http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/RSS.ashxShooting Industry September 2008 PagesTue, 23 Sep 2008 01:50:28 +0200http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=1http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=1MASTERS RAISES $16,500 FOR STEP OUTSIDE SEPTEMBER 2008 17th Annual Awards HONORING EXCELLENCE ENERGIZE! High-Tech Sales Tips What's Driving KABOOM. The Desert Eagle Pistol’s patented combination of powerful magnum calibers and smooth, semi-auto handling is a technological advance matched by few in the history of firearms. One of the most distinctive guns on the planet, it’s perfect for hunting. Selfdefense. Target shooting. Movie making. And really gonzo plinking. THE SCIENCE OF Knife Market? Carefully designed grip angles and gas operation make the shooting smooth and easy, so the pistol feels like a natural extension of your arm. CATALOG SHOWCASE www.shootingindustry.com BONUS www.magnumresearch.com Circle No. 225 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=2http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=2Circle No. 235 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=3http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=3Top photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense FN M3M .50 BMG/12.7x99MM NATO HEAVY MACHINE GUN FN provides 70% of the small arms used by U.S. Military Forces around the globe. FN is the name you can trust. JUST LIKE THEY DO. FN SLP 12 GAUGE AUTOLOADING SHOTGUNS ARE AVAILABLE IN SEVERAL MODELS WITH CONVENTIONAL OR ADJUSTABLE PISTOL GRIP STOCKS See the full line of FN SLP shotguns, barrels, choke tubes and other accessories at your local FNH USA dealer or visit fnhusa.com Circle No. 217 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=4http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=4SEPTEMBER 2008 • VOLUME 53 • NUMBER 09 Features 28 34 Page 28 Honoring Excellence 17th Annual Awards Pay Tribute To Innovation, Service. ENERGIZE! Pros Share Their High-Tech Sales Techniques. John Morrison 41 47 Cutting Edge! Innovation, Diversification Drive Knife Market. Pat Covert This Dog Will Sell! Got Hunters? Then You Have Dog Product Customers. Carolee Anita Boyles Industry News 8 Masters Raises $16,500 For Step Outside 10 Act Now, Before The November Election 11 NRA Round-Up Surpasses $4 Million Page 34 Columns 20 22 24 26 Page 41 BO NU Lethal Force Tailoring The Defensive Handgun To Your Customer. Massad Ayoob Outdoor Marketplace Don’t Forget The Sharpeners! Carolee Anita Boyles Arms And The Woman Custom Colored Guns And Accessories Hot Sellers. Lisa Parsons-Wraith Back Blast & Other Hot Gases They’re Coming November 4! Be Very Afraid! Commander Gilmore 62 Industry Watch Saluting Excellence, Shooting For The Future. Russ Thurman S! Departments 6 Letters 57 Reader Service 58 61 New Products Classifieds Page 51 4 SEPTEMBER 2008 SHOOTING INDUSTRY® (ISSN 0037-4148) is published monthly by Publishers’ Development Corporation at 12345 World Trade Dr, San Diego, CA 92128. Periodical Class Postage paid at San Diego, CA 92128, and at additional mailing offices. Subscription $25 yearly in U.S.A. Single copies $3 (except for the December SHOT SHOW issue, $25). Change of address: Four weeks notice required on all changes. Send old address as well as new. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: SHOOTING INDUSTRY® 12345 World Trade Dr, San Diego, CA 92128. PRINTING SERVICES/PREPRESS: Democrat Printing Company. CONTRIBUTORS submitting manuscripts, photographs or drawings, do so at their own risk. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by sufficient postage. PAYMENT will be made at rates current at time of publication and will cover reproduction in any or all of the editions of SHOOTING INDUSTRY®. OPINIONS expressed in bylined articles or columns are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or its staff. Copyright© 2008 by Publishers' Development Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any portion of this magazine without written permission is prohibited. www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=5http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=5Made in the USA! Please send your FFL for our new catalog. SINCE 1955 — THE INDUSTRY’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE PUBLISHER & EDITOR Russ Thurman EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Roxanne Smith ART DIRECTOR Eric Tse ART ASSISTANT Andy Loy PRODUCTION MANAGER Dennaye Cusick Cal: 5.56x45mm RFLP-WCP $699.00 MSRP Weighs Just 6.3 lbs! Anita Carson ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Steve Evatt, Jeff Morey, Delano Amaguin, Scott McGregor PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR Randy Moldé PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Lorinda Massey NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Panther “Sporticals™” Bridging the Gap Between the Sporting and Tactical Markets! CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Massad Ayoob Shari LeGate John Morrison Carolee Anita Boyles Ray Oeltjen Lisa Parsons-Wraith Cal: 7.62 NATO RFLR-WCP $989.00 MSRP Weighs Just 8.3 lbs! 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 Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and Ideal for Precision Shooters! Panther LR-6.5 RFLR-65 Cal: 6.5 Creedmoor $1,159.00 MSRP Also Available in .308 Win. & .260 Rem. Special Editions Editor: Sammy Reese Advertising: Scott McGregor fmgpublications.com CUSTOMER SERVICE www.shootingindustry.com SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES . . . . . . 858.605.0250 EXPRESS SERVICE . . . . . www.shootingindustry.com General Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . Click: Contact Us EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858.605.0243 PRODUCTION All scopes, rings and mounts are not included. ONLINE ORDERING AVAILABLE! DPMS Firearms, LLC • 3312 12th Street SE, Dept. SIND • St. Cloud, MN 56304 • 1-320-258-4448, Ext. 7463 • 1-320-258-4449 (Fax) • dpms@dpmsinc.com Circle No. 213 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 PRODUCED IN THE U.S.A. www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 228 on Inquiry Card SEPTEMBER 2008 52008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=6http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=6I am a researcher with a particular interest in private firearm ownership in the U.S. I am currently writing a book chapter reviewing recent research on the topic and I’m trying to compile U.S. import, export and manufacturing numbers of handguns and long guns to estimate the number of civilian-owned guns. Many researchers argue that the increase in civilian gun ownership in the ’80s and ’90s helped cause increases in violent crime. I’m trying to make the points that (1) increased crime is likely to cause citizens to become gun owners, not the other way around, and (2) the large violent crime drop that started in the late ’90s occurred while firearms sales continued to outstrip the growth in the U.S. population and growth in U.S. households. I noticed that you reported import data on firearms for 2005 and 2006 (“Industry Honest Research Greatly Tested In 2008,” July 2008). I currently have import data up to 1999 and export/manufacture data up to 2006. I’m hoping that you might be able to point me to official data sources that would fill in the blanks. Any assistance that you would be willing to provide would be appreciated. Richard L. Legault, Ph.D. Via: russ@shootingindustry.com Researchers who honestly look at the growth of firearms, especially firearms in the self-defense category, will conclude that crime drives (self-defense) firearm sales, not the other way around. The key is “honest” research. Rather than look at the entire country to get such data, consider New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina: The overwhelming number of firearms sold during the days and weeks of the tragedy were purchased by first-time gun buyers — motivated by fear of becom- ing a victim of crime. That model is reflected nationally. In addition, honest research will reveal that once such gun-sales spikes occur in a crime-ridden area, crime goes down. Hmmmm. I wonder why? That also applies to areas where concealed carry laws are enacted. When criminals, who are really cowards (when was the last time they went on a shooting spree inside a police station, instead of a mall or school building?), realize they may meet Mr. Bullet or Mrs. Shotshell, they go elsewhere — like Washington, D.C., where citizens are disarmed, until now, by government. Sadly, those who proclaim that the gun is the problem, won’t/can’t conduct honest research. Concerning filling in the data of imports/exports, we use the export data provided by the ATF, which it appears you already have. If not, it’s available at: www. atf.gov/firearms/stats/index.htm. For import data, we use data from the Foreign Trade Division of the U.S. Census Bureau: www.usatradeonline.gov. Hope this helps. Keep up the good fight. Your latest issue included a letter from Jim C. complaining about rising costs of ammo (“Not Happy,” April 2008). I am a small shop, so buying ammo by the case is not feasible, thus at times within the same month I order two or three boxes of the same ammo, and each time usually the price has gone up. I was told — from two different sources — that the three metals, lead for bullet cores, brass for cartridge cases and copper for bullet jackets, are all being stockpiled by China. I also read that in England, one of the parishes has an older church with lead shingles and they have had to replace the lead twice because of thievery. I doubt Al Gore can blame that on “global warming” — causing said roof to melt and run off over the eaves! Carroll L. Brown Shootin’ Gallery Basin, Wyo. 9 Lead Conspiracy? E-mail the Editor russ@shootingindustry.com Circle No. 211 on Inquiry Card 6 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=7http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=7It’s a revolver – and a shotgun – it’s the ultimate combo handgun. The Taurus Judge gives your customers the option to chamber both .45 Long Colt Ammunition and .410 shotshells for unprecedented stopping power and versatility. Tested to fire all five shots in less than two seconds, the Taurus Judge is ready for decisive action — in self-defense or on the trail. TAURUS JUDGE FEATURES: ¬ Fires Both .410 Ga. 2-1/2” Shotshell and .45 Colt Ammunition ¬ Available in Blue and Stainless Steel ¬ Choice of 3-inch or 6-inch Barrel ¬ Fiber Optic Front Sight ¬ Ribber Grip ® www.TaurusUSA.com www.shootingindustry.com FREE one-year NRA membership with the purchase of any new Taurus fi rearm. Circle No. 240 on Inquiry Card ¬ Taurus Security System ® Birchwood Casey ® targets shot at 6 feet. SEPTEMBER 2008 72008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=8http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=8Don’t Forget The Sharpeners! — page 22 Masters Raises $16,500 For Step Outside S hooters from throughout the industry Sports Foundation, I’d like to thank FMG Sharpeners, Midland, PACT, Remington, stepped to the firing line at the Sixth Publications for its support of all the Step Ruger and Smith & Wesson. Annual Shooting Industry Masters Outside programs we’ve done. We all The event’s top shooters were recogJuly 26 to blast clays and ring nized with team and indisteel, all in support of NSSF’s vidual trophies. Step Outside program. In the Industry Class, More than 150 shooters, the first place trophy went including company CEOs, to Ruger Team-1, with Colt sales reps and factory craftsplacing second and XS men, competed in the threeSights taking third place. gun competition at the HartThe top three individual ford Gun Club in East Granby, shooters in the Industry Conn. Produced by FMG Class were: (1st) Kevin Publications, the event’s raffle Skinner, Ruger Team-1 raised $16,500 for the Step (2nd) Scott McGregor, Outside program, which introFMG and (3rd) Dennis duces newcomers to shooting. Veilleux, Colt. “Once again, we were imIn the Open class, for pro pressed with the enthusiasm shooters, DPMS took first of industry shooters during the place, with Smith & Wescompetition. The good-natured son Team-1 placing second kidding about who were the Team DPMS recaptured the Open Class trophy at the 2008 Shooting Industry and BLACKHAWK! taking best shooters was overshad- Masters. They are (l to r) Tony Holmes, Jim Clark (event Top Shooter), third. Individual trophies owed by the unity and support Charles “Tate” Moots and Randy Luth, DPMS president. went to (1st) Jim Clark, of the industry and the Step DPMS, (2nd) Tate Moots, Outside program. We also thank Smith know that introducing new people to the DPMS and (3rd) Randy Luth, DPMS. & Wesson, who provided invaluable as- shooting sports is important to the presFMG Publications has announced that sistance and numerous volunteers for the ervation of our industry and our heritage. the Shooting Industry Masters will return event,” said Randy Moldé, FMG promo- Step Outside does that and we thank all to the Hartford Gun Club for “an even bigtions director and Masters chairman. those taking part in the event for your sup- ger event” July 24-25, 2009. The Step Outside program is important port,” Sanetti said. For more information on the 2008 to the future of the industry, according to This year’s match sponsors were Aim- Shooting Industry Masters, visit www. NSSF President Steve Sanetti, who has point, Benchmade, BLACKHAWK!, shootingindustry.com. (Full coverage of competed in every Masters competition Black Hills Ammunition, Brownells, Cor- the Masters will be featured in the October “On behalf of the National Shooting Bon, Gunsite, Howard Leight, Lansky issue of Shooting Industry.) Elizabeth Jarrell Bushnell Acquires Simmons Outdoor ushnell Outdoor Products and MidOcean Partners, a middle market private equity fund, announce Bushnell’s acquisition of the Simmons brand and certain other assets of Simmons Outdoor Corp. from Meade Instruments Corp. The acquisition includes riflescopes, binoculars and spotting scopes. “The Simmons line of optical products provides a strategic asset and a valuable brand to our company,” said Joe Messner, president and CEO of Bushnell Outdoor Products. “We will continue B to provide the high level of value and service the loyal Simmons customers and consumers have grown to expect over the past 30 years.” For more information, call 1-800-423-3537 or visit www. bushnell.com. • Sign In • Click • Profit 8 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=9http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=9Sell Ruger , Earn Points, Get Rewarded. ® ( It really is that easy! ) T H E R U G E R ® R A P I D R E T A I L R E W A R D S P R O G R A M SM The 4R Program is an incentive program that rewards retail sales professionals for all of their Ruger® firearms sales. Four simple steps get you earning points towards free Ruger firearms: 1 Sign-Up Visit the Ruger ® Rapid Retail Rewards Program SM website at www.rugerpromo.com and click on the “Sign-Up” navigation item. You will be stepped through a simple registration process. 2 Sell Ruger Firearms Do what you do best and sell Ruger! With every new Ruger firearm sold, you will earn 4R Program points redeemable for FREE Ruger firearms. 3 Enter Your Sales Visit the “Get Rewarded” page of the 4R Program website. Download the Retailer Sales Tracking Form and record your sales as you move closer to a FREE Ruger firearm! 4 Get Rewarded! Once you have accumulated sufficient 4R Program points, you can redeem them for FREE Ruger firearms! Choose from an LCP™ Pistol, a .375 African M77® Hawkeye® Rifle, a 22 Charger™ Pistol, or one of the other great Ruger firearms available from the Ruger Rapid Retail Rewards Program. Ruger – your partner in providing the best to your customers! Rules and Regulations: Ruger Rapid Retail Rewards Program points have no cash value and must be redeemed on or before December 1, 2008. Void where prohibited by law. Offer is good only in the United States and for sales of new Ruger firearms. All firearms sales must comply with applicable local, state and Federal laws and regulations. Earned Ruger Rapid Retail Rewards Program points are subject to verification before redemption. For complete Rules and Regulations, please visit the Ruger Rapid Retail Rewards Program website at www.rugerpromo.com. © 2008 STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. www.shootingindustry.com 4R Circle No. 238 on Inquiry Card SEPTEMBER 2008 92008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=10http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=10Act Now, Before The November Election he November elections are only weeks away. On Nov. 4, 90 Next, please encourage your customers to visit the NSSF million American gun owners, including 40 million sports- site, too. Education is key, and the NSSF site can play a pivmen who hold dear our hunting and shooting heritage, will have otal role in reaching would-be voters. It can even help them the opportunity to head to the polls and support candidates for register to vote. office that will preserve and protect our way of life. As a firearms Do you need proof that elections matter? Consider this. The retailer you can help ensure that these people take full advantage Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year in the Heller case, afof another essential American right, the right to vote. firming that the Second Amendment is an individual right, was The sportsmen and gun-owner voting bloc has long been consid- decided by just one vote, 5 to 4. Now imagine what could have ered one of the most influential in American politics. When gun own- happened if President Bush had not appointed Justices Robers vote to ensure their freedom, we can’t lose. Similarly, when gun erts and Alito to the court. No Roberts, no Alito — no Second owners stay at home rather than fight for what Amendment. The next president is likely they believe in, we can’t win. Understanding to appoint as many as three new justices this simple fact and acting upon it now will to the court who will have to be confirmed make all the difference come November. by the U.S. Senate. So, how to act on it? First, take a few Still need convincing that elections minutes to visit the National Shooting matter? Okay, have you considered that Sports Foundation VoterEd Web site: www. the next president will appoint the next nssf.org/08election. This easy-to-navigate ATF director, the next U.S. Fish and Wildsite is loaded with information on the presilife Service director and a whole host of dential candidates and key Senate races, other federal bureaucracies that regulate and the site is updated regularly. NSSF Voand control your business? terEd provides vital information on where This is no time for industry members, candidates stand on Second Amendmentgun owners or individual rights advocates related issues, links to public opinion pollto take a back seat. ing data and relevant news articles. NSSF is For