SHOOT! MAGAZINE

Editorial May/June 2007

2007-04-27T12:13:00.000-05:00

By: Smith n’ Jones

Who the heck is Jim Zumbo and why should I care? That was the response (more or less) that I received when I called a friend to tell him about the mass detonation (or implosion as one SASS Wire poster called it) I read about on the SASS Wire Monday, February 19th. After being directed from the SASS Wire to Mr. Zumbo’s website I found that Mr. Zumbo, a well known gun/hunting writer, television personality, Remington Arms spokesman, and internet blogger stuck his foot in his mouth, or his head in another orifice of his body, and said some things that a lot of hunters, shooters, gun collectors, and Second Amendment defenders (myself included) took grave exception to. Now, I will take neither the time nor space here to review in depth what was stated on his blog site, but the Readers Digest Condensed Book version goes something like this: After a day of varmint hunting, Mr. Zumbo wrote on his Remington Arms sponsored blog that he was informed by his guide that the military styled AR-15 series of rifles were becoming quite popular with varmint hunters across the country, at which statement Mr. Zumbo proceeded to say several less than kind things about the AR-15 semi-auto rifle and those that would hunt with them, ultimately calling them (the rifle, that is) “assault” rifles (a term that is grossly incorrect for this particular firearm) and then ultimately stating that he would go so far as to call them “terrorist” rifles that should be banned from use by Fish and Game Departments across the country. For reasons that are crystal clear to most of us, his words set off a firestorm that manifested itself in more that 2,000 mostly hostile and angry responses on his blog as well as most hunting, shooting, and outdoor websites and periodicals. Most demanded his head at best and termination of his employment and rights as a hunter/sportsman spokesman at the least.

Now, what does all this have to do with Western-action shooting and SHOOT! Magazine? Well, the fact is that there has been a growing split, division if you will, between those that shoot recreationally (CAS, Trap, Skeet, IDPA, IPSC, etc.) and those that hunt. Many of us participate in both and see no real issue or cause for differences between the two or reason for any controversy. But, there are many, many others, perhaps the majority of shooters in this country, that participate in only one form of shooting sport and couldn’t care less about the others. Therein lies the problem. Call it what you will, arrogance, elitism, superiority, ignorance, whatever, but the plain truth is that with the attacks against gun ownership and Second Amendment rights that go on every day, we, the shooting public, can’t afford to alienate any other shooters or gun owners for any reason. For one segment of the shooting fraternity to think they are better, wiser, or more noble, based on the games they play or the kind of firearms they use is ignorance at best and elitism at its worst. It is not only just plain wrong but it creates the kind of chinks in the pro-gun armor that the gun control elite need to reach their ultimate goal of disarming the American public. Even this disaster has given the enemy a huge cache of ammo with the Brady Bunch already jumping on board and announcing that one of the foremost hunting and shooting spokesmen in America is on their side agreeing that no one should have these “assault” type weapons. All we can do now is work on damage control and try to head off another disaster like this one. If you think it is just about taking away those nasty, black plastic “assault” rifles and pistols that “no one really needs anyway,” you are sadly mistaken. The Constitution says not one word about duck hunting, cowboy action shooting, or any other recreational form of shooting. The Second Amendment is all about personal and corporate self defense. No more and no less. All these fun things we get to do with our firearms, be it is hunting, target shooting, plinking, or competition, are just fringe benefits of the rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Unfortunately, I have also read on some of these blogs and even on the SASS Wire individuals bad-mouthing the NRA as too weak and too PC to be of any real help in the fight for gun rights. Well, you know there might be some truth to those sentiments, but as a NRA Life Endowment member, let me tell you that the NRA is the one and only pro-gun, Second Amendment rights organization that the opposition fears and that has the ability to organize and unify the shooters and hunters of this country. I am not putting down any other group with similar goals, I love them all, but in this world there is strength in numbers and only as a unified force, speaking with one voice can we expect to be heard. Yeah, I know you get tired of all those cards and letters from the NRA asking for money and looking to sell you something, so do I. But, it takes a lot of money to run any business and the NRA is the big kid on block when it comes to gun rights and the best bang for my buck that I have seen yet. If you are a shooter, hunter, gun collector, care even a little about being able to play your game, pass your gun collection on to your kids, or want to protect your right to self defense and you are not a member of NRA, you are making a big, no, make that a huge mistake. It never ceases to amaze me that nationally somewhere around 30 million hunting licenses are sold each year, but all those folks leave it up to about four million of us to protect their right to go duck hunting. That’s just plain wrong.

So, the next time you are thinking about demeaning someone because they happen to enjoy hunting Whitetail deer or because they would rather shoot a semi-automatic rifle or pistol, regardless of the configuration, you better think again. These are your brothers and sisters in arms, literally. Next time you’re at the range and you see someone shooting a type of firearm that is not necessarily your favorite, stop and talk with them and ask to shoot it. Who knows, you may find something to like that you never thought you would and that person may just find an interest in your cowboy guns. Like most families we may fight a little internally but to the outside world we had better present a united front. As firearm owners and freedom lovers our one and only chance to defeat those who would take away our most precious right is to stick together and support one another. May it ever be so.

With the rapid growth and popularity of Cowboy Fast Draw as a Western action shooting sport SHOOT! Magazine is including the CFDA Gunslinger’s Gazette as an insert in our magazine. This is not to be a regular feature but something that we wanted to share with all our readers, especially those who are not familiar with this new, fast, and exciting sport. You will find a lot of useful information in the pages of the Gazette including interviews with the current world champions, “Quick Cal” Eilrich and Lori “Dusty Bottoms” Adrihan. This addition is just that, additional pages to Shoot! Magazine with no page deduction of our regular magazine content. We hope you enjoy the Gazette.

Gun-Free-Zone Tragedy Again

2007-04-26T10:10:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Felicity Bower, Bloomfield Press

GUN-FREE-SCHOOL-FRAUD COSTS LIVES AGAIN

Virginia Is Latest State to Suffer

Another armed murderer has used the so-called Gun-Free-School-Zones law to simply walk onto school grounds and with impunity begin killing innocent children.
These dangerous criminals rely on the fact that no one on campus will be able to offer resistance. Congress passed the law in 1990 and renewed it in 1995 after the famous "Lopez" case declared it unconstitutional. Though it cannot stop murderers it has enabled many, experts say. States and schools themselves have copied the law locally for a false sense of security with disastrous effect.
"The Gun-Free-School law is a cruel hoax that costs lives," said Alan Korwin, author of Gun Laws of America. "Time and time again, psychotic killers are using the law to provide a safe haven, where they are the only people with guns." It's no surprise these madmen never attack gun stores, police stations, military facilities or other places where people are known to be armed, he says, and news reports tend to overlook this point.
Hoplophobic (gun-fearing) teacher's unions, school administrators and many legislators project their fears onto the system and disarm honest people, instead of taking prudent steps to protect the kids from a known menace.
Hoplophobia is a poorly understood morbid fear of weapons that afflicts millions. It is one of the greatest undiagnosed and untreated sources of harm in the country, Korwin and other experts believe.
People who are terrified of guns give themselves a good feeling but false sense of security by passing such dangerous laws. "All they have done is create target-rich, no-risk environments for monsters who have no fear of encountering an armed teacher or administrator, or a legally-armed private citizen who might happen to be in the building," says Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Second Amendment Foundation. The Virginia attack follows the precise model of murderers in other states. Some observers suggest the incessant media replays of the atrocities inspire copycats.
"Gun-control extremists will use this incident to claim we have not done enough," Gottlieb predicted, and in the past, the harm caused by gun-free laws has lead to calls for more of the same. This is irrational, which is a sign of hoplophobic behavior. "They have disarmed the wrong people and left our schools, and the children inside, vulnerable to this kind of atrocity."
"We need empowerment, not avoidance," Korwin says, who believes that properly trained and prepared teachers are at least one prudent step to take against a rash of homicidal maniacs preying on schools.
Hundreds of thousands of FBI-certified individuals, who routinely use personal firearms for crime deterrence and safety, but are kept out of the news, are also banned from school grounds under many states' laws. They can provide little help against the criminals who simply ignore the words in a distant law book. Virginia lawmakers recently voted down an effort to allow the FBI-certified civilians to carry on campus.
Several states have introduced Gun-Free-Zone-Liability laws, which would allow people to make the arbitrary and unenforced gun-free zones, but would hold them liable for any harm the zones facilitate. It is believed this would make people think twice about making the dangerous and negligent zones. Sample bill language is here: http://www.gunlaws.com/GFZ/index.htm
Gottlieb categorizes gun-free zones as a myth, since they stop no one, leaving victims defenseless.
An unintended consequence of the federal gun-free-school-zones law, 18 USC 922(q), is to criminalize millions of citizens who travel near schools.
Because the law stipulates a 1,000-foot gun-free perimeter around schools, virtually all private travel with firearms in American cities violates the law.
This creates tens of millions of federal felonies, of unsuspecting citizens, with no enforcement, but no actual harm done. The law is a travesty needing repeal. See maps and details here:
http://www.gunlaws.com/Gun_Free_School_Zones.htm

[Backgrounder: Phoenix-based Bloomfield Press, founded in 1988, is the largest publisher and distributor of gun-law books in the country. Our website, gunlaws.com, features a free national directory to gun laws and relevant contacts in all states and federally, along with our unique line of related books and DVDs. Gun Laws of America and The Virginia Gun Owner's Guide for news-media review is available on request, call 1-800-707-4020. Our authors are available for interview, call to schedule. Call for cogent positions on gun issues, informed analysis on proposed laws, talk radio that lights up the switchboard, fact sheets and position papers. As we always say, "It doesn't make sense to own a gun and not know the rules."]

Contact:
Alan Korwin
Bloomfield Press
"We publish the gun laws."
4848 E. Cactus #505-440
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
602-996-4020 Phone
602-494-0679 Fax
1-800-707-4020 Orders
http://www.gunlaws.com
alan@gunlaws.com
Call, write, fax or click for free full-color catalog

SHOT Show... Here we Come!!!

2007-01-08T11:07:00.000-06:00

A large part of our staff will be at the SHOT Show this weekend in Orlando, Florida. Stop in at our booth to say Hi if you are around... if not, you're missing out on an excellent industry show!

120th ANNIVERSARY of FORT WORTH’S MOST FAMOUS GUNFIGHT

2006-12-19T14:42:00.000-06:00

Fort Worth, Texas has a rich and proud cowboy heritage and what happened here 120 years ago rivals any western legend. In the 1880’s Fort Worth was a young city and had become a major rail head for moving cattle north to market. Cowherds and cowboys, drifters and gamblers, and anyone wishing to make a dollar in this wild boom town could be found on Main Street or Hell’s Half Acre in the city’s stockyards. It was a new city in the Old West and it attracted the kind of men whose reputations were growing like wildfire.
The two men involved in what has become this city's most famous gunfight, each had well deserved reputations as expert gunmen who were not to be trifled with. One man was a famous gambler who had worked dealing cards with the likes of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. The other was a former Fort Worth lawman who walked on both sides of the law. Each man had come to Fort Worth for different reasons. They knew one another well. They were for a time, friends.
But on the cold night of February 8, 1887, Jim Courtright called Luke Short out of the White Elephant Saloon. Words were exchanged, accusations were made, guns were drawn, and Courtright was killed in one of the last great shootouts of Texas’ bloody Old West.
The Gunfighters from Lagniappe Productions will re-enact this legendary duel on February 8, 2007 in front of the White Elephant Saloon at 106 East Exchange Avenue in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. The event is free and begins at 8 pm rain or shine.
If you love the Old West, you’ll want to be in Fort Worth for the 120th anniversary of this famous shootout.
Lagniappe Productions is a professional, fully insured entertainment company with 30 years of experience and over 10,000 shows to our credit. We specialize in Old West and High Tech entertainment. We provide cowboys, gunfighters, saloon girls, and robots for events and venues all over the world. 2007 marks Lagniappe’s 5th year of producing the Short/Courtright shootout and is the 25th anniversary of the re-enactment.
Additional information is available online at www.thegunfighters.com/shootout.htm.

Visit us at the SASS Convention!

2006-12-05T10:20:00.000-06:00

From December 7-10, Chucky, Smith n' Jones, Marshal's Lady, and Sweet Violet will be setting up shop in grand ole Las Vegas for the SASS Convention!

If you are an Old West enthusiast, this is a "Can't Miss" event! It will be held at the Riviera Hotel on the strip.

If you are in town for the NFR, stop on by! We look forward to seeing new and old faces!

The Le Page du Roi Pistol

2006-09-27T11:57:00.000-05:00

The Le Page pistol, one of the most recognized symbols of Davide Pedersoli production, is getting close to its 30th birthday. To celebrate in a special way this important birthday and to satisfy the requests of a great number of enthusiastic collectors, the company has started the production of a Le Page model, which until now was only offered in a limited series to some of the foreign distributors.

It is the special version of the Le Page pistol, percussion model, assembled on the stock of the Le Page flintlock model, made for the first time in 1994 for the American Historical Foundation of Richmond, U.S.A., a company which specialises in the distribution of special commemorative models.

The stock is the perfect “Empire” style, until today offered by Pedersoli Co. only for the Le Page in the flintlock version. It represents the typical design of the French gunsmiths of the first half of the 18th century and the elegant lines that Henri Le Page used in many of his percussion pistols. Therefore, it is natural to introduce a gun with such aesthetic features.

The pistol, which was created for the American Historical Foundation, was enriched with some gold inlays on the barrel where there was an inscription which referred to the “Duel” as well as on the lock and on the furniture’s: that gun was given the model name “Le Page du Roi” which reflected the fact that such a pistol was intended for royalty and the aristocracy of that era.
At the beginning of the new millennium a new limited series of the Le Page du Roi without golden inlays was prepared and given to an important mid-European distributor company well known for mail orders and until recently going through the big catalog of that company it was possible to see the Le Page du Roi pistols in the pages dedicated to the guns manufactured by Pedersoli.

Today the Le Page du Roi pistol is being added to the production series of the Pedersoli company continuing the tradition started with the first pistol reproduced thirty years ago and protected by our trademark. Since then we are extremely pleased with the continuous series of sporting successes in the “Kuchenreuter R” shooting discipline and the satisfaction of having introduced a gun that became a milestone among the modern muzzleloading reproduction guns.
As it has been shown year after year, the Le Page pistols accuracy and ability to win shooting matches has to be attributed to the high quality of the materials used, to the close tolerance of the hand craftmanship work, to the professional attitude Pedersoli company applies manufacturing its own models, as well as the incomparable beauty and elegance of the design.

The new Le Page du Roi pistols percussion models are available with brown barrel and case hardened furnitures. The oiled and polished walnut stock features the traditional checkered grips, the front part shaped with the classical shell style which is made on the butt cap and also on the butt plate being a small patch box: characteristics known and appreciated in the Le Page flintlock pistol for many years.

On request it will be possible to obtain white finishing of the metal parts in order to satisfy the several shooters and collectors’ who expressed the desire to have a pair of pistols featuring a different look but with the same stock shape.

For information: Davide Pedersoli & C., via Artigiani 57, 25063 Gardone Val Trompia; www.davide-pedersoli.com (info@davidepedersoli.com); tel. 030.8915000; fax 030.8911019.

