As much as I would like to relocate all social media to the burning dumpster fire part of the internet and close the door, for businesses it can be their main channel of communication with potential customers. Unwelcome guests that we are, our gun-loving thoughts, ideas and passions need to be on mainstream social media channels if we want to reach potential enthusiasts and remind the rest of the world that guns are tools; we are not. For a more succinct explanation, check out our interview with Chuck Rossi at Open Source Defense.

In 2019 TFB reported about ongoing changes at Cobalt Kinetics, from starting to manufacture a line of 1911 derivatives to ceasing the production of AR-15 models. On top of this, the company also cooperated with MARS Inc. to, unsuccessfully, compete in the US Army NGSW Program, with a peculiar long recoil operated rifle. Now we see that Cobalt Kinetics has found a new owner and it looks like their line of AR-style models will be back.

Although I don’t have a Federal Firearms License (FFL), I thoroughly appreciate the industry information and analysis from the professionals at Orchid Advisors. Already providing a suite of solutions to help FFL’s take care of business, Orchid Advisors and our friends at Silencer Shop are announcing a partnership to help clients in the industry manage everything from inventory management to retail sales solutions. Additional details can be found below.

In this episode of TFBTV, James Reeves takes you behind the scenes at ISS, Independent Studio Services, for the making of the gun from Pirates of the Caribbean. A lot of work goes into making and using the black powder firearms from movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, and Larry Zanoff of ISS explains to everyone exactly how much work the creation and use of these guns requires.

Many of us started our passion through firearms as hunting during our youth years. Some of those experiences would have been incredible to capture on camera – let alone to have a professional cameraman follow some of our crazy exploits. Well, with Hosted Hunts that could still happen! They are giving away a $4,500 Value Package of a personalized and FREE video-captured hunt in their “RELIVE-IT” Personal Trip Video Giveaway.

Welcome back to another episode of TFB’s Behind The Gun Podcast where we take a behind-the-scenes look at the firearms industry. Today we talk with Jeremy Gresham, Director of Sales and Marketing at Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). Jeremy and IWI have been our friends and partners for a number of years, trusting us to give input on product refinement during reviews like the TS12 shotgun. Enjoy the listen.

It appears that what many of us were predicting finally happened yesterday: GLOCK Gen4 guns are no longer being produced in favor of the Gen5 GLOCK pistols. Residents of California and other more restrictive states have nothing to fear: the Gen3 GLOCKs will continue to be manufactured to support those customers. In addition, the GLOCK Gen4 models chambered in .40S&W will begin a transition to Gen5 production later this year. A brief statement from GLOCK as well as the Gen5 differentiations can be found below.

Virtually any institution with a history spanning more than two centuries is almost certain to experience its fair share of ups and downs over those many years. America’s oldest gun maker, the Remington Arms Company, is no exception. Since its founding by Eliphalet Remington in Ilion, New York in 1816, Remington has seen some of the highest highs and lowest lows. Highlights include producing some of the most seminal designs in firearms history, such as their Model 700 bolt-action rifles and 870 pump shotguns, as well as abysmal lows like the regrettable R51 pistol and previous bouts with bankruptcy. TFB reported on Remington’s Chapter 11 filing and restructuring measures in 2018. This time, the company’s financial woes appear to be coming with a different solution. According to Reuters, Remington is in the advanced stages of negotiation with the Navajo Nation for a potential buyout. The Reuters press release reads as follows.

For anyone looking into a career in the firearms industry, Ruger is now hiring multiple positions throughout seven locations across the United States.  There’s a wide range of positions Ruger is currently hiring for, such as Production Associates, Industrial Tech Helpdesk, Occupational Health Nurse, Product Design Engineer, Tool Maker, and several others.  Ruger also listed the benefits they offer for those that gain employment with the company.

