SHOT Business -- February/March 2015

Covert Carry Knife Options VOLUME 23, NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

page 34

Ruger A COMPREHENSIVE MANUFACTURING HISTORY PG. 40

FIRING LINE

Long-distance shooters will find a lot of glass to like this year. So will those who work up close PG. 24 and personal

BENELLI’S 828U IS A NEW KIND OF OVER/ UNDER PG. 20

good stuff FEDERAL PREMIUM GIVES TURKEYS THE “3RD DEGREE” PG. 21

SHB0315_COV_MK1.indd 1

1/14/15 12:30 PM

Kill gobblers wherever they stand with a multi-stage payload that delivers forgiving patterns up close and more pellets on target at 50 yards over standard lead.

3RD DEGREE.™ ONE LOAD. ANY RANGE. • 20 percent FLITESTOPPER® lead No. 6 • 40 percent Premium® lead No. 5 • 40 percent HEAVYWEIGHT® No. 7

federalpremium.com

BC_035084_SHB1214P.indd 1

Contact us at 800-379-1732

11/11/14 2:55 PM

S H OT B U S I N ES S

❚

F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 1 5

❚

CONTENTS

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2

Departments

21

24

Features

24 34 40

EDITOR’S NOTE What

6

NEWS BRIEFS Horton Crossbow returns; 10X repositions its line; Unique-ARs’ custom guards; Griplight brightens J-frames

product this year, with offerings designed both for long-range and close-quarters use. BY ROBERT SADOWSKI

FIRING LINE Benelli’s

22

UNDERCOVER SHOPPER Seeking a

COVERT CARRY Users of fixed-blade knives—be they hunters, law

enforcement operatives, or someone interested in self defense— have a number of options for concealed carry. BY DAVID MACCAR

CARPENTRY TO CARBINES The first business venture undertaken

by William Batterman Ruger ended in failure. But out of the ashes came phenomenal success. BY WAYNE VAN ZWOLL

FROM THE NSSF Hunting

Works for America expands into Oregon

15

RETAILER TOOLBOX

16 16

GUN RIGHTS SURVEY Pew shows increasing support

Building a culture of compliance

SPENDING BILL Provisions

to defend ammo included

16

OPERATION CHOKE POINT

16

ATF CLARIFIES RULING

17 18

NSSF DELIVERS VALUE

House Oversight Committee releases report

really draws customers to your store?

20 21

OPTICS 2015 Shooters and hunters will see a wide range of new

NSSF Update 14 COVER PHOTO BY TIM IRWIN

4

46 50

828U over/under

GOOD STUFF Federal

Premium’s 3rd Degree triple turkey load

multi-purpose shotgun in the Tar Heel State WHAT’S SELLING WHERE NEW PRODUCTS

Spyderco’s Rubicon folding knife, Browning’s ProSteel Heavy Safe, Leatherman’s Bracelet and Watch, and more

50

Gunsmithing parameters examined by agency

YOU SHOULD KNOW

NSSF’s report on women gun ownership FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ 3

SHB0315_TOC.indd 3

1/13/15 11:58 AM

EDITOR’S NOTE

NSSF

Magic Moments What draws customers to your store?

W

hat happens when a long-established brand—be it firearms, optics, or a retailer—loses its way? Its core customers begin to defect, which certainly isn’t good for long-term health. Recently, The Wall Street Journal published an article about the issues that confront hamburger goliath McDonald’s. In assessing the company’s strategy to revive growth, the Journal asked several industry experts what should be done. I thought some of the answers were illuminating and would resonate with independent retailers in the shooting-sports business.

One expert said the basic issue was that McDonald’s seems to be more focused on customers they would love to have rather than the customers they have. “The first priority is to love the customers you have. Attracting new customers is an imperative, but keeping current customers is the base upon which customer attraction yields incremental growth. Protecting the base is about never sacrificing the core principles that made the brand successful.”

In this case, he’s talking about speedy service.

Another expert said McDonald’s needs to make sure it executes at a very high level. To him, one of the bedrocks of the company’s success was always getting hot, crispy french fries, something that doesn’t always happen these days.

But the killer insight was provided by Cheryl Berman, CEO of Unbundled, a branding agency, and former chief creative officer of Leo Burnett USA, with extensive experience on the McDonald’s account: “The brand has lost its magic. It’s not about the food. The more they believe it’s about their food, the less likely they are to revive the brand.

We did tons of research at Burnett,

and it was about an emotional connection, the magic moments you had with friends and family at a place where everyone felt comfortable. And, yes, they get it and want to be more involved in the community, but I still believe they need to do something big and impactful.

They used to do things like hiring senior citizens and kids with Down syndrome to work there, and we did marketing about that showing how they were contributing to McDonald’s.

Locally they’d find Little League winners and feature them. They celebrated real, everyday people. It’s about an experience, not about a piece of food. If they make it all about the food and the price, that’s a battle they won’t win.”

Smart independent retailers learned long ago that trying to compete with a big-box store on price alone is simply a race to the bottom. It won’t allow you to focus on your core customers, the ones who value what you—and only you—have to offer.

SLATON L. WHITE, Editor

James A. Walsh, Art Director Margaret M. Nussey, Managing Editor David E. Petzal, Shooting Editor Judith Weber, Production Manager Kurt Schulitz, Online Producer Maribel Martin, Senior Administrative Assistant CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

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

ERIC ZINCZENKO, Executive Vice President ADVERTISING: 212-779-5316

Gregory D. Gatto, Publisher Brian Peterson, Western Sporting Goods Sales Katie Logan, Southern Sporting Goods Sales David Hawkey, Northeast Sporting Goods Sales Elizabeth Burnham Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer Ingrid Reslmaier, Marketing Design Director

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Tara Bisciello, Business Manager

CONSUMER MARKETING

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

MANUFACTURING

Laurel Kurnides, Group Production Director Stefanie La Bella, Associate Production Director

BONNIER

Chairman, Tomas Franzén Chief Executive Officer, Dave Freygang Executive Vice President, Eric Zinczenko Chief Content Officer, David Ritchie Chief Financial Officer, Todd DeBoer Chief Operating Officer, Lisa Earlywine Chief Marketing Officer, Elizabeth Burnham Murphy Chief Digital Revenue Officer, Sean Holzman Vice President, Integrated Sales, John Graney Vice President, Consumer Marketing, John Reese Vice President, Public Relations, Perri Dorset General Counsel, Jeremy Thompson

SHOT Business (ISSN 1081-8618) is published 7 times a year in January, February/March, April/May, June/July, August/September, October/ November and December by Bonnier Corporation, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5695, and is the official publication of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Flintlock Ridge Office Center, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470 (203-426-1320). Volume 23, issue 2. Copyright © 2015 by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. All rights reserved. Editorial, circulation, production and advertising offices are located at 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5695 (212-779-5000). Free to qualified subscribers; available to non-qualified subscribers for $25 per year. Single-copy issues are available for $5 each. Send check, payable to NSSF, to: SHOT Business, c/o NSSF, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470-2359. SHOT Business accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. All correspondence should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Requests for media kits and advertising information should be directed to Katy Marinaro, Bonnier Corporation, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 1270, Chicago, IL 60611.

Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and at additional mailing offices.

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

Slaton L. White, Editor

4 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_EDN.indd 4

1/12/15 11:10 AM

National Shooting Sports Foundation®

one industry

one voice

11,000+ manufacturers, distributors, frearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers making a direct impact on the future of our industry.

We’re one powerful voice for the industry.

oinus

andmakeusevenstr

onger

Apply online at nssf.org/join

nssf.org

BC_036873_SHB0315P.indd 1

1/7/15 3:35 PM

NEWS BRIEFS NEWS

❚

PROMOTIONS

Bits & Pieces

Flambeau Outdoors Partners with Pale Morning Media

Flambeau Outdoors is at the heart of the hunting and fishing industries, and to further its reach, the company has partnered with Pale Morning Media for public relations and social media support. Based in the Mad River Valley of Vermont, Pale Morning Media is a national public relations and creative communications firm dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of brand visibility for its clients. Founded in 2001, Pale Morning Media specializes in supporting outdoors, hunting and fishing, and made-in-USA brands.

SIG Sauer Promotions

SIG Sauer Inc. has promoted two division leaders to vice president positions. Steve Rose, the leader of the defense strategies group, has been promoted to vice president of the division. Rose has been a key factor in SIG’s military and government area growth and has led the development of several new and future products that will change the way these agencies look at firearms platforms.

Tom Jankiewicz has been promoted to vice president of the law enforcement sales group. With the recent introduction of the P320 advanced striker-fired handgun, Jankiewicz has been a key factor in connecting law enforcement agencies with this and other SIG Sauer products.

❚

AWARDS

❚

OUTREACH

Back In Business Under new ownership, Horton Crossbow returns

T

here’s a new crossbow line on the market for 2015, Horton Crossbow Innovations, and the company is offering two new models and a number of accessories this year, with more to come in 2016 and beyond. “Hold on,” you say. “Horton’s been making crossbows for years.

How’s that new?”

Well, in July 2013, Hunter’s Manufacturing Company Inc., which produces TenPoint and Wicked Ridge Crossbows, purchased selected assets of Horton Archery LLC from its lender, which had shut the operation down, put the company in receivership, and offered the assets for sale. Horton Archery had fallen on difficult times and had ceased operations and let go of all but a few employees about four months earlier.

Hunter’s purchased assets, such as intellectual property (patents and trademarks), licenses, and some machinery and equipment; a liquidating company purchased what was left of the inventory. Because of various problems Horton Archery had, Hunter’s concluded the operation itself could not be salvaged. Hunter’s plan was— and is—to create a new company and line of crossbows and accessories under the aegis of the storied Horton name while bringing to bear all the technological expertise and innovation that have made the TenPoint and Wicked Ridge lines among the top sellers in the crossbow industry.

The result is Horton Crossbow Innovations. Retailers can expect an aggressive marketing campaign to launch these new products.

“These are not just TenPoint or Wicked Ridge bows with Horton stickers on them,” says Philip Bednar, director of marketing for all three crossbow lines. “We designed This product is from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources.

the Horton Crossbow Innovations line with its own distinctive features and look, and nobody will mistake them for TenPoint or Wicked Ridge models. While we market TenPoint and Wicked Ridge bows in tandem, Horton will stand on its own. We do not intend to hide the fact that Hunter’s Manufacturing is the designer and manufacturer, but we want Horton to have its distinctive allure and personality.”

The Storm RDX, a reverse-drawtechnology crossbow, headlines the introduction. “This bow will be the lightest, shortest, and narrowest reverse-drawtechnology design currently on the market,” says Bednar.

The foundation of the Storm RDX’s stock assembly is its lightweight, three-piece ABX (Adjustable Bullpup Crossbow) buttstock and barrel receiver. The high-tech, molded stock features a sevenposition adjustable cheekpiece and three-position adjustable butt plate. When cocked, the bow’s axle-to-axle distance is just 10 inches—the narrowest distance between axles of any crossbow on the market by several inches.

The Storm RDX’s Weaver-style dovetail is fitted with a nylon-filament arrowretention brush. This innovation improves arrow grip and alignment and reduces noise and vibration. Like all Horton models, the trigger assembly is also equipped with an ambidextrous automatic safety and patented DFI or Dry-Fire Inhibitor.

The Storm crossbow launches Horton’s recommended 400-grain Victory arrow at 370 feet per second. Weighing 7.9 pounds, it is only 34.75 inches long and comes equipped with or without the patented ACUdraw cocking mechanism and a 4x32 Multi-Line Scope. The crossbow is

6 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_BRF.indd 6

1/12/15 12:01 PM

double-dip fluid-imaged in Mossy Oak Treestand camo. The Storm RDX sells only as a complete package that includes a cocking device, three 400-grain 20-inch Victory carbon arrows, and a quiver. SRP: $999 with the Dedd Sled cocking device; $1,199 with the ACUdraw.

Horton Crossbow Innovations’ second new crossbow is the Legend Ultra Lite (SRP: $699–$899.) The Legend measures just 35.25 inches long and weighs a mere 6.9 pounds. Like the Storm, the Legend’s high-tech, molded stock has an adjustable cheekpiece and butt plate.

The bow assembly’s foundation is a fully machined aluminum riser, designed with two large, weight-reducing cutouts.

It is equipped with machined aluminum limb pockets. The assembly measures 18.375 inches axle-to-axle when cocked, and drives its Victory arrow at a quick 330 feet per second. (hortoncrossbows .com) —Brian McCombie

Under new ownership, Horton Crossbow is coming back in 2015.

NEW!

Conceived in Germany.

Born in the USA. Introducing: Leica ER 5 Series Riflescopes We’ve taken all that’s great about Leica’s world-renowned German engineering, optical performance, and mechanical precision and created an all-new rifl escope lineup, specifi cally for the demands of the North American hunter. Six models, from the close-quarters 1-5x24 to the long range 5-25x56, each loaded with an extended 5:1 zoom ratio, 4-inch eye relief at all magnifi cations, extended windage and elevation adjustment range, a wide variety of reticles, and much more.

Find out more at leica-sportoptics.com or visit your Leica dealer.

Leica ER 5 models: 1-5x24 | 1.5-8x32 | 2-10x50 | 3-15x56 | 4-20x50 | 5-25x56

SHB0315_BRF.indd 7

1/14/15 3:29 PM

NEWS BRIEFS

10X Repositions Product Line

As a hunting apparel brand, 10X has been around for more than half a century. But beginning in 2015, it’s looking to reinvent itself with a new line of high-performance, high-tech hunting clothing consisting of a base layer, mid-layer, outer shell, and rainshell system.

