SHOT Daily - Day 4 - 2019 SHOT Show by SHOT Business

SHOOTING HUNTING OUTDOOR TRADE SHOW 1979–2019 DAY 4, JAN UA RY 2 5, 2 019

NEW PRODUCT REPORTS SHOT Daily hits the floor to find what’s new in the world of airguns P. 12.

FEATURES

NEWS

Bishop Ammunition doesn’t take “no” for an answer PAGE 50

To Will Primos, the outdoors is more than just a business PAGE 10

GOING TO EXTREMES

LEADING THE CHARGE

The quest to build the perfect backcountry cartridge PAGE 54

Walls forges ahead by creating smart hunting attire PAGE 31

AGAINST THE GRAIN

HEART AND SOUL

T H E DA I LY N E WS O F T H E 2 0 1 9 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

The Art of Display

ears ago, a retailer might court success with a “stack it and they will come” inventory philosophy. No more. “The days of stacking it deep and selling it cheap are gone. Just ask Sears, Toys “R” Us, Kmart, and Gander Mountain. They didn’t understand what today’s buyer wants,” said Hank Yacek, of Point of Impact Consulting, during the Science & Art of Retail

Design session of SHOT University earlier this week. Yacek’s presentation was loaded with plans to help retailers increase turns and control retail flow. He emphasized that in today’s competitive environment, personal interaction with customers is vital. “It all starts with solving a customer’s problems,” he said. “Ask questions. Once you understand the buyer’s specific needs, you can control what’s sold to them.”

As an example, he said, range retailers should always have two displays of cleaning accessories. “A small display at the range door and one at checkout can increase purchases.” Other strategies include a formula to make aisles as wide as they are high. Customers can get far enough away to see what’s stocked near the floor or on the top shelf. Open floor plans invite a tribal sense of acceptance. “Make sure your customer feels welcomed by a bright, open space when they enter the store. And make sure you show the store’s commitment to the industry with lifestyle displays.” Other helpful hints included visually refreshing the store about every five years, and concentrating on what’s trending in the industry today. “We tend to sell what we personally like and use. It’s far more important that the store engages in trends that are captivating consumers,” he said. Yacek also emphasized using end-aisle displays and changing them as frequently as every two weeks. “End caps are such an effective tool. You can use them for inventory clearance without dropping prices.” —Peter B. Mathiesen

CRKT Provokes CRKT has invented a completely different way for a knife to fold. The hot, new Provoke karambit self-defense knife utilizes what the company has dubbed “Kinematic technology,” which makes up its unique and remarkable folding system. Designed to be primarily used with the blade

down, the Provoke opens with a gentle nudge to the upper crossbar with the thumb. The blade springs out, and the handle comes into shape without your other fingers shifting their grip. A discrete lever at the base of the finger loop releases the locking mechanism and allows the knife to return to its

closed position. SRP: $200. Booth #10051. (crkt.com) —David Maccar

COLT KING COBRA HITS In 2017, with the reintroduction of the Cobra, Colt brought back one of its most beloved wheelguns. This year, the venerable gunmaker gave it a big brother with the aptly named King Cobra. The six-shot doubleaction revolver sports a 3-inch barrel and is chambered for .357 Magnum/.38 Spl. With a heavy-duty frame, it’s still compact and light enough (28 ounces) for concealed carry. And the Hogue overmolded grips make it comfortable to hold in the hand. The gun uses the same linear leaf spring trigger as the regular Cobra and features a full stainless-steel construction. Best of all, the price ($899) is the same as Colt’s black DLC-coated snubnosed .38 Spl. Night Cobra, and $200 more than the standard 2-inch Cobra. At Range Day, the new revolver proved to be a tack driver, and was crisp and accurate in both single- and double-action. The King Cobra is shipping now. Booth #10574. (colt.com) —David Maccar

1/24/19 3:37 PM

GRIZZLY PAC BOOT Slaton L. White, Editor James A. Walsh, Art Director Margaret M. Nussey, Managing Editor David Maccar, Senior Editor David E. Petzal, Shooting Editor Judith Weber, Production Manager

WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE? ©KENETREK, LLC 2019

Any decent pac boot will keep you warm and dry - but since when did “decent” become your default? Enter the Grizzly - blending hunting boot like support with all day comfort to keep you pushing forward

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Larry Ahlman, Barbara Baird, Scott Bestul, Philip Bourjaily, Christopher Cogley, Jock Elliott, Shannon Farlow, Tim Irwin, William F. Kendy, Richard Mann, Peter B. Mathiesen, Brian McCombie, Tom Mohrhauser, Robert Sadowski, Robert F. Staeger, Peter Suciu, Wayne Van Zwoll

©KENETREK, LLC 2019

Anthony Licata, Group Editorial Director Gregory D. Gatto, Senior Vice President, Managing Director ADVERTISING: 212-779-5316

Jeff Roberge, Publisher Katie Logan, Southern Sporting Goods Sales David Hawkey, Northeast Sporting Goods Sales Amanda Gastelum, Integrated Marketing Director

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Tara Bisciello, Business Manager

MANUFACTURING

Kelly Kramer Weekely, Associate Group Director Melissa Beckham, Production Manager

BONNIER

VISIT US AT BOOTH 1318

BC_069055_SBDD419P.indd 1

12/27/18 3:19 PM

MENU FIND A PLACE TO SHOOT RANGE LIFE

THE PREMIER ONLINE DESTINATION FOR SHOOTERS

SHOOT BETTER GEAR UP

Chairman, Erik Haegerstrand Head of Business Area, Magazines, Lars Dahmén Chief Executive Officer, Eric Zinczenko Chief Financial Officer, Joachim Jaginder Executive Vice President, Bonnier Media, Gregory D. Gatto Executive Vice President, Bonnier Solutions, David Ritchie Chief Digital Revenue Officer, Sean Holzman Senior Vice President, Consumer Products, Elise Contarsy Senior Vice President, Events, Jonathan Moore Senior Vice President, Digital Operations, David Butler Vice President, Integrated Sales, John Graney Vice President, Public Relations, Perri Dorset Vice President, Data Science and Analytics, Mark Crone Vice President, Enterprise Solutions, Shawn Macey General Counsel, Jeremy Thompson Human Resources Director, Kim Putman

HUNT PROTECT GUN GAMES GUN REVIEWS GUNS 101 VIDEOS

Watch our videos to learn how to clean your pistol, rack a pistol slide with one hand, and break a clays double.

EAT. SLEEP. LEARN A NEW SHOOTING SKILL.

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 100165695, 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 27, issue 2, Copyright © 2019 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. Printed in the USA. For Customer Service and Subscription questions, such as Renewals, Address Changes, Email Preferences, Billing and Account Status, go to: shotbusiness. com/cs. You can also email SBZcustserv@cdsfulfllment.com, in the U.S. call toll-free 866-615-4345, outside the U.S. call 515-237-3697, or write to SHOT Business, 2 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016. For editorial inquiries, write to Slaton L. White, SHOT Business, 2 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016 REPRINTS: E-mail reprints@bonniercorp.com. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to SHOT Business, P.O. Box 6364 Harlan, IA 51593.

For editorial inquiries, visit Venetian Level 3, San Polo 3501, in the Sands Expo & Convention Center.

Presented by:

004_SHD04_NEWS_MAST.indd 4 BC_069645_SBDD219P.indd 1

1/24/19 3:33 PM 1/9/19 2:27 PM

NEWS

The Viridian Fact Duty Weapon Mounted Camera provides a high-def, unobstructed view of officer-involved shooting incidents at the most crucial moments.

Pistol POV

Viridian aims to improve firearm-mounted cameras By Robert Sadowski he Viridian Fact Duty WMC (Weapon Mounted Camera) records an unobstructed view of critical use-offorce events from the end of the firearm. A dash cam or body cam can capture an incident, but neither was specifically designed to capture officer-involved shootings. “Current events point to the fact that body and dash cameras alone are inadequate,” says Viridian president and CEO Brian Hedeen. “More than 300 police departments around the country are in the process of testing and implementing Fact Duty WMCs. We’re seeing more and more departments choose our products, and I think that is because our WMCs provide an unfettered perspective for officer-involved shootings and other use-of-force incidents. Our products help show what really happened.”

The Fact WMC camera takes HD video and audio at the crucial moment when an officer is required to unholster his weapon. Fact uses Viridian’s proprietary In-Stant-On technology, which means the camera and microphone start recording the moment the weapon is drawn. Employing a 1080p full-HD digital camera with a microphone combined with a 500lumen tactical light, the Fact WMC eliminates the requirement by the officer to manually turn on the camera during a critical event. It also keeps the officer from fumbling with equipment when he should be concentrating on a threat. Another consideration: Body cameras can be blocked by the officer’s body when he’s shooting at certain angles or they can fall when he’s either in pursuit of or struggling with a threat. The Viridian unit does not require special equipment. The WMC mounts on existing standard-issue firearms and fits seamlessly in multiple duty holster platforms designed to hold a pistol with a mounted tactical light. The West Hennepin Public Safety Department, located outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, issued the Fact WMC to officers in August 2018. “For our department, the Fact Duty just makes sense,” says West Hennepin chief of police Gary Kroells. “This gives us the coverage we need and fits our budget. We looked at body cams, but their administrative requirements and data management made

them impractical for us. The Fact Duty will provide clear evidence if an officer is forced to use their service pistol. We were one of the pilot programs for this product and made our decision based on training and field data.” The Catasauqua Police Department, located just outside Allentown, Pennsylvania, deployed the Fact Duty WMC in October 2018. “The transparency and ease of implementation helped us choose this solution,” says Catasauqua chief of police Douglas Kish. “A department of our size has a surprisingly large number of interactions with the public. The Fact Duty WMC allows us the coverage for a possible (and rare) officer-involved shooting without huge overhead costs or recurring payment requirements.”

The Fact Duty WMC is easy to charge—just plug it in when it’s not holstered or in use.

6 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

006_SHD04_NEWS_VIR.indd 6

Unlike a dash cam or a body camera, the WMC does not require an agency to purchase supplemental equipment or services. Also, the WMC generates a fraction of the data to manage compared to other law-enforcement incident-recording options. It does this because the Fact WMC records only when the officer’s weapon is drawn. This results in significantly lower costs when compared to dash- and body-cam data-management costs. The WMCs feature a recording time of more than three hours, incorporate secured data access, and are easily rechargeable. Geared toward civilian use, the new X Series Gen 3 with Camera product line creates an entirely new category for personal protection, training, and recreational/competitive shooting. The first two products in the lineup are the X5L Gen 3 Green Laser with Camera and the XTL Gen 3 Taclight with Camera. The X Series Gen 3 with Camera comes standard with a 500-lumen LED light. The X5L Cam also includes a green laser. Both units feature multiple operation modes and Viridian’s proprietary In-Stant-On technology. These units provide convenient playback for training, range time, or competitions, and give legally armed citizens an added level of reassurance when carrying or in a home-defense situation. Additional uses include recording footage during action/water sports, bowhunting, turkey hunting, or any other close-range hunting. Booth #653. (viridianweapontech.com)

1/24/19 3:33 PM

news

The “flex leg” springs on Swagger bipods allow the shooter to twist or turn as needed without taking the rifle off target.

A New Twist on Bipods

Swagger Bipods branches out By Brian McCombie s the name suggests, Swagger Bipods made its name with bipods. The unique Swagger Hunter 29 and Hunter 42 bipods not only attach to your rifle to provide an extremely stable shooting platform, but also are built with “flex leg” springs, so the shooter can twist and turn if needed and still keep the rifle on target.

For 2019, Swagger has entered the more traditional bipod market with new stand-alone options: two bipods under the Hunter Series— the Stalker Light and the Stalker QD—and the Picatinny-mounted Tactical. I had the opportunity to use the new Stalker Light and Stalker QD bipods during a South Texas deer and hog hunt this past fall, and they provided stable shooting in a variety of hunting scenarios— from spot-and-stalk hunting on the ground to taking shots from raised shooting blinds. The flexibility of the sticks was impressive, too, allowing me to pivot my rifle as needed in a fairly wide arc. These three bipod/shooting sticks will also be available at prices most shooters can afford. The standard Stalker Light starts

at less than $50, while the feature- rich Stalker QD will be in the $80 to $120 range, depending on the length (42-inch or 72-inch extendable legs). The Tactical, with 6-inch and 9-inch legs, is projected to fit in the $120 to $140 price range. “At Swagger, we felt it was time to offer more of a shooting-sticktype product in addition to our successful hunting bipods,” says Dusty McDonald, Swagger’s brand manager. “However, we didn’t want the sticks to be essentially static and only good for one fixed position at a time. So, we built these three bipods around our patented flex springs, so a hunter can swing the rifle as the animal moves and stay on target without having to lift and move the sticks.” For the Tactical, Swagger

8 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

008_SHD04_NEWS_SWAG.indd 8

received input from law- enforcement snipers as to what they needed in a bipod. Turns out, they have similar needs to hunters—a stable bipod that would still allow the shooter to track a moving target. Plus, law enforcement wanted sticks with the ability to tilt when needed, in scenarios like overwatch duty from a rooftop. The Stalker QD has a quickdetach yoke that is released by pushing a small button on the back side of the unit. Later this year, Swagger will be rolling out a yoke that can easily attach to a rifle’s sling stud, as well as various camouflage options. “People who bought our original Swagger Bipods have been asking for these types of sticks for a couple of years now. So have

our dealers across the country,” McDonald says. “We think the Stalker models and the Tactical are going to be strong sellers. And we’ve found our products do better with independent retailers. In the big-box stores, someone asks about shooting sticks and the clerk just waves his hand and says, ‘Over there.’ But with our bipods and these new sticks, the advantage goes to the retailer who can take a minute and show the customer how the flex springs work and the many applications these models offer over traditional, fixed-position bipods.” To boost sales of all its products, Swagger suggests a retailer have a unit or two set up, so a hunter or shooter can see and experience the flexibility firsthand. Booth #717. (swaggerbipods.com)

1/24/19 3:34 PM

“You protect what you love,” says conservationist Will Primos. “Once you come to understand the outdoors, you will want to protect it.”

news

Heart and Soul

To Will Primos, the outdoors is far more than just a business By Ryan Chelius

ike many Americans of a particular age, Will Primos was introduced to hunting early on by his father and uncles. And an older cousin, Jimmy Primos, took Will on his first hunt for black birds after giving him a Crosman pellet gun.

“I wish I still had that gun. I can still see it in my mind,” Primos says. Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, Primos had ample opportunity to hone his outdoors skills. His Uncle Gus was an expert duck caller, and the time he spent in blinds listening to the magic of that call no doubt influenced the eventual direction of his life. But like many young men with a passion for the outdoors, he needed to earn a living. After he graduated from college in 1974, Primos went to work in the family restaurant business, running the catering and banquet division for one of five restaurants. At the same time, Primos, who says he was an “obsessed and possessed” hunter, spent as much time as possible chasing “anything that flew, crawled, walked, or swam.” In the process, he became an

avid turkey hunter, and in 1976, he began building turkey calls. He quickly realized his talent when his mouth calls started to sell out at every trade show he attended. In short order, Primos understood that with hard work, he could turn his passion for the outdoors into a career. Soon Primos founded the company that bears his name, though he continued in the family business for several years to support his fledgling enterprise. Some 30 years later, it’s one of the top game-call brands in the industry. One reason for that success, in addition to the obvious excellence of the products, was Primos’ ability to promote his calls through various media. For instance, in the early 1980s, he began to use cassette tapes to record hunts. “You could hear every call that was made, and the turkeys’

10 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

010_SHD04_NEWS_PRIMOS.indd 10

response. You could also hear the red birds singing in the morning,” Primos says. The cassette tapes were a success and helped increase sales. So, in 1987, Primos and his team began to film their hunts. Just like the cassettes, the videos became a big hit. “Videos really allowed us to reach the public in a large way. And that helped grow the company,” he says. The success of the videos led Primos to the creation of a television show that airs on the Outdoor Channel. Primos fondly recalls how the videos—and, later, the show—got their name. “In the late 1980s, I hired Ronnie Strickland, better known as ‘Cuz.’ I told him to go out and film every hunt, as I was still in the restaurant business trying to keep my small game-call company afloat. At the end of the season,

we had nearly 20 hunts on tape. As we sat down to create a video, I asked Strickland, ‘Cuz, what are we going to call this thing?’ “Cuz said, ‘I don’t know, but it’s the truth.’ “A light bulb went off in my head, and I said, ‘That’s it! We are going to call it ‘The Truth.’” Primos Truth About Hunting is, Primos says, “100 percent fun and 100 percent fair chase. We show it like it is—the hits, the misses, the laughs, and the love of the hunt. This ain’t Hollywood. It’s the truth!” Several years ago, Primos sold the company to Vista Outdoor. But his love for the outdoors is stronger than ever, and he is now focused on preserving the tradition of hunting, shooting, and outdoor lifestyle. “Early on, I came to understand the relationship between habitat and the amount of game,” Primos says. “I became a protector of habitat.” Another area of concern for Primos is public-land access. Today, public lands are threatened by privatization and development. These areas are extremely important to American sportsmen and sportswomen. “There’s nothing more important than our public lands,” he says. “And nothing more important than honoring the legacies of such conservation visionaries as Aldo Leopold and Theodore Roosevelt.” Primos is proud of what he has built. Primos Hunting now has more than 120 employees and manufactures more than 600 products, including calls, videos, clothing, and hunting accessories. “We’re the only company that crosses categories in a strong way,” Primos says. “Some companies are really good at waterfowl but don’t do anything in turkey, deer, or elk. But we’re strong across the board.” At the end of the day, Primos says, the company’s success comes down to quality, and a belief in what they are doing. “Everyone here is a hunter,” he says. “If we don’t believe in a product, we can’t market it. If it’s not our heart and soul, we aren’t going to do it. The bottom line is, we are our own customer. That’s the foundation of the company.” Having built such an enterprise from scratch gives Primos a wellearned sense of satisfaction. But his greatest achievement may be his abiding dedication to the future of hunting and shooting. Booth #14570. (primos.com)

1/24/19 11:35 AM

AIRGUNS

AIR V EN TURI

The Nomad II portable high-pressure compressor can go nearly anywhere.

Driving Force

Technology continues to drive innovation in the airgun ﬁeld. This year, retailers will see a broad mix of tack-driving air riﬂes as well as an interesting assortment of innovative replicas By Jock Elliott

A I RGU N S OF ARIZON A The Daystate Red Wolf has three individual programmed energy and velocity settings that can be selected by the shooter in a matter of seconds.

