What's up with .357 SIG continued

As I interviewed the various reps from gun manufacturers I found some were reluctant to talk and some had definite things to say, but no one wanted to be directly quoted. I also got the impression that manufacturers don't get a lot of direct questions about the actual business aspect of their companies. I explained to them that I wasn't doing a hit piece, or trying to malign the cartridge, I just wanted to see what was going on with its popularity, and that seemed to ease the tension a bit.

Let's start with the company whose name the caliber bears, Sig Sauer. The person that I spoke to in their booth seemed to know a bit about their marketing and he seemed very concerned about the companies image as it relates to this topic. I could see he was choosing his words very carefully. He said, I think it's very popular with the "informed consumer". By that he means people that research what they buy, and are concerned with getting the most from their handgun. He went on to say that he thinks the caliber is gaining popularity with law enforcement as they realize it's benefits, and they were currently working with several law enforcement agencies to schedule try outs. I asked, What did he think about some of the other companies dropping their .357 SIG models this year, and how was it doing for them? He stated that he was sorry to see them dropping it, but with a little bit of SIG pride, seemed to indicate they weren't major sales competition for them normally. He continued and said for SIG it's been selling OK initally, but as commenter Alan observed, SIG is selling lots of conversion kits. In fact they are going to concentrate on sales of conversion kits, especially marketing them as a way to inexpensively update to something better for some law enforcement agencies and "informed consumers". I got the impression from the way he said this, that they may have just had a recent marketing meeting about it. Overall he was a nice guy to talk to, a little wary, but I got the impression SIG is going to try and push more sales in the upcoming months. We must remember like any other company, gun manufacturers are trying to make a profit. If they have something new or different of course they will sell it. Especially if that thing has part of their name on it regardless of who manufactured it.


I don't think .357 SIG is going anywhere. That wasn't my intention writing about it. I was just interested in why we aren't seeing more of it, and in fact if SIG decides to push it hard this year we may. Up next, what the manufacturers that are dropping it said.

Still writing...

Have a few more post-NRAAM posts to write.  Haven't forgotten to post them, have merely been busy with real-life stuff.  Will be back to it shortly.

Quote of the day

MikeW shared his opinions of the intolerance the anti-gun crowd shows those with limited/reduced mobility:

If you only have one leg how the hell are you supposed to run away?  If you're wheelchair bound how are you supposed to duke it out with someone ablebodied?  Anti-gunners don't care.  In their world perhaps Americans with physical impediments don't exist or don't matter, but in the real world those people are frequently victimized.

Read the whole thing.

What's going on with .357 SIG?

Since we would have all the major players in one place I decided to actually do some investigative reporting while we were at the NRA Annual Meeting. I decided to find out what the story was with the .357 Sig handgun cartridge. I'll spare you all the details about it, but since this cartridge was developed in 1994 I've been hearing it's quite good. A serious up and comer, adopted by many law enforcement units with more looking into its benefits. Usually, when this happens to a particular caliber there is more acceptance into the mainstream, yet the .357 SIG seems to be dropping in popularity. So much so I caught wind of some reports that several major manufacturers were dropping their firearms chambered for it. Are we seeing a new 10mm, destined to the same obscure fate, or is it's adoption slow and steady with a hardcore group of supporters? What do you think?

I'll be posting what the manufacturers had to say in parts as some of them were quite long winded, but feel free to give your opinion at any time.

Pardon the squee...

This weekend was fabulous...not just because I got to meet tons of blogpeople, many of whom I've wanted to meet for a good long while, but because we got the opportunity to see or meet a few of the more famous members of the NRA.

First, MikeW and I encountered The Nuge.  While we didn't get a chance to talk to him, he certainly seemed like a super nice guy.  He was merely inundated with people, so we backed off.  Got a few pictures, though - Chris posted one over the weekend, so if you missed it, go look.

We then encountered R. Lee Ermey at the Glock booth, and he was equally inundated with people.  He seemed pretty darned nice, even after people tried following him out to the smoker's deck. Again, we avoided approaching because the guy HAD to be exhausted from talking to so many people over the weekend.

After that, I encountered a guy whose shows Chris and I watch every Wednesday night, and whose book is on the list of stuff to read: Michael Bane.  I'll admit, I'm a fan.  His shows make him seem approachable, funny, kind, and absolutely in love with the shooting sports...and from what I've seen, he isn't putting on an act.  We found him at the Tactical Solutions booth on Sunday and had a great conversation - he gave Chris some pointers on SASS stuff, too, which will come in handy.  Oh, and he seemed particularly interested in making sure I keep writing.  Yes sir!

Mr. Bane, thanks for taking the time out to talk to us.  We both appreciated it greatly.  Also?  Happy birthday!

20 pictures from the NRA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh

20 pictures from the NRA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh

Coonan Inc. Announces Custom FAL Recievers (Breaking News!)

While at the NRA Annual Meeting I had a great chat with Dave Neville at the CoonanInc booth. He is an incredibly nice guy who was eager to answer all my questions and give me the scoop on what Coonan is up to these days.   He showed me his current crop of .357 Magnum 1911-patterned pistols and talked with me about his FAL offerings.

If you are unaware, Coonan produces precision machined, investment casting, Type 3 upper receivers and ejector blocks for FAL pattern rifles. They call the two parts precision fitted together the FAL Receiver Type 1C . Starting this week the Type 1C receivers will be available with authentic markings and, in addition they will match the serial number to your lower receiver. MSRP is $435. This is great news for collectors trying to put together an authentic, numbers-matching rifle!

Photos of Coonan's offerings past the cut:

Hey brownie lovers!

Here's the recipe, as promised.  Make them tomorrow.  Or today, if you're going home today.  Make them ASAP.

I'm like a crack dealer.  First hit's free...

Also...

I will attempt (and fail) to list everyone I've met tomorrow/later today.  There's a TON of you!

Thots from twoday

Holy wow am I tired.

Saw lots of things.  Bought grips for the Rock Island.  Chris bought a kukri from Cold Steel.  Walked my feets off, THEN proceeded to go to the Gunnie Prom in heels.


Yes, heels.  And a dress.  Then Weerd(Weerdy!) made me laugh hard enough to squeak.  I haven't laughed that hard in awhile.

Got a hug from Breda's mom (woo!) and looooooooooots of others.


Old NFO, you're an awesome guy.  Seriously.  If you ever find yourself in Baltimore, look us up. :)

More later, when I'm not swaying in the chair in an attempt to fight the sleep monster.