“Hunters, especially younger hunters, are increasingly thinking of themselves as athletes,” says Alan Burks, director of marketing of the Walls Brand Group, a unit of Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co., which now owns 10X. “And as a result, these young outdoorsmen are looking for the kinds of fabrics and technology that

INTRODUCING THE ELITE FREEDOM. MASTER OF BULLET TRAP TECHNOLOGY – TOTAL LEAD DOMINATION!

most fitness garments have.”

Burks mentions added stretch, breathability, moisture wicking, and odor control as just some of the features younger hunters are seeking. “In short, they want more comfort along with functionality,” he says. “What they don’t want are the bulky, heavy hunting clothes their fathers or grandfathers wore into the woods.”

Burks adds that one of the main differences setting 10X apart from other premium hunting apparel brands in 2015 is that 10X garments will be manufactured in Realtree Xtra and Mossy Oak Country camouflage patterns. “And we’ll be offering apparel for both men and women,” he says.

The new 10X Performance Base Layer comes in a shirt (crew), pants, and a midweight quarter-zip pullover. “Down South, the pullover might be the only outer layer a hunter needs,” Burks says.

Farther north in colder country, hunters may want the 10X Performance Fleece Softshell jacket and pants combo or the Tech Hoodie. A unique feature of the hoodie is that it can be zipped up to cover half the face; a laser-cut exhaust hole in the zipper allows you to breathe. “The hoodie will be advertised at $99.99, which we think is a key price point,” Burks says.

For a waterproof outer layer, Burks mentions the new 10X Performance Rainshell jacket and pants. “We believe it’s the quietest rainshell on the market.” (walls.com) —W.H. Gross

Bullet Bunker’s best selling Freedom Model now enhanced with new Elite Series features. It’s the most reliable and environmentally safe way to trap

Experience The Bullet Stopping Power For Yourself. Call Today!

419-660-0228 The 10X Performance Rainshell jacket is part of the company’s new strategy.

THEBULLETBUNKER.COM

SHB0315_BRF.indd 8

1/14/15 11:09 AM

Unique-ARs Is On Guard Idaho’s Unique-ARs is living up to its name by offering owners of modern sporting rifles the ability to add some customization and even some color to their guns. The family-owned business has introduced a line of designer handguards that allow the next generation of shooters to accessorize, personalize, and customize their rifles.

“Our product is unique in the industry.

We have the ability to do custom one-offs as well as custom labels for builders and stores,” says Mike Carpenter, UAR coowner. “We also offer a line of stock items so people can see what we do and what can be done with handguards.”

Unique-ARs works with companies who desire their own private-label handguards emblazoned with their company’s logo or other unique design. Companies can also be set up as dealers, bringing UAR’s stock handguards into their store with point-of-purchase displays and wide selection of stock designs.

Although these handguards will set an MSR apart from the rest, they won’t compromise function for form. The free-floating guards are made from durable 6061 T6 aluminum and come with options to mount rails for accessories. The stock handguards come standard in black and either Cerakote or anodized.

The stock handguards are now available in standard lengths, including 7, 9, 12 and 15 inches; custom lengths are available up to 20 inches. Each handguard comes with a proprietary AR-15 barrel nut that can be upgraded to the .308. UAR has the ability to manufacture single one-offs and can make more than 1,000 units per month.

Moreover, each handguard is also designed with comfort in mind as much as design aesthetics. “Our guards are on an angle to make them comfortable to grab, and this is something that makes these totally different on the market today,” says Carpenter. “It not only gives the user the ability to customize their rifle, but to really make it enjoyable to shoot. We’re a family company that loves art and loves our guns.”

Unique-ARs showed its line of products at the 2015 SHOT Show. Some of its vendor rifle builds were also showcased at the —Peter Suciu show. (unique-ars.com)

SHB0315_BRF.indd 9

Idaho-based Unique-ARs works with companies that would like their own private-label handguards emblazoned with the company logo or other unique design. It markets to individual shooters as well.

HE THOUGHT I WOULDN’T BE PREPARED. THE DOT ON HIS CHEST PROVED HIM WRONG. www.crimsontrace.com

A laser sight is the most common-sense path to protection in a time of crisis—no matter how dire. This is Condition Crimson.

AND IN CONDITION CRIMSON™, WE STAND. Being prepared means making Laser Sights standard equipment on your personal protection firearm. Contact Crimson Trace at 1-800-442-2406 or crimsontrace.com for your FREE catalog and training DVD.

1/12/15 12:02 PM

NEWS BRIEFS

Seeing the Light

Retired police officer and gun magazine editor Roy Huntington saw a need for a reliable, powerful defensive light that could be easily attached to a small J-frame S&W revolver. Realizing hundreds of thousands of this kind of gun are relied upon for personal and home protection—as well as for police backup guns—Huntington worked with Hyskore to perfect the patented Griplight for J-frame revolvers.

By simply replacing the standard grips with the Griplight (using the supplied grip screw), the light module is locked into

The Griplight embeds a small but powerful light into an aftermarket grip for the S&W J-frame revolver.

place. After turning on the main switch on the bottom of the grip, the light is activated by a natural squeezing motion at the front of the grip. The micro-switch turns on the 100-lumen Cree LED light, filling a room with bright white light.

During storage, users can turn off the main switch to prevent the light from being activated accidentally. A lithium CR2 battery is supplied with the Griplight, and spare batteries are available anywhere these batteries are sold. SRP: $129.95. (631-673-5375;

hyskore.com)

SERIOUS SAVINGS

INTRODUCING TM

A new money-saving program that gives Brownells customers a serious advantage over others.

EDGE benefits include:    

FREE Standard Shipping on all orders Discounted 2-Day & Overnight shipping FREE shipping on returns Special members-only ofers & discounts

SHB0315_BRF.indd 10

Only

$49.95a year!

Sign up now at Brownells.com/EDGE or call 800-741-0015

1/12/15 12:02 PM

Warrior Spirit on the Shooting Range In 2011, Smith & Wesson added Trevor Baucom to its elite shooting team. Baucom, an Army veteran, is not the first former military member to wear the blue shirt. He is, though, the first team member to roll up to the firing line in a wheelchair.

Baucom served in the Army for 13 years, a career cut short when the Blackhawk helicopter he piloted crashed during a night mission in Afghanistan.

Paralyzed from the waist down, he returned to the United States, to his wife, Jill, and their three children, and to rebuilding a life for himself and his family.

In the past four years, Baucom has competed in the Bianchi Cup and Steel Challenge, among many other prestigious shooting competitions, including the AR-15.com

SHB0315_BRF.indd 11

Trevor Baucom refuses to let a disability keep him from competition.

Pro Am at Rockcastle last year.

Classified as an IDPA Sharpshooter, he has become more than Smith & Wesson’s ambassador to shooting sports; he’s become an icon and inspiration to others who have physical limitations.

Last summer, he signed with

O.F. Mossberg & Sons to shoot its line of Mossberg shotguns and bolt-action rifles in shooting competitions. He is expanding his realm of competition and will be attending more multigun and starting to compete in long-range rifle matches.

“I think I take away some

excuses. I get emails from people in wheelchairs frequently asking about getting into shooting and thanking me for showing them that it can be done,” he says.

Baucom also volunteers with HAVA (Honored American Veterans Afield), especially at range days for disabled veterans and their families. HAVA Range Days offer opportunities for disabled vets to get their hands on some of the new and innovative adaptive equipment made for them in the shooting sports.

“You get one life,” says Baucom. “Some people get two minutes, some get 115 years. Everyone else is in the middle, and you don’t really know how much time you have, so make the most of it.” (trevorbaucom.com)

—Barbara Baird

1/12/15 12:02 PM

NEWS BRIEFS

Improving Performance

M

att Ohlson, Remington’s senior product manager for shotshell and rimfire ammunition, is a pattern nut. By his own admission, he’s the shotgunner who actually enjoys patterning shotgun loads, counting all those little holes, and figuring out if a payload really delivers the goods.

So if upper management believes that maybe it’s time to revamp a semi-dormant brand of steel shot ammo, he’s just the guy. That brings us to Nitro-Steel, which under Ohlson’s thumb is undergoing a transformation for 2015.

“What we see is that waterfowl hunting is growing,” he says. “My guess is that snow goose hunting is providing a second season for hunters and retailers alike.”

Ohlson says the steel shot market divides into three sectors. “You have the premium segment, which is somewhere around 10 to 20 percent,” he

says. “Next is performance, which is about 40 percent.

Finally, there is value, and that’s about 40 to 50 percent.”

Where does Remington currently stand?

“Four years of feedback from official field testers, consumers, and sales data tells us that Hypersonic is a winner in the premium price segment,” he says. “And yet, the premium price and stout recoil of these loads limits the appeal to some waterfowlers. Sportsman Steel is a winner in the value category. It’s relevant and appealing, and it’s priced right. Nitro Steel is the challenge. We know

experienced hunters respect it, but it suffers from obsolete payloads and velocities, tired packaging, and a high price in a category that has been reshaped by competitors.”

So, Remington has decided to do some reshaping itself.

“Remington lives in that big middle,” Ohlson says, “and the complete remake of Nitro Steel is designed to make Nitro Steel the Core-Lokt of waterfowl loads.”

In all, four new SKUS will be offered: 3 ½-inch 10-gauge (1 ½-ounce No. 2, BB, and BBB); 3 ½-inch 12-gauge (1 ½-ounce No. 2); 3 ½-inch 12-gauge

(1 ½-ounce BBs); and 3-inch 20-gauge (1-ounce No. 4).

“We decided to offer 10gauge because even though it’s a small market, it delivers high margins. We also see 20-gauge growing and felt we needed to be here as well,” he says.

Remington is also redesigning the packaging. “It’s old and dry,” Ohlson says. “The completion has done a great job here.”

Ohlson notes that retailers should look for more offerings in 2016. “All this is laying the ground for something bigger and better.” (remington.com) —Slaton L. White

Introducing the new additions to the Pachmayr Grips legacy. ®

American Legend 1911 Grips

American Legend and Diamond Pro Series Grips for S&W Revolvers

Custom Laminate 1911 Grip Panels

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet Improve the look & comfort of your dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.

Utfrearm wisi enimwith ad the minim new grip lines from one of the oldest and most trusted veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit

lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit to match.

Findconsequat, out how easy it is todolore upgrade your gun’s esse molestie vel illum eu feugiat nulla look, comfort and control for a fraction of the cost of facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dign

names in the grip business. With a broad array of new options and an extensive selection for popular models, Pachmayr sets the standard with grips that others strive

buying a new gun at www.pachmayr.com

www.pachmayr.com

SHB0315_BRF.indd 12

A Division of Lyman Products

1/12/15 12:02 PM

Like Day and Night From Meprolight

Meprolight has introduced the Mepro 21(H), the latest addition to its line of Day and Night selfpowered reflex sights. This new model is based on the company’s combat-proven sights used by the Israel Defense Forces, and features new camouflage patterns to help shooters blend in with common hunting surroundings.

“We are very pleased to launch our new family of sights, designed especially for hunters,” says Benny Kokia, vice president of sales and marketing. “The Mepro 21(H) will provide a perfect solution for hunters—with advanced camouflage for forest and desert environments.”

Developed for the Israel Defense Forces, this advanced optical sight was specifically designed for quick, instinctive, and accurate shooting, and can be used while on the move or in close-quarter situations where the use of both eyes is critical.

The M21(H) is a maintenance-free, dualilluminated, red-dot reflex sight that provides instant aiming in all ambient lighting conditions without the need for batteries.

Illumination of the aiming dot is achieved by a fiber-optic light collection system during the day and by a miniature self-powered tritium light source at night.

Moreover, transition between the two lighting systems is instantaneous and automatic to ensure good contrast between the

aiming dot and the target area.

The M21(H) further offers a unique light collection system that features fiberoptic collectors on both the top and front surfaces to gather more light when shooting from within a dark enclosed space toward a bright target area.

“These sights, which require no main-

tenance, are standard army issue for the Israel Defense Forces,” says Kokia. “They have been extensively field tested and have gained worldwide popularity. We believe that they will also be well received by the hunting community, whose members are known for their expertise in this area.” (meprolight.com) —Peter Suciu

The Mepro 21(H) was developed for the Israel Defense Forces but is now available for hunters in new camouflage patterns.

SHB0315_BRF.indd 13

1/12/15 12:02 PM

U P D AT E

BY CHRIS DOLNACK, NSSF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

FROM THE NSSF

Wide Footprint

NSSF’s award-winning Hunting Works for America program continues to grow

I

n 2010, NSSF recognized the need for improved communications on a state level when it came to spreading awareness about legislation and other factors affecting hunters and their hunting lands, and enlisting sportsmen and sportswomen in spreading the word about the many benefits hunting provides their individual communities and states. The end result was the NSSF footprint Hunting Works for America.

Through its state chapters, Hunting Works for America brings a broad range of stakeholders together in order to educate the public and elected officials about the importance of hunting. Shootingsports organizations, conservation groups, businesses, and other non-traditional hunting entities such as chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus, and other trade associations have come together to share their interest in the economic impact of hunting.

In December, NSSF announced that Hunting Works for Oregon had become the latest state to enroll in the program.

Oregon joins nine other states in this grassroots effort to highlight the many positive aspects of small- and big-game hunting in the U.S. Using Oregon as an example, even though thousands of people hunt in that state every year, that number is declining.

We want to make sure that hunters in Oregon continue to have a voice. Hunters and shooters spend $248 million on hunting in the state of Oregon every single year, but as the number of hunters declines, so does their spending power. That’s bad news not only for Oregon’s economy, but for the state’s conservation budget. We believe that through Hunting Works for Oregon and the power and funding created by combining the dollars the sportsmen inject into their state’s economy with aid from the businesses and communities that directly benefit from that injection, Oregon’s sportsmen will continue to have facilities, lands, and other state resources available to them in a capacity that works to benefit both

them and the state’s wildlife.

