The Social Media Reload: July 24, 2015

Gone are the days of newspapers, magazines and network television. Social media is today’s top source for news, entertainment and information. But with the quick pace of trending topics and 140-character updates, unless you live online, you’re bound to miss something. Luckily for you, that’s my job. The Social Media Reload features the most popular, interesting, entertaining and controversial content in the firearms and outdoors industry from the past week and repackages it into a quick list with a bang. Read on and see what you missed this week.

TOO YOUNG TO SHOOT
A hidden camera show, ‘What Would You Do?’ features ABC News correspondent John Quiñones as he “observes and comments on how ordinary people behave when they are confronted with dilemmas that require them either to take action or to walk by and mind their own business.” In a recent episode, Quiñones and a group of actors, including seven-year-old Will, take on the hot-button topic of kids and firearms in a Texas gun shop. As the video depicts, while the female actor, Kerbey, is a gun owner herself, she believes Will is still too young to shoot. However, to her “surprise,” patron after patron approach the overheard situation with praise for Will and father-actor, Greg, as long as the parent has and passes on the proper training. Of course, it’s important to note again that all of this took place in Texas, one of the most gun-friendly states in the nation. What would you do if you found yourself in this situation?

BEST STATES FOR GUN OWNERS
Speaking of gun-friendly states, Guns & Ammo has put together their 2015 list of the ‘Best States for Gun Owners.’ After conducting a thorough review of each state’s laws and pending initiatives, “states were ranked numerically in each of five categories: right-to-carry, right to own “black rifles” (i.e., firearms possessing a tactical appearance), presence of the Castle Doctrine, subjects relating to the NFA and a catchall miscellaneous column.” Listed worst to first, Washington, D.C. (technically a federal district) brings up the rear at No. 51 for the second consecutive year, followed by New York (No. 50) and New Jersey (No. 49). The Golden State checks in at No. 46, Colorado at No. 37, South Dakota and North Dakota at No. 27 and 26, respectively, and Texas at No. 15. The top ten includes New Hampshire (No. 10), Alabama (No. 7), Kentucky (No. 5), and Alaska (No. 3) with the best state for gun owners again claimed by Arizona at No. 1. View the full list and see where your home state ranks and why.

EXPERTS DEBUNK SELF-DEFENSE MYTHS
If you’ve spent any time on YouTube or blogs, chances are you’ve watched videos or read articles on defensive firearms training. However, as the old adage goes, you can’t believe everything you read (or see, for that matter). To combat and debunk common self-defense myths, Lucky Gunner reached out to nearly a dozen respected experts and instructors, including Ballistic Radio host John Johnston, Massad Ayoob, and Personal Defense Network partner Rob Pincus, “to get their take on which of these ideas and myths they believe are the most damaging.” Among those ideas and myths discussed are combat effective hits, waiting to draw your firearm, operating under stress, women in training courses and timed drills. As civilian defensive firearms training continues to grow and change, it could be a matter of life and death if these common misconceptions refuse to die.

Have you watched or read something interesting, entertaining or controversial on social media this week? Shoot us a link in a comment below and stay up to date with the best of each week with our Social Media Reload archive.

The Bersa Firestorm .380 Available Again in California

Eagle Imports, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Metro Arms, Bersa, Comanche and Grand Power firearms products, is proud to announce the return of the Firestorm .380 for sale in California.

Back by popular demand, the .380 Firestorm is designed to meet the needs for home defense, concealed carry and law enforcement. The compact, double-action pistol features a slim design combined with a perfectly balanced weight and a positive grip. The ultra-smooth action delivers accuracy, reliability and confidence.

The Firestorm .380 is built on an alloy frame with a steel slide and includes manual safety, magazine disconnect and firing pin safety. It is available in Matte Black.

Bersa Firestorm .380  Specifications:

Model:                                 FS380M
Caliber:                                .380 ACP
Action:                                 DA/SA
Capacity:                             7+1
Barrel Length:                 3.5”
Front Sight:                       Blade integral with slide
Rear Sight:                         White outline target
Finishes:                              Matte Black
Grips:                                    Rubber wrap around
Construction:                   Alloy frame/steel slide
Safety:                                 Firing Pin, Manual, Magazine Disconnect
Weight:                                 20 oz.
Length:                                 6.6”
Height:                                  4.9”
Width:                                   1.3”
MSRP:                                   $320.00

For more information on the Bersa Firestorm .380, visit www.bersa.com or contact your favorite firearms retailer today to see one in person.

