ArmaLite Inc. (ArmaLite) has been acquired by Strategic Armory Corps LLC (“SAC”), a holding company that also owns Surgeon Rifles, and AWC Systems Technology. SAC purchased the ArmaLite assets from Mark Westrom, who will remain as an investor in SAC and will serve on SAC’s board of managers. ArmaLite (and its 90 or so employees) will continue to operate out of its current facility in Geneseo, Illinois.
ArmaLite is a leading manufacturer of a complete line of semi-automatic rifles, including the M15 and AR-10 lines, and an expanding line of advanced bolt action rifles in a wide range of calibers from .308 Winchester through .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua, and .416 Barrett to the massive AR-50A1 .50-caliber rifle.
“ArmaLite is a tremendous addition to our group of outstanding companies and broadens our product line so we can better meet the needs of our customers”, said Mark Johnson, SAC President and CEO. “Mark Westrom [who directed ArmaLite for two decades] will provide a wealth of industry knowledge to our leadership team.”
Strategic Armory Corps manufactures precision bolt-action rifles under the name Surgeon Rifles, high-quality firearm suppressors under the name AWC Silencers, and AWC match grade ammunition. To learn more about Strategic Armory Corps, and its subsidiaries, visit www.StrategicArmoryCorps.net.
FACTOID: The “AR” in AR15 Refers to Armalite, NOT “Assault Rifle”
The ArmaLite Division of the Fairchild Engine and Aircraft Company was the original developer of what has become known simply as the “AR”. In fact, “AR” actually stands for ArmaLite. There have been many variations of the original rifle, but the “grand-daddy” of ARs was an ArmaLite.
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Troy Lawton of Columbus, Georgia won the prestigious President’s Rifle Match this week at Camp Perry. This is a 40-shot (total) High Power Match that includes a pressure-packed 10-shot “Shoot-off”-format final stage. Lawton held onto the lead in the President’s Rifle Final stage shooting an aggregate score of 395-18X. Jared Perry, the 2012 President’s Rifle Match winner, finished 2nd with a 392-15X and Justin Utley, firing a 100-2X final stage, finished 3rd with a 392-11X. The cut-off score for the President’s Rifle 100 is 284-8X.
About the President’s Rifle Match
The President’s Rifle Match is a National Trophy Rifle Match. It was first fired in 1878 and was incorporated into the National Match program after the Nationals were established in 1903. The President’s Match became uniquely prestigious because it was modeled after the famous British Queen’s Prize Match and because the winner formerly received a letter of congratulations from the President of the United States.
In the President’s Rifle Match, all competitors fire 10 shots standing, 10 shots rapid prone and 10 shots prone slow fire to determine who makes the President’s 100. The top 20 shooters advance to a final where they fire a 10-shot stage at 600 yards directly in front of spectators. The exciting 20-marksman Finals Shoot-off now concludes the President’s Rifle Match. This enables shooters who are in contention for first place to finish the match together on the same range at the same time in front of their fellow competitors.
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A record number of shooters attended this year’s Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) at Camp Perry July 27-28. The school involves class-room-style instruction by the U. S. Army Marksmanship Unit, on-the-range coaching by military service rifle shooters and 200-yard practice firing. Classroom instruction and practice firing was held on Saturday, 27 July. Students then competed in the Excellence in Competition (EIC) match fired Sunday Morning, 28 July. By competing in the EIC match, students could earn points toward a Distinguished Rifle Badge. (There is also a SAFS Pistol program and match.) See highlights from the SAFS (and EIC match) in the short video below.
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Tired of those whimpy nature calendars your wife gives you — or those obnoxious corporate motivation calendars they hand out at work? Then get yourself a bold, manly calendar featuring classic firearms every month. And you don’t have to wait ’til January to start using it. The new NRA Museum Calendar starts with September 2013. There are 16 months worth of full-color, high-rez photographs of over 20 historic firearms. On the right side of each month’s grid display you’ll find short histories of the featured arms, plus close-up photos.