The taxes, fees, and surcharges that hunters pay when they purchase licenses, tags, and equipment fund state conservation efforts that benefit game and nongame species, as well as the lands and resources utilized by anyone who enjoys the outdoors. The horsepower of businesses and businesspeople in local communities is far more powerful than the influence of any organization from out of state. Local business owners understand better than anyone the economic impact of hunting. They see customers wearing camo; they know who’s buying breakfast sandwiches at four in the morning.

Bill Miller, writing in an article on this subject for Bonnier’s SHOT Daily publication, explained, “When chapter members meet with policymakers, they bring hard economic data. For example, a recent NSSF study shows that there are about 14 million hunters in the U.S. who spend nearly $40 billion on licenses and equipment, including guns and ammunition. But the chapter members also know about hunting’s economic impact in their own state.”

Using the Arizona chapter, which organized when its shooting ranges had come under federal scrutiny, as an example, Miller wrote, “Arizona chapter members report there are about 269,000 hunters in their state who spend about $1,200 each year on trip-related expenses and gear.

This generates about $342 million in sales, and results in some 5,700 jobs, for a payroll of around $208 million.” The total economic impact of hunting in Arizona is $592 million, according to the chapter.

In the effort to save their shooting ranges, Arizona chapter members noted that there was more at stake than sales of firearms, cartridges, and range fees. Convenience stores, restaurants, and gas stations also faced lost revenue. Hunting Works for Arizona sent letters to newspapers and met with editorial boards. They got retail officials involved, and that had a tremendous amount of influence. Their message was, “If you shut down these ranges, it will impact future employment.”

Launched in 2010, Hunting Works for America began with three state chapters— Hunting Works for Arizona, Hunting Works for Minnesota, and Hunting Works for North Dakota. Since then the program has grown steadily, adding chapters in Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Utah, Colorado, and Wisconsin. Oregon is the tenth chapter overall and the third to launch in 2014, the most states launched in a single year since the program began. All told, the Hunting Works for America program now represents more than 1,200 organizations and associations, representing tens of thousands of stakeholders.

NSSF is looking forward to adding every state to the rolls as the existing chapters exemplify how successful these kinds of efforts can be. It is this kind of homegrown involvement that will help us promote, protect, and preserve hunting and the shooting sports for generations to come.

Chris Dolnack

NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

14 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_FRM.indd 14

1/12/15 12:13 PM

U P D AT E

B Y PAT R I C K S H AY, D I R E C T O R , R E TA I L D E V E L O P M E N T

R E TA I L E R T O O L B O X

Error-Free for Safety Building a culture of compliance

T

oo often in our busy professional lives, a crisis erupts. When that happens, we tend to put out the fire and move on to the next. We don’t stop and examine the root cause of the issue or why some problems keep popping up.

Most issues can be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but when these issues involve ATF compliance, minor issues can lead to systemic problems that may jeopardize your license and your livelihood. To safeguard your business and your reputation, we suggest that from day one you start building a culture of compliance at your store.

Simply put, a culture of compliance has zero tolerance for errors.

This doesn’t mean that the first time an employee makes a mistake they’re fired, but it does mean that those errors are caught the same day they happen and the employee with the infraction is given

Before a firearm is sold and walks out the door, have a second employee review any paperwork for errors.

This review should cover the 4473 form, the bound book, and any other forms required to complete the transaction. During your busiest times of

This employee should be highly trained in compliance issues, and this paperwork review should be one of their main duties. This employee should be provided with repeatable, documented processes that cover all their duties, including a review of the 4473

staff. These topics can come from your head of compliance, reviewing some of the errors they’ve seen during the week, from new rulings that you’ve seen issued by the ATF, or from topics provided by the NSSF. By leading these discussions as the owner or manager of the store,

At the close of business each day, have another employee review the day’s work. This employee should be highly trained in compliance issues, and this paperwork review should be one of their main duties. training on what the error is, how to correct it, and how to prevent it from happening again.

That employee should also be given notice that if such errors continue, then they won’t have the job much longer. It may seem harsh, but it’s better to lose one employee than have your license revoked because of continuing errors.

Following is a list of practices to help you start building your own culture of compliance.

the year, it may be difficult to staff for this additional person, but it will pay off in the long run. If you don’t have an additional employee, take charge of this duty yourself as the store owner or manager.

Catching and correcting errors is much easier while the customer is in the store and will prevent considerable headaches down the road.

At the close of business each day, have another employee review the day’s work.

forms, multiplehandgun forms, the A&D book, and any NFA forms as needed.

This person should have the authority to correct errors they find, provide training to employees on compliance topics, and be the point of contact for your organization, the ATF, and NSSF for compliance topics.

Another tactic to drive home the importance of compliance is to cover a different topic during your weekly meetings with your

it lends validity and importance to the topics and lets your employees know that compliance is an important part of the organization.

There are many other tactics and tools that you as a retailer can use to drive home this message, and the best news is that NSSF is here to help.

NSSF offers a 4473 overlay that allows your staff to quickly review the 4473 forms and determine if any errors have been made. We also offer a training audit in

which former ATF managers and executives, each with literally thousands of inspections under their belt, will come into your store and conduct a day-long training audit to ensure your compliance training is returning the results you want. For the ultimate peace of mind and compliance tool, NSSF offers a Premium Retailer Membership.

This membership combines the site visit plus all of NSSF’s compliance tools, a 24-hour hotline to a consultant to answer your questions, and an unlimited legal defense fund if the ATF were to take action against your license. For more information about these tools and programs and other great articles on ATF compliance, see nssf.org/ retailers.

ATF compliance can be a daunting task, with staff turnover and the challenging and sometimes unclear regulations and requirements.

But by building a culture of compliance and by providing training to your staff and holding them accountable, this job becomes much more manageable, especially with a partner like the NSSF.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ 15

SHB0315_RET.indd 15

1/12/15 12:15 PM

U P D AT E

SURVEY SHOWS GROWING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR GUN RIGHTS

F

or the first time in more than two decades of Pew Research Center surveys, there is more support for gun rights than gun control.

Currently, 52 percent say it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns, while 46 percent say it is more important to control gun ownership. African-Americans’ views on this measure have risen dramatically, from 29 percent in 2012 to a current 54 percent who say gun ownership does more to protect people than endanger personal safety.

SPENDING BILL DEFENDS AMMO In December 2014, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY15 passed the U.S. Senate, after gaining House approval. NSSF supported the bill because of a provision that further prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from banning traditional ammunition. The measure also provided ATF with $22 million to speed customer service for industry members.

Funding was also included to improve the NICS background check system by helping states put more mental health and other disqualifying records into the system, consistent with NSSF’s FixNICS initiative. Finally, the bill granted the Department of Justice $3 million for a firearms safety education and gun lock program, such as Project ChildSafe.

ATF CLARIFIES GUNSMITHING RULING 2010-10

House Committee Releases ‘Operation Choke Point’ Report The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in December released its report on “Operation Choke Point,” concluding, “legal and legitimate businesses are being choked off from the financial system.” The report found that “senior DOJ officials informed the Attorney General himself that, as a consequence of Operation Choke Point, banks are ‘exiting’ lines of business deemed ‘highrisk’ by federal regulators” and, further, “The experience of firearms and ammunitions dealer—one of the most heavily regulated businesses in the United States—is a testament to the destructive and unacceptable impact of Operation Choke

Point.” NSSF worked closely with members of the committee to encourage a thorough investigation, which reveals a disturbing inability to distinguish between legitimate businesses and enterprises that could fairly be deemed “high risk.” NSSF supports the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2014, introduced by U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) last year, as a way of ensuring fair treatment for the firearms and ammunition industry.

In response to inquiries asking whether Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) or unlicensed machine shops may engage in the business of completing, or assisting in the completion of, the manufacture of firearm frames or receivers for unlicensed individuals without being licensed as a manufacturer of firearms, ATF has issued a clarification to Ruling 2010-10. The full ruling can be found at this link: www.atf.gov/sites/ default/files/ assets/Firearms/ FirearmsIndustry/ atf-ruling-2015-1manufacturing-andgunsmithing.pdf.

NSSF is carefully reviewing this ruling due to concerns that ATF will now require many small businesses to unnecessarily obtain a federal firearms manufacturing license when they are not actually engaged in the manufacture of firearms.

© 2015 National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SHOT Business®, SHOT Show® and all other trade names, trademarks and service marks of the National Shooting Sports Foundation appearing in this publication are the sole property of the Foundation and may not be used without the Foundation’s prior express written permission. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

16 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_NSF.indd 16

1/12/15 12:16 PM

U P D AT E

NSSF Delivers Value Retailer Education Seminars

ONE MEMBER’S EXPERIENCE

T George (left) & Ben Romanoff, General Managers

o help all FFLs stay in compliance and keep them up to date on the latest regulations, NSSF conducts a dozen Retailer Education Seminars throughout the year. Held in various locations across the country to provide all firearms retailers the chance to attend, these halfday seminars cover such topics as the NICS background check process, error-proofing the Form 4473, and how to recognize and avoid straw purchases. These seminars are provided as a service to all FFL holders as part of NSSF’s ongoing efforts to promote, protect, and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. For a full list of 2015 seminars, go to nssf.org and click on the Retailers tab at the top of the page.

Member: Ben Romanoff, General Manager Business: Ace Sporting Goods Washington, Pennsylvania Description of Business: “Ace Sporting Goods, located in southwestern

Pennsylvania, has been a family business for 67 years. Specializing in new and used firearms, our reputation for honest dealing has been a cornerstone of our success.

Concentrating on hunting, collectible, self-defense, and target firearms, we pride ourselves on having a knowledgeable staff, competitive pricing, and our large selection of firearms. Adapting to ever-changing market trends, we have adjusted our product mix to better focus on the shooting sports.”

Experience with Retailer Education Seminars: “The insight gained from the Retailer Education Seminar was of great value. No matter how long one has been in the business, there are always a few points to pick up on, as well as new circumstances and ideas that we have not considered. Seeing the business from the perspective of a former ATF director made me appreciate all the necessary attention we give to the process of selling firearms. Harry McCabe shared insights and knowledge about ATF agents, and he also resolved and confirmed many questions my peers and I had. We went through the Form 4473 thoroughly, question by question, and he explained to us what was acceptable and what was not, and the reasons behind those answers.”

Interested in NSSF Membership?

Value of NSSF Membership: “Our industry is fortunate to have NSSF as our trade

Promoting the great American tradition of hunting and shooting is what the National Shooting Sports Foundation is all about. For our members, it’s more than a sport; it’s a way of life. Join the more than 10,000 companies and individuals who have already discovered that NSSF Delivers Value! To learn more, call 203-426-1320, email membership@ nssf.org or visit nssf.org/join.

association, as well as a support mechanism for retail dealers. We can call upon them to answer and help resolve legal issues that pertain to our business operations, with respect to ATF and state compliance issues. Because Ace Sporting Goods is an NSSF Premium Retail Member, we benefit from an even greater level of support. In addition, all members can take advantage of discounts through the vendors NSSF has partnered with to provide services to our businesses, just as they can receive discounts on the support materials NSSF provides, such as industry surveys, marketing and business trend reports, and their many how-to publications about starting and growing one’s firearms business. In the political arena, the NSSF is a strong voice for us that deals with and lobbies for current and proposed legislation.”

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ 17

SHB0315_DEL.indd 17

1/12/15 12:12 PM

U P D AT E

YO U S H O U L D K N O W

What Women Want

NSSF’s report on women gun owners provides valuable insight into this burgeoning market

F

rom gun stores and ranges to shooting competitions and hunting camps, women are becoming a natural, and increasingly prevalent, fixture in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by men. And while the majority of the industry has welcomed this change, it hasn’t necessarily been quick to adapt to it. But there might be a very good reason for that.

“Our members have been telling us that the women’s market was expanding and that they’re seeing significantly more women in the

stores and at the ranges,” says Jim Curcuruto, industry research and analysis director for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “They

wanted to do a better job of marketing to women, but they didn’t know the best way to do that because there was so little information

available about women in the firearms market.”

Thanks to a new report released by NSSF, however, that’s no longer the case. The

The Women Gun Owners report investigates the factors that influence women when they choose to buy a firearm or decide to participate in the shooting sports.

18 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_YSK.indd 18

1/12/15 12:20 PM

BY GUEST COLUMNIST CHRISTOPHER COGLEY

Women Gun Owners report not only outlines the priorities of women gun owners, it also shows which factors are most influential for women when it comes to purchasing firearms and participating in the shooting sports.

“There were a lot of assumptions out there about what women wanted when it came to firearms, but there wasn’t a lot of solid information,” says Laura Kippen, owner of InfoManiacs, Inc., a market research firm that NSSF contracted to complete the study. “The data in this report gives us a nice snapshot of women gun owners and what they’re looking for when they walk into a gun store or range.”

The process to get that data began more than a year ago, when Kippen and NSSF started a listening tour of women gun owners. They conducted personal interviews at ranges and set up several focus groups at the 2014 SHOT Show. Based on the information collected through these efforts, the team put together an in-depth questionnaire that was sent out to women gun owners across the country. By combining the information gathered through the responses to that questionnaire with what they had learned during the listening tour, Curcuruto and Kippen were able to develop a comprehensive Women Gun Owners report that NSSF could distribute to its members.

The preliminary findings of the report were presented in June at the 2014 Industry Summit, and the full report was released to NSSF members in August.

“Our focus was really to understand what influences purchasing and what drives participation,” Kippen says.

“And what we found was that one of the biggest factors

that impacts both purchasing and participation is training.”

Curcuruto says that the study showed that women who received even a small amount of training were spending about 30 percent more than women who had no training. “So, by promoting training classes, you’re increasing the likelihood that they’re going to be more engaged in the shooting sports and spend more in the long run,” he says. “And that’s one area that every retailer can affect.”