Airguns of Arizona

The newest model in Brocock’s innovative line of multi-shot precharged pneumatics (PCPs), the Commander, incorporates a Huma regulator that integrates with its patented Slingshot hammer-and-valve system to precisely meter air release and thus eradicate the “power curve” usually associated with unregulated PCPs. The Commander is capable of a power output up to 40 footpounds, with shot counts in excess of 500 per charge, depending on configuration and caliber (.177, .22, and .25 barrels are available). Two alloy buddy-bottle options provide air capacities of 400cc or 500cc, while the super-lightweight HiLite variant comes equipped with a 480cc carbon-fiber bottle. The Commander features an ergonomic drop-down pistol grip and retractable stock that allows for speedy length-of-pull adjustment. The butt on export models can be folded via a quick-release mechanism to make it even more compact, further facilitating carry and storage. The Commander is available in both synthetic and Cerakote finishes. Practical features include Picatinny scope and accessory rails (with a tri-plate accessory rail option), an in-guard manual safety catch, an on-the-fly power adjuster, and a fast-throw side bolt that allows quick cycling of the 10-shot, removable rotary maga-

zine. A single-shot tray is also supplied. Further high-tech features come in the shape of a full-length barrel shroud with reflex silencer and ported muzzle brake—all designed to maximize the accuracy from the Commander’s Lothar Walther barrel, regulated action, and totally recoil-free firing cycle. Each Daystate Red Wolf has three programmed energy and velocity settings that can be selected by the shooter in seconds. The shooter can further tune the rifle with an optional programmer that allows each power level program to be manipulated to achieve the best speed for a given pellet. Daystate has also included a default program

if the user wants to return to the factory settings. The Red Wolf’s LCD screen displays the state of air pressure in tenths of a bar, as well as the battery state, shot count, and total shots fired. The heart of the waterproof computer control system is the electronic MCT. This firing valve takes pressure readings from the carbon-fiber air supply and tells the valve how much to open in order to give the maximum shots per fill. The Red Wolf High Power can deliver consistent shots at 100 foot-pounds in .303 caliber. The battery to power the unit is stored in the easy-to-access grip area and will provide thousands of shots

A I R V E N T U R I The M1 Carbine BB Air Rifle (top) is a full-size replica of the famed rifle carried by military and civilian shooters around the world. Each includes blowback action and a synthetic wood-look stock. The Seneca Aspen (above) uses a two-stage velocity adjustment to control the shot power.

before recharge. The match-grade trigger is adjustable, and the action can be configured for left- or righthand use and includes an improved 10-shot magazine and carbon-fiber shroud system to reduce report. The select walnut stock offers cheek piece adjustments for height, and left and right canting. The Red Wolf comes with a five-year transferable warranty. Booth #3548. (airgunsofarizona.com)

Air Venturi

The Springfield Armory XDM is a CO2 replica of the real steel firearm. It features full-blowback action to keep shooting sessions as realistic as possible. The Springfield M1 Carbine CO2 BB Air Rifle is a full-size replica of the famed rifle carried by military and civilian shooters around the world. It includes blowback action and a synthetic wood-look stock. A real wood stock upgrade will be made available at a later time. The Nomad II is a portable high-pressure compressor that lets airgunners break free of stationary fill sources. The Nomad II can be powered from any 110- or 220volt outlet or even a 12-volt car battery. Each compressor is capable of filling a 250cc cylinder to 3,000 psi in as little as 9 minutes. The included automatic shutoff allows the shooter to set the device to the exact fill pressure desired (up to 4,500 psi), and the Nomad II will stop when that pressure is

12 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

012_SHD04_PROD_AIR.indd 12

1/14/19 11:02 AM

PRODUCTS

A N SC H U TZ The Model 9015 Black Alu Walnut features highquality walnut attachments in combination with the black stock. The result is enhanced functionality and an elegant design.

GA M O The Swarm Fusion 10X Gen2 features new upgrades, such as a lightweight, compact, detachable 10-shot magazine, a patented polymer jacketed steel barrel, and a CAT (Custom Action Trigger). reached. SRP: $649.99. The Seneca Aspen PCP air rifle uses an integral pump to fill its 3,600-psi cylinder. This system allows the shooter to fire up to 17 shots for every 40 to 60 pumps. The Seneca Aspen includes an adjustable two-stage trigger and delivers velocities up to 800 fps in .25 caliber, 900 fps in .22, and

1,000 in .177. The Aspen uses a two-stage velocity adjustment to control the shot’s power. With a flick of the dial, hunters can switch to high-power for devastating knockdown shots and be ready for the next shot five to six pumps later. With its dial set to low, target shooters can take 20 shots before the need to pump again. Each rifle

will include a 4x32 AO scope, two magazines, and a single shot tray. SRP: $399.99. Booth #15755. (airventuri.com)

Anschutz

The Model 9015 Black Alu Walnut is based on the well-known models of the series 8002 and 9015 Alu. The high-quality walnut attachments in combination with the black stock results in a new and elegant design, which also delivers in terms of functionality and ergonomics. The forend can be swiveled and moved as desired, and the ergonomically designed grip, which is used in Anschutz One stocks, can also be adjusted in any desired direction. The scalloped inner side of the grip allows the shooter to bring the air rifle even closer to the body. All components with direct body contact are made of oiled walnut and give the shooter a natural feeling and absolute control in position. SRP: $2,795. Booth #15549. (anschutznorth america.com)

Crosman

C ROS M A N The Black Widow Destroyer is a great hunting pellet that delivers stopping power for small-game animals. The pellet delivers the maximum expansion and penetration.

For more than 50 years families have enjoyed the legendary 760 Pumpmaster air rifle for plinking and target shooting. With easy-touse features, such as variable pump power for velocity control up to 700 fps, this airgun shoots BBs or pellets with power and accuracy. The new Pumpmaster Classic 760

has a refreshed look that is available in three color options: Classic Brown, Fuchsia Rose, and Light Blue. The rifle also features an improved smooth-pull trigger, large BB reservoir capacity (up to 1,000 BBs), and an easy-access BB loading port. SRP: $39.99. The Bushmaster MPW (MultiPurpose Weapon) is a compact tactical CO2 rifle that shoots BBs through either a single-shot semiauto mode or full-auto mode. The MPW was inspired by the popular Bushmaster XM-15 rifle series. The rifle can be adapted or customized to the shooter with an AR-compatible stock and pistol. It features a mock suppressor, quad Picatinny rails for accessories, and a red-dot sight. It is powered by dual 12-gram CO2 Powerlets that are housed in a drop-out 25-round magazine. This air rifle has a heavy, realistic weight and features blow-back bolt action, an ejection port cover, and a charging handle. SRP: $199.99. The Marauder has been one of the top-selling PCP rifles in its class, and Crosman has expanded on its capabilities for quick follow-up shots. The Semi Auto Marauder features a mechanically operated, air blowback, semi-auto action. It will be available in both .22 and .25 calibers, with either wood or synthetic stocks. SRP: $699.99. The 392S and 397S adult multi-pump pneumatic air rifle features a new lightweight mod-

14 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

012_SHD04_PROD_AIR.indd 14

1/14/19 11:02 AM

PRODUCTS

ern synthetic all-weather stock, fully rifled brass barrel, and velocities up to 1,100 fps for .177 caliber and 800 fps for .22 caliber. With variable pump power for velocity control, this rifle is perfect for small game and pests, but equally as good for backyard target practice. The rifle is available with adjustable sights or a scope

that can be attached using the B272 inter-mount. SRP: $189.99. The new Black Widow Destroyer is a great hunting pellet that delivers stopping power for small-game animals. The pellet delivers the maximum expansion and penetration for which Destroyer pellets are known while the copper/black zinc coating

C ROS M A N Benjamin’s Triple Threat Revolver kit gives a shooter the ability to quickly swap barrel lengths to fit their needs. The kit includes a cylinder to be used with .177 pellets and a separate cylinder for BBs. It ships with 3-, 6-, and 8-inch barrels, and can quickly go from a compact to a full-size revolver.

012_SHD04_PROD_AIR.indd 16

enhances overall lethality and performance. The coating reduces deformation of the pellets and makes it cleaner to handle. These pellets are only available in .177 caliber in 250-count tins. SRP: $9.99. Inspired by the Remington 1100, the R1100 is a lightweight and durable variable pump-shotgun-style youth airgun. It features a smooth trigger pull, large BB reservoir capacity holding up to 850 BBs, and an easy-access BB loading port. With the variable pump power, the shooter can control the velocity up to 700 fps. SRP: $49.99. The new Benjamin Mag-Fire break-barrel rifle is Benjamin’s first entry into the multi-shot break-barrel class. It is powered by Benjamin’s Nitro Piston Elite, resulting in improved accuracy and is available in .177 or .22 caliber. The Mag-Fire also includes Benjamin’s SBD Gold silencing barrel device, a proprietary system

C ROS M A N The Bejamin Mag-Fire is powered by Benjamin’s Nitro Piston Elite, resulting in improved accuracy.

1/14/19 11:02 AM

PRODUCTS

designed to contain and dissipate the expansion of gas, and a 10-shot magazine. SRP: $199. Finally, the Triple Threat Revolver kit gives a shooter the ability to quickly swap barrel lengths to fit their needs. The kit includes a cylinder to be used with .177 pellets and a separate cylinder for BBs. Shipping with 3-, 6-, and 8-inch barrels, the Triple Threat can go from a compact to full-size revolver with a few rotations of a screw, gaining velocity and sight radius as the barrel length increases. Equipped with an adjustable rear sight and rifled steel barrels, this revolver can be fine-tuned to provide consistent accuracy with the desired weight and profile of pellet or BB. SRP: $79.99. Booth #13940. (crosman.com)

Gamo

The Swarm Fusion 10X Gen2 (available in .17 and .22) features new upgrades, such as a lightweight, compact detachable 10-shot magazine, a patented polymer jacketed steel barrel, and

large- and small-framed shooters. Other features include Whisper Fusion (noise-dampening technology), a recoil-reducing scope rail, and recoil pad. SRP: $269.99. The Gamo Swarm Whisper break-barrel rifle features a patented polymer jacketed steel barrel and a crisp trigger. The detachable magazine is lighter and more compact and holds up to 10 pellets. Available in .22 or .177 caliber, the rifle comes standard with a 4x32 scope, dependable all-weather stock, Whisper Fusion noisedampening technology, and a rubber recoil pad. SRP: $149.99. Booth #11053. (gamousa.com)

S I G SAU E R The M17 CO2-powered air pistol (.177 caliber) is

a replica of the U.S. Army–issued P320 M17. It has the same look and feel as the M17, and features a polymer frame and metal slide with realistic blowback action.

a CAT (Custom Action Trigger) that provides first- and secondstage trigger adjustments. The air rifle comes standard with a

3–9x40 scope as well as bright fiber-optic front and rear sights. The all-weather nylon stock features a large thumbhole and fits

Leapers

The compact UTG Accushot 3–12x44 30mm mil-dot scope, includes 36-color illumination, one-click illumination memory, and emerald-coated lenses for optimized light transmission. Additional features include improved locking windage and elevation adjustment turrets, as well as a side parallax adjustment

SIG AIR TAKES FLIGHT Advanced Sport Pellet (ASP) brings to mind a small specialized operation devoted to performance, not unlike the local “speed” shops in many towns back in the muscle car era that helped the owners of Barracudas, Camaros, and GTOs go faster. Until recently it was the name of the airgun division of SIG Sauer. No more. When SIG committed itself to be a major player in this arena, and mapped out a strategic plan to get there, the manufacturer realized the division’s name didn’t reflect that commitment. So, it rebranded ASP as SIG Air. The original name, however, lives on as SIG Air’s breakthrough rifle, the ASP20. According to Joe Huston, SIG Air’s general manager, the idea behind the development of the ASP20 was to design a magnumpower break-barrel air rifle that would be consistently accurate and more pleasurable to shoot than other break-barrel air rifles currently on the market. “Break-barrel technology hasn’t really changed in 30 years,” he says. “Any advancements have been like putting lipstick on a pig.” Huston and his team didn’t want to put bandages on what they felt was outdated technology. So, they started from scratch, in what he says was “a true collaborative effort between SIG’s airgun engineers and its firearms engineers.” That effort yielded three major innovations, all of which are incorporated into the new rifle. First, the GlideLite cocking mechanism requires only 33 pounds of peak force, the lightest in its class. “This is a major achievement, as many such rifles require around 50 pounds of peak force,” he says. “In addition, the cocking shoe provides a low-friction bear-

ing surface for smooth rotation of the cocking arm and decreased contact pressure.” Second, the proprietary breech lock ensures the barrel locks up to the breech in the same spot every time, and stays in place. “The pivot hole is drilled simultaneously through the receiver and the barrel,” he says. “By completing this as a single operation rather than a multi-stage operation, we ensure that the two parts fit perfectly. These developments eliminate barrel droop, meaning your shots will hit where you aim, every time.” Third, the rifle features a patented trigger. “SIG is known for making precise, crisp, twostage triggers, so we had one of our best trigger engineers make us a very special trigger for the ASP20,” he says. “The MatchLite trigger was designed with safety, performance, and ease of use in mind. It is adjustable for both pull weight and length of second-stage pull, and provides a smooth pull and clean break throughout its wide adjustment range.” The trigger-weight-adjustment assembly allows for eight distinct settings, in approximately 2-ounce increments. Just as important, the design will not allow the user to make adjustments that go beyond a safe

operating mode. Dani Navickas, SIG Air’s product manager, notes another reason for the enhanced accuracy of the ASP20: Its barrels are rifled on the same precision machines used to make the barrels for SIG’s firearms. “And that’s not all. The rifling has been designed to minimize unnecessary distortion of the pellets and create a highly effective seal on the pellet skirt. And that helps the rifle deliver excellent accuracy.” Another key point is the built-in durability of the ASP20. SIG Sauer subjected the rifle to the kind of testing normally reserved for military contracts. All in all, it’s the product of a company dedicated to quality. “No one is testing its airguns as rigorously as we are,” she says. The ASP20 is available in .177 caliber and .22 caliber, with wood-stock and syntheticstock versions. Unscoped wood-stock ASP20s will retail for $489.99. Syntheticstock versions will retail for $399.99. The new Whiskey3 ASP 4–12x44 scope, designed by the SIG Sauer Electro-Optics Division especially for the ASP20, is an attractive accessory sale for retailers. Let your customer know it can withstand the dual recoil impulse of magnum-power break-barrel air rifles. “You should also inform customers that rifle-and-scope packages will include the SBT (SIG Ballistic Turret), which allows for the correct pellet-drop compensation and pinpoint accuracy,” says Navickas. “Furthermore, SBT turrets, mounted at SIG, that come with the kitted guns will be set with the ballistics of the most common weight pellet for the caliber.” Booth #12240. (sigsauer.com) —Slaton L. White

18 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

012_SHD04_PROD_AIR.indd 18

1/14/19 11:02 AM

PRODUCTS

reticle’s origin features Leapers’s 36-color illumination enhancing system, which assists aiming under a variety of different light and weather conditions. This scope is built on the True Strength Platform and is completely sealed and nitrogen filled. It is shockproof, fogproof, and waterproof. The scope ships with flip-open lens caps, a 3-inch removable threaded sunshade, cleaning cloth, and Picatinny/ Weaver rings. SRP: $239.97. Booth #2146. (leapers.com)

L EAPE RS The compact 4–16x44 30mm UMOA reticle scope utilizes a glass-etched MOA reticle that features hash marks at MOA increments for precise bullet-drop and wind-drift compensation.

turret that features a lower and wider profile for easier manipulation when wearing gloves. Tweaked and reinforced turret internals provide a crisper and more tactile response per click as well as improved zero hold. A locking ring has been added to the rear diopter adjustment so users can set it and forget it. The scope also features a flat-faced objective front, allowing for more compatibility with after-

market lens caps, and comes complete with flip-open lens caps, a 3-inch removable threaded sunshade, and locking Picatinny/ Weaver rings. SRP: $189.97. The new compact 4–16x44 30mm UMOA reticle scope utilizes a glass-etched reticle. The MOA reticle features hash marks at MOA increments for precise bullet-drop and wind-drift compensation as well as range estimation. The center cross at the

SIG Sauer

The M17 CO2-powered air pistol (.177 caliber) is a replica of the U.S. Army-issued P320 M17. It has the same look and feel as the M17 and features a polymer frame and metal slide with realistic blowback action. The proprietary drop magazine houses a 20-round Rapid Pellet Magazine (RPM) and a 12-gram CO2 cartridge; it has a patented cam-lever loading port for quick-and-easy replacement of the cartridge. The sights are fixed, with a white dot front sight, and the accessory rail

UMAREX The Beretta M9A3 replica features a blowback slide and an 18-round magazine. allows easy mounting of a laser or tactical flashlight. Available in Coyote Tan. SRP: $139.99. The ASP Super Target is a .177 caliber single-shot pneumatic air pistol. This all-metal, match-grade target pistol features a 7.5-inch rifled barrel for increased accuracy and a crisp, fully-adjustable trigger. To operate the ASP Super Target, simply release the slide by pulling the hammer back while simultaneously pulling the slide up and over

LOWA Mountain Hunting Boots

Three Levels of Performance. One Uncompromising Standard of Excellence.

Innox Pro GTX TF - Coyote OP Also available w/breathable fabric lining.

Z-8S GTX - Dark Brown

• The NEW ultra-lightweight Innox Pro GTX features our proprietary DynaPU® midsole for superb rebound, cushioning & durability. • The Z-8S GTX combines the walking comfort of a hiking boot with the support and protection of a tough backpacking boot. • The Hunter GTX Evo Extreme is designed to handle extremely rugged, above tree-line terrain in fall & winter conditions.

Hunter GTX Evo Extreme - Antique Brown

visit booth

#10232

to see our 2019 Hunting & Task Force Collections All LOWA footwear features our enduring European-crafted quality that has earned us ISO 9001:2015 status for the highest standards in manufacturing & process standards. GORE-TEX, GTX, GORE, and GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY and design are registered trademarks of W.L. Gore & Associates Inc. PrimaLoft® is a registered trademark of PrimaLoft, Inc. VIBRAM®, the Octagon Logo, and the Yellow Octagon Logo and the color Canary Yellow are registered trademarks of Vibram S.p.A. © 2019 LOWA Boots, LLC.

012_SHD04_PROD_AIR.indd 20

1/14/19 11:02 AM

PRODUCTS

UMA R E X The .22-caliber Ruger Targis Max Hunter is a precision, high-impact, break-barrel pellet rifle. The stock is comfortably made with soft rubber inlays found in both the grip and the forearm. The exclusive Umarex Nucleus Rail technology also has been added to the rifles. until completely open. Insert the pellet, close it, and you’ll be ready to fire. The ASP Super Target is powered by a pneumatic system and requires no CO2 cartridge for use. SRP: $399.99. Booth #12240. (sigsauer.com)

Umarex

UM A R E X The Axeon 4–16x44 has side parallax controls and finger-adjustable 30 MOA wind and elevation turrets.

