Here is some of the latest shooting sports industry news:
Sig Sauer is shipping its Spartan II series of pistols, the 1911 Spartan II Full-Size and Carry, and the P238 and P938 Spartan II Micro-Compacts.
The Spartan II series of pistols are hammer-fired, single-action-only, all-metal pistols with a distressed coyote finish. Each gun has custom engraved aluminum grips featuring the Sig Sauer Spartan helmet branding, an engraved, emblazoned slide with the classic expression “Molon Labe,” and SIGLITE Night Sights.
The 1911 Spartan II Full-Size and Carry are available in .45 Auto and feature an ambi thumb-safety, accessory rail, skeletonized hammer and trigger with all black controls, and comes with two 8-round magazines.
The 238 Spartan II Micro-Compact is available in .380 Auto and features an ambi thumb-safety and comes with one 7-round steel magazine. The 938 Spartan II Micro-Compact is available in 9mm and features an ambi thumb-safety and comes with one 7-round steel magazine.
Hornady A-Tip Wins PRS Quiet Riot
Jake Vibbert won the Precision Rifle Series Quiet Riot match using the new Hornady 6mm 110-grain A-Tip Match bullets. The event was held May 31-June 1 in Hiawatha, Utah.
“The Hornady A-Tip bullets provide the accuracy you need when shooting a PRS match," Vibbert said. “They just flat-out shoot."
The A-Tip is a low drag, high performance match bullet. Hornady plans to begin shipment of the new A-Tip bullets to the general consumer market in June.
The most striking visual feature of the A-Tip Match bullet is its long, uniform, precision-machined aluminum tip. The longer aluminum tips are machined to be caliber specific and when coupled with highly refined AMP bullet jackets, aggressive profiles and optimized boattails the result is enhanced drag efficiency across the board.
Smith & Wesson Donates $20,000 to HAVA
Smith & Wesson Corp. recently presented Honored American Veterans Afield with $20,000 to help fund HAVA-sanctioned hunting and shooting activities for disabled veterans and injured active military personnel.
Lane Tobiassen, President of Smith & Wesson, presented the donation to HAVA Chairman Tom Taylor in the Smith & Wesson booth at the 2019 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Indianapolis.
“It is an honor to support an organization that has done so much for veterans for more than a decade," Tobiassen said. "HAVA-funded activities are an inspiration to the firearms community, and the importance of the work being done to get our veterans back in the field cannot be overstated. These activities provide so much excitement and happiness to thousands of veterans and their families who have sacrificed themselves for our freedoms, and we are proud to give back through this important organization which supports the well-being of veterans throughout our community.”
Founded in 2007 by several companies in the shooting sports industry, HAVA has sponsored events across the nation and has worked to heighten awareness of issues facing disabled veterans upon returning home. Donations from HAVA’s co-sponsors help sustain the many hunting and shooting sports activities the organization hosts each year.
Butler Creek ASAP Electronic Magazine Loader Now Shipping
Butler Creek is shipping the ASAP Electronic Magazine Loader to online and traditional retailers.
The .223/5.56 ASAP EML is the only product of its kind, and it is made with serious competitors and training facilities in mind. Users simply fill the 60 round hopper with loose .223/5.56 rounds, select the desired round count and press a button. The machine automatically orientates the ammunition and loads the magazine.
“The Butler Creek ASAP Electronic Magazine Loader is on the cutting edge,” said Will Hemeyer, Butler Creek Senior Product Manager. “The EML represents our commitment to exceeding the expectations of accessory products used for magazine loading. For those looking for a fast and easy way to load rounds, the Butler Creek Electronic Magazine Loader is the perfect choice.”
With an easy-to-set round selection menu from 1 to 40, the ASAP Electronic Magazine Loader is faster, more accurate and easier on the thumbs than hand-loading. It can load 30 rounds in 45 seconds, while users concentrate on other tasks or instruction. It works with most AR15/M16 magazines and offers dual power supply via an AC adapter or lithium-ion batteries. It has a MSRP of $442.95.
GPO USA Names Carol Higgins Operations Manager
Carol Higgins has been appointed operations manager for German Precision Optics USA.
Higgins will be responsible for overseeing the entire organizational process of incoming product orders, managing all company shipping and inventory, project oversight, technical training and development, client account management, and implementing operational policies and procedures. Analytical data on key customers and products will also be produced as requested. She will report directly to Michael Jensen, GPO USA owner/CEO.
