marketplace will support. 9 COWBOY MARKET www.cowboymountedshooting.com geared up with the clothes or get into the true mystique of the shooting.” Although this diverse customer base makes it hard to budget for and stock cowboy-action shooting equipment, McClain said it’s still worth trying to accommodate both groups. “If the more casual cowboy-action shooter comes into your store, he’s going to buy other shooting stuff,” he said. “And most shooters want any excuse to buy another firearm. So you’re going to see that customer come in and spend his money and enjoy all the aspects of the shooting sports — and have a great time doing it.” If you don’t carry cowboy-action products, but are thinking about it, Gordon’s advice is to go out and watch a cowboy match in your area. “Look at the age of the shooters,” he said. “Most of them are in their 50s or older. And that’s where the majority of the money is in the United States. If you go to a major match, you see people arriving in $250,000 to $300,000 motor homes. They have money to spend.” Just to outfit a new shooter in guns costs about $2,000, Gordon said. That doesn’t include leather, ammunition or reloading equipment and supplies. McClain suggests you take a hard look at your customer base as you develop your purchasing plan for cowboy-action products. “I’d start out by carrying the basic cowboy-action guns,” he said. “Ruger Vaqueros, a couple of rifles and things of that nature. But don’t jump off into super specialty stuff right away.” It’s better to start out with the basic cowboy needs, McClain said, and don’t overspend your budget until you know you have the hardcore customer base. “If that part of your business starts to grow beyond your existing inventory selection, then it’s time to look for ways to expand your cowboy-action sales,” McClain said. “I think one of the biggest mistakes retailers make is overspending their budgets by trying to please everyone at once.” Careful planning and understanding Stocking Advice Circle No. 225 on Inquiry Card Action Target . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285 ADCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286 Ajax Custom Grips . . . . . . . . . . . . .287 American Derringer . . . . . . . . . . . .288 American Pioneer Powder . . . . . . .289 Armi San Marco . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290 AWA USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291 Beretta USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292 Bianchi International . . . . . . . . . . .293 Black Hills Ammunition . . . . . . . . .294 Bond Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295 Brownells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .296 Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297 Chaparral Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298 Charles Daly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299 Cimarron Firearms Co. . . . . . . . . . .300 Circle KB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301 Colt’s Manufacturing. . . . . . . . . . . .302 Cor-Bon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303 DeSantis Holsters . . . . . . . . . . . . .304 Don Hume Leathergoods . . . . . . . .305 EMF Co. Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306 Eagle Grips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .307 El Paso Saddlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308 European American Armory . . . . . .309 Federal Cartridge Corp. . . . . . . . . .310 Freedom Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311 Galco International . . . . . . . . . . . .312 Goex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313 Hartford Armory . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314 Henry Repeating Arms . . . . . . . . . .315 Heritage Manufacturing . . . . . . . . .316 Hi-Point Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . .317 Hodgdon Powder . . . . . . . . . . . . . .318 Hogue Grips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .319 Hornady Mfg. Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . .320 Hunter Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .321 Interstate Arms Corp. . . . . . . . . . . .322 Kirkpatrick Leather Co. . . . . . . . . . .323 L2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=41http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=41Elite Silver Over/Under TM Beyond the awards, the pleasing balance and the obvious beauty of each expertly crafted Elite shotgun lies another powerful endorsement – the Smith & Wesson mark. A symbol of lasting precision honored by an Heirloom Warranty™ created to ensure generations of continued enjoyment. Purchase an Elite Gold side-by-side or an Elite Silver over/under before January 2009 and Smith & Wesson will send you an Elite Series™ World-Class Case® for lasting protection. Offer ends December 31, 2008. Some restrictions may apply. See smith-wesson.com for details. Circle No. 232 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=42http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=42Circle No. 215 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=43http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=43Mark Kayser BOWHUNTING! Maximize Crossover Crossover Gear Gear And And ProfiT! ProfiT! Maximize stop shopping. If you already cater to bowhunters or have researched the market, you’ve come to the conclusion that it takes an investment to gain their loyalty. Bowhunters can purchase product anywhere, but they can’t always find a broad selection of bowhunting-only gear, an equipment technician and an indoor range — which is where you and your store come in. A s prices for many products skyrocket, diversification is the key to profits. Many firearms retailers have discovered this and, as a result, have embraced the bowhunting market. Take a look at how retail giants like Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s support the activities of both firearm hunters and bowhunters. By focusing on products for each group, they lure more consumers to their stores and catalogs, thus expanding their profits. They’ve catered to anglers and campers with the same philosophy: one- Crossover Products Let’s assume you decide to cater to bowhunters or already have them in your store. How do you profit by expanding the products that both bowhunters and firearm hunters need in the field? Ron Lee, store manager for Rocky Mountain Discount Sports in Sheridan, Wyo., has two decades of experience in retail marketing. “I believe bowhunters spend as much or more as rifle hunters on their gear,” Lee said. “Most guys spend between $500 and $900 on a rifle and a good bow runs about the same, plus they need to accessorize the Ron Lee, store manager for Rocky Mountain Discount Sports in Sheridan, Wyo., advises expanding on products that both bowhunters and firearm hunters need. www.shootingindustry.com OCTOBER 2008 432008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=44http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=44Scents and scent-control products, like these from Hunter’s Specialties, attract both bow and firearm hunters. bow, pushing that price even higher.” Bowhunting is a growing department at Rocky Mountain Discount Sports, Lee says. “Different areas of our firearm sales still see growth, such as handgun sales, but we’re continually seeing solid growth in bowhunting and that leads to more profit,” Lee said. Rocky Mountain Discount Sports’ Sheridan outlet has 10,000 square feet of floor space to accommodate firearms, bowhunting, angling and camping. Nearly 50 percent of the store is devoted to hunting, and Lee estimates nearly half of that is allocated to the display of crossover items. Bowhunting accounts for another 15 percent of the hunting space. By researching the hunters in your area and their needs and adding a wellbalanced inventory, Lee believes the addition of bowhunting to an independent gun dealer’s store could result in a 20 to 25 percent increase in profit. His own tallies clearly show an additional 20 percent profit annually through bowhunting sales alone, not including the crossover items. Firearm sales account for another 65 percent of sales and profit. Bowhunting-only products, such as bows, arrows, bow sights and arrow rests, account for increased sales, but it’s the crossover products that bowhunters and firearm hunters both use that really cause sales to jump. Lee cites the scent department as a good example of this. “We’ve tripled the size of the area because of the demand. Wildlife Research products were our initial test and we expanded by adding a complete line of Hunter’s Specialties scents and scent- 44 OCTOBER 2008 Circle No. 211 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=45http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=45Circle No. 235 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=46http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=46Make sure you offer the latest in rangefinder technology, including Nikon’s newest models like the Archer’s Choice (inset) with ID innovation. Both firearm and archery hunters use and demand rangefinders and binoculars. eliminating products,” Lee said. By drawing