Some of the latest tactical shooting sports industry news:

Sturm, Ruger & Company's AR-556 rifle with free-float handguard is now available chambered in .300 Blackout.

This addition to the Ruger AR-556 rifle line features a 16.10-inch cold hammer-forged barrel with a 1:7 twist and pistol-length gas system to reliably function with both the lightest supersonic hunting rounds and heavy, subsonic rounds.

The rifle also boasts an 11-inch aluminum free-float handguard with Magpul M-LOK accessory attachment slots and a standard pistol grip for easy user customization.

The dust cover and metal magazine are marked with the caliber for easy identification of both the rifle and ammunition. The pistol-length gas system is tuned to run with a wide variety of ammunition, with or without a silencer. The 5/8-inch-24 muzzle threads are capped with a thread protector.

Federal Premium Secures DHS Contract for Buckshot

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently awarded Federal Premium a major ammunition contract for 12-gauge Tactical Buckshot duty ammunition.

Starting delivery in 2019, the contract provides for up to 2,227,500 shells of 12-gauge 2-3/4 Inch, 00 Buckshot (Reduced Recoil) duty ammunition to multiple Department of Homeland Security law enforcement components and other federal agencies for up to five years.

“We are proud to provide the highest quality duty ammunition to DHS agents in the field,” said Federal Ammunition President Jason Vanderbrink. “Officers in the field require the highest quality ammunition at their disposal, in their vigilant fight to protect our freedoms. Federal Tactical ammunition ensures the highest performance threshold, and absolute officer confidence in terminal performance.”

Federal Tactical is a trusted partner for some of the most intense conditions encountered by law enforcement. The ammunition utilizes the highest quality Federal brass, projectiles and primers. The ammunition awarded in this contract is similar to Federal’s LE133 00 load. This Federal Law Enforcement shotgun ammo features a FLITECONTROL wad. Tactical Buckshot also features copper-plated shot and recoil reduction that, when combined with the FLITECONTROL wad, result in the most dependable and predictable pattern performance available.

ICE, which was created in 2003, is tasked with promoting homeland security and safety, as well as enforcing federal laws governing border control, immigration, customs and trade. The agency has more than 20,000 employees in more than 400 stateside offices and 46 foreign countries. ICE executes its mission through the enforcement of more than 400 federal statutes, and focuses on immigration enforcement, terrorism prevention and combating the illegal movement of people and trade.

Federal is one of the world’s leading manufacturers in tactical and law enforcement shotgun, rifle and handgun training ammunition.

LWRCI Duty Carbine Selected by Dallas SWAT

LWRC International has been chosen as the duty carbine for the Dallas SWAT Team.

Dallas SWAT Team members conducted long and rigorous testing on each component from several companies over a nearly two-year review process. They chose the LWRCI IC-A5 Individual Carbine in a 10.5-inch barrel configuration as its issued carbine for its elite tactical unit.

The IC-A5 is built on the patented LWRCI short-stroke gas piston system that offers unparalleled reliability and easy maintenance. Dual Control fully ambidextrous lower receiver includes bolt catch and release, magazine release and fire control access from both sides of the IC-A5 make it a versatile option for any operator. A low profile two-position adjustable gas block allows the operator to compensate for running a suppressor.

Key accessory components were also included in the testing process. Dallas SWAT chose the Aimpoint CompM5 red dot as their primary sighting system, a Surefire SOCOM Mini II suppressor, the Surefire M622 Ultra SCOUT Light and the MAWL-DA visible / IR laser aiming and illumination device from B.E. Meyers to complete the package.

Team members who tested and chose the system issued this statement to those who made this possible: “Thank you to the citizens of Dallas who donated the funds to the Team foundation that ultimately paid for the purchase. This outstanding rifle package was entirely privately-funded and donated to our Dallas SWAT officers. We cannot thank those outstanding civic leaders and their associations enough for their enthusiasm to support us and make this rifle a possibility. At this time, we are going leave these special donors remain anonymous, but you know who you are.”

The Fort Worth SWAT team suggested the LWRCI rifle and components. DSG Arms, an authorized LWRCI Law Enforcement Distributor, won the procurement contract and managed the logistics to assemble the kit as delivered.

Upon receipt of the carbines, Dallas SWAT went through several weeks of new equipment familiarization and training, contracted and provided by Victory First and the manufacturers.

LWRCI |   IC A5 INDIVIDUAL CARBINE 
SUREFIRE |  M622 LIGHT  / SOCOM MINI II SUPPRESSOR
AIMPOINT | COMP M5
B.E. MEYERS | MAWL-DA

Sig Sauer Introduces 6mm Creedmoor Elite Match Ammunition

Sig Sauer extends its line of Elite Match premium competition ammunition with the addition of 6mm Creedmoor.

Featuring a 107-grain Sierra MatchKing bullet, the 6mm Creedmoor Elite Match OTM load has a muzzle velocity of 2,950 fps and muzzle energy of 2,068 ft-lbs.  

“6mm Creedmoor is a popular long-range round that performs well in wind thanks to its high ballistic coefficient and flat trajectory,” said Brad Criner, Senior Director, Brand Management and Business Development. “We are pleased to offer this highly accurate round for competition shooters along with 6.5 Creedmoor and numerous other match grade loads.”

