Here is some of the latest shooting sports industry news:
From May 1 through June 30, Styrka Optic is offering a $25 mail-in rebate on any S3 Series Rifle Scope*, S3 Series Binocular or S3 Series Red Dot, including the new Styrka S3 Red Dot Reflex Sight. The rebates are in the form a pre-paid $25 Visa card.
Once you purchase your new Styrka S3 Series optic or optics, simply fill out the rebate card at the store or go online at Styrkapromo.com to download the rebate form and directions. Rebate forms must be postmarked by July 15.
The rebate is good for each Styrka S3 Series optic you purchase.
Styrka's newest optic is the S3 Red Dot Reflex Sight, a multi-platform optic for hunting, competition, home defense and recreational shooting applications. They are available in a 3 MOA or 6 MOA configuration.
Styrka S3 Red Dots features a unique double-lens optical system that, coupled with dot color indexed coatings, virtually eliminate parallax and point-of-aim errors. They are available in a 2.5 MOA red dot model, a 5 MOA red dot, and a 5 MOA green dot. Constructed of tough, durable 6061-T6 Aircraft Grade Aluminum, S3 Red Dots weigh less than six ounces and provide true 1X magnification.
S&W Extends Military Appreciation Program
Smith & Wesson and Thompson/Center Arms have extended the “Thank You For Your Service” military appreciation program through Sept. 30.
This program applies to all active duty, honorably discharged, retired, or disabled members of the U.S. Armed Forces or Reserves. The program offers eligible United States Armed Forces personnel a discount on M&P Shield pistols and M&P 15 Sport series rifles, as well as other qualifying Thompson/Center and Smith & Wesson firearms purchased from Jan. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2019.
Purchases of a new Smith & Wesson or Thompson/Center firearm from the categories below between January 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019, will be eligible to receive the following:
• $75 Smith & Wesson prepaid card* on any new, qualifying Performance Center® T/C® LRR rifle
• $50 Smith & Wesson prepaid card* on any new M&P, T/C Compass® or T/C Venture™ rifle
• $40 Smith & Wesson prepaid card* on any new M&P pistol (excluding Performance Center pistols)
• $30 Smith & Wesson prepaid card* on any new Smith & Wesson, Performance Center, or M&P revolver
• $25 Smith & Wesson prepaid card* on any new T/C T/CR22® rifle (including Performance Center T/CR22 rifles)
To participate in the “Thank You For Your Service” electronic rebate program, customers must complete and submit the online rebate form at www.smithandwessonrebates.com. All submissions must include proof of purchase and be submitted on or before October 31, 2019.
Davidson's Expands Call Center, Sales Positions
Davidson’s plans to rapidly deploy a new Mid-Atlantic call center in its existing Greensboro, N.C., distribution facility and create new remote, regional sales positions across the country.
This aggressive sales initiative will enhance and further expand the reach of the call center in Prescott, Ariz. The creation of new sales roles will solidify and ensure ongoing support for Davidson’s vendor base. Davidson’s has additionally allocated significant resources to enhance its digital platforms and to invest in new technologies to improve warehouse productivity, all of which are centered on their unwavering commitment to FFL holders across the country.
“We are extremely excited to expand the reach of our sales team," said Davidson’s CEO Bryan Tucker. "Despite the challenging environment our industry faces, Davidson’s focus continues to be one of proactive growth and investment for the future.”
Company Quarterly Earnings Reports
— Winchester parent company Olin Corp. reported that its sales in the first quarter of 2019 were $157.2 million, down 8 percent from $170.9 million in the first quarter of 2018. The decrease was primarily due to lower military and commercial sales.
— For the fourth quarter that ended March 31, 2019, Vista Outdoor Inc. reported lower than expected profits due to multiple factors including increases to reserves for customer credit risk and product liability litigation along with temporary production and supply issues in its Shooting Sports group. Sales were $515 million, down 10 percent from the prior-year quarter.
Team Beretta Claims Six Podium Honors
Team Beretta shooters achieved six podium honors in three different events at the 2019 Trident Cup at Meadows Gun Club in Forsyth, Ga.
