WED | JANUARY 4, 2023

A federal lawsuit supported by the Second Amendment Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition has been filed in New York, challenging that state’s ban on so-called “assault weapons.” Plaintiffs are represented by SAF and FPC attorneys.
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms has filed an amicus brief in support of Junior Sports Magazines, Inc., in a First Amendment challenge of a California law that prohibits “advertising or marketing communication concerning any firearm-related product in a manner that is designed, intended, or reasonably appears to be attractive to minors.”
Blaser Group will be joined by Blaser Safaris at the Dallas Safari Club Convention and Expo January 5-8, 2023, as they showcase world-class safari destinations in addition to the newest products from the Blaser, Mauser, Sauer, and Liemke Thermal Optics lines.

X-Vision Optics and its line-up of thermal optics and infrared products will be on display in booth #1309 at the Big Rock Sports Outdoor Expo, in Nashville, Tennessee from January 4-6, 2023. X-Vision Optics will feature a new line-up of thermal products at the Big Rocks Sports Tradeshow.
Hauptman Firearms of Ferlach, Austria will exhibit at the upcoming Dallas Safari Club Convention January 5-8, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. Products on display will include their line of hand-made firearms featuring their unique Triple SxSxS shotgun, available in 28ga and 410.
Hornady will be attending the Dallas Safari Club Convention, January 5-8, 2023, at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, TX in booth #4413.

The MSX suppressors by Maxim Defense is specifically designed to minimize the increase in cyclic rate and gas blowback of a suppressed firearm. The primary design features include the significant reduction of sound signature, decreasing flash signature, reduced recoil and an increase in accuracy.
The Headrest Safe Company announce The Headrest Safe, the standard for anti-theft vehicle safes. The Headrest Safe™ is completely covered in 1/2-inch foam rubber and the safe itself is made of 18-gauge steel with a 16-gauge steel door.
International Case Co., exclusive Distributor for Negrini Cases, Sea Run Cases and StilCrin Cleaning products is pleased to announce their exclusive partnership with Contessa SRL of Italy, and will become the North American Distributor for all Contessa optic mounting solutions.

Venom USA Ammo announces a new loading facility to come online in Q2 of 2023 is now actively accepting new dealer applications through its new website www.venom-usa.com.
Otis Technology is pleased to announce a new sales partnership with Simpson Sales Company, Inc., providing Otis Technology and Shooter’s Choice with additional sales support across the Southeastern United States.
Blaser Group is pleased to announce Field & Stream has named the new Mauser M18 Savanna ‘Best Value’ in their 2022 rifle test. After handling and shooting it, the test team said they expected it to cost twice its suggested price of $849.99.
Nosler, Inc.announced the promotion of John Nason to the role of Sr. Business Development Manager. Nason joined Nosler in the spring of 2022 to lead industry relations and assist in the implementation of a business development division within the organization.
Warne’s former President and VP of Operations, Brian Motland, assumes the position of Chief Executive Officer, replacing retiring CEO Dan Goetz.
Smith & Wesson Brands announces a new and improved American Guardians program to more generously reward those who serve and protect. The program offers specially priced firearms for Law Enforcement, Military, and First Responders through a network of Authorized Dealers.

HeadHunters NW are seeking a vice president of business development for a retained search. In addition, HeadHunters NW introduced a vice president of recruitment and a creative director to its own team of professionals.
Maxim Defense, manufacturer of precision firearms, suppressors, and accessories, announces that Bobby Plowfield has joined the company as Senior Director of Distribution Sales.
Patriot Ordnance Factory Inc., a leading provider and manufacturer of the finest AR-type rifles on the United States commercial market, is pleased to announce a partnership with ExpertVoice. ExpertVoice, an advocacy platform, offers brands a scalable solution to grow awareness and increase sales by educating retail staff through their programs.

