ICYMI: Industry News From
Feb. 7–Feb. 11, 2022

Pyramyd Air Launches “Sick Of COVID Challenge”

Pyramyd Air has kicked off its Sick of COVID Challenge to encourage customers to enjoy trigger time with loved ones while getting out some pent-up pandemic frustration.

Customers can receive a free (plus shipping) set of Sick of COVID stickers and targets and enter to win exclusive prize packages by sharing how they enjoy their trigger therapy after a long two years of the pandemic.

Whether it’s an action-packed film, creative candids or an interesting story, Pyramyd Air wants to hear how shooters are showing they’re “Sick of COVID.” Pyramyd Air will award $5,000 in shopping sprees to winners, plus weekly giveaways, throughout the two-month campaign. The Sick of COVID Challenge launched Feb. 7, 2022 and will run through April 7. Winners will be drawn after the campaign concludes.

For more info: pyramydair.com/soc.

Kalashnikov USA, Community Partners Connect Veteran With Support Dog

Kalashnikov USA (KUSA) believes in giving back, especially to military veterans. The company is also filled with dog lovers. Recently KUSA decided to help a deserving Marine veteran by providing her with an emotional support service dog. U.S. Marine Corps veteran Lorena Guimares has been paired with Vityaz, a male Labrador Retriever puppy.

Fletcher Swain of Custom K-9, a professional dog trainer and senior drill instructor, will provide Guimares and Vityaz training over the next several months.

Kalashnikov USA (KUSA) is grateful to several key individuals and organizations who helped make this happy connection happen.

Sgt. Adams Lin of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office introduced KUSA to Guimares. Swain helped identify and secure a suitable puppy with the right temperament and intelligence needed to become a fully-trained emotional support service dog. Custom K-9 is providing lodging for Vityaz as well as a suitable parade ground where he and Guimares can learn to march in unison and communicate with each other.

“This really was a team effort involving KUSA employees, community partners, and even our customers (especially Dennis M.) who helped us select ‘Vityaz’ as the name for the service dog in training. In Slavic mythology, a vityaz was a noble knight who fought dragons, giants and other creatures using a combination of strength, wits and courage. We’re confident our canine Vityaz will likewise help Lorena overcome her challenges” said David Garretson, KUSA VP of marketing.

For more info: kalashnikov-usa.com.

FN Wins U.S. Army Contract For M240L Medium Machine Guns, Titanium Receivers

FN America has been awarded a firm-fixed-price contract, valued up to $49,973,579, to supply the U.S. Army with M240L medium machine guns and titanium receivers. The M240L, roughly 18% lighter than the M240B, was officially adopted in 2010 after a joint effort by FN and the U.S. Army to reduce the overall weight while maintaining performance and durability of the machine gun.

“The M240L is the product of a collaborative effort between FN, the Army and the individual soldier to further enhance the M240B to be more effective for the warfighter,” said Mark Cherpes, FN America president and CEO. “The development saw the introduction of new materials along with new manufacturing techniques that have paved the way for the future generation of military equipment.”

The M240L’s weight reduction was achieved by incorporating titanium into the design, including the receiver, and introducing new manufacturing methods to adjust for the material properties. The M240 general purpose machine gun, derived from the FN MAG 58, was adopted by the U.S. military in the late 1970s, and has been in continual service since being introduced. In addition to the M240 and its variants, FN currently holds contracts for the FN M249 lightweight machine gun, the FN MK 46, MK 48, MK 17 and MK 20 SSR for USSOCOM, and various other contracts.

For more info: fnamerica.com.

Savage Arms Continues Support of Kids & Clays Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities

Savage Arms announces its 8th year of supporting Kids & Clays and their efforts to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities Chapters (RMHC) through shooting sports. Savage donates 555 E Shotguns that are used at each event to raise money for local Ronald McDonald Houses.

“It’s with great pleasure we continue our support of Kids & Clays and participating Ronald McDonald House Charities Chapters,” said Beth Shimanski, director of marketing at Savage Arms. “Kids & Clays has formed a unique bond with our industry, introducing non-shooters and new shooters to shooting sports participation to raise funds for charity. Their mission is easily supported by Savage Arms, and we can’t think of a better place to dedicate our efforts.”

Since their first event in 1999, the Kids & Clays Foundation has generated more than $24 million through sporting clays, trap and skeet events. More importantly, participation in the events hosted and facilitated by Kids & Clays has raised awareness for RMHC among thousands of shooters, while assisting hundreds of thousands of families served by Ronald McDonald Houses each and every day.

“Savage is certainly making a difference in the lives of thousands of critically ill children and their families through their long-time support and generosity,” said Doug Jeanneret, Kids & Clays Foundation executive director. “We’re certainly honored to have our name associated with such an iconic firearm company. We cannot thank Savage enough for their help in fulfilling our mission.”

For more info: savagearms.com, kidsandclays.com.