ICYMI: Industry News,
June 23–27, 2025

Southwick Associates' Annual Hunting & Shooting Market Size Report Available

Southwick Associates has released its “2024 Hunting & Shooting Market Size” report, detailing the estimated retail size of the more than $20 billion hunting and shooting equipment market in 2024. Product categories were mixed in their performance, but were still higher than in 2019.

“Consumer purchases of hunting and shooting products were stronger than originally anticipated in 2024. Retail shelves were stocked, allowing consumers to purchase products that may not have been as available in the last few years,” said Nancy Bacon, VP of Southwick Associates. “Inflation continued to be moderate through 2024, giving consumers more confidence to spend, while events leading up to the election pushed others who were on the sidelines to purchase. The new market size report will help businesses understand the market environment and identify opportunities.”

The “2024 Hunting & Shooting Equipment Retail Market Size” report is available to purchase from Southwick Associates. The report includes both retail unit and dollar sales estimates of more than 80 products directly associated with hunting, recreational shooting, and personal protection. Breakouts are included for specific product attributes such as action type or caliber/gauge, the primary purpose for consumers’ purchases, and more. Only equipment directly associated with hunting, recreational shooting, and personal protection are reported. Other items such as travel-related spending, real estate and indirect equipment such as vehicles are not included.

For more info: southwickassociates.com

Wilson Family Of Companies Acquires Performance Engineering

Wilson Combat’s sister company, Lehigh Defense LLC, headquartered in Clarksville, Texas, has acquired all assets of Performance Engineering, a renowned firearm component manufacturer located in Hillsboro, Missouri. Performance Engineering has been a trusted supplier of 1911 and AR-15 components to the firearms industry for more than four decades.

With the retirement of owners Darla and Russ Narzinski, Lehigh Defense has seamlessly integrated Performance Engineering’s manufacturing and operations into its facility in Clarksville. Customers can expect continuity and reliability, with no significant changes other than an updated address. All product quality standards, SKU numbers and pricing will remain consistent.

Responding to customer requests, Lehigh Defense plans to reintroduce previously discontinued Performance Engineering components. Additionally, the product lineup will soon expand with new offerings.

Lehigh Defense operates an advanced Swiss screw machine facility, equipped with 21 single-spindle and one multi-spindle machine, enabling efficient production of a wide array of firearm components. The company invites inquiries for quotations on any Swiss screw machine-compatible components that are required.

For more info: lehighdefense.com

Henry Donates 50 Custom Rifles For Texas Teen’s Cancer Battle

Henry Repeating Arms is supporting 13-year-old Keane Rhodes of Universal City, Texas, who is currently undergoing aggressive treatment for ALL T-cell leukemia. Keane faces at least two years of chemotherapy, radiation and countless trips to Methodist Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.

To help offset the family’s growing medical expenses, Henry Repeating Arms donated a limited-edition run of 50 “Team Keane” Golden Boy .22 lever-action rifles through its Guns For Great Causes charitable branch, with 100% of the proceeds donated directly to Keane’s family. The first and last serial numbers are now available in online auctions until July 9 at 9 p.m. Eastern. The remaining rifles are available for purchase online. All firearm purchases must ship to a federally licensed firearms dealer.

Keane is an avid athlete and outdoorsman who dreams of becoming a professional baseball player or a pyrotechnical engineer one day. Throughout his diagnosis and treatments, he remains in high spirits, surrounded by a loving community of friends, teammates and family.

“Keane’s story is one of incredible bravery and resilience, and it’s our honor to rally behind him and his family during his fight,” said Anthony Imperato, Founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms.

The rifles feature a polished Brasslite receiver, octagon barrel and genuine American walnut stocks. The buttstock is engraved and finished in full color with custom artwork honoring Keane’s passions, including football, baseball, hunting and fishing, as well as his nickname, “Honey Badger,” earned on the football field for his fearless play style. Each rifle bears unique serial numbers ranging from TEAMKEANE01 through TEAMKEANE50. Baron Engraving of Trumbull, Conn., donated the artwork and engraving services.

For more info: henryusa.com

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors: Lucy Evans from Georgia and John Bruner from Pennsylvania. The scholarships were presented to the recipients at the National 4H Shooting Sports Invitational held in Grand Island, Nebraska, June 23–27. Jon Zinnel, director of community relations for Federal Ammunition, announced the winners during the opening ceremonies.

“Both Lucy and John had an impressive resume of community service and giving back to their communities and the shooting sports community,” said Jon Zinnel. “I started in the shooting sports industry when I, too, served as a National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador. All the National Ambassadors are tremendous citizens, which is a testament to the great programs the organization offers to youth across the country.”

The Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarship program, an annual initiative, was established to honor the memory of the legendary exhibition shooter Tom Knapp. Before his passing in April 2013, Knapp left an indelible mark on the shooting sports community. In 2016, Federal Ammunition and Champion Traps & Targets, in collaboration with the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, took up the mantle to continue this esteemed scholarship program.

