Keep Plugging Away; Maybe Ammo Prices Will Drop
Firearms Industry Praises Congressman Shuster for Work on Behalf of Hunters and Target Shooters
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, today praised Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, for bringing to the attention of Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood the bureaucratic obstruction within the department’s Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that is increasing the price gun owners have to pay for smokeless powder.
PHMSA is continuing to impose unnecessary regulatory burdens on smokeless powder manufacturers and distributors that result in higher shipping costs that are passed on to consumers. The increased shipping cost is due to PHMSA’s mishandling of the regulations that govern the shipment of smokeless powder. Although DOT has determined that smokeless powder can be safely shipped under less burdensome regulations, PHMSA has effectively blocked this reclassification costing manufacturers money, jobs and exports while driving up prices for consumers. Continue reading
NSSF Makes Shooting Ranges and Firearms Retailers “An Offer They Can’t Refuse”
For a limited time, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is offering retail/range memberships for as little as $35 to celebrate 35 years of the NSSF’s SHOT Show. The 35th anniversary special represents savings of over 50% for ranges and retailers with annual sales of shooting and hunting items less than $10M.
Available through the 2013 SHOT Show, this deal will provide operators of shooting ranges and retailers of firearms and accessories an even more affordable way to experience what NSSF membership has to offer. Range/Retailer membership benefits include a 24-hour FFL hotline, access to ATF compliance consulting with former ATF officials, access to NSSF research and a more.
“You can’t pass up this deal,” said Continue reading
Firearms Industry Shopping Comparison Site GunSpec Launches Version 2.0
GunSpec.com v2.0 Launches
FISHKILL, NY – GunSpec, a shopping comparison site for the firearms industry, has launched GunSpec.com v2.0. The new version provides end users with additional offerings and more robust product search features. GunSpec has expanded its list of firearm category offerings and created new categories for clothing, hunting gear, knives and emergency preparedness products.
The big news for firearms retailers is that they still have a choice of uploading their catalog offerings with a no cost, free trial and taking advantage of the industry’s first “firearms, parts and accessories only” shopping search engine site. Retailers can also boost their web store presence by taking part in the new GunSpec Premium Ad Placement program. The ad placement program is a cost-per-click advertising program that enhances the retailer’s catalog offering for a lower cost than traditional shopping engine providers. GunSpec has also beefed up its capabilities for retailers to include automated product data feeds, inventory, and reporting.
“GunSpec v2.0 is a direct result of our open Continue reading
Ruger Passes the One Million Firearms Mark for 2012 – On Track to Beat Their Record
Let’s hope that this continues… Here’s an indication that at least one market sector is doing alright. Ruger has announced that they recently passed the “1,000,000 firearms produced” mark for the year and they anticipate that number to keep growing:
Ruger is on a Roll – Company Produces One Millionth Firearm of 2012
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is on pace to beat its own record of 1,114,700 firearms produced in one year, set in 2011. On August 15, 2012 Ruger produced its one millionth firearm of the year, a Ruger® SR1911™ pistol which will be hand-engraved by Baron Technology, Inc. and auctioned off to support the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action.
“Last year, Ruger became the first commercial firearms company to produce one million firearms in one year, and we were incredibly excited and proud to reach that milestone,” said Ruger President and CEO Mike Fifer. “It took us nearly all of 2011 to build one million firearms, but in 2012 we accomplished it on August 15th. We continue to invest in and improve our manufacturing processes to help us respond to the strong demand for Ruger® firearms. We expect 2012 will be another record-breaking year for Ruger, and we want to thank our loyal customers for their continued support.”
The firearms industry has seen consistent growth over the last few years, as measured by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. In July 2012, NICS checks rose by 25.5% compared to July 2011, the 26th consecutive month that NICS checks have risen on a year-over-year basis. Demand for Ruger products has outpaced the growth in overall industry demand, driven by new product introductions including the Ruger American Rifle™, SR22™ pistol, SR1911™ pistol, and 10/22 Takedown™ rifle.
For more information on the extensive, award-winning line of Ruger® firearms, visit www.Ruger.com or www.Facebook.com/Ruger.
