MASTERS RAISES $16,500 FOR STEP OUTSIDE

SEPTEMBER 2008

17th Annual Awards

HONORING
EXCELLENCE THE SCIENCE OF

ENERGIZE!
High-Tech Sales Tips
KABOOM.
What's Driving

Knife The Desert Eagle Pistol’s patented

Market? combination of powerful magnum calibers and

smooth, semi-auto handling is a technological

advance matched by few in the history of

firearms. One of the most distinctive guns on

the planet, it’s perfect for hunting. Self-

defense. Target shooting. Movie making.

And really gonzo plinking.

Carefully designed grip angles and gas operation make

the shooting smooth and easy, so the pistol feels
like a natural extension of your arm.

BONUS
CATALOG www.magnumresearch.com

SHOWCASE Circle No. 225 on Inquiry Card

www.shootingindustry.com
Circle No. 235 on Inquiry Card
Top photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense

FN M3M .50 BMG/12.7x99MM NATO HEAVY MACHINE GUN

FN provides 70% of the small arms

used by U.S. Military Forces around
the globe. FN is the name you can trust.
JUST LIKE THEY DO.

FN SLP 12 GAUGE AUTOLOADING SHOTGUNS ARE AVAILABLE IN SEVERAL MODELS

WITH CONVENTIONAL OR ADJUSTABLE PISTOL GRIP STOCKS

See the full line of FN SLP shotguns, barrels, choke tubes and
other accessories at your local FNH USA dealer or visit fnhusa.com
&.( 53! s 0/ "/8  s -C,%!. 6!  53! s    © &.( 53! ,,# A SUBSIDIARY OF &. (ERSTAL 3! 
Circle No. 217 on Inquiry Card
 SEPTEMBER 2008 • VOLUME 53 • NUMBER 09

Features
28 Honoring Excellence
17th Annual Awards Pay Tribute To Innovation, Service.

34 ENERGIZE! John Morrison

Page 28 Pros Share Their High-Tech Sales Techniques.

41 Cutting Edge! Pat Covert

Innovation, Diversification Drive Knife Market.

47 This Dog Will Sell! Carolee Anita Boyles

Got Hunters? Then You Have Dog Product Customers.

Industry News
8 Masters Raises $16,500 For Step Outside
10 Act Now, Before The November Election
11 NRA Round-Up Surpasses $4 Million
Page 34 Columns
20 Lethal Force Massad Ayoob
Tailoring The Defensive Handgun To Your Customer.

22 Outdoor Marketplace Carolee Anita Boyles

Don’t Forget The Sharpeners!

24 Arms And The Woman Lisa Parsons-Wraith

Custom Colored Guns And Accessories Hot Sellers.

26 Back Blast & Other Hot Gases Commander Gilmore

They’re Coming November 4! Be Very Afraid!

Page 41
62 Industry Watch Russ Thurman
Saluting Excellence, Shooting For The Future.

BO Departments
NU
S! 6 Letters 58 New Products
57 Reader Service 61 Classifieds

SHOOTING INDUSTRY® (ISSN 0037-4148) is published monthly by Publishers’ Development Corporation at

12345 World Trade Dr, San Diego, CA 92128. Periodical Class Postage paid at San Diego, CA 92128, and
at additional mailing offices. Subscription $25 yearly in U.S.A. Single copies $3 (except for the December
SHOT SHOW issue, $25). Change of address: Four weeks notice required on all changes. Send old address
as well as new. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: SHOOTING INDUSTRY® 12345 World Trade Dr, San
Diego, CA 92128. PRINTING SERVICES/PREPRESS: Democrat Printing Company. CONTRIBUTORS submitting
manuscripts, photographs or drawings, do so at their own risk. Material cannot be returned unless accom-
panied by sufficient postage. PAYMENT will be made at rates current at time of publication and will cover
reproduction in any or all of the editions of SHOOTING INDUSTRY®. OPINIONS expressed in bylined articles
or columns are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or its staff.
Copyright© 2008 by Publishers' Development Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any
Page 51 portion of this magazine without written permission is prohibited.

4 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 DPMS_SIND_0808 7/3/08 11:06 AM Page 1

Made in the USA!

Please send your FFL
for our new catalog.

SINCE 1955 — THE INDUSTRY’S BUSINESS MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Russ Thurman

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Roxanne Smith

ART DIRECTOR Eric Tse
ART ASSISTANT Andy Loy Cal: 5.56x45mm RFLP-WCP
PRODUCTION MANAGER Dennaye Cusick $699.00 MSRP
Weighs Just 6.3 lbs!
NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Anita Carson
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Steve Evatt,
Jeff Morey, Delano Amaguin, Scott McGregor Panther “Sporticals™”
PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR Randy Moldé Bridging the Gap Between the
PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Lorinda Massey Sporting and Tactical Markets!
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Massad Ayoob Carolee Anita Boyles
Shari LeGate Ray Oeltjen
John Morrison Lisa Parsons-Wraith

FMG Publications RFLR-WCP

Cal: 7.62 NATO $989.00 MSRP
Weighs Just 8.3 lbs!
Editor: Dave Douglas
Advertising: Delano Amaguin
americancopmagazine.com Panther LR-6.5
Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and
Ideal for Precision Shooters!
Publisher & Editor: Roy Huntington
Advertising: Steve Evatt
americanhandgunner.com

RFLR-65
Editor: Jeff John
Advertising: Jeff Morey
gunsmagazine.com Cal: 6.5 Creedmoor $1,159.00 MSRP
Also Available in
Special Editions .308 Win. & .260 Rem.

Editor: Sammy Reese

Advertising: Scott McGregor
fmgpublications.com
All scopes, rings and ONLINE ORDERING
CUSTOMER SERVICE mounts are not included.
AVAILABLE!
www.shootingindustry.com

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES . . . . . . 858.605.0250

DPMS Firearms, LLC • 3312 12th Street SE, Dept. SIND • St. Cloud, MN 56304 • 1-320-258-4448, Ext. 7463 • 1-320-258-4449 (Fax) • dpms@dpmsinc.com

EXPRESS SERVICE . . . . www.shootingindustry.com Circle No. 213 on Inquiry Card

General Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . Click: Contact Us
EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858.605.0243
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . russ@shootingindustry.com
PRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858.605.0202
. . . . . . . . . production@shootingindustry.com
National Advertising:
12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128
858•605•0209
866•972•4545
FAX: 858•605•0211

PRODUCED IN THE U.S.A.

Circle No. 228 on Inquiry Card
www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 5
Honest Research Greatly Tested In 2008,” July 2008). I cur- ing a victim of crime. That model is re-
I am a researcher with a particular in- rently have import data up to 1999 and flected nationally.
terest in private firearm ownership in the export/manufacture data up to 2006. I’m In addition, honest research will re-
U.S. I am currently writing a book chapter hoping that you might be able to point me veal that once such gun-sales spikes oc-
reviewing recent research on the topic and to official data sources that would fill in the cur in a crime-ridden area, crime goes
I’m trying to compile U.S. import, export blanks. Any assistance that you would be down. Hmmmm. I wonder why? That
and manufacturing numbers of handguns willing to provide would be appreciated. also applies to areas where concealed
and long guns to estimate the number of Richard L. Legault, Ph.D. carry laws are enacted. When criminals,
civilian-owned guns. Via: russ@shootingindustry.com who are really cowards (when was the
Many researchers argue that the in- last time they went on a shooting spree
crease in civilian gun ownership in the Researchers who honestly look at the inside a police station, instead of a mall
’80s and ’90s helped cause increases in growth of firearms, especially firearms in or school building?), realize they may
violent crime. I’m trying to make the the self-defense category, will conclude meet Mr. Bullet or Mrs. Shotshell, they
points that (1) increased crime is likely that crime drives (self-defense) firearm go elsewhere — like Washington, D.C.,
to cause citizens to become gun own- sales, not the other way around. The key is where citizens are disarmed, until now,
ers, not the other way around, and (2) “honest” research. by government.
the large violent crime drop that started Rather than look at the entire coun- Sadly, those who proclaim that the
in the late ’90s occurred while firearms try to get such data, consider New Or- gun is the problem, won’t/can’t conduct
sales continued to outstrip the growth leans in the aftermath of Katrina: The honest research.
in the U.S. population and growth in overwhelming number of firearms sold Concerning filling in the data of im-
U.S. households. during the days and weeks of the trag- ports/exports, we use the export data pro-
I noticed that you reported import data edy were purchased by first-time gun vided by the ATF, which it appears you al-
on firearms for 2005 and 2006 (“Industry buyers — motivated by fear of becom- ready have. If not, it’s available at: www.
atf.gov/firearms/stats/index.htm.
For import data, we use data from the
Foreign Trade Division of the U.S. Census
Bureau: www.usatradeonline.gov.
Hope this helps. Keep up the good fight.

Lead Conspiracy?
Your latest issue included a letter from
Jim C. complaining about rising costs of
ammo (“Not Happy,” April 2008).
I am a small shop, so buying ammo
by the case is not feasible, thus at times
within the same month I order two or three
boxes of the same ammo, and each time
usually the price has gone up.
I was told — from two different sourc-
es — that the three metals, lead for bullet
cores, brass for cartridge cases and copper
for bullet jackets, are all being stockpiled
by China.
I also read that in England, one of the
parishes has an older church with lead
shingles and they have had to replace the
lead twice because of thievery.
I doubt Al Gore can blame that on
“global warming” — causing said roof to
melt and run off over the eaves!
Carroll L. Brown
Shootin’ Gallery
Basin, Wyo. 9

E-mail the Editor

russ@shootingindustry.com

Circle No. 211 on Inquiry Card

6 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com
It’s a revolver – and a shotgun – it’s the ultimate combo handgun. TAURUS JUDGE FEATURES:
The Taurus Judge gives your customers the option to chamber both .45
¬ Fires Both .410 Ga. 2-1/2” Shotshell
Long Colt Ammunition and .410 shotshells for unprecedented stopping
and .45 Colt Ammunition
power and versatility. Tested to fire all five shots in less than two seconds,
the Taurus Judge is ready for decisive action — in self-defense or on the trail. ¬ Available in Blue and Stainless Steel

¬ Choice of 3-inch or 6-inch Barrel

¬ Fiber Optic Front Sight

¬ Ribber Grip ®

FREE one-year NRA membership with ¬ Taurus Security System ®

the purchase of any new Taurus fi rearm.
www.TaurusUSA.com
Circle No. 240 on Inquiry Card Birchwood Casey ® targets shot at 6 feet.

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 7

 Don’t Forget The Sharpeners! — page 22

Masters Raises $16,500 For Step Outside

S
hooters from throughout the industry Sports Foundation, I’d like to thank FMG Sharpeners, Midland, PACT, Remington,
stepped to the firing line at the Sixth Publications for its support of all the Step Ruger and Smith & Wesson.
Annual Shooting Industry Masters Outside programs we’ve done. We all The event’s top shooters were recog-
July 26 to blast clays and ring nized with team and indi-
steel, all in support of NSSF’s vidual trophies.

Elizabeth Jarrell
Step Outside program. In the Industry Class,
More than 150 shooters, the first place trophy went
including company CEOs, to Ruger Team-1, with Colt
sales reps and factory crafts- placing second and XS
men, competed in the three- Sights taking third place.
gun competition at the Hart- The top three individual
ford Gun Club in East Granby, shooters in the Industry
Conn. Produced by FMG Class were: (1st) Kevin
Publications, the event’s raffle Skinner, Ruger Team-1
raised $16,500 for the Step (2nd) Scott McGregor,
Outside program, which intro- FMG and (3rd) Dennis
duces newcomers to shooting. Veilleux, Colt.
“Once again, we were im- In the Open class, for pro
pressed with the enthusiasm shooters, DPMS took first
of industry shooters during the place, with Smith & Wes-
competition. The good-natured son Team-1 placing second
kidding about who were the Team DPMS recaptured the Open Class trophy at the 2008 Shooting Industry and BLACKHAWK! taking
best shooters was overshad- Masters. They are (l to r) Tony Holmes, Jim Clark (event Top Shooter), third. Individual trophies
owed by the unity and support Charles “Tate” Moots and Randy Luth, DPMS president. went to (1st) Jim Clark,
of the industry and the Step DPMS, (2nd) Tate Moots,
Outside program. We also thank Smith know that introducing new people to the DPMS and (3rd) Randy Luth, DPMS.
& Wesson, who provided invaluable as- shooting sports is important to the pres- FMG Publications has announced that
sistance and numerous volunteers for the ervation of our industry and our heritage. the Shooting Industry Masters will return
event,” said Randy Moldé, FMG promo- Step Outside does that and we thank all to the Hartford Gun Club for “an even big-
tions director and Masters chairman. those taking part in the event for your sup- ger event” July 24-25, 2009.
The Step Outside program is important port,” Sanetti said. For more information on the 2008
to the future of the industry, according to This year’s match sponsors were Aim- Shooting Industry Masters, visit www.
NSSF President Steve Sanetti, who has point, Benchmade, BLACKHAWK!, shootingindustry.com. (Full coverage of
competed in every Masters competition Black Hills Ammunition, Brownells, Cor- the Masters will be featured in the October
“On behalf of the National Shooting Bon, Gunsite, Howard Leight, Lansky issue of Shooting Industry.)

Bushnell Acquires Simmons Outdoor

B ushnell Outdoor Products and MidOcean Partners, a middle
market private equity fund, announce Bushnell’s acquisi-
tion of the Simmons brand and certain other assets of Simmons
to provide the high level
of value and service the
loyal Simmons customers
Outdoor Corp. from Meade Instruments Corp. The acquisition and consumers have grown to
includes riflescopes, binoculars and spotting scopes. expect over the past 30 years.”
“The Simmons line of optical products provides a strategic as- For more information, call
set and a valuable brand to our company,” said Joe Messner, pres- 1-800-423-3537 or visit www.
ident and CEO of Bushnell Outdoor Products. “We will continue bushnell.com.

• Sign In • Click
• Profit
8 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com
Sell Ruger , ®

Earn Points,
Get Rewarded.
( It really is that easy! )
T H E R U G E R R A P I D R E T A I L R E W A R D S P R O G R A M SM
®

The 4R Program is an incentive program that rewards retail sales professionals for all of their

4R
Ruger® firearms sales. Four simple steps get you earning points towards free Ruger firearms:

1 Sign-Up Visit the Ruger ® Rapid Retail Rewards Program SM website at www.rugerpromo.com and click on the
“Sign-Up” navigation item. You will be stepped through a simple registration process.

2 Sell Ruger Firearms Do what you do best and sell Ruger! With every new Ruger firearm sold, you will earn
4R Program points redeemable for FREE Ruger firearms.

3 Enter Your Sales Visit the “Get Rewarded” page of the 4R Program website. Download the Retailer Sales Tracking Form
and record your sales as you move closer to a FREE Ruger firearm!

4 Get Rewarded! Once you have accumulated sufficient 4R Program points, you can redeem them for FREE Ruger firearms!
Choose from an LCP™ Pistol, a .375 African M77® Hawkeye® Rifle, a 22 Charger™ Pistol, or one of the other great Ruger firearms
available from the Ruger Rapid Retail Rewards Program.

Ruger – your partner in providing the best to your customers!

Rules and Regulations:
Ruger Rapid Retail Rewards Program points have no cash value and must be redeemed on or before December 1, 2008. Void where prohibited by law. Offer is good only in the United States and
for sales of new Ruger firearms. All firearms sales must comply with applicable local, state and Federal laws and regulations. Earned Ruger Rapid Retail Rewards Program points are subject to
verification before redemption. For complete Rules and Regulations, please visit the Ruger Rapid Retail Rewards Program website at www.rugerpromo.com.

Circle No. 238 on Inquiry Card

© 2008 STURM, RUGER & CO., INC.
www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 9
Act Now, Before The November Election
T he November elections are only weeks away. On Nov. 4, 90 Next, please encourage your customers to visit the NSSF
million American gun owners, including 40 million sports- site, too. Education is key, and the NSSF site can play a piv-
men who hold dear our hunting and shooting heritage, will have otal role in reaching would-be voters. It can even help them
the opportunity to head to the polls and support candidates for register to vote.
office that will preserve and protect our way of life. As a firearms Do you need proof that elections matter? Consider this. The
retailer you can help ensure that these people take full advantage Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year in the Heller case, af-
of another essential American right, the right to vote. firming that the Second Amendment is an individual right, was
The sportsmen and gun-owner voting bloc has long been consid- decided by just one vote, 5 to 4. Now imagine what could have
ered one of the most influential in American politics. When gun own- happened if President Bush had not appointed Justices Rob-
ers vote to ensure their freedom, we can’t lose. Similarly, when gun erts and Alito to the court. No Roberts, no Alito — no Second
owners stay at home rather than fight for what Amendment. The next president is likely
they believe in, we can’t win. Understanding to appoint as many as three new justices
this simple fact and acting upon it now will to the court who will have to be confirmed
make all the difference come November. by the U.S. Senate.
So, how to act on it? First, take a few Still need convincing that elections
minutes to visit the National Shooting matter? Okay, have you considered that
Sports Foundation VoterEd Web site: www. the next president will appoint the next
nssf.org/08election. This easy-to-navigate ATF director, the next U.S. Fish and Wild-
site is loaded with information on the presi- life Service director and a whole host of
dential candidates and key Senate races, other federal bureaucracies that regulate
and the site is updated regularly. NSSF Vo- and control your business?
terEd provides vital information on where This is no time for industry members,
candidates stand on Second Amendment- gun owners or individual rights advocates
related issues, links to public opinion poll- to take a back seat.
ing data and relevant news articles. NSSF is For more information about the
working to educate and mobilize sportsmen NSSF VoterEd Web site, visit www.nssf.
throughout the United States. www.nssf.org/08election org/08election. — NSSF

Circle No. 202 on Inquiry Card

10 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

NRA Round-Up Surpasses $4 Million
M idwayUSA has passed the $4 million milestone in the NRA Round-Up program.
At this year’s NRA meeting, program cofounders Larry and Brenda Potterfield
presented a ceremonial check to Wayne LaPierre, NRA executive vice president and
CEO, and Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.
“In order to change
the future, we must
continue to support
the NRA with both
time and money,”

03<16;/231=;– &03<16;/239<7431==@35=<17BG=@CA/
said Larry Potterfield,
president and CEO of
MidwayUSA.
The donation rep-
resents the amount
raised through the
program since 1992.
Every MidwayUSA
customer, when plac-
ing an order, has
From left to right: Larry Potterfield, Wayne LaPierre, Chris Cox and the opportunity to
Brenda Potterfield. “round-up” the total
to the next highest
dollar. The donations are sent to the NRA and placed in the NRA-ILA National Endow-
ment for the Protection of the Second Amendment every week, with no administrative
or holding charges assessed. The NRA-ILA only uses the interest gained to help fund
programs, allowing the endowment to continue to grow.
For more information, visit www.midwayusa.com.

