SureFire

Kevin Brittingham To Form New Company

January 18th, 2016

For those of you unfamiliar with the name, Kevin Brittingham created Advanced Armament Corporation, near his home in Georgia. After growing it into an innovative suppressor brand, he sold it to Remington. Eventually, there was friction at Remington.  Brittingham was just not used to their corporate culture. Remington eventually fired Brittingham, but after a lengthy court battle, he cleared his name in civil court, and was awarded a hefty settlement. After cooling his heels for awhile, he popped back up at SIG.  There, he worked to develop newer suppressor designs and improve small arms performance.

  
When I heard last Friday that Kevin Brittingham was moving on from SIG SAUER, I contacted him and we spent some time on the phone discussing what had happened and where he was headed. Lately, Brittingham has been concentrating on some personal issues and it seems he had some time on his hands at SIG. Frustration was likely mutual.  

As I understand it, Brittingham had agreed to spend part of his time in Georgia with his children and part at SIG’s Headquarters in New Hampshire where he did what he specializes in, assembling a team to develop innovative suppressor and specialized firearms solutions. Unfortunately, it seems that there was more development than production. Out of 12 suppressors developed by the team, only three have made it to production. There are similar stories regarding firearms as well. I get the impression that Brittingham felt he was spinning his wheels. Eventually, there was tension over his absences and a perception that SIG wasn’t putting enough emphasis on his projects. The result is that Kevin Brittingham is no longer at SIG, but he plans to continue to do what he loves, building firearms.

I’m sure everyone wants to know all of the details on why Kevin Brittingham left Remington and SIG, but I want to concentrate on the future. What’s done is done.  Instead, I want to know about what this means for the firearms industry and what opportunities this move offers the consumer.

  
You talk to Kevin Brittingham and you realize he is the kind of guy that needs to run his own business. He’s been successful and knows what works, outside of corporate culture. He becomes frustrated with beauracracy.  

Right off the bat, before anything else, Brittingham talked about people. He knows that success is dependent upon assembling the right team. His vision for his new company is to bring together the best people and then to identify and service segments of the firearms market not properly supported.
I asked him when we should expect to see this new company and Brittingham answered, “Next week.” That floored me. Apparently, he’s realized he needs to work for himself as well. He also mentioned picking up where he left off after his time with AAC. It’s not that his stint at SIG amounts for nothing, it’s just that he prefers the vector he was on with AAC.

He won’t be at SHOT Show but rather working to form a new brand that he expects to be shipping guns by end of year. But, finding the right people is paramount. While the list of prospective projects he mentioned to me is impressive, Brittingham said he won’t start something until the right people for for a particular design are in place. If that means waiting a year, he’ll do it. It also means he won’t try to be everything at once. He expects to recruit the right employees by offering quality of life. He explicitly mentioned recreating the culture from AAC as a means to that end.

His motto is simple, “be a little better today.” While his long-term goal is to be the best, he knows you get there incrementally. He wants to identify things that are good and improve. And more than anything, Brittingham wants to function without corporate restraint.

His vision for a company is to do what many won’t. Rather than asking, “What’s best for the company,” Brittingham wants to know, “What serves customer best, and what serves employee best?” He sees that answering those two questions will get you where you want to be as a company.

This isn’t a plan to build a company and sell it off when it’s worth a few Million Dollars. He made a bundle in the AAC deal and now it’s about putting it to work for long-term success. Brittingham spoke about quality of life for his employees but I think he’s seeking that for himself as well.

 

Kevin Brittingham is a rebel in an industry that is increasingly corporate in nature. Successful companies are purchased by larger ones. His goals this time aren’t acquisition as the measure of success. Instead, it’s long-term commitment.  He envisions a company with 50 people run with real leadership. That’s not a concept we see enough in today’s corporate management culture. I wish him success.

Those interested in becoming a part of Kevin abrittingham’s new team should send a resume to kevinbrittingham@me.com.

S&S Precision Maker Monday – Elastic Load Out System

January 18th, 2016

ELOS_556_2

The ELOS 5.56, is a flexible magazine holder providing maximum magazine retention. The ELOS is manufactured from an injection molded elastomer to provide excellent tear resistance, noise reduction, and the ability to withstand severe impact forces preventing cracking or crushing through a wide range of temperatures and environments. Additional pistol and rifle caliber will be available in the future. (Patents Pending)

ELOS_556_1

Features:

· Injection molded elastomer

· Tear, crack, and weather resistant

· Reduces noise

· GRT adaptable

· Modular design allows for multiple configurations

· Stackable design

· Non-Hygroscopic

· Includes drain holes, drain hole plug coming soon

· Weight: 2.91 oz

www.sandsprecision.com

TacJobs – FECHHEIMER BROTHERS CO. – Brand Manager, Vertx

January 18th, 2016

OVERVIEW:
The Brand Manager, Vertx will be responsible for the build, development and execution of the brand marketing and sales plans. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to step up their marketing prowess, and participate in the sales growth process.