The sleek under-lever charging system of the .177 Synergis pellet rifle utilizes a smooth TNT gas piston, and the multi-shot magazine allows 12 shots without reloading. The innovative, patentpending, Umarex under-lever RapidMag design advances the magazine for the shooter. Just actuate the cocking lever one time, acquire the target, shoot, and repeat. Unlike other gaspiston pellet rifles, which use a muzzle device to quiet the gun, this new rifle has a fully shrouded barrel that siphons the accelerated air away from the pellet, creating a stabilized trajectory while silencing the shot. Airgun noise-dampening solutions of this type have traditionally only been used on pre-charged pneumatic rifles. The Synergis includes an ambidextrous stock, a metal LockDown Picatinny mounting rail, a 3–9x40 air-rifle scope, a two-stage trigger, and the two 12-round RapidMag pellet magazines. SRP: $169.99. The A-Rex is a .177 pellet rifle that shoots lead pellets at 1,050 fps, generating plenty of energy for small-game hunters. Features include the exclusive Umarex StopShox anti-recoil system, a TNT gas piston, the SilencAir silencing system, and the metal LockDown Picatinny mounting rail. It also features fiber-optic sights and a 3–9x32 adjustableobjective scope. SRP: $179.99. Airgun technology in design and

function has now caught up with heavyweight magazine that also Bill Ruger’s best-selling idea from houses the CO2 capsule. With an the 1960s. The new Ruger 10/22 authentic look and feel right air rifle is powered by two 12-gram down to its blowback slide action, CO2 capsules concealed in the butt this is a great practice pistol for stock. This super-quiet bolt-action 9mm VP9 owners and other air rifle has many authentic-lookaction-pistol shooters. It even fits ing features, such as a synthetic in aftermarket duty holsters. SRP: stock, adjustable rear sight, and a $89.99. removable 10-round rotary pellet The Beretta M9A3 replica feamag that sends .177 pellets downtures a full-auto blowback slide range at 650 fps. SRP: $129.99. and an 18-round magazine. Spare The .177 caliber Ruger Targis magazines are available and the Max and .22 caliber Ruger Targis replica includes all the features of Max Hunter are precision, highthe 9mm from the three-slot impact break-barrel pellet rifles. Picatinny rail to a threaded muzThe stocks are comfortably made zle. SRP: $124.99. with soft rubber inlays found both Umarex USA is offering a new in the grip and forearm. The scope, the Axeon exclusive Umarex Nucleus 4–16x44, intended for Rail technology has pairing with the popbeen added to these ular Umarex rifles, which also Gauntlet. The reticle include the Umarex is a standard duplex, TNT gas piston and and the eye relief is a UMAREX The ARX generous 3.5 inches. SilencAir Technology. is a .50-caliber leadThe Ruger Targis Max The scope has side free bullet with excelincludes a 4x32 scope parallax adjustment, and the Targis Hunter lent knockdown power. finger-adjustable Max includes a 3–9x32 30-MOA wind and scope with adjustable objective. elevation turrets with a ¼ MOA Both feature an all-weather stock click value, and a locking focus. It and adjustable two-stage trigger. comes with 11mm mounting SRP: $179.99, Targis Max; rings. SRP: $129.99. $199.99, Targis Hunter Max. Umarex solid lead ammo is now Umarex continues to release offered in three grain weights licensed Glock replicas. Two new (250, 350, and 550) made for the models slated for 2019 release are Umarex Hammer. Velocities range the Glock 17 Gen3 and Glock 17 from 760 to 1,005 fps. SRP: Gen4. Both are BB-firing variants $24.99 to $27.99. The patented with blowback action and a fullARX .50 caliber lead-free bullet size magazine. The Gen4 has an from Inceptor Ammunition proenhanced blowback slide action duces excellent knockdown power. that comes closer to mimicking Hydraulic displacement produces the slide action of a firearm. SRP: terminal wound channels rivaling $99.99, Gen3; $129.99, Gen4. and exceeding traditional expandCO2-powered BB guns are ing bullets when fired at speeds great fun for plinking, target generated by the Umarex shooting, and practice, especially Hammer (1,130 fps out of the with the new HK VP9 replica airUmarex Hammer). SRP: $29.99. gun. It holds 18 rounds in a Booth #14562. (umarex.com)

22 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

012_SHD04_PROD_AIR.indd 22

1/14/19 11:02 AM

FROMthe NSSF Making a Difference

For individuals, businesses, and the shooting sports industry, NSSF membership matters By Brian McCombie

t is difficult to overstate the importance of membership in the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). Whether that membership is as a manufacturer, a shooting range, a retailer, or a member of the shooting sports media, your membership allows NSSF to speak as one voice for the shooting sports industry—and that voice matters!

“Our membership is the backbone of NSSF,” said Mike Vrooman, NSSF’s Managing Director of Member Services. “We have more than 5,000 retail members and thousands of firearms, ammunition, and accessory manufacturers that count themselves as supporters of NSSF, the industry’s trade association. Being able to speak for that large and diverse membership gives NSSF the clout to influence legislation that can impact our industry. “We also use that political and economic clout to fight against

industry discrimination, such as access to financing or business services or the inability to effectively advertise your business,” he said. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing this sort of discrimination on the rise. While each NSSF member can do something to fight back individually against these unfair practices, experience has shown that a concerted, industry-based effort has the best chance of success.” Now, more than ever, a strong voice for the shooting sports industry is in need. Attacks on the

Second Amendment and the shooting sports industry are increasingly common. Consider that last year NSSF spoke out against a new campaign by the Brady Center and Gun Safety Alliance to discredit gun owners as reckless and unsafe, and efforts by the e-commerce platform Shopify to block firearm sales by FFLs. Part of its response included creating a working group of industry marketing leaders centered around the challenges of promoting firearms- and shooting-related businesses on social media.

Membership and support of the NSSF also helps support consumer initiatives designed to promote participation in the shooting sports and increase the amount of people walking into your retail stores, onto shooting ranges, and purchasing the products you build. Campaigns like National Shooting Sports Month, #LetsGoShooting, and #LetsgoHunting are also driving awareness of the shooting and hunting sports across the country. Of course, NSSF membership itself, to borrow a popular mar-

Being able to speak for a large and diverse membership gives NSSF the clout to influence legislation that can impact the shooting sports industry.

24 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

024_SHD04_NSF_MEM.indd 24

1/14/19 11:08 AM

One of the key pieces of the puzzle is NSSF’s efforts in the legislative arena, work that couldn’t be done without the support of NSSF members.

keting phrase, has its privileges, too. “Many join NSSF to support their industry, and certainly we are very grateful for that,” Vrooman said, adding that there are a wealth of benefits they should all take advantage of. “What a good number of our members don’t realize is that there are many benefits to membership, benefits that can directly help their businesses.” Vrooman noted, for example, that NSSF has developed special relationships with a variety of service providers to save your business money on insurance, shipping, credit card processing, point of sale systems, retail display setups, and more, things every shooting industry business needs and uses. “NSSF members have exclusive access to a tremendous number of educational resources, as well as world-class research on industry trends and consumer demographics, to help them make better informed business decisions that can have a real impact on their success,” he said. Retail members have access to a variety of ATF/FFL compliance resources that include in-person compliance consultant services, store security resources through the new NSSF and ATF joint initiative Operation Secure Store, and much more. They also have access to a 24/7 Compliance Hotline. NSSF retailer members are automatically added to the “Where to Buy” listings on NSSF’s websites. This directory lists only NSSF member companies, and Premium Retail members receive priority placement on

LetsGoShooting.org and LetsGoHunting.org, as well as the tremendously popular StepOutside.org that has 500,000 unique visitors per month searching for local events and activities in the outdoors. Likewise, Range Members are eligible for a discount from a professional shooting range action specialist consultant, and Premium Range Members can contact the Range Compliance Hotline free of charge with their compliance questions and concerns, and even schedule a no-cost OSHA/ state OSHA compliance review to be performed onsite. Range members are listed on WheretoShoot. org, where they are highlighted in bold—the directory lists both member and non-member ranges—and featured at the top of the list of search results. Similar functionality can be found in the “Find a Range” features on LetsGoShooting.org. At the NSSF Member Portal, NSSF Members can view an array of educational resources and information to help members operate their businesses in compliance with laws and regulations. In addition, all NSSF members are eligible for discounts on industry literature and research, depending on the membership type and level. If your company is not part of NSSF, your business is missing out on opportunities to compete more effectively. To view the comprehensive list of membership types and benefits, access NSSF Membership at:

NSSF WEBSITE RESOURCES NSSF members have access to a huge amount of information and assistance via NSSF.org. The website provides members with industry news and industry-specific job postings, plus fact sheets and backgrounders about firearms and Second Amendment issues. Here, you can also keep an eye on new and emerging legislation that affects the industry, and NSSF. org gives members access to the latest data on things such as NICS checks, excise tax numbers, hunting license sales, and more. NSSF members can gain a competitive advantage with these timely insights. Last year, for example, NSSF.org shared studies on the concealed-carry market, consumer handgun buying, and a profile and analysis of the growing optics market. NSSF.org also offers members an array of regulatory compliance offerings, from webinars to informative and highly useful reports on topics such as how to pass an ATF inspection. NSSF also offers a federal Form 4473 overlay free to its retail members. This clear template is used on a customer-completed 4473 to help staff, store compliance managers, and other responsible persons ensure that all the questions on the form have been answered, and answered in the correct way. The overlays can be requested online. Of course, the NSSF website is your starting point for information about SHOT Show 2019 and other upcoming events, such as the annual Firearms Industry Compliance Conference, Industry Summit, and Import/Export Conference. Check out NSSF.org today and learn about all the things NSSF can do to help you and your member business thrive.

nssf.org/membership/ member-benefits.

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 25

024_SHD04_NSF_MEM.indd 25

1/14/19 11:08 AM

from the nssf

Engaging your elected officials in a positive way can reap big benefits.

Open Dialog

Helping your mayor, state rep, or member of Congress better understand firearms-related businesses is a positive step toward protecting your rights By Brad Fitzpatrick

t’s vitally important for shooting sports businesses to engage in open dialogue with elected officials. In doing so, business owners play an active role in educating lawmakers about the many benefits of firearms-related businesses—everything from increased employment opportunities and economic growth to initiatives aimed at promoting gun safety, reducing suicide rates, and encouraging responsible firearms storage. You don’t need to immediately reach out to officials at the federal or state levels of government, though. These discussions can begin in your own backyard.

Councilman to Congresswoman “Every level of government can and does have an effect on firearms-related businesses,” says Michael Bazinet, Director of Public Affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation

(NSSF). “That’s why it is a good idea to get to know your elected officials.” Initiating these conversations may not always be easy, Bazinet says, but it’s worth making every effort to connect with lawmakers. “There may be some places where

a mayor, state legislator, or member of Congress may just be impossible to deal with because of their beliefs about firearms, but there are far more places where business owners have at least an even chance of getting a fair hearing. You’ll also find quite a few firearms-friendly politicians—you may actually be surprised. In all cases, the goal remains the same: Introduce the official to your business, your products and services, and your employees. Let them shake hands and have a few words with their voters. In other words, put a human face on your business. Give him or her a tour, bring them onto your plant floor or to the firing line at your range. Talk about your economic contribution to your region, what you pay in taxes, and what you give back to your community in terms of public service. Get to know them before there is some kind of issue that draws media attention.” Taking steps to engaging local elected officials may be the best place for business owners to begin, Bazinet says, and he points out that your mayor could, at some point in the future, serve as your congressman or governor. In addition, many local gun laws can have a direct impact on your business, and these impacts can come very quickly. “Tip O’Neill, the famous former Speaker of the House of Representatives, once said, ‘All politics is local,’” says Bazinet. “It’s true that legislation is very difficult to pass on Capitol Hill, but we have seen states and municipalities move to consider new laws, more restrictive zoning regulations, new taxes on firearms, and ammunition—you name it.” Bazinet suggests beginning with your mayor, city council members, and county commissioners, but he says that state and federal officials are also oftentimes just as willing to take the time to visit businesses. “Members of Congress are always looking for places to go and meet constituents when they are home in their districts,” he says. “Reach out to them through their district offices. If you are an NSSF member and need help, call us at NSSF. We’ll help you get started with the process. It’s not hard, but it does require some patience, and you need to allow lead time. We’ve developed easyto-use guidelines that you can download.” (nssf.org/share/ pdf/take-your-elected-officialto-work.pdf.)

Starting the Conversation

When an elected official is willing to speak with you or even visit your plant, range, or store, then you’ll need to prepare to have a positive, productive conversation. Remember, for many of these elected officials, you may be one of the few voices in the shooting sports industry they hear. If you want to have an honest and worthwhile discussion, then it’s important to be professional and positive, since you may be serving as their primary source for the shooting industry as a whole. “Safety messaging is always good,” says Bazinet. “To an official who does not know that much about our industry, sometimes that can be even more important than your economic contribution. Talk about what you do to encourage the safe firearms use and responsible firearms storage. Talk about your range safety protocols and employee training. Participate in and mention your involvement with the industry’s programs. Talk about Project ChildSafe, Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, Operation Secure Store—whatever is appropriate for your business.” It’s also important to be willing to admit when you don’t have an answer. “This is about being proactive,” Bazinet says. “Talk about what you know. If you are asked about something a little far afield, don’t speculate about things with which you are not familiar. Be respectful about views that are different from your own, but remember, too, that you don’t have to surrender your beliefs.”

#GUNVOTE Can Help

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s #GUNVOTE is an ongoing voter education and registration initiative that exists to help citizens protect America’s firearm freedoms. “In the immediate runup to each presidential and midterm election, #GUNVOTE communications are the most active because that is when the public is paying the most attention,” Bazinet says. “But, even between elections, target shooters, hunters, firearms owners, and certainly every one of our industry members need to stay informed about the issues that affect all of us. Becoming educated about the views, votes, and decisions of officeholders and those positioning themselves to run for office should be an ongoing concern.”

26 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

026_SHD04_NSF_DIALOG.indd 26

1/14/19 11:12 AM

from the nssf

The Outside Connection

Bringing new people into the shooting sports is part of the NSSF mission By Brian McCombie

any people think that since the National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the shooting sports industry, it’s all about monitoring new legislation affecting our industry and helping FFLs become more successful in their business pursuits. It is true that NSSF expends considerable energies and resources in both arenas, but it is also a major force in promoting the shooting sports all across the country. After all, the organization’s mission statement does in fact read, “To promote, protect, and preserve hunting and the shooting sports.”

To promote the shooting sports, our industry, and the Second Amendment, NSSF has spearheaded a number of vital projects, including LetsGoHunting.org, LetsGoShooting.org, and its newest venture in this area, the +ONE Movement. “Just imagine if every hunter and recreational shooter took one new person out with them the next time they went hunting or to the shooting range,” said Bill Dunn, NSSF Managing Director, Marketing Communications. “Or even if one in three hunters and shooters did that? The impact on shooting sports participation would be tremendous. “That’s what the +ONE Movement is all about. We’re developing industry support for this program and are spreading the word via social media and other platforms. We’ve also developed a toolkit to make it as easy as possible for supporters to get involved.” The +ONE toolkit (found online at nssf.org/plusone) is available for all in the industry to utilize and, especially on the retail and range end, encourage current customers to think about ways to bring someone new to the range the next time they go. In addition, NSSF has launched two web-based initiatives to encourage everyone to try the shooting sports. LetsGoShooting.org debuted last summer and posted notable successes almost immediately. The site is designed to be a yearround, go-to resource for every recreational shooter and is home to comprehensive information on all the target shooting sports. It also includes a library of learning and safety resources and numerous shooting skills videos. With LetsGoShooting.org, a new shooter or a mentor guiding a new shooter can find everything from basic safety instructions to resources on some of the more common shooting activi-

Though NSSF expends considerable energy in the legislative arena, it also devotes valuable resources to promoting the shooting sports all across the country.

ties available around the country. You can even print targets at LetsGoShooting.org. LetsGoShooting.org also has a Facebook page (facebook.com/ letsgoshootingusa), and Dunn noted this platform really took off, too. “We had 44,000 subscribers to

the LetsGoShooting.org Facebook page in less than one month,” he said. “The Facebook page is regularly updated with new videos, articles, events, and other content for shooting sports enthusiasts of all skill levels.” LetsGoHunting.org was launched in September 2018 and

mirrors the type of resources found on LetsGoShooting.org, but, somewhat obviously, designed with hunters and hunting in mind, with direct links to state wildlife agencies, licensing information, game tips, and tales from the field, among other topics. “LetsGoHunting.org is the landing spot for everything a beginner or mentor needs to get involved,” said Dunn. More broadly based than the above-mentioned initiatives, StepOutside.org, as the name implies, is all about getting people outside and enjoying a variety of outdoors activities. The platform offers localized webpages for people in 29,000 cities and towns across America that help its users find events and activities related to hunting and recreational shooting. For example, let’s say you’d like to mentor a young niece or nephew in the fine art and science of squirrel hunting. At StepOutside.org, you can first pull up all sorts of hunting resources, from articles about squirrel hunting and firearms safety to places to hunt and links to your state’s game agency. But StepOutside.org takes its outdoors mandate further by also offering information on camping, hiking, fishing, motor sports, and water sports, as well as events related to those activities. StepOutside.org also has a very active and growing Facebook page (facebook.com/ StepOutsideUSA). We are in a great position to share our knowledge of the outdoors and firearms and to pass on these fine traditions. NSSF is making it easier than ever for all of us to be a part of this effort with these resources and other initiatives.

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 27

027_SHD04_NSF_STEP.indd 27

1/14/19 11:28 AM

from the nssf

Let’s Go Shooting

National Shooting Sports Month is a hit. Preparations are underway for 2019 By Jodi Stemler

e all know that target shooting is popular in the U.S., with an estimated 20 million people participating regularly. But when you factor in the youth, family, friends, and other guests who experienced shooters bring with them to the range, the number pushes 50 million—and if those individuals continued to shoot, we could more than double the number of regular target shooters.

Turning interested shooters into regular shooters could increase your business and improve the industry as a whole. To make this happen, everyone engaged in the industry needs to reach out to someone with an interest and say, “Let’s go shooting!” This is the goal of National Shooting Sports Month. With partners at shooting ranges, gun shops, and others in the shooting sports industry, the month is a focused period of time to increase awareness and opportunities to get more people out on the range.

Kicking Off National Shooting Sports Month

In 2017, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) designated August as National Shooting Sports Month, and in the first year of the campaign, nearly 200 range and retail businesses across the country hosted 345 events or promotions. With a year of experience and awareness under its belt, 2018’s National Shooting Sports Month was set up to be a huge success. NSSF’s goal was to double the number of events and get more ranges and retailers engaged. At the beginning of August, NSSF launched the brand-new LetsGoShooting.org website to serve as a hub for National Shooting Sports Month events and promotions. Going forward, the site provides numerous resources for both new shooters and those who want to get more active in the shooting sports. It also provides safety information and links to local retailers and ranges. Accompanied by the hashtag #LetsGoShooting, NSSF encouraged everyone to get busy on social media sharing their events or their fun times out shooting with friends. On July 28, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke kicked off the month by spending time shooting at The Range of

National Shooting Sports Month helps increase awareness and creates a focused period of time to invite newcomers to have fun on the range.

