Sen. Obama, WHERE DO YOU STAND?
AUGUST 2008
HUNTING Boost Or Bust?
FLASHLIGHT SALES Dealers Offer Tips
Long Guns DAG? p37
HAIR-SPLITTING ACCURACY In a world where everyone from online pharmacies to fast food chains want to super-size everything about you, Savage proudly introduces the Model 25 — built from the ground up for 223-sized cartridges. Smaller rifle. Smaller groups.
PROMOTIONS PROMOTIONS PROMOTIONS
Circle No. 226 on Inquiry Card
savagearms.com
www.shootingindustry.com SARM079 Shooting Indus Cover 8-01 1
7/2/08 2:10:57 PM
Circle No. 229 on Inquiry Card
CALL FOR DEALER INFORMATION. 866-223-9388
WWW.FUSIONAMMO.COM ©2008 ATK
Circle No. 203 on Inquiry Card
AUGUST 2008 • VOLUME 53 • NUMBER 08
Features
22 24 31 Page 22
37
Promotions!
Russ Thurman
Manufacturers Drive Sales With Rebates, Incentives.
Hunting — Boost Or Bust?
Carolee Anita Boyles
Six Dealers Offer Their Perspectives, Strategies.
Brighten Your Flashlight Sales
John Morrison
Four Dealers Offer Tips To Power Up Your Profits!
Long Guns DAG?
Mark Kayser
Not If You Give Customers What They Want!
Industry News 8 “Senator Obama, Where Do You Stand?” 8 Academy Of Excellence Presents 2008 Awards 11 Help Educate Voters Columns
14 Page 24
16 18 20 46
Page 31
Page 37 4
AUGUST 2008
Lethal Force
Massad Ayoob
Selling To The Reluctant Customer.
Outdoor Marketplace
Dennis Phillips & Greg Chevalier
Bushnell, Nosler Celebrate 60 Years.
Arms And The Woman
Lisa Parsons-Wraith
Diverse Product Line Delivers Customers.
Back Blast & Other Hot Gases
Commander Gilmore
Snoozing Sentinel Snags Safety Success.
Industry Watch
Russ Thurman
The Cravings Of Gun-Ban Addicts.
Departments 6 Letters 40 Reader Service
41 44
New Products Classifieds
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.com
SINCE 1955 — THE INDUSTRY’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE
PUBLISHER
Thomas von Rosen
EDITOR Russ Thurman EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Roxanne Smith ART DIRECTOR Eric Tse ART ASSISTANT Andy Loy PRODUCTION MANAGER Dennaye Cusick
Anita Carson ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Steve Evatt, Jeff Morey, Delano Amaguin, Scott McGregor PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR Randy Moldé PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Lorinda Massey ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Massad Ayoob Shari LeGate John Morrison
Carolee Anita Boyles Ray Oeltjen Lisa Parsons-Wraith
FMG Publications
Editor: Dave Douglas Advertising: Delano Amaguin americancopmagazine.com
Editor: Roy Huntington Advertising: Steve Evatt americanhandgunner.com
Editor: Jeff John Advertising: Jeff Morey gunsmagazine.com
Special Editions
Editor: Sammy Reese Advertising: Scott McGregor fmgpublications.com
CUSTOMER SERVICE www.shootingindustry.com
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES . . . . . . 858.605.0250 EXPRESS SERVICE . . . . www.shootingindustry.com General Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . Click: Contact Us EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858.605.0243
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . russ@shootingindustry.com
PRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858.605.0202
. . . . . . . . . production@shootingindustry.com National Advertising: 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128 858•605•0209 866•972•4545 FAX: 858•605•0211
PRODUCED IN THE U.S.A.
www.shootingindustry.com
Circle No. 206 on Inquiry Card
AUGUST 2008
5
Dealers Pick SteriPen
I received this note from John Morrison, one of SI’s senior writers, who handles our Dealer’s Picks and L.E. business at the SHOT Show, along with many other topics throughout the year. Hey, Russ. I thought you’d like to see this: Dealers’ Picks producing solid leads. Now, don’t you wish we had this product, instead of a filthy torn-out square of skivvy-shirt to “filter and purify” drinking water back in the Old Corps? (John is also a fellow former Marine.) Thanks, John!
As a result of your article, I sent 140 packages to gun shops and range masters who requested more information about SteriPEN after reading about us in the Dealers’ Picks. Kassie Stevens Marketing Manager Hydro-Photon Inc. To learn what those 140 gun dealers and range masters know, call Kassie at (207) 374-8952 or visit www.steripen.com.
An Officer Would Know
Mr. Kiehl’s thoughts about “colored firearms” is a topic that raises concerns in many ways (“Create Confusion?” Letters, July 2008). Being a veteran law-enforcement officer, I would like to think an officer would know when the time would come to shoot. There are Simunitions, red-handle training devices, orange toys and others — but what person would point these items at you unless in a training situation?
6
AUGUST 2008
Circle No. 213 on Inquiry Card
Yes, children may, but still, look who the person is handling the firearm or facsimile. I know what most are saying! There are hundreds and hundreds of scenarios played out with a deadly ending. I do not know if there is a real answer. I do sell some Cobras, Charter Arms and the sorts, and the buyers love the “customindividual” colors. Remember, we have desert sand, camo and other finishes on many toys. Personally, I think it’s a fad. It will only last so long. We’ll see most finishes remain nickel, blued, stainless or similar, traditional firearm finishes. Training. I can think of no other way to handle the “fad!” Besides, you will not catch me with a manly “pink” H&K! In-the-business 22 years. Douglas Grindstaff Patrick’s Range & ProShop Garden City, Ga. 9
E-mail the Editor russ@shootingindustry.com
www.shootingindustry.com
ED R E V O C U O VE GOT Y
7E
>> Forged A4 Upper Receiver
>> 6-Position Tactical CAR Stock
>> A2 Flash Hider, 1/2-28 Thread
>> 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
.%7 &/2
1.5 MOA @ 100 Yards
.75 MOA @ 100 Yards
>> Hogue Rubber Grip
7
HETHER YOU RE DEFENDING THE HOMELAND the farm, your record at Camp Perry or anything in between, 2OCK 2IVER !RMS 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.
Scope not included
.75 MOA @ 100 Yards Circle No. 225 on Inquiry Card
3HOP /NLINE AT 777 2/#+2)6%2!2-3 #/ #LEVELAND 2D s #OLONA ), s 2/#+
Selling To The Reluctant Customer — page 14
“Senator Obama, Where Do You Stand?”
F
ollowing the landmark Second Amendment ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) sent presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) a letter. Dated July 4, the letter asks the Senator whether he believes laws in the city of Chicago — his hometown — that ban law-abiding citizens from having firearms, including handguns in their home, violate the Second Amendment. The letter, signed by Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel, referenced the District of Columbia, et al. v. Heller case, which held the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the individual right of law-abiding Americans to “keep and bear arms.” NSSF officials indicate they were prompted to send Sen. Obama the letter because of the candidate’s recent remarks
in which he noted his agreement that the Second Amendment provides an individual right to keep and bear arms. This statement is in seemingly stark contrast to his support for banning the civilian ownership of handguns, a position he took as an Illinois state senator, and to his position
NSSF points out, demand that candidates for office clearly articulate how they view firearms freedoms and the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. In the letter, Keane asked: “In light of the Heller decision, NSSF would like to know whether you believe the city of Chicago’s gun ban violates the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Chicago residents? Do you continue to support banning an entire class of firearms from private ownership by law-abiding citizens, including your fellow Chicago residents? Do you believe the Second Amendment rights of Americans should depend on where they happen to live? If you do, which other individual rights enshrined in the Constitution do you believe are limited by municipal borders?” The letter is available on NSSF’s Web site, www.nssf.org.
“Do you believe the Second Amendment rights of Americans should depend on where they happen to live?” supporting the D.C. gun ban. The Supreme Court will likely hear new Second Amendment-related cases following the Heller decision and there remains a strong likelihood of the next president appointing at least one new Supreme Court Justice. These possibilities,
Academy Of Excellence Presents 2008 Awards
T
he Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence presented its 2008 awards July 25. The 500 members of the academy considered 43 nominees for the prestigious awards. In a first round of voting, the academy considered 150 entries in the 14 categories before selecting the 43 nominees for the final ballot. The awards were presented during a special reception in Windsor, Conn., in conjunction with the Shooting Industry Masters. The 2008 recipients are:
Shooting Industry Award — Bob Hodgdon, Hodgdon Powder Manufacturer of the Year — Sturm, Ruger & Co. Distributor of the Year — Ellett Brothers Citizenship Award — Brownells Handgun of the Year — Ruger: LCP .380 Rifle of the Year — Winchester: Model 70 Reintroduction Shotgun of the Year — Benelli USA: Ultra Light 20 Gauge Ammunition of the Year — Hornady: Ruger Compact Magnum Cartridge Optic of the Year — Leupold: Prismatic Shotgun/Muzzleloader/Rifle Scope Accessory of the Year — SureFire: X300 WeaponLight Specialty Product of the Year — SureFire: E1B Backup Flashlight High-Tech Product of the Year — Crimson Trace: Model LG-660 Lasergrips Knife of the Year — Leatherman: Skeletool Multi-Tool Safety Product of the Year — BLACKHAWK!: Hawkhook Rescue Tool
Full coverage of the 2008 awards will be presented the September issue of Shooting Industry. Visit www.shootingindustry.com to view all of the entries and nominees for this year’s awards. 8
AUGUST 2008
BLACKHAWK! Pledges $100,000 To NRA L.E.
B
LACKHAWK! Products Group has pledged $100,000 to benefit the NRA’s Law Enforcement Activities Division (LEAD). “BLACKHAWK! is an icon in the industry, not only for their products, but for their support of the military and law enforcement officers — and now the NRA’s Law Enforcement Activities Division,” said Glen Hoyer, LEAD director. Officials say the endowment will enable LEAD to expand its program of training law enforcement officers to become firearms instructors through up-to-date, state-of-the-art gun safety and marksmanship education. Since its inception in 1960, LEAD has trained more than 50,000 U.S. law enforcement instructors. “It is a very natural fit for BLACKHAWK! to increase its support through the NRA’s Law Enforcement Activities Division, and all of us at BLACKHAWK! look forward to helping the NRA in any way possible to make a difference,” said Mike Noell, BLACKHAWK! president and CEO. For more information, visit www. blackhawk.com. www.shootingindustry.com
Ready for the NSSF Summit Concludes, Challenges Remain
T
he NSSF’s 2008 Shooting Sports Summit concluded its final sessions on June 25. For two days, leaders from throughout the industry and the shooting and hunting communities sifted through new research, listened to detailed presentations and took part in discussions on the challenges confronting the future of hunting and the shooting sports. While industry veterans and newcomers alike rated the summit a great success, NSSF officials note that the real challenge has just begun. “Now comes the true test,” said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. “We have to meld the results of the summit and the information and suggestions we have gleaned into a coherent, concrete and effective plan of action.” A volunteer Summit Task Force will be given the responsibility of taking what was presented at the summit and building on it “in order to grow active participation in hunting and the shooting sports.” “It is an awesome responsibility. But we have to do it, and together we can,” Sanetti said.
Front Line.
I^emd 7ffhen_cWj[ I_p[
Sports South, ARS Form Partnership
J^[
ports South, LLC and ARS Business Solutions have announced a strategic partnership to assist firearm retailers in managing their businesses. Sports South has selected the ARS point-of-sale and inventory management software as an optional upgrade to its SINSO point-of-sale product offering. The partnership offers retailers advanced integration between Sports South and the ARS software, including seamless EDI interfaces for electronic submission of purchase orders, downloading advanced shipping notices, promotions, price changes and catalog updates. “The integration with Sports South creates a new opportunity for Sports South customers to leverage their historical sales data to improve cash flow and profitability. We’re excited about the affiliation as we believe it’s a win-winwin for the customers, Sports South and ARS,” said Larry Noethlich, ARS Business Solutions general manager. Sports South says its customers will have the ability to better manage their inventory through ARS’s Auto Replenishment System (ARS2). In addition, retailers will have access to ARS’s support staff, not only during system implementation, but also for the life of the product. “Each week I would spend hours entering hundreds of item numbers to check stock for reordering. Now I let my ARS Interface with Sports South do it for me in minutes,” said Mark Daniels, president of Mega Sports in Plainfield, Ill. “I also used to spend hours each week reordering items for the shelf, but now with Sports South and ARS I can do this in minutes, as well.” For more information about Sports South LLC, visit www.internetguncatalog.com.
JWYj_YWb B_]^j" Xo <_hij#B_]^j KI7 " ^Wi X[[d i[b[Yj[Z Xo K$I$ \ehY[i je ]e je j^[ \hedj b_d[i WdZ ^[bf ekh jheefi a[[f Xej^ ^WdZi Wj j^[ h[WZo$
S
• Academy of Excellence Awards • Selling High-Tech Products • Sporting-Dog Products • Blade Report - New Knives & Trends
L O OK IN G T O T H E FUT URE!
CEBB; h[WZo h[j[dj_ed Yb_f Åd][h beef$ <ehmWhZ#\WY_d] '(&#bkc[d B;:$ 7BB Yedjhebi kdZ[h ed[ j^kcX$ JHI gk_Ya#Z[jWY^ CEBB; ^ebij[h WlW_bWXb[$ ?H ckbj_#Yebeh h_d] e\ B;:i$
B[Whd m^o bWm [d\ehY[c[dj mehbZ# m_Z[ WdZ K$I$ \ehY[i Z[f[dZ ed <_hij#B_]^j KI7 $
.--#*+*#**+&
BONUS: Fall Catalog Showcase Circle No. 212 on Inquiry Card
www.shootingindustry.com
AUGUST 2008
9
Investors Purchase Dakota Arms Equity
D
akota Arms LLC announced in April the first closing in an equity round of financing that will provide additional capital for day-to-day operations. An investor group led by Patrick Gilligan will receive shares of Dakota Arms and two seats on the Dakota Board of Directors as a result of its investment. “Knowledgeable investors like Pat Gilligan understand that there is always going to be a customer base willing to pay for the value in a premium product with the superior fit and finish, reliability and accuracy, and sheer beauty of a Dakota rifle,” said Patrick Franklin, Dakota Arms COO and senior vice president. Gilligan, a former chairman of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, is the company’s new chairman of the board. “We are delighted to become a part of the Dakota Arms legacy,” Gilligan said. “Dakota Arms is an industry icon that has earned an outstanding reputation over the last three decades, and we believe that we can build on that history at the same time that we improve production and increase revenues.” According to company officials, cash proceeds from the new investments will be used to expand production levels and implement a production schedule that will shorten the time frame for fulfilling existing customer orders. For more information, call (605) 347-4686 or visit www.dakotaarms.com.
