ICYMI: Industry News
From August 16–20, 2021

Smith & Wesson, Kimber Enter New Markets

Recent product introductions have placed Smith & Wesson and Kimber Mfg. into new markets — the shotgun and polymer striker-fired pistol segments, respectively.

Aug. 17, Smith & Wesson announced a new category introduction for the company: a bullpup-style pump-action shotgun, the M&P12.

“Smith & Wesson has a long, storied history of making handguns for self-defense, yet no conversation around personal protection can be complete without mentioning the 12 GA shotgun. With the introduction of the M&P12, Smith & Wesson is able to offer consumers a personal protection product in a variety of categories: pistol, revolver, rifle, and shotgun,” said Kyle Tengwall, S&W VP of marketing.

The M&P12 is chambered for 12 GA 3″ shells, but is able to accept a combination of standard 2 ¾”, 3″ Magnum and mini-shell loads. Hallmark M&P features can be found throughout the shotgun, including the new M&P grip with four interchangeable palmswell grip inserts to customize fit for the user.

The M&P12’s bullpup design delivers maneuverability with an overall length of 27.8″, as well as M-LOK slots on the barrel shroud to accessorize with lights, lasers and more. The M&P12 ships with both modified and cylinder choke tubes, a 15″ cable lock, choke tube wrench and hard plastic, foam-lined case.

Aug. 19, Kimber announced its entry into the polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol market with the R7 Mako, a micro-compact pistol chambered in 9mm.

Kimber reached out to carry enthusiasts and asked what was most important in a concealed-carry pistol; the resounding response included the requirement of an outstanding trigger and ability to carry with the confidence of having sufficient ammunition capacity for any situation.

Kimber reached out to carry enthusiasts and found an outstanding trigger was a top request. The result is the R7 Mako’s unique flat-face Performance Carry Trigger, which has a consistent short pull and a clean, crisp break, making the R7’s factory-set 5.0 to 6.75 lb. trigger pull feel much lighter. The R7 Mako boasts 12-round capacity using the flush-fit magazine, and 14-round capacity using the extended magazine.

Other features include the R7’s stainless steel slide, which wears an FNC finish, ambidextrous controls and a low-tilt, 3.37″ stainless steel barrel. It’s topped with a set of TRUGLO Tritium Pro u-notch sights and is available in optics-ready and optics-installed (includes a Crimson Trace CTS-1500) models.

For more info: smith-wesson.com, r7mako.com.

Celerant Partners With Camfour

Celerant Technology announces a partnership with Camfour Inc. The partnership unites Camfour’s EZGUN ordering system and product data feeds with Celerant’s retail technology, enabling dealers to streamline replenishment, and keep their eCommerce website and in-store kiosks updated with the latest products.

“Camfour is excited to partner with Celerant to make it easier for our dealers to purchase and integrate their supply chains with us,” stated Chris DiCenso, Camfour president. “We know there are already many of our dealers using the Celerant platform, and with this integration, we can help streamline and automate the ordering process for our shared dealers and many new dealers to come.”

Through Celerant’s point of sale, dealers can access the EZGUN catalog, import all the products they want to sell, automatically order inventory based on min/max levels, and complete transactions anywhere — in-store, curbside, gun shows and other offsite events. By eliminating the manual entry, dealers can populate their retail database quickly and without data errors. Celerant also offers integrated bound books and electronic Form 4473s to ensure inventory and transactions are logged and in compliance.

“By partnering with Camfour, our dealers gain access to a large portfolio of products, and more available inventory,” stated Ian Goldman, Celerant president and CEO. “Our integration allows dealers to automate supply, make products available to consumers much faster, and provide customers with accurate product information — helping our dealers increase revenue, and focus more on long-term growth.”

For more info: celerant.com/firearms, ezgun.net.

Epicosity Named To Inc. 5000 List
For Fifth Time

Inc. magazine has named Epicosity to its annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The Sioux Falls-based advertising agency claimed spot number 4,344 on the 2021 list and is appearing on the list for the fifth time.

“We’re honored to be recognized by Inc. once again,” said Eric Sivertsen, Epicosity CEO. “Despite last year being challenging for everyone, we feel fortunate to have found innovative new ways to provide seamless service and good creative work for our clients. Our team’s hard work and perseverance allowed us to continue to grow and this honor is a testament to them.”

What started as the Inc. 500 list in 1982, expanded to 5000 in 2007. Companies are ranked according to percentage of revenue growth and, to qualify, must be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independently owned. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Yelp and Zillow are among the well-known names that gained national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

For more info: epicosity.com

Summit Outdoors To Rebrand GhostBlind

Summit Outdoors announces it will be updating the GhostBlind brand with a new look, logo and packaging. Summit Outdoors acquired the GhostBlind brand in Dec. 2020, and launched a user-friendly website earlier this year. The rebrand represents the next step in developing a new image for GhostBlind to better fit with Summit Outdoors’ other brands, which includes Shadow Hunter, Tail Mate and SlotLock.

“We’re happy to have GhostBlind on board and give the brand a revamped look that matches the products’ level of quality and technology,” said Joel Harter, Summit Outdoors president and CEO. “We’re confident our loyal customers will love the updates once we unveil them.”

A family-owned business, Summit Outdoors has been in operation since 1958.

For more info: shadowhunterblinds.com.

DRG Acquires Saltwater Arms

DRG Manufacturing, a firearm component manufacturer for the AR-15, AR-10 and AR-9 platforms, has announced the acquisition of Saltwater Arms — enabling the company to produce complete, fully assembled firearms in 5.56 via its e-commerce store (saltwaterarms.com) and dealer network (whitelabelarmory.com), while anticipating an additional launch of 9mm, .308 and .300 Blackout options in the near future.

“We set out to offer distinctive solutions to our customers and choosing to manufacture a new line of fully assembled rifles and pistols seemed to be the natural direction,” said DRG CEO Chris Gosell. “Saltwater Arms rifles met our high standards and unique ‘out-of-the-box thinking’ and we’re excited to add our expertise to the production. The firearm’s key components are made from stainless steel with highly durable corrosion-resistant coatings to provide users the utmost strength and longevity in the harshest of marine environments, as well as worry-free relief for the prepper community.”

The Barracuda and Blackfin AR-15 rifles will be the flagship offerings for the company.

Both style rifles are designed to meet the demands of maritime environments with corrosion-resistant materials and technologies adaptable for saltwater and freshwater alike. The stainless steel components are compatible with most AR-platform accessories and furniture. Upgrades to some components, such as the bolt carrier group will now use DRG’s proprietary BCG with its precision grinding and finishing applications.

For more info: saltwaterarms.com, whitelabelarmory.com.