ENVIRON-Metal, Inc., makers of HEVI-Shot will begin shipping new HEVI-Duty frangible, nontoxic bullets and ammunition. The bullets are “no ricochet, steel-safe,” nontoxic (including primer) and inexpensive.

The Axeon Second Zero is a precision optical device that gives any rifle shooter an instant additional zero distance whether in hunting or tactical application. It works with all optical sights from rifle scopes to dot sights.

Smith & Wesson seeks to fill a law enforcement district sales manager position for the territory including Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma. It's a road sales position with substantial travel required.

MidwayUSA is excited to announce the promotion of Max Dunlap to Vice President of Logistics and Customer Support.

New for 2019, the SAINT Victor series of rifles and pistols from Springfield Armory are designed as purpose-built defensive firearms, a new tier in the SAINT family of firearms.

Meopta USA Sport Optics is pleased to introduce the new Optika6 line of premium riflescopes. This newest Meopta riflescope series features a 30mm tube, 6x zoom, zero-reset turrets and advanced MeoBright lens coating that delivers edge-to-edge clarity and exceptionally bright, sharp images.

The DeSantis Sof-Tuck 2.0 is a polyurethane lined leather IWB holster with a reinforced holster mouth. It’s available in a range of sizes.

Nielsen-Kellerman, creators and manufacturers of Kestrel Instruments & Ballistics Meters, will debut two new products that help shooters to maximize performance and achieve long-range accuracy at the SHOT Show. Visit the Kestrel booth #3246 to see the all-new Kestrel HUD Heads Up Display and the Kestrel 2700 Ballistics Weather Meter.

McMillan will unveil the all-new A-10 rifle stock at the SHOT Show. This PRS-style tactical stock is designed for shooters of a smaller stature—ideal for youth and women shooters.

Monadnock introduced the ExoTech Arm Protection Kit and the Model D4CC Delta 4 Crowd Control Kit. The ExoTech Arm Protection Kit allows any PROTECH vest or plate rack to be adapted to offer blunt force trauma protection for the arms.

Tom Gresham, host of Gun Talk Radio and founder of Gun Talk Media, has been appointed to the Board of Governors of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

The CVA Paramount is a bolt-action muzzle loading rifle designed to handle “super magnum” propellant charges. The rifle features a custom quality .45 caliber free floating Bergara barrel in Nitride treated 416 grade stainless steel.

Competitive rifle and pistol shooters now have several new targets to pick from in the new additions to the Dirty Bird line from Birchwood Casey. These include a 50 yard ‘small bore’ target, a 25 yard pistol “slow fire” target, the 10-meter Air Rifle target and the 100-yard high power target.

Comp-Tac announced the Warrior Light, an extension of the Warrior holster line. It’s an outside the waistband holster designed for a handgun with a weapon-light attached.

Between 2013 and 2018, CDFW has removed more than 2.4 million feet of irrigation pipe, 50 tons of fertilizer and 65 gallons of chemicals (many illegal in the U.S.) on black market grows. CDFW has also removed 709 dams and water diversions resulting in restoration of 800 million gallons of water back into local watersheds.

Nic Moschetti is a shooter with aspirations of making the Olympic Games as an International Skeet Shooter. He will be conducting a “Meet & Greet” in the ALLEN Booth (#14522) at the 2019 SHOT Show.

Rosco Manufacturing, an American manufacturer of high-quality gun barrels is proud to announce that they will be showcasing their Bloodline barrels, Purebred barrels, and Dealer/ Distributor show specials at the 2019 SHOT Show.

Federal, the only licensed ammunition partner of the National Wild Turkey Federation, has expanded its HEAVYWEIGHT TSS lineup by adding loads with two sizes of shot to increase overall pellet count and number of hits on target.

The DeSantis Inner Piece 2.0 is a padded ballistic nylon IWB holster designed for appendix carry. The Tuckable 360 C-Clip allows adjustment for both height and cant.

