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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024

- ACQUISITIONS -
TrueTimber announces its recent acquisition of Blizzard Buddy, a trusted partner in the industry. This strategic move will further strengthen TrueTimber's position as a technology and performance-driven brand, offering customers an expanded range of innovative products.
- APPAREL -
GRITR Sports & Outdoors announces its new partnership with Brandit Individual Wear, a Germany-based brand renowned for quality urban outdoor wear that emphasizes individuality and freedom of expression.
- AWARDS -
Burris Optics announces its recognition as Guns & Ammo Innovator of the Year for 2024. This prestigious award, bestowed by the editors, contributors, and staff of Guns & Ammo, celebrates Burris’ exceptional advancements in optical technology and product development within the firearms industry.
- COMPETITION -
Team Blaser’s John Barnes and Rachel Barringer delivered world-class performances at the 2024 World Skeet Championships to claim HOA Champion titles. They competed against almost 600 competitors from around the world.
Baschieri & Pellagri USA congratulates Karen Miles on her achievements at the Diamond Classic. Karen clinched multiple titles in both overall and ladies’ divisions. Her achievements continue to affirm her position as a dominate force in the world of competitive shooting.

Federal Ammunition congratulates sponsored skeet shooters Connor Ball, Jason Ward, and Stuart Brown on claiming world titles at the World Skeet Championships. The event was held September 27-October 5, 2024, at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, TX.
Brady Ellison, America’s most-decorated archery Olympian, is back on top of the world this week with a #1 World Archery ranking after winning the World Archery Field Championship in Canada last week.
Winchester AA® shotshells were the predominant brand of ammunition and White Flyer the official target used during the 2024 World Skeet Championships at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas.
Remington Ammunition’s 3rd annual Shoot to Cure fundraiser was a resounding success. The event, held on September 20, 2024, at the renowned Remington Gun Club in Lonoke, Ark., brought together 28 teams and a total of 140 shooters for a day of friendly competition and philanthropy.

- CONSERVATION -
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) capped several years of collaborative efforts to successfully conserve, protect and add 1,073 more acres to the Minam River Wildlife Area (MRWA), expanding it to 16,646 acres in northeast Oregon.
- COURTS -
A federal district court judge in New York has ruled that the state’s restriction against concealed carry on private property open to the public is unconstitutional, handing a victory to the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) in a case known as Christian v. James.
- EVENTS -
X-Vision Optics announces its participation in the 2024 National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) Expo, taking place from October 15th to 18th. At Booth #1641, X-Vision Optics will showcase its latest products, including advanced thermal imaging and night vision devices.
America’s Precisioneered ReloadingTM brand RCBS is pleased to announce the company’s upcoming attendance at the 50th Annual NASGW Expo and Annual Meeting, held October 15-18 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Air Venturi is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) Expo 2024 in Kansas City.
NEXTORCH Industries announces they will be exhibiting at the 2024 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference and Exposition. The event will take place Saturday, October 19th to Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston, Ma.
Pietta Firearms will be exhibiting at the 2024 NASGW Expo. This year Pietta will be showcasing several SMU revolvers that will show distributors the ability of Pietta to create “exclusive” firearms for their preferred distributors.
TriStar Arms announces its participation in this year's National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) Expo, set to take place from October 15-18, 2024, at the Kansas City Convention Center, Missouri. Attendees are invited to visit TriStar Arms at Booth #916 to experience the company’s latest offerings.

European American Armory Corp announces their attendance at the NASGW Expo, October 15th-18th in downtown Kansas City, Booth #1325. At this year's expo, EAA Corp will launch a series of handguns that will surely have the industry buzzing.
RetailBI, the leading independent provider of analytics and business intelligence for the shooting sports industry, has released the 2024 Q3 Shooting Sports Retail Executive Report. The free quarterly report, informed by sales and inventory data from over 2,000 firearm retailers, uncovers a critical shift in the firearms market.
PTR® Industries will be exhibiting at the 2024 50th Annual NASGW Expo, October 15-18, in Kansas City, MO.
FightLite® Industries will be exhibiting their newest and best products in booth #1124 at the 50th annual NASGW Expo this week, October 15th-18th 2024, at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dead Air is gearing up for the 2024 National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers Expo and Annual Meeting at the Kansas City Convention Center. At this year’s expo, Dead Air will be showcasing its no-nonsense lineup of suppressors, including the battle-proven Sandman, Nomad, and Wolfman series.
Templar Knife will be exhibiting w at the 2024 NASGW Expo. Since debuting the brand at NASGW in 2018, Templar has established and maintains great working relationships with some of the Country’s premier distributors.
- GEAR -
Galco’s WalkAbout 3.0, part of their Concealed Carry Lite line of holsters, is now available for SIG-Sauer P365XL. The holster has a reinforced open top design, with belt clips adjustable for cant and its attached magazine carrier has a more pronounced angle than previous versions.
- GIVEAWAYS -
Pnuma Outdoors has partnered with over 15 industry leading brands to compile a prize package worth $5,000 of gear that is Vital for the Hunt. See the full list of prize items and register to win at https://pnumaoutdoors.com/pages/vital-for-the-hunt-giveaway now through October 20th.

