Matt Switlik of Monroe -- a historian who collects cannons -- said the 225-pound cannon that was stolen last month is one of a matching pair. It dates to 1795 and has the crest of the Spanish king on it. / ERIC SEALS/Detroit Free Press

AmmoLand Gun News

Manasquan, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- Putting up a modest reward to recover a stolen 18th century cannon might seem like a shot in the dark, but it worked for Monroe resident Matthew Switlik.

Mr. Switlik’s bronze Spanish-made cannon was swiped Nov. 2 during a nighttime burglary at a Romulus plastics-molding factory, where it was being used as a model for a plastic donations receptacle being created for the new River Raisin National Battlefield Park.

He figured he never again would see the stolen historic artifact, which is estimated to be worth at least $12,000. Nonetheless, he put up a $1,000 reward for its return.

He recovered it this week.

“I got call from a police officer in Detroit in a narcotics unit, and he had my cannon,” Mr. Switlik said. “He credited a concerned citizen who had suspected where it was and took a couple of weeks to locate it.”

The cannon was turned over to Mr. Switlik in the parking lot of the Detroit Police Department’s 10th Precinct station on Livernois, and he paid the reward. He’s not sure of any more details of its recovery.

“I really don’t know any more than that,” he said. “Those folks work in the shadows, and that’s all I know, but I think the reward had something to do with it.”

Although the theft had been widely publicized, the only contact Mr. Switlik received as a result was from a man who claimed psychic abilities and suggested that the cannon was in a building at a construction site in the Romulus area. But that did not pan out.

“I know the Romulus police worked on it and had a feeling there was a ring of metal thieves doing this regularly. They were working on it from that angle, and that could have been the case,” said Mr. Switlik, a retired director of the Monroe County Historical Museum.

The recovered cannon, one of a pair Mr. Switlik owns, is none the worse for wear.

“There’s no damage to it at all,” he said.

Understandably, he is feeling lucky.

“I’ve got to go out and buy lottery tickets this week,” he said. “I also got a call from my daughter who had a cat missing for a month, and they found it this morning, so the family’s having a good roll.”

Mr. Switlik has owned the cannon since 1974. The 42-inch-long gun was cast in Seville in 1795, and the crest of the Spanish king is engraved on the top.

The molding process will resume at the plastics company, but Mr. Switlik will be present during the process.

“It will not leave my possession,” he said.

Goex Powder

Shawnee Mission, Kansas --(Ammoland.com)- At Goex Powder Company-The Tradition Continues.

The manufacturer of the only American made authentic black powder for over 200 years, is happy to announce that Tim and Harry Marsh won a combined 17 first place, 13 second place and 13 third place muzzleloading titles at the recent National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association National shoot. Both used Goex.

Tim and Harry Marsh father and son, from Stanton Kentucky, are regular attendees at the muzzleloading NMLRA Championships in Friendship Indiana.

Tim broke three national records with several in the traditional offhand categories. Harry competed in two aggregates and won one.

“I can honestly say that Goex powder performed flawlessly in helping Harry and I have a successful season, it’s our propellant of choice for patched round ball shooting” said Tim.

To find out more about Goex’s The Tradition Continues superior made in the USA black powder products see goexpowder.com, call 913-362-9455 or write to 6231 Robinson, Shawnee Mission KS, 66202.

Spanish Made Bronze Gun Cast In Seville In 1795

AmmoLand Gun News

Romulus , Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- On the night of November 2, 2011, this historic bronze cannon was stolen during a break-in at Edston Plastic Company in Romulus , Michigan.

The cannon belongs to Matt Switlik of Monroe, Michigan. It was temporarily at the Romulus location for use as a model in crafting a simulated clear plastic cannon replica for a museum exhibit.

The crest of the Spanish king is engraved on the top.

The cannon is an original, Spanish made bronze gun cast in Seville in 1795. The crest of the Spanish king is engraved on the top. Trunnions are marked: 225 p (weight) and markings which translate: Made from copper from Riotinto and Mexico.

The breech ring is engraved with the Seville location, date of 1795 and serial number 3610.

Overall length is 42 inches, caliber is 2.6 inches.

The cannon is one of a matching pair owned by Matt Switlik. They were brought to Michigan by General H.H. Bandholtz of Constantine Michigan, an Army officer who served in the Spanish American War.

Anyone with information about this cannon should contact the Romulus Police Department at 734-941- 8400

Hodgdon Powder

Shawnee Mission Kansas --(Ammoland.com)- Imagine a powder that greatly deters copper fouling while you shoot! It’s here, Hodgdon introduces CFE223 powder.

Originally developed for U.S. rapid fire military systems, CFE223 incorporates this proprietary chemistry named “Copper Fouling Eraser.”

Match shooters, Varmint hunters, and AR enthusiasts will benefit considerably with longer periods of top accuracy with less barrel cleaning time.

Reload data for CFE 223 is available in 27 different cartridges with 147 loads. Maximum velocities are obtained in the 204 Ruger, 5.56 NATO/223 Remington, 22-250 and 7.62 NATO/308 Winchester at hodgdon.com in the Reloading Data Center.

CFE 223 is a Spherical powder that meters flawlessly; it will be available in one and eight pound containers at dealers everywhere beginning January, 2012.

Hodgdon CFE 223 Powder Spec Sheet

For more information call at 913-362-9455, www.Hodgdon.com or write to 6231 Robinson, Shawnee Mission, KS 66202.

For your powder choice its Hodgdon, the Brand that’s True.

Traditions Pursuit Ultralight XLT Muzzleloader Rifle

Traditions Performance Firearms

Old Saybrook, CT --(Ammoland.com)- Traditions Performance Firearms, who are known for their extremely accurate and dependable muzzleloaders, introduces their new Pursuit Ultralight XLT for the 2011 line-up.

Traditions has combined all the best features of the popular and dependable Pursuit models with the innovative and award-winning Ultralight series into one outstanding gun.

Weighing in at only 5.9 pounds, the Pursuit Ultralight XLT features an Ultralight Chromoly tapered, fluted, ported barrel which makes it lighter and built to travel.

Chromoly has long been recognized as the best barrel material for strength and accuracy among centerfire rifles and by incorporating it into their barrels, Traditions has raised the bar for modern muzzleloader performance and accuracy.

The 28” barrel (which is 2” longer than the Pursuit Ultralight) is coated in Premium CeraKote Finish which is 50 times more resistant than stainless steel and protects against highly corrosive black powder, cleaning chemicals, and all forms of weather. The barrel comes equipped with the Speed Load System, allowing for easy loading and more consistent groups.

The Pursuit Ultralight XLT also features the Accelerator Breech Plug which removes in three easy turns by hand, 360° barrel porting to reduce muzzle jump, and Soft Touch camo stocks that provide a comfortable, secure grip even with gloves on. Traditions has equipped the Pursuit Ultralight XLT with a Dual Safety System. This system incorporates two safeties; a trigger block safety and an internal hammer block safety, making it one of the safest muzzleloaders available.

The MSRP for this gun ranges from $309 to $419 depending on the model. The Pursuit Ultralight XLT has combined the best features of two guns and created something that must be seen to be believed. Traditions invites you to feel the difference for yourself.

