In the latest shooting sports industry news:
High Speed Gear, maker of Battle-Proven Tactical Gear, has established a working partnership with Wes Doss, CEO and founder of Khyber Interactive Associates.
“High Speed Gear’s continued expansion into the law enforcement and military markets has provided a unique opportunity to partner with key individuals to help enhance our knowledge base that ultimately will guide the manufacturing of our gear,” said Bill Babboni, HSGI vice president of sales and operations. “Now more than ever it is important to have a deeper understanding of what gear our customers want and need.
"It is critical that we have individuals we can trust to provide feedback and assist in our testing. Wes has a long history training LE and military personnel; his expertise, understanding and use of our equipment will help deepen our brand within these communities. We are excited to bring him on as part of the team.”
Doss is an internationally recognized firearms, tactics and use-of-force instructor with more than 30 combined years of military and civilian criminal justice experience, as well as significant operational time with military and law enforcement tactical operations and protective service organizations. Doss holds specialized instructor certifications from the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, Smith & Wesson Academy, Sig Sauer Academy, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of State and more.
Rock River Arms Shipping LAR-22
Rock River Arms is now shipping its new LAR-22 series rifles, which give shooters higher volume and reduced recoil in a lower-price alternative to more expensive 5.56/.223 ammunition for practice and general recreation shooting.
Three variants of the LAR-22 rifles are currently shipping—the Tactical Carbine, Mid A4, and NM A4 CMP Trainer.
Tactical Carbine – For those who favor an MSR with a free-float barrel and handguard configuration, the LAR-22 Tactical Carbine is an optimal choice for tactical training or target plinking. Select between a forged aluminum upper and lower receiver set or RRA's own polymer lower receiver set for a lower-cost option.
Mid A4 – Designed for those who prefer a more traditional A4-style firearm, the Mid A4 LAR-22 is also offered with forged aluminum upper and lower receivers or the RRA polymer upper and lower receivers.
NM A4 CMP Trainer – Built to be a stand-in practice rifle for CMP National Match competition, this rifle combines a precision 20-inch stainless steel heavy barrel with RRA's NM CMP TRO free-float rifle-length handguard (with three TRO modular rails and a National Match sling swivel). Another precision upgrade is the RRA Two-Stage Match chrome trigger group.
Walther PPQ M2 Available in Coyote Tan
Walther's PPQ M2 is now available in full Coyote Tan finish. The slide and frame are Cerakote Coyote Tan while the trigger, mag release, slide release barrel, and backstrap remain black. The new PPQ M2 Coyote Tan is available in limited quantities.
Interchangeable backstraps allow you to tune your grip for a perfect, straight-back trigger pull. This adjustability also provides access to the magazine and slide releases without shifting your hand. Designed for right and left-handed shooters, the PPQ M2 features an ambidextrous slide stop and reversible button-style magazine release.
East New President of Adams Arms
Jason East has been appointed President of Adams Arms and will lead all aspects of day to day operations including manufacturing, operations, finance, sales and marketing, engineering and supply chain management.
Paul Miller will remain as the Adams Arms Chairman, focusing on strategy, product roadmap, strategic partnerships and industry relations.
“I am confident in Jason and the entire Adams Arms team,” Miller said. “Our products provide great value to our customers, and there are exciting new products being readied for launch in the near-term.”
East previously served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer.
Apex Shipping Curved Trigger for FN 509
Apex Tactical Specialties is shipping its newest FN 509 offering, a curved trigger version of its popular Action Enhancement Kit.
The patent-pending design of the Apex Action Enhancement Kit for FN’s striker-fired FN 509 model pistols includes Apex’s Curved Action Enhancement Trigger mounted on an Apex designed proprietary Trigger Bar which is paired with an Apex Sear.
When installed the kit reduces trigger pull weight to give you an approximate pull weight in the 5.5 lbs range. Overall trigger travel is optimized to provide a smooth uptake while delivering a crisp trigger break.
The MSRP is $149.95.
Scheels Renews With SCI
Scheels has renewed its sponsorship of Safari Club International.
Beginning as a single hardware and general store in 1902 in Minnesota, Scheels has grown to 27 locations in 13 states and employs more than 6,000 associates.
Safari Club International - First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI has approximately 200 chapters in all 50 states and 106 countries.
Bergara Rifles Shipping BXR .22
Bergara Rifles has begun shipping its semi-automatic .22 LR, the Bergara BXR.
“The BXR (is) the first of several models to come from Bergara and will fill a void between the featureless, mass-produced models and overly priced boutique offerings,” said Nate Treadaway, CEO of BPI Outdoors, parent company of Bergara Rifles.
