November 2020 | Guy J. Sagi

November 30, 2020November 30, 2020

MidwayUSA Foundation Seeks to Raise $175,000 on Giving Tuesday

From MidwayUSA Foundation

Giving Tuesday, December 1, is the biggest fundraising day of the year for non-profits across the globe. On this day, MidwayUSA Foundation has set a goal to raise $175,000 for youth shooting sports. To ensure every dollar donated goes further, they will offer $175,000 to match the day’s contributions to youth shooting teams and organizations. These matching dollars are possible because of the generosity of Larry and Brenda Potterfield.

New this year is an incentive to award participating shooting teams. The top five fundraising teams of the day will earn additional endowment funds ($5,000/$4,000/$3,000/$2,000/$1,000), and another ten participating teams will be randomly drawn to win $500 each. Nearly 3,000 youth shooting teams have an endowment with MidwayUSA Foundation, and every team can receive online donations right through MidwayUSAFoundation.org. Searching for a shooting team is easy, and donations are safe and secure. Every donation made to a MidwayUSA Foundation team endowment is tax-deductible. There are no fees removed, and 100% of the donor’s gift benefits that team directly. The Foundation keeps nothing for operations.

The foundation also recently held a Hometown Challenge fundraiser.

Every donation to a shooting team’s respective endowment grows that team’s annual cash grant. Cash grants provide crucial funds to offset the many expenses youth shooting teams incur. Covering the cost of ammunition, competition fees, targets, or travel can allow more young athletes the chance to participate in shooting sports. Many shooting sports athletes become future hunters and conservationists too. An investment in youth shooting sports is an investment in the entire outdoor industry.

The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain and grow the shooting sports industry by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation made is tax-deductible and allows the Foundation to assist in expanding and enhancing the leadership skills, confidence, and discipline of today’s youth through shooting sports activities. The Foundation supports all shooting disciplines. For more information about how the MidwayUSA Foundation is changing the future of youth shooting sports, please visit MidwayUSAFoundation.org or call 1-877-375-4570.

November 30, 2020January 9, 2021

New Guns & Gear for 2021—Henry Introduces 32 New Firearms

From Henry Repeating Arms

American gunmaker Henry Repeating Arms is announcing a large transition in their product catalog with upgrades for their Wisconsin-made lever-action rifles and shotguns and new calibers and configurations for their H015 Single Shot firearms. In total, the announcement is replacing 29 “legacy” models in favor of newly upgraded versions and adding 3 new Single Shots to the Henry lineup.

By popular demand, Henry Repeating Arms is replacing all steel-framed centerfire lever-action rifles and shotguns to include a side loading gate while still retaining the removable tube magazine based on the original Henry rifle patented in 1860. This open-ended magazine design, first introduced with the Henry H024 Side Gate Lever Action in 2019, provides owners with the ability to conveniently load the magazine and keep it topped off through a port in the receiver and safely unload the magazine by twisting out the inner magazine tube. The transition applies to all of Henry’s .30-30 and .45-70 rifles, .410 bore shotguns, and revolver caliber Big Boy rifles in their blued steel, All-Weather, and Color Case Hardened finishes that do not already include a side loading gate.

Here’s an example of how Henry gives back to the community, too.

“Ever since our fans and customers got a taste of a side loading Henry, the requests started rolling in immediately to include this feature on their favorite finish or caliber. These new models are going to make a lot of people very happy, and we are always going to have options for fans of our legacy configuration as well,” states Anthony Imperato, president and owner of Henry Repeating Arms. Imperato continues, “The removable tube magazine is a core part of our product DNA, so that’s not going anywhere, and fans of the classic brass and octagon barrel configurations will always be able to get that from us.”

Here’s my complete list of the best new guns and gear for 2021.

In addition to the new Side Gate models, Henry is announcing 2 new calibers for the H015 Single Shot Rifle with .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster. For large game hunters in shotgun-only areas, Henry is also releasing the Henry Single Shot Slug Barrel Shotgun in 12 gauge, which features a fully rifled barrel for use with shotgun slugs and fiber optic sights.

To learn about Henry’s newest releases, visit the New Models category at HenryUSA.com.

