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Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence
2002 AWARDS
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Each year an innovative few set new standards of excellence through product design and service to the industry. This marks the eleventh year that these outstanding achievements have been formally recognized by industry leaders who, together, form the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence.
The 2002 award recipients were announced
Saturday, April 27, 2002 • At the Atlantis Hotel in Reno, Nev.
Honoring Outstanding Achievement
Since 1992
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2002 Awards: A Call To Excellence
RENO, NEV. – "The Academy of Excellence awards have taken on significant importance. Integrity surrounds the awards and the voting process," said Shooting Industry magazine editor Russ Thurman as he addressed the standing room only crowd during the 11th annual Academy of Excellence Awards presentations.
"Today we challenge the industry to a call to excellence. Not just in producing great products and providing great services but in all aspects of our businesses. You know we’re a very unique industry. We are fiercely independent business owners, it makes us unique, it makes us great. But we’re interdependent on how our actions effect each and every one of our businesses. We need to set a standard that others will aspire to – a standard of excellence."
The Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence was founded in 1992 to recognize excellence in design, innovation and customer service within the shooting sports market.
The voting Academy is comprised of just over 400 industry leaders representing every level of the shooting sports business. They include corporate executives, outdoor writers and store front retailers.
Each year they are asked to select nominees and award recipients in 12 categories. Their selections represent the best of the best, setting the highest standard of excellence in the industry.
The publisher of Shooting Industry, American Handgunner and GUNS Magazine is the exclusive sponsor of the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Awards but has no vote in the selection process.
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2002 Accessory of the Year
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HiViz TriViz Shotgun Sight
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Also Nominated:
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RCBS Grand Progressive Shotshell Reloading Press
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TruGlo Tru-Point Turkey Sight
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2002 Specialty Product of the Year
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Streamlight Stinger HP Flashlight
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Also Nominated:
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Mossy Oak New Break-Up Camouflage
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Realtree Hardwoods HD Camouflage
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2002 High-Tech Product of the Year
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Leica LRF 1200 Rangemaster laser Rangefinder
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Also Nominated:
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Crimson Trace Sig Sauer P220 Lasergrips
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Magellan Meridian GPS
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2002 Optic of the Year
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Leupold Mark 4 CQ/T 1-3x14mm Riflescope
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Also Nominated:
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Nikon Tactical 4-16x50 riflescope with Mildot reticle and side focus
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Swarovski ATS 65 Spotting Scope
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2002 Knife of the Year
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Benchmade Model 556 Mini-Griptilian
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Also Nominated:
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Gerber Multi-Plier 650 Evolution
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Spyderco C60 Massad Ayoob CLIPIT tactical folder
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2002 Ammunition of the Year
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Winchester .270 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) centerfire
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Also Nominated:
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Black Hills Gold Ammo in .30-06 with Barnes X-Bullet and Nosler Ballistic Tip
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Remington Premier Hevi-Shot Magnum Turkey Loads in 12 gauge
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2002 Handgun of the Year
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Kimber Eclipse Series .45 ACP
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Also Nominated:
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Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Magnum
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Springfield Armory X-Treme Duty 9mm
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2002 Rifle of the Year
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Ruger 77/17RM .17 HMR Rimfire
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Also Nominated:
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Marlin Model 1894SS Lever Action
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Thompson/Center Omega .50 muzzleloader
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2002 Shotgun of the Year
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Ruger Gold label Side-By-Side 12 gauge
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Also Nominated:
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Benelli Super Black Eagle 12 gauge Advantage Timber HD Camo
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Beretta A391 Xtrema 3.5
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2002 Distributor of the Year
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AcuSport
For continued excellence in distribution from six national sites, business-enhancing consultation for dealers, unquestioned support of the industry, and award-winning dedication to local communities.
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Also Nominated:
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Davidson’s
For dedicated commitment to customer satisfaction, unique Internet consumer services, alliance with AllVertical Inc. to provide dealers with Internet firearm sales, and the exclusive GuaranteeD Lifetime Replacement Warranty program.
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RSR Group
For 25 years of unparalleled customer service, rapid delivery from five national sales and distribution centers, extensive product selection, high-profit exclusive products, and the innovative Internet service: Marketing & Sales Tips.
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2002 Manufacturer of the Year
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Taurus
For continued commitment to excellence in manufacturing modern firearms, including Total Titanium handguns, rapid introduction of firearms chambered in the newest calibers, unwavering support of the industry and Constitutional freedoms, and its patriotic offer of free handguns to arm the nation’s airline pilots.
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Also Nominated:
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Leupold
For exceptional product development and unparalleled manufacture of premier USA-made optics, legendary customer satisfaction, innovative use of the Internet to assist dealers, distributors and consumers, and challenging the marketplace to produce the finest quality sporting optics.
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Winchester Ammunition
For continuing to enhance the legacy of the legendary Winchester brand through the development of innovative market-driven new products such as the new line of WSM centerfire rifle cartridges while investing in the future of the shooting industry through significant financial contributions to wildlife conservation and hunter education organizations.
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2002 Shooting Industry Award
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Bob Scott,Smith & Wesson
For engineering the return of Smith & Wesson to American ownership, he skillfully reorganized the company to reflect its heritage of innovative handgun design and production, reestablished badly damaged industry relations, and returned Smith & Wesson to the roster of the Heritage Fund.
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Also Nominated:
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Bob Morrison,Taurus
For his 36 years of dedicated service to the industry, he is highly regarded for establishing the highest standards of product innovation and excellence, his steadfast support of the shooting sports, and as an untiring, outspoken defender of the industry and the Second Amendment.
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Ray Oeltjen,Leupold & Stevens
For 30-plus years of passionate service to the shooting sports, he is widely recognized as a dedicated industry statesman, a staunch defender of gun ownership, hunting and free enterprise, and an innovative leader who helped guide Leupold to new heights in a highly competitive marketplace.
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