Team Beretta members in attendance at this competition included Desirae Edmunds, Zachary Kienbaum, Joseph Fanizzi, Dominic Gross, and Meagan Harrington.
Edmunds, who shoots with a Beretta DT11 L, achieved a ladies champion podium honor in the Super Sporting event with a score of 175 out of 200 targets. She also attained a runner-up podium finish in the Sporting Clays event with a score of 167 targets out of 200.
Kienbaum, shooting with a standard Beretta DT11, secured two runner-up podium finishes in the FITASC and Super Sporting events with scores of 180/200 and 188/200. Fanizzi simultaneously achieved both a third place and a sub-junior runner-up podium finish for his performance in the FITASC event with 179/200. Fanizzi competes with a Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting Black Edition.
Team Beretta shooters will continue their season at the upcoming 2019 U.S. Open at M&M Hunting Preserve in Pennsville, N.J., from May 12-19.
Sig Sauer Aiming for Zero Charity Match
The third annual Sig Sauer Aiming for Zero Charity Match is set to take place May 17-19 at the Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, N.H. Aiming for Zero is a division of the Active Heroes Foundation, whose mission is to reduce veteran suicide and assist military families.
“Sig Sauer has a long history of supporting veteran organizations, and we are honored to once again sponsor the Aiming for Zero Charity Match and support their mission to reduce veteran suicide,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer, and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales. “Our partnership with the Active Heroes Foundation, through hosting this match at the Sig Sauer Academy, ensures that 100 percent of the proceeds raised from the event goes directly to support the services and programs being offered to our veterans and their families.”
The match is a mix of IDPA, USPSA, and Steel Challenge with an Iron Sights division, a PCC division, and an Optics/Open division. For additional information about the match, registration information, or donate to the event please visit sigsauer.com/aimingforzero.
Eusebio Joins Howard Leight Shooting Team
Professional shooter and multiple record-holder KC Eusebio is the newest member of the Howard Leight Shooting Sports Pro Team.
A world-class athlete, Eusebio began competitive shooting more than 20 years ago at age 8. He has set a number of records within the United States Practical Shooting Association. He became the youngest Master class shooter at the age of 10 and the youngest Grand Master class shooter at 12. Continuing to set the bar high for himself and others, Eusebio won the World Speed Shooting Championships at the age of 15 – the youngest athlete ever to do so.
He is a five-time Open Overall World Speed Shooting Champion, a six-time Overall National Speed Shooting Champion, USPSA National Open Champion, Australasia IPSC Champion, a three-time US IPSC National Champion, and a three-time European Speed Shooting Champion. His titles from 2018 include the World Speed Shooting Champion Open Overall, World Speed Shooting Champion Rimfire Optics, World Speed Shooting Champion PCC, US Steel National Champion Carry Optics, US Steel National Champion Rimfire Optics, and US Steel National Champion PCC.
Eusebio won the 2019 US Steel Nationals in the Carry Optics division in April and set a national record in the process.
“Whether shooting for fun, in competition, while hunting or when training for defense, safety is critical,” Eusebio said. “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Howard Leight, a company I trust that has done so much important research that translates to great products that help protect shooters’ sight and hearing.”
KC’s next match is the US World Speed Shooting Championships at the Talladega Marksmanship Park on May 15.
Currently at howardleightshootingsports.com, use the code KC20 at checkout to receive a 20 percent discount on your order.
Taurus Captain Harrison Wins Two Titles
Jessie Harrison, captain of the Taurus Shooting Team, won a division title and Ladies Open at the recent US National Steel Championship at the South River Gun Club in Covington, Ga.
The event, sponsored by Taurus, was held April 3-6 and featured 460 competitors.
Harrison, one the most successful national shooters of all time, claimed both of her US National Steel Championship wins using her Taurus PT 1911 9mm pistols. One was built for Single Stack and one customized for Open Class.
For the Single Stack division, Harrison took the overall win, competing against both male and female competitors. In the Open division, Harrison captured the win in the Ladies Open Division. That win gave Harrison her ninth Ladies Open National Championship victory.