SHOT Daily — Day 1 — 2016 SHOT Show by SHOT Business

SHOOTING HUNTING OUTDOOR TRADE SHOW 1979–2016 NEW FIREARM ROUNDUP SHOT Daily spotlights the latest offerings in rifles P. 16, shotguns P. 38, and handguns P. 48. Plus, we lace up new boots P. 64.

FEATURES

NEWS

The famous Yellow Boy lever action was just the start PAGE 90

The man behind Browning’s hunting clothing revolution is hanging up his scissors PAGE 10

WINCHESTER’S BIG YEAR

MARK FRANCES

ALL IN THE FAMILY

ON SAFARI Who says a good African plains game gun has to cost an arm and a leg? Not Mossberg PAGE 8

FoxPro’s father-son team creates innovative predator calls PAGE 96

DAY 1, JANUARY 19, 2 016

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

Leatherman At Booth

Starting today, more than 60,000 industry professionals begin a four-day total immerison in all aspects of the shooting sports.

Today, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Tim Leatherman, founder of Leatherman Tools, will be in the Leatherman booth, where he will be signing Leatherman tools. Visitors can also enjoy a beer as well as live acoustic bluegrass and folk music. While at the booth, be sure to take a look at the new Signal Multi-Tool that’s designed to provide an assortment of essential survival tools in one convenient package. The Signal includes the tools that fans have come to expect from a Leatherman, including a knife, a can opener, a saw, and a pair of durable pliers. But it also features tools that will be extremely useful in any survival situations. Booth #14512.

2016 SHOT Show Opens

he largest trade show of its kind in the world, and the fifth largest trade show in Las Vegas, the SHOT Show features more than 1,600 exhibitors filling booth space covering 630,000 net square feet. The show attracts more than 62,000 industry professionals from all 50 states and 100 countries. When the floor opens this morning, attendees will begin four days of reviewing new products, attending career-enhancement seminars, and networking in booths and along the aisles. Now in its 38th year, the SHOT Show has become a must-attend event for retailers, manufacturers, and marketing professionals, all of whom know the value of attending the SHOT Show. National Shooting Sports Foundation President Steve Sanetti also knows the value of attending the show, and extends a greeting to all. “Thanks for coming to the 2016 SHOT Show! This year’s event takes place in a critical year for our entire industry. We’ve never been under such direct

political attacks. Yet when we gather together, you can really see what a formidable force we are. This gives us renewed determination to fight back and to prevail against the false charges being made against us. “The SHOT Show showcases the best that America’s oldest industry has to offer, from a dazzling array of new products on the show floor to the many educational, safety, and compliance sessions that help our members do business in a responsible and successful fashion. And in response to your requests, you can now contribute directly to the Project ChildSafe Foundation in Booth #2528 and help show the world that the firearms industry is actually doing a great job in making the already historic low firearms accident rate even lower. “We know how much you value networking with each other, and this is the perfect place to do it. So have a great show, and please let us know your ideas so that we can make the 2017 SHOT Show even better!”

Tim Leatherman, founder of the company that bears his name, will be at the booth this afternoon.

news

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

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, Richard Mann, Tom Mohrhauser, Robert Sadowski, Robert F. Staeger, Peter Suciu, Wayne Van Zwoll

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

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

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Tara Bisciello, Business Manager

CONSUMER MARKETING

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

MANUFACTURING

Erich Schlitz, Production Manager

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

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 1. Copyright © 2016 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

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

MINUTES WITH…

Doug Koenig Champion Competitive Shooter

A Hunger to Win Though he makes great shooting look easy, Doug Koenig knows that the key to winning is hard work

very once in a while, a special sportsman comes along who redefines what it means to be a champion. Doug Koenig is a once-in-a-generation talent, widely regarded as the best all-around shooter in the world. His list of achievements and championship wins is daunting, and his continued success is due to a potent combination of speed, accuracy, and skill, each of which has helped him to succeed in various competitions, from the Bianchi Cup to the Steel Challenge. With nearly three decades’ worth of professional shooting experience under his belt, he continues to find motivation that fuels his hunger to win by shifting his focus across disciplines throughout the year.

Koenig first started shooting competitively at the age of 17. Before considering sports shooting, he was an avid hunter. His first competitive match was in the winter of 1986, and from that moment on, he was bitten by the competitive bug. Working as a carpenter for his father, who supported his interest in the sport, meant he had the free time and flexibility to really pour his energies into improving and honing his skills. In 1990, he decided to focus exclusively on shooting as a full-time career. The change paid off, and that very same year he scored an unprecedented 1920-157x in the Bianchi Cup to take his first major championship. SHOT Show stalwarts Smith & Wesson (Booth #13729), Leupold (Booth #11962), Hornady (Booth #13145), Otis (Booth #14213), and Gamo (Booth #11053), among others, have been major sponsors of his career.

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

Doug Koenig: One of the biggest challenges facing the industry right now is how to attract new shooters and recruit the

Doug Koenig says the key to success, whether in a match or out in the field, is preparation.

within my sport. Equipment, obviously, is a key component, but physical and mental preparation are also very important. And I try to think outside the box with all of my specific training. I train hard in the areas that need improvement. You are only as strong as your weakest area.

SD: As a hunter, what are the primary differences between hunting and competitive shooting? Any similarities?

DK: I would say there are

next generation of hunters. Collectively, all of us in the industry must continue to be creative in our outreach to kids and their parents by encouraging them to participate in the hunting and shooting sports. With so many other distractions and electronic devices competing for everyone’s attention, we need to keep identifying access areas and affordable entry portals for everyday working families.

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SD: You’ve won the Bianchi Cup 16 times, more than any other competitive shooter. How did you achieve this distinction?

DK: My success in win-

ning 16 NRA Bianchi Cups comes from a ton of hard work on and off the range. I take what I do very seriously. Throughout my competitive career, I’ve continued to work to develop and improve upon all the shooting disciplines

a lot of similarities between hunters and competitive shooters. As a hunter, you need to know your gear inside and out. You have to practice being familiar and confidant in handling your firearm of choice safely. You should be in reasonably good condition, especially for physically demanding Western or high-country hunts. The biggest differences between a competitive shooter and a hunter is the competitive shooter has to perform in front of his or her peers. When you are hunting, no one is keeping score. Honestly, for me, I can have a cham-

pionship day in the field even if I never fire a shot—it’s the total outdoor experience that I enjoy. I would also say that having a competitive shooting mindset can help a hunter deal with buck fever!

SD: How do you maintain your focus during a long competitive event?

DK: That is one of the

hardest things to do. For me, it is the ultimate test, and it all comes down to my preparation. If I’ve done all the work—in the gym, on the range, and with my equipment—then I can focus solely on the match. If those other elements are not in order, it redirects my focus away from my performance. I live in the moment—one shot at a time, one stage at a time, and one day at a time. I don’t get ahead of myself.

SD: What is the single most important thing you have learned—professional and/or personal—from competitive shooting?

DK: That there is no

substitute for hard work. I follow a rigorous physical and mental training routine, and I spend countless hours at the range practicing. It’s hard work, but that’s how you create your own destiny.

news

Karen Mehall Phillips Receives Zeiss Award

aren Mehall Phillips, senior editor of the NRA’s American Hunter, is the 2015 Carl Zeiss Outdoor Writer of the Year. A custom plaque recognizing her achievements and contributions to the hunting and shooting sports was presented to her last night at the company’s annual SHOT Show writer’s party. “Karen is one of the most progressive writers and optics users in the industry,” said Mike Jensen, president of Carl Zeiss SBE. “She is full of creativity, dedication, and confidence in every aspect of her work, and she masterfully communicates with a deep insight along with accurate and in-depth information that greatly benefits her readers. Her passion and appreciation for the outdoors resonates throughout all of her work.”

An avid hunter for 27 years, Phillips has pursued and photographed big game, upland birds, and turkeys in 25 states and in Canada, South Africa, Italy, Finland, New Zealand, and Greenland. An NRA Endowment member, she worked in the NRA public relations arena for seven years promoting NRA’s safety,

Karen Mehall Philiips is the recipient of the Zeiss Outdoor Writer of the Year Award.

education, and training programs and managing media relations before transferring to the association’s publications division in 1998. She served as the founding editor of two NRA official journals—America’s 1st Freedom and Woman’s Outlook—and as co-host of the American Hunter television show before moving to her current position. The Carl Zeiss Outdoor Writer of the Year Award is now in its 12th year. Previous winners include Wayne van Zwoll, David Petzal, Ron Spomer, John Barsness, Terry Wieland, Craig Boddington, John Zent, Andrew McKean, Mike Schoby, Thomas McIntyre, and Joseph Von Benedikt. Carl Zeiss has also honored Bill McRae, Jim Carmichel, and Pete Dunne with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

muffling the noise

These days, I don’t go afield or to the range without something over (or in) my ears. I recently had the chance to use SportEAR’s redesigned pair of M-4 electronic muffs with four directional mics that help to pinpoint sound and enhance hearing up to six times normal levels. The muffs block sound greater than 85db and protect at 25db NRR. I wore the muffs on the range and found them to be comfortable because of a tapered cup design and adjustable padded headband. I also really like the big, fat pads on the cups of the muffs. The audio input jack is another great idea. SRP: $109.99. Booth #2606. (axilpro. com/sportear) —Barbara Baird

news

The author and his son with some of the game taken in Africa with a Mossberg Patriot in .308, proof that good safari guns don’t have to cost a fortune.

The Unlikely African Rifle

Mossberg’s Patriot costs a fraction of some safari-grade guns By Richard Mann

frican safaris are generally associated with an abundance of gin and tonics, pressed khakis, and exquisite rifles. Those preaching on the subject will minister you with sermons on controlled-feed actions living in Circassian walnut stocks with more figure than Jane Russell. But unlike in the Africa of Roosevelt and Ruark, modern safaris are within reach of the jeans-wearing, beer-drinking, blue-collar Americans who understand a rifle is a tool, not a scepter.

Oscar Frederick Mossberg immigrated to America from Sweden when he was 33 years old. He founded Mossberg in 1919, and the company remains a family-owned business. Mossberg established a reputation for building reliable shotguns workingmen could afford. Less than a decade ago, Mossberg entered the centerfire rifle market with the same mantra: a lot of rifle for not a lot of money. After some dabbling, Mossberg refined its approach to the centerfire rifle. The Mossberg Patriot retails for about $400, which equates to only a portion of most Americans’ two-week paychecks. Though it may not fit Peter Capstick’s definition of a true safari rifle, a Patriot in .308 Winchester has been my safari rifle for the last two years. It’s proved its rugged-

ness, reliability, and accuracy along what Rudyard Kipling called “the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo” and across the Boer War–embattled savannas of the Northern Cape. Two years ago I placed the Patriot on shooting sticks and used one of America’s least expensive hunting rifles to take one of Africa’s most expensive plains game animals. I watched my 14-year-old son do the same thing while drawing his first African blood on a warthog. From the seated position, I used the Patriot to put down two rouge blesbok at a distance I’m ashamed to admit. And, not to be outdone, at age 15 my son dropped a trophy kudu at 456 yards. Mossberg’s Patriot is a

8 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 1, JANUARY 19, 2016

twin-lug push-feed bolt-action rifle that utilizes a plunger ejector that resembles the one found on a Remington 700. The extractor is centered within the bolt’s bottom locking lug. The bolt handle is reminiscent of the Winchester Model 70, and the rifle feeds from a 2-ounce, four- or five-round, detachable polymer magazine. The magazine can be loaded through the ejection port, but single cartridges can also be tossed on top of an empty magazine and the bolt slammed shut. Like with Mossberg’s revolutionary MVP, a polymer bedding block/mag-well is sandwiched between the action and stock. Mossberg’s adjustable Lightning Bolt Action (LBA) trigger rounds out the package. Counting scoped combo offerings, there are almost 50 Patriot variations, chambered from

.243 Winchester to .375 Ruger. Stock options include American walnut, laminated hardwood, and basic black and Mossy Oak synthetic. For 2016, a new Kryptek Highlander camo-patterned synthetic stock is being offered. The Patriot meets all the qualifications of a safari rifle but one. It can be trusted to work, and it can be trusted to hit. It just doesn’t cost as much as the 16-hour flight to get you there. That means you’ll have more money to spend on khakis, gin, and trophy fees. Like the American patriots who rebelled against British rule, the Mossberg Patriot rebels against the notion that good hunting rifles have to be expensive. I can rally to that cause, whether I’m hunting whitetails in West Virginia or warthogs in Africa. Booth #12734. (mossberg.com)

news

2016 SHOT Show Auction Features “Western Heritage” Theme

he 2016 SHOT Show auction benefiting the Hunting Heritage Trust will feature a “Western Heritage” tribute highlighting the artistry of legendary and modern names in the sporting firearms industry, including Baron Engraving, Bianchi, Colt, Evans, Turnbull, Van Horn, Winchester, and more.

Grips to complement this special Colt. The companion hand-tooled holster and belt are by Matt Whitaker at John Bianchi’s Frontier Gunleather. The scroll pattern is based on classic L.D. Nimschke designs.

This Winchester Model 1866 lever-action is part of the 2016 SHOT Show auction that benefits the Hunting Heritage Trust.

winchester model 1866 serial

#win662016 colt single-action army and john bianchi’s frontier gunleather hand-tooled holster

The Colt Single Action Army played an indelible part in the history of the American West. Famous owners of the Single Action Army include Wyatt Earp, Pat Garrett, Theodore Roosevelt, and Buffalo Bill Cody. The tribute .45 Long Colt for auction has a barrel length of 4 ¾ inches. It was hand-engraved at Baron Engraving, and the engraving mirrors the design on the companion holster, which incorporates the “Western Heritage Colt 01” badge. The grips are handcrafted elk antler, selected by the artisans at Eagle

➤

➤ One

of the biggest headlines to come out of SHOT Show 2016 will be the return of the Winchester Model 1866 and, without doubt, one of the most talked about Model 66s will be this richly engraved “Western Heritage” edition in .44/40. The rifle features intricate hand engraving from forearm to butt plate by Baron Engraving.

turnbull-restored parker and hand-tooled leather slip by karla van horn ➤ This

handsome Parker side-byside combines the history of a Parker Brothers shotgun from 1879 with the renowned artisanship and “history recreation” of Turnbull

Manufacturing. Turnbull has taken this historic Parker “Lifter Gun” and brought it back to the condition in which it would have left Parker’s Hamden, Connecticut, factory in 1879. When Doug Turnbull contacted classic arms dealer John Puglisi in search of the perfect shotgun for this project, Puglisi donated this rock-solid “Lifter Gun.” Complementing the Parker is an exquisite hand-tooled shotgun slip by Karla Van Horn. phil evans hand-forged bowie, custom sheath by andy humble ➤ Phil

Evans is a highly respected custom-knife maker and member

of the American Bladesmith Society. He has created a magnificent Bowie Knife. The massive forged 5160 blade is more than 10 inches long and 3⁄8-inch-thick at the spine. The knife also has a forged “S” type guard, iron hardware, and a premium stag handle. The sheath is custom-designed by Andy Humble. The SHOT Show auction is administered for the National Shooting Sports Foundation by the Hunting Heritage Trust. All of the tribute items are on display at the Gunbroker.com booth. The bidding closes Friday afternoon, January 22, 2016. Booth #15147.

The Man Behind the Camo Clothing Revolution Mark Frances, Browning apparel manager, set to hang up his scissors after 45 years By David Draper

f you’ve ever hunted in the rain and cold, you should probably send Mark Frances a thank-you card for keeping you dry and warm. Or better yet, pen him a congratulatory note as the long-time Browning employee is retiring after 45 years with the Utah-based firearm and hunting company. For the last 20 years, the senior product manager of apparel for Browning has been at the development and

design forefront of some of the biggest advances in clothing and outerwear for hunters. During his tenure, Browning brought new fabrics and advanced technologies to a segment of the market that had been heavily garbed in materials not wholly suited for the hunter’s environment. While still a student at nearby Weber State, Frances got his start at Browning in 1971, serving as chauffeur and go-fer for Val Browning. From that entry-level position he worked through the company, learning everything he could, before volunteering for an open position in apparel during a period when sourcing was headed overseas. In his new position, Frances was part of the first overseas team to work and develop relationships with manufacturing facilities in Asia. “Being young and naïve, I said, ‘I’ll do that,’ not knowing what I’d gotten myself into,” says Frances. “Browning has been very good to me. I was a kid wet behind the ears, and they let me grow at my own pace. I did all kinds of things in the product development, but always had my eye on apparel. It’s been a lot of fun, with a lot of challenges and a few successes.” Mark Frances first made waves with Browning’s Hydro-Fleece, which revolutionized the industry.

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Always humble, Frances’ “few” successes mark some of the most important advancements for hunters, including Browning Hydro-Fleece. Launched in 1993, Hydro-Fleece was without question the first waterproof, breathable rainwear that was also quiet. It was a game-changer in the way hunters could stay protected and concealed in any weather condition. He also created Browning’s down program, working to adapt the traditional insulation for modern hunters. More recently, Frances and Browning introduced hunters to next-generation synthetic insulations and were among the first apparel designers to build Primaloft into hunting clothing. Not one to rest on his laurels, Frances plans to go out on top. His latest project is the Speed line of athletic-inspired hunting clothing, which features what Frances is calling a “herofit” for backcountry athletes and Browningexclusive ATACS camo. This advanced combination of fit, features, and camo is designed to be the pinnacle of Browning’s line of hunting apparel and, with Frances’ pedigree woven into it, is sure to be a smashing success. “Browning wouldn’t be where it is now in the clothing world without Mark Frances—and frankly, neither would the industry,” says Travis Hall, president and CEO of Browning. Booth #10744. (browning.com)

news

Zeiss Honors Larry Weishuhn

arl Zeiss Sports Optics has honored Larry Weishuhn with a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented last night at the annual Zeiss writers’ party, for his work in outdoor writing, speaking, and wildlife education/ habitat conservation. The award also honors his dedicated work with disabled veterans and others. Born July 24, 1947, the fifth-generation Texan is the son of an oilfield worker who also ranched for cattle. The two jobs meant long hours, and his mother passed the time by reading him big-game hunting stories from Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, and Sports Afield. This instilled in him a love of reading and a desire to someday become a writer.

While in college, Weishuhn started working with Texas’ Wildlife Disease Project, a joint research project between Texas A&M University’s Department of Veterinary Pathology and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. He quickly was put under contract to help conduct wildlife research involving whitetail deer, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, desert bighorn sheep, and many other game animals. After graduation from Texas A&M with a B.S. degree in Wildlife Science, Weishuhn continued working under contract as an assistant project leader for the Wildlife Disease Project. During his tenure, Weishuhn was involved in various research projects regard-

ing whitetail deer nutrition and antler development projects. He also developed a natural means of vaccinating desert bighorn sheep

Larry Weishuhn has spent a lifetime devoted to wildlife management and hunting.

against blue tongue. These projects led to a number of technical papers that were published in various professional journals.

Ultimately he was hired fulltime as a TPWD biologist. After five years, the department recognized his talent and work ethic and promoted him to headquarters. Unwilling to leave field work, he declined the position and entered the private sector as a consulting biologist, writer, and speaker. His knowledge of the outdoors led him to become a writer who has now authored more than 3,000 magazine articles and eight books. In addition to his writing, he has also hosted radio and television shows. His knowledge of whitetail deer behavior is so deep and comprehensive that his peers have nicknamed him “Mr. Whitetail.”

CMMG The Mk47 with KRINK muzzle device features a shorter AR-10-size bolt-carrier group.

RIFLES close - quarters carbines

long - range platforms

hot rimfires

Bumper Crop

A vast selection of new rifles, built for a wide range of uses, should have shooters coming to retailers with wide-open eyes and wallets

By Richard Mann or 2016, we have survival rifles, utility rifles, anniversary rifles, and a mixture of new hunting rifles from which to choose. There are rifles for subsonic shooting and even one for speeds greater than Mach 3.3. On the tactical side, you’ll find everything from close-quarters carbines to long-range sniper platforms. With new offerings in every category, the only consistent trend seems to be continued inclusion of threaded muzzles for suppressor-ready rifles. It is quietly becoming the new standard.

Bergara Premier Series Tactical Rifle (top) uses a lightweight chassis. The Woodsman (bottom) is available in long- and shortaction versions.

Ashbury Precision Ordnance ➤ Ashbury

Precision Ordnance Manufacturing has added the .408 and .375 CheyTac cartridges to the Asymmetric Warrior precision tactical rifles, which are based on the new SABER VX bolt-action receiver. The SABER VX is Ashbury’s octagonal geometryprecision-manufactured boltaction receiver for super magnum calibers. The ASW-408 uses the latest innovation in the patented SABER-FORSST modular rifle chassis system, which is an interlocking action/chassis design precision machined from aerospacegrade aluminum alloy. For excep-

tional bullet stability and accuracy, the .408CT uses a 1-in13-inch twist, and the .375CT uses a 1-in-10.5-inch twist. Booth #31407. (ashburyprecision ordnance.com)

Bergara USA ➤ Bergara

USA has a new player in the tactical rifle field. The Premier Series Tactical Rifle was designed to meet the accuracy and

16 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 1, JANUARY 19, 2016

performance standards required by professional shooters. It’s built with the Bergara Premier action, which features a coned bolt nose and breech to ensure consistently smooth feeding. The Bergara 416 stainless-steel barrel has a Dead Air suppressor-ready Key Mount Brake and is Cerakote finished in matte black. The custom chassis stock by XLR features an adjustable length of pull (12 to 15 inches) and changeable cheek height.

Cimarron The Model 71, chambered in .45/70, will now be offered in three versions.

The lightweight chassis buttstock features QD flush cups on both sides, an ambidextrous cheek rest, and a monopod provision. The rifle is available in .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor. SRP: $2,200. The Woodsman rifle is also new from Bergara. This boltaction hunting rifle weighs 7.4 pounds in long action and 7.1 pounds in short action. It has a hinged floor plate and comes with a 22- or 24-inch, No. 3 contour barrel. The stock is American walnut, and available chamberings include 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm Rem. Mag., .308 Win., .30/06, and .300 Win. Mag. All chamber-

products

Browning The X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Speed bolt-action (top) features a composite stock with A-TACS AU camo and Cerakote Burnt Bronze finish on the barrel and action. An updated BAR MK 3 (middle) gets a new stock and forearm design along with a new receiver profile. The new Long Range Hunter (bottom) utilizes a carbon stock with carbon-fiber finish and a 26-inch matte-finish fluted stainless-steel barrel.

ings utilize suitable twist rates for high BC bullets. Booth #14516. (bergarausa.com)

Browning ➤ Browning

has introduced the new X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Speed bolt-action rifle, which features a composite stock with A-TACS AU Camo and a Cerakote Burnt Bronze finish on the barrel and action. The barrel is fluted and includes a threaded muzzle brake. Chamberings include .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win., 7mm08, .270 Win., and .30/06, all with a 22-inch barrel. Rifles chambered for the .270 WSM and .300 WSM will have a 23-inch barrel; those chambered for the 26 Nosler, 7mm Rem. Mag., and .300 Win. Mag. will have a 26-inch tube. Additional features include an adjustable Feather Trigger, detachable rotary magazine, bolt unlock button, and the X-Lock scope-mounting system. Weight ranges from 6 pounds 5ounces to 6 pounds 13 ounces. SRP: $1,199.99 for standard calibers, $1,239.99 for magnums. The Long Range Hunter is also new from Browning. It features a composite stock with carbon-fiber finish, stainless-steel receiver in matte finish, and a 26-inch mattefinish fluted barrel. It comes with a threaded muzzle brake that is

easily removed for suppressor installation. The new X-Bolt Long Range Hunter is designed to maximize accuracy at extended ranges, yet still be light and maneuverable enough to carry. Weight ranges from 7 pounds 3 ounces to 7 pounds 8 ounces. It will be available in 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 WSM, .300

WSM, 26 Nosler, 7mm Rem. Mag., and .300 Win. Mag. SRP: $1,429.99 to $1,469.99. Browning also will introduce a new updated BAR semi-auto rifle for 2016 called the BAR MK 3 that features a new receiver profile, engraving, and a new stock and forearm design. The lightweight alloy receiver has a satin-

nickel finish with high-relief engraving and is drilled and tapped for scope mounts. The stock and forearm are Grade II walnut with cut checkering in oil finish. Barrel lengths are 22, 24, or 26 inches, depending on chambering. Booth #10744. (browning.com)

Cimarron

CZ-USA The 557 Sporter (top) is now offered in two short-action versions; the Varmint Evolution (middle) gets a radical new shape; and the Scorpion ECO S1 line (bottom) expands to three new models.

