MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis (May 17, 2022) – Vortakt Barrel Works once again demonstrates its commitment to becoming the future of OEM barrel manufacturing by introducing “The Profiler”, a new fully automated turning cell that consolidates contouring, chambering, gas porting, threading, and crowning operations in a single machine.

This 2021 Okuma LT2000 EX CNC lathe features 700mm length capacity, with twin turrets and spindles, live steady rest, live tooling, and Y-axis motion. Automatically loaded via a Fanuc CRX Collaborative Robot and custom infeed/outfeed systems, this turning center offers a capacity of around 3,300 MSR-style barrels each month

“The automation technology we incorporate into barrel manufacturing allows us to maximize capacity while minimizing production costs involved in the production of barrels for popular platforms like the AR-15 and Kalashnikov (AK)”, said Chad Weister, Managing Director of Vortakt Barrel Works.

Most barrel manufacturers will run their barrel blanks through one to two operations in a CNC lathe to achieve the final contour, pass the barrel along to an additional lathe for chambering, direct the contoured blank through a mill for gas porting, and then forward the barrel to another lathe for cut, crown, and threading operations. Vortakt has effectively managed to integrate all of these processes into a single machine tool supported by state-of-the-art robotics.

By effectively harnessing automation technology and adhering to engineering best practices, Vortakt’s team provides innovative partnership solutions based on their client’s unique needs. More information can be found at vortakt.com.

Vigilant Gear Holdings has completed the acquisition of Primary Weapons Systems.

Vigilant Gear Holdings, based out of Georgia, in 2019 purchased Lone Wolf Distributors, now Lone Wolf Arms, located in Priest River, ID. While both Primary Weapons Systems and Lone Wolf Arms are in Idaho, they will be run independently as separate entities.

Primary Weapons Systems (PWS), the largest firearms manufacturer in Idaho, has been headquartered in Boise since it was founded in 2008. Dean Sylvester, founder, PWS said, “I am very happy with the acquisition. The values of PWS have always been innovation, quality and customer service. These values will continue to define PWS as it grows, and I feel confident that Vigilant Gear Holdings will only grow these values and expand the reach of the PWS brand.”

Vigilant Gear Holdings has invested capital into Primary Weapons Systems by purchasing a titanium and stainless-steel 3D printer and a barrel blank manufacturing machine, furthering the ability of PWS to manufacture more than 90 percent of components in-house.

CEO Nate Treadaway said, “PWS is known as an evolutionary design and manufacturing company. Our goal is to continue pushing the envelope while keeping the core values of PWS. We have a variety of exciting new products releasing this year, and we are excited to branch out to different sectors in the firearms market.”

San Antonio, Texas (April 6, 2022) – Blaser Group is pleased to announce Joshua McBrayer as its Director of Shotgun Programs for North America. McBrayer has spent the past six years working with Blaser Germany, first as International Sales Manager for Blaser in Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Benelux, South America, and the USA. Most recently, he served as Brand Manager for the company in addition to his sales role.

In his new position as Director of Shotgun Programs, McBrayer will be responsible for managing the company’s strong competitive shotgun sports presence, as well as building additional Blaser, Mauser, J.P. Sauer, Liemke, and John Rigby & Co. programs and relationships with consumers and dealers.

“We have worked with Josh for years and are thrilled that he is moving back to the United States and joining our team in San Antonio as Director of Shotgun Programs,” said Jason Evans, CEO, Blaser Group. “Josh has done an outstanding job establishing and managing sales channels and dealer networks on behalf of Blaser throughout the world and building long-term relationships with partners. His proven track record and shotgun expertise make him an invaluable part of our team.”

“I am truly excited to be joining the Blaser Group team in San Antonio as Director of Shotgun Programs,” said McBrayer. “This group is one of the best in the industry, and I look forward to working with them to increase brand awareness and market share for Blaser here in the U.S. After working in the international markets for Blaser for the past six years, I look forward to leveraging my knowledge and experience to build on the already strong reputation of Blaser here at home.”

Born and raised in Birmingham, Ala., McBrayer, a degreed engineer, has spent more than 15-years in major account management. He is a lifelong hunter and an avid shooter.

www.blaser-group.com