In the latest shooting sports industry news:

For the fifth year, clay shooters in the Benelli USA Invitational at Prince George’s County Trap and Skeet Center enjoyed friendly competition for a great cause and raised $85,000 for Freedom Hunters.

The event was held Sept. 27 in Glenn Dale, Maryland. Freedom Hunters supports outdoor opportunities for combat veterans, active duty military personnel and military families.

At the conclusion of the event, Benelli USA Executive Team General Manager Tom DeBolt, Benelli USA Vice President of Brand Marketing Tim Joseph, Benelli USA Digital Marketing Manager Laurie Gardiner and Benelli USA Finance Controller Gretchen Helm presented a check for the $85,000 to Anthony Pace of Freedom Hunters, representing the total amount raised through donations, silent auction bids and raffle ticket sales.

“This year’s Benelli Invitational was the best one yet. Support from the outdoor industry and local participants in donations of product, hunts and dollars continues to be outstanding,” said Joseph, who also serves as a member of the advisory board for Freedom Hunters. “The volunteers from Benelli USA and Freedom Hunters put a lot of heart into organizing and staffing this event. When you can have fun shooting, eat world-class BBQ, share great camaraderie and raise money for a good cause at the same time, it really is an exceptional day.”

Freedom Hunters is a military outreach program whose mission is to convey the outdoor community’s appreciation for the dedication of and sacrifices made by the men and women of the Armed Forces. Through the support of numerous groups and companies, including Benelli USA, Freedom Hunters arranges outdoor adventures and opportunities for active duty soldiers and combat veterans, as well as families of fallen heroes and children of those currently deployed. To learn more about Freedom Hunters, visit www.freedomhunters.org.

Ruger Announces Stock Repurchase

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) announced that during the third quarter of 2019 the Company repurchased 44,500 shares of its common stock in open market transactions at an aggregate cost of $2.0 million.

The average price per share repurchased was $44.83. These repurchases were funded with cash on hand.

At the end of the third quarter, $86.7 million remained authorized and available for share repurchases and 17.4 million shares of common stock remained outstanding.

TacSol X-Ring, X-Ring TD Barrels Now Supressed

Tactical Solutions (TacSol) X-Ring and X-Ring TD Barrels are now available integrally suppressed.

The TacSol X-Ring TSS and X-Ring TD TSS integrally suppressed barrels are the first of their kind to bring a quality, highly accurate, lightweight, and easily serviceable suppressed option for the popular Ruger® 10/22 and TacSol X-Ring VR Rifles in both standard and take-down actions. The X-Ring TSS also fits the Thompson Center T/CR22 rifle when utilizing the TacSol T/CR22 V-Block.

“The accuracy, quality craftsmanship, sound suppression and serviceability of our patented split tube technology in an integrally suppressed barrel is what makes these offerings unparalleled to anything on the market today,” said Mike Corkish, Director of Sales for TacSol. “Our X-Ring TD TSS is the only integrally suppressed takedown barrel that comes with fiber optic sights and all of the connecting hardware making the switch from the X-Ring TD TSS to the stock barrel quick, clean and easy.”

TacSol has been a leader in innovative .22LR offerings for almost two decades, and they are proud to continue that legacy with the introduction of these two integrally suppressed barrel upgrades for the most popular rifle platforms in the market.

Newington PD Selects Sig Sauer P320

The Newington, New Hampshire, Police Department has transitioned to the Sig Sauer P320 (9mm) as its official duty pistol.

The Newington Police Department (NPD) is a full-service law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the citizens of Newington and the Pease International Tradeport, home to Sig Sauer Worldwide Headquarters.

“When it comes to quality, performance and safety the Sig Sauer P320 really delivers. Our officers appreciate the modularity and having the ability to fit the pistol to their grip,” said NPD Capt. Michael Sullivan. “We carry the P320 with great pride because it’s the premier pistol for law enforcement, and the fact that it’s made right here in the community we are sworn to serve and protect makes it especially meaningful.”

The P320 is a modular, striker-fired pistol available in full-size, carry, compact, and subcompact sizing. The serialized trigger group makes the P320 adaptable to multiple caliber, size, and grip options. The P320 is available in 9mm, .357SIG, 40S&W, and .45ACP, with a choice of contrast, or Siglite Night Sights. The intuitive 3-point takedown requires no trigger pull for disassembly, and safety features include a striker safety, disconnect safety, and optional manual safety.

Otis Technology Acquires DRD Tactical

Otis Technology acquired the brand of tactical rifles, DRD Tactical, in an acquisition that took effect Oct. 1.