Kimber Makes Hefty Donation To NRA

K imber has donated firearms worth $600,000 to the NRA for use by the NRA Foun-
dation and Friends of NRA.
“There has never been a more important time to support the NRA,” said Kimber
CEO Leslie Edelman. “Kimber is proud to step up. I encourage other firearm manufac-
turers to do the same, right now, at this time of greatest need.”
“This donation is amazing on so many levels,” said Kyle Weaver, NRA’s managing
director of field operations. “It could not have come at a better time, and it could not
be more appreciated. Kimber is one of the giants in the firearm industry and one of the
strongest supporters to both NRA and The NRA Foundation.”
For more information, visit www.kimberamerica.com.

ATK Receives $89 Million Ammunition Order, Funding

A lliant Techsystems (ATK) has received an additional $89 million in military small-
caliber ammunition orders and modernization funding from the U.S. Army. Of the
amount, $72 million is for small-caliber ammunition, with the remainder of the funds
devoted to various plant modernization projects.
Work on the contracts will be performed by ATK at the Lake City Army Ammuni-
tion Plant (LCAAP), Independence, Mo. ATK operates the U.S. Army plant where it
produces a mix of 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50-caliber and 20mm cartridges.
Working in partnership with the Army, ATK has expanded manufacturing capacity
at the plant to 1.6 billion rounds. ATK began operating the plant in 2000, and is now B67A>3<7A
under contract to modernize the facility, which has remained largely unchanged from the B@C:G;756B73@
plant’s groundbreaking in 1940. B6/<B63AE=@2
“We are pleased with the contract awards and maintain our high-level commitment to
produce quality ammunition,” said ATK Armament Systems President Mark DeYoung.
;=23:A6=E<(
“We are grateful for the opportunity to continue delivering performance and survivabil-
ity solutions to our nation’s defenders.”
For more information, visit www.atk.com.
Circle No. 207 on Inquiry Card

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 11

2009 SHOT SHOW JANUARY 15-18, 2009 ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER ORLANDO, FL WWW.SHOTSHOW.ORG

0XOFE
BOE

Get ready for an entire year’s worth of new products, new segments, new product 4QPOTPSFE
CZ

lines, and new merchandising ideas. Get ready for new SHOT Show specials, new
discounts and new buying opportunities. It’s the annual best of the shooting, hunting
and outdoor trade. And remember, the only way to ensure your business is fully primed
and on target is to attend the SHOT Show every year. It’s time to reload. 1SPEVDFE
BOE

.BOBHFE
CZ

REGISTER TODAY AT: www.shotshow.org

AN EVEN WIDER SCOPE (YET TARGETED FOR EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED.)

12 SEPTEMBER 2008 Circle No. 232 on Inquiry Card

www.shootingindustry.com
  3(/4 3(/7 s *!.5!29    s /2!.'% #/5.49 #/.6%.4)/. #%.4%2 s /2,!.$/ &,

EVERY YEAR, IT SPEAKS TO YOUR BUSINESS.

»
BP¿aP MPPY _Z _SP >3:? >SZb PaP]d dPL] ^TYNP
T_^ TYNP[_TZY LYO bP¿WW MP _SP]P _ST^ dPL] L^
bPWW DZ` NLY¿_ MPL_ _SP M`dTYR Z[[Z]_`YT_TP^
LYO YPb []ZO`N_^ BSTWP bP OZ L NZY^TOP]LMWP
LXZ`Y_ ZQ M`dTYR XPP_TYR^ L_ _SP >3:? >SZb
SPW[ ^`[[Z]_ Z`] TYO`^_]d LYO WPRT^WL_TaP
PQQZ]_^ :aP]LWW _ST^ LYY`LW PaPY_ SL^ MPNZXP
LY TX[Z]_LY_ [L]_ ZQ VPP[TYR Z`] ^SZZ_TYR

¼
M`^TYP^^ aTM]LY_

NAME: -L]]d -L`P]

COMPANY: 3P]M -L`P] >[Z]_TYR 2ZZO^
TITLE: ;]P^TOPY_ :bYP]
LOCATION: 1]P^YZ .LWTQZ]YTL
HIGHLIGHTS: # dPL]^ TY M`^TYP^^
_SP WL]RP^_ ^[Z]_TYR RZZO^
^_Z]P TY .PY_]LW .LWTQZ]YTL
INTERESTS: BTYR^SZZ_TYR LYO LY LYY`LW
[TWR]TXLRP _Z ,]RPY_TYL
bT_S Xd S`Y_TYR M`OOTP^ QZ]
`YMPWTPaLMWP OZaP O`NV
RZZ^P LYO [P]OTe S`Y_TYR

NEW PRODUCTS. NEW CATEGORIES. NEW MERCHANDISING IDEAS.

2ELOAD THIS YEAR AT THE  3(/4 3HOW IN /RLANDO 2EGISTER NOW www.shotshow.org

/WNED AND 3PONSORED BY 0RODUCED AND -ANAGED BY

Circle No. 232 on Inquiry Card

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 13

Sabre Defence Awarded FMG Publications Promotes Key Players
M16 Rifle Contract
S abre Defence Industries has been
awarded a contract for a minimum
F MG Publications has announced major promotions in its business and commercial
magazine divisions and advertising department.
Russ Thurman is now the publisher of FMG Business Publications.
of 4,952 M16A3 and 702 M16A4 rifles Roy Huntington is the publisher of FMG Consumer and Law Enforcement Publications.
to support the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Anita Carson has been promoted to national advertising sales director of all FMG Publications.
Corps and foreign military customers. “These promotions are long overdue and well deserved,” said Tom von Rosen, FMG
The M16 project will take place at president. “Russ and Roy have been performing at the publisher’s level for some time.
Sabre Defence’s Nashville, Tenn., facil- These promotions are an important part of streamlining our operations.
ity and is expected “Anita is widely respected throughout the industry for her professionalism. She will
to be completed have an important impact on the advertising efforts of all our magazines.”
by the end of Thurman, a retired Marine officer, has been the editor of Shooting Industry magazine
De c e m be r since 1994.
2010. Huntington, a retired police officer, has been the editor of American Handgunner magazine
Sabre since 2001. He is also the editorial director of FMG’s consumer magazines.
officials Carson has been the advertis-
say the ing account manager of Shooting
manufac- Industry since 1991.
ture of XR In addition to Shooting In-
model rifles for dustry and American Handgun-
the commercial mar- ner magazines, FMG publishes
ket will not be affected by the military GUNS Magazine, American
contract. New models of the XR15A3 COP magazine and six Special
are scheduled to be released in the com- Edition publications, as well as
ing months. dedicated Web sites for each of A. Carson R. Huntington R. Thurman
For more information, call (615) 333- the major titles.
0077 or visit www.sabredefence.com. For more information, visit www.fmgpublications.com.

#F
QBUJFOU
.BLJOH
UIF
CFTU
BNNP
JO
UIF
XPSME
UBLFT
UJNF

The Black Hills Ammunition test fire crew, waiting for the rest of the industry to catch up.

BLACK HILLS AMMUNITION INC. • PO BOX 3090 • RAPID CITY, SD 57709-3090 • Phone: 605-348-5150 • Fax: 605-348-9827

Circle No. 208 on Inquiry Card

14 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com
Pro Ears Acquires
Benchmaster Rifle Rests
P ro Ears has acquired Desert Mountain
Manufacturing, makers of BenchMas-
ter rifle rests.
“We are extremely pleased to be able to
add the high-quality BenchMaster line of
rifle rests to our
Pro Ears family
of products,” said
Dan Nigro, Pro
Ears owner.
“I feel this is
the perfect fit to
continue on with
the ideals of BenchMaster,” said Bill Da-
vis, BenchMaster president.
For more information, visit www.Pro-
Ears.com or www.benchmasterusa.com.

Bass Pro Shops

Sponsors Media Day
C MG Marketing & Events and Triple
Curl PR announce that Bass Pro
Shops, the 2008 sponsor of “Media Day
at the Range,” has committed to be title Circle No. 212 on Inquiry Card
sponsor for the next three years.
The fourth annual event, conducted the
day before SHOT Show, will be held on

The Hunt is Over!

Jan. 14, 2009, at the Orange County Sher-
iff’s Range in Orlando, Fla.
The event offers outdoor journalists the
opportunity to handle and shoot new prod- For the Ultimate Gun Care System
ucts. The event also benefits many youth
shooting organizations, including the Or-
ange County 4-H Shooting Sports.
“We were very happy with the results Tetra® Gun care’s new limited edition Cleaning
of our sponsorship at this year’s show and Pack is the only complete chemical cleaning
the opportunity it gave us to communi- set available for the true firearm enthusiast
cate with so many quality outdoor writ- featuring high-performance fluoropolymer
ers,” said Brent Lawrence, Bass Pro Shops based lubricants and non-etching high-
brand specialist. “Our company also feels strength barrel solvent.
it is tremendously important to teach future
generations about the shooting sports, so The 2009 limited edition Cleaning Pack
the fact that this also benefits youth shoot- is value-priced and peg-boardable in an
ing organizations is a big bonus to us.” attractive clamshell package, and for a
At Media Day 2008, over 375 mem- limited time, includes a FREE ‘Tips From the
bers of the outdoor media attended the Pros’ Gun Cleaning Made Easy DVD!
daylong event, testing products from more
than 50 manufacturers. Event planners say
they expect more journalists to take part
in the 2009 Media Day, with more than 60
manufacturers expected to exhibit.
Registration for the event is now open
at www.media-day.com.
For more information, contact
Cory Cannon at ccannon@triplecurl.
com or Cathy Williams at cathy@
cmgmarketingandevents.com.
Circle No. 219 on Inquiry Card
www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 15
Remington Selects De La Rue To Protect Brand
R emington Arms Co. Inc. has chosen De La Rue Holo-
graphics’ Secure Licensing Solution to protect its official
licensed products.
“Working in part-
nership with De La
Rue means that we can
The De La Rue system incorporates an easy-to-authenticate ho- strengthen our distinct
logram label supported by SLSNet, a web-based ordering, track- brand status while protecting the integrity of our international
ing and verification tool. The label allows approved licensees to licensing program,” said Scott Lester, director of licensing and
protect their exclusive license investment by securing and clearly accessories for Remington Arms.
differentiating official Remington products in the retail market, For more information, visit www.remington.com. For more in-
with the added ability to review and manage their orders online. formation about De La Rue Holographics, visit www.delarue.com.

NWTF Supports USA Shooting

T he National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has donated $10,000
to the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team. The NWTF raised the money
through the auction of a donated 2008 banquet package of 39 outdoor-
inspired items at GunBroker.com.
Marvin Hartley, a member of the NWTF’s board of directors, presented
a $10,000 check to USA Shooting during a shooting awards ceremony at
Fort Carson, Colo., July 16.
Hartley also presented USA National Shotgun Coach Lloyd Wood-
house with a bronze statue and plaque commemorating Woodhouse’s 25-
year career.
For more information about the NWTF, visit www.nwtf.net. For more in- Marvin Hartley (left), NWTF, presents a check for $10,000 to
formation on USA Shooting, visit www.usashooting.com. Haley Dunn (center) and Buddy Duvall of USA Shooting.

Depend on the tactical light with real

STOPPING PO W E R
The NEW SIG SAUER STOPLITE ™ is a potent defensive tool that could
®

save your life in a flash – a blinding 300-lumen* strobe that disorients

assailants immediately. Can be used hand-held or rail mounted. This unit
features a rotary selector for steady, strobe and accessory function. Built-in
power receptacle for interchangeable accessories. Ask your duty gear
dealer for this life saving defense tool from SIG SAUER . ®

For more information visit our website

*Approximate lumen
Laser aiming
module accessory
for pin-point accuracy ®
w w w.sigsauer.com
Circle No. 233 on Inquiry Card
Remington Arms to achieve record success.” owned Baltoro Mountain Outfitters, an
CEO Honored Millner was selected for the award outdoor store in Columbia, Mo., and
Thomas L. Millner, Remington Arms by an independent judging panel, com- worked in the motor sports industry as
CEO, was honored in June with the Ernst prised of regional business, academic a Porsche race mechanic. He also was a
& Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award and civic leaders. manager and buyer for Missouri Wilder-
2008 in the Carolinas. Millner was recog- ness Co.
nized for his exceptional leadership role in FNH USA “Ken Flood brings extensive product
the Retail & Consumer Products category. Promotes Manager knowledge, industry experience and end-
He was presented the award, along with FNH USA has promoted Ken Flood, user understanding to this position,” said
other honorees, at a gala event in Char- former deputy director of sales, to the new Rick DeMilt, senior vice president of FNH
lotte, N.C. position of national manager for commer- USA. “His contribution to our success has
Addressing Millner’s contribution, E. cial and law enforcement sales. been considerable.”
Scott Blackwell, Remington’s president For the past three years, Flood man- Flood holds a bachelor’s degree in psy-
of Global Sales, Marketing and Product aged the company’s regional sales, helping chology with a minor in marketing from
Development, said, “Under his leadership, to drive growth in both the L.E. and com- Columbia College.
Remington has achieved a historic sixth- mercial market segments. Prior to joining
straight year as the FNH USA, he was Pelican Products
number one manu- with Bruce Odle and Appoints Board Chairman
facturer of long Associates, where Pelican Products has appointed retired
guns; he has served he represented FNH U.S. Marine Corps General Peter Pace as
as a dynamic force USA, as well as sis- its chairman of the board. Pace, former
within our industry; ter brands Browning chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has
and his vision and and Winchester, in more than four decades of military ser-
uncompromised L.E. and commer- vice. Pace will provide strategic oversight
commitment have cial sales. for Pelican’s work in the military, defense
Sept2008:Layout 1 7/15/08 2:52 PM Page 1
steered the company T. Millner Flood formerly K. Flood and federal government sectors.

10/22® CARBINE
•Autoloading •Laminated stock, blade
front/adjustable rear sights •High-speed,
pivoted hammer for short lock time •Bar-
rel locked into receiver w/unique 2-screw
V-block system •Unique, removable ro-
MODEL 85 tary magazine •Cross bolt safety •In-
ULTRA-LITE® cludes: scope base adapter & gun lock
BOBBED HAMMER

•SA/DA •Black matte finish •Bobbed hammer •Yoke de-

Fall Is Around The Corner
tent •Transfer bar safety •Heavy barrel w/solid rib, ejector
shroud •Fixed sights •Standard rubber grips •Taurus® Se-
What do you have to get
curity System consumers into your store?
What can you offer them that they
can only get from you?
Ellett Brothers® Exclusives!

Unique merchandise that your

500 PISTOL GRIP customers can only get from you.
PERSUADER®
•Pump-action •Dual-action bars •Factory installed heat shield For a complete listing of
•Ambidextrous tang safety •Meets all MIl-S-3443 •Positive steel-
Ellett Brothers®
to-steel lock up requirements •Includes gun lock •Ten-year lim-
ited warranty Exclusive Merchandise
Call Your Sales Associate
at 800-845-3711 or visit us
at www.EllettBrothers.com
Circle No. 215 on Inquiry Card
www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 17
 Live:

Live:
7"

Circle No. 210 on Inquiry Card

“The addition of Gen. Pace to our board, Pace is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Russell’s Lincoln, Neb., office. Bonwell
coupled with our aggressive global expan- Academy and holds a master’s degree works in the Omaha office.
sion plans, will make Pelican Products an in business administration from George Coulter was hired by Swanson Rus-
even
CLIENT:
more important player in advanced
PUBLICATION:
Washington University.
AGENCY:
sell in 2002 as a graphic designer and
DIGITAL RETOUCHING:
lightingTrace
Crimson and protector cases for our defenseIndustry
Shooting Advertising Expeditions was promoted
BrucetoHarris
associate art director in
forces
TITLE: in the U.S. and internationally,”
Guns said Swanson Russell Dan Cox, 503.780.0963 February 2007. She
PRODUCTION: graduated from the
Lyndon Faulkner, president and CEO.
1911 LIVE: Announces Promotion, ARTHires
DIRECTOR: UniversityLenore
of Nebraska, Kearney with a
Prato, 503.758.9156
“I am excited to join the Pelican
FILENAME: team
7" x 6.67" Swanson Russell Matt
has promoted
Warner Cindi bachelor’s degree in visual communica-
CT_1911_7x6.67
and help build on their work in the mili- Coulter to art director, COPYWRITER:
while hiring Abby tions and design.
tary sector and identify new, cutting-edge Bonwell as production Dan Coxand Brookley
artist Lind-Olson previously worked for the
PHOTOGRAPHER:
products and technologies that will equip Lind-Olson as media coordinator. Coulter state of Nebraska as an administrative as-
John Mulligan
the next-generation soldier,” Pace said. and Lind-Olson are based in Swanson sistant. She is a graduate of Doane College

18 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

in Crete, Neb., with a bachelor’s degree in to our clients,” said Richard Cameron,
business administration. company president and CEO.
Prior to joining Cates holds a bachelor’s degree in
Swanson Russell, finance, cum laude, from Texas Tech
Bonwell worked University-Rawls College of Business.
for Fort Hays State Before joining Carson, Cates owned and
University in Hays, operated a sales agency.
Kan., as a graphic
designer. She is a Crimson Trace
graduate of Fort Announces CFO, Military Manager
Hays State Univer- Crimson Trace has named Mark Avolio
stity with a bachelor vice president and CFO and Steve Denny
of fine arts degree. C. Coutler government and military sales manager.
Avolio is responsible for managing the
working assets of Crimson Trace to opti-
mize profitability and cash flow, provide
guidance and direction to the accounting
department and establish and maintain
strong banking relationships.
Prior to coming to Crimson Trace,
Avolio was senior vice president, CFO,
treasurer and board member of Wacom
A. Bonwell B. Lind-Olson Technology Corp., a manufacturer and
distributor of computer peripherals.
Formerly Crimson Trace’s Northeast
Callis & Associates regional sales manager, Denny is now re-
Promotes Executive sponsible for relationships and regulatory
Callis & Associates has announced the compliance with U.S. government and
promotion of Amanda Cairer to account ex- military sales. Denny is a graduate of The
ecutive. She will work with Callis’ clients Citadel and is a former Navy officer. He
to direct their marketing, advertising and was also an FBI agent, working primarily
public relations programs. She also will as- in counterterrorism.
sist with business development efforts.
Cairer has a Sig Sauer
bachelor’s degree Announces South American Manager
in business from Sig Sauer has appointed Eduardo
Indiana University, “Eddy” Cao as their new South Ameri-
Fort Wayne. She can regional manager. Cao’s duties en-
joined the Callis & compass sales and marketing responsi-
Associates staff in bilities with international distributors,
2006 and previous- representatives, law enforcement and
ly was an account government agencies.
coordinator. A. Cairer Prior to his position at Sig Sauer,
Cao spent six years as regional sales
Carson Optical manager with Smith & Wesson, man-
Names Sales Manager aging Latin America, the Caribbean
Carson Optical has appointed Eric and Canada.
Cates as national sales manager. He will “Eddy has a proven track record of
focus on managing existing customer re- growing sales and delivering for his cus-
lationships, as well as developing new tomers. We are
Carson business in thrilled to have his
strategic markets. leadership for our
“Eric possesses Central and South
a remarkable un- American team,”
derstanding of mar- said Pete Kujawski,
keting, design and vice president of
product placement. military, govern-
He will be a huge ment and interna-
asset to Carson and tional sales. 9 E. Cao
an even better asset E. Cates
Circle No. 201 on Inquiry Card
www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 19
 Massad Ayoob

Tailoring The Defensive Handgun To Your Customer

A
s a gun dealer, one of the most im- Reliability Factor tion revolver. He wants a gun that will work
portant things you do is help your Warren is a professional, with an ana- in all light conditions where he can identify
customer get the best defensive lytical way of looking at things. He wants his target. He wants compactness for con-
handgun system that works cealed carry — and, above
for him or her. You’ve long all, he wants total reliability.
learned that one size/type/ He has chosen a Ruger
caliber doesn’t fit all. Yes, SP101 .357 revolver with a
there are common factors barrel just over 3" in length,
that apply to all gun owners, fitted with a Crimson Trace
but fitting the right firearm to Lasergrip. We’re shooting
the customers is the impor- outdoors on pleasant sum-
tant part, and that’s where mer days in Pennsylvania
your role is crucial. and he can see the red dot on
Let’s look at some of the the target up close. When the
circumstances that can help laser fades away at distances
you tailor that choice. in the bright sunlight, he
I’m just finishing a first- reverts to this gun’s highly
level, 40-hour LFI-I class visible fixed sights.
that I’m teaching for Lethal He’s using Safariland
Force Institute. Consider- speedloaders, and after some
ing the shooters/students personal training on how to
in the class, it’s amazing to Warren’s strong high-hand grip obscures the view of the Crimson Trace use them to maximum effi-
see how many have assessed Lasergrip on his Ruger SP101. ciency, he has kept up just fine
their needs — or had those with the auto-pistol shooters.
needs assessed by firearms professionals, something that will not only work for him, He qualified on the police-type course with
including gun dealers — and have come but also for anyone whom he might have an excellent score. He got through with zero
up with different handguns for their par- to hand his gun to in an emergency. So, he malfunctions, which is more than some of
ticular needs. likes the simplicity factor of a double-ac- the auto shooters can say.