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➤ The Winchester Model 71 was introduced in 1935 and discontinued in 1958. A slightly modified version of the Browning-designed Model 1886, the Model 71 still has a loyal following. The Cimarron Model 71 in .45/70 is equal to the original in strength and reliability. For 2016, Cimarron has three to choose from. The Model 71 Premium 24 is chambered in .45-70, has a case-hardened receiver, checkered walnut stock, sling-swivel studs, and a 24-inch barrel. SRP: $1,940.21. The Model 71 Classic 24 is similar to the Premium but with a blued steel receiver. Cimarron’s Model 71 Hogzilla Killa is a bit of a departure from its cowboy roots. It has a 19-inch barrel and is chambered for the .45/70. But, this carbine is fitted with a barrel-mounted rail to allow for the mounting of an extended-eye-relief scout-style scope. Advertised as a feral hog

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slayer, this rifle has a plethora of uses worldwide. SRP: $1,846.48. More in line with its old Western firearms heritage, Cimarron is also offering an exquisite side-lock muzzleloader. The Santa Fe Hawken, made by D. Pedersoli, is perfect for target shooters and hunters. Cimarron offers this model with a fancy maple stock, and the rifle features a custom shallow-groove fasttwist, Sharps-style barrel for making long shots or a more traditional deep-grooved and slowtwist barrel for round or mini-ball shooting. Available in .50 caliber only. SRP: $1,418. Speaking of long shots, the legendary Billy Dixon carried an 1873 Springfield Trapdoor U.S. Model Officers Rifle while serving as civilian scout for the U.S. Army during the Red River Indian Wars. The Cimarron Officers Model is a faithful reproduction of Dixon’s original rifle, which is on display at the Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon, Texas. It comes in .45/70 only. SRP: $2,403.70. Booth #15355. (cimarron-

CZ-USA ➤ CZ

has no shortage of new rifles for 2016. Its rimfire category has 10 new entries alone. The model 455 bolt-action additions include four Varmint Evolution variants, two in .17 HMR and two in .22 LR. Both sport the radically shaped laminated stock available with either a coyote or gloss pink finish. There are also two Varmint Precision Trainer Camo Suppressor Ready models in .22 LR. One has a 16.5-inch barrel, the other a 24-inch tube. Both come with a five-round detachable magazine and a Manners stock. The semi-automatic 512

series has four additions, two in .22 LR and two in .22 Magnum. The carbine version—available in both chamberings—has a black beechwood stock, a five-round detachable magazine, and tangent rear sights, and is suppressor ready with a 1/2x28 thread pattern. The semi-auto 512 American comes with a walnut stock and a five-round detachable magazine. New centerfire rifle introductions in the compact 527 line include a 527 American in .221 Remington Fireball with a detachable five-round magazine. The second new 527 is in the

Varmint configuration and is chambered for the .17 Remington. In the 557 Sporter line, CZ has added two shortaction offerings. Both have walnut stocks and four-round detachable magazines. New chamberings are the .243 and .308 Winchester. There is also a new model 557 Varmint in .308 Winchester. For the tactical minded or law enforcement, CZ’s new model 557 Urban Counter Sniper should turn some heads. Its compact build is designed to excel at engaging targets within 400 yards. Chambered in .308 Winchester, the short 16-inch barrel only sac-

FNH USA FNH USA has expanded its FN 15 modern sporting rifle accessory line to include upper assembly units. FN 15 upper assemblies are now available in popular configurations like the FN 15 Carbine, Rifle, Tactical Carbine, and DMR. FN 15 upper receiver assemblies are

firearms.com)

CMMG ➤ CMMG

has unveiled the Mk47 lineup featuring a KRINK muzzle device. Similar to the original Mk47 MUTANT design, these new rifles are built around the 7.62x39mm cartridge and feature a shortened AR-10-size bolt-carrier group that is paired with a unique upper and lower receiver to minimize weight and increase ergonomics. One of the primary benefits of the Mk47 design is its ability to accept existing AK magazines and drums. Three models are available. SRP: $1,550 to $1,750. Booth #32001.

(cmmginc.com)

Daniel Defense The DD5V1 in 7.62x51mm NATO has a four-bolt connection system, an optimized upper receiver, an improved carrier group, a two-stage trigger, and ambidextrous controls.

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supplied with M16-style bolt-carrier assemblies and charging handles. Barrels are coldhammer-forged, individually high-pressure tested, and magnetic particle inspected (MPI). SRP: $799 to $1,299. Booth #13662. (fnhusa.com)

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rifices 150 fps compared to a standard barrel, and its three-prong flash hider serves as a QD for a suppressor. The carbon-fiber composite Manners stock provides a rock-solid platform without weighing the rifle down, and it comes with a detachable box magazine and oversize bolt handle. The Scorpion EVO 3 S1

Carbine line from CZ has five additions. All are chambered for the 9mm Luger and come with a threaded muzzle in the 1/2x28 pattern. Two come with a faux suppressor and two with a muzzle brake. The Scorpion EVO S1 Pistol has a flat dark earth finish. It has a threaded muzzle, too, but is shipped without a faux suppres-

sor or brake. The CZ model 805 Bren S1 Carbine has four additions to the lineup. All are chambered for the .223 Remington/5.56x45 NATO and come with a threaded muzzle in the 1/2 x 28 thread pattern. These carbines are shipped with either a 10- or 30-round magazine, and two come in basic black

and two in flat dark earth. Booth #11955. (cz-usa.com)

Daniel Defense

â&#x17E;¤ Daniel Defense has released its much-anticipated rifle for the 7.62x51mm NATO (.308) cartridge. The new DD5V1 incorporates more than a decade of exper-

tise from industry-leading engineers and designers. With innovative features such as a four-bolt connection system, an optimized upper receiver, an improved bolt carrier group, ambidextrous controls, a configurable modular charging handle, and a cold-hammer-forged barrel, the DD5V1— though built around a traditional

AR platform—establishes a new tradition in 7.62 rifles. It also features a Geissele SSA two-stage trigger. SRP: $2,899. Daniel Defense has also added the Daniel Defense Tornado and Mil Spec+ Cerakote colors to its best-selling DDM4V11 SLW rifle lineup. Booth #20471. (daniel defense.com)

Empire Rifles ➤ The

new Webley & Scott Empire bolt-action rifle is built by Howa Machinery and boasts the same exquisite fit and finish that Webley & Scott is known for. Each rifle comes with a high-quality Minelli walnut stock, threeposition safety and two-stage trigger, jeweled bolt, knurled bolt

knob, and 22-inch, No. 2 contour, deep-blued gloss barrel and receiver. The Empire rifle also comes standard with a five-round, metal flush-fit detachable magazine. It will initially be available in .270 and .30/06. SRP: $899, rifle only; $1,049, rifle and scope package. Booth #3050. (legacysports. com)

Howa

Empire Rifles The new Webley & Scott Empire bolt-action, built by Howa, boasts the same fit and finish found on other prized Webley & Scott rifles. The rifle features a Minelli walnut stock, three-position safety and two-stage trigger, jeweled bolt, knurled bolt knob, and a 22-inch No. 2 contour deep-blued gloss barrel.

➤ New from Howa is the Alpine Mountain Rifle with a Nikko Stirling Panamax 3-9x40 riflescope. The Panamax scope was designed to be lightweight yet durable, with the mobile shooter in mind. The Alpine Mountain Rifle is available in .243 Win., .308 Win., 7mm-08, and 6.5 Creedmoor. It features a HACT two-stage trigger, Cerakote Gray barreled action, Pachmeyer Decelerator recoil pad, and the Ammo Boost detachable-magazine system. This rifle was made for high-altitude steep/rugged terrain hunting, yet its light weight does not produce heavy recoil. SRP: $1,221, rifle only; $1,188, with the Mag Kit; $1,477, for rifle, Mag

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Howa Designed for the hunter who requires a light but durable rifle for use in mountainous areas, the Alpine Mountain Rifle (top) comes with a Nikko Stirling Panamax 3–9x40mm scope and a two-stage trigger. The Mini-Action short-action rifle (bottom) is now available in .222 Rem.

Kit, and scope package. Howa is also offering a new chambering for its Mini-Action short-action rifle. It’s now available in .222 Remington. Scoped packages, using the new Nikko Stirling Panamax riflescope, are also available. SRP: $608 to $782. Stock colors include black, OD

green, or Kryptek Highlander. Booth #3050. (howarifles.com)

Merkel ➤ The

R15 is a new bolt-action rifle designed to specifically meet the expectations of American hunters and shooters. It features a

LEGACY SPORTS INTERNATIONAL Ammo Boost detachable magazine kits and spare magazines now fit Remington Model 700 rifles in short- and long-action chamberings. These magazine conversion kits will work in all Remington Model 700 rifles except the ADL model. SRP: $98. Booth #3050. (legacysports.com)

newly designed receiver with three lugs for maximum strength and safety, and a 60-degree bolt throw for fast follow-up shots. The receiver is mated to a coldhammer-forged barrel and the R15 utilizes a direct trigger with a pull weight of less than 3 pounds. Two models will be offered: a Grade 1 walnut-stocked version and a fiberglass-reinforced black synthetic-stocked version. Both are available for standard and magnum cartridges: .243 Win., 6.5x55, .270 Win., .308 Win., .30/06, 9.3x62, .300 Win. Mag., and 7 Rem. Mag. The walnut R15 weighs 7 pounds 4.4 ounces, the synthetic R15 weighs 6 pounds 9.8 ounces. SRP: $799, walnut; $699, synthetic. Booth #10246. (steyrarms.com)

from. It combines the mostdesired features from previous Mossberg centerfire rifles in a reengineered platform with streamlined bolt handle, redesigned bolt knob, and classic hunting-style stock. New for 2016 are five Patriot bolt-action rifles that feature Kryptek Highlander camo stocks with matte blue metal finishes in .243, .270, .308 Win., .30/06, and .300 Win. Mag. Mossberg has also updated its MMR AR 15 platform rifles to include a Magpul M-LOK forend, MOE grip, and removable and adjustable rail-mounted target sights and a muzzle brake. Booth #12734. (mossberg.com)

Remington ➤ To

Mossberg

➤ Last year Mossberg introduced the MVP Scout rifle. It was available in two versions, with or without a scout scope. Mossberg has upgraded the MVP Scout scope package with a new scout scope from Vortex. This new Vortex Crossfire II Scout Scope features extended eye-relief for forward mounting on the MVP Scout rifle for quick target acquisition. Vortex Viper rings are provided in the package. Mossberg’s very popular Patriot rifle is now available in 11 of the most popular cartridges with more than 60 models to choose

24 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 1, JANUARY 19, 2016

celebrate its 200th anniversary, Remington is offering a new Model 700 and special versions of the Model 7600 with celebratory engraving. There will be a limited number of only 2,016 units offered in each model and special features will include high-polished carbon steel, engraving with gold inlays, and C-grade American black walnut stocks with a special laser engraving pattern. For the popular and affordable Model 783 line of bolt-action rifles, Remington has added a scoped combo package. These rifles will have a pillar-bedded Mossy Oak Break Up synthetic stock, the standard CrossFire adjustable trigger, and a Super

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Cell recoil pad and come with a 3-9X riflescope. Available chamberings include .223 Rem., .243 Win, .270 Win., .308 Win., .30/06, and 7mm Rem. Mag. SRP: $451. The Limited Edition Model 700 for 2016 comes in the CDL Model which has a satin stainless action, a 24-inch barrel, a satinfinished American walnut stock, a laser-engraved floor plate, and “LIMITED” etched on the left side of the receiver. It also has the

X-Mark Pro trigger. It will be chambered for the .35 Whelen. Booth #14262. (remington.com)

Ruger ➤ As

a mid-year introduction in 2015, Ruger added a wood-stocked model to the affordable American Rimfire line of rifles. This was in direct response to customer requests. The stock is made from a hardwood blank in Newport, New Hampshire, and is mated to the

popular .22 LR bolt-action in Mayodan, North Carolina, resulting in a rifle with classic good looks and modern performance. This stock is still host to the same integral bedding-block system and free-floated barrel that have made the Ruger American Rimfire rifle family outstandingly accurate. It has front and rear sling-swivel studs, a metal trigger guard, checkering on the grip and forend, and rubber butt pad. Length of pull is 13.75 inches. SRP: $449.

Another late-year introduction from Ruger was the Ruger Precision Rifle. An all-new inline recoil-path bolt-action rifle, the Ruger Precision Rifle is highly configurable and offers outstanding accuracy and long-range capability. The Ruger Precision MSR stock is adjustable for length of pull and comb height, offering a proper fit over a wide range of shooter sizes, outerwear, and shooting positions. The rifle also features a MultiMagazine Interface, a patent-pend-

Remington To help mark the manufacturer’s 200th birthday, Remington will be issuing a limited number of Model 700s. The CDL shown here, chambered in .35 Whelen, will be available with a 24-inch satin stainless-steel barrel and a satin-finished walnut stock. ing system that functions interchangeably with side latching. The Ruger Precision Rifle is available in three models: .308 Win. (1:10 twist, 20-inch barrel), 6.5 Creedmoor (1:8 twist, 24-inch barrel), and .243 Win. (1:7.7 twist, 26-inch barrel). SRP: $1,399. Booth #11940. (ruger.com)

Savage ➤ Savage

continues its innovation and response to shooter demand

with several new rifles for 2016. First is the Model 16/116 Lightweight Hunter. Depending on the situation, a hunter might need to haul a rifle up a steep mountainside or quickly get it on target in a cramped blind. Whatever the demand, the compact and flyweight design of the new Lightweight Hunter offers the maneuverability needed, without sacrificing performance. This rifle tips the scales at a mere 5.65 to 5.8 pounds. It comes with a

synthetic stock and a 20-inch barrel. Available in .223 Rem., .243 Win., .270 Win, .308 Win., and 7-08 Rem. SRP: $729. Stainless barrels and hardwood stock options now come to the Axis II package line. All Axis rifles sport the legendary adjustable AccuTrigger and the package Axis II models include a premium quality, mounted and bore sighted Weaver Kaspa 3–9x40mm riflescope. A full selection of biggame chamberings are available.

Savage The thumbholestock A17 Sporter semi-auto (left) is chambered for the .17 HMR. The Lightweight Hunter (right) comes in five calibers.

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Mossberg Five versions of the popular Patriot bolt-action centerfire line are now available in Kryptek Highlander camo stocks with matte blue metal finishes.

KAHR

If vintage firearms are your thing, you’ll want to get in line for the new Thompson T1-14. Recently approved for civilian sale by the ATF, the Thompson T1-14 offers a 14.5-inch barrel with a permanently affixed Cutts Compensator, put-

SRP: $600. For magnum rimfire enthusiasts, Savage has added three new models to the B-MAG line. They include a Target Beavertail model ($548), a Heavy Barrel model ($402), and a Sporter model ($506.) The B-MAG was built around the .17 Win. Super Magnum cartridge, which creates unprecedented rimfire velocities of up to 3,000 feet per second. More rimfire news from Savage includes new models in the A17 line. The Savage A17 is the first high-performance semi-automatic rimfire specifically designed for the .17 HMR. The rifle’s unique delayed-blowback action provides safe, reliable operation. Standard features include a hard-chrome bolt, a case-hardened receiver, a 10-round rotary magazine, and a button-rifled barrel. The new target models feature heavy barrels and gray wood-laminate stocks. SRP: $571, Target Sporter; $631,Target Sporter Thumbhole.

ting the total barrel length at 16 inches. This rifle is chambered for the .45 ACP, weighs 13 pounds, and has a walnut fixed stock and a vertical foregrip. It comes with one 20-round stick magazine. SRP: $1,461. Booth #15949. (kahr.com)

Way more than just a novelty, the new Model 42 Takedown shotgun-rifle combo gun is a must-have survival, truck, and camping gun. The firearm breaks down with a simple push of one button and includes an Uncle Mike’s Go Bag so you can easily transport it. The Model 42 fires rimfire rounds from the top barrel and .410 shotgun shells from the bottom. The short length-ofpull and light recoil make it a perfect starter gun for young shooters. The barrels are matte black to prevent glare, and the sleek synthetic stock is weatherproof. The 42 is available in .22 LR over .410 or .22 WMR over .410. SRP: $500. Booth #14551. (savage arms.com)

SIG SAUER

➤ SIG SAUER changed the way the world looked at the submachine gun platform with the introduction of the SIG MPX.

That same innovative technology is available in the semi-automatic SIG MPX Carbine. The modular 9mm SIG MPX Carbine maintains all of the ergonomic superiority of the short-barrel rifle and pistol variants, but now with a 16-inch hammer-forged barrel. A full-length aluminum KeyMod handguard provides ample room for mounting lights, lasers, and grips. This carbine can be turned into an SBR with a simple conversion kit and is completely ambidextrous. SRP: $2,055. SIG also has a redesigned SIGM400 Predator hunting rifle. Based off the direct-impingement SIGM400 action, the new Predator offers a series of enhanced features optimized for hunters. In its 5.56mm offering, the SIGM400 is perfect for small game, such as prairie dogs, or predators like coyotes. The versatile 300BLK cartridge can be used on game up to whitetail deer and is a popular option with feral hog

LWRC The DI rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO was built from the ground up as a completely new direct-impingement rifle featuring many of the same high-performance attributes found in its popular Gas Piston-Luxury AR lineup. Features include a Monoforge upper, modular

28 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 1, JANUARY 19, 2016

one-piece free-float rail, and a LWRC coldhammer-forged spiral-fluted barrel. The rifle also has fully ambidextrous lower controls. Barrel length is 16 inches with a 1-in-7 twist. The rifles weighs 5.9 pounds. Booth #12971. (lwrc.com)

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hunters. The hammer-forged stainless-steel barrel is 18 inches for the 5.56 NATO and 16 inches in 300BLK. Barrels come threaded for the addition of muzzle devices or silencers. A top Picatinny rail allows for optics to be mounted, and the ALG aluminum free-float-

ing handguard features M-Lok attachment points. Booth #16338. (sigsauer.com)

Traditions Performance Firearms

The Crackshot is a new rimfire rifle available in .22 or .17 HMR. It has a 16.5-inch barrel and weighs just over 4 pounds. Lightweight and easy to carry, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great for plinking and small-game hunting. The easy takedown feature makes for quick disassembly

â&#x17E;¤

and easy transport. The Dual Safety System includes a hammer block and manual trigger block safety. Traditions also has two new muzzleloading rifles. The Pursuit G4 Northwest and Buckstalker Northwest rifles feature an

exposed-breech magnum musket ignition, Accelerator Breech Plug, and fiber-optic sights. Both are available in .50 caliber only. The Pursuit G4 has a 26-inch Cerakote barrel with Williams metal fiberoptic sights, and the Buckstalker has a 24-inch barrel with Truglo

fiber-optic sights. Black synthetic stocks are standard, but camo versions are offered for each model. Traditions has also upped the ante by coating select muzzleloader models with a Tenifer finish. Booth #16532. (traditions performance.com)

Ruger The Precision MSR stock is adjustable for length of pull and comb height, offering a proper fit over a wide range of shooter sizes and shooting positions. The rifle also features a Multi-Magazine Interface, a system that functions interchangeably with side latching.

Weatherby

The news from Weatherby is quite extensive and starts with the renovation of the Mark V rifle, which marks the first significant refinements of this classic rifle since its original introduction in 1958. All new Mark Vs will feature the new LXX trigger, a highly refined, ergonomically enhanced stock, a hand-lapped barrel, and a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. The new Mark V stocks now have a slimmer forearm and sharper, more distinctive lines and contours. The grip diameter has been reduced, a slight right-hand palm swell has been added, and overall weight has decreased. The new Weatherby LXX trigger has a new, wider trigger face, and all surfaces have been precision ground. It is adjustable down to 2.5 pounds. These features can be found on all Mark V rifles, including the AccuMark ($2,300), Ultra Lightweight ($ 2.300), and Weathermark ($1,700). The Weatherby Custom Shop has new introductions, too. They include the TacMark ($3,600) and TacMark Elite ($5,000) rifles.

â&#x17E;¤

ROCK RIVER ARMS The Rock River IRS Series represents further growth in its expanding line of high-performance tactical, personal defense, competitive, and hunting firearms. The IRS Series conveniently integrates low-profile folding sights, which can be used as a primary or backup sighting system. The series also features a new tuned and ported muzzle brake that helps reduce muzzle climb and is equipped with either a 16- or 18-inch barrel. Chambered in 5.56 NATO, it weighs between 7.6 to 8.4 pounds. SRP: $1,540 to $1,620. Booth #14271. (rockriver arms.com)

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Winchester The Model 94 150th Commemorative lever-action rifle. Insets, top to bottom: Marble Arms gold bead front sight; the forend cap features deep-relief scroll engraving; the receiver receives the same treatment.