two distinct groups of hunters into the store, Lee has seen increased demand for crossover items such as optics — particularly rangefinders and binoculars — clothing, backpacks, ground blinds and Research Your Market ATV aftermarket add-on accessories. Other product areas, such as treestand sales and trail cameras, don’t have the same demand in Wyoming as they do at stores located in the Midwest or eastern locales, due to the specific needs of Western hunters. But that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the same success in crossover sales as Lee sees out West. “You really need to know your market and then jump in with both feet. With that I mean don’t be shy about your initial investment. Commit to your bowhunting department and to a full line of crossover items that complement the hunting style and needs of hunters in your region,” Lee said. Although Lee didn’t see great sales in treestands, he did research inthe market better and is now in opvesting in more tower stands, an op tion that open-country hunters utilize. Ground blinds have been a big boon prongmainly due to the demand from prong horn hunters. Bowhunters have been the biggest purchasers of ground blinds, but some rifle hunters also use them to hunt pronghorn at water or on feeding fields, such as the irrigated alfalfa in rere gional river and creek bottoms. Ameristep and Primos’ Double Bull Blinds lead this category in sales. In the clothing department, Lee stocks hot items such as ScentBlocker with its scent containment technology. In optics, Lee has the latest in rangefinder technology, including the newest mod- What To Stock 46 OCTOBER 2008 Circle No. 219 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=47http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=47els from Nikon with ID innovation that automatically compensates for various incline or decline shooting angles. Lee has been strengthening his GPS presence, as well. A bit shy at first about getting into this market, now he regularly has to restock because of the demand both bowhunters and firearm hunters have for GPS units. Garmin is the first choice of customers, based on its user-friendly design and dependability. In ATV products, Lee’s store is experiencing a huge demand in anything related to rack accessories. “We’ve quadrupled our ATV gear this year, mostly with extensions in lines of rack carriers, rack bags, gun vises and gun racks. We’re stocked this year, because every year we’re seeing growth in ATV products. They’re growing in popularity because people can get farther away from the crowds on them,” Lee said. The increase in ATV aftermarket gear sales has led the store to carry ATV products from Kolpin, Mad Dog Gear and QuadGear. Another crossover item to invest in is flashlights, a trend spurred on by the recent surge in flashlight technology. Lee sees more expensive models outselling the lower-priced versions available at most hardware or box stores. He recently expanded with additional LED models from SureFire based on demand and sales history. Hunters are also demanding packs, both larger backpacks and daypacks. Lee experiences the highest sales with the Badlands line of packs and carries their entire line, attributing sales to their reasonable pricing. He’s also seen an increase in interest in the Nimrod Pack Systems. Lee does stress the need to have a complete and competent bowhunting department. A minimal commitment in inventory, space and personnel will lead to failure. Lee carries a full line of Mathews, BowTech, Hoyt and PSE bows. Crossbows are legal in Wyoming so the store also carries TenPoint and Horton crossbows. At any time, customers can test more than 40 new bows and the store has a selection of used bows priced to move. Lee also advises having a technician on staff. “You absolutely have to hire a knowledgeable bow person in the technician position and offer a full spectrum, including the ability to press bows to change out strings and cams, plus be able to fletch arrows,” Lee said. “We have an indoor range and although it may not make or break a sale, it may sway them on purchasing one bow or another. It allows customers to get a feel for the bow and feel confident about www.shootingindustry.com Lee advises having a technician on staff who can offer the full spectrum of services. what they are shooting.” Another profitable aspect of the bowhunting investment is that bowhunters update every three to four years. Lee doesn’t see the same trend with firearm hunters and believes it is because bowhunting technology is changing so fast. Today’s bowhunters want to shoot the