Sept. 14, 2017
This week on High Caliber Radio we will be talking to Dallas Safari Club Foundation President, Richard Cheatham, about the new “Hunt for Life” campaign. We will also look at the CZ 455 rimfire rifle with synthetic stock and threaded barrel. Other items we will discuss and examine are the Smith and Wesson Model 422 pistol and the Rhodesian Sling as made by Andy Langois. We will also share some exciting news about the hearing protection act.
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Remington Arms reduces its workforce, again
Remington Arms announced more layoffs at its Ilion, New York plant, reportedly due to an ongoing downturn in the firearms industry. (Photo: Donna Abbott-Vlahos/Triad Business Journal) Remington Arms announced more layoffs at its Ilion, New York plant last week, reportedly due to an ongoing downturn in the firearms industry. The gun maker released 156 employees in March in two successive rounds — in the face of mounting inventory and dwindling orders — and now looks to lower the axe on 55 additional workers, as weak demand persists. Ilion Mayor Terry Leonard, a former Remington employee, told Spectrum News the centuries-old company reduces, and replenishes, its workforce often. “If you look back over the last number of years, there were periods where they brought back 100 jobs, they brought back 140 jobs,” he said Friday. “So the layoffs and the recalls have been up and down.” Indeed, staffing at the Ilion plant, first established in 1816, has fluctuated over the past several years. The company released over 200 workers in two different rounds of layoffs in 2014– citing market conditions and the impact of the New York SAFE Act of gun control measures – then reportedly bringing back the same number of jobs in 2015, Guns.com previously reported. Not every official familiar with the central New York town feels as optimistic as Leonard, however. Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney released a statement Thursday blasting restrictive gun laws for wreaking economic havoc on Remington. “Remington Arms has been a staple in Herkimer County for over two hundred years, and I have had the distinct honor of representing their hardworking employees in both the State Assembly and now in Congress,” she said. “Unfortunately, economic downturns in the firearms industry have forced Remington to reduce the size of their workforce to remain competitive. I know many employees at Remington personally and am saddened to hear this news. The failed economic and anti-Second Amendment policies of New York have continued to burden Remington’s Ilion facility. Our office stands ready to provide any assistance we can offer to the affected employees and their families during this time.” Remington posted a 24 percent decrease in second quarter sales last month, bringing its operating loss to a total of $44.5 million, so far. Company executives blamed excess inventory, weak consumer demand and an increase in firearm imports for the disappointing earnings. Competitor gun and ammo makers report similar challenges in their first and second quarter filings. Ruger AR-556 MPR
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) is proud to announce the new AR-556® Multi-Purpose Rifle (“MPR”). This custom-built modern sporting rifle features an 18″ nitrided alloy barrel with rifle-length gas system, Ruger’s 15″ free-float handguard compatible with M-LOK® accessories, the Ruger® Elite 452™ AR-Trigger and ergonomic Magpul® furniture. The perfect rifle for a variety of uses, the AR-556 MPR is capable and versatile.
“We are very excited to add this model to our modern sporting rifle lineup,” said Ruger President and CEO Chris Killoy. “Our talented team of engineers worked carefully to develop the ideal custom package for the AR-556 platform that does it all, right out of the box. From plinking to competition shooting, the MPR is the perfect rifle for just about anything.” The MPR’s cold-hammer forged 18″ alloy barrel with 5R rifling is salt bath nitrided for corrosion resistance and durability. The barrel is contoured to minimize weight without sacrificing rigidity, leaving a 0.75″ journal for the low-profile gas block. The soft-shooting, rifle-length gas system paired with a Ruger® muzzle brake provides smoother operation and softens recoil to keep every shot on target. Ruger’s 15″ free-float handguard is light, stiff and versatile, with Magpul M-LOK accessory attachment slots along the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions. Additional slots on the angled surfaces near the muzzle are perfect for mounting a light, laser or QD sling cup. Compared to a typical quad-rail forend, the 1.50″ diameter handguard makes the MPR’s forend slim and controllable. M-LOK-compatible Picatinny rail sections can be easily added. The integral Picatinny rail at the 12:00 position is tightly controlled to the most current STANAG 4649 specification. The crisp 4.5 pound trigger pull of the Elite 452 two-stage trigger is a great addition to the MPR. The lower receiver is fitted with Magpul’s MOE® grip and Mil-Spec MOE SL™ buttstock, making the rifle easy to handle, shoulder and shoot. The Mil-Spec compatible lower and upper receivers are CNC-machined from forgings and hard coat anodized. The MPR comes complete with dust cover, brass deflector and forward assist. USCCA: Bring National Reciprocity Legislation to a Vote
U.S. Concealed Carry Association Calls on Congressional Leadership to Bring National Reciprocity Legislation to a Vote