You can order this calendar at the NRA Store, item number BK 02300. At $15.95, this calendar is overpriced, but it IS printed on very nice heavy, glossy stock. This calendar also makes a nice gift item for a friend or family member who enjoys shooting.
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Do you have a favorite large-caliber rifle that sits in the safe because it’s just too painful to shoot? Perhaps you’re planning a big-game safari, and you need to comparison-test some ammo, but you dread the punishment you will take firing many dozens of rounds over the course of an afternoon. Well TargetShooting Inc. has a solution. Two new accessories are offered for TargetShooting’s model 1000LP one-piece shooting rest that tame the recoil of even the hardest-recoiling rifles. Up front, a 19.85-lb weight provides extra mass for the unit, keeping the 1000LP firmly planted. In the rear, an adjustable Recoil Pad Assembly soaks up recoil energy. The key component is a very thick Sorbothane pad that adjusts to the angle of the butt on your rifle.
With the recoil reduction system in place, we have tested the 1000LP with a variety of hard-hitting calibers: 50 BMG (with brake), .458 Lott, .338 Lapua Magnum, .375 H&H. It handled all these big boomers well, and the felt impact on the shoulder was significantly reduced. We won’t say you can shoot a .50 BMG “all day long” with this rig, but this set-up is definitely a shoulder-saver. If you are testing ammo with a hard-recoiling caliber, the 1000LP with recoil reduction allows you to fire more rounds without abusing your body, or developing a bad flinch. We also tested the 1000LP with a common hunting caliber — the venerable .30-06 — and the felt recoil was really quite mild. Honestly, you could shoot many dozens of rounds of .30-06 or .308 Win with this rig without having to take multiple “time-outs” (or see a chiropractor). By itself, the 1000LP one-piece Rifle Rest costs $699.95. The adjustable Recoil Pad Assembly sells for $349.95 extra. The low-profile, forward counter-weight unit costs $139.95. The 1000LP and all its accessories are precision-crafted with very high levels of fit and finish.
The weight of the rifle and the shape of the stock/chassis will affect how the gun behaves on recoil. Light rifles with narrow fore-ends tended to jump a bit out of the front bag. Heavier rifles with a beefier chassis would recoil more in a straight line. But no matter what the caliber (or stock type), the Sorbothane recoil pad soaked up the lion’s share of the recoil, dramatically reducing the shock (or jolt) you actually feel on your shoulder. By the laws of physics, the energy of the rifle’s recoil can’t magically disappear. However, when using this system, the smack on your shoulder is much diminished and the perceived recoil “hit” (on your body) is far less extreme.
Note: The 1000LP is designed to slide a bit when used with a big-caliber gun. If the rest did not move at all, this could cause problems with stocks or optics. On a concrete bench-top the rest might slide back 1/2″ to 3/4″ after firing a big-caliber round. After a couple shots we would reposition the rest. This was easily done by sliding the rest forward on the three legs (you do not have to lift up the entire rest between shots — just push it forward, while keeping the rear “superfoot” pad aligned under the rear adjuster).
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Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) captured the overall individual and team championships at the 52nd Annual Interservice Rifle Championships, held July 16-23 at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. More than 100 competitors from the Army, Army Reserve, Marine Corps, Navy, and National Guard fired on targets at 200, 300, 600, and 1,000-yard distances.
SSG Brandon Green won his third individual championship and was also a member of the winning Army team, which claimed its seventh consecutive team championship and 16th in the past 19 years. Posting a 992-56X score, Green made history with his third championship. He is the only Army marksman to ever win the Interservice championship three times and the second armed service member to do so in the competition’s 52-year history. “The whole match went very well,” Green said. “The weather was perfect, the guns and ammo shot well. You have to be focused out there and be on top of your game because the guy shooting next to you is just as good as you are.”
