ICYMI: Industry News
From July 22–26, 2024
Winchester Ammunition Honors Mack’s Prairie Wings & Marion McCollum
In honor of the 80th anniversary of Mack’s Prairie Wings and its former president and CEO, the late Marion McCollum, Winchester announced a special commemorative Xpert waterfowl ammunition offering available fall 2024. The “Winchester Life” TV series, available on Waypoint TV, will also feature an episode dedicated to the McCollum legacy and rich waterfowl history rooted in Stuttgart, Ark.
“Marion McCollum will forever be known for his tireless work in promoting hunting and conservation, as well as his efforts in growing the shooting sports with more youth participants,” said Brett Flaugher, president of Winchester Ammunition. “The Winchester-Mack’s Prairie Wings relationship was built over decades, thanks in large part to Marion’s trust in our products, our legendary brand and our people. Likewise, Winchester has always remained committed to Mack’s Prairie Wings and Marion’s efforts in introducing new people to the outdoors.”
To meet the demand of duck hunters coming to Stuttgart, Ark., a waterfowl paradise, McCollum’s Hardware Store began stocking items to outfit hunters in the 1930s. Today, that section in a hardware store has turned into a 120,000-sq. ft. facility, of which 40,000 sq. ft. is retail showroom space. It has become known as the Waterfowl Mecca in the heart of the “Rice and Duck Capital of the World.”
The commemorative ammunition is available in 12 GA, 3″ No. 2 shot.
For more info: winchester.com
QUWF & Ruger Partner For Veteran Benefit And Assistance Awareness
The Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF) and Ruger have partnered in a pilot program to provide free firearms training and range use for veteran children and grandchildren.
“At QUWF we focus on veteran landowners, many senior in age, who love the outdoors and want to pass the torch of conservation stewardship onto the next generation or two. We have two goals here: encourage the veterans to obtain information on potential services and benefits for them and their families and to assist their children or grandchildren with proper instruction, use and responsibility of the outdoor hunting experience,” explained QUWF Spokesman Craig Alderman.
“By simply having the veteran attend a scheduled veteran’s meeting in our community or attend a veteran coffee break, the veterans can obtain any and all support information for themselves and their families with trained service officers and earn the ability to obtain the free range time, instruction and opportunity to take home a Ruger 10/22 for their children or grandchildren with training,” he continued.
Training at the QUWF/Ruger range will include proper handling, safety, characteristics, capabilities and the responsibility of ownership, and management of hunting and range equipment both in the field and on the range. This includes proper lockable storage, maintenance and transport. A field tour will also be offered to show wildlife habitat work and what it takes to be a good steward of the land.
“With the attendance of veterans at meetings, they earn the ability to provide the free training to their children or grandchildren by a certified LE range instructor using the Ruger 10/22 and they too can attend,” Alderman added.
QUWF hopes to roll this program out to all chapters.
SAAMI Auction Raises Funds For Project ChildSafe
At its recent annual board and committee meetings, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) auctioned donated products from the industry to raise $10,000 in support of Project ChildSafe, the firearm safety program of NSSF.
“Promoting firearm safety has long been a top priority for SAAMI and NSSF, and so it’s appropriate for SAAMI to help support NSSF’s Project ChildSafe, the national’s largest firearm safety program,” said SAAMI President and CEO Joe Bartozzi, who also is NSSF president and CEO and chairman of the Project ChildSafe Foundation.
SAAMI’s $10,000 donation was made to the Project ChildSafe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity that helps the Project ChildSafe program meet the high demand for its firearm safety resources. The Project ChildSafe Foundation accepts donations year-round and is helping Project ChildSafe reach its 25th-anniversary goal of raising $250,000 to reach more firearm owners with the message of “Own It? Respect It. Secure It.”
Project ChildSafe promotes securely storing firearms when they’re not in use through the distribution of free gun locks and educational materials. Now in its 25th year of promoting safety in all 50 states and the five U.S. territories, Project ChildSafe has partnered with more than 15,000 law enforcement departments to distribute 41 million firearm safety kits that include a gun lock and safety booklet.
Industry sponsors of the SAAMI auction were Ammo-Up USA, B5 Systems, Beretta, Browning, Colt Manufacturing, Douglas Barrels, Fiocchi of America, GLOCK, Henry Repeating Arms, Hodgdon Powder, Hornady Manufacturing, Kahr Firearms Group, Kent Cartridge, Kinsey Rhea, Lyman Products, MCR Safety, North American Arms, Nosler, NSSF, O.F. Mossberg, Olin Corp./Winchester Div., Smith & Wesson, St. Mark’s Powder, Ruger, Taurus, The Kinetic Group, True Velocity Ammunition, X-Vision Optics and New River Energetics.
For more info: saami.org
GunBroker Donates $25,000 To Support SAF
GunBroker announced a donation of $25,000 to the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). The donation will aid the SAF in its mission to educate the public about the importance of the Second Amendment and to provide legal resources for those defending their rights. The SAF has been a pivotal organization in numerous legal battles, successfully advocating for the constitutional rights of American citizens.
“We are honored to support the Second Amendment Foundation and their unwavering dedication to protecting our constitutional rights,” said Jared Smith, CEO of AMMO Inc., the parent company of GunBroker. “This donation reflects our commitment to the firearm community and our belief in the importance of safeguarding the freedoms that define our nation.”
Alan M. Gottlieb, SAF founder and executive VP, expressed, “GunBroker has been a steadfast ally in our efforts to uphold the Second Amendment. Their donation will significantly bolster our legal initiatives and educational programs. We are incredibly thankful for their partnership and generosity.”
For more info: gunbroker.com, saf.org
Rock River Arms Announces Rebate Program
Rock River Arms, a respected name in modern sporting rifles and pistols, launched a new consumer rebate program effective now through September 2, 2024.
The RRA Webstore Special rebate program is open to all consumers who purchase a new RRA AR rifle or AR pistol (excluding RRAGE and .22 LR models) from July 22 through September 2, 2024. All qualified consumers are eligible to receive a $50 RRA gift card redeemable on purchases made through the RRA webstore.
To claim the $50 rebate, qualified purchasers will be required to upload a copy of the dated sales receipt showing the serial number of the new AR firearm purchased via the program’s QR code. This rebate is not redeemable for cash, and all rebates must be submitted no later than the October 2, 2024, deadline. The rebate cannot be applied to existing orders or combined with any other offer.
Additional discounts are available for active or retired law enforcement and military members.
For more info: rockriverarms.com
Federal Awarded USSOCOM Contract For Mk316
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has awarded Federal Ammunition a one-year, $3.6M contract to supply SOCOM with 7.62x51mm rifle ammunition.
“This contract award for long-range rifle ammunition for SOCOM continues our long-standing support of the U.S. military,” said Federal President and CEO, Jason Vanderbrink. “This proven load is currently being produced for the U.S. Navy in a separate contract, validating our American manufacturing expertise and commitment to supplying the U.S. warfighter with the best products to protect and defend.”
The cartridge selected during the one-year contract is for the 7.62x51mm, 175-grain precision match rifle load. The ordering period is 12 months. Federal will produce the ammunition at its facility in Anoka, Minn.
“Federal’s performance reputation for our match ammunition has always been a competitive advantage shot after shot, lot to lot. MK316 Mod 0 fits in perfectly with Federal’s history of producing extremely accurate ammunition held to tight tolerances required by strict U.S. military specifications,” continued Vanderbrink. “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.”
For more info: federalpremium.com