Congress has an Opportunity This Fall to Pass Concealed Carry Reciprocity West Bend, WI – As Congress convenes for its first full week after being away during the month of August, the United States Concealed Carry Association is urging legislators to follow through on their promise to pass national concealed carry reciprocity, which would ensure that concealed carry permits issued in one state would be considered valid in the other 49 states. Senator John Cornyn introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act through S.446 earlier this year and Congressman Richard Hudson did the same through the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 in H.R.446. Both bills would ensure that concealed carry permits issued in one state would be respected in them all. “Responsibly armed Americans all across the country have long hoped for national concealed carry reciprocity and voted for their representatives with the understanding this legislation would become law,” said Tim Schmidt, Founder & President of the United States Concealed Carry Association. “Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation in H.R.38 and S.446 has been waiting for a vote, and now is the time to make that happen. We urge our leaders in Congress to take up a vote on this legislation so that national concealed carry reciprocity can make it to the President’s desk for his signature.” Brownells Goes Retro- Launches M16A1/AR-15 Furniture
Brownells Goes Retro – Launches M16A1/AR-15 Furniture
Grinnell, Iowa – Retro rifle fans, rejoice! Brownells announces M16A1-style furniture in 3 different colors, allowing enthusiasts to complete authentic-looking replicas of classic early AR-15 variants. Colors available include black, Air Force contract green, and brown for builds replicating early Eugene Stoner prototypes. Available separately or in complete furniture sets, the early-pattern stocks, pistol grips and iconic triangular handguard sets are made with fully-modern materials, and are attractively priced compared to hard-to-find originals. Handguards fit into triangular handguard caps. Stocks are based on the Type D pattern, without a trapdoor compartment, and fit onto A-1 length buffer tubes. “Customers have a deep desire for nostalgia, and they wanted to be able to build their own version of an early AR-15 or M16A1,” said Brownells CEO Pete Brownell. “We’re proud to offer these classic-looking parts to help accomplish those builds.” The following Retro AR-15 Furniture can be seen on the Brownells website:
The Retro furniture complements the other Retro M16A1 parts Brownells also offers, including both upper and lower receivers, barrels, bolt carrier groups and other small parts. To see all of Brownells Retro parts, click here. Springfield Armory Offers Concealed Carry Optimized EMP 4 Pistol in .40 S&W
4-Inch Barrel EMP Adds Carry Contour & Grip Enhancements in a New Caliber GENESEO, IL, September 11, 2017 – Springfield Armory®’s reputable EMP® 4″ with Concealed Carry Contour is now offered in .40 S&W for those looking for another variation on this standout 1911 series. The EMP line captured audiences with ideal concealed carry proportions in a slim, single-stack design; silky-smooth short action; and enhanced ergonomic features. This series is set apart from the competition by the reduced dimensions of the grip frame. Due to it being designed originally around the 9mm cartridge, Springfield’s engineers were able to reduce the diameter and front-to-rear dimensions of the grip frame by 0.26 and 0.14 inches, respectively. This is immediately evident when you pick up an EMP, especially when you factor in the extra-thin G10 grip panels. Compressing the traditional 1911 .45ACP grip to fit the 9mm and .40 caliber cartridges takes more than you might think. In fact, nine different components were redesigned to produce the EMP, including the frame, slide, extractor, trigger bow, trigger mechanism, firing pin, firing pin spring, plunger tube and spring. What makes this particular version of the EMP popular is its concealed carry contour design. The heel and mainspring housing of this EMP’s grip frame have been rounded off, making the pistol more concealable, because it removes the part of the grip that tends to print through clothing. A contoured grip is typically a custom feature, and adding this to an existing pistol can cost as much as $225. However, Springfield offers a production contour for half the price. “We are always looking for new ways to offer our customers exactly what they want,” Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese said. “Whether it’s an entirely new platform or simply an additional caliber offering, such as this model now being available in .40, we take each consumer into consideration and work tirelessly to provide a solution for their individual needs.” In addition to the concealed carry contour, this pistol has all of the same premium features and enhancements you’ve come to love from the EMP product line. The satin finish 416 stainless steel slide has rear cocking serrations and a 3-dot sight system which employs a red fiber-optic in front and a low-profile, white-dot sight in back. The 4″ stainless steel, match-grade bushing-less bull barrel incorporates a fully supported ramp. Unlike the 9mm version’s aluminum alloy frame, the .40 S&W sports a carbon steel frame finished in Black-T® – the same treatment specified on the Springfield Armory 1911s built for the FBI’s SWAT and Hostage Rescue teams. The frame’s frontstraps and mainspring housing are both treated with an aggressive Posi-Lock™ golf ball dimple texturing. Coupled with thin-line G10 panels featuring the same texture provides a grip designed to offer maximum comfort and control. An ambidextrous thumb safety makes it southpaw-friendly too. Previously offered in 9mm, Springfield Armory is proud to introduce the EMP 4″ with Concealed Carry Contour to the market in .40 S&W. It’s the same quality and performance you’d expect from Springfield Armory’s trusted brand with yet another option for versatility. For more information about the new 1911 EMP® 4″ Concealed Carry Contour model, please visit www.springfield-armory.com. |
