First Quarter Excise Tax Obligations for 2024 Up 2.1 Percent Over Last Year

The latest Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collection report released by the Department of the Treasury indicates that firearm and ammunition manufacturers reported tax liabilities of $249.06 million in the 1st calendar quarter of 2024; up 2.1 percent over the same time period reported in 2023.

The report, which covers the time period of January 1, 2024, through March 31, 2024, shows that $80.1 million was due in taxes for Pistols and Revolvers, $81.1 million for Firearms (other)/ Long Guns and $87.9 million for Ammunition (shells and cartridges). Compared to the January to March quarter 2023, tax obligations were up 1.9 percent for Pistols and Revolvers, up 1.0 percent for Firearms (other)/ Long Guns and up 3.5 percent for Ammunition (shells and cartridges).

Translation to sales: Read more

Collector’s Elite Auctions, SAF Offer Highly Desired S&W 1859, Model 29 Set

GunBroker, the largest online marketplace serving the firearms, shooting sports and outdoor industries, and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), the nation’s premier defender of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms have teamed up to offer a stunning collector’s set of Smith & Wesson firearms.

This exclusive set of a highly engraved Model 1854 lever-action rifle and a matching Model 29 revolver is being offered through Collector’s Elite Auctions, with the proceeds going to help support the SAF in its fight to protect and restore the firearms rights to all law-abiding citizens.

The set being auctioned is No. 35 out of a 100-unit run of commemorative 1854 rifles and revolvers. The pairing is a natural fit, as the original chamberings for lever actions were in pistol calibers to match the handgun carried on the range.

A beautiful display case showcases the 1854 Limited rifle, a collectible in and of itself as only 1,854 units of this will be produced. The famed Model 29 revolver is the legendary 6.5-inch barreled version in blue carbon steel with walnut grips.

Both the 1854 rifle and Model 29 handgun have been engraved and embellished by famed customization house Baron Engraving. The design is inlaid with 22-karat gold, and the 1854 and Model 29 share complementary designs. Included with the firearms and display case is a letter from S&W CEO Mark Smith, providing provenance to the set’s origin and limited status. Read more

Primary Arms August Giveaway Features LaRue Tactical MRGG-S Precision Rifle Package

This month, Primary Arms is giving away a rare LaRue Tactical MRGG-S AR-10 rifle, complete with a Primary Arms GLx® 6-24×50 FFP Rifle Scope and LaRue Tactical LT807 Scope Mount! This rifle package is valued at over $4,900 and is an incredible opportunity for anyone seeking out their next long-range build, offering incredible precision and craftsmanship.

Click here to see the Monthly Giveaway Page:?[Click Here].

Designed to compete in SOCOM’s MRGG-S program, LaRue Tactical’s MRGG-S in 6.5 Creedmoor is built for maximum performance at a distance, while remaining capable for fast-action engagements in close- to medium-range. With its 20-inch premium barrel, match components, and striking FDE finish, this limited-production rifle is highly sought-after by collectors and fans of the LaRue brand.

To support this rifle’s capabilities, Primary Arms has equipped it with their GLx® 6-24×50 FFP Rifle Scope. This high-performance rifle scope is engineered for precision with high quality glass, steel-on-steel turrets, and a lightweight yet durable body design. This scope features the advanced ACSS Athena BPR MIL Reticle, a comprehensive MIL-grid reticle with built-in target ranging.

Complementing the optic, Primary Arms has outfitted this rifle with a LaRue Tactical LT807 QD Scope Mount. This mount is specifically designed to pair with large turret optics like GLx 6-24×50 FFP Rifle Scope. With 1.375 inches of rise, it will give you an optimal cheek weld when shooting, and its quick detach feature makes it easy to remove when necessary.

“The LaRue Tactical MRGG-S AR-10 is a unique rifle built to serve elite teams. Equipped with a top-tier optic and mount, it’s the perfect rifle for anyone seeking high-precision.” says Ken Ross, Director of Outbound Marketing at Primary Arms. “We’re thrilled to offer this rifle as August’s giveaway, providing all enthusiasts with a chance to add a very rare rifle to their collection.”

Click here to enter the Giveaway:?[Click Here]. Read more

Hardcore Waterfowl’s New Rugged Series Full Body Mallard

Any waterfowler who has experienced a fluttering wall of mallards descend into a field set will immediately be hooked. There is something about a big flock of ducks swooping in over the decoys that stir the soul – the image is enduring and the stuff of dreams.

