The SHOT Show was great this year with a lot of interesting booths and products to fill every conceivable niche.
Lots of small innovative companies showing off their products like Parabellum Armament finding a need in the market place and filing it. It's unfortunate that the smaller companies coming out with innovative products don't get that much attention. I personally like to go out of my way and find them. All in all it was pretty exciting and fun time if not a bit overwhelming.
The AR is obviously the most popular platform available today and fast becoming the de facto standard for a modern rifle in this Century much like the 1911 has become the symbol of an American handgun over the last century and into the future. The AR platform is being morphed to shoot anything, anytime, anywhere.
A lot of companies are producing AR rifles with their unique twist on the role it is ultimately destined to fulfill. From hunting, self defense, target shooting, or competition there is rifle to fill the need.
Other popular rifles are the AK variety geared toward more survivalist, hardcore crowd with a need for a no nonsense I need this thing to go bang no-matter-what. A lot of cool products to help bring that weapon into the Twenty First Century like the company I mentioned above.
Lots of law enforcement tools being produced, I would imagine, do to the perceived terrorist threat coming from where ever or the slow militarization of the civilian law enforcement to counter sophisticated, coordinated attacks from a organized terror unit. Whatever the reason there is a lot of high tech gadgetry to counter such threats.
Another interesting observation was the that this is the Paleozoic age of firearms and firearm accessories. Every conceivable variation of firearm is being born. AR rifles that accept AK magazines, shot shell shooting revolvers, sub compact .380 handgun explosion, a cornucopia of AR rifles to suit any need or budget, tactical lever guns, crazy chainsaw shotguns. So many ideas of the past melding together into a whole new taxonomy of guns.
It seems like a never ending hunger for new guns and gadgetry is reaching new heights and the quality of guns is generally getting better and better (despite unsubstantiated claims) that the consumers get to choose from.
This could be due to the side effects of an administration that is hostile to guns, the internet effect, the video game effect. One thing for sure attitudes towards gun are changing. More women are getting into firearms for self defense too. New studies show 85% of the people support the 2nd Amendment and a right for the individual to bear arms.
This is is pretty awesome in general and I hope the trend continues with the repealing of stupid laws like suppressors are evil and so are short barrel rifles. These are antiquated laws written in another era to reign in gangsters and the like. Now they aren't needed. Gun control laws only hurt the law abiding citizen.
Anyway. Can't wait for SHOT SHOW 2012 part II next year. I'm superstitious and suffer from Triskaidekaphobia.
Showing posts with label SHOT Show 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SHOT Show 2012. Show all posts
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
2012 SHOT Show: Blaser R8 Super Luxus
These are very nice rifles with beautiful engravings. I just can't afford them but I got to fondle them a lot.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
2012 Media Day: Surefire 2211 Wristlight
Had a look at the Surefire booth at SHOT Show to see if there was anything pretty innovative and cool.
Well there was a lot but I'll just focus on these two cool gadgets.
They are wrist lights that are motion activated. So the theory is if you had to draw your weapon or illuminate an area in a hurry you would just punch out your fist and the light would go on. The light emits a 200 Lumen beam and that's pretty bright to be flashed in the face with it at one foot. The light is also rechargeable via a mini USB port which is pretty handy.
They can also be activated by touching the case of the light anywhere.
The two models below one has and integrated watch and the other is a dedicated light. It's still in the development phase in that it's not available until they think about it more.
Incidentally, the name of the product 2211 Wristlight, the number happens to match the badge number of Dirty Harry.
Well there was a lot but I'll just focus on these two cool gadgets.
They are wrist lights that are motion activated. So the theory is if you had to draw your weapon or illuminate an area in a hurry you would just punch out your fist and the light would go on. The light emits a 200 Lumen beam and that's pretty bright to be flashed in the face with it at one foot. The light is also rechargeable via a mini USB port which is pretty handy.
They can also be activated by touching the case of the light anywhere.
The two models below one has and integrated watch and the other is a dedicated light. It's still in the development phase in that it's not available until they think about it more.
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| 2211 WristLight |
Incidentally, the name of the product 2211 Wristlight, the number happens to match the badge number of Dirty Harry.
