ICYMI: Headlines
From Week Of
April 5–9, 2021

Springfield Armory To Expand U.S. Manufacturing Footprint

Springfield Armory announced the groundbreaking for a new facility at Geneseo, Ill., which will expand its manufacturing capabilities and provide a new headquarters location.

Representing a significant investment in the community and being done with all local contractors, the new Springfield Armory facility at Geneseo will allow the company to further expand its manufacturing capabilities, grow capacity and increase efficiency.

“Springfield Armory has long set the standard for manufacturing excellence, providing shooters with the top-quality products they demand,” says Dennis Reese, Springfield Armory CEO. “This new facility will build on our strong reputation for quality and ensure we continue to meet the ever-increasing demand for our products.”

The 200,000+ sq. ft. facility will house manufacturing, research and development, distribution operations, administration and much more, with initial phases expected to open within the year.

“Springfield Armory has seen unprecedented demand for products such as the Hellcat, the Model 2020 Waypoint bolt-action and many other cutting-edge offerings,” explains Stephen McKelvain, Springfield Armory president. “With this new facility, we’ll be able to continue to deliver our in-demand products, as well as develop even more new and exciting offerings.”

For more info: springfield-armory.com.

Guns.com, FastBound Debut Free Integration

In partnership with FastBound, Guns.com has launched a free integration that allows FastBound dealers to accelerate their listing and selling processes through Guns.com. Dealers who connect with Guns.com through FastBound will be able to list firearms, maintain accurate inventory and process sales in just a few clicks.

Zane Wagner, social media manager of Sharp Shooters Safe & Gun in Lubbock, Texas, noted its impact on his business: “Integrating FastBound with Guns.com has completely changed the way we sell online. Guns that were sitting in our store not selling are now online and moving quickly. It takes the guesswork out of what products to upload!”

“Having a wide selection of inventory is key to being successful selling online and in just a few clicks a dealer can list all of the inventory they wish. By cutting down the time it takes to list and maintain accurate inventory, dealers can focus on shipping orders and managing their retail storefront,” says Jeff Tesch, Guns.com director of business development.

“For years, many of our customers have been crystal clear about two things: listing firearms online is important to their business, and listing firearms online is time-consuming and painful. FastBound’s new integration with Guns.com is, hands down, the quickest and easiest way to sell firearms online,” added Jason Smith, FastBound CEO.

Guns.com customers can try FastBound 14 days for free at gunsdotcom.fastbound.com. Guns.com customers already using FastBound can automatically list inventory on Guns.com by navigating to the “Partners” page under Settings in their FastBound account and click “Configure” under Guns.com.

For more info: guns.com, fastbound.com

Benelli USA Adds Chapuis Brand To Portfolio

Benelli USA has added French gun manufacturer Chapuis to its portfolio of brands offered in the U.S. The longtime producer of premium upland shotguns and big-game rifles joins Benelli, Franchi, Stoeger and Uberti USA brands under the Benelli USA umbrella.

Chapuis USA’s product offerings in the U.S. will include the Chasseur side-by-side and the Faisan over-and-under shotguns available in 12, 20 and 28 GA. Along with the upland shotguns, Chapuis also offers the Elan Double Rifle chambered in .375 H&H FL, .450-400 Nitro Express and .470 Nitro Express. All models of shotguns and rifles are offered in two grades: Classic (AAA-grade Circassian walnut stock and forend and a laser-engraved receiver) and Artisan (AAAAA-grade Circassian walnut stock and forend and hand-engraved receiver).

Tom Leoni, who serves as Uberti USA brand manager, will oversee the Chapuis USA brand.

“At Benelli USA, we couldn’t be prouder to have acquired this premium brand of shotguns and rifles for upland and big-game hunting,” Leoni said. “The sheer beauty of Chapuis guns and their impeccable reputation for high-quality and durability makes them a fantastic addition to our family of brands.”

For more info: benelliusa.com, chapuis-usa.com.

Diamondback Firearms Acquires Southern GRIND Knife Co.

Diamondback Firearms has acquired Zac Brown’s Southern GRIND Knife Co. Southern GRIND posted a letter on its website detailing the development, which read, in part:

To our Southern GRIND family,
For more than a decade you have depended on Zac Brown’s Southern GRIND Knife Co. to consistently develop and deliver dependable and innovative knife designs.

Zac has signed over the company, as well as the future production, to Southern GRIND’s longtime friend and manufacturing mentor Diamondback Firearms. The Diamondback Family has done an incredible job assembling a passionate team of craftsmen that have built a respected U.S. brand fully capable of moving forward with Zac’s GRIND line of knives.”

Following this announcement, Diamondback Firearms teased the development of a handsomely engraved 1911, which is set to debut in 2022.

For more info: southerngrind.com, diamondbackfirearms.com

Barrett Awarded U.S. Army Contract

Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. has been awarded a five-year, $49.9 million contract under the United States Army Precision Sniper Rifle program with its MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design) MK22TM MOD 0 rifle, paired with a Leupold & Stevens Mark 5 HD scope and sniper-accessory kit. The MK22TM will replace several current fielded Army sniper rifles.

Designed with precision and modularity in mind, the MK22TM provides even greater flexibility within the highly successful MRAD rifle platform. This multi-caliber bolt action sniper rifle is capable of converting between 7.62x51mm, .300 Norma Magnum (NM) and .338 Norma Magnum (NM) calibers, based on the mission.

The Army said in its budget request that the MRAD MK22TM rifle platform “increases stand-off distances ensuring overmatch against enemy counter sniper engagements and increases sniper capability.”

“We’re honored to have been awarded the Army’s Precision Sniper Rifle Program in addition to SOCOM’s Advanced Sniper Rifle contract. The MK22TM is an extremely capable rifle system that meets the demanding requirements of our military branches.” said Joel Miller, Barrett’s director of global military sales.

For more info: barrett.net.

RSR Group 2021 Spring E-Show Launches This Week

RSR Group’s 2021 Spring E-Show starts Tuesday, April 13 at 11:00 a.m. ET, and concludes on Friday, April 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET. This online event allows dealers to take advantage of incredible deals and savings available only at rsrgroup.com.

Taking place entirely on the RSR Group website, the 2021 Spring E-Show will feature virtual booths from the industry’s leading manufacturers. Dealers who log in to visit the virtual booths will benefit from 24-hour access to all E-Show specials, including a first look at new products, limited time dealer programs, daily prize giveaways and extended terms for qualified accounts.

For more info: rsrgroup.com