New 1000-Yard Service Rifle Record Set
SFC Daniel Peters won the service rifle long-range championship. Peters also set a new service rifle 1,000-yard record with a score of 200-11X. SSG Ty Cooper won the match rifle long-range championship. SGT Augustus Dunfey won the prestigious Lt. Col. C.A. Reynolds Memorial Trophy for high score in the 10-man team match with an outstanding 499-22X.
USAMU Wins All Team Matches
The USAMU swept all team matches, including the 1,000-yard, Commanding General, Marine Corps Infantry Trophy, and 10-man Interservice Rifle Team Championship matches. “The team continues to be successful because of the holistic approach that the unit takes towards marksmanship,” said Capt. Ryan Calhoon, operations officer. “We combine a world-class custom firearms shop; a load facility that continues to develop and test ammunition for our weapons; and world-class shooters[.]”
File Photo from 2010 Interservice Rifle Championships
Next Stop — Camp Perry
The USAMU rifle team is now focused on Camp Perry, Ohio, where team members will conduct the annual Small Arms Firing School followed by competing in the National Rifle Championships and National Trophy Matches.
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3-Gun Nation (3GN) has redesigned the 3GunNation.com website, adding many key enhancements. The most important new feature is a Google-based, interactive mapping system that shows 3GN clubs around the country. Each 3GN range location is “pinned” on an interactive map. Just click on the pin to find more information. Zoom the map with your mouse scroll wheel to find three-gun friendly ranges in your area.
In addition, 3GunNation.com now features all past issues of the 3-Gun Nation E-Magazine. Simply click on the magazine tab to access hundreds of pages of 3-Gun eZine content. The home page now also features the 3GN leader boards, updated automatically after each match.
“With new competitors joining the 3GN ranks on a daily basis, the need to post and track scores is paramount” said Chad Adams, 3-Gun Nation Vice President. “3GN has reached a point in which our members demand their scores and rankings quickly, easily and in real-time. Thanks to our partners at Rangelog, we are now able to do just that.”
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We are often asked, “Which is better for a gun safe — an electronic lock or a dial lock?” We actually like both kinds of locks — depending on the application. We review the pros and cons of both electronic and mechanical locks in our comprehensive Gun Safe Buyers Guide. A digital keypad lock provides quick entry, while a quality, commercial-grade dial lock can deliver decades of reliable service, with no worries about dead batteries or worn-out keypads.
New Dual-Access Electronic + Dial Locking System
Until recently you had to choose one or the other — Electronic Lock or Dial Lock. But imagine if you could have the best of both worlds — keypad speed plus dial lock dependability. Well Cannon Safe has finally made that possible. Cannon is now offering a Dual-Access Combination Lock on its higher-end safes (Armory Series, Cannon Series, Commander Series). Cannon is currently the only safe company with a combined digital/mechanical lock system. Cannon’s new EMP dual-access lock offers rapid access, simplicity and day-to-day security of an electronic lock backed up by the assurance of a manual (rotary dial) combination lock.
Watch Demo of EMP Dual-Access Lock on Cannon Safe
NOTE: The EMP dual-access lock is NOT available as an upgrade to older safes (yet). It is currently available with new Armory Series, Cannon Series, and Commander Series Cannon-made safes.
Cannon Safe’s President, Aaron Baker, declares: “Cannon’s EMP lock is the cutting edge of high security lock technology. It allows the … ease and security of a Type 1 high security lock with the peace of mind of a mechanical override, all of this rolled into the ultimate UL Type 1 rating. This is a huge step forward for safes and for the experience a safe owner will have in the future.” To learn more about the EMP Safe Locking System, visit www.cannonsafe.com.
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Little Crow Gunworks has updated its popular “World’s Finest Trimmer” (aka WFT). The new WFT 2 version is more versatile — it can now easily change from one cartridge family type to another. That makes the $69.95 product an even better value. Trimming works the same way as before — just push the cartridge case into the trimmer and cut depth is pre-set. When ordering the WFT 2, choose a trim chamber for your particular cartridge family (such as .308, 7mm-08, .243 Win). You can trim multiple cartridge types (with one trim chamber) by ordering the largest chamber in the family you plan to trim. To trim cartridges from a different family, simply order (and install) a different chamber insert.
