Here is some of the latest shooting sports industry news:
1791 Gunleather has selected RubLine Marketing as its Agency of Record.
RubLine Marketing will be developing the strategy and marketing materials of new products this year and the expansive current lineup.
“Most team members in our office carry, so we know the 1791 Gunleather brand well," said Chase Rohlfsen, president of RubLine Marketing. "Having the opportunity to work with such a quality-driven company that focuses on not only performance but also comfort and style of their holster was very exciting. Look for great things to come."
High Speed Gear Contracts With Heckler & Koch
High Speed Gear has been contracted to provide Heckler & Koch® with more than 30,000 rifle Taco pouches as part of its fulfilment of the Army squad designated marksman rifle contract.
The Taco Molle pouch was chosen for its functionality, versatility and retention and will handle any type of rifle magazine. This unique pouch uses injection-molded polymer sides, 1000D Cordura front and back, and shock cord lacing to securely hold almost any rifle magazine. The Taco maintains a positive, adjustable grip on its contents without additional securing systems and deploys easily and silently on demand.
“We were so pleased to work with Heckler and Koch on this equipment contract for the Army,” said Bill Babboni, HSGI vice president of sales and operations. “While we have supported individual military units and personnel for years, to have two sizeable military contracts is truly an honor. It truly reflects well on our teams and the great work they continue to do here. We couldn’t be more grateful to support our military.”
Los Angeles Police Department Selects Federal Premium Ammunition
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has selected Federal Premium ammunition for multiple firearms platforms, including 45 Auto, 308 Win, and 12-ga duty requirements. The contract, with up to seven option years, will begin delivery immediately, with the LAPD servicing the department through regional distribution.
“Federal Premium is proud to provide the men and women of the LAPD with the highest quality duty ammunition,” said Jason Vanderbrink, president of Federal. “At Federal Premium Law Enforcement, we understand that officer safety is paramount, and that's why we have developed a full line of LE ammunition, with options for every department and every situation”
The contract addresses multiple platform needs, utilizing Federal Premium Law Enforcement products. Tactical HST offers consistent expansion and optimum penetration for terminal performance in 45 Auto, Federal Gold Medal 308 Win will serve marksmen, and 12-ga Tactical Buckshot transforms the most basic police shotgun into a precision shooting tool.
The LAPD has approximately 13,000 sworn and civilian employees. The City of Los Angeles is 468 square miles operating the third-largest municipal police department in the United States, which serves an estimated population of more than 4 million people.
Legacy Sports Plans NSSF Range-Retailer Expo
Legacy Sports International will attend the NSSF Range-Retailer Business Expo in Denver.
Legacy Sports International will have its brand selections on display including Howa Precision Rifles, Pointer Over Under and Semi Auto Shotguns, Citadel 1911’s and Home defense shotguns along with Nikko Stirling Optics.
To qualify for the new Legacy Sports Range-Retailer program, ranges in good standing can contact one of our territory mangers to consider their facility for inclusion into the program. Ranges can then select from the Legacy assortment of handguns, shotguns and rifles for 360-day terms at a discounted sample rate as long as the range supports the line within the retail operation with the same firearms being utilized on the range.
The NSSF Range-Retailer Business Expo is Aug. 19 - 21 in Denver.
Chesnut Hill Outdoors Retains F-3 Media
Chestnut Hill Outdoors, a division of Chestnut Hill Nursery, has retained F-3 Media to assist in the growth of its brand and expand its digital presence.
Chestnut Hill Outdoors is a nationally recognized leader in the introduction and development of new varieties of nut, fruit and flowering trees.
F-3 Media will utilizes its award-winning content creation as well as the agency’s digital marketing strategy, social management and ad creation. Utilizing geo targeted direct to consumer advertising, F-3 already has helped Chestnut Hill increase sell-through on its spring Walmart and Rural King shipments and increased engagement on social platforms.
Holland Joins Kryptek Outdoor Group
Kevin “Skinner” Holland has been hired as vice president of research and development for Kryptek Outdoor Group
Holland has earned the SEAL Trident and Special Forces Tab, and served in Naval Special Warfare Development Group and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-D.
Holland has seen combat in a wide variety of theaters across three decades. He has been wounded twice and served 20 tours in the Middle East. He graduated from – and taught at – SEAL Sniper School, as well as conducted real world missions. Holland logged more than 2,000 missions. Along the way, he learned a couple of things about equipment that works, as well as what doesn’t.
Between military services, Holland also found the time to qualify and work as a Wildlife Enforcement Officer. With his love of the outdoors, that seemed a natural career field to follow. Although no longer carrying a badge, he still spends plenty of time in the woods pursuing his passions. As an active big game hunter and trapper, Holland has hunted all over the world, from Africa to the North Pole.