Weatherby The acclaimed Vanguard line, top to bottom: Accumark, Laminate H-Bar (for serious benchrest shooters), the DGR (built for dangerous game), and Accuguard. Vanguard rifles are known for high performance at a more affordable price than the top-of-the-line Mark V. Both are teeming with features necessary to consistently connect at extended ranges. They have 28-inch, No. 3 contour barrels to extract the top velocities that their .30-378 Wby. Mag., .338 Lapua Mag., and .338-378 Wby. Mag. chamberings are capable of delivering. The cut-rifled barrels are also hand-lapped, fluted, and free-floated. They are guaranteed to shoot 0.99-inch or smaller three-shot groups at 100 yards. Muzzle brakes on both rifles greatly reduce felt recoil and muzzle flip, and both are fitted with the new LXX trigger. The Custom Shop is also building a refined and interesting Vanguard rifle for dangerous game. The new DGR eschews frills for functionality. The rugged, reliable Vanguard action is attached to a full-length bedding plate, secured to a hand-laminated, composite stock with spiderweb accents that enhance purchase. It comes with a three-shot sub-MOA accuracy guarantee

and has a cold-hammer-forged 24-inch No. 2-contour barrel. To ensure perfect shot placement in a host of lighting conditions, the barrel is topped with the field-proven New England Custom Gun (NECG) rear sight and a Williams hooded front sight. The DGR is equipped with a match-quality, handhoned, two-stage trigger that’s user adjustable. With its new Laminate H-Bar rifle, Weatherby combines the best attributes of the Vanguard with features deemed nonnegotiable by the benchrest and varminthunting community. The Vanguard Laminate H-Bar rifle comes with a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee and is fitted with a cold-hammer-forged 22-inch, No. 3-contour barrel, measuring 0.740-inch at the muzzle. The renowned Vanguard action is affixed to a uniquely configured, oil-finished birch-laminate stock that has a quick-and-easy locking system for adjusting both length

32 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 1, JANUARY 19, 2016

of pull and the height of the comb. It can easily be customized to your exact shooting style and physical dimensions. SRP: $1,449. Weatherby has teamed up with Leupold to step into the package rifle market. The Vanguard Leupold Package Rifle is available in a wide array of calibers and includes a Vanguard Synthetic rifle and a Leupold VX-2 3–9x40mm riflescope. It is a rugged, reliable duo capable of pursuing all game the world over. SRP: $1,049. The Vanguard Accuguard now offers Accumark accuracy at a much more affordable price. The Accuguard rifle is accompanied with an accuracy guarantee; with premium ammunition, it will produce a three-shot group measuring 0.99-inch or less from a cold barrel. The heart of the Accuguard, the renowned Vanguard action, is affixed to a hand-laminated raisedcomb Monte Carlo composite stock with a full-length aluminum bedding plate, matte gel-coat finish, and spiderweb accents. It

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SIG SAUER Based off the directimpingement SIGM400 action, the new Predator offers a series of enhanced features optimized for hunters. includes a match-quality two-stage trigger, user adjustable for pull weight. SRP: $1,099. Weatherby also has a new introduction on the tactical side. The Modular Chassis Rifle is yet another iteration of the Vanguard series that debuted in the early 1970s. It is fitted with a cold-hammerforged, No. 3-contour barrel that has a bead-blasted matte-blue finish to minimize glare. It comes with a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee, but the action is fitted to a unique CNC-machined 6061 aluminum chassis, which has a black hardanodized finish. The svelte minimalist forend features hole spacing for Magpul MOE L5 and L3 accessory rails for true customization. The rifle feeds from a detachable MDTpattern staggered-column polymer box magazine that holds 10 rounds of .223 Rem. or .308 Win. SRP: $1,449. Still more additions to the Weatherby Vanguard include the Vanguard Realtree Xtra rifle, the synthetic stock of which is finished in Realtree Xtra camo. SRP: $749. The Vanguard Select rifle is an entry-level rifle with all the Weatherby guarantees and performance. SRP: $599. The Vanguard Weatherguard also comes with an accuracy guarantee and all the metalwork is protected with Tactical Grey Cerakote. And finally, there is the Vanguard Wilderness. This is a 6.5-pound rifle with a detachable box magazine and a 24-inch bead-blasted mattefinished fluted barrel. SRP: $999. Booth #12729. (weatherby.com)

Winchester ➤ In

2016, Winchester Repeating Arms will celebrate its 150th anniversary. To commemorate this historic milestone, five special firearms will be offered, highlighted by a Commemorative Model 1866 “Yellow Boy” lever-action rifle. This polished brass beauty is faithful to the original and is embellished with some of the most authentic Ulrich-style engraving ever offered on a factory Model 1866. The Model 1866 150th Commemorative Custom Grade will be offered in .44/40 Win. and comes with a custom-grade V/VI walnut straight-grip stock with a satin oil finish. Its deeply polished fulloctagon 24-inch barrel features a gold barrel band and special script and scroll engraving.

The ladder-style carbine rear sight with blade front sight emulates the original. It is also drilled and tapped for a tangmounted rear sight. SRP: $3,329.99. Two more commemoratives include the 1873 and 94 rifles. The Model 1873 Commemorative will be offered in .44/40 Win. and will feature Fancy Grade V/VI walnut straight-grip stock and rifle-style forearm with classic cut checkering and deep-relief scroll engraving. The fulloctagon 24-inch barrel is deeply polished with gold band, and a tang-mounted Marble Arms rear peep sight and adjustable rear semi-buckhorn sight with Marble Arms gold bead front sight are included. SRP: $3,329.99. The Model 94 150th Commemorative lever-action rifle will have the same embellishments and engravings as the Model 1873 Commemorative. It will be offered in .30/30 Win., with 24-inch full-octagon barrel. The stock and forearm feature classic cut spadestyle checkering, and the rifle includes an adjustable rear-semi-buckhorn sight with a Marble Arms gold bead front sight. SRP: $2,669.99. A 150th Commemorative Model 70 boltaction rifle will be offered in .270 Win. It will feature the pre-’64-style controlled-round-feed with claw-extractor bolt design. The high-grade V/VI American black walnut stock has cut checkering and a deluxe shadow-line cheekpiece. There’s also a black forend tip and recessed steel sling-swivel studs. Deep-relief scroll engraving with gold embellishments accent the rifle, and the bolt body and extractor are jeweled. A steel trigger guard and one-piece bottom metal add rigidity for better accuracy. Offered with a 24-inch cold-hammer-forged free-floated barrel, the overall length is 44¾ inches and weight is 8¼ pounds. SRP: $2,069.99. Aside from the celebratory introductions, there is a new XPR Hunter rifle that will feature a polymer stock in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camo, with textured panels for a firm grip in wet weather. Other features include the M.O.A. trigger system, matte-blued metal surfaces to minimize glare, a two-position thumb safety, and a bolt-release button. The new XPR Hunter will be offered in many popular cartridges, from .243 Win. to .338 Win. Mag. Short-action chamberings will have a 22-inch barrel; short-magnum and standard long-action chamberings will have a 24-inch barrel. Longaction magnum chamberings will be fitted with a 26-inch tube. Average weight is 6¾ to 7¼ pounds. SRP: $599.99. Booth #13329. (winchesterguns.com)

Traditions The Pursuit G4 Northwest has a 26-inch Cerakote barrel with a Williams metal fiberoptic sight. Other features include an exposed-breech magnum musket ignition, Accelerator Breech Plug, and fiber-optic sights. Available in .50 caliber only.

SHOTGUNS going green

crushing clays

ergonomic stock

the sweet sixteen is back

Get Set! New finishes, new styles, new colors, and new configurations make for a solid year ahead

By Richard Mann t does not matter whether your scattergun passion involve pheasants under the wide and western South Dakota skies, Osceolas in a Florida swamp, a game of clays, or defending your castle from the evil menace, 2016 has a selection of new shotguns to satisfy your cravings. The new introductions include new finishes, new styles, new colors, and new configurations. Combine all these new guns with the new shotshell loads soon to be available, and it looks like 2016 will be a really good year for shotgun shooters.

Browning

Thanks to Browning, 2016 will not be lacking new highgrade shotguns for the discriminating upland hunter or those who get a thrill every time they see a clay target dusted. The Browning High Grade Program moves into its fourth year with limited-production Citori 725 Grade VII small-gauge shotguns being offered in 20- and 28-gauge and .410. These specimens of scattergun goodness receive as much as 30 hours of hand engraving and touch-up prior to being precisely set into exquisite high-grade walnut. They have blued receivers with deep-relief engraving and gold accents. The stock and forearm feature oil-finish Grade VI/VII walnut with a close radius pistol grip and a palm swell. A John M. Browning Signature fitted case is included. Offered with 28-, 30-, or 32-inch barrels, they are perfect for hunting or clays. Five black extended choke tubes are included. SRP: $6,269.99. Maybe Browning’s biggest shotgun news is that the Sweet Sixteen is back! Like its most revered predecessor, the new A5 Sweet Sixteen is built on a smaller, lighter receiver for reduced weight and a sleek feel. The A5 uses kinetic energy to power the recoil-operated Kinematic Drive System for reliable function with any load and under the full

➤

Browning The new A5 Sweet Sixteen (left) is built on a smaller, lighter receiver for reduced weight and a sleek feel. The Browning High Grade Program’s latest entries include limited-production Citori Grade VII 20- and 28-gauges (right) with extensive engraving.

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extremes of weather, temperature, moisture, or grime. The A5 16-gauge receiver is constructed of strong, lightweight aluminum with a black anodized bi-tone finish. The stock—shim-adjustable for length of pull, cast, and drop—and forearm are gloss finish walnut with a close-radius pistol grip and sharp 18 linesper-inch checkering. The gun uses Browning’s Invector DS choke system; three chokes will be supplied with 2 ¾-inch chambered barrels in 26- or 28-inch lengths. Weight: 5 pounds 12 ounces. SRP: $1,699.99. Browning has also expanded the Citori 725 Sporting and Field over/under lineup to include 28-gauge and .410 models. Both feature Browning’s Fire Lite Mechanical Trigger system. Sporting models will be offered with 30- or 32-inch ventilated-rib barrel lengths and will be supplied with five extended Standard Invector choke tubes. The receiver has a silver-nitride finish with gold accented engraving. Stock and forearm are Grade III/IV walnut with a gloss oil finish. Weight: 7 pounds 4 ounces. SRP: $3,199.99. The new Citori 725 Field small-gauge models will feature a silver-nitride finish receiver accented with high-relief engraving. Stock and forearm are Grade II/III walnut with a close-radius pistol grip in gloss oil finish.

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Iver Johnson The IJ600 is available in 12, 20, and .410. It comes with 28-inch barrels fitted with internal chokes. Other features include a checkered walnut stock and an engraved receiver.

CIMARRON Cimarron has added the 1883 deluxe shotgun and the 1889 standard shotgun to its line of double-barrel scatterguns. The Cimarron 1883 and 1889 shotguns are modern inside but period outside. They do not replicate or copy any specific firearm; however, features of original shotguns from the Cimarron collection inspired these pieces. The most striking visual feature of the deluxe is the engraved side-lock-style construction. These shotguns, with the 18- and 20-inch barrels in .410, and with the 22-inch barrels in 12-gauge, were designed specifically

Available with 26- or 28-inch and ventilated rib barrels; the weight is 7 pounds 3 ounces. SRP: $2,539.99. Booth #10744. (browning.com)

CZ-USA

➤ CZ has a host of new scatterguns in almost every category. The CZ 712 Green G2 adds a little color to the mix. This 712 has the same world-record-setting reliability as its black predecessor, but with a green anodized receiver. With the same laser-cut checkering, healthy palm swell, and smooth gas-operating system, it’s sure to please at the range or in the field. With a capacity of 4+1 (and a plug to reduce that to 2+1), the 712 Green ships with five flush choke tubes. SRP: $499.99. Using input from competitors in the growing sport of 3-Gun, the CZ 712 3-Gun G2 is set to be the perfect entry-level shotgun for the 3-Gun game. An extended bolt handle and oversize bolt release make manipulating the action easier, and the ATI fluted magazine extension bumps capacity to 9+1. It ships with three extended black choke tubes. The CZ 712 Synthetic is a great tool for the person who needs a rugged, weatherproof shotgun. It’s built for the harshest conditions, dipped head to

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for the Cowboy Action shooter. The 1883 deluxe versions with the 26-inch barrels in .410 and 28-inch barrels in 12-gauge were designed for field use. SRP: $617.50, the 20-inch model 1889; $812.50 all versions of the 1883. Doc Holiday fans will be excited to see the Cimarron “Doc Holliday” double-barrel shotgun, which is very close to Doc’s original short-barreled double with hammers that was handed to him by Virgil Earp at the real Gunfight at OK Corral. It comes in 12-gauge . SRP: $1,605.46. Booth #15355. (cimarron-firearms.com)

toe in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo, with a polymer stock that will take a beating. It’s available in 12-gauge with a 3-inch chamber, 28-inch barrel, and three extended choke tubes. SRP: $679. In the break-action arena, CZ has even more to be excited about. Adding a bit of character to its workhorse bird gun, the Upland Ultralight Green gets a splash of color on its anodized green receiver. It has all the same great features of the Upland Ultralight, including five interchangeable chokes, laser-cut checkering, and a mid-rib. It comes in 12- and 20-gauge. SRP: $762 to $768. Built specifically for ATA shooters who compete in both trap singles and doubles, and want one gun to do it all, the All-American Trap Combo is the tool and ships with two sets of barrels. One is a single-shot “unsingle” with a dial-adjustable aluminum rib. The other is a standard barrel set with a stepped rib. The CNC-milled action is surface-hardened to ward off corrosion, resulting in a beautiful white metal finish that resembles brushed stainless. With an adjustable parallel comb, competition trigger, and auto ejectors, this set is ready to dominate the trap field. SRP: $3,399.

A new addition to the CZ over/under lineup, the Drake is built to be the best bang for the buck when it comes to over/ under shotguns. Using the same CNC action and internals as other CZ shotguns, the Drake features extractor operation, a single-selectable trigger, a midrib, and laser-cut checkering. Available in 12- and 20-gauges with 28-inch barrels, the Drake ships with a set of five interchangeable chokes. $635. The flagship of CZ’s over/ under line, the tried-and-true Redhead, also gets a new onepiece CNC receiver. In addition, it gets the same laser-cut checkering, solid mid-ribs, pistol grip, and a classy white bead. The Redhead Premier is a true allpurpose shotgun suitable for sporting clays or chukar. With a silver receiver and ejectors, the Redhead Premier is available in 12- and 20-gauge with auto ejectors and 28 and .410 with extractors. SRP: $1,057. Booth #11955. (cz-usa.com)

Iver Johnson

➤ Stepping into 2016, Iver Johnson has three new shotguns—two for hunters and one directed at the tactical/homedefense consumer. The IJ600 is an over/under available in 12, 20, and .410. It comes with 28-inch

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barrels and is fitted with internal chokes. Other features include a checkered walnut stock and forend, an engraved receiver in black or silver, ventilated rib with a bead front sight, and a selector switch on the safety. Length: 44.87 inches; weight: 7 pounds 5 ounces.

Iver Johnsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s IJ500 is a semiautomatic shotgun available in 12or 20-gauge. It has a 28-inch ventilated-rib barrel with internal chokes. The stock and forend are also checkered and the finish is black. Overall length is 49 inches and the unloaded weight is 7 pounds 2 ounces.

The HP 18 is a departure from the customary Iver Johnson shotgun. Designed for the tactical operator or law-abiding civilian looking to protect its castle, this 40-inch semi-automatic shotgun is available in 12- or 20-gauge and comes with a 18.5-inch barrel fitted with a muzzle brake. The pis-

tol-grip stock is modular; the buttstock can be removed, leaving only the pistol grip. The highprofile rear sight is fitted to a Picatinny rail and there is a fiberoptic front sight. The HP 18 has an unloaded weight of only 6 pounds 6 ounces. Booth #15553. (iverjohnsonarms.com)

LEGACY SPORTS INTERNATIONAL

Mossberg The 500-ATI Scorpion mates the Model 500 with ATI components. Features include a heat shield, accessory rail, and an 18.5-inch barrel.

Mossberg ➤ Although

Mossberg might not dominate the defensive/law enforcement shotgun market, it continues to be a leader in this arena. Its new shotguns for 2016 demonstrate the manufacturer’s dedication to providing depend-

able and affordable tools for the war fighter or armed civilian. The new 500-ATI Scorpion is the perfect balance of time-tested Mossberg 500 reliability and the functionality of ATI components. It is available exclusively through TALO Group Distributors. Mossberg has teamed up with ATI

to outfit this model with an exceptional set of components, bringing an unprecedented stock, a heat shield, a sidesaddle, and an accessory rail together in a single coordinated package. The gun features an 18.5-inch barrel and six-round capacity (2 ¾-inch shells). Mossberg’s higher-capacity vari-

The new Pointer Break Action single-shot shotguns are a great way to teach beginners how to shoot. Available in 12- and 20-gauge and .410, these single shots all come with 28-inch barrels and a fixed, Modified choke. Metal parts are matte black and the synthetic stock is black, too. Each Pointer Break Action has a brass bead front sight. Their outstanding feature is the safety system. Every Pointer Break Action comes with a manual push-button safety, a hammer safety, and a transfer-bar safety. Length: 43.5 inches, weight: 4.8 to 5.4 pounds. SRP: $188. Booth #3050. (legacy sports.com)

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TRISTAR TriStar has introduced two new shotguns designed specifically for trap shooting, and they are intended to offer shooters the best of both worlds—quality craftsmanship and performance at an affordable price. Designed in part with the help of professional trap shooters, the TT-15 is available in top-single, unsingle, and over/under options. Each model features a Monte Carlo stock and fully adjustable comb made from beautiful Turkish walnut. The TT-15 is fitted with a high-standing threepoint adjustable rib, auto ejectors, and a fiber-optic front sight. The over/ under TT-15 includes five extended colorcoded Beretta/ Benelli choke tubes while the top-single and unsingle models include three choke tubes. The TT-15 over/under has 32-inch barrels, weighs 8 pounds 8 ounces, has a 14 5⁄8-inch length of pull. SRP: $1,099. The top-single and unsingle come with 34-inch barrels. SRP: $999. Booth #15749. (tristararms. com)

CZ-USA Top to bottom: CZ 712 Green with a green anodized receiver; G2 CZ 712 Synthetic in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo; Drake entry-level over/under; CZ 712 3-Gun G2 with extended bolt handle and oversize bolt release; and the Redhead Premier, CZ’s flagship over/under.

ants (five models) of the 589A1 and 590 shotguns offer the convenience and flexibility of seven shots within the typical six-shot dimensions of 18.5-inch barreled pump shotguns. Offerings include three models with bead sights, two with ghost ring sights, one in Typhon camo and one in Marine Coat. The Pro-Series Waterfowl shotguns are purpose-built for hardcore duck hunting. They were specifically engineered to stand up to the elements during long, wet seasons spent in the blind. Both models feature a ProSeries Waterfowl engraved receiver, Mossy Oak Shadowgrass Blades camo finish, fiber-optic front sight, a three-choke tube set, and the Stock Drop System, which provides drop-at-comb adjustment shims for a customizable fit. The 85212 version comes

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in 12-gauge with a 3-inch chamber, a 28-inch barrel, and a ventilated rib. The 82042 version is a 12-gauge as well but has a 3.5inch chamber, and a 28-inch overboard barrel. Weight for both is 7.75 pounds. The SA-20 series of easy-handling semi-auto shotguns includes new offerings perfectly suited for wingshooting/competition or turkey hunting. The two new models include an all-purpose walnutstocked version with a 26-inch barrel and a 22-inch Turkey version in Obsession camo with fiber-optic sights. Mossberg’s biggest shotgun news might be the newly designed and handsomely appointed 930 Pro-Series Sporting shotgun. Competition-ready features include a beveled loading gate, premium Pro-Series coatings,

Cerakote-finished receiver, Briley chokes, and a HiViz TriComp sight. The new ergonomically designed walnut stock includes Mossberg’s Stock Drop System. Booth #12734. (mossberg.com)

Weatherby

➤ Two new shotguns have been added to the Element line. The Element Synthetic and Element Waterfowler Max-5 will be offered in 12- and 20-gauge with 3-inch chambers and 26- and 28-inch barrel lengths. Both are supplied with Weatherby’s Integral Multi-Choke System, including Improved Cylinder, Modified, Full, and longrange steel choke tubes, and both will benefit from the addition of durable Griptonite synthetic stock and forend options. Each is available in a matte bead-blasted finish

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REMINGTON

Weatherby The Element Waterfowler Max-5 (top) will be offered in 12- and 20-gauge. The SA-08 Waterfowler Max-5 Compact (bottom) is a 20-gauge that features a shorter length of pull. or Realtree Max-5 camo. Tailor-made for women, young shooters, and anyone who wants the benefits of a more compact firearm, the SA-08 Waterfowler Max-5 provides all the reliable performance features of the proven SA-08 series without sacrificing comfort and shootability. The short 12 ½-inch length of pull ensures proper fit for small-instature shooters or hunters wearing heavy gear while the smooth swing of the 24-inch chrome-lined barrel excels in tight quarters. The SA-08 Waterfowler Max-5 Compact weighs 5 ¾ pounds, is available in 20-gauge only, and is chambered for 3-inch magnum loads. All exposed surfaces of the SA-08 Waterfowler Max-5 Compact are clad in Realtree Max-5 camo. SRP: $799. Booth #12729. (weatherby.com)

Winchester ➤ Winchester

has four new shotguns to tempt you in 2016. The SX3 Ultimate Sporting Adjustable shotgun features a matte nickel-

plated receiver and a satin-oil grade II/III walnut stock with an adjustable comb and cut checkering. Each gun also includes a ported Perma-Cote gray barrel with vent rib and Tru-Glo fiberoptic sight and white mid-bead. New features include a Signature Red Briley bolt handle, a boltrelease button, and a magazinecap weight system. Available in 12-gauge 2 ¾-inch chambering, with 28-, 30-or 32-inch barrel lengths. SRP: $1,869.99. The new SX3 Composite Sporting Carbon Fiber model features a synthetic stock with a carbon-fiber finish that provides an excellent grip. It also has the Signature Red Briley bolt handle, bolt-release button, and magazine-cap weight system. Receiver, barrel finish, and barrel length options will be the same as on the new Ultimate Sporting Adjustable model. SRP: $1,739.99. New in the SXP pump shotgun line is the SXP Extreme Deer Hunter camo model. This 12-gauge pump will feature a synthetic pistol-grip stock with tex-

tured gripping surfaces and the Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo finish. Two interchangeable comb pieces allow you to finetune drop at comb for use with iron, electronic, or optical sights. Two interchangeable length-ofpull spaces allow you to fine-tune length of pull. The 22-inch fully rifled barrel features a Tru-Glo fiber-optic front sight and an adjustable rear sight. SRP: $619.99. Winchester’s new SXP Long Beard 12-gauge model also features a synthetic pistol-grip stock with textured gripping surfaces and the Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo pattern. Two interchangeable comb pieces and length-of-pull spaces are provided to fine-tune stock fit. An Invector-Plus Extra-Full Long Beard Turkey choke tube provides a tight, dense pattern. The 24-inch barrel, with a 3- or 3.5inch chamber, features Tru-Glo fiber-optic sights. SRP: $529.99, 3-inch; 3.5-inch: $559.99. Booth #13329. (winchester guns.com)

Winchester The SX3 Composite Sporting Carbon Fiber model (top) has the Signature Red Briley bolt handle and a bolt-release button. The camo-clad SXP Long Beard (bottom) 12-gauge has a pistol-grip stock.