Assessing The Commitment Factor

J oe recently retired from the sporting goods industry, where
he was involved in research and product development. He is
new to handguns, but is a highly accomplished archer and there
locked pistols
with short,
easy trigger
is a lot of crossover at work. After consulting with several ac- pulls. Under-
complished handgunners, he has decided on a carry-size 1911 standing the
.45 auto. He selected the Kimber SIS in the Pro variation, with concerns with
a full-length grip frame and 4" barrel. And he’s doing remark- civil liabil-
ably well with it. ity, he decided
He has committed himself to a serious regimen of both train- that a double-
ing and practice, and he is virtually flawless in his handling of action-only
the cocked-and-locked pistol. His archery career has given him auto made the
a good understanding of kinesiology, and he has good natural most sense for
manual dexterity. He finished the qualification with an excellent his defensive
score and no malfunction problems. carry needs John was top shot with a compact Para-Ordnance
He chose a LDA CCW .45.
Liability Factor compact CCW
John was a skilled bull’s-eye shooter before he decided to model of the Para-Ordnance 1911 .45 auto, in its LDA (Light
carry a gun concealed. He didn’t want to discard his long fa- Double Action) variation. Quickly adapting to the pistol’s lon-
miliarity with the 1911 .45 platform, but his reading in the field ger but smooth trigger pull, he was able to transfer all his grasp-
and his discussions with police friends convinced him there ing and pointing habituation to the new carry gun. After his last
was a reason most cops aren’t allowed to carry cocked-and- 60 double-action shots on the qualification range, he finished in

20 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 weight, low-recoil, great ergonomics, The Lesson
high-cartridge capacity and cost effec- Each of these end-users was wisely
tiveness were among the reasons their served by someone who inquired about
owners selected the firearms. their specific needs, assessed them and
The Right Gun Eric, a mature man, has been around
handguns for a long time, and decided that
sold them a handgun perfectly suited to
their particular requirements. Each of them

D enise is the widow of a professional

firearms instructor. Guns were his
life, not hers. After his untimely death a
his carry gun should have high-cartridge
capacity and high shootability. He chose
a 9mm Springfield XD, standard size,
is a satisfied customer who will come back
regularly to buy more.
Good, professional advice and ethical
year and a half ago, she felt that exploring and put on aftermarket Dawson adjust- service equaled a substantial sale each
the things he loved would give her a better able sights that worked better for his aging time, with lots of profitable ammo and ac-
connection to his memory and an under- eyes. It turned out to be a rewarding com- cessories. Foremost, the customer benefit-
standing of her late husband. After taking bination. He finished the qualification in ed, but so did the dealer. That’s a win-win
only a few impromptu lessons with a po- third place overall, with a 297 score. worth working for. 9
lice officer, a family friend, she decided on
a double-action revolver.
Loading its HKS speedloaders is easy
for her small, delicate fingers — easier than
loading any auto-pistol magazine. Very
petite and willowy, she finds it awkward
to manipulate the slide of an auto pistol,
but she can effortlessly open the cylinder
of her Smith & Wesson Model 66 Perfor-
mance Center revolver. She loads the .357
with .38 Specials and the combination of
DSA announces the
the Performance Center ported barrel and
the gun’s soft Hogue grips makes recoil TP-9 Range Demo
easy for her to handle.
She finished her first formal class with Gun Program!
a score of 284 out of 300 possible, just
about 95 percent.

Combo Of Features
There were many of the new breed of
polymer-frame, striker-fired semiauto-
matics in evidence in the class: Glocks
in sizes from 3.6" to 5.3" barrels, and
calibers from 9mm to .45; Springfield
Armory XDs; and S&W M&Ps. Light-

first place, ahead of the other 27 shooters

in his class.

Habituation Factor
Ed has been a bull’s-eye shooter for
many years and, like John, he has an affin-
ity for 1911s. He sees value in transferring Put the fun in your range
all that experience and training to self-de- rental program with one
fense. His finely tuned match target guns, of the most innovative
with their snug tolerances and tight match tactical pistols to come
chambers, aren’t something he’d trust in
along in years ...
a life-or-death situation. He wanted some-
thing more “street-reliable.”
His choice: a 5" barrel Colt Govern- The B&T TP-9 Pistol or TP-9 Short Barreled Rifle!
ment Model .45 ACP, which he had cus- FFL holders with a shooting sports facility, indoor or outdoor range quali-
tomized for street carry by master pistol- fy for DSA’s TP-9 Range Demo Gun Program and special promotional pric-
smith Wayne Novak. Unlike John, he’s ing. A wide variety of accessories including transferable sound suppres-
perfectly comfortable carrying cocked- sors are available to customize your B&T TP-9 for a unique shooting expe-
and-locked. As a big guy, Ed finds it easy rience in the economical 9x19mm cartridge! For more details, call DSA.
to carry and conceal a full-size 1911.
TP-9 Pistol: $925 • TP-9 SBR: $1075 • Suppressor: $750 • SBR & Can Combo Deal: $1725
It certainly works for him. He was the
second-place shot among the students on DSA Inc. / P.O. Box 370 / Barrington, IL 60011 / Tel: 847-277-7258
qualification, with a 298 out of 300. Fax: 847-277-7259 / customerservice1@dsarms.com / www.dsarms.com
Circle No. 214 on Inquiry Card
www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 21
 Carolee Anita Boyles

Don’t Forget The Sharpeners!

Y
ou sell lots of great knives to your customers, but how often do they
sharpen those knives? If they’re like most folks, it’s probably not
often — or ever. Only a few people sharpen their knives regularly,
and of those who do, most of them don’t do a very good job.
This means you have a vast opportunity for add-on sales when you
sell knives — and even when you don’t. Keeping a variety of knife
sharpening tools in your store and showing your customers how to use
them means dollars in your pocket.
“Gun dealers are selling to a lot of hunters and outdoors people,”
said Ralph Johnson, vice president of Eze-Lap. “Knives are tools that
they regularly use and a sharpener is a logical add-on sale for them.”
Carrying sharpening equipment also allows you to be a complete supplier
of knife products.
“They’re a great up-sell and they’re profitable,” said Mark Brandon,
president of DMT. “Margins are going to vary, but they’re competitive
with knives themselves.”
Furthermore, carrying knife sharpeners may increase your overall
knife profits.
“You may be able to sell higher-quality knives because your customers
know they can maintain them,” Brandon said. “A customer is more likely to
buy a better knife, rather than one he’s going to use until it’s dull and then
throw away.” The “Try Me” POP display gives customers a chance to test-
drive a Lansky sharpener. The DVD offers tips.

Train Your Customers

T he most important part of selling knife-sharpening equip-
ment, Johnson said, is education. Customers don’t always
know how to make the best use of knife-sharpening equipment,
structions for the
customer to follow.
Your customers
so it’s up to you to teach them. can give the sharp-
“No matter how good the sharpening tool is, if the customer ener a test-drive
doesn’t know how to use it, he’s not going to get a good result right at your coun-
with it,” Johnson said. “And if he doesn’t get a good result with ter. Be prepared, of
it, the gun dealer isn’t going to get repeat sales out of it. So educa- course, with an in-
tion is crucial for this category of products.” ventory of Lansky
Manufacturers of sharpening equipment have all kinds of sharpeners. Once
tools available to help you teach your customers how to use knife customers give the
sharpeners correctly. sharpener a try,
At the SHOT Show this year, Lansky Sharpeners displayed they’ll want one —
a million dollars at their booth to emphasize how retailers can or two.
increase their profits by selling the proper accessories. The Lansky
“The million dollars is a way of getting dealers to look at what video, “Sharpen-
we can do for them,” said Arthur Lansky LeVine, president of ing Systems In-
Lansky Sharpeners. “We want dealers to know they can make a structional Video,”
lot of money selling our sharpeners. They get the best sharpeners is available free to The Model D5F Diamond Sharpener from
on the market, and we can show them how to make sales.” dealers — and con- Eze-Lap Diamond Products features fine (600)
Lansky Sharpeners has introduced a “Try Me” point-of-pur- sumers. The video grit diamond crystals for sharpening a dull
chase, countertop-demonstration display, as well as a seven-min- presents three easy knife in seconds.
ute instructional DVD showing how to use their sharpeners. steps to develop-
The centerpiece of the POP is a Lansky sharpener attached ing precision edges with Lansky’s controlled-angle Sharpening
to a 9" x 11" acrylic-enclosed poster, with easy sharpening in- System kits. The video also is presented on Lansky’s Web site.

22 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 3067 shooting industry JA_08 12/12/07 11:45 AM Page 1

PELICAN
™

POWER
Visit www.lanskysharpeners.com and
click on “Lansky Sharpening System —
See the Video.”
Dealers can request the “Try Me” POP
and video via e-mail at info@lansky.com
or call (716) 877-7511.
DMT also provides video support
for dealers.
“We have half a dozen videos on our
COMBO
Web site that educate users on our prod-
ucts,” Brandon said.
To view the videos, visit www.dmt-
sharp.com. Retailers can call the com-
pany and request free copies to use in
their stores.

Pelican 1750 CASE shown

with a Barrett M82A1/M107

BARRETT CHOOSES
PELICAN PROTECTOR™ CASES.
SHOULDN’T YOU?
TOUGH POLYMER CONSTRUCTION -
CRUSHPROOF AND TOTALLY
WATERTIGHT
DMT’s Web site, www.dmtsharp.com, has six EASY OPEN DOUBLE-THROW
videos and eight instruction pages on how to LATCHES
use the company’s products.
STEEL REINFORCED PADLOCK
“They’re designed to loop, so retail-
PROTECTORS
ers can start them and not have to reset 38 SIZES
them,” Brandon said. “And they’re only For more info, go to www.pelican.com/si
two or three minutes each, so the custom-
er isn’t going to get bored standing and
watching them in a retail environment.”
Customers can call DMT at 1-800-
666-4368. Brandon says DMT gets quite 23215 EARLY AVENUE, TORRANCE, CA 90505 • 866.838.9160 (TOLL FREE)
a number of calls from end users, and the 310.326.4700 • FAX 310.326.3311 • WWW.PELICAN.COM/SI
staff is always happy to walk them through 3067 All trademarks and logos displayed herein are registered and unregistered trademarks of Pelican Products, Inc. and others.

how to use the products. Circle No. 229 on Inquiry Card

Eze-Lap provides free instructional

Maximize Your Profits!

pamphlets, videos and DVDs.
“The retailer needs to ask for those
items when he places his order,” John-
SO COVER
sub 6/23/08
10:06 PM
Page 1

son said. “We also have a point-of-pur- WIN A CUSTOM RU

$4.95

OCULARS!
OUTSIDE U.S.

GER
$7.95

10x42MM BIN .44 MAGNUM!

Sell GUNS and
WIN A MINOX
R 2008 $5.95
SEPTEMBE

chase, test-pad display that’s a sharpen-

OUTSIDE US

FREE
RIGHTS
$9.50
SEPTEMBER

WATCH!
/OCTOBER
2008
®
pg. 80
60

ing stone with directions. The retailer

RUGER’S
can put it on the counter so it becomes a WINNER’S AMERICAN SR 9MM
EVOLUTIONARY

HANDGUNNER .3809LCP!
CHOICE!
silent salesperson.” WM
S&17 &P
-SHOT
Dealers and consumers can benefit 9MM
&

from Eze-Lap’s “Sharpen Your Skills” tips LRN

.22 GU
FUN GU
GREAT
HANDGUNS

in your store TODAY!

R THAT
RUGER R
on the company’s Web site, www.eze-lap. CHARGE EZ SHOO TIN’
EAA EZ9
9MM
WEREN’T

4
. 5
A
GLOCK
com. Click on “Tips.” ICS! Taffin
SUPERB OPT Tests: ACP
M38 P UÊ
,, //Ê
",-
.45
Ê
.45 GA 1903
ÊUÊ< --Ê 
,
 ,
ÊUÊ* , ‡"7Ê Ê-9 ?
So, along with your knife sales, don’t ÊUÊ-/," GAP
Blo wed-Up g Iron
Guns!
Shootin
Sho
otin g Iron::

forget the sharpeners. 9 For More Information GUNNY SAC

K:
• Blade-Tech
• CrossBree
Holster
d Gun Bag

Call 1-800-597-8065
• Benchmade
1911 HE&AVEN
ARDIAN zine.com
Defense Pen
EDGE GU ACP
maga
www.guns
STI S&W & .45 AC AMERIC ANHAN
DGUNN ER.COM

.40

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 23

 Lisa Parsons-Wraith

Custom Colored Guns And Accessories Hot Sellers

B lack polymer pistols and shiny, stain-

less steel revolvers were standard
equipment for serious shooters in recent
The color trend is great news for deal-
ers, because it means women are once
again in the market for new guns. Their
to women and I’ve had fairly good luck
selling the red- and pink-frame guns from
Charter.”
memory, but those classics are beginning trusty stainless steel revolver now looks a The Pink Lady is a variation on Char-
to take a backseat to more colorful fire- bit dull compared to some of the brightly ter Arms’ popular .38 Special Undercover
arms. Guns and accessories in non-tradi- colored new guns on the market. Since it’s Lite aluminum frame revolver. It is com-
tional colors and materials are a hot ticket tough to wear out a gun, fun and fashion pact with a 2" barrel and is ultra-light-
right now and no one is embracing them are great ways to get women to purchase weight at a mere 12 ounces. It sports fixed
more than women. new firearms, and colored guns and acces- sights, a traditional spurred hammer and a
Color is hot in the fashion world, which sories nicely fit that bill. three-point cylinder lock.
means women are accustomed to brightly Fred Ludington, owner of Ludco Gun In addition to being 100-percent Amer-
hued clothing, shoes, purses and personal Shop in Parker City, Ind., said the Pink ican made, the color choices are sure to
accessories. It’s only natural that women Lady from Charter Arms has been a very make it appealing to your customers.
would seek out color in their favorite successful gun in his store. Women can express their personal style
shooting pastime, and manufacturers are “Every time I order some, it doesn’t with the Pink Lady, The Undercover Lite
doing their best to provide shooters with take a whole lot of time to sell them out,” in red and, for those customers who like a
the products they crave. Ludington said. “I think the color appeals little bling, the Goldfinger version.

Colored guns like the Pink Lady and the Goldfinger from Charter Arms and the U22 Neos from Beretta are flying off dealers’ she
shelves.

Coordinating Colored Cases

Y our customers can carry their personalized look one step fur-
ther with a gun case from T.Z. Case that perfectly matches
Charter Arms’ Pink Lady revolver.
the store interested in self-defense, and the store’s female firearm
instructor makes women feel very comfortable.
“Self-defense brings them to us,” Fligge said. “But once they
Reed Berry, sales and marketing coordinator for T.Z. Case, take the class, the next thing we know, we have a very steady
said their pink alligator case and their zebra finish cases have
been very popular from the moment they were introduced. T.Z.
Case already manufactured colored beauty cases and, noting the
gun industry’s trend towards color, T.Z. Case had their factory
make a few samples of more feminine gun cases.
“People went nuts,” Berry said. “We sold out and the cases
were instantly on backorder.”
Sterling Fligge, manager of Guns Fishing & Other Stuff in
Vacaville, Calif., had the same experience with T.Z. cases.
“We can’t keep them in stock. Whenever we buy them, they
sell out instantly. They offer excellent value in a metal case.
They’re just a good item,” Fligge said.
Guns Fishing & Other Stuff includes a gun range and offers Unusually colored cases from T.Z. Case complement your customers’
beginning handgun classes. Fligge said a lot of women come to colored pistols.

24 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

Self-Defense For Students
A s millions of parents pack their chil-
dren off to college for the first time
this fall, security becomes a concern and
parents will turn to you for help. Now is the
time to advertise your best non-lethal secu-
rity items and stock up on pepper sprays,
personal alarms and flashlights. If you live
in a university town, check the rules and
regulations on the local campus so you can
make sure to stock items that are allowed.
Tigerlight Pepper Spray/Flashlight is an
all-in-one, non-lethal defense item that will
make any student feel safer walking across With Millett Precision Hunting Optics
campus at night. The Tigerlight T100 is
small enough to fit in a purse and features and Mounting System
a powerful K2 LED light with strobing ca- Millett windage adjustable scope mount systems are the most
pability for maximum disorientation. But significant improvement to the traditional Weaver-Style
the T100’s secret weapon is the half canis- mount in many years. All components are made of
ter of pepper spray that has been specially
heat treated nickel steel for rock
engineered to blast forcefully and quickly
out of the can. The pepper spray can be re- solid durability. When
placed after use. This is one of those handy compared to others, Turn-In
products that’s sure to be a hot seller. Millett scopes 3 - 12 X 44 AO Mounts
Also consider hosting a self-defense & scope mounts
class for students. It puts your store’s name can’t be beat!
out there in a positive light and will make
the kids going off to college a lot safer.
Contact Tigerlight at (435) 657-9529,
e-mail: mteig@tigerlight.net or visit www.
tigerlight.net. 9
Millett
New Generation
Side Focus
Scope Series

Angle-Loc
Mounts

www.tigerlight.net 4 - 16 X 56 Side Focus

Available in three reticles

customer who likes to shoot.” 1 (800) 645-5388

He noted that women are a growing 16131 Gothard Street • Huntington Beach, CA 92647
segment of the market and they are defi- (714) 842-5575 • FAX (714) 843-5707 • www.millettsights.com
nitely interested in colored guns.
Circle No. 227 on Inquiry Card
According to Fligge, one of the
store’s best-selling colored guns is the
Beretta Neos. ed on the barrel unit, so shooters don’t lose conceal them, but to have fun shooting at
“It has colored inserts and it’s a neat lit- zero when the barrel is changed. the range with a little color.
tle gun,” Fligge said. “It’s a nice product. The real selling point for your lady cus- Dealers across the country are noticing
They’ve done a good job with it.” tomers may be the colored rubber grip in- an increase in colored gun sales — with
Beretta’s U22 Neos .22LR caliber, sin- serts Beretta offers. Currently, there are six many saying that they can’t keep them in
gle-action pistol is a great starter gun, of- choices in grip color: blue, gray, red, black, stock. Women are responding to the trend
fering quality and craftsmanship. Part of black-gray and black-blue. The grips pro- and kids are also getting into colored guns.
its attraction to shooters is the easily inter- vide a nice splash of color to this great little The move towards color goes along nice-
changeable barrel and grip units. The 4" and .22 without being over the top. Other fea- ly with the industry’s efforts to promote
6" barrels sport an integral rail that accepts tures on the Neos include an ambidextrous shooting as a fun, wholesome sport. While
Weaver-style scope mounts, and includes a safety lever, chamber plug, cocked firing in the long run colored guns may turn out
fully adjustable target rear sight and remov- pin indicator and a cable lock. to be novelty items, at the moment they
able front sight. The system is ideal for be- Fligge said he thinks women like col- are hot, and stocking a few in your store
ginners because the sight system is mount- ored guns because the ladies’ goal is not to will turbo-charge your new gun sales.

