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March 6th, 2009
Do you have a hunting, fishing, or outdoors-related photo that deserves to be in print? If so, you can enter Outdoors Magazine’s inaugural Memorable Moments Photo Contest. Photo entries should “celebrate ‘memorable moments’ in the outdoors”. Appropriate subjects include: traditional big game trophy shots, classic fishing pictures, youth in the outdoors, dogs working, wildlife photography, ATVing, snowmobiling, camp life, boating, and much more.
Monthly winners will receive an assortment of prizes. The grand prize winner will be selected next January and will receive either a guided Maine hare hunting trip, a one-day fishing excursion on the Kennebec River, or an evening moose safari compliments of Pine Grove Lodge in Bingham, Maine.
Photo submissions will be posted on the Outdoors Magazine website, and may be used in future issues of Outdoors Magazine. Email entries to Kyle [at] elkpublishing.com. Please include your name, address, phone number and information about the photo in the body of the email. You can also mail entries to: Outdoors Magazine Photo Contest, 531 Main Street, Colchester, VT 05446. Include a self-addressed envelope if you would like them returned.
March 6th, 2009
 If you have a background in marketing or communications, and you’d like to work in the firearms industry, here’s a great job opportunity. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is looking to hire a new Managing Director of Marketing Communications. The NSSF seeks someone with at least 5 years experience in marketing communications, who has “exceptional communication and presentation skills”, and who has experience doing print, radio and TV interviews. The job is located at the NSSF’s Newtown, CT headquarters.
The Managing Director of Marketing Communications will have a leading role in NSSF’s communications, safety and education efforts. The Marketing Communications Managing Director will perform these tasks: lead proactive media and public relations campaigns incorporating NSSF developed data; implement the strategic plan and develop partnerships that enhance the effectiveness of NSSF; craft all outbound marketing communications such as press releases, corporate Web site copy, white papers, e-mail campaigns, etc.; cultivate long-standing relationships with the media, including reporters, news editors and industry analysts.
How to Apply for the Job
Interested candidates should visit the NSSF website, www.nssf.org for complete job information. Qualified candidates should forward a cover letter, resume and salary history to dkenney [at] nssf.org. You can also fax these materials to (203) 426-7994, or mail them to: D. Kenney, NSSF, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470. No phone calls please.
Formed in 1961, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with a membership of more than 4,800 manufacturers, distributors, retailers, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers.
March 5th, 2009
The Canadian Firearms Registry is a government-run registry of all legally-owned guns in Canada. Compulsory gun registration was written into the Firearms Act (Bill 68) in 1995, which also provided for the establishment of a centralized database. It requires every firearm in Canada to be registered or rendered in an unusable state. This was an effort to reduce crime by making every gun traceable. Any person wishing to obtain a firearm must first acquire a Possession and Acquisition Licence or PAL.
$2 Billion Tab for Failed Gun Registry
The Registry was supposed to cost Canadian taxpayers approximately $119 million dollars. Instead, documents obtained by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation show the program has cost upward of $2 BILLION dollars. At the same time there is little evidence that the Registry has had any notable effect on crime.
 There has been intense opposition to the Firearms Registry since its beginnings, and now the drive to eliminate the Registry has gained force. In the NationalPost.com website, Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Garry Breitkreuz has called for the abolition of the long-gun Registry. MP Breitkreuz has introduced new legislation, Bill C-301, that would dismantle the long-gun provisions of the Registry.
Breitkreuz argues: “The Gun Registry has not saved one life in Canada, and it has been a financial sinkhole, estimated to have cost some $2 Billion. Imagine how many more police we could have on the streets if we had invested more wisely…. We need to dismantle the wasteful, futile registry and abandon the notion that this political pacifier is working.
Bill C-301 will scrap the long-gun Registry, improve efficiency and reduce costs without having any negative impact on public safety. The bill introduces a number of amendments to streamline the Firearms Act…. The Auditor-General has already blown the whistle on the gun registry. My bill proposes to ask for regular independent cost-benefit analyses on all aspects of the firearms program every five years.
