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Public Shooting Range Restoration

by Jim CurCuruto

T

he need for target shooting ranges has grown as the number of firearms owners nationwide increased over the past decade. Participants are more diverse than ever. Recent research by Responsive Management in 2021 revealed that participation in target shooting increased 63 percent from 34 million participants in 2009 to 56 million in 2020. Since the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, 10 million Americans purchased their first firearm.

They are buying rifles, shotguns, and handguns for hunting, target shooting, and protection. Regardless of their use, the owners need local ranges to become familiar and proficient with their new firearms.

To meet this growing demand, state fish and wildlife agencies have, over the last four years, built 42 new ranges and completed 170 range upgrades or expansions that are available for public use. These projects were all funded by excise tax dollars collected from manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, and archery products through the Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson) Act.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough, South Cushman Shooting Range located in Fairbanks, Alaska, is a fresh example. For many years the range has been a staple for recreational target shooters, hunter education, private training classes, law-enforcement agencies, and hunters looking to zero in their rifles prior to moose and caribou hunts. The range is visited more than 100,000 times each year, and with that comes plenty of wear and tear.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and the Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) commenced range renovation planning in 2019 that started with a wish list of improvements. Access and safety figured prominently.

“We knew we had a special opportunity to provide users with a new and improved facility that they would be excited about visiting,” said Brian Charlton, PRD superintendent. “Our list of enhancements was long, but we focused on improving safety, accessibility, a restroom, and providing sheltered space for classes and year-round shooting in inclement weather.”

Renovations include a new rifle range shelter roof, refurbished shooting benches, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant benches, hard-surface pathways, new and ADA-accessible parking areas, concrete ADA-accessible paths connecting firing lines to the restroom and parking, a concrete vault toilet, side berms at the rifle range to protect those using the pistol range and surrounding areas, and a center berm at the rifle range to create two separate and improved areas for hunter education and other training. Total estimated project cost: nearly $1.3 million.

“Our agency was able to provide 75 percent of the funding by utilizing Pittman-Robertson dollars,” said Eddie Grasser, ADF&G Division of Wildlife conservation director. “We needed to come up with the remaining 25 percent in match funds, and the Fairbanks North Star Borough was able to provide that. It is a terrific example of how partnerships can get more accomplished than what could have been done individually.”

“With so many hunters in Alaska, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program is pleased to have been able to assist our partners in making an upgraded and safer range facility available in time for hunting season. The Wildlife Restoration program funds not only shooting ranges, but research and management of thousands of species across the nation – all funded with excise taxes on firearms and ammunition,” said Sheila Cameron, the Alaska regional manager of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program.

The range held its grand re-opening in August 2022 and was opened to Fairbanks community use during National Shooting Sports Month. More good news lies ahead. The ADF&G plans to upgrade the Alaska State Parks Stiles Creek Shooting Range in the Chena River State Recreation Area next year.

The supply of shooting ranges must meet demand. Many state wildlife agencies are taking advantage of Wildlife Restoration funds, and there are several dozen new range projects nationwide in progress in 2022 and more are planned in upcoming years.

To help your customer find a range near you, check your state wildlife agency website or visit wheretoshoot.org.

(wheretoshoot.org)

Christensen Arms Announces New Mesa FFT Hunting Rifle in Optifade Camo

Christensen Arms, a manufacturer of state-of-the-art precision firearms and custom carbon-fiber barrels, is announcing that its new Mesa Hunting Rifle with Flashed Forged Technology (FFT) is now available in W. L. Gore Optifade Camo. Camo options include an Optifade Subalpine camo stock with a black nitride barrel and action and an Optifade Elevated II camo stock with a tungsten barrel and action.

“The new Mesa FFT with a sporter-style stock makes it ideal to carry on those long hikes up the mountain,” says Stephen Graham, senior vice president of marketing at Christensen Arms. “Backcountry hunters look to shave every bit of weight—be it pounds or ounces—possible. The Mesa FFT is the perfect solution, as it maintains the structural integrity and performance you have come to expect from Christensen firearms in a lightweight 5.5-pound package. Adding these superior Optifade camo patterns to our state-of-the-art hunting rifles definitely takes the rifles to the next level.”