Knapp, a passionate advocate for nurturing the next generation, was a respected Champion and Federal Ammunition ambassador. With the support of Knapp’s wife, Colleen, Champion extended Tom’s licensed products program to fund an endowed scholarship that annually awards $2,500 to two National 4-H Ambassadors.

For more info: federalpremium.com

Hydra Weaponry Launches Upgraded Website

Hydra Weaponry announced hydraweaponry.com has been upgraded for a more positive shopping experience.

“The Hydra website is one of our most important marketing tools, and it finally got the attention and updating it needed to provide our customers with a seamless online experience,” explained Mack Gwinn III, CEO of Hydra Weaponry.

The reorganized site allows customers to quickly search and find the specific Hydra family model under the Shop Now tab. The weapons selection is highlighted by product categories: the Hydra 15, the world’s most modular weapon system; the Hydra 10, a big brother to the Hydra 15 offering modularity for big caliber enthusiasts; and the latest release, the BMP 23, the modern version of the classic and iconic Bushmaster Pistol.

Within each Hydra model, customers can drill down to locate desired additions, including barrels, uppers and lowers, as well as parts and accessories.

One of the most extensive upgrades is to the Hydra shopping cart platform. Upon choosing a firearm, the customer is led through the purchasing procedure, filling out all required contact information. Next, the customer can search online for a local firearms dealer to complete the transfer process legally and easily.

New features will be added to the site over the next few months to further enhance the customer’s experience, including news and editorial coverage.

For more info: hydraweaponry.com

A Girl & A Gun Hosts DRIFT Academy At VIR

A Girl & A Gun hosted its DRIFT (Dynamic Real-world Immersive Firearms Training) Academy at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Va., from June 10–12, 2025. This cutting-edge course brought together women from across the country for an immersive experience in vehicle defense, an essential and often-overlooked component of personal safety.

DRIFT Academy is the only training program of its kind designed specifically for women to explore the realities of defending themselves in and around vehicles. Partnering with the elite instructors of RFH Tactical Mobility, A Girl & A Gun delivered three full days of hands-on, high-intensity training that left participants empowered, confident and prepared for real-world threats.

“Your vehicle isn’t just transportation. It’s a tool, a barrier and sometimes even a battleground,” said Robyn Sandoval, president and CEO of A Girl & A Gun. “DRIFT Academy prepares women to recognize threats, respond under pressure and take control of dangerous situations when they’re most vulnerable, like at parking lots, gas stations or while traveling.”

Participants trained in, around, and inside vehicles, gaining real-world skills.

DRIFT Academy is part of A Girl & A Gun’s ongoing commitment to offer innovative, mission-driven training events tailored to women who are serious about self-defense.

For more info: agirlandagun.org/DRIFT

WATCHTOWER Firearms Secures Debtor-In-Possession Financing Approval

WATCHTOWER Firearms announced that the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, granted final approval for a significant amount of debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing. This financial support is substantial and empowers WATCHTOWER Firearms to maintain operational continuity, reinforce the company’s position as it moves forward in its growth trajectory and drive it toward a near-term exit from Chapter 11.

The approved DIP financing will be used to maintain essential business operations, including the purchase of materials and parts necessary for manufacturing WATCHTOWER firearms, along with providing top-tier sales and service to customers. WATCHTOWER Firearms is exploring strategic options to enhance and maximize value for all its stakeholders.
“WATCHTOWER Firearms is an excellent company with great people known for its high-quality products and well-earned reputation for excellence,” stated Jason Colosky, founder and CEO. “To navigate the current challenges facing the company, we determined that decisive action is necessary to reposition and grow the company. We are confident that these steps will position the business for long-term success.”

WATCHTOWER Firearms is dedicated to transparency and open communication with all stakeholders as it navigates this restructuring phase. The company anticipates emerging from this process as a stronger and more nimble entity, prepared to meet the evolving needs of its customers and the market.

For more info: watchtowerfirearms.com

2025 USAHSCTL National Championships

Athletes and teams representing 460 high schools from across the nation are scheduled to participate at the 2025 USA High School Clay Target League National Championship (USAHSCTL) July 9–13 at the Michigan Trapshooting Association in Mason, Mich. The Championship features 3,000 athletes participating in team and individual qualifying events, culminating in a final Championship Round to award the top ten male and female athletes and top five teams in the country.

A total of 38,090 student athletes representing 1,868 high school teams across the country participated in USA High School Clay Target League programs this spring. Only the top athletes and teams qualified to register for the National Championship, based on season averages at the completion of the spring season.

The National Championship is sponsored by the U.S. Army, Lansing Sports Commission, Ducks Unlimited, Bass Pro/Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, SCHEELS, Walker’s, Do-All Outdoors, Mark Zauhar, Friends of NRA, Sportsman’s Guide, GUNS.COM, Strike Visuals and Winchester.

For more info: usaclaytarget.com

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