Jason White and GunBroker.com Together Again in 2012

GunBroker

Mooresville, NC --(Ammoland.com)- Jason White and GunBroker.com will once again partner for the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

White will pilot the No. 23 GunBroker.com Ford with horsepower being supplied by Roush Yates Engines.

The GunBrocker.com Racing, www.GunBrokerRacing.com, will operate out of its 30,000 square foot race facility in Mooresville – formerly the home of AJ Foyt Racing.

“I am extremely honored to continue my relationship with GunBroker.com and greatly appreciate their support of my racing career,” stated Jason White. “Sponsors such as GunBroker.com are what make this sport so special, and I am lucky to have such a loyal supporter and partner. We have worked hard to build this program, and we have assembled a talented group of dedicated employees that are working hard to prepare for Daytona and the 2012 season.”

Jason White and GunBroker.com Together Again in 2012

Doug George has joined the organization as Crew Chief for the No. 23 Ford. George is a veteran within the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with 113 career races as Crew Chief including two career victories with driver Kyle Busch. “I am excited to get our own race team up and running again,” added White.

“We ran our own program in 2009 with some solid results and we are working hard to expand on that. I really like what we are building at GunBrocker.com Racing and we have set a goal of being a regular fixture in the top five. I look for the 2012 season to be my best yet.”

Jason White has become one of the veteran drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Series having compiled 129 career starts in the series. He competed for Joe Dennette Motorsports last season where he finished 15th in the final standings after finishing 10th in the 2010 season standings.

Currently a single truck team, GunBrocker.com Racing is considering expanding into a multi-team operation. For more details on GunBrocker.com Racing, visit www.GunBrokerRacing.com.

About GunBroker.com
GunBroker.com is an informative, detailed, secure and safe way to find guns for sale, hunting / shooting accessories, and much more. GunBroker.com is an online gun auction that promotes responsible gun ownership. We make sure ownership policies and regulations are followed using licensed firearms dealers as transfer agents. GunBroker.com is not just a gun auction, as we offer hunting gear, collectibles, vehicles, and much more. Start buying and selling guns today at GunBroker.com!

Burris Optics

GREELEY, Colo. --(Ammoland.com)- The Burris Company is pleased to announce that Sports Marketing South will be representing both the Burris and Steiner optics brands in ten southeastern states.

Effective February 1, 2012, the new rep group will be responsible for sales to authorized dealers and distributors in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.

Sports Marketing South has 10 sales professionals who will cover the territory for the Burris and Steiner brands with the goal of increasing and strengthening customer sales and service throughout the Southeast.

“We look forward to working with Skip Dahlstrom and his team of sales professionals,” said Rob Siemers, general manager at Burris Company. “Their long-standing relationships with distributors and key dealers throughout the southeast will help us increase our market share and significantly grow both brands.”

Steiner Optics

Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, the Burris Company has been located in northern Colorado for nearly 40 years. The company offers a complete line of premium sports optics which includes riflescopes for hunting and competition, handgun scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, mounts and accessories. The Greeley headquarters is also home to the North American division of Steiner, an acknowledged leader in the manufacturing of quality binoculars since 1947. In addition to the outdoor, hunting and marine markets, Steiner provides both binoculars and tactical riflescopes to military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Weatherby Mark V Rifle Production Comes Home

Weatherby.com

Paso Robles, CA - -(Ammoland.com)- Weatherby has moved Mark V rifle production to company headquarters in Paso Robles, Calif. Mark V rifles had been manufactured in Brainerd, Minn., since 1999.

“I am very proud that our Mark V rifles are once again being made here in California,” said company President Ed Weatherby.

“By going in-house, we can more easily oversee and control all aspects of craftsmanship, production, quality control and shipping. The Mark V has always been the heart and soul of the Weatherby brand. It’s only fitting that our first-born rifle has come home.”

Weatherby introduced the Mark V action in 1958. The first Mark V models were made in the company’s facility in South Gate, Calif. Over the years, Weatherby has built the Mark V action in factories from the U.S. to Germany to Japan.

“Today, many still refer to our Mark V action as the world’s strongest bolt action,” Weatherby remarked. “Hunters and shooters around the world continue to recognize Mark V rifles for their flat-shooting, hard-hitting and accurate performance.”

For more information, contact a local Weatherby dealer, call the company at (805) 227-2600 or visit www.weatherby.com.

Founded in 1945, Weatherby, Inc.’s line features the popular Vanguard and legendary Mark V rifles (production and custom), Threat Response shotguns and rifles, semi-auto and pump shotguns, premium ammunition and security/shooting accessories. The company is based in Paso Robles, Calif., and invites all hunters and shooters to visit and join its free online community at www.weatherbynation.com.

Hoffman's Gun Center & Indoor Shooting Range

Ruger Firearms

Southport, CT --(Ammoland.com)- Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is pleased to announce that Hoffman’s Gun Center & Indoor Shooting Range of Newington, CT has been named the 2011 Ruger Retailer of the Year.

Owner Scott Hoffman received an engraved Mark III pistol to recognize his strong support for Ruger and his success in the retail firearms industry.

“We are very excited to present the 2011 Retailer of the Year to Scott Hoffman and Hoffman’s Gun Center. Scott and his entire staff are very knowledgeable regarding Ruger firearms, and they are dedicated to stocking and promoting our entire product line,” said Ruger President and CEO Mike Fifer.

“Hoffman’s advertising efforts are industry leading and give our products visibility in print, online and on the radio. They also operate an indoor shooting range and participate in the Ruger Range Program, allowing potential customers the opportunity to try out and fall in love with Ruger firearms. Without a doubt, Hoffman’s offers the very best in service, value, and selection, and we’re honored to recognize them as our Ruger Retailer of the Year,” Fifer concluded.

Hoffman’s Gun Center & Indoor Shooting Range is a family operation that began in New Britain, CT in 1919. Surviving multiple re-locations and even a devastating fire, Hoffman’s has grown into the largest firearms retailer in New England with an equally strong online store. Ruger is proud to honor this first-class firearms retailer with the 2011 Ruger Retailer of the Year Award.

For more information on the extensive line of Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com or Facebook.com/Ruger. For more information on Hoffman’s Gun Center & Indoor Shooting Range, visit www.HoffGun.com.

As always, thanks for your continued support!

Benelli USA

ACCOKEEK, MD --(Ammoland.com)- Benelli USA is pleased to announce that Bentley-Scott Marketing was awarded Agency of the Year for 2011 at Benelli USA’s annual sales awards banquet held during the SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

Bentley-Scott Marketing is a group of independent manufacturer’s representatives dedicated to providing sales and marketing services for premium brands in the shooting, hunting, law enforcement and outdoor industry.

The organization provides a full range of services to manufacturer clients for marketing to consumers, sporting goods retailers, wholesalers and large format retailers in the Southwestern U.S.

Other rep groups receiving awards for outstanding performance at the awards banquet included Covey Sales & Marketing recognized as Franchi Agency of the Year for 2011, Pestilli & Associates recognized as Uberti Agency of the Year for 2011, Core Line Marketing recognized as Stoeger Airgun Agency of the Year for 2011. In addition to being awarded Agency of the Year for 2011, Bentley-Scott was also recognized as Agency of the Year for 2011 for the Benelli and Stoeger Firearms brands.

“We are pleased to win this award and proud that our efforts are being recognized by such a great company,” said O.M. Rhea, Principal, Bentley-Scott Marketing. “We believe a strong sales effort with quality products and profitable sales program are the key to success in our industry. We take great pride in representing Benelli USA and being a part of their team.

“Having our group finish in top place in 2011 was a goal of ours and it is very rewarding to have accomplished this,” added Chad Rhea. “The whole Benelli sales support team should share in this award, for it was truly a team effort. Our reps fought hard for market share through a strong sales, service and promotional effort.”

“Benelli USA is very proud to name Bentley-Scott Marketing as the winner of our ‘Agency of the Year,’” said Jason Evans, Benelli USA VP Commercial Sales. “Achieving excellent performance against a very competitive field, they have proven their outstanding abilities with all of the Benelli USA brands.”

Highly Targeted Larry Potterfield's company has more than 1,500 formal business processes.

Midway USA

Columbia, MO --(Ammoland.com)- MidwayUSA’s Vision is “To be the best-run business in America, for the benefit of our Customers, by systematically applying the modern leadership and management principles from the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence.” 

This vision starts with the company’s Number One goal – Customer Satisfaction. Inc. magazine recently recognized this vision and featured MidwayUSA in a story in the February 2012 issue.

“Everything starts with our Vision, and it’s a pretty bold one,” said Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA.  “As a company grows, it’s important to formalize the planning, processes, systems, training and communications and to develop a great team of leaders throughout the organization. This is the hardest part of running a business and it’s something they don’t teach much in business school.”

Successfully running a business with over 300 employees while keeping Customers satisfied at the same time is no accident; it is the result of executing plans, listening to Customers, employees and continuously improving the way the business runs.  The adoption of the Baldrige criteria allowed MidwayUSA to make this happen with systematic processes, not to mention fast shipping and friendly service, something the company measures and benchmarks against the best catalog and internet companies in America.

“Potterfield loves Baldrige not because it is exhaustive but because he believes it is foundational,” said Leigh Buchanan, Editor at Large for Inc. magazine. “Recently, he and members of his executive team distilled from the criteria 30 principles—involving things such as communication, work-force development, and contingency planning—that he considers the immutable core of management discipline.”

In late 2011, MidwayUSA won the Columbia Business Times Titan Award, an award presented to businesses that have made a significant difference in their community. The company was also named a “Top Place to Work” in 2011 by Inside Columbia’s CEO magazine.

About MidwayUSA

MidwayUSA (http://www.midwayusa.com) is a family-owned catalog and internet retailer specializing in Just About Everything℠ for Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing and Hunting.  Now celebrating our 35^th Anniversary, Larry and Brenda Potterfield turned their passion for shooting sports into a career in 1977 by opening a small retail firearms store that would eventually become MidwayUSA. MidwayUSA is still owned by the Potterfield Family and Customer Satisfaction is still our Number One Goal.

• For more information about MidwayUSA, please visit our website or call 800-243-3220.
• To read the Inc. article in its entirety, please visit the article link on their website.

Extending the Term of Ammunition & Firearms Import Permits

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to extend the term of import permits for firearms, ammunition, and defense articles from 1 year to 2 years.

The additional time will allow importers sufficient time to complete the importation of the authorized commodity. In addition, it will eliminate the need for the importer to submit a new import application, ATF Form 6, where the importation was not completed within the 1-year period.

Extending the term of import permits will result in a substantial cost and time savings for both the industry and ATF.

This proposed change would be consistent with Executive Order 13563 of January 18, 2011, which directs agencies to review existing significant rules to make regulatory programs more effective or less burdensome in achieving regulatory objectives.

DATES: Written comments must be postmarked and electronic comments must be submitted on or before May 7, 2012. Commenters should be aware that the electronic Federal Docket Management System will not accept comments after midnight Eastern Time on the last day of the comment period.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War and Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and Certain Other Firearms; Extending the Term of Import Permits’02/06/12

Winchester Ammunition

East Alton, IL – -(Ammoland.com)- Olin Corp. (NYSE:OLN), makers of Winchester ammunition, reported that fourth quarter Winchester division sales were up 8.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

Segment earnings were $500,000, down from $3.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The company said the decline in segment earnings reflects the impact of a less favorable product mix, higher commodity metal costs, higher manufacturing costs and costs associated with the relocation of the centerfire operations to Oxford, Miss., partially offset by higher selling prices.

By: Anthony P. Mauro, Sr

It’s been nearly a year since I last wrote about the precipitous decline in New Jersey’s fisheries management capabilities, and the trend continues unabated.

Last year it was a free registry that prompted many people to examine the ruinous underfunding of the Bureau of Marine Fisheries (BMF) and this year it is the closure of the river herring fishery.

According to “The Economic Contribution of Marine Angler Expenditures in the United States”, a report prepared by NOAA Fisheries for the US Department of Commerce, marine recreational fishing in New Jersey is an industry that generates sales of $1.6 billion, provides  total tax revenue of $242 million and New Jersey tax revenue in excess of $100 million. In fact, fishing supports 10,000 jobs and provides the highest sales, income and employment of the Northeast region, as well as the highest tax revenues. Fishing also supports a tourism industry worth $16 billion.

Saltwater fishing is not only a recreational and economic engine for New Jersey; anglers and their disposable income are the source of essential conservation initiatives. It is the BMF that is responsible for the administration of marine fisheries management programs that include 127 miles of Atlantic coast and 83 miles of bayshore. The purpose of the bureau is to protect, conserve and enhance marine fisheries resources and their habitat.