Kippen adds that there are also many factors that influence women’s purchasing and participation decisions that gun stores and ranges have little—or no—control over.

“There’s a lot of it that we can’t drive as an industry because so many of the reasons why women buy firearms are intrinsic,” she says.

“We did find, however, that training also had an impact on those intrinsic qualities.

Training increased their confidence, their enthusiasm, their independence—and that, in turn, had an impact on their spending.”

The report also found that training isn’t the only factor that influences women’s decisions when it comes to firearms and shooting.

“A lot of women said that so much of their participation and spending is based on how they’re treated by the men who are in the industry,” Curcuruto says.

This is another area where well-intentioned assumptions might just be preventing increased purchasing and participation from this growing segment of the market.

“If a women walks into your store, don’t just assume that she knows nothing. She might be a beginner, but she might also be very experienced. You don’t know until

you start talking to her,” Kippen says. “Treat her exactly as you would treat a man who walked into your store, and you’ll get a much more positive response.”

Kippen says that practice should also apply to the types of guns on your shelves and the selection of firearms you choose to show her. “Don’t automatically pull that pink pistol out of the case and assume that’s the one she’s going to want,” she says.

“Not every woman wants a pink gun.”

The Women Gun Owners report shows that though color and style are factors for many women when it comes to deciding which firearm they purchase, it’s not anywhere near the top of the list. “What really drives sales for women are the exact same features that are important to men,” Kippen says. “They are looking for function. They want a gun that fits in their hand and feels natural when they hold it.

They want a gun that shoots well. The quality of a gun is one of the biggest considerations for most women.”

It might seem like intuitive information, but now, thanks to this report, there’s actual data to support that logic.

And Curcuruto says retailers and range owners aren’t the only ones who should pay attention to it.

“If you’re a manufacturer, you can see that if you’re trying to appeal to the women’s market, making one pink gun isn’t enough. You need to consider their unique needs, and then you need to let them know that you’ve taken those factors into account,” he says. “We can see that women are very brand loyal.

The first companies that are catering to the needs of women will likely be the brands those women will continue to support.”

Jim Curcuruto, NSSF Director, Research and Analysis

And judging by the findings in the Women Gun Owners report, that support is going to become more and more valuable.

“Women are half the population in this country, but they still represent a minority in the gun industry,” Curcuruto says.

“That’s definitely changing.

But if we want to get more women engaged, we have to learn more about them and exactly what it is they’re looking for when it comes to guns and shooting.”

And thanks to the NSSF, members now have the perfect tool to start learning that invaluable information. To get your copy of the Women Gun Owners report, visit nssf.org/research or contact Curcuruto at jcurcuruto@ nssf.org.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ 19

SHB0315_YSK.indd 19

1/12/15 12:20 PM

FIRING LINE

B Y P H I L B O U R J A I LY

The 828U, Benelli’s first over/ under, is a natural pointer, and the Progressive Comfort system minimizes its kick.

Bucking Tradition

Benelli’s new break-action shotgun delivers plenty of steak with the sizzle

B

enelli’s over/under just may have been the most buzzed-about gun at the 2015 SHOT Show.

It’s a totally new take on break-action shotgun design that offers several advantages to its owner. Although Benelli has never made an over/under before, there is no mistaking this gun for any other brand: The swooping lines of the receiver, the rakish angle of the forend tip, and the Progressive Comfort system in the stock all mark this gun as a Benelli original.

As the 828U goes up against established, traditional over/ under models, it has a lot going for it: It’s light, lithe, soft-shooting, and widely adjustable for fit. The lightweight alloy receiver and carbon-fiber rib keep the weight of this 12-gauge well under 7 pounds, a trait I appreciated last November when I had the chance to carry it across miles of South Dakota in search of sharptails and wild ringnecks.

The slender lines made it a natural pointer, and the Progressive Comfort system tamed the recoil of the heavy 1 ⅜-ounce pheasant loads we shot. One of the gun’s biggest advantages over any competing over/under is that the squared-off stock head allows the gun’s stock dimensions to be adjusted with shims, just as many semiautos can be. With the 828U,

Benelli widened the range of shim adjustments, allowing the end user a total of 40 different combinations of dropand-cast without any gunsmithing at all. Optional buttpads allow you to adjust stock length. Given that stock bending and fitting of traditional break-actions can run into the hundreds of dollars, the 828U’s adjustability is a strong selling point.

An under-the-hood look at the 828U reveals several unique design features. The gun locks by means of a steel lock-plate that hooks onto the monoblock almost like the bolt head of one of Benelli’s semi-autos, freeing the alloy receiver from the need to contain the stresses of firing. While other over/ unders use linkages that cock ejectors and hammers, all those systems are separated

on the 828U. Opening the top lever cocks the hammers, while an ingenious “pulse fired” system drives the ejectors. The trigger group pops out with the aid of a simple (included) tool for cleaning.

With the trigger removed, it’s also a simple matter for the owner to convert the safety from automatic to manual.

With a top rib made of carbon fiber and no side ribs, the 828U has a lively feel, and the trim action keeps the barrels down low in your hand so the gun points naturally. As I said, it was miles between birds on our South Dakota hunt, but the gun shot where I needed it to when the time finally came. The Progressive Comfort system, which debuted on last year’s Ethos semi-auto, really does work.

I’ve tested an Ethos with Progressive Comfort along-

side my Montefeltro, which weighs exactly the same, and I can easily tell the difference in recoil, especially with heavy hunting loads.

Initial 828U offerings will be a plain black-anodized receiver model for $2,499 or a engraved silver version for $2,999. Each will come with a choice of 26- or 28-inch barrels. However, Benelli’s manufacturing tolerances mean all barrels will be completely interchangeable, allowing hunters to use additional barrels, which will be a great feature once target barrels become available.

No question Benelli’s new over/under has plenty of sizzle, but there’s a lot of steak there, too. This is an over/ under that offers many advantages to your shotgunning customers. (800-264-4962; benelliusa.com)

20 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_FIR.indd 20

1/13/15 11:59 AM

GOOD STUFF

B Y S L AT O N L . W H I T E

Near and Far

S

Federal Premium’s new turkey load is a real eye-opener pecialized turkey loads have evolved significantly during the past 20 years, and current offerings have been engineered to pattern more tightly and reach farther than ever before.

But these loads have also become less forgiving at close range, leading in some cases to missed birds. When Federal Premium Ammunition set out to solve this problem, it wanted to develop a load that worked both near and far.

The result is a new, high-tech load—3rd Degree—specifically crafted to cover any situation a hunter might face. The load, which debuted at the 2015 SHOT Show, blends three different types and sizes of shot and combines technologies from the company’s most popular shotshell lines. This balanced combination results in a turkey hunter’s dream ammo—one load that works at all distances, from extremely close to the extended ranges that have set performance standards for today’s gobbler chasers.

Taking a page from the playbook of Federal’s successful Black Cloud Close Range waterfowl load, part of 3rd Degree’s payload is designed to quickly open into a deadly close-range pattern, even when using aftermarket turkey chokes. The load also uses a dose of copperplated lead for the more common 20- to 40-yard shots. And for far-out birds, it contains ultradense Heavyweight shot to deliver a consistent, long-distance punch.

The entire payload is maximized by Federal Premium’s exclusive Flitecontrol wad, which stays with the shot col-

umn longer for even, reliable patterns.

The leading section of the 3rd Degree’s payload—20 percent of the total pellet count—is made up of No. 6 nickelplated Flitestopper lead pellets, the same used in the company’s Prairie Storm pheasant loads.

These pellets have a distinctive cutting ring that

creates a massive wound cavity. They also crush bone on impact. The load is designed to disperse the pellets quickly, which helps create a larger effective pattern inside 20 yards.

Loaded behind the Flitestopper pellets, and making up 40 percent of the 3rd Degree payload, is a layer of

copper-plated No. 5 lead shot, which creates a dense, even pattern at moderate range. This is the same shot that powers the popular Federal Premium Mag-Shok turkey line. However, 3rd Degree is the first load that uses it in combination with other types of pellets in one hull.

Federal’s new 3rd Degree turkey load leads off with No. 6 Flitestopper pellets for close range, followed by No. 5 copper-plated lead for medium shots, and No. 7 Heavyweight for distance.

The final 40 percent of 3rd Degree’s payload is No. 7 Heavyweight pellets. The tungsteniron material’s high density gives the shot more energy than No. 5 lead at 40 yards and beyond. Heavyweight’s long-range potential is maximized by the rearopening Flitecontrol wad.

I had the opportunity to test prototype loads two years ago on a turkey hunt in Nebraska’s Sand Hills. I took two gobblers—one at 50 yards. Those loads, however, consisted of Heavyweight pellets only—no lead. Since then, Federal Premium has refined the formula by adding Flitestopper lead, giving a hunter the ability to shoot at close range. The result?

Awesome patterns at 10 yards—very useful, considering the biggest gobbler of my career got away because he popped up in heavy cover inside 15 yards. My shot was a bit high, and the pattern never opened up.

Bottom line: Near or far, Federal Premium has you covered. SRP: $21.95, 3-inch, 1 ¾-ounce; 5,6,7 shot, box of five; $24.95, 3 ½-inch, 2-ounce; 5,6,7 shot, box of five. (federalpremium .com)

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ 21

SHB0315_GDS.indd 21

1/12/15 11:15 AM

UNDERCOVER SHOPPER

Confounding Questions

G

A shotgun that works for various applications brings out the best—and worst—in North Carolina

un-store clerks get all kinds of questions from customers. I visited several stores in Asheville, North Carolina, to throw them a curve and see how they handled it. I asked if they had a general-purpose shotgun, one I could use for bird hunting, clays, and maybe even home defense. There really is no one such animal on the market: If you want a home-defense gun, you’ll want a short, maneuverable barrel with an open choke. Bird and clay shooters, however, want a longer barrel and a tighter choke. Some of the clerks in this Appalachian enclave were perplexed, others unfazed. And in one visit, it was painful to listen to the clerk’s utter lack of knowledge, and excruciating when he slammed a semi-auto bolt on his finger. Ouch.

STORE A

ANSWER MAN

➤ Although this is a small, bustling gun shop, I got big customer service from a clerk named Caleb. He asked my name and was patient when I

asked a bunch of questions.

When he didn’t know an answer, rather than making one up, he asked another clerk. Caleb handed me a Mossberg 930 that had a 26-inch barrel and a

Remington 1100. He intelligently recommended I look at getting a second barrel for home defense because it should be compact for tight places. When I wandered from the counter, he shadowed

me—not in a creepy way—and offered advice as I perused other gear and used guns.

STORE B

NO RUSH

➤ I asked for a 12-gauge allpurpose gun. The clerk showed me a 20-gauge semi-auto imported by Mossberg from Turkey, then a 12-gauge 11-87 Sportsman, which he set aside when the bolt wouldn’t close.

After he realized he didn’t have what I was looking for, he walked me through a web page where we could order a combo—that is, one gun with two barrels. Like Caleb, this clerk recommended a Mossberg or Remington and a second set of barrels. Despite several customers waiting for range time or to ask gun questions, the clerk didn’t rush me, and in fact wanted me to try his son’s Benelli, even though he did not carry that brand in the store.

STORE C

➤ This is a small, tidy store focused on higher-end sporting clay guns and those who shoot them. The clerk showed me a moderately priced CZ 942 semiauto 12-gauge, which looked to be a pretty good fit for an allpurpose shotgun. He showed me other guns that would be much better trap, skeet, and clays guns, but would fail as home-defense weapons. They

SHB0315_UCS.indd 22

PIXEL PUSHERS

GUN TALK

1/12/15 12:25 PM

How’d They Do? Customer Service

Product Knowledge

Product Availability

As good as it gets.

Caleb asked me questions about my needs and gave me straight information about what they had.

When Caleb didn’t know the answer, he asked the boss.

But he had a command of the products and wasn’t stumped often.

They had three or four shotguns that partly met my needs, though I would have had to order additional barrels.

The clerk really wanted to work with me on my unusual request. He felt me out to make sure he understood what I wanted.

He knew the guns well, although the bolt on one wouldn’t close, which perplexed him.

Limited product availability, so he did the next best thing: He walked me through ordering a custom two-barrel setup online.

The clerk was attentive and helpful. He answered all the questions he could and related some of his personal experiences with the guns.

He didn’t know how to work the bolt of the CZ, so he disappeared for a while and came back with the owner’s manual to make sure he told me correctly.

Few crossover guns; the store mostly served sporting clay customers, but a few of them were relevant to my quest.

The clerk tried, but apparently he didn’t get any gun-counter training, or slept through it.

He really should have called someone over who knew something about guns.

Like many of the bustling big-box stores, they had hundreds of guns, including five or six that would have served my needs for a crossover gun.

STORE

A

STORE

B

STORE

C

STORE

D

SCORING SYSTEM: Outstanding:

included Beretta’s Xplor A400, Xtreme A400, and Xcel A500— all with longer barrels. He seemed to ignore the homedefense and hunting aspects of my requests, but he did give good advice about choosing a gun for sporting clays, I have to give him that. We got sidetracked talking about things like

Very Good:

fit, mounting, cast, length of pull, and drop at comb.

STORE D

OUCH!

➤ I knew I was in for an interesting time at this brand-new big-box store when I asked to see an all-purpose semi-auto shotgun and the young clerk

Winner: STORE

Average:

showed me a Mossberg pump with an extended mag and 16-inch barrel. I looked at it, but reminded him I was looking for a semi. He scoured the wall of 150 long guns, apparently waiting for an appropriate selection to fall into his hands. I pointed to the Remington 11-87 and Beretta A300 Outlander. He

A

The store would have had a perfect score if it had a larger selection. The clerk, Caleb, was helpful and knowledgeable. When he didn’t know the answer, he didn’t make one up but asked the boss. I’d feel comfortable shooting skeet with, hunting grouse with, or buying a gun from the guys of Carolina Guns and Gear.