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 25

 Commander Gilmore

They’re Coming November 4! Be Very Afraid!

Y
a notice how quiet it is on the Anti-Gun Front? There’s nology, new zoning laws, press conferences and Harry Reid and
hardly a hint of gun control, especially as we get closer Nancy Pelosi! Ahhhhhh!
to the November elections. But just wait. If the anti-gun Be afraid. They’re coming November 4. Be very afraid!
candidate of choice gets elected president (I wonder who that But VOTE!
would be?) the anti-gunners will unleash the Dogs of Vengeance.
Whoa! Kinda scary, huh? Well it is. Even this tidbit from our
police blotter archives will make headlines, with the anti-gun
movement running through the streets screaming for new
federal laws.
Harrisburg, Pa., police report the arrest of an 18-year-
old woman who committed an armed robbery of a conve-
nience store, threatening victims with an ice cream scoop.
Noooooo! Not that!
Even worse, Sister Sinister, it turns out, was free on bail,
awaiting trial for robbing a neighbor while armed with a putty
knife. Noooooo! Not that!
First, the anti-gun movement will write a 1,000-page report
documenting the dangers of ice cream scoops: no external safety,
no child-safe lock, no high-capacity limiter, etc. The report will
be filled with charts and graphs and interviews with “victims.”
Then there will be an investigation into who sold the woman
the scoop and why the “dealer” didn’t properly screen her to de-
tect any criminal intent.
And then, there’ll be Form 445648839, background checks,
fingerprinting and a demand for “smart” ice cream scoop tech-
Illustration by Nick Petrosino

Under The Hood tle of that funny-weed and simply thought like Border Patrol agents should just suck it
Next time stuff it in a pinata, moron! the wisps an’ clouds of steam were pretty. up and shrug off the occasional rock, chunk
Then tell the cops you’re going to a Cinco of cinder block, 16-ounce broken pop bottle
de Mayo party. Pelted By Paintballs or hurled bicycle sprocket. Yeah, right.
Sheriff’s deputies in Burleigh County, The paintball fad may be on the wane
N.D., were just bein’ helpful when they in civilian circles, but you might see them Who Loves Bungee Jumping?
stopped a car on Interstate 94 that had steam strapped on the hips of lots of federal A 30-year-old dude in Wellington, New
billowing out from under the hood. They agents in the future. The U.S. Border Patrol Zealand, whose name was not released by
simply wondered if the driver knew the en- recently released the news that the agency police, stood in line and paid his fee to
gine could seize if it cooked up hot enough. has purchased 1,000 paintball guns for its bungee-jump from a mountainside plat-
Once they got him stopped, 37-year-old field officers. They are intended for use in form into the Waikato River below. But
Johnny Lerma seemed nice enough, though situations where deadly force is prohibited when his turn came up, the bungee-jumpin’
a teensy bit too twitchy-nervous for the — like when agents are being pelted with staff refused to let him go because they felt
situation. Lerma got even more agitated rocks, dirt clods, feces and sundry novel- he had “enjoyed too many refreshing adult
when a deputy offered to take a look un- ties by rag-tag mobs of Mexican kids dan- beverages.” He argued with the staff, then
der the hood. The two law-dogs exchanged cin’ around on the “sanctuary” side of our apparently thinking he was hooked up and
suspicious glances, and one watched Lerma largely nonexistent border fence. ready to rock, he suddenly blundered past
while the other popped the bonnet. Bingo! The air-powered guns shoot both inert them and leaped. It was about 150 feet
Yup, that rascal had a big bag of mari- impact rounds and PAVA pepper irritant down to the river’s surface. There was no
juana stuffed up against — and blocking balls. The latter cause intense tearing and boiiiing, no sudden jerk and no bouncin’
— the air intake, which caused the engine a burning sensation in the eyes and nose, back up, just whap! right into the river. He
to overheat. He could have stopped when while the impact rounds will leave a nasty was unconscious when pulled outta the
the steam first appeared and solved the little welt and an indelible memory of the water and flown to Taupo Hospital.
problem himself in under a minute, but ei- moment. Of course, human rights activists However many drinks that dude had, it
ther (a) he was too dumb, scared or both to are already screaming that poppin’ people would take a lot more to get me to leap into
do it, or (b) perhaps he’d been puffin’ a lit- with plastic pellets is cruel and inhumane, orbit at the end of a rubber band. 9

26 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 O U C O V E RED
7EVE GO
TY

>> Forged A4 Upper Receiver

>> 6-Position
Tactical
CAR Stock
>> A2 Flash Hider, 1/2-28 Thread

>> 16” Chrome-Lined,

Chrome Moly R4 Barrel, 1:9 Twist >> R-4 Handguard with

1 MOA @ 100 Yards

Double Heat Shields >> Star Safety
Selector

>> Two Stage >> Hogue Rubber Grip

.%7 &/2

Match
Trigger

1.5 MOA @ 100 Yards

7 HETHER YOURE DEFENDING THE HOMELAND
the farm, your record at Camp Perry or anything
in between, 2OCK 2IVER !RMS has a rifle to get
the job done. You can even customize your firearm,
choosing from a wide selection of calibers, receivers,
stocks, handguards, barrels, triggers, grips, and
accessories. This combined with Rock River’s unsur-
passed quality make Rock River the ultimate choice
for durability, dependability, accuracy, and versatility.
.75 MOA @ 100 Yards
It’s not just another AR, it’s a Rock River LAR.

Scope not included

.75 MOA @ 100 Yards

Circle No. 231 on Inquiry Card

3HOP /NLINE AT 7772/#+2)6%2!2-3#/-

 #LEVELAND 2D s #OLONA ),  s   2/#+ 
 Honoring
17th Annual Awards
Pay Tribute To Innovation, Service

T
he Shooting Industry Academy of Powder Co. Sturm, Ruger was honored zines. However, no one at the publisher
Excellence presented its prestigious with two awards: the Manufacturer of is permitted to vote. The voting power is
2008 awards July 25 in Windsor, the Year and Handgun of the Year. Sure- held exclusively by the academy, which
Conn., with more than 150 industry leaders Fire also received two awards, and Ellett includes 500 industry executives, gun
attending the academy’s ceremony. Brothers was named Distributor of the dealers and outdoor writers. They vote
The academy honored 13 companies and Year for the second year in a row. twice for each award, first to consider all
one individual after considering 142 entries, Established in 1992, the academy is entries in the 14 categories and then to de-
and 43 nominees on the final ballot. sponsored by FMG Publications, publish- termine who will receive the awards.
The academy’s individual honor was er of Shooting Industry, GUNS, American Academy officials again used a more
presented to Bob Hodgdon, Hodgdon Handgunner and American COP maga- stringent screening process begun last
year to ensure products selected for the
final ballot were “in production.” Manu-
facturers whose products were selected
for possible placement on the final ballot
had 10 days to submit their products to the
Academy for validation.
“This additional step, along with our oth-
er strict requirements, ensures the integrity
of the awards,” said Randy Moldé, Acade-
my director. “It also means that just making
it to the final ballot is a significant achieve-
ment. All of this year’s nominees should be
proud of their accomplishments.”
In keeping with the academy’s tradi-
tion, the results of this year’s final vote
were kept secret. The awards presenta-
tion and reception were held in conjunc-
tion with the Sixth Annual Shooting In-
dustry Masters.
“We salute all the final nominees for
their innovation, service and dedication
to the industry. To be honored by your
peers, who are often rivals, is especially
meaningful,” said Russ Thurman, Shoot-
ing Industry’s editor, who joined Moldé in
presenting this year’s awards.

Honoring Excellence
Randy Moldé (right), Academy director, and Russ Thurman, Shooting Industry magazine Bob Hodgdon received the Shooting
editor, present the 2008 awards. Industry award: “For his 60 years at Hodg-

28 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

Excellence
Photos: Jim Armstrong

don Powder, providing propellants for

shooters and hunters. For helping build the
company into what it is today, a company
featuring 54 reliable, high-performance
muzzleloading and smokeless powder
products. For being a tireless defender of
the Second Amendment and being instru-
mental in starting the NRA Handloading
Endowment. For being an avid hunter, re-
loader and shooter.”
“This is such an honor,” Hodgdon said
in accepting the award. “I can’t think of
another honor I have received that has
anything like this behind it, as far as a
lifetime honor. I think it shows a little bit
of the American spirit, private enterprise
and capitalism — what a great country
we have.
“My dad (Bruce Hodgdon) started as a
simple gas service salesman selling appli-
ances and he took advantage of an oppor-
tunity he saw after World War II (to start
Hodgdon Powder). This is the same kind
of thing, I think, that has enlivened our
country today and it’s what has made our Bob Hodgdon was honored with the 2008 Shooting Industry Award. “I want to thank you folks
sincerely from the heart,” Hodgdon said, in accepting the award.
country great. I want to thank you folks
sincerely from the heart.”
Sturm, Ruger received the Manufac-
turer of the Year award: “For remaking the
company to better serve the firearms in-
dustry, including creating new firearm and
ammunition combinations that eclipse cur-
rent performance standards, such as Ruger
Compact Magnum rifles and the Ruger
SP101 .327 Federal Magnum revolver.
For the Voice of the Customer program
seeking input from consumers and result-
ing in the M77 Hawkeye rifles, Charger
pistol, the SR9 and the LCP. For enhanced
dealer offerings, including co-op advertis-
ing, special order programs and expanded
Web site content.”
“I’d like to thank all the employees of
Ruger who made this possible,” said Mi-
chael Fifer, Sturm, Ruger CEO. “These
are the men and women who work really Members of Sturm, Ruger show off the two awards the company received: Manufacturer of the
hard every day to try to make a change in Year and Handgun of the Year.

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 29

 Michael Fifer, Sturm, Ruger, accepts the Manufacturer of the Year and Hewitt Grant, Ellett Brothers, accepts the
Handgun of the Year awards. Distributor of the Year award.

the company, to try to bring it forward. endowment for youth education pro- in less than eight months. Bob Stutler did
When I was listening to the nomination, grams, support of 4-H programs in Iowa, that. If you like the gun, Bob’s responsible.
the one part that really jumped out at me the Progressive Farmer magazine’s youth Then Mark Lang, who stepped into some
was ‘Voice of the Customer,’ and we are shooting program, and the Iowa Pheasants enormous shoes after Bob retired, brought
trying very, very hard to listen to our cus- Forever’s Build a Habitat program. For its production up. Thank you very much on
tomers, to find out what they like and to first-of-a-kind gunsmith’s job fair. For its behalf of all the Ruger employees and
give it to them.” continued support of the NRA, including a we hope to surprise you with a few more
Ellett Brothers was honored with the NRA membership drive with 1,000 mem- goodies in the future.”
Distributor of the Year award: “For taking bers signed up in 2007.” Winchester received the Rifle of the
great pride in serving and Year award for the Model
supporting the indepen- 70 Reintroduction.
dent retailer for 75 years. “If you really believe it, “On behalf of all the
For its continuing work folks at Browning and
with manufacturers to de- you have to put your money where your heart is, Winchester, we’d like to
velop new and innovative thank the industry for the
products such as the newly
and that’s what we do.” award,” said Rocky Stew-
introduced Taurus Model Frank Brownell, Brownells CEO art, of Winchester.
327. For continued support Benelli USA was hon-
of industry organizations ored with the Shotgun of the
such as the NSSF, NRA, Congressional “My daddy always said that if you can, Year award for the Ultra Light 20 Gauge.
Sportsman Caucus and NASGW. For its you should help. And fortunately, because of Hornady was presented the Ammuni-
commitment to the growth and future of the a great crew we’ve got back in this tiny little tion of the Year award for the Hornady Ru-
shooting sports industry by working with town in Iowa, and customers worldwide and ger Compact Magnum Cartridge (RCM).
organizations such as the Boy Scouts of hopefully a lot of you folks, it has been a Steve Sanetti, NSSF president and former
America and local conservation groups.” successful enough business that we’ve been Ruger president, accepted the award on
“Thank you very much. I want to thank able to help in a lot of directions. If you re- behalf of Hornady.
FMG, the academy and most of all the ally believe it, you have to put your money “Steve (Hornady) wanted me to make
great employees I have back in South Car- where your heart is, and that’s what we do,” sure that all of you know how thankful he
olina, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Thanks to said Frank Brownell, CEO. is for this award,” Sanetti said. “He and a
all the suppliers who work with us to help Ruger’s LCP .380 was named Hand- lot of people at Hornady worked very hard
make our job easier,” said F. Hewitt Grant, gun of the Year. on it. I was present at the beginning of this
Ellett Brothers president and CEO. “This is quite a departure for Ruger,” project at Ruger, but the idea for the Ruger
Brownells received the Citizenship Fifer said. “We talked about it just about Compact Magnum rifles came from Steve
Award: “For its contributions to the NRA a year ago and it was brought to market Hornady and the Hornady engineers. On

30 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

Frank Brownell, Brownells, thanks the academy Rocky Stewart, Winchester, accepts the Rifle Lane Tobiassen, Crimson Trace, accepts the
for the Citizenship of the Year award. of the Year Award. High Tech Product of the Year award.

behalf of the Hornady manufacturing Year award for the X300 WeaponLight. our nation,” said Sean Clemence, SureFire
company, thank you very much.” “Wow, I’m stunned. This means a lot senior brand manager.
Leupold’s Prismatic Shotgun/Muzzle- to me and to SureFire. We do a lot for Crimson Trace’s Model LG660 Laser-
loader/Rifle Scope was honored as the the armed forces and we love to hear the grips was named the High-Tech Product
Optic of the Year. feedback from the men and women on the of the Year.
SureFire received the Accessory of the front lines doing all the things they do for “There are four groups I need to thank,”

Mike Noell, BLACKHAWK!, thanks the academy Sean Clemence, SureFire, accepts the Accessory of the Year and Specialty
for the Safety Product of the Year award. Product of the Year awards.

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 31

 Lone Wolf Knives
makes cutting anything
“Look Good!”

Paul Executive
with Cocobolo
Handle LM23410
Paul® Executive, 2.5
inch blade, Patented
Paul lock system
locks blade open and
closed, marble
Cocobolo handles,
1.6 oz. LM23410.
Smith & Wesson.
Also available with 3-D Manufacturer of the Year — BLACK-
Carbon Fiber handles HAWK! and Smith & Wesson.
LM23415. Distributor of the Year — AcuSport
and RSR Group.
Citizenship Award — Ellett Brothers
and Hodgdon Powder Co.
Handgun of the Year — Smith & Wes-
son: Model 327 Night Guard Revolver
.357 Magnum and Taurus International:
The Judge .45Colt/.410 Magnum.
Rifle of the Year — Browning: X-Bolt
Rifle and Sig Sauer: Sig 556 SWAT.
said Lane Tobiassen, Crimson Trace mar- Shotgun of the Year — Browning:
keting director. “One is FMG for putting Citori 625 Over/Under, Remington Arms:
on the event. Second are our firearm part- Model 870 SPS ShurShot Synthetic Tur-
ners. We make a product that only goes on key and Smith & Wesson: Elite Silver
Diablo-DA their product so in this case, to Smith & Over/Under.
Micarta® Wesson for making a great product that Ammunition of the Year — Federal
LD23153 we can make a great laser for. Thirdly, I’d Premium: Black Cloud FS Steel Shotshell
like to thank everybody at Crimson Trace. and Winchester Ammunition: E-Tip Lead-
Scale release Those people get up every day and try Free Bullet.
automatic or manual to design and build the best product they Optic of the Year — Aimpoint: Mi-
one-handed-opening. possibly can. Then, lastly, our veterans. cro Series Red-Dot Sights and Trijicon:
3.3 inch CPM-S30V They’re doing the job every day; we hope AccuPoint 3-9x40 Riflescope, Mil-Dot
blade, locking-liner, they use our product and it helps them.” Crosshair with Amber Dot.
green/black layered
Leatherman received the Knife of the Accessory of the Year — Brownells:
Year award for the Skeletool Multi-Tool. Professional Magna Tip Tool Set and
Micarta®, 4.1 oz
SureFire’s E1B Backup Flashlight RCBS: RASS Portable Shooting Bench.
LD23153.
was honored as the Specialty Product of High-Tech Product of the Year —
the Year. Hodgdon Powder: Reloading Data Center
Also available in
BLACKHAWK! received the Safety Web Site and Leupold: RX-IV Boone &
one-handed-opening’
Product of the Year award for the Hawk- Crockett Edition Digital Rangefinder.
Non-automatic version hook Rescue Tool. Knife of the Year — Benchmade:
LC23156. “Thank you very much,” said Mike 950 SBK Rift Folding Knife and Sure-
Noell, BLACKHAWK! president and Fire: EW08 LEO Law Enforcement
CEO. “The two people who need to be Utility Knife.
up here are Eric Yates and Mike Janich, Specialty Product of the Year — Birch-
who designed the product, developed the wood Casey: Dirty Bird Multi-Color Splat-
product, manufactured the product and tering Targets and Leupold: MX Modular
market the product. So, to them, thank Flashlight System.
you very much.” Safety Product of the Year — SureFire:
EP400 SWAT Ears Hearing Protection and
9373 SW Barber Street, Ste A. Final Nominees Waffentechnik Borkott & Eickhorn SARD
The other final nominees for the 2008 (Search and Rescue Device).
Wilsonville, OR 97070 awards were: For more information on the Academy,
Dealer Locator At Shooting Industry Award — F. Hewitt visit www.shootingindustry.com. 9
Grant, Ellett Brothers and Tom Taylor,
www.lonewolfknives.com
Circle No. 223 on Inquiry Card

32 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

Circle No. 234 on Inquiry Card
John Morrison

ENERGIZE!
ENERGIZE!
Pros Share Their High-Tech Sales Techniques

F
irearms dealers tend to be me- of circuitry and wireless signals. But points and margins makes it clear those
chanically minded rather than having an aversion to anything that microchips and XMIT buttons can really
electronically oriented, and contains a microchip and an XMIT bring in the bucks — if you know how to
that’s not a bad thing. button can cut you out of a potential display and sell them.
Having a knack for explaining the pile of profits. Shooting Industry consulted a couple
difference between a trigger-block- Technology — particularly in elec- of pros and got the message that you don’t
ing safety and a hammer-blocking tronic form — is rapidly increasing its have to be an expert to cash in on high
safety, for example, has more value presence in law enforcement, hunting and tech. Starting small and keeping it simple
to your core business than knowledge outdoor sports. A quick survey of price- are the keys.

