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June 23rd, 2009
 Joe Gross, chief operating officer for the Remington Arms Company, takes on microstamping in an op-ed piece published in the Utica Observer-Dispatch. “Microstamping,” writes Gross, “is a concept where a manufacturer incorporates the firearm serial number onto the firing pin of the firearm such that the serial number is imprinted on the cartridge when it is fired. The objective is to aid law enforcement in investigations to trace firearms used by criminals. Simply put, microstamping does not work. Microstamping is an idea put forth by those who wish to legislate burdensome, unreliable and unproven controls on an industry to drive up costs, increase burdens and force manufacturers out of business. They do this under the guise that this will help solve crimes.” Remington has a manufacturing plant in New York state, where anti-gun legislators have introduced and strongly support microstamping legislation.
CLICK HERE to read full article by Remington CEO.
In the video below scientists and leading Forensic Examiners explain the shortcomings of what the media has called “ballistic fingerprinting”. The experts conclude that the creation of a national database of firearms’ markings would not only be impractical, but it would also make it MORE difficult to identify guns actually used in crimes. Why? Because the amount of data would overwhelm those tasked with evaluating it.
This report courtesy NSSF
June 23rd, 2009
 The NRA has released the latest edition of the Club Connection, a publication aimed at helping shooting club managers run their programs more effectively. This issue of the Club Connection, available as a free, downloadable .pdf (Adobe Acrobat) file, has many useful articles. Highlights include:
– Answers to Common Club Range Liability Insurance Questions.
– An NRA-endorsed Credit Card program that can reduce processing fees by 30%.
– Guide to the NRA/Winchester Marksmanship Qualification Program.
– Explanation of how to apply for the NRA Range Grant Program which offers qualifying clubs up to $5000.00 per year in direct funding.
– NRA Business Alliance programs (Fedex shipping etc.).
If you are involved in running a shooting club or gun range, you should definitely download the Club Connection. The information in this issue could save your clubs hundreds of dollars annually, and improve your insurance coverage for club members and guest.
This report courtesy the NRA Blog. Forum member Tim B. notes that: “I just wanted to brag a little. That fine-looking young man on the cover of the Club Connection online magazine is my son Carl. PHoto taken last year at the Camp Perry Junior Pistol Camp.”
June 22nd, 2009
Remington has released a new sniper rifle that is WAY different than anything offered from a major American gunmaker, although it shares features pioneered by match-rifle builder Gary Eliseo and others. The new Remington Modular Sniper Rifle (MSR™) features a beefy new titanium receiver with the ability to handle multiple chamberings up to .338 Lapua Magnum. The MSR was designed from the ground up as a switch-barrel rig, with a floating handguard, and folding, adjustable buttstock.
The whole system is modular. By exchanging bolt-face, barrel, and magazine, the gun can switch from .308 Win (7.62×51), to 300 Win Mag, to .338 Norma Mag, and to .338 Lapua Mag. All calibers are available in four barrel lengths: 20″, 22″, 24″, 27″. Barrels are designed to be rapidly interchanged. The trigger is an X-Mark Pro, user-adjustable from 2.5 to 4.5 pounds.
This rifle is Remington’s entry into the competition for the new SOCOM Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR). Big bucks are at stake. The SOCOM PSR contract is potentially a seven-figure deal for Remington. According to Tactical-Life.com, “Remington’s new MSR is so new and so unique that the entire rifle is patent pending. Everything from the triangular-shaped, three-lug titanium action with a 60° bolt throw to the side-folding modular stock was developed specifically for this [SOCOM] solicitation.”
Remington claims the gun delivers good accuracy at ultra-long ranges. Using .338 Lapua Magnum ammo, Remington says its MSR will hold 1 MOA vertical at 1500 meters (1641 yards). While we don’t like the buttstock assembly much (looks like something out of the Transformers movie), it is clear that Remington has done some out-of-the-box thinking with this new rifle. The MSR employs some features that have proven successful with “space-gun” match rifles, such as a tubular, floating handguard, and metal sub-chassis.
