Archive for Industry Insider

Leupold is Clear

The Oregon-based optics manufacturer has created a textbook example of strong branding. The Leupold brand is associated with extremely high quality, yet with a mid-range price. Now that’s a trick! Whenever you can deliver a perception of quality that far exceeds the price, you’re rocking.

July 28, 2010

Cabela's Tops List Of Best Brands

Consumer confidence is in the news more than usual these days, what with the economy looking like Jerry Cooney after the 10th round. Even though that term has a specific meaning in macro-economics, it led me to ponder a similar matter—brand loyalty.

July 27, 2010

FNH Responds To SCAR Reports

Official reaction comes to Insider's breaking story of SCAR Mk 16 variant.

July 06, 2010

SCAR Not Cancelled, Only Mk 16

Yesterday’s inside word on the SCAR program came just as the news broke over the weekend that SOCOM would not be buying any more of the 5.56 mm version (SCAR-L Mk 16) but would instead allocate those funds to the 7.62 mm version (SCAR-H Mk 17). These basically translate into layman’s terms as .223 Rem. and .308 Win. caliber versions.

June 29, 2010

SOCOM Cancels SCAR

The on-again, off-again SCAR program run by the U.S. Special Forces is off again. After several starts, the rumor-plagued program, which resulted in FN of Belgian being awarded a contract to produce two versions of the Special Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR), has been cancelled.

June 28, 2010

A High-Tech Solution To A Low-Tech Problem

A new magazine for the AR from TangoDown is all about engineering.

June 22, 2010

SCI President Addresses U.N.

The United Nations is at it again. Every two years, this self-important body meets to vent about the evils of gun ownership through its “Programme [sic] Of Action To Prevent, Combat And Eradicate The Illicit Trade In Small Arms And Light Weapons In All Its Aspects.” How’s that for a succinct title?

June 17, 2010

SCI President Addresses U.N.

The United Nations is at it again. Every two years, this self-important body meets to vent about the evils of gun ownership through its “Programme [sic] Of Action To Prevent, Combat And Eradicate The Illicit Trade In Small Arms And Light Weapons In All Its Aspects.” How’s that for a succinct title?

June 17, 2010

The Amazing Story Of The AR

Try as I may to think of something comparable, I can’t come up with anything to match the staggering surge in popularity of the AR-platform rifle over the past few years. Glock comes to mind, but the Austrian polymer gun took at least a decade (starting in 1985) to solidly grab the law enforcement handgun market. The 1911 is another possibility, but the growth in sales of Old Slab Sides has been incremental, not like the recent rocket of the AR.

June 14, 2010

The Amazing Story Of The AR

Try as I may to think of something comparable, I can’t come up with anything to match the staggering surge in popularity of the AR-platform rifle over the past few years. Glock comes to mind, but the Austrian polymer gun took at least a decade (starting in 1985) to solidly grab the law enforcement handgun market. The 1911 is another possibility, but the growth in sales of Old Slab Sides has been incremental, not like the recent rocket of the AR.

June 14, 2010

Big Dogs Welcomed To Gun Maker's Porch

The shooting industry’s porch has always had a few big dogs lying around, but it’s only been in the past five years or so that we’ve seen a couple of bull mastiffs saunter up the steps. I refer to multi-billion-dollar behemoths that are taking a more than casual interest in the gun business.

May 25, 2010

Innovation In The Gun Business

European makers have shown more imagination that U.S. firms in recent years.

May 24, 2010

Latest Industry Insider Water Cooler Rumors

While some 72,000 NRA members enjoyed a grand time of browsing the many guns and accessories on display at last week’s NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Charlotte, N.C., the Insider was hanging out at the water cooler. I corralled some of my best industry contacts and caught up on the latest inside gossip.

May 18, 2010

Survey Shows AR Shooters Most Active

Nearly 9 million Americans went shooting with an AR in 2009.

April 21, 2010

Survey Shows AR Shooters Most Active

Nearly 9 million Americans went shooting with an AR in 2009.

April 21, 2010