Maryland Police Select Beretta’s Px4 Storm
T
he Maryland State Police have chosen the Beretta Px4 Storm to replace the Beretta 96D pistols. The department will issue 1,065 Px4 Storm D Model pistols in .40 S&W to its officers. “After rigorous testing by Maryland State Police experts, the Storm has proven that its simplistic design, safety features, ability to individualize fit, ease of maintenance, and overall dependability make it the firearm ideally suited for use by Maryland State Troopers,” said Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan, Maryland state police superintendent. “Law enforcement agencies including the Maryland State Police, Providence Rhode Island Police Department, Canadian Border Services Agency and over 100 other law enforcement agencies are now carrying Px4 Storm pistols,” said Elio Oliva, vice president of sales and marketing, L.E. and defense division. For more information, visit www.berettaLE.com.
Trijicon Expands The Evans Group Role
T
rijicon Inc. has announced that The Evans Group, a sales agency, began representing the company nationwide (except Alaska) on May 1. “Trijicon has had tremendous success throughout all of our target markets, and it is thanks, in part, to the collaboration we’ve enjoyed with strong industry partners like The Evans Group,” said Tom Munson, Trijicon’s director of sales and marketing. “The foundation of our business is strong partnerships with industry leaders like Trijicon. Without this relationship, our growth would not be possible,” said Mike Evans, The Evans Group president. For more information, visit www.trijicon.com and www.theevansgroup.net.
10
AUGUST 2008
Smith & Wesson Arms Worcester Police
S
mith & Wesson has shipped 500 M&P45 pistols to the Worcester, Mass., Police Department (PD) for issue as the department’s primary duty firearm. “The M&P45 supplied our officers with the best combination of features to suit our duty needs while being chambered in the more powerful .45 ACP cartridge,” said Gary J. Gemme, Worcester chief of police. Other agencies in the Massachusetts area that have converted to the M&P pistol include the Brookline Police Department; West Springfield Police Department; Agawam Police Department; Swampscott Police Department; Winthrop Police Department; Sharon Police Department; Palmer Police Department and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office. S&W officials report that the M&P pistol also has been selected as the primary duty firearm by the Waterbury, Conn., and Hartford, Conn., Police Departments. For more information, visit www.smithwesson.com.
Legacy Sports Intl. Distributes Kahles Optics
L
egacy Sports International is the new distributor of Kahles Optics in the United States. The importer is offering the full range of Kahles binoculars and riflescopes, including the Helia KX series of riflescopes. For more information, contact Legacy Sports at (775) 828-0555 or visit www. legacysports.com.
www.shootingindustry.com
Help Educate Voters
E
ducating hunters, sportsmen and firearms owners and enthusiasts on where political candidates stand on hunting issues and the Second Amendment is imperative. Today’s political climate is ripe with contempt for politicians — in many cases rightfully so. It won’t take more than a few drops of rain to stop a would-be voter from traveling to the polls. We, as members of the industry, need to understand this voter malaise and fight back through education. Voters don’t need to be passionate about a candidate; they just need to be passionate about hunting, shooting and the Second Amendment. The NSSF can help with its Voter Ed Web site. Easy to navigate, loaded with information and updated regularly, this site will not only mobilize sportsmen to vote, but it will demonstrate the significant differences on where the candidates stand on hunting- and firearms-related matters.
www.nssf.org/08election
“Hunters, sportsmen and firearms enthusiasts must understand that the same gun-control advocates who refuse to discuss firearms now, for fear of losing their races, will be emboldened should they take office,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “This is especially true if they share in their ranks other gun-ban proponents controlling the White House, Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.” Sportsmen and gun-rights supporters must become educated about the candidates running for office and must register to vote. For more information on how to register to vote and where the candidates stand on hunting and our firearms freedoms, visit www.nssf.org and click on “Voter Education” on the home page, and encourage your customers to do the same. — Ted Novin, NSSF. www.shootingindustry.com
Circle No. 224 on Inquiry Card
Century Arms is the exclusive importer for the Arcus 98DA & 98DAC pistols. Arcus pistols are manufactured in Bulgaria. Arcus Co. has been producing firearms for 40 years! The Arcus pistol is used by the Bulgarian Army and Police, as well as the Iraqi Police. It is a solid and dependable firearm you can count on.These pistols are Single/Double Action with night sights and come with a 2 year mfr. warranty against defect.
Arcus 98DA Semi-Auto Pistol, Cal. 9mm Blue finish. Comes with a spare 15 rd. mag. BBL:4.66”, Overall: 7.99”, Weight: 33.5 oz. HG1014-N Condition: New Arcus 98DAC Semi-Auto Pistol, Cal. 9mm Compact version of the Arcus 98DA. Comes with a spare 13 rd. mag. BBL: 4”, Overall: 7.32”, Weight: 31.7 oz. HG1015-N Condition: New Visit: www.centuryarms.com and www.centuryarmsauction.com 430 South Congress Ave. Toll Free:1-800-527-1252 Suite 1 Dept.0808SI Tel: 561-265-4530 Delray Beach, FL 33445 Fax:561-265-4520 Circle No. 207 on Inquiry Card
AUGUST 2008
11
Remington Arms Appoints Director
Bob Behn, former president of Marlin Firearms, has been elected to the board of directors of Remington Arms Co., and will serve as a senior advisor to Paul Miller, chairman of the board. Signing on with Marlin Firearms in 1969 as an assistant advertising manager, Behn dedicated 39 years of service to Marlin and the shooting sports industry. He was elected to the board of governors of the National Shooting Sports Foundation in 1990, serving as executive vice president in 1995 and, more recently, in the role of co-vice chairman. “Bob was the grinding force behind Marlin Firearms for decades,” said Tommy Millner, Remington Arms CEO. “His product visions are too numerous to list, but all contributed to Marlin’s position as one of the world’s B. Behn
finest firearms manufacturers. I could not be more pleased that he chose to stay deeply involved with Remington and Marlin, as well as in his various industry roles, instead of choosing retirement.”
Sturm, Ruger & Co. Makes Major Changes
With Steve Sanetti becoming the president and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) on May 1, Ruger has promoted Kevin B. Reid Sr., to the position of vice president and general counsel. Sanetti, in addition to holding the position as Ruger’s president, was the company’s general counsel. Reid joined Ruger in 2001 and until 2007 served as assistant general counsel. In June 2007, Reid was named director of marketing. “Kevin has been a valuable member of the management team and his expertise, work ethic, keen eye and fresh approach to problem solving make him uniquely well suited for the role of general counsel,” Fifer said. Prior to joining Ruger, Reid was a partner at the law firm Wildman, Harrold,
Allen & Dixon in Chicago. He is a member of the Illinois and Connecticut Bars. He received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Akron and a doctor of jurisprudence from Washington & Lee University School of Law. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1980 to 1984. With the retirement of Robert R. Stutler as vice president of Ruger’s Prescott, Ariz., operations, the company has hired Mark T. Lang as group vice president. He will initially be responsible for management of the Prescott firearms division. Stutler joined Ruger in 1987, becoming general manager of Prescott operations in 1990 and vice president of Prescott operations in 2006. During his 20-year career, Stutler made significant contributions to the success of the Prescott division and the design of some of the company’s most popular firearms. Lang has held senior management positions in manufacturing and operations in the consumer goods and industrial products markets. He most recently was the president of the Custom Products Business at Mueller
Circle No. 201 on Inquiry Card
12
AUGUST 2008
www.shootingindustry.com
Industries Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering from the University of Florida and a Masters of Science degree in industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee. “We sincerely thank Bob Stutler for his dedication, hard work and creativity, which led to his many important contributions to Ruger and the success of our Prescott, Ariz., operations,” Fifer said. “We believe Mark’s experience and achievements in successful divisional management, product development, lean manufacturing and acquisition integrations will help to ensure Ruger’s continued success.”
K. Reid
R. Stutler
Blaser USA Names Sales Manager
Blaser USA has selected Keith V. Lay as national sales manager. Lay has established successful sales and marketing teams for Fortune 500 companies, including Mobil Chemical, International Paper and Sekisui TA Industries. “Mr. Lay is confident his experience and passion as an avid hunter, combined with his professional business experience, will complement the long-term goals and aggressive growth of Germany’s leading rifle and shotgun manufacturer,” said Brian Turk, president and CEO of Blaser USA. Lay is a graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Big Rock Sports Names Accounts VP
Scott Hogsett, former president of Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, has been named vice president of national accounts at Big Rock Sports. Hogsett has 18-plus years of experience in the outdoor sporting goods markets. He was instrumental in the launching of dealer-focused brands at Shakespeare and previously held the positions of vice president of sales and marketing and general manager there. Prior to joining Shakespeare, Hogsett held several sales positions at Lego Toys, including director www.shootingindustry.com
Circle No. 209 on Inquiry Card
of national accounts. In his new role at Big Rock, Hogsett will oversee the company’s national account team. Mac Stout, director of national accounts, will continue managing the needs of Big Rock’s chain store and big-box partners.
DoubleStar Adds Tactical Consultant
Don Alwes, a 23-year veteran of law enforcement and tactical training, has joined the staff of DoubleStar Corp. Alwes works as a liaison with DoubleStar’s L.E. customers and is establishing a tactical training program at the company’s Winchester, Ky., headquarters, where he will serve as lead instructor. “Don has an extensive background in law enforcement and training, and we’re excited to have someone of his caliber join our organization,” said Teresa Starnes, company president. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in D. Alwes
the law enforcement segment of our business in the past few years, so we’re looking forward to offering these customers an additional outlet for relevant training.” During his more than two decades in law enforcement, Alwes has taught courses for the National Tactical Officers Association, the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training and the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors.
Glock Promotes Sales Manager
Glock Inc. has promoted Bob Schanen to central region sales manager for law enforcement and commercial sales. Schanen was a Glock rep in the central region, which includes Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, for more than seven years. “Mr. Schanen has been a key part of our success in the central region and we are thrilled to promote him to this important position. With his dedication, work ethic and superior principles, we will continue to transition agencies to Glock pistols in the Heartland,” said Gary Fletcher, vice president of sales and marketing. 9 AUGUST 2008
13
Massad Ayoob
Selling To The Reluctant Customer
Y
ou’ve all met him: The customer who sees the logic in buying and owning a defensive firearm, but isn’t quite ready to take the plunge. With each passing generation, the population of the United States seems to become more cosmopolitan and “Yuppified.” From preschool to grad school, educators portray the gun as an icon of street gang bangers and ignorant troglodytes out of the movie Deliverance. There are dire predictions for the future of hunting and the shooting sports for exactly this reason: The pervasive urban mores of the times are making firearms politically incorrect. At the same time, each generation seems to rediscover the logic of being armed and self-sufficient. Sometimes it’s natural disasters, such as Hurricane Andrew a few years ago
in Florida, or Hurricane Katrina more recently on the Gulf Coast. Chatting recently with Larry McCoy, owner of Larry’s Gun Shop in
Larry McCoy understands the “reluctant customer,” who suddenly realizes they need a firearm for protection.
Understanding The Reluctance
I
n the retail firearm trade, some rules of salesmanship don’t apply. We’re talking about a customer who wants to buy what the law calls a “lethal weapon.” If you were selling refrigerators or automobiles, the salesmanship instructor would tell you to put an arm around the customer’s shoulder and purr, “Aaw, c’mon, you know you want it.” The firearm retailer can’t do that. You often don’t know the motivations of a customer, especially one who is unwilling to communicate or reveal facts. If there’s any doubt, there are safer routes — better and more ethical routes — than turning on the salesmanship. One of the best moves you can make with this type of customer is to send them home with some reading material on the topic. If
NSSF
the customer is a woman, Effective Defense: The Woman, the Plan, and the Gun by Gila Hayes, is extraordinarily logical and persuasive. Like another excellent book, Armed and Female by Paxton Quigley, it is a virtual manifesto for the woman who is considering arming herself. Each author went from being anti-gun to armed and pro-gun. They became acclaimed instructors in the field and each clearly explains the odyssey of logic that led them to the gun. For customers of either gender, I’ll throw modesty to the wind and recommend a few of my own books. The Truth About Self-Protection, published by Bantam, is geared to the person concerned about crime who has not yet made the decision to be armed. In the Gravest Extreme is for the person who has already made the decision to be armed or is looking at it very seriously. I can also recommend a couple of “minibooks.” One is “Armed and Alive,” a long essay about why it makes sense for private citizens to be armed, and “Gunproof Your Children,” which addresses one of the big concerns that make first-timers reluctant to bring firearms into their household. All the books mentioned are available at attractive dealer pricing from a firm I used to be associated with, Police Bookshelf: 1-800-6249049. Reading a book gives a lot more information to the reluctant customer than you have the time to articulate in your busy shop. Some of them A training course, like those sponsored by the NSSF’s First Shots program, may be the explore at length the legal, ethical, moral and religious questions that a reluctant customer may best beginning step to selling a firearm to a reluctant customer. 14
AUGUST 2008
www.shootingindustry.com
Mobile, Ala., this topic came up. “When Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, we just about sold out of firearms,” McCoy told me, in his pleasantly laid out store. “People realized it was going to be tough and that they were on their own, as far as protection.” Then, sometimes, it’s just the realization that the real world simply isn’t as safe and ideal as brie-andchablis consuming educators might want their students to believe. People out on their own realize they are responsible for their own protection and for that of their children. That’s what continues to drive many sales at Larry’s Gun Shop. “Kel-Tec and Hi-Point firearms are probably tied for first place in sales here and we sell a lot of low price-point Cobra Arms handguns, too,” McCoy said. “The economy of the area is depressed. Lots of our customers are minority women and single mothers.”
