Academy of excellence selects final 2003 nominations. (Industry News).

The Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence has announced the final nominations for its 2003 awards. The academy considered 173 potential nominees in 12 categories before selecting 36 for the final voting.

Now in its 12th year, the academy is sponsored by the Firearms Marketing Group (FMG), publisher of Shooting Industry, GUNS and American Handgunner magazines. No one at FMG is permitted to vote for the awards.

The academy consists of 460 industry executives, gun dealers and outdoor writers. They vote twice for each award, first in the potential-nominee round and then to determine who will receive the awards.

"Each year, we look forward to seeing who the academy selects to be honored," said Tom von Rosen, FMG publisher. "It's extremely gratifying to sponsor an award that is so highly regarded by the industry."

The final ballots have been sent to the academy, according to Randy Molde, academy director.

"As always, we will not reveal who has received the awards until they are announced at our annual special reception. This year, it will be on April 25 in Orlando, Fla.," Molde said.

Those on the final ballot were:

Shooting Industry Award

* Val Forgett Sr., Navy Arms Co.: For his vision, passion, and leadership spanning 45 years that has cultivated an entire industry dedicated to the manufacture of black powder and cowboy action replicas.

* Thomas M. Gura, Winchester: For his superior leadership in Winchester's continuous development of innovative and award-winning new products, which have garnered Shooting Industry's Ammunition of the Year award in the past five consecutive years

* Robert G. Morrison, Taurus: For his instrumental role in the unrelenting battle against senseless lawsuits aimed at the firearm industry, guiding the very first production handgun cartridge utilizing an all copper bullet allowed in the industry; gaining approval to utilize a removable short arm rest stock on handguns and resolving the issue with the ATF on the industry's responsibility in following up on trace requests.

Manufacturer of the Year

* Kimber: For establishing a new performance standard for production semi-auto pistols, development of innovative lightweight classic rifles and impressive support of the shooing industry with special edition firearms for the Heritage Fund, USA Shooting Team and the NRA.

* Savage Arms: For originating the value-price package concept, allowing the consumer to purchase a rifle, scope and sling as a single product; and continued new product development and innovations that provide true benefit to shooters, including the introduction of the new Savage AccuTrigger fully adjustable trigger mechanism.

* Winchester Ammunition: For continuing to enhance the legacy of the legendary Winchester brand through innovative market-driven new products such as the WSM and WSSM centerfire rifle cartridges; for aggressively supporting organizations that promote the shooting sports and unwavering support of the independent dealer network through its landmark Winchester Ammunition Advisory Center program.

Distributor of the Year

* AcuSport: For exceptional support of all industry related initiatives, protecting storefront dealer profitability by assisting in the development of sound retail management practices, and continued excellence in distribution from six national locations.

* RSR Corp.: For excellent customer service through distribution from five locations across the U.S.; offering a well-stocked selection of products, exclusive products, knowledgeable sales representatives and a comprehensive Website which offers a wealth of information for retailers.

* Sports South: For the continued and industry-leading role in development and support of a comprehensive point of sale, electronic catalog and firearms management system allowing dealers to confidently and accurately maintain inventory, stock turns, pricing, sales and firearms acquisitions.

Handgun of the Year

* Kimber: Team Match II .45 ACP 

* Smith & Wesson: X-Frame Model 500 Revolver in S&W .500 Magnum

* Springfield Armory: XD 3-Inch Sub-Compact

Rifle of the Year

* Remington: Model 673 Guide Rifle

* Savage: AccuTrigger equipped Model 12BVSS 

* Winchester: Model 70 Super Shadow Super Short .223 WSSM

Shotgun of the Year

* Benelli: Super Black Eagle with SteadyGrip

* Remington: Model 1100 Competition Master

* Winchester: Supreme Select Elegance

Ammunition of the Year

* Cor-Bon: .500 S&W Magnum 440-Grain Hard Cast

* Taurus: Copper Bullets in .45 ACP 185 Grain Deep Hollow Point

* Winchester: .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum (WSSM)

Optic of the Year

* Bushnell: Yardage Pro Quest

* Leupold: Vari-X III 4.5-14x50mm Illuminated Reticle Rifle-scope

* Zeiss: 65mm Diascope Spotting Scope

Accessory of the Year

* Lyman: 1200DPS Digital Powder System Scale and Auto Dispenser

* Remington: R3 Recoil Pad

* Uncle Mike's: OD Green Duty and Tactical Gear

High-Tech Product of the Year

* Crimson Trace: Browning Hi-Power Rubber Overmold Lasergrips

* Hunter's Specialties: Johnny Stewart PreyMaster Digital Caller

* SureFire: A2 Aviator Microprocessor Controlled Smart Flashlight

Knife of the Year

* Benchmade: Model 921 Swithback Two Blade Folder

* Buck Knives: Revolution-XT

* Spyderco: 25th Anniversary Knife

Specially Product of the Year

* Daisy: Winchester Model 1894 Air Rifle

* Streamlight: NightFigher Tactical Light

* SureFire: E2o Outdoorsman Flashlight