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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

- TOP STORY -
Following days of pressure to act, the International Olympic Committee has announced the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to 2021. The decision was based on the global health and safety issues of the Coronavirus and the impact the pandemic has had on athletes and their training regimen. In today’s Shooting Wire, USA Archery has the first reactions from the United States’ Olympians and Paralympians on the postponement.
- ACQUISITIONS -
Privately-held American Holoptics has signed a definitive agreement to acquire EOTech from L3Harris. American Holoptics is a subsidiary of Kouchar Management, whose other acquisitions include Elite Defense and HEL Technologies.
- AMMUNITION -
Since its introduction, 13 Olympic cycles ago, ELEY tenex has helped athletes all over the world win 125 Olympic medals in shooting sports. There are a lot of factors that go into the production of ELEY ammunition.

- CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENTS -
In light of nationwide efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19, SLG², Inc, DBA: Shoot Like a Girl (SLG), has postponed the upcoming event in Pearl, Mississippi.
Effective immediately, all Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) shoots, dinners and community outreach events scheduled through April are being rescheduled.
B.A.S.S. officials announce they have postponed the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama originally scheduled for April 2-5.
- COMPETITION -
Leupold Core Team Members Jon Pynch and Matt Hornback took 1st and 2nd place, respectively, at the National Rifle League’s Bighorn Steel Classic, held March 13-15 in Nehawka, Nebraska.

Ranger Boats pro angler Jason Abram won the FLW Pro Circuit event at Lake Martin, taking $100,000 first-place prize, plus an extra $25,000 from the Ranger Cup contingency program.
Despite entering the final round 19 pounds behind the leader, Humminbird® and Minn Kota® pro, Ott DeFoe came from behind to check off his first win on the Bass Pro Tour in exciting fashion last week in Texas.
The Owensboro Convention Center was the selected venue for the 2020 Kentucky S3DA Indoor State Championship and boasted a record breaking five-hundred and thirteen archers.
Spencer Sports Center at Wabash Valley College was host to the Illinois S3DA Indoor State Archery Championship. With over six hundred plus spectators, the facility was filled with nearly one hundred fifty competitors from nine clubs and eight teams.

- ENFORCEMENT -
Agents found the men in possession of 12 red drum under the legal size limit of 16 inches, seven red drum over the daily limit and eight black drum under the legal size limit of 16 inches. Agents also discovered that neither men possessed fishing licenses.
- FIREARMS -
SIG SAUER, Inc. introduces the 716i TREAD, a direct impingement AR-10 platform rifle that provides versatility for long range shooting and hunting while maintaining a lightweight design for easy carry.
- FISHERIES -
This delay will allow the Louisiana Widlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) to gather public input and set the season at their May 7, 2020 meeting.
- HUNTING -
Youth spring turkey hunting weekend is April 25 and 26 this year, and the regular spring turkey season is May 1-31.

- INDUSTRY -
Greg Easton, President of Jas. D. Easton, announced today that Easton’s Vice President of Finance, Aaron Lucky, has been named as the new president of Easton Technical Products effective March 19, 2020.
SI-TEX Marine Electronics is temporarily closing its Long Island, New York headquarters, in order to comply with a mandate from New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo that all “non-essential businesses” in the state halt work activities to help slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
Nomad's Stretch-Lite Pant, Leafy ¼ zip Top, Leafy Pants, and Turkey Vest give hunters the best in lightweight performance that's built to perform in the woods.
Heybo Outdoors – a rapidly growing outdoor lifestyle, hunting and fishing apparel brand – is releasing its Wanderer series with an assortment of all-new garments including a quarter zip, crewneck, polo, pant and shorts for Spring 2020.