Nosler, Inc. announced the promotion of Madi Woodward to the role of Brand Marketing Manager. Woodward assumes the new role after holding several different titles within the marketing department over the past couple years at Nosler.
Silencer Central announced their attendance at the Dallas Safari Club Annual Convention and Expo as a Diamond Sponsor. From January 5-8, 2023, Silencer Central will present their suppressors, including the new Banish Backcountry, in Dallas alongside exhibitors from across the world.
Knife Rights' Repeal of Pennsylvania's ban on possession and carry of Switchblade Knives took effect on Monday, January 2, 2023. Manufacture and sale of automatic knives in the state is also now legal.
This steel framed SFx Rival-S pistol is the evolution of the multi-award winning Canik SFx Rival in that the ergonomics of the platform are the same but now the firearm is an all metal design.
Christensen Arms announced that they are now offering Flash Forged Technology upgrade kits for select original models.
Patriot Ordnance Factory Inc., a provider and manufacturer of AR-type rifles, announced their first lever-action rifle platform, the Tombstone.
Personnel of Military Products Inc, booth number #14427, will be excited to see old friends and make new ones at the 2023 Shot Show. The team has been working to provide new solutions for the American warrior and professional retailer.
On November 29, MidwayUSA Foundation had a record-breaking Giving Tuesday by receiving the largest amount of donation dollars for youth shooting sports since beginning their Giving Tuesday campaigns in 2017.
Bill Wilson, Founder and President of Wilson Combat is the 2023 National Rifle Association Golden Bullseye Awards Pioneer recipient.
NRA Publications’ 2023 Golden Bullseye Awards have been announced. The Golden Bullseye Awards recognize the firearm industry’s top products as voted on by NRA Publications’ editors.
CONCEALMENT Magazine, a publication of CMG West, LLC, has released its latest issue, number 30, with columns on revolvers, a review of the FN 509 CC Edge and more.
Davidson’s, one of the nation’s top firearms, ammunition, optics, and accessories wholesalers, has collaborated with GLOCK, Holosun Technologies, and Gunsite Academy to produce the exclusive Gunsite GLOCK Service Pistol (GGSP).
MidwayUSA is pleased to announce Accurate-Mag as one of the latest additions to their offering of rifle chassis and magazines.
Used in place of the Ruger American magazine in short-action rifles, the One-Shot sled allows for quick and easy loading of a single cartridge. The sled can be a useful tool to slow down a new shooter or to simplify loading during range sessions. It is also ideal for hunting – particularly in states with single-shot hunting regulations, such as Illinois.
AMMO, Inc., along with GunBroker.com, will be attending the 2023 SHOT Show, January 17-20, at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV.
 

On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, the Cylinder & Slide page on Facebook posted an announcement. “Cylinder and Slide would like to announce that after 44+ years of business, we are ceasing operations. We would like to thank our countless customers and fellow industry partners for all their support and assistance throughout all these years … Please congratulate Bill on being able to finally retire!”

While Fremont, Nebraska is a bit of a ride from my location, it was still the “local custom shop” for many of us over the decades. Shooting pard Mike Rafferty was known to purchase parts from Bill Laughridge at the Cylinder & Slide booth at the Wanenmacher Tulsa Gun Show – and to discuss the application of the parts as well as gaining knowledge from the crafty gunsmith.

My exposure to his craft had largely come from reading about it. That ended in 2004. When I turned fifty, my lovely bride – who puts up with me still to this day – purchased a 1981 model nickeled four-inch Python for me. It needed a little work and, after some correspondence, off to Cylinder & Slide it went.

I wanted a target sight setup (not the Accro and ramp, but an Elliason and patridge front). Mike Rafferty had a front sight that had originally been destined for an Officers Model Match in his toy box. He passed it on to me. I committed a relentless search for a Colt Elliason rear sight. It was fruitless. Bill told me to check with Keng’s Firearms Specialty, Inc. They offered a “Drop-In Replacement Sight for Colt® Elliason® and Accro® Sights.”