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.

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

Alliant Powder’s 410 Propellant is Specifically Designed for Shooting Sport’s Smallest Sub-Gauge

From Alliant Powder

Alliant Powder, a leading manufacturer of smokeless powder, released a new propellant that is the only flake powder specifically designed for the demanding needs of .410 bore skeet and field loads. Shipments of improved 410 are being delivered to dealers.

The new 410 powder’s efficient formulation delivers low charge weights and optimum loading characteristics. The flake granulation yields excellent charging characteristics while minimizing annoying bar leakage. It all comes together for superior patterns and consistent performance—shot after shot, lot after lot.

Features

Clean burning
Excellent charging flow
Optimum loading characteristics
Superior performance
Excellent lot-to-lot consistency
Made in the USA

For more Alliant Powder information and load data, visit www.alliantpowder.com

Earlier this year the company improved its Herco Propellent, too.

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

Learn how Winchester has Supported our Warfighters

From Winchester

As the largest producer of small caliber ammunition in the world, Winchester continues innovative production after assuming management of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. Whether it’s for hunters, sport shooters, law enforcement or the U.S. Military, we are dedicated to producing the best ammunition for the millions of people who trust us.

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

Vista Outdoor Donations Replenish Stolen Biking Accessories

From Vista Outdoor

Outdoor Inc. (“Vista Outdoor”) (NYSE: VSTO) is donating Bell helmets, Bell bike pumps and CamelBak bottles to Pedal Power Minnesota following the theft of the organization’s trailer filled with bikes, helmets, accessories and equipment. Vista Outdoor also joined with 235 other Minnesotans in supporting the Give Minnesota Pedal Power campaign. Vista Outdoor’s $30,000 donation completes Pedal Power’s goal of $50,000. The funding is needed to support Pedal Power’s 2021 operations, including purchase of traditional bikes, adaptive bikes and other equipment such as high-visibility vests and shirts.

On November 19, 2020, residents reported suspicious activity in and around the location where Pedal Power’s trailer was stored. Shortly thereafter, the organization’s leaders discovered the trailer and its contents were gone, including 30 bikes, pumps, reflective vests and cable locks. Police continue to investigate the theft.

Quote from Kelly Reisdorf, Chief Communications and Investor Relations Officer at Vista Outdoor:
“Vista Outdoor is proud to support Pedal Power and their fundraising campaign in this time of need. We were saddened by the news but have been encouraged by the community response. Pedal Power’s mission aligns with Vista Outdoor values, which is to get more kids, people and communities in the outdoors. Pedal Power’s mission also aligns with our product expertise: our brands Bell and CamelBak make some of the best gear in the bike industry. These teams are excited to replace the stolen items. Our support today is just the beginning. We intend to grow with Pedal Power and expand the partnership to get more kids on bikes and in the outdoors.”

Quote from Mark Trumper, co-founder of Pedal Power Minnesota:
“My heart is full of gratitude. We did not find our trailer or bikes but we found a vein of empathy and generosity that showed me how much people care about our mission and the children of Minneapolis.”

To learn more about Pedal Power and their fundraising campaign, please visit: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Pedal-Power-1

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

Pelican Launching Its 14QT Personal Cooler—the First Cooler to Separate Wet and Dry Storage

From Pelican

The new Pelican™ 14QT Personal Cooler is the first on the market to separate wet and dry storage, and it will be available at www.pelican.com on Black Friday 2020. It features a dry-box section in its lid to separate electronic devices and flat personal items from internal ice and the elements outside. It also boasts an easel slot for smart phones and tablets.

“Designed for either every day carry or weekend adventure, the Pelican 14QT personal cooler features will enhance your journey,” said Stephan Corti, Pelican’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Its industry leading wet/dry storage separation will keep your meal and drinks at the right temperature for a day and a half.”

The Pelican 14QT personal cooler fits up to six standard beverage cans, as well as two Pelican™ Ice Packs. The freezer-grade gasket, PRESS & PULL™ latches and 1.5” thick polyurethane foam work together to offer up to 36 hours of ice retention. Additional features include:

A removable inner tray to keep non-perishables cool and dry
An integrated bottle opener with a magnet that catches bottle caps
A snap in flexible lid organizer
A wide grip handle and a walk-way cut out for easier, ergonomic transport

With an MSRP of $99.95 USD, it is available in White/Gray or Dark Gray/Green and is covered by a three-year limited warranty.

