Springfield Armory, Inc.
 | |
| Private | |
| Industry | Defense |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Geneseo, Illinois, USA |
| Products | Firearms |
| Slogan | "The First Name In American Firearms" |
| Website | springfield-armory.com |
Springfield Armory, Inc. is a firearms manufacturer and importer based in Geneseo, Illinois, founded in 1974. It is one of the largest firearm companies in the world. The company is a four-time recipient of the National Rifle Association American Rifleman Golden Bullseye award.[1]
Formation
After the US Government's Federal Armory (founded by President George Washington), named Springfield Armory, was closed by the federal government in 1968, Elmer C. Ballance registered the trademark of "Springfield Armory" to be used by his new company (LH Manufacturing) dedicated to the first civilian production of the M14 rifle, calling it the M1A. Ballance began in San Antonio, Texas, and soon after moved to Devine, Texas. The company gained momentum and popularity, and Ballance soon sold the company to the Reese family who had a well-established production shop and experience base. The company then expanded its market into pistols, notably the M1911. After further success, the company began to branch into many fields of firearms. Springfield Armory, now run by Dennis Reese and Tom Reese, manufactures and imports dozens of different firearms of many styles and models. The company's motto, "The First Name in American Firearms" refers to the usage of the Springfield Armory name and trademarks acquired by Ballance and later transferred to the Reeses.[2] There is no other connection between the institutions.
Products
The company's main products are M1911 pistols, and the M1A rifle series. It has been importing the Croatian HS2000 pistol as the XD ("X-Treme-Duty") series since 2002. Previously the company offered clones of the M1 Garand, Beretta BM59, FN FAL, HK 91, and M6 Scout. They have also imported Tanfoglio and Astra semi-automatic pistols under the Springfield name.
Springfield Armory also has a well-known custom shop, where full-custom M1911A1s and semi-custom XD pistols are built and modified. The custom shop's most famous product is the Professional Model (formerly known as the Bureau Model), an M1911 variant. The Professional Model was one of only two guns to pass the controversial trials set forth by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a new pistol for its Hostage Rescue Team and SWAT teams. The head gunsmith is David Williams. The first two directors of the custom shop were Les Baer and Jack Weigand.[3]
Rob Leatham has been the captain of "Team Springfield", the practical shooting team, since its inception in 1985.
- Springfield Armory P9
- Springfield Armory M6 Scout
- Springfield Armory EMP
- Springfield Armory M1 Garand
- Springfield Armory SOCOM 16
- Springfield Armory XD and XD(M)
Political involvement
Springfield Armory, Inc. has played a major role in vocally opposing former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed assault weapons ban that threatened to ban firearm manufacturing in Illinois.
Co-CEO of Springfield Armory Dennis Reese announced on July 13, 2008, that Springfield Armory will provide $1,000,000 to kick off the National Rifle Association's new Competitive Shooting & National Championships Endowment.[4]
References
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