SHOOTING HUNTING OUTDOOR TRADE SHOW 1979–2012

NSSF DAY 4, JANUARY 20, 2012

NEW PRODUCT REPORTS The Daily News of the 2012 Las Vegas SHOT Show Brought to You by the Bonnier Corporation and the NSSF SHOT DAILY hits the floor to find out what’s new in the world of airguns P. 16 and airsoft P. 22

NEWS Answering the Call *CONSERVATIONISTS UNITED IN THEIR CAUSE eventy-five years ago this Field & Stream’s Heroes of month, Ducks Unlimited was Conservation luncheon sheds light S founded by four sportsmen on on the federal fight that lies a mission to save North America’s ahead. SEE PAGE 4 waterfowl populations. The year was 1937, and the odds were against them. *CLASSIC BOOT GIVEN Their plan: restore waterfowl by A MODERN TWIST restoring water to prairie wetlands The iconic Xtratuf rubber boots (despite one of the worst droughts in from Alaska are being updated history), and pay for it with donated with a new version. SEE PAGE 6 dollars (during the Great Depression). To help celebrate the It worked. Today, Ducks Unlimited founding of Ducks *PROIS AWARDS is the largest, most effective wetlands Unlimited 75 years ago, Gear company honors women who and waterfowl conservation group in Winchester Ammo will set the bar higher. SEE PAGE 8 the world. To honor DU’s 75th anni- conduct a raffle of versary, Winchester Ammunition Blind Side ammo. *THE FORGOTTEN presented DU with its Partners in 16-GAUGE Conservation Award at Winchester’s Is one of the best upland game SHOT Show booth earlier this week. Side shotshells and a limited-edition people and partners who made it loads primed for a comeback? In addition, today will be Ducks Ducks Unlimited 75th anniversary possible,” says Dale Hall, CEO of SEE PAGE 12 Unlimited Day at the Winchester art print. The prize drawing will be Ducks Unlimited. “America’s sports- Ammunition booth. Attendees are held at 5 p.m. men and the industries they support encouraged to drop by and enter to “I can’t think of a better way to have always been conservation lead- win five cases of Winchester Blind mark this milestone than with the ers.” Booth #13329.

New Look Duty Belt YSSA Receives Concealed-carry accessories are hot items these days, so much so that some manufacturers have Donation recognized that the look can give away a little too he Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA) received much information. As Bart Looper, who designs a significant donation of firearms from Midway concealed-carry gear for Blade Tech Tactical T USA to raise funds for a new endowment that will Industries says, “If someone can spot concealed- provide loaner equipment for youth shooting programs. carry, then it isn’t really concealed-carry, is it?” The donation totaled nearly 600 firearms from manufac- Good point. But he has one answer—Blade turers like L. C. Smith, Parker, A.H. Fox, and Lefever, says FEATURES Tech’s polymer reinforced gun belt line. YSSA executive director Steve Miller. The guns, which will *KIMBER DONATES “We use a rigid plastic insert sandwiched in be auctioned off over the next three months on GunBroker. $1 MILLION TO USA between two thinner pieces of leather. It has com, have an estimated value of $200,000, Miller adds. SHOOTING TEAM plenty of support for a holster, but bends more “YSSA’s president, Cyndi Flannigan, and I are delighted The company celebrates the mile- easily around your by the scale of this generous donation,” Miller says. stone by presenting a new, unique waist. The result is The proceeds from the auctions will help cover the costs .45 to the team. SEE PAGE 54 a better, less expen- of purchasing new guns that the YSSA loans to youth pro- sive belt—one that grams such as 4-H and Boy *CROSMAN STAYS IN doesn’t advertise Scouts of America. THE USA that you’re carry- “We are proud to partner The airgun maker keeps produc- ing.” SRP: $59. with Midway USA’s owners, tion in its New York facility to Booth #1625. (877- Larry and Brenda Potterfield,” honor its American workforce and 331-5793; blade-tech. Flannigan says. “Their contri- customer base. SEE PAGE 56 com) butions to youth shooting have been remarkable.” *SHOW SCENES Bart Looper, of The YSSA was established SHOT DAILY concludes this year’s Blade Tech Tactical in 2007 with the mission to successful SHOT Show with an Industries, shows help the shooting-sports assortment of celebrity and gear off his concealed- industry identify youth shoot- Larry Potterfield and snapshots taken over the course carry holster belts. ing programs worthy of sup- Cyndi Flannigan work to of the show. SEE PAGE 62 port.—John B. Snow improve youth shooting.

DAY 4, JANUARY 20, 2012 I SHOT BUSINESS DAILY I 1

SBDD412_001.indd 1 1/20/12 9:49 AM news

Field & Stream editor-in-chief Anthony Licata (podium) kicks off the discussion, saying that sportsmen continue to have The Ghost Makes their voices heard in Congress because of their ability to unite for the causes of public access and wildlife conservation. Its Appearance The crossbow is not new technology. It’s been around since the fourth century B.C. But for years in the United States, its use as a hunting imple- ment had been restricted to disabled hunters. No longer. As states look to create more hunting opportu- nities, they’ve looked anew at the crossbow—and they like what they see. In fact, the design has been a boon to aging sportsmen who no longer can use a compound bow. One trend is certain—as more hunters adapt the platform, manufacturers are racing to upgrade their product lines. Case in point: The Ghost 400 Carbonlite, the flagship of the Barnett line. “The Ghost 400 Carbonlite leads the industry with raw power, shooting at lightning speeds of Sportsmen United 400-plus feet per second,” says Barnett brand manager B.J. Wolf. “This bow features our propri- etary New Carbon Riser Technology (CRT), and it for Funding Fight is by far the lightest and strongest in its class. Barnett has the only patent-protected, ultralight, ield & Stream magazine’s Heroes of motivations behind some of the proposed bud- super-strong carbon riser.” Conservation program is veritable proof get cuts? How will the cuts affect the North According to Wolf, the CNC-machined alumi- F that ordinary hunters and fishermen are American model of being able to hunt almost num flight track and the 3.5-pound trigger pull out in the field doing extraordinary things. In anywhere? And what will the future hold for delivers a smooth-shooting experience. In addi- the past seven years, the program has profiled hunters and fishermen? tion, the anti-dry-fire trigger adds safety while 170 outdoorsmen who are working tirelessly to David Ramsey, Field & Stream’s Conservation delivering maximum accuracy downrange. The create, improve, and restore wildlife and habi- Hero of the Year for 2011, said sportsmen’s crossbow is also equipped with an over-molded tat. But more than that, the program has gar- strength in the fight against funding cuts lies in laminated limbs technology that Barnett calls nered a reputation for leading the charge in their numbers. “The key to conservation is part- AVI (Anti-Vibration Isolation). conservation action and awareness. nering among groups, communities, and indi- The Ghost 400 package comes with three On Wednesday, the magazine held a round- viduals,” he said. 22-inch custom carbon arrows by Easton, table discussion with an esteemed panel of Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Barnett’s new Talon crossbow sling, the New experts to open people’s eyes to one of the Associates, said, “As time goes on, things are Carbon Cross three-arrow quiver with Hip attach- timely issues facing all sportsmen—the poten- going to get worse. We’ll see private lands ment, a rope-cocking device, and a premium tial loss of federal funding for habitat protec- developing and denying access. The most paper-sighted illuminated scope. tion and public land access. important reason to be concerned is that our “There was a lot of sweat equity put into bring- “Hunting and fishing are not drains on the livelihoods depend on people allowing us to ing the Ghost 400 to market, but it was a labor of budget—they’re economic drivers that gener- hunt and fish. As hunters and fishermen, we love,” Wolf says. “We believe it will exceed your ate millions of dollars in revenue,” said provide the base—the dollars and cents—for expectations all around.” SRP: $999. Booth Anthony Licata, editor-in-chief of Field & conservation, which is then put into action.” #15522. (800-237-4507; barnettcrossbows) Stream. “But with the economy struggling and Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of a budget crisis in Washington, there are valid Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, questions about whether Americans can contin- spoke about the industry reaction to HR1, the ue to fund some of these programs.” House budget bill that dealt a blow to federal Licata moderated the discussion, and noted conservation programs last February, saying, that protecting wildlife and habitat should be “A lot of us realized we weren’t prepared to one of the industry’s primary tasks. “We’ve deal with what just happened.” seen that conservation programs that help Jeff Trandahl, the executive director and sportsmen are facing cuts that are dispropor- CEO of the National Fish and Wildlife tionate. Eliminating funding could devastate Foundation, was hopeful looking ahead. He hunting land for generations,” he said. noted that sportsmen rallying to form conser- Following Licata’s lead, the discussion tack- vation coalitions, like the one that wrote to led a wide range of questions aimed at modern Speaker of the House John Boehner last year, sportsmen and relevant sporting brands, are proving successful. “The future is about With features like new Carbon Riser Technology including: What can dealers and companies do refining our messages. It’s relationship-based. and a 3.5-pound trigger pull, the Ghost 400 is a to make clients and customers more aware and This is the year we either solidify our position crossbow for the 21st Century. involved in the issues? What are the political for years to come, or fall back.”—John Burgman O tis Technology Announces Sales Awards tis Technology, manufacturer follow-up with all accounts within his well as with Otis personnel,” said of firearms cleaning systems area as well as with representatives of Otis commercial channel manager O and accessories, has named Otis,” said Otis commercial sales Frank Devlin. “They are responsible Joe Crosby, from Ken Jeffries associate Anthony Austin. for expansion within the key accounts Associates, its 2011 Sales Rep of the The 2011 Otis Sales in the Western United States and Year. The manufacturer also gave Jeff Representative Agency of the Year achieved the highest percentage of Robles and Associates its 2011 Sales had a remarkable year of sales growth among all Otis sales agencies Rep Agency of the Year Award. achievements. “Jeff Robles and for the year. For continuously being The various awards from Otis “Joe Crosby took great initiative in Associates has exhibited a high willing to go the extra mile, we are Technology recognize the best in the opening new accounts within his ter- degree of professionalism when pleased to recognize Jeff and his team industry from the past year. ritory and demonstrated consistent interacting with their accounts as with this award.”

4 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012

SBDD412_004.indd 4 1/19/12 6:16 PM news

For Shooting Retailers, NSSF Competition Goes Far s independent gun shop owners consider and determine what it is you offer them that is dif- their competitors, the most common ferent,” says Hall. By maintaining close contacts A approach is to look at area big-box retailers, with his customers and tailoring programs that make Slaton L. White, Editor online businesses, and other local sporting-goods them feel welcome and deliver the help and guid- Margaret M. Nussey, Managing Editor stores. But that isn’t enough, warns Miles Hall. ance they need, Hall is able to consistently adjust his David E. Petzal, Shooting Editor John Burgman, Assistant Editor Hall, the owner of H&H Shooting Sports approach to keep them happy. He even uses images Maribel Martin, Senior Administrative Assistant Complex in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, spoke to captured from the store’s security cameras to analyze James A. Walsh, Art Director retailers yesterday about the importance of prop- consumer traffic patterns in the facility and deter- Justin Appenzeller, Photo Editor erly assessing who their competition really is. Hall mine where customers are spending time in the Judith Weber, Production Manager and his wife began H&H more than 30 years ago. store and what areas are receiving less attention. Contributing editors Today, it is a 71,250-square-foot facility that hous- “The audience is always changing, and if you Larry Ahlman, Barbara Baird, Scott Bestul, es 55 lanes for shooting both firearms and archery, rely on doing things they way you did in the past, Philip Bourjaily, Chris Christian, Christopher Cogley, David Draper, Jock Elliott, Doug Howlett, gunsmith services, a retail area, and a full-service you may find you’re not meeting your consumer’s William F. Kendy, Mark Kayser, Peter B. Mathiesen, café. It is the largest such facility in Oklahoma. expectations,” Hall says. “It’s important to remain Brian McCombie, Tom Mohrhauser, Robert “Our real competitors are the businesses that relevant to them.” Sadowski, Robert F. Staeger, Marilyn Stone take people away from shooting and give them Hall also stressed the importance that social Eric Zinczenko, Vice President, something else to do,” Hall says. Shopping malls, media and message boards play in it all. Group Publisher movie theaters, and even restaurants all must be “You have to pay attention to forums, rating sites, ADVERTISING: 212-779-5509 considered when building a marketing strategy that and sites such as Facebook. Respond to all of the Gregory D. Gatto, Advertising Director will draw more foot traffic to gun retailers’ aisles. comments—especially the negative ones,” he says. Paula Iwanski — Northeast But first, a store or range owner must objective- “It isn’t always comfortable to respond to such Brian Peterson — West Stephen Mitchell — Southeast ly examine his business through the eyes of the comments, but it can be vital to win over consumers Classified: (800-445-2714) Francis McCaffrey consumer, which can be hard to do since many who may have had a justifiably bad experience with Elizabeth A. Burnham, owners often feel they know best. your business. It can also show others that you care Associate Publisher, Marketing & Online Services “You have to focus on the needs of your guests about providing excellent service.”—Doug Howlett Ingrid Reslmaier, Marketing Design Director Business Operations Miles Hall of H&H Tara Bisciello, Business Manager Shooting Sports in CONSUMER MARKETING Oklahoma City, Robert M. Cohn, Consumer Marketing Director Oklahoma, tells an Ray Ward, Senior Planning Manager audience that there’s no time for slowing down Manufacturing Stefanie LaBella, Associate Production Director in the retail world. Laurel Kurnides, Group Production Director Retailers must be in Barbara Taffuri, Production Director constant communica- tion with their custom- The Bonnier Corporation ers, and must be using Jonas Bonnier, Chairman customer trends and Terry Snow, Chief Executive Officer feedback to improve Randall Koubek, Chief Financial Officer Bruno Sousa, Senior Vice President, Digital their business. Gregg Hano, Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales Bruce Miller, Vice President, Consumer Marketing Lisa Earlywine, Vice President, Production John Haskin, Vice President, Digital Sales & Marketing Shawn Larson, Vice President, Information Technology Dean Turcol, Vice President, Corporate Communications John Miller, Brand Director Martin S. Walker, Publishing Consultant Boot Makeover Jeremy Thompson, General Counsel f you’ve watched the reality show category manager footwear of Deadliest Catch, you may have Honeywell Safety Products. “That I noticed that everyone on every said, it’s time to offer a choice of up- boat wears a brown rubber boot to-date materials, but still remain true called Xtratuf, which keeps them to the original design,” says Friedman. glued to the ship in some of the Using a 5mm neoprene shell, the worst weather in the world. new 16-inch Xtratuf II has kept the In Alaska, commercial fisherman traditional Chevron grip sole and the and locals alike have embraced the light cream wrap. Inside, the boots SHOT Business (ISSN 1081-8618) is published January, ­Feb­ruary/March, April/May, June/July, August/September, October/November and Decem- brown Xtratuf rubber boot as a state- are lined with Airmesh for moisture ber by Bonnier Corporation, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5695, and is the official publication of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Flintlock ment of individuality. The shoe is management and warmth, and have a Ridge Office Center, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470 (203-426-1320). Volume 20, issue 1. Copyright © 2012 by the National Shooting Sports Foun- unchanged since its introduction in supportive removable outsole. dation. All rights reserved. Editorial, circulation, production and advertising of- fices are located at 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5695 (212-779-5000). the 1960s, and remains the most pop- The Xtratuf II will ship to retailers Free to qualified subscribers; available to non-qualified subscribers for $25 per year. Single-copy issues are available for $5 each. Send check, payable to ular-selling boot in the state of Alaska. in the spring, and is expected to cap- NSSF, to: SHOT Business, c/o NSSF, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470- 2359. SHOT Business accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts For the first time in almost 40 years, ture the hearts and minds of hunters and photographs. All correspondence should be accompanied by a stamped, Xtratuf has launched a new boot, the and trappers all over the U.S.— not self-addressed envelope. Requests for media kits and advertising information should be directed to Katy Marinaro, Bonnier Corporation, 625 N. Michigan Xtratuf II. “We have no plans to just Alaska. SRP: $149. Booth #10951. Ave., Ste. 1270, Chicago, IL 60611. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY. REPRINTS: Wrights Reprints, 877-652-5295. POSTMASTER: Please send ad- change a product that has reached cult (866-786-2353; xtratufboots.com) dress changes to SHOT Business, P.O. Box 1884, Lowell, MA 01853-9982. status by the residents of Alaska. “The —Peter B. Mathiesen Printed in the USA. For Customer Service and Subscription questions, such as Renewals, Address boots are so beloved that we actually Changes, Email Preferences, Billing and Account Status, go to: shotbusiness.com/ cs. You can also call 386-246-0188 or write to SHOT Business, 2 Park Ave., New receive wedding photos of Alaskans Top: Harry Friedman displays the icon- York, NY 10016 getting married in their Xtratuf ic boot. Bottom: Here comes the bride, For editorial inquiries, visit Venetian Level 3, San Polo boots,” says Harry Friedman, global all dressed in white...and Xtratuff. 3501, in the Sands Expo & Convention Center.