Richfield in Wisconsin, focusing on the importance of firearms safety, the conservation dollars raised through purchase of ammunition and firearms, and, of course, how much fun it is to get out and shoot. Zinke’s message for National Shooting Sports Month: “Be safe and let’s go shooting!” The month also got a boost from a presidential message offering the White House’s support. “During National Shooting Sports Month, we celebrate the wonderful American tradition of shooting sports,” wrote President Trump. “I encourage all Americans engaged in shooting sports to continue promoting a culture of safety and to continue exercising the responsibility and duty associated with the right to keep and bear arms.”

Partners Across the Industry

National Shooting Sports Month provides a recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) opportunity for all aspects of the shooting sports industry—and the industry is certainly starting to rally around the opportunity. In 2018, nearly 500 local retailers and shooting ranges across the country participated in National Shooting Sports Month events. NSSF offered its partners market-

ing materials, hats, and T-shirts, along with many other resources to help provide new shooters with a quality learning experience. The ranges took it from there, many offering a variety of shooting experiences. In Virginia, SafeSide Tactical offered four different types of First Shots programs—general, senior, women, and youth—at its locations in Roanoke and Lynchburg. Kevin Dixie with No Other Choice (NOC) Firearms Training near St. Louis, Missouri, hosted inner-city kids for a day to learn about firearms manufacturing, engineering, operations, and career development before taking them to a local range to learn safe firearms handling. In Fort Worth, Defender Outdoors offered specialized classes, including “Survive in the Home,” “Doorways & Corners,” and “Train a Teacher Day.” Julianna Crowder, founder of A Girl and A Gun, saw National Shooting Sports Month as an excellent opportunity to get more women involved in the shooting sports. AG&AG asked all of its chapters across the country to host a “Bring a Friend” event during the month of August and challenged its members to bring someone new with them to have a fun day at the range. “We built our organization to carry the ‘Let’s Go Shooting’ mes-

sage every day,” said Crowder, “so having a dedicated month with NSSF being the ‘wizards behind the curtain’ pushing this message out on a larger scale is an amazing asset to us and the work we do.” In addition to events, National Shooting Sports Month gave manufacturers an opportunity to spotlight their products through the Trigger Time Sweepstakes. Seventy-six companies donated more than $30,000 worth of gear for giveaways promoted through social media with the help of professional shooters and other shooting sports enthusiasts. According to NSSF’s Shooting Range Services Coordinator, Ann Gamauf, “Manufacturers were fantastic donating such incredible prizes to the Sweepstakes. This was a huge growth from last year and really helped drive a lot of social media attention. Our winners were thrilled when I called them to let them know they’d won, and the manufacturers have been awesome about getting the prizes shipped out. It’s really been a great partnership this year.”

Looking Toward 2019

The extra promotional efforts paid off. The 2018 National Shooting Sports Month featured more than 1,000 events and promotions, the targeted social media and digital resources generated more than 13 million impressions throughout the month, and LetsGoShooting. org had over 120,000 unique visitors to the site. “National Shooting Sports Month is an industry-led effort, and we are thankful to our partners at all levels of the shooting industry that got involved,” said Zach Snow, Director, Shooting Range Services for NSSF and the coordinator for National Shooting Sports Month. “This gives all of us in the shooting sports industry the opportunity to celebrate what we love, and we hope to get even more industry on board for National Shooting Sports Month 2019.”

28 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

028_SHD04_NSF_SHOOT.indd 28

1/14/19 11:33 AM

f e at u r e s

The 1873 SA Revolver Liberty in .45 Long Colt is a solid-frame, gateloaded revolver with a six-shot capacity.

Honoring the Past

Traditions Performance Firearms makes history come alive

By Kat Ainsworth f you are interested in shooting a piece of history, look no further than Traditions Performance Firearms. Though the manufacturer may be best known for its line of affordable blackpowder firearms, it also specializes in reproductions of 1873 single-action revolvers. The Frontier series offers a selection of finishes, calibers, and grip materials to provide you with top-quality features and finishes. The Rawhide series offers shooters quality features at an affordable price and comes with an attractive matte finish.

The 1873 Single Action Revolver Liberty Model, part of the Frontier series, is offered in .357 Magnum and .45 Long Colt. The .357 Magnum cycled reliably and rang steel to perfection, but since I prefer the .45 Long Colt chambering, I spent more time with it. The revolver is a solidframe, gate-loading design with a six-round capacity and a transferbar safety system. It’s laser engraved with the Liberty name, the original patent number, and an eagle. The white PVC grip panels are also engraved. The gun has a smooth pull and clean break; reset is reasonable and audible, and cocking the hammer is a simple, quick motion to learn even for new revolver shooters. The angle of the grip is comfortable and fits my hands well in both width and length. For those unfamiliar with a gateloaded gun the process is easy to learn: Pull the hammer to halfcock, open the loading gate, and begin loading the gun. The cylin-

der rotates by hand while the gun is half-cocked. Some shooters prefer to load six-shot revolvers like the Liberty by filling the first chamber, skipping the second, and loading the four to follow. They then cautiously lower the hammer on the empty chamber. Regardless of how you load it, when all the shots are fired, spent

brass is ejected one at a time. At the range I ran a trio of ammunition brands through the Liberty: Inceptor .45 Colt 158grain ARX, SIG Elite V-Crown .45 Colt 230-grain JHP, and Hornady .45 Colt 185-grain FTX. Of the three, the Inceptor produced the least felt recoil, as expected, and also delivered the most precise

The author shooting the 1873 Single Action Revolver Liberty, which she found to have a smooth pull and a clean break.

five-shot groups. Both Inceptor and Hornady consistently nailed one-hole groups out to 15 yards; at 25 yards, the groups opened up to an average five-shot group of 2.5 inches. With SIG Elite V-Crown, the groups were a bit larger but still small enough to translate to a dead coyote at 25 yards. It is worth noting that the 1873 Single Action Revolver Liberty in .45 Long Colt is not just a range gun. The .45 Long Colt is a cartridge also suited to hunting hogs and coyotes. It’s an under-appreciated round, one I hope will see a resurgence as time goes by. It is well worth taking a closer look at Traditions Firearms’ full lineup. Reproductions include sidelock muzzleloaders as well as percussion and flintlock pistols. All models are affordably priced, and in my experience perform above their price point, making them an optimal choice for recreational shooters and hunters alike. Booth #16532. (traditions firearms.com)

30 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 5, JANUARY 25, 2019

030_SHD04_FEA_TRAD.indd 30

1/14/19 11:34 AM

f e at u r e s

Leading the Charge

Walls forges ahead in smart hunting attire By Shannon Farlow

ew things in the outdoor industry are evolving as quickly as hunting apparel. From moisture-wicking fabrics and scent-control treatments to science-based camouflage, advances in concealment technology are allowing today’s hunters to all but disappear in their surroundings. One manufacturer leading the charge to smart hunting attire has been developing outdoor and protective garments for the past 80 years. Walls Outdoor Goods began printing camo patterns on its famous cotton duck workwear back in the 1960s. Now the clothing pioneer is bringing the latest performance technology to the hunting market with its proprietary Walls Pro Series HID3 concealment system.

The Walls Pro Series is designed for hunters who actively pursue deer, elk, and other big game across harsh terrain in a variety of weather conditions. Featuring base layers, light- and mid-weight outfits for those warmer days afield, and heavily insulated, wind- and rainproof suits, the Walls Pro Series is a complete layering system. In addition to protecting hunters and keeping them comfortable, the biggest advantage that the Pro Series offers is the three-level, total concealment of HID3.

HID3 really prevents that odor from actually forming. If any does form, there’s a second layer of protection that captures the scent molecules, degrades them, and gets rid of them completely,” Bennett says. “A lot of other brands that have scent technology utilize carbon fiber to minimize the formation of odor molecules. Ours is a little different. It’s a topical that’s actually applied on the inside of the garment. It allows the fabric to breathe, so you’re not sitting in a sweat box. It really lets the fabric do what we’ve designed it to do.” Another key feature of the HID3 scent-control technology is the ability to regenerate its effectiveness without washing or artificially drying, making it ideal for hunters who are out in the field for multiple days. They can simply hang the garment overnight from a tree limb or clothesline back at camp. The next morning, it will be completely refreshed and ready to wear again.

Visual Concealment

Based on the science of how biggame animals perceive shapes and colors, the HID3 concealment system breaks up the human form and enables hunters to blend into virtually any natural backdrop. The abstract pattern is ideal for bowhunters and those who hunt in swamps, forests, and other tight quarters. Because the pattern conceals at all distances, HID3 is also effective in open areas, like those typically found in the Midwest and West. “The team that assisted us with developing this proprietary pattern has a strong mathematical background in camouflage technology. We actually had a developer who’s been in the camo industry for a very long time but also was in the U.S. military. We saw space in the camo industry for more abstract patterns like the digital patterns that the Army was using during his service,” says Scott Bennett, senior marketing manager of Walls Brands. “I can’t tell you how many variations we looked at and how many different color palettes. We worked for eight months to a year just to develop the pattern the exact way that you see it today.”

Sound Reduction

The Walls Pro Series HID3 concealment system helps hunters

The Future

“HID3 is developed for hunters who are looking for something to give them a competitive edge,” says Scott Bennett of Walls Brands.

remain silent in the field by dampening and preventing any unwanted noise that their clothing might produce. The materials of each garment hang close to the body, helping to prevent unintended sounds. The athletic fit also keeps hunters from snagging their clothes on limbs and brush while hiking to a treestand or stalking game. Next, the HID3 concealment system incorporates a variety of noise-reducing technical fabrics and features to minimize sound. “We’ve developed fabrics that are naturally soft and more performance-based, utilizing fleece to help cut down on some of that movement noise while you’re out in the field,” says Bennett. “The performance fabrics, coupled with

our athletic fit, soft snaps, and other trim items, truly help you keep quiet in the field.”

Scent Management

Engineered through a partnership with experts in the medical field, the Scentrex scent-management system relies on a dual-layer structure that captures and contains 99 percent of odor-causing bacteria. The first layer incorporates a silver-based antimicrobial finish that’s applied to each garment to prevent the growth of bacteria. The second layer traps and breaks down microbes that generate human odors. “If you sweat out in the field,

With the launch of the Walls Pro Series HID3 system, the Walls team is betting big on the growth of the performance hunting market. The manufacturer is continuing to add items to the Pro Series lineup, such as the all-new Outfitter Jacket and Pant. It’s even partnered with another company to produce a line of Wallslicensed hunting accessories—a first for clothing manufacturer. “Hunting is a very competitive sport. It’s becoming more influenced by social media. As the younger generation really starts to get into the hunt space, they’re continuing to look for more performance out of the gear they have and a way to get a competitive advantage over the guy sitting in a treestand next to them,” says Bennett. “Walls definitely entered the space to meet that need, to attract that younger generation looking for something different.” Booth #10240. (wallsoutdoor goods.com)

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 31

031_SHD04_FEA_WALLS.indd 31

1/14/19 11:40 AM

f e at u r e s

The Bigger Toolbox

Federal Premium increases its support of independent dealers

By Slaton L. White here’s no question that brick-and-mortar retailers face unprecedented challenges these days. And independent dealers must at times feel like David when he faced Goliath armed with only a slingshot. That’s why Federal Premium launched the Premium365 program last year. It’s designed to give these important partners a bigger toolbox so they can remain competitive and profitable.

“With the need for a more focused approach to promoting and educating dealers, we needed a best-in-class program for our independent dealers,” says Bart Biedinger, senior manager of the Premium365 program for Federal Premium, Speer, and CCI ammunition. “The insights, relationships, and expertise from these dealers is our lifeline. Premium365 brings a new level of support to the dealers to help them succeed.” Biedinger admits that the rapid growth of Vista Outdoor (corporate parent of Federal Premium, Speer, and CCI) stretched its ability to fully support its retail partners. “As Vista Outdoor grew and our resources were spread thin, the dealers felt some of these changes as well. But now we are back to our roots as the leader in ammunition with room to grow and be best-in-class in all categories. We currently have nearly 500 dealers signed up in the program at various levels. The goal is to have 700 within the next two years.” The three main program highlights for 2018 were engaging a higher level of customer service

for the independent dealer members with enhanced co-op, promotions, and in-store POP; training the retail associates through the BrandLive platform and offering exclusive buying opportunities; and a Welcome Kit that included in-store signage and gifts of appreciation such as coffee mugs, journals, and custom hats. “For 2019, we have plans to continue with a high level of support by focusing on training, promotions, and in-store branding,” says Biedinger. “We encourage dealers to reach out to us for ideas on how to advertise in their local markets. We have a great team here and a great partner with SproutLoud to deliver best-in-class co-op programs. We also have a great social marketing team that will teach you how to engage in this digital age and ultimately drive more sales and traffic in your stores.” Biedinger stresses one of the most important elements of this program is a dealer’s enhanced access to the company. “The Premium365 Team is here to assist with any dealer needs, and we are committed to

returning calls and emails the same day,” he says. The team is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time). You can reach them via email (premium 365@vistaoutdoor.com) or telephone (866-223-9388). Biedinger also says that Premium365 members will receive a bi-monthly email newsletter designed to close any communication gaps. “We will also be offering incentives for our retail sales associates. This will help create brand ambassadors and sell more product.” There are four membership levels—Premium, Gold, Silver, and Range. Specific benefits depend upon which level of membership a dealer chooses. Benefits include 1.5 to 3 percent co-op funding, Welcome to the Club kit, prominent Dealer Locator positioning, and exclusive display and merchandise programs, and more. Federal will also a donate $100 to $150 to its ongoing conservation program Premium365 member’s

choice as an extra benefit aiding in habitat conservation or hunting/ shooting heritage preservation. “This is a wealth of benefits custom-designed to help our independent dealer partners compete more effectively,” he says. “The exact benefits will depend on the level of participation. Obviously, those dealers who opt for a higher level of membership will receive more benefits.” To give dealers a better look at the scope of the program Biedinger broke down the benefits of three key components: The Welcome Kit, Dealer Locator, and BrandLive. “The Welcome Kit includes a welcome letter, co-op benefits, training resources, social media best practices list, a national consumer promotions calender, and our conservation program. With the Dealer Locator benefit, Premium365 members get predominant listings on the new Dealer Locator on Federal Premium.com. The site has a box consumers can check that shows only Premium365 Dealers and calls out ‘Premium365 Independent Dealers have a broader selection of our products.’ The BrandLive training benefit was created because we know that training is the key to creating great brand ambassadors. It gives associates confidence in us and the product. Selling on this platform is customizable and trackable, and gives us another avenue with which to reach many dealers at one time.” Creating a special program of this magnitude shows the company’s determination to recognize the importance of independent dealers to its overall success. As Biedinger says, “Our best dealers not only deserve our attention, but the service to back that up.” Booth #14551. (federal premium.com) The Premium365 program is designed to help key partners remain competitive.

32 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

032_SHD04_FEA_PR365.indd 32

1/14/19 11:36 AM

f e at u r e s

The Nighthawk Custom President is the second 1911 in the company’s Boardroom Series.

Hail to the Chief

The Nighthawk Custom President is meant to be used, not just admired By Kat Ainsworth

ifteen years have passed since Nighthawk Custom was founded. In that time, owner Mark Stone and his team of talented gunsmiths have worked tirelessly designing and building what has become known as a premier line of 1911s. Among those custom-made 1911s is the Boardroom series. The series was launched with the Chairman, a long-slide 1911, and next in line is the President.

The President is a Government-sized 1911 offered in 9mm; the gun is also available in .45 ACP at no additional charge (or .38 Super or 10mm for an extra fee). The President I tested was chambered in .45 ACP. Although the contrast of the 5-inch gold-titanium nitride barrel against the matte black of the slide initially captured my attention, it was the Railscale G10 grips that held it. The grips are CNC-machined with a honeycomb texture of evenly spaced horizontal cuts stacked vertically along the rearward portion. The panels have the appearance of allowing for superior comfort while shooting when compared to

some of the sharper-edged grip panels on the market. And indeed they did. Shooting the President at length was both enjoyable and a reminder of just what a custom 1911 can do. Nighthawk’s newest pistol fits

my long-fingered hands as if it were specifically made for me. I can reach and operate all controls without adjusting my grip, and the trigger reach is nothing short of ideal. The trigger itself is a skeletonized, lightweight aluminum tri-

cavity Nighthawk Custom component with a grooved face and a pull weight of 3 pounds 4 ounces. The pull is short and smooth; the break is glass-rod crisp with a positive reset. Sights are a Heinie Ledge solid-black rear sight and an 18-karat gold-bead front sight. At the range, the President cycled reliably and delivered tight groups at a variety of distances with a broad selection of ammunition. Shooting from the bench at 25 yards with Browning BPT .45 ACP 230-grain FMJs, the pistol had a best five-shot group of 1.69 inches. Firing offhand from 15 yards using Sinterfire Greenline .45 ACP 140-grain RHFV frangibles, my tightest five-shot group was 1.01 inches. It’s worth noting trigger time was done without gloves in 17-degree snowy weather on an outdoor range because I wanted to feel the gun’s trigger. When I eventually acquiesced and put gloves on, I had no problems running the gun even with reduced tactile sensitivity. Function is always of the utmost importance when selecting any firearm. Fortunately, this 1911 performs as well as it looks. In addition to its reliable cycling and accuracy, the President was designed for smooth draws and easy carry. The gun is completely dehorned; from its hammer and mag well to the trigger guard, it’s all snag-free smooth edges. There are 25 lines per inch on its checkered front strap and mainspring housing, giving the shooter a firm grip, and the front strap is ultra high-cut. The President is not meant to be a safe queen. Well-made 1911s should be used, not stored, and 1911s crafted by the gunsmiths at Nighthawk Custom are made to be fired (at length). Tell your customers that this is a gun made to be used and appreciated. SRP: $4,195. Booth #12579. (nighthawkcustom.com)

Chambered in 9mm, .45 ACP, .38 Super, and 10mm, the President sports a Heinie Ledge black rear sight and Railscale G10 grips.

34 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

034_SHD04_FEA_NIGHTH.indd 34

1/14/19 11:45 AM

F E AT U R E S

CRIMSON TRACE ADDS SCOPES TO ITS LINE It is an understatement to say the riflescope business is competitive. For a new scope line to gain a foothold, products must be of superb quality, offer unique features, and leverage the reputation of a proven brand name. Competitive prices don’t hurt, either. That is precisely the tack Crimson Trace— the industry’s dominant laser sight maker— has taken with its new riflescope line. Its target market is precision shooters—longrange hunters, 3-Gunners, and those who like to hit gongs at 1,000 yards. The new scopes (11 in all) have been engineered with the rigidity of 30mm or 34mm tubes. Only the short, sweet 1-4X24mm CTA-2104—perfect for a slug gun—is designed specifically for hunters. The scopes in the CTC line are handsome; you might even call them striking. The fully coated, Japanese-made glass is bright and clear, and has excellent contrast. Adjustment turrets are big and robust and easy to read, hear, and feel when dialing in windage and elevation. Higher-power tactical scopes (3–24x56mm, 3–18x50mm, 5–25x56mm) are a tad on the heavy side, which is to be expected on uber-long-range glass. Of course, the scopes have all the required “proofs”: fog, shock, water, and dust.