Many Canadians have come to realize that the long-gun Registry is merely a bureaucratic exercise designed to lay a piece of paper beside every gun in the country. That piece of paper has no effect on the criminal and does nothing to prevent the misuse of a firearm.”
MP Breitkreuz’ efforts have been applauded by Canadian citizens writing to the National Post:
“[Canada’s Gun Registry] was a ‘paper’ ideological exercise which has proven worse than useless.” — Robins
“The Firearms Act as it exists is an incredible drain on much needed financial resources while giving very little of value in return. Streamlining the redundant, byzantine and costly bureaucracy is a worthy goal”. — Chuckbuster
“The gun registry was SUPPOSED to ‘make our streets safer’. It is beyond me how a slip of paper sent to law abiding persons was ever going to accomplish this task. The registry was always about confiscation of firearms. Despite political promises at the time, that it was ONLY for safety, it has shown itself time and time again, to be a tool of confiscation of legally-owned property. Time for it to go.” — Anopheses
March 5th, 2009
Katerina Emmons, the wife of U. S. shooter Matt Emmons, was selected by a panel of international shooting sports journalists as the 2008 International Female Shooter of the Year. Katerina, who competes for the Czech Republic, won gold and silver medals in the Beijing Olympic Games in women’s air rifle and three-position smallbore rifle. Katerina opened the 2008 Games by winning the very first Gold medal of the Beijing Olympics in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle. She also established two world records during her outstanding year of competition. Katerina now lives in the USA with husband Matt (who finished second in the journalists’ voting for ISSF male shooter of the year). Katerina and Matt Emmons are now looking forward to the birth of their first child in April.
Photo courtesy Fédération Française de Tir
Korean pistol shooter Jin Jong Oh was selected as the 2009 Male International Shooter of the Year, ahead of Matt Emmons. Jin won gold and silver medals in Beijing in the men’s free pistol and air pistol events. USA skeet Olympic gold medalist Vince Hancock was third in the voting. A full report on the International Shooters of the Year and the vote totals are posted on the ISSF website.
March 3rd, 2009
 Midsouth Shooters Supply boast one of the largest inventories of shooting, reloading, and hunting products you can find. Midsouth is also known for fast service — 99% of all in-stock orders are shipped usually within 24 business hours of receipt. Midsouth just released its latest 240-page Master Catalog, in both print and digital format. If you ordered from Midsouth in the last 24 months you should be receiving your “hard-copy” 2009 Master Catalog in the mail very soon. If you don’t want to wait, you can download the Catalog now.
The entire 240-page Midsouth Catalog, with thousands of products, can be downloaded for free. It is a large (20 megabyte) file, so if you have a slow connection, you can also download smaller, 40-page Catalog sections.
CLICK HERE to Download 240-page Midsouth Catalog (20mb .pdf file)
CLICK HERE to go to Catalog Download page to select sections.
February 26th, 2009
SEB coaxial front rests are impressively engineered and beautifully machined. If you like a joystick-style rest, you won’t go wrong with a SEB. This editor shoots off one. Though the current SEB rest is nearly ideal for short-range benchrest, shooters have asked for an upgraded version that can handle heavier rifles (such as 22-lb, F-class guns), and wider fore-ends (up to 6″). Sebastian Lambang, creator of SEB rests, has been listening, and he’s hard at work perfecting a new “magnum” model that will work with big, heavy guns. It is hoped that the new model SEB rest will be available in summer 2009, but it’s “too early to know for sure”.
2009 Update: New SEB Rest in Research & Development
Report by Ernie Bishop, USA Dealer for SEB Products
Seb’s goal is to make a new rest using an enhanced design (but it will still be a coaxial-type rest with double-sided functionality). It will have quicker elevation adjustment. It will also go lower and taller at the lowest & tallest setting (from about 4″ to 9″ tall, or more), and should accept rifle stocks up to 6″ wide. Here’s the good news — the price should be less expensive too. The new rest will still feature twin posts, with coarse elevation adjusted by rack & pinion. The center-to-center (“CTC”) between the posts is about 10″, to be able to accept rifle stocks up to 6″ wide. Like the current SEB rests, the new rest can be set up for either right-hand & left-hand shooters.