For more information on Traditions Performance Firearms and their complete line of products, please contact 1-860-388-4656 or visit their website at www.traditionsfirearms.com

Alliant Powder

RADFORD, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- Alliant Powder introduces Black MZ, an innovative black powder replacement that withstands moisture and greatly reduces cleaning time and intensity.

Black MZ is designed for all black powder firearms and can be found on store shelves now.

Stay At-the-Ready
Muzzleloading takes a toll on black powder firearms. Alliant Powder’s new Black MZ helps maximize shooting performance by resisting moisture and adverse weather conditions. Hunters can stay loaded and ready in the field for days, only needing to insert a primer to get into the action. Black MZ won’t clump, corrode or fall victim to Mother Nature and helps keep a shooter’s attention focused on their trophy.

Maximum Performance, Minimum Headaches
Black MZ was engineered to deliver dependable ignition, lower barrel pressure and increased velocities. The clean-burning ignition of Black MZ is virtually non-corrosive, greatly diminishes fouling and offers more shots between cleaning sessions. Shooters can maximize their trigger time and avoid frequent and time-consuming cleaning. Wedged slugs, grimy barrels, stuck seater dies and dwindling accuracy are greatly reduced by Black MZ.

Exchange Recipes, Interact with Reloaders
Shooters can also gain some insight on Black MZ and other Alliant Powder products online, from others who share their passion. Some expert reloaders have revealed their favorite recipes and told their stories. Check out what they had to say: www.AlliantPowder.com/products/testimonials.aspx. Or, to view some popular recipes, go to www.AlliantPowder.com/reloaders/index.aspx.

Alliant Powder Black MZ Black Powder Replacement

Reloaders can also logon to www.ReloaderHub.com, an advanced online community dedicated to reloading. This interactive, user-driven site is filled with helpful information. Reloaders of all skill levels can join to exchange tips and recipes, engage in discussions, share photos, videos and more. An easy-to-use reloading calculator is also available to help calculate and compare savings. Visit www.ReloaderHub.com to check it all out.

“We’re excited about what Black MZ can do for muzzleloader hunters and black powder cartridges,” said Brand Director Rick Stoeckel. “Black MZ’s impressive performance derives from its high moisture tolerance and non-corrosive ignition. It helps take the hassle out of muzzleloading and immediately demonstrates its value to hunters and shooters.”

To learn more about Black MZ, view load data and check out Alliant Powder’s entire line of high-performing powders, please visit www.alliantpowder.com.

Part No. Description
150524 BLACKmz—1 lb. bottle; 12 bottles per case

About Alliant Powder
For more than 125 years Alliant Powder has produced America’s best and most popular smokeless powders. Alliant Powder is part of ATK Security and Sporting. For more information and load data, visit www.alliantpowder.com or call 800-276-9337.

Traditions Pursuit Ultralight Muzzleloader Rifle

Traditions Performance Firearms

Old Saybrook, CT --(Ammoland.com)- Traditions Performance Firearms, known for their extremely accurate and dependable muzzleloaders, announces their new Pursuit Ultralight.

Traditions has taken the well-known and dependable Pursuit series and combined it with the lightweight and balanced Ultralight series, bringing to the market the lightest muzzleloader in the world.

Traditions has addressed the problem of muzzleloaders being too heavy and created a revolutionary gun. Weighing in at a mere 5.15 lbs, the new Pursuit Ultralight has a Chromoly steel barrel which has long been recognized as the best barrel material for strength and accuracy among centerfires.

Despite a lighter gun, none of the great features you have come to expect with Traditions have been sacrificed. The Pursuit Ultralight is Traditions’ mid-level, break action gun for hunters and shooters who are looking for a full-featured gun at a fraction of the cost. The 26” barrel comes with Premium CeraKote Finish which provides a high-quality, long lasting coating that can handle anything Mother Nature can dish out. The Pursuit Ultralight also comes equipped with the Speed Load System for easier bullet loading and more consistent groups, Williams fiber optic sights, and the Accelerator Breech Plug.

The Pursuit Ultralight has a Dual Safety System which allows for two safeties: a trigger block safety built into the trigger guard and a secondary internal hammer block safety, which stops the hammer from engaging the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. The Pursuit Ultralight MSRP ranges from $295 to $435 depending on the model. Traditions has added many of the features requested by hunters and shooters and created a gun that is impressive in its own right. Traditions invites you to feel the difference for yourself.

For more information on Traditions Performance Firearms and their complete line of products, please contact 1-860-388-4656 or visit their website at www.traditionsfirearms.com

Goex Powder

Doyline Louisiana - -(Ammoland.com)- Goex Powder, Inc. has engaged the services of Cothren, Graff, Smoak Engineering, Inc. to design a safer and improved process facility.

Goex Powder, Inc. experienced a production interruption on June 7. There were no serious injuries. (see video above)

“We were here yesterday. We are here today. We will be here tomorrow.” said Goex C.O.O. Tim Vaitekunas.

“We look to the services of Cothren, Graff, Smoak Engineering to help us continue to improve the safety of Goex Powder, Inc. operations.”

Goex Powder, Inc. will supply demand out of existing inventory during the construction of the improved process facility. Manufacturing is planning to restart in mid-October.

Goex Powder, Inc. just signed a new 5 – year contract as the only black powder supplier to the United States military. For more information go to www.goexpowder.com, phone: 913-362-9455, or email: help@hodgdon.com.

Traditions Evolution Muzzleloader Rifle

Traditions Performance Firearms

Old Saybrook, CT --(Ammoland.com)- Traditions Performance Firearms, who are known for their extremely accurate and dependable muzzleloaders, introduces the new Evolution muzzleloader.

This bolt action, black powder muzzleloader combines the top quality features that hunters and shooters have come to expect from Traditions in order to achieve the best accuracy and performance money can buy. This muzzleloader is also legal in the states of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.

The Evolution comes with three ignition styles: #11, musket, and 209. The smooth glide quick release bolt closes over the top of the ignition area to keep the weather out, while still allowing enough visible exposure for legal use in the Northwestern states. The 24” fluted, ported barrel is coated in Premium CeraKote Finish. This coating is designed to provide a high quality, long-lasting finish with high corrosion protection and durability.

Premium CeraKote is 50 times more corrosion resistant than stainless steel barrels. The 360° barrel porting helps reduce recoil and muzzle jump. The MSRP for the Evolution™ ranges from $219 to $269 depending on the model. Traditions™ has addressed the need of so many hunters living in the Northwestern states and created a feature packed, dependable gun. Traditions™ brings “modern” into muzzleloading and invites you to feel the difference.

Traditions Evolution Muzzleloader Rifle

For more information on Traditions Performance Firearms and their complete line of products, please contact 1-860-388-4656 or visit their website at www.traditionsfirearms.com

Thompson/Center Arms Pro Hunter FX Muzzleloader Rifle

Thompson Center Arms

Rochester, N.H. --(Ammoland.com)- Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a Smith & Wesson company, announced today that it has expanded one of its most popular lines of muzzleloaders with the introduction of a fixed-barrel version – the Pro Hunter FX.