6 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012

SBDD412_006.indd 6 1/19/12 6:24 PM news

2011 Sportsman Vanguard’s Big Choice Awards Move Into Hunting Sportsman Channel announced the winners of its 2011 Sportsman Choice Awards at a reception Wednesday n 1986, an entrepreneur by the name of “We knew that our products needed to per- evening at the 2012 SHOT Show. Winners included Anne Lee hit upon the notion of creat- form well in low-light conditions and in Muddy’s Midwest Whitetail with Bill Winke and Guns & I ing a company that would supply cam- foul weather.” Ammo, hosted by Craig Boddington. In addition, Tom era buffs with high-quality tripods. She As just one example of the built-in quality Taylor (below), co-founder of Honored American secured a manufacturing facility in China that resulted from the company’s research, Veterans Afield (HAVA), accepted the Sportsman of the and then watched as consumers accepted Lamb cites the top-of-the line Endeavor Year award. This award was created to honor members the product. Buoyed by this success, two ED 1042, which was introduced last year. of America’s Armed Forces. years later Vanguard added camera bags and “This product features an ergonomic, open- HAVA was conceived and organized in 2007 by a hard cases to the lineup. By 1992, the com- bridge design for comfortable use, a wide- committee of shooting-sports-industry executives who pany had established an office in the United angle view, BAK-4 roof prisms, an anti- wanted to help disabled combat veterans heal and re- States and had expanded the line to include reflection coating, a large focus adjustment integrate into normal life through participation in out- monopods and ball heads. So, how did this wheel, and long eye relief. The magic door events. photo-video accessory manufacturer end up behind its performance lies in the premium in the hunting business? ED glass, which reduces color dispersion to “In 1997, an American rep who was an provide high-resolution colors and clarity. avid hunter suggested that we get into the And it’s waterproof and fogproof.” outdoors industry,” says Vanguard market- All for an SRP of $569. Even better, the ing executive Jody Lamb. “He told the street price is more like $399. company, ‘You do such a great job with “The challenge for us was to put in those these tripods, you really should be making features, and make the product affordable shooting sticks. You could do a great job for the average hunter,” she says. “A lot of with that. The same goes for your hard the optics out there today are extremely cases for photo gear. You should be making expensive. We wanted to deliver that tech- bow and gun cases.’” nology at a more affordable price point.” Lamb says the company did some market Lamb notes that because Vanguard is not research and decided the outdoors industry as well known as some brands that enjoy the would be a good fit; the following year Vanguard began marketing private-label shooting sticks, tripods, and hard cases. It The top-of-the-line Endeavor 825 was a big move. Had the company read the spotting scope sits on an Alta 263AT Prois Awards Give Nod market correctly? tripod fitted with the innovative “Fortunately, we did very well very quick- GH-100 GPR (Grip, Position, Release). to Women Shooters ly,” Lamb says. “Even today, our shooting n Tuesday afternoon, SHOT Show attendees made their sticks continue to sell well because we are way to the Prois Hunting and Field Apparel booth, committed to creating innovative products.” O where the Colorado-based manufacturer of women’s By 1999, Vanguard led the bow and fire- hunting clothing offered a sneak peak at their newest gear, and arms case market, and increased its footprint announced the grand prize winner of the 2011 Prois Awards. in this niche when it introduced Winchester- branded cases. It had also created brand loy- The 2011 winner was choice in that regard,” said alty among hunters who were using Vanguard Andrea Fisher, a hunter from Kirstie Pike, CEO of Prois. pivot bipods. Another company might have Hudson, Massachusetts. The More than 70 women sub- rested on its laurels, but Lee’s entrepreneurial annual Prois Awards recognize mitted applications from all spirit sensed another opportunity—sporting “the most hardcore female over the country. The applica- optics. hunters,” and provide the win- tions were then reviewed by a “Certainly one of the most important ner with the hunt of a life- panel of judges, who whittled tools that a hunter can have is optics,” says time—elk, mule deer, whitetail, the pool down to 12 women. Lamb. “So we decided to invest in a multi- and wolf in the Canadian Finally, online voters chose million-dollar state-of-the-art optical- Rocky Mountains, as well as a Fisher as the winner. design facility and bring in an expert opti- robust gear package from Prois “The caliber of women who cal-engineering design team.” and a number of other brands. submitted applications was So far so good, but then Vanguard “We wanted this year’s award incredible,” said Pike. “We showed it truly understood the mind of the to incorporate conservation were all really happy with the American hunter. luxury of multi-million-dollar marketing efforts, as well as education and way the whole thing turned “I think the most important thing we did budgets, the company is able to offer its community involvement, and out.” Booth 10223. (970-641- was to put together a sales team of hunt- optics at a more affordable price. That’s also Andrea Fisher was a great 3355; proishunting.com) ers—North American hunters—who are the reason Vanguard relies so heavily on involved in product development. I think social media and its pro staff to help get the that gives us a competitive advantage, word out. because these are lifelong hunters who One big concern for independent retailers know what works and what doesn’t. And is the long delivery time (as much as 120 because they know what the demand is, days) for imports. Lamb says that because they can help us create what’s needed to sat- Vanguard is the manufacturer, they are able isfy that demand.” to control quality and ensure reasonable Lee and her team also understood that delivery times, typically within 60 days, to Vanguard’s long-term success rested on its their Michigan office. Vanguard maintains hard-won reputation for quality. The last stocks of many of its products—especially thing the manufacturer wanted was to be its optics—so delivery to dealers is fast. perceived as just another low-cost, low- “We know it’s important to get our prod- quality Asian import. ucts to the dealers as quickly as possible,” “We spent several years determining what she says. I don’t think any dealer would dis- Prois 2011 grand-prize-winner Andrea Fisher (standing, third from kind of glass and technology were needed to agree. Booth #14825. (800-875-3322; left) with members of the Prois staff. meet the needs of hunters,” says Lamb. vanguardworld.com) —Slaton L. White

8 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012

SBDD412_008.indd 8 1/19/12 6:30 PM news

New Beginning for Kids & Clays he Kids & Clays Foundation is entering cally ill children will be positively impacted by its 14th year of hosting shooting-sports the industry’s generosity.” T events to benefit Ronald McDonald Kim Rhode, Olympian and the official Houses across the nation. In that time, it has spokesperson for the Kids & Clays Foundation, helped generate more than $8 million for says, “The outdoor sports are about the kids Ronald McDonald House Charities. With and family, so it is only natural that I support more than 15 additional Ronald McDonald the Kids & Clays Foundation.” Houses requesting participation in the Kids & Rhode recently qualified for her fifth Clays program, the need to grow the founda- Olympic competition. She took gold at her tion was evident, so a new Board of Directors first Olympics, in 1996, and has won a medal in was formed and a full-time executive director every Game since then. As a measure of her was hired in 2011. Glenn Lubeznik, founder true greatness, when her event, double trap, and president of Kids & Clays Foundation, was eliminated, she switched to skeet—and still says, “We are so appreciative of the incredible won. If she wins another medal in London, support that we have received from the shoot- she’ll be the first American to have won five Left to right: Jennifer Horne, executive director of Kids & ing industry, and hope to continue to grow our medals in an individual sport in five Olympics. Clays Foundation; Glenn Lubeznik, founder and president partnerships so that even more families of criti- Booth #L336. (kidsandclays.com) of Kids & Clays; and Olympic shooter Kim Rhode.

Target Communications Re- ceives 2012 Cabela’s Lifetime Business Achievement Award Glenn Helgeland, founder of Target Communications, which was recently acquired by Bonnier Corporation (publisher of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life), was honored yesterday with the 2012 Cabela’s Lifetime Business Achievement Award. The award was accepted by Glenn Helgeland and his spouse, Judy, and was presented by Tommy Millner, president of Cabela’s Inc.; Mike Callahan, president of Aspen Partners and chairman of the Outdoor Business Council; and Bud Pidgeon, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) president. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its Outdoor Business Council created the award in 2006 to honor the Cabela family’s dedication to protecting outdoor sports, including hunting, fishing, Nikon’s Jon LaCorte presents Greg Rodriguez (right) with the Ian McMurchy and trapping. It is presented Award for outstanding editorial coverage of the outdoors. to companies that demon- strate the same passion and commitment to protecting Rodriguez Receives America’s outdoor heritage as the Cabela family has shown. Nikon Honor “This is our way of honor- ikon Sporting Optics recently communication and education that ing the Cabela family and presented Greg Rodriguez of would make Ian proud. The relation- other leaders, such as Target N Intermedia Outdoors with ship we have with outdoors commu- Communications, in the out- the Ian McMurchy Award at the nicators such as Greg is essential to door business community 2012 SHOT Show. The award hon- our success.” for their efforts to defend ors Rodriguez for his outstanding The late Ian McMurchy was a our rights,” said Pidgeon. editorial coverage on the outdoors huge force in educating and enter- Target Communications and his dedication to our hunting taining shooters and hunters around was founded in 1980 by heritage and shooting sports. the world, while teaching them how Glenn and Judy Helgeland Since 2010, Nikon Sport Optics has to enjoy their passion even more. and has produced numerous recognized an outdoors communica- Greg demonstrates that tradition hunting-focused publica- The 2012 Cabela’s Lifetime Business tor who best follows in McMurchy’s through his work in publications tions as well as creating the Achievement Award was presented to footsteps of educating readers and such as Guns & Ammo, Petersen’s four largest deer and turkey Glenn Helgeland on Thursday. helping them discover more enjoy- Hunting, Shooting Times, and many expos in the U.S. These ment and success in their sport during other popular outdoors magazines sportsmen’s shows are widely recognized for attracting large crowds the past year by providing them with and websites, as well as his new tele- of enthusiastic hunters. Helgeland has also been a prolific outdoors the Ian McMurchy Award. vision show, A Rifleman’s Journal, air- writer, with more than 21 books to his credit, including some of the “The Ian McMurchy Award has ing on the Sportsman’s Channel. most recognized titles in the archery industry. Helgeland is a charter become a prestigious award for “I am truly honored to have been member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association and is the Nikon, and we take pride in selecting selected to receive this award,” said founding editor of Archery Business magazine. a well-deserving recipient each year,” Rodriguez. “Ian was such a positive For years, Target Communication has been a major supporter of con- said Jon LaCorte, senior product force in our industry, and I hope that servation. Its support of USSA’s Outdoor Business Council, a coalition marketing manager for Nikon Sport my work will continue to educate of businesses dedicated to protecting outdoor traditions, has made a Optics. “We believe that Greg exem- and entertain readers in a manner large impact on hunting and shooting programs from coast to coast. plifies the high standards in outdoors that reflects his influence.”

10 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012

SBDD412_010.indd 10 1/19/12 3:23 PM NEWS

The Forgotten 16 When a hunter requires do-every- thing versatility Why this neglected gauge is the from a shotgun, the 16-gauge fi nest choice for upland birds really shines. By John M. Taylor hat is the perfect upland gun? Is it a 12-gauge, a 20-gauge, or a 28? All good choices, but the truth is that Wit’s the nearly forgotten 16-gauge—with its 1-ounce load, light weight, and good balance—that is seemingly purpose- built for upland hunting.

Using W. W. Greener’s square- guns. Time was when a 3-inch load theory—whereby the width of 16-gauge was discussed, but it proved an ideal load’s shot charge equals the a bad idea ballistically, and the market diameter of the bore—the 16’s .662 demand wasn’t there. Its extra-long bore and 1 ounce of shot are a per- shot column didn’t perform well, so fect fit. That combination leads to gun makers decided to keep the 16 in excellent patterns coupled with plen- balance with its square, 1-ounce load. ty of shot to bag any upland bird, from bobwhite to pheasant. Now add a lightweight but well-balanced shot- Bags Everything gun built on a true 16- or 20-gauge My first shotgun was a 16-gauge action that makes carrying easy and, Winchester Model 12. Concurrent at the flush, points like a magic with my new/used shotgun came the wand, and you have the perfect bird “short magnum,” which meant cram- gun. Despite this evidence, the 16 ming an extra bit of shot— 1 ¼ ounc- has been on life support for decades. es—into a 2 ¾-inch hull to “extend the range.” I never did any real pat- terning with the short magnum in Thin Pickings my Model 12; my father had lived Skeet is credited with keeping the through the Great Depression and 28-gauge alive, and it’s a good thing didn’t countenance shooting at any- it did, because hunters have recently thing other than game. So testing recognized the charm of the 28, giv- was limited to a shot at a page of ing it an advantage the 16 hasn’t had. newspaper, and I don’t recall the Part of the 16’s misfortune is the result. I shot lots of cottontails, paltry menu of available loads. Lead squirrels, pheasants, and ducks with bigger-is-better philosophy, the What the future holds for the field loads are available in Nos. 4, 6, those short magnums, and learned to 16-gauge strikes down that idea every 16-gauge is hard to tell. I suspect 1 7 ⁄2, and 8, and non-lead loads come deal with the heavy recoil. Shooting time someone takes one into the field. it will continue to limp along unher- in Nos. 2 and 4 steel. Alternative was much more pleasant with Center a cock pheasant in its 1-ounce alded until, like slim neckties, bell- nontoxic pellets, such as Kent’s 1-ounce field loads. pattern, and the bird drops just as bottoms, and leisure suits, it will Tungsten Matrix and Hevi-Shot’s dead as if hit with a 3 ½-inch magnum. someday see a resurgence in interest Classic Doubles, provide lead-equiva- Yet the 16 is light enough to carry all and perhaps return to prominence as lent density (10.4 gr/cc) in shot suffi- Future Prospects day and balances with the best of the king of the grouse woods and ciently soft to be used in classic shot- Even though our society embraces the them. quail thickets. Current 16s: Options for Today’s Hunters

Today’s Guns: Browning currently makes sev- Spain and Italy. AyA USA and Jack Rowe barrels selected to match the action and over- eral models of its excellent Citori over/under in import AyAs in 16, so the new-gun cupboard all balance of the gun, producing a sleek, fine- 16-gauge, and for pump-gun aficionados, the isn’t exactly bare. handling shotgun for the uplands. excellent Browning bottom-ejecting BPS is Vintage Doubles: At one time the 16 was Sweet 16: Nearly as appealing as these dou- catalogued in two models. The Citoris favor widely used in the South for quail, and in the bles was the Browning Sweet 16 semi-auto- light upland models such as the Feather Northeast many a ruffed grouse and woodcock matic. Made on their own 16-gauge-size Lightning and Feather Superlight. Tony fell to the 16. Midwesterners used it to put lots actions, the Sweet 16 and regular 16 Auto-5 Galazan’s Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing of cottontails in their bags. Sleek doubles by were beloved by their owners. (Browning’s Co. offers its wonderful RBL side-by-side in Parker, Fox, L.C. Smith, Ithaca, and others, with Auto-5 20-gauge was also made on this 16-gauge with many options. The Italian firm a bored or improved cylinder in the right barrel action, while today its 16-gauge BPS pump is Fausti, run by the three Fausti sisters, manu- and modified in the left, were the foremost made on a 20-gauge action.) In addition, factures 16s and now has an office in quail and grouse guns in America. What made Winchester, Remington, and others made Fredericksburg, Virginia. Griffin & Howe, now in these doubles so appealing was that they were 16-gauge repeaters through the 1960s, when Bernardsville, New Jersey, imports 16s from made on an action sized to the gauge, with the hunter interest waned.

New 16-gauge shotguns come in both custom and factory configura- tions. The Fausti Caledon (shown here) is a factory-made over/under from Italy that lists for $2,750.