The new rest should suit a broader set of disciplines — it will work for short range BR, F-class, long-range benchrest shooting, and varmint shooting, too. Unfortunately, because of the specifications/requirements, Seb must remove the “pivotal base system” and make the base in “T” shape. The base can be disassembled for easily for more compact storage. By design, the new model rest can accept a “Balance Weight System” (BWS) better than the standard SEB rest, because the weight (which is optional) would not interfere with the front elevation screw, the fore-end stopper, or the base. This is the reason that the new base will have be built with a “T” shape.
The “BWS” is basically a counterweight, simply a chunk of stainless steel, attached on the side opposite side of the joystick. It’s an inexpensive, optional item, available in different weights. With the “BWS”, the SEB rests could accept rifles as heavy as 30 kgs (66 lbs.), or even more. This should be able to be accomplished without holding the joystick. If the weight is correctly matched to the weight of the rifle), I suspect that the rest top & “BWS” combination would remain stationary under hard recoil.
Hopefully the new rest will cost less than the current model rest. Seb is trying to keep the price under $700. This should be possible because of changes to the design and materials. It will retain the same standard of smoothness and quality that Seb is known for.
 Finally, Seb asks for your patience. He is still evaluating materials and is still experimenting to determine what will work best. Besides this, Seb is working on an updated front bag design as well. (There is also an improved fore-end stop in the works.) Once this new rest is ready, Seb will be shipping some to the States for testing. Personally, I can’t wait to see this new rest!
Ernie Bishop
306 West Flying Circle Drive
Gillette, WY 82716
(307) 257-7431
ernieemily [at] yahoo.com
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For more information on SEB front rests visit www.sebcoax.com, or contact Ernie Bishop (address above). Ernie notes: “I have a shipment of 15 rests coming toward the beginning of March. Currently, I am out of stock, and have started a waiting list. The USA price for a SEB Rest (including one 2.25” OR 3” front bag ) is $725.00 plus shipping/handling. Please don’t get confused by the price that is listed on Seb’s website. That price is for customers in countries where there are no SEB dealers.“
February 25th, 2009
There are many television shows about hunting. But the Freedom Hunters series, we believe, deserves special recognition. Freedom Hunters arranges “once-in-a-lifetime” outdoor hunting adventures for American military combat veterans. Footage from these hunting trips, along with background stories on the service men and women chosen for the hunt, are packaged into weekly cable broadcasts. Click the image below to visit Freedom Hunters’ Video Archive. There, click on the “PFC Josh Reilly” link to view great clips from a Wyoming hunt.
Freedom Hunters Seeks Female Veteran for Wyoming Pronghorn Hunt
Freedom Hunters is looking to present an all-expense-paid Wyoming pronghorn hunt to a female veteran. Freedom Hunters producers are specifically looking for women who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq. The hunt will be guided by Llano Outfitters (Casper, WY, 307-235-4865), one of Wyoming’s premier elk, deer and pronghorn outfitters. The hunt will take place in late October 2009. Applications must be received by March 15, 2009.
The woman selected to participate in this hunt will receive gifts from product sponsors and will be featured on a future episode of the Freedom Hunters television show. Those interested in applying for this opportunity should apply via the Freedom Hunters’ Application Page on the web.
Freedom Hunters is a 501(c)3 charitable organization serving the American military family. It is dedicated to honoring those who protect our freedoms. For more information about Freedom Hunters Programs, visit FreedomHunters.org or e-mail info [at] freedomhunters.org. Freedom Hunters airs Fridays at 4:00pm MST on the Altitude Sports and Entertainment network.
February 24th, 2009
 On February 20, 2009, Smith & Wesson issued a RECALL of Walther PPK and PPK/S pistols. This recall applies to all Walther PPK and PPK/S pistols manufactured by Smith & Wesson from March 21, 2002, until February 3, 2009. Smith & Wesson has identified a condition that may exist in certain PPK and PPK/S pistols which may permit a round to be discharged without the trigger being pulled. When the manual safety is disengaged, Smith & Wesson’s Product Engineering Group has determined that the possibility exists in certain firearms that lowering the hammer may cause a chambered round to fire.