Nothing too surprising there. CTC scopes separate from the pack with seven custom reticles. All are designed for specific shooting applications. Glass-etched, first-focal-plane (FFP) illuminated reticles sit in front of the magnification mechanism. They scale up and down to provide correct ballistic hold points at any range. This feature allows the reticle to be sighted in at any part of the magnification scale. At first glance, the LR1-MIL reticle in the CTL-3020 4–20X50 lacks anything resembling a crosshair. However, with the scope cranked up and the rifle bagged down, a shooter will quickly appreciate the precision with which the mil-dots allow him to aim at tiny targets at long ranges. Whether you are shooting steel a quarter mile out or sniping a prairie dog from 500 yards, the target is not covered by a crosshair. The illuminated reticle makes a huge difference when the light is especially low. Factor in competitive price points, a batteries-for-life promise, and a lifetime warranty, and Crimson Trace riflescopes have the potential to capture a meaningful market share in a sales season or two. Booth #13729. (crimsontrace.com) —Tim Irwin

CTC scopes separate from the pack with seven custom reticles. All are designed for specific shooting applications.

TAURUS® MAKES IT…POLYONE MAKES IT

POSSIBLE A small-frame pistol with a big personality. Taurus worked with PolyOne’s industrial design team to engineer the new Taurus SPECTRUM™ with next-generation ergonomics, comfort and style. Fresh Thinking. Smarter Designs. Advanced Polymer Materials.

For more idea inspiration, visit polyone.com or call 1.866.POLYONE.

035_SHD04_FEA_CTC SCOPES.indd 35

1/14/19 11:53 AM

f e at u r e s

A new version of F.A.I.R.’s Carrera One over-under competition 12-gauge, the Carrera One High Rib, will be available in 2019 from IFG.

Expanding Footprint

The Italian Firearms Group is poised for growth By Brian McCombie

ou might not think of Amarillo, Texas, as a hub for Italian firearms distribution. Actually, though, Amarillo is just that, because the city is home to the Italian Firearms Group (IFG). The distribution center includes an 8,500-square-foot warehouse and eight employees.

IFG is a partnership between four Italian gun makers (F.A.I.R., FT Italia, Pedersoli, and Sabatti) and two American entrepreneurs, Justin Dodd and Dale Pancake. Established in 2010, IFG was formed in recognition of the reality that while the U.S. consumer gun market was, and is, the world’s largest, these four Italian firearms manufacturers had only a very small footprint here. “So, these companies partnered with Dale Pancake and me to create IFG-NA, LLC,” says Dodd, IFG’s chief of operations. “This group is different in that we all own IFG together. I’m not buying guns from them and selling for them—we are partners, not customers. We win or lose together. That type of relationship makes things possible that most often times would not work or happen. For example, at IFG we have access to inventory, projects, and pricing that no one else can get.” Each of the Italian gunmakers represents at least one of the four primary categories of firearms manufacturing: competition handguns, hunting rifles, sporting and competition shotguns, and/or historical recreations. These Italian companies combine the latest in firearms design, technology and materials, while still following the centuries-old gun manufacturing traditions of Italy. Pedersoli mainly builds Old West re-creation firearms, blackpowder rifles, and rifles for reenactors. F.A.I.R. specializes in fine hunting and competition shotguns, while FT Italia makes firstclass competition handguns. Sabatti, on the other hand,

036_SHD04_FEA_ITAL.indd 36

produces everything from bolt-action competition, hunting, and tactical rifles to dangerous-game doubles, as well as shotguns for competition and upland hunting. Each of these gunmakers has several new offerings for 2019, on display at IFG’s SHOT Show booth. F.A.I.R., for example, is introducing an entry-level high-rib version of its Carrera One 12-gauge over/under competition shotgun. It has an extremely attractive price point. FT Italia’s new Limited Pro Small Frame pistol is a more compact model of the largerframed Limited Pro, and it is ready out of the box for the IPSC and USPSA games. It is offered in 9mm and .40 S&W.

Dodd notes that IFG firearms can be a real help to the bottom line. “The value-fordollar prospects within the IFG family of products are pretty unmatched,” he says. “In our four catalogues, the retailer will find a gun for every customer. And brands like F.A.I.R. and Sabatti offer healthy margins for dealers. If the dealer buys in at a stocking level, we provide swag to help provide brand awareness at the retail level.” Dodd also says that customers are now becoming aware of the lines. “We know this because they are calling IFG asking for dealers that stock our guns.” Booth #11937. (italianfirearms group.com)

New for 2019, FT Italia’s Limited Pro Small Frame is a competition-ready pistol offered in 9mm and .40 S&W.

1/14/19 11:56 AM

f e at u r e s

Pellet Power

Gamo’s Swarm Maxxim is ideal for small game By Thomas C. Tabor

f you haven’t paid attention in recent years to the tremendous advancements that have been made in airgun technology, you’re missing a great selling opportunity. Many of these rifles are marvels of modern airgun technology. No longer can this style of rifle be compared to that Red Ryder BB gun you might have once used as a child. And a perfect example of this creative innovation can be seen in Gamo’s Swarm Maxxim. The Gamo Swarm Maxxim is the only repeater-style break-barrel pellet rifle currently on the market.

I was fortunate to have participated last year in a fun competition called the Gamo Squirrel Master Classic. This annual event takes place outside of Montgomery, Alabama, at the Southern Sportsman Hunting Lodge. Outdoor writers are joined by TV celebrities, local 4H members, and Gamo representatives for a fun day of squirrel-hunting competition. Participants all used .22-caliber Swarm Maxxim rifles, and those rifles proved to be quite effective at putting gray and fox squirrels (and even several tough old raccoons) in our respective gamebags. But my exposure with the Swarm Maxxim didn’t begin and end here. For several months now I have used one of these rifles for hunting a variety of different small game. Available in either .177 or .22 caliber, the Swarm Maxxim comes with a factory-installed accessory rail and an unmounted 3–9x40mm scope. Offer to mount the scope for the customer, which gives you the opportunity to upsell other accessories such as ammo and targets. The Gamo Swarm Maxxim is the only repeater-style break-barrel pellet rifle currently on the market. Its unique design includes a 10-shot removable rotary magazine (with an empty-magazine indicator) that is inserted on the top of the barrel near the breech. No longer do you need to manually insert a pellet into the breech by hand. Similar to how a boltaction rifle feeds a fresh cartridge into the chamber as the bolt is cycled, the Gamo Swarm Maxxim feeds its next pellet into the chamber as the rifle is being cocked. After firing, the barrel must be hinged downward, then closed in order to ready it for the next firing. Cocking the rifle takes a bit of effort, but I found it easier to cock than many other similarly constructed break-barrel air rifles. In addition, the gas-piston power plant (GT-Inert Gas Technology) is capable of producing velocities essentially on par with that of a standard-velocity .22 LR rifle. The rifle I used, loaded with Gamo PBA Platinum Pellets, sent pellets downrange at 1,300 fps. However, you should explain to customers that the effective range of this airgun is 50 to 60 yards, about half that of a .22 LR. At 50 yards, the trajectory is quite flat and the retained pellet energy is fully adequate of taking small game. Overall weight is a little over 5 ½ pounds, which makes the rifle a pleasure to carry afield for a day of hunting. SRP: $199.99. Booth #11053. (gamooutdoorusa. com)

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 37

037_SHD04_FEA_GAMO.indd 37

1/14/19 11:57 AM

F E AT U R E S

The x-shape design of the 20-pound Champion X-Ringer bag keeps the bag planted and secures the firearm for precise shooting.

By the Bag

Whether you’re zeroing from the bench or hunting in the ﬁeld, ﬁve new Champion bags offer durability and versatility By Brad Fitzpatrick

hampion Target is offering five new range bag options that are suited for just about any shooting situation, whether you’re zeroing a PRS rifle on the bench or hunting bucks or bears from a treestand. What’s more, these range bags are loaded with features that make them more convenient and more durable than competing models. They’re also affordably priced (all five can be purchased for less than $165 total). On a recent trip to Wyoming, I had a chance to roll these bags out on the range and test them first-hand. Here’s a closer look at each of the new models available this year.

Champion Wedge Rear Bag:

Many long-range shooters like a wedge-style rear bag because the design offers plenty of stability and the ability to make elevation adjustments quickly. The Wedge Rear Bag offers a stable base and plenty of room for elevation adjustments. In addition, it’s covered with Tuff Hide to protect the bag against the abuses of daily range use. The bag features a durable nylon strap so it can easily be transported to and from the field. SRP: $19.95 Champion X-Ringer Bag: This heavy (20-pound) bag is extremely stable for precision shooting. The X-shape design keeps the bag planted and secures the firearm for precise shooting. The Tuff Hide material on the top and bottom of the bag grips the firearm as well as the surface upon which the bag is resting. It has a durable nylon exterior, and there are add-ons like a sturdy nylon grip handle and a mesh storage compartment that’s

perfect for storing ear protection, tools, or other small items. While on a Wyoming antelope hunt, I used this bag for both sight-ins and ballistics testing, and I was impressed by the X-Ringer’s heavy-duty construction and superb stability when firing from uneven surfaces. SRP: $74.95 Champion Rail Rider Front Shooting Bag: If you’re one of

America’s 12 million deer hunters, there’s a good chance you spend part of the season hunting in a blind or treestand. If that’s the case, the Rail Rider bag is a musthave. The base forms a V-shape that’s designed to rest on the window of a blind or the rail of a treestand for added stability. The durable nylon exterior is tough enough that it will withstand the elements, but it’s also extremely quiet. There’s a large side

pocket that’s perfect for storing small items like ear plugs or a rangefinder, and synthetic Tuff Hide protects the bottom of the rest from damage. There’s also Tuff Hide material in the shooting channel to help protect the bag and secure the firearm in position. SRP: $19.95. Champion Front V-Bag Rest:

Like the Rail Rider, the V-Bag is designed with dual bottom sections that allow it to rest comfortably on a rail or ledge, but the legs are short enough to allow this bag to be used easily on flat surfaces. The narrow top channel grips the front of a firearm securely and helps to stabilize the gun for improved accuracy. And the nylon exterior and Tuff Hide protection make this a durable, versatile bag that is equally well-suited on the range or in the field. It’s also light enough and small enough that

it can be carried easily in a daypack, making this a must-have range bag for shooters and hunters alike. SRP: $34.95. Champion Rear Cylinder Grip Bag: A rear squeeze bag is essen-

tial equipment for accurate shooting, and Champion’s new Rear Cylinder Grip Bag is lightweight and well-designed. The cylindrical design allows you to rest the stock comfortably on the bag, and there’s a hand strap that allows you to grip the bag from the prone position. Once the bag is in place, the shooter simply adds or releases pressure with the non-shooting hand to adjust elevation as needed. The bag can also be laid flat to create a secure rear rest for the rear of the stock, and the bag is lightweight and durable thanks to Tuff Hide exterior protection. Buy one, toss it in your range bag and you’ll always have a secure, adjustable rear rest for your rifle. SRP: $14.95. Booth #14551. (championtarget.com)

38 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

038_SHD04_FEA_CHAMP.indd 38

1/14/19 12:01 PM

F E AT U R E S

Offering a compact design that consumes only half the rail space of the 512/552 models, the XPS2/XPS3 sights are powered by a single 123 lithium battery.

On Target

EOTech continues to innovate with holographic weapons sights

By Peter Suciu ocated an hour from Detroit, Ann Arbor is the home of the University of Michigan, and is thus probably better known for college football than firearms accessories. But as the headquarters of EOTech, the city has long also been dead center in the world of high-tech optics technology. This actually goes back to 1946, when scientists from Willow Run Laboratories at U of M first approached the United States Air Force with a proposal to create an antiballistic missile system—one that today is known as ABM or by its more colorful moniker “Star Wars.”

That lab evolved into a nonprofit research institute with the support of the Michigan State Legislature in 1972, and later

became the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM). In 1986, it developed a prototype holography-based

The EXPS2/EXPS3 models provide a large rectangular heads-up display. Both models feature side button operation.

weapon sight for use in U.S. Army helicopter gunships and antiaircraft artillery systems. Then, in 1993, ERIM formed the Michigan Development Corporation (MDC) to commercialize technology that could be spun off as forprofit subsidiaries. This led to the creation of EOTech in 1995. Though the company was acquired in 2005 by L3 Technologies, one the world’s largest defense contractors, EOTech has maintained its Midwestern identity while also managing to position itself as a technology innovator in a region hard hit by a serious economic downturn. EOTech is just one of more than 80 divisions of L3 Technologies, a company that had more than $9.6 billion

in sales in 2017. EOTech, which is also L3 Technologies’ only consumer-facing division, today operates out of a 30,000-square-foot facility that is truly a mix of traditional assembly line production utilizing skilled workers alongside high-tech quality control to produce cutting-edge products. “We are a commercial spinoff essentially from the University of Michigan, and today southeast Michigan is an ideal space for a high-tech manufacturer,” says Ann Hanson, chief marketing officer at EOTech. As a company with close ties to the Department of Defense, EOTech also has a strong veteran culture. “The veteran culture is very important to the company,”

40 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

040_SHD04_FEA_EOTECH.indd 40

1/14/19 12:03 PM

says Hanson. “One in six employees is a veteran, and we live that culture. Our other culture is to continuously improve.” To that end, the company holds regular daily meetings to ensure that quality goals are constantly met. This includes a “stop and raise your hand” policy that allows every team member to become a quality-control ambassador. Currently, EOTech operates one shift for production and two for quality control. This includes not only inspecting each of the more than 500 Holographic Weapons Systems (HWS) units that are produced each day, but ensuring that samples from batches receive due diligence via shock and recoil testing. In 1996, EOTech introduced its first-generation HWS, then under the trade name Bushnell HoloSight. In 2001, the military and law enforcement communities began utilizing the HWS sights as well, and in 2005 Special Operations (SOCOM) and the United States Marines Corps chose HWS as their standard close-combat optic. Advantages of HWS include fast and easy target acquisition with both-eyes-open engagement (for the full peripheral vision and situational awareness crucial in combat situations). Anti-reflective coatings and a flat front window also minimize image distortion and muzzle side reflection. The sights also offer optimal off-axis usage when proper cheek weld or sight alignment isn’t possible. EOTech has long touted the

The Vudu line is for shooters who desire a first-focal-plane scope with parallax adjustment.

benefits of its HWS technology over standard red-dot sights (which utilize an LED light source and reflex sight). Instead, the HWS system is built around a laser diode, folding mirror, collimating reflector, and holographic grating. The holographic reticle can even continue to function when the window is broken or obscured, something that can’t be done by any other sight. HWS sights are also nightvision compatible and offer a wide field of view even when used with a helmet or firearm-mounted night-vision devices. An NV toggle button allows operators to instantly switch from NV to daylight. The sights also offer adjustable reticle brightness with 30 settings for NV models and 20 for all non-NV models. One common complaint with users of EOTech sights has been the battery life, but Mark Miller, product manager at EOTech, says the company has fixed that. “The advantages of holography are more important than battery life,” he says. “However, the HWS sights still offer 1,200 hours.” Miller also notes that the most important advantage of HWS over red-dot is that the user will always see a one MOA (minute of angle) dot through the HWS sight. “What you are looking at will always be a one MOA dot, and counterfeit sights cannot replicate our holography technology,” he

says. “Only our sights use this technology, and the important part is that the dot size doesn’t increase even under magnification.” One of EOTech’s major improvements has been the introduction of a green reticle. The green reticle is approximately six times easier to see than red in daylight, which allows for faster target acquisition. The company was able to develop this technology by utilizing different filters to transform the light from a traditional red laser into green. In addition to its HWS magic, the company also touts other

products not made in Ann Arbor. These include the Vudu Precision Rifle Scopes produced in Japan (though quality control is still done in Michigan). These scopes, which feature aircraft-grade aluminum construction, utilize XC high-density glass to provide exceptional edge-to-edge clarity and resolution. The scopes offer push-button illumination controls with 10 brightness settings and two-hour auto off as well as EZ Check Tactical turrets for quick return to zero and a short-throw locking elevation turret. Booth #20153. (eotechinc.com)

PRODUCT OVERVIEW 512/552 HWS MODELS

The 512/552 is powered by two AA alkaline or lithium batteries and is recommended when rail space is not an issue for shooters. The sights are water resistant to 10 feet and provide extremely fast target acquisition via the large rectangular heads-up display. The 512 offers one reticle option; the 552, which is night-visioncompatible, offers two reticle options. SRP: $469 (Model 512 HWS); $589 (Model 552 HWS).

XPS2/XPS3 HWS MODELS

Offering a compact design that consumes only half the rail space of the 512/552 models, the XPS2/XPS3 sights are powered by a single 123 lithium bat-

tery. As with other EOTech sights, these offer fast target acquisition and feature a large rectangular heads-up display and rear-button operation. Both models are water-resistant to 33 feet. The XPS2 features five reticle options, including a green reticle. The night-vision-compatible XPS3 provides two reticle options. SRP: $599 (XPS2 HWS); $665 (XPS2 Green HWS); $629 (XPS3 HWS).

ness. As with other models, they provide a large rectangular heads-up display. Both models feature side-button operation, which makes them ideal for use with a G33 magnifier. Waterresistant to 10 feet, the EXPS2 features five reticle options, including a green reticle. The EXPS3 is night-vision-compatible and offers two reticle options. SRP: $699 (EXPS2 Green HWS); $699 (EXPS3).

EXPS2/EXPS3 HWS MODELS

VUDU 1-6X24 FIRSTFOCAL-PLANE SCOPES

Designed to consume less rail space and quickly detach, the EXPS2/EXPS3 models are powered by a single 123 lithium battery. The 7mm raised base also offers one-third window co-wit-

EOTech’s scope for close- to mid-range applications is ideal for MSRs as well as bolt-action, lever-action, and single-shot rifles. It is designed to fill the capabilities gap between a

close-range optic and mid-range magnified optic. This line of products features a first-focal plane that allows users to quickly go from very close-range 1X targets to engaging distant targets at 6X magnification. All feature a 24mm object lens, 30mm tube, and an illuminated reticle. SRP: $1,399.

VUDU 5-25X50 FIRSTFOCAL-PLANE SCOPES Designed for those shooters who desire a first-focal-plane scope for mid- to extreme longrange shooting with short-platform rifles, these scopes offer parallax adjustment to easily dial in reticle focus. The line features a 50mm object lens and 34mm tube. SRP: $2,099.

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 41

040_SHD04_FEA_EOTECH.indd 41

1/14/19 12:03 PM

f e at u r e s

Even on the prairie, the author likes a 4X hunting scope. Alas, Zeiss no longer offers a fixed 4X like this. The game has really changed over the years.