Robbie Barrkman

This M&P Model 327 TRR8 is outfitted with Aimpoint’s T-1 Red Dot sight, Crimson Trace’s Lasergrips and SureFire’s X300 Weaponlight.

34 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

Simple Tech, Simple Sales
S I first met Bob Perry of Shooting
Sports Pro Shops in Saint Augus-
tine, Fla., while researching sales of la-
ser sights. Perry was having difficulty
selling internal guide rod laser sights by
LaserMax, though he trusted and used
them himself. He found that when it’s in
the pistol, it’s not visible, and custom-
ers expressed negative feelings about a
product they couldn’t see working.
Then LaserMax produced an X-ray
photo of their product in a pistol, clearly
showing its position and function. Perry
obtained the digital image and had it
made into posters and into a weather-
proof banner for use at gun shows. The
X-ray attracted buyers’ attention and
made it easy for Perry and his staff to The size of a fat cell phone, SPOT is a multi-function high-tech device that’s a hot seller!
explain. He identified four key features
and benefits to highlight, and then four
simple “talking points” to cover with po-
tential buyers. Sales soared.
Perry is now applying the same prin-
ciples to two other tech products: SPOT
Satellite Messenger and the SteriPEN
UV (Ultra-Violet) water purifier.
If you’re going to successfully sell
tech products, Perry says, you need a
structured approach.
“You have to grab the customer’s at-
tention, focus his interest without con-
fusing him, and deliver an enthusiastic
demonstration,” Perry said.
SPOT Satellite Messenger is a palm-
sized device that pinpoints your location
like a GPS, then transmits it to multiple
parties, and even downloads waypoints
along your route to Google Maps. Ad-
ditionally, SPOT allows users to send
This X-ray image of a LaserMax internal laser sight prompted dealer Bob Perry to develop a
messages via satellite to tell friends or structured and enthusiastic approach to selling tech products.
family their exact location and “I’m
okay,” “I need help,” or “Alert 911.” The
customer purchases the unit, activates
it online, and selects levels of services
for a contracted period, similar to cell-
phone service.
Perry calls this product “invaluable”
to hunters, hikers, boaters, campers or
just people who travel a lot.
“Being able to tell your family ex-
actly where you are and that you’re okay
provides tremendous peace of mind,”
Perry said.
Perry has a distinct sale strategy
for SPOT.
“First, I place the display where ev-
ery incoming customer can see it. Sec-
ond, although SPOT displays are eye-
catching and colorful, I print out copies
of the global coverage map and a sample
tracking map with several waypoints Partners George Cavenas (left) and Bob Perry use a “structured approach” to selling
flagged. For my own display, I high- high-tech products.

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 35

light four selling points, like ‘Easier to use line, and fourth, the levels of services you “Right away,” Perry said, “the SteriP-
than GPS!’ ‘Works where there’s no cell- can purchase,” Perry said. EN and the half-full Nalgene bottle stim-
phone service!’ ‘Pinpoint your position Perry says the SPOT user’s manual is ulate curiosity. Customers wonder what
anywhere, anytime!’ and ‘Send ‘I’m right simply written and is an excellent reference. it’s about.”
here and I’m okay’ messages to friends Visit www.findmespot.com for more in- Perry calls the SteriPEN “a huge break-
and family!’” formation. through in water purification.” He finds
Perry also has four talking points he that it appeals to the same broad consumer
goes over with customers. A Sure Sale base SPOT does, plus it appeals to people
“First, go over the four function but- Perry employs the same strategy for who store water for emergencies.
tons — on/off, check okay, non-emergen- selling SteriPEN, a compact, lightweight It’s important to place tech items like
cy help needed, and emergency 911. Sec- water purifier that uses ultraviolet radia- this where they’ll get immediate attention,
ond, battery replacement and conserving tion. He places a SteriPEN on the counter according to Perry.
power; third, how to activate SPOT on- with a Nalgene water bottle. “Customers can have the demo in their
hands while reading the packaging. SteriP-
EN not only has eye-catching packaging,
but they’ve already highlighted four mar-
keting points right on the front — ‘Fast,
Light, Easy and Effective’ — with a short
statement explaining each one. Then, the
back of the package covers literally every-
thing you and the customer need to know
about the product,” Perry said.
All that’s left for Perry to do is a demon-
stration. Press one button, and 48 seconds
later, you have 16 ounces of purified water.
Perry calls it “easy” — and a sure sale!
Perry says the best thing about tech
items is, they don’t compete with other
products you stock.
“If someone comes in to buy a firearm
or ammunition, they won’t buy a tech
product instead; they’ll just add something
like SPOT or SteriPEN to their purchase,”
Perry said.
New this summer, the SteriPEN Protector has passed several military test protocols and may Visit www.steripen.com for more
soon become “issue gear” for U.S. troops. information.

No Tech Too Complex To Sell!

W hile SPOT and SteriPEN are ex-
cellent examples of high-tech
products that are simple and low cost,
dealer makes his profit, and time and mon-
ey is saved all around. It’s that simple,”
Roe said.
night-vision devices (NVDs) can be Dealers can easily get lost in the details
extraordinarily complicated and have of NVDs, Roe said, but some aspects can
prices ranging up to several thousand be simplified.
dollars. Despite this, many skilled us- “For example, the differences between
ers of NVDs understand very little of the generations (Gen-1 through Gen-4) can
electronics and physics involved. seem very complex,” Roe said. “Just think
According to Steve Roe, owner of of them in terms of range — how far you
Optics Plus in Fort Dodge, Iowa, therein can see effectively in the dark. Gen-1 gear
lies a message for dealers: You don’t have usually goes out to 50 yards, and so on,
to know all the science and theory to sell with Gen-4 giving you the greatest clarity
them successfully. at the longest distance.”
Roe is also one of the biggest dis- A basic education can be gained online.
tributors of ATN — American Technolo- Visit Roe’s Web site at www.opticsplus.
gies Network — night-vision devices. net and click on “Learn More About Night
He says you don’t have to carry a lot of Vision.” ATN’s Web site at www.atncorp.
expensive stock. com is also a good resource for terminol-
“Most of the smaller retail dealers I ogy and other valuable information.
supply keep only a few selected models
on display. I help them identify the right Bushnell’s ONIX 350 GPS, with a 3.5" color LCD
product to meet the customer’s needs, and screen, has the ability to download high-resolu-
often drop-ship direct to the buyer. The tion digital satellite photography and topo maps.

36 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

Trijicon’s TriPower red chevron-shaped reticle
features three lighting sources: Fiber Optic
System, Tritium Phosphor-Lamp and On-Call
Battery Backup system.

Roe also points out that you may al-

ready have a night-vision enthusiast or
two on staff, and these people can be eas-
ily developed as your go-to resources.
“Another advantage you have is that
many night-vision customers already
know exactly what they want,” Roe said.
“You only have to let your customers
know you deal in night-vision gear, per-
haps help them with final selection, and
take their orders.”
For customers who don’t know what
they want, Roe advises engaging in a fact-
finding mission.
“Ask what their primary use and oc-
casional demands will be — like watch-
ing deer in their backyard at night. Or do
they want to be able to count points on a
buck’s rack at 200 yards? Shoot predators
or varmints at 300? Ride an ATV on rough
trails in darkness? Home defense? Their
answers will not only tell you what gen-
eration (range) they need, but what type
of device — goggles, monoculars or bin-

Circle No. 206 on Inquiry Card

LOOKI NG TO TH E FUTURE!

• Increase Your Handgun Profits

• Cash In On The Cowboy Market
• Bowhunting For Gun Dealers
GSM’s Sniper Trail Camera, with built-in 2"
color LCD viewer, shoots one to nine pictures BONUS: Law Enforcement Sales
or five- to 90-second video segments in
Burst Mode.

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 37

 HIGH-TECH MARKET

ADCO Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

AimSHOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
Aimpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
American Technologies Network .244
AOSafety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Beamshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
Brunton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
BSA Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Burris Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Bushnell Performance Optics . . .250
CamTrakker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
ATN’s Nightstorm-1 Yellow is a very
popular and rugged waterproof night-vision Carl Zeiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
monocular listing for $279, making it a Carson Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
perfect “entry-level” night-vision device. C-More Systems . . . . . . . . . . . .254
Crimson Trace Inc . . . . . . . . . . .255
oculars, scopes or multipurpose systems,” DeerCam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256
Roe said. Eagle Electronics . . . . . . . . . . .257
Roe recommends stocking ATN’s Vi-
Flash Target . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258
per NV goggles, with a $299 MSRP; the
Garmin International . . . . . . . . .259
Aries 390 Paladin 4-power riflescope
Gilmore Sports Concepts . . . . . .260
and 450mw infrared illuminator at $799
MSRP; and the Gen-3 Mars4x-3, a power- GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
ful 4X scope listing for $3,695. Horus Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
“Remember,” Roe said, “typical mar- Howard Leight by Sperian . . . . .263
gins on night-vision products are 20 to 25 Hunter’s Specialties . . . . . . . . .264
percent and the market is booming!” Insight Technology . . . . . . . . . .265
Roe advises dealers to get a basic edu- ITT Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266
cation on night vision, appoint a go-to ex- Kenwood Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267
pert on your staff; choose a distributor or Laser Devices Inc . . . . . . . . . . . .268
maker whom you can contact directly for LaserLyte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269
expertise and advice; and to stock selec- LaserMax Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
tively without breaking your budget. Leica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .271
The same principles Perry and Roe Leupold & Stevens . . . . . . . . . .272
talked about can be applied to sales of a Lowrance Electronics . . . . . . . . .273
multitude of high-tech items, from wire-
Magellan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274
less-controlled trail cameras to frequency-
Meprolight Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275
hopping two-way radios. Selling “tech”
doesn’t have to be tough! 9 Michaels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276
Midland Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Millett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278
Motorola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
Night Owl Optics . . . . . . . . . . . .280
Nikon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
North Safety Products . . . . . . . .282
Pelican . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Pro-Ears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Silencio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285
Silver Creek Industries . . . . . . . .286
Smith Abrasives . . . . . . . . . . . .287
Sonic Technology Products . . . . .288
SPOT Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
Stealth Cam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290
Streamlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
SteriPen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292
SureFire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Swarovski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294
Taser International . . . . . . . . . .295
Trail Sense Engineering . . . . . . .296
High-tech developments like the frequency- Trijicon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297
hopping eXRS two-way radios from TriSquare
TriSquare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298
Communications attract buyers.
Circle No. 209 on Inquiry Card Walker’s Game Ear . . . . . . . . . . .299

38 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 MODEL 870™ TAC-2
w/Knoxx ® SpecOps™ Stock THE REMINGTON TACTICAL FIREARMS LINEUP.
Dependability. Accuracy. Technology. Just a few of the attributes that make
Remington the top choice of those whose lives may someday depend on
their firearms. Now, the confidence that comes with shouldering the best can
be yours as well. The models shown here are just the tip of the iceberg.
Remington offers a wide selection of tactical firearms ready for any situation
– and ready for you to check out. See the entire Remington Tactical lineup
and download a brochure today at www.remington.com/Tactical

MODEL 700™ XCR TACTICAL LONG RANGE RIFLE

MODEL 1100™ TAC-2 w/SpeedFeed ® IV Stock

MODEL 7615™ TACTICAL RIFLE w/Knoxx ® SpecOps™ Stock

©2008 REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, INC.

www. rem ing ton. com /Tactical

Circle No. 230 on Inquiry Card

Circle No. 203 on Inquiry Card
Story & Photos: Pat Covert

CUTTING
EDGE!
Innovation, Diversification Drive Knife Market

T
he annual Blade Show in At- velope-pushing design and locking mech- als. For instance, we’re using what we

T lanta, held this year in May, is

a prime barometer of how the
cutlery industry is doing financially and
where it’s going trend-wise. The two key
anisms. Many consumers see their knife as
more than a utility or self-defense tool —
they see it as a conversation piece.
Joyce Laituri, marketing director for
call ‘peel-ply’ carbon fiber for handles,
where we use the textured backside of
the material as the handle surface, which
offers a better grip. We’re also using new
words heard frequently at the show were Spyderco, says new and exotic materials steel called H-1 that displaces carbon
“innovation” and “diversification.” are hot right now. with nitrogen — this way it never rusts,”
Innovation comes in many forms, from “Spyderco has been working with Laituri said.
hot new steels and machining tricks to en- some new blade and handle materi- Jeff Goddard, director of sales and

Benchmade marketing director Rob Morrison (front, right) says the company is offering 3-D machining on its handles and other “tricks” to
appeal to consumers.

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 41

marketing for Kershaw Knives, says inno- Goddard said. the knife. That’s the kind of thing knife
vative opening mechanisms and locking At Benchmade, the company is meet- buyers like to see,” Morrison said.
designs have boosted sales. ing the needs of the consumer, according SOG President and Founder Spencer
“Our most innovative models aren’t for to marketing director Rob Morrison. Frazer sees innovation as key to his com-
everyone, but they help keep our name in “We’re offering some new tricks on pany’s growth.
lights. Our Ferraris, or limited-production our handles like 3-D machining, like in “We’ve introduced more and more
knives, do that, but often the technology our new Rift model, which not only looks high-tech knives by looking at things from
filters down to our lower-priced knives,” awesome, but really improves the grip on a different angle,” Frazer said. “We’re un-
conventional, we try to always push the
envelope in terms of materials and mecha-
nisms, and that has allowed us to expand
our company.”
At Columbia River Knife & Tool
(CRKT), “Innovation is what is driving
knife sales,” said Doug Flagg, vice president
of sales and marketing at CRKT. “We’ve in-
troduced new opening mechanisms on sev-
eral of our knives and they’re selling like
crazy. Customers walk into stores and they
want to know what’s new and different.”
Companies are using innovative de-
signs to create interest and, in turn, sell
other models in the line. Retailers can du-
plicate this successful marketing approach
by offering some exotic knife designs to
elicit customer’s interest.

Variety Creates Spark

Diversification is a great way to broad-
Custom knifemaker Bob Dozier (left) welcomes a pair of future sportsmen to his booth. en your customer base in a competitive

Tacticals Still Drive The Market

T he tactical knife category, particu-
larly folders, continues to grow. This
segment of the market has become vast-
there was a big, gaping hole in the industry (Masters of Defense) line.
and somebody needed to come in and fill
it. That’s where we came in.”
“We have pared the MOD line down
to the best sellers, and we’ve taken those
ly more broad-based in recent years and The tactical market is strong and will knives and reengineered them to make
this is where most of the innovations and continue to be strong, says Gary Fadden, them even better with more functional
technology are focused. Industry regulars president of Al Mar Knives. designs and upgrades in steel on some of
have often wondered whether the tactical “We’re selling higher-grade pocket- the models. In the process, we have made
bubble would eventually burst. knives, both everyday users and tacticals. them more user-friendly and affordable.
“The tactical bubble hasn’t burst and We’re bringing back our Al Mar Classic se- The knives are now sleeker and more ef-
isn’t going to because it appeals to a young- ries in some of the old traditional handle ma- ficient overall,” said Michael Janich, cat-
er crowd,” said Ernie Emerson, president terials and our customers really like it. They egory manager.
and founder of Emerson Knives. “Every can have a tactical
year there is a new generation of consumers knife that doesn’t
who become old enough to buy knives. The look like an M-16
tactical trend is not over; in fact it’s prob- rifle,” Fadden said.
ably only a quarter of what it could be.” The typical Al
Jared West, the 27-year-old founder of Mar customer is a
Mantis Knives, a hot new company based little older with more
out of California, saw the opportunity in disposable income,
selling to younger knife consumers. according to Fadden.
“We wanted to appeal to the younger “I like to think
generation with Mantis Knives, not only that we’re not the
with the aesthetics of our knives, but also first knife a cus-
with the price-point,” West said. “Our tomer buys, but the
knives are definitely not your grandfather’s last,” Fadden said.
knife. What we saw in the market was BLACKHAWK!
knives that were very unique in the materi- is in the midst of a
als being used, but the look of the knives progressive make- Gary Fadden (center), president of Al Mar Knives, says consumers
was not necessarily unique. It seemed like over of the MOD “can have a tactical knife that doesn’t look like an M-16 rifle.”

42 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 THE RUGER VAQUERO LAST COWBOY .44
ONE OF 150
An Old Style Ruger Blue Vaquero Single Action revolver in .44
magnum with Last Cowboy embellishments. Limited to 143 guns,
66 ea. Model BNV475 (51/2 inch) and 77 ea. Model BNV474 (45/8 inch)
These revolvers are the last of the Ruger’s old style Vaquero to
leave the factory and are the fourth in TALO’s Last Cowboy series.
Due to the design of the new Vaquero frame, the .44 magnum caliber
Vaquero is unlikely ever to be built again by Ruger.
The LC.44 features a double 24kt gold cylinder band, the Last
Cowboy logo on the back-strap in gold and the LC .44 brand
on the left rosewood grip panel. The number of the
edition is marked on the bottom of each frame
in gold. Each gun has a limited edition
Last Cowboy label and insert.

