by Joseph P. Tartaro | Executive Editor
The Trump White House is not the only entity battling the media these days and the Army’s Modular Handgun System contract awarded to Sig Sauer may have hit a snag as TGM reviews recent firearms industry news.
Remington has accused the CBS “60 Minutes” team of “omitting and misrepresenting key facts” in a Feb. 17 broadcast segment about “Remington Arms Company, LLC and two tragic incidents which occurred in 2011.”
And Glock USA has filed a protest with the government over the Army’s award of a new pistol contract to competitor Sig Sauer, according to documents filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), reported by Army Times.
Army Times has reported that The Glock’s response “puts the Army’s plans to begin testing its XM17 Modular Handgun System, based on Sig’s P320 on hold until the complaint is resolved, Army Times said, reporting that “the Army has until June 5 to respond to Glock’s complaint, according to the GAO website.”
Remington said in its own press release that “In narrating the details related to each incident, 60 Minutes omitted and misrepresented key facts which would have allowed the viewer to have an accurate and complete understanding about each. For example, 60 Minutes knew but did not disclose that both of the rifles in question were examined and tested by forensic scientists employed by each state’s crime lab and were found to be in proper working order. Remington provides this response to offer a more complete record of the relevant facts and a comprehensive overview of the incidents described in the story, and the recall which was at the center of the story.”
“The 60 Minutes segment showcased two separate incidents which it alleged stemmed from issues related to the rifles’ trigger mechanisms. Although Remington shared voluminous information and spent hours providing background information to 60 Minutes related to the recall and the two incidents, 60 Minutes failed to offer its viewers critical facts and content core to each incident. It is imperative that 60 Minutes viewers, our customers and the public, have accurate and complete information related to these two incidents as well as to the recall of Model 700 rifles with X-Mark Pro (XMP) triggers and the settlement of the Pollard v. Remington class action lawsuit. “
“It is distressing that most of the information Remington provided to 60 Minutes was not included or ever referenced in its February 19, 2017 Remington segment,” Big Green said. “To set the record straight and to provide Remington’s valued customers and viewers of the 60 Minutes segment with a complete and accurate understanding of several of the matters presented in the segment, Remington provides below a listing of information either in 60 Minutes’ possession or readily available to it in public records before it aired its segment. This material puts the 60 Minutes’ segment in context and exposes 60 Minutes’ pre-determined viewpoint and intentional omission of key facts that would have reflected balanced reporting of the circumstances of those tragic incidents.”
Meanwhile, American companies not usually associated with the firearms industry and gun owners or hunters are stepping up to fill some of the perceived needs of the 15 million-plus American licensed to carry concealed.
This photo supplied by Berne Apparel shows how the Adder System work jacket offers space for a handgun as well as additional magazines or speedloaders accessible through the tear-away flaps where pockets would ordinary be.
Berne® Apparel, of Ossian, IN, makers of quality workwear since 1915, announced recently that the company has received a design patent for their innovative concealed carry wear feature, The Adder System™.
“After an extensive application process, Berne® was recently awarded US Patent No. 9,557,139 for the Exterior Deployable Pocket System (The Adder System™) used in their concealed carry apparel. The patent covers the exterior access – tear away – pocket system that reveals a MOLLE grid system,” a company press release reported.
“The MOLLE & Velcro grid system accepts any Velcro-backed or MOLLE holster and ensures a secure foundation for holsters and accessories. This exclusive feature from Berne® Apparel offers the wearer peace of mind and comfort in hardworking conditions.”
It’s not hard to see why some people who have decided, or want, to carry 24/7 for protection might find Berne’s work outerwear a useful option, particularly in some occupations where traditional belt and other on-body carry holsters might be too limiting on the job. Berne’s Adder System®™ work clothes are offered in men’s and women’s sizes and styles. For more information on Berne Apparel, visit online at: bernedirect.com.
Other News
In other news, American Outdoor Brands Corporation, formerly known as Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., recently announced plans to potentially establish a national distribution center in the Columbia area of Boone County, MO. Under the plans, the company would break ground on the new 500,000 sq. ft. facility in the next several months. The company’s plans to establish the new facility in Boone County are contingent upon the approval of incentives, completion of due diligence, and the finalization of agreements related to other terms and conditions.
If all contingency requirements are met, construction for the new site is expected to begin this spring and would take approximately 18 months to complete. When complete, it is expected that the center would serve as the central distribution facility for most of American Outdoor Brands’ products, allowing the company to harvest synergies from its acquisitions and more efficiently serve its customers.
The company is working closely with Missouri Department of Economic Development, Regional Economic Development, Inc., and Boone County on the development of the project.
James Debney, president and CEO of American Outdoor Brands, said, “We continue to focus on our vision of being a leading provider of high quality products for the shooting, hunting, and rugged outdoor enthusiast. By executing our strategy and delivering growth organically and through targeted acquisitions, we have successfully grown to multiple operating divisions that serve a large addressable market and represent more than 18 respected consumer brands. Establishing a national distribution center will allow us, over time, to harvest synergies across our business. Our meetings with representatives of Missouri and Governor Greitens demonstrated that they are business-friendly and understand what we need as a company to be successful.”
Brands in Outdoor Products & Accessories include Smith & Wesson®, M&P®, Thompson/Center Arms™, Crimson Trace®, Caldwell® Shooting Supplies, Wheeler® Engineering, Tipton® Gun Cleaning Supplies, Frankford Arsenal® Reloading Tools, Lockdown® Vault Accessories, Hooyman® Premium Tree Saws, BOG POD®, Golden Rod® Moisture Control, Schrade®, Old Timer®, Uncle Henry®, UST®, and Imperial™.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. announced in late February increased sales and earnings for 2016. The publicly traded company reported “net sales of $664.3 million and diluted earnings of $4.59 per share, compared with net sales of $551.1 million and diluted earnings of $3.21 per share in 2015.”
For the fourth quarter of 2016, net sales were $161.8 million and diluted earnings were $1.10 per share, compared to the corresponding period in 2015, when net sales were $152.4 million and diluted earnings were 88¢ per share.
Among the comments offered by Ruger CEO Michael O. Fifer was the observation that in 2016 net sales increased 21% and earnings per share increased 43% from 2015.
“The estimated sell-through of the company’s products from the independent distributors to retailers increased 12% in 2016 from 2015. For the same period, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System background checks (as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation) increased 10%.”
- New products represented $192.6 million or 29% of firearms sales in 2016, compared to $115.4 million or 21% of firearms sales in 2015. New product sales include only major new products that were introduced in the past two years. In 2016, new products included the Precision Rifle, the AR-556 modern sporting rifle, the LC9s pistol, the Mark IV pistols, the LCP II pistol, and the American pistol. The AR-556 rifle and the LC9s pistol will not be considered new products in 2017.
Winchester has been awarded the contract to supply ammunition for what it calls “one of the most important military handgun contracts in recent history.”
The legendary ammunition company in East Alton, IL will supply the military with Special Purpose and Full Metal Jacket ammunition in support of the Army’s Modular Handgun System (MHS) program.
Winchester Ammunition President Brett Flaugher noted in a statement that, “This is a significant opportunity for Winchester to continue its steadfast support of the US military, just as we have for decades. We are honored to work with Sig Sauer as part of the MHS contract.”
The Army’s MHS contract was announced on Jan. 19, during the SHOT Show as previously reported in TGM.
