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Gun Trade World - December 2023

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OVER 11,000<br />

COPIES EVERY<br />

MONTH IN<br />

MORE THAN<br />

120 COUNTRIES<br />

DECEMBER <strong>2023</strong><br />

DEDICATED TO GROWING YOUR BUSINESS<br />

32


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C O V E R I N G T H E S H O O T I N G B U S I N E S S G L O B A L L Y<br />

To say US Sen. Bob<br />

Menendez (D-N.J.) has been<br />

a thorn in the side of the<br />

firearm industry would be<br />

an understatement. The<br />

NSSF’s Larry Keane explains<br />

why. PAGE 30<br />

As many nations continue<br />

to regulate firearms with<br />

strict laws, consumers are<br />

looking for self-defence<br />

alternatives and Ek Archery<br />

is addressing this consumer<br />

need. PAGE 40<br />

CSG ACQUIRES VISTA OUTDOOR’S<br />

SPORTING PRODUCTS FOR $1.91 BILLION<br />

The Czechoslovak Group<br />

(“CSG”) has announced that<br />

it has entered into a definitive<br />

agreement to acquire Vista<br />

Outdoor’s Sporting Products business<br />

for a total consideration of $1.91 billion,<br />

valuing the business at approximately 5x<br />

Fiscal Year 2024E EBITDA, including<br />

estimated standalone costs.<br />

CSG will partner with the existing<br />

management to pursue the continued<br />

growth path envisaged for the Sporting<br />

Products business over the coming years.<br />

Headquartered in Anoka, Minnesota,<br />

Vista Outdoor’s Sporting Products<br />

business is a leading ammunition<br />

manufacturer in the US commercial and<br />

law enforcement markets. It employs<br />

approximately 4,000 employees across<br />

its four US factories and owns leading<br />

ammunition brands including CCI,<br />

Federal, HEVI-Shot, Remington and<br />

Speer.<br />

CSG, based in Prague, Czech Republic,<br />

is a leading industrial technology<br />

company operating in five strategic<br />

business segments: Defense, Aerospace,<br />

Ammunition, Mobility and Business<br />

Projects. It is 100 per cent controlled<br />

and led by Michal Strnad, who has<br />

transformed it into the most relevant<br />

Czech industrial group, with a strong<br />

international footprint. CSG employs<br />

more than 10,000 people worldwide and<br />

owns and manages a diverse portfolio of<br />

industrial and trade companies across the<br />

civil and defense sectors.<br />

The proposed transaction would be<br />

CSG’s largest acquisition to date after a<br />

• Continued on page 8<br />

SENT TO MORE THAN 11,000 SHOOTING INDUSTRY<br />

PROFESSIONALS IN OVER 120 COUNTRIES EVERY MONTH


DECEMBER <strong>2023</strong><br />

ROB SMITH<br />

Editor<br />

rob.smith@dhpub.co.uk<br />

Rob has a wealth of knowledge of the international<br />

trade sector, having worked in B2B publishing since<br />

2008. A keen outdoorsman, Rob will bring you the<br />

important news and leads from across the global<br />

hunting, shooting and tactical sectors.<br />

JUSTIN FOX<br />

Publisher<br />

justin.fox@dhpub.co.uk<br />

Justin is hugely experienced in publishing and<br />

oversees the entire David Hall Publishing portfolio<br />

which, as well as B2B titles, also includes some<br />

enthusiast consumer brands. Justin’s organisational<br />

and sales skills are invaluable to the business.<br />

BART MANGANIELLO<br />

Business Development Manager – North America<br />

bartalm@optonline.net<br />

For more than 35 years Bart has worked with<br />

international B2B magazines. He specialises in<br />

providing the best communication programs to<br />

companies, helping them connect with current and<br />

prospective trade partners around the world.<br />

WILLEM BONNEUX<br />

Business and Content Development<br />

willem.bonneux@dhpub.co.uk<br />

Always at the intersection of sales and marketing,<br />

Willem has served in several roles in the<br />

international shooting and hunting industry.<br />

Involved with GTW from the start, his content-first<br />

approach helps brands go the extra mile.<br />

PAUL EVANS<br />

Art Editor<br />

paul.evans@dhpub.co.uk<br />

A vital cog in the GTW machine, Paul has worked<br />

with our publisher since 2008 across all areas<br />

of Production, Design and Marketing. He makes<br />

everything we make look even better.<br />

JON IVERSON<br />

Web Designer<br />

jiverson@avtechmediausa.com<br />

Jon is our wizard of the web – he helped create our<br />

website and ensures the smooth running of it.<br />

He’ll make sure our digital content is seen by key<br />

industry personnel across the globe.<br />

CZECH REPUBLIC A<br />

GROWING FORCE IN<br />

GLOBAL MARKETPLACE<br />

Just as this issue of <strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> Word<br />

was heading to the printers, we<br />

became aware of the news that<br />

Czech-based company,<br />

Czechoslovak Group (CSG), had<br />

agreed to buy Vista Outdoor’s<br />

Sporting Products business for<br />

$1.91billion.<br />

This is a huge deal for the company,<br />

the Czech Republic, and the global<br />

shooting industry as a whole. In fact,<br />

this deal represents the largest ever<br />

Czech contract within this industry<br />

and one of, if not the biggest ever<br />

investment into the US by a Czech<br />

company.<br />

This deal comes off the back of<br />

CZG-Ceska Zbrojovka Group’s (now<br />

named “Colt CZ Group”) $222million<br />

purchase of the privately held Colt<br />

Holding Company.<br />

It’s not the first time the CSG<br />

group has invested into the industry.<br />

Only last November the company<br />

bought a 70 per cent slice of Italian<br />

ammunition giant Fiocchi.<br />

It is clear that CSG see ammunition<br />

as a key investment area for its<br />

business. Regarding the deal, David<br />

Štěpán, Member of the CSG Board<br />

and Investment Director for CSG<br />

International Projects, said: “Thanks<br />

to this acquisition, CSG will<br />

become one of the most important<br />

ammunition manufacturers in the<br />

world with a comprehensive portfolio<br />

across all calibres.”<br />

For CSG, the timing could not<br />

have been better. With escalating<br />

global tensions, ammunition and<br />

police/military equipment are more in<br />

demand than ever. With the might of<br />

Fiocchi and now Vista’s ammunition<br />

under its control the company will be<br />

hoping for strong results.<br />

It remains to be seen how this<br />

takeover will affect consumer products<br />

within Vista’s “Sporting Products”<br />

brands. My view is development of<br />

military and law enforcement avenues<br />

will be front and centre to this deal,<br />

while still retaining hunting and<br />

shooting products for consumers.<br />

Vista’s “Sporting Products” brands<br />

aren’t to be confused with the<br />

company’s “Outdoor Products” brands.<br />

These have not been bought by CSG.<br />

We believe the brands that CSG has<br />

acquired are Alliant Power, CCI,<br />

Federal, Speer, Remington, Hevi-Shot<br />

and Estate Cartridge.<br />

<strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong> will look deeper<br />

into the ramifications of this deal<br />

and other recent deals, with a global<br />

context, in an upcoming issue.<br />

Have a great trading month.<br />

Rob Smith<br />

Editor<br />

/guntradeworld<br />

/company/guntradeworld<br />

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december <strong>2023</strong><br />

Contents<br />

contents<br />

03 News<br />

The latest, breaking news stories from around the global industry,<br />

including historic Czech acquisition of Vista Outdoors.<br />

28 Tasmanian Tiger set to light up Vegas<br />

<strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong> picks out three Tasmanian Tiger products that<br />

we think will excite dealers and professionals down in Sin City.<br />

30 NssF Industry Insight<br />

To say US Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) has been a thorn in the<br />

side of the firearm industry would be an understatement. The<br />

NSSF’s Larry Keane explains why.<br />

32 Derya’s new products hit the market<br />

The popular Turkish manufacturer of high-performance firearms<br />

has a host of new and exciting products to excite the global<br />

trade. Here, <strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong> looks at the key characteristics of<br />

each of them.<br />

34 Great Gear – Compound Bow Technology<br />

GTW explores the key advancements in compound bow<br />

technology and how these innovations have made archery more<br />

accessible, precise, and enjoyable for archers of all skill levels.<br />

36 Spotlight on… Archery<br />

Where local regulations allow, the strategic addition of archery<br />

products to wholesaler and retailer inventories represents a<br />

logical, and potentially lucrative, expansion.<br />

28<br />

40 EK Archery<br />

As many nations continue to regulate firearms with strict laws,<br />

consumers look to alternatives to provide for their self-defence<br />

needs. Ek Archery addresses this consumer need by developing<br />

tactical archery platforms that allow operators to project an<br />

effective ranged defence.<br />

42 Streamlight<br />

Don’t jump to a flashlight decision before you fully consider one<br />

key feature… versatility.<br />

44 Doing Business with… Southeast United States<br />

With the US economy “shifting south” in the eyes of many<br />

economic commentators, now could be the time to invest in this<br />

fast-growing region of the United States. Here, <strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong><br />

discovers a little about an area that has offered more than twothirds<br />

of all job growth across the US since early 2020.<br />

Making Contact<br />

50 F.A.I.R.<br />

52 Blaser<br />

53 Vortex Optics<br />

54 Pulsar<br />

55 Davide Pedersoli<br />

56 Air Arms<br />

44<br />

32<br />

42<br />

06 www.guntradeworld.com


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NEWS<br />

CSG acquires Vista Outdoor’s Sporting Products for $1.91 billion<br />

• Continued from page 3<br />

long series of smaller acquisitions focused<br />

on the European market, including the<br />

acquisition of Fiocchi Munizioni in 2022.<br />

It also represents the largest acquisition<br />

in the history of the Czech defense<br />

industry. The transaction is expected to<br />

close in calendar year 2024, subject to<br />

shareholder approval, receipt of necessary<br />

regulatory approvals and other customary<br />

closing conditions. Upon closing, Sporting<br />

Products will become a wholly owned<br />

subsidiary of CSG, operating as a private<br />

company. Jason Vanderbrink will remain<br />

CEO of the Sporting Products business and<br />

the U.S. headquarters will remain in Anoka,<br />

Minnesota.<br />

Michal Strnad, Owner and CEO of<br />

CSG, commented: “This transaction<br />

perfectly fits with our strategy of expanding<br />

the key pillars of our business. I am proud<br />

that our company and the Czech defense<br />

industry managed to realise the most<br />

significant Czech investment in the U.S.<br />

market to date, which will deepen the<br />

strategic industrial relations between the<br />

two countries. We look forward to working<br />

with Jason and the Sporting Products<br />

leadership team to expand on their<br />

company’s success and their legacy of US<br />

manufacturing.”<br />

David Štěpán, Member of the CSG<br />

Board and Investment Director for CSG<br />

International Projects, added: “Vista<br />

Outdoor’s Sporting Products business is<br />

vertically integrated, has excellent financial<br />

results and is well invested. Thanks to this<br />

acquisition, CSG will become one of the<br />

most important ammunition manufacturers<br />

in the world with a comprehensive portfolio<br />

across all calibres.”<br />

Gary McArthur, Interim CEO of<br />

Vista Outdoor, commented: “This is an<br />

important strategic step for our company in<br />

creating value through the separation of our<br />

Outdoor Products and Sporting Products<br />

segments. The previously announced plan<br />

to separate our businesses has positioned us<br />

to execute seamlessly on this transaction,<br />

which we believe is the best path to<br />

maximise value for all our stakeholders,<br />

while better positioning Sporting Products<br />

and Outdoor Products for future success.”<br />

“We are confident that CSG is a great<br />

home for our leading ammunition brands,”<br />

said Jason Vanderbrink, CEO of Sporting<br />

Products. “The company is fully committed<br />

to our iconic American brands and<br />

expanding our legacy of US manufacturing,<br />

support for military and law enforcement<br />

customers, and investments in conservation<br />

and our hunting and shooting heritage.<br />

We are excited to work closely with the<br />

CSG team as we enter this next phase and<br />

position our brands for long-term success.”<br />

ARKANSAS SET FOR NEW SHOOTING RANGE<br />

Arkansas Game and Fish<br />

Commissioners (AGFC)<br />

has authorised AGFC<br />

Director Austin Booth to<br />

enter into a memorandum of<br />

understanding with the city of<br />

Clarksville and the University<br />

of the Ozarks to construct a<br />

new shooting sports complex.<br />

The proposed range will<br />

be open to the public and<br />

complement the university’s<br />

growing collegiate shooting<br />

sports program.<br />

Initially introduced at the<br />

agency’s July meeting, the<br />

effort to expand shooting<br />

sports in Arkansas is a<br />

commitment by Director<br />

Booth to the thousands of<br />

recreational shooters who help<br />

fund conservation through<br />

federal excise taxes placed on<br />

firearms and ammunition.<br />

The AGFC hopes to<br />

www.czechoslovakgroup.cz<br />

provide up to $2 million<br />

in matching funds to help<br />

the university construct<br />

the proposed $12 million<br />

facility. If approved, the<br />

match would be contingent<br />

on the university raising the<br />

remainder of the required<br />

funding.<br />

Director Booth opened his<br />

address to the Commission<br />

with a story about visiting<br />

with a hunter last year who<br />

was frustrated with the federal<br />

requirement to have a physical<br />

duck stamp 45 days after<br />

purchase when an electronic<br />

code of the purchase was<br />

printed on a hunter’s license.<br />

“Last year I met with<br />

other state agency directors<br />

at the Association of Fish<br />

and Wildlife Agencies and<br />

representatives from the U.S.<br />

Fish and Wildlife Service,<br />

and we<br />

crafted some<br />

legislation to<br />

correct the<br />

issue. I’m<br />

happy to say<br />

that it has now<br />

passed both<br />

the Senate and<br />

the House of<br />

Representatives.<br />

There are a<br />

few small details to work<br />

out, but hopefully that will<br />

go to the Oval Office in the<br />

near future and be able to be<br />

implemented for the 2024-25<br />

duck season.<br />

“The most important thing<br />

that we do in conservation is<br />

in the field with the people<br />

of the state,” Booth said. “It<br />

is important that we recharge<br />

our batteries, and the way that<br />

we do that is getting in the<br />

Advisers<br />

J.P. Morgan is acting as sole<br />

financial adviser to Czechoslovak<br />

Group, as well as leading and<br />

structuring the acquisition<br />

financing, with Clifford Chance LLP<br />

acting as legal adviser.<br />

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting<br />

as sole financial adviser to Vista<br />

Outdoor and Cravath, Swaine<br />

& Moore LLP is acting as legal<br />

adviser to Vista Outdoor.<br />

About Vista<br />

Outdoor Inc.<br />

Vista Outdoor (NYSE: VSTO) is the<br />

parent company of more than<br />

three dozen renowned brands that<br />

design, manufacture and market<br />

sporting and outdoor products.<br />

Brands include Bushnell, CamelBak,<br />

Bushnell Golf, Foresight Sports,<br />

Fox Racing, Bell Helmets, Camp<br />

Chef, Giro, Simms Fishing, QuietKat,<br />

Stone Glacier, Federal Ammunition,<br />

Remington Ammunition and more.<br />

Our reporting segments, Outdoor<br />

Products and Sporting Products,<br />

provide consumers with a wide<br />

range of performance-driven,<br />

high-quality and innovative<br />

outdoor and sporting products.<br />

field and meeting the people<br />

who we serve and get dirt<br />

underneath our fingernails<br />

just as they do with the work<br />

for conservation.”<br />

The meeting included<br />

presentations on the elk<br />

program, private lands habitat<br />

assistance programs available<br />

and the agency’s new website<br />

redesign.<br />

www.agfc.com<br />

08 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


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NEWS<br />

CALIFORNIA SET FOR TAX ON FIREARMS<br />

Firearms and ammunition<br />

have been targeted with an<br />

excise tax in the US State of<br />

California.<br />

California’s Governor, Gavin<br />

Newsom, recently signed into<br />

law a state excise tax on sales<br />

of firearms and ammunition,<br />

the first of its kind in the US.<br />

The tax will take effect in<br />

July 2024 and will add an 11<br />

per cent charge on top of the<br />

existing federal excise gun<br />

and ammunition tax, which<br />

operates at a rate of 10 or 11<br />

per cent, depending on the<br />

type of weapon purchased.<br />

The measure is part of a set<br />

of gun safety bills signed by<br />

the Governor.<br />

The California excise<br />

tax would be collected<br />

on the gross receipts of<br />

manufacturers, retailers and<br />

dealers derived from gun and<br />

bullet sales in the state. It is<br />

therefore likely that dealers<br />

will increase prices to the<br />

customer to offset this tax.<br />

The tax measure was one<br />

of nearly two dozen gun<br />

safety bills passed during<br />

the latest session of the<br />

Democratic-controlled<br />

California legislature and<br />

signed by Newsom days after<br />

his administration vowed<br />

to appeal last week’s federal<br />

court ruling on high-capacity<br />

magazines.<br />

Another key bill to look<br />

at is aimed at strengthening<br />

California’s concealed gun<br />

permit law, raising the<br />

minimum age at which a gun<br />

owner can apply for a permit<br />

from 18 to 21, increasing<br />

advance training requirements<br />

and banning alcohol<br />

consumption while carrying a<br />

concealed weapon.<br />

The bill will also ban<br />

concealed weapons in airports,<br />

schools and other ‘sensitive<br />

zones’.<br />

Groups have already<br />

began fighting these bills.<br />

<strong>Gun</strong> Owners of America<br />

(GOA) and the <strong>Gun</strong> Owners<br />

Foundation (GOF) teamed<br />

up with <strong>Gun</strong> Owners of<br />

California (GOC) to promptly<br />

serve California AG Rob<br />

Bonta in a lawsuit challenging<br />

portions of SB 2, a bill that<br />

anti-gun Governor Gavin<br />

Newsom signed into law. The<br />

groups described the bill as<br />

“unconstitutional legislation…<br />

passed in response to the<br />

Bruen decision (which ended<br />

the state’s draconian “mayissue”<br />

policy), and among<br />

other provisions would:<br />

• Enact highly restrictive<br />

“sensitive locations” where<br />

concealed carrying would<br />

be prohibited, including all<br />

private property unless expressly<br />

permitted by the owner;<br />

• Require 16 hours of training;<br />

• And signif icantly increase the<br />

costs associated with securing a<br />

permit.”<br />

This suit specifically goes<br />

after the “sensitive locations”<br />

provision of the law.<br />

Several other anti-gun<br />

states have enacted similar<br />

unconstitutional legislation<br />

in response to the Bruen<br />

decision, and GOA and GOF<br />

are a part of litigation in<br />

several of these cases.<br />

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior<br />

Vice President, issued the<br />

following statement:<br />

“This is just the latest assault<br />

on our rights in California.<br />

Just as concerning, Governor<br />

Gavin Newsom has already<br />

made his anti-gun intentions<br />

quite clear: he wants to<br />

effectively repeal the Second<br />

Amendment. Sadly, his<br />

acknowledgment that doing so<br />

would be the only way to enact<br />

more gun control did not<br />

dissuade him from violating<br />

his oath when he signed this<br />

law into effect, but we are fully<br />

prepared to fight back.”<br />

Sam Paredes, on behalf of<br />

the board for GOF and in his<br />

role as the Executive Director<br />

of <strong>Gun</strong> Owners of California,<br />

added:<br />

“Pro-gun groups in<br />

California have had success<br />

when pushing back on<br />

legislation like this – just<br />

look at our victory last week<br />

against the state’s magazine<br />

ban. And just like in that case,<br />

we are confident SB 2 will be<br />

overturned. I’ve been warning<br />

governors and legislatures<br />

across the country since the<br />

Bruen decision that these<br />

“response bills” will not stand,<br />

but unfortunately, many have<br />

still been pushed through. That<br />

won’t stop us however – states<br />

should fall in line, or we will<br />

make them.”<br />

Larry Keane, SVP for<br />

Government & Public<br />

Affairs, Assistant Secretary<br />

and General Counsel, NSSF,<br />

commented: “Newsom is even<br />

pushing for a Constitutional<br />

amendment to do away with<br />

Second Amendment rights.<br />

That’s not stopping them from<br />

rushing to implement even<br />

more gun control.”<br />

10 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


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in years to come, how you’ll get there<br />