12 I SHOT BUSINESS DAILY I DAY 4, JANUARY 20, 2012

SBDD412_012.indd 12 1/19/12 3:22 PM news

mandarinoriental.com

trip 15. Tableau Cuisine: American, French advisor Restaurants Price Range: $25–$35 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South in Las Vegas 702-770-9966 top 20 wynnlasvegas.com

1. Roy’s 129 E. Fremont St. 10. Society Cafe Cuisine: Seafood 702-385-7111 Cuisine: Continental 16. Addiction Price Range: under $80 goldennugget.com Encore 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South Cuisine: American, Contemporary 620 E. Flamingo Rd. 702-248-3463 Price Range: $29–$31 702-691-2053 eiffeltowerrestaurant.com 455 East Harmon roysrestaurant.com 6. Le Cirque (Bellagio) 702-369-5400 Cuisine: Belgian, French rumorhotel.com Price Range: $25–$100 11. Hugo’s Cellar 2. Off the Strip—Just 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South Cuisine: American, International Real Food 877-234-6358 Price Range: $21–$100 17. Del Frisco’s Cuisine: American 202 Fremont St. Cuisine: American Steakhouse Price Range: $15–$20 702-385-401 Price Range: $41–$80 10670 Southern Highlands Pky. 7. Mon Ami at Paris Las hugoscellar.com 3925 Paradise Rd. 702-202-2448 Vegas 702-796-0063 offthestriplvn.com Cuisine: French delfriscos.com Price Range: $21–$80 12. Biscayne Steak, Sea, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South Wine 3. The Cheesecake 702-944-4224 Cuisine: Seafood, Steakhouse 18. Lotus of SIAM Factory monamigabi.com Price Range: $50 Cuisine: Asian, Thai Cuisine: American, Eclectic 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South Price Range: $20 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702-739-2222 953 E. Sahara Ave. Caesars Palace 8. In-N-Out Burger troplv.com/dining/biscayne 702-735-3033 702-792-6888 Cuisine: American saipinchutima.com thecheesecakefactory.com Price Range: $5-$10 4888 Dean Martin Dr. 13. Jamm’s Restaurant in-n-out.com Cuisine: American, Coffee Shop 19. Maggiano’s 4. Envy Steakhouse and Price Range: Under $20 Cuisine: Italian Lounge at the 1029 S. Rainbow Rd. Price Range: $40–$60 Renaissance 9. Eiffel Tower 702-877-0768 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South Cuisine: American, Seafood Restaurant at Paris jammsrestaurant.com 702-732-2550 Price Range: $40–$80 Las Vegas maggianos.com 3400 Paradise Rd. Cuisine: French 702-784-5716 Price Range: $41–$80 14. Mandarin Bar 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South Cuisine: Bar 20. Grand Lux Café 5. Vic & Anthony’s 702-948-6937 Price Range: $30 Cuisine: American, Casual Steakhouse eiffeltowerrestaurant.com 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South 3255 Las Vegas Blvd. South Cuisine: American, Seafood, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel #1580 (at the Palazzo) Steakhouse 888-881-9367 702-733-7411 Price Range: $30–$80 grandluxcafe.com

* Other Nssf shot Locations Services NSSF Seminars will be held on show Facilities and services to help make Venetian Level 4. Its Primary Office is located in Room 305 of Sands, 2012 the most of the SHOT Show Level 1, and its booth can be found on Sands Level 2 (#L221), in the * Coat Check * My Show Planner * Sales Office Lobby next to Registration. Sands Level 1, inside taxi lane Product Locators Venetian Level 1, Lobby (next to the Conveniently located at all 13 New-Product Center) * Safety Advisers * Exhibits Information Counters throughout Sands Level 1, Room 404 The Exhibits are located in the the Show. * Security Sands Expo on Levels 1 and 2, and Command Post * Show Office in all Venetian Ballrooms on Levels * Shot Show Sands Level 1, Room 302 Sands Level 1, Room 304 1 and 2. NEW this year! Industry University Friends booths are on Venetian Venetian Level 4, Lando * Nssf Member * Shuttle Bus Level 3. (January 16 only) Business Center Pick-up and drop-off is at Venetian Venetian Level 3, Lido Ballroom Level 1 * Overnight Storage * Shipping Services Sands Level 1, Room 302; Level 2, The Ship-A-Box program is once * Nssf Friends * Show Hours Hall D, front of 16,000 Aisle, and again offering its services and Meeting Room January 17–19, 8:30 a.m. to Bassano 2801–2802 can be found at the SES Service Venetian Level 2, Bassano 2803 5:30 p.m. Desk Window on Level 1 and also in January 20, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. * First-Aid Station the Venetian Corridor on Level 2. * Press Room The Law Enforcement ballroom Sands Level 1, near Room 401. Venetian Level 3, Murano Ballroom. and meeting rooms on Levels 1 and In case of medical emergency while * New-Product All members of the press must be 2 open at 8:00 a.m. Booth numbers at the Show, call 702-733-5195 Center registered—registration takes place affected are: 5,000–8,700 and Venetian Level 1, Lobby outside the press room. Booths 20,000–28,000.

14 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 products airguns 2012

Daystate: The The Next Level MK4 Panther is a highly accurate Innovations are pushing airguns target rifle that utilizes a com- into new territory By Jock Elliot puterized air- management irguns can offer new shooting and hunting venues for system to your customers while boosting your profits. They are achieve consis- A legal to shoot in many places where you cannot shoot tent velocities. It firearms, are kind to the wallet on a per-shot basis, often deliver can be used as a astonishing accuracy, and are enjoyable to shoot for everyone 10-shot repeater from the experienced marksman to the greenest youngster. or a single-shot, Here’s what’s new for 2012. and comes with a three-year warranty. Crosman able shoulder stock benefits shooters Corporation of all sizes. The M417 comes Crosman Corporation, long known equipped with a windage-adjustable for innovation and quality in products dual-aperture flip rear sight and an for the shooting sports, is introducing elevation-adjustable front sight, both a new Benjamin break-barrel pistol. easily removed to allow for a scope, The .177-caliber single-shot pistol is red dot, flashlight, or laser. For added powered by Crosman Nitro Piston convenience, a sight adjustment tool technology. Remarkably quiet, the and Firepow’r pellet clip are stored in new Benjamin pistol achieves veloci- the magazine for easy access. ties of up to 500 feet per second (fps), The BB reservoir is located on the features a rifled steel barrel, and is side of the receiver and holds up to equipped with a cocking aid and an 350 BBs. An 18-shot internal track ergonomic, all-weather ambidextrous feeds BBs into the action. Using pel- grip with finger grooves for added lets, the precision-rifled steel barrel 3 stability and comfort. The /8-inch consistently delivers accurate groups. grooved, dovetail receiver is ready for The M417 offers velocities of up to mounting optics, or use the hooded, 660 fps with BBs and 625 fps with fiber-optic front sight and adjustable 7.9-grain .177-caliber pellets. The rear sight included on the pistol. multiple pump action gives shooters The new M417 pneumatic air rifle, the option to shoot farther and hit assembled in the USA, shoots both harder. SRP: $119.

.177 pellets and BBs. The multi-pump The new Crosman C-TT is a CO2- air rifle features a textured polymer powered .177-caliber semi-automatic stock, forearm, and receiver. The vari- BB repeater air pistol styled after a able pump action is easy to use for World War II–era Russian service right- and lefthanders, and the adjust- handgun. Adding to the realism of the BKL Technologies BKL Technologies, which bills itself as the Rimfire and Airgun Mount Specialist, is expanding the world’s largest selection of rimfire and airgun dovetail-mounting solutions to include an Adjustable Scope Mount System. Featuring BKL’s patented Auto-Centering and Clamp Spreading technology, this mount is ideal for rifles that need addi- tional scope elevation adjustment and for those shooters trying to keep their crosshairs optically centered in the scope tube. The BKL adjustable-mount system is a significant improvement over traditional adjustable-scope mounts available on the market today; this design incorporates side rails for mounting additional shooting accessories, a lower profile than usually achievable in an adjustable mount, 2.5 inches of clamping length with six clamping screws, and availability for 1-inch or 30mm scope tubes. SRP: $75. Booth #2036. (877-247-4867; bkltech.com)

BK L’s Adjustable Scope Mount System helps keep the crosshairs centered to maximize precision.

16 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 products

FX: The Gladiator Mk II’s new tactical stock is more robust and better-looking, and has an adjustable butt- plate. The air rifle comes with a 12-shot magazine.

C-TT is its generous weight and the during filling and an air filter contain- a shooter the ability to adjust the fir- FX all-metal body. The 18-round mag ing a color-changing desiccant protect ing sensation to his or her liking. The Gladiator Mk II incorporates a drops at the push of a button for the gun while it is being charged. The This award-winning rifle, which refined breech block with an air-con- quick reloading. This semi-automatic pump features a wide footplate for includes a three-year warranty, can be trol power adjuster that has three repeater is powered by a Powerlet easy pumping, and weighs less than used as a 10-shot repeater or single- precise levels: 12, 20, and 33 foot-

12-gram CO2 cartridge. It features a 6 pounds. SRP: $299. Booth #13940. shot for match use. pounds. New valving gives more comfortable polymer-grip alloy body (800-724-7486; crosman.com) The new Daystate Wolverine is a accurate shots per fill, and a new and is equipped with a front blade and major leap forward for the English sound-eliminating shroud system rear notch sight. The C-TT holds up gunmaker. The Wolverine has one of produces a nearly silent report. Dual to 18 4.5mm BBs. SRP: $99.99. Daystate LTD the finest breech block systems ever front and rear air supplies provide Crosman is also introducing a new, New for Daystate in 2012 is the MK4 made for an air rifle, and includes a 100-plus shots out of the smooth- patent-pending Benjamin high-pres- Panther. This highly accurate target patented magazine indexing and mas- twist barrel that will give .5-inch sure hand pump, the new Benjamin rifle is made from the very finest sive bolt for accuracy and strength. 50-yard groups. A 12-shot magazine Turbo Aire. It provides up to 3,000 components and combines computer- Harper patent valving and match is standard, and the rifle can also be pounds per square inch and is ideal ized air management systems for barrel produce extreme long-range used as a single-shot. for pre-charged pneumatic airguns. super-consistent velocity, a German accuracy and power. The finest The Verminator 2 sports all the Thanks to its patent-pending design, match barrel for impressive accuracy, Italian stock is standard on this new new refinements of the Gladiator in the amount of exertion required to and a patented Italian-made adjust- platform for Daystate. The a small package; at 33 inches, it’s a pump has been reduced by nearly 40 able target stock for the ultimate in Wolverine has been in development full 11 inches shorter, and weighs less percent. A moisture trap that sepa- comfort. The Panther incorporates for three years. Booth #13707c. than 6 pounds. The new Royale Mk rates water from the compressed air recoil-reduction technology that gives (480-461-1113; airgunsofarizona.com) II is the flagship of the FX line, and products

includes heavy-duty valving for high- In addition to that, the air rifle fea- 1-inch integral main tube that is each direction. The sight is complete er power and high performance, tures a green, all-weather synthetic forged and precision-machined from with integral quick-detach base for along with a smooth twist barrel, an stock with rubber inserts, a new SWA lightweight, high-strength 6061 T6 quick, tool-free mounting and release upgraded 12-shot magazine, and an recoil pad, and a Gamo 4x32 scope. aircraft-grade aluminum alloy with on Picatinny/Weaver rails. Flip-open upgraded sound-suppression system. PBA Platinum pellets are included. fine matte black anodizing for long- lens caps are included. It comes with a FX is also introducing a new revo- SRP: $269.95. term wear resistance. Based on two-year warranty. lutionary caliber: the .30-caliber, The Hunter SuperSport combines Leapers’ unique True Strength (TS) The upgraded UTG 3X magnifier 47-grain Big Boar pellet. This pellet a black all-weather synthetic stock platform, the scope has a spherical comes with a fast-focus eyepiece with is built to satisfy the demands of with an adjustable cheekpiece, the structure inside for connecting the dioptric adjustment from -1 to +1 hunters and long-range target shoot- SWA recoil pad and SAT trigger, and inner tube to the main tube for accu- diopters and has a 9-degree field of ers, and will be offered for use in the a 3–9x40 AO, enabling the shooter to rate and smooth windage and eleva- view. The lenses are precision new .30 FX Royale and Gladiator have excellent precision when shoot- tion adjustment and reliable zero ground and multi-coated for maxi- rifles. Preliminary performance fig- ing to targets or hunting. This air holding. This design has been exten- mum light transmission. The fog- ures show up to 100 foot-pounds of rifle has a velocity of up to 1,250 fps sively tested to hold the most punish- proof, rainproof unit comes with sep- energy with flat trajectory. The shot with PBA Platinum. It includes the ing shock and vibration from airgun arate quick-detach mounting base count out of the Royale 500 is esti- Red Fire and also the PBA Platinum and firearm recoil. The scope is and riser. The magnifier can be used mated at 35 to 40 consistently accu- ammunition. SRP: $249.95. nitrogen-filled and fully sealed to alone as a handheld monocular or on rate shots. Booth #13707c. (480-461- The Camo Rocket IGT 1300 also make it fogproof and rainproof. a firearm as a magnifier co-witness- 1113; airgunsofarizona.com) utilizes IGT, whch allows the shooter The scope features a range-esti- ing with dot sights. Booths #2146 & to have more terminal velocity (up to mating mil-dot reticle and side wheel #2246. (734-542-1500; leapers.com) 1,300 fps with PBA Platinum), less adjustable red/green illumination. It GAMO vibration, more consistent power, includes zero lockable/resettable The Bull Whisper Extreme just and a constant and smooth cocking (ZL/R) windage and elevation turrets Umarex USA could be the ultimate varmint-hunt- effort. The Camo Rocket IGT incor- for tool-free sight-in and convenient Umarex USA is adding three new ing air rifle. It features a new power porates a Realtree camo all-weather re-zeroing operations, and comes spring-powered pellet guns and sev-

Leapers: Offering a variety of new optics for airguns this year, Leapers’ new with the European-styled fast-focus eral BB pistols to its non-powder products include (from left) the new UTG 4-inch Compact Red/Green Circle eyepiece with dioptric correction lineup. New in Umarex’s line of Dot Sight, the UTG 3–9x32mm compact scope, and the UTG 3X magnifier. from -2 to +2 diopters. It has an Ruger air rifles is the .22-caliber adjustable front objective that can be Ruger Air Magnum. This single- plant that gives it more power and stock with the SWA recoil pad. This set from 3 yards to infinity. The stroke break-barrel rifle packs a terminal penetration than standard air rifle features a Gamo 4x32 scope internal design allows for at least 50 punch at 1,200 fps with an alloy pel- air rifles, shooting at up to 1,400 fps and includes PBA Platinum ammuni- MOA of adjustment space to each let. SRP: $230. in .177 and 1,000 fps in .22 with PBA tion. SRP: $239.95. direction, which guarantees that with Also under the Ruger badge is the Bullet ammunition. It also features a The new Michael Waddell’s Bone this scope, the user will not only see Ruger Mark I break-barrel pellet pis- crisp and creep-free trigger, and new Collector TV lead pellet features a clearly as close as 3 yards but also tol. At 600 fps, with an alloy pellet, Bull Whisper noise-dampening tech- rounded tip and a grooved skirt, mak- sight in at 3 yards. Other features this pistol is among the top speed nology, integrated in the bull barrel ing it more aerodynamic and good for include a broadband multi-coated producers in pellet pistols. It comes (hence the name). The Bull Whisper hunting at long distances. The Bone lens for maximum light transmission with a cocking assist, making it easier Extreme has a 3–9x40 AO (adjustable Collector pellet has a high ballistic and excellent image quality, and a to operate its single-stroke cocking objective) scope and a new recoil pad coefficient; it also delivers more ter- medium-profile lever lock quick- mechanism. Added under the (SWA: Shock Wave Absorber) able minal penetration than standard lead detach rings. This scope is covered Browning brand is another break- to absorb up to 74 percent of the pellets and has a stable flight trajecto- by a lifetime warranty. barrel pellet pistol that resembles a recoil. It also has an all-weather ry due to the 7.56-grain (.177) and The new UTG 4-inch Compact Browning Buck Mark URX. black stock with rubberized grips. 15.43-grain (.22) weights. SRP: $9.95 Red/Green Circle Dot Sight comes Umarex is expanding its line of The .177 version comes with the The Varmint Stalker incorporates with 38mm one-piece main tube that replica airguns with the introduction PBA Bullet and the TS-10 pellets; the Bull Whisper as well. It also has is nitrogen-filled and fully sealed. It of a Walther P38, Beretta-TWO, the .22 version comes with the PBA a black all-weather synthetic stock also comes with finger-adjustable red/ and Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8

