This year’s record-setting pace of firearm sales has dominated headlines, but the dramatic increase in first-time owners—estimated to be 5 million—has resulted in an unprecedented demand for ammunition, training and gear.
Unlike the moderately accurate gun-purchase estimates made possible by NICS background checks, accessory manufacturers closely guard their sales figures. A recent announcement from High Speed Gear however, indicates holsters, pouches and associated equipment may be leaving the shelves at twice their traditional rate.
On Sept. 8, High Speed Gear began a second manufacturing shift at its North Carolina manufacturing facility. The move, according to the press release, was to increase production and fill orders for its American-made gear.
Staff was added for the move, and even before the gun-sales boom, the company was already the largest full-time employer in Swansboro, NC. It continues to invest in equipment and new technology and is currently working with multiple county officials to establish another facility in the area to expand production even further.
“The High Speed Gear brand has grown substantially over the last six years, and we have experienced a significantly higher level of demand since July of last year,” explained Bill Babboni, High Speed Gear vice president of sales and operations. “Though we’ve increased our manpower and capabilities, we’ve also faced the same challenges this year as the rest of the industry, and we will continue to stride forward each day.”
High Speed Gear began as a small custom shop in 1999, producing equipment for Marines at Camp Lejeune. Today, it makes a variety of tactical pouches and gun-related gear that are popular with law-enforcement and military personnel across the globe. The sudden increase in demand makes its obvious the quality isn’t overlooked by the all-new group of civilian shooters.