Now variable scopes with sixtimes power ranges (top magnification six times the bottom) boast illuminated reticles, focus/parallax correction, and arc-matched elevation dials. We take for granted their fogproof innards, fast-focus eyepieces, and resettable, zerostop W/E adjustments. But as with truck tires and forklifts, there are practical size and weight limits to riflescopes. Some now nudge that ceiling. The Zeiss (Booth #13909) V8 4.9–35x60 Victory scales 34 ounces with a 36mm tube. Nightforce (Booth #20449) markets a 40-ounce 5–25x56, Vortex (Booth #4246) a 48-ounce Razor HD 4.5–27x56, both with 34mm pipes. Fitz’s scope had a 7/8-inch (22mm) steel tube and a 19mm front lens. It weighed 8 ounces. A few years later a 7/8-inch alloy tube held Leupold’s 2½X Plainsman to 4½ ounces.

Why Now the Monsters?

Monster Glass Hunters and shooters are driving demand for big-

ger riflescopes. Such scopes come with nice margins, but if you want to close the deal, you need to be able to explain the features By Wayne Van Zwoll

ownsend Whelen’s 1936 classic Telescopic Rifle Sights reflected the wisdom of another era. At one point he wrote that internal windage/ elevation adjustments were features of “more practical importance than [the] increased magnifying powers of other scopes.” Such performance was coveted in that long-ago day by practical hunters such as Grancel Fitz. A Hensoldt Zeilklein 2¾X on a Griffin & Howe .30/06 helped Fitz take fine specimens of every big-game animal in North America. More than 40 trips, from the Arctic to the tropics, proved that scope’s effectiveness and versatility.

Applications have changed. Fitz wasn’t banging 1,000-yard steel. Also, the optics, electronics, and tolerances in today’s glass were no more available to Depression-era engineers than smartphones. And yet... A scope is a sight to help you aim. Above all, it must help you see. What you see is really the play of light on objects. At night, we’re blind to landscapes and animals clearly visible at noon. Scopes trump iron sights in weak light, but not just because they magnify. Lenses can make images brighter and sharper, improving resolution. The real advances in scopes aren’t dimensional; they have to do with image quality and mechanical integrity. Optical glass is of many types, for specific purposes. Grinding lens blanks to precise dimensions can be done at Zeiss in two minutes. But according to an optical engineer, “Polishing with diamond paste may take eight hours.” Surface uniformity to .0001mm defies mechanical measure; lasers and reflected light are used to check lenses and prisms. (This level of accuracy yields semiconductors with tolerances 4,000 times finer than the diameter of a human hair.) Big lenses transmit more light and deliver better resolution than

42 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

042_SHD04_FEA_MONS.indd 42

1/14/19 12:05 PM

This 4.5–14X Leupold sits low and has sleek lines, modest weight, a target turret, and a versatile power range.

small lenses. But in the 1930s, a Zeiss engineer made both brighter. He found a lens coating of magnesium fluoride throttled reflection and refraction, which can steal 4 percent of incident light at each air/glass surface in a scope. Wavelength-specific multicoatings have since improved light transmission. Meopta (Booth #10176) lenses get 13 coatings, applied in machines that cost more than 1 million euros each. Prices of top-drawer riflescopes are easy to justify, given such production expenses and the expectations of shooters. “Long-range shooting has fueled a trend to more powerful scopes,” says Kyle Brown at Zeiss. “A 6X was once thought ideal for big game in open country. Hunters now buy variables with top-ends of 14X to 24X. F-Class and Precision Rifle competitors want even more.” Wider power ranges satisfy both camps and still deliver big, bright fields at the bottom end.

Optical Triangle

Magnification, eye relief, and field of view comprise an optical triangle. A change in one affects the others. Through a 20X scope, you see about half of what’s visible through the average soda straw. Low power affords a broader field

and more generous eye relief. It also gives you a brighter image by increasing the diameter of the exit pupil (abbreviated EP; it’s the shaft of light reaching your eye). To calculate EP—divide magnification into objective lens diameter in millimeters. Example: A 4x36 scope has a 9mm EP. A 2–12x42 at 3X has a 14mm EP. Bump the power of that variable to 7X and EP shrinks to 6mm. By the way, an EP bigger than your eye’s pupil, which in dim light dilates to 6mm or so, won’t make a sight picture brighter. Trading EP for high magnification makes sense if you’re shooting targets or prairie dogs under a spotlight sun. Traditionally, variable hunting scopes yielded a 6mm EP near middle magnification. High-power variables beg big front glass to keep EPs of useful size. Hunters craving highest magnification and brilliant images must accept heavier, bulkier scopes. Wide power ranges impose other compromises. Mark Thomas, who founded Kruger Optical (Booth #2025), has designed more than 300 riflescopes. “Wider ranges require more lenses,” he says. “Some are there to correct for aberrations that appear as each lens works harder. So you need a longer erector assembly, a longer main

tube. A larger tube adds clicks on the elevation dial for long shots— or larger internal lenses to hike resolution.” Lance Scrivens, who has designed scopes for Leupold (Booth #13023), adds that “wide power ranges can produce vignetting at low power. Limiting parallax and maintaining sharp focus become more difficult. Additional lenses and aspherical glass are costly fixes. In fact, when wide-range scopes appeared, following Albert Fideler’s work at Swarovski, their high prices

depressed sales.” Also keep in mind that erector tolerances are tight. “Half a thousandth of an inch,” Scrivens says. As lenses in 6X scopes move about twice as far as those in 3X systems, variation in components has twice the effect on images. “That’s another reason wide power ranges stayed so long in the shadows,” says Scrivens. “Before CNC machines, tooling couldn’t hold such tolerances.” Because wide-range variables gain almost all their breadth at the top, front glass the size of

This cutaway of Swarovski’s X5i 5–25x56 shows the complexity of cur rent widepowerrange scopes. The design and fabrication costs of such scopes require that they be priced accordingly at retail.

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 43

042_SHD04_FEA_MONS.indd 43

1/14/19 12:05 PM

F E AT U R E S

Increasingly, riflescopes are becoming available with windage and elevation adjust ments marked in mils (milli radians, here “mrads”).

jam-jar lids comes as no surprise. People at Zeiss and Swarovski say 56mm objectives are reliably popular in Europe, where hunters pummel wild boar at night. They’re also popular among beanfield deer hunters in the Southeastern U.S. who often take a shot at very last light. Liabilities? High rings that keep big front bells off the barrel pull your cheek off the comb. Heavy

scopes perched high make rifles clumsy, too. Given the bright images now possible in scopes slim enough for low rings, many hunters share my preference for smaller front glass and scope weights inside 15 percent of rifle weight (a 1-pound scope for a 7-pound rifle). Such scopes are comely. They keep rifles lively in the hand and help you shoot quickly and accurately

from field positions. I’ve yet to fire at an animal so small or distant it couldn’t be quartered in 12X glass, which you can get in a 14-ounce Leupold variable.

Counter Expertise

Jake Edson represents Vista Outdoor’s optics brands: Bushnell, Weaver, Simmons, and Tasco (Booth #14551). He says current

demand for monster-class scopes is driven in part by customers “trying to tell one black tube from another at the retail counter.” Scope size and magnification are easy to compare; not so image quality, especially indoors. Price matters, but even entry-level optics can look good at a glance, and choices abound at every price point. “Increasingly,” he points out, “counter expertise affects sales, as costly scopes have features that need explanation, like lens treatments and the first- and second-plane reticle options Bushnell offers on new Forge and Prime models.” The ubiquity of powerful, wideeyed scopes in long-range shooting has convinced hunters to dig deep for “good glass.” But high magnification sells to hunters who don’t need it. “Ditto features of little use afield,” adds Edson, “like a zero stop.” He tells me recent surveys confirm that clarity, image quality, and durability matter a great deal to hunters. “Our current models score so well in those respects that 57 percent of shooters list Bushnell as a premium brand. Contrast, eye relief, and low-light performance also matter. Hunters are a bit less satisfied there—even some who realize eye relief and brightness generally diminish as magnification increases.” Like so much else in life, there is no free lunch. Edson isn’t surprised by the trend to bigger scope tubes. “The 34mm tube owes its market legs to long-range competition,” he says. “But hunters benefit more from what’s not so obvious. EXO Barrier, for example, an invisible wash replacing RainGuard on some Bushnell scopes, repels oil and dust, too. Fog it with your breath, and the film is gone in just three seconds.” Swarovski (Booth #12120) has long catered to discriminating customers. Dean Capuano, director of communications at Swarovski Optik North America, says, “Recently, shooters have had unprecedented access to longrange venues. Rifles and loads with greater reach fuel the trend to powerful, sophisticated glass. We at Swarovski discourage long, risky shots at game. But F-Class and PRS competition and longrange plinking extend sure-kill capability. Besides, they’re great fun.” Designed for distance, Swarovski’s new X5 series offers 116 minutes of elevation change in three dial revolutions. A win-

44 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

042_SHD04_FEA_MONS.indd 44

1/14/19 12:05 PM

dow shows rotation number, so you won’t make full-rotation errors. “But it’s still a hunter’s scope,” insists Capuano. “Our Kahles brand offers the features and 34mm tubes sought by long-range competitors.” He tells me Swarovski’s Z3 line still sells briskly to hunters, though its 4–12x50 and 3.5–10x42 have taken a bite out of the veteran 3–9x36. “So has the Z5, a 2016 intro that packs five-times range in a 1-inch tube. The 30mm Z6, announced six years earlier, proved we could hike power ranges in trim scopes that complement sleek hunting rifles.” Capuano likes the 16-ounce Z5 3.5–18x44 for much of his hunting. “We still sell more 1-inch scopes than 30mm,” he adds. Price is one reason. “Many hunters tap the brakes at around $1,000,” he says. Illumination gives 30mm tubes a decided edge in Europe, where, according to Swarovski’s Daniel Muhlmann, “almost all our customers request lighted reticles. Stateside that figure is 35 percent.” Industry-wide, illumination is rare in 1-inch scopes (Leupold offers a 3–9X), so increasing demand for lighted reticles will give a tailwind to 30mm models.

The Bigger Canvas

Bigger scopes give engineers a canvas for features impractical on traditional models, like parallax correction. Targets at different distances fall at different points along a scope’s optical axis. Parallax is the apparent shift of a target behind the reticle as you move your eye off axis. Every scope is parallax-free at one distance (typically 150 yards, closer in scopes for .22 rimfires, handguns, and shotguns). The left-side turret dial that’s replacing adjustable objectives lets you change parallax-free distance and bring the target into crisp focus. Still, regardless of range or parallax setting, your aim will be true if your eye is on axis. A trajectory-matched elevation dial is cut and scribed so you can “dial to the distance” instead of counting clicks to add elevation. It’s as easy and quick as setting your toaster. Reticles that help you determine range and compensate for bullet drop have propagated like fruit flies. One grid comprises more than 1,050 ranging and aiming intersections that test old eyes and confuse innocents. Plex reticles (after Leupold’s Duplex) get cheers from hunters. Thin wires inside eye-grabbing posts afford precise

aim. I like the German #4 even better. Squared-off posts help with range estimation; the top wire is post-free, for a truly open view. Long ago, crosshairs were, literally, hairs. They often broke. Spider-web filament better endures recoil. It was used to suspend dots. Now reticles are etched, a process making more designs possible. At Meopta, lenses to be etched are coated with chromium oxide. UV light sent through a template exposes all but the reticle on the photo-sensitized lens. After a lens wash, only the reticle remains. Most scopes for the U.S. market have quarter-minute W/E graduations or clicks. European scope dials have hewed to the metric system, each click 1 centimeter (.36 inch) at 100 meters (109 yards). Also customary: W/E dial rotation is opposite that on scopes built for sale in the U.S. Mils are gaining traction in scope dials and reticles—another nod to the long-range shooter. One mil (for milliradian) is an angular measure spanning 1/6400 of a degree, or 3.6 inches at 100 yards, 3 feet at l,000. A .1-mil click on your elevation dial equals .36 inch (1 centimeter). On a mildot reticle, a mil is the measure of each space between dots on a crosswire. To use a mil-dot reticle

as a rangefinder, divide target height in mils at 100 yards by the number of spaces subtending it. The result is range in hundreds of yards. Example: A deer 3 feet at the shoulder (10 mils at 100 yards) appears in your scope to stand two dots high. Divide 2 into 10; you get 5. The deer is 500 yards away. You can also divide target height in yards by the number of mils subtended and multiply by 1,000 to get range in yards. In this case: ½ x 1,000 = 500. A mil-dot reticle is accurate as a ranging device at only one magnification, usually the top setting on a variable scope.

Is Big Best?

Will scopes become bigger, more powerful, and even more complex? Or will slimmer, simpler sights return? Size and sophistication continue to justify rising prices. Scopes suited to heavy rifles at the bench sell briskly to hunters enamored of the long poke. That trend is highly unlikely to fade soon. How a scoped rifle fits a saddle scabbard no longer matters. “These days,” a colleague pointed out to me on a recent hunt, “scopes are like sports cars. There’s ego in owning top performance, regardless of utility.”

Powerful scopes afford fine aim but need big front glass for a useful exit pupil. In this case, think weight and bulk.

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 45

042_SHD04_FEA_MONS.indd 45

1/14/19 12:05 PM

MINUTES WITH…

Brad Criner Senior Director, Brand Management and Business Development, SIG Sauer Ammunition

Driving Force

At SIG Sauer Ammunition, innovation and performance rule

rad Criner joined SIG Sauer Ammunition after a 10-year stint at Winchester Ammunition, where he had profitand-loss responsibility for all ammunition products, business units, and brands. At SIG Sauer Ammunition, he is responsible for all aspects of the SIG Sauer ammunition business, including product management, marketing, planning, P&L responsibility, providing direction to sales teams, supply chain and vendor interactions, and manufacturing operations-related business. SHOT Daily sat down with him recently to get his take on the challenges and opportunities of the ammo business.

SHOT Daily: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the industry in the next five years?

Brad Criner: There are numerous challenges for our industry, and I think the best way to overcome these is to do what we do best: Focus on the needs of the customer. And that is what the SIG Sauer team is tasked with each day. There is a lot of noise out there, and there are many distractions and external forces we face every day. If we focus on delivering innovative, value-added products that give our customers an on-target advantage, I believe we will continue to grow and thrive as a premium ammunition provider.

SD: When you get up in the morning, what gets you excited about working in the industry?

BC: There are dozens of reasons that make this the greatest industry to be in, but at the end of the day we get to be around passionate people who are finding solutions and engineering great products. Maybe most important, though, we get to pull triggers and enjoy the fruits of our labor. I love it—it’s part of what makes me, well, me. It is especially rewarding when I can contribute to or be on the team that delivers the next great

advancement in technology or fill a need that has not been addressed. To see products you’ve helped create become widely adopted and genuinely enjoyed by customers is very fulfilling. One of the many exciting things about working at SIG Sauer is the team’s unquenchable desire to innovate—to constantly improve and move forward. This is the driving force at SIG, and I am honored to be a part of the team.

SD: That’s all well and good, but what good is the best gun and ammo available if the shooter is not proficient, or just as important, confident in his or her ability?

BC: The Range Elite

SD: SIG Sauer has made a huge investment in ammo over the past couple of years, including a new state-of-the-art production facility in Arkansas. In your new position, how will you further the company’s mission?

BC: First, let me say that the folks at SIG have already teed it up rather high for me. The people, technology, and equipment at the company’s new state-of-the-art ammunition manufacturing facility in Arkansas are second to none. Engineering excellence and on-target advantage are two defining aspects of Elite Performance Ammunition. And since day one, SIG engineers have manufactured pistol loads that let you, as we like to say, “train like you carry.” Corresponding FMJ target loads and V-Crown JHP personal

46 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

046_SHD04_FEA_5MW.indd 46

and felt recoil for quicker target acquisition and a more pleasurable shooting experience. You really get to have your cake and eat it too. We not only own it all, we make sure it works in concert.

According to Brad Criner, “Engineering excellence and on-target advantage are two defining aspects of Elite Performance Ammunition.”

defense loads have the same recoil and same point of impact for a seamless transition from the range to personal defense. A great example of this is the new SIG 365 ammunition created specifically for short-barreled concealed-carry pistols. The 365 ammo is available in 9mm Range Elite FMJ and V-Crown JHP loads, and SIG Sauer is in a unique position in the industry to develop a groundbreaking firearm, specialized ammunition, and optic

simultaneously to ensure ultimate integration and unparalleled performance. The P365 has a 3.1inch barrel and holds 11 or 13 rounds (with extended magazine), without sacrificing concealability. The 365 V-Crown JHP carry ammo is designed to reach full velocity in barrels shorter than 3.5 inches to maintain maximum on-target energy and terminal performance (as when fired from a full-size gun), while reducing barrel rise

365 FMJ is ballistically matched to the 365 V-Crown to ensure same point of aim/impact during training, which means the same point of impact during carry. Equal felt recoil plus equal point of impact equals confidence on and off the range. SIG Sauer has spared no expense to ensure your training pays off in confidence and proficiency. The same point of aim for FMJ and JHP holds true for all of our pistol ammunition. Our future, which starts today, is to provide a complete offering of Elite ammunition products to our valued customers, including long-range hunting, match, varmint, and predator loads, plus an advanced line of component products. Our motto for ammunition is, “Engineering Excellence, On-Target Advantage.” Booth #12240. (sigsauer. com)

1/14/19 12:07 PM

F E AT U R E S

A Big Deal

Out of a small town in Utah, Alpine Innovations focuses on big ideas By Kris Millgate ehi, Utah. Population: 20,000 in 2001. The Alpine Canyon stretch of the Wasatch Mountains rises to the east; the grain bins of Lehi Roller Mills rise to the west. That’s where the barn dance scene in the original Footloose was shot. It’s a big deal. It’s also the only deal in this small, mostly undeveloped area just 30 miles south of Salt Lake City.

Alpine’s Spudz (left) is a microfiber cloth tucked in a pouch and used to clean lenses on binoculars, scopes, and glasses. Alpine Stripee (right) is a wearable cleaner and protector. It protects from line burn when a hooked rainbow races away, and it cleans your line as you reel that rainbow in.