The Brand Manager, Vertx is a key member within a cross-functional team consisting of creative, product supply, product development and customer business development. The Brand Manager, Vertx will lead efforts specific to the marketing and sales strategy, brand vision, promotions, development and execution of customer programs, market research, and events support. This role will report to the VP of Marketing.

CORE RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Ownership and development of brand marketing and sales plan.

• Demonstrated project management skills and execution of brand marketing initiatives across all consumer touch points (e.g. promotions, web, print, social, events, business and product development, channel management, program development, etc…)

• Marketing leadership as a self-starter, team collaborator, creative and strategic analysis abilities

• Experience establishing and managing marketing spend, and tracking and monitoring ROI

• Drive market research and consumer understanding

• Ideation development and business building ideas

• Management of brand promotions activities – concept to measurement

• Enjoys working in conjunction with the team to develop the brand and communications strategy

• Creates plans to connect the brand to its key stakeholders and distributing partners

• Creates segmented marketing communication plans for key geographic areas

• Develops and coordinates offline and online marketing and communication resources

• Development and monitoring of corporate design and printed matter to align with brand direction

• Collaboration with Brand, Product Development, Sales, Social Media, Events and Communications teams to maximize success of all brand activity

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must exhibits passion for marketing verticals and key stakeholders within industry

• Must be able to distinguish differing brand goals for mid-size markets vs commercial markets

• Individual must be driven by team-focused environment, not individual accolades

• Strong listening skills, ability to learn quick and pick up on complex ideas

• Ability to manage and scope a project from beginning to end, and meet deadlines

• Knowledge of the public safety, law enforcement market a plus

• Decisive in driving the growth of the brand; Trend awareness and research savvy

• Exhibits strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

• Must possess strong organizational skills, proofreading skills and attention to detail

• Willingness to multi-task, jump in and help any campaign

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor/Masters degree in Marketing, Communications or related field

• Three (3) to Five (5) years or more experience in marketing required.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and a variety of social channels

• 25% or less travel required

To apply please following the following link:  https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/cap/view/98171668?pathWildcard=98171668&trk=job_capjs

THREE RANGERS FOUNDATION Announces New Executive Director

January 18th, 2016


Three Rangers Foundation (TRF), a veteran support organization, has announced the selection of Larry D. Moores as its new executive director. Larry will replace Clay Othic, who served as the first Director for TRF and will move to another leadership position within the Board of Advisors.“We are very pleased to announce this appointment,” reported John Collett, the Three Rangers Project President and Founder. “Not only is Larry a Veteran, he brings 30 years of executive level experience in planning, program management, fundraising, and administration within both the corporate and non-profit sectors. He will bring this leadership and perspective to the Foundation as well as a deep sense of commitment to our Veterans in need.”

Larry has a significant family legacy of military service and adds a solid perspective to TRF from all aspects of military life. He was a military dependent growing up and enlisted with the 75th Ranger Regiment following high school. Larry then commissioned through Officer Candidate School and served a 21-year career in Airborne, Ranger and Special Operations assignments. Larry’s wife, COL Kerry Moores, is currently on active duty and their son Nathan is pending assignment to the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment, following in the footsteps of his father.

“I look forward to continuing to serve our Veterans and their families and also to partner with the other nonprofit organizations in this new capacity,” said Larry. “I am dedicated to this cause as no-one deserves more that our Nation’s greatest treasure, its Veterans”. “Three Rangers Foundation will play a key role in supporting our Veterans quality of life, and as the Ranger Creed states – Never shall I fail my comrades.”

The THREE RANGERS FOUNDATION is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing centralized and innovative information, education, and consulting support for the nonprofit sector.

www.threerangers.com

2016 Brian Terry Roundation Fundraiser

January 18th, 2016

  