SIG Elite Match ammunition is currently available in the following calibers: 223 Rem, 300BLK, 308 Win, 30-06 Springfield, 300 Win Mag, 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Sig Elite Match ammunition features a temperature-stable propellant that delivers consistent muzzle velocity in all weather conditions. Premium-quality primers ensure minimum velocity variations, and the shell case metallurgy is optimized in the Sig Elite Match OTM cartridge to yield consistent bullet retention round to round. All Sig Sauer rifle ammunition is precision loaded on state-of-the-art equipment that is 100 percent electromechanically monitored to ensure geometric conformity and charge weight consistency.

The Sig Sauer 6mm Creedmoor Elite Match ammunition is now available for purchase at the https://www.sigsauer.com/store.

All Sig Sauer Elite Ammunition is manufactured at its state-of-the-art ammunition manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

Stocky's Brings Carbon Fiber Gunstock Manufacturing In-House

Stocky's has completed its new carbon fiber gunstock manufacturing / distribution facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, ending its prior outsourcing of the stocks.

Now shipping is the familiar VG2, at less than 2 pounds. Meticulously hand-laid with 100 percent carbon fiber cloth, the stocks are laminated under strict, climate-controlled cleanroom conditions. Then they are tempered in Stocky's custom ovens to precisely control the curing process for a shell that is pound-for-pound far stronger than steel. External and internally, they are unique stocks. 

The stocks are machined on Stocky's new, state-of-the-art CNC mill employed exclusively to transform the special bedding composites utilized into their super-accurate Accublock "V" bedding configuration. They come in a variety of popular action inlet / barrel taper configurations including Remington, Defiance, Big Horn, Weatherby and Howa footprints. 

The most popular models are in stock and ready-to-ship in a variety of finishes.

Modular Driven Technologies CZ 457 Competition Chassis

Modular Driven Technologies' most advanced competition chassis in the MDT lineup is now available for the popular CZ 457 rimfire. 

The refined CZ 457 model is a well-rounded rimfire rifle well suited for hunting, plinking or precision rimfire rifle competitions. A perfect mate, the MDT ACC chassis allows users to configure their rifle to dominate precision rimfire competitions or enjoy a day plinking on the range. 

The biggest advantage is the ACC’s fully customizable steel weight system. The weight system is integrated in the buttstock, barrel channel and forend, allowing more than nine additional pounds to be added to the rifle chassis assembly. This added weight allows the shooter to perfectly balance and tune their rifle for effortless positional shooting. 

The ACC comes complete with a Skeleton Rifle Stock (SRS-X Elite) with a 13.3750-inch to 14.375-inch length of pull. The ACC Chassis features a full Really Right Stuff spec Arca rail the entire length of the 17.75-inch forend and can accept a traditional pistol grip or the MDT adjustable vertical grip.

The ACC starts at $999 (including buttstock).

NTOA Recommends Sightmark Pinnacle 3-18x44

The National Tactical Officer’s Association has tested and recommended the Sightmark Pinnacle 3-18x44, with an overall rating of 4.44 out of 5 by NOTA's reviewers.

The organization now recommends the Pinnacle to its law enforcement partners based on the Pinnacle’s performance in their strenuous tests.

A mid-range optic ideal for engaging targets at various distances, the first focal plane Pinnacle 3-18x44 features premium Japanese glass and an illuminated, TMD reticle. One reviewer noted, “This is the first scope I’ve found with the green illuminated option and now I’ll run with nothing else.” With an MSRP of just $1,559.99, the Pinnacle is less than half the price of many of its competitors.

Since 2003, the NTOA and its members have tested more than 2,000 products in real-world situations through the NTOA’s Member Tested and Recommended Program. There is no guarantee of a particular rating upon submission and the NTOA will not approve products receiving a score of less than 3.0. The results of the program are shared with the law enforcement community in The Tactical Edge magazine, the NTOA’s online database and newsletters and the product manufacturers.

SAR USA Partners With Harris Global Marketing

SAR USA by Sarsilmaz, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of firearms, has partnered with Harris Global Marketing & Communications for all its public relations and media needs.

Harris Global Marketing & Communications will handle the day-to-day communications with journalists, publications and editors. Along with creating and distributing the company’s press releases, Harris will also be the point of contact for all sample product and image requests. The company is owned by industry veteran Joel Harris, who has worked with Sig Sauer, Swarovski, Zeiss, G5 Outdoors, Eastman Outdoors and consulted for many other companies.

“We are thrilled to have someone we can count on handling our media needs, with over 20 years of experience and expertise handling PR for the industry’s biggest brands, we know we have the right partner in Harris Global Marketing & Communications,” said Todd Pearson, Chief Operations Officer, SAR USA. “This is just one of the key strategic partnerships SAR USA has made to elevate awareness of what this brand has done with its state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and facilities. Our manufacturing is so cutting-edge, SAR and Ferrari are two of the elite companies in the world with 12-axis machining capabilities."

“With a long history of handling premium European brands, I’m excited and looking forward to being the point of contact for all the media’s needs for this great 140-year-old Turkish company,” Harris said. “SAR is one of the world’s largest suppliers of small arms to the NATO countries. I can’t wait to spread the word here in the US of this unbelievable engineering and quality at a price-point that won’t hurt your budget.”

Located in Grand Blanc, Michigan, Harris Global Marketing & Communications is a full-service advertising, marketing and public relations agent specializing in the marketing of outdoor products and services domestically and internationally.