EXCLUSIVE
Circle No. 239 on Inquiry Card

See all the latest TALO Special Editions and Authorized Distributors online at www.taloinc.com or call (508) 872-9242
market and tight economic times. to their lineup. multi-tools,” said Doug Flagg of CRKT.
Tim Wegner, founder of Blade-Tech “We’re selling a lot of our carry-around “The Guppie model has been a huge win-
Industries, has diversified the company’s sharpening tools, our little quick fixes — ner. It appeals not only to men, but women
lineup with new variations on older, time- ceramic and folding sharpeners — for like it, too. It’s a lot broader of a market
proven models and by introducing a low- maintaining an edge on the go. These are than your basic knife, and it’s done so well
er-end line. great field maintenance tools,” said Bob that we’ve come out with a scaled-down
“We just came out with a new line of Kufahl, marketing director. version, the Li’l Guppie.”
Magnum Pro-Hunters and they are selling Lansky has also launched a new line of Ryan Wilson, founder of Wilson Tacti-
extremely well. They have a thicker blade affordable multi-tools, pocketknives and cal, offers similar comments.
steel than our standard line and only add a the like. The company originally aimed “Right now we’re selling a lot of our
weight gain of a half an ounce,” Wegner these products at the hardware market, but tools — the Cop Tool, Fireman Tool and
said. “We have also introduced a new low- it’s seen a lot of crossover interest in the SRT Special Response Tool. This end of the
er-price line of our Ganyana and Mouse cutlery market. market has really taken off,” Wilson said.
models in AUS-8 steel, and the retail is in The tool segment of the cutlery market Benchmade Knives has formed a new
the $25 range. We are trying to diversify continues to be a hot ticket. Multi-tools company named Houdini that has released
everything we’re doing so we can cover and purpose-based knives appear to be the first two of what could be many rescue
all the bases.” an ever-expanding category that brings in tools. This is a segment of the market re-
Lansky Sharpeners has increased sales new customers and sales. tailers really need to watch.
by introducing more portable sharpeners “Right now we’re selling a ton of our
Traditional Stays Solid
Although tactical knives have gar-
nered much of the headlines in recent
years, there is still a huge and viable
market in sporting knives and traditional
pocketknives. One good snapshot of knife
sales at the annual Blade Show is watch-
ing the traffic at custom knife-maker Bob
Dozier’s booth. Dozier sells a broad range
of sporting and tactical knives, but some
of his most ardent fans are hunters.
“We had our biggest year last year (at
the show) and beat it this year! Business
has been excellent and we’re selling tacti-
cal and hunting knives equally as well. We
make mostly hard-use, working knives. It
seems this is what most people want in our
line,” Dozier said.
Traditional pocketknives continue to
maintain their comfortable corner of the
cutlery market.
Buck Knives, with its 100 years of
Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) has seen great success with the introduction of new experience, continues to build on its fam-
opening mechanisms on several of their knives.
ily’s tradition of providing knives that are
used every day by consumers. Buck has
released new offerings in its Hunting, Out-
door, Everyday and Tactical lines, includ-
ing the Gen-5 Skinner, The Redpoint and
X-Tract tool.
At Hallmark Cutlery, Jessica Hall, vice
president, says, “We still see a whole lot of
interest in the traditional patterns. These
are just good, useful knives that people
like to carry.”
Kissing Crane is Hallmark Cutlery’s
flagship line. Hall says it’s a traditional
German brand, but Hallmark has li-
censed the name and has made it more
affordable. Stag models run in the $50
to $60 retail range. Hallmark also has
bone and synthetic handle knives that
are much less expensive, which are be-
ing produced offshore to make prices
more affordable.
Innovation is the word for two of Kershaw Knives’ latest creations, featuring composite blades The 2008 Blade Show made clear
and 3-D machining. the cutlery market is thriving. The broad

www.shootingindustry.com
44 SEPTEMBER 2008 SEPTEMBER 2008 44
www.shootingindustry.com
range of offerings allows the retailer more
opportunity than ever to tailor cutlery to Firearms Business Insurance
their customer base. 9 7HOLESALERS  $ISTRIBUTORS s 2ETAIL 3ALES s -ANUFACTURERS  )MPORTERS
!MMUNITION  "ULLET -ANUFACTURERS s )NDOOR  /UTDOOR 2ANGES
4RAP 3KEET  3PORTING #LAY &IELDS s 'UNSMITHS s &IREARMS )NSTRUCTORS
KNIFE MARKET 0ROVIDING 1UALITY )NSURANCE 0RODUCTS TO
THE &IREARMS )NDUSTRY FOR /VER  9EARS
A.G. Russell Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Al Mar Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Atlanta Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Bear & Son Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 #OVERAGE !VAILABLE IN !LL  3TATES
Benchmade Knife Co. . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Beretta Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
BLACKHAWK! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Blade-Tech Industries . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308
Buck Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Chris Reeve Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Coast Cutlery Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Cold Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 Endorsed By
Colt Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Columbia River Knife & Tool . . . . . . 314
Combat Elite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Diamond Machining Tech. . . . . . . . . 316 INFO JCINSCOCOM s WWWGUNINSURANCECOM s 
Edgecraft Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Elishewitz Custom Creations . . . . . . 318 Circle No. 220 on Inquiry Card
Emerson Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
EZE-LAP Diamond Products . . . . . . . 320
Frost Cutlery Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321

5IF#JO˜U2SFUUZ
Gerber Legendary Blades . . . . . . . . 322
Glock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
NT
$VU5IF#MXBZT2FSGPS
Great American Tool Co. . . . . . . . . . 324
GT Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 1PL]9PbT^:LNS
TYPAZZW
Gutmann Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 6LXU`^_L^ZW
Hallmark Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 LNZ`Y_]d_SL_
OTP]bSZ©YO^S
SPSPW[POWTMP]
TX^PWQSPW[TYR
]PM`TWO
Heckler & Koch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 ALVP_SPbZ]OZ
QL^ZWOTP]QZ
L_PLNZ`[WPdP
L]^LRZ
L]ZcVXVhZd[cZlAZl^h
Z`]NL`^PT^L ]_SL_T^LWW6
KA-BAR Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 ZYPbZ]_S©RS_T
YZMWPZYPASP
]PL^ZYbPL]PS
LX _SL_
BVX]^cZIddaBGEg^ÓZhVgg^kZh
P]PT^
Katz Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 YRQZ]
dcWVhZ^c6[\]Vc^hiVcdg>gVf
Vcdg gVf!!
Kershaw Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 9Z_^LYOWZ_^Z
L]]TaPOTY3PM]
QTY^`]RPY_^VT
WWPOTY_SP]P^ dc"\gdjcYdeZgVidgh\gVWdcZ!
Kimber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332 ASPdMWL^_`^b
`L]d2aP]dOLd
T^LYL^_dR`Y
TYNPbP
ML__WP ]Vc\^i[gdbVXdVi]Vc\ZgVcY
T_SRTLY_MZXM^
KutMaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 XZ]_L]^LYO^XL
WWL]X^DPMWL
TY _SP]ZLO^YT[
P]^ l^i]VW^id[hegVneV^ci!bV`Z^i
^__SPXbT_S_L
Leatherman Tool Group . . . . . . . . . . 334 L__LNVSPWTNZ[_
_SLY_SPT]^L
P]^L]_TWWP]d
Z`]^YT[P]^X
YV^
Wdi]hjWYjZYl^i]XVbdjÓV\Z
Lightfoot Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 NL]]d2aP]dOL
YOPaP]dbPL[ZY
d6YN]POTMWd
_SL_LYTYQLY_
`NSMP__P]
]dXLYNLY VcYWdaYl^i]eZghdcVaZmegZhh^dc#
Lone Wolf Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336 _SPYPb^DPL_
_LNV^Z`_SP]P
6]L]PWd^PP?L
TY_SPbP^_L^
XLOTTY
L]ZclZVh`ZYkVg^djhdeZgVidgh
@SPLTY¤_[]P__
Masters of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 SL^$XTWWTZY[
dM`_^SPLWbL
d^[P]QZ]X^FP
/LRSOLO
[dgVXg^i^fjZd[i]Z^gABIg^ÓZ!
PZ[WPbPSLaP _/LRSOLO
McHenry Knife Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 NL[T_LLW.YML
][]ZaTYNPT^_
U`^_XTWWTZ
Y=P] eZg]Vehi]ZbdhiVhijiZlVh!
Meyerco USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 6]L\Md^PaP]LW
Z]OP]^ZQXLRY
SPXZ^_aTZWPY_
[WLNPTY
ÆH]ZV^cÉi

YZLNNTOPY__SL T_`OP6^`[[Z^ egZiin!Wjih]Z
MicroTech Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 TY .Q_P]
__SP:L]TYP^b
OLd^ZQYZ]
P]PL^^TRYPO_S
PT_bL^
T^L]PL ValVnheZg[dgbh#Ç
Moteng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 LXM`^STYbSTNS P^_LYO^`]aTaT
LQ]TPYObL^N YRLXLUZ]
R`L]OO`_dTY_ ]T[[WPO6bL^
Outdoor Edge Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . 342 SPXTOOWPZQ_S [WLNPOZY

Randall Made Knives . . . . . . . . . . . 343

]TªP
ÆAJ8>AA:Ç PYTRS_bT_SLY
9:A:?=

Remington Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 @TYNP]PWd

@R_1ZYLWO7
Savage Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 @ZMNSPNV (%.#,-,#,&*& ™ A:L>HB68=>C:#C:I
A :
:I

Sig Sauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346

Circle No. 222 on Inquiry Card
Smith & Wesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Smith Abrasives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
SOG Specialty Knives . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Springfield Armory . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Spyderco Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351
Strider Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Sturm, Ruger & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 LOOKING TO THE FUTURE!
Swiss Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Taylor Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 • Safety & Storage Sales
TigerSharp Technologies . . . . . . . . . 356 - Eye & Ear Protection - Safes
Tighe Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Timberline Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358 - Gun Locks - Security
W.R. Case & Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 • Target Varmint Hunting
William Henry Knives Cutlery . . . . . 360
BONUS: Airguns & Paintball Profits
Wilson Tactical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 45

Circle No. 236 on Inquiry Card
THIS
DOG
Carolee Anita
Carolee

Got
Anita Boyles

Got Hunters?
Boyles

Hunters? Then
Then You
You Have
Have Dog
Dog Product
WILL

Product Customers.
Customers.
SELL!
here’s profit in dog products. The ucts can provide year-round, repeat profits. makes Remington dog products. In his ex-

T big-box stores already know this —

Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Dicks,
Sportsman’s Warehouse and other big
“We carry dog products because so
many of our customers duck-and-goose
hunt and need products for training their
perience, most hunters — even those who
don’t hunt their dog — own a dog.
“In the data we’ve collected, more than
chains make a bundle on this segment of dogs,” said George Lacknett, hunting 80 percent of hunters have dogs, whether
the market. supervisor at Buckeye Outdoors in He- they hunt them or not,” Muniz said. “Most
Independent retailers can do the same; bron, Ohio. “They spoil their dogs, too.” of those dog owners don’t want the av-
however, they have largely ignored the cat- Mike Muniz is the licensed account erage collar that everyone else has; they
egory. It’s unfortunate because dog prod- manager for Coastal Pet Products, which want camo collars or safety orange col-

Many gun store customers are in the market for dog products, such as SportDOG’s 400 FieldTrainer, featured on this “hunter.”

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 47

 lars. Even if a dog doesn’t hunt, they won’t move well for them,” Lacknett
we’ve found that the hunter said. “It just depends what your hunters
would prefer to outfit his dog are doing.”
that way.” For instance, Lacknett, who is in duck
The bottom line? If you’re country, doesn’t carry products for other
not carrying dog products, kinds of hunting dogs.
you’re missing out on sales “We carry some scents — duck, quail
from many customers who are and pheasant — for hunters to put on the
already frequenting your store. dummies,” Lacknett said. “And we have
orange vests and dog life vests with a strap
Stock Smart on the back, like a handle. We also carry
The first rule in going after a few first-aid products. But we don’t go
the dog market is to carefully into real serious depth with first-aid kits or
consider what you’re add- any other products.”
ing to your inventory. When it Carrying brand-name dog products, par-
comes to products such as dog ticularly those with a name such as Reming-
food, puppy pads and general ton, gives the dealer instant branding power.
pet supplies, don’t bother; you “We do everything from collars and
can’t compete with the local leads to chest protectors, safety vests and
grocery store and the big-box grooming products. We also have skunk-
pet stores. deodorizing shampoo, and hip and joint
What you should be stocking supplements,” Muniz said.
are items involved with train- One advantage of carrying dog prod-
ing, transporting and containing ucts is that many of them — such as sup-
dogs, and safety and first-aid plements, first-aid products and training
products. These are products scents — are consumables.
Remington’s Training Kit includes a canvas dummy, scent,
hunters want. However, it also “That means your customer will come
deluxe whistle with thermometer and compass, 25' check depends on your market. back over and over again to replenish
cord and eight-page training booklet. It’s available with “Some retailers shouldn’t them,” Muniz said.
duck, pheasant or quail scents. carry certain things, because Remington also offers a dog training

Circle No. 218 on Inquiry Card

48 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com
kit that includes a dummy, check cord, Other products include an electronic-col- SportDOG also has a number of e-
lanyard, whistle and a choice of scents. lar remote control harness, a check cord collars for training. Three versions of the
The company also has added “wings” to system and a dog safety vest. Visit www. FieldTrainer model means there’s one for
training dummies to help dogs learn to hunter-dog.com. every dog and every situation. The Sport-
cope with carry birds. Ultra Paws has several products for Hunter Series is suited to upland and multi-
A dummy launcher that throws a hunting dogs. Dog boots provide protec- dog hunting situations. The HoundHunter
dummy anywhere from 40 to 90 yards tion for dogs’ feet in rough terrain or ice. is ideal for beagles and big-running point-
will be available later this summer. Visit The reflective dog vest makes dogs easy ing dogs. Visit www.sportdog.com.
www.remingtonsportingdog.com and to see, and the chest and belly guard pro- PAC dog collars, from the United King-
www.coastalpetproducts.com. tects from cuts and scrapes in heavy brush. dom, include a range of digital remote train-
Visit www.ultrapaws.com. ers. Up to six dogs can be controlled from
Everything Dog Electronic collars, or e-collars, are in- one handset. Visit www.pacdog.com.
Petmate, a Doskocil company, offers dispensable training tools, and a number of Tracker Radio Systems has brought GPS
a number of products for sporting dogs, companies offer them. Dogtra has multiple tracking to dog collars. The Tracker Radio
including portable kennels, bedding, field- e-collars. Their model 3500NCP Super-X GPS dog tracking system offers unlimited
suit feed and water bowls, all backed by has a “mild” setting that’s especially suited range in areas that have GSM cellular cov-
extensive display options. The company’s to sensitive dogs. Model 2500 T&B has erage. Visit www.trackerradio.com.
wire kennels, in a vast number of sizes, are a beeper unit with a 400-yard range with
widely used by hunters. The Petmate Pop- three beeper modes — Run/Point, Point
Up Kennel, in six sizes, offers containment and Locate. Model 1800 NC is
and versatility. Two of the company’s dog designed for beagles
beds are covered in Mossy Oak patterns. and hounds and
Visit www.petmate.com. can be used with
Hunter Dog, a division of Spiffy Dog one dog or a
Pet Products, also has a variety of hunting pack. Visit www.
dog-related products. The Air Collar is dogtra.com.
made of nylon aerospacer, which is light-
weight and quick-drying. Styles include Petmate, a Doskocil company,
Shotgun Shells, Duck Hunter, Pheasant offers two beds in Mossy Oak
Hunter, Elk Hunter and Deer Hunter. camouflage.

Ellett Brothers® would like to thank the

Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence
for honoring us with our third consecutive
Distributor of the Year Award.

Ellett Brothers® believes in our associates, our

customers, and protecting our way of life. We are strong
supporters of the NRA, NSSF, Boy Scouts of America
and our local community. We want everyone associated
with Ellett Brothers® to feel like part of the family.

Family, friends, loyalty and hard work are the backbone

of this country and that describes Ellett Brothers®.
We support each other and those that support our
Constitutional rights of freedom.

Ellett Brothers®, Inc. Chapin, SC 1-800-845-3711 www.EllettBrothers.com

Circle No. 215 on Inquiry Card
www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 49
 Dealers should also consider contain- cludes the new Dogtra ucts for dogs. Visit www.nutri-vet.com.
ment systems, both crates and electron- eF-3000 Gold, which has a
ic fencing. long-range (40-acre) signal that They Buy Them
“Most hunters, when they’re allows the dog the amount of free free- Whatever dog products you carry, be sure
done working their dogs, have dom the owner desires. your customers know you have them. That
a crate or two, depending on The electronic fence offered by means merchandising them well, and choos-
how many dogs they’re PAC Collars has digital ing a location in the store where the products
working,” Muniz said. signal processing that are easy for customers to see and access.
“That’s definitely an provides immunity “Most of our dog supplies are in an
item stores should to outside radio aisle where everyone can see them when
carry.” The tracking collars from interference. The they come into the hunting department,”
Alumilene Tracker are designed stimulus intensity Lacknett said. “We don’t have to push our
kennels, by Tow- for hardworking dogs in is under micro- dog products a whole lot, because once
tector, are made adverse outdoor conditions. processor control people see them and know we have them,
to fit in the back so the intensity they buy them.”
of a pickup. Some automatically in- Lacknett advises retailers who don’t
models come with creases as the dog carry dog products to give them a try.
a slide-out ramp to nears the border of “If you have a lot of customers who
make it easier for the zone. Visit www. have dogs, even if they’re just house
dogs to get into and paccollars.co.uk. pets, I would definitely advise you to try
out of the truck. Visit carrying dog products,” he said. “You
www.alumilene.com. Dog First-Aid shouldn’t start out carrying a whole lot
Remington has a line of “Any hunter who has a dog should of them, but it’s definitely worth giving
branded crates, made by Kennel- have a first-aid kit,” Muniz said. “Most them a try to see if they’re going to sell
Aire. The line includes plastic and wire injuries aren’t severe, but any dog can get well for you.” 9
crates, as well as a vehicle safety barrier his underside cut up in rough brush, and
and a portable canvas kennel. Visit www. his paws cut up on rocks. I’d rather have
kennel-aire.com. a first-aid kit and never have to use it than DOG PRODUCTS
Paha Que, a company associated with need one and not have it.”
family camping, has moved into dog prod- One company that’s strong in first-aid BitterCreek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
ucts with their new Pet Shelter. Like a por- kits is Creative Pet Products. The compa- Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
table crib for a small child, the Pet Shelter ny has a basic first-aid kit for dogs, as well Buck Stop Lure Co. . . . . . . . . . . . 364
folds neatly into a canvas bag and weighs as kits designed for hunting dogs: Sport- Creative Pet Products . . . . . . . . . 365
only 15 pounds. It allows your customer to ing Dog and Sporting Dog II. Included Creative Publishing International . 366
keep comfortable control of their dog dur- with the Sporting Dog kits is a book on D.T. Systems Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
ing the day when he may be camping, fish- first-aid for dogs in the field. Visit www. Dogtra Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
ing or relaxing between a morning and an petfirstaidkits.com. Dokken Dog Supply . . . . . . . . . . . 369
afternoon hunt. Visit www.pahaque.com. EMT Gel and EMT Spray promote rapid Doskocil Mfg./Petmate . . . . . . . . . 370
BitterCreek offers a number of op- healing, reduce bleeding, protect wounds EMT Gel and Spray. . . . . . . . . . . . 371
tions in its dog boxes, including a Mossy and are easy to use. Visit www.emtgel.com. Farnam Pet Products . . . . . . . . . . 372
Oak Brush finish. The dog boxes come in Farnam Pet Products has a variety of FidoGear Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
a single box for one dog or a double box supplements and a few first-aid products. Galco International . . . . . . . . . . . 374
allowing enough space for two dogs. Vis- Visit www.farnampet.com. Hallmark Dog Training Supplies . . 375
it www.bittercreekblindsandboxes.com. Nutri-Vet also carries a number of joint Innotek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
The electronic fence category in- support supplements and pain-relief prod- Invisible Technologies . . . . . . . . . 377
Kennel-Aire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Lucky Dog Equipment . . . . . . . . . 379
Mendota Products Inc. . . . . . . . . . 380
PAC Collars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Paha Que . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
Pete Rickard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
PetSafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Premier Pet Products . . . . . . . . . . 385
RadioPet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Ready Dog Products . . . . . . . . . . 387
Remington/Coastal Pet Products . . 388
Winchester/Scott Pet Products . . . 389
Snapbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Spiffy Dog Pet Products. . . . . . . . . 391
SportDOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Towtector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Tracker Radio Systems . . . . . . . . . 394
Triple K Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Tri-Tronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
BitterCreek dog boxes are offered in a Mossy Oak Brush finish. Trophy Animal Health Care . . . . . . 397
Ultra Paws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398

50 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 %=HH
"=P=HKC2DKS?=OA
The catalogs of the Shooting Industry are at your fingertips with
our updated Catalog Showcase. To order any of the catalogs, use
the Reader Service Card in this issue. Simply circle the inquiry
numbers of the catalogs you would like to receive and drop the
postage-paid card in the mail. Your catalogs will be arriving soon.
You can also download the Reader Service page and form online,
then fax or mail in. Sign onto www.shootingindustry.com and click
on Reader Service.