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Even though Remington’s new V3 Field Sport semiauto shotgun was big news last year, Remington has not forgotten about the shotgun it brought to the party. For 2016 it is offering a special-makeup 870 Super Mag Turkey shotgun. This 870 has a 3.5inch chamber and is fully camoed in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country. It has a 21-inch barrel, Hi-Viz sights, and comes with Remington’s Turkey XFull Rem Choke. It will be produced exclusively for Dick’s Sporting Goods. Two new home-defense 870s have also been added to the line. They are the same as the black synthetic 870 Home Defense models except they are fitted with traditional hardwood stocks. Both have 3-inch chambers and an 18.5-inch barrel with a fixed Improved Cylinder choke. One comes with a four-round tube; the other holds six 3-inch magnum shotshells. SRP: $450 to $475. Booth #14262. (remington. com)

HANDGUNS wheel - gun surprise

suppressor - ready variants

master machine engraving

build - your - own options

Cimarron Clockwise from top left: The Eliminator Octagon; the Eliminator Competition; a laserengraved Italian import with poly-ivory grips; and the Eliminator Thunderstorm.

Still On Top

Handguns sales remain brisk, and new innovations and models aim to keep the action hot By Richard Mann

andguns remain the top-selling firearms in America. Even though manufacturers are having no problems selling revolvers and pistols, they have stepped up for 2016 to keep customers happy with new models and innovations, primarily in suppressor-ready variants with the inclusion of semi-auto versions of machine-styled pistols.

Cimarron ➤ Cimarron

offers firearms used to tame the frontier in Texas and the American West. Often regarded as the leader in Cowboy Action authenticity, Cimarron has supported Cowboy Action Shooters since 1987. For 2016, Cimarron continues that tradition with three new pistols in the Eliminator series. Cimarron’s new Eliminator Octagon features a 4.75-inch octagonal barrel, checkered Army-style grips, and a prewar frame. It also has a 25 percent shorter hammer stroke for fast, easy cocking, which is a real plus for one-handed (duelists and mounted) shooters. It has a casehardened/blued-frame/cylinder assembly and is available in .357

Magnum/.38 Special and .45 Long Colt. SRP: $778.70 Cimarron’s new Eliminator Competition features a 4.75-inch round barrel, checkered singleaction grips, and a pre-war frame. Like the Eliminator Octagon, it has a 25 percent shorter hammer stroke and a Cowboy Comp U.S. action job. The Eliminator Competition is available in a color case-hardened/blued-frame/cylinder assembly or stainless steel. It’s also available with a standard or low, wide hammer. Available in .357 Magnum/.38 Special and .45 Long Colt. SRP: $713.70. Cimarron’s new Eliminator Thunderstorm is available with a 3.5- or 4.75-inch barrel and checkered grips. Its specially

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designed Thunderstorm hammer is low and wide for comfortable no-slip cocking. The hammer— along with the 25 percent shorter hammer stroke and Cowboy Comp Thunderstorm action job— makes it an ideal competition gun for mounted shooters. The Eliminator Thunderstorm is available in standard blue or polished stainless steel in .45 Long Colt. SRP: $747, blue; $973, stainless. Cimarron is also offering four laser-engraved revolvers from Pietta, Italy. All are great looking and affordably priced. They are available in two finishes: nickel and old silver frame (OSF). OSF is a two-tone finish, where the barrel, cylinder, and grip assembly are blued and the

frame is left in white for a polished steel finish. There are also two grip options—a poly-ivory grip or checkered walnut. SRP: starts at $648.70. Booth #15355. (cimarron-firearms.com)

CZ-USA

➤ CZ continues to innovate and surprise, and for 2016, it has a full complement of new and exciting handguns. Following in the footsteps of its clad-in-black sibling, the FDE Scorpion hosts all the same features that have made the Scorpion Pistol such a hit. New for 2016 is a barrel that is threaded 18x1 to accept the factory flash hider, but also threaded 1/2x28 underneath the flash hider to

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COONAN Coonan, known for its unique 1911 handgun chambered in .357 Magnum, is introducing a new class of 1911s chambered in .45 ACP. This new .45 ACP Pistol utilizes all of the proven technologies from Coonan’s 1911 .357 Magnum Auto. These “Coonan Difference” features include a linkless barrel, pivoting trigger, and an external extractor. It has a Novak rear sight and a blade front sight. Night sights or an adjustable rear sight are optional. The Coonan .45 ACP package includes a 7-round single-stack magazine, a carrying case, and a lock. SRP: $1,375. Booth #2619. (coonaninc.com)

allow for the easy addition of a suppressor or aftermarket muzzle device. The folding stock goes on quickly and easily, and is sold in a 922(r) compliance kit so you have all the required parts to stay on the up-and-up. CZ also sells an arm-brace adapter kit that allows the fitting of aftermarket arm braces or cheek weld devices. An 11-inch Picatinny rail rides on top, and aluminum adjustable sights are fitted from the factory. Chambered only in 9mm Luger. CZ’s Bren 805 S1 Pistol has an 11-inch barrel and has proven a popular SBR candidate for customers wanting to convert it into an NFA firearm. Those who don’t wish to register with the ATF can always equip it with CZ’s adapter kit, which allows easy installation of aftermarket arm braces or other devices meant to help stabilize large-format pistols. Chambered in .223/5.56 and using the STANAG magazine from the AR16/M16, it easily accepts optics and lights on its top and bottom Picatinny rails. In the last few years, there has been a huge spike in requests for suppressor-ready firearms, and for 2016, CZ has more than doubled its threaded-pistol lineup. Clad in

urban-gray, CZ’s limited-edition Urban Gray Suppressor Ready Series of pistols come with a set of high suppressor sights equipped with tritium lamps front and rear. Extended-capacity magazines boost the capacity on all but the SP-01 by two rounds. Some models, like the P-01 Omega and the 75 Omega, are completely new. Variants include a P-09 with a 12+1 capacity, a P-07 with 17+1 capacity, a 75 SP-01 and a 75 B that hold 18 cartridges, and a 75 P-01 with a capacity of 16+1. SRP: $537 to $723. Recognizing that practicing with .22 rimfire ammunition is less expensive and just plain fun, CZ has added a new Kadet Kit to the line. Designed to swap onto current P-07s and older P-07 Duty pistols, the P-07 Kadet Kit enables shooters to train using cheaper .22 LR ammo. With a 10-round magazine and fully reciprocating-slide function, shooting the P-07 Kadet Kit will be identical to shooting the host pistol in factory form. The CZ P-07 Kadet Kit ships with two 10-round magazines. SRP: $237. Turning the Tactical Sport up a notch, the CZ 75 Tactical Sport

CZ-USA Top to bottom: Suppressor-ready Omega, part of CZ’s limited-edition Urban Gray Suppressor Ready Series; Dan Wesson Valor Commander, conceived for concealed carry; single-action-only Tactical Sport Orange; and the Pistol Pack wheel gun.

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Kahr The .380 ACP CT3833TU (top) features a 3-inch barrel and DAO action. The .380 ACP CW380TU features a 2.5-inch barrel and is also DAO. Both are part of Kahr’s Value Series Plus product line. Orange borrows a number of design features from the Czechmate and incorporates a few of its own. With the slimmer trigger guard, revised grip geometry, and finer checkering from the Czechmate frame, it adds a thumb stop and fully adjustable target sights. With the same long slide and full-length dust cover as the standard TS, it also shares the single-action-only trigger, giving it an incredibly light pull and short reset. SRP: $1,784. Booth #11955. (cz-usa.com)

Dan Wesson ➤ With

more folks than ever choosing to hunt with a handgun and the continuing resurgence of the 10mm cartridge, Dan Wesson decided it was time to bring the heat. Dan Wesson’s first long-slide 1911, the Bruin, was born to hunt. The long slide means a long sight radius, and the 6-inch barrel allows full-power 10mm loads as much time as possible to use their

powder charge. Fully adjustable tritium sights ensure that when shooting hours arrive, you’ll be able to see the sights. Additionally, there’s a tritium/fiber-optic combo front sight to make sure the front glows day or night. SRP: $2,064, .45 ACP; $2,194, 10mm. With suppressors becoming more and more mainstream, another interesting pistol from Dan Wesson is the Discretion. With its match-grade stainless barrel, which is extended and threaded, it is suppressor-ready out of the box. Its aggressively ported slide, serrated trigger, and competition-inspired hammer give it a radical look. High tritium sights allow for sighting over the top of most pistol suppressors. Available in 9mm Luger and .45 ACP. SRP: $2,142. Dan Wesson has seen a steady increase in requests for a nonbobbed Valor Commander, and for 2016, it has delivered. What sets the Valor apart from the rest of Dan Wesson’s 1911 lineup is

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Nighthawk The Silent Hawk (top) and Summit Hawk (above) are both Recon-style commanders with threaded barrels, Tri-Cut slides, and custom cocking serrations to match Osprey silencers.

the sheer amount of time spent hand-polishing, hand-fitting, and finishing. Not only do they get the best quality parts, they get the most individual attention of any model Dan Wesson builds. It is arguably the best size .45 ACP or 9mm Luger 1911 for concealed carry. SRP: $1,688 to $2,012. The Pointman series from Dan Wesson has been offered in limited quantities in the past, and demand has always outpaced production. Featuring a serrated rib on top of the forged slide, it has an adjustable target sight in the rear, a fiberoptic sight in the front, and front and rear cocking serrations. The frame is forged stainless with an undercut trigger guard and 25-LPI front strap checkering. The flats are polished to a soft, brushed finish, and the rounds are sandblasted for a nice contrast. Double diamond cocobolo grips finish off the Pointman, which is available only in .38 Super. SRP: $1,597. Sharing the features that make the Dan Wesson Valkyrie one of its most popular concealed-carry 1911s, the Valkyrie Commander simply adds an aluminum Commander-size frame, making it

ideal for those who need a bit more purchase than an Officersize frame allows. The Valkyrie Commander is available in 9mm Luger and .45 ACP with a black duty/anodized finish. SRP: $2,012. In Dan Wesson’s efforts to appease 1911 aficionados, it has not forgotten wheel gunners. The Dan Wesson 715 Pistol Pack is as it was before— designed and built to be the most accurate, rugged, and versatile revolver on the market. This year sees the revival of the Pistol Pack, famous for its swappable barrels. The Pistol Pack is shipped with 4-, 6-, and 8-inch barrel/shroud assemblies, in the modern heavy vent shroud profile. A custom Dan Wesson hard case, with compartments for the additional barrel assemblies and a factory-supplied barrel wrench kit, is included. SRP: $1,688. Booth #11955. (cz-usa.com)

Kahr ➤ Kahr

has two new handguns for 2016. Part of the Value Series Plus product line, the .380 ACP CW380TU features a 2.5-inch

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conventional rifled barrel, a trigger-cocking DAO action, a locked breech, and a Browning-type recoil lug. Overall length is 4.96 inches, and height is just 3.9 inches. This pistol weighs 10.2 ounces without the magazine. It has a drift-adjustable white bar-dot combat rear sight and a pinned-in polymer front sight. New for

2016 is the finish. It has a black polymer frame stainless slide with a Cerekote tungsten finish (dark graphite gray) on the slide, slide stop lever, and trigger. SRP: $419. Also part of the Value Series Plus product line, the .380 ACP CT3833TU features a 3-inch conventional rifled barrel, a trigger-cocking DAO action, a locked

Ruger The new LCR chambered for .327 Federal maintains all the features of the critically acclaimed original LCR.

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MAGNUM RESEARCH U.S.–based Magnum Research is introducing a new version of the iconic Desert Eagle, with the addition of its new Cerakote tungsten finish to the .44 Magnum and .50 AE Desert Eagle products. Cerakote is a multi-step process, which results in a high-temperature ceramic coating that holds up well under normal use. The tungsten model is complemented with attractive black appointments, which gives the pistol even more appeal. The new Cerakote Tungsten Desert Eagle is offered in either the .50AE or .44 Magnum. SRP: $1,696. Booth #15949. (magnumresearch.com)

breech, a Browning-type recoil lug, and a passive striker block. Overall length is 5.52 inches, height is 4.4 inches. Pistol weight without magazine is 11.44 ounces. New for 2016 is the Cerakote tungsten finish (dark graphite gray) on the slide, slide stop lever, and trigger on a black polymer frame with stainless slide. SRP: $419. Booth #15949. (kahr.com)

Nighthawk

➤ The custom 1911 giant Nighthawk has several new finely crafted pistols for 2016. The Silent Hawk is a Recon-style commander with a Tri-Cut slide, custom cocking serrations to match an Osprey silencer, a threaded barrel, tritium tall suppressor sights, and mid-length grip-screw bushings. It has a total blackout finish and custom NH/Silencer Co. brand logo. SRP: $4,295, .45 ACP; $4,495, 9mm Luger. The Summit Hawk is a Reconstyle commander with a Tri-Cut slide, custom cocking serrations to match an Osprey silencer, a threaded barrel, tritium tall suppressor sights, and mid-length grip-screw

bushings. It has an NP3 finish and a custom NH/Silencer Co. brand logo. SRP: $4,995, .45 ACP; $5,195, 9mm Luger. The Heinie Kestrel is all black with stainless controls. This model includes a thinned scalloped frame and mainspring housing that is great for concealed carry and people with smaller hands. The build also includes custom features such as rear slide serrations, top slide serrations, a crowned barrel, a beveled and recessed slide stop, and thin Aluma Grips with the Nighthawk Logo. It is available in 9mm Luger or .45 ACP. SRP: $3,495. Booth #12579. (nighthawk custom.com)

Ruger

Never one to wait until SHOT Show to bring out its new firearms, last fall Ruger expanded its popular line of Lightweight Compact Revolvers with the addition of an LCR chambered for the underappreciated and very versatile .327 Federal Magnum. This 6-round LCR has an additional round of capacity

➤

products

REPUBLIC FORGE Republic Forge, manufacturers of world-class Model 1911 pistols, has announced the addition of blued and color-cased finishes to its all- American 1911 lineup. Unprecedented in the custom 1911 market, firearms enthusiasts can navigate to Republic Forge’s website and build their very own Republic Forge pistol. Featuring userfriendly navigation and an unparalleled collection of customizable options, the “Build Your Own” application will transform the firearms purchasing experience. Now customers have a new case-hardened finish as an option. Booth #3763. (republic forge.com)

compared to other centerfire LCRs. It’s a double-action-only revolver and also features a concealed hammer to minimize snagging during concealed carry. This new LCR maintains all the features of the critically acclaimed original LCR, and utilizes a compact Hogue Tamer grip with finger grooves, which is highly effective at reducing felt recoil. The LCR in .327 Federal Magnum has a 1.875-inch barrel, an overall length of 6.5 inches, and a weight of 17 ounces. It will also fire .32 ACP, .32 Short, .32 S&W Long, and .32 H&R Magnum ammo. SRP: $619. Ruger also announced a polymer-stock 22 Charger and 22 Charger Takedown pistol. The Charger was first introduced in 2007, then re-engineered in 2014. Weighing just 3.1 pounds, the polymer-stock 22 Charger pistol is otherwise identical to the laminate-stock model. It has an overall length of 19.25 inches and features a 10-inch precisionrifled, threaded barrel with a 1/2-28 thread pattern that accepts most popular muzzle accessories. The new stock is paired with a standard A2-style pistol grip, making the platform easy to customize with a MSR grip. SRP: $309, standard model; $409, takedown model. Booth #11940. (ruger.com)

SIG SAUER ➤ SIG

SAUER has returned the venerable P225 pistol to its catalog. The P225A retains the exceptional look and feel of the original P225, but it features an enhanced trigger and the precision manufacturing and quality from the stateof-the-art SIG SAUER facility. The P225A is a single-stack 9mm pistol with the time-tested doubleaction/single-action trigger system. A fully machined stainless-steel slide comes in the durable Nitron finish. A hard-coat-anodized frame sports two-piece grips with the SIG mark medallion. Booth #16338. (sigsauer.com)

Smith & Wesson ➤ Smith

& Wesson Corp. is now offering its highly acclaimed M&P Shield pistol in both 9mm and .40 S&W, with a factory ported barrel and slide. These new Shield ported pistols, available exclusively from the legendary Performance Center, provide a host of premium features desired by the most astute shooters. Engineered on a highstrength polymer frame measuring .95 inch in width, the Performance Center M&P Shield is standard with a 3.1-inch factory-ported barrel. The new barrel, along with the pistol’s three precision-cut ports across the top of

Smith & Wesson The custom-designed and machine-engraved SW1911 (top) is chambered for .45 ACP. The Performance Center M&P Shield (bottom) benefits from a 3.1-inch ported barrel.

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products

SIG SAUER The P225A is a single-stack 9mm pistol with the time-tested doubleaction/single-action trigger system of the legendary P225. A fully machined stainless-steel slide comes in the durable Nitron finish. The frame sports a hard-coatanodized finish.

the stainless-steel slide, aid in reducing muzzle flip and improve the ability to remain on target after firing. The new M&P Shield pistols have been further updated with fiber-optic sights and an enhanced trigger. SRP: $490. Smith & Wesson has also added greater versatility to its premiere line of M&P pistols by offering two new versions of the M&P with an additional threaded barrel included in the box. The new 9mm variants—which include the Performance Center M&P Ported and the Performance Center M&P C.O.R.E. (Competition Optics Ready Equipment)—allow owners to easily attach a sound suppressor without the use of additional tools. The additional threaded barrel included with both pistols brings an added retail value of $175 and feature a thread pattern of 1/2-28. A custom-designed, machineengraved SW1911 pistol is also joining the line this year. The new SW1911 features a scrollwork design created by Smith & Wesson’s Master Engraver and made possible by a highly precise diamond-tipped tool. The engraving embellishes the all-steel canvas and elevates the venerable 1911 platform to a new level of sophistication and beauty. Chambered in .45 ACP, the pistol showcases decorative machine

engraving on the left and right side of the stainless-steel slide and frame. This intricate linework extends across the pistol’s 5-inch

barrel, and when combined with its glass bead finish and rosewood colored grips, transforms this modern-day workhorse into a liv-

WALTHER Designed for personal protection and recreational shooting, the PPQ .45 Auto is the first true production Walther .45 Auto in the company’s storied history. The gun is equipped with the Carl Walther quick-defense trigger and is fashioned with the traditional front and rear slide serrations. Like all PPQ models, it also has fully ambidextrous controls. This new .45 has a polygonal rifled 4.25-inch barrel and houses three separate safeties. Accessories can easily be mounted on the mil-spec Picatinny rail. Booth #14562. (waltherarms.com)

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ing piece of art. Booth #13729. (smith-wesson.com)

Traditions Performance Firearms

➤ For 2016, Traditions has introduced four new models into its popular blackpowder revolver lineup. All four feature laser engraving. While beautiful to look at and display, these engraved revolvers are also 100 percent functional. Models include two 1851 Navy revolvers. One is in blue with walnut grips, while the other is in nickel with simulated ivory grips. There is a blued 1858 Army with walnut grips and a blued 1860 Army configured similarly. Traditions has also added two new models to the popular Frontier series of 1873 Single Action Revolvers. Like all Traditions single-action revolvers, these, too, come equipped with a transfer bar to give a high level of safety. One of the new introductions is an 1873 Single Action Sheriff’s model, with a 3.5-inch barrel and color-case-hardened frame. The other is an 1873 Single Action with an oversize grip frame and a 5.5-inch barrel. Both have color-case-hardened frames and are chambered for .357 Magnum. Booth #16532.

(traditionsperformance.com)

FOOTWEAR eliminating stink foot

steel toes to sing about

zip me up

clawing your way to the top

Gaining Traction

Boots continue to be strong sellers

By Peter B. Mathiesen

lthough military and law enforcement contracts continued to slow in the past year, domestic boot production (and sales) remained steady in the higher-priced sporting and work-related categories. The trend of safety footwear crossing over to the mid-level hunting segment continued to gain traction throughout 2015. Overall, the domestic footwear segment benefitted from the continued slide of fuel prices. The ongoing decline of the value of the euro against the dollar posed an extra challenge for European manufacturers, but lower production costs as well as cheaper raw materials helped keep them competitive. Here’s a look at what your customers should be asking about in 2016.

Bogs The waterproof Beacon is designed to keep feet comfortable in severe temperatures. Another key feature is a specialized outsole from Rebound Technologies.

Bogs

The waterproof Beacon is designed keep feet comfortable in severe temperatures, even as low as -112 degrees F. Channel air insulation is the key because it provides an efficient cold barrier that keeps body heat inside the boot. Another key feature is a specialized outsole from Rebound Technologies. Inside, DuraFresh bio-technology fights odor. It is assisted by the Max-Wick lining that pulls away moisture from the sock. A stabilizer liner delivers underfoot support, and the Glacial Grip outsole gives steady footing on slick surfaces. Sizes: 8 to 14. SRP: $250. Booth #10132.

➤

(bogsfootwear.com)

Danner

The Persist is Danner’s lightest hunting boot to date. It features a low-lugged, quiet walking outsole for superior ground contact—making it ideal for stalking. The new shock-absorbing Plyolite midsole and an Ortholite footbed and extra padding around the ankle add extra comfort and support. The waterproof Danner Dry lining wicks away moisture from the foot, and the boot’s exterior is finished with an oiled suede upper made of rugged, lightweight 900-denier nylon. There is a speed-lacing system and heel tab that makes for easy slip-on and -off. A reinforced, abrasionresistant heel and toecap enhances durability. Available with Thinsulate Ultra Insulation, in Realtree Xtra, Mossy Oak BreakUp Country, and solid brown. Sizes: 7 to 14. SRP: $150 to $170. Booth #10770. (danner.

➤

com)

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products

Danner The lightweight Persist features a low-lugged, quiet walking outsole for superior ground contact, making it ideal for hunters who spotand-stalk.

Georgia Boot ➤ The

Blue Collar Collection consists of lightweight boots designed to provide comfort on an active day on the job, in the field, or at the range. Features include the proprietary Georgia Boot waterproof system and TDC (Technology Driven Comfort) footbed. Some styles also feature a new Ergo-Fit safety toe, which provides more room in the toe box for better comfort. Available in dark brown leather. Sizes: 7 to 12EE, and 13D. SRP: $149.99 to $169.99. Booth #11340.

(georgiaboots.com)

Haix

Those who require a steel-toe boot for work but have been disappointed by the fit and comfort of available models now have something to sing about. It helps to think of the Airpower XR200 not as a work boot—which it truly is—but as a work boot disguised as a far-more-comfortable hiking boot. Comfort features include the Flex Protection System, which uses leather reinforcement over the heel bend to protect the softer and more flexible leather from chafing. Another selling point is Haix’s Secura liner, which will not pull out or wrinkle over time. The exterior upper uses waterproof, hydrophobic, and breathable brown oiled nubuck leather, and the protective toecap is anatomically formed with a padded composite. The moisture barrier includes a Gore-Tex liner and an inner Cambrelle lining softly padded with a non-woven fabric. The non-woven footbed absorbs sweat and moisture, and the boots are waterproof, breathable, and chemical-resistant. The removable footbed is an anatomically formed, machine-washable insert with excellent moisture absorption and quick-drying qualities. The sole is non-metallic puncture protective. It has an integrat-

➤

Georgia Boot The Blue Collar Collection consists of lightweight boots designed to provide the comfort needed for an active day on the job or in the field.

ed heel bend, low-friction lacing elements, no side seams, and reinforcement in the toe area. Like all Haix boots, there is an out-of-warranty program where the footwear is refurbished with original factory materials. The Airpower XR200 meets classification ASTM F 2413-2011, CAN/CSA-Z1952009. Sizes range from 6 medium to 14 wide in half sizes. SRP: $299. Booth #20158. (haixusa.com)

LaCrosse ➤ The

AeroHead Sport boot has all the comfort and durability of the original, but is lighter and more flexible. The boot features AeroForm technology, a process in which polyurethane is injected into a mold around the neoprene core. The AeroHead Sport’s Brush Tuff material and new abrasionresistant shinguard give extra protection without added bulk. The boot’s upper features a moisturewicking jersey liner that can easily be rolled down in warm temperatures, and the redesigned polyurethane shell delivers flexible performance while providing an athletic, glove-like fit. And to better accommodate more hunters, the boot is slightly shorter but retains its signature gusset, which adjusts to various calf sizes and allows pants to be comfortably tucked in. An upgraded, aggressive outsole with angled lugs improves traction while easily shedding mud and debris. Available in 3.5mm neoprene Realtree Xtra, 7mm neoprene Realtree Xtra, and a versatile 7mm neoprene all-brown option. Sizes: 6 to 15, whole only. SRP: $169.99 to $179.99. Booth #10770.