Lone Wolf Distributors is blowing the lid off the Glock aftermarket parts game this SHOT Show in Las Vegas NV. Dealers are encouraged to stop by Lone Wolf’s booth #20237 and discover three new LWD profit building opportunities to offer their customers.

BPI Outdoors / Bergara Rifles is pleased to announce the release of the Bergara Premier Series Ridgeback Rifle. This rifle features Bergara’s Premier action mated with a Medium Palma tapered, stainless steel Bergara barrel. The new Grayboe Ridgeback is the first composite stock to fully support the M-LOK system.

SureFire, LLC is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year as the manufacturer of innovative illumination tools, suppressors, and tactical accessories. The company was founded in 1979 as Laser Products Corporation.

This week, it’s all about our national parks- and the impact the government shutdown is having on them. That, and a search for giant trout are on the lineup for this week’s American Outdoors Radio.

Viridian Weapon Technologies has unveiled a new red grip laser that is designed specifically for the Taurus Model 856 and will be offered in a special laser/revolver package at the 2019 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, NV.

Aguila Ammunition invites guests to visit their booth #12254 at the 2019 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 22nd – 25th to participate and become a part of a billboard-sized work of art, the Aguila #FeedYourFirearm Hashtag Mosaic.

Following the announcement of the upcoming relocation of the Taurus manufacturing and operational headquarters in the U.S. from Miami, Florida, to Bainbridge, Georgia, the Georgia Economic Developers Associations gave the Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County, Georgia, special recognition during its Annual Awards luncheon.

Celerant Technology announced that their eCommerce platform, Cumulus eCommerce, now offers a pre-populated database of firearm products and accessories, and a pre-built website department structure, allowing firearm dealers to launch their website and start selling online immediately.

Lyman Products will be showcasing a variety of new products and line additions for their Lyman, TacStar, Pachmayr, A-Zoom and Butch’s brands during the 2019 SHOT Show.

Breakthrough Clean Technologies will be exhibiting at SHOT Show 2019 January 22 – 25 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, in booth #1706.

Primary Arms proudly announces ACSS Aurora, the first all-metric Advanced Combined Sighting System reticle. You can find the ACSS Aurora exclusively in the world famous ACOG 4x TA31 model scope.

Taurus has expanded the 856 revolver line with the 856 Ultralight, an aluminum frame 6-shot 38 Special revolver. Four optional anodized coatings include Azure, Bronze, Burnt Orange, or Rouge aluminum.

The NRA Foundation will grant $50,000 to six central Pennsylvania law enforcement and outdoors organizations that contribute to public safety and promote the outdoor lifestyle through educational activities that encourage youth participation in the shooting sports.

Mauser’s award-winning Mauser 18 bolt-action rifle is now available in a 6.5 PRC chambering with prices starting at $699.

Savage continues to expand its line of purpose-built AccuFit bolt-action firearms with new models for Western hunters and turkey die-hards. Savage will have these new firearms on display at the SHOT Show.

Head Down Firearms is heading into the new year with a new team, headed by new ownership. The company was recently purchased and restructured by a new group with a passion for firearms and an aggressive vision for the future.

MDT, a bolt-action rifle chassis manufacturer, is proud to introduce their official sponsored competition shooting team for the upcoming 2019 season.

Bianchi, a brand of The Safariland Group, announced the release of the Model 4585 Prevader Concealment Holster. This ballistic weave model features the exclusive Pinch Retention Device which secures the holstered firearm by gripping both sides of the trigger guard when the gun is fully seated.

SureFire will be hosting a Meet & Greet and giveaway with Will Petty of Centrifuge Training LLC at the SureFire booth #13968 on Tuesday 1/22/2019 from 1130a.m. to 1230p.m. SureFire will be doing a raffle for new products at 12:15p.m.