2008 Annuals 2009 Annuals American Cop

"#
U.S. PRICE
$9.95 Magazine
#01
%3'
VOL. 65


37
OM
UNNER.C

-,31

RICANHANDG
WWW.AME
AMERI

 ANN
UAL


CAN HAN

37#0
'2'-,



2008
SPECIA
b1
%3
*
#" '"#
DGUNNE

L EDIT

1.#!'
U.S. PRICE

ION AN IN CANA $9.95


DA
VOL. 12$12.95

NUAL
R 200
8 SPE

®
CIAL EDI
TION

t

WWW.G
UNSMAG

!31
AZINE.CO
M
$-
S&W M&

t KNIVESR
RIVE
P .45

t ROCK AVING
GR

t

HI-PO

PE RF t GUN EN 1'!1
PACK ECT !*1OD. 58
WER

t

2
1
S&W ER S&W M FIELDS

&-%# .500 HO
CONCEA

0 S&W SC ,1
$3,
%31911
035
&,"%3,1
LED CAR

,#
#0
85

&'.-5 7 PROJEC
RY

t

F

T GUN
&'12-0 D
UN GUN

LE
CONCEA
92 3
5 67
7359

Y TIPS

+-0#
S

t

EN

CARR
*'%&21

),'4#1
%
%3,1 BATT
GRAVING

!2*- LE
B LAD
ES
85

7359
5 67
71 6

Maximize your profits! Build repeat Maximize your profits! Build repeat Maximize your profits! Build repeat
traffic and earn profits by selling traffic and earn profits by selling traffic and earn profits by selling
2008 Annuals In your store. Order 2009 Annuals In your store. Order American COP In your store. Order
desired number of issues at huge desired number of issues at huge desired number of issues at huge
savings off the cover price. savings off the cover price. savings off the cover price.

For more information, call For more information, call For more information, call
1-800-597-8065. 1-800-597-8065. 1-800-597-8065.

Circle # 401 Circle # 402 Circle # 403

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 51
American Handgunner Battenfeld Black Hills
Magazine Technologies Ammunition

2008 CATALOG

Maximize your profits! Build repeat Battenfeld, the industry-leading manu- Black Hills Ammunition specializes
traffic and earn profits by selling facturer of shooting, reloading, gun- in .223 and .308 ammunition. It’s
American Handgunner In your store. smithing and gun cleaning products, the choice of the US Army, USMC,
Order desired number of issues at launched a new online 2008 catalog. USAF and the US Navy Rifle Teams.
huge savings off the cover price. New features include: We also have 14 different calibers
• Complete product catalog in our Cowboy Ammunition Line, 10
For more information, call • Latest news releases / archive calibers - 27 different loadings in our
1-800-597-8065. • Tips and common questions Black Hills Gold Hunting Line and su-
• Downloadable hi-res photos perb but economical remanufactured
• Product manuals / instructions ammunition in many calibers. $2.00
• TV commercials / product videos
• Dealer locator w/driving directions
• Printable PDF product catalog
…and more!
www.battenfeldtechnologies.com

Circle # 404 Circle # 405 Circle # 406

Brownells Buffer Technologies Colonial Arms

576 pages! Over 30,000 top brand- Buffer Technologies prides itself as an Colonial Arms manufactures over 700
name accessories to make your innovative manufacturer and distribu- different screw in choke tubes for 10,
rifles, shotguns and handguns look tor of tactical weapons accessories for 12, 16, 20, 28 and 410 gauge shot-
and work better. 138 pages filled military, law enforcement and shooting guns. “Elite Series” ported tubes and
with over 9,000 factory parts. Full- sports applications. Its signature prod- ported turkey tubes; “Golden Series”
time tech staff. Selection. Service. ucts include patented recoil buffers for sporting clay tubes, stainless sporting
Satisfaction. – 100% Guaranteed. most automatic pistols and rifles and clay tubes, flush cardshooting tubes.
Call 1-800-741-0015 or visit us on- the MagCinch dual-magazine system. All tubes are available for immediate
line at www.brownells.com. Dept. For more information or to order on- shipment and are manufactured totally
#BP5. Price of catalog refunded line, see us at www.buffertech.com or in the U.S.A. of the finest U.S. materi-
with order. $5.00 call 877-628-3337 for a free catalog. als. Call or write for a free catalog.
(251) 580-5000 or (800) 949-8088
www.colonialarms.com
E-mail: colonialarms@bellsouth.net

Circle # 407 Circle # 408 Circle # 409

52 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 Competitive
Edge Dynamics Crimson Trace Elite Operator

  
  

Competitive Edge Dynamics has FREE CATALOG! Elite Operator introduces a new
been leading the industry for over line of tactical and discreet appar-
seventeen years, with professional Crimson Trace Lasergrips are the el. Tapping into decades of expe-
shooting products, including CED world’s only grip-integrated laser rience in the military, law enforce-
timers, Chronograph, Digital Scales, sights. Instinctive activation button ment, and private security sector,
Hearing Protectors, Range Bags, turns on laser with normal grip pres- Elite Operator offers the finest
and so much more! Specializing in sure. Fully adjustable for accuracy line of tactical and discreet cloth-
advanced design, technology, and at any distance. Easily installs for a ing available. Check out our new
function, CED products have become custom fit on dozens of revolvers, catalog and see for yourself what
“the standard” in the industry today. semi-autos, 1911s and AR-15, Smith we offer.
Visit us online 24 hours a day at: & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Beretta, Kim-
www.CEDhk.com ber, Ruger, and Glock. Call 1-800-
Phone: (888) 628-3233 Fax: (610) 366-9680 442-2406 or go to crimsontrace.com
Email: info@cedhk.com for a free catalog today!

Circle # 410 Circle # 411 Circle # 412

Ellett Brothers Federal Premium FNH

75th Anniversary Edition For more information on the full line- FN currently provides 70% of the
Over 1400 Pages of the Industry’s up of Federal® products, visit www. small arms used by the U.S. Mili-
Leading Products Known as the federalpremium.com or call 1-800- tary. FNH USA also offers consum-
“Bible of the Industry”, our catalog 322-2342 ers and law enforcement an ex-
is the most complete reference tensive line of duty pistols, tactical
source available to dealers. Our shotguns, patrol and precision rifles
researchers & copywriters make and tactical carbines. Visit www.fn-
sure that Ellett Brothers’ catalog husa.com to see the complete FN
contains the information needed product line and request a 2008
most by our customers. catalog.
Cal 1-800-845-3711
To Get Yours
www.ellettbrothers.com

Circle # 413 Circle # 414 Circle # 415

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 53

 Galco Guns Magazine Kimber

WIN A
FREE 4"7"(&
5)
"//*7&34"3:
3*'-&
#0&.'721.&:5%12'
$4.95
OUTSIDE U.S.
$7.95
NOVEMBER 2008

3*()54
8"5$)1(


.*()5:

.*$&
(6/4

41

('&'4#.
('&'4#.
4631-64
41&$*"-
†59+55/

-$1
5%*/+&647$+0
†/6*1/2510
 #%2
#%2
#%2

 
'5-#
."3-*/
$6450.


,0%*",
&913&44
3*.'*3&

41&$*"-
†5#8#)'%.#55+%
†)5)/2

$0.#"5
3&"%:
48
.1
 

"$1
-JHIU
"T
"
'FBUIFS
/&8
6-53"
-*()5
"3.4
#0-5
"$5*0/
)6/5&34 www.gunsmagazine.com

Galco International Catalog #35 Maximize your profits! Build repeat Manufacturers!! Finally a
This 66-page full color catalog fea-
traffic and earn profits by selling Pay-Per-Click system for the
tures Galco’s extensive line of superb- Guns Magazine In your store. Or- gun industry! Advertise your
quality made-in-the-USA leather hol- der desired number of issues at product in front of millions
sters, belts, and accessories for law huge savings off the cover price. of visitors at GunsAmerica.
enforcement, military, defensive and Impressions are FREE and $25
sporting use. A full line of women’s For more information, call gets you $75 in credit, from .5c/click.
holster handbags and a wide selection 1-800-597-8065. Use coupon code UFC83. Have
of hunting- and clays-oriented Sport- a LOCAL service, class or range
ing Collection items round out Galco’s event? FREE for 1 month.
comprehensive selection of exception- www.gunsamerica.com/advertising
al shooting-related products.
Galco as always - “For those who demand
the best...and know the difference.”

800- 874-2526•GalcoGunleather.com
Circle # 416 Circle # 417 Circle # 418

Lauer Custom Magnum Research Pelican Products

Lauer Custom Weaponry is the Desert Eagle Pistol Pelican™ Products, Inc. is the
manufacturer of DuraCoat Fire- global leader in the design and
arms Finishes, the finest firearm 2008 catalog provides the latest in- manufacture of advanced lighting
finish on the planet. DuraCoat formation on the legendary Desert systems and virtually indestruc-
is the industry’s leading firearm Eagle and the popular Baby Eagle tible cases for protecting valuable
finish and offers unbeatable du- Pistol. The full-color, 24-page cata- equipment with distribution centers
rability and is corrosion proof. log also highlights options for dis- in Barcelona, Spain, Edmonton,
Available in over 120 colors and tinctive custom finishes, as well Canada, Tokyo, Japan, Shanghai,
25 camouflage patterns, Dura- as holsters, grips, sights, scopes, China, and Adelaide, Australia.
Coat can provide something for shirts, caps and other accessories
any environment or situation. that can be ordered directly from
www.lauerweaponry.com.1 Magnum Research.

Circle # 419 Circle # 420 Circle # 421

54 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 Redding Reloading Rock River Arms Savage Arms

2008

The revolutionary Savage AccuTrigger™ is just one

of the features built into a Savage Rifle that gives it
the accuracy by which all others are judged.

The 2008 Redding catalog features Rock River Arms has the reputation Savage Arms, with its revolutionary
ROUND Trim Size: 8.5 x 11 SIGN OFF W/C APRVD DATE
print Bleed Size:
Date: 2/28/08 Folded Size: 8.5 x 11
Job #: SARM007 COLORS: 4 Color Process

a new reloading DVD, “Advanced for producing top quality AR15 style AccuTrigger, is world-renowned for
Client: Savage Arms Due Date:
Project: Catalog 2008 - COVER PUB Date:
PUB: Contact: Scott Greenlee :

Art Director :

203.705.9204

Handloading – Beyond The Basics”. rifles and custom 1911s. What sets innovation and out-of-the-box ac-
Also, Imperial Application Media, Rock River Arms apart from its com- curacy. The 2008 Savage Catalog
dies for the 327 Federal, the 300 petition is their versatility and ability features the complete line of super-
RCM and 338 RCM cartridges. to produce both standard and cus- accurate savage centerfire rifles
For more information on these, and tom firearms built to their customers for big-game, varmint and predator
all the other fine Redding products, specifications. hunting, long-range target compe-
visit their web site or send for a tition and law enforcement. Also
FREE full line catalog. For more information, contact: included is an impressive array of
Redding Reloading Equipment Rock River Arms, Rimfire Rifles and Over/Under shot-
1089 Starr Road 1042 Cleveland Rd guns.
Cortland, NY 13045 Colona, IL 61241
607.753.3331 Phone: (309) 792.5780 Fax: (309)
www.redding-reloading.com 792.5781 www.rockriverarms.com

Circle # 422 Circle # 423 Circle # 424

Shooters Ridge Sightron Sports South

For more information on the full line- Fellow Sportsmen, FREE electronic ordering system.
up of Shooters Ridge® products, FREE electronic gunbook available.
Welcome to the world of optical
visit www.shootersridge.com or call Largest single-location, full-line dis-
precision. Do you demand as much
1-800-635-7656 tributor offering firearms, ammo,
from your equipment as you do
shooting accessories, black powder
from yourself? If so, then you will
guns and reloading products.
certainly appreciate Sightron.
We make the most advanced Toll Free 800.388.3845
riflescopes, spotting scopes and www.internetguncatalog.com
binoculars in the world. They are
designed by serious sportsmen for
serious sportsmen.
(800) 867-7512
www.sightron.com

Circle # 425 Circle # 426 Circle # 427

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 55

 Springfield Inc Starline Taurus International

Springfield Armory offers a full line Starline prides itself on produc- The 2008 Taurus Firearms catalog
of XD® pistols the new XD (M)™, ing the highest quality brass case features many exciting new prod-
1911-A1 pistols, M1A™ rifles, and a available. With a production pro- ucts including the 800 semi-auto
full 1911 Custom Shop. Call 1-800- cess focused on quality not quantity, series, Model 709 Slim, Model 856
680-6866 today for your free catalog Starline makes the finest brass and lightweight revolvers and a stylish
or visit has for more than 30 years. Today addition to the M1911 line with “Bull’s
Starline manufactures more than Head Walnut ” grips. Taurus is also
TM

www.springfieldarmory.com
80 unprimed cartridge cases and proud to offer its Unlimited Lifetime
offers them at factory direct prices. Repair Policy and free one-year
TM

Springfield, Inc. NRA membership with every model

For more information purchased.
420 West Main Street or to order on-line, see us at
Geneseo, IL 61254 www.starlinebrass.com or call For a free catalog visit
800.280.6660 for a FREE catalog. www.taurususa.com.

Circle # 428 Circle # 429 Circle # 430

Trijicon Weaver W.L. Baumler

Trijicon is the world leader in For more information on the full line- “The Sportsmen’s Supplier” 100%
the development of any-light up of Weaver® products, visit www. wholesale. Full line hunting and
aiming systems for the military, weaveroptics.com or call 1-800- fishing distributor. Family owned and
law enforcement, hunting and 635-7656 operated for over 60 years. Guar-
shooting sports markets. Trijicon’s anteed same day UPS shipping on
exclusive self-luminous technology orders called in by 2 p.m EST. Com-
has made their sights and scopes petitive pricing and experienced,
the preferred choice among leading professional sales people.
firearm manufacturers.
For more information contact:
Free catalog available W.L. Baumler
on request. 1744 Iowa Ave.
Lorain, OH 44052
1-800-321-2501

Circle # 431 Circle # 432 Circle # 433

56 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 The companies listed have featured advertisements or
products in this issue. Look to them first when you are
ready to make a purchase.

Companies Circle # Page Companies Circle # Page Companies Circle # Page

ADVERTISERS Silver Creek Industries 286 34 Doskocil Mfg./Petmate 370 47
Advanced Technology International 201 19 Smith Abrasives 287 34 EMT Gel and Spray 371 47
ArmaLite 202 10 Sonic Technology Products 288 34 Farnam Pet Products 372 47
Barska 206 37 SPOT Inc. 289 34 FidoGear Inc. 373 47
Benchmade 207 11 Stealth Cam 290 34 Galco International 374 47
Black Hills Ammunition 208 14 Streamlight 291 34 Hallmark Dog Training Supplies 375 47
Command Arms 209 38 SteriPen 292 34 Innotek 376 47
Crimson Trace 210 18 SureFire 293 34 Invisible Technologies 377 47
Diamond Machining Technology 211 6 Swarovski 294 34 Kennel-Aire 378 47
DKG Trading 212 15 Taser International 295 34 Lucky Dog Equipment 379 47
DPMS 213 5 Trail Sense Engineering 296 34 Mendota Products Inc. 380 47
DSA 214 21 Trijicon 297 34 PAC Collars 381 47
Ellett Brothers 215 17,49 TriSquare 298 34 Paha Que 382 47
European American Armory 216 61 Walker’s Game Ear 299 34 Pete Rickard 383 47
Federal Prem ium 203 40 PetSafe 384 47
FNH USA 217 3 KNIFE MARKET Premier Pet Products 385 47
Fobus 218 48 A.G. Russell Knives 300 41 RadioPet 386 47
FTI, Inc. 219 15 Al Mar Knives 301 41 Ready Dog Products 387 47
Joseph Chiarello 220 45 Atlanta Cutlery 302 41 Remington/Coastal Pet Products 388 47
Kwik-Site 221 58 Bear & Son Cutlery 303 41 Winchester/Scott Pet Products 389 47
Lewis Machine & Tool 222 45 Benchmade Knife Co. 304 41 Snapbacks 390 47
Lone Wolf Knives 223 32 Beretta Knives 305 41 Spiffy Dog Pet Products 391 47
Lyman Products 224 60 BLACKHAWK! 306 41 SportDOG 392 47
Magnum Research 225 c1 Blade-Tech Industries 307 41 Towtector 393 47
Mec-Gar USA 226 59 Browning 308 41 Tracker Radio Systems 394 47
Millett 227 25 Buck Knives 309 41 Triple K Mfg. 395 47
Pearce Grip 228 5 Chris Reeve Knives 310 41 Tri-Tronics 396 47
Pelican Products 229 23 Coast Cutlery Co. 311 41 Trophy Animal Health Care 397 47
Remington 230 39 Cold Steel 312 41 Ultra Paws 398 47
Rock River Arms 231 27 Colt Knives 313 41
S.H.O.T. Show 232 12-13 Columbia River Knife & Tool 314 41 CATALOG SHOWCASE
Shooters Ridge 204 63 Combat Elite 315 41 2008 Annuals 401 51
Sig Sauer 233 16 Diamond Machining Tech. 316 41 2009 Annuals 402 51
Sightron 234 33 Edgecraft Corp. 317 41 American Cop Magazine 403 51
Sports South 235 2 Elishewitz Custom Creations 318 41 American Handgunner Magazine 404 52
Springfield 236 46 Emerson Knives 319 41 Battenfeld Tech 405 52
STI International 237 59 EZE-LAP Diamond Products 320 41 Black Hills Ammunition 406 52
Sturm, Ruger 238 9 Frost Cutlery Co. 321 41 Brownells 407 52
Talo Distributors 239 43 Gerber Legendary Blades 322 41 Buffer Tech 408 52
Taurus 240 7 Glock 323 41 Colonial Arms 409 52
Weaver 205 64 Great American Tool Co. 324 41 Competitive Edge 410 53
GT Knives 325 41 Crimson Trace 411 53
HIGH-TECH MARKET Gutmann Cutlery 326 41 Elite Operator 412 53
ADCO Sales 241 34 Hallmark Cutlery 327 41 Ellett Brothers 413 53
AimSHOT 242 34 Heckler & Koch 328 41 Federal Premium 414 53
Aimpoint 243 34 KA-BAR Knives 329 41 FNH USA 415 53
American Technologies Network 244 34 Katz Knives 330 41 Galco 416 54
AOSafety 245 34 Kershaw Knives 331 41 Guns Magazine 417 54
Beamshot 246 34 Kimber 332 41 Kimber 418 54
Brunton 247 34 KutMaster 333 41 Lauer Custom 419 54
BSA Optics 248 34 Leatherman Tool Group 334 41 Magnum Research 420 54
Burris Co. 249 34 Lightfoot Knives 335 41 Pelican Products 421 54
Bushnell Performance Optics 250 34 Lone Wolf Knives 336 41 Redding Reloading 422 55
CamTrakker 251 34 Masters of Defense 337 41 Rock River Arms 423 55
Carl Zeiss 252 34 McHenry Knife Co. 338 41 Savage Arms 424 55
Carson Optical 253 34 Meyerco USA 339 41 Shooters Ridge 425 55
C-More Systems 254 34 MicroTech Knives 340 41 Sightron 426 55
Crimson Trace Inc. 255 34 Moteng 341 41 Sports South 427 55
DeerCam 256 34 Outdoor Edge Cutlery 342 41 Springfield 428 56
Eagle Electronics 257 34 Randall Made Knives 343 41 Starline 429 56
Flash Target 258 34 Remington Arms 344 41 Taurus 430 56
Garmin International 259 34 Savage Arms 345 41 Trijicon 431 56
Gilmore Sports Concepts 260 34 Sig Sauer 346 41 Weaver 432 56
GSM 261 34 Smith & Wesson 347 41 WL Baumler 433 56
Horus Vision 262 34 Smith Abrasives 348 41
Howard Leight by Sperian 263 34 SOG Specialty Knives 349 41 NEW PRODUCTS
Hunter’s Specialties 264 34 Springfield Armory 350 41 FMG Publications 500 58
Insight Technology 265 34 Spyderco Inc. 351 41 DPMS Firearms LLC 501 58
ITT Corp. 266 34 Strider Knives 352 41 Hunter’s Specialties 502 58
Kenwood Corp. 267 34 Sturm, Ruger & Co. 353 41 Pelican Products 503 59
Laser Devices Inc. 268 34 Swiss Army 354 41 Badlands Backpacks 504 59
LaserLyte 269 34 Taylor Cutlery 355 41 Sports South 505 60
LaserMax Inc. 270 34 TigerSharp Technologies 356 41 Buck Wear Inc. 506 60
Leica 271 34 Tighe Knives 357 41 SpecTech Inc. 507 60
Leupold & Stevens 272 34 Timberline Knives 358 41 Heatmax 508 60
Lowrance Electronics 273 34 W.R. Case & Sons 359 41
Magellan 274 34 William Henry Knives Cutlery 360 41 To request FREE information and materials from these
Meprolight Inc. 275 34 Wilson Tactical 361 41 companies, use the Reader Service Card. Or, just send us
Michaels 276 34 a postcard, indicating the issue’s date, company’s number
Midland Radio 277 34 DOG PRODUCTS and include your business address. Send to: Reader Service,
Millett 278 34 BitterCreek 362 47 SHOOTING INDUSTRY, P.O. Box 502794, San Diego, CA
Motorola 279 34 Browning 363 47 92150-9833. If the company doesn't have a number, write them
Night Owl Optics 280 34 Buck Stop Lure Co. 364 47
directly and say you saw their ad, product or name in SHOOTING
Nikon 281 34 Creative Pet Products 365 47
Creative Publishing International 366 47 INDUSTRY. You can also download the Reader Service page and
North Safety Products 282 34
D.T. Systems Inc. 367 47 Reader Service Card from our Web Site and fax, (858) 605-0247,
Pelican 283 34
Pro-Ears 284 34 Dogtra Co. 368 47 or mail it to our office. Go to www.shootingindustry.com and
Silencio 285 34 Dokken Dog Supply 369 47 click on Reader Service.

