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Blue Force Gear announced today that John Felushko will join the company as Product Line Manager, reporting to Blue Force Gear CEO Ashley Burnsed. Felushko comes to Blue Force Gear from Canadian outdoor brand Arc’Teryx LEAF, where he has been Business Unit Coordinator since 2008.  He will be responsible for Blue Force Gear’s product strategy and the expansion of retail presence in domestic and global markets.

“Our passion is building game-changing products for the world’s best customers and John shares our vision for the future like no one else we’ve met,” said Ashley Burnsed, Blue Force Gear’s CEO. “His exceptional experience bolsters our commitment to deliver the best products and we are thrilled to have him join our team.” 

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FN Herstal wants you to know that MAG, the commercial name of the 7.62mm M240 machine gun, now comes standard with a polymer buttstock.

FN says the tree-hugging change comes in response to end users complaining about how hard it is to decontaminate wooded parts after exposure to nuclear, biological or chemical agents. There’s no word on weight savings or how the change affects the cost of the weapon.

I’m wondering how that stock would do in the GearScout buttstock drop test? Whad’ya say FN? Want to send one over?

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As promised, here’s the news directly from Blue Force Gear about the Vickers Combat Applications Sling getting an NSN.

SAVANNAH, GA—May 1, 2012—Blue Force Gear announced today that the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has assigned National Stock Number 1005-01-604-0627* to the Vickers Combat Applications Sling. During combat trials in Afghanistan in 2011, U.S. Marines validated the VCAS as the issue sling for their new M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle as delivered by Heckler & Koch. These slings will join over 100,000 other Blue Force Gear slings already in use across every branch of service. The USMC has also fully authorized this sling for use on M4, M4A1 and M16 series rifles and Blue Force Gear offers attachments to connect the VCAS to these weapons as well as other internationally produced small arms.

“Our Vickers Combat Applications Sling has quietly revolutionized the way combat arms are carried and deployed by elite infantry,” said Ashley Burnsed, Blue Force Gear’s CEO. “For years thousands of U.S. Warfighters have trusted us to provide slings to carry their most critical piece of battlefield equipment, their personal weapon, and now DLA has provided an easy way for the troops to get these amazing slings.”

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…and it is NSN 1005-01-604-0627, Sling, Small Arms, PN: VCAS-125-AA-CB, CAGE 3X9S8. The Marine Corps adopted the Vickers Combat Application Sling for use with their M27 Infantry Assault Rifle (HK416) and has approved it’s use with issued M4, M4A1 and M16 rifles. The NSN makes it easier for members of the Army, Navy and Air Force to get their hands on a quality 2-point adjustable sling, too.

Your unit S4 will likely greet you with a smile and and may even offer you a fresh spitter when you come into their office with an actual NSN instead of a page torn out of a gun magazine.

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Glock, Inc. announced today that KC Eusebio will join Tori Nonaka as a second member of Team Glock, Glock’s competitive shooting team. Bringing Eusebio aboard as a full-time employee lays to rest rumors that Glock would move to a sponsorship-only support model after the recent departure of full-time, professional shooters Dave Sevigny and Randi Rogers.

From Glock’s morning press release:

Eusebio, three-time World Speed Shooting Champion and former United States Army Marksmanship Unit team member, brings with him significant accomplishments and experience.

Eusebio will join fellow teammate and renowned junior female shooter Tori Nonaka on Team GLOCK.  Like Nonaka, Eusebio was introduced to shooting by his father and began shooting competitively at the age of 8.  Quickly, Eusebio rose to Master class in two short years.  By the age of 12 he was, and remains, the youngest competitor in the world to earn the ranking as a Grand Master class shooter.  At 15, he became the youngest shooter to win a world championship at the prestigious World Speed Shooting Championships Steel Challenge. One of eight competitors ever to earn the USPSA Open National Title, Eusebio also boasts three Steel National Titles.

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We just heard from the folks at Outdoor Retailer that they are looking for a larger venue to host the show. This is one of the events we head attend to find out what new products and players are moving between the tactical and outdoor markets.

“Outdoor Retailer (OR) and the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) are engaging the industry in a consultative and comprehensive approach to determine the best growth path and location for the future for the semi-annual outdoor trade shows. The initiative is necessary, as participation in the evolving outdoor industry event continues to grow beyond the current facilities available at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, host city since 1996.”

“A formal discussion period will launch soon within the “Collective Voice” website, however everyone is welcome to visit the site at www.outdoorretailer.com/collective-voice, a destination for learning about the event’s history along with a small list of venues in the nation that could host the current show while engaging in ongoing discussions in a secure moderated online forum.”

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I remember when Rudy Project eyewear was a niche product going after bicyclists in the US ten years ago. Their designs, quality and optical qualities were made them very popular in Europe, but it’s took them a while to break into the US market. Perhaps it was the price, or the strong competition from familiar US optic companies like Smith and Oakley, but they have been steadily shipping away at market share in the premium sport optic realm.

I say this because I’ve noticed more guys in my USPSA shooting match squads using Rudy Project eyewear in the past year. I’ve been shooting with their photochromic Genetyk eyeshield myself and have been pleased with the optical clarity, weight, protection and ventilation. We’ll have more about them, but in the meantime have a look at Rudy Project’s first tactical catalog for the US market.

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We were just notified that Magpul Dynamics has brought some new DNA into their gene pool.

“Magpul Dynamics [not Magpul Industries] is pleased to welcome Duane Liptak Jr., formerly a Major in the USMC, as its new Director. A decorated combat veteran with experience in Tactical Aviation and Special Operations, Duane brings vast knowledge of the shooting industry and the military, as well as experience developing, managing, and executing training programs.”

“Duane’s military achievements include stints as a Squadron XO, FAC(A) (Forward Air Controller-Airborne) Instructor, Pilot and Flight Lead for a USMC F/A-18D Squadron deployed to Iraq, and Plank Owner in Marine Special Operations Command, where he stood up the first operational Marine Special Operations Company as Air Officer, Operations Officer, Team FAC, and Weapons, Lasers, Night Vision, and Communications subject matter expert.”

“Duane joins Magpul Dynamics from Brownells Inc., where he held the position of Director of Government Programs and Training. Under Duane’s leadership Magpul Dynamics will continue to grow and evolve to best meet the training demands of modern Military and Law Enforcement mission requirements while continuing to provide the best training possible for civilian shooters.”

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OK this time it goes to the top –Both Freedom Group CEO Bob Nardelli and Freedom Group Chairman John Blystone have stepped down from their positions.

According to FGI’s press release, Nardeli left FGI to focus his attention on the growth of his own investment and consulting company, XLR-8, while Blystone suffers a demotion and takes on a different role at one of FGI’s companies.

Two executives rarely roll out at the same time, so I’m willing to bet there’s more to this story than an amicable parting of ways. Leadership change at this level signals a sea change. If Cerberus can find a leader to unite the diverse companies in that portfolio, FGI could make products that few, if any, companies in the US could produce.

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All charges have been dropped against the “SHOT Show 22.”

Foreign Securities Law and the Legal Times have been tracking the case as the Justice Department fought against mistrials and shady informants to get a conviction on the 22 firearms industry executives snatched right off the SHOT Show floor back in 2010. They originally were charged with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act after an FBI sting operation.

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