Brand Spotlight: Hanging Out with Grand Trunk and Enjoying the Klymit

March 10, 2017 - posted by EmmaLee Sessions

Today, we are going to talk about one of my favorite things… Camping! We have two camping essentials that are going to knock your socks off and leave you wishing you could “head for the hills” right now.

Sleep… What’s That?

In a recent conversation Mike Vause, sporting goods manager, told me that sleep is an important aspect that is constantly overlooked when camping, hiking, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors. Mike said, “You may have to [fill in the blank].” (Get to the next ridge; land that next catch; bag the elk that has eluded you the last two days; etc.)

The Missouri River near Great Falls, Montana.

A view near Great Falls, MT from a hammock.

When you add the Grand Trunk® Hammocks and Klymit® sleeping pads to your gear list you’ll have the ability to set up camp anywhere there’s trees. Giving you the chance to catch the required Z’s to help you successfully “fill in YOUR blank.” Let’s take a minute now to look at my favorite bed: the hammock.

Shop our great selection of sleeping pads and air mattresses.

Time to Hang Out and Chill Out

Hammocks are a fairly recent trend that everyone, especially the younger generation, is going crazy about. We carry a variety of brands and sizes, but my favorite brand that we carry is (you guessed it) Grand Trunk®. Made out of the same nylon material as parachutes, these hammocks are strong and durable. They come in a few different colors and patterns. So we are sure to have one that fits your style.

EmmaLee and her friend sitting in a hammock.

Hammocking under a bridge.

My favorite thing about hammocks is their versatility. Whether you’re going on a day trip, a 50-mile hike, a 3-day hunting weekend, or just a trip to your backyard, you always have a lightweight, portable resting place that takes minutes to set up and enjoy. The Grand Trunk double hammock weighs only 2 lbs and can hold up to 400 lbs, so it is easy to enjoy with a friend or by yourself. Plus, at 10′ 6″ long by 6′ 6″ wide, there is no way you could go wrong.

Shop our growing selection of hammocks right here, or give us a call so see what all we have to offer!

EmmaLee showing off the Grand Trunk batik hammock.

EmmaLee pictured with her hammock, the Grand Trunk Batik Hammock.

Recently I set a goal to go camping with nothing but my Grand Trunk hammock, a tarp, an emergency blanket, and my sleeping bag for shelter. I still have yet to do so and my goal changed slightly when Mike Vause showed me an evolutionary sleeping pad designed specifically for your hammock. Wow! This evolutionary sleeping pad is none other than the Klymit Hammock V inflatable sleeping pad.

Note: the Hammock V sleeping pad was discontinued in 2020. Check out the Static V inflatable sleeping pad as an alternative option.

What’s New for You

Like all Klymit air pads the Hammock V is made with a V-chamber design that limits air movement and provides excellent insulation. With an R-value of 1.6, it is perfect for the coming season of camping and warmer weather. The two valve system allows you to inflate the Hammock V quickly, using only 15-25 breaths, without the worry of deflating as you go.

Hammock V air pad with EmmaLee, who is 5′ 7″ tall.

One of my favorite features of this air pad is the grip zones located on both sides of the pad. Your sleeping pad will be held in place in your hammock and you won’t have to worry about your sleeping bag slipping and sliding around either. You can check out our other Klymit sleeping pads here.

One of the three (3) silicone, non-slip grip zones.

These coming months are my favorite because I get to head outdoors and do some camping and exploring. I am excited for my night’s sleep to allow me to climb to the top of the next mountain and take time to enjoy the beautiful vistas in comfort. Be sure to get a tarp and rope to keep the rain off of you. Shop online or in our store for tarps and rope.

Come On In and Check Us Out

Buy your very own Grand Trunk Hammock and Klymit Hammock V Sleeping Pad at Smith and Edwards! We’ve got the gear you need for all of your adventures and our helpful and fun staff will be there for you every step of the way. Let us answer your questions and help you find exactly what you need.

Come on in or give us a call today!

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Brand Spotlight: CarryMeGear Holsters – made in Utah!

December 8, 2016 - posted by EmmaLee Sessions

Look out, Utah! There is a new brand of gun holsters in the state and they are exclusively at Smith and Edwards. We know you are going to love them.

CarryMeGear is owned and operated by Smith and Edwards’ own Mike Vause, right here in Ogden, UT. Mike is the Sporting Goods manager here and we are super excited to be carrying his handmade gun holsters!

