ICYMI: Industry News
From Jan. 15–19, 2024
GunBroker.com Honors Top-Selling Manufacturers Of 2023
GunBroker.com has recognized the top-selling brands for 2023. Sturm, Ruger & Co. retained its top spot with the most annual sales through the online marketplace.
Each month, GunBroker.com publishes a monthly report on firearm sales trends. This data is compiled into an annual firearms report detailing the most popular brands. For 2023, Ruger, SIG SAUER and Smith & Wesson topped the Best-Selling Manufacturers list. This is the second year in a row these companies came in first, second and third, respectively.
Ruger took the top spot, particularly through the sales of its American and 10/22 rifles. Other Ruger firearms that reached the top 10 in its categories were the Mark IV pistol and the LCR revolver.
SIG SAUER came in second, mostly due to the popularity of the company’s P365 and P320 pistol families. The P320 is the civilian version of the military’s M17 service pistol. These pistols ranked first and second in handgun sales.
Smith & Wesson’s most-purchased firearm for 2023 was the M&P9 family. Other offerings by this long-time producer include the M&P15, the Model 29, the M&P15-22 and the 500.
GunBroker.com 25 Top-Selling Brands Of 2023:
1. Ruger
2. SIG SAUER
3. Smith & Wesson
4. GLOCK
5. Henry
6. Colt
7. Springfield Armory
8. Mossberg
9. Taurus
10. Beretta
11. CZ USA
12. Browning
13. Savage
14. Kimber
15. Remington
16. Winchester
17. HK
18. FNH
19. Benelli
20. KelTec
21. Walther
22. Marlin
23. Rossi
24. Armscor/RIA
25. Israeli Weapon Industries (IWI)
For more info: gunbroker.com
Federal Ammunition Awarded U.S. Navy Contract For Mk316
The U.S. Navy has selected Federal Ammunition as a contract awardee for 7.62x51mm rifle ammunition.
“Federal continues to position itself as a trusted supplier for the U.S. military and Special Operations,” said Peter Gillette, Federal’s director of international L.E. and military sales. “We are excited for this contract win. It validates the quality of our products, thoroughness of our testing procedures and dedication to hard work from our American factory workers.”
The cartridge selected during the two-year contract term is the Mk316 Mod 0, 7.62x51mm, 175-grain precision match rifle load. The ordering period is for a total of two years. The ammunition will be produced by Federal at the Anoka, Minn. facility.
For more info: federalpremium.com
ATF & FBI Formalize Appeals Process For Some NFA Applicants
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced the implementation of an updated, formalized appeals process for some National Firearms Act (NFA) applicants.
The agreement between ATF and the FBI allows individuals to use administrative appeals processes of FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to attempt to resolve record-related issues that are revealed during a NICS background check initiated as part of that individual’s NFA application. In addition, the agreement recognizes an NFA applicant may use the Voluntary Appeal File (VAF) when NICS responds with a “delayed” recommendation to the NFA applicant’s background check. The “delayed” or “denied” NFA applicant will receive a letter from ATF’s NFA Division advising how to take advantage of each respective process and the associated NICS Transaction Number (NTN) for “denied” NFA applications. It should be noted that as part of this process, applicants may be requested to submit an additional set of fingerprints. More specifically, the agreement outlines the following:
Denials — An NFA applicant may now use the FBI NICS administrative appeals process, known as the “Firearm Related Challenge,” when (1) the NFA Division has disapproved the applicant’s NFA application, and (2) FBI NICS responded to the NFA division with a “denied” recommendation to the NFA applicant’s NICS background check. If the applicant believes the “denied” response from FBI NICS was made in error, they may submit a Firearm Related Challenge, which will require them to provide their NTN. The processes implemented by the NICS when performing Firearm Related Challenges for disapproved NFA applicants will be the same as those performed when reviewing Firearm Related Challenges pertaining to prospective firearm transfers that were denied by the FBI or a Point-of-Contact jurisdiction. If the FBI NICS did not respond with a “denied” recommendation to the NFA applicant’s NICS background check, that individual cannot utilize the FBI NICS Firearm Related Challenge process.
