October 2020 | Guy J. Sagi

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020

NSSF Announces 2021 SHOT Show Cancellation

Statement from NSSF President & CEO Joe Bartozzi:

Due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the world, NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, today makes the difficult announcement that the 2021 SHOT Show has been cancelled.

NSSF has remained in constant communication with Nevada officials throughout the year in our planning for the 2021 show. While there has been a concerted effort to expand the allowable levels for large gatherings by the county and state, with positivity rates peaking during our key planning period we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 show. Sadly, these spikes are currently transpiring worldwide. Given the sheer complexities, diminishing timeline and immense logistical planning required to conduct a trade show as large as SHOT, NSSF simply could not move forward at this point with so many unknowns and variables. We truly appreciate the guidance of Nevada and Las Vegas officials in allowing us to communicate this news to our exhibitors and attendees well in advance of the show. We would also like to thank the Sands directly for their help and efforts to navigate this unprecedented situation.

Here is more on why it needed to be cancelled.

The planning and work that has gone into the 2021 SHOT Show has been nothing short of remarkable. Since the pandemic began in early 2020, the NSSF staff and our show partners have been working around the clock to plan our largest show in history while keeping the health and safety of all involved as paramount.

The support of our show exhibitors this year has also been nothing short of remarkable. With three months to go until the show, floor space for both the Sands Expo Center and our expansion to the new Caesars Forum was nearly sold out, with more companies than ever before represented at the SHOT Show.

All of this positions us for a 2022 SHOT Show that will be undoubtably the best in our industry’s history, and we look forward to bringing our entire community together again at a show that will be one to remember.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT REFUNDS, HOTEL CANCELLATIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

During the coming year, NSSF asks for our industry’s unwavering support as we continue our fight to promote, protect and preserve our industry in these unsettling times.

Throughout this year, NSSF has remained at the forefront for our industry. As thousands of businesses across the country were shuttered as being “non-essential” during the pandemic, NSSF worked nonstop to have firearm retailers, ranges, manufacturers and distributors listed as “essential” which allowed them to remain open for business.

NSSF is your trade association. Everything we do—from education, safety initiatives, compliance and security resources, import/export guidance, consumer activation initiatives, government relations, and the SHOT Show—is aimed at helping businesses in our industry succeed. Now, more than ever, we need your continued support.

Thank you – NSSF SHOT Show® Registration

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020

Walmart is Pulling Ammo from Shelves

Walmart is pulling ammo from shelves in certain locations due to renewed social unrest to prevent looters from gaining access. According to this news report from CNN, customers in stores impacted by the move can still ask for and purchase the items still in inventory.

The current demand for cartridges, particularly those for self-defense, remains low nationwide however, indicating inventory even the big-box stores supply is extremely limited. In the company’s most recent quarterly report, CEO of Olin—the parent company of Winchester—said, ““We expect this elevated level of demand to continue at least until the end of the year.” Walmart’s move comes at a time when firearm sales have already set an annual record and are streaking toward a total volume expected to exceed 20 million this year.

Philadelphia has been the center of renewed civil unrest and rioting this week and the city is under a 9 p.m. curfew. The National Guard will be on station in the city tonight. Adding to the unease is the fact that law enforcement confiscated a van full of explosives this week.

Walmart is pulling ammo from the shelves for public safety according to company spokesmen. The experts advise certain precautions should be observed during civil unrest, particularly with the Presidential election next week.

Mother Nature added to the mix this week with Hurricane Zeta. Whether during a storm, or rioting, it’s critical to stay informed on the changing situation and heed all evacuation orders or curfews. Cell phones often go down, making it important to have a portable backup radio on hand. This one from Midland is a good choice, but there are many others.

Stay safe and thank you for visiting my modest blog. I hope you come back and have a glorious day.

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020

McMillan Introduces the Game Stalker Upgrade Rifle Stock

From McMillan Fiberglass Stocks

McMillan Fiberglass Stocks, the industry leader in custom stocks for competition, hunting, and tactical applications, expands its line of premium hunting stocks with the introduction of the new Game Stalker model.