Designed around the popular Pro Hunter platform, the new muzzleloader combines the advanced features of the Pro Hunter rifle with Thompson/Center’s solid reputation for durability and performance in the field. Separating it from the other muzzleloaders in the line, the Pro Hunter FX is standard with a fixed .50 caliber barrel that is not interchangeable with other barrel configurations. Instead, the muzzleloader sports a 26-inch fluted barrel with patented QLA (Quick Load Accurizer) for enhanced accuracy.

Other notable features include the muzzleloader’s improved handling and recoil reduction system made possible by the FlexTech stock and forend. Inside the FlexTech stock, four Energy Burners™, along with the recoil pad, allow the stock to slightly compress when firing, helping to reduce felt recoil by forty-two percent.

Additional features of the Pro Hunter FX muzzleloader include the Speed Breech 3, a new triple-lead hand-removable breech plug. Through the use of the anti-seize Speed Breech 3, no tools are required for removal, allowing shooters to take out the breech plug by hand. The new muzzleloader is also standard with fiber optic sights, along with a Swing Hammer® that can be conveniently positioned toward either side of the frame, enabling easier access to the hammer once an optic has been mounted.

To protect the muzzleloader against inclement weather, Thompson/Center has added its tough-as-nails finish, Weather Shield. When applied to the barrel, receiver and other critical parts, the Weather Shield adds an extra level of protection against corrosion, extending the durability and lifetime of each muzzleloader. Weighing in at seven pounds, the Pro Hunter FX measures 42 ½ inches in overall length and features a 14-inch length-of-pull. The new muzzleloader is available in either black composite or Realtree AP Camo.

The new Pro Hunter FX muzzleloader will be on display during the NRA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 29 – May 1. Attendees are encouraged to stop by the Thompson/Center Arms booth (#1521) and view the new muzzleloader along with the Company’s extensive line of hunting firearms.

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC) is a U.S.-based, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport. The company designs and constructs facility perimeter security solutions for military and commercial applications, and delivers a broad portfolio of firearms and related training to the military, law enforcement and sports markets. SWHC companies include Smith & Wesson Corp., the globally recognized manufacturer of quality firearms; Smith & Wesson Security Solutions, a full-service perimeter security integrator, barrier manufacturer and installer; and Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting firearms. SWHC facilities are located in Massachusetts, Maine, and Tennessee. For more information on Smith & Wesson and its companies, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com; http://www.tcarms.com or www.waltherusa.com

Montana Powder & Primers Bill Hearing Scheduled

Montana Shooting Sports Association

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)-MSSA’s # 2 bill, SB 371, our bill to encourage the manufacture of smokeless powder, primers and cartridge brass in Montana has been scheduled for its public hearing before the House Taxation Committee for Thursday, 3/31, at 8 AM, in room 152 of the State Capitol.

Please contact Committee members and ask the to restore to the bill two features removed in the Senate; the tax breaks and the liability protection. come to the hearing if you can.

The tax breaks won’t cost Montana anything because there is no such business in Montana now. If such a business starts, it will provide jobs for Montana.

Montana already has liability protection for firearms and ammunition manufactures. The liability protection we want in the bill merely extends this same protection to future manufacturers of powder, primers and brass.

Remember, this is a clear RKBA issue. There are only two plants in the US that make powder now, and they’re both owned by giant defense contractors. All other powder we use for ammo is imported, and subject to any arbitrary import restriction. We need to get business like this jump-started in Montana to assure our ammunition supplies.

Thanks for your help!!!

Also, SB 414, wolf control, was passed by the Senate today on Second Reading by 30-20

House Taxation Committee

• Chair: Mark Blasdel (R-Somers)
• Vice Chair: Mike Miller (R-Helmville)
• Vice Chair: Dick Barrett (D-Missoula)
• Steve Fitzpatrick (R-Great Falls)
• Kelly Flynn (R-Townsend)
• Alan Hale (R-Basin)
• Brian Hoven (R-Great Falls)
• Austin Knudsen (R-Culbertson)
• Steve Lavin (R-Kalispell)
• Sue Malek (D-Missoula)
• Edie McClafferty (D-Butte)
• Mary McNally (D-Billings)
• Jerry O’Neil (R-Columbia Falls)
• Mike Phillips (D-Bozeman)
• Lee Randall (R-Broadus)
• Wayne Stahl (R-Saco)
• Janna Taylor (R-Dayton)
• Kathleen Williams (D-Bozeman)
• Max Yates (R-Butte)

About Montana Shooting Sports Association:
MSSA is the primary political advocate for Montana gun owners. Visit: www.mtssa.org

Hodgdon Powder

Shawnee Mission, Kansas --(Ammoland.com)- IMR Legendary Powders is clarifying recent misconceptions about TRAIL BOSS gunpowder.

TRAIL BOSS is a 100% SMOKELESS propellant.

Various articles and blogs have appeared miss-stating that TRAIL BOSS is a blackpowder/muzzleloading type propellant. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

IMR Trail Boss is 100% Smokeless Powder

Since TRAIL BOSS is smokeless it does not require any special cleaning like muzzleloading powders.

Using TRAIL BOSS, or any smokeless powder, in a muzzleloading firearm is never recommended.

The primary advantage of TRAIL BOSS is that even in reduced, low velocity loads such as those popular with Cowboy Action shooting the powder fills the shell case. This not only improves the ballistic uniformity of the load but is an added safety feature for the handloader because an accidental double charge spills over the shell case.

Always follow IMR’s loading recommendations exactly as shown in the 2011 Basic Smokeless Manual, Annual Manual and in the RELOADING DATA CENTER at imrpowder.com.

For more information on further loading information, contact:

Hodgdon / Goex Reenactor Gun Powder

Goex Powder

Shawnee Mission, KS -(Ammoland.com)-  Goex® Powder Inc., manufacturer of the only American made authentic black powder for over 200 years, makes history again with the new Reenactor Gunpowder.

This new powder is dedicated to the historical reenactor and the value conscious black powder recreational shooter.

Goex’s new Reenactor Gunpowder loads the same by volume charge as regular grade black powder. This new powder is ideal for blank fire in Muskets, Carbines, Pistol, and Cannon. Also suitable for recreational round ball muzzleloaders, where it performs nicely at low pressures and lessens wear on vintage and modern reproduction firearms.

With its 100% percent black powder ignition, it is reliable with every shot. Reenactor Gunpowder is value priced for every budget minded shooter pursuing living history.

New Reenactor Gunpowder in 1lb tin cans will be available at Goex dealers everywhere spring 2011. To find out more about this, or any of Goex’s products, call 913-362-9455, write to 6231 Robinson, Shawnee Mission KS 66202 or see goexpowder.com

For all your black powder needs it’s Goex The Tradition Continues

Hodgdon’s 2011 Reloading Manual

Hodgdon Powder

Shawnee Mission KS, --(Ammoland.com)- Hodgdon The Gunpowder People is proud to announce the 8th Annual Reloading Manual.

The 2011 Hodgdon Annual Manual features so much more than any regular manual: 100 pages of rifle and pistol data with well over 5,000 shown loads, information on 29 Hodgdon, 19 IMR and 10 Winchester brand powders, 70 pages of articles on shooting and hunting from some of the top industry outdoor writers and 31 cartridge updates including the new 30 AR Remington and 338 Marlin Express.