To learn more about the Remington MSR, and see a video of the rifle in action, visit RemingtonMilitary.com.
June 22nd, 2009
 Smith & Wesson announced a recall of Model 22-A pistols, with serial numbers UBW0000 – UBW9999; UBY0000 – UBY4104. Smith & Wesson “has identified a condition that may exist in certain model 22-A pistols. … We have determined that the slides of certain pistols manufactured from August 1, 2008 to February 19, 2009, may not meet the design specification. This can create a situation where insufficient headspace exists, creating a risk of unintended discharge.” If you have one of the problem 22-A units: STOP USING YOUR PISTOL AND RETURN IT TO SMITH & WESSON AT ONCE.
CLICK HERE for Photos of Breakage Suffered by Defective Pistol
NOTE. This recall applies only to 22-A pistols manufactured from August 1, 2008 to February 19, 2009. Affected pistols fall within the following serial number range: UBW0000 – UBW9999; UBY0000 – UBY4104.
Free Return Shipping Offered
To receive a UPS pre-paid shipping label for your pistol CLICK HERE or contact Smith & Wesson directly at 1-800-331-0852.
June 21st, 2009
If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for Dad, Cabela’s is having a HUGE Father’s Day sale right now — they are offering many products at 50% off at retail outlets. CLICK HERE for more info.
In addition, Cabela’s is offering a $20.00 Rebate on purchases of $150.00 or more (offer expires 6/22/09 and excludes firearms, ammo, and reloading gear). CLICK HERE for $20.00 rebate.
June 19th, 2009
Jerry Miculek once again stood atop the leader board, capturing both the Overall and Open Division titles at the International Revolver Championship (IRC) at the Hogue Action Pistol Range in Morro Bay, California. With his recent win, Jerry has accomplished an unprecedented feat by capturing his 17th IRC championship title while extending his record winning streak of back-to-back title victories since competing in the 1993 IRC match. Using an 8-shot S&W Performance Center Model 627 V-Comp, Miculek was able to post top scores in 10 out of the 12 stages of fire, allowing him to easily capture the championship title by over 26 seconds.
Miculek competing earlier this year at the Steel Challenge. Photo Courtesy SteelChallenge.com.
Team Smith & Wesson members earned six division titles. The IRC match was highlighted by wins from Jerry Miculek, new team member John Bagakis, Craig Buckland, Annette Aysen, Elliot Aysen and Team Captain, Julie Golob. In the Limited Division, Team Smith & Wesson members swept the top two spots with John Bagakis edging out teammate Elliot Aysen for the division title. Aysen went on to win the High Senior title. In the Women’s Limited Division, Annette Aysen decisively defended her Ladies Limited title by over 11 seconds. Each of the winners in the Limited Division used an 8-shot Performance Center Model 627.
Junior Division Video Highlights
In addition to adult competitors, junior wheel-gunners participated at the IRC in Moro Bay. In the video below, posted by S&W Team Captain Julie Golob, check out the future of the sport as these young shooters pair off against one another in the Junior Shoot-Off event of the IRC (guest appearance by the Jerry Miculek). (EDITOR: Very cool video, definitely check it out!)
June 19th, 2009
Brownell’s new, enhanced website is now “live”. The new site is easier to navigate, and “how-to” features such as the Gun-Tech articles/videos are more accessible. Featured Products and New Products are now located “front and center”. The search function is much more user-friendly. Brownell’s has even created an animated TUTORIAL explaining all the new features. CLICK HERE to watch the tutorial.
Better Product Organization and Display
To make it easier to find products by type, all products are grouped into nine tab-linked classes on the home page: Rifle parts, Handgun parts, Shotgun parts, Magazines, Shooting accessories, Gunsmith tools, Optics, Gun cleaning, and Books & videos. With one click you can now access all the optics, or all the videos for sale. Product images can be enlarged with a simple click and many include 360° viewing options.
Customer Product Ratings
We really like the fact that customers can now rate, review and comment on products. You can also get your questions answered through the interactive Answerbox feature.
