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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Remembering Chip McCormick

Remembering Chip McCormick

From Kimber

Kimber Mfg. has learned of the passing of Chip McCormick, the man renowned for creating industry-leading 1911 magazines and triggers through his company, Chip McCormick Custom. Mr. McCormick, in partnership with Kimber Mfg. owner and CEO Leslie Edelman, also contributed greatly to Kimber’s success in the 1911 market.

Mr. McCormick provided instrumental consulting to Mr. Edelman in creating the firearm industry’s first mass-produced, high-quality 1911 pistols that included custom features. Mr. McCormick’s contributions included a beavertail grip safety, an extended slide stop, and an ambidextrous manual safety. These efforts not only changed the handgun market by adding upgraded features to commercialized top-notch 1911s, but simultaneously revolutionized how firearm-manufacturing companies crafted and assembled the legendary 1911 platform.

“The Kimber family is deeply saddened by the loss of Chip McCormick. He was a great friend and a great business collaborator,” said Kimber owner and CEO, Leslie Edelman. “His impact on this company, as well as the entire firearms industry, is immeasurable. Our condolences go out to Chip’s family and friends. He will be missed greatly.”

Kimber Mfg., Inc. is an American company that designs and manufactures premium firearms for individual, sporting, law enforcement and military markets. Complete information on Kimber firearms, accessories and Less-Lethal products is available at www.kimberamerica.com or by phone from Kimber in-house staff at +1 (888) 243-4522. A detailed product catalog is available upon request. Kimber can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

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SIG SAUER Commemorates U.S. Army’s Birthday

SIG SAUER Commemorates U.S. Army’s Birthday

From SIG SAUER

SIG SAUER, Inc. is proud to present a new four-part video series to commemorate the upcoming birthday of the U.S. Army on Monday, June 14th, and honor the prestigious U.S. Army Rangers with an inside look at the 2021 Best Ranger Competition.

“This year SIG SAUER was afforded the incredible opportunity to present custom M17 pistols as the official trophy pistols of the prestigious Best Ranger Competition,” said Jason St. John, Director, Government Products, SIG SAUER, Inc., and Sergeant First Class (Retired), U.S. Army Ranger. “Through this video series we recognize the U.S. Army and the incredible service and sacrifice of the entire U.S. Army Ranger regiment to our country.”

The SIG SAUER Best Ranger Video Series includes the following episodes:

  • Episode 1: Rangers Lead the Way: the already released video review of the history and foundation of the U.S. Army Rangers.
  • Episode 2: Honor: the newly released video reviews the inception of the famed Best Ranger Competition.
  • Episode 3: 2021 Best Ranger Competition: an inside look at the grueling 3-day Best Ranger Competition to be released on the birthday of the U.S. Army, June 14th.
  • Episode 4: Prestige: an interview with the 2021 Best Ranger Competition winners to be released on Friday, June 18th.

The U.S. Army Best Ranger Competition is a grueling competition that identifies the best, two-man U.S. Army Ranger team on a course that is designed to place extreme demand on each team’s physical, mental, technical and tactical skills and was held in Fort Benning, Georgia, April 16-18, 2021.

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Hornady Shooter Robert Brantley Hits 2.40-mile Shot

Hornady Shooter Robert Brantley Hits 2.40-mile Shot

From Hornady

Hornady® congratulates Robert Brantley on his record 2.40 mile shot at the Clark’s Knob ELR Match, May 1, 2021 in Tipton, KS.

Brantley used Hornady .416 Cal. 500 gr. A-TIP® Match bullets loaded in his 416 MCS wildcat in a GA Precision rifle to make the longest impact ever shot and recorded in competition.

“A-TIP bullets have many advantages,” said Brantley. “You see splash so much better than solids and the accuracy is simply unreal! The bullet-to-bullet consistency of the A-TIP make shots like this possible.” Brantley added.

A-TIP® Match bullets feature an aluminum tip that’s precision machined and longer than polymer tips, that moves the center of gravity and enhances inflight stability, resulting in tighter groups and reduced drag variability. In addition, A-TIP bullets are sequentially packaged for the ultimate in consistent performance.

