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Firearms Industry Numbers Reflect Record Pace of Gun Sales for First Quarter

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- Following the eleventh straight month-over-month increase in consumer firearms purchases, firearms and ammunition manufactures are reporting strong sales even with the down economy.

RUGER SALES UP 10.5 PERCENT IN FIRST QUARTER
Sturm, Ruger & Co. (NYSE:RGR) reported that first quarter sales increased 10.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

Said Ruger CEO Michael Fifer, “The estimated sell-through of the company’s products from distributors to retailers in the first quarter of 2011 increased by approximately 12 percent from the first quarter of 2010 and 21 percent from the fourth quarter of 2010.”

Company sales and earnings beat Wall Street estimates for the quarter.

CABELA’S SEES GROWTH IN FIREARM SALES, REPORTS 1Q RESULTS
Outdoor retailer Cabela’s (NYSE:CAB) reported that first quarter comparable-store sales jumped 8.9 percent compared the same period last year.

“We realized gains in 12 of 13 product categories during the quarter, with the strongest growth coming from firearms, women’s and children’s, and hunting apparel,” CEO Tommy Millner said during the company’s earnings call.

OLIN REPORTS FIRST QUARTER WINCHESTER RESULTS
Olin Corp. (NYSE:OLN), makers of Winchester ammunition, reported that first quarter Winchester division sales were $136.6 million, up from $131.4 million in the first quarter of 2010.

The company reported that segment income declined 35 percent in the quarter, reflecting the impact of higher commodity metals and other material costs, higher manufacturing costs and costs associated with the relocation of its centerfire operations to Mississippi.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

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Large Crowd On Hand For Grand Opening Of Cabela’S New Store In Allen, Texas
Customers streamed into the store for more than 30 minutes following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Large Crowd, Grand Opening, Cabelas, New Store, Allen, Texas

Cabelas.com

ALLEN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Cabela’s employees cheered and applauded as the first customers flooded through the front doors of Cabela’s new store in Allen, Texas, just after noon today.

Thousands of people were in line outside the store before the doors opened following the official ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Cabela’s Chief Executive Officer Tommy Millner, Allen Mayor Steve Terrell and Dallas Cowboys legend Jay Novacek. Customers streamed into the store for more than 30 minutes after the doors were open.

“We owe a lot of thanks to our customers,” Millner said. “Fifty years ago Cabela’s started as a mail-order business run from a kitchen table in tiny Nebraska town, and if it wasn’t for our loyal fans, we wouldn’t be here opening our third Texas store today.”

Some customers lined up at the front of the store as early as 10:00 p.m. Wednesday. And those who showed up by mid-morning today were treated to snacks, soft drinks and two hours of live music by country band Southbound, which created a festival-like atmosphere among the customers eager to be the initial shoppers in the store.

Preston Lewis and Carson Thompson, both of Allen, were the first people in line. In the early morning hours, Cabela’s employees gave them hats, T-shirts and refreshments. But, according to Lewis, the greatest prize was being the first one to walk through the doors.

“I just wanted to be the first one to do something so great,” he said.

The 100,000-square-foot store, which is located at the Stacy Road exit off U.S. Highway 75, is Cabela’s third retail store in Texas, joining the Fort Worth and Buda locations. Around 300 people have been hired as outfitters at the Allen store.

Millner and Terrell were joined on stage by Cabela’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Michael Copeland – a Texas native – and Allen Economic Development Corporation President Tim Wood, both of whom touted the city as the ideal location for another Cabela’s store in the Lone Star State.

“I was an Allen resident until about four years ago,” Copeland said. “And I’m so proud to come home to open this store to such a great crowd.”

About Cabela’s Incorporated
Cabela’s Incorporated, headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, is a leading specialty retailer, and the world’s largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. Since the Company’s founding in 1961, Cabela’s has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world, and has long been recognized as the World’s Foremost Outfitter. Through Cabela’s growing number of retail stores and its well-established direct business, it offers a wide and distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices while providing superior customer service. Cabela’s also issues the Cabela’s CLUB Visa credit card, which serves as its primary customer loyalty rewards program. Cabela’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CAB”.

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