National Hunting and Fishing Day

2006-09-18T16:35:00.000-05:00

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing Day

PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HUNTING ON THE RISE . . . The 35th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day is set for Sept. 23, amid growing -- yes, growing -- public support for hunting. A new study shows that 78 percent of Americans now support legal hunting, up 5 percent from a decade ago. Researchers credit the increase to greater public understanding of hunting and wildlife management, along with visible increases of deer in urban areas. More than nine out of 10 Americans approve of recreational fishing. A combined 38 million Americans hunt and fish, and their conservation and economic importance will be celebrated this weekend at nearly 100 National Hunting and Fishing Day events nationwide. NSSF founded the annual commemoration, which now has an official home at Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo.
HOUSE TO VOTE ON PRO-GUN BILLS . . . Two federal pro-gun bills will be voted on soon by the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 5092, the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006," and HR 5005, the "Firearms Correction and Improvement Act," both were passed out of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. The full House is expected to vote on these bills shortly. HR 5092 represents a major advance in protecting the rights of firearms dealers, bringing consistency to ATF enforcement actions and providing ATF with additional compliance tools long sought by ATF. HR 5005 will serve to protect the integrity of law enforcement investigations and the lives of undercover agents and witnesses from misuse of ATF's trace data, such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's so-called "sting" operations that interfered with numerous ongoing criminal investigations. Contact your congressmen immediately, urging them to vote for HR 5092 and HR 5005.
STURM, RUGER NAMES NEW CEO . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. announced Wednesday the appointment of Michael O. Fifer to serve as its chief executive officer, effective Sept. 25. Most recently, Fifer was president of the Engineered Products Division of Mueller Industries Inc. He has held a number of general management positions in companies serving consumer, technology and industrial markets. Fifer is only the third CEO in the company's 57-year history, succeeding William B. Ruger (1949-2000), and William B. Ruger Jr. (2000-2006). Sturm, Ruger president Stephen L. Sanetti served as interim CEO in 2006 while the board conducted its search. Sanetti will continue to serve as the company's president and general counsel.
LARSON NAMED NSSF DIRECTOR OF RETAIL PARTNERSHIPS . . . NSSF has named Tom Larson as its new director of retail partnerships. Larson brings to NSSF more than 30 years experience in the firearms industry, having held sales and management positions in the firearms manufacturing sector and serving several years as a rep group principal. In his new position, Larson will oversee NSSF's retail division, the National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR), and work with NAFR- and NSSF-member firearms retailers nationwide. He will also work closely with a growing list of NAFR-affiliated state organizations, which provide retailers with leadership and guidance at state levels.
RESEARCHING THE HUNT . . . What more can be learned about hunting? After all, humans have been students of their most primal instinct for thousands of years, so what possibly could be left to discover? Plenty, as it turns out. NSSF conducts and compiles research on new trends in hunting and shooting sports participation, sales, demographics, business environments and more. View a roundup of some 2006 findings.
J. Paul Jackson, Steve Christian and Chris Nischan (left to right) were the winners of a new shotgun competition sponsored by NSSF at the 2006 Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge.
2006 FIELD & STREAM TOTAL OUTDOORSMAN CHALLENGE . . . An exciting new shotgun competition sponsored by NSSF debuted at the 2006 Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge, adding a new level of competition and action for the competitors. "We were proud to offer our support to ensure that this year's competition would include a test of wingshooting ability," said NSSF's David Miles. "Shooting skills are developed through practice at the range and play an important role in any hunter's success." The competition offered six targets presented to simulate shots that hunters commonly experienced in the field, ranging from the hard crossing shots experienced when dove hunting to decoying ducks and fast-running rabbits. To see the complete results and photos from this year's event, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.fieldandstream.com/totaloutdoorsman.
FFL SEMINARS A SUCCESS . . . A total of 172 federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) attended seminars last week in Spokane, Wash., and Portland, Ore., on how to better prevent the criminal misuse of firearms. "Both sessions were well attended, the subject matter was well received and the attendees had great questions," said Randy Clark, NSSF managing director of program development. The free "Partnership for Progress" seminars are provided by ATF, NSSF and the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The next scheduled event will be in Phoenix on Oct. 12. Retailers in the area are encouraged to attend. Click here for more details.
FIRST SHOTS ON THE MOVE . . . NSSF's First Shots will hold pilot events in Connecticut and Washington state in October, while Sprague's Sports in Yuma, Ariz., will hold another First Shots event due to the success it had with the program in May. Says owner Richard Sprague: "It is without a doubt a win-win program for the industry. I strongly encourage anyone with a range facility to get involved." Ranges that have held First Shots events report they are seeing, on average, a 35 percent increase in range memberships and a 30 percent increase in training class registration that they attribute to First Shots attendees. They also say they see First Shots attendees moving along to other handgun activities such as practical shooting and even cowboy action. NSSF surveyed First Shots attendees. See what they had to say.
COLTSVILLE: NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? . . . A committee of the National Park Service will decide next month whether to recommend that parts of Coltsville -- the area of Hartford, Conn., developed by gun maker Samuel Colt -- be designated a National Historic Landmark, a decision the Hartford Courant calls "a critical moment in state history."
RESEARCHERS FIND NO BIRD FLU . . . More than 13,000 wild migratory birds have been tested since April for avian influenza in Alaska and, according to scientists, no H5N1 virus has been detected. The program’s goal is testing 75,000 to 100,000 migratory birds across the United States this year. Ducks Unlimited maintains a comprehensive online resource for bird flu information, with special info for waterfowl hunters. Visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.ducks.org.
GEORGIA VOTERS CAN ENSURE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH . . . When Peach State residents enter the polling booth on Nov. 7, they can vote to make the right to hunt and fish part of the state's constitution.
SKEET GREAT TO MANAGE CLAY TARGET FACILITY . . . The Arizona Game and Fish Department has hired accomplished skeet shooter John Satterwhite to manage the Ben Avery Clay Target Center, a public shotgun-shooting center located on the grounds of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. The game and fish department assumes operational control of the clay target facility today.
RHODE WINS FALL SELECTION MATCH . . . Though the event in which she claimed two Olympic gold medals and a bronze was eliminated by the International Olympic Committee, switching to a new shotgun discipline apparently hasn't hindered Kim Rhode. Rhode won the 2006 Fall Selection Match last week in international skeet. For complete results, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.usashooting.org.
SHOOTING INDUSTRY MASTERS TO BENEFIT STEP OUTSIDE . . . Shooters from throughout the industry, including top company executives, will compete this weekend for the 2006 Shooting Industry Masters. The three-gun competition, which supports NSSF's STEP OUTSIDE mentoring program, will be held Friday and Saturday in St. Cloud, Minn. Stay tuned for results. For information about the event, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.shootingindustry.com.
HUNTER'S HANDBOOK TV TO HIGHLIGHT NSSF PROGRAMS . . . Tune in to Hunter's Handbook TV this week on OLN to learn more about NSSF's programs and services geared toward creating access and opportunity, promoting safety and education and building participation in the shooting sports. Hunter's Handbook TV airs on OLN Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m., Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. For more information about Hunter's Handbook TV, visit OLN online.

NSSF's Mission Statement
"Our purpose is to provide trusted leadership in addressing industry challenges and in delivering programs and services to meet the identified needs of our members."
Click here to visit the NSSF Web site and see how we accomplish this mission.

Shooting USA Television Series to Air on The Outdoor Channel

2006-09-06T12:46:00.000-05:00

FRANKLIN TN: Tier One Media, LLC and The Outdoor Channel have jointly announced the debut of Shooting USA that will air Saturday nights at 10:00 EST beginning September 30th. The long-running gun sports and firearms news series will continue year-round, without interruption.

Jim Scoutten, Tier One Executive Producer, said the new contract is what the fans of the show have been asking for. “We recently surveyed our fans on when they wanted to see the show and the majority said Saturdays.” Scoutten said, “And they told us they want to be able to see the series every week, without preemptions or changes in the schedule. They want to know when they tune in, we’ll be there. Our new contract assures that.”

Scoutten said this season of Shooting USA will be his 14th year of reporting on the firearms industry and the shooting sports for America’s 70 million gun owners and enthusiasts. The Outdoor Channel will be the fourth network to carry Scoutten’s gun shows. “Networks change, management changes, even network names change, as they evolve to chase new audiences.” Scoutten said. “But The Outdoor Channel has an unbroken commitment to serving the Traditional Outdoor Enthusiast and Sportsman. We’re delighted to be bringing Shooting USA into that stable environment where our fans can count on seeing the shows.”

Wade Sherman, Senior VP of Programming said, “The Outdoor Channel is pleased to welcome Jim Scoutten and Shooting USA. Jim is one of the pioneers of shooting sports television and has built a long and successful career on providing quality news, information and event coverage within the shooting sports world. Shooting USA will be a significant addition to our quality lineup of shooting sports programming that includes Guns and Ammo TV, Cowboys, and Shooting Gallery.”

Sherman said the series will air three times each week on The Outdoor Channel, with the prime time airing on Saturday nights at 10:00 EST, following American Rifleman. That’s 9:00PM Central, 8:00PM Mountain, and 7:00PM Pacific time, Sherman said.

Jim Scoutten said Tier One Media will produce 26 Shooting USA shows each year, with a new show appearing, on average, every other week, year-round. “We’re a little backed-up with the change in networks.” Scoutten said, “We’ve got exclusive coverage of National Title matches that will be some of the first editorial to go on the air. The first show presents the Limited, Production, and Revolver Division National Championships of the United States Practical Shooting Association from Barry, Illinois.” Scoutten said.

“Major sponsors of Shooting USA include those long associated with the series—Smith & Wesson, Benelli and Federal Premium Ammunition.” Scoutten said, “Plus we have three new show sponsors, Trijicon, Blackhawk Products Group, and Crimson Trace.”

Scoutten said the editorial content of each of the shows in the series will be posted on the www.ShootingUSA.com website as the schedule evolves in the weeks ahead.

“I can tell you this much now,” Scoutten said, “Our Pro Tips instructor series continues this season with Bill Davison teaching Precision Rifle, Jerry Miculek teaching AR-15 Rifle, and Todd Jarrett teaching Competition and Tactical Handgun Techniques. Our professionals are ready to help you improve your shooting.”

Scoutten said, Six-gun Master, Bob Munden is re-joining the Shooting USA team of Exhibition Shooters after a four year break. “Bob will be demonstrating what we call Impossible Shots along with Archer Byron Ferguson, Shotgun world record holder Tom Knapp, and the new shotgun guy, Tim Bradley.

“No question we’ve got the editorial our audience wants to see.” Scoutten said, “I’m just delighted we have a network that values our work and is willing to make it available to our audience.”

Shooting USA is a registered trademark of Tier One Media, LLC, a privately held production company based in Franklin, Tennessee.

The Outdoor Channel is a national television network dedicated to providing traditional outdoor programming to America's 82 million anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. The Outdoor Channel features approximately 100 weekly programs featuring hunting, fishing and shooting sports, as well as off road motor sports and other related lifestyle programming. Nielsen Media Research estimates The Outdoor Channel's universe, through a combination of cable and satellite dish subscribers, to be approximately 27.6 million homes for August 2006. The company also owns and operates related businesses that serve the interests of viewers of The Outdoor Channel and other outdoor enthusiasts, including Outdoor Channel 2 HD, LDMA-AU, Inc. (Lost Dutchman’s) and Gold Prospector’s Association of America, LLC. (GPAA).

To get The Outdoor Channel in your area, please call your local cable or satellite provider and request that they add The Outdoor Channel to their channel lineup.

1,600 Juniors Compete at the Grand and other news!

2006-08-14T16:41:00.000-05:00

RECORD TURNOUT FOR SCHOLASTIC PROGRAM . . . Youth baseball has the Little League World Series. Youth trapshooting has the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) National Championships. More than 1,600 youth trap shooters from 26 states converged on the newly constructed World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Ill., Tuesday and Wednesday for the SCTP trap nationals. The two-day team competition, held in conjunction with the world's largest shooting competition―the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships―was the largest in SCTP's six-year history. "Thanks to hard work and commitment from our volunteer coaches and state directors, support from a growing number of state wildlife agencies and strong support from our industry sponsors, SCTP participation continues to grow at a remarkable rate," said Zach Snow of NSSF, which developed, sponsors and manages SCTP on the national level. The program, which began the year with about 6,000 youth participants, added over 2,000 more this spring and summer and now includes more than 8,300 in 41 states.

View the complete results from the SCTP national championships.

GRAND OPENING . . . Kicking off with the SCTP nationals, the 107-year-old Grand American opened in its new location in Sparta, Ill., last week. The new $50 million, 1,500-acre World Shooting and Recreational Complex is expected to be an economic boon for southern Illinois, with the annual Grand being the facility's largest draw. The Associated Press, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Chicago Tribune all provided coverage from the event, while the Illinois Southern helped put to rest any potential misconceptions with an editorial titled, "Guns plus the public doesn't equal danger." St. Louis-area television stations also provided coverage. View a televised report from KSDK's Steve Jankowski.

NSSF DEMANDS NBC CEASE AIRING POLITICAL AD. . . Last Thursday, WNBC-TV in New York City began broadcasting a political campaign commercial by candidate for attorney general Andrew Cuomo that states Cuomo "led a legal battle against gun makers who arm gangs." In response to this blatantly false and defamatory statement, NSSF has demanded the station cease any further broadcast of the ad and will also file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Read NSSF's letter to NBC Universal executive vice president and general counsel Richard Cotton.

ANNIE'S GOT YOUR GUN . . . The number of women turning to firearms for sport and safety has grown exponentially over the past five years. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune ("Lady's Got a Gun," Aug. 10, 2006) drew attention to this, citing increased membership in programs like NRA's Women on Target, which went from 500 participants in 2000 to close to 6,000 participants last year. With increased safety concerns and a growing love of the shooting sports and hunting, women are among the fastest growing demographic of shooters and firearms purchasers. NSSF's Scholastic Clay Target Program has also grown remarkably popular with young women. In 2005 alone, SCTP saw an 84 percent increase in teenage girls participating.

REPORT: OUTDOOR RECREATION POURS $730 BILLION INTO ECONOMY . . . A report released Friday by the Outdoor Industry Foundation, Southwick Associates and Harris Interactive revealed the economic impact of outdoor recreation, including hunting. The study concludes that $730 billion is spent annually, supporting 6.5 million jobs, that is, one in 20 jobs in the U.S., and producing $88 billion in federal and state taxes. The "Active Outdoor Recreation Economy Study" was released at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City.
RHODE TAKES SHOT AT SKEET . . . She has two Olympic gold medals and a bronze in doubles trap, but with the International Olympic Committee eliminating her event, Kim Rhode has her shotgun pointed in a new direction: international skeet. Rhode, in between training and an appearance at the SCTP nationals in Sparta last week, found the time to discuss her new goals in an interview with the Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

SUNDAY HUNTING TO BE DISCUSSED . . . Virginia remains one of only a few states that prohibit hunting on Sunday, but that might be about to change, reports The Roanoke Times. Sunday hunting is scheduled to be discussed by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' Wildlife and Boat Committee on Aug. 21. The results of the meeting will likely be passed onto the full board at its Aug. 22 meeting. The department's board doesn't have authority to end the ban on Sunday hunting, but its endorsement would likely be weighed heavily by the General Assembly.

CHINA ENCOURAGES HUNTING . . . To enhance its wildlife management system and boost the nation's economy, China is calling for the launch of a national hunting club "to further regulate the market, enhance relevant laws and co-ordinate between hunting areas in remote places and customers in the east coast," reports the China Daily. The first-ever auction of hunting quotas, scheduled for yesterday, has been postponed, however, to solicit suggestions from the public, reports the Shanghai Daily. That paper reports that last year international hunters killed more than 700 wild animals in China, contributing more than $4 million to that nation's wildlife conservation.