Founded in 1949, Hornady® Manufacturing Company is a family-owned business headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska. Proudly manufacturing products that are made in the USA, Hornady® Manufacturing is a world leader in bullet, ammunition, reloading tool, accessory and security product design and manufacturing.

For further information regarding Hornady® products, visit the company web site at http://hornady.com.

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Henry Arms Offering Military Free Admission to Henry 180

Henry Arms Offering Military Free Admission to Henry 180

From Henry Arms

A day before the fireworks shows of July 4th, the Henry 180 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Road America will treat fans to an equally impressive performance on the track. Wisconsin-based firearm manufacturer and title sponsor of the race, Henry Repeating Arms, is celebrating by inviting 180 active-duty members or veterans of the United States military to attend the race with free general admission. Henry Repeating Arms has a long history of supporting the military and its veterans with recent donations to The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) totaling over $100,000, a $200,000 donation to The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, and tribute edition rifle presentations to veterans around the country including World War II hero, Louis Zamperini, and several Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

“It’s a weekend to celebrate America, and there’s no better place to do that than our home track in the good company of our employees, friends, and guests while enjoying a packed schedule of racing,” said Anthony Imperato, President and Owner of Henry Repeating Arms. “That mix of guns, gears, and July 4th gets my patriotic juices flowing, and I’m looking forward to shaking hands with those who served to keep weekends like this possible.”. For its 4th straight year of being the primary sponsor of an Xfinity Series racecar at Road America, Henry Repeating Arms is continuing its partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing. Henry expects to announce the driver and paint scheme in June.

The Henry 180 Xfinity Series race at Road America begins at 2:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 3rd, with live coverage on NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Active-duty members or veterans of the United States military who wish to attend the race in person can apply online for free admission from Henry Repeating Arms here: henryusa.com/thankyou Henry firearms are purchased only through a licensed firearms dealer. For more information about Henry Repeating Arms and its products, visit henryusa.com or call 866-200-2354.

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Ruger Reports Q1 2021 Earnings

From Ruger

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) announced that for the first quarter of 2021 the Company reported net sales of $184.4 million and diluted earnings of $2.16 per share, compared with net sales of $123.6 million and diluted earnings of 87¢ per share in the first quarter of 2020.

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend of 86¢ per share for the first quarter for stockholders of record as of May 17, 2021, payable on May 28, 2021. This dividend varies every quarter because the Company pays a percentage of earnings rather than a fixed amount per share. This dividend is approximately 40% of net income.

Chief Executive Officer Christopher J. Killoy commented on the financial results for the first quarter of 2021, “Strengthening our workforce and realizing operational efficiencies resulted in an outstanding quarter. I could not be more proud of how well our folks rose to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and capitalized on the opportunities presented by the historic surge in demand during the past year. But we did not allow the frenetic pace of our business to distract us from our long-term goal of driving shareholder value. Our focus on our new product development initiatives remained steadfast. Consequently, in March we introduced the Ruger Max-9, a versatile 9mm pistol that has been met with tremendous excitement. We look forward to additional exciting product launches in 2021, including the return of Marlin lever action rifles, which we plan to begin shipping in the fourth quarter.”

Mr. Killoy made the following observations related to the Company’s first quarter 2021 performance:

  • The estimated unit sell-through of the Company’s products from the independent distributors to retailers increased 9% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the prior year period. For the same period, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks (as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation) increased 13%. This growth is attributable to increased consumer demand for firearms in the first quarter of 2021 and has likely been constrained due to limited available inventory in the distribution channel.
  • Sales of new products, including the Wrangler, the Ruger-57, the LCP II in .22 LR, the PC Charger, and the Max-9 pistol, represented $34.8 million or 21% of firearm sales in the first quarter of 2021. New product sales include only major new products that were introduced in the past two years.
  • During the first quarter of 2021, the Company’s finished goods inventory and distributor inventories of the Company’s products increased slightly. However, in the aggregate, total Company and distributor inventories decreased 153,000 units from the end of the first quarter of 2020.
  • Cash provided by operations during the first quarter of 2021 was $27.8 million. At April 3, 2021, our cash and short-term investments totaled $146.1 million. Our current ratio is 3.5 to 1 and we have no debt.
  • In the first quarter of 2021, capital expenditures totaled $5.5 million. We expect our 2021 capital expenditures to total approximately $20 million, most of which relate to new product introductions.
  • In the first quarter of 2021, the Company returned $12.5 million to its shareholders through the payment of dividends.
  • At April 3, 2021, stockholders’ equity was $288.5 million, which equates to a book value of $16.41 per share, of which $8.31 per share was cash and short-term investments.
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MidwayUSA Foundation Grants Over $112,000 In Coach Training Grants