The WFT 2’s designers explain: “The two main improvements are the ability to trim up to 45 caliber and interchange trim chambers. The WFT 2 has a half-inch shaft and requires a half-inch chuck to drive it. The feature most customers asked for was the ability to interchange trim chambers. After many prototypes (and much testing) the solution came from our friend, Jim Lambert. Instead of press-fitting the trim chambers, as on our original WFT, the trim chambers on our WFT 2 feature a slight slip-fit-in bearing with a groove cut for an O-ring which creates a press fit.”
How to Change Trim Chambers
Changing out trim chambers is accomplished by removing the cutter and pushing out the trim chamber with the knock-out dowel that is provided with the WFT 2. To install the trim chamber, set the trim chamber on a flat surface and steadily push the housing onto the trim chamber. To set cut depth (COAL trim length) place a ‘master case’ in the trim chamber and slide the cutter up to the case mouth. The tighten the set screws.
Product Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions
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Americans are buying more guns than ever. FBI NICS Gun Purchase Background Check data (as adjusted by the NSSF), shows that June 2013 gun sales are up 3.0% over the same period Last Year (See Chart 1). This marks the 37th straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year. (This year’s January increase was even more dramatic — see Chart 2). What’s even more interesting, in June 2013, Americans purchased more than twice as many guns as they did a decade ago in June 2003 — roughly 870,000 vs. roughly 405,000. That’s a big difference.
CHART 1 — Adjusted NICS Checks in Month of June
CHART 2 — Adjusted NICS Checks in Month of January
Understanding the Numbers
The June 2013 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 872,025 is an increase of 3.0 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 846,437 in June 2012. The adjusted NICS data were derived by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks used by several states such as Connecticut, Illinois, and Utah for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases. Though not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provide a more accurate picture of current market conditions. For additional information on NICS or to view a complete set of the current monthly reports, please visit the NICS website.
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A $10 million-dollar CDC report ordered by President Obama determined that victims of crime who were armed with a firearm suffered fewer injuries than crime victims who were un-armed.
Well, at least the CDC came up with the right answer, but we’re flabbergasted at the cost of this study. Dustin Ellermann, past Top Shot Champion, comments: “$10,000,000 to discover the obvious… [at least] maybe now the anti-gunners will stop yelling ‘If you have a gun it will most likely be used against you!'”
According to Texas Fish & Game Blog, the CDC Report, entitled Priorities For Research to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violence, reveals that “studies that directly assessed the effect of actual defensive uses of guns (i.e., incidents in which a gun was ‘used’ by the crime victim in the sense of attacking or threatening an offender) have found consistently lower injury rates among gun-using crime victims compared with victims who used other self-protective strategies.”
Here are some comments on a related NewsMax.com story about the CDC report:
I am glad that an official Obama research project shows the same thing that Professor Gary Kleck found in his research about 20 years ago. Professor Kleck found that an honest citizen that had a gun saved himself from death more than 1 million times a year and often did not have to fire a shot. Usually when the crook saw that the citizen was armed that was the end of it.
Why does our government have to spend millions of dollars to do a study to find out what everyone else on earth in the history of man has already known?
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Kestrel 4500 Shooter’s Weather Meters with integrated Applied Ballistics software are finally shipping. Bryan Litz, founder of Applied Ballistics LLC, reports: “Long range shooting just got a little easier. We are pleased to announce that the Applied Ballistics Kestrels have arrived! They are now available for immediate shipment. Pre-orders will ship today.” To order, follow this link for the Applied Ballistics Store.
These Kestrel 4500 Shooter’s Weather Meters include a full-featured ballistics solver and databases of bullets so you can accurately plot trajectories. The Applied Ballistics software accesses the environmental data (wind speed, humidity, altitude etc.) recorded by the Kestrel to provide a more precise trajectory.