more information about the working to educate and mobilize sportsmen NSSF VoterEd Web site, visit www.nssf. throughout the United States. org/08election. — NSSF www.nssf.org/08election T Circle No. 202 on Inquiry Card 10 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=11http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=11NRA Round-Up Surpasses $4 Million M idwayUSA has passed the $4 million milestone in the NRA Round-Up program. At this year’s NRA meeting, program cofounders Larry and Brenda Potterfield presented a ceremonial check to Wayne LaPierre, NRA executive vice president and CEO, and Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. “In order to change the future, we must continue to support the NRA with both time and money,” said Larry Potterfield, president and CEO of MidwayUSA. The donation represents the amount raised through the program since 1992. Every MidwayUSA customer, when placing an order, has From left to right: Larry Potterfield, Wayne LaPierre, Chris Cox and the opportunity to Brenda Potterfield. “round-up” the total to the next highest dollar. The donations are sent to the NRA and placed in the NRA-ILA National Endowment for the Protection of the Second Amendment every week, with no administrative or holding charges assessed. The NRA-ILA only uses the interest gained to help fund programs, allowing the endowment to continue to grow. For more information, visit www.midwayusa.com. imber has donated firearms worth $600,000 to the NRA for use by the NRA Foundation and Friends of NRA. “There has never been a more important time to support the NRA,” said Kimber CEO Leslie Edelman. “Kimber is proud to step up. I encourage other firearm manufacturers to do the same, right now, at this time of greatest need.” “This donation is amazing on so many levels,” said Kyle Weaver, NRA’s managing director of field operations. “It could not have come at a better time, and it could not be more appreciated. Kimber is one of the giants in the firearm industry and one of the strongest supporters to both NRA and The NRA Foundation.” For more information, visit www.kimberamerica.com. Kimber Makes Hefty Donation To NRA K ATK Receives $89 Million Ammunition Order, Funding A lliant Techsystems (ATK) has received an additional $89 million in military smallcaliber ammunition orders and modernization funding from the U.S. Army. Of the amount, $72 million is for small-caliber ammunition, with the remainder of the funds devoted to various plant modernization projects. Work on the contracts will be performed by ATK at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP), Independence, Mo. ATK operates the U.S. Army plant where it produces a mix of 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50-caliber and 20mm cartridges. Working in partnership with the Army, ATK has expanded manufacturing capacity at the plant to 1.6 billion rounds. ATK began operating the plant in 2000, and is now under contract to modernize the facility, which has remained largely unchanged from the plant’s groundbreaking in 1940. “We are pleased with the contract awards and maintain our high-level commitment to produce quality ammunition,” said ATK Armament Systems President Mark DeYoung. “We are grateful for the opportunity to continue delivering performance and survivability solutions to our nation’s defenders.” For more information, visit www.atk.com. Circle No. 207 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 112008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=12http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=122009 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.) 12 SEPTEMBER 2008 Circle No. 232 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=13http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=13EVERY YEAR, IT SPEAKS TO YOUR BUSINESS. NAME: COMPANY: TITLE: LOCATION: HIGHLIGHTS: INTERESTS: NEW PRODUCTS. NEW CATEGORIES. NEW MERCHANDISING IDEAS. www.shotshow.org Circle No. 232 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 132008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=14http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=14abre Defence Industries has been awarded a contract for a minimum of 4,952 M16A3 and 702 M16A4 rifles to support the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and foreign military customers. The M16 project will take place at Sabre Defence’s Nashville, Tenn., facility and is expected to be completed by the end of De c e m be r 2010. Sabre officials say the manufacture of XR model rifles for the commercial market will not be affected by the military contract. New models of the XR15A3 are scheduled to be released in the coming months. For more information, call (615) 3330077 or visit www.sabredefence.com. S Sabre Defence Awarded M16 Rifle Contract F FMG Publications Promotes Key Players MG Publications has announced major promotions in its business and commercial magazine divisions and advertising department. Russ Thurman is now the publisher of FMG Business Publications. Roy Huntington is the publisher of FMG Consumer and Law Enforcement Publications. Anita Carson has been promoted to national advertising sales director of all FMG Publications. “These promotions are long overdue and well deserved,” said Tom von Rosen, FMG president. “Russ and Roy have been performing at the publisher’s level for some time. These promotions are an important part of streamlining our operations. “Anita is widely respected throughout the industry for her professionalism. She will have an important impact on the advertising efforts of all our magazines.” Thurman, a retired Marine officer, has been the editor of Shooting Industry magazine since 1994. Huntington, a retired police officer, has been the editor of American Handgunner magazine since 2001. He is also the editorial director of FMG’s consumer magazines. Carson has been the advertising account manager of Shooting Industry since 1991. In addition to Shooting Industry and American Handgunner magazines, FMG publishes GUNS Magazine, American COP magazine and six Special Edition publications, as well as R. Huntington R. Thurman dedicated Web sites for each of A. Carson the major titles. For more information, visit www.fmgpublications.com. The Black Hills Ammunition test fire crew, waiting for the rest of the industry to catch up. BLACK HILLS AMMUNITION INC. • PO BOX 3090 • RAPID CITY, SD 57709-3090 • Phone: 605-348-5150 • Fax: 605-348-9827 14 SEPTEMBER 2008 Circle No. 208 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=15http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=15ro Ears has acquired Desert Mountain Manufacturing, makers of BenchMaster rifle rests. “We are extremely pleased to be able to add the high-quality BenchMaster line of rifle rests to our Pro Ears family of products,” said Dan Nigro, Pro Ears owner. “I feel this is the perfect fit to continue on with the ideals of BenchMaster,” said Bill Davis, BenchMaster president. For more information, visit www.ProEars.com or www.benchmasterusa.com. P Pro Ears Acquires Benchmaster Rifle Rests Bass Pro Shops Sponsors Media Day C MG Marketing & Events and Triple Curl PR announce that Bass Pro Shops, the 2008 sponsor of “Media Day at the Range,” has committed to be title sponsor for the next three years. The fourth annual event, conducted the day before SHOT Show, will be held on Jan. 14, 2009, at the Orange County Sheriff’s Range in Orlando, Fla. The event offers outdoor journalists the opportunity to handle and shoot new products. The event also benefits many youth shooting organizations, including the Orange County 4-H Shooting Sports. “We were very happy with the results of our sponsorship at this year’s show and the opportunity it gave us to communicate with so many quality outdoor writers,” said Brent Lawrence, Bass Pro Shops brand specialist. “Our company also feels it is tremendously important to teach future generations about the shooting sports, so the fact that this also benefits youth shooting organizations is a big bonus to us.” At Media Day 2008, over 375 members of the outdoor media attended the daylong event, testing products from more than 50 manufacturers. Event planners say they expect more journalists to take part in the 2009 Media Day, with more than 60 manufacturers expected to exhibit. Registration for the event is now open at www.media-day.com. For more information, contact Cory Cannon at ccannon@triplecurl. com or Cathy Williams at cathy@ cmgmarketingandevents.com. Circle No. 212 on Inquiry Card The 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! www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 219 on Inquiry Card SEPTEMBER 2008 152008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=16http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=16Remington Selects De La Rue To Protect Brand emington Arms Co. Inc. has chosen De La Rue Holographics’ Secure Licensing Solution to protect its official licensed products. The De La Rue system incorporates an easy-to-authenticate hologram label supported by SLSNet, a web-based ordering, tracking and verification tool. The label allows approved licensees to protect their exclusive license investment by securing and clearly differentiating official Remington products in the retail market, with the added ability to review and manage their orders online. R “Working in partnership with De La Rue means that we can strengthen our distinct brand status while protecting the integrity of our international licensing program,” said Scott Lester, director of licensing and accessories for Remington Arms. For more information, visit www.remington.com. For more information about De La Rue Holographics, visit www.delarue.com. NWTF Supports USA Shooting he National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has donated $10,000 to the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team. The NWTF raised the money through the auction of a donated 2008 banquet package of 39 outdoorinspired items at GunBroker.com. Marvin Hartley, a member of the NWTF’s board of directors, presented a $10,000 check to USA Shooting during a shooting awards ceremony at Fort Carson, Colo., July 16. Hartley also presented USA National Shotgun Coach Lloyd Woodhouse with a bronze statue and plaque commemorating Woodhouse’s 25year career. For more information about the NWTF, visit www.nwtf.net. For more in- Marvin Hartley (left), NWTF, presents a check for $10,000 to formation on USA Shooting, visit www.usashooting.com. Haley Dunn (center) and Buddy Duvall of USA Shooting. T Depend on the tactical light with real STOPPING PO W E R The NEW SIG SAUER STOPLITE ™ is a potent defensive tool that could save your life in a flash – a blinding 300-lumen* strobe that disorients assailants immediately. Can be used hand-held or rail mounted. This unit features a rotary selector for steady, strobe and accessory function. Built-in power receptacle for interchangeable accessories. Ask your duty gear dealer for this life saving defense tool from SIG SAUER . ® ® For more information visit our website Laser aiming module accessory for pin-point accuracy *Approximate lumen w w w.sigsauer.com Circle No. 233 on Inquiry Card ®2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=17http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=17Thomas L. Millner, Remington Arms CEO, was honored in June with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award 2008 in the Carolinas. Millner was recognized for his exceptional leadership role in FNH USA the Retail & Consumer Products category. Promotes Manager FNH USA has promoted Ken Flood, He was presented the award, along with other honorees, at a gala event in Char- former deputy director of sales, to the new position of national manager for commerlotte, N.C. Addressing Millner’s contribution, E. cial and law enforcement sales. For the past three years, Flood manScott Blackwell, Remington’s president of Global Sales, Marketing and Product aged the company’s regional sales, helping Development, said, “Under his leadership, to drive growth in both the L.E. and comRemington has achieved a historic sixth- mercial market segments. Prior to joining FNH USA, he was straight year as the with Bruce Odle and number one manuAssociates, where facturer of long he represented FNH guns; he has served USA, as well as sisas a dynamic force ter brands Browning within our industry; and Winchester, in and his vision and L.E. and commeruncompromised cial sales. commitment have Sept2008:Layout 1 7/15/08 2:52 PM Page 1 Flood formerly K. Flood steered the company T. Millner Remington Arms CEO Honored to achieve record success.” Millner was selected for the award by an independent judging panel, comprised of regional business, academic and civic leaders. owned Baltoro Mountain Outfitters, an outdoor store in Columbia, Mo., and worked in the motor sports industry as a Porsche race mechanic. He also was a manager and buyer for Missouri Wilderness Co. “Ken Flood brings extensive product knowledge, industry experience and enduser understanding to this position,” said Rick DeMilt, senior vice president of FNH USA. “His contribution to our success has been considerable.” Flood holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in marketing from Columbia College. Pelican Products has appointed retired U.S. Marine Corps General Peter Pace as its chairman of the board. Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has more than four decades of military service. Pace will provide strategic oversight for Pelican’s work in the military, defense and federal government sectors. Pelican Products Appoints Board Chairman 10/22® CARBINE •Autoloading •Laminated stock, blade front/adjustable rear sights •High-speed, pivoted hammer for short lock time •Barrel locked into receiver w/unique 2-screw V-block system •Unique, removable rotary magazine •Cross bolt safety •Includes: scope base adapter & gun lock MODEL 85 ULTRA-LITE® BOBBED HAMMER •SA/DA •Black matte finish •Bobbed hammer •Yoke detent •Transfer bar safety •Heavy barrel w/solid rib, ejector shroud •Fixed sights •Standard rubber grips •Taurus® Security System Fall Is Around The Corner What do you have to get consumers into your store? What can you offer them that they can only get from you? Ellett Brothers® Exclusives! 500 PISTOL GRIP PERSUADER® •Pump-action •Dual-action bars •Factory installed heat shield •Ambidextrous tang safety •Meets all MIl-S-3443 •Positive steelto-steel lock up requirements •Includes gun lock •Ten-year limited warranty Unique merchandise that your customers can only get from you. For a complete listing of Ellett Brothers® Exclusive Merchandise Call Your Sales Associate at 800-845-3711 or visit us at www.EllettBrothers.com SEPTEMBER 2008 17 www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 215 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=18http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=18Liv Circle No. 210 on Inquiry Card “The addition of Gen. Pace to our board, Pace is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Russell’s Lincoln, Neb., office. Bonwell coupled with our aggressive global expan- Academy and holds a master’s degree works in the Omaha office. sion plans, will make Pelican Products an in business administration from George Coulter was hired by Swanson Ruseven more important player in advanced sell in 2002 as a graphic designer and Washington University. CLIENT: PUBLICATION: AGENCY: DIGITAL RETOUCHING: lighting and protector cases for our defenseIndustry associate art director in Crimson Trace Shooting Advertising Expeditions was promoted Bruceto Harris Swanson Russell forces in the U.S. and internationally,” said February 2007. She graduated from the TITLE: Guns Dan Cox, 503.780.0963 PRODUCTION: Announces Promotion, Lyndon Faulkner, president and CEO. University of Nebraska, Kearney with a 1911 LIVE: ARTHires DIRECTOR: Lenore Prato, 503.758.9156 FILENAME: 7" x 6.67" Warner Swanson Russell Matt has promoted Cindi bachelor’s degree in visual communica“I am excited to join the Pelican team CT_1911_7x6.67 COPYWRITER: while hiring Abby tions and design. and help build on their work in the mili- Coulter to art director, Dan Cox artist and Brookley tary sector and identify new, cutting-edge Bonwell as production Lind-Olson previously worked for the PHOTOGRAPHER: products and technologies that will equip Lind-Olson as media coordinator. Coulter state of Nebraska as an administrative asJohn Mulligan and Lind-Olson are based in Swanson sistant. She is a graduate of Doane College the next-generation soldier,” Pace said. 18 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com Liv2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=19http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=19in Crete, Neb., with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Prior to joining Swanson Russell, Bonwell worked for Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan., as a graphic designer. She is a graduate of Fort Hays State Universtity with a bachelor C. Coutler of fine arts degree. to our clients,” said Richard Cameron, company president and CEO. Cates holds a bachelor’s degree in finance, cum laude, from Texas Tech University-Rawls College of Business. Before joining Carson, Cates owned and operated a sales agency. A. Bonwell B. Lind-Olson Callis & Associates has announced the promotion of Amanda Cairer to account executive. She will work with Callis’ clients to direct their marketing, advertising and public relations programs. She also will assist with business development efforts. Cairer has a bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University, Fort Wayne. She joined the Callis & Associates staff in 2006 and previously was an account A. Cairer coordinator. Callis & Associates Promotes Executive Crimson Trace has named Mark Avolio vice president and CFO and Steve Denny government and military sales manager. Avolio is responsible for managing the working assets of Crimson Trace to optimize profitability and cash flow, provide guidance and direction to the accounting department and establish and maintain strong banking relationships. Prior to coming to Crimson Trace, Avolio was senior vice president, CFO, treasurer and board member of Wacom Technology Corp., a manufacturer and distributor of computer peripherals. Formerly Crimson Trace’s Northeast regional sales manager, Denny is now responsible for relationships and regulatory compliance with U.S. government and military sales. Denny is a graduate of The Citadel and is a former Navy officer. He was also an FBI agent, working primarily in counterterrorism. Crimson Trace Announces CFO, Military Manager Carson Optical has appointed Eric Cates as national sales manager. He will focus on managing existing customer relationships, as well as developing new Carson business in strategic markets. “Eric possesses a remarkable understanding of marketing, design and product placement. He will be a huge asset to Carson and an even better asset E. Cates www.shootingindustry.com Carson Optical Names Sales Manager Sig Sauer has appointed Eduardo “Eddy” Cao as their new South American regional manager. Cao’s duties encompass sales and marketing responsibilities with international distributors, representatives, law enforcement and government agencies. Prior to his position at Sig Sauer, Cao spent six years as regional sales manager with Smith & Wesson, managing Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada. “Eddy has a proven track record of growing sales and delivering for his customers. We are thrilled to have his leadership for our Central and South American team,” said Pete Kujawski, vice president of military, government and international sales. 