SHOT Daily — Day 4 — 2016 SHOT Show by NSSF

SHOOTING HUNTING OUTDOOR TRADE SHOW 1979–2016 NEW PRODUCT REPORTS

FEATURES

NO TABOOS Shooting helps bridge the parent-child gap. SEE PAGE 50

SHOT Daily hits the floor to find the latest airguns P. 14. And see what’s new in women’s shotguns P. 52 and lightweight rifles P. 58

EXTREME MEASURES Bushnell pushes the envelope with Trophy Xtreme SEE PAGE 8

NEWS

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE BDT pays big dividends for consumers and retailers alike. SEE PAGE 62

ROYAL TREATMENT Bluetooth is changing the shooting sports market SEE PAGE 64

DAY 4, JANUARY 2 2 , 2 016

T H E DA I LY N E WS O F T H E 2 0 1 6 L AS V EGAS S H OT S H OW B ROUG H T TO YOU BY T H E B O N N I E R CO R P O RAT I O N A N D T H E N SS F

Honor and Duty

rownells, Axelson Tactical, and Team Never Quit Ammunition are joining together to raffle off a Matt “Axe” Axelson Tribute Rifle to benefit Special Operations Wounded Warriors (SOWW). In addition to the rifle, Axelson’s SEAL Team 10 teammate, Marcus Luttrell, is donating 1,000 rounds of his company’s Team Never Quit Ammunition. The Matt “Axe” Axelson Tribute Rifle, serial number “AXE01,” is a civilian-legal AR-15 replica of the rifle Axe was carrying on June 28, 2005, when he and nine other U.S. Navy SEALs and eight Army Aviation Soldiers were killed in combat while serving in support of Operation Red Wings. “The rifle is engraved with etchings that tell the story of the firefight, from the Alpha Platoon patch to the ‘Turbine 33—NSDQ’ inscription,” says Axe’s brother, Jeff Axelson,

founder of Axelson Tactical. “We wanted it to be a symbol of the brotherhood all the men shared.” Raffle tickets may be purchased at brownells.com/axerifle for $50. Members of SOWW also will be displaying the rifle and selling tickets at the Brownells meeting room (Booth #10573). The raffle ends on July 4, 2016. All proceeds go directly to SOWW—as does the $10,000 Brownells donated to the organization. SOWW provides outdoor experiences to U.S. Military Special Operations Forces that have received wounds in battle. SOWW board member Ron Bellan, U.S. Navy SEAL Master Chief (Ret.), described the value of reconnecting to the outdoors for wounded vets. “We talk about things that they never tell their wives. Around that campfire, we talk as brothers.” —Robert F. Staeger

What’s Next? It’s no secret that getting a booth at SHOT Show can be as tough as drawing a tag for a sheep hunt. That’s why NSSF has launched a new pavilion for manufacturers and suppliers who have never exhibited at the show. Judging by the shoulder-toshoulder crowds clustered in the hall, the concept is a winner. One such exhibitor is Alpha Loading Systems. “We felt there had to be a simpler, more precise, and more productive

way to produce reliable ammo,” says director of sales Mark Bickish. “And we felt there had to be a better way to produce higher-quality matchgrade ammo quickly.” The company offers three systems: the Alpha L-350, a rotary production loader; the Alpha L-250, a machine that can load small pistol ammo as well as larger rifle loads (.300 Win. Mag.); and the Alpha P-150 priming machine. Booth #N312. (alphaloadingsystems.com)

DAMASCUS BLADE BABY BOWIE

owie knives with Damascus blades have always held a special place among all fixed-blade knives. Bear & Son Cutlery designs and builds a wide range of knife styles with these distinctive blades, and the company is justifiably proud of its impressive array of traditional Bowie knives, all in the 12- to 15-inch range. But its designers also realized there was a new market for those who wanted a Damascus blade Bowie, but in a much smaller package. The result is the new 500D ½ Baby Bowie with a 3-inch Damascus blade. With a Genuine India Stag Bone handle, the overall length is 6 ½ inches, and it weighs just 2.5 ounces. Made in the USA. SRP: $189.99. Booth #446. (bearandsoncutlery.com)

news

OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN AWARDS Last night, Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel (part of Outdoor Sportsman Group– Networks) announced the winners of the 16th Annual Outdoor Sportsman Awards. Guest presenters included Taya Kyle, wife of the late U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle; Eva Shockey, costar of Outdoor Channel’s Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures; Pete Brownell, National Rifle Association vice president; and Willie Robertson, star of Duck Dynasty and Buck Commander. In total, 17 Outdoor Sportsman Awards were given out during the ceremony. Two were awarded for the Fan Favorite Host(s) category; one went to Michael Waddell, Travis “T-Bone” Turner, and Nick Mundt, the stars of Outdoor Channel’s Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector; the other went to Tim Wells of Sportsman Channel’s Relentless Pursuit. Other winners included Trev Gowdy’s Monster Fish, Best Overall; GunnyTime with R. Lee Ermey, Best New Series; Crush with Lee & Tiffany, Best Deer Hunting; and Driven with Pat & Nicole, Best Big Game.

Shelter From the Storm First Lite’s new raingear provides intense weather protection By Richard Mann

get cold easier now than when I was 20. Some folks believe being cold is just part of hunting, but I’ve had lots of hunts where the weather and I were both warm, so that’s not the case. If you get cold while you’re hunting, what it really means is that you’re poorly equipped or you’re somewhere humans don’t belong. With some help from a company in Ketchum, Idaho, it has to be Otzi the Iceman cold before I head indoors.

Everyone who works at First Lite hunts at least 40 days each year. Kenton Carruth and Scott Robinson, who were influenced by the resurgence of merino wool as a next-to-skin fabric, founded the company in 2007. Through a rigorous R&D process, they were able to produce what is now the industry-leading merino wool hunting system. They have since taken merino wool clothing to the next level with 37.5 Cocona fabric—which captures and releases moisture vapor to maintain the optimum relative humidity in your microclimate—and by figuring out how to print camo patterns on those garments.

Sheep are able to live in the Siberian cold and the blistering heat of the Australian outback because they wear wool. Wool transports moisture and warm air away from the skin, dispersing it into the air. In cold temperatures, wool traps the warm air and keeps it close to the skin. Wool also absorbs 30 percent of its weight in moisture, which then passes through the material and is released into the air. This means it keeps body odor to a minimum. If you are going to brave the windblown open fields, you’ll need warm and windproof layered gear to protect you and help you blend in.

yamaha ’ s kodiak 700

Yamaha came ready to haul hay and till the soil for SHOT Show with the all-new 2016 Kodiak 700 4x4. Each model features a comfortable and compact new chassis as well as increased torque output. “These are a workingman’s ATV, with power, comfort, durability, and value,” says Yamaha vice president Mike Martinez. Booth #10243. (yamaha motorsports.com/outdoor)

With nylon and polyester, moisture remains on the skin and fabric, generating bacteria. This means you will stink. There are three reasons I’ve become addicted to hunting in First Lite. For starters, it’s designed by hunters for hunters, with what First Lite calls a “shooter’s cut.” They know how hunters need to move, and they build clothes for them to do it in. Second, I like to stay warm, and First Lite’s layered and lightweight merino wool system lets me do that. You’d think someone who knows the kind of predawn temperatures you must endure to get that big buck designed the stuff. And, finally, I’m not all about the camo. I often prefer neutral colors for hunting, and First Lite has them. However, First Lite’s Fusion camo is like wearing shadows and, sometimes, in the shadows is where a hunter needs to be. First Lite can outfit your hunt from the tip of your toes to the top of your head. Every year they add something new to the mix, and 2016 is no different. Several new products fill their catalog, but most notable might be the raingear. The Vapor Stormlight Jacket is intended for hunters who require ultralight compressible rain protection. The Seak Stormtight Jacket is for those needing maximum rain protection in extreme conditions. First Lite’s motto is “Go Farther, Stay Longer.” They can say this because their hunting clothes keep you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. And they are not oldstyle-wool heavy. Sorry, Dad, I’ll never wear your Army surplus wool again. Booth #10053. (firstlite.com)

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Slim-Tuk $3999

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MSRP

Slaton L. White, Editor James A. Walsh, Art Director Margaret M. Nussey, Managing Editor David E. Petzal, Shooting Editor Paul Catalano, Assistant Art Director Judith Weber, Production Manager Maribel Martin, Senior Administrative Assistant

Style 137

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Larry Ahlman, Barbara Baird, Scott Bestul, Philip Bourjaily, Christopher Cogley, David Draper, Jock Elliott, William F. Kendy, Mark Kayser, David Maccar, Peter B. Mathiesen, Brian McCombie, Richard Mann, Tom Mohrhauser, Robert Sadowski, Robert F. Staeger, Peter Suciu, Wayne Van Zwoll

Greg Gatto, Vice President, Publishing Director ADVERTISING: 212-779-5316

Brian Peterson, Western Sporting Goods Sales Katie Logan, Southern Sporting Goods Sales David Hawkey, Northeast Sporting Goods Sales Elizabeth A. Burnham, Chief Marketing Officer Ingrid Reslmaier, Marketing Design Director

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BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Tara Bisciello, Business Manager

CONSUMER MARKETING

Robert M. Cohn, Consumer Marketing Director Barbara Brooker, Fulfillment Manager

MANUFACTURING

Erich Schlitz, Production Manager

BONNIER Chairman, Tomas Franzén Chief Executive Officer, Eric Zinczenko Chief Operating Officer, David Ritchie Chief Marketing Officer, Elizabeth Burnham Murphy Chief Digital Revenue Officer, Sean Holzman Vice President, Integrated Sales, John Graney Vice President, Consumer Marketing, John Reese Vice President, Digital Audience Development, Jennifer Anderson Vice President, Digital Operations, David Butler Vice President, Public Relations, Perri Dorset General Counsel, Jeremy Thompson

• Precision molded from Kydex® • Tuckable 360™ C-Clip affords unlimited mounting options • Features a rugged nylon clip • Ambidextrous SHOT Business (ISSN 1081-8618) is published 7 times a year in January, February/March, April/May, June/July, August/September, October/ November and December by Bonnier Corporation, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5695, and is the official publication of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Flintlock Ridge Office Center, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470 (203-426-1320). Volume 24, issue 1. Copyright © 2015 by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. All rights reserved. Editorial, circulation, production and advertising offices are located at 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5695 (212-779-5000). Free to qualified subscribers; available to non-qualified subscribers for $25 per year. Single-copy issues are available for $5 each. Send check, payable to NSSF, to: SHOT Business, c/o NSSF, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470-2359. SHOT Business accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. All correspondence should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Requests for media kits and advertising information should be directed to Katy Marinaro, Bonnier Corporation, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 1270, Chicago, IL 60611. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and at additional mailing offices.

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news

Bushnell Goes to Extremes M

iddle-of-the-road products, like the great comedian Rodney Dangerfield, sometimes get no respect. Often thought of as “value” items, they too often lack the “wow” features that get consumers excited, even though they are priced right at the heart of the market. As a result, many manufacturers give this product category short shrift and instead devote most of their resources to higher-end lines. Bushnell has decided not to wander down that road. Instead, it is beefing up the riflescopes, binoculars, and laser rangefinders that constitute the heart of its line with features designed to appeal to the core of the market. “For 2016, we’re revamping the entire Trophy line,” says Jake Edson, Bushnell communications manager. “We have improved ergonomics and functionality across the entire line.” But that’s not all. Bushnell will also introduce a Trophy line extension, which it calls Trophy Xtreme, at the 2016 SHOT Show. “It’s our Trophy line taken to the extreme— hence the name,” Edson says. “In each of the different categories, you’re going to have added features that reflect current trends in what hunters are looking for. The products, however, will still reflect that hardcore Midwest whitetail hunting sensibility: The product needs to be value-minded, but it will still offer a lot of features.”

The new Bushnell Trophy Xtreme line of riflescopes, binoculars, and rangefinders, part of the revamped Trophy line, have been designed to appeal to the core of the big-game hunting market.

For example, the riflescopes in the Trophy Xtreme line will now have larger, sturdier 30mm tubes. “A lot of whitetail hunters have been making the transition to 30mm scopes,” Edson says. “It’s a trend that began with the tactical shooter, then filtered down to the tactical lifestyle world. After that it moved to the long-range shooting world, and now it’s being picked up by everyday whitetail hunters.” In the Trophy Xtreme binocular family, hunters will see larger objective lenses, a development that is also part of the tactical trend. But the biggest news has to be the Trophy Xtreme laser rangefinder. “With this laser rangefinder, we’ve developed a new technology with our partners, which we’re calling Full Spectrum Technology,” Edson says. “It allows the laser rangefinder to read any color target,

including black.” Black has been a problem for laser rangefinders for years because it absorbs so much light. But Edson is confident Bushnell has solved the problem. “Full Spectrum Technology is a huge step forward in laser rangefinder technology,” he says. “I think it’s going to define the laser rangefinder industry for years to come.” Usually, advanced technology gets introduced in the higher-end lines before filtering down to the lesser-priced lines. But in this case, Bushnell will make Full Spectrum Technology available in the Trophy Xtreme line. “It’s a really good product, but it’s also a value-based product,” Edson says. “The idea is to keep hunters in the Bushnell family.” Booth #14551. (bushnell.com) —Slaton L. White

panel discussion

Rethinking the N.A. Model

hat keeps hunters up at night? Is it the fate of a favorite species, like the mule deer? Perhaps it’s the role of state and federal agencies in governing natural resources. Or is it the future of firearms in this country, and the funds they provide to conservation? This first question was posed at the “Reconsidering the North American Model” panel Wednesday, held in the Bonnier Corp. suite at noon. The discussion served as an extension of Outdoor Life’s special report on the conservation

model in its February/March issue, which reexamined seven core principles of the doctrine. Moderated by Andrew McKean, Editor-in-Chief of Outdoor Life, five panelists answered questions submitted by audience members. “We have the most successful wildlife model in the history of the world, but I think we’re at a point where we’re asking the system to address issues it was never intended to. We’re putting a lot of stress on the [model],” said panelist David Allen, president and CEO of the Rocky

8 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

Mountain Elk Foundation. “Yes, it has worked, but we have some huge issues ahead of us.” The model began to develop more than a century ago, but both the physical and political landscape governing our nation’s natural resources have since shifted. Topics addressed include state wildlife agencies (Do we still need 50 of them?), the efficacy of local government at managing wildlife, fair chase and technology, the allocation and distribution of PittmanRobertson funds, and the commercialization of wildlife. The panel didn’t attempt to solve problems (yet), but rather explored the extent of the complex issues facing hunters and anglers today, and discussed where the model stands. The takeaway? Sportsmen and women must grow with the times, and be willing to reevaluate and adapt the model as necessary. You can pick up a copy of Outdoor Life at the entrance to the Sportsman’s Lounge, San Polo Room #3501.

crosman presents award

Crosman Corporation presented the William McLean Award to Tom Gaylord in recognition of his contributions to the sport of airgunning. “Tom has written about airguns for more than 20 years, and his selfless interest in the advancement of the sport includes contributions to product development for several companies, including Crosman, and the promotion of airguns through his articles,” said Jennifer Lambert, Crosman’s vice president of marketing. The award’s namesake, William McLean, is the inventor of the first Crosman air rifle. Gaylord was presented with a bronzed 760 Pumpmaster, a model that has sold more than 17 million units since 1966. “It’s fitting that we recognize the 50th year of the 760 with this acknowledgment of Tom’s special place in the history of airguns,” said Lambert.

news

A Smoother Way to Shoot

American Eagle Syntech intends to change the landscape of target ammunition

t’s one of the biggest ironies in shooting. We generally put the least amount of thought and consideration into the handgun ammunition we shoot the most: target rounds. Shooters might research and test several different loads for personal defense, hunting, or competition, but when it comes to a day at the range, most are content to shoot whatever’s available and affordable. Consciously or not, we rationalize that we’re “only” shooting at paper or steel from relatively close range, and that the practical differences between full-metal-jacket target rounds have traditionally been subtle at most.

But that’s all changed. New American Eagle Syntech shows what target ammunition can really be. Smooth. Consistent. Clean. Easier on your gun. And more fun to shoot. Syntech is a product that’s been years in the making, according to senior product line manager Mike Holm. “Though we’re proud of the consistency and performance our target loads have always offered, we decided it was time to step up and make the shooting experience better,” he says. A key motivating factor for this is the changing demographic of today’s shooter. “We know that someone who started shooting a handgun in the past few years generally has different wants and needs than established shooters,” he says. “In a lot of ways, they’re more critical and do more research. They ask questions that push us to do more, too, especially for those who might not be quite as comfortable with guns or do most of their shooting at indoor ranges.” That “push” helped create something extraordinary—not only the ammunition itself, but also the technologies that define it. It all centers on the exclusive Syntech Total Synthetic Jacket, a complete polymer coating that takes the place of the copper jacket in conventional FMJ target ammunition. The technology rewrites the book on what shooters should expect and demand from range ammunition.

