since 1965
- started by fishing and hunting wholesalers in
Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma - commissions limited editions of firearms
- 1997 started embellished Colt 1911’s and Walther PPK’s
- July–December 2007 with the Ruger John Wayne Vaquero
- Colt
- Glock
- Ruger
- North American Arms
- Mossberg
- Sig Arms
- Walther
Talo Distributors Inc
120 Pleasant St,
Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 872-9242
taloinc.com
About TALO
TALO Distributors is a wholesale buying group best known to collectors for its limited edition and distributor-exclusive firearms. The group traces its origins to a 1964 meeting at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, where regional hunting and fishing wholesalers chose the name Talo Buyers Group, and it was incorporated in 1965. The name comes from the founding members’ home states: Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. TALO describes itself as the first buying cooperative at the wholesale level in the sporting goods industry. In its early years it commissioned private label Savage rifles and Mossberg pump shotguns.
Today TALO works with manufacturers such as Colt, Ruger, Walther and others to create special editions that are distributed through its member wholesalers, including Camfour, Davidson’s, Lipsey’s, RSR and Zanders, to stocking dealers nationwide. Collectors buy TALO editions by asking a local dealer to order from a TALO distributor. Editions range from cosmetic upgrades to functional changes and fundraising runs, and TALO reports raising over a million dollars for nonprofits including USA Shooting Team, Semper Fi Fund and the Navy SEAL Foundation. The Ruger John Wayne Vaquero, with 3,500 specially serialized units, marked a turning point in the scale and popularity of TALO editions.
Key Facts
- 1964: First meeting at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, where the Talo Buyers Group name is chosen
- 1965: Incorporated by wholesalers in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma
- 1997: Begins embellished editions of Colt 1911 pistols and Walther PPKs
- 2006-2007: Ruger John Wayne Vaquero edition announced and produced, 3,500 units in the original run
- Member distributors include Camfour, Davidson’s, Lipsey’s, RSR, V.F. Grace and Zanders
Learn More
Sources
- About TALO – TALO Distributors
- John Wayne Ruger Vaquero – TALO Distributors
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