According to Graham, Flash Forged Technology results in greater environmental sustainability. “It was created to save energy and eliminate waste,” he says. “Utilizing automated processes and virgin recyclable materials, FFT is truly 100-percent zero-waste manufacturing. Trimmed composites are repurposed into new carbon-fiber parts without producing harmful toxins or emissions. This new technology helps support our goal of wildlife conservation by reducing our environmental impact and protecting our lands and wildlife for the enjoyment of future generations—all while creating a superior product.”

Other features of the rifle include an ultralight contour 416R stainless-steel barrel with a Cerakote finish and a seamless, removable radial muzzle brake, 1⁄2×28 threaded muzzle for an optional suppressor, and a carbon-fiber FFT stock. As always, the rifle is backed by the Christensen Arms Sub-MOA Guarantee.

The Mesa Subalpine model is available in 6.5 PRC, .300 PRC, .300 Win. Mag., and 28 Nosler. Barrel length for the 6.5 PRC is 20 inches; the other three models feature 22-inch barrels. The Mesa Elevated II model is available with 20-inch barrels in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .308 Win. SRP: starts at $1,699.99.

 The Mesa FFT Subalpine model is available in four chamberings and two barrel lengths.

These two Mesa Subalpine models feature two versions of the Sitka-pattern Gore Optifade camo stock as well as two different barrel treatments.

(christensenarms.com)

ROCK RIVER ARMS INTRODUCES NEW SEMI-AUTO HUNTING RIFLE

Rock River Arms earned its reputation by manufacturing accurate and reliable semi-auto rifles for the law enforcement and civilian markets. Now the company is upping the game for hunters with the introduction of the All-Terrain Hunter (ATH), a mid-length AR-platform hunting rifle.

Designed specifically with the modern hunter in mind, the ATH rifle’s precision 18-inch heavy match stainless-steel barrel is cryogenically treated for maximum stability and accuracy even under high-volume shooting conditions. “The ATH is chambered in 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster,” says Dawn Wehunt, sales and marketing manager for Rock River Arms. “It’s also available in .223 Wylde to accommodate both 5.56mm and .223 Remington hunting ammunition. Furthermore, the ATH barrel incorporates a 1:8 twist rate and boasts a guaranteed ¾-inch MOA accuracy at 100 yards.”

The barrel mates to a forged A4 upper receiver and is shrouded by a 13-inch extended lightweight free-floating handguard. The co-witnessed fulllength rail system offers room for optics and thermal gear for late-night varmint hunting while the MLOK-compatible handguard ensures mounting positions for bipods, slings, and lights.

Hunter ergonomics were a prime concern. As a result, the RRA ATH has a winter trigger guard that provides ample room for the trigger finger even when wearing heavy gloves. The Hogue pistol grip also accommodates gloved hands with its no-slip rubber coating and prominent finger grooves. To meet changing shooting scenarios and clothing requirements, a six-position RRA Operator CAR buttstock rounds out the lower receiver assembly. With its generous cheek weld and textured buttplate, this stock makes it easy to maintain a comfortable sight picture. The stock also incorporates multiple quick-detach sling-mounting points

Hunters will appreciate the ATH’s operational controls. The star safety selector, for example, is easy to manipulate when wearing gloves. More noteworthy is the inclusion of RRA’s world-class two-stage Ultra Match Varmint Trigger. With its light take-up, crisp break, and 3.5- to 4-pound pull weight, this trigger goes a long way toward minimizing shooter-induced shot disturbance—a critical factor in long-range accuracy. Additional features of the All-Terrain Hunter include RRA’s Operator muzzle brake, owner manual, plastic hard case, and one 20-round steel magazine. SRP: $1,425.

“As Rock River Arms continues to grow, we have enlisted three new rep groups to help better serve our dealers,” says Wehunt. “We know they are a vital part of our continued success.”

(rockriverarms.COM)

FEDERAL AMMUNITION BREAKS GROUND ON NEW WAREHOUSE

Federal Ammunition recently celebrated a warehouse expansion project with a groundbreaking ceremony held in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The multi-million-dollar, 100,000-square -foot warehouse will be constructed in the eastern part of Federal’s property, which sits within the city limits of Coon Rapids. Jason Vanderbrink, Federal’s president; Tom Becker from Federal’s construction partner, The Opus Group; and Jerry Koch, mayor of Coon Rapids, gave short speeches and turned the dirt on the building site with golden shovels as part of the celebration event. The new facility is planned to be operational by early spring 2023.

