Here is some of the latest news in the shooting sports industry:
Springfield Armory’s best-selling pistol, the XD-S Mod.2, is now chambered in .40 S&W, and holds 6+1 or 7+1 rounds.
Following the release of the XD-S Mod.2 in .45 ACP and 9mm, Springfield is bringing the .40 S&W back. Engineered with a slim profile optimized for concealed carry, the small frame and single stack design achieves the ideal combination of both size and reliability.
The XD-S Mod.2 in .40 S&W features popular characteristics known throughout the XD-S Mod.2 product lineup, such as a fiber optic front sight for fast target acquisition, and a tactical-rack rear sight. This style of rear sight provides the added benefit of being able to rack the slide against objects such as a belt or door frame if neccessary. Aggressive Posi-Wedge slide serrations encourage easy manipulation of the slide, while enhanced grip texturing allows for a secure and comfortable feel for controlled, repeated rounds on target.
A high-hand grip is also encouraged through the XD-S Mod.2 frame by positioning a shooter’s hand closer to the bore axis for improved recoil control. A loaded chamber indicator allows shooters to see and feel the condition of the gun when holstered or in darkness. The grip safety renders the firearm incapable of firing unless engaged. The XD-S Mod.2 in .40 S&W also features an enhanced short-reset trigger and memory bump similar to those on 1911s, which allows for effortless engagement of the grip safety.
The XD-S Mod.2 in .40 S&W ships with two stainless steel magazines: a 6-round mag with a pinkie rest and one 7-round extended mag. A flush floor plate is also included to offer maximum concealability.
Umarex USA Adds Three to Sales Team
Umarex USA, Inc. announces three new appointments to its North American sales team.
Eric Coward has accepted the position of account executive reporting to Andy Green, national sales manager. Nigel Iles has been promoted to Elite Force product and marketing specialist, and Evan Haddick is now Elite Force account specialist, both of which report to Cliff Eisenbarger, Elite Force national sales manager. All are based out of Umarex USA’s headquarters in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
As account executive, Coward will work directly with sporting goods dealers and distributors, promoting the products of Umarex USA, including Umarex Airguns, Axeon Optics, and Exude Lights by Optical Dynamics. He joined Umarex USA in 2011 as a consumer service representative, moved into the role of gunsmith in 2012 and served as Elite Force Airsoft account specialist since 2013.
Iles will work directly with customers and guide social media marketing efforts, event coordination and promotions for Elite Force Airsoft. He has been a member of the Elite Force sales team since 2016. Before that, he was the owner and operator of Intrigue Airsoft store and field in Kansas City, Missouri.
Formerly Elite Force account and event coordinator, Haddick will take on a greater role in the Elite Force Airsoft sales efforts in his new position of Elite Force account specialist. He started with Umarex USA in 2015 as a consumer service representative and joined the Elite Force Airsoft team in 2018.
Obit: John Llewellyn Warne
Warne Scope Mounts honors the passing of its founder and firearms industry icon, John (Jack) Llewellyn Warne. Jack, as he preferred to be called, died at home May 21, 2019, in the presence of his wife of 72 years, Marjory, and his son, Steve. He was 96.
Jack Warne was born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1923 and had a long and industrious career in metal products manufacturing and firearms and accessory design and production, both in Australia and in the United States.
As founder of Australia's only official firearms maker, Sporting Arms Limited, Jack designed a full line of sporting rifles, including the Sportco Model 62, known in the USA as the Winchester 320. His design and manufacturing prowess led him to an association with Omark Industries in 1958. With it he manufactured under license Omark's powder-actuated construction tools through 1968, at which time Sporting Arms Limited was acquired by Omark Industries. Warne's career at Omark Industries continued until 1985, when he retired as President / Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to his retirement from Omark Industries, Jack helped his son Greg develop the family business, Kimber of Oregon, where he designed Kimber's Model 82 and 84 rifles in the late 1970s.
Jack Warne founded Warne Manufacturing Company in 1991, which became known for manufacturing and marketing high quality riflescope mounts. He sold the company 10 years later in 2001, and it is now known as Warne Scope Mounts.
Warne is survived by his wife, Marjory, son Steve, three grandsons and three great-grandchildren.
ELEY Dominates ISSF World Cup
ELEY competitors have enjoyed great success this shooting season, winning eight of 12 small bore medals and an additional eight quota places at the third 2019 ISSF World Cup in Munich.
In total, 919 athletes from 98 nations travelled to the German city in the hopes of securing a ticket to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympic Games.
It was the men’s 50m 3P that kicked off ELEY’s winning streak with seven out of eight finalists putting their trust in ELEY tenex. And it paid off. Korean shooter Kim Jonhyung and Serbia’s Milutin Stevanovic seized the quota places for their home country.
The pressure was on in the women’s 25m pistol, with another two quota places for the taking. Fighting to secure her spot on the podium and an Olympic quota, team ELEY’s Antoaneta Boneva was up against German shooter Vennekamp to remain in the top three.
Using ELEY tenex pistol, Boneva struck the targets she needed to stay in the running and secure the quota place for Bulgaria. This meant it was an all ELEY shoot off for the final three with Rahi Sarnobat taking gold, Olena Kostevych silver and Antoaneta Boneva bronze.
Day three of the World Cup focused on the men’s 10m air rifle, with ELEY’s Oleh Tsarkov shooting a 10.9 to claim a quota place for Ukraine. Croatian shooter Petar Gorsa showcased his shooting talents in a steady performance to claim the silver using ELEY tenex air.