With such an important and high profile contribution to New Jersey’s socioeconomic well-being and environmental health one would be forgiven for thinking that the BMF is a formidable competitor for state budget appropriations and is given priority for its potential to expand state revenues.

In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

Incredibly, BMF operates on an appropriated budget that is less than $2 million while multiple coastal states have budgets that exceed $20 million. New Jersey currently ranks last in total State Marine funding per angler among every Atlantic Coast State. Since 1988, the Bureau’s appropriated budget has increased only by the inflation factor and not in real terms and at the same time federally mandated Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) have increased from one (1) in 1988 to 22 in 2009.

In a recent New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announcement of the shutdown of the river herring fishery blame was assigned to inadequate resources to prove that the fishery was sustainable to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. This deficit should concern us since it may be cause for future fishery closures given that New Jersey competes with Atlantic Coast States that are in a better position to justify coast-wide fisheries quotas.

Let the house burn

Metaphorically speaking, the tacit message sent by policy makers and legislators has been clear; let the house burn. The metaphorical house is the Bureau of Marine Fisheries. The arsonist in this figure of speech is the angling community that has lit the flame with apathy and fear.

My definition of the angling community includes the individual angler that has refused to hold our state government accountable for adequately funding BMF, and saltwater fishing organizations that have allowed the situation to dilapidate in order to avoid the conflict that will be created by addressing the problem – conflict that might cause a potential loss in membership rolls and associated fees. However, to let the house burn makes both government representatives and the angling community accomplices in negligence.

During the past decade attrition and the forfeiture of institutional knowledge has crippled BMF and it might take an equal number of years to reverse. While finding a solution to funding BMF may be difficult the first course of action is clear – it will take an honest assessment of the problem and the development of a viable solution. To accomplish the task requires angler involvement, leadership from saltwater organizations like the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance and all 23 NJOA (CF) council members including NJSFSC and JCAA, and the courage to do the right thing.

I think it is appropriate to end this commentary with a quote from Izaac Walton, renown for celebrating the art and spirit of fishing, “Rivers and the inhabitants of the watery elements are made for wise men to contemplate and for fools to pass by without consideration.”

Color The Green Movement Blue

Ant

About: Anthony P. Mauro, Sr, (also known as “Ant” to friends and associates) is Chairman and co-founder of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation, and New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Environmental Projects. Ant’s commitment to the principles of sustainable use of natural resources and environmental stewardship helped to create the New Jersey Angling & Hunting Conservation Caucus (NJA&HC). The NJA&HC is the first outdoor caucus of its kind in New Jersey and is designed to educate opinion leaders and policy makers about the principles of conservation; the foundation for healthy ecosystems, fish and wildlife.

Springtac Holsters Supports Wardell MO Volunteer Fire Dept Auction

Spring Tac Holsters

Wardell, MO --(Ammoland.com)- Springtac Holsters would like to invite anyone who may be in the southeast corner of the state of Missouri on Feb. 11 2012 to stop in and support the auction held by the Wardell volunteer Fire Dept.

Springtac Holsters is honored to be a part of their efforts.

Jason says: The Wardell Volunteer Fire Department is a member driven department in the rural southeast Missouri boot-heel region. We cover a large land area with mostly farmland and sparse establishments of homes that are mostly occupied with low income family.

We operate nearly entirely off of a budget made up of the proceeds from our annual Volunteer Dinner and Auction. This has allowed us to make payments on our station and the matches to our federal grants. This year’s auction which will be held February 11, 2012 is an especially important time as not only is it the 21st annual auction, it is the second year of making a payment on the match on our new apparatus and one of the last two payments on our station.

Thanks Jason Ward, and the Wardell Volunteer Fire Department, for allowing Springtac Holsters the opportunity to serve you.

About:
Springtac Holsters is the manufacturer of gun holsters designed to conceal carry firearms with lasers or TAC lights attached to the tac rail built into the weapon in font of the trigger guard. Visit them at www.springtacholsters.com

FNH USA

McLean, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- FNH USA, LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of global firearms manufacturer FN Herstal, is pleased to announce that it has signed an exclusive partnership with OMB GUNS to provide its full line of law enforcement (LE) products to the U.S. law enforcement market.

“We are pleased with our partnership with OMB GUNS,” said Ken Pfau, FNH USA Senior Vice President for Commercial and Law Enforcement Sales. “They are uniquely positioned to provide FN LE products to local and state law enforcement personnel nationwide. This will help get the most reliable, high-quality firearms in the hands of the men and women who protect our citizens every day..”

OMB GUNS, located in Olathe, KS, is one of the largest distributors for law enforcement firearms in the U.S. The company offers unmatched one-on-one customer service, as well as aggressive pricing on trade and equipment.

“OMB GUNS is partnering with FNH USA to promote the FN brand more aggressively to the law enforcement community,” said John Ralph with OMB GUNS.

“The introduction of the new FN FNS pistol line, manufactured in the U.S., represents a ‘shift change,’ which is exactly what law enforcement has been asking for. With the addition of the FNS, we are now able to offer a complete line of FN machine guns, rifles and shotguns, which makes OMB GUNS and FNH USA the perfect team to work together with law enforcement!”

FNH USA, LLC is a U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal S.A., a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-quality, reliable firearms for the military, law enforcement and commercial markets. A pioneer in innovative firearm technology since the days of John M. Browning, the company supplies a variety of products to customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. Based in McLean, VA with manufacturing operations in Columbia, SC, FNH USA is responsible for all U.S.-based sales and marketing efforts. To learn more about FNH USA and its products, please visit www.fnhusa.com.

Shot Show Media Day At The Range 2012 Breaks Attendance Records

Media Day At The Range

Las Vegas, NV --(Ammoland.com)- In its sixth-year, the 2012 SHOT Show Media Day at the Range broke all attendance records.

The event which is held on the day prior to SHOT Show, was attended by over 1,200 members of the media. With over 100 manufacturers exhibiting,

Media Day at the Range continues to be the largest media event in the hunting and shooting industry, giving outdoor media the opportunity to shoot and test the best new products for 2012. Attending manufacturers get a jump on their competition with early media exposure highlighting their products for print, broadcast and internet coverage.

A special thanks to Media Day’s presenting sponsor NSSF as well as all our supporting sponsors, Winchester Ammunition, Caracal, Rock Island Armory, 5-11 Tactical, Tactical-Life.com, Action Target, Federal Premium Ammunition, Browning and GunBroker.com for their support in helping make this day the success it is.

“SHOT Show Media Day at the Range has become an important part of the overall SHOT Show experience,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Chris Dolnack. “After its first year as title sponsor, NSSF looks forward to reviewing feedback from attendees and working with the organizers to make Media Day even better next year.”

The first annual Action Target Media Day Safety Award was presented to Remington Arms for demonstrating the highest standards of safety during the range day. Each exhibitor was judged by a panel of safety auditors from DOA Tactical. In addition to the recognition, Remington also received $3,500 towards their 2013 SHOT Show Media Day at the Range registration fee.

Open to all in the hunting and shooting industry, manufacturers, conservation groups and shooting organizations are welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis. This year’s exhibitors ranged from firearms manufacturers to tactical clothing companies. This year’s event also included an expanded short and long range shooting areas which allowed the media to test many more new products than ever before.

“Media Day dramatically improved our new product launch at SHOT Show,” said Jody Lamb, Marketing Manager for VANGUARD, a manufacturer of sporting optics and shooting accessories. “Hundreds of editors, writers and TV and radio hosts put our binoculars and spotting scopes to the test out on the range. You really can’t tell the quality of glass inside of a convention center so Media Day made it an effective setting for everyone. We’re so excited to see everyone again next year.”

Accordingly to Bill Dermody of Savage Arms, “I got more PR work done in one day than in months. It is going to take me weeks to get all the consignment guns to writers,” he said.

“Media Day funnels hundreds of people and products to the firing line– people with deep expertise in shooting gear, and products brand-new to market” said outdoor writer Wayne van Zwoll. “If you’re not part of Media Day, you’re missing a first look at tomorrow’s headline hardware, and a chance to buttonhole the engineers who designed it. No other event so clearly registers the pulse of the shooting industry!”

Media Day at the Range 2012 was also a fundraiser for Safari Club International. Through the generous donation of products to the silent auction from many of the manufacturers, funds were raised during the event in support of SCI’s many conservation programs.

AmmoLand and Benelli at Media Day at the Ramge 2012 - (L-R) Joe Coogan, Fredy Riehl, Brian Johnson, Mike Leeds

Don’t miss out on next year’s Media Day at the Range to be held January 14, 2013. Details concerning exhibitor registration will be available in the coming weeks. For more information visit www.media-day.com or contact Cathy Williams (cathy@cmgmarketingandevents.com) or Cory Cannon (ccannon@triplecurl.com).

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- When it comes to record keeping and maintaining internal controls, firearms retailers need to “sweat the details,” but the National Shooting Sports Foundation® reminds them that they don’t have to go it alone.

NSSF, the trade association for the firearms industry, offers federally licenced firearms retailers (FFLs) the opportunity to work with experienced advisors who, as former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officials, understand what it takes to stay compliant with ATF rules and regulations.

This service is a key benefit available only to NSSF retailer members; it alone can be worth the price of a retailer membership.

“Working with an ATF compliance advisor can save a firearms retailer time, money, hassles and, in a worst case scenario, his or her business,” said Randy Clark, NSSF’s managing director of business development.

This is how it works. Retailers requiring assistance contact NSSF, which coordinates requests with retired ATF compliance advisors participating in the program. A compliance advisor will then personally visit the retailer to assess its level of ATF compliance, conduct a review of internal controls over firearms and record keeping and train the retailer and staff to help the business to be prepared for an ATF compliance inspection and pass it with flying colors. The price of this service for members is only $499. NSSF also will pick up other fees of compliance advisors, including all travel expenses.

Each ATF compliance advisor brings a wealth of experience to the job, having conducted hundreds of firearm retailer compliance inspections.

“These are high quality, seasoned former ATF compliance professionals,” said Clark.

NSSF has added three advisors to its popular retailer compliance program so that more FFLs can take advantage of expert advice and avoid warning conferences, warning letters, fines, license revocations or license non-renewals that often are due to oversights and human errors involving paperwork and inventory and not staying abreast of new regulations.

The enhanced program was announced at SHOT Show University, a series of educational seminars for firearms retailers that took place the day before the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) in Las Vegas.

To learn more about the NSSF’s Retailer Compliance Program, email Randy Clark at rclark@nssf.org. Additional NSSF resources for firearms retailers are available at www.nssf.org/retailers/.

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 7,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

A Winchester Model 1892, fully engraved by Baron Engraving was $$12,802 at the final gavel bang.

GunBroker

Las Vegas, NV --(Ammoland.com)- Powered by more than 100,000 “views” and nearly 160 bids on GunBroker.com, the 2012 SHOT Show auction generated $31,827 in support of America’s hunting and shooting sports heritage.

Coordinated by the Hunting Heritage Trust in conjunction with the NSSF, the 2012 SHOT Show auction on GunBroker.com featured a unique “Glock Statue of Liberty Pistol”, a fully engraved Baron-Winchester Model 1892 rifle commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Baron Technology and two custom Ross Tyser knives.

Bidding was scheduled to close at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 20, the final day of the SHOT Show, but active bidding toward the close of the auction triggered GunBroker.com’s 15-minute rule and several 15-minute extensions.

When the GunBroker.com gavel finally came down, the high bid on the Glock Statue of Liberty Pistol was $15,025; the high bid on the Winchester Model 1892 fully engraved by Baron Engraving was $$12,802 and the two Ross Tyser custom knives auctioned for $2,000 each.

Bob Delfay Presents to Steve Urvan

The 2012 SHOT Show auction proceeds will benefit the efforts of the Hunting Heritage Trust and Youth Shooting Sports Alliance in support of America’s hunting and shooting sports heritage.

Freedom Group Acquires Para USA

Freedom Group, Inc. (FGI)

Madison, NC –-(Ammoland.com)- Freedom Group, Inc., (FGI) through a wholly owned subsidiary has announced today that it has finalized an asset purchase agreement to acquire certain assets of Para USA, INC., (Para).

Founded in 1985, Para has built a solid and enviable reputation for innovation, performance and reliability.