best they can afford. In firearms, the store keeps a large inventory and selection of popular brands to ensure firearm hunters have a reason to shop there. The store has more than 300 centerfire rifles, 70 shotguns and 150 handguns on hand. Popular brands include Benelli, Browning, CZ-USA, Kimber, Remington, Savage and Weatherby. “You can put some serious dollars into your inventory, both in the firearm side of things and the bowhunting department. But don’t overlook those crossover items that both groups use. It can really make the difference,” Lee said. 9 BOWHUNTING MARKET Alpine Archery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 Ameristep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 API Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 Archery Research . . . . . . . . . . . . 348 Badlands Backpacks . . . . . . . . . . . 349 Bear Archery Products . . . . . . . . . 350 Beman USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 Bohning Co. Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352 BowTech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 Browning Archery . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 Carbon Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Darton Archery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356 DoskoSport . . 2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=48http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=48Text 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 Shotgun DVD Product releases are printed on a space-available basis at the discretion of the editorial staff. Text First Line Text Savage Arms Snow Camo Company Savage Arms Phone # 1-866-233-4776 Website www.savagearms.com Circle # 406 Savage’s Model 10 Predator Hunter Package is now offering full-coverage Realtree Hardwoods Snow camo on the stock, barreled action, scope and rings. The Predator Hunter is a collaboration between Savage and Gary Roberson at Burnham Brothers Game Calls. The snow camo Predator Packages are available in .223, .22-250, .204 Ruger and .243. There is also a stand-alone Model 10 Predator Hunter with no scope in the new pattern, plus the XP Camo Rimfire Package in .17 HMR. Text New for 2008, Clint Smith brings his unique teaching style to this two-DVD set, “Defensive Shotgun: Logical Solutions For The Real World.” Filmed at Thunder Ranch in Oregon, the DVDs are packed with tips, techniques and Smith’s personal observations about the tactics and gear that work best, including a Mental Preparation and Logic Lecture; Proper Technique and Application; Single, Double, Pump and Semi-Auto; Loading, Carry and Presentation; Room Clearing and Proper Light Use; Range Drills; Demonstration and more. Company FMG Publications Phone # 1-800-628-9818 Website www.americanhandgunner.com Circle # 407 DeSantis Tri-Pack Pouch DeSantis’ Tri-pack 11-Bravo magazine pouch (style #M26) carries three single and double-stack, large-caliber magazines. It will mate with 11-Bravo and standard Molle platforms. It is made of cordura nylon and is available in numerous camo patterns, plus black. CamTrakker Mk-8 Trail Camera CamTrakker’s MK-8 Trail Camera features a color LCD display, 512 MB SD card, sealed, rechargeable lead acid battery, image capture speed under 1 second and operates in temperatures from minus 50 degrees to 150 degrees. Numerous options are available. Text First Line Sig Sauer Desert Mosquito Text A Sports South exclusive, the Sig Sauer Desert Mosquito Special Edition Package features a Sig Sauer Mosquito semiauto .22 LR 10-shot pistol, with 3.9" threaded barrel and thread protector. The pistol is finished in a Digital Desert camo. The Sig Sauer tactical trainer kit (fake suppressor with adaptor) has a black finish. DeSantis Holster & Leather Goods (631) 841-6300 www.desantisholster.com CamTrak South Inc. 1-800-654-8498 www.CamTrakker.com Company Sports South Phone # 1-800-388-3845 Website www.internetguncatalog.com Circle # 408 48 OCTOBER 2008 Circle # 409 Circle # 410 www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=49http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=49Hunter’s Specialties Carlton Premium Flex Wayne Carlton’s Calls Premium Flex diaphragms from Hunter’s Specialties now feature Infinity Latex. Infinity Latex is made with the latest technology to produce consistent, realistic and lively calls. It requires less air pressure to blow, so no break-in period is required and the calls last longer. Circle No. 226 on Inquiry Card Hunter’s Specialties (319) 395-0321 www.hunterspec.com Don’t worry, this Dog Does Bite Think of your Charter revolver as your