Here they are, the 2007 Dealers’ Picks straight from the SHOT Show floor.

Charles Brown (left), Hi-Point
Firearms president, chats with
Jason Thomason of Ohio Valley
Trading & Exchange.

“Don’t overlook them because of the low price-point,” said Jason Thomason, concerning Hi-Point Firearms. “Instead, embrace them!”

Hi-Point Firearms may be one of the best-kept secrets in the world of shooting. The list prices for the 100-percent American-made guns are amazingly low, and one dealer thinks that’s why Hi-Point Firearms doesn’t get the notice it deserves.

Thomason, COO of Ohio Valley Trading & Exchange, has retail operations in Athens, Nelsonville and Logan, Ohio. He has recorded brisk and growing sales of Hi-Point products and very positive feedback from their buyers. Thomason speculates that many dealers don’t look closely at Hi-Point because the low prices would indicate cheaply made, inferior goods.

“That’s not accurate at all. We’ve sold 700 to 800 Hi-Point pistols in all calibers and at least 300 to 400 carbines in 9mm and .40 S&W. Our customers love them. They’re a great value for the money; excellent quality,” Thomason said.
Most major distributors carry Hi-Point. Call 1-877-425-4867 or visit www.hi-pointfirearms.com.

“MTM is more like a business partner than a manufacturer. We work hand-in-hand,” said Todd Vance, manager of Vance’s Shooters Supply and Buckeye Outdoor Sports in Columbus, Ohio.

Vance says MTM’s user-friendly engineering is first-rate, and “the effort they put into taking care of dealers — making sure you have what your customers want when they want it — is nothing short of fantastic!”

New for 2007, MTM introduces the Shotgun Hunter Case, a multi-function product that travels straight from the shooter’s bench to the field, featuring two easy-access top compartments, four 25-round interior shotshell trays and a unique belt-clip carrier that positions ammo perfectly for dove hunting, trap, skeet and sporting clays.

Vance says he’s been carrying MTM Case-Gard products since before 1981. Fast movers at his shops are ammunition holders, pistol boxes and the Predator rifle rest.

“MTM’s great packaging is a big plus, too,” Vance added. “It sells itself.”

The best part? Minimum orders are $20! Call 1-800-543-0548 or visit www.mtmcase-gard.com

Gerber Gear, once known only for its “legendary blades,” now offers a wide variety of tough tools, knives, personal LED lights, hydration backpacks and its latest sensation, the Carnivore Blood Tracking Light.

“The Carnivore is an amazing tool,” said Randy Schutz of Stirling Partners in Greenfield, Ind. “The hands-free model makes it even easier to use in rough terrain and when carrying other equipment.”

Schutz has been stocking Gerber Gear for two years and looks forward to a long, profitable relationship.

“Their axes, folding saw and spade are particularly strong sellers,” he said. “And I’ve never had a problem with Gerber’s dealer support, even on short lead-time needs. They respond quickly with whatever I need, when I need it.”
Call 1-800-950-6161 or visit www.gerbergear.com.

“Why didn’t somebody think of this before?” asked C.J. Hebert, owner of Hebert Guns in Prairieville, La., while placing an order at the AccuScope booth.

AccuScope is a newly patented, slide-card system that takes all the calculations out of sighting in scopes, while saving time and expensive ammunition. Just fire a first shot or group on a 1-inch grid-sighting target from 25 to 200 yards, then display the number of inches “off-zero” in windage or elevation the impact lies. Another slotted window shows exactly how many clicks are needed to put following shots dead-center.

“I’m always looking for practical new products and AccuScope is really useful. We sell a lot of scopes. I’ve even had shooters call me on their cell phones from where they’re sighting in, asking me all the questions that AccuScope answers. It’s written in simple, easy-to-understand language,” Hebert said.

An eye-catching AccuScope small-footprint counter display is free with initial orders. Visit www.accuscopeusa.com or send e-mail inquiries to: info@accuscopeusa.com.

Limited space? Howard Leight
covers your needs.

“It’s a best-buy for the money,” said Fred Calcagno, of Howard Leight’s Leightning L3. The range muffs, rated at NRR 30, are his best sellers at American Sportsman in East Rochester, N.Y. “I have a responsibility to my customers to provide them the best, most effective sight and hearing protection available.”

Howard Leight can save you scarce display space, headaches and money, too. As one of the world’s largest providers of industrial eye and ear protection, Howard Leight’s massive R&D program and manufacturing might translate into benefits for the shooting sports.

Offered are six earplug designs, and slimline and folding passive earmuffs, with noise reduction ratings (NRR) from 23 to 30, plus the hot-selling Impact Sport electronics.

Call 1-800-682-0833 or visit www.howardleightshootingsports.com.

“SOG Knives gives you nothing but quality, and I don’t carry anything that isn’t the highest quality,” said Kevin Kelly, who operates Kevin’s Fine Outdoor Gear in Tallahassee, Fla., and Kevin’s of Thomasville in Georgia.