OREGON ALLOTS TAGS FOR TERMINALLY ILL YOUNG PEOPLE . . . The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved the issuing of up to 25 free hunting tags for terminally ill youngsters. At the hearing held by the commission earlier this month, Danny Benson, spokesperson for the non-profit group "Hunt of a Lifetime," was an avid proponent of the proposal, reports the Salem, Ore., Statesman Journal. During his presentation, Benson recounted the story of one of two similar participants on 2005 hunts: "Troy got to come on his hunt…he returned home [to Pennsylvania] with a trophy mule deer…Troy got to experience his dream…four months later he passed away."

GIRLS PROVE DOMINANT IN INTER-CAMP SHOOTING MATCH . . . When the Camp Oatka rifle team from Lake Sebago, Maine, pulled into Fleur de Lis Camp in Fitzwilliam, N.H., for a match against an all-girls team, the boys didn't beam with the confidence their undefeated record should have provided. "We can beat everyone else. We just can't beat the girls," Oatka's coach, Brian Petersen, said before the match. Despite his team's string of victories, he did have little reason to be confident. "Then again, who would be, knowing your last victory [against the girls] came when gas cost 93 cents a gallon and Ronald Reagan was president?" reports The Boston Globe in an amusing recap of the ensuing event and an insight into the girls' superiority.
CAMP PERRY COMPETITON ENDS TODAY . . . The annual NRA National Outdoor Rifle & Pistol Championships, which began with pistol competition on July 11, concludes today with the final high-power rifle long-range championships. The NRA Web site conveniently posts the results of all championship matches.

TIMES PROFILES GUN COLOR MANUFACTURER . . . Sunday's edition of The New York Times Magazine profiled Chippewa Falls, Wis.-based Lauer Custom Weaponry, which manufacturers DuraCoat gun coloration products. Since he began selling DuraCoat in 2002, Steve Lauer has attracted customers in firearm manufacturers, hobbyists, small gun shops and gunsmiths.

BIG GAME IN THE BIG CITY . . . Across America, and surprisingly in predominately liberal urban areas with strict gun laws, a deer hunting video game has become the hottest-seller in bars and arcades, reports the Associated Press. In the coin-operated Big Buck Hunter Pro, players use a plastic shotgun to hunt deer, elk and other game, often firing furiously at the screen. Asked if the next step might be heading to the woods with Remingtons and Mossbergs, Buckmasters Whitetail Magazine editor Russell Thornberry commented, "I thank God they are doing it in a bar. I'm not sure I'd want them hunting anywhere near where I was hunting. They'd be a danger to me and the deer."

MISSOURI STUDENT WINS NSCA/NSSF SCHOLARSHIP . . . Brian Ehrich, 18, has only been shooting registered targets for a year, but nevertheless is looking forward to shooting for University of Missouri when he matriculates as an Animal Sciences major. Though the university doesn't offer shooting scholarships, the Laclede, Mo., resident will find financial aid in the form of the 2006 NSCA/NSSF scholarship he has been awarded. Ehrich has not only been an active shooter on his Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) team, but he has also served as assistant coach of his squad, epitomizing the best of the growing number of SCTP alumni.
PENNSYLVANIA SPORTSMEN TO GET THEIR OWN MUSEUM . . . The Keystone State boasts loads of edifices of culture, including art, science and history museums. On August 19 ground will be broken for a different kind of center, the Hunting and Fishing Museum of Pennsylvania, on Lighthouse Island near Tionesta. The construction project is a 25,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the preservation and presentation of Pennsylvania's hunting, trapping and fishing heritage, reports the Star-Gazette.

FEDERAL COURT AFFIRMS SPORT HUNTING REPRESENTATION . . . Despite the attempts by Native Alaskan groups to exclude recreational hunters from participating in decision making concerning the use of the state's federal lands for subsistence purposes, the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska has acknowledged the government's desired balance of representation by setting aside 30 percent of the committee seats to recreational and commercial users. Among those battling for years for this decision has been Safari Club International. The court's ruling, however, only allows this decision to stand until the end of the year, by which time the government has been directed to correct procedural errors that have clouded the issue.

Firearm Industry Helps Idaho Recruit Hunters

2006-07-20T10:18:00.000-05:00

Press Release
July 19, 2006
For more information contact:
Steve Wagner (203) 426-1320

Firearm Industry Helps Idaho Recruit Hunters
Idaho Department of Fish and Game Receives $112,000 Grant

NEWTOWN, Conn.—The firearm industry says it wants more hunters in Idaho, and it's putting money where its mouth is.

The industry's trade association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), has awarded $112,000 in a grant to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. NSSF says the grant recognizes the agency for developing one of the nation's most promising ideas for recruiting and retaining hunters.

"We rewarded the strongest concepts for strengthening America's hunting and conservation system into the future. Recipients this year have developed proposals that are creative and far-sighted and resolve some of the real barriers facing hunters today," said Doug Painter, president of NSSF.

Idaho's proposal: Survey hunters, landowners, program coordinators and steering committee members to evaluate overall success of Idaho's ACCESS YES! program. ACCESS YES! creates public hunting opportunities on and across private lands, with a goal of using easements and leases to acquire access to 700,000 acres of public land through private property by March 2007.

"The National Shooting Sports Foundation is a wonderful partner, and I know we will convert that support into significant and direct benefits for sportsmen through long-term public land access and for landowners with our Responsive Management Survey. We sure appreciate this opportunity," said Jim Unsworth, wildlife bureau chief for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

The grant was made through NSSF's Hunting Heritage Partnership program, which this year awarded $365,000 in grants to nine state conservation agencies. This is the fourth year of the granting program. To date, the program has allocated more than $1.7 million to 33 states.

Painter said, "More and more, state conservation agencies nationwide are getting into marketing, youth programs, responsive management and human dimensions research. Our industry believes that's vital and we're willing to help pay for it."

Included among 2006 grantees are Idaho and Maryland which received a grant for the first time; Wisconsin which received a grant for the second time; Nebraska, Tennessee, Vermont and Wyoming which received a grant for the third time; and New Hampshire and Ohio which received a grant for the fourth time.

Nineteen proposals from 15 states were submitted this year to the Hunting Heritage Partnership judging committee of NSSF.

Formed in 1961, NSSF is celebrating its 45th birthday in 2006. The organization recently reached important new milestones, topping 3,000 members and hosting the largest annual trade show (SHOT Show) in the history of the firearms industry.

July/August 2006 Editorial

2006-07-11T11:16:00.000-05:00

Have you got your guns ready? The next big match is almost here and it is time to play! Sixguns, rifles, shotguns, side match guns, what do I choose? Calibers, models, barrel lengths, and more, so many decisions to make! Don’t forget the clothes and gun rigs. Should I shoot cross-draw or straight-draw? Should the calibers of my sixgun match the caliber of my rifle? Maybe I should see if I can buy that new Cimarron 1876 for side matches available this fall. What class should I shoot – black powder cartridge, traditional, duelist, gunfighter, classic cowboy, etc., etc.? There seems to be decision after decision. This was starting to become very confusing!

I spent some time thinking about all of these items and then realized that maybe I better check my guns and make sure they are clean and ready to go with smooth actions, no burrs, and full hammer impacts to ignite the primers. While doing this along with some shooting in the months before and talking and observing fellow shooters, I began to realize something else. We were becoming complacent about the most important item of all. What is that you say? Yep, you guessed it – SAFETY! We talk about it at the safety meetings, we try to ensure it on the line, and think about it while we are shooting. But what about when we get off the line? What about when we are sitting around the camp fire talking with our buddies or showing someone our new sixgun? I’ve got to tell you, I am concerned. Being complacent when it comes to gun safety is not a good idea. More and more I see people that should know better when handling firearms. While they are looking at them or showing them off, they have the muzzle of the firearm pass over a person. When you do this, you are breaking one of the most important safety rules of all – never point a gun at something you don’t want to see destroyed! It should not matter if you just checked the chambers and the person you handed the gun to did the same. Make sure that when handling the firearm the barrel never, ever points toward another person!

I know people who are around guns all of the time that know gun safety and yet they continually forget about this fundamental aspect because they checked the firearm to make sure it was safe. How many times has a gun gone off that was supposedly unloaded? Not only is letting the gun barrel point at another person unsafe, it is also rude.

Lets play it safe - don’t get complacent when it comes to gun safety.

Visit the Shoot Magazine website at www.shootmagazine.com

Gun Sales Rise as Crime and Accident Rates Fall

2006-06-05T10:52:00.000-05:00

Press Release . . . edited

For more information contact:
Steve Wagner(203) 426-1320

Gun Sales Rise as Crime and Accident Rates Fall

NEWTOWN, Conn.—New statistics show that firearm and ammunition sales are on the rise, coinciding with steady downward trends in gun crime, suicide, and accident rates in the U.S.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry, has released U.S. Dept. of the Treasury figures indicating that 2005 retail sales of firearms and ammunition rose 2.6 percent for a total volume of $2.1 billion.

For the year, approximately 4.7 million new guns were sold, bringing the estimated number of citizen-owned firearms in the U.S. to more than 290 million. The number of American households with at least one firearm is now estimated at nearly 110 million.

Of the various firearm types, the sharpest gains were seen in retail sales of handguns (pistols and revolvers). Handgun sales rose 3 percent while long-gun (rifle and shotgun) sales rose 1.8 percent. Ammunition sales rose 3.5 percent.

Combined 2005 sales of firearms and ammunition generated $224.3 million in excise taxes earmarked for wildlife and habitat conservation projects, through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. Since inception, the act has raised more than $5 billion for conservation.

As NSSF-member companies and conservationists laud the latest sales numbers, their applause coincides with more good news about American society in general.

According to figures from government and independent sources, firearm crimes, suicides and accidental fatalities, including accidents among youth, are all trending downward.

“Reductions in gun crimes and accidental fatalities have been documented for many years, even as gun sales and ownership in our country continue to rise,” said Doug Painter, president of NSSF. “However, today’s anti-gun organizations rake in lots of cash by perpetuating the myth that more guns equals more bad news. Clearly, there is no relationship between gun ownership and firearm misuse.”

Painter credited many different organizations and programs working together to ensure that gun owners are safe, active, responsible and aware of their 2nd Amendment rights.

NSSF’s highlight programs include:

Project ChildSafe. Has provided more than 30 million free firearm safety kits, including gunlocks, since 2003.
Don’t Lie for the Other Guy. Educational program to help firearm dealers curb illegal gun purchases, and warns potential violators of the penalties for making a “straw purchase.”
Safety Education. A variety of materials in print, video and electronic formats help deliver safety messages to America’s gun owners and students.
Recruitment Programs. NSSF responsibly reaches out to new hunters and shooters through initiatives such as Scholastic Clay Target Program, Scholastic Rifle Program, Families Afield, First Shots, STEP OUTSIDE, and others.

Formed in 1961, NSSF is celebrating its 45th birthday in 2006. The organization recently reached important new milestones, topping 3,000 members and hosting the largest annual trade show (SHOT Show) in the history of the firearms industry.

ESPN Networks to Air Shooting Events

2006-06-02T15:03:00.000-05:00

Press Release... edited

June 1, 2006
For more information contact:
Steve Wagner
swagner@nssf.org
(203) 426-1320

ESPN Networks to Air Shooting Events

Collegiate Clay Target Championships, Hot Shots! to be Televised on ESPN2, ESPNU Throughout June

NEWTOWN, Conn.-ESPN2 and ESPNU will televise two National Shooting Sports Foundation-sponsored shooting events in June, exposing the networks' millions of viewers to the action and excitement of the shooting sports.

On various dates and times throughout the month, ESPNU will air the 2006 Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Collegiate Clay Target Championships, while ESPN2 will air Hot Shots!, an adrenaline-fueled, head-to-head competition featuring the nation's best rifle and shotgun shooters.

"From America's best college shotgunners to Olympians and national-champion shotgun and rifle competitors, both of these televised events are a glimpse into the thrill and excitement of today's shooting sports," said Doug Painter, NSSF president. "Both will without doubt be enjoyed by shooters and non-shooters alike."

The Collegiate Clay Target Championships, being televised for the first time in its 38-year history, will air on ESPNU on June 6 at 7 p.m.; June 7 at 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; June 9 at 3:30 a.m.; June 10 at 6 and 11:30 a.m.; June 14 at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; June 15 at 8:30 a.m.; June 17 at 4 p.m.; June 20 at 5:30 p.m.; July 1 at midnight; July 2 at 11:30 a.m.; and July 30 at 6:30 and 7 a.m. (all times EDT)

The event was taped April 5-9 at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio and includes shooters from more than 20 colleges and universities competing in international trap, international skeet, American trap, American skeet and sporting clays.

Hot Shots!, which includes shotgun, rifle and archery competitions similar to those seen in the ESPN Great Outdoor Games, will air on ESPN2 on June 25 at 3:30 a.m., 4 a.m., 4:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (all times
EDT)
In Hot Shots!, competitors go head-to-head in single-elimination format. The shotgun competition is held at night under the lights. Each head-to-head round involves clay targets being thrown randomly in 3 1/2-second intervals. In the rifle event, shooters square off in a 60-second race on 10 horizontal 10-inch aperture targets. Shooters must hit all 10 targets before they move onto the "Dueling Tree," where they are able to shoot back or unscore their opponent's points.

Sponsors for the ACUI championships include NSSF, the Amateur Trapshooting Association and Kreighoff International. Hot Shots! is sponsored by NSSF, the Archery Trade Association, Hoyt and Limbsaver.

NSSF, formed in 1961, is the trade association for the firearms industry. It directs a variety of outreach programs to promote greater participation and better understanding of shooting sports, emphasizing safe and responsible ownership of firearms. For further information, visit www.nssf.org.

2006-05-05T10:43:00.000-05:00

SCI Lauds EchoStar/OLN Long-Term Agreement

TUCSON, Ariz., May 3, 2006 – SCI today congratulates EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network™ and OLN for cementing a multi-year agreement that restores the channel to DISH Network customers.

“I can’t say enough about the incredibly positive and fruitful relationship SCI has had with OLN,” said Tom Riley, SCI’s executive director. “With OLN’s help, Expedition Safari, SCI’s exciting hunting adventure television series, has become the jewel in the crown of the network’s field sports programming, and I’m sure that EchoStar, a great corporation itself, will find its relationship with OLN just as fulfilling. Congratulations to both companies.”

“It was important that we negotiated a fair contract, enabling DISH Network to remain a tremendous value for our customers,” Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming, said in the April 24 press release announcing the agreement. “We understand that this has been a difficult period for our customers, and we thank them for all their patience. We look forward to a long relationship with OLN in which we can provide the network to our customers.”

“We are very pleased that millions of DISH customers can once again enjoy OLN's terrific programming," said Gavin Harvey, president of the network, in the release as well. "DISH and OLN belong together, and I appreciate the spirit of partnership that reconnected us. We look forward to serving our very passionate — and extremely patient — fans of the NHL, Tour De France, Professional Bull Riding, and the best hunting and fishing on television.”

According to the release, OLN returns to channel 151 in America’s Top 180, DishHD Gold or any higher programming package, bringing OLN’s field sports programming, which includes SCI’s top-rated Expedition Safari, to millions of DISH Network customers across North America.

