GunLink Industry News
NSSF Opens 2020 Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Program Application Process
Our industry is invested in recruiting new participants, retaining current participants and re-activating lapsed participants in hunting and the shooting sports. These “R3” initiatives have gained traction over the past several years, including those supported by NSSF’s +ONESM Movement and National Shooting Sports Month.
To help further all R3 efforts in hunting and the shooting sports, in 2018 NSSF set aside $1 million and created the NSSF Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Program. Each year for 10 years starting in 2019, $100,000 in grants are made available for R3 projects across the country. Last year’s inaugural grant cycle awarded grants to five separate projects that focused on R3 programs as varied as building mentor databases, increasing participation by women, college-level recruitment efforts and building R3 marketing toolkits for state wildlife agencies.
The 2020 Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Program is now open for application. The deadline for submissions is May 15, 2020. Information on how to apply and grant requirements is available here.
Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Jim Curcuruto, NSSF Director, Research & Market Development, at jcurcuruto@nssf.org or 203-426-1320 ext. 234, or Melanie Knox, NSSF Marketing Assistant, at mknox@nssf.org or 203-426-1320 ext. 270.
Smith & Wesson Repurposes Portion of Manufacturing Capabilities to Produce PPE for Healthcare Workers
Smith & Wesson Inc. today reported that it has taken a variety of measures to support its employees and local communities during the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Leveraging its manufacturing capabilities and specialized equipment, Smith & Wesson has re-purposed a portion of its manufacturing capabilities to help alleviate a nationwide shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE) and help keep front line personnel safe.
Mark Smith, co-President and co-CEO of parent company American Outdoor Brands, said, “As a manufacturer, Smith & Wesson has talented engineers, specialized equipment, and production capability that we’ve been able to repurpose to help the local community during the coronavirus outbreak. Contributing to our local communities has always been important to Smith & Wesson, and we’ll continue to help wherever and however we can.”
Within a few days of the outbreak, the engineering team at Smith & Wesson had designed a process to produce face shields utilizing 3D printers and readily available materials and commenced building. Within two weeks, the company’s plastic injection molding facility had designed, manufactured, and tested molds allowing for large-scale production, and the company is now producing 1,000 face shields per day for use by employees, the medical community, and first responders. To date, the company has donated over 7,000 face shields and 12,000 pairs of eye protection to support front line personnel across the nation. Continue reading
Apex Announces Threaded Barrel for 3.7″ FN 509 Compact MRD
Apex Tactical Specialties is expanding its pistol barrel lineup with the addition of a new threaded barrel for the FN 509 Compact MRD model pistols. This new offering comes just days after Apex announced their new threaded barrel for the compact M&P9 M2.0. The new barrel is available now for pre-order and is slated to officially begin shipping on May 5th.
The Apex 9mm Threaded Barrel is designed specifically for the FN 509 Compact MRD model pistols with a factory 3.70″ barrel. The cold hammer-forged stainless steel barrel has a black Melonite finish and features a 1:10″ twist rate that is designed for optimal accuracy performance. The barrel features an undercut thread intercept to accommodate a wide variety of attachments and the thread pattern is 1/2-28. A thread protector with captive O-ring is included. Continue reading
NSSF PAC Achieves Unprecedented Support in 2019
More than $250,000 in contributions, 77 pro-industry legislators supported
The National Shooting Sports Foundation Political Action Committee, NSSF PAC, released its 2019 Year in Review report to members and industry partners announcing over $250,000 in contributions received during the last year. The contribution total represents unprecedented support for the NSSF PAC during an off-election year and places the committee in a strong position to support pro-firearm and ammunition industry legislators during the 2020 election year.
“NSSF had a tremendously successful 2019 and accomplished our mission to place member companies in the best position to be successful moving forward,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF PAC Treasurer and Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs. “With the financial resources the NSSF PAC received from our friends in the firearm, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry last year, we look forward to working to elect even more pro-industry, pro-sportsmen and pro-Second Amendment allies to join us in Washington, D.C. after November’s elections.”
Highlights included in detail in the 2019 NSSF PAC Year in Review: Continue reading
Vortex Optics Awarded OTA for the US Army’S Competitively Solicited Next Generation Squad Weapon Fire Control (NGSW-FC) Prototype Program
For the last 18 years, innovation has meant everything to Vortex Optics. It’s meant our emergence as a leader in the sport optics industry. It’s allowed us to provide our customers the tools they need to pursue and protect what matters most in their lives.
But starting today, our dedication to innovation means something even more.
We’re honored to announce that the US Army – PM Soldier Lethality awarded Vortex an agreement to deliver the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Fire Control (NGSW-FC) Production Ready Prototypes for Soldier TouchPoint (STP) evaluations.
As a direct-view optic, the 1-8×30 Active Reticle Fire Control provides everything you’d expect from a variable-power, first focal plane riflescope. When augmented with an overlaid digital display, however, it provides features unheard of in a traditional small arms fire control.
“As a veteran-owned, non-traditional defense contractor, it’s very important to us that we listen to warfighters,” said Sam Hamilton, Chief Technical Officer at Vortex Optics. “When we learned of the soldier’s need for increased lethality out of their squad weapons—combined with the Small Arms Ammunition Configuration (SAAC) study, which proved that advancements in electro-optical fire control had the greatest potential to increase soldier’s lethality—we knew there was an important capability gap we could fill.” Continue reading
Hi-Point Firearms Voluntarily Ceases Operations Temporarily Due to COVID-19
Statement from Hi-Point regarding work during the COVID-19 outbreak:
The state of Ohio and other states have organized complete business shutdowns due to Covid 19 situation. However, Ohio where Hi-Point is located is designated as a select or strategic business, therefore in Ohio, firearm manufacturing is exempted from closure.
The management of Hi-Point has chosen to voluntarily shut down and perform preventative work until April 6th. This also gives Hi-Point Employees time off to self-quarantine and be with their families.
MKS Supply, the exclusive marketeer of Hi-Point is following this same program. MKS Supply will continue to monitor business orders for Hi-Points in stock but will have a reduced output until April 6.
So, what can gun owners do since even going to the range is a potential no no? Well, now might be the time to sit down in front of the tele with some outdoor show on and do some firearms cleaning you have put off. We all know cleaning guns is the “best part of shooting”-huh? That’s why we do it all the time. But this really is a good time to get shooting gear well maintained and maybe even, and this takes courage for some of us, organize our shooting gear and shooting boxes for more convenience for when we get to go to the range.
Also, we expect to see some of the best-looking lawns in years across the country this coming spring as self-isolating people get out and garden in the fresh air during this pandemic.
We are all on a steep learning curve, but we will win this thing-Americans are winners, always have been! We the people will pull through this mess. So, from all of us at Hi-Point Firearms and MKS Supply, LLC, please use care, stay isolated, keep clean, enjoy the new adventure, and god bless.