Carolina Guns and Gear 3106 Sweeten Creek Rd., Suite D Asheville, NC 28803 828-6840063 carolinaguns .com

Fair:

Poor:

handed me each. Clearly, he was not familiar with handling guns at all, but that didn’t stop him from trying to answer questions as if he did. At one point the poor kid closed the bolt on his finger while looking for the bolt release. No blood, but pride was damaged, that’s for sure.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ 23

SHB0315_UCS.indd 23

1/13/15 12:10 PM

TIM IRWIN

february/march 2015 shot business PAGE

24

SHB0315_OPT.indd 24

1/13/15 11:19 AM

optics 2015

SOME SHOOTERS NEED OPTICS FOR WORK THAT IS UP CLOSE AND PER-

SONAL; OTHERS WANT GLASS THAT CAN PERFORM AT VAST DISTANCES. THIS YEAR, THEY’LL FIND PLENTY OF BOTH

›››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››››

shot business

T

his year will see the continuation of two trends. First, youÕll see new red-dot and holo sights specially designed for close-range use with modern sporting rifles; second, since long-range shooting seems to be a trend with real legs, youÕll see plenty of options in that discipline as well. In addition, manufacturers are rolling out crossbow sights, new binocular lines, and spotting scopes. The best news is that, though some of this glass is mighty expensive, your customers will be able to find something they like in nearly every price range.

february/march 2015

BY ROBERT SADOWSKI

PAGE

25

SHB0315_OPT.indd 25

1/13/15 11:20 AM

shot business

february/march 2015

BSA The Digital Panoramic Reflex Sight has four red/ green illuminated reticle options.

PAGE

26

SHB0315_OPT.indd 26

Aimpoint ➤ The ACO (SRP: $393)

is an entry-priced optic designed to mount out of the box on an MSR platform and provides absolute co-witness with iron sights. The Micro T-2 sight (SRP: $849) features a new housing that allows use of flip covers.

Beefed-up turret protection and internal elec-

Aimpoint The ACO is an entry-priced optic for the MSR platform that has been designed to co-witness with iron sights.

tronic components are also now on board.

(703-263-9795; aim

pair perfectly when mounted to a flattop modern sporting rifle.

point.com)

(888-666-6769; barska.com)

Barska ➤ The

SWAT-AR riflescope line expands with a 6-36x52mm with an illuminated red/green mil-dot reticle. Its compact size and low profile

BSA ➤ The

Digital Panoramic Reflex Sight (SRP: $87.95) has four red/green illuminated reticle options. The

10–50x56mm Long Range Scope (SRP: $309.95) uses a 30mm tube and features a large parallax-adjustment wheel mounted on the left side of the turret.

(954-581-5822; bsa optics.com)

Bushnell ➤ The

Elite 4.5– 18x44mm (SRP: $2,100.45) Long Range Hunting Scope (LRHS) features a first-focalplane G2H or G2M reticle and RevLimiter zero-stop elevation turret. The Banner Rimfire 4–12x40mm (SRP: $188.34) riflescope features a reticle calibrated

1/12/15 12:07 PM

optics 2015 to the .17 WSM with a holdover of up to 350 yards. The SportZoom 8–24x25mm (SRP: $194.95) binocular is sleek and compact and comes in black, green, or white. (913-752-

LG-415G (SRP: $399) Lasergrips. (800-4422406; crimsontrace

barska the swat-ar riflescope line

.com)

expands this year with the addition of a compact 6–36x52mm model.

EOTech ➤ EOTech’s

(631-963-5000; carson

518 (SRP: $539) and 558 (SRP: $629) Holographic Weapon Sights (HWS) feature quick-release bases and side-button functionality; they’re powered by AA batteries. Both models are compatible with the G33 magnifier and laser battery caps. (888-368-

optical.com)

4656; eotechinc.com)

3400; bushnell.com)

Carson Optical ➤ The HookUpz Universal adapter (SRP: $89) connects any smartphone to any optical device in seconds.

Bushnell The SportZoom bino is ➤ “Tough and durable, with quality glass” describes the LandScout line of Porro-prism binoculars. The four models include the 7x35mm (SRP: $89.95), 8x40mm (SRP: $99.95), 10x50mm (SRP: $109.95), and 12x50mm (SRP: $119.95). (310-328-

➤ The economical Pro F30 tactical scope comes in two configurations: 6–24x52mm (SRP: $1,139.99) and 8–32x56mm (SRP: $1,279.99). Both feature a front-focal-plane reticle with an internal level bubble. The KonusPro 3–9x50mm IR (SRP: $239.99) riflescope has a 1-inch tube and a blue/ red-illumination glassetched reticle. The SightPro R8 (SRP: $309.99) electronic sight has eight reticle patterns in red/green illumination. The battery is rechargeable. The valuepriced 15–45x60mm KonuSpot-60 (SRP: $169.99) spotting scope has a 45-degree eyepiece for extended viewing and includes a table-top tripod, lens covers, and carrying case. (305-262-

9560; celestron.com)

Crimson Trace ➤ The

small CMR-206 (SRP: $229) Rail Master with green laser fits all rail-equipped firearms and features tap-on Instant Activation with three modes. The LG-360G (SRP: $229) with green laser is now available for popular S&W M&P pistols. The LG-443G (SRP: $229) Laserguard with green laser fits the Glock 42 compact pistol. The Ruger LCR revolver series includes the red laser LG-415 (SRP: $299) and green laser

SHB0315_OPT.indd 27

5668; konuspro.com)

LaserMax ➤ The

Micro laser sys-

sleek and compact and is available in three colors—green, black, and white.

february/march 2015

Konus

CRIMson traCE the lg-360 with green laser is now available for popular Smith & wesson M&P pistols.

shot business

Celestron

PAGE

27

1/12/15 12:07 PM

Konus The

shot business

february/march 2015

SightPro R8 (top) has eight reticle patterns. The KonuSpot-60 (below) is a value-priced spotting scope.

PAGE

tem (SRP: $199) now comes in a green laser; it weighs less than half an ounce and can be mounted to any accessory rail. The Guide Rod Laser line has expanded to include Beretta 92/96 FS, Taurus PT 92/99/100/ 101, and Glock Gen 4 G20/G21/G41 pistols.

Green and/or red lasers (SRP: $449) are available depending on the pistol.

The Rail Mount Laser (SRP: $149) fits RugerÕs SR22, SR9c, and SR40c handguns and features a pulsating and constant mode beam with ambidextrous on/off activation. (800-527-3703; lasermax.com)

Leapers ➤ The

UTG T8 Series

MRC (Multi-Range Combat and Competition) scope line now includes a 2Ð16x44mm (SRP: $349.97) that offers 8X magnification zoom, a Side Wheel Adjustable Turret (SWAT) from 10 yards to infinity parallax, and an etched-glass mil-dot reticle with 36-color Illumination Enhanced (IE) multi-color mode.

The 4x32mm Wide Angle Fixed Power Scope (SRP: $129.97) features an ultra-wideangle field of viewÑ offering a 50 percent greater field of vision than a typical 4X scope.

The 30mm 36-Color Crossbow Scope features the PRO 4-Step Projectile Drop Compensation (PDC)

reticle. Point-of-impact can be adjusted for crossbows with velocities between 275 and 385 fps. Two additional add-on parallax-indexing wheels include a 60mm (SRP: $16.97) and a 100mm (SRP: $19.97).

(734-542-1500; leapers.com)

Leica ➤ The

new Ultravid HD-PLUS 42mm binocular series uses HD/HT glass elements with AquaDura coating to protect against water, dirt, and fogging. Three models are offered: a 7x42mm (SRP: $2,399), an 8x42mm (SRP: $2,449), and a 10x42mm (SRP: $2,499). (800-2220118; us.leica-camera .com)

Celestron The LandScout line of porro-prism binos will now be available in four models, including a 12x50mm (top) and a 7x35mm (bottom). All have multicoated lenses, BaK-4 prisms, and durable aluminum housings.

28

SHB0315_OPT.indd 28

1/13/15 11:21 AM

optics 2015 Leupold ➤ The

leupold.com)

Meopta ➤ The

MeoPro HD roof-prism binocular series debuts with four models: 8x32mm (SRP: $747.49), 10x32mm (SRP: $804.99), 8x42mm (SRP: $997.49), and 10x42mm (SRP: $1,034.99). All sport rubber-coated magnesium bodies. The MeoPro riflescope line has been expanded with six new models. The 3–9x40mm R/M (SRP: $517.49– $574.99) is suitable for rimfires and muzzleloaders. The 3–9x40mm (SRP: $517.49–$574.99) is for centerfire rifles

SHB0315_OPT.indd 29

(three reticle options are offered: #4, Z-Plex, and BDC). The MeoPro 4.5– 12x44mm and 4.5– 12x44mm T (SRP: $804.99–$919.99) are designed for medium- to long-range hunting. The T model features oversize MeoTrak TRZ target turrets. The 4.5– 14x50mm and 4.5– 14x50mm T (SRP: $862.49–$919.99) are for long-range hunting and target shooting.

Hunters who want a mid-range price-point spotting scope should look at the new MeoPro HD 80 (SRP: $1,724.99).

It features an angled body and integrated 20–60X eyepiece along with the CentricDrive mid-body focus control, which is easy and fast to

february/march 2015

(503-526-1400;

eotech The 518 and 558 holographic weapon sights (HWS) feature quick-release bases and side-button functionality; both sights are powered by AA batteries.

Carson The HookUpz Universal adapter will connect any smartphone to any optical device, allowing nearly instant sharing of an image.

shot business

unique D-EVO (SRP: $1,874.99) is Z-shaped to allow the unit to be mounted behind a reflex, holographic, or red-dot sight without obstructing the view. Shooters can shift their focus from the 1X view of the red dot to a 6X precision optic. The 1X LCO (SRP: $1,249.99) red-dot sight delivers a wider field of view than other red-dots on the market while also providing a clean, crisp 1 MOA aiming dot. The RX-1200i TBR with DNA laser rangefinder (SRP: $419.99) has ranging capabilities out to 1,200 yards for hard targets and 800 yards for soft targets. TBR calculates the angle of the shot while the DNA (Digitally eNhanced Accuracy) engine provides accuracy to the nearest one-tenth yard.

PAGE

29

1/12/15 12:08 PM

use in the field, even while wearing gloves.

(631-436-5900; meopta sportsoptics.com)

Night Optics ➤ The

shot business

february/march 2015

LEICA The Ultravid HD-PLUS binocular series

PAGE

30

SHB0315_OPT.indd 30

uses AquaDura-coated HD/HT glass elements to protect against water and dirt.

leupold The Z-shaped D-EVO mounts behind a reflex, holographic, or red-dot sight without obstructing the view.

Panther 336 336x256 (SRP: $6,499.99) and Panther 640 640x480 (SRP: $8,415) thermal riflescopes come with 2x50mm high-grade germanium optics and a quick-release weapon mount. They feature 1X, 2X, and 4X digital zoom, 600x800 high-resolution AMOLED display, and more than four hours of continuous use on two CR123 batteries. The Observer 320 features a 640x480 OLED display and real-time object tracking and can be used day or night. It comes in two models: a 25mm (SRP: $6,799.99) and 50mm (SRP: $7299.99).

The Explorer 320 series 384x288 thermal imagers are available in two variants: an LED (SRP: $4,199.99) and Laser (SRP: $5,599.99).

Both of these pocketsize imagers include a 384x288 high-resolution thermal core, a 640x480 HD display, and a 60hz real-time refresh rate.

Polarity choices include white-hot, black-hot, and three red-hot options.

The improved Magnus 790 6X (SRP: $4,779.99) long-range night-vision riflescope incorporates state-ofthe-art optics and coating technologies to improve range, contrast, clarity, and light transference. (800-306 4448; nightoptics.com)

Nightforce Optics ➤ The affordable SHV (Shooter Hunter Varminter) line has added a 3Ð10x42mm SHV (SRP: $900) with two reticle options and side parallax adjustment.

The ACTAR line gets additional models with the high-magnification 5Ð25x56mm F1 ATACR (SRP: $2,800) riflescope with a first-focal-plane reticle configuration and several reticle options.

The 4Ð16x42mm F1 ATACR (SRP: $2,400) offers extreme optical quality, clarity, and performance and a firstfocal-plane reticle in a compact package that is just 12 5/8 inches long.

(208-476-9814; night forceoptics.com)

Nikko Stirling ➤ The Panamax Series

features a one-piece tube, Microlux ETE Gen III lens coatings, and a dual red/green illuminated half-mil-dot reticle.