SCI-First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI’s 173 Chapters represent all 50 United States as well as 13 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions, and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit www.safariclub.org or call 520-620-1220 for more information.

Shot in High Definition and produced by Orion Multimedia with their Emmy Award-winning editors for exclusive telecast on OLN, SCI’s Expedition Safari is sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., Mossy Oak Brand Camo, BSA Sport, and Recreation Optics and GAMO USA Adult Precision Air Guns. Each episode follows host Mike Rogers and some of the world’s foremost guides and outfitters as they pursue big game species around the world while showcasing the richness of our shared hunting heritage and educating the viewing public on sportsmen’s longstanding role in wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian efforts. For more on Expedition Safari, visit www.safariclub.org on the Internet.

OLN (OLNTV.com) is the leader in competitive and adrenaline-charged content. Now in more than 69 million homes, OLN is the cable home of the National Hockey League and best-in-class events like The Tour de France, The America’s Cup, Professional Bull Riders (PBR), the Boston Marathon, and USSA Skiing. The network offers unique programming in four primary areas: Action Sports, Field Sports, Bulls & Rodeo and Awe-Inspiring Series, and is the exclusive home of Survivor in syndication. OLN, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network, the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports, and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

2006-04-25T23:26:00.000-05:00

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Incorporated 1871
11250 Waples Mill Road - Fairfax, VA 22030
For More Information, Contact: Jorge Amselle (703) 267-1595
USA Captures World Black Powder Rifle Championship
Americans win Individual and Team Titles in South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa- The members of the National Rifle Association of America team won the 4th World Long Range Historical Rifle Championship at the Good Hope Range Complex in Cape Town, South Africa, held this year from April 10 to 15. Shooters from six countries (U.S., Germany, Great Britain, South Africa, Switzerland, and Belgium) competed at the championship, which started in 1997 and will be held every four years from now on.
American Dave Gullo from Ponderay, ID, took the world individual championship title for the second time with a score of 329-17V out of a possible 375-16V. Fellow team member Frank Monikowski from Hope Valley, RI, came in second with a score of 326-14V, while third place went to Colin Buck of Great Britain with a score of 320. The V scores are center hits used for tie breakers and similar to the X-ring in U.S. competition.
In team competition the U.S. took the championship title back from Germany with a score of 1043-43V out of a possible 1350 with South Africa in second place at 1034-49V and Germany in third with a score of 994-44V. The world championship cup will be on display at NRA Headquarters for the next four years.
“The high winds were especially challenging and so strong that I had to hold my spotting scope down in order to use it,” said George Harris, NRA Team Captain. “It was quite an experience for the team, we had to fly with empty cases and load all of our ammo onsite, but the South Africans were outstanding hosts and really made us feel at home,” he added.
Competitors must use 1880-era rifles (either cartridge or muzzleloaders) using black powder and lead bullets with metallic sights and weighing no more than 13 pounds. All firing (15 shots at each distance for each shooter) is done from the prone position and slings and rests are allowed. Distances for individuals were 300, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 meters while in team competition the distances were 700, 800 and 900 meters. Each team was allowed to send up to 12 shooters and the top eight from individual competition made up each final team. The scores of the top six shooters on each team counted for score.
The NRA is the primary sponsor of the U.S. team for this championship. The American shooters were selected at a special tryout after the National Championship at Raton, NM in August 2005. The team of 11 shooters, plus Captain, Coach and Adjutant worked together, including shooting the Phoenix Regional in February 2006.
National Rifle Association of America
Team Roster
Steve Baldwin
Daniel Joe Boyle
Francis G. Crisler
Dave Gullo
Lige Harris
Davis Hicks
Attila Chip Mate
Frank Monikowski
John A. Pumphrey
Michael Rix
Dennis Wiley
George Harris - Team Captain
Jack Stoner - Coach
Dana Forslund - Adjutant

May/June 2006 Editorial

2006-04-06T19:20:00.000-05:00

Attitude - it is something we display every day in how we talk, how we act, and the posture of our body. It is shown in how we view life and the choices we make as we move through life. It is even something that can become contagious and certainly affects others. It can make people mad and upset, or happy and a joy to be around.

Think about your day. When you woke up this morning were you excited about the day? Were you ready to tackle it or were your thoughts and feelings down and you felt like you didn’t even want to go into work? You control how you feel and how you look at the world. A positive attitude is taught in the Karate class my grandson takes and he has learned much from the emphasis placed on such an attitude. When he is tired, grumpy, sad, or just plain not feeling good, we talk about how he can change his attitude to a positive one so everyone can have a good time and he can accomplish more.

The same thing can be said for shooting. If we sit around talking about the negative aspects of the match and what problems there were, how it wasn’t run right, that the stages weren’t to our liking, that we did poorly, what are we emphasizing? You got it - a negative attitude! All of sudden we are starting to affect what should have been an enjoyable shooting experience with an aura of negativism. This is especially bad if we are doing this around youngsters and new shooters. It is unfortunate, but I see this happen much too often.

What to do about it? We all need to take a more aggressive approach to having a positive attitude about our shooting and our lives. Think about how much fun shooting the match with your friends was, or how to improve and learn from your shooting errors. Instead of thinking or talking about how the targets were too close or too far and not set up right, take a more positive approach. Talk about the hits and not the misses.

Remember when you first started in the sport and how much fun you had? You weren’t knowledgeable enough to know if the match or stage was poorly run, you were just there to learn, do your best, and have fun. All of us would like to do well, some of us are more competitive than others and that is certainly appropriate whether it is competing at the top level, or against your buddy, or just yourself. However, when it becomes too competitive that we lose the fun part and complain about how bad it was, I think we also start losing our perspective of the sport and the fun starts to fade.

I am really concerned about this. Western-action shooting sports continue to grow very rapidly, but there are also people leaving the sports that shouldn’t. Some go on to other shooting sports, some quit entirely. Why is this? I believe one reason is they become jaded by the negative attitude of others and the fighting that goes on within many shooting clubs. Another reason is that sometimes shooting clubs make monthly matches too serious. What we say and how we act can just as easily drive new shooters away as bring them into the sport.

People are human and we all have our down days. But, each and every one of us can have an impact - let’s have fun and let our attitude be positive!

Visit the Shoot Magazine website at www.shootmagazine.com

The Pedersoli Lightning

2006-03-10T12:07:00.000-06:00

PEDERSOLI DAVIDE & C. S.nc. PRODUZIONE ARMI ANTICHE E ACCESSORI 25063 GARDONE V.T. (BS) - ITALY Via Artigiani, 57 - P. O. Box 150 Tel. 030.8915000 - fax 030.8911019 P.IVA 00588030981 - C. Fiscale 00919300178

We are proud to announce plans for the reproduction of one of the most famous rifles used during the 1890s by cowboys and settlers of the American West and today very desired by cowboy action shooters, hunters, and collectors. We have made important modifications to the mechanical parts of the original American model to make the rifle more safe and reliable.

With great care, we retained the fascination, beauty, and appearance of the original rifle while at the same time making subtle changes to take out the weaknesses of the original and give today's shooters an accurate and reliable rifle along with absolute safety features. One of the main objectives has been to recognize today's shooters requests by offering a product perfectly adapted to any shooting or hunting requirements.

This rifle's special feature is the fast slide-action system which will help to eliminate any chance of accidental discharge due to an unskilled shooter, we have installed features like the single-shot device for a safer use of the gun. The bolt is designed and built to ensure that it is fully engaged and locked prior to firing. An inertia firing pin provides additional safety by preventing the firing pin from striking the cartridge primer by any means other than the pulling of the trigger.

The ergonomic forend enables a good grip and the unloading latch provides a safer means by which to unload the rifle while preventing the hammer from striking the firing pin when removing live ammunition, thereby avoiding any chance of accidental discharge.

The Pedersoli Lightning will be available in the Rifle version, with octagonal barrel and the Carbine with round barrel. Both barrels versions are available in the following lengths: 20", 24", and 26". In the Carbine version with 20" round barrel, the magazine is retained on the barrel by a shaped double ring band.

Both rifle and carbine are offered with three different finishes:
Standard: blue action and furniture, walnut stock; Premium: case hardened action, semi-fancy walnut checkered stock; Deluxe: old silver color for the action and the trigger guard, finished by hand engraving, fancy walnut stock, fine checkering. Both the Rifle and the Carbine versions feature a checkered forend.

The gun is currently available in the .45 Colt cartridge, six grooves clockwise with a twist rate of 400 mm (1:16.) The .45 Colt was and is a very powerful hand gun cartridge and when fired from a longer rifle barrel it gains added velocity and power, making it capable of one-shot kills on fairly large game when used at close to moderate ranges. The forthcoming .44-40 cartridge was at one time the most popular cartridge in all of America and is still in common use in tens of thousands of hunting rifles.

For information please contact: Davide Pedersoli & C., via Artigiani 57, 25063 Gardone Val Trompia; http://www.blogger.com/www.davide-pedersoli.com (info@davidepedersoli.com); tel. 030.8915000; fax 030.8911019.

March/April 2006 Editorial

2006-02-17T16:36:00.000-06:00

Shooters are usually very particular, and being human, each has their own opinion as to guns, gun leather, clothes, shooting style, shooting disciplines they prefer, and even articles they like to see in SHOOT! Magazine. We are constantly conducting surveys on our web-site and at some shoots to see what people are interested in. Along with surveys, I receive quite a few emails and letters. I look at all of the emails and letters as well as most of the survey comments and reply to them, though due to schedule and business commitments it may take a few weeks or more before I can respond. We also have a Forum on CAS CITY which I monitor on a weekly basis. I appreciate all of your input and you can be assured that your comments are carefully considered by both my staff and me.

I have heard the statement made in the past that "you can’t keep everyone happy all of the time." I have come to the conclusion that you can’t keep some people happy any of the time! There are numerous considerations when deciding what articles to print and how many of them. As I mentioned in last issue’s editorial, I try to ensure that we always have at least 60 percent editorial content. Now, within that 60 percent what do you put in and how many of the same type of article go in? SHOOT! Magazine is dedicated to the Western-action shooting sports and will continue to remain so, though on occasion we may stray a little for one article in a particular issue or in the product review section, it will always remain true to its roots. This is the baseline for determining what goes into the magazine. It is not a gun magazine but a shooting magazine. Thus, it will always cover Western-action shooting events and never modern shooting events unless there is some separate special edition such as the Junior Shooters special edition coming out later this year. Some people, those that are primarily pure gun enthusiasts, would rather not see any coverage of shooting matches in the magazine. Others, those that are primarily in CAS for the dress up and camaraderie, would probably like to see more articles on shoots and clothing than guns. Well folks, we will continue to cover those, as well as other appropriate topics.

Due to the large number of Western-action shooting events that occur around the world we can not publish all of them or even most of them. The guidelines I have set are that we try to cover four to six shooting matches each issue, put others on our web-site, and then unfortunately, there are some that never make it off the cutting table. Sometimes the decision is based on if we covered that shoot the previous year, how much space is available in the magazine, or how long the article has been waiting for publication, or the types of photos that have been submitted, or even how the article is written, or if I think the shoot was adequately covered in other publications. There are a variety of reasons why an article may or may not appear in the magazine.

Numerous gun articles will continue. I take great pride in making sure that we cover all gun manufacturers possible, regardless if they are advertising or not. We have also printed more articles on firearms from each of the primary replica gun importers such as Cimarron, Navy Arms, and Taylor 's & Co. than domestic manufacturers. One of the reasons is that each of these importers has a much larger selection of period correct firearms. We have also written about original antiques and though usually incorporated into articles about current replicas, we also published articles exclusively about specific antique firearms. This is an area I definitely hope we can improve upon. I like to have three to five gun or gun related articles per issue.

The magazine is supposed to provide variety, and I believe it does. Hopefully, there is something for everyone. Though shooting events and guns are certainly the meat of our publication, I believe the rest of the categories are just as important. In fact, I think we need to expand with more articles on Western history and possibly some other areas. I have received positive and negative feedback on practically every category of articles, but much, much more positive than negative.

We will continue to produce the best Western-action shooting magazine there is, covering all organizations and all related products while at the same time evaluating and considering all of your input. I appreciate your emails and letters so please keep them coming. Please keep reading it, buying it, and telling others to buy it instead of passing it around or putting it back on the shelves so we can continue to provide it to you. Stop by our booth at one of the shoots or give me a call and let me know what you like and don’t like. I hope you all enjoy a fantastic year of shooting fun.

Visit the Shoot! Magazine web site at www.ShootMagazine.com.

REPLICA ARMS SEVEN SEAS DERRINGER SERIES!

2006-02-15T10:37:00.000-06:00

Martinsburg, West Virginia - Navy Arms announces the arrival of its Replica Arms Seven Seas Derringer! This well-made, inexpensive gun is a percussion, single barrel derringer in .36 caliber smoothbore. The gun features all-steel construction with brass accents on the grip cap, trigger guard, frame and muzzle ferrel. The barrel unscrews for easy cleaning and maintenance. Great for re-enactors, black powder enthusiasts, even for just making noise on the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve.

The Seven Seas Derringer is patterned after guns typically used by 19th century Ship Captains, Riverboat Gamblers, and Desperados. It is the first of a series of Seven Seas Derringers from Replica Arms coming out over the next one to two years.

The Replica Arms Seven Seas Derringer has an MSRP of $89.95 and is available for immediate delivery. For more information or to order please visit the Shoot! Mercantile or call 1-800-342-0904.

OLD WESTERN SCROUNGER MOVES TO WEST VIRGINIA

2006-01-27T15:13:00.000-06:00

Old Western Scrounger (“OWS”) the leading distributor of obsolete ammunition and hard-to find shooting accessories, is moving from Carson City, Nev. to Martinsburg, W.Va.

After 25 years of running OWS, founder David Cumberland, aka Dangerous Dave, has announced his retirement and has sold the operation to Val Forgett, III, President of Forgett Militaria, LLC/Navy Arms. Val III will manage the daily operations while Dave will remain active at Trade Shows and other OWS-related events.

“I am very pleased to be able to work with Dave,” stated Val III. “Like my father, he is a legend in the firearms industry with a wealth of knowledge that is invaluable.”

OWS will continue to stock hard-to-find ammunition like .22 automatic and .32 rimfire, as well as the noisemakers and militaria OWS has become famous for.

For more information on OWS contact them at (304) 262-9870 or go to www.ows-ammo.com

REPLICA ARMS RIDES AGAIN!

2006-01-19T15:08:00.000-06:00

Thirty years after acquiring the brand, Navy Arms is proud to announce the re-introduction of its Replica Arms line of entry-level firearms. “Replica Arms has a long history as a well-made, low-priced brand for shooters interested in starting out as a Civil War re-enactor or cowboy shooter”, stated Val Forgett, III, President of Forgett Militaria, LLC, owner of the Navy Arms and Replica Arms brands.

The Replica Arms line includes entry-level guns such as an 1873 single-action with an MSRP of $324.95, 1892 rifles and carbines starting at $399.95, Sharps rifles starting at $912.00 and, most impressive, the introduction of the “Seven Seas” Derringer line, starting at $89.00 each.

“We have found different vendors for Replica Arms products who are able to produce good quality guns at a low price”, Forgett continued. No Replica Arms guns are produced by Navy Arms vendors, they are separate vendors with separate production lines. Our goal is to provide new entrants to cowboy shooting well-made, low cost, no-frills guns to learn on. If they decide to step-up from Replica Arms single-actions and lever guns to Navy Arms gunfighters and Schofields, they already know that Navy Arms backs its products completely.”

