WE SURVIVED THE SEMI TURN OF THE CENTURY...
And here is the news from Lomira. We had a really nice year just past (and hope you did too). Last year we got four of these letters out to you, this year our goal is a minimum of five, and a maximum of six. We will try and continue with all that we had last year. Your comments have been very positive and very much appreciated by us in our little endeavor. You seem to like most all of everything, and really like the used firearms list. So we ar going to have that as an absolute regular feature. But we are going to try to have a new gun sale list and new gun closeout list and new gun "look what we got" list.
Our first letter of this year is about six weeks overdue. The reasons for this are due to another big increase in how busy we are, and our other efforts to get this old place in better and more efficient shape. But here it all is...
NEW GUN NEWS...
We got back from the rounds of various tradeshows introducing the new and improved stuff. A few things added by all the manufacturers and some things dropped. Those items dropped usually go to oblivion simply because there weren't enough sold last year or the last couple of years. Sometimes its the manufacturers fault for not positioning the product right, or maybe they just plain didn't tell you or us about them. Sometimes it was just not a great product or priced a little out of line.
But in new things rolling out: Model proliferation continues. Example here is Browning, who 25 years ago had 13 different bolt action rifles, this year there are well over 100. Gets as confusing for us as it does for you.
Browning revised their safe line, shifted around their over/unders. Some neat new models, including new 22 rifles not even in the book. Remington has a big mag 12 auto. Some nice variations on their other shotguns. And a new over/under. Ruger came out with a single trap gun that's pretty spiffy. Winchester has a couple of neat 22 low walls. Marlin has a new caliber and bunches of new rifles-stainless and short. Mossberg made a really pretty rifle. Savage has a new 22 or 22mag Striker Handgun, around $200 and due soon. This list could go on and on but that's what the gun magazines are for...Plus they are in color!
STATE/FEDERAL GUN REGS...
And the beat goes on, we're going to talk first about the State. Handgun sales approval are handled by the State of Wisconsin, and some good news in this. The state form which became famous for its unclear language for the last ten months, has been changed, by the state. And the form now is clear and readable and folks you don't find that in your everyday public agency. And the part that you don't see, is that the State department of Justice are nice to deal with and helpful to us in getting your needs and wants met.
The Federal part of this is getting pretty reliable to deal with. Delays are down because they have gotten their system smoothed out. The Political Part of Guns, while that is still in the news. You can't pick up the paper or turn on the TV without hearing something about something. But I would like to remind myself and you of something we knew all along. Communications have gotten so fast and modern, yet this old adage still applies absolutely, maybe even more...
Do Not Believe Everything You Read. It's not so much that there is a secret conspiracy to "get guns" as there is a corporate need to sell papers and soap. A political need to arouse voters, by keeping people tuned in. And selling is the driving force, not a responsibility to accurately and objectively report. And the second thought to consider, when looking for an answer to a question or problem, many times the first answer is the true and correct one. But we tend to keep looking further for other answers for certainly the obvious solution to a complex question can't be right? Or can it? So here it is, gun do not wreak havoc upon society, people do. To attack guns, is to cheat society by not working on the things that are really wrong. That would take REAL work and thought.
YE OLDE FISHING HOLE...
Moved- yup, we moved the fishing department over an aisle, and around a little bit. Bigger brighter, and with more really cool STUFF in it. As mentioned in earlier letters. This fishing department is going to be a while in its evolution. One neat thing we did get this year is a camera that works underwater. C'mon in and see this. Very broad applications.
THE BOOT DEPARTMENT...
We want to find boot or shoe models to sell for a number of years. In reality boot technology doesn't render last years boots obsolete by any means. And we will continue to build our product line so as to have some really great stuff always available. Browning, Georgia and LaCrosse are still our main lines and their quality is there. And if any problems occur these companies take care of it.
ARCHERY/BOW HUNTING...
This is gonna be short and sweet this time around, the big news in bow technology is that bows have gotten better in adjustability, a lot better! And this means that one bow will fit more people and fit each even more exactly. Again the future, by early April we should have all on hand and be a little more eloquent about them.
GUN SAFES/VAULTS...
You should be reading this in mid April by the time we get it printed and mailed. And that should coincide pretty closely to the time we get in our next load of safes. And we should have at least 12 different models for you to actually look at. They re all subject to prior sale. The big news here is that the product line has been streamlined a lot and makes it easier for you to pick one. Also, the ability to make changes to the safe with easy additions or changes of lights, locks, and dehumidifiers. One thing here, humidity is an enemy, and all that a dehumidifier does is raid the interior safe temp by 2 or 3 degrees over the exterior temp, and this drives the moisture out.