Mallards may be the most common duck species on Earth, but don’t expect all of them to be unsophisticated. In recent decades, hunting pressure has increased commensurate with season length and generous bag limits – not to mention better decoy options. It’s likely the old hen out in front of the flock has seen lots of shabby decoys before, and she’s more than willing to sound the alarm for another “go around” – or four – before fading over the horizon.

While field hunting ducks is often a collateral benefit of goose hunting, expecting mallards to center up and finish perfectly in the “hole” over nothing but goose decoys – which was standard operating procedure for decades – isn’t a certainty. While full-body mallard decoys have become a standard item in many goose trailers, there remained plenty of room for improvement, and that’s just what Hardcore Waterfowl has pulled-off with their new Rugged Series Full Body Mallard. Read more

ALPS OutdoorZ Waterproof Rifle Case In Stock and Ready to Ship

ALPS OutdoorZ, the premiere manufacturer of extreme-duty hunting packs and outdoor gear, takes gear protection and transportation to the next level with the all-new Waterproof Rifle Case. Developed for backcountry hunters yet ideally suited for anyone who demands maximum protection and portability for their firearm, the Waterproof Rifle Case is a must-have addition to any serious hunter’s gear portfolio.

Constructed of a waterproof 500D welded PVC outer shell, the case integrates high-density closed-cell flotation foam that not only protects your rifle from the inevitable bumps and dings when horse packing or transporting in a vehicle or ATV, but also ensures your rifle stays dry during inclement weather. The dry bag-style roll-top closure system provides a tight seal to keep water out and offers an adjustable fit for rifles up to 53 inches long and up to 10.5 inches in height.

The case’s rugged construction includes three external compression straps on the side that allow you to further secure the rifle in the case for a snug, protective fit. These straps can also be used to secure a tripod or other shooting support system, so you have everything you need when it is time to make the shot. To assist in field transport, the case comes with an integrated top carry handle and a padded and adjustable removable shoulder strap. A D-ring is also added to the end of the case so it can be conveniently hung to dry or for storage when not in use.

The Waterproof Rifle Case measures 57″ L x 11″ W with a roll length of 49″ to 53″ and weighs 2lbs. 9 oz. MSRP is $99.99. Read more

Fourth Circuit Upholds Maryland’s AWB, SAF Says It Will File Petition for Cert

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Aug. 6, 2024 — The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has announced they will seek Supreme Court review in Bianchi v. Wilkinson, SAF’s challenge to Maryland’s assault weapons ban, after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law.

“Today’s decision from the 4th Circuit is unsurprising given their prior decision in Kolbe,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “We believe, much like in Kolbe, the court’s analysis is flawed and that the challenged law is unconstitutional. We will be filing a petition for certiorari at the Supreme Court, as this case presents an excellent vehicle for the Court to settle this debate once and for all.”

In the 65-page opinion, judges for the majority wrote: “The assault weapons at issue fall outside the ambit of protection offered by the Second Amendment because, in essence, they are military-style weapons designed for sustained combat operations that are ill-suited and disproportionate to the need for self-defense.” Chief Judge Diaz drafted a concurring opinion, with five other judges joining.

Judge Richardson drafted a dissenting opinion, with four other judges joining stating: “The Second Amendment is not a second-class right subject to the whimsical discretion of federal judges. Its mandate is absolute and, applied here, unequivocal…In holding otherwise, the majority grants states historically unprecedented leeway to trammel the constitutional liberties of their citizens.” Read more

It’s Hummingbird Migration Time Again!

Western birders can try to attract such beautiful hummingbirds as this male Rufous Hummingbird as species disperse southward (photo by Nathan Wall).
A variety of hummingbird feeders are available; this one features a high perch for open viewing of the birds. Simply keep your feeder filled with fresh sugar-water nectar and cleaned regularly (Ruby-throated Hummingbird photos by Paul Konrad).
Photographing hummingbirds that visit your feeders can add another dimension to the fun of attracting hummingbirds. (Remember to keep the sun at your back when photographing.)
A second hummingbird feeder can be helpful if you have many hummingbirds visiting during late summer, and when one or more hummers become overly territorial.

Judging by the number and locations of hummingbird festivals alone – 6 festivals in 5 states – the hummingbird action is heating up. More important, each day it seems there are more hummingbirds coming to our feeder and flower gardens – males, females, and young hummers – with a couple species to watch for daily. Providing the best feeder and flowers scenario for hummingbirds can make the late summer hummingbird migration period one to remember for you and your family. And hummingbird numbers now include a new cohort of fledglings joining the populations that migrated north this spring.