PARA USA

Firearms enthusiasts, serious shooting competitors and law enforcement agencies choose with confidence from a wide and growing variety of Para pistols. Para’s revolutionary high capacity frame and light double action ( LDA ™) trigger systems, are part of the innovation that Para has brought to the world famous 1911 design.

“We welcome Para into the Freedom Group Family of Companies,” stated. E. Scott Blackwell, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Freedom Group Inc.

“Para USA is a leader in handgun technology and their fine products exemplify quality, innovation and performance. Para is a perfect complement to our industry-leading family of brands, and our success in 2011 with the Remington R1 – 1911. We look forward to deploying both human and financial resources to continue to develop and supply current and future handguns for consumers and our channel partners. We also wish to thank all its employees for their continued dedication that has made Para a success.”

Para will continue day-to-day operations at their Pineville, NC based facility. Visit: www.paraord.com

About Freedom Group, Inc.
Freedom Group is the world’s leading innovator, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of firearms, ammunition, and related products for the hunting, shooting sports, law enforcement, and military markets. As one of the largest manufacturers in the world of firearms and ammunition, we have some of the most globally recognized brands including Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, Parker, Mountain Khakis, AAC, and Dakota. The Company distributes its products throughout the U.S. and in over 80 foreign countries. More information about the Company can be found at www.freedom-group.com.

The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly such forward–looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Slide Fire

Moran, TX --(Ammoland.com)- Slide Fire Solutions, LP today announced that the United States Patent Office has issued a Notice of Allowance concerning its patent application “Method of Shooting a Semi-Automatic Firearm.”

The allowed patent claims will give Slide Fire exclusive rights to make and sell gun stocks that enable a shooter to repetitively discharge a firearm incorporating Slide Fire’s sliding stock technology.

“We are thrilled that the patent office has agreed that our invention deserves patent protection,” said the inventor of the Slide Fire gun stock, Jeremiah Cottle.

“We have several other patents pending based on the same technology, both in the United States and internationally. We are optimistic that the patent office will issue patents on those applications as well.” Cottle is the president Slide Fire Solutions.

About Slide Fire Solutions:
Slide Fire Solutions is a privately held company based in Moran, Texas and owns all rights in its ground breaking “slide stock” technology. Building on principles of “bump firing,” Slide Fire’s invention allows a shooter to discharge a firearm such as an AR-15 or AK-47 as quickly as desired, without springs and without automatically functioning mechanical parts. The exclusive design offers many hours of entertainment for recreational shooters. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms has concluded that the Slide Fire device is not regulated as a firearm under the Gun Control Act or the National Firearms Act.

For more information, please visit www.slidefire.com.

Social Media Phenomenon Grips Shooting Sports...

Frank Brownell - Brownells.com

Des Moines, Iowa – -(Ammoland.com)- Our Gang just returned from the 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. It was a very successful – and a very hectic – event.

Our industry appears to be very strong right now, and the pace at the show almost felt “frantic“.

We picked up on five trends that we think you’ll want to keep in mind to stay ahead this year.

Ammunition — All calibers. Most of the ammunition manufacturers out there wrote business way in excess of last year’s SHOT Show. Remember, ammunition has not seen a down, or even flat, year since before 2008, and 2012 will be another large year in the ammunition market. We suggest you place orders with your suppliers or stay in contact with your just-in-time suppliers and stay ahead of this market. Some calibers that may be of more interest are the popular concealed carry handgun cartridges and the long range rifle rounds.

Check with your customers in those two venues to see what they’re shooting and have plenty on hand for them and their buddies, who quite likely will be buying much the same calibers. Also, as new calibers become “hot” during the year, check them out with your customers. There’s always someone in the gang who has to be first at the range with the “latest and greatest” according to the TV show they’re watching or the magazines they’re reading. And, at this point in this conversation, I just can’t help myself… I’ve just got to plug our own vast selection of ammunition at brownells.com where we are always in stock and ready to serve your immediate needs. Or work with our partner in the industry, “Crow Shooter Supply”, which is a massive wholesaler of ammunition.

Concealed Carry Pistols — No new trend here, but a huge emphasis on smaller frames fitting the smaller hand, with a lot of new models of all kinds of handguns specifically targeted at this market. The question we get from all of our friends, since we’re known as the “gun guys in Iowa” is “What pistol should I be getting for myself or my spouse?” Be prepared to answer this question from your customers or friends, and become the local expert on the subject while you’re at it.

Getting folks involved in shooting through the self-protection or concealed carry channel will only help our industry and solidify in their minds the enormous importance of personal ownership of firearms under the guarantees of the Second Amendment.

It’s important to have these pistols in stock to display, especially for a new purchaser of a firearm. These new buyers are going to want to handle them and test them for look, feel and weight – all very important to the new customer. Also, make sure you have a good selection of holsters and carrying devices and quick-access safes. We fielded questions about all of these things, and you’ll need to be prepared to show and tell and demo. And, if you’re really smart, you’ll offer concealed carry training classes for these new customers – and all the other folks who want to get the permits. We’re really astonished at how many folks want the CCW permit whether they’re ever actually going to carry or not. They just want the option of being completely legal and properly trained if the need ever does arise.

Cleaning Equipment & Range Equipment — A huge field of “stuff” with almost unlimited possibilities was at the SHOT Show. First, of course, are the basics: eye protection and hearing protection. Next, the various and multi-assorted cleaning rods and brushes, jags, patches and solutions. Lots of choices at the show. Some new and interesting ones, too. Then range equipment, with the choices limited only by what you and your customers want, need, or can afford. We saw some wonderful action targets that’ll make shooting lots more fun and can be used to make it more competitive, too. Next, everything from range mats to rests of all sorts and styles to the specialty things used by the long-range shooters and in the various other competitive venues, especially 3-gun. Shotguns galore and all the items that can go with this market. You need to understand your particular market and from the really gigantic selection out there, choose what works for your customers and the local ranges.

Just be prepared to special order what they need and you don’t stock – and be knowledgeable of what is available.

Tactical & Long-Range Rifles — We saw a significant presence of AR-style 308 caliber platform firearms, as well as long-range rifles based on the .30 caliber bolt-face. People want to be shooting accurately at a long distance – and this is where much of the buzz is at this moment. We saw the coordination of rifles and ammo suitable for long ranges, as well as many accessories for the bench and field that can assist in reaching out to 300–500 yards or, listening to the shooters talking, frequently much farther.

Social Media — Various forms of this phenomenon were so frequently mentioned in visits with folks that I think we need to discuss it. Marketing on the web has become almost automatic for lots and lots of companies and businesses. It seems if you want to be serious about your business you need a web site. Almost a given. Now Facebook, [AmmoLand.com] blogs and forums of all kinds are becoming a major source of information. People love the web and magazines as a source of information, but now they are linking up to various info interchanges and getting “the word” at lightning speed on just about any subject.

If you want to stay up to date with what people are looking for, you absolutely must have a web site, and by now you almost need the blogs, Facebook, and forums as a way to get people to find you and for you to get information out to them.

As we said at the opening, 2012 SHOT Show was frantic. We believe a good part of that will flow on into the buying patterns of the year: A record number of NICS checks in the weeks before Christmas than any other time ever. Record gun sales for 2011. Huge ammunition sales. An apparent up-tick in the number of hunting licenses issued in some areas. And, an ever increasing understanding and focus on the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

More and more people are “getting it” and exercising that right. You need to be ready for it in your shop in 2012.

About:
At Brownells Everything is Guaranteed period! Forever, 100%, with no restocking fees. Brownells is the world’s largest supplier of firearm parts, gunsmithing tools, ammunition, reloading equipment and accessories. Stocking more than 50,000 items, the company supplies armorers, gunsmiths, and shooters worldwide. All of their products are backed by a 100% satisfaction, unconditional, lifetime guarantee. For more information, or to place an order, call 800-741-0015 or visit Brownells.com

TAWATEC Launches Official Social Media Presence

TAWATEC Watches

Biel, Switzerland --(Ammoland.com)- TAWATEC AG, Swiss makers of tactical watches, has today announced the launch of its official social media presence through Facebook and Twitter.

The goal of both accounts is to create a place for fans and followers to interact directly with the company and other watch enthusiasts from all over the world, where they can discuss and review TAWATEC watches and other products.

“We are very excited about launching our social media presence,” commented Martin Schneider, Partner of TAWATEC.

“TAWATEC is committed to growing a large family of watch enthusiasts, both in the law enforcement, military and firefighting markets, who will use our Facebook page and Twitter account to communicate with us and with each other.”

• For more information on TAWATEC, visit http://tawatec.net/index.aspx.
• “Like” us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TAWATECAG
• Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tawatec

About TAWATEC AG:
Founded in 1993 in Biel, Switzerland, TAWATEC AG is a Swiss-owned watch company that manufactures time pieces for law enforcement, military, fire and outdoor enthusiasts. Using the latest in tritium illumination technology, TAWATEC is continually evolving and improving their product line to reflect the changes in technology, materials and customer demands. www.tawatec.net .

Bushnell Outdoor Products Provides $200,000 Contribution to Folds of Honor Foundation

Bushnell Outdoor Products

Overland Park, KS. --(Ammoland.com)- Bushnell Outdoor Products, an industry leader in sports optics and outdoor accessories for more than 60 years, has announced its 2011 contribution to Folds of Honor Foundation will total $200,000.

Since establishing a partnership in 2010, the outdoor leader has contributed nearly $300,000 to Folds of Honor.

Founded by Major Dan Rooney in 2007, Folds of Honor provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of service members disabled or killed during U.S. military service. Major Rooney, a former F-16 pilot who served three tours in Iraq, founded Folds of Honor to ensure that families of fallen service members never have to endure alone.

“Thanks to support from partners like Bushnell, 2011 was a monumental year for Folds of Honor Foundation,” said Major Dan Rooney, Folds of Honor president and founder. “Last year alone we were able to double the number of scholarships provided, and as a result of that incredible momentum we hope to provide 1,000 scholarships in 2012,” added Major Rooney.

In 2012 Bushnell will continue its product partnership with Folds of Honor with two exclusive golf laser rangefinders: Bushnell Tour V2 Patriot Pack and Tour V2 Slope Patriot Pack. A portion of the proceeds from each Patriot Pack sold will be donated to Folds of Honor.

For more information about the Bushnell and Folds of Honor partnership, visit www.bushnell.com/folds. To learn more about Bushnell Outdoor Products and its complete line of sports optics and outdoor accessories, visit www.bushnell.com or call 1-800-423-3537.

About Folds of Honor Foundation
Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional, USGA member and former F-16 military pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, founded the Folds of Honor Foundation in 2007 following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq. While a passenger on a commercial flight, Major Rooney witnessed an event that would profoundly change his life. As the plane landed, the pilot announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an American hero on board – Corporal Brock Bucklin – and his twin brother, Corporal Brad Bucklin, is accompanying him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while Corporal Bucklin’s family receives him in his final homecoming.” Major Rooney watched through the window of the plane as the flag-draped casket was lowered. He saw a family waiting for Brock, and a little four-year old boy waiting for his father. This tragic homecoming inspired Major Rooney to create the Folds of Honor Foundation. As of January 12, 2012, more than one million dependents have been affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of these, 87 percent do not qualify for federal scholarship assistance. Individuals interested in contributing to the Folds of Honor, and those applying for scholarships should go to FoldsofHonor.org.

About Bushnell
Bushnell Outdoor Products is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer products based in Overland Park, Kansas. Bushnell Outdoor Products sells its products worldwide under the Bushnell®, Tasco®, Serengeti®, Bollé®, Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement®, Stoney Point®, Hoppe’s®, Butler Creek®, Cébé®, Uncle Mike’s®, Final Approach®, Simmons® and Millett® brand names. For information about any of these brands or products, please contact Bushnell Public Relations at (913) 752-6105.

GLOCK Arms Company Fact Sheet

Glock Pistols

SMYRNA, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- COMPANY DESCRIPTION: GLOCK revolutionized the firearms industry by redefining the modern pistol.

Today, GLOCK is a leading global manufacturer of firearms, precisely engineered to meet the needs of Military and Law Enforcement agencies worldwide.

GLOCK recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary in the United States. Over the past quarter century, GLOCK has become the preferred pistol for both Law Enforcement and consumers who choose GLOCK SAFE ACTION pistols because of their durability and reliability. GLOCK is the ultimate defensive armament for individuals at all skill sets because it is simple to operate and maintain, which delivers confidence.

The first GLOCK handgun model introduced in the United States was the GLOCK 17, a 9X19 Parabellum semi-automatic pistol with a magazine capacity of 17 rounds. The GLOCK pistol has since become the standard by which most modern handguns are compared.