MidwayUSA Foundation Grants Over $112,000 In Coach Training Grants

From MidwayUSA Foundation

MidwayUSA Foundation continues to make an impact in the outdoor industry by expanding their programs to allow more of today’s youth the chance to participate in shooting sports. To create newly certified youth shooting sports coaches, MidwayUSA Foundation has paid $112,290 to 25 partnering organizations. These cash funds will directly assist these like-minded organizations to certify over 1,000 new shooting sports coaches, collectively. This is the first year and first grant payout for the Coach Training program.

MidwayUSA Foundation Executive Director, G. Scott Reynolds said, “Certified coaches are integral to youth shooting sports. Our youth cannot join a team, improve their skills, or compete without a qualified coach. This is exactly why the Foundation established this new annual grant program. After a tough 2020, I am happy we were able to roll-out our Coach Training Grant Program in time to make an impact in 2021.”

In addition to nearly 2,800 youth shooting team endowments, MidwayUSA Foundation funds over 65 state and national youth shooting sports organizations through Agency and Donor Designated endowments. These organizations, including SCTP, SASP, ATA, ACUI, and more are eligible for the Coach Training Grant Program. Youth shooting teams interested in certifying more coaches should reach out to their state or national organization. Coach Training grants will be paid annually through MidwayUSA Foundation.

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.

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Construction of SIG SAUER Experience Center Begins in Epping, NH

Construction of SIG SAUER Experience Center Begins in Epping, NH

From SIG SAUER

SIG SAUER, Inc., is pleased to announce the official commencement of the construction of the SIG SAUER Experience Center on the grounds of the SIG SAUER Academy in Epping, New Hampshire.

Today, Ron Cohen, President of SIG SAUER, Inc. was joined by Governor Chris Sununu and other local and state dignitaries, for the official groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of the SIG SAUER Experience Center, a state-of-the-art 40,500 square foot facility on the grounds of the SIG SAUER Academy in Epping, New Hampshire.

“SIG SAUER is growing, and we are excited to officially break ground for the SIG SAUER Experience to mark the beginning of another phase of our evolution,” began Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. “This facility will attract visitors to the New England region from all over the world and create new jobs, and we view this endeavor as a true partnership with our state and local leaders that have worked hard to foster an environment where SIG can grow and thrive and are one of the secrets to our continued success and growth here in New Hampshire.”

The SIG SAUER Experience Center will feature the SIG SAUER flagship retail showroom, state-of-the-art indoor shooting ranges, and a high-tech, interactive SIG SAUER museum depicting the history of SIG SAUER, and a one-of-a-kind educational experience for SIG SAUER products, a multi-purpose meeting space and conference rooms.

“The continued expansion of SIG SAUER’s New Hampshire operations with this new construction in Epping is another welcome addition by SIG SAUER to our growing economy,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “SIG SAUER is one of New Hampshire’s largest employers providing a diverse mix of high-tech manufacturing jobs to our workforce, and I am glad to partner with them as they continue to firmly plant their roots right here in the Granite State.”

Design-Build services are being provided by North Branch Construction and architectural design by Cowan Goudreau Architects both of Concord, NH. Civil engineering services are being provided by T.F. Moran, Inc. of Bedford, NH.