When the gun arrived, I was told the timing was slow and the cylinder had end shake. The headspace was oversize at .013 (should have been .007” - .008”). The hammer was striking the rebound lever.

Above, the nickel four-inch Python features the custom work of Cylinder & Slide with custom fitted Hogue stocks. Below, the M92 Beretta shown was built for military match use.

The Cylinder & Slide wizards removed the endshake and retimed the piece. They also increased firing pin protrusion to make up for the open headspace. A “Super Action Job” was done and they corrected the hammer strike on the rebound lever.

The Champion Gunsights and the original Colt partridge front sight were installed. Bill noted that the crown on the barrel was slightly crooked, but didn’t correct it due to the original nickel finish. The gun was test fired with two boxes of Winchester ammunition, 158 grain JHP (which yielded an extremely tight group) and 125 grain JHP (which was shot during sight-in). Both groups were fired double action.

My new-old Python came back with a 3 ½ pound single action pull, down from nearly six pounds. The double action trigger exhibited no stacking, and pulled straight through smoothly at 7 ¼ pounds, an even three pounds less than original.

The gun was then re-wrapped and shipped to Pat Hogue to be fitted for new stocks while leather goods artisan Mark Garrity set about producing an “Enforcer” Belt Scabbard. Made with the 1 ½” belt loops my belts require, the exterior front of the holster is genuine python. Flashy looking, Mark told me that shark or stingray is more durable.

Pat Hogue installed and fitted a smooth stock made of Goncalo Alves. The precision-fitted Monogrip had an “accent stripe” separating the contrasting butt cap from the rest of the stock. The “Monogrip” was smooth, devoid of any grip enhancing checkering. The Hogue hardwood stocks were precision inlet on modern computerized machinery (CNC) then hand finished on my actual revolver frame, assuring a proper fit.

Bill Laughridge was the winner of the 2005 Pistolsmith of the Year award. Bestowed by the American Pistolsmith Guild, Inc., this is a prestigious award that given in appreciation of Bill’s “contribution to the profession of pistolsmithing.”

At that time, Bill had been involved in gun work for around 35 years. He started out in general gunsmithing. “It started out as a hobby, then I worked part-time on guns to support my gun hobby.” He went full-time working for a sporting goods store that was trying to build its gun trade.

Why did he become a pistolsmith, as opposed to general smithing? “It’s what I really like. Handguns are my real interest. I shoot and work on rifles and shotguns, but I really like handguns.”

Cylinder and Slide, as the name reveals, was always a pistol shop.

I did a piece for a print publication in 2005 about a match-built M92 Beretta. Cylinder and Slide prepared it for military match competition. Some high adjustable sights, a custom-fitted Bar Sto stainless steel barrel, a Cylinder and Slide trigger pull kit and stippling on the grip frame make a match ball gun out of the M92 Beretta. The front sight was a “cap” that fits atop the trimmed factory front sight. It’s pinned in place.

That’s innovation. And that was Cylinder & Slide.

Happy retirement Bill – it’s been a swell run.

Above, Bill Wilson the Pioneer in 1980, shooting one of his customized 1911s. Below, Bill Wilson today (in a Wilson Combat photo) with a modern Wilson Combat pistol -- still at it.

In the ‘current events’ department, friend Bill Wilson – founder of Wilson Combat – was named the recipient of the 2023 National Rifle Association Pioneer Award.

Starting as a revolver and pistol competitor, he set about to customize factory guns to help win trophies. As he progressed, he was asked to take in the guns of others. Before long, he had a thriving parts business to boot. From there, it was ammo development (something that’s recently continued with the acquisition of Lehigh Defense) and fabricating his own guns, frames and all.

At the top of his game, his company is the “custom shop to beat” – if you can. His success is at least partly because he’s a seasoned trigger puller and shooting enthusiast. A hunter, competitor, a gunsmith, a designer, a business owner, a founder of IDPA and a database of firearms knowledge, Bill richly deserved this award.

Congratulations, pard.

-- Rich Grassi

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