SHOOTING HUNTING OUTDOOR TRADE SHOW 1979–2015

FEATURES NEWS NEW PRODUCT A CLEAR TENZING ENTERS DEPARTURE NEW TERRITORY REPORTS Winchester’s affordable The company’s TZ CF XPR rifle doesn’t stint on Legend pack is out of SHOT Daily hits the floor to find features SEE PAGE 78 this world SEE PAGE 8 the latest optics from the show P. 16. And see what’s new in DESIGNED TO SHOT BUSINESS ammo P. 28 and outerwear P. 36 DISAPPEAR AWARDS Seven Gerber introduces a line industry members are of concealed-carry recognized as leaders knives SEE PAGE 88 SEE PAGE 4

DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015

THE DAILY NEWS OF THE 2015 LAS VEGAS SHOT SHOW BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE BONNIER CORPORATION AND THE NSSF SHOT Showcase Theater Opens he SHOT Showcase the company’s history and the U.S. Theater opened on line,” says Tom Scott, director, Tuesday at 9:30 marketing and communications. a.m., in the main “This is one of the many chang- entry hall. The es NSSF has made to the 2015 TShowcase Theater offers complete SHOT Show with the goal of in-house surround sound and delivering effective information multi-video displays in addition that’s fun and memorable,” says state-of-the-art lighting. The 742- Chris Dolnack, senior vice presi- seat theater allows media and buy- dent and chief marketing officer. ers a chance to experience the Other Tuesday presenters SHOT Show’s newest products in included Nikon, XS Sight Systems, a comfortable, large-format multi- Faxon Firearms, Leupold & media environment. Stevens, and the Outdoor FNH USA opened the theater Channel. One retailer comment- with its 2015 line. “We believe this ed, “The event was informative is a perfect event for our company and the theater has the most com- to draw independent dealers and fortable seats in the entire SHOT press that may not be familiar with Show.” —Peter B. Mathiesen

Von Benedikt Is Zeiss BERGARA EXPANDS Writer of the Year RIFLE OFFERING Carl Zeiss Sports Optics has named “He’s a gentlemen who carries compe- t the 2015 SHOT Show, Bergara is introducing a pair of Joseph Von Benedikt winner of the tence and confidence in every aspect new product lines, dubbed Premier and Performance, 2015 Carl Zeiss Outdoor of his life and work. He master- A designed to broaden brand appeal. In combination with Writer of the Year Award. fully communicates accurate the existing Custom offering, Bergara can now offer a “good, bet- “Joseph is one of the most and in-depth technical infor- ter, best” product segmentation. progressive technical writ- mation, and his passion and Premier Rifles are comparable to Bergara’s Custom Rifles, but ers and optics users in the appreciation for the out- standardizing some features lets the company reduce the price industry,” said Mike Jensen, doors resonates throughout point. SRP: $1,500 to $2,000. Bergara’s Performance line is target- president of Carl Zeiss SBE, all of his work.” ed toward the mass market, and retail price points will be under LLC, at the presentation Von Benedikt, former editor- $1,000. The first product introduced will be the B-14 model bolt- Monday evening at the annual in-chief of Shooting Times, is now a action hunting rifle. Stocks are available in both a classic style, an SHOT Show Zeiss writers party. field editor for InterMedia Outdoors. oil-finished walnut, and a lightweight synthetic. Booth #14814.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @SHOTBUSINESS see us at shot show NEWS Booth #12971 UP?UP? AREARE YOUYOU READYREADY TOTO STEPSTEP DiscoverDiscover a hhigherigher levellevel ofof performanceperformance

Slaton L. White, Editor James A. Walsh, Art Director Margaret M. Nussey, Managing Editor David E. Petzal, Shooting Editor Judith Weber, Production Manager Kurt Schulitz, Online Producer IC Maribel Martin, Senior Administrative Assistant CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Larry Ahlman, Barbara Baird, Scott Bestul, Philip Bourjaily, Christopher Cogley, David Draper, Jock A5 Elliott, William F. Kendy, Mark Kayser, Peter B. Mathiesen, Brian McCombie, Richard Mann, Tom you asked—we built it Mohrhauser, Robert Sadowski, Robert F. Staeger, Peter Suciu, Wayne Van Zwoll Eric Zinczenko, Executive Vice President ADVERTISING: 212-779-5316 Gregory D. Gatto, Publisher Brian Peterson, Western Sporting Goods Sales Katie Logan, Southern Sporting Goods Sales David Hawkey, Northeast Sporting Goods Sales Elizabeth A. Burnham, Chief Marketing Officer Ingrid Reslmaier, Marketing Design Director BUSINESS OPERATIONS Tara Bisciello, Business Manager CONSUMER MARKETING Robert M. Cohn, Consumer Marketing Director Barbara Brooker, Fulfillment Manager MANUFACTURING Laurel Kurnides, Group Production Director Stefanie La Bella, Associate Production Director

offer a higher level BONNIER of performance for your Chairman, Tomas Franzén Chief Executive Officer, Dave Freygang customers Executive Vice President, Eric Zinczenko Chief Content Officer, David Ritchie Chief Financial Officer, Todd DeBoer Revolutionary patented Chief Operating Officer, Lisa Earlywine Chief Marketing Officer, Elizabeth Burnham Murphy self-regulating short-stroke Chief Digital Revenue Officer, Sean Holzman piston system Vice President, Integrated Sales, John Graney Vice President, Consumer Marketing, John Reese Vice President, Public Relations, Perri Dorset Innovation and technology General Counsel, Jeremy Thompson delivered through manufacturing excellence

step up and stock lwrci high performance firearms

world class customer service SHOT Business (ISSN 1081-8618) is published 7 times a year in January, Feb­ ruary/­ March, April/May, June/July, August/September, October/November and profitability in high performance December by Bonnier Corporation, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5695, and is the official publication of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Flintlock Ridge Office Center, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470 (203-426-1320). Volume 23, issue 1. Copyright © 2015 by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. All rights reserved. Editorial, circulation, production and advertising offices are located at 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5695 (212-779-5000). Free to qual-

ified subscribers; available to non-qualified subscribers for $25 per year. Single- copy issues are available for $5 each. Send check, payable to NSSF, to: SHOT Business, c/o NSSF, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470-2359. SHOT Business

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Printed in the USA. For Customer Service and Subscription questions, such as Renewals, Address Changes, Email Preferences, Billing and Account Status, go to: shotbusiness dealersdealers contactcontact anan authorizedauthorized lwrcilwrci distributordistributor .com/cs. You can also email [email protected], in the U.S. call toll- free 866-615-4345, outside the U.S. call 515-237-3697, or write to SHOT Business, 2 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016. For editorial inquiries, write to Slaton L. White, SHOT Business, 2 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016

For editorial inquiries, visit Venetian Level 3, San Polo 3501, in the Sands Expo & Convention Center.

LWRCI | HIGH PERFORMANCE FIREARMS PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA | LWRCI.COM | 877-901-1348

BC_036335_SBDD115P.indd 1 12/17/14 9:31 AM NEWS

Tenzing’s TZ CF Legend pack is capable of hauling up to 400 pounds at once—perfect for bringing a jaw- dropping trophy back to camp.

Creating a Legend Tenzing’s newest pack takes the manufacturer into “Cadillac” territory By Joe Keller ith the price of guns trending lower, would you believe the price of packs is picking up? Tenzing, the mountain-born backpack company started by Jay Robert and acquired by Plano in 2010, recently released a modular backpack that nears Wthe $900 mark.

“This pack is designed for the Colorado bowhunter Matt medium-­size pack for hunts or hunter who is tired of never having Guedes toted the pack among the hikes. When worn as a complete the right pack,” says Robert, who Rockies this bow season. “It has unit, it has a combined weight of knows about packing out meat. passed all the early tests for sure,” 6 pounds 14 ounces. The Legend The Idaho resident is an avid big- says Guedes, a Tenzing prostaffer, has 12 pockets, five zip compart- game hunter who filled all of his who used it for extended back- ments, several compression straps, Idaho lifetime tags within 10 years. country hunts. “It is strong, com- a gun-bow boot, and Tenzing’s “With this pack, you can carry fortable, and durable, and has a conspicuous yellow tie-down whatever you need, and if you fill well-thought-out system of opera- loops. The suspension frame alone your tag, you can bring a huge load tion. This simply is the best back- is 4 pounds 8 ounces, and can back off the hill the first time. pack for Western-style hunting I carry an astounding 400 pounds or Then peel off the parts of the pack have ever owned.” more, according to Robert. you don’t need, and go back for the Both packs—the detachable 2220 But $900? rest of the meat.” and the suspension frame—feature “Just like in so many things in The TZ CF Legend pack has the their own padded and contoured life, you get what you pay for,” says company’s best-selling CF 2220 shoulder straps. The pack has Robert. “We use the most expen- pack at its soul, and adds a super- adjustable pre-arched shoulder sive carbon fiber, Dyneema light 24-inch carbon-fiber frame. straps and a waist belt that are strength panels in high-stress areas, The combo means hunters can use made to be comfortable and prac- Duraflex buckles, and EVA foam. just the 2,220-cubic-inch daypack tical for long mountain marches. Our goal is to replace not one but alone, with the supporting frame, The TZ CF Legend modular pack The TZ CF 2220 by itself weighs a minimum of two or three packs or just the frame to pack out large adds a 24-inch carbon-fiber frame 2 pounds 6 ounces and unclips on a consumer’s shelf.” Booth quantities of game. to Tenzing’s CF 2220 daypack. from the frame if you want a #10570. (tenzingoutdoors.com)

8 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 NEWS

DANIEL DEFENSE GOES ON OFFENSE SHOT Show Auction Daniel Defense isn’t going off the rails with associated with owning an NFA item. ornady has teamed with the Hunting any of its new products; rather, it is intro- “Unfortunately, there are still a lot of Heritage Trust and some of the most ducing its new DDM4v11 series of rifles states that do not allow SBR ownership, respected names in the shooting-sports that feature the newly designed SLiM Rail and the ATF’s lack of funding has creat- H industry to create “The Hornady Number One.” 15.0, which is the first rail system offering ed a bottleneck for Form 4 approvals,” The rifle, a bolt-action in .300 RCM with serial the KeyMod Attachment system. As its Hunter says. “The upside to that is that number H-001, features a barrel and action full name—Slim Lightweight Modular the ATF’s favorable ruling on the SIG crafted by Bill Wiseman & Company. The gun (SLiM)—suggests, it has the benefit of brace has changed the way a lot of cus- will be equipped with two separate custom-fit reducing weight and offering modular tomers looked at pistols. Without a stocks—one for shooting and one for display. flexibility to shooters. The V11 rifles will be doubt, MSR pistols are in high demand The display stock is made of select American available with the 16-inch Government, right now because of the hassle associ- walnut, with checkering by Clem Boyd of Lucid 16-inch Lightweight, and 18-inch Strength- ated with the long wait time for Form 4 Solutions; the field and the range stocks have to-Weight (S2W) barrels. approvals and tax stamp fee.” been sourced from Hogue, Inc. The engraving “Our new V11 series of rifles offer the Moreover, Daniel Defense continues to was entrusted to Baron Engraving. customer greater customization and a try to set itself apart from other manu- The 2015 SHOT Show Auction Knife is a much lighter base platform,” says direc- facturers in the firearms industry. Hunter Damascus-blade Bowie with a bull elk theme tor of marketing Jordan Hunter. “At just says they try to live up to the manufac- from custom knifemaker Ross Tyser. Both the 6.28 pounds for the standard V11 and turer moniker, through investment in rifle and the knife can be viewed at Gunbroker. 6.15 pounds for the V11 Lightweight, machinery, to manufacture rather than com (Booth #15147). The online auction for both these rifles set a new precedent for light- merely assemble as much of the firearm the rifle and the knife will conclude at 5 p.m. weight carbines without having to adopt as possible. EST, Friday, January 23, 2015. The SHOT Show a carbon-fiber handguard.” “Doing so allows us to control the auction is administered by the Hunting Heritage Hunter adds that the company’s engi- quality of the firearm and truly take own- Trust for NSSF. All proceeds from the auction neers worked to reduce weight without ership of the product that we are putting will benefit programs to further America’s hunt- losing any of the structural integrity or out to our customers,” he says. “The term ing and shooting-sports heritage. rugged durability that its rails are known ‘manufacturer’ is one of the most over- for. “Most shooters are going to acces- used terms in the firearms industry, and sorize the rifle in some way; that’s one of it has different meanings depending on the best characteristics of the platform. who you are talking to. To me, assem- But you are adding weight when you do bling a firearm doesn’t make you a ‘man-

Daniel Defense builds its products; it is not merely an assembler of The 2015 SHOT Show Auction Gun is a one-of-a- parts that are made elsewhere. kind bolt-action from Hornady in .300 RCM. The rifle comes with a pair of custom stocks.

that, so our goal was to keep the rifle as ufacturer.’ But regardless of the custom- lightweight as possible. We did a pretty er that ends up with a Daniel Defense great job of accomplishing that.” product, they should rest assured that Daniel Defense is also introducing its we are an actual manufacturer and not new MK18 Pistol and 300 Blackout Pistol assembling someone else’s parts.” This ON THE FLOOR Variants. These firearms take advantage is no idle boast. Last fall Daniel Defense of the recent ATF ruling that makes it eas- was ranked Number 1,568 by Inc. maga- ier to possess an MSR pistol, and extend- zine on its 33rd annual Inc. 500|5000. VICTORINOX ed approval times for NFA tax stamps has The list represents a comprehensive look Victorinox invites SHOT Show driven demand for the pistol variant. at the most important segment of the attendees to build their own digital The MK18 Pistol has similarities to the economy—America’s independent entre- MK18 Factory SBR, which remains popular preneurs. Companies such as Yelp, camouflage knife. Participants will in the law enforcement and special opera- Pandora, Timberland, Dell, Domino’s have the option of choosing tions communities. It features a 10.3-inch Pizza, LinkedIn, Zillow, and many other between two knife styles—the barrel that is classified as an SBR (short- well-known names gained early expo- Classic SD or Spartan—and three barreled rifle) under the National Firearms sure as members of the Inc. 500|5000. different colors. Cost is $20 for the Act. The 300 Blackout Pistol, chambered “Daniel Defense has again been recog- Classic SD, $30 for the Spartan. All in 300 AAC Blackout, also comes with a nized by Inc. 500|5000 as one of the proceeds will be given to Homes 10.3-inch barrel. Each of these pistols has fastest-growing­ private companies in the for Our Troops, an organization been designed with a 1.15-inch-diameter United States,” says Marty Daniel, presi- that offers mortgage-free and spe- Pistol Receiver Extension, as opposed to a dent and CEO of Daniel Defense. “This is cially adapted houses for severely mil-spec receiver extension and buttstock. the third consecutive year we have been injured veterans of the Iraq and As a result, the pistols are not NFA regu- recognized with this prestigious distinc- Afghanistan wars. Booth #14202. lated items. tion. I am particularly proud that we These pistols are designed to fill a void achieved this goal while installing the MUCK BOOTS for sport shooters unable to otherwise infrastructure for long-term growth, and Need a lift at the end of the day? obtain an SBR, and Daniel Defense has because it is more difficult to grow at The Original Muck Boot Company seen the potential benefit of an MSR pis- this pace as a mid-size company.” is hosting a happy hour from 3:30 tol as a great option to avoid the unnec- Booth #20471. (866-554-4867; p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Booth #10951. essary and unconstitutional irritations danieldefense.com) —Peter Suciu

10 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 NEWS

a four-in-one device with a digital compass, barometer, altimeter, and HIGH-TECH AFIELD thermometer. For 2015, Elements is targeting Celestron offers a new lineup of handheld the hunting market with new pack- aging. The Elements lineup will fea- electronics for hunters ture glossy black packaging that incorporates images of hunters afield The Elements ThermoTrek (far left) and similar hunting-based images. is a battery-operated rechargeable To help retailers move product, hand warmer. The FireCell recharg- Namatevs says, a number of in- er can also warm cold hands. store displays will be available, including two- and four-tier coun- ing chilly days on the deer stand. ter displays, a pegboard counter- “What hunter doesn’t need a top display, and a free-standing flashlight?” says Elements product metal rolling rack with pegs. manager Mark Namatevs. “And a In-store staff training is available, unit with a light that will keep your too, through the Elements rep hands warm and charge up your group, Hudalla Associates, Inc, of cellphone? All the better!” Perham, Minnesota. In numerous outlets where the Leading up to and during the item has been offered, end caps or 2015 hunting season, Namatevs simple displays of the FireCel sell notes, Elements will also be adver- out in a matter of weeks. The lower tising the product line in a number price point is certainly part of the of media platforms, including print, attraction. In addition, Namatevs electronic, and social media. believes the product presents hunt- “With today’s hunters taking their ers with what he terms “a compel- cellphones and tablets afield, the ling story—they instantly recognize ability to recharge their electronics elestron recently made a The Elements FireCel is a con- how useful it could be in the field.” is a real priority,” he says. “These move into the handheld sumer favorite. With a suggested Other handheld Elements prod- hunters are very willing to try other C electronics arena with a retail of $39.95, the FireCel not ucts for the tech-minded hunter tech items, too, if those items can host of handy products. For 2015, only can charge a cellphone, but include the Wind Guide, which improve their hunting experience. the company is putting a focused also features a red LED flashlight measures wind speed, temperature, We think this market will only get effort on marketing these products to preserve a hunter’s night vision. and wind chill; the ThermoTrek, a larger and larger in the near future.” to the growing number of tech-­ It also sports an electronic hand battery-operated, rechargeable Booth #1857. (310-328-9560; savvy hunters and shooters. warmer to keep fingers limber dur- hand warmer; and the TrekGuide, celestron.com) — Brian McCombie

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12.02.2014 19:16 AdID: 35698 SBDD215 Nikon The Prostaff 7 binocular comes in four models; all feature multilayer-coated lenses and phase-correction- coated prisms that help OPTICS deliver sharp images. 2015 Vast Selection Some shooters use optics for work that is up close and personal; others need glass that can perform at vast distances. This year, there’s plenty of both to be found By Robert Sadowski his year will see the continuation of two trends. First, you’ll see new red-dot and holo sights specially designed for close-range use with modern sporting rifles; second, since long-range shooting seems to be a trend with real legs, you’ll see plenty of options in that discipline as well. In addition, manufacturers are rolling out cross- bow sights, new binocular lines, and spotting scopes. The best news of all is that, though some of this glass is T mighty expensive, your customers will be able to find something they like in nearly every price range.

BSA $2,100.45) Long Range Hunting Carson Optical $99.95), 10x50mm (SRP: $109.95), ➤ The Digital Panoramic Reflex Scope (LRHS) features a first- ➤ The HookUpz Universal adapt- and 12x50mm (SRP: $119.95). Sight (SRP: $87.95) has four red/ focal-plane G2H or G2M reticle er (SRP: $89) connects any smart- Booth #1857. (310-328-9560; green illuminated reticle options. and RevLimiter zero-stop phone to any optical device in celestron.com) The 10–50x56mm Long Range elevation turret. The Banner seconds. Booth #1210. (631-963- Scope (SRP: $309.95) uses a 30mm Rimfire 4–12x40mm (SRP: 5000; carsonoptical.com) tube and features a large parallax- $188.34) riflescope features a reti- Konus adjustment wheel mounted on the cle calibrated to the .17 WSM ➤ The economical Pro F30 tactical left side of the turret. Booth #11053. with a holdover of up to 350 yards. Celestron scope comes in two configurations: (954-581-5822; bsaoptics.com) The SportZoom 8–24x25mm ➤ “Tough and durable, with quality 6–24x52mm (SRP: $1,139.99) and (SRP: $194.95) binocular is sleek glass” describes the LandScout line 8–32x56mm (SRP: $1,279.99). and compact and comes in black, of Porro-prism binoculars. The Both feature a front-focal-plane Bushnell green, or white. Booth #14551. four models include the 7x35mm reticle with an internal level bub- ➤ The Elite 4.5–18x44mm (SRP: (913-752-3400; bushnell.com) (SRP: $89.95), 8x40mm (SRP: ble. The KonusPro 3–9x50mm IR

BSA The Digital AIMPOINT Panoramic Reflex Sight has four red/green illuminated reticle options. The ACO (SRP: $393) is an entry-priced optic designed to mount out of the box on an MSR plat- form and provides abso- lute co-witness with iron sights. The Micro T-2 sight (SRP: $849) features a new housing that allows use of flip covers. Beefed- up turret protection and internal electronic compo- nents are also now on board. Booth #14573. (703-263-9795; aimpoint.com)

16 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 PRODUCTS

BARSKA

The SWAT-AR riflescope line expands with a 6–36x52mm with an illuminated red/green mil-dot reticle. Its compact size and low profile pair perfectly when mounted to a flattop modern sporting rifle. Booth #3257. (888-666-6769; barska.com)

Konus The SightPro R8 (above) has eight reticle patterns. The KonuSpot-60 (below) is a value- priced spotting scope.

(SRP: $239.99) riflescope has a features a pulsating and constant mil-dot reticle with 36-color 1-inch tube and a blue/red- LaserMax mode beam with ambidextrous on/ Illumination Enhanced (IE) multi- illumination glass-etched reticle. ➤ The Micro laser system (SRP: off activation. Booth #12771. color mode. The 4x32mm Wide The SightPro R8 (SRP: $309.99) $199) now comes in a green laser; it (800-527-3703; lasermax.com) Angle Fixed Power Scope (SRP: electronic sight has eight reticle weighs less than half an ounce and $129.97) features an ultra-wide- patterns in red/green illumination. can be mounted to any accessory angle field of view—50 percent The battery is rechargeable. The rail. The Guide Rod Laser line has Leapers more than a typical 4X scope. The value-priced 15–45x60mm expanded to include Beretta 92/96 ➤ The UTG T8 Series MRC 30mm 36-Color Crossbow Scope KonuSpot-60 (SRP: $169.99) FS, Taurus PT 92/99/100/101, and (Multi-Range Combat and features the PRO 4-Step Projectile spotting scope has a 45-degree Glock Gen 4 G20/G21/G41 pis- Competitions) scope line now Drop Compensation (PDC) reticle. eyepiece for extended viewing and tols. Green and/or red lasers (SRP: includes a 2–16x44mm (SRP: Point-of-impact can be adjusted for includes a table-top tripod, lens $449) are available depending on $349.97) that offers 8X magnifica- crossbows with velocities between covers, and carrying case. Booth the pistol. The Rail Mount Laser tion zoom, a Side Wheel Adjustable 275 and 385 fps. Two additional #1246. (305-262-5668; (SRP: $149) fits Ruger’s SR22, Turret (SWAT) from 10 yards to add-on parallax-indexing wheels konuspro.com) SR9c, and SR40c handguns and infinity parallax, and an etched-glass include a 60mm (SRP: $16.97) and a

Bushnell The Long Range Hunting Scope (LRHS, top) uses the RevLimiter turret. The Banner Rimfire (below) is calibrated for .17 WSM. Inset: The sleek, compact SportZoom bino.

18 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 PRODUCTS

Celestron The LandScout line of Porro- prism binos will now be available in four mod- els, including 12x50mm (top) and a 7x35mm (below). All have multicoated lenses, BaK-4 prisms, and durable aluminum housings.