The 2011 Hodgdon Annual Manual is the complete data resource for the two new Hodgdon powders; Hornady Superformance and Hornady LEVERevolution.

This pair of new technology, high speed propellants that are currently used in Hornady’s factory ammunition will provide the handloader a significant performance boost in many popular cartridges.

Look for Hodgdon’s most inclusive Annual Manual yet at favorite newsstands and gun stores in early 2011.

Cost is only $8.99 retail or $11.99 by ordering direct from Hodgdon at 913-362-9455, www.Hodgdon.com or write to 6231 Robinson, Shawnee Mission, KS 66202.

Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association

Butler, PA --(Ammoland.com)- Thirty-five competitors attended the August 7, 2010 Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette match at McDonald Sportsmen‘s Club.

Many of the old timers to this game shot very good scores, but some of the relatively newer competitors have been steadily learning the subtleties of the game and are also shooting good scores. This makes for numerous tied scores and some interesting shoot-offs at the end of the match.

Ross Arnfield shot an excellent score of 30/40 to win the Iron Sight category. Karl Hovatter and Jim Radcliffe tied with 29/40, with Hovatter winning the shoot-off to take 2nd Iron Sight and Radcliffe finishing in 3rd place.

First Master was won by John Whitcomb. Kermit Hoke took 2nd Master after winning a shoot-off over Steve Maurer. AAA class was won by Mike Kanzeg after a shoot-off with Tim Trunick who finished 2nd AAA, and Mike Shamonsky took 3rd AAA.

Steve Blackstone won a shoot-off in AA class to take first place over Larry Kiehl who finished 2nd AA. The combined A & B class was won by Stan Waddingham followed by John Estok.

Scope class was not immune to shoot-offs and close scores. John Haagen and Tim Torson both fired scores of 28/40. After the shoot-off Haagen emerged the winner and Torson settled for 2nd place. Finishing in 3rd place and one point behind Haagen and Torson was Roger Tremba.

About:
Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association: Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Article I, Section 21, “The right of the citi-zens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.” We uphold, promote and support the right to keep and bear arms. Visit: www.pennarifleandpistol.org

Martini Henry rifle and carbine original spares from the 1870's and the accessories that are associated with this range of longarms. More Info www.wdordnance.co.uk

FirearmsTruth.com

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- Many shots have been heard around the world. And each time it was fired from a different rifle.

During the Victorian era that rifle was the Martini-Henry. At the end of the 1964 film Zulu, which chronicled the events of the almost infamous frontier outpost of Rorke’s Drift along Zululand where approximately 100 British soldiers fended off an attack by some four thousand Zulu warriors, Stanley Baker replies that the victory wasn’t merely a miracle, but rather, “a short chamber Boxer Henry .45-caliber miracle.”

Whether the real Lieutenant John Chard ever said such a statement is most certainly lost to time, but the fact remains that the cartridge and the weapon that fired those bullets played a very decisive role in determining the outcome of the battle. In many ways the British conflict with the Zulu has become symbolized by the rifle of the day as much as the red jackets and tropical sun helmets worn by the European combatants. This rifle is the Martini-Henry, and today it has become a favorite among collectors. It remains the embodiment of the classic Victorian “Thin Red Line,” and is English through and through.

More importantly, if it was the Colt Peacemaker that tamed the American West, then it was the Martini-Henry that could be seen as the weapon that maintained order around the globe. From the dark continent of Africa to the jewel of India to the Far East the sun never set upon the British Empire or its warriors wielding the Martini-Henry during the second half of the 19th Century.

Following the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars the age of the smoothbore musket was coming an end, and over the course of the next 50 years firearms with rifled barrels and breech-loading operation would transform modern warfare. Likewise, this was a time of great expansion by the European powers, and none so great as the mighty British Empire. Although advanced Martini-Henry collector Jason Atkin, whose personal collection includes more than 20 of the classic rifles, sees the weapon as more of ‘guardian’ of the existing empire, he admits that its place in history is certain.

Introduced in 1853, the Enfield Rifle was a muzzle-loading, rifled musket that had a range of about 1,000 yards. Updated in 1867 as the Snider-Enfield Rifle, it incorporated a breech system that was invented by Jacob Snider of New York. This involved the removal of two-inches of the butt end for a breech loading system utilizing the new brass cartridge ammunition. The space behind the cartridge was closed with an iron breechblock, hinged to the right side of the barrel.

The 1860s and early 1870s were a time of great conflict and the British closely observed the wars around the world including the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Danish-Prussian War (1864), the Austro-Prussian War (1866) and of course the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). The adoption of the Prussian needle-gun and the French Cassepot Rifle were indicators that the aging Enfield Rifle needed to be updated. The result was the stopgap Snider-Enfield as an interim measure, and made good use of the huge stockpiles of P53s that the British possessed. While these weapons are considered classics to gun collectors today, it was clear to military planners of the day that a suitable replacement was needed.

Martini-Henry Artillery Carbine Mark I

That replacement would be the Martini-Henry, a rifle that some argue should be properly designated the Peabody-Martini-Henry. It is actually a Peabody pattern—an American designed rifle, which was first patented in 1862, but was fully developed too late to have an impact in the American Civil War—that was further modified to a self-cocking hammerless design of Friederich von Martini of Frauenfeld, Switzerland, along with the rifling design of Edinburgh gunsmith Alexander Henry.

The firearm is a breechloading central-fire weapon, meaning that the cartridge (or bullet) is loaded into a chamber at the rear of the rifle. This enables the soldier to reload quickly and fire more rounds than the previous muzzle loading methods that required that the projectile be loaded down the barrel. A small lever operated and lowered the breechblock, and allowed a cartridge to be inserted into the chamber, which returned the lever to the former position and closed the breech. The breech is centrally pierced to accommodate the firing pin, which was driven forward by pulling the trigger. Lowering the lever would then eject the fired cartridge and a new one could be placed. Thus several more rounds a minute could be fired, and a soldier could remain in the crouched or prone position, which offers a benefit over the traditional muzzle-loading firearm.

The Martini-Henry weights about nine pounds and is just over four feet in length. It fires a hardened lead bullet with a muzzle velocity of 1,350 feet per second, and the weapon is sighted for up to 1,000 yards. Unlike the Snider-Enfield it was also the first English service rifle designed as a breechloading rifle. Later versions of the Martini-Henry improved upon the design by incorporating other rifling patterns, including the Metford System and even a system designed by Enfield. These later versions are often referred to as Martini-Enfields and Martini-Metfords.

The first true Martini-Henry, which was adopted for service in the British Army and designated the Mark I entered service in June 1871. Three additional rifle variations were introduced and include the Mark II, Mark III and Mark IV, as well as an 1877 Carbine version, with its own variations. These include a Garrison Artillery Carbine, as well as Artillery Carbine Mark I, Mark II and Mark II. There were even versions, smaller in size, designed as training rifles for military cadets.

Originally the British adopted the Short Chamber Boxer-Henry .45-caliber black powder cartridge-the one that Stanley Baker’s Lt. Chard seems to have so much faith in-and later this was replaced by .402-caliber ammunition, and even the later .303-caliber. What has made the Martini-Henry such a durable, and collectible piece is the fact that it was an extremely well designed firearm for its day. It was not revolutionary but firearms don’t have to be so to be successful.