have, but is hesitant to ask. Nothing in any of them will encourage a suicidal person to kill himself, but all of them will reassure the reader that a normally cautious and prudent citizen can keep and even carry a firearm, and come out ahead in the balance of safety versus danger. If your shop does not offer firearms safety and concealed carry/home defense courses, have referrals handy for local instructors who do. A good basic class will do a fine job of dispelling unreasonable fears about firearm ownership. It will take the fence sitters off the fence and put most of them down solidly on the side of becoming responsible firearm owners. The few students who are not competent or emotionally suited to gun ownership are better off finding it out safely in class — and you don’t want those people to buy guns from you anyway. An introductory firearms program that is having great success in introducing newcomers to shooting is First Shots, of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. To find out about the First Shots seminars, how to host a seminar and to learn the ranges the program is partnered with, visit www.firstshots.org. This is also a great site to refer reluctant customers to, where they can view perspectives on shooting and see other newcomers taking those First Shots.
www.shootingindustry.com
Circle No. 214 on Inquiry Card
Don’t Rush The Sale
I
n American idiom, making an important decision or taking an important step is often called “taking the plunge.” Think of the reluctant customer as a non-swimmer dipping a toe in the water to see if it’s too cold or if they can feel an undertow. If some wellmeaning person just shoves that reluctant swimmer into the water or picks them up and throws them into the surf, well, they may quickly find themselves in over their heads. Take your time. Educate the reluctant customer about the waters they’re about to swim in. Arrange for them to learn on their own how to navigate those waters and stay afloat, and help them realize that those waters aren’t as icy, as treacherous, as sharkinfested as they’ve been falsely told. Make the “plunge” a smooth, careful, step-by-step immersion. Soon they’ll be treading water and then swimming safely, proud that they’ve had the courage to realistically conquer their fear, and become a better and safer person for it — thanks to you. 9
AUGUST 2008
15
Bushnell, Nosler Celebrate 60 Years Dennis Phillips his year, Bushnell Outdoor Products celebrates 60 years of growth and innovation. Founded in 1948, the company has grown from a modest beginning of selling binoculars through the mail to a multimillion dollar giant with multiple product lines and brands. Today, Bushnell Outdoor Products includes 12 brands and 15 of the most highly recognized product lines in the optical and outdoor products industries, including such well-known brands as Bushnell, Tasco, Bollé and
T
Serengeti, as well as other quality outdoor accessory brands including Uncle Mike’s, Hoppe’s and Kolpin. The company’s growing line of Outdoor Technology products includes laser rangefinders, handheld GPS devices and weather forecasting stations. “Dave Bushnell’s guiding principle was to deliver high-quality, reliable, affordable sports optics products that make the outdoor experience and specta-
Bushnell Elite
tor sports more enjoyable and accessible,” said Phil Gyori, Bushnell vice president of marketing. “That ongoing commitment to quality is the cornerstone of the Bushnell business philosophy.” Gyori pointed out that while optics will always be Bushnell’s core products, there are new ventures in the future. “Future growth will be driven by acquisition and the marriage of digital technology with existing product categories that take hunting, hiking and camping to a new level. We think the next 60 years will be as exciting as the first,” Gyori said. Founded in 1948, Bushnell was acquired by Bausch & Lomb in 1971. In 1995, Bushnell became a wholly owned subsidiary of Worldwide Sports & Recreation. In 1999, Wind Point Partners purchased Bushnell Sports Optics. In 2007, Bushnell Outdoor Products was acquired by MidOcean Partners, a private equity firm in New York. For more information, call 1-800-4233537 or visit www.bushnell.com.
Moose Hunt Results In Nosler Partition Greg Chevalier 008 marks the 60 years since Nosler began engineering the finest bullets ever offered to handloaders. In the late 1940s, John A. Nosler learned that, whether he was target shooting or hunting big game, his accuracy and scores improved when he custom-built the cartridge. In 1946, John went to British Columbia to hunt moose with his Winchester Model 70 chambered for .300 Magnum (now the .300 H&H). Near the end of his trip, he came across a moose that was very close. The moose was caked with mud, which was like clay armor. “I squeezed, rocked with the recoil and cycled the bolt,” recalls Nosler. “The bull stepped forward and turned his head in my direction. I shot him again, again and then again. I knew it would take several more shots to do the job.” Upon skinning the bull, Nosler and his guide found that his bullets did not penetrate to the vitals. While Nosler’s rifle was chambered for a cartridge powerful enough to kill the moose, the bullets available to hunters in the 1940s weren’t up to the task. Scribbling bullet shapes after that hunt, Nosler thought about penetration and expansion. With that, he accidentally drew two bullets together. He sketched in a partition to separate the two. The
2
16
AUGUST 2008
front was for quick expansion and the back for deep penetration. Today, after 60 years of production, more big-game hunters use the Nos-ler Partition than any other bullet. The 2008 Nosler and NoslerCustom catalog features the entire line of AccuBond, Ballistic Tip, Partition, PartitionHG, Custom Competition, Sporting Handgun bullets, muzzleloading sabots, Ballistic Silver Nosler Partition Bullets Tip, E-Tip, Solid, NoslerCustom Cartridge Brass and NoslerCustom Rifles. For more information, call 1-800-285-3701 or visit www.nosler.com. 9 www.shootingindustry.com
M&P45
TO UPHOLD. TO PROTECT.
M&P15
M&P340
TO DEFEND. THE LINE OF DUTY
TM
NASDAQ: SWHC
MADE IN THE U.S.A. www.shootingindustry.com
Circle No. 228 on Inquiry Card
smith-wesson.com/mp AUGUST 2008 17
Lisa Parsons-Wraith
Diverse Product Line Delivers Customers
F
irearms are the basis for your busi- said it is profitable for her to carry these ness, but the real moneymakers can types of items because “people want to be outdoor-related items that pro- shop and the margins are many times more vide a steady flow of customers. than a gun’s margins.” For instance, the profit margin on guns Benning has made it very clear, though, is relatively low compared to accessories that The Sharp Shooter is a full-service and clothing, which have a much higher gun store — and there are plenty of serious markup and turnover. Accessories, jewelry and gift items may seem like too much bother for some dealers, but as one woman store owner in Texas has discovered, selling more than firearms leads to greater profits. “As a woman-owned business, we have a very woman-friendly store. We carry a large variety of women’s clothing, shooting gear and accessories,” said Debby Benning, president of The Sharp Shooter in Corpus Christi. The Sharp Shooter has a strong female customer base and Benning gives the look of the store a The Sharp Shooter in Corpus Christi, great deal of credit for this. Texas, carries outdoor-themed items “When women walk through and purse holsters, in addition to the door, I am told how surprised their lineup of guns. they are by the decor,” Benning said. “It doesn’t look like a typical gun shop — it’s very clean, with a nice hunting and shooting items for women, as seating area and plenty of things women well. She said she does a brisk self-defense are interested in looking at.” firearm business, and the top-selling guns Her inventory includes outdoor-themed in her store are the Glock 19, Bersa .380 items such as wallets, jewelry, picture and the S&W 642 LadySmith .38 Special. frames, statues and other gift items. She “We try to steer women to guns that are
Increase Your Community Presence
T
he Sharp Shooter shows its commitment to women in the shooting sports in numerous ways. “We support our community by providing a Ladies’ Day every Tuesday,” Benning said. “We offer half-price shooting, a free one-on-one lesson and free gun rental.” This is a great introductory offer for first-time shooters. It lets them familiarize themselves with a gun before they buy. Benning is also a part of a local Junior League show every year that allows her to highlight some of the more unique items The Sharp Shooter stocks. She said she likes to bring unexpected
an appropriate size and caliber,” Benning said. “All of my guys treat women who walk through the door like they know just as much about guns and shooting as any man walking in, until told otherwise. Then they ask what they need and how we can best help them. We love to share knowledge and help women who have had some bad experiences to feel more confident in protecting themselves and their families, if need be.” This helpful, non-condescending attitude is one of the attributes Benning says has led to her store’s popularity with women. The Sharp Shooter includes a shooting range and Benning offers basic handgun classes and concealed carry renewal classes. The store carries concealment purses for women to purchase after taking the CCW class. “Roma has the best price on purses,” Benning said. “Galco has the nicest ones, but the price limits the market for them.” According to Benning, the reason The Sharp Shooter is so committed to the women’s market is because women “are the only real growing segment of the market. Women are my growing base.”
items to the show and people are always surprised at the diverse merchandise she carries. “We reach a lot of new people that way,” Benning said. This strategy allows Benning to show that her store is accessible to all women and is an outstanding way to increase her presence in the community. Advertising is also a part of The Sharp Shooter’s community outreach. Benning said they are heavily invested in radio and print media, but that she also runs a TV commercial targeted towards women. However, wordof-mouth is by far her most effective means of reaching women. She credits her staff’s helpful attitude towards women with bringing in new customers
“Women are the only real growing segment of the market. Women are my growing base.”
18
AUGUST 2008
www.shootingindustry.com
Odor-Free Dream Season
H
unting season is just around the corner and women have a new hunting apparel option. Inspired by the success of the television show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dream Season Couples,â&#x20AC;? where couples compete to have the ultimate hunting season, Robinson Outdoors, the makers of ScentBlocker, have come out with a line of hunting apparel for women called Lady Dream Season. The clothing, specifically designed for women hunters, features scent elimination and technical performance. Special features on the Lady Dream Season fleece jacket and pants are Scent Blocker SPF 50 activated carbon with increased carbon loading; S3 antimicrobial technology to aid in odor control; and Durable Water Repellency treatment. The Mossy Oak Treestand camo garments come in super soft â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dreamâ&#x20AC;? fleece and also sport BodyLock waist and cuffs, offset scentproof zippers and a safety harness slit in the back. To truly complete the lady huntersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scentfree ensemble, the line also includes Lady Whitetail Pursuit Boots. The rugged boots feature an activated carbon insole and the same S3 antimi-
through positive word-of-mouth. Carrying a diverse array of merchandise can push gun dealers a bit out of their comfort zone, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a worthwhile investment. Buying a gun is a major purchase that can take months of saving. Buying small outdoorsy picture frames or jewelry items is an impulse purchase that can add up to steady sales for your store. The main focus of any gun shop should always be guns, but that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean storeowners have to limit themselves to strictly firearms. Branching out to outdoor-themed merchandise lends a sense of fun to your store and gives people a reason to visit more often. www.shootingindustry.com
crobial technology as the clothing. Kudos to Robinson Outdoors for developing a line of technical hunting clothing for women. Lady hunters are tired of making do with menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothing, and as their numbers grow, so will the demand for quality hunting gear for women. In order to cater to serious women hunters, this line of clothing is a must-have. Contact Robinson Outdoor Products at www.scentblocker.com or by calling (507) 263-2885. 9 www.scentblocker.com
4HE "ISON "ULL
4HEĂĽULTIMATEĂĽSINGLE ACTIONĂĽHANDGUN /Â&#x2026;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x152;Â&#x2026;iĂ&#x160;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;iĂ&#x160;}Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x17E;Â&#x153;Ă&#x2022;½Ă&#x203A;iĂ&#x160;LiiÂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x153;>Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}Ă&#x160;Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;Â&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â&#x2DC;tĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160; )T SĂĽNOTĂĽLIKEĂĽANYTHINGĂĽELSEÂ&#x2C6;TOTALLYĂĽUNIQUE ĂĽ4(% ")3/. "5,, ĂĽ CHAMBEREDĂĽFORĂĽTHEĂĽLEGENDARYĂĽ ĂĽ'OV TĂĽCARTRIDGE ĂĽ -ADEĂĽFAMOUSĂĽBYĂĽTHEĂĽ"UFFALOĂĽ(UNTERSĂĽONĂĽTHEĂĽPLAINSĂĽOFĂĽTHEĂĽ EARLY ĂĽ7ILDĂĽ7EST ĂĽ!SĂĽ!MERICANĂĽASĂĽYOUĂĽCANĂĽGET ĂĽ ĂĽ%XCELLENTĂĽACCURACYÂ&#x2C6;SURPRISINGLYĂĽLOWĂĽRECOIL ĂĽ)NTEGRALĂĽSCOPEĂĽ MOUNTÂ&#x2C6;CROSS BOLTĂĽSAFETY ĂĽ,)&%4)-%ĂĽREPAIRĂĽPOLICY ĂĽĂĽ Â?Â?Ă&#x160;Ă&#x152;Â&#x2026;iĂ&#x160;}Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x17E;Â&#x153;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x160;V>Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x153;>Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;tĂ&#x160;ĂĽ Â?Â?Ă&#x160;Ă&#x152;Â&#x2026;iĂ&#x160;}Ă&#x2022;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x17E;Â&#x153;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x160;V>Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x153;>Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;tĂ&#x160;
SUPER SIX
ĂĽ(ILLTOPĂĽ4RAILĂĽ7EST ĂĽ &T ĂĽ!TKINSON ĂĽ7)ĂĽĂĽ
ĂĽĂĽĂĽ
WWW "ISON"ULL COMĂĽĂĽ
-ADEĂĽINĂĽ!MERICAÂ&#x2C6;WITHĂĽPRIDE ĂĽ
Circle No. 231 on Inquiry Card
AUGUST 2008
19
Commander Gilmore
Snoozing Sentinel Snags Safety Success
T
he English might really be onto something here. On an accident-plagued main road in Northampton, local authorities placed a boldly marked surveillance-camera van in an unusual position, apparently designed to slow traffic down. OK, maybe even the driver didn’t intend to park half in the roadway and half off, creating a significant obstruction and forcing traffic to a standstill, but that’s what dozens of angry motorists called in to complain about. And we’re thinking the traffic officer may not have even been fully awake when he rolled to a stop there. Before other officers arrived, the calls changed, now reporting crowds of people on foot swirling around the van. Some were taking photos and videos, and some shouting at the driver. He was sound asleep, reclined back in the seat with his mouth jacked open, windows up and doors locked. The best part? The foot-high legend in bright blue on the side of the van: “Reducing Road Casualties in Northamptonshire.” One commentator pointed out, “Maybe they’re onto something here. No one was killed in traffic accidents while he was blocking traffic. If nobody moves, nobody dies.” We’re sure that with several millions in funding and a massive bureaucracy to administer it, the “Sleeping Cop Safety Program” might be a big success.