Informational Content More Accessible
The GunTech and Shopping areas are now more heavily linked to make the videos, articles, cheat sheets, instructions found under GunTech easily accessible from the product pages. Products are also now accessible from the GunTech pages.
June 18th, 2009
 DATELINE: June 18, 10:40 am Pacific Time
Here is an important product update. Sinclair International received a shipment of Sellier & Bellot rifle primers on June 15. These are good non-corrosive boxer primers made by a respected Czech munitions-maker. As of June 18, 10:30 am Pacific time, Sinclair has the following quantities of Sellier & Bellot rifle primers in stock:
S&B Sm Rifle Primers (item 25-8000): $33.60 per 1,000-ct box — 165 boxes in stock.
6/22/09 UPDATE: Sm Rifle SOLD OUT
S&B Lg Rifle Primers (item 25-8100): $36.40 per 1,000-ct box — 455 boxes in stock.
6/22/09 UPDATE: 150 boxes Lg Rifle remaining
Sinclair tells us: “The primers are leaving fast so if you need large or small rifle primers or know someone who does we have some at the moment. Visit our website at Sinclairintl.com to check availability or call 1-800-717-8211. We have more large rifle primers than small rifle primers. Please limit yourself to 5,000 primers since many of your fellow shooters are without any primers at the present time.”
June 18th, 2009
 The full line of K&M reloading tools and accessories is now offered by PrecisionReloading.com. The popular K&M Arbor press (with optional seating force measurement gauge) is in stock. The K&M arbor costs $78.00, or $115.00 with the force measurement system. This clever design uses a Belleville washer stack and linkage to show the force required to seat your bullet on a standard dial indicator mounted on the top (dial indicator is $22 extra.) In addition, Precision Reloading offers K&M neck-turning tools, primer seaters, expanders, neck reamers, and flash-hole uniformers.
This editor has tried out many different arbor presses. The K&M is my favorite. For me, the force measurement system acts like a warning light, telling me if something is way off in the bullet seating process. If you see the dial indicator needle jumping around wildly, or spiking too soon, you know that case has excessive neck tension, or perhaps the bullet is oversize in diameter (it happens). Currently, the K&M is the only arbor press with a seating-force gauge. The only down-side to the K&M arbor is that you must adjust multiple bolts to set the ram height. By contrast, the Sinclair Int’l Arbor and some other arbors feature a quick-release lever that lets you adjust ram height quickly and easily.
Based in Mitchell, South Dakota, Precision Reloading is run by active, knowledgeable shooters. In addition to centerfire reloading supplies and tools, Precision Reloading offers a full line of shotshell components and shotgun reloading equipment, plus optics, cleaning supplies, gun cases, and hunting gear. This month Precision Reloading is running an optics sale on Bushnell, Sightron, and Vortex scopes, binoculars, and spotting scopes.
June 18th, 2009
 Hurt by a big reduction in sales and burdened by overwhelming debt payments, Seattle-based Eddie Bauer Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EBHI) filed June 17 for bankruptcy protection. It then took only a day for the troubled outdoor retailer to be grabbed by a NY-based private equity firm, CCMP Capital Advisors LLC.
CCMP has agreed to take over Eddie Bauer in a $202 million deal. CCMP plans to eliminate most of Eddie Bauer’s long-term debt, and has pledged to keep most of the retailer’s 371 stores open. According to Eddie Bauer representatives, CCMP will retain the majority of Eddie Bauer employees.
Until the deal is finalized, Eddie Bauer will operate under Bankruptcy rules. Eddie Bauer said it hopes to operate business as usual during bankruptcy court proceedings and has asked for court approval to continue paying vendors and workers. The company also said it intends to honor customer gift cards, returns and loyalty program points. In its bankruptcy filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. declared total assets of $525.22 million in April vs. total liabilities of $448.9 million.
The Eddie Bauer company was started in 1920 by Eddie Bauer, an avid outdoorsman (and former stock boy). His business grew rapidly when he offered an “unconditional guarantee”, something very rare at the time. Bauer called his guarantee “his creed” and it became a cornerstone of the Eddie Bauer business.
History of Eddie Bauer Business.
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