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October 19th, 2010
On October 10th, John Amos Nosler, founder of Nosler Inc., passed away from natural causes at his Oregon home. Considered a true pioneer in bullet and ammunition design, Nosler developed the famous Partition bullet in the 1940s. Born on April 4, 1913 in Brawley, California, John built his business from scratch. He founded his bullet company in 1948, and was considered to be one of the great generational icons whose designs literally created the premium bullet category and influenced ammunition and bullet manufacturers worldwide.
While hunting in Canada, John experienced a bullet failure on the hide of a mud-caked bull moose. He then began developing a revolutionary new projectile, which he called the “Partition”, because of the barrier that separated the bullet into two sections. One year later, John and a friend traveled back to British Columbia with his new Partition bullets, which were designed to provide deep penetration and expansion. The men bagged two moose with two shots, and the rest is history.
 In recognition of his contribution to the shooting sports industry, John was the unanimous choice for the inaugural 2007 NRA Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award. The award was the highlight of a long and fruitful career. Even though he officially retired in 1988 when his son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Joan Nosler purchased the company, John still managed to come to the office on a daily basis until his health declined. Today, John’s son Bob Nosler still presides over the company as president and CEO.
 To learn more about John Nosler and his bullet designs, get your hands on Going Ballistic, a “Professional Memoir” told by John Nosler to outdoor writer Gary Lewis. CLICK HERE to read a short sample from Chapter 11, “Penetration and Expansion–The Need for a Better Bullet”.
John Nosler remained an avid hunter and shooter even late in life. Gary Lewis recalled that, at age 92, John Nosler attended the opening of a new shooting range outside Bend, Oregon. Even in his nineties, Nosler managed to drill two shots inside nine inches at 1000 yards. John Nosler leaves a legacy that will benefit hunters and shooters’ nationwide. The John A. Nosler Endowment of The NRA Foundation, sponsors the NRA’s Basic Rifle Training Program which instructs novices in safe rifle handling.
October 17th, 2010
On October 20th, CNBC plans to air a television “exposé” about Remington Arms. The hour-long show argues that there may be a safety issue associated with the Remington 700 series of rifles. We haven’t viewed the show yet, but Jim Shepherd of The Shooting Wire is familiar with its contents. Jim, a veteran journalist, recently wrote a cogent commentary on CNBC’s “investigation” of Remington. Given the important insights Jim reveals, his commentary is well worth reading.
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Yesterday morning, I received a promotional piece from CNBC, touting an hour-long investigation into America’s largest firearms company. The promo piece teases “Remington Under Fire: A CNBC Investigation” a story that CNBC says will “take viewers inside a 10-month investigation of the world’s most popular hunting rifle and examines whether a company has gone too far in protecting their signature product.” That product being the Model 700 bolt-action rifle. With more than five million sold, it is hard to argue its domination of the bolt-action rifle market.
 It’s hard to argue with the idea that a serious safety defect — especially if it was deliberately downplayed-could cause serious repercussions.
Having spent nearly three decades in journalism, when someone says their exclusive “examines” rather than “exposes” — my first impression is always that the story didn’t come to the conclusion they’d presumed, so they’re leaving plenty of wiggle room in the story by “examining the question” rather than “answering it”. That doesn’t say it’s not interesting, whatever the conclusion.
According to the release, CNBC Senior Correspondent Scott Cohn traveled from Florida to Alaska, uncovering numerous complaints about Remington’s 700 model rifle. The most intriguing fact is Cohn’s having “tracked down” 98-year-old Mike Walker, the Remington engineer who designed the trigger for the Remington 700. The report purports to have an interview — and internal memorandums from Walker — that indicate he had repeated safety concerns about the trigger system — even after he left the company.
Video teasers for the program, however, don’t show Walker. Instead, they show Jack Belk “gunsmith, former cop” and expert witness in a variety of lawsuits against Remington. In the soundbite — admittedly designed to titillate, not answer questions — Belk says “no gun should fire unless the trigger is pulled.”
Not exactly the building of a rock-solid case. But in many cases — especially those tried in the fickle court of public opinion — emotion will trump logic.
I’ve not spoken to anyone at Remington regarding the reports — and CNBC says Remington only responded to their interview requests in writing.
For Remington, that’s prudent business practice. From CNBC, it’s couched as to leave the impression that a lack of willingness to go on camera and talk about six decades of business practices indicates there’s something to hide.
That’s not the case — it is impossible for current management to have first-hand knowledge of anything that happened nearly six decades ago. Consequently, when you don’t know what to say, the best thing to say — especially in a television interview — is nothing.
Remington Under Fire is scheduled to air on October 20. We’ll be watching and at that time, Remington officials will be offered the opportunity to respond to the program.
Article © 2010 The Shooting Wire, All Rights Reserved, reprinted with permission. “Grudge Match” graphic created by AccurateShooter.com and not included in original story.
