SHOT Daily - Day 4 - 2022 SHOT Show

DAY 4 DAY 4, JANUARY 21, 2022

DETECT . DECIDE . HUNT.

THE NEW

SEE P AGE 4

tM 35

FOR M

MODERN TECHNOLOGY

FROM ETAILS SWARO VSKI OPTI K

ORE D

FOR HUNTERS AND SHOOTERS

ACCESSORIES 2022

THEY TAKE UP LITTLE SPACE, BUT THE PAYOFF IS BIG

TURKEY GUN:

FIRST SHOTS:

HEVI-SHOT:

SILENT AUTHORITY:

HOT-ROD PROJECT

NSSF EXPANDS PROGRAM

TUNGSTEN LOADS

AAC IS BACK

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12/15/21 9:46 AM

Z8i 3.5-28x50 P APPROACHING DISTANCE SEE THE UNSEEN

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Contents DAY 4 DAY 4, JANUARY 21, 2022

Day 4

FEA TURES

EDITORIAL & CREATIVE EDITOR w SLATON L. WHITE GROUP MANAGING EDITOR w HILARY DYER ART DIRECTOR w TOD MOLINA

26 • MODERN TECHNOLOGY FOR HUNTERS AND SHOOTERS

By Brad Fitzpatrick

ADVERTISING SALES TEAM w AUTUMN IFLAND w KEN BYERS w DON HARRIS w TOBY SHAW COLE PUBLISHING ADMINISTRATION

DETECT . DECIDE . HUNT.

PRESIDENT, COLE PUBLISHING w JEFF BRUSS PRESIDENT, GRAND VIEW OUTDOORS w DERRICK NAWROCKI

THE N

EW t SEE P M AGE 4 FOR M 35 FRO M ORE D ETAILS SWARO VS

NSSF ADMINISTRATION

KI OP TIK

MODERN TECHNOLOGY

PRESIDENT & CEO w JOSEPH H. BARTOZZI

FOR HUNTERS AND SHOOTERS

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CCO w CHRIS DOLNACK

ACCESSORIES 2022

THEY TAKE UP LITTLE SPACE, BUT THE PAYOFF IS BIG

VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING w BILL DUNN

TURKEY GUN:

FIRST SHOTS:

HEVI-SHOT:

SILENT AUTHORITY:

HOT-ROD PROJECT

NSSF EXPANDS PROGRAM

TUNGSTEN LOADS

AAC IS BACK

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26

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS, ASSISTANT SECRETARY & GENERAL COUNSEL w LAWRENCE G. KEANE VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES & ADMINISTRATION w DEB KENNEY

34 • ON THE MOVE

By Robert F. Staeger

VICE PRESIDENT & CFO w JOHN SMITH MANAGING DIRECTOR, MEMBER SERVICES w JOHN MCNAMARA

ON THE COVER

SHOT BUSINESS is published six times a year: January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December by COLE Publishing, Inc., 1720 Maple Lake Dam Road, Three Lakes, WI 54562 and is the official publication of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Flintlock Ridge Office Center, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470-2359.

Cover image by Swarovski tM 35 thermal imager

C O L U MNS

All rights reserved. Contents may not be printed or otherwise reproduced without written permission of COLE Publishing. Postage paid at Three Lakes, WI 54562 and at additional mailing offices.

05 • DAILY UPDATE

34 38 • BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

By Slaton L. White 44 • CONCEALED CARRY GEAR YOU SHOULD STOCK

By T. Logan Metesh

COLE Publishing is not responsible for researching or investigating the accuracy of the contents of stories published in this magazine. Readers are advised that the use of the information contained within this magazine is with the understanding that it is at their own risk. COLE Publishing assumes no liability for this information or its use. COLE Publishing assumes no responsibility for unsolicited editorial, photography, and art submissions. In addition, no Terms and Conditions agreements are recognized by COLE Publishing unless signed and returned by the Editor.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: SHOT BUSINESS P.O. BOX 220, THREE LAKES, WI 54562.

ADVERTISING: Advertising inquiries should be emailed to shotbusiness@colepublishing.com. No responsibility will be assumed for unsolicited materials. SHOT BUSINESS is a registered trademark of NSSF. Contents copyright ©2022

by NSSF. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited unless expressly authorized by publisher.

48 • THE SWEET SPOT

By Brian McCombie

05

MEMBER/SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: membership@nssf.org

30 • SHOW SCENES AND PEOPLE

D E P A R TM ENTS 22 • ACCESSORIES 2022 53 • NEW PRODUCTS

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12/15/21 9:56 AM

PERFORMANCE COUNTS

THE OPERATOR IS BACK CALIBERS

OP1000BT ( .308)

OP1500 ( .223)

BARREL

16" CHROME LINED, 1:10 TWIST

16" LIGHTWEIGHT CHROME LINED

WEIGHT

8.2 LBS

6.4 LBS

LENGTH

34.5" RETRACTED

33" RETRACTED

SHOT BOOTH #12464

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COVER SPONSOR

THIS ISSUE’S COVER BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

THE NEW tM 35 FROM SWAROVSKI OPTIK

DETECT. DECIDE.

HUNT. S

WAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA, a subsidiary of the Austrian -based company, is pleased to announce the new tM 35 thermal imaging clip-on device. The first thermal imaging product from the world-leading sports-optics manufacturer, the tM 35 is an observation and thermal imaging clip-on device in one. Offering 1X magnification, it is suitable for hunting in twilight, at night, or in poor light.

Intuitive operation was a key focus in the product development process. The intelligent SWAROLIGHT automatic switch-on/off timer allows the user to activate the thermal imaging device quickly and silently from sleep mode. Adjustment of the brightness on the display to the prevailing light conditions is also automatic. The automatic brightness adjustment adapts the brightness of the display to the ambient light conditions and features both white hot and black hot modes that often make it possible to identify more details depending on the environment.

All these features reduce distracting movements to a minimum. The tM 35 Thermal Clip-On device is

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pillar of the company’s success. New products deliver top quality and the technical precision to meet the requirements of today’s hunters. The new tM 35 also follows this principle.

Booth #11618 (swarovskioptik.com)

compatible with the Z8i, Z6(i), Z5(i) and Z3 series riflescopes.

The tM 35 uses a rechargeable battery with a 3,000 mAh capacity that provides seven hours of battery life. The unit can operate in tempertures that range from +5°F. to +122°F. A thermal image does not require light and reacts to thermal radiation. When mounted to a riflescope, the tM 35 will allow the user to pick up thermal images of game both day and night. Before using, please check your local and state regulations in regard to hunting at night. SWAROVSKI OPTIK’s capacity for innovation has been a fundamental

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DAILY

Extending Its Reach

UPDATE N E WS

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PR O MO T I O N S

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AWAR D S

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OU T R EA CH

NSSF’s First Shots program continues to grow.

B

By Shannon Farlow

ringing in a steady stream of new shooters can be a challenge for ranges and gun clubs. That’s why NSSF created First Shots, an introduction to shooting handguns and rifles, almost 15 years ago. Today,

NSSF continues to expand First Shots with additional resources, a new reward coupon, and the all-new First Shots Clay Targets outline. More than ever, host ranges and first-time shooters will benefit from participating in the industryleading program.

NEW RESOURCES FOR RANGES

Using detailed feedback from range instructors across the country, NSSF recently revamped the First Shots training curriculum. Ranges can download the updated program outline along with a PowerPoint or pdf version of the instructional presentation decks through the First Shots online portal. In addition, ranges have access to several new marketing resources, including templates for promotional emails, flyers, and post-event communications as well as survey results from recent First Shots participants.

The students receive the new First Shots handbook, which they can use to jot down observations and record their progress. They are also supplied Shoot-N-C targets from Birchwood Casey, .22 ammo from Aguila Ammunition, and hearing and eye

One of the most recent and popular additions to First Shots is the Clay Targets program.

protection courtesy of Howard Leight/Honeywell Safety Products.

“It’s a great program for ranges to use as a nurturing tool to welcome people into the target shooting and range community – especially when looking to activate new gun owners,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director of Member Development.

FIRST SHOTS REWARD COUPON

To provide additional value for both the ranges and shooters, NSSF has introduced a new First Shots Reward Coupon. During the class, students are given an opportunity to participate in an online survey. By answering the questions, they earn a $25 rewards coupon that can be used during a return visit to the host range. NSSF then reimburses the ranges for the coupon redemptions.

“It’s been very well received. We’re seeing a great percentage that are actually redeeming their coupons,” Snow says. “We’re getting good retention numbers, bringing those customers back to the ranges in a timely manner. At the same time, we’re able to provide some great feedback for our host ranges through quantitative data with the results based on participant feedback for all of our host ranges and also each individual venue. We can send each individual venue their survey results to identify areas in which they can improve their approach to First Shots or other training classes that they offer.”

RANGE FEES ENCOURAGED

 Ranges can download the updated First Shots program outline.

When NSSF launched First Shots in 2006, they urged shooting ranges to offer the program for free. After all, the goal was to grow the shooting sports community. Since then, research has shown that students are more likely to skip a free class than one that requires a reasonable fee. NSSF now encourages host ranges to charge from $25 to $75 per person for each class.

By charging for the First Shots class, ranges can cover the instructor’s fee and other additional expens-

es they may incur. According to Snow, this approach will allow most ranges to break even on the First Shots classes, but the real benefit comes from creating lifetime shooters who become repeat customers.

“It’s a low-cost marketing tool to develop a new customer base that you can then feed into more advanced training classes,” Snow says. “If you actually convert any of those First Shots participants into a lifetime customer, you should expect at least a $10,000 lifetime value for each one that you further engage in using your range.”

FIRST SHOTS CLAY TARGETS

One of the most recent — and popular — additions to First Shots is the Clay Targets program. It was created as a community outreach tool for shotgun ranges and clubs. The introduction to clay target shooting presents students with a history of five-stand, sporting clays, and other shotgun shooting sports. It also provides details on the different types of shotguns, the mechanics of shotgun handling, and general firearm and range safety.

“We’re starting to establish partnerships with different organizations that are going to help in promoting and getting their groups involved, such as the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, who signed on to help promote the program and welcome more youngsters into the shooting sports space,” Snow says. “We’re going to continue to ramp up activities to get more ranges involved. As an NSSF member, your membership provides you with all this thanks to the support of NSSF and the firearm industry.”

Ranges that participate in First Shots Clay Targets will receive the same resources for students as the handgun and rifle programs, including eye and hearing protection, First Shots handbooks, $25 reward coupons to use on a return visit, and access to co-op funds to help promote the events or to cover event expenses such as ammunition and clay targets.

(NSSF.org/firstshots)

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DAILY UPDATE

THE SILENT AUTHORITY IS BACK Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC), known as “The Silent Authority” and a pioneering leader in firearm sound suppression since 1994, recently announced a major organizational relaunch and restructure of the brand.

This initiative represents a fresh, new chapter for the organization and its loyal consumers, as well as for the advancement of firearm suppressor technology, service, and innovation in the military, law enforcement, and civilian markets.

JJE Capital Holdings, which owns several brands in the shooting and outdoor industries, purchased Advanced Armament Corporation with the mission to strengthen the brand and to reaffirm its dedication to customer support while building on its core strengths of producing reliable, premium-performance suppressors for the modern military warfighter, defense professionals, and shooting enthusiasts across the nation. To maintain brand continuity and to ensure forward engineering and customer service under the newly established Advanced Armament Company brand, AAC will be staffed with a deep bench of suppressor industry professionals and AAC alumni, including senior program manager Ben Bachmeier.

“We are fortunate to have acquired the former Advanced Armament Corporation’s intellectual property and brand name,” says Bachmeier. “This has given us the opportunity to start fresh with people who have been involved with, and have been passionate about, this brand for a long time, including myself. It is my intention to take care of the people that have, over the years, helped nourish and propel the AAC brand to its leading position in the industry.”

With the establishment of a new Advanced Armament Company comes renewed commitment to quality manufacturing and attention to customer needs.

AAC will provide service and repair of all legacy suppressors from the Advanced Armament Corporation brand and provide a new Lifetime Warranty for all new suppressors manufactured under the relaunched Advanced Armament Company brand.

As part of the brand relaunch, AAC will be updating its website and standing up a new Customer Service Center at its corporate and operational headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama.

“The consumer is our main focus, whether it is servicing current AAC products already in the field or developing new products based on what our customers need for their specific professional, competitive, or recreational shooting endeavors,” Bachmeier says. “And to our existing customers, we want to say that AAC hears you, and we are going to do everything we can to take care of you, now and in the future.” Booth #41921 (advanced-armament.COM)

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DAY 4, JANUARY 21, 2022

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DAILY UPDATE

MARKET OPPORTUNITY

Your biggest customer demographic is still the Baby Boomers.

