Business
Hegseth Tells Smith & Wesson the War Department Is 'Opening the Aperture'
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited Smith & Wesson's headquarters on what he called the Arsenal of Freedom Tour, and in a video he posted Oct. 18 he told the company: "We're certainly eager and interested in any other ways that we can work together. We're opening the aperture to make sure that wherever American-made companies, American manufacturing can be elevated, we want that at our department." Smith & Wesson re-shared the video from its corporate account the same day, thanking Hegseth "for standing with American companies." No contract, program, solicitation or dollar figure was announced, and Smith & Wesson has not said what defense work, if any, it would pursue. Analysts now have a reason to press the company on its fiscal second-quarter call, expected in early December, about whether any of its capacity is being pointed at government buyers.
Gear
RCBS Says Its New Vibratory Case Polisher QD Is U.S.-Made
RCBS chose a basic piece of reloading gear, the Vibratory Case Polisher QD, to carry a "now proudly Made in the USA" claim alongside a quick-detach bowl and a stronger motor. Leading a refresh with origin rather than features shows where RCBS thinks the reloader's loyalty sits. The claim is RCBS's own, and the company has not said where the old model was made, which leaves rivals room to test how much the label is worth at the register.
THE SIGNAL STACK
Gear
Daiwa Japan's December 27 Steez BF TW Powertune Handles 16-Pound Fluorocarbon
Daiwa is rebuilding the Steez bait-finesse reel around power on the 27 Steez BF TW Powertune, with a 32mm spool, 4.0 kg of drag, a saltwater rating and what Daiwa calls its first bait-finesse model with a 9.2 gear ratio. The goal is one finesse reel that covers rigs that used to take two, from light lures at a pinpoint to pulling fish out of cover on heavier line. Daiwa's Japanese releases often preview its U.S. lineup, so this spec sheet is an early read on where its bass reels are heading.
Business
Tamworth Gun Dealer Says NSW Has Given No Buyback Guidance
Calibre Country's Mel Madden puts the cost of processing one surrendered gun at about A$180 in labour and insurance, work NSW dealers already do for free. Customers are already phoning the Tamworth-area shop to ask whether buyback guns should come to the store, and the shop has no official answer to give them. Any NSW dealer that takes in guns before the rules arrive carries the paperwork, vault space and insurance with no sign the state will pay for it.