Models include 3Ð9x40mm, 3Ð9x50mm, and 4Ð12x50mm AO (SRP: starts at $119). The Diamond series is adding six models: 1Ð4x24mm, 1.5Ð6x42mm, 3Ð9x42mm, 3Ð12x42mm, 3Ð12x56mm, and 3Ð12x62mm (SRP: starts at $219). All feature 30mm one-piece tubes, low-profile turrets, and dual-color red/green illuminated reticles. (800553-4229; legacy sports.com)

Nikon ➤ Predator

hunters take

1/13/15 11:22 AM

note: The Active Target Special line now includes a 3–9x40mm (SRP: $249.99, matte black; $279.95, Realtree Max1 or Mossy Oak Brush) and 4–12x40mm (SRP: $299.95, matte black; $329.95, Realtree Max1 or Mossy Oak Brush) that are designed to be more effective on moving targets by using the BDC Active Target Special reticle. The Prostaff 7 lines features five models: 2.5– 10x42mm (SRP: $299.95), 2.5–10x50mm (SRP: $349.95), 3–12x42mm SF (SRP: $349.95), 4–16x42mm SF (SRP: $449.95), and 4–16x50mm SF (SRP: $499.95). Each features a 30mm body and a wider maximum inter-

SHB0315_OPT.indd 31

nal adjustment range of 90 to 140 MOA, depending on the model. The Prostaff 7 binocular comes in four models: 8x42mm (SRP: $189.95), 10x42mm (SRP: $199.95, black; $219.95, Xtra Green), 8x30mm (SRP: $189.95), and 10x30mm (SRP: $199.95). Multilayercoated lenses and phasecorrection-coated prisms help deliver sharp images with superior resolution and clarity. The Arrow ID 5000 Laser Rangefinder (SRP: $279.99) combines optics with laser rangefinder technology for bowhunters and measures from 5 yards to 600 yards. (800-2486846; nikonsport optics.com)

Night Optics The Observer 320 can be used day or night. It is available in a 25mm and a 50mm model.

shot business

Meopta The MeoPro HD roof prism binocular series debuts with four models—8x32mm, 10x32mm, 8x42mm, and 10x42mm—built with rubber-coated magnesium bodies. The high-definition, extra-lowdispersion fluoride objective lens elements are designed to eliminate chromatic aberration.

february/march 2015

optics 2015

PAGE

31

1/12/15 12:09 PM

nightforce The affordable SHV (Shooter Hunter Varminter) line has added a 3–10x42mm with two reticle options and side parallax adjustment to the line.

shot business

february/march 2015

1–6x24mm Predator/ Varmint (SRP: $259.95) scope has an illuminated Strike Zone 223 reticle calibrated for 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. loads.

The Volt 600 (SRP: $190.95, black; $210.95, ATAC Camo) and Volt 600 Tilt (SRP: $230.45) laser rangefinders offer fast ranging from 10 to 600 yards. The Volt 600 Tilt uses Tilt Intelligence to provide line-of-sight distance plus the true horizontal distance for steep inclines or declines. (800-423-3537;

PAGE

32

SHB0315_OPT.indd 32

simmonsoptics.com)

Sightmark Nikon The

➤ The new Pinnacle

Prostaff 7 binocular (in four models) features multilayer-coated lenses and phasecorrection-coated prisms.

first-focal-plane riflescope in 1–6x24mm TMD offers a multi-purpose tactical mil-dash reticle and fully adjustable ballistics-tested BDC dials for 5.56x45mm 55-grain and 7.62x51mm 180-

grain loads. A second model, the 1–6x24mm AAC, includes a CDC300 reticle for 300 BLK ammunition. (817-2250310; sightmark.com)

Simmons ➤ For

MSR hunters, the

Swarovski ➤ Designed for precision

shooting, the STR 80 spotting scope offers HD optics and an illuminated reticle, letting users estimate distance and identify targets at long range.

The illuminated MOA or

1/12/15 12:09 PM

optics 2015

Swarovski Designed for precision shooting, the STR 80 spotting scope offers HD optics and an illuminated reticle, allowing users to estimate distance and identify targets at long range. The illuminated MOA or MRAD reticle has 15 brightness settings—10 day levels and 5 night levels.

426-3089; swarovski optik.com)

$299), 10x50mm (SRP: $239), and 12x50mm (SRP: $249). Each has a smooth center-focus wheel, twist-up eyecups, and tough rubber armor coating. (800-426-0048; vortexoptics.com)

Viridian ➤ The Reactor line of

green and red laser sights now includes Glock G42, G26, and G27 and SIG Sauer P238 and P938 pistols. An ECR Instant-On hybrid belt holster is included; it shuts the laser off while holstered and activates it as the weapon is drawn. (800990-9390; viridian greenlaser.com)

Vortex ➤ The affordable

Crossfire line of roofprism binoculars has four models: 8x42mm (SRP: $219), 10x42mm (SRP:

SHB0315_OPT.indd 33

Weaver ➤ The

6–30x56mm Tactical Scope (SRP: $2,099.99) features a 34mm tube and SmartZero turrets, allowing an operator to make multiple elevation adjustments while still providing quick access to the rifle’s absolute zero.

The 1–7x24mm Tactical Scope (SRP: $1,739.99) features dual-focal-plane MDR technology that integrates the closerange, quick targeting of a second-focal-plane (SFP) illuminated dot with the medium- to long-range versatility of

a first-focal-plane (FFP) mil-dot reticle. The improved Grand Slam series now features the MultiStop turret system, which lets the user configure the color-coded turret for different loads and firearms. Models include a 4–16x4mm (SRP: $1,215.45) and a 5–20x50mm (SRP: $1,425.45). The Kaspa 3–9x40mm rimfire scope (SRP: $265.49) features interchangeable turret dials calibrated for .22 LR, .22 Win. Mag., and .17 HMR. The Kaspa 3–9x40mm scope (SRP: $265.49) has pink turret caps, adjustment rings, and other accents. The new T-Series XR fixedpower target scopes feature a side-focus parallax-adjustment system and precise MicroTrac Adjustment system for competition-level precision. Reticle choic-

es, depending on model, include fine crosshair, fine crosshair 1/16 MOA dot, or fine crosshair ⅛ MOA dot. Models include the 24x40mm (SRP: $949.95–$979.95), 36x40mm (SRP: $959.95–$999.95), and 46x48mm (SRP: $1,399.95). (608836-0922; weaver optics.com)

Zeiss ➤ The

2–7x32mm XB75 Terra 3x Crossbow Scope (SRP: $399.99) uses a ballistic reticle that offers the ability to determine aiming points from 20 to 75 yards based on the speed of the bow. The Terra ED binocular line now has a compact 8x32mm (SRP: $388.88) model as well as a 10x32mm (SRP: $444.43). (800-4413005; zeiss.com)

shot business

MRAD reticle has 15 brightness levels—10 for day and 5 for night. The reticle can also be completely removed. (800-

february/march 2015

Zeiss The Victory bino line now includes the Victory SF in an 8x42 and 10x42. Both use a triple-link bridge design.

PAGE

33

1/12/15 12:09 PM

Users of fixed-blade knives have a number of

SHB0315_KNI.indd 34

1/12/15 4:08 PM

options for concealed carry By David Maccar

SHB0315_KNI.indd 35

1/12/15 4:09 PM

COVERT CARRY

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

The term “covert carry” and similar phrases are showing up more and more in the knife industry. What does it mean? A folding knife in a jacket pocket is concealed, right? It’s pretty covert, too. But that’s not what we’re talking about here.

Quite simply, covert carry means carrying a hidden, easily accessible, fixed-blade knife, usually one designed for combat. But who carries knives covertly, and what are they most likely to use them for? It could be a member of the military who wants to keep a good blade as a selfdefense weapon or a utility blade that isn’t on display, an LEO who tries not to be conspicuous during offduty hours, or (where legal) simply an average citizen who doesn’t want a clip hanging out of his pocket and would rather have the security of a stout knife for self defense or sudden chores.

SHB0315_KNI.indd 36

The Shuka knife-holster platform from Galco Leather gives your customers an intriguing variety of carry options.

How these individuals live makes all the difference in how they carry, and there’s something out there to suit every lifestyle.

One of the more interesting platforms is the SHUKA knife-holster platform from Galco Leather. The SHUKA (it stands for Shoulder Holster Universal Knife Accessory) gives customers exciting new carry options.

In a covert setting, a law enforcement officer can carry a fixed-blade knife—either combat style or rescue—and still carry a handgun or doublemagazine holster (or nearly any of Galco’s accessories) on the other side. In addition to concealment, the SHUKA keeps all that weight off the gunbelt and pants. In fact, with available tie-downs on either side, the harness itself acts as suspenders when attached to a belt, sharing the complete gear load.

For SWAT members or law enforcement who deploy with a less covert and more tactical kit (like a vest with an M4 or an MP5 on a one-point sling), the SHUKA offers more versatility. A combat knife in a ready position can hang on the strong-side shoulder and can be cross drawn or straight drawn in a reverse grip. Plus, the other side is available for a typical cross-draw shoulder holster. Again, this frees up belt space, allowing the officer to use leg platforms for ammo, flashbangs, and other accessories.

For a hunter, this means the emergency .45 and a stout, fixed blade can

1/12/15 11:35 AM

PAGE

37

The Cold Steel Double Agent is a neck knife available with either a 3-inch Karambit or clip-point blade that features a doublering handle design.

all come along without filling up the belt, weighing pants down, and making long sits uncomfortable. In the winter, extend the straps a couple of notches and the harness can be worn comfortably over the outer layer, letting you get to your knife without lifting or unzipping your coat. In warmer months, attach the harness to the belt right over the cammies and you have suspenders and a gear platform.

Let’s take a minute to review how the platform works. All in all, it’s basically a piece of thick leather with holes punched in it that correspond to leather straps and screw grommets (included with purchase). The top of the SHUKA will accept any Galco shoulder harness and fully adjust with more holes and grommets. Granted, it’s not as easy to adjust or change components in the field as some nylon rigs, but the adjustments stick. And because it’s leather, parts will stretch and learn your body and your gear, getting more and more comfortable with use.

The platform comes with two straps of different lengths. It takes some experimentation to find the right configuration for a particular knife and sheath. If the back has MOLLE webbing, you can use the leather straps vertically. If the belt loop on the sheath is close or above the pommel of your knife, it will ride higher when inverted in the SHUKA. If the loop is lower

SHB0315_KNI.indd 37

than the knife handle, it will ride lower.

If you have a nylon/kydex sheath, pay attention to little details. See what you can take apart.

The rectangular kydex sheath of my Gerber Silver Trident is removable from its nylon platform. There’s a convenient hole through the bottom near the knife tip where a screw affixes the kydex to the nylon. That lines up just right with a hole on the SHUKA, requiring only one bottom strap to secure the whole thing in the perfect position.

The Trident hangs a bit low and canted forward slightly on my right side. This allows me to cross-draw with my left hand, reverse-grip draw with my right, and even (with a little wrist bending) do a regular draw with my right. This is harder with a shorter-handled knife or one that rides close to its sheath, although those are more comfortable and concealable under clothing.

1/12/15 11:35 AM

COVERT CARRY

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

Innovative though it is, the SHUKA isn’t Galco Leather’s first foray into shoulder harness knife sheaths.

“Years ago, we had knife-specific sheaths that attached to our shoulder harnesses. These declined in popularity to the point where they were discontinued. However, more recently we noticed an uptick in requests to carry knives mounted on the shoulder system, whether as a backup to the handgun or as a primary weapon,” says Mike Barham, Galco’s media and public relations manager. “The SHUKA went through our normal testing process, which involves multiple Galco personnel wearing it in the field for extended periods of time. They then offer feedback and suggestions to our R&D folks. We do this with all our products.”

So far reception of the SHUKA has been positive, and users have found other uses for the versatile platform. I was able to comfortably affix a double-pistol magazine pouch to mine instead of a knife sheath.

“Feedback has been positive thus far, and some people have actually found other creative uses for the SHUKA,” Barham says. “One user actually attached a cell phone holster to his SHUKA, in addition to a small knife. We’ve also noted a surprising number of people wearing it with a knife as a primary weapon, without a handgun on the other side of the harness.”

If concealment rather than

The Gerber Ghostrike Punch Knife, designed for self-defense applications, utilizes a rubberized handle.

SHB0315_KNI.indd 38

Gerber’s fixed-blade Ghoststrike features a lightweight, skeletonized, rubberized handle that’s easy to grip.

quick deployment is your goal, then the SHUKA will work with any sheath.

If you want a fast draw, stick with a kydex/nylon sheath with a frictionlocking mechanism. SRP: $56.95.

Aside from its versatility, one of the nice things about the SHUKA is it lets you shrug on a sidearm and a good fixed-blade knife quickly and then be out the door, either in an emergency or for simple convenience.

Another covert carry option many don’t think of is a variation on the boot knife. Gerber’s new Ghostrike Deluxe Kit offers the concealability and accessibility of a fixed-blade boot knife in a comfortable ankle rig. The knife is light, with a skeletonized, rubberized handle that’s easy to grip. The gaps in the handle make it easy to hold on to and pull from the friction-retention kydex sheath. It will take practice to learn to lift the pant leg and draw it, but from a position of seeming supplication, the user can come up with a surprise in hand that just might save their life. SRP: $72.

Not to be discounted, if comfortable for the user, is the neck knife. A large amount of damage can be inflicted on an attacker with a small but sharp blade. It’s also surprising useful for a number of everyday tasks and can be worn the same way, regardless of clothing. The key points are light weight (since it spends time hanging from the neck), a solid yet easy-to-disengage retention system (because it’s carried tip-up), and some kind of cordage it can hang upon. Some small knives can be adapted to be neck knives with the use of the holes closest to the tip of the sheath and a piece of paracord. Some might find that a leather thong will be more comfortable, but leather can stretch and gain an odor after extended wear.

One solid example is Cold Steel’s Double Agent, designed

by Zach Whitson. It comes with either a 3-inch karambit or clip-point blade (serrated or smooth edge) of AUS 8A steel (7 ⅞ inches overall). The karambit is better suited for self defense, but is less useful for everyday tasks, while the clippoint is a good balance of both. Thin, flat, and light (only about 3 ounces with the sheath), it has a solid handle and is comfortable and easy to conceal. This is one knife you’ll be able to hang on to; the double-ring handle design allows the user to slip an index finger through the ring near the blade’s base and the pinky through the ring at the pommel—and vice versa for a reverse grip. The rings also eliminate the need for a handguard of any kind. SRP: $48.99.

1/13/15 11:35 AM

BURRISOPTICS.COM

S AT I S F Y Y O U R

COMPETITIVE SIDE I N A W AY

NO FANTASY FOOTBALL _ TROPHY EVER WILL.

