Here is the latest tactical shooting sports news:

Rock River Arms has added the LAR-22 rifle series, a new line of firearms, to the RRA family.

Intended to provide shooters more training and range time with the AR platform at a significantly lower cost, the new LAR-22 rifles are chambered in .22LR. This gives shooters a higher-volume, lower-price alternative to more expensive 5.56/.223 ammunition for practice and general recreation shooting.

Three variants of the LAR-22 rifles are currently offered: the Tactical Carbine, Mid A4, and the NM A4 CMP Trainer.

Tactical Carbine – For those who favor an MSR with a free-float barrel and handguard configuration, the LAR-22 Tactical Carbine is an optimal choice for tactical training or target plinking. Select between a forged aluminum upper and lower receiver set or RRA's own polymer upper and lower receiver set for a lower-cost option. Both rifles feature the RRA NSP-2 six-position CAR stock, Hogue rubber grip, two-stage trigger, and 11-inch extended M-LOK compatible lightweight free-float handguard shrouding a 16-inch chrome moly barrel.

Mid A4 – Designed for those who prefer a more traditional A4-style firearm, the Mid A4 LAR-22 is also offered with either forged aluminum upper and lower receivers or the RRA polymer upper and lower receivers. Standard A2 grips, mid-length handguard with heat shields, six-position tactical CAR stock, single-stage trigger, and a 16-inch chrome moly barrel round out the key features.

NM A4 CMP Trainer – Built to be a stand-in practice rifle for CMP National Match competition, this rifle combines a precision 20-inch stainless steel heavy barrel with RRA's NM CMP TRO free-float rifle-length handguard (with three TRO modular rails and a National Match sling swivel). Another precision upgrade is the RRA Two-Stage Match chrome trigger group. Available with forged aluminum upper and lower receivers, the NM A4 CMP Trainer includes the familiar A2 pistol grip and RRA Operator CAR six-position stock.

MSRP ranges from $440.00 for the Mid A4 to $885.00 for the NM A4 CMP Trainer.

Smith & Wesson Issues Safety Alert for M&P15-22 Firearms

Smith & Wesson Corp. has identified two M&P15-22 firearms from recent production on which the breech face counter bore depth was not within manufacturing specification. In those firearms, the lack of depth may allow the bolt, upon closing, to crush the rim of the case, causing the round to fire, cycling the bolt, and potentially resulting in multiple discharges without depressing the trigger.

This issue can occur in the following two scenarios:

1)  With a loaded magazine in the firearm and the bolt locked to the rear, depressing the bolt release to allow the bolt to drop freely may ignite the round as the bolt closes without engaging the trigger and with the safety selector in either the safe or the fire position, and may also result in multiple discharges.

2)  With a loaded magazine in the firearm, bolt in the closed position and a round in the chamber and the safety selector in the fire position, depressing the trigger will cause the round to fire normally, however as the bolt cycles, the next round may be ignited by the bolt crushing the rim of the case as it closes, causing multiple discharges.

This Safety Alert applies to all M&P15-22 firearms manufactured before February 1, 2019.  We believe these are isolated incidents, however, any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, we are asking all consumers of all M&P15-22 firearms manufactured before February 1, 2019 to immediately inspect their firearms for this condition.

Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury, and we ask that you stop using your firearm immediately until it has been  inspected and, if the condition is found, the bolt replaced.

To determine whether your firearm was manufactured before February 1, 2019, and to receive video instructions for inspection, please go to MP15-22SafetyAlert.com. Every rifle must be inspected to determine whether it exhibits the condition identified in this notice.

If after inspection it is determined that the condition outlined in this safety alert exists, the bolt must be sent to Smith & Wesson for replacement. Your bolt will be inspected, and if necessary, replaced at no cost to you. All shipping and replacement costs will be covered by Smith & Wesson.

If you are uncomfortable conducting the inspection outlined above, or are unsure whether the condition described in this notice applies to your firearm, please send your bolt to Smith & Wesson for inspection.

Please contact Smith & Wesson at 800-713-0356, or at MP15-22SafetyAlert.com to arrange for the replacement, if necessary, of your M&P15-22 bolt.

Tobiassen New President of AOB Firearms Division

Lane Tobiassen has been promoted to President, Firearms Division, for American Outdoor Brands Corporation

Tobiassen previously served as President of the company’s Electro-Optics Division, a business that will be combined with the company’s existing Outdoor Products & Accessories Division.

