Category: Firearm Industry News

Coverage of events for Fear and Loading by Guy J. Sagi and breaking news of interest to firearm owners.

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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.

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NSSF Promotes Safe Hunting as 2020 Hunting License Sales Surge

From NSSF

NSSF, the trade association for the firearms industry, welcomes the millions of Americans who intend to go afield this hunting season – many of them for the first time – and reminds hunters to use, transport and store their firearms safely and help prevent accidents in the field, on the range and in the home.

“Americans have rediscovered the outdoors as COVID-19 has closed off other types of recreation,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “Millions have also bought their first firearm and are curious to experience all that hunting has to offer. We want to make sure they have the tools they need to enjoy hunting and the shooting sports safely this season and for years to come.”

The effort comes as NSSF launches its 2020 “Hunt S.A.F.E.” campaign. Hunt S.A.F.E. is a component of NSSF’s Project ChildSafe initiative, which focuses on promoting secure firearm storage and preventing unauthorized access. S.A.F.E. is an acronym for Store your firearms responsibly when not in use; Always practice firearm safety; Focus on your responsibilities as a firearm owner; and Education is key to preventing accidents.

NSSF and Project ChildSafe are working with prominent industry influencers and partner organizations, including GAT Marketing for a sponsored giveaway contest to guide hunters toward a suite of hunting safety resources. These include:

First-time hunters will also appreciate the library of hunting tips, tactics and techniques available at NSSF’s LetsGoHunting.org website.

“Hunting is a time-honored tradition for many Americans, one that benefits conservation efforts across the country, and safety remains at the core of enjoying hunting,” Bartozzi said. “With so many Americans discovering and returning to this tradition, it’s a good time to remind all gun owners that storing firearms securely when they’re not in use is the No. 1 way to help prevent accidents and keep guns out of the wrong hands.” 

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Meprolight Sells14 Millionth Self-Illuminated Day and Night Sights

From Meprolight

During its third quarter international business recap call with employees, Meprolight® announced it had reached another benchmark and sold its 14,000,000th self-illuminated day night sight. Meprolight was founded to develop aiming solutions to meet the challenges of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Since its humble beginnings, it has grown into a preferred vendor to militaries, law enforcement agencies and civilian shooters worldwide.

Meprolight’s engineers, like all Israeli citizens, are required to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces. They learned, by hands-on-the-gun, the limitations and challenges of aiming handguns and rifles. Out of this experience came self-illuminating—tritium powered—day/night sights for handguns, shotguns and rifles to fit guns from over 27 manufacturers. Models include:

  • TRU-DOT®—sighting system for improved rapid instinctive aiming which requires no transition from day to night use
  • MEPRO FT Bullseye—Innovative Fiber-Tritium Optical Pistol Sight
  • MEPRO R4E—Optimized Duty Sight
  • MEPRO Adjustable Sights
  • MEPRO AR/AK/ Shotgun/Rifle Sights
  • MEPRO FRBS—Front/Rear Back-up Sights

Here’s a look at why you should improve your handgun sights from the company.

As a result of product innovation, attention to detail, quality and dependability, Meprolight® is a leading OEM manufacturer of self-illuminated day/night sights for 9 major gun manufacturers.

If you are looking to upgrade your self-defense capabilities, you can trust Meprolight®. 14 Million day/night sights sold and growing is a good track record. For more information or to locate your closest Meprolight Dealer, visit us.meprolight.com or call (717) 985-4482.

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U.S. firearms imports boom in 2020

From SAAF

Not counting muzzle-loading or so-called military weapons, Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF) estimates 2020 U.S. handgun and long-gun imports through September at 4.2 million units, a 36% increase over the same time period last year. Third quarter imports alone grew year-over-year by an astonishing 87%.

Third quarter imports sum to 1.8 million weapons, with 92% of that volume accounted for by the top-10 countries of origin. Filling about one-third of 2020 third quarter overall firearms demand in the United States, these countries are Turkey (nearly 430,000), Austria, Brazil, Croatia, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, China, Canada, and the Philippines (nearly 40,000).

