In the latest shooting sports news ... 

It is illegal to retaliate against employees who report unsafe or unhealthy workplace conditions, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

OSHA issued a reminder to employers that retaliation is illegal. The agency said acts of retaliation can include terminations, demotions, denials of overtime or promotion, or reductions in pay or hours.

“Employees have the right to safe and healthy workplaces,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Loren Sweatt said in the statement. “Any worker who believes that their employer is retaliating against them for reporting unsafe working conditions should contact OSHA immediately.”

OSHA has a guidebook about how companies can prepare or update workplaces against coronavirus transmission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. Workers have the right to file a whistleblower complaint online with OSHA (or call 1-800-321-OSHA) if they believe their employer has retaliated against them for exercising their rights under the whistleblower protection laws enforced by the agency.

XS Sights Expands to Taurus G2, Canik TP9SF

XS Sights has expanded its 3-Dot RAM Night Sight line to include the Canik TP9SF series and Taurus G2 pistols.

The RAM (radioactive material) night sights feature a traditional 3-dot tritium notch-and-post sight picture, the rear sight is blacked out to increase contrast against the front sight which is available in bright orange or green. The front sight features XS’s proprietary Ember Glow Dot technology which absorbs ambient light and glows in low light. The front tritium lamp in the RAM sight charges the Ember Glow Dot, making the front sight glow brighter than the rear, keeping your focus down range.

Other key features include a rear sight overhang that reduces glare in bright light for greater sight definition. The anti-reflective rear tritium lenses also reduce glare in daylight while increasing contrast against the front sight. RAM sights also have a rear sight ledge to aid in one-handed slide manipulations.

The orange front sight contrasts best in bright light and the green glows best in low light.

RAM Night Sights are CNC machined from bar-stock steel and treated with a hardening and rust-preventative coating. Front blade width is 0.145” (3.68 mm) and the notch width is 0.170” (4.32 mm). While height varies by model, all models fit standard holster options. Designed for simple installation by hand or with a sight pusher tool.

Thelen New President of Capstone Precision Group

Dan Thelen is the new president of Capstone Precision Group, taking the position effective April 10 following the retirement of Bill Gravatt.

Gravatt will remain as a managing director on the Capstone Precision Group Board of Directors. Thelen has been General Manager of Capstone’s Mesa, Arizona, operations, which includes Berger Bullets and Berger Ammunition.

“I announced my planned retirement 18-months ago and hired Dan in January 2019 to accept this role in 2Q 2020," Gravatt said. “I am confident Dan will do an outstanding job. We have an excellent group of team members within Capstone so he is inheriting a fantastic team.”

Thelen brings more than 22 years of experience in finance and operations within the shooting sports industry. Before joining Capstone as General Manager, he was Chief Financial Officer at Hodgdon Powder Co. and previously Director of Operations for Modern Muzzeloading, Inc. Thelen will oversee Capstone’s Mesa manufacturing and Sedalia, Missouri, distribution center. Capstone Precision Group is a Part of Nammo Group

“I’m very excited for this new opportunity," Thelen said. “Bill has built a great foundation for Capstone and I look to further his vision for the company with the best bullets, cases and powder in the industry. The Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori, and SK brands have tremendous following in the global market.”

Mathis New LE Sales Manager for Primary Arms Government

Major Mathis has been named U.S. Law Enforcement Sales Manager for Primary Arms Government.

With more than two decades of experience in the defense industry, Mathis’ expertise in  firearms and tactical equipment will be foundational in delivering the best service and support to Primary Arms’ government partners.

Mathis’ experience originates with a background in defense contracting, where he was able to work and train alongside many of the most venerated teams around the world. This firsthand knowledge provided Mathis with a deeper understanding of tactical equipment, which includes both the technical and educational demands in equipping a team. Mathis used this knowledge extensively as a manufacturer representative, where he became an expert in electro-optical technologies. In the firearms industry, Mathis worked as the Director of Law Enforcement Sales, where he enacted strategic action plans and worked directly with local and national Law Enforcement agencies.

"We are excited for Major's entry to Primary Arms,” said Ozge Cumberland, Primary Arms Vice President. “As we expand our Government Division into 2020, Major's industry experience and product knowledge will be invaluable—not just for our company, but for the law enforcement community as well."

FN 509 Midsize MRD Available in FDE

The FN 509 Midsize MRD is now available in flat dark earth (FDE), the latest in FN America's optics-ready FN 509 line-up to be offered in the company's signature color.