(lacrossefootwear.com)

Lowa ➤ The

new Ranger III GTX is an updated version of its established predecessor, the Ranger II GTX. The embossed waxed nubuck

IRISH SETTER The lightweight VaprTrek LS boots with RPM technology are built for cold-weather hunting. They are available with three different levels of insulation: 600, 800, or 1,200 grams of Primaloft. The outsole features RPM composite material and rubber pods to ensure superior traction on snow, ice, and uneven terrain. A three-quarter-length shank offers underfoot stability while a heel cup assists with lateral stability. Armatec heel and toe protection guards against rocks, branches, and other ground hazards. The lightweight, breathable upper consists of

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300-denier ripstop fabric that includes a memory foam collar to provide comfortable stability in the boot shaft. A Cushin Comfort tongue protects the shin area, and the underfoot is enhanced with an anatomically correct, high-rebound polyurethane foam footbed with ScentBan odor control. There is breathable UltraDry waterproofing and the boot uses a hidden lacing system to minimize debris. Available in Realtree Xtra camo pattern. Sizes: 8 to 14D, 8 to 12EE, 13, and 14. SRP: starts at $189.99. Booth #10047. (irishsetterboots.com)

products

FARM TO FEET

LaCrosse The AeroHead Sport has all of the comfort and durability of the original, but is lighter and far more flexible. The boot features AeroForm technology, a process in which polyurethane is injected into a mold around the neoprene core.

The Ely Technical Hunting Sock is designed to keep a hunter’s feet warm and comfortable during the long cold days on stand. The sock not only benefits from wool’s natural odor control, but by the addition of CuTec copper fibers integrated in the sock’s heel and toe areas. These high-impact zones also feature an advance knit pattern to provide abrasion resistance. Cushioning bars alternate with ventilation channels placed under the lacing area help to further increase airflow while providing top-offoot comfort. The Ely sock is offered in mid-calf height in light and medium weights and in an over-the-calf midweight. The lightweight Ely has targeted full-density cushioning in a hidden nylon plaiting construction while the midweight styles feature full-density cushioning throughout the sock with outer nylon plaiting. As with all Farm to Feet socks, the Ely has seamless toe closures, a comfort compression fit, and is made with domestic materials. SRP: starts at $24. Booth #10740. (farmtofeet.com)

upper upgrades the look and feel while the new Vibram natural outsole offers more comfortable walking when carrying moderate loads over varying terrain. The GoreTex lining makes it waterproof and breathable. The boot also has a soft cuff and tongue for improved ankle wrap. The Ranger III offers superior heel hold-down and is slightly wider at the ball of the foot than traditional backpacking boots. It also weighs less and flexes more. The scree collar, SPS/PU midsole, rubber rand, C-4 tongue, and Flex Fit/Tongue Studs complete the package. The Ranger is available in medium and wide widths, in a GTX Mid and Lo, in brown and in sizes 7.5 to 12D, 13,

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14, and 15. SRP: $300. Booth #10232. (lowaboots.com)

Magnum

new Stockton 8.0 Side-Zip Waterproof features an extended upper with a circular side-zip option, a moisture-wicking lining, and a breathable, waterproof membrane. Also new is the Stockton 6.0 Steel Toe, which brings heavy-duty protection to the popular boot. Other features include the Plusfoam midsole and M-P.A.C.T. Advantage premium anti-microbial footbed for increased rebound and reduced foot fatigue, Elasticized EZ-Stretch eyelets, ASTM EH

(Electrical Hazard) certification, and an oil- and slip-resistant rubber outsole. Available in brown. SRP: $170 to $180. Booth #11164. (magnumboots.com)

➤ The

Reebok

Reebok’s new ZigKick Tactical line of 8-inch and 6-inch boots have been built to meet the demands of law enforcement officers. ZigTech, an elite fitness technology developed by Reebok fitness experts, is a unique zigzag foam midsole designed to flex like an athletic shoe, absorb heel shock, and provide energy return under the most punishing conditions. The ZigKick Tactical

➤

products

MUCK BOOTS

Rocky The Stratum combines the comfort and performance needed for long hikes with the materials and design required for rugged terrain and unpredictable weather.

8-inch side-zip boot and 6-inch side-zip boot both feature the new removable Reebok FootFuel injected EVA cushion footbed, which delivers arch support, stability, and motion control along with vented airflow zones to cool feet with every step. Lightweight mesh uppers with moisture-wicking nylon mesh lining provide additional air circulation to keep feet cool. Non-metallic construction enables ZigKick Tactical boots to be worn in security environments. Sizes: 7 to 14. SRP: $148 to $154. Booth #10179.

The non-insulated boots are also guaranteed waterproof. The uppers, made from brown leather, feature accents in Rocky’s new Venator camo pattern. Available styles include 5-inch and 6-inch hikers in Venator camouflage and sizes 8 to 13. SRP: starts at $99. Booth #11340. (rockyboots.com)

Under Armour ➤

The all-new OPS Hunter 2.0

boot mates a synthetic high-abrasion 900D textile upper with a waterproof membrane and premium Primaloft 400G insulation for maximum warmth. The inner boot uses a proprietary UA Scent Control lining with Cupron antibacterial copper-infused sock liner. The top cover has a UA Charged foam-cushioning system, and the bottom sports a Michelin outsole with Wild Gripper compound for improved traction. Sizes: 8 to 14. SRP:

(reebokwork.com)

Rocky

The Stratum, which launches in the fall, combines the comfort and performance needed for long hikes with the materials and design required for rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. The boots offer a sport last that helps create an athletic-shoe-like fit. An aggressive 7mm lug depth on the outsole and the Rocky Terra footbed deliver comfort.

➤

Reebok The ZigKick Tactical line has been built to meet the demands of law enforcement officers, who require boots to be not only durable, but comfortable as well.

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The latest addition to the popular Pursuit line is the Shadow Pull-On. Designed with hunters in mind, the boot has a generous opening that easily allows hunters to tuck in their pants legs comfortably. Lined with 5mm CR Flex-Foam and fleece lining, the boot has a rating of -40 degrees F. The Spandura upper is briar resistant and is wrapped in a rubber and EVA 3D print cage for support. The lightweight cushioned EVA midsole offers shock-absorbing comfort while the aggressive rubber outsole gives excellent traction in mud and snow. Available in Real Tree Xtra. Sizes: 7 to 15, whole only. SRP: $204.95. Booth #10951 (muckbootcompany. com)

$349.99. Booth #11040. (always lethal.com)

Wolverine

The new Claw DuraShock boots incorporate Wolverine’s H-Plate suspension that helps provide walking stability. In addition, shock-absorbing sidewalls, cushioning in the heel, and overall flexibility help improve comfort. A durable nylon Realtreeand-leather upper with TPU toe protection are also part of the package. The Claw also features a Waterproof Plus breathable membrane, moisture-wicking lining, and 200-gram Thinsulate insulation. The outsole’s chiseled-edge lugs deliver superior grip in varied conditions. The Claw is available with a CarbonMAX nanotechnology safety toe. The boot meets ASTM standard F2413-11 M I/75 C75 EH. Sizes include 7 to 14 Medium and 7 to 13 Extra Wide. SRP: starts at $175. Booth #10340. (wolverinebootsand

➤

shoes.com)

FROMthe NSSF descending on d . c .

ten moneymaking tips

manage the media frenzy

let ’ s go , shot show u !

On Message

NSSF’s Congressional Fly-In is crucial outreach to our lawmakers

By Robert F. Staeger ast April, more than 50 captains of the firearms industry arrived in Washington, D.C., to help facilitate change. The eighth annual NSSF Congressional Fly-In was underway. Meetings were scheduled with the movers and shakers in Congress, as high-level executives from firearms manufacturers, distributors, and some of the big-box retailers had the rare opportunity for substantive face time with their elected representatives. They made the most of it. “Our Congressional Fly-In grows every year,” says Lawrence Keane, NSSF’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “This was the most successful one yet.” The concentration of meetings with the nation’s lawmakers is an important part of NSSF’s government relations efforts, one of the organization’s key events supporting its legislative priorities.

The participants are CEOs and other high-level executives from NSSF member companies. And the meetings all stress the importance of several industry legislative and regulatory priorities. “We talked about protecting traditional ammunition from anti-hunting organizations, as well as the export control initiative,” says Keane. “The primary issue was urging passage of the 2015 Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act.” The Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act offers hunting protections as well as greater access for sportsmen. A previous version had been blocked in 2014.

The Fly-In participants’ voices were definitely heard. “We had a record number of meetings with members of Congress directly,” says Keane. “Not just the staff. Our Fly-In has become so successful that we actually had to turn down meeting requests from congressional offices that were contacting us requesting to meet with our Fly-In attendees. That is basically unheard of. You usually hustle to try to get meetings for attendees, and in our case we were getting requests from Senate offices, from House offices, basically asking if they could meet with our executives.”

A packed schedule makes for some exhausting days, but there’s no denying it’s a nice problem to have. In addition to substantive policy conversations, NSSF also used the opportunity to honor certain legislators for their outstanding service. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) received special recognition for his efforts to highlight the anti-hunting activities of the Humane Society of the United States during a Senate hearing on the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act debates And Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) was

named Legislator of the Year for his dogged efforts to halt Operation Choke Point, a Justice Department initiative that was unfairly threatening many firearms-related businesses with a loss of their business relationships with financial institutions. The Fly-In also coincided with an NSSF Political Action Committee (PAC) event in which U.S. Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) was a guest speaker. “It was pretty amazing to have the Speaker of the House spend time at the NSSF PAC fundraiser right before the opening reception and

Fly-In participants include CEOs and other executives from NSSF member companies who know the value of face-to-face meetings in the nation’s capital.

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from the nssf

Lawrence Keane, NSSF’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel (top right), says the NSSF’s government relations office in Washington, D.C., is a key asset for NSSF members.

dinner for the Fly-In,” says Keane. The event kicked things off in an impressive manner. Also making an impression was NSSF’s recently expanded government relations office in Washington, D.C., located about a block from the Capitol building. “Post-Newtown, we’ve expanded our D.C. presence and hired more government-relations professionals,” says Keane. “This is the first year where we’ve had the opportunity to base the Fly-In in our building, which is an important step for us.” The reception and some of the meetings were held on home turf, with all of the NSSF’s resources right at hand. “It also gave an opportunity for the Fly-In attendees to see the D.C. office, which we’re very proud of,” says Keane. “It’s their dues in action, and we think it’s beneficial for them to see how we’re representing and protecting the interests of the industry.” Just in terms of logistics, it’s impossible to include all 13,000 NSSF members in the event, but that doesn’t mean they don’t benefit from it. By helping to move and advance the NSSF’s legislative agenda, the Fly-In fights for the entire firearms industry. There’s no reason for the rank and file to sit back and relax, however. There are opportunities for government outreach at all levels. “We’re looking to drive Take Your Politician to Work Day, where instead of flying out to Washington, D.C., to see their representatives, members can invite their elected officials to visit them at their factory, their warehouse, or their retail store— whatever the case may be,” Keane says.

Federal legislators aren’t the only people to contact, he says. “It’s also state senators and representatives, your county commissioners, your mayor and city council members, and other local officials. It’s important to make them aware that you’re a legitimate, law-abiding business that pays taxes and employs people. Decisions in respect to regulating the lawful commerce of firearms and ammunition products have a real impact on your business, the jobs you create, and your community, of which you are a part.” NSSF is also planning to replicate the Fly-In program in miniature, with events at state capitals called Drive-In—“as in, drive in to your state capital rather than fly to Washington and meet with state officials,” says Keane. States are often more nimble than the fiercely divided federal government, so they can sometimes make greater strides. NSSF conducted one drive-in in Connecticut a few years ago as a pilot program, and the organization is hoping to get a few more off the ground this year. “We think it’s important for our members to be politically engaged and active,” says Keane. “Then you can explain to their representatives how their decisions and their proposals impact your business and your employees.” Looking ahead, the next Congressional Fly-In will take place in April. Keane predicts it will be the biggest such event yet. “Particularly with it being a presedential election year, we fully expect it to be the most well-attended Fly-In we’ve ever had.”

from the nssf

Perks for Profits

Ten ways NSSF membership helps your bottom line

By Cathy Glazer

welve-thousand-plus members can’t be wrong. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry’s trade association for more than 50 years, continues to prove its relevance and value to its members, responding to new challenges with creative programs and strategies to carry out its mission of promoting, protecting, and preserving hunting and the shooting sports. If you are a firearms retailer or a range owner and have not yet joined NSSF, here are 10 reasons why you should, according to Randy Clark, NSSF Managing Director, Business Development, and Patrick Shay, NSSF Director of Retail Development. All can have a positive effect on your bottom line. ACTION TEAM NSSF’s team of experienced professionals bring a variety of backgrounds to the task of assisting existing ranges with the challenges they face and providing guidance to the new range developer. Their areas of expertise includes environmental design and impact, security, grant-writing, and range planning, development, and management. NSSF covers a portion of the cost. NSSF’s OSHA Compliance Team also can conduct a mock OSHA inspection of your store or range.

EDUCATIONAL

1 OPPORTUNITIES NSSF’s

perennially sold-out SHOT Show University, held the day before the Show, and its retailer seminars held at the show and in various locations throughout the year, allow retailers to benefit from the experience of seasoned professionals who can address the unique challenges of firearms retailers and ranges. To help you sail through your next ATF inspection, NSSF’s team of compliance consultants, together with FBI/NICS, will present retailer seminars in cities across the country this year. The seminars are free to members, $100 for non-members. (A retail membership starts at only $75.) To view the schedule, and to register, visit nssf.org and click on Retailers. ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE

2 NSSF RESEARCH

Members can take advantage of NSSF’s extensive research materials, including the annual “Industry Reference Guide,” a 170-page resource. The latest issue debuts at the 2016 SHOT Show. “It tracks everything industry-related,” says Clark. “It’s the ‘bible’ of the industry.” Throughout the year, NSSF produces reports of vital interest to retailers, including consumer studies and participation statistics. “NSSF’s research department can produce customized market reports to enable retailers to dial in on their marketplace, to be more efficient, and to be more competitive,” Clark points out. Some research is free or deeply discounted for members. COMPLIANCE TRAINING

3 “This is a huge boon to our

retailer members,” Shay says. “We have a team of 10 compliance consultants—former ATF investigators—available who can come to your store, conduct a training audit, and provide you with valuable feedback on what you may need to do to better prepare for an ATF inspection.”

Want to grow your bottom line? NSSF can help you do just that. NSSF can help in other ways as well.

A one-day training and consultation session with a compliance consultant costs $499 for members. NSSF picks up the tab for the consultant’s travel expenses. SAVINGS WITH

4 AFFINITY PARTNERS

Members save money on the cost of doing business through NSSF’s partnerships with a wide range of service providers. Discounts are available on credit-card processing fees, employment screening, shipping, office supplies, software for retailers, security and video surveillance, display cases, website design, and air treatment and ventilation systems for indoor ranges. NEW MARKET

5 GUIDANCE Target shoot-

ing participation in the U.S. is on the rise, up 19 percent from 2009 to 2012, according to NSSF research. This new generation of shooters is younger, more diverse, more urban, and likely discovered the sport at an older age than previous generations. Seventy-six million strong (that’s just in the United States), the Millennial generation now outnumbers the Baby Boomers. “Millennials and customers of diverse backgrounds are the wave

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ONGOING LEGISLATIVE

9 ACTION ON YOUR

of the future for our sport, and they represent an amazing opportunity,” says Randy Clark. “NSSF research and training sessions can help retailers learn how these new customers think and act—and how to better prepare to meet their needs.” “DON’T LIE FOR THE

6 OTHER GUY” Developed

in conjunction with ATF, NSSF’s “Don’t Lie” program helps retailers be better prepared to spot and stop illegal “straw” purchases. The “Don’t Lie” retailer kit includes display items to warn customers about the severe penalties for engaging in straw purchases, along with a retailer’s guide (print and DVD) to recognizing and deterring illegal purchases. “We will continue to push this important program,” says Clark. “A ‘Don’t Lie’ component is included in all our retailer seminars.” RETAILER HOTLINE “Any

7 member retailer can call,

24/7, and get answers on compliance issues,” says Patrick Shay. “This is a great resource that has helped hundreds of retailers.” OSHA SEMINARS AND

8 THE NSSF RANGE

BEHALF NSSF’s proactive government relations program maintains an office in Washington, D.C., and sponsors an annual Congressional Fly-In for industry leaders to meet with members of Congress. The Washington office also helps educate voters on firearms issues. NEWS YOU CAN USE

10 NSSF’s award-winning com-

munications team delivers timely news and information to members on issues of importance to them, from the latest proposed legislation impacting our industry to updates on NSSF programs that can help bring new customers to your store or range. NSSF’s “Bullet Points,” a weekly e-newsletter, provides a quick and helpful digest of NSSF programs, legislative efforts, and news from the industry. NSSF’s website (nssf. org) is a great resource for information on all its programs. “The Range Report,” an e-magazine, is the only magazine dedicated to shooting range management and can be accessed from the website. To join NSSF today and start enjoying the benefits of membership here at the Show, including access to the NSSF Member Lounge and other perks, visit the NSSF booth (#L231). Questions? Call the NSSF membership department at 203-426-1320 ext. 209, or email membership@nssf.org.

from the nssf

Story Time SHOT Show delivers media to you By David Draper

f all the benefits the SHOT Show provides exhibitors—and they are legion—one of the largest intangibles is nearly unlimited opportunities to press the flesh with the industry’s primary influencers. Among the 65,000 attendees expected for the 2016 SHOT Show will be the largest gathering of media covering shooting, hunting, and the outdoors. All totaled, 2,500 writers, bloggers, producers, podcasters, and other content providers will be prowling the aisles for compelling stories and hot new products to pass on to their audience.

SHOT Show media attendees come from throughout the United States and nearly 100 foreign countries. The coverage of their news outlets reflects the product segments of the SHOW Show—target shooting, hunting, tactical gear, law enforcement, accessories, apparel, knives, optics, and more. “We have media members attending from every continent except, I’m pretty sure, Antarctica,” says Chris Dolnack, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “We’ve seen a major increase in applications for SHOT Show media credentials in the last five years, but 2,500 represents the show’s capacity for qualified media. To accommodate the best of the best, we set that cutoff and developed stricter eligibility requirements. We also no longer allow on-site registration.” Among the media attending the 2016 SHOT Show will be an increased number of digital

outlets looking to provide their audience with real-time updates from the Show floor. Traditional outlets, such as Field & Stream and Outdoor Life, have aggressive initiatives within the digital space with blogs, video, and social media initiatives to inform the public about SHOT Show happenings. Many independent bloggers have also attracted industry attention and wide readership, making them an important part of any exhibitor’s media marketing strategy. “One major change we’ve seen at the Show, which prompted us to increase our working media space in the press room, is media uploading many stories, photos, and video during the run of the show,” says Dolnack. “Social media and digital outlets have created demand for that type of real-time coverage.” Marketing professionals will tell you developing relationships is the number-one key to successful media relations, and the SHOT Show is one of the

Social media and digital outlets have created demand for realtime coverage, which prompted NSSF to increase working media space in the press room for uploading videos and other content.

best opportunities to initiate and foster those ties to important media influencers. In addition to making it easy for media members to acquire your company’s press materials—news releases, photos, video footage—be sure to have someone on hand, preferably an experienced company press relations person, to answer questions and serve as oncamera talent. Also, gather as many business cards as possible at SHOT Show to begin building your company’s own media list to communicate newsworthy announcements. In addition to interacting with media on the Show floor, SHOT Show exhibitors can also add a hands-on component to their media outreach by exhibiting at Industry Day at the Range, which is sponsored by NSSF. Industry Day exhibitors have the option of inviting media they work with regularly to attend this event. By working with the NSSF media team, there are many other ways for exhibitors to interact with the media leading up to, during, and after the SHOT Show. Exhibitors can purchase the SHOT Show Media List to send important announcements about their products and services, and reserve space in the press room for their media materials. And prior to each SHOT Show, exhibitors can attend SHOT Show Exhibitor Academy in Las Vegas to learn best practices for reaching and interacting with media. “In post-Show surveys, exhibitors rank meeting with media as one of the main benefits of SHOT Show because of the opportunity to talk with so many media people about their new products and services,” Dolnack says. “There’s really only one place to accomplish that on such a scale, and that’s at SHOT Show.”

from the nssf

Where the Money Goes SHOT Show funds NSSF industry efforts

By Bill Miller SSF, founded in 1961, has a mission statement: “to promote, protect, and preserve hunting and the shooting sports.” It takes a lot of money to do that—about $34 million a year. Some of it comes from membership dues and the sale of NSSF’s special research reports. But the bulk of it comes from the annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, which raises about $28 million.

Clearly this event is much more than a chance for gun dealers from cold-weather states to visit balmy Las Vegas in late January. “The SHOT Show is the single largest source of revenue for NSSF,” says Chris Dolnack, NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “It’s 80 percent of our revenue, and the single largest event for our industry. It also happens to be the largest cutlery show in North America, and the largest law enforcement show in North America. It brings our whole community together and unites us in some very challenging times.” Anti-gun efforts are formidable, despite positive developments in the firearms community. FBI data shows that violent crime has dropped steadily in recent years. Meanwhile, U.S. gun ownership has grown to about 100 million people, according to the National Rifle Association. And the sale of guns and ammo in 2013 (latest data available) generated more than $500 million in excise tax revenues, the Congressional Research Service reported. That money helps fund wildlife conservation and huntersafety education programs throughout the U.S. Unfortunately, there have also been horrific mass shootings in recent years. As a result, new, well-funded organizations have appeared, such as Everytown for Gun Safety. Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg started that group with $50 million of his own money. But NSSF officials protest efforts that they believe go beyond crime prevention and threaten the rights of responsible gun owners. They bring a lot of data to the debate. NSSF researchers produce reports and fact sheets (nssf.org/fact sheets) on disputed topics like

universal background checks, traditional ammunition, and so-called “assault weapons.” One paper, for example, argues that it’s a myth to say 90 percent of guns used by Mexican drug cartels are from the U.S. Researchers also explore the economic impact of the firearms and ammunition industries—about $43 billion, according to the latest report. The information bolsters NSSF’s government relations program. NSSF is also developing Hunting Works for

gram teaches people new to guns how to safely handle them and shoot effectively. Project ChildSafe—and the initiative “Own It? Respect It. Secure It.”—promote and teach gun safety to people of all ages. The NSSF website (nssf.org) is also a clearinghouse of information on where to find shooting ranges, shooting tips, and hunting regulations for various states. Plus, there is advice on best practices and regulatory compliance for businesses such as shooting ranges.