Here’s a look at October’s record number of gun sales.

SAAF’s firearms import estimates are based on raw data taken from records of the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). The raw data are difficult to interpret and different analysts may well arrive at somewhat different numbers.

SAAF Chief Economist Jurgen Brauer comments that “over the past several decades firearms imports have come to play an important role in the U.S. firearms industry’s competitive landscape and brand names such as Beretta, Glock, Sig Sauer, and Taurus are well-established in the U.S. market. Imports through the third quarter this year already exceed those for the whole of 2019.”

Chart courtesy of SAAF

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Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office Missing More than 200 Guns

What began with an anonymous complaint in 2019 that 15 long guns were missing has turned into an official search for 200 missing firearms, including 109 confiscated from citizens under the state’s Protection From Abuse Act. According to this report from an NBS TV affiliate in Philadelphia, auditors experienced significant “pushback” when they investigated, although the current sheriff’s administration is now fully cooperating.

6 ABC has more coverage below.

As if missing duty firearms and civilian guns isn’t bad enough, the investigation has also found that some were haphazardly stored on floors, comingled with items from other cases and dangerously left loaded.

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Rapid Growth Leads to Large Expansion for Riton Optics

From Riton Optics

Former U.S. Air Force service member and Capitol Police Officer, Brady Speth started Riton Optics in 2013 with the initial consumer sales starting in 2016. What originated with scopes literally being sold out of a backpack, transformed into a well-developed, highly sought after product line that provides consumers with better value and service.

In those humble beginnings in 2013, Speth and his wife operated the company from their Arizona residence, designing and testing products with the support of Speth’s military and law enforcement relationships. In 2016, as enthusiasts became more familiar with this newcomer to the optics market, Riton made its first move into a commercial space on Tucson’s east side. In just one year, an adjacent space was acquired to double the space, in order to keep up with customer demand. Two years later in 2018, the company had again outgrown the building and expanded to a new facility to double their operations space.

Here’s a look at the company’s new X3 Tactix MPRD.

After continued unprecedented growth in an additional two year time period, Riton once again outgrew their space and on October 23rd of this year, Riton celebrated the grand opening of their new building. With over 10,000 square feet of space and property for continual expansion, this beautiful new structure features an engaging front lobby area with custom displays, a full studio for media and significant floorspace for operations, quality control and warehousing.

Regarding the new space, Riton’s Chief Operating Officer, Carrie Speth commented, “There’s an indescribable sense of pride and gratitude when reflecting on where we started in the garage of our house to now multiple expansions in a few short years. The expansion allows us to continue our goal of providing consumers with the best value and service in the optics industry.”

Throughout this incredible journey of growth, Riton remains committed to the vision of providing the best value and service in the optics industry.

For more information on Riton and to SEE THE DIFFERENCE, visit www.ritonoptics.com.

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SIG SAUER Achieves Milestones for U.S. Military Handgun

From SIG SAUER

SIG SAUER is proud to announce the recent achievement of two significant milestones of the Modular Handgun System (MHS) program; the delivery of the 200,000th MHS pistol manufactured at the SIG SAUER facility in Newington, New Hampshire, and the first month to have MHS pistols simultaneously delivered to all branches of the U.S. Military.

I interviewed the experts and they has some surprising comments when asked how long polymer framed handguns will last.

“These milestones are a testament to SIG’s ability to adapt and succeed amidst the extraordinary circumstances we have faced throughout this pandemic. Our supply chain was challenged, and the strength of our manufacturing systems has proven that we will, without hesitation, continue to outpace the stringent demands of the delivery schedule of the MHS program,” said Ron Cohen, President & CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. “Throughout this period, our factory operations and our employees have been faced with unimaginable adversity. Despite the unpredictability, we continue to consistently deliver M17 and M18 pistols that surpass the requirements for accuracy, and exceed expectations for both quality and reliability, to ensure our nations soldiers are prepared for the rigors of the battlefield.”

