New 2003 products! Extra! New offerings continue to roll out as the industry begins its new business year!

Shooting Industry, Jan, 2003 by Russ Thurman

The holiday buying is over and the books for 2002 are closed. It is a new year with fresh opportunities. New products for 2003 continue to be introduced with manufacturers competing to grab the attention of distributors, dealers and consumers.

This year, there are an impressive number of new products in all categories. Firearm and ammunition makers lead the drive, complimented by a variety of accessories to enhance hunting, competition and casual shooting.

Here is our second look at new products for 2003. Together with the December 2002 issue, we have presented and unprecedented number of new products at the beginning of a new year.

As always, Shooting Industry is committed to providing the latest information to help dealers build their businesses. For additional new products and business information, sign onto www.shootingindustry.com.

FIREARMS

Sturm, Ruger & Co.

(928) 541-8820

www.ruger-firearms.com

Ruger is introducing three variations of its rimfire rifles chambered in .17 HMR.

The Ruger Stainless Steel 77/17 bolt-action rifle features a heavy varmint barrel in Target Gray and a weather-resistant black laminated hardwood stock. It measures 43.25 inches overall and weighs 6 7/8 pounds.

The second Ruger 77/17 bolt action in .17 HMR features a blued finish and lightweight synthetic stock. It is 41.25 inches long and weighs 6 pounds. Both Model 77/17s have nine-round capacities, three-position safeties and includes medium-height 1-inch scope rings.

The new Ruger Model 96/17 lever action features a blued barrel and steel-reinforced, aluminum alloy receiver with a steel bolt. It has a hardwood stock, sliding cross-button safety, folding rear and gold bead front sights and comes with a tip-off scope mount base. It measures 37 3/8 inches overall and weighs 5.25 pounds.

Beretta USA

(301) 283-2191

www.berettausa.com

Beretta's new Stampede SAA Revolver is chambered in .45LC, .44-40 and .357 Magnum and is available in 4.75-, 5.5- and 7.5-inch barrel lengths. Finish options are traditional blue, nickel, and on the deluxe model, charcoal blue with high-grade walnut grips.

The new U22 Neos DLX features an adjustable trigger (pre-and over-travel), Beretta blue rubber grip inlays, interchangeable colored front and rear sights and a laser-engraved slide. It is chambered in .22 LR and is available in 6- and 7.5-inch barrel lengths, with black or stainless finishes.

The new Model 92G-SD and Model 96G-SD feature an integral accessory rail, recoil-reducing heavy slide, and removable front and rear Trijicon three-dot tritium sights. With a 4.9-inch barrel, the pistols are available in 9mm and .40 S&W.

Beretta's new Onyx Pro Series shotguns are offered in new X-Tra Wood, featuring a special waterproof, wood-enhancement process. They are available in 12, 20 and 28 gauge. A 12 gauge in 3 1/2-inch is also available. The shotguns feature TruGlo Tru-Bead sights, extended hunting choke tubes, fluted beavertail forends and Gel-Tek Recoil Pads.

The new White and Black Onyx shotguns, finished in silver or black, feature a carbon-fiber pattern. The White Onyx has a Schnabel forend. The Black Onyx has a fluted Beavertail forend. They are available in 12, 20 and 28 gauge.

The new Silver Pigeon IV shotguns have a selected oil finished Walnut stock and full coverage scroll engraving with gold-filled flushing game birds on the receiver.

Beretta's AL391 Teknys and Teknys Gold, in 12 and 20 gauge, feature deep-relief engraving and nickel silver receivers. The AL391 Teknys, available in field models, comes in new X-Tra Wood with TruGlo sights and a Gel-Tek recoil pad. The Teknys Gold, in field and competition models, features a select oil-finished walnut stock and colored enamel inlays.

The new Sako Tikka T3 is offered in a Hunter wood/blued model and a Lite synthetic stock version, which weighs slightly over 6 pounds. Stainless and blued actions are available. Calibers include: .223 Rem.; .22-250 Rem.; .243 Win; .25-'06 Rem.; 7mm Rem. Mag.; 270 WSM and 300 WSM.

The new Sako 75 Custom Deluxe offers a hand-selected premium-grade walnut stock and custom-shop features. With a hinged floorplate magazine, the rifle is chambered in .270 and .30-'06.

The new Sako 75 Hunter Left-Hand, now available in Action IV size, is chambered in .25-'06 Rem., 270 Win. and .30-'06.

Kel-Tec CNC Industries

1-800-515-9983

www.kel-tec.com

Kel-Tec's new SU-16 Sport Utility Rifle is a gas-operated, self-loading .223 Rem. rifle. It features an integrated Picatinny rail, a forend that folds down to form a bipod and storage in the stock for spare magazines. The SU-16 folds for compact carry and storage. It has an 18-inch barrel and weighs 5 pounds.

The new double-action-only Kel-Tec P-3AT pistol is chambered in .380 Auto. The frame is machined from solid 7075 aluminum. The barrel and slide are made of SAE 4140 ordnance steel. The P-3AT is 5.2 inches long, weighs 7.2 ounces and holds a six-round magazine.

Browning

(801) 875-2711

www.browning.com

In addition to introducing two ultra-modern A-Bolt rifles in the new Winchester Super Short Magnums, Browning is chambering more rifles in the original WSM cartridges.