Revenue from the annual SHOT Show funds many important NSSF initiatives, including new-shooter education programs.

America chapters in various states. These groups marshal hunters, businesses, and chambers of commerce to promote and defend hunting. “When we face potential negative legislation, we have the resources to meet those threats head on,” Dolnack says. “You’ll often see our executives on various news programs, whether it’s Fox News or CNN. We’re working every day for our industry because we are the voice of the industry. Our revenue helps to fund that.” But NSSF isn’t just about advocacy. Its First Shots pro-

Programs for new shooters are especially important, Dolnack says. For example, NSSF research shows that gun ownership is growing among women. “A lot of this growth is happening organically,” he says. “We’ve found that most people want the same things, like low crime. But they also want their families to be safe, and for some, that means including a firearm. So we’re trying to provide pathways to particular groups to introduce people to shooting and firearms ownership. That’s all made possible by revenue from SHOT Show.”

from the nssf

SHOT Show University Changes It Up

Customized retail education provides a unique twist

By Robert F. Staeger

or most of us, SHOT Show begins today. Not so for the attendees of SHOT Show University, a daylong series of educational seminars that occurs each year before the first day of the SHOT Show. The SHOT Show University education seminars are broken into tracks. “We want this to be a customizable experience,” says Patrick Shay, NSSF’s Director of Retail Development. “If a retailer is strong in social media but is worried about compliance, and would also like to pick up some tips about developing metrics for their business, he or she will be able to switch and kind of make the day their own.”

This year’s SHOT Show University had some particularly impressive classes. One of the highlights was the ATF compliance class, a SHOT Show U. mainstay. “One of the changes this year was that our attendees had requested that a retailer provide their experiences, so I worked with the ATF compliance team to identify some retailers who do an extraordinary job with their compliance,” says Shay. Two of those retailers presented how they approach compliance for a big store, with a thousand guns in inventory and selling the same. “I think it was a really

interesting twist, and something we hadn’t done before.” Another class was set in motion by the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the Affordable Care Act. FOX News contributor Gene Marks, who has written a number of books about small business, spoke to veteran retailers about the impact that the ACA will have on medium-size businesses. “Obviously it won’t affect the mom-and-pop stores, but if you’re a larger retailer who’s starting to hit the cap of 49 or 50 employees, this information is key,” says Shay. “I think it’s critical for retailers to

The ATF compliance class is a mainstay of SHOT U., but the diverse offerings this year included dealing with the Affordable Care Act and the value of partnering with a gunsmith to drive store traffic.

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understand how to work within the framework of the ACA, since it’s not going to go away.” Programming for new retailers included Mark Dye from Montgomery Community College giving a talk about how to add a gunsmith to a retail location. “I think this is a huge opportunity that most retailers overlook,” says Shay. Traditional retailers are fighting against online sellers and the big-box guys, and an excellent way to differentiate a business in the marketplace is to partner with a certified, trained gunsmith. “That can add a wealth of value and interaction to your customers. Simple stuff like if you buy a scope, the gunsmith will mount it for free, all the way to maybe re-barrelling, re-blueing a firearm, doing trigger work for you, bringing an old firearm up to shooting condition. It’s a great outreach to customers.” Randy Clark, NSSF Managing Director, Business Development, likens it to a video store. Streaming technology has made them all but extinct, but part of their business model was sound. “You have a customer that would walk in the door one day, and also has to come back to the store in 48 hours,” says Clark. “It’s a traffic driver, in addition to another income opportunity.” On the range development track, EPA/OSHA attorney Ethan Ware gave the lawyer’s perspective to range owners for what they need to be aware of regarding OSHA and EPA, as well as how to build a compliance program, what things they absolutely have to have, and some of the changes that are coming to OSHA and the EPA. “He’s probably one of the top EPA/ OSHA lawyers out there,” says Shay. “He’s actually defended a couple of our range members from really onerous OSHA fines.” In addition, there was an Undercover Shopper panel, based

on the popular column in SHOT Business. A team of four of the undercover shoppers was joined by moderator Slaton L. White, the magazine’s editor. The column highlights the good, the bad, and the ugly of retail experiences. “The goal was to share the techniques to make sure your store doesn’t fall into the bad or the ugly side of the equation,” says Shay. The SHOT Show University keynote presentation was delivered by Gene Marks, who not only covered healthcare, but also general small-business concerns. “What are 10 takeaways that small-business owners need to be aware of and capitalize on, and what things are on the horizon that could impact these business folks?” says Shay. “Though he tailored his speech to firearms retailers, the issues he discussed affect small-business owners throughout the country.” Closing out the SHOT Show University session was a speech by General Rebecca Halstead, the first female four-star general in the U.S. military. Last year, Shay saw her addressing a loss-prevention conference about being a change agent in their profession. “It’s a male-dominated profession, but probably a third of the room was female, which kind of mirrors the shooting sports industry currently. Her speech was so well received by the entire audience— but by the women especially— that they’ve got the power to change the industry.” Halstead related her story about how she changed attitudes within the Army, and provided some great leadership tips and tools that are applicable to anyone. To make sure you’re able to attend SHOT Show U. next year, start looking for midsummer registration announcements for the 2017 show. About 40 percent of attendees come year after year, and the event always fills up.

from the nssf

Reaching out to a diverse group of potential customers can get tricky, as each has their own triggers for motivation. But the one thing they all have is an interest in the shooting sports.

The New World NSSF research reveals an emerging new market for shooting sports retailers By David Draper

he mainstream media likes to paint things with a broad brush, categorizing all gun owners as older white males. Truth is, if you take a look at the marketing materials the industry has historically used, we’re guilty of making those same wide strokes as well. And while that might have been acceptable a decade ago, those traditional messages are missing the mark when it comes to a new and diverse audience interested in the shooting sports.

“We have to realize that we’re facing a changing world,” says Samantha Pedder, Manager of Outreach and Diversity for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “By 2050, Caucasians will no longer be the majority ethnic group in the United States. The industry needs to be situated for growth, and we’re here to help you get there.” To that end, the NSSF recently commissioned two studies focusing on how firearms ownership is viewed by various multi-cultural groups throughout the U.S., and what the industry can do to embrace differing cultures.

Multi-Cultural Potential New Shooter Survey

In 2015, the NSSF commissioned Southwick Associates to research and gather information regarding differences and similarities of potential new shooters, encompassing African-American, Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic market groups. The national survey divided the country into four regions and four distinct ethnic or racial groups with a minimum of 200 respondents per segment, for a total of 3,211 total people surveyed. Only those who have shot within the past three years

➤

were excluded. The Multi-Cultural Potential New Shooter survey delved into each group’s motivations and roadblocks for trying target shooting, as well as investigating the most appropriate media channels for reaching (or to reach) those markets. Here are some of the findings: ➤ Nearly all of the people surveyed had at least some interest in target shooting. ➤ Hispanics and African-Americans are nearly twice as likely (26% and 27%) as Asians (15%) & Caucasians (13%) to be definitely interested. ➤ Of those who have shot previously but not in the last three years, African-Americans are least likely to own a firearm (47%). ➤ Shooting is seen as a social activity. Most want to shoot with friends (59%), while 40%—especially Hispanics and women— would like to go with their spouses. Only 23% would go alone. The preferred source of information for these potential new shooters should come as no surprise. Across all profiles, respondents to the survey were most likely to use Google to find a nearby range, with 73 percent listing that as their channel of choice. Fifty percent also relied on friends or word-of-mouth, while 37 percent also used online reviews, such

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as Yelp!, TripAdvisor, and other similar sites. Developing a marketing campaign targeting such a diverse group of potential customers is where things get tricky, as each customer has their own triggers for motivation. But they all have an interest in the shooting sports, and that’s where your marketing needs to focus.

A Hispanic Market Study ➤ As

the second-fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, Hispanics are an important ethnic group vital to the growth of shooting sports. Working with the research group Tobintel, NSSF has developed and released an indepth look into how Hispanics view hunting and shooting and gauge their interest in a variety of experiences. The report, titled “A Hispanic Market Study: Firearms and the Shooting Sports,” is free to NSSF members. It shows many opportunities for engaging this growing market group. According to the research, the increase of the Hispanic population in the U.S. is fueled by two factors: those who are native-born and those who have immigrated to the United States. Of these two segments, those belonging to the

former group are most acculturated to the U.S. They have most likely been exposed to American rights and have a reasonably strong desire to exercise their right to own a firearm. For a market segment with a buying power of more the $825 billion, this should grab the attention of those in the shooting industry. Other key findings include: ➤ 32% of Hispanics participate in some firearms-related activity. ➤ 72% of those surveyed participated in some type of outdoor recreation—camping, boating, hiking, golfing, fishing, etc.—in the past year. ➤ Approximately 10% of Hispanic women own a firearm personally, and an additional 25% would like to own a firearm in the future. ➤ 41% of respondents have been to a shooting range. An additional 40% of those who have never been to a range would consider going, and more than half would go to a range on an invitation from friends or family. All signs point to the opportunity for our industry to tap into a market group that shows great interest in all segments of the shooting sports, from personal protection to bird and big-game hunting. Much like the MultiCultural First-Time Shooter study, this research shows that first-time Hispanic shooters are looking for a safe and exciting experience. They’re also more than willing to turn to a gun store for information, with almost 40 percent of those surveyed saying that would be their preferred source for firearms-related info. The Tobintel study also shows great diversity within the Hispanic market itself, owing to generational differences and levels of acculturation within the U.S. As such, marketing directives must reflect those differences. “The Hispanic segment in the U.S. is a highly relevant, dynamic, and multifaceted market,” says Rick Tobin, president of Tobintel. “This study helps manufacturers, retailers, and ranges understand the strong interest that Hispanics have to learn about firearms, to own them, and to participate in shooting sports.” If all this sounds familiar, it should. The lessons from both studies are strikingly similar. Keep your marketing message focused, yet broadcast it in a way that’s relevant to your target audience. Take a closer look and rely on the NSSF for guidance to reap the rewards of welcoming a new and growing market.

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Chip Off the Old Block Federal Premium’s new turkey load enters the market

ime and again, both informal and formal harvest polls reveal that the majority of gobblers killed each spring succumb to shots delivered within 35 yards. However, there are many instances of the birds being tagged at veritable spitting distances and greatly extended ranges as well.

With its new 3-inch, 20-gauge 3rd Degree turkey load, essentially a “chip” off the 12-gauge “block,” Federal Premium offers 20-gauge hunters a load optimally suited for engaging birds that come in on a string, hang up at a distance—and everything in between. Initially offered in 12-gauge 3-inch and 3½-inch versions loaded with 1¾ ounces and 2 ounces of shot, respectively, Federal Premium engineers knew there would be great demand for a 3-inch 20-gauge version as well. With the hard work already done, the 20-gauge option

was easily accomplished. The recipe for success required few changes. Key to 3rd Degree’s effectiveness is its multishot, three-stage, non-buffered payload. The front of the shot charge (20 percent of the total load) consists of No. 6 Flitestopper lead pellets, which, due to their circumventing band (creating a non-spherical shape), quickly migrate to and accentuate the fringe of the pattern. This is important because, for shots within 15 yards, where it’s typically an all-or-nothing proposition, these peripheral-seeking pellets can make

the difference between a bagged bird and disappointment. Flitestopper No. 5 copper-plated lead shot is next in line, comprising 40 percent of the payload. Plating with copper makes the lead pellets harder, which reduces deformation. That, in turn, creates tighter patterns at greater distances. The smooth surface also enhances penetration because the pellets are less likely to get wadded in feathers. Moreover, No. 5 shot just may be the quintessential size for the majority of turkey hunting situations and ranges. The final—and rearmost—portion of the payload (40 percent) consists of No. 7 Heavyweight. This charge is 35 percent denser than lead, and the pattern-filling tungstenbased No. 7 pellets carry the energy of lead No. 5s. But, because of their small diameter (which generates less friction), spherical shape, and weight, the Heavyweight pellets penetrate deeper than their larger lead and plated-lead counterparts. Lastly, because the hard pellets retain their spherical shape during setback and while traversing the bore/choke, they help maintain a tight pattern core for long-range effectiveness. All told, the 3-inch 20-gauge load has 1 7⁄16 ounces of No. 5, 6, and 7 shot. Tight patterns are also attributable to Federal Premium’s legendary Flitecontrol wad. To slow the wad and facilitate shot/wad separation, the petals of a traditional-type wad peel rearward (or bloom). The process begins immediately upon exiting the muzzle and hastens pattern dispersion. For turkey loads this is undesirable. The forward momentum of the Flitecontrol wad, however, is slowed by six petals created by the flaring gas seal upon exiting the muzzle and three cutouts in the body that project outward and act as brakes. The Flitecontrol contains the payload longer than any other wad design, thereby keeping patterns tighter. Average pellet count is 280. It works well in any turkey shotgun setup equipped with a Full or Extra-Full factory (non-ported) choke. Close-range testing at 10 yards, conducted by Federal Premium ammunition engineers, revealed a pattern measuring 6 inches wide. This is a couple of inches greater than common turkey loads fired with the same shotgun. Pellet count at 20 yards in a 10-inch pellet circle was 174, and at 40 yards 76 pellets were within the 10 inch-circle. By design, it is not just a 40-plus-yard gobbler getter; testing proves it will also get the job done at closer ranges, making it a versatile tool. Booth #14551. (federalpremium.com)

Federal Premium’s 3rd Degree turkey ammo is now available in a 3-inch 20-gauge load.

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Leading the Way

Winchester marks 150 years of innovation

By David Draper

ther companies may argue the point, but when it comes to icons, Winchester leads the way in the firearms and ammunition industry. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the legendary brand, and while it hasn’t always been an easy road, Winchester is as strong today as it has been at any point in its history. Businessman Oliver Winchester had been involved, at least financially, in the firearms business for nearly a decade, but the history of Winchester properly begins in 1866. That year, under threat of a takeover from firearms designer Benjamin Henry, Oliver Winchester reorganized New Haven Arms under the Winchester Repeating Arms Company banner. The newly formed company quickly introduced the Model 1866, nicknamed the Yellow Boy after the polished brass receiver. The new leveraction improved upon Henry’s eponymous rifle and started the Winchester tradition of naming rifles for their year of introduction. Oliver Winchester’s innovative lever-actions, linked inextricably to the American West, remain among the most iconic of all American firearms.

Although the Henry rifle was already popular, the Model 1866’s improvements made it the clear winner in the burgeoning repeating-rifle arms race. The rifle’s success allowed Winchester to continue to innovate and led to the introduction of the iconic 1873 lever-action rifle. Oliver Winchester passed away unexpectedly in 1880, but Winchester Repeating Arms continued to grow and, with the assistance of inventor John Browning, introduce an impressive list of new firearms, including the 1895 boxmagazine rifle and 1897 pumpaction shotgun.

Ups and Downs ➤ During

this same time frame, the company expanded its operations to include ammunition as a growing, and important, part of the Winchester business plan. In 1873, Winchester announced it was “prepared to manufacture 250,000 cartridges per day, embracing every size and description of a quality superior to anything heretofore offered.” That number quickly expanded to accommodate growing demand, and ammunition lines increased throughout the latter part of the 19th century. The year 1895 marked the introduction of the company’s first smokeless centerfire cartridges. Shotgun shooters weren’t to be left out of Winchester’s ammunition developments, and the company quickly became known for making premium shotshells, a reputation that continues today. Reloading components were first introduced in 1877 under the New Rival line, and the series

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Winchester not only supplied American soldiers with the .50-caliber machine gun and the M1 Garand, but the ammunition for each as well.

soon followed with loaded paperhulled shotshells in 1886. Subsequent ammo introductions quickly followed, including Winchester’s Star line, which coincided with the appearance of the lever-action 1887 shotgun in the same year, and Winchester Repeater Shot Shells in 1900. As the century rolled over, Winchester catered to its customers, offering its shells loaded in either blackpowder or the new smokeless powder. The First World War would serve as a boon to what was the country’s (and arguably the world’s) most dominant firearms and ammunitions company, though it also marked the beginning of the company’s financial troubles. During WWI, Winchester produced more than 1 million firearms, including a half million Enfields modified to accept the .30/06 and nearly 50,000 Browning Automatic Rifles, known in the trenches as BARs. It also worked closely with John M. Browning in the development of the .50 caliber and fed the war effort with 870 million .50 BMG rounds.

To meet the needs of American and Allied forces, Winchester grew its operations exponentially during the second decade of the 20th century. Much of this capital expansion was financed and, with the end of WWI, left the company with magnum-sized capacity without much need. After brief forays into the consumer-goods category and a short-lived merger with the Simmons Hardware Company, Winchester Repeating Arms fell into financial ruin and was declared insolvent in 1931. Later that same year, Winchester’s remaining assets were purchased by the Western Cartridge Company and then merged in 1935 to form the WinchesterWestern Company.

New Direction ➤ Under

the direction of John Olin, Winchester-Western flourished and, during World War II, again assisted the U.S. and its allies by providing firearms and ammunition. Most notably, Winchester designed the M1 carbine in .30 caliber, and produced

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800,000 of them before the war’s end. The company also delivered a half-million M1 Garands, and more than 15 billion rounds of ammunition to U.S. soldiers. Post-war, Winchester enjoyed a period of growth. With a reputation for quality and performance earned in the theater of war, the company’s products were increasingly carried by returning soldiers who took to the fields with Winchester rifles and ammunition. Popular media also contributed to the gunmaker’s success. The 1950 film Winchester ’73 introduced a new generation of fans to the iconic lever-action. Chuck Connors added to the Winchester legend by toting an 1892 Winchester in

.44/40 on the popular television show The Rifleman. Innovation continued as well, with the introduction of the Model 88 lever-action in 1956, and a new .30-caliber cartridge— the .300 Winchester Magnum—in 1963. Two years later, the compressed AA shotshell hit the range, marking the start of a decades-long dominance in the sport shooting category that continues to this day.

Turning Point ➤ For

Winchester, the mid-1960s also marked a turning point, as anyone who owns a Model 70 understands all too well. In 1964,

winchester 150th anniversary events schedule

TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY: Cody Museum antique firearms display, featuring the special “Great Basin” Model 1873 lever-action. TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY: Wildlife artist Ryan Kirby, 2 p.m.–3 p.m. Enter a raffle to win a Model 1866 commemorative leveraction and one case of commemorative Winchester ammunition. Booth #13129.

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in the face of increased manufacturing costs, the company developed new rifle designs that were deemed inferior by the public and sporting press. The company struggled to recover, but the pre’64 stigma prevailed and marked a downturn in business that continued for the next two decades. In 1980, Winchester’s parent company, Olin, sold the rights to market Winchester firearms to its employees in New Haven, Connecticut. The newly formed U.S. Repeating Arms Company lasted less than 10 years before a takeover by the Belgian-owned Herstal Group. Sixteen years later, the plant was closed for good. This ended a 140-year-long era of an American-made Winchester firearm, and, for the time being, killed the Model 70 and Model 94 rifles. During this dark period, Winchester’s ammunition business, under the Olin Company umbrella, continued to steamroll along, providing both reliable performance and constant innovation for the sportsman and shooter alike. The early 1990s marked the introduction of Drylok steel shotshells and Failsafe rifle ammunition, and in 2001, the manufacturer jump-started the short-magnum trend with the .300 Winchester Short Magnum, or WSM. A few years later, Winchester expanded its rimfire business with the opening of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Oxford, Mississippi. Much like it had 75 years earlier, the Olin family breathed new life into the Winchester brand in late 2006 when it contracted with Browning to re-introduce Winchester firearms to the world. Under a licensing agreement, Browning oversees the manufacture and marketing of all Winchester rifles and shotguns, including such icons as the 1886, 1894, and Model 70, and new guns like the Super X3 shotgun and XPR rifle. Most would agree it’s a partnership that John M. Browning would be proud of. There are not many brands in any industry that last 50 years, let alone three times that long. And of those, few retain the legendary status and loyal customer base as Winchester has since its inauspicious start in 1886. Like any good origin story, this one has its plot twists, peaks, and valleys, but through it all the brand has stood firm. Reliable, hard-working, and with a few hard-earned scratches, today’s Winchester wears just like a good rifle should. Booth #13334. (winchester.com) The Model 52 boltaction was the premier smallbore target rifle for many years.

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Fresh Start Remington’s new compact pistol is a big step in the right direction

By Brian McCombie s the concealed-carry market has spiked in the last couple of years, compact pistols have been one of the bigger winners, especially those chambered in .380 Auto. Small .380s are easy to carry and recoil less than their 9mm and .40 S&W cousins. They also provide more stopping power than ever, thanks to a new crop of .380 selfdefense rounds. Given this strong market, it’s only natural that Remington Arms Company would launch its own entry, the recently debuted RM380 micro pistol chambered in .380 Auto. Or is it?

A new crop of selfdefense .380 ammo has spurred sales of compact pistols, such as Remington’s new RM380, chambered for this round.