All Replica Arms brand guns are backed by the same warranty enjoyed by Navy Arms customers on Navy Arms brand products. Replica Arms products are distributed by AcuSport, Ellett Brothers, RSR, and Zanders.

For more information on the Replica Arms line of products, contact Navy Arms at (304) 262-1651 or go to www.navyarms.com.

Jackson Hole Shootout Gang Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

2006-01-13T14:07:00.000-06:00

Jackson Hole Shootout Gang Celebrates its 50th Anniversary Through the Years: The History of the Jackson Hole Shoot Out Gang

Jackson Hole, WY, 2006 - Clover the Killer was a hardened outlaw who rode into the dusty streets of Jackson like he owned the place, ready for a fight with anyone who stepped in his way. He was the meanest, ugliest, no-good, hoss-thief this side of Teton Pass. Clover the Killer was no match for the Cache Creek Posse, however. The good guys, the ones whom protected the women, children and citizens of Jackson. Every night throughout the summer, starting in June 1957, the Posse would drag Clover the Killer into Town Square in an attempt to hang him.

Undoubtedly, Clover never felt the noose tighten around his neck. Either his thieven' friends would come a ridin' with their six guns and steal Clover right out from underneath the Posse or the rope would break or somthin' would happen. This was the beginning of the Shootout Gang.

How it all started can be debated. We know that the purpose of the Shootout was to draw tourists to town. They started the shootout at 8 p.m. with a mission to attract visitors to stay in local hotels and motels, eat in the restaurants after the show and spend their money in the gifts shops. Whether it was a group of businessmen concocting the idea at the local Tavern or whether it was Clover Sturlin (aka Clover the Killer) coming up with the story all by himself, one thing is for certain. The Shootout was an immediate success, with crowds in the thousands and ten thousands each season, and it remained successful for the next 50 years. In fact, the Jackson Hole Shootout is reportedly the longest continually running gunfight in the United States.

The early years were filled with wild abandonment and very little structure. Many of the performers improvised and the crowd could not distinguish between real-life and make believe. In fact, it was these early years that led to the adoption of rules and safety regulations. Despite the crowd size and sheer number of guns, horses, characters on the rooftops, and falls on the street; very few people were injured.

That is except for the man that was actually hung, another that had a black powder gun blow up in his face and another with a broken leg. The occasional cast member might have a drink, maybe two or three, which proved to be a danger in its own right.

Although the original show evolved through the years, the basic premise of hanging Clover the Killer was used until the mid 1970s. By this time the original cast members had moved on and new members would create different characters and more elaborate scripts. Now it was Nolan, "Killer" Johnson and "Sheriff, Gentleman" Bill Towsend who led the performance of good guy versus bad guy. And in 1978, "Mean" Mike Meade joined the cast and became one of the first mangers of the Shootout Gang. It was during this era that the gang realized a need for fundraising to help pay for the costs of the performances. If it wasn't for the dedication of "Mean" Mike Meade, the Bar-J Chuck wagon fundraiser, local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and a lot of local support, the Shootout may have seen its last show. Costs were exceeding $14,000 per season for props, clothing and cast members.

At this time the show was running seven days a week and the time commitment had become too much for some of the members. As manager, Mike was able to rally the troops and keep the Shootout going strong into the next era. The Gang also accepted new rules and regulations such as no swearing or drinking.

The next era extends from the early '80s to the late '90s. Mayor Bill Westbrook was the manager for most of this era. Fundraising efforts continued to subsidize the growing need for new costumes, guns and cast members. By 1992, the budget had exceeded $20,000 per season and gang members were making $8 per show. Bill was passionate about the Old West and keeping the script fresh and exciting. He began to include tourists as part of the show, keeping the crowd interested and involved. Bill was also very versatile, playing as many as five characters in one season. They included Juan Peso- the name speaks for itself, Dead Eye Jack McGrew-the meanest villain that ever walked the streets, the honorable Judge and an inebriated jurist who amazingly was the only one left standing at the end of The Judge show. He provided both fantasy and reality when he got into costume and brought a higher lever of theatrical expertise. This was an era when the Shootout Gang began to gain some notoriety and longevity.

Today the Shootout Gang is going strong with a ten member cast, new bolder scripts, and continued support from local businesses. Corry Koski, (aka Doc) son of Nolan "The Killer" Johnson is the current Manager. Although a lot has changed since the days of wild abandonment, the Gang still puts on a truly spectacular show filled with the lore of the Old West, bringing characters to life in the streets of present-day Jackson. However, today's Gang assumes its social responsibility by explaining to one and all, young and old, the danger and care of firearms. They emphasize this by a demonstration at the beginning of every show and explain that shooting is done is jest for the skit. In addition, the rules have been extended to include consistent courtesy to tourists, no live ammunitions, no one handling the guns except for Gang members and no tips for photo opportunities. The Gang has made it a priority to keep this a fun, safe, family event that can be enjoyed by everyone. Today's act includes a free button for the little ones, souvenir posters that can be purchased at local gift shops, and a lifetime of memories to be passed down from generation to generation.

Jackson Hole Shootout Gang members are the lifeblood of the community and can be seen at fundraisers, fairs, rodeos and other shootouts in the West. It has become a tradition that lets Jackson Hole live up to its boast of being, "The Last and the Best of the Old West."

Contact: Lori Hogan, Public Relations Manager, Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, 307-733-3316 Ext. 16 or lori@jacksonholechamber.com.

Note: Information contained within this press release was provided, with permission, by Walt Farmer from his book titled, "Shootout on the Town Square - The Story of the Jackson Hole Shootout." Copies of this book may be obtained online at www.theastrocowboy.com

Editorial - Jan/Feb 2006 issue

2006-01-11T14:00:00.000-06:00

I want to start out this year by telling you about our plans for 2006 as well as look at where we have been. We have now been in operation six and a half years and this is our 38th issue. In our second year we purchased Trail’s End and their assets and we acquired some new subscribers and advertisers through that process. Though sometimes it is a trial to get the magazine out on time while attending shoots or trying to proof our next book, it has always been exciting, challenging, and most of all rewarding. The people we have met, shot with, told stories with, received articles from, and who have provided guns and gear for us to test and write about is what makes this an effort of love. An important part of our effort is supporting the shooting sports, our Second Amendment, those in the Western-action shooting industry, and helping others. It is a rare day when I get up in the morning and think to myself, “I really don’t feel like going to work.” In fact, I can’t think of the last time that occurred. I hope, and believe, that most of my staff feels the same way. They all take a personal interest in the magazine and try their very best to make sure it is the greatest Western-action shooting publication there is. Without you, the reader, as well as our advertisers and supporters, and the excellent internal and external staff I have, the magazine would not be what it is today. I thank each and every one of you for making my work exciting and a joy.

This next year will see a number of changes or enhancements to what we provide our readership. First, we increased the page count to 120 pages total with the September/October 2005 issue and we plan to keep it that size in the future. This is more pages than the vast majority of gun and shooting magazines that are published today. We plan on continuing to maintain a minimum of 60 percent editorial content. I know that some people would like to see more but without advertising there would not be any magazine.

Our backlog of articles, as well as interesting subjects to write about, and book reviews to publish, continues to grow, so please be patient if it seems to take an extra long time before you see something you submitted in print. Sometimes we just do not have room to put an article in the magazine. This is unfortunate, especially if such an article is time sensitive. However, we are now including some of these articles in our Table of Contents in the magazine and then putting the article on our web-site. We hope this will allow us to provide more articles to our readership in a timelier manner. In some cases, especially shoots, we will put a much larger number of photos up on the web-site than what we can publish in the magazine.

Our article content and the categories listed in the table of contents will remain as they are for 2006. There are some areas we will definitely be enhancing and others that we would like to include more of, such as hunting with period firearms, which we are lacking material for. We will be expanding our genre slightly to include, in a very limited manner, companion bolt-action or semi-auto firearms to our existing Old West guns. This applies mostly when considering such combinations as a companion .22 rifle to a Single-Six .22 when out hunting, or the reverse, a companion .22 semi-auto when out hunting with a period correct rifle. Please don’t worry, these types of articles will run on an occasional basis, we are still dedicated to Western-action shooting and do not plan on changing this. We are also planning some more historical and gunsmithing pieces.

We will continue to provide one Getting Started article each issue. We have completed an extensive series on mounted shooting, a number on CAS, and plan others. Knowing that all items cannot be covered in detail, we are greatly expanding our Getting Started section on our web-site. This will have already occurred by the time you read this, yet we will continue to increase it during the year.

We plan on publishing at least one book in 2006 along with two Special Editions. The book is titled Old Guns and Whispering Ghosts and it is amazing (read the book review by John Taffin on page 57.) One of the Special Edition magazines is titled Junior Shooters and it will be all about juniors in a variety of shooting sports. The other is our usual edition about SASS’s World and National Championships. Another book is planned on Mounted Shooting but will probably not be available until early 2007. Our first calendar is planned to be available in the summer of 2006 for the year 2007 and it will include an events calendar at the end of the 12-month calendar so you will want to make sure we have your club event information up-to-date. Talking about events, our event listing has gotten so large that we have finally decided not to include it in the magazine itself. It will be listed under the Table of Contents with a note that the full listing is on the web-site. Please remember that it is up to the clubs to ensure that we receive updated information.

We also plan to continue ongoing surveys on our web-site in which we give out prizes. We are adding another readership survey that is on the web-site. Though prizes are not always offered when answering this one, it is a demographic survey and we would appreciate it greatly if you would fill it out for us. All of our surveys help us understand what you, the reader, are interested in (to fill it out online, please click here). We will also be continuing our Mernickle holster giveaway in which each issue a paid subscriber is randomly drawn to win one of these great gun rigs.

Our Cowboy Benefit raffle, which benefits a cowboy or cowgirl or their family in need (both medically and financially) will continue (see the article in the September/October 2005 issue Vol. 36 on page 78 or on our web-site). We have had a lot of support from many companies who donated prizes and we greatly appreciate their effort. The 2006 grand prize is a special sixgun called the High Plains Drifter in honor of Clint Eastwood, donated by Cimarron , and a custom gun rig by Gordon Davis. The concept was created by Dave Sample, aka Captain Eagle, who also completed a full action job on the sixgun. You can view these prizes on our web-site. The list for the winners for 2005 will be posted on the web-site in January 2006, and in the magazine in the March/April 2006 issue. We have not yet decided on the beneficiary or beneficiaries for the raffle for 2006, so if you know of someone in need, especially if they are suffering due to hurricanes Katrina or Rita, please send in your suggestion. All suggestions are reviewed and research conducted on the most promising. Please send your beneficiary recommendations, along with as much information on their story as possible, to editor@shootmagazine.com.

The SHOOT! Mercantile continues to see more products added. Please note that the selling of products on our mercantile is open to all manufacturers (except gun manufacturers – we will not sell cartridge firearms) after a review of the products and manufacturer to ensure they are applicable and meet our market, quality, operational, and processing requirements.

We now have our own SHOOT! Magazine online forum, an excellent site that has supported CAS shooters for many years. Our forum is hosted by CAS City . Smith n’ Jones, Penelope Jane, and I monitor this site on a regular basis and encourage all of you to use it. Don’t be surprised if some of your questions end up in our Letters to the Editor column in the magazine.

We look forward to another great year of Western-action shooting and providing you with the very best in our industry.

Pedersoli Int'l Matches at NMLRA Western Nat'l Shoot

2005-12-20T14:15:00.000-06:00

The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, P.O. Box 67, Friendship, IN 47021. (812) 667-5131, www.nmlra.org. Contact: J.R. Absher (jrabsher@psci.net) 812-836-4444

The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association is pleased to announce that renowned European arms maker Davide Pedersoli & Co. will award two specially chosen firearms to a pair of international aggregate winners at the 2006 NMLRA Western National Shoot in Phoenix, Arizona.

A Pedersoli .44 Mortimer Percussion Pistol and a .45 Cal. Delux Tyron Match Rifle will be awarded to respective aggregate winners of the International Pistol Matches and the International Rifle Matches. The NMLRA Western National Shoot will take place February 22-27, 2006 at the Ben Avery Shooting Range north of Phoenix.

Pistol aggregate will consist of three events: Kuchenreuter (Original or Replica rifled single shot pistol, round ball only); As Issue Revolver (Original or Reproduction Revolver, round ball or picket ball); and Cominazzo (Smoothbore Flintlock Pistol, round ball only).

All pistols must be totally in the original design contemporary to the 19th century (or earlier). Matches will be fired one-handed at 25 yards on the NRA B-19 target (50 meter ISU pistol target reduced). Best 10 of 13 shots fired within 30 minutes to count for score.

Rifle aggregate will consist of three events: Vetterli (any offhand rifle, 50 yards, any original style ammunition except wadcutters); Whitworth (prone, any rifle [if military, caliber must be under .53 Cal.], 100 yards); and Maximillian (Prone, flintlock rifle, 100 yards, round ball only).

All rifles must be unaltered originals or replicas of originals and must be contemporary in design to the 19th century (or earlier). Matches will be fired on the NRA B-19 target (50 meter ISU pistol target reduced). Best 10 of 13 shots fired within 30 minutes to count for score.

All firearms to be used in the Pedersoli International Matches must be scrutinized and tagged by a range official prior to firing. Locations of firearm scrutiny stations will be posted at the NMLRA registration desk.

For more than 50 years, Davide Pedersoli & Company has produced firearms that faithfully duplicate models of the old American tradition and of the European gunsmith’s history. Reproductions include military guns of the Old and New World and civilian models of the period representing both the culture and the history of Europe, as well as the expansion of the American Frontier. For more information, visit the Pedersoli Web site at www.davide-pedersoli.com

For additional information on the Pedersoli International Matches and the 2006 NMLRA Western Nationals, contact the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at 812.667.5131 or visit the NMLRA Web site at: www.nmlra.org.

www.WesternStarLeather.com Unveiled

2005-12-16T14:38:00.000-06:00

John and Maggie Costanza have finally launched the web-site for their company Western Star Leather. As the name implies, they specialize in authentic Old West gun leather, chaps, chinks, cuffs, and much more! The results of their perseverance.endless hours in the shop, capturing detailed images of their workmanship, and collaborating with web designers, was unveiled this month at www.WesternStarLeather.com.

Although having a web-site may be new for the couple, John and Maggie have several notches on their belts as entrepreneurs and business owners, including 15 years operating Valley Ranch Outfitters in Bishop, Calif., a one-stop-shop for horsemen.

The most important feature of this new web-site, says Maggie, is the "click to enlarge feature. You'll see for yourself the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into every product produced in our shop."

Visit their web-site and we're sure you'll agree that they offer the best of the best with an authentic touch of the Old West!

John & Maggie Costanza
P.O. Box 61137, Boulder City, NV 89006
Phone (702) 293-3397
Email: westernstarleather@earthlink.net
Web-site: www.WesternStarLeather.com

Civil War Heritage Preservation

2005-11-03T13:06:00.000-06:00

The North-South Skirmish Association held its 112th National Chapionship October 7-9, 2005 at Fort Shenandoah near Winchester, Virginia. Member units competed in live-fire matches with original or authentic reproduction Civil War period muskets, carbines, breechloading rifles, revolvers, mortars, and cannons. It is the largest Civil War event of its kind in the country.

