Smith & Wesson to Acquire Crimson Trace
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a leading manufacturer of firearms and a provider of quality accessory products for the shooting, hunting, and rugged outdoor enthusiast, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Crimson Trace Corporation (Crimson Trace), the industry leader in laser sighting systems and tactical lighting for firearms, for $95.0 million, subject to certain adjustments, utilizing cash on hand.
Crimson Trace has long been a key supplier of laser sighting systems for Smith & Wesson. For more than two decades, Crimson Trace has provided consumers, military units, and law enforcement officers around the globe with the world’s largest selection of award-winning laser sight and tactical light products. Crimson Trace offers more than 225 products and is widely recognized as the world’s leading brand of laser sights for firearms. Its award-winning innovations include the Lasergrips®, Laserguard®, and Rail Master® platforms. The company’s product line also includes the Defender Series®, Lightguard®, and its new LiNQ™ wireless activation system. Based in Wilsonville, Oregon, Crimson Trace operates from a 50,000 square foot , leased facility where it engineers and manufactures its products.
Crimson Trace was founded 22 years ago and has organically generated a ten year compound annual revenue growth rate in excess of 10%. The company maintains a product development team that has an established track record of launching high-quality, innovative laser sighting products. As a result, its products maintain a premium position with hundreds of independent retailers as well as large sporting goods retailers, including Cabela’s, MidwayUSA, Nation’s Best Sports, and internet retailer Optics Planet, Inc. Continue reading
Cloud-Based Firearms Guide Releases 6th Edition
We told you about the Firearms Guide’s jump from DVD to “the cloud” back in January and all of the new features and capabilities that this change allowed.
Firearms Guide editor Chris Mijic is delivering on his promise of frequent updates in the ever-changing world of firearms as the 6th edition of the new ONLINE Firearms Guide makes its debut this week.
Chris describes the Guide as the “most extensive firearms, air guns and ammo reference guide” with more than 61,000 firearm and ammo entries from over 900 manufacturers. In addition to details about the firearms, the Guide also provides values based on 100% – 30% condition ratings on all firearms as well as over 5,500 printable firearm parts lists and diagrams.
To check out the latest addition to the Firearms Guide series, visit the Firearms Guide website.
Brownells New Product Week in Review :: May 13, 2016
Learn about the hottest new Brownells products from the best brands from Merchandise Manager Paul Levy.
- Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount 2 – High-powered weaponlight comes with Picatinny rail mount, push-button tail switch, remote pressure switch and mounting hardware. Runs on two CR123A lithium batteries, included. Beam can be switched from a blinding 625 lumens down to only 60 lumens for maximum runtime. User can choose between momentary- and constant-on modes. Also has a strobe function that can disorient a threat.
- Magpul QD Paraclip Adapter – Steel adapter fits into QD swivel sockets and allows use of slings with Paraclips and other clip-in-style attachments. Eliminates need to buy a whole new sling. Tough Melonite coating resists wear and corrosion.
- TangoDown Vickers Tactical Magazine Extension For Glock 43 – Durable polymer magazine extension replaces factory Glock 43 magazine floorplate and adds 2 rounds capacity. Extension has outer covering specially shaped to enhance the firing grip. Comes with proper-length stainless steel spring for reliable feeding.
- Hornady Rapid Rack – Empty-chamber indicator also works as a load-assist device to allow storage of a firearm with an empty chamber, but a full magazine. Cartridge-shaped portion of the Rapid Rack inserts into an empty chamber, while red handle portion sticks out, indicating unloaded and safe. Firearm can be instantly loaded by grasping the handle and pulling sharply to the rear. Rapid Rack will fall out and next live round in the magazine will be charged. Available for AR-15, AR-Style .308 firearms, and certain 12 gauge shotguns.
Winchester Introduces Steel Cased Ammo
Steel shellcase ammunition has been a favorite among value-minded shooters looking to reduce the expense of shooting, while at the same time increasing their opportunities to shoot.
In the new USA Forged, Winchester introduces a steel shellcase product that is made in the USA. USA Forged represents the culmination of an extensive development project that resulted in new manufacturing methods.
This new line is proudly manufactured in Winchester’s Oxford, Miss., manufacturing facility and utilizes precision-made steel shellcases with a proprietary coating for improved reliability and corrosion resistance. The noncorrosive boxer primers and clean-burning powder are ideal for high-volume range sessions, while the brass jacketed (nonplated) lead-core bullets can be used on any range and can also be used in any pistol type; including ported, vented or suppressed pistols.
USA Forged will be offered in a 150-round box of 9mm cartridges with 115-grain full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets that feature a high-quality brass bullet jacket. The rounds, which boast a muzzle velocity of 1,190 fps were extensively tested during development for functionality and reliability. Shooters should expect great on-the-range performance with this new product.
“USA Forged is proof that better products can be made right here in the United States while driving value for the consumer. We have invested in our Oxford, Miss., facility and USA Forged is just one example of how this is benefiting our consumers,” said Brett Flaugher, Winchester Ammunition vice president of marketing, sales and strategy. Continue reading
Alien Gear Rolls Out New Cloak Mod OWB Paddle Holster
The GunLink team has been enjoying Alien Gear’s holsters since we bought our first one shortly after they went on sale and have been wearing them almost exclusively as our primary holsters. Colder winter months, however, as well as different kinds of dress and situations occasionally alter my carry methods from my favorite old Cloak Tuck 1.0 IWB to an OWB holster. While I don’t prefer it in a lot of situations, especially in the hot shorts-and-tshirt months, I do like the convenience and ease of access (and not having to wear over-sized pants) afforded by OWB carry. That is why I was excited to see the latest new product coming out of the Alien Gear workshop at January’s SHOT Show: a new modular OWB paddle holster.
This cool, versatile holster has now moved from vaporware to CCW-wear with the official roll-out of the new holster. I look forward to getting one to try out for myself. The official announcement of the new model is below. Continue reading
Repack Box Helps Get Your Ammo Organized
Years ago I was in the market for some new bling to commemorate a big move that we made out of our home state. Something that would hold up better than what I had already and something I wouldn’t worry about getting damaged, like rings that I’ve had get smashed on my hands or PM chains that are done for when they get snagged and broken. I stumbled on GI Jewelry and thought that fit the bill pretty well: subdued, US made, not too flashy, and well-made enough that they have an NSN to be issued to US military under a DLA contract.
After years of use, the necklace had lost enough ends that the ball chain got short enough that I’d had to replace it a few times using whatever ball chains I had laying around, none of which held up nearly as well as the original. I contacted GI Jewelry owner Roger to see if he could sell me some new chains, or let me know where he got the good ones. In a feat of customer service that you don’t see much these days, Roger told me that GI Jewelry has a lifetime warranty that includes the chain and he would send me some extras under warranty. Sure, chains may be cheap, but that’s pretty cool to see someone stand behind their product like that.
Anyway, while talking to Roger, he also introduced me to one of his other ventures: Repack Box. The idea is pretty simple, thus the company’s tagline, “Common Solutions to Uncommon Problems” – they are just basic, uniformly shaped boxes to hold your ammo. Roger’s website tells the story of why he came up with the boxes – to store all of the surplus ammunition that he bought, whose boxes fall apart over time – but surplus military ammo isn’t their only application. If, like us, you shoot a lot and, like us, you buy whichever ammo you find cheap at the time, you have almost certainly run into the problem of every manufacturer putting their ammo in differently sized and shaped boxes. Continue reading