and the steps you’ll need to take the<br />

very next day.<br />

+44(0)1780 757666 • dupreeinternational.com


NEWS<br />

BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR NEXT YEAR’S<br />

FEHOVA EXHIBITION<br />

Hungary’s FeHoVa exhibition is fast-approaching, why not<br />

book up for their February event and boast your sales in this<br />

exciting region.<br />

“We have started preparations for the 30th FeHoVa,” says<br />

the exhibition team. “Already nearly 3,000 sq/m of space has<br />

been reserved by companies operating in the field of fishing<br />

and hunting.<br />

“On the occasion of the jubilee, we will be waiting for the<br />

hunters with special programs and performers at the diorama,<br />

at the hunting stage, at the lure fishing pool and at the giant<br />

aquarium.<br />

“Come join us as a registered exhibitor for the 30th FeHoVa<br />

exhibition to make secure your place at the HUNGEXPO<br />

Budapest Congress and Exhibition Center in February and<br />

welcome with us the tens of thousands of hunters and anglers<br />

attending the event!”<br />

Last year’s event<br />

Significantly higher visitor numbers, a range of international<br />

exhibitors and a great atmosphere were all hallmarks of the<br />

29th Fishing, Hunting and Arms International Exhibition.<br />

At the greatest gathering of the hunters, anglers, and naturelovers<br />

of the region, over 200 exhibitors presented their latest<br />

novelties, while visitors had the chance to attend numerous<br />

lectures at the HUNGEXPO Budapest Congress and<br />

Exhibition Center.<br />

Over 38 thousand visitors attended the four days of the<br />

29th Fishing, Hunting and Arms International Exhibition<br />

(FeHoVa) at the HUNGEXPO Budapest Congress and<br />

Exhibition Center. This far surpassed last year’s visitor<br />

numbers, it seems that the society of hunters and anglers has<br />

returned to its previous level of operations after the more<br />

than two year-long pandemic period. Exhibitors attended the<br />

event from a range of different countries, including Austria,<br />

Belgium, the Czech Republic, South Africa, Poland, Namibia,<br />

Italy, Pakistan and Slovakia. There were a great number of<br />

foreign visitors at the event – this was partly due to the 10th<br />

anniversary FeHoVa-MEOESZ International Winterdogshow<br />

(CAC, CACIB) hosted concurrently with FeHoVa. This year,<br />

FeHoVa events took place in four separate pavilions.<br />

For yet another year, hunters and nature-lovers alike had the<br />

chance to attend numerous professional and general audience<br />

events at HUNGEXPO’s largest Pavilion A, including trophy<br />

demonstrations and trophy evaluations, roundtable discussions,<br />

screenings, and travelogues. The collection of Hungarian<br />

big game trophies from the hunting seasons of 2020-2022<br />

attracted a large number of visitors, along with the Nadler<br />

Trophy Review, the collection of the works of graphic designer<br />

András Szunyoghy entitled “Anatomical Studies of Wild<br />

Animals” as well as the “Wildlife in Action” diorama.<br />

The charity auction hosted for the first time at FeHoVa also<br />

proved to be highly successful. Béla Hidvégi auctioned off his<br />

personal belongings – all of which were sold at the exhibition.<br />

All proceeds from the auction support the wildlife protection<br />

and educational programmes of Vadásztrófea Alapítvány<br />

(Hunting Trophy Foundation).<br />

The 10th anniversary FeHoVa-MEOESZ International Dog<br />

Show (CAC, CACIB) took place concurrently with FeHoVa<br />

in two pavilions, hosting the competition of thousands of dogs<br />

and their owners from 20 different countries.<br />

WHERE: FEHOVA EXHIBITION<br />

WHERE: HUNGEXPO BUDAPEST CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION CENTER LTD. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY<br />

WHEN: 8-11 FEBRUARY 2024<br />

(+36-1) 263-6000 FEHOVA@HUNGEXPO.HU WWW.HUNGEXPO.HU<br />

12 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


THIS IS<br />

The SHOT Show ® is all about fostering<br />

global commerce for the sport shooting,<br />

hunting, law enforcement and armed<br />

forces industries. This is your opportunity<br />

to connect with the industry’s top<br />

manufacturers, distributors and experts<br />

from around the world. Explore the latest<br />

products from 2,500+ exhibits.<br />

THIS IS YOUR SHOT. DON’T MISS IT!<br />

Customized services and special amenities<br />

are available for international visitors.<br />

SHOTShow.org/gtw<br />

REGISTER TODAY<br />

JANUARY 23–26 | 2024 | LAS VEGAS, NEVADA<br />

THE VENETIAN EXPO + CAESARS FORUM<br />

The SHOT Show is a trade-only event. Professional affiliation required.


NEWS<br />

SHOT SHOW CLIMBS TO NUMBER EIGHT<br />

ON LIST OF LARGEST TRADE SHOWS<br />

NSSF’s SHOT Show is now the eighth<br />

largest trade show in America, according<br />

to <strong>Trade</strong> Show Executive’s just-released<br />

Gold 100 rankings. The rankings were<br />

based on trade shows held throughout<br />

the United States in 2022 and measured<br />

by net square feet.<br />

Owned and operated by NSSF® – The<br />

Firearm Industry <strong>Trade</strong> Association –<br />

the SHOT Show is the annual trade<br />

show of the shooting, hunting, outdoor<br />

and law enforcement industries. After<br />

having to cancel its 2021 show due to<br />

the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022<br />

SHOT Show featured the event’s largest<br />

floorplan ever with 804,000 net square<br />

feet of exhibit space – up from 676,000<br />

net square feet in 2020.<br />

“The SHOT Show was the only trade<br />

show in America to grow by 20-plus<br />

per cent in 2022, which was quite the<br />

KOR Technik partners with Zarges USA<br />

KOR Technik, known for<br />

inventing and patenting<br />

the revolutionary<br />

protection solution<br />

Vacuum Rigidizing<br />

Structure (VRS®), has<br />

revealed a technology<br />

partnership with<br />

Zarges USA. Zarges’<br />

aluminium cases<br />

integrated with KOR<br />

Technik VRS protection<br />

panels, represent the<br />

latest evolution in<br />

reusable packaging<br />

for transporting<br />

objects.<br />

“We are thrilled to<br />

collaborate with the<br />

iconic Zarges brand and<br />

develop a system that is<br />

infinitely customisable,”<br />

stated G.P. Searle,<br />

founder of KOR Technik<br />

and inventor of VRS<br />

technology.<br />

“Zarges USA<br />

represents the epitome<br />

of shipping and storage<br />

perfection and knowing<br />

our partnership will<br />

deliver even more<br />

benefits to end-users is<br />

truly rewarding.”<br />

According to Vice<br />

President and General<br />

Manager of Zarges<br />

USA, Olaf Klutke,<br />

“One case for countless<br />

missions is a reality<br />

with the KOR VRS<br />

system. Thanks to this<br />

innovative technology, we<br />

immediately recognised<br />

our customers would<br />

benefit from the ability to<br />

reconfigure their Zarges<br />

case for virtually anything<br />

they need to transport.<br />

Plus, VRS safeguards<br />

cargo better than foam<br />

by keeping your contents<br />

secure from turbulence<br />

during transportation,”<br />

he said.<br />

“Collaborating with<br />

Zarges USA is a winwin<br />

for those who<br />

already understand the<br />

advantages of shipping<br />

feat after having to cancel<br />

the 2021 event,” said Chris<br />

Dolnack, NSSF Senior<br />

Vice President and Chief<br />

Customer Officer. “That’s<br />

a testament to the amazing<br />

industry we serve, and we’re<br />

very thankful for this great<br />

honour by <strong>Trade</strong> Show<br />

Executive in recognising the<br />

show’s growth.”<br />

In addition to its exhibit<br />

space at The Venetian Expo,<br />

the 2022 SHOT Show<br />

marked an expansion of the<br />

show to Caesars Forum,<br />

with the two facilities connected by a<br />

footbridge. This expanded floorplan<br />

allowed more companies than ever before<br />

to exhibit at the show.<br />

The show is now the third largest trade<br />

valuable objects in<br />

the robust aluminium<br />

Zarges cases,” said<br />

Searle. “Combining our<br />

KOR VRS interior with<br />

the outer protection<br />

of Zarges aluminium<br />

cases delivers a<br />

reliable and repeatable<br />

protection solution<br />

that lasts a lifetime<br />

and is significantly<br />

more environmentally<br />

sustainable than<br />

traditional synthetic<br />

cases with foam inserts.<br />

Ready for new cargo in<br />

mere minutes, our VRS<br />

panels replace traditional<br />

foam, making Zarges<br />

cases universally reusable,<br />

lighter-weight, and more<br />

cost-effective for endusers,”<br />

he added.<br />

The strategic<br />

collaboration between<br />

KOR Technik and Zarges<br />

USA launches with three<br />

Zarges K470 flagship<br />

cases equipped with KOR<br />

VRS panels.<br />

www.zargesusa.com<br />

www.kortechnik.com<br />

show held in Las Vegas.<br />

The 2024 SHOT Show will return to<br />

Las Vegas on January 23-26 at both The<br />

Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum.<br />

www.nssf.org<br />

About Zarges USA<br />

For 90 years, the brand name Zarges<br />

has been synonymous with continuous<br />

innovations in the fields of access,<br />

packaging, transportation, and special<br />

construction. As a market leader in<br />

innovation, Zarges offers its customers<br />

standard-setting products and services in<br />

safety, durability, and ergonomics. Zarges<br />

products combine the multiple benefits<br />

of aluminium, featuring high stability<br />

with low weight, corrosion resistance,<br />

and flexibility of use. Zarges has the<br />

right product for every need and offers<br />

customised solutions.<br />

About Kor Technik<br />

KOR Technik’s VRS technology is a<br />

revolutionary protection solution,<br />

saving space, time, and money while<br />

reducing waste. The patented Vacuum<br />

Rigidizing Structure defines a new era<br />

of safeguarding valuable assets during<br />

transport by molding around and<br />

conforming to contents. By limiting<br />

lateral and vertical movement of the<br />

objects within, VRS panels protect costly<br />

cargo with superior impact and vibration<br />

reduction. VRS technology encourages<br />

reusability, delivering efficient and costeffective<br />

protection. A proud US company,<br />

KOR Technik is committed to preserving<br />

the environment through product<br />

innovation, eliminating useless waste,<br />

and utilising sustainable materials.<br />

14 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


1024<br />

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clear thermal<br />

image<br />

Extreme image<br />

detail on high<br />

zoom<br />

800m<br />

Precise laser<br />

range finding<br />

Integrated ballistic<br />

calculator for<br />

long-range shooting<br />

Thermal Excellence<br />

THERMION 2 LRF<br />

14°<br />

Wide field of view<br />

for easy scanning<br />

F/1.0<br />

Premium HD-class<br />

germanium optics<br />

XL50<br />

HD Thermal Imaging Riflescope<br />

• .375H&H ready<br />

• 10 shooting profiles / 100 zeroing distances<br />

• A selection of 10 reticle shapes in 9 color<br />

modes<br />

• High-precision aiming in the<br />

“Picture-in-picture” mode<br />

• High-precision ambidextrous lens focusing<br />

• Ground-breaking image processing<br />

• Customizable user mode for individual image<br />

adjustment<br />

• Combined dual battery system<br />

• 64 GB memory size photo and video recording<br />

• Wi-Fi integration with iOS and Android devices<br />

• IPX7 submersion waterproof rated<br />

• Wireless remote control included<br />

www.pulsar-vision.com @PulsarVision Pulsar Vision<br />

@pulsar.vision


NEWS<br />

REAL SOLUTIONS REQUIRED FOR<br />

LARGE CARNIVORE CONSERVATION AND<br />

MANAGEMENT IN EUROPE<br />

Recently, the heads of Europe’s national<br />

hunting associations from over 30<br />

countries gathered in Prague to discuss<br />

the latest developments on large<br />

carnivores in Europe. A key focus was<br />

on the European Commission’s recent<br />

consultation and communication, which<br />

recognises that conflicts are increasing<br />

and urges local authorities to make full<br />

use of existing derogations from the<br />

strict protection: “The return of the wolf<br />

to EU regions where it has been absent<br />

for a long time is increasingly leading to<br />

conflicts with local farming and hunting<br />

communities, especially where measures<br />

to prevent attacks on livestock are not<br />

widely implemented”.<br />

Hunters are key stakeholders in large<br />

carnivore conservation and management.<br />

At the conference, attendees discussed<br />

several successful examples of large<br />

carnivore conservation, with hunters<br />

being actively engaged in conservation,<br />

monitoring, and management. However,<br />

as some large carnivore populations are<br />

increasing, this can result in increased<br />

conflicts, often exacerbated by the<br />

illogical reaction to increase the level<br />

of protection rather than improving<br />

the management measures for better<br />

coexistence.<br />

In addressing the challenges of large<br />

carnivore conservation, it is crucial<br />

to consider the impacts on local<br />

livelihoods and communities especially<br />

where inappropriate management<br />

frameworks exist. A worst-case scenario<br />

is when local communities deal with<br />

carnivores themselves. Conservation and<br />

management strategies must, therefore,<br />

be inclusive, taking into account the<br />

needs and perspectives of local people.<br />

The European Commission has<br />

stated on several occasions that Member<br />

States should fully use the flexibility in<br />

the Habitats Directive, including more<br />

recently to deal with the concentration of<br />

wolf packs in some European regions and<br />

the danger for livestock and potentially<br />

also for humans. Regrettably, the<br />

revision of the EC Guidance document<br />

on strict protection is more restrictive<br />

than the previous version. There is also<br />

a widespread lack of recognition that<br />

management is compatible with the<br />

long-term conservation of the species.<br />

There is now an expectation in<br />

the hunting community that the<br />

Commission aligns the EC Guidance<br />

with its more recent statements on the<br />

wolf.<br />

The conference heard a range of<br />

presentations from Sweden, Romania,<br />

Latvia, Slovakia, Czech Republic,<br />

Germany, Croatia and Slovenia. These<br />

were supported by several interventions<br />

from FACE Members in other<br />

European countries.<br />

Concluding the conference, Torbjörn<br />

Larsson, President of FACE, welcomed<br />

the announcement from the European<br />

Commission to look into a proposal<br />

to modify, where appropriate, the<br />

protection status of the wolf and<br />

introduce further flexibility in the legal<br />

framework. He concluded: “Now it<br />

the time for real action to ensure the<br />

conservation and management of the<br />

wolf and other large carnivore species<br />

with Europe’s rural communities”.<br />

www.face.eu<br />

About<br />

FACE is the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation. Established in 1977, FACE represents the interests of Europe’s<br />

7 million hunters as an international non-profit-making nongovernmental organisation. FACE is made up of national hunters’<br />

associations from 37 European countries including the EU-28. FACE is supported by 7 associate members and is based in Brussels.<br />

FACE upholds the principle of sustainable use and has been a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature<br />

(IUCN) since 1987. FACE works with its partners on a range of hunting-related matters from international conservation agreements to<br />

local implementation issues with the aim of sustaining hunting across Europe.<br />