100mm (SRP: $19.97). Booth use in the field, even while CRIMSON TRACE #2246. (734-542-1500; leapers wearing gloves. Booth #3544. .com) (631-436-5900; meopta sportsoptics.com)

The small CMR-206 (SRP: $229) Rail Master with green laser fits Meopta all rail-equipped firearms and features tap-on Instant Activation ➤ The MeoPro HD roof-prism Night Optics with three modes. The LG-360G (SRP: $229) with green laser is binocular series debuts with four ➤ The Panther 336 336x256 (SRP: now available for popular S&W M&P pistols. The LG-443G (SRP: models: 8x32mm (SRP: $747.49), $6,499.99) and Panther 640 $229) Laserguard with green laser fits the Glock 42 compact pis- 10x32mm (SRP: $804.99), 8x42mm 640x480 (SRP: $8,415) thermal tol. The Ruger LCR revolver series includes the red laser LG-415 (SRP: $997.49), and 10x42mm riflescopes come with 2x50mm (SRP: $299) and green laser LG-415G (SRP: $399) Lasergrips. (SRP: $1,034.99). All sport rubber- high-grade germanium optics and a Booth #16731. (800-442-2406; crimsontrace.com) coated magnesium bodies. The quick-release weapon mount. They MeoPro riflescope line has been feature 1X, 2X, and 4X digital expanded with six new models. The zoom, 600x800 high-resolution 3–9x40mm R/M (SRP: $517.49– AMOLED display, and more than $574.99) is suitable for rimfires and four hours of continuous use on two muzzleloaders. The 3–9x40mm CR123 batteries. The Observer 320 (SRP: $517.49–$574.99) is for cen- features a 640x480 OLED display terfire rifles (three reticle options are offered: #4, Z-Plex, and BDC). Carson The HookUpz Universal The MeoPro 4.5–12x44mm and adapter connects a smartphone to 4.5–12x44mm T (SRP: $804.99– any optical device, allowing nearly $919.99) are designed for medium- instant sharing of an image. to long-range hunting. The T model features oversize MeoTrak TRZ target turrets. The 4.5– 14x50mm and 4.5–14x50mm T (SRP: $862.49–$919.99) are for long-range hunting and target shooting. Hunters who want a mid- range price-point spotting scope should look at the new MeoPro HD 80 (SRP: $1,724.99). It fea- tures an angled body and integrated 20–60X eyepiece along with the CentricDrive mid-body focus control, which is easy and fast to

20 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 PRODUCTS

and real-time object tracking and EOTECH can be used day or night. The Observer 320 comes in two models: a 25mm (SRP: $6,799.99) and 50mm (SRP: $7299.99). The EOTech’s 518 (SRP: $539) and 558 (SRP: $629) Holographic Weapon Sights (HWS) feature quick- Explorer 320 series 384x288 ther- release bases and side-button functionality; they’re powered by AA batteries. Both models are compat- mal imagers are available in two ible with the G33 magnifier and laser battery caps. Booth #20159. (888-368-4656; eotech-inc.com) variants: an LED (SRP: $4,199.99) and Laser (SRP: $5,599.99). Both of these pocket-size imagers include a 384x288 high-resolution thermal core, a 640x480 HD display, 60hz real-time refresh rate, and white- hot, black-hot, and three red-hot polarity options. The improved Magnus 790 6X (SRP: $4,779.99) long-range night-vision riflescope incorporates state-of-the-art optics and coating technologies to improve range, contrast, clarity, and light transference. Booth #20020. (800- 306 4448; nightoptics.com)

Nightforce Optics ➤ The affordable SHV (Shooter Hunter Varminter) line has added a 3–10x42mm SHV (SRP: $900) with two reticle options and side parallax adjustment. The ACTAR line gets additional models with the high-magnification 5–25x56mm F1 ATACR (SRP: $2,800) riflescope with a first-focal-plane reticle configuration and several reticle options. The 4–16x42mm F1 ATACR (SRP: $2,400) offers PRODUCTS

extreme optical quality, clarity, and 3–9x42mm, 3–12x42mm, and 10x30mm (SRP: $199.95). performance, and a first-focal- 3–12x56mm, and 3–12x62mm Multilayer-coated lenses and LEICA plane reticle in a compact package (SRP: starts at $219). All feature phase-correction-coated prisms 5 that is just 12 /8 inches long. 30mm one-piece tubes, low- help deliver sharp images with Booth #20449. (208-476-9814; profile turrets, and a dual-color superior resolution and clarity. nightforceoptics.com) red/green illuminated reticle. The Arrow ID 5000 Laser The new Ultravid Booth #3050. (800-553-4229; Rangefinder (SRP: $279.99) com- HD-PLUS 42mm binocu- legacysports.com) bines optics with laser rangefinder lar series uses HD/HT Nikko Stirling technology for bowhunters and glass elements with ➤ The Panamax Series features a measures from 5 yards to 600 AquaDura coating to one-piece tube, Microlux ETE Nikon yards. Booth #11221. (800-248- protect against water, Gen III lens coatings, and a dual ➤ Predator hunters take note: The 6846; nikonsportoptics.com) dirt, and fogging. Three red/green illuminated half-mil-dot Active Target Special line now models are offered: a reticle. Models include 3–9x40mm, includes a 3–9x40mm (SRP: 7x42mm (SRP: $2,399), a 3–9x50mm, and 4–12x50mm AO $249.99, matte black; $279.95, Sightmark 8x42mm (SRP: $2,449), (SRP: starts at $119). The Realtree Max1 or Mossy Oak ➤ The new Pinnacle first-focal- and a 10x42mm (SRP: Diamond Series has expanded to Brush) and 4–12x40mm (SRP: plane riflescope series features two $2,499). Booth #12519. include six additional models: $299.95, matte black; $329.95, models. The 1–6x24mm TMD (800-222-0118; us.leica- 1–4x24mm, 1.5–6x42mm, Realtree Max1 or Mossy Oak offers a multi-purpose tactical mil- camera.com) Brush) that are designed to be dash reticle and fully adjustable more effective on moving targets ballistics-tested BDC dials for by using the BDC Active Target 5.56x45mm 55-grain and Special reticle. The Prostaff 7 lines 7.62x51mm 180-grain loads. The features five models: 2.5–10x42mm 1–6x24mm AAC includes a CDC- (SRP: $299.95), 2.5–10x50mm 300 reticle for 300 BLK ammuni- (SRP: $349.95), 3–12x42mm SF tion. Booth #11924. (817-225- (SRP: $349.95), 4–16x42mm SF 0310; sightmark.com) (SRP: $449.95), and 4–16x50mm SF (SRP: $499.95). Each features a 30mm body and a wider maximum Simmons internal adjustment range of 90 to ➤ For MSR hunters, the 140 MOA, depending on the 1–6x24mm Predator/Varmint model. The Prostaff 7 binocular (SRP: $259.95) scope has an illumi- comes in four models: 8x42mm nated Strike Zone 223 reticle cali- Night Optics The Observer 320 (SRP: $189.95), 10x42mm (SRP: brated for 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. can be used day or night. It is avail- $199.95, black; $219.95, Xtra loads. The Volt 600 (SRP: $190.95, able in two models. Green), 8x30mm (SRP: $189.95), black; $210.95, ATAC Camo) and PRODUCTS

LEUPOLD Meopta The MeoPro HD roof prism binocular series debuts with four models: 8x32mm, 10x32mm, 8x42mm, and 10x42mm. All are built with lightweight, durable rubber-coated magnesium bodies. The high-definition, extra-low dispersion fluoride objective lens elements are designed to eliminate chromatic aberration.

The unique D-EVO (SRP: $1,874.99) is Z-shaped to allow the unit to be mounted behind a reflex, holographic, or red-dot sight without obstructing the view. Shooters can shift their focus from the 1X view of the red dot to a 6X precision optic. The 1X LCO (SRP: $1,249.99) red- dot sight delivers a wider field of view than other red-dots on the market while also providing a clean, crisp 1 MOA aiming dot. The RX-1200i TBR with DNA laser rangefind- er (SRP: $419.99) has ranging capabilities out to 1,200 yards for hard tar- gets and 800 yards for soft targets. TBR calcu- lates the angle of the shot while the DNA (Digitally eNhanced Accuracy) engine provides accuracy Volt 600 Tilt (SRP: $230.45) laser levels—10 day levels and five night medium- to long-range versatility to the nearest one-tenth rangefinders offer fast ranging levels. The reticle can also be com- of a first-focal-plane (FFP) mil- yard. Booth #11962. (503- from 10 to 600 yards. The Volt 600 pletely removed. Booth #16422. dot reticle. The improved Grand (800-426-3089; swarovski 526-1400; leupold.com) Tilt uses Tilt Intelligence to pro- Slam series now features the vide line-of-sight distance plus the optik.com) MultiStop turret system, which true horizontal distance for steep lets the user configure the color- inclines or declines. Booth #14551. coded turret for different loads (800-423-3537; simmons Viridian and firearms. Models include a optics.com) ➤ The Reactor line of green and 4–16x4mm (SRP: $1,215.45) and red laser sights now includes Glock a 5–20x50mm (SRP: $1,425.45). G42, G26, and G27 and SIG Sauer The Kaspa 3–9x40mm rimfire Swarovski P238 and P938 pistols. An ECR scope (SRP: $265.49) features ➤ Designed for precision shooting, Instant-On hybrid belt holster is interchangeable turret dials cali- the STR 80 spotting scope offers included; it shuts the laser off while brated for .22 LR, .22 Win. Mag., HD optics and an illuminated reti- holstered and activates it the and .17 HMR. The Kaspa cle, allowing users to estimate dis- moment the weapon is drawn. 3–9x40mm scope (SRP: $265.49) tance and identify targets at long Booth #653. (800-990-9390; has pink turret caps, adjustment range. The illuminated MOA or viridiangreenlaser.com) rings, and other accents. The new MRAD reticle has 15 brightness T-Series XR fixed-power target scopes features a side-focus Vortex parallax-adjustment system and Zeiss The ➤ The affordable Crossfire line of precise Micro-Trac Adjustment Victory binocu- roof-prism binoculars has four system for competition-level pre- lar line now models: 8x42mm (SRP: $219), cision. Reticle choices, depending includes the 10x42mm (SRP: $299), 10x50mm on model, include fine crosshair, Victory SF in 1 (SRP: $239), and 12x50mm (SRP: fine crosshair /16 MOA dot, or 8x42 and 10x42. 1 $249). Features include a smooth fine crosshair /8 MOA dot. Both models center-focus wheel, twist-up eye- Models include 24x40mm (SRP: use a triple-link cups, and tough rubber armor coat- $949.95–$979.95), 36x40mm bridge design ing. Booth #20439. (800-426- (SRP: $959.95–$999.95), and and Ultra-FL 0048; vortexoptics.com) 46x48mm (SRP: $1,399.95). Booth lenses. Thanks #14551. (608-836-0922; to the wide- weaveroptics.com) angle field of Weaver view, you’ll be ➤ The 6–30x56mm Tactical Scope able to locate (SRP: $2,099.99) features a 34mm Zeiss game quickly. tube and SmartZero turrets, ➤ The 2–7x32mm XB75 Terra 3x In addition, allowing an operator to make Crossbow Scope (SRP: $399.99) the Ultra FL multiple elevation adjustments uses a ballistic reticle that offers the lenses deliver while still providing quick access ability to determine aiming points superior light to the rifle’s absolute zero. The from 20 to 75 yards based on the transmission. 1–7x24mm Tactical Scope (SRP: speed of the bow. The Terra ED $1,739.99) features dual-focal- binocular line now has a compact plane MDR technology that inte- 8x32mm (SRP: $388.88) model as grates the close-range, quick tar- well as a 10x32mm (SRP: $444.43). geting of a second-focal-plane Booth #13913. (800-441-3005; (SFP) illuminated dot with the zeiss.com)

24 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 Federal Premium The 3rd Degree turkey shotgun shell uses a AMMO multi-stage three-shot payload for short- and long-range results. 2015 Full Bore Increased production and new loads make this an interesting year for new ammunition introductions By Chris Christian he last few years have seen less ammunition product in the pipeline than many consumers would have hoped for. That’s changing, however. The supply situation is improving with increased production, which is giving the ammo makers T room to introduce some very useful new loads. Here’s a look at some of the most significant new products for 2015.

Barnes Bullets Bonded Tip projectile. The Trophy ➤ Highlights of the Barnes offer- Federal Premium Vital-Shok Trophy Bonded 10mm Auto is now Bonded Tip is built on the bonded- ings for 2015 include new additions a legitimate semi-auto handgun load for big-game hunters. core Bear Claw platform and fea- to the Premium Match and Vor- tures a neon polymer tip, nickel- TX lines and a new lead-free train- plated bullet, and a solid copper ing round geared toward law shank that retains more than 90 enforcement agencies. The Barnes percent of its weight. A skived jack- Premium Match Precision line et helps ensure maximum con- adds are constructed from hard trolled expansion. It will be avail- lead and a gilding metal jacket and able with a 62-grain slug, which designed with a long boattail and a makes it a viable load for deer- and high ballistic coefficient. They’re antelope-size game. It also is load- optimized for long-range accuracy ed into nickel-plated cases. by tight manufacturing tolerances Fans of the .338 Lapua Magnum that reduce deviation and variation. will find a new moderately priced New additions for 2015 include a load in the American Eagle line. 5.56 NATO with a 69-grain OTM The new load features Federal bullet, a .308 Win. with a 175- reloadable brass cases, Federal grain OTM, a .300 Win. Mag. primers, and a 250-grain jacketed with a 220-grain OTM, and the softpoint bullet. .338 Lapua, which launches a 300- High-volume shooters will now grain OTM slug. find the 5.56mm NATO load avail- The Vor-TX line sees the addi- able in the American Eagle line in tion of two 5.56mm NATO offer- two new bulk-package offerings. ings that are loaded to true The new 120-Round Mini Ammo 5.56mm NATO pressures. One Cans provide 120 5.56x45mm features a 55-grain TTSX projec- NATO rounds in either a 55-grain tile, the other launches a 62-grain or a 62-grain FMJ in a reusable TSX bullet. The Vor-TX CFR line injection-molded polymer ammo sees the addition of a 300 AAC can. Styled like military ammo Blackout load (launching a 120- cans, they are convenient to store grain TAC-TX Vor-TX bullet) and ping power. In 2013, Federal made wild hogs at ranges inside 100 yards. and transport. The new 150-Round the .338 Lapua (with a 280-grain the HST round available to civil- However, many 10mm loads are Bulk pack offers 150 5.56x45mm LRX Vor-TX projectile). ians, but only in those three cali- downloaded to .40 S&W velocities. NATO rounds in the 62-grain FMJ Barnes’ Alternative Material Zinc bers. This year, however, they will The Vital-Shok Trophy Bonded load. The bulk pack is a sturdy cor- Core ammunition is lead-free and extend the HST performance 10mm is loaded to full pressure and rugated cardboard carton that provides cost-effective training for envelope to those opting for the launches a 180-grain Trophy stores and transports easily. law enforcement agencies. It will .380 ACP as a backup LE or civil- Bonded softpoint bullet at 1,275 fps. Rimfire shooters now will find be available in a 55-grain 5.56mm ian concealed-carry handgun. It offers significant expansion com- the .17 Win. Super Magnum avail- NATO loading and a 300 AAC Available in the Personal Defense bined with magnum penetration. able in the American Eagle line. Blackout with a 90-grain projectile. line, the new HST .380 ACP load On the rifle side, the .30/30 Win. Producing 3,000 fps with a 20-grain Booth #15427. (barnesbullets. features a 99-grain bullet in a gets an upgrade with the inclusion tipped varmint bullet, it offers flat com) nickel-­plated case; it’s sold in a of a 150-grain Trophy Copper load trajectory and explosive expansion 20-round box. SRP: $25.95. in the Vital-Shok line. The flat, on prairie dogs, ground squirrels, Handgun hunters will want to polymer-tipped Trophy Copper slug woodchucks, and similar varmints. Federal Premium check out Federal’s new Vital-Shok is designed for tubular magazines Federal’s new inline Trophy ➤ Federal’s HST bullet design was Trophy Bonded 10mm auto. In and offers the same copper-alloy Copper Muzzleloader bullet is a originally offered as an LE-only terms of power, a 10mm loaded to construction and 90-percent-plus radical design that Federal claims round. As such, it is in wide service full pressure easily eclipses the .357 weight retention of the other increases accuracy, reduces barrel with law enforcement agencies Magnum and can actually tread Trophy Copper offerings. It features fouling, and offers faster loading across the country in 9mm, .40 closely on the heels of the .41 a nickel-plated case for corrosion than conventional sabot slugs. The S&W, and .45 ACP, where it has Magnum. That makes it a legiti- resistance and smoother cycling. B.O.R. Lock MZ System bullet earned an impressive reputation for mate semi-auto handgun choice for The .223 Rem. is added to the design does not require a sabot; it penetration, expansion, and stop- those pursuing deer-size game or Vital-Shok line with a Trophy uses an expanding polymer base

28 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 PRODUCTS

Hornady A new 100-grain 9mm load that uses the FTX bullet joins the Critical Defense line. The Critical Duty line will see new offerings as well.

cup that seals the bullet in the create dense patterns at up to 40 proven XTP bullet and will be Booth #13145. (hornady.com) bore. The rear of the cup features a yards. The 3rd Degree will be available in .380 ACP with a hard, fiber-reinforced ring that available in 12-gauge 3-inch with 90-grain XTP, 9mm Luger in a scours fouling from the breech. 1¾ ounces of shot and in 3.5-inch 115-grain XTP and 124-grain +P Remington This reduces the need for cleaning shells carrying 2 ounces of shot. XTP, a 125-grain .357 Magnum, a ➤ Remington notes that one of its between rounds and speeds reload- Both shells launch at 1,250 fps. 125-grain .38 Spl., 180-grain .40 goals in 2015 is to increase produc- ing. Federal notes that the non- Booth #14551. (federalpremium. S&W, and a .45 ACP with a 185- tion volumes for all ammunition. sabot design is approved for use in com) grain XTP. Among those will also be two new most areas. The all-copper 270- In the Critical Defense line, a products. grain .50-caliber Trophy Copper new 100-grain 9mm load using the The 300 BLK has proven to be a bullet features a polymer tip, deep Hornady FTX bullet with a unique pink popular round among modern hollowpoint cavity, and skiving on ➤ New handgun loads for sport Flex-Tip is claimed to offer up to a sporting rifle shooters, and for the jacket to promote consistent and self-defense, a new rifle line 27 percent reduction in recoil com- 2015 Remington will introduce a and increased expansion. It will be for hunters, and a 12-gauge slug pared to standard-pressure 9mm 120-grain load using a OTFB bul- available in 15-count packs. SRP: highlight Hornady’s 2015 offerings. loads. Hornady’s Critical Duty line let. It will be available in 20-round $24.95. The new Full Boar centerfire rifle is designed for LE use and meets boxes. SRP: $18.53. Modern shotgun turkey loads line uses the monolithic copper- FBI protocol standards for penetra- Remington’s new Ultimate have been refined to produce such alloy GMX bullet, which is tion and terminal performance Muzzleloader rifle uses a special tight patterns that it almost California-compatible and through all common urban barri- priming case to launch a 250-grain becomes “shotgunning with a approved for other areas that ers. For 2015, that line will expand .50-caliber Premier AccuTip bullet. rifle.” In fact, close-range patterns require non-traditional, lead-free with the addition of a 135-grain Each purchased rifle will ship with can be tight enough that a small bullets. The GMX is designed to .357 Magnum load, which features 24 ignition cases and bullets. Those aiming error can result in a miss. produce uniform expansion and the FlexLock bullet that utilizes a products will also be available for Federal’s radical new 3rd Degree deep penetration while retaining polymer tip to prevent clogging on separate purchase in packs of 24 12-gauge turkey load offers a solu- up to 95 percent of its weight. It impact. The load also assures each. Booth #15427. (remington. tion. Using the rear opening will be available in .223 Rem. with expansion via a core-to-jacket com) FliteControl wad, which holds the a 50-grain GMX, 80-grain .243 InterLock that melds core and rear-most pellets within the wad Win., 100-grain 6.8mm, 130-grain jacket together for maximum longer, the 3rd Degree offers a .270 Win., 139-grain 7mm Rem. weight retention. Other features Winchester multi-shot three-stage payload that Mag., 165-grain .308 Win., 165- include low-flash propellants and ➤ This year’s new product offerings delivers both short-range spread grain .30/06 Sprg., and 165-grain nickel-plated cases. run the gamut from the deer woods and tight, longer-range patterns. .300 Win. Mag. Lastly, those who opt for and upland bird fields to turkey The forward 20 percent of the shot Fans of the rimfire .17 Win. 12-gauge slugs (whether by prefer- swamps, clay target ranges, and charge is composed of No. 6 Super Mag. will find a new ence or regulation) will want to personal defense. The new Deer nickel-­plated shot. Leaving the wad Hornady load launching a 20-grain look at the new American Season XP is a dedicated deer- first, they create a larger pattern polymer-tipped V-Max bullet at Whitetail Rifled Slug. The 1-ounce hunting rifle bullet. It is designed inside 20 yards. The next 40 per- 3,000 fps. Hornady’s new line of lead-alloy Foster-style slug is to produce a massive impact diam- cent is copper-plated No. 5 shot to American Gunner handgun ammu- intended for use in smoothbore eter with rapid expansion com- create a dense pattern at mid-­ nition offers traditional loadings barrels and launches at 1,600 fps bined with an elevated ballistic ranges. The final 40 percent is No. suitable for hunting, self-defense, with a compression-style wad that coefficient for a flatter trajectory 7 Heavyweight iron-tungsten shot; or target work. The initial offer- both protects the slug and seals the and greater long-range accuracy it remains in the wad the longest to ings will be built around Hornady’s bore. potential. Created specifically for

30 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 PRODUCTS

Winchester Deer Season XP is a dedicated deer-hunting bullet designed for rapid expansion. It will also have a flatter trajectory and greater long-range accuracy.

fps, and in a 3.5-inch 12-gauge load carrying 1 2 /8-ounce of shot at 1,050 fps. Both will be available in No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 shot. The Rooster XR 12-gauge load is designed to produce tight patterns at extended ranges, such as those encountered while hunting late-season ringnecks and chukar. It will now be offered in a 12-gauge 3-inch load carrying 1 ¼-ounce of No. 5 or No. 6 shot at a range-stretching velocity of 1,450 fps. One of the more useful tools for clay target shooters is the Winchester AA TrAAcker shot- shell. It uses a unique wad technology that actu- ally makes the path of the shot string visible to the shooter. No longer do you have to wonder, “Was I behind or ahead of that clay?” Now you can see why you missed. It’s a great practice aid for experienced shooters and an invaluable train- ing aid for new ones. It is available with two dif- ferent colored wads: fluorescent orange, which shows best against overcast skies, and plain black, thin-skinned deer-size game, it features a radical line pairs a range-ready practice round (Train) more visible on bright, clear days. For 2015, the new Extreme Point polymer tip bullet. Packed in with a jacketed hollowpoint personal-defense loads will be available in 12-gauge loads of 1 20-round boxes, it will be available in the follow- load (Defend). Loaded to equal velocities, they 2 ¾-inch and 1 /8-ounces: a No. 7½ load that ing loads: .243 Win. (95 grains/3,100 fps), .270 provide similar recoil levels and shoot to the shoots at 1,200 fps, and a No. 9 that shoots at Win. (130 grains/3,050 fps), .270 WSM (130 same point of aim. For 2015, the Train & 1,145 fps. Both are available in orange or black grains/3,275 fps), 7mm Rem. Mag. (140 Defend line will now be available in 50-round wads. The AA Steel Target load is designed for grains/3,100 fps), .308 Win. (150 grains/2,820 boxes of range loads and 20-round boxes of lead-free areas and features a non-reloadable fps), .30/06 Sprg. (150 grains/2,920 fps), .300 Defend loads in 230-grain .45 ACP (850 fps). black hull. New for this year are 12-gauge, Win. Mag. (150 grains/3,250 fps), and a 150- Winchester’s Long Beard XR (Extra Range) 2 ¾-inch loads with 1 ounce of No. 7½ or No. 8 grain 300 WSM (3,260 fps). Magnum lead turkey load will be available in steel shot, leaving the muzzle at 1,450 fps. Booth 7 Winchester’s Train & Defend handgun ammo 12-gauge 3-inch with 1 /8-ounce of shot at 1,050 #13334. (winchester.com) OUTERWEAR 2015 Steady Sailing Consumers seem to be less price-sensitive, spurring manufacturers to release more mid-range and premium clothing By Peter B. Mathiesen n the manufacturing front in 2014, American companies continued to look globally to drive down expenses while increasing the quality of production. As a result, production in Brazil, India, and Vietnam rose while production in China slowed. Manufacturers and retailers also noticed that consumers over the past year seemed less price-sensitive than they have been recently, a trend bolstered by steady sales in both mid-range O and premium clothing. 5.11 Tactical 5.11 Tactical The new Taclite ➤ An evolution from the M-65 M-65 Jacket is an evolution of Field Jacket, the new Taclite M-65 the M-65 Field Jacket released in Jacket is constructed from 5.11’s 1965 and worn on battlefields own Taclite ripstop fabric for dura- around the world for 50 years, bility and light weight. The con- using lightweight and durable temporary cut has a number of Taclite ripstop fabric. functional features, including RapiDraw pass through pockets for quick and complete interior access, a Loop Patch ID Strip, functional shoulder lapels with prym snaps, dual hidden document pockets at the chest for secure storage, and articulated elbows. A two-way front YKK Zipper offers quick access to concealed-carry firearms. Available in Black, TDU Khaki, and Tundra, in sizes 28 to 44. SRP: $159.99. Booth #13162. (209-527-4511; 511tactical.com)

Browning ➤ For 2015, Browning will expand the Dirty Bird waterfowl gear lineup to include the new Dirty Bird Timber Wader Jacket. The shorter- length jacket will keep the garment above the waterline and dry. The soft-shell contruction utilizes UTW (Under The Wader) Technology (water-resistant uppers and breath- able fleece lowers) that lets the jack- et fit easily underneath chest waders. Other features include Browning’s Pre-Vent waterproof and breathable fabric shell. There are two upper handwarmer pockets and two lower bellows shell pockets with magnetic closures and internal pleats. The adjustable, watertight cuffs, along with a detachable, adjustable hood, provide added comfort and conve- nience. A raglan sleeve design elimi- nates the top shoulder seam for improved comfort, and the Arrow Gusset armpit design and articulat- ed elbow offers a shooter a greater range of motion. Available in Mossy Oak Bottomland or Realtree Max-5 patterns, in sizes S to 3XL. SRP:

34 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 PRODUCTS

Rocky The new Silent RIVERS WEST Hunter Elite clothing will have improved waterproofing, wind-proofing, and insulation. The quilted jacket is made Capitalizing on demand for from a microsuede shell with scent-controlled hunting a polyester micro tricot lining products for the Eastern and 100 grams of insulation. U.S. markets, Seattle-based Rivers West will unveil at SHOT a new, midweight outerwear line incorporat- ing Dow Silvadur directly into each of its product’s fleece liners (like the Artemis Jacket, below). The new line will be available in two weights. The first is Lightweight, a 4.2-ounce micro-fleece camo exterior with a cool- ing taffeta lining for the early-season hunter or for those who hunt in more moderate conditions. The second is Heavyweight, a 4.2-ounce micro-fleece camo exterior with an 8.8- ounce Sherpa-fleece lining for the late-season hunter or for those who hunt in extreme conditions. Silvadur antimicrobial combines the efficacy of sil- ver with a polymeric deliv- ery system. Free silver ions interact with the polymers, resulting in effective odor control through more than 50 washing cycles. Camo options include Realtree AP Xtra, Mossy Oak Break-Up, and Infinity. SRP: $119.99. Booth #10742. (800-683- 0887; riverswest.com)

includes a waterproof wind shirt, $306 to $319. Booth #15538. (801- lying down, or even running. It’s and pants are available in olive, soft-shell jacket and pants, quilted 876-2711; browning.com) silent and highly breathable, and Realtree APX, or Realtree Max-1. jacket, and a unique stealth cloak. has fully waterproof zippers, taped SRP: $269.99. Booth #10223. (970- All items in the new line are guar- seams, and snap-down sliders to 641-3355; proishunting.com) anteed waterproof and feature Prois keep the wearer and gear dry. The Scent IQ scent-control technology. ➤ The Gaelic word for “storm” is hood also has an exterior draw- The quilted jacket is made from a galleann, and the new Galleann string, allowing for a more precise Rocky 100 percent microsuede shell with a jacket and pant is the company’s fit and improved peripheral vision. ➤ For fall 2015, the Silent Hunter polyester micro tricot lining and premium, technical rainjacket and The pants have zippers up the Elite clothing line will feature soft, 100 grams of insulation. It features rainpant. Constructed from 100 entire leg so you can slide them on lightweight Silent Hunter suede, three zippered external pockets as percent polyester laminate, this and off quickly and easily. Detach­ but with improved waterproofing, well as a zippered inside pocket. garment is lightweight and com- able Cordura gaiters secure your wind-proofing, and insulation. The stealth cloak is also made from pletely waterproof. The jacket is boots and reduce moisture around Rocky claims the new garments are a 100 percent microsuede shell with designed to move seamlessly with the boot and ankle. Sized for women its quietest line of hunting outer- a polyester micro tricot lining and the hunter while sitting, squatting, hunters XS through XXL, the jacket wear to date. The collection 80 grams of insulation. A rear har-

36 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 PRODUCTS

ness slot allows for easy attachment to the treestand. The magnetic Sitka The Core clasps allow fast, silent removal. All Lightweight Hoody are available in Mossy Oak Break- Optifade is one of Up Country in sizes S to 3XL. SRP: Sitka’s first products $189.99 to $309.99. Booth #11340. to be treated with (740-753-1951; rockyboots.com) odor-fighting Polygiene. Sitka Gear ➤ The new Core Series lineup is the first in the hunting industry to be protected from odor-causing bacte- ria using Polygiene, a permanent sil- ver-salt odor-controlling treatment. Polygiene is widely regarded as the best-performing and most environ- Wolverine The Renegade keeps mentally friendly odor-controlling the cold out with a wind flap and a system. All three weights of the fabric zipper guard at the collar. Core Series Next-to-Skin pieces are available in S to 3XL and, depend- ton duck shell bonded to micro ing on the item, are available in fleece to keep the wearer warm and Gore Optifade Conceal­ment Open comfortable all day. With no shoul- Country, the new Gore Optifade der seams and easy movement artic- Concealment Elevated II, Gore ulated elbows, the jacket is designed Optifade Concealment Waterfowl,­ for any kind of outdoor work, espe- Dirt, Forest, Coyote, and Pyrite. cially for those tasks that require SRP: Lightweight, $59 to $99; working above the wearer’s head. Midweight, $89 to $149; Heavy­ The zipper uses a durable, metal weight, $89 to $149. Available in pull and rubberized claw inserts for sizes S to 3XL. Booth #10328. easy use and waterproofing. Other (707-253-1122; sitkagear.com) features include a left chest zipper pocket for a phone, adjustable snap cuffs, and an extended tail to reduce Wolverine drafts. Sizes M to 4XL. SRP: $90. ➤ This Wolverine Renegade jacket Booth #10340. (800-545-2425; is constructed with a heavy-duty cot- wolverinebootsandshoes.com) FEATURE

Changing With the Times NSSF Industry Summit focuses on the future By Christopher Cogley hange is inevitable. If an industry wants to survive and remain relevant to the customers who support it, it must change with its customers. With that goal in mind, the National Shooting Sports Foundation began hosting an annual summit to bring together retailers, manufacturers, range owners, and repre- sentativesC from state agencies and conservation organizations in one place so they could discuss key issues, learn from each other’s successes and failures, and figure out the best ways to work together to improve the overall health of the industry.

