WisconSawyer Rifle and Pistol Club holds its annual meeting on the first Saturday of every month at the Onalaska Resort in Onalaska. The purpose of this club is to keep firearms safe, promote hunter/gunner safety, and have a good time. At our meetings, we discuss all things related to firearm clothing including what is new in the industry, how to wear & use firearms safely, and latest trends. This year’s meeting was held on September 25th & 26th at the Resort. The WisconSawyer Rifle and Pistol Club has been holding monthly meetings since 1935. Our objective has always been to provide a safe place for shooters to come together and talk about all things related to firearms. We also try not only to teach new members about firearms but also old ones how to take care of their weapons properly. In addition to rifle shooting competitions each month; we hold muzzleloader contests each spring and fall as well as trap tournaments during summertime (usually around late July).
This past year saw some big changes in the gun industry with bothClintonville Sportsman’s Arms Corp., maker of Bushmaster rifles, filed for bankruptcy protection. Many people were left wondering if their favorite rifle brand would be affected too- most likely not! bushmaster announced they will no longer produce any new guns or ammunition until they can figure out ways to reorganize their finances which should happen within six months or so according to sources close thereto.Each company makes decisions based on their own unique circumstances which often alters plans considerably down the road- it really isn’t that different from anything else going on in today’s economy. Bushmaster Firearms Corporation was founded by John A Bushnell back in 1911 when he began making rifles for military service under contract from Colt handguns.
In 1916 John A Bushnell acquired his first pistol design called the “Mark I Carbine” which became America’s first production carbine.Bushnell Firearms Corporation changed hands several times over before coming into ownership by manufacturers including Smith & Wesson who renamed it Springfield Armory Co., Incorporated in 1968 after merging with three other companies (Springfield Armory Mfg Company Ltd., Springfield Armory Plant No 1 (Navy Yard), Springfield Armory Plant No 2 (now Metro) – see photo below)Smith&Wesson eventually went bankrupt in 1888 leavingframearms business dormant until purchased by Adolphus Busch AG who continued production until 1998.John A Bushnell passed away in 2011 however his son David B Bushnell continues operations as President and CEO ofBushmastersUSA LLC