Are you meeting their changing needs?

By Mike Keleher

B

aby boomers had a long reign as the dominant generation, and the sheer size of this demographic dictated product development and advertising trends for decades. But their numbers have now been surpassed by the Millenials (a.k.a. Generation Y), who have demonstrated remarkably different tastes in products and response to marketing strategies. Though baby boomers have been displaced, don’t dismiss them.

Millenials have nowhere near the disposable income of their elders.

Right now, there are more than 70 million baby boomers between the ages of 56 and 74 years of age. This is a huge number of potential target shooters and firearm owners who have the means to enjoy the shooting sports. But this group comes with a catch: In many cases, they are not as physically strong as they once were, and most need reading glasses (bifocals or trifocals). They may have had injuries, surgeries, and arthritis in shoulders, arms, or hands and now find it difficult to physically manipulate semi-automatic pistols. These conditions require a retailer to adjust both the sales pitch and the store’s inventory.

Older pistol shooters very often notice they can still see targets clearly but can no longer achieve a good sight picture because both the front and rear sights are blurry. Squinting does not make it better. A variety of inventions have been offered to compensate for this condition, such as brightly colored and larger, highvisibility sights, but the easiest and perhaps most innovative solutions to combat this condition are the shooting glasses marketed by SSP Eyewear (Booth #42816), which puts a reader lens at the top of the safety glasses rather that at the bottom as you’d find in bifocal lenses.

For someone who wears reading glasses, slipping on a pair of SSP top-focallens glasses can instantly bring clarity back to the front and rear sight. The SSP glasses can be ordered in exact eye-strength powers from 1.0 to 3.0, and even mixed and matched to each eye for an optically correct magnification and the clearest sight picture. These top-focal glasses can be obtained in clear, yellow, amber, and smoked tints, and though most firearm retailers don’t stock these glasses, you can offer your older customers a valuable service by telling them about them.

Another compensating visual device is, of course, the proliferation of pistolmounted, micro-sized red-dot sights. Using the “both eyes open” technique allows users to superimpose a floating red dot on the target. It does not require the same amount of focus required to see iron sights. Sights from Hi-Lux (Booth #15056), Holosun (Booth #13420), Riton (Booth #72219), and others, are rapidly overtaking a similar market for firearm-mounted small lasers. You would do well to stock a variety across the price points.

The gun-buying public has also shown a distinct interest in obtaining smaller guns for self-defense and general target shooting. Recently, retailers have sold a lot of .380 ACP pistols to older buyers who didn’t want the larger frame sizes and recoil of the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. The 9-ounce Ruger LCP (Booth #723257) is an excellent example of this trend. But some models are so small that they are difficult to shoot, and if the shooting experience is difficult or unpleasant, you will have an unhappy customer.

Now we’re seeing a trend away from the .380 ACP, those short-lived favorites now replaced with micro-compact firearms chambered in 9mm. Popular examples here include the Glock 43 (Booth #12411) and SCCY DVG-1 (Booth #70813). This class of handgun does not produce the unpleasant recoil that can bother an older user.

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Another industry trend involves reducing the amount of hand strength required to manipulate a semi-auto slide. Smith & Wesson (Booth #12427) markets its Shield EZ as an easy-to-cycle micro 9mm pistol. Ruger added a “Lite Rack” option to its LCPII 9mm pistol, and SCCY has a built-in “Roebuck QuadLock” option to its DVG-1 that makes its slides easier to rack in its economically priced pistols.

Walther (Booth #12469) has created an intentionally soft-shooting .380 in its new CCP M2. Instead of putting the cartridge into a tiny frame, it built this .380 in a gun the same size as its 9mm compact pistol. Coupled with an obvious ergonomically designed grip, an easier to rack slide, and “Soft Coil Gas System,” the Walther CCP M2 may be the softest-shooting .380 ever built.

In a non-traditional offering, Ruger earlier this year introduced the Model 57 pistol in 5.7x28mm. The tiny but fast 5.7mm cartridge offers almost no recoil and is fun to shoot.

Revolvers have also been reimagined in softer-recoiling models.

Some of these easy-to-load and easy-to-shoot options may be quite appealing to your older clientele. In addition, by exposing them to lower-recoil options, you can help them continue to enjoy the shooting sports — and that will keep them coming back to you.

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barrel

caliber

2”

327 FED MAG

capacity

overall width

weight

action

6 ROUNDS 22 OZ.

1. 4”

DA/SA

COMPACT YET MIGHTY. Chambered in 327 Federal Magnum, the all-new Taurus® 327 is a double-action/single-action compact revolver that’s purpose built for reliable everyday carry. Its six-shot cylinder delivers added capacity for any personal defense situation while its recoil-absorbing rubber grip provides excellent retention and comfort. A removable front serrated ramp sight and no-snag rear sight channel provide quick and clear target acquisition when it’s needed most. As always, peace of mind comes standard with our Limited Lifetime Warranty and industry leading customer service.

TaurusUSA.com

VISIT US AT BOOTH #13038 Day4 Full Pages.indd 9

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DAILY UPDATE

Building the Perfect Turkey Gun Retailers who offer a selection of turkey gun accessories will create a customer base that keeps coming back for more.

By Phil Bourjaily

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wo years ago, I picked up an older Mossberg 835 (Booth #12832) for $175 to make into turkey gun. First, I bought a 20-inch barrel and some aftermarket chokes to replace the factory barrel. Since the barrel’s camo didn’t match the original, I had the whole gun dipped. I added a rail and an Aimpoint Micro H-1 (Booth #13007), put a sling on the gun, and replaced the plastic, factory thumb safety. I’ve sunk several times the original $175 in the gun and, after filling my tags with it last spring, don’t regret a penny of it. While not every hunter goes quite so far overboard, homebuilt turkey guns are common. Everyone wants to make their gun shoot better.

Moreover, the silver lining of the Covid-19 shutdowns has been an increase in turkey hunter numbers. Stuck at home last spring, people across the country took up turkey hunting. Some of those new hunters will be back, wanting to improve their chances of filling a tag.

You’ll want to stock chokes, slings, and sights at the least, as well as a selection of lead and premium tungsten turkey ammunition to help new and experienced turkey hunters get the most from their guns. Here are some accessories to consider.

AMMUNITION

Carry 12- and 20-gauge turkey loads for every budget. In my guns, Federal Grand Slam (Booth #13244) and Remington Nitro (Booth #13244) lead loads are the best lower-priced ($10 to $11 per box) ammunition, perfect for hunters who limit their shots to 40 yards. Winchester Long Beard XR (Booth #10938) costs about twice as much, adds at least 10 yards of effective range, and is easily the best lead turkey load I’ve ever used.

Tungsten Super Shot, loaded by Federal, Browning (Booth #12752), HeviShot (Booth #13244), and Apex (Booth #71104), sells for up to $10 per shell, but it’s in

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right now, especially in states where .410s and TSS 9 shot are legal and make a surprisingly effective combination.

CHOKES

Swarming a turkey’s head and neck with pellets past 40 yards requires a tighter choke than the standard Full. Aftermarket chokes range from around .680 to .640 in 12-gauge, and many makers offer almost every size in between in .005 increments.

The easiest way to keep your selection manageable is to choose a branded choke that comes in one constriction (the most popular 12-gauge size is around .660-.665) and stock it for the most popular choke systems. Primos Jellyheads (Booth #13244), TruGlo Head-Bangers (Booth #12699), and Carlson’s (Booth #10974) line that is designed for Winchester Long Beard XR ammunition enjoy good reputations among hunters and will pattern most loads well. Be sure to stock some 20-gauge chokes, too, as 20s are growing in popularity among turkey hunters.

If you’re selling a lot of TSS ammunition, you can carry special chokes for it.

Several makers offer them, usually in much tighter constrictions (.640-.650) than chokes intended for use with lead.

SLINGS

Next to a choke, slings are the must-have accessory for a turkey gun. You need your hands free to work a call or glass when you’re running and gunning, to carry gear if you’re setting up a blind, and for that walk out of the woods with a bird over your shoulder. While most shotguns now come with factory swivel studs, it doesn’t hurt to carry swivel stud sets and even to invest in a jig to install them. It will pay for itself after a few jobs. My personal favorite slings have

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some give to them. I like neoprene slings like the Butler Creek Comfort Stretch sling (Booth #13244) and the rubber Quake Claw sling (Booth #12219).

SIGHTS

No one thinks they need sights on a turkey gun until the first time they miss a turkey. Simple no-gunsmithing sights like the ones available from TruGlo and HiViz (Booth #14222) attach to vent ribs with magnets, sticky tape, or screw-plates.

Both work well.

OPTICS

Red-dots have come a long way since the unreliable models that ate batteries, and they have replaced low-power scopes as the optic of choice among turkey hunters. The good news is you probably already stock red-dots for your tactical, home defense, and handgun customers.

Much as I like my Aimpoint H-1 Micro, most turkey hunters neither want nor need to pay for the bulletproof reliability of an Aimpoint or a Trijicon RMR (Booth #10735), which are the top of the line in red-dot and reflex sights respectively.

Holosun (Booth #13420) offers both red-dot and reflex sights with the same footprint as the Aimpoint and the RMR (allowing the use of some excellent dedicated mounts), similarly long battery life, and a growing reputation for quality.

The Holosun 507C reflex sight features a perfect reticle for turkey hunting: a 32 MOA circle. At ranges of 50 yards and in, the circle covers almost exactly the size of an effective pattern core from a turkey choke and load.

The Burris Fastfire reflex sight (Booth #13227) costs slightly less than the Holosun and has excellent battery life and reliability. It can be mounted on a Picatinny rail or paired with the Burris SpeedBead Mount, a low-profile, no

gunsmithing system available to fit several Benelli (Booth #13656) and Beretta (Booth #13956) shotguns.

One new, enclosed-tube budget red-dot worth a look is TruGlo’s 22mm Ignite sight, which sells for just over $150. Unlike most dot sights, this one runs on a single AAA battery and has an auto shutoff if the gun is idled for more than four hours.

MOUNTS

You’ll need Picatinny rails for popular guns: Browning/Winchester, Mossberg, and Benelli. Most Berettas are grooved for a Beretta base. There are some excellent low-profile bases made for the tactical market for Mossberg and Benelli guns that you can offer to your tactical and your turkey hunting customers alike. The very slick Scalarworks Synch mount (Booth #10066) is a sight-specific, welldesigned mounting solution that allows you to mount a red-dot yet still achieve a cheek-weld on a standard stock.

EXTRAS

Another crossover from the tactical side that may appeal to some hunters is an aftermarket stock available for the Mossberg 500. A stock like the Magpul (Booth #11660) adjusts both for length and comb height for optic use, and the adjustable-length pistol grip models are ergonomically perfect for holding onto while sitting against a tree.

Finally, while you can’t offer camo-dipping services, you can offer camo, in the form of Mossy Oak Camo Shotgun Wrap (Booth #10338). It’s a $30 kit consisting of pre-cut adhesive-backed material the customer sticks onto the gun, then shrinks with a hair dryer. I have used it, and it’s good-looking and easy to apply.

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DAILY UPDATE

HEVI-Shot Introduces New HEVI-XII Tungsten Waterfowl Loads

M

ore than 20 years ago, HEVI-Shot sought to make a non-toxic waterfowl load that outperformed steel shot. The company ended up with something unexpected: The product not only outperformed steel, it also outperformed lead. As a result, HEVI-Shot’s construction (using a tungsten alloy of 12 grams per cubic centimeter) revolutionized waterfowl ammunition. Now hunters can get this legendary product in 25-count boxes to shoot on every hunt, not just the hunt of the lifetime, with the company’s new HEVI-XII tungsten waterfowl loads.

“The great thing about this ammunition is you can shoot three shot sizes smaller than you do with steel ammunition and get the same lethality because you’re putting more pellets on target,” says Scott Turner, HEVI-Shot’s product line manager.

“HEVI-XII loads also produce twice the downrange energy as steel.”

According to Turner, HEVI-XII outperforms steel in three major categories: density, lethality, and pattern. Because it’s more than 50% denser than steel, it penetrates more deeply. That, in turn, should help reduce the chance of a crippled duck swimming away to hide from a retriever. The load has also been designed to put more pellets in a tighter pattern.

The new HEVI-XII loads have muzzle velocities between 1,350 and 1,500 fps and are available in 12- and 20-gauge with 7⁄8-ounce, 1-ounce, 11⁄8-ounce, and 11⁄4-ounce loads of No. 2, 4, or 6 size shot. HEVI-XII shotshells are available in boxes of 25 or cases of 250 rounds.

