Four person teams of Explorers will compete in the Scholastic Steel Challenge where they’ll be timed to 1/1,000th of a second as they shoot four stages of five fixed steel plate targets each. The four best of five runs for each shooter will be added to determine the individual’s time, and all four individual times will be combined for the team’s time.

Strictly supervised by certified range officials for safety and to make sure competition rules are adhered to at all times, Scholastic Steel Challenge competitions give Explorer Post 15 participants the opportunity to challenge other Explorer Posts from across the state, as well as compete for state and national titles.

Sheriff Campbell said, “As the charter Explorer Post in this new endeavor, the Explorers in Post 15 are excited and motivated to bring this opportunity to other Law Enforcement career minded youth across the state and nation.”

“This important new training opportunity will help us build future leaders of our community while at the same time better preparing these motivated youths to strive for excellence in all they choose to do, including pursuing a career in Law Enforcement.”

Explorers from Post 15 are looking forward to representing both their Sheriff and the citizens of Leon County in Scholastic Steel Challenge competition. For more information on SSC visit www.ScholasticSteelChallenge.com.

The Explorer program is aimed towards youth between the ages of 14 and 21 who are interested in choosing a career in Law Enforcement. For more information about this program contact the Prevention and Resource Unit at (850) 922-3323.

You can also listen to DR Radio on Stitcher and download it to your mobile phone.

Down Range Radio Sponsors:

Ruger Firearms * Liberty Safes * Crimson Trace Laser Grips
Daniel Defense * Double Star

Reference Links:

The Michael Bane Blog

.300 AAC Blackout

Industry Suppressor Group Forms

Frank James Blog: “Corn, Beans, Spent Brass, an Empty Page and a Deadline” :

How do you measure success?

A comment and my response to this blogger vs. writer issue…

The Music of Fever Ray

The Guy Clark Tribute Album: “This One’s For Him”

From left to right: Director Tim Cremin, Host and Producer Joe Mantegna, Larry Potterfield, Producer Dan Ramm, Producer Michael Bane.

COLUMBIA, MO – January 27, 2012 – Each year at the SHOT Show, Outdoor Channel presents a GMA to individuals and show producers for their achievements in creating exceptional outdoor programing. The GMA’s are the longest running outdoor awards ceremony in the industry, where Outdoor Channel’s viewers select the industry’s best. MidwayUSA sponsors five shows on Outdoor Channel:

• MidwayUSA’s Gun Stories
• MidwayUSA’s The Best Defense
• Shooting Gallery
• Fox Pro Furtakers presented by MidwayUSA
• RMEF’s Team Elk, presented by MidwayUSA

Two of these shows, Team Elk and MidwayUSA’s Gun Stories, were nominated for awards in eight different categories and ended up taking home a total of three GMA’s at the awards ceremony on January 19th.

MidwayUSA’s Gun Stories, hosted by Joe Mantegna, allows viewers an inside look at some of America’s favorite firearms. From the Remington 870 shotgun to the 1873 Colt Single Action Revolver, Gun Stories offers something for everyone, and was presented awards for Best Shooting Show and Best Educational Show.

“Gun Stories is meant to be an entertaining way to document an important part of our history that shouldn’t be forgotten. The awards are an inspiration for all involved and will boost our efforts to do even better in season 2″, said Marshal Halloway, editor of Down Range TV in charge of online marketing of Gun Stories as well as Shooting Gallery and The Best Defense.

Winning a GMA for Fan Favorite in a New Series, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Team Elk show first aired in July of 2011. Presented by MidwayUSA, the first season followed celebrities, outdoor personalities and RMEF members on hunts all across the western United States while keeping with their mission of helping to conserve elk habitat.

“We try to sponsor the type of shows our Customers care about,” said Aaron Oelger, Vice President of Marketing. “Our Customers are shooters, reloaders, gunsmiths and hunters and we try to align their interests with great show content. We’re excited this year that Outdoor Channel viewers recognized shows we sponsor with such high honors.”

About MidwayUSA
MidwayUSA is a family-owned catalog and internet retailer specializing in Just About Everything℠ for Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing and Hunting. Now celebrating our 35th Anniversary, Larry and Brenda Potterfield turned their passion for shooting sports into a career in 1977 by opening a small retail firearms store that would eventually become MidwayUSA. MidwayUSA is still owned by the Potterfield Family and Customer Satisfaction is still our Number One Goal. For more information about MidwayUSA, please visit our website or call 800-243-3220.
For more information about Outdoor Channel GMA’s, visit their website or call 951-699-6991.

See below for links to more information.

Episode #149 – Season 12.

Airtimes on Outdoor Channel: 02-01-12 at 3:00AM | 02-01-12 at 4:00PM | 02-01-12 at 9:00PM | 02-02-12 at 1:30AM, all times Eastern.