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

SIG SAUER Shipping P320 Fire Control Unit and Launches P320 Studio Virtual Configurator

From SIG Sauer

SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the SIG SAUER Custom Works P320 Fire Control Unit (FCU) is now shipping and arriving at select SIG SAUER Master and Elite Dealers. The standalone P320 Fire Control Unit (FCU) enables an entirely new level of customization and personalization in the world of firearms; in addition consumers now have the ability to build a completely custom P320 using the P320 Studio at sigsauer.com.

“The P320 pistol is renowned for both its unprecedented modularity and unmatched capability to become the pistol of choice amongst firearms enthusiasts and all branches of the U.S. Military,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, SIG SAUER, Inc. “The soul of the P320, and the driving force behind its modularity, is the patented, serialized fire control unit that gives the consumer the ability to build their dream pistol from the ground up.”

The SIG SAUER P320 Custom Works Fire Control Unit (FCU) is a patented, serialized fire control unit (only available at select retail stores) that features a titanium nitride coating and lightened skeletonized trigger with an exclusive FCU Serial Number (FCU ###), and is compatible with 9mm, 357 SIG and 40 S&W calibers.

“In conjunction with the availability of the P320 FCU in retail stores, we are also launching the P320 Studio online at sigsauer.com. This level of customization is an industry first and the virtual experience offers the consumer countless options and endless possibilities to build and view their custom P320,” continued Taylor. “We are planning to take the customization element of this one step further, because we recognize that the consumer wants what they want, and sometimes that’s something SIG doesn’t offer. By working hand-in-hand with premium after-market component manufacturers, FCU customers can quite literally build their dream P320 however they want.”

Custom guns don’t have to cost a fortune….here’s my interview with some of the industries experts.

The P320 Studio gives the consumer a unique online experience to build a P320 pistol from the ground up by choosing a grip module, slide, barrel, guides and springs, optics, or complete CAL-X Kits with the virtual P320 configurator. All parts available within the P320 Studio are available for purchase direct from sigsauer.com.

“It’s quite fitting that for the pistol known for its modularity, SIG has found yet another way to introduce an entirely new level of modularity and personal customization to the P320,” concluded Taylor.

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

Ruger Completes Acquisition of Marlin Assets

From Ruger

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) announced today that the closing of its acquisition of substantially all of the Marlin Firearms assets occurred on Monday, November 23. The agreement to purchase these assets emanated from the Remington Outdoor Company, Inc. bankruptcy and was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama on September 30, 2020. The purchase price of approximately $28.3 million was paid with available cash on hand.

Chief Executive Officer Christopher J. Killoy noted the excitement that has permeated the firearms industry in anticipation of the confluence of these two iconic firearms brands, “Since we announced the agreement to purchase Marlin in September, we have heard from countless members of the firearms community – consumers, retailers, distributors, writers, and collectors – who are delighted that legendary Marlin rifles are now part of the Ruger product family. We are excited to start moving these assets to our Ruger facilities and setting up the manufacturing cells that will produce Marlin rifles for years to come. We look forward to re-introducing Marlin rifles in the latter half of 2021.”

The acquisition is part of the final settlement in the bankruptcy of Remington. Vista Outdoor also recently took control of the Remington ammunition factory. Roundhill Group is now owner of the firearm’s manufacturing side and famed Ilion, NY, factory.

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

Important Safety Recall Notice for M&P Shield EZ Pistols

From Smith & Wesson

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE: M&P SHIELD® EZ® PISTOL

Smith & Wesson® Issues Important Safety Recall Notice for certain M&P Shield EZ Pistols manufactured between March 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Smith & Wesson Inc. announced today that the Company has identified two M&P Shield EZ Pistols on which the hammers manufactured by our supplier were cracked. In those firearms, the hammer failed to fully engage the sear, causing the round to fire, cycling the slide, and potentially resulting in multiple discharges without depressing the trigger. In all cases, the firearm will NOT fire unless the grip safety is depressed. While this condition has been found only in two hammers, and our investigation suggests that these two incidents are very isolated, any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury. Therefore, we have established this Safety Recall as a precautionary measure to ensure that all M&P Shield EZ Pistols in service meet our design specifications, as any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury. This notice applies ONLY to M&P Shield EZ pistols (including Performance Center® models) manufactured between March 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020, and only to a small percentage of that population. It does NOT apply to all SHIELD™ pistols.