Booth #11838 (hevishot.com)

9MM BORE CLEANER The all new CleanShot 9mm Bore Cleaner is engineered for the specific demands of centerfire handguns. Yet, it’s just as fast and effective as the original—turning a tedious and time-consuming chore into a quick and easy procedure.

Available now in 12GA & 20GA / 9MM in June 2022.

REMOVES LEAD, TIN & COPPER FOULING KEEPS BORE FREE OF CONTAMINATION IMPROVES AND RESTORES ACCURACY

VISIT US AT BOOTH #42120

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12/8/21 5:32 PM

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12/8/21 4:38 PM

DAILY UPDATE

KEEPING THE LEGEND ALIVE Based in Winchester, Virginia, Taylor’s Firearms has been in business for more than 30 years creating heritage firearms that appeal to both serious collectors and hunting and shooting-sports enthusiasts. It’s motto is “Keeping the Legend Alive,” and the latest addition to its Lifestyle Series is the TC86 Takedown rifle.

The TC86 Takedown in .45-70 is a versatile tool for hunting, hiking, or plinking at the range.

It features a color-case receiver and checkered

pistol-grip walnut stock. A rubber butt plate absorbs recoil, and the wide lever size allows for easy use in all conditions. It also includes a Weaver rail sight with a Skinner peep sight.

“Taylor’s & Company brings to the gun enthusiast classic firearms that made cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws famous, but with a modern twist,” says Rob Girard, vice president of sales and marketing. “All of our premium firearms are made using the latest in precision

machinery and high-quality materials with one goal in mind — to create reliable and accurate reproductions of Civil War, Old West, hunting, and tactical guns from the 19th century. The TC86 Takedown is a perfect example of this.”

Girard says the TC86 Takedown is shipping now. “Since we include both revolvers and rifles in our product mix, your customer’s next firearm is here.” SRP: $1,839.86. Booth #72226 (taylorsfirearms.com)

FRONTIER 34 FFP THE ULTIMATE LONG-RANGE RIFLESCOPE PREMIUM SCOPES DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR EXTREME LONG-RANGE SHOOTING Hawke Optics’ all new Frontier 34 First Focal Plane scopes are built with long distance shooters in mind. Like the other scopes in the Frontier lineup, the Frontier 34 FFP scopes are part of the System H7 series, which use index-matched lenses with outstanding clarity throughout the entire field of view. These scopes are built on a 34mm mono-tube chassis, providing ample elevation for long distance precision shooting. Machined from high-grade aluminum, they are water, shock and fog proof and are nitrogen purged.

The Frontier line is feature-rich, including side focus adjustment, removable zoom lever, Hawke’s patented Zero Lock ‘n Stop resettable turrets, and 11 levels of illumination including daylight bright for all shooting conditions. All models have a generous four inches of eye relief, locking ocular focus, and 21 layers of advanced coatings for high light transmission and maximum clarity. The Frontier 34 FFP riflescopes are available in 3-18x50 and 5-30x56 with Mil Pro or MOA Pro reticles.

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DAY 4, JANUARY 21, 2022

12/8/21 5:33 PM

SAR USA AMMUNITION NOW AVAILABLE IN THE U.S. AVA I L A B L E I N 11 5 G R A N D 12 4 G R R O U N D S , T H I S H I G H Q UA L I T Y N AT O S P E C A M M O I S T H E P E R F E C T COMPLEMENT TO ANY OF OUR SAR U S A P I ST O L S . C O N TA C T YO U R LO C A L D E A L E R F O R AVA I L A B I L I T Y.

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SAR USA.COM

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DAILY UPDATE

F

FN Announces FN SCAR Upgrades

N America, LLC has announced that the long-awaited non-reciprocating charging handle (NRCH) upgrade is now available in all FN SCAR semiautomatic models. FN’s new NRCH assembly features dual ambidextrous charging handles that enable users to shoot from any position or use any grip style. The FN SCAR upgrade improves an inherently more accurate and reliable platform that, in its military configuration, has served America’s most elite fighting forces for more than a decade.

“The FN SCAR has proven itself as a leader in its class since its introduction, setting the standard for what gas-driven, semi-auto rifles should be,” says Chris Cole, vice president, sales and marketing of FN America, LLC. “The complete modularity and fast-handling character of our most versatile rifle platform continues to advance. The FN SCAR 17S and 20S were already the softest-shooting gasdriven .30-caliber rifles on the market, and these upgrades deliver even more functionality to the SCAR platform.”

The assembly, consisting of a new charging handle sled and two ambidextrous, reversible charging handles that lock forward on bolt-close and remain static during fire, provide superior forward-assist capabilities. The two charging handles, one at a 30-degree cant specifically designed to reduce interference with low-mount optics and one low-profile, are userswappable in the field. The reduced reciprocating mass of the new bolt carrier produces less felt recoil, making a soft-shooting rifle even easier to manage.

“With the FN SCAR there’s a reason for every part; all have to work together perfectly to deliver the uncompromising accuracy, reliability, and toughness this platform has earned under fire,” says Benjamin Voss, product manager for FN’s Long Guns. “That’s the difference between an FN SCAR and other carbines; we are held to a higher standard than most, and failure is not an option for our nation’s most elite forces. With the semiauto FN SCAR 16S, 17S, and 20S, we hold the same standards of quality for these commercial variants. Adding the non-reciprocating charging handles allows SCAR to be even more adaptable, enhancing an already accurate and soft-shooting rifle. Shooting positions like urban prone, from a barrier, or with a CQC-style grip are made possible, and users can now run low-mount optics without interference.”

The legendary FN SCAR series takes root in its battle-proven lineage, adapted from USSOCOM’s newest battle rifle since the M4 entered service in the 1990s. The benchmark of reliability and versatility with its three variants, the FN SCAR 16S, SCAR 17S, and SCAR 20S are capable of consistent accuracy from their cold-hammer-forged and chrome-lined barrels and one-piece forged aluminum receiver, delivering precision fire with aid from its fully adjustable buttstock, low-flash gas regulator, and fast-handling characteristics uncommon in similar rifle platforms.

Booth #11860 (fnamerica.com)

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DAY 4, JANUARY 21, 2022

12/8/21 5:33 PM

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DAILY UPDATE

S

Service After Service

am Alexander is a veteran of the U.S. Army who served as a Green Beret (Special Forces). After returning home from the Army, he got a business degree to benefit his native tribe, the Gwich’in.

The Gwich’in are the northernmost Indian Nation living in fifteen small villages scattered across a vast area extending from northeast Alaska in the U.S. to the northern Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada.

Alexander started an adventure travel company, Latitude Six-Six, that would immerse travelers in “the full Alaska experience—seeing the land and the local native culture through native guides as well as through visiting local communities.”

After starting the company and being so-called “successful,” he noticed that his fellow veterans were really struggling with not only finding their own way to serve, but finding their passion for life post-service.

The mental challenges that veterans face are unimaginable, and the mental toll is unbearable for many on their own, so having access to proper healthcare is essential. Unfortunately, not everyone has easy access to the services they are promised post-service—especially those who live in remote areas, like Native Alaskan veterans. Many of these folks have to travel hours for a simple doctor’s visit. With such profound limitations, the result is veterans who do not prioritize their mental care and may be more prone to suicide.

Alexander believes that suicide prevention requires two components, the first of which is mental healthcare. He characterizes the second component like this: “Find your service after service.” In other words, these veterans need to find their obligation to and role within their community. “You must become a functional member of your society, whether that’s your job, family, kid’s sports team, neighborhood, or anything else in between,” he says.

It doesn’t need to be grand and elaborate operation, such as Alexander’s “service after service,” but it does need to allow a veteran to serve others. “Service combined with actively taking care of your mental health drastically decreases the chances of suicide and suicidal thoughts,” he says.

After service, many veterans experience feeling as if they are forgotten. These veterans have sacrificed for our country and stood on the front lines only to come home and not be able to access their well-deserved benefits. It’s time to step up to the plate and help our veteran’s voices

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 After serving in the U.S. Army, Sam Alexander founded Latitude Six-Six.  Latitude Six-Six seeks to immerse travelers in the “full Alaska experience.”

be heard. Who are we as citizens, and as a country, if we don’t help those who have helped us?

Mystery Ranch answered that call by partnering with Mission Roll Call, an organization dedicated to providing veterans with a powerful, unified voice that our nation’s leaders need to hear, to create a short film called “Niveh T’ah’in” (Warrior). This film is centered around Alexander’s transition from the U.S. Army to a life of taking care of Alaska by taking care of her

native people. It is a story of service, humility, and loyalty.

The folks at Mystery Ranch, a premium backpack manufacturer, say that if you have a story, message, or insight, to please get in touch with them so that they can help make your voice heard. There is an old proverb that says, “The tongue can paint what the eyes can’t see.” Thank you, or as Gwich’ins would say, “mahsi.”

Booth #31309 (mysteryranch.com)

Sam Alexander at home with his family.

DAY 4, JANUARY 21, 2022

12/8/21 5:34 PM

UA RIDGE REAPER® RAIDER KIT

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BOOTH: 10560

21UAR18642_SHOT Show Print Ads_v5.indd 4 Day4 Full Pages.indd 19

12/3/21 2:27 PM 12/8/21 4:40 PM

DAILY UPDATE

Leading The Charge

By Jodi Stemler

XS

Sights has led the charge in the Big Dot sight concept, in which a large, white-dot front sight is paired with a V-notch rear sight, allowing an unobstructed view of the front sight. These express sights provide quicker sight acquisition, particularly in mid- to low-light conditions. After 25 years, the industry-wide increase in the size of front sights shows the market’s adoption of the concept. And yet, government contracts and a significant segment of the consumer market favor a traditional notch-and-post sight system. XS wanted to engineer the best sight for this market by incorporating their core beliefs of offering superior products and service. So, in late 2017, XS introduced the F8 (Figure 8) Night Sights — personal-defense notchand-post sights that work in all light conditions and offer fast sight acquisition.

The F8 front sight features XS’s Glow Dot. This proprietary photoluminescent technology absorbs ambient light, making the dot glow in low-light levels. The wide-notch rear sight increases the visibility of the front sight by allowing more light around the sides of the front sight. There is a tritium vial in the rear sight as well, enabling quick and easy alignment with the front sight in various light conditions.

In 2018, the company increased production and made strategic investments in new equipment to increase the ability to provide high-quality products along with rapid turnaround to further enhance the XS customer experience. One way to enhance that experience was to introduce the second-generation Express Big Dot Night Sights — the DXT2 Big Dots.

Now available in two color options — Optic Yellow and Optic Orange — both are highly visible in brightlight and low-light conditions (with yellow having a slight advantage overall in low-light conditions).

Optic Yellow replaced XS’s traditional white, because it is the most visible color in low light before human color vision starts to decline. Optic Orange provides a high-contrast sight picture in bright light while still working within the yellow spectrum of light for good visibility in low light.

“Visible colors are determined by light absorption of an object and reflection to the eye,” says Kellie Brunn, who is in charge of business development.

“Our Glow Dot technology absorbs light, causing it to glow and reflect to the eye, even before the tritium vial is visible. This gives our customers a bigger, brighter front sight, increasing speed and accuracy when they need it most.”

New product development is an ongoing process, and in 2019 XS introduced R3D night sights with a

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traditional three-dot tritium notch-and-post sight picture. The rear sight of the R3D is blacked out to increase contrast against the front sight, which is available in bright orange or green. The brightly colored Glow Dot in the front sight is a much brighter color that differentiates the front tritium dot from the two rear tritium dots and draws the eyes to the front sight and downrange threat.

Fine-tuned for law enforcement use, R3D sights are purpose-driven tools that ensure front-sight visibility in any light. Other key features include a rearsight overhang that reduces glare in bright light for greater sight definition. The anti-reflective rear tritium lenses also reduce glare in daylight while increasing contrast against the front sight. R3D sights also have a rear-sight ledge to aid in one-handed slide manipulations.

“Gun fights don’t happen in perfect light or complete darkness,” says XS marketing manager Addison Monroe. “They happen in between these two broad spectrums, and, like all of our night sights, the R3D is optimized for fast and accurate target acquisition in varying light conditions. In a defensive shooting situation, this can make all the difference for law enforcement and civilians alike.”

The recent pandemic has caused a huge shift in sourcing raw materials worldwide. XS has worked with many U.S. suppliers for years, and this has given

the company a competitive advantage in challenging times. “The relationships we’ve built over the years have helped us keep materials on hand for our customers. We work directly with suppliers to maintain inventory and adjust to shifts in supply and demand,” says Brunn, “Demand has skyrocketed amid the pandemic, and we continue to work closely with partners to ensure we have steel, tritium, and other crucial raw materials on hand.”