AGI Earthquake – Sale!

Special Message from AGI President Gene Kelly

Where: AGI – Napa CA.

Sunday, August 24th, 2014 at 3:23am we were hit with a thunderous earthquake that rumbled through our home and business like a Freight Train! My wife and I instantly grabbed on to each other holding on for life and for about 20 seconds rode this fierce Bucking bronco. The whole time we are listening to glass shatter and who knows what falling over in a total storm. When it happened first there was a “CRACK,” then a shaking that grows stronger and stronger until finally it was like a train that rumbled past and is continuing onward.  EARTHQUAKE your mind screams, then as suddenly as it started, it stops.

We quickly get up putting on shoes to protect our feet from all the broken glass, fumbling for the flashlights we keep nearby, as the power outage emergency lights provide a soft glow. We are yelling for our only son, who’s bedroom is upstairs and are deeply relieved to hear him call back that he is O.K.

We check out the house quickly probing the dark with our flashlights. Checking for broken gas lines or water lines, trying to assess the situation as well as we can in just a couple of minutes. Broken glass is everywhere as all the kitchen cabinets have disgorged their entire contents crashing on to the floor or the counters and smashing into bits. It impassable. Curio Cabinets have toppled over shattering collections of figurines and precious treasure collected from around the world over the last thirty years. My wife sobs as she finds family heirlooms broken beyond recognition.

The power is out, the phone systems are down. Using our cellphones we text family members around the area, but we can’t reach my parents. After checking on our neighbors and having my wife stay huddled together with them in the dark with flashlights, my son and I jump in the truck and drive to my parent’s house about 5 miles away. Thank the Lord they are O.K. as they are in their 80’s so I was worried that they could have gotten trapped or have a heart-attack. Until you have experienced it you can’t imagine how an entire house can be tossed about like laundry in a dryer. It is an unrecognizable mess.

After we made sure they were safe, we quickly checked on the elderly neighbors, then traveled a bit further to check on our old friends in the old neighborhood. Thankfully everyone is physically O.K., but they are really emotionally shaken. Finally we go by the offices and the warehouse. What a mess. Shelving units have collapsed, the lathe has fallen over along with tool boxes, computers are askance and everything is a mess. But at least the building isn’t burning as some others are just in the distance.

This is the Earthquake we just experienced. We spent the next 12 hours cleaning and grieving over possessions lost. Our own home suffered damage, we had almost all of our glassware destroyed along with about half of our collectibles. The PVC pipes to our well broke at the seams so our water system is unusable. Thankfully I have prepared and have back up water jugs. As we continued to clean-up, I put over 200 lbs of broken glass in the garbage. We have lots more to do, plus significant repairs to fix the numerous cracks in the walls. What a day! It will be shadowing us for quite some time as they have warned us that there is a 50% chance of an equal size earthquake in the next week or so.

Bam!! We just had another after shock. Kind of keeps you on edge.

I want to thank all of you who have contacted us concerned about our situation. The good news is that even though we suffered damage to our facilities and our personal homes, no-one was severely injured! We find comfort by reminding ourselves that stuff is just stuff and we are all alive and will get over it.

But, we do have a LOT of repairs to do. One of our employees was taking pictures for the “Insurance.” I thanked her, but then had to tell her that we don’t have insurance that covers Earthquakes.  Not for the business and not for the home. It is hard to get, expensive and has a huge deducible if you do get it, so no one carries it.

So, to raise some quick cash, I am offering all of you a 33% Discount off of the Retail price of ANY AGI course we offer.  That is about 1/3 off! I am doing this to quickly raise cash to make repairs and keep our employees working. This Sale is only for the next seven (7) days. Does NOT apply to any previous sale. This is truly a disaster and supersedes all other offers, final price will be adjusted by our staff upon order review. Please go to www.AmericanGunsmith.com to find a list of our products. Use the code: SHAKE14

Or call us at 1-800-797-0867 to find out what you don’t yet have. Please limit your calls to placing orders as not all of our systems are functioning, our staff is bit shaken, and I don’t want to overwhelm them with social calls, but we are open for business and are here to serve you starting at 8am Pacific Time until 5pm PST. If we don’t answer please leave a message on our voice mail and we will call you back as soon as we can.