Delays — An NFA applicant may use the VAF process after ATF notifies the applicant that their FBI NICS background check remains in a “Delayed/Open” status.
The VAF and the administrative appeals process (Firearm Related Challenge) are not appeals of an NFA application and shall not be construed to allow a person to challenge a disapproved NFA application.
The agreement to formalize the process was signed by ATF and FBI in October 2023 and goes into effect January 2024.
For more info: atf.gov
SIG SAUER Academy Adds Mossberg Armorer Classes
SIG SAUER Academy announced the addition of Mossberg 590/500 Armorers classes to the 2024 course schedule. The Mossberg 590/500 Armorer course focuses on the mechanical functioning, disassembly/reassembly, maintenance, troubleshooting and field repair of the Mossberg 500/590 Shotgun.
The hands-on program teaches and guides each participant in a step-by-step process through all armorer operations. The course is well suited for civilians to learn the mechanics, care and maintenance of their Mossberg shotgun, and law enforcement armorers who want to design and/or support their agency’s maintenance and inspection program.
Mossberg 590/500 Armorer is a one-day course, with several 2024 upcoming course dates including February 15, March 13 and April 10. Students who complete this course will receive a three-year factory Mossberg Armorer certification.
For more info: sigsaueracademy.com
EasyExport Releases 2023 International Market Data
Complete firearms, stocks and chassis led the list of products that generated international revenues for the American manufacturers and resellers of firearms, parts and accessories that use EasyExport’s international sales platform. Other top revenue-producers included trigger assemblies, barrels and muzzle devices.
Measured by units sold, the seven best-selling products in 2023 for EasyExport sellers included screws, springs, muzzle devices, extractors, trigger assemblies, iron sights and accessory rails. Other big sellers included magazine releases, triggers, stocks and chassis, charging rings and charging handles.
This information was included in the 2023 year-end international market data released by EasyExport. At the end of 2023, the 22 companies using EasyExport for international sales offered more than 10,000 products to lawful firearm owners and licensed dealers and other importers registered with EasyExport. EasyExport clients include Volquartsen Firearms, Tandemkross, Ranger Point Precision, XS Sights and Red Hawk Rifles, among others.
The top export market for EasyExport sellers was Canada; Australia was number two, followed by Germany, France, Sweden and the U.K. Other European countries made up the rest of the top 10 markets.
“With nearly 7,000 international orders under our belt across a broad assortment of products, especially parts and accessories, we are able to draw increasingly powerful information from our data,” said Jeff Grody, EasyExport CEO. “We share this information with our sellers so they can target their best opportunities for growth. Knowing which of their products are selling to consumers in each market enables sellers to tell their dealers exactly which SKUs to stock. When you want to grow revenues and build an international dealer network quickly, that market information is priceless.”
EasyExport will be sharing additional international market information with manufacturers and resellers of firearms, parts and accessories who visit EasyExport’s booth at SHOT Show 2024.
For more info: easyexport.net
Remington Ammunition Awarded U.S. Navy Contract For AO23
The U.S. Navy has selected Remington Ammunition as a contract awardee for 12-gauge slug duty shotgun loads.
“Remington is striving to expand its presence in military requirements, and this is truly a historic win for our brand,” said David Kline, Remington technical director for military and law enforcement ammunition. “Remington is dedicated to innovation and quality, all while staying true to the company’s legendary heritage and stature as an American icon.”
The cartridge selected during the five-year contract term is the AO23 12-gauge, 2.75″, 1-oz. Rifled Lead Slug. The ordering period is for a total of five years. The ammunition will be produced by Remington at the Lonoke, Ark., facility.
“We continue to find ways to improve rifled slug accuracy and performance for law enforcement and military,” continued Kline. “This large government contract awarded to Remington speaks volumes to the trust the United States military has in our American workforce assembling the best products for our servicemen and servicewomen.”
For more info: remington.com