In all, under the XS brand, the company carries three standard pistol-sight options: Express, F8, and 3-Dot sight pictures. They also make shotgun and rifle sights. Most recently, XS incorporated the Orange Ember Glow Dot in their XTI 2 DXS Ember Standard Dot 45-Degree Offset Iron Sights for AR-15 rifles. These second-generation sights are a closequarters secondary-sighting solution for rapid transition from a magnified primary optic. Eliminating the need to adjust magnification reduces target engagement time when every fraction of a second counts.

And the company continues to introduce line extensions of their night sights in standard and Suppressor/RMR Height models to meet the growing demand. “The interest is strong from both new and long-time gun owners,” says Monroe. “More and more people are seeing the advantages of night sights, and our sales reflect this.”

Booth #13624 (xssights.com)

 DXT2 Big Dot Night Sights are a good option for everyday carry.

 XS standard green dot sight at suppressor height.

DAY 4, JANUARY 21, 2022

12/8/21 5:34 PM

FIOCCHI HYPERFORMANCE Fiocchi’s Hyperformance ammo combines the latest in material and component technology with Old World craftsmanship to deliver cartridge performance seasoned hunters across the globe depend on. The Scirocco® Boat Tail Spitzer bullets ensure long-range accuracy and reliable terminal performance with every shot.

FUEL YOUR PASSION AT

FIOCCHIUSA.COM

Scirocco ® is a registered trademark of Swift Bullet Company.

Day4 Full Pages.indd 21

VISIT US AT BOOTH #11454

12/8/21 4:41 PM

2022 ACCESSORIES

by Slaton L. White

Accessories always pay off. Most won’t take up a lot of shelf space, but pound for pound, they deliver the goods at your register.

Here’s a look at what’s new this year.

AMERICAN TACTICAL

Rukx Gear Business Bag This laptop bag comes with a hidden pistol compartment. The bag holds tablets and laptops (up to a 16-inch display). There are nine interior pockets, three exterior pockets, and several pen holders. The durable mil-spec buckles and heavy-duty rustproof zippers can handle tough duty. A medium-frame holster is included. Available in black, smoke, and tan.

SRP: 69.95. Booth #72405 (americantactical.us)

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BLACKHAWK

Blackhawk is expanding the Stache IWB and T-Series L2C Overt holster lines so the pair will fit a wider selection of handguns. Among the new fits for the Stache IWB are the light-bearing Glock 43X and Glock48 (compatible with Streamlight TLR-7 Sub and SureFire XCS models). New fits for the T-Series L2C Overt include the SIG P320/P250 for left-handed shooters.

Constructed with impact-reinforced, injection-molded polymer, the Stache IWB has an ambidextrous design, a low-profile shirt guard, and optional concealment claws to reduce printing. This combination of features provides a greater level of stability when carried, as well as multiple options to match user preferences.

Likewise, the L2C Overt has been optimized for the tactical user’s needs.

The thumb-driven, dual-injection-molded holster comes standard with a new speed cut to assist with a faster draw while its low-profile design helps to reduce bulk and weight. In addition, the speed-cut design makes the L2C Overt optic compatible. The duty-rated holster can be canted at various angles, and its included leg-strap adapter pivots with the user’s natural body mechanics to increase stability and comfort. SRP: $39.95-$64.95, Stache IWB; $99.95, T-Series L2C Overt. Booth #42605 (blackhawk.com)

HAWK

Hawk, a leading name in elevated hunting stand and ground blind solutions, has developed a durable solution for trimming those hard-to-reach limbs and branches with the new Helium Pole Saw. The saw eliminates the problems hunters have historically had with portable saws intended for clearing brush around tree stands and ground blinds—specifically, flimsy telescoping extensions, loose clamping mechanisms, and weak saw blades. The new Helium Pole Saw takes an innovative approach to this invaluable field tool, combining strength and light weight to make short work of trimming shooting lanes and opening strategic stand locations.

Featuring sturdy yet lightweight aluminum pole sections, the saw uses progressive tensioning clamps to secure the pole sections at the desired length. The saws are offered in 10-foot (41 inches closed) and 14-foot (46 inches closed) versions and weigh 2.5 and 3.5 pounds, respectively. A soft-sleeve grip provides a positive purchase and maximum control when working tough branches.

Topping the Helium Pole Saw is an 11-inch SK5 high-carbon steel blade. The patented teeth design and black nitride, corrosion-resistant finish work to deliver long life and efficient cutting power. A plastic blade protector is included for safe field transport. SRP: $99.99-$129.99. Booth #12669 (hawkhunting.com)

HAZARD-4

The Pilbox Optics Tactical Pack is a new breed of rugged pack that protects optics, electronics, and firearms by marrying light molded-foam shells with extensive padding. The compartments will handle laptops, tablets, professional camera systems, drones, and accessories such as card readers. The abrasionresistant molded backpad conforms to the spine and effectively ventilates sweat.

The top shell has six spots for Hazard’s proprietary Hardpoint parts for optional attachment of loops, lights, bungee systems, and MOLLE panels.

The interior is lined with Velcro panels to allow expansion with pouches. It comes standard with Velcro ID patch holders and industrial YKK zippers. The exterior uses Cordura 1000D nylon. The reinforcing stitch pattern ensures lasting quality. SRP: $259.99. Booth #31103 (hazard4.com)

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PRODUCT FEATURE

ACCESSORIES

KICKS INDUSTRIES

Manufactured from 17-4PH stainless steel with a black finish, High Flyer extended and angle-ported choke tubes are designed specifically for the waterfowl hunter who uses steel shot or non-toxic loads. The conical parallel design improves the pattern, and the diagonal ports reduce felt recoil and muzzle jump for faster, more accurate follow-up shots. All chokes are externally marked and laser marked for quick identification.

In addition, no tools are needed for installation or removal. Available in 10-, 12-, and 20-gauge sizes in Improved Cylinder, Modified, Full, and XFull, High Flyer chokes will fit virtually any factory shotgun on the market today. Booth #42121 (kicks-ind.com)

LACROSSE

Combining the athletic fit and lightweight feel of the Alpha Agility boots along with nylon-and-neoprene uppers that feature a removable quilted liner and a chest zipper, the new Alpha Agility Select Waders are designed to provide flexible performance year-round. The upper portion consists of lightweight, breathable, and abrasion-resistant nylon. It is completely waterproof with double-stitched and taped seams. The liner is removable, and the Y-back suspenders comfortably allow for a wide range of movement. In addition, a convenient, waterproof tech pouch holds accessories, and the integrated neoprene stretch-fit shell loops accommodate a variety of shell sizes. The top can be lowered without removing suspenders for easy conversion from chest wader to pant wader.

The boots are hand-laid premium rubber over a 7mm neoprene core for flexible, waterproof comfort. A moisture-wicking and quick-drying polyester jersey liner helps improve comfort, as does 1,600 grams of Thinulate insulation for lightweight warmth. The specially formulated LXA midsole compound gives athletic shoe-like agility and cushion for all-day use. Sizes: 10-14 (king), 7-15 (regular), and 8-12 (stout). SRP: $650. Booth #15155 (lacrossefootwear.com)

PYRAMEX SAFETY PRODUCTS

Featuring a rugged half-frame design with anti-fog lens options, the new Drone 2.0 is the next level in vision protection for avid shooters and tactical operators. The lightweight half-frame style, adjustable rubberized nose piece, and stylish dual-injected temples of the Drone 2.0 deliver a secure and comfortable fit. In addition, the anti-fog, scratch-resistant lenses are UV rated, providing protection from harmful UVA/B/C rays.

Choose from two frame and anti-fog lens combinations to suit your style, environment, and shooting needs. The new Drone 2.0 is offered in a black or OD green frame with either clear or gray anti-fog lens options. The Drone 2.0 meets stringent MILPRF-32432 military ballistic high-velocity standards as well as ANSI Z87.1 for high-impact protection. SRP: $28.99. Booth #42113 (pyramexsafety.com)

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12/15/21 8:26 AM

STEALTH CAM

The GMAX32 No Glo trail cam has been designed to deliver the kind of high-resolution imagery and features modern hunters demand, but at a pleasing price-to-performance ratio. Users can select 32MP for maximum image quality or adjust recording resolutions to 16MP, 8MP, or 4MP to find the ideal balance of graphic quality and storage capacity. The 1080P HD video records at 30 fps and can be adjusted to record at 1080 or 720 resolutions to optimize storage or quality. New software innovations and a color TFT screen further enhance viewing of still images and videos.

To ensure crisp, clear imagery, the GMAX32 No Glo boasts a trigger speed of less than .4 second, and the flash system has an effective range of 100 feet for high-quality night-time performance. Powered by eight AA batteries or an optional external SOLPAK solar battery pack, the GMAX32 No Glo delivers top-shelf results at an affordable price. SRP: $139.99. Booth #12669 (stealthcam.com)

SWAGGER BIPODS

The Swagger Stalker QD42 bipod has an effective height-adjustment range of 14 to 42 inches and can go even lower by pivoting the bipod legs forward up to 45 degrees. This makes it an excellent shooting rest for young or small-statured hunters. The adjustable, telescoping legs are built with flexible joints that allow exceptional maneuverability, letting the hunter track a moving target and traverse over the landscape while simultaneously putting him or her in the ready position the moment that animal pops into view.

One of the primary features of the Stalker QD is its Quick Detach functionality. Attach the provided sling swivel adapter and you are ready to mount the QD42 to bolt-action guns, shotguns, muzzleloaders, or crossbows. The QD42 can also be attached to a Picatinny rail. You can easily remove each rubber foot to reveal spiked feet that dig into terrain for a steady rest. SRP: $129.99. Booth #43356 (swaggerbipods.com)

TRULOCK CHOKES

As turkey hunters move beyond 12- and 20-gauge shotguns for turkeys, Trulock Chokes is keeping pace with two new small-bore TSS (Tungstun Super Shot) choke lines for 2022. In 28gauge, Trulock will now offer chokes designed to fit the Beretta Optima HP, Franchi Instinct, Mossberg SA/08, and Tri-Star. Later in the year, Trulock will offer a 28-gauge choke for Yildz shotguns. New designs in .410 include Browning Invector Plus, Mossberg 500, and Remington.

Tri-Star and Yildz .410 chokes will be available later in the year. All Trulock TSS chokes have been designed and manufactured to give optimum pattern density with Tungsten Super Shot.

Trulock Chokes also come with an unconditional 60-day satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty against failure. Booth #14041 (trulockchokes.com)

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MODERN TECHNOLOGY FOR HUNTERS AND SHOOTERS

Modern Technology for Hunters and Shooters

Technology is evolving rapidly, and that’s a major benefit to firearm and outdoor enthusiasts.

by Brad Fitzpatrick

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12/15/21 8:28 AM

iStockPhotos/Fly View Productions

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MODERN TECHNOLOGY FOR HUNTERS AND SHOOTERS

T

echnology has reinvented the way we navigate through life. From GPS in cars to video doorbells and remote video meetings for work, there’s no facet of our day-to-day lives that has not been altered by some form of computer technology, and there’s no sign that the trend will change in the future.

Hunting and shooting sports have also been impacted by the current wave of brand-new technology that’s on the market. Today’s shooters and hunters have a broad range of products that can help improve their performance at the range and in the field. And the newest technology isn’t just limited to ballistic products, either. There is a whole host of related products that help us pattern game more effectively and even protect our hearing while amplifying sounds specific to the game we’re hunting. Sound to good to be true? It’s not. Here’s a close look at four of the latest high-tech hunting and shooting products.

TRIJICON VENTUS

Ranging a target and determining the proper holdover in MILs or MOA has become commonplace, but judging wind has always been more of an art than a science. That is, until Trijicon introduced the ground-breaking Ventus. The handheld Ventus is capable of wind mapping out to 500 yards, thanks to its Doppler LIDAR engine, providing readings of headwind, tailwind, vertical wind, and crosswind out to 500 yards.

How does it work? The Ventus utilizes a collimated laser, and as particulate matter in the air reflects laser energy back to the unit it calibrates wind speed at specific locations, providing fast and accurate wind readings at various distances.

In addition to its wind-mapping capabilities, the Ventus is able to range objects out to 5,000 yards. Despite all of its high-tech features the unit is easy to operate using the control buttons, and you can link the Ventus to the Trijicon app on your phone. Is it cheap? Not even close, but the Ventus is an evolutionary step forward in ballistic technology. SRP: $8,000. Booth # 10735 (trijicon.com)

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BUSHNELL DS 4K TRAIL CAMERA

When I was a poor college student I had to use a trail camera for my research projects (and hunting projects) that used 35mm film. The photos were grainy, often blurred, and didn’t capture accurate images of animals in poor light conditions. My, how things have changed. Today’s trail cameras will beam images right to your phone in real time and provide much better image quality than what was available just a few years ago.