9 E. Cao Circle No. 201 on Inquiry Card Sig Sauer Announces South American Manager SEPTEMBER 2008 192008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=20http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=20Massad Ayoob Tailoring The Defensive Handgun To Your Customer A s a gun dealer, one of the most im- Reliability Factor tion revolver. He wants a gun that will work Warren is a professional, with an ana- in all light conditions where he can identify portant things you do is help your customer get the best defensive lytical way of looking at things. He wants his target. He wants compactness for conhandgun system that works cealed carry — and, above for him or her. You’ve long all, he wants total reliability. learned that one size/type/ He has chosen a Ruger caliber doesn’t fit all. Yes, SP101 .357 revolver with a there are common factors barrel just over 3" in length, that apply to all gun owners, fitted with a Crimson Trace but fitting the right firearm to Lasergrip. We’re shooting the customers is the imporoutdoors on pleasant sumtant part, and that’s where mer days in Pennsylvania your role is crucial. and he can see the red dot on Let’s look at some of the the target up close. When the circumstances that can help laser fades away at distances you tailor that choice. in the bright sunlight, he I’m just finishing a firstreverts to this gun’s highly level, 40-hour LFI-I class visible fixed sights. that I’m teaching for Lethal He’s using Safariland Force Institute. Considerspeedloaders, and after some ing the shooters/students personal training on how to in the class, it’s amazing to Warren’s strong high-hand grip obscures the view of the Crimson Trace use them to maximum effisee how many have assessed Lasergrip on his Ruger SP101. ciency, he has kept up just fine their needs — or had those with the auto-pistol shooters. needs assessed by firearms professionals, something that will not only work for him, He qualified on the police-type course with including gun dealers — and have come but also for anyone whom he might have an excellent score. He got through with zero up with different handguns for their par- to hand his gun to in an emergency. So, he malfunctions, which is more than some of likes the simplicity factor of a double-ac- the auto shooters can say. ticular needs. Assessing The Commitment Factor oe recently retired from the sporting goods industry, where he was involved in research and product development. He is new to handguns, but is a highly accomplished archer and there is a lot of crossover at work. After consulting with several accomplished handgunners, he has decided on a carry-size 1911 .45 auto. He selected the Kimber SIS in the Pro variation, with a full-length grip frame and 4" barrel. And he’s doing remarkably well with it. He has committed himself to a serious regimen of both training and practice, and he is virtually flawless in his handling of the cocked-and-locked pistol. His archery career has given him a good understanding of kinesiology, and he has good natural manual dexterity. He finished the qualification with an excellent score and no malfunction problems. John was a skilled bull’s-eye shooter before he decided to carry a gun concealed. He didn’t want to discard his long familiarity with the 1911 .45 platform, but his reading in the field and his discussions with police friends convinced him there was a reason most cops aren’t allowed to carry cocked-and20 SEPTEMBER 2008 J Liability Factor locked pistols with short, easy trigger pulls. Understanding the concerns with civil liability, he decided that a doubleaction-only auto made the most sense for his defensive carry needs John was top shot with a compact Para-Ordnance He chose a LDA CCW .45. compact CCW model of the Para-Ordnance 1911 .45 auto, in its LDA (Light Double Action) variation. Quickly adapting to the pistol’s longer but smooth trigger pull, he was able to transfer all his grasping and pointing habituation to the new carry gun. After his last 60 double-action shots on the qualification range, he finished in www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=21http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=21The Right Gun D enise is the widow of a professional firearms instructor. Guns were his life, not hers. After his untimely death a year and a half ago, she felt that exploring the things he loved would give her a better connection to his memory and an understanding of her late husband. After taking only a few impromptu lessons with a police officer, a family friend, she decided on a double-action revolver. Loading its HKS speedloaders is easy for her small, delicate fingers — easier than loading any auto-pistol magazine. Very petite and willowy, she finds it awkward to manipulate the slide of an auto pistol, but she can effortlessly open the cylinder of her Smith & Wesson Model 66 Performance Center revolver. She loads the .357 with .38 Specials and the combination of the Performance Center ported barrel and the gun’s soft Hogue grips makes recoil easy for her to handle. She finished her first formal class with a score of 284 out of 300 possible, just about 95 percent. weight, low-recoil, great ergonomics, high-cartridge capacity and cost effectiveness were among the reasons their owners selected the firearms. Eric, a mature man, has been around handguns for a long time, and decided that his carry gun should have high-cartridge capacity and high shootability. He chose a 9mm Springfield XD, standard size, and put on aftermarket Dawson adjustable sights that worked better for his aging eyes. It turned out to be a rewarding combination. He finished the qualification in third place overall, with a 297 score. Each of these end-users was wisely served by someone who inquired about their specific needs, assessed them and sold them a handgun perfectly suited to their particular requirements. Each of them is a satisfied customer who will come back regularly to buy more. Good, professional advice and ethical service equaled a substantial sale each time, with lots of profitable ammo and accessories. Foremost, the customer benefited, but so did the dealer. That’s a win-win worth working for. 9 The Lesson DSA announces the TP-9 Range Demo Gun Program! There were many of the new breed of polymer-frame, striker-fired semiautomatics in evidence in the class: Glocks in sizes from 3.6" to 5.3" barrels, and calibers from 9mm to .45; Springfield Armory XDs; and S&W M&Ps. Light- Combo Of Features first place, ahead of the other 27 shooters in his class. Ed has been a bull’s-eye shooter for many years and, like John, he has an affinity for 1911s. He sees value in transferring all that experience and training to self-defense. His finely tuned match target guns, with their snug tolerances and tight match chambers, aren’t something he’d trust in a life-or-death situation. He wanted something more “street-reliable.” His choice: a 5" barrel Colt Government Model .45 ACP, which he had customized for street carry by master pistolsmith Wayne Novak. Unlike John, he’s perfectly comfortable carrying cockedand-locked. As a big guy, Ed finds it easy to carry and conceal a full-size 1911. It certainly works for him. He was the second-place shot among the students on qualification, with a 298 out of 300. www.shootingindustry.com Habituation Factor 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. 214 on Inquiry Card SEPTEMBER 2008 212008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=22http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=22Carolee Anita Boyles Don’t Forget The Sharpeners! ou sell lots of great knives to your customers, but how often do they sharpen those knives? If they’re like most folks, it’s probably not often — or ever. Only a few people sharpen their knives regularly, and of those who do, most of them don’t do a very good job. This means you have a vast opportunity for add-on sales when you sell knives — and even when you don’t. Keeping a variety of knife sharpening tools in your store and showing your customers how to use them means dollars in your pocket. “Gun dealers are selling to a lot of hunters and outdoors people,” said Ralph Johnson, vice president of Eze-Lap. “Knives are tools that they regularly use and a sharpener is a logical add-on sale for them.” Carrying sharpening equipment also allows you to be a complete supplier of knife products. “They’re a great up-sell and they’re profitable,” said Mark Brandon, president of DMT. “Margins are going to vary, but they’re competitive with knives themselves.” Furthermore, carrying knife sharpeners may increase your overall knife profits. “You may be able to sell higher-quality knives because your customers know they can maintain them,” Brandon said. “A customer is more likely to buy a better knife, rather than one he’s going to use until it’s dull and then throw away.” Y The “Try Me” POP display gives customers a chance to testdrive a Lansky sharpener. The DVD offers tips. Train Your Customers he most important part of selling knife-sharpening equipment, Johnson said, is education. Customers don’t always know how to make the best use of knife-sharpening equipment, so it’s up to you to teach them. “No matter how good the sharpening tool is, if the customer doesn’t know how to use it, he’s not going to get a good result with it,” Johnson said. “And if he doesn’t get a good result with it, the gun dealer isn’t going to get repeat sales out of it. So education is crucial for this category of products.” Manufacturers of sharpening equipment have all kinds of tools available to help you teach your customers how to use knife sharpeners correctly. At the SHOT Show this year, Lansky Sharpeners displayed a million dollars at their booth to emphasize how retailers can increase their profits by selling the proper accessories. “The million dollars is a way of getting dealers to look at what we can do for them,” said Arthur Lansky LeVine, president of Lansky Sharpeners. “We want dealers to know they can make a lot of money selling our sharpeners. They get the best sharpeners on the market, and we can show them how to make sales.” Lansky Sharpeners has introduced a “Try Me” point-of-purchase, countertop-demonstration display, as well as a seven-minute instructional DVD showing how to use their sharpeners. The centerpiece of the POP is a Lansky sharpener attached to a 9" x 11" acrylic-enclosed poster, with easy sharpening in- T structions for the customer to follow. Your customers can give the sharpener a test-drive right at your counter. Be prepared, of course, with an inventory of Lansky sharpeners. Once customers give the sharpener a try, they’ll want one — or two. The Lansky video, “Sharpening Systems Instructional Video,” is available free to The Model D5F Diamond Sharpener from dealers — and con- Eze-Lap Diamond Products features fine (600) sumers. The video grit diamond crystals for sharpening a dull presents three easy knife in seconds. steps to developing precision edges with Lansky’s controlled-angle Sharpening System kits. The video also is presented on Lansky’s Web site. 22 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=23http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=23PELICAN Visit www.lanskysharpeners.com and click on “Lansky Sharpening System — See the Video.” Dealers can request the “Try Me” POP and video via e-mail at info@lansky.com or call (716) 877-7511. DMT also provides video support for dealers. “We have half a dozen videos on our Web site that educate users on our products,” Brandon said. To view the videos, visit www.dmtsharp.com. Retailers can call the company and request free copies to use in their stores. ™ POWER COMBO Pelican 1750 CASE shown with a Barrett M82A1/M107 BARRETT CHOOSES PELICAN PROTECTOR™ CASES. SHOULDN’T YOU? TOUGH POLYMER CONSTRUCTION CRUSHPROOF AND TOTALLY WATERTIGHT EASY OPEN DOUBLE-THROW LATCHES STEEL REINFORCED PADLOCK PROTECTORS 38 SIZES For more info, go to www.pelican.com/si DMT’s Web site, www.dmtsharp.com, has six videos and eight instruction pages on how to use the company’s products. “They’re designed to loop, so retailers can start them and not have to reset them,” Brandon said. “And they’re only two or three minutes each, so the customer isn’t going to get bored standing and watching them in a retail environment.” Customers can call DMT at 1-800666-4368. Brandon says DMT gets quite a number of calls from end users, and the staff is always happy to walk them through how to use the products. Eze-Lap provides free instructional pamphlets, videos and DVDs. “The retailer needs to ask for those items when he places his order,” Johnson said. “We also have a point-of-purchase, test-pad display that’s a sharpening stone with directions. The retailer can put it on the counter so it becomes a silent salesperson.” Dealers and consumers can benefit from Eze-Lap’s “Sharpen Your Skills” tips on the company’s Web site, www.eze-lap. com. Click on “Tips.” So, along with your knife sales, don’t forget the sharpeners. 9 23215 EARLY AVENUE, TORRANCE, CA 90505 • 866.838.9160 (TOLL FREE) 310.326.4700 • FAX 310.326.3311 • WWW.PELICAN.COM/SI 3067 All trademarks and logos displayed herein are registered and unregistered trademarks of Pelican Products, Inc. and others. Circle No. 229 on Inquiry Card Maximize Your Profits! SO COVER sub 6/23/08 10:06 PM Page 1 OCULARS! 10x42MM BIN WIN A MINOX FREE SEPTEMBE R 2008 OUTSIDE U.S. $7.95 $4.95 RIGHTS WATCH! 60 pg. 80 M&P W-S S&17 HOT R’S WINNE CHOICE! 9MM 17 LR .22 N GUN FUN RUGER R CHARGE GLOCK M38 P .45 GA TIN ’ EZ SHOO 9 9MM EAA EZ OPTICS! SU PERB Sell GUNS and AMERICAN S.38 R09LC9MM P! HANDGUNNER in your store TODAY! RUGER’S EVOLUTIONARY & THAT WEREN’T HANDGUNS WIN A CUSTOM RU GER .44 MAGNUM! SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER $5.95 OUTSIDE US $9.50 2008 ® GREAT GAP .45 Taffin Tests: 1903 Shootin Sho ACP 4 . 5 A EN HEAV GUARDIAN 1911 ACP EDGE & STI W & .45 AC .40 S& maga www.guns zine.com For More Information Call 1-800-597-8065 GUNNY SAC K: • Blade-Tech Holster • CrossBree d Gun Bag • Benchmade Defense Pen otin g Iron:: Blowed-Up g Iron Guns! ? AMERIC ANHAN DGUNN ER.COM www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 232008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=24http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=24Lisa Parsons-Wraith Custom Colored Guns And Accessories Hot Sellers lack polymer pistols and shiny, stainless steel revolvers were standard equipment for serious shooters in recent memory, but those classics are beginning to take a backseat to more colorful firearms. Guns and accessories in non-traditional colors and materials are a hot ticket right now and no one is embracing them more than women. Color is hot in the fashion world, which means women are accustomed to brightly hued clothing, shoes, purses and personal accessories. It’s only natural that women would seek out color in their favorite shooting pastime, and manufacturers are doing their best to provide shooters with the products they crave. B The color trend is great news for dealers, because it means women are once again in the market for new guns. Their trusty stainless steel revolver now looks a bit dull compared to some of the brightly colored new guns on the market. Since it’s tough to wear out a gun, fun and fashion are great ways to get women to purchase new firearms, and colored guns and accessories nicely fit that bill. Fred Ludington, owner of Ludco Gun Shop in Parker City, Ind., said the Pink Lady from Charter Arms has been a very successful gun in his store. “Every time I order some, it doesn’t take a whole lot of time to sell them out,” Ludington said. “I think the color appeals to women and I’ve had fairly good luck selling the red- and pink-frame guns from Charter.” The Pink Lady is a variation on Charter Arms’ popular .38 Special Undercover Lite aluminum frame revolver. It is compact with a 2" barrel and is ultra-lightweight at a mere 12 ounces. It sports fixed sights, a traditional spurred hammer and a three-point cylinder lock. In addition to being 100-percent American made, the color choices are sure to make it appealing to your customers. Women can express their personal style with the Pink Lady, The Undercover Lite in red and, for those customers who like a little bling, the Goldfinger version. Colored guns like the Pink Lady and the Goldfinger from Charter Arms and the U22 Neos from Beretta are flying off dealers’ shelves. she Coordinating Colored Cases our customers can carry their personalized look one step further with a gun case from T.Z. Case that perfectly matches Charter Arms’ Pink Lady revolver. Reed Berry, sales and marketing coordinator for T.Z. Case, said their pink alligator case and their zebra finish cases have been very popular from the moment they were introduced. T.Z. Case already manufactured colored beauty cases and, noting the gun industry’s trend towards color, T.Z. Case had their factory make a few samples of more feminine gun cases. “People went nuts,” Berry said. “We sold out and the cases were instantly on backorder.” Sterling Fligge, manager of Guns Fishing & Other Stuff in Vacaville, Calif., had the same experience with T.Z. cases. “We can’t keep them in stock. Whenever we buy them, they sell out instantly. They offer excellent value in a metal case. They’re just a good item,” Fligge said. Guns Fishing & Other Stuff includes a gun range and offers beginning handgun classes. Fligge said a lot of women come to 24 SEPTEMBER 2008 Y the store interested in self-defense, and the store’s female firearm instructor makes women feel very comfortable. “Self-defense brings them to us,” Fligge said. “But once they take the class, the next thing we know, we have a very steady Unusually colored cases from T.Z. Case complement your customers’ colored pistols. www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=25http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=25s millions of parents pack their children off to college for the first time this fall, security becomes a concern and parents will turn to you for help. Now is the time to advertise your best non-lethal security items and stock up on pepper sprays, personal alarms and flashlights. If you live in a university town, check the rules and regulations on the local campus so you can make sure to stock items that are allowed. Tigerlight Pepper Spray/Flashlight