Important Calls
“I got a degree in criminal justice to do this?” Cops across the country send me snippets from their dispatch logs and crime blotters to be reprinted in our sister publication, American COP. Usually, they sorta answer the question, “Just how boring or silly can my job sometimes be?” Here are a couple of the winners: 2:01 a.m.: A man reportedly “texted” a friend on Christmas and said he wanted to kill himself. The worried friend called the Sheriff’s Department. Deputies contacted the man, who told them he didn’t really want to kill himself, he just had a bad cold and felt miserable. 1538 hours: Unknown party called to report they saw two suspicious-looking young men walking slowly and making snowballs. (Horrors! A walk-by snowballing may occur at any moment!) 5:51 a.m.: Someone called in from C###d Drive to say they heard a noisy animal, either a barking dog or honking goose, coming from the cemetery. No dogs or geese were found, only quiet dead people. 20
AUGUST 2008
1:17 p.m.: A woman called the Sheriff’s Department to complain that a woman she had borrowed money from won’t stop calling asking her to pay it back. It was suggested that if she repaid her debt, the calls might stop. 1733 hours: A vicious woman threw her husband to the ground and bit him four times. (Not rabid, just VICIOUS!)
A Blind Beating
Police officers in Indianapolis thought it was a little unusual, but not unimaginable, when they rolled on a report that a homeowner had grappled with a “hot prowl” burglar, beaten him to the floor and was holding him at knifepoint. When they got there and realized the homeowner was blind, well, that got their attention. Allan Kieta, 49, has never let his blindness stop him from almost any form of activity, and that includes fighting and selfdefense. Kieta explained to officers that when the family dog acted nervous and barked at something, he got up, opened his bedroom door and literally ran into a suspect later identified as 25-year-old Alvaro
Illustration by Nick Petrosino
Castro. Kieta instantly grabbed Castro and began kicking and punching him, forcing Castro into the tiny laundry room. Kieta figured if the burglar couldn’t break free and get more than an arm’s length away, blindness was not a handicap. What the burglar couldn’t have known is that his blind opponent had been a Kentucky high school state wrestling champion in the 145-pound class in 1976, or that Kieta’s father was a career Marine who taught him self-defense tactics all through his childhood. Kieta kept punching, pounding and squeezing Castro until he went limp, semiconscious from shock. Kieta then hooked Castro by the belt, dragged him into the kitchen, took a knife from a drawer and held it to Castro’s throat. Then, using his left hand, Kieta dialed 911 and reported the incident. An Indianapolis police official called it “one of the most incredible tales of citizen self-defense” he had heard in years. We call it justice. Imagine what Castro’s life “upstate” is gonna be like when the word gets out that he got whupped an’ beatdown by a blind guy twice his age. 9 www.shootingindustry.com
Circle No. 211 on Inquiry Card
Russ Thurman
PROMOTIONS! Manufacturers Drive Sales With Rebates, Incentives
B
rowning is giving consumers a commemorative knife, a $300 retail value, and a free one-year NRA membership when they purchase any new Browning Citori shotgun through Dec. 31, 2008. The promotion began June 9. The knife commemorates Browning’s one-millionth milestone in Citori production earlier this year. Browning continues its Cynergy Club promotion through Nov. 30, with consumers, who can join the club for free, receiving club gear, cash and an extended warranty. The company is also developing a special Cynergy Test Drive Program with select shooting ranges and hunting clubs to allow consumers the opportunity to try a Cynergy. Call 1-800-234-2061 for details. Visit www.browning.com.
Galco Pocket Protector holster. The holster is custom-designed to fit the laser sight/pistol combo. The ambidextrous holster is made from Center Cut Steerhide and is branded with the Crimson Trace logo. Designed for front pocket carry, the holster permits one-handed access to the firearm and is designed to eliminate printing through clothing. Consumers can buy the LG-430 Lasergrips from selected dealers and receive the holster, a $24.95 value, free for a limited time. Visit www.crimsontrace.com.
Federal Rewards Customers
Federal, through Dec. 31, 2008, is offering customers a $10 rebate on VitalShok Premium Rifle and Slug ammunition and Power-Shok rifle ammo. Through Jan. 31, 2009, Federal is offering consumers a $20 rebate on UltraShok waterfowl loads, and a free Federal Premium lanyard with the purchase of four boxes of Premium Ultra-Shok Steel, High Density or Heavyweight. In its Fusion line, Federal is giving customers rebates up to $10 when they purchase Fusion rifle ammunition. Visit www.federalpremium.com.
USA, which also end Aug. 31, include free magazines and ammunition with the purchase of a PS 90 Triple Rail or PS90 USG Tactical Carbine with an olive drab polymer stock. Consumers will receive free scope rings with the purchase of an FN PBR or FN SPR. FNH USA is also offering additional incentives to dealers with its “Feel The Heat” promotion. Dealers who purchase 20 to 50 FNH USA firearms from any authorized commercial distributor’s current inventory will receive free firearms, and a chance to win a trip for two to the Cheeca Lodge and Spa in the Florida Keys. The program, which began June 1, runs through Sept. 30. Dealers will receive an additional bonus of $50 cash back on any PS90 purchased during the promotion. “We are always looking for ways to energize our dealers and help them grow their business. We think these promotions
FNH USA: Feel The Heat
Crimson Trace, Galco Offer Combo
Crimson Trace and Galco are offering a combo package of a set of Lasergrips (for the Kel-Tec P3AT/P32) and a custom 22
AUGUST
2008
FNH USA has seen overwhelming success with its recent consumer promotions and has extended the offers through Aug. 31. The promotions include free Five-seveN ammunition with the purchase of an FN Five-seveN, a free C-More Sight with the purchase of selected FN PS90 Triple Rail or FN FS2000 Tactical firearms, and a free Holster Pack with the purchase of an FNP-9 or FNP-40. New consumer promotions from FNH www.shootingindustry.com
offer dealers of all sizes the chance to do just that,” said Rick DeMilt, senior vice president of sales and marketing. Visit www.fnhusa.com.
Hornady Offers Free Bullets
Hornady continues its “Get Loaded Again!” promotion, which offers free bullets to consumers who purchase Hornady reloading presses and equipment. Good through Dec. 31, 2008, consumers who purchase a Lock-N-Load AP will receive 1,000 free bullets. Those buying a Lock-N-Load Classic Kit will get 500 free bullets. Customers buying a LockN-Load Powder Measure, Lock-N-Load Classic Press or New Dimensions Dies with Zip Spindle System will receive 100 free bullets. Visit www.hornady.com.
Remington: Meet Favre
Remington is maximizing its marketing relationship with retired pro quarterback Brett Favre. Remington is drawing consumers to its Web site with its “Meet Brett Favre Sweepstakes.” Those entering will have a chance to meet Favre in Hattiesburg, Miss., watch a football game in New Orleans, and get exclusive access to the “Fireside Chat with Brett Favre” video series. No purchase is required and the sweepstakes ends Oct. 1, 2008. Visit www.remington.com.
gram and receive e-mail updates at www. RugerPromo.com. “Through the 4R Program, we are offering retail sales staff across the country the chance to earn a Ruger firearm for their dedicated sales efforts,” said Chris Killoy, vice president of sales and marketing. “Moreover, we are offering a wide range of Reward Firearms, so sales professionals are certain to find one that is perfect for their particular interests.” Among the firearms retail sales staff can earn through the 4R Program are the Ruger M77 Hawkeye African rifle in .375 Ruger, the new Ruger NRA Mini-14 rifle, a Ruger New Vaquero chambered in .45 Colt, the new Ruger LCP pistol and the Ruger 22 Charger pistol. For additional information, complete rules and to download forms, retail sales staff should visit www.RugerPromo.com.
Steiner Gives Cash Rebates
Steiner Binoculars is offering consumers cash rebates of up to $50 on selected models, including the Predator Binocular Series, Tactical Binoculars and Military/ Marine Binoculars.
Ruger Rewards Sales Pros
Ruger launched the Ruger Rapid Retail Rewards Program (4R Program) last month to reward retail sales professionals for selling new Ruger products between July 1 and Oct. 31, 2008. Retail sales staff will earn Ruger Reward points for each new Ruger firearm sold. Accumulated points can be redeemed for select Ruger firearms. Sales personnel can register for the 4R Prowww.shootingindustry.com
During the Steiner 2008 Savings Fest, the cash rebates, which began in early July, will
be offered while binocular supplies last. For details, visit www.steiner-binoculars.com and click “Special Offers,” or call 1-800-257-7742.
S&W Cruising With Dealers
Smith & Wesson has announced the winners of its “Aiming for Alaska” program, which rewarded its Top Gun Dealers for sales of Smith & Wesson, Walther and Thompson/Center firearms. Twenty-five dealers and guests will enjoy a seven-day Royal Caribbean Alaskan cruise along with various other prizes. Smith & Wesson Top Gun Dealers who did not win the grand prize received two free M&P polymer pistols. In addition, 35 retail sales associates will receive a trip to Smith & Wesson’s headquarters in Springfield, Mass. “It was evident from the beginning that dealers were as supportive of this program as they were for our ‘Shooting for Hawaii’ incentive held last year. The results we achieved with ‘Aiming for Alaska’ exceeded the expectations we had when first developing the program,” said Tom Taylor, vice president of marketing. Visit www.smith-wesson.com. 9 AUGUST
2008
23
Carolee Anita Boyles
HUNTING 2008
Six Dealers Dealers Offer Offer Their Their Perspectives, Perspectives, Strategies Strategies Six
A
s the U.S. economy continues to take a beating, what’s ahead for firearm and hunting retailers? There are mixed signals. Data from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) shows a 9.1 percent increase in background checks during the first five months of 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007. That contrasts with last fall, when many dealers saw a downturn in their hunting season profits. A combination of bad weather, high ammunition and fuel costs, and the economy in general contributed to a slump in year-end sales. What is the forecast for this fall? Dealers throughout the nation offer dramatically contrasting predictions: from “a decline” to “a lot of reason to be optimistic.”
Hunting Is “Bright Spot”
In Oklahoma City, Miles Hall, owner of H&H Gun Range, says his sales are up.
“We’re up significantly in the sale of hunting products, both this year and last year,” Hall said. “One thing we attribute that to is that we’ve worked very hard to market to non-shooters and non-hunters.” Those sales haven’t come immediately, Hall said, but over time a trickle has turned into a flood. “Easily half of our increase in sales is to new shooters,” he said, pointing out that new shooters and hunters have a “pay to play” attitude. “They come in and say, ‘I want to go turkey hunting. Who do I pay to do that?’” Hall said. “The hunters and shooters of today are not the hunters and shooters of yesterday who would go to a farmer and ask permission to hunt, or would have a friend who was a farmer. These hunters are truly urbanites who are willing to pay to hunt.” Jeff Corey at Tri-State Outfitters in Moscow, Idaho, also had good fall sales. “Our hunting season was great last
year,” Corey said. “It was way up from previous years.” Corey is hoping the 2008 fall season will be as good as last year, but he sees the possibility of a downturn. “I think we have to see some stagnation because of price changes,” he said. “Ammo prices and gun prices both are going up. We’re seeing a lot of price changes, not just once every 10 months to a year, but every two or three or four months. That’s happening with firearms also — they’re way up.” As he plans for fall, Corey is buying inventory in preparation for a good hunting season. “Hunting last year was the one bright spot and I’m anticipating that it will be good this year, because our firearms sales have been so good,” Corey said. “I think that’s partly politics and partly people wanting to get out and hunt.” To make sure he attracts customers, Corey is expanding his promotions.
New for 2008, the Remington Model 11-87 Sportsman ShurShot Camo Cantilever has a 23" fully rifled barrel and ambidextrous stock in Realtree Hardwoods HD.
24
AUGUST
2008
www.shootingindustry.com
OR OR
“I work with manufacturers on having a big demo day,” Corey said. “I have four stores and this year I’m going to hold it in the main store, and one of my other stores, as well.”
In For A Rough Time
Things are not so rosy in Parker’s Prairie, Minn., where Tom House, of Shooting Sports Outlet, continues to see a decline in sales. “We saw some drop-off in hunting sales last fall, but it wasn’t too big of a deal then,” House said. “Now we’re seeing more of a decline. We’re in a rural community and high gas prices affect people.” That’s prompted some customers during the late winter and early spring to come in with guns to sell. “They didn’t want to sell them, but they had to put fuel in their oil heating barrels just to survive,” House said, indicating his downturn in sales continued
into the spring. Looking to fall, House is purchasing very conservatively. “We didn’t buy a lot of high-end things,” he said. “A lot of people aren’t going to be able to afford an $800 or $900 rifle, so we didn’t order many. We ordered less expen-sive guns and packages that include a scope that will run the customer $300 to $500, instead of $700 or $800. We need to be sure we have good products
Winchester Repeating Arms
BOOST BUST?
www.winchesterguns.com
available that the customer will like, but that are still affordable.” House also is planning a lot of specials, particularly on ammo.
To boost ammo sales, some dealers will offer special pricing on cases, while promoting the “economy” lines, such as Federal Game-Shok.