2012 SHOT Show Media Day: FMK 9C1 Gen II
I spoke to David Wolfe, Vice President Sales/Marketing about the new 9C1 Gen II and what goes into its manufacturing. The parent company manufactures all sorts of things like medical devices and such and the handgun is manufactured right in the same place using state-of-the-art equipment for the plastics etc. This handgun closely resembles a Glock so anyone familiar with the Glock will be able to use this firearm right away.
I like the way they laser etched the Bill Of Rights right onto the slide.
It shot well with quick follow up shots very nice fit and finish. Get more info from their web site at FMK
I like the way they laser etched the Bill Of Rights right onto the slide.
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| KMK 9C1 Gen II |
It shot well with quick follow up shots very nice fit and finish. Get more info from their web site at FMK
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
2012 SHOT Shot Media Day: GSG-9 Prototype at ATI
Stopped by the American Tactical Imports booth and had a look around at all their neat products.
I got to try out the newest of new GSG-9 22lr prototype with suppressor. It seems to be named after the GSG 9 der Bundespolizei (GSG 9 of the Federal Police) is the elite counter-
I'm glad to see more and more suppressors are being used and built in general. I hope they become mainstream as they truly are a safety device especially when teaching young people to shoot they don't have to take a chance and suffer any hearing loss injuries.
There new flare gun that is very portable and convenient to transport when using in the wilderness for survival equipment.
I got to shoot the first flare of the day
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| GSG-9 Prototype |
I'm glad to see more and more suppressors are being used and built in general. I hope they become mainstream as they truly are a safety device especially when teaching young people to shoot they don't have to take a chance and suffer any hearing loss injuries.
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| SML-37 SURVIVAL MATE 6" BBL 37M |
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| SML-37 Flare Gun |
21012 SHOT Show Media Day: MKA 1919 12GA Shotgun
I came. I shot. I conquered.
Fun gun to shoot, need bigger mags as it comes with only a 5 rounder but that is due to the 922r limitation. Once it's got some U.S. made goodies added you can increase the magazine to a 10 rounder.
6.5 lbs empty is pretty light and comes with a choke kit.
Camo MSRP $800.00 minus a penny. Black is $700.00 minus a penny as they arrive configured from Turkey.
Camo MSRP $800.00 minus a penny. Black is $700.00 minus a penny
Fun gun to shoot, need bigger mags as it comes with only a 5 rounder but that is due to the 922r limitation. Once it's got some U.S. made goodies added you can increase the magazine to a 10 rounder.
6.5 lbs empty is pretty light and comes with a choke kit.
Camo MSRP $800.00 minus a penny. Black is $700.00 minus a penny as they arrive configured from Turkey.
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| Guns Description |
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| Bolt |
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| Modified for Three Gun and 922r compliant |
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| Three Gun Modifications |
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| More Three Gun Mods |
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| This is a pair of stock guns as they are shipped from Turkey |
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
2012 SHOT Show Media Day: Sphinx Polymer Pistols
I made it by the Sphinx booth to try out their new next generation of 9mm polymer pistols. The Sphinx guns are made in Switzerland and are expensive! Christophe Guignard, VP Sales & Marketing said the MSRP of the new Sphinx SPD is $1,200.00. Wow. Don't get me wrong these are nice pistols packed with innovative features but I'd have to win one to get one.
These pistols are built like a brick shit house. There is a two part frame. The upper part is made from aluminum while the lower part is made from polymer. The slide is made from steel. There are Teflon inserts, MIL-STD 1913 aluminum, TiAN, Interchangeable grip sizes, Tritium sights, Picatinny rail, ambidextrous decocking lever and magazine catch, DA/SA, ergonomic, 3-component grip.
I really enjoyed shooting this gun and with the suppressor attached too. Made for nice rapid firing. Felt really nice in the hands, like a Swiss watch.
Some many nice guns on the market today it's astounding.
These pistols are built like a brick shit house. There is a two part frame. The upper part is made from aluminum while the lower part is made from polymer. The slide is made from steel. There are Teflon inserts, MIL-STD 1913 aluminum, TiAN, Interchangeable grip sizes, Tritium sights, Picatinny rail, ambidextrous decocking lever and magazine catch, DA/SA, ergonomic, 3-component grip.
I really enjoyed shooting this gun and with the suppressor attached too. Made for nice rapid firing. Felt really nice in the hands, like a Swiss watch.