is an all-in-one, non-lethal defense item that will make any student feel safer walking across campus at night. The Tigerlight T100 is small enough to fit in a purse and features a powerful K2 LED light with strobing capability for maximum disorientation. But the T100’s secret weapon is the half canister of pepper spray that has been specially engineered to blast forcefully and quickly out of the can. The pepper spray can be replaced after use. This is one of those handy products that’s sure to be a hot seller. Also consider hosting a self-defense class for students. It puts your store’s name out there in a positive light and will make the kids going off to college a lot safer. Contact Tigerlight at (435) 657-9529, e-mail: mteig@tigerlight.net or visit www. tigerlight.net. 9 A Self-Defense For Students With Millett Precision Hunting Optics and Mounting System Millett windage adjustable scope mount systems are the most significant improvement to the traditional Weaver-Style mount in many years. All components are made of heat treated nickel steel for rock solid durability. When compared to others, 3 - 12 X 44 AO Millett scopes & scope mounts can’t be beat! Turn-In Mounts Millett New Generation Side Focus Scope Series Angle-Loc Mounts www.tigerlight.net 4 - 16 X 56 Side Focus Available in three reticles customer who likes to shoot.” He noted that women are a growing segment of the market and they are definitely interested in colored guns. According to Fligge, one of the store’s best-selling colored guns is the Beretta Neos. “It has colored inserts and it’s a neat little gun,” Fligge said. “It’s a nice product. They’ve done a good job with it.” Beretta’s U22 Neos .22LR caliber, single-action pistol is a great starter gun, offering quality and craftsmanship. Part of its attraction to shooters is the easily interchangeable barrel and grip units. The 4" and 6" barrels sport an integral rail that accepts Weaver-style scope mounts, and includes a fully adjustable target rear sight and removable front sight. The system is ideal for beginners because the sight system is mountwww.shootingindustry.com 1 (800) 645-5388 16131 Gothard Street • Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (714) 842-5575 • FAX (714) 843-5707 • www.millettsights.com Circle No. 227 on Inquiry Card ed on the barrel unit, so shooters don’t lose zero when the barrel is changed. The real selling point for your lady customers may be the colored rubber grip inserts Beretta offers. Currently, there are six choices in grip color: blue, gray, red, black, black-gray and black-blue. The grips provide a nice splash of color to this great little .22 without being over the top. Other features on the Neos include an ambidextrous safety lever, chamber plug, cocked firing pin indicator and a cable lock. Fligge said he thinks women like colored guns because the ladies’ goal is not to conceal them, but to have fun shooting at the range with a little color. Dealers across the country are noticing an increase in colored gun sales — with many saying that they can’t keep them in stock. Women are responding to the trend and kids are also getting into colored guns. The move towards color goes along nicely with the industry’s efforts to promote shooting as a fun, wholesome sport. While in the long run colored guns may turn out to be novelty items, at the moment they are hot, and stocking a few in your store will turbo-charge your new gun sales. SEPTEMBER 2008 252008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=26http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=26Commander Gilmore They’re Coming November 4! Be Very Afraid! a notice how quiet it is on the Anti-Gun Front? There’s hardly a hint of gun control, especially as we get closer to the November elections. But just wait. If the anti-gun candidate of choice gets elected president (I wonder who that would be?) the anti-gunners will unleash the Dogs of Vengeance. Whoa! Kinda scary, huh? Well it is. Even this tidbit from our police blotter archives will make headlines, with the anti-gun movement running through the streets screaming for new federal laws. Harrisburg, Pa., police report the arrest of an 18-yearold woman who committed an armed robbery of a convenience store, threatening victims with an ice cream scoop. Noooooo! Not that! Even worse, Sister Sinister, it turns out, was free on bail, awaiting trial for robbing a neighbor while armed with a putty knife. Noooooo! Not that! First, the anti-gun movement will write a 1,000-page report documenting the dangers of ice cream scoops: no external safety, no child-safe lock, no high-capacity limiter, etc. The report will be filled with charts and graphs and interviews with “victims.” Then there will be an investigation into who sold the woman the scoop and why the “dealer” didn’t properly screen her to detect any criminal intent. And then, there’ll be Form 445648839, background checks, fingerprinting and a demand for “smart” ice cream scoop tech- Y nology, new zoning laws, press conferences and Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi! Ahhhhhh! Be afraid. They’re coming November 4. Be very afraid! But VOTE! Illustration by Nick Petrosino Next time stuff it in a pinata, moron! Then tell the cops you’re going to a Cinco de Mayo party. Sheriff’s deputies in Burleigh County, N.D., were just bein’ helpful when they stopped a car on Interstate 94 that had steam billowing out from under the hood. They simply wondered if the driver knew the engine could seize if it cooked up hot enough. Once they got him stopped, 37-year-old Johnny Lerma seemed nice enough, though a teensy bit too twitchy-nervous for the situation. Lerma got even more agitated when a deputy offered to take a look under the hood. The two law-dogs exchanged suspicious glances, and one watched Lerma while the other popped the bonnet. Bingo! Yup, that rascal had a big bag of marijuana stuffed up against — and blocking — the air intake, which caused the engine to overheat. He could have stopped when the steam first appeared and solved the problem himself in under a minute, but either (a) he was too dumb, scared or both to do it, or (b) perhaps he’d been puffin’ a lit26 SEPTEMBER 2008 Under The Hood tle of that funny-weed and simply thought the wisps an’ clouds of steam were pretty. The paintball fad may be on the wane in civilian circles, but you might see them strapped on the hips of lots of federal agents in the future. The U.S. Border Patrol recently released the news that the agency has purchased 1,000 paintball guns for its field officers. They are intended for use in situations where deadly force is prohibited — like when agents are being pelted with rocks, dirt clods, feces and sundry novelties by rag-tag mobs of Mexican kids dancin’ around on the “sanctuary” side of our largely nonexistent border fence. The air-powered guns shoot both inert impact rounds and PAVA pepper irritant balls. The latter cause intense tearing and a burning sensation in the eyes and nose, while the impact rounds will leave a nasty little welt and an indelible memory of the moment. Of course, human rights activists are already screaming that poppin’ people with plastic pellets is cruel and inhumane, Pelted By Paintballs like Border Patrol agents should just suck it up and shrug off the occasional rock, chunk of cinder block, 16-ounce broken pop bottle or hurled bicycle sprocket. Yeah, right. A 30-year-old dude in Wellington, New Zealand, whose name was not released by police, stood in line and paid his fee to bungee-jump from a mountainside platform into the Waik2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=27http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=27>> Forged A4 Upper Receiver >> A2 Flash Hider, 1/2-28 Thread >> 6-Position Tactical CAR Stock >> 16” Chrome-Lined, Chrome Moly R4 Barrel, 1:9 Twist 1 MOA @ 100 Yards >> R-4 Handguard with Double Heat Shields >> Star Safety Selector >> Two Stage Match Trigger >> Hogue Rubber Grip 1.5 MOA @ 100 Yards the farm, your record at Camp Perry or anything in between, has a rifle to get the job done. You can even customize your firearm, choosing from a wide selection of calibers, receivers, stocks, handguards, barrels, triggers, grips, and accessories. This combined with Rock River’s unsurpassed quality make Rock River the ultimate choice for durability, dependability, accuracy, and versatility. It’s not just another AR, it’s a Rock River LAR. .75 MOA @ 100 Yards Scope not included .75 MOA @ 100 Yards Circle No. 231 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=28http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=28Honoring Pay Tribute To Innovation, Service he Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence presented its prestigious 2008 awards July 25 in Windsor, Conn., with more than 150 industry leaders attending the academy’s ceremony. The academy honored 13 companies and one individual after considering 142 entries, and 43 nominees on the final ballot. The academy’s individual honor was presented to Bob Hodgdon, Hodgdon 17th Annual Awards T Powder Co. Sturm, Ruger was honored with two awards: the Manufacturer of the Year and Handgun of the Year. SureFire also received two awards, and Ellett Brothers was named Distributor of the Year for the second year in a row. Established in 1992, the academy is sponsored by FMG Publications, publisher of Shooting Industry, GUNS, American Handgunner and American COP maga- zines. However, no one at the publisher is permitted to vote. The voting power is held exclusively by the academy, which includes 500 industry executives, gun dealers and outdoor writers. They vote twice for each award, first to consider all entries in the 14 categories and then to determine who will receive the awards. Academy officials again used a more stringent screening process begun last year to ensure products selected for the final ballot were “in production.” Manufacturers whose products were selected for possible placement on the final ballot had 10 days to submit their products to the Academy for validation. “This additional step, along with our other strict requirements, ensures the integrity of the awards,” said Randy Moldé, Academy director. “It also means that just making it to the final ballot is a significant achievement. All of this year’s nominees should be proud of their accomplishments.” In keeping with the academy’s tradition, the results of this year’s final vote were kept secret. The awards presentation and reception were held in conjunction with the Sixth Annual Shooting Industry Masters. “We salute all the final nominees for their innovation, service and dedication to the industry. To be honored by your peers, who are often rivals, is especially meaningful,” said Russ Thurman, Shooting Industry’s editor, who joined Moldé in presenting this year’s awards. Bob Hodgdon received the Shooting Industry award: “For his 60 years at Hodg- Honoring Excellence Randy Moldé (right), Academy director, and Russ Thurman, Shooting Industry magazine editor, present the 2008 awards. 28 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=29http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=29Excellence don Powder, providing propellants for shooters and hunters. For helping build the company into what it is today, a company featuring 54 reliable, high-performance muzzleloading and smokeless powder products. For being a tireless defender of the Second Amendment and being instrumental in starting the NRA Handloading Endowment. For being an avid hunter, reloader and shooter.” “This is such an honor,” Hodgdon said in accepting the award. “I can’t think of another honor I have received that has anything like this behind it, as far as a lifetime honor. I think it shows a little bit of the American spirit, private enterprise and capitalism — what a great country we have. “My dad (Bruce Hodgdon) started as a simple gas service salesman selling appliances and he took advantage of an opportunity he saw after World War II (to start Hodgdon Powder). This is the same kind of thing, I think, that has enlivened our country today and it’s what has made our country great. I want to thank you folks sincerely from the heart.” Sturm, Ruger received the Manufacturer of the Year award: “For remaking the company to better serve the firearms industry, including creating new firearm and ammunition combinations that eclipse current performance standards, such as Ruger Compact Magnum rifles and the Ruger SP101 .327 Federal Magnum revolver. For the Voice of the Customer program seeking input from consumers and resulting in the M77 Hawkeye rifles, Charger pistol, the SR9 and the LCP. For enhanced dealer offerings, including co-op advertising, special order programs and expanded Web site content.” “I’d like to thank all the employees of Ruger who made this possible,” said Michael Fifer, Sturm, Ruger CEO. “These are the men and women who work really hard every day to try to make a change in Photos: Jim Armstrong Bob Hodgdon was honored with the 2008 Shooting Industry Award. “I want to thank you folks sincerely from the heart,” Hodgdon said, in accepting the award. Members of Sturm, Ruger show off the two awards the company received: Manufacturer of the Year and Handgun of the Year. www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 292008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=30http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=30Michael Fifer, Sturm, Ruger, accepts the Manufacturer of the Year and Handgun of the Year awards. Hewitt Grant, Ellett Brothers, accepts the Distributor of the Year award. the company, to try to bring it forward. When I was listening to the nomination, the one part that really jumped out at me was ‘Voice of the Customer,’ and we are trying very, very hard to listen to our customers, to find out what they like and to give it to them.” Ellett Brothers was honored with the Distributor of the Year award: “For taking great pride in serving and supporting the independent retailer for 75 years. For its continuing work with manufacturers to de- you have velop new and innovative products such as the newly introduced Taurus Model 327. For continued support of industry organizations such as the NSSF, NRA, Congressional Sportsman Caucus and NASGW. For its commitment to the growth and future of the shooting sports industry by working with organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and local conservation groups.” “Thank you very much. I want to thank FMG, the academy and most of all the great employees I have back in South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Thanks to all the suppliers who work with us to help make our job easier,” said F. Hewitt Grant, Ellett Brothers president and CEO. Brownells received the Citizenship Award: “For its contributions to the NRA 30 SEPTEMBER 2008 in less than eight months. Bob Stutler did that. If you like the gun, Bob’s responsible. Then Mark Lang, who stepped into some enormous shoes after Bob retired, brought production up. Thank you very much on behalf of all the Ruger employees and we hope to surprise you with a few more goodies in the future.” Winchester received the Rifle of the Year award for the Model 70 Reintroduction. “On behalf of all the “If you really believe it, folks at Browning and to put your money where your heart is, Winchester, we’d like to thank the industry for the and that’s what we do.” award,” said Rocky StewFrank Brownell, Brownells CEO art, of Winchester. Benelli USA was honored with the Shotgun of the “My daddy always said that if you can, Year award for the Ultra Light 20 Gauge. you should help. And fortunately, because of Hornady was presented the Ammunia great crew we’ve got back in this tiny little tion of the Year award for the Hornady Rutown in Iowa, and customers worldwide and ger Compact Magnum Cartridge (RCM). hopefully a lot of you folks, it has been a Steve Sanetti, NSSF president and former successful enough business that we’ve been Ruger president, accepted the award on able to help in a lot of directions. If you re- behalf of Hornady. ally believe it, you have to put your money “Steve (Hornady) wanted me to make where your heart is, and that’s what we do,” sure that all of you know how thankful he said Frank Brownell, CEO. is for this award,” Sanetti said. “He and a Ruger’s LCP .380 was named Hand- lot of people at Hornady worked very hard gun of the Year. on it. I was present at the beginning of this “This is quite a departure for Ruger,” project at Ruger, but the idea for the Ruger Fifer said. “We talked about it just about Compact Magnum rifles came from Steve a year ago and it was brought to market Hornady and the Hornady engineers. On www.shootingindustry.com endowment for youth education programs, support of 4-H programs in Iowa, the Progressive Farmer magazine’s youth shooting program, and the Iowa Pheasants Forever’s Build a Habitat program. For its first-of-a-kind gunsmith’s job fair. For its continued support of the NRA, including a NRA membership drive with 1,000 members signed up in 2007.”2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=31http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=31Frank Brownell, Brownells, thanks the academy for the Citizenship of the Year award. Rocky Stewart, Winchester, accepts the Rifle of the Year Award. Lane Tobiassen, Crimson Trace, accepts the High Tech Product of the Year award. behalf of the Hornady manufacturing company, thank you very much.” Leupold’s Prismatic Shotgun/Muzzleloader/Rifle Scope was honored as the Optic of the Year. SureFire received the Accessory of the Year award for the X300 WeaponLight. “Wow, I’m stunned. This means a lot to me and to SureFire. We do a lot for the armed forces and we love to hear the feedback from the men and women on the front lines doing all the things they do for our nation,” said Sean Clemence, SureFire senior brand manager. Crimson Trace’s Model LG660 Lasergrips was named the High-Tech Product of the Year. “There are four groups I need to thank,” Mike Noell, BLACKHAWK!, thanks the academy for the Safety Product of the Year award. www.shootingindustry.com Sean Clemence, SureFire, accepts the Accessory of the Year and Specialty Product of the Year awards. SEPTEMBER 2008 312008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=32http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=32Lone 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. 