Industry Notes

Our Marlin came with mighty nicely figured walnut. The buttstock wood matched the wood of the forend, both having prominent contrasting grain and some fiddleback. The wood appeared to have an epoxy-base finish, it being quite hard and scratch-resistant. The checkering was excellent, with decorative touches. It wrapped the forend and was generous at the grip. The butt had a hard-rubber pad that curved to fit the shoulder, though it did little to cut recoil. There were sling studs, too.The bluing and overall fitting were excellent, though we could have done without all the extra words of warning on the barrel. The sights consisted of a buckhorn rear with a U notch, and a hooded front having a large, flat, gold-faced bead. We thought a good aperture rear sight would have been the way to go, rather than the dated 'cowboy' buckhorn rear.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has awarded Winchester Ammunition the single largest ammunition contract in the history of federal law enforcement...

In equipment categories with sales of more than $1 billion in 2007, the greatest percentage growth in this category came from air guns, which showed a 15% increase to $283.7 million.

A Pennsylvania court sided with NRA and issued a permanent restraining order against two of the city of Philadelphia’s municipal gun control measures enacted in April.

…On Thursday June 5, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued Concealed Carry Permit #1 for a retired investigator. Van Hollen said he hoped other agencies would follow his lead. He said he has told them they have the authority to issue such permits under a four-year-old federal law that makes some of the thousands of retired Wisconsin officers able to carry a concealed weapon.

UltimateSlam's Sabot Ballistics Reticle (SA.B.R.) has precise hold points in 50-yard increments up to 300 yards. Pre-calculated markings on the magnification selector allows the reticle to remain accurate for two- and three-pellet muzzleloader loads, as well as most popular 12 and 20 gauge sabot slug loads.

A Butler, Missouri, car dealership is offering a free handgun with every purchase of a used car.

Top officials from state and federal wildlife agencies and conservation organizations will be joined by executives from different sectors of the industry in presenting educational workshops, discussion panels and strategic issues impacting the future of the shooting sports and providing stimulus for the development of coordinated solutions.

The M1 Garand uses an intricate gas port system to cycle the action, but existing 30-06 ammunition can burn too hot, causing the operating system to be driven harder and faster than intended. This new offering from Hornady is purpose built to provide accurate, safe and ultra reliable functioning for the M1 Garand.

DPMS Firearms, LLC is now building a 7.62 NATO Panther Sportical model, an introductory level, large-bore rifle.

LaserLyte has introduced the new Sub-compact Laser Sight Version Two (V2), a small, versatile railed laser with a removable rail.

…Other issues affecting the industry include a rise in domestic-based demand for ammunition, an increased foreign demand of base metals and the daunting task set to the manufacturers to catch-up to the combined demand of the war and law enforcement.