Kelly has been selling SOG knives and tools for about four years, indicating he’s had “zero returns, zero complaints and all positive feedback from my customers. SOG keeps expanding their line, adding new, interesting models, and they bend over backwards to accommodate dealers. I couldn’t be happier with them.”

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools has developed a reputation for innovative engineering, as evidenced by new 2007 models like the Bi-Polar, the first assisted-opening folding knife with twin blades.

Visit www.sogknives.com and click “Contact SOG” and “Request Dealer Kit” to start carrying SOG. Following a $500 initial order, which averages about 15 items, there’s no minimum on reorders.

ThermoLogic’s electronically
warmed hunting apparel is
durable, washable and has
great sales potential for all
outdoor cold-weather uses.

“It’s really rare for me to find something to get excited about, but I see tremendous promise in ThermoLogic,” said Lonnie Schmidt, who operates two retail stores — SportCo and Outdoor Emporium — in the Tacoma, Wash., area.

ThermoLogic brings cold-weather hunters a new world of warmth with their temperature-controlled line of outdoor clothing. ThermoLogic applies an electronically conductive film of silver/carbon-based ink onto the lining of the apparel and seals it with a polyurethane lamination. Energy provided by a removable, rechargeable battery pack warms the entire liner. The garments, including parka, jacket, vest, bibs, socks, hats and gloves, are washable.

“I examined the prototypes last fall, and the production garments are even better. They’re durable, comfortable and appropriately priced. The margin is comparable with other quality outdoor clothing. I see ThermoLogic going way beyond hunting, to outdoor spectator sports like football, winter construction work and more,” Schmidt said.

For dealer info, call (412) 325-7875.

Heath Whittemore, owner of Sports Armory in Acworth, Ga., says half of his gun sales are handguns and over the past few years, half of those have been Taurus models.

“For good reasons,” Whittemore said. “The buyer gets more gun for half the price of some other makers, with a lifetime warranty he’ll likely never have to use, and, if it is necessary, Taurus backs it up 100 percent.”

Whittemore pointed out the 19 custom features on the “standard” Taurus 1911 and agreed that an average price for that package “would be over $2,000.”

“But the Taurus is priced at only $600 and I still make a nice profit,” said Whittemore, who tested two Taurus 1911s before stocking them. “They performed perfectly. Very quickly, I sold more than 50 of them. I’m very happy with the quality and the price-point.”

Contact your distributor or visit www.taurususa.com.

Dealer Heath Whittemore of
Sports Armory says the Taurus
1911 has the features of “a
$2,000 1911 for $600.”

J.J. Poet (left) of Jay’s Sporting
Goods has high praise for Traditions Performance Firearms, which makes company rep Tom Hall happy.

“Traditions is driving the muzzleloading industry with new innovations like this,” said J.J. Poet of Jay’s Sporting Goods in Clare, Mich.

He was referring to Traditions Performance Firearms’ Pursuit XLT Extreme muzzleloader, a .50-caliber boomer, featuring the Knoxx CompStock recoil-reduction system. Offered with Realtree Hardwoods HD or black synthetic stocks and nickel, blued or Hardwoods HD barrels, the Pursuit XLT drew crowds of black-powder enthusiasts at SHOT — and it can do the same at your shop.

“Their great customer service and proactive sales reps are a major asset. Traditions’ creative sales programs can assure a generous profit margin, too,” Poet said.

Call 1-800-526-9556 or visit www.traditionsfirearms.com.

“I just can’t get enough of their shotguns! Every one I get is sold fast! CZ is one of the best additions we’ve ever made to our gun department,” said Bob Sebring, firearms manager for Gateway Outfitters in Saint Charles, Mo.

CZ (eská Zbrojovka Uhersk Brod) has been known as a high-quality arms maker in Europe for over 80 years. In America, CZ-USA is still largely unknown, but is growing rapidly and winning new converts. Offering a full line of excellent pistols, rifles and classically styled sporting shotguns, CZ-USA’s products cover virtually all shooting needs and disciplines.

“They’re tops in dealer support,” said Sebring, who has been carrying CZ for three years. “I have very little reason to call them, but when I do, I get instant, first-rate response. If you don’t stock them, you’re missing the boat.”

CZ firearms are marketed through a long list of major distributors, like Ellett Brothers, RSR and Sports South. Call 1-800-955-4486 or visit www.cz-usa.com.

CZ sales rep Joe Monteleone (left)
shows off the company’s pistols
to Bob Sebring of Gateway Outfitters.

Photon Light’s “Try Me” packaging
saves space and generates sales.

Photon Light makes tiny, lightweight lights so bright that customers asked for — and received — on-demand dimming functions!

Tracey Rolon, of Ranger Joe’s International in Georgia, named Photon’s Freedom Micro and the Micro-Light II as strong sellers at their Ft. Benning and Ft. Stewart retail stores. The Freedom Micro is a hit in Realtree camo, furnished with a keychain attachment, cap clip and neck cord.

“We’ve carried Photon Light for eight or nine years now, and we’ve never had a problem with returns on their products,” Rolon said.

For dealers, Photon offers attractive “Try Me” packaging, an array of available countertop and standing displays, and an easy credit application process on the company’s Web site.