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. said Lane Tobiassen, Crimson Trace marketing director. “One is FMG for putting on the event. Second are our firearm partners. We make a product that only goes on their product so in this case, to Smith & Wesson for making a great product that we can make a great laser for. Thirdly, I’d like to thank everybody at Crimson Trace. Those people get up every day and try to design and build the best product they possibly can. Then, lastly, our veterans. They’re doing the job every day; we hope they use our product and it helps them.” Leatherman received the Knife of the Year award for the Skeletool Multi-Tool. SureFire’s E1B Backup Flashlight was honored as the Specialty Product of the Year. BLACKHAWK! received the Safety Product of the Year award for the Hawkhook Rescue Tool. “Thank you very much,” said Mike Noell, BLACKHAWK! president and CEO. “The two people who need to be up here are Eric Yates and Mike Janich, who designed the product, developed the product, manufactured the product and market the product. So, to them, thank you very much.” The other final nominees for the 2008 awards were: Shooting Industry Award — F. Hewitt Grant, Ellett Brothers and Tom Taylor, 9373 SW Barber Street, Ste A. Wilsonville, OR 97070 Dealer Locator At www.lonewolfknives.com Circle No. 223 on Inquiry Card Final Nominees Smith & Wesson. Manufacturer of the Year — BLACKHAWK! and Smith & Wesson. Distributor of the Year — AcuSport and RSR Group. Citizenship Award — Ellett Brothers and Hodgdon Powder Co. Handgun of the Year — Smith & Wesson: Model 327 Night Guard Revolver .357 Magnum and Taurus International: The Judge .45Colt/.410 Magnum. Rifle of the Year — Browning: X-Bolt Rifle and Sig Sauer: Sig 556 SWAT. Shotgun of the Year — Browning: Citori 625 Over/Under, Remington Arms: Model 870 SPS ShurShot Synthetic Turkey and Smith & Wesson: Elite Silver Over/Under. Ammunition of the Year — Federal Premium: Black Cloud FS Steel Shotshell and Winchester Ammunition: E-Tip LeadFree Bullet. Optic of the Year — Aimpoint: Micro Series Red-Dot Sights and Trijicon: AccuPoint 3-9x40 Riflescope, Mil-Dot Crosshair with Amber Dot. Accessory of the Year — Brownells: Professional Magna Tip Tool Set and RCBS: RASS Portable Shooting Bench. High-Tech Product of the Year — Hodgdon Powder: Reloading Data Center Web Site and Leupold: RX-IV Boone & Crockett Edition Digital Rangefinder. Knife of the Year — Benchmade: 950 SBK Rift Folding Knife and SureFire: EW08 LEO Law Enforcement Utility Knife. Specialty Product of the Year — Birchwood Casey: Dirty Bird Multi-Color Splattering Targets and Leupold: MX Modular Flashlight System. Safety Product of the Year — SureFire: EP400 SWAT Ears Hearing Protection and Waffentechnik Borkott & Eickhorn SARD (Search and Rescue Device). For more information on the Academy, visit www.shootingindustry.com. 9 32 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=33http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=33Circle No. 234 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=34http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=34John Morrison ENERGIZE! ENERGIZE ! Pros Share Their High-Tech Sales Techniques F irearms dealers tend to be mechanically minded rather than electronically oriented, and that’s not a bad thing. Having a knack for explaining the difference between a trigger-blocking safety and a hammer-blocking safety, for example, has more value to your core business than knowledge of circuitry and wireless signals. But having an aversion to anything that contains a microchip and an XMIT button can cut you out of a potential pile of profits. Technology — particularly in electronic form — is rapidly increasing its presence in law enforcement, hunting and outdoor sports. A quick survey of price- points and margins makes it clear those microchips and XMIT buttons can really bring in the bucks — if you know how to display and sell them. Shooting Industry consulted a couple of pros and got the message that you don’t have to be an expert to cash in on high tech. Starting small and keeping it simple are the keys. Robbie Barrkman This M&P Model 327 TRR8 is outfitted with Aimpoint’s T-1 Red Dot sight, Crimson Trace’s Lasergrips and SureFire’s X300 Weaponlight. 34 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=35http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=35Simple Tech, Simple Sales I first met Bob Perry of Shooting Sports Pro Shops in Saint Augustine, Fla., while researching sales of laser sights. Perry was having difficulty selling internal guide rod laser sights by LaserMax, though he trusted and used them himself. He found that when it’s in the pistol, it’s not visible, and customers expressed negative feelings about a product they couldn’t see working. Then LaserMax produced an X-ray photo of their product in a pistol, clearly showing its position and function. Perry obtained the digital image and had it made into posters and into a weatherproof banner for use at gun shows. The X-ray attracted buyers’ attention and made it easy for Perry and his staff to explain. He identified four key features and benefits to highlight, and then four simple “talking points” to cover with potential buyers. Sales soared. Perry is now applying the same principles to two other tech products: SPOT Satellite Messenger and the SteriPEN UV (Ultra-Violet) water purifier. If you’re going to successfully sell tech products, Perry says, you need a structured approach. “You have to grab the customer’s attention, focus his interest without confusing him, and deliver an enthusiastic demonstration,” Perry said. SPOT Satellite Messenger is a palmsized device that pinpoints your location like a GPS, then transmits it to multiple parties, and even downloads waypoints along your route to Google Maps. Additionally, SPOT allows users to send messages via satellite to tell friends or family their exact location and “I’m okay,” “I need help,” or “Alert 911.” The customer purchases the unit, activates it online, and selects levels of services for a contracted period, similar to cellphone service. Perry calls this product “invaluable” to hunters, hikers, boaters, campers or just people who travel a lot. “Being able to tell your family exactly where you are and that you’re okay provides tremendous peace of mind,” Perry said. Perry has a distinct sale strategy for SPOT. “First, I place the display where every incoming customer can see it. Second, although SPOT displays are eyecatching and colorful, I print out copies of the global coverage map and a sample tracking map with several waypoints flagged. For my own display, I highwww.shootingindustry.com S The size of a fat cell phone, SPOT is a multi-function high-tech device that’s a hot seller! This X-ray image of a LaserMax internal laser sight prompted dealer Bob Perry to develop a structured and enthusiastic approach to selling tech products. Partners George Cavenas (left) and Bob Perry use a “structured approach” to selling high-tech products. SEPTEMBER 2008 352008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=36http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=36light four selling points, like ‘Easier to use than GPS!’ ‘Works where there’s no cellphone service!’ ‘Pinpoint your position anywhere, anytime!’ and ‘Send ‘I’m right here and I’m okay’ messages to friends and family!’” Perry also has four talking points he goes over with customers. “First, go over the four function buttons — on/off, check okay, non-emergency help needed, and emergency 911. Second, battery replacement and conserving power; third, how to activate SPOT on- line, and fourth, the levels of services you can purchase,” Perry said. Perry says the SPOT user’s manual is simply written and is an excellent reference. Visit www.findmespot.com for more information. Perry employs the same strategy for selling SteriPEN, a compact, lightweight water purifier that uses ultraviolet radiation. He places a SteriPEN on the counter with a Nalgene water bottle. A Sure Sale New this summer, the SteriPEN Protector has passed several military test protocols and may soon become “issue gear” for U.S. troops. “Right away,” Perry said, “the SteriPEN and the half-full Nalgene bottle stimulate curiosity. Customers wonder what it’s about.” Perry calls the SteriPEN “a huge breakthrough in water purification.” He finds that it appeals to the same broad consumer base SPOT does, plus it appeals to people who store water for emergencies. It’s important to place tech items like this where they’ll get immediate attention, according to Perry. “Customers can have the demo in their hands while reading the packaging. SteriPEN not only has eye-catching packaging, but they’ve already highlighted four marketing points right on the front — ‘Fast, Light, Easy and Effective’ — with a short statement explaining each one. Then, the back of the package covers literally everything you and the customer need to know about the product,” Perry said. All that’s left for Perry to do is a demonstration. Press one button, and 48 seconds later, you have 16 ounces of purified water. Perry calls it “easy” — and a sure sale! Perry says the best thing about tech items is, they don’t compete with other products you stock. “If someone comes in to buy a firearm or ammunition, they won’t buy a tech product instead; they’ll just add something like SPOT or SteriPEN to their purchase,” Perry said. Visit www.steripen.com for more information. No Tech Too Complex To Sell! W hile SPOT and SteriPEN are excellent examples of high-tech products that are simple and low cost, night-vision devices (NVDs) can be extraordinarily complicated and have prices ranging up to several thousand dollars. Despite this, many skilled users of NVDs understand very little of the electronics and physics involved. According to Steve Roe, owner of Optics Plus in Fort Dodge, Iowa, therein lies a message for dealers: You don’t have to know all the science and theory to sell them successfully. Roe is also one of the biggest distributors of ATN — American Technologies Network — night-vision devices. He says you don’t have to carry a lot of expensive stock. “Most of the smaller retail dealers I supply keep only a few selected models on display. I help them identify the right product to meet the customer’s needs, and often drop-ship direct to the buyer. The SEPTEMBER 2008 dealer makes his profit, and time and money is saved all around. It’s that simple,” Roe said. Dealers can easily get lost in the details of NVDs, Roe said, but some aspects can be simplified. “For example, the differences between generations (Gen-1 through Gen-4) can seem very complex,” Roe said. “Just think of them in terms of range — how far you can see effectively in the dark. Gen-1 gear usually goes out to 50 yards, and so on, with Gen-4 giving you the greatest clarity at the longest distance.” A basic education can be gained online. Visit Roe’s Web site at www.opticsplus. net and click on “Learn More About Night Vision.” ATN’s Web site at www.atncorp. com is also a good resource for terminology and other valuable information. Bushnell’s ONIX 32008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=37http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=37Trijicon’s TriPower red chevron-shaped reticle features three lighting sources: Fiber Optic System, Tritium Phosphor-Lamp and On-Call Battery Backup system. Roe also points out that you may already have a night-vision enthusiast or two on staff, and these people can be easily developed as your go-to resources. “Another advantage you have is that many night-vision customers already know exactly what they want,” Roe said. “You only have to let your customers know you deal in night-vision gear, perhaps help them with final selection, and take their orders.” For customers who don’t know what they want, Roe advises engaging in a factfinding mission. “Ask what their primary use and occasional demands will be — like watching deer in their backyard at night. Or do they want to be able to count points on a buck’s rack at 200 yards? Shoot predators or varmints at 300? Ride an ATV on rough trails in darkness? Home defense? Their answers will not only tell you what generation (range) they need, but what type of device — goggles, monoculars or bin- Circle No. 206 on Inquiry Card LOOKI NG TO TH E FUTURE! GSM’s Sniper Trail Camera, with built-in 2" color LCD viewer, shoots one to nine pictures or five- to 90-second video segments in Burst Mode. www.shootingindustry.com • Increase Your Handgun Profits • Cash In On The Cowboy Market • Bowhunting For Gun Dealers BONUS: Law Enforcement Sales SEPTEMBER 2008 372008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=38http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=38HIGH-TECH MARKET ADCO Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241 AimSHOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242 Aimpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243 American Technologies Network .244 AOSafety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245 Beamshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246 Brunton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247 BSA Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248 Burris Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249 Bushnell Performance Optics . . .250 CamTrakker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251 Carl Zeiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252 Carson Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . .253 C-More Systems . . . . . . . . . . . .254 Crimson Trace Inc . . . . . . . . . . .255 DeerCam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256 Eagle Electronics . . . . . . . . . . .257 Flash Target . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258 Garmin International . . . . . . . . .259 Gilmore Sports Concepts . . . . . .260 GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261 Horus Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262 Howard Leight by Sperian . . . . .263 Hunter’s Specialties . . . . . . . . .264 Insight Technology . . . . . . . . . .265 ITT Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266 Kenwood Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267 Laser Devices Inc . . . . . . . . . . . .268 LaserLyte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269 LaserMax Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270 Leica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .271 Leupold & Stevens . . . . . . . . . .272 Lowrance Electronics . . . . . . . . .273 Magellan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274 Meprolight Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275 Michaels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276 Midland Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . .277 Millett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278 Motorola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279 Night Owl Optics . . . . . . . . . . . .280 Nikon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281 North Safety Products . . . . . . . .282 Pelican . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283 Pro-Ears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284 Silencio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285 Silver Creek Industries . . . . . . . .286 Smith Abrasives . . . . . . . . . . . .287 Sonic Technology Products . . . . .288 SPOT Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289 Stealth Cam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290 Streamlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291 SteriPen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292 SureFire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293 Swarovski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294 Taser International . . . . . . . . . .295 Trail Sense Engineering . . . . . . .296 Trijicon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297 TriSquare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298 Walker’s Game Ear . . . . . . . . . . .299 www.shootingindustry.com ATN’s Nightstorm-1 Yellow is a very popular and rugged waterproof night-vision monocular listing for $279, making it a perfect “entry-level” night-vision device. oculars, scopes or multipurpose systems,” Roe said. Roe recommends stocking ATN’s Viper NV goggles, with a $299 MSRP; the Aries 390 Paladin 4-power riflescope and 450mw infrared illuminator at $799 MSRP; and the Gen-3 Mars4x-3, a powerful 4X scope listing for $3,695. “Remember,” Roe said, “typical margins on night-vision products are 20 to 25 percent and the market is booming!” Roe advises dealers to get a basic education on night vision, appoint a go-to expert on your staff; choose a distributor or maker whom you can contact directly for expertise and advice; and to stock selectively without breaking your budget. The same principles Perry and Roe talked about can be applied to sales of a multitude of high-tech items, from wireless-controlled trail cameras to frequencyhopping two-way radios. Selling “tech” doesn’t have to be tough! 9 Circle No. 209 on Inquiry Card High-tech developments like the frequencyhopping eXRS two-way radios from TriSquare Communications attract buyers. 