The Game Stalker was developed for hunters who appreciate the familiar profile of traditional hunting rifle stocks but who desire the precision performance of a true custom fiberglass stock. Based on McMillan’s popular Game Hunter model, the Game Stalker distinguishes itself with a more conventional grip slope (versus the Game Hunter’s vertical grip configuration). The grip angle combines with a high Monte Carlo-style cheek piece to provide optimal fit and alignment for use with high-mount rings and scopes with large objective lenses. For hunters who favor a lighter weight setup, the Game Stalker forend is designed to accommodate carbon fiber-wrapped barrels.

A broad range of barreled actions will fit the Game Stalker, and the stock is offered in several hand-applied custom colors and finishes.

For more information on the new Game Stalker hunting rifle stock or to view the complete McMillan product line, visit McMillanUSA.com.

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020

New Lapua Brass Cartridge Cases for 2021

From Lapua

Lapua, world-renowned for producing the finest cartridge cases and ammunition products, announces the addition of 6.5 PRC, 284 Winchester, 300 Winchester Magnum, and 300 PRC cartridge cases to their 2021 product offering.

The new Lapua 6.5 and 300 PRC cartridge cases provide competitive shooters, hunters and accuracy enthusiasts a premium selection for precision hand loads, an option that’s been missing from the market since the PRC’s inception.

The 284 Winchester cartridge has experienced a recent resurgence in F-Class competition, where shooters compete to distances out to 1,000 yards. Members of the US Rifle Team, which Lapua sponsors, will enjoy having cases readily available in this classic cartridge.

The 300 Winchester Magnum has been a staple within the firearms industry since its development in the early 60’s. It is still used for competitive target shooting, hunting, and Mil/LE platforms to-date. Despite being outperformed by several other 30’s, it remains the top choice in North America for hunting.

“Our new Lapua cartridge case offerings for 2021 display our continued commitment to the precision shooting disciplines which are popular in the USA and globally,” stated Erkki Seikkula, Lapua Sales & Marketing Manager.

Lapua’s newest cartridge cases will be available from your favorite dealer beginning Q2 of 2021. Lapua is exclusively distributed in the USA by Capstone Precision Group. Find a dealer near you by visiting capstonepg.com

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020

Axeon Optic Solutions Offers End of Year Rebate

From Axeon Optic Solutions

Through the rest of the year Axeon Optic Solutions is offering up to $20 back in cash rebates on select Axeon Optic products purchased between October 15, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

“We’re excited to provide cash back dollars during a year when it’s important to stretch that dollar.” Said Brad Webb, vice president of sales for Umarex USA, Inc. “Shooters and hunters enjoy our innovative, tough, and affordable products, like the unique Axeon Second Zero®. Our scopes and dot sights are made for everyday shooters and are a great fit for all the new guns purchased over the last few months.”

The Axeon Optic rebate allows outdoor goods, shooting, and hunting participants to experience the reliability, technology, and affordability of optics that put them clearly on target.

Eligible Axeon Optic products include the Absolute Zero®, AM3 monocular/light, Second Zero®, NightVue, 4-16×44 etched dot reticle rifle scope, ShotLine 650X, ShotLight 120X, the new RGY dot sight, Dog Soldier Predator Scope, MDSR1 dot sight for modern sporting rifles, new long range 6-24×50 rifle scope, and the versatile 1-6×24 scope. These items must be purchased new at retail in the U.S. between October 15th, 2020 and December 31st, 2020. Promotion excludes any other models not listed.

To claim a rebate, make a purchase of an eligible Axeon Optic through an authorized dealer or website. Then complete the digital submission form and attach a valid receipt/proof of purchase made between October 15 and December 31, 2020. Submissions must be made by January 31st, 2021. The qualifying rebate, up to $20, will be delivered in the form of a check. To submit your rebate or more details on the Axeon Optic End of Year Cash Back Rebate visit AxeonOptics.com/Rebate-Offers.

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020

ArachniGRIP Offers Patriotic Presidential and Flag Slide Grips

From ArachniGRIP

ArachniGRIP, creator and manufacturer of the innovative Slide Spider® adhesive slide grip, is now offering a limited time patriotic Presidential and Flag upgrade to Slide Spider slide grip orders.