Smooth and Cool ➤ Syntech

is cool—literally. Unlike conventional lead or copper-jacketed rounds, the slick, red polymer coating eliminates metal-on-metal contact in the barrel. The result is not only softer, smoother shooting you can feel, but less friction, heat, and barrel wear. Shooters—especially those who burn through a lot of rounds at the range—will get more longevity out of their hard-

With no exposed lead or copper, Syntech leaves no metal fouling in the barrel, which means cleanup after shooting is a whole lot easier.

earned handgun investment. In fact, the Syntech coating produced an average of 12 percent less friction in the barrel than did a standard copper jacket when tested by Federal Ammunition engineers using standard testing methods and .45 ACP 230-grain Full Metal Jacket Federal American Eagle Pistol ammo. Another Syntech test revealed an average of 14 percent less heat. The heat test was conducted using 9mm 115-grain Full Metal Jacket Federal American Eagle Pistol ammo and a common, conventional, full-size handgun.

Shoot Clean, Shoot Better ➤ After

running a few magazines of Syntech through their guns, shooters will notice no copper or lead fouling. “We don’t like to admit it, but nobody likes to clean their gun,

and Syntech eliminates a big part of what makes a firearm dirty in the first place,” says senior product development engineer John Swenson. “Not only does the Syntech jacket encapsulate the lead core, but that coating maintains its integrity at ignition, down the barrel, and in flight.” With no exposed lead or copper, there’s no contact between these materials and the barrel, so there’s no metal fouling. Period. You’ll have to service your gun less frequently, and you’ll shoot better in the meantime. The need to clean is further reduced by the load’s special clean-burning propellant paired with all-new lead-free Catalyst primer technology. “The new primer is hot and consistent, and it provides extremely reliable ignition,” says chief chemist Joel Sandstrom. “This results in a more complete and efficient burn of the propellant, which significantly reduces residue with each shot.”

Safety Matters ➤ Range

Syntech’s polymer coating takes the place of a copper jacket.

10 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

shooters often take for granted the physics involved in shooting a jacketed bullet into a hard target mere paces away. The

reality is that pieces of the copper jacket and larger fragments of the lead core travel far from a target on impact—sometimes more than 15 yards. But with no hard copper jacket and a soft lead core, Syntech produces less of this splash-back, and what it does produce travels a shorter distance when fired into steel targets. Testing done by Federal Ammunition engineers proves this point. “We set up a test where a shooter fired 100 rounds each of common, commercial, 115-grain FMJ, TMJ, and Syntech from a distance of 23 feet into a steel target,” Swenson says. For the test, Swenson and his team covered a 15-plus-yard radius in front of the target with a giant tarp, on which they’d marked 5-, 10- and 15-yard circles. After shooting each type of ammunition, they collected bullet fragments in the 10- and 15-yard marked areas, and then weighed and analyzed what was there. “What we found says it all,” he says. “Not only did Syntech put out less overall weight in recoverable fragments than did typical FMJs, but most of those fragments were smaller and traveled shorter distances after hitting the steel.”

Experience the Difference

➤ There will always be practical applications for conventional copper-jacketed target rounds like those you’ll find from American Eagle. This ammunition remains an affordable choice for accurate, reliable practice and training. But with range time so precious to us, it only makes sense to choose ammunition that makes that time more fun and more productive, with less hassle and cleanup. “It’s all about having a better shooting experience,” says Holm. “With Syntech, you have more of what all shooters want, and far less of what they don’t.” Booth #14551.

(federalpremium.com)

news

The Brain Trust

Timney Triggers creates a two-stage trigger for the MSR

By Richard Mann

he aftermarket parts and accessories industry for firearms is big business. It’s also a complicated business because those who build aftermarket accoutrements must build them to tolerances established by the original manufacturers, and sometimes those tolerances and dimensions wander, if not change completely. To further complicate the issue, aftermarket parts should ideally be able to be installed by consumers. In the last several years, one of the fastest-growing segments in the aftermarket firearms industry has been triggers. Timney’s new two-stage MSR trigger is an easy-to-install drop-in installation that requires only a few readily available tools.

Shooters have always known a good trigger will help them shoot better. Good triggers used to come by way of a gunsmith, but every little town no longer has one. Timney Triggers has filled that void with more than 130 affordable and precision-engineered drop-in trigger units to fit rifles from more than 20 manufacturers. Most can be installed in just a few minutes with the tools you have in that cluttered drawer in your kitchen. An array of engineering masterpieces such as Timney offers does not occur by accident. It takes some of the most sophisticated automated machinery ever produced and an intense dedication to precision. Most important, it takes a smart guy, a guy like Calvin Motley. About a dozen years ago, Timney owner John Vehr realized he would have to invest in high-tech automated machinery to mass-produce precision triggers. After spending enough money to finance a presi-

dential campaign, Vehr sent an employee off to school. While there, about the only thing the employee learned was how to plug the machines in and turn them on. Vehr then began a search for an operator and eventually stumbled on Motley. He got a lot more than he expected. Motley was a sometimes shooter, but more important to Timney, his brain works differently than most people’s. Not only can he run the complex contraptions Vehr purchased, he can look at a mechanical conundrum and almost magically create a simple solution, often before you’ve finished explaining the problem. Not long after Motley went to work for Timney, I told him I’d really like a good trigger for my CZ 452. He suggested I send him the rifle. I did. Two weeks later he returned it with a brand-new trigger. He did this again after I grumbled about the triggers in the Ruger American Rimfire and Mossberg’s MVP. In an industry that sometimes

12 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

takes years to bring a new product to market, Motley’s intellect, ingenuity, and the rapidity with which he can create, is rare. For 70 years Timney has manufactured nothing but single-stage triggers. However, they’ve been receiving lots of requests for two-stage triggers, particularly for the MSR. Depending on how you look at it, the difference is subtle or substantial. With a single-stage trigger, you place your finger on the trigger, apply pressure, and it releases the sear without take-up or movement. With a two-stage trigger, it’s more like a “ready, get set, go” process. You “ready” for the shot by placing your finger on the trigger. You “get set” for the shot by pulling the trigger through the first stage. And, you “go,” or shoot, by breaking the trigger through the second stage. Engineering all this into an easy-to-install drop-in trigger unit intended to provide consistent performance, no matter which of the hundreds of different MSRs it could be installed in, was a challenge most would consider horrifying. Motley did it in just a couple of months, and he did it while he was working on other trigger projects, plus operating and servicing all the robotic machinery Timney utilizes. The new two-stage MSR trigger is the first trigger in a new Defense line of triggers, a line that will emphasize go switches specifically developed and produced for military and law enforcement firearms. As with most companies, it’s not the brand, the building, or the business that truly matters; it’s the people who work there that make the difference. Vehr will readily admit Timney was fortunate to have found Motley. “Calvin has the most amazing, creative mind,” Vehr says. “He’s managed to astound me each and every day of the 11 years we’ve worked together. He’s a master at designing and engineering triggers, and because of that, Timney produces the finest triggers on the planet.” So much does Vehr believe in and appreciate his engineer that two years ago, he tasked Motley with creating the best trigger that could possibly be made for the Remington Model 7 and 700. When he was done, Vehr named it the “Calvin Elite.” Every company, just like every shooter, needs a smart guy, a guy they can turn to to solve problems. Timney has Calvin Motley, and if you’re looking for the best trigger to put in your rifle, you’ve got him, too. In fact, in 2012, when Timney’s customers selected the Mosin Nagant as the rifle they wanted a new drop-in trigger for, guess who sorted it out for them? Booth #1846. (timneytriggers.com)

AIRGUNS the duke ’ s peacemaker

bullpups galore

crossbow anyone ?

Daystate Bullpup-design Pulsar has a built-in laser for targeting.

blade runner redux

FX Airguns The Wildcat Bullpup uses a valve system powered by a new high-grade aluminum air cylinder. The action is nestled into a durable synthetic stock with soft-touch coating for all-weather comfort, and the rifle also has a new easy-to-load magazine system.

Fun, Fun, Fun Airguns deliver high fun, low per-shot expense, and expanded shooting opportunities. What’s not to like? By Jock Elliott Airguns of Arizona Daystate Ltd. ➤ New

for Daystate in 2016 is the Pulsar in .25 caliber. Ultra hightech and loaded with space-age materials, this new Bullpup from Daystate sets the standard as one of the most sophisticated and advanced air rifles ever produced. The firing system has power settings for low, medium, and high, giving the shooter unlimited versatility for target shooting or longrange hunting. The Pulsar incorporates features such as a built-in laser for targeting, a computercontrolled regulator for super-high

shot count, and a cocking and loading system that is almost effortless. The action is nestled into an Italian-crafted stock that is both beautiful and comfortable. This world-class rifle is now available in .177, .22, and .25 calibers. SRP: $2,699. Booth #4049. (air gunsofarizona.com)

Air Venturi ➤ The

Duke Colt Single Action CO2 BB Revolver is a faithful replica of the original Colt Peacemaker. A worthy addition to any collection of Colt Single Action Army revolvers, the Duke

Air Venturi The Wing Shot PCP is a .50 caliber precharged pneumatic (PCP) bolt-action shotgun that offers airgun hunters the versatility of choosing either .50-caliber shotshells or bullets.

14 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

Colt Single Action Revolver features a die-cast full-metal frame with your choice of weathered, blued, or nickel-plated finishes. The composite brown grip includes a medallion detail with an image of the Duke himself. This six-shooter’s authentic realism is evident in the revolver’s attention to detail, which includes the realistic cylinder, shell ejector, and cocking hammer. A pellet version will also be available. SRP: $179.99. The Wing Shot PCP is a .50-caliber pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) bolt-action shotgun that offers airgun hunters the versatility of choosing either .50-caliber shot-

shells or bullets. Beautifully balanced and adorned with attractive engraving and a handsome hardwood stock, the bolt-action Wing Shot is effective for wingshooting as well as small-game and largegame hunting, including predators, hogs, and even whitetails. Choose the shotgun option and enjoy velocities of 1,130 fps with 360 foot-pounds of energy using No. 8 shot. With consistent spreads of 12 inches at 20 yards, it’s the ideal tool for upland or bushytail hunting. Hunting for larger game? With .50-caliber bullets, the Wing Shot rifle offers speeds of 760 fps and fpe

products

Crosman The single-shot Benjamin Maximus (top) is set in a synthetic all-weather stock and is available in .177 and .22 calibers. Based on a precharged air rifle platform, the Pioneer Airbow (bottom) is an innovative take on crossbows.

exceeding 245. That’s more than enough power to take a javelina or coyote with a well-placed shot. Weighing less than 7.5 pounds, the smoothbore Wing Shot features an ambidextrous stock, rubber buttpad, crisp two-stage trigger, beaded front sight, integrated air-pressure gauge, five consistent shots per fill, and a one-year warranty. For a change in shooting, easily unscrew the choke. With a length of pull at 13.5 inches, it’s practical for use by everyone, including smaller shooters. The gun fills to a pressure of 200 BAR and comes equipped with a factory-installed male Foster quickconnect fitting that makes for convenient charging. Choose from pre-filled shells, empty hulls you can fill yourself, or .50-caliber airgun bullets (slugs). Shells are offered with No. 6 or No. 8 shot, and each hold about 120 grains of shot inside the 130-grain shotshell. The smaller shot size is great for wingshooting, while the larger size is perfect for stationary targets. Compared to shooting a .410, the Wing Shot shells have about half the volume of shot traveling at the same speed. Half the amount of shot equals less tissue damage to your smaller quarry. The typical .410 shoots a much denser pattern with more shot and is just too much gun for distances closer than 10 to 15 yards. The Wing Shot is simply a better wing gun option at ranges up to 25 yards. SRP: $850.

Booth #2007. (pyramydair.com)

Brocock Ltd. ➤ The

new player to enter the high-quality and high-performance air rifle market is from Brocock, the sister company to Daystate. The Compatto’s semiBullpup format delivers a large array of performance features such as a slingshot hammer system for both high power and shot count, a power adjuster that provides control for indoor target shooting or long-range pest control, a 10-shot magazine, finger-set safety, noise reduction for quiet discharge, and an Italian-made high-quality synthetic stock, along with a two-year warranty. SRP: $1,100. Booth #4049. (airgunsofarizona.com)

Crosman ➤ Benjamin

Airguns, the premier hunting brand of Crosman Corporation, continues to lead the way in low-cost high-performance pre-charged pneumatics with the introduction of the Maximus air rifle. The single-shot bolt-action is set in an attractive black synthetic all-weather stock and will be available in .177 and .22 calibers. Built in America, the Maximus has a maximum fill pressure of 2,000 psi, can be charged with a hand pump, and can deliver up to 30 shots per fill. The action is machined to accept dovetail optic mounts, and the barrel is

16 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

threaded, opening the door to additional accessories and customization. This new rifle, which features a non-adjustable single-stage trigger, will deliver velocities of up to 1,000 fps in .177 caliber and 900 fps in .22. An on-board pressure gauge monitors fill. Available spring 2016. SRP: $199.99. Based on a precharged air rifle platform, the Pioneer Airbow is an innovative take on crossbows. Filled to 3,000 psi and firing fullsize arrows, the integrated pressure regulator delivers eight consistent full-power shots at 450 fps. The convenience of a trigger-firing mechanism, top-cocking lever with only 2 pounds of cocking force, and a compact profile means anyone, regardless of size or strength, can handle the Pioneer. With no cocking rope to lose or tangle, the Pioneer Airbow is especially safe for treestand use. Arrows from the Pioneer stabilize quickly, giving shooters an expanded kill range for any game animal. Its accuracy is not affected by canting, and it does not require the complex maintenance of a crossbow. The Pioneer Airbow features a black synthetic stock with a Picatinny rail system for mounting accessories and includes three custom arrows with field tips, 4x32 mm optic by CenterPoint, a sling, and a quiver. It will be branded under Crosman’s premier hunting label, Benjamin Airguns. Available spring 2016. SRP: $849. Booth

#13940. (crosman.com)

FX Airguns

➤ The new feature-rich FX Impact air rifle has been engineered to satisfy the most demanding airgun shooter. The Bullpup action has a unique match-grade trigger system that does not rely on connection rods or linkages. The breech and barrel assembly incorporates a quick-change system that allows for the use of any of four calibers (.177, .22, .25, or .30). All that is required is an extra barrel and pellet probe for each caliber. The airmetering system is custom tunable, with an outside adjustable air regulator, power-wheel hammer-spring adjustment, and valve-return spring tuning. The FX Impact comes standard with an adjustable recoil pad, cheek rest, Foster quick-fill connector, Picatinny rails, air regulator, and a new ultra-quiet shroud system. Setting this new rifle apart from its competitors is the AR15 grip design that allows for a wide range of readily available accessories. Other notable features include the match-winning Smooth Twist barrel, a 480cc weight-saving carbon-fiber air bottle, AR-15 style safety, a large-capacity magazine, a pressure gauge, and a cocking lever that has been ergonomically placed so the shooter can actuate and fire without losing the sight picture or cheek weld. SRP: $1,899. The Wildcat Bullpup precision air rifle is the first all-new rifle to

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come out of the state-of-the art factory in Mariastad, Sweden. The Wildcat represents many hours of complex design and systems testing, and the end result has exceeded expectations for a compact, high-power, and highly accurate performer. Features include a precise air regulator and new easy-to-

load magazine system (inexpensive spares are available). The Wildcat valve system is powered by the new high-grade aluminum air cylinder, which sports a durable new tactical finish. Everything has been engineered for smooth and easy operation. Thanks to the match-winning Smooth Twist barrel, .5 inch

groups at 50 yards are common. The action is nestled into a durable synthetic stock with soft-touch coating for all-weather comfort. This new stock comes to point quickly, and in conjunction with the new scope-rail design places the shooter’s eye in a comfortable and proper position to eliminate

Hatsan The Gladius Bullpup delivers a high shot count due to onboard storage of up to four magazines. It is available in three calibers: .177, .22, and .25.

parallax error. This compact powerhouse will excite the Bullpup and tactical customer, and perform as a full-length gun for the more traditional shooter. SRP: $1,299. Booth #4049. (fxairguns.com)

HatsanUSA

➤ The Gladius Bullpup PCP is a direct response to industry feedback, delivering critical key features such as extreme ease of use, smooth operation, high shot count, three easily selectable power settings, fully adjustable compact Bullpup stock, on-board storage of up to four mags, consistent power, excellent accuracy, and Hatsan’s QuietEnergy technology, which reduces the shot report by more than 50 percent. The Gladius is available in three calibers: .177, .22, and .25. The .177 caliber delivers a maximum velocity of 1,070 fps and up to 90 shots per fill; the .22 caliber offers maximum muzzle velocity of 970 fps with up to 85 shots per fill; and the .25 version will launch pellets at up to 870 fps with up to 80 shots per fill. SRP: $999.99. Booth #1425. (hatsanusa.com)

products

Leapers The SCP3-18IEMDN offers an 8X zoom ratio. P.O.I. rings feature an interface with the scope tube to achieve a seamless ring-to-scope interaction.