Dealers Offer Keys To Hunting Sales • Market to non-shooters, non-hunters. • Expand promotions. • Offer less-expensive guns, packages. • Promote special ammo-case pricing. • Display wide-range, choice of products. • Promote steadily, never cut advertising.
www.shootingindustry.com
AUGUST
2008
25
Richard Sprague, owner of Sprague Sports in Yuma, Ariz., took this Rocky Mountain sheep during last year’s season. Concerning this year’s hunting sales, he says, “There are a lot of new products to be excited about and a lot of reason to be optimistic.”
“We haven’t done case prices on ammo in the past,” House said. “This year, we’re not going to carry as many of the high-end shotgun shells in the $17- to $18-per-box range. We’re going to be down in the $10
to $13 range, and we’ll do a special case price. If the box is $10.99 and if a customer is going to buy four or five boxes, we’ll sell them a case for $9.99 a box.” Warren LaPasse, owner of The
Gun Room in Portland, Ore., has completely given up on the fall goods side of the business. “We had mediocre fall business last year,” LaPasse said. “We just don’t depend on that anymore. Our customers want high-end guns and really good stuff.” LaPasse said that in the past, fall business was great, but big-box stores have basically destroyed it. “First they gave bullets away,” he said. “Then they gave guns away. Then they gave clothing away. Now everyone gives everything away in the fall and there’s no more margins left to make the fall business worthwhile.” This fall, looking on the brighter side, LaPasse plans to hunt. “I’m going to try to go hunting more,” he said. “I’m in this business because I like to hunt, so now I try to get enough time to take some trips and go hunting.”
Eternal Optimism
Mark Rutan, hunting sales manager at Bill Jackson’s in Pinellas Park, Fla., also noted a slight dip in sales last fall, but is keeping a positive outlook.
Blocks Better. When it comes to impact, Storm Case outperforms the competition – even at below freezing temperatures. From its tougher, patented plastic to eight reinforced corners – Storm Case is engineered to protect your sensitive, delicate and expensive gear 78% better.
Visit StormCase.com for more information.
HARDIGG® CASES
(Actual Cement Block Drop)
26
AUGUST
2008
Circle No. 216 on Inquiry Card
147 North Main Street, South Deerfield, MA 01373 • 800.542.7344• STORMCASE.COM Trademarks owned by Hardigg Industries, Inc. © Hardigg Industries, Inc. 2008
www.shootingindustry.com
“We saw a slight drop-off, but not very much,” he said. “Our sales stay pretty steady because we’re the only game in town. We might have dropped off a little on accessories, but not a lot.” Rutan does expect many changes in his customers’ buying habits. “People who enjoy the outdoors are going to enjoy it no matter what gas prices go to,” Rutan said. “Guys get used to using certain products and they don’t change from them. I don’t think this will be a bad year, even though the economy has slowed down.” However, Rutan isn’t leaving his fall sales to chance. “We always make sure we have a wide range and choice of products so we can keep customers coming in,” he said. Richard Sprague, owner of Sprague
Sports in Yuma, Ariz., is an eternal optimist, especially concerning hunting sales. “We did great this past fall. We were up double digits from the previous year. Our customer count is good and our sales are holding steady,” he said. Sprague said it’s a little too early to zero in on what he expects for this fall. “Everything is impacted by our local big-game draws and who gets tags,” he said. “Optics can be impacted by up to 10 percent by who draws the premium tags.” The more of his customers who get those good tags for species such as bighorn sheep, Sprague said, the better his sales are. “If you draw one of those tags, it’s a big deal and the customer will gear up for
that,” he said. However, Sprague didn’t wait for the results of the draws to plan his inventory.
Leupold’s 8x42mm and 10x42mm Cascades binoculars are dressed in Mossy Oak Treestand armor coating.
Mossberg’s 4x4 Rifle Scoped Combo, with a 24" barrel and laminate stock, comes with a 3-9x40mm scope.
www.shootingindustry.com
Circle No. 217 on Inquiry Card
AUGUST
2008
27
“I buy based on last year and on current inventory levels,” he said. “My buying also is based on how excited I am about new products and what kind of deals I get on existing products. I promote steadily, and I’ve never cut back on advertising — I consider advertising as important as a key employee.” With significant increases in ammunition prices, Sprague is being conservative about purchasing products, such as dove ammo.
HUNTING SEASON
Circle No. 215 on Inquiry Card
W
oolrich Elite Series Tactical clothing is made with trademark Woolrich quality and designed for comfort and functionality. See our full line of tactical apparel and accessories at woolricheliteseriestactical.com. ELITE DISCREET SHIRT • 100% cotton for cool, breathable comfort. • Side vent system with hidden hook-and-loop closure. • Bottom front button is false with breakaway closures to allow easy and rapid access to essential gear on the waist. • Relaxed feel, even on the hottest days. • Solids feature a single buttonthrough chest pocket while the print styles featuring our 4 pocket design. 28
AUGUST
2008
Visit us online at www.woolricheliteseriestactical.com Circle No. 232 on Inquiry Card
Advantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aimpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ameristep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bagmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bear Archery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beretta USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bianchi International . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birchwood Casey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brunton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buck Stop Lure Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buck Wear Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buckmasters Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BuckWing Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bushnell Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Butler Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colt Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DoskoSport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Down Wind Scents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Easton Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feather Flex Decoys . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fieldline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Filson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fiocchi Ammunition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FireStone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flambeau Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM Opitics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GameTamers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Haydel’s Game Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . HeatMax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henry Repeating Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . Hogue Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H&R 1971 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunter’s Specialties . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennings Archery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Johnny Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Knight & Hale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kolpin Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leupold & Stevens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liberty One Archery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lohman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynch Outdoor Products . . . . . . . . . . . M.A.D. Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277
www.shootingindustry.com
Made in the USA! Please send your FFL for our new catalog.
“But I’m planning on a good fall,” he said. “My customers are looking forward to getting out into the woods and we’re going to be there to support them. If manufacturers will continue to work hard at partnering with dealers, and helping to pull consumers into the stores, that really helps out. There are a lot of new products to be excited about and a lot of reason to be optimistic.” 9
Mad Dog Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marlin Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Millett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mossy Oak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mothwing Camo Tech. . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Doe Pee’s Buck Lure . . . . . . . . . MTM Molded Products . . . . . . . . . . . . Natural Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nikon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ol’ Man Treestands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Otis Technology Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Outers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paha Qué Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . . Pella Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Primos Hunting Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quaker Boy Game Calls . . . . . . . . . . . Realtree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Remington Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rinehart 3D Targets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robinson Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rocky Boots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Savage Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SCENTite Blinds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scent-Lok Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . Shooters Ridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sightron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Simmons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Smith & Wesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stealth Cam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stoney Point Products . . . . . . . . . . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swarovski Optik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tasco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taurus International . . . . . . . . . . . . . TenPoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ThermaCELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thompson/Center Arms . . . . . . . . . . . Tink’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Traditions Performance Firearms . . . . Trijicon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Under Armour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Walls Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weatherby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Whitewater Outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wildlife Research Center . . . . . . . . . . Winchester Repeating Arms . . . . . . . . Woolrich Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zeiss Sports Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.shootingindustry.com
278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325
RFLP-WCP $699.00 MSRP
Cal: 5.56x45mm
Weighs Just 6.3 lbs!
Panther “Sporticals™” Bridging the Gap Between the Sporting and Tactical Markets!
RFLR-WCP $989.00 MSRP
Cal: 7.62 NATO
Weighs Just 8.3 lbs!
Panther LR-6.5
Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and Ideal for Precision Shooters!
RFLR-65 Cal: 6.5 Creedmoor
$1,159.00 MSRP Also Available in .308 Win. & .260 Rem.
ONLINE ORDERING AVAILABLE!
All scopes, rings and mounts are not included.
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. 210 on Inquiry Card
Circle No. 208 on Inquiry Card
AUGUST
2008
29
SEE NO EVIL Champion impact resistant eyewear adds style and safety to your shooter’s day at the range or in the field. The only thing your customer will see is success.
HEAR NO EVIL
Champion offers a variety of superior hearing protection options from comfortable silicon earplugs to sound dampening earmuffs and high-end protection/amplification electronic digital plugs. Your customer’s passion for shooting should not impact their hearing. Champion shooting accessories are designed to maximize your shooting customer’s safety and excitement in the field and on the range.
SHOOT LIKE A CHAMPION
SHOOT BETTER. HAVE FUN. For a complete sales kit outlining all of the new Champion offerings, give us a call or check us out online.
(866) 223-9388 www.championtarget.com © 2008 Champion
Circle No. 202 on Inquiry Card
Four Dealers Offer Tips To Power Up Your Profits! hat flashlights are selling in W gun shops? W Streamlight isn’t the only seller in Lou’s Gunshop & Police Supply, but it is their “bread and butter money-maker.” At The Stockade gun shop, buyers can choose from dozens of lighting devices —
but they all bear the same logo: SureFire. The selection is more diverse at Center Target Sports, but each product carried must earn the approval of the owner. At ProDefense, you can find other makers’ lights, but you have to step around big, bright displays of PentagonLight products.
These four retailers take differing paths, but they all share one destination: steadily growing sales.
Answer The Question
“Whether the customer asks the question or not, you should ask it — and
At The Stockade, manager Joe Dominguez sells SureFire lights exclusively. “The numbers told the tale,” he said. www.shootingindustry.com
AUGUST 2008
31
this light going to do for me?” Cambo offers the answer, comparing an L.E. customer’s old four D-cell incandescent flashlight with Streamlight’s new Stinger DS LED. “It’s going to make your job safer, easier, with less trouble over the short term, and more cost-effective over the long term,” Cambo said. “Safer, because the LED won’t break and fail in a critical incident; easier, because the dual switches allow use as a conventional flashlight or coordinated with a handgun; less trouble, both because functions are intuitive and quick to master, and you won’t be dumping and replacing batteries constantly; and cost-effective, due to savings on batteries. And, it’s built to last a lifetime.” Most of Lou’s light-buying customers are police officers, and citizen-buyers want the The Liberator from First-Light is a “hands-free, same gear cops depend on. hand-held” light, which allows use of both hands while “Streamlight’s reputation in operating the device. the L.E. community makes selling them easy,” he said. then answer it,” advises Eddie Cambo Cambo displays lights to create a highof Lou’s Gunshop & Police Supply in value impression, which translates into Hialeah, Fla. customer-perceived value. The all-important question: “What is “Sales of lights can become a signifi-
cant percentage of overall sales,” Cambo said. “Display them properly, answer the unasked questions and be quick getting products into your customers’ hands.”
The Earthquake Analogy
“Fifteen years ago, we carried several lines of flashlights,” said Joe Dominguez, manager of The Stockade in Westminster, Calif. “Now we sell only SureFire — thousands of them. The decision to go exclusively with SureFire wasn’t a snap decision, Dominquez said. “Over those years, other brands were dropped and SureFire emerged as the winner,” Dominguez said. “With top-quality models ranging in price from $40 to several hundred dollars, SureFire delivers everything we need.” How does offering only one line go over with buyers? “Seventy percent of our customers have done their homework and know what they want. They’ll say something like, ‘I want an E2D Executive Defender and I want to look at the new Backup.’” For the other 30 percent who might balk at spending $100 on a small flashlight, Dominguez uses The Earthquake Analogy. “When you most need an absolutely rugged, reliable weatherproof light, for example, after an earthquake, just how
Switch On Your Profits Loyalty, Brand Equity And Promising Newcomers
T
he value of “logo loyalty” is proven in sales. Among gun makers, Smith & Wesson is one of several who market their own line of flashlights. Adding a light sale to a gun purchase can be as simple as showing the logo to a diehard Smith & Wesson fan. Visit www.smith-wesson.com. Leupold’s distinctive “Golden Ring” has tremendous brand equity. The precision optics maker has introduced a unique line of flashlights — the MX Modular series. Offering several different sizes and types of bodies, lens heads and bezels, and tail-cap switches, buyers can build their own light, or purchase a preconfigured model and make changes later. Visit www. leupold.com. If you’re already a BLACKHAWK! Authorized Dealer, you can mix and add any quantity of their flashlights
32
AUGUST 2008
to your regular Warrior Wear, Tactical Gear, Hydra-Storm and other orders without worrying about minimum lot requirements. BLACKHAWK! offers 19 different flashlights, plus the Xiphos NT weapon-mount light. Visit www. blackhawk.com. Insight Tech Gear offers five flashlights built to their exacting standards. Two models in great demand by the tactical and consumer markets are the H2X Typhoon 2 and the H2X Arcturus. Visit www.insighttechgear.com. A unique multi-role product leads Safariland’s entry into the light market: the RLS Rapid Light System. The compact, lightweight 65-lumen flashlight is From Insight Tech Gear, the H2X Arcturus is a high-intensity LED, with multiple operating modes. www.shootingindustry.com
badly do you want that light to work?” Dominguez asks. Staff training is critical, Dominguez says. “Many SureFire features are present throughout the line and product-information materials explain the differences between LED and Xenon, candlepower and lumens, switch systems and more. SureFire’s countertop ‘flip deck’ is a great information resource. And if we don’t have an answer, we just call SureFire and ask a technician. You can’t beat their dealer support,” Dominguez said.
Product Knowledge Vital
You could say Ed Santos, owner of Center Target Sports in Post Falls, Idaho, wrote the book on use of tactical lights — and he did. Rule The Night — Win The Fight is the result of his years in the Army, focusing on low-light combat, and as an L.E. and civilian trainer. “I test and evaluate every light before stocking it,” Santos said. “I won’t sell what I wouldn’t bet my own life on and I make sure the customers know that.” Santos logs strong light sales from his in-shop displays, but his low-light shooting classes produce even more sales. Students are provided with an array of lights to “test-drive” during training. Product knowledge, Santos insists, is paramount, citing one of his top Continued on page 34
equipped with a non-marring polymer belt or pocket clip, which transforms to an ingeniously designed rail-mount for use on handguns and long guns. Visit www. safariland.com. Laughing Rabbit recently debuted the Proton Pro Personal Safety Flashlight. This waterproof 1,000+ candlepower device offers both red and white selectable LED beams and captures seven operating modes in a small package. Visit www. laughingrabbitinc.com. “Smaller, simpler, smarter” seems to be the philosophy of NovaTac and the company’s lights are receiving rave reviews from Marines and U.S. Border Patrol agents. Visit www.novatac.com. Pila is another newcomer getting attention. Their precision-made, heavy-duty incandescent and LED flashlights feature fast lithium-ion recharging and the innovative Codex user-programmable modules. Visit www.pilatorch.com. Whether you choose to rely on established names, take a chance on a littleknown newcomer or try both, there are lots of opportunities for sales success. — John Morrison www.shootingindustry.com
Circle No. 204 on Inquiry Card
• Increase Your Handgun Profits • Cash In On The Cowboy Market • Bowhunting For Gun Dealers
L O O K I N G T O T HE F U T U R E !