For Queen Victoria’s little wars around the globe the rifles, single shot as these were, would be suitable against the various forces that the British Army faced in the field. The Martini-Henry saw service around the world, but mostly under the Union Jack, as the rifle was exclusively in the service of Great Britain. However, Martini variants were used by a plethora of countries, and the short list includes Afghanistan, Austria, Belgium, Turkey, Japan, Romania, Nepal, Egypt and the Sudan.

The Martin-Henry underwent several caliber adjustments during its service in the Queen’s army, and the final change came about when the Martini was converted to the smaller .402-caliber ammunition. In fact the final version, the Martini-Henry Mark IV actually started out as Enfield-Martini .402-caliber rifles, when the British saw the benefits of the higher velocity, smaller caliber rounds over the massive but slow moving .450 bullets. As a result the British were faced with having to worry about supply for .303, .402 and .450. So the decision was made to convert the Enfield-Martinis back to the .450-caliber and supply these Martini-Henry Mark IV’s to non-frontline troops in the far-flung colonies. This is the reason today why so many Mark IV’s come from India, Nepal and Pakistan.

Following the first Sudan War the decision was made to provide a smaller caliber, but higher velocity rifle to the troops. In 1887 the Lee-Metford Rifle was adopted. It featured a magazine that held eight rounds, while the Mark II version would increase the magazine capacity to 10 rounds. The Lee-Metford would be replaced in 1895 by the Lee-Enfield, the Metford system being the final British rifle to use a black powder propellant. However, with the introduction of the Martini-Henry Mark IV, which remained in production until 1889, the rifle remained in service throughout the British Empire through the First World War. In fact many native volunteers in the British East Africa engaged the Germans through four years of war with the same rifle that served the British frontline forces for more than thirty years.

Because of upgrades of existing stockpiles of rifles and conversions these weapons are found today in a variety of calibers. This can be a bonus to collectors, and stockpiles have been found in storage in recent years there is no shortage of Martini-Henry rifles for the collectors. However, as these rifles tend to be well over 100-years old, firing them today should be done with extreme caution. As with any antique rifle a competent gunsmith should inspect the weapon to certify that it is safe to shoot. Firing one certainly will help you understand Lt. Chard’s comment about that .45-caliber miracle.

Peter Suciu is executive editor of FirearmsTruth.com, a website that tracks and monitors media bias against guns and our Second Amendment rights. Visit: FirearmsTruth.com

Old Bridge Rifle & Pistol Club

Old Bridge, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- The Old Bridge Rifle and Pistol Club will be hosting a Black Powder Invitational on Saturday September 18th, 2010 at our out door range located at the end of Jake Brown Road off of route 516.

We are a group of competitive throwbacks to the 18th Century who enjoy the challenge of antique firearms, making clouds of smoke and playing with explosives!

Matches will be as follows: Rifle Match—3 Division (Flintlock, Cap & Inline) @ 50 & 100 yards aggregate. Side Match Fee $5.00.

Old Bridge Rifle & Pistol Club - Black Powder Invitational

Enter as often as you wish. Side Match Pistol Shoot—Any cap & ball pistol or single shot. 50% of collected fees to the winner. Side Match Rifle Shoot—Card cutting @ 20 yards. 50% of collected cash to the winner. Side Match Board Cutting—No Fee! Teams of 4 shooting for the Glory! And many more acts of foolishness that the we can devise for Side Matches!

$60 Registration Fee. Register Early by August 31, 2010, save $10.00 and guarantee your lunch. Fee includes Catered lunch, soft drinks (water & soda), and 50 & 100 yard rifle relays on B19 International targets. One-third of fees collected goes to the winner of each division. Prizes for 2nd & 3rd place winners To Be Determined.

We can accommodate shooters “out of the pouch” and tables will also be provided.

Please contact us at: Phone: 908 272 5513 E-mail: AnnaBrunner@verizon.net www.oldbridgerifle.com

Please mail checks to: Match Director – Lance Brunner 60 James Ave, Clark, NJ 07066

Directions to the range are located on our web sites: www.oldbridgerifle.com or www.obrpc.org GPS Coordinates are: 4024.871 7419.5125

On the Map: 40 Degrees 24’52.26″N 74 Degrees 19’30.75″W

T/C Dream Season Omega Muzzleloader

Thompson Center Arms

Rochester, NH --(AmmoLand.com)- Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a Smith & Wesson company, announced that it has partnered with Drury Outdoors to produce an exclusive firearm for black powder hunters – the T/C Dream Season Omega Muzzleloader.

Drury Outdoors co-owner and television personality Terry Drury will be in attendance during the 2010 National Rifle Association (NRA) Annual Meeting and Exhibits in Charlotte, North Carolina, to help Thompson/Center unveil the new muzzleloader to members of the outdoor and shooting sports community.

The Drury brothers, Mark and Terry, began producing and hosting outdoor television shows in the late 1980s, and their names have become synonymous with harvesting massive bucks across the United States from the cornfields of Illinois to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. The Drury brothers’ hunting exploits don’t end at whitetails; the duo also hosts shows that range from turkeys to all big game animals. Popular titles of their DVD series include: Longbeard Madness, Predator Madness and The Big Game. Built on a 100 percent fair chase belief, Mark and Terry bring the viewing public four television shows, along with numerous DVD titles that they produce year in and year out.

“We are careful about who we represent and even more careful about who we partner with as it pertains to the Dream Season® mark,” said Mark and Terry Drury.

“We don’t just endorse these products; we help design them, we believe in them, and we use them everyday in the field. The Dream Season® Omega represents something that we have sought with Thompson/Center Arms for many years and we are ecstatic to finally have this Dream come to fruition!”

The Drury bothers’ love of chasing big whitetails has inspired hunters everywhere to pick up their muzzleloader and take to the woods. With this in mind, Thompson/Center Arms is introducing the T/C Dream Season Omega Muzzleloader built in collaboration with Mark and Terry. Built on the company’s venerable and trusted black powder platform, the Omega, the Dream Season muzzleloader incorporates several key features. From the rifle’s sleek profile to its drop breech action, the Dream Season Omega Muzzleloader is both simple to operate and extremely accurate. The .50 caliber muzzleloader is standard with a uniquely crafted 26-inch stainless steel, precision rifled barrel with a 1 in 28 inch twist. At the heart of the muzzleloader is the rifle’s sealed pivoting breech, which is accessed via the trigger guard lever. The closed breech design not only seals the 209-primer ignition from inclement weather, but it also provides quick access to the removable breech plug and helps to simplify cleaning.

To help soften recoil, the muzzleloader features a FlexTech stock that is equipped with four Energy Burners, allowing the stock to slightly compress during recoil. This design is easy on the shooter’s shoulder and reduces felt recoil by 43 percent. Other standard features include adjustable sights with fiber optics inserts, aluminum PowerRod and the company’s patented Quick Load Accurizor (QLA) muzzle system that incorporates a false muzzle design into the very end of the barrel. This unique system is designed to align the bullet squarely with the barrel, while enhancing accuracy and saving precious time when reloading. The Dream Season Omega Muzzleloader also features QD sling swivel studs and the Mossy Oak Treestand pattern. The new muzzleloader is built entirely in the United States and backed by T/C’s lifetime warranty. The Dream Season Omega will have an MSRP of $499.