The remarkable 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry won the musket match for an amazing seventh consecutive national. Their accomplishment certainly ranks the Ohioans among the elite units is the 55-year history of N-SSA competition. A total of 220 eight-member teams participated in this N-SSA signature competition. In a drizzle that soaked the entire weekend, the 8th Virginia Infantry bested 150 other companies and won the carbine match. The Buncombe Rifles won the revolver competition and the 14th Mississippi Infantry wont he smoothbore musket match. The magazine fed rifle competition was won by the 2nd Maryland (CSA) Artillery and the single-shot breechloading rifle title went to the 2nd Kentucky Cavlary. In the artillery competitions, 35 guns participated in the cannon matches. The winners included the 1st South Carolina in the rifled class, the 3rd Maryland in the smoothbore class, and the 3rd U.S. in the howitzer class. Completing the artillery competition was the 1st Illinois Light Artillery besting 43 other competitors to win the mortar match.

The N-SSA has 4,000 individuals that make up its more that 200 member units. Each represents a Civil War unit or regiment and proudly wears the uniform they wore over 140 years ago.

The 113th National Competition is scheduled for May 19-21, 2006 at Fort Shenandoah. For more information about the N-SSA, contact Public Information Officer, Bruce Miller, at (248) 258-9007 or spartan1@attglobal.net or visit our web-site at www.n-ssa.org.

Need a Place to Hunt? Find it at WingshootingUSA.org

2005-10-26T17:30:00.000-05:00

Web site visitors also can enter to win one of nine free bird hunts

A new web-site gives hunters “a place to hunt for bird hunting places,” and offers visitors a chance to win one of nine giveaway hunts valued together at more than $34,000. The services and sweepstakes are free.

The site, www.wingshootingusa.org, is from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), a nonprofit trade association working to keep sportsmen safe and active.

Anchoring the site is an easy-to-use search tool for daily-fee bird hunting preserves. The leader in listings for hunting and shooting destinations, Black’s Wing & Clay, Waterfowl, in print for the past 12 years, provided data on over 1,000 preserves nationwide. By clicking on a U.S. map, visitors can find a bird hunting spot close to home or across the country.

That today’s hunting preserves are convenient and numerous is a message reinforced by Wingshooting USA’s Dream Hunts Sweepstakes.

Nine hunts will be given away. Each will give two people a totally unique bird hunting experience in a different part of the country. The North American Gamebird Association, an organization that promotes quality standards for hunting preserves, arranged the hunts. A winner could land a quail hunting adventure at a Southern plantation, or a high-plains excursion for pheasant and chukar.

See complete sweepstakes prize descriptions, official rules and entry form at www.wingshootingusa.org. (No purchase necessary. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia age 21 or older. Ends Feb. 28, 2006.)

“With Wingshooting USA, we’re reaching out with a message that highlights the wide range of benefits offered by today’s hunting preserves. Whether it’s a group of hunting buddies looking for an action-packed day afield, or someone searching for an ideal place to introduce a newcomer, that ‘best hunt of the year’ is really only a phone call away,” said Doug Painter, president of NSSF.

Painter explained that modern preserves offer knowledgeable guides, good cover, great dog work, strong-flying birds, and a wide range of services and accommodations.

In a national survey, hunters identified their top five issues as 1.) Not enough access to places to hunt, 2.) Not having enough places to hunt, 3.) Work obligations, 4.) Poor behavior of other hunters, and 5.) Too many hunters in the field.

“Aside from work obligations, all of these problems disappear when you book a customized hunt with today’s hunting preserves. And with many facilities within an hour or so from big cities, a quality hunting experience can be enjoyed on a weekend morning or afternoon,” said Painter.
Bob Bledsoe, a bird hunter and outdoor writer from Oklahoma, agrees, predicting that preserve hunting is, “the wave of the future for most of us.”

“With wild quail populations seriously declined in much of the country, and with lease fees rising and access getting more and more difficult to obtain, preserves are a great way to get in a day or two of shooting. I know of several nearby preserves priced within reach of a working guy. It costs far less to go shoot a half-dozen pheasants or a dozen quail at a preserve than it does to drive to western Kansas on $2.75 gasoline, rent a motel room for a couple of nights, buy a $70 hunting license, and walk 15 miles for less shooting,” explained Bledsoe.

The web-site is basically a toolbox to help hunters overcome these obstacles, said Painter.

Many preserves also offer a wide variety of outdoor activities including sporting clays, 3D archery, fishing, youth hunter safety classes, family events, dog training, handicap business meeting areas, lodging, dining, and camping.

In 2003, the gamebird farming and hunting preserve industries injected over $1.6 billion into the nation’s economy, stimulating nearly $5 billion in total commerce.

The conservation impact is significant, too. Hunting preserves protect wildlife and habitat in otherwise shrinking landscapes. In 2005, hunting preserves maintained over 16 million acres, protecting them from development, safeguarding landscapes, and keeping the land in the hands of families who have worked it for generations.

Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

2005-10-20T13:41:00.000-05:00

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

President Bush expected to sign common-sense legal reform to stop "junk" lawsuits against firearms industry.

Congress took a historic step today toward ending "junk" lawsuits. With a 283-144 bi-partisan vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a landmark bill to block lawsuits that seek to hold firearms manufacturers liable for the criminal misuse of their lawfully sold products. The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (S. 397) will prevent wrongful civil liability lawsuits against law-abiding companies and end years of abuse of America’s legal system by industry opponents.

The bill will now head to President Bush, who has said he would sign it if it reached his desk. The U.S. Senate passed the bill in July with a 65-31 bi-partisan vote. “The overwhelming bi-partisan support of this bill in both the Senate and House demonstrates Congress’s ability to work together when it comes to protecting America’s law-abiding businesses, in turn protecting thousands of jobs nationwide. Our industry sincerely thanks Sen. Larry Craig and Rep. Cliff Sterns for introducing this much-needed legislation and President Bush, who has continuously promoted legal reform in order to protect our nation’s businesses and economy,” said Doug Painter, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association representing firearms and ammunition manufacturers.

Painter praised the National Rifle Association for its tireless efforts in helping to secure passage of the legislation. “The NRA made this bill its number one priority over the past two years. For that dedication, the firearms industry is very grateful to the NRA and its many members who voiced support for the bill. The results are far-reaching, protecting law-abiding companies from financial ruin and, by extension, ensuring a positive future for our hunting and shooting traditions and our firearms freedoms.”

The bill provides protection for manufacturers, distributors, retailers and importers of all legally sold firearms and ammunition. Since 1998 more than 30 municipal lawsuits have been filed against the makers and sellers of firearms by anti-gun organizations and anti-gun politicians. The misguided efforts attempted to blame firearm companies for the illegal actions of criminals—the equivalent of attempting to hold a car manufacturer liable when a criminal uses an automobile in a crime. These illegitimate suits have cost the firearms industry hundreds of millions of dollars in legal defense fees and threatened to bankrupt companies.

“No industry should be threatened by ‘junk’ lawsuits based not on established legal principles but driven by extreme political agendas. This legislation restores and reaffirms the common-sense notion that no manufacturer should be held liable for the criminal misuse of its products. We are pleased that the House of Representatives has passed this important reform measure,” Painter said.

Even though 30 states have passed similar legislation preventing such lawsuits, the federal legislation will provide the full protection sought by the firearms industry and nullify pending lawsuits and prevent future illegitimate lawsuits from being filed. Among those cases nullified are suits from New York City and Washington, D.C., the latter filed under the onerous District of Columbia’s Assault Weapon Manufacturing Strict Liability Act that, incredibly, assigns automatic and absolute liability to a manufacturer whose firearm is used in a crime in the District.

“These lawsuits put thousands of jobs at risk and attempted to drive an entire industry out of business. Such abuse of our judicial system invited this historic legal reform,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF’s senior vice president and general counsel.

Opponents of the bill attempted to scare the public into thinking it would no longer have the right to file civil liability actions, but the bill’s language is very clear on the subject, allowing legitimate lawsuits to be filed against companies that sell defective products or against firearms dealers who break the law. As pointed out by many elected officials, the lawsuits represented a serious threat to the industry that provides America’s military with small arms and ammunition.

“While many of these suits have been rejected in court, just one verdict for the plaintiffs could bankrupt our small industry and destroy those companies that arm our law enforcement and our military for defense against terrorism at home and overseas,” said Keane.

Realizing that any industry, not just the firearms industry, could be the target of such harassing lawsuits, America’s business community weighed in strongly for the bill, with letters of support coming from the National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses, National Association of Wholesalers-Distributors, National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers, United Mine Workers of America and other business groups and unions. The Department of Defense also encouraged passage of the bill because of national security concerns.

Editorial - Nov/Dec 2005 issue

2005-10-10T13:39:00.000-05:00

Protecting our Rights
Editorial by Chucky, Editor-in-chief

That right is important to you? The right to keep and bear arms, the right to freedom of speech, or is it the right to practice the religion of your choice? It could be your right not to be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. Maybe it’s your property being taken for public use, without just compensation or your right to be secure in your person, house, papers, and effects, against unreasonable search and seizure.

Each of the rights that you are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is just as important as any other. If even one is changed, modified, or put aside by the Government, it would be the beginning of a slow erosion of them all. Many people do not understand this, nor do they realize what the 10 rights put forth in the Bill of Rights are. The Government that our forefathers put in place was one of compassion, consideration, deliberation, and a belief in freedom.

The other item that most people do not realize is that this country was founded in faith and the belief in God. The word “God” appears throughout our forefather’s historic documents, our monuments, and our culture. I am disturbed by the efforts of some to remove the word “God” from our pledge of allegiance, from courthouse steps, from the paper and coins we use as money, and from our national monuments. For those that don’t believe, remember this, in spite of the fact our forefathers believed in God they made sure the First Amendment specifically guaranteed that each and every citizen had the right to worship how and where they please, or not at all if that is their desire.

I believe in God, but I also believe in your right as an American to worship whomever and however you wish. I believe you have the right to live your life in freedom as long as you are not hurting others. It is your choice. It is also your choice to either support what our forefathers believed in or not. In this country it is even your choice to speak out against our rights and the country in which you live.

However, if the right to keep and bear arms to protect yourself and your family, or the beliefs that our forefathers fought for is degraded and put aside, those people that use the right of free speech to disparage others and our Constitution will soon find themselves without rights and the dissolution of the basis of the greatest governmental effort toward freedom the world has ever seen.

You might say, “Hmm, why is he talking about this in SHOOT! Magazine?” It is simple, many of us have become too complacent. We may think that, “Gee, as long as we still have our cowboy guns, its okay.” Who cares if they ban assault rifles (many semi-auto hunting rifles fall into that description). ANY ban on ANY firearm impacts your rights! More gun laws erode your rights. It has been proven that rather than being a deterrent to crime, they actually encourage crime. Firearms are used over two million times a year in this country to protect life and family; how often do hear about that in the news? I did recently see on the national news that a Katrina survivor, a woman, fired a warning shot as intruders entered her home. I was ecstatic to see it aired. Boy, was that unusual. If we lose our right to own guns and continue to let criminals out of prison I guess we are just telling them to commit more crimes against us. The police can’t always protect or reach you in time and if you can’t legally own a gun, the criminal can illegally posses one and he doesn’t care about the law in the first place. Do you think I am preaching to the choir? If so, have you ever thought, “Well, as long as the new law doesn’t affect my guns or the sport I participate in, I guess it isn’t too bad”? If you have thought that then, yes, definitely, I am talking to you and hoping that you think about what happened in World War II , Cambodia , Bosnia , and Rwanda . Don’t make the mistake of thinking that can’t happen here. It won’t happen here if we believe in and protect our rights, and continue to vote for those who are willing to protect the constitution and what its framers believed in, not just the second amendment but each and every one of them.

Visit our web site at www.ShootMagazine.com. Email Chucky at editor@shootmagazine.com.

Hunters and Shooters: Help Your Sport by Taking Online Survey

2005-09-27T16:14:00.000-05:00

A new online survey will help the outdoor industry better serve its customers who hunt and shoot. The survey is free. And respondents could win one of several $100 gift certificates to be given away each month. To participate, visit www.huntersurvey.com.

Respondent information will be used in the development of new products, better services and expanded opportunities to enjoy hunting and shooting.

Gift certificates, to be awarded monthly via random drawing, are offered as incentives for participation. Winners may use the $100 certificates at online or "brick and mortar" outdoor retailers of their choice, including local independent retail shops.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry, and state fish and wildlife agencies are interested in learning more about customers' monthly sporting activities, purchases, expectations, and more.

Chris Dolnack, senior vice president for NSSF, said, "More and better information helps us learn how we, as an industry, can meet the changing needs and expectations of today's hunters and shooters. It's the key to developing and promoting our sports as well as innovating new products to fit today's lifestyles."

Huntersurvey.com was developed by Southwick Associates Inc. of Fernandina Beach, Florida. The firm tracks hunting and shooting sports trends and specializes in assessing revenue streams and business models, regularly helping state agencies and trade groups in their efforts to protect and expand hunting, shooting and other outdoor opportunities.

First-time survey visitors must briefly register. Southwick Associates assures that collected e-mail addresses will be used only for sending monthly electronic surveys, and will never to be sold, given away or used for any promotion or solicitation. Actual surveys take about two minutes to complete.

The survey is expected to reach several thousand U.S. hunters and shooting enthusiasts each month. Respondents will be asked about their hunting and target shooting activities in the past month, species pursued, types of target shooting enjoyed, products purchased, opportunities desired, and more. The survey will track responses month to month. Data will be scientifically weighted to reflect all hunters and shooters, even those who do not complete surveys or use the Internet. Southwick Associates will begin compiling reports in 2006.

For more information, contact Southwick Associates (www.southwickassociates.com) at 904-277-9765; Info@southwickassociates.com; or P.O. Box 6435, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.

Arizona Gets High School Marksmanship Class

2005-09-15T13:53:00.000-05:00

Worth one credit toward diploma - Shooting at target required to pass
by Alan Korwin, Author Gun Laws of America

If you're old enough you remember the days when American high schools had rifle ranges in the basement. The ROTC would practice down there, and students learned about the safe use of firearms. You could even get a varsity letter (remember those?) in shotgun.

In rural areas, kids would bring firearms with them to school, and go hunting for dinner on the way home. I have a friend who brought his father's fully functional full-auto Thompson submachinegun to class, with ammo, for show and tell. That sort of thing screeched to a halt in the 1960s, when left-wing political correctness got the ranges closed and proceeded to vilify guns in every way they could. Arizona is poised to change that.

In April we passed the first law in decades to go back to teaching real gun safety to high school students. The children can get one credit in marksmanship toward their high school diplomas, in this full-semester class. To pass the Arizona Gun Safety Program they must safely discharge a firearm at a target. It all began about six months earlier.

One day, with some idle time on my hands, I wondered, "Why don't we make marksmanship a requirement for a high school diploma?" The people I hang out with thought it was a great idea, so what the hey, I drafted some language, and circulated it electronically.

State Senator Karen Johnson got a hold of a copy, but argued that it would fail as a required course, because legislators would complain about the budget demands. She wisely changed it to an elective, and then amazed us. It went through the Senate unanimously. The House passed it by a veto-proof margin of nearly three to one. Our Governor, Janet Napolitano, not generally recognized as very gun-friendly, had no choice but to sign it into law.

Legislators saw it as a safety bill, not a gun bill, which helped. The Arizona Game and Fish Dept., which licenses the state's hunters, is named to certify this program's instructors. They supported and even expanded the language, which also helped. They wanted to be able to provide clay target practice, and so changed my low-profile ".22 caliber bolt-action rifle" language to "firearm." Works for me.