16 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


ISIDE PRESTIGE<br />

SLX 600 DE LUXE BLACK<br />

F.A.I.R.® S.r.l.<br />

Marcheno (BS) Italy<br />

WWW.FAIR.IT


news<br />

Team Barrett shines at the <strong>2023</strong> King of 2 Miles<br />

Barrett Firearms competitor<br />

Justin Wolf and spotter James<br />

Archer finished in 2nd place<br />

at the global <strong>2023</strong> King of<br />

2 Miles competition, held<br />

at the NRA Whittington<br />

Center on September 22nd –<br />

24th, <strong>2023</strong>.<br />

What makes this result<br />

even more impressive is that<br />

Wolf was one of only three<br />

competitors who successfully<br />

engaged all seven targets, the<br />

furthest being 3526 yards<br />

in the finals with a new<br />

Barrett rifle chambered in<br />

.416 Barrett using 500 grain<br />

Cutting Edge Lazer Bullets.<br />

The three-day event<br />

attracts the world’s best<br />

marksmen and is regarded<br />

as the ultimate proving<br />

ground for long-range<br />

shooting, pushing the<br />

boundaries of precision and<br />

equipment performance.<br />

Of 69 competitors, Barrett<br />

represented 11 per cent<br />

of rifles competing in<br />

the extreme long-range<br />

event yet reflected 21 per<br />

cent of the global Top 14<br />

finalists. Barrett’s competing<br />

rifle system was the only<br />

factory configured product<br />

represented in this year’s<br />

competition that typically<br />

showcases custom-built rifles.<br />

Wolf said the results were<br />

a testament to the new<br />

Barrett rifle’s exceptional<br />

precision and the promise<br />

it holds for the future of<br />

long-range shooting. “It’s<br />

always amazing to shoot big<br />

ELR events like this. The<br />

feeling of accomplishment of<br />

making the finals and having<br />

this success with the new<br />

Barrett equipment is second<br />

to none.”<br />

Bryan James, President<br />

of Barrett Firearms, said:<br />

“Justin’s performance with<br />

our rifle at the King of<br />

2 Miles competition is a<br />

source of immense pride for<br />

Barrett. It is a testament to<br />

our unwavering commitment<br />

to pushing the boundaries of<br />

what is possible in longrange<br />

shooting. We look<br />

forward to officially unveiling<br />

this innovation to the world<br />

at the 2024 SHOT Show and<br />

bringing the same capability<br />

to the hands of marksmen<br />

who demand nothing but the<br />

best.”<br />

Barrett Firearms invites<br />

media, industry professionals,<br />

and shooting enthusiasts<br />

to visit its booth #10344 or<br />

Industry Day at the Range<br />

during the 2024 SHOT Show<br />

in Las Vegas, Nevada, from<br />

January 23–26, 2024, where<br />

they can experience the new<br />

product first-hand and learn<br />

more about this revolutionary<br />

rifle’s specifications and<br />

capabilities.<br />

www.barrett.net<br />

Fiocchi Ammunition receives US boost<br />

US wholesaler Camfour has<br />

added Fiocchi Ammunition<br />

to its vendor line up.<br />

The addition of Fiocchi<br />

Ammunition will help<br />

Camfour increase its vendor<br />

and product selection for<br />

a broader assortment to<br />

further support its customer<br />

base.<br />

Brandon Roper, President<br />

of Camfour, said: “By<br />

adding Fiocchi to our<br />

line-up of products and<br />

expanding our options for<br />

dealers to choose from, we<br />

look towards improving<br />

our customer’s shopping<br />

experience.”<br />

Fiocchi was founded<br />

in 1876 in Lecco, Italy<br />

and has been producing<br />

high quality ammunition<br />

ever since. In the 1950s,<br />

Fiocchi began importing<br />

ammunition into the United<br />

States and by the 1980s<br />

demand had grown and the<br />

decision was made to build<br />

a manufacturing facility in<br />

the US to help service the<br />

US market.<br />

In 1983 a site in Ozark,<br />

Missouri was chosen, right<br />

in the heart of America,<br />

and a facility was built<br />

on a former dairy farm.<br />

Since then, the company<br />

has continued to grow<br />

and expand, currently<br />

employing nearly 200 staff<br />

to produce some of the<br />

highest quality shotshell<br />

and centerfire ammunition<br />

available. While the<br />

company still has roots in<br />

Italy and receives a portion<br />

of their products from their<br />

facility in Lecco, around 80<br />

per cent of Fiocchi brand<br />

About<br />

Barrett is a family-owned and<br />

operated company and the<br />

world leader in long-range,<br />

large-calibre, precision rifle<br />

design and manufacturing.<br />

Barrett products are used by<br />

civilians, sport shooters, law<br />

enforcement agencies, the<br />

United States military and<br />

more than 75 US Department<br />

of State approved countries<br />

around the world.<br />

products that are sold in<br />

the US market are loaded in<br />

Ozark or in its new facility<br />

near Little Rock, Arkansas.<br />

www.camfour.com<br />

About<br />

Camfour is a US wholesaler of firearms, ammunition, and<br />

accessories for the shooting sports industry with distribution<br />

centers in Westfield, MA and Pflugerville, TX. It continues to<br />

grow by adding new brands and dealers to consistently be<br />

ranked as one of the top 10 distributors in the industry.<br />

www.umarex.fr<br />

18 www.guntradeworld.com


NEWS<br />

AirForce Airguns adds new sales representatives<br />

AirForce Airguns has<br />

welcomed Tim Bailey and<br />

Associates, (TBA) as its<br />

new sales representatives.<br />

The addition of these sales<br />

representatives will allow<br />

AirForce and its sister<br />

companies to better service<br />

and assist dealers. They will<br />

also represent AirForce’s sister<br />

companies Rapid Air Worx<br />

and BKL Technologies.<br />

They will be representing<br />

AirForce in much of the<br />

Midwest as well as the state<br />

of Texas. States that will<br />

be covered by TBA also<br />

include Arkansas, Louisiana,<br />

Oklahoma, Minnesota,<br />

Wisconsin, Illinois, North<br />

Dakota and South Dakota.<br />

AirForce president John<br />

McCaslin, commented:<br />

“Adding a new sales<br />

representative organisation is<br />

a very big step for us. It speaks<br />

directly to the success and<br />

demand for our air rifles and<br />

other products. We are happy<br />

to be working with TBA as we<br />

continue to grow and expand.<br />

The last few years have seen<br />

unprecedented sales growth<br />

and I am confident that TBA<br />

will be able to keep that<br />

growth moving. In deciding on<br />

who we wanted to represent us<br />

to the dealer community, we<br />

found that their organisation<br />

most aligned with our<br />

philosophy of customer<br />

service from the dealer to<br />

the consumer. Adding TBA’s<br />

group strengthens that<br />

connection to our customers.<br />

“The growth of the PCP<br />

airgun market has paralleled<br />

AirForce’s growth since its<br />

inception in 1997. As PCP<br />

airguns have become more<br />

popular and demand has<br />

increased, so has the need<br />

for hands-on customer<br />

service at the dealer level.<br />

TBA will provide that in the<br />

same manner that AirForce<br />

customers have come to rely<br />

on. Dealers are an essential<br />

part of our formula, and the<br />

Bailey organisation is a great<br />

fit to that formula.”<br />

Dealers may contact<br />

AirForce’s office to get the<br />

name and contact information<br />

of the representative in their<br />

state.<br />

www.airforceairguns.com<br />

About<br />

Established in 1997, AirForce Airguns was the first company to mass-produce high-quality PCP air rifles in the United States. AirForce<br />

rifles feature German-made Lothar Walther match grade barrels with other major components being manufactured and assembled<br />

in their Texas-based manufacturing facility. AirForce Airguns, a founding member of the Airgun Sporting Association, continues to<br />

work to educate legislators and regulators about airguns on a local, state, and national level. In 2018 AirForce Airguns acquired Rapid<br />

Air Worx and continues to produce the finest PCP rifles made in America.<br />

SMITH & WESSON HEADS SOUTH<br />

Firearm manufacturer Smith<br />

& Wesson has officially moved<br />

its headquarters from New<br />

England to Tennessee.<br />

“Congratulations to Smith &<br />

Wesson on their grand opening<br />

in Tennessee. This move is a<br />

testament<br />

to their<br />

enduring<br />

legacy, their<br />

commitment<br />

to firearm<br />

excellence,<br />

and to<br />

the importance of preserving<br />

America’s gun industry and<br />

Second Amendment rights<br />

in a fair environment,”<br />

NRA Executive Director of<br />

Advancement Tyler Schropp<br />

told Fox News Digital.<br />

“Representing millions of<br />

NRA members and gun owners,<br />

the NRA was proud to be the<br />

tip of the spear for the passage<br />

and enactment of the Protection<br />

of Lawful Commerce in Arms<br />

Act that saved America’s firearm<br />

industry,” Schropp continued,<br />

citing the 2005 Protection of<br />

Lawful Commerce in Arms<br />

Act that prevents firearm<br />

manufacturers from being held<br />

liable if products are used to<br />

commit a crime.<br />

The new headquarters, which<br />

was first announced in 2021,<br />

sits on 230 acres southwest of<br />

the McGhee Tyson Airport.<br />

Tours of<br />

the facility<br />

were offered<br />

during<br />

the grand<br />

opening,<br />

with Smith<br />

& Wesson<br />

spokespeople telling media that<br />

the gun manufacturer will also<br />

build a museum and retail store<br />

in the coming years.<br />

Smith & Wesson was<br />

established in 1852 in<br />

Connecticut before it soon<br />

moved its headquarters to<br />

Springfield, Massachusetts.<br />

Now, the firearm manufacturer<br />

calls Maryville, Tennessee,<br />

home after holding a ribboncutting<br />

ceremony at its<br />

new 650,000-square-foot<br />

headquarters.<br />

www.smith-wesson.com<br />

Kevin DeMichiel joins Team Blaser<br />

Blaser has signed up<br />

US shooter Kevin<br />

DeMichiel as the newest<br />

member of Team Blaser.<br />

A resident of Forsyth,<br />

Georgia, DeMichiel<br />

is a 15-time National<br />

Sporting Clays<br />

Association (NSCA)<br />

All-American, 13-time<br />

Team USA Member,<br />

serving as captain of the 2019 team, and a two-time<br />

Georgia State Champion. He was inducted into the<br />

Georgia Sporting Clays Association Hall of Fame in<br />

2017.<br />

DeMichiel has been shooting for 25 years and is<br />

now switching to the Blaser F3 SuperSport shotgun.<br />

His first tournament as a member of Team Blaser is<br />

the upcoming National Sporting Clays Championships<br />

which will be held in San Antonio, Texas, October<br />

21-29.<br />

“I’m excited to join Team Blaser to shoot alongside<br />

some of the country’s best shooters like Bill McGuire<br />

and Cory Kruse,” said DeMichiel. “It will be a joy to<br />

shoot for a company that strongly backs their pro staff<br />

and supports them to the fullest.”<br />

“We are proud to welcome Kevin to the Team Blaser<br />

family,” said Jason Evans, CEO, Blaser Group. “He has<br />

an impressive record in the competitive shooting sports<br />

and is a strong addition to our growing team.”<br />

For the past eight years, DeMichiel has been a fulltime<br />

shooter and shooting instructor.<br />

www.blaser-group.com<br />

20 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


NEWS<br />

PURSUIT ANNOUNCES NEW OWNERSHIP<br />

Pursuit Media, LLC, has<br />

announced a new majority<br />

ownership of all its assets by<br />

The Bordelon Group.<br />

Effective October 9th,<br />

<strong>2023</strong>, The Bordelon Group,<br />

led by President and CEO<br />

Rock Bordelon, has acquired<br />

a majority ownership stake<br />

in Pursuit Media and all its<br />

related assets. This comes<br />

on the heels of Pursuit<br />

Channel celebrating its 15th<br />

Anniversary of distributing<br />

great hunting, fishing, and<br />

shooting content to millions<br />

across the US with industry<br />

leading distribution platforms,<br />

and will help to pave the road<br />

ahead for many years to come.<br />

Pursuit says that Rock is<br />

a successful businessman<br />

with ownership stakes in<br />

a multitude of businesses<br />

and will bring a wealth of<br />

professionalism and leadership<br />

to the Pursuit brands for the<br />

many years that lay ahead.<br />

Rock knows firsthand the<br />

value of Pursuit as he’s also<br />

been a content provider to<br />

Pursuit for many years now<br />

with his very popular program,<br />

On The Road Outdoors.<br />

Rock commented: “I’m very<br />

excited for this opportunity<br />

to invest into Pursuit Media.<br />

Pursuit has changed the game<br />

in the space and has been a<br />

very competitive and viable<br />

option for many content<br />

providers. Many positive<br />

competitive advantages have<br />

existed for Pursuit over the<br />

years with more to come in<br />

near future. From here, we’ll<br />

focus on future strategy and<br />

the steppingstones that are<br />

needed to achieve major<br />

success in the business of<br />

content and distribution on<br />

behalf of our beloved outdoors<br />

industry and our producers.<br />

Some of these items include<br />

moving The Pursuit channel<br />

to HD with all carriers while<br />

growing more distribution to<br />

reach more homes, expanding<br />

PursuitUP to more platforms,<br />

retooling the PursuitUP app<br />

to give viewers more instant<br />

access to their favorite shows<br />

plus new content found<br />

nowhere else, launching a<br />

new channel, H2O, that<br />

will focus on all things<br />

water related including<br />

environmental, travel and<br />

world competition. We will<br />

also be creating new types<br />

of programming that will<br />

allow the outdoor industry to<br />

thrive without being further<br />

censored and shadow banned.”<br />

Rusty Faulk, Founder<br />

and CEO of Pursuit Media<br />

commented: “We couldn’t be<br />

more blessed to have such an<br />

awesome investment group<br />

for Pursuit. It’s rare to find<br />

folks these days with as<br />

much grit and determination<br />

as Rock Bordelon has, and<br />

that’s exactly what will propel<br />

Pursuit and its assets into<br />

the future. His vision for the<br />

future is very exciting and will<br />

allow us to show our industry<br />

that the new age of television<br />

married with live stream will<br />

deliver a large passionate<br />

audience eager to consume<br />

our outdoor content we are<br />

just thrilled for what’s to<br />

come for Pursuit and all those<br />

that work with Pursuit. We<br />

hope to earn the opportunity<br />

to work with more content<br />

providers and brands across<br />

the industry, so we hope you’ll<br />

reach out to us today with any<br />

questions you may have and to<br />

learn how we may be able to<br />

help your business.”<br />

www.pursuituptv.com<br />

Team Beretta adds new hunting brand ambassador<br />

Beretta has announced the signing<br />

of a new hunting brand ambassador<br />

- Robert Arrington of ‘Deer Meat<br />

for Dinner.’ Arrington, a successful<br />

outdoorsman and content creator,<br />

uses his channel to showcase his and<br />

his family’s love of hunting, fishing,<br />

and all things outdoor-related while<br />

providing an in-depth look at their<br />

lives as hunt-to-table enthusiasts.<br />

Arrington will utilize Tikka rifles,<br />

various Beretta shotguns, and several<br />

handguns, including the 92XI SAO<br />

and 3032 Tomcat.<br />

“I’ve been hunting and shooting<br />

since I was a young boy, and ever since<br />

I can remember, Beretta has been a<br />

brand of excellence with reliability you<br />

can trust! I’m so excited to be working<br />

with such a wonderful company,”<br />

Arrington said.<br />

With several popular YouTube<br />

video series on his channel, including<br />

‘Catch Clean Cook,’ ‘Tasty Tuesdays,’<br />

and ‘Tips and Techniques,’ Arrington<br />

authentically captures engaging content<br />

from his everyday life that displays the<br />

hunt-to-table lifestyle, ethical hunting<br />

practices, and how he shares his<br />

passion with his family and friends.<br />

“As long-time fans of Robert and<br />

Deer Meat for Dinner, we’re excited<br />

to partner with and support Rob<br />

and his family as they pursue their<br />

passions in the outdoors. Between<br />

Beretta and Tikka firearms, we’re<br />

confident they’ll have the right tool<br />

for the job on any hunt they go on,”<br />

Amanda Popp, Sports Marketing<br />

Manager, said.<br />

Arrington joins an established<br />

stable of Beretta hunting ambassadors<br />

that include Remi Warren, Nate<br />

Hosie and Randy Birdsong<br />

(HeadHunters TV), Jeb and Ward<br />

Burton (Crossroads with the Burtons),<br />

Tim Burnett (Solo Hunter), and<br />

Durrell Smith (The Sporting Life<br />

Notebook).<br />

www.beretta.com<br />

About<br />

Pursuit Media, LLC, is the<br />

industry leader covering<br />

more homes than any other<br />

US outdoor channel. In total<br />

home and user delivery, has<br />

its linear feed Pursuit Channel,<br />

active nationally to 30+<br />

million homes via DIRECTV,<br />

AT&T U-verse HD, DISH<br />

Network, Sling TV HD, Comcast<br />

Xfinity, Fios by Verizon HD,<br />

Centurylink Prism HD, Cox<br />

Communication HD and the<br />

National Cable Television<br />

Cooperative (NCTC). PursuitUP,<br />

is active to 90+ million users<br />

through Samsung’s TV Plus,<br />

Sinclair’s STIRR, Xumo Play,<br />

Glewed TV, Vidgo, Kloud TV,<br />

Select TV, TCL Smart TVs, Plex,<br />

and many more. Additionally,<br />

PursuitUP’s VOD library<br />

is readily available online<br />

to anyone at pursuituptv.<br />

com, or by downloading the<br />

PursuitUP app available on<br />

most devices.<br />

22 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


NEWS<br />

SIG SAUER’S TOM TAYLOR ELECTED<br />

TO SAF BOARD OF DIRECTORS<br />

Tom Taylor, chief marketing officer and<br />

executive vice president for Commercial<br />

Sales at Sig Sauer has been elected to<br />

the Second Amendment Foundation’s<br />

Board of Directors.<br />

SAF founder and Executive Vice<br />

President Alan M. Gottlieb said Taylor<br />

is a welcome addition to the board, and<br />

he brings a strong business background<br />

and many years of experience in the<br />

firearms industry to the table.<br />

“Sig Sauer was so proud to be the<br />

first company to lead the way for the<br />

firearms industry by becoming a longterm,<br />

high level sponsor for the Second<br />

Amendment Foundation, to support the<br />

great work they are doing to protect and<br />

defend the Second Amendment through<br />

a comprehensive litigation strategy,”<br />

said Taylor. “Now I am personally<br />

honoured to join the board so we can<br />

now be part of the process at an even<br />

higher level, not just with our financial<br />

resources, but now with time and effort.<br />

We truly believe that while the Second<br />

Amendment Foundation continues to do<br />

the great work it has been doing for 50<br />

years, it has stepped up even further to<br />

fill a great void in protecting what is so<br />

vitally critical to our country.”<br />

Prior to joining Sig Sauer in March<br />

2015, Taylor spent five years at O.F.<br />

Mossberg as senior vice president<br />

of sales and marketing, and U.S.<br />

commercial sales. Before joining<br />

Mossberg, Taylor spent five years at<br />

Smith & Wesson as vice president of<br />

marketing and product development.<br />

While at S&W, Taylor led the<br />

development and introduction of the<br />

Military & Police rifle and pistol lines.<br />

Before that, he also spent time with<br />

Remington/Freedom Group as senior<br />

vice president overseeing several special<br />

projects.<br />

Taylor is recognised as an industry<br />

activist who strongly supports Second<br />

Amendment advocacy, the shooting<br />

sports and hunting.<br />

“We are fortunate to have Tom<br />

Taylor joining our Board of Directors,”<br />

Gottlieb stated. “His extensive<br />

background in the firearms industry<br />

will provide a wealth of knowledge and<br />

experience that will be critical as the<br />

foundation moves forward, expanding<br />

our activities into 2024 and beyond.”<br />

About<br />

The Second Amendment Foundation is the US nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action<br />

group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has<br />

grown to more than 720,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the<br />