GLOCK’s SAFE ACTION® gives users the confidence to know that when they draw their firearm it is ready to be fired. The SAFE ACTION® features three automatic safeties; the trigger, firing pin and drop safety mechanisms – making the pistol safe if dropped or impacted.

Austrian-engineered, the company has manufacturing facilities in Austria and the United States.

INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS:

• Polymer: GLOCK’s frame, magazine body and other components are made from a high-strength nylon-based polymer innovated by Gaston Glock to create the GLOCK pistol. The material is resistant to shock, caustic liquids and extreme environmental conditions where traditional steel/alloy frames would warp and become brittle. This polymer provides increased durability, while being more lightweight and resilient than carbon steel and most steel alloys.
• 34 parts: While other manufacturers’ pistols have more than 65 parts, the GLOCK pistol has only 34 parts. This simplifies spare parts logistics, reduces error susceptibility and maintenance costs, and creates a modular system of interchangeable parts, which results in unsurpassed parts compatibility among various GLOCK pistol models.

PRODUCTS:
Pistols: GLOCK’s superior engineering has designed firearms with only 34 parts and a rugged polymer frame, providing industry-leading reliability shot after shot. GLOCK is renowned for pistols which are safe, featuring three safeties; simple, offering a low number of components to provide ease of use; and fast, for superior reliability. GLOCK is the longest-performing polymer pistol in the United States with a more than 25-year track record of unparalleled reliability and durability.

GLOCK produces a variety of handguns renowned for their dependability, being able to function under extreme conditions and to fire a wide range of ammunition types due to their rugged construction. The pistols are designed to meet the defensive needs of law enforcement and consumers. The manufacturing of most metal components and the majority of frames are completed at the Austrian headquarters.

Tools and Accessories: GLOCK sells other products and accessories that include:

• Holsters Duty and Sport/Combat Holsters
• Field Knives Made of special hardened steel with polymer handles and black anti-corrosive coated blades for maximum durability and ruggedness. The knives come with or without a sawtooth spine.
• Entrenching Tools This versatile tool comes with a surface-treated blade that can be locked in three positions for multiple uses, an extendable handle for more leverage and a saw that can be detached and stored in the handle when not in use.
• Magazine Pouches and Loaders The pouch has an integral detent that provides retention without the need for straps or flaps. The magazine loader is essential for easy loading and is made of a durable, lightweight polymer.
• Tactical Lights and Laser Sights GLOCK has different levels of tactical lights; including light, light/ visible red laser and infrared illuminator that may include a laser. By adding an infrared
• Illuminator with the GLOCK Tactical Light/visible red laser module. The GLOCK Tactical Light provides operators a full range of options, from stealth illumination to Xenon white light identification.

LAW ENFORCEMENT:
The semi-automatic GLOCK 17 pistol revolutionized the Law Enforcement industry. For the first time, an officer’s firearm could hold a high-capacity magazine of ammunition. This helped to catapult GLOCK pistols to become the first choice among U.S. Law Enforcement – in 2011, approximately 65% of all Law Enforcement agencies in the United States carry GLOCK.

Dozens of Federal and State agencies have selected GLOCK pistol as their firearm of choice, including the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New York State Police Department and Louisiana State Police Department.

SPONSORSHIPS:
Team GLOCK Shooting Squad: The Company’s shooting squad features World Champion Randi Rogers, and Junior Shooter Tori Nonaka. Team members participate in national and world competitions each year, as well as travel to the GSSF-sanctioned matches to provide shooting tips for GSSF members.

GSSF: The GLOCK Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) is an organization of GLOCK that stages indoor and outdoor competitions for GLOCK owners. At these events, competitors have an opportunity to win GLOCK pistols, cash prizes and merchandise.

PHILANTHROPY:
GLOCK, Inc. donated $2.5 Million in 2011 to a variety of non-profit organizations. GLOCK’s charitable-giving focus is to assist those who go in harm’s way to defend the freedoms that all Americans currently enjoy. Among the organizations GLOCK supports include: Special Operation Warrior Fund (SOWF), Young Marines and Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), as well as several organizations associated with the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer, speaks at the State of the Industry Dinner sponsored by Outdoor Channel..

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- At last week’s State of the Industry Dinner sponsored by Outdoor Channel, Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer, opened the evening with these comments:

We’re thrilled to have you with us here tonight as the industry kicks off a brand new year with exciting new product launches and eager new exhibitors.

The 2012 SHOT Show is the launching pad of hopes and dreams for more than 100 first-time exhibitors who were previously wait listed. These upstarts are following the trail blazed by industry icons that came before them.
Companies like GLOCK that started out small, exhibiting at their first SHOT Show in 1987 with an innovative new product that changed the way we looked at pistol design and created a whole new product category.

Companies like Realtree, which was launched by Bill Jordan at the SHOT Show with a few pieces of clothing, a 20-by-20-foot booth which was only half paid for when the show opened, and a whole lot of moxie.

On the opening morning of the show, the Bass Pro Shops buyer walked into the Realtree booth. Ten minutes later, the Oshman’s buyer walked into the booth. After another ten minutes, here came the Wal-Mart buyer. And by the end of that SHOT Show all three had placed orders and Jordan was able to quit ducking show manager Jerry van Dijk and pay the balance on his booth.

Because, you see, the SHOT Show isn’t just about transactional commerce. The SHOT Show is about face-to-face meetings between people who are passionate about hunting and shooting and who are committed to providing their respective customers with products that will enhance their hunting or shooting experience.

Survey after survey reveals that our customers come to the SHOT Show to gather additional information on new products that will help them in making their buying decisions. That’s because the SHOT Show is the one place you can go to see everyone and everything you need to gain a competitive edge.

The SHOT Show is the largest gathering of outdoor media anywhere with over 2,100 writers, broadcasters and bloggers here. The SHOT Show is also the largest cutlery show and the largest law enforcement show anywhere.

By re-purposing the SHOT Show floor and opening up exhibit space for those companies that represent our core hunting, shooting and tactical business we’ve infused the SHOT Show with new product offerings that will offer retailers new opportunities when these 100 wait-listed companies begin their journey to becoming the next generation of iconic industry brands.

Thanks for being here tonight and for supporting NSSF.

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.

NSSF President Steve Sanetti delivers the State of the Industry address.

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- In his 34 years in the industry, NSSF President Steve Sanetti said he has never seen the industry more unified.

During the SHOT Show’s annual State of the Industry event, Sanetti said that membership in NSSF, the industry’s trade association, is more than double what it was just five years ago.

“Together we comprise a record number of more than 7,000 of America’s favorite firearms and ammunition manufacturers, wholesalers, importers, retailers, shooting ranges, gun clubs, conservation groups, outdoor media, safety instructors, and many others, who share our avocation and our passion for our industry and our uniquely American way of life,” Sanetti said.

“Our membership has never been stronger or more engaged. We have had great success in recent years solidfying our industry’s base of support.”

While the nation’s economy has remained stagnant the past few years, the firearms and ammunition industry has been one of its few bright spots.

“Eighteen consecutive quarters of sales growth, as evidenced most recently by an all-time high number of mandatory point-of-sales background checks in December, and during the worst recession since the great depression, would be an enviable feat for any industry. Yet we have achieved it, and we have shared our prosperity by giving back,” Sanetti said.

Sanetti said the industry’s success has also helped fuel the nation’s conservation programs, and he pointed out that 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the Pittman/Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which created the dedicated excise tax on firearms and ammunition. This year, he said, the industry will continue to spread the word to all Americans that hunters and shooters provide the vast majority of financial support for conservation.

With 2012 being a critical election year, Sanetti said, NSSF will ensure that candidates and voters are educated on all issues affecting the industry and firearm freedoms.

“We will not presume to tell any of you how to cast your vote. But I can promise you this. Your industry’s voice will be heard. We will educate voters and legislators and candidates alike as to our legitimate interests, and about our hopes and concerns regarding where this great nation of ours is going,” he said.

Watch the complete State of the Industry presentation here:

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.

Gaston Glock circa 1988 demonstrating the operation of a Model 17 to Pete Dickey of American Rifleman Magazine. From Peter Alan Kasler's GLOCK: The New Wave in Combat Handguns.

Glock Pistols

SMYRNA, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Gaston Glock, an Austrian engineer, successful businessman and manufacturer of injection molding parts and components, founded GLOCK Ges.m.b.H in 1963.

Based in Deutsch-Wagram, GLOCK manufactured metal and injection-molding commercial products for the Austrian consumer market.

In 1970, the company took its first foray into the weapons and firearms market with the development of a line of knives and grenade casings for Military and Law Enforcement professionals in Austria.

The company’s fortunes changed in 1980, when during a conversation with two Austrian colonels, Mr. Glock engaged them regarding the Army’s requirements for the development of a new pistol. The officers were criticizing the current gun manufacturers for being unsuccessful in designing an updated pistol that complied with the Army’s strict demands. At the time, Mr. Glock supplied the army with combined trench tools, non-moldering machine gun belts and casings for hand grenades.

Mr. Glock Begins Designing the “Perfect” Firearm
With no experience in firearms design and manufacturing, Mr. Glock went to work to create the “perfect” firearm. To Mr. Glock, “perfection” is the endless pursuit of design, engineering and manufacturing excellence to meet the demanding specifications of today’s Military, Law Enforcement and law-abiding consumers worldwide. This standard has resulted in GLOCK’s undisputed reputation as a high quality and reliable firearm known for its durability and performance, allowing Law Enforcement, Military and consumers to live their lives and perform their duty with confidence.

Mr. Glock began by investigating the construction and function of the leading pistols of the era, stripping them down and re-assembling them over and over. Using modern manufacturing methods and non-traditional materials such as polymer, which he had perfected in his consumer-market business, Mr. Glock developed a cost-effective 9×19 semi-automatic pistol.

Safe. Simple. Fast.
Since Mr. Glock was building the pistol for the Austrian Military and Law Enforcement, he knew the gun had to be ready to fire at a moment’s notice in life-threatening situations. To address this critical need, Mr. Glock designed his pistol with three internal safeties – trigger, firing pin and drop safeties – to provide assurance that the pistol would consistently perform when called upon, while providing best-in-class protection against accidental discharge of the handgun.

During the initial development, Mr. Glock tested all the guns by himself in his cellar; holding the pistol in his left hand, he wanted to shield his right hand in case of any potential accidents.

Additional requirements that Mr. Glock met to satisfy the demands of the Austrian Government included creating a firearm with a high-capacity magazine, utilizing lightweight materials, a trigger pull that is consistent from the first shot through the last and constructed with a hammer-forged barrel.

Mr. Glock understood reliability resided in simplicity, and therefore, he designed his pistol with as few parts as possible, minimizing its complexity. Today, the GLOCK pistol is made from only 34 parts, which is significantly fewer than any other pistol made. With fewer parts, GLOCK SAFE ACTION Pistols are more durable, reliable and easier to maintain.

GLOCK Named Service Pistol for Austrian Army
Mr. Glock’s innovative design successfully passed a series of stringent testing procedures against domestic and international competitors. In 1983, the GLOCK pistol was accepted by the Austrian Army as their new service pistol and was on its way to becoming an icon in the industry.

Shortly thereafter in 1984, the GLOCK 17 soundly passed the NATO durability test. As a result, the pistol was selected by the Norwegian Army as their standard sidearm, putting GLOCK on the road to becoming the preferred international sidearm.

GLOCK, Inc. Opens in U.S.
In November 1986, the company opened its U.S. headquarters, GLOCK, Inc., in Smyrna, Ga. Shortly thereafter, the semi-automatic GLOCK 17 pistol revolutionized the law enforcement industry with the redefining of the modern pistol.

The GLOCK pistol would become available in multiple model sizes and accept different caliber ammunition, offering a versatility to fit every situation. This combination continues to make GLOCK pistols the first choice among Law Enforcement, with approximately 65% of Federal, state and local agencies in the United States choosing GLOCK pistols.

Training and Accessories Part of Rich Tradition
The company also provides training, sales, support and service to their loyal customers. GLOCK’s training courses have received the highest recognition by Law Enforcement agencies both internationally and domestically on federal, state and local levels. The company strives to set the industry standard by highlighting firearm safety rules to all its customers.

Today, GLOCK, Inc. offers several models of pistols; however, the company has not forgotten its roots. GLOCK continues to manufacture other products that include pistol parts and accessories, magazines, holsters, field knives, entrenching tools, magazine pouches, magazine loaders, night sights, tactical lights and laser sights.