BONUS: Law Enforcement Sales
AUGUST 2008
33
Lone 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.
It’s all business for ProDefense sales staffer Dustin Brown (left), who pauses during a sales presentation of PentagonLights with L.E. customer Captain Ray Harris.
Continued from page 33
Diablo-DA Micarta® LD23153 Scale release automatic or manual one-handed-opening. 3.3 inch CPM-S30V blade, locking-liner, green/black layered Micarta®, 4.1 oz LD23153. Also available in one-handed-opening’ Non-automatic version LC23156.
9373 SW Barber Street, Ste A. Wilsonville, OR 97070 Dealer Locator At www.lonewolfknives.com
Train Your Staff
“Selling is not a passive action,” said Pat McGuire of ProDefense in Webster, Texas. “You can be a salesman or an order-taker.” Training your staff is the key to sales, according to McGuire. “When they eagerly take every opportunity to show the features and operation of tactical lights, you’ll see products fly off the shelves. The simple phrase ‘Here, let me show you something interesting,’ followed by an enthusiastic demonstration drives sales,” McGuire said. McGuire adds that you must have products that are easy to sell on their merits. That’s why he favors PentagonLight. “They are solid, professional-grade products and feature-for-dollar, they’re great bargains. The product lineup enables accessory add-on and upgrade sales,” he said. McGuire positions his tall PentagonLight display tower to get the most effective exposure, then places a low-power LED flashlight in a Plexiglas singleunit display inside, so the light shines just above and to one side of a customer’s eye level. “The light appears suspended in midair and it really attracts attention,” McGuire said. “All you do is turn it on in the morning and off when you close at night. It’s also an instant introduction to PentagonLight’s extended burn times and low cost of operation.” McGuire named PentagonNew for 2008, Streamlight’s C4 LED series lights boost Light’s K2 Porcupine, featurpower to new heights and conserve batteries. sellers, First-Light USA’s Liberator, a “hands-free, hand-held” light. “It’s a radical departure from conventional lights,” Santos said. “And initially, operation and function selection can seem complex. A knowledgeable demonstration, which takes just a few minutes, reverses that.” Among more conventional flashlights, Santos named the Essential Gear’s eGear XT-130 as an excellent choice for costconscious buyers. “It has all the best features of more expensive lights at half the cost,” Santos said. “You need to carry lights with MSRPs to fit every budget and you can without sacrificing quality.”
Circle No. 221 on Inquiry Card
34
AUGUST 2008
www.shootingindustry.com
• OVER 30,000 ITEMS. • THE BRANDS YOU NEED & WANT. • INCLUDES 138 PAGES OF FACTORY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PARTS. • ALL 100% GUARANTEED!
ing a retractable crenellated bezel and new R-Series induction rechargeable lights, as examples of new technologies he expects to become best sellers.
Making The Sales
These four dealers make it clear you can succeed by stocking just one maker or a few well-selected brands, as long as they cover a broad range of price-points and features. Product knowledge and enthusiastic demonstration are keys to sales. Displays should be strategically positioned for maximum effect. And if your customer doesn’t ask the right questions, you should ask and answer them. 9
FLASHLIGHT SALES ASP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BLACKHAWK! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brunton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coast Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coleman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cyclops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Essential Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerber Legendary Blades . . . . . . Glock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First-Light USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . FNH USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heckler & Koch . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inova . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insight Technology . . . . . . . . . . Kimber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laser Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LaserMax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laughing Rabbit . . . . . . . . . . . . Leupold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maglite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Night-Ops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NovaTac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pelican Products . . . . . . . . . . . . Pentagon Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . Princeton Tec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Petzl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pila . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Princeton Tec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safariland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sig Sauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Smith & Wesson . . . . . . . . . . . . Springfield Armory . . . . . . . . . . Streamlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SureFire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TacStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tool Logic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Underwater Kinetics . . . . . . . . . .
326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 425
BIG BOOK brownells.com • 800-741-0015 Circle No. 205 on Inquiry Card
Kinematics Research Premium Rile & Pistol Ammunition * Reliable, Accurate, Guaranteed * Available in a wide variety of calibers * Topped with popular bullet brands from: Sierra, Nosler, and Hornady. * Priced with your margin in mind!
The Buck drops Here! For more information on how Kinematics can help you profit!
Call: 1-877-474-4140
When every shot counts... Count on KINEMATICS! Circle No. 218 on Inquiry Card
Maximize Your Profits! SO COVER sub
OCULARS! 10x42MM BIN WIN A MINOX FREE 2008 EMBER
SEPT
$4.95
OUTSIDE U.S. $7.95
RIGHTS WATCH! 60 pg. 80
ER’S WINNOIC E! CH
FU
RUGER R CHARGE GLOCK M38 P .45 GA
STI & .45 AC .40 S&W
10:06 PM
Page 1
Sell GUNS and AMERICAN SR9 9MM HANDGUNNER in your store TODAY!
WIN A CUSTOM RUG ER .44 MAGNUM!
&.38 0
9MM
LRN .22 GU FUN
6/23/08
SEPTEMBER/O
CTOBER
$5.95 OUTSIDE US
$9.50
2008
RUG ER’S EVOLUTIONARY
M&P W-SH S&17 OT
HEAVEN N ARDIA 1911 EDGE & GU ACP
www.shootingindustry.com
Source Code: BP4
GREAT
TIN’ EZ SHOO 9MM EAA EZ9 OPTICS! SUPERB ",UÊ ,, //Ê Ê , ÊUÊ< --Ê "7 , ÊUÊ*, Ê Ê- 9 ÊUÊ- /,"
zine.com
maga www.guns
LCP!
HANDGUNS
THAT WEREN’T
A
4 . 5
Taffin Tests:
ACP
.45
For More Information Call 1-800-597-8065
1903
GAP
Shootin Sho
GUNNY SAC K: • Blade-Tech Holster • CrossBreed Gun Bag • Benchmade Defense Pen
?
otin g Iron:: Blowed-Up g Iron Guns!
AMERIC ANHAND
AUGUST 2008
GUNNER
.COM
35
®
Mark KAyser
LONG GUNS
DAG?
Not If You Give Customers What They Want!
T
here’s plenty of doom-and-gloom (DAG) about the economy and how it impacts sales at gun shops. In long guns, it’s difficult to determine how the roller coaster economy is affecting sales. Generally, reports across the industry
indicate black rifles are up and shotguns are down. Yet, there are exceptions to this “general” report, so don’t have a fire sale on your long-gun inventory. Despite all the DAG, dealers report good long-gun sales in their sales territories.
It’s Been A Good Year
M
ark Starr, the store manager for Total Firearms in Mason, Mich., saw increased firearm sales in early 2008, with an emphasis on long guns. Located south of the capital of Lansing, Total Firearms caters to customers in wildly differing occupations and the diversity has had a positive impact on the store’s bottom line. “We cater to a mixed bag of customers in the store,” Starr said. “There is a large farming industry in the surrounding countryside, in addition to the state workers and faculty and students at Michigan State University. Plus, there are office and factory workings, including General Motor employees and numerous small factories that feed off GM.” Despite consumers feeling the fuel crunch, Starr wasn’t experiencing lower sales earlier this year. “When you compare our profits from this same time period last year, we’re up more than $39,000. It’s been a good year so far and I describe it as being very, very busy,” Starr said. Total Firearms, a 13,000-square-foot store, has 1,500 to 2,000 firearms on hand. It has been in business since the Weatherby 12-gauge PA-09 Knoxx HD www.shootingindustry.com
www.shootingindustry. AUGUST
early 1970s and, with a watchful eye on firearm and economic trends, Starr is relying on traditional buying habits to drive long-gun sales for the rest of the year. As manufacturers introduce new calibers, Starr reviews them and gauges their demand, but few have reached best-seller status. One exception he notes is the 3 1/2" 12-gauge. Starr says the shotshell has taken off, because hunters can purchase one firearm that will work throughout the seasons. “Hunters use it for everything from woodcock up to geese and turkeys,” Starr said. At Total Firearms, top demands in the shotshells are for 12- and 20-gauges. Top sellers in centerfire rifles at Total Firearms are to be those chambered in .223, 7mm Rem. Mag., and the .300 Win, Mag., with increasing attention on the .300 WSM. Starr also notes that sales in camouflage firearms have been on the upswing. Total Firearms stocks camouflage models alongside traditional-looking firearms.
DPMS’ new Panther Sportical, in 7.62 NATO, has a suggested retail price of $989. com 2008 37
AUGUST
2008
37
Winchester’s Super X3 Waterfowl 3 1/2" in Mossy Oak Duck Blind has a weather-resistant composite stock.
In shotgun sales, Remington leads, with Mossberg in a close second. The Remington Model 870 has won the first-place award for shotgun sales at Total Firearms.
Remington, Ruger Rule
At Total Firearms, Remington and Ruger rifles run neck in neck, but the store also does well with Browning and CZ-USA rifles. Starr is waiting to see if customers catch on to the new Browning X-Bolt, with its trimmer look and the Feather Trigger system. “Browning made a big splash with the X-Bolt and it looks like a nice rifle,” Starr
said. “At this point, it’s tough to predict sales, but with the improvements in the design, trigger and bolt-unlocking system, I believe it will get customers thinking.” Starr sees the current trend in singleshot rifles as a media-induced craze. “The big trend toward T/C and singleshot rifles comes from the various outdoor TV channels,” Starr said. “Still, it’s a good firearm for some hunters, because they can purchase one frame, such as the Omega or Encore, and use it for blackpowder hunting, rifle hunting and even as a shotgun for turkey hunting.”
Although fall hunting seasons spur many long-gun sales, Starr also sees sales reflected in various seasonal activities. One of the best “off-seasons” is in the spring with varmint hunting. “The .223 and .22-250 are our biggest springtime sellers because of woodchucks and coyotes,” Starr said. “Farmers in the area especially hate woodchucks because they’re worried about dropping a tractor tire down a big hole and busting up machinery. Heck, I know farmers who pay guys to shoot woodchucks.”
Long-Gun Sales Continue To Grow
A
t Shooters of Columbus, in Columbus, Ga., Bob Bessinger, the general manager for 13 years of the store’s 14-year history, rates his long-guns sales as positive. “Firearms are often the last thing consumers buy when there is a true recession going on,” Bessinger said. “To date, I have not seen that, and sales continue to be brisk. In fact, we’re up in sales.” The political atmosphere is not a major factor in the buying trends, according to Bessinger. “Is it because a Democrat may win the presidency? There’s a lot of talk and thought in that, but it’s not the primary driving force behind the increase in sales. Our sales grow every year with substantial momentum, so I think it’s just a continuing trend,” Bessinger said.
Shooters is a 4,000-square-foot establishment with an indoor range. Bessinger keeps 1,000 firearms on hand at all times, in addition to offering special orders. In long guns, he stocks models from Browning, Benelli, Bushmaster, Marlin, Mossberg, Remington and Winchester. One advantage Shooters of Columbus does have that drives sales is its proximity to the Army’s Fort Benning, with an on-base active duty population in the thousands. The base is the largest overall employer in the area. “In this area, you truly don’t see anything that says recession,” Bessinger said. Shooters of Columbus caters to all long-gun users, but does especially well with the AR-style of rifles, which Bessinger believes is because of the proximity to the Army base.
“Our main long-gun sales are defensivetype firearms, including rifles and shotguns, but by far the best seller is the .223,” Bessinger said. “Many of our customers come from the base and they want the same style of rifle they shoot while on duty.” Bessinger takes full advantage of the increase in the black-rifle market. “We carry a variety of brands and sell a good selection of all models, including Smith and Wesson, Olympic, DPMS Panther, ArmaLite and Bushmaster. It comes down to personal choices, but we try to provide a good selection for comparison,” Bessinger said. Another long gun that gets a lot of attention from civilians and military customers is the Springfield Armory M1A. Again, Bessinger believes the close military influence drives many of these sales,
Ruger’s 77 Ruger Compact Magnums are chambered in .300 and .338 RCM, developed in conjunction with Hornady.
Beretta’s 686 WHITE ONYX sporting, in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge, has a top-mounted bolt-lug design and satin nickel frame.
