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September 10th, 2009
 Want to win a free gun? Are you feelin’ lucky? Every month various magazines, manufacturers, and webzines offer gun drawings or give-aways. Usually you just provide your name, contact info, and email address for a chance to win. Sometimes you have to fill out a survey or answer a quiz.
Gun Giveaways Indexed on the Web
You could spend hours fishing around the web for all the gun-related contests, or just log on to WeaponsCache.com. Matt, webmaster of WeaponsCache.com has scoured the web for gun and knife give-away contests. He has provided, all in one place, handy links and contest descriptions. Current give-aways listed on Matt’s site include:
Remington Model 870™ Express 20 gauge Shotgun
S&W M&P 15-22 (Rimfire AR15 Clone)
SIG SAUER p229 .40sw Pistol Drawing
Arsenal 7.62×39 Saiga Rifle Contest
OMB Glock 21 Pistol Give-Away (LEOs only)
Puma M92 Lever Gun Give-Away (Connors 50th Anniv. edition)
Grand View 12 Guns for 12 Months Sweepstakes
Shiloh Sharps 45-70 Rifle Drawing (for Active-Duty Military, Ends 9/11)
Take Note: The Shiloh Sharps Drawing is a once-a-year event for service personnel, and entries close Sept. 11, 2009.
September 7th, 2009
 Sorry folks, this is not a joke (or late April Fools’ story). The Boy Scouts Association for the United Kingdom has issued a “guidance” directive telling Boy Scouts not to bring knives to camping events. Prior to this ruling British Boy Scouts were allowed to carry penknives with blades of less than 3 inches.
A Scouts spokesman defended the new policy, saying: ‘We believe that young people need more places to go after school and at weekends, where they can experience adventure without the threat of violence or bullying and the need to carry weapons. Scouting helps to prepare young people with valuable life skills, while keeping them safe by not carrying knives.’
Hmmm, what will the UK Scout Association ban next? Pointed sticks? Ropes? Heck, those neckerchiefs could be pretty dangerous too — better get rid of them. Lord Baden-Powell is no doubt rolling over in his grave. One troop Leader from Kent, England wondered: “Whatever happened to the first Scout Law: a Scout is to be trusted?” Even the British Guardian website questioned the logic of the knife ban: “Scouts are so closely associated with pocket knives that the term Boy Scout knife is a synonym for penknife.”
READ MORE details about this story.
September 7th, 2009
 If you are involved with the management of a range or shooting club, you need to be concerned with lead pollution issues. Both state and federal agencies are becoming much more agressive regarding lead issues for shooting ranges.
With the challenges ranges face these days you must be as proactive as you possibly can, especially when maintaining and enhancing the environmental quality of your facility. In an effort to assist range operators, NSSF is offering its booklet “Lead Management and OSHA Compliance for Indoor Shooting Ranges” for free to members. This provides an introduction to airborne lead management techniques and an overview of OSHA compliance. NSSF range members who want a copy of the booklet should contact Bettyjane Swann, NSSF manager, member services, e-mail bswann@nssf.org, telephone 203-426-1320.
September 6th, 2009
The 2009 F-Class National Championships will be held September 30 through October 4 at Camp Butner, North Carolina. This year the host North State Shooting Club has amassed a treasure trove of prize awards, worth over $15,000.00. If you’ve been debating whether to attend the Nationals, the lure of big money prizes should motivate you to load up and head to Butner.
 Rifles, Actions, Stocks, Scopes and More Will Be Awarded
2008 F-Class National Champion (and North State Club member) Charles Ballard reports that: “This years prize table is huge, with over $15,000 worth of prizes donated by our sponsors. Kelbly’s is donating an F-Class action to the top junior, and Precision Rifle & Tool is donating an F-Class stock. Remington Arms will give the top F-TR shooter a new Model 700™ XCR™ .308 Tactical Long Range rifle. All F-TR shooters will be entered in a drawing to win a new Savage F-TR Rifle. Nightforce Optics “will make two shooters very happy.”
