Industry News
From Aug. 2020 Issue
STI Firearms Rebrands To Staccato
STI Firearms LLC, inventor of the 2011 pistol platform, has changed its name to Staccato in a nod to the success of its popular brand. The company’s ownership and staff remain the same.
While the 2011 platform has been around for 25 years, the Staccato 2011 (with FlaTec), was introduced to the market in 2019 as STI’s answer for duty and personal-defense pistols. It was well received by regular consumers and professionals alike.
“We’re honored thousands of law enforcement officers across the country trust and carry our Staccato pistols, both on and off duty. Because Staccato pistols are duty-proven, reliable, durable and easy to shoot well, they are a great choice for shooters of all skill levels,” said Nate Horvath, CEO of Staccato.
Whatever a shooter’s skill level or need, “our pistols will increase your confidence and help you improve,” Horvath added.
Staccato handguns are designed, engineered and crafted in Georgetown, Texas, with American steel and parts. They’re backed by a lifetime warranty. / staccato2011.com
Walther Launches Defense Division, Helps Outfit Additional L.E. Agencies
Walther Arms announces its new Defense Division, a team of skilled professionals, whose mission is to advise Walther in all matters pertaining to the concealed carry, duty and home-defense markets.
Each member of Walther’s Defense Division is a specialist in a particular area of self-defense. Members include Bill Blowers of Tap Rack Tactical, Scott Jedlinski of Modern Samurai Project and Tatiana Whitlock, Bobby McGee, Nicholas Young and Jim Dexter of Tactically Sound.
The Defense Division is an extension of Walther’s mission to provide all customers with everything necessary to be ready for any situation. The division’s members are answering training questions through the Walther Defense Division Facebook Group (facebook.com/groups/WaltherDefenseDivision).
Additionally, Walther has added two law enforcement agencies to those who carry Walther duty weapons.
The York County (Pa.) Sheriff’s Office has chosen the Walther’s PPQ M2 9mm 4″ pistol as part of the agency’s .40-caliber-to-9x19mm-caliber replacement program. Sheriff Richard P. Keuerleber cited the superior ergonomics of the pistol as one of the main reasons the agency decided to select it.
The Brevard County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office also chose the PPQ M2 9mm 4″ pistol, among others, as part of its changeover from .40-caliber duty pistols to 9x19mm caliber for its 900 sworn officers. The Walther PPQ is being issued to the agency’s regular personnel, while the SWAT team will carry Walther’s Q5 Match SF pistols.
/ waltherarms.com
Wilson Combat Outfits Arkansas State Police
Wilson Combat announces a contract to supply the Arkansas State Police with 5.56 NATO caliber WC-15 patrol carbines. The contract is for an initial delivery of 375 firearms, with the future option of an additional 600 units.
The law-enforcement-grade carbines feature forged receivers, 14.7″ match-grade stainless-steel barrels and M-Lok handguards, all manufactured by Wilson Combat. Additional Wilson Combat components include an enhanced bolt-carrier group, Q-Comp muzzle device and back-up iron sights.
“All of us at Wilson Combat are extremely honored to be selected by the Arkansas State Police as their duty patrol carbine of choice. We look forward to closely working with the department, and supporting their important mission,” said Bill Wilson, CEO of Wilson Combat.
Headquartered in Berryville, Ark., since 1977, Wilson Combat is known for cutting-edge handguns, rifles and shotguns, as well as firearm accessories and ammunition.
/ wilsoncombat.com
Outdoor Product Innovations Acquires Big Dog Hunting
Outdoor Product Innovations announced its acquisition of Big Dog Hunting, a company with a long history of designing and manufacturing quality treestands and hunting accessories.
“Outdoor Product Innovations will continue to acquire companies we trust and believe in. Big Dog has provided industry-leading, innovative products that maintain a spotless safety record, allowing Big Dog Hunting to be one of the top treestand manufacturers in the country, year in and year out,” said Dan Reaser, CEO of Outdoor Product Innovations.
Big Dog Hunting brands consist of Big Dog Treestands, Big Dog Ground Blinds, LockJawz Treestands and Advanced “Take-Down” Treestands. Outdoor Product Innovations also owns the Rhino Blind, LiDCAM+ Action Camera, Outpost Feeders, Leg Cuff and Capsule Game Feeder brands.
/ opioutdoors.com
/ bigdoghunting.com
Leupold, L3Harris Awarded Joint U.S Army Contract
Leupold & Stevens Inc. and L3Harris have been awarded a joint contract to deliver 115 optics production prototypes to the U.S. Army for the Next Generation Squad Weapon Fire Control (NGSW-FC) Program. The NGSW-FC will replace the traditional, direct-view optics currently fielded by the Army.