Bullet and the TS-22 pellets. SRP: and SWA recoil reduction. This air- green illumination with five different CO2-powered BB pistols. Of particu- $319.95. gun comes with a Gamo 4x32 scope brightness levels for each color. The lar interest in Umarex’s BB lineup is The Bone Collector Bull Whisper and has a velocity of 1,250 fps with reflex reticle consists of a 4MOA dot the Umarex Morph 3X. It comes in is the new Michael Waddell’s Bone PBA Platinum ammunition (includ- in the center and a 65MOA circle. three pieces and converts from a pis- Collector TV airgun for 2012. This ed). SRP: $239.95. Booth #11053. The precision-ground lens with multi- tol to a rifle, delivering reported air rifle, available in .177 and .22, (954-581-5822; gamousa.com) coating delivers a crisp and vivid reti- velocities of 400 and 600 fps. integrates the Bull Whisper noise- cle floating on the image for quick tar- Rounding out Umarex’s airgun dampening technology with the IGT get acquisition and accurate aiming. introductions are a new Umarex air- Inert Gas Technology: a pneumatic Leapers The capped coin-adjustable windage gun laser, Umarex-branded steel BBs, cylinder that replaces the spring, The new UTG 3–9X32mm compact and elevation knobs provide smooth and a Browning Shooter’s Kit for enabling the shooter to have more scope is the latest addition to the and repeatable adjustment for reliable both the company’s .177 and .22 air- terminal velocity (1,300 fps with well-known Bug Buster line from sight-in and zero-holding. There is guns. Booth #14745. (479-646-4210; Platinum in .177) and less vibration. Leapers. This scope comes with generous 70MOA adjustment space to umarexusa.com)

20 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 products airsoft 2012

range of guns includes the BW15 CQB, the BW15 Carbine, and the Low-Cost Realism BW15 Sniper. These three models will allow players to fill any role they Whether for play or work, airsoft replicas have much may find themselves in, from indoor fields to the longest outdoor shots. to offerBy Jock Elliott The entire series is produced by King Arms and features full-metal bodies, or high-fun, low-cost shooting, airsoft is hard to beat, and harder to keep on the shelves. metal rail systems, metal outer bar- Shooting 6mm plastic BBs, these replica firearms are used for backyard fun, force-on-force rels, and unique serial numbers. In F training, and scenario play. Here’s the latest for 2012. addition, some models come equipped with Magpul parts to fur- ther enhance the performance of the Aftermath CQB for airsoft games. It is full the CZ 75 in three different models: gun. SRP: $399 to $499. The Stunt Studios PX200S is a new metal and has a foldable stock. CZ75D spring, the CZ75D CO2 Another key introduction for 2012 spring pistol finished in high-quality The Steyr AUG A2, licensed by Blowback, and the CZ75D in BB is the fully FN-licensed P90 AEG. ABS. It has a magazine for 15 Steyr Mannlicher, Austria, is a high- 4.5mm. SRP: $29.95 to $99.95. This gun has been made famous the rounds, a velocity of 220 fps, and quality AEG rifle with an authentic Booth #11053. (954-581-5822; world over by many military and law weighs just 1.02 pounds. SRP: look and feel, built by ActionSport­ aftermathairsoft.com) enforcement units, video games, TV $23.95. The Stunt Studios Arsenal Games A/S (ASG), a Danish airsoft/ shows, and movies. The P90 features SLR105 is a 1/1 scale replica of the airgun company. It has a magazine a durable polymer body coupled with SLR105 licensed by Arsenal, USA. capacity of 300 rounds and a velocity Crosman a metal gearbox for the best mix of This model comes with adjustable of 320 fps with .20-gram ammuni- Corporation performance and playability. SRP: Hop-Up and a great line of accesso- tion. It also has an accessory rail Crosman Corporation has concluded a $249. Booth #3025. (800-882-4656; ries, including a sling, a battery, and where you can mount your preferred strategic licensing agreement with the palcosports.com) a charger. The high-capacity maga- aiming device. The front grip is col- U.S. Marine Corps for the design, zine for the SLR105 holds 420 BBs. lapsible and the internals are metal- manufacture, distribution, and market- This model has a velocity of 140 fps constructed. SRP: $279.95. ing of U.S. Marine Corps–branded air- Soft Air USA with .20-gram BBs. SRP: $79.95. The Dragunov SVD-S is a spring soft products. Crosman will be intro- Soft Air USA’s new line of metal- ducing a complete line of Marines air- slide pistols offers realistic weight soft products, including rifles, pistols, and feel with more velocity than any ammunition, and accessories. other pistol in the market. These can Crosman also announced a new M4 be found within the range of SIG CQB airsoft rifle. This automatic Sauer, Taurus, and Colt licenses. electric gun is capable of launching There will also a renewed emphasis .20-gram projectiles at 400 fps. It fea- on new products that will focus on tures a die-cast zinc upper, thermo- price points between $29.99 and plastic lower, adjustable hop-up, 300- $129.99. Booth #2614. (800-335- round magazine, flip-up adjustable 8191; softairusa.com) front and rear sights, and a three- position collapsible stock. The pack- aging includes the rifle, magazine, Umarex USA instructions, rechargeable battery, Umarex USA’s airsoft division, Elite Palco’s Taurus is a metal-slide pistol 6mm ammo, filling adaptor, and Force, was created last year and is that offers a realistic weight and feel clearing rod. Booth # 13940. (800- growing at a fast pace. Expansion is in the hand, and also propels BBs 724-7486; crosman.com) continuing with the introduction of faster than any other pistol on the an M4 CQC variant as well as two market. Other models in this line officially licensed Heckler & Koch include SIG Sauer and Colt. Game Face models—the G36C and UMP. These The new Game Face M4S AEG air- competition series guns retail in a soft rifle features an 1100 mAH bat- very lucrative price point range of The Aftermath PS-Compact is a airsoft sniper rifle for long-distance tery and can launch 6mm .20-gram $199 to $239. new realistic pistol that features a shooting. It is licensed by Concern plastic BBs at 400 fps. The Game Elite Force by Umarex is also full-metal body and an integrated Izhmash, Russia, the original manu- Face M4S has a thermoplastic upper offering a new BIO BB to meet the easy-loading system for 6mm BBs. It facturer of the legendary SVD. All and a thermoplastic lower, 300-round demand of fields and indoor facilities has a velocity of 430 fps and the the internal parts are made of metal magazine capacity, adjustable hop-up, for an airsoft BB that breaks down magazine holds 19 BBs. The weight to match the extremely powerful and three-position collapsible stock. within 180 days in a compost envi- and the power of this pistol make it spring. It also features a high-quality The packaging includes the rifle, ronment, yet still performs in high- very attractive. SRP: $79.95. stock with an adjustable cheekpiece. magazine, instructions, rechargeable quality airsoft guns. Aftermath is launching two new SRP: $224.95. battery, 6mm ammo, filling adaptor, At the upper end of airsoft guns is models that will be added to the cur- The Stunt Studios Mini Steyr is a and clearing rod. Booth #13940. Umarex’s Elite series. For 2012, rent Kirenex police line. The 1:3 scale version of the Steyr AUG. (800-724-7486; gamefaceairsoft they’ve brought back the officially Kirenex CQB (SRP: $289.95) is a This gun can hold up to 170 rounds .crosman.com) licensed HK MP5 SD and are adding high-performance airsoft gun spe- of ammo, and has the ability to shoot two G36C V-series variants—the CV cially designed for 6mm airsoft gam- fully automatic mode. This is a small and KV. For beginning airsofters and ing in closed spaces. The Pro (SRP: non-stop shooting airsoft gun with Palco plinkers, Umarex is offering a range $299.95) is a carbine version. This 150 fps and 100 6mm BB magazine. The first fully FN-licensed FAL of airsoft guns, including a Beretta rifle is also used by elite police and SRP: $39.95. AEG to hit the market features a PM12S, reported to be one of the army personnel and includes a maga- The biggest and most powerful metal body, a steel carry handle, a fastest manually operated spring air- zine BB roller. Both models are full revolver in the Dan Wesson family is reinforced gearbox, and an adjustable soft gun on the market. metal, adding a realistic weight and the monstrous Aftermath 8-inch ver- spin-up and sights. Each gun comes You’ll also see a Browning Hi look, and have 430 fps velocity. sion. With impressive weight and with a unique serial number. This Power Mark III replica airsoft pistol,

Versatile and compact, the Kraken power, this CO2 4.5mm BB revolver gun sports a weight of 7 pounds to an HK MP7 and a 416, as well as a Paratrooper (SRP: $224.95) is a rep- is a very realistic replica: It comes satisfy the demands of today’s airsoft- new Combat Zone kit that combines lica of the model used by the Russian with “bullets” that you can fill with ers. SRP: $399. a battery-powered MAG-9 and a Special Operations (Spetsnatz) and metal BBs, and it has a velocity of Also new for this year is a three- 1911-style spring pistol at a retail by paratroopers. It is one of the best 426 fps. SRP: $169.95. gun AEG series bearing the famous price of $59.95. Booth #14745. (479- options for interurban combat and The Aftermath brand is offering Blackwater trademark. This new 646-4210; umarexusa.com)

22 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012

SHD04 Airsoft 2012.indd 22 12/23/11 5:44 PM feature

R emington’s Model 700 The .375 Mystique XCR II in .375 H&H may not look like a tradition- This British magnum, conceived 100 years ago, al “African” rifle, but don’t let its looks fool remains a surprisingly versatile firearm and you. It features a 24-inch barrel, and the cartridge By Wayne Van Zwoll stainless-steel receiver and barrel are coated n 1912, the English gun-making firm of Holland & Holland announced the .375 with a matte black Belted Rimless Nitro Express…and the world has never really been the same. TriNyte corrosion- I It’s a firearm—and round—that has captured the imagination of generations of control system for African hunters. improved scratch- and corrosion-resistance. Long in the tooth, yes, but that doesn’t mean Nosler’s 260-grain AccuBond flies as flat as a the .375 has lost its appeal. That’s mainly because 150-grain TSX bullet from a .308 and delivers it is still a truly useful cartridge—more useful, in more punch at 200 yards than most 7mm magnum fact, than ever. Modern powders and bullets have loads muster at the muzzle. Despite a proliferation added muscle and versatility. of potent .30 and .33 magnums, mid-weight soft- With some exceptions, African countries have points in the .375 H&H have much to recommend declared .375 as the minimum legal bore diameter them. They excel for Alaskan brown bears, which for the hunting of dangerous game. There are must sometimes be stopped, not just killed. In other .375s, but the Holland & Holland is the Africa, carrying solids in one pocket and softs in most common and most revered, and the ammo is another is easier than toting two rifles. With a sold in just about every place you’ll find animals .375, you can reach far to anchor plains game or big enough to test it. halt at spitwad range the hostilities of creatures Most load development of late has targeted dan- with feet the size of manhole covers. gerous game, with 300-grain softpoints and solids. Norma loads a 350-grain Woodleigh, which I used once to clobber an elephant. Centering the skull at Sharp Sting, Gentle Push 16 yards, the bullet drove nearly the full length of A mighty blow to the target often means clavicle- the beast, lodging in a hip. Several tons of ele- cracking recoil. It’s that way with my 7½-pound phant hit the ground instantly and did not twitch. .458. Even heavy rifles can’t easily rein in the vio- The lightest bullet in original loadings, a 235- lence of a .505 Gibbs. But the .375 is a civil round, grain softnose at 2,800 fps, is long dead, replaced not unpleasant in rifles as light as 8 pounds. by more efficient spitzers of 270 grains or so. Shooters of modest experience and slight build need

Clockwise from top: This CZ 550 has the proper “safari” look. The author took this gems- bok with a Blaser R93. The author’s leopard was taken at close range with a Montana Summit Alaskan.

24 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 feature

not fear. In fact, the .375 can seem gentler than Clockwise from left: Ruger’s No. 1, available in both .375 H&H and .375 Ruger, derives from the British lesser cartridges. Stiff loads in the .338 Winchester Farquharson. The .375 H&H (top) appeared in 1912; the .375 Ruger has a short, beltless case and a ballis- and heavy-bullet recipes in the .300 Weatherby tic edge. Kimber’s elegant Caprivi, with M70-style controlled-round feed action, drills sub-minute groups. hammer you harder—at least, it feels that way to me. The claim that a .375 administers a push, not a ing dusk. It is a go-to rifle, utterly reliable and Hawkeye African (walnut stock) and burly Alaskan kick, may be overstatement, but this is surely the uncanny in the way it sends bullets where I look. (in overmolded polymer) are bored for Ruger’s best dangerous-game round for the recoil-shy. .375 (Booth #11840). Both list at $1,095. The Unlike its big-bore brethren, a .375 that’s comfort- 9¼-pound, Farquharson-based Ruger No. 1 drop- able to carry can also be comfortable to shoot. The Grand Experiment ping-block Tropical Rifle comes in .375 H&H for Part of the .375’s enduring popularity has to do You can lump bolt-action .375s into three price cate- $1,242. Or pick the 7½-pound Medium Sporter in with the people who have used it. John “Pondoro” gories. I call them cheap, costly, and divorce. .375 Ruger. Same price. A couple of Weatherby Taylor praised it in his 1948 book, African Rifles and Actually, there are no cheap rifles chambered in .375 Mark Vs (Booth #12729) chamber Holland’s .375: Cartridges, and Jack O’Connor called the .375 H&H H&H. The most affordable are still good rifles, and the Fibermark ($1,469) and Synthetic ($1,305). the queen of the medium-bores “and probably the they still will set your customers back about a grand. Not long ago you could find a flock of .375s in best all-around cartridge ever designed.” He noted These include the stainless, synthetic-stocked the $2,000 to $3,500 range. Not so now. They’ve that a .375 zeroed with 270-grain bullets to strike 3 Remington Model 700 XCR II, with iron sights and been hijacked by the next category up. But inches high at 100 yards will plant those bullets “on adjustable X-Mark Pro trigger (Booth #14229). Its Kimber’s synthetic-stocked Talkeetna, at $2,108, the nose at or around 225 yards.” O’Connor wrote TriNyte metal corrosion shield is a bonus. still qualifies (Booth #11762). that were he to hunt all over the world with only Browning’s A-Bolt Medallion and Stainless One of my favorite .375s is the Sako 85 Kodiak, one rifle, it would be a .375. He used the round for Stalker come in .375 (the latter also with lefthand retailing for $1,975 (Booth #13956). Its profile brown bears, lions, and “one very large tiger.” action), as does the X-Bolt Stainless Stalker (Booth combines an easy flow of line with subtle brawn. It By many accounts, this cartridge kills more #12740). Priced from $990 to $1,240, they’re the is a gym rat in a tailored suit. Its 8-pound heft effectively than the numbers indicate. It has cer- lightest commercial .375s I’ve found; the X-Bolt seems to me ideal for a .375, and Sako got the bal- tainly served me well. An early Winchester 70 with scales just 6¾ pounds. On the heavy end, CZ lists ance perfect. The 21-inch barrel wears a barrel- a split wrist and a Redfield receiver sight dropped a 9¼-pound .375 Safari Magnum at $1,179, with band swivel stud ahead of the laminated gray my best bushbuck at some distance, through a tiny Kevlar-synthetic and laminate versions at $1,660 stock. The shallow V-notch rear sight is windage- shot alley. It rolled my best warthog 175 yards off. and $1,391 (Booth #16351). Not long ago on my adjustable, the sightline just high enough to match It killed my first buffalo as well, at slingshot range range, a CZ shot the smallest groups of four .375s. that of a low-mounted scope. A hooded front in heavy cover. I’ve since taken up with a Montana Thank the hammer-forged barrel—and the bead—big, white, and concave—won’t reflect light 1999 rifle, a Summit Alaskan in .375. Scoped with 2¾-pound trigger. Setting it with a nudge forward off-center, but it’s quickly visible even to tired a low-power Leupold, it has claimed buffalo and reduced the break to just 1 pound. eyes. assorted other heavies, including an eland at 200 Winchester’s Model 70 (Booth #11929), with its Sako’s 85 action has a three-lug bolt, a short but yards that collected two Federal Trophy Bonded long receiver, Mauser extractor, and mechanical stout extractor, and a mechanical ejector. A for- bullets half an inch apart. This Montana, an ejector, is still a natural for the .375. The new ward magazine release drops the box into your uncommonly agile rifle, killed a leopard at 11 Safari Express has handsome, classic lines. It lists hand. But the magazine must be pressed upward to yards in tall grass as I raced to the alarm yell from for $1,350. Ruger and Hornady have given the release the tab, preventing accidental magazine my tracker. It tumbled my last buffalo like a shot .375 H&H some competition with the shorter, drops. The magazine fits flush. Still, it holds four hare as the fatally hit bull raced past me in gather- rimless .375 Ruger cartridge. The trim Model 77 .375 cartridges, and it can be loaded in the rifle.