Leapers ➤ Leapers

UTG T8 MRC scopes with 8X zoom ratio have magnification settings suitable for close-, medium-, and long-range target distances. The “MRC” stands for Multi-Range Combat and Competition. Three models are currently available in the T8 MRC lineup. The SCP318IEMDN is specifically offered to meet the demands of airgunners who enjoy plinking, target shooting, and small-game hunting. This dedicated airgun optic has all the same great features of the other two in the series, such as the 8X zoom ratio and the 36-color Illumination Enhanced (IE) reticle, but parallax is preset at 35 yards. Premium lockable and resettable turrets allow for consistent performance. The etched-glass mil-dot reticle is complemented by crisp ½ MOA click adjustments. Maximum light transmission for optimal view finder clarity is achieved through a high-tech emerald lens coating that provides shooters with a clear field of view of the 36-color capable Illumination Enhancing (IE) reticle. Comes with an integral angled sunshade and flip-open lens caps. SRP: $229.97. Given the wide variety of makes and models in the airgun world, Leapers saw the need for a universal scope mount that can fit a host of different platforms. Leapers UTG’s next-gen MNTDTW145 Dovetail to Picatinny rail adapter solves many fit problems. For instance, the MNTDTW145 is able to fit both rounded and flat receiver dovetails with 9mm–11mm bases. The Picatinny rail and ring is a modern design with a stable lock-up and zero retention that lets it better handle high-velocity airguns and or airguns with violent bidirectional recoil patterns. The 5.7-inch 14-slot top rail accom-

modates different-size optics and eye reliefs. Adding to the versatility of the adapter, Leapers designed its base length to be compatible with the majority of airgun receivers in the market. Secure installation onto an airgun’s receiver is accomplished via four Allen screws as well as three vertical stop pin screws to complement those airgun receivers equipped with stop pin recesses. Precision-machined from 6061T6 aluminum alloy with a matte black hardcoat anodize and a contoured profile with reduced weight and size, the UTG PRO Made In USA Precision Optics Interface (P.O.I.) scope rings feature an inner ring surface that interfaces with the scope tube to achieve a seamless ring-to-scope interaction. A flush-fitting steel locking side-plate controlled by dual spring-loaded guide rods interfaces with the Picatinny or dovetail rail (depending on model of rings) via a flush-fitting Torx screw to ensure a secure and

Umarex The external sleek lines and curves of the Brodax—which is polymerframed with internal metal parts, including the trigger and hammer—give it great balance.

20 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

repeatable zero. An integrally machined square-shaped recoil stop interfaces with the Picatinny slot, resulting in complete surface contact to eliminate the possibility of forward and aft movement from recoil vibrations. With the three interfaces working together, the end result is a solid and repeatable zero hold when equipped on any firearm with a top Picatinny rail. Leapers Dovetail P.O.I. rings accomplish the same repeatable zero hold, but are instead equipped with a spring-loaded vertical stop pin to mitigate the same possibility of forward and aft movement created by bi-directional recoil air guns. The Precision Optics Interface series of scope rings will be available in high, medium, and low profiles for both Picatinny and dovetail applications, and will include twopiece and integral one-piece designs for a variety of different scope tube diameters, such as 1 inch, 30mm, and 34mm. Booth

#2246. (leapers.com)

Umarex

➤ The new Umarex Throttle is perhaps the most technologically intense air rifle being introduced at SHOT Show. It incorporates a number of Umarex technologies, including the ReAxis gas piston, SilencAir noise dampener, LockDown mount, Airgun Scope Shock Reinforcement, and the newest technology—StopShox. This new Umarex mechanism is an advanced anti-recoil and antivibration system that drastically reduces recoil and vibration by absorbing the force of an air rifle’s internal spring or gas piston. Combining all of these technologies into the Throttle ensures the shooter has the ability to achieve accurate impact on target at a legitimate 1,200 feet per second with a quality alloy pellet. Available in both .177 and .22. The black synthetic all-weather stock design is progressive, with

products

flowing lines, and the goldhighlighted StopShox logo is engineered into its design just behind the LockDown Scope Mount. SRP: $199.99. The Brodax revolver is not a traditional replica firearm; it more closely resembles something you’d see in a video game or science-fiction movie. Nevertheless, its physical style is quite attractive. Vented ports are positioned atop the barrel housing with a Picatinny rail toprear ready for a dot sight. Located below the barrel, another Picatinny rail is

Umarex The Colt Peacemaker will now be offered in a .177 pellet- firing variant to help it deliver improved accuracy.

ready for a laser or flashlight. The external sleek lines and curves of the Brodax—which is polymer-framed with internal metal parts, including the trigger and hammer—give it great balance. Like other recent introductions from Umarex, the CO2 capsule is concealed in the grip frame, and a hex tool for tightening the capsule is integrated into the grip plate to prevent misplacement. The safety is also cleverly placed at the top of the grip behind the hammer with a low profile so that it does not distract from the

revolver’s appearance. Loading this handgun is easy—a rotary magazine slides out from behind the cylinder and holds 10 steel BBs. The Brodax revolver will shoot BBs in the neighborhood of 375 fps. SRP: $44.95. The popularity of the Colt Peacemaker by Umarex over the past year has been undeniable. Umarex is now offering a pellet-firing variant. The six individual casings still eject in authentic Single Action Army style, but they are made specifically to house a .177 pellet. The pellet Peacemaker has a nickel finish, as does one of the BB six-shooters, but since you can’t see the rifled barrel of the pellet gun, the easiest way to tell the difference between the BB variant the pellet version is the grip— black with a Colt medallion. More accuracy and minimized ricochet are big benefits of firing pellets, but the best part is the price. SRP: $120. Booth #15360. (umarexusa.com)

SPG’s Brand Identity

f you think that branded ancillary products are simply low-budget throwaway items, think again. Done right, such products can be high-quality items that reflect the brand integrity of the parent company. Steve McGrath, director of marketing and public relations at Signature Products Group, knows all this first hand. SPG specializes in licensed products, even though you may not recognize the name. “The joke around the office is SPG is probably the largest company you’ve never heard of,” he says. “We do licensed goods for some of the biggest names in the hunting industry. We got our start about 12 years ago doing automotive aftermarket products, and now we’ve broadened into clothing, packs, and pet products.” Though it has a broad product line, and works closely with such major brands as Mossy Oak, Realtree, and Under Armour, to name a few, SPG seems to have a particularly strong relationship with Browning. One of the newer licensed Browning products is a pair of dry bags—the Bear 4500RT and the Bear 6000RT. The dry bags feature a roll-top opening that keeps out water when closed, but permits easy access to the main storage area when opened. The bags also feature an air-release valve to help compress the bag around clothing or other gear when sealed. This feature reduces the volume of the bag to only the amount necessary to carry your gear. Both are made with durable 840 nylon and 600D poly. The welded technology, reinforced stitching, and roll-top closure make these bags, says McGrath “throw it in the lake” waterproof. The bags are also scent-proof, which should help them appeal to bowhunters who need to keep clothing scent-free on the walk in to a treestand. The bags are available in two camouflage patterns, Realtree Max-5 and Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades. SRP: $99,99, Bear 4500RT; $109.99, Bear 6000RT. Booth #10744. (spgoutdoors.com) —Slaton L. White

The Browning 4500RT dry bag, made by SPG, is waterproof and scent-proof.

FROMthe NSSF show your stuff

catch a crook

we ’ re getting safer

going global

Hunting Works for America state chapters are among the most cost-effective pro-hunting programs in the country.

Hunting Works for America

NSSF program helps show the impact of hunting at state and local levels By Christopher Cogley

here was a time when many people believed that the only businesses that benefited from hunting were the ones directly involved in the industry. That time has passed. Today, more and more people are beginning to see just how far-reaching the economic impacts of hunting really are, and a program from the National Shooting Sports Foundation is helping to make sure that the general public as well as lawmakers and regulators are well aware of those benefits before they pass policies that could jeopardize them.

“In 2010, we saw a trend of emerging threats to the industry at the local and state level,” says Chris Dolnack, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the NSSF. “It became very clear to us that the best way to deal with those threats was by helping to create a broad coalition that could demonstrate just how important hunting is to these communities.” With that goal in mind, the NSSF established the Hunting Works for America program in several key states that were facing the most immediate threats at the time. And to ensure that the initia-

tive had the kind of impact that was needed at the state and local level, the NSSF structured the program to create separate state chapters that all benefit from the national structure provided by the NSSF but operate independently of each other to raise awareness of the issues that impact communities in their state. “The goal is to bring together all the local stakeholders who have a vested interest in hunting and give them the resources they need to help raise awareness with both the public and

24 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

the legislators about how important hunting and shooting is to the local economy,” Dolnack says. The program began in 2010 with three state chapters— Arizona, Minnesota, and North Dakota. In the years since, it has expanded to include chapters in Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Utah, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Oregon. Chapters in Maine and Washington are planned for 2016. Each of the chapters is made up of more than 100 partners from a wide variety of industries, includ-

ing hotel and convention associations, chambers of commerce, restaurant associations, and many others. It’s that diversity, Dolnack says, that is proving to be the key to the program’s success. “When you have non-endemic partners like that, it sends a loud message that hunting doesn’t just impact gun stores,” he says. “Hunting has far-reaching economic impacts for local businesses, especially in rural areas. ” From the beginning, the NSSF recognized that that message should come from the people who are closest to the issues.

from the nssf

“Legislators aren’t going to listen to some national organization telling them how to regulate their wildlife,” Dolnack says. “It’s much more powerful coming from local entities that they know and work with everyday.” So instead of acting as a “governing” body for the state chapters, the NSSF identifies states where a Hunting Works chapter is needed then helps to get the chapter established by organizing the stakeholders. Once that happens, the NSSF steps back and allows the individual chapters to do what they do best. “If you get a couple of key partners, it tells everyone else that this is legitimate and it’s important,” Dolnack says. “And if you recruit the right leadership, these organizations run themselves and sustain themselves because all the members see how effective they can be at the local level.” That’s what happened in Arizona in 2011, when the Hunting Works for Arizona coalition responded to news that the federal government was going to close three public shooting ranges in the Sonoran National Monument. Hunting Works for Arizona initiated a massive letter-writing campaign outlining how important those shooting areas were to the local economies and how many jobs could be lost if the ranges closed. The campaign worked, and the government found the money needed to keep the ranges open. “The program is a very effective communications tool that raises awareness for both the public and the legislators,” Dolnack says. “And what better message could you deliver to elected officials than telling them what the economic impact of their decisions will be—especially in rural areas?” That message was loud and clear in 2013, when more than 90 individual partners in the Hunting Works for Minnesota program signed a letter drafted by the NSSF urging Democratic U.S. Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar to carefully consider the objective data about the economic impact that the proposed “Assault Weapons Ban of 2013” would have on local businesses and their constituents in Minnesota. The letter, with signatures that represented thousands of Minnesotans, was hand-delivered to each Senator’s office and subsequently printed in the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Minnesota Outdoor News. Both Senators voted against the bill. The NSSF plans to continue to help establish new state chapters in the coming years based on where the most immediate needs are and where benefit from the national structure provided by the NSSF resources are best allocated. “We have to carefully evaluate emerging issues in these states and see where new chapters are most critical and where they’ll be the most effective,” Dolnack says. “The only real expense is putting boots on the ground to get the chapters organized. But it still takes man-hours, and we need to make sure we’re spending those dollars where they’ll do the most good.” But when it comes to protecting the future of hunting, the Hunting Works state chapters are proving that they might just be the best investment any of us could ever make. “I really believe that this is one of the most effective—and cost-effective—programs the NSSF has launched,” Dolnack says. “These state chapters are making a measurable difference, and they can all see that. That kind of impact is something money can’t buy.”

Learn how to make your SHOT Show experience as productive and lucrative as possible by attending the Academy.

Additional Value

Academy helps exhibitors maximize the SHOT Show experience By Christopher Cogley

he SHOT Show is massive. If you didn’t know that before, it’s a safe bet you’re well aware of it by now. Sometimes it’s hard to appreciate just how big, and how complex, the SHOT Show really is until you experience it first-hand. But the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Exhibitor Academy is going a long way toward making sure new exhibitors—and even those who have been around for a few years—are as prepared as they possibly can be before they walk into the doors of the 2016 SHOT Show.

“Everyone can benefit from the Exhibitor Academy. Everyone can learn,” says Melissa Schilling, Director of Exhibitions and Conferences for the NSSF. “I have a hard time believing that no one has any questions about their booth or what to expect at the show, and this is the place to get answers to those questions.” The 2015 Exhibitor Academy was the second year the NSSF had put on the conference, part of an ongoing effort to provide additional value to NSSF members. In this case, the Academy also provided the chance for exhibitors to interact with key staff members of ConvE22, NSSF’s events management partner. Schilling says the response from attendees was extremely encouraging. “When we got the surveys back from the attendees, it was eye-opening to see what a learning experience it was for all of them,” she says. “Everyone who attended said that they were thankful they went.” The 2016 Exhibitor Academy will, once again, be in Las Vegas in June to give attendees plenty of time to put the knowledge they gain into practice before the SHOT Show rolls around again. Just as it did in 2015, this year’s Exhibitor Academy will bring together all the vendors, NSSF representatives, show management, veteran exhibitors, and everyone else involved with the SHOT Show and make them available to Academy participants. “There’s nowhere else you’re going to get all these people from all these different organizations in one place at the same time,” Schilling says. “It’s a great time to be able to have one-on-

26 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

one interactions with the people who know the answers to all your questions so that you can better understand how your booth can be more effective for your company and your customers.” The three-day Academy is formatted so that attendees have the opportunity to participate in several informative sessions that provide insight into a wide range of topics, from “Is Your Bite Bigger Than Your Booth” and “Budgets Are $exy” to “Making Headlines: Keys to Getting Media Coverage at SHOT.” Attendees can also join in roundtable discussions where they can benefit from the experience of their peers who have learned how to avoid the often unseen pitfalls of exhibiting and create the most productive booth possible. Participants are also offered a tour of Sands Convention Center and have many opportunities to socialize and network with other attendees. Schilling says that from the opening remarks to the closing statements, the entire Exhibitor Academy is designed for one purpose—to help make the process of exhibiting at the SHOT Show a little less daunting and a little more rewarding. “Whether it’s your first show or you’ve been exhibiting for years, there’s always something new, and there’s always an opportunity to learn more and improve,” Schilling says. “The bottom line is that the more information you have, the better prepared you’ll be, and the more you’ll be able to make the most of your SHOT experience.” If you’re interested in attending the 2016 Exhibitor Academy, contact Melissa Schilling. (mschilling@nssf.org)

from the nssf

When the Worst Happens

A Culture of Safety

Gun store theft and the NSSF/ATF Matching-Reward Program By W. H. Gross ew things are more frustrating or maddening to a firearms retailer than theft or robbery during the day or outright burglary after hours. But if the worst happens, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has a program designed to help catch the perpetrators.

The NSSF Matching-Reward Program is an indicator of the tremendous support the firearms industry has for rapid and effective investigation of any theft from a firearms retailer.

“Our Matching-Reward Program was initiated several years ago,” says Michael Bazinet, Director of Public Affairs for the NSSF. “It enables us to match a reward offered by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) for information that results in an arrest and conviction for any theft from a federally licensed firearms retailer. The ATF decides if it needs to offer a reward for information that generates leads, then NSSF matches that money amount.” Bazinet goes on to say that ATF agents appreciate the NSSF program because it is a force multiplier. “The ATF has limited funds to offer for a reward— say, $2,500 on a particular case. We, in turn, can match that amount, bringing the total to $5,000. In some of the more serious theft cases, ATF will offer a reward up to $5,000, so our match brings that total to $10,000. That’s a significant amount of money for most people, which tends to produce solid leads.” The way the program works is that ATF cooperates with other law enforcement agencies—city, county, and state—investigating a firearms theft. The ATF then makes the decision whether or not to offer a cash reward to informants for information. If so, the agency contacts the NSSF with its request, and the

request is always honored. A joint press release is then issued, announcing the reward offer and mentioning both the ATF and NSSF. “The announcement always gets widespread local news coverage and interest,” says Bazinet. “And it’s even more effective on TV when the information is combined with video from the local retailer who was robbed. That approach seldom fails to produce significant leads.” Informants can even be paid through a third party, such as a crime-stoppers organization, which is kept strictly confidential. Sometimes more than one informant receives the reward money. The NSSF Matching-Reward Program is an indicator of the tremendous support the firearms industry has for rapid and effective investigation of any theft from a firearms retailer. “We take theft very seriously,” Bazinet says. “The NSSF wants to see the perpetrators brought to justice as quickly as possible, because people who will rob or burglarize a gun store are pretty much capable of doing anything when it comes to breaking the law. The NSSF wants to help get those bad guys off the streets and the stolen guns recovered as quickly as possible.”

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Firearms accidents are now at a record low By Bill Miller i nce 1930, the population of the United States has climbed from 123 million to about 320 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Guns have kept pace. The U.S. is home to an estimated 100 million gun owners who have about 300 million firearms, including about 100 million handguns, according to the National Rifle Association.