- HUNTING -
Arkansas’s first alternative firearms season opens Oct. 19, and many hunters are excited at the increased opportunity to use a rifle with straight-walled ammunition this year instead of their old black-powder muzzleloader.
- INDUSTRY -
MGE Wholesale is pleased to announce the addition of Bryan Warchus to their growing sales team.
Springfield Armory is proud to announce that CEO and owner Dennis Reese has donated $25,000 to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) Protect Liberty political action committee (PAC).
SDS Imports has announced that they are known as SDS Arms. SDS Arms will continue to provide shooting and hunting enthusiasts with iconic, nostalgic, tactical, and modern value priced firearms.

SIG SAUER announces the official opening of the Jacksonville Arkansas Ammunition Center (JAAC) on the SIG SAUER Ammunition campus. The advanced manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas brings 210,000 additional square feet of high-tech modern manufacturing in support of the U.S. Army Next Generation Squad Weapons and family of 6.8 Hybrid Ammunition.
FN America, LLC announced that the Wake County (Raleigh, NC) Sheriff’s Office has selected the FN 509 Fullsize MRD-LE as their new duty pistol. The Sheriff’s Office reached this decision after a year of testing multiple manufacturers’ pistols.
SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range is the only range event officially associated with the SHOT Show and is sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. There are remaining sponsorships and exhibit spaces available.
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing announces the appointment of military professional Cameron Fraser as its new Director of US Government Sales.
Celerant Technology marks a significant milestone as it commemorates 25 years of serving and innovating retailers nationwide. Founded in 1999, Celerant consistently leverages extensive experience and a diverse knowledge base to drive development in the retail technology sector.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
Nosler® announces the launch of its newest ammunition line: Whitetail Country™. Designed specifically for deer, this new line is engineered to deliver premium terminal performance and reliability, all at a price point accessible to every deer hunter.
Franklin Armory® announced the new G-S193, the first Binary® trigger and slide kit for the popular Glock 19 Gen 3. Shipping for the new G-S193 Binary® trigger and slide kit is expected to begin this quarter.
Buck Knives wants all knife owners to have a knife in their hands that meets their needs--and personal preferences. That's a top reason the Post Falls, Idaho manufacturer provides the option of ordering a one-of-a-kind knife directly from the Buck Knives Custom Knife Shop. Ten Buck knife models can be customized to your preference, with selections ranging from steel to handle materials.
REDARC unveils its latest innovation: the BCDC Alpha. The BCDC Alpha’s Start Battery Recovery feature allows users to restore a flat start battery in as little as 15 minutes—making it the only DC-DC charger that can both charge and recover start batteries.
The new 1/8 oz Buzzerk Buzzbait from Buckeye Lures is built with all of the design elements that made the original Buzzerk a winner, and excels in smaller-forage scenarios.
CrossBreed Holsters announced the company’s entry into the rifle sling segment. The new CrossBreed rifle sling series debuts with three stylish, high-performance models hand-crafted to meet the standards of discerning hunters and recreational shooters.
Canik announces the transformation of its signature micro-compact pistol, the Mete MC9, with two new models: The MC9L and MC9LS. These transformed pistols elevate the MC9 platform by offering increased capacity and grip surface on both models and an increased sight radius on the MC9LS.
Darton's new Sequel ST2 series of bows, available in 31”, 33” and “35” (NEW) axle to axle bows all come with patent pending Perfect Timing and Perfect Tuning technology.
Charter Arms announces the introduction of the new Double Dog Revolver Series. First in the series is the Charter Arms Mag Pug Combo, a combination of the Mag Pug and Pit Bull chamberings. This versatile revolver offers compatibility with .357 Magnum and 9mm calibers.
- OPTICS -
iRayUSA announced a new 384x288 resolution model in the RICO Mk2 LRF line, the RL42R. The new RL42R continues the innovative design and feature set of the RH50R (integrated laser rangefinder, on-board ballistics calculator, etc.) but with a 42 mm germanium objective lens and a 384x288 resolution thermal sensor.
ATN Corp announced a significant firmware update for its popular Thor-LTV, Thor 5, and Thor-XD thermal riflescope series. This update introduces SharpIR, ATN's proprietary image enhancement technology, designed to deliver unprecedented clarity and detail for users in the field.
- ORGANIZATIONS -
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and CSF Board of Directors Chairman and NASCAR legend Richard Childress co-hosted the 20th Annual Wine, Wheels, & Wildlife Event. The event brought together representatives from the hunting and angling industry, federal and state legislators, advocacy partners, and NASCAR stars for an entertaining evening recognizing our time-honored traditions and the tremendous achievements set forth by CSF across America.
On Friday, November 1, 2024, the National Rifle Association of America and its members will celebrate the start of the second annual “Wild Game Meat Donation Month” to encourage all hunters to donate extra venison or other game meat to help provide meals for those in need.
ScentLok is continuing as a Whitetails Unlimited national sponsor. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Muskegon, Michigan, ScentLok is a pioneer in the hunting industry with their ozone generators and activated carbon technology.
Kenyon Gleason, president and secretary of the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), has been elected to the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) Board of Trustees.