Gear up for spring hunts with Delta McKenzie’s line of Turkey 3D targets. Available in four realistic models: the Strutting Pro Turkey, the Gobbling Pro Turkey, the Alert Turkey, andthe Backyard Strutter.
Dryshod introduces the Shredder MXT, delivering all the core features of the original Shredder waterproof hunting boot but comes with the all-new MXT outsole.
Hogue Knives announced their tritium infused Out the Front Automatic Knives. Select Hogue Out the Front Knives have been enhanced by incorporating tritium triggers. Tritium in a knife allows the user to immediately locate and orient the knife in low to no-light conditions.
Blackhawk announced that it has expanded its popular line of T-Series holsters with the introduction of its first Level 2 Compact (L2C) Light Bearing Holster compatible with the Glock 17 and Streamlight TLR-7 and TLR-8 pistol light.

- NEWS -
SAR USA by Sarsilmaz announces the introduction of new B6C compact pistol frame colors: Flat Dark Earth and OD Green.
- NOTICES -
Renovations have begun on the White’s Bridge Public Boat Ramp on Harris Reservoir in Randolph County, Alabama. The facility will remain closed until approximately May 2020, when it will temporarily reopen for summer.
- ONLINE -
Outdoor Action TV is excited to now be streaming “Focused Outdoor TV," located in the Upper Midwest where they showcase Pheasant Hunts, Walleye tournaments, and visits to Wisconsin, South Dakota and more
Humminbird® and Minn Kota® will air the second installment of the One-Boat Challenge four-part web series on Thursday, March 26.
- ORGANIZATIONS -
The Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) recently allocated $167,685 in Hunting Heritage Super Funds for wild turkey projects in Alabama.
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is adjusting its national lineup of conservation dinners, shoots, youth outreach events and Work Boots on the Ground projects based on Centers for Disease Control guidelines aimed at slowing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The Second Amendment Foundation is applauding Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to recognize that gun dealers are essential to public safety, and has updated the list of life sustaining businesses to allow Keystone State gun owners to exercise their fundamental constitutional rights.
- PUBLISHING -
MidwayUSA is excited to announce the release of "Quail Season 2019", a short story by Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA.
- RECOGNITION -
The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is pleased to name Matt Knox of Virginia the 2020 recipient of the Joe Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sportfishing’s biggest stage was used to recognize the incredible philanthropic work done by anglers around the country when B.A.S.S. honored the inaugural winner of the C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award during the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
- REGULATION -
Iowa's hunting and fishing regulations are not affected by the current COVID-19 health emergency in Iowa. Despite rumors on social media channels, the DNR has no plans to eliminate seasons, relax regulations or change license prices.
- SAFETY -
Protecting yourself during the COVID-19 national pandemic starts with following the guidance from our state and national health experts – maintain at least six feet between each other, wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds, cover your cough, stay home if you feel sick and avoid groups of 10 or more people.
- STATE PARKS -
Caves closed seasonally for bat hibernation at Maquoketa Caves State Park
- STATES -
While staying home during the epidemic is the best plan, getting outdoors in Wisconsin's parks can also be beneficial so long as cautions are observed.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Conservation Commission announce they are temporarily waiving permit requirements for sport fishing and daily trout tags for Missouri residents and nonresidents whose fishing privileges are not otherwise suspended.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has canceled its April 2nd meeting because of health concerns arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
- TELEVISION -
Entering its 16th season, North American Whitetail airing Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Sportsman Channel is among the most-popular and longest running shows on outdoor television.
Shooting USA treks to Utah for the rifle competition that’s exploring the new limits of ethical long-range hunting, the Hornady Precision Rifle Challenge.
- WASHINGTON -
NMMA is actively working in partnership with marine industry stakeholders and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) to call on Congress and the administration to address imminent needs of the recreational boating and broader outdoor recreation industry in forthcoming federal relief packages to support small businesses and protect employees.
 

After a few days of solitude, the sound of silence can be deafening.

So, I decided to: 1) get away from the television, radio or news sites for a few hours, 2) find something to “do” on my workbench.

Ordinarily, spare time is an excuse to get outside. Major thunderstorms discouraged that, so I decided to hit the garage/workbench instead.

I found a mess.

My workbench was buried under stuff. Parts, pieces, boxes, tools and assorted things used, then not put back in their assigned spaces. That little pick up/put up/straighten up project morphed into maintenance as I picked up an EOTech sight and realized the battery was dead. Based on the presumption that other power tools were likely in the same situation, my first project pretty much self-selected.

