Well, we're back from the USPSA and PPC Nationals. Don did a quick tally of "STI Contingency Winners" at the USPSA event and tells me that I may need a bank loan to pay off on this one! (We'll find a way!) Congratulations to all of the winners. As far as the PPC event is concerned, we were well represented for the limited exposure that we have had with this market. There is no question that this is fertile ground and that we have the right products with which to plow it.

We're getting very excited about the impending Asian trip as we hear from more and more of you who plan to be at these events. To repeat, we'll be in Bali , Indonesia and Cholburi , Thailand in November. Apparently there will be competitors and representatives from at least four continents there. We have been informally invited to design and build a prototype sample of a "representative IPSC Standard" gun to show to Regional Directors, possible to be adopted as a commemorative issue for IPSC's "30 th Anniversary". We'll do it! We're honored!

Quote from Sgram #70 : "As an early prediction on this quarters growth over 2003, I'll guess that it will be around 40-44%." I missed it again! It was over 54%! We really are gaining on you! Quoted lead times are down to 8-9 weeks on standard items.

The U.S. "Assault Weapons Ban" is history, for the time being. Any stamped magazines that you have in inventory can be sold to anyone, with or without the stamp. Guns shipped to you hereafter will ship with 126mm (butt flush) normal capacity magazines and may or may not be stamped. If you live in a state or country that still bans these items, please let your sales contact know. We'll happily swap for a 10 rounder at gun shipping time.

Ed and I will be at the NASGW show, mostly promoting parts and services. Stop by if you're in the Ft. Worth area.

It looks like we may not discontinue any of our product lines for next year. Though we have a couple that are not moving as well as we would like, we simply haven't promoted them much due to the size of our backlogs. May be our fault, not theirs.

Other than the aforementioned IPSC style pistol, we have launched prototype builds on five potential additions to the product line. The goal is to have them ready for SHOT, but they may not all make it. Not making it to SHOT doesn't keep them out of the line any more than getting them to Shot launches them. That'll be decided on their merits and reception. Your opinions are welcome on this "sneak preview". They will be:

• A 5 inch "fit in the box" IPSC/USPSA gun utilizing a TruBor style front section to affix the front sight.
• A 6 inch version of the same for USPSA.
• A "LS" style gun in either .45ACP or .45GAP. It will be have about a .060-.070" wider slide than the LS9 and an "Officer" length grip.
• A 1911 style pistol with the "LS" style linkless barrel and side bar extractor.
• An "Economy model" Trojan in .45ACP.

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