26 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 feature

Top: Long, tapered, and slick-feeding, the .375 is best served by rifles easy to top load fast (here, a Sako). Bottom: Blaser’s R93 boasts compact, straight-pull bolts and interchangeable barrels.

features like integral quarter ribs, flip-up front sights, and those mercury kick-tamers. Dakota’s 76 ranks among my favorites (Booth #14229). It’s essentially a Winchester M70 with refinements, fit and finish New Haven could never afford. The Safari lists for $7,195, the African for $800 more. Both come in takedown (Traveler) versions, for $8,395 and $9,495. I’ve used the Traveler and am impressed by its strong, simple design as well as its reliable return to zero. Dakota also lists two sin- gle-shots in .375. The Model 10 is the very defini- tion of sleek. ($4,695). Miller’s exquisite dropping- block costs about $300 more. A Miller in .375 once gave me a ¾-inch group with open sights. That’s as much a tribute to Lady Luck as to rifle or load. A rifle I’ve come to like a great deal is the Blaser R8 (Booth #15153), progeny of the R93 (named for the years of introduction). These German engineering marvels, from about $3,500, have telescoping straight-pull bolts that trim over- all length by a couple of inches. The virtually weightless, compact magazine assemblies are clev- erly nested with the trigger groups. (R8 innards can be removed as a unit without tools.) A Blaser bolt head locks with a collet engaging a circumfer- ential groove in the barrel shank. The bolt-barrel union can endure a thrust of 120,000 psi. Blaser’s R93 and R8 cycle very fast. You run the bolt with a flick of your hand. A thumb-piece cocks the mechanism. Shove it up and forward, and you’re ready to fire. To de-cock, push ahead and let it return. The R93 and R8 are the only bolt-action rifles you can carry safely at the ready. They’re not cocked until you’re set to fire. Plasma nitriding hikes the surface hardness of Blaser’s hammer- forged, interchangeable barrels (in myriad cham- berings, from .223 to .500 Jeffery). Straddle-style scope rings fit so precisely, you can remove and replace a scope without losing zero. As for stocks, choose from several grades of Turkish walnut. Or go for durability, with polymer. The trigger on my 85 breaks at a crisp 3 pounds, ways is the Model 97 Dakota Deluxe Hunter. This Some costly .375s wear only synthetic stocks— an aid to field accuracy. One series of Federal- round-action bolt rifle is uncommonly svelte. At the $5,200 Pro Hunter from Brown Precision, for loaded 260-grain AccuBonds from the bench left a $3,295, it’s entry-level by company standards. All- instance. It’s on a Remington 700 action. The Pro single hole. A close look showed that all three bul- Weather and Outfitter takedown versions cost Hunter Elite, with a Winchester Model 70 core, lets had threaded it. No, I cannot shoot that well. $3,595 and $4,595, respectively. H-S Precision, lists for $6,800. McMillan builds its superb Prestige Evidently the Sako Kodiak can. known for super-accurate rifles built from scratch, rifle to your order as well, for $6,325. If your Toward the upper end of middle pricing, you’ll sells a safari-style rifle called the PHR. It costs customers are of traditional bent, the Johannsen find Kimber’s Caprivi, in fetching French walnut for $3,045 and incorporates a mercury recoil reducer. Express Rifle is sure to seduce. Built around a $3,196. An upgraded version with fancier wood and For an extra $200 you can get a lefthand bolt. double square bridge magnum Mauser action, it a case-colored receiver costs more. The Caprivi’s features a three-detent side-swing safety, a two-leaf slight tilt to the muzzle helps tame recoil, and there’s folding express sight in the rear and a 4mm hinged plenty of checkered wood up front to grasp. This For Deep Pockets Only bead paired with a fixed 2mm silver bead up front. rifle has controlled-round feed and an excellent trig- Divorce-level pricing puts you into lovely hard- The walnut is conservatively sculpted and oil- ger. It shoots under an inch for me. Similar in many ware indeed. You get not only figured French, but finished. The $11,600 tag is just for starters.

the path. Maintain that link to history, with ammunition and accoutre- Selling the Mystique ments that match the .375’s mystique. You needn’t sell lots of Norma African PH ammunition to stock a few boxes. They’re expensive, but the The .375 H&H Magnum has been chambered in the loveliest rifles, cus- packaging is a fitting tribute to the cartridge’s rich past. Hornady and tom-built and from iconic commercial firms. Because best-quality other companies also package ammo to emphasize the African connec- doubles cost as much as Hollywood weddings, bongo hunts, and tion. Leather cartridge belts and pouches, and clothing suitable for sun- Austrian SUVs, most of the .375s in gun shops are bolt-actions. It’s no downers by the mopani fire, also work their magic, even if there’s no trick persuading hunters to pick up a .375 that looks as if it belongs on zebra-skin on the counter. The .375 and its rifles are special largely safari. Especially if it wears iron sights and a barrel-band swivel stud. because they evoke another time and distant places and men of leg- As shoppers can imagine themselves astride a galloping horse when endary hunting prowess. Ignore that, and you might as well stick to they flick the lever of a Winchester carbine, so they become Robert MSRs. Lastly, invoke the recoil card: “You can fire this elephant gun with- Ruark, or “Pondoro,” or Frederick Courteney Selous when they hoist a out splitting your lip or losing your third molar.” And compare the price of .375 with a quarter-rib. .375 ammo not with ’06 deer loads, but with that of the other heavy hit- Tugging customers from the dream onto a 4473 is easier if you pave ters. Say, the .505 Gibbs. At $125. For 10 rounds.

28 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 feature

DPMS Firearms began hosting its “Outbreak Omega” zombie shoot a few years ago. It incorporates various Draw of the Dead shooting scenarios, a costume contest, and more. As it grows in popularity, it has begun drawing a younger crowd Shooting-scenario games are growing fast, more familiar with video games than traditional shooting. but in recent years zombie action has been Dirty Harry did for .44 Magnum spreading like a pandemic By Larry Ahlman handgun sales? Well, films such as Zombieland, Zombie Apocalypse, and hat’s a zombie? If you think it’s the creepy undead seen in horror movies walking disjoint- Dawn of the Dead—and the surprising edly in search of a meal of fresh living flesh, well…you’re right, sort of. But you’d also be success of the cable TV show The W right on target if you believe zombies are the basis of one of the fastest-growing shooting Walking Dead—have spurred a huge sports since Gertrude Hurlbutt invented skeet. interest in the undead—and the fire- arms needed to keep them under Alternate and scenario shooting of women are entering the ranks. control. Noticeably absent from games such as Cowboy Action and This is a huge new audience that these films are big stars like Clint 3-Gun are gaining shooters across deserves your attention. Eastwood, but what these movies the country at an incredibly fast clip. One of the manufacturers spear- lack in star power is offset by the Of particular note, these games tend heading the sport is Minnesota-based sheer volume of releases. A recent to attract young shooters who find DPMS Firearms (Booth #14229). “A search of Netflix showed more than Five Stand, Skeet, and Trap far too few years ago, we wanted to hold a fun 60 full-length zombie movies avail- sedentary. These shooters like the shoot for our local fans,” says DPMS able for streaming or rental. fast pace and action of 3-Gun or the product manager Adam Ballard. “We Adding to the popularity is that the ability to wear period dress and decided to incorporate zombies and violence seen in zombie movies assume a character of the Old West named the event ‘Outbreak Omega.’ doesn’t seem to offend viewers. in Cowboy Action. Zombie shooters Just under 100 shooters and a handful When it comes to shooting targets are no different. of spectators showed up that first year. that feature “people,” you’ll always The good news for retailers is that But it’s grown quickly. By the third find a few purists who take offense. the typical zombie shooter tends to year, attendance was nearly 600. Now Some even object to Bin Laden and be between 20 and 40. And though we’re seeing between 700 and 800 Hitler targets. But it seems most the sport is dominated by men, a lot shooters. It’s unbelievable.” folks have a tough time finding a compassionate place in their heart Zombie shooting enthusiasts often for zombies. The prevailing attitude dress like survivors in an apocalyptic Driving Factors seems to be, “Shoot ’em all. They’re wasteland, taking precautions to pre- What’s driving this market? Movies dead anyway.” vent infection by the walking dead. are one element. Remember what Another element pushing the pop-

30 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 feature

ularity is family participation. Early to excel. People come simply for the zombies. Now imagine shooting time, they are naturally going to events had few participants under the pure joy of shooting.” pop-up targets that are inside an gravitate to the rifle platforms they age of 18, but that’s changing. That sentiment is echoed by Trull. abandoned car (Auto of the Undead), are familiar with. Just as lever-action “Our first Outbreak Omega didn’t “I believe people are drawn to a or attacking a zombie-infested island rifles grew in popularity in the early have any shooters under the age of zombie event first and foremost while floating in a johnboat. Like 1900s, and traditionally styled semi- 18,” says Ballard. “But this year, the because it’s fun. And it’s also an envi- other scenario shooting, the more autos were adapted to hunting pur- ‘Best Dressed’ award went to a ronment where they can participate realism a range operator can add, the poses after World War II, so will the junior, a future shooter all decked in 3-Gun-type activity without the more shooters will enjoy it. modern sporting rifle grow in popu- out in his Nerf gear!” risk of feeling inferior in a competi- They’re also getting lots of help larity in the early 21st century.” Any activity that involves the fami- tive setting. I sincerely believe that from the target makers. Using mov- In addition to the proper assort- ly should not only be taken seriously, these type of fun shoots will serve as ie-quality photography, Champion ment of firearms, a retailer should but seriously encouraged. And any a big draw for sanctioned 3-Gun Targets (Booth #14551) recently also have a good supply of extra mag- activity that draws in the younger events as more folks get a taste for introduced Visi-color technology to azines, extended shotgun tubes, and shooters should be welcomed with the sport and want to take it to the make their zombie targets incredibly other add-ons, such as holsters, tacti- open arms. next level. Zombie could evolve into lifelike. Birchwood Casey (Booth cal gloves and kneepads, knives, and “We live in a different world one of the larger organized shooting #1210) recently unveiled a complete lights. Zombie shooters go through a today,” says John Trull, vice presi- events within our market space.” new line of full-color splattering lot of ammo, so make sure to main- dent of product management and zombie targets that retailers said sim- tain a large stock at good prices to marketing at Remington Arms. “Kids ply flew off the shelves. keep them coming back. (While have so many options to pursue in Course of Action Brownell’s, the giant shooting- you’re at SHOT, check out their spare time. Like it or not, video Because the various stages used in sports parts supplier (Booth #805), Hornady’s cleverly conceived and games are a real element we deal zombie shoots require some degree recently got into the game when it packaged Zombie Max rifle and with in terms of competing for their of imagination, one could call it sce- launched “The Center For Zombie handgun ammo. Booth #13145.) And time. The positive element here is nario shooting. Much like Cowboy Awareness” on its website. Hosted by don’t forget targets. Some customers find the new zombie targets so attractive that they buy them just to hang in their den.

Cash In on Clothing If you go to an Oakland Raiders game, you’ll see fans dressed up like pirates. In Green Bay, you’ll see “Cheeseheads” walking around with a block of cheese on their head. Ever been to a Star Wars convention? Tons of people are in character, whether it’s Darth Vader, Leia, or R anges can get creative in Chewbacca. Zombie hunters don’t setting up zombie shooting get quite that carried away, but they scenarios; shooters, mean- do like to identify with their sport. while, take their pick of Shooter clothing runs the gamut firearms to dispatch their from street clothes to actual zombie shambling, inhuman foes. costumes. The most popular look seems to be military style, decked out with a wide array of gadgets and accessories. Seeking more than the standard military look, participants add swords, bayonets, tomahawks, and anything else that looks cool and will fend off the ravenous, brain- hungry undead. While a few participants get a bit crazy with their outfits, most zombie hunters are serious about their choice of gear. They know what they want and talk it up online, telling fellow shooters where they found it. Correct zombie-hunting attire has that many of these games have unin- Action, participants dress the part two employees, the site features become important enough that an tentionally created a new awareness and act out the scenes using real entertaining “zombie update” videos after-hours fashion show has become among young folks of the shooting guns. The major difference is that as well as information on the prod- one of the highlights of Outbreak sports and the products offered.” zombie hunters tend to dress mili- ucts needed to combat an outbreak. Omega. Competing for prizes, con- Zombie shooting events tend to tary-style, and their firearms of testants walk a runway much like at a make a connection between these choice are handguns, shotguns, and Miss America pageant, except they’re electronic, fantasy-based games and modern sporting rifles (MSRs). What to Stock decked out in full undead-apocalypse an actual outdoor activity. In all honesty, the scenarios acted Typically, zombie shooters, like couture. The intensity of audience Ballard agrees. “It’s a great way for out can be a bit bizarre to the unini- 3-Gun participants, end up with applause, measured by sound meter, folks to experience shooting without tiated. Imagine getting locked in a three firearms—an MSR, a semi-auto determines the winners. pressure to compete,” he says. “One zombie jail cell, your handgun just pistol, and a semi-auto tactical shot- The other winners, of course, are of the things about Outbreak Omega out of reach on a distant counter. gun. The popularity of the MSR is the dealers that stock and sell this gear. that amazes people is that we don’t When the range officer yells, “Go,” no surprise to Trull. It stands to reason that savvy retailers keep score. Can you imagine attend- you reach through the bars and grab “More men and women today, who attend the shoots, keep pace with ing a baseball or football game or a a broom, which is used to hook the through their military experience and the latest in equipment and gear, and trap or rifle shoot where no one kept key ring on the wall. The keys slide service to our country, are trained to learn the language of zombie hunters score? It’s unheard of, but that’s down the handle, and once in your the AR/MSR platform,” says Trull. will soon find their store becoming the exactly what we do, and hardly any- hands you’re able to unlock the cell “As those folks fold recreational “in” place for consumers eager to one complains. There’s no pressure door, grab your gun, and take on the shooting and hunting into their free spend their (un)dead presidents.

32 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 feature

MSR shooting is increasing in popularity in all sectors, and women are no exception. Competitive shooters like Team FNH’s Dianna Liedorrf are important role models. The Untapped Opportunity Women and the modern sporting rifle are a terrific combination, but too many retailers are missing out By Brian McCombie uffet Frische is in the market for a modern sporting rifle (MSR). She’s spent many evenings scouring the Internet, researching models, options, and prices M for a .223 rifle that’s lightweight, handy, and—most of all—fun! Frische, 43, of Dallas, Texas, found that fun last year at an MSR clinic hosted by DIVA WOW, a woman’s outdoor sporting group. At the clinic, Frische and 125 other women were introduced to the rifles and given safety instructions. Then, with the help of instruc- tors, they fired off up to 150 rounds apiece.

“They were very user-friendly,” says Frische of Ballard, “they find the MSR is a really good fit. It’s the rifles that DPMS Firearms provided for the easy to operate and easy to handle, and it has little clinic. “I was incredibly surprised. I mean, they recoil.” look so big and scary, but shooting them was so Other retailers have seen the same thing. “We’ve much fun. When I came home I told my husband, seen a steady increase in women interested in ‘I know what I want now!’” MSRs since 2006,” says Jonathan Pirkle, owner of Frische and the DIVAs aren’t the only ones get- Coal Creek Armory in Knoxville, Tennessee. “The ting an introduction to MSRs, the sales of which big swell in interest happened in early 2009, and have been strong of late. Undoubtedly, in the first it’s been growing ever since. Right now, I’d say wave of heavy MSR sales (known as the “Obama we’re getting five to ten women a month coming Bubble” because it occurred just prior to and after in and looking to buy an MSR.” the 2008 presidential election), men were the Miles Hall, owner of H&H Shooting Sports, an dominant purchasers. The so-called second wave is NSSF-rated Five-Star Facility in Oklahoma City, seeing more women entering the market. Oklahoma, says, “We’re seeing more women com- “The last couple of years, the trend we’re seeing ing into the store looking at MSRs. Also, our rifle is more recreational shooting of all sorts, MSRs classes used to be all men. Now we have women in included,” says Adam Ballard, DPMS product every class, including our tactical rifles course, manager. “As the men do more recreational shoot- ing, we find that they’re including their wives, Staffers from H&H Shooting Sports assist custom- girlfriends, and daughters.” ers looking for an MSR. Women approach an MSR And when women get a chance to fire one, says purchase from a research-based point of view.