When those key leaders gathered last year in allow other state agencies and industry leaders to Springfield, Massachusetts, for the 2014 Industry implement similar programs in their states. Summit, the first thing they noticed was that the In addition to sharing the Models of Success, the summit—like the industry itself—was changing. summit also focused on other critical aspects of “We changed the name from the Shooting Sports increasing participation, and at the top of that list Summit to the Industry Summit because we wanted was diversity. From women and youth to different to broaden the perspective. It’s an industry-wide age groups and ethnic populations, Dolnack says event, and the topics we discuss are relevant to there are so many people who would participate if everyone in the industry,” says Chris Dolnack, someone would simply reach out to them. senior vice president and CMO at the NSSF. “We “We have all these potential customers—why also changed the format of the summit to make it wouldn’t we embrace them?” he says. “As soon as more interactive, more engaging. More effective.” we do, they’re going to discover the one thing The new format provided for more open dis- that our industry has always had going for it— cussions between industry leaders and the more that shooting is fun. Plain and simple.” than 230 stakeholders who attended the event. Dolnack says that studies have shown—and Melissa Schilling, director of recruitment and retailers have seen—that more and more people retention for the NSSF, says that kind of open from all walks of life are including firearms as part dialogue has never been more important. of their personal protection plan, which opens the “As an industry, we’re dealing with some really door for them to get more involved in hunting significant changes,” Schilling says. “We need to and the shooting sports. Unfortunately, the indus- start being more proactive and laying out plans try as a whole hasn’t yet adapted to the evolving for how we’re going to adjust to those changes.” demographic of our customer base, but that, too, As a way to promote interactive discussions on might change after the 2014 Industry Summit. the changing industry and how businesses can keep “I think it’s certainly safe to say that the up with it, the 2014 Industry Summit featured gen- eral presentations, panel discussions, and several The 2014 Industry “TED-style” talks on a variety of relevant topics. Summit included The summit also had several keynote presentations “TED-style” talks. from speakers such as Jeremy Gutsche, author of Exploiting Chaos and founder of Trendhunter.com, and Jonah Berger, author of the bestselling book Contagious: Why Things Catch On. Katie Pavlich, reporter for Townhall.com and contributor to the Fox News Channel, and Dana Loesch, host of radio’s The Dana Show and Dana on The Blaze television network, also spoke to attendees about how to deal with the media. Although each topic and every presenter pro- vided important insight from a unique perspec- groundwork was laid this year, and it will carry tive, the common purpose was to help attendees through to 2015,” Schilling says. “There is going begin to focus on the future of the industry and to be a big focus on diversity outreach for 2015.” specifically one key element that could impact The 2015 Industry Summit will be June 1–3 in that future more than any other—participation. Savannah, Georgia, and Schilling says the summit “The NSSF has a five-year plan to increase par- will continue the themes from 2014 on how ticipation by 20 percent by the end of 2014,” everyone in the industry can work together to Dolnack says. “One of the ways we’re doing that is improve diversity and increase participation. through the Models of Success program, and one “This is a great place to capture all the lessons of our main goals for this summit was to share from across the country and see what is working, some of the Models of Success that have proven to what isn’t, and what we need to do as an industry be effective ways of recruiting new participants.” to improve,” Schilling says. The Models of Success is a national program And regardless of the name or format, that goal that the NSSF started to help state agencies has always been—and will always be—at the heart implement large-scale campaigns that raise aware- of the Industry Summit. ness of, and increase participation in, local hunt- “What we want to do is act as a catalyst and ing and shooting opportunities. bring together all of the people who are invested “Many of the MOS programs are existing pro- in the future of the industry so that we can all get grams that needed a boost to bring them to the on the same page to address these common issues next level, but some are new ideas, too,” Schilling and come up with solutions that work for all of says. “We needed large-scale programs that could us,” Dolnack says. “Because at the end of the day, reach the masses at the lowest cost per person.” when we’re all successful, we all benefit.” Those programs that were able to do that were For more information on the NSSF’s Industry highlighted at the summit as blueprints that would Summit, visit nssf.org/summit. FEATURE

around and shot one.” education program,” he says, “I This story is the kind of experi- don’t know that sitting in a class- Gathering ence that Families Afield can help room for two to three days doing bring to youth and even some adults that would have sparked the same who are also first-time hunters. The interest as sitting out there, experi- Momentum organization’s growth was steady encing deer hunting, right there through 2014, says Melissa Schilling, out in the woods.” NSSF’s Families Afield program NSSF’s director of recruitment and The program is gaining momen- retention. “We’re still at 35 states,” tum, Schilling says. “One thing works to recruit new hunters she says, “but for 2014, we had that’s great about Families Afield is, Illinois, Kansas, Wyoming, and not only is it an excellent recruit- By Bill Miller Utah that passed revised bills.” ment program, but it’s also proving Momentum is to be an excellent rade school kids are too young for career critical, organizers retention program.” apprenticeships, but in 35 states, they’re say, considering a To illustrate, she

just the right age to learn hunting skills recent study show- ® refers to recent data under the watchful eye of an experienced ing that for every from the Minnesota mentor. Apprentice hunting licenses, pro- 100 hunters lost, Department of moted by the Families Afield program, are only 69 new ones Natural Resources. rapidly catching on in the U.S.—a big step take their places. Declining recruit- It showed that 24 percent of new- in efforts to reverse recent declines in youth hunter popula- ment is alarming for gun and gear comers surveyed said they would Gtions. The program, organized by the National Shooting Sports retailers, an annual industry of have become hunters, no matter Foundation and other groups, was launched in 2004, but it did about $40 billion, according to what, while 26 percent said they not become operational until 2006. By 2013, however, Families NSSF data. Also concerned are were not sure. But 50 percent said Afield achieved a milestone of 1 million apprentice licenses sold wildlife conservation agencies. they would not have become hunt- to newcomers like Hunter Dellow of New York, who was men- Each year they share an estimated ers if they had not been apprentic- tored by his dad, Wade. $371 million in excise tax revenues es first. from gun and ammo sales, the data Ohio has a three-year apprentice- shows. ship program. A recent study by its “We went out and we heard then we went over around a hill To reverse declines, NSSF banded Division of Wildlife showed that 56 these turkeys and we got close and and we saw a couple deer looking with the National Wild Turkey percent of second-year participants something spooked them,” Hunter around us, and they saw these Federation and the U.S. Sportsmen’s renewed their apprentice licenses. recalls, still brimming with excite- other turkeys behind us; they came Alliance to create Families Afield. However, the other 44 percent ment. “They flew over us. And up about five yards away. I turned The National Rifle Association and were already hooked and chose to Congressional Sportsmen’s enroll in safety education and then Foundation joined later. bought regular licenses. In the third Organizers, at the outset, learned year, 25 percent renewed their a couple of reasons why fewer kids apprenticeships while the remaining were hunting. Many didn’t have the 75 percent went straight to hunter chance to hunt because their home safety classes and regular licenses. states had age restrictions for youths And apprenticeship licenses also under 12. Organizers say that’s the make a powerful economic age when a lot of kids finally settle impact—NSSF data shows that the on which hobbies or sports they’ll average hunter spends about pursue. Hunting, very likely, was $2,000 each year on gear and other getting overlooked, organizers say. expenses. While safety education is essen- “With a high retention rate, that tial, organizers wondered if offering number grows when they buy gear a taste of the outdoors first might or ammo, or book a trip with an enthrall and inspire kids to become outfitter, or just by getting a hotel lifelong hunters. To do that, or going to the local diner,” Families Afield worked with state Schilling says. “That’s money the legislatures to approve apprentice hunter is spending that’s going into Mentoring a young hunter is an licenses. These “try-before-you- local economies.” And, she adds, important way to spark interest buy” licenses allow newcomers to “Whenever an apprentice license is and keep hunting participation hunt with mentors for two to three sold, those funds go directly to numbers strong. Thirty-five years, depending on their state’s benefit conservation. That’s huge.” states allow mentored hunting. requirements. The programs also But Families Afield helps more ease age restrictions by recognizing than wildlife conservation and local that parents are the best authority economies. Participants say they’re on when their children are mature building relationships. enough to hunt. Parents frequently Wade Dellow recalls that his are their mentors. father-in-law was 68 when he first After their apprenticeships, new- went hunting with the family. comers must complete safety edu- “Spending time with family is cation classes before they can buy important,” he says. “With the regular hunting licenses. The plan older generation getting older, worked for Seth Wasilewski of [hunting] provides the opportunity Ohio. for the younger generation to “I wasn’t really sure if I wanted spend time and build memories.” to be a hunter,” he says. “My dad Andrew Wecker, also from Ohio, said, ‘Let’s go out there sometime. agrees. He mentored youngsters You can get this apprentice license Madelyn and Grant. “I don’t care and we can see if you like it.’ So we what it is,” he says. “If you have a go out there and I shot a deer. It parent out with a child, something was really fun.” good is going to happen from that. Seth was mentored by his dad, And, for this family, hunting has Greg Wasilewski. “With the hunter been a good thing for us.”

DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 41 FEATURE

The Truth About Universal Background Checks Back-door attempt at gun control vigorously opposed by NSSF By Brian McCombie nti-Second Amendment advocates try to make it sound like a reasonable request: Why not have universal background checks on all firearms sold? After all, they point out, NICS background checks are already done on every A new firearm purchased through retailers. The call for “uni- versal background checks” is an excuse to begin a national gun regis- try and widen the federal beaura- cracy. Among its proponents is for- mer New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who’s putting his vast financial resources behind the effort.

This was the very argument President Barack asked this way: “Would you support universal Obama made in January 2013, when he announced background checks, along with a national registry a new push for gun control, singling out “universal of firearms, plus an even larger federal bureaucracy background checks” as necessary to stem gun vio- and even more red tape for firearms retailers?” lence. He also falsely claimed that up to 40 percent In such a case, “We’d see an entirely different, of all firearms purchases are made without any sort and a far lower, level of agreement,” says Sanetti. of background checks. He said, “That’s not safe. But what about the statistic that the President and That’s not smart.” various gun-control groups keep citing, that 40 per- At the time, the National Shooting Sports cent of the guns bought today are done so without a Foundation (NSSF) begged to disagree. And NSSF background check? In truth, NSSF research reveals continues to oppose this back-door attempt at gun that only about 7 percent of firearms are sold control. Start with the basics: Universal back- between individual owners without such checks. The ground checks are the first step toward a national overwhelming majority of guns are sold only after a gun registry. As Steve Sanetti, NSSF president and background check, usually done at a retail establish- CEO, notes, “It’s self-evident that in order for uni- ment, which the firearms industry fully supports. versal background checks to work, first the govern- Universal background checks would place a huge ment has to know where all the guns are. Or else burden on federally licensed firearms retailers, too. how can they possibly enforce the law?” Many of these proposals mandate that retailers Obama’s own policymakers at the federal perform background checks on private-party trans- National Institute of Justice (NIJ) actually con- fers—but cap the fee a dealer can charge at a level firmed this in a memo leaked to the press in far below what it will take retailers to perform January 2013. The memo admitted that a universal these checks. Retailers would also have to maintain system of background checks would be ineffective the records of these transfers for 20 years. unless it operated in conjunction with national gun And who would—and would not—subject their registration. The mainstream media has widely firearm transfers to universal background checks? reported polls showing a majority of Americans, Law-abiding citizen gun owners would certainly including gun owners, support universal back- comply. But would violent criminals? ground checks. But do they really? “The idea that criminals would submit to a back- Typically, these polls have asked, “Do you think ground check prior to transferring a gun to a fel- there should be a background check before anyone low felon is absurd,” Sanetti says. can buy a gun?” Non-gun owners will likely The universal background checks issue is being answer, “Yes, of course,” as the question itself sug- kept alive by various anti-gun advocates, including gests that background checks are not being done. former New York City mayor and multi-billionaire “A gun owner might answer ‘yes’ to this question Michael Bloomberg, as well as the various groups because he or she knows that they he funds. “Bloomberg is using his have to submit to a background fantastic wealth to push political check anytime they buy a gun candidates who hold this position,” from any federally licensed retailer, Sanetti notes. “As long as he keeps whether in stores, at a gun show, doing so, the issue will remain or via internet auction sites,” alive. And as long as the issue is Sanetti notes. “And that’s been the being bandied about, NSSF will law for decades.” keep fighting it. We are in this for But what if the question were the long haul.” FEATURE

era, researchers can pinpoint exactly erature, which is a wide spread what the subject was looking at, and indeed. But even at the low end of Quicker Than for how long. This information can that range, that’s still a positive cor- reveal a lot about the things a shop- relation between looking at a prod- per pays attention to, and it can uct and buying it. the Eye also unlock some behavioral secrets. “If you’re a manufacturer, you can “There’s kind of an unconscious hire IDG, work with a retailer, set NSSF harnesses the power of decision when you’re shopping,” up a display that has three different says Curcuruto. “You may think packages for the same product, and mobile eye tracking By Robert F. Staeger you shop a certain way, but in reali- have customers test it out,” says ty you do things a little differently.” Curcuruto. “And if one is getting t’s tough to say why it happens, but in our culture, Susan Johnston, director of client five seconds of view time versus the wearing glasses somehow makes people look smarter. relations for IDG, explains: others getting two or three seconds, We see this in politicians and newscasters, and in the “Consumers cannot recall or verbal- you go with the first. Packaging that costuming of four-eyed scientists in Hollywood mov- ize what they look at,” she says. gets more view time consequently ies. It’s bunk, of course; glasses don’t make anyone “Fixations occur too fast for them to will end up with a higher percent- smarter, they just help them see. remember, and it only takes four- age of sales just due to this history tenths of a second for a shopper to of consumer behavior.” I see something and decide whether It’s that type of study Jim they want to look at it further. This Curcuruto thinks larger NSSF is too fast to recall.” That’s what member businesses might be inter- makes this data so valuable. As ested in exploring. “If you’re a shoppers, half the time we don’t manufacturer, and you want to even realize what catches our eye. check out different packaging or NSSF conducted a test-run study product placement, this is one of in a sporting-goods store to get the tools you could use.” Signage, some general shopping data and to standees, packaging, point-of-sale see how the process worked. IDG displays—manufacturers can use recruited 30 shoppers beforehand, mobile eye tracking to help with all setting them up in a break room. of these. After a 15-minute setup, the shop- Larger retailers can benefit as pers were sent out into the store’s well. Johnston suggests a number hunting section to look around. of subjects to study in the retail Although not part of the study, environment, including ways to Curcuruto tried out the glasses reduce shopper confusion, detect- himself. “It’s not too intrusive, but ing and eliminating visual “noise,” it takes a few minutes to get used optimizing shelf placement, and to,” he says. “You have a little bat- sell-through. tery pack that after a few minutes But what of the test study itself? you don’t even realize is there.” Is there anything retailers in gener- The study allowed NSSF to track al can learn? the customer’s movement through The study is available as a free the store. ”When they picked up a download for NSSF members. NSSF has teamed with Informed product, we could see what they With a sample size of 30 shoppers, Decision Group to offer eye-tracking were looking at on that product— there are some tentative conclu- studies. Member retailers who partici- whether it was the pricing, the fine sions that can be drawn. “The top pate can discover exactly which prod- print, or if it was any particular right of a display seems to be the ucts and displays draw the attention graphic that stood out to them,” best place to put a product, no of their customers. he says. matter what that product is,” says Afterward, the subjects can fill Curcuruto. “Americans are used to But what if getting other people owners. In the process of gathering out an exit survey. “It can be spe- reading from left to right, and we to wear glasses could make you and compiling this information, the cific about what they thought of start at the top. Top right is kind of smarter? department explores cutting-edge the store, the product, their com- where your instinct leads you.” That, in a nutshell, is what research technologies. That’s how petitors, etc.” says Curcuruto. “It’s Another thing the study found mobile eye tracking technology can IDG came up on its radar. a good way to learn how the cus- was that shelf display worked better do. By putting special glasses on a At first, IDG offered to do some tomers are processing what they for ammunition than pallets. “If test population, researchers can research on the floor of last year’s see, and how that translates into you look at the heat-sensitive map, track exactly what they look at, and SHOT Show. That didn’t come opinions about a store or product.” you see the middle of the shelf gets how long they look at it for. to pass, but NSSF director of After the study was complete, more attention than the top or bot- Needless to say, this comes in industry research and analysis, Jim IDG took pictures of all the aisles tom shelves,” says Curcuruto. handy in learning where we direct Curcuruto, kept the technology in and the product displays. From When ammunition was on pallets, our attention. And the National mind. “I thought it would be good there, they use the data from all however, the product on the low to Shooting Sports Foundation is for our larger members—larger the subjects to overlay those photos middle sections seemed to have the working with Informed Decision manufacturers that put the product with heat-sensitive maps. Red is best placement. Group to make this sort of data on the shelves—and the larger where the subjects looked the lon- In the end, this is another fasci- available to members. IDG is offer- retailers” says Curcuruto. “This gest and most often; it tapers off to nating service that NSSF helps make ing a 25 percent discount to NSSF isn’t cheap research, so it’s not green, like on a weather map. available. “We wanted to provide members who wish to conduct a going to be feasible for all our Of course, just because a custom- our membership with more infor- mobile eye tracking study in their members.” er looks at something for a long mation on available options to store or about their products. Mobile eye tracking allows while doesn’t necessarily mean he’s them,” says Curcuruto. “As sales Here’s how the partnership hap- researchers to study exactly what going to buy it. There is a correla- return to normal in the firearms pened. NSSF research uses a vari- shoppers look at. Recruited shop- tion between how long we look at industry, companies may want to ety of survey tools and data analysis pers wear special glasses with sen- something and the likelihood we’ll better position or package their to give members access to a wide sors set up to track pupillary move- purchase it, but because of differing product, and this is one of the variety of information on hunting ment. At the same time, a front- brands and other variables, it’s options that they can look into.” and the shooting sports, everything facing camera records the subject’s impossible to nail down into a gen- The report, In-Store Shopper from hunter participation numbers field of view. Later, by syncing the eral rule. IDG gives the range of 43 Research, is available for NSSF to surveys of modern sporting rifle data from the sensors and the cam- to 550 percent per second in its lit- members to download at nssf.org.

44 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 FEATURE

In July of 2014, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act was set for a vote on the Senate floor. Unfortunately, a number of anti–Second Amendment senators were able to use parlia- mentary tricks to keep the bill from being voted on.

Bottled Up NSSF continues to lead the fight for the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act By Brian McCombie ast July, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act, S. 2363, was taken up by the full U.S. Senate for discussion and, the National Shooting Sports Foundation had hoped, ratification. That hope was founded on the truly bipartisan nature of the bill, which was introduced by a Democratic senator, had 47 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle, L and was brought to the floor of the Senate with over 80 votes. But a sad thing happened on between both sides is unani- up the bill that is co-sponsored the way to being made law. mously agreed upon, which by almost a majority of the Politics. Anti-gun politics, to limits, among other things, the Senate. We are confident that it be exact. number and nature of amend- would have garnered about 80 The most significant such ments that can be offered to the votes for final passage had it package of legislation in a gen- bill being considered. been debated,” Keane says. eration, the Bipartisan “Unfortunately anti–Second “The usual list of anti–Second Sportsmen’s Act was written to Amendment senators refused to Amendment senators blocked protect the right of hunters to agree on permitting only a the rest of the Senate from hav- use the ammunition of their specified number of germane ing a chance to vote for the bill.” choice, allow more flexibility for amendments because they But NSSF is in this fight for federal funds to be used to build wanted to use the Bipartisan the long run, Keane adds. and maintain shooting ranges Sportsmen’s Act as a vehicle to There was a chance the bill on public lands, and ensure move their gun-control agenda might get passed during the more access to federal lands for previously rejected by the Senate lame duck session before the hunting, shooting, and other in April of 2013,” Keane says. SHOT Show. Keane, though, outdoor activities. Truly historic Majority Leader Harry Reid feels that the best odds for pas- legislation, the Bipartisan then used his prerogative to sage are likely during the next Sportsmen’s Act will have sig- employ a parliamentarian tac- Congress that begins in 2015, nificant and positive impacts on tic, called “filling the tree,” to when he expects there will be current and future generations block amendments by either several new pro-gun senators of hunters and shooters. side, knowing this would end who will support the Bipartisan As the co-sponsors signed the process for now. Sportsmen’s Act. onto the bill, and early proce- “We had over 80 votes to take “Situations like this demon- dural votes showed overwhelm- strate the importance of our ing support for the legislation, ‘#GUNVOTE’ voter education it seemed to NSSF that campaign (nssf.org/gunvote) America’s longstanding tradi- that encourages gun owners, tion of bipartisanship on hunters, and sportsmen and sportsmen’s issues would once -women to learn where the again carry the day. candidates stand on the issues Yet, on a critical procedural most important to them and to vote, the bill failed to get the 60 take that into consideration votes needed to go forward. when they vote on Election The problem, explains Day,” Keane notes. “Here, a Lawrence Keane, NSSF senior handful of anti-gun politicians vice president and general were able to help block a bill counsel, began as a series of that was truly bipartisan in proposed amendments to the nature and purpose. With just a bill began to be filed. Typically Despite the BSA’s failure in the few more pro-gun senators in when a bill is debated and voted 2014 session, the bill will have place, we could very well have on in the Senate, an agreement another chance in 2015. had a different outcome.” FEATURE Complying With the Impossible NSSF undertakes legal action against microstamping legislation By David Draper n California, law-abiding gun owners are faced with dwindling choices and con- tinued attacks on their Second Amendment rights. New models of pistols intro- duced to the market cannot be sold in the state, and more and more existing pistol models continue to drop off California’s roster of approved handguns due to the state requiring microstamping on all new or improved models of semi-automatic handguns.I In January 2014, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), along with co-plaintiff the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI), filed a lawsuit seeking a permanent injunction against the microstamping requirement. Because microstamping has been proven to be ineffectual and impossible to implement, the law is, in effect, an ongoing ban against all new semi-automatic handgun sales.

Rather than attack the microstamping legislation on Second Amend­ ment grounds, the NSSF/SAAMI case asserts that it is impossible for manufacturers to comply with the law, and therefore it should be struck down based on precedent set forth by California law stating you cannot be made to comply with the impossible.

“The slightest change to an “There is no existing micro- chance” it could go into 2016. existing model of handgun not stamping technology that meets Keane did note that a second considered purely cosmetic is the requirement of this ill- case, argued in federal court, is deemed by the state to be a considered law,” says Keane. “It much further along the legal new model,” says Lawrence G. is not technologically possible process. The suit, known as Keane, NSSF senior vice presi- to microstamp two locations in Pena v. Lindley, asserts that dent and general counsel. the gun so that the required California’s Handgun Roster “Therefore, it must comply information reliably imprints and the microstamping with all the requirements of a onto the cartridge casing. It is requirement clearly violate the truly new model, including not even possible to consistent- Second Amendment. Early last microstamping. If it doesn’t, it ly and legibly imprint on the summer, the court asked the falls off the roster of firearms cartridge primer the required plaintiff and the state to pro- approved for sale in California. identifying information from vide supplemental briefings on Now what we are seeing is a the tip of the firing pin, the how the microstamping slow-motion ban on pistols, only conceivable location for requirement violates the which, of course, is exactly such micro-laser engraving.” Second Amendment. On what was intended by the anti- Last summer, the NSSF/ behalf of the NSSF and gun legislature in California SAAMI moved for a prelimi- SAAMI, Keane provided the when they passed the micro- nary injunction asking the court with an affidavit explain- stamping law.” court to temporarily block the ing why complying with Rather than attack the legis- implementation of the law until microstamping is impossible, lation on Second Amendment the case is resolved. effectively banning a category grounds, the NSSF/SAAMI Unfortunately, the prelimi- of commonly owned firearms. case, filed against the State of nary injunction was denied by The case is awaiting the feder- California in the Fresno the court, which, according to al court’s decision on the pend- Superior Court, asserts that it Keane, was a high bar for the ing summary judgment is impossible for manufacturers plaintiffs to obtain. The case motions. to comply with the micro- has since moved into the dis- “In the meantime, the law is stamping requirement and covery phase of the litigation effective and no new semi- argues that it should be struck process, and the microstamping automatic handgun models down based on precedent set requirement remains in effect. introduced at the SHOT Show, forth by California law stating Keane estimates the suit will for example, can be sold to you cannot be made to comply not go to trial until late 2015, law-abiding gun owners in with the impossible. at the earliest, with “a good California,” says Keane. FEATURE Balancing Act A new generation at Weatherby is poised to move forward while not forgetting the past By Slaton L. White rooming the next generation of leaders is one of the key responsibilities of any management team. But when the grooming involves a family-run concern, the entire process becomes far more fraught because the top managers usual- G ly have the same name as the company. In this instance, it’s not just business—it’s personal.