One might assume that deaths attributed to unintentional gunfire have also increased. But that assumption would be wrong. In fact, that number is down about 83.4 percent from 1930, according to data from the National Safety Council. That year, 3,200 people died in unintended shootings, but in 2013 (latest data available), the nation saw 530 of these deaths, the safety council reported. Researchers for the National Shooting Sports Foundation aren’t surprised by the continued decline. The reasons why are set out in the NSSF Industry Intelligence Report, Firearms-Related Injury Statistics, 2015 Edition. “The question is, ‘Why the drop?’” says Jim Curcuruto, NSSF’s Director of Industry Research and Analysis. “The answer is a culture of safety, including advances in design and manufacturing, and programs. The gun culture is one of safety first.” The intelligence report credits educational programs by groups like NSSF, the NRA, and state-affiliated hunter safety programs. NSSF officials points to the organization’s Project With gun ownership way up, and unintentional shooting deaths way down, there is another statistic to consider: significant drops in violent crime. FBI data shows that there were an estimated 1.163 million acts of violent crime in 2013, but that’s a 14.5 percent drop from the 1.360 million crimes reported in 2004.

from the nssf

ChildSafe program. Since 1998, Project ChildSafe has joined with more than 15,000 law enforcement agencies to distribute 37 million free firearm-safety kits, which include education literature and cable-style gun locks. In the past year, Project ChildSafe has added more than 1,200 industry companies and associated organizations to help promote its “Own It? Respect It. Secure It.” campaign to keep firearms safety top of mind with both gun owners and non-gun owners. Project ChildSafe has received federal grants from the U.S. Department of Justice. But when that funding ceased in 2008, the firearms industry carried the costs. And the industry didn’t stop there. It has provided an additional 70 million free locks with new firearms purchased by gun owners, on top of what Project ChildSafe provided. “I would say the distribution of more than 100 million free gun locks is significant,” Curcuruto says. That is about one lock for every gun owner in America. Data drawn from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program shows that crime has been trending downward in America for years; at the same time, firearms sales have increased significantly, demonstrating that more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens does not equal more crime, nor does it equate to more unintentional firearms fatalities. Background checks at retail, which NSSF researchers cite as an indicator of sales activity, nearly doubled between 2004 and 2013, from 7.23 million to 14.79 million. During nearly the same period, 2003 to 2013, fatal firearms accidents declined by 30.8 percent. Firearms clearly are safe to own and use when proper precautions are taken. Safely handling and securely storing firearms when not in use is the number one way to help prevent accidents, thefts and misuse. The intelligence report also noted federal data showed that in 2013, there were 500 or so unintentional shooting deaths. But, far more people died in vehicle accidents and house fires; that same year there were 33,804 fatal crashes and 2,818 victims of smoke and flames, according to the Centers for Disease Control. “That kind of puts things in perspective,” Curcuruto says. “Some people outside the industry think hunting is a dangerous activity, but what’s actually more dangerous is driving to your hunting spot.”

Project ChildSafe has received federal grants. But

when that funding ceased, the firearms industry carried the costs.

Navigating international trade can be tricky, but NSSF can help steer you clear of obstacles.

Sprechen sie ‘Export’? The NSSF’s Import/Export Conference clarifies international trade issues By Robert F. Staeger

nternational trade is a complex thing, with laws and regulations affecting commerce on each side of the border. And it only gets more complicated with such highly regulated products as firearms. The NSSF–Fair Trade Import/Export Conference is intended to help companies navigate these choppy waters. The two-day conference is presented by NSSF in conjunction with the FAIR Trade Group, an organization focused on the importing of firearms.

“It’s an opportunity for industry members to hear from the government officials that regulate the import and export of our products, and to hear from experts in the field on these topics,” says NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence Keane. “Over time it’s become considerable in size and stature.” The conference has been an annual event for the past 15 years, occurring in Washington, D.C., each August since 2001. More than 200 people attend the sold-out event, each representing a company with a vested interest in the overseas sale of firearms and their associated equipment. Among the organizations that make presentations are the ATF, the State Department, the Commerce Department, the Treasury Department (which regulates exports via the Office of Foreign Assets Control), the Census Bureau and more. “It’s a great opportunity to hear from ATF on import issues and to ask questions of the regulators about compliance issues,” says Keane. “As our industry gets closer to seeing the benefits of Export Control Reform, it is valuable to have officials from the State Department and the Commerce Department to preview the changes we are likely to see in the coming months.” Last year’s keynote speaker was Kevin Wolf, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, who discussed export control forum initiatives, and helped preview the impact for the firearms industry of moving products to Commerce Department jurisdiction from State Department. Breakout sessions covered other import/export topics, such as Immigration

30 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

and Customs enforcement, the Census Department’s Automated Export System (AES), and more. “There are many advantages to moving from State to Commerce,” says Keane. “The controls for the State Department are known as ITAR, for International Trafficking in Arms Regulations. Guns and ammunition are on Categories I, II, and III of the United States Munitions List. For example, companies that export products on the U.S. Munitions List have to pay a registration fee as a manufacturer of defense articles, which includes guns and ammunition. It’s an expensive fee for a one-year license. Changing oversight to the Commerce Department would remove that obstacle. “That would go away,” says Keane. So would other issues. “There are various requirements of Congressional notification—those would go away. Your parts suppliers would also not have to register as manufacturers.” Furthermore, says Keane, “There has been a lot of discussion lately about whether information about firearms can be published or put on a website. There’s a proposal that’s been promulgated that has caused some concern with the community, and all the issues surrounding that would go away as well, since firearms would no longer be covered by ITAR.” Attendees receive a binder with all the information that they can take back with them to make use of in their offices. It includes copies of the presentations and compliance information, all covered in detail at the conference.

from the nssf

The NSSF’s International Trade Center at SHOT Show helps members make valuable contacts for increased trade.

Midland Debuts Emergency Radios

T International Reach NSSF goes the extra mile to secure global participation at SHOT Show By Bill Miller

he annual IWA OutdoorClassics trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany, has been an important stop for the National Shooting Sports Foundation for the past few years. Its purpose is to recruit international exhibitors and attendees for SHOT Show.

This process is made easier because despite the plethora of nationalities at IWA, English is an international business language. And through this shared language, NSSF is taking the extra steps to help foreign exhibitors maximize their efforts at SHOT. “We have attendees from more than 100 countries at SHOT, so we have a pretty strong representation,” says Chris Dolnack, NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “But, frankly, we’re trying to get some more euros coming in and getting U.S. products moving out to export. To that end, our goal is to increase international attendance by five percent each year.” Attending IWA has been a good first step, but NSSF has been doing that for years. Dolnack says NSSF realized the Foundation could be doing much more before and during SHOT Show. So in 2013, SHOT Show was entered into the International Buyer Program (IBP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce. That was on a trial basis. NSSF achieved full status in the program for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 SHOT Shows. Through the IBP, the 2014 show drew companies from a half dozen countries. That number grew 70 percent in 2015, with 20 foreign countries participating in the program. “That’s tremendous growth,” Dolnack says. He adds that NSSF aims to keep pushing that number for the 2016 SHOT Show “and beyond.” NSSF qualified for the IBP by pursuing a threepronged strategy. First, there is the Showtime Program, in which U.S.-based exhibitors meet with Commerce Department specialists from embassies overseas. It’s a chance to learn about opportunities with businesses in other countries. Second, the B2B Matchmaking program promotes U.S. firearms businesses and other companies directly to potentially interested overseas firms. Exhibitors registered in the program have their company profiles shared with pre-screened inter-

national buyers that have been recruited for the show. More than 300 SHOT Show exhibitors have participated in this service. Finally, NSSF hosts the International Trade Center at SHOT, which is intended to accommodate the foreign buyer with conference rooms, office equipment, complimentary Wi-Fi, translators, and European-style meals. “There’s a difference in the way business is conducted in Europe,” Dolnack says. “The pace is different, and it’s more of a process. That’s one of the reasons we have the ITC.” The work done to forge these international links is now paying off. One Austrian businessman joined NSSF after meeting its officials at IWA. Christoph Göschl is developing a high-end gun shop and indoor shooting range in Vienna. He says advice from the NSSF has helped tremendously. “I had a very nice first contact at IWA at Nürnberg and found out immediately the advantages of membership,” he says. “You can learn so much from NSSF and their business studies.” “In the past we didn’t know what we didn’t know,” Dolnack says. “The focus was always on the domestic market, and we didn’t fully appreciate the potential for international sales. As an industry, we think of international sales in terms of military and law enforcement, and we get a lot of interest in those aspects of the show. But there is an increased awareness and appreciation for U.S. shooting sports, products, and accessories. The American brands have a cachet.” Continued participation in the IBP, however, is not automatic. NSSF must reapply each year, and the process is very competitive. SHOT Show was one of only 23 trade shows selected by the Department of Commerce for the 2016 IBP. More growth will help, Dolnack says. “When we can grow our international attendance by 5 to 10 percent a year, certainly we’ll have an impact on sales for our members and the industry.”

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he Midland E+READY lineup includes two durable, dependable, and portable Emergency Crank Radios, the ER210 and ER310. Both models will keep you in the know when it comes to incoming severe weather by featuring digital AM/FM and weather-band radio equipped with NOAA Weather Alert Radio capabilities. This means weather alerts sound when emergency warnings are issued by official emergency management personnel in the local area. Efficient and compact, the rugged radios have a built-in flashlight with SOS and strobe functions to signal for help in an emergency. In addition, the radios feature multiple, sustainable power options. The radios are operated using rechargeable lithium ion batteries, giving the ER210 model up to 25 hours of continuous use and the ER310 up to 32 hours of continuous use. The ER310 model can also be operated using six replaceable AA batteries as a backup power option. The rechargeable battery power can be maintained via a solar panel built into the top of the radio. Finally, when all else fails the radios can run using an ergonomic hand crank. Early warning is your best protection, and the portable and rechargeable Midland Weather Alert Radio (EH55VP) is a small but important option to have on hand. Compact enough to fit into a small pocket or pack, the radio features Midland’s weather alert radio capabilities and multiple charging options. The E+READY Weather Alert Radio has S.A.M.E. technology, which provides the ability to program and receive alerts and warnings. E+READY Emergency Two-Way Radios (EX37VP) are powered by AAA or rechargeable batteries and offer 22 communication channels. The radios also have eVox handsfree operation. The Midland E+READY Series includes the following models: SRP: Emergency Crank Radio ER210, $49.99; Emergency Crank Radio ER310, SRP: $69.99; Weather Alert Radio EH55VP SRP: $49.99; and the Emergency Two-Way Radio EX37VP, SRP: $49.99. Booth #1046. (midlandusa.com)

The Midland E+READY lineup includes two durable and portable Emergency Crank Radios, the ER210 and ER310.

Way Outside the Box SilencerCo moves past suppressors

uppressor manufacturer SilencerCo has a reputation for thinking outside the box. Now they appear to have dropped the “box” concept altogether, branching out into many new directions while still keeping true to their core mission—making shooting more hearing-friendly. SilencerCo made a big stir in 2014 when it

introduced its shotgun suppressor, the Salvo 12, to the consumer and hunting markets. Turns out, the company was just getting started. In the last six months running up to the 2016 SHOT Show, SilencerCo has announced the Maxim 9, an integrally suppressed 9mm pistol; introduced two new suppressors, the Osprey Micro, which is labeled as “the shortest,

SilencerCo is expanding its product line to include the Maxim 9 (below), a 9mm pistol that comes with an integrated suppressor.

By Brian McCombie quietest, and easiest-to-clean rimfire silencer available,” and the Hybrid, a suppressor that is compatible with pistols, rifles, and submachine guns in calibers up to .458 SOCOM and .45/70. In addition, the company launched its own separate R&D facility, SilencerCo Weapons Research (beyondhuman.com), in Austin, Texas, dedicated to developing and designing high-tech shooting sports products that, says Darren Jones of SilencerCo’s marketing department, will be affordable to the average hunter and shooter. “We are definitely not moving away from what we have done in the past and do best, making what we believe are the best suppressors on the market today,” he says. “But we looked at the technical expertise we have, and the creative team we’ve assembled, and we decided it was time to use that talent to develop products for shooters and hunters that go beyond what we’ve

done with our suppressors.” The first new product from SilencerCo Weapons Research is the Radius, a rail-mounted rangefinder capable of ranging out to a mile on a reflective target. The Radius attaches to a Picatinny rail, in any orientation, and quickly tells a shooter the range of his or her intended target. I had a chance to use the Radius on a recent hunt and found it to work exceptionally well. No need for a separate rangefinder. With your rifle on the shoulder, you can easily range out to your intended target with the rifle still in the shooting position, so you are ready to take that quick shot. SilencerCo also has entered into agreements with various firearms makers and other outdoor-related businesses to offer suppressor/firearms packages as well as SilencerCo-branded products. It has expanded its line of threaded pistol barrels to include the popular Glock 19 pistol, too, and will offer a number of other barrels in 2016. And it’s not done—not by a long shot. Stayed tuned. Booth #20205. (silencerco.com)

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A dieless leather cutter increases speed and reduces waste; most holsters are molded by hand around aluminum firearm replicas; some of Galco’s leather is dyed in-house.

What I Learned on a Galco Gunleather Tour

From old-world to new-age methods, some intriguing facts about holster-making in America By Barbara Baird

t was Friday afternoon, and there was no sign of a slow-down at Galco Gunleather’s holster plant, located in Phoenix, Arizona. I waited in the special conference room for my tour guides to arrive, Scott Feck (vice president of operations) and Mike Barham (media liaison). Surrounding me on the walls of the museum/conference room, movie and television show posters exhibited an eclectic line of Galco holsters. You’ll recognize the actors’ names—Bruce Willis, Tom Selleck, and Jackie Chan, just to name a few. In the nearby hallway, a more important framed artifact bears witness to Galco’s line. A flag that flew over the 1/158th Infantry Battalion headquarters at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, on January 10, 2008, provides the background for a certificate and for Barham’s Galco shoulder rig, hearkening back to his deployment there.

When the gentlemen arrived, we embarked on a tour of the factory. Rather than walk you through the chronological process of making a holster, I found seven intriguing things about Galco’s holster making process that can help retailers sell the line.

Leather Matters ➤ “We

go through a tremendous amount of leather,” said Feck. “We use backs, for the most part.” Galco Gunleather uses at least 868,000 square feet of vegetabletanned steer hide per year. That’s 20,000 cows. Despite the fact that Galco is probably the best customer of the two tanneries they procure from,

Feck said, “We fight for the higher-grade material.” When asked if they have to bid for the leather, Feck chuckled and said, “We holler, scream, pressure, and threaten. We go through more vegetable-tanned steer hide than any other holster maker.” Feck said Galco leverages major buying power, not only because it is one of the main purchasers in the country of leather, but also because its contract states if Galco doesn’t like the quality of the leather, the tannery has to pay for return shipping. “That’s an encouragement for them to stick to the grade system that we’ve agreed upon.” Leather is graded via a threeletter system (A, B, or C), A being

36 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

the best. “We want As,” said Feck, “And when it gets here, we sort it further for what we’re going use for Black, Havana, and ‘Galco Tan.’ Then it’s sorted again, depending on whether we use it for the front of the holster or the back.”

A Cut Above ➤ Although

humans are still needed for some decisions when cutting holster patterns out of leather, a state-of-the-art, digitized cutting machine determines overall how to best fit the patterns onto the different sizes of leather. The computer assesses the grade of the hide and which pieces can be cut out of it, based on production orders.

“Normally, the computer is spot on, but sometimes employees will tweak a few things,” said Feck. Newly cut sections get bar codes beamed onto them, for easy identification later. He noted the new cutting machine “has been a great investment because we don’t have to make cutting dies for it.” The plan is to gradually replace the remaining die cutters with this new, more efficient technology.

A Horse’s Rump

➤ Did you know that shoe companies purchase 100 percent of the U.S. tanned Shell Cordovan? That being the case, just what does it mean when a holster is

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made of horsehide? “Horsehide is a bit of a misnomer,” Feck said. “We’re using the Cordovan Shell, which is found on the rump of the horse.” The cell makeup of the shell is different from any other part of the hide, and is akin (roughly) to the matted fiber of a rhinoceros’ horn. This type of material is also found on the rumps of zebras, donkeys, and mules. Feck explained that tanneries square off the center area for the uppers on expensive men’s cordovan shoes. Then, the tanneries sell leftover strips to others. Galco is the largest purchaser of these strips in the world.

Top-Secret Creases ➤I

had to put away my camera when it came to learning about the distinctive creases found on Galco holsters. Let’s just say that Galco Gunleather goes to extreme lengths, using a separate proprietary step, to put these creases in its holsters. Most of Galco’s competitors have creases built into their cutting dies, Feck said, but Galco believes you cannot get a perfect crease when the weight (thickness) of the leather varies. Galco will first cut the holster, split it to insure exact leather weight, and then crease the leather separately. I cannot reveal any-

thing else about the process, but Galco believes it meets its mantra “for those who demand the best, and know the difference. Our customers may not know exactly what’s different, but they know there’s a difference,” said Feck.

A Stitch in Time ➤ Put

simply, Galco is fussy about the stitching on its holsters. Because new machines can’t deliver the look and appearance of hand sewing, the company continues to use weathered harness machines that, as Feck said, “are as old as the three of us put together.” Galco keeps dozens of old harness

Some harness-stitching machines are more than a century old but work better than modern units; Mike Barham with the Galco holster he wore in Afghanistan.

machines in storage for parts and even creates new “old” machines when needed. According to Feck, it takes at least a year for a worker to get proficient at harness stitching.