34 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 feature

where MSRs are the focus.” Coal Creek Armory. “Stress the lighter weight of the No Accident But before you can cash in, you “Ladies generally do a lot of MSRs and the low recoil,” Hall rec- It’s pretty basic, but if you want to must understand the nuances of this research before they come through ommends. “Nobody—man or sell MSRs to women, you have to market. Women, for example, our doors,” says Pirkle. “They usually woman—likes to get kicked around take women seriously as potential approach an MSR purchase from a have two to three models in mind, by recoil.” MSR customers. Put another way, very research-based point of view. plus possible accessories, and they Early-model MSRs could be some- that woman at your gun counter They are very receptive to certain want to know our opinion of them. what heavy and bulky, at least for a looking over the MSRs on your rack? sales techniques, and extremely put Really, it’s pretty interesting. One cus- smaller-sized shooter. Today, though, She didn’t get there by accident. off by others. tomer drove up in a nice SUV with there are a number of nimbler rifles Failure to take her and her questions two kids in tow and asked us the pros available. seriously could cost you a sale. and cons of a Bushmaster M4 A2.” For example, the rifles used at the Consider Frische. After much The First Stop Pirkle recommends including MSR DIVA clinic—the LBR by DPMS— Internet research, Frische, her hus- Market research done by DPMS finds listings on your shop’s webpage, if were made specifically with the band and a male friend visited a local that relatively few women will just go you have one, and making those list- smaller-statured shooter in mind. gun shop. At the counter, Frische to a gun shop and “check out” some ings fairly detailed. The women he’s Frische, in fact, was especially told the male clerk she was consider- MSR models. They want to know a assisted have clearly researched man- impressed by how well she could ing an MSR. Despite that, Frische says, “When I asked about what models they had, the sales associate handed a rifle to our friend, who looked at him and said, ‘Why are you handing it to me? It’s for her!’” Frische took it in stride and wasn’t offended. “My guess is that their typ- ical customer is male, so he just wasn’t expecting me to be the cus- tomer,” she says. “After that, the sales associate directed the conversa- tion more toward me, and he took time to explain product features.” Dana Giacalone had a somewhat different experience. An orthopedic surgeon practicing in the Fort Worth area, Giacalone grew up hunting and shooting on a ranch in west-central Texas. Last year, after deciding it was time to replace her .243 bolt-action, she visited a big-box firearms retailer Women are shooting— near her home. and buying—MSRs in Unlike Frische, Giacalone never ever-increasing num- told the clerk she was in the market bers. A test-shoot can for an MSR. In fact, she didn’t know be your most effective what she wanted, exactly, though she salesman. said she needed a rifle for deer hunt- ing and recreational shooting, and maybe some competitive shooting. “I said something a little more sporty [than her .243], a little more versatile,” she recalls. “But they kept trying to get me to buy a small .22 rifle—for shooting paper targets! Which, I tried to tell them, wasn’t what I wanted at all.” Frustrated, she left the store with- out making a purchase. She men- tioned the experience to a friend who held a federal firearms license. He told her that the features she wanted very much suggested an MSR. He gave her an overview of the rifles, showed her a couple he had on hand good deal about the rifles before they ufacturer websites and then com- make the adjustable shoulder stock and answered all her questions. set foot into a retail facility. pared and contrasted those models on this model fit her frame. Today, Giacalone is the proud “Our research shows that a woman with his shop’s online inventory. “It was a smart move, in my opin- owner of an MSR—one she bought interested in an MSR starts the pro- Don’t have a shop website? Better ion, when many in the industry went through her friend with the FFL. cess on the Internet, examining man- get one, Pirkle advises. to polymer-based extensions and ufacturer and retailer websites,” says lighter metals, in an effort to make Ballard. “Others post questions about these rifles more comfortable,” says The Voice MSRs on their Facebook pages.” Stress Points Hall. “That, I think, made MSRs Deb and Bob Cheek have owned and Male customers, Pirkle notes, often Even with a fair amount of research, more ‘woman-friendly’ by default.” operated Plainfield Shooting arrive at his shop with some precon- misconceptions about MSRs can lin- Make sure you also highlight the Supplies, in Plainfield, Indiana, for ceived opinions about the MSR ger, especially given a mainstream versatility of the MSR. the last 22 years. In addition, Deb they’re sure they want. But as they media that keeps referring to MSRs “You can hunt with many of the Cheek is a competitive shooter who explain their needs, these same men as “assault weapons.” One of the MSRs, and that’s been a big help teaches numerous firearms work- are quite willing to be sold on a notions this biased reporting creates with sales,” Hall says. “Women come shops and classes to women. All of model that better fits their require- is that MSRs recoil like jackham- in looking for a hunting rifle, and this informs her perspective on what ments. In effect, they’re counting on mers. They don’t, of course, but you they’re often pleasantly surprised to it takes to sell MSRs to women. the clerk for their initial research. shouldn’t assume your customers find out that an MSR is a real A big problem she’s seen herself, Not so with the women who come to know this. Tell them. option.” and heard about from numerous

36 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 feature

women shooters, is what she calls might not sell us any rifles right away, “The Colonel Voice,” and the atti- but we’re already having these events. tudes and assumptions behind it. Connect with a It could help sales down the road.” “A lot of times, a woman comes into a gun shop, and the guy behind Women’s Group the counter goes into the Colonel A good way to get women interested in your shop’s MSRs is to Counter Help Voice,” says Cheek. “It’s like a mili- establish a relationship with a local women’s outdoors group. Such If you want to sell more MSRs to tary order: ‘I know; you listen.’ Big groups are popular, and they frequently host one-day workshops more women, you really should have turnoff. Women just don’t feel that introduce women to firearms. a woman behind the sales counter. relaxed around those sorts of guys.” Consider becoming a workshop sponsor. Donate the use of a used Ballard notes that DPMS research Women find the Colonel Voice MSR or two and some ammunition. An employee with the right certi- shows that a lack of female sales help patronizing, she explains. It assumes fications can act as an instructor. Set up a table, distribute some is a big barrier to selling firearms in they know nothing about shooting, business cards, and get listed in the workshop brochure. The women general, and MSRs in particular, to much less MSRs, and tries to make at the workshop will learn that MSRs are fun and easy to shoot—and women. Many women seem hesitant them feel, well, dumb. Women treat- that your shop sells them! to ask the guy behind the counter ed this way tend to head for the door. about MSRs, afraid of being talked “Take more of a ‘daughter down to. Even if they don’t deal approach,’” Cheek advises. “What I that myth than to let a potential cus- Keffer had husbands or boyfriends directly with a female clerk, just see- mean is, don’t get macho and don’t tomer put a few rounds downrange. who first bought one from the ing one working in your store reas- talk down. Treat a female customer Coal Creek Armory has an indoor Sportsman’s Shop—so these women sures female customers that they, and like your daughter: Listen to her, let range, and Tuesday is Ladies’ Day, at got their introduction to MSRs via their questions, will be taken seriously. her talk, answer her questions, be which women can shoot without lane their significant others. “It definitely does make a differ- respectful. You’re there to help her. fees. That generates a good deal of Other women, though, “hear that ence to a number of our female cus- Listen to what she wants, then make traffic, Pirkle notes, and among the these are super-powerful rifles, and tomers to have a woman behind the suggestions.” firearms available is an M&P15 in they are leery of them, no doubt counter,” says Pirkle. “We have tried .22 caliber. Women can fire it for about it,” Keffer says. “The primary to have at least one woman on our free (they have to pay for the ammu- way of getting past that is to have sales staff since we opened in 2002. A Bird in the Hand... nition), and this M&P15 gets a good them fire one and see for them- Sometimes, we’ve been fortunate “You want to see people’s face light workout nearly every Tuesday. All by selves.” The Sportsman’s Shop hosts enough to have two or three women up?” says Hall. “Put an MSR in their itself, the rifle has generated many introductory firearms events at a on staff at one time.” hands. It’s almost like a kid on inquiries from women thinking about local shooting club, and more and Consider a female clerk or two as Christmas morning opening up pres- buying their own MSR. more women have been attending. an investment in the future. As ents!” Joe Keffer owns the Sportsman’s Hearing about the increased interest Giacalone says, speaking about For the female customer, hands-on Shop, in New Holland, Pennsylvania. among women in MSRs, Keffer says women in general, “We’re going to shooting is a big sales tool. Given the He sells a good number of MSRs, that he needs “to make sure we have be doing more and more hunting and aforementioned worries about MSR mostly to men. Nearly all the women several MSRs there and offer women shooting in the future. So firearms recoil, there’s no better way to dispel who have purchased an MSR from the chance to try them out. Doing so retailers better be ready for us!” feature Making a Difference NSSF’s PAC helps support the industry and the Second Amendment By Rob Staeger

ou called at a good time,” says Lawrence G. Keane, that are pro-industry, pro-sportsman, the NSSF is a trade association for general counsel for the NSSF and treasurer for the pro-Second Amendment,” says the industry, and as far as our govern- “YNSSF PAC. The PAC just received another contribu- Keane. It mirrors the mission of the ment relation efforts go, we are a tion, a check from a CEO of one of the industry’s best-known NSSF as a whole—to promote, pro- single-issue advocacy group. We don’t companies. “It literally came in five minutes ago.” tect and preserve hunting and the exist to advance other issues, like shooting sports. taxes, unless it has to do with our Established in April 2010, the NSSF time.” (FEC records show that the And so far, the PAC has an excel- industry. Some people have a negative Political Action Committee (PAC) is a anti-gun Brady Campaign Voter lent track record. Of the seven candi- view of Senator Reid because of his separate (though affiliated) organiza- Education Fund raised only $7,502 dates the PAC supported who ran in policy position on other issues or his tion to the NSSF, subject to different in 2009–2010.) the general election in 2010, five won position as leader of the Democrats in restrictions under federal election law. While PACs are able to expressly or remained in their Senate or House the Senate. That is irrelevant to us. It’s the hand at the end of the NSSF’s endorse a candidate in advertising seats. The candidates the PAC sup- All we care about is our issue, and on political arm, and that hand is holding (something the NSSF can’t do), feder- ported with contributions in 2010 sit our issue Senator Reid has been a very a wallet. PACs are allowed to write al election law prohibits it from coor- on both sides of the aisle, and includ- good friend to the industry and gun direct contributions to candidates run- dinating its message with the candi- ed Max Baucus, Ken Buck, Mike owners and sportsmen.” In fact, in 2010, Reid allowed H.R. 5552, the Firearms Excise Tax Improvement Act, to reach the Senate floor (where it was passed unanimously). He also introduced legislation enhancing access to public lands for hunting, fishing and recre- ational shooting. For 2011, the PAC is expanding its scope. “We had a goal to reach more than 50 members, and we exceeded it,” says Keane. “We’re very limited as to who we can solicit for contribu- tions to the PAC. We can basically talk about the existence of the PAC and that we have a PAC, but we can’t go ask everyone to make contribu- tions to it. We can accept unsolicited contributions from just about any- body, but it has to be individuals. It has to be personal checks; it can’t be corporate donations.” The 50-contributor goal was an important one. It now qualifies the ning for federal office, which is some- date’s campaign. But with the NSSF Crapo and Harry Reid in the Senate, organization to become what’s known thing that the NSSF, as a corporation, as a whole, it’s completely in synch. and John Culberson, Ron Kind, Paul as a multi-candidate PAC, increasing cannot do. That makes the PAC a “It’s an affiliated PAC, run by the Ryan and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin the amount of money that it’s legally potential game-changer. NSSF,” says Keane. “NSSF provides in the House. All of these officials, allowed to contribute to each candi- “It’s an important part of our over- the logistical support for the PAC from both parties, have stood up as date. Meeting the goal puts the PAC all government relations efforts, and pays the administrative expenses pro-gun, pro-sportsmen leaders. in a very strong position as the 2012 which will grow in importance as the of the PAC as part of the govern- “Although it wasn’t intentional, the election season begins in earnest. PAC grows,” says Keane. In its inau- ment relations budget.” contributions were fairly evenly divid- “Our goal is to have a Congress that gural year it raised $10,600. “That’s The NSSF PAC is a nonpartisan ed between Republicans and is supportive of our issues and our more money than the Brady political action committee registered Democrats,” says Keane. “That was concerns,” says Keane. Campaign raised during the entire with the Federal Election not a consideration in deciding to If interest in the NSSF PAC is any election cycle, and the Brady Commission. “We contributed to whom to make a contribution. It’s indication, that should be the case Campaign has been around for some candidates running for federal office important for folks to understand that for a long time to come.

NSSF Gears Up for 2012 Voter Education Efforts Prepare to get schooled. Every two years since the 2000 presidential and hosting a website that serves as a resource for hunters, sportsmen, elections, the NSSF has been engaging in a voter education campaign and gun owners. “We provide information, polling data, and news arti- in each federal election. The 2012 elections will be no different. cles about the candidates—particularly as it relates to issues we care “It’s all part of the NSSF’s government relations effort,” says Lawrence about,” says Keane. G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel for the NSSF. New for the 2012 election cycle, the NSSF will utilize social media “The voter education campaign is just that: Educating gun owners, tools to promote voter education. These efforts are helped when people sportsmen, and hunters about the position or the stance of candidates spread the word. “Retailers can take the information on our website and on firearms, hunting, shooting, and the Second Amendment, particular- make it available at their checkout counter,” says Keane. “Fortunately, ly in regard to hot-button issues such as firearms microstamping and the election is in the fall—the hunting season—and so these issues are protecting traditional ammunition from EPA jurisdiction. We seek to on many people’s mind when they visit their local firearms retailer. We provide hunters, sportsmen and gun owners with information on where encourage retailers to reach across the checkout counter and help edu- candidates stand on issues that matter to them so they can decide for cate their customers on the candidates’ stances on our issues.” themselves how to cast their ballot.” Knowledge is power, after all—and the NSSF wants to put that power The NSSF does this through a variety of means, including direct mail in your hands.

40 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 feature When SHOT Show Attendees Speak… The NSSF Listens More new exhibitors and a renewed focus on core categories define the 2012 SHOT Show By Cathy Glazer

NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer Chris Dolnack shows off the redesigned SHOT Mobile app, one of many improvements you’ll notice at this year’s SHOT Show.

ou spoke…and the National Shooting Sports Foundation heard you. To succeed in today’s tough, competitive marketplace, it’s more important than ever to listen Y to your customers. For the NSSF, the owners of the SHOT Show, that means you—attendees and exhibitors. As NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing offi- cer Chris Dolnack likes to put it, “Listening to 57,000 of our closest friends.”

Some of the improvements to the show that unique products they can offer in their store that resulted from your feedback will be obvious to you differentiates them from the big-box stores.” today: wider cross aisles, improved lighting, more Attendee feedback drove the effort. “Some break areas with chairs, and more food vendors. retailers were telling us they only attend the You’ll also no doubt notice better cell-phone SHOT Show every third year or so, because they reception and more charging stations scattered felt there was so little turnover in exhibitors,” throughout the show floor—results of a $1.2 mil- Dolnack said. “Thanks to the repurposing effort, lion investment by The Sands to upgrade its wire- this SHOT Show will have more new exhibitors less infrastructure. than any SHOT Show in recent memory.” With better service, the SHOT Mobile app, The show is also gaining a more international which has been improved for this year, will become flavor, which will be even more noticeable by next a must-have tool for navigating the show floor, year, says Diedra Cauley, NSSF director of exhibi- finding new products, learning about show specials tions and conferences. “We are making a concert- and setting up appointments. It’s sponsored this ed effort to recruit international buyers. We have year by rifle manufacturer ArmaLite, which joins registered for a U.S. Department of Commerce GunBroker.com, Outdoor Channel, and Budweiser program that will help us recruit retailers that fit as a major industry sponsor of the show. our profile for the show. We want to reach out to You may also notice brick-and-mortar improve- other economies—for example, Brazil, which is ments—including new tile, carpeting and spruced- booming right now. This year we have fifty retail- up restrooms—that are part of second phase of ers coming from Brazil.” The Sands’ remodeling plan. But the most signifi- Through social media and the Internet, Cauley cant improvement, the one that will add the most says, “we’re doing more listening to our attendees value to your SHOT Show experience, is what and exhibitors than ever. We get feedback from Dolnack calls the “repurposing” of the show floor. live chats on the Internet, blogs and Twitter.” “We’re refocusing on our core exhibitors— ​ Even so, there’s still plenty of old-fashioned face- firearms, ammunition, optics, hunting and shoot- time at industry conferences throughout the year. ing accessories, and law enforcement,” Dolnack “The SHOT Show is the Super Bowl of the indus- said. “That effort will help us get more new blood, try,” says Dolnack. “It’s also the largest single gath- more new exhibitors in those core areas, off the ering of outdoor media—2,074 were credentialed waiting list and onto the show floor.” last year. The show sets the tempo for the whole To accomplish this, ten long-time large exhibitors year. We are responsible for keeping it vibrant, rel- voluntarily reduced their booth space, freeing up evant, and sustainable—and we take that responsi- about 10,000 square feet. “We have a waiting list of bility very seriously. We listen to our customers.” hundreds of new companies in our core areas, and Have feedback you’d like to share? Dolnack and we need to find ways to get these new people in,” Cauley may be reached at [email protected] and Dolnack said. “Because that’s what our attendees [email protected]. You can also follow them on want to see—they want to see what’s new and what Twitter (@chrisdolnack and @dcauley). feature

Glenn Sapir, editor of The Range Report, and Ann Siladi, the magazine’s advertising director.