F-Class Nationals Sponsor List
Bartlein Barrels
Berger Bullets
Broughton Barrels
Brux Barrels
D&B Supply
Ear East
Kelbly’s Inc.
King Canopy
Manson Precision Reamers
Nightforce Optics
Pacific Tool & Gauge
Precision Rifle and Tool
Pro-Shot
Redding Reloading Equipment
Remington Arms
Savage Arms
Sierra Bullets
CLICK HERE for a complete list of F-Class Nationals Prizes
CLICK HERE for F-Class Nationals Program, Schedule, and Application Form
Note: The entry application (page 4 of program above) must be filled out and mailed to: Jane Green, 6147 Hebron Road, Oxford, NC 27565
The Nationals commence with a Practice Day on September 30. On Thursday, October 1, the match begins with the 600-yard Stage (both individual and 4-man team match). The first 1000-yard Stage will be held on October 2 (individual and team), while the final 1000-yard stage is set for October 3. October 4 is reserved as a make-up day in case of bad weather.
September 5th, 2009
Brownell’s offers a financial and insurance services package designed expressly for gunsmiths, gunshops, and small-to-medium-sized firearms businesses. The program, “Brownells Business Advantage” (BBA), offers reduced-rate credit card processing, property/liability insurance, and discounted UPS shipping. With card processing rates as low as 1.38%, the BBA program could save a gunsmith hundreds of dollars a year. For example, we’ve found that most other credit card processsing services charge 2.2-2.5% per transaction. A 1% card processing fee reduction will save you $10 on every $1000.00 of customer spending.
Brownell’s business partner for credit card processing and Visa business cards is the First National Bank of Omaha. The Joseph Chiarello Company and AIG will provide property & liability insurance created specifically for companies in firearms-related businesses.
Initial membership in the Brownells Business Advantage is $50 with a $25 annual renewal fee.
CLICK HERE for VIDEO Explaining BBA Benefits
September 5th, 2009
 Over 12,000 visitors attended the first-ever Huntfest in Alberta, Canada. Hosted August 14-16 at the River Cree Resort & Casino (Enoch, AB), WildTV’s Huntfest 2009 featured exhibits from gun- and ammo-makers, optics manufacturers, plus outdoor guides and outfitters. This was more than just an indoor trade show. Huntfest offered outside archery lanes, plus a large dirt track set up for ATV demos. The ATV track gave visitors a chance to ride the latest models and Parkland Bowbenders Archery Course was packed all weekend, putting over 700 kids through the practice lanes.
Hunting experts were on hand including Ralph & Vicki Cianciarulo, Cody Robbins, and Les Johnson from Predator Quest. Chris David and the guys from Hunting Chronicles, Jason & Kevin Spenst and Lain Roth, rounded out the Speakers Stage line up. There was also a special Cooking Demo area offering tasty free samples to visitors. Last but not least, a display of mounted trophy bucks was provided by Artistic Antlers.
Huntfest was so successful that organizers hope to bring the event to more Canadian cities next year. Show Manager Shaun Vlodarchyk stated: “There is definitely potential for this event to go nationwide, with a strong possibility of multiple cities for 2010. Keep watching Wild TV to see the latest updates this fall.”
September 3rd, 2009
The September edition of Target Shooter, the FREE digital shooting sports magazine from the UK, is now available online. There are some excellent articles in this edition. On pages 61-65, you’ll find Laurie Holland’s comprehensive review of the Forster Co-Ax Press. This is probably the most thorough Co-Ax test you’ll see anywhere. Holland puts Forster’s unique reloading press through its paces — decapping, full-length sizing, and priming cases — and concludes that the press is a winner. If you’re considering buying a Co-Ax, this article is a “must-read”.
Vince Bottomley contributes two major stories in this month’s edition. First, Vince reviews two Sightron 36X target scopes, comparison testing the new “Big Sky” 36X scope alongside the earlier Sightron 36X SII model. In addition, Vince showcases his latest project gun. This is a 6.5×47 tactical rifle in an Accuracy International chassis. Apart from the AI folding stock, the gun uses mostly American components. It features a Surgeon action, Bartlein gain-twist barrel, and Jewell trigger. The finished rifle sports a handsome Dura-Coat camo finish from North West Custom Parts in Manchester, England.