consequences of gun control.<br />

Taurus USA promotes Caleb Giddings<br />

to general manager of marketing<br />

Taurus USA, a<br />

leading manufacturer<br />

of firearms for<br />

everything from<br />

personal protection<br />

to hunting has<br />

promoted Caleb<br />

Giddings to general manager<br />

of marketing.<br />

Caleb originally joined<br />

Taurus as the marketing<br />

manager, after consulting on<br />

the project that would result<br />

in the award-winning Taurus<br />

856 Executive Grade. He steps<br />

into his new role leading the<br />

marketing department after<br />

playing a crucial role in the<br />

successful launches of many<br />

new products, including the<br />

first ever optics ready defensive<br />

revolver, the Taurus 856<br />

T.O.R.O (Taurus Optics Ready<br />

Option).<br />

“I am tremendously excited<br />

for my expanded role here,”<br />

said Caleb. “I can’t<br />

wait to keep working<br />

with the team<br />

in marketing to<br />

continue to promote<br />

not just the Taurus<br />

brand, but also Rossi<br />

and Heritage.”<br />

In his new role, Caleb will<br />

oversee marketing efforts for<br />

Taurus USA and its family of<br />

brands, including Rossi USA<br />

and Heritage Manufacturing.<br />

www.taurususa.com<br />

About<br />

Taurus is based in Bainbridge,<br />

Georgia and is owned by<br />

Taurus Armas, S.A. which is<br />

a publicly traded company<br />

based in Brazil. Taurus Armas<br />

S.A. manufactures a wide<br />

variety of consumer and<br />

industrial products that are<br />

distributed worldwide.<br />

www.saf.org<br />

MIDWAYUSA PARTNERS<br />

WITH CREDOVA FOR BUY<br />

NOW, PAY LATER FINANCING<br />

MidwayUSA is pleased to announce a partnership with an<br />

industry-leading provider of buy now, pay later financing<br />

solutions, Credova. This partnership will give Customers flexible<br />

financing solutions for purchasing Just About Everything® for<br />

Shooting, Hunting, and the Outdoors, all with no credit card.<br />

“I’m excited to partner with Credova, a company that is<br />

dedicated to supporting the hunting and shooting sports<br />

industry,” said Adam Augustine, VP of eCommerce. “This new<br />

flexible payment option makes all the great products we carry<br />

even more accessible to our Customers, and it is incredibly easy<br />

to use. Just select Credova as the payment option in checkout and<br />

fill out your application.”<br />

Credova is the leading outdoor recreation and sporting goods<br />

point-of-sale financing platform providing a buy now, pay later<br />

solution with multiple financing products.<br />

“It’s a privilege to join forces with MidwayUSA, an esteemed<br />

name in the hunting and shooting domain,” said Kamron Davis,<br />

Chief Revenue Officer of Credova. “This collaboration underlines<br />

our commitment to adding value to the industry and enhancing<br />

the shopping experience for MidwayUSA’s vast Customer base.<br />

We’re thrilled to be part of this journey and look forward to the<br />

mutual growth and success this partnership promises.”<br />

www.midwayusa.com<br />

24 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


If you are interested in<br />

distributing and marketing<br />

our products, contact us at:<br />

info@noricaairguns.com<br />

www.noricaairguns.com<br />

Hall 1 Booth 337<br />

2-5.3.<strong>2023</strong><br />

info@noricaairguns.com<br />

www.noricaairguns.com


LAW ENFORCEMENT & MILITARY NEWS<br />

NIOA BEGINS BOXER<br />

AMMUNITION PRODUCTION<br />

NIOA in conjunction with Rheinmetall<br />

NIOA Munitions has begun ammunition<br />

production for the Army’s nextgeneration<br />

armoured Boxer vehicle,<br />

marking a significant milestone for<br />

munitions manufacturing in Australia.<br />

The company will produce 40,000<br />

rounds of medium calibre training<br />

ammunition at the Commonwealth<br />

Government-owned NIOA-operated<br />

plant in Benalla, Victoria for the Boxer<br />

Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV)<br />

which is being made in Queensland by<br />

Rheinmetall.<br />

It comes as the Minister for Defence<br />

Industry, Pat Conroy announced a<br />

$220 million investment in munitions<br />

production at Benalla and another<br />

government-owned contractor-operated<br />

(GOCO) factory at Mulwala in regional<br />

New South Wales.<br />

Minister Conroy and Guided Weapons<br />

and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO)<br />

Enterprise Chief AVM Leon Phillips<br />

OAM toured NIOA’s Benalla operation<br />

last Friday (Eds: October 6) as the first<br />

batch of 30mm projectiles was being<br />

prepared to roll off the line.<br />

A key recommendation of the Defence<br />

Strategic Review was to replenish<br />

GWEO stocks and to establish sovereign<br />

missile and munition manufacturing<br />

facilities in Australia.<br />

“Improving Australia’s ability to<br />

manufacture the munitions our defence<br />

force needs is not only critical to meeting<br />

the strategic challenges we face as a<br />

nation, it will also support local industry<br />

EOTECH distributor awarded UK MoD<br />

contract for SWESS Light Battle Systems<br />

Viking Arms Ltd, a longstanding<br />

distributor in the UK<br />

for EOTECH, has revealed<br />

the award for a seven-year<br />

contract framework by the<br />

Dismounted Close Combat<br />

team, part of the UK Ministry<br />

of Defence (MoD), for the<br />

Procurement and Support of<br />

up to a total fleet requirement<br />

of 12,000 SWESS Light<br />

Battle Systems, subject to<br />

financial approval.<br />

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy (centre) with<br />

GWEO Chief AVM Leon Phillips (left) and members of the<br />

NIOA team at the Benalla facility.<br />

and well-paid, skilled local jobs,” Minister<br />

Conroy said.<br />

“The Mulwala and Benalla munition<br />

factories underpin Australia’s ability to<br />

develop critical propellants, explosives<br />

and munitions for the Australian Defence<br />

Force.”<br />

NIOA Australia and New Zealand<br />

CEO Ben James welcomed the<br />

Government’s investment in domestic<br />

munitions production.<br />

“This will further support Australia’s<br />

growing defence industrial base and<br />

comes at an exciting time as we ramp up<br />

production of the Boxer ammunition at<br />

Benalla,” he said.<br />

“NIOA’s $12m investment at Benalla<br />

reflects our commitment to work with<br />

Government and Defence in delivering<br />

sovereign capability and local jobs.<br />

As part of<br />

the framework,<br />

Viking Arms<br />

and EOTECH<br />

will provide the<br />

Holographic<br />

Weapon Sight<br />

(HWS) EXPS3<br />

and the G33<br />

3x Magnifier as a complete<br />

system. The EOTECH HWS<br />

is considered the fastest target<br />

acquisition CQB weapon sight<br />

available with true<br />

two eyes open, a<br />

proven solution<br />

that has been inservice<br />

with the<br />

UK Ministry of<br />

Defence for over<br />

15 years.<br />

EOTECH<br />

President, Dennis Finnegan<br />

commented: “We are very<br />

honoured to be a part of<br />

this program. EOTECH’s<br />

“We have a highly qualified and<br />

professional team at Benalla who have<br />

worked exceptionally hard to reach this<br />

key milestone in sovereign munitions<br />

manufacture.”<br />

The NIOA tenancy at Benalla<br />

maintains the Commonwealth’s<br />

capabilities for the manufacture of<br />

primary energetics, pyrotechnics, medium<br />

calibre, mortar and tank ammunition,<br />

hand grenades, fuzes, primers, along with<br />

various laboratory test facilities. The<br />

medium calibre line is a joint investment<br />

with Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions.<br />

NIOA recently completed work at<br />

Benalla recapitalising 120mm tank<br />

ammunition for the Australian Army’s<br />

M1A1 Abrams tank fleet.<br />

www.nioa.com.au<br />

history of supporting the<br />

United Kingdom’s war fighters<br />

along with our partner,<br />

Viking Arms, is a point of<br />

pride for everyone in our<br />

organisation. We look forward<br />

to continuing to provide our<br />

weapon sights, lasers, and<br />

sensors that help make the UK<br />

Ministry of Defence a more<br />

successful and lethal force.”<br />

www.eotechinc.com<br />

26 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


NEXTORCH 21in NEX Quicker Duty<br />

Baton Awarded TR Certif ication<br />

NEXTORCH Industries, one of the world’s<br />

leading manufacturers of illumination<br />

tools and specialised equipment for law<br />

enforcement, first responder, tactical, and<br />

outdoor applications, has announced that the<br />

21in NEX Quicker Duty Baton has been<br />

awarded TR certification for use by German<br />

police forces.<br />

“The NEX series of batons are already in use<br />

in 12 of the 16 German states,” said Jordan<br />

Brothers, Vice President of Sales & Marketing,<br />

NEXTORCH. “The NEX Batons are a<br />

favourite of police forces the world over due<br />

to their safety, reliability and ease of use. The<br />

patented NEX Lock design utilises a push button lock that creates<br />

a lockup that is more than twice as strong as many of the other<br />

batons on the market.”<br />

The 21in NEX Quicker Duty Baton is offered in two versions:<br />

a lightweight “Air” model utilising an aerospace aluminium alloy<br />

for the first two sections with the last segment being steel, and<br />

a full steel version for more heavy-duty use. These duty batons<br />

offer super-smooth open & close operation with a rock-solid<br />

locking mechanism, making them far more stable compared to<br />

others. Thanks to their patented NEX Lock design, the batons are<br />

extremely robust, drop test rated to 6.5 feet and can still expand<br />

and retract smoothly after 3,000 impacts.<br />

BLACKHAWK ISSUES<br />

RESPONSE ON SAFETY<br />

OF LIGHT-BEARING<br />

HOLSTERS<br />

A push button in the tail unlocks the baton<br />

for easy retraction and makes operation of<br />

the NEX Batons quick and effortless. An easy<br />

flick of the wrist deploys the baton, and then<br />

simply press the button and push the end to<br />

retract. A high quality, shock-absorbing, TPE<br />

rubber handle is comfortable in the hand and<br />

ensures a no-slip grip even when sweating. The<br />

matte black surface plating is highly corrosion<br />

resistant, for years of reliable service.<br />

Features:<br />

- Handle diameter 1.1in - 6.5 ft. drop test<br />

rated - 1,000 N tensile strength - Durability<br />

tested for 3,000 impacts of 3,000n - Bending strength 5,000 N<br />

Available accessories include: Window Breaking Tip, Baton<br />

Grip Ring, HG1 Baton Cross-Guard, V72 Tactical Baton Holder,<br />

V72 Quick-Draw Baton Holder, V71 Nylon Baton Holder, V70<br />

Dual-Purpose Baton Holder.<br />

* Please go weaponlaws.wikidot.com/state-baton-laws and check<br />

your state laws first. A concealed carry handgun permit could be<br />

required before purchase.<br />

www.nextorch.com<br />

About<br />

With an in-depth understanding of their customers’ needs and preferences, NEXTORCH focuses their state-of-the-art research and<br />

development resources to create the finest high-performance equipment possible. Through their relentless commitment to product<br />

innovation, they have earned more than 150 patents and numerous industry awards. In doing so, they have earned the loyalty of<br />

professional end users in more than 100 countries.<br />

Blackhawk, a leader in law<br />

enforcement and military<br />

equipment for over 20 years,<br />

has released the following<br />

statement as a reply to<br />

safety concerns that have<br />

been issued from firearms<br />

manufacturers on the<br />

associated use of lightbearing<br />

holsters:<br />

“While Blackhawk<br />

appreciates handgun<br />

manufacturers cautioning<br />

holster users about lightbearing<br />

holster safety, we<br />

feel bound to point out that<br />

Blackhawk is unaware<br />

of any of these numerous<br />

uncommanded discharges<br />

with light-bearing holsters to<br />

have involved a Blackhawk<br />

T-Series holster. Our designs<br />

are weapon-light model specific<br />

and greatly minimise the gap<br />

found on the other generic<br />

weapon-light model design<br />

holsters.”<br />

As the world’s first<br />

thumb driven, dual-injected<br />

moulded holster, the T-Series<br />

is Blackhawk’s premier dutyrated<br />

holster. Designed to<br />

follow Blackhawk’s Master<br />

Grip Principal, all T-Series<br />

holsters are specifically<br />

developed to allow the user’s<br />

hand to land naturally where<br />

it should in order to deploy<br />

the sidearm. To date, the<br />

T-Series has been chosen<br />

by more than 3,200 law<br />

enforcement agencies as their<br />

duty holster of choice both in<br />

the US and abroad.<br />

www.blackhawk.com<br />

About<br />

In 1990, a Navy SEAL was navigating<br />

a minefield when his pack failed.<br />

As his gear tumbled to the ground,<br />

he vowed that if he got out of there<br />

alive he would make gear the right<br />

way.<br />

Today, this obsession with quality<br />

applies to everything Blackhawk<br />

do. The compamny is constantly<br />

researching, refining and perfecting<br />

every detail to provide gear that<br />

won’t let you down. Because<br />

Blackhawk is not just making stuff<br />

– it’s honouring a vow.<br />

WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM 27


FEATURE<br />

Plate Carrier QR LC.<br />

SHOT Show<br />

Booth #20221<br />

READY TO LIGHT UP<br />

LAS VEGAS<br />

At the upcoming SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Tasmanian Tiger, the<br />

German-based premium supplier of professional military and police<br />

equipment, will be showcasing its product range. Here, <strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong> picks<br />

out three that we feel will excite dealers and professionals in Sin City.<br />

Plate Carrier QR LC<br />

This light plate carrier is designed for Class<br />

4 ballistic plates and offers a quick-release<br />

system with ROC buckles.<br />

That means it’s easy to open and jettison<br />

during everyday military operations in the<br />

field. Laser-cut MOLLE design ensures a<br />

smooth, clean look.<br />

The Plate Carrier QR LC comes with<br />

removable side features and is compatible<br />

with other TT removable panels: Lasercut<br />

MOLLE on the front and sides allow<br />

customisable expansion. The plate carrier<br />

can also be combined with the TT Chest<br />

Rig LP, the TT Assault Pack 12 and the<br />

TT Modular Combi Rig.<br />

Key characteristics<br />

- Slatted side panels are weight-optimised<br />

and ventilated<br />

- Robust side panels for attaching ballistic<br />

side plate pockets<br />

- Integrated removable pockets for radio<br />

equipment or magazines<br />

- Front and sides equipped with MOLLE<br />

for customisable expansion<br />

- Shoulder straps can be shortened to fit<br />

body size<br />

- Hook-and-loop fleece strips on the front<br />

for attaching patches<br />

- Removable shoulder padding with cable<br />

guides<br />

- Inner mesh lining for optimised<br />

ventilation<br />

- Flat pouch for papers on the front<br />

- Wide hook-and-loop fleece strips on the<br />

front for attaching removable panels.<br />

TT Medic Mascal Pack<br />

Emergency backpack for the simultaneous<br />

first aid treatment of several wounded<br />

persons.<br />

The TT Medic Mascal Pack (MASCAL<br />

= Mass Casualty) is used for the initial<br />

28 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


treatment of injured persons if they cannot<br />

be treated individually immediately. The<br />

front of the backpack is equipped with<br />

four IFAK pouches for quick access,<br />

and the interior layout is designed to<br />

be stocked with supplies for emergency<br />

operations involving many casualties. The<br />

sides of the backpack are equipped with<br />

MOLLE in laser-cut design.<br />

Key characteristics<br />

- Handle<br />

- Additional cords for individual marking<br />

in blue, red, and yellow<br />

- Scissors bag<br />

- Weight of the empty backpack – 820 g<br />

- Weight of the backpack including<br />

included accessories – 1.84 kg<br />

- Four IFAK pouches on the front,<br />

removable by MOLLE stick quick release<br />

system; dimensions: 15 x 10.5 x 5cm each<br />

/ 120g / 0.5l<br />

- Daisy Chains on the IFAK Pouches<br />

- Labelable blind hook-and-loop available<br />

- Two additional IFAK pouches with<br />

MOLLE stick quick release system in the<br />

large inner pocket<br />

- Laser-cut MOLLE system<br />

- Front and sides with MOLLE system.<br />

Sides: Width: 2 MOLLE loops, length: 3<br />

/ 2 MOLLE loops<br />

- Incl. hook-and-loop strips for marking:<br />

1 x TAG, 1 x ATM<br />

- Large removable inner pocket with vinyl<br />

lid and labelled EVAC hook-and-loop<br />

strip; dimensions: 32 x 25 x 8cm / 180g /<br />

10l<br />

- Smaller, removable inner pocket with<br />

TRIAGE labelled hook-and-loop strip;<br />

dimensions: 26 x 11 x 9cm / 95g / 2l.<br />

TT Medic Mascal Pack.<br />

TT Base Pack 52.<br />

SCAN FOR VIDEO ON<br />

TT BASE PACK 52<br />

TASMANIAN TIGER<br />

TT Base Pack 52<br />

Large mission backpack with modular<br />

expansion options. Made of Cordura® and<br />

material with IRR treatment.<br />

The TT Base Pack offers a volume of<br />

52-litres and is expandable to 65-litres. It<br />

has a height-adjustable and removable lid.<br />

When used without the lid, the backpack<br />

is closed with the rolled snow guard. On<br />

the front and sides is MOLLE. The hip<br />

belt can be removed and used separately as<br />

a Warrior Belt.<br />

Both the CORDURA® materials as<br />

well as webbing, hook-and-loop fasteners<br />

and buckles meet the high German<br />

Bundeswehr standards TL 8305-0278 and<br />

TL 8305-0281 with regard to the IRR<br />

camouflage effect (IRR 650 – 1250nm /<br />

10 – 42%).<br />

Key characteristics<br />

- V2 Plus Carrying System<br />

- Divided main and bottom compartments<br />

- Fixation for hiking poles or ice axes<br />

- Volume expandable from 52 l to 65 l<br />

with roll-top snow guard<br />

- Roll-top snow guard (without lid) can be<br />

used in two locking positions<br />

- Height-adjustable chest belt<br />

- Removable, padded hip belt<br />

- Side compression straps<br />

- Compression around perimeter of base<br />

- Lid with gear loops<br />

- Easy-access pocket on top of lid<br />

- Height-adjustable, detachable lid<br />

- Hydration system compatible<br />

- Gear loops<br />

- Material according to TL 8305-0278<br />

- Antenna ports into the main<br />

compartment<br />

- Hip belt can be used separately as a<br />

Warrior Belt<br />

- MOLLE system on all the important<br />

attachment areas<br />

Front and sides with MOLLE system.<br />

Sides: Width: 5 / 2 MOLLE loops,<br />

Length: 8 / 1 MOLLE loops<br />

Lid with MOLLEsystem: width: 6<br />

MOLLE loops, length: 4 MOLLE<br />

loops.<br />

About<br />

As the premium supplier of professional<br />

military and police equipment, all<br />

Tasmanian Tiger products are made<br />

of the very best quality and with the<br />

best functionality. The comprehensive<br />

development work is always based on the<br />

user’s specific needs and requirements.<br />

From prototype to series production,<br />

all products are manufactured in the<br />

company’s own production facilities,<br />

ensuring a consistently high level of<br />

quality is maintained. Every step in the<br />

production process is precisely defined<br />

and checked regularly by independent<br />

test centres to international standards.<br />

Every product is checked before it leaves<br />

production and is given a serial number<br />

that is then stored in the company’s own<br />

database.<br />

www.tasmaniantiger.info<br />

WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM 29


TURNS OUT,<br />

GUN-CONTROLLING<br />

SEN. MENENDEZ LOVES<br />

INTERNATIONAL FIREARM<br />

TRADE AFTER ALL<br />

To say US Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) has been a thorn in the side of the<br />

