It's been a hell of a year! I mean that ONLY in the best of all ways!

Even though we closed for the holidays on the 22nd of December, a week and a half before the end of the year, we actually closed up 16.7% in overall business. Since I normally throw in some statistics at years end, here's some to think about. Guns were up by 42.6% for 2006 production. Single stacks are still just 41% of complete guns due to a late surge in military double stacks. Caliber breakdown for single stacks is: 9mm = 45% ,.38S = 5%,.40S&W = 6%,.45ACP = 43%. Any surprises there? Surprised me!.45ACP was replaced by 9mm to the tune of 13%. Staggered column guns break down as follows: 9mm = 18%,.38S = 10%, .40S&W = 60%,.45ACP = 12%. More surprises as.40S&W chews into both the 9mm and the.45 market share. That seems to be the Law Enforcement and Military market caliber of preference now. At least in the markets that we serve.

Let's try for some surprises here: Domestic consumer business = 45%. Export = 46%. O.E.M., sponsorship, contingency, and employee sales made up the other 9%. "Top Gun/Shooters and Hunters" in Scandinavia made a strong surge in Nov./Dec. to take over as our "Top Distributor, World Wide" and "Most Improved Foreign Distributor". Dawson Precision blew everybody in the U.S. away to be "Top Domestic Distributor" and "Most Improved Domestic Distributor". Freedom Ventures LTD in Canada just barely snuck into the "Top Foreign Distributor" slot. (after Top Gun) "Most Improved" Foreign Distributor (behind Top Gun) is Borchers S.A. in Spain. Europe has retained "Best Foreign Market" honors but all Regions seem to be surging. If any of you have any additional questions on how things stacked up or where you fell in, just drop me an email.

In previous "Sgrams" we have offered all of you Distributors, and most of you Major Preferred Dealers, the opportunity to come spend some time with us and learn more about what we do and how we do it so that you may better serve your customers and ours. Please note that three of the four top scorers above did just that and it seems to have paid off for them very well. "Top Gun" has been here twice. Be aware, also, that they are not the only ones to have come and learned. Several others who are now in our "Top 25", and climbing, have been here also. Don't ever say that you didn't have the opportunity or invitation.

As most of you know, year end is when we look at how well or how poorly our Distributors, Dealers, and Preferred Dealers have performed. This past year we have nothing but praise for our Distributors and Dealers. However, a preliminary look indicates that several of you who have enjoyed Preferred Dealer status will fall from grace. If you didn't make your numbers, don't be surprised when your prices change and you drop off the website listing until you re-qualify.

Kudos to the new guy, Mr. Boyett! The new catalogs are here and on time for SHOT. ALL of the new guns are in it with accurate descriptions. One of the old guns has an old major error in its' description but I've bet the Sales Group that none of you will spot it.

The SHOT Show is upon us! Pauletta and Don still have a few appointment slots available. If you need "face time" give ‘em a call quick. As is usual, they've decided at the last minute to offer some "SHOT Show Specials" and look forward to telling you about them. For those of you, who won't be attending SHOT, give Michael Boyett a call here for the "low down". They tell me that they will honor the "Specials" through Tuesday, the 16th.

Well, if you'll remember Sgram #92, we decreased the price of the "Trojan SS" by $150.00 at retail and in Sgram #93; we increased the "Spartan" by $25.00 at retail. For our last gun price change in 2006, we are reducing two more products. Let's take the "Duty One" and the "Duty CT" MSRP down by $154.00. In a year when everybody else is increasing prices (and I thought we would need to, also), that ain't bad folks! I do want you to know that we appreciate your understanding on the Spartan increase. That was simply a learning experience in dealing with import laws on our part.

Speaking of the "Spartan", I told you to "listen to the buzz"! You denizens of the forums know what I'm talking about. Our first shipments are now being reviewed by the lucky recipients and it appears that the news is all good. We expected it, but it's gratifying none the less. We'll be increasing production rapidly.

I don't currently plan to introduce any new models in 2007 or for 2008! However: If there is something special that you'd like to see or like to have other features combined into some of the current production models, drop me a line. Good ideas are always given thorough consideration and we've never hesitated to give credit where credit is due.

If you are receiving this "SkinnErgram" electronically for the first time, or if you received this copy in a "Dealers' Package" at the SHOT Show, you need to go to www.stiguns.com and catch up on back issues. It's good information if I do say so myself.

S.H.O.T. Show Booth # 1277

IWA Show Booth #3-136.

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