Stop using your M&P Shield EZ pistol until you determine whether it is included in this safety recall, and if so, until it has been inspected and repaired by Smith & Wesson, if necessary.

We are asking consumers of all M&P®9 Shield EZ, and M&P380 Shield EZ, including Performance Center models, to go to MPShieldEZrecall.com and input their serial number, or call 888-871-7114, to determine whether the hammer of their M&P Shield EZ Pistol was from a manufacturing lot that was potentially affected. This notice applies ONLY to certain M&P Shield EZ model pistols, and not all M&P Shield pistols.

If your M&P Shield EZ Pistol is included in this recall, as determined by the website link or telephone number above, please follow the instructions on the website link, or call 888-871-7114 and we will arrange for the return of your firearm to Smith & Wesson for inspection. After inspection, if the hammer from your firearm is affected, it will be replaced at no cost to you. We expect that this entire process will take no longer than 10 business days, and your pistol will be returned as quickly and efficiently as possible. All shipping and replacement costs will be covered by Smith & Wesson.

For M&P Shield EZ Pistol owners outside the United States, see our list of Authorized Warranty Centers available at smith-wesson.com/customer-service/warranty-stations, who will inspect your pistol and replace your hammer as necessary.

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

Steiner Cinder Thermal Sight Now Available to Predator Hunters

From Steiner

Steiner Optics introduces the Cinder Thermal Sight offering enhanced thermal imaging in a sleek, modern thermal sight perfect for rifle-mounted or handheld target acquisition day or night, even in poor weather conditions. Advanced features including Wi-Fi video streaming and Recoil-Activated Video recording make the Cinder an ideal choice for nighttime hunting and shooting.

The Cinder offers 320×240 thermal resolution with enhanced operation by using an optical stabilized and shutterless thermal imaging core and advanced imaging processing from a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU. All images are broadcast on an 800×600 pixel full color OLED display and can be streamed to Wi-Fi devices such as smartphones and tablets using the Cinder app or through an analog video-out port.

Hunters will never miss a shot on video with the Recoil Activated Video (RAV), which automatically saves video from a few seconds before and after the sight detects weapon recoil and, if wanted, images can be geo-tagged with the built-in GPS. A Stadiametric rangefinding reticle allows hunters to estimate distance of targets with known size, and picture-in-picture digital zoom give users an extra bit of confidence with a zoomed-in view of where they are aiming.

Here’s another night vision option from Sightmark.

Operation of the Steiner Cinder is easy using a five-button keypad located on top of the unit or through the Wi-Fi app.

Users can customize output color including image polarity, 10 color palettes and color selectivity, which when applied only broadcasts thermal signatures in a defined threshold. Simply put, targets stand out in color and the remaining environment is grey. Optimum detection is achieved through additional setting features such auto gain control and precise contrast selectivity.

With the SureShot feature, sighting-in is easy. After the first shot users can adjust the reticle on the horizontal and vertical axis digitally with the sight controls and can select from five different crosshair reticle types. As firmware is upgraded, users can update the optic via Wi-Fi to take advantage of improvements in programing.

For more information on the Cinder thermal sight or other Steiner products contact your nearest Steiner dealer or visit www.steiner-optics.com.

CINDER SPECIFICATIONS:

· Thermal Resolution 320×240

· Image Resolution: 800×600

· Eye Relief: 25mm or 40mm

· Wireless: 802.11 b/g/n

· Video: H.264 and MPEG4

· Weight: 25.26 ounces

· Overall length: 7.99inches

· Battery: (2) CR123A or (1) Rechargeable 18650

· Handheld or Picatinny Rail Mount

· MSRP: $4,399