X T R I I™ 4X-20X-50MM Long-range accuracy and target acquisition speed in a durable, affordable scope forever guaranteed to perform—unlike that first round draft pick.

BC_036740_SHB0315P.indd 1

1/5/15 10:12 AM

“When demand for 10/22s puts one in a box every 30 seconds, we must be doing something right.”

1

3

Carpentry to Carbines FAILURE FIRST, THEN UNIMAGINED SUCCESS

BY WAYNE VAN ZWOLL

2

40 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_RUG.indd 40

1/12/15 10:58 AM

1) The striker-fired 9mm LCR is the potent progeny of the top-selling .380 LCP. 2) Production of the classic No. 1 has been throttled back as Ruger focuses on high-volume products. 3) The new direct-impingement 556 follows eight piston-driven 556 models.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ 41

SHB0315_RUG.indd 41

1/12/15 10:58 AM

profile of

Ruger

H

e shook my hand as if I were somebody with money. At that time, Bill Ruger had no call for an interview. And he didn’t need money. But Bill was a gentleman.

He also qualified as a firearms wizard. His active mind not only produced winning designs, but better ways to build and market them. He seemed to know what shooters would buy.

Ruger handguns and rifles and shotguns appealed to just about everyone, from gimlet-eyed collectors to first-time hunters and plinkers.

In 1946, however, William Batterman Ruger’s company faced ruin. Its carpenters’ tools cost too much to make and were priced too high to sell. Salvation came from an unlikely quarter. A writer and a painter, Alex Sturm had graduated from Yale Art School. But he shared Bill Ruger’s affinity for firearms. Sturm had $50,000 to invest—a modest sum to jump-start heavy manufacturing, even in 1948.

But Ruger put it all toward the venture he’d long dreamed of: a gun company. Wounds still fresh from the failed tool firm, he told Sturm, “We’ll start with a pistol that’s cheap to make.”

The self-loading, blowback-driven .22 Ruger had in mind was Luger-like in profile and as easy to point as a Colt Woodsman. But it was revolutionary in design, composed mainly of pieces of sheet steel—not costly forged and closely machined parts. The mechanism resided in a stamped shell. Introduced at a list price of $37.50, Ruger’s pistol was nonetheless well finished, and it performed well alongside more expensive handguns. Major Julian Hatcher, who’d mentored Bill Ruger, gave the autoloader high marks. Hatcher’s 1949 review in The American Rifleman brought a deluge of orders.

Meanwhile, Alex Sturm’s health failed. He died in 1951, still in his 20s. To commemorate his late friend, and the man who’d brought his dream to life, Bill Ruger ordered his “red eagle” emblem (actually a griffin) changed to black on the pistol’s grip.

The success of that handgun, cataloged now as the Mark III, might have locked Ruger’s vision on autoloading mechanisms. But his view was not so narrow. While shooters lauded the Browning-designed 1911 .45 and medaled with High Standard .22s, and as police departments issued Smith & Wesson DAs, Bill Ruger saw a handgun market yet untapped. Colt had shed its Single Action Army revolver in 1940. The Peacemaker was costly to manufacture and unlikely to reappear anytime soon.

Meanwhile the post-war economy had put television in millions of U.S. households. Through the dust of galloping horses, lawmen and gunslingers blazed away with sixshooters. Showdowns at high noon favored brigands who

slapped leather first (albeit in the real world, aimed fire won the day).

Ruger decided to build a better single-action than Colt’s, and sell it for less. Buyers would be gun buffs keen to experience vicariously the Wild West. In 1953, before anyone else invested heavily in such a venture, Ruger announced a small-frame, rimfire version of the SAA. Faithful in profile and balance, it featured coil springs, sturdier than the flat springs of the Colt. It was also the first Ruger with investment-cast parts (components formed by lost-wax casting, which reduces machining). At $63.25, the Single-Six revolver sold to the walls.

From 1956 to 1959, Ruger fielded a Lightweight SingleSix with an alloy frame. Chambering in .22 WMR followed. That version was supplanted by Ruger’s .22 Convertible, with Long Rifle and Magnum cylinders. By then, the success of the Single-Six had prompted design of a centerfire SA. The Blackhawk, initially a .357 Magnum, appeared in 1955. The .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk, with square-back guard and unfluted cylinder, arrived the year after. More chamberings—.30 Carbine, .327 Federal, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, and .45 Long Colt—came later. In 1959 Ruger introduced the Bearcat, a trim single-action .22 with an engraved cylinder, brass guard, and fixed sights. It didn’t last long. Neither did the Hawkeye, a pistol that looked like a Peacemaker but had a single-shot breech and fired the .256 Winchester round. It came and went in 1963.

A decade later, the Single-Six and Blackhawk revolvers got a transfer bar under the hammer and a “New Model” label. At the same time, Ruger announced its DA Speed Six, in .38 Special, 9mm, and .357 Magnum. It and the similar Security Six and Police Service Six revolvers lasted into the mid-1980s. They gave way to the DA GP-100 in 1986. The rimfire and centerfire SP-101 joined the line around 1990. By then Ruger was six years into production of the stainless Redhawk DA in .357, .41, and .44 Magnum, as well as .45 Colt. The Super Redhawk, with extended frame, followed in 1987. Designed for hunters, Super Redhawks chambered the .454 Casull and .480 Ruger, as well as .44 Magnum.

42 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_RUG.indd 42

1/12/15 10:58 AM

The No. 1 requires a lot of labor-intensive individual handiwork. Other factory operations, such as barrels and stock blanks, are mass-production efforts. The Scout rifle concept has proved popular with Ruger customers.

This past year, though, Ruger aficionados celebrated the company’s best-selling rifle. The first 10/22 Carbine came off the line half a century ago, in 1964. Since then, Ruger’s centerfire bolt-action 77 and dropping-block No. 1 (and now the MSR-style SR-556 and turn-bolt American) have gained market share. But none of these rifles approaches the popularity of the 10/22, the fetching .22 self-loader with a production run that now exceeds seven million.

“We can produce one every 30 seconds,” says Ron Nelson, 10/22 production supervisor.

Wait. A rifle every 30 seconds?

“Yep. That’s what our projections tell us we must ship to meet peak demand. Our 10/22 cell runs two shifts.

When we’re at full throttle, it’s two a minute!” He concedes that the cell, operating 20 hours each day, doesn’t always steam at that clip. “But this little .22 has a huge following.”

Indeed. It has also been called the most accessorized rifle in the world, although Nelson assured me that investing $1,000 in aftermarket parts to build a tricked-out 10/22 won’t make it a bit more reliable.

“You might even be working against yourself. We’ve had 50 years to comb just about every mechanical glitch

you can imagine out of this .22. And it was just about glitch-free to begin with.”

Though many shooters applaud its original design, the 10/22 was actually fashioned to replicate—in look, feel, and function—a Ruger already cataloged. The .44 Magnum Carbine had appeared in 1959. Advertised initially as the Deerstalker, it lost that label in 1962 (after about 3,750 units) when Ithaca filed a lawsuit. But the Carbine had an endearing profile. It handled nimbly. Its blowback action and rotary magazine worked faultlessly. Ruger kept building it until 1985. The 10/22 is essentially a rimfire version.

“More than 300 configurations of the 10/22 have been sold,” Nelson says, “including special-order rifles for distributors.” He still has “an 1103”—the gun’s shop name— that he assembled early in his 25 years on the 10/22 production line. It’s the familiar walnut-stocked variation, with front barrel band and carbine butt.

“But I also have one of the new takedowns, and like it as well,” he says.

The 10/22 has been furnished with checkered and uncheckered walnut (even some French), as well as laminated stocks and synthetics from suppliers like Hogue and ATI. Some have been “camo-dipped,” a film process now

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ 43

SHB0315_RUG.indd 43

1/12/15 10:59 AM

profile of

Ruger

Clockwise from top: The author with Ruger’s new Single-Nine in .22 WMR. New Single-Sevens in .327 Federal have trim frames and the frontier look that Bill Ruger designed into SAs. The 10-shot GP-100 .22 is the latest in Ruger’s DA revolver line.

applied to many firearms. The alloy receiver, initially painted black, has been powder-coated for the last 10 years or so.

Nelson started helping on the 10/22 line “in 1989, after a production run of about three million. We had just eight people assembling rifles. But that’s all they did. Manufacturing has changed. Our cell employs more than 50 now.

We also turn, chamber, and induction-harden the barrels.

We do final machining of all components. Bolt-hardening and bluing go to other departments, but the rifles are still assembled in our cell and even boxed there. We’re responsible for quality control. Any 10/22 returned for any reason

goes right to our team.” There aren’t many returns, though.

Barrels for the 10/22, stainless and chrome-moly, now come from the hammer-forging machine within the Newport, New Hampshire, factory. Years ago, during my first visit to that facility, Ruger was still buying many of its rifle barrels, commonly button-rifled.

“The 10/22 Target still has that signature hammer-forged twist at the breech,” says Nelson. “But our smooth-turned sporter-weight barrels come from the same machine.”

Some barrels are threaded for suppressors. “For export to Europe, we give them the ½x20 pitch standard there; barrels for the U.S. market get ½x28 threads.”

The 10/22 has been chambered for the .22 Magnum (1999 to 2006) and the .17 HMR (in 2004). Currently the catalog lists only .22 Long Rifle versions.

“The .22 WMR poses challenges,” Nelson admits. “The bolt must be heavy, so we used tungsten. It’s tough to machine. We paired it with a steel receiver, instead of diecast alloy.” He says these long-action rifles worked well, but demand was tepid compared to the call for 10/22s in .22 LR. Manufacturing processes at Ruger have evolved since the 1964 introduction of its flagship rimfire rifle.

One labor-saving change was the advent of MIM (metal injection molded) parts.

Metal particles, molded to shape under great pressure, require little if any final machining. When Ruger stopped making small parts from bar stock, production rates shot up. Other cost-saving measures included the replacement of alloy trigger guards with polymer.

“Naturally, we tested the polymer, even drove pickups over 10/22s on pavement. They came up shooting, their guards intact,” he says.

Nelson has worked briefly in other parts of Ruger’s manufacturing complex, which now includes the adjacent Pine Tree Castings operation. He’s not planning to abandon the 10/22 cell. “This little rifle is one of Ruger’s best products, a smashing success. Sure, the company has other top sellers. But when demand for 10/22s puts one in the box every 30 seconds, we must be doing something right. I feel as though seven million shooters want me to stay on the job,” he says.

William Batterman Ruger would probably agree with them. (ruger.com)

44 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_RUG.indd 44

1/12/15 10:59 AM

NEW STYLE

NEW STYLE

WX VALOR

WX TIDE BLACK OPS

POLARIZED CRIMSON MIRROR (GREY) LENS BLACK 2 TONE FRAME

SMOKE GREY LENS MATTE BLACK FRAME

WIND, DUST, GLARE, SHRAPNEL AND ERRANT JIGS STAND NO CHANCE. Wiley X eyewear and gloves are designed with max protection in mind for those that need it most: elite military forces, sportsmen

800.776.7842 WILEYX.COM

and auto racing superstars such as 2014 champion Kevin Harvick. 速 Wiley X, Inc. 2015

BC_037147_SHB0315P.indd 1

1/14/15 10:02 AM

W H AT ’ S S E L L I N G W H E R E

West

Fort, Big MTThe Timber

This busy independent inventories a long list of shooting accessories. It also sells fishing tackle, beer, and gas. Modern sporting rifles are turning at about one a day. DPMS, SIG, and Ruger are the high-traffic brands.

“Although our stock of .22 ammo is still challenging, it has improved enough that Smith MSR .22s and Ruger 10/22s are starting to move in the numbers we saw a few years ago,” said salesman Matt Nichols.

For varmint season, Savage Axis rifles in .223 are the hottest boltactions. Winchester Model 70s in .243 and .308 are also experiencing quick turns. Concealed-carry handguns are selling well too. SIG 238s and Smith 638s sell the best, but a large number of Ruger LCRs and LC9s are crossing the counter, as are Springfield XDSs.

Mountain View AK Sporting, Anchorage

This gun counter inside a general-use sporting goods store stocks 200 guns and keeps four employees busy in firearms alone. Even though all big-game seasons have wrapped up, boltaction rifle sales continue to escalate. “Big-game bolt-actions sell year-round, and this winter is no exception,” said manager Dan Jordan. Ruger Americans top the list, followed by Remington 700s. The top caliber is easily .300 Win. MSR sales are steady. Top models here are the Ruger 556 and Smith M&Ps. Striker-fired Ruger LC9s, Ruger LCRs, Smith Bodyguards, and SIG 328s dominate the action at the handgun counter. While the Lower 48 is seeing an improvement in .22 ammo, this store’s rimfire supply is at an historic low.

Midwest Fine MNBoone’s Guns, Isle

This northern Minnesota store has an indoor range and keeps more than 2,500 guns in stock. It also sells fishing tackle and soft goods.

The handgun inventory has steadily improved over the past three months. Sales have improved as well. Glock 42s, Ruger SR9s, and Smith M&Ps all pull strong numbers.

Varmint and plinking season is in full swing. As a result, .204 Ruger 77s and CZ bolt-actions are moving well. “Our MSR sales have slowed to two a month. We have monitored this trend, and our customers have become much more price-pointdriven. That said, we still sell a custom gun every five weeks or so that will get close to the $2,000 mark,” said manager Daniel Boland. At this shop, top MSR sellers include Colt and DPMS.

Superior WI Shooters Supply, Superior

This longstanding Duluth-area shop specializes in firearms, safes, reloading supplies, and soft goods. Rimfire ammo is still in short supply at this store, and it’s forcing rationing. “We really try to sell .22 ammo to families that have purchased a .22 during the Christmas season. Though the situation is better than it was, it still has a long way to go,” said counter salesman Tim Hammerson.