Weatherby, Inc., made an impor- time in ministry helped shape my tant announcement along those character in so many ways that will lines last summer when it revealed help me immensely in carrying on that the next executive vice presi- my family legacy. My father has dent and chief operating officer maintained phenomenal integrity in would be Adam Weatherby, grand- the many years he has led this orga- son of company founder Roy nization, and I hope to follow in his Weatherby. At the time of the footsteps with strong moral charac- appointment, Ed Weatherby, presi- ter that is truly worth following.” dent and chief executive officer, That said, Weatherby knows the said, “My son Adam brings proven shooting-sports industry faces some leadership and communication big challenges in the next five years. skills, as well as a lifetime of hunt- ing and shooting experience, to his new position. He also benefits from Constant Battle his past experience with our com- ➤ “This probably isn’t news to any- pany as well. He represents the one, but I am not sure there is any third generation of our family to be greater challenge our industry will involved in running the business, face than the constant battle for our and I look forward to working with constitutional rights,” he says. “The him as we take Weatherby into a ongoing political drama surround- bright future.” ing this single issue will continue to Like many of those born into the shape our industry. Being located in fold, in 1996, Adam (after gaining California, we believe we are at the valuable experience working in a forefront of the battle and directly gun shop) began working at the see the results of legislation. As laws family business, holding positions are passed and new people are over a four-year period in technical elected to office, the industry tends support, warranty service, sales, and to fluctuate. This has caused a great marketing. But then his life took an instability in the marketplace. The interesting turn. Rather than con- ebbs and flows of business are dras- tinue his ascent up the corporate tically affected by the constant ladder, he became a pastor at attack on our Second Amendment Atascadero Bible Church, leading rights. Perhaps the most frustrating mission trips around the world, thing with this is the sheer lack of speaking at numerous youth events, Adam Weatherby, grandson of company founder Roy Weatherby, has rejoined stability from year to year. Unless and serving on the teaching team. the manufacturer as executive vice president and chief operating officer. this problem is solved, our industry All of which raises the question: will continue to face a sea of chal- Does that experience give him any these things are absolutely neces- dull-as-dishwater delivery common lenges that come from this incredi- extra insight into running a multi- sary to have as well. After all, my to some top executives. Weatherby bly important issue.” national business? grandfather’s ability to lead and clearly knows the difference. These challenges, however, You bet it does. influence people was one of the key “I believe that clear and compel- haven’t dimmed his passion for the factors to his success. When you ling communication is the key to future of the company. work full-time in ministry, it is all effective leadership,” he says. “In “There are two things that I am Family Legacy about the people. Everything you my past experiences, I communi- quite passionate about at ➤ “It’s funny, because at first it sure do is driven by the fact that God cated to audiences of hundreds Weatherby right now: people and doesn’t seem like those two occu- called us to love and care for oth- every week. I have spoken in front potential,” he says. “I have the pations would complement each ers. As I lead Weatherby, I must of large crowds literally thousands incredible privilege of working with other,” Weatherby says. “However, constantly keep in mind the fact of times in my life. In addition, I a group of people who are passion- I have realized that my past experi- that it is ultimately about people. I found I needed to have the ability ate about what they do. As a result, ences have actually prepared me for want Weatherby to be the absolute to clearly communicate in smaller we are really able to operate at high this position. There are three qual- best place to work for our employ- settings to leaders who worked levels of teamwork to accomplish ities that I find I need to have as I ees. I also want to have quality rela- with me as well. I have already our goals. To put it simply, I love lead Weatherby into the future: tionships with others in the indus- found that these experiences have working with the group of people strong leadership, an excellent abil- try. Ultimately, I desire to deliver helped shape me in becoming the we have at Weatherby. The second ity to communicate, and great products to our customers that will leader that I need to be at thing that excites me is the poten- character.” enhance their shooting and hunting Weatherby. If a leader can’t clearly tial that we have in the marketplace. He discovered that the first quali- experiences. Similar to ministry, it communicate where an organiza- Weatherby’s reputation in the ty was naturally honed while teach- truly is about the people, not just tion is headed, it is unlikely the industry has been firmly established ing, counseling, or leading a large the products we sell.” organization will ever get there. over the last 70 years, and that rep- mission trip. “I needed to develop a If you’ve ever listened to a char- “Author and pastor Andy Stanley utation provides us with an incredi- strong style of leadership in order ismatic pastor deliver an inspiring has said, ‘You can lead without char- ble foundation to launch into the to work with our teams to achieve sermon, you know the power of acter, but character is what makes future. I see part of my job as maxi- the goals we set,” he says. “In lead- transcendent communication. And you a leader worth following.’ I mizing this potential as we look ing an organization like Weatherby, that is a far cry from the sometimes couldn’t agree more. Working full- toward new and exciting projects in

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the years to come. If you were to ask me where that. However, through doing that over the Weatherby will be 10 or 20 years from now, I years, we have actually achieved something obviously couldn’t answer that question. greater. I believe that we have inspired the However, moving into this unknown territory dreams of hunters and shooters. The reason we truly does excite me, and it gets me up every day hear ‘I’ve always wanted to own a Weatherby’ asking myself the question, ‘How can this incred- isn’t solely because of the products. It’s about the ible group of people I work with team up to truly stories passed down through generations; it’s maximize Weatherby’s potential?’” about dream hunts that have been achieved; it’s Thinking about all that potential helps him about long-range shots that seemed to have also focus on what the company needs to do in never been possible. Most of all, it’s about cher- the future to maintain its leadership position. He ished memories that are in the minds of men and believes there is a lot that can be learned from women around the world who hunt and shoot. the past that can help direct the future. Our brand has been a part of these memories, “When I think back to how my grandfather from the plains of Africa to local ranches and initially gained his leadership position in the farms. This is why we exist.” industry, it was really pretty simple,” he says. Weatherby certainly basks in the glow of a “First, it was his drive for performance that magnificent heritage. But as many companies launched the Weatherby name. It is for this rea- have learned the hard way, that glow sometimes son today that we say ‘nothing shoots flatter, hits doesn’t pave the way to the future. In an attempt harder, or is more accurate’ than a Weatherby. If to attract and keep younger hunters and shoot- we continue innovating with performance in ers, the company recently launched WBY-X, a mind, we will maintain our leadership position.” line of rifles, recognized by their bold graphics, that say, in no uncertain terms, “not your father’s rifle.” It was a daring move, but is it paying off? More Than a Product Weatherby says it is. ➤ “Second, what really helped solidify the “We recognize that there is a growing number Weatherby reputation was rigorous testing on of new hunters and shooters entering the mar- anything he designed. His initial trips to Africa ketplace, many of whom did not grow up with in the 1950s were primarily intended for field firearms,” he says. “Although many people hold testing. He never launched a new idea until he to the idea that WBY-X is exclusively for youth, was absolutely certain that it would be the best the idea of the product line is actually to intro- it could be. This is why we still cling to the say- duce new hunters and shooters into our growing ing ‘endurance tested, field proven’ in all that sport with something that appeals to those who we do. may not be familiar with what a gun ‘should’ “Finally, once my grandfather had this field- look like. A by-product of this is that young peo- tested, performance-driven concept, he wrapped ple have also been quite responsive to WBY-X it up in a gorgeous final product. After all, life is since its introduction.” too short to hunt with an ugly gun, isn’t it?” At the same time, he says the company has The Mark V is one of those iconic guns, the found that there are many people out there who lines of which can take your breath away. But still primarily identify Weatherby with the more even the more workmanlike Vanguard line dis- traditional Mark V Deluxe. plays an elegant simplicity that appeals to many “Although we proudly continue to offer these hunters and shooters. So it should come as no types of products, the WBY-X models are a very surprise that Adam Weatherby thinks a lot about intentional way of getting the word out that the just what makes a Weatherby a Weatherby. Weatherby line is a lot deeper and wider than it “One of the things I have heard my whole life once was,” he says. “Furthermore, we have found from people when they find out my last name is, that many Weatherby dealers enjoy displaying a ‘I’ve always wanted to own a Weatherby.’ Let’s WBY-X in a unique pattern because it just jumps face it; there is something about a Weatherby off the gun display. Customers seem to ask about that just stands out. Whether it is the hard-hit- them a lot, and this sort of exposure has proven ting, straight-shooting magnum calibers or to be quite beneficial for both Weatherby and something fancy out of the custom shop, there is our dealers. I am sure my grandfather would a reputation that comes with our name that has have never envisioned a Hog Reaper or Blaze stood the test of time.” pattern on a Weatherby, but then again, his pas- But he also notes that the more he thinks sion for innovation and cutting-edge design in about all this, he realizes that the company pro- the 1940s and 1950s was to his customers what vides more than just a product. our WBY-X may be to our customers today.” “Somehow people see us as more than just an Remaining true to the past while forging a organization that designs, manufactures, and new future is a delicate balancing act, but one markets quality firearms and related products,” Adam Weatherby is ready to undertake. “As we he says. “Yes, that is what we do when we all move forward, we must constantly remember come to work here, and we will continue to do what got us here in the first place,” he says.

There is something about a Weatherby that just stands out. Whether it is the hard-hitting magnum calibers or something fancy out of the custom shop, our name has stood the test of time.” FEATURE

The pancake-style Ambi Eclipse holster is designed to fit snugly against the body. Functional Versatility Blade-Tech built its business by providing products that work in severe environments By Christopher Cogley or some products, the importance of functionality might reside somewhere on a sliding scale between style and cost. For other products, however, function- ality is the only quality that matters. Those are the kind of products that Blade-Tech makes. The Washington-based company, headquartered just out- F side of Tacoma, was quite literally founded on the need for functionality. “I started out making leather sheaths, but To test that functionality and ensure that it was when I was in the field, they got wet and didn’t as good as it could be, Wegner started working protect my knives,” says Tim Wegner, founder of with some of the best operators in the world. Blade-Tech. “That’s when I started looking for “We’d have special ops guys who would come something more functional.” in and tell us what they needed. We’d make it, What he found was a moldable material called then they’d field-test it and give us feedback on Kydex, and from that he formed the foundation how it worked,” Wegner says. “You have to have for the company that would eventually become guys like that who will give you honest feedback Blade-Tech. Wegner started out by using his so you can make adjustments to the product until toaster oven to mold Kydex sheaths for his you get it right.” custom-made­ knives, but he quickly found out Many of the adjustments that Blade-Tech that that business model wasn’t going to last long. makes are focused on improving a product’s “I got kicked out of the kitchen because I was functionality by increasing its versatility. But it drilling too many holes in the counter, so I gradu- isn’t just the military and law enforcement offi- ated to the garage,” he says. “Eventually, it got to cers that the company is focused on. Two of the the point where I knew I had to fish or cut bait, so new products that Blade-Tech is launching at I quit my job and started doing this full-time.” this year’s SHOT Show are designed to deliver At that point, Wegner was already producing that functional versatility to the ever-growing sheaths for some of the top knife manufacturers in concealed-carry community. the world. It didn’t take long for him to realize, The Ambi Klipt holster is contoured to reduce however, that the inherent properties that gave hot spots and features thinner material for better Kydex a functional advantage over leather sheaths concealment, while the Eclipse is a pancake-style could also be used to make a more reliable holster. holster that’s designed to fit snug to the body yet And that’s when Blade-Tech’s business took off. still provide a smooth draw while concealed. “Pretty soon, the holster business grew even Both of the holsters feature Blade-Tech’s trade- bigger than the sheath business,” he says. marked Positive Lock Trigger Guard and are But it wasn’t enough for Wegner to just create designed to give everyday citizens the same peace holsters that functioned well in theory; he need- of mind that military and law enforcement offi- ed to make sure that Blade-Tech’s holsters cers have when securing their firearms in Blade- offered the kind of functionality that people Tech holsters. could depend on in real-world situations. “Whether it’s a soldier defending our country “When you design products for people who or a man protecting his family, our goal is to are going into harm’s way, you understand that make dependable gear for people who depend on they’re trusting their lives to that product,” it,” Wegner says. “That’s what we’re all about.” Wegner says. “It has to work. Every time. And And that’s the kind of functionality that anyone that’s exactly what we design our products to who carries a firearm can appreciate. Booth do.” #14205. (877-331-5793; blade-tech.com) FEATURE Tight Tolerances Christensen Arms displays its aerospace roots By Bill Miller ention “carbon fiber” in the description of a rifle barrel and a prospective buyer might fast-forward to the price list. That’s because carbon fiber is light, but also very rigid, which improves the accuracy of a barrel. This combo thrills military snipers and big-game hunters who must haul guns and gear over craggy terrain to achieve long- M distance shots.

Rigid carbon-fiber barrels help deliver dramatic improvements in accuracy. This space-age material also weighs a lot less than steel, a nice bonus for hunters.

But carbon-fiber materials and the process Aerospace Roots working with carbon-fiber materials. of applying them to gun parts are expensive; ➤ Along with rifle barrels, the company makes Christensen Arms started producing barrels price tags usually top four figures and keep complete bolt-action rifles for both hunting made of the light, stainless-steel liners, com- rising. The average civilian hunter might be and tactical applications. It also produces plete with rifling, but reinforced with priced out of this market. MSR-style rifles and 1911 pistols. Christensen carbon-fiber­ wraps. Christensen Arms of Gunnison, Utah, says his father, Roland, the company’s CEO, The son had worked for Ford Motor wants to change that. has been shaping carbon-fiber products since Company in Dearborn, Michigan, but Last summer, the company announced the mid-1970s, first in the aerospace industry returned home to Gunnison in 2002 to help major price cuts on carbon-fiber-wrapped and later in the development of medical pros- with the family businesses. products—as much as 63 percent for MSR- thetics. Roland worked for several Utah-based “The gun stuff remained pretty small,” he style barrels and about 25 percent for bolt- companies before agreeing to help develop a says. “Meanwhile, we grew the prosthetic action barrels. This, says Jason Christensen, carbon-fiber prosthetic foot that was originally foot company, and it was doing really well.” the company’s president, was achieved designed by a friend who had died. That led That company was sold in 2008 and pro- through new manufacturing equipment and to Roland’s development of Freedom Inno- ceeds were used to fund improvements to techniques that allow the company to bypass vations, a successful prosthetics manufacturer. the aerospace and gun companies. vendors and make parts in-house. “From 1984 to about 2008, we built most of “We were medical, then aerospace, and “We start,” he says, “with a very thin the models for prosthetic feet,” Christensen now firearms,” he says. “But through our metal barrel—our liner—which is much says. “There are still people walking around aerospace roots, we have aerospace-type thinner than other lightweight barrels. But on our feet, and most designs are my father’s quality.” then we apply carbon fiber to it, which is a original designs or versions of it.” stiff, very durable and lightweight product Later, Roland built Applied Composite that supports the barrel. We have a raving Technology Aerospace, which continues to “Let’s Rely On fan base of hunting guys who love it, but the make high-stress carbon-fiber components Ourselves” price point has been restrictive, honestly. for airframes. ➤ ACT Aerospace has been making parts for The desire was to get so good at doing this About 20 years ago, he created a side ven- a wide array of projects, including Bell that more people could afford it. But the ture that combined his lifelong passions for Helicopter’s V-22 Osprey and the HondaJet new methods have not diminished quality.” hunting and shooting with his experience from Honda Aircraft Company. Christensen

A major restructuring four years ago has helped the company position itself for continued growth.

60 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 FEATURE

Jason Christensen says his company’s employees are passionate about the products they build.

Arms, meanwhile, grew rapidly. There was a major restructuring in 2011; key personnel were hired to develop new products. “We added MSRs and 1911s,” Christensen says. “While doing that, I took things we understood from the aerospace side and developed a new machine for automated fiber placement.” The computer-controlled device ensures that car- bon materials are evenly applied to barrels, without leaving weak spots. “That was one piece,” he says. The other was pretty simple. “We always bought match-grade barrels from others, but a few years ago, we said, ‘Let’s quit relying on vendors and let’s rely on ourselves.’ So, we made the investment.” Subsequently, the company bought the machine- shop equipment necessary to make its own steel barrels in-house. The result is a lightweight, dura- ble barrel that performs in extreme temperature ranges, everywhere from the Canadian Rockies to Afghanistan. The barrels are available in calibers .223 Rem. to .338 Lapua. They can be bought sin- gularly or integrated in the company’s complete rifles. Christensen says the manufacturing changes are expected to cut costs for other products. Meanwhile, the savings on barrels announced in June were significant. A carbon-fiber MSR barrel previously cost $1,350, but it now sells for about $500. Also, bolt-action barrels that were $950 now cost about $700. “We really build things like it should go on an aircraft,” he says. “But now, we’re making them in such a way that it doesn’t cost as much as an air- craft part.”

Tight-Tolerance Guys ➤ About $5 million was spent on capital improve- ments to upgrade the firearms company, but Christensen says its 42 workers make the differ- ence. Gunnison, with a population of about 3,250, is a rural area in the central part of the state, and the employees love the outdoors just as much as Christensen and his father do. “But,” he adds, “these workers have embraced the skills needed to produce precision firearms and parts from state-of-the art materials. They’re a tight-tolerance group. They love shooting and hunting, and they take that passion to work every day.” Booth #10374. (christensenarms.com) FEATURE

The Schearers, left to right: Walker, Chad, Marsha, and Wyatt. They work hard to balance work and family.

On the Go Sometimes business and family interests can clash. Here’s how one family merged the two successfully By Bill Miller alker and Wyatt Schearer are in middle school, but these Montana brothers already have made lots of checks on their bucket lists. In September, their family was in Kansas, where 12-year-old Wyatt took an 11-point whitetail buck with a .50-caliber CVA Optima muzzleloader. A few weeks earlier, they were on a craggy mountaintop in Canada’s Yukon Territory. Walker, 13, used a custom Bergara rifle in .300 Win. Mag. to W drop a snow-white mountain goat. “With the adrenaline pumping, it in a normal school setting.” Chad. She, too, became a licensed “I believe God has his plan for was really an indescribable feeling,” This past fall, the family also guide. A client, Dudley McGarity, us, and he wanted us to do this,” Walker says. “I also caught a Yukon hunted Florida alligators and CEO of BPI Outdoors, invited Chad says. “But, you also have to grayling, which has been on my Wyoming pronghorns. They went Chad to co-host a hunting show. start at the bottom. It takes time.” bucket list for a long time. To do it to Saskatchewan for waterfowl, and “I said the only way I’d do it is Marsha says she and Chad don’t on my fly rod was awesome.” then it was back home to Montana with my family because I would be make assumptions with their sons. The brothers are constantly on for upland game, more waterfowl, on the road so much,” he says. Each year they ask them if they are the go with parents Chad and mule deer, and elk. In previous Now Chad hosts Shoot Straight on ready to attend a regular school, Marsha, working on dad’s outdoors years, they’ve hunted plains game the Pursuit Channel. CVA Rifles where they can play sports or be in show, Shoot Straight with Chad in South Africa and Axis deer in and other brands sponsor the show, other activities. Schearer. They don’t attend a regu- Hawaii. which is co-hosted by his family. “Even now,” she says, “they don’t lar school. Instead, Marsha keeps Social skills? No problem for Chad also became director of adver- want to do anything different.” them on a steady homeschool these boys. The family’s work puts tising and media relations for BPI Just ask the boys. schedule, whether they’re home in them in contact with CEOs of Outdoors, parent company of CVA, “No, sir,” says Wyatt. “What we Belt, Montana, at the airport, or in major outdoor gear companies, PowerBelt Bullets, Quake Industries, do is really fun. I like school, but a hunting camp pitched for musk popular celebrities, and the nation’s DuraSight Scope Mounts, and I’d rather be hunting. When I was ox near the top of the world. top gun writers. After hunting sea- Bergara Rifles and Barrels. 10, I completed my grand slam of Marsha says the family relies on son, you’ll find the Schearers People frequently ask him how to turkeys, and my dad hasn’t even flexibility and discipline. For a speaking at outdoor skills seminars turn a passion for outdoors into a gotten that yet. He has everything morning hunt, schoolwork is post- around the country. paycheck. Whether they want to but the Osceola.” poned to evening. The schedule is Chad grew up in Montana and host a show or market a fishing lure, Walker says attending a regular flipped for afternoon hunts. became a licensed guide and outfit- solid communication skills are essen- school has crossed his mind. “But,” “Some days we may do two days ter and a world-champion elk call- tial, Chad says. But don’t expect suc- he adds, “there’s nothing I’d want of work in one,” Marsha says. er. Marsha, from Tennessee, man- cess right away. He has been on to trade for all the opportunities I “With our lifestyle and traveling, aged a dental office but embraced shows for 10 years. Spiritual faith, get to do with my family.” Booth there’s no way they’d be able to be the outdoors when she married meanwhile, has guided his family. #14814. (bpioutdoors.com)

64 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 FEATURE Tall Order Nightforce goes to insane levels to achieve accuracy. And it’s working By David E. Petzal nce upon a time, I told an FFL dealer—a guy very, very knowledgeable about tactical equipment—that I was interested in a scope for a beanfield rifle. “You should look at Nightforce scopes,” he said. “All my tac- tical shooters love them. All my .50-caliber shooters want them.” I did as he said, and also took a look at the prices, the sight of which sent me reeling back into the rack where the Filson coats hung. “Holy Hillary,” I croaked, “where do they get off charging that kind of money? What’s so different about O Nightforce?” He didn’t have an answer, so I stand lots and lots of shooting, so he dim, and oddly situated, Nightforce There’s another difference that didn’t buy one. Since then, I’ve built that, too. He called the scopes numbers and index lines are big, you can’t detect by sight. found out what’s different. I have and the lights Lightforce. white, and highly visible. More­ Nightforces don’t break. I’ve seen bought a number of them and In 1992, Dr. Dennis took a hard over, they’re highly visible from just about every make of scope, haven’t regretted a cent of it. Here’s look at the American market and any angle. They are obviously the foreign and domestic, lose control what that dealer didn’t know. decided we were ripe for the work of people who shoot—and of its bodily functions either from It all began, as the saying goes, in Lightforce brand, but because that who listen to shooters. recoil, improper use, bad design, or the town of Cleve, in South name was already taken, he settled Then point out the elevation poor manufacture. This includes Australia, where a shooter, designer, on Nightforce. If you’re looking for knob, which conceals Nightforce’s expensive scopes as well as cheap and general gun nut named Dr. a meaning in Nightforce, save your- ZeroStop feature. This allows you ones. Nightforces do not break, Raymond Leigh Dennis was seri- self the effort. The scopes are not to sight-in the scope for a particu- which is why .50 BMG shooters ously engaged in nighttime varmint for use at night. It just sounds good. lar yardage and then lock the knob love them, and why tactical shoot- hunting. He wanted a high-powered But the name and reputation go so it returns to that yardage when ers covet them. light that would emit a beam 300 only part way toward selling a you turn it down as far as it will go. But the fundamental difference yards and more to send kangaroos, scope. If you have someone like me When a shooter gets so hopelessly between Nightforce and everyone foxes, dingoes, and wild pigs to the in the store and are asked what’s screwed up that he can’t remember else’s optical sights is this: Great Beyond. So he built one. the big deal, you can start with the what his last elevation setting was Nightforce does not consider its Then he found he needed a scope windage and elevation knobs. or where the rifle is shooting, all he scopes to be telescopes first and that was optically able to keep up Unlike many scopes, on which the has to do is turn the knob until it sights second. It sees what it builds with his light and strong enough to numbers and index lines are small, stops. He’s back to square one. as replacements for iron sights; the FEATURE

The ATACR 4–16x42 F1 riflescope, like all Nightforce products, features stunningly precise adjust- ments and is tough as a tank.

glass is there to enhance the image cise and less than repeatable, so and to achieve it, Nightforce uses mance. It’s a tall order to do this in of the target. And by “iron sights,” what? dissimilar materials in the adjust- production day after day, week I mean those machinists’ delights Now consider the shooter who ments that create friction when after week, month after month, that cost as much as a rifle all by pays for a Nightforce. He has prob- they rub and work against each year after year.” themselves and will crank up and ably bought one because whatever other. Normally, this would kill a In the beginning, says Brown, the down, right and left, with unfailing he’s been using has pissed him off scope in short order, but typical Nightforce buyer was an precision no matter how much use for the last time. He’s learned, the Nightforce compensates. In the experienced shooter who was fed up they get. hard way, that if you’re shooting at words of Kyle Brown, director of with the failures of other scopes and Consider how most shooters use small targets, or at long range, even sales and marketing: “At the end of was willing to spend whatever it a scope. They’ll take their rifle on minute errors by yourself or by your the day, we put the expensive com- cost to get something that worked. its once-a-year trip to the range, scope result in big misses. That’s ponents, sweat equity, and rigorous Today, he says, it’s probably the case shoot it hot enough to brand heif- why, if you put four clicks of eleva- testing into our scopes that other 60 or 70 percent of the time. ers, crank on the elevation and tion on a Nightforce, it will move manufacturers simply aren’t willing There’s a reason for those big windage until it shoots somewhere the bullet 1 inch up at 100 yards. to. We chase third, fourth, and fifth prices on Nightforce scopes. Once 1 close to where they want it, and Not 1 /8 inch, or ¾ inch, but 1 inch. decimal point measurements of our you explain why, they don’t look then put it away, not to be fired at Every time, no exceptions. internal parts and components so big any more. Booth #20449. a target again for another year. If The key to this lies in the scope’s nearly to an insane level to ensure (208-476.9814; nightforce the adjustments are less than pre- windage and elevation adjustments, repeatable and accurate perfor- optics.com) FEATURE Keep It Clean Remington unveils a new line of gun-care products By W.H. Gross uring three recent surveys conducted by Remington Arms Company, firearms owners were asked which of 33 brands of gun-care products they have used or at least heard of. Remington (74.1 percent) came out on top. The surprise finding was that Rem Oil finished fifth (45.1 percent). A Remington product, Rem Oil it seems has effectively become a brand of its own in consumers’ minds. “We’re proud of our high brand-recognition status,” says Robert Kaleta, product manager of gun- care accessories for Remington Arms Company. “We believe we’ve achieved that high ranking because we aimed that part of our core business at what shooters told us they wanted most in gun-care prod- ucts: performance and effectiveness, quality and durability, time savings and ease of use—and also little or no mess.”

