Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Knoxville based Tisas, a premium supplier of 1911-style pistols, has just upgraded their wildly popular G.I. style 1911 with checkered walnut grips.
Featuring a forged frame, forged slide and hammer-forged barrel, combined with the Tisas lifetime service plan makes the 1911A1 .45 one of the best values on the market. Read more
GENESEO, ILL. – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the release of new XD® OSP™ (Optical Sight Pistol) Slide Kit and Assembly options for the original XD line of full-size pistols. The 4″ 9mm kit and assemblies provide original XD owners OSP capabilities as well as the ability to convert certain XD models to a full-size 4″ 9mm configuration. The slides, featuring included cover plates, are cut to accept XD-M® OSP optics mounting plates available for a wide range of popular optics.
First up is the XD OSP Slide Kit (part # XD4902), a package that provides users with a complete OSP-cut, full-size XD slide assembly packaged with a recoil spring assembly, barrel and an optics mounting plate in the Springfield Micro™ footprint. This plate accepts optics like the Shield SMSc and allows for co-witnessing with the iron sights. MSRP is $396. With this XD OSP Slide Kit, you can convert several XD variants to a full-size 4″ 9mm configuration featuring OSP capabilities. The kit converts the following:
· XD 5″ 9mm to XD 4″ OSP 9mm
· XD 4″.40 to XD 4″ OSP 9mm (with purchase of 9mm magazine)
· XD 5″.40 to XD 4″ OSP 9mm (with purchase of 9mm magazine) Read more
“For 85 years, the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act has served as the foundation for our American system of conservation funding, which provides dedicated revenue for state wildlife agencies to successfully restore wildlife populations and grow opportunities for hunting and recreational shooting,” commented Tony A. Schoonen, chief executive officer for the Boone and Crockett Club. “Our Club members played a key role in getting the Pittman-Robertson Act signed into law in 1937 and have continued to advocate for dedicated funding for wildlife conservation efforts ever since. Repealing this law would significantly undermine our nation’s successful wildlife conservation legacy.”
Since it was enacted, the Pittman-Robertson Act has generated over $15 billion to conserve wildlife, improve recreational shooting and hunting access, and fund hunter education programs. In 2021 more than $1.5 billion was raised and distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies to build target shooting ranges, purchase wildlife management areas to increase public hunting opportunities, conserve game species, and recruit America’s next generation of hunter-conservationists.
“We are working with our partners in the conservation community to educate our members of Congress about how conservation is funded in this country and how sportsmen and women have willingly provided the bulk of wildlife funding through this user pay, public benefit system,” Schoonen concluded. “The RETURN Act is misguided. We hope members of Congress who sponsored this legislation will withdraw their support.” Read more
Rotomolded pedal kayaks R Models upgrade popular fishing and recreational pedal kayaks
OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Hobie, the leading manufacturer of premium kayaks and watersport products, launched the newest additions to their 2022 product line today with the unveiling of the Mirage Passport 12.0 R and the Mirage Passport 10.5 R. The first look of these new rotomolded kayaks were made at the on the water demo day at ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show.
Powered by MirageDrive® with Glide Technology and Kick-Up Fins, the new R Series models will be able to avoid obstacles with ease and navigate rocky or shallow waters thanks to the automatic retraction of Kick-Up Fins on impact and subsequent re-deployment once clear of the obstacle. With the rotomolded hull construction, available in Seagrass Green and Slate Blue, the new R models fuse a new sleek aesthetic with excellent performance and stability without sacrificing speed.
“Since 1950, Hobie has always strived to create fun, accessible experiences on the water,”
said Kelley Woolsey, Hobie Vice President of Global Sales, Service, and Marketing. “Today’s launch of the new Mirage Passport R Series kayaks echo Hobie’s values and mission of always striving to improve and update our product offering to deliver the best experience available. Hobie will always ensure that the highest quality products are available for kayakers of all experience to enjoy.”
The 2022 Mirage Passport 10.5 R and the Mirage Passport12.0 R will be available at authorized Hobie dealers starting later this month at an introductory MSRP of $1,649 and $1,869 respectively. To find a Hobie dealer, please visit: hobie.com/dealers. Read more
Commonly Owned: NSSF Announces Over 24 Million MSRs in Circulation
NEWTOWN, Conn. — NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, updated the industry estimate of Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) in circulation in the United States to 24,446,000 since 1990. That is an increase of over 4.5 million rifles since the last estimate was released in 2020.