firearm industry would be an understatement…<br />

By Larry Keane<br />

The gun-controlling politician<br />

has railed for stricter gun<br />

control, called for bans on<br />

entire classes of firearms,<br />

taken money from gun control groups<br />

to advance a gun ban agenda and has<br />

done all he could to undo the export<br />

reforms for the firearm industry to<br />

reduce redundancies and regulatory costs<br />

associated with export licensing, while<br />

increasing national security. America<br />

might now have a better insight as to why<br />

Sen. Menendez wanted more control over<br />

those exports.<br />

serious Corruption Charges<br />

Sen. Menendez, along with his wife<br />

Nadine Arslanian and several executives,<br />

was indicted by the Department of Justice<br />

(DOJ) for a corrupt bribery scheme. Sen.<br />

Menendez was charged with accepting<br />

hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes<br />

in cash, gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz<br />

C-300 convertible and home mortgage<br />

payments. Those payments were allegedly<br />

in exchange for the senator using his<br />

position to grease the skids for businesses<br />

and the government of Egypt between<br />

2018 and 2022.<br />

He’s also charged with promising to<br />

disrupt a criminal investigation and<br />

prosecution related to one businessman,<br />

and the senator recommended President<br />

Joe Biden’s nominee for U.S. Attorney for<br />

New Jersey be someone “who Menendez<br />

believed could be influenced by<br />

Menendez” regarding the prosecution of<br />

one of the businessmen he was allegedly<br />

involved in the corruption scheme.<br />

The FBI reportedly discovered<br />

more than $480,000 in cash in Sen.<br />

Menendez’s home while executing a<br />

search warrant in June 2022, “much of<br />

it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in<br />

clothing, closets, and a safe.” Agents<br />

found envelopes of cash inside jackets<br />

bearing the Senate symbol and Sen.<br />

Menendez’s name.<br />

The senator and his wife were charged<br />

with conspiracy to commit bribery,<br />

conspiracy to commit honest services<br />

fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion.<br />

The charges allege Sen. Menendez took<br />

bribes to benefit the businesses and<br />

the Egyptian government, “including<br />

with respect to foreign military sales<br />

and foreign military financing,” over<br />

which the senator has oversight as the<br />

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman,<br />

and Ranking Member previously. Sen.<br />

Menendez allegedly provided non-public<br />

information to intermediary businesses,<br />

after which one businessman texted an<br />

Egyptian official stating, “The ban on<br />

small arms and ammunition to Egypt has<br />

been lifted. That means sales can begin.<br />

That will include sniper rifles among<br />

other articles.”<br />

<strong>Gun</strong> Control for Thee…<br />

Ironically, Sen. Menendez introduced<br />

legislation to prevent arms sales to human<br />

rights abusers. S. 1025 would increase<br />

Congress’ role in reviewing arms exports.<br />

That’s even as the State Department<br />

noted significant human rights issues in<br />

Egypt in a 2022 report. Human Rights<br />

Watch, a watchdog group, reported that<br />

30 www.guntradeworld.com


nssf<br />

Egypt’s government was responsible<br />

for nationwide repression and causing<br />

one of the country’s worst human rights<br />

crises in many decades. He even signed<br />

a letter in September to President Joe<br />

Biden urging him to reverse the USML-<br />

CCL reforms, claiming, “The State<br />

Department is also better equipped than<br />

Commerce to assess the human rights<br />

and security impact of arms exports.”<br />

This might explain why Sen.<br />

Menendez despised those firearm export<br />

reforms that were finalized under the<br />

Trump administration. Those are the<br />

U.S. Munitions List to Commerce<br />

Control List reforms that transferred<br />

licensing of small arms exports from<br />

the State Department, over which Sen.<br />

Menendez had control, to the Commerce<br />

Department. The reforms streamlined<br />

the export process, removing duplicative<br />

processes but also raised the bar for<br />

ensuring end-user checks were vetted<br />

before any export could leave the United<br />

States.<br />

This isn’t the first time Sen. Menendez<br />

has been charged with corruption. A<br />

bribery trial in 2017 involved a wealthy<br />

Florida eye doctor accused of buying<br />

Sen. Menendez’s influence by providing<br />

him with luxury vacations and campaign<br />

contributions. The judge in that case<br />

declared a mistrial after the jury was<br />

hopelessly deadlocked after more than<br />

six days of deliberations. It is worth<br />

noting he was not exonerated of those<br />

charges. The DOJ declined to retry him.<br />

Defiance<br />

Sen. Menendez remains defiant. Due<br />

to Senate Democratic Caucus rules, he<br />

was forced to resign his position as the<br />

Senate Foreign Relations Committee<br />

Chairman, but he has said he “is going<br />

nowhere” and promises to run for reelection.<br />

He retained Abbe Lowell, the<br />

lawyer representing Hunter Biden in<br />

his tax and firearm cases, to tackle his<br />

own federal corruption charges in court.<br />

Pressure is building on Sen. Menendez<br />

to walk away from the Senate altogether.<br />

New Jersey’s Gov. Phil Murphy has<br />

called on Sen. Menendez to resign.<br />

This isn’t because Gov. Murphy has<br />

suddenly become a critic of New<br />

Jersey’s senior senator. He’s concerned<br />

that the corruption scandal could cost<br />

antigun politicians a reliable seat. If Sen.<br />

Menendez were to resign, Gov. Murphy<br />

could appoint a new senator to serve the<br />

remainder of his term, which expires in<br />

January 2025. He has already gained a<br />

primary challenge from U.S. Rep. Andy<br />

Kim (D-N.J.). The New York Post<br />

reported that New Jersey Republicans<br />

are closely watching developments.<br />

The charges are serious and Sen.<br />

Menendez will have his day in court to<br />

defend against the charges. The firearm<br />

industry, which he has used as a political<br />

punching bag, is very interested in<br />

learning just how gold bars ended up<br />

in his home, stacks of cash in his suit<br />

coats and why he was so adamant that<br />

all firearm exports be run through his<br />

committee.<br />

www.nssf.org<br />

www.guntradeworld.com 31


FEATURE<br />

TM22 Hunting Rifle.<br />

DERYA’S NEW<br />

PRODUCTS HIT<br />

THE MARKET<br />

The popular Turkish manufacturer of high-performance firearms has a<br />

host of new and exciting products to excite the global trade.<br />

Here, <strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong> looks at the key characteristics of each of them.<br />

TM22 Hunting Rifle<br />

A revolutionary feel<br />

The TM22 is a .22LR<br />

and Derya has classified<br />

it as a hunting rifle. This<br />

calibre is one of the most<br />

popular calibres globally.<br />

The TM22 is a reliable and<br />

accurate full aluminium or<br />

polymer (Feather version)<br />

rifle that allows it to be used<br />

for different fields such as<br />

training, practicing and fun.<br />

A Derya spokesperson<br />

commented: “Of course,<br />

one of the main reasons<br />

for choosing this Semi-<br />

Automatic Rimfire is the<br />

less recoil, the silence and<br />

the excitement during<br />

shooting. Our TM22<br />

model, which has various<br />

magazine options, is<br />

striking for its lightness,<br />

durability and accuracy when<br />

shooting.”<br />

TM22 Feather<br />

Ready for any occasion<br />

Thanks to the standardcompliant<br />

picatinny rail on<br />

the top, the user can easily<br />

mount all types of red dots<br />

and scopes. Top feature of<br />

the TM22 Feather include<br />

compatibility with AR type<br />

grips, commercial buffer tube<br />

adapter, top rail, and forend<br />

that takes most aftermarket<br />

accessories. The TM22<br />

Feather is built to last and for<br />

all types of scenarios.<br />

As ambidextrous as it gets,<br />

comes with right handed<br />

stock configuration, includes<br />

set to convert from right<br />

handed to left handed,<br />

making it ready for all<br />

scenarios.<br />

Features an 18” barrel 34”<br />

overall length.<br />

22LR rifle was built with<br />

no shortcuts and comes with<br />

32 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


two 10rd aluminium or polymer<br />

magazines. Aftermarket factory<br />

15rd and 25rd magazines are<br />

available.<br />

TM22 LA Rifle<br />

The rimf ire lever action offering a<br />

new experience<br />

“The TM22 LA-18 is ready and<br />

waiting to be your next TM22<br />

Rifle,’ says the Derya team.<br />

“The combination of our<br />

MD-401 and TM22 brought<br />

this unique model to the range.<br />

It has an aluminium receiver and<br />

magazine, which allows a reliable<br />

and accurate rifle and it can be<br />

used in different fields such as<br />

trainings, practicing and fun.<br />

Have you ever seen a detachable<br />

magazine fed .22LR Lever<br />

Action? No? Then it’s time to for<br />

you to test this matchless Rimfire<br />

and enter the brand-new world<br />

of Lever Action.”<br />

Thanks to the standardcompliant<br />

picatinny rail on the<br />

top you can easily mount all<br />

types of red dots and scopes<br />

to make perfect shots. You can<br />

also adjust the length and the<br />

cheek piece on the AG stock. Of<br />

course, one of the main reasons<br />

for choosing this Lever Action<br />

Rimfire is the reduced recoil, the<br />

silence and the excitement during<br />

shooting.<br />

Derya’s TM22 LA-18 model,<br />

which has various magazine<br />

options, is striking for its<br />

lightness, durability and accuracy<br />

when shooting. This 18” barrel,<br />

36” overall length 22LR rifle was<br />

built with no shortcuts, comes<br />

with 2 10rd polymer magazines.<br />

Aftermarket factory 15rd and<br />

25rd magazines are available.<br />

ZY9 Pistol<br />

Unconventional design, unmatched<br />

performance, familiar AR<br />

handling<br />

Derya offers you a selection of<br />

complete 9mm carbine rifles and<br />

pistols for your next training<br />

day on the range or competition.<br />

Choose from a variety of stock<br />

options, barrel lengths, furniture<br />

configurations, and more to find<br />

the right gun for you.<br />

The ZY9 is the first pistol<br />

from the Derya stable and<br />

offers many features like stock<br />

options, AR9 trigger, picatinny<br />

rail, M-Lok forend and ½ x 28<br />

UNEF thread on the barrel.<br />

“It’s precise, super precise. You<br />

can suppress it well, it fits in a<br />

compact package and 9mm is<br />

available just about anywhere,” a<br />

Derya spokesperson told us.<br />

This pistol is chambered in<br />

9mm with a 5.9” button rifled<br />

barrel supported by a full-length<br />

M-Lok forend. There is also a<br />

10-inch variant.<br />

Derya spokesperson continued,<br />

“Looking for something a little<br />

more refined and perhaps with<br />

a last round hold open? It’s<br />

definitely enhanced with the<br />

LRBHO as well as some small<br />

niceties that make building<br />

and using it an upgrade. The<br />

ZY9 is a closed bolt, blowback<br />

operated system driven by our<br />

9mm bolt carrier group and<br />

fed with standard GLOCK®<br />

9mm magazines. When we were<br />

designing the ZY9, our goals<br />

were reliability, affordability, and<br />

familiar controls for the user.<br />

The ZY9 B6 DS01 redefines the<br />

submachine gun category with a<br />

new level of dual system.”<br />

DY9 semi-automatic 9mm pistol<br />

Strike with trust<br />

Introducing the DY9, a stateof-the-art<br />

semi-automatic 9mm<br />

striker fire pistol, engineered for<br />

performance and comfort. With<br />

a polymer frame, steel slide, and<br />

a compact, lightweight design,<br />

the DY9 combines reliability<br />

with ease of use. Customize<br />

your grip with interchangeable<br />

backstraps to ensure a perfect fit,<br />

regardless of hand size. Choose<br />

from a wide range of stylish<br />

colour combinations to make a<br />

statement, while maintaining<br />

precision and accuracy. The DY9<br />

is your trusted partner, delivering<br />

outstanding performance and<br />

innovation.<br />

MELIK Pistol<br />

“Faith in your hand”<br />

Experience the exceptional power<br />

of the MELIK. Derya describes<br />

this handgun as “a steel-built<br />

masterpiece that delivers an<br />

unmatched shooting experience.”<br />

It offers a substantial feel that<br />

allows you to truly immerse<br />

yourself in the thrill of shooting.<br />

Tailored for enthusiasts who<br />

appreciate the classic style, the<br />

MELIK offers a selection of<br />

striking colour combinations to<br />

match your individual taste.<br />

www.deryaarms.com<br />

TM22 Feather.<br />

TM22 LA Rifle.<br />

ZY9 Pistol.<br />

DY9 Semi-Automatic<br />

9mm Pistol.<br />

MELIK Pistol.<br />

DERYA ARMS<br />

WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM 33


GREAT GEAR<br />

Revolutionising<br />

Archery<br />

The advancements in<br />

compound bow technology<br />

This month we explore the key advancements in compound bow<br />

technology and how these innovations have made archery more<br />

accessible, precise, and enjoyable for archers of all skill levels.<br />

34 www.guntradeworld.com


Archery, an ancient practice<br />

that has been part of human<br />

history for centuries, has seen<br />

a remarkable transformation<br />

in recent years thanks to advancements<br />

in compound bow technology. The<br />

compound bow, with its innovative<br />

design and mechanical features, has<br />

become a game-changer in the archery<br />

world.<br />

The Compound Bow’s Evolution<br />

The introduction of the compound bow<br />

marked a pivotal moment in archery<br />

history. This type of bow stands out due<br />

to its unique mechanical components,<br />

which enhance its power, accuracy, and<br />

ease of use. Let’s delve into the key<br />

advancements that have shaped the<br />

modern compound bow.<br />

Cams and Cam Systems: At the heart<br />

of every compound bow lies its cam<br />

system. Compound bows now feature<br />

highly advanced cam designs that offer<br />

archers several advantages. These cams<br />

allow archers to reach their full draw<br />

length with ease and maintain peak<br />

performance throughout the entire<br />

shot cycle. This innovation not only<br />

simplifies the archery process but also<br />

boosts accuracy and consistency. Some<br />

compound bows even feature adjustable<br />

cams, enabling archers to fine-tune their<br />

draw length and performance to match<br />

their specific preferences.<br />

Limb Materials: In the past, traditional<br />

bows were crafted from wood, but<br />

modern compound bows employ<br />

cutting-edge materials like fiberglass,<br />

carbon, and aluminium for their limbs.<br />

These materials are known for their<br />

exceptional durability and lightweight<br />

properties, making the bows easier to<br />

carry during extended periods of use.<br />

Moreover, the use of these advanced<br />

materials contributes to the bow’s overall<br />

performance and speed, enhancing the<br />

archer’s experience.<br />

Parallel Limb Design: A noticeable<br />

trend in modern compound bows is<br />

the adoption of parallel limb designs.<br />

This configuration minimises vibration<br />

and noise during the shot, ensuring a<br />

more comfortable and stealthy shooting<br />

experience. Parallel limb bows are also<br />

more forgiving of slight imperfections in<br />

an archer’s form, making them suitable<br />

for a wider range of skill levels.<br />

Let-Off Mechanism: One of the most<br />

distinctive features of the compound<br />

bow is its let-off mechanism. As the<br />

archer draws the bow, the cam system<br />

reaches a point where it reduces the<br />

amount of weight the archer must<br />

hold at full draw. This “let-off ” makes<br />

it significantly easier for archers to<br />

maintain full draw, thereby improving<br />

accuracy and reducing the risk of fatigue.<br />

It is especially beneficial in hunting<br />

scenarios where archers might need<br />

to hold their bows at full draw for an<br />

extended period.<br />

Adjustable Draw Length and Weight:<br />

Most modern compound bows are<br />

equipped with adjustable draw lengths<br />

and weights. This adaptability ensures<br />

that compound bows are suitable for<br />

archers of various sizes, ages, and skill<br />

levels. It also makes compound bows<br />

the go-to choice for beginners and<br />

experienced archers alike.<br />

Advanced Materials and Finish: The<br />

materials used in the construction<br />

of compound bows have evolved to<br />

include high-tech composites and<br />

coatings that enhance durability and<br />

protection against the elements. These<br />

advancements make compound bows<br />

reliable tools for archers, whether<br />

they are target shooting or hunting in<br />

challenging outdoor conditions.<br />

Compact and Lightweight Designs:<br />

Modern compound bows often feature<br />

compact and lightweight designs,<br />

which are particularly advantageous<br />

for hunters. These bows are easy to<br />

manoeuvre in the field, and their smaller<br />

size makes them ideal for navigating<br />

through dense woods and tight spaces.<br />

Innovative Vibration Dampening:<br />

Many compound bows now incorporate<br />

vibration dampening technologies, such<br />

as strategically placed dampeners, to<br />

minimise noise and vibrations upon<br />

release. This not only improves the<br />

shooting experience but also contributes<br />

to a stealthier and less disturbing<br />

hunting experience.<br />

Archery Accessories<br />

Bow technology advancements are not<br />

limited to the bows themselves but also<br />

extend to the accessories archers use.<br />

Some notable advancements include<br />

release aids, arrow materials and<br />

broadhead designs. Release aids, used by<br />

both compound and traditional archers,<br />

have seen improvements in design,<br />

materials, and functionality. These<br />

devices help archers achieve a consistent<br />

and smooth release of the bowstring,<br />

reducing string torque and increasing<br />

accuracy. Traditional wooden arrows<br />

have been largely replaced by carbon and<br />

aluminium arrows. These materials are<br />

lightweight, durable, and offer better<br />

consistency in arrow flight. Carbon<br />

arrows, in particular, are known for their<br />

accuracy and resilience. The design and<br />

variety of broadheads, used for hunting,<br />

have evolved significantly. Mechanical<br />

broadheads with expandable blades have<br />

gained popularity due to their increased<br />

accuracy and larger wound channels,<br />

while fixed-blade broadheads remain<br />

popular for their reliability.<br />

The Role of Technology in Bow Hunting<br />

In the realm of bow hunting, technology<br />

has played a significant role in<br />

advancing the applications of compound<br />

bows, making the hunting experience<br />

more efficient, ethical, and successful.<br />

One of the most notable applications<br />

for technology in bow hunting is the<br />

incorporation of advanced materials<br />

and designs in compound bows. These<br />

bows have become a testament to<br />

technological progress in the sport,<br />

offering increased speed, accuracy, and<br />

forgiveness. The utilization of high-tech<br />

materials like carbon, fiberglass, and<br />

aluminum has not only made compound<br />

bows more durable but also significantly<br />

lighter, facilitating easier carrying during<br />

extended hunting trips. Furthermore,<br />

the integration of parallel limb designs<br />

and advanced cam systems has made<br />

these bows quieter and more forgiving<br />

of minor imperfections in an archer’s<br />

form, enhancing the overall hunting<br />

experience. Accessories designed to<br />

complement compound bows, such as<br />

stabilisers and silencing components,<br />

have further improved the hunting<br />

experience. Stabilisers enhance bow<br />

stability and balance, while silencing<br />

components reduce noise and vibrations<br />

upon release. These technologies<br />

promote a quieter and more accurate<br />

shot, increasing a hunter’s chances of a<br />

successful and ethical harvest.<br />

To Conclude<br />

The evolution of compound bow<br />

technology has reshaped the world of<br />

archery and bowhunting, making it<br />

more accessible and enjoyable than ever.<br />

The incorporation of advanced features<br />

such as cams, limb materials, parallel<br />

limb designs, let-off mechanisms, and<br />

adjustable settings has transformed<br />

the compound bow into a powerful<br />

and precise tool for archers. Whether<br />

you’re a seasoned archer or a novice<br />

just starting, these advancements have<br />

democratised archery, allowing everyone<br />

to experience the thrill of hitting the<br />

mark with precision and ease. For<br />

hunters, these advancements ensure that<br />

they are well-equipped to pursue their<br />

passion while respecting the principles<br />

of humane hunting and conservation. GTW<br />

compound bows<br />

www.guntradeworld.com 35


SPOTLIGhT<br />

EXPLORING<br />

THE ALLURE OF<br />

ARCHERY<br />

Few pursuits possess the enduring fascination of archery. this ancient<br />

art, which finds its roots in the annals of history, is experiencing a modern<br />