“This year, our company celebrated its 100-year anniversary, and this project continues the legacy of growth and investment in Anoka County,” said Vanderbrink. “This is our first major building on our property within the city of Coon Rapids. Expanding operations across our grounds is very important as we become even more vertically integrated. This project will improve efficiency in our manufacturing process by storing, in close proximity and in one location, the raw materials needed to build ammunition for our loyal customers. I see this as the next big step in continuing our marketplace leadership and expanding our progress as the largest ammunition manufacturer in the country.”

Federal’s Anoka facility currently encompasses 175 acres in Anoka County, Minnesota, with nearly 1 million square feet of manufacturing and operations space. This property crosses the city lines of Anoka and Coon Rapids. The Anoka location has approximately 1,500 employees and the factory runs 24/7. The facility manufactures four types of ammunition products, including shotshell, rifle, handgun, and rimfire ammunition, as well as bullets, primers, and reloading components. Federal’s factory is vertically integrated with tons of raw materials coming in and finished goods shipping out every day.

“Our mission is to empower Federal’s mission statement, which is ‘build better ammunition in America to create community, power defense, and conserve our heritage,’ through the buildings we design and construct,” said Becker. “We are also a Minnesota company, and we are proud to be Federal’s partner on this project. We know this new facility will help Federal by eliminating their current need of on- and off-site material storage, ultimately allowing them to enhance their manufacturing capabilities on their factory floor and advance their overall mission.”

(federalpremium.com)

FN Introduces a New Era of Compensated Carry

The newest addition to the FN Edge series of performance-driven products is the FN 509 CC Edge. The new gun features a quick-detach self-indexing compensator that effectively mitigates recoil for faster shot recovery. The compensator also helps improve speed to target, accuracy, and overall control of the pistol. The FN Edge Series is comprised of highperformance firearms developed with four key pillars: speed, accuracy, versatility, and control.

“With the FN Edge Series of products, our team of engineers addressed the challenges facing today’s gun enthusiasts in a unique and no-holds-barred way. It’s a combination of aesthetics and performance that has been fine-tuned to perfection directly from the factory and delivered against the promise of FN innovation,” says Mark Cherpes, president and CEO of FN America. “The FN 509 CC Edge is a highperformance, premium 9mm carry gun that offers improved sight recovery, shootability, and more—all without sacrificing overall size for concealed carry.”

The key to the FN 509 CC Edge’s performance is the FN compensator. Designed to reduce muzzle rise by roughly 25 percent, the compensator significantly decreases felt recoil while preserving the ability to carry concealed. The compensator features v-style ports on either side that vector gases and flash out of the user’s field of view. The result is a shooting experience that is flatter and more controlled, allowing you to maintain a consistent sight picture from shot to shot. Machined from stainless steel and coated with a graphite-colored PVD finish, the compensator is not only durable but also designed to withstand hard use across standard and self-defense loads for the widest degree of compatibility while still utilizing the factory FN 509 recoil spring.

“The addition of a compensator to a concealedcarry pistol is a delicate balance. Too small, your compensator can be ineffective; too big, you aren’t able to conceal as easily,” says John Ryan, FN America’s director of commercial product management. “Our engineering team took a wholesystem approach to the design. They knew that this pistol was intended to be a CCW option and so had to perform with as little recoil as possible. But it still needed to fit within the styling of the FN Edge Series. The sleek design of the FN compensator complements the aesthetics of the Edge Series perfectly while meeting performance requirements.”

Unlike most other threaded compensators on the market that require tools to remove and timing shims to align the compensator to the slide, the FN compensator’s quick-detach design allows for easy disassembly for cleaning and maintenance. To field strip, remove the slide, push in on the front of the compensator, and rotate 90 degrees to release it from the barrel’s locking lugs. To re-secure the compensator, the operation is simply reversed. No timing or adjustment is required before use and due to the self-locking lugs machined into the barrel, the compensator won’t loosen over time.

“Even if you have the best comp in the world, one that results in virtually zero felt recoil, it’s still a simple fact that most compensated guns are difficult to disassemble for routine maintenance. This was top of mind for us as we developed the FN compensator,” says Chris Johnson, senior product manager of pistols. “Our team evaluated the more traditional attachment methods, but opted to explore something new so that customers who purchased a CC Edge pistol would be able to disassemble both the pistol and compensator quickly for easy maintenance. Ultimately, we settled on a quickdetach design that uses a compressed spring and lock ring within the compensator that mates to locking lugs cut into the barrel. It’s a future-forward idea, and we’re excited about the potential impacts this has for our industry for other barrel attachments.”