Mention the words “Remington” and “pistols” and many will begin discussing—and criticizing— Remington’s R51, the company’s ill-fated 9mm compact pistol that hit the market a couple of years ago. The R51 took a lot of heat for what Remington itself would admit was a handgun plagued with various problems. So many problems, in fact, that Remington soon issued a voluntary recall of the pistol. Given the situation, many might be surprised that Big Green decided to give another smallish handgun a try so soon after the R51. With the RM380, Remington did “something old, something new.” It bought Rohrbaugh Firearms of New York and set about revamping its flagship handgun, the Rohrbaugh R9, upgrading it with today’s best technology. Plus, Remington

designers added several improvements to create what I believe is a well-made and reliable entry-level .380 concealed-carry pistol. I first had a chance to fire the RM380 at the Gunsite firearms training facility in Paulden, Arizona, twice in the past year. In all, I put more 500 rounds through the pistols. I found the RM380 accurate and fun to shoot. “Accurate,” of course, is a relative term in the relatively short-range world of concealed carry, where 10 yards is likely your farthest shot. For the record, I like the double-action trigger, which does have a long pull compared to many other semi-autos, but was not difficult to use. That doubleaction system, plus the 10-pound trigger pull, also provides a builtin safety feature—the handgun is

not going to go off accidentally if it brushes against clothing or gear. Much like a revolver, the RM380 is ready to go when you are ready to pull the trigger. But those 500 rounds went through pre-production models. How would the actual handguns perform, the ones that Mr. and Ms. Concealed Carry Consumer will be able to purchase? I answered that question last fall when I received a new RM380, a production model right off the manufacturing line at Remington’s new facility in Hunstville, Alabama. I ran more than 100 rounds through it, using five different brands of ammunition—from selfdefense to standard ball. It’s a good pistol, functionally every bit the equal of the ones I used at Gunsite. Accurate. Reliable. Comfortable in my hand. And, with a suggested

retail of $417, it is very affordable. “The RM380 is an all-metalconstructed compact handgun designed for those who carry concealed,” says Daniel Cox, Remington’s senior product manager of handguns. “We are extremely proud of our testing, the R&D, and the engineering that went into manufacturing the RM380. The end result is a finetuned handgun that will perform when needed, is accurate, and one I am confident in carrying every day myself.” Weighing in at just a shade over 12 ounces and only 5.27 inches long (2.9 inches of which is a stainless-steel barrel), the RM380 has a fully functional slide stop that holds open at the last round, an ambidextrous magazine release, and an extended beavertail grip. That slide release holds back the slide fine and is recessed so it will not snag. However, like with a number of small pistols, it is difficult to work when you want to actually release the slide. It’s much easier to pull back on the top of the slide to rack in a round. The sights are small. Very small. You could argue that a .380-caliber micro need not have great sights. At micro “ranges,” it’s mostly point and shoot, right? True enough. But I’d still like a better sight picture. Smaller caliber means bullet placement is even more important. I don’t know if Remington has plans to upgrade these sights (even a bit of illuminating paint on the front post and the rear sight would be a big help), but I suspect someone will produce an aftermarket sight or sight upgrade kit for the RM380. Given the number of rounds I’ve put through a pair of RM380s without experiencing any major functional issues, I think buyers will be pleased with the gun’s overall performance. It appears to be a fresh start for Remington in this critical market, and that is a big step in the right direction. Booth #14262. (remington.com)

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All in the Family

A marriage of electronics and predator hunting helps FoxPro create cutting-edge products By Brian McCombie FoxPro offers a wide variety of electronic and hand calls. Clockwise from the top: Shockwave, Deadbone, and 4K9.

oxPro exists today because of the convergence of two passions: John Dillion’s passion for electronics and his son Mike’s passion for predator hunting. A little more than 30 years ago, young Mike, then eight years old, and his friend were heading out to the nearby woods to hunt foxes. That was, and is, Mike’s enduring passion—hunting of all sorts, but especially predators. They were toting along a big, bulky electronic predator caller, which caught father John’s attention. “Dad looked at that call and he said, ‘There’s gotta be an easier way for you to carry sound out into the woods,’” says Mike Dillon. “And

that got him going on what would be the very first FoxPro electronic predator call.” The elder Dillon, you see, had been fascinated with electronics since childhood. His first job, in fact, at the ripe old age of 12, was repairing television sets. The Dillon garage was a veritable electronics laboratory, and as Mike remembers it, on that fateful day his father headed to that “lab” to try out some ideas for making a smaller, more portable electronic predator caller. A few years later, John completed his first digital electronic call and installed it in a Rayovac plastic flashlight case. The predator hunting manufacturer we call FoxPro was born. What started off as a single call built in the Dillion family garage is now a 50,000-squarefoot facility employing 70 people in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. FoxPro sponsors, films, and produces the popular television show Furtakers, now in its sixth season on the Outdoor Channel, and has more than 100 field staffers around the U.S. and Canada who use and promote FoxPro products. And though FoxPro has grown mightily over the years, it’s still a family business. John is president, Mike is the general manager, and younger brother Steve is the operations manager. On the cutting edge of digital predator calling since its inception, FoxPro products range from the ultra-high-tech feature-rich Prairie Blaster 3 and Shockwave to the bargain-priced Deadbone. FoxPro also produces a full line of

hand and mouth calls, decoys, hunting apparel, instructional DVDs, and replacement parts. “We do everything under one roof,” says John. “Design, assembly, shipping, marketing—all of it is done here at Lewiston. We are proudly made in the USA.” For the 2016 SHOT Show, FoxPro will be unveiling a new line of night predator hunting lights, the Fire Eye series, which can be operated separately or through FoxPro electronic call controls. For the retailer, FoxPro offers not only an impressive selection of predator hunting products, but it can provide in-store product education through the company’s large field staff. These same staffers do dozens of in-store predator hunting seminars every year across the country. “The predator market has grown so much in the last 20 years,” John says. “There are guys out West who do nothing but hunt coyotes, and guys here in the East who are always after foxes. It’s a huge market, and here’s the thing you have to keep in mind if you are a retailer—it is a year-round market.” That means you can sell FoxPro products all year long. “What we see happening again and again is once hooked, hunters will keep coming back for more gear, often at higher price points,” says John. “Our customers are very loyal, and we put in a lot of time and energy to give them high-quality products so they will come back.” Booth #3448. (gofoxpro.com)

Top: Loaded Gun coyote diaphragm calls. Bottom: The Jack Jr. predator decoy with a bird topper. It can be remotely operated.

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TacMed Solutions Offers New Medical Kits

he time of tactical medicine as a first-responder-only concern has passed. Today, anyone can be placed in the role of administering tactical medicine—so long as they’re properly equipped. Because being prepared is half the battle, Tactical Medical Solutions, a company staffed by combat veterans and first responders, provides the necessary equipment both for the average citizen and those filling the role professionally.

New from TacMed Solutions this year is a trifecta of medical kits, each designed for a specific emergency scenario. Those interested in being prepared should they one day be thrust into the role of first responder should take a close look at the TacMed Emergency Trauma Station, or ETS. The ETS comes as a complete kit or a throw kit. The complete kit includes two pole-less litters and seven throw kits in a red trauma bag, which comes in an alarmed steel cabinet marked “TRAUMA KIT.” The cabinet can be wall-mounted and hardwired into existing alarm systems. Each throw kit is packed in a durable, re-sealable clear bag and

contains one each of the following: SOFTT-W-R, 4-inch OLAES Modular Bandage, petrolatum gauze, tape board, emergency blanket, casualty marking card, and high-resolution instructional card. Printed instructions are categorized in bright colors for quick reference. Also available is the TacMed Warm Zone Bag, meant for use in the high-stress “warm zone” of a mass casualty. The Warm Zone Bag comes packed in a rip-resistant cloth pack with an adjustable drawbridge opening so the front only opens as far as the user desires, preventing spills and flapping. It’s MOLLE compatible and has a modular interior for easy

customization. This kit comes with the following, quantities listed in parentheses: (2) SOF Tactical Tourniquet, wide, (2) 4-inch OLAES Modular Bandage, flat, (4) printed casualty marking tapes, (5) chem lights, (2) NPA with lube, (1) Fox chest seal, (2) 2-inch tape, and (1) marking pen. Exterior MOLLE loops can be used not only for attaching to gear but to hold other items. The third item is the TacMed Pocket Medical Kit, which has proven its life-saving capabilities on numerous occasions. Nashville Metro police officer Matthew Cammarn utilized his TacMed Pocket Medical Kit last summer to save the life of a 17-year-old gun-

shot victim whose femoral artery had been perforated. Cammarn later told media he used the TacMed kit’s quick clot bandage and tourniquet to staunch the flow until medics arrived on the scene. The kit comes sealed in clear plastic and fits neatly in pockets and pouches. Included in the kit are one each of the following: SOF Tactical Tourniquet in Rescue Orange, Esmark bandage, compressed gauze, Beacon chest seal, and black gloves. Booth #10957. (tacmedsolutions.com)

—Katie Ainsworth

TacMed Solutions will now offer three new specialized high- content medical kits.

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Showcasing a Milestone SOG celebrates 30 years by paying tribute to its past while looking toward its future By Christopher Cogley

s it prepares to celebrate three decades of being in business, SOG is paying tribute this year to the traditions that have made it one of the most respected manufacturers of knives and specialty tools for the tactical, law enforcement, and outdoor markets.

But with the same kind of determination and commitment to functionality that allowed it to evolve from a single product—a replica knife— into the diversified company it is today, SOG is also using its 30th anniversary as an occasion to expand its line and extend its reach into a new category that might very well position it for

even greater growth in the next 30 years. “Milestones like this are definitely a time to reflect,” says Chris Cashbaugh, SOG’s marketing director. “And we recognized that it was important for us to pay homage to our history because we don’t want to ever forget where we came from.” To help accomplish that goal, SOG is releasing

The 30th Anniversary Trident folder celebrates a well-received design that has long been a company stalwart.

two commemorative knives in 2016, each one honoring the company in a different way. The fixed-blade Tech Bowie is a tactical knife modeled after the replica SOG Bowie Knife that Spencer Frazer created in 1986. It was the design that gave rise to the company, and while the commemorative edition pays tribute to that heritage by maintaining the exact dimensions and style of the original, it also showcases the evolution of the company by incorporating the latest technological advancements to create a knife that combines the best of yesterday and today. The other special-edition knife that SOG is releasing to commemorate its 30th anniversary is the folding Trident. It’s a knife that has been in the company’s lineup for more than a dozen years, and its modernistic style and innovative functionality have not only made it standard issue for many military and service personnel, but also an iconic representation of the kind of quality SOG has become known for. The blades of both the Tech Bowie and Trident 30th Anniversary editions feature a black coating that’s laser-engraved with a modernized version of the Vietnam-era tiger stripe camo pattern to create a unique look that adds both visual and textural appeal. The numbered special-edition knives are limited to 300 pieces of each model and come in a wood presentation box complete with a challenge coin, a commemorative patch, and a hand-signed certificate of authenticity. “For the 30th anniversary, we really wanted to showcase not only where we’ve been but what we represent today,” Cashbaugh says. And while the company’s past and present are firmly rooted in the knives and specialty tools it’s known for, SOG’s future might very well include more than just fixed blades and folders because this year, in addition to expanding its collection of knives and multi-tools, SOG is also entering a new category by releasing a line of specialty backpacks specifically designed for outdoor enthusiasts. “This is a natural progression for us since we’re looking at the same core consumers who are already fans of our knives and tools,” Cashbaugh says. “This is an area where we can bring a lot of innovation to the category because of our experience with understanding the kind of functionality that the tactical and outdoor communities need from the products they rely on.” The backpacks are tactically inspired, Cashbaugh says, but styled to be functional for hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The initial line will include four different models, all of which will have the functionality upon which SOG has built its reputation. Booth #425. (sogknives.com)

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Breaking In Steel Will’s triple threat is designed to capture market share By Robert F. Staeger

ntering the crowded knife market is challenging, but it does have its rewards, according to Boris Shekhman, director of business development for Steel Will knives. “The competition forces you to do better,” he says. “A lot of the guys in our industry do what they do very well. They make really nice products. It’s tough to gain market penetration in a competitive industry, and in order to be accepted by the marketplace, we have to put out really good products. That’s number one for us.”

To his way of thinking, brand awareness is the second big hurdle. “Everyone’s heard of the really big names out there. I won’t mention them—you know who they are. They’re companies with long legacies, and in some cases a century’s worth of a head start. Any newcomer has a lot of catching up to do.” From the outset only four years ago, Steel Will did not want to put itself in a corner. Although the company originally started with tactical knives, it has expanded into three categories: tactical, outdoor, and urban, all of which feature smart engineering, solid materials, an eye toward ergonomics, and an all-around premium experience. “Our designs are extremely well thought out,” says Shekhman. “Fit and finish are top-notch, and we strive to provide a premium experience to the end user from the time they open the box all the way through customer support.” At this moment, however, Shekhman is basking in the great word of mouth coming from each customer the new company gets. “The biggest success for me is seeing the YouTube reviews,” he says. “Seeing the stuff we worked really hard on for years finally make it into the hands of end users, and the videos they make. You see the joy on the person’s face when they take out the knife, and they have kind words to say about the product. It’s truly humbling and very gratifying, knowing that we made that knife right and we made somebody happy with the purchase. That’ll put a smile on your face.” Steel Will’s urban lines are the Cager, a heavy-duty fixedblade for everyday carry, and the Censor, a compact fixedblade with a pistol-grip nylon handle. “The Censor

is one of our most popular sellers. When your hand goes around the handle of this knife, it locks in instantaneously, and it’s not going anywhere,” says Shekhman. “For self-defense purposes, that’s exactly what you want. You’re looking for your hand to reach down, extract the knife, and for it to be extremely stable and secure. It’s not just the pistol-grip shape, but also the jibbing on it, and where the finger cutouts are.” Another example of Steel Will’s excellent ergonomics can be found in the handles of its outdoors line. The fixed-blade Druid sports a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) handle, while the Argonaut, also fixed-blade, is TPR (thermoplastic rubber); both materials absorb a lot of vibration. “So if you’re in the field, and you’re chopping, or doing any kind of task that will put any strain on the knife, that’ll absorb it,” says Shekhman. “We like for the knife to not have any hot spots, for it to sit very comfortably in the hand to reduce fatigue.” This year should also give Shekhman reason to smile. Among the plans for 2016 is an expansion of the popular Gecko line. “We’re spinning off the Gecko series folder, the Gecko 1500,” says Shekhman, who describes three new smaller offerings. “They’re going to retain the same DNA, the same features as the full-size Gecko folder, but they’ll be substantially lighter. They’ll have 3½-inch blades versus the 4-inch blade, and will be a better fit for lightweight or everyday carry.” The new Geckos will come in a canvas micarta version, a maroon micarta version, and a black G10 version. Booth #4050. (steelwillknives.com)

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A Star Is Born

Savage and CCI combine to offer something special hooters who desired a high-performance rimfire autoloader capable of handling a magnum cartridge saw their wishes fulfilled last year when Savage Arms unveiled the A17. Chambered in .17 HMR, the rifle takes full advantage of the high-performance cartridge. Bill Dermody, Savage’s marketing director, emphasizes that it is important for retailers to understand that the A17 is not a previous model adapted to fire a magnum rimfire round. It is a brand-new design. “Other manufacturers have tried adapting straight-blowback actions over the years to convert their standard autoloader rimfire rifles to shoot magnum rimfire loads, but those guns never flourished,” he says. “The .17 HMR cartridge is just too hot for the straight blowback action—a design that typically does not allow enough time for gases to escape down the barrel before cycling. That trait can cause performance and safety issues. But the A17’s unique delayed-blowback action is specifically designed for high-performance magnum rimfire cartridges to ensure safe, reliable cycling.” CCI’s A17 Varmint Tip was created to optimize the performance of Savage’s A17 semi- automatic rifle, which utilizes a delayedblowback action designed to handle highperformance cartridges.

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To pull it off, Savage designers used an innovative interrupter lug to lock down the bolt after the trigger is squeezed. The bolt remains locked until peak pressure has passed. This method of timing prevents the bolt from opening prematurely. It also serves as a firing-pin block, preventing out-of-battery firing when the action is open. As a bonus, the cutting-edge system yields improvements in control and accuracy. In addition to the action, other features of the A17 include a hard chrome bolt, case-hardened receiver, 10-round rotary magazine, a button-rifled barrel, and the well-received user-adjustable AccuTrigger. “The bolt also has two hooks on the bolt face,” says Dermody. “One is the extractor, the other is a stabilizer. Together, both keep the cartridge pointing straight ahead for reliable feeding. They’re all excellent features that make this rifle a great value at its relatively low suggested retail price of $465.”

Something Big

To further ensure a perfect marriage between rifle and round, Savage worked with sister company CCI Ammunition to develop the A17 Varmint Tip, a fast, flat-shooting load tailor-made to the new semi-auto. “It was a big deal when the fast, flat-shooting .17 HMR cartridge first came out,” says CCI Ammunition category director Rick Stoeckel. “It was a breath of fresh air for rimfire

➤

rounds. But there was one big hang-up—it could not be safely shot in a semi-auto platform.” However, when Savage engineers detailed the A17’s revolutionary receiver, Stoeckel quickly realized they were onto something special. “I knew it was something big—a system the world of rimfire had never seen before,” he says. “We at CCI pride ourselves in building specialty ammunition, and the A17 .17 HMR is truly customized to fit this niche. I knew this rifle could be the foundation of a new line of rimfire ammunition that would exceed what has been done in the past, and I knew CCI needed to be a part of it.” Stoeckel also knew joining the project meant CCI engineers would up the ante in .17-caliber ammunition. “We embraced the opportunity to increase the velocity of the A17 .17 HMR rounds to make the final product even more attractive and desirable to rimfire enthusiasts,” he says. Indeed, CCI’s A17 Varmint Tip took the round to new heights. A 17-grain, polymertipped varmint bullet provides rapid expansion, and the new load is 100 feet per second faster than its nearest competitor with the same bullet weight. It clocks in at a blistering 2,650 fps out of the muzzle and 2,000 fps at 100 yards. Plus, it packs a wallop, with 265 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle and 151 at 100 yards. “In the end, the higher velocity also opti-

mized the A17’s delayed-blowback system for flawless performance,” Stoeckel says. “It’s important to note that the A17 rifle certainly functions well with other .17 HMR ammunition. But CCI had the exclusive opportunity to design specific ammo that provides the best performance and accuracy. This way, we could eliminate any guesswork that might stump customers when deciding what ammo they should feed their new A17 autoloader.” On the flip side, the new CCI A17 ammunition can also be fired through bolt-action .17 HMR firearms. “It was created to optimize the A17 semiautomatic rifle,” says Stoeckel. “But shooters who own and use bolt guns will love the faster, flatter performance as well, and hunters will appreciate the load’s varmint-tipped bullet, which provides explosive expansion for quick, clean kills.” ($66.95 for a 200-round pack.) You don’t often see this level of cooperation among manufacturers, but it’s a sure sign of things to come at both companies as a result of the formation of Vista Outdoor last winter. Savage and CCI, as well as Federal Premium, Bushnell, BLACKHAWK!, Primos, and other brands that had previously resided under the ATK umbrella were spun off when the parent organization split into two separate companies. Retailers can expect to see more cross- platform work from divisions within Vista Outdoor. Booth #14551.

HOPPE’S GOES GREEN The good news? Hoppe’s has released Hoppe’s 9 Gun Medic to resuscitate your firearm when you’re afield and it goes down. The bad news? It doesn’t smell like Hoppe’s 9. You’ve had it happen. You’re on the range or in the field. Your gun malfunctions and needs a quick cleaning. Hoppe’s wants you to take out the Gun Medic, which includes four products: a 10-ounce aerosol can of biobased cleaner, a 10-ounce aerosol can of bio-based cleaner and lube (Hoppe’s calls this the “Quick Fix”), a 4-ounce aerosol can of biobased cleaner and lube, and a 2-ounce bottle of liquid lube. The lineup cleans and lubricates firearms quickly and has been designed for the range bag, not the gun bench. The new combination formula cleans and lubricates in one step. The cleanser evaporates in 60 seconds while the lubricant stays—in one thin layer. This high-performance lube, similar to what can be found in jet propulsion systems, has a wide temperature tolerance as well. SRP: $7.95 to $12.95. Booth #14551. (hoppes.com) —Barbara Baird

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ATI’s Quick Turnaround The aftermarket stockmaker proves nimble when opportunity strikes By Robert F. Staeger

ATI’s relationship with Ruger allows it to design aftermarket components quickly.

ast year, Ruger announced new versions of its popular Charger pistols, with both the Charger and the Charger Takedown now being available in polymer stocks. Almost immediately, ATI (Advanced Technology International) responded by offering the Ruger A-22 Pistol Stock for the Ruger Charger. ATI has a long history with Ruger, working with the manufac-

turer on numerous projects in the past. “They’ve been very good to us,” says Jon Shaffer, director of business development at ATI. “Some items we hear about the same time as everybody else, but on other items, we’re in development with them.” Given the quick turnaround, surprisingly the aftermarket Charger stock wasn’t developed with Ruger’s initial involvement.

Instead of being a measure of ATI’s considerable industry connections—the company has longstanding relationships with Mossberg and CZ-USA, among others—it’s a sign of how nimble the company is when responding to a variety of interesting market opportunities. “We started working on this when they first brought the Charger back,” says Shaffer. “Well before the polymer stock version was planned, we were working on it.” So when the polymer-stocked Charger was announced, ATI was ready to make the most of the moment. “We had some things in the pipeline already that we were going to be able to move over to the Charger,” says Shaffer. “The handguard on the Charger stock, it’s one of our existing 15 handguards. We were able to use a pistol grip that we used on another

project, so it’s basically just making sure that the polymer chassis that sandwiches over the receiver fits correctly.” That’s when their existing relationship with Ruger came into play. “Ruger was very gracious,” says Shaffer. “They’ll share their 3-D files and stuff like that with us when we need them. Obviously, they don’t like to send them out all the time, but when it’s instrumental to a project, we have that longstanding relationship where we can manage to get that stuff from them, which makes our job easier, rather than having to reverse-engineer a firearm.” Later in the process, Ruger sent ATI a few pistols to fit the stocks to, to make sure everything—fit, form, and function—worked as planned. “We can turn things around pretty quickly,” says Shaffer. The small company doesn’t answer to a board of directors, just the two owners. “There’s not a lot of red tape, so if we see something that’s a good idea and want to move forward with it, we can build tooling and have something pumped out in a few weeks.” Booth #16762. (atigunstocks.com)

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Shapeshifter Is there room for a new camo pattern? Rocky Brands thinks so By Katie Ainsworth

he average hunter does not only have an impressive display of firearms, knives, and related gear, but he (or, increasingly, she) also has a massive collection of camouflage clothing and boots. An array of camo for every season and potential eventuality hangs in the hunter’s closet, and a selection of boots lies beneath. More than a few hunters wish for a one-pattern-fits-all camo, and now, thanks to Rocky, there is a universal pattern to be had.

Due to hit outdoor shelves in the fall, Rocky’s new Venator clothing line will include base and outer layers as well as raingear and boots. A women’s line may follow further down the trail.

Rocky’s new—and first—proprietary camouflage pattern is called Venator, which means “hunter” in Latin. Venator was two years in the making, two years filled with hunting-bootson-the-ground research. The genesis of the idea came during a hunt in Utah in which company reps realized the very real need for a pattern a bit friendlier to the Western region. Once they decided to move forward with this new pattern, the bigger idea hit: there was an even greater possibility at hand for an allregion all-purpose camouflage. Venator is an interesting mix of colors and shapes; it isn’t made up of reproduced images of vegetation, it’s a carefully designed color pattern. According to Rocky, the new camo blends seamlessly regardless of the setting, tricking the eye around everything from sagebrush to hardwood to desert. The clothing and boots have been field-tested by seasoned hunters and guides across the country, and results have been positive in each region, in every way. Not only is Venator a new, multi-region pattern, it boasts the many features Rocky’s clothing and boots are known for, and then some. Features include Rocky’s Scent IQ and ThermalGuard technology with gloves utilizing the company’s Grip Tech. Scent IQ helps you stay undetected by odor while ThermalGuard works to prevent thermal transfer, keeping cold air out and heat in. Even better, the material is burr-resistant, which not only protects the wearer from clinging, stabbing plant hooks and teeth, but extends the life of the clothing itself. In addition to its more active technology, the Venator line addresses simpler, basic issues. For example, the rain jacket and matching pants fold down to just under 8.5x11 inches, making them easy to tuck in your pack without adding unnecessary bulk. Boots from Rocky’s Broadhead line will be made in the new pattern in uninsulated styles sporting durable outsoles designed to withstand mountain terrain. Even comfortable details are useful, such as the base layer, which is made with DriRelease Poly Wool Fleece for a soft fit with the important benefit of wicking. Marketing director Jordan Gottke is enthusiastic about the new line of camouflage and says, “We put more than two years of consumer research, field testing, and product development into Venator camo, and we are excited to finally share it with consumers in 2016. The camo is unique in that we believe it is one of the first camouflages that can be worn across the United States. Prior to Venator, most camos have worked well in some regions, but not all.” Booth #13340. (rockybrands.com) Venator boots have been extensively field- tested by seasoned hunters.