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| Stainless, 2 x SDP and SDP Compact |
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| Sphinx SPD Polymer framed gun |
2012 SHOT Show Media Day: Parabellum Armament
I talked to the guys at Parabellum Armament and tried out there AK-Adaptive Rail System and in a word: WOW. This thing is awesome. They made some great design decisions and solved a lot of problems with this great rail system.
The product is solid as a rock and will retain zero even when taking off the AK bolt cover for maintenance because of a neat two prong pin design holding the rail in place that is mounted directly on the bolt cover.
Unfortunately, I didn't get any cool close up pictures but this product is solid.
It allows you to mount optics utilizing the Picatinny rail design, retain zero after field stripping, use BUIS.
The Ratchet Charging System is pretty cool. They are still developing the product and have great ideas for its evolution. I didn't get to try it out but the quality looked very high.
These looked pretty solid. I don't use my AR much but if I did I'd give these a try.
The product is solid as a rock and will retain zero even when taking off the AK bolt cover for maintenance because of a neat two prong pin design holding the rail in place that is mounted directly on the bolt cover.
Unfortunately, I didn't get any cool close up pictures but this product is solid.
It allows you to mount optics utilizing the Picatinny rail design, retain zero after field stripping, use BUIS.
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| One the Right, Andrew C. Edge, Senior Partner |
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| AK-Adaptive Rail System. Very Cool! |
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| Ratchet Charging System: Drop in product. |
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| Ambidextrous -Dual Functioning Over Sized Charging Handle |
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| Ambidextrous -Dual Functioning Charging Handles: Over Size, Normal Size |
2012 SHOT Show: XM134 Mini Gun
You can buy one for $70,000 if you had the right creds.
This one sitting in a turret.It shoots 3000 rounds a minute so that would be $1,500.00 buck to run. I wouldn't mind running it once in awhile if I owned that bad boy.
Ambidextrous triggers. One on each handle. Flip up the red flap, turn on the power hit the button then press either button to spin the barrel.
This one sitting in a turret.It shoots 3000 rounds a minute so that would be $1,500.00 buck to run. I wouldn't mind running it once in awhile if I owned that bad boy.
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| XM134 Mini Gun |
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| XM134 Mini Gun Fire Controls and Holo Site |
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| XM134 Mini Gun Motor |
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| XM134 Mini Gun Fire Controls |
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| XM134 Mini Gun Ammo Feeder |
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| XM134 Mini Gun Ammo Feeder |
Monday, January 23, 2012
2012 SHOT Show Media Day: Full Auto Airguns by Air Venturi
I had to check out the full auto air guns. This was pretty cool. They didn't hardly make a sound yet I was hitting steel out to 25 yards with these bad boys.
These are know as PCP air guns or Pre-Charged Pneumatic. That is there is a reservoir of air integrated into the gun. These have a 280cc capacity which is good for up to 40 shots per fill.
To recharge the on board air bottle you have to carry around an external air bottle, typically a SCUBA tank, and fill it up with that.
The Evanix Speed PY-2667 is available in .177, .22 & .25 caliber and soon they will be offering 9mm with a 280cc reservoir.
The Evanix Speed py-2668 has a 400cc reservoir and is good for 55 shots per fill with the same calibers available.
These are German air guns and of really high quality.
I have a Daystate Airwolf and it's a lot of fun
These are know as PCP air guns or Pre-Charged Pneumatic. That is there is a reservoir of air integrated into the gun. These have a 280cc capacity which is good for up to 40 shots per fill.
To recharge the on board air bottle you have to carry around an external air bottle, typically a SCUBA tank, and fill it up with that.
The Evanix Speed PY-2667 is available in .177, .22 & .25 caliber and soon they will be offering 9mm with a 280cc reservoir.
The Evanix Speed py-2668 has a 400cc reservoir and is good for 55 shots per fill with the same calibers available.
These are German air guns and of really high quality.
I have a Daystate Airwolf and it's a lot of fun
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| .22 cal Air Gun PY-2667 |
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| .25 cal Air Gun PY-2668 |
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| 9mm Air Gun! 50 cents a shot! |
2012 SHOT Show: Smith & Wesson Magpul Team Up
New products for Smith & Wesson include a Magpul branded AR15 variant.