38 SEPTEMBER 20082008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=39http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=39MODEL 870™ TAC-2 w/Knoxx ® SpecOps™ Stock THE REMINGTON TACTICAL FIREARMS LINEUP. Dependability. Accuracy. Technology. Just a few of the attributes that make Remington the top choice of those whose lives may someday depend on their firearms. Now, the confidence that comes with shouldering the best can be yours as well. The models shown here are just the tip of the iceberg. Remington offers a wide selection of tactical firearms ready for any situation – and ready for you to check out. See the entire Remington Tactical lineup and download a brochure today at www.remington.com/Tactical MODEL 700™ XCR TACTICAL LONG RANGE RIFLE MODEL 1100™ TAC-2 w/SpeedFeed ® IV Stock MODEL 7615™ TACTICAL RIFLE w/Knoxx ® SpecOps™ Stock ©2008 REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, INC. www. rem ing ton. com /Tactical Circle No. 230 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=40http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=40Circle No. 203 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=41http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=41Story & Photos: Pat Covert CUTTING EDGE! Innovation, Diversification Drive Knife Market T T he annual Blade Show in Atlanta, held this year in May, is a prime barometer of how the cutlery industry is doing financially and where it’s going trend-wise. The two key words heard frequently at the show were “innovation” and “diversification.” Innovation comes in many forms, from hot new steels and machining tricks to en- velope-pushing design and locking mechanisms. Many consumers see their knife as more than a utility or self-defense tool — they see it as a conversation piece. Joyce Laituri, marketing director for Spyderco, says new and exotic materials are hot right now. “Spyderco has been working with some new blade and handle materi- als. For instance, we’re using what we call ‘peel-ply’ carbon fiber for handles, where we use the textured backside of the material as the handle surface, which offers a better grip. We’re also using new steel called H-1 that displaces carbon with nitrogen — this way it never rusts,” Laituri said. Jeff Goddard, director of sales and Benchmade marketing director Rob Morrison (front, right) says the company is offering 3-D machining on its handles and other “tricks” to appeal to consumers. www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 412008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=42http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=42marketing for Kershaw Knives, says innovative opening mechanisms and locking designs have boosted sales. “Our most innovative models aren’t for everyone, but they help keep our name in lights. Our Ferraris, or limited-production knives, do that, but often the technology filters down to our lower-priced knives,” Goddard said. At Benchmade, the company is meeting the needs of the consumer, according to marketing director Rob Morrison. “We’re offering some new tricks on our handles like 3-D machining, like in our new Rift model, which not only looks awesome, but really improves the grip on the knife. That’s the kind of thing knife buyers like to see,” Morrison said. SOG President and Founder Spencer Frazer sees innovation as key to his company’s growth. “We’ve introduced more and more high-tech knives by looking at things from a different angle,” Frazer said. “We’re unconventional, we try to always push the envelope in terms of materials and mechanisms, and that has allowed us to expand our company.” At Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT), “Innovation is what is driving knife sales,” said Doug Flagg, vice president of sales and marketing at CRKT. “We’ve introduced new opening mechanisms on several of our knives and they’re selling like crazy. Customers walk into stores and they want to know what’s new and different.” Companies are using innovative designs to create interest and, in turn, sell other models in the line. Retailers can duplicate this successful marketing approach by offering some exotic knife designs to elicit customer’s interest. Diversification is a great way to broaden your customer base in a competitive Variety Creates Spark Custom knifemaker Bob Dozier (left) welcomes a pair of future sportsmen to his booth. Tacticals Still Drive The Market T he tactical knife category, particularly folders, continues to grow. This segment of the market has become vastly more broad-based in recent years and this is where most of the innovations and technology are focused. Industry regulars have often wondered whether the tactical bubble would eventually burst. “The tactical bubble hasn’t burst and isn’t going to because it appeals to a younger crowd,” said Ernie Emerson, president and founder of Emerson Knives. “Every year there is a new generation of consumers who become old enough to buy knives. The tactical trend is not over; in fact it’s probably only a quarter of what it could be.” Jared West, the 27-year-old founder of Mantis Knives, a hot new company based out of California, saw the opportunity in selling to younger knife consumers. “We wanted to appeal to the younger generation with Mantis Knives, not only with the aesthetics of our knives, but also with the price-point,” West said. “Our knives are definitely not your grandfather’s knife. What we saw in the market was knives that were very unique in the materials being used, but the look of the knives was not necessarily unique. It seemed like 42 SEPTEMBER 2008 there was a big, gaping hole in the industry (Masters of Defense) line. and somebody needed to come in and fill “We have pared the MOD line down it. That’s where we came in.” to the best sellers, and we’ve taken those The tactical market is strong and will knives and reengineered them to make continue to be strong, says Gary Fadden, them even better with more functional president of Al Mar Knives. designs and upgrades in steel on some of “We’re selling higher-grade pocket- the models. In the process, we have made knives, both everyday users and tacticals. them more user-friendly and affordable. We’re bringing back our Al Mar Classic se- The knives are now sleeker and more efries in some of the old traditional handle ma- ficient overall,” said Michael Janich, catterials and our customers really like it. They egory manager. can have a tactical knife that doesn’t look like an M-16 rifle,” Fadden said. The typical Al Mar customer is a little older with more disposable income, according to Fadden. “I like to think that 2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=43http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=43THE RUGER VAQUERO LAST COWBOY .44 ONE OF 150 An Old Style Ruger Blue Vaquero Single Action revolver in .44 magnum with Last Cowboy embellishments. Limited to 143 guns, 66 ea. Model BNV475 (51/2 inch) and 77 ea. Model BNV474 (45/8 inch) These revolvers are the last of the Ruger’s old style Vaquero to leave the factory and are the fourth in TALO’s Last Cowboy series. Due to the design of the new Vaquero frame, the .44 magnum caliber Vaquero is unlikely ever to be built again by Ruger. The LC.44 features a double 24kt gold cylinder band, the Last Cowboy logo on the back-strap in gold and the LC .44 brand on the left rosewood grip panel. The number of the edition is marked on the bottom of each frame in gold. Each gun has a limited edition Last Cowboy label and insert. EXCLUSIVE Circle No. 239 on Inquiry Card See all the latest TALO Special Editions and Authorized Distributors online at www.taloinc.com or call (508) 872-92422008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=44http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=44market and tight economic times. Tim Wegner, founder of Blade-Tech Industries, has diversified the company’s lineup with new variations on older, timeproven models and by introducing a lower-end line. “We just came out with a new line of Magnum Pro-Hunters and they are selling extremely well. They have a thicker blade steel than our standard line and only add a weight gain of a half an ounce,” Wegner said. “We have also introduced a new lower-price line of our Ganyana and Mouse models in AUS-8 steel, and the retail is in the $25 range. We are trying to diversify everything we’re doing so we can cover all the bases.” Lansky Sharpeners has increased sales by introducing more portable sharpeners to their lineup. “We’re selling a lot of our carry-around sharpening tools, our little quick fixes — ceramic and folding sharpeners — for maintaining an edge on the go. These are great field maintenance tools,” said Bob Kufahl, marketing director. Lansky has also launched a new line of affordable multi-tools, pocketknives and the like. The company originally aimed these products at the hardware market, but it’s seen a lot of crossover interest in the cutlery market. The tool segment of the cutlery market continues to be a hot ticket. Multi-tools and purpose-based knives appear to be an ever-expanding category that brings in new customers and sales. “Right now we’re selling a ton of our multi-tools,” said Doug Flagg of CRKT. “The Guppie model has been a huge winner. It appeals not only to men, but women like it, too. It’s a lot broader of a market than your basic knife, and it’s done so well that we’ve come out with a scaled-down version, the Li’l Guppie.” Ryan Wilson, founder of Wilson Tactical, offers similar comments. “Right now we’re selling a lot of our tools — the Cop Tool, Fireman Tool and SRT Special Response Tool. This end of the market has really taken off,” Wilson said. Benchmade Knives has formed a new company named Houdini that has released the first two of what could be many rescue tools. This is a segment of the market retailers really need to watch. Although tactical knives have garnered much of the headlines in recent years, there is still a huge and viable market in sporting knives and traditional pocketknives. One good snapshot of knife sales at the annual Blade Show is watching the traffic at custom knife-maker Bob Dozier’s booth. Dozier sells a broad range of sporting and tactical knives, but some of his most ardent fans are hunters. “We had our biggest year last year (at the show) and beat it this year! Business has been excellent and we’re selling tactical and hunting knives equally as well. We make mostly hard-use, working knives. It seems this is what most people want in our line,” Dozier said. Traditional pocketknives continue to maintain their comfortable corner of the cutlery market. Buck Knives, with its 100 years of experience, continues to build on its family’s tradition of providing knives that are used every day by consumers. Buck has released new offerings in its Hunting, Outdoor, Everyday and Tactical lines, including the Gen-5 Skinner, The Redpoint and X-Tract tool. At Hallmark Cutlery, Jessica Hall, vice president, says, “We still see a whole lot of interest in the traditional patterns. These are just good, useful knives that people like to carry.” Kissing Crane is Hallmark Cutlery’s flagship line. Hall says it’s a traditional German brand, but Hallmark has licensed the name and has made it more affordable. Stag models run in the $50 to $60 retail range. Hallmark also has bone and synthetic handle knives that are much less expensive, which are being produced offshore to make prices more affordable. The 2008 Blade Show made clear the cutlery market is thriving. The broad SEPTEMBER 2008 44 www.shootingindustry.com Traditional Stays Solid Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) has seen great success with the introduction of new opening mechanisms on several of their knives. Innovation is the word for two of Ke2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=45http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=45range of offerings allows the retailer more opportunity than ever to tailor cutlery to their customer base. 9 Firearms Business Insurance KNIFE MARKET A.G. Russell Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . .300 Al Mar Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301 Atlanta Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302 Bear & Son Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . .303 Benchmade Knife Co. . . . . . . . . . . .304 Beretta Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305 BLACKHAWK! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306 Blade-Tech Industries . . . . . . . . . . .307 Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308 Buck Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .309 Chris Reeve Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . .310 Coast Cutlery Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311 Cold Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312 Colt Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313 Columbia River Knife & Tool . . . . . . .314 Combat Elite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315 Diamond Machining Tech. . . . . . . . .316 Edgecraft Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317 Elishewitz Custom Creations . . . . . . .318 Emerson Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .319 EZE-LAP Diamond Products . . . . . . .320 Frost Cutlery Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .321 Gerber Legendary Blades . . . . . . . . .322 Glock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323 Great American Tool Co. . . . . . . . . .324 GT Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325 Gutmann Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326 Hallmark Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327 Heckler & Koch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328 KA-BAR Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .329 Katz Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330 Kershaw Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331 Kimber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332 KutMaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .333 Leatherman Tool Group . . . . . . . . . .334 Lightfoot Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335 Lone Wolf Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . .336 Masters of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . .337 McHenry Knife Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . .338 Meyerco USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339 MicroTech Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . .340 Moteng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341 Outdoor Edge Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . .342 Randall Made Knives . . . . . . . . . . . .343 Remington Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344 Savage Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .345 Sig Sauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346 Smith & Wesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .347 Smith Abrasives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348 SOG Specialty Knives . . . . . . . . . . .349 Springfield Armory . . . . . . . . . . . . .350 Spyderco Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351 Strider Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .352 Sturm, Ruger & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . .353 Swiss Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354 Taylor Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355 TigerSharp Technologies . . . . . . . . .356 Tighe Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .357 Timberline Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358 W.R. Case & Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . .359 William Henry Knives Cutlery . . . . . .360 Wilson Tactical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361 www.shootingindustry.com Endorsed By Circle No. 220 on Inquiry Card Circle No. 222 on Inquiry Card LOOKING TO THE FUTUR E! • Safety & Storage Sales - Eye & Ear Protection - Gun Locks • Target Varmint Hunting BONUS: Airguns & Paintball Profits - Safes - Security SEPTEMBER 2008 452008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=46http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=46Circle No. 236 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=47http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=47THIS DOG WILL ucts can provide year-round, repeat profits. “We carry dog products because so many of our customers duck-and-goose hunt and need products for training their dogs,” said George Lacknett, hunting supervisor at Buckeye Outdoors in Hebron, Ohio. “They spoil their dogs, too.” Mike Muniz is the licensed account manager for Coastal Pet Products, which Carolee Anita Anita Boyles Boyles Carolee Got Hunters? Hunters? Then Then You You Have Have Dog Dog Product Product Customers. Customers. Got SELL! makes Remington dog products. In his experience, most hunters — even those who don’t hunt their dog — own a dog. “In the data we’ve collected, more than 80 percent of hunters have dogs, whether they hunt them or not,” Muniz said. “Most of those dog owners don’t want the average collar that everyone else has; they want camo collars or safety orange col- T here’s profit in dog products. The big-box stores already know this — Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Dicks, Sportsman’s Warehouse and other big chains make a bundle on this segment of the market. Independent retailers can do the same; however, they have largely ignored the category. It’s unfortunate because dog prod- Many gun store customers are in the market for dog products, such as SportDOG’s 400 FieldTrainer, featured on this “hunter.” www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 472008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=48http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=48lars. Even if a dog doesn’t hunt, we’ve found that the hunter would prefer to outfit his dog that way.” The bottom line? If you’re not carrying dog products, you’re missing out on sales from many customers who are already frequenting your store. The first rule in going after the dog market is to carefully consider what you’re adding to your inventory. When it comes to products such as dog food, puppy pads and general pet supplies, don’t bother; you can’t compete with the local grocery store and the big-box pet stores. What you should be stocking are items involved with training, transporting and containing dogs, and safety and first-aid products. These are products hunters want. However, it also Remington’s Training Kit includes a canvas dummy, scent, deluxe whistle with thermometer and compass, 25' check depends on your market. “Some retailers shouldn’t cord and eight-page training booklet. It’s available with carry certain things, because duck, pheasant or quail scents. Stock Smart they won’t move well for them,” Lacknett said. “It just depends what your hunters are doing.” For instance, Lacknett, who is in duck country, doesn’t carry products for other kinds of hunting dogs. “We carry some scents — duck, quail and pheasant — for hunters to put on the dummies,” Lacknett said. “And we have orange vests and dog life vests with a strap on the back, like a handle. We also carry a few first-aid products. But we don’t go into real serious depth with first-aid kits or any other products.” Carrying brand-name dog products, particularly those with a name such as Remington, gives the dealer instant branding power. “We do everything from collars and leads to chest protectors, safety vests and grooming products. We also have skunkdeodorizing shampoo, and hip and joint supplements,” Muniz said. One advantage of carrying dog products is that many of them — such as supplements, first-aid products and training scents — are consumables. “That means your customer will come back over and over again to replenish them,” Muniz said. Remington also offers a dog training 48 SEPTEMBER 2008 Circle No. 218 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=49http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=49kit that includes a dummy, check cord, lanyard, whistle and a choice of scents. The company also has added “wings” to training dummies to help dogs learn to cope with carry birds. A dummy launcher that throws a dummy anywhere from 40 to 90 yards will be available later this summer. Visit www.remingtonsportingdog.com and www.coastalpetproducts.com. Petmate, a Doskocil company, offers a number of products for sporting dogs, including portable kennels, bedding, fieldsuit feed and water bowls, all backed by extensive display options. The company’s wire kennels, in a vast number of sizes, are widely used by hunters. The Petmate PopUp Kennel, in six sizes, offers containment and versatility. Two of the company’s dog beds are covered in Mossy Oak patterns. Visit www.petmate.com. Hunter Dog, a division of Spiffy Dog Pet Products, also has a variety of hunting dog-related products. The Air Collar is made of nylon aerospacer, which is lightweight and quick-drying. Styles include Shotgun Shells, Duck Hunter, Pheasant Hunter, Elk Hunter and Deer Hunter. Everything Dog Other products include an electronic-collar remote control harness, a check cord system and a dog safety vest. Visit www. hunter-dog.com. Ultra Paws has several products for hunting dogs. Dog boots provide protection for dogs’ feet in rough terrain or ice. The reflective dog vest makes dogs easy to see, and the chest and belly guard protects