Top Hunting and Shooting Equipment Brands for 2012
Southwick Associates has announced the brands hunters and shooters purchased most frequently in 2012. This list has been compiled from the 35,081 internet-based surveys completed by hunters and target shooters who volunteered to participate last year in HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com polls. In 2012, top brands included:
- Top rifle brand: Remington, Ruger (each11.5% of all purchases)
- Top shotgun brand: Remington (19.7% of all purchases)
- Top muzzleloader brand: CVA (31.0% of all purchases)
- Top handgun brand: Sturm, Ruger (17.7% of all purchases)
- Top crossbow brand: Barnett (21.7% of all purchases)
- Top air rifle brand: Crosman (29.6% of all purchases)
- Top rifle ammunition brand: Remington (21.4% of all purchases)
- Top shotgun ammunition brand: Winchester (32.1% of all purchases)
- Top handgun ammunition brand: Winchester (17.9% of all purchases)
- Top blackpowder brand: Pyrodex (41.6% of all purchases)
- Top balls, bullets, or shot brand: Hornady (33.0% of all purchases)
- Top bow brand: Hoyt (15.0% of all purchases)Top arrow brand: Carbon Express (30.1% of all purchases)
- Top arrow brand: Carbon Express (30.1% of all purchases)
- Top fletching brand: Blazer (24.4% of all purchases)
- Top broad head brand: Rage (21.1% of all purchases)
- Top release/tab brand: Tru-Fire (33.0% of all purchases)
- Top archery target brand: The Block (11.9% of all purchases)
- Top bow case brand: Plano (35.5% of all purchases)
- Top archery sight brand: TruGlo (27.8% of all purchases)
- Top decoy brand: Mojo (10.8% of all purchases)
- Top game call brand: Primos (26.2% of all purchases)
- Top reloading press brand: Lee Precision (37.9% of all purchases)
- Top reloading die brand: Lee Precision (38.3% of all purchases)
- Top reloading bullet brand: Hornady (34.0% of all purchases)
- Top reloading primer brand: CCI (40.3% of all purchases)
- Top reloading powder brand: Hodgdon (40.7% of all purchases)
- Top shot brand: Lawrence (30.2% of all purchases)
- Top binocular brand: Bushnell (28.7% of all purchases)
- Top scope brand for firearms: Bushnell (14.5% of all purchases)
- Top spotting scope brand: Barska (10.5% of all purchases)
- Top range finder brand: Bushnell (36.3% of all purchases)
- Top optic sight brand: EOTech (8.7% of all purchases)
- Top knife brand: Buck (13.4% of all purchases)
- Top cover scent brand: Wildlife Research Center (19.9% of all purchases)
- Top lure scent brand: Tinks (31.4% of all purchases)
- Top odor eliminator brand: Scent-A-Way (35.8% of all purchases)
- Top shooting target brand: Shoot-N-C (31.0% of all purchases)
- Top tree stand brand: Guide Gear (12.1% of all purchases)
- Top blind brand: Ameristep (33.9% of all purchases)
- Top clay brand: White Flyer (51.3% of all purchases)
- Top trail camera brand: Moultrie (25.4% of all purchases)
- Top holster brand: Blackhawk (15.0% of all purchases)
- Top gun sleeves brand: Allen (12.1% of all purchases)
- Top gun safe brand: Stack-on (25.7% of all purchases)
- Top magazine brand: ProMag (11.9% of all purchases)
The marketing data presented here is a summary of a 233-page report that details consumer behavior including what products and brands are purchased, where they are bought, how much customers spend, and demographics of hunters and shooters broken out by each product category. Current information about what gear and brands hunters and shooters prefer, how many days they spend afield and what type of hunting and shooting they enjoy most is vital to businesses trying to build their customer base.
You can stay abreast of consumer buying patterns and overall market trends by purchasing an annual subscription to Southwick Associates’ monthly HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com reports. Reports are available for specific product categories including firearms, ammunition, blackpowder, bowhunting and archery equipment, decoys, game calls, apparel, crossbows and more. To purchase a report or subscription, contact John DePalma at jdepalma@brandintelligent.com.
About AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com: Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. Conducted by Southwick Associates, survey results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States. Follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/huntersurvey and http://facebook.com/anglersurvey or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/AnglerSurvey and https://twitter.com/#!/HunterSurvey.