One-of-a-Kind Opportunity NSSF’s Range Report magazine offers a highly targeted ad buy By Cathy Glazer oogle “shooting facilities magazines” and you’ll get just one dedicated to shooting range management—NSSF’s The Range Report. As the official voice G for NSSF, it’s the trade magazine for shooting range and gun club managers and officers.

For any business with a product or service for Ann Siladi, the magazine’s advertising director. shooting ranges, this publication offers a uniquely In addition to the 10,500 subscribers, the survey targeted ad buy that reaches more than 10,500 deci- found there’s an average of 3.8 readers per issue, sion-makers at public and private shooting ranges putting readership at an impressive 30,000-plus. The and gun clubs. Pass-along readership adds another Range Report is published quarterly and is distributed 30,000 range employees, customers and friends. to more than 7,500 shooting facilities nationwide. It Over the past decade, The Range Report has estab- is available to anyone online in the Shooting section lished itself as one of the most relevant and trusted of the NSSF’s website. Advertising rates range from publications for shooting facility managers and gun $1,650 for a full-page back cover, to $555 for a one- club officers. Articles by well-known writers and sixth page one-time ad, and include insertion in the specialists on the NSSF staff and technical advice magazine’s online version as well as the print publi- from special consultants address the spectrum of cation. Discounts are given for multiple insertions. challenges range owners and managers face, from There is no extra charge for color ads. attracting new shooters to being good stewards of A media kit including demographic information, the environment. Reports on new products, news the 2012 editorial calendar, ad rates and sizes, and for the shooting range community and how-to fea- an insertion order form may be downloaded from tures round out the magazine’s offerings. the Shooting section of NSSF’s website (nssf.org/ “Our goal is to help the range community oper- ranges). Look for The Range Report. ate more professionally and profitably, to be more Advertisers include industry icons such as Ruger, environmentally sound and legally compliant, and Glock, Savage Range Systems, Champion, and to provide the best recreational experience for Winchester. Business services specializing in their customers and members,” said Glenn Sapir, shooting ranges and retail operations, such as NSSF director of editorial services, who has served Business Control Systems Corp., as well as various as the magazine’s editor for more than eight years. insurers and companies that deal with lead and Feedback Sapir receives would indicate the maga- sound management, are also frequent advertisers. zine is doing its job. A regular feature, “Options and Innovations,” “One of the most gratifying parts of my SHOT spotlights various products of interest to range Show experience every year has been the dinner managers and consumers. Regular offerings meeting with our NSSF Range Advisory include “Q&A,” in which range owners and other Committee,” Sapir said. “The Range Report benefits professionals respond to questions; “Real-Life from their guidance as professionals from the Scenario,” detailing ranges’ experiences in various range community. They’re also readers, and the situations; and “Undercover Shooter,” a report comments we get are very good. It’s one magazine from a writer who visits two similar ranges anony- they say they read from cover to cover.” mously and evaluates their operation in a variety A readership survey underscores reader satisfac- of customer-satisfaction categories. tion. According to the survey, 87 percent of the Here at the SHOT Show, potential advertisers magazine’s readers are very satisfied/satisfied overall have a rare opportunity to meet face-to-face with with the magazine’s content, and 92 percent gave its the magazine’s advertising director, Ann Siladi, and ads high marks—excellent to good. Each issue has a editor, Glenn Sapir, to explore how The Range long shelf life, the survey found. Nearly 6 in 10 Report can enhance their marketing program—and readers keep past issues for reference, and 8 out of get a special “thank you” present for their interest 10 make issues available to others—staff, members/ while supplies last. Contact the Press Room or customers, family, friends and investors. stop by to set up a meeting. Comments or sugges- “Current issues also appear on the NSSF web- tions? Contact Glenn Sapir at [email protected] or site, and past issues are accessible there, too,” said Ann Siladi, [email protected]. feature

The NSSF pro- vides instruction- al and financial For the People, support to col- lege shooting teams via its By the People Collegiate Shooting Sports 75 years ago, American sports- Initiative, helping youth shooters men established a farsighted— as they become the next genera- and self-imposed—conservation tion of outdoor leaders. funding mechanism By David Draper sk the average man on the street, “Who pays for wildlife Collegiate Shooting conservation?” As an answer, most likely all you’ll get is a A blank stare. When you tell that same person that hunters and shooters are the primary financiers of the conservation Sports Initiative movement, you’ll probably be met with disbelief. But it’s true. Nearly 80 percent of the funds used to protect and conserve NSSF support brings collegians to wildlife in America come through hunting license fees and, most importantly, self-imposed excise taxes on firearms and ammuni- the firing lineBy David Draper tion sales through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. hanks to NSSF’s Collegiate Shooting Sports Initiative, class- es and classmates aren’t the only things broadening students’ Better known as Pittman- to 2010, when hunters in the Show- T horizons on college campuses around the country. Formed Robertson, after bill sponsors Me State enjoyed a 125-day deer in 2009, the program is designed to foster grassroots development Nevada Senator Key Pittman and season and bagged 295,000 deer. of shooting-sports programs at universities and colleges, as well as Virginia Congressman Absalom But it’s not just hunters who ben- provide opportunities for graduates of the Scholastic Clay Target Willis Robertson, the Wildlife efit from Pittman-Robertson. The Program to participate at the collegiate level. Restoration Act was passed in 1937 nearly $1 billion annually generated at the urging of farsighted hunters by the excise tax supports non-game “As our Scholastic Clay Target measured by the intensity of inter- and shooters who saw a need to con- species and their habitat as well. shooters were graduating, they were collegiate rivalries, of which there is serve and protect dwindling numbers “Hunters and shooters put their asking what other shooting opportu- none bigger than that between Yale of wildlife. Pittman-Robertson estab- money where their mouths, and nities were available,” said Zach Snow, and Harvard. Shooting clubs at both lished a 10 percent tax on firearms hearts, are,” said NSSF president manager of shooting promotions for schools, along with MIT, Tufts, and and ammunition, with all funds gen- Steve Sanetti. “It’s not just a case of the NSSF. “With the development of Northeastern, compete annually for erated to be distributed the user pays and the the Collegiate Shooting Sports the recently adopted traveling tro- to the states for use on user benefits, but the Initiative, we can help support those phy, the New England Clays Cup. wildlife restoration, user pays and every- shooters as well as all students who Collegiate shooting sports are also habitat management, body benefits. It’s a very are interested in learning more about enjoying a boom in Florida, where hunter education, and unselfish act and, as or competing in shooting sports.” up to 12 different colleges, including shooting range man- hunters and shooters, By raising awareness of and pro- noted rivals Florida State and the agement. The tax has since been we should all be very proud of that.” viding both financial and nonfinan- University of Florida, are working to raised to 11 percent on long guns For the people, by the people. It’s cial support for shooting sports develop shotgun, rifle, and pistol and ammunition—and expanded to the foundation not only of our coun- opportunities, the CSSI hopes to clubs, in the hope of competing in include archery equipment. try, but also of the North American grow collegiate shooting sports by 20 regional competitions. Success in the Since its enactment, Pittman- Wildlife Model of Conservation. For percent by 2014—a modest goal if Sunshine State can be traced to Level Robertson has been a resounding 75 years, hunters and shooters have the 43rd Annual Intercollegiate Clay 3 Shooting Instructor David Dobson, success and a basis for federal-state voluntarily carried the financial bur- Target Championship is any indica- whose interest in forming a shooting cooperation. Conservation efforts den for wildlife management, while tion. This past year’s event, held in program at Jacksonville University funded by the act are responsible for the rest of the country has enjoyed March 2011, hosted 439 students led to a curriculum course on an rebuilding wildlife populations that their efforts. The anniversary of from 50 schools, double the number introduction into wingshooting. were threatened in the early part of Pittman-Robertson marks a good of attendees from just three years And it’s not just shotguns that are the 20th century. For example, in time to celebrate that fact and ago. engaging students, but rifles and pis- 1937, the state of Missouri had a change the way the average man on More than 100 schools have active tols, as well. Across the country, three-day deer season in which just the street views hunters and gun shooting clubs, and that number is clubs are developing well-rounded 108 deer were killed. Fast forward enthusiasts. Visit wsfr75.com. climbing thanks to the initial support shooting programs covering all disci- of the CSSI, which offers detailed plines. In particular, steel target materials for starting a club, in addi- shooting is enjoying increased inter- The Original Green Movement tion to financial backing for new and est among younger shooters, who, Many people think “being green” is a modern concept, but hunters existing clubs. used to the fast pace and instant grat- and shooters have been giving back to the environment for at least “The grant program is a big boost- ification of video games, can relate to 75 years. Sportsmen contribute more than $2.7 billion annually—or er,” said Snow. In its first year of pro- the speed of interactive target shoot- $7.5 million each day—to conservation. And when it comes to the viding grant money to collegiate ing. This year, for the first time, the economy, the shooting sports industry supports 183,000 jobs and shooting clubs, the CSSI awarded NRA Intercollegiate Pistol has an overall economic impact of nearly $28 billion. about $90,000 in grant funding. That Championships at Fort Benning will The fact that hunters and shooters not only pay for conservation, number more than doubled the fol- also include a Scholastic Steel but also contribute billions to the economy, might be the greatest lowing year, when 40 different pro- Challenge Collegiate Championship. story never told, if not for the efforts of the NSSF. The organiza- grams enjoyed $200,000 in support. College offers students a world of tion’s Original Green Movement campaign serves to let legislators For the 2011/12 school year, the ini- opportunities to try new experiences. and the public know that, without hunting and the shooting sports, tiative is offering up to $300,000 for By helping to develop these shooting American wildlife would suffer. Through a series of advertisements, schools to implement, expand and sus- clubs, the NSSF’s Collegiate posters and fliers directed at lawmakers, the NSSF is making sure tain their shooting-sports programs. Shooting Sports Initiative is not only our elected officials know just who is paying the bills for conserva- Just like in big-time athletics, suc- helping young shooters, but also nur- tion—America’s hunters and shooters. Visit nssf.org/HunterGreen. cess among shooting clubs can be turing the industry’s future leaders.

46 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 feature

The National Shooting Sports Foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary with a panoramic cake and a commemorative coin… and continued its mission to promote, protect, and preserve the shooting sports. A Mighty Milestone 50 years ago, a small group of visionaries laid the foundation for what is now a powerful voice for the shooting sports By David Draper rom the crafters of the Constitution to the fathers of conservation, a great num- ber of wise individuals have worked to preserve and protect the fundamental F rights and outdoor opportunities we all enjoy today. Among that esteemed group are the attendees of the Second National Conference on the Shooting Sports, who, in 1961, voted unanimously to found the National Shooting Sports Foundation in response to growing threats to the future of hunting and firearms ownership.

Wasting no time, the NSSF immediately went kick off the NSSF’s recent 50th Anniversary cele- to work toward its original mission to create a bet- bration. The year-long party started off among the ter public understanding of and a more active par- members, friends and peers at the State of the ticipation in the shooting sports. In the 1960s, the Industry Dinner, with the debut of the NSSF’s organization worked with notable Hollywood 50-Year Anniversary video, narrated by Alan Sklar, celebrities—including Bing Crosby and Slim and book, written by past NSSF President Doug Pickens—to promote safe, responsible firearm use Painter. Later, a cake-cutting ceremony and recep- and tell the story of the hunter-conservationist. In tion in the NSSF Press Room was a token of grat- 1972, the NSSF kicked off National Hunting and itude for all the shooting and outdoor media has Fishing Day, which still enjoys avid participation. done to help the NSSF’s efforts. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, efforts such as The NSSF used the anniversary as a platform to Step Outside, the Scholastic Clay Target Program, inform and educate its members, the media and the NSSF’s Chevy Trucks Shooting Sports America on public about its mission and what the organization ESPN, and the formation of the Women’s Shooting has accomplished. The award-winning video has Sports Foundation, all helped introduce shooting been viewed by thousands across the country at sports to a whole new group of Americans. writer organizations and at a dedicated website As the voice of a unified shooting, hunting, and (nssf.org/50), where it is available along with a dig- outdoor industry, the NSSF succeeded in not only ital copy of the history book, and other informa- creating an awareness of hunting and the shooting tion. The NSSF staff celebrated with a time cap- sports, but also in protecting them. When the fire- sule dedication at NSSF headquarters in Newtown, arms industry was facing its greatest threat, the Connecticut, to preserve a snapshot of where our NSSF worked with the NRA to help pass the 2005 industry was in 2011. Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, pro- “Celebrating our fifty-year anniversary with our hibiting frivolous lawsuits to hold manufacturers history publication, video and time-capsule project responsible for criminal misuse of their products. helped raise awareness about NSSF and all that it Other NSSF initiatives include Project Childsafe, has accomplished over the years to promote, pro- which has distributed more than 35 million gun tect, and preserve hunting and shooting,” says locks, and the Don’t Lie For The Other Guy cam- NSSF president Steve Sanetti. “It was a fun proj- paign, warning straw purchasers of firearms about ect for all of us. I believe it helped many people, the consequences of their actions. especially those new to our industry, better under- Of all these successes, the NSSF is perhaps most stand what NSSF does for them.” proud of its role in creating the Shooting, Hunting, Promote, protect, preserve—these three words and Outdoor Trade Show, or SHOT as it’s known have defined the organization and its efforts over to its nearly 60,000 attendees. The overwhelming half a century… and will continue to do so for at success of the SHOT Show, which had its humble least another 50 years, as challenges to our sport- start in 1979 with 4,700 attendees, provides the ing traditions and our firearms freedoms continue. NSSF with industry backing and financial support “The NSSF will adapt, as it always has, to meet for many of the organization’s most important and those challenges,” says Sanetti. “Starting this year, successful outreach campaigns. we begin a new history, which I expect to be filled The 2011 SHOT Show was the perfect venue to with success.” feature

Brand recogni- tion is enhanced by company- sponsored shooting teams participating in public events, such as these members of Team Smith & Wesson taking part in a competition.