Higgins comes to GPO with more than 30 years of experience in the sporting optics industry. Prior to joining the GPO team, she worked at Carl Zeiss Sports Optics from 1985-2018. During that tenure, she established the customer service division and later the company’s inside sales department. She later gained the title of Customer Service Manager, handling the responsibilities pertaining to dealers, consumers and repairs.
“I am very excited to be utilizing my many years of experience in customer service in the sporting optics industry to help grow GPO USA,” Higgins said. “It is critical that our customer service is to the high standards that our products are. I am here to ensure that this happens each and every day.”
Team Ruger Dominates 2019 PSA Shootout
Team Ruger won several division titles at this year's PSA Shootout Match held at the Palmyra Sportsmen's Club in Annville, Pa. The PSA Shootout is a fast-paced match consisting of six stages with 25-35 targets of knockdown steel per stage.
Team Ruger competitor James McGinty grabbed first place in the Stock Auto division with a time of 89.41 and Dave Olhasso in second place with a time of 90.77. In the Open Auto division, McGinty finished with a winning time of 73.59 shooting the SR1911 in 9mm Luger.
In the Stock Revolver division, both competitors performed admirably, shooting the GP100 with a 6-inch barrel. McGinty finished in second place with a time of 154.02 while teammate Olhasso grabbed third place with a final time of 154.05.
"It felt great to finish with the overall fastest time for the match while taking first place spots in both the Open Auto and Stock Auto divisions," McGinty said. "My Ruger SR1911 topped with a Leupold DeltaPoint helped me battle through the tough and fast stages, allowing me to take home the overall win."
Redding Adds 224 Valkyrie, 22 Nosler, 6mm Creedmoor Premium Dies
Redding Reloading Equipment has expanded its offerings of Premium Die Sets with the addition of the 224 Valkyrie, 6mm Creedmoor and 22 Nosler.
These new offerings include a Carbide Expander Button and a Micrometer Adjusting Seat Stem, and are packaged in a distinctive black and gold box.
The Carbide Expander Button reduces stress on the case neck and also is free floating, which many believe improves overall concentricity. The Micrometer Adjusting Seat Stem allows for precise bullet seating depth to 1/0.001” adding to the handloader’s ability to find and repeat the perfect bullet jump for the best accuracy possible from his or her rifle.
The Standard Premium Die Sets have a Full Length sizing die and a Seating Die with Micrometer Seat Stem. The three die, Premium Deluxe Set has those two dies but also adds a Neck Sizing Die.
Springfield Armory Announces New Distributors
Springfield Armory has partnered with two new wholesale distributors, Camfour, Inc. and Hill Country Wholesale, Inc.
“We have an incredibly low number of distributors for our industry, and that is because we are extremely selective about whom we choose to go into business with,” said Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese. “We view our relationships with our distributors as partnerships.”
Based out of Westfield, Massachusetts, Camfour, Inc. has been selling wholesale products on behalf of the firearms industry since 1961. Camfour was the first of its kind to offer online ordering capabilities in 1984 with its software, PCGun, and is further modernizing its ordering and account management approach with new software introduced this year, EZGun.
Hill Country Wholesale, Inc., headquartered in Pflugerville, Texas, is also linked into Camfour’s EZGun software and carries a rich tradition of customer service excellence and industry acumen.
“We are pleased to add to our family of distributors,” says Springfield Armory VP of Distribution Peggy Hickenbottom. “The sales staff is top notch and eager to bring our line to their retailers. They will be a good fit and an enjoyable group of people to work with.”
Camfour and Hill Country host an annual trade show at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn.
Collins New National Sales Manager for Proforce
Scott Collins has been hired as the new National Sales Manager for Proforce Equipment, Inc., the exclusive distributor and representative for Tasmanian Tiger and Snugpak in the United States.
“Scott comes to Proforce Equipment with an incredible background in sales and operational management,” said Richard Lewis, President and CEO of Proforce Equipment, Inc.. “Utilizing his relationships within the outdoor and tactical markets, he will be responsible for developing new dealer and distributor partnerships, as well as, working with law enforcement and military units.”
In Collins’ previous position as sales manager, he was responsible for tactical nylon sales to law enforcement, military, first responders and government contractors. Prior positions also include outside territory sales of security and industrial uniforms and operations manager for the law enforcement, military, first responder, government contractor sector.
“I welcome the amazing opportunity to take the high-quality Tasmanian Tiger brand, which has performed so well in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and pioneer the brand here in the US while continuing to grow Snugpak in the US market,” Collins said.
