| Hi Guys,
After that eight piece run of 6" guns that we
built to benefit the USPSA women’s program and called the "Infinite", some
folks apparently got their tongues tangled in the pronunciation and created
some confusion in the market place. Not wanting to be confused with anybody
else, we’ve dropped the use of that name.
We’ve decided to call the 5" gun that
evolved from that 6" gun the "Apeiro", pronounced "Apero". It’s got a nice
ring to it and I’m told by the Greeks that it means "something without end".
With our warrantee, I’d consider it appropriate. We’ve decided, too, that
we’ll also substitute any other Schuemann 5" ramped (Wilson/Nowlin/STI)
barrel that will accept a front sight. ALL normal calibers are available. We
should have pictures and specs on the website soon but here’s the main
thrust of the press announcement:
"The Apeiro 2011 couples STI’s patented
receiver with all the most desirable accessories in a factory firearm to
produce a pistol that is as beautiful as it is reliable. The controls are
STI International’s stainless steel ambidextrous thumb safeties and
knuckle relief high-rise beavertail grip safety. The full length stainless
steel Tri-top bar stock slide features STI’s unique saber tooth rear
cocking serrations and is cut to match the Schuemann barrel. The barrel is
a 5.0" fully ramped, fully supported "island" bull barrel, with the sight
milled in to allow faster recovery to point of aim. This excellent firearm
comes standard with an STI square hammer, patented STI trigger system, STI
S-7 sear, and titanium strut for smooth, reliable function. The Apeiro
2011 has custom engravings on the polished sides of the (blued) stainless
steel slide, stainless steel magwell, STI adjustable rear sight, Dawson
fiber optic front sight, and a blued frame. Available in 9x19, .40 S&W,
and .45 ACP."
As an offshoot from above, you guys are
certainly coming up with some original ideas for us to run through the
Custom Shop. With the ideas that we’re seeing coming through, the thought
has occurred to our Marketing Manager (Pauletta S.) and her staff that we
should incorporate some of them into a limited run of "STI 20th Anniversary"
pistols. What do you think, both of the idea of an "Anniversary" edition and
of it being a limited run? What would YOU like to see it be?
We’re also beginning to get requests that
we bring back our .22LR rifle, except not as "high end" this time. Just a
good quality, moderately priced item. With the cost of ammunition these
days, it may make some sense. Opinions?
Much to our surprise, the "original" size
aluminum grip is out selling the "slim line" model by about two to one. I
would sure have bet the other way. What do you guys think about us doing a
"2011 Single Stack" aluminum grip?
Further good news for you: I’m asking the
Sales Department to start quoting a 6-7 week lead time at this point. That
means we’ve shortened it by seven weeks already this year (for most
products). Any large order could change that at any time so you may want to
take advantage of it while you can.
On the thought about doing a "knockoff" of
Taurus’s "Judge" except in a .410/.22LR version: I bought a couple of
(personal) "Judges" for R&D. THEN I found some neat little cylinder inserts
that accepted .22LR at Brownell’s. I don’t think we’re gonna’ try and
reinvent the wheel. That little "three-fer" (.45LC/.410/.22LR) is a fun, fun
package at a fun, fun price point!
We are still taking orders for the
"Competition" and
"Tactical" rifles for August delivery and beyond. The competition models
are outselling the tactical models by about 50%.
It has been brought to my attention that I
am remiss in reporting the "Gun Used" statistics from the 2008 USPSA
National Championships. Since the 2009 Nationals are just a couple months
away, I better get it into this one. In the "Limited 10" Division where
almost anybody can play, we had about 49% of the guns being shot. Glock was
second with about a third of that. In the "Limited" Division, we did much
better with about 59% of the shooters using STI guns. The folks in second
also had only about 1/3 that number. In the "Open" Division, it was a
runaway. STI over 71%, second place under 20%. Winners have gone with
winners again. Obviously, our outlay under the "Contingency Program" has
gone up for another year in a row. Keep tapping us! It’s a pleasure working
with you.
Have ya’ll noticed the information that
we’ve been uploading to YouTube lately? If you’ll go to the
FAQ page, you’ll find several "How to’s" on the
disassembly of guns, RecoilMasters, etc. Under "What’s New" you should find
some product videos. We just got these up recently and have had over 12,000
hits already.
The ESOP Committee has asked me to drop a
bug in your ear about the annual company get together. They truly
appreciated the donations you folks made to their door prize stash last year
and are asking if you are willing to donate again? Chris
chris@stiguns.com would be your
contact point.
Sell a bunch. Have fun. Do
good. Not necessarily in that order! |