In addition to the compensator, the FN 509 CC Edge includes one 12-round and two 15-round magazines with machined aluminum base pads. The extra weight of the base pads ensures an empty magazine drops free of the grip frame for a lightningfast reload. The 4.2-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel with recessed target crown and a new gold-colored Titanium Nitride PVD barrel coating provide increased lubricity, hardness, and long-wearing performance.

The micro-red-dot-ready pistol includes FN’s patented Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System, allowing users to mount more than 10 different MRDs without the need for a gunsmith. A green fiber-optic front sight and low-glare blacked-out rear sight co-witness with the most popular optics.

Concealed carriers also benefit from the signature FN Edge Series fire-control group, which dramatically increases speed and accuracy over standard firearms. The flat-faced trigger has a smooth take up and clean, 90-degree break. When paired with the high-endurance striker, this advanced factory-installed fire-control group produces an approximated five-pound trigger pull.

Slide lightening cuts and in-mold stippled frame texture, first introduced on the FN 509 LS Edge, allow for superior grip and control for fast and accurate follow-up shots. The low-profile magazine release is reversible for left-handed users, and a slide release is fixed on both sides of the frame. Rounding out the advanced ergonomics package, the interchangeable backstraps further help customize fit in hand. SRP: $1,569.

EAA Corp. Releases Girsan MCP35 PI

AFlorida-based company, European American Amory Corporation is the world’s leading importer of European firearms. It’s mission: to bring the U.S. consumer firearms that are on the leading edge of technology.

The new Girsan MCP35 PI was created to be easy to carry and conceal, whether on the job or at the beach. Designed and engineered with a serious respect for the original John Browning pistol design, the Girsan MCP35 PI pays homage to one of the most widely used military handguns in the world. Built on a steel frame and displaying classic, black-matte styling, the MCP35 PI boasts a 15 + 1 capacity in a staggered-column magazine. Originally designed as a military pistol, by necessity it needed to be highly accurate. Rest assured, the Girsan MCP35 PI falls completely in line with the original.

“Not only did Girsan find a way to make the already popular MCP35 family of handguns easier to carry, but they have found another great market for our retailers to capitalize on,” said Chase Duffey, EAA’s national sales and import manager. “We’ve already seen a huge demand for the more-compact MCP35 PI.”

With its slim trigger, ring hammer, ambidextrous safety, windage-adjustable drift sight, and a 3.88-inch barrel, this 9mm will certainly become a leader in the category. Dealer orders are being accepted now and will be available for purchase at finer sporting goods and firearm stores nationwide soon.

(eaacorp.com)

ZEISS LAUNCHES THE LRP S3

The Zeiss LRP S3 is an all-new first focal plane riflescope. The new scope, designed for long-range precision shooting and hunting, includes impressive total elevation travel, advanced optics, daytime visible illuminated reticle, ballistic stop, and an external locking windage turret. The product family consist of two models: LRP S3 425-50 and 636-56. Both are available in either milliradian (MRAD) or minute-of-angle (MOA) configurations.

“With the LRP S3 we have expanded our successful long-range precision scope portfolio to provide more options for highly reliable and precise optics that are ready for competition,” says Kyle Brown, director of marketing and products for Zeiss Consumer Products USA.

“In long-range rifle competitions, shooters will experience challenging conditions like switching winds, poor and harsh lightning, or the stress of time,” says Brown, an experienced long-range precision shooter. “You may not be able to control these conditions, but you can certainly adjust for them with your choice of a riflescope.”

With up to 160 MOA or 46.5 MRAD of total elevation travel for the 425-50 model and 110 MOA or 32 MRAD for the 636-56 model, the LRP S3 ensures bullet impact even on the most distant targets. The riflescopes utilize Zeiss’ proven external elevation turret with enhanced engraving for precise shot placement. Together with the ballistic stop, which provides an absolute and true return to zero, and the external locking windage turret, the LRP S3 offers the shooter easy access for immediate wind correction and a locking feature to secure the setting.

Optical performance is assured via the use of extra-low dispersion (ED) lens elements and the company’s proprietary T* multi-layer lens coating, which combine to deliver optimum color fidelity, image brightness, and edge-to-edge sharpness within the entire field of view. The protective LotuTec lens coating, designed to resist fogging and to repel dust, dirt, or fingerprints, completes the advanced optical design of the LRP S3.