D In 2015, Remington will be more actively tar- cleaning easier. “They actively seek out innova- geting two specific groups of shooters with its tive products,” says Kaleta. “As a result, gun-care products: MSR (modern sporting rifle) Remington has several new products for 2015 owners, and those who own a muzzleloader. specifically developed to make cleaning muzzle- “MSR and muzzleloader owners shoot more and loaders quicker and easier.” also spend more, on average, on gun-cleaning Remington designed four new cleaning prod- products than owners of other types of firearms,” ucts to care for its new Ultimate Muzzleloader says Kaleta. “For instance, nearly two-thirds of rifle. A bolt-action, the gun is based on muzzleloader owners report cleaning their fire- Remington’s popular Model 700 centerfire rifle. arm after every use.” One difference between the Ultimate Muzzle­ Kaleta also says that the manufacturer knows loader and most other modern muzzleloaders, that muzzleloader and MSR owners participate though, is that, due to a unique and extra-clean in more shooting activities than those shooters ignition system, the breech plug is not required who don’t own either type of gun. “And more to be removed for cleaning. However, this does than half of muzzleloader and MSR owners not allow for pull-through cleaning, as with the expect their shooting activity to increase in the proven and popular Rem Squeeg-E. The situa- next 12 months, while other shooters expect tion sparked the development of an aggressive their shooting activity to remain constant.” and innovative gun-care system called MZL. The MZL Premium Synthetic Patches are made of The survey results also showed shooters are “To clean the gun, we had to develop a chemical a material that evenly distributes the bore cleaner. looking for new products that make firearms solution that is extremely aggressive on carbon and FEATURE

The idiosyncrasies of muzzleloader cleaning (modern ignition systems don’t require removal of the breech plug) led Remington to develop the MZL line of cleaning products for the guns.

fouling,” says Kaleta. “We named it Remington MZL Muzzleloader Bore Cleaner and put it in a black plastic bottle with a convenient, no-waste applicator. Customers readily identify and differ- entiate it from the gun-cleaning products of our competitors because the bottle is similar in look and design to other Remington bore cleaners.” To go along with its new bore cleaner, Remington developed Remington MZL Premium Synthetic Patches. Die-cut and fiber- free, the synthetic material chosen was selected for its strength and ability to distribute the chemical bore cleaner across the entire surface of the cleaning patch. “It works much better than the traditional cotton patch,” Kaleta says. Remington then combined its new bore clean- er and cleaning patches into a third new prod- uct, Remington MZL Patch & Bore. “It’s an all- in-one, grab-and-go solution for use at the range or at hunting camp,” says Kaleta. “The pre-saturated patches give muzzleloader shoot- ers the convenience of a quick clean in the field or at home.” A fourth new product, Remington MZL Patch & Lube, is designed to be applied fol- lowing a more thorough cleaning of a muzzle- loader to prevent corrosion when the gun is stored. To get the word out about these new cleaning products to consumers and retailers, Kaleta says, Remington will focus this year on marketing and consumer education. Booth #15427. (800-243-9700; remington.com) FEATURE

to a new level with the Diversion Wax Canvas series. These new Wax Crossover Carry Options Canvas Bags are made with 10.10- ounce Army Duck Martexin Blackhawk adds to its innovative line Original Wax Canvas to blend style with cutting-edge design features. of low-profile firearms transport cases Hidden compartments allow you to carry and protect firearms and other t was once the case that hunting ruled all in the outdoors industry. Not so today. sensitive items unnoticed. Tactical gear has become just as prevalent among the halls of the industry’s biggest The Wax Canvas Messenger Bag stage—the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show. And now, prepara- ($229.99) offers two strap styles to tion and self-defense have taken a strong hold on the industry, too. This shift has ush- allow secure cross-body or courier- ered in a flood of crossover items that borrow the very best technologies and features style shoulder carry. It has a top- from all three genres. It has also created a new kind of consumer, one who demands the closure lid with a quick access pass- best features teamed with the latest styles and customized to their specific use or needs. through waterproof zipper and a padded, loop-lined compartment I for additional accessories or a lap- The firearms showcased each year packs of this line mimic everyday ($139.99), Racquet Bag ($64.99), top computer. The loop-lined illustrate these trends on the front backpacks and satchels, but are Workout Bag ($174.99), and Board handgun and accessory storage covers of magazines. However, a fully customized, low-profile fire- Pack ($144.99) offer full-featured compartment features ambidextrous perfect example can be found in the arms transport cases. firearm, accessory, and ammunition access through the back of the bag. latest bags, cases, and packs. For discreet and convenient off- transport with the look of standard The Diversion Wax Canvas Series body carry, the Diversion Carry bags. In each product, padding and also offers a large Rucksack ($249.99) Sling Pack ($54.99) and Diversion specifically tailored pockets and con- with a quick-access pass-through Common Looks, Carry Backpack ($134.99) offer figurations provide a handy transport waterproof zipper on the lid and hid- Topflight Features quick-and-easy access to hidden solution. The Racquet Bag, Workout den, easy-access handgun and laptop ➤ Getting your firearms from one handgun compartments. Both packs Bag, and Board Pack are even built to compartments. The Wax Canvas place to another often requires have lockable zippers and come with accommodate rifles up to 29 inches Satchel is a smaller bag sized for some thought. You must keep your universal hook-back holsters. Each or MSR platforms separated into everyday carry. It holds small- and valuable guns protected—not only can be worn in such a way that puts upper and lower receivers. medium-frame handguns and offers from scratches and dings, but also the firearm close to the body and in discreet access with a pass-through from individuals. Industry leader responsible control of the wearer waterproof zipper in the lid. The Blackhawk has tackled this problem while providing quick access should New Style, loop-lined storage compartments head-on by creating an inconspicu- a dangerous situation arise. Tactical Pedigree accept hook-back Velcro holsters and ous solution for moving firearms. Meanwhile, the Diversion Range ➤ This year, Blackhawk is taking accessory panels. The final piece of It’s called Diversion. The bags and Bag ($149.99), Courier Bag this award-winning Diversion line the Diversion Wax Canvas line is an accessory pouch ($29.99) that offers a hidden nylon stretch pocket with a The Diversion line pull cord for carrying a water bottle. of bags and packs allows for discreet and convenient Endless off-body carry. Customization ➤ Blackhawk has also introduced a line of accessories to augment any bag equipped with Velcro panels. This includes the Diversion line as well as popular go bags ($5.99 to $29.99) such as the Brick Go Bag, Block Go Bag, Go Box Mag Bag, and Go Box Sling Packs. The Go Box accessories feature hook-back panels to mount to the interior loop- lined surfaces of the bags. These accessory pouches and panels feature the same quality components found throughout the Go Box line, includ- ing YKK zippers and 500-denier nylon. The hook-back panels mount to any Velcro surface and allow the accessories to be easily removed or repositioned. The line includes the Go Box ID Panel, for labeling bags or pouches; Go Box Small Tool Panel, for securing items such as tools and cleaning supplies; Go Box Med Pouch, with easy-ID red han- dles and zipper pulls for medical contents; Go Box Handgun Mag Loop Panel, for single- or double- stack pistol magazines; Go Box Shotshell Loop Panel, which holds six 12-gauge shotgun shells; Go Box Mesh Pouch, for various accessories; and the Go Box S.T.R.I.K.E. Pouch, with webbing to attach a variety of MOLLE-compatible accessories. Booth #14551. (blackhawk.com)

74 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 FEATURE Improving the Breed Volquartsen Custom is dedicated to precision shooting By Slaton L. White arroll County, Iowa, sits in the middle of the country’s Corn Belt. The county seat, Carroll, located along the Middle Raccoon River, is home to a little more than 10,000 people. In many ways, it’s virtually indistinguishable from any of the other small farming communities that dot the Midwest. Its sole claim to fame is that it is named for Charles Carroll, of Carroll County, Maryland, who was the only Roman Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence. Given the bucolic nature of the environment, you could be forgiven for not knowing that just outside of town, off C U.S. 71, is a company that specializes in precision firearms and custom parts of extraordinary quality. Volquartsen Custom started, oh so humbly, in 1974 as a gun-bluing shop in the basement of a rented house. But the founder, Tom Volquartsen, had a vision of a future far bolder than gun bluing. That he saw anything on the hori- zon at all is an amazing tes- tament to good old-fash- ioned American ingenuity. He had no formal firearms training; everything he learned was self-taught. He began with refinishing, and then gradually transitioned into gunsmithing. In 1986, he decided to turn his hobby into a full-time busi- ness and recruited his wife, Linda, into the fold. In 1997, the company began producing complete fire- arms while still turning out a full-line of aftermarket accessories for several dif- ferent firearms. In 2005, their children assumed control, and continue to Iowa-based Volquartsen, which began life 40 years ago run the firm as a family as a gun-bluing operation, now makes exquisite custom enterprise. rimfire pistols and rifles. Control of the family-owned Tom Volquartsen may company has now passed to the second generation. not have foreseen a compa- ny that designed compo- nents of exacting tolerances for precision shooters, but choice for many shooters, stainless finish, but a matte inch bull barrel design. full-time employees as well he obviously was interested and Volquartsen is kept black finish is available. “We use our own CNC- as several part-timers. in producing something busy customizing these .22s machined stainless-steel But at the same time, the that improved the breed. for its customers. “First, we receivers with integral family remains committed Along the way, the compa- start by tuning the action Top of the Line Picatinny mounts for per- to the values upon which ny has benefited from the using our own MKIII ➤ Volquartsen is justifiably fect, permanent alignment.” the company was founded growth of action shooting accurizing kit, as well as proud of his entire line, but Other products include 40 years ago. “Even though sports in which the partici- installing a pretravel adjust- he takes time to single out the Fusion takedown rifle, our growth has been noth- pants seek out raceguns ment screw to the trigger to the rimfire rifles. “Nobody, which lets the shooters go ing short of phenomenal, modified to allow them to achieve a crisp, clean 2.25- but nobody, makes better- from .22 WMR to .17 we remain a family-owned­ compete at a higher level. pound trigger pull,” he says. crafted or higher-quality HMR by switching the and -operated business,” he “It’s been quite a ride,” “Our high-tech Volthane custom rimfires,” he says. barrels. Now, he says, the says. “As a result, customer says Scott Volquartsen, grips (right-hand only) are “Each is beautiful to behold company is moving “on to satisfaction is still our num- president of Volquartsen standard on all of our Mark and a delight to shoot. The bigger things, like our new ber-one goal. We keep our Custom. “First, we pio- III pistols unless otherwise secret is in our choice of semi-auto .17 WSM, delivery times as short as neered the 10/22 revolution noted. We use only stain- top-of-the-line materials, which we feel is a worthy possible, but we will not by creating the finest cus- less-steel match digitally our obsession with atten- addition to our line.” sacrifice quality to meet a tom 10/22s, custom 10/22 gauged blanks on all of our tion to detail, and our insis- Volquartsen Custom is deadline.” parts, and Mark II pistols pistol models, and we use tence on uncompromising, obviously poised for more Volquartsen also tries to on the market. Our custom the same chamber and bore precision craftsmanship.” growth. Its facility is 9,000 make it easy for a retailer parts and accessories are dimensions on each of our Volquartsen notes that square feet, a far cry from to get into its product line. still in high demand and are pistols models as well. The every barrel features a the basement of a rented “We have several pricing still considered among the chamber is hand-cut using match chamber and match house, and this year Vol­ levels available to fit any best available.” our own unique reamer. bore with 0.0001-inch bore quartsen says they will add size retailer,” he says. The venerable Ruger The feed ramp is also hand- tolerance from muzzle to an additional 15,000 square Booth #11229. MKIII remains a popular polished. All pistols have a breech and a standard .920- feet. Currently, there are 13 (volquartsen.com)

76 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 FEATURE

feed design, rather than the Model 70’s venerable con- trolled-round-feed. This decision was again motivat- ed by the requirement to keep the price in the target- ed range. A great trigger is some- thing hunters might not expect to get in an entry- level rifle, but one thing Winchester didn’t leave behind in designing the XPR was the company’s proven MOA fire-control system. This all-steel adjust- able trigger group features 2:1 mechanics, meaning the trigger itself travels half the distance of the actuator, resulting in an enhanced trigger feel that greatly reduces felt creep and over- The Winchester XPR is travel. The design also intended as a high- incorporates a coil spring quality, affordable that reduces initial trigger starter rifle for new takeup for a smoother, more hunters and shooters. tactical trigger pull. While the trigger may be familiar to Winchester fans, the safety is a depar- ture, though with a A Clear Departure Winchester tweak. “In our talks with cus- Winchester’s new price-point XPR doesn’t stint on tomers, we found that many wanted a two-posi- features By David Draper tion safety,” says Hatt. “So that’s what we built into or many hunters, hearing the name Winchester conjures up a particular image, whether it’s the XPR, but we added a Jack O’Connor leaning one over a rock outcropping in sheep country, Jimmy Stewart defend- bolt unlock button just ing Shelley Winters with his ’73, or maybe a grandfather’s handsome Model 70 Featherweight ahead of the switch. This that now resides in the gun safe of his heirs. Throughout its nearly 150-year history, still allows hunters to move Winchester has earned that reputation as an aspirational rifle, one that’s accurate, reliable, the bolt with the safety on, and, well, classic. That status sets a high bar for shooters new to the sport or young hunters which is a core of the saving for their first rifle—one that was tough to clear if that hunter wanted a Winchester. Winchester experience.” It’s that experience that F the company wants new Realizing its reputation, ity, and reliability—and put calls “interface pads” and a friendly price point, but and young shooters to dis- as good as it was, served as it an affordable package.” cross-mounted recoil lug, also keeps the receiver and cover, at a price they can an obstacle for some peo- In the early stages of the both of which hold the barrel in precise alignment afford. It’s part of the com- ple, the Logan, Utah, XPR’s development, Hatt receiver securely in place with the optimal amount of pany’s overall strategy to based riflemaker has intro- and the rest of the Win­ and keep the stock from headspacing between the grab customer share duced a new rifle to its line chester team talked closely flexing during the shot. bolt face and bore for each throughout its line by giv- that’s a clear departure with retailers, distributors, The stock is stippled with chambering. ing them a positive first- from what Winchester has and customers to get a a textured grip and forend, “We looked at several time experience they’ll come to be known for. broad sense of what they and is designed with some different options when remember when it comes Instead of a wood stock, wanted in an introductory modern lines. And not just designing the XPR,” says time to buy their next rifle, forged receiver, and Winchester rifle. The XPR a cheap, plastic stock—the Hatt. “The Model 70’s is hopefully a Model 70. controlled-round-feed­ is a product of that valued XPR has technology built- among the best out there, “We have a Cadillac in action, Winchester’s new input and Winchester’s in in the form of an Inflex but it’s extremely expen- our line—the Model 70— XPR centerfire rifle meets long history of making recoil pad that directs felt sive. With the barrel-nut but needed a commuter modern hunters’ needs accurate, reliable rifles. recoil down and away from system, we found we didn’t car,” says Hatt. “The XPR with features that are now The first difference is the the face and shoulder. It need to compromise accu- is a gun for everyday hunt- common on other gun- most obvious—the black also incorporates a polymer racy and reliability.” ers, but it allows them to makers’ introductory, polymer stock. Although detachable box magazine of The receiver and bolt aspire to the Model 70. price-point guns. the Model 70 has been a single-stack design. take advantage of modern Because of their experi- “The Model 70 isn’t available in synthetic- Anyone who’s looked at a materials and manufactur- ence, they’ll be more likely going anywhere, and we stocked models over the price-point rifle in the past ing processes, helping fur- to think of Winchester weren’t going to mess with years, a black Winchester is five years will recognize ther reduce cost without when they want to move that popular, and proven, still rare. The XPR’s stock the barrel attachment sys- making any sacrifices. up to that next level of design,” says Glenn Hatt, consists of an advanced tem that Winchester incor- Precision machined from a quality and workmanship product manager for polymer that resists twisting porated into the XPR. The solid bar of through-hard- in a rifle they can pass Winchester Repeating or warping in extreme tem- gunmaker fitted the receiv- ened chromoly steel, both down through generations, Arms. “But we needed an perature fluctuations. er to the button-rifled are incredibly tough and just as the Model 70 has entry-level bolt-action rifle Further accuracy is ensured chromoly-steel barrel using built to resist wear and been for so many hunters.” that took those same ele- thanks to a unique bedding a barrel nut and washer. torque, even under heavy Booth #13329. (800- ments Winchester is system that uses flat surfaces This connection not only use. It’s important to state 945-5237; winchester known for—accuracy, qual- in the stock that Winchester helps the XPR come in at a the XPR’s action is a push- guns.com)

78 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 FEATURE Under The Gun Leapers targets the sweet spot on the price/performance curve By Jock Elliott f you need to see better, shoot better, illuminate your target, carry your gear, protect your body, customize or accessorize your weapon, transport it safely, or do any of a dozen other shooting-related tasks, Leapers Inc., based in Livonia, Michigan, has you covered. What began as a dream in a garage 22 years ago with one part-time employee has become an international company with nearly 400 employees offering some 700 “UTG” (thatI stands for Under The Gun) products to the shooting community. These include scopes, rail systems, illumination systems (tactical flashlights and lasers), supporting rests, grips, accessories, polymer stocks and grips, soft goods, gun cases, tactical armor, load carrying systems, cases and backpacks, and For many of its products, Leapers controls every aspect of manufacturing even goodies for airsoft and paintball. from beginning to end.

In a day and age where it is com- they put in 10 years in law enforce- from the company’s sales, opera- precision-­injection molding, and mon for top company leadership to ment in Taiwan. David became the tions, and product development Cerakote finishing. have little knowledge of the prod- youngest police station chief in divisions. They walk the walk and “We still have manufacturing ucts they make or the customers Taipei, Taiwan’s largest city, and talk the talk. capabilities near Shanghai, manu- they serve, the founders of Tina was the highest-ranking The Dings also buck the trend in facturing and R&D in Taiwan, and Leapers—husband and wife David female police officer in Taiwan— other ways. While many companies warehousing and distribution in Ding (vice president) and Tina and an impressive pistol shot. are rushing to move operations off- Germany, but I had a burning Ding (president) buck the trend. And the Dings aren’t the only shore, Leapers has built and is desire to make things in the U.S.,” They have the “creds” to success- ones in their operation who under- expanding an advanced manufac- says David Ding. “We started in fully lead a shooting-sports compa- stand shooting: Leapers fields a turing center in the United States. 2008 and have been expanding ever ny. Before they came to the U.S., shooting team with participants It features CNC machining, since. We’ve bought the kind of FEATURE

equipment that is appropriate for Leapers works closely with firearms extreme precision.” manufacturers such as Mossberg, At the heart of the company’s Smith & Wesson, Ruger, and oth- spectrum of products is an underly- ers to integrate its offerings with ing philosophy: to aim at the sweet the OEM products. Sharp-eyed spot on the price/performance shooters will see magnum pistols curve by manufacturing excellent, with Leapers bipods or dot sights innovative equipment that most and rifles with Leapers stocks, rails, shooters can afford. scopes, sights, and modular compo- Ding recognized his desire to be nents. Leapers also did a body an entrepreneur when he worked armor project for the U.K.’s at Ford Motor Company. “I was NATO troops. working for Ford in 1986 in heavy One of Leapers’ secret weapons truck sales and marketing,” he is the ability to listen. “We want to says. “The CEO of Ford wanted be the company that really con- everyone to take charge like an nects with end users,” Ding says. entrepreneur, and I was inspired. Consequently, he takes listening to This was something that I really users very seriously, frequently wanted to do. It became a passion monitoring the company’s system for me, and three years down the for feedback from customers. road, I wanted to start my own When Leapers wanted to make business.” scopes that could withstand the Ding first thought about creat- vicious whiplash recoil of spring- ing a U.S.-based export business David and Tina Ding had distinguished law enforcement careers in Taiwan piston airguns, Ding solicited (night vision, body armor, and so before founding Leapers in the U.S. in 2008. input from airgunning experts. He forth) to serve law enforcement in listened, and the result is an ultra- Taiwan. “During the process, I controls every aspect of the manu- that everything fits together. tough scope architecture that is realized that I wanted more mass facturing process from beginning “If you stick with Leapers prod- the basis for all of Leapers scope market and a more open society, so to end. ucts, you don’t have to wonder if offerings. I could demonstrate what I know “We don’t have to worry whether the laser mount or scope mount In the end, Leapers offers a con- and what I love to my customers,” we will get the quality we want. We will integrate with our rail system. stellation of high-quality products he says. know we have it, because we’re on They will, and our other compo- that most shooters can afford. If Toward that end, Leapers today top of it at every step of the way,” nents will work together as well,” you need something to make your is a company that is integrated says Tina Ding. he says. shooting better, chances are both vertically and horizontally. Horizontal integration means Since the company makes just Leapers has just what you need. Vertical integration means that, that Leapers looks at its products about every shooting-sport product Booth #2246. (734-542-1500; for most products, the company from a “systems” point of view so except guns and ammunition, leapers.com) FEATURE The Czech Connection Vigorously courting U.S. shooters, CZ offers old-world quality and unexpected value By Wayne Van Zwoll hen we first spoke, Milan Kubelen had retired after 30 years at CZ. “Hitler’s plans for Eastern Europe were clear long before they spanned the Channel,” he recalled. In 1936, the Czech government moved its arms factory to Uhersky Brod, as far as practical from Berlin. The small city clings to rolling hills fringed, at their woody tops, by fields of grain. On a misty dawn my jogging path wound past log decks stacked by tractors pre-dating Krushchev. Old men in dark, shapeless coats prowled the forest. Mushroom hunters, their rust-pocked Skodas in tilted repose on the edges of dirt tracks. The images, and the silent fog, spun W the clock back to the Cold War, unobtrusive people passing intelligence in unobtrusive places. Decades earlier, before WWI, Germany had to relinquish its con- proven a decade earlier. We joined turing innovations through the Zbrojovka Brno produced rifles on quests, and Czechoslovakia was, for Radomir Jarko, Richard Velisek, 1980s, and in 1991, two years after government contract in Brno, a a time, self-governing. But in 1948, and David Hradil for a tour. The a revolution led by Vaclav Havel town in central Czechoslovakia. In Communists took political control. CZ complex is nearly a mile long, overthrew Communist rule, the 1921, the firm became Ceska Seven years later the Uhersky Brod and many buildings date to the war country’s industries were privatized. Zbrojovka, or “Czech Armsmaker.” operation split from Strakonice. years. Their peaked roofs, cosmetic In 1993, Czechoslovakia became To augment Brno’s rifle output, CZ Firearms manufacture in Brno was at a glance, “have a residential look two nations. The Czech and Slovak established a factory at Strakonice, throttled in 1964, but the Brno through a bomb-sight.” Like many Republics remain autonomous. where it produced CZ pistols. By name had such a following, it firearms factories in Europe and the Zbrojovka Brno endured these the time Hitler rolled into Poland, remained on ZKK, ZKM, and 527 U.S., CZ still employs tooling from political upheavals, but internal the Uhersky Brod plant had become rifles—all produced at Uhersky that era. “It works fine for some improprieties would bring it to its a subsidiary. Neville Chamberlain’s Brod. During the 1960s, this facto- operations,” Milan reminded me. knees. Following a 2004 bankruptcy, capitulation in Munich prompted ry grew substantially. We passed, too, through banks of it recovered with a line of shotguns the Nazi seizure of the Sudetenland. It’s still a big facility. I visited it modern CNC machines and an and single-shot rifles. “CZ has since “It was no surprise to us here in again last year and found Milan investment casting operation. The thrived,” said Radomir. “In fact, it is the East,” said Milan. At war’s end, Kubelen as sharp and active as he’d company kept pace with manufac- growing, and not just in Europe. The Uhersky Brod operation employs 1,750 people. We export to The Uhersky Brod plant 80 countries and design rifles and has 100 CNC machines, plus pistols for American tastes.” traditional tooling, like the investment casting forge. The author (bottom) checks The New World out the CZ 455 rimfire. Sales ➤ CZ-USA came about in of CZ’s famous Model 75 California in 1997, moving to its (right) have topped more present home in Kansas City, than 1 million units. Kansas, the following year. Alice Poluchova heads CZ’s U.S. arm. The company’s acquisition of Dan Wesson Firearms brings to CZ an extensive line of 1911 pistols, which isn’t to say that CZ isn’t proud of its Model 75. Between 1975 and 2007, more than a million of these reliable self-loaders were shipped, most in 9mm. You can get it in .40 S&W, too. The 97 is a .45 ACP variant. While the Uhersky Brod factory turns out CZ’s best-known rifles, not all the firm’s long guns hail from the Czech Republic. More than a decade ago, CZ partnered with a factory in the mountain town of Huglu, Turkey, to produce shot- guns—a staple of that plant since 1962. Another source came on line recently, at Akkar, another Turkish facility. CZ now offers autoloaders and pumps, plus side-by-side and over/under shotguns, in several grades in home-defense, big-game, and competition versions. Yielding to fate and fortune lo these many years, I’m more enam- ored of rifles than smoothbores. CZ catalogs a broad selection, from the 805 Bren A2 selective-fire infantry arm (5.56x45 and 7.62x39) to the 750 Sniper (7.62x51) and 550 High Energy Tactical (.338 Lapua) bolt guns. More to my

84 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 FEATURE

CZ’s newest centerfire is the push- feed 557 (top). The bolt head has a Sako-style ejector (below left). The company also processes a lot of walnut for its stocks (below right).