Call (541) 925-3741 or visit www.photonlight.com.

“They have all the features I want and they’re so comfortable. Outstanding!” said Steve Barlow, as he examined BlackHawk’s new Tactical Pants. In addition to the feature-loaded trousers, the new Warrior Wear line includes shirts and polos. Dealers examining the clothing say it’s not just for law enforcement.

Barlow, of Barlow’s Custom Guns in West Valley City, Utah, says he’ll get the first pair of Tactical Pants he ordered at the SHOT Show.

“My customers will see me wearing them every day. Call them ‘tactical,’ ‘practical,’ whatever; they’ll sell to just about anyone,” Barlow said.

With a $1,500 first order, you can become a BlackHawk Authorized Dealer. Go to www.blackhawk.com and click “Dealer Application” to kick off the process, or call 1-800-694-5263.

BlackHawk’s line of Warrior Wear
apparel offers new Tactical Pants,
shirts and polos.

Sell ThermaCELL’s cordless, odor-free mosquito-repellent units and you’ll have customers coming back for more butane power cells, pretreated mats — and more units for their friends. ThermaCELL uses a single proprietary butane cartridge — no batteries — to warm a disposable, fibrous mat treated with allethrin, a natural insect repellent.

“I use them all the time, and recommend them to my customers,” said Wayne Petrus, of TP Outdoors in West Monroe, La. His shop has carried ThermaCELL for three years and Petrus reports “healthy growth in sales; no complaints at all. Customers do come back for supplies and repeat sales all the time. The customers really like it.”

Petrus also likes the price-point and margin and has add-on sales advice: “Be sure to get the big patio lantern, too. I use one at home and they’re really catching on.”

Deployed with the military in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, ThermaCELL received a “Superior” performance rating from the U.S. Army. Call 1-866-753-3837 or visit www.thermacell.com.

Columbia River Knife & Tool is introducing 25 new models in 2007, but innovative designs and superior blade steels aren’t all CRKT has to offer, according to Randy Lay of Davi’s Indoor Range & Shooting Sports in Raleigh, N.C.

“Other companies should look at CRKT as a model of excellent dealer support and customer service. They’re the best company I’ve ever dealt with,” Lay said. “We have $583,000 in knives out on the floor right now and we’ll sell every one of them. CRKT is a big reason for that.”

Lay says CRKT always comes out with exactly what his customers want, while providing profits.

“Price-points and margins are terrific, MAP pricing is a plus and they have the best sales-incentive programs and best counter displays of any knife company,” Lay said.

CRKT has great discounts on the first two orders placed by new dealers. Visit www.crkt.com and click on “All About CRKT.” Then, click the “New Dealer Inquiries” link; or call 1-800-891-3100.

Pat McKenna (left), Ameristep
national sales manager, talks
product details with Bill Hahn.

Ameristep Goes To Great Heights

Following on the heels of last year’s successes, Ameristep introduces the 22-foot Sky Scraper. The company also helps dealers make sales.

“Products like this are sold by having good information,” said Bill Hahn of Jay’s Sporting Goods in St. Clare, Mich. “Ameristep has these great sales tools called ‘Silent Salesman’ cards, which have the important information on them. They almost sell the product on their own.

“Ameristep actually listens to the dealer and comes up with creative programs to increase profit margins.”

Call (810) 686-4035 or visit www.ameristep.com.

Here’s a recommended Dealers’ Pick from the Shooting Industry SHOT Show Patrol Staff: Safe Direction Ballistic Containment Systems. This is a must-stock product and an easy sale for any dealer who carries handguns.

Safe Direction builds a positive, NIJ III-A rated stopping surface for accidental discharges (AD) of handguns into range bags, waist packs, gun rugs, counter pads and hanging wall units, plus a version that clips into a standard three-ring binder. Safe Direction panels will stop any single, factory-loaded, standard-duty/personal-defense handgun round up to .45 ACP, including .44 Magnum, .357 SIG and .40 S&W, excluding armor-piercing or other hardened ammunition.

ADs are not something we want to talk about, but they can happen. Safe Direction Ballistic Containment Systems can prevent the damage an AD can cause, while creating significant sales.

To view a demo, visit www.safedirection.com. Call 1-877-357-4570.

Safe Direction prevents AD damage,
while building sales for dealers.

Randy Woods (left), TenPoint sales
manager, and Marlon Dance of
Dance’s Sporting Goods discuss
the Phantom CLS.

TenPoint Crossbow Technologies brings cutting-edge science to the “primitive” sport of bowhunting — and puts profits in dealers’ pockets. New for SHOT Show, TenPoint’s Phantom CLS delivers 343 fps velocity from a compact, 171⁄2-inch-wide system.

Marlon Dance, owner of Dance’s Sporting Goods in Colonial Heights, Va., participated in the political initiative, resulting in legalization of crossbows in that state. He has found TenPoint to be a premium product.

“It’s profitable for our store, and it promotes growth in the entire industry,” Dance said.

Call 1-800-548-6837 or visit www.tenpointcrossbows.com.