Maryland Natural Resources Police Convert to Smith & Wesson M&P Pistol
August 6, 2009
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 157-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, announced today that the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has equipped its entire officer force with primary duty side arms from Smith & Wesson’s Military & Police (M&P) Series of advanced-design polymer pistols. The Smith & Wesson M&P40, chambered in .40 S&W, will be issued to each officer of the Maryland NRP to replace currently issued non-Smith & Wesson firearms supplied by a European-based manufacturer.
Officials at the Maryland NRP indicated that the M&P pistol incorporates several key features that are valuable for their officers, including enhanced ergonomics and ambidextrous controls. The department added that the polymer pistol’s interchangeable grip sizes and ease of maintenance, as well as the officers’ ability to disassemble the firearm without pressing the trigger were all key factors in their decision-making process.
Other full-conversion in-state police departments and agencies that have selected the M&P pistol for use in Maryland include the Charles County Police Department, the Gaithersburg Police Department, Howard County Probation, Queen Anne’s County Police Department, Seat Pleasant Police Department, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and the Greenbelt Police Department. The contract with Maryland DNR represents the first Maryland state agency that has converted to the M&P Series of pistols.
Leland Nichols, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Smith & Wesson said, “We are extremely pleased with the continued success that the M&P pistol has achieved in police departments across the nation. Contracts from sizeable state agencies such as the Maryland NRP not only provide a respected endorsement for the M&P Series, but they also allow other departments within the state the ability to access the testing and evaluation results. This often saves smaller agencies the time, expenses and manpower of conducting their own analyses.”
The M&P pistol features a Zytel polymer frame reinforced with a rigid stainless steel chassis and a through-hardened black Melonite finished stainless steel barrel and slide for durability; a passive trigger safety to prevent the pistol from firing if dropped; and a sear release lever that eliminates the need to press the trigger in order to disassemble the firearm. A loaded chamber indicator is located on top of the slide. The firearm also features an ambidextrous slide stop and a reversible magazine release, as well as an enlarged trigger guard designed to accommodate gloves. The M&P40 has a 15 + 1 capacity and the Smith & Wesson lifetime service policy is standard with each pistol. The M&P pistol series is available in 9mm, .40S&W, .357SIG, and .45ACP calibers. Compact versions of the M&P pistol are also available for concealed carry and back-up use.
Rocky Brands Announces GSA Footwear Order
August 6, 2009
Under the terms of the blanket purchase agreement, the GSA has the right to purchase approximately $29 million of these boots through July 2014. The Company has received an initial order to produce 205,000 pairs of these boots with an approximate value of $14.5 million. Shipment of this order is expected to begin in September 2009. All of these boots will be manufactured in the Company’s factory in Moca, Puerto Rico.
Mike Brooks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased to have been awarded this contract to produce high quality boots for the GSA. Importantly, production of these insulated boots will allow us to better utilize our company-operated manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico and should help reduce manufacturing costs going forward, particularly during our slower selling seasons.”
About Rocky Brands, Inc.
Rocky Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brand names including Rocky Outdoor Gear®, Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, and the licensed brands Dickies®, Michelin® and Mossy Oak®.
Ammo Shortage on CNN video
August 2, 2009
Quarterly Firearm and Ammunition Excise Taxes Up 43%
July 31, 2009
NEWTOWN, Conn., July 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — During a time period of great economic uncertainty, firearm and ammunition sales have continued to increase throughout the country.
According to the most recent Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collection Report, released earlier today by the Department of the Treasury, firearm and ammunition manufacturers paid more than $109.8 million in the first calendar quarter of 2009; up 43% over the same time period reported in 2008.
This dramatic increase follows a 31.3 percent increase in excise taxes from the previous quarter (4Q, 2008) and eight straight months of increased FBI background checks – another strong indicator of firearm sales.
A third reliable source, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), reported that in 2008, “Hunting and Firearms” equipment was the only category to grow double digits and only one of seven categories that exhibited growth. NSGA’s forecast for 2009 shows “Hunting and Firearms” as one of only two categories to exhibit growth.
Manufacturers of firearms and ammunition pay a federal excise tax — a major source of wildlife conservation funding — on all firearms and ammunition manufactured (11% on long guns and ammunition and 10% on handguns).
This latest excise tax report, which covers the time period of January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009, shows that $33.0 million was collected in taxes for pistols and revolvers, $38.9 million for long guns and $37.8 million for ammunition. Compared to the same quarter in 2008, collections were up 65.5% for handguns, 42.9% for ammunition and 28.3% for long guns.
Translation to sales:
Using the latest collections as an indicator of sales, a projection of $1.03 billion was generated in the first quarter (calendar year) of 2009. Please keep in mind that although excise taxes are one of the best indicators of industry performance, they only report what the manufacturers paid in taxes and do NOT reflect retail mark-up and final retail sales.
Pistols and revolvers: $33,043,554.83 / .10 = $330,435,548.30 = $330.4 million for handguns
Long guns: $38,979,972.16 / .11 = $354,363,383.27 = $354.3 million for long guns
Ammunition: $37,846,038.52 / .11 = $344,054,895.64 = $344.0 million for ammunition
Total estimation for the quarter: $1.028 billion
| SOURCE National Shooting Sports Foundation |
Cabela’s profit tops expectations
July 31, 2009
CHICAGO, July 30 (Reuters) – Outdoor gear retailer Cabela’s Inc (CAB.N) posted a bigger-than-expected 25 percent increase in quarterly profit, helped by cost-cuts and demand for hunting equipment, sending its shares to their highest in almost two years.
The company also raised its 2009 revenue outlook and said earnings for the year could top last year’s earnings.
“These guys had what appears to be a fantastic quarter,” Feltl and Co analyst Mark Smith said, citing strength across all segments, especially the hunting equipment category, and better-than-expected results within the credit card business.
“The fact that they’re talking about ‘if this momentum continues we’ll see earnings growth’ is very good news for investors,” added Smith, who has a “buy” rating on the stock.
Cabela’s sells gear and apparel for fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities in stores, through its catalog and on the Web. In recent quarters, sales of firearms and ammunition have given results a boost, but charge-offs at its financial services arm have cut into profit.
S&W earns both “Rifle and Manufacturer of the year”
July 29, 2009
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts— Smith & Wesson Corp., announced today that it has received top awards in two categories from the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence. Smith & Wesson was named the “Manufacturer of the Year” and also received the “Rifle of the Year” award for the company’s M&P15 MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) tactical rifle.
“What are you buying”?
July 28, 2009
A friend sent me this email today……
I called my stockbroker today and asked, “What are you buying”?
His answer: “Canned goods and ammunition”.
U.S. Ammunition Shortages
July 14, 2009
Supply and Demand, or More Than That?
by
Gary Marbut
What are the origins of this problem? What caused it? How long will it last? These questions don’t submit to a simple answer. The answer involves a complex set of economic, political and social conditions discussed here.
Caveat emptor: The information contained here is the best information available to this writer at this time. While this writer seeks to be well-informed, the information is not guaranteed to be exact. Any opinions offered, while also well-informed and well-intended, are not guaranteed to be the only viable opinions available or the last word on the subject. Without further disclaimer, let’s dig into this subject.
ONE-THIRD OF U.S. HOUSEHOLDS WITH KIDS GO CAMPING
July 8, 2009
Last week I was talking about investing in things you know, like your hunting equipment. Well I read this news release from Bass Pro about families with kids that go camping. The outdoor market has alot of companies who share our passion for the great outdoors. Some people know that the fishing and camping industry offers alot more to the investor then the hunting market. Can you name one of the biggest companies you can think of when it comes to camping gear?
Was is Colmen? Can you name some of the biggest retailors who sell the gear? Wal-Mart or Bass Pro maybe. Check out the press release from Bass Pro below. As an investor, you make find it intresting. I did and maybe we can look further into the manufacturing and retail sides of camping
Media Release
Sportsman’s Park Center
2500 East Kearney – Springfield, MO 65898 – 417-873-5000
ONE-THIRD OF U.S. HOUSEHOLDS WITH KIDS
GO CAMPING
Camping Is Cost Effective Vacation
During Tough Economic Times
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (June 29, 2009) – With the camping experience seeing a rise in popularity, consumers want functional, durable equipment to make their time outdoors more enjoyable. The experts at Bass Pro Shops, America’s favorite outdoor store, have selected their favorite new products of 2009 that will help make every camping trip or backyard getaway a great success.
“Our customers have told us that they may have to cut back in some areas of their lives to get through the current economic downturn but they are still going to find ways to go camping, fishing, hiking and enjoy other outdoor activities,” said Larry Whiteley host of the internationally syndicated Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Radio. “The outdoors is an affordable escape from the pressures of today’s world .”
Ammo update
June 30, 2009
Heres this weeks ammo update as reported by Michael Bane on his blog. If your buying at wally-world, keep looking. Ours still aint got any ammo in!
There are a few bright spots on ammo. There seems to be a lot of 5.56/.223 around right now, at reasonable prices, $300-$400 per K. Nine mil is coming into the pipeline, too, but the prices are still badly inflated. It seems to me that .22LR is lagging a bit behind, with mostly target variants available. I’ve been shooting a lot of the Aguila blue box low-end target stuff (they have several more expensive target variations) I got a good deal on from Midway USA a few weeks ago, and I’ve been very happy with it.Primers…fuggetaboutit, at least for the time being. I found Federal Small Pistol Magnum, but only 3K. Strongly suggest you sign up for Midway USA’s email alerts, then buy the primers when the email comes in. I got an alert on large pistol primers, which I haven’t seen in a coon’s age, last week, but I was away from my computer. By the time I signed in 3 hours after the alert arrived, they were all gone.