I wonder if Magpul frenzy has died down. I think it has. I remember when Travis Haley and Chris Costa were part of the company promoting the products and making videos everybody wanted a Magpul lower and were willing to pay big bucks. Now the hype has subsided and you can get a Magpul roll marked lower from Smith & Wesson.
At SHOT Show this year there was an sea of black rifles and accessories. The AR is truly becoming America's Rifle.
I wonder if Magpul frenzy has died down. I think it has. I remember when Travis Haley and Chris Costa were part of the company promoting the products and making videos everybody wanted a Magpul lower and were willing to pay big bucks. Now the hype has subsided and you can get a Magpul roll marked lower from Smith & Wesson.
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| Magpul marked Smith & Wesson AR15 |
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| S&W M&P Magpul Rifle |
2012 SHOT Show: Caracal Official Introduction To America
I got to check out the new-to-me Caracal F and C 9mm pistols. Incidentally, Caracal named after a cat. The company officially launched in 2007 at the IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi and is used by law enforcement in the GCC. The Caracal has been available in the U.S. for a couple of years but this year at SHOW Show is the official entry to the U.S. market where they will be opening up a manufacturing facility in AL.
I got to shoot one at the SHOT Show Media day as was quite impressed. It has a very low bore axis due to the unique design of striker spring on top of striker pin. This also serves the purpose of longevity of the striker spring. Lots of interesting details regarding the gun design to save manufacturing costs and increase durability.
The Caracal F also has a full tactical kit available that includes a polymer shoulder-stock and forward grip with rail.
The designer of the Caracal is Wilhelm Bubits who also designed the Steyr pistol and Walther PPS. Wilhelm was a gracious host and answered all my questions and more. Very interesting person and I'm glad I was lucky enough to meet him and talk with him in great length.
The Caracal F magazine capacity is an astounding 18 rounds. That's because of the special design enhancements of the magazine. Wilhelm pointed out that there is no metal plate typically attached to the spring that is used to hold the base plate in. He designed the spring to actually secure the base plate. Also, he made the follower a lot shorter. So these two modifications allows the magazine to fit an extra round in it.
The tactical kit really caught my eye as I thought it was an interesting addition to the pistol. This is not a new thing for Wilhelm to design as he did it for Glock when he worked for them for their pistols.
This would be an evolutionary accessory that includes the ability to add a bayonet to the front of the pistol for close quarter hand to hand combat when all else fails!
I was wondering why there wasn't the ability to add optics such as a red dot to the shoulder stock as this would give it a great advantage in low light, fast target acquisition situations. He said there was a attachment rail but he decided to remove it on the final production version because the design didn't hold it's zero very well. He pointed to the line in the stock as evidence for the design change.
Wilhelm also mentioned that there are prototypes currently in testing of magazines with capacities greater than 30 rounds and to go with the 30 round magazines a full auto version of the Caracal F. Now that is something I'd like to see.
Here is a video of the tactical kit:
While I was at the booth Wilhelm Bubits also explained the design philosophy behind the shoulder stock. He wanted it to be very low profile and with a special sling could be dangling from the shoulder from underneath a jacket. If someone working security or something had to deploy it he could easily rotate it up and quickly attach the gun to it. Also, he demonstrated the durability of the polymer that the stock was made of and it was practically indestructible. He also mentioned that the same material is used in making the magazine base plates.
It's very comfortable to use and really stabilizes the handgun for longer range shots. If I could get this setup I would.
I got to shoot one at the SHOT Show Media day as was quite impressed. It has a very low bore axis due to the unique design of striker spring on top of striker pin. This also serves the purpose of longevity of the striker spring. Lots of interesting details regarding the gun design to save manufacturing costs and increase durability.
The Caracal F also has a full tactical kit available that includes a polymer shoulder-stock and forward grip with rail.
The designer of the Caracal is Wilhelm Bubits who also designed the Steyr pistol and Walther PPS. Wilhelm was a gracious host and answered all my questions and more. Very interesting person and I'm glad I was lucky enough to meet him and talk with him in great length.
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| Wilhelm Bubits, gun designer, and his favorite assistant. |
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| Base plate held in with magazine spring to allow for 18 round mag capacity. |
This would be an evolutionary accessory that includes the ability to add a bayonet to the front of the pistol for close quarter hand to hand combat when all else fails!