Show Sponsors:

Crimson Trace * Midway USA * Ruger Firearms * Stag Arms * Streamlight * Double Star * Daniel Defense * Taurus

Episode Reference Links:

Special thanks for this episode to:

Knob Creek Gun Range

Alan Samuel’s Machine Gun Tours

Michael Bane’s Wardrobe provided by:

Woolrich Elite Series Tactical
Rand Custom Hats

Other Reference Links:

Gardner Gun

Maxime Machine Guns

Russian RPD

DS Arms RPD Rifle

MGI Hydra

Tactical Solutions

Soloturn S-18/1000

Sten Gun

M1919 Browning Machine Gun

I.M.I. Mini Uzi

Erik Estrada

Episodes this season:

• # 144: Ruger Rimfire World Championships
• # 145: Suppressors
• # 146: 3 Gun Challenge
• #147: Survival Trial
• #148: IDPA World Championships
• #149: 2011 Knob Creek
• #150: Brazil
• #151: Full Custom
• #152: Tombstone Reenacted
• #153: Hollywood Guns
• #154: Future Guns
• #155: Ballistics
• #156: Zero to Hero

The Best Defense #45 (Episode 6 – Season 4)

Air times on Outdoor Channel: 02-01-12 at 7:30PM | 02-01-12 at 11:30PM | 02-02-12 at 2:30AM, all times Eastern.

Show Sponsors:

MidwayUSA * Ruger

Episode Reference Links:

• VISIT THE BEST DEFENSE BOARD ON THE DRTV FORUM
• Michael Janich – Martial Blade Concepts systems of Self-Defense and Personal Protection
• Spyderco
• Midway USA’s Video Library (including Defense Firearms Performance)
• Mike Seeklander’s Shooting-Performance
• US Shooting Academy
• Self Defense and the Law (Interview with Marty Hayes)
• Ruger SR9C
• SaferPacker

Episodes Season 4:

• #40 Flash Mobs
• #41 Concealed Carry Gone Wrong
• #42 Woman and Child Followed Home
• #44 The Tueller Drill
• #45 Husband and Wife Attacked
• #46 Bump and Rob

Madison, NC

Founded in 1985, Para has built a solid and enviable reputation for innovation, performance and reliability.

Firearms enthusiasts, serious shooting competitors and law enforcement agencies choose with confidence from a wide and growing variety of Para pistols. Para’s revolutionary high capacity frame and light double action ( LDA ™) trigger systems, are part of the innovation that Para has brought to the world famous 1911 design.

“We welcome Para into the Freedom Group Family of Companies,” stated. E. Scott Blackwell, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Freedom Group Inc.

“Para USA is a leader in handgun technology and their fine products exemplify quality, innovation and performance. Para is a perfect complement to our industry-leading family of brands, and our success in 2011 with the Remington R1 – 1911. We look forward to deploying both human and financial resources to continue to develop and supply current and future handguns for consumers and our channel partners. We also wish to thank all its employees for their continued dedication that has made Para a success.”

Para will continue day-to-day operations at their Pineville, NC based facility. Visit: www.paraord.com

About Freedom Group, Inc.
Freedom Group is the world’s leading innovator, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of firearms, ammunition, and related products for the hunting, shooting sports, law enforcement, and military markets. As one of the largest manufacturers in the world of firearms and ammunition, we have some of the most globally recognized brands including Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, Parker, Mountain Khakis, AAC, and Dakota. The Company distributes its products throughout the U.S. and in over 80 foreign countries. More information about the Company can be found at www.freedom-group.com.

Fabricated from solid aircraft-grade aluminum, the ACP sports M1913 rails at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions with a full-length top rail at the 12 o’clock position. Compatible accessories such as lights, red dot sights and lasers can be mounted for additional functionality.

“The ACP brings Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) features to almost any handgun,” said Bud Fini, SIG SAUER Vice President of Marketing. “For law enforcement or executive protection details looking for the quick deployment of a carbine or SMG, but with the controllability of a handgun, the ACP offers everything in one package.”

An integral hand stop permits the user to get a forward grip without the danger of covering the muzzle. The integral quick-detachable sling mounts allow an ACP-equipped pistol to be carried on a sling for fast access.

The new SIG SAUER ACP allows the shooter access to the pistol’s frame mounted controls, providing an easy training transition and familiar manual of arms. The ACP is also compatible with most sound suppressors.

The ACP is available in three models:

• ACP – This basic model allows for fast, easy conversion and works with most railed pistols.
• ACP-Enhanced – The Enhanced version includes the new SIG SAUER MIL-GRADE Mini Red Dot Sight, a quick detachable sling swivel and a Single Point Bungee Sling.
• ACP-LE – This National Firearms Act-regulated military/law enforcement model features a top-folding shoulder stock. Civilian purchasers must comply with the requirements for registering a short-barreled rifle.