MSRs are turning at about one per week. DPMS owns the top spot.

Though Hammerson says he sees no increase in handgun sales, he also notes that sales have been steady. Ruger LC9, Smith Bodyguards, and Smith Shields all sell very well. Weatherby SA08 shotguns have been one of the year’s best performers.

Sporting IDLolo Goods, Lewiston

This small storefront employs three full-timers while carrying a large inventory of reloading supplies, handguns, long guns, and MSRs. Ruger is tops at this store—especially LC9s and LCRs. Right behind are Springfield XDs and XDMs. “We ordered carefully last year to improve our ammo inventory, and it has started to pay off with happy plinking winter customers and improved sales on .22 rifles,” said salesman Michael Reisenauer. Long gun sales have been brisk. Ruger Americans in .22 and Ruger 10-22s are doing well. The store is also selling plenty of Henry lever-actions. A few late-season Winchester Model 70 Featherweights in .243 are also crossing the counter. MSR sales have slowed, but Windhams turn at around one every three weeks.

NDOutdoorsman Inc., Fargo

This store keeps an average of three employees busy selling a variety of general home-defense products, rifles, and handguns. Demand for MSRs remains exceptionally high for this retailer. “We’re selling one a day, and that’s been steady for a long time,” said counter salesman Tony Bourn. Sales are just about equally split between Colt, APF Armory, FN, and Rock River.

Sales of handguns are brisk.

Springfield XDSs and 1911s from Colt and SIG hold the high slots. Glock 42s are also doing well.

Ammo stock remains good and improving deliveries of .22 are coming close to meeting demand.

Shotguns are still moving. Here, the store is seeing turns of Remington 870 Expresses and a few Benelli Super Black Eagles.

46 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_WSW.indd 46

1/12/15 11:18 AM

B Y P E T E R B . M AT H I E S E N

East

Blue Trail Range CT Gun Store, Wallingford

This store has range events for the entire family; there’s even a picnic area. Winter seasonal shooting has small-bore accessories flying off the shelf, including gloves and shooting mats for young shooters. “Our Youth Position Shooting Programs drive traffic through the winter. Whether it’s a starter gun or case, this is an active time of year,” said manager Mark Sloan.

Air rifles are always in demand this time of year, with several Anschutz models crossing the counter. Handguns are doing just fine.

Top sellers include Glock 42s and 17s. Ruger LCRs are also posting strong numbers. A few shotguns are also turning, mostly Mossberg 500s and a few CZ over/unders. Ammo stocks are better than they’ve been, and rimfire is improving.

South

Final Flight TN Outfitters, Union

This shop specializes in waterfowl and home-defense products, and stocks close to 1,000 guns.

Ammo supplies here are stretched to the limit. “Although we limit .22 ammo sales, we see change coming.

The most significant improvement is coming from Federal. They’re committing to ship us the largest order we’ve received in a couple of years,” said gun manager Billy Hazelwood.

MSRs are still moving briskly at five to six a week; Colt and SIG get the majority of turns. Bolt-action rifles are slowing down with the end of deer season, though some Savage Axis .270s are still moving.

Semi-auto shotguns are slowing, but the store had one of its best seasons on record, moving high numbers of Beretta A400s and Browning A-5s. Handgun sales are

Trading PAJuniata Post, Everett

This full-line sporting goods store stocks fishing tackle, clothing, and accessories in addition to 500 firearms and reloading supplies. Pistol demand is steady, with strong firstof-the-year turns. “Handguns, day in and day out, have proven to be the income generator for winter sales,” said manager Lin Karns.

Handgun demand is high and steady: Ruger LCRs and LCPs pull impressive numbers, and there’s heavy traffic in Smith M&Ps and Glock 42s. Kimber 1911s continue to post strong numbers as well.

Sales of MSRs are down to one a week: Top sellers include DPMS and Stag. Ammo inventories are slightly better than average, and rimfire is arriving nearly every week. Most winter reloading gear is in stock for the first time in two seasons.

impressive. Ruger LC9s and Smith Shields and Bodyguards attract the most attention. Glocks also sell well.

KY

Paducah Shooters Supply, Paducah This

11,000-square-foot facility includes an indoor archery range and outdoor rifle and pistol ranges. The past two months have seen banner sales of semi-auto shotguns. Benelli Super Black Eagles IIs and Browning A5s turned in especially high numbers.

MSRs continue to move in consistent numbers, with an even mix of Smith M&Ps and models from Daniel Defense.

“It’s a pleasure for me to say that we actually have enough rimfire ammo for the first time in two years,” said gun manager Chance Callahan. At the handgun counter, Smith Bodyguards continue to lead

Renaissance NH Firearms, Rochester

This 500-square-foot storefront is packed with more than 500 guns. Sporting shotguns are starting to slow, with a couple of Caesar Guerinis and a few Stoeger semi-autos seeing turns. Tactical shotguns from SIG and Benelli are selling better than expected.

MSR sales are good, and this store still sees an average of two to three crossing the counter each week, led

by Colt and SIG. With the exception of rimfire, ammo availability is good.

Pistols outpace everything else: Special orders for Beretta models 85 and 84 are topping the chart.

Kimber Solos are hot, as are Ruger LC9s. “We love to have Special Handgun Months, when we can get a special model for a good price. It can really draw a lot of traffic,” said sales associate Bruce Henderson.

revolver sales. Glock 42s and Ruger LC9s are selling well.

Shooters, TXSharp Lubbock

Stocking more than 3,000 firearms, this West Texas shop specializes in hunting rifles, handguns, and home-defense products. It is one of the largest independents in the state.

Deer season closed with strong turns on Savage Model 10s and Tikka T3s, primarily in .308 and .270.

Sales of MSRs have slowed to one a week, with Daniel Defense delivering the most consistent numbers.

Ammo has improved substantially for this store in the last month. “We recently received several large shipments of .22 ammo,” said counterman Chris Bennett. Handguns are hot, and SIG 238s and Glock 19s hold the top spots. Smith Shields are also selling in big numbers.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ 47

SHB0315_WSW.indd 47

1/13/15 11:56 AM

NEW PRODUCTS (Continued from page 50)

The Browning ProSteel Heavy Safe’s Pry-Stop end bolts offer improved break-in protection.

Browning Safes ➤

The Browning ProSteel Heavy Safe series will feature a tough 11-gauge steel body and Pry-Stop End Bolts for improved break-in protection. The new safes will also feature a 1-inch-thick formed door with inner plate, the Force Deflector locking system, and hardened-steel pin lock protection. In addition, a new ThermaBlock fire-protection system delivers a fire rating of 1,550 degrees F for 80 minutes, and a full DPX door rack provides storage for valuables, handguns, and long guns.

Four models will be offered. SRP: $1,599 to $3,069. (browning.com)

LWRCI ➤

The IC-A5, the newest addition to LWRCI’s Individual Carbine Rifle, is a direct descendent of the rifles developed

by LWRCI to meet the requirements of the U.S. Army Individual Carbine Program. The IC-A5 in 5.56 NATO is built on the LWRCI self-regulating shortstroke gas-piston system, designed to improve reliability and durability in the

field. The rifle also offers a nickel-boroncoated bolt carrier for improved wear and corrosion resistance.

Features include a low-profile twoposition adjustable gas block with normal and suppressed settings, an ambidextrous lower receiver, a monoforge upper receiver machined with a longer, 12-inch SPR-style rail system, and a cold-hammer-forged spiral-fluted barrel. In addition, the scalloped front rail design allows easy access to the low-profile gas block and modular rails available on the sides and bottom of the handguards. Dual controls mean both right- and left-handed shooters can operate the rifle to full effectiveness. SRP: $2,599, 14-inch barrel; $2,749, 16-inch barrel. (lwrci.com)

Leatherman ➤ In its effort to keep its customers prepared for any eventuality, Leatherman is launching a new Bracelet and Watch designed to give people access to a wide assortment of important tools anywhere they go—including airplanes. Leatherman’s watch and bracelet are completely TSA-compliant and feature a variety of interchangeable links that each include different functional tools to give users access to everything from screwdrivers and Allen wrenches to bottle openers and hex drives.

Designed to be as stylish as they are functional, the watch and bracelet are available in either stainless steel or black, and the watch features a high-quality Swiss-made timepiece. The SRP range for the bracelet and watch is $150 to $600, depending on the model; Leatherman is also selling the links separately for $25 to $30 so users can customize their bracelets and watches.

LWRCI’s IC-A5 Individual Carbine Rifle in 5.56 NATO sports dual controls for righthanders and left-handers.

Go to: www.ShotBusiness.com for free info.

SHB0315_PRD.indd 48

1/12/15 11:31 AM

You can really fly with this tool-laden Leatherman watch. It’s completely TSA-compliant.

Leatherman is also releasing the new Rev multi-tool that is designed to be carried in your pocket to make it just a little easier to get access to the Rev’s 420HC blade and its dozen other tools. SRP: $37.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Leatherman is launching its new Signal survival tool, which includes many of the tools that customers expect from a Leatherman, plus features such as a diamond knife sharpener, a fire-starting rod, and an emergency whistle, which can be critical in a survival situation. SRP: $120. (800847-8665; leatherman.com)

Adventure Medical Kits

Brunton

➤ The Me & My Dog Kit (SRP: $50) provides both human and canine medical solutions. The kit includes AMK’s 4th Edition Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness & Travel Medicine as well as a new field manual for pet first-aid. These provide the user with comprehensive information on how to use the kit’s components to treat an injured person or dog when far from medical or veterinary care. The kit also includes a Survive Outdoors Longer Emergency (brunton.com) Blanket, an emergency leash, a self-adhering elastic bandage that won’t stick to dog hair, hydrogen peroxide, and other trusted DryGuy first-aid essentials. ➤ The DryGuy Force Dry DX uses forced The Trail Dog Kit (SRP: $25) is a dogair to gently dry boots, shoes, and gloves specific kit stocked with an assortment of in about one hour. Producing a mild heat, dressings, bandages, and tools, including a it drastically expedites the dry time of splinter picker/tick remover for quick elimisoggy hunting boots without causing dam- nation of ticks, thorns, or foxtails. age to expensive materials and inner liners.

The Adventure Dog Heeler Kit (SRP: As it works to remove moisture, the Force $10) is a compact, lightweight, waterproof Dry DX also helps eliminate odors by prekit with basic medical essentials for treating venting the growth of bacteria and mold. common dog ailments, such as ticks, It dries up to four garments simultaneous- thorns, and torn-up paw pads. It also ly and features a three-hour includes a triangular bandage timer. SRP: $79.95. The Select that can be used as a muzzle so Dry Silent Boot and Shoe one can safely administer first Dryer utilizes thermal convecaid to an injured animal. tion technology, or naturally For the dog who just can’t rising warm air, to dry footresist jumping into an algaewear overnight. It works in covered pond or rolling in complete silence to remove offal, Adventure Dog Bath perspiration and moisture Wipes (SRP: $3.50) are your (and the odors that accompanew best friend. These moisDryGuy’s Force Dry ture-rich, cleansing aloe wipes ny them), leaving you to start DX gently dries your day comfortably with will leave Pup looking and boots and gloves warm, dry boots. SRP $39.95. smelling his best. (adventure ➤

The Heatsync Vital is a one-size-fits-all under-the-jacket heating system designed to maintain core warmth in harsh conditions. Ideal for cold-weather situations where movement or activity is low (late-season treestand hunters come readily to mind), the Heatsync Vital rests against a shirt or base layer and is powered by any Brunton 5V/2.1AMP USB power bank (not included). SRP: $74.99.

(dryguy.com)

SHB0315_PRD.indd 49

in just an hour.

The First Choice for Wholesale Ammunition, Firearms & Reloading Supplies Supplying Retailers, Gun Clubs & Ranges Great Prices, The Best Selection On Time, Every Time Delivery

800-264-2493

crowshootingsupply.com

medicalkits.com)

1/13/15 11:55 AM

NEW PRODUCTS

PHOTO BY JUSTIN APPENZELLER

Spyderco

The Rubicon(left) faithfully captures all the qualities of Peter Carey’s meticulously crafted custom folders. Its CPM S30V stainless-steel blade features an integral flipper to open the blade when powered by pressure from the user’s index finger. The handle is built on a framework of skeletonized titanium liners covered with solid carbon-fiber scales. The special three-lobed blade pivot is accented by circular orange G-10 inlays on both sides and balanced by a matching orange G-10 spacer in the handle. A broad, contoured titanium pocket clip supports rightside, tip-up carry and ensures that the knife is always accessible when you need it. SRP: $499.95.

Since its release in 1997, the Native has been a mainstay of the Spyderco product line and a flagship of the company’s Americanmade stable of knives. The design has evolved steadily over the years, reaching its current apex in 2012 with the release of the Native 5.

The latest addition to the Native lineage is the Native 5 Lightweight (right), which combines the Native 5’s engineering refinements with the weight-saving advantages of an injection-molded fiberglassreinforced nylon (FRN) handle.

SRP: $139.95. (spyderco.com) (Continued on page 48)

50 ❚ SHOT BUSINESS ❚ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

SHB0315_PRD.indd 50

1/12/15 11:32 AM

M&P® PISTOLS. AN EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE TO FEEL TO BELIEVE. ERGONOMIC FIT FOR MORE CONTROL. PRECISION BUILT FOR MORE ACCURACY. .22LR • 9MM • .40S&W • .45ACP

#EXPERIENCE #MANDP AT SMITH-WESSON.COM/MPPISTOLS

BC_036983_SHB0315P.indd 1

1/9/15 3:47 PM

BC_033640_SHB1114P.indd 1

9/10/14 3:25 PM