Sport Shooting
Team GLOCK Shooting Squad, the company-sponsored competitive shooting team, travels and competes in world-class competitions across the country and has won numerous championships at all levels of competition. Current team members include Randi Rogers and Tori Nonaka.

The company started the GLOCK Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF), an organization that stages shooting competitions for GLOCK owners. GSSF hosts major indoor and outdoor matches each year, where competitors have an opportunity to win GLOCK pistols, cash prizes and merchandise.

GLOCK Today
In 2011, GLOCK, Inc. celebrated its 25th Anniversary in the United States by opening a new 25,000 sq. ft. facility and two new state-of-the-art shooting ranges at its North American headquarters in Smyrna, Ga. Also in 2011, GLOCK broke ground on a 75,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility on its Smyrna campus.

Other GLOCK subsidiaries include GLOCK Asia Pacific Ltd. (Hong Kong), GLOCK America S.A. (Montevideo, Uruguay) and GLOCK, Dubai. Visit: www.us.glock.com

HuntingLife.com

Lincoln, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Team HuntingLife welcomes Altus Brands as a 2012 sponsor of HuntingLife.com.

HuntingLife.com, now in its fourth year of working with with Altus Brands, is proud to be associated with Cass Creek Outdoors, Pro Ears, Benchmaster Shooting Products, Bughat, Woodland Whisper, Harmon Scents, Heart Stopper Lures and Pro Hood.

“We are proud to work with HuntingLife.com. They have a strong commitment to providing hunting and conservation news and they provide a perfect fit to promote the Altus Brands to their readers, followers and fans,” commented vice president Charles Ricci. “We look forward to our continued sponsorship of Team HuntingLife as we continue to grow.”

“Team HuntingLife is excited to have Altus Brands as a sponsor as we head into 2012. We respect their commitment to youth hunting, conservation and innovation in the industry,” said Kevin Paulson, HuntingLife.com founder and CEO.

“Cass Creek game calls and Pro Ears hearing protection have been an essential part of our hunting arsenal for the last several years.”

About HuntingLife.com
Since 2007, HuntingLife.com has provided world class conservation, hunting and outdoor industry news, hunting gear reviews, hunting podcasts, pro staff journals, hunting resources and a fair chase outfitter directory for hunting outfitters, guides, waterfowl guides, wing shooting lodges and self-guided hunts. Team HuntingLife helps partners grow in the outdoor and hunting industry through its best-in-class marketing and sponsorship opportunities. HuntingLife.com, 2700 Van Dorn Street, Lincoln, NE 68502. For more information visit www.huntinglife.com or call 202-744-5806.

Altus Brands

About Altus Brands, LLC
Since 2008, Altus Brands, LLC has worked with small to mid-sized companies in the hunting, fishing, shooting and outdoor recreation space to unlock their potential for growth through partnerships and acquisitions. Altus Brands owns Cass Creek Outdoors, Pro Ears, Benchmaster Shooting Products, Bughat, Woodland Whisper, Harmon Scents, Heart Stopper Lures and Pro Hood. Altus Brands, LLC, 484 W. Welch Ct., Traverse City, MI 49686. For more information visit www.altusbrands.com or call 800-891-3660.

Nikon Sporting Optics recently presented Greg Rodriguez of Intermedia Outdoors with the Ian McMurchy Award

Nikon Hunting

Melville, NY --(Ammoland.com)- Nikon Sporting Optics recently presented Greg Rodriguez of Intermedia Outdoors with the Ian McMurchy Award, during the 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

The award honors Rodriguez for his outstanding editorial coverage on the outdoors and his dedication to our hunting heritage and shooting sports.

Since 2010, Nikon Sport Optics has recognized an outdoor communicator who best follows in McMurchy’s footsteps of educating readers and helping them discover more enjoyment and success in their sport during the past year by providing them with the Ian McMurchy Award.

“The Ian McMurchy Award has become a prestigious award for Nikon and we take pride in selecting a well-deserving recipient each year,” said Jon LaCorte, senior product marketing manager for Nikon Sport Optics. “We believe that Greg exemplifies the high standards in outdoor communication and education that would make Ian proud. The relationship we have with outdoor communicators, such as Greg, is essential to our success.”

Ian McMurchy was a huge force in educating and entertaining shooters and hunters around the world while teaching them how to enjoy their passion even more. Rodriguez demonstrates that tradition through his work in publications such as Guns & Ammo, Petersen’s Hunting, Shooting Times, and many other popular outdoor magazines and Web sites, as well as his new television show A Rifleman’s Journal airing on the Sportsman’s Channel.

Nikon is thrilled to present him with this year’s Ian McMurchy award.

“I am truly honored to have been selected to receive this award, said Rodriguez. “Ian was such a positive force in our industry and I hope that my work will continue to educate and entertain readers in manner that reflects Ian’s influence.”

In December of 2008, Ian passed away. Known as much for his shooting skill as his hunting ability, he loved every minute spent in the outdoors. Having introduced hundreds of people to shooting more accurately and hunting more successfully, Ian will be long remembered.

Past Ian McMurchy Award recipients:

• 2010—Scott Olmsted (NRA)
• 2011—Andrew McKean (Outdoor Life)

Nikon Inc. is the U.S. distributor of Nikon sports and recreational optics, world-renowned Nikon 35mm cameras, digital cameras, speedlights and accessories, Nikkor lenses and electronic imaging products.

For more information on Nikon’s full line of Riflescopes, Binoculars, Spotting Scopes, Fieldscopes and Laser Rangefinders, please contact: Nikon Sport Optics, 1300 Walt Whitman Rd., Melville, NY 11747-3064, or call 1-800-645-6687. www.nikonhunting.com.

All firearms manufactured, to include firearm frames and receivers that are to be sold, shipped, or otherwise disposed of separately, must be identified by a licensed manufacturer in the manner and with the markings required by 18 U.S.C. 923(i) and 27 CFR 478.92 during the manufacturing process. It is reasonable for a licensed manufacturer to have seven (7) days following the date of completion (to include a firearm in knockdown condition, i.e., complete as to all component parts, or a frame or receiver to be sold, shipped, or disposed of separately) in which to mark a firearm manufactured, and record its identifying information in the manufacturer’s permanent records. A firearm frame or receiver that is not a component part of a complete weapon at the time it is sold, shipped, or otherwise disposed of must be marked with all of the required markings; provided, that an alternate means of identification may be approved (i.e., a “non-marking variance”) under section 478.92(a)(4); provided further, that the model designation and caliber or gauge may be omitted without a variance if that information is unknown at the time the frames or receivers are marked.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- ATF Rul. 2012-1 : The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has received inquiries from manufacturers asking when they must mark the firearms they manufacture.

They ask specifically whether the requirement to record firearms in their records of manufacture within seven days also requires marking within that time period.

Some licensed firearms manufacturers produce and assemble complete firearms within their licensed business premises. Others manufacture only frames or receivers that are not parts of complete weapons when transferred to other licensees for further manufacturing. In some instances, a manufacturer may possess firearm frames or receivers for an extended period of time without selling, shipping, or otherwise disposing of them. Such manufacturers may intend to sell these components as frames or receivers without further manufacturing, or intend to manufacture complete weapons from them in the future.

The Gun Control Act (GCA) at 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3) and its implementing regulation, 27 CFR 478.11, define the term “firearm,” in part, to mean: “any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive,” and includes “the frame or receiver of any such weapon.” The term “firearm frame or receiver” is defined by section 478.11 as “[t]hat part of a firearm which provides housing for the hammer, bolt or breechblock, and firing mechanism, and which is usually threaded at its forward position to receive the barrel.” Under 18 U.S.C.

923(i) and 27 CFR 478.92, licensed manufacturers and licensed importers must “identify, by means of a serial number engraved or cast on the receiver or frame of the weapon, in such manner as the Attorney General shall by regulations prescribe, each firearm imported or manufactured . . . .” Federal regulations at 478.92(a)(1) require manufacturers to identify each firearm by engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise placing certain additional information (the model, caliber/gauge, manufacturer’s name, and place of origin) on the frame, receiver, or barrel, at a minimum depth. Paragraph 478.92(a)(2) specifies that a “firearm frame or receiver that is not a component part of a complete weapon at the time it is sold, shipped, or otherwise disposed of . . . must be identified as required by this section.” As to recordkeeping, section 478.123(a) provides that “[e]ach licensed manufacturer shall record the type, model, caliber or gauge, and serial number of each complete firearm manufactured or otherwise acquired . . . not later than the seventh day following the date such manufacture or acquisition was made.” (emphasis added)

Congress did not specify in section 923(i) a time period for a manufacturer to mark firearms manufactured. However, it is unlikely Congress intended to allow manufacturers to stockpile completed firearms (including finished frames or receivers of such firearms to be sold or shipped separately) without markings for an indefinite period of time. The plain language in section 923(i) requiring that the serial number be “engraved or cast on” the receiver or frame of the firearm demonstrates Congressional intent to require marking as an integral part of the manufacturing process. Otherwise, fully assembled firearms, or finished frames and receivers to be sold, shipped, or disposed of separately – stockpiled indefinitely without required markings – would be susceptible to theft or loss without any means to trace them.

Under the regulations, section 478.92, firearms required to be marked at the time of manufacture include both “complete weapons,” and complete frames or receivers of such weapons that are to be sold, shipped, or otherwise disposed of separately. Because identifying firearms is an integral part of the manufacturing process, and sections 923(i) and 478.92 do not specify a time period in which to identify firearms, licensed manufacturers are required to mark them during the manufacturing process. Reading the marking requirement for complete weapons in section 478.92(a) together with the seven day recordkeeping requirement for complete firearms in section 478.123(a), ATF concludes that it is reasonable for a manufacturer to have seven (7) days following the date of completion (to include a firearm in knockdown condition, i.e., complete as to all component parts, or a frame or receiver to be sold, shipped, or disposed of separately) in which to mark the firearm and record its identifying information in the manufacturer’s permanent records. Further, because firearm frames and receivers to be sold, shipped, or disposed of separately do not have a barrel at the time they are marked, pursuant to 478.92(a)(2), all of the information required by 478.92(a)(1) must be placed on the frame or receiver, unless an alternate means of identification is approved (i.e., a “non-marking variance”) under section 478.92(a)(4). The model designation and the caliber or gauge may be omitted without a variance if that information is unknown at the time the firearm frames or receivers are marked.

Nonetheless, ATF recognizes that a manufacturer may require more than seven days to finish the manufacturing process from beginning to end with the required markings, depending on the nature of the process involved. Some firearms may take more time due to differences in the type and capability of the firearm, availability of materials and components, and complexity of the assembly and finishing processes. ATF also recognizes that the equipment necessary to identify the firearms must be available and in working order. However, once the entire manufacturing process has ended, manufacturers must ensure that the firearms have been marked in the manner required by section 478.92.

To facilitate inspection and ensure that ATF can determine that a licensed manufacturer has not unreasonably held completed firearms (to include finished frames and receivers to be sold, shipped, or disposed of separately) after seven (7) days from the date of completion without their required markings, licensees may take the following steps:

• (1) maintain a copy of the current, active license of all contracted licensees;
• (2) maintain records of firearms production;
• (3) maintain work orders, contracts, and related instructions for services rendered that describe the various firearm manufacturing processes;
• (4) maintain orders for firearm parts that have yet to be received; and (5) maintain invoices to repair non-functioning machines.

Held, all firearms manufactured, to include firearm frames and receivers that are to be sold, shipped, or otherwise disposed of separately, must be identified by a licensed manufacturer in the manner and with the markings required by 18 U.S.C. 923(i) and 27 CFR 478.92 during the manufacturing process.

Held further, it is reasonable for a licensed manufacturer to have seven (7) days following the date of completion (to include a firearm in knockdown condition, i.e., complete as to all component parts, or a frame or receiver to be sold, shipped, or disposed of separately) in which to mark a firearm manufactured, and record its identifying information in the manufacturer’s permanent records.

Held further, a firearm frame or receiver that is not a component part of a complete weapon at the time it is sold, shipped, or otherwise disposed of must be marked with all of the required markings; provided, that an alternate means of identification may be approved (i.e., a “non-marking variance”) under section 478.92(a)(4); provided further, that the model designation and caliber or gauge may be omitted without a variance if that information is unknown at the time the frames or receivers are marked.

This ruling is limited to an interpretation of the requirements imposed upon licensed manufacturers under the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. 921 et. seq., and does not apply to persons making or manufacturing firearms subject to the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. 5801 et. seq. To the extent this ruling may be inconsistent with any prior letter rulings, they are hereby superseded. Date approved: January 12, 2012

Budweiser

ST. LOUIS --(Ammoland.com)- Bill D’Alonzo of Greenville, Del., was named the 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year today at the annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas.