The FN 509 Midsize MRD FDE, equipped with the company’s low-profile optics-mounting system, is FN’s solution for those who prefer the features of a standard model but with a smaller frame more easily concealed.

The FN 509 family of pistols are all striker-fired and chambered in 9mm. Each pistol features FN’s signature cold hammer-forged barrel with recessed target crown, enhanced slide serrations for easier slide manipulation, aggressive grip texturing to ensure secure grip while shooting and much more.

The FN 509 Midsize MRD FDE ships in a soft-sided case with 15- or 10-round magazines and all optics mounting hardware. The pistol is available to retailers today and has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $799.

Safari Club International Virtual World Tour

Safari Club International is kicking off its "2020 SCI Virtual World Tour," an online outreach experience bringing the latest news mixed with world class entertainment to the organization's members and chapters. 

Members and chapters are the foundation of SCI, hosting a variety of banquets, fundraisers, and other events around the country each year. With current circumstances making in-person engagement impossible, SCI began searching for innovative ways for chapters to engage with organizational leadership in an informative and entertaining way.  

"SCI is built around social events," said SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin. "We do incredible things for conservation and advocacy, but let's not forget how much we enjoy spending time together telling hunting stories and catching-up. SCI's Virtual World Tour is an exciting way to engage our chapters during these unprecedented circumstances," 

Tour attendees are able to join the event via video conference. The lineup of speakers for the inaugural event included Hamberlin, Ben Cassidy (Director of Government Affairs), and Chip Hunnicutt (Director of Marketing and Communications), who provided updates on behalf of the organization. Part of the tour also included exclusive video content and memorable hunting stories from the staff. There is also a question and answer portion of the program, giving members the chance to engage directly with SCI leadership to discuss issues of importance to their respective regions and chapters.   

Given the "rock concert" theme of the program, live music is a focal point of the Tour. Lucas Hoge, a No. 1 Country Billboard artist and Cabela's Ambassador, spoke about his lifelong passion for hunting and fishing and his new TV show "Hoge Wild." 

The tour kicked off in Tucson, Arizona. Like any good world tour, limited edition commemorative T-shirts can be purchased, with proceeds benefitting SCI's Hunter Action Fund. Tour attendees are also eligible to receive free prizes from Kifaru International, an outdoor gear company that recently featured SCI on its podcast.

Next week the Tour will be live for Washington, D.C. Metro Area SCI members. Following the stop in D.C., the tour is headed to Flint, Michigan, and then Calgary, Alberta. If your chapter is interested in booking a Tour stop, please contact SCI Advocacy (advocacy@safariclub.org).

Big Horn Armory Retains FMJ Marketing

Big Horn Armory (BHA), makers of big-bore firearms, has retained FMJ Marketing to assist with its marketing and sales efforts, including sales management, advertising, and media relations.

This will be in tandem to the efforts of BHA’s PR firm Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM).

“As a big bore fan and lever-action hunter, I’m excited to be working with the teams at BHA and LBM to help spread awareness about this great American firearms manufacturer out of Wyoming,” said Matt Foster of FMJ Marketing. 

Based in Oregon, FMJ Marketing integrates all facets of marketing for hunting and shooting sports companies, offering marketing strategy, branding and positioning, product development, marketing communications, media relations, and event planning.

Foster has more than 20 years as a shooting sports industry professional including management of all facets of marketing at Gerber, Warne Scope Mounts, Marlin Firearms and Safariland Firearms Accessories (Break-Free, B-Square, KleenBore, and SpeedFeed).

Legacy Sports International Shipping MDT Oryx Stocks

Legacy Sports International is now shipping the new Oryx Bolt Action Chassis Rifle Stocks by MDT.

The Oryx aluminum chassis replaces a standard rifle stock for a more accurate and ergonomic shooting experience. Installing the barreled action into the Oryx MDT Chassis takes only minutes.

The Oryx stocks are compatible with three of the Howa action sizes — Short Action, Mini Action and Long Action — and Remington 700 Short Action, Ruger American Short Action, Savage 110 Short Action and Tikka Short Action models. The stocks have an MSRP of $399.

There are three color panel options available to go with the black aluminum chassis frame: OD Green, Flat Dark Earth, and Gray.

Kinsey's Dealer Show Proclaimed Successful

The 2020 Kinsey’s Dealer Show was recharged and received record attendance with growth of about 20 percent over the 2019 show.