But taking good images and video at night and in the daytime has been a challenge—at least until now.

Bushnell has introduced its new DS 4K Trail Camera, and it has the potential to change the industry. The “DS” stands for dual sensor; that’s because the Bushnell has two separate sensor systems (one for daytime, one nighttime). That allows for vivid color 4K video and superb still shots around the clock and no more guessing whether or not what you’re seeing is an extra tine or the glow of ultra-bright infrared light on a buck’s antlers. With a range of 150 feet, .2-second trigger time, and .6-second recovery time you’ll get extraordinarily clear images with this camera, even if the animal is moving. Using a trail camera for security purposes? It will provide maximum detail and help capture crooks. SRP: $249. Booth #42605 (bushnell.com)

DAY 4, JANUARY 21, 2022

12/15/21 8:28 AM

GARMIN XERO S-1 TRAPSHOOTING TRAINER

For years shotgunners have faced the challenge of knowing why they missed a target on the trap range. Coaches can help, but without being able to see impacts it’s tough to accurately determine why you aren’t connecting with a clay target. The Xero S-1 from Garmin has changed that. This portable, compact radar-operated trainer tracks misses, calculates reaction times, and measures distance to target — all key data pieces that will help shooters improve their performance.

The 5-inch touch screen is easy to access, and the Xero S-1 tracks shooting histories to help improve performance. You can also connect the Garmin wirelessly to your phone using the Xero S app, which catalogs your shots and can help you quickly address the issues behind all those missed targets. With the rapidly increasing popularity of Scholastic Clay Target programs across the country the Xero S-1 is quickly becoming a must-have item for youth teams as well as competitive trap shooters, upland hunters, and recreational shooters. SRP: $999.

Booth #41755 (garmin.com)

GUNWERKS REVIC BR4

The new Revic BR4 is equipped with the new Revic solver with wind and earthbased effects that allow you to shoot accurately out to great distances, thanks to its ultra-fast correction readout in MILs, MOA, or Gunwerks’ exclusive Shoot-ToRange with BDC turrets. The display provides critical data for making tough shots, and the improved ranging tools offer target discrimination and a new longrange mode. It’s easy to program the system using your attached Bluetooth device, and Gunwerks also offers Over the Air Update protocols to provide shooters with the latest updates.

Other key features include a maximum effective range to 4,000 yards, an onboard ballistic solver, 10x magnification, and 10 on-board profile capacity. The unit weighs just 10 ounces, measures 4.85 inches long, and runs on a CR2 battery, so it’s roughly the same size as a traditional rangefinder yet so much more capable.

Like other Gunwerks products, the Revic BR4 is a sophisticated machine that’s designed to allow shooters to hit targets at extended ranges right out of the box.

SRP: $1,249. Booth #72233 (gunwerks.com)

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SHOW SCENES AND PEOPLE

unting task, t can be a da tive Equipmen ader in the ec le ot a Pr en al be on has Creating Pers th #20227) oo in its (B e e id tiv pr s ec ke Ot e company ta but Busch PR 40 years. Th instance, the r an th Fo . e ns or m tio r lu field fo stom so allowing the n and build cu ect System, ability to desig e Speed Conn th ories in the pt ss ce ce ac n ac r CMR-1 rail ca bles, and othe di an m out a custom s, or kit to of vis or the ability attachment at ns. er op an s tiple operatio sign give n across mul field. This de ide protectio ov pr ill w at helmet th

NSSF’s La wrence G. Keane, Seni and Gener or Vice Pre al Counsel sident of G , hosted Th afternoon. overnmen e Governo The govern t Relations rs’ Forum at ors spoke and Public efforts to at SHOT Sho about the Affairs tract firearm w 2022 W importance ednesday and ammun related bu of the firea sinesses to ition-related rm in du th st ry eir state ec businesses to their stat “This was onomies. , and the be e, a unique op nefits of fir of the firea portunity to earmrm industry hear direct to their stat ly from seve shows, bu e,” Keane sa ral governor t we wante id. “NSSF ha d to be ab s of the im why they w le to give ea portance s hosted go ant to brin ch of the go vernors in g this grow previous vernors an ing and vibr opportunity ant indust to talk abou ry to their st t ates.”

FIREARM INDUSTRY INDUCTS SIX LEADERS INTO NSSF HALL OF FAME The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearm industry, honored six new inductees to its Hall of Fame at the 2022 SHOT Show, recognizing them for their vision and leadership in strengthening the industry and expanding the shooting sports. Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO, and Robert Scott, Chairman of the NSSF Board of Governors, highlighted the contributions of five men and one woman in remarks made at the NSSF Members Meeting yesterday at the SHOT Show.

“Honoring past leaders and their accomplishments, while at the same time keeping our focus on the future, is something we all should do. Our industry, our products, our shooting and hunting activities, and our past leaders are part of America’s story and heritage. They deserve respect and praise,” said Bartozzi.

No Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place in 2021 when SHOT Show was conducted virtually due to the pandemic, so this year’s ceremony included Hall of Fame classes of three each for 2021 and 2022.

The 2021 class of inductees to the NSSF Hall of Fame are Jack Durrett, Gerald “Jerry” Bersett, and Arlen Chaney. Durrett was a long-time firearm industry leader and member and Chairman of the NSSF Board of Governors during a critical and challenging time in industry history. Bersett was President of Winchester, President and COO with Sturm, Ruger & Co., and President of the Blount Sporting Equipment Group. Arlen Chaney served on the NSSF Board of Governors and was on the original SHOT Show-creation committee. He also nurtured the NSSF’s “Hunters Pay for Conservation” program that was distributed to over 100,000 schools.

The 2022 class of inductees to the NSSF Hall of Fame are Alan Mossberg, Sue King, and JB Hodgdon. Mossberg served as the President of O.F. Mossberg & Sons for more than half a century.

Sue King spent decades enthusiastically promoting women’s shooting, and her efforts helped lay the groundwork for the extraordinary growth of women’s participation seen today. JB Hodgdon has continued the legacy of Hodgdon Powder Company started by his father and helped grow it into the preeminent supplier of gunpowder and replica blackpowder for handloading and muzzleloading enthusiasts.

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REMINGTON ADDS BRAND AMBASSADOR Remington Ammunition is adding YouTuber and avid outdoorsman Adam Wies (a.k.a. “Who Tee Who”) to Team Remington’s growing roster of brand ambassadors. Wies will use his following to showcase Remington Ammunition’s ability to perform in different unique tests on his YouTube Channel.

“Adam’s everything we’re looking for in an ambassador,” says marketing director Joel Hodgdon.

“His channel’s reach and fan base will give Remington Ammunition a new platform. After he came to the factory, met the team, and shot our stuff, this was an opportunity we knew we couldn’t miss out on.”

Wies has cultivated a massive following on his YouTube Channel as he showcases his love of guns and being outdoors. His unique approach to ammunition testing and his family-friendly videos appeal to his southern, hunting-focused audience. Fans can watch as Wies pushes Big Green ammunition to the limit in a variety of videos.

“Joining Team Remington has been incredible,” says Wies. “After working with Joel and his team, I feel confident that I’m in the right place. I’m excited to put Big Green to good use and showcase the brand to my subscribers.”

Booth #11838 (remington.COM)

TRULOCK CHOKE TUBES GET SMALL George Trulock began manufacturing chokes in 1981 to solve the dilemma of creating a choke system that could be retrofitted into most shotgun barrels without the use of an adapter or machine tools. His final design launched the Tru-Choke-style choke tube in 1982. Since then, this proprietary system has been adopted by several shotgun manufacturers as OEM and copied by a number of aftermarket choke makers. Trulock now stocks approximately 2,000 different choke part numbers and has come a long way from his first piece of production equipment, a Warner and Swasey No. 2 turret lathe.

Trulock Chokes has grown from a one-man show to a company that now employs 30 people producing products 24 hours a day, five days per week. Trulock Chokes is still a family-owned business with George’s sons, Scott and Jerrod, a vital part of the management team.

At the 2022 SHOT Show the company will be showcasing a new line of small-bore TSS turkey chokes for 2022, specifically in .410 and 28 gauge.

“The entire team at Trulock Choke Tubes is looking forward to exhibiting at SHOT Show and getting back out to meeting folks in person to demonstrate why our product lines of choke tubes are the best on the market,” says Trulock. “Our new line of small-bore TSS turkey chokes have been designed and manufactured to give optimum pattern density with Tungsten Super Shot.”

The new designs in 28 gauge include Beretta Optima HP, Franchi Instinct, and Mossberg SA/08. The new designs in .410 bore include, Browning Invector Plus, Mossberg 500, and Remington. SRP: starts at $55.99. All Trulock Chock Tubes come with an unconditional 60-day satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty against failure.

Booth #14041 (trulockchokes.COM)

REAL AVID UNVEILS PRO SHOP PROGRAM With their largest and most interactive display booth to date, Real Avid is inviting SHOT Show attendees to see firsthand how they are igniting the Gun DIY market with their most innovative products to date. They are also rolling out a new Pro Shop Program that is available to both new and existing dealers.

“We couldn’t be more excited to attend,” says president Dave Steiner. “As expected, not only do we have innovative in-demand Gun DIY product additions, but our new Pro Shop Program is changing the way our dealer partners look at their cleaning, tool, and accessory categories within their store. This has been one of the biggest store revenue game changers to hit firearm retail in a very long time, and we can’t wait to show it to everyone.”

Booth #70823 (realavid.COM)

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by robert FIVEa sadowski MINUTES

WITH ...

In a 14-year tenure with Remington, he held various positions in product management, brand management, product development, and ultimately served as the senior vice president and general manager of the firearms business unit.

He has a B.S. in Business Administration with a marketing concentration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an MBA with a finance concentration from Wake Forest University. Trull is also a board member of the recently announced Vista Outdoor Foundation.

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

John trull: We as an industry are all very

John Trull, Vista Outdoor vice president of product management of ammunition.

A Path for the Future Steering Remington Ammunition back to profitability requires the steady hand of an industry veteran.

P

rior to joining the Vista team, John Trull served as the senior vice president of sales for Remington Outdoor Company. With more than 20 years of experience in the hunting and shooting sports industry, he has held a variety of roles in different industry segments. Before returning to Remington in March 2020, those roles included executive vice president for Davidson’s and CEO of Hunters Specialties.

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much aware of the many challenges we face on the political, legislative, and social perception front. While all these issues are paramount and we must continue to align ourselves to address them, none of those matter without a solid plan to address the one fundamental aspect we all share, which is expanding the base of those who buy and consume our products. As our traditional customer base continues to age, we must be out in front of recruitment of new participants and the retention of the millions of new shooters that we have gathered in 2020 and 2021. The new shooters we have gained do not fit the historical paradigm of what we as an industry are accustomed to. Many of them do not come from a background in the hunting and shooting sports community. There is more diversity than we have seen before. We need to engage those that make up the future of our industry, listen to them and be responsive to their needs. We must work to provide education and access to those who need it. Simply put, we cannot be complacent. We must be proactive and create sustainable, long-term growth opportunities and not let surges in demand dictate whether we have good years or tough years.

It is up to us as an industry to chart a path for the future.

SD: What opportunities do you see? jt: Every challenge presents an opportunity. An estimated 8.5 to 9 million new shooters have joined us since the onset of the pandemic; we have a tremendous opportunity and a responsibility to reach out to these new gun owners and meet their needs. Very seldom in a mature market does the “pie” get larger. As we cultivate these new shooters and welcome them as engaged participants, there is a great opportunity for them to reach others in an extension of their network.

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by slaton l . white

SD: When you get up in the morning, what gets you excited about working in the industry? jt: We are fortunate to work in an industry

that is also a passion. How many people can say that? I guess some folks get excited about corrugated boxes or shampoo, but not me. I am thankful that I can be engaged in a business that is a part of who I am as a hunter and a shooter.

Sometimes we all need to remind ourselves of just how fortunate we are to work in such a fantastic industry filled with genuinely good people.

SD: How will you meet the expectations of your customers? jt: By listening to them. Sometimes that is a

lost art. Stop talking and listen to what your customers are telling you. Understand the challenges and problems they face and work to bring forth creative, innovative, and substantive solutions.

SD: How are you going about rebuilding the Remington Ammo brand? jt: The fantastic thing about the Remington

brand is that the brand is not broken. Yes, Remington has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years, but the brand itself is truly iconic and ingrained in our country’s history. Our customers, fans, and followers are amazingly loyal and already helping us on our way back.