Mike has spent most of his professional career in the shooting sports industry. For years, he has been looking for something new to bring to this growing market.

“I have owned and tried many holster styles and brands,” he explained, “and decided to take some elements that I like and incorporate them into my thoughts and needs. I woke up one morning and said, ‘Let’s do this!'”

After a lot of work, trial and error, collaboration and help from his good friends, the first CarryMeGear Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) holster came to be.

Why Carry with Kydex?

Carry Me Gear holsters are made out of Kydex, which is a thermal plastic designed for heating and shaping for custom fit. Kydex is lightweight and durable, lasting longer than other materials.

Why is Kydex superior? It is thinner and easier to conceal, and it is sweat and weather resistant. You no longer have to wait for your holster to dry out, making these the perfect holsters for backpacking and hiking.

This Springfield XDS doesn’t print with the CarryMeGear holster in kidney position.

What sets CarryMeGear Apart?

When asked what sets CarryMeGear apart from brands we carry, Mike said, “The difference is adjustability of attachment and fit to the body. It spreads the load over a larger area than single attachment designs, and is sleeker than other 2-point, soft-back styles.”

Still, the greatest things that set these holsters apart are: 1) they are handmade right in Ogden, so you’ll be supporting a local business, and 2) they are about $10 less expensive than other great brands!

Additionally, each CarryMeGear holster is hand-fitted to a mold of the exact model of gun, and hand-sanded for snag-free carry.

We asked one of our buyers, Chris Jacobson, why he was so excited about the new CarryMeGear gun holsters. “These holsters are handmade locally in Ogden, UT and are fitted to your exact gun,” he said. “The Inside-the-Waistband holster is surprisingly comfy. I personally own one and really enjoy using it.”

IWB holsters are especially popular because you can adjust to use your choice of strong side, kidney, or appendix carry. CarryMeGear holsters are even more comfortable because they are easily adjustable to fit every body shape and size.

The holster’s forward and backward cant, or angle, can be adjusted. In addition, tension on the firearm itself can be increased or decreased. Screws and bushings also allow the holster to move closer to or away from the body.

A Sig P238 is secure in an Inside-the-Waistband, left, or Outside-the-Waistband, right, CarryMeGear holster.

Outside the Box: OWB & Small-of-Back Carry

CarryMeGear also makes Outside-the-Waistband (OWB) holsters for strong side carry. Smith & Edwards carries these OWB holsters for several models of semiautomatic handguns, as well as a Smith and Wesson J-frame Revolver model.

This Sig P238 disappears completely in the CarryMeGear OWB holster.

Mike is also very aware of the needs of his customers, and is open to additional feedback and insights. Mike began working on Small-Of-Back holsters due to requests from women shooters.

The small of the back design allows ladies to carry while maintaining a natural hip silhouette. “We are designing, thinking, and testing more designs and products,” he told me. “A Small-Of-Back (SOB) holster has been tested and approved by some of our Smith and Edwards concealed carry permit holders.”

This Small of Back CarryMeGear Holster conceals her Glock perfectly!

Look for the small-of-back holsters, magazine pouches, and even more styles of holsters from CarryMeGear at Smith & Edwards soon!

Get Yours at Smith & Edwards and on our Website

We know that you will love the CarryMeGear holsters, whether you are a CCP holder or looking for a good range holster. We love the CarryMeGear holsters and recommend them to everyone. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without one!

Talk to one of our experts and try them today at Smith and Edwards. You can also find our selection of handgun holsters here on SmithandEdwards.com.

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Q&A: Why use a Gun Vise?

April 25, 2016 - posted by Rose Marion

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Send us your question to help@smithandedwards.com. We’ve got good advice, bad advice, & years of experience with all kinds of crazy outdoors activities. Send us your question, you just might get something fun or helpful back!

Question:

I saw your post on how to clean a rifle. I’ve never used a Gun Vise to clean my rifle… does it make any real difference? -Major Paul

Answer:

You don’t have to use a gun vise to clean your rifle. But it’s a good idea to have one, or a bipod, so your rifle is secured and the stroke of the cleaning rod is consistent with the plane of your bore.

A lot of people also use a bore guide so that when you clean from breech to muzzle, you don’t scrape your crown on the muzzle end. You don’t really want the cleaning rod to contact the crown. A vise will help you clean consistently without scraping the sides. Also, that keeps the mess in one area.

