STURGIS, SD (1/21/16) – Irving Stone III, owner of Bar-Sto Precision Machine, was the honored recipient of the 2016 “Pistolsmith of the Year” award by the American Pistolsmiths Guild (APG). Stone received this prestigious award at the annual APG meeting in Las Vegas on Monday evening, prior to the opening of the annual SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade) Show.

Since 1985, only one Guild member is recognized annually with the APG’s “Pistolsmith of the Year” award. This award carries with it a testament to the recipient’s true talent and benefit to the firearms industry.

The American Pistolsmiths Guild was formed in 1977. The Guild sets gold standards for work, products and business procedures requiring each member to go through rigorous grading, scrutiny, observation, and critical examination in order to achieve membership. Guild members are under constant scrutiny to keep their quality of work and business at the highest standard. Guild members must adhere to a set of precise guidelines created by the Guild to guarantee consumers receive quality work and customer service from any member of the Guild. The APG has become a respected member of the firearms community due to the diligence of its Guild members.

About Bar-Sto Precision:

Bar Sto Precision was formed in California in the 1960’s. In 2010, Irv relocated his business to the Sturgis Industrial Park. Bar-Sto Precision Machine’s auto-pistol barrels have been used by the U.S. Marine Corps Marksman Unit since 1977. The Army Marksmanship Unit also uses them. Bar-Sto barrels have won every major pistol tournament worldwide, including Camp Perry, the U.S.P.S.A. Nationals, Steel Challenge, the Masters, and many more.

Photo Courtesy of Meade County Times-Tribune