The penultimate day of competitions saw another all ELEY final three in the women’s 50m 3P. Russia’s Yulia Zykova shot a 10.6 to take her first-ever ISSF World Cup gold and quota place, despite being in second position for most of the final. Great Britain’s Seonaid McIntosh and Norway’s Katrine Lund took silver and bronze respectively, with the Norwegian shooter claiming the last quota.
One of the last individual events was a closely contested women’s 10m air pistol final. ELEY’s Anna Korakaki managed to claw back points after dropping down the leaderboard into third, shooting a 10.5 to come out victorious with 241.1 points - just 0.8 ahead of China’s Wei Qian.
Thermion Thermal Riflescopes Now Shipping
Pulsar will begin distributing limited quantities of its Thermion Thermal Riflescope, starting with XM models.
The Thermion will be available in five different models: XM30, XM38, XM50, XP38 and XP50. The XM models boast a 320x240 microbolometer resolution with 12μm pixel pitch and a full-color 1024x768 HD AMOLED display, delivering a crisp image with a detection range of up to 2,500 yards. The XP models are feature-rich with a 640x480 microbolometer resolution, 17μm pixel pitch, a 1024x768 HD AMOLED full-color display and detection range of 2,000 yards.
Additional Thermion features include variable zoom, picture-in-picture mode, 10 reticles in four colors and eight display color pallets. An integrated 16GB of internal memory allows you to take still images and record video.
Dealers interested in pre-orders or becoming a new Pulsar authorized dealer may contact sales@pulsarnv.com.
Rise Armament Supports Folds of Honor Patriot Cup
RISE Armament continued its involvement with the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup and Patriot Cup Invitational over the Memorial Day weekend.
Rise Armament sponsored the 11th hole at The Patriot Cup golf tournament. In lieu of golfing at that hole, tournament participants competed in a timed paintball course.
“We were excited and honored to again be involved with the Folds of Honor organization and participate in the Patriot Cup,” stated Matt Torres, president of RISE Armament. “The event plays a major role in the foundation’s fundraising for educational scholarships for the families of fallen or wounded soldiers—a mission we’re proud to support.”
The flagship fundraiser for Folds of Honor, the Patriot Cup Invitational is an annual weekend golf tournament and national gala celebrating our nation’s heroes. Following the Invitational on May 27, Folds of Honor hosted The Patriot Cup, an exclusive, invitation-only golf tournament at the Patriot Golf Club in Owasso, Oklahoma.
This patriotic event is attended by players from the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, and LPGA Tour; military golfers from across the country; and a host of celebrities to create an unforgettable experience for the families of fallen and disabled service members. The weekend-long tournament ended with a salute to our troops.
Money raised at the event helps provide educational scholarships to families of military men and women who have fallen or been disabled while on active duty in the United States Armed Forces.
Barton Hege Joins Meopta as Field Advisor
Barton Hege has joined Meopta USA Sport Optics as Field Advisor. Hege will assist with online consumer service and provide extensive content generation for social media platforms. He will also answer Meopta-related questions on many hunting and shooting forums.
“Meopta has a reputation for premium European optics at great price points, and the company is delivering on that in spades with their newest Optika line of riflescopes and binoculars,” he said. “Meopta has been diligently collecting consumer feedback and redeveloping its product lines to incorporate the many features consumers want. The company has tremendous upside as a result and many exciting new products in the pipeline. Meopta offers tremendous value for the money, and I look forward to helping spread the word.”
Hege comes to Meopta after almost 10 years as an On-Line Field Advisor representing Nikon Sport Optics. An avid hunter, Hege especially enjoys hunting deer, turkey, predators, and hogs. He also participates in numerous shooting competitions including handgun, long range, tactical, rimfire, carbine, suppressed weapon CQB, and tactical shotgun.
“Bart’s extensive knowledge of optics, hunting, and the shooting sports is a tremendous asset that will benefit consumers,” said Randy Garrison, Director of Meopta USA Sport Optics. “He responds to consumers’ online questions quickly and generates captivating and relevant content. We welcome Bart to our team and are pleased to share his expertise.”
Sig Sauer BOGO Father's Day Promotion
In celebration of Father’s Day Sig Sauer is offering an exclusive 2 for 1 Father’s Day promotion. Now through June 30, purchase any new Sig Sauer P226 pistol, and get a free Sig AIR X-FIVE ASP pistol.
The iconic Sig sauer P226 pistol was designed for the U.S. Military, is carried by elite special forces, and has proven to be the premier combat pistol. The P226 is a full-size, hammer fired pistol available in various models, including the elite Sig Sauer Legion, and multiple calibers (9mm, 40 S&W, 357 SIG, and 22LR).
With the purchase of any model Sig Sauer P226 pistol receive a SIG AIR X-FIVE ASP pistol. This Advanced Sport Pellet Pistol is CO2 powered with a full blowback metal slide and frame, 20-round patented rapid pellet magazine, and adjustable rear sight.
For additional details about the Sig Sauer Father’s Day 2 for 1 promotion, and the products featured in this special offer, visit sigsauer.com.
Shaw AR Barrels Now Shipping
Shaw Barrels, America’s oldest independent gun barrel manufacturer, has for decades been supplying AR-10 and AR-15 barrels to firearms manufacturers in the United States and abroad. These barrels are now available to the general public in the most popular calibers and configurations.
All barrels are 416R stainless and are available with optional straight and helical fluting. A black fluting upgrade is also available. Gas block seats are dimpled for set screw.
Available barrels include: AR-15 in .223 Wylde/5.66 NATO Bushmaster, 6.5 Grendel II and 450 Bushmaster, and AR-10 in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester. Winchester's new 350 Legend soon will be offered.
