Industry News

Smith & Wesson Launches Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ

Smith & Wesson Inc. today launched the new Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ, chambered in 9mm and featuring a variety of Performance Center upgrades. Building on the popular M&P9 Shield EZ pistol, the new Performance Center models share the same easy-to-use features found across the entire M&P Shield EZ series, and are further enhanced with premium Performance Center features. The Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ pistols are available with striking black, silver, and gold accents, and include a ported barrel, flat face trigger, tuned action, and more.

Tony Miele, Sr. Director, New Products and Performance Center, said, “Performance Center has the ability to design and manufacture specialty upgrades normally found in aftermarket work, straight from the factory. With the popularity of the M&P9 Shield EZ, we set out to develop Performance Center versions with porting, a tuned action, aftermarket sights, and more. These new pistols deliver easy-to-use features with the custom upgrades that our customers expect the Performance Center to deliver.”

Built for personal and home protection, the new Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ pistols are the latest addition to the M&P Shield EZ family and feature an 8+1 round capacity and a 3.8″ barrel. The Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ pistol ships with two 8 round magazines that feature a load assist tab for quick, easy loading, as well as a picatinny-style equipment rail to accommodate accessories. The pistol also features an optimal M&P pistol 18-degree grip angle for a natural point of aim, HI-VIZ Litewave H3 sights, and a light, crisp trigger.

The MSRP on the Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ pistols is $588.

USCCA Announces Dates for Concealed Carry Expo 2021

The USCCA has announced the dates for the 2021 Concealed Carry & Home Defense Expo – a three day consumer show for those interested CCW, self defense, and home protection.

The event, scheduled (COVID restrictions permitting) to be held April 16-18, is headed back to Nashville and will be at the downtown Music City Center.

The Concealed Carry Expo gives attendees the opportunity to meet face-to-face with manufacturers of their favorite firearms and gear – something not possible at the industry-only SHOT Show held in January. There, they can ask questions and get hands on experience with the latest firearms and get some news about what’s coming next.

While general admission attendance costs $15-20, USCCA members get into the show for free. In addition to the exhibit hall, the expo also features a series of seminars covering topics including Women’s Introduction to Handguns, Intruder Awareness, Church Security, Close-Quarters Shooting, and Family Firearms Safety. At previous USCCA Expos that the GunLink Team has attended, the show floor even offered a live-fire shooting range to try out just-introduced handguns.

For more details, visit the official USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Expo website at https://www.usccaexpo.com/

Make Plans to Attend the 2021 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

With the dates for what would have been the 2020 National Rifle Association Annual Meetings & Exhibits (NRAAM) having come and gone with nary a shooter, hunter, outdoorsman, or Second Amendment supporter to be seen, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing cancellation,  sights are now set on the 2021 show, slated to begin one year from today.

The NRA noted that they “did not reach this decision lightly” and “were ultimately guided by our responsibility to help ensure the safety and well-being of our NRA members, guests, and surrounding community.”    Continue reading

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

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