SHOT Show Archives

I don’t pull any punches with holster makers. It is incredibly easy to heat up some Kydex and bend it around a gun. It is much more difficult to make bent Kydex into a functional holster that you’d trust your life to. It isn’t a half-assed skill. And those of you reading this might be surprised by how many times we’re approached by aspiring holster makers who want to showcase their skills. Let’s just be clear on this point–I turn at least half of them away becasue they’re not ready. And when I need a holster, I go to Multi Holsters first.

MGI has the most innovative modular rifle on the market today. You want one serialized lower on which you can run just about anything else you want? MGI has it. We’ve put the Hydra system to the test–and couldn’t be more pleased with the way this thing runs. So what’s new for 2015?

Masterpiece Arms has a new masterpiece. The DMG is a 9mm pistol that evokes the charm of the old MAC pistols. Will the semiautomatic DMG prove as popular? Check these things out. They look like great fun guns and we can’t wait to get one on the range.

In a year marked by some sad excuses for new product launches, Kahr is pushing forward. They’ve released upgraded pistols, and added to the Desert Eagle line. Magnum Research, Kahr, and Auto Ordnance all had new launches this year, and some of these guns are just plain bad-ass.

Silencerco’s cans continue to set the pace. Their Salvo 12, the only commercially available shotgun suppressor, is a work of art. Since they launch products as they are available, their presence at the SHOT show was more about advocacy than products, but it was still something to see. Read more…

John Lott, Jr. is a legendary economist, and author of “More Guns, Less Crime.” In addition to discussing the negative correlation between gun ownership and crime, Lott discussed some of the key pieces of disinformation coming from the Bloomberg Machine.

The T4E from Umarex is about to change the way we train with force on force. These carbines shoot fat balls of paint or dust. Or if you want something that thumps harder and can be reused, they can shoot rubber balls. Force on force is about to get a lot more affordable.

When we got wind of the Scorpion (maybe the most fun gun we’ve reviewed all year), we thought that would be the feature story for CZ at SHOT show. Little did we know–the Scorpion was only one chapter. There’s more news from CZ, and it is going to make AR pistol fans happy.

We stopped by the Hornady booth at SHOT Show to get the run down on what is new for 2015. From bullets, factory ammunition and reloading equipment, Hornady is always at the forefront of innovation. So what’s the latest? Hard hitting pig rounds and less expensive carry ammo…read on.

One theme developing at the SHOT Show this year is paired optics. The concept has been around for a while, and manufacturers are catching on. The appeal of magnification paired with fast target acquisition is easy to understand. And now Burris is offering kits that combine everything you need into one convenient package.

So what is this cute sounding cartridge and why should you know about it? Well, first off it will work in an AR-15 style rifle. It fits in standard size magazines but single stacked. It uses a 7.62×39 bolt on a standard carrier group. AM-TAC will be selling barrels, complete uppers and rifles in the coming months ready to roll a Hushpuppy.

Benelli has finally entered the over/under shotgun market with the 828U. They did so in typical Benelli style–debuting a totally new O/U design. This is not your grandpa’s scattergun. This is a light weight double barrel for the 21st century.

At SHOT Show 2015 we talked with Michael Bazinet, Director of Public Affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. We discussed the state of the industry, the changing demographics within the gun community and how we can stop Bloomberg in 2015.

Noreen had a new gun here at SHOT Show. If you are not familiar with Noreen they make big bore AR styled rifles. Like their Bad News line that is available in 338 Lapua or 300 Winchester Magnum. They have a slightly smaller AR style rifle that is chambered for 30-06, 270 Win or 25-06 Remington.

Sauer has three new rifles in their 101 line for us to check out at SHOT Show this year. The 101 line is Sauer’s lower cost line. That is not to say that these are cheaply made, they are far from that. The stocks and the finish are usually a bit more pedestrian than the higher end lines but they shoot like the best of the best.

German Sport Guns (GSG) was at SHOT Show 2015 showing off what maybe their coolest product yet–an MP40 in the original 9mm caliber. GSG makes an MP40 now, but it is in .22LR. The new 9mm will have a certain historic appeal, albeit a dark one. Click here to read the details.

If these Armalite ARs don’t look familiar, it is becasue they are all new. Armalite has overhauled the line. They were one of the few companies at SHOT this year to come out with a total redesign. They re-envisioned all of their AR pattern guns, and are working on the rest of the catalog. And so far, we like the new direction.

The news from Cabot is welcome, for sure. They’re putting out a value line of 1911s now that cuts some of their previous prices in half. They may not have as many cosmetic extras, but these guns are smooth and rack like their more expensive brethren. Check out what’s new at the top of the 1911 food chain.

I’d seen Medford knives from time to time, and I’d actually priced some on the web, but I always thought the price was a bit steep. I used to make knives, and I know–better than most yokels–what is actually involved in the process. But this year at SHOT Show, I got to see the whole line-up, and I’m here to tell you that these things are impressive. I’ll have one, too, as soon as I can scrape up the cash. Check out their Sniper–a knife that is also a Sniper’s tool.

Mossberg has gone big for 2015. They have 5(more than 5 really) new products that they launched at SHOT. We spoke to Linda Powell about the Patriot line of rifles, check out the video for some details. But what about the other 4? Here is a brief summary of them. Look for full reviews in the coming months.

It wasn’t all that long ago that we announced the debut of the R51. This was a gun that almost stole the show last year at SHOT. But the launch was–how do I put this–less than stellar. In fact, it was down-right ugly. Remington went back to the drawing board with this one, and they have a new version ready to roll out.

Cimarron is a well respected name among those who know their 19 century replicas. The company is very innovative. They understand the market well enough to provide guns for those who want historical accuracy, shooters who want speed, and they still manage to put out great guns for the rest of us, too–the ones who prefer a bit more Hollywood in our six-guns. Here’s two new guns for 2015.

Kingston Armory had a couple of intriguing rifles at SHOT Show this year. How does a .22 LR Garand or M14/M1A style rifle suite you? Well Kingston Armory is in the process of making them. These guns look and feel almost exactly like the real thing, but the rimfire chamberings will be much easier to shoot.

M.U.L.E. Tactical was at SHOT Show this year showing a very interesting AR stock. It is called the Adaptive Storage Stock. Simply put, it is a stock you can put a handgun in. You could put other things in there, too, but it wouldn’t be as much fun.