DRD Tactical leads the market in the design and manufacture of innovative tactical rifles. Each rifle is designed around three key characteristics —  discretion, reliability and precision. DRD Tactical specializes in a patented Quick Take Down rifle that ensures the utmost discretion when operators are traveling on covert operations. These rifles are designed for the military and law enforcement elite with a need for discreet carry.

“We are excited for this opportunity. Our technology and the base of our product line was built on innovation and it’s a key pillar of our values today,” said Larry Williams, CEO for Otis Technology. “DRD Tactical fully embraces that innovative culture with industry leading, patented rifle designs. We are extremely optimistic about not only the current product line, but what’s in development — as well as the huge potential in firearms and firearm accessories.”

DRD operations will continue in its facility in Georgia while sales, marketing and administrative support will be out of Otis headquarters in Lyons Falls, New York.

1791 Gunleather Adds Bangers Wholesale

1791 Gunleather, which manufactures premium handcrafted leather and Kydex gun holsters, has increased dealer assistance with the addition of Bangers Wholesale as a new wholesale distributor.

“With the growing demand for our holsters, the strategic partnership with Bangers was crucial. Their ability to deliver and their reputation of service, makes for an exciting partnership,” said Ramiro Romani with 1791 Gunleather. "Bangers recognize that if the shooting industry is to survive and prosper in the future, independent stocking dealers will continue to be a foundation of both Bangers' and the industry's success. Bangers place a lot of emphasis on building their organization to meet the needs of retailers."

Retailers interested in obtaining 1791 Gunleather products through Bangers Wholesale may call 1 (205) 324-8915, or visit https://www.bangersusa.com/. For information about stocking 1791 Gunleather, contact 1791 Gunleather National Sales Director Janette Palmer at janette@1791gunleather.com. For more details about 1791 Gunleather visit www.1791gunleather.com.

GPO USA Introduces Retailer Rewards Program

German Precision Optics (GPO) USA announced its new “My GPO Points program” that makes it easier for retail salespeople to earn and redeem points on GPO products. The program is e-mail based, and it also awards points for social media interaction with GPO Facebook pages.

The My GPO Points program is fast, easy and doesn’t even require the cost of a postage stamp. Simply register online, sell a GPO product, take a picture of the receipt with your smart phone and send it in to the GPO program e-mail address to earn 10 percent of the published sales price. Each $10 increment of the sale price gains the salesperson $1 redeemable for the purchase of a GPO product. For example, the GPO Passion HD 10x42 has a retail value of $999.99 and selling one of these products will earn 100 My GPO Points.

To participate, simply register by e-mailing GPO at mygpopoints@gpo-usa.com, and provide your name, address, and phone number. Then, upon selling a GPO product, take a photo of the sales receipt with your smartphone, and e-mail the photo of the receipt to the mygpopoints@gpo-usa.com address with the model name and serial number in the subject line. Liking and following the GPO Binoculars/Hunting page and the GPO Riflescope and Shooting page on Facebook will add 10 additional points to the sales clerk account. Sharing posts from either page will also gain five points for each new GPO post shared. To add points from social media, simply take a screenshot of the like/follow or shared post, and e-mail it to mygpopoints@gpo-usa.com.

“Traditionally, points programs have been complicated for clerks to collect points, and usually consist of photocopying a receipt, filling out a form and physically mailing it in,” said Mike Jensen, GPO USA president. “Submissions are often lost or unvalidated, and clerks end up shorted. I have written and run various points programs at different companies over the years, and I have always wanted to create one that was very easy for clerks to collect and redeem points. This one does just that and it adds social media into the mix for added points.”

Sellmark Makes Plans for 2020 NOTA Show

Sellmark brands Kopfjäger, Pulsar and Sightmark are poised to return to the 2020 NTOA Law Enforcement Operations Conference & Tradeshow after a successful 2019 show.

The 2020 National Tactical Officers Association Conference will be held Sept. 13-18, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri. Sellmark’s attending brands will all be housed in one booth, making it convenient for attendees to see products from each brand at one time.

Starline Brass Adds .30-06 Springfield

Starline Brass has added another caliber, the 30-06 Springfield to the growing lineup of high-quality brass.

The venerable 30-06 was adopted in 1906 for the 1903 Springfield service rifle for the U.S. Military. Since then, this utilitarian round has been chambered in an abundance of rifles in every action type.

The 30-06 has been touted as one of the most versatile cartridges of all time due to the wide variety of projectiles available. When the proper bullet is selected, the 30-06 is large enough to take on any game in the Western Hemisphere and almost anything in the Eastern Hemisphere.
 
