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Beretta Scores Largest U.S. Military Handgun Contract Since WWII
All Pistols To Be Built By U.S. Workers In Maryland

ACCOKEEK, MARYLAND - -(ShootingWire.com)- Beretta U.S.A. Corp. announces its receipt of a U.S. Army contract to provide up to 450,000 Beretta Model 92FS pistols to U.S. military customers throughout the world. The total value of the contract, if all pistol quantities and associated spare parts are ordered, is $220 million.

The contract was awarded along with a first delivery order for 20,000 pistols intended for the Iraqi military. Delivery of pistols against the contract has already begun.

“We are honored to see the quality and performance of the Beretta Model 92FS pistol continue to be acknowledged in this dramatic way,” commented Cav. Ugo Gussalli Beretta, President of Beretta U.S.A. “It is clear that the Beretta 9mm pistol still sets the standard for military users throughout the world.”

“This contract will help ensure jobs for hundreds of U.S. workers in the Beretta U.S.A. factory in Maryland for years to come,” added Jeff Reh, General Counsel and Vice-General Manager for Beretta U.S.A. “Beretta U.S.A. was awarded the contract to provide the Beretta 9mm Model 92FS pistol as the standard sidearm for the U.S. Armed Forces back in 1985 and we have continued to do so on a constant basis ever since. About three years ago, Beretta U.S.A. received 13 separate contracts to provide Beretta 9mm pistols and associated spare parts to the U.S. Armed Forces. This new, larger contract will continue our efforts by supporting foreign military customers of the U.S. around the world.

For more information on the Beretta 92FS model, visit www.beretta92.com.

About:
Founded in 1977, Beretta U.S.A. currently employs about 300 employees in its production facility in Accokeek, Maryland and in its warehouse in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Beretta U.S.A. also operates two Beretta retail stores in the United States, one located at 718 Madison Avenue in New York City and the other found in the Highland Park Shopping Center in Dallas, Texas. Beretta U.S.A. imports and distributes firearms, clothing and accessories produced by the Beretta company in Italy as well as Sako and Tikka rifles manufactured by the Sako company in Finland. Beretta U.S.A. manufactures pistols and shotguns at its facility in Maryland, as well as clothing and accessories for shooting sports enthusiasts.

Beretta U.S.A. is part of the Beretta Holding group of companies, which includes Burris Optics in Colorado, Steiner International Optics located in Germany, and the firearm manufacturers Benelli, Franchi, Stoeger, Uberti, Sako and Tikka.

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Media Day At The Range Breaks Attendance Record

Media Day At The Range

Centreville, Virginia - With the support of Bass Pro Shops the 4th annual Media Day at the Range held on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Orlando, Florida broke all records. Nearly 425 members of the outdoor media from around the world were in attendance.

Nearly 50 manufacturers and organizations exhibited at the event allowing members of the media to handle and shoot the hundreds of new products on display as well as learn of new programs and organizations getting started in 2009.

Jason Nash, ATK’s Communications and Events Manager said “Media Day at the Range provides manufacturers like ATK the opportunity to have hands-on interaction with the top writers in the hunting and shooting industry. There’s no better way to showcase new products than to actually use them live and in person. This year’s event was well organized, very well attended and overall a great success. We look forward to next year.”

“Media Day is always a most successful prequel to the SHOT Show for ZEISS. There is simply no substitute in providing our media friends a “hands-on” experience with our product. It is a wonderful networking event for us not only for developing new and continuing relationships with writers and publishers but it also allows us to work closely with other manufacturers and other industry professionals. Not the least of all, the sponsors always provide a first class location or the event and tremendous logistical support,” added Rich Moncrief, Zeiss Training Manger.

Many of the writers could not have been more pleased with the event. Says Mark Keefe, Editor of NRA’s publication American Rifleman, “Media Day gives the firearms press an opportunity to handle the majority of the new firearm or optical designs that they will be writing about in the coming year. It’s one thing to look at a gun or a scope in a booth, but another entirely to try it out at the range in its intended role. Media Day is also one of the best networking opportunities available for both the industry marketing professionals and journalists alike. I haven’t missed one yet, and I don’t intend to start now.”

Adds Nick Sisley, freelance journalist for many of the top shotgun publications, “One aspect of Media Day that I really like is that there tends to be a little more time to visit for a few minutes with old friends. More importantly, Media Day is the chance to see so many new products under one figurative roof – and our readers (editors, too) are always hungry for information on the new products. Finally, Media Day is also perfect for garnering story ideas beyond new products. Personally, I came up with at least three of these types of article ideas – all within a relatively short time at Media Day.

This year’s event also was a big success raising funds and equipment for the Florida 4-H Shooting Sports Program. A special thanks needs to go to all who donated product for the silent auction and all those who supported 4-H by purchasing lunches.

Those in the hunting and shooting industry should also extend a thank you to Bass Pro Shops and all the other sponsors of the event.

Details on Media Day at the Range 2010 will be announced in the coming months. You can visit www.media-day.com for information or contact Cory Cannon with Triple Curl at ccannon@triplecurl.com or Cathy Williams with CMG Marketing & Events at cathy@cmgmarketingandevents.com.

Filed under: Shooting Industry News, Shooting Media News by Ammoland No Comments »