It has been 5 long years since US Border Patrol Agent Brian A Terry’s life was taken by criminals armed with weapons supplied by the US Government’ failed OPERATION: FAST AND FURIOUS. Since then, only foreign actors involved in the killing have been brought to trial and convicted in US courts. To this day, not a single member of our government has been held accountable for their roles in an operation that armed narco-terror groups and cost the lives of hundreds if not thousands of innocents including Brian Terry. At every turn, powers that be in our own administration continue to keep answers from the family of a man who gave all for his nation.
Today, Brian’s family continue their quest for answers all while working to ensure that the legacy of Brian A Terry remain in the forefront of Americans everywhere. A Marine, small-town cop, Border Patrol Agent, and member of the esteemed BORTAC, Brian was the epitome of a patriot looking only to make the world a better place. The Brian Terry Foundation continues that legacy in its many missions. 100% volunteer run by Brian’s family, the BTF fights to get answers and accountability regarding Brian’s murder, offers scholarships to young people on their quest to become law enforcement officers, and gives assistance to the families of fallen Border Patrol agents in need.
On 2 January, 2016, the Brian Terry Foundation with the help from ATEi of Michigan, Dark Angel Medical of Colorado, 88 Tactical of Nebraska, American Defense Manufacturing of Wisconsin, and Ballistic Radio of Ohio launched the 2nd annual Danger Zone Auction to benefit the Brian Terry Foundation with the help of over 70 companies and individuals.
Throughout January, all Americans will have the opportunity to join an amazing fundraising auction that will continue to fund the BTF for years! The online superpower Gunbroker.com has generously offered the use of their site fee-free where over 60 items from across the firearms and firearm training industry will auctioned off and 100% of the proceeds heading to the Brian Terry Foundation. To join the auction, search for the. “Danger Zone Auction” on Gunbroker.com. As of today, the auction has raised over $30,000 for the charity. You have until 21 January, 2016 to get in on the bidding!
If you are learning more about the life and legacy of Brian A Terry, or donating direct to the foundation, please check out HonorBrianTerry.com and follow the foundation on Facebook.
We want answers. With your help, we’ll get them.

To participate visit www.gunbroker.com.

BROWE Teams with RS Products to Create State-of-the-Art Low Profile AK-47 Optic System

January 18th, 2016

 

MADISON HEIGHTS, Michigan (January 2016) – BROWE, Inc., a manufacturer of premium-quality optical systems, has set a new standard in quality, performance and functionality with the introduction of its new 4×32 BROWE Tactical Optic (BTO) combined with the RS Products AK-300 side plate adapter mount for Kalashnikov-pattern firearms.

  
www.browe-inc.com

PRIME Ammo: Shoot More, Live Better…

January 18th, 2016

Shoot More, Live Better. It’s not just our motto—it’s how we live, so when, during a past ammunition craze, we found ourselves unable to obtain quality ammunition, we saw an opportunity to turn our passion into our full-time jobs while contributing to the fight to maintain our constitutional rights. Because, after all, the right to keep and bear arms isn’t really worth much if you don’t have quality ammunition to go with your passion. Our target market was ourselves, our friends, and people like us: People who strive to make every trigger pull count; people serious enough to want the most accurate and reliable ammunition for the intended task—ammunition good enough to compete, fight, and win with.   

  
Our goals are simple: (1) earn your business by providing you with the absolute best value in high-performance ammunition (2) earn your trust by providing the highest-level of customer service, and (3) use our business as a platform to ensure that you and your children truly can Shoot More, Live Better. We knew we wanted to manufacture in volumes that would ensure a constant supply to our customers; we knew we wanted to be free from the supply inconsistencies and gouging that occurs whenever there is an election or a push to curtail our Second Amendment rights. We knew we wanted the latest and most sophisticated manufacturing processes and machines capable of producing “the world’s most consistently accurate” ammunition at a price that represented a value relative to performance.   

Our solution was a partnership with RUAG Ammotec, a Swiss company with Swiss/German roots that is the undisputed European market leader in military, hunting and sports ammunition. RUAG is one of the world’s largest (and oldest) manufacturers of precision munitions, and a supplier of components to some of the largest ammunition brands in the U.S. It’s very likely, in fact, that you have already used ammunition containing components made by RUAG. PRIME Ammunition is designed to our American specifications, then engineered and manufactured in European facilities to the highest degree of technical performance.

  
Why partner with a European company, or for that matter, why not build a manufacturing plant of our own here in the U.S.? Answer: We simply couldn’t identify another manufacturer as capable as RUAG when it came to consistency and quality.   

PRIME AMMUNITION is ready to supply you with the best factory ammunition made. Our partnership with RUAG Ammotec provides you the Swiss and German precision, engineering and manufacturing prowess that leading shooters around the world use and trust. Now it’s your turn! Whether it’s tactical, self-defense, competition, hunting, recreational, pistol, rifle or shotgun shooting, PRIME delivers unmatched performance and value directly to your doorstep.

  
SHOT Show Booth : 3019

www.primeammo.com

@primeammo

US Tactical Supply – The SHOT Show Display Gun

January 17th, 2016

IMG_2479

USTS will have this Little Guy demoing the LAW Tactical Folder & Magpul PMAG D-60 Drum at Booth 20605 with Extra Drums and Folders for Visitors to check out.

IMG_2483

ustacticalsupply.com