To order Starline’s cases, please visit a dealer near you or order factory direct online at www.starlinebrass.com.

Matulewitz Joins Sentry Board of Directors

Steve “Mato” Matulewicz has joined the Sentry Products Group Board of Directors.

Matulewicz brings his depth of experience in sales and operations to the board, in addition to a distinguished career as a U.S. Navy SEAL. Sentry Products Group is leading manufacturer and distributor of products focused on protection, storage, and transportation of outdoor, military, and law enforcement equipment.

“We are honored to add Mato to the Sentry Board of Directors. Mato’s knowledge from his corporate positions, combined with his leadership and training as a U.S. Navy SEAL, makes him an outstanding addition to our Board of Directors,” said Mike Noell, Founder and CEO of Sentry. “Having worked with Mato in both his corporate capacities and the SEAL Teams, he is the perfect fit for Sentry, and we look forward to his input and guidance in the development of our expanding product lines.”

Matulewicz is currently Vice President of the Sig Sauer Academy, overseeing the daily operations of a 140-acre facility providing the highest quality firearms instruction and tactical training in the world, and the Sig Sauer Academy Pro Shop in Epping, New Hampshire. Previously, Matulewicz was the Executive Director of Global Defense Sales for Sig Sauer, Executive Director-Special Operations Division at ATK/Blackhawk!, and Vice President of Sales Operations Blackhawk! Products Group. 

As a U.S. Navy SEAL, Mato served for 24 years, retiring at the rank of Command Master Chief. He has held numerous executive/leadership positions as a U.S. Navy SEAL including the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (Squadron Command Master Chief), SEAL Team Two (Command Master Chief), and Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command (Command Master Chief).

“I am excited about the opportunity to join the SentryBoard of Directors, and look forward to lending my experience to positively influence the growth of the company, and to advance its mission of Live to Protect,” Matulewicz said.

Matulewicz also sits on the Board of Directors for the National UDT/SEAL Museum, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Excelsior College, Albany, N.Y.), attended the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted and Command Master Chief Academy’s (Naval War College, R.I.), and is Six Sigma Lean Manufacturing Certified (Old Dominion University).

CAA USA Confirms Exclusive Licensing Agreement with SB Tactical

 CAA USA, designers and developers of the MCK/Micro Conversion Kit, confirmed that since May 2019 it has had a licensing agreement with SB Tactical, originators of the patented Pistol Stabilizing Brace, for exclusive use on CAA USA products. 

“CAA USA is very excited about this exclusive agreement with SB Tactical,” LTC. (Ret.) Mikey Hartman, CEO of CAA USA, commented. “CAA USA and SB Tactical are committed to developing superior products that meet the demands of our customer base and ensuring quality and integrity above all.” 

The agreement specifies that only CAA USA MCK/Micro Conversion Kits have the right to utilize the intellectual property associated with the Pistol Stabilizing Brace. Any similar products not produced by CAA USA but sold under the CAA Israel name violate the SB-Tactical contracts and are not sanctioned by either company.

Alex Bosco, founder and owner of SB Tactical said in a statement, “We would like to inform our U.S. distributors and dealers that CAA USA is the only manufacturer of MCK, Micro Roni and Roni Stabilizers authorized to produce handgun conversion kits with the SB Tactical patented Stabilizing Brace technology. We respectfully request that any purported, counterfeit and/or unauthorized use of Stabilizing Braces in handgun conversion kits manufactured, sold or marketed by other companies be reported to SB Tactical. Please notify SB Tactical of any Micro Roni or Roni Stabilizers coming from companies like YRS Inc., CAA Industries (Israel) and Jay Technology, as they are unauthorized sellers of this product.”

Hartman said CAA USA is no longer associated with CAA Israel due to actions by the latter.     

“We at CAA USA have cut all ties with CAA Israel because of unauthorized actions of one of its minority shareholders, who began infringing on the SB Tactical patent, as well as violating the MAP prices on the Micro Roni, by selling through an Israeli internet company called YRS," Hartman said. "Given these unlawful actions, we had no choice but to design and manufacture our own 100-percent made in the USA conversion kit called the MCK. In addition, we have taken legal action to stop CAA Israel’s minority shareholder from making false and defamatory statements about the safety of our MCK”. In legal filings, CAA USA has also established that CAA Israel has been facing financial difficulties, further contributing to the need for separation of the two companies.

The CAA USA MCK is the next-generation Micro conversion kit, 100 percent American-made, easy to assemble, and compatible with the most popular handguns including Glock, SIG Sauer and Smith & Wesson. The MCK Glock model can accommodate 12 different Glock pistol models, allowing the end user more options at a lower cost.