Many ask about the future of the brand under Vista Outdoor. I guess their concern is that the brand will be diluted somehow. That simply is not the case. We have dedicated resources on the marketing, brand, product management, and R&D side of the business to ensure that Remington has its own swagger and stays true to the Remington brand promise and identity.

Our primary focus now is to bring much needed capital and human resources to the business to ramp production back to where it should be.

We are making great strides and the results are evident. Of course, in this current market environment where demand far outpaces supply across the industry, that is difficult to see.

Nonetheless, it is happening. It is great to see Core-Lokt coming off the line at levels we have not seen in quite some time. Our new product roadmaps are coming together nicely with exciting introductions planned over the coming years. So, the focus is not so much on rebuilding the brand. The brand is solid. We are focusing on the blocking and tackling required to delight our customers with plenty of product on the

shelves and delivering new solutions to the market. Rem Oil and other gun-care products will be returning to the shelves very soon. I am also pleased to say that Remington will be continuing the tradition of the Bullet Knife in 2021, and one may not have to look too far out in the future to see a full line of Remington cutlery returning to the market.

In addition, we have a renewed focus on licensing with the Remington brand. We have spent time polling our consumers and our customers and this has just reinforced the elasticity of the brand into categories that we refer to as “360 degrees around the campfire.” We have engaged and signed up many new partners in a short period of time. In 2022 consumers will find coolers, ground blinds, nostalgic swag, branded apparel, technical hunting apparel, as well as many other categories, all proudly showcasing the Remington brand.

SD: How is Remington Ammo re-connecting with its retailer base? What are these retailers telling you?

jt: We have in my opinion, the most profes-

sional sales force in the industry, and I mean that in all sincerity. These folks are absolutely buttoned up. The relationships they have with our accounts, ranging from the largest of large retailers to the dealer, are second to none.

Incorporating Remington into that mix has created synergies one could only imagine, and our retailers are responding with tremendous enthusiasm.

This is one of those situations where two plus two truly equals five. When our sales team calls on an account, they bring an assortment that no one else has with Remington Ammunition and Accessories, Federal, CCI, Blazer, Speer, Estate, Hevi-Shot, and a full assortment from Vista’s Hunt/Shoot business. You name it in the world of ammunition and accessories, and we pretty much have it all right at the retailer’s fingertips.

It really is a fantastic value proposition.

Booth #42605

(remington.com)

Core-Lokt is now coming off the line at levels not seen in quite some time.

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ON THE

MOVE Lipsey’s continues to raise the bar

by Robert F. Staeger

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ON THE MOVE

H

ow does a nearly 70-yearold enterprise stay relevant and vibrant? For Lipsey’s, a Louisiana-based firearm distributor founded in 1953, it means honoring its past while moving steadily into the future. For example, at one time the distributor’s tagline had been “Same Day Shipping.” That may have been accurate

back in the day of Railway Express Agency (the ubiquitous green trucks seen across the nation many years ago), but it was hardly awe-inspiring as more nimble competitors such as UPS and FedEx came of age. So, when the company celebrated its 50th anniversary, it retired “Same Day Shipping” for something more expansive and aspirational: “Aim Higher.” The company incorporated the new tagline into its old logo, and it served them well for another 10 years.

But when the company reached 60, company president Laurie Aronson recognized it was time for another change.

“We’re a progressive, forward-moving company, and our company had changed so much over the years,” says Aronson. Aronson’s a third-generation Lipsey and has been with her family’s company for almost three decades. “Technology was really a very big part of branding for us. We wanted our brand mark to show velocity and speed — not just to reflect our website, but the other technology that we offer to our customers, and to our salespeople internally.”

The new logo, a sleek capital L in a stylized gun sight, speaks to not just the company’s trade partners, but also the end consumer. “I think overall we have, as an industry, really started to come to the here and the now,” says Aronson. “That’s what it reflected. We wanted something fresh and fun. We decided on something in that gunmetal gray, reflective of the products that we carry.”

“We really just wanted it to reflect our new customer,” says Aronson. “Our business was built on the hunting business; it’s part of our heritage.

We’re still in the hunting market, of course, but the product mix of what we sell has changed so much. Pistols have become a very big part of our business. Our new logo shows that we’re a forward-moving company. I mean that in terms of our product knowledge, our product offering, our exclusives, and our technology.”

 Company President Laurie Lipsey Aronson says the mix of products Lipsey's sells has changed over the years to reflect changes in the market.

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“‘Aim Higher’ is something that we strive for personally and professionally. We love that it has so many meanings; we use that term internally all the time. And who knows? In the future, we may have other plans for ‘Aim Higher.’”

Aiming higher certainly applies to the company’s personnel decisions. Aronson maintains that putting the right people in the right positions is key to the company’s success. “There’s no doubt that what I’m most proud of, in looking around, is the team we’ve built here,” she says.

“When we bring people into our community, we really do screen them carefully to make sure that they’re a good fit with our Lipsey’s culture — that desire to do the things as we do and to serve our customer the way they should be served. We’ve really built a team with a skill set that I think doesn’t even compare to others in the industry,” says Aronson.

“We’re really good at building relationships. Not just with our customers, but with our vendors and other industry professionals. You can say the name Lipsey’s to anyone in the industry, and they’re not going to

A i m H i g h e r i s s o m e t h i n g t h at w e s t r i v e f o r p e r s o n a l ly a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l ly.

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A key aspect of Lipsey's continued success is the Lipsey's Exclusive Program with select manufacturers.

Here, a Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper in .22LR with the birdshead gripframe.

have just heard of us, but they’ll know someone at the company.”

And with a venerable family-owned company like Lipsey’s, those relationships sometimes go back generations. “If you look at the manufacturers, there are several family businesses in the firearms manufacturing business. Then I look at my customer base, and again, there are some customers that have been doing business with me for 30 or 40 years, and some of them are on their second or third generations. So, what you see is a nice trend of family sticking together, and younger generations stepping in where either their father or grandfather left off. We’ve got several generations of people who started out here all those years ago, and that’s something we’d like to continue.”

But while relationships keep the door open, it’s important to open the door to new business as well.

“Obviously there are other people in the industry who are selling the exact same products as we are,” says Aronson. “So we can only differentiate ourselves either by exclusives or in service.”

“Service, hands down, we’ve got that,” she says. “I don’t feel like there’s a lot of competition in that area, because our salespeople really do form relationships.

Our customers have become our friends over the years, and no doubt we take care of our customers very well.”

The right product mix is crucial, however, and Lipsey’s spices it up by offering a number of appeal-

ing exclusives. “We’re one of the few distributors that actually puts out several exclusives during the year, and they’ve just been gangbusters,” says Aronson. “We’ve had pistols on the cover of magazines before, and they’ll say ‘Lipsey’s new exclusive.’

Not ‘Ruger’s New Flattop,’ but ‘Lipsey’s New Flattop.’ So the consumer is starting to get to know the Lipsey’s name.”

In 1993, Lipsey’s moved its operations from downtown Baton Rouge to the present-day location in south Baton Rouge. The new location allowed Lipsey’s to increase warehouse space, and it also provided more offices for its admin and sales teams. In 2005, Lipsey’s expanded its facilities once again, and in 2014, the company built a new 83,000-square-foot distribution center — more than triple its previous space. At present, Lipsey’s is expanding its warehouse capacity by 50%.

Moving forward, Lipsey’s continues to focus on growth. “We continue to pick up new lines, and we continue to offer excellent customer service.” she says. “Our exclusive offerings are stronger than ever.”

And for 2022? SHOT Show attendees will see a new booth, one that has doubled in size. The company is also exploring a few new categories to add to the mix. It is also investing in more warehouse equipment to make its operations even more efficient.

It is often said that leaders lead. True. They also don’t stand still, no matter how sterling their accomplishments.

“You can’t become complacent,” says Aronson.

“We have to keep thinking of ways to improve the service we provide to customers, find a different product mix to offer them. We’ve got to be thinking all the time, even when times are really good. I hate the phrase, ‘Just keep doing what you’re doing.’

That’s a sure way to close your business. Something may have been a hit, but now what? What’s the next thing?”

Aronson also notes that one of the drivers of Lipsey’s success is the strength of its team. “I’m so energized and proud of our team for their extraordinary efforts that go into the everyday environment at our company,” she says. “Our culture is strong, and it creates a positive work setting.” Booth #11638 (lipseyes.com)

Another example of Lipsey's Exclusive Program is the Lipsey's Sig Sauer P365 NRA 9mm in Coyote Tan.

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BEST OF BOTH

WORLDS Federal’s Terminal Ascent combines match-grade accuracy with all-range performance.

by Slaton L. White

M

any ammo companies have the talent and experience to build fast-expanding bullets for hunting big game. And many of these same companies can also create sleek, accurate, match-grade bullets for long-range target shooting. But creating a bullet that can do both is a good deal more complicated.

Federal, however, decided the effort to create just such a product would be worth it.

It was a tall order, sure, but the company didn’t exactly start from scratch. Why should it? Not when it had years of experience creating such successful designs as Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, Trophy Bonded Tip, and Edge TLR. Federal took the lessons learned in developing those time-tested bullets and then poured all that knowledge and experience into creating what it believes to be its best hunting bullet to date — Terminal Ascent. The new Terminal Ascent blends the features of top match-style bullet designs with the high weight retention, deep pen-

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etration, and lethal terminal performance, both up close and at extreme distances, of superior hunting ammo.

The foundation of Terminal Ascent’s performance rests on three pillars: a solid-shanked and bonded bullet construction; AccuChannel grooving; and the Slipstream polymer tip. Let’s take a quick look at each.

A bonded bullet has a lead core bonded to the copper jacket around that core. A solid shank means the bullet has a thick, solid copper base at the bottom of the bullet to support that lead core. And this, in turn, means the bullet retains its weight downrange for deep penetration. Furthermore, a large hollow cavity in the bullet nose, along with exterior jacket skiving, further aids expansion and penetration. Such penetration often means the difference between hitting a deer or elk and having it go down or having the wounded animal run off where it can’t be recovered.

Like many versatile bullets, Terminal Ascent features grooving along the shank to improve accuracy across a range of rifles. These grooves also help decrease barrel wear and fouling. But such grooves typically cause aerodynamic drag to the point where the bullet experiences

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more drop and wind drift while in flight. Federal’s great leap forward here, though, is that its AccuChannel groove technology — accomplished through meticulous experimentation in the number, location, and configuration of the grooves — achieves these goals with only a minimal increase in drag.

The patent-pending polymer Slipstream Tip could be considered Terminal Ascent’s piece de resistance. A small cavity runs the length of the shank all the way up to just below the point itself. That point breaks free upon impact, allowing fluid to enter the hollow core, where it generates pressure and easy expansion, even at low velocities. The Slipstream Tip’s hollow core sets it apart from all other polymer tips on the market — but it’s also unique in its high resistance to the elevated temperatures a bullet experiences during flight.

Federal engineers arrived at the unique design after extensive testing of other tipped bullets. They learned these tipped bullets failed to expand consistently at distances past about 600 yards. Obviously, a new approach was needed to ensure all-range performance. The inspiration came when the Federal engineering team drilled a hole through the center of the tip. Upon impact, that hole would allow target media into the front end of the bullet to initiate expansion. When the engineers tested

that concept, they found it to be an elegant solution that worked perfectly by extending the performance range by a few hundred yards.

In addition to the AccuChannel and Slipstream Tip, Federal engineers incorporated other important features to boost ballistic coefficient, delivering flat trajectories and less wind drift. Finally, Terminal Ascent also features nickel plating that resists corrosion while providing hunters with ammo that will run smoothly through their rifles. The end result is a package capable of delivering accuracy and reliability both at close ranges (higher velocity) and at long ranges (lower velocity). And since it will expand reliably at even a low velocity of 1,400 fps, the bullet will appeal to hunters using shorter-barrel rifles or hunting handguns.

“It’s true that this new ammunition was initially designed with long-range shooting in mind.

However, retailers need to know and understand that the engineers who created Terminal Ascent accomplished this goal without sacrificing shortrange performance. The result is simply the best all-range, all-velocity hunting ammunition available,” says Federal Ammunition centerfire rifle product manager Eric Miller. “Its design outperforms everything else in the vast Federal catalog

 The design of Terminal Ascent's bullet allows it to expand easily, even at low velocities.

of options. In our opinion, it also outperforms our competition’s best hunting loads.”

Federal clearly believes Terminal Ascent stands alone in the marketplace, and Miller stresses that

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© 2021 Umarex USA, Inc.

DAY 4, JANUARY 21, 2022

12/8/21 4:54 PM

The NSSF®

Range-Retailer Business Expo™ JULY 11-13, 2022 NEW ORLEANS, LA

A must-attend event for all industry stakeholders Load up on ideas and insights through educational tracks to advance your business.