The BXR 22 LR series comes in two configurations. The base model sports a 4140 CrMo fluted steel barrel with a Cerakote finish, has a green/black fleck stock and weighs 5.25 pounds. The upgraded BXR is has a carbon fiber barrel, a black/gray fleck stock and weighs 4.75 pounds.
Geiger Joins Guidefitter Journal as Editor
Industry veteran John Geiger is the new editor of The Guidefitter Journal, the quarterly trade publication of Guidefitter, the industry network for professional outdoor guides and outfitters.
Geiger will oversee all editorial content as well as contribute content for guidefitter.com, in order to meet the growing demand for information about guiding, outfitting and the Guidefitter brand.
Journal readers can look forward to new features and departments that reflect his experiences as well as the needs of outfitters and guides.
Prior to joining Guidefitter, Geiger was the editor-in-chief of Game & Fish magazines and previous to that, editor of Fishing The Florida Keys magazine. He is based in north Georgia where he lives with his wife and four sons.
OpticsPlanet Adds Steyr Arms Accessories
Steyr Arms USA has expanded its North American sales distribution of its parts and accessories in a new partnership with OpticsPlanet, Inc., the leading online destination for technical and high-performance gear.
“We are proud to partner with such a large and well-respected company as OpticsPlanet,” said Jarrod Fuqua, Steyr Arms USA national sales manager. “With its reach, competitive prices, highly educated team of specialists and unapparelled customer services, we know this partnership will grow both of our businesses significantly.”
Founded in 2000, Opticsplanet.com’s wide selection of outdoor sporting goods, military and hunting gear includes more than 1 million items from more than 3,500 brands in over 500 specialty categories. It has been recognized for the 12th straight year by Internet Retailer Magazine as one of the top 200 e-retailers in the United States. For more information, visit www.opticsplanet.com.
Knives of Alaska Commemorates APHA on Blades
Alaska Professional Hunters Association has selected Knives of Alaska to manufacture two knives to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
One is the company’s popular Alpha Wolf, a fixed blade hunter with a 3.5-inch blade made from CPMS30V steel. The second is their new Sidewinder, an assisted open, folding knife with a 3.6-inch blade made with CPMS30V steel. The Sidewinder was designed especially for APHA’s 50th Anniversary.
Both will be engraved with the APHA logo. These knives are heirloom quality, made in USA, and individually serial numbered. Each model is priced at $125. The knives may be purchased by contacting APHA at (907)-929-0619 or office@alaskaprohunter.org.
Battle Rifle Company Celebrates With Big Giveaway
Battle Rifle Company, specializing in building quality rifles for law enforcement and security use, has announced a special giveaway opportunity for qualifying purchases through April 1, 2020.
In celebration of its upcoming 10th Anniversary, Battle Rifle Company is giving away 10 Trooper rifles. The entry period for the giveaways will run through April 1, 2020. Any department or individual officer (including reserve or retired) who purchases a Battle Rifle Company rifle during this period will gain an entry into the drawing to win 1 of 10 Trooper rifles.
The Trooper rifles will be equipped with three magazines, a sling and a tactical bag. Entries will be accepted until noon on April 1, 2020. The drawing will be held on April 1 at 1 p.m. — exactly 10 years from the day that Battle Rifle Company started in a garage in Seabrook, Texas. Multiple purchases will qualify for multiple entries. Any rifles purchased will also include three magazines per rifle, a tactical bag and a 1- or 2-point sling.
Battle Rifle Company is a custom builder of cost-effective solutions for AR style rifles for law enforcement, tactical shooters and government agencies. Battle Rifle Company also works with Foreign Law Enforcement and Government Agencies under ITAR Compliance.
For more information contact Chris Kurzadkowski at 281-777-0316 or info@battleriflecompany.com.
Rise Armament Engineer Recognized as Emerging Leader
Tucker Chonka, a manufacturing engineer with Rise Armament, has been recognized by the nonprofit organization OK2Grow as an Oklahoma Emerging Manufacturing Leader.
OK2Grow recognized manufacturing employees under the age of 40 who show strong leadership potential by making significant contributions in their current roles. Recipients were judged on leadership through job performance, project management, and involvement in the community, along with a positive approach toward careers in manufacturing.
“We’re thrilled for Tucker to receive this recognition,” said Matt Torres, president of RISE Armament. “Tucker is a very bright and hardworking team member, and this recognition is well deserved.”
Chonka has been a RISE employee for three years. In his current role as a manufacturing engineer, he has increased machines' productivity and implemented quality programs to increase first-pass yield.
OK2Grow held an award reception Aug. 27 in Tulsa at its 2019 “Dream It. Do It. Oklahoma” kickoff breakfast.