These milestones are a testament to SIG’s ability to adapt and succeed amidst the extraordinary circumstances we have faced throughout this pandemic. Our supply chain was challenged, and the strength of our manufacturing systems has proven that we will, without hesitation, continue to outpace the stringent demands of the delivery schedule of the MHS program,” said Ron Cohen, President & CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. “Throughout this period, our factory operations and our employees have been faced with unimaginable adversity. Despite the unpredictability, we continue to consistently deliver M17 and M18 pistols that surpass the requirements for accuracy, and exceed expectations for both quality and reliability, to ensure our nations soldiers are prepared for the rigors of the battlefield.”

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Shine United Launches New Website for Krieghoff International

From Shine United

Shine United is pleased to announce the launch of a new website for Krieghoff International, a 130-year-old brand best-known for their elite competition shotguns and hunting rifles.

Krieghoff approached the Madison, Wisconsin-based agency for their unique ability to drive outdoor brands forward through bold design and rich storytelling. The newly launched site seamlessly integrates contemporary design with an intuitive user experience – helping shooters find the right firearm for their sport.

“When it comes to competition and hunting shotguns, Krieghoff makes some of the best firearms in the world,” said Mike Kriefski, Shine United’s President and Executive Creative Director. “It’s beyond inspiring to work with a company driven by engineers and artists – where every product they produce is a custom- built work of art. Our job was to make sure their new site lived up to the firearms they build – and we did just that.”

Since its inception in 2001, Shine has been revered for its bold brand evolutions, innovative marketing strategies and breakthrough creative executions. Shine has received much acclaim for its work for outdoor lifestyle brands, working with brands such as Sitka Gear, Carver Yachts, LaCrosse Footwear, Aguila Ammunition, Mossberg Firearms, Winston Fly Rods and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“Our deep understanding of the outdoor and firearm business makes Shine an exceptional fit for Krieghoff. This knowledge base, combined with Shine’s bold design sense and forward-thinking brand strategy, have a proven track record for success. We’re thrilled to be part of Krieghoff’s growth,” said Chris Sprangers, Shine’s Director of Outdoor Brands.

“Shine was able to take all of our needs and translate them into a new website that gives our customers a more comprehensive experience,” said Ken Pfau, General Manager. “The contemporary design exemplifies our corporate identity and the functionality of the interface will make it easier for customers to learn about, and purchase, our products. We’re very pleased with Shine’s work on this project.”

See the new website in action https://www.krieghoff.com/.

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Viridian Gun Cameras Deployed by Crandall PD

From Viridian

The Crandall, Texas Police Department has deployed the FACT Duty™ Weapon-Mounted Camera (WMC™) for officers in the field. Police Chief, Dean Winters, and officials from Minnesota-based Viridian Weapon Technologies will give a short news conference on the impact of the new technology. The news conference will take place Wednesday, November 18 at 10:00 AM at the Crandall Police Department, 104 E. Trunk, Crandall, TX 75114.

Crandall’s announcement follows other recent departmental adoptions in Texas. Earlier this year, a high-profile officer-involved shooting (OIS) trial in Vernon, Texas included footage from Viridian’s gun camera as the key evidence. The jury convicted the defendant of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a public official. Viridian’s WMC captured footage that clearly showed the defendant pointing a sawed-off shotgun at Vernon Police Corporal T.J. Session who was wounded in the ensuing exchange of gunfire. The Body Camera footage of the incident did not provide this crucial view.

One agency in California has also deployed the cameras.

“The FACT Duty Weapon Mounted Camera literally provides a lens to view the actions of law enforcement that has not been available before with other types of cameras,” said Chief Winters. “When Viridian first came on the scene a few years ago we knew that it was on the leading edge of law enforcement technology. After the recent trial in Vernon, Texas, where the video captured by an officer’s FACT Duty camera during an Officer Involved Shooting, where the officer was shot by a suspect, it became very apparent that it was technology that was important for us to have as part of our department.