The biggest concern was that this education bill could be turned into a gun avoidance program, if anti-rights bigots could interpret it their way. That's why I included the must-shoot-safely-to-pass requirement. That had an unexpected fringe benefit of getting the state's ranges onboard, because the law allows students to use "any established shooting range." (See the actual bill in the sidebar.)

Kids will learn gun safety, operation of firearms, shooting techniques and other basics of this time honored, extraordinarily important craft. Marksmanship teaches responsibility, improves concentration, affects national preparedness, and removes some of the ignorance so plentiful about guns.

By far, though, the best part of the program, is that it requires teaching the role of firearms in the preservation of peace and freedom. Students must learn about the constitutional roots of the right to keep an bear arms. It's in the law. There's no way around it.

The main obstacle will be gun haters in the system, and anti-rights teachers and administrators. They're already grumbling about ethics, time, money-any roadblock they can use to keep the kids in the dark. Kids on the other hand, no surprise here, are eager to sign up for the class.

The ethical thing of course is to teach safety, not hide it. Kids take electives like acting and pottery, so this is just an alternative with no extra time required. Legislators demonstrated their support by overwhelmingly passing the law. And there is no budget issue, because the ranges are excited about providing time and supplies for free (they see a significant marketing value). Game and Fish has adequate budget, and teaching is what they're all about.
Classrooms are standing and lit, and teachers are on salary.

So what are you waiting for? Find one sensitive and caring legislator in your state, and get this bill introduced. Even if you imagine there's little chance of passage, think how it will infuriate the intolerant anti-rights crowd who think they're all about education and openness. And who knows, your state just might think gun safety is a good idea too.

--------------------

Alan Korwin, well known in the gun-rights community, is the author of the unabridged federal guide, Gun Laws of America, going into its fifth edition. He runs the website gunlaws.com, and can be reached at alan@gunlaws.com. You can download the High School Marksmanship bill from his website.

--------------------

Arizona State Senate Bill 1271, Enacted 4/11/05

A.R.S. 15-714.01. Arizona gun safety program course

A. In addition to the voluntary training in the use of bows and firearms prescribed in sections 15-713 and 15-714, each school district and charter school may offer as an elective course a one-semester course in firearm marksmanship that shall be designated as the Arizona Gun Safety Program course.

B. A pupil shall be deemed to have satisfactorily completed the Arizona Gun Safety Program course by demonstrating that the pupil has the ability to safely discharge a firearm.

C. The course of instruction prescribed in this section shall be jointly developed by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, the Department of Public Safety and private firearms organizations and may include materials provided by private youth organizations. At a minimum, the Arizona Gun Safety Program course shall include:

1. Instruction on the rules of gun safety.

2. Instruction on the basic operation of firearms.

3. Instruction on the history of firearms and marksmanship.

4. Instruction on the role of firearms in preserving peace and freedom.

5. Instruction on the constitutional roots of the right to keep and bear arms.

6. Instruction on the use of clay targets.

7. Practice time at a shooting range.

8. Demonstration of competence with a firearm.

D. School districts and charter schools shall arrange for adequate use of shooting range time by pupils in the Arizona Gun Safety Program course at any established shooting range.

E. Pupils who satisfactorily complete the Arizona Gun Safety Program course shall receive a certificate of accomplishment.

F. Instructors shall be certified by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

G. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or expand the liability of any person under other provisions of law.
--
Contact:
Alan Korwin
BLOOMFIELD PRESS
"We publish the gun laws."
4718 E. Cactus #440
Phoenix, AZ 85032
602-996-4020 Phone
602-494-0679 FAX
1-800-707-4020 Orders
http://www.gunlaws.com
alan@gunlaws.com
Call, write, fax or click for a free catalog.

New Edition NMLRA Big Game Record Book

2005-09-01T14:44:00.000-05:00

The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, with headquarters located in Friendship, Indiana, is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the fourth edition of The Longhunter Muzzleloading Big Game Record Book.

The impressive hard-bound, large-format volume contains current and updated records of North American big game trophy animals taken with all types of muzzleloading firearms. Printed on high-quality paper stock with simulated leather binding, The Longhunter Muzzleloading Big Game Record Book Fourth Edition features the stories and photographs behind the top trophy animals taken using black powder firearms. All trophy animals that have qualified for record book entry since the last edition was released in 2001 are also included in this volume.

In addition to updated records, the NMLRA's new record book includes Boone & Crockett scoring standards and forms, Rules of Fair Chase, as well as species-specific information and geographic boundaries utilized for record-keeping purposes. Where appropriate by species and sub-species, sections are devoted to typical and non-typical scored trophy animals.

Big game categories featured in The Longhunter Muzzleloading Big Game Record Book Fourth Edition include grizzly, polar, and black bear, Alaska brown bear, cougar, American elk, Roosevelt's elk, mule deer, Columbia and Sitka Blacktail deer, Whitetail and Coues' deer, Canada, Alaska-Yukon, and Shiras moose, the four subspecies of caribou, pronghorn antelope, Rocky Mountain goat, muskox, four subspecies of bighorn sheep, and bison.

"There's no doubt that serious muzzleloading hunters who pursue big game animals in North America will want to add this volume to their trophy room library," said Jim Fulmer, NMRLA President. "It is a 'must have' for all shooting enthusiasts who appreciate the thrill of the hunt as much as they enjoy blackpowder firearms."
The Longhunter Muzzleloading Big Game Record Book Fourth Edition is available for immediate shipping. Price is $40.00 per volume, plus $7.50 shipping and handling. Checks made payable to the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association may be sent to: Longhunter Muzzleloading Big Game Record Book, NMLRA, P.O. Box 67, Friendship, IN 47021. Credit card orders will be accepted by phone (812.667.5131).

Since 1933, the NMLRA has worked to preserve, promote and support the rich muzzle-loading heritage through recreational, educational, historical, and cultural venues -- including match competition, hunting, gun-making and safety, historical re-enactments, exhibits, museums, libraries, and other programs.

The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association - P.O. Box 67, Friendship, Indiana 47021 (812) 667-5131, www.nmlra.org. Contact: J.R. Absher (jrabsher@psci.net) 812.836.4444

NRA Provides Safe Firearms Training to over 7,000 Boy Scouts at Jamboree

2005-08-31T14:42:00.000-05:00

FAIRFAX, VA - The National Rifle Association and its network of NRA Certified Instructors continue to be the primary source of safe firearms and marksmanship education for the nation’s Boy Scouts. During the 2005 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, from July 25 to August 3, 7,250 scouts expended 87,000 pellets at NRA’s air gun range, which was part of the Venturing National Exhibit. The Venturing program is for Scouts who are between the ages of 14 and 20 and may be co-ed. NRA Certified Instructors were also responsible for supervising all four air gun and shotgun ranges used by almost 10,000 Scouts each day during the Jamboree.

According to Steven Andersen, executive director of The NRA Foundation, “NRA and the Boy Scouts have worked together to promote the shooting sports for decades. In fact, The NRA Foundation has provided over $2.8 million since its inception to support various local and national Boy Scout shooting education activities.” The NRA Foundation recently approved funding to cover the cost of all training materials to certify BSA summer camp rifle and shotgun counselors.

The NRA booth was also a popular stop at the Merit Badge Midway, where Scouts could complete the training requirements for up to 83 different merit badges, including those for rifle and shotgun. Only NRA Certified Instructors are authorized by the BSA to conduct the training necessary for these two badges. More than 480 Scouts took advantage of this opportunity. To earn these badges, Scouts must complete a course on gun safety, gun laws, and the history and uses of guns, as well as achieve a minimum score at the range.

“The NRA is an essential partner in promoting the shooting sports among Scouts. The shooting sports are the most popular activities within the Venturing program, and without NRA it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to offer the same level of shooting opportunities.” said Bill Evans, Director of Outdoor Venturing for BSA.

If you have any questions, contact the NRA Youth Programs Department at (703) 267-1505 or email youth_programs@nrahq.org.

Women avoid Death and Rape by carrying concealed guns

2005-08-24T13:49:00.000-05:00

NEWS RELEASE - Merril Press. Post Office Box 1682, Bellevue, WA 98009 - (425)454-7009, Fax (425)451-3959, www.merrilpress.com

CONTACT: Tiffany Lindsay, (425) 454-7009, tiffany.lindsay@liberty.seanet.com

"STAYIN’ ALIVE” AUTHOR PAXTON QUIGLEY SAYS WOMEN AVOID DEATH AND RAPE BY CARRYING CONCEALED GUNS

LOS ANGELES, CA – Paxton Quigley, both a liberal Democrat and advocate of women’s gun rights, says in her new book, Stayin’ Alive: Armed and Female in an Unsafe World (Merril Press, 2005), women who take their guns out of their homes and legally carry them concealed reduce violent crimes, rape, and death. Yet only twenty-seven percent of American women keep a gun in their home.

Quigley, author of the best selling book, Armed and Female, “the bible of women’s gun self-defense,” who has taught thousands of women and men safe gun use for self-defense also says: “Anti-gun critics claim women get a false sense of security when they carry a gun. That’s just a lot of hooey! All the women I’ve ever spoken with who legally carry feel much more in control of their surroundings and far safer.”

Quigley further cites studies which show significant reductions in crimes against women in regions where more women carry concealed handguns: “I strongly urge women to legally carry, especially when they’re out alone on their own, walking, driving, or riding public transportation.”

Presently, thirty-nine states permit the concealed carrying of handguns. While no national statistics are available, Arizona reports that of 67,000 gun owners who legally carry, 6,200 are women. In Florida, more than 15,000 women confidently carry concealed handguns.

In her new book, Stayin’ Alive, Quigley dispels popular myths about guns and articulates the importance of safe and responsible gun handling for greater personal and family security. She also analyzes alternate popular self defense options and discusses the pros and cons of stun guns, pepper spray, dogs, home alarms, etc., devoting an entire chapter to planning in advance exactly what to do in the event your home is invaded by burglars or worse.

When Quigley’s first book, Armed & Female (St. Martin’s Press, 1989) was published, it created uproar. The media was shocked and horrified, yet irresistibly intrigued by its unabashed call for women to finally unburden their fears, claim personal responsibility, and take up arms. She was profiled by “60 Minutes”, The Wall Street Journal, Playboy, The Los Angeles Times, and others, and appeared on nearly every national TV news show from “NBC Nightly News” to “Larry King Live,” “Oprah,” and “Hannity & Colmes.”

To interview Paxton Quigley, contact Tiffany Lindsay at above addresses.

Meister Bullets, Inc. Announces New Cowboy Cartridges

2005-08-19T13:45:00.000-05:00

OOLOGAH, OK - Meister Bullets, Inc., the oldest and largest cast bullet manufacturer in the United States and best known for their cowboy action shooting bullets, has just introduced a new line of Cowboy ammunition to their current product line. Manufactured using only the highest quality components, the new Meister cartridges use only new Starline brass, either Federal or Winchester primers, Vihtavuori powder and, of course, Meister bullets. Specifically loaded for the cowboy action shooter, the bullet velocities are either 650 fps or 700 fps (dependent upon caliber).

The new Meister Cowboy Action cartridges are available in:

.38 RNFP 125-grain
.38 RNFP 130-grain (designed specifically to function in the Marlin lever-action rifle)
.45 RNFP 200-grain
.45 RNFP 250-grain
.32 H&R Magnum RNFP in 94-grain, 78-grain and 115-grain

All Meister bullets are sealed using a proprietary formula which took several years to develop. The sealant prevents tarnish and, most importantly, reduces exposure to lead in both the shooting and handling of the bullets.

The new cowboy action ammunition is manufactured in Meister Bullets’ new 8,100 square foot facility which provides expanded production capabilities and has additional staffing to assure that their customers receive on time delivery and personal excellence in customer service. The ammunition is available through your local dealer or order online at www.meisterbullets.com.

Meister Bullets was founded in 1971 by Wilhelm Ohligs, aka “The Bullet Meister” and competitive target shooter, when he began casting bullets for other shooters and resellers, and was incorporated in 1984 in Phoenix, AZ. Meister Bullets has been built on the principles of “Quality Service, Quality Products, and Complete Customer Satisfaction.” Bill and Judy Casey purchased Meister when Bill Ohligs decided to retire in 2001. Their level of commitment to the Meister name, and the continuance in striving to meet their customer’s needs is apparent with the addition of 69 new bullets along with the expansion of Meister’s product line. All Meister Bullets are sealed with a proprietary seal which reduces lead exposure while shooting and handling the bullets. Meister Bullets, Inc. is now located in Oologah, Oklahoma at a new 8,100 sq. ft. facility and is the premium manufacturer of cowboy action shooting bullets and cartridges and is presently expanding their product line even further with the development of new products for the law enforcement community. For more information, call 918-443-2707 or logo onto www.meisterbullets.com.

Firearm Industry Granted Consultative Role to United Nations

2005-08-17T15:40:00.000-05:00

NEWTOWN, Conn.—The firearm and ammunition industry now has a seat at the world table of the United Nations. The 191-country, international relations body has granted official consultative status to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI).

SAAMI, founded in 1926, publishes voluntary industry quality and safety standards, coordinates technical manufacturing data, and promotes safe and responsible firearms use. With its new U.N. designation, SAAMI is now a global resource for scientific facts on guns and ammunition.

In securing the official designation, SAAMI Managing Director Rick Patterson delivered a presentation to the U.N. Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, then for nearly an hour answered questions and responded to concerns regarding firearm industry involvement in U.N. issues. Final approval was handed down last month.

SAAMI becomes only the fourth firearms-related, non-government organization to be officially recognized by the United Nations.

“The U.N. creates treaties and model regulations. It's important for our industry to have a voice in both of these arenas,” said Patterson. “First, international treaties are critical because a treaty actually supersedes the U.S. Constitution, so SAAMI can now speak up during deliberations over any treaties that could ultimately render America’s 2nd Amendment null and void.

“Second, the United Nations is very active in developing international regulations. There are thousands upon thousands of model regulations for countries to adopt, and SAAMI now has an official opportunity to provide input in the creation of these models. We can’t prevent politicians from deliberately making bad decisions, but we can make sure they don’t unintentionally make bad decisions from a lack of knowledge,” said Patterson.

For more information on SAAMI, visit www.saami.org or call 203-426-4358.

Editorial - Sept/Oct 2005 Issue

2005-08-16T15:42:00.000-05:00

This editorial varies a little from my usual. Many of you know that we run a cowboy charity benefit raffle each year. These raffles are designed to help a cowboy/cowgirl or their family who may have medical and financial problems and is in need of help. Normally, we select only one person. This year, I determined that there were actually three people, a primary person, William Towery, who suffers from cancer and is a cowboy shooter (see update on page 78), and two secondary people: The Paloduro Kid who was one of the beneficiaries in the past (see article by the Paloduro Kid on page 80), and Bill Falk. Bill is an excellent engraver who you may have seen at many of the CAS events. What you may not know is that when Cecil Brock, our first beneficiary, was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident, Bill stepped in to help him. Bill, suffering from the loss of a spleen and short-term memory loss from the same accident, opened his home to Cecil, installed a ramp for a wheel chair, and supported him in many ways even though he couldn’t afford it. It took many months for their insurance claims to come through. Bill still suffers from short-term memory loss, but can still produce an outstanding piece of engraved art, so if you see him, give him some business or call him and talk to him about an engraving project you might have in mind. You can reach him at Bill Falk Engraving, 10210 E. Laurel Rd. , Chattaroy , WA 99003 or by phone at (509) 292-8552.