Thanks for asking!
– Mike Vause

Smith & Edwards Gun Counter

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Prepare with 72-Hour Kits & Bug Out Bags

April 2, 2016 - posted by Rose Marion

It’s that time of year to check your preparedness gear, make sure you have a communication/meetup plan for your family, & rotate your food storage.

One important piece of your preparedness plan is having a bag with all your necessities. Some people recommend a bug-out bag, but here in Utah a 72-hour kit is the most recommended pack to have.

What’s the difference? Mike Vause from our Sporting Goods department asked Ryan Seager, our Surplus manager, and Jean Dimick, our Preparedness manager, and here’s what he found.

What Ryan suggests for a Bug-Out Bag

A bug out bag, or go-bag, is a small bag designed to get your from Point A to Point B. Point B should have more supplies, such as your 72-hour kit or your food storage.

You might keep your bug-out bag in your car or truck, or in your desk at work; some place you can get to it easily and go.

So it’s a minimalist kit that has just the necessities to survive. You can buy a pre-made bug out bag, or create your own based on your needs & preferences:

1 quart water, a container, & water purification method
Food (preferably a high-calorie bar)
Bivvy or compact sleeping bag
Poncho
Paracord
First aid kit
Multitool with a good blade
Lighting: headlamp or area lighting
Gloves, hat, scarf, light jacket, and spare clothes (if possible)
Fire starter
Personal defense

Jean’s picks for a 72-Hour Kit:

A 72-hour kit has the supplies you need to survive for 3 days. You’ll store more food and supplies than a bug-out bag, and for this you should consider a large backpack from the camping department, rather than a slim tactical pack. See Hiking & Camping packs here.

You can download a list of suggested items for your family’s 72-hour kits Get a printable ID card and 72-hour kit ideas from Smith & Edwards, as well as ID cards for your children:

Did you know?

Save the Children has excellent resources for teachers, parents, and caretakers. Check them out here! You can also make your own ID cards for your children on the Child Safe Kit®’s website.

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Backpacking Stories: Illuminating Rainy Chapters with a Little LED

August 13, 2015 - posted by Mike Vause

Mike Vause, Camping manager

My Grandpa used to say: “Too much of anything is not good.”

Is it possible to have too much gear? Too many gadgets?

I do love new stuff, but when I am in my backpacker mindset, some stuff just gets left behind. Most backpackers love convenience and comfort, but have to be choosy when it comes to weight.

For years, having a pack under 40 pounds was my goal. As I am no longer 20, my goal has changed to the low 30’s for pack weight for a 4 day or so hike.

Since I have, through the years, carried a lot of weight to get my young children into the backcountry (they are all full grown now), I try to take advantage of the payback opportunity as much as possible. If I can’t convince one of my sons to carry it, I usually leave it home.

Lightbulb Moment

The Solar-Rechargeable Luci Lantern – squishes down flat, diffuses light like a charm. You know, you really should have one of these in your pack.

On this last Uinta backcountry adventure, I found an item that I just had to try out. The Luci Inflatable Solar Lantern has been selling by the hundreds in my department.

I honestly didn’t get how, but its success made me think that I was missing out.

I bought one at the last minute (along with about $200 worth of last-minute necessities) and left the solar lantern on my dashboard to charge that afternoon. My pack was in that low 30# range, so I threw it in my pack.

Two of the nights were cold, rainy, and early-in nights. Reading was a great escape to pass the time.

The LED lights were perfect in the tent and the inflatable feature diffused the light output to perfection. It was awesome. The Luci was light enough to perch in the gear loft and do its job.

In the morning, I left it outside the tent and headed out to fish. The afternoon rains soaked it, but it still recharged without a problem and was ready for the next chapter of nighttime reading.

The Luci promotes itself as an inflatable light – and the fact that its plastic lining diffuses light in the tent is a big plus. But the more important factor for me was that this item, nearly the size of your typical lantern, collapses down smaller than the book I packed – now that’s nifty.

Waterproof, lightweight, rechargeable, and affordable. It’s worth a look.

Get yours online at SmithandEdwards.com here or come see it here at the store off the I-15 Willard Bay turnoff.

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Thanks for coming to Range Day 2015!

June 22, 2015 - posted by Mike Vause

To all our friends in Weber County, Box Elder County, & beyond who came to Range Day 2015…. THANK YOU! We are so glad to be here for you as you came and tried out a slew of guns. It was so great to see families here and we can’t wait for the next one!