Build and strengthen your industry networks as you explore the EXPO floor and tap into exhibitors’ latest product innovations, services and show specials!

EDUCATION

NETWORKING

PRODUCT INNOVATION

Join Us for the Firearm Industry’s Mid-Year Event Like No Other!

Registration Coming Soon. Learn More at NSSF.ORG/EXPO

If you have any questions, contact Zach Snow, zsnow@nssf.org or 203-426-1320 ext. 224

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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

retailers should emphasize that when talking with customers about ammo choices.

“In a marketplace filled with competitor loads that make tradeoffs, such as sacrificing shortrange terminal performance for long-range expansion or toughness for accuracy, Terminal Ascent does it all,” he says. “That versatility may be its greatest asset.”

Federal’s goal was to produce a target-grade match bullet that had best-in-class terminal performance. Does the company believe it met that objective?

“Not only did we reach that goal, we even surpassed our expectations on the overall performance of the bullet,” says Miller. “We take a lot of pride in this bullet, and we will continue to expand the lineup into new calibers and heavier-grain bullets where we can.” The new line of ammunition is available in 11 cartridge options, including 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win., .308 Win., and .30-06 Spring. Booth #42605 (federalpremium.com)

 The polymer Slipstream Tip point, which breaks free upon impact, was specially configured for this new cartridge.

Your Fight Is Our Fight

PRESERVING OUR VALUES

PROTECTING OUR RIGHTS

SUPPORTING YOUR FIREARM BUSINESS

From the largest manufacturers to the smallest retailers, NSSF® fights to preserve our legacy and secure our future as a critical member of American industry. We fight with resources that promote legal gun ownership. We fight with initiatives that educate the public about responsible firearm ownership and safe participation in hunting and the shooting sports.

And we fight on Capitol Hill and in state capitols nationwide—right alongside you—to ensure your ability to operate as a lawful and important business in your community is not infringed.

NSSF.ORG/ MEMBERSHIP

DON’T STAND ON THE SIDELINES. JOIN THE FIGHT BY JOINING NSSF TODAY. NSSFPatriot_halfpage.indd 1

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YOUR VOICE IN WASHINGTON NSSF PAC is the only political action committee solely dedicated to representing the collective interests of the firearms and ammunition industry.

Its purpose is simple: to support candidates for federal office who understand and promote the interests of the firearms and ammunition industry, protect the Second Amendment and preserve our hunting and shooting sports traditions.

NSSF PAC is your best protection against harmful legislation in Washington.

For more information, contact PAC Director Liza White at 202-220-1340 x206 or email LWhite@nssf.org.

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YOU SHOULD CONCEALED CARRY GEAR

STOCK First-time buyers of concealed carry guns often are overwhelmed at the number of accessories out there. That's where you come in.

by T. Logan Metesh

O

ver the past two years somewhere between 6 million and 7 million new gun owners have joined our ranks. And a recent NSFF survey of firearm retailers showed that approximately 3.2 million people purchased a firearm for the first time during the first half of 2021. Many of these new owners have little, if

any, shooting experience. Being a first-time concealed carry gun buyer can be a lot to take in. Not counting the gun, there is a lot of gear to consider: belts, holsters, safe storage, sights, lights — the list goes on and on. To say that it can be overwhelming would be an understatement. Here are some items you can stock to help ease the anxiety of your customers.

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CONCEALED CARRY GEAR

BELTS

First and foremost, most customers are going to need a belt — and a good one, at that. Remember: If your pants won’t stay up, then it doesn’t matter what gun you’re carrying or the holster you’re using.

You’ll never steer someone wrong by recommending a quality leather belt like the ones offered

by Galco (Booth #11260), 1791 Gunleather (Booth #75517), Crossbreed Holsters (Booth #70428), or any other high-end leather companies out there.

With that said, there are also very good reinforced nylon web belts, such as those offered by Nexbelt (Booth #42622) out there, too. Be sure to remind customers that the belt will need to be longer than a normal belt — usually by 4 inches or so — to accommodate an IWB holster. They also need to consider the width of the slots on their holster when choosing the width of their belt, or vice versa.

The open top design of the Galco Combat Master offers a swift draw and presentation while detailed molding provides secure retention.

HOLSTERS

Now that you’ve recommended a good belt, it’s time for a holster. If your customer doesn’t already know, explain to them the pros and cons of IWB and OWB options, as those will likely be the most popular choices. It’s also a good idea to explain the pros and cons of leather and Kydex, too. The Combat Master from Galco is a solid

OWB leather option, and the Pocket Rocket from Crossbreed is good for someone who carries a small pistol but doesn’t want something on their belt. The ballistic-nylon Variable 87 from DeSantis (Booth #10967) is also worth mentioning.

Just as it can be overwhelming to the consumer to see all the options on the market, it can be the same for you when deciding what to stock.

Don’t try to carry everything; pick a few brands you know and trust and learn their catalogs.

SAFE STORAGE

 DeSantis Variable 87 IWB holster

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Remind your customer that even if their concealed carry gun is the only one they own, it should still be securely stored when they’re not wearing it. If they’re new to guns, they might think of a gun safe as being some gigantic bank vault–type structure. Instead, show them various one-gun and/or biometric options, and stress the importance of owning some kind of safe-storage device, even if they live alone or have no kids. You can’t go wrong recommending safes from Vaultek (Booth #41935), Hornady (Booth #12438), or the Browning Pistol Vault Portable. (Booth #10938).

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 Crimson Trace Rail Master

You need to make the customer u n d e r s ta n d t h at h av i n g a l a s e r on the gun is not the same as k n o w i n g h o w t o s h o o t p r o p e r ly.

SIGHTS

If a customer has spent a whole lot of time on the internet, they’ll probably want to upgrade to the latest and greatest sights on the market, whether that means tritium night sights, bioluminescents, or something else altogether. I’d suggest they shoot the gun for a few sessions and get a feel for it before determining that they need/want new sights. Remember, good sights do not equal good

 Browning Pistol Vault Portable

shooting. Then, when they’re ready to upgrade, you can make recommendations. Good options here include XS Sights (Booth #13624) and the HD XR line from Trijicon (Booth #10735).

LIGHTS AND LASERS

Much as with the sights situation, stress the importance of your customer getting to know their gun first. You also want to make sure they understand that having a laser on the gun is not the same as knowing how to shoot properly just because the laser is on the target.

Once they understand this — and that they may require a different holster to accommodate the addition of a laser — you can start making laser and light recommendations.

Crimson Trace is a good one-stop shop since it offers lights, lasers, combos, and a variety of attachment locations. The Rail Master Tactical Light is a universal-fit option, so it can be swapped between many kinds of guns if the customer decides to change their carry gun. This helps save some money by not having a bunch of model-specific products. Be sure customers understand any accessory attached to the rail of a handgun will necessitate a specific holster that accommodates it.

On the other hand, Crimson Trace’s Lasergrips provide intuitive activation and don’t require a special holster (Booth #12427).

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THE

SWEET SPOT

Springfield Armory breaks into the hunting market with the Waypoint 2020 bolt-action rifle.

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by Brian McCombie

irearms from Springfield Armory have a well-earned reputation for quality and performance among handgun and MSR-platform customers. But in 2020 the Geneseo, Illinois-based manufacturer launched itself into a completely new market segment with the Model 2020 Waypoint, Springfield’s first boltaction hunting rifle in the modern era. “We recognized that Springfield Armory, while

extremely well-known in the self-defense community, was relatively absent in the hunting firearms market,” says Steve Kramer, vice president of marketing for Springfield Armory. “The fact is that Springfield Armory has many passionate hunters on its staff, so it was decided that we wanted to deliver a rifle that we would be proud

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THE SWEET SPOT

to take into the field. We also realized that there is a great deal of crossover between serious hunters and fans of our other firearms, such as our 1911s.”

That realization initiated a multi-year project to develop a rifle that quickly has made serious inroads into the hunting market. Introduced in early 2020, the Model 2020 Waypoint features a premium carbon fiber stock, custom painted in either Evergreen or Ridgeline camouflage patterns, and the option of a steel or carbon fiber barrel. It also boasts an impressive .75 MOA accuracy guarantee (with quality ammunition), and is offered in 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .308 Win. The Waypoint action features a fluted bolt and dual locking lugs that travel on precisely machined raceways for extremely smooth cycling. An enlarged ejection port, sliding extractor — for reliable operation in the most adverse conditions — and a hybrid dual-plane feed ramp all add up to fast and secure lockup of the bolt.

The Waypoint 2020 was a near-instant hit with hunters. “We’ve been very pleased with the response to the Model 2020 Waypoint's release, with extremely strong demand for the rifle,” says Mike Humphries, Springfield’s media relations manager. “The company has been working

 Five QD mounts are strategically placed to allow the rifle to be slung in a variety of configurations.

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very hard since its launch to keep up with orders for it.”

So, how did a manufacturer known for its tactical firearms and expertise not only enter, but make some real noise in the hunting world? Springfield’s staff knew they wanted to make a bolt-action rifle, but pretty much everything else was in the “To Be Decided” category, including calibers, various features, and price points.

But what Springfield’s staff all agreed upon were the larger goals they had for a new hunting rifle. “We wanted to deliver a rifle that offered custom-grade features and performance, but at a production-rifle price range,” says Alex Joseph, director of marketing for Springfield Armory. “Actually, it’s relatively easy to make a high-performance rifle for a very high price. It’s much harder to make one like the Model 2020 Waypoint at the price we can sell it for.”

And the rifle had to be accurate — very accurate. “Accuracy is a result of repeatability,” Joseph says. “By harnessing cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, Springfield Armory was able to reduce variables to promote consistency and precision, two absolutely necessary qualities in a rifle that comes with a .75 MOA accuracy guarantee.”

As Joseph notes, Springfield Armory spent more than two years of intensive product development and refinement to create the rifle.

Different calibers and prototypes were tried, various barrel configurations were examined, and thousands upon thousands of rounds were fired during development.

Just as important, though, were Springfield’s concentrated efforts to mate the available manufacturing technology with a process that would make the finished rifle more affordable.

“While the bolt-action rifle is obviously not a new concept, technological advancements in recent years have opened new ways to make them even better,” says Kramer. “With the Model 2020 Waypoint, we sought to employ the latest manufacturing techniques and materials to deliver an extremely advanced bolt-action rifle at a price point far below a custom rifle.”

What Springfield needed to do here was solve a daunting conundrum: The engineering had to be perfect, but at the same time the design had to lend itself to efficient manufac-

 A 1-inch Pachmayr Decelerator butt pad helps to provide maximum recoil reduction.

turing. And, just as important, the process had to be repeatable. “It would be easy to make a custom-grade gun in small numbers. Making one at a large scale with repeatable results is where it got tougher,” says Chris Baumbach, Springfield’s R&D department and lead engineer on the Model 2020 Project.

During the prototyping process, Springfield’s R&D Team examined numerous custom features — including custom triggers, carbon-fiber barrels, and various stock configurations — to figure out which features could be incorporated into the manufacturing process without breaking the bank. Springfield’s R&D Team also reached out to a number of industry experts for feedback on the various features they were building into the prototype rifles. This included consultations with hunters having decades of field experience as well as professionals in the firearms manufacturing process.

“As far as caliber selection went, we leaned toward the newer calibers on the market,” Baumbach says. “If we were able to generate good results with the latest cartridges, we knew tried-and-true cartridges like the .308 Win. would fall right in line.”

Hence, the many “6’s” in the Waypoint arsenal, as in the 6mm Creedmoor, the 6.5

the engineering of the rifle had to b e p e r f e c t, b u t at t h e s a m e t i m e l e n d i t s e l f t o e f f i c i c e n t m a n u fa c t u r i n g .

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Creedmoor, and the 6.5 PRC offerings, in addition to the workhorse .308 Win.

OVERCOMING HURDLES

Of course, there were hurdles to overcome, and the prototyping process weeded out which features could be kept and those which simply didn’t fit within the larger manufacturing limitations of producing a rifle with a relatively wide price-point appeal.

“With the goal of providing hunters with a custom-grade rifle, we developed a wide range of custom-level components as well as precision manufacturing. While this is manageable with the small production numbers associated with traditional custom rifle builders, applying this to the scale of production Springfield Armory is capable of is a totally different matter. Strict quality control efforts are a must, and we believe the results speak for themselves with this rifle,” says Kramer.

For example, a great deal of work went into developing the carbon fiber barrel that is optional on the Waypoint. As Baumbach notes, the carbon-fiber barrel that was finally settled on is, “jacketed in a roll-wrapped carbon fiber sleeve and loaded under tension so 95% of the sleeve doesn’t contact the barrel, providing cooling air gaps and promoting cold-bore to warm-bore repeatability.”