Last week we saw the peculiar experience of John Rigby & Co. during the British lockdown, now we have a look at another great firm from London: James Purdey & Sons. Here we’re invited to stay safe at home (yeah, we may have heard it already…) and we are offered the chance to pass the time learning a few details of the high end gunmaking trade. The upcoming live video, on the company’s Instagram page, will feature an overview of the barrel making process.

Earlier this month, TFB reported that American Outdoor Brands was preparing to spin-off from Smith & Wesson. That recent news makes Smith & Wesson‘s financials even more interesting than usual, and they have announced that current reports are in with a June 18th press release. Due to the volume of information, only a portion will be included below, with the full release available via the preceding link to Smith & Wesson’s investor relations page.

Patriot Ordnance Factory, or POF-USA, started in Frank DeSomma’s garage in 2002. Over the last eighteen years he has grown the company to become an industry leader in piston-driven ARs and more. Tragically, on the way home from his office yesterday, June 18th, 2020, the 57-year-old entrepreneur and former aerospace engineer died in a car accident. Today, POF-USA shared the following message via their social media outlets.

The days of strict lockdown and quarantine are behind for most of us, and hopefully the whole pandemic nightmare will soon be a thing of the past for the whole world. During these difficult times, we had to find ways to cope with new routines. Some of us may have dedicated more time to their family, some may taken up new hobbies, some may have trained. The craftsmen at John Rigby & Co. just locked themselves in the factory and kept working.

In a June 15th press release, Davidson’s announced three new exclusive ARs thanks to two recent partnerships. Texas-based gunmaker Radical Firearms and Pennsylvanian accessory manufacturer Mission First Tactical (who themselves just came out with a line of cool drinkware) have come on board with Davidson’s, and the trio of companies wasted no time in birthing some collaborative 5.56/.223 based guns.

For several years, many shooters looking for bulk premium remanufactured ammo turned to Stand 1 Armory. The Dallas, Texas-based bullet farm was first incorporated in 2013 and soon became a popular source of ammo for shooters of many different calibers and styles. Offerings included a variety of 9mm, .40, .45, .223, .308, 300BLK rounds, and more. Stand 1 Armory struck a particular chord in the competitive shooting community, with their “chubbies”. These 147 grain 9mm reduced power (-P) loads were purpose-built for events like 3 Gun, USPSA, IDPA, and others in which such a load could prove advantageous. The -P characteristics were intended to allow shooters to still knock down steel plates during matches, but provide decreased felt recoil and enable faster reacquisition and followup than with punchier loads.

SIG Sauer GmbH, based in Eckernförde, Germany, is to close down. According to German media outlets, SIG Sauer GmbH’s shareholders are unwilling to invest further funds in the struggling European arm of the company.

Good morning readers and thank you for joining us for another episode of TFB’s Behind The Gun Podcast. Joining us today are Kevin and Chris Graham from Yankee Hill Machine. YHM makes everything from parts to complete rifles to suppressors. As the sponsor of TFB’s Silencer Saturday, I am continually grateful for their support in allowing us to bring you quiet content every week. Last year, the two brothers launched Graham Brothers Rifleworks which manufactures the bolt action MARC chassis and complete pistols. This interview was recorded at the 2020 SHOT Show.

Last November, TFB reported that American Outdoors would be splitting from Smith & Wesson. In a June 1, 2020 press release, American Outdoor Brands announced substantive new strides to this end with a name and stock ticker symbol change. They are preparing to spin off their outdoor products and accessories business, which will remain under the American Outdoors name, from their firearms manufacturing business, chief among which is the Smith & Wesson brand. This move is pending additional preparatory steps including a tax-free stock distribution as well as a 4Q and full fiscal 2020 financial release. This stock distribution, slated for late summer, will effectively create the two independent, publicly traded companies. The press release reads as follows.

