Sports Publications

Doing business: the 2004 buying season gets underway as manufacturers present a first look at this year's new products

Shooting Industry, Feb, 2004 by Russ Thurman

The industry got its first look at 2004 new products as manufacturers presented their latest offerings at the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesaler's (NASGW) show in November.

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More than 160 manufacturers participated in the 30th Annual Hunting Show in Phoenix. Ariz., Nov. 6-8. More than 1,500 people attend the show, including manufacturers, importers, sales representatives and distributors from the United States. Canada, Europe, Argentina and Australia.

During the show. NASGW elected new officers and directors.

Bill Foster, president of Dixie Shooters Supply Inc. was elected the 26th president of the association.

"I'm looking forward to this year as we move to energize our organization," Foster said. "We've set some strong goals to be more active within the entire industry and have a lot more interaction with manufacturers."

Foster said many manufacturers don't realize all the services a distributor can provide.

"We have to do a better job of presenting what we can do for manufacturers to help them move products faster and better. Many manufacturers don't understand the value of what we do." Foster said.

The first challenge Foster and the association face is hiring a new executive director to replace Becky Maddy who retired following the show after 30 years with NASGW.

"Becky served our group faithfully and we wish her the best in retirement," Foster said. "Now, we're looking for an executive director who will help us with our goal of letting the industry know we're a real live group."

In other elections. Dennis Spindler. Big Rock Sports vice president of merchandising, was elected NASGW vice president, and Mike Brown, Camfour Inc. general manager, was elected treasurer. Bill Fraim, AcuSport Corp. chairman and CEO, was elected to a two-year term on the board of directors, and Richard Bestwick, Bangers L.P. president, and Len Hale, Walter Craig Inc. president, were elected to four-year terms.

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Manufacturers Honored

NASGW presented its annual Manufacturer of the Year awards during the show.

The awards recognize manufacturers who enhance the wholesaler's ability "to provide product and service to their customers in an efficient and profitable manner, thereby enabling them to better service their customers."

Federal Cartridge Co. received the ammunition award. Smith & Wesson was presented the firearm award. Leupold & Stevens was honored with the optic award, and Michaels of Oregon received the accessories award.

New Products For 2004

ADCO has added a .22 rifle conversion unit to its inventory. The unit, which includes a 10-round magazine, is being imported from CZ Strojirna S.R.O in Strakonice, Czech Republic.

"It's designed for use on any AR-15 or 16 system," said Al DePaoli, ADCO president. "The .22 conversion is available now, and a .17 HMR version will be available by this summer."

ArmaLite's new AR-10 Ultra Mag rifle, chambered in .300 Rem. Short Ultra Mag. (RSUM), was developed in collaboration with the Army Marksmanship Program.

The Ultra Mag rifles have a longer gas system to allow optimum cycling of the .300 RSUM cartridge and the feed ramps have been extended to improve feeding.

Barnes Bullets has enjoyed a lot of success with its Triple-Shock X-Bullet, introduced last year.

"The response has been fabulous," said Randy Brooks, Barnes president. "Shooters are getting roughly about half the size of a group with Triple Shock than they shot with the regular X-Bullet."

This year, Barnes is joining forces with Federal Cartridge to promote and distribute Triple-Shock.

"We are doing some ads together and they're pulling it through their system with 10 SKUs," Brooks said. "It's going to be one of their flag ships this year and we're very fortunate to have them onboard with Triple-Shock."

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For 2004, Barnes is adding three calibers and five bullet weights to the Triple-Shock X-Bullet line. It also has added six bullets to its XPB handgun line.

Beretta's new Model 92/96 Steel I, designed for the competitive shooter, has a recoil-reducing steel frame. The pistol features Beretta's slim "vertical" grip, frame-mounted safety and the Beretta nickel-alloy finish.

The Beretta 8000 Cougar Inox is now available for the first time in the United States. Beretta will be importing a limited number of Cougar 8000 and 8040 pistols in 9mm and .40 S & W.

The new Beretta Stampede Thunderer has a 3 1/2-inch barrel and birdhead's grip.

In rifles, the Sako 75 is now offered in .270 WSM and .300 WSM. The new Sako 3 in 1 Rimfire rifle has a totally redesigned action that's engineered to accept three barrel chamberings: .22 LR, the .17 HMR and .22 WMR.

The Tikka T3 is now available in a stainless version with a laminated stock. The new Tikka T3 Varmint Stainless is available in .223 Rem., .22-250 Rem., 308 Win. with a heavy contour 26-inch stainless-steel barrel. The Tikka T3 Tactical, in .223 Rem. and .308 Win., features a 20-inch barrel with a non-reflective black-phosphate finish and a synthetic varmint-style.