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True Velocity ‘Next Gen’ 6.8 TVCM Cartridge Benefits Current Weapons

True Velocity ‘Next Gen’ 6.8 TVCM Cartridge Benefits Current Weapons

From True Velocity

Texas-based ammunition manufacturer True Velocity released a video today detailing the performance advantages of its proprietary 6.8 TVCM composite-cased cartridge currently being evaluated by the U.S. Army in its Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program.

Though True Velocity’s 6.8 TVCM case design was originally optimized for use in the NGSW-Rifle and NGSW-Automatic Rifle submissions designed by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, the video demonstrates the cartridge’s additional compatibility with currently fielded weapons including the M240B belt-fed machine gun, the M110 semi-automatic sniper system, and the M134 rotary machine gun, or “minigun.” The company refers to this added 6.8 TVCM functionality as its “switch-barrel” capability.

Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL1wF-nCGc4

“True Velocity is an American-owned, American-based company that set out with a singular goal in mind, and it was to provide the American warfighter with an unfair advantage on the battlefield,” said Patrick Hogan, True Velocity’s chief sales and marketing officer. “The Next Generation Squad Weapon program has given us the opportunity to do that … Not only do we have this forward-leaning momentum with next-generation capabilities, but we have a plug-and-play application that can be fielded on the battlefield today with weapons that our soldiers are carrying into battle.”

True Velocity’s composite-cased 6.8 TVCM cartridge delivers significant performance and logistical benefits over traditional brass-cased ammunition and currently meets or exceeds all requirements of the NGSW program. The 6.8 TVCM cartridge provides significantly increased muzzle velocity and effective range over the traditional brass-cased 7.62x51mm round, while simultaneously reducing the weight of the cartridge by more than 30 percent and keeping chamber pressures at normal, safe operating levels, a factor that allows for compatibility with currently fielded weapon systems like the M240B.

“You’re talking about something as simple as pulling a barrel off the M240 and replacing it with one that accommodates 6.8 TVCM,” said Hogan, “and, all of a sudden, you’ve increased the effective range of this weapon by more than 50 percent, you’ve reduced the weight of the ammunition by over 30 percent, and you’ve given our soldiers a meaningful advantage on the battlefield.”

The U.S. Army down-selected True Velocity’s composite-cased ammunition in August 2019 for the NGSW modernization program. True Velocity submitted its 6.8mm composite-cased cartridge as part of an overall NGSW weapon system in partnership with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

For more information on True Velocity and the NGSW program, visit tvammo.com.

About True Velocity

True Velocity is an advanced technology and composite manufacturing company based in Garland, Texas. Founded in 2010, True Velocity has more than 300 patents pending or issued on its products, technology and manufacturing processes. Initially, the company is focused on revolutionizing the ammunition industry. True Velocity products are manufactured in the U.S. in a state-of-the-art facility and are currently available to public agencies, with consumer products available soon. True Velocity’s proprietary composite cartridge provides significant logistical advantages over traditional brass-cased ammunition and gives end users unmatched accuracy, repeatability, and reliability, all in a light-weight cartridge. For more information, visit tvammo.com.

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Ruger-57 Pistol Product Safety Bulletin

From Ruger

Ruger has discovered that a small number of Ruger-57 pistols may have right safety levers that do not meet our specifications and may be prone to cracking. Although only a very small number of pistols appear to be affected, Ruger is committed to safety and is asking owners of Ruger-57 pistols to perform a routine function check of the safety lever to ensure its proper operation and, if necessary, sign up for this retrofit. Details about what to look for and how to sign up for the retrofit appear below and on our website at Ruger.com/Ruger-57Retrofit.

PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO THIS SAFETY BULLETIN:

Potentially affected pistols include any Ruger-57 pistol with a serial number of 642-26274 or lower (including all Ruger-57 pistols with a “641” prefix). If your Ruger-57 pistol is within this range (641-00000 to 642-26274), you should follow the inspection procedure outlined below to determine whether your pistol requires a retrofit. Ruger-57 pistols with a serial number of 642-26275 and above are not affected by this Safety Bulletin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE: In some rare instances, the internal “leg” of the right safety lever may crack or break, rendering the manual safety ineffective. If present, this condition may cause the manual safety to appear to be functioning properly when it is not. Although Ruger already instructs owners of Ruger-57 pistols to perform a function check before each use, we are requesting that all owners of potentially affected pistols perform this safety inspection immediately.