resurgence, captivating enthusiasts from every corner of the globe.<br />

The domains of archery and<br />

firearms share intersecting<br />

sectors, encompassing<br />

recreational shooting, precision<br />

target practice, and the thrill of hunting.<br />

Be it casual backyard fun, the competitive<br />

arena of Olympic archery, or the pursuit<br />

of elusive game in the wilderness, archery<br />

caters to diverse interests. For wholesalers<br />

and retailers already immersed in the<br />

world of target sports and hunting, the<br />

strategic addition of archery products to<br />

their inventory, where local regulations<br />

allow, represents a logical and potentially<br />

lucrative expansion.<br />

A Step Back in Time<br />

Before the era of firearms claimed the<br />

limelight, the humble bow and arrow<br />

held sway as the weapons of choice for<br />

hunting, self-defense, sport, and pure<br />

amusement. While firearms eventually<br />

overshadowed bows in many applications,<br />

archery endured, experiencing a<br />

renaissance that’s winning the hearts<br />

of enthusiasts globally. Furthermore,<br />

an increasing number of countries are<br />

exploring the potential of bowhunting<br />

as a viable alternative to firearms for<br />

hunting. The reasons for this revival<br />

are multifaceted, but one pivotal<br />

advantage of bowhunting is its silent<br />

precision. When an archer releases an<br />

arrow, it moves noiselessly through the<br />

air, while its impact is astonishingly<br />

lethal when accurately placed. This<br />

makes bowhunting an attractive option,<br />

particularly in a world where human<br />

habitation grows ever closer. For archers,<br />

practicing in their own backyards is an<br />

aspiration come true.<br />

Unlocking the Niche of Bow Hunters<br />

One of the most intriguing niches in the<br />

realm of archery is that of bow hunters.<br />

In various regions, bow hunting is not<br />

36 www.guntradeworld.com


Archery Survey Results<br />

OVER THE LAST<br />

12 MONTHS…<br />

archery<br />

APPROXIMATE NUMBER<br />

OF BOWS SOLD PER YEAR<br />

BEST-SELLING<br />

TYPE OF BOW<br />

1-50 30%<br />

51-100 45%<br />

101+ 25%<br />

Crossbow 10%<br />

Recurve 35%<br />

Compound 55%<br />

TYPE OF ARCHERY YOUR<br />

CLIENTS TAKE PART IN<br />

TOP FEATURES IN<br />

MAKING A SALE<br />

Hunting 22%<br />

Target 33%<br />

Recreational 45%<br />

Price 27%<br />

Performance 28%<br />

Brand Name/Make 22%<br />

Build Quality 13%<br />

Accessories 10%<br />

IS THE TARGET ARCHERY/<br />

RECREATIONAL MARKET…<br />

IS THE BOW HUNTING<br />

MARKET…<br />

Up 57%<br />

Down -<br />

Same 43%<br />

Up 45%<br />

Down 15%<br />

Same 40%<br />

only expanding but flourishing. In North<br />

America, it enjoys a firm foothold and<br />

is experiencing a surge in popularity,<br />

heralding promising business prospects<br />

for those who take it seriously. Proper<br />

training is essential, given that modern<br />

bows pack immense power and must be<br />

wielded correctly for ethical hunting. The<br />

potential for add-on sales in this niche is<br />

vast, encompassing a wide range of items<br />

such as carrying cases, backpacks, sights,<br />

arrowheads, camouflage clothing, scopes,<br />

laser range finders, trail cameras and<br />

more. However, it’s crucial to note that<br />

some countries still prohibit bow hunting.<br />

The Dual Faces of Bows<br />

Broadly speaking, bows fall into two<br />

categories: the traditional longbow, held<br />

vertically and drawn with one hand, and<br />

NUMBER OF LADIES<br />

TAKING UP ARCHERY<br />

Up 15%<br />

Down 20%<br />

Same 65%<br />

SALES OF DEDICATED<br />

BOW HUNTING APPAREL<br />

Up 40%<br />

Down 25%<br />

Same 35%<br />

NUMBER OF YOUTHS/JUNIORS<br />

TAKING UP ARCHERY<br />

Up 50%<br />

Down 30%<br />

Same 20%<br />

SALES OF<br />

ELECTRONIC BOW SIGHTS<br />

Up 60%<br />

Down -<br />

Same 40%<br />

www.guntradeworld.com 37


SPOTLIGhT<br />

Archery is not just a product line; it’s<br />

a world with its own language and<br />

unique intricacies.<br />

SPOTLIGHT ON… ARCHERY<br />

a more extended acceleration period<br />

for the arrow, ultimately enhancing<br />

power, control, and accuracy. Compound<br />

bows, on the other hand, employ<br />

intricate systems of cams and strings to<br />

generate power via specialized limbs.<br />

The mechanical advantage offered by<br />

the cams makes high-poundage bows<br />

more manageable, ideal for hunting<br />

and outdoor simulated competitions.<br />

This configuration yields faster arrow<br />

speeds and a flatter trajectory, enhancing<br />

accuracy over extended distances.<br />

the crossbow, held horizontally and fired<br />

with a trigger. Historically, crossbows<br />

were battlefield weapons celebrated<br />

for their armor-piercing capabilities.<br />

However, modern crossbows have<br />

undergone a remarkable transformation,<br />

shedding their cumbersome, woodand-metal<br />

origins in favor of superior<br />

materials and streamlined designs. This<br />

evolution has resulted in crossbows<br />

that are not only more compact and<br />

futuristic but also exceptionally effective<br />

and user-friendly. These crossbows<br />

come in conventional, recurve, and<br />

compound varieties, each offering distinct<br />

advantages. In some regions, hunting<br />

with crossbows is prohibited, while in<br />

others, it has been embraced, extending<br />

hunting seasons and offering a potent<br />

alternative for hunters.<br />

Longbows continue to command<br />

a dedicated following, particularly<br />

among enthusiasts of compound and<br />

recurve designs. A recurve bow boasts a<br />

simple, single-piece construction with<br />

its ends gracefully curving away from<br />

the archer. This unique design results<br />

in a longer string-pull length, enabling<br />

Arrowheads: The Point of Impact<br />

In the realm of archery, the arrows, or<br />

more specifically their heads, play a<br />

pivotal role in hunting, target practice,<br />

and competition. Much like a rifleman<br />

selecting the appropriate caliber and<br />

load, a bowhunter must choose the<br />

right arrowhead for the intended quarry.<br />

Arrowheads for larger game are fitted<br />

with two to four razor-sharp blades,<br />

designed for deep penetration and<br />

significant blood loss. These arrowheads<br />

are not a modern invention but have<br />

a historical battlefield presence. They<br />

deliver a cutting edge that not only<br />

penetrates but also causes substantial<br />

bleeding, facilitating a clean kill.<br />

Principally, there are two distinct types of<br />

broadheads: fixed blade and mechanical<br />

broadheads. Fixed blade broadheads<br />

feature blades permanently affixed to the<br />

arrowhead, providing robust penetration<br />

and a stable flight path. In contrast,<br />

mechanical broadheads hide their blades<br />

during flight, deploying them upon<br />

impact. They are more aerodynamic and<br />

less finicky when it comes to tuning, as<br />

they have far less surface area than fixed<br />

blade broadheads.<br />

Seizing Business Opportunities in Archery<br />

Just as becoming a proficient archer<br />

requires practice, selling archery gear<br />

effectively demands skill and knowledge.<br />

It goes beyond merely stocking bows and<br />

arrows; it entails a deep understanding of<br />

bow types, their respective merits, and the<br />

nuances that differentiate them. Retailers<br />

must be prepared to provide valuable<br />

guidance on equipment selection and<br />

offer assistance in pointing buyers toward<br />

well-informed resources. To excel in the<br />

archery business, retailers should strive<br />

to be more than box movers, offering<br />

insights and services that set them apart.<br />

Archery is not just a product line; it’s a<br />

world with its own language and unique<br />

intricacies. However, for those wellversed<br />

in its nuances, the archery market<br />

holds great potential, providing a valuable<br />

avenue for diversification and a profitable<br />

revenue source.<br />

38 www.guntradeworld.com


Matrix Of Suppliers ARCHERY<br />

archery<br />

austria<br />

steambow<br />

via website<br />

www.steambow.at<br />

BELGIUM<br />

SSA Sporting Goods<br />

info@ssa-archery.be<br />

www.ssa-archery.be<br />

CANADA<br />

Excalibur Crossbow<br />

sales@excaliburcrossbow.com<br />

www.excaliburcrossbow.com<br />

CHINA<br />

Jandao Sanlida<br />

chinacrossbow@yahoo.com.cn<br />

www.chinacrossbow.com<br />

GERMANY<br />

Beier<br />

info@beier-distribution.de<br />

www.beier-distribution.de<br />

Black Flash Archery<br />

mail@black-flash-archery.de<br />

www.black-flash-archery.de<br />

Umarex<br />

sales@umarex.de<br />

www.umarex.com<br />

ITALY<br />

Advance Group<br />

info@advancegroup.it<br />

www.advancegroup.it<br />

Artax<br />

info@artax.net<br />

www.artax.net<br />

KOREA<br />

Win&Win Archery<br />

win@win-archery.com<br />

www.win-archery.com<br />

netherlands<br />

ek archery<br />

sales@ek-archery.com<br />

www.ek-archery.com<br />

JVD archery<br />

archery@jvd-group.com<br />

www.jvd-archery.com<br />

Taiwan<br />

Poe Lang<br />

poelang@poelang.com<br />

www.poelang.com<br />

Armex<br />

sales@armex.co.uk<br />

www.armex.uk.com<br />

Merlin Archery<br />

info@merlinarchery.co.uk<br />

www.merlinarchery.co.uk<br />

Petron Sports Ltd<br />

info@petron.info<br />

www.petron.info<br />

USA<br />

Alpine Archery<br />

info@alpinearchery.com<br />

www.alpinearchery.com<br />

APA Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.apaarchery.com<br />

Arrow Precision<br />

sales@arrow-precision.com<br />

www.arrow-precision.com<br />

Athens<br />

amanda_lyntech@rtcol.com<br />

www.athensarchery.com<br />

Barnett Outdoors<br />

via website<br />

www.barnettcrossbows.com<br />

Barnsdale Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.barnsdalearchery.com<br />

Bear Archery<br />

jpickerill@beararcheryproducts.com<br />

www.beararcheryproducts.com<br />

Black Widow Custom Bows<br />

info@blackwidowbows.com<br />

www.blackwidowbows.com<br />

Bloodsport Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.bloodsportarchery.com<br />

Bowtech Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.bowtecharchery.com<br />

Browning Crossbows<br />

via website<br />

www.browningcrossbows.com<br />

Carbon Express<br />

via website<br />

www.carbonexpressarrows.com<br />

Concept Archery<br />

sales@conceptarchery.com<br />

www.conceptarchery.com<br />

Darton Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.dartonarchery.com<br />

Diamond Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.diamondarchery.com<br />

Elite Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.elitearchery.com<br />

High Country Archery<br />

sales@highcountryarchery.net<br />

www.highcountryarchery.net<br />

Horton<br />

See TenPoint<br />

Hoyt<br />

via website<br />

www.hoyt.com<br />

Liberty Archery<br />

info@libertyarchery.com<br />

www.libertyarchery.com<br />

Martin Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.martinarchery.com<br />

Mathews<br />

via website<br />

www.mathewsinc.com<br />

Mission Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.missionarchery.com<br />

New Breed Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.newbreedarchery.com<br />

Obsession Bows<br />

via website<br />

www.obsessionbows.com<br />

Parker Bows<br />

via website<br />

www.parkerbows.com<br />

Pearson Archery<br />

customerservice@pearsonarchery.com<br />

www.pearsonarchery.com<br />

Prime/G5 outdoors<br />

via website<br />

www.g5prime.com<br />

PSE Archery<br />

via website<br />

www.psearchery.com<br />

Renegade Archery<br />

sales@renegadebows.com<br />

www.renegadebows.com<br />

Southern Crossbow<br />

via website<br />

www.southerncrossbow.com<br />

TenPoint<br />

via website<br />

www.tenpointcrossbows.com<br />

www.guntradeworld.com 39


FEATURE<br />

THE<br />

6-SHOT<br />

REPEATING<br />

COMPOUND<br />

BOW<br />

While innovation and technological progress often overshadow traditional weapon<br />

systems, there are several compelling reasons why time-honoured platforms like the<br />