You’ll find many other items of interest in this month’s Target Shooter e-zine, including a Benchrest Air Rifle, an intro to Gallery Guns, plus reports from the Imperial Match and the F-Class World Championships held in Bisley, UK. There’s 92 pages of reading, cover to cover, and the price is right. Target Shooter magazine is FREE, just CLICK HERE for the latest edition.
September 2nd, 2009
This week’s episode of Shooting USA television covers END of TRAIL, the World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting. Based on the number of shooters, End of Trail is the second largest rifle/pistol competition in North America, topped only by the NRA National Championships at Camp Perry, OH. In 2009, over 1000 shooters from a dozen countries competed at the 28th Annual END of TRAIL World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting and Wild West Jubilee produced by the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS). End of Trail is held at Founders Ranch, located near Albuquerque, NM.
Along with the 1000+ competitors, END of TRAIL attracts thousands of spectactors with Wild West-themed exhibits and entertainment, including mounted shooting from horseback. Visitors can sample wares from hundreds of vendors or enjoy “living history” Wild West encampments spread over 50 acres.
Cowboy Action World Championship coverage will air during the Wednesday, Shooting USA Hour on the Outdoor Channel:
Eastern Time 4:30 PM, 8:30 PM, 12:00 Midnight
Central Time 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM, 11:00 PM
Mountain Time 2:30 PM, 6:30 PM, 10:00 PM
Pacific Time 1:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 9:00 PM
September 1st, 2009
 The latest digital edition of Shooting Sports USA is now available FREE online. This September 2009 edition covers many regional shooting events, plus you’ll find a four-page in-depth report on the 2009 National Pistol Matches at Camp Perry. Over 700 handgunners competed in that event.
The September issue also features an excellent technical report on eyewear lens color and vision. Iron sights shooters should read this article. The author explains how choosing the correct lens color can help improve your ability to see your sights (and the target) more clearly. The article discusses the factors to consider when selecting lens colors for various disciplines and/or weather conditions.
This latest edition provides news briefs and short gear reviews. In addition, you’ll find a comprehensive calendar of upcoming shooting events. All NRA shooting disciplines are covered — from Air Pistols to F-Class rifles. The calendar is organized by discipline, within which events are listed state-by-state.
September 1st, 2009
 Traditionally, a senior non-commissioned officer (NCO), holds an important leadership role for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. Recently, the USAMU’s top NCO, Sgt. Major Thomas Fuller, turned over the reins to a new Senior Enlisted Advisor. Sgt. Maj. Martin Barreras assumed responsibility of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit from Sgt. Maj. Fuller at an August 28 ceremony in Fort Benning, Georgia.
Barreras becomes the 23rd Senior Enlisted Advisor at the “Home of Champions.” He arrives from the 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served for more than 20 years. He served with distinction in all three Ranger battalions as well as the regimental headquarters.
“Sgt. Maj. Barreras arrives to the USAMU with a tremendous reputation—one of inspiring leadership, extreme competence, and extraordinary professionalism,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU. “I eagerly anticipate continuing the forward momentum and building upon the tremendous achievements and initiatives of this unit with the benefit of the counsel and leadership of Sgt. Maj. Barreras.”
Fuller is retiring after 21 years in the Army. Under Fuller’s mentorship the USAMU had some of its most successful years, which included seeing two of his soldiers capture Olympic Gold medals in 2008 as well as numerous international, national and interservice championships.
Fuller put an emphasis on training that contributed to measured progress on the USAMU’s marksmanship training programs, Hodne remarked. He also developed a concept to field a paralympic shooting team at the USAMU for wounded warriors, as well as institute an installation-wide program for all Command Sergeants Major that provides a venue to share marksmanship training techniques for dissemination throughout the Army.
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