ple of a team member’s stellar repu- our products in competition becomes tation connecting with a product that a very meaningful and effective Team Effort the public desires. endorsement. It also serves as a great “When the company considers public relations element that puts real Shooting teams help build brand potential shooters, it goes beyond just names and faces to Benelli USA.” how well candidates can pull a trig- In agreement with Coogan is awareness and customer interest ger,” Golob says. Stephen McKelvain, “Smith & Wesson Benelli USA’s vice By Barbara Baird team members are president of market- more than just talent- ing and communica- arketing has always been about getting people not only ed champions; they “Having the tions. “The 3-Gun to like your product, but also to feel good about using it. are great people.” sport is rapidly evolv- M You want people on your “team.” In the shooting indus- Golob says that when FNH USA ing, and more and try, the team concept works on two levels. In order to get more considering team team has more people are join- customers that are loyal to the product and feel connected to the members, the compa- ing the ranks every team, these businesses actually promote the team concept from ny looks for four helped day. More than ever the top down, choosing representatives from the shooting sports attributes. First, are customers before, it is important as team members. the shooters volun- that Benelli as a brand teers at their local know more is involved with this range? Second, are about our sport so customers Team FNH USA sales. “Adding Mark to our shooting they loyal to the products.” can see firsthand the Team FNH’s co-captain of its 3-Gun team is indicative of what our team is company? Third, do benefits of Benelli’s team, Tasha Hanish, says the company becoming, and it helps define who they help promote innovative technolo- sponsors a team because it ultimately we are as an organization.” Booth shooting sports and gies. We’re really helps sales. “Having the FNH USA #13462. (800-635-1321; fnhusa.com) firearms safety? pleased to be involved team has helped customers know more Fourth, can they in the 3-Gun sport about our products. There is more shoot well, but also understand the with a group of shooters who are won- product recognition out there due to Team Smith & importance of sportsmanship? derful ambassadors for the shooting 3-Gun Nation, our websites, and per- Wesson “Prospective members also need to sports, the Benelli brand, and the sonal and team Facebook pages. “For the company, having shooters understand that, with the blue shirt shooting industry as a whole.” People are able to meet with us one- showcase Smith & Wesson at ranges and Smith & Wesson logo, team According to Coogan, Benelli’s on-one and try our products as well as throughout the United States, and members are role models for future 3-Gun Team members must be “tal- learn about them. In fact, one of our even internationally, is very valu- shooters,” she says. Booth #10962. ented, skillful, capable, presentable, distributors told me it makes it easier able,” says team captain Julie Golob. (800-331-0852; smith-wesson.com) and ‘camera ready.’” Although the to sell our products now that people “The qualities the shooters bring to team is at full roster, Coogan says, “If have a knowledge base about them.” the table—such as personality, inspi- someone qualifies as an experienced Not all team members are profes- ration, capability—combined with all Team Benelli competitor and is placing consistently sional shooters. FNH recently added the things people look for from When asked about the benefits of pro- in competition, he or she can submit country singer Mark Wills to its Smith & Wesson in quality, reliabili- moting a company team, Joe Coogan, credentials, videos, photos, or other team. “Mark does a great deal to ty, and customer service, give people brand marketing manager for Benelli pertinent information to our market- build the shooting sports. He also confidence in choosing, buying, and USA, says, “The stresses and pressures ing department.” Booth #13256. supports our troops, as well as a using Smith & Wesson products.” of serious competition serve as the (800-264-4962; benelliusa.com) number of affiliated charities such as Golob’s Smith & Wesson M&P, ultimate field test for any product. For the USA Cares Wounded Warrior with an interchangeable palmswell a team of top shooters who consistent- Project and Operation Troop Aid,” grip, is available in pink (a donation ly place high in competition, they con- Otis Technology’s says Ken Pfau, senior vice president from each sale goes to a breast can- sider equipment failure unacceptable. Pro Staff Team of law enforcement and commercial cer awareness charity). It is an exam- So, in the eyes of consumers, use of According to Cara Peebles, corporate

50 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 feature The All-Around Rifle Is Here There is very little that Ruger’s Gunsite Scout can’t handle By David E. Petzal

Photo By Yamil Sued By Yamil Photo nlike most gun writers who are forgotten a half hour after they’re The recognition that team members (such as flung into pauper’s graves, Jeff Cooper will be remembered. He Team FNH) receive helps retailers sell product. It U changed American handgunning and defense shooting, founded the builds a personal relationship with the brand. first practical-shooting academy (Gunsite), and created the Scout rifle, which is his idea of what an all-around rifle should be. It was, he said, a rifle that PR and community relations coordinator for was to be used by a skilled soldier or a hunter—one who believed in getting Otis Technology, “There is nothing better than the job done with one shot. having the best shooters in the industry pro- mote the Otis brand. True testimonials and The first Scouts were made in the little gun despite its weight. endorsements from everyone’s ‘favorite shooter’ late 1970s at the Gunsite Armory, You can mount a conventional are the highest form of flattery.” and over the years, a standard model scope on it or use an IER scope or a Peebles notes that Otis is a family-oriented emerged. It was a short bolt-action red dot on its forward-mounted company with strong core values. Therefore, it in .308 with a lightweight 20-inch Picatinny rail. You can also use the equates adding a pro-staff team member to hir- barrel, a synthetic stock, an IER backup iron sights, which are rugged ing a new employee. scope, and a backup ghost ring rear and easy to adjust. Twin biathletes Tracy and Lanny Barnes, and and front post sight. Overall length If there’s a spot where the Scout their quest to compete in the 2014 Olympics in should be no longer than one meter, falls down, it’s the trigger. Mine Russia, add an interesting element to the line- and the rifle should weigh no more breaks at 5 pounds and an ounce or up. If these women—who rely on having clean than 7 pounds with a scope. two and is pretty mushy. It’s not a guns to shoot accurately fast—use Otis prod- Cooper, however, always stressed bad trigger, but it’s certainly not a ucts, then why wouldn’t an average recreational that the Scout was a work in prog- good trigger. If you want something shooter want these products? ress, so even during his lifetime there better, don’t ask your gunsmith to “More important than talent and shooting abil- were no two alike. And so it is today. screw around with it. Have him ity is integrity, mutual respect, community focus, install a replacement Timney trigger. commitment to and from each other, and cus- tomer commitment and focus. It’s who the pro Distinctive Design staffer is as a person that resonates with Otis.” The newest Scout on the block is Shooting Prowess Peebles says that Otis is not looking for new Ruger’s Gunsite Model (SRP: $995), Usually, I get to test one rifle before I members for its pro staff team, but it is focusing which was developed in consultation write about it, but in this case I’ve shot on promoting the current staff. She says it is with the staff at Gunsite. The two Gunsite Scouts at considerable looking for new field staff members to help Gunsite instructors knew Cooper’s length. Scout Number One shoots promote Otis on the grassroots level. thoughts and got to see a great just about anything at least acceptably, Booth #14213. (315-348-4300; otistec.com) many Scout rifles of different stripes and if you feed it something it really given workouts at their various likes, it groups into just over an inch. shooting courses. Scout Number Two is fussier. It does Leupold & Stevens Ruger’s version is distinctive. Rather not like most 150-grain .308 ammo, Team shooting is lot like car racing. The than a synthetic stock, the rifle is fit- though it will shoot Barnes 150-grain aforementioned companies in effect sponsor a ted with a gray-laminate wood stock. XXX handloads into groups of heart- “car.” But there’s another way to go—sponsor Two considerations drove this deci- wrenching beauty. It is also very fond a driver, and this is the course Leupold has sion. First, the staff at Gunsite insisted of 165- or 168-grain loads and will elected to follow. that the length of pull be adjustable, shoot these into a minute of angle or “We abandoned the team concept last year, in something not achievable with a syn- sometimes better. favor of individual shooters,” says Tim thetic stock. Second, Ruger designers O’Connor, law enforcement sales manager. “It wanted a 10-shot detachable box mag- struck me at the matches that very few groups azine, and no one could find a syn- Ideal Use of shooters came across as teams like Team thetic stock that could accommodate Jeff Cooper wrote that a Scout FNH.” that type of magazine. Laminated should be ideal for just about any He notes that matching shirts, gear, and con- wood solved both problems. kind of hunting short of large, dan- sistent messages make the aforementioned The Gunsite Scout weighs quite a gerous game, and with the right bul- teams notable. “To have a team, we would need bit more than other versions. The lets, there is very little the .308 can’t to own the shirts, which can cost a lot of Scout I’m currently shooting scales handle. I think the best all-around money, and there needs to be a consistency 7 pounds without a scope, and weight is 165 grains, and I feed mine among the shooters.” weighs 8 pounds 12 ounces with a Scout Nosler Partitions and Federal He feels sponsoring individual shooters is scope and loaded magazine. But that Tipped Trophy Bonded bullets for more cost-effective. “Doing so gives us the flex- additional poundage, along with the hunting. A Scout makes an ideal ibility to have several levels of sponsorship. rifle’s excellent recoil pad, means it truck gun or a brush rifle. The Currently we have Key Sponsored Shooters, has practically no kick. Ruger designers did their homework, Team Sponsored Shooters, Practical Sponsored The Gunsite Scout’s other depar- and somewhere, the shade of Jeff Shooters, and Junior Sponsored Shooters. ture from standard is the barrel. Cooper is smiling. Booth #11840. These folks really shake the product out.” Rather than use a light 20-incher, (203-259-7843; ruger.com) O’Connor says he looks for “sportsmanship” Ruger opted for a medium-weight in prospective Leupold shooters. Presently, spon- 16.5-inch barrel that has a detachable The Ruger Gunsite Scout is a robust short-action sorship candidates are recommended by current flash suppressor at the muzzle. So the rifle chambered for .308. It features a medium- Leupold shooters. Booth #13023; Tactical Scout comes in at 38 inches overall, weight 16.5-inch barrel and, befitting the Scout Optics: #11962. (503-646-9171; leupold.com) right on spec, making it a very handy moniker, has a Picatinny rail for an IER sight.

52 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012 news

Kimber Donations Aimpoint’s Small Surpass $1 Million Wonders Since its introduction in 2007, the Aimpoint Micro T-1 t the 2012 SHOT Show, Kimber CEO In addition to the check, Edelman pre- has become the worldwide standard for compact reflex Leslie Edelman presented a check for sented the Team with a highly customized sights for professional use. But during a 2009 product- A$160,000 to the USA Shooting Team, Team Match II .45 ACP to commemorate review session involving professional end users, the the latest installment in a successful partner- the sale of 10,000 pistols. The one-of-a- optics manufacturer determined that there was an ship based on sales of the Team Match II pis- kind pistol bears serial number “USA- untapped demand for a smaller-size red-dot reticle. As tol. This brought Kimber’s total contribution 10000.” The USA Shooting Team intends a result, Aimpoint is announcing at the 2012 SHOT to $1 million, the largest donation from a fire- to auction the pistol this spring as they pre- Show that two minute-of-angle (MOA) red-dots have arms company in team history. pare for the 2012 Olympic Games. been added to the Micro series of sights. To prepare for Olympic competition, the The Team Match II has a stainless-steel “The launch of this new product USA Shooting Rapid Fire Pistol Team com- frame, and an adjustable rear sight. Custom required a great deal of engineering petes against professional shooters on the features include 30-lines-per-inch front strap and testing to make it possible,” says national Action Shooting circuit using com- checkering, and a match-grade barrel, cham- Ralf Wiklund, vice president and petition guns from Kimber chambered in ber, and trigger group. Red, white, and blue technical manager of Aimpoint. .45 ACP and 9mm. Kimber offers the iden- grips with the Team logo set the Team Match Both the Micro T-1 and Micro H-1 tical model—the Team Match II—to the II apart. SRP: $1,546. Booth #11763. (888- sights are experiencing high demand public and contributes $100 from each sale. 243-4522; kimberamerica.com) from end users, who understand the performance benefits that a high- Kimber’s unique quality compact red-dot sight offers, Team Match II pistol, as well as the fact that these sights which was made for feature a dependable design that members of the USA will not be affected by weather or Shooting Team, fea- severe environmental conditions. tures scrimshawed The Micro family of sights can be ivory grips and a mir- mounted on nearly any individual weapon platform, ror-polished finish. including pistols, carbines, and personal defense weap- ons. In addition, the Micro T-1 is compatible with all generations of night-vision devices. Both the Micro T-1 and H-1 can operate for up to 5 years of constant on use, using just one CR-2032 battery. Booth #14573. (877-246-7646; aimpoint.com)

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Friday, January 20 10am – 11am Chuck Mawhinney / Jon Cavaiani Stars & Stripes Foundation 11am – 12pm Patrick Flanigan

PATRICK FLANIGAN SMART GUN CARE Visit our booth #14213 to meet our pro staff and spin the wheel for cash and prizes!

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BN_039454_SBDD412.indd 1 12/22/11 9:35 AM news Crosman Stays Home and Creates U.S. Jobs The airgun manufacturer renews its commitment to domestic production

Crosman’s decision to keep a New York State facility in operation benefits other industries as well, and keeps much-needed good-paying jobs in the area.

ike many rural communities in the postcard-pretty Finger Lakes region of New York, Bloomfield has seen its share of key manufacturing jobs move overseas. It’s a L trend that seems to have no end. But recently one local manufacturer decided to make a stand to save American jobs. Crosman Corporation, best known for its line of airguns, has been manufacturing a wide variety of products for the shooting sports in this area since 1923. It has deep roots here, and though competitive issues have forced it to outsource some manufacturing, it also wanted to find a way to keep its operations on American soil. To that end, Crosman made a conscious choice to strengthen its domes- tic manufacturing capability rather than simply marketing products made overseas.

“When faced with the choice of producing new and assembled in our U.S. facility.” products elsewhere or competing to keep manu- Part of the driving force behind Crosman’s stra- facturing here, we choose to compete,” says presi- tegic decision to keep the New York plant in oper- dent and CEO Ken D’Arcy. “For years we’ve ation is the corporation’s responsibility to its work- endeavored to profitably manufacture products at force. “Our employees are well trained and moti- our headquarters, and it’s paid off.” vated,” says vice president of manufacturing Dan Crosman recently faced the challenge again, and Schultz. “We invest a great deal in them. As a this time utilized state and county support to assist result, they take great pride in their work. By with the purchase of new, state-of-the-art machin- encouraging our staff to take ownership of the ery. As a result of this partnership, 50 jobs at the products they make, overall quality improves. facility were saved. But that’s not all: The move cre- They also put in a little extra time each day to ated an additional 60 manufacturing positions. make sure their work is exceptional.” “Our production capability has broadened, and The result of this culture of support is that our product range has expanded as a result of Crosman is able to keep qualified employees and these jobs,” says D’Arcy. “The rewards for keeping frequently promotes from within. “Chances are, 110 jobs on American soil extend beyond the fac- most of the managers you’ll find here in the facto- tory and are felt throughout our community. The ry have put in time on the floor. Many of us have Bloomfield facility remains competitive with over- been here for decades,” Schultz says. seas suppliers, and products that might have been Local businesses and suppliers also benefit from made offshore are made in the U.S.” the global vision of Crosman. By relying on a net- There’s no getting away from fierce global com- work of local suppliers for parts not made in-house, petition, as the workers in Bloomfield know all too independent suppliers have a major customer. well. But now they use it to keep their competitive “There’s a ripple effect to our practice of keeping instinct well honed. work here in New York. It contributes to the suc- “Crosman has a somewhat unique approach to cess of our suppliers as well as our company,” says manufacturing,” D’Arcy says. “Our New York fac- D’Arcy. “Crosman will continue to prove that tory bids on the manufacture of each new product, American innovation, hard work, and help from our just like any other factory. If our bid is competi- friends in government can keep domestic manufac- tive, we will produce the goods here.” turing viable, even in this age of severe global com- Obviously, if the bid is too high, the manufac- petition. If we are to remain a major economic turing work goes elsewhere. But, D’Arcy says, power, I believe it is vital for the U.S. to rebuild and “Our success rate in competing with factories in maintain its manufacturing infrastructure. At China and other parts of the world is pretty good. Crosman, we’re working hard to do our part.” More than half of all Crosman products are made Booth #13940. (800-724-7846; crosman.com)

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shot show Show 2012 Scenes

Brianna Cox welcomes everyone to the 2012 SHOT Show on Thursday morn- Comedian Larry the Cable Guy “gets ’er done” on Tuesday night at the NSSF ing, and hands out copies of the SHOT Daily newspaper. As it does every year, State of the Industry dinner. As the featured entertainment, Larry delivered his the paper covers new products and hot topics happening at the show. famous brand of homegrown, good-ol’-boy humor to a receptive crowd.

SHOT Show attendees are able to access the Dude looks like a sportsman! Aerosmith’s Slaton L. White, editor of SHOT Business, presents the SHOT Show map on smartphones and tablets. Steven Tyler browses the SureFire booth. Company of the Year award to Mossy Oak’s Toxey Haas.

FMG Publications, publishers of American Handgunner and Shooting Industry magazines, presents a check for $94,000 to the NSSF during Tuesday’s dinner.

Johnny Hotshot wows spectators at Erica Crosby shows off American Spirit Arms’ gear at the the F.lli Pietta booth by showing some Arizona-based company’s booth. In addition to modeling fancy, twirling handiwork with a pair of some of the guns, Crosby signs autographs and meets Leupold’s Kevin Trepa (left) presents a $50,000 check to historical replica revolvers. with fans at the booth. Tommy Thacker (center) for his 3-Gun competition win.

62 ■ Shot Business Daily ■ day 4, January 20, 2012

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