“As Americans, we love our country and respect its leadership,” says Robert Biedenbach of ArachniGRIP. “To honor that patriotism, we are offering the perfect combination slide grip package to our customers.”

ArachniGRIP® has shown its support by creating two iconic graphics on the Slide Spider® semi auto slide grips, the images of the President and the American flag. Now buyers can show their support for our president and our country at the range and elsewhere by purchasing and applying these custom grips. The Slide Spider slide grips are sold in packages of two. For a limited time, ArachniGRIP is offering these grips with the upgrade of two custom Presidential and Flag imprints at no extra charge. In addition to showing patriotism, users will gain increased safety and control while operating the slide.

The Slide Spider grip by ArachniGRIP is available for most semi-auto pistols. It is easy to install and extremely durable. The Slide Spider grip products enable the shooter to gain increased control through a safe and secure hold. The products offer additional tactical advantages under challenging operating conditions, including extreme moisture and temperature. In addition, these products aid shooters with weak or weakened hand strength and those with medical conditions such as arthritis.

MSRP for the Slide Spider slide grip is $19.95.

The company has models for a variety of pistols, including the Ruger-57 and even those wearing optics.

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020

2020 Ruger Auctions Raise Over $27K for SASP

From SASP

In an incredible act of supporting youth shooting sports, Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) Founding Partner Sponsor, Ruger has again auctioned off rare, hard to find models, with all proceeds benefiting the SASP.

The first auction for the year kicked off in early January with a Ruger Vaquero revolver, with new auctions being introduced each Wednesday. Due to the events of 2020, the Ruger auctions were paused in the spring but were resumed in September with the final six auction items.

The success of this auction series begins with Ruger’s generosity and dedication to supporting youth shooting sports. Eighteen, unique Ruger firearms auctions attracted both supporters of the SASP and firearms collectors alike. Thanks to the direct support of GunBroker, these auctions were made visible on the GunBroker landing page, increasing visibility for both bidding success and awareness of the SASP. The incredible support from the firearms industry is a sign that youth shooting sports is healthy and growing!

October 29, 2020October 29, 2020

Athlon Shoot for $1 Million Sweepstakes

From Athlon

What would you do with $1 million? In the shooting sports industry’s biggest promotion, Athlon Outdoors is giving someone the chance to win $1 million as part of its Shoot For $1 Million Sweepstakes. Launching Nov. 1, 2020, and running through Jan. 31, 2021, the sweepstakes also awards more than $80,000 in other prizes, comprised of premium gun packages, optics, gear, and guns safes. Included in the grand prize area $5,000 Sportsman’s Warehouse gift card (with a chance to double it to $10,000 with a well-aimed shot), Smith & Wesson pistols, revolvers and rifles, and a trip to Phoenix to shoot for the $1 million.

Behind a massive 36 million-impression media push across all of Athlon Outdoors’ assets (including Ballistic, Tactical Life, Personal Defense World, Combat Handguns, and Skillset, plus all associated websites and social media) and cross-promotion by all sweepstakes’ sponsor companies, the promotion is expected to generate up to 100 million impressions and more than 100,000 entrants (possibly many more according to the sweepstakes administrator). Presenting sponsors are Sportsman’s Warehouse and Smith & Wesson; supporting sponsors are Walther Arms, Kahr Arms (including Auto-Ordnance and Magnum Research), Browning, Riton Optics, and Umarex.

“We wanted to go big with this promotion and create something basically unprecedented in the industry,” said Nick Seifert, SVP/General Manager, Athlon Outdoors. “The timing is perfect. It’s been a difficult year for many Americans. The prospect of winning a million bucks, plus so many great prizes, will be uplifting. We expect a huge response and a fun, viral promotion.”

Early Bird drawings will take place at the end of November and the end of December, both of which will award a premium Smith & Wesson firearms package including a pistol, revolver and rifle. The Grand Prize drawing will take place after Jan. 31, 2021. The winner will win the same package of Smith & Wesson firearms, a Sportsman’s Warehouse $5,000 gift card good for any of its 125,000 SKUs online or in-store, plus an expense-paid trip for two to Phoenix a chance to shoot for $1 million. Should the finalist fall short of the big prize, they will get a consolation shooting attempt to double the Sportsman’s Warehouse gift card prize to $10,000.