Trying out the latest from Smith & Wesson

Crowd Favorites

Our vendors really pulled through, and brought some fun & hard-to-find guns. Some of the most popular guns:

Springfield handguns: 1911 and XD’s
Smith & Wesson handguns (and a 500!)
Savage rifles

This little automatic BB revolver that our Umarex rep brought was a big favorite!

Browning rifles
Both 338 Lapua rifles
Sig 9mm & 45 pistols
TacSol .22pistols & rifles
CZ Scorpion 9mm

He likes this one!

Last year, we had a gun at each of the 20 lanes. Thanks to vendors stepping it up this year, we had easily 50+ guns to try out!

Smith & Wesson Reps and a whole ton of ammo at the Smith & Wesson booth!

Checking out the Sig Sauer offerings

Heard at Range Day:

When is the next one?
Thanks for such a cool event
Do you do this every year?
This is a nice setup and a nice range
I didn’t know that this range was even here
There are lots of options here!
I wanted to try this gun out before I bought it.
Hey, I saw you on YouTube!
This is what we wanted for the city range – Perry City Police Chief Weese

“Range Day was an awesome experience. I loved having so many choices of firearms from so many different manufacturers. The cost was very affordable. The manufacturer reps explained all the benefits and features of each gun and optics. The Smith and Edwards staff made the event fun for all.” – Mike Taylor, Smith & Edwards fan and 338Lapua enthusiast

Perry City Mayor Karen Cronin and Connie Wolf from The Well Armed Woman (Northern Wasatch chapter)

Better than Last Year!

The Perry Range added a dueling tree this year, so the dueling tree was a fun challenge: 10 people won & received free ammo passes! Right on. This event definitely topped last year’s Range Day.

We’ve really got to thank our AWESOME sponsors! Many more vendors showed their products this year, which not only meant that you got to try out more guns: you got more attention. Vendors got to explain specs, gun operation, and give you feedback.

And, we the Smith & Edwards team were able to spend more time making sure the gun fit you, you had a good grip and stance, and that you felt confident operating the gun.

Spotting the long range targets

In addition to more vendors & many more options of guns to try out, this year we had more giveaways, and more parking!

Faye and Matt took home a FREE gun each! Thanks to H&K and Springfield Armory for sponsoring these awesome giveaways. We also gave away BUCKETS of 22 ammo.

Thanks again for coming and making Range Day 2015 a great event. Leave a comment & let me know if you think we should do it a 3rd year!

We put these targets to use!

Join our Email List to hear about all events like this!

The only way to know when Smith & Edwards is up to something cool like Range Day is to join our email list!

Well, if you’re a HUGE fan then come on over and like our Facebook page too, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. But only if you REALLY love us….

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Handgun Grip & Stance for Marksmanship

June 2, 2015 - posted by Mike Vause

Long before James Bond drew a gun, pointed it, and shot the bad guy squarely in the chest…

He had to develop his form.

Grip and stance are the most important things to know about with any type of gun. Your grip keeps you safe and on-target. Your stance keeps you firmly planted and able to repeat a shot – and even move if necessary.

Maybe you love target practice, or maybe you are interested in getting into shooting competitions. Maybe you’re interested in improving your accuracy for personal defense situations. Or – maybe you haven’t actually gone to the gun range yet!

I made this video for you so that no matter your skill or experience level, you’ll feel confident and EXCITED to head to the range!

Watch the Essentials of Handgun Grip & Stance

In the video, I gave you some good pointers:

Hold the gun in your dominant hand with the whole hand high in the grip but under the slide
Keep your thumbs next to each other on the other side of the gun
Hold your nondominant hand as a support, keeping the gun steady so you can repeat your shot
Try to keep both eyes open so you can see your target, and what you shot, better
Keep an athletic stance, with your knees bent
Lean in toward the gun, not backing away from it

With these tips you can head to the range, even as a beginner, and have a great time!

What do you want to know about marksmanship?

Want more marksmanship tips? Leave a comment with what you want to see, and I can make a more advanced video to address more in-depth marksmanship tips, now that we’ve covered the basics.

Enter to win a FREE Gun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Yep – you could win one of 2 FREE handguns that we’re giving away leading up to Range Day. Enter with your email address or Facebook account to enter to win!

In addition to what I showed you about form, every shooter, new or experienced, should know the 4 rules of gun safety.