only), or the Carbine with iron sights. Oddly, both versions wear a 20 ½-inch barrel. The 7 ¼-pound walnut Sporter lists for $792, the Manners option, 8 ounces lighter, for $1,268. Carbines cost $812. The first 557 that came my way was an early Sporter. Its stained beech stock was pre-production. I liked the classic look, though, even better than that of the stock on my 550 in 9.3x62. A slight grip swell helped steady the rifle. Center- weighted balance gave it a nose for the target. Under a 2.5–7x32 Weaver, this .30/06 printed near- minute groups. The straight comb kept recoil civil, even with heavy- bullet loads. I bought the rifle just as the Carbine became available. A sucker for iron sights, I had to try that one, too. Especially on short barrels, irons confirm a rifle is complete. This CZ looks ready. Taut in profile, it has a quick, strong demeanor. It leaps eagerly to my cheek; the sights align instantly and without effort. Seldom does a “factory” stock fit me per- fectly. This one does. Grip and forestock fill my catcher-glove hands but impose no superfluous bulk. The straight comb urges my eye to the target. Beyond dimen- sions and features, though, this CZ has a pulse, a predatory soul. taste, there’s a grand selection of Express in .404 and .450 Rigby. crept toward a mountain goat on an Fitting a Zeiss Terra 3–9x42 in sporting rifles—rimfire and center- Want a .505 Gibbs? That’s available impossible ledge and shot him low, steel, four-screw CZ rings, I fire. The switch-barrel 455 lets you too, with other clavicle-bruising quartering away at just over 200 bore-sighted, got on paper at 35 change from .22 LR to .17 HMR options. Actually, CZ big bores yards. The sturdy CZ emerged a yards, then moved to 100. Four of in minutes. It’s a lovely small-game handle recoil comfortably. But top choice for backcountry hunting, my first five factory loads, with bul- rifle and a worthy understudy to you’re still smart to hold a .505 the 9.3x62 confirming its reputation lets of 150 to 180 grains, drilled the svelte 527 and the husky 550, very firmly. as a hammer for tough game. tight groups. Hornady 150-grain stalwarts in the CZ line. With some chamberings retailing A couple of years ago, CZ SSTs edged the competition with a The 527 is one of few bolt rifles for less than $1,500, the CZ 550 announced a replacement for the .75 knot; but 155-grain A-Max’s in blue-printed for cartridges like the Safari Magnum is, in my view, one 550 in short-action chamberings. It Black Hills ammo, and Winchester .222 and .223. Except the heavy- of the best buys in “stopping rifles.” also appeared in 6.5x55, .270, 180-grain E-Tips, both nipped barreled Varmint, most weigh from Its Turkish walnut stock (Kevlar is .30/06. “Shades of 1964,” thought 1-inch triangles. With noon heat at 5 ¾ to 6 ¼ pounds, with barrels of an option) has the dimensions to I, recalling Winchester’s ill-con- 90 F, the barrel got hot as I finished 18 ½ to 23 ½ inches. A sop to the mitigate recoil. The Mauser mech- ceived overhaul of the Model 70. with five 165-grain Remington unsophisticated, the “M1” in .223 anism is bomb-proof and sunrise- But surely CZ was smarter than to Core-Lokts, fired quick-step. The has a synthetic stock. But you have reliable. I’ve found these powerful give its famous bolt rifle over to group measured a pleasing 1.45 many options in checkered walnut rifles accurate enough for Saturday corporate bean-counters.­ Turns inches, four inside an inch. (with a fetching full-stock variation, shoots in woodchuck pastures. out, it was. The 550 was not aban- While I hardly need two .30/06 iron sights, and chamberings like The 550 appears in trimmer form doned. And the push-feed 557 is a 557s, I can’t part with this Carbine. .17 Hornet and .204 Ruger). bored for the likes of the .30/06 worthy addition to the line. This is Richard Velisek had summed it up Despite the delightfully trim profile and the 7mm and .300 Winchester no entry-level rifle, built to a price. well in Uhersky Brod: “It’s eco- of these rifles, they’ve drilled very Magnums. I carried a 550 in 9.3x62 Its polished receiver, machined nomical, but there’s nothing cheap snug groups for me. on a moose and mountain goat from a billet, boasts the 550’s inte- about it. CZ doesn’t build cheap.” Clearly Mauser 98 in derivation, hunt in British Columbia. It proved gral 19mm dovetails, for CZ scope In a country and a company that CZ’s flagship 550 features a forged as endearing as my pre-64 Model rings. The two-detent safety lets have endured much, satisfying receiver with integral recoil lug and 70 Winchesters. The action, the bolt cycle “on safe.” gimlet-­eyed riflemen is a point of a staggered-stack internal magazine weight, and balance are indeed sim- The trigger (not a single-set) pride. CZ firearms still have the with hinged floorplate. The twin- ilar, albeit the CZ’s safety is a two- adjusts for take-up, weight, and solid, gunny, pre-war feel now sift- lug bolt has an external Mauser- detent thumb switch. Its trigger is overtravel. A hinged floorplate ing from other rifle, pistol, and style extractor for controlled feed of single-set design; push it ahead secures the four-shot magazine. shotgun lines. Perhaps it’s Czech and a Herculean pull on sticky to get a very light let-off. After a Cold-hammer-forged like all bar- history—or maybe the place, below cases. For years, you could get a 550 day glassing, we spied a moose ant- rels on CZ centerfire rifles, the Uhersky Brod’s hills, where in for- in chamberings from 6.5x55 to .416 ler in heavy cover. A stalk ensued. 20 ½-inch bore is also lapped. You ests once shaken by bomb blasts, Rigby. Chamberings have prolifer- The bull rose at 40 yards and can pick the Sporter with checkered old men seek mushrooms under ated, especially at the top end. I’ve dropped instantly to a Norma- walnut or a Manners synthetic the morning’s mist. Booth #11955. used the Safari Magnum and Safari loaded softpoint. Near week’s end, I stock (the latter in long-action form (cz-usa.com)

86 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 FEATURE

The Ghostrike Fixed Blade has strategic cutouts to reduce weight and comes with a 6.9-inch straight- edge blade. Designed to Disappear Gerber introduces a line of concealed-carry knives By Christopher Cogley actical knives are meant to be carried. They don’t do much good sitting in the truck, the squad car, or the Humvee. But just because they’re meant to be carried doesn’t mean they have to draw attention to them- selves when discretion is called for. That’s why Gerber developed its T new Ghostrike series of tactical knives. “These knives are designed includes grommet holes that to effectively integrate with the allow it to be tied down for easy clothing you’re wearing so that access on packs or other gear. you can carry high-quality The Fixed Blade Deluxe Kit fea- knives in a discreet manner,” tures the same nylon sheath, but says Andrew Gritzbaugh, mar- it’s mounted on an innovative keting communications manag- neoprene sleeve that can be er for Gerber. comfortably strapped on an A natural extension of ankle or calf and hidden almost Gerber’s Tactical collection, the completely under the pant leg, Ghoststrike line includes two allowing anyone easy access to a separate knives that offer users boot knife—even if they’re not a variety of options for carrying wearing boots. them, thanks to the versatile Although the knives were cre- sheaths Gerber designed for ated for military and law the blades. enforcement applications, they The Punch Knife features a will likely be just as appealing to T-handle with a rubberized tactical enthusiasts, or anyone textured grip and a 2.5-inch else who wants to carry some- 420HC blade with a black The Punch Knife utilizes a thing for self-defense but doesn’t ceramic coating. The Punch T-handle with a rubberized tex- necessarily want to be weighed Knife is designed to be worn tured grip and a 2.5-inch down by it. around the neck, but the glass- 420HC blade. “People are carrying con- filled nylon sheath can also be cealed weapons more and slid onto a belt or strap. To blade. The knife’s stylized han- more,” Gritzbaugh says. “The provide even more versatility, dle features strategic cutouts to Ghoststrike knives provide all the sheath also has four grom- reduce the weight and is covered kinds of flexibility for how you met holes that allow it to be with a rubberized textured mate- can customize and carry them tied down to MOLLE gear rial to ensure a secure grip. The in a very convenient way.” with the included 550 cord. Fixed Blade is offered with two After all, the more convenient The other knife in the line is sheath options. The standard it is, the more likely it is to be the Ghoststrike Fixed Blade. knife comes with a glass-filled carried. And that’s the whole The Fixed Blade is 6.9 inches nylon sheath that can be worn point, isn’t it? Booth #13614. long with a 3.3-inch 420HC on a belt either horizontally or (800-950-6161; gerbergear ceramic-coated straight edge vertically. The sheath also .com) FEATURE LaserMax’s Laser Focus A new Dealer Rewards Program is one way to target an exploding market By Christopher Cogley n the early years, there were only about three major players in the market,” says Celia Crane, director of marketing for LaserMax. “Now, it seems like a new company is popping up every day.” As more companies enter the market, each one searches for a void to fill that will allow them to stand apart from their competition. As with many categories dominated by technological advancements, the most obvious—and attractive— I opening in the laser targeting market seems to have become the void at the bottom of the price-point spectrum. As one of the top-quality laser LaserMax is implementing a new ally the credits that dealers can earn cheap, poorly made lasers go out of targeting companies in the world, Dealer Rewards Program at this toward that merchandise won’t just alignment easily and often just stop and one that is consistently at the year’s SHOT Show. come from selling LaserMax prod- working.” forefront of cutting-edge technolo- “We want to get to know our ucts, but also from learning more Which is why LaserMax is gy, LaserMax isn’t searching for a retailers better, and this will be a about the company and the con- focused on creating the highest void in the market. What the really cool way for us to connect stantly changing category. quality laser targeting systems on Rochester-based company is looking with them,” Crane says. “The beau- “We feel that you really have to the market rather than the least for, however, is a way to help cus- ty of this program is that retailers know about the product,” Crane expensive ones. tomers understand the importance can pick what they want and cus- says. “The more you know about “We offer the best warranty in of the niche LaserMax has been tomize it based on what works for the products, the more you can the business—five years,” Houde- dominating for more than 25 years. their store and their customers. teach your customers and the more Walter says. “But in practice, peo- ple learn about the quality of the LaserMax on the range. We have happy customers with 10- and near- ly 20-year-old lasers that are still working. One customer told us that he put 40,000 rounds on the gun, had to change the barrel out, but the laser was still going strong.” LaserMax has had that kind of commitment to quality as the cor- nerstone of its philosophy since the company was founded in 1989. Originally, most of the company’s business came from the military and law enforcement sectors, but as technology has advanced, making quality laser targeting systems a practical option for nearly every gun owner, LaserMax has begun to earn a solid reputation with people in the civilian market who understand just how beneficial a well-constructed laser can be. “With a laser sight, you shoot better, especially when you or the target is moving, or you’re shooting with your weak hand, from behind cover, or in a prone position, and under stress of deadly force,” Houde-Walter says. “Because they To help give its retailers the tools make you so much better at shoot- they need to educate customers, ing, in most cases police often find LaserMax is instituting a new that the little red dot on the sus- Dealer Rewards program at the pect’s chest gets complete compli- 2015 SHOT Show. ance without having to shoot.” Because these—and so many other—benefits are almost instantly “The market acceptance of lasers Our goal is to get to the point you’re going to sell.” recognizable to anyone who uses a has quadrupled in the last 12 years, where we can service their needs And with that kind of product laser targeting system, Houde- but there’s still a certain price-point directly and give them the tools knowledge, retailers can begin to Walter says that she believes the intolerance because there are so they need to sell our products.” show their customers the differenc- day isn’t far off when lasers will many cheap ones out there,” Crane Through the rewards program, es between the higher-priced lasers become standard equipment on says. “And unfortunately, it’s not retailers will earn credit for the and the cheaper low-end models— nearly every firearm. apparent to the consumers when LaserMax merchandise they sell. differences that most people aren’t “It’s happening now,” she says. they’re buying it which laser is going They can then work with the aware of until it’s too late. “It’s a positive feedback loop. The to last and which one is going to fall LaserMax marketing department to “You don’t always get what you more that people try lasers, the apart in a year.” use that credit to purchase merchan- pay for,” says Susan Houde-Walter, more that people find out about LaserMax understands that the dise that will make it even easier for CEO of LaserMax. “There are def- their benefits, and even more peo- best way to remedy that situation is them to educate their customers on initely over-priced and over-mar- ple start using them. And the trend by working with its retailers. To the benefits of LaserMax products. keted products on the market. The shows every sign of growing.” help give its retailers the tools they Although the program is still in its laser must hold alignment under Booth #12771. (800-527-3703; need to educate their customers, early stages, Crane says that eventu- rough conditions to be useful, and lasermax.com)

DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ 89 FEATURE

Federal’s 3rd Degree ammo combines three different types of shot for patterning at close, medium, and long distances. Three Degrees of Turkey Torment Putting Federal Premium’s new turkey load through the wringer pecialized turkey loads have evolved magnificently during the past 20 years. Current offerings have been engineered to pattern more tightly and reach farther than ever before. But these loads have also become less forgiving at close range—in some cases, leading to missed birds. Federal Premium Ammunition set out to solve this problem. The result is a new, high-tech load—3rd Degree—specifically crafted to cover any situation a hunter might face. The load, which is debuting at the 2015 SHOT Show, blends three different types and sizes of shot and combines technologies from the company’s most popular shotshell lines. This balanced combination results in a turkey hunt- er’s dream ammo—one load that works at all distances, from extremely close to the extended ranges that have set performance standards for today’s gobbler chasers.

STaking a page from the playbook of Federal’s pellets, the same as those used in the company’s behind two pines just six steps away,” he says. successful Black Cloud Close Range waterfowl popular Prairie Storm pheasant loads. These pel- “The bird was just as surprised, snapping its head load, part of 3rd Degree’s payload is designed to lets have a distinctive cutting ring that creates a toward me with eyes as wide as turkey’s eyes can quickly open into a deadly close-range pattern, massive wound cavity as it passes through tissue. go. I threw the gun to my shoulder as the gobbler even when using aftermarket turkey chokes. The They also crush bone on impact. The load is turned to run, then fired and watched him topple.” load also uses a dose of copper-plated lead for the designed to disperse the pellets quickly, which cre- Edson’s shot, while hasty, found its mark. The more common 20- to 40-yard shots. And for far- ates a larger effective pattern within 20 yards. Flitestopper pellets left a series of ragged holes out birds, it contains ultra-dense Heavyweight shot Federal Premium marketing communication along a 6-inch span of the bird’s head and neck. to deliver a consistent, long-distance punch. The specialist Jacob Edson got a firsthand look at the The tightest portion of the pattern, however, entire payload is maximized by Federal Premium’s close-up effectiveness of 3rd Degree while test- seemed to have just grazed the neck. “When I exclusive Flitecontrol wad, which stays with the ing the load in South Dakota’s Black Hills. “On stepped off the shot, it was just seven yards. Had I shot column longer for even, reliable patterns. the first day of the hunt, I struck a midday gob- been shooting a typical über-tight, long-range Throughout the development of 3rd Degree, bler while prospecting an old logging trail,” he specific load, I might not have killed that bird.” the company counted on a pool of employees, says. “The bird initially honored my yelps and who are also seasoned hunters, to conduct initial closed to within 100 yards. But then it quit field testing. Their findings proved this load’s responding. I waited 15 minutes to see if the tom Common Ground multi-range capabilities. was coming in silently and then decided to repo- ➤ Loaded behind the Flitestopper pellets, and sition to where I last heard him.” making up 40 percent of the 3rd Degree payload, As Edson snuck through the ponderosas, he is a layer of copper-plated No. 5 lead shot, which In-Your-Face Close discovered a fence between him and the bird. He creates a dense, even pattern at moderate ranges. ➤ The leading section of the 3rd Degree’s pay- slipped through and set up on the other side. This is the same type of shot that powers the pop- load—20 percent of the total pellet count—is “As I stepped through a small gap in the fence, I ular Federal Premium Mag-Shok turkey line. made up of No. 6 nickel-plated Flitestopper lead was surprised when the gobbler walked out from However, 3rd Degree is the first load that uses it in

90 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 FEATURE

3rd Degree ammunition took these two toms, with the help of J.J. Reich (left, long range) and Jacob Edson (right, close range).

combination with other types of pellets in one hull. Federal Premium packaging engineer Tim Ash used decoys to set up an in-the-field test at the most common turkey ranges of 20 to 40 yards. “We got in the blind in the dark and set up my decoys 23 yards in front,” Ash says. “At 10 a.m., I was still waiting to hear that first gobble.” Ash and his hunting partner were getting rest- less and started to consider moving. But their patience paid off a few minutes later, when two toms silently appeared from behind them and moved in. When the larger bird cleared the decoys, Ash took aim and pulled the trigger. “The gobbler dropped like a rock at 20 yards,” he says. “The payload’s heavy dose of copper- plated lead worked great, but what I like most is having it combined with two other types of shot. It’s my insurance policy against a tom getting away at ranges closer or farther away than normal.”

At Long Distance ➤ The final 40 percent of 3rd Degree’s payload is No. 7 Heavyweight pellets. The tungsten-iron material’s high density (35 percent denser than lead) gives the shot more energy than No. 5 lead at 40 yards and beyond. Heavyweight’s long- range potential is maximized by the rear-opening Flitecontrol wad. Last May, Federal Premium public relations specialist J.J. Reich experienced just how well this portion of the 3rd Degree formula performs at long distance. “It was Mother’s Day, and I only had a few hours to hunt,” he says. “So I tried a setup that has always produced. I just dressed in camo and simply sat with my back to a tree—no blind, no decoys.” Reich had a lot of experience using Heavyweight No. 7 loads, and he had already killed several gobblers with them at distances beyond 50 yards. He had also patterned and practiced with prototypes of 3rd Degree in Federal Premium’s testing facility. Prior to his hunt, Reich shot this load more than 20 times at long ranges, so he knew its capabilities. “It took a while, but an eager two-year-old gobbler finally answered my calls,” he says. “There was just one problem—it was on the other side of the field.” But when the bird paused to gobble, everything aligned perfectly. “I knew it was a long shot, but I also knew the ammo could do it. I pulled the trig- ger, and that gobbler went down for the count.” Reich ranged the dead turkey: 62 yards. “My practice time and the Heavyweight pellets in this load did the job. I am certainly not advocating that hunters shoot turkeys at excessive ranges, but people need to know this ammo can perform at the 60-yard mark.” SRP: $21.95, 3-inch, 1 ¾-ounce; 5, 6, 7 shot, box of five; $24.95, 3 ½-inch, 2-ounce; 5, 6, 7 shot, box of five. Booth #14551. (federalpremium.com) FEATURE

Controlled Chaos bullet originated from an agency’s desire for a lead- free fragmenting projectile for cull- ing deer. The request stipulated immediate incapacitation without risk of bullet pass-through. The all-brass Controlled Chaos bullet violently fragments inside the ani- mal, creating massive tissue destruction. I’ve used the Controlled Chaos bullet on various game species and in multiple cali- bers on animals in North America and Africa with delightful results. With their Extreme Penetrator bullet, Lehigh manipulated the flat nose of a solid-copper pistol bullet so it would enhance tissue destruc- tion without the customary expan- sion that limits penetration. The result is a non-expanding, .380 ACP bullet that will drive to at least 13 inches in 10 percent ord- nance gelatin while leaving a path of wicked tissue destruction in its wake. For those who carry a com- pact .380 for personal protection, they now have a bullet that meets Clockwise from the FBI’s minimum suggested pen- top: The etration depth and will cut through Controlled Chaos bone, cartilage, and tissue like they hunting bullet; the were butter. solid-copper But maybe the most interesting Extreme Lehigh Defense projectile is the Penetrator per- .308-caliber controlled fracturing sonal-defense (CF) bullet. This is an all-brass bullet; and the rifle projectile designed to provide subsonic CF (con- previously unachievable expansion trolled fracturing) at subsonic velocities. This is .308 bullet, which something that conventional lead- has been cored and mono-metal bullets sim- designed for both ply cannot do because the reduced hunters and tacti- impact velocities of subsonic pro- cal operatives. jectiles do not induce the necessary force to overcome the rigidness of the materials. By combining a pointed brass insert with a deep Outside the Box hollowpoint cavity and pre-stress- ing the bullet, the CF bullet will Lehigh Defense ammo delivers out-of-this-world fracture—and the secondary, razor- sharp projectiles devastatingly rip performance By Richard Mann tissues, even at subsonic velocities. The CF bullet revolutionizes the he monolithic—one metal—bullet is nothing new; for some time it’s been tout- use of subsonic rifles by providing ed for its accuracy, weight retention, and penetration abilities. Conventional supersonic-like terminal perfor- thinking subscribes to the notion that the two best features of the mono-metal mance. The application of the CF bullet are its integrity and its lead-free construction. However, some ballisti- bullet should be apparent for hunt- cians believe the lack of a lead core and 100 percent integrity limits a mono- ers and tactical operatives wanting metal bullet’s ability to damage tissue. An American company thought there to engage and incapacitate targets might be a work-around and began exhaustive research. with limited shot signature. The good news is that to enjoy T the performance of Lehigh Lehigh Defense out of terminal-performance testing to bullet’s flight. There are no voids, Defense’s high-technology lead-free Quakertown, Pennsylvania—influ- the equation. After ceaseless exper- inclusions, or off-center compo- projectiles, you don’t have to hand- enced by the effectiveness of a lit- imentation and testing, Lehigh nents to hinder external ballistics. load. This is because in addition to tle-known all-copper bullet from Defense now offers a variety of The axis of symmetry is equal to components, Lehigh Defense also France called the GPA (and with purpose-built, fully machined the axis of the geometry, and this offers loaded ammunition. Their the assistance of men like Dan Lilja mono-metal bullets. significantly increases the potential unique approach to projectiles, of Lilja Barrels and renowned wild- Lehigh Defense owner Dave for manufacturing a bullet with combined with an informative web- catter and subsonic expert J.D. Fricke’s other company, Millennium unparalleled flight characteristics. site and enticing dealer programs, Jones)—began producing Manufacturing, is a top-end In other words, properly machined makes Lehigh a reliable source for machined, solid-metal bullets like machining company with multi- bullets are incredibly accurate. bullets and ammunition when maxi- no other. Lehigh Defense also tudes of experience in the firearms But it’s not just about accuracy. mum wounding potential is desired. tapped into the knowledge of noted industry. Fricke took that machin- By thinking outside the traditional Lehigh Defense has unquestionably cartridge wildcatter Mike Cyrus ing proficiency and applied it to terminal performance box, Lehigh improved upon the miniature from West Virginia. Cyrus contrib- bullets. Machining a bullet from a Defense has created projectiles that machines we call bullets. Booth uted his years of cartridge develop- solid bar is accomplished while the are distinctive with regard to ter- #2057. (215-536-4100; lehigh ment, handloading experience, and bullet is spinning, mimicking the minal performance. Their defense.com)

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SIG’s Elite Performance ammunition is available in .380 ACP, 9mm Luger, .357 SIG, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. New loads for the 10mm Auto and .300 Blackout are on the way for 2015.

Elite Performance SIG Sauer’s new ammo line is designed to perform at a high level By Richard Mann ith defensive handgun ammunition, there are two primary points of consideration. First and foremost, the ammu- nition must be reliable. It should cycle through your handgun with the ease and regularity of air moving in and out of your lungs. Secondly, it should provide maximum wounding potential. Well known for their defensive hand- guns, SIG Sauer felt it was time to bring the same level of elite craftsmanship and performance their firearms are Wknown for to defensive handgun ammunition. Though there is some peramental.) Terminal remain with the bullet’s One-Stop ing ammunition is nothing question as to what consti- performance tests in 10 jacket, and the toothed Shop new, but it is something tutes optimum terminal percent ordnance gelatin cannelure holds them ➤ Loaded ammunition is new for SIG Sauer. SIG performance, the estab- were very promising. together. The bullets are currently available for five Sauer has a loyal customer lished benchmark with law Only the .380 ACP failed specifically engineered for cartridges: .380 ACP (90 base who appreciates the enforcement has been a to meet the minimum cri- each cartridge to offer the grain), 9mm Luger (124 fine workmanship, reliabil- minimum of 12 inches of teria, and then only in the desired balance of expan- grain), .357 SIG (125 ity, and precision their fire- penetration and at least 80 penetration category. This sion and penetration. And, grain), .40 S&W (165 arms offer, particularly in percent weight retention should not be considered bullet profiles were opti- grain), and .45 ACP (200 the defensive handgun with a bullet that expands a detractor; .380 ACP mized to ensure reliable grain). However, new market. to at least 1.5 times its loads that show 1.5 times feeding. To further loads for the 10mm Auto Just the same, many law unfired diameter. With expansion and penetrate enhance reliability, every and .300 Blackout will enforcement agencies issue regard to reliability, any- 12 inches are unicorn-like cartridge case has a soon be rolled out, and SIG Sauer pistols to their thing less than 100 per- rare. Techni-Chrome plating. these will have a hunting officers. And, a recent cent is unacceptable. To obtain this level of application. In addition, trend in law enforcement Range tests involving performance, SIG Sauer 115- and 124-grain loads shows movement to non- 500 rounds of the new started with a proprietary will be offered in 9mm bonded bullets such as the SIG Sauer Elite bullet design called the Luger; you’ll also see a SIG V-Crown. With the Performance ammunition V-Crown. This is a non- 180-grain load for the .40 competitive sales programs in five different cartridges bonded, jacketed hollow- S&W and a 230-grain load offered to distributors, and seven different hand- point with the bullet jacket in .45 ACP in 2015. Bud dealers, and law enforce- guns produced a reliability mechanically locked to the Fini, SIG Sauer’s vice ment agencies by SIG percentage of 99.8 per- bullet core so that it can president of marketing, Sauer, they are becoming a cent. There was one fail- deliver expansion and the indicated that to round out one-stop shop for both ure to feed out of the 100 necessary penetration this new ammunition personal protection and rounds fired through the regardless of the interme- Law enforcement bench- offering, ball (FMJ) pistol law enforcement firearms Diamondback DB 380. diate barriers it might have marks require bullets to loads will soon be avail- and ammunition needs. (Compact pistols like the to pass through. To do this, expand to 1.5 times their able, too. Booth #12240. (603-610- Diamondback can be tem- the bullet’s core must unfired diameter. Gun manufacturers mak- 3000; sigsauer.com)

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els is driving sales outside of tradi- tional hunting seasons, and like In the Zone many other outdoor products, Thermacell has seasonal sales Thermacell keeps biting insects at bay By Lou Dzierzak spikes. Turkey and deer seasons see a lot of traffic, as do Memorial ative Americans used a variety of home remedies (the smell of which could Day and Father’s Day (traditional gag a maggot) to repel biting insects. The 21st Century sportsman is far times for family outdoor events). more fortunate; modern chemistry has created products that are easy to The highest spikes of all are the apply and don’t smell nearly as awful as bear fat. One of these modern rem- Fourth of July and September, so edies is DEET. Though effective, the repellent does have some untoward make sure you have enough in side effects, so much so that most medical experts do not recommend its stock to meet demand. “We also use by children. have a strong holiday season,” says Lowitt. “Thermacell is a great gift N for the sportsman at an affordable Thermacell believes it has found 15 feet in all directions. Those mainly from hunters who thought price. Customers using the product a better way. The manufacturer’s inside the zone don’t get the flybys, the product might emit smells that for hunting are now purchasing it lanterns and appliances use a single the droning, and the buzzing. Most would spook game. This was, obvi- for their homes. If Thermacell butane cartridge to heat a small important, they don’t get bit. In ously, less of an issue with rifle and works in the field, why not get that mat saturated with allethrin. Found extreme mosquito situations, con- shotgun hunters, but bowhunters same benefit at home?” naturally in chrysanthemum flow- sumers—such as Alaskan bear are known to be particularly fussy The unit most hunters purchase ers, allethrin repels mosquitoes, hunters in June—tell us they can about controlling any odors and is the classic Camo Appliance black flies, and no-see-ums without actually feel a force field around scents that might scuttle a hunt. (SRP: $29.99). It appeals to a wide subjecting a hunter to any of the them. They see a wall of mosqui- Once in the field, however, they range of shooters and hunters adverse effects that DEET can toes hovering just out of reach.” quickly discovered the product because the compact, easy-to-carry cause when applied to skin. Once Lowitt admits some consumers worked as advertised. unit easily fits in a daypack or vest heated, the repellent rises into the are initially skeptical about how the for transport. The retail package air and creates an invisible barrier Thermacell product works. “People includes one reusable appliance, around the user that insects can’t have tried mosquito-repellent prod- High Season one butane cartridge (lasts up to 12 penetrate. ucts that don’t work, so there’s some ➤ Thermacell offers a variety of hours), and three repellent mats “Thermacell is different from skepticism,” she says. “But our word handheld models as well as an out- (each lasts up to four hours). The other repellents because the air- of mouth is great. We often hear door lantern utilizing the same butane cartridges and repellent borne repellent creates what we people say, ‘I really didn’t think it repellent mat and butane cartridge mats also can be purchased as call the Zone of Protection,” says would work, but it does.’” system. Three lantern models pro- refills, and this ongoing traffic Allegra Lowitt, Thermacell’s chief One early barrier that vide ambient light as well as the gives you the opportunity to regu- marketing officer. “It’s a zone that Thermacell had to surmount after same repellent zone protection. larly upsell other items when cus- extends out from the unit for 15 by its introduction in 1999 came The success of the appliance mod- tomers return for refills. Thermacell intends to broaden its market by creating new products that appeal to campers. Broadening the Market ➤ Now that the Thermacell brand is firmly established in the hunting and shooting markets, the manu- facturer has decided to expand its reach by moving into the camping market in 2015. Why camping? “Because camping is roughly three times larger than hunting,” says Lowitt. “We know that more than 70 percent of campers always or frequently use mosquito repel- lent when they camp. Our research also shows that the average camper went on 5.8 camping trips in 2012, and these campers treat for mos- quitoes, in terms of local hours, more than any other activity. It’s a great opportunity for us.” Thermacell’s initial foray into this lucrative market will be the Gold protection of a Thermacell prod- products as well as its packaging. variation by segment. For instance, Series Camp Lantern. “There are uct. The product will also no doubt “We’re going to update all our the packaging for the Sportsman other camp lanterns on the mar- find its way into deer and turkey products to give them a more mod- Series (main target is hunters and ket,” says Lowitt, “but ours is the camps across the country. ern look and to better differentiate shooters) is slightly different from only one that provides 300 lumens Most important for retailers, them from the competition,” says the packaging for the Outdoor of low-glare LED illumination, 50 Thermacell intends to increase Lowitt. “We’re also going to add Living Series, which is more hours of continuous light, four brand awareness among the camping key benefits to draw in consumers, focused on family activities and power settings, a power indication public with a vigorous program of and the packaging will clearly pure camping. Above all, the pack- button, and a built-in hanging clip.” advertising, public relations efforts, explain the Thermacell Zone of aging makes use of new colors and In addition, Lowitt notes that the and social media impressions. To Protection.” graphics to give it a more contem- Gold Series Camp Lantern pro- help accomplish its goal, the manu- The new packaging has a com- porary look. Booth #2348. vides all the aforementioned bug facturer is changing the look of its mon architecture, yet allows for (thermacell.com) FEATURE

First Place, Senior Division Team, Altus, at the 2014 Oklahoma Scholastic Shooting Sports Program.