Casting About ➤ Galco

is also picky about its buckles. The company wasn’t satisfied with the quality of the parts, especially buckle tongues, manufactured by outside suppliers. “The sizes would vary and they wouldn’t fit the straps properly,” said Feck. So, Galco decided to start its own foundry. Using the lost-wax method of casting, smaller parts come out perfectly molded and ready to be attached to various models. The process calls for heat, wax, and a vacuum chamber. Bigger metal parts get dipped into a slurry followed by a sugar (building a shell around the metal) in a process called shellcasting. Polishing yields beautiful and strong pieces.

Back to the Future

GALCO GUNLEATHER IN HOLLYWOOD NO DOUBT YOU’VE SEEN SOME OF GALCO GUNLEATHER’S HOLSTERS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A FAN OF ACTION MOVIES OR TELEVISION SHOWS. movie:

movie:

Die Hard Bruce Willis holster: Jackass Shoulder Rig

Thief James Caan holster: Jackass Shoulder Rig

movie:

actor:

Expendables 2 and 3 actor: Sylvester Stallone holster: The triple-gun rig Sylvester Stallone used in Expendables 2 and 3 required Galco to create a custom holster completely from scratch. movie:

Face Off actor: Nicholas Cage holster: Custom double gun SOB Holster

actor:

Out of Sight actor: George Clooney holster: King Tuk movie:

Mission Impossible Tom Cruise holster: Lefty SOB Galco actor:

tv show:

Miami Vice Don Johnson holster: Miami Classic Shoulder Holster actor:

movie:

GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough actor: Pierce Brosnan holster: Galco Executive tv show:

Jesse Stone Tom Selleck holster: Galco Gunleather Avenger actor:

movie:

Total Recall Arnold Schwarzenegger holster: Galco made 24 Kydex holsters for the “security” characters in this movie. actor:

➤ Though Galco freely uses 19th century technology to get the quality it demands, it also takes full advantage of modern technology where it makes sense. That’s why we’re now standing beside a line of waterjets and injectionmolding machines. Galco has used waterjets for about eight years for a number of tasks, including cutting various metal, plastic, and fiber materials used inside some products. The waterjets are also used to produce the company’s line of Kydex holsters. Nearby, I watched big injection-molding machines push plastic beads down a hopper, where they were melted and then fed into a mold. As the finished parts—double swivels for shoulder rigs—popped out, Feck said, “We introduced molded parts on holsters before anyone else.”

What I Didn’t See

The “vault” holds models and specifications of firearms that have yet to be introduced to the gun world. In order to deliver holsters for new up-and-coming gun models in a timely manner, Galco has signed nondisclosure agreements with many gun manufacturers. The process helps ensure that when new handguns are introduced, new owners can readily find the correct Galco holster at the same time. Booth #12719. (galcogunleather.com)

38 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

The Millennials are now stepping forward boldly to carry the torch. How do they feel about that? Brittany Boddington: Taylor Drury “The (right) bestbenewe can do as females fits from is tosome keepcoaching hunting and showing thefrom world her that uncle, this Terry is a sport for both Drury. genders, She says equally.” she hunts to “experience the circle of life firsthand.”

Generation Next

A new crop of Millennial hunters are leading the way he tradition of hunting is founded on experience, hard work, and the ideals of previous generations. But the future of the lifestyle rests squarely upon the shoulders of the next generation of hunters. These Millennials are as comfortable drawing a bow as they are shooting off a Tweet. They take neither lightly and are fully aware of how their actions in the field and on social media reverberate to the masses. In fact, they’re boldly (and proudly!) unafraid to carry the torch forward.

So, just who are some of these youngsters? They are Mason Waddell (15), eldest son of Michael Waddell, host of Outdoor Channel’s Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector and Realtree Road Trips with Michael Waddell; Taylor Drury (20), daughter of Mark Drury and costar of Outdoor Channel’s Drury’s THIRTEEN; brothers Warren (20) and Easton Holder (15), sons of David and Karin and co-stars on Outdoor Channel’s Raised Hunting; and Tyler Jordan (23), son of Realtree president and CEO Bill Jordan, who stars in Realtree’s Monster Bucks on Sportsman Channel (Booth #13923).

SHOT Daily recently sat down with these hunters to see what each has to say about their most memorable hunts, the hunts they are most looking forward to in 2016, and what they want nonhunters their age to understand about the lifestyle. What is the number Q one reason why you hunt? MASON WADDELL: There

A are many reasons why I hunt,

but the main reason is that hunting is a part of me—it’s something that I love to do. It’s also a great way to get some family time in, make memories, escape from the

40 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

hustle and bustle of the world, and enjoy the outdoors. TAYLOR DRURY: I hunt to experience the circle of life firsthand. By doing so, I have the privilege of feeding my family organic meat, contributing to conservation and land/herd management, donating meat to families in need, and spending one-on-one time with the earth that feeds us for survival. In my opinion, hunting benefits so many wholesome aspects of the world around us that deserve our utmost respect and attention. WARREN HOLDER: There is nothing else that I’ve found that gives you both the experience and the excitement of the outdoors. EASTON HOLDER: I hunt

because I love the fact that I can get so close to animals that I might never see while sitting at home. There’s something about being out in the woods. TYLER JORDAN: The main reason I hunt is to be outdoors and spend time with the people who share the same passion as I do. Another reason is the challenge of trying to bag whatever game you’re hunting. Who first got you into Q hunting? MASON WADDELL: The

A first people that got me into

hunting were my dad and my paw paw (grandfather, Edwin

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Waddell). From an early age, they taught me the basics and I’ve loved it ever since. TAYLOR DRURY: My dad introduced me to hunting at a very young age by incorporating outdoor activities into my childhood. He spent countless hours teaching me the fundamentals and reasons of why we hunt and its importance. This wonderful lifestyle has always been the core of our family values since I was a little girl. WARREN HOLDER: My dad, but mom inspired me as well. EASTON HOLDER: My dad got me started, and I’ve been climbing in treestands and blinds ever since! TYLER JORDAN: I’ve been sitting alongside my dad since I was three years old, so hunting has always been a huge part of my life. I feel lucky to have somebody with his experience mentor me from an early age. How long have you Q been hunting? MASON WADDELL: It’s hard

A to say exactly how long I’ve been hunting because it seems like it’s been a part of me for as long as I can remember. Around age eight was when it started to really click and I got a lot more involved. TAYLOR DRURY: I’ve been hunting with my dad since as far back as I can remember. I harvested my first animal with a gun at eight years old and my first animal with a bow at 12 years old. Ultimately, hunting has shaped me into the woman I am today. WARREN HOLDER: I was hunting before I could walk; my parents toted me in a backpack on their hunts. It wasn’t until I turned 11 that I got to be the shooter. EASTON HOLDER: I have always tagged along. Before I could walk or talk, I would ride on my dad’s back and we would hike around. The first time I was able to shoot was when I was 10 on a hunt in Nebraska. TYLER JORDAN: I started hunting when I was eight. What was the first aniQ mal you ever harvested? When and where? MASON WADDELL: The

A first animal that I ever har-

vested was a whitetail spike deer when I was five years old in Salem, Alabama, with Vandy Collins and my dad. TAYLOR DRURY: My first harvest was a mature, whitetail doe; it was the most life-changing day I had as a young girl. My dad and I were

hunting on John Williams’ farm in Kirskville, Missouri. I can remember the positive flood of emotions after providing for my family for the first time like it was yesterday. WARREN HOLDER: An antelope when I was 12 years old in the great state of Montana. EASTON HOLDER: I was 10 years old; I managed to fill my first turkey tag during the Nebraska early archery-only season. I’ve been hooked since then. TYLER JORDAN: I harvested my first animal, which was a turkey, on our farm in Georgia with my dad. What’s been your most Q memorable hunting experience so far? MASON WADDELL: When I

A harvested a Navajo mule deer in 2014. I had never hunted out west or been on any hunt quite like that. It was an awesome experience to have with my family by my side. TAYLOR DRURY: My most memorable hunting experience was my first successful deer hunt with a bow. The reward of harvesting an animal with a bow after years of practicing and learning was an irreplaceable feeling. It’s very sentimental to share a meal with your family after you pour your heart and soul into the challenge of bow hunting. WARREN HOLDER: This is by far the toughest question yet. Even though, in the grand scheme of hunting, I’m relatively young, I’ve been fortunate enough to have gone on several extremely exciting hunts thanks to my family. Without a doubt though, my most memorable hunt so far is the whitetail I harvested in 2013 with

my little brother, Easton, running the camera. EASTON HOLDER: The best hunting experience of my life was probably on a 2012 hunt with my brother, Warren. We watched the biggest buck we had ever seen from a treestand at 50 yards taunting us all day. Later that evening, we ended up successfully harvesting the deer. TYLER JORDAN: Don’t get me wrong, hunting something yourself is always fun, but the most fun I’ve had is spending time in the woods with my younger brother and sister and seeing them become passionate about hunting and the outdoors. What do you want Q other people your age who don’t hunt to know about the lifestyle? MASON WADDELL: One

A thing that I can’t stress

enough is that hunting is not about killing. Hunting is something that my family and I have truly grown closer together doing. Most of my best memories come from the woods. Even when you don’t get a single thing, there’s just something about being in the woods that makes me happy. TAYLOR DRURY: I can only hope that every person my age educates themselves about the lifestyle and how many people/factors it positively affects. I feel as if everyone should be able to experience the circle of life and let those precious moments create an unbreakable bond with nature and their family. The lifestyle doesn’t represent killing, it represents the pure beauty of life on earth.

Raised on hunting, the Holders enjoy their time outdoors. Left to right: Warren, Easton, Karin, and David Holder.

WARREN HOLDER: Hunters are not solely looking to kill animals. Hunters respect animals more than anyone else out there. The hunting lifestyle takes dedication, hard work, and perseverance, but pays back with memories and experiences that can’t be duplicated, while providing the most pure and nutritious food out there. EASTON HOLDER: A lot of kids my age haven’t ever stepped into the woods. I tell them to just give it a chance and see how cool it is to have a deer to come within 10 yards of you and not even know that you are there. And then tell me what you think about the outdoors. TYLER JORDAN: Hunting benefits our economy, provides funding for conservation and wildlife management, contributes to promoting a healthier lifestyle, and directly connects us with life on our planet. It’s also a lot of fun when you make it a family and/or friend event.

What hunt are you Q most looking forward to in 2016? MASON WADDELL: I am

A really excited about chasing

some thunder chickens this spring. Turkey season is always a blast! TAYLOR DRURY: In May, I am going on my first black bear archery hunt in Saskatchewan. I’m anxious to enjoy a new hunting territory and learn about a different style of hunting. WARREN HOLDER: The Iowa rut. I love bowhunting for elk and antelope, but there is nothing like sitting in a stand in November. You never know what could show up.

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Tested Tough

Crimston Trace expends more than 100,000 rounds annually to test its products.

It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it

any hunters think being a guide would be an ideal job—until they confront reality. Guiding is a demanding job, one that requires a wide variety of skills to do well.

In a similar vein, shooters might believe product testing is fun. The reality is a bit different. Dedicated product testers spend hours punching paper targets. It’s exhausting work. But for a shooting sports manufacturer, it’s the only way to find out how well that product will perform in the long run. “We have more than 50 certified shooters here at Crimson Trace, and this year they will shoot more than 100,000 rounds,” says Charlie Sunderlin, Crimson Trace armorer. “Product testing can be grueling, with thousands of rounds shot through a single firearm during the process. Sometimes the firearm fails well before the Crimson Trace laser sight testing is completed.

This process is not for weak or poorly designed products.” All product test shooters are required to wear ear and eye protection and are limited to no more than 500 rounds (or less with some firearms) per day. Shooters also follow all range safety rules and adhere to standard hygiene rules regarding exposure to lead. Testing can be an endurance event. Testers often tape fingers and hands to prevent blisters or wear shooting gloves to offset hand fatigue. Along with the physical challenges are the pages of paperwork and forms to be completed regarding the product’s performance. Sunderlin notes that Crimson Trace product testing is so chal-

lenging that a specially designed pneumatic test shooting machine also failed. “It simply could not handle the high volume of rounds and the resulting recoil,” he says. “That machine was replaced by the 50-plus test shooters who volunteer to test new products before those items are released to the retail market.” The good news for consumers is this rigorous product testing results in high performing, reliable products. “We believe our testing methods and standards are un-equalled

in the shooting sports industry,” he says. “As a result, Crimson Trace creates products that firearms owners, shooters, law enforcement, and soldiers can rely on.” Crimson Trace now offers more than 200 laser sights and light products for a variety of firearms. Several of the company’s products, such as the Rail Master Pro, combine a light and a laser sight in one easy-to-operate unit. All Crimson Trace products are built in America. Booth #16731. (crimsontrace.com)

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Pushing the Envelope

SIG SAUER launches an airgun division By Jock Elliott

Both the P226 and P250 air pistols benefit from patented precharged pneumatic(PCP) technologies to create realistic and very accurate replicas of the company’s centerfire pistols.

en Ron Cohen, CEO of SIG SAUER, h thought about the complications of adding airguns to the company’s line of premium firearms, he hesitated for only an instant before charging ahead. “We wanted to change the industry,” he says, “and that means always moving forward.”

To do that, he immediately set about hiring a great team. “The goal of the SIG AIR team,” Cohen says, “is to push the envelope and change the way people perceive air rifles and air pistols with cool new products for training, hunting and pest control, and just plain fun.” To that end, SIG SAUER hired Ed Schultz, former chief engineer and director of engineering for Crosman Corporation. Schultz brings 20 years of airgun experience

to the team, including leading the development of many groundbreaking product innovations, including patented airgun and pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) technologies. “Changing the way people look at airguns has been my focus from the beginning,” Schultz says, “so becoming part of a world-class team at SIG SAUER is incredible for someone with a lifelong passion for airguns.” A big part of why Schultz made

the change were the resources available to change the industry. “SIG is an engineering company from the CEO on down,” he says. “I now have more technical resources available than at any time in my career, including the most advanced R&D center in the industry in Exeter, New Hampshire. I can call on people who are experts in triggers, barrels, and so forth to help us. SIG products are known for reliability and the testing that goes into them; after all, people depend on them for their lives, and that passion for excellence will be translated into the air rifles and air pistols we create.” Another key addition to the team is Dani Navickas, who has nearly two decades of experience shepherding airguns from concept to marketing for Beeman and Remington, as product manager. “With this team, and SIG SAUER’s resources,” she says, “we have the opportunity to elevate the airgun product category in both product performance and public perception.” Schultz and Navickas are both active in ASTM International, the organization that sets industry

standards for airguns worldwide. Schultz presently serves as chairman of the technical committee that covers airguns and is also on numerous other committees and subcommittees of ASTM. Navickas is a member of the NonPowder Gun Products subcommittee of ASTM International. One of the first acts of the SIG AIR team will be to roll out a line of Advanced Sport Pellet (ASP) rifles and pistols. “We realized there is a void in the market,” Cohen says. “Consumers want to shoot semi-automatics, and they want them to generate enough velocity to be appropriate for hunting and pest control. Our new ASP rifles and pistols are clones of SIG firearms, with the same weight, feel, and similar trigger pull, but with gas instead of gunpowder driving the projectile. As a result, they are excellent for training and for practical use. Put them side by side with SIG firearms, and you’ll be hard pressed to tell the difference, but you can shoot in many venues where firearms are forbidden, and at lower expense and with less noise. Further, they will be subjected to the same rigorous

quality testing as SIG firearms.” The ASP line will include semiautomatic rifles and pistols. The SIG MPX and SIG MCX ASP rifles feature the RPM (Rapid Pellet Magazine) Pellet Drive System, the industry’s first encapsulated belt-fed pellet magazine capable of 30 rounds in 3.5 seconds. Both models have an integral Picatinny optics rail and accessory rail in addition to flip-up front and rear sights, both of which are adjustable. The robust metal housing and double reinforcement of all seals ensures durability. The SIG ASP rifles are also available with optics. The SIG MPX MRD package comes with the SIG 20R red dot sight, and the

SIG SAUER’s air pistols are fully compatible with .177, .22, and .25 caliber pellets.

SIG MCX comes with two optics options—the Scope package that features a 1-4x24 scope with fast focus and a mil-dot reticle, or the MRD red dot sight package. The SIG MPX .177 caliber shoots up to 600 feet per second, the SIG MPX .22 caliber up to 475 fps, the SIG MCX .177 caliber up to 750 fps, SIG MCX .22 caliber up to 525 fps, the P226 .177 caliber up to 510 fps, and P250 .177 caliber up to 500 fps. The SIG SAUER P226 and P250 semi-auto ASP pistols shoot pellets in .177 caliber and feature realistic blowback action of the metal slide just as the original centerfire models do. Both models have an auto decocking feature for enhanced safety, a 16-round rotary-clip magazine (8x2), rifled barrel, front blade sight, and fixed rear sight. Accessory rails on the P226 and P250 also allow mounting of a laser or tactical flashlight. SIG SAUER is offering an assortment of ASP targets including spinners, traps, and a Texas Star. All of these targets are compatible with .177, .22, and .25 calibers. Booth #12240. (sigsauer asp.com)

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Shield has zeroed in on removing the red coating on the front lens. This small adjustment means the unit draws less power, thus extending battery life in the field.