Attendees were once again treated to a weekend of entertainment, best-of-the-year pricing and giveaways at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa. Kinsey’s added new features including more Hot Shows, new Best-of-Show items, the return of Casino Night, and table seating for everyone at Dealer Appreciation Night.

This year’s act, Uncle Kracker, created quite a buzz and delivered with a strong performance. Floor hours were revamped to provide additional convenience and lunch bars were set up near the action to provide easy food access. The popular Bucks Box returned and offered a chance for five lucky dealers to grab $5,000 in cash. And finally, Kinsey’s expanded categories were on display —dealers were able to stock their shelves with archery, firearms, ammunition, and general outdoor products at one incredible show.

“The expanded categories benefited everyone," said Justin Gorman, Kinsey's director of sales. "Whether you are an archery dealer, firearms dealer, combination dealer, or a vendor there were a lot of new faces at KDS. New faces means new interactions and new sales. We are looking forward to continuing to grow our assortment and be a one-stop shop for outdoor and hunting retailers.”

KDS provided dealers with best prices of the year on products and flexible payment plans. Further, dealers were also able to take advantage of the improved KDS E-Show electronic ordering system, now in its sixth year. This interface allows dealers at the physical show to easily review, add, and adjust orders on the fly, while still capturing attendee only benefits.

Federal Premium Continues Support of PF, QF

Federal Premium is proud to announce its continued support of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever, the nation’s leading upland habitat conservation organization.

Federal recently surpassed 55 million shotgun shells sold under its Pheasants Forever royalty program, which benefits the organization’s habitat mission. These special shells are all sold in boxes marked with the organization’s logo. In time for the 2020 upland bird hunting season, the collaboration will bring a new Quail Forever load to market.

“Federal has been a corporate leader and great friend to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever for more than three decades,” said Howard K. Vincent, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s President and CEO. “Since the mid-1980s, Federal has walked beside our organization as true partners in conservation. From the ground-breaking on-the-box royalty program to the Build a Wildlife Area campaign to create public land for hunters, and all the way to shared advocacy efforts for CRP during Federal Farm Bills efforts. We greatly appreciate their support.”

Federal Ammunition was presented a Corporate Partners in Conservation Longtail Award at the 2020 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal President Jason Vanderbrink accepted the award.

PepperBall Expands Projectile Offerings

Due to high demand, PepperBall has expanded its projectile offerings for the consumer market, with its Live SD projectiles now in a 90-count option and a new Live X projectile.

Up until now, Live X was only available to law enforcement. Live X projectiles are PepperBall’s most potent and powerful concentration of PAVA pepper powder yet. Live X projectiles contain 5 percent PAVA, which is 10 times that of standard Live PepperBall rounds.

The PepperBall projectile, upon impact, creates a 12-foot cloud of the PAVA powder pepper irritant that disperses quickly enough to stop an assailant.

“During these uncertain times, people have been looking for less-than-lethal means to protect themselves. PepperBall is the perfect tool to fit that need,” said CMO Kyle Tengwall. “Our customers have asked for the Live SD in  larger quantities, and we are happy to provide the 90-count option. Even more exciting is our introduction of the Live X projectiles being made available to citizens. We really feel that these projectile product lines make our TCP and  LifeLite packages the best less-than-lethal offerings on the market.”

PepperBall projectiles are made in the USA and trusted by more than 5,000 government and law enforcement agencies.

'Silencer Shop' Now Independent Distributor of Ruger Suppressors

Silencer Shop has been added as an independent distributor of Ruger sound suppressors.

The two companies have recently entered into a distribution agreement, making the Ruger Silent-SR and Silent-SR 10/22 Takedown Integrally Suppressed Barrel available through silencershop.com or through any "Powered by Silencer Shop" dealer.

"We are thrilled to be kicking off this relationship with Silencer Shop," said Ruger Vice President of Sales Shawn Leska. "We look forward to the increased availability of Ruger suppressors that our loyal customers will experience through this new distribution channel."

Ruger first launched its suppressor line in 2016 with the introduction of the Silent-SR .22 LR suppressor. This popular line was further expanded the following year with the Silent-SR ISB, an Integrally Suppressed Barrel that quickly and easily assembles on any Ruger 10/22 Takedown or 22 Charger Takedown.

"Silencer Shop takes pride in providing top tier services with top tier brands like Ruger," said Dave Matheny, founder and CEO of Silencer Shop. "We are excited to add a company of Ruger's caliber to our offerings."