The New Pop Warner Scholastic shooting programs are on the rise ith two high-profile college football teams and scores of local high schools that stage their version of Friday Night Lights each fall, it isn’t surprising that, by and large, Oklahoma is a football state. With an equally rich hunting and shooting heritage, it also should be no surprise that the Sooner State has great enthusiasm for the shooting sports. This might help to explain the scene last spring to the west of Oklahoma City in the town of W El Reno, where more than 40 schools took part in the Oklahoma Trapshooters Association’s State Shoot. By the end of the competition, from Larry and Brenda Potterfield to hunt and shoot from his father. “For Brenda and myself, some of more than 600 students in the sev- of MidwayUSA. When Larry and Brenda married, our donations go to those organiza- enth through the 12th grades had “Brenda and I are fortunate it didn’t take long before she also tions that are helping set up new assembled to participate in the enough to be able to gift half of our learned to shoot. As a result, the teams. Our pet project, the Oklahoma Scholastic Shooting income each year,” says Larry couple went on to raise children MidwayUSA Foundation, helps pro- Sports Program (OKSSSP) event, Potterfield, founder and CEO of who also took up hunting and vide funding for new and existing firing more than 16,000 shots before MidwayUSA. “We looked long and shooting sports. All of which helps high school and college shooting its conclusion. “The OKSSSP has hard at the future of the shooting- to explain their passion for recruit- teams.” proven to be immensely popular sports industry and came up with ing youth into shooting sports. Michael Bane, a television show among the state schools that have what we thought was the greatest “About 15 percent—around host/producer of several Outdoor joined the program,” says Damon opportunity—youth shooting sports 3,000—of the high schools and col- Channel shows, including The Best Springer, a senior information and in general and specifically high leges in the U.S. have some type of a Defense, Shooting Gallery, and education specialist with the school and college shooting teams.” shooting team for air rifle, small- MidwayUSA’s Gun Stories with Joe Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Potterfield says that he learned bore, or shotgun,” says Potterfield. Mantenga, has seen firsthand the Conservation. fruits of such labors. “We were in Modeled after programs such as Montana a few months ago filming the National Archery in the for Shooting Gallery,” he says. Schools Program (NASP), the “While we were on the range, the Oklahoma trapshooting event is a local high school shooting team shotgun program designed to instill was there as well. It was a small confidence and self-esteem in par- About 15 percent-around team from a tiny town in Montana, ticipating students. “Not only are but they were competing against students given the chance to learn 3,000-of the high schools much larger schools for the state about firearms and gun safety, but championship. It was exciting to the schools receive financial sup- and colleges in the U.S. hear them talk about competing in port from endowment funds for have some sort of a shooting the event and trying to knock off participating in the program,” says the bigger schools.” Springer, who also serves as the team for air rifle, small-bore, Bane acknowledges that there are coordinator of the OKSSSP. elements in the mix that aspire to Springer also noted that the or shotgun.” limit such programs. These ele- endowment funds for his state’s ments include the cost of the fire- program are provided by donations arms, the cost and availability of

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the ammo, and locating places to shoot. Also in the mix, unfortunately, is the political pushback First Place, Junior Division Team, Locust of mainstream media and the anti-gun portion of Grove, at the 2014 Oklahoma Scholastic society. But he counters that there also is plenty Shooting Sports Program. of enthusiasm and forward momentum for scho- lastic shooting programs that teach responsibili- ty, safe firearms handling, a sense of purpose and commitment, teamwork, and a positive self- image. He also says that he found proof of that while dining in a college town located in his home state of Colorado. “While I was there, I overheard a conversation between a few students who had all just turned 21 and had obtained their concealed-carry licenses,” he says. “These girls were enthusiastically talking about practicing with their firearms, about feeling safer while living off-campus, and how they all shot scholastic clays while they were in high school. You don’t see or hear such stories very often, certainly not from the mainstream media.” From the clay-shooting program mentioned above to such endeavors as the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Rimfire Challenge, Bane says there are numerous entry points now available for young people to get involved in the shooting sports. “Now, with all of these scholas- schools with teams have much room to grow, in That’s the way the culture that we love survives.” tic pistol, rifle, and clay-shooting competitions, a terms of number of students engaged and the In a similar line of thought, Potterfield young person can actually letter in the shooting number of shooting disciplines.” believes that if scholastic shooting competitions, sports in some places, just like they do in football Bane believes the key to such future growth like the one in Oklahoma last spring, continue to or basketball.” will be the industry taking ownership of these grow across the country, the results will be very As good as all of that sounds, Potterfield notes endeavors and being willing to continue to invest favorable. “The long-term effect will change the that there is plenty of room for future expansion. time, energy, and money. “I think that unlike any future of shooting sports, the shooting-sports “In the short term, the growth in high school other industry, we have to financially accept the industry, and the way the entire country thinks and college shooting sports shouldn’t be notice- needs of these programs to help them continue about the shooting sports,” he says. able, but every school that starts a new team and grow,” he says. “When we look at the future, And that’s a future certainly worth investing in engages 20 to 100 students. There are 17,500 young people coming into shooting sports and for the survival of our culture and growth of our schools without shooting teams, and the 3,000 hunting now, they represent our very survival. industry. Booth #L231. (outdoorchannel.com) FEATURE

SilencerCo’s YouTube video “Johnny Dronekiller” is an example of the company’s edgy marketing, intended to emphasize fun. Attack of the Drones! Edgy marketing and innovative manufacturing have SilencerCo sitting atop the suppressor market By Brian McCombie ast July, “Johnny Dronehunter” hit the YouTube scene. It was a short, tongue-in-cheek video of Johnny tooling along in his vintage (read: beat-up) Cadillac—rock music pounding—when he suddenly notices he’s being stalked by a swarm of airborne drones. A man of action, Johnny brakes the Caddie, grabs a long gun from his backseat, and starts blasting the menacing drones out of the sky with a shotgun sporting a long, rectangular suppressor. Within three weeks, “Johnny Dronehunter” had racked up more than 600,000 individual views across the internet. (See Johnny in L all his drone-busting glory at tinyurl.com/j-dronehunter.) The video, the work of MSRs and pistols, maybe even rap- SilencerCo of West Valley City, pelling down the side of a building. Utah, was designed to help launch “We like it, too,” he says, “and the company’s Salvo 12 suppressor. there’s definitely a place for that Not only was the video a big approach in the suppressor mar- part of that launch, but “Johnny ket. But most people aren’t going Dronehunter” reflects SilencerCo’s to be able to do anything close to edgy, humorous marketing what a SWAT Team does in their approach, one designed to make daily lives. To attract new people suppressors a mainstream product to our products and really to with the country’s hunters and make them more mainstream, we shooters. think we have to reach outside “Among ourselves, we refer to it that tactical box. The idea is to as ‘post-modern tactical,’” says give people something to aspire to Mike Aland, SilencerCo’s vice that’s more doable. And it helps if president of marketing, talking we show them it’s doable and a lot about SilencerCo’s marketing of fun.” approach. “Kind of the next step To that end, 2015 will see beyond what’s become traditional SilencerCo focus a big part of its tactical.” marketing muscle on the hunting For the tactically minded, says market. A good deal of the message Aland, there’s nothing cooler than Supressors, such as these from SilencerCo, are legal in the vast majority of is informational, mainly that sup- a good SWAT Team, the officers states. SilencerCo salespeople are happy to help a retailer through the paper- pressors are legal to own in 39 decked out in dark clothing, toting work necessary to become a dealer of NFA-controlled products. states, and hunters can use them in

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32 of those states. Another impor- best friends Josh Waldron and tant message is that shooting and Jonathan Shultz, SilencerCo’s The Salvo 12 on hunting are more enjoyable when beginnings were modest enough: the Firing Line you don’t have to wear bulky hear- Waldron and Schultz, a garage, and ing protection. a fabricating machine. Oh, and the I got a chance to use the To do all this and more, Aland idea for a new rimfire suppressor, Salvo 12 last July and was and his marketing crew are reach- the Sparrow. A professional pho- impressed. While I feared ing out to new customers with a tographer and entrepreneur since that the rectangular suppres- marketing approach that is heavily high school, Waldron was looking sor attached to a shotgun weighted toward social media— to branch out into the shooting barrel would be bulky and YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and industry. So was his pal Schultz, SilencerCo CEO Josh Waldron co- awkward, it took relatively lit- Instagram. You’ll also see some who, like Waldron, was an avid founded the company in a garage, tle practice to find the shot- advertisements on select internet shooter since childhood. Schultz not a spacious factory floor. gun’s balance point. sites and a little print advertising in also had a background as a sound Shooting standard field some niche markets. engineer, so the two began looking ter mats and signage. All retailers loads, and using the largest SilencerCo also sponsored media into the suppressor market. can get a variety of SilencerCo’s of the four Salvo models—12 hunts in 2014 and will continue to “We looked at rimfire suppres- brochures, including “Silencers Are inches long and 34 ounces—I do so in 2015, in order to get arti- sors, and we just felt that the ones Legal,” which explains suppressor didn’t need hearing protec- cles in print and digital outlets on the market at that time weren’t regulations and the application tion, even after hours of showing that hunting with suppres- designed very well,” Waldron process. shooting. The Salvo muffled sors is effective and enjoyable. The remembers. “We thought we could SilencerCo salespeople regularly the report to a “thwack!” like focus will be on the Salvo 12 and do better.” visit their stores, too, educating that of a loud pellet rifle. the Big Bore Harvester, a suppres- The result was a rimfire suppres- staff on the product line and sup- Recoil was minimized, too, by sor for .30-caliber and larger cen- sor, the Sparrow, that could be eas- pressors in general. Aland says they about 25 percent versus a terfire rifles. ily taken apart for cleaning. will also help a retailer through the non-suppressed shotgun. “Not that we think people are Waldron sold 700 of them on his paperwork to become a dealer that The Salvo 12 attaches to going to be shooting down first sales trip around the country, can sell NFA-controlled products the shotgun with a connec- drones,” says Aland with a laugh. and the company has never looked such as suppressors. tor, included, that screws into “We thought that take on it was back. Today, SilencerCo’s product “Contact us and we’ll help you the choke tube threads. humorous. At the same time, it did line includes a variety of handgun get going, whether you want to sell SilencerCo offers a variety of show the Salvo 12 in action, doing and rifle suppressors, as well as SilencerCo products or not,” says choke sizes, including an what we said it does—effectively muzzle brakes, logoed clothing, Aland. “Of course, we hope you do, extra-full version for turkey suppressing a shotgun. And we and accessories. but we feel it’s every bit as impor- hunters. The Salvo 12 can believe social media is the way to Retailers stocking and moving tant to encourage and promote handle slugs, too. (10-, 8-, connect with younger, more tech- significant amounts of SilencerCo suppressor use and ownership.” and 6-inch-long models are oriented shooters.” products can receive a dealer kit, Booth #8403. (801-417-5384; also offered.) SRP: $1,400. Founded just seven years ago by complete with informational coun- silencerco.com) FEATURE

Clockwise from top left: X-Sight HD 3–12X, BinoXS-HD 4–16X, X Sight 5–18X, and Shot Trak-X HD.

Through a Glass, Lightly ATN is on the move By Brian McCombie ll indications are that 2015 will be a very successful year for American Technologies Network Corporation (ATN), one of the country’s top manufacturers of night-vision and thermal-imaging equipment. Why? Probably the biggest factor is that, as the category continues to attract the interest of hunters, personal-defense consumers, and law enforcement, prices are dropping. This, in turn, is driving more product development to meet the increased demand. Interest in A these products has risen to a level where ATN has decided to debut three new items at the 2015 SHOT Show. “We think these new products the magnification of a standard more hunters than ever are filming al information or monthly retailer will take the industry by storm,” action camera. The unit is made their hunts and sharing them with specials, plus product support cards says James Munn, ATN’s president. from military-grade materials and is friends and family. The Shot Trak listing key selling points on ATN “When consumers see the features rated as recoil-proof. SRP: $179. not only lets you record your hunt, night-vision and thermal-imaging these products have, plus the price Another big reason for the over- but it has built-in Wi-Fi, so you digital products. points, these new items will be mov- all growth of this market is the can share your experiences that The IKE also comes with an ing off the shelves very quickly.” surging populations of coyotes and much easier and faster.” LCD TV with ATN promotional The X-Sight HD 3–12x rifle- feral hogs across the country. More For retailers, ATN has a very videos highlighting the products’ scope has night-vision capabilities, and more states are changing regu- robust outreach program to help technologies. The entire kiosk fea- but it also can be used during day- lations to help reduce populations them sell product, including an tures eye-grabbing graphics with light. It records video and takes of these species, and a common online e-catalog accessed via the colorful, informative imagery. photos and has built-in Wi-Fi. All regulation change is to allow night ATN website. ATN also offers the IKE Jr, gives retailers all the this in a compact 10x3.5x3-inch hunting of these species. INVC tablet, to qualified retailers, same display characteristics except package. SRP: $629. Night-vision equipment uses which acts as a training tool for for the LCD TV. Contact ATN to The BinoXS-HD 4-16X binocu- ambient light (including starlight staff, a point-of-sale video display, become a dealer or, if you’re lar comes complete with Wi-Fi and moonlight) to illuminate tar- and an interactive catalog. already a dealer, to find out what capability. It also records video and gets. Thermal units detect the “heat Automatic free updates constantly the requirements are for getting an takes photos (and stores both) while signature” of a person, an animal, enhance the INVC tablet with new IKE or IKE Jr. in store. allowing you to employ a remote or an object and digitally presents videos, products, and virtual tools. “We have over 200 of the IKEs viewfinder via Android or IOS that image onto an optic. Lights And then there’s IKE—and IKE and IKE Jr.’s in stores right now, and applications. The bino is day or that can attach to a firearm or bow Jr. IKE is the “Interactive Sales they really help drive sales of ATN’s night compatible and uses an SD are another night hunt option. Kiosk” for ATN night-vision and night-vision and thermal products,” card from 4 to 32 GB. SRP: $499. However, the night-vision and ther- thermal-imaging retailers. This says Munn. “Each is a teaching tool Designed by shooters for shooters, mal products that ATN manufac- stand-alone kiosk unit acts as a that removes a lot of the questions the Shot Trak-X HD mounts on any tures detect and illuminate animals resource for retailer sales staff, pro- and hesitations customers have with rifle, handgun, or bow, where it can at greater distances than lights. viding them with the space to dis- this type of high-tech product. No capture color video in full HD (1920 “We think our Shot Trak camera play the latest ATN gear, and a matter which you choose, it’s a truly x1080p). While most action cameras will be very big,” Munn says. 13-inch touchscreen tablet with the valuable resource for your custom- today offer only a wide lens, the “With the booming digital world ATN Product Selection Wizard. ers—and your bottom line.” Booth Shot Trak-X HD delivers five times and the growth in social media, There’s also an area for promotion- #14973. (atncorp.com)

100 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 NEWS

than they expected,” Sharp says. It’s that ability to listen to the VOC and recog- Solving Problems nize the unmet needs of its consumers that led Rocky to develop some of the innovative new Rocky Brands found success by keeping items that will be released at SHOT Show this year. Chief among them is the Silent Hunter Elite hunters warm and dry By Christoper Cogley series of outerwear that takes the whisper-quiet material in the original Silent Hunter series and ometimes, it’s the simple ideas that are the most successful. When it makes it waterproof without adding any additional launched its first line of hunting-specific footwear, Rocky Boots was focused noise to the fabric. Sharp says independent tests on just one thing—making people’s hunting experience more enjoyable by found it to be three times quieter than the compe- keeping their feet warmer and drier. It might not sound like a lofty ambition tition’s apparel. By adding the waterproof element by today’s standards, but in 1979, it was a truly revolutionary concept. to the clothing, Rocky created something that pro- S vides more than expected. But unlike many other companies, at Rocky “We were the first people to make all-Cordura is nearly as well-known for its apparel as it is for that process doesn’t end once the product is waterproof, insulated hunting boots with camou- its boots. And while there are undoubtedly launched. To help ensure that consumers are flage patterns printed on them,” says David Sharp, countless factors that played into the success of aware of the new features and benefits of Rocky president and CEO of Rocky Brands. “We really Rocky’s venture into apparel, the element that gear, Rocky established a unique training pro- defined the hunting boot category. Before that, no likely played the biggest role is the one that gram for retailers. Dubbed Rocky Brands one focused on hunters and their unique needs.” probably seems the simplest. University, it’s a two-and-a-half-day From that single boot—and that simple idea— “We spend so much of our time conference where Rocky brings key Rocky has become one of the most trusted going out and learning about what retail partners to its headquarters and names in quality outdoor gear by continuing to hunters want,” Sharp says. “You just provides them with insight into every- focus on the goal of providing hunters with the have to listen to what your customers thing Rocky. “It’s our way of training products they need to make the pursuit of their are saying, but to do that, you have to the trainers,” Sharp says. “We try to passion more enjoyable. get out there in the field with them, impart as much knowledge as we can in “There is no group that is as passionate about and that’s what we do.” those two and a half days so that they’ll their pursuits as hunters,” Sharp says. “When a It’s a concept that Rocky calls be better able to pass that information brand helps them to enjoy that pursuit even VOC—the voice of the consumer— on to the consumers.” more, hunters are extremely loyal to that brand.” and it’s at the heart of everything the It might seem like another simple For years after the introduction of that first company does, from product develop- concept, but like many of the other hunting-specific boot, Rocky built a dedicated ment to manufacturing to marketing. innovative steps Rocky’s taken to build a suc- following of enthusiasts who had discovered how “For us, it’s about finding those unmet cessful company and respected brand, it’s just much more enjoyable hunting could be when needs—especially the ones that people aren’t one more example of Rocky doing what it does their feet stayed warm and dry. But then, as is even aware of yet—and developing an innova- best. Booth #11340. (800-848-9452; rocky often the case when people see what’s possible, tive solution that gives our customers more brands.com) those loyal customers began to expect even more. “They kept asking us to take what we had done with boots and do the same thing for out- erwear,” Sharp says. “So in 2002, we took that challenge on.” It wasn’t a challenge that was accepted lightly, and it certainly wasn’t a challenge without risks. From the beginning, the company understood that it wasn’t just the success of the new outer- wear that was on the line, it was the hard-fought reputation of the entire Rocky brand. “Our customers expect a lot from Rocky, so for us, the bar is always set pretty high,” Sharp says. “We knew that if we were going to main- tain the loyalty of our fans, all of the attributes that went into our boots—warmth, comfort, durability, and waterproof properties—had to go into the apparel.” TinderTinder MMakeraker Survival Knife Obviously, the risk paid off, and today Rocky withwith FireFire StarterStarter with Fire Starter

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BC_036075_SBDD215P.indd 1 12/16/14 12:32 PM NEWS A Face for Radio A midlife career change leads to a revelation–and a revolution By Bill Miller

im Ferguson likes to joke that he has a “face for radio.” Fortunately for him, he has lots of There is no shortage of material. confidence in his voice, which can be heard each week on the outdoors radio show that he Jim, now in his late 60s, has spent a hosts with his son, Trav. The father-son duo say The Revolution with Jim and Trav is the life outdoors, starting as a largest nationally syndicated broadcast dedicated to hunting and fishing. The show is on Michigan tyke with a BB gun. He J 430 radio stations, many of which are with the American Forces Network. has hunted and fished all over North America and completed an African safari in 2013. With his Radio host Jim Ferguson hosts a weekly show out of wife, Terrie, he has six sons—all Kansas. But with satellite radio, he looks to expand the outdoorsmen. Trav is the youngest. show’s reach way past the Sunflower State. “We don’t bill it as a father-son show,” Jim says. “It’s just a couple of guys who love to hunt and fish together.” The Revolution also highlights guests who are known personalities in the outdoors. Pick a name: Lakosky, Nugent, Shockey. The mix also includes entertainers, out- fitters, and just average folk, many of them kids, with incredible sto- ries from the field. It is the official radio program of the Outdoor Channel (Booth #L231), and it has the support of more than a dozen sponsors, includ- ing Cabela’s, Camp Chef (Booth #15543), Nissan, Remington (Booth #15427), and Ruger (Booth #11940). The sponsorship is money well spent, says Steve McGrath, marketing director for Camp Chef,

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BC_036406_SBDD215P.indd 1 12/16/14 1:00 PM NEWS

the Utah-based maker of outdoor retired in Kansas and writing a col- 23 state, regional, and national Some guests might surprise the cooking appliances. umn for a group of newspapers broadcasting awards. audience. Retired professional boxer “We don’t do a lot with radio when he drove past a local radio sta- Sugar Ray Leonard was interviewed because we believe our product is tion. “I wondered if a radio show on because he loves going after catfish; more visual, so we do more print hunting and fishing would work. I Forty Hours comedian Dennis Miller came on to and TV,” McGrath says. “But Jim didn’t know anyone who had one.” By Wednesday talk about flyfishing. Regular and Trav do a great job. I don’t He entered the station, made a ➤ Meanwhile, Trav had his own fam- appearances are made by Kansas know anyone who has a show that pitch, and was challenged to find ily and was considering a career in catfish guide CatDaddy Shumway, reaches as far as they do. I think a 10 local sponsors. He got 24, and medicine, but he admired his father’s Wisconsin angler Chance Orth, lot of people overlook that they his first broadcast was in October work and asked to join the team. Trav’s wife, Sarah (Mrs. Bunny), and have the American Forces 2001. Its reach steadily grew. “I just wanted to jump headfirst their daughters Fiona and Olivia. Network, and that’s huge.” “I never woke up in the morning into the outdoors,” he says. “I’ve been interviewed on The and thought just Kansas,” he says. “Besides, not everyone has the Revolution many times,” says Bob “I’m thinking coast to coast. And opportunity to work with his dad Kaleta, Remington’s gun-care acces- Learning Curve now, with the advent of satellite in a family business where, literally, sories product manager. “What I ➤ The Fergusons produce 52 shows radio, I’m thinking the world.” the sky is the limit.” like is you never exactly know where a year from studios near their But, he notes, “My learning curve Trav worked behind the scenes the conversation is going to go. It homes in Colby, a small community was straight up. We didn’t have stan- with the show’s small staff but even- keeps you on your toes, and it keeps in northwest Kansas. Jim started dards because we didn’t know we tually got to co-host. Jim says his the dialogue real and fun.” the show in 2001, after careers in needed standards. Now I listen to son is actually the better interviewer It’s not all happy talk. The publishing and advertising. some of the first shows I did and, and a heavy lifter during production. Fergusons report on issues, too, “A lot of people say, ‘You have a honest to God, they stink.” “You’re never short on things to such as the Second Amendment. great voice for radio,’” he says. “I Jim sought regular critiques from do, and the list is ever growing,” They’re particularly proud of their wish I’d known that earlier.” broadcast professionals and soon Trav says. “We’re constantly writ- reports on Kansas’ “walk-in” pro- But he did know that his voice, learned how to fill time, change up ing copy, producing ads, doing pro- gram, which recruits farms and rich and clear, was an asset when segues, and other skills. He also mos for networks, and podcasts. ranches for public access to hunt. closing a sale. learned that a few public relations Usually I have 40 hours in by mid- Jim and Trav expect The “There’s something about my firms were eager to show that their Wednesday morning.” Revolution to evolve. According to voice that evokes confidence,” Jim clients hunt and fish, which eased The show’s tone is light-hearted Trav, the ultimate challenge would says. “When you’re on a sales call or his search for interesting guests. and filled with a lot of self-depre- be producing a show enjoyed by a radio interview, you have to make His first celebrity interview was cating humor, but there is a struc- people who don’t yet hunt or fish. the other person know they are the Georgia outdoorsman Wayne tured format. According to Jim, “Why can’t we have a show like a most important person in the room Pearson; the second was Ted “Each of our shows has a theme: typical morning show? It’s on five or, in these cases, on the phone.” Nugent. Once he had 200 stations, women of the outdoors, duck hunt- days a week and everyone enjoys it. But a radio career didn’t occur to Jim started gaining national adver- ing, whitetail deer. But in order to I mean, millions of people watch Jim until he was in his mid-50s. He tisers. Accolades followed. He says be a guest on my show, you have to cooking shows, and they’re not all recalls how, one day, he was semi- by late 2014, the show had earned do something in the outdoors.” chefs.”