38
AUGUST
2008
www.shootingindustry.com
and he ranks the civilian sales of both Springfield and AR rifles as â&#x20AC;&#x153;good.â&#x20AC;? Bessinger finds much of the hype about the economy to be media-driven. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That seems to be agenda. Gloomand-doom makes the current administration look bad. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t show in our area and long-gun sales continue to grow as long as we give customers what they want,â&#x20AC;? Bessinger said. 9
LONG GUN SALES ADCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 Advanced Technology . . . . . . . . . . 364 Aimpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365 Anschutz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366 ArmaLite Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 Barrett Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 Benelli USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369 Beretta USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370 Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 Charles Daly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372 Coltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373 CZ-USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374 Dakota Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 DPMS/Panther Arms . . . . . . . . . . . 376 EMF Co. Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 EOTech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378 European American Armory . . . . . . 379 FNH USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380 Franchi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381 H&R 1871 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382 Heckler & Koch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383 Henry Repeating Arms . . . . . . . . . . 384 Hi-Point Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385 H-S Precision Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386 Kel-Tec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387 Kimber Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388 Marlin Firearms Co. . . . . . . . . . . . 389 Navy Arms Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390 New England Arms Corp. . . . . . . . . 391 New England Firearms . . . . . . . . . . 392 O.F. Mossberg & Sons . . . . . . . . . . 393 Remington Arms Co. . . . . . . . . . . . 394 Rock River Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395 Rossi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396 Savage Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397 Sig Sauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398 Smith & Wesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 Springfield Armory . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 Stag Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401 Sturm, Ruger & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . 402 Taurus International . . . . . . . . . . . 403 Thompson/Center Arms . . . . . . . . . 404 Tri-Star Sporting Arms . . . . . . . . . . 405 Uberti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406 Weatherby Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407 Winchester Repeating Arms . . . . . . 408
1PL] 9PbT^ :LNS
5IF #JOÂ&#x2DC;U 2SFUUZ NT $VU 5IF #MXBZT 2FSGPS
TYP AZZW
6 LX U`^_ L ^ZW OTP] bSZ ŠYO^ S TX^PWQ SPW[TYR L NZ`Y_]d _SL_ ]PM`TWO SP SPW[PO WTMP] L_P L NZ`[WP dP ALVP _SP bZ]O Z L]^ LRZ Q L ^ZWOTP] QZ ] _SL_ T^ LWW 6 Z`] NL`^P T^ L LX _SL_ YZMWP ZYP ASP ]PL^ZY bP L]P S ZYP bZ]_S ŠRS_T P]P T^ YR QZ]
L]Zc V XVhZ d[ cZl AZl^h BVX]^cZ Idda BGE g^Ă&#x201C;Zh Vgg^kZh dc WVhZ ^c 6[\]Vc^hiVc dg >gVf Vc dg gVf! ! dc"\gdjcY deZgVidgh \gVW dcZ! ]Vc\ ^i [gdb V XdVi ]Vc\Zg VcY l^i] V W^i d[ hegVn eV^ci! bV`Z ^i Wdi] hjWYjZY l^i] XVbdjĂ&#x201C;V\Z VcY WdaY l^i] eZghdcVa ZmegZhh^dc# L]Zc lZ Vh`ZY kVg^djh deZgVidgh [dg V Xg^i^fjZ d[ i]Z^g ABI g^Ă&#x201C;Z! eZg]Veh i]Z bdhi VhijiZ lVh! Ă&#x2020;H]Z V^cĂ&#x2030;i egZiin! Wji h]Z ValVnh eZg[dgbh#Ă&#x2021;
9Z_^ LYO WZ_^ Z Q TY^`]RPY_^ VT WWPO TY _SP]P ^ L]]TaPO TY 3PM] TYNP bP `L]d 2aP]d OLd T^ L YL^_d R`Y ASPd MWL^_ `^ b ML__WP T_S RTLY_ MZXM^ TY _SP ]ZLO ^ XZ]_L]^ LYO ^XL YT[P]^ WW L]X^ DP MWL ^_ _SPX bT_S _L L__LNV SPWTNZ[_ YV^ P]^ L]_TWWP]d Z`] ^YT[P]^ X _SLY _SPT]^ L `NS YO PaP]d bPL[ZY MP__P] _SL_ LY TYQLY_ NL]]d 2aP]d OL ]dXLY NLY d 6YN]POTMWd 6 ]L]PWd ^PP ?L _SP YPb^ DP L_ XLOT TY _LNV^ Z`_ SP]P TY _SP bP^_ L^ @SP LTY¤_ []P__ /LRSOLO d M`_ ^SP LWbL d^ [P]QZ]X^ FP SL^ $ XTWWTZY [ _ /LRSOLO PZ[WP bP SLaP U`^_ XTWWTZ NL[T_L LW .YML Y =P] ] []ZaTYNP T^ _ SP XZ^_ aTZWPY_ 6]L\ Md ^PaP]LW [WLNP TY Z]OP]^ ZQ XLRY T_`OP 6 ^`[[Z^ YZ LNNTOPY_ _SL P T_ bL^ _ _SP :L]TYP^ b P]P L^^TRYPO _S TY .Q_P] OLd^ ZQ YZ ] T^ L]PL P^_ LYO ^`]aTaT LXM`^S TY bSTNS YR L XLUZ] L Q]TPYO bL^ N ]T[[WPO 6 bL^ R`L]O O`_d TY _ [WLNPO ZY SP XTOOWP ZQ _S P YTRS_ bT_S LY ]TªP 9:A :?=
Ă&#x2020;AJ8>AA:Ă&#x2021;
@TYNP]PWd @R_ 1ZYLWO 7 @ZMNSPNV
(%.#,-,#,&*& Â&#x2122; A:L>HB68=>C:#C:I A : :I
Circle No. 220 on Inquiry Card
Circle No. 223 on Inquiry Card
LO O K INGâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6; T O â&#x20AC;&#x2C6; T H Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6; F U T U R E ! â&#x20AC;˘ Safety & Storage Sales - Eye & Ear Protection - Safes - Gun Locks - Security â&#x20AC;˘ Target Varmint Hunting BONUS: Airguns & Paintball Profits
www.shootingindustry.com
AUGUST
2008
39
The companies listed have featured advertisements or products in this issue. Look to them first when you are ready to make a purchase. Companies ADVERTISERS
Armalite ATK/Champion ATK/Fusion Barska Brownells Buckwear Century Int. Arms Colonial Arms DKG Trading DPMS European American Armory First Light USA Fobus Holsters Galco Hallmark Cuttlery Hardigg Cases Kel-Tec Kinematics Research Kwik-Site Lewis Machine & Tool Lone Wolf Knives Lyman Products Magsafe Ammo Pinnacle Cartridge Co. Rock River Arms Savage Arms Sightron Smith & Wesson Sports South Springfield Super Six Classic Thunder Ranch Woolrich, Inc.
HUNTING SEASON
Advantage Aimpoint Ameristep Bagmaster Barska Bear Archery Beretta USA Bianchi International Birchwood Casey Browning Brunton B-Square Buck Stop Lure Co. Buck Wear Inc. Buckmasters Ltd. BuckWing Products Bushnell Outdoors Butler Creek Colt Mfg. DoskoSport Down Wind Scents Easton Outdoors Feather Flex Decoys Fieldline Filson Fiocchi Ammunition FireStone Flambeau Products FM Opitics GameTamers Haydel’s Game Calls HeatMax Henry Repeating Arms Hogue Inc. H&R 1971 Hunter’s Specialties Jennings Archery Johnny Stewart Knight & Hale Kolpin Outdoors Leupold & Stevens Liberty One Archery Lohman Lynch Outdoor Products M.A.D. Calls Mad Dog Gear
40
AUGUST 2008
Circle #
Page
201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 ---- 232
12 30 3 32 35 5 11 29 13 29 21 9 6 15 28 26 27 35 42 39 34 43 39 11 7 c1 47 17 c2 c4 19 36 28
233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278
24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24
Companies Marlin Firearms Millett Mossy Oak Mothwing Camo Tech. Mrs. Doe Pee’s Buck Lure MTM Molded Products Natural Gear Nikon Ol’ Man Treestands Otis Technology Inc. Outers Paha Qué Wilderness Pella Products Primos Hunting Calls Quaker Boy Game Calls Realtree Remington Arms Rinehart 3D Targets Robinson Outdoors Rocky Boots Savage Arms SCENTite Blinds Scent-Lok Technologies Shooters Ridge Sightron Simmons Smith & Wesson Stealth Cam Stoney Point Products Sturm, Ruger & Co. Swarovski Optik Tasco Taurus International TenPoint ThermaCELL Thompson/Center Arms Tink’s Traditions Performance Firearms Trijicon Under Armour Walls Industries Weatherby Whitewater Outdoors Wildlife Research Center Winchester Repeating Arms Woolrich Inc. Zeiss Sports Optics
FLASHLIGHTS
ASP BLACKHAWK! Browning Brunton Coast Products Coleman Cyclops Essential Gear Gerber Legendary Blades Glock First-Light USA FNH USA Heckler & Koch Inova Insight Technology Kimber Laser Devices LaserMax Laughing Rabbit Leupold Maglite Night-Ops NovaTac Pelican Products Pentagon Lights Princeton Tec Petzl Pila Princeton Tec Safariland Sig Sauer Smith & Wesson Springfield Armory
Circle #
Page
279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325
24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24
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
31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31
Companies Streamlight SureFire TacStar Tool Logic Underwater Kinetics
LONG GUNS
ADCO Advanced Technology Aimpoint Anschutz ArmaLite Inc. Barrett Firearms Benelli USA Beretta USA Browning Charles Daly Colt’s Mfg. CZ-USA Dakota Arms DPMS/Panther Arms EMF Co. Inc. EOTech European American Armory FNH USA Franchi H&R 1871 Heckler & Koch Henry Repeating Arms Hi-Point Firearms H-S Precision Inc. Kel-Tec Kimber Mfg. Marlin Firearms Co. Navy Arms Co. New England Arms Corp. New England Firearms O.F. Mossberg & Sons Remington Arms Co. Rock River Arms Rossi Savage Arms Sig Sauer Smith & Wesson Springfield Armory Stag Arms Sturm, Ruger & Co. Taurus International Thompson/Center Arms Tri-Star Sporting Arms Uberti Weatherby Inc. Winchester Repeating Arms
NEW PRODUCTS
Browning Champion Traps & Targets Cor-Bon/Glaser DeSantis Elvex FMG Publications Great Day Hunter’s Specialties Medalist MTM RWS Safariland Sig Sauer Sightron Streamlight Trijicon Uberti USA
Circle #
Page
359 360 361 362 425
31 31 31 31 31
363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408
37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37
409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425
43 44 42 44 41 41 41 44 42 43 44 43 41 41 42 42 43
To request FREE information and materials from these companies, use the Reader Service Card. Or, just send us a postcard, indicating the issue’s date, company’s number and include your business address. Send to: Reader Service, SHOOTING INDUSTRY, P.O. Box 502794, San Diego, CA 92150-9833. If the company doesn't have a number, write them directly and say you saw their ad, product or name in SHOOTING INDUSTRY. You can also download the Reader Service page and Reader Service Card from our Web Site and fax, (858) 605-0247, or mail it to our office. Go to www.shootingindustry.com and click on Reader Service.
www.shootingindustry.com
Text First Line See Your Product Here! If you are a manufacturer, importer, distributor or entrepreneur with a newsworthy, new or revised product available to dealers or distributors, let us know! We have room for about 80 words. Pictures Company
Text
Address all releases to: New Products Editor SHOOTING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE 12345 World Trade Dr. San Diego, CA 92128
should#be color, if possible. Electronic images, Phone transparencies and glossy prints are acceptable. Website Product releases are printed on a space-available
SHOOTING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE www.shootingindustry.com
basis at the discretion of the editorial staff.
Circle # 000
Text First Line Text
Sig Sauer Bush Green Carbine
Company Sports South
Phone # 1-800-388-3845 Website www.sportssouthinc.com
Circle # 421 000
A Sports South exclusive, the Sig Sauer 556 Bush Green Carbine has a 16" barrel, exclusive green model 551-style forend/handguard, pistol grip and duo-side folding/telescoping Magpul CTR buttstock. The carbine has a standard black Nitron-finished receiver and barrel, two-stage trigger and ambidextrous safety. One 30-round black SIG 556 magazine is included.
Text First Line FMG Publications Text Defensive Handgun DVD The Defensive Handgun two-disc DVD is part of the Thunder Ranch Training Series with firearm-training expert Clint Smith. In his no-nonsense style, Smith presents a lecture on mental preparation and logic; proper technique and application; loading, unloading and malfunction clearance, plus a range demonstration and more.
Company FMG Publications
Phone # 1-800-628-9818 Website www.americanhandgunner.com
Circle # 414 000
Elvex Corp. Sightron Inc. Spotting Scope Kit
Level Dependent Electronic Ear Muff, Com-655
Text First Line Great Day Text Quick-Draw Gun Rack
The SII multipurpose spotting scope kit includes Sightron’s SII 20-60x63 waterproof, fogproof spotting scope, a 2060 zoom eyepiece and a wide-angle 25x eyepiece. All lenses are fully multi-coated. The scope comes with a retractable sunshade and lanyard-style dust cover. The kit includes a padded cordura carrying case, a pouch for storing an extra eyepiece and a tabletop tripod and window mount. T-mount and photo adapters are available.
The Level Dependent Electronic Ear Muff, Com-655 allows close-range communications in select, continuous noise environments. The microphones “listen to” the environment and can amplify weak sounds, while the gain limiter suppresses sounds exceeding 82 dB. An impulse (impact) filter electronically eliminates impulse sounds by closing down the circuitry in four milliseconds and opening the circuitry again in about 1/4 second (in order to prevent echo effect). An auto switch will turn off the headset after four hours of continuous use.
Sightron Inc.
Elvex Corporation
Great Day Company
Circle # 413
Circle # 415 000
1-800-867-7512 www.sightron.com
Circle # 422 www.shootingindustry.com
1-800-888-6582 www.elvex.com
Great Day’s Quick-Draw Gun Rack fits most trucks and SUVs, all side-by-sidetype utility vehicles and golf cart-style vehicles. The Quick-Draw holds two rifles, shotguns or muzzleloaders, protected in soft, cushioned clips. Pull-tabs form and fit to the gun’s stock or forend. The Quick-Draw mounts in a stand-alone fashion and can be positioned at any angle to fit a vehicle’s available space and user’s preference.
1-866-649-1918 Phone # www.greatdayinc.com Website
AUGUST 2008
41
Streamlight Super-Tac
Cor-Bon/Glaser DPX Hunter Rifle Ammo
Streamlight introduces its “brightest LED tactical flashlight ever,” the SuperTac. The light features Streamlight’s new C4 LED technology that is “three times brighter than standard LEDs,” delivering up to 30,000 candela (peak central intensity) and up to 135 lumens measured system output for up to 3.5 hours. Machined from aircraft aluminum with a black anodized finish, the Super-Tac offers one-handed operation with a tail-cap push-button switch. Two 3-volt CR123A lithium batteries power the light.