This is the 17th consecutive year Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have recognized an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the outdoors and conservation.

The annual award is part of the Budweiser Outdoors program. This program, which is also supported by matching donations from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, has raised more than $10 million for on-the-ground conservation initiatives.

Throughout the years, the Budweiser Outdoors program has supported organizations – including, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl Foundation and the Quality Deer Management Association – to promote outdoor sports and wildlife conservation.

“Since 1995, the Budweiser Outdoors program has celebrated and supported the passion, dedication and leadership of conservationists across the country,” said Bob Fishbeck, senior manager for the Budweiser brands. “We all have a responsibility to help protect our natural resources and the work being done by Bill and other wildlife advocates is an inspiration for all of us to follow.”

Each year, the Budweiser Conservationists of the Year is selects four finalists from dozens of outstanding nominees, and adults across the country vote for their favorite in an open-ballot process on Budweiser.com.

D’Alonzo has a long history of wildlife and wetland protection efforts. At the age of 14, his passion for hunting drove him to become a member of Ducks Unlimited. Over the years, D’Alonzo’s passion has grown in his roles as a volunteer, national committee member, state treasurer and senior vice president for business planning. Today, his credo of practicing what he preaches continues to drive his commitment to conservation. Whether it is the 20 managed habitats that he established or the hundreds of acres of native grasses, shrubs and small grain crops he’s planted, D’Alonzo’s belief in the power of conservation continues to make an impact across Delaware and beyond. A $50,000 grant from Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will be made to an organization of choosing to support conservation efforts.

Three other dedicated conservationists were selected alongside D’Alonzo as finalists for the award: Fred Bryant of Kingsville, Texas; Don R. Johnson of Festus, Mo. and David Ramsey of Unicoi, Tenn. Each will receive a $5,000 grant from Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to be distributed to wildlife or conservation projects of their choosing.

A nonprofit organization established by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation sustains, restores and enhances the nation’s fish and wildlife. By teaming leadership conservation investments with those of public and private partners, the Foundation maximizes measurable conservation benefits. Since its establishment, the Foundation has awarded 10,800 grants to more than 3,700 organizations in the United States and abroad, while leveraging more than $635 million in federal funds into $1.5 billion for conservation. For more information, visit www.nfwf.org.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.3 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer. Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

Glock Pistols

SMYRNA, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Gaston Glock’s strong belief in giving back was woven into the fabric of GLOCK, Inc. when the United States division of the company was established in 1986.

Ever since, the company has built on its founder’s strong foundation of philanthropy.

In 2011, GLOCK donated more than $2.5M to a variety of non-profit causes across the country.

“GLOCK’s charitable-giving focus is to assist those who put themselves in harm’s way to defend the freedoms that we all currently enjoy,” said Josh Dorsey, GLOCK vice-president.

“It’s with great pleasure that GLOCK is able to make a difference by contributing to a number of local community events across the country, including those that involve children’s charities.”

In addition to numerous local market philanthropic efforts, GLOCK also financially supports these top national organizations:

• Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF): Provides college educations to the surviving children of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel killed in combat or training. Additionally, SOWF provides immediate financial assistance to special operations personnel severely wounded so their loved ones can be bedside during their recovery.
• Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.): Provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal criteria. Furthermore, C.O.P.S. provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors.
• Young Marines: Positively impacts America’s future by providing programs for youth that promote their mental, moral and physical health through teamwork, self-discipline and a drug-free lifestyle. The program strives to instill core values of “Honor, Courage and Commitment” adopted by the Marine Corps to each of their members.
• National Rifle Association (NRA): America’s foremost defender of Second Amendment rights, the NRA has, since its inception, been the premier firearms education organization in the world. In addition, GLOCK, Inc. supports several organizations associated with the National Rifle Association (NRA) such as NRA Whittington Center Operational Costs and NRA Whittington Center Adventure Camp.

National Shooting Sports Foundation

LAS VEGAS --(Ammoland.com)- Energized by unprecedented gun sales nationwide, firearms industry professionals turned out in record numbers to the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), and many made a point of saying “the best is yet to come.”

“It’s a wonderful time to be in our industry,” said Sandy Chisholm of North American Arms, a handgun manufacturer. “We’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm on the part of sellers and buyers, and we see the prospect of a very good year ahead.” Many agreed with that assessment of the market and of the SHOT Show.

The largest trade show of its kind in the world and the fifth largest trade show in Las Vegas, a city of trade shows, the SHOT Show set an overall attendance record of more than 61,000, including new highs for buyers at 36,383 and media at 2,466. Though show organizers deliberately reduced the size of the show to better accommodate attendees at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, still some 1,600 exhibitors filled booth space covering 630,000 net square feet. The show attracted industry professionals from all 50 states and 100 countries.

The SHOT Show is owned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry. Revenues from the show support NSSF’s many programs that carry out its mission of promoting, protecting and preserving hunting and the shooting sports. “The SHOT Show allows NSSF to do many good things for industry, shooting and hunting,” said NSSF President and Steve Sanetti. Added Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer, “We have worked hard to make sure SHOT is a great selling and buying experience, and it has resulted in our best show ever.”

Thanks to Americans’ passion for firearms, the $4 billion firearms and ammunition industry has been a bright spot in the down economy. The industry supports many small businesses and helps preserve the 180,000 jobs associated with the shooting sports. In 2011, company executives saw records set for background checks, a reliable indicator of sales, including the most ever in a single month (December) and single day (Black Friday). Many in the industry believe, however, that Americans’ interest in owning firearms will continue to grow in 2012, fueling their unabashed optimism about the year ahead. Many also said they would not be surprised to see supporters of the Second Amendment react as they did before the last presidential election when their fears over candidates who were unfriendly toward firearms ignited a sales surge.

From the opening bell, buyers filled the aisles to review products, many of them new offerings that will make their way to retail stores during the year. “Traffic is like we’ve never seen it before,” said Mark Malkowski, president of Stag Arms, maker of modern sporting rifles (AR-style rifles), a big seller over the past several years. “Retailers we’ve talked to are expecting a record year.”

One firearms retailer, Todd Vance of Vance Outdoors in Columbus, Ohio, agreed. “We had our best-ever year in 2011, and we’ve started off this year great and expect to be up.” In his store, Vance said buyers are interested in concealable handguns, home-defense firearms, ammunition and tactical rifles, particularly new .22 caliber models.

Another handgun manufacturer, Sig Sauer, reported having its best first day at SHOT since the company began keeping sales records. “The market is stimulated,” said Bud Fini, vice president of marketing, who added that the company’s shooting academy is seeing many new gun owners. “First-time buyers, that’s where the expansion is coming from,” Fini said.

Accessories, from holsters to rifle slings to optics, are an important part of the SHOT Show. “We are selling sights like you can’t believe,” said Aimpoint’s Roger Bell of the company’s pro staff. “We signed up a lot of new dealers, and that says to me the market is expanding.”

In the Mossberg booth, Tom Taylor, vice president of marketing, said, “This is about as much excitement as I’ve seen at a SHOT Show. People are buying optimistically, and we’re going to build optimistically.”

For first-time exhibitors, the SHOT Show can provide a big lift. “When you are a start-up company without a big marketing budget, the SHOT Show helps put you in front of the right audience,” said Jeane Stewart of U.S. RAC, maker of firearm safety products for law enforcement. Stewart said her company great valued the show’s New Products Center.

Any SHOT attendee will tell you the show is more than about selling and buying; it’s a powerful display of industry unity and its resolve to meet any challenge affecting the right to make, sell and own firearms. At the NSSF State of the Industry Dinner, NSSF President Steve Sanetti said, “I have never seen us so unified and united in our purpose.” As evidence, he pointed to NSSF’s fast-growing membership, which now tops 7,000, an all-time high.

More than 2,000 NSSF supporters filled the sold-out hall for the State of the Industry Dinner, which was sponsored by Outdoor Channel and included a review of NSSF’s accomplishment from the past year and entertainment from hugely popular comedian Larry the Cable Guy.

Opportunities abound at the SHOT Show, and some who attend are selling more than products. At South Dakota’s booth, representatives had a goal of convincing manufacturers they should be making products in the state. “Last year South Dakota connected with more than 50 companies. Within four months, two of those companies expanded their operations to South Dakota,” said economic development commissioner J. Pat Costello.

Many awards are presented at the show. NSSF presented Larry Potterfield of Midway USA with its Ken Sedlecky Achievement Award for his generous and longstanding contributions to programs that promote youth target shooting. The Professional Outdoor Media Association and NSSF honored veteran communicator and best-selling author S.P. Fjestad with the prestigious POMA/NSSF Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award. Fjestad publishes “The Blue Book of Gun Values,” a widely consulted database.

The show continues to benefit from the broadbased press contingent that lavishes attention on newly released products. The media, of course, are usually the first to spot celebrities, who this year included American Idol judge and rock star Steven Tyler, and NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann. A big success was SHOT Show Media Day at the Range on the day prior to the show, where credentialed press reviewed and tested products. More than 1,100 press and 100 exhibitors attended Media Day–more than ever before.

NSSF ramped up its use of social media to keep its members and consumers informed about the show, making frequent posts to the SHOT Show Blog and providing Twitter updates that showgoers followed on “Twitterfall” screens placed throughout the venue. An expanded NSSF press room sponsored by Budweiser accommodated the record number of press with free Wi-Fi, a large working press area and other amenities.

In conjunction with the SHOT Show, NSSF sponsored the PGA Charities’ Birdies for the Brave golf tournament that raised funds for injured armed service veterans.

The SHOT Show will return to the Sands Expo & Convention Center next year January 15-18.

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 7,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Winchester Announces 2012 Distributor of the Year

Winchester Ammunition

LAS VEGAS, NV – -(Ammoland.com)- For setting a high standard of service to dealers, solid sales performance and support of the Winchester brand, W.L. Baumler Company was named the 2011 Distributor of the Year by Winchester Ammunition.

The award was presented to W.L. Baumler Company at the 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

“W.L. Baumler Company was a large part our success in 2011 and we’re excited to present them with this award,” said Brett Flaugher, Winchester Ammunition vice president of sales and marketing. “We’re looking forward to continuing a strong partnership with W.L Baumler Company and as we have for many decades, work together to meet the needs of our customers.”

Headquartered in Lorain, Ohio, W.L. Baumler Company was founded in 1946 and has been a valuable distributor for Winchester Ammunition since the early 1960s. The company is a wholesaler of hunting and fishing supplies including firearms, ammunition, rods, reels, lures and more.

Pictured from left to right are Rick Papendick, Winchester Ammunition wholesale distribution manager, Brett Flaugher, Winchester Ammunition vice president of marketing and sales, Jack Baumler, W.L. Baumler Company owner and president, Dennis Prebble, Winchester Ammunition sales representative, Bill Recknagel (W.L. Baumler Company), Tom O’keefe, Winchester Ammunition president.“It means a lot to our company that Winchester Ammunition recognized our work,” said Jack Baumler, W.L. Baumler Company owner and president.

“We receive great feedback on Winchester products. They are a great company to deal with and have been very loyal to W.L. Baumler Company. We owe a great deal of thanks to our customers and manufacturers’ reps for making this award possible.’”

With a company heritage dating back to 1866, Winchester Ammunition was there for the taming of the American West, the Allied Forces’ victory in World War II and through the years, millions of fond memories made in the great outdoors. Known as The American Legend™, Winchester is a global leader in sporting, law enforcement, military and personal defense ammunition production. Winchester continues to raise the bar with new products like Blind Side waterfowl and PDX1Defender personal defense ammunition.

Winchester Announces 2012 Distributor of the Year

For more information about Winchester Ammunition, visit www.winchester.com, or connect with The American Legend on Facebook at Facebook.com/WinchesterAmmunition.

MidwayUSA Wins the Titan Award

Midway USA

Columbia, MO --(Ammoland.com)- The Titan Award, presented by Columbia Business Times (CBT) in Columbia, MO, recognizes educators, philanthropists, financiers, dealmakers and employers who have made a significant difference within their community.

For an employer to be considered a “Titan”, they must both “employ and manage people in an orderly, respectful and mutually beneficial manner, and they strive to ensure a harmonious and productive relationship in the workplace”.