The carbon fiber barrel trimmed approximately seven ounces off the Waypoint in 6.5 Creedmoor versus the stainless-steel fluted-barrel version. Both barrels are free floating, too.

When it came to the trigger for the Waypoint, engineers decided that a really good trigger just wasn’t enough. The rifle required a trigger that would minimize the possibility of

HUNTING WITH THE MODEL 2020 WAYPOINT In December 2020, I headed to West Texas on a mule deer and wild hog hunt with a Model 2020 Waypoint chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. The rifle was sub-MOA accurate, with a fine trigger and smooth-working bolt. My rifle featured the carbon-fiber wrapped barrel and the stock was finished in the Evergreen pattern.

Over a dozen people saw the rifle on that hunt and their reaction swere the same: “What a really cool-looking rifle!” And once they held it, all of them added, “Wow, that’s so damn light. I need one of these!”

In the field, the 2020 Waypoint was easy to carry, took a beating without a hiccup, and helped me score ten animals, including my muley, two aoudad, and a handful of hogs. At my home range, I was able to peg three- and five-shot groups of .50 inch to .75 inch with nearly every brand of 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition I used. Although that’s the kind of accuracy that will let one compete in a long-range shooting competition, the Waypoint 2020 is definitely a hunting rifle.—BMC.

 Ammunition is fed by a detachable AICS-pattern, single-stack magazine.

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 Model 2020 Waypoint with optional carbon fiber wrapped barrel; the stock is finished in Ridgeline camouflage pattern.

hanging up on the brush, clothing, and backpack straps.

Baumbach’s team selected the low-profile TriggerTech trigger with a non-snag safety that employed Springfield’s Frictionless Release Technology. It is user adjustable from 2.5 to 5 pounds with a patented, free-floating roller for a crisp, clean pull.

Springfield worked closely with AG Composites to develop the rifle’s premium line of carbon fiber stocks. Each stock is hand-laid, made from 100% carbon fiber and is pillar bedded. The Waypoint’s stock weighs in at just 1 pound 15 ounces with a standard comb, and 2 pounds 11 ounces with optional adjustable cheek rest.

deliver many features usually associated with custom-rifle investment. With the Model 2020 Waypoint, Springfield Armory has hit that sweet spot on the pricing scale between a custom rifle that costs thousands of dollars and a $1,000 offthe-gunrack rifle. In essence, the Waypoint offers hunters a high-end custom-grade rifle at a price far below what it would cost for a custom-built rifle.

Retailers and their customers can expect additional offerings and variants in the Model 2020 line in the future — once Springfield gets caught up on current orders. Booth #70443 (springfield-armory.com)

PERFECT FIT

To create a perfect fit between bolt and receiver, Springfield machines both after heat-treating them to ensure the dimensions of the finished steel match the required specifications. In addition, the bolt is nitrided for wear and corrosion resistance. The Waypoint’s receiver, bottom metal, barrel shank, and muzzle brake are Cerakoted.

Springfield Armory settled on a detachable AICS-pattern single-stack magazine to feed ammunition. The magazine disengages easily via a latch inside the trigger guard. A 1-inch Pachmayr Decelerator butt pad provides maximum recoil reduction and shooting comfort, and an optional three-axis adjustable cheek comb allows the shooter to dial in the perfect fit for repeatable shooting comfort.

The Waypoint’s stock features five QD mounts strategically placed to allow the rifle to be slung in a variety of configurations. The removable SA Radial Brake on the rifle effectively reduces recoil by directing gasses outward.

That’s a lot of features for an “affordable” hunting rifle. With a suggested retail price that runs from $1,699 to $2,399, it certainly is not an “entry-level” rifle. For the price, though, it does

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 The removable SA Radial Brake (left) rifle effectively directs gasses outward to reduce recoil. Thread protector (right).

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NEWPRODUCTS

by slaton l . white

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1 ADAMS ARMS AA19 HANDGUN

The AA19 compact 9mm Luger handgun employs design elements that refine its ergonomics and performance. Every detail is designed to maximize its potential as an EDC and competition shooting handgun. It features enhanced front and rear cocking serrations, a double undercut trigger guard, Vickers Tactical Carry trigger, and Ameriglo Defoor EDC sights. Other features include a profiled and lightened slide, threaded 1:16 twist barrel, aggressive grip texturing, 1913 Picatinny rail, and billet extractor. The slide is cut for optics, and plates are available in all popular footprints, including the Trijicon RMR, Leupold Deltapoint, Shield RMS, Burris Fastfire 3, Vortex Venom/Viper, Vortex Razon, and C-More STS. The AA19 comes with two Magpul G19 magazines, hard case, and cable lock. MSRP: $999. Booth #15431 (adamsarms.net)

2 ADCO SUPER THUMB SPEEDLOADER Pushing bullet after bullet into tight-fitting magazines during a long day at the range will leave a thumb raw and numb. The ADCO Super Thumb is a handy pocket-size speedloader designed to make easy work of loading centerfire pistol magazines by allowing shooters to reload without having to press their thumb down on the magazine each time. And it comes in six models designed to work with a wide range of handguns. The Super Thumb won’t load the magazine, but it will make it easier and save a lot of time, too. MSRP: $11.95. Booth #72239 (adcosales.com)

3 ALPS OUTDOORZ ELITE FRAME AND 1800 PACK For 2022, the Elite 1800 pack will sit on a redesigned frame that is now 30 percent lighter. The frame’s contoured lumbar design improves overall support and comfort and features an integrated, adjustable lashing system. Removable shoulder straps provide six-position torso adjustment, and a waist-belt MOLLE system with removable pouches allows for maximum customization. Also on board are load lifters and anti-sway waist-belt straps.

The pack bag attaches to the frame with a series of compression straps. There is a full-access main compartment zipper, and the spacious main compartment has five mesh organizational pockets. The top zippered pocket secures quick access to valuables or other light gear. Other features include a rifle and bow drop-down pocket, side compression straps and a top compression strap, three compression pockets, and rain cover. Booth #72204 (alpsoutdoorz.com)

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4 6 5 4 HIGH SPEED GEAR CORE PLATE CARRIER High Speed Gear’s new low-profile Core plate carrier is a ruggedly designed, affordable plate carrier built for law-enforcement or range/training use.

Padded shoulder straps and a spacer mesh interior help deliver all-day comfort. Despite its streamlined design, the carrier is sturdy, adjustable, and versatile, with plenty of laser-cut MOLLE for scalability. The carrier comes in four sizes to fit most plates, with side-release buckle side straps for easy removal.

Available in black, coyote brown, LE blue, MultiCam, and OD green. MSRP: $130. Booth #75707 (highspeedgear.com)

5 MINUS 33 KODIAK MERINO WOOL FLEECE

Sitting in a treestand in below-freezing weather is an endurance test of epic proportions, and Merino wool can help a hunter stay on stand until that one big buck comes into view. Minus 33 may be a new name to retailers, but it was created by textile engineers from the venerable firm of L.W. Packard, a premium wool manufacturer dating back to 1916 that was forced out of business by the free trade agreements that put an end to most U.S. textile manufacturing.

Merino wool is soft, breathable, resists odors, and is warm when wet. And, it doesn’t melt from heat or electricity like synthetics, making it the go-to base layer for uniformed service personnel. For 2022, Minus 33 offerings will include the Kodiak Fleece Balaclava (MSRP: $44.99), Kodiak Fleece Neck Gaitor (MSRP: $35.99) , and Kodiak Fleece Brushed Wool Hoodies (MSRP: $199.99). All are a washable merino wool/spandex blend rated to 0 degrees. Booth #41130 (minus33.com)

6 N8 TACTICAL XECUTIVE IWB HOLSTER The new N8 Tactical Xecutive IWB holster was developed to meet the increasingly sophisticated demands of serious EDC practitioners and the firearm configurations they deploy for personal defense. Given the increased use of micro red-dot sighting systems with co-witness or suppressor-height open sights as well as the need for multiple options depending on changing apparel needs and carry scenarios, user-customization and maximum compatibility were key design goals of the Xecutive holster.

Built around a firearm-specific single-piece Kydex molded pocket, the Xecutive holster features an optic-compatible cut and generously proportioned sight channel along the spine to accommodate most red-dot optics and elevated front open sights to ensure smooth drawing and reholstering. The Xecutive can also be used for handguns without optics and those sporting standard-height open sights, making the holster scalable for custom firearm configurations.

The N8 Tactical Xecutive IWB holster is compatible with a lengthy list of popular carry handguns from such manufacturers as Glock, Springfield, Sig Sauer, Taurus, Smith & Wesson, Walther, and Ruger. The holster will also fit rail-less 1911s with 4- and 5-inch barrels. MSRP: 49.95. Booth #40967 (N8Tactical.com)

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9 7 8 7 NANUK 933 PISTOL CASE 5UP The Nanuk 933 5UP pistol case provides secure storage for up to five full-frame handguns with trigger locks and eight magazines. The waterproof and dustproof case features semi-rigid and highly resistant closed-cell Synergy PEF foam for long-term performance and has a lifetime guarantee. A Nanuk lid organizer keeps accessories in a full-size folder or three transparent, zippered, and anti-tear compartments. With two reinforced eyelets to accommodate locks, you can organize, protect, and carry your handguns with confidence. Optionally, a TSA retro-fit latch kit is available and is easy to install for an extra measure of security when traveling. MSRP: $285.95. Booth #10119 (nanuk.com)

8 PRECISION REFLEX INC. AR15 AMBIDEXTROUS CHARGING HANDLE The Gas Buster charging handle is a safety device with an ergonomic design that diverts harmful gases, oil, and dirt particles away from the shooter. Precision Reflex is adding two new AR15 ambidextrous charging handles to this line. Each charging handle retains the ability to divert the gasses and dirt expelled from the typical gas-operated AR15 rifle.

The handles are constructed of T6 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum. There are two options for latch design. The original latch gives the handle the look of the original Gas Buster charging handle; the large latch is just that — a larger hook-type latch. Both handles feature the next-generation of PRI Gas Buster technology. Booth #20326 (precisionreflex.com)

9 RADIANS VERTEX SLIM DUAL-MIC ELECTRONIC EARMUFFS Vertex electronic earmuffs have sound-activated compression of over 85dB and .02 sound-reaction time to instantly compress loud noises, such as ear-damaging gunshots, while allowing 5X sound amplification of voices and other low-level environmental sounds. Dual omnidirectional microphones help determine the direction of the sound, and both mics are recessed to reduce frustrating wind noise. The earmuffs are equipped with a high-quality rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts eight hours between charges if used nonstop. Their ultra-slim design enables firearm stock clearance, and a compact folding headband allows for easy portability and storage.

MSRP: $69.99. Booth #42516 (radians.com)

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12 10 STEINER OPTICS MICRO RED-DOT PISTOL SIGHT

Steiner brings battle-proven durability and mil-spec ruggedness to pistol red-dots with its new MPS (Micro Pistol Sight), designed to endure the rigorous needs of law enforcement and military operations. All-metal construction, enhanced sidewalls, and a recessed window with a metal hood make this one of the toughest pistol sights ever created. The sight window is completely sealed and nitrogen filled, protecting the roof-mounted 3.3 MOA emitter from weather and water down to 10 meters. The top-mounted battery compartment ensures quick and easy battery swaps without removing the optic. At 2.05 ounces, the MPS is compact and lightweight, with six dayand two night-vision brightness levels, user-selectable auto-off, and 13,000 hours of battery life on medium brightness. MSRP: $1,039.99. Booth #13031 (steiner-optics.com)

11 TAYLOR’S & COMPANY GUNFIGHTER NICKEL Shooters with large hands will appreciate the 1860 Army grips on the new Gunfighter Nickel model. The Army grip is longer and slightly wider than the smaller Navy grip that is usually found on 1873 single-action models. The gun also features a case-hardened forged steel frame, blued steel parts, and a smooth walnut grip. MSRP: $704.46. Booth #72226 (taylorsfirearms.com)

12 UMAREX EMERGE There’s no need to load a pellet after every shot with this .177-caliber break-barrel pellet rifle. The new Umarex Emerge is a multi-shot adult air rifle that utilizes a unique and smooth rotary magazine action. Each time you operate the action, by breaking it open and then closing it to charge the rifle, a new pellet rotates into position. Other features include a high-quality polymer stock, ambidextrous cheekpiece, fiber-optic front and rear sights, rubber recoil pad, and a textured grip and forearm. MSRP: $189.99. Booth #12469 (umarexusa.com)

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WE’RE ALL IN FOR RETURNING BACK TO BUSINESS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS JAN. 17–20

2023

THE VENETIAN EXPO + CAESARS FORUM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

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