The International Hunter Education Association-USA (IHEA-USA) announces the passage of a groundbreaking resolution by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) at the recent annual meeting in Wisconsin. This resolution, agreed upon by all State Wildlife Agency Directors nationwide, solidifies IHEA-USA’s standards as the cornerstone for hunter education reciprocity between states, creating a streamlined process for hunters and agencies alike.
- PODCASTING -
Hook & Barrel announces the appearance of its Founder and Editor-in-Chief John J. Radzwilla on the popular podcast The Colion Noir Podcast. In the episode titled “Truth Behind Running a Gun Magazine,” Radzwilla and Noir reminisce about the early days of Hook & Barrel and discuss the benefits and challenges of publishing a gun-centric magazine in today’s climate.
- PODCASTS -
On Thursday, October 3, Safari Club International (SCI) proudly sponsored a Ruthless Podcast fishing outing in Saugatuck, Michigan, with Republican vice-presidential nominee Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), and son Vivek. The great day out on the water was, of course, followed by an in-depth interview with Senator Vance.
- PRODUCT NEWS -
The XTech Tactical MAG47 10/30 AK-47 magazines are AK magazines for those living in states with unconstitutional restrictions on magazine capacity. As of October, 2024, all 10/30 magazines for the 7.62 AK variants will fall under the “Freedom Series”. The company will continue to offer its “Free State Adaptors” which allow the user to convert their 10/30 magazines to 30rds when or if their state laws change or they relocate.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced the release of the M&P4 rifle series for the Military and Law Enforcement professional market. These rifles come in barrel lengths of 11.5 or 14.5 inches, feature select-fire capabilities, and are supplied with six-position buttstocks.
If you’re looking for something quick, easy, and mess-free, Tink’s® Scent Sticks are your best friend. They give you all the advantages of our trusted scents with a whole lot less hassle. Tink’s Scent Sticks are available in a range of proven scents, from #69 Doe-in-Rut® to Trophy Buck and #1 Doe-P, and more.
The Ultimate Practice Shooting System (UPSS) is a laser shooting system that allows you to practice with your own gun, at home or club, using a laser device placed in the muzzle that you shoot at a laser target that moves across your wall and replicates any type of target, i.e., skeet, trap, sporting.
- PUBLISHING -
GUNS Editor Brent T. Wheat covers customizing the Ruger Wrangler as he introduces “Pinky Tuscadero” and “Black Bart.” Both revolvers were disassembled, everything was polished, cleaned and sanded, various parts were thinned and lightened and then sent out for their Cerakote treatments.
- RANGES -
Hillsdale College held the dedication for its Ailes Action Shooting Range on Monday, Sept. 30. The construction was made possible through a leadership gift by Elizabeth Ailes. The range features five 30-yard pistol bays, a 40-yard pistol bay, and a 100-yard rifle bay.
- RECOGNITION -
Remington Ammunition congratulates sponsored shooter Clay Baldwin on his induction into the National Skeet Shooting Association’s Hall of Fame.
- RETAIL -
The NEBO SLYDE KING 4K tops NEBO’s legendary flashlight collection with its patented slide-to-reveal design. It features a 4000-lumen LED flashlight, a 1000-lumen C•O•B work light, and a red task light, all in a compact design that is easy to carry or pack.
Real Avid announced that the company’s latest merchandising concept — billed as a “store within a store” — will debut in the new Tulsa Scheels location. Tulsa Scheels will open Saturday, October 19, 2024. This will be the first Scheels location in Oklahoma and will feature 75 specialty shops within the 240K square foot retail space.
- STATE AGENCIES -
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) would like to remind hunters that Conservation First USA is running its bonus Great 8 fall raffle. With fall seasons opening and hunting on the brain, what better time to purchase tickets?
A proposed amendment for an item on the Nov. 12 Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting agenda is available for public review and comment online. The amendment, proposed by Commission Vice-Chairman Pat Tabor, from Region 1, would change the following fishing regulations with respect to spearfishing in the Western District.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ River Recreation Advisory Council (RRAC) will meet in Helena and through Zoom on Oct. 16, 17 and 18. The meetings are open to the public, and attendees will have the chance to provide public comment each day.
- STATES -
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is inviting families to attend its annual Halloween Wildlife Festival and Jack-O’-Lantern Hike at the Kehoe Education Center on Point of Pines Road in Castleton on Wednesday, October 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- SWEEPSTAKES -
With an entry of just $20, you could secure an exciting hunt trip while also supporting SCI Foundation’s vital wildlife conservation work.
- TELEVISION -
Timber Creek Outdoors capitalizes on The High Road distribution model with Keith Warren. To connect with an ever-expanding market of outdoor consumers, Timber Creek Outdoors collaborates with The High Road Group on a special episode of The High Road with Keith Warren, airing on digital platforms and television.
The Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation was founded in April 2012 and remains a lasting tribute to the legendary angler and TV host Jose Wejebe. In partnership with Outdoor America, over 200 episodes of Spanish Fly will be available on Outdoor America’s FAST TV, App, and Broadcast channels. This collaboration brings Jose's beloved show and message to new audiences.
- WILDLIFE -
Partners in Arizona-Utah California Condor conservation, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), gathered at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument on Sept. 28 for the successful release of four captive-raised and endangered California condors into the wilds of far north Arizona.
 