Again look over our last sales flier, or go to the www.AmericanGunsmith.com website to select a course then order online or CALL Us with your request and save 33% off of the Retail for the next Seven (7) days. Call 1-800-797-0867 we need to process these orders over the phone to get you your discount.

Thanks for your help. You will be richly rewarded with the content of these courses at a steep discount.

Shaken, Not Stirred!

Gene Kelly, President American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI)

1-800-797-0867

IWI US Now Shipping California Compliant TAVOR® SAR RS Models

IWI US, Inc.  is pleased to announce the TAVOR® SAR RS model for the state of California is now shipping to area distributors. The California RS model complies with all state statutes and still provides the TAVOR SAR fan an unprecedented experience in firepower and performance.

The model TAVOR SAR RS (TSB16CA) is built on the 16.5” barrel model with a 4” removable muzzle brake that yields an OAL of 30” when attached and a 10-round magazine that can only be removed with the use of a tool.

The TAVOR SAR RS California model incorporates a full-length MIL-STD Picatinny top rail in addition to the standard short rail mounted at a 45° angle opposite the charging handle. Backup Iron Sights (BUIS) are embedded and spring loaded in the top of the Picatinny rail and the front post contains a Tritium insert on a standard AR thread, fully adjustable for windage and elevation (tool provided). The standard caliber is .223/5.56 NATO with a 9mm conversion kit available. Available in Black only. MSRP is $1,999.00

A GROWING AMERICAN GUNSMITHING INSTITUTE (AGI) OPENS SECOND OFFICE

New Office to Act as Main Sales Hub for the Expanding Company

 

American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI),  producers of the most authoritative instructional gunsmithing DVD courses, today announced the grand opening of a new sales office in Santa Rosa, California. The new office, which opened officially on September 10^th, 2012, is currently home to a team of six student counselors and has plans to expand that number by the end of fiscal year 2012.

“We are very pleased to announce the opening of our new sales office in Santa Rosa. AGI is very fortunate to have been able to increase revenue by over 100% for the past 3 years. With changes in the economy, the job market and the markets we serve, demand for our educational programs have increased significantly,” commented Chuck Pope, General Manager of AGI. “The addition of the new student counselors in our Santa Rosa office enables AGI to better reach out to our markets.  We strive to provide educational programs enabling individuals to realize their dreams of new career opportunities whether that be in retirement, for additional income or to replace the job they lost. Gene Kelly, the CEO and President of AGI, is committed to changing people’s lives with our programs and the new team will allow us to continue on that path.

With AGI’s home office located in Napa, CA, the decision to open the second office in Santa Rosa was simple. The Santa Rosa corridor offers a wide population base for the AGI team to find talented individuals for their growing sales team.

 

The new office is located at:

 

1260 North Dutton Ave., Suite 110

Santa Rosa, CA 95401

MasterPiece Arms Defender Pistol Now California Compliant

MasterPiece Arms (MPA) Defender series of Pistols has been tested and has met with all of the State of California’s requirements on the sale and ownership of a single-shot pistol. The California Edition Defender pistols include models for the top and side-cocking, 9mm and .45 ACP. MPA redesigned the Defender CA pistols in their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Carrollton, Georgia to meet California pistol requirements for the weapon to be considered a single shot pistol. This includes “single-shot only” capability, a permanent muzzle-break and zero round capacity “dummy” magazine. MPA’s magazine lock design renders the “dummy” magazine “non-detachable” under California law.

The California compliant Defender pistols meet all size and length requirements, as well. All pistols include a MasterPiece Arms case for the pistol and accessories and a lifetime warranty on every one of MasterPiece Arms Defender pistols.

For more information on MasterPiece Arms and any of their rifles or pistols, visit www.masterpiecearms.com

ISSC-AUSTRIA M22 Pistols Now California and Massachusetts Compliant

ISSC-Austria today announced ISSC is pleased to announce that shooters in California and Massachusetts will soon be able to purchase and shoot the M22B pistol. The gun has now met all the requirements for sale in both states and will shortly be listed on the roster of approved handguns in California and Massachusetts. ISSC has received numerous queries from dealers and shooting enthusiasts in California and Massachusetts concerning the availability of this unique firearm and now shooters in both states will be able to enjoy this product soon.