Thompson/Center Arms announced that it has expanded its line of recently released T/CR22 rifles to include new camouflage finishes from Realtree andMossy Oak brands. The new T/CR22 rifle integrates a variety of high-end features into an innovative rimfire package – now available in Realtree EDGE and Mossy Oak Break-Up Country.

Booth 3857 will be the center for product demonstration and information about Real Avid and its continuously growing line of gun care items.

Federal is introducing three new types of Syntech ammunition: Syntech Defense, Syntech PCC and Syntech Training Match. These will all be on display in Booth No. 14551 at the 2019 SHOT Show, January 22-25 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Aguila Ammunition is offering bulk packaging for their 5.56 caliber ammo. The 5.56x45 Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail is a 55-grain round now offered in a 300-round bulk package with an MSRP of $119.99.

Orchid Advisors, #1 in FFL Compliance Solutions, will be attending the 2019 NSSF SHOT Show in Booth 3117 along with its parent company, the Retail Technology Group.

Safariland announced two new hard armor products – the PROTECH Tactical Hi-Viz Shield – a clear type IIIA shield offering see-through visibility for the officer – and a 1.2” thin PROTECH DT206C stand-alone type III hard armor plate for stopping the most prevalent rifle rounds on the market.

Buck Knives will be participating in Industry Day at the Range, the one-day annual event held before SHOT Show that invites media members and buyers to test out industry products.

Trijicon, Inc. will commercially offer a SOCOM version of the Type 2 Ruggedized Miniature Reflex to all U.S. markets. This military inspired variant will be sold as the Trijicon RMR HRS.

Heckler & Koch has named Owens Outdoor Sales as their 2018 Manufacturer’s Representative Group of the Year. Owens Outdoor Sales is dedicated to providing sales and marketing services for premium brands in the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor industry.

The first thing to consider is what type AR you need. This is based on your intended application. A firearm for hunting or target shooting is different than an AR built for self-defense. Yes, there is such a thing as a “general purpose” AR, but one of the cool things about the platform is its modularity. For example, you can have one lower and swap out uppers to fit specific purposes. Once you’ve decided what you need, it’s time to buy parts and tools.

Since the AR is modular you have a lot of options on how to buy parts. Just make sure they are from a reputable company. The AR is popular, so a lot of people are making parts; not all are equal. Like I say, “Not all chicken is “white” meat.” Even with quality parts there’s differences such as coatings and evolution on design. Research and study on what you need, then determine what parts are going to best fit your application. Plus, there’s nothing worse than buying something, using it for a while and then deciding it’s not exactly what you need. And again, your AR dollars are going to go a lot farther in today’s market. When I started building ARs in the mid-90s you could build one with surplus military parts for about $500. Today you can put together the same configuration, only with better parts and cheaper.

You’ve got a box ‘o parts. Before assembly there’s a couple more items to check off the list. First, you need to know what you’re doing. Yes, the AR is simple, and easy to assemble – if you have the right knowledge and tools. Sure, you can “tinker toy” one together and it will probably fire. But, for reliable functioning over a long period of time you’ll need to know how it works, and actually make sure all the parts fit together and function properly. Read and study well. During this study you’ll discover the specialty tools you’ll need. There’s not a lot of them and they’re not very expensive. If you don’t want to invest then find a friend who has them. Maybe – like I’m doing with my buddy - “friend” will help with the build. Like anything else it takes a few times to figure out how to do it right; in the beginning it’s much easier to have someone help you.

And if you don’t want to build one, then buy one. Complete ARs, in a variety of configurations - are on the shelves at great prices. Every year I’m thinking this is the greatest time to be a gun owner. Only lately it’s getting better and better each year. There’s no reason not to have an AR. Just keep in mind it’s addictive. Once you get one, seek out training to learn how to use it safely and efficiently, and then add plenty of practice.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, featured on GunTalk’s DVD, “Fighting With The 1911 and has regular columns in Gun Digest and American Handgunner.

www.shootrite.org

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