SIG SAUER, Inc. is the largest member of a worldwide business group of firearms manufacturers that includes SIG SAUER GmbH in Germany and Swiss Arms AG in Switzerland. This global network of companies gives SIG SAUER a world-class firearms knowledge base, unparalleled design expertise, and extensive manufacturing capacity, enabling the company to respond quickly and effectively to changing market conditions and the needs of its military, law enforcement, and commercial markets worldwide. SIG SAUER is an ISO 9001: 2008 certified company with over 500 employees. For more information on SIG SAUER, any of its products, or the SIG SAUER Academy™, log on to www.sigsauer.com.

Available in a full-length 5” barreled version and a 4” carry model, the Fastback’s smooth grip lines won’t protrude against cover garments or push into the ribs when carried concealed.

The all-stainless-steel Fastback frame has been reengineered from the ground up to reduce its grip signature, while still maintaining the same feel and control of the original 1911 platform.

Initial offerings include the 1911 Fastback Nightmare, using natural stainless controls, grip screws and barrel bushing against the deep black of the durable Nitron® finish. The look is finished off with Hogue® double diamond black G-10 grips and low-profile SIGLITE® Night Sights.

Unchanged 1911 features include the match-grade sear, barrel and trigger components. A skeletonized hammer and trigger with an overtravel adjustment screw are also left in natural stainless. The Fastback Rosewood comes with a natural stainless slide, and a Nitron finished stainless steel frame, Hogue Rosewood double diamond grips and SIGLITE Night Sights.

For more on SIG SAUER, please visit www.sigsauer.com .

“We’re really excited about moving our Master Catalog to a digital edition for our Customers,” says Aaron Oelger, Vice President of Marketing. “Over the last few weeks, I’ve been using this catalog on my iPad to search for products and I understand how the digital edition will improve the shopping experience for our Customers.”

There are over 1,040 pages in this new digital edition, complete with color photographs, firearm schematics, reference charts, detailed product information, and an extensive index to help you find exactly what you need. You can even download these files to your tablet, laptop or smartphone and take the MidwayUSA Master Catalog with you everywhere you go! You can download the digital edition by clicking the Catalog Center on www.midwayusa.com and selecting MidwayUSA Master Catalog #35.

About MidwayUSA
MidwayUSA (http://www.midwayusa.com) is a family-owned catalog and internet retailer specializing in Just About Everything℠ for Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing and Hunting. Now celebrating our 35th Anniversary, Larry and Brenda Potterfield turned their passion for shooting sports into a career in 1977 by opening a small retail firearms store that would eventually become MidwayUSA. MidwayUSA is still owned by the Potterfield Family and Customer Satisfaction is still our Number One Goal. For more information about MidwayUSA, please visit our website or call 800-243-3220.

464 ZMB Lever-Action Rifle – Based on the time-proven, Mossberg 464 lever-action platform, this rifle has quick-adjusting, tactical-style 6-position synthetic stock; Picatinny tri-rail forend with rubber ladder rail covers; durable black oxide receiver; compact 16 ¼-inch barrel with removable A-2 style flash suppressor; adjustable 3-dot fiber optic sights; front and rear sling swivel studs; six-round total capacity; matte blued metal finishes; and drilled/tapped receiver with scope rail included.

500 ZMB 8-Shot Pump-Action Shotgun – At the core of this ZMB Series gun is the 500 Persuader®. This 12 gauge, 3-inch pump-action has a standard full-length black synthetic stock; tactical Picatinny-compatible tri-rail forend; extended mag tube for 8-round total capacity; 20-inch cylinder bore barrel with bead sight; matte black metal finishes; drilled and tapped receiver; sling swivel studs; and handy black padded sling. This versatile 500 platform can easily be customized for your individual needs.

500 Chainsaw ZMB Series 6-Shot Pump-Action Shotgun – This 12 gauge, 3-inch 500 Cruiser® has distinctive, chainsaw-style forend grip; ergonomic pistol grip stock and tactical tri-rail forend with integral full-length bottom rail and removable side rails. Pistol grip and forend are molded of durable synthetic with matte black finish. Better balance and ease of maneuverability are achieved with the compact 18 ½ inch stand-off barrel with single white dot sight. Other standard features on the 500 Chainsaw ZMB include matte black metal finishes; drilled and tapped receiver; sling swivel studs; padded sling; and 6-round total capacity. Completing this full-featured package is a laser and light combo.

About O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
Founded in 1919, O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. is the oldest family-owned firearms manufacturer in America, and is the largest pump-action shotgun manufacturer in the world. Leading the way with over 100 design and utility patents to its credit, and standing as the first ISO 9001 Certified long-gun manufacturer, Mossberg is considered to be one of the most innovative firearms manufacturers in U.S. History. For more information on commercial, special purpose, law enforcement and military shotguns, rifles and accessories, please visit their website at www.mossberg.com.