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Right On Target

MGM Targets sets its sight for the consumer market By Brian McCombie

f you’ve spent any time in competitive shooting, you no doubt have heard of, seen, and probably put some lead on the steel targets made by MGM Targets of Caldwell, Idaho. Innovative designs and high-quality materials have made MGM Targets a favorite of the competitive shooting circuit, where the volume of shooting requires durable targets that are easy to maintain. But a good percentage of retailers and their customers may not know that MGM Targets has made a large push into the consumer market the last couple of years, too, especially with its Sportsman Series of steel targets. And at this year’s SHOT Show, MGM will debut more new products made with recreational shooters in mind.

MGM Targets uses state-of-the-art laser-cutting equipment and highquality AR500 Brinell steel to make its line of targets.

“Whether you are a backyard plinker or want to set up your own more formal shooting range, we have you covered,” says Kevin Murphy, MGM Targets’ marketing manager. “Our targets will last through years of hard shooting, and they’re a lot more affordable than some people assume. And, our products are all American made.” Founded 22 years ago by Mike Gibson, initially to serve the needs of competitive shooters, MGM Targets has grown to be the most well-known brand of steel targets worldwide.

MGM products are preferred—and often specified—by every branch of the U.S. military, law enforcement agencies, and state governments. Other shooters have also used MGM Targets for years. But MGM didn’t specifically address this non-competition shooting market until recently, with the early 2015 debut of its MGM Sportsman series. The entire Sportsman series is made of the same premium 3⁄8-inch thickness, 500 Brinell (AR500) steel—as are all MGM AR500 targets—but are geared for the more budget-minded shooter.

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A word about steel and targets is needed here. Justin Bennett, production manager for MGM Targets, says “’AR500’ has become a term nearly as common in the firearms industry as Kleenex is in the household products market. But what does it really mean and what is the difference between AR500 and other steel?” The “AR” stands for “Abrasion Resistance,” a hardness factor or steel type. The “500” is the level of hardness as measured on the Brinell scale, and 500 Brinell equates to about the same hardness as a good knife blade. However, not all AR500 actually has a Brinell hardness of 500; in fact, it can be as low as 460 Brinell due to differing manufacturing processes. Knowing this to be the case, MGM Targets has maintained consistent material demands from suppliers to get the highest standard of performance from its products. The company requires the hardness of the AR500 steel used to not be less than 495 on the Brinell scale. “Further, we require our steel suppliers to contract, supply, and certify material to this tolerance,” Bennett says. “In fact, in a recent review of numerous mill certifications for our steel, the Brinell hardness of our steel measured an exceptional 510 to 522.” MGM Targets uses only state-of-the-art laser-cutting equipment and processes to maintain the integrity of the material and produce precision parts to within tolerances of .005 inch. MGM performs no welding on most of its AR500 steel, instead affixing brackets and hardware via hardened nuts and bolts. This process greatly prolongs the life of the target and also lets shooters reverse the target plate— not possible in cases where the manufacturer has welded the plate to another piece. For 2016, MGM is expanding the Sportsman target offerings, adding an Auto Popper line plus some revisions to existing products. For retailers, Murphy notes, MGM is offering instore sales brochures as well as YouTube videos showing the targets in action, plus assembly instructions. MGM has lined up media coverage in consumer and industry publications to highlight its product lines, too. To promote in-store sales, Murphy recommends setting up one target of each type so customers can see what the assembled product actually looks like. Also, have sales staff assemble these targets, he strongly suggests. That experience will be a real help when customers ask that all-but-guaranteed question before they buy: How hard is this to put together? Booth #20226. (mgmtargets.com)

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BERGARA UNVEILS THE WOODSMAN The Bergara Woodsman follows the 2015 SHOT Show unveiling of the company’s first two offerings in its B-14 Performance Series of production-line rifles: the synthetic-stocked Hunter and the Timber, featuring a more traditional oil-finished, Monte Carlo–style walnut stock. The B-14’s appeal isn’t hard to understand: For less than $1,000, it offers many of the performance-enhancing features of Bergara’s custom rifles selling for three times that amount. With the new Woodsman, making its debut at the 2016 SHOT Show, sportsmen whose tastes gravitate toward even cleaner, traditional lines than those of the Timber now can have their cake and eat it, too. “When we first introduced the B-14, we had quite a few dealers tell us that a walnut stock in the American style—straight comb, no cheekpiece—could be very popular, so we copied the design of the Hunter’s synthetic stock,” says CEO Dudley McGarity. “At about a half pound lighter than the Timber, and with a slimmer profile, it has a completely different appeal, doubling the B-14’s potential sales to those shooters who love the look and feel of oil-finished walnut.” The guts of the B-14 are Bergara’s Spanish-made 4140CrMo steel barrels, renowned for their accuracy, in part due to a multi-stage honing process that produces a mirror-smooth bore. As with the Timber, accuracy and stability are enhanced with two metal-infused epoxy pillars embedded in the walnut stock to facilitate the action screws. The free-floating barrel and crisp-breaking trigger further ensure superb accuracy, something I discovered at the bench prior to hunting with the rifle last fall. Four shots produced a half-MOA group with Hornady 165-grain SST ammo in .308. Bergara’s Performance action, which features a two-lug bolt, coned bolt nose and breech, and sliding plate extractor, makes the Woodsman one of the smoothest-cycling rifles I’ve experienced, something I appreciated more than I’d hoped when a whitetail buck suddenly appeared 180 yards away. The 25-mph wind pushed the bullet far forward of where I’d aimed, but a quick follow-up shot thanks to an effortless cycling of rounds, not to mention the bright Konus 30mm-tube riflescope, anchored the buck in short order. The Woodsman is available in .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270, .30/06, .300 Win. Mag., and 7mm Rem. Mag. Short-action rifles weigh 7.1 pounds with 22-inch barrels; long-action rounds come with 24-inch barrels and weigh 7.4 pounds. With most chamberings, both hinged floor plates or detachable magazines are available. SRP: $945. Booth #14516. (bergarausa.com) —Bill Buckley The author took this nice Montana whitetail with the new Bergara B-14 Woodsman bolt-action hunting rifle.

Aiming to Improve Children’s Lives

he Kids & Clays Foundation finished another highly successful year in 2015 with 18 shooting events around the country benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). More than $1.3 million was raised from the program, with all proceeds helping critically ill children and their families.

Now in its 17th year, the Kids & Clays Foundation is expanding to 20 sporting clays events in 14 states with more than 4,000 participants expected. The organization’s executive director Doug Jeanneret continues to work toward growing the Foundation’s reach into the future. “We are really the bridge between the shooting industry and Ronald McDonald Houses,” he says. “Our program is able to shine a very positive light on the shooting sports industry. Using sporting clays events to help families in need is not only unique to the outdoor industry, but it is vitally important to show the public that shooting sports are great for the community at large.” Kids & Clays staff and board of directors support the RMHC by providing event development and best-management practices, safety information and equipment, the majority of the shotshells used for each event, firearms and other merchandise packages for auctions, loaner firearms for new shooters, and sponsor marketing materials. A key spokesperson for the Kids & Clays Foundation is Kim Rhode, five-time Olympic medalist in the shooting sports. “Outdoor sports are about kids and families, so it’s only natural that I support the Kids & Clays Foundation,” she says. “What better way for the outdoor community to display its compassion and generosity than helping raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities?” The Kids & Clays Foundation began in 1999 as Kim Rhode, five-time Olympic medalist in the shooting sports, serves as a spokesperson for the Kids & Clays Foundation, which supports families in need.

a new fundraiser to support the Chicago Ronald McDonald House near Comer’s Children’s Hospital. Founders Glenn and Kathy Lubeznik wanted to help the House raise funds to support their mission of helping critically ill children and their families. That fundraiser has grown into what is one of the largest series of sporting clays events in the country, raising $13 million in net funds since its inception. The Kids & Clays Foundation has a long list of McDonald’s affiliated sponsors both inside and outside of the

shooting sports industry. Industry sponsors include the NSSF as well as Winchester Ammunition (Booth #13334), Federal Premium (Booth #14551), Browning (Booth #10774), Otis Technology (Booth #14213), and Baron Technology (Booth #15929). The organization is currently working to grow its series of events to help even more families. “Considering how our mission helps critically ill children and their families, I truly believe companies will step up to the plate and get involved,” says Jeanneret. Booth #2416. (kidsandclays.com)

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Boyds now offers a wide variety of custom options for its growing line of hardwood and laminate replacement stocks.

Boyds Listens

ne of the most common phrases heard in business these days is “the voice of the customer.” It’s supposed to mean that an enterprise is listening to what its customers really want as opposed to what the business thinks its customers want. But all too often, companies give the phrase only lip service and continue to go their own way.

Not Boyds. Known for its replacement wood and laminate stocks, Boyds decided about two years ago to give its customers more input on the products they wanted to see. Case in point: last fall’s new line of hardwood replacement gunstocks for the Remington 710 and 770 models. “The Remington Model 770 and its predecessor, the Model

710, are affordable, high-performance bolt-action centerfire rifles that are popular choices among hunters,” says general manager Dustin Knutson. “So, to further serve this market, Boyds now offers hardwood replacement gunstocks for the 710 and 770 models in the Classic, Featherweight Thumbhole, Heritage, Platinum, Prairie

Hunter, Pro Varmint, and Varmint Thumbhole designs.” One of the prime vehicles Boyds uses to determine which products to pursue is a Product Request Form on its website. “At Boyds, we actively seek out input from the industry and our customers,” says Knutson. “We had a lot of stock requests for the Remington 710 and 770 models,

and we’re proud to add these to our lineup.” Knutson says the Product Request Form “gives us the best direction and information on which products we should focus on. This overall focus on customer demand is creating its own trend in the replacement-stock industry and lets us produce hardto-find stocks, such as for the Remington 770, with the knowledge that there is a concrete market for the product.” He further notes that the company’s mission statement is “doing what others say can’t be done.” The statement provides Boyds with a foundation for trend-setting shapes and custom options, and the company now offers a wide variety of custom options for its growing line up of hardwoodand laminate-replacement gunstocks. These include laser engraving, custom grips, custom length of pull, custom recoil pads, and custom tips. A new adjustable comb option is also now available for Remington’s Classic, Prairie Hunter, Platinum, Heritage, and Pro Varmint designs. Booth #2621. (boydsgunstocks.com)

To help retailers who commit to SIG SAUER, the manufacturer has devised a special “storewithin-a-store”concept.

Help Is On the Way

Having trouble digesting SIG SAUER’s complex product line? The manufacturer has a solution By Slaton L. White

IG SAUER is not trying to make a retailer’s life more difficult. Really. It just sometimes seems that way since the manufacturer added ammunition, electro-optics, airguns, and silencers to its already vast line of premium firearms. But help is on the way. I’m standing outside a locked door at the Newington, New Hampshire, manufacturing facility. Next to me is Jeff Creamer, SIG SAUER’s executive director and general merchandise manager. He waves a magnetic passkey; the lock turns from red to green and he grabs the handle.

“Ready?” he asks, as he sweeps open the door. Inside, in full realization, is a mock-up of the “store-within-astore” concept he has been working on for the past year. In the center of the room is a demo table with four posts that will eventually hold tablets. Along the walls are movable vertical display cases that hold pistols and long guns. It has a clean, modern, industrial look free of the clutter so often seen in gun stores. “As SIG began to evolve from a handgun company to a handgun and rifle company to what we are today, which is really a systems provider, we began to realize the challenges a retailer faced trying to sell our products,” he says. “We know the breadth and depth of the SIG product portfolio can be intimidating. In firearms alone,

we’re currently manufacturing 25 platforms, all of which have multiple variants.” To show the depth of the challenge, Creamer singles out the Classic P220 single-stack .45, which has 32 variants. Do the math. “Now you add in ammunition, and like most ammunition manufacturers, we offer defensive, performance, and practice ammunition, all in multiple SKUs. That in itself is a business. When you add in our new electro-optics business, you’re talking about variable- power riflescopes (with multiple reticle options), rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes, and the necessary accessories to go along with that. That’s a business in and of itself. So are the new airgun and silencer divisions.” In essence, what SIG SAUER

has done is to take a really complex product line and quintuple the complexity. “The net result,” Creamer says, “is that there is the chance that the consumer and the retailer will be confused, and it will all get lost in the noise.” The solution was to find a way to sort it all out for retailer and consumer alike. That solution also had to speak to the modern customer who wants to conduct research before he buys. And, maybe most important, this customer abhors old-fashioned cluttered selling spaces. “We wanted to help the retailer by positioning what is ostensibly the most aspirational brand in the space in a way that positively enhances the entire selling experience,” Creamer says. “And the only way we felt that we could do

that successfully was to create the room we’re sitting in today. It is the solution.” The “room” allows the customer to touch and feel the quality inherent in the SIG SAUER system. And it does that by simplifying the offerings and presenting them in their best light. Think about the profoundly simple layout of an Apple store and how it not only enhances the selling, and buying, experience, but also buttresses the brand identity in the process. That’s what SIG SAUER intends to do. “This room mirrors what we believe our customer is looking for,” says Creamer. “It’s hightech, it’s clean, it’s rugged, it reflects the brand, and it presents the product in a way that’s easy for consumers to understand and easy for dealers to merchandise.”

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The store-within-a-store solution consists of three concurrent programs. What Creamer and I were sitting in is the full-system approach modeled on a 400-square-foot space. But because the fixtures and the approach needed to be, like most of SIG’s products, modular, it’s very adaptable to the needs of the individual retailer. “Everything is on wheels, and everything can be configured to fit the specific retailer space,” Creamer says. “That being said, the second concurrent phase of the project is that we recognize many retailers are unable, due to footprint restraints, to carve out 400 square feet of space. So, there is a smaller version of this that allows the same look and feel in about 150 square feet. We can also work with retailers who have an even smaller footprint. In this third case, we might provide individual fixtures. We feel like we’re coming at it in a way that best positions SIG to most effectively partner with the retailer and to make it simple for them and to actually add value to their space.” The tablets mounted on the demo table will provide an opportunity for consumers to interact with the SIG brand digitally. They’ll be able to access, in a searchable way, a digital version of the current commercial catalog. In addition, they’ll be able to access all the current video content that SIG produces. “We are very active in producing video content,” Creamer says. “A lot of it is product- specific, informational in nature, relative to new product launches. For example, a customer interested in SIG Elite Performance Ammunition can get a full rundown on our products, with ballistic test results. In that way, they can see what we’re offering in a non-threatening way. It’s helping us to deliver information in a way that suits the needs of the customer of today.” Another key aspect of this approach is that SIG will sit down with a participating dealer and use analytics to determine just what are the best-turning SIG products in his store and the best way to sell them. By limiting the product that is shown, which may run counter to how that retailer has sold in the past, SIG is helping the store create a shopping experience that will attract and hold a new generation of customers. The process will also help build brand loyalty, which will benefit both SIG SAUER and the retailer. In this case, less really is more. “The handgun cases were designed to hold 20 guns, the rifles cases were designed to hold six long guns,” Creamer says. “They’re not crammed in there, and they’re not standing on end, like soldiers at attention. We know from fieldtesting that this display mechanism works, and we’re eager to help our retail partners grow the brand. After all, they’re the reason the lights are on in this factory.” The first installations of the SIG store-withina-store were rolled out last September. Creamer figures that ultimately around 50 retailers nationwide have enough space to take the full store. “But I think several hundred retailers will be able to accommodate the 150-square-foot version, and many more can take pieces of the concept.” This concept is all part of SIG SAUER’s reengagement with the retail sector. As CEO Ron Cohen says, “We intend to change the retail experience. That’s the magic ingredient.” Indeed it is. Booth #12240. (sigsauer.com)

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The new Crimson Trace LinQ Technology uses a Bluetooth-like technology to control a tactical light/laser on the MSR’s accessory rail.

Ahead of the Pack Crimson Trace keeps forging ahead by redefining laser accessories By Robert Sadowski

rimson Trace looks at the world a bit differently. While many manufacturers are content to stand pat and churn out the same old thing year after year, CTC’s corporate DNA requires it to always be out in front of the pack. Consider the new LinQ system, a laser/light unit specifically designed for the MSR platform. A CTC pistol grip replaces the MSR’s factory-installed pistol grip, but CTC’s grip uses a Bluetooth-like technology to control a tactical light/laser module attached to the MSR’s accessory rail. In this way the pistol grip and light/laser module synch up with each other so the operator can control the laser and light from the pistol grip. There are no cables or touch pads, nor does the operator need to use his support hand to control the laser or light, as is the case with all other tactical lights currently on the market. “Crimson Trace is again pushing the envelope and leading the industry in innovation as the LinQ Technology proves,” says Mike Faw, media relations manager at Crimson Trace. “This is one of many ideas we are pursuing here as our engineers focus on what consumers want—and what’s possible. For retailers, this means a great opportunity to serve MSR rifle customers. Those rifles are popular, and the buyers have been asking for something that’s rifle specific. LinQ Technology fits that bill and combines laser sights and bright lights in an easy-to-operate grip and rail-mounted system.” Ambidextrous buttons on the pistol grip allow the operator The CTC LinQ pistol grip with ambidextrous buttons replaces the factory grip.

to operate the laser/light module. The light/laser can also be removed from the MSR and used on another weapon; there are redundant controls on the light/ laser module so the module can be used when not synched with the grip. Return the module to the MSR with the grip and the two components synch up again. SRP: $500.

And That’s Not All ➤ The

Carry 9 Program takes the hassle out of trying to find a concealed-carry holster to fit a pistol with a Crimson Trace laser sight attached. Crimson Trace and Blade-Tech have teamed up to offer a combo set that includes a Kydex holster and a green or red laser sight in one package. The initial offering will be for the Glock G43, Springfield Armory XD-S, and S&W Shield pistols. The holster is Blade-Tech’s Klipt Ambi IWB model, which can be configured for either right- or lefthand shooters. It has an adjustable belt loop and is designed for behind-the-hip or appendix-style carry. The Crimson Trace Laser Guard sight is offered with either a green or a red laser. The laser seamlessly integrates into pistols. SRP: $249, red; $319, green. Shock Stop technology is being incorporated into Crimson Trace’s red and green laser grips for S&W’s J-Frame Round-Butt revolvers. The grips have a unique two-surface design with softer rubber panels on the front and rear backstraps to enhance control and really reduce felt recoil. Booth #16731. (crimsontrace.com)

NEW PRODUCTS Worth A Close Look

1) Wild-Her hunting pack has been designed expressly for women. 2) Tetra Gun Care’s Gun Carbon Cleaner eliminates carbon buildup. 3) Vertx Delta Stretch Pants combine comfort and function.

cent more heat than the traditional disposable hand-warmers, the six-hour hand warmer works best for stand hunters who repair to camp for a midday break. Like the rest of the Zippo line of hand warmers, the six-hour version is flameless and convenient to use over and over. The warmer takes advantage of a new Easy-Fill Technology, which allows users to fill the product in seconds with either Zippo Hand Warmer Fuel or Zippo Lighter Fluid. A flat base keeps the 6-Hour Hand Warmer upright during refueling, reducing the chances of spillage. SRP: $19.95. Booth #13905. (zippo.com)

Browning ➤ The

SJK

$159.95. Booth #10226. Wild-Her is the perfect (slumberjack.com) hunting pack for women looking for fit and function with just the right amount of feminine style. Tetra Gun Care ➤ Tetra’s Gun Carbon Cleaner The pack has been tailored to fit a woman’s build, with a contoured has been specially formulated to hip belt and shoulder straps that eliminate carbon buildup from enhance overall fit and comfort metal surfaces on firearms, on long days in the field. The sinincluding modern sporting rifles. gle-hand forward-pull hip belt The ammonia-free formula lifts adjusts for a perfect fit and feacarbon-fouling residue from surtures a buckle that lays flat for faces so that gun metal is properadditional comfort. Weighing just ly primed for bore conditioning 3 pounds 2 ounces and offering with Tetra Gun Grease and Tetra 2,016 cubic inches of storage Gun Lubricant. Tetra Gun space, the Wild-Her features a Carbon Cleaner is a water-based single aluminum stay and HDPE solution that is generally harmframe-sheet suspension less to non-metal parts, system, allowing you including wood, rubto manage loads with ber, polymer, and ease. This durable composite materials. pack boasts a stowable, The product is also versatile weapon-carnon-flammable and rying system, allowing biodegradable, and you to transport a bow will be available in or rifle. The pack also different package has two low-profile types, including preside pockets that prosaturated cotton patches, 2-fluid-ounce vide additional storage containers for small and external organizaparts, and larger tion. The Wild-Her is 8-ounce containers. A available in the Zippo The 6-Hour Kryptek Highlander foaming bore cleaner Hand Warmer fits aerosol is also availpattern and retails for easily into a pocket.

➤ SJK’s

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able. SRP: $9.99. Booth #1646. (tetraguncare.com).

Vertx ➤ Vertx

tactical clothing began by designing high-performance tactical pants for the federal government. Since then the product line has expanded to comfortable, durable, and functional pants, shirts, and outerwear. New for 2016 is the Vertx Delta Stretch Pants, which offer a casual, four-pocket look with functional design details—knife notch pockets, leather-trimmed tool pockets, and hidden credential flaps to safeguard valuables. The pants (98 percent cotton and 2 percent spandex) also feature articulated knees for increased mobility, and a gusseted crotch provides freedom of movement. SRP: $89.95. Booth #126. (vertx.com)

Zippo ➤ Zippo

has expanded its bestselling line of reusable Hand Warmers with the addition of a new 6-Hour version. Like its 12-hour counterpart, the new hand warmer fits easily into pockets while providing consistent and odorless heat. Generating 35 per-

ProSteel Beast will give those with big gun collections a large safe with superior features at a great price. The new Beast has a 12-gauge steel body, one-inch formed door with partial inner plate, Force Deflector Locking System, one-inch-diameter chromed locking bolts on three sides, and ThermaBlock (1,400 degrees F for 60 minutes) fire protection. The interior features the DPX Storage System on the top half of door back, with storage for 10 long guns, and the High Capacity Barrel Rack is designed to provide instant access to 41 long guns (13 per rack). Long gun capacity is 56, depending upon gun sizes. SRP: $2,229, with a S&G mechanical lock; $2,299, with SecuRam electronic lock. Booth #12740. (browning.com)

Thermacell ➤ With

a rubberized base, 20 hours of light at its highest setting, and the ability to keep mosquitoes, black flies, and no-seeums at bay, the Scout Lantern makes camping more enjoyable. Forming a 15x15-foot zone of protection in just minutes, Thermacell uses a repellent that is a copy of the natural insecticide found in chrysanthemums. SRP: $39.99. Booth #2350.

(thermacell.com)