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Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence
2003 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 12th year that these outstanding achievements have been formally recognized by industry leaders who, together, form the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence.
The 2003 award recipients were announced
Friday, April 25, 2003 • At the Matrix in Orlando, Fla.
Honoring Outstanding Achievement
Since 1992
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2003 Accessory of the Year
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Also Nominated:
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Remington: R3 Recoil Pad
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Uncle Mike's: OD Green Duty and Tactical Gear
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2003 Specialty Product of the Year
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Also Nominated:
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Streamlight: NightFigher Tactical Light
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SureFire: E2o Outdoorsman flashlight
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2003 High-Tech Product of the Year
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SureFire: A2 Aviator microprocessor controlled “smart flashlight”
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Also Nominated:
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Crimson Trace: Browning Hi-Power Rubber Overmold Lasergrips
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Hunter’s Specialties: Johnny Stewart PreyMaster Digital Caller
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2003 Optic of the Year
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Leupold: Vari-X III Illuminated Reticle Riflescope
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Also Nominated:
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Bushnell: Yardage Pro Quest
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Zeiss: 65mm Diascope Spotting Scope
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2003 Knife of the Year
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Benchmade: Model 921 Swithback Two Blade Folder
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Also Nominated:
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Buck Knives: Revolution-XT
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Spyderco: 25th Anniversary Knife
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2003 Ammunition of the Year
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Winchester: .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum (WSSM) ammo
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Also Nominated:
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Cor-Bon: .500 S&W Magnum 440-Grain Hard Cast
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Taurus: Copper Bullets ammo in .45 ACP 185 Grain deep hollow point
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2003 Handgun of the Year
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Smith & Wesson: X-Frame Model 500 revolver in S&W .500 Magnum
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Also Nominated:
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Kimber: Team Match II .45 ACP pistol
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Springfield Armory : XD 3-Inch Sub-Compact
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2003 Rifle of the Year
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Also Nominated:
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Remington: Model 673 Guide Rifle
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Winchester: Model 70 Super Shado Super Short in .223 WSSM
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2003 Shotgun of the Year
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Benelli: Super Black Eagle with SteadyGrip
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Also Nominated:
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Remington: Model 1100 Competition Master
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Winchester: Supreme Select Elegance 12 Gauge
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2003 Distributor of the Year
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RSR Group
For excellent customer service through distribution from five locations across the U.S.; offering a well-stocked selection of products, exclusive products, knowledgeable sales representatives and a comprehensive website which offers a wealth of information for retailers.
Click for reception images
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Also Nominated:
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AcuSport
For exceptional support of all industry related initiatives, protecting storefront dealer profitability by assisting in the development of sound retail management practices, and continued excellence in distribution from six national locations.
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Sports South
For the continued and industry-leading role in development and support of a comprehensive point of sale, electronic catalog and firearms management system allowing dealers to confidently, reliably and accurately maintain inventory, stock turns, pricing, sales and accounting reports, firearms acquisitions, dispositions and history.
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2003 Manufacturer of the Year
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Savage Arms
For originating the value-price package concept, allowing to the consumer to purchase a rifle, scope and sling as a single product; and continued new product development and innovations that provide true benefit to shooters, including the introduction of the new Savage AccuTrigger fully adjustable trigger mechanism.
Click for reception images
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Also Nominated:
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Kimber
For establishing a new performance standard for production semi-auto pistols, development of innovative lightweight classic rifles and impressive support of the shooing industry with special edition firearms for the Heritage Fund, USA Shooting Team and the NRA.
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Winchester Ammunition
For continuing to enhance the legacy of the legendary Winchester brand through innovative market-driven new products such as the WSM and WSSM centerfire rifle cartridges; for aggressively supporting organizations that promote the shooting sports and unwavering support of the independent dealer network through its landmark Winchester Ammunition Advisory Center program.
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2003 Shooting Industry Award
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Robert Morrison,Taurus
For his instrumental roll in the unrelenting battle against senseless and reckless lawsuits aimed at the firearm industry, guiding the very first production handgun cartridge utilizing an all copper bullet allowed in the industry; gaining approval to utilize a removable short arm rest stock on handguns and resolving the issue with the BATF on the industry’s responsibility in following up on trace requests.
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Also Nominated:
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Val Forgett, Sr., Navy Arms Company
For For his vision, passion, and leadership spanning 45 years that has cultivated an entire industry dedicated to the manufacture of black powder and cowboy action replicas.
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Thomas Gura, Winchester Ammunition
For his superior leadership in Winchester’s continuous development of innovative and award-winning new products, which have garnered Shooting Industry’s Ammunition of the Year award in the past five consecutive years.
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