Over an hour later, I had done replacements on a few pieces of gear. Fortunately, none of them had done the old-school battery leak. Having lost a few cheap flashlights to battery corrosion, I was more than happy with the job of changing out much more reliable, longer-lasting batteries —even if they’re significantly pricier.

After all my optics were up and functioning, the remaining batteries in my spares inventory were all verified or tossed.

The changeovers reminded me why there’s no substitute for having a good, multi-voltage battery tester. Testing anything AA to AAA to 9-volt and lithiums of all shapes and sizes from CR123s to button-sized 1632s make that point quickly.

In the course of straightening the bench, I came across a couple of dull knives. I’m not good at sharpening knives, so I use one until it’s dull, then pull another from my assortment of knives

When I spotted a favorite, I pulled out my secret weapon for knife sharpening -a Work Sharp Knife Sharpener (worksharptools.com). I bought mine several years ago because I’d been told that “even I” could sharpen a knife using it.

It’s true. I’ve sharpened everything from pocket knives to bayonets, scissors, axes and lawnmower blades. After plugging it in and sharpening my knives, I got busy and sharpened my lawn tools, too. Eventually it will stop raining; then I’ll find myself in hand-to-weed combat.

From there, I moved on to the project I’d had in mind when I decided to visit the workbench.

Since getting one of Ruger’s Charger 9mm pistols, I’ve been trying red-dot sights, slings, and folding arm braces.

But I haven’t been able to get personal clarity on whether this Charger is the continuation of Ruger’s long-established Charger .22 caliber line into centerfire calibers, or it is the pistol version of their equally-successful PC Carbine line. I own and enjoy both.

But I struggle with the 9mm Charger’s “pistol” description like I do with AR-pistols.

They’re pistols, like a maharajah’s howdah. Ungainly at best, unmanageable for many.

They’re shootable in the split-grip SBR rifle position, when using an arm brace, or “pushed out” against a sling.

Being an all-in proponent of the two-handed pistol technique, I’m not advocating going back to the old one-handed style for practical shooting. But I grew up watching cowboys protect the west using pistols fired with one hand. One of my core beliefs is that a pistol can be fired accurately using only one hand.

The Charger 9mm, like the AR-pistols, isn’t exactly handy in that pure pistol position. Its aluminum chassis is essentially a 9mm PC Carbine, sans stock.

No one’s going to mis-categorize that chassis in the small, light pistol category.

Luth-AR’s Chubby Grip(above) is designed to give rifle shooters a solid, repeatable hand position. The principle’s the same on the Charger 9mm pistol, except the increased grip area encourages a more firm- and stronger- hand position. It works, even though the result looks a little off-center (below) Jim Shepherd/OWDN photos.

Yesterday, in a box of assorted AR “stuff” by my tool bench, I found a solution.

And it was a simple fix.

Removing Ruger’s stock pistol grip, I replaced it with a Luth Chubby Grip (luth-ar.com).

The Chubby is designed to give AR-shooters a very consistent, more ergonomic grip. After running a Chubby on my long-distance 6.8 PRS rifle, I know it works.

Since the Charger 9mm takes the same AR-style grip I thought, why not?

If it didn’t help, putting it back into the stock configuration wouldn’t be tough. There’s not much chance I’m going back to the stock grip.

The thumb rest and palm shelf lock my hand into the same strong position every time I grip the gun. It improved my long distance shooting by simplifying my setup. Grip it firmly my shooting hand and trigger finger are in solid positions.

The same Chubby grip that makes my rifle grip more stable also gives more surface area into contact with the grip on the Charger.

More surface area means a firmer grip. Plus, the thumb shelf gives me additional leverage to make my one-handed grip even more stable.

Granted, the shape of Luth’s Chubby is different -and the Charger looks a bit off-kilter when viewed from the rear. But that’s OK.

My goal was to make it more accurate, not more attractive. I have some ideas on that, too, but they’re for another time.

—Jim Shepherd

 
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