from cuts and scrapes in heavy brush. Visit www.ultrapaws.com. Electronic collars, or e-collars, are indispensable training tools, and a number of companies offer them. Dogtra has multiple e-collars. Their model 3500NCP Super-X has a “mild” setting that’s especially suited to sensitive dogs. Model 2500 T&B has a beeper unit with a 400-yard range with three beeper modes — Run/Point, Point and Locate. Model 1800 NC is designed for beagles and hounds and can be used with one dog or a pack. Visit www. dogtra.com. Petmate, a Doskocil company, offers two beds in Mossy Oak camouflage. SportDOG also has a number of ecollars for training. Three versions of the FieldTrainer model means there’s one for every dog and every situation. The SportHunter Series is suited to upland and multidog hunting situations. The HoundHunter is ideal for beagles and big-running pointing dogs. Visit www.sportdog.com. PAC dog collars, from the United Kingdom, include a range of digital remote trainers. Up to six dogs can be controlled from one handset. Visit www.pacdog.com. Tracker Radio Systems has brought GPS tracking to dog collars. The Tracker Radio GPS dog tracking system offers unlimited range in areas that have GSM cellular coverage. Visit www.trackerradio.com. Ellett Brothers® would like to thank the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence for honoring us with our third consecutive Distributor of the Year Award. Ellett Brothers® believes in our associates, our customers, and protecting our way of life. We are strong supporters of the NRA, NSSF, Boy Scouts of America and our local community. We want everyone associated with Ellett Brothers® to feel like part of the family. Family, friends, loyalty and hard work are the backbone of this country and that describes Ellett Brothers®. We support each other and those that support our Constitutional rights of freedom. Ellett Brothers®, Inc. Chapin, SC www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 215 on Inquiry Card 1-800-845-3711 www.EllettBrothers.com SEPTEMBER 2008 492008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=50http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=50cludes the new Dogtra Dealers should also consider containeF-3000 Gold, which has a ment systems, both crates and electronlong-range (40-acre) signal that ic fencing. allows the dog the amount of freefree “Most hunters, when they’re dom the owner desires. done working their dogs, have The electronic fence offered by a crate or two, depending on PAC Collars has digital how many dogs they’re signal processing that working,” Muniz said. provides immunity “That’s definitely an to outside radio item stores should interference. The carry.” The tracking collars from stimulus intensity Alumilene Tracker are designed for hardworking dogs in is under microkennels, by Towadverse outdoor conditions. processor control tector, are made so the intensity to fit in the back automatically inof a pickup. Some creases as the dog models come with nears the border of a slide-out ramp to the zone. Visit www. make it easier for paccollars.co.uk. dogs to get into and out of the truck. Visit Dog First-Aid www.alumilene.com. “Any hunter who has a dog should Remington has a line of have a first-aid kit,” Muniz said. “Most branded crates, made by KennelAire. The line includes plastic and wire injuries aren’t severe, but any dog can get crates, as well as a vehicle safety barrier his underside cut up in rough brush, and and a portable canvas kennel. Visit www. his paws cut up on rocks. I’d rather have a first-aid kit and never have to use it than kennel-aire.com. Paha Que, a company associated with need one and not have it.” One company that’s strong in first-aid family camping, has moved into dog products with their new Pet Shelter. Like a por- kits is Creative Pet Products. The compatable crib for a small child, the Pet Shelter ny has a basic first-aid kit for dogs, as well folds neatly into a canvas bag and weighs as kits designed for hunting dogs: Sportonly 15 pounds. It allows your customer to ing Dog and Sporting Dog II. Included keep comfortable control of their dog dur- with the Sporting Dog kits is a book on ing the day when he may be camping, fish- first-aid for dogs in the field. Visit www. ing or relaxing between a morning and an petfirstaidkits.com. EMT Gel and EMT Spray promote rapid afternoon hunt. Visit www.pahaque.com. BitterCreek offers a number of op- healing, reduce bleeding, protect wounds tions in its dog boxes, including a Mossy and are easy to use. Visit www.emtgel.com. Farnam Pet Products has a variety of Oak Brush finish. The dog boxes come in a single box for one dog or a double box supplements and a few first-aid products. allowing enough space for two dogs. Vis- Visit www.farnampet.com. Nutri-Vet also carries a number of joint it www.bittercreekblindsandboxes.com. The electronic fence category in- support supplements and pain-relief prod- ucts for dogs. Visit www.nutri-vet.com. Whatever dog products you carry, be sure your customers know you have them. That means merchandising them well, and choosing a location in the store where the products are easy for customers to see and access. “Most of our dog supplies are in an aisle where everyone can see them when they come into the hunting department,” Lacknett said. “We don’t have to push our dog products a whole lot, because once people see them and know we have them, they buy them.” Lacknett advises retailers who don’t carry dog products to give them a try. “If you have a lot of customers who have dogs, even if they’re just house pets, I would definitely advise you to try carrying dog products,” he said. “You shouldn’t start out carrying a whole lot of them, but it’s definitely worth giving them a try to see if they’re going to sell well for you.” 9 They Buy Them DOG PRODUCTS BitterCreek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362 Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 Buck Stop Lure Co. . . . . . . . . . . . 364 Creative Pet Products . . . . . . . . . 365 Creative Publishing International . 366 D.T. Systems Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 Dogtra Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . .2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=51http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=51The catalogs of the Shooting Industry are at your fingertips with our updated Catalog Showcase. To order any of the catalogs, use the Reader Service Card in this issue. Simply circle the inquiry numbers of the catalogs you would like to receive and drop the postage-paid card in the mail. Your catalogs will be arriving soon. You can also download the Reader Service page and form online, then fax or mail in. Sign onto www.shootingindustry.com and click on Reader Service. 2008 Annuals $9.95 U.S. PRICE VOL. 65 2009 Annuals American Cop Magazine RICA WWW.AME NHANDG OM UNNER.C www.shootingindustry.com DGUNNE CAN HAN AMERI R 200 8 SPE CIAL EDI TION S&W M& P .45 R HI-POWE CONCEA LED CAR RY FUN GUN S ENGRAV ING UAL ANN 2008 SPECIA L EDIT ION AN NUAL U.S. PRICE IN CANA $9.95 DA $12.9 VOL. 12 5 ® WWW.G UNSMAG AZINE.CO M PE RF PACK ECT S&W ER .500 KNIVES VER ROCK RI G GRAVIN GUN EN OD. 58 S&W M FIELDS HO S&W SC 1911 PR OJ 85 LED CONCEA TIPS CARRY ECT GU N 7359 92 5 67 3 BATT B LAD LE 85 7359 5 67 71 6 ES Maximize your profits! Build repeat traffic and earn profits by selling 2008 Annuals In your store. Order desired number of issues at huge savings off the cover price. For more information, call 1-800-597-8065. Maximize your profits! Build repeat traffic and earn profits by selling 2009 Annuals In your store. Order desired number of issues at huge savings off the cover price. For more information, call 1-800-597-8065. Maximize your profits! Build repeat traffic and earn profits by selling American COP In your store. Order desired number of issues at huge savings off the cover price. For more information, call 1-800-597-8065. Circle # 401 Circle # 402 Circle # 403 SEPTEMBER 2008 512008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=52http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=52American Handgunner Magazine Battenfeld Technologies Black Hills Ammunition 2008 CATALOG Maximize your profits! Build repeat traffic and earn profits by selling American Handgunner In your store. Order desired number of issues at huge savings off the cover price. For more information, call 1-800-597-8065. Battenfeld, the industry-leading manufacturer of shooting, reloading, gunsmithing and gun cleaning products, launched a new online 2008 catalog. New features include: • Complete product catalog • Latest news releases / archive • Tips and common questions • Downloadable hi-res photos • Product manuals / instructions • TV commercials / product videos • Dealer locator w/driving directions • Printable PDF product catalog …and more! www.battenfeldtechnologies.com Black Hills Ammunition specializes in .223 and .308 ammunition. It’s the choice of the US Army, USMC, USAF and the US Navy Rifle Teams. We also have 14 different calibers in our Cowboy Ammunition Line, 10 calibers - 27 different loadings in our Black Hills Gold Hunting Line and superb but economical remanufactured ammunition in many calibers. $2.00 Circle # 404 Circle # 405 Circle # 406 Brownells Buffer Technologies Colonial Arms 576 pages! Over 30,000 top brandname accessories to make your rifles, shotguns and handguns look and work better. 138 pages filled with over 9,000 factory parts. Fulltime tech staff. Selection. Service. Satisfaction. – 100% Guaranteed. Call 1-800-741-0015 or visit us online at www.brownells.com. Dept. #BP5. Price of catalog refunded with order. $5.00 Buffer Technologies prides itself as an innovative manufacturer and distributor of tactical weapons accessories for military, law enforcement and shooting sports applications. Its signature products include patented recoil buffers for most automatic pistols and rifles and the MagCinch dual-magazine system. For more information or to order online, see us at www.buffertech.com or call 877-628-3337 for a free catalog. Colonial Arms manufactures over 700 different screw in choke tubes for 10, 12, 16, 20, 28 and 410 gauge shotguns. “Elite Series” ported tubes and ported turkey tubes; “Golden Series” sporting clay tubes, stainless sporting clay tubes, flush cardshooting tubes. All tubes are available for immediate shipment and are manufactured totally in the U.S.A. of the finest U.S. materials. Call or write for a free catalog. (251) 580-5000 or (800) 949-8088 www.colonialarms.com E-mail: colonialarms@bellsouth.net Circle # 407 52 SEPTEMBER 2008 Circle # 408 Circle # 409 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=53http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=53Competitive Edge Dynamics Crimson Trace Elite Operator Competitive Edge Dynamics has been leading the industry for over seventeen years, with professional shooting products, including CED timers, Chronograph, Digital Scales, Hearing Protectors, Range Bags, and so much more! Specializing in advanced design, technology, and function, CED products have become “the standard” in the industry today. Visit us online 24 hours a day at: www.CEDhk.com Phone: FREE CATALOG! Crimson Trace Lasergrips are the world’s only grip-integrated laser sights. Instinctive activation button turns on laser with normal grip pressure. Fully adjustable for accuracy at any distance. Easily installs for a custom fit on dozens of revolvers, semi-autos, 1911s and AR-15, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Beretta, Kimber, Ruger, and Glock. Call 1-800442-2406 or go to crimsontrace.com for a free catalog today! Elite Operator introduces a new line of tactical and discreet apparel. Tapping into decades of experience in the military, law enforcement, and private security sector, Elite Operator offers the finest line of tactical and discreet clothing available. Check out our new catalog and see for yourself what we offer. (888) 628-3233 Fax: (610) 366-9680 Email: info@cedhk.com Circle # 410 Circle # 411 Circle # 412 Ellett Brothers Federal Premium FNH 75th Anniversary Edition Over 1400 Pages of the Industry’s Leading Products Known as the “Bible of the Industry”, our catalog is the most complete reference source available to dealers. Our researchers & copywriters make sure that Ellett Brothers’ catalog contains the information needed most by our customers. Cal 1-800-845-3711 To Get Yours www.ellettbrothers.com For more information on the full lineup of Federal® products, visit www. federalpremium.com or call 1-800322-2342 FN currently provides 70% of the small arms used by the U.S. Military. FNH USA also offers consumers and law enforcement an extensive line of duty pistols, tactical shotguns, patrol and precision rifles and tactical carbines. Visit www.fnhusa.com to see the complete FN product line and request a 2008 catalog. Circle # 413 www.shootingindustry.com Circle # 414 Circle # 415 SEPTEMBER 2008 532008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=54http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=54Galco Guns Magazine FREE NOVEMBER 2008 Kimber WIN A $4.95 OUTSIDE U.S. $7.95 www.gunsmagazine.com Galco International Catalog #35 This 66-page full color catalog features Galco’s extensive line of superbquality made-in-the-USA leather holsters, belts, and accessories for law enforcement, military, defensive and sporting use. A full line of women’s holster handbags and a wide selection of hunting- and clays-oriented Sporting Collection items round out Galco’s comprehensive selection of exceptional shooting-related products. Galco as always - “For those who demand the best.and know the difference.” Maximize your profits! Build repeat traffic and earn profits by selling Guns Magazine In your store. Order desired number of issues at huge savings off the cover price. For more information, call 1-800-597-8065. Manufacturers!! Finally a Pay-Per-Click system for the gun industry! Advertise your product in front of millions of visitors at GunsAmerica. Impressions are FREE and $25 gets you $75 in credit, from .5c/click. Use coupon code UFC83. Have a LOCAL service, class or range event? FREE for 1 month. www.gunsamerica.com/advertising 800- 874-2526•GalcoGunleather.com Circle # 416 Circle # 417 Circle # 418 Lauer Custom Magnum Research Pelican Products Lauer Custom Weaponry is the manufacturer of DuraCoat Firearms Finishes, the finest firearm finish on the planet. DuraCoat is the industry’s leading firearm finish and offers unbeatable durability and is corrosion proof. Available in over 120 colors and 25 camouflage patterns, DuraCoat can provide something for any environment or situation. www.lauerweaponry.com.1 Desert Eagle Pistol 2008 catalog provides the latest information on the legendary Desert Eagle and the popular Baby Eagle Pistol. The full-color, 24-page catalog also highlights options for distinctive custom finishes, as well as holsters, grips, sights, scopes, shirts, caps and other accessories that can be ordered directly from Magnum Research. Pelican™ Products, Inc. is the global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced lighting systems and virtually indestructible cases for protecting valuable equipment with distribution centers in Barcelona, Spain, Edmonton, Canada, Tokyo, Japan, Shanghai, China, and Adelaide, Australia. Circle # 419 54 SEPTEMBER 2008 Circle # 420 Circle # 421 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=55http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=55Redding Reloading Rock River Arms Savage Arms 2008 The revolutionary Savage AccuTrigger™ is just one of the features built into a Savage Rifle that gives it the accuracy by which all others are judged. The 2008 Redding catalog features a new reloading DVD, “Advanced Handloading – Beyond The Basics”. Also, Imperial Application Media, dies for the 327 Federal, the 300 RCM and 338 RCM cartridges. For more information on these, and all the other fine Redding products, visit their web site or send for a FREE full line catalog. Redding Reloading Equipment 1089 Starr Road Cortland, NY 13045 607.753.3331 www.redding-reloading.com Rock River Arms has the reputation for producing top quality AR15 style rifles and custom 1911s. What sets Rock River Arms apart from its competition is their versatility and ability to produce both standard and custom firearms built to their customers specifications. For more information, contact: Rock River Arms, 1042 Cleveland Rd Colona, IL 61241 Phone: (309) 792.5780 Fax: (309) 792.5781 www.rockriverarms.com Savage Arms, with its revolutionary AccuTrigger, is world-renowned for innovation and out-of-the-box accuracy. The 2008 Savage Catalog features the complete line of superaccurate savage centerfire rifles for big-game, varmint and predator hunting, long-range target competition and law enforcement. Also included is an impressive array of Rimfire Rifles and Over/Under shotguns. ROUND print Trim Size: 8.5 x 11 SIGN OFF W/C APRVD DATE Bleed Size: Date: 2/28/08 Folded Size: COLORS: 8.5 x 11 Job #: SARM007 4 Color Process Client: Savage Arms Due Date: Project: Catalog 2008 - COVER PUB: PUB Date: Contact: Scott Greenlee Art Director 203.705.9204 Circle # 422 Circle # 423 Circle # 424 Shooters Ridge Sightron Sports South For more information on the full lineup of Shooters Ridge® products, visit www.shootersridge.com or call 1-800-635-7656 Fellow Sportsmen, Welcome to the world of optical precision. Do you demand as much from your equipment as you do from yourself? If so, then you will certainly appreciate Sightron. We make the most advanced riflescopes, spotting scopes and binoculars in the world. They are designed by serious sportsmen for serious sportsmen. (800) 867-7512 www.sightron.com FREE electronic ordering system. FREE electronic gunbook available. Largest single-location, full-line distributor offering firearms, ammo, shooting accessories, black powder guns and reloading products. Toll Free 800.388.3845 www.internetguncatalog.com Circle # 425 www.shootingindustry.com Circle # 426 Circle # 427 SEPTEMBER 2008 552008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=56http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=56Springfield Inc Starline Taurus International Springfield Armory offers a full line of XD® pistols the new XD (M)™, 1911-A1 pistols, M1A™ rifles, and a full 1911 Custom Shop. Call 1-800680-6866 today for your free catalog or visit www.springfieldarmory.com Springfield, Inc. 420 West Main Street Geneseo, IL 61254 Starline prides itself on producing the highest quality brass case available. With a production process focused on quality not quantity, Starline makes the finest brass and has for more than 30 years. Today Starline manufactures more than 80 unprimed cartridge cases and offers them at factory direct prices. For more information or to order on-line, see us at www.starlinebrass.com or call 800.280.6660 for a FREE catalog. The 2008 Taurus Firearms catalog features many exciting new products including the 800 semi-auto series, Model 