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BC_036014_SBDD215P.indd 1 12/11/14 4:58 PM NEWS

time, which transfers more of the chemical energy to the projectile. Lightning in a Bottle Velocities are further improved by the propellant’s high bulk densi- New propellant technologies for extreme shooters ty, which allows reloaders to fit more Reloder 26 into a given car- dvanced reloaders and shooters are always looking to squeeze more performance and tridge case. better repeatability from their pet loads. And long-range shooters who push them- Combined, these properties A selves and their equipment to extremes insist on nothing less than perfection. extract that critical velocity boost that lets long-range fanatics shoot flatter and farther, and hit targets Temperature stability has long more consistently. been a hallmark concern for these Alliant’s new That is not to say that Reloder shooters. In general terms, propel- Reloder 23 and 26 26 is a slouch when it comes to lant tends to generate more pres- boast excellent lot- temperature stability—far from it. sure upon ignition in high temper- to-lot consistency. The powder coughs up its speed atures and less pressure when the while still offering a controlled mercury bottoms out. As a result, temperature response. It’s not as shooters have traditionally strug- rock-solid as Reloder 23, but for gled with repeatability when deal- shooters who crave velocity and ing with, say, subzero weather on a don’t have to cope with wild tem- Saskatchewan whitetail hunt after perature variations, it’s an excellent zeroing their rifle and load months new option. earlier in oppressive summer heat. Both Reloder 23 and 26 feature Engineers at Alliant Powder had proprietary de-coppering agents and their sights set on this dilemma contain no dintrotoluene (DNT) or when they sat down to develop new dibutylphthalate (DBP). Like all Reloder 23. Modeled after its sister propellants from Alliant, these two product, Reloder 22, this new pro- additions to the Reloder family pellant incorporates sophisticated mance similar to Alliant’s Reloder Enter new Reloder 26. The powder boast excellent lot-to-lot consisten- TZ technology (a registered trade- 22 with velocities that hold steady takes advantage of EI technology (a cy, which means shooters can count mark of EURENCO Bofors AB) to across the temperature spectrum. registered trademark of on recipes to perform predictably, manipulate the response of the Shooters who don’t have to con- Nitrochemie Wimmis AG) to mod- round after round, season after sea- energetic material and resist natu- tend with drastic temperature erate the burn rate of the propellant son. Both are available in 1-pound ral, temperature-induced pressure swings are more focused on wring- to deliver extraordinary velocity. bottles (SRP: $25.95) or 8-pound changes. It is perfect for long-range ing every possible foot-per-second The burn curve results in higher cannisters ($189.95). Booth #14551. target shooters seeking perfor- of velocity from the cartridges. pressure for a longer period of (alliantpowder.com)

BC_036015_SBDD115P.indd 1 12/15/14 11:26 AM NEWS

The MMR Hunter weighs more than a standard .223 MSR, but it’s Big Brother relatively light compared to other .308 MSRs. Mossberg’s senior vice Mossberg expands its line of MSRs By Brian McCombie president of sales and marketing told me, “On the MMR Hunter, n 2012, O.F. Mossberg and Sons entered the modern sporting rifle (MSR) market with the trim tubular forend allowed us the Mossberg Modern Rifle (MMR), offered in two models—the Hunter and Tactical— to remove almost one pound of chambered in .223/5.56mm. But Mossberg wasn’t done. This spring, the gunmaker is weight.” launching “big brother” versions—the MMR Hunter 7.62 and MMR Tactical 7.62— The MMR Hunter has good sturdy MSRs that deliver the .308 payload many of today’s shooters and hunters prefer. balance and points well. The slim I handguard fits the hand nicely and the checkering provides a I had a chance to use the new dence that it would do the job at sure grip (the Tactical model fea- MMR Hunter 7.62 during a free- The author with his 300 yards. tures a quad rail). The rifles range aoudad hunt in the rugged aoudad, taken with a I took my aoudad (which employ carbine-length gas sys- landscapes of southwestern Texas new Mossberg MMR weighed 250 pounds) the second tems, and feature 20-inch carbon- as well as shooting sessions at my Hunter 7.62 in Texas. day of the hunt, after a long stalk alloy steel barrels, with a 1:10 local shooting range. In both over rocky, dusty land, killing it at twist rate, and a Picatinny rail cases, the MMR performed with- 130 yards. The next day, I also atop of the receiver. out a flaw. bagged a 40-pound javelina at 100 Recoil was more pronounced The rifle was bore-sighted yards. Another hunter killed an than that of a .223 MSR, of course, before the hunt, so at the outfit- even larger aoudad with a single but the rifle’s 8-plus pounds does ter’s impromptu range I finished shot the next day. Clearly, this rifle reduce that recoil considerably. the process using Hornady is plenty enough medicine for deer- The trigger? It’s mil-spec and felt American Whitetail ammo with and hog-sized game. With good fairly gritty. To be fair, it was a the 150-grain Interlock bullet. optics, it can be a longer-range completely new rifle and mil-spec Once I was sighted in at 100 hunter, too, reaching out to 300 triggers will smooth out a little to a yards, I took on a steel aoudad sil- yards without difficulty. lot with use. houette at 500 yards. It took me The weather was sunny and Mossberg has always strived to several shots to get the drop fig- clear, and the ever-present dust deliver both reliability and value. ured, but once that was accom- and grime got into most every- Though SRP has not yet been set, plished, my next three shots hit thing, from the MMR’s chamber the company is known for value, metal. I had no intention to take a and bolt carrier to the inside of my and I don’t expect that to change. 500-yard shot, but knowing the mouth. The grit didn’t help my On that dusty hunt, I saw the rifle’s rifle could deliver an accurate shot dental work, but it didn’t phase the reliability firsthand. Booth #12734. at that range boosted my confi- MMR Hunter one bit. (mossberg.com)

BC_036026_SBDD115P.indd 1 12/15/14 11:28 AM NEWS

Rob Pincus of in a public space for self-defense when the time I.C.E. Training comes, but they may not think about how to use Company points that gun at home to save their life.” out that laws Pincus, who is also the developer of the Combat surrounding Focus Shooting Program, recently released his home defense sixth book, Defend Yourself: A Comprehensive Plan are almost uni- for the Armed Homeowner, published by Gun Digest versal across Books. Pincus says that knowing the best strategies the country. for evading, barricading, and, when the time comes, battling an armed threat takes planning. You need to not only make the right firearms choices, but also be able to stage them properly. Local firearms laws mean that people in differ- ent parts of the country have to approach person- al safety outside the home quite differently, but at home, most people can use similar strategies. “We look at the restrictions in purchasing and especially in carrying concealed firearms, and we know there are vastly different pictures across the country,” says Pincus. “Even as more and more states have now allowed for concealed or open carry of firearms, there are still also restric- Got a Plan? tions on what types of guns people can own. But from a big-picture view—what I call the 50,000- To Rob Pincus, personal defense of the home foot perspective—the option to be armed in one’s home now is the same for about 90 percent involves a lot more than simply owning a firearm of the population. This means there is some opportunity for home defense.” By Peter Suciu Pincus notes that depending on where you live, you can face waiting periods, purchase limits, and ome is the one place most people should not only feel safe, but magazine-size restrictions. “But even in this con- actually be safe. And although most people usually are safe there, text, most people can legally own a firearm and a home invasion can turn that completely upside down. Being a protect their home. Some firearms, such as a semi- victim in one’s own home shouldn’t be an option, says Rob automatic MSR, might not be allowed, but there is Pincus, a foremost authority on self-defense and firearms, and an armed home defense option for the overwhelm- owner of I.C.E. Training Company. “There are plenty of people ing number of people in the United States.” who carry and already know how to use a firearm responsibly He also says that his strategy may not appeal to everyone; nevertheless, he hopes that his tips H can help firearms retailers as well. “My latest book is aimed at those who may not be gun owners, as well as gun owners who may be thinking about adding some protection but are still on the fence about whether they should buy one for home defense,” he says. “What I’m saying to retailers is, ‘Here is a book that pro- vides those who are new to thinking about fire- arms for home defense with the information they need, including proper storage and how to access the gun when it is needed.’”

A Safe Bet ➤ For retailers, home security is a good opportu- WE ARE SAFETY & SECURITY. nity to drive sales. But don’t think only of firearms; think also of the safe storage of these firearms. Pasquale Murena, director of marketing at Cannon Safe, says retailers should stock a diverse assortment of gun safes. “Different gun-capacity safes will keep your customers in your store and help them make a better decision on the spot for what they need,” he says. “Have a quick-access pistol safe, such as a GunVault MiniVault or SpeedVault, at your checkout counter. We see sales on these units increase at every store that uses a GunVault at the counter. It flows right into the conversation when selling a gun.” It all comes down to showing that protection and safety can go hand in hand. “Gun rights come with personal responsibility. Knowing that your gun will not get into the wrong hands is value in itself,” says Murena. He also stresses another strong selling point. “Safes are not only for guns. Everyone has other items they can place in their safes, including money, documents, family photos, hard drives, and more.” Pincus will be making personal appearances at Cannon during SHOT Show. Booth #12714. SEE US AT SHOT SHOW, BOOTH 20141 (909-713-0799; cannonsafe.com) MACE.COM

BC_036342_SBDD0215P.indd 1 12/16/14 1:03 PM Anthony MINUTES Acitelli President and CEO WITH… of Taurus USA

SD: The women’s market continues to grow. Will the Taurus product line evolve to meet this new Solid demand? What does your research tell you about this important emerging market? Value AA: Yes, we have already responded by color variation as well as our new TCP with wings. Taurus wants to grow The TCP with wings was designed specifically for females and smaller shooters so they can rack the CCW market the slide with ease. We have taken market feed- back, and I believe Taurus is perfectly positioned nthony Acitelli was to continue introducing products that are tai- named president and lored to women. As a world leader in revolvers, CEO of Taurus USA we currently have a plethora of different models less than six months ago. available. Our very own Taurus Team shooting Though he’s new to this captain, Jessie Duff, leads the charge in helping job, he’s a seasoned develop firearms for our female market. industry veteran with more than 20 yearsA of experience in the firearms SD: The Model 85VTA was an intriguing launch. industry. Before his appointment at Any more plans along that line? Taurus USA, he was senior vice presi- dent of sales at Colt. Before that, he was AA: The Model 85 is one of our best-selling president of ATK’s accessory division. models in the market. The market desires new Taurus USA president and CEO Anthony Acitelli products and new sells. So we will continue to says the manufacturer will continue to be a lead- bring product innovation to all our lines. Stay SHOT Daily: What do you see as the biggest er in concealed-carry firearm design. tuned! (Booth #14240) challenges facing the industry in the next five years?

Anthony Acitelli: Planning your business is becoming more and more difficult with the polar- izing swings and artificial drivers in the market NEW REVENUE OPPORTUNITY compelled by our current political and security sit- uations. This leads to extremely fluctuating demands on inventory and over-saturation of guns in the marketplace. Predicting the future is always the biggest challenge, as it is hard to accurately NOW NOW gauge business in this climate. As for Taurus, we intend to be number four in the industry in the next five years. We are a solid value brand. YOU YOU SD: When you wake up in the morning, what gets you excited about your business? SEE IT. DON’T. AA: The ability to change and winning gets me out of bed! The management team and our sales Introducing the RTS Targets line USED BY MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WORLDWIDE, RTS TARGETS ARE: force are excited about our new pricing structure of self-healing polymer targets. as well as our new, innovative products. Our dis- The shot goes through the target… TOTALLY SAFE. No ricochets, even at point-blank range. tributors and sales reps are ready to win and are and the hole closes itself! LIGHTWEIGHT. This innovative product is ideal for eager to move Taurus products. We fit a nice Portable, easy to set up and store. niche in the market for someone who wants a shooting ranges and law enforcement LONG-LASTING. value as a first-time gun owner, who is not nec- practice, and perfect for individual Maintains its shape and durability. essarily a gun person. They want value and fea- and family fun as well. REACTIVE. tures at a good price, and that is what we offer. Target sensitivity easily adjusted to knock over after one or a series of hits. We have such a broad offering of products, from personal protection to home protection, as well Available in different target shapes and colors as products that are just plain fun to shoot. Electronic wireless counter tracks your hits and provides RTS TARGETS BY SD: For the past several years Taurus has empha- instant feedback sized its concealed-carry line. Do you intend to main- via sound or light tain that focus? If so, why?

AA: Short answer: definitely yes. Taurus is a personal-protection brand, and concealed carry Takes Thousands of Hits Without Needing Replacement is a growing segment of the market. One of our biggest industry-changing product introductions for 2015, the New Curve, demonstrates our con- Visit Us at To fnd out more call or visit: tinued commitment to concealed carry. RTS Targets Booth #20603 or www.themakogroup.com The Mako Group Booth #20043 631-880-3396

BC_036367_SBDD215P.indd 1 12/22/14 2:44 PM NEWS

Victorinox has subsumed Wenger into its brand, but still offers a variety of Swiss Army Knives, such as the EvoGrip (top), EvoWood (bottom), and the RangerGrip (right).

number of manufacturing adjust- ments that had to be made as we The One and Only merged the Wenger and Victorinox processes,” Piretra says. Retailers and consumers respond well to Victorinox “The Delémont Collection launch has been a solid first-introduction merger By Christopher Cogely success for the company, and we will continue to move the business here used to be quite a bit of confusion. For generations, people around the forward with an ever-increasing world knew what the little Swiss cross on the outside of the utility knife momentum in the coming months meant, but not everyone knew who, exactly, made the knife that was so and years.” instantly recognizable. That all changed last year when Victorinox Swiss Combining two well-known and Army announced plans to help eliminate that confusion by bringing all of established brands into one is the Wenger knife business under the Victorinox brand and creating one— never easy, and not without its and only one—official Swiss Army Knife. challenges, but with a full year under its belt—and one very T promising collection of knives “We have received very positive certain level of independence in advantage of the best aspects of already in the market—it seems feedback from North American their product development, pro- both brands and combine them that the Victorinox and Wenger retailers following the Victorinox duction, sales, and marketing into one collection that would be merger has successfully passed its Swiss Army and Wenger merger,” efforts. With the merger, that all greater than the sum of its parts. first major milestone. And while says Dennis Piretra, senior vice had to change. “Both Victorinox and Wenger there will undoubtedly be more president of marketing for “There were two major transi- focus the majority of business challenges to overcome, and more Victorinox Swiss Army. “Retailers tions we faced during the merger,” effort on designing, engineering, adjustments that have to be made, in particular have reaped the Piretra says. “First was ensuring and manufacturing the best quality Piretra says, there’s one thing that rewards of the consolidation, our customers were fully engaged product,” Piretra says. “With such will never change. namely their ability to focus on with an account manager and were a deep focus on perfecting these “Retailers and consumers will one source for Swiss Army Knives provided frequent updates related three significant disciplines, it’s not experience the same great level of as well as the reduction of consum- to our progress. The second was surprising that this aspect of the service they have come to expect er confusion between the two the combining of both companies’ transition took longer than we ini- from Victorinox Swiss Army since brands. So in many ways it’s a win- back-end systems—a challenging tially planned.” our beginning in 1884,” he says. win for both retailers and consum- proposition. We were very pleased The effort paid off, however, and “And with the newly combined ers who are simply interested in that both of these transitions the result of the newly combined companies’ intelligent collabora- finding the best pocketknife on the moved forward effectively, thanks team’s hard work and dedication is tion and business planning practic- market.” in large part to our dedicated team the Delémont Collection of 52 es driving the Swiss Army Knife Although the two knife brands that executed against a solid opera- knives that Victorinox launched in across all channels, they can also officially merged last year, tions transition plan.” August. It’s the first collection that expect to see more new products Wenger has technically been part Because each brand had its own combines the best attributes of on a more consistent, ongoing of the Victorinox company for strengths and capabilities, one of both companies under one brand. basis from us. Again, hopefully an several years. But because the two the greatest challenges of bringing “This was done in just the last end-game where everyone wins.” were operating as separate brands, them together proved to be creat- year and on a very aggressive Booth #14202. (800-442-2706; they were each able to maintain a ing a line of knives that could take schedule where we encountered a swissarmy.com)

108 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 NEWS

Sitka Gear has begun to incorporate Polygiene odor- . fighting tech- nology into all of its VISIONARY DESIGNS next-to-skin garments. BRANDS THAT WORK FOR YOU.

You Stink! Sitka Gear has just raised the bar in suppressing body odor By W.H. Gross erspiration is essentially odorless. It’s not until sweat combines with bacteria found on the skin and is then absorbed and trapped in fabric that the bacteria begins P to multiply, producing unpleasant body odor. Polygiene, originally developed in extended use against skin. It’s also a Sweden for use in the medical field “green” technology, as the natural with bandages, keeps any fabric silver salts (silver chloride, a highly treated with the substance from effective antimicrobial agent) allowing bacteria to grow. Sitka required for its manufacture are Gear, a manufacturer of high-­ gathered from recycled electronics. performance hunting clothing since Another side benefit of the new 2005, recently incorporated this new technology is the reduction in wash- technology into all of its synthetic ings that a garment requires, as next-to-skin garments. Essentially body odor is managed at the textile ® stopping body odor before it starts, level. Fewer washings not only this feature should be particularly reduces the amount of water and attractive to hunters attempting to detergent used, but it also improves SEE XRD mask their scent. long-term durability of a garment. TECHNOLOGY AT WORK! Sitka founder Jonathan Hart says Like many outdoor manufactur- the move has allowed the manufac- ers, Sitka employs a team of profes- turer to grow beyond its mountain sionals who constantly use and test roots. “We now have applied our gear, often pushing it to an extreme XRD® Extreme Impact Protection brings you fl exible, lightweight and clothing-system-building expertise level. One Sitka Gear Athlete—Hart dependable impact protection technology, integrated into the designs of the to three of the largest hunter calls his pro staffers athletes—is industry’s most trusted brands. Our partnerships are redefi ning the groups: big-game [more physically Mark Seacat, who used Polgiene- performance of safety footwear and apparel. active pursuits, often in the moun- based clothing on a Montana back- tainous West], whitetail [treestand pack elk hunt. hunting], and waterfowlers. Skin-to- “I spent nine straight days during THANK YOU TO OUR HARD-WORKING BRAND PARTNERS: outer-shell systems in each of these a late-season backpacking elk hunt categories always start with a great deep in the backcountry of base layer, and Polygiene has taken Montana and never changed my us to the next level.” base layers once—I even slept in He added that most hunters tend them,” he says. “The weather to focus first on their choice of gun, ranged from highs in the 60s to bow, or other gear, not necessarily minus 20, so I was alternately their hunting clothes. “It should be sweating and freezing. I wore Sitka’s just the opposite,” he says. “High- lightweight Core top treated with performance hunting garments Polygiene next to my skin the entire enable you to be more successful by time, and after those nine days, it allowing you to stay afield longer still smelled like the day I started and more comfortably.” hunting. It wasn’t as clean as when I WWW.PORONXRD.COM Polygiene is not a nano particle, started, but it didn’t smell.” Booth so it has been declared safe for #10328. (sitkagear.com) US +1.607.786.8112 // Europe +32.9.235.36.11 // Asia +86.512.6258.2700

XRD is a licensed trademark of Rogers Corporation. © 2014 Rogers Corporation. All rights reserved.

BC_036133_SBDD115P.indd 1 12/11/14 4:19 PM SHOT SHOW 2015 NEW PRODUCTS

1. Yamaha 20-gauge shotguns feature Motor Corp. Weatherby’s Integral Multi-Choke 1 ➤ The 2016 Yamaha Wolverine System and come with Improved R-Spec, a new side-by-side vehicle, Cylinder, Modified, and Full choke boasts an all-new chassis with a tubes. The 28-gauge offers the compact design, a comfortable and Beretta Mobil pattern choke tubes. secure cab with seating for two, SRP: $1,099, 12- and 20-gauge; and Yamaha’s proven core technol- $1,149, 28 gauge. Booth #12729. ogies. Configuring the vehicle for (weatherby.com) extreme terrain and durability, Yamaha incorporated features such as rear wheel protectors that extend 3. Spyderco from the bottom of the frame to ➤ From custom knifemaker Serge reduce obstacle contact with rear Panchenko and Spyderco comes tires. In addition, the new design of the handy Dog Tag Folder. At just the chassis allows it to ride more 2 inches long with a 1.23-inch than 2 inches higher than the cen- chisel-ground blade of CPM S30V ter of the frame to help the vehicle steel and a titanium and aluminum pass more smoothly over obstacles. handle, the little cutter is endlessly The Wolverine R-Spec’s long-trav- handy. It’s a non-locking folder, el suspension with standard KYB held in place in the open position piggyback shocks can be custom- by the ball-bearing detent mecha- tuned for the terrain. nism in the handle scale’s integral 2 3 4 The new camo Wolverine spring arm. It can be carried as a R-Spec will be the first SxS to fea- dog tag, on a keychain, or tucked ture Realtree Xtra Camo. SRP: away pretty much anywhere, and is starts at $12,199. Booth #10243. available in bright colors or all (yamaha-motor.com) black. SRP: $119.95. Booth #13113. (spyderco.com) 2. Weatherby ➤ Weatherby’s new Element 4. FNH-USA Deluxe semi-auto shotgun is the ➤ The FN 15 Tactical Carbine start of a new line that features an offers a free-floating chrome-lined inertia-operated action designed to cold-hammer-forged barrel for ensure clean, smooth, and reliable increased life and easier cleaning. It performance for round after round also comes with enhancements of high-volume shooting. Bird such as a three-prong muzzle brake hunters and target shooters can to reduce flash, a mid-length gas choose from three Element Deluxe system, and an H1 buffer to gauge options—12, 20, or 28—with decrease recoil. In addition, the either a 26- or 28-inch barrel. The rifle sports a Magpul grip, butt- 12- and 20-gauge options have a stock, and M-LOK accessory 3-inch chamber; the 28-gauge has a mounting system as well as an 2¾-inch chamber. The Element’s ALG Defense combat trigger for a inertia-operated action directs car- smoother pull and cleaner break. bon and gas out of the barrel, help- SRP: $1,479. Booth #13662. ing to keep the gun cleaner, and a (fnhusa.com) drop-out trigger system can be quickly removed for easy cleaning. Each Element Deluxe shotgun 5. Edgecraft sports a AA Grade American wal- ➤ Chef’s Choice’s new Model 700 nut stock designed in partnership electric knife sharpener for ceramic with Minelli of Italy. The American and metal knives uses an advanced walnut forend features 22 LPI diamond-abrasive technology to wraparound checkering. quickly create a sharp and durable In addition, the bolt head and edge to both ceramic and steel carrier are chrome-plated for knives. Featuring an elegant design reduced friction as well as with three sharpening stages and increased durability and corrosion precision knife guides, it will easily 5 resistance, and a checkered bolt sharpen virtually any knife. SRP: handle provides a sure grip. $179.99. Booth #225. (edgecraft. Element also has a dual-purpose com) bolt release, which functions as a means of releasing the bolt forward and as a way to unload the shells in FOLLOW US the magazine safely without cham- ON INSTAGRAM bering them. @SHOTBUSINESS Element Deluxe 12- and

110 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 NEWS

NSSF PAC EVENT

Monday night, the National Shooting Sports Foundation Political Action Committee (NSSF PAC) hosted its first reception of the year, which featured Milwaukee county sheriff David Clarke Jr. Sheriff Clarke spoke passionately about protecting the Second Amendment, as well as the need for continued industry involvement in the political process. Larry Keane, NSSF senior vice presi- dent and general counsel, said, “We are very pleased to have Sheriff Clarke join us and deliver his message that our industry should be ‘afraid, very afraid’ of the Obama administration. All industry The team from Shooters World (top members should heed Sheriff Clarke’s left). Person of the Year Julie Golob warning.” (above). George and Ben Romanoff with The anti-gun crowd is attempting to Todd Shay (left). “shred away the Second Amendment, and that is why we need to continue this fight,” said Sheriff Clarke. Shot Business Awards As always, NSSF PAC invites mem- bers to stop by the NSSF Members t the Bonnier Outdoor Group breakfast yesterday morning, SHOT Lounge to learn more about the PAC. Business honored seven industry leaders. The honorees were Cabela’s, Chain Retailer of the Year; ATK, Company of the Year; Chattanooga Shooting Supply, Distributor of the Year; Ace Sporting Goods, Independent Retailer of the Year; Shooters World, Range of the Year; Todd Shay of Smith & Wesson, Sales A Representative of the Year; and Julie Golob, Person of the Year. ON THE FLOOR “The SHOT Business Awards recognize and took the opportunity to look to the company’s acknowledge leadership in the shooting-sports future in the outdoors world. industry. Simply put, the winners of these awards “We’re excited about the launch of Vista L.E.A.F. HOUR TODAY represent the best in the business,” said Slaton L. Outdoor. Many may be aware that ATK’s shoot- Hydrapak, manufacturer of White, editor of SHOT Business. ing-sports segment, which is about $2.3 billion, is advanced hydration solutions, Lee Dolan, vice president of brand marketing being spun off into its own publicly traded com- wants to express its gratitude to for Cabela’s, accepted the award and expressed pany in about three weeks, and that will allow us Law Enforcement and Armed his gratitude for the recognition. to focus 100 percent on this industry. We’re look- Forces (L.E.A.F.) personnel in atten- “We are so honored. This industry allows us to ing forward to that,” DeYoung told the audience. dance at SHOT Show 2015. Active prosper, and just being a part of what we do for After receiving the Person of the Year Award, duty and retired law enforcement our customers every day and being honored like champion shooter Julie Golob expressed a feel- and military personnel (with proper this is extraordinary,” Dolan said after the pre- ing of completion after a long career. ID) are encouraged to visit the sentation. “Chains can become nondescript; “This is amazing. Thirty years ago, I was just a Hydrapak/Mercury Luggage booth chains can become faceless. And if we ever lose little girl on the range with my dad, and from and receive a complimentary the face that Dick, Jim, and Mary Cabela estab- there I was inspired by the great people and Hydrapak SoftFlask as a gesture of lished, shame on us. We love our customers and great companies in this industry. I’m literally liv- Hydrapak’s appreciation and com- our industry partners, and we’re delighted to be ing my dream,” Golob said. “It’s an amazing mitment to those who serve. a responsible outdoor retailer. We couldn’t be thing. I want to thank NSSF and SHOT Business L.E.A.F. Hour takes place today from more proud to be a recipient of this award. and all of you for all you do to make sure that 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Booth #10665. We’re just grateful.” we’re reaching women and children, and sharing Mark DeYoung, president and CEO of ATK, in the Second Amendment.”

Danner Debuts A New Booth anner Boots has been the fourth generation of the popu- (law enforcement) models. Danner leaving a footprint at the lar Pronghorn, along with ongoing is also introducing the Sharptail, a D SHOT Show for 32 years, high-speed performance boots for boot that brings rugged quality and but this year it’s changing its tread. the tactical industry, the company performance to any hunt. Danner With a growing need to support hopes the synergy of its brands will has not forgotten the burgeoning both the hunting and the tactical be reflected in its new booth space. women’s hunting market, and it markets, the company has created a Guests to the booth will see first- will offer three new women’s hunt- new space that not only highlights hand Danner’s latest innovation in ing boots in its High Ground the heritage of the brand, but also premium performance, the Danner series. This afternoon, Danner will showcases all of its products. The Comfort System (DCS), which continue its annual tradition of the new booth also includes focal delivers durability, cushioning, and Danner Sock Sale and Beer Hour. points for media opportunities as support in a complete package. All proceeds will go to Hope for well as improved meeting space. The DCS can be found in the new the Warriors. Booth #10770. With its most recent launch of Steadfast (hunting) and Lookout —Barbara Baird

4 ■ SHOT BUSINESS DAILY ■ DAY 2, JANUARY 21, 2015 FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @SHOTBUSINESS