crossbow and the recurve bow continue to have a place in the modern world.<br />

Having undergone centuries<br />

of refinement, their robust<br />

functionality have stood the<br />

test of time, and modern<br />

developments in material<br />

sciences and fabrication make them even<br />

more reliable and effective. As many<br />

nations continue to regulate firearms with<br />

strict laws, consumers look to alternatives<br />

to provide for their self-defence needs.<br />

Ek Archery Research addresses this<br />

consumer need by developing tactical<br />

archery platforms that allow operators to<br />

project an effective ranged defence.<br />

The obsolescence of the bow and<br />

crossbow on the battlefield shelved the<br />

principles of tactical archery to historical<br />

accounts. Due to the superior rate of fire<br />

and ease of use offered by firearms, there<br />

was little justification for the continued<br />

advancement of a technology that had<br />

been rendered obsolete by a profound<br />

transformation in the nature of warfare.<br />

Back to the Future<br />

As the R&D team at Ek Archery<br />

explored the issues of tactical archery<br />

platforms; it became evident from the<br />

outset that the root of the issue was to<br />

resolve some of the major problems that<br />

had relegated the venerable bow and<br />

crossbow to the domain of sports and<br />

leisure. Rate-of-fire is crucial in tactical<br />

situations as it determines the speed<br />

and frequency at which the operator<br />

can engage targets and suppress threats.<br />

To this end, Ek Archery unveiled the<br />

Cobra RX “Adder,” a compact crossbow<br />

featuring a distinctive five-shot toploaded<br />

magazine system and an integrated<br />

cocking lever, making it a potent closequarters<br />

defensive armament with rapid<br />

follow-up shot capabilities. This novel<br />

solution of magazine-fed arrows has now<br />

been applied to a compound recurve bow<br />

through Ek’s creation of the Whipshot<br />

System.<br />

A Solid Foundation for Speed Shooting<br />

The foundation of the Whipshot System<br />

is the Anvil compound bow. Designed<br />

with the bowhunter in mind, the Anvil’s<br />

compact 27in axle-to-axle length and 3lb<br />

mass make it perfect for maneuvering<br />

in confined hunting blinds, tree stands,<br />

or while stalking prey through dense<br />

underbrush. While seasoned hunters<br />

will find it to be a formidable tool, the<br />

Anvil is also an excellent choice for<br />

novice archers and individuals with<br />

smaller frames. With an adjustable<br />

draw weight ranging from 5 to 55lb and<br />

a customisable draw length between<br />

40 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


EK ARCHERY<br />

15in to 27in, the Anvil can be dialled<br />

in to almost every archer’s personal<br />

specification. The Anvil’s 6.25in brace<br />

height and well-balanced forged riser<br />

complement a cam geometry that offers<br />

a remarkably smooth draw cycle and<br />

provides a comfortable 70 per cent let-off<br />

with a crisp back wall. As Ek’s thirdgeneration<br />

compact compound bow, the<br />

Anvil offers stability for hunting and 3D<br />

archery while remaining highly adaptable<br />

for entry-level archers as their skills<br />

progress.<br />

The Modern Tactical Archery Solution<br />

Taking performance to the next level,<br />

the Anvil truly shines when transformed<br />

into the Whipshot by coupling it with<br />

Ek’s ground-breaking multi-shot device.<br />

The Whipshot System includes a<br />

specialised bracket attaching a magazine<br />

assembly holding six 15in 235g arrows<br />

to the Anvil’s riser. Using the Whipshot<br />

is intuitive, by simply pulling back the<br />

magazine assembly to cock the bow and<br />

releasing the arrow using an integral<br />

thumb trigger, the platform can be<br />

rapidly cycled by the operator; reliably<br />

placing six shots within the ten-ring at<br />

15 yards in just seconds. At its maximum<br />

settings the Whipshot releases a bolt at<br />

240fps making it extremely effective up to<br />

40 yards. However, the Whipshot System<br />

is equally impressive at settings that are<br />

more suitable for young or small framed<br />

shooters; at a 22lb draw weight the bolt<br />

is sent downrange at a respectable 140fps.<br />

With a red-dot sight and set at 18lb the<br />

Whipshot can be a strong deterrent in<br />

the hands of even the least athletic. In a<br />

defensive role that requires barricades,<br />

transitions and shooting while moving;<br />

the dynamic Whipshot handles like no<br />

other compound bow on the market.<br />

A Blast from the Past<br />

As tactical archery combines precision<br />

shooting with strategic thinking, it is<br />

unlike traditional sports archery focusing<br />

on stationary targets. Tactical archers<br />

not only must adapt to dynamic and<br />

challenging environments, but they must<br />

also shoot accurately under stress. This<br />

makes ancient battle skills difficult to<br />

attain for any other than expert archers.<br />

Nonetheless, the Whipshot System,<br />

incorporated with the Anvil compound<br />

bow, offers user-friendly operation and<br />

a firing rate that enable operators to<br />

develop formidable tactical proficiency<br />

without a steep learning curve.<br />

www.ek-archery.com<br />

WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM 41


FEATURE<br />

It’s All About<br />

How You Use It<br />

Don’t jump to a flashlight decision before you<br />

fully consider one key feature… versatility.<br />

The intended use of<br />

a flashlight can vary<br />

from a very narrow<br />

scope to quite broad.<br />

Pinning down this<br />

detail is a critical place to start<br />

before you begin searching<br />

for solutions, otherwise the<br />

huge range of options will be<br />

overwhelming and you will<br />

more likely purchase based<br />

upon price, rather than actual<br />

need.<br />

This is also the point to<br />

examine how much versatility<br />

is required. Think it through<br />

carefully.<br />

You might initially think, for<br />

example, that a gun-mounted<br />

flashlight for use in a combat<br />

situation requires little or<br />

no versatility. Then consider<br />

battery types – what if you’re<br />

limited to a single battery type<br />

when supplies run low on a<br />

lengthy mission? Foresight into<br />

multi-fuel options could save<br />

lives in this scenario.<br />

It helps to understand<br />

the features and benefits<br />

of the options available, so<br />

let’s look at four versatility<br />

considerations, along with<br />

performance and cost<br />

implications:<br />

Battery Type<br />

One of the main choices<br />

is between disposable and<br />

rechargeable batteries.<br />

Disposable batteries – also<br />

known as primary cells, either<br />

alkaline or lithium – have<br />

excellent storage life; seven<br />

and ten years respectively.<br />

They generally offer longer run<br />

times for a given LED power,<br />

are typically lower in initial<br />

purchase price and are more<br />

easily accessible. However,<br />

their operating costs are often<br />

higher than rechargeable lights<br />

and they are seldom as bright.<br />

Benefits of disposable batteries:<br />

• Alkaline batteries store for up<br />

to 7-10 years<br />

• Lithium batteries store for up<br />

to 10 years<br />

• Can offer longer run times<br />

for a given LED power<br />

• Lower in initial purchase<br />

price<br />

• Easier to keep spares on hand<br />

Disadvantages of disposable<br />

batteries:<br />

• Lifetime operating costs<br />

considerably higher than<br />

rechargeables<br />

• Seldom as bright as<br />

rechargeables<br />

• Lithium cells have high<br />

energy density but are costlier<br />

per hour of operation<br />

In comparison, flashlights<br />

using nickel metal hydride<br />

(NiMH) or lithium-ion<br />

rechargeable batteries can<br />

feature extraordinarily low<br />

lifetime operating expenses<br />

and are well suited for<br />

frequent use.<br />

Many high-performance<br />

lights can operate as a<br />

rechargeable system using a<br />

protected USB rechargeable<br />

lithium-ion battery pack.<br />

An example of this is the<br />

Streamlight SL-B26® battery<br />

which features an integrated<br />

charging port and on-board<br />

safety circuit. As an alternate<br />

power source, it offers<br />

flashlight users multi-fuel<br />

options to ensure they always<br />

have a beam when needed.<br />

As with other flashlights<br />

which come with<br />

rechargeable batteries as<br />

42 www.guntradeworld.com


standard, the initial purchase<br />

price is higher, but there are<br />

significant cost savings over<br />

the total life of ownership.<br />

Benef its of rechargeable<br />

batteries:<br />

• Easy to keep fully charged<br />

• Rechargeable lights can be<br />

stored in a charger/holder<br />

when not in use<br />

• Well suited for frequent<br />

use<br />

• Can support a brighter<br />

LED<br />

• More economical to<br />

operate over the long run<br />

Disadvantages of<br />

rechargeable batteries:<br />

• Initial purchase price<br />

is higher than disposable<br />

batteries<br />

LED Types<br />

LEDs offer flexibility in a<br />

flashlight’s output and beam<br />

pattern to meet a multitude<br />

of needs. LEDs (Light<br />

Emitting Diodes) are of a<br />

solid-state construction,<br />

offering a high-intensity<br />

light which lasts up to<br />

100,000 hours and are<br />

available in various colours,<br />

including ultraviolet.<br />

High CRI (Color<br />

Rendering Index) LEDs, like<br />

the ones in Streamlight’s<br />

Color-Rite® lights, have<br />

a 90+ CRI and a warmer<br />

LED temperature, allowing<br />

users to better see the color<br />

spectrum as they would in<br />

natural light. This may be<br />

useful for those who need<br />

to see detail and prevent the<br />

“color washout” that they<br />

might get with a common<br />

bright white LED.<br />

Another LED type is a<br />

“Chip On Board” (COB)<br />

LED, which is made of<br />

multiple LED chips that are<br />

packaged together as one<br />

lighting module. When it’s<br />

lit up, it looks more like a<br />

lighting panel rather than<br />

multiple individual lights,<br />

providing a smooth, flood<br />

beam for up-close work.<br />

Flashlights offering a<br />

combination of LED types<br />

provide a multi-function<br />

solution and give much<br />

greater flexibility for<br />

different tasks.<br />

Switch Options<br />

Switch options are also<br />

important when choosing<br />

a light. Many handheld<br />

flashlights have a head<br />

switch or a tail switch, and<br />

sometimes they have both.<br />

In a tactical situation, you<br />

may prefer to use a tail<br />

switch if you are using the<br />

light in conjunction with a<br />

weapon in the other hand.<br />

There are also different<br />

“FLEX” switches on many<br />

Streamlight weaponmounted<br />

lights. These are<br />

ambidextrous rear paddle<br />

switches which allow users<br />

to customise the position of<br />

the switch (High or Low)<br />

to match their shooting<br />

style. This versatile feature<br />

saves time and effort, as<br />

users can minimise their<br />

hand movement when<br />

precisely aiming beams of<br />

light.<br />

Flexible Program Settings<br />

Flexible program settings<br />

mean you can modify how<br />

your flashlight works – right<br />

down to what happens when<br />

you first switch it on.<br />

If you like most of the<br />

features of a flashlight but<br />

not the pre-set programs,<br />

then a programmable light<br />

might be a good option. The<br />

programming functionality<br />

allows users to modify the<br />

light from the standard<br />

default settings in order to<br />

better fit their needs and how<br />

they’ll be using it.<br />

Streamlight offers TEN-<br />

TAP® programming in all<br />

of its ProTac® lights, where<br />

users can tap the switch<br />

10 times and hold to cycle<br />

through various operational<br />

settings. For example, the<br />

ProTac® 2.0 handheld<br />

flashlight comes on in high<br />

mode (as the default setting)<br />

if you click it once. If you<br />

prefer that low mode comes<br />

on first, you can use TEN-<br />

TAP programming to change<br />

it.<br />

There is a versatile<br />

flashlight solution out there<br />

for every eventuality. Perhaps<br />

the most difficult job is<br />

identifying the requirement<br />

at hand. After that, you’ll be<br />

able to choose a light that<br />

meets your needs.<br />

www.streamlight.com<br />

streamlight<br />

www.guntradeworld.com 43


USiNeSS<br />

souTHeAsT<br />

usA<br />

D O I N G B U S I N E S S W I T H . . .<br />

With the US economy “shifting south” in the eyes of many economic<br />

commentators, now could be the time to invest in this fast-growing region of the<br />

United States. gun <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong> discovers a little about an area that has offered<br />

more than two-thirds of all job growth across the US since early 2020.<br />

The South-eastern<br />

United States, also<br />

referred to as the<br />

American Southeast,<br />

the Southeast, or simply<br />

the South, is a geographical<br />

region of the United States.<br />

It is located broadly in the<br />

eastern portion of the Southern<br />

United States and the southern<br />

portion of the Eastern United<br />

States. It comprises at least<br />

a core of states on the lower<br />

East Coast of the United<br />

States and eastern Gulf Coast.<br />

Expansively, it reaches as far<br />

north as West Virginia and<br />

Maryland, which borders the<br />

Ohio River and Mason–Dixon<br />

line and stretches as far west as<br />

Arkansas and Louisiana. There<br />

is no official US government<br />

definition of the region,<br />

though various agencies and<br />

departments use different<br />

definitions.<br />

The Southeast is home to<br />

many large US manufacturers<br />

and is attracting more and more<br />

as companies see the region as<br />

the ideal base for their business.<br />

Only recently industry giant<br />

Smith & Wesson moved to<br />

Maryville, Tennessee from<br />

Springfield.<br />

Smith & Wesson had this<br />

to say about the move: “This<br />

has been an extremely difficult<br />

and emotional decision for<br />

us, but after an exhaustive<br />

and thorough analysis, for the<br />

continued health and strength<br />

of our iconic company, we feel<br />

that we have been left with<br />

no other alternative.” The<br />

company specifically cited<br />

legislation recently proposed in<br />

Massachusetts that, if enacted,<br />

would prohibit the company<br />

from manufacturing certain<br />

firearms in the state. “These<br />

bills would prevent Smith &<br />

Wesson from manufacturing<br />

firearms that are legal in almost<br />

every state in America and<br />

that are safely used by tens<br />

of millions of law-abiding<br />

citizens every day exercising<br />

their Constitutional 2nd<br />

Amendment rights, protecting<br />

themselves and their families,<br />

and enjoying the shooting<br />

sports. While we are hopeful<br />

that this arbitrary and<br />

damaging legislation will be<br />

defeated in this session, these<br />

products made up over 60 per<br />

cent of our revenue last year,<br />

44 www.guntradeworld.com


economy<br />

focus<br />

& fact file<br />

southeast usa<br />

21% of total US GDP<br />

3.7% unemployment rate<br />

States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,<br />

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North<br />

Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia,<br />

West Virginia, Porta Rico, Virgin Islands<br />

Largest metropolitan areas: Jacksonville,<br />

Charlotte, Washington, Nashville, Memphis,<br />

Louisville, Baltimore, Atlanta, Virginia Beach<br />

Dialling code: +1 Population: 85,304,532<br />

President: Joe Biden Official language: English<br />

Currency: US Dollar<br />

and the unfortunate likelihood<br />

that such restrictions would be<br />

raised again led to a review of the<br />

best path forward for Smith &<br />

Wesson.”<br />

The company also gave a list of<br />

reasons why Maryville was selected<br />

over other potential venues. They<br />

consisted of:<br />

• Support for the 2nd Amendment<br />

• Business friendly environment<br />

• Quality of life for employees<br />

• Cost of living and affordability<br />

• Access to higher education<br />

institutions<br />

• Availability of qualified labour<br />

for its operations and headquarter<br />

Nashville, Tennessee.<br />

functions<br />

• Favourable location for efficiency<br />

of distribution.<br />

Another Tennessee-based<br />

manuf acturer is Barrett Firearms.<br />

Italian giant Benelli has its US<br />

headquarters in Tennessee, as does<br />

Beretta.<br />

Other notable Southeast-based<br />

companies include Daniel Defence,<br />

Kimber, PSA, Remington, Ruger,<br />

SAR USA and Trulock. It is<br />

clearly an excellent region to lay<br />

down routes. The Southeast is<br />

a hotbed for shooting industry<br />

manufacturers and should be high<br />

up on your list of areas to target.<br />

Since 2020 and the Covid pandemic south-eastern<br />

States such as Florida, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee,<br />

and North and South Carolina have undergone<br />

substantial growth. In 2020 and 2021, for example,<br />

the region experienced a boost of $100 billion<br />

in fresh revenue, this can be compared to the<br />

Northeast, which lost around $60 billion, according<br />

to a Bloomberg analysis of IRS data.<br />

It’s also home to 10 of the 15 fastest-growing<br />

cities in the US, and more than two-thirds of all US<br />

job growth since 2020 has happened there.<br />

In total, 2.2 million people have moved to the<br />

Southeast in the past two years. They – and the<br />

businesses that employ them – have been attracted<br />

by factors like the warmer weather, the cheaper<br />

housing, and the lower taxes.<br />

Economic consultant Mark Vitner told Bloomberg:<br />

“You could throw a dart anywhere at a map of the<br />

South and hit somewhere booming.”<br />

Of course, the influx of people brings changes to<br />

communities. In just one example, gentrification is<br />

raising home prices and pushing out longstanding<br />

residents. In Nocatee, Florida, the median sales price<br />

of a single-family home has gone up 62 per cent in<br />

just three years, according to Redfin data cited by<br />

Bloomberg. And Maurice Washington of Charleston,<br />

South Carolina, said the rising prices have pushed<br />

out many Black citizens. When he joined the town’s<br />

city council in 1990, the population was 42 per cent<br />

Black residents, now it’s just 20 per cent.<br />

The trend of people moving in from the Northeast<br />

or out West doesn’t show any signs of slowing<br />

down, meaning the Southeast will continue to<br />

experience these shifts – both the good and the<br />

bad.<br />

www.guntradeworld.com 45


usiness<br />

The Southeast is home to many<br />

large US manufacturers and is<br />

attracting more and more as<br />

companies see the region as the<br />

ideal base for their business.<br />

DOING BUSINESS WITH... southeast united STATES<br />

Wild Hogs<br />

Many states in the Southeast are experiencing problems with wild hogs overpopulating the land and running amok. In Florida,<br />

for instance, there aren’t many restrictions for hunting them or even daily bag limits. In Alabama, however, you can hunt them<br />

with dogs from the beginning of May to the end of August on private land only.<br />

Hunting with dogs is permitted and very common; it has been practiced in the Southeast for generations. Competitions for<br />

producing the fastest bay dogs are prevalent in the South, with Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trials in Louisiana a popular example,<br />

held every summer since 1995. Preferred scent dogs for catching feral pigs mostly are native breeds, and include the Catahoula<br />

Leopard Dog, the Blue Lacy, the Leopard Hound, all six of the Coonhound breeds, and the Blackmouth Cur.<br />

46 www.guntradeworld.com


southeast usa<br />

White Tail Deer<br />

Deer are likely the first game that come to mind for a hunter in the Southeast when hunting season arrives. Archery season in<br />

Florida for deer starts as soon as July in some parts of the state, though for most it’s in September and October, with a second<br />

season later in the year; it’s similar in Georgia, South Carolina, and most other states in the Southeast. A good rule of thumb is<br />

the season is likely to start later in the fall – and run later in the year – the further north you are, with gun season starting the<br />

latest. Additionally, many states have a crossbow and/or muzzleloader/black powder portion of the season as well.<br />

Turkey<br />

Wild turkey is another<br />

game that are high on<br />

any hunter’s list. Some<br />

states, like Florida, have<br />

a fall and spring turkey<br />

hunt; others, like Georgia<br />

and South Carolina, only<br />

have a spring hunting<br />

season for those wily and<br />

elusive gobblers.<br />

The Florida wild<br />

turkey is found only<br />

in peninsular Florida.<br />

North of the peninsula<br />

and across the Florida<br />

panhandle, it interbreeds<br />

with the eastern<br />

subspecies.<br />

The wild turkey is a<br />

woodlands bird and<br />

prefers open forests<br />

and forest edges and<br />

openings. They are<br />

considered a generalist<br />

species meaning they do<br />

not require specialised<br />

food or a particular<br />

vegetation community to<br />

survive.<br />

www.guntradeworld.com 47


USiNeSS<br />

MaNUfactUReR focUS<br />

BARReTT<br />

MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE<br />

+1 615-896-2938<br />

WWW.BARRETT.NET<br />

RetaileR focUS<br />

sPoRTsmAn’s<br />

WAReHouse<br />

MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE<br />

+1 615-203-7500<br />

WWW.SPORTSMANS.COM<br />

What they say:<br />

“Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Barrett is the<br />

world leader in large-calibre rifle design and manufacturing. In<br />

<strong>2023</strong>, the company became part of the NIOA Group – a familyowned<br />

global munitions company based in Australia.<br />

Our products are used by civilian sport shooters, law<br />

enforcement agencies, the United States military and more<br />

than 75 State Department approved countries across the<br />

world. The Barrett Quality Management System (QMS) has<br />

received the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification for<br />

the design and manufacture of firearms, ammunition, and<br />

accessories, and to provide training for those systems.”<br />

What they say:<br />

“Opened in 2019, Sportsman’s Warehouse in the rolling<br />

hills of Murfreesboro, TN is near the Stone’s River Civil<br />

War Battlefield, The Old Courthouse, Middle Tennessee<br />

State University, Stone’s River Greenway & Wetlands, and<br />

the Antebellum Oaklands Mansion. National <strong>Gun</strong>smithing<br />

services are also available. We now buy & sell used guns!<br />

If you like hunting, we’re here to get you all set up with<br />

everything you need. Popular pursuits include whitetail<br />

deer, bear, wild boar, wild turkey, waterfowl, upland game,<br />

raccoon, and coyote. If fishing is more your speed, we<br />

have all your tackle to catch the legal limit. Common<br />

catches are bream, crappie, trout, muskie, catfish, walleye,<br />

smallmouth and largemouth bass. We’re also happy to<br />

share the current fishing conditions at the local lakes like<br />

Old Hickory, Percy Priest, Dale Hollow, Center Hill, and<br />

Tim’s Ford. We also carry plenty of supplies for hiking,<br />

camping, outdoor cooking, picnicking, and boating.<br />

Plus, you’ll find plenty of gear for kayaking, canoeing,<br />

and floating local waters like Harpeth, Caney Fork, and<br />

Stone’s River. Our shop services are available to spool<br />

reels, replace rod tips, mount and boresight rifle scopes,<br />

clean guns, cut arrows, tune bows in our 10-yard archery<br />

lane, and anything covered by your Firearm Service Plan.”<br />

ShoW bUSiNeSS<br />

DIXIe DeeR cLAssIc<br />

WHERE: NORTH CAROLINA STATE FAIRGROUNDS<br />

WHEN: MARCH 1 – 3, 2024<br />

LEARN MORE: WWW.DIXIEDEERCLASSIC.ORG<br />

What they say:<br />

“The Wake County Wildlife Club’s<br />

Dixie Deer Classic has been recognised<br />

nationally as the Premier Trophy<br />

Whitetail Deer show in the country.<br />

It was the first successful show of its<br />

kind and lit the spark that has brush<br />

fired into similar shows all across the<br />

nation. All available exhibit space is<br />

used to maximum advantage while<br />

keeping large aisle spacing for crowd<br />

movement. The show is held annually<br />

the 9th weekend of the year, usually<br />

the first weekend of March.<br />

The Dixie Deer Classic is held at<br />

the spacious North Carolina State<br />

Fairgrounds in the Jim Graham<br />

Building, J.S. Dorton Arena, The<br />

Exposition Center, and Kerr Scott<br />

Building. Located in the centre of the<br />

thriving Research Triangle Area of<br />

Central North Carolina, the Fairgrounds<br />

are within easy driving distance for<br />

more than a million people. There is<br />

a restaurant within the Jim Graham<br />

Building, and snack bars in Dorton<br />

Arena and the Expositon Center. In<br />

addition, snacks are sold at various<br />

locations throughout the show. No<br />

pets are permitted into the show, and<br />

no smoking is allowed in the buildings.<br />

Weapons are not permitted, and the<br />

consumption of alcoholic beverages is<br />

forbidden on the premises.<br />

The Dixie Deer Classic is a FAMILYoriented<br />

event, and we try to offer<br />

something for everyone. Ticket prices<br />

for Friday-Sunday are $15. All young<br />

under 13 have always been admitted<br />

free of charge and for the youth aged<br />

13-18, the military, women, and seniors,<br />

we offer a ticket price of $10 for Friday<br />

only. There will be special programs all<br />

weekend for the young or beginning<br />

hunter, and fun stuff too, like face<br />

painting, BB gun Turkey Shoot, Archery<br />

Alley, Retriever Demos, and the NC<br />

State Turkey Calling Contest.”<br />

48 www.guntradeworld.com


MODEL: T1-14<br />

(Shown with 50 Rd Drum Mag)<br />

® ®<br />

Join us: @auto_ordnance<br />

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REGISTER ONLINE FREE AT: WWW.ANMETRADESHOW.COM | 810.225.9801


MAKING CONTACT<br />

F.A.I.R.<br />

Fossari:<br />

The<br />

jewel<br />

in the<br />

crown<br />

F.A.I.R. ® , a prominent<br />

Italian over/under shotgun<br />

manufacturer, is introducing<br />

a new line of Fossari ®<br />

shotguns. <strong>Gun</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong><br />