“Leupold brings more than a century of optical expertise and unrivaled domestic manufacturing capacity to the table, and L3 has a proven track record of performance with high-volume government contracts for night vision, electro-optics and laser aiming devices. The U.S. military requires the very best, and this partnership will deliver it — with optics designed, machined and assembled in the United States,” said Bruce Pettet, Leupold president and CEO.
“Our solution leverages nearly 30 years of expertise in fire control technology, enabling faster identification and target acquisition, ensuring soldiers achieve overmatch capability on the battlefield. We have teamed with Leupold & Stevens to integrate their superior optical assemblies and high-volume, domestic manufacturing capabilities to ensure we meet the high quality and capacity requirements set forth by the Army,” said Lynn Bollengier, president of Integrated Vision Solutions at L3Harris.
The NGSW-FC provides an integrated approach to targeting by combining range-finding capability, ballistic computation and environmental sensors that increase the probability of accurate targeting while decreasing the time to engage a threat.
The optic ultimately selected for the NGSW-FC will support many of the current and future weapon platforms utilized by the Army. Both Leupold and L3Harris have held numerous military contracts in the past. / leupold.com / l3harris.com
Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor Ammunition Selected By DOD
A specialized group from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has purchased an undisclosed amount of 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition from Hornady for its long-range sniper platform. The ammunition was tested and selected by the DOD for engagements from 0 to 1,200 yards.
The purchase agreement coincides with a DOD decision to replace the MK13 bolt-action .300 Win. Mag. with a 20″ semiautomatic AR-10 in 6.5 Creedmoor. The changeover will provide less recoil and enhanced accuracy and performance, along with reduced overall weight.
The high-performance, match-accurate round features proven Hornady bullets, specially selected cases, carefully matched powder and stringent quality control.
/ hornady.com
Adams Arms Launches VooDoo Innovations
Adams Arms announces the launch of VooDoo Innovations, a new Adams brand that utilizes enhanced pistol barrels, slides, coatings and other premium parts. The first two complete, direct-impingement AR-15s under the Voodoo Innovations brand are the Witch Doctor and the Dark Moon, both chambered in 5.56×45 NATO.
“VooDoo Innovations grew out of a desire to improve upon existing platforms,” said VooDoo Innovations VP of sales and marketing, Michael Halleron. “Having a history of manufacturing parts, we decided it is time to go back to the source and begin making firearms based on our knowledge of what it takes to deliver guns people want. This way we can ensure they run the way we expect, off the shelf, and at a price that makes sense. The Witch Doctor and the Dark Moon do just that.”
VooDoo Innovations’ Witch Doctor is designed for everyday shooters. The upper and lower are both forged from 7075-T6 aluminum, and are Type III Class II hard-coated and anodized for durability and longevity. The rifle comes with a standard G.I. trigger and a 16″, Parkerized, M4 barrel with a 1:7″ twist. The ergonomic, free-float M-LOK rail allows for customization, and the barrel is capped with an A2 flash hider. The complete rifle package weighs 6.25 lbs. and has an MSRP of $749.99.
The Dark Moon, also in 5.56×45 NATO, has a 1913 Picatinny rail that extends along the length of the forend, allowing for additional versatility with optics and accessories. In its stock configuration, the Dark Moon is built for regular use. Its MSRP is $749.99.
/ voodooinnovations.com
Aimpoint Awarded Follow-Up U.S. Military Contract
Aimpoint announces the award of a second contract for supply of its FCS13RE fire control systems to various U.S. armed forces. The system is being deployed as the primary fire control on the M3E1 MAAWS lightweight 84mm Carl-Gustaf, produced by SAAB Dynamics for use by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command.
The FCS13RE is a direct-view, Dynamic Universal Reflex Sight (DURS), which utilizes an integrated laser range-finder and ballistic computer to give the gunner an aiming point corrected for range, type of munition, terrain angle and environmental conditions.
In addition to the 84mm Carl-Gustaf, the system can be utilized on weapons including the AT4, the Mk19 40mm high-velocity grenade launcher, the M2 .50-caliber heavy machine gun and the M134D Minigun.
The FCS13RE provides an extremely high probability of first-round hits on both stationary and moving targets during day and night. The system can be enhanced with a magnifier and a thermal imager, and is compatible with all generations of military night vision. / aimpoint.com