Darren Jones calls Lehi home. He doesn’t farm. He’s into phones. At least, he was in 2001. He often traveled from Lehi to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to install phone lines. He’d usually fly-fish on his way home. “I was supposed to be home for dinner, but I was nailing rainbows. I knew I was going to be in trouble because I lost track of time,” says Jones, now CEO of Alpine Innovations. “My line was muddy and I had no time to clean it. Driving home, I thought about all the mud on my hands, then came up with an idea: a product you wear that cleans line as it goes back on your reel.” Jones’ wife, Shellie, was used to his late arrivals and his new ideas. She’s the seamstress in the family, and when Jones came home late back in 2001 with yet another idea, she started sewing. She produced the company’s first product, Alpine Stripee. “My wife and I were cutting fabric on the kitchen floor,” he says. “We had a newborn and a 3-year-old. We had to keep them away from the material. They wanted to crawl all over it. We knew once we had orders, we had to move to the garage.” Alpine Stripee is a wearable cleaner and protector. Think of it

as a two-fingered glove for your index and middle digits. It protects from line burn when a hooked rainbow races away, and it cleans your line as you reel that rainbow in. With a few customersuggested tweaks at a trade show, Jones hit a honey hole with the Stripee and started his business, Alpine Innovations. “From a young age, I’ve had a curiosity for how things work,” Jones says. “It’s a gift to find solutions. I get a lot of fulfillment out of it, so I look for problems in outdoor markets and find solutions.” Eighteen years later, he’s still finding solutions, and he’s still based in Lehi, where the population has grown to more than 62,000. Some of those people sew for Alpine Innovations. Jones

learned how to sew, too, and added two products to the Alpine line: Alpine Spudz in 2004 and Alpine Slicker in 2016. “I’m always thinking of how I can improve products. I like that, because I get to dabble in the creative arena,” he says. “I don’t mind failure. In fact, I rely on failure more than success during product development. I make a product complicated, then go simple to make sure I haven’t missed something.” The simple end result sells. Alpine Slicker is a rain jacket for guns, scopes, or binoculars. Alpine Spudz is a microfiber cloth tucked in a pouch and used to clean lenses on binos, scopes, and glasses. He sells 150,000 units annually, and is now nearing the

The Ammo Slicker (left) is a convenient ammo carrier that fits on a rifle stock. The Scope Slicker (right) is essentially a raincoat that protects riflescopes from the elements. Other versions protect binoculars.

10-million-unit mark. “We make them for everyone, from Disney to the White House,” Jones says. “We attach the cloth to a pouch and the pouch has a fastening clip that hooks where you need it to. Homeless lens cloths can really damage a lens. We want cloths in a protective pouch.” He also wants what’s next. He still fishes streams on drives, but he doesn’t do telephone work anymore. He gave that gig up after a few good years of Stripee sales. He has 16 employees now, as well as contractors who sew from home during peak order season. He also added another son, completing his family with three boys, who help out by designing graphics, running operations, and spraying weeds. Jones keeps his family and his business dealings close, even though local Lehi is now beyond any size he ever imagined. What hasn’t changed are those mountains to the east. Alpine Canyon is easy to access, and it remains Jones’ playground for testing the products. “We try to make it so outdoorsmen can buy our product without breaking the bank, while still keeping quality,” he says. “That’s what works for us.” Booth #558. (alpineproducts.com)

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 47

047_SHD04_FEA_ALPINE.indd 47

1/14/19 12:10 PM

F E AT U R E S

DK Precision Outdoor’s Martini Cadet is a singleshot centerfire rifle that can be broken down without tools.

On Track

DK Precision Outdoor heads in a new direction By Peter Suciu

K Precision Outdoor is making its debut appearance at the 2019 SHOT Show. But hitting the floor at a winter trade show is not new for much of the company’s team. Two decades ago, they were used to traveling to New York City for the American International Toy Fair, back when Kadee Quality Products was focused on producing model railroad equipment and accessories.

“We have been in business since 1946,” says Mike Dunham, who oversees product development for DK Precision Outdoor, LLC, and DAMKO. “Our company founder was a model railroader who got in the business after World War II.” Until the 1990s, model railroading was going strong, but video games helped derail the once-popular activity. The company opted to track a new course. “A big reason was the economic downturn,” says Dunham, who has been with the company for 26 years after starting as a precision machinist. Along the way, he has developed seven model railroad patents for Kadee.

While the company still manufactures model railroad equipment (Kadee Quality Products is the only model railroad manufacturer making RTR [Ready to Roll] model railroad cars entirely in the United States), it found a new path just a few years ago. “We had employees who are very interested in hunting and firearms in general, and we decided to branch into that market,” he says. “We have a great company, and our team is very innovative.” One of the first products was an AR dust cover that DK Precision Outdoor developed for customers to customize with their logos. But now the company is pivoting

again, this time away from ARs. “The market is saturated, and it’s hard to complete with the more established brands,” Dunham admits. “Instead, we’re introducing a new Martini design.” This rifle promises to be faithful to the classic Martini Cadet, the centerfire single-shot rifles that were based on a miniature version of the Martini-Henry. “This version will be improved with new safety features, but is also the sort of simple-to-use rifle that can be torn down without tools,” he says. “It is the classic rifle for those who love to shoot. We’ll be bringing that out in various calibers. No one else is mak-

ing anything like it right now.” DK Precision Outdoor has already made a name for itself with its line of suppressors, which are designed with easy maintenance in mind. “When we looked at the market and did our research, we noticed problems with some of the rimfire suppressors on the market,” Dunham says. “They get dirty very quickly and are hard to clean. We wanted to make something that would hold up shot after shot. Over the last few years, we shot thousands of rounds while we were prototyping to develop this rimfire suppressor. With this, you can shoot high-velocity ammo, reduce the overall decibels, and still take it apart and clean it.” Dunham adds that another goal was to lower the price of the suppressors. He says he also had hopes that the Hearing Protection Act would have been enacted by now, easing current restrictions on the product and opening up the market to new customers. “There is still a lot of misunderstanding on these devices,” he says. “And the waiting period to get buying approval can be as much as nine months.” Beyond firearms and accessories, DK Precision Outdoor is also focused on the “outdoor” part of the company moniker as well. It introduced a new Billet Camp Stove that uses solid fuel, which can result in hotter temperatures and faster cooking times. “We know this is a crowded marketplace as well, and getting more crowded each year,” he says. “But we like innovative products, and this one is designed to heat 16 ounces of water four times faster than similarly sized stoves. We also designed it to collapse down to about half its size. It isn’t as light as other billet stoves, but we wanted it to be extremely durable.” Based in Oregon, Dunham emphasizes the company’s commitment to its employess and community. “We will continue with an innovative tradition. We also will keep our manufacturing in the USA, as it is extremely important to us to provide jobs to our community.” Booth #4166. (dkprecisionoutdoor.com)

DK Precision Outdoor’s Martini Cadet will be available with standard sights, a peep sight, or a scope mount.

48 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

048_SHD04_FEA_DK.indd 48

1/14/19 12:11 PM

f e at u r e s

The chamber of the Bishop 3G18 Competition Rifle will accept .223 and 5.56x45mm NATO ammo, and the gun ships with one 30-round magazine.

Against the Grain

Bishop Ammunition & Firearms doesn’t take “no” for an answer

By Barbara Baird hen you go to the website for Bishop Ammunition & Firearms and click on “About Us,” you’ll see this statement: “God Bless the 2nd Amendment.” The message is repeated at the bottom of the page. Merrisa and Dianne Bishop took the oath to protect and preserve the Constitution and served during conflicts in Grenada and Desert Storm. Merrisa served as a military police officer and long-range marksman in the Army with the 82nd Airborne; Dianne was in satellite communications and then served as a jet engine mechanic on C5 aircraft for nine years in the Air Force.

These days, Merrisa serves as the president of Bishop Ammunition & Firearms. She also designs its line of guns and ammunition. Dianne runs the website and handles graphic design and ammunition production. The small company, based in North Highlands, California, specializes in making custom AR-15, AR-10, and bolt-action rifles as well as new and remanufactured ammo and accessories (such as competition scopes for 3-Gun, target, hunting, and long-distance match shooting). At the 2019 SHOT Show, the company is unveiling a new lever-action rifle chambered in .458 SOCOM.

First Steps

“Bishop Ammunition Manufacturing, LLC, started in November 2009,” says Merrisa. “The birth of our company was due to the unavailability of .45 Auto handgun ammunition. I had purchased a 1911, and there was no ammunition to be found.” Her heritage—her father was a United States Marine, and one grandfather had been a member of the Irish Republican Army in the 1930s—no doubt played a huge factor in her firearms education. She started shooting at the age of 6, so it was only natural that she turned to her father for advice about the aforementioned .45 Auto ammo problem. He recommended that she start reload-

ing her own ammo. “I developed a round that gave match accuracy out of my 1911. Other individuals at the range wanted to use my ammunition, which led to our first FFL Class 06 license, leasing a warehouse, and growing to a half-dozen presses for ammunition,” she says. Bishop Ammunition now produces lead-free hollowpoint defense, hunting, cowboy action, and competition ammunition in .357 Magnum, .45 Auto, .45 Colt, .38-55, .30/30, .458 SOCOM, Match .223, and .308. The company recently developed and introduced the .475 Bishop, a magnum cartridge designed to operate in AR-10-type platform rifles as the ultimate big-bore

statement for that platform. All testing is done live-fire in real-life conditions at a nearby range or in Nevada. Bishop uses pressure-testing equipment that is SAAMI accepted and never exceeds maximum SAAMI specifications for ammunition. “All of our ammunition comes with an unconditional guarantee of performance,” she says. “Every cartridge is hand-inspected, handchambered in minimum SAAMI chambering checking gauges, and hand-packed.”

Expanding the Market

After breaking into and seeing success in the ammunition market, the

50 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

050_SHD04_FEA_BISH.indd 50

1/14/19 12:12 PM

BACK ON TRACK

Utilizing an 18-inch medium-contour stainless-steel barrel (right) mated to a forged, precisionfitted upper and lower receiver (left), the Bishop 3G18 Competition Rifle is all about performance.

pair decided to test the waters of the firearms market with two rifles. That transition also was fueled by Merrisa’s experiences in competition shooting. “I obtained a Colt AR-15 Sporter, and when I began to shoot this rifle, I thought about improvements to make it shoot at a higher level. Growing up, I had built several rifles with my father, one of which was an AR-15. Having been trained as a military police officer, I was intimately familiar with the M16 rifle, and being in the firearms industry I began to receive training in firearms development, assembly, gunsmithing, and design. Over several years, I began to address the issues I had with that rifle and so developed our first competition rifle, the 3G18 Competition [SRP: $1,899; includes a locking hard case].” Designing that rifle led Bishop to develop the company’s AR10 Precision Rifle in .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor. SRP: $2,199, including a locking hard case.

Call to Action

The .458 SOCOM rifle came about by accident. “We got a request to look into making .458 SOCOM ammo. This necessitated our having a .458 SOCOM rifle for testing purposes,” she says. “I could not find a commercially made rifle that met my requirements, so I developed our own AR458 SOCOM rifle.” The rifle is the 458 SOCOM AR15 Hammer. SRP: $1,799, including a hard locking case. “This led to further contacts in the firearms community, which now make up our core research and development contractors,” she says. Merrisa also wondered why she could not find a bolt-action rifle for this cartridge. “It has the ballistics of a .45/70, the simplicity of a short-action car-

tridge, and a rebated rim that would allow for reliable feed from a magazine. I was repeatedly told that it could not be done. Previous attempts only resulted in multiple jamming issues and unreliable feeding.” To Merrisa, “could not be done” was a call to action. She designed the 458 SOCOM Bolt Action Hunter that performs to her expectations. The rifle holds 7+1 rounds and is built to customer specifications to bench-rest accuracy. SRP: $2,199, including a locking hard case and one magazine. That’s not all. Merrisa also redesigned the Remington 700 Action to accept AICS magazines. To do that, she changed the feed ramp and the internals of the magazine so that it would hold and feed .458 SOCOM ammunition. It took a year and eight versions of the magazine to perfect the firearm. Introduced at SHOT Show 2018, the rifle has been a success story for the company. Merrisa then questioned why there was not a leveraction rifle for the .458 SOCOM. “Again, I was met with the ‘it cannot be done’ mentality. So, again, I started my research as to why not.” The result? Last August, Bishop started testing the new 1895 GBL 458 SOCOM Lever Action Rifle.

Great Debate

While at last year’s SHOT Show, Merrisa met with industry reps and media. “A debate arose out of just how big we could go with the AR-10 platform. I made the suggestion of a bottlenecked cartridge less than .50 and larger than .458 for use in the AR-10. Again, I was told it could not be done and that there were already big-bore cartridges out there for the AR-10.” She immediately began her research to see if such a car-

tridge could be designed. That research included the assistance of mechanical engineers, a barrel maker, and a brass casing company. Soon thereafter, the .475 Bishop was born. “The result is a .475-inchdiameter projectile 1.15 inches long, loaded into a case that holds twice the volume of the .308 Winchester,” she says. She notes that ballistic data on the cartridge shows maximum pressures of 69,000 psi with a case volume of 103 grains. Velocity registers 2,500 to 2,600 fps with a 375-grain monolithic brass projectile (of the company’s design). The company began its testing of the AR475 rifle in midAugust. This rifle as well as the 475 Bishop Safari bolt-action (intended, as the name suggests, for Africa) are at the show this year. Both rifles come with locking cases, a full die set, and a certificate for 100 cases and projectiles, as well as load data. Because of their military backgrounds, the Bishops offer veterans, service members, LEOs, and first responders the same prices they offer to their dealers.

Remember Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC)? It was a redhot suppressor manufacturer that got gobbled up by Remington. Remington promised big things for its new acquisition, but then AAC all but disappeared in the turmoil that accompanied Remington’s long run to bankruptcy. Now that Big Green is back on firmer financial footing, things are looking up for AAC, as I saw last fall when I had the opportunity to shoot two of its 2019 new products. The all-titanium Ti-Raid 30 is available in a direct-thread or a quick-detach model. It can handle calibers up to .300 Winchester Magnum, and is even rated for full-auto fire. I didn’t go full-auto with the suppressor at Remington’s range, but I did try out the Ti-Raid 30 on a couple of different rifles. I found that it effectively muffled muzzle blast on smaller calibers, and it also cut the recoil nicely on the mighty .300 Win. Mag. SRP: $1,199.99, direct thread; $1,299.99, QD. The bigger news for AAC—and hunters—is the entry-level Jaeger 30. Although it also can handle .30-caliber rifles up to .300 Win. Mag., this aluminum-titanium suppressor isn’t a full-auto tamer. Nor is it meant to be. The Jaeger is designed to suppress no more than a dozen rounds, shot off fast, before it must cool down. As I shot it, I felt it was a good tool for biggame hunters; it handled .30-caliber muzzle blast like a champ. And if a big-game hunter can’t down the animal in a dozen shots, he needs to find another sport. SRP: $449. Nice to see AAC back on track. Booth #14259. (advancedarmament.com)—Brian McCombie

The Big Secret

After 10 years in business, Merrisa attributes the success of the company to something her father taught her. “He told me, ‘If you are going to do something, do it right or don’t do it at all.’ My father would not accept anything less than perfection in his reloading, shooting, and firearms making. I am greatly influenced by him, as well as what was instilled in me by the Army.” She is also guided by her motto: “If I would not display it, own it, and shoot it, I will not let it out of the shop.” Sometimes going against the grain is the perfect recipe for success. Booth #3850.

The all-titanium Ti-Raid 30 is available in a direct-thread or a quickdetach model. It can handle calibers up to .300 Win. Mag., and is rated for full-auto fire.

(bishopammunition.com)

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 51

050_SHD04_FEA_BISH.indd 51

1/14/19 12:12 PM

F E AT U R E S

On Target

Sight-in is done from concrete benches, but firing line sessions are conducted from the prone position. Loaner Bergara rifles are available.

Want to learn the intricacies of shooting at 1,000 yards? The Bergara Experience Academy will dial you in By Guy J. Sagi

he Bergara Experience Academy, where comfort and top-notch instruction meet in the foothills of Montana’s splendor, may signal a whole new era in long-range training. There, the company’s private, full-amenity lodge, which serves as base camp for the school, provides a warm welcome for eager-to-learn newcomers, yet still manages to provide an educational experience advanced enough to shrink even a diehard enthusiast’s groups.

It’s not quite a bull’s-eye if you’re shooting for a bed-and-breakfast experience, but it’s about as close as

you’ll get at a firearms-training facility. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with snacks between, are pro-

vided—with meals tailored to any dietary requirements—and attendees are housed in the company’s private, multi-story Belt Mountain Lodge, complete with bedrooms, full-service kitchen, bathrooms, showers, dining room, and more. Sunsets around the fire ring and the scenery outside are relaxing, and conversation with like-minded gun owners warm and friendly. The comfortable atmosphere improves class and firing-line focus, enhanced even more when lodging, restaurant, and commute concerns are alleviated. Staying and sharing meals at the same facility builds camaraderie and teamwork with one common goal—getting everyone on target at distance. Bergara even provides rifles, optics, and ammunition (and often suppressors), virtually eliminating equipment variables and headaches for anyone arriving by air or vehicle.

Renowned Instructor The session’s design and assigned rifle/optic system lends itself to relative beginners getting a solid foundation in long-distance shooting.

The Bergara Experience Academy’s lead instructor/coordinator is William “Bart” Bartholomew. His résumé

includes the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was trained by famed sniper Carlos Hathcock. He then became one of its competitive shooters and marksmanship instructors. He later joined the Baltimore County Police Department SWAT team, and despite his retirement from there after 20 years, he continues his passion for precision by teaching for several government agencies and private institutions. In 2001, he received the Gunnery Sgt. Carlos N. Hathcock II Award, which is presented annually to a sniper for his accomplishments. His teaching technique when I attended was grunt-simple, providing easy-to-remember and user-friendly tips. Feel free to leave your slide rule at home, though the calculator on your phone is handy to confirm his combat-expedient calculations— many of them applicable to hunting, including one that allows determining antler spread.

Expect Hands-On The academy’s training begins with a safety refresher, though

52 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

052_SHD04_FEA_BERG.indd 52

1/14/19 12:13 PM

students are expected to have at least a working knowledge of firearms and proper procedures. Nearly every lesson includes hands-on work, and firing-line sessions are primarily from the prone position. Most firearms instructors, in my experience, are loud, boisterous, and demanding. If Bartholomew is similarly predisposed, he hides it well by studying technique during the initial sight-in of assigned Bergara rifles. When he spots something that needs correction, it’s offered as a friendly suggestion at first. If it happens again, its importance is emphasized with a patient explanation. His military and law-enforcement backgrounds begin to show when engaging steel out to 1,400 yards for the first time, where students work in teams of two. One spots bullet impact while the other shoots, as the pair finetunes baseline ballistics data determined in the classroom for their specific rifles. Here detailed notes become critical and clicks become mrad synonyms. It’s also the time Bartholomew starts to apply subtle pressure and enforce rules that save time—like never breaking a cheek weld while working the bolt or keeping a mental inventory of cartridges

remaining in your magazine. My visit to the academy was brief but included one session in which Bartholomew provided the size of roughly a dozen targets downrange on a mountainside. We were then required to determine the distances using only the spotting scope’s milbased reticle and his magic math. Then we dialed for elevation and delivered a shot on target. During another drill, we were told the distance to another set of targets and asked to calculate their size—possibly antler spread—prior to engagement.

The Ultimate Shooting Destination

The Bergara Experience Academy was established in 2018, and has 22,000 private acres available for courses. Ranges extend out to more than 1,400 yards, and targets are steel animal silhouettes. The area’s breezes are ideal for learning how to dope the wind. And as an added bonus, don’t be surprised if an elk or two forces the firing line to temporarily go cold. Courses currently available include 3-Day Advanced Precision Rifle or Advanced Long

Instructor William “Bart” Bartholomew (top) walks students through reticle and scope adjustments prior to sighting-in.