On May 15, 2010, during the second day of the NRA convention, Terry Drury will be in the Thompson/Center booth to unveil the new Dream Season Omega Muzzleloader. Those in attendance are encouraged to stop by the Thompson/Center booth to speak with Terry about the new rifle and about his passion for black powder hunting. The Thompson/Center booth (#1519) will be located in the main hall of the Charlotte Convention Center.

For more information regarding the new Dream Season Omega Muzzleloader or to view the complete line of Thompson/Center Arms firearms and accessories, visit www.tcarms.com.

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC) is a U.S.-based, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport. The company designs and constructs facility perimeter security solutions for military and commercial applications, and delivers a broad portfolio of firearms and related training to the military, law enforcement and sports markets. SWHC companies include Smith & Wesson Corp., the globally recognized manufacturer of quality firearms; Universal Safety Response, a full-service perimeter security integrator, barrier manufacturer and installer; and Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting firearms. SWHC facilities are located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Tennessee. For more information on Smith & Wesson and its companies, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com; www.usrgrab.com; or www.tcarms.com.

Thompson Center Arms

Rochester, N.H. --(AmmoLand.com)- Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a Smith & Wesson Company (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC), announced today that it debuted several new models and extensions to the company’s popular line of hunting firearms at the 2010 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show held this week in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For 2010, Thompson/Center Arms expanded the T/C Venture family of bolt-action rifles and added two new muzzleloaders and three single-shot firearms to its diverse portfolio of long guns.

Sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the four-day SHOT Show is the largest trade show of its kind in the world. Featuring over 1,800 exhibiting companies, the 32nd annual SHOT Show attracted more than 48,000 industry professionals representing all 50 states and numerous foreign countries.

Among the new Thompson/Center firearms launched at the trade show were:

• IMPACT Muzzleloader – A new lower price-point black powder rifle engineered with Thompson/Center patented features. Specifically designed for durability and operational simplicity, the new muzzleloader is made entirely in the United States and continues Thompson/Center’s longstanding tradition of high quality and accurate firearms.
• HotShot – An easy-to-operate, highly accurate, lightweight single-shot rifle, chambered in .22 LR. The HotShot is an ideal firearm for young and novice shooters alike.
• T/C Venture Predator – A new bolt-action rifle built to answer the calls of predator hunters. The new rifle is built on the Venture platform and features a 22-inch precision barrel, 5R rifling, target grade crown and is guaranteed MOA (Minute of Angle) accurate.
• T/C Venture Rifle in Medium-Action – New Venture rifles available in medium-action calibers. Both affordable and accurate, the T/C Venture now includes chambers for .204, .22-250, .223, .243, 7mm-08, .308 and 30TC.
• NorthWest Explorer™ Muzzleloader – A new black powder rifle designed to comply with hunting regulations in Oregon,
  Washington and Idaho. Made entirely in the United States, the new NorthWest Explorer offers hunters an easy-to-use muzzleloader with exceptional accuracy.
• Encore™ Pro-Hunter Predator Rifle – Capitalizing on the success of the Encore Pro Hunter, the new predator rifle has been designed to give hunters a distinctive advantage. The new rifle features an interchangeable barrel system, patented features, and four different caliber options only available through Thompson/Center.
• Encore™ Pro-Hunter Turkey Shotgun – A new singe-shot shotgun available in 12 or 20-gauge. The new shotgun is designed to chamber 3-inch shells and is easily operated by left and right-handed shooters.

“Throughout its history, Thompson/Center has always been recognized as a premier manufacturer of hunting firearms and accessories,” said Tom Kelly, Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Wesson and Thompson/Center Arms. “This year, we have further extended that reputation by offering seven new models, each designed to answer the needs of hunters and shooters. Along with expanding the popular T/C Venture family of bolt-action rifles, we have also introduced two new muzzleloaders that have been specifically engineered to meet consumer demands by addressing both state hunting regulations and affordable pricing. For young shooters, the new HotShot delivers safety, fun and accuracy in a youth rifle modeled after our full-size Pro Hunter. In addition, we have added two new single-shot rifles to the popular Encore Pro Hunter platform.”

Kelly added, “Having listened to our customers through the design process, we are launching new products that deliver the quality and accuracy these discriminating shooters have come to expect from Thompson/Center. In addition, our new offerings include several products specifically designed to deliver that famous Thompson/Center quality at an affordable price point.”

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC) is a U.S.-based, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport. The company designs and constructs facility perimeter security solutions for military and commercial applications, and delivers a broad portfolio of firearms and related training to the military, law enforcement and sports markets. SWHC companies include Smith & Wesson Corp., the globally recognized manufacturer of quality firearms; Universal Safety Response, a full-service perimeter security integrator, barrier manufacturer and installer; and Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting firearms. SWHC facilities are located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Tennessee. For more information on Smith & Wesson and its companies, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com; www.usrgrab.com; or www.tcarms.com.

PREMIERE Firearms Auction December 4th, 5th, & 6th

Buffalo Bill Cody's Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Auction Company - -(AmmoLand.com)- This Colt Single Action “Frontier Six Shooter” Revolver and extremely rare factory case was once owned by Buffalo Bill Cody.

The revolver is accompanied by a letter from firearms expert Greg Martin. The letter states that Greg Martin obtained this revolver from Julia Cody’s (William F. Cody’s sister) personal collection of Buffalo Bill artifacts.

The revolver was subsequently sold at auction on March 18, 1988. Also included with the revolver is a Colt factory letter that identifies it as a caliber .44-40 Colt Single Action Army Revolver with blue finish and 7 1/2-inch barrel that was shipped to Hartley & Graham in New York, New York, on October 24, 1882.

The revolver has “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” acid-etched on left side of the barrel in an oval panel. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the elongated block letter address: “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” in a single line.

The caliber designation “44″ is stamped on the underside of the barrel in front of the cylinder pin. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt “three dates in three lines” patent markings. “44 CF” is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. The serial number: “775243″ is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, backstrap. The partial serial number, “7234″ is stamped on the side of the cylinder. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number “1990″. A “B” sub-inspection mark is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.

The revolver is fitted with a one-piece, varnished grip. The Colt mahogany, American style case is lined with blue felt. The case has three compartments grouped around a central cartridge block drilled for fifty .44-40 W.C.F cartridges.

Condition:
Very good plus. The revolver has traces of original blue with the balance having been lightly cleaned and has a crisp smooth, silver-gray patina. The backstrap has a fine stippled finish, which is contemporary with to the revolver but is not factory work.

The revolver has a hand-made cylinder pin that appears date from the period of use. The backstrap screw is an old replacement. The Martin letter states that the revolver appears to be original with the exception of the cylinder pin and backstrap screw. Grips are good with a small chip on the toe and upper edge at frame and a few minor dings. The faint markings “03/WCP” are stamped on the upper portion of both sides of the grip at the junction of the backstrap and the frame. The significance of these markings is unknown but they may be property or inventory markings associated with the Wild West Show.

