Fear & Loading: Financial Strife at a Pair of Industry Firms

by
posted on March 22, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hudson.jpg

Hudson Manufacturing, which introduced the 9 mm H9 semi-auto pistol in January 2018, filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy on March 14, citing between $10 million and $50 million in liabilities and less than $50,000 in assets. If the court grants the motion, the company’s inventory, machinery and everything it owns of value would be liquidated to pay creditors.

The firm’s financial challenges became public during the late summer of 2018, when Cambridge Valley Machining filed a lawsuit alleging it failed to make complete payment for ordered parts. The response filed by Hudson Manufacturing claimed the amount paid reflects the supplied components return rate due to inadequate machining and quality-control issues in the product.

Hudson Manufacturing reserved space at the 2019 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nev., although the booth remained empty throughout the event. Cy and Lauren Hudson began working on the H9 concept—a striker-fired 9 mm with a 1911-style trigger—in 2013, bringing it to market five years later.

More Magazines Disappearing
On March 10, F+W Media, once a powerhouse in print publishing with a large stable of magazines covering a variety of enthusiast pursuits, “…filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code, citing in various documents a perfect storm of industry decline, poor investments, and even mismanagement,” according to Forbes magazine. The company was founded in 1913 and grew to include a number of popular firearm and hunting periodicals on the newsstand, although its current outdoor offerings have dwindled to only Deer & Deer Hunting and Trapper & Predator Caller.

Documents filed with the court indicate the company has a $105.2 million debt and $2.5 million in cash. Its book division produces more than 100 titles a year, and its other properties include websites, on-line retail sites, subscription video services and more.

Latest

More Suppressors 2
More Suppressors 2

NFA Wait Times Continue to Drop

In early 2021, it took the ATF about 280 days to process a Form 4 NFA transfer. In August 2026, using the recently implemented eForms system, that wait time had dropped to only nine days.

Pelican Air Carry-on Case Review

An industry staple just made air travel more convenient.

The ROSE Program by SIG Sauer: Empowering Women in Shooting Sports Across the Nation

The ROSE Program is a shooting program created specifically for women. It aims to create a community of women in shooting that can learn about shooting and self-defense.

I Have This Old Gun: French MAS-49

Despite being early adopters of several semi-automatic rifles for military use, the French army took several decades to work out a standardized semi-automatic rifle for general service use. The rifle that finally came to being was the MAS-49.

Polite Society Industries Launches with Complete Suppressor Line

"An armed society is a polite society," goes the famous quote, which is also the inspiration behind Polite Society Industries, a new suppressor manufacturer that now has a complete line available to consumers.

NRA-ILA Names Smith & Wesson Official Partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour

Iconic American firearms maker Smith & Wesson will join NRA-ILA on the road as nation's leading firearm group turns out voters ahead of the 2026 midterm.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.