CLICK HERE for the Serial Numbers of the pistols subject to this recall.
Remedy and Action to Be Taken
Smith & Wesson advises: “STOP USING YOUR PISTOL AND RETURN IT TO SMITH & WESSON AT ONCE. Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential for causing injury, and we ask that you stop using your pistol immediately.
When you return your pistol to Smith & Wesson, we will replace the existing hammer block feature with a new part at no cost to you. Your firearm will be returned as quickly and efficiently as possible. When your pistol is returned, you should note a punch dot which appears at the back of the frame. See the photograph below. This marking is verification that the new hammer block has been installed and that your pistol is safe to handle.”
FREE Shipping Voucher and Instructions
To receive a UPS pre-paid billable stamp and shipping instructions to arrange for the modification of your pistol, CLICK HERE or contact Smith & Wesson directly at 1-800-331-0852.
February 23rd, 2009
This story comes to us courtesy of the NRA Blog, which recently featured the innovative program of the North Coast Shooters Association (NCSA). The NCSA has pioneered a “movable match” that utilizes multiple shooting facilities to expand the opportunities for competitive shooters in the Midwest and Ohio region. The NCSA is a mobile shooting club. Instead of owning its own range, the NCSA has a trailer loaded with everything needed to hold a match including homemade spotter discs, spindles, and pasters. The NCSA holds its competitions wherever they find enough interest, rather than trying to draw people to one location. This unique approach attracts first-time shooters and those adverse to traveling long distances, creating a nice turn-out every time.
NCSA Offers Matches at Military Bases
A little over a year and a half ago, NCSA founder Nick Mullet decided there weren’t enough places to shoot east of the Mississippi River. As a result, the North Coast Shooters Association was formed with the mission of opening additional ranges for civilian shooters. Nick contacted military bases normally closed to civilians and got permission to hold matches. The NCSA secured .50 and .223 caliber matches at Fort Knox, Fort McCoy, Fort Drum, Camp Gruber, Camp Perry, and Thunder Valley.
“From our start in mid 2007, we’ve held five .50 caliber matches and two .223 matches in four different locations throughout three states”, Nick stated. The NCSA has grown to 74 paid members and has high hopes for the future. With increased membership comes more frequent competitions over a larger area. Any and all skill levels are welcome to NCSA matches as long as they follow Nick’s two basic rules: 1) No one has the authority to get hurt; and 2) Have a good time.
For more information, visit the North Coast Shooters Association website and NCSA Forum. The NCSA may be planning a match near you.
February 23rd, 2009
Lou Alessi, one of America’s leading holster-makers for four decades, passed away this weekend in New York after a struggle with cancer. Lou was a great designer, and a master craftsman. He invented many holster designs that were copied by other holster-makers. Alessi’s classic ankle holster design was “the standard against which others are measured”, and the Alessi Talon, in this Editor’s opinion, is simply the best IWB (Inside Waist-Band) design ever. The Talon IWB is thin, comfortable, durable, easy-to-deploy, and affordable. This editor once asked Lou why he maintained affordable pricing on the Talon while other holster-makers were selling copy-cat designs for twice the price. Lou replied: “I’m not in this to get rich. I want to sell at a fair price so law enforcement officers can afford good equipment.”
D.M. Clark, moderator of the 911 Jobs Forum, noted: “Lou was well known to all those in law enforcement, who found his gear to be beautifully made and durable beyond belief. Almost all custom holster craftsman today credit their designs and skills to the generous advice and support of Lou Alessi. [He was] truly a real gentlemen. RIP Lou.”
Jim Shepherd of the Shooting Wire adds: “[Alessi’s] reputation among his fellow holster-makers was a man who led by example…. That’s the same kind of reputation Alessi had among fellow holster makers coming up in the past two decades; if there was a question about how to do something, Alessi was always willing to share his insights. Insights many others considered their trade secrets.”
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