Features of Kestrel 4500 with Applied Ballistics Software
With integrated Applied Ballistics software, Kestrel users are now able to select from either G1 or G7 ballistic coefficients (BC) when calculating a trajectory. The new Kestrel 4500 Shooter’s Weather Meter also offers the very extensive “Litz”-measured BC library of over 225 bullets. In addition to these features, users can “train” the software to match a specific rifle based on observed impacts at long range with the ballistics calibration feature. With more accurate BC data, shooters are empowered to make more precise trajectory calculations. The new Kestrel Shooter’s Weather Meter can also receive data from wind sensor arrays designed and sold by Applied Ballistics. Like all Kestrels, the Shooter’s Weather Meter is IP67 waterproof and ruggedized to MIL-STD-810F standards.
Every Kestrel meter is pocket-sized, rugged, accurate, waterproof, easy-to-use, and backed by an industry-leading, five-year warranty.
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Sig Sauer team captain Max Michel reclaimed his title as the world’s fastest speed shooter with a pair of titles and a new world record at the World Speed Shooting Championships, held in Frostproof, Florida last week. Heavy rains and winds added an additional level of difficulty to the match, which attracts the world’s best steel challenge competitors.
Max Sets Rimfire World Record
Michel began the weekend with a world-record setting time, winning the rimfire pistol event by almost two seconds with his 61.84 second time. Michel paired a SIG SAUER 1911 MAX lower with a .22 LR conversion upper to take the title. A long-time supporter of Steel Challenge shooting, SIG SAUER returned as a platinum sponsor of the event.
Max Wins Main Event by 7.5 Seconds
Michel’s 75.58 total time brought home the main match title with a commanding 7.5 second lead over the runner-up finisher. This is Michel’s fourth World Speed Shooting Championship, which places him in a tie for the most titles at the event.
“We could not be more proud of Max and his accomplishments,” said Jarrod McDevitt, Rifle Product and Competitive Shooting Program Manager. “From the West Coast Steel Challenge to the Pro-Am to the World Speed Shooting Championship, Max has been unstoppable.”
Watch Max Michel Demo Drill (This Guy is Blazing Fast!)
At age 30, Max Michel is a legend within the world of competitive shooting. A four-time World Speed Shooting Champion, six-time USPSA National Champion, and three-time US National Steel Champion, Max is a dominant force in pistol shooting sports. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Max began shooting when he was just 5 years old. In 1999 Max joined the USAMU’s Action Pistol Team and served in the U.S. Army for 10 years as an Army shooter and trainer. Today, Max is recognized worldwide as a top-tier athlete and instructor.
Story based on report by Lars Dalseide forNRABlog.
This week prone shooters are competing at the NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships at Camp Perry. First on the agenda was the Metallic Sights Match. Shot at distances of up to 100 yards, the Metallic Championship is the aggregate of six separate matches fired over a two-day period. Courses of fire include a Dewar course (20 shots at 50 yards and 20 shots at 100 yards), 40 shots at 50 meters, and 400 shots at 100 yards.
NRABlog Archive Photo of Reya Kempley in an “Any Sights” Prone Match at Camp Perry.
Coming out on top, with a score of 2400-202X (‘X’ stands for bullseyes) was New York’s Reya Kempley. This talented young lady beat all the men, including top marksmen from the USAMU. Congrats to Reya for an outstanding performance. Here are the top five smallbore metallic sights competitors:
NRA Smallbore Prone Rifle
Metallic Sights
Place
Name
Score
1
Reya Kempley
2400-202x
2
Eric Uptagrafft
2399-194x
3
Michael Seery
2399-187x
4
Michael Mcphail
2399-186x
5
Joseph Hein
2398-193x
Smallbore 3P Photo Gallery
Earlier this week the Smallbore Three-Position Matches were held at Camp Perry. Here are 3P “any sights” and metallic sights event photos from the GOnraMedia Archive:
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Story based on report by Lars Dalseide for NRABlog
Fifteen members of the Great Britain Rifle Team descended upon the Viale Range at Camp Perry this week in preparation for the John J. Pershing Trophy Match. Sporting red team shirts and a touch of British swagger, they’re lead by by a man known as Jon Leech. A veteran of the sport, Leech is there to share his decades of experience to this new group of hopefuls. “They’re not juniors, though some have taken a while to mature,” he said with a laugh. “But they’re bringing with them a lot of experience.”
