You may not believe it but did you know that we make high quality guns? These firearms are created by ArmsCor or Arms Corporation of the Philippines. Using it’s own technology, ArmsCor exports high end guns and ammunition to 60 different countries.
JR Langit along, the Kasangga Team along with gun enthusiasts visited ArmsCor’s factory and learned what makes their products world class.
According to Wenifredo Borlagdan, 90 – 95% of their guns are made for exports. Their clients usually come from America, Central America, Thaliand, and a few European countries. Demetrio Bolo Tuazon proudly claims that they have been in the arms and ammunitions business for 70 years. The quality of their work is due to the fact that everything is created by machines and computers. “There’s no human intervention. Once nakaprogram, tatakbo ng kusa so lahat po yan automatic; paglabas ng piyesa gawa na,” Borlagdan added.
The M1911 pistol “… was developed in 1904 and became the 1911 US standard military weapon. Since then it has changed and today it is one of the most popular guns in the commercial and sporting market in the US. I think we brought that model back into popularity and today the M1911 is the most popular gun used in the US.”
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THROWBACK
Rey Langit remembers an event, a Defense and Sporting Arms Show where he was invited to write and won Best Literary Writing at the said 20th Defense and Sporting Arms Show part II, back in Nov. 29, 2012. It was a story between him and his best friend, Ronnie Poe [JR Langit’s godfather].
Ronnie invited him to guest in one of his movies, “Ang Padrino” that won Metro Manila Film Festival’s Best Picture Award of 1984. The role he was given was that of an assassin. A professional hired killer and Ronnie Poe’s arch nemesis in the film. It was here that he realized how fast he was when drawing his gun.
The scene was in a night club and he was supposed to act surprised that Ronnie Poe, the hero was still alive despite, as the story went, that he got shot, died and was buried. The scene had 3 retakes because Rey Langit would draw his gun faster than that of Ronnie Poe. It was on the 4th take that Ronnie Poe told him, “Pare, AKO ANG BIDA RITO!”
Their friendship didn’t end their. After they concluded the movie, Ronnie Poe gave him a 9mm Browning Hi-Power custom-built pistol in silvery white metal with a 24-carat gold trigger and gold hammer. Bringing home the point that having a licensed firearm is a big responsibility.
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In sports, shooting can be a rewarding and fun activity. The adrenaline rush is coupled with a sense of achievement. Despite the danger, we are all reminded to practise Responsible Gun Ownership.
[Dedicated to my late Kumpadre FPJ, to my son Reyster and to my forever Kasanggang, JR Langit.]