To pre-register and for more information, including official rules, go to ShootForOneMillion.com.

October 29, 2020October 29, 2020

Henry Repeating Arms Commemorates Benjamin Tyler Henry’s Birthday

From Henry

American rifle and shotgun manufacturer Henry Repeating Arms is commemorating Benjamin Tyler Henry’s 200th birthday with a limited-edition release of the toggle-link lever action design he patented in 1860. Born in 1821, Benjamin Tyler Henry would become one of the most influential names in American firearms design history with his invention of the 1860 Henry rifle, the first reliable lever action repeating rifle. The New Original B.T. Henry 200th Anniversary Edition rifle is limited to only 200 units worldwide, making it the rarest New Original Henry the company has ever released.

This limited-edition model is a line-for-line reproduction of B.T. Henry’s 1860 design with consolations only being made to accommodate the more modern .44-40 WCF cartridge. The hardened brass receiver features full coverage leafy vine scrollwork engraving surrounding a portrait of the inventor on the right side and a testament to the rifle’s rarity on the reverse side with the words, “One of 200.” The buttstock is made from highly figured presentation-grade American walnut and is capped with a crescent shaped brass buttplate, which includes a period-correct door for the internal cleaning accessory compartment. The 24.5” polished blued steel octagon barrel is topped with a folding ladder rear sight and blade front sight. Each rifle in the series bears a unique serial number ranging from 001BTH200 to 200BTH200.

Anthony Imperato, President and owner of Henry Repeating Arms says, “The lever action rifle is one of America’s unique contributions to international firearms design, and we take a great deal of pride in carrying on Benjamin Tyler Henry’s legacy by making lever action rifles and shotguns for the modern day on American soil.” Imperato continues, “We are excited to release this rifle in honor of his 200th birthday, and we can’t wait to see them start showing up in the hands of our collectors.”

The New Original B.T. Henry 200th Anniversary Edition (model H011BTH) has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $4,286.

Henry firearms can only be purchased through a licensed firearms dealer. For more information about Henry Repeating Arms and its products visit henryusa.com or call 866-200-2354.

And if the cool look of this rifle isn’t enough to convince you to buy, take a look at one of the company’s latest charitable efforts.

October 29, 2020November 19, 2020

Galco’s FasTrax PAC for Pistols with RDS

From Galco

Galco introduces a new version of the extremely popular FasTrax PAC™ waistpack – for compact pistols with red dot sights! An instant bestseller the moment it was introduced at SHOT Show 2020, and designed to blend with casual modern clothing styles, the FasTrax PAC discreetly carries a compact defensive handgun ready for action.

Unlike old-style waistpacks that required the user to dig deeply into the pack or tear it open to draw the handgun, the FasTrax PAC uses a highly innovative combination of a pivoting holster component and external activation cord. This enables you to get your handgun into action much faster than with legacy waistpack designs. As we all know, time is often in very short supply when you need a handgun to defend yourself and your loved ones.

I interviewed several custom holster experts, and you may be surprised at how affordable they are.

Comfort is key when carrying all day, of course. To maximize wearer comfort, the FasTrax PAC’s back panel is made of Galco’s Comfort Cloth™, a soft and breathable adaptive performance mesh that keeps the pack comfortable against your body when worn all day long.

Convenient concealment is also important. The FasTrax’s adjustable, stretchable elasticized waist strap also helps make for easy carry, and uses a Nexus® buckle for quick on-off capability. The pack’s contemporary front face has a zippered pocket that carries EDC items like spare ammunition, keys, a wallet, phone or flashlight. A helpful pass-through port on the front pocket accommodates cables for earbuds or other devices.

Galco’s patent-pending FasTrax PAC tops the list for comfortable, convenient carry and speed into action in an increasingly casually-dressed world. It’s available in gray/black or MultiCam Black for $89.

See all of Galco’s waistpack options at galcousa.com!

And if you’re new to carry, take a look at Galco’s explanation of different positions.