Setting Its Sights

Shield Sights lands in America with new products By Peter Suciu

ield Sights, based in the United Kingdom, is landing on American shores with h two new stylish and ruggedized mini sights, including the Shield RMS and RMSD, both of which are based off the JPoint platform. The company is also showing the Shield Switchable Interface Sight (SIS) at the 2016 SHOT Show. The new SIS offers cosmetic and internal improvements over last year’s model. Also new for 2016 is the Shield Battery Booster Mount (BBM) for the SIS and CQS; powered by a CR123 lithium battery, the BBM will give the sight a battery life of approximately 10 years, ensuring it is ready whenever the need arises.

“For the professional user, there is always the need to be ready, and with so many positive comments about the comfort and speed of knowing that your sights are always on and in auto, we wanted to offer the reassurance of a greater battery life,” says James White, director of sales of marketing. Shield Sights, which is already quite well known in the U.K., is seeking to be “sighted” in the American market, even though it faces fierce competition. But White believes there is room for Shield, especially since “it’s a company that has paved the way for all mini sights.” The company may have a leg up; Shield Sights has already supported a wide number of world militaries and continues to support elite units around the world. As it enters the American market one of its biggest concerns has been whether it is actually able to “shout loud enough” about its product advantages, which has

included pioneering the “smallest, lightest, and toughest mini sights,” all of which have been made in the U.K. since 1997. “U.S. shooters are already comfortable with Shield Sights, they just don’t know it,” White says. “Shield has been manufacturing the JPoint for JP Rifles since the New for 2016 is the Battery Booster Mount for the SIS and CQS.

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beginning, and the JPoint is still the smallest and lightest red-dot sight on the market.” One of the keys to the Shield Sights success has been its efforts to meet the demands of the elite military forces, and each and every design starts with requirements that include its products being the

smallest, lightest and of course toughest. “We work remarkably hard to be the best, something that stems from our competition shooting background, and we want our customers to be the best also,” White says. “We achieve this by making the least impact to the user, by working to mount our sights low and keep the profile down so the user finds it a bit easier to transition from another sight or iron sights to our red-dot sights.” White emphasizes that the sights are “all conceptualized, engineered, and manufactured in the U.K.” He also says one of the strengths of the company is that while the competition continues to cast a wide net with an ever-increasing range of products, Shield remains focused on its core product: mini sights. “We’re focused on the mini end of the spectrum with products that offer less weight and less size but also maintain all the strength a shooter may require.” Shield has also zeroed in on removing the red coating on the front lens. According to White, while there are very few red-dot sights that come without a red filter, this has really been done so that the electronics can be turned down in order to not use as much power. “The obvious negative outcomes are that the target area loses light through the lens, similar to wearing sunglasses, and a red mirror on the front of the lens, which in sunlight stands out, giving off a bright signature,” he says. “The UK MOD declined from having a red coating after realizing this whilst testing in Alaska.” Shield Sights continue to push the boundaries and strive to be among the first to the table with new mini sight technology. “Today we offer a wider range of dot sizes,” says White, “and in the SIS we are offering the first sight that has controllable reticles from one LED chip. For the shooter this also means there are no concerns over zero-shift when changing between reticles.” The company has had to modify a few of its products to comply with U.K. Export Control, but this hasn’t meant that Shield Sight is slighting its customers. Instead, the company has merely adjusted the products to comply to the regulations. “The CQB is a great product,” says White, “but we knew we needed to make it more universally mountable to make it attractive to a wider audience. And that’s exactly what we did.” Booth #13713. (shieldpsd.com)

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Quench, Polish, Quench H&M BlackNitride helps firearms last longer

By W. H. Gross

kron, Ohio, has long been known as an innovative manufacturing center. In the 1960s, for example, it was referred to as “Tackle City, USA,” because of all the fishing tackle produced there. It’s also been called “The Rubber Capital of the World,” due to the fact that General Tire, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Goodyear all once headquartered in Akron. Today, the town is better known as the “City of Invention”—the slogan even appears on the city’s seal. Given that background in technology, it is not surprising that Akron is also the home of H&M BlackNitride.

“We’re a fourth-generation, family-owned American company specializing in a quench-polishquench (QPQ) technology known as BlackNitride,” says Shade McMillen, vice president. “It’s a proprietary process, and we place a high emphasis on quality assurance, integrity, and pride of workmanship from all of our employees. For instance, when a job order comes into our factory, it is assigned a specific person who guides that specific job through the entire process, from the time

with a predetermined thickness are formed on all areas of the metal. The result is markedly improved surface properties, while the original dimensions and shape of the metal are retained.” Metal components treated with BlackNitride have increased wear resistance, fatigue strength, corrosion resistance, lubricity, and cosmetic appeal. Often replacing the more expensive processes of hardchrome or nickel plating, BlackNitride provides better corrosion protection at an equal or

the life of a firearm’s steel and stainless-steel parts by providing corrosion- and wear-resistance.” In addition to the firearms industry, H&M also serves the armaments/defense, aerospace, performance-racing, and industrial-manufacturing industries. The company has its own in-house metallurgical research and development testing laboratory, maintains a Federal Firearms License, and is ISO 9001:2000 certified. H&M BlackNitride is trusted by many top-level shooting competi-

BlackNitride is not a coating, but rather a thermochemical process that protects metal.

the parts arrive until they are shipped back to the customer. And we pride ourselves on the fact that most jobs can be turned around in just 24 hours.” What exactly is BlackNitride processing? First of all, it is not a coating. Rather, it is a thermochemical process that simultaneously diffuses nitrogen and carbon into the surface of ferrous metals. During the process, a two-part surface layer is formed: an outer iron-nitride layer and an inner nitrogen-diffusion layer. “What occurs chemically during the treatment process is that nitrogen and carbon are absorbed by and diffused into the surface of the metal,” says McMillen. “Reproducible and uniform layers

even lower cost. In addition, BlackNitride is commonly used as an alternative to high-temperature conventional heat treatments such as carburizing and carbonitriding. H&M BlackNitride is one of only a handful of companies providing this industrial, thermochemical treatment process to the firearms industry. Dozens of firearms manufacturers are H&M customers; some of the larger firms include Smith &Wesson, Ruger, Barrett, Adams Arms, Beretta, Mossberg, SIG SAUER, Taurus, FNH, and Charter Arms. “We offer three finishes for firearms parts and components: matte, satin, and mirror,” McMillen says. “The process is affordable, adds value, and extends

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tors with their personal firearms. One such person is Bruce Piatt, a world-champion pistol shooter and five-time Bianchi Cup winner. A retired law-enforcement officer, he is currently a police, military, and civilian firearms instructor. In addition, Piatt is a 1911 handgun custom-build instructor sponsored by H&M BlackNitride. “Throughout my career in the action-shooting sports, I’ve competed in a lot of different disciplines—IPSC, Steel Challenge, Bianchi Cup, Bullseye, 3-Gun/ Tactical, Sportsman’s Team Challenge, and others,” says Piatt. “At one time or another I’ve had a lot of different finishes, platings, and coatings on my guns, but nothing has compared to the

H&M BlackNitride guns that I have today. Not just for the great appearance, but the protection BlackNitride provides. It actually makes the steel harder and barrels last longer.” Piatt notes that 3-Gun competitors transition from one gun to another under the pressure of the clock. “We often ‘safe’ or ‘clear’ our pistols and then literally toss them into a plastic bucket or onto a plywood table, completing the particular shooting stage with our next gun as quickly as possible. As you can imagine, that kind of manhandling can be pretty rough on the finish of any gun. I’m happy to say that after being with H&M BlackNitride for two years, my guns look as good as the day I got them back from being processed. I challenge any competitor without H&M BlackNitride to make the same claim.” Another advantage of H&M BlackNitride is that it increases the number of rounds capable of being fired through a gun barrel over its lifetime. The process hardens the exterior surface and inside bore surface of a barrel without changing the barrel’s dimensions, which increases muzzle velocity. In addition, BlackNitride provides corrosionand wear-resistance to muzzle brakes. It won’t scratch, and is not affected by environmental factors such as mud, water, or sand, thus extending the life of a firearm’s parts and components. A family-owned and managed business since 1948, H&M BlackNitride has about 45 employees, making it large enough to efficiently handle extensive orders from major manufacturers, yet small enough to react quickly to customer needs and requests. And through the years the company has not forgotten its roots. Individual customers can still walk in off the street and have their firearms worked on while they wait. Where else can you find that level of customer service today? Booth #1919. (blacknitride.com)

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As an ambassador for 5.11’s “Passion Forward” campaign, Katie Francis gets the opportunity to promote shooting sports across the country.

of time together practicing, traveling, and competing. The proud father has watched his daughter progress as a shooter, gaining experience and proficiency. “I told her that when she finally beats me in a match, I’ll have to retire, and I think that is going to happen this year,” he says. “But it has helped a lot with us being able to communicate. There are no taboo subjects because we talk about everything. It’s like having a longtime hunting buddy.”

Adult Skills ➤ Katie,

No Taboos

Shooting helps bridge the gap between child and parent By Bill Miller

t age nine, Katie Francis gripped her 9mm competition pistol as best she could, but the gun still jammed while cycling rounds. Her father, Chad, explained that even though her two-handed technique was the best she could muster, it was the same as an adult “limp wristing” the pistol. “It really frustrated me,” recalls the 17-year-old 3-Gun athlete from St. Thomas, Missouri. “But it made me really good at clearing a jam, which is a positive.”

She was also frustrated as she watched the pistol prowess of a boy her age; at that time no girls competed. She was tempted to quit shooting altogether, until her father suggested a way to become a better shooter. “I did a lot of hand exercises,” she says. “I had those squeezy balls, even in class. I knew I could get stronger.” The work paid off, leading to high honors in all three phases of 3-Gun competitive shooting: pistol, semi-automatic rifle, and, her favorite, the shotgun. Francis has been a top finisher in more than a dozen events, including first place junior and third place lady at the 2014 Fallen Brethren match in Jacksboro, Texas. Last September, she was one of the four shooters on the 2015 USA Junior Team at the International Shotgun Championship in Agna, Italy. She was the fourth junior overall and the third lady overall. The folks at 5.11 Tactical, the tactical clothing maker, recog-

nized her talent and became one of her sponsors. Last year, the company named her one of three ambassadors for its “Passion Forward” campaign, which promotes shooting sports to women. Janna Reeves and Jolie Gentry Macias are the other two.

Creating the Bond ➤ Katie

is the youngest of the ambassadors. But despite her age, she already has more than a decade of experience target shooting, competing, and hunting. “When I was five, my dad got my younger sister and me into gun safety,” she says. “He wanted to make guns not scary to us.” Chad served 25 years in the U.S. Army. He was an infantryman and a tank crewman, but deployed as an engineer to Iraq. For 10 years he was a sergeant, first-class, assigned to the Missouri National Guard, where he was the state marksmanship coordinator. Somewhere along the line, he

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caught the 3-Gun bug and started competing as a civilian. Katie accompanied him and was enthralled by the challenge to speedily nail multiple targets, alternating between rifle, pistol, and shotgun. “I feel like I kind of got on his nerves a bit,” Katie says of tagging along with Chad. “But I think it became a bonding experience for me and my dad. And once I started to actually get into the sport, it was an adrenaline rush. I would think, ‘Wow, did that really just happen? Because it was really cool.’” Father and daughter spend a lot

Francis says 5.11’s line of formfitting women’s apparel is well designed and durable.

who says her 5.11 ambassadorship is an honor, raves about the company’s approach to formfitting tactical apparel for women, including tops, bottoms, outerwear—and even bags and purses for concealed carry. For example, Katie says her 5.11 “Stryke” pants resist the rigors of competition without snags or tears. “I really was excited when 5.11 asked me to do the Passion Forward campaign because it had to do with women and getting them motivated,” she says. “Usually I do interviews and talk to people about it, or push it on my Facebook page. Or we’ll write a blog post on safety or training, drawing awareness to the idea that women involved in shooting is actually an industry. I think that if women see other people just like them doing these kinds of things, it will motivate them to get up and do it, too.” Being around adult professionals has motivated Katie to speak well, which has made her a better communicator. She wants to be a doctor some day, possibly an anesthesiologist. “I think that it has taught me responsibility and maturity,” she says of the 5.11 ambassadorship. “Especially with missing a lot of school, I really have to stay on top of things.”

In the Right Hands ➤ Katie

is also happy to promote shooting sports to the general public, stressing that responsible gun handling is positive. “I think that people are uneducated on guns,” she says. “As soon as they hear the words ‘guns’ or ‘shooting’ they think, ‘Oh, my gosh, it’s something bad.’ But in my experience, I learned responsibility when I learned how to handle guns properly. I really don’t think there is anything to be scared of, if the gun is in right person’s hands.” Booth #13162. (511tactical.com)

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Syren’s shotguns incorporate a Monte Carlo comb, reduced length of pull, and a tighter radius in the grip to help the gun better fit women shooters.

The Woman’s Touch SYREN USA accepts no compromises

By Barbara Baird he first question women shooters ask of Anne Mauro, vice president of Syren USA, a division of Caesar Guerini, is “‘Why Syren?’” Her answer: “Because we are so dedicated to female shooters that we created a full line of shotguns that actually fit women.” This line of purpose-built shotguns for women didn’t come about by accident. Syren was born because a female competition shotgunner once complained to Wes Lang, president of Caesar Guerini USA, about the lack of shotguns designed for women. Lang reached out to Mauro in 2013 to help create the exclusive line that would bridge the gap between out-of-the-box shotguns and the women’s market.

“Over the years many firearm manufacturers have considered making a firearm for women,” she says. “Some decided the market is too small to justify the effort. Others have made halfhearted

attempts, or even worse, delivered a gun with a shortened stock that has been painted a silly color. In our opinion, these efforts are something less than genuine. Syren is a different story.”

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Mauro, who is also head coach of the University of Maryland trap and skeet team, came to the shooting sports as an adult. A petite woman, she had to remove the butt pad from a rental gun in order to

get a more appropriate length of pull for her weekly shotgun lessons. “I shot bare wood on my shoulder,” she says. After each lesson, she had to apply instant ice packs to her bruised arm and shoulder. Such was her dedication to learning how to shoot, though, that she persevered through the weekly discomfort. “I’ve had tremendous teachers, and my first instructor made it safe and fun,” says the now-internationally qualified clay shooter. “To have a gun that’s designed for women so that they don’t have to go through what I went through is tremendous. There are a lot of women who wouldn’t put up with that.” When Mauro came onboard to launch the Syren line, she took the question about what women wanted in a shotgun to female instructors and shooters across the country. They told her. As a result, Syren’s line of shotguns feature a Monte Carlo comb, reduced length of pull, cast and pitch built for female anatomy, and a tighter radius in the grip for female hands (smaller and more delicate than most men’s). “We wanted to finally end the need for making compromises,” she says. “This was not about modifying existing products or pushing youth models. It was about creating shotguns and accessories designed just for women.” And the name? It comes from Greek mythology. Using their enchanted voices, the Sirens lured sailors to hazards where they wrecked their ships. These characters are often referred to as winged maidens and daughters of the earth. Therefore, Syren chose a winged design for its logo and combined it with purple—which is strong and beautiful, and, of course, royal. In order to enhance the aesthetics of some of the guns in this beautiful line, Syren went to Bottega Giozanelli engravers in Italy and commissioned them to design an exclusive side plate with classic scrollwork and a bouquet for the Syren Magnus. Mauro represents Syren at shotgunning events nationwide. “It’s a joy to travel the country, and hear women say, ‘This is the first time I can see down the rib,’ and ‘This guns fits me,’” she says. Mauro said one woman shot a sporting gun from the line and then asked her, “Can you explain to me why this gun fits me right out of the box?” Mauro’s response? “Because we’ve done our homework.” They have indeed. Booth #11358. (syrenusa.com)

the syren lineup

SYREN’S SPORTING GUNS

MAGNUS SPORTING A competition-grade target gun in 12 and 20 gauge. Comes with 6 chokes. Made of Turkish walnut with a DTS trigger system. SRP: $5,500

trigger. In Turkish walnut, with a proprietary Tri-wood finish. SRP: $1,995 to $2,170 TEMPIO TRAP Meet the first trap gun produced exclusively for women. The Syren Tempio Trap features an adjustable Monte Carlo stock, a higher rib and more balance, along with a limited lifetime warranty. SRP: starts at $6,395. SYREN’S FIELD GUNS

Comes with three chokes. SRP: $1,995

SYREN TEMPIO Light bird gun in 20 and 28 gauge. Also available in 20/28/.410 combo sets. Scroll and bouquet engraving motif, and made of Turkish Walnut. Comes with 5 chokes. SRP: $3,995 to $7,765 (combo sets)

TEMPIO SPORTING Great for all levels in competition and recreational shooting. Comes in 12, 20, and 28 gauge. Same trigger system as Magnus. Also in Turkish walnut. SRP: $4,380 to $8,721 (combo sets)

MAGNUS Available in 20 and 28 gauge. Comes with 5 chokes. Turkish walnut. SRP: $4,850 to $6,705 (combo sets)

TEMPIO LIGHT What a difference almost a pound can make. Syren lightened up the 20 and 28 gauge in order to serve its female clients who want to get on faster birds even faster. Also available in 20/28/ .410 combo sets. Comes with 5 chokes. SRP: $3,995 to $7,765 (combo sets)

XLR5 SPORTING Soft-shooting, gas-operated system lightens recoil in this 12-gauge competition shotgun. Pistol grip and adjustable

XRL5 WATERFOWLER 12-gauge autoloader chambered for 2¾ or 3-inch shells. Realtree Max-5 pattern. Hollowed-out wood stock.

