Auto-Ordnance News 2011
Auto-Ordnance Corporation Honors Veterans
November 2011
Auto-Ordnance Corporation was proud to be a sponsor of the 30th Annual Veterans Day Parade and Freedom Ball “Honoring the Greatest Generation – Our World War II Veterans” in Atlanta.
During the Freedom Ball ceremonies Auto-Ordnance Corporation presented to Sergeant First Class David Mace, of the United States Army, a new M1 .30 Caliber Carbine Paratrooper Model This Carbine is truly a “Piece of American History” produced, using newly manufactured parts, in Worcester, MA, USA. This Carbine represents the firearm designed for U.S. Paratroopers in WWII such as those seen in the HBO’s mini series “Band of Brothers”. Serving as Parade Grand Marshals were James Madio, who portrayed Sgt. Frank Perconte, and Ross McCall, who portrayed Cpl. Joseph Liebgott in the HBO mini-series.
Pictured at the Freedom Ball are the following. Kevin Miller, the Parade President. James Madio and Ross McCall of the “Band of Brothers.” Sgt. First Class David Mace, U.S. Army. Art Moore of Kahr Arms and Auto-Ordnance Corp.
Kahr supports Wayland, MA high school shooting team
May 8, 2011, Hartford Gun Club, Hartford CT
Wayland Warriors Win Third Place at New England Scholastic Steel Challenge Collegiate Spring Championship
The US Coast Guard Academy won today’s New England Scholastic Steel Challenge Collegiate Spring Championship, with the University of Vermont taking second place and the Wayland Warriors in third. Harvard and Yale took fourth and fifth places respectively. Individual Warriors did very well: Jesse Goddard (WHS ‘13) placed 3rd overall, John Monahan (WHS ‘12) placed 6th, Will Gunshenan (WHS ‘13) placed 12th, and Derek Kaufman (WHS ‘11) placed 14th.
In the Scholastic Steel Challenge, young adults aged 12 thru 20 shoot steel targets with 9mm pistols. Good scores require speed and accuracy, and today’s competitors demonstrated plenty of both.
Coach John Gunshenan told the Crier, “A group of Wayland High School kids formed this team 6 weeks ago, and asked me to help coach them. They spent the last 4 weeks preparing for this match. The kids set a goal of beating one team at least, which later progressed to beating Harvard and Yale, which they accomplished. When we started, most kids on our team had never fired a pistol, and some had never fired a gun at all. They’ve all worked hard, and made tremendous progress. AWARE.org taught all the kids and half their parents the Mass-approved Basic Firearms Safety course. Their State Firearms Safety Certificates show that they know how to shoot safely, and today’s results show that they also know how to shoot competitively. The kids had a blast, and we’re thrilled with their progress.”
The team has received a great deal of support from the Scholastic Steel Challenge organization, Kahr, Winchester, Harvard Sportsmen’s Club, AWARE.org, GOAL.org, Smith & Wesson, the Wayland Police Department, Four Seasons Firearms, and gfa Arms Tec.
Several other area groups are in the process of forming Scholastic Steel Challenge teams for their schools. All it takes is a coach, at least four shooters, and a place to shoot. The Scholastic Steel Challenge organization provides all the support necessary to form a successful team. For more information, see scholasticsteelchallenge.com.
M1 Carbines in use by Underwater Demolition Teams, UDTs (predecessor to Navy Seals) in WWII
May, 2011
On 6 June 1944, in the face of great adversity, the NCDUs at Omaha Beach managed to blow eight complete gaps and two partial gaps in the German defenses. The NCDUs suffered 31 killed and 60 wounded, a casualty rate of 52%. Meanwhile, the NCDUs at Utah Beach met less intense enemy fire. They cleared 700 yards of beach in two hours, another 900 yards by the afternoon. Casualties at Utah Beach were significantly lighter with 6 killed and 11 wounded. NCDUs became the Underwater Demolition Teams. UDTs saw action in the Pacific theater (WWII), Korea, and Vietnam. In 1962 UDTs formed the first SEAL Teams.
NRA Show 2011
April 29 - May 1, 2011 at the David L. Lawerence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Slideshow
Kahr Arms Pursues Patent Infringement Lawsuit
April, 2011
PEARL RIVER, NY – Kahr Arms, the award-winning manufacturer of compact pistols based in Worcester, Mass, is currently engaged in a patent infringement lawsuit against Diamondback Firearms, LLC, the maker of compact .380 ACP and 9mm pistols based in Cocoa, Florida.
Seven U.S. patents cover Kahr’s unique locking, firing and extraction systems. The incomparable cocking cam trigger system employs a patented cam to both unlock the passive safety and complete cocking and releasing of the firing pin. The system provides a “safe cam action” and unbelievably smooth double action only trigger stroke, fast to fire in critical defensive situations.