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| Ability to add a bayonet to the forward grip when going hand to hand. |
Wilhelm also mentioned that there are prototypes currently in testing of magazines with capacities greater than 30 rounds and to go with the 30 round magazines a full auto version of the Caracal F. Now that is something I'd like to see.
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| Line indicating where the scope mount was removed from earlier models of shoulder stock mold |
Here is a video of the tactical kit:
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| Caracal F tactical kit |
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| Tactical Kit on shouldered |
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| Tactical Kit mounted to Caracal F just relaxing. |
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| Caracal F with Tactical Kit, Speed loader, and Lock |
Sunday, January 22, 2012
SHOT Show Media Day: Snap Shots of the Day
Just had some left over pictures that I'm posting for posterity.
Some random video from the event that might be interesting to someone.
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| Path down to more stuff to shoot. |
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| The fallen target was destroyed by the KRISS SMG |
Some random video from the event that might be interesting to someone.
2012 SHOT Show: Celebrities I Got To Meet: Kyle Lamb, Rich Wyatt, Jerry Miculek, Doug Koenig
Walking around the floor of SHOT Show I got to see a lot of people that I have seen on T.V.
I'm not a name dropper but this time I made an exception!
What I found interesting is a lot of the Top Shot contestants were milling around. I didn't talk to any of them but found that they were a lot shorter that they appeared on T.V.
Here are a couple that I intercepted:
Kyle Lamb was showing off his Smith & Wesson line of products. Very nice guy. I was lucky enough to take a carbine course taught by him and it was great.
Rich Wyatt seemed very nice and was more than willing to get his picture taken with me. His daughter was there in tow looking at the guns too. I enjoy his show "American Guns" as it involves his family. I didn't get to meet his son. He seems like a cool kid with a good head on his shoulders according to the show so I would have liked to get a first impression of him too.
I got to talk to Doug Koenig for a while and asked him how he got started. He was very humble and explained the progression of a 20 plus year adventure in the shooting sports that finally got him to the top of the list of shooters. He started at 17 when he went to his first IPSC tournament but before that he plinked in his back yard practicing and such. Clearly, he has raw talent that was honed and refined over the years. I wish I could shoot a tenth of his ability.
I also got to talk to Jerry Miculek a while and asked him how he stays on top of his game even with his thick glasses. He said something like: "He uses the Force". So now I know he has transcended mere mortals to shoot like the God of Revolvers. He also says he had a boat load of different types of glasses for different events and circumstances. O.K. still he is awesome and only innate ability and the quest to constantly improve and constructively self criticize keeps him super sharp and at the top of his game.
Julie Golub was there she was super nice and does great stuff in the community to help out with great causes. I didn't get a chance to talk with her but she gave off a great aura that made me feel good.
It was nice to see all the celebs mingling at the SHOT Show showing support for the 2nd Amendment.
I'm not a name dropper but this time I made an exception!
What I found interesting is a lot of the Top Shot contestants were milling around. I didn't talk to any of them but found that they were a lot shorter that they appeared on T.V.
Here are a couple that I intercepted:
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| Kyle Lamb |
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| Rich Wyatt from American Guns T.V. Show |
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| S&W Shooting Team Doug Koenig, Julie Golub, Jerry Miculek |
I got to talk to Doug Koenig for a while and asked him how he got started. He was very humble and explained the progression of a 20 plus year adventure in the shooting sports that finally got him to the top of the list of shooters. He started at 17 when he went to his first IPSC tournament but before that he plinked in his back yard practicing and such. Clearly, he has raw talent that was honed and refined over the years. I wish I could shoot a tenth of his ability.
I also got to talk to Jerry Miculek a while and asked him how he stays on top of his game even with his thick glasses. He said something like: "He uses the Force". So now I know he has transcended mere mortals to shoot like the God of Revolvers. He also says he had a boat load of different types of glasses for different events and circumstances. O.K. still he is awesome and only innate ability and the quest to constantly improve and constructively self criticize keeps him super sharp and at the top of his game.
Julie Golub was there she was super nice and does great stuff in the community to help out with great causes. I didn't get a chance to talk with her but she gave off a great aura that made me feel good.
It was nice to see all the celebs mingling at the SHOT Show showing support for the 2nd Amendment.
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