The estimate is derived from NSSF research, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER) and U.S. International Trade Commission (U.S. ITC) data, in cooperation with manufacturers, importers and exporters of MSRs, or AR-15 and AK-style rifles. This most recent estimate includes production figures current through 2020, when the industry estimates over 2,798,000 of these rifles were produced or imported. This estimate does not include MSRs that were produced and exported or imported and later exported.
The MSR remains the most-popular selling centerfire semiautomatic rifle in the United States today. There are more MSRs in circulation today than there are Ford F-Series trucks on the road.
“This is a truly significant figure that demonstrates – again – the popularity of this commonly-owned style of rifle,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi. “The firearm industry responds to market demand and this shows that during the elevated period of firearm sales that began in 2020, this particular style of rifle is the top choice for law-abiding citizens for hunting, recreational shooting and self-defense.”
The MSR’s popularity for lawful ownership is attributable to several factors, including accuracy, reliability, modularity and low recoil.
HENRY REPEATING ARMS
107 W Coleman Street, Rice Lake, WI 54868
Henry Repeating Arms Continues Silver Anniversary Pledge With $50,000 Donation to VFW
Kansas City, Mo. –– As part of a $1,000,000 charitable pledge in honor of Henry Repeating Arms’ 25th anniversary, company president Andy Wickstrom presented a $50,000 check to Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander-In-Chief Matthew M. “Fritz” Mihelcic during Wednesday’s proceedings at the 123rd VFW National Convention in Kansas City.
“Henry Repeating Arms has been a longtime supporter of organizations that take care of our veterans, and no one does that better than the VFW,” says Wickstrom while addressing the crowd. In late 2016 Henry Repeating Arms partnered with the VFW to establish a fundraising program that would raise money on a national level and offer individual posts the opportunity to enhance their fundraising efforts. Other direct monetary contributions to the organization now total more than $150,000. Wickstrom continues, “We believe in the VFW’s mission and vision and respect its extraordinary accomplishments.”
Henry Repeating Arms CEO and Founder Anthony Imperato’s landmark Silver Anniversary pledge distributes under the company’s Guns For Great Causes banner, a philanthropic arm benefitting a wide variety of charities and non-profits, including children’s hospitals, organizations supporting military veterans, first responders, law enforcement, wildlife conservation, hunting and shooting sports education, and Second Amendment advocacy groups. A limited-edition Golden Boy Silver Anniversary edition rifle will be available online in the coming weeks, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the charities supported by the Guns For Great Causes campaign. To be notified when this limited-edition rifle becomes available, visit Henry Repeating Arms online and sign up for the email newsletter. Read more
GW: You have been the consummate manager of so many events and will be missed greatly.
Pennsylvania – July 18th, 2022 – Effective July 21, 2022, Shelly Moore is leaving her position as Professional Outdoor Media Association’s (POMA) Membership Director.
Moore has been an integral part of the POMA team over the last 16 years — working diligently to nurture the membership and keep the organization aligned with its mission.
“Shelly will be missed by all and especially me. We expect to see her at future events and to stay involved as we consider her a lifelong member of the POMA family,” shares Thomas MacAulay, Executive Director of POMA.
Moore leaves her position at POMA to spend more time with her family. In honor of her commitment POMA is introducing the “Moore Award” as part of POMA’s Pinnacle awards. This award will be given in the upcoming years to recognize individuals who display an exemplary level of dedication to serving others.
“It is bittersweet to see Shelly step down — she’s been the backbone of managing relationships with our members. On the other hand, we’re excited for her and wish her all the best with the next chapter in her career,” says Michelle Scheuermann, President of POMA Board of Directors.
“It has been an honor to serve POMA and its members for the past 16 years,” shared Moore. “I will always treasure the many friendships that have been built, and I am proud to have been part of the growth of POMA. I will miss working with the members, board of directors, and POMA team, and look forward to seeing what the future holds for the organization.” Read more
(CINCINNATI, OH) – Faxon Firearms, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based manufacturer of quality rifle and pistol components, and complete firearms, has opened up their new line of AR-10s for 8.6 BLK for preorder.
At the core of each firearm are Faxon’s amazing 1:3 twist barrels, machined 100% in-house at their Greater Cincinnati, Ohio facility.
With three AR-10 and three Bolt Action configurations (bolt action coming later this summer), you can put the game-changing 1:3 twist to the test whether you’re on the hunt or on the range.