THE MAGIC ELECTRIC LICENSE MACHINE...
We are now in year two of the new system. Those of you who have gotten your this years tags, know that the color for this year is new designer peach/orange. Fees have remained the same as last year. You can get patron licenses from our terminal. And you can now use charge cards to buy them except that there is a $3 surcharge for this. And with breath held, we will see if the system holds up during the peak times. All indications are that things are going to be ok. And even I have to admit that maybe now the system works faster than writing it all out, and definitely more legible.
OPTICS...
Scopes continue their evolution. One thing that amazes us is the level of quality and diversity one can find in lower priced scopes. Obviously this trickles down from the cutting edge premium scopes. Can you imagine a 6X18 scope for under $100? And quality for all scopes is terrific. Of about 1200 scopes that we sold last year, we had defects in just two of them. Binoculars and spotting scopes also continue their march toward greater diversity and affordability. Range finders made a big leap last year in variety and quality. And one has to be just amazed at their accuracy.
NEW PRODUCT AVAILABILITY...
The new year brings new products or evolved products by the score. We get the catalogues and the prices and all the pretty pics, but sadly enough, the products don't all show up on our doorstep magically on January 2nd. Again, by mid April, we should have them on the shelves. But as usual many will be in short supply at least for now. Many of the companies, Browning is the prime example, are having a couple of really great years. And this puts enormous pressure on product availability. In other words, there are more buyers than there are guns. And these companies are already running at full tilt. There just ain't no more.
POLITICS AGAIN-SMITH AND WESSON...
Just got a copy of the infamous S&W agreement. Read it carefully and have a copy of it here for you to see. You can also find it on the Internet. My first thought was that those SW people are foolish and misguided. Some of the items listed are sensible and are already in place. But there are some real crucial things that have some very dangerous ramifications for you and I. The other thing you must remember is that only one company signed that agreement. S&W. So we know that common sense prevails among the majority of mfg. You who are fans of Smith have kept the faith in them for years, and they kept faith in you making products meeting your wants and needs. If you want to stop in and see our copy of the SW agreement please feel welcome to do so. We will also have a synopsis of this typed out with what is, in our opinion a real world estimate of what it means. To you and us.
BLACK POWDER...
You know it had to come- camo black powder guns- lots of nice new iron this year- a bunch of new and hot loads- too much to list- c'mon around and look!
ODDS AND ENDS...
Savage is making a 22 Striker handgun in 22 and 22mag. Around $200, due soon.
CROW NEWS...
We have been steadily working on this Crow Organization thing. You know, the equivalent to many of the other groups in existence. And as I am sure you are aware, the most important thing is to get just the right name. So we have come up with a couple of monikers that just may have the right ring to one of them. The first one it, ready...Common Caws...though that may be a bit too political for some, and our second idea is a sure fire good old acronym... C.H.U.G. meaning Crow Hunters United Gainfully...goofy name but will set the right wild tone for the dinners.
METALLIC LOADING...
We had a series of clinics after the first of the year. Some we had a number of people for and some were just one or two. Metallic loading has a lot of precision involved, a great savings, you can make a better product that you can buy. And the other thing is, once you are into it, the possibilities are endless.
THE STORE PLANS...
Should be evident to you coming in around the first of May. But basically what we're trying to do is make the place nicer for you to visit, a nicer place for us to work, and more efficient to do business. Gallons of paint, bunch of nails and boards. But without giving it away, since we don't have the timeline exactly, watch our space!!
OUR GROWTH...
In the last year we have been very fortunate, thanks to you, to experience enormous growth. In other words we are selling and servicing a lot more. Now this year, we are experiencing the same rate of growth again. This puts a big strain of our inventory items, not to mention the time demands on us. Please Please bear with us as we try and get a handle on becoming a bigger company. We don't wish to become just bigger. We want to become better and more complete and we want you and us to all continue having a good time. Thank you soo much for your support.
A NOTE ABOUT THE USED GUNS...
When we are compiling this list there is the lead/lag of doing the inventory, typing, checking and then getting the printed and mailing done. Couple of weeks. And these turn over real fast sometimes. But keep in mind please that what we have that is gone is usually replaced by something else. So this is a pretty fluid thing. And the used gun thing is a lot of fun for us cause we get so many real neat ones.
PARTING SHOTS...
We should have our web site up and rolling on May 1st...there I have said it and named a date. Have yet to pin a name down but you can look up bills and sport and Lomira on your search engine and WE WILL BE THERE! Because we were late in this letter, I feel we were trying to fit 10 lbs in the proverbial 5lb bag. Well fine folks, maybe we have a rhythm going now. Till we see you again, and as old Spid says. Happy Trails!!!