Range Hunter, 5-Day Advanced Precision Rifle Level II, or Advanced Long Range Hunter Level II. The value of courses such as these for a retailer are immeasurable, especially if your customers are interested in longrange shooting. A sales associate who can speak assuredly about

the specialized rifles, optics, ammo, and skills necessary to shoot accurately at 1,000 yards will help you move the gear these shooters require. Consider it as another form of dealer education—one that will pay off handsomely in the long run. Booth #14516. (bergara.com)

FEDERAL UNVEILS THE . 450 BUSHMASTER

A new hot load from Federal—the .450 Bushmaster—is one of a number of straight-wall cartridges that are quickly gaining favor among hunters chasing everything from whitetail deer to feral hogs. Straightwall cartridges, which are now legal in a number of slug-only and muzzleloader zones, offer a number of benefits, including superior accuracy, but will not carry as far as bottleneck centerfire rifle cartridges. With that in mind, Federal is now offering its popular Fusion, Power-Shok, and Non-Typical lines in .450 Bushmaster. Fusion is known for reliable expansion and weight retention, Non-Typical is designed to meet the needs of deer hunters, and Power-Shok is made for versatility and solid performance on a broad

range of medium-sized game animals and predators. If you doubt the efficacy of .450 Bushmaster for hunting, I’m here to tell you two key facts: First, animals properly shot with the .450 Bushmaster tend to drop in their tracks, to the point where rarely will you have the need to follow a blood trail; second, vital zone hits on whitetails yield the same return in meat as a deer shot by a smaller bullet. As a shooter and hunter with a penchant for big bores, I have to say I could not be happier. The .450 Bushmaster may have only recently begun to gain notoriety on a greater scale, but the cartridge itself is far from new. Years ago, Jeff Cooper sketched out his thought

process for the future cartridge’s creation, saying, “We can and should do better, and I therefore propose ‘Thumper.’” Cooper believed a single shot from Thumper should be decisive—and thanks to Federal, it is. All three of the new loads are being offered with 300grain bullets. Loaded into a Savage 110 Scout, the Federal PowerShok .450 Bushmaster 300grain jacketed soft-points were impressively accurate. Zeroing the rifle at 50 yards was a fast process, with bullets producing one-hole, threeshot groups quickly and efficiently. This sub-MOA performance continued at 100 yards. With Federal’s .450 Bushmaster the quality of the ammunition provides the accura-

cy; do your part, and the shots fired will land with surgical precision. Using a Pact XP Professional chronograph, I fired 10 shots to check velocity and standard deviation. All shots were fired through the 110 Scout, which has a 16.5inch Sporter barrel with a 1:24 twist. Average velocity of shots fired was 1,700 fps; standard deviation was 14.6 fps. This is good for any ammunition, but

stellar standard deviation for factory ammunition. Bottom line? Federal’s new .450 Bushmaster ammunition produces a greater number of consistently tight groups than a great deal of the samecartridge factory ammunition I’ve tested over the years from various manufacturers. SRP: $33.95 to $37.95, box of 20. Booth #14551. (federalpremium.com) —Kat Ainsworth

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 53

052_SHD04_FEA_BERG.indd 53

1/14/19 12:13 PM

NEWS

Going to Extremes Hornady’s new Outfitter rifle ammunition is basically bulletproof By Brad Fitzpatrick

unting in the backcountry requires special gear. You’ll need boots that are warm yet stable and light, and a pack that can carry all of your essential gear as well as an elk quarter if you fill your tag. Backcountry rifles tend to be light and durable, capable of standing up to long-term exposure to the worst elements, and warm clothing is more than a luxury in the wilderness—it’s essential to survival. The first step in successfully hunting the most remote regions of the country is selecting gear that’s up to the task.

There’s been very little discussion about wilderness ammunition to this point, but Hornady is looking to change that. The Nebraska-based ammunition company, which is celebrating 70 years in business, now offers the first line of centerfire rifle ammunition that’s built to withstand the rigors of backcountry hunting, and it has appropriately named this ammo line Outfitter.

Building a Better Wilderness Cartridge

Hornady began the quest to design the ultimate backcountry ammunition by utilizing nickel-plated cartridge cases. Nickel plating reduces tarnishing and corrosion and aids with lubricity, which helps ensure a long case life and smoother feeding even in cold, wet conditions. To prevent any possibility of moisture intruding into the powder column, Hornady has sealed both the primer and the neck of the cartridge, essentially eliminating any risk that moisture will affect performance. And if you’ve hunted in true wilderness areas, you know how easy it is to get completely soaked by rain, snow, or falls during a creek crossing. By sealing the case fore and aft, Hornady has built a barrier against moisture. Ultimately, it’s not the case or powder or even the rifle or caliber that dictates how a load performs on game—it’s the bullet. Hornady utilizes the proven GMX monolithic bullets in the Outfitter line, and it’s a sensible choice. These mono-metal copperalloy bullets feature cannelures that help reduce bearing surface as the bullet travels down the rifling. GMX bullets have sleek, high-BC profiles that allow them to buck wind and shoot accurately even at long ranges, and they produce minimal fouling and consistent pressures and velocities. In addition, they feature a polymer tip that protects the open front cavity of the bullet. The result is consistent, controlled expansion— just the type of performance you’d demand for the largest and toughest game, like elk

54 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

054_SHD04_NEWS_HORNOUT.indd 54

1/24/19 3:31 PM

and moose. GMX bullets are also California-compatible, and they’re legal in other areas where traditional lead-core bullets are banned. Hornady currently offers a dozen different Outfitter loads, including .243 Winchester (80 grains), 6.5 Creedmoor (120 grains), .270 Winchester (130 grains), .270 WSM (130 grains), 7mm WSM (150 grains), 7mm Rem. Mag. (150 grains), .308 Winchester (165 grains), .30/06 (180 grains), .300 WSM (180 grains), .300 Win. Mag. (180 grains), .375 H&H Mag. (250 grains), and .375 Ruger (250 grains). No matter the game or the conditions, there’s a cartridge on that list that will handle the needs of any big-game hunter.

Hunting the High Plains

I tested Outfitter ammo on whitetails in Hornady’s home state of Nebraska this past November. When I arrived, there was 6 inches of fresh snow on the ground being churned across the open plains by gusting prairie winds. The cold conditions may have driven humans inside, but the frigid temps made the whitetail rut heat up. Before first light on opening day, I could see, against a blanket of blue snow in the pre-dawn light, bucks chasing does through the cottonwood forests along a creek. So preoccupied were the deer that they paid no attention to the elevated stand from which I was hunting. Just after shooting light on the first

The author with a mature Nebraska buck harvested with Hornady’s new Outfitter ammunition. At 220 yards, the bullet passed through and the deer expired within 20 yards—just the type of performance a hunter expects.

morning, a young forkhorn ran beside the blind on the heels of a doe, neither of the deer so much as pausing as they passed. I had elected to hunt with a .30/06. Hornady does not use Superformance powder in the Outfitter loads, and muzzle velocities for that load are 2,700 feet per second while still shooting flat enough for long shots across open country. As the sun rose, the temperature rose with it, but there didn’t seem to be any slowing of deer activity. There was very little time on the stand that first morning when there wasn’t at least one deer in sight. But despite the flurry of rutting activity, I didn’t see a really big buck. That evening was a different story. As the sun dropped into the horizon, I caught sight of move-

ment through the trees—a doe zigzagging among the cottonwoods. That could only mean that a buck was certain to follow, and soon a dark, heavy-bodied deer appeared at 250 yards. The antlers were impressive, tall and wide with good points and heavy beams. Convinced this was a buck worth tagging, I pressed the safety forward and centered the crosshairs when the buck was in a clearing at 220 yards. As I fired, a halo of orange flame erupted from the muzzle, and through the flash I could see the buck’s heavy body pause and turn. He then ran out of sight, ducking behind a cluster of cottonwood logs. He hadn’t gone far. The GMX bullet landed where I’d aimed, just behind the front shoulder, and I

had a good blood trail in the snow that was easy to follow. Within 20 yards, I found the deer stretched out, the bullet having passed through the body. It created a large entry wound and a nickelsized exit hole. You couldn’t ask for better performance. My buck was mature and very heavy, almost certainly more than 200 pounds on the hoof. Deer like that don’t come along often, and when they do it’s essential that your load functions properly from ignition to impact. Not all ammo companies promise that their cartridges will perform even under the most extreme conditions, but with the launch of Outfitter ammo, Hornady has established a new standard in backcountry cartridges. Booth #13145. (hornady.com)

GMX bullets already have a solid reputation for expanding reliably at various ranges. The author used the 180-grain .30/06 load for Nebraska whitetails, and the performance was excellent.

054_SHD04_NEWS_HORNOUT.indd 55

1/24/19 3:31 PM

NEWS

The Custom 700 Sixsite Edition features a premium stainless barrel. The carbon-fiber stock, made by A.G. Composites, is finished in hand-painted Cerakote in the Sixsite Rana camouflage.

Building Your Own

Hey, retailers: Remington Custom Center wants to partner with you By Brian McCombie arlos Martinez wants to grow his current roster of FFL dealers that carry the custom rifles, shotguns, and handguns he and his crew at the Remington Outdoor Company (ROC) Custom Center are producing. As senior manager for products and operations at the ROC Custom Center, Martinez is concerned that independent FFLs don’t really understand that they, too, can sell his brands. These FFLs can even create their own custom firearms based on customer preferences, and they stand to make a much better profit on Custom Center firearms than on most of the factory-made guns they sell.

“Our current Custom Center dealers are getting pretty healthy profit margins,” Martinez says. “They see 15 to 20 percent margins even with giving discounts. Gun buyers really like the customgun experience, and our dealers tell me that once a customer buys a custom rifle or shotgun from them, odds are that customer will come back for another.” The Custom Center encompasses the Dakota Arms, Marlin Custom, Nesika, and Remington Custom brands. Martinez says the price points start at $1,200 for a centerfire Remington guaranteed to shoot ½ MOA at 50 yards to super-customized big- and dangerous-game rifles that can run all the way to $30,000. Custom Center dealers can pick and choose among the brands and from the individual firearms. Customers for Custom Center firearms run the gamut from traditional hunters who love boltand lever-actions to precision long-range shooters. The Custom Center also attracts the attention

of more tactically minded gun guys as well as collectors. “Many of our dealers have contacted us with some custom ideas of their own, based on what appeals to their local shooters, and they’ve created some really nice and very profitable custom options,” Martinez says. One Custom Center dealer, for example, wanted a Remington Tac14 12-gauge pump done up with a special Cerakote finish, upgraded sights, and an aftermarket trigger kit. His customers loved it. “That custom Tac-14 is a regular inventory item for him now,” Martinez says. “Once he realized

The Marlin Custom Modern Hunter is a Marlin 1895 lever in .45/70 Govt. with a special Cerakote finish, a smoothed-out trigger and lever action, and a Picatinny rail atop the receiver.

56 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

056_SHD04_NEWS_REM.indd 56

the demand locally, he ordered a half-dozen from us. Now, as soon as he sells off three, he puts in another order.” The Custom Center is also working on various partnerships to produce one-of-a-kind firearms, and dealers can order these guns, too. For example, last fall the Custom Center launched the Custom 700 Sixsite Edition, a collaboration between the Remington Custom Shop and Sixsite Gear. The rifle features a blueprinted stainless 700 action and a premium stainless barrel. The carbon-fiber stock, made by A.G. Composites, is finished in

hand-painted Cerakote in the Sixsite Rana camouflage, which was developed to blend organic textures and digital elements. The Custom Center also creates its own custom models. One popular example is the Center’s signature Marlin Custom Modern Hunter, a Marlin 1895 lever in .45/70 Govt. with a special Cerakote finish, a smoothed-out trigger and lever action, and a Picatinny rail atop the receiver. To better serve its growing cadre of dealers, the Custom Center recently hired two full-time service representatives. It has also installed dealer-dedicated email and phone lines. The Custom Center provides its dealers with sell sheets and photographs so potential customers can see what firearms options are possible. ROC is also working on a new Custom Center website that will combine all four custom shop brands into one digital resource for dealers and customers alike. Booth #14229. (remington.com/ custom-shop)

1/24/19 3:32 PM

NEWS

Necessary Innovation Seekins Precision seeks perfection By Justin Moore

Like previous firearms innovators, Glen Seekins was inspired to start a business by a hunt gone wrong.

hen Glen Seekins embarked on a 2004 deer hunt, there was no way he could have known he would soon be walking in the same footsteps as Roy Weatherby, Joyce Hornady, and John A. Nosler. Each has left a positive impact on the hunting and shooting industries because they experienced and recognized a deficiency that they could fix.

Joyce Hornady, founder of Hornady Manufacturing, was an avid shooter and had a dream of putting 10 bullets through one hole. Since there was a lack in supply and of quality components at the time, he took matters into his own hands and began manufacturing bullets. Hornady’s business eventually expanded into the family company that we know today. It still makes some of the industry’s most accurate ammunition, reloading components, and precision handloading equipment. Roy Weatherby, who founded Weatherby, a company famous for its line of rifles and magnum cartridges, shot and wounded a deer in 1942. He never recovered the animal and that sparked an interest to create a cartridge that pushed the limits of known ballistics. He believed that a bullet going much faster could have devastating terminal performance, drastically improving the odds of recovering an animal. His magnum cartridges sparked a revolution in modern ballistics and are still pushing the limits to this day. John A. Nosler’s journey into the firearms industry started with an unsuccessful moose hunt in Canada. When a bullet failed to successfully penetrate the animal’s mud-caked hide, Nosler returned to Oregon with an idea to create a bullet that offered not only superior penetration, but also expansion for a greater wound channel. The Partition bullet was born, and it inspired not only other Nosler bullets, rifles, and ammunition, but also a revolution in bullet design and construction. Much like Weatherby’s and Nosler’s hunts,

Seekins’ deer hunt also went awry. At the time, it seemed like a catastrophe, but in the end it was really an opportunity. A broken scope ring ruined the hunt. When he got home, he began to think about the problem. Could he design a sturdy scope ring that weighed less than tactical steel rings? He immediately got to work, drawing on his mechanical design background. The result was SP Scope Rings, and through word-of-mouth advertising, Seekins rings started to attract attention. While working at his day job, Seekins taught himself to use a rented CNC machine at a local machine shop. Shortly after, he purchased a Haas Mini Mill and put it in his garage. Seekins Precision soon became his full-time job. All revenue was reinvested into the company while his wife, Katie Seekins, supported their family and helped out with the company at night. It wasn’t long before Seekins Precision outgrew the garage and he started working on something a little more ambitious. He unveiled the first Seekins Precision billet lower at the next SHOT Show, and upon returning home, he began designing a full line of AR products. All the while, he was adding machinery and personnel and outgrowing another facility. In 2013, the company purchased land for a factory. The 25,000-square-foot building was completed in March 2014. Now producing multiple lines of modern sporting rifles, Seekins Precision became, as he says, “a true 10-year overnight success.” At the 2018 SHOT Show, Seekins made another big step forward with the introduction of

057_SHD04_NEWS_SEEKIN.indd 57

the Havak line of bolt-action rifles. True to his hunting roots, he made the rifle light enough to be carried for miles and days on end but also accurate enough to impress the best shooters. The Havak Pro Hunter PH1 combines the best elements of competition and hunting rifles to offer a hybrid that visually stands out from other products currently available but offers performance that will make even the most demanding hunter smile with every squeeze of the trigger. “Glen’s entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity is as apparent today as it was in the days before we started the business,” says co-founder Katie Seekins. “He has a passion for firearms and this rare ability to conceptualize ideas and then turn those ideas into new products. His creative designs and innovative products are what keep our customers coming back year after year.” Booth #10570. (seekinsprecision.com)

After entering the market with scope rings, the next product Seekins Precision tackled was billet lowers for ARs.

DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 57

1/24/19 3:34 PM

NEW PRODUCTS REX SPECS K9 Goggles protect a dog’s eyes from debris while he’s in a moving vehicle. The spherical goggles provide a full range of view.

WMD GUN S The operation of the adjustable Slingstock is similar to that of a car’s seatbelt.

KLYM I T Weighing only 3.2 ounces, the inflatable Pillow X Large is incredibly comfortable.

Rex Specs

Whether your dog is your hunting partner or just rides in the back of an ATV or truck, Rex Specs K9 Goggles offer significant protection for your pal. More than 50 percent of dogs will be diagnosed with an eye ailment by the time they are 8 years old. Harmful elements such as the sun, debris, grasses, and brush can cause serious damage to a dog’s vision. These large, spherical goggles provide a full range of view, and the comfy soft foam edge fits snugly on the face. The low-profile, fully adjustable strap allows a custom fit on each dog. Maybe more important, your pup will look ridiculously cool. Available in six sizes from XS to XL and nine lens colors. SRP: $79.95. Booth #1725.

and the like. It also has a slot for targets and pistol rugs. On the outside, weight-bearing Molle webbing is built around a center panel, which allows for storage on both sides. Internal holsters can accommodate two full-size handguns, and there are foam blocks to support smaller guns. In addition, an innovative Cobra Clip holds guns securely in place while allowing for easy removal. SRP: $199.99. Booth #N121. (vetopropac.com)

Klymit

Weighing a scant 3.2 ounces, the inflatable Pillow X Large is Veto Pro Pac incredibly comfortThere’s no shortage of able. The advanced, usable storage space self-centering X with the RB-MC design positions and range bag, which meacradles your head for sures 8x10x17 inches. supportive, stable Containing more than VE TO P RO PAC comfort. The 20 pockets inside and ultrasoft 30D Stretch The RB-MC range bag out, it’s perfect for has more than 20 pock- Polyester exterior ups magazines, cleaning the softness, making ets inside and out to supplies, loose rounds, it ideal for a tree hold all your vital gear. (rexspecs.com)

58 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 4, JANUARY 25, 2019

058_SHD04_NEWS_PRD_02.indd 58

M A RT T I I N I This stainless-steel 3-inch Damascusblade knife is perfect for tight cutting and fine skinning. stand, duck blind, truck, or that tiny airplane seat. SRP: $29.95. Booth #1359. (klymit.com)

WMD Guns

Using a concept similar to a car’s seatbelt, the Slingstock can be easily pulled out for rapid deployment. Slip the sling over your body and hit the button to retract it to any length. When you’re done, simply take it off and depress the button, and it completely retracts. A two-point setup can be achieved easily by attaching the sling to the forward section of a Picatinny rail. Once it’s connected, depress the button again to retract any unnecessary length, creating an infinitely adjustable sling.

Convenient, with super balance, this sling is a fast and comfortable option in the field. SRP: $149. Booth #2601. (wmd.guns.com)

Marttiini

Using a polished stainless-steel Damascus blade, the made-inFinland Ice Crystal Damascus knife is an enduring north country tool. One notable feature is the curly birch handle, which by design remains unfinished for a better grip. The 3-inch blade is perfect for tight cutting and fine skinning. The white leather sheath has a snowflake embossed on the outside and is ready for a life of hard work. SRP: $259. Booth #1661. (marttiini.fi)

1/24/19 6:16 PM