NASGW 2018 Award Winners

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), the association representing shooting sports wholesalers, manufacturers, and their trade partners, announced the winners of its annual Leadership and Caliber Awards Tuesday night at the NASGW Expo Awards Dinner.

"The Annual NASGW Appreciation & Awards Dinner is an event we look forward to all year," said Kenyon Gleason, NASGW president. "It's a pleasure to recognize our Leadership Award winners who exemplify a commitment to two-step distribution. And in their second year, the NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards are gaining more notoriety within the shooting sports industry. "

The Annual Awards Dinner is one of the premier events at the NASGW Expo, which brings together wholesalers and manufacturers within the shooting sports industry to plan sales for the upcoming year. 

Winners for the NASGW Leadership Awards are:

Firearm Manufacturer of the Year
Ruger

Optics Manufacturer of the Year
Leupold

Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year
Hornady

Accessory Manufacturer of the Year
Birchwood Casey

Importer of the Year
Aguila

Innovator of the Year
SIG Sauer and Ruger

In addition to this year's Leadership Awards, NASGW partnered with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), to select the best new products in six categories as well as an overall best new product. "It is an honor to once again partner with NASGW for the 2nd Annual Caliber Awards, which recognizes the innovations within the shooting sports industry," said Kevin Orthman, executive director of POMA. "The NASGW Awards Dinner is always one of the premier events for the year and it was a pleasure to recognize such amazing new products. Thank you once again to NASGW for the opportunity to partner on the Caliber Awards. "

To qualify for the Caliber Awards, manufacturers must be a NASGW member in good standing, the product must have launched within the last year, and products needed to be submitted through the NASGW Expo website. 

Winners for the NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards are:

Best New Accessory
Mantix X2


 
Best New Optic
SIG Sauer BDX



Best New Ammunition
Vista Outdoor/Federal Premium Valkyrie 224




Best New Handgun
FN 509 Tactical


 
Best New Rifle
Bergara Premium Series HMR Pro


 

Best New Shotgun
Mossberg 590 Mag Fed


 
Best New Overall Product
SIG Sauer P365 9 mm Micro Carry