loyal watch dog. It’s always ready to protect you and its bite is definitely worse than its bark. A Charter revolver can be your other best friend. For more information on Charter firearms or to locate the dealer nearest you, visit www.charterfirearms.com. Circle # 411 Fieldline Schuh Hunting Pack Fieldline’s Dwight Schuh Hunting Pack uses Acolyte lighting technology so the pack interior is fully illuminated when it is unzipped. It also features a removable waist pack and backpack. The pack can also be mounted on a 30" EuduroFlex external frame. The pack includes Fieldline’s high-quality, 2-liter polyurethane hydration bladder. It measures 16" x 16" x 7.5" and is available in Mossy Oak Breakup and Realtree Hardwoods Green. www.charterfirearms.com Circle No. 206 on Inquiry Card MKS/Charter: Shooting Industry_Quarter Page_ October 08 Coming This December: Buyer’s Guide Does Your Listing Need Updating? See pg. 10 OCTOBER 2008 49 The Universe’s Greatest Fieldline 1-800-438-3353 www.fieldline.com Circle # 412 www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=50http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=50LaserLyte Universal QD LaserLyte’s Quick Detachable (QD) Universal Rail Mount System attaches to 3" barrel sub-compact pistols with rails and all other weapons with rail systems. The system is 50-percent smaller than previous versions and features an ambidextrous slide switch. Constructed of T6 aluminum, the QD Universal Rail Mount System weighs .9 ounces and is available with the 650nm laser module (maximum range of 500 yards at night). Circle No. 220 on Inquiry Card LaserLyte (928) 649-3201 www.laserlyte.com Circle # 413 Nikon Archer Rangefinder Nikon Archer’s Choice Laser Rangefinder compensates for various incline and decline shooting angles up to ± 89-degrees of angle, allowing bowhunters to range targets from a treestand or steep terrain. The rangefinder features Nikon’s multicoated optics and is waterproof and fogproof. A Silent Technology neoprene case in RealTree APG camo is included. Circle No. 223 on Inquiry Card L OOK I N G T O T H E F U T U R E! • GIANT SHOT Show® Preview - 2009 Show Schedules & Special Events • The Universe’s Greatest Buyer’s Guide BONUS: Web Site Showcase Nikon Sport Optics 1-800-248-6846 www.nikonsportoptics.com Circle # 414 50 OCTOBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=51http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=51HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER WITH PEPPER SPRAY. Security Equipment Corporation will donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for each HC-NBCF-01 purchase. Buck Knives Bravo Tactical Knife Buck’s 850 Bravo features a onehand open/close system, an extra-beefy blade and Besh Wedge technology that offers a triple-edge point design. The 3.5" modified tanto blade is made of 154 CM stainless steel and glass bead-blasted for a corrosion-resistant, non-reflective finish. It is heat treated to Rc 59-61. As with all Buck knives, the blade is finished with Buck’s Edge2XTM technology. Call 800-325-9568 for a SABRE Distributor Near You 330 Sun Valley Circle Fenton, MO 63026 www.sabrered.com info@sabre-sabrered.com Join the Fight Against Cancer & Crime with SABRE RED! Circle No. 230 on Inquiry Card Buck Knives 1-800-326-2825 www.buckknives.com Circle # 415 Hornady Manufacturing .30-06 M1 Garand Match In its match ammunition line, Hornady has added a .30-06 match load, specifically designed for the M1 Garand. Hornady M1 Garand ammunition is loaded with a 168-grain A-MAX bullet that launches at 2,710 feet per second. The ammunition’s medium-burn propellants protect the rifle’s gas port system. Circle No. 200 on Inquiry Card Coming This December: Hornady Manufacturing Co. (308) 382-1390 www.hornady.com Buyer’s Guide Does Your Listing Need Updating? See pg. 10 OCTOBER 2008 51 The Universe’s Greatest Circle # 416 www.shootingindustry.com2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=52http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=52The companies listed have featured advertisements or products in this issue. Look to them first when you are ready to make a purchase. Companies ADVERTISERS ArmaLite Barska Black Hills Ammunition Brownells Camfour Charter Arms Crimson Trace DPMS DSA European American Armory Fobus FTI, Inc. Fusion Galco Glock Hallmark Cutlery Hogue Grips Kahr Arms Kel Tec Kinematics Kings Gunworks Kwik-Site Lewis Machine & Tool Lone Wolf Knives Lyman Products Magsafe Ammo Numrich Gun Parts Remington S.H.O.T. Show Savage Arms Security Equipment Corp. Sightron Smith & Wesson Sports South Springfield