Cor-Bon’s DPX Hunter rifle ammunition features Barnes Bullets’ Triple-Shock X-Bullets. The 100-percent copper bullet expands into four petals. DPX Hunter, which is offered in most calibers from .22-250 to .458 Win. Mag., has been approved by California’s Fish and Game Department for lead-free hunting in Condor areas.
Streamlight
Cor-Bon/Glaser
1-800-523-7488 www.streamlight.com
(605) 347-4544 www.dakotaammo.net
Circle # 423
Circle # 411
Trijicon AccuPoint Riflescopes The Trijicon AccuPoint riflescopes, each with an illuminated crosshair reticle, do not require batteries. The series features Trijicon’s updated Manual Brightness Adjustment Override, which allows the user to shade the tritium and fiber optics in increased light situations. The riflescopes have multi-layer coated lenses, a quick-focus eyepiece, long eye relief and windage and elevation adjustments.
Trijicon
1-800-338-0563 www.trijicon.com Circle No. 219 on Inquiry Card
42
AUGUST 2008
Circle # 424
Medalist Cheyenne Series Apparel The Cheyenne series shirt and pants feature a quiet, micro-poly brushed-knit tricot shell, which also provides wind protection. The Silvermax lining provides scent-free protection. Slivermax Cheyenne apparel is available in sizes small to 3X and is also available in Mossy Oak Break-Up.
Medalist
1-800-543-8952 www.medalist.com
Circle # 417 www.shootingindustry.com
Uberti USA Cattleman Two-Gun Set
Safariland STX Basket Weave
Uberti’s matched-set Cattleman single-action army revolvers are offered in three versions. The first has a white finish, adorned with scroll engraving, and a hand-selected, AAA-Grade, one-piece walnut grip. The second scroll-engraved version comes with a coin-finished frame, blued barrel and black, one-piece bison horn-style grip. The third scroll-engraved version is finished in full-silver plating and sports a one-piece, pearl-style grip. All versions are available with a 4 3/4" or 5 1/2" barrel.
Safariland’s STX black holsters and accessories are now available in an STX basket-weave finish. Heat laminated and molded to the shape of handguns and accessories, the STX basket weave offerings will not absorb water or sweat, and dry quickly when wet. The STX basket weave incorporates a Safari-Suede liner to protect firearm finishes, and to absorb excess oils and lubricants.
Uberti USA
Safariland
(301) 283-6900 www.uberti.com
1-800-347-1200 www.safariland.com
Circle # 425
Circle # 420
MTM Range Box/Maintenance Center
Browning Santa Fe Shooter’s Bag
MTM’s Case-Gard Shooting Range Box has a toolbox top and cleaning-station base. The tool section offers divided space for jags, brushes, solvents and other accessories. The base cleaning station offers deep storage for supplies and ammunition. A pair of adjustable gun forks, featuring soft, over-molded rubber padding, holds firearms.
MTM Molded Products (937) 890-7461 www.mtmcase-gard.com
Circle # 418 www.shootingindustry.com
Browning’s Santa Fe Shooter’s Bag, Shell Pouch and Shell Box Carrier are constructed of 10-ounce waxed cotton canvas with Crazy Horse leather trim. Foam-padded sides maintain the bag’s shape. The large compartmentalized interior holds up to 16 boxes of shells, with four exterior accessory pockets for additional storage. The bag has a padded leather shoulder strap and handles, with brass hardware.
Browning
1648
(801) 876-2711 www.browning.com
Circle # 409
Circle No. 222 on Inquiry Card
AUGUST 2008
43
ACCESSORIES
Champion Traps & Targets DuraSeal Self-Sealing Targets
Hunter’s Specialties Sportsmen’s Utility Vest
Champion Traps & Targets DuraSeal Spinner Targets are made of a non-metal, self-sealing material that permits bullets to pass through with minimal damage to the target. They are 80-percent lighter than comparable metal targets. The DuraSeal Spinner Targets are offered in a prairie dog configuration (single and multi-dog options). The 5 1/2" and 7" targets are counter-weighted for maximum wobble and spin.
Hunter’s Specialties’ SUV Sportsmen’s Utility Vest, available in standard and deluxe versions, is constructed of fade-and-tear resistant brushed polyester. The SUV has two external pan call pockets and special side pockets for a box call and a gobble call. A roomy game pouch on the back holds turkeys, decoys and other equipment. The vest also has an orange flag on the back, padded shoulder straps, deluxe triangle seat cushion and Gun Stock Buddy for gun support. It is finished in Realtree APG camo.
Champion Traps & Targets
Hunter’s Specialties
1-800-635-7656 www.championtarget.com
Circle # 410
(319) 395-0321 www.hunterspec.com
COLLECTORS
IDENTIFY YOURSELF THIS BADGE MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE Police Quality Gold Plated
Circle # 416
100% LEGAL FOR PERMIT HOLDERS
FREE
Gold Plated
Badge Case & Shipping With Order
Order Toll Free Size 2” x 3”
$38
Money Back Guarantee
1-877-332-2343
DeSantis Kel-Tec, Ruger Holsters DeSantis is now offering the Nemesis and Super Fly holsters for the KelTec P3AT and P32, and the Ruger LCP with Crimson Trace Laser Grip (Model LG-430).
DeSantis Holster & Leather Goods (631) 841-6300 www.desantisholster.com
Circle # 412 44
AUGUST 2008
$49.00 Add $4.00 S/H
RWS .30-06 Win. UNI 180-Grain RWS’ .308 Win. UNI 180-grain cartridge combines delayed high-shock effect with deep penetration. The UNI bullet is constructed with a soft lead core tip fused to a harder and heavier tail core. The projectile tends to mushroom less, yet it has increased penetrating force. At the muzzle, the cartridge delivers 2,560 fps velocity and 2,619 ft./lbs. of energy. At 100 yards, the load yields 2,315 fps of velocity and 2,142 ft./lbs. of energy.
MSRP: $58.00 You Save $20.00 PO Box 970057 Coconut Creek, FL 33097
www.maxarmory.com
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.
Fiocchi Ammunition (702) 293-6174 www.fiocchiusa.com
Circle # 419
Visit Us Online 24/7 www.shootingindustry.com
Continued from page 46
Weatherby Releases Low-Price Vanguard Southwick: Top-Selling Brands
W
eatherby is now offering its Vanguard rifles starting at $399, which is the lowest price the rifles have been offered at in years. While the price has been lowered, Weatherby says the features of the Vanguard remain the same. A newly accurized trigger is adjustable and calibrated to break crisply without any play. The Vanguard action features a one-piece forged and machined receiver, and the bolt has three ports to allow high-pressure gases to escape in the event of an accidental case rupture. The rifle is available in 16 calibers, including .257 and .300 Weatherby Magnums. For more information, visit www.weatherby.com.
S
outhwick Associates has released its data on the top-selling brands in six categories for April and May. The data is from Southwick’s Internet program: HunterSurvey, a monthly consumer monitoring service. Southwick can provide greater detail on these and many other product categories on a subscription basis. Contact: Info@southwickassociates.com for a sample of monthly reports and pricing.
Top-Selling Brands Category Rifles
Browning
May MS*
Brand
MS*
22.0%
Remington
13.7% 28.4%
Shotguns
Mossberg
19.4%
Mossberg
Handguns
S&W
20.2%
Taurus
17.2%
Remington
29.3%
Remington
24.7%
Rifle Ammo
Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic
April Brand
Riflescopes
Burris
23.5%
Bushnell
25.9%
Game Calls
Primos
35.5%
Primos
27.7%
* Marketshare
Federal, Pheasants Forever Reach Milestone Test Drive The Cynergy
T
he partnership between Federal Premium and Pheasants Forever (PF) has reached a new level. Federal recently produced the 15 millionth PF shell at its Anoka, Minn., facility. This is good news for pheasants as a portion of the proceeds from each box sold goes directly to this grassroots habitat organization. “This has been a great program for both of us,” said Kyle Tengwall, marketing director. “Conservation is very important to Federal Premium. Having partners like PF who remain dedicated to improving and preserving wildlife is a must. These organizations are vital to our heritage, and we’re proud to be associated with Pheasants Forever.” Federal Premium is expanding its royalty program this year with the introduction of Pheasants Forever Steel loads. The new offer offerings will provide hunters with great options in areas where lead shot is not permitted. Initially they will be available in 12 and 20 gauge 3", #3 and #5 options. For more information, visit www. federalpremium.com.
B
rowning is developing a special Cynergy Test Drive Program with select shooting ranges and hunting clubs to permit consumers the opportunity to try the Cynergy over-and-under. Browning is betting that once consumers experience the handling and performance of the advanced shotgun, they’ll buy one. Range and hunting club owners interested in becoming an Official Cynergy Test Drive Center should call 1-800-234-2061. Browning’s Cynergy Club promotion continues through Nov. 30, 2008. Consumers who buy a new Cynergy will receive $500 in Cynergy Club gear, which includes a Cynergy cap, custom hard case, soft zipper case, limited edition range bag, a $100 check and a five-year limited warranty. Visit www.browning.com and click “Promotions & Rebates.”
Bogs Boots Delivers, Offers Dealer Profits
B
ogs Boots is a newcomer to the outdoor and hunting market, and the company’s footwear is worth checking out. The company’s exclusive Bogs MT (Moisture Transfer) technology is the “secret” behind the unique product line. Bogs says the technology produces the “world’s first and only four-way stretch, waterproof and breathable neoprene.” Beneath the tough outer shell is a breathable perforated foam pad — a 2mm airmesh lining that moves moisture — and a waterproof, breathable membrane. What that means is water cannot get in the boots, but perspiration can get out. Thus, you have a three-season boot: cool in the heat, warm in the cold and dry in rainy conditions. A seamless, four-way stretch neoprene sockliner eliminates friction points www.shootingindustry.com
Bogs Boots Osmosis MT
and adjusts to fit any width foot. It’s breathable, anti-fungal and odor-resistant. The boots also have non-slip, non-marking rubber outsoles. Bogs has developed a dealer program that offers attractive price-points. Among the new models introduced this year is the Osmosis MT Model 52009, with a MSRP of $90. For more information, call 1-800-201-2070, e-mail: info@ bogsfootwear.com or visit www.bogsfootwear.com. 9 AUGUST 2008
45
Russ Thurman
The Cravings Of Gun-Ban Addicts
T
he Supreme Court’s ruling in late movement. Among this group are wealthy terest of public safety.” June that the Second Amendment supporters, well-entrenched politicians, an So, in the opinion of gun-ban addicts, means exactly what it says: “... overwhelmingly supportive media and le- those in the firearm industry — and gun the right of the people to keep and bear gions of addicts. owners — are ideological extremists, arms, shall not be infringed,” has intensiWith the Supreme Court’s ruling, the comparable to criminals, who attack pubfied the battle for firearm freedoms. Does gun-ban addicts are energized. They will lic safety. that seem at odds with what The Supreme Court’s is without question a victoruling, for all its enormous ry of immense magnitude? benefits, presents a chalIt is not. lenge: How do you conYes, the ruling is one to vince Mr. & Mrs. Average be celebrated by Americans American that there’s still who cherish our Constitua fight to be fought? This tional freedoms. However, it also applies to many in the is detestable to those whose industry. “The fight is over. goal is to rid our country of We won. Plus, I’ve got to the private ownership of fireworry about a drop in sales, arms. Even more than that, it because of the economy.” serves to energize the antiThe worst thing we can gun movement. do is to assume that all is In reality, those who have well. Remember, we’re dedicated their lives to this While there are reasons to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision, the fight dealing with addicts — anti-freedom movement not is far from over. they need a fix, and anothonly want to ban guns, they er, and another. need to ban guns. They are addicted to the continue to push their “sensible gun laws,” We all must continue to fight anticause. Every new anti-gun law, zoning while publicly ridiculing gun owners. gun battles in our cities, counties, legislation, shipping ordinance, registraNote this portion of Paul Helmke’s states and at the national level. That’s tion requirement, licensing fee increase, statement following the Supreme Court’s a given, and a continuing part of doing etc., is a “fix” for the gun-ban addict. decision: “The Heller decision, howev- business today. The euphoria, however, is short-lived, er, will most likely embolden criminal Just as important, if not more so, is to and another fix is needed. The hardcore, defendants, and ideological extremists, vote this November and educate all those dedicated addict is dependent on more and to file new legal attacks on existing gun around us on the gun ownership positions more gun-ban fixes, and there is no cure laws. With the help of the Brady Cen- of those running for office. — not for the anti-gun radicals who are ter’s legal team, those attacks can, and The fight for our freedoms as guaranthe movers and shakers of the anti-gun/ban must, be successfully resisted in the in- teed in the Constitution is far from over.
Education, Registration Key To Election
T
he NSSF has an invaluable tool to help educate voters on where political candidates stand on gun ownership, shooting and hunting. Visit www.nssf.org and click on “Voter Education.” The site provides extensive information on the presidential candidates and general election news. (See page 11 of this issue for more information.) NSSF also announced in July a major effort to register sportsmen and women to vote. By visiting www.nssf.org/register, a person can register and receive valuable information. NSSF is also asking those throughout the industry for their help by adding the campaign’s logo to Web sites, along with a link to www.nssf.org/register. “As recent history has demonstrated, elections can be decided by just a small margin, so it’s not a cliché to say that every vote, and every voter, counts,” said Steve Sanetti, NSSF president. “We need your help to build and maintain the ranks of firearms-friendly
46
AUGUST 2008
voters by supporting and assisting this vitally important voter registration.” On the “Don’t Risk Your Rights” Web site, Sanetti makes it clear that progun voters are lagging in voter turnout. “Here’s the sobering truth: So far in this presidential election, there has been a two-to-one turnout difference between voters supporting anti-gun candidates, versus voters supporting pro-gun candidates. Hunters and shooters are on the wrong side of two-toone odds,” Sanetti said. For information on how to place the “Don’t Risk Your Rights” logo on your Web site, visit www.nssf.org. Continued on page 45 www.shootingindustry.com
Circle No. 227 on Inquiry Card
Circle No. 230 on Inquiry Card