In a press release dated May 31st, 2020, Czechoslovakian firearms manufacturer Česká zbrojovka Group SE (CZG for short, more commonly known as CZ) announced shares of their company will be listed on the Prague Stock Exchange as of June 1st. This is not yet an IPO, or Initial Public Offering, by which shares of ownership in CZ can be bought and sold. Rather, this is a technical listing in preparation for CZ to go public sometime between the third quarter of 2020 and the 1st quarter of 2021, dependent on a number of variables including market conditions.

M.R. New System Arms is a small firearm making firm from a small Italian town. A one-man show of the gunsmith and inventor Marco Rigido, the shop has, over the years, caught some media attention in Italy thanks to peculiar projects. Most TFB readers may have not yet have heard of Mr. Rigido and his designs, so we thought we’d speak with him and show you some of his creations.

Davidson’s, one of America’s largest distributors of firearms and related products, has added a new brand to their lineup. Virginia- and Bavaria-based German Precision Optics (or GPO) produces a series of binoculars, riflescopes, rangefinders, and related accessories. A few examples, as well as the official press release, can be found below.

Welcome back to another installment of our series of articles dedicated to the most obscure firearms seen in the catalogs of major American auction houses. In this article, we’ll take a look at four rare and unusual firearms consigned to the Spring 2020 Poulin Firearms Auction.  Poulin’s Antiques and Auctions, Inc. is quite a large American auction company. In fact, as stated on their website, based on annual sales, they are one of the top five specialty firearms auction houses in North America.

The popular phrase “there’s always room for improvement” rings true no matter what industry you’re in. Even for venerated manufacturers such as Smith & Wesson, SIG Sauer, and Glock, there are always tiny steps here and there that are taken to improve their product. Today we’ll be taking a look at the various Glock generations and explore what improvements (or setbacks) were made to the popular line of polymer Austrian pistols over the years.

STI (Strayer-Tripp Inc.) Firearms was founded in 1980 and designs modular, high-capacity 1911 frames aimed mostly at competition shooters. Today, the company has announced that its official name will be changing to Staccato.

Welcome back to another episode of TFB’s Behind The Gun Podcast. Today we welcome Mikey Hartman, CEO of CAA Gear Up, makers of firearm accessories including the MCK chassis for a variety of different pistols. Mr Hartman is a veteran of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), leaving his home in California as a young man to fight as a soldier and retiring 22 years later as a Lt Colonel and Commander of the IDF Sharpshooting and Marksmanship Unit. Besides being a talented businessman and a highly respected law enforcement and military trainer, Mr Hartman has a larger-than-life personality and we are honored to call him our friend. Enjoy the listen.

Yesterday the National Rifle Association posted a public service announcement on their social media channels. The iconic scene features what appears to be a father and son duo sharing a moment in the woods either hunting or target shooting. On the image is inscribed a message: ‘The Safe Gun Owners Of Today Train The Safe Gun Owners Of Tomorrow’. A worthy motto for us all to remember. The problem is, neither the father nor the son are wearing ear protection and the son isn’t wearing any eye protection.

Česká Zbrojovka Group have announced that they are joining forces with Håkan Spuhr Spuhr i Dalby AB through this strategic investment by acquiring a minority stake in the company. Spuhr was founded in 2007 by Håkan Spuhr, and has since worked with law enforcement and armed forces around the world, creating a range of innovative optic and accessory mounting accessories – many of which we have covered here at TFB.

Ruger CEO Christopher J. Killoy stated that the results for the first quarter of 2020 were due to “Strong consumer demand, exciting new products, and reduced reliance on promotions.” He said these factors are what ultimately led to improved earnings and cash flows.

Leupold Optics has announced that they have become the Official Optics Partner of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) to support their mission of conservation through hunting. Both companies have a similarly invested interest in ensuring the future of hunting and conservation for all of us in the US. The complete Press Release outlining the new relationship between the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Leupold Optics can be read below:

Vortex Optics has just announced that they will be extending a special offer throughout this troubling time. Between now and 26th June, vortex optics is extending 40% off their products to medical staff such as doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.