Stag Arms Sturm, Ruger & Co. Trijicon Woolrich Circle # 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 200 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 Page 6 11 39 35 38 49 16 17 19 53,55 44 10 25 5 42 15 23 14 46 50 35 32 50 34 40 49 51 7 33 2 51 56 41 3 36 45 9 1,13 15 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 Companies Springfield Armory STI International Sturm, Ruger & Co. Taurus International Thompson/Center U.S. Fire Arms Mfg. Uberti USA Walther USA Wilson Combat Circle # 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 Page 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 43 43 43 43 43 43 Companies Beman USA Bohning Co. Ltd. BowTech Browning Archery Carbon Express Darton Archery DoskoSport Eastman Outfitters Easton Technical Products Escalade Sports Excalibur Crossbow Field Logic Flambeau Outdoors Garmin Gold Tip Golden Eagle Archery Golden Key Futura High Country Archery Horton Mfg. Hoyt USA Hunter’s Specialties Jennings Archery Kinsey’s Archery Products Kolpin Lone Wolf Mad Dog Gear Martin Archery Mathews Inc. McKenzie Targets McPherson Archery Muzzy Products Neet Archery Products New Archery Products Nikon Nimrod Pack Systems Oneida Eagle Bows Parker Bows Precision Shooting Equip. Primos/Double Bull Blinds Pro Release QuadGear Reflex Rivers Edge Robinson Outdoors Satellite Archery ScentBlocker Straight Shot Archery SureFire T.R.U. Ball TailorMaid Archery TenPoint Crossbow Tru-Fire Wasp Archery Products Wildlife Research Center Xi Compound Bows Circle # 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 Page 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 48 48 48 48 48 49 49 50 50 51 51 COWBOY MARKET HANDGUN SALES American Derringer Beretta USA Bersa (Eagle Imports) Bond Arms Browning Charles Daly Charter Arms Cimarron Firearms Cobra Enterprises of Utah Coltís 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. Nighthawk Custom North American Arms Para-Ordnance Rock River Arms Rossi Firearms Seecamp Sig Sauer Smith & Wesson Action Target ADCO Ajax Custom Grips American Derringer American Pioneer Powder Armi San Marco AWA USA Beretta USA Bianchi International Black Hills Ammunition Bond Arms Brownells Browning Chaparral A2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=53http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=53Continued from page 54 Commemorative Revolver ere’s a sure-seller. Smith & Wesson is making available to consumers the commemorative revolver the company presented to the original plaintiffs in the District of Columbia vs. Heller case. Developed in partnership with the Second Amendment Foundation, the Model 442’s engravings commemorate the historical Supreme Court ruling. A portion of the sale of each Model 442 will be donated to the Second Amendment Foundation. Call 1-800-331-0852 for more info, or visit www.smith-wesson.com. H Southwick: Top-Selling Brands S outhwick Associates has released its data on the top-selling brands in six categories for June and July. The data is from Southwick’s Internet program: HunterSurvey, a monthly consumer monitoring service. For more information, e-mail: Info@southwickassociates.com. Top-Selling Brands June Brand Savage Mossberg S&W Remington Nikon Primos MS* 1 5.7% 29.1% 36.5% 27.3% 1 8.1% 23.3% Brand Remington Mossberg Ruger Remington BSA Primos July MS* 1 9.7% 29.3% 21 .9% 26.3% 28.2% 26.8% Category Rifles Shotguns Handguns RifleAmmo Riflescopes GameCalls *Marketshare Remington Draws Customers R emington is using its Load Up On Savings promotion to draw hunting customers into gun shops. The promotion, which began Aug. 1, offers cash back on select Remington firearms and up to $150 cash back on select Remington Wingmas- ter HD ammunition purchases. The Wingmaster HD offer runs through Jan. 21, 2009. All other offers in the Load Up On Savings promotion are valid on purchases made through Dec. 31, 2008. For more information, visit www. remington.com. 9 COLLECTORS ACCESSORIES 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 advance payment BY NO LATER THAN THE 15th of each month. EXAMPLE: Closing for NOVEMBER 2008 issue is September 15th. Ads received after closing will appear in the following issue. Please type or print clearly. PLEASE NOTE: NO PROOFS WILL BE FURNISHED. Include name, address, post office box, city, state and zip code as counted words. Abbreviations count as one word each. Mail to SHOOTING INDUSTRY CLASSIFIEDS, 12345 World Trade Dr, San Diego, California 92128. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR CLASSIFIED AD IN SHOOTING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE, CALL OUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE AT (858)605-0235. Circle No. 210 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com OCTOBER 2008 532008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=54http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=54Russ Thurman Vote O n Nov. 4, vote. That seems simple enough. The right to vote is one of the grand touchstones of a free people and the mark of a healthy democracy. Even during times when the issues aren’t as volatile, voting should be a high priority, a private statement of immense public value. Unfortunately, voting too often takes second place to more pressing matters of the moment — those everyday distractions that just must be done — and “it’s just one vote, it won’t make a difference.” Easily justified. Plus, not voting is just as much an American right as voting. Remarkably, though, those who don’t vote are often the most vocal about the issues before the election — and after. Today, because of technology, potential voters know more about the issues and the candidates than at any time in history. “The inspiration to vote comes from the denial of the right.” In addition, at no time have there been so many messages sent asking people to vote. Make that a plea. “Please vote. Please. Pretty please.” There also are vast numbers of potential voters who need to be inspired to vote. They need extra doses of red, white and blue, Jefferson, Lincoln, amber waves of grain and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.” The inspiration to vote comes from the denial of the right. Look into the eyes of those who can’t vote, or face brutality if they vote incorrectly. No more inspiration is need. I vote because I can. My vote, on this one day, has the same weight as any other U.S. citizen, regardless of birth, position, rank or social standing. I don’t need to be inspired, coerced, begged or praised. My vote is my voice, my signature, my thank you to my country. On Nov. 4, vote. Thank You, Olympians alutes to the USA Olympic Shooting Team for representing us so well in Beijing. The performance of the team during the Olympics was impressive and drew a lot of attention. The team won six medals, but also had four fourth-place and two fifth-place finishes. In all, the team’s shooters set five Olympic records. “The shooting team finished tied for fourth with fencing for the most medals won by all U.S. sports behind swimming, track and field and gymnastics. Our athlete’s success is due in large part to the tremendous support they have received from our sponsors,” said Buddy DuVall, USA Shooting’s director of marketing. The athletes of USA Shooting, the national governing body for Olympic shooting sports, represent our country on the world’s shooting ranges throughout the year, and bring important attention to shooting. We are proud, make that very proud, sponsors of USA Shooting and encourage industry companies to step forward to support this outstanding organization. For information on becoming a sponsor, contact DuVall at (719) 866-4880, e-mail: buddy.duvall@usashooting.org or visit www. usashooting.com. S 2008 Olympic champions (from left): Jason Turner, Bronze Medal, 10mm Air Pistol; Vincent Hancock, Gold Medal, Men’s Skeet; Kim Rhode, Silver Medal, Women’s Skeet; Corey Cogdell, Bronze Medal, Women’s Trap; Matt Emmons, Silver Medal, Rifle-Prone; and Glenn Eller, Gold Medal, Men’s Double Trap. ongratulations to The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) as they hold their 35th Anniversary Expo next month in Atlanta. During the three-day event, Nov. 5-7, manufacturers and wholesalers will “do business,” all as part of moving thousands of products through the distribution system. “Commitment to Excellence” is the 54 OCTOBER 2008 C Well Done, NASGW theme of this year’s expo and reflects NASGW’s dedication to serving the firearms industry, said Wayne Smith, NASGW president. “Everything we do is directed at streamlining the distribution system, which is why we introduced Item HQ, a valuable tool to enhance overall communication between manufacturers and wholesalers. Plus, we are committed to the profitability of dealers, who are the forefront of our industry,” Smith said. For more information, visit www. nasgw.org. Continued on page 53 ww2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=55http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=55Circle No. 210 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=56http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Oct2008/?Page=56Circle No. 231 on Inquiry Card2008-10-01T16:23:37+02:00