Well, the last note in Sgram #59 was prophetic!

As quickly as things are moving lately, I should have known that there would be more news to share before years end.

Questions from last time: We are also taking heat from other gun manufacturers’ to sell the "Master" series frame to them on an OEM basis. If we decide to do that, do you guys see a market through your sales channels? Should I try to develop a Distributor/Dealer/Retail price structure? Would your volumes make it worthwhile? Obviously, if we do this we’ll phase it into one market at a time so as to not represent a lead-time that we can’t meet. If we do this, should we add SFF and Short Blocks to the "Master" offering? For a change, I got some responses from several of you. Thank you! The new price list (it’s coming, trust me) will reflect a number of new additions under "Slides", "Frames", etc.

Quote from last time: The VIP will become a two-tone gun. The slide will be blue steel over a clear anodized frame. The Tactical Lite will be blued steel over a black anodized frame. Update: The VIP will be blued steel over a gray moly "bake on" on an aluminum frame. The Tactical Lite will be black moly "bake on" all over.

Quote from last time: We have produced a couple new prototypes this year. Both are "shorty" race guns. One has only a 3.9" slide and is chambered in .38Super. (It almost fits in the "Modified" box.) The other is a 4.15" model chambered in 9mm. Update: Both now have 3.9" slides! We got a large enough order from one of you to go into production. We still have no plans to market a "Modified" competition gun.

We’ve got our Show booth numbers now. Our SHOT Show booth is # 3989 and our IWA booth is # 3-131. We hope to see you all at one or the other. If you need "set down" time with Pauletta, Don, or myself at either of these, please let "the keeper of the schedule", Pauletta, know as soon as possible. First ask, first get! It will be just Pauletta and I at IWA, but for the SHOT we’re jammin’ it up! Pauletta, Melvin, Don, ED, Chris, Wes, and myself. More about the "new name" later. We’ll have Mike Voigt and Sam Conway there again, also.

Our travel schedule is beginning to shape up quickly for next year. I don’t have specific dates yet, but it looks like Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, the Czech Republic, Florida, Israel, and Germany (two times) in the first five months of 2004. If you have a "must do", please let us know and we’ll try to work it in.

I am told that our gun production is booked and scheduled now until we close for the Holidays on Dec. 19. If you haven’t made your numbers yet you’ll have to do it in parts, or on guns currently in the safe or already scheduled to be there. (List available on request) These are, obviously, standard guns with no options.

Also, attached to this mailing, you’ll find a "Press Release" announcing further progress in STI’s evolution. Our purpose and intent with this should be apparent from the release. If not, please feel free to contact me. You’ll be finding some new items appearing on the website and on the price list from time to time because of this increased capacity. Some of these items may not be available in your market. We will probably pick up and continue production on one of the LSA gun configurations. There will be no options offered on these products. Probably the "Lawman" as seen in the December Guns & Ammo on page #42.

Some new things that you will find on the new price list and that are available to some of you are the "Black T" finish, the popular moly "bake on" finish in colors, 1911 slimline and standard magwells, and aluminum shoe triggers for the 1911. Frame kits, slide to frame fits, and short blocks on the "Master" and "Duty" series of frames will be available in some areas, but even in these areas we will limit the options available. We will not be offering forged frames on any product (other than those carried forward from LSA) except to OEM customers.

Other than the "shorty" guns mentioned above and the LSA carryovers, we have nothing on the drawing board as new developments for next year. We’re open to suggestions from you guys but have no plans to launch anything new on our own. We’ve got plenty to keep us busy.

Just a reminder: We do not sell on Letters of Credit (LOC’s). Don’t ask! And custom guns don’t go into production until we receive a 50%, non-refundable, down payment. Nor do they ship until the balance is paid.

As mentioned above, a new price list is in the works. No price increases again. Just adding products and options. Additionally, I’m trying to get new catalogs and flyers ready in time for the SHOT Show.

We have probably formulated our last batch of "Trigger Slick". When it’s gone, it’s gone!
If you haven’t read the New article (on the website) about the "Tactical" you’re missing a great sales tool.

Pauletta is still working on her new "STI European Team" program. If any of you have suggestions, please let her know.

I learned my lesson on #59. No promises that this is the last "Sgram" for 2003.

Have fun. Sell a bunch. Do good. Not necessarily in that order!