October 15th, 2010
Bushmaster has issued a recall of ACR semi-auto rifles because they may malfunction and go “full-auto” with a single pull of the trigger. While Bushmaster says this problem “may develop with a small number of ACR rifles”, Bushmaster is recalling the whole production run: “All Bushmaster-produced ACR Rifles are impacted by this notification.” Here are the key terms of the ACR RECALL:
“Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC has become aware of a possible firearms performance issue that may develop with a small number of ACR rifles and we are requesting you discontinue use of this rifle immediately, and contact us at your earliest convenience so that we can make the necessary arrangements to have the rifle returned to us for inspection and update if necessary.”
“During routine test firing, Bushmaster discovered a design flaw which could result in multiple rounds firing continuously when the trigger is pulled. This unexpected firing of multiple rounds creates a potentially dangerous situation.”
Click Here for complete text of Bushmaster ACR Recall Notice (PDF)
If you have a Bushmaster ACR Rifle:
- Stop using the rifle immediately.
- Contact the Bushmaster Customer Service Department: 800-883-6229
- Get Return Authorization (RMA) code from Bushmaster and ship gun to:
Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC
Attention: Dept. ACR
999 Roosevelt Trail
Windham, ME 04062
October 15th, 2010
 Acting on behalf of a Georgia resident and honorably discharged Vietnam War veteran, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Eric Holder and the Federal Bureau of Investigation over enforcement of a federal statute that can deny gun rights to someone with a misdemeanor conviction on his record.
The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the District of Columbia. SAF and co-plaintiff Jefferson Wayne Schrader of Cleveland, GA are represented by attorney Alan Gura, who successfully argued both the Heller and McDonald cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
In July 1968, Schrader, then 21, was found guilty of misdemeanor assault and battery relating to a fight involving a man who had previously assaulted him in Annapolis, MD. The altercation was observed by a police officer, who arrested Schrader, then an enlisted man in the Navy, stationed in Annapolis. The man he fought with was in a street gang that had attacked him for entering their “territory,” according to the complaint.
Schrader was ordered to pay a $100 fine and $9 court cost. He subsequently served a tour of duty in Vietnam and was eventually honorably discharged. However, in 2008 and again in 2009, Mr. Schrader was denied the opportunity to receive a shotgun as a gift, or to purchase a handgun for personal protection. He was advised by the FBI to dispose of or surrender any firearms he might have or face criminal prosecution.
“Schrader’s dilemma,” explained SAF Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb, “is that until recently, Maryland law did not set forth a maximum sentence for the crime of misdemeanor assault. Because of that, he is now being treated like a felon and his gun rights have been denied. No fair-minded person can tolerate gun control laws being applied this way.” Gottlieb added: “Mr. Schrader’s case is a great example of why gun owners cannot trust government bureaucrats to enforce gun laws.”
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.
October 15th, 2010
 Inspecting and grading thousands of surplus rifles is a huge task. Accordingly, the Civilian Marksmanship program seeks volunteer manpower to help with this process. In an effort to give the Garand shooting and collecting communities an opportunity to view and participate in CMP Inspection and Repair processes and to reduce labor costs, the CMP established a volunteer program starting in July, 2010. Most volunteers work for 3-5 days.
 The CMP is looking for more volunteers. Assignments are based primarily on individual level of familiarity with the Garand, and the CMP’s needs at the time. Although the CMP tries to ensure that volunteers spend time working with Garands, some time may be spent in warehousing, packing, or shipping operations. Volunteers must be pre-approved, with work sessions scheduled in advance. No walk-ons. Volunteers should submit requests at least two weeks prior to planned visits (many volunteers schedule “shifts” months in advance).
The CMP reports: “[The] volunteer program that was in effect from 2001-2006 was a huge success and benefited the CMP and all the great people who had donated their time. Without exception, all past volunteers reported their visits as very educational, recreational and enjoyable. Most of the past volunteers had made several repeat visits from all parts of the country, and many have become ambassadors for the program. The CMP is a charity and expenses associated with volunteering may be tax-deductible.”
Volunteers absorb all costs for transportation, lodging and meals. Most volunteers stay 3-5 days per trip. Tools and gauges are available, but the CMP encourages volunteers to bring their own. To learn more about the CMP Volunteer program, or to schedule work sessions, contact Brian Vick at bvick [at] odcmp.com, or call 256-835-8455 x 1126.
October 13th, 2010
 Two ammunition manufacturers in Lewiston, Idaho, plan to add “significant numbers of workers” this year and next. Alliant Techsystems (ATK), parent of CCI, Alliant Powder, RCBS and other companies, expects to add about 100 jobs by the end of 2010, and Extreme Bullet plans to expand its facility and add about 100 jobs over the next few years. ATK’s employee ranks will grow to approximately 1,200 workers by the end of this year.