HOW TO INSPECT YOUR PISTOL:

BEFORE YOU BEGIN, BE SURE YOUR PISTOL IS UNLOADED AND THERE IS NO LIVE AMMUNITION IN YOUR WORKSPACE.

1. With the pistol pointed in a safe direction, remove the magazine and place the manual safety in the “fire” position.

2. Retract the slide and lock it to the rear using the slide stop.

3. Visually and physically inspect the chamber to ensure there is no ammunition present.

4. Retract the slide slightly and release to allow the slide to close on an empty chamber.

5. Engage the manual safety by pushing up on the safety lever (see Figure 1). Ensure it moves up fully and “clicks” into place.

6. With the pistol pointed in a safe direction, pull the trigger firmly, but do not force it beyond the point where you meet resistance. The trigger should be blocked and the hammer should not fall (see Figure 2A).

7. If the trigger is blocked and the hammer does not fall, no further action is required, but you should regularly perform this, and all other function checks described in your instruction manual as a part of your normal inspection process.

IF, WITH THE MANUAL SAFETY ENGAGED, YOU ARE ABLE TO PULL THE TRIGGER AND THE HAMMER FALLS (SEE FIGURE 2B), OR IF YOU ARE UNSURE, PLEASE DO NOT USE YOUR PISTOL AND IMMEDIATELY SIGN UP FOR THE RETROFIT AT RUGER.COM/RUGER-57RETROFIT OR BY PHONE AT 336-949-5200.

Ruger reminds consumers that periodic inspection and function checks of any firearm is important to ensuring its safe operation. It is important to frequently perform regular function checks as described in your instruction manual, and to clean and inspect your firearm after each range session. Proper maintenance increases the longevity of your firearm and will allow early detection of worn or broken parts.

Ruger also reminds consumers to always treat every firearm as though it is loaded and always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Never rely upon any safety or mechanical device to justify unsafe or careless firearm handling.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE RETROFIT:

STEP 1: If your pistol fails the function check listed above (you are able to pull the trigger and release the hammer with the manual safety engaged), please do not use your pistol, and sign up for the retrofit at Ruger.com/Ruger-57Retrofit or by phone at 336-949-5200.

STEP 2: Our Customer Service team will issue you an RMA and send you a pre-paid shipping label to return your pistol for service.

STEP 3: We will perform all required safety updates and will make every effort to return your pistol within one week of when we receive it.

If you have any questions regarding this Safety Bulletin, please visit the FAQ’s and inspection video on our website at Ruger.com/Ruger-57Retrofit. If you need assistance signing up for the retrofit, please contact Customer Service at 336-949-5200.

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Smith & Wesson Launches GUNSMARTS Series 2

Smith & Wesson Launches GUNSMARTS Series 2

From Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson today announced that it has expanded its GUNSMARTS video series with over thirty new educational videos for both new and experienced firearms owners. Hosted by industry experts Ken Scott, Julie Golob, and Jerry Miculek, Smith & Wesson’s GUNSMARTS Series 2 covers a comprehensive set of topics that include firearms education, shooting tips, gear recommendations, and more – all in a simple, inviting manner.

Matt Spafford, Senior Marketing Manager, said, “We received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback after the launch of GUNSMARTS in 2020, and as such, we’ve developed GUNSMARTS Series 2. This new content series provides new, exciting videos to help both new and experienced gun owners improve their firearm knowledge and skillset. We hope that GUNSMARTS Series 2 encourages firearms owners to get outside, enjoy the shooting sports, and brush up on their skills.”

New GUNSMARTS Series 2 content is hosted on YouTube and will be released weekly throughout the summer, starting on June 1st. To watch Smith & Wesson’s GUNSMARTS Series 2, click here.

To stay up to date on all of the latest news and events, connect with Smith & Wesson on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.