ThinkingAfield.org

Firearms manufacturer Weatherby, Inc., is relocating its manufacturing operations and corporate headquarters from California to Sheridan, Wyoming, company officials announced today from SHOT Show in Las Vegas, the world’s largest annual shooting, hunting and firearms industry trade show.

The move is expected to create 70 to 90 jobs and more than $5 million annually in payroll in the next five years. Read more

Advanced Digital Shooting Muff

Walker’s® – The industry pioneer in electronic hearing protection and enhancement, introduces the entirely new XCEL Series Muffs. The radical design was inspired by taking an unconventional approach to engineering the best electronic muffs available. The patent pending XCEL moves the digital control panel and microphones off the muff cup to the headband resulting in more air space inside the cup helping to deliver better protection.

The XCEL’s power & performance goes well beyond it cutting edge design. Powered by an advanced digital chipset, the XCEL is loaded with features that avid outdoorsman & shooting enthusiasts demand.

The modern sound enhancement features are taken to next level with four selectable modes. Universal mode is tuned for over all amplification while Speech Clarity mode is specifically tuned to reduce ambient noise & focus on enhancing vocal frequencies providing a valuable tool where clear communication is critical. High frequency & Power boost modes provide additional options for tuning the XCEL to hear exactly what you need to such as the ring of Steel. Navigating the various modes is easy thanks to programmed voice prompts, taking the guesswork out of know which mode you are in. Read more

ACCOKEEK, Md. – The romance of the Old West cannot be separated from the individuals who lived and died on their way to becoming legendary. Valiant sheriffs and the outlaws they chased; card sharks and cowboys; soldiers and proud warriors – the history of the Old West is gritty and harsh and smells a lot like spent gunpowder.

Uberti USA honors the famous men and women of the Old West with its new limited-edition Outlaws & Lawmen Series. Each piece in the collection draws its inspiration from the actual gun carried by the historical figure after which it is named. Only a limited number of each will be produced each year, making them as rare and collectible as they are fun to shoot.

The legend of Jesse James lives on with the 1873 Colt that bears his name and is included in the first group of Outlaws & Lawmen models. As a fierce outlaw, Jesse owned and utilized a wide array of revolvers, but this stern six-shooter is decked out with an all-black finish and black, simulated bison horn grips to create the ultimate Western antihero revolver. Read more

ACCOKEEK – Franchi marks a century and a half of firearm-making excellence with a pair of 150th Anniversary Limited Editions, which will only be available in 2018.

Founded by Luigi Franchi in Brescia, Italy, in 1868, Franchi quickly gained a sterling reputation for fine, handcrafted shotguns that are still prized by collectors worldwide. In the 150 years since its founding, Franchi has expanded its shotgun offerings by making both semi-auto and over/under shotguns; this year Franchi launches its first bolt-action rifle. The history of Franchi – as well as its future – are celebrated with these sesquicentennial editions of both the acclaimed Affinity semi-auto shotgun and the new Momentum rifle. Both Limited Edition models will feature the stylish Franchi 150-year Anniversary logo detail on the receiver.

The Anniversary Limited Edition Momentum bolt-action rifle will be chambered in .30-06 Springfield, equipped with a richly figured, contoured AA-Grade walnut stock with an elegant satin finish. Featuring a slim-profiled barrel and an adjustable trigger, the Momentum also has a spiral fluted bolt and TSA recoil pad.

The 150th Anniversary Limited Edition Affinity 3 semi-auto shotgun is available in 12 gauge (with a 28-inch barrel) or in 20 gauge (with a 26-inch barrel). The shotgun sports a AA-Grade satin-finish walnut stock and an engraved silver receiver that is embellished with a feather-themed engraving on both sides.

Both suited for a lifetime of dedicated service in the field or as pieces of a fine firearms collection, both Anniversary models enjoy Franchi’s best-in-class 7-year warranty. Read more

ACCOKEEK, Md. – Since its introduction in 2014, the Benelli ETHOS has been the shotgun world’s gold standard for combining form and function into a single sporting firearm. The recipient of numerous awards from shooting publications worldwide and a mainstay for wingshooters of all varieties, the ETHOS line has been expanded to bring unparalleled performance and shootability sport shooters.

Benelli’s new line of ETHOS Sport models includes 12-, 20- and 28-gauge versions, each as capable of the highest levels of performance in the dove field as they are on the sporting clays course. Based on the proven ETHOS field model, the new ETHOS Sport shotguns are equipped with a recoil-absorbing cheek comb pad that is twice the size of those on field models. The ETHOS Sport models also feature a raised, carbon fiber sporting rib and barrel porting for faster, more effective follow-up shots. Increased barrel lengths further enhance the smooth swinging of the ETHOS Sport, while the award-winning ergonomics make the shotgun easy to mount, point and operate. Read more

Fort Worth, TX –AirForce Airguns has added a new member to the industry leading Texan Big Bore family of air rifles. The world’s most powerful production airgun is now available in a carbine length barrel.

The Texan Carbine has all of the features that its big brother does, but with an overall length of just 29 inches. Texan Carbine maintains all of the accuracy AirForce Airguns are known for in a compact package with serious punch.

“The success of the original Texan has driven us to keep adding new configurations,” commented AirForce CEO and Founder John McCaslin. “This carbine is the next iteration of the Texan.”

The Texan Carbine is available in .457, .357 and .308 calibers and weighs in at 7.5 pounds. The 25 inch barrel is rifled with precision. With muzzle velocity of up to 930 fps and energy of up to 400 foot pounds, the carbine delivers for the hunter on every shot. Read more