ELOS VENTI Made for the field and the gun club. Available in 20 and 28 gauge. Made of Turkish walnut with a Tri-wood finish.

Comes with 5 chokes. SRP: $2,995 to $3,195 SYREN ELOS VENTI LIGHT Nearly on pound lighter than the Venti, it’s available in 20 and 28 gauge. Made of Turkish walnut with a Tri-wood finish. Comes with 5 chokes. SRP: $2,995 to $3,120.

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A Better Way

Camp Chef was inspired by founder Ty Measom’s desire to create a high-capacity propane stove that was both portable and powerful.

At Camp Chef, customer needs drive innovation, success By David Draper

or decades, camp cooking meant breaking out a distinctive green box made by one of the most recognizable names in the industry. Pumping the primer on that stove was a rite of passage and essentially the only option when it came to cooking outside. The only, but not necessarily a convenient option, particularly when you had to feed a couple dozen hungry young men, as Ty Measom discovered. The Utah resident knew there had to be a better way to cook outdoors, and the company Measom created, Camp Chef, has spent the last two and half decades re-defining how people feed their friends and family in camp, at tailgate parties, and on the home patio. “Have you ever tried to cook for 25 scouts on a petite, junky folding stove or a high-output fish fryer?” asks Measom. “Those are the only things that were available 25 years ago, and they just didn’t work. The only options for camp cooking were small, cheap, and not user friendly. There were only a few companies out there for outdoor cooking, but they didn’t offer the product people needed.” What Measom needed, and what he knew other campers wanted, was a high-capacity propane stove that was both portable and powerful. It didn’t exist, so he went to work designing it. “I just started building,” says Measom. “I needed to get the size right to where it was big enough to cook for 25 people but small enough to travel. I remember spending hours just to get the legs to fold right. It also had to be powerful, yet adjustable so you didn’t burn everything.” What came out of Measom’s shop was the Pro 60, a large stove with twin high-output burners built inside a sheet-metal shell with legs that folded up into a compact package. The Pro 60 proved so popular among outdoorsmen it jumpstarted Measom’s new company—Camp Chef— and became the foundation of a whole new subcategory in the camp-cooking industry. “The first stove didn’t even have any accessories, so from there we just figured out what the market wanted,” says Measom. “We saw a need for a griddle, so we made a griddle accessory. There was a need for a grill, so we made a grill accessory. We listened to our customers and responded to them in a positive way.” Customers obviously wanted a better way to cook outdoors, and that became the tag line for Measom’s fledging business. It didn’t take long to discover there was a big hole in the camp-cooking category, one that Camp Chef was more than willing and able to fill with Pro 60 and its accessories. Like any new company, Measom had faith there were customers out there, but he needed help in finding them, which didn’t take long once he found the right dealer network. “I remember we went to a show in Dallas,” he says. “A guy named Big John came in and ordered 100 units when he saw them. He saw

there was a need and knew this was the solution. Soon after we went to a show for specialty sporting goods. People knew they could sell it because it filled a need. We filled $30,000 in orders that show. I went out to the pay phones to call back to the office and said ‘I think we are in business.’ We grew the business with the specialty sporting goods dealers and continue to support them. They are an important part of our business.” After 10 years, Camp Chef had re-defined the camp-stove category and was looking for other opportunities for growth. Again, their customers, and specifically those in their home state of Utah, led them to the next big step in the company’s history—cast-iron cookware. “We are in a region that has a rich history of cast iron cooking, and more specifically Dutch oven cooking,” says Measom. “So we listened to our users, saw they were cast-iron fans and were using that cookware with our equipment. Soon after we started producing quality cast iron.” Once Camp Chef conquered the campsite, it made the move into people’s backyards with a home and patio line of cooking equipment. “Our tagline is ‘the way to cook outdoors’ and a lot of outdoor cooking is done on the back patio,” says Measom. “A large percentage of our customers use Camp Chef stoves on the back patio and that really brings out the chef side of Camp Chef. From flat-top grilling and pellet grills to smokers and pizza ovens, it was natural

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for Camp Chef to segue from the backcountry to the back patio.” It takes moxie, and no small amount of hard work, to find success in a category dominated by a traditional powerhouse, but Measom found success through hard work, innovation, and a team of loyal employees. “I couldn’t do it all myself,” he is quick to point out, emphasizing the importance of matching the right people to the right job, working as a team, and finding a good work-life balance. “Part of the innovation that defines Camp Chef comes from our employee’s passion for cooking and the outdoors,” he says. “With a four-day work week, Camp Chef provides a work schedule that allows employees to pursue their personal activates, which in turn, provides for a positive work environment that encourages new ideas and innovation.” Measom also credits customers for helping the company succeed, and not just because they’re buying Camp Chef products. By listening to its customers and facilitating an open communication line between the company’s customer service and product development teams, Camp Chef can offer better products. “The oldest communal activity known to man is sharing a meal together,” he says. “We’ll continue to do our best to elevate that experience.” Booth #15543. (campchef.com)

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The Heart of a Knife

Benchmade’s competitive edge is the quality of its materials and the quality of its workforce By Robert Sadowski

alk the factory floor at the Benchmade facility in Oregon, as I did last fall, and you will see craftsmen and craftswomen who care about the products they produce. It’s not just about making knives and punching a time clock at the end of the day. Instead, they build knives as a tribe. One definition of a tribe is “any aggregate of people united by a community of customs and traditions.” The tribe at Benchmade is clearly united by the desire to produce a superior product, and the customs that help them do just that include aesthetics, engineering, steel, ergonomics, and performance—and, of course, the steel, which is the heart of all they do.

SMOOTH OPERATOR There’s a smoothness to opening a Benchmade knife, from the everyday-carry Griptillian models, such as the new 551-1 and 556-1 (SRP: $195 to $210), to the 490 Amicus (SRP: $250), a new flipper featuring Benchmade’s AXIS Assist opening mechanism. Other tools, such as the 179 SOCP Hook (SRP: $90), can break vehicle glass and cut through seat belts like they were made of butter.

Benchmade prefers to use modern powdered steels because their more uniform molecular structure delivers superior edge retention.

Derrick Lau, communications manager at Benchmade, shows me liner blanks coming out of a stamping press. “Some of our competitors use the same material we use in the liners of our folders for their blades,” he says. Because steel is the heart of the knife, on every Benchmade knife you will see a number code telling you which blade material—S90V, M390, or S30V, for example—was used. These three metals are modern powdered steels that have a more uniform molecular structure than traditional forged and cast steels, which means these blades offer superior levels of edge retention, toughness, wear resistance, and, depending on the amount of chromium present, excellent corrosion resistance. Handle material ranges from G10 and carbon fiber to titanium and Dymondwood.

These are materials that are not only beautiful to look at after Benchmade’s craftsmen are finished, but materials that simply feel good in the hand. It doesn’t hurt that the materials also happen to provide a sure grip as well. Lau flips his Bali-Song— Benchmade’s iconic butterfly knife—and the smoothness of the opening action is evident. That operation and overall ergonomics of this knife also applies to the manufacturer’s automatic, assist-open, and manual-open knives. Benchmade knives are well regarded for their functionality, but they can be much more than just that. The custom shop is where aesthetics,

56 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

engineering, and design merge to create an edged tool that is not only functional but pleasing to the eye. Here the alchemy of Damascus-like steel, titanium, and G10 may take form in a limited run of what Benchmade calls Gold Class knives. The new Unlimited Gold Class 908-161 Stryker (SRP: $600) features an etched Odenheim Damasteel blade, blackand-red twill carbon-fiber handle scales, a red anodized aluminum barrel spacers, red anodized pivot ring, and the AXIS locking mechanism. “The 908-161 Stryker is a beautifulThe 908-161 ly designed knife with Stryker is a very high material great choice and ergonomic for a tactical appeal,” says Jason duty knife. Boyd, Benchmade’s

director of product. “The knife’s blade utilizes a new Oden Heim pattern from Damasteel handsomely set into a red-and-black carbon-fiber handle. The complementary pivot bushing and barrel spacers help give it a cool look.” To my eyes, it could be a showcase piece, which it is, but Boyd also notes it’s been designed for everyday carry as well. The 908161 Stryker will be produced with no set quantities, but it is designed as a limited run. Act now. The poet John Keats once wrote, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” I’m no poet, but I will say the beauty found in Benchmade’s knives is the result of a combination of performance and aesthetics, and, in no small measure, a relentless dedication to excellence. Booth #10357. (benchmade.com)

news

Teamwork

tacprogear ’ s new packs

When you can tap experience and expertise, great things happen By Barbara Baird

fter two decades as an executive in sales and marketing operations for various companies in the shooting sports, Terry Naughton was finally ready to take the leap and assume the helm of his own company. That decision led him buy Scopecoat, a manufacturer of high-quality neoprene riflescope covers. “It had a 20-year track record and was a trusted name,” he says. “It supported outdoor, military, and law enforcement users, and as a bonus the products were made in the USA.” There was just one hitch. When he first contacted the owner and asked to buy the company, he was told it was not for sale. “He was not interested,” Naughton says. “But after several calls over a number of months, he decided I was the right fit.”

Shootingindustry veteran Terry Naughton is now running the show at Scopecoat and Slideboot.

The acquisition was completed late last summer, and Naughton said he saw the company as a “launching point” to add more product categories. It didn’t take him long. Within six weeks after purchasing Scopecoat, Naughton met the owners of Slideboot, a custom-fit neoprene cover that conforms to the shape of a slide. “It does for handguns what Scopecoat does for optics,” says Naughton. “The neoprene protects the slide and sights of either a striker-fired or 1911-style handgun.” With two companies under his direction, Naughton came face-to-face with the realities of being the boss. Leading sales and marketing, developing new customers, and making product plans were one thing, but staffing, payroll, taxes, and manufacturing were horses of a different color. But instead of trying to figure it out on the job, Naughton reached out to longtime colleague and former employer Mike Noell. Noell, a former Navy SEAL and founder of BLACKHAWK!, had all the required expertise and experience necessary to make Naughton’s acquisition run smoothly and successfully. What started out as friendly conversations on “how to do this or don’t forget to file for that” quickly became more of a joint effort. Noell was welcomed to the Scopecoat team as a partner and mentor. As two former executives of one of the

most successful companies in the shooting sports industry began a closer working relationship, they couldn’t help but realize they were “putting the band back together.” The acquisition (and integration) of companies is an art unto itself, and the NoellNaughton team looked to another former BLACKHAWK! team member to guide them seamlessly through the process. Enter Scott Ferros, former CFO of BLACKHAWK! Since Scopecoat was already working in neoprene, it seemed logical to plug Slideboot into the factory in Phoenix, Arizona. “I have visited several retailers who’ve told me that Slideboot is an easy up-sale with each firearm that leaves the store,” says Naughton. He noted that some retailers mount Slideboots on several of their display-counter guns so that customers can see the products up close. As the new team continued to form, Naughton knew that new products were the lifeblood of keeping the company on a consistent path of growth. There was no one better that they knew of in the industry in regard to product development than another former BLACKHAWK! team member: Eric Yeates. Naughton also added more sales reps. “For our retail sporting goods customers, H&G Marketing will cover the entire United States. On the law enforcement and military side, Perpetual Marketing is covering the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Additional territory coverage for military and law enforcement will be assigned during or shortly after SHOT Show,” he says. Scopecoat offers an extensive line of colors, camo, and sizes. “For scopes and binos, we have standard-size covers of various lengths and objective lens sizes, so it is easy for a retailer to cover a majority of their optics selection with a few units,” says Naughton. “As you get to micro and electronic sights, we make custom-fit units per manufacturer specs. For spotting scopes, all of these are custom-fit to the specific model.” In the Slideboot side of the house, the company makes seven sizes—four for striker-fired guns and three for 1911 frames. The covers also come in multiple colors and camo patterns. Both companies will do custom fit or custom print work. A custom fit supports size-specific units for each of a manufacturer’s products, such as the Trijicon ACOG. “We frequently receive prototype units so we can create new items to support product launches. These may be sold as OEM direct or through our retail partners,” says Naughton. For the customprint side of the business, the company developed a custom shop that can create a logo and then produce it on Scopecoat and Slideboot SKUs. Looking ahead, Naughton sees further developments. “With our new team, we now have the capability to grow Scopecoat. We have the right ingredients to develop products that our customers need, and to service our customers at a high level.” Booth #853. (scopecoat.com)

Tacprogear—best known for manufacturing tactical gear used by law enforcement professionals, private security contractors, and the military worldwide—has redesigned its Spec Ops Assault Pack (SAP). The new packs come in two versions—Spec Ops Assault Pack 1, Gen 2; and the larger Spec Ops Assault Pack 2, Gen 2. The SAPG2 recently received a 4.52 out of a possible 5 from the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Member Tested and Recommended Program. “The Tacprogear Spec-Ops Assault Pack, Gen 2, incorporates more than 20 design improvements, all of which came from end-user feedback over the past years,” says Dan Lounsbury, founder and CEO of Tacprogear. Improvements to the SAP2-G2 include an adjustable waist belt, two external pockets designed for water bottles, four extra compression straps, and a hydration pocket. Upgrades to the SAP1-G2 include an injection-molded drag handle, a loop for ID or unit patches, improved shoulder strap padding, a quickrelease waist belt, ergonomic zipper pulls, and an advanced tarpaulin material on the bottom for adverse conditions. The packs are available in black, coyote tan, and OD green. SRP: $184. Booth #20055. (tacprogear.com) —Peter Suciu

Improvements to the SAP2-G2 include an adjustable waist belt and external pockets.

DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 57

news

Savage Unveils New 16/116 Lightweight Hunter

The Lightweight Hunter is available in short- and long-action options in five calibers: .223 Rem., .243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., .308 Win., and .270 Win.

BC_045891_SBDD416P.indd 1

ith a compact, flyweight design built for long hauls and tight quarters, Savage Arms’ new Model 16/116 Lightweight Hunter is just what the doctor ordered for hunters hoofing it through the Rockies on a backcountry marathon or maneuvering for the shot inside a cramped blind. Savage engineers spared no effort in shaving off every possible ounce to create a svelte new addition to the manufacturer’s Specialty Series. The Model 16/116 Lightweight Hunter weighs in at less than 6 pounds, more than a full pound lighter than typical deer rifles.

The motivation behind developing this rifle, according to sales operations manager Jessica Treglia, was simple. “Who doesn’t want a lightweight rifle to carry through rugged terrain while hunting? A light yet hard-hitting firearm is especially handy when hunting high-country terrain, which makes

12/8/15 1:44 PM

the Lightweight Hunter a natural for tackling mule deer and elk. But it’s also appreciated on any extended adventure, whether you’re stalking high-plains antelope or tracking down whitetails in the Adirondacks. And yet, thanks to a 40.25-inch overall length, the compact powerhouse is also a boon for hunters who work in the tight confines of ground and box blinds.” Such a notable reduction in mass was realized by making a number of smart adjustments, including machining out the receiver, fluting the bolt in a fine spiral fashion, and capping the stock with a 20-inch light-contour barrel. Designers also borrowed the lightweight magazine and framework from Savage’s Trophy Hunter Series, replacing the standard heavy metal components found inside many heftier hunting rifles with a bulletproof base pad and rigid crossbracing system crafted from a light but extremely durable polymer. “The 16/116, to Savage, designates that it is a stainless barreled action,” says Treglia. “The features that make it lightweight are not just the stock and barreled action material, but the extra features and

attention given to the rifle. For instance, the barrel is a lightweight contour, meaning it is even slimmer than our standard sporter barrel and, at 20 inches in length, slightly shorter. Using a spiral fluting method, material was removed from the bolt in order to reduce weight and improve aesthetics. The receiver has cuts as well, and the stock, unlike our 16/116 Weather Warrior, does not have a metal frame or AccuStock composition, in order to reduce weight. On the 16/116 Lightweight Hunter, there are even additional grooves cut into the wood stock to remove weight.” The Lightweight Hunter is available in short- and long-action options in five calibers: .223 Rem., .243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., .308 Win., and .270 Win. Accuracy is assured, courtesy of a number of Savage advancements, including a hand-straightened button-rifled barrel and a self-adjusting, floating bolt head that yields a fit normally available only with hand-lapped locking lugs. Zerotolerance headspace—achieved by carefully matching barrel, action, and bolt—further fuels world-class accuracy. The 16/116 Lightweight

A 20-inch light-contour stainless-steel barrel helps keep the weight down. The redesigned receiver is lighter as well.