Tobiassen brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing, sales, product development, and executive leadership at companies in the shooting, hunting, and outdoor markets.  He joined Crimson Trace in 2005 as Director of Marketing and became President and Chief Executive Officer in 2009. During his tenure, Crimson Trace became the market leader in laser sighting systems for the commercial market, and also became the Electro-Optics Division of American Outdoor Brands when it acquired Crimson Trace Corp. in 2016.

“Lane is the ideal person to lead our firearms business," said James Debney, President and CEO. "Under his direction for the past 14 years, Crimson Trace has become a market-leading brand known for its quality, innovation, and performance. Moving Crimson Trace into our Outdoor Products & Accessories division should provide us with greater operating efficiencies, while allowing us to employ Lane’s expertise and leadership skills in an even larger position.”

Prior to joining Crimson Trace, Tobiassen served as Vice President of Marketing at Lacrosse Footwear. He was previously Vice President of Marketing at Danner, a division of Lacrosse, where he was responsible for strategic brand marketing and all marketing communications activities.

Apex Cuts Minimum Orders for Dealers

Responding to feedback from smaller retailers, Apex Tactical Specialties has announced lower minimum order amounts for firearms and accessory retailers.

Apex’s growing line of aftermarket upgrades includes options for the top selling pistol brands and models. Among the trigger kits available from Apex are those for the:

– Glock, including Gen 5 models and the new 43x and 48
– FN 509, FNS and FNS Compact
– Ruger Mk IV and Mk IV 22/45
– Sig Sauer P320
– Smith & Wesson M&P and M&P M2.0
– Smith & Wesson M&P Shield and Shield 2.0
– Smith & Wesson SDVE
– Walther PPQ

Apex has also launched its Apex Range Program, designed specifically for stocking dealers with shooting ranges. The program provides free demo samples of popular Apex products for use in range rental guns, giving retail range customers the chance to try an Apex product before purchase.

Retailers may contact Apex at dealer@apextactical.com or (623) 322-0200.

Legacy Sports International Shipping ORYX Stocks

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

ORYX stocks are compatible with three Howa action sizes – Short Action, Mini Action and Long Action — as well as Remington 700 Short Action, Ruger American Short Action, Savage 110 Short Action and Tikka Short Action models. It is “Drop in Ready” and available with three color panel options to go with the black aluminum chassis frame: OD Green, Flat Dark Earth and Gray.

These are exclusively available from Legacy Sports International.

 

Pulsar Night Vision at OSPOA 2019

Pulsar will showcase its products at the 2019 Oklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association Conference and Vendor show in Durant, Okla.

The show is March 26-27 at the Choctaw Resort and Casino.

Attending for the first time, Pulsar will display to Oklahoma law enforcement professionals its cutting-edge thermal products including the Helion Thermal Monocular and Accolade Thermal Binoculars.

RSR Welcomes Oakley Standard Issue

RSR Group has added select Oakley SI Ballistic Eyewear and accessories to its product offering. These will soon be in stock and available to purchase from RSR Group.

Oakley SI offers a wide selection of protective, ballistic eyewear with innovative designs that meet and exceed industry impact standards.

“We are very excited to offer this iconic brand to our customers,” said Christina Fisher, Senior Vice President of RSR Group. “Oakley’s high quality standards and brand reputation make them an excellent addition to our product offering.”

The select Oakley product offering will be available to authorized dealers through RSR Group's online catalog at www.rsrgroup.com.

RISE Armament Partners with Strategic Match Design

RISE Armament has partnered with Strategic Match Design for the 2019 competitive shooting season.

SMD is coordinating and running more than 20 single-gun and multi-gun matches throughout the country in 2019. RISE Armament is supporting every competition through a gold sponsorship. Many of these matches will be a multi-day format and will attract top-level shooters from across the country. The matches include the Noveske Carbine Series, Wyoming Magpul Governor's Match, and the DC Project Match.

“Strategic Match Design puts on great matches, and we’re happy to support competition shooting in part through our partnership with them,” said Matt Torres, president of RISE Armament.

RISE Armament is also the title sponsor of the RISE Armament Carbine and Multi-Gun Series at the Virginia International Raceway, hosted by SMD. The unique facility boasts several large bays and a professional-grade dynamic shoot house, as well as on-road and off-road racing, go-karting, lodging, and dining.

The RISE Armament Carbine and Multi-Gun Series matches will run from March until December and will feature five to six stages, with a match fee of $35.