Faxon is also offering individual AR-10 and Remage style barrels for your own custom build, in addition to handguards, BCGs, muzzle devices, and more.
The 3 AR-10s available for preorder are:
By Glen Wunderlich
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)
When I heard that some politicians have proposed a bill to eliminate portions of the Pittman-Robertson Act, my first question was why. My next question was how America would fund its successful wildlife conservation initiatives, as it has for almost 100 years. After researching what was behind this political posturing, I found only evidence to validate the lower-than-dirt rating of Congress.
Andrew Clyde (R-GA) introduced the RETURN our Constitutional Rights Act, which is an acronym for Repealing Excise Tax on Unalienable Rights Now. The half-baked plan would eliminate the 11 percent federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition. Sounds great! Mr. Clyde’s rationale is that excise taxes on firearms and ammunition threaten Second Amendment rights. However, with firearms sales continuing at an astounding pace, the evidence doesn’t seem to support his theory. Nevertheless, the bill was introduced with support from more than 50 Republican representatives.
A look at Mr. Clyde’s website explains that his plan was hatched in retaliation to another asinine proposal by Don Beyer (D-VA) “to impose a 1,000 percent excise tax on any type of semi-automatic firearm.”
“The sole purpose of this dictatorial proposal is to weaponize taxation in order to price the Second Amendment out of the reach of average Americans — leaving citizens vulnerable and unable to exercise their inalienable right to keep and bear arms.”
While Representative Clyde may have a point, his solution lacks a thorough understanding of how sportsmen and women uncommonly support the current system.
“The irony of this whole thing—to say it’s unconstitutional to tax something that is a stated right in the Constitution—is that hunters asked for [the Pittman-Robertson Act] in the 1930s, and have loved it ever since,” says Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Fosburgh notes that excise taxes have helped the shooting sports and hunting industries grow: They’ve paid for shooting ranges, hunter education programs, wildlife management, and habitat restoration. “You name it, stuff that we [hunters and gun owners] care about has been funded by this. The notion that it’s somehow an infringement on rights is absolutely ludicrous.”
So, how would America fund its enviable conservation model under Mr. Clyde’s plan? Simple. Tax “Big Oil.”
“The offset he’s looking to justify his bill [with] is a little bit laughable, and naïve given that so many other existing funding mechanisms rely on offshore oil and gas revenues,” says John Gale, conservation director for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, another organization that signed the letter in May. “Those are market-based revenues that depend on consistency … offshore oil and gas revenues are the opposite of dependable. You see dips and spikes there. And as our energy portfolio becomes more diverse and includes more renewable energy development, those Outer Continental Shelf dollars are likely to decline down the road, not necessarily increase, to meet even the current demands—let alone the future demands—states will have for their wildlife budgets.”
With 43 hunting, conservation, and gun rights groups opposing changes to excise taxes on guns and ammunition including the Boone and Crockett Club, National Deer Alliance, Pope & Young Club, and the Sportsmen’s Alliance and the millions of members each represent, I am with them. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Primary Arms has announced a new monthly giveaway for July, which includes a custom Aero Precision .308 rifle package valued at over $3,400.
To enter this giveaway, click here.
Suitable for competition, hunting, and more, this custom .308 AR package blends precision, agility, and reliability for exceptional performance at any distance. The rifle is a purpose-made Aero Precision M5 .308 AR with an OD Green Topographical Cerakote. The 18” precision-machined barrel, Geissele Match Trigger, and Magpul PRS stock provide enhanced performance at a distance, while the lightweight M-LOK handguard helps balance the weight for optimized mobility.
To complete the package, Primary Arms is also including several top-quality aftermarket accessories, including…
·Primary Arms Optics GLx® 2.5-10x24mm FFP Rifle Scope w/ ACSS® Raptor M2 5.56 Reticle
·Primary Arms Optics PLx® 30mm Cantilever Scope Mount
·Magpul M-LOK Adjustable Bipod
·SureFire M640U 1000-Lumen Scout Light Pro w/ SR-07 Remote Switch and Tailcap
·Blue Force Gear Vickers 221 OD Green Sling
·(5x) Magpul 20 LR/SR Gen M3 7.62 20-round 7.62 Magazines
·US PeaceKeeper OD Green 52” Drag Bag Case
… and more!
For the full list of parts and accessories, Primary Arms prepared a full blog detailing the build. As with all of Primary Arms’ rifle giveaways, entry is completely free with no purchase necessary. Read more