Hunter also offers Savage’s trademark user-adjustable AccuTrigger system, which lets shooters tailor trigger pull to personal taste. Retailers may be most interested, though, in how the rifle is priced. The combination of light weight and reliable, tack-driving accuracy has traditionally been reserved for high-priced custom rifles costing thousands of dollars. The 16/116 Lightweight Hunter,

however, retails for just $729, making this featherweight champion an affordable luxury for budget-conscious hunters across the country. “We believe it’s truly the combination of the features and price point,” says Treglia. “There is no competition out there with those specifications, features, and accuracy at that price point.” Booth #1451. (savagearms.com)

BREAK-ACTION, SINGLE-SHOT

ALSO AVAILABLE IN

•

Available in 12, 20, .410, youth 20 & youth .410 ga. •

Brass-bead sight

•

28” barrel (26” in youth models)

•

Matte-black finish

•

13” length-of-pull for youth

•

Black, synthetic stock & forend

•

Fixed, modified choke

•

Manual, hammer & transfer bar safeties

Come see it at booth #3036 775-828-0555 | www.legacysports.com

news

Nikon’s P-223 3–9x40mm scope mates well with the MSR platform. Shooters in this arena like tacticalstyle turrets and zeroreset ability.

Nikon Revamps Its Lineup Optics manufacturer to focus on next generation of shooters By Bill Miller

ikon Sport Optics used to put a lot of time and money into marketing videos, but now the productions are a lot less glitzy. Adam Goess, product and marketing manager, says the new shopper for riflescopes, rangefinders, and binoculars is happy with a two-minute howto video made with a single camera.

These members of the so-called “YouTube generation” use that platform to learn about everything they want to buy. Surfing the web for instructional videos also helps them improve

Merchandising to Women Hunters

“Women who hunt require more tools and gear than women who shoot, and it’s important to discover what works for the fastest-grow-

omen are entering the shooting sports in steadily growing numbers. But this growth, while a good trend for the overall health of the industry, has also challenged retailers, many of whom don’t know how to successfully connect with this emerging market. During the past few years, the NSSF has been reporting on the explosion in the women’s market for hunting and shooting, and has offered various seminars at past SHOT Shows with some of the industry’s best female representatives on how to meet the needs of women shooters. Yesterday, the NSSF-sponsored “Merchandising to Women Hunters” panel discussion focused specifically on women who hunt, because their needs are very different from those of women who target shoot and demand a more tailored approach. ing demographic in the hunting market, and to support the movement,” said Barbara Baird, moderator of the Women Hunter’s panel.

The panel gathered during the NSSF’s SHOT Show Retailer Seminar yesterday. Baird, a freelance writer in the industry, also publishes “Women’s Outdoor News,” an e-zine that caters to women who shoot and hunt. Panelists included Judy Rhodes, founder of DIVA WOW, an organization created to teach women to shoot and hunt; Melissa Bachman, host of the TV show Winchester Deadly Passion; Tiffany Lakosky, co-host of the TV show The Crush with Lee & Tiffany; and Shannon Reaser, co-host of the TV show The Outdoor Option. The women brought many years of hunting experience to the panel, and have presented seminars to The Women Hunter’s panel discussion focused on women hunters’ needs.

60 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

women across the country. These women have been in the trenches, and the women’s hunting movement has been built on their shoulders. Topics included store exteriors and interiors, merchandising, staff hiring and training, promotional ideas, special events and seminars, and how to attract more women to hunting. The panelists even touched on the topic of the use of pink—teenager Shannon Reaser loves the option, while DIVA founder Judy Rhodes prefers animal prints. Patrick Shay, NSSF Director of Retail Development, asked that attendees send him unanswered questions after the event. He will send these to the panel, who agreed to continue the conversation and gladly help retailers work with women hunters.

their skills, bridging the gap between neophyte and expert. Goess also notes that the “more traditional” customer is a “guy who has used the same scope for 30 years—the guy who won’t change it unless he buys another gun, if he buys another gun.” New shooters, by contrast, are adept at video gaming, but many of them have never hunted, Goess says. “Eighty percent of the new-shooter market is younger. They’re consuming at a much higher rate, and it’s more around the ‘tactical’ side. That word is being thrown around, but this customer has done a good job researching it.” When these customers finally get to a gun store, they prefer dealing with someone behind the counter who’s happy to answer questions. They don’t want the crusty dude who can’t tolerate anyone who doesn’t know the difference between a clip and magazine. Although the latest YouTube spots are simpler, new shooters quickly figure out which video hosts are truly knowledgeable. “Now we’re shooting about 15 videos a month,” Goess says. “Some are complicated and some are very easy—like how to use a reticle or how to make adjustments. You can shoot a lot around a two-minute sweet spot.” Nikon has plenty to feature, following a very busy 2015, which saw a slew of new products and the rebranding of others. For example, the Buckmaster II series was reintroduced as the entry line of Nikon riflescopes at very affordable price points—$129 for the 3–9x40 and

The Prostaff 7i 6x21 Laser Rangefinder can determine the range on targets with a reflective surface between 8 and 1,300 yards.

$149 for the 4–12x40. “It’s to cater to the guy who is right at about $150,” Goess says. “Below that wouldn’t be something we’d want to get into because Nikon holds itself to a certain standard for optical quality.” The Prostaff scopes became the mid-range line. SRPs start at around $100 for rimfire models and run up to $579 for the Prostaff 5 3.5– 14x50 with the Nikoplex reticle. The Monarch

line remains the company’s flagship. Its scopes range from around $280 for a 1–4x20 to a Monarch 7 at about $1,000. This scope features a one-piece 30mm main-body tube, a glassetched BDC reticle, and the Custom XR Turret package. “The 30mm is very popular,” Goess says. “The new shooter is gravitating more to that configuration rather than the one-inch tube.” He says that’s most likely because new shooters are skewing toward target shooting, not hunting. Nikon also made a splash last year with the new Prostaff 7i 6x21 Laser Rangefinder, which runs about $300. It can work between 8 and 1,300 yards on a reflective surface. Another addition last year was the Spot On mobile app, a ballistics calculator that matches riflescope reticles with any ammunition. The company also started producing more scope rings and bases through a partnership with Warne Scope Mounts. “Customers would ask, ‘Hey, do you have rings?’” Goess says. “And you’d have to point them to one of your competitors.” But, he added, working with Warne, Nikon officials figured out that they didn’t need to go “hundreds of units deep” to equip the world of guns. Instead, they learned that 85 percent of the market could be covered with only eight SKUs. “Over the past couple of years, we’ve revamped almost our entire line,” he says. Now the company will focus on market development. Booth #11221. (nikonsportoptics.com)

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Strategic Alliance Beretta Defense Technologies’ new structure pays big dividends for consumers and retailers alike By Robert Sadowski

oday’s battlefield has evolved since Beretta first started manufacturing firearms in the 16th century. To meet that challenge, Beretta Holding Company—which owns Beretta, Benelli, Sako, and Steiner—formed Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT) in order to organize this diverse group of brands into a strategic alliance consisting of battle rifles, combat pistols, tactical shotguns, optics, lasers, and long-range rifles. As a result, BDT can now offer a wide range of products not only for LE and military operators, but for civilians as well. And that ability can pay big dividends for retailers, too.

“Our dealers benefit directly from the efforts of BDT,” says Gabriele de Plano, vice president of BDT marketing and operations at Beretta USA. “Almost everything we develop for the defense industry has an application in the commercial market, so the advanced technologies we offer to our military and law enforcement partners quickly become available to our consumers. As a matter of fact, we have also seen that consumer trends, such as 3-Gun competition, are now influencing the requirements of the defense sector, so everyone benefits from the collaborative development environment and system approach we are promoting via BDT.” Last year I had the opportunity to attend the first Beretta Tactical Summit in Moyock, North Carolina, held at the Academi facility. We were introduced to

and trained on a wide variety of BDT product lines under the tutelage of some of the country’s top-shelf instructors: Pat Rogers, John Chapman, Ernie Langdon, John Spears, and Steve Fisher. I had experience with the M9 pistol and Beretta’s line of hunting shotguns and Sako’s hunting rifles, but my take-away from the event was a newfound appreciation for BDT and its impressive roster of weaponry.

Improved Grip ➤ The

M9 is not new. It has been part of the U.S. military fabric since 1985, and some 600,000 pistols have been delivered to the Department of Defense. What is new is the M9A3 pistol, which redresses most of the complaints against the M9. For some users, the M9, like many double-stack

The 1301 Tactical semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun (top, right) is a natural offshoot of Beretta’s shotgun lines. With oversize controls (above), it offers faster manipulation. On target (below, right), the 1301 was a soft shooter.

62 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

pistols, has too much girth and a chunky grip. The M9A3 uses a Vertec frame with a straight backstrap and thin grip panels to better fit smaller hands. For those with larger hands, the M9A3 also comes with a wraparound grip backstrap similar to the grip size of the original M9. Other enhancements include increased magazine capacity (now 17+1), a threaded barrel for use with a suppressor, a removable front sight, an accessory rail, and an oversize magazine-release button. The Beretta ARX 100 carbine is something totally new and cuttingedge. Chambered in 5.56x45mm, it is a semi-automatic rifle that uses a short-stroke gas-piston system. You can swap out barrels on the ARX without any tools, allowing the use of different barrel lengths and calibers. In addition, the rifle is completely ambidex-

trous—the two-position safety, magazine release, and bolt release all can be accessed by right- and left-handers. The charging handle can also quickly and easily be set up for a right- or left-handed user without the use of tools. Field stripping, too, is a tool-free process. The polymer receiver sheds weight, and the folding stock is adjustable for length of pull. The ARX features folding BUIS (backup iron sights) and comes optics-ready. We used both Steiner red-dot sights and lowpower scopes, and I found the rifle quite capable with either. Finally, the ARX feeds off of standard AR-15/M4 STANAG magazines. Under the watchful eyes of Rogers and Chapman, we were able to quickly ramp up and run the carbine accurately and with speed. During a night shoot, participants, using night-vision

equipment and ARXs outfitted with Steiner’s DBAL-I2 IR laser pointers, were able to light up the night.

Ringing Steel ➤ Beretta

semi-automatic shotguns are a benchmark in shotgun technology, and the new 1301 Tactical is no exception. It offers oversize controls that are easy to operate and a self-cleaning gas system that is super-fast shooting. According to Beretta, it runs 36 percent faster than any of its competitors. Shotguns are brutal, hungry weapons, but Fisher demonstrated how—with a little technique—these 12-gauge brutes can be effective. And if you still think a shotgun with buckshot is a 25-yard weapon, think again. We used the 1301s out to 40 yards with modern buckshot loads from Federal Premium. Nine pellets on steel, no flyers. A grippy synthetic stock, ghost-ring sights, and a soft-shooting gas system make the 1301 effective in both LE and in home defense situations. It would also be a good choice in 3-Gun matches.

The M9A3 (top) is Beretta’s latest evolution of the M9. Ernie Langdon (below, left) explains the finer points of the M9A3.

For long-range applications, Sako’s TRG M10 is a user-configurable multi-caliber (.308 Win., .300 Win. Mag., and .338 Lapua Mag.) bolt-action precision rifle that allows the user to easily swap out barrels. The fully adjustable stock (both LOP and cheek rest) can be customized without tools, and the pistol grip has three interchangeable backstrap sizes. Steiner M5Xi Military 5–25x56mm scopes with MSR and mil-dot reticles were used to zero the rifle at 100 yards. Achieving sub-MOA groups was a simple task. At 400 yards, the fun started on steel. We went all the way to 800 yards. With the M10 configured for night work, and with Spears spotting and doping the wind for me, I rang steel. If a customer is looking for an out-of-the-box long-range rifle and scope, the Sako M10 and Steiner M5Xi Military are an excellent combination that won’t cost as much as a custom rifle. Booth #13962. (beretta.com)

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news

Beretta The GunPod 2 is an in-stock electronic device on the A400 Xplor that links to a smartphone, allowing you and the gun to link to social media.

Royal Treatment

Radio technology is transforming the shooting sports

By Joe Keller

nder our noses, a certain radio technology is making its way into our phones, flashlights, and even our guns. Bluetooth was named for Danish King Harold Bluetooth, who united Scandinavian countries in the 10th century. Clever engineers at Sweden’s Ericsson labs developed the technology in 1994, and figured it would unite various communication protocols. Hence the royal moniker.

Today we know it as a secure connection that transmits data over the relatively short distance of about 328 feet. Bluetooth is simply a way for our sporting tools to talk to each other—much like all radio waves carry information, but this technology has a cooler name. All sorts of new outdoor products tap into the global-standard technology to give hunt-

ers and shooters options to record, broadcast, and illuminate their pastime. Here are a few.

Bottle Rocker

You may not be familiar with Scosche, a consumer electronics company that bills itself as a group that “finds inspiration in the California lifestyle, culture, music, and peo-

➤

ple.” We’re not sure exactly what that means, but they are tapping into the Southern lifestyle as well. The high-tech company is now making a Bluetooth speaker that is wrapped in Realtree camo. The boomBOTTLE H2O speaker boasts powerful sound from a 50mm speaker and a passive subwoofer. You can control what you listen to with a play, pause, track forward/backward, and volume adjust

CONNECTED PROTECTION Who likes the smell of gunpowder? I see a lot of hands going up. And who likes the sound of a 150-decibel centerfire shot in the next lane at the range? Bueller? Anybody? Walker Game Ear has already been making muffs that dampen loud sounds and amplify normal sound, but now they’re adding music. Ultimate Digital Quad Connect muffs are Bluetooth-enabled, so you can listen to the tunes you keep on your phone or other device. Go ahead and answer a phone call or call a buddy while you’re shooting at the range or hunting. And you’ll still be protected from ear- damaging reports from your firearms or others’. Turn on the Bluetooth option on your muffs and it will start searching for nearby devices. You can control the volume of both incoming sounds— ambient and Bluetooth.

64 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016

“Shoot to your favorite song,” says Ben Smith of GSM, Walker’s parent company. At $289, the muffs aren’t cheap, but they have other high-end features you’d expect from topshelf ear protection, such as four, rather than two, directional microphones. This mitigates one of the reasons I was never really a big fan of amplifying muffs: I could hear a squirrel or deer walk over fallen leaves 200 yards away, but I wasn’t able to determine where the critter was unless I turned my head. Four mics, though, help you determine location without any additional movement that might spook game. The Quads run on two AAA batteries, reduce noises by 27 dB, amplify sound by nine times, and are designed to fit the user comfortably. Booth #1019. (gsmoutdoors.com).

on the speaker or on your smartphone or other device. The speaker is designed to fit into a water bottle cage—like you might find on a mountain bike—as well as cupholders in boats, trucks, or ATVs. And one of the coolest things about this device? It’s waterproof and it floats. SRP: $109. Booth #10719. (realtree.com)

Hot Shot Counter ➤ It’s

always fun to remember the details of past hunts. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a tool that would record shots fired and the path you took, and sync up with photos you take along the way? It would be a lot like a hunting diary, and that’s the way Beretta is positioning its new GunPod 2, an in-stock electronic device that slips into the grip of the A400 Xplor and communicates with your smartphone through the GunPod 2 app. Basically, the gun works with your smartphone to transfer these stats and any other data you wish to type in, such as the shells and chokes used, weather conditions, photos, and dogs you hunted over. And, of course, you can upload the info through the GunPod 2 app to your social networks. The lightweight device can also be a lifesaver—you can make a call to a pre-defined phone number with just two taps. And if you’re really in a bad way, with one swipe, you can share your GPS location with a rescue team. The

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GunPod shot counter is $215; the app is free. Booth #13962. (beretta.com)

Enlighten Remotely

As the sun went down after a day at the range recently, a few friends decided to play a game of cornhole. It was tough to see the target until someone had the bright idea to turn on a new portable light that telescoped up to 6 feet and flooded the area with bright light. Not only that, but we changed the illumination remotely through—you guessed it— Bluetooth and an iPhone. Pelican Products, the company best known for impervious plastic camera cases and gun cases, is branching out into other segments of the industry, such as coolers and lighting. The unit we used was the 6,000-lumen 9490 Remote Area Lighting System (RALS). Don’t need that much light? Then go with the 4,000-lumen 9480 RALS. Both systems have deployable masts that can raise the light up to 72 inches for the 9490 and about 24 inches for the 9480. Each has a 340-degree rotating head, varied light levels, and a 24-hour runtime on low levels. Each also has a self-contained rechargeable power supply. With two batteries, a charger, and AC power nearby, you can swap batteries out, charge the other, and have continuous remote lighting. SRP: $799, 9480; $999, 9490. Booth #20221. (pelican.com)

➤

Pelican Bluetooth technology and an iPhone work together to control the Remote Area Lighting System.

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SHOW SCENES

SHOT SHOW 2016

Shoulder to shoulder, the attendees at this year’s SHOT Show have shown the inherent strength of the shootingsports community. For that is what we are, a community dedicated to the profound idea that shooting, hunting, and personal protection are worthy activities that bind us together in a time-honored American tradition. See you next year!

66 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 22, 2016