The Four Rules of Gun Safety

Treat every gun as if it’s loaded. Guns require a heavy level of respect. Don’t make the news: always assume the gun is loaded.
Before you clean your gun or hand it to someone to use, check there’s no ammunition. Eject the magazine, check the chamber visually and with your finger. Even when cleaning or handling a gun you know is empty, follow the following three rules.
Never point a gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy. A gun always has to point at something. Make sure it’s a wall, a table, or the ground. At the Range, it’s good practice to always keep the gun pointing down range, at the targets.
Always know what your target is – and what’s BEYOND it. This is important for home defense more than at the range: if you fire your gun, what will the bullet hit behind your target?
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are aimed at the target & ready to fire.
In the movies you see good guys and bad guys running around with their finger on the trigger. In real life, that’s an easy way to get hurt in a hurry. It’s easy to get startled or twitch, and the first thing that’s going to happen is pulling the trigger. It’s just instinct. So as Blaine showed in the video, keep your finger on the frame of the gun until you’re in place and ready to shoot.

I’ll see you at Range Day! Every lane at Range Day will have a gun for you to shoot as well as a Smith & Edwards or manufacturer representative to help you load the gun and shoot it safely. We’re here to help you have a good time!

Get your Ammo Pass here or at the Gun Counter at Smith & Edwards.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel, and join our email list here.

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Springfield Dueling Tree Competition – GoPro Video

May 28, 2015 - posted by Rose Marion

Mike Vause challenged me to a duel the other day….

He’d already bought the ammo, so I said OK!

We went to the Perry Three Mile Creek Range and squared off at the dueling tree.

(You’ll get to try your marksmanship skills at the Dueling Tree on Range Day!)

Watch the Competition from a First-Person Perspective

I didn’t know Mike would show up wearing a GoPro… you’ve got to take a look at it from his perspective!

About the Dueling Tree

The dueling tree’s designed for two shooters to swing the targets to the other side. If you’ve hit all of yours, your opponent can swing them back to you!

(We would have started out with equal gongs on a side… but we didn’t bring our waders)

Best of all, the Dueling Tree’s made out of good steel so it’s not just restricted to rimfire. Wahooo!

What we Shot

Both of us shot Springfield guns. I gotta tell you, I love these guns – I’m 5’2 with not a lot of grip strength, and I can rack the slide very easily. I also like the grip safety, it makes sure I’ve got a good proper grip on the gun and makes me feel more secure on it.

I shot the Springfield XDM 9mm in 5.25. Mike shot the Springfield XDM 45 in 4.5 with TFX TrueGlo Night Sights.

Your Turn!

Come try your hand at the dueling tree on Range Day, June 12th 2015, at the Perry Range. See you then!

Want more videos? Make sure and subscribe to our Youtube Channel, as well as join our email list for videos, tips, & savings :)

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Talking About What’s COOL at Springfield Right Now

May 23, 2015 - posted by Rose Marion

Sporting Goods managers Mike Vause and Chris Jacobson took me out to the Perry Three Mile Creek gun range this month so we could check out some of the Springfields that will be available to shoot at Range Day 2015 on June 12, 2015.

Take a look:

Just wait til next week, you’ll get to see Mike and me going head-to-head shooting Springfields, from a very unique perspective…

Get your ammo pass today for Range Day 2015 at the Sporting Goods counter, or online!

(You’ve already got your vacation day booked, right?)

You’re already on our email list, right? Look at how awesome you are!

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Range Day 2015 is just a month away…

May 14, 2015 - posted by Mike Vause

I am EXCITED! See how excited I am in this video and the HUGE range of calibers available for you to shoot:

Thanks to our sponsors! Thanks to them, we will have a gun on every lane of the Perry City Three Mile Creek Range. We’ll have a dueling tree and I’ll tell you about a little COMPETITION we’ll have going when we get closer to the event.

How does it work at Range Day? Buy an ammo punch-pass for $20. (Available week of May 18) Then, shoot any caliber you like!

This event will run 11-7pm on Friday, June 12th. We’ll have the entire range to ourselves, with support from the Three Mile Creek rangemasters.

We’ll have 22s for you to shoot, on up to a 338 Lapua

Our 2015 Sponsors: Browning – Charter Arms – Colt – Crimson Trace – CZ USA – Desert Tactical – Heckler & Koch – HS Precision – Law – Savage Arms – Sig Sauer – Smith & Wesson – Springfield Armory – Tactical Solutions – Uberti

Plus the Northern Wasatch chapter of The Well Armed Woman will provide refreshments.

Be sure you’re on our email list to get all the details! Visit & bookmark the Official Range Day 2015 page for more videos & details as we get closer to the event.

Click here to see the fun we had at last year’s Range Day…