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 57

 See Your Product Here!
If you are a manufacturer, importer, dis-
tributor or entrepreneur with a newswor-
thy, new or revised product available to
Text First dealersLine
or distributors, Text First Line
let us know!
FMG Publications
Text We have room for about 80 words. Urban Rifle
Text
Pictures should be color, if possible. Elec-
tronic images, transparencies and glossy In this two-disc “Urban Rifle” DVD,
prints are acceptable. Product releases firearm-training expert Clint Smith pres-
are printed on a space-available basis at
ents his renowned techniques, using his
the discretion of the editorial staff.
unique teaching style. Included are a
mental preparation and logic lecture, ele-
ments of skill, proper technique and ap-
Address all releases to: plication, primary shooting positions, and
carry and weapon transition. The DVD
New Products Editor also includes a range demonstration, all
SHOOTING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE filmed at Thunder Ranch in Oregon. Clint
Smith has tutored thousands of students
12345 World Trade Dr. at his legendary training facility.
San Diego, CA 92128
Company Company
FMG Publications
Phone # Phone #
1-800-628-9818
SHOOTING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
Website Website
www.americanhandgunner.com
www.shootingindustry.com
Circle # 500

Text First Line

DPMS Firearms LLC
Text Panther Sportical Rifle

DPMS Firearms takes the 5.56x45mm Panther

Sportical to the big-bore market with the introduction of
the 7.62 NATO Panther Sportical. The lightweight rifle
features a 16" chrome-moly steel, heavy barrel, a slick-
side upper receiver and carbine-length GlacierGuards.
Company
DPMS Firearms LLC The aluminum upper and lower receivers feature a uni-
form, Mil Spec hard-coat anodizing. A semiauto trigger
Phone258-4448
(320) #
group, integral trigger guard, A2 Pistol Grip and the Par-
Website
www.dpmsinc.com dus 6-position, telescoping carbine stock complete the
introductory rifle. The rifle weighs 8.3 pounds empty.
Circle # 501

Text First Line

Hunter’s Specialties
Text Bull Hooker Cow Call
Hunter’s Specialties Bull Hooker Cow Call,
from Wayne Carlton’s Calls, reproduces the
sounds of a cow elk to lure bulls. The light-
weight mouth-blown call utilizes an internal
reed design for durability and consistency.
Company
Hunter’s Specialties Hunters can change the pitch of the call by
Phone # pressing on the external molded membrane to
(319) 395-0321 produce a wide variety of elk sounds. The Bull
Website
www.hunterspec.com Hooker call comes with a carry lanyard.

Circle # 502
Circle No. 221 on Inquiry Card

58 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 Pelican Products
1730 Transport Case
The 1730 Transport Case has four
extra-deep, base-to-lid locking cleats to
ensure maximum stacking stability. The
case features 10,000 cubic inches of stor-
age space, two doublewide handles and
polyurethane wheels, with stainless steel
ball bearings and nylon hubs for extended
towing durability. The 1730 has open cell-
core wall, polymer construction to protect
sensitive equipment. Other standard fea-
tures include a
lid equipped
with a polymer
o-ring for a
dust and wa-
tertight seal,
dual-action
latches, and
integrated au-
tomatic pres-
sure equaliza-
tion valve. Proudly Made
in America
Pelican Products
1-800-473-5422
www.pelican.com

Circle # 503 Circle No. 237 on Inquiry Card

World’s Finest Magazines

“OPTIMUM”... THE WORLD’S BEST MAGAZINES

MEC-GAR is proud to offer “Optimum” - our new
and unique series of high capacity flush-fit pistol
magazines.
The new design of the magazine housing and
interlinked magazine components, together with
Badlands Backpacks a special Anti-Friction Coating offer far superior
Limited Edition Back- performance even in difficult operational
environments.
packs
The increased firepower of MEC-GAR “Optimum”
Badlands has taken four of their most magazines can be further raised by an optional “Plus
popular packs (4500, 2200, Superday Two” adapter. “Plus Two” is a new set of hollow
and Monster Fanny) and created the butt-plate and inner base to raise the capacity of the
Badlands 10th Anniversary-Limited Edi-
MEC-GAR “Optimum” magazine by 2-rounds and
tion packs, available in the Realtree
stick out only 5/8” from the butt of the pistol!
Hardwoods Snow. The Model 4500 offers
4,800 cubic inches of capacity, the 2200 Available For: Beretta 92FS 9mm 18rd / 20rd
has 2,310 cubic inches of space, the Su- Beretta 96FS .40S&W 13rd / 15rd
perday has 1,950 cubic inches and the Para-Ordnance P14 .45ACP 14rd
Monster Fanny offers 1,100 cubic inches SIG P226 9mm 18rd / 20rd
of cargo space. Badlands packs carry a SIG P226 .40S&W 13rd / 15rd
Unconditional Lifetime Warranty.
Springfield XD 9mm 18rd
Springfield XD .40S&W 13rd
Badlands Backpacks Taurus PT92 9mm 18rd / 20rd
1-800-269-1875 Taurus PT100 .40S&W 13rd / 15rd
www.badlandspacks.com Mec-Gar USA, Inc., 905 Middle Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Tel: (800) 632-4271 Fax: (860) 635-1712 www.mec-gar.com
Circle # 504
Circle No. 226 on Inquiry Card
www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 59
 Smith & Wesson
M&P9 Spec Ops
Buck Wear Inc. SpecTech
A Sports South exclusive, the Smith
& Wesson M&P 9mm Spec Ops model Nefarious Beasts T-Shirt Magnet Gun Caddy
features a 4.75" extended threaded bar-
rel (13.5"x1" Gemtech thread pattern), Buck Wear’s latest t-shirt shows every- Designed for hunters, the Magnet
white dot front and rear sights, three one that hunters are out to rid the world Gun Caddy provides a safer place to
interchangeable palmswell grip sizes, of nefarious beasts. Made of 100-percent rest a gun and protects a hunter’s car.
Black Melonite and 68 HRc finish, with cotton, the t-shirt displays the message, Strong, lightweight and compact, the
“SPEC-OPS” laser-engraved on the left “I don’t shoot INNOCENT animals... Magnet Caddy is small enough to fit into
side of the slide. The polymer-framed only the ones that look GUILTY!” In olive a pocket. It can also be used to expand
pistol weighs 24 ounces and is 8" long. green, the t-shirt is offered in adult sizes, a gun locker’s holding capacity.
Three 17-round magazines are included. medium to XXL.

Sports South Buck Wear Inc. SpecTech Inc.

1-800-388-3845 (410) 646-6400 1-866-226-9123
www.internetguncatalog.com www.buckwear.com www.magnetguncaddy.com
Circle # 505 Circle # 506 Circle # 507

Heatmax
HotHands Value Packs
Heatmax now offers two of their
HotHands warmers in value packs. The
warmers fit all of the HotHands Fleece
and Knit accessories. HotHands-2
warmers provide up to 10 hours of safe
warmth. Toasti Toes provide up to six
hours of safe heat. The Toasti Toes value
pack contains six pairs of warmers and
the HotHands-2 value pack contains 10
two packs of warmers.

Heatmax
1-800-432-8629
www.heatmax.com

Circle # 508
Circle No. 224 on Inquiry Card

60 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 Continued from page 62

Firearm Business Still Increasing Hunters See Plans Changing

T he industry continues to defy predictions of a drop in sales, with a continuing increase
in the number of firearm background checks. For the first seven months of 2008, there
was an 9.42 percent increase in background checks over the same months in 2007, accord-
W hile the number of firearm back-
ground checks continues to in-
crease, hunters say the cost of gasoline
ing to the FBI’s NICS. As noted in our previous analysis of the NICS data, the increases will affect their plans this fall.
this year are impressive since 2007 was a record-setting year in background checks. On Remington’s Web site, www.rem-
During the first seven months of 2008, NICS conducted 6,542,806 background ington.com, the company is asking “Will
checks, an increase of 563,291 over the same period in 2007. rising gas prices change your hunting
While the background-check data is not a “pure” indication of “sales,” it is the best plans for the coming season?” As of Au-
indicator of what is happening nationally in the firearm market. Let’s face it, customers gust 13, 17,798 votes had been registered,
don’t go to gun shops to fill out a Form 4473 because they’re bored. They’re willing to with 53.78 percent voting “Yes.”
go through the background check for only one reason: To buy a firearm. Will the recent easing of gas prices
change the minds of some of those hunt-
ers? Let’s hope so. 9

Cleaning Up With Iosso

D o you sell ARs? If so, you need to include Iosso’s AR-15 brushes as
part of those sales. The brushes are receiving high praise from cus-
tomers, making them an easy add-on.
The Iosso AR-15 Brush Kit contains four brushes: upper receiver
brush, chamber brush, bolt carrier brush and a bore brush. The up-
per receiver brush fits the AR-15 and the AR-10. There is also a kit
solely for AR-10s.
Contact Iosso Products at (847) 437-8400 or visit www.iosso.com.

COLLECTORS

ACCESSORIES

Classified ads are: $2.00 per word per insertion with a 20-word mini-
mum OR $1.50 per word per insertion for three or more issues with
a 25-word minimum. No charge for CAPS. Bold words add $1.00 per
word. Copy and rerun orders must be accompanied by PAYMENT
IN ADVANCE. NO AGENCY OR CASH DISCOUNTS ON LISTING OR
DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING. All ads must be received with
advance payment BY NO LATER THAN THE 15th of each month. EX-
AMPLE: Closing for NOVEMBER 2008 issue is September 15th. Ads
received after closing will appear in the following issue. Please type
or print clearly. PLEASE NOTE: NO PROOFS WILL BE FURNISHED.
Include name, address, post office box, city, state and zip code
as counted words. Abbreviations count as one word each. Mail to
SHOOTING INDUSTRY CLASSIFIEDS, 12345 World Trade Dr, San
Diego, California 92128. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING
YOUR CLASSIFIED AD IN SHOOTING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE, CALL
OUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE AT (858)605-0235.

Circle No. 216 on Inquiry Card

www.shootingindustry.com SEPTEMBER 2008 61

 Russ Thurman

Saluting Excellence, Shooting For The Future

T
he accolades continue to pour into you keep and we made a bunch of new industry in the academy, and we thank
our office, praising last month’s friends and got back together with a bunch them for their commitment to these
Shooting Industry Academy of more old ones. A really good time,” said prestigious awards.
Excellence awards presentation and the Susan Houde-Walter, CEO, LaserMax. It’s also satisfying to witness the growth
Shooting Industry Masters competition. “You (FMG) have, as usual, done a in the Shooting Industry Masters. We had
Held in the heart of Gun Valley, the two helluva job in the prep and delivery of the a record number of shooters at this year’s
events drew praise from leaders through- event. If there is more that Gunsite can event. We’ve already begun planning for
out the industry. next year’s Masters, which
“Please allow me to will be held July 24 and 25
thank all the FMG Pub- “Thank you again for all that you do at the Hartford Gun Club
lications personnel for in East Granby, Conn. Yes,
the superb job done at the — we are a better industry because of we’re returning to Gun
Masters and Academy of Valley. Now is the time
Excellence awards presen- your efforts and energy.” for you to plan to join us at
tations,” said Steve Sanetti, this three-gun competition,
NSSF president. Sanetti Ron Coburn, Savage Arms CEO. which raises money for
praised FMG for “the fun NSSF’s Step Outside pro-
and camaraderie all the participants shared do to ensure future successes, just let me gram. This year, we raised $16,500 for the
during those two memorable days.” know; we will be there for you folks,” said program. (Full coverage of the Masters will
“What a terrific event and evenings! Buz Mills, Gunsite CEO. be featured in the October issue of SI.)
This is singularly the best shooting indus- The Academy of Excellence awards In addition to supporting a great pro-
try event available and a testimony to our continue to be highly regarded and it’s gram, the Masters strengthens the bonds
cohesiveness and passion for the sports. gratifying to see the awards receive the within the industry, bringing us together
Thank you again for all that you do — we recognition they deserve. (See page for a day of shooting and reinforcing what
are a better industry because of your ef- 28.) The recipients of the awards are a great industry we’re in — one that we
forts and energy,” said Ron Coburn, Sav- not determined by me, or an editorial must continue to fight to preserve.
age Arms CEO. board, or our advertising department, For more information on the
“You (FMG) sure know how to throw a but by the Academy’s members. There Academy and Masters, visit www.
party. We’re impressed with the company are 500 members from throughout the shootingindustry.com.

Beretta Billboards Bucks Promotion Changing Perceptions

T o help boost its sales of shotguns this fall, Beretta USA
launched its Beretta Bucks promotion on Aug. 1, which
offers customers a free Beretta shopping spree.
S alutes to NSSF for placing full-page ads in The Washington
Post, The Washington Times and The Hill on August 6, pro-
moting the safe and responsible use of firearms. The ad is part of
Customers who purchase any Beretta Urika 2, Xtrema 2, a public awareness campaign that includes inviting Washington,
686 White Onyx, 687 Silver Pigeon II or 687 Silver Pigeon V D.C., residents to take part in the NSSF’s First Shots program.
shotgun will receive up to $300 in Beretta Bucks that can be “Now that the law-abiding citizens of
redeemed online at Beretta USA’s e-Store for Beretta clothing, Washington, D.C., are able to freely ex-
accessories or pro shop products. The promotion runs through ercise their Second Amendment rights,
Dec. 31, 2008. NSSF’s First Shots seminars are the per-
“The promotion offers fect match for interested residents,” said
customers an additional in- Steve Sanetti, NSSF president.
centive to buy one of our The ad looked particularly good in The
shotguns for the hunting or Washington Post, given the publication’s
holiday season,” said Patrick stance on firearms and gun ownership.
McDonald, vice president of Holding a First Shots event in Northern
sales and marketing. “This Virginia is also a bold move. That part of
promotion also provides a Virginia is not exactly gun-friendly. The
free and easy way for our NSSF ad and First Shots event is a great
customers to experience some of our other products, like Ber- first step in changing perceptions.
etta clothing and accessories.”
Visit www.berettausa.com for more information. Continued on page 61

62 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com

 k_\Y\XjkXkk_\Y\eZ_
©2008 Shooters Ridge® SR173

½Gi\$Écc\[¾

8cjf`eXjdXcc\im\ij`fe
D`e`^fi`ccXYX^
As the most versatile shooting bag on the market, the Shooters Ridge®
GorillaTM Bag transforms into multiple shapes to satisfy the needs of
any shooter. Unzip and lay flat for an elevated platform, arrange in
the gun-gripping “X” mode or stack to fit shooters of all sizes. For the
=I<< hunter, plinker, benchrest or tactical shooter, the Gorilla Bag delivers the
ultimate stability and flexibility. And remember, customers buying $30 or
more of Shooters Ridge® products receive a FREE multi-tool ($24.99 value)!
To browse Shooters Ridge products for your store, visit www.shootersridge.com
^\kfekXi^\k 
Circle No. 204 on Inquiry Card
 Since 1930

THE PERFECT PAIR

When it comes to rugged performance,

hunters have always relied on the trusted
name of Weaver®. From legendary optics
to the rings and bases that all others
strive to imitate, Weaver has been keeping
outdoorsmen in the hunt since 1930. Keep
the tradition alive. Stock your shelves with
the brand that symbolizes hunting optics in
the minds of millions of hunters—Weaver.

For more information on the entire line of Weaver products—including optics, rings and bases—contact ATK Dealer Services at (866) 223-9388.
©2008 ATK WE330 Circle No. 205 on Inquiry Card