Robinson Joins National Deer Alliance Board
The National Deer Alliance (NDA) recently added Phil Robinson, president and CEO of Arcus Hunting, to its Board of Directors. NDA was created in 2014 to serve as the guardian for wild deer conservation and our hunting heritage working at the policy level.
“We are delighted to add Phil to the NDA board of directors. He brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and experience while currently guiding Arcus Hunting, one of the top companies in the hunting industry. As an NDA supporter, Arcus Hunting has shown a commitment to protecting our deer hunting heritage, which is further illustrated by this important board appointment,” said NDA president/CEO Nick Pinizzotto.
“The NDA’s mission to bring together the entire deer hunting industry, including state and federal wildlife agencies, government officials, the various deer associations, and deer disease experts, and get everyone singing out of the same hymnal is spot on,” Robinson said. “Deer hunters and wildlife agencies need a credible hub of information and policies that improves our wild deer populations and also encourages more people to engage in hunting.”
Weatherby Slashes Prices on Some Ammo
Effective immediately, Weatherby is excited to announce an average 30% reduction in Select Plus Weatherby Ammunition. This price reduction will bring best-in-class Weatherby ammunition to a new level of affordability for the end consumer.
Ultra-high velocity, magnum ammunition is how Roy Weatherby got started in the 1940s. As a young wildcatter, he revolutionized the industry with his fast, hard-hitting loads that were dead-on accurate. Today, those same performance qualities are every bit a part of Weatherby cartridges. Weatherby’s intention is constant progression for ballistic superiority, confident in developing new and impressive cartridges that meet expectations attached to the Weatherby brand.
“There is no argument that Weatherby ammunition has performance advantages over most standard offerings," said Adam Weatherby. "The great news is that our ballistically superior cartridges are now available at a competitive price, and well within the reach of most big game hunters allowing them to step into a flatter and faster round.”
257 Weatherby 110 Accubonds From $99.00 to $65.00
300 Weatherby 180 Partition From $99.00 to $65.00
30-378 Weatherby 180 Barnes TTSX From $175.00 to $109.00
Updated Mojo Floaters Shipping to Dealers
MOJO has added three updated Floater species to its Elite Series Spinning Wing Decoy line: Mallard Drake, Bluebill and Redhead Floaters, all with factory installed remotes.
They feature all components in a solid housing connected to the molded float, with the super quiet, flexible body. This results in a faster, quieter, smoother, more user-friendly decoy. The float conveniently snap locks on and off the decoy housing with a half turn. It’s designed to receive an 11" threaded stabilizing bar with a 14 oz lead weight allowing the decoy to remain stable in rough water. An eyelet on the float will accept an anchor cord. The decoy takes four AA batteries (not included) and will accept a standard MOJO Support Pole.
Apex Tactical Attending NSSF Range-Retailer Expo
Apex Tactical Specialties, the leading manufacturer of aftermarket drop-in firearm parts, will be exhibiting in booth #110 at the NSSF Range-Retailer Business ExpoTM, set for Aug. 19-21 in Denver, Colorado.
Retailers and range owners attending the Expo should plan to stop by the Apex booth to learn more about the Apex Range Program, to sign up to become an Apex Stocking Dealer or place an order.
Whether in the startup phase or one of the nation’s leading establishments, the NSSF Range-Retailer Business Expo is designed specifically to connect ranges and retailers with the products, services and education they need to succeed.
Retailers and range owners interested in stocking Apex products but not attending this year’s Expo can contact Apex at dealer@apextactical.com or (623) 322-0200 for dealer pricing info and details on the Apex Range Program.
Truax Joins Taurus as Sales Data Analyst
Laura Ann Truax has joined Taurus as a sales data analyst.
Truax will be responsible for collecting and analyzing industry data which will serve Taurus in evaluating existing and potential new products, markets, sales outlets and overall business opportunities. She will assist the sales and marketing teams with valuable research on economic and industry growth trends and conditions.
Truax comes to Taurus from Brandt Information Services, provider of technology solutions for local, state, and Federal agencies, including GoOutdoors hunting and fishing licensing procurement systems and quota hunt and lottery management. While at Brandt Information Services, she was responsible designing and implementing fulfillment system optimizations, program updating, business analysis, and delivering customer-centric solutions.
“Having someone in place specifically to analyze market trends and sales numbers will be a huge benefit to our customer as well as our internal team,” said Carlos Vazquez-Pausa, VP of Sales. “With Laura joining our team we will be able to focus on dealer and consumer initiatives. Her broad technical skill sets and background in the outdoor consumer segment will serve Taurus well as the company moves forward with enhanced distributor and consumer services in our upcoming relocation to the new Bainbridge, Ga., facility.”
An alumnus of Florida State University, Truax holds a BS in Computer Science with minors in Mathematics and Physics. She is fluent in multiple programming languages and IDEs.