The already proven first focal plane reticles ZF-MOAi and ZF-MRi represent MOA and MRAD smarter reticle designs. “Our powerful daylight visible illuminated reticles were designed with professional input from active competitors and instructors,” says Brown. “Each incorporates distinct, clean, and easy-to-understand reference marks along the main horizontal and vertical lines of the reticle.”

Both offer fine-line reticle subtensions and floating center dots to serve the demands of precision shooters and long-range hunters alike. The user can select red or green illumination and the preferred setting from five intensity levels. Only the center section of the reticle is illuminated for the most precise point of aim, even when viewing against challenging targets or in harsher lighting conditions.

With its 34mm aluminum main-tube monobloc housing, which has been shock-tested up to 1,500 g-force, and a waterproof construction of up to 400 millibars, the LRP S3 is not only compact but also very robust. “It is engineered for extreme usage in rough terrain,” Brown says. “The LRP S3 meets all requirements, not only for long-range competitions but also for particularly demanding hunting situations over long distances.” SRP: $2,199-$2,499.99.

(zeiss.COM)

Winchester Announces New Ammunition Packaging

Winchester Ammunition recently announced the launch of new packaging designs for its legendary ammunition products in rimfire, shotshell, centerfire rifle, and centerfire pistol. Throughout 2023, Winchester will be rolling out new packaging across various brands of ammunition, beginning with popular hunting, target, and personal-defense products. The new packaging will eventually encompass the entire Winchester ammunition line.

Since the last packaging redesign more than 10 years ago, millions of new customers have entered the shooting sports and hunting community. Winchester has met these customers with all-new designs, commissioned artwork, and relevant ballistics information that will guide hunters and sport shooters toward choosing the right products. “As the industry leader in ammunition innovation, we continue to research products our customers want, how they shop, and how we can help them make confident and easy purchases,” says Matt Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “We want our customers to have the best experience in the field and on the shooting range, and choosing the right ammunition type is an important decision.”

As customers begin to see this new packing hit the shelf, they can expect the same legendary ammunition that Winchester has been producing for 156 years, with their favorite loads being represented by a fresh new look.

(winchester.com)

Springfield Armory Updates Its Online Store

Springfield Armory has rolled out its newly updated and expanded online store. Designed to provide customers with an easy-to-use interface as well as a broad selection of exciting products, the newly updated online store makes getting just the right Springfield product or accessory a breeze.

One of the site’s most appealing new features is the ability to search by firearms model. Simply select your firearm, and the site will give you an in-depth listing of all the accessories and parts offered for it. If you want an extra magazine, a new holster, an optic, or more, you’ll find it here.

In addition, a new airguns section features a selection of air pistols and air rifles based on popular Springfield Armory firearms. The section also features all the accessories you need, from targets and pellets to CO2 cartridges and more.

And the online store is not limited only to firearm-specific accessories. It also offers a wide range of men’s and women’s apparel as well as drinkware, knives, patches, signs, and more. In addition, the Springfield Armory online store offers free shipping throughout the continental U.S. on all orders over $50.

“We understand and appreciate our customers want their online shopping experience to be streamlined and easy to navigate,” says accessory product manager Allen Remley. “Our new platform not only gives a refreshed look, but allows for easier search, filtering, and product categorization functions to deliver an enhanced and improved consumer shopping experience.”

(springfield-armory.COM)

Remington Introduces New Gun Club Load

Remington Ammunition recently announced a new line extension to its popular Gun Club Target Load series of shotshells. Sporting clay enthusiasts can now go to the range with Gun Club 12-gauge 1-ounce No. 7.5 shot loads, which boast a velocity of 1,250 fps. This new load was created to meet the demands of sporting clay shooters for a lighter load in No. 7.5 shot.

This announcement follows recent expansions earlier this year to the Gun Club line, including low-recoil options and the popular Gun Club Cure, a product benefiting children’s hospitals nationwide. Features of this new offering include a top-quality unibody hull and Remington’s Power Piston wad. SRP: $11.99.

“Remington shooters asked, and we delivered with this new expansion to the Gun Club lineup,” says Ronnie Evans, Remington Ammunition’s shotshell product line manager. “The Gun Club Target Load series is one of our most popular lines, and we are excited to bring these to market.”

(remington.COM)