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

Rock River Arms A1 Carbine SBR
Rock River Arms A1 Carbine SBR

Review: Rock River Arms A1 Carbine SBR

The Rock River Arms A1 SBR is just plain cool, and there’s little justification needed beyond that for picking up a new gun. It’s a mixture of throwback, retro and nostalgia with a bayonet lug, and you just can’t go wrong there.

The Armed Citizen® July 20, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Plinking Perfect: 5 Must-Haves for Your Next Rimfire Shoot

What better way to celebrate 250 years of freedom than to go out plinking this summer? Here are five great products that will make your next rimfire range trip better than ever before.

June Gun Purchases up Nearly 12 Percent—Virginia Sales Skyrocket

A significant portion of June's double-digit growth in gun sales was fueled by Virginia enthusiasts buying before July 1, when the state’s restrictive “assault weapons” and magazine-ban legislation was scheduled to become law.

Volksoptik: The Affordable Zeiss V3 Riflescope Line

With the introduction of its V3 series of riflescopes, Zeiss is offering a budget-friendly, yet high-quality “gateway” to its line of optics. 

Review: Glock's New Slimline Magazines

Glock has finally introduced its own 15-round magazine for its slimline models G43X and G48.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.