“Although the Crandall Police Department is a small agency, we have always tried to be on the forefront in the use of technology in day-to-day operations,” Chief Winters continued. “Crandall was the first agency in Kaufman County to have officers wearing Body Cameras, long before anyone really understood the reasons why they were needed. But for us, not only was it a way to capture evidence in the field, we felt it added a layer of transparency to our department. Now that our officers are utilizing Viridian’s FACT Duty Weapon Mounted Camera, we want the community that we serve to know that their trust and our transparency is paramount, and to show how important it is to us, we are honored to take the extra steps that modern policing requires by adopting the use of the camera system into our department.”

Viridian has created an important category for law enforcement with the introduction of the Weapon-Mounted Camera. This distinctive technology provides an unobstructed view of critical use-of-force events from the end of the firearm, addressing limitations officers can face with body cameras.

“The decision by Chief Winters and many other agencies across the country demonstrates the commitment to transparency made possible by our FACT Duty gun camera,” said Viridian President and CEO, Brian Hedeen. “Viridian’s FACT Duty Camera can provide an unobstructed view that’s often hard to capture with body cameras. Our technology affords officers an evidentiary tool that can capture the critical evidence of a subject’s actions.”

The highly advanced WMC employs a 1080p full-HD digital camera with a microphone and 500 lumen tactical light. Viridian’s proprietary INSTANT-ON® technology automatically activates the camera and microphone whenever the officer draws the firearm from its holster. Not only does this eliminate risk of failure to manually turn on the camera during a critical event, but it also keeps the officer from fumbling with cumbersome equipment.

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NSSF Releases Most Recent Firearm Production and Import and Export Figures

From NSSF

NSSF®, the firearm industry’s trade association, released the 2020 edition of its Firearm Production Report to members. The report compiles the most up to date information based on data sourced from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF’s) Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reports (AFMER) as well as the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). Key findings for public release showed:

  • In 2018, 11.4 million total firearms were produced or imported in the United States (less exported firearms).
  • Approximately one-half (48%) of all rifles produced and imported (less exports) in 2018 were Modern Sporting Rifles.
  • Since 1990, there are an estimated 19.8 million Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) in circulation today.
  • An interim 2019 estimate showed a total of 6 million total firearms were produced in the United States. Of those, 3.6 million were pistols and revolvers, 2 million were rifles and 480,000 were shotguns. Those are interim figures that will be updated when complete reports become available from the ATF.
  • In 2019, there were approximately 3.3 million firearms imported into the United States which included 2.3 million pistols and revolvers, 301,000 rifles and 678,000 shotguns.
  • From 1991 to 2019, nearly 214 million firearms have been made available to the U.S. market.
  • According to reports such as: ATF Firearms Commerce in the United States, ATF AFMER and Congressional Research Service data, there are an estimated 434 million firearms in civilian possession in the United States.
  • There are approximately 71.2 million pistol magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds, and 79.2 million rifle magazines capable of holding 30 or more rounds in circulation.
  • Firearm and ammunition manufacturing accounted for nearly 12,000 employees producing over $3.9 billion in goods shipped in 2018. An estimated 8.7 billion rounds of all calibers and gauges were produced in 2018 for the U.S. market.

“These figures, combined with the record-breaking 17.2 million NSSF-adjusted background checks for the sale or transfer of a firearm in the first ten months of 2020, demonstrates that Americans have a strong desire to continue purchasing firearms for lawful purposes,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF’s President and CEO. “The Modern Sporting Rifle continues to be the most popular rifle sold in America today, and with nearly 20 million in circulation, is clearly a commonly-owned firearm that is being used for lawful purposes every day in America. The continued popularity of handguns demonstrates a strong interest by Americans to protect themselves, their family and homes, as well as to participate in the recreational shooting sports.”

Today’s report also shows that as lawful firearm ownership in America continues to grow, criminal and unintentional misuse of firearms is falling. During the 28-year period covered by this report (1991–2018) the violent crime rate has decreased by 51.3 percent and unintentional firearm-related fatalities have declined by 68.2 percent.

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