709 Slim, Model 856 lightweight revolvers and a stylish addition to the M1911 line with “Bull’s Head Walnut ” grips. Taurus is also proud to offer its Unlimited Lifetime Repair Policy and free one-year NRA membership with every model purchased. TM TM For a free catalog visit www.taurususa.com. Circle # 428 Circle # 429 Circle # 430 Trijicon Weaver W.L. Baumler Trijicon is the world leader in the development of any-light aiming systems for the military, law enforcement, hunting and shooting sports markets. Trijicon’s exclusive self-luminous technology has made their sights and scopes the preferred choice among leading firearm manufacturers. Free catalog available on request. For more information on the full lineup of Weaver® products, visit www. weaveroptics.com or call 1-800635-7656 “The Sportsmen’s Supplier” 100% wholesale. Full line hunting and fishing distributor. Family owned and operated for over 60 years. Guaranteed same day UPS shipping on orders called in by 2 p.m EST. Competitive pricing and experienced, professional sales people. For more information contact: W.L. Baumler 1744 Iowa Ave. Lorain, OH 44052 1-800-321-2501 Circle # 431 56 SEPTEMBER 2008 Circle # 432 Circle # 433 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=57http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=57The companies listed have featured advertisements or products in this issue. Look to them first when you are ready to make a purchase. Companies ADVERTISERS Circle # 201 202 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 203 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 204 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 205 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 Page 19 10 37 11 14 38 18 6 15 5 21 17,49 61 40 3 48 15 45 58 45 32 60 c1 59 25 5 23 39 27 12-13 63 16 33 2 46 59 9 43 7 64 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 Companies Silver Creek Industries Smith Abrasives Sonic Technology Products SPOT Inc. Stealth Cam Streamlight SteriPen SureFire Swarovski Taser International Trail Sense Engineering Trijicon TriSquare Walker’s Game Ear A.G. Russell Knives Al Mar Knives Atlanta Cutlery Bear & Son Cutlery Benchmade Knife Co. Beretta Knives BLACKHAWK! Blade-Tech Industries Browning Buck Knives Chris Reeve Knives Coast Cutlery Co. Cold Steel Colt Knives Columbia River Knife & Tool Combat Elite Diamond Machining Tech. Edgecraft Corp. Elishewitz Custom Creations Emerson Knives EZE-LAP Diamond Products Frost Cutlery Co. Gerber Legendary Blades Glock Great American Tool Co. GT Knives Gutmann Cutlery Hallmark Cutlery Heckler & Koch KA-BAR Knives Katz Knives Kershaw Knives Kimber KutMaster Leatherman Tool Group Lightfoot Knives Lone Wolf Knives Masters of Defense McHenry Knife Co. Meyerco USA MicroTech Knives Moteng Outdoor Edge Cutlery Randall Made Knives Remington Arms Savage Arms Sig Sauer Smith & Wesson Smith Abrasives SOG Specialty Knives Springfield Armory Spyderco Inc. Strider Knives Sturm, Ruger & Co. Swiss Army Taylor Cutlery TigerSharp Technologies Tighe Knives Timberline Knives W.R. Case & Sons William Henry Knives Cutlery Wilson Tactical Circle # 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 Page 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 Companies Doskocil Mfg./Petmate EMT Gel and Spray Farnam Pet Products FidoGear Inc. Galco International Hallmark Dog Training Supplies Innotek Invisible Technologies Kennel-Aire Lucky Dog Equipment Mendota Products Inc. PAC Collars Paha Que Pete Rickard PetSafe Premier Pet Products RadioPet Ready Dog Products Remington/Coastal Pet Products Winchester/Scott Pet Products Snapbacks Spiffy Dog Pet Products SportDOG Towtector Tracker Radio Systems Triple K Mfg. Tri-Tronics Trophy Animal Health Care Ultra Paws 2008 Annuals 2009 Annuals American Cop Magazine American Handgunner Magazine Battenfeld Tech Black Hills Ammunition Brownells Buffer Tech Colonial Arms Competitive Edge Crimson Trace Elite Operator Ellett Brothers Federal Premium FNH USA Galco Guns Magazine Kimber Lauer Custom Magnum Research Pelican Products Redding Reloading Rock River Arms Savage Arms Shooters Ridge Sightron Sports South Springfield Starline Taurus Trijicon Weaver WL Baumler Circle # 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 Page 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 51 51 51 52 52 52 52 52 52 53 53 53 53 53 53 52008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=58http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=58See Your Product Here! If you are a manufacturer, importer, distributor or entrepreneur with a newsworthy, new or revised product available to dealers or distributors, Text First Line let us know! Text We have room for about 80 words. Pictures should be color, if possible. Electronic images, transparencies and glossy prints are acceptable. Product releases are printed on a space-available basis at the discretion of the editorial staff. Text First Line FMG Publications Text Urban Rifle In this two-disc “Urban Rifle” DVD, firearm-training expert Clint Smith presents his renowned techniques, using his unique teaching style. Included are a mental preparation and logic lecture, elements of skill, proper technique and application, primary shooting positions, and carry and weapon transition. The DVD also includes a range demonstration, all filmed at Thunder Ranch in Oregon. Clint Smith has tutored thousands of students at his legendary training facility. Address all releases to: New Products Editor SHOOTING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE 12345 World Trade Dr. San Diego, CA 92128 Company Phone # SHOOTING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE Website www.shootingindustry.com Company FMG Publications Phone # 1-800-628-9818 Website www.americanhandgunner.com Circle # 500 Text First Line DPMS Firearms LLC Text Panther Sportical Rifle DPMS Firearms takes the 5.56x45mm Panther Sportical to the big-bore market with the introduction of the 7.62 NATO Panther Sportical. The lightweight rifle features a 16" chrome-moly steel, heavy barrel, a slickside upper receiver and carbine-length GlacierGuards. The aluminum upper and lower receivers feature a uniform, Mil Spec hard-coat anodizing. A semiauto trigger group, integral trigger guard, A2 Pistol Grip and the Pardus 6-position, telescoping carbine stock complete the introductory rifle. The rifle weighs 8.3 pounds empty. Company DPMS Firearms LLC Phone # (320) 258-4448 Website www.dpmsinc.com Circle # 501 Text First Line Hunter’s Specialties Text Bull Hooker Cow Call Hunter’s Specialties Bull Hooker Cow Call, from Wayne Carlton’s Calls, reproduces the sounds of a cow elk to lure bulls. The lightweight mouth-blown call utilizes an internal reed design for durability and consistency. Hunters can change the pitch of the call by pressing on the external molded membrane to produce a wide variety of elk sounds. The Bull Hooker call comes with a carry lanyard. Company Hunter’s Specialties Phone # (319) 395-0321 Website www.hunterspec.com Circle No. 221 on Inquiry Card Circle # 502 www.shootingindustry.com 58 SEPTEMBER 20082008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=59http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=59Pelican Products 1730 Transport Case The 1730 Transport Case has four extra-deep, base-to-lid locking cleats to ensure maximum stacking stability. The case features 10,000 cubic inches of storage space, two doublewide handles and polyurethane wheels, with stainless steel ball bearings and nylon hubs for extended towing durability. The 1730 has open cellcore wall, polymer construction to protect sensitive equipment. Other standard features include a lid equipped with a polymer o-ring for a dust and watertight seal, dual-action latches, and integrated automatic pressure equalization valve. Proudly Made in America Circle No. 237 on Inquiry Card Pelican Products 1-800-473-5422 www.pelican.com Circle # 503 World’s Finest Magazines MEC-GAR is proud to offer “Optimum” - our new and unique series of high capacity flush-fit pistol magazines. “OPTIMUM”. THE WORLD’S BEST MAGAZINES Badlands Backpacks Limited Edition Backpacks Badlands has taken four of their most popular packs (4500, 2200, Superday and Monster Fanny) and created the Badlands 10th Anniversary-Limited Edition packs, available in the Realtree Hardwoods Snow. The Model 4500 offers 4,800 cubic inches of capacity, the 2200 has 2,310 cubic inches of space, the Superday has 1,950 cubic inches and the Monster Fanny offers 1,100 cubic inches of cargo space. Badlands packs carry a Unconditional Lifetime Warranty. The new design of the magazine housing and interlinked magazine components, together with a special Anti-Friction Coating offer far superior performance even in difficult operational environments. The increased firepower of MEC-GAR “Optimum” magazines can be further raised by an optional “Plus Two” adapter. “Plus Two” is a new set of hollow butt-plate and inner base to raise the capacity of the MEC-GAR “Optimum” magazine by 2-rounds and stick out only 5/8” from the butt of the pistol! Available For: Beretta 92FS 9mm 18rd / 20rd Beretta 96FS .40S&W 13rd / 15rd Para-Ordnance P14 .45ACP 14rd SIG P226 9mm 18rd / 20rd SIG P226 .40S&W 13rd / 15rd Springfield XD 9mm 18rd Springfield XD .40S&W 13rd Taurus PT92 9mm 18rd / 20rd Taurus PT100 .40S&W 13rd / 15rd Mec-Gar USA, Inc., 905 Middle Street, Middletown, CT 06457 Tel: (800) 632-4271 Fax: (860) 635-1712 www.mec-gar.com Circle No. 226 on Inquiry Card Badlands Backpacks 1-800-269-1875 www.badlandspacks.com Circle # 504 www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 592008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=60http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=60Smith & Wesson M&P9 Spec Ops A Sports South exclusive, the Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Spec Ops model features a 4.75" extended threaded barrel (13.5"x1" Gemtech thread pattern), white dot front and rear sights, three interchangeable palmswell grip sizes, Black Melonite and 68 HRc finish, with “SPEC-OPS” laser-engraved on the left side of the slide. The polymer-framed pistol weighs 24 ounces and is 8" long. Three 17-round magazines are included. Buck Wear Inc. Nefarious Beasts T-Shirt Buck Wear’s latest t-shirt shows everyone that hunters are out to rid the world of nefarious beasts. Made of 100-percent cotton, the t-shirt displays the message, “I don’t shoot INNOCENT animals. only the ones that look GUILTY!” In olive green, the t-shirt is offered in adult sizes, medium to XXL. SpecTech Magnet Gun Caddy Designed for hunters, the Magnet Gun Caddy provides a safer place to rest a gun and protects a hunter’s car. Strong, lightweight and compact, the Magnet Caddy is small enough to fit into a pocket. It can also be used to expand a gun locker’s holding capacity. Sports South 1-800-388-3845 www.internetguncatalog.com Buck Wear Inc. (410) 646-6400 www.buckwear.com SpecTech Inc. Circle # 507 1-866-226-9123 www.magnetguncaddy.com Circle # 505 Circle # 506 Heatmax HotHands Value Packs Heatmax now offers two of their HotHands warmers in value packs. The warmers fit all of the HotHands Fleece and Knit accessories. HotHands-2 warmers provide up to 10 hours of safe warmth. Toasti Toes provide up to six hours of safe heat. The Toasti Toes value pack contains six pairs of warmers and the HotHands-2 value pack contains 10 two packs of warmers. Heatmax 1-800-432-8629 www.heatmax.com Circle # 508 Circle No. 224 on Inquiry Card 60 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=61http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=61Continued from page 62 Firearm Business Still Increasing he industry continues to defy predictions of a drop in sales, with a continuing increase in the number of firearm background checks. For the first seven months of 2008, there was an 9.42 percent increase in background checks over the same months in 2007, according to the FBI’s NICS. As noted in our previous analysis of the NICS data, the increases this year are impressive since 2007 was a record-setting year in background checks. During the first seven months of 2008, NICS conducted 6,542,806 background checks, an increase of 563,291 over the same period in 2007. While the background-check data is not a “pure” indication of “sales,” it is the best indicator of what is happening nationally in the firearm market. Let’s face it, customers don’t go to gun shops to fill out a Form 4473 because they’re bored. They’re willing to go through the background check for only one reason: To buy a firearm. T Hunters See Plans Changing hile the number of firearm background checks continues to increase, hunters say the cost of gasoline will affect their plans this fall. On Remington’s Web site, www.remington.com, the company is asking “Will rising gas prices change your hunting plans for the coming season?” As of August 13, 17,798 votes had been registered, with 53.78 percent voting “Yes.” Will the recent easing of gas prices change the minds of some of those hunters? Let’s hope so. 9 W Cleaning Up With Iosso o you sell ARs? If so, you need to include Iosso’s AR-15 brushes as part of those sales. The brushes are receiving high praise from customers, making them an easy add-on. The Iosso AR-15 Brush Kit contains four brushes: upper receiver brush, chamber brush, bolt carrier brush and a bore brush. The upper receiver brush fits the AR-15 and the AR-10. There is also a kit solely for AR-10s. Contact Iosso Products at (847) 437-8400 or visit www.iosso.com. D 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. 216 on Inquiry Card www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 612008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=62http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=62Russ Thurman Saluting Excellence, Shooting For The Future he accolades continue to pour into our office, praising last month’s Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence awards presentation and the Shooting Industry Masters competition. Held in the heart of Gun Valley, the two events drew praise from leaders throughout the industry. “Please allow me to thank all the FMG Publications personnel for the superb job done at the Masters and Academy of Excellence awards presentations,” said Steve Sanetti, NSSF president. Sanetti praised FMG for “the fun and camaraderie all the participants shared during those two memorable days.” “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 again for all that you do — we are a better industry because of your efforts and energy,” said Ron Coburn, Savage Arms CEO. “You (FMG) sure know how to throw a party. We’re impressed with the company T 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, CEO, LaserMax. “You (FMG) have, as usual, done a helluva job in the prep and delivery of the event. If there is more that Gunsite can “Thank you again for all that you do — we are a better industry because of your efforts and energy.” industry in the academy, and we thank them for their commitment to these prestigious awards. It’s also satisfying to witness the growth in the Shooting Industry Masters. We had a record number of shooters at this year’s event. We’ve already begun planning for next year’s Masters, which will be held July 24 and 25 at the Hartford Gun Club in East Granby, Conn. Yes, we’re returning to Gun Valley. Now is the time for you to plan to join us at this three-gun competition, Ron Coburn, Savage Arms CEO. which raises money for NSSF’s Step Outside prodo to ensure future successes, just let me gram. This year, we raised $16,500 for the know; we will be there for you folks,” said program. (Full coverage of the Masters will Buz Mills, Gunsite CEO. be featured in the October issue of SI.) The Academy of Excellence awards In addition to supporting a great procontinue to be highly regarded and it’s gram, the Masters strengthens the bonds gratifying to see the awards receive the within the industry, bringing us together recognition they deserve. (See page for a day of shooting and reinforcing what 28.) The recipients of the awards are a great industry we’re in — one that we not determined by me, or an editorial must continue to fight to preserve. board, or our advertising department, For more information on the but by the Academy’s members. There Academy and Masters, visit www. are 500 members from throughout the shootingindustry.com. o help boost its sales of shotguns this fall, Beretta USA launched its Beretta Bucks promotion on Aug. 1, which offers customers a free Beretta shopping spree. Customers who purchase any Beretta Urika 2, Xtrema 2, 686 White Onyx, 687 Silver Pigeon II or 687 Silver Pigeon V shotgun will receive up to $300 in Beretta Bucks that can be redeemed online at Beretta USA’s e-Store for Beretta clothing, accessories or pro shop products. The promotion runs through Dec. 31, 2008. “The promotion offers customers an additional incentive to buy one of our shotguns for the hunting or holiday season,” said Patrick McDonald, vice president of sales and marketing. “This promotion also provides a free and easy way for our customers to experience some of our other products, like Beretta clothing and accessories.” Visit www.berettausa.com for more information. 62 SEPTEMBER 2008 T Beretta Billboards Bucks Promotion Changing Perceptions S alutes to NSSF for placing full-page ads in The Washington Post, The Washington Times and The Hill on August 6, promoting the safe and responsible use of firearms. The ad is part of a public awareness campaign that includes inviting Washington, D.C.,2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=63http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=63©2008 Shooters Ridge® SR173 As the most versatile shooting bag on the market, the Shooters Ridge® GorillaTM Bag transforms into multiple shapes to satisfy the needs of any shooter. Unzip and lay flat for an elevated platform, arrange in the gun-gripping “X” mode or stack to fit shooters of all sizes. For the hunter, plinker, benchrest or tactical shooter, the Gorilla Bag delivers the ultimate stability and flexibility. And remember, customers buying $30 or more of Shooters Ridge® products receive a FREE multi-tool ($24.99 value)! To browse Shooters Ridge products for your store, visit www.shootersridge.com Circle No. 204 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=64http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/ShootingIndustry/Sep2008/?Page=64Since 1930 THE PERFECT PAIR When it comes to rugged performance, hunters have always relied on the trusted name of Weaver®. From legendary optics to the rings and bases that all others strive to imitate, Weaver has been keeping outdoorsmen in the hunt since 1930. Keep the tradition alive. Stock your shelves with the brand that symbolizes hunting optics in the minds of millions of hunters—Weaver. For more information on the entire line of Weaver products—including optics, rings and bases—contact ATK Dealer Services at (866) 223-9388. ©2008 ATK WE330 Circle No. 205 on Inquiry Card2008-09-23T01:50:28+02:00