The action is tight but the hammer will not hold at half-cock. The case is in good overall condition with a repaired chip above the right hinge and a notch above the key-hole that was apparently used to open the case. The case lining is faded and shows moderate to heavy wear. The lining has compression marks, scattered oil stains and some edge-wear on the case partitions.

This is a solid example of the very desirable 1882 production Colt Frontier Six Shooter revolver with extremely rare Colt Single Action Army factory case that can be traced directly to the sister of one of America’s most famous western figures: Buffalo Bill Cody. ( See RIA Auction for Exact Condition Details)

Auction Estimate: $50,000 – $70,000

Auction Details:
Rock Island Auction Company announces the next Premiere Firearms auction to be held at their facilities in Moline, IL. The huge success of our previous sales proves that people are investing in what they know: firearms are solid investments that hold value through economic downturns.

Investing and collecting opportunities abound at Rock Island’s fantastic Premiere Firearms Auction December 4Th, 5Th, & 6Th. At a time when the stock market changes daily, gun collectors are seeing the worth of their investments.

Hard assets are the place to invest your money and gun values continue to rise. This auction has firearms for every level of collecting and investing from Colts to Winchesters and the hundreds of high quality sporting arms. Rock Island’s continued sell through rate of over 97% proves that items that come to RIAC are for sale and now is your chance to make a solid investment.

About:
Rock Island Auction Company has been solely owned and operated by Patrick Hogan. This company was conceived on the idea that both the sellers and buyers should be completely informed and provided a professional venue for a true auction. After working with two other auction companies, Mr. Hogan began Rock Island Auction in 1993. Rock Island Auction Company has grown to be one of the top firearms auction houses in the nation. Under Mr. Hogan’s guidance the company has experienced growth each and every year; and he is the first to say it is his staff’s hard work and determination that have yielded such results.

Alliant Powder

Radford, VA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Alliant Powder®, makers of some of the most trusted and popular reloading powders, introduces Power Pro™.

Made in the U.S.A., the Power Pro series is designed for magnum pistol, light varmint and light/medium/magnum rifles.

Comprised of five new offerings, these new spherical powders are intended for specific cartridges and applications and are now available to the reloading public.

Designed for easier reloading
The Power Pro™ series deliver improved velocity and density for more efficient metering and loading and help reloaders duplicate certain factory loaded ammunition.

These new spherical powders, available in both 1 lb bottles and 8 lb canisters, are an excellent addition to Alliant Powders’ existing lineup of proven and trusted powders.

Power Pro highlights

• • Manufactured in the USA
• • Improved velocity and density for more efficient metering and loading
• • Designed for magnum pistol, light varmint and light/medium/magnum rifles
• • Enables reloaders to duplicate certain factory loaded ammunition
• • Engineered for specific cartridges and applications
• • Density designed for proper cartridge fit

For more information on the new Power Pro series or Alliant Powders complete lineup of proven powders, visit www.alliantpowder.com.

About Alliant Powder
For more than 125 years Alliant Powder has produced America’s best and most popular smokeless powders. Alliant Powder is part of ATK Armament Systems. For more information and load data, visit www.alliantpowder.com or call 800-276-9337.

Michigan Coalition For Responsible Gun Owners

Michigan - -(AmmoLand.com)- Michigan and the federal government both exclude antique and black powder firearms, including pistols, from licensing requirements. But how they do it leads to interesting differences.

Michigan excludes antique and black powder firearms from the requirements of the registration and licensing statute (MCL 28.422). However it includes antique and black powder firearms in the definition of “firearms”. (MCL 8.3t). So an antique or black powder pistol is still a firearm for the purposes of the felon in possession law (MCL 750.224f) or CCW (750.227), or possessing a firearm in “gun free zones (750.234d) or possession of a firearm by a person subject to a Personal Protection Order. (MCL 600.2950)

Federal law took a different method of exempting antique and black powder pistols from registration. The United States Code simply excludes antique firearms from the definition of “firearm”. (18 USC 921). So an antique or black powder firearm is NOT a firearm for purposes of the federal disqualification of convicted felons’ possession of firearms; or, the Lautenberg amendment that forbids anyone with a misdemeanor conviction involving domestic violence from owning a firearm.

The federal prohibitions on firearm possession are for a lifetime, but the Michigan prohibitions have a limited duration. Since antique and black powder firearms are not “firearms” under federal law, three to five years after a Michigan resident completes their felony sentence including probation or parole, they can own and use an antique or black powder firearm. They can hunt with it, keep it in their home for personal protection, target shoot, etc.

A pistol is not a pistol when it is an antique or black powder pistol and you are in federal court. — fascinating? yes. confusing? very.

About:
The Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Formed from just eight people in 1996, we now have thousands of members and numerous affiliated clubs across the state. We’re growing larger and more effective every day.

Our mission statement is: “Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation”

Triumph® Bone Collector™ Muzzleloaders

Thompson Center

ROCHESTER, N.H. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Thompson/Center Arms Company Inc., a Smith & Wesson company, announced that it has begun shipping the new Triumph® Bone Collector™ Series of muzzleloaders. The series consists of two top-of-the-line .50 caliber magnum muzzleloaders that carry the look, feel and attitude of Michael Waddell’s “The Bone Collector” series currently airing on The Outdoor Channel.

“The arrival of the Bone Collector muzzleloader is perfectly timed for retailers to take full advantage of the buying season,” comments Tom Kelly, Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Wesson and Thompson/Center Arms. “We are supporting this exciting launch with a robust print and cable television campaign that features endorsements by Michael Waddell. The engineers at Thompson/Center worked closely with Michael to develop a muzzleloader that meets his standards in the areas of quality, accuracy and reliability. Based on feedback from Michael and our other customers, we feel confident that we have truly hit the mark with this new series.”

Built on one of Thompson/Center Arms’ most popular platforms, the Triumph Bone Collector Series has a distinctive look and feel and is available with a composite stock in dark gray or in Realtree® AP® camo finish. Both models feature a FlexTech® stock and are equipped with four Energy Burners™ placed at precise locations to allow the stock to slightly compress during recoil. This design is easy on the shoulder and reduces felt recoil by 43 percent.

The new Triumph Bone Collector Series features Thompson/Center Arms’ patented Power Rod®, a solid aluminum ramrod with pivoting handle, plus the patent-pending Speed Breech® XT breech plug, which can be removed by hand for quick cleaning or unloading. The rifle is complete with black traction grip panels on the forend and black Weather Shield® receivers and barrels to lock out corrosive elements along with a distinctive Bone Collector logo on the grip cap. The Triumph Bone Collector muzzleloader features a 28” fluted barrel with the QLA® muzzle system to aid in accuracy and loading. Each barrel also features adjustable Fiber Optic sights and is drilled and tapped for scope mounts.

The Triumph Bone Collector muzzleloader has a retail price of $550 and $650, depending on model. For more information on Triumph Bone Collectors, or to view the complete line of Thompson/Center Arms firearms and accessories, visit www.tcarms.com .