History of Pershing Trophy Match
The Pershing Trophy Match takes place every four years. Every time it is shot, the location alternates from the United States to Great Britain. When shot in Great Britain, it is known as the Field Marshal Earl Roberts Trophy Match. With ten shooters per team, competitors take to the line and fire 20 shots at 50 yards and 20 shots at 100. The first match, shot in 1931, was won by the Brits. Since then the Americans have dominated the event, winning 13 times overall compared to four times for the British.
Led by Leech, along with captain Neil Gibbons, the Brits have assembled a strong team this year. “This team was put together specifically for this match,” explained Leech. “This is my fourth time at Camp Perry. First in 1979 to shoot smallbore. I’ve come here just to coach this year. Pass on some knowledge to the folk who came over. We have 15 people in total — 3 officials and 12 shooters – that we’ll get that down to 10 shooters so we can beat America.”
Marksmanship Training in the Basement of Lloyds of London
A broker at the famed insurance house Lloyds of London, Leech brings a colorful background to the smallbore shooting world. A fencer at first, it was a fluky bit of chance — and a little of the Lloyd’s magic — that introduced him to the world of rifles.
“I was at Lloyds and noticed a guy sitting next to me with a collection of targets. I asked ‘Where did you do that?’ to which he replied ‘In the range underneath our building’. I didn’t even know there was such a range. I started shooting there in 1972 and kept at it.”
Spending his youth shooting in tournaments throughout Europe, he now finds himself behind the shooter rather than behind the trigger … at least when it comes to international competitions. And, as an official with the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF), his passport includes stamps from Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, and Croatia. “We really do enjoy our shooting together,” commented Leech. “Traveling as a shooter, I’ve met some fabulous people which is a lot of what shooting is all about. This is Band of Brothers stuff.”
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ArmaLite Inc. (ArmaLite) has been acquired by Strategic Armory Corps LLC (“SAC”), a holding company that also owns Surgeon Rifles, and AWC Systems Technology. SAC purchased the ArmaLite assets from Mark Westrom, who will remain as an investor in SAC and will serve on SAC’s board of managers. ArmaLite (and its 90 or so employees) will continue to operate out of its current facility in Geneseo, Illinois.
Tired of those whimpy nature calendars your wife gives you — or those obnoxious corporate motivation calendars they hand out at work? Then get yourself a bold, manly calendar featuring classic firearms every month. And you don’t have to wait ’til January to start using it. The new 
3-Gun Nation (3GN) has redesigned the 
NOTE: The EMP dual-access lock is NOT available as an upgrade to older safes (yet). It is currently available with new Armory Series, Cannon Series, and Commander Series Cannon-made safes.
Americans are buying more guns than ever. FBI NICS Gun Purchase Background Check data (as adjusted by the NSSF), shows that June 2013 gun sales are up 3.0% over the same period Last Year (See Chart 1). This marks the 37th straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year. (This year’s January increase was even more dramatic — see Chart 2). What’s even more interesting, in June 2013, Americans purchased more than twice as many guns as they did a decade ago in June 2003 — roughly 870,000 vs. roughly 405,000. That’s a big difference.
A $10 million-dollar CDC report ordered by President Obama determined that victims of crime who were armed with a firearm suffered fewer injuries than crime victims who were un-armed.
Kestrel 4500 Shooter’s Weather Meters with integrated Applied Ballistics software are finally shipping. Bryan Litz, founder of 