Hummingbirds certainly enliven our feeders and yards, providing exciting observations throughout August and September in most states and provinces. Hummingbird visits will also continue through the winter months in some portions of southern states from California and Arizona to New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana.

Overall, we are talking 13-ish species of hummingbirds north of Mexico, but attracting any species of hummingbird is pretty standard – it only takes a feeder with fresh sugar-water nectar, and adjacent flowering plants add to the attraction (the more tubular flowers the better). So it’s easy to provide hummingbird basics, but there are some other options that can enhance your hummingbird experiences during coming weeks.

 First, you may want to consider adding another nectar feeder, perhaps providing one in a sunny area and one in the shade, or one in the front yard and one in the backyard at favorite viewing locations. Read more

Dorsey Discusses Dangerous Repercussions of Proposed Ban on Mountain Lion Hunting in Forbes

“According to a 2023 Colorado Outdoors report, there have been 25 known mountain lion attacks in the state since 1990—the last fatal attack occurring in 1997 when a 10- year-old boy was killed in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The topic of mountain lion attacks and the status of the big cats is now top of mind in Colorado as initiative 91 (a proposed ban on mountain lion and bobcat hunting in the state) will soon be assigned a proposition number and will appear on the November ballot.

The effort to ban the hunt has largely been funded by a Washington D.C.-based animal rights groups, however, not from grassroots proponents within Colorado. Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and its affiliate organization, the Center for a Humane Economy (CHE) have provided most of the financial backing for Initiative 91. The organizations were founded by former Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) chief Wayne Pacelle who was ousted from his HSUS role under a cloud of sexual harassment allegations in 2018.”

To read the rest of the column click here

Hatsan’s Highly Customizable Competition PCP Rifle – Factor RC

The Factor RC, offered by HatsanUSA, is a remarkably versatile PCP air rifle designed for competitive shooting. It comes in three different calibers (.177, .22, and .25) and offers extensive customization options, allowing shooters to precisely adjust and personalize it to suit their specific competition requirements and shooting preferences.

One of its notable features is its ability to accept commercially available pistol grips and buttstocks made for modern sporting rifles. The Factor RC boasts an ergonomic pistol grip covered in soft, durable rubber and textured to provide maximum grip and control. The 5-position telescoping buttstock also features an elevation adjustable cheek rest that can be moved in 5mm increments up to 40mm tall or removed for low-profile optics. Hatsan’s fully adjustable Quattro Trigger includes a trigger pad that can be moved vertically and rotated left or right for maximum precision and comfort.

The Factor RC’s power output is also highly adjustable, featuring an externally adjustable pressure regulator with an output pressure gauge. A power level knob on one side of the receiver controls the amount of air transferred into the barrel, while a hammer preload adjuster on the other side helps fine-tune the power output and cocking effort. The Factor RC features a removable 580cc carbon fiber air tank with a Foster-style quick-disconnect fill inlet. An integrated color-coded manometer allows the system pressure to be easily monitored at a glance. Read more

Introducing GunTag’s GT-7

(Atlanta, Georgia) GunTag, a newly launched company dedicated to protecting firearms from theft, is proud to present their latest innovation the GT-7® aimed at empowering gun owners to keep tabs on their firearms at all times. This cutting-edge accessory combines an advanced green laser sight with a concealed Bluetooth case designed to hold an AirTag or Tile Sticker. The GT-7 supports both handguns and rifles.

The GT-7® is a versatile and high-performance accessory featuring:

All-Conditions Green Laser Sight: Equipped with a powerful green laser, the GT-7® ensures precision and clarity in various lighting conditions, making it an essential tool for both professional and recreational use.
Hidden Anti-Theft Bluetooth-enabled Case: The GT-7® includes a discreetly integrated case that enhances firearm security by offering owners peace of mind. This feature is designed to be compatible with popular tracking technologies, including AirTag and Tile Stickers.
Tamper-Proof Custom Security Screw: The GT-7® is equipped with a unique security screw, providing an additional layer of protection and preventing unauthorized access.
USB-C Rechargeable Battery: The device boasts a USB-C rechargeable battery with a 45-minute run time, ensuring that it remains ready for use when needed.
Universal Fit for Railed Guns: The GT-7® is designed to be compatible with a wide range of firearms, featuring a universal fit for railed guns. Prospective users can consult the size guide available on the company’s website to ensure compatibility. Read more

1 43 44 45 46 47 1,840