About Thompson/Center and Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation is parent company to Smith & Wesson Corp., one of the world’s largest manufacturers of quality firearms and firearm safety/security products. Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation is also the parent company to Thompson/Center Arms Company Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting rifles, black powder rifles, handguns, interchangeable firearms systems and accessories under the Thompson/Center Arms brand. Smith & Wesson also licenses shooter protection, knives, apparel, and other accessory lines. Smith & Wesson is based in Springfield, Massachusetts with manufacturing facilities in Springfield, Houlton, Maine, and Rochester, New Hampshire. The Smith & Wesson Academy is America’s longest running firearms training facility for law enforcement, military and security professionals. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com. For more information on Thompson/Center Arms, log on to www.tcarms.com.

The Bone Collector is a registered trademark of Michael Waddell, LLC.

ShootingUSA.com

Shooting USA – Creedmoor Re-creation
This time it’s black powder, both muzzleloaders and cartridge guns, firing to preserve the famous competition from the past. It’s Creedmoor 135 years later and the famous guns from the period when thousands of spectators turned out to watch long range competition. Then the Army Marksmanship Service Rifle Team teaches reading the wind for their kind of long range competition. More Info…

Sighting In With Shooting USA – The AMU — MGM Juniors Clinic
We’re Sighting in on the future of practical shooting. It’s a clinic on the ranges at Fort Benning to teach USPSA handgun competition to some very lucky juniors. The instructors are the Action Shooting Champions from the Army Marksmanship Unit. More Info…

Shooting USA’s Impossible Shots – Ten Guns
Jerry Miculek uses ten revolvers to re-create one of his world records. (60 shots total from 10 guns) Then Bob Munden makes a mess of everyday breakfast foods and Byron Ferguson pulls off an impossible shot by the seat of his pants! Brian Speciale anchors the show with the world’s greatest team of exhibition shooters.

Caution: Schedule Change for Impossible Shots. Outdoor Channel is still adjusting the Wednesday schedule to present encore performances of Shooting USA’s Impossible Shots. Your Cable or Satellite Menu will not match the following air times:

Shooting USA’s Impossible Shots by time zone:

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM – 2:30 AM (Thursday)
• Central Time: 7:00 PM – 1:30 AM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM – 12:30 AM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM – 11:30 PM

TheShooting USA Hour Block:

• Eastern Time: 4:30 PM, 8:30 PM, 12:00 Midnight
• Central Time: 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM, 11:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 2:30 PM, 6:30 PM, 10:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 1:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 9:00 PM

Where is everybody?
This week it’s Columbia, Missouri for the 30th anniversary of the famed Bianchi Cup NRA Action Pistol Match. And we’ve got John and Mike shooting there for bragging rights.

Brian Speciale is on the way back from Phoenix from the NRA Annual Meeting that jammed the convention center to capacity.

Mike Irvine and Greg Simmons covered a duck calling competition this past weekend for our newest series coming this fall.

And I’ve been taping some new explanations of where the ammo has gone. Those will be linked off the home page of www.ShootingUSA.com this week, to try to cure the myths, rumors, and the panic buying that’s hit everything from 5.56 rounds to primers.

It’s definitely that busy time of year going up to Memorial Day and the official start of summer.

Have a good week,

Jim    www.ShootingUSA.com

Budd's Gunsmith Shop

Lily, Kentucky - -(AmmoLand.com)- The ATF does not consider Black powder guns a firearm. That is strange, because they expel a projectile out of the barrel just the same as any other gun. But it is great for me and you because there is no NICS check then. They are also great fun!

Care of the iron
Black power weapons need some special care. One of the most important things to remember, is to keep them clean and greased. If they are not properly greased, they will seize up and become welded together.

Avoiding the problem
After a shooting session, the gun needs to be cleaned and taken apart. Any part that could freeze up must be removed and cleaned. More importantly when reassembling the components anit-sieze grease formulated for black powder needs to be used. This would apply to nipples and breach plugs.

If it is possible to take off the side drum from the side hammerlock, it should be done. Clean the port and grease the threads. Carefully installing the drum with the right alignment for the hammer is very important.

Checking your work
After the gun is reassembled, you should be able to blow through the barrel and breech hole and hear airflow. Preventive If you feel comfortable remove the side lock and grease the lock, then reinstall.

Inline and breakdowns Rifles
While the inline and breakdowns style rifles have eliminated the side hammer there are still issues to deal with. The inline with a nipple should still be removed, cleaned and greased. And the breach plug also cleaned and greased. The 502 type breach also needs to be removed, cleaned and greased

Any type of gun dealing with Blackpowder needs this care but with just a little bit of attention your Black Powers Rifle should last for years.

Budd Gardstein of Budd's Gunsmith Shop

About Budd “Gun Doc” Gardstein:
Budd’s Gunsmith Shop is the only full service shop in Southeastern and Central Kentucky.

Budd is a gunsmith that works on all types of guns.

Budd’s Gun Smith Shop is an experienced restoration shop specializing in the repair of fire and flood damaged firearms.

Budd will take on many jobs others wont touch give him a call.

Got a gun repair question? Email Budd and see what he thinks.

Visit BuddsGunsmith.com

USIMLT - -(OutdoorWire.com)- The United States International Muzzle-Loading Committee is pleased to announce its new team officers for the 2009-2010 cycle. These officers will lead the United States International Muzzle-Loading Team (USIMLT) through the 2009 Pacific Zone Championships and the 2010 World Muzzle-Loading Championships.

Errol McLean, of Norfolk, New York, will be the new Captain of the United States International Muzzle-Loading Team (USIMLT). McLean is a long-time USIMLT member, and has represented the USA at the World Championships for two decades.

Mr. McLean will replace Gary Crawford, who was team captain from 2002 through 2008. Mr. Crawford will continue as chairman of the United States International Muzzle-Loading Committee and U.S. delegate to the Muzzle-Loading Associations International Committee (MLAIC), and is currently leading an effort to reorganize the MLAIC rules.

The Deputy Captain will be Tom Warabak, of Pittston, Pennsylvania. A U.S. Team member since 2003, Warabak is one of the best of a new generation of world-class American black powder competitors.

Squad Lieutenants will be:
Frank Kapper: Rifle Squad – Minie, Whitworth Walkyrie, Vetterli and Lamarmora events.

Robert Patterson: Rifle Squad – Maximillan, Pennsylvania, Youth Whitworth and Youth Vetterli events.

Don Dixon: Pistol Squad – Colt, Mariette, Malson, Kuchenreuter, Cominazzo and Tanzutsu events.

Tom Henley: Firelock Squad – Tanegashima, Hizadai and Miquelet events.

Harry Sparks: Shotgun Squad – Manton, Lorenzoni and Youth Shotgun events.

The U.S. International Muzzle-Loading Team has also announced a cutoff date of 15 May 2009 for qualification targets for the 2009-2010 selection cycle. Competitors who qualify will be invited to the Final Tryouts, which will be held at the 2009 Pacific Zone Championships, scheduled for 11-15 August in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. The best shooters from the Final Tryouts will be selected for the team which will represent the United States at the 2010 World Championships, planned to be held in Fervenca, Portugal, in August of that year.

Interested shooters should contact the new Team Captain, Errol McLean, at captain1@northnet.org. More information on the USIMLT is available at www.usimlt.org, and information on the MLAIC is available at www.mlaic.org.