This week’s annual gathering of the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) will give us our first look at what many want to know: what we might expect as business in 2025.

A lot of variables go into predicting how 2025 will shake out. 2024 was predicted early on to see overall firearms sales rise a modest 2 to 5 percent. By September, that was revised to a downturn of anywhere from 10 to 15 percent.

Inflation concerns still impact the buying power of end users. That’s one concern for 2025. Another is the presidential election where one candidate’s win can (might) signal smooth sailing for four years or going the other way could turn the industry on its head via non-stop legislative and executive order attacks.

Either outcome could spur sales. That depends on which candidate wins and how the economy changes under new management

Here in Kansas City, Missouri, the NASGW Expo and Annual Meeting will bring together major manufacturers and wholesalers. The wholesalers aren't just the buyers at this show. They're the industry’s largest customers for companies that rely on the two-step distribution model.

Yesterday and today consist of individual company meetings. In those, manufacturers hold one-one-ones with their distribution partners to review product selection and sales in 2024. They’ll also discuss new products and sales programs for 2025. These closed-door meetings will likely see some frank discussions, especially for any companies whose products performed flatter than expected this year.

Exhibitors not meeting on Monday and Tuesday will have their distributor interactions in their booths Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Last year I visited one company that showed me a new pistol “yet to be released.” It wasn’t going to be, unless they received a positive response from buyers.

That's the true variable in predicting next year’s sales. If companies roll out derivative models based on sluggish selling legacy products, or fail to price their products in accordance with the current climate, a wholesale buyer’s open-to-buy dollars might be a lot less ‘open.’

From the opposite point of view, a distributor that doesn’t closely monitor their own sales data and react accordingly could hurt both their business and the company whose product they over-or under-bought.

Distributors can make or break a company depending on how well they communicate with suppliers.

At the 2023 NASGW Expo I asked one wholesale buyer how they were surviving the slowing market, under the assumption that things were bad for them just as I had been hearing from companies.

To my surprise I learned that this distributor has a few key products, key SKUs, they watch closely in order to guide their ordering. When they saw one of those SKUs selling through to dealers at a decreasing rate they knew to “not order that next container” of that product, or presumably other products.

By using this canary in the coal mine approach they saved their year, finishing with a solid fourth quarter.

The data on sales has been an important – and valuable – focus for NASGW over the last couple years. Their NASGW SCOPE™ “is an industry-owned, distributor-led initiative to collect and analyze data that strengthens shooting sports businesses.” It’s the ongoing tracking of this data from wholesalers and retailers that 2024’s projections were based on, along with additional outside economic and political data.

SCOPE is NASGW’s own canary in the coal mine. It’s actually several canaries – not just down a single shaft, but throughout the entire mine.

Being on the ground here at the NASGW Expo means we’ll be a bit closer to those canaries, and our discussions with wholesalers and manufacturers will (hopefully) give us a glimpse of what 2025 holds for the industry.

Walking the show floor will be what the kids call a ‘vibe check.’ We’ll know later this week if it’s good vibes for 2025 of bad vibes. And, from a purely selfish point of view, what new products will be revealed.

– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network

 
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