finds out more…<br />

F.A.I.R. has concentrated its 50 years of manufacturing<br />

experience, design, and expertise, to conceive this new over/<br />

under shotgun designed to win.<br />

The new Fossari line integrates the most advanced technological<br />

solutions in a shotgun featuring the Boss locking system, which<br />

focuses on size, balance, and weight. Everything has been analysed,<br />

with the utmost precision, to meet the technical needs of any<br />

shooter, be it novice or professional.<br />

The idea of creating the Fossari line stems from the need to create<br />

a shotgun that was designed and conceived for Shooting Champions<br />

– shooters who have been practicing diligently and who are looking<br />

for a shotgun specifically designed for their needs. Fossari brings our<br />

shooting customer to a higher level and to ensures that the shotgun<br />

leads them to performance, concentration, and allows the mental<br />

commitment that this sport requires.<br />

The new Fossari shotgun is a flawless blend of tradition and<br />

technology. The cutting-edge technological solutions and elegant<br />

design make it an exceptional shotgun for competitive shooting.<br />

Some examples of the brands’ technology are:<br />

XBD system: In all Fossari models, the trigger mechanisms are<br />

removable. The operation is easily performed without tools. Simply<br />

press the release button located in the upper part of the trigger unit.<br />

This simplification of the process, in addition to offering an obvious<br />

technical advantage, greatly improves the maintenance phases of the<br />

shotgun.<br />

TREX: The iron fore-end provided with numbered interchangeable<br />

insert (made from special steel). They interchange at the support<br />

point between the barrel tenon and the iron forend itself allowing<br />

the shooter to easily tighten any excess tolerances that arise from<br />

high use of the shotgun.<br />

IRF: All Fossari models are born with an interchangeable insert<br />

in the breech made of hardened and chromed steel. This ensures<br />

maximum durability of the weapon both against wear and against<br />

corrosion generated by ammunition gases.<br />

X-CONES, XR-TRIGGER, XR-STOCK, XBORES and much more…<br />

There is a Fossari shotgun designed for each type of competitive<br />

shooting: TRAP, SKEET and SPORTING versions. If you want to<br />

achieve maximum versatility in a competition shotgun, the Fossari<br />

Sporting BSR model is the shotgun you are looking for. Stocked<br />

in Monte Carlo style wood, with XR-STOCK® adjustable stock,<br />

adjustable single trigger (optional) and adjustable top rib, made of<br />

resistant light alloy, which allows you to change the point of impact<br />

on the target. These are some of the technological features of this<br />

splendid model.<br />

About<br />

Since its creation in 1971, F.A.I.R. has been committed to an<br />

intensive research and development program and to the use of the<br />

latest technology and materials in the manufacturing of its shotguns.<br />

This focus on technical innovation, while still following the centuries<br />

old gun manufacturing traditions of Northern Italy, is a key element<br />

of the company’s success in creating functional and highly reliable<br />

sports and hunting shotguns.<br />

F.A.I.R.’s shotguns are designed in partnership with its clients<br />

across the globe and are, therefore specially attuned to the<br />

requirements of different hunting and competition disciplines.<br />

+39 030 861162<br />

info@fossari.it<br />

www.fossari.it<br />

50 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


Ranchproducts<br />

Quality Firearm<br />

accessories<br />

Manufacturer of:<br />

• FULL MOON CLIPS<br />

• SCOPE MOUNTS<br />

• SPECIALITY TOOLS<br />

• MAGAZINE RELEASES<br />

SEE US AT THE<br />

SAR SHOW, PHOENIX<br />

DECEMBER 1st - 3rd, <strong>2023</strong><br />

www.ranchproducts.com<br />

email: stevenacrawford@msn.com<br />

phone: 1-419-966-2881


MAKING CONTACT<br />

BLASER<br />

The R8<br />

Ultimate<br />

Monza takes off<br />

Elegant understatement stands the test of time. That’s why<br />

the R8 Monza is now available as an Ultimate model.<br />

The new addition to the R8 Ultimate<br />

family impresses with its refined<br />

design. The black synthetic stock of<br />

the R8 Ultimate Monza gives the hunting<br />

rifle a simple elegance. The Ultimate<br />

stock offers the perfect mounting in every<br />

situation, also thanks to its adjustable<br />

comb (optional). With the help of the<br />

integrated memory function, the stock can<br />

be adjusted to individual body proportions<br />

in a matter of seconds.<br />

The red contrasting stitching on the<br />

impregnated leather inserts on the stock<br />

and forearm provide a visual counterpoint<br />

that is complemented by the red R8<br />

lettering on the receiver. If you choose the<br />

pure thumbhole stock instead of the one<br />

with an adjustable comb, you get another<br />

discreet design element in the form of the<br />

black anodized inlay with red lettering.<br />

The R8 Ultimate Monza is perfected by<br />

the noble “Diamond-like-Carbon” coating<br />

of the trigger guard, bolt head and bolt<br />

handle ball, which also protects against<br />

environmental influences. The newcomer is<br />

also available in a Silence version.<br />

The Blaser Principle<br />

Born out of passion<br />

Hunting is one of mankind’s oldest<br />

passions. However, hunters must<br />

constantly equip ourselves for new<br />

challenges. This is only possible through<br />

innovation and people who drive this with<br />

passion.<br />

From partnership<br />

As a leading innovator, Blaser are a<br />

driving force in the international hunting<br />

weapons industry. The company’s 50 years<br />

of experience has sharpened its senses for<br />

sensible technological advances without<br />

losing sight of its ethical obligation.<br />

From enthusiasm<br />

Blaser employees have the same<br />

enthusiasm for hunting, but also have a<br />

wide range of talents. This diversity in<br />

terms of personalities, perfect networking<br />

of skills and the joy of collaborative service<br />

are the company’s greatest success factors.<br />

With an attention to detail<br />

Blaser strives for excellence in every<br />

design and manufacturing step. But true<br />

perfection arises only with passion which<br />

gives its hunting firearms their character.<br />

Innovation coupled with sensitive design<br />

is Blaser’s formula for timeless weapon<br />

design.<br />

www.blaser.de<br />

52 WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM


MAKING CONTACT<br />

VORTEX OPTICS<br />

WATCH A<br />

PRODUCT<br />

OVERVIEW<br />

HERE >><br />

Vortex introduces fresh<br />

Laser Rangefinder<br />

Vortex’s new all-in-one ballistic problem solver is designed for precision competitors and<br />

open-country hunters.<br />

With proper tools and training,<br />

hitting long-range targets<br />

with repeatable accuracy under<br />

pressure comes down to total control<br />

of the variables – range, ballistics, and<br />

environmental conditions – that impact<br />

the trajectory of your bullet.<br />

Meant for precision shooting and<br />

open-terrain hunting, the new Impact<br />

4000 Ballistic Rail-Mounted Laser<br />

Rangefinder takes the guesswork out of<br />

long-range shooting with quick, accurate<br />

ballistic corrections – everything you<br />

need to generate point-and-shoot<br />

solutions without coming off the gun.<br />

Simple to operate, the Impact 4000<br />

can range reflective targets out to 4,000<br />

yards. Delivers atmospheric and weather<br />

data, too. Select a preloaded profile or<br />

build your rifle’s unique profile. Then all<br />

you need to do is range, dial, and shoot.<br />

Key characteristics<br />

EASY, SOLID MOUNT & ZERO for a<br />

quick and reliable zero, even under heavy<br />

recoil.<br />

WIND/DROP SOLUTIONS improve<br />

accuracy and consistency for a<br />

competitive advantage at the range and<br />

in the field.<br />

INTEGRATED GEOBALLISTICS<br />

SOLVER backed by a full, up-to-date<br />

bullet library.<br />

CUSTOMISABLE BALLISTIC<br />

PROFILES or use 1 of 10 preloaded<br />

profiles.<br />

ON-BOARD ENVIRONMENTAL<br />

SENSORS automatically detect<br />

changing temperature, air pressure, and<br />

humidity for up-to-the second ballistic<br />

calculations.<br />

WIND BEARING CAPTURE MODE<br />

keeps track of the wind direction, no<br />

matter what direction you’re facing.<br />

BUILT-IN RANGE CARD<br />

GENERATOR delivers ready-to-go<br />

ballistics in high-pressure shooting<br />

environments.<br />

CONNECT WITH VORTEX RELAY for<br />

a seamless, reliable connection with the<br />

Bluetooth remote and GeoBallistics app.<br />

WEATHER FROM THIRD PARTY<br />

DEVICES via the GeoBallistics app.<br />

Intuitive to use. Rugged and reliable. Best<br />

of all, the Impact 4000 functions in places<br />

your smartphone can’t for deadly speed<br />

and precision no matter where you are.<br />

About<br />

American owned, veteran-owned,<br />

Wisconsin-based Vortex Optics designs,<br />

engineers, produces, and distributes a<br />

complete line of premium sport optics,<br />

accessories, and apparel. Dedicated to<br />

providing unrivalled customer service<br />

and exceptional quality, Vortex backs<br />

its products with the unconditional,<br />

transferrable, lifetime VIP warranty. Built<br />

on over 30 years of experience in the<br />

optics industry, Vortex has emerged as a<br />

leader in the optics market.<br />

www.vortexoptics.com<br />

WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM 53


MAKING CONTACT<br />

Thermion 2<br />

LRF XL50:<br />

The new<br />

premium<br />

standard<br />

pulsar vision<br />

Yukon Advanced Optics <strong>World</strong>wide launches the ground-breaking Thermion 2 LRF XL50<br />

thermal imaging riflescope. Get ready to meet the new standard of premium quality and<br />

revolutionary HD imaging.<br />

The new Thermion stands out from<br />

the crowd with its excellent HD<br />

image quality and powerful sensor<br />

capabilities. It’s perfect for long distance<br />

shooters and for observation with a wide<br />

field of view.<br />

Moreover, the HD sensor resolution<br />

maintains optimal image quality even at<br />

high zoom levels so you won’t miss a thing.<br />

The internal ballistic calculations make it<br />

much easier to hit straight at the target.<br />

Crystal clear thermal imaging in HD<br />

The Thermion 2 LRF XL50 offers the<br />

highest level of thermal imaging. The<br />

image generated with the new 1024x768-<br />

pixel resolution European made Lynred<br />

sensor features high definition and rich<br />

detail. All this makes this scope unbeatable<br />

for trophy identification. It allows you to<br />

see silhouettes, anatomy, and behavioural<br />

peculiarities of the animal as never before.<br />

Extreme image detail on high zoom<br />

Discover the real efficiency of the HD<br />

sensor when hunting at significant<br />

distances. Variable 1.75-14x magnification<br />

(x8 digital zoom) provides improved focus<br />

and better overall recognition.<br />

The high-definition sensor maintains<br />

the exceptional quality of the image detail<br />

across the entire magnification range.<br />

Change the zoom gradually in 2x step or<br />

continuously, depending on the specific<br />

situation.<br />

Precision shooting at any distance with<br />

the ballistics algorithm<br />

If you own a device with a laser<br />

rangefinder, you know the importance<br />

of understanding the target distance.<br />

Undoubtedly, this is the essential factor in<br />

making the right decision. The compact<br />

built-in LRF with a range of up to 800<br />

metres is seamlessly integrated into the<br />

slimdesign, ensuring shooting accuracy at<br />

any distance.<br />

Using our proprietary Stream Vision<br />

Ballistics application, you can upload<br />

various ballistic profiles directly to<br />

the Thermion’s memory and turn your<br />

riflescope into a highly accurate and<br />

efficient long-range aiming tool.<br />

Nothing left out of sight<br />

Thermion 2 LRF XL50 offers a wide field<br />

of view for spotting a target. Explore<br />

landscapes in HD quality with the bestin-class<br />

14-degree wide field of view on<br />

the base magnification. Due to the largeformat<br />

sensor, you’ll be able to maintain<br />

the optimal field of view / magnification<br />

ratio even at high zoom levels up to 14x.<br />

The optics of the new Thermion unveil<br />

the real beauty and power of the HD<br />

sensor. A premium HD-class germanium<br />

lens with a F50/1.0 formula provides an<br />

accurate and detailed image at any point in<br />

the field of view.<br />

Ground-breaking image processing<br />

Adjustable sensor sensitivity amplification<br />

combined with new filtration algorithms<br />

as well as fine brightness and contrast<br />

adjustments result in ground-breaking<br />

image processing. In other words, the<br />

Thermion 2 LRF offers great opportunities<br />

for long-range observation in diverse<br />

weather conditions. Amplification settings<br />

help to define the animal’s trophy features<br />

and ensure clear rendering of objects and<br />

backgrounds in the field of view.<br />

The benefits of wireless remote control<br />

The package includes the Pulsar BT<br />

wireless Bluetooth remote control. It<br />

mimics the regular control buttons of<br />

the riflescope with excellent ergonomics<br />

– the buttons activate the most essential<br />

functions. It takes minimum effort to<br />

control the scope allowing the hunter<br />

to concentrate on the hunt. The remote<br />

control can be placed in any convenient<br />

position on the rifle.<br />

www.pulsar-vision.com<br />

54 www.guntradeworld.com


MAKING CONTACT<br />

DAVIDE PEDERSOLI<br />

IFG & Pedersoli bring the<br />

Droptine to US hunters<br />

Combining cutting-edge technology and modern styling with Old <strong>World</strong> craftsmanship, the<br />

Italian Firearms Group (IFG) and Davide Pedersoli and Co. has introduced the Model 86/71<br />

Lever Action Droptine to the US market.<br />

From the big-north woods to the<br />

brush country of South Texas, the<br />

Droptine delivers a modern twist<br />

to this classic, dependable, and timehonoured<br />

platform.<br />

Imported exclusively by IFG, the 86/71<br />

Droptine offers hunters a svelte leveraction<br />

chambered in the workhorse 30-30<br />

Win. and is Pedersoli’s newest addition to<br />

the popular Boar Buster line of levers.<br />

The heart of the 86/71 Droptine is<br />

a solid steel CNC machined receiver,<br />

matched with CNC machined lever. The<br />

21-inch broach rifled barrel is premium<br />

match grade quality and is threaded at the<br />

muzzle for a suppressor.<br />

After much research and development,<br />

Pedersoli engineers created an oversized<br />

lever that is both ergonomic and large<br />

enough to use while wearing gloves. The<br />

rifle’s five-round, tubular magazine loads<br />

easily from the right side, while empty<br />

brass ejects effortlessly through the top of<br />

the receiver.<br />

The 86/71 Droptine comes standard<br />

with a fibre-optic front sight and a<br />

dovetail rear sight, the latter integrated<br />

into a Picatinny rail mounted forward of<br />

the receiver. This mounting solution is<br />

perfect for red-dots or Scout-style rifle<br />

scopes that provide fast, precise shot<br />

placement.<br />

The Droptine also features an elegant<br />

techno-polymer stock and forend done<br />

in a handsome tobacco colour. The stock<br />

has an adjustable cheek piece and can be<br />

set for individual hunters with a standard<br />

flathead screwdriver or the rim of a<br />

cartridge case. The cheek piece can also<br />

be adjusted slightly to the left, for a more<br />

natural alignment behind the scope when<br />

the optic is mounted to the left side of the<br />

receiver.<br />

For those hunters who prefer a more<br />

traditional style of rifle scope, Pedersoli<br />

developed an optional Picatinny base<br />

which mounts to the left side of the<br />

receiver. The receiver is pre-drilled and<br />

tapped for this base. With the mount<br />

offset to the left side of the receiver, the<br />

Droptine can host most optics on the<br />

market today, while still guaranteeing<br />

effective extraction of the cartridge case<br />

via the top of the receiver.<br />

The 86/71 Droptine is further<br />

complemented by manual safety located<br />

on the tang, a recoil-absorbing Micro-cell<br />

recoil pad, and two sling studs.<br />

About Italian Firearms Group<br />

IFG’s partner manufacturers represent at<br />

least one of the four primary categories<br />

of firearm manufacturing – competition<br />

handguns, hunting handguns and rifles,<br />

state-of-the-art shotguns, and historical<br />

reproductions. Each company brings<br />

the latest in firearm design, technology,<br />

and materials to the USA, while<br />

continuing to follow the centuries-old<br />

gun manufacturing traditions of Europe.<br />

Those traditions have always emphasised<br />

quality, accuracy, and safety, as well as<br />

workmanship and beauty. IFG’s partner<br />

companies are considered leaders in each<br />

respective category and are proud to offer<br />

their products to the American shooter.<br />

IFG continues to bring new and<br />

innovative products into the USA from its<br />

four partner operations and looks forward<br />

to growing its business and becoming the<br />

long-standing industry partner the USA<br />

firearms market demands.<br />

About Davide Pedersoli<br />

Founded in 1957, Davide Pedersoli<br />

and Co., Gardone, Italy, manufactures<br />

a diverse collection of working<br />

reproductions and historically based<br />

firearms for recreational shooters, reenactors,<br />

and hunters. Pedersoli offerings<br />

range from dueling pistols to revolvers,<br />

from target and hunting rifles to infantry<br />

muskets. Also included from Pedersoli<br />

are some of the most icon firearms in<br />

American history, including reproductions<br />

of the 1874 Sharps Silhouette rifle and<br />

the black-powder Hawken.<br />

www.italianfirearmsgroup.com<br />

www.ifg-usa.com<br />

www.davide-pedersoli.com<br />

WWW.GUNTRADEWORLD.COM 55


MAKING CONTACT<br />

Get tactical<br />

with Air Arms<br />

The S510 Tactical (S510T) is the perfect blend of usability and functionality. The action is built<br />

around the extraordinarily successful S510, used worldwide in many disciplines from field<br />

sports to HFT.<br />

This versatile action has<br />

now been coupled with an<br />

ergonomic stock based on the<br />

style of choice by governments<br />

around the world. The tactical platform<br />

offers an almost limitless choice of sizes,<br />

handling positions and accessories that<br />

make using and shooting this rifle a<br />

unique experience.<br />

The functionality of the S510T<br />

Tactical air rifle comes from the fact that<br />

all mounting points are to international<br />

specifications, the grip mount, the<br />

M-Lok slots in the fore-end and the<br />

mounting location for the butt stock.<br />

This means rifle configurations can<br />

be adapted to any shooter and indeed<br />

changed in minutes to suit changing<br />

conditions.<br />

The M-Lok system allows direct<br />

fitting of enabled accessories or the<br />

Custom-Made<br />

Your choice:<br />

action thread:<br />

M98; Rem700;...<br />

GUN BARRELS<br />

AND MORE<br />

different contours<br />

chamber:<br />

.223Rem;.308Win;6,5CM;...<br />

fluting<br />

different twist<br />

material:<br />

CrMo steel or stainless<br />

muzzle:<br />

-thread<br />

-match<br />

-hunting<br />

-11° varmint


AIR ARMS<br />

KEY FEATURES:<br />

- Air Arms Series 7 regulator and valve system - Adjustable high power output<br />

(high power model only) - M-LOK Slots - Fore-end picatinny rail - Adjustable CTR stock<br />

- Drop-down cocking lever - 2 x 10 shot magazines included<br />

- Adjustable two-stage trigger with safety - Fully shrouded match grade Lothar Walther barrel<br />

- Built-in manometer - Moderator included<br />

RO54<br />

mounting of a rail to facilitate the<br />

use of equipment you may already<br />

own.<br />

The fore-end has M-Lok slots on<br />

3 surfaces, one along the underside<br />

and one each side at 90°. Mount a<br />

torch on the right, sling mount on the<br />

left, bi-pod and vertical grip on the<br />

underside, or simply fit rubber inserts<br />

to further enhance stability when<br />

shouldering the rifle in the traditional<br />

fashion.<br />

The scope rail is to the picatinny<br />

standard making swap out sights easy<br />

and precise.<br />

“All mounting points meet<br />

international specifications - from the<br />

grip mount to the M-Lok slots in the<br />

fore-end and the butt stock location,”<br />

says an Air Arms representative.<br />

“This means you can adapt your rifle<br />

configuration on the fly, ensuring<br />

it suits any shooter and changing<br />

conditions in just minutes.”<br />

About<br />

Air Arms says that product superiority<br />

comes from commitment to excellence.<br />

At Air Arms, that commitment<br />

begins with the company’s production<br />

technology and is applied to<br />

everything the company does by the<br />

skill of its staff. Through research,<br />

design, development and production,<br />

the Air Arms philosophy of ‘only the<br />

finest’ is maintained and constantly<br />

challenged by its quality control.<br />

“We’re the best because that position<br />

was the only one acceptable, and we<br />

know our customers share that stance,”<br />

says an Air Arms representative. “We<br />

will continue to be the best, because<br />

our products constantly evolve to meet<br />

the demands of our customers, and as<br />

we already know, only the best will do<br />

for them.”<br />

+44 1323 845853<br />

www.air-arms.co.uk<br />

High precision competition<br />

sport pistols<br />

Designed for champions<br />

„Made in Germany“<br />

In-house manufactured<br />

parts made of finest<br />

materials for the high<br />

quality standards of STP<br />

Reliable CNC parts only<br />

Check out our 1911 and<br />

2011 handguns on<br />

www.stpgun.de<br />

A shot of passion


PRESIDIO.<br />

THE EVERYDAY<br />

LEGEND<br />

PRESIDIO RIFLESCOPES<br />

Dependable Accuracy Everyday<br />

Each fall, new and seasoned hunters alike venture out to<br />

North America’s wild places in pursuit of America’s most<br />

popular game animal, the whitetail deer. When it comes to<br />

hunting ethics, a clean shot is paramount. We owe every wild<br />

creature we pursue our best efforts, and while practiced<br />

skills reign supreme, beginning with the right equipment is<br />

vital. Sightmark Presidio riflescopes deliver premium up-close<br />

to long-range optic performance, including ridiculously crisp<br />

fields-of-view, precisely tracking windage and elevation<br />

adjustments, fine-etched illuminated reticles for deer<br />

hunting’s most productive, lower-light shooting times and a<br />

peace-of-mind lifetime warranty.


CONTACT SALES: 817.225.0310<br />

SALES@SIGHTMARK.COM<br />

WWW.SIGHTMARK.COM

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