COVID now seems like a distant memory, and while a lot of the issues COVID brought upon our industry have passed, they’ve been replaced by new and if possible, more challenging ones.

Firstly, let’s discuss the elephant in the room - primers and pistol powder! Unfortunately, we’ve probably seen allocation diminish further this year. The hangover from COVID and the continued demand for factory ammunition has been the main driver for component shortages in the market. Every manufacturers’ primer capacity has been consumed by their own manufacturing needs and until this demand eases, we will continue to experience these shortages moving forward. The GOOD NEWS! This won’t last forever, and I know these companies are working tirelessly to increase capacity. Eventually the market will return to some normality, we just need to be patient. On the flip side, factory ammunition is starting to trickle through in more volume and more variety, so even though you might not be able to reload your favourite calibre, there should be a good range starting to appear on dealers’ shelves.

Now, let’s move onto the great things that have happened so far in 2023 and what we should be looking forward to as the year progresses.

Remington Firearms! Our first shipment arrived in late June and any reservations people might have held regarding quality was quickly put to bed! Remington's attention to detail is evident, as is their commitment to the industry and recent partnership with Timney Triggers. With three more shipments in transit, it won’t be long until we have the full range available. Something the market has been craving for some time.

Marlins! Another massive brand highly sought after by Australian shooters. Following on from the release of their 1895 models in 2022, Ruger have launched two new models for 2023, the Classic 1894 in .44 Magnum and one of my all-time favourites, the 336C in .30/30. If you haven’t already, get into your local dealer and get one on order as supply will be limited for the rest of this year.

If you’re a handgun shooter, you’d be aware of the Alien line of pistols from Laugo Arms. New to the NIOA stable last year, they’ve continued to prove popular among competition shooters. This year they released the limited edition “CREATOR 500” with only 500 produced worldwide. Although allocation was limited, we still managed to source a small quantity and these will be well worth the investment if you’re an Alien fan!

Since Remington’s decision to discontinue the model 7600, there has been a void in the pump action rifle market. Not anymore! Arttech Defense are a well credentialed company from Turkey, steeped in firearm manufacturing tradition and the arrival of these in 2023 has been well received. Quality is exceptional with models available in .308 Win and .30-06 Springfield. These models will be really popular in Australia. With synthetic stock designs in either Black, Forest Camo or Blaze Orange, there is a model out there to suit the most dedicated hunter.

Following on from the success of their 2020 Waypoint series, Springfield Armoury has returned to the market in 2023 with what I think will be one of the biggest selling products over the next few years. The 2020 Rimfire line, available in both Target and Classic style, is due to hit Australian shores in September and in there is a rifle for everyone. Capitalising on the continued success of PRS Rimfire competitions all around the world, the target models are both practical and affordable. If you prefer that classic look, Springfield offers their Walnut models in four different grades of timber; Select, A grade, AA grade and AAA grade; so finding the right rifle for you won’t be a problem. Keep an eye out also for their 2020 Redline series which has just launched in .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor. Weighing in at just 6lbs, this is sure to be a winner with those high-country hunters!

Product wise, I could go on forever with the continued innovation and new products available. Looking to the future, there are still some hurdles we need to overcome. While supply is starting to get back to normal, especially across firearms, optic and accessory lines, ammunition is still proving difficult, albeit better than last year. I have no doubt this will improve though. With international freight becoming more reliable, stock levels across a good portion of products should start returning to normal. With interest rate rises and cost of living pressures paramount to most, now’s a great time to get back to basics. Shooting can be as expensive or inexpensive as you choose it to be and with the large selection of products available from the team here at NIOA, I’m sure we’ll have some something available to suit everyone’s budget, so get out and see your local dealer.

Look forward to seeing you all out at the range.

Happy Shooting!