ATK will be re-hiring many workers laid off in a 2009 force reduction. According to the Spokane Journal of Business, “The new hires should give ATK a total of about 1,200 workers by the end of 2010 at its plant on the east side of the Snake River.” The Journal also interviewed ATK Spokesman Jason Nash who explained: “We’ve definitely had a few good years at the plant there. There’s been an increased demand for sporting ammunition, which has allowed us to add to our employment base.”
Speer Brothers Brought Ammo Production to Lewiston
Here is an interesting historical footnote. Today’s large ATK operation in Idaho can be traced back to the companies founded by the Speer brothers. After settling in Lewiston in 1944, Vernon Speer started Speer Bullets. A few years later, in 1951, Vernon’s brother Dick (with partner Arvid Nelson) started Cascade Cartridges Inc., a producer of small-arms ammunition and primers. Yes, as you may suspect, Cascade Cartridges Inc. is now CCI, part of ATK’s family of companies, and one of the largest manufacturers of primers and loaded ammunition. Today, ATK’s Lewiston plant produces both Speer bullets and CCI-branded ammunition and primers. ATK acquired the plant in 2001. Vernon Speer died in 1979, and Dick Speer died in 1994.
October 13th, 2010
Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA recently donated $1,000,000.00 to the National Wild Turkey Federation to support youth shooting programs, including the JAKES Take Aim program. The JAKES Take Aim program provides youths (ages 17 and under) with opportunities to try shooting in a safe, fun environment. With the big donation from the Potterfields, over the next four years, the NWTF aims to triple the annual number of youth shooting participants at JAKES events –- from 50,000 to 150,000.
“Thanks to the generosity of Larry and Brenda Potterfield, more young people will have the chance to try shooting sports and may discover a passion that they will enjoy for the rest of their lives,” said George C. Thornton, NWTF CEO.
Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA, remarked, “Brenda and I believe in supporting youth programs that teach our next generation about shooting and shooting safety. The NWTF is doing a great job with our youth, who are the future of shooting, conservation, and the outdoor industry. We are proud to help them change the future.”
October 9th, 2010
Many of our readers tell us: “I love the challenge of shooting paper in Benchrest, F-Class, or High Power matches, but it would be fun to get some buddies together and ring some steel at multiple distances.” Well, if you’re in America’s heartland, here’s a place to go. Young’s Longshot Range, in Woodruff, Indiana, is a veritable “Disneyland of Steel”, with a huge variety of reactive metal targets set at yardage-marked berms from 25 to 1000 yards. Indiana’s only 1000-yard facility, Young’s Longshot Range is open 365 days a year. It has outdoor shooting stations (both covered and uncovered), PLUS a heated building with drop-down windows for winter shooting. There’s even a raised 5 meter high platform for prone shooting.
Big thanks to Michael Sorensen (below) for this report and range photos.
October 8th, 2010
 Recently Charles Lake, President of Warne Scope Mounts, applied for a business line of credit at Home Depot. The application was initially approved, but a day later the credit line was rescinded based on Warne’s industry sector. Lake was expressly told that credit was denied because Warne “make[s] parts for the gun industry.”
Home Depot credit lines are managed by Citibank, so the decision to black-ball Warne Scope Mounts was based on Citibank policies. Rich Grassi, editor of the Tactical Wire, contacted Citibank to find out why Warne’s credit application was denied. Grassi received this reply from Citibank’s Elizabeth Fogarty (Public Affairs):
“Citi does not prohibit the financing of firearms purchases by individuals nor the financing of businesses that manufacture and sell them to individuals for recreational use. However, we do prohibit financing merchants in the non-ancillary military equipment industry, including the financing of businesses that manufacture and or sell firearms for military use.” In response to Grassi’s request for clarification, Citibank replied: “The policy prohibits financing businesses that manufacture and/or sell firearms for military use.”
Grassi Will Provide Updates on Gun Talk Radio Show
To learn more about this situation, read the “Politics of Credit” story on The Shooting Wire. This weekend, Rich Grassi will appear on Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk radio show to provide the latest updates on the Citibank vs. Warne controversy.
October 7th, 2010
If you are a gun enthusiast with leadership experience in the sales/marketing field, here is a potential dream job with a good salary and decision-making clout. Savage Arms is seeking a National Sales Manager who will be responsible for the development and performance of all sales activities with distributor, buying group, and select ‘big box’ retailer accounts. The National Sales Manager will lead the team of sales reps and will manage domestic distributor and big-box accounts. The National Sales Manager also will attend national trade shows, provide market feedback to senior management, and assist in the development and implementation of marketing plans.
Job Experience Required
The successful candidate will posses a bachelors degree or equivalent experience, 10+ years experience in a sales management role, and knowledge of Savage customers, products and competitors. The candidate also must have strong organizational skills, a proven ability to motivate and educate, the ability to operate under pressure and manage multiple priorities. To apply for the job, send resume and salary requirements to:
Savage Arms, Inc.
100 Springdale Rd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Fax: 413-562-7130
plessard@savagearms.com
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