These innovations found only in the Kahr pistol give the Kahr shooter an advantage in self-defense, home protection and duty or off duty use. The Kahr design is original, creating the smallest package possible in four defensive calibers – 9mm, .40S&W, .45 ACP and the .380 ACP. Kahr has been producing compact pistols in Worcester since the early 1990s, and in the process has carved out a market segment for concealed pistol carry by properly licensed civilians and law enforcement personnel. In recent years, this market segment has attracted the attention of a number of large and small companies vying to gain market share as the larger pistol market has slowed down.
Kahr has been a leader and innovator in this market segment with over 40 different pistol configurations consisting of steel and polymer frames, four calibers and five barrel lengths. Kahr will continue to take necessary steps to protect their patented innovations.
Magnum Research, Inc.® teams up with Jack and Todd Hoffman from Gold Rush: Alaska
April, 2011
 |
| Frank Harris, VP, Sales & Marketing, Kahr/Auto-Ordnance/Magnum Research flanked by Todd Hoffman, left and Jack Hoffman on right from Gold Rush: Alaska |
PEARL RIVER, NY – Magnum Research, a Kahr Arms-owned company and the maker of the Desert Eagle pistols, has teamed up with Jack and Todd Hoffman of the popular Discovery Channel series Gold Rush: Alaska. The show begins its second season in the fall of 2011, and Magnum Research firearms will be an integral part of the season.
Gold Rush Alaska is a reality show following six unemployed men from Sandy, Oregon who risk everything in the face of an economic meltdown to strike it rich mining for gold in the wilderness of Alaska. Todd Hoffman, the leader of the team, and his father Jack assembled the greenhorn miners to work the claim at Porcupine Creek—one of the last great wilderness expanses remaining in Alaska. Success depends on the team’s unity and fighting spirit to overcome numerous obstacles from wicked weather and mechanical breakdowns to encounters with large bears and moose. The men are chasing the original “American Dream” with the desire to take charge of their own destiny rather than waiting around for a government handout.
Magnum Research was founded in 1985 in Minneapolis, Minn. with a plan to produce a unique pistol capable of firing magnum-sized bullets in distinctive custom finishes, including a 24K Gold model, for handgun hunters and firearm enthusiasts. By the early 1990s, the Desert Eagle’s unique qualities and unmistakable look earned it starring roles in numerous movies and TV shows. The Desert Eagle pistol had emerged as a pop culture icon including a Playboy cover featuring Pamela Anderson with a pink Desert Eagle pistol. In recent years, Magnum Research encountered its share of economic struggles, and with the purchase of the company by Kahr Arms in June 2010, a turnaround story began to emerge by that fall. Kahr’s goal is to re-establish the iconic Desert Eagle pistol in the market with a “Made in America” theme.
It’s very fitting that a determined group of six men seeking riches in the gold fields of Alaska have teamed up with Magnum Research, an iconic American company whose symbol is a 24K Gold Desert Eagle pistol. Each of them personifies rugged individualism, courage and hope in the face of adversary, demonstrating the true fabric of American society.
For more information about Magnum Research products, visit www.magnumresearch.com.
Auto-Ordnance 1911 100th anniversary model awarded to West Point Cadet
March, 2011
 |
| LTC Daniel Hodne, Commander of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, presents the Champion Combine Arms Award and certificate for an Auto-Ordnance 100th Anniversary 1911 pistol to Cadet Matthew Ray, U.S.M.A. West Point. |
FORT BENNING, Ga. – The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit hosted the 2011 Army Rifle and Pistol Championships in conjunction with the U.S. Army Infantry Center. The training and competitions were open to all Army components, of any rank, with any military occupational specialty, including Reserve and National Guard, and West Point and college ROTC cadets.
In a continuing effort to support our U.S. Armed Forces, Kahr Arms, Auto-Ordnance and Magnum Research were pleased to attend and display at this event. Auto-Ordnance Corp was proud to present an Auto-Ordnance 1911A1 “WWII Parkerized”, 100th Anniversary Edition pistol to the winner of the Champion Combined Arms Match.
The 2011 Champion, Combined Arms Match is Matthew Ray, a native of Newport, Arkansas and a senior at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Cadet Ray will graduate and receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army on 21 May 2011. He will be assigned to the Infantry and following graduation will attend the Infantry Basic Officers Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. His first duty assignment is to be at Fort Richardson, Alaska with the 25th Infantry Division. We are very proud that Matthew will begin his Army career with a firearm that represents a long tradition of service to the United States Military, the 1911A1 45ACP pistol from Auto-Ordnance. Auto-Ordnance Corp was founded in 1916 by Col. John Taliaferro Thompson, a graduate of U.S. Military Academy class of 1882. After a distinguished career, Thompson retired as a Brigadier General and is buried at the West Point Academy.
SHOT Show 2011
January 18-21, 2011 at Sands Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
Slideshow
Tactical-Life.com: Kahr SHOT Show 2011 Video
>> Auto-Ordnance News 2010