“MidwayUSA was nominated and selected to receive this award by the owners, managers and editors of the CBT, and representatives of the local business community,” says Dave Baugher, Co-Owner of the CBT. “Larry Potterfield has created a “Great Place to Work” at MidwayUSA because he is dedicated to his employees. By creating a positive work environment, offering good benefits and profit sharing, MidwayUSA employees are just as proud of the company’s success as Larry himself.”

Late in 2011, MidwayUSA was also chosen to be one of Columbia’s Best Places to Work. The focus on Employee Satisfaction, the Number Two company goal (right behind Customer Satisfaction), allows the company to create opportunities for improvement for the employees through a key requirements list. Some of these requirements include good salary, job security, good benefits and communication.

“MidwayUSA is fortunate to be full of high-performing, extremely engaged Employees,” says Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA. “At MidwayUSA, Employees are highly valued and treated extremely well. Having great Employees that fit our culture and share our values who perform at such high levels is what makes us so successful. Having a great mission, vision and values and great processes is what provides the framework for our Performance Excellence.”

About MidwayUSA
MidwayUSA (www.midwayusa.com) is a family-owned catalog and internet retailer specializing in Just About Everything for Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing and Hunting. Now celebrating our 35th Anniversary, Larry and Brenda Potterfield turned their passion for shooting sports into a career in 1977 by opening a small retail firearms store that would eventually become MidwayUSA. MidwayUSA is still owned by the Potterfield Family and Customer Satisfaction is still our Number One Goal.

• For more information about MidwayUSA, please visit our website or call 800-243-3220.
• For more information about the Titan Awards and the CBT, visit their website or call 573-499-1830.

Silencerco 5.56 SAKER Suppressor

Silencerco

Las Vegas, NV --(Ammoland.com)- SilencerCo is pleased to announce the launch of a groundbreaking new product at the 2012 Shot Show, the 5.56 SAKER.

The most advanced rifle suppressor on the market also has three incredible new features not seen in the industry today: the MAAD Mount; HOPLON Baffle; and TRIFECTA Flash Hider.

The product was introduced at the 2012 Shot Show in Las Vegas this week to an overwhelming response; it was announced today by Joshua Waldron, CEO of SilencerCo.

The 5.56 SAKER is another “gamechanger” product offered by SilencerCo. As the most advanced rifle suppressor on the market with features never before offered in the industry, the 5.56 SAKER has now set the bar for rifle suppressors. The SAKER has an interchangeable front cap feature for different purposes such as a flash hider. The baffles are made from an exotic material that has never before been used or seen in silencers and is approximately 60% stronger than Inconel.

The SAKER has several patent pending technologies that place this suppressor leagues above its competition. Made for durability, accuracy and function, the SAKER is Superior Silence.

The three incredible new features for the SAKER include:

• MAAD MOUNT – SilencerCo’s “Multiple Accessory Attachment Device (MAAD)” allows you to interchange the SAKER’s mount so that you can attach the SAKER to your preexisting quick detach mount and save hundreds of dollars.
• HOPLON BAFFLE – This patent pending baffle technology protects the SAKER’s baffles from erosion thus increasing its durability. Much as armor on an armored vehicle deflects the debris from an IED, the Hoplon Baffle deflects debris and cuts down on baffle erosion up to 90%.
• TRIFECTA RS FLASH HIDER – The TrifectaRS flash hider is the most advanced quick detach mount on earth. The RS stands for Resonance Suppression which is a patent pending technology that keeps the flash hider from ringing like a tuning fork. The TrifectaRS also allows the SAKER to be attached and detached from the rifle quickly with one hand.

The 5.56 SAKER has an MSRP of $1200 with Mount. All the new SilencerCo and SWR Products can be viewed at the 2012 SHOT show at booth #8403 and 8409.

Silencerco 5.56 SAKER Suppressor

Silencerco 5.56 SAKER Suppressor

About SilencerCo
SilencerCo was formed in 2008 by Joshua Waldron and Jonathon Shults. Waldron and Shults learned that the military released a solicitation stating it wanted all firearms deployed to be silenced. The most common Veterans Administration medical claim is hearing damage/loss due to gun fire. The second most common VA medical claim was PTSD. Tinnitus, which is a ringing in ones ears due to noise induced hearing damage, is a constant reminder of the event which caused the PTSD. If you can stop the ringing, you can more easily rehabilitate the soldier. Silencers protect the hearing of soldiers, which helps them get back into civilian life sooner or be a more effective soldier while deployed. Besides the benefits to soldiers, Waldron and Shults learned of the many benefits of civilian ownership of silencers. Based on 2011 operations, SilencerCo is now the largest silencer manufacturer in the country for civilians and they are continuing to make progress in acquiring military deals. SilencerCo has created 25 jobs and have done so in the hardest economic times our country has seen for a long time.

See also the following links:

• www.silencerco.com
• www.silencersarelegal.com
• www.swrmfg.com (this company was acquired by SilencerCo)
• www.youtube.com/silencerco

NSSF Says 2012 Firearms Sales Outlook Promising after Record-setting Year

National Shooting Sports Foundation

LAS VEGAS. --(Ammoland.com)- Many indicators, including a record-setting 2011, show the firearms industry continues to thrive in a down economy and that the potential exists for another strong sales year in 2012, reports the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry.

NSSF® made the announcement today at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade ShowSM (SHOT Show®), where exhibitors unveiled thousands of new products they hope will excite customers in 2012. The trade show, with an attendance of nearly 60,000, is the largest of its kind in the world.

The $4 billion firearms and ammunition industry stands apart from other industries that are struggling in the slow economy. Demand for guns has continued at a robust pace since late 2008. NSSF estimates the industry is responsible for approximately 180,000 jobs and has impact on the U.S. economy of $28 billion.

Indicators such as background-check statistics, firearms production and importation, firearm-retailer surveys and on-the-ground reports from retailers nationwide reveal that interest in firearm ownership is high. “More and more Americans are choosing to exercise their Second Amendment rights, and they are doing so in a safe and responsible manner,” said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti.
NICS Adjusted

Reports also suggest increased demand for concealed carry permits and for learn-to-shoot seminars such as NSSF’s First Shots program. “We have seen a lot of first-time buyers in our store,” said Joe Keffer, owner of the Sportsman’s Shop in New Holland, Pa. “People want information. They’re interested in instruction.”

One of the best indicators of firearms sales is the FBI’s National Instant Background Check System, which federally licensed firearm retailers use to conduct the mandatory background check on purchasers of new and used firearms. NSSF downwardly adjusts the NICS data by subtracting checks related to non-purchasing activity, such as checks for concealed carry permits, in order to gain a more accurate picture of market activity.

December marked an unprecedented 19th straight month of background check increases when compared to the same period in the previous year. NSSF-adjusted background checks for December totaled more than 1,410,937 (1,854,400 “unadjusted”)–the most ever for any single month. This comes on the heels of the historic “Black Friday” (Nov. 25, 2011) record for the most background checks in a single day–129,166–a 32 percent increase over the previous one-day high.
Firearms and Ammunition Excise Taxes

Another indicator pointing to robust gun sales is the federal excise taxes collected on the sale of new firearms and ammunition, which have risen 48.3 percent over the last five years.

Why are more Americans choosing to own firearms? Reasons range from citizens’ increased awareness of the Second Amendment protecting the individual right to own firearms that was reaffirmed in two recent Supreme Court decisions, to increased interest in personal and home protection that may be due to economic uncertainty, to increased interest in the shooting sports and hunting.

Politics has played a role, too, with a surge in firearms sale beginning in October 2008, in part because supporters of the Second Amendment feared the election of less gun-friendly candidates, including Barack Obama, and new, restrictive gun laws they might advocate. Though such legislation has not happened, industry professionals at the SHOT Show believe a similar reaction this election year is possible that could ignite another surge in firearm sales.

Related to the topic of gun sales is the public’s changing attitude toward ownership. A recent Gallop poll showed a record lack of support for gun control, with only 26 percent of Americans favoring a ban on the possession of handguns. When Gallup first asked Americans this question some 50 years ago, 60 percent favored banning handguns.

As sales climb, recent FBI data shows violent crime continuing to fall in the United States, with homicides dropping out of the top 15 causes of death in the country. The statistics undermine a favorite argument of anti-gun groups that “more guns equal more crime.”

“These statistics vividly demonstrate that the lawful possession and use of firearms by law-abiding Americans does not cause crime,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “There have never been more firearms in civilian possession in the history of the United States, and crime, including homicide, continues to decline throughout the country.”

Whether they own firearms for target shooting, hunting, collecting or personal and home protection, Americans are enthusiastic and protective about guns they own. Several polls indicate Americans’ high interest level for, and increased participation in, the shooting sports.

In 2010, an NSSF/Harris poll showed that 43 percent of respondents, which equates to nearly 98 million people, expressed some level of interest in participating in the shooting sports or hunting.

A 2010 NSSF/Responsive Management study showed that 15 percent of the U.S. population, representing 34.4 million people nationwide, went target shooting in 2009. This number surpassed all previous estimates of annual sport shooting participation. Among the most active participants are those who own a modern sporting rifle (MSR), a best-selling rifle type that is based on the popular AR platform and is the civilian, semiautomatic version of the military’s M16. According to a 2011 NSSF survey, MSR owners go target shooting more often than individuals who own other types of firearms. Twenty-five percent of those surveyed said they shot 1,000 rounds of ammunition in the last 12 months with their MSRs.

As for hunting, the decades-long national decline in hunting license sales has ceased, and more than 20 states have reported increases in hunting licenses sold.

Women, in particular, seem eager to explore firearms ownership. Participation by women increased in both target shooting (46.5 percent) and hunting (36.6 percent) in the last decade, according to the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers. Also, 61 percent of firearm retailers responding to an NSSF survey said they saw an increase in female customers in their stores.

More firearms in civilian possession neither equates to more crime nor to more accidents. NSSF points out that safe and responsible firearms ownership is the norm, not the exception. With an estimated 85 to 90 million firearms owners in the country, accidental firearms fatalities are at a historic low, a level that industry and other concerned groups are working to maintain through such programs as NSSF’s Project ChildSafe, which provides free firearms safety kits to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Polymer Injection Molding Receives US Patent For Decorative Overmolded Gunstocks

Polymer Corporation

Monson MA --(Ammoland.com)- Polymer Injection Molding announced today that the US Patent Office has awarded it U.S. Patent 68,062,736 for overmolding gunstocks coated with a decorative or protective substrate.

Overmolding typically is used to enhance synthetic stocks by molding a soft, rubberlike material to areas of a gunstock that are gripped (forend and pistol grip) by shooters. Overmolding also is used to decorate stocks with contrasting colors and textures.

Overmolded gunstocks are a staple of the higher-end, value-added, synthetic gunstock market. They add value in both form (contrasting materials and color) and function (improved gripping capability). Typically, overmolding material is applied directly to a synthetic stock surface. Applying overmolding to a decorated gunstock (camo, wood grain, etc.) has proven to be extremely difficult and costly and has not been practiced widely. As a result, the value-added, overmolded stock market has been dominated by black, grey, tan or other basic, out-of-the-mold colors.

Polymer’s patented technology changes all that. Overmolding can be applied readily over camo-dipped stocks to produce the ultimate value-added synthetic stock.

According to Polymer Injection Molding President, Jim Ryan, “We’ve been overmolding plastic parts for years. Razor, toothbrush, pen and screwdriver companies all use it to add value. It was a natural for gun manufacturers to get into adding value through overmolding. We did our first overmolded stock for a gun manufacturer over ten years ago. It wasn’t long before everybody wanted to camo and overmold the same stock. That proved to be easier said than done. Masking the overmolded part makes a horrible mess and overmolding directly over camo (without our process) has big adhesion problems. We experimented for a long time before coming up with a process that worked. We overmold over camo day-in and day-out without any problem. It looks great and holds up as well as direct overmolding applications”.

Craig Dougherty, Polymer’s Director of Marketing echoed Ryan’s comments. “The ultimate added value is to decorate with camo and overmold the grip areas with a complementary color. We’ve done a lot of basic black over camo but overmolded tan, grey and green grips really punch it up. Now that our technology is protected, we expect to be doing more variations for our valued customers”.

Polymer is no stranger to adding value to molded gunstocks. It is licensed to apply camo through a dip process and its proprietary ArmorSoft satin protective finish is revolutionizing the non-decorated synthetic stock market. In addition, its breakthroughs in recoil-pad materials and designs are allowing gun companies to enhance perceived value of their products.

As Ryan states “We are not content to simply be molders. We are innovators. Our mission is to save our customers money and valuable time by molding and finishing stocks in as little time as possible. Our industry leading “Mold it, Dip it and Ship it” program is proof positive of how increased efficiencies on our part mean increased profits for our gun company partners”.

