Best Damn Gun debuts new Sig P-series trigger kit
February 17, 2016A Madison, SD contract manufacturer for the firearms industry is gaining national recognition for its precision gun parts. Best Damn Gun, LLC recently debuted a drop in trigger kit designed specifically for Sig Sauer pistols. The kit earned rave reviews at the 2016 SHOT Show, the firearms industry’s annual shooting, hunting and outdoor trade show and conference.
With clients nationwide, Dave and Sonya Wilt have been manufacturing top-grade, drop in replacement parts for handguns since 2007. In response to customer demand as well as to fill an industry void, the Wilts formed Best Damn Gun, LLC in 2010 and acquired a Manufacturer’s Federal Firearms License (FFL) in order to manufacture original firearms components. Since then, the small family-run startup has built a reputation as experts in the field of Wire EDM, or electrical discharge machining.
Today they primarily manufacture interior components and mechanisms, such as hammers, sears and triggers, for some of the most popular handguns in the industry. Every part is designed specifically based on a customer’s needs.
“We sell precision parts to gunsmiths and wholesale companies,” said Sonya. “We take pride in our work and ensure the highest quality and performance of each individual piece by building in systematic checks into our manufacturing processes.”
Best Damn Gun, LLC began operating in Madison in late 2014 after relocating from Sac City, Iowa. The decision to relocate stemmed from a conversation with representatives from the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and Lake Area Improvement Corporation (LAIC) at the 2014 SHOT Show. South Dakota offered a friendly business environment with no corporate income tax and better protection under firearms manufacturing laws. After looking at a number of communities in the state, the Wilts chose Madison based on a number of factors, but largely because of the city’s school system.
“Madison seemed like a good fit for us,” said Dave. “The people were nice, courteous. But the school was the biggest draw, especially its pro-business curriculum. The cooperative relationship between Madison High School and Lake Area Technical Institute has enabled our oldest son Zack to dual enroll in Precision Machining while finishing his senior year in high school.”
The Wilts have four children in Madison’s school system: three in high school and one in elementary school. They often help out with the family business after school. Zack has been programming and operating machines as well as designing parts, such as the Sig P-Series adjustable trigger, hammer, sear and safety lever set they exhibited at the 2016 SHOT show.
Heartland Consumers Power District Director of Economic Development Casey Crabtree recently visited the Wilts at their shop in Madison to present them with a Heartland Growth Incentive. New and expanding business in Heartland customer communities are eligible for the incentives.
“It’s incredible to see these components being built in South Dakota, more specifically in Madison, for some of the biggest names in the industry. The attention to detail and quality of part they produce is truly unmatched. They are a great asset to the Madison community and Heartland is proud to support their growth.”
Heartland provides wholesale power to the city of Madison. Its Growth Incentive program helps customer communities attract new businesses and encourage existing ones to expand by awarding hiring incentives and utility rebates to qualifying businesses. Since the program’s inception in 2004, Heartland has issued over $1 million in rebates and incentives, and participating companies have purchased an additional 15,000 megawatt-hours of energy. For more information, visit www.hcpd.com/economic-development.