Well, where am I going with this you ask? This year’s raffle has not gone quite as well as those in the past and I am not sure why. Maybe it is that we haven’t given it enough press, maybe its because we do have three beneficiaries, maybe it is that the economy is still recovering, I am not sure. There are certainly some great prizes (see our ad on page 53). We have many sponsors this year that are providing a lot of prizes, with the main prize being a Ruger Vaquero .45 Colt provided and customized by Bill Olgesby of Olgesby & Olgesby with beautiful engraving by Kelly Laster. This is a one-of-a-kind sixgun that is accompanied by a $1,000 custom two-gun rig that will be made by Mike Kirkpatrick of Kirkpatrick Leather.

I am asking for your support. You may not understand how our charity benefit raffle works, skipped the ad, or have been concerned about how much of the money received goes to the beneficiaries, or maybe not understood what great prizes are given out. First of all, all of the money taken in (and sometimes more) is given to the beneficiaries. Yes, that is 100 percent or more! There are many times we send checks out when we have hardly received anything and are in a poor cash flow position ourselves. I’d like to see a regular non-profit charity beat that! This may surprise you or fill you with disbelief. If that is the case you definitely need to read the Paloduro Kid’s article.

Each of our beneficiaries needs your help regardless if you buy one, 10, or 100 tickets. Every little bit helps. We are committed to continue this process but need your support. If any of you feel you need specific information on our cowboy charity benefit raffles please feel free to call me directly at the office (800) 342-0904 or email me at editor@shootmagazine.com.

CLICK HERE TO FIND LEARN MORE OR TO BUY YOUR COWBOY BENEFIT RAFFLE TICKETS.

New Products Added To Brownells® Catalog

2005-08-12T15:57:00.000-05:00

NEWS RELEASE
Nearly 2500 New Products Added To Brownells® Catalog #58
New catalog features a selection of more than 32,000 items

Already the world’s largest supplier of accessories, gunsmithing tools and parts for all types of firearms, Brownells® has increased its selection by almost 2,500 items with the introduction of Brownells Catalog #58. With more than 32,000 items now available, the new catalog retains the familiar horizontal format that gunsmiths and shooters have come to expect from Brownells.

New products have been added to almost every category in Brownells Catalog #58, including a number of new products for AR-15 and M16 rifles, including barrels, flash suppressors, sights and more. Brownells has also added a number of new high-capacity pistol magazines to the new catalog, including models for Glock, Beretta and STI pistols. In addition, the growing popularity of tactical gear and guns is reflected in the number of new tactical accessories and tactical slings available for the first time in Brownells Catalog #58.

The selection of Brownells-branded products has also been expanded in Catalog #58, including a number of new gun cases, high-capacity magazines, gun cleaning products and more. The company has also added three new factories to its unmatched selection of factory gun parts. Brownells now stocks factory parts for SIG, Springfield and United States Firearms, in addition to the seventeen factories’ parts available in Catalog #57.

To make it easier than ever to find the right parts and accessories, Brownells has differentiated the product and manufacturer indexes of Catalog #58. The product index is now printed on yellow paper, while the manufacturer index is printed on blue.

“We have worked hard to make the Brownells Catalog #58 our easiest-to-use, most information-packed catalog ever,” said Brownells President, Frank Brownell. “For the past year, our team has worked hard to test and evaluate thousands of new products, and almost 2,500 of those items ended up making the cut. There are a tremendous number of new products for gun enthusiasts these days, and we’ve added to virtually every type of item we carry. Like its predecessors, Brownells Catalog #58 is an unmatched resource for our customers looking for current production factory gun parts.”

Brownells is the world’s largest supplier of factory gun parts, gunsmithing tools, equipment and firearms accessories. Since 1939, Brownells has been serving gunsmiths and firearms enthusiasts with the products they need to repair, protect and accessorize their firearms. Today, the company stocks more than 32,000 items, and its long-familiar horizontal-format catalog is known to shooters and gunsmiths worldwide as being uniquely Brownells. Products can be ordered by toll-free phone, fax, or through the company’s Website. For more information, call 800-741-0015, Dept. #PBQ, or visit http://www.brownells.com.

National Youth Trapshooting Championship Winners

2005-08-11T15:28:00.000-05:00

Nebraska, Tennessee, California, Colorado Youths Win National Trapshooting Championships - Record 1,564 Youths Compete in Scholastic Clay Target Program Event

VANDALIA, Ohio—Youth shooting teams from Nebraska, Tennessee, California and Colorado claimed national titles—and a total of eight states were represented among the 15 medalling teams—at the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) National Trapshooting Championships. The competition was held Tuesday at the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships.

A record 1,564 youths in grades 12 and under competed at the event, surpassing last year’s field by more than 500 and producing the highest attendance in SCTP’s five-year history. All of these young shooters also had the chance to be a part of history, as the Grand, which will be held in Illinois next year, ends an 81-year run in Vandalia.

“It’s the end of an era, but everyone who was here to see the hundreds of young shooters knows that it’s also the beginning of a new era in trapshooting. The growth of SCTP nationwide has been phenomenal this year,” said Zach Snow of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which developed the youth program “The program’s popularity has skyrocketed thanks to the hard work and commitment of volunteers around the country and the enthusiasm of these young competitors.”

“We had a 50 percent increase in participation in one year and that is amazing,” Tom Arvis, president of the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA), said of the Aug. 9 youth competition. “I’m very conscious of the fact that these youngsters are the future of trapshooting.”

Click here to view the complete story, including the Final Results.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, formed in 1961, is a non-profit trade association. NSSF directs a variety of outreach programs to promote greater participation and a better understanding of the shooting sports, emphasizing safe and responsible ownership of firearms. For further information, please visit www.nssf.org. For more information about SCTP or to request photos, contact Steve Wagner, NSSF public relations director, at (203) 426-1320 or swagner@nssf.org. Visit SCTP online at www.nssf.org/sctp.

New Book: Shooter’s Bible Guide to Antique Guns

2005-07-29T16:08:00.000-05:00

Shooter’s Bible Guide to Antique Guns: A Collector’s Guide now available nationwide.

Accokeek, Maryland (July 26, 2005) – Stoeger Publishing, publisher of the world’s standard in firearms reference books, the Shooter’s Bible, now offers a concise and meticulously researched guide for identifying and pricing antique firearms—The Shooter’s Bible guide to Antique Guns: A Collector’s Guide. This newly updated book, authored by John Traister and edited by Steve Carpenteri, provides the latest market guide for anyone engaged in buying, selling or trading antique firearms.

With 320 pages, Shooter’s Bible Guide to Antique Guns: A Collector’s Guide details the three most important areas collectors need to know to successfully deal with antique guns—positive identification of firearms, a good working knowledge of a gun’s characteristics in order to spot repairs, modifications or “fakes”, and how to place an accurate value on the firearm. The text includes historical background for most items and is illustrated with hundreds of clear photos for identification purposes along with a suggested monetary value based on current market conditions.

This is an indispensable book for collectors and sellers of all levels, providing information and pricing for hundreds of American, European and Asian antique rifles, shotguns and handguns. Shooter’s Bible Guide to Antique Guns: A Collector’s Guide also includes a guide to specifications and value for collectable obsolete cartridges.

Shooter’s Bible Guide to Guns: A Collector’s Guide (ISBN 0-88317-300-X) has a suggested retail price of $24.95 and is available at your local book retailer, online at Amazon.com, http://www.stoegerpublishing.com/ and other online retailers, as well as at Benelli and Stoeger firearms dealers nationwide.

For over 75 years, Stoeger Publishing has been dedicated to publishing the best outdoor titles available on the market. Headquartered in Accokeek, Maryland, Steoger Publishing currently offers more than 80 titles on hunting, shooting, firearms, reloading, collecting, cooking, motorcycles, trucks and more. For additional information on Stoeger Publishing you can write to Stoeger Publishing at 17603 Indian Head highway, Suite 200, Accokeek, Maryland 20607-2501 or you may call toll-free 1-877-486-2665. For up-to-date information and a dealer locator, visit the Interactive web-site at http://www.stoegerpublishing.com/.

GUNS 101 - A History Refresher Course

2005-07-13T11:54:00.000-05:00

a. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

b. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.

c. Smith & Wesson. The original point and click interface.

d. Gun control is not about guns, it is about control.

e. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?

f. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.

g. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.

h. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.

i. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.

j. The United States Constitution (C) 1791. All Rights Reserved.

k. What part of "shall not be infringed" do you not understand?

l. The Second Amendment is in place in case the other amendments are ignored.

m. 64,999,987 firearm owners killed no one yesterday.

n. Guns have only two enemies, Rust and Politicians.

o. Know guns, know peace and safety; No guns, no peace nor safety.

p. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.

q. What is 911? A government sponsored "Dial a Prayer".

r. Assault is a behavior, not a device.

s. Criminals love gun control. It makes their job easier and safer.

t. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.

u. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control and disarm them.

v. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.

w. Enforce the "gun control laws" in place; don't make more.

x. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.

y. The American Revolution would never have happened with "Gun Control".

z. "....a government by the people, for the people......"

PASS THIS "REFRESHER COURSE" TO FREE CITIZENS WHO NEED TO BE REMINDED AND RE-ENERGIZED

Editorial - July/Aug 2005 issue

2005-06-08T13:23:00.000-05:00

EDITORIAL by Chucky (Editor-in-chief)
When considering the Western-action shooting sports and how we as individuals will participate in them, there are a number of areas that each of us think about and emphasize to one degree or another. Two of them, fun and cost, are very inter-related. The third, authenticity, is one that not only more and more people consider important, but is also directly related to fun and cost.

Having fun with these sports is probably the most important aspect; we wouldn’t participate in them if they weren’t fun. I have had many people say they always have fun whenever they are out shooting. The friendships built at events in addition to dressing up in Old West clothing and playing cowboy, add to the ambiance, character, and feeling that the Old West is still alive. Each of us receives a different amount of pleasure from the various Western-action shooting sports. Where cowboy action shooting may be the cat’s meow to one person, another may enjoy it but really have fun when partaking in cowboy fast draw, black powder cartridge silhouette, cowboy lever-action silhouette, or cowboy mounted shooting.

Many of us starting out, or even after years of shooting in a variety of these sports, are still cost constrained. Purchasing two single-action sixguns, a double gun rig, a lever-action rifle, and a period correct shotgun, makes cowboy action shooting pretty expensive. Not to mention having action jobs performed on all of the firearms. Acquiring a single-action in .45 Colt with a belt and single holster for fast draw may be much more palatable to the pocket book, while deciding to go into black powder cartridge silhouette is every bit as expensive as cowboy action shooting, and then some.

Now, let’s consider the matter of authenticity. Though I feel that authenticity is important, there are some times when I feel it is overly emphasized. Yes, I do agree that baseball caps and tennis shoes should not be worn by shooters at big annual events, nor during regular monthly matches if it can be helped. However, I do believe that anyone showing up at a monthly match (for his or her first few times) should be allowed to shoot regardless of the clothes they are wearing. We are out there to have fun and encourage others to come out and enjoy our sport as well. When possible, we should all try to make our attire correspond to the period of time of the sport we are participating in and that of the character we may be portraying. The cost for a person just starting out can be significant, so being able to wear jeans, a straw cowboy hat, and a run down pair of modern cowboy boots can make a big difference.

What about caliber? In cowboy fast draw it is real clear, a stock single-action in .45 Colt is required. Cowboy action shooting has a far more diversified range, anywhere from .32 to .45 caliber. The .45 Colt may be the more glamorous of calibers, but the .32-20 was the third most popular Colt single-action cartridge sold during the late 1800s. The .32 caliber cartridge of various dimensions was probably the most popular cartridge there was due to numerous pocket revolvers and belly guns, especially Smith & Wesson’s. It is a hoot to feel the kick of a big .45 Colt loaded fully with black powder cartridges, but it is also nice and light on the wallet if one decides to shoot a .38 Special which is not an authentic cartridge, but is certainly more powerful than the .32 S&W or .32-20. This is especially true if a person is practicing regularly each week, for .38 Specials are the most plentiful and the cheapest centerfire pistol cartridge as well as being one of the easiest to reload.

Original antique firearms are hard to come by, plus they can be very expensive. Using a first generation Colt sixgun for cowboy action shooting can be cost prohibitive and you certainly risk the possibility of damaging the gun. Don’t even consider it for cowboy fast draw! Second and third generation Colts are certainly much more viable but are much more expensive than the vast majority of the replica sixguns. Thus replica Colts and Rugers are certainly the sixguns of choice with an occasional S&W replica or second generation Colt thrown in now and again. You can even get a brand new Replica Arms sixgun for $299.00 (available through Navy Arms.) There are many people who use original rifles for black powder cartridge silhouette; this is primarily due to the fact that a decent replica costs almost as much as an original. The vast number of lever-action rifles used are replicas as they are much cheaper especially if you go with the standard model 1892. However, I have found that you can still get original Marlin 1889s and shooter quality 1873s for not much more than you would pay for a brand new replica. Shotguns are another matter, double barrels are easy to come by and there are still plenty of Winchester 1897s around, although they have certainly gone up in price over the last few years.

So, folks, let’s be as authentic as we can as individuals but not at the expense of enjoying our shooting fun or discouraging others to join us.

Visit our web site at http://www.shootmagazine.com or email us at info@shootmagazine.com.

Editorial - May/June 2005 issue

2005-05-10T16:34:00.000-05:00

EDITORIAL by Chucky (Editor-in-chief)

Over the last few years I have heard complaints on wimp loads, too many categories in CAS, not enough categories in some of the other sports, that a particular sport is dead, that another is growing, that my sport is the future and better than those others, why be a member of a specific organization, and more. We, as human beings, seem to have an inherent need to not only complain, but feel that we as individuals have the answers.

Answers, hmm, an interesting concept that the older I get, the more my perspective changes to the point that there aren’t any right or perfect answers, just answers and decisions that may be better than others.

Controversy and variance of opinions are healthy and make us think, if we take the time. Discussed with respect and consideration and an open mind, they can result in solutions to problems that can be positive for the sport. Argued and voiced with anger, vehemence, and bitterness they can cause major difficulties for individuals and the sport, especially when over heard by spectators or new shooters.

It is the position of Shoot! Magazine that there is room for just about any type of shooting sport, class, category, stage type, scenario, and event that is safe and fun. There should be room for us all. In past years, new events such as Trail Town Round-up and three new Western-action shooting sports have appeared on the scene: cowboy fast draw, showdown, and Western three-gun. Are they a threat to other Western-action shooting sports? Should they be ostracized because someone doesn’t like them or they are different? NO!

Not only is the enthusiastic inclusion of each new Western-action shooting sport to come on the scene something that each of us should embrace, but it is the Cowboy Way , the American way, and the “right thing to do.” We should all remember that every new sport brings new shooters who are attracted more to that particular sport and may occasionally participate in others. This broadens the market base thus providing not only more income to vendors and manufacturers but allows them the capability to grow and create new products. Each new shooting sport also promotes our Second Amendment rights by incorporating more people interested in the shooting sports.

I ask each of you readers to keep these thoughts in mind when critiquing your sport or looking at others. We need to work together!

Visit our web site at www.ShootMagazine.com or email us at info@shootmagazine.com.