In addition to producing gunstocks, recoil pads and other gun components, Polymer Injection Molding produces a range of high quality parts for the defense industry.

Located in Monson MA, Polymer Injection Molding (a.k.a. “Gun Valley Molders) is a Division of Polymer Corporation of Rockland MA. Polymer Corporation specializes in molding, casting and machining precision plastic parts for a variety of industries with demanding applications.

For more information, contact Polymer Injection Molding President, Jim Ryan, at (413) 267-5524 or visit the Polymer website at www.gunvalleymolders.com.

Media Day at the Range, SHOT Show 2012

Guns & Tactics Magazine

Las Vegas, NV --(Ammoland.com)- Guns & Tactics Magazine presents a recap of Media Day at the Range for SHOT Show 2012.

Filmed on location at Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club in Boulder City, Nevada.

Featuring: 5.11 Tactical, Armalite Inc., Beretta USA, Caracal, Core 15, Dodge, EOTech, Franchi, KRISS, Predator Tactical, RAAC Firearms, SAR Arms, SWORD International, Springfield Armory, Steyr Arms, Strike Mark Targets, Surefire, and Sweden Entry Tools.

Starring:

• R. Lee Ermey
• Matt Burkett
• Evan McNamara
• Chris Spears
• Rob Leatham
• Jae Gillentine
• Brian Martin
• Joshua Haarbrink
• Paulo Rubio

To inquire about a video production project for your brand or business, simply send us a message at www.gunsandtactics.com

LaserLyte Founder, Larry Moore, led the way 25 years ago for lasers in the shooting sports industry. The next generation, with Aaron Moore, continues to revolutionize the way customers use lasers for advancing shooting skills and personal protection.

Laserlyte

COTTONWOOD, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- LaserLyte, the industry leader with the smallest lasers for gun sights, laser bore sights and laser training is celebrating 25 years of laser innovation.

Larry Moore started in the firearms/hunting industry over thirty years ago in Arizona. With a passion for the shooting sports and hunting, he started a book publishing business that specialized in survival skills and weapons. Moore also started publishing magazines; several o f which are still selling well on the newsstands and by subscription, such as S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons and Tactics), Turbo and Arizona Hunter and Angler.

Moore, always the intrepid entrepreneur, founded a gun accessory company in 1987 that later became Tac Star Industries, Inc. Under the Tac Star banner, Moore sold gun accessories and designed and produced new products, including the first “laser bore sighter” on the market. In less than ten years with Tac Star continuing to grow, Moore merged with Lyte Optronics and LaserLyte was born.Larry Moore, Founder of LaserLyte

Moore sold LaserLyte and bought it back just a few years later in 2001 for the sole purpose of developing state-of-the-art laser and shooting products. Just a year later, his son, Aaron Moore joined the business as Vice President and Director of Operations. With the junior Moore’s education and experience in business, engineering and international relations now used to drive the business, the senior Moore focused 100% of his attention on designing new cutting-edge laser products for the shooting industry.

From the initial product line-up of laser bore sights, LaserLyte then tackled designing, engineering and producing some of the industry’s first solid-state lasers for firearms and continued to revolutionize the market with the smallest, high performance lasers for rear sights, rail mounts and side mounts for revolvers, semi-auto pistols and rifles. Besides lasers for firearms and laser bore sight s, LaserLyte entered the training realm with the personal Laser Trainer Target system, a very affordable, portable, interactive laser training target. LaserLyte also produced caliber specific cartridge laser trainers that allow the student to use the firearm in realistic shooting drills with or without the LaserLyte Laser Trainer Target system.

In keeping with the forward thinking and visionary marketing of Aaron Moore, LaserLyte developed, with Ka-Bar, a very unique pistol bayonet that attaches to any handgun rail. Whether used for personal defense or just for looks, the popularity of the LaserLyte pistol bayonets continues to grow, as does the line-up, which now includes a variety of pistol bayonets.

LaserLyte has started off their 25th year with a new, larger facility to compensate for their tremendous growth, now and for the future. Both Larry Moore and Aaron Moore already have many new laser concepts on the drawing board and in prototype for release in the next few years. What started out 25 years ago as an entrepreneur’s dream is now a successful shooting industry family business.

For more information, visit www.laserlyte.com and check us out on Facebook.

About LaserLyte
LaserLyte®, the leader in laser technology for over 25 years. Our mission is to heighten the experience of shooting. For additional information about LaserLyte, visit www.laserlyte.com. Keep up to date with LaserLyte on Facebook or Twitter. Visit the LaserLyte YouTube page for all the LaserLyte action.

ATK

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn --(Ammoland.com)-Attendees to the 2012 SHOT Show will find Federal Premium, BLACKHAWK!, Weaver Optics, Champion Targets, RCBS and other leading ATK brands showing off their latest and greatest.

Well-known industry celebrities will frequent the BLACKHAWK! (#14562) and other ATK brands (#14551) booths. Stopping by to meet and greet show goers will be a long line of personalities from exhibition shooting extraordinaire Tom Knapp to the Buck Commanders. SHOT Show attendees can stop by either booth to see the full schedule.

ATK has some of the biggest names in the industry stopping by their booths. The BLACKHAWK! booth (#14562) will feature champion shooter Todd Jarrett and new brand spokeswoman Aysha Webb. A myriad of industry personalities will be in ATK’s Sporting booth (#14551). SHOT Show attendees can find everyone from the Duck Commanders to 3 Gun Nation’s Kurt Miller representing Federal Premium, Champion, Weaver, RCBS and more.

Familiar Faces, New Personalities
As they have for the last several years, Jim Scoutten, Tom Knapp, the Duck Commanders, Buck Commanders and Tim Abell will be representing a variety of brands and shows at SHOT 2012. Show attendees can also get a chance to meet and greet Kurt Miller (3 Gun Nation), Huntley Ritter (The Outlanders) and Randy Newberg (Federal Premium’s On Your Own Adventure).

The full schedule can be found by stopping by either booth.

About ATK Security and Sporting
ATK Security and Sporting, headquartered in Anoka, MN, is a leading technology developer and supplier of ammunition for law enforcement, military and sporting applications; a manufacturer of optics, reloading gear and sport shooting accessories; and a leading producer of tactical accessories. The company serves sport shooting enthusiasts, law enforcement professionals, military and tactical markets worldwide. The group’s products include some of the most widely known and respected brands in the industry, including Federal Premium, CCI, Speer, RCBS, Alliant Powder, Champion, Weaver, Eagle Industries, and BLACKHAWK!.

About ATK
ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 22 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

Gun Talk Radio

MANDEVILLE, LA --(Ammoland.com)-  Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk (R) Radio, the original nationally-syndicated radio talk show about guns and the shooting sports, will be broadcasting from the Crimson Trace booth at the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference (SHOT Show) in Las Vegas, NV this week.

Guests include Kent Thomas from Crimson Trace; Competitive Shooters Rob Leatham for Springfield Armory and Julie Golob for Smith & Wesson; Ruger’s Ken Jorgenson; Mossberg’s Tom Taylor; National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Mark Thomas; Trijicon’s Tom Munson; Winchester Ammunition’s Greg Kosteck; and representatives from the National Firearms Act Trade & Collectors Association and Safari Club International.

Also at SHOT Show this week – bonus podcast interviews with info on all the new products from Springfield Armory, Smith & Wesson, DoubleTap Ammunition, and more! The bonus podcasts can be downloaded at www.guntalk.libsyn.com, via Apple iTunes, and the Gun Talk App for iPhone, Blackberry and Android.

The SHOT Show is the largest trade show for the firearms industry, and is owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. It is one of the first exhibitions every year, and many companies unveil their new and upcoming products at the SHOT Show.

In its 17th year of national syndication, Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio airs live on Sundays from 2PM-5PM Eastern, and runs on more than 130 stations, plus on XM (Ch. 165) Satellite Radio. All Gun Talk shows can be downloaded as podcasts at http://www.guntalk.libsyn.com and Apple iTunes, or through one of the available Apps: the Gun Talk iPhone App, the Blackberry Podcast App, and the Gun Talk App for Android on Amazon. The Gun Talk Minute on XM also airs on XM 165, 166, 168 and Fox Sports every day throughout the week. More information is available at http://www.guntalk.com.

About:
In its 17th year of national syndication, Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio airs live on Sundays from 2PM-5PM Eastern, and runs on more than 130 stations, plus on XM (Ch. 165) Satellite Radio. All Gun Talk shows can be downloaded as podcasts at http://www.guntalk.libsyn.com and Apple iTunes, or through one of the available Apps: the Gun Talk iPhone App, the Blackberry Podcast App, the Android App and the Gun Talk App for Android on Amazon. More information is available at www.guntalk.com.

Swarovski Optik

Cranston, Rhode Island --(Ammoland.com)- SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA LTD, a subsidiary of the Austrian-based company announces that Dean J. Capuano has been promoted to the position of Director of Communications that will report to Albert Wannenmacher, CEO.

Mr. Capuano brings years of experience in the hunting and shooting industry to his new role at SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA.

Dean has been an integral part of the company’s growth over the last 14 years. His background and deep industry experience make him an ideal choice to take the company’s communications to the next level. In his duties as Director, he will oversee all aspects of the company’s communications which include advertising, public relations, trade shows and internal communication as well.

Swarovski Optik's Dean J. Capuano Promoted To Director Of Communications

Dean’s extensive experience in hunting, shooting sports and nature observation coupled with his strong industry relationships and proven experience makes it a natural fit.

“I am honored to be part of such a wonderful company for so many years and to be able to help lead such a great team is exciting for me as we head towards the future,” said Capuano. “SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA has been growing strongly for the past two decades. I will continue to work tirelessly to help our brand stay recognized as the top optics manufacturer in the world. We have many new and exciting products coming to market and I am looking forward to sharing them with our customers.”

Albert Wannenmacher, CEO of SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA said, “A strong brand is like a beacon guiding customers the right way in a crowded market place. Dean does a great job in keeping the light of our brand shining brightly. He promotes his passion for the SWAROVSKI OPTIK brand not only to the market, but contributes his talents together with his people and our sales forces, making it an unbeatable, successful team. I wish Dean much success in his new role and look forward to his creative ideas in future.”

Mr. Capuano started at SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA in April of 1998 and has had many roles over the years which include training of the sales force and over that last few years building the communications team.

Don't Miss Mako Group At SHOT Show 2012

Makosecurity.com

Las Vegas, NV --(Ammoland.com)- Don’t miss The Mako Group’s booth at SHOT Show 2012!

Things you don’t want to miss at the Mako Booth:

Speak with former SEAL Chuck Pfarrer
Former SEAL Team 6 assault element commander Chuck Pfarrer will be in our booth signing copies of his new bestselling book Seal Target Geronimo, the story of the mission to kill Osama bin Laden.

New Combat Reflex Sight
Meprolight will unveil a new MIL-SPEC night vision-compatible reflex sight. Simple, rugged, and affordable, it will be a great choice for law enforcement agencies to extend their budgets.

New Pistol to Carbine (PDW) conversion
See the most advanced pistol-to-carbine conversion system, a totally new version soon to be released for even more pistol models!

New Weapon Accessories
Check out our new rail systems for M240 machine guns, Galil rifles, and HK MP5K submachine guns. Several new foregrips include the new rubber overmolded foregrip and a side-folding grip that clears AK magazines.

Advanced Holsters
Don’t miss the most innovative retention systems in the advanced Front Line holsters, used by the IDF and Israeli law enforcement agencies.

Unveiling New Alexander Arms Rifles
Alexander Arms, home of the .50 Beowulf and 6.5 Grendel, is unveiling new rifles as they expand into additional calibers. See three new Alexander Arms rifles on display in the Mako Group booth.

Krebs AK rifles and Mako AK equipment: The ultimate fighting AKs
AK rifles have seen a sudden increase in popularity; don’t miss our full line of combat-proven AK equipment and three Krebs Custom AK rifles that redefine the fighting AK.

The Mako Group manufactures, markets, and distributes innovative security products for law enforcement, the military, and the shooting market. The company is headquartered in Farmingdale, New York and has offices in Nixa, Missouri; and Anchorage, Alaska. The Mako Group is the sole source North American marketer for four Israeli security products companies – FAB Defense weapon accessories, Front Line holsters, Meprolight Optics, and Sansolo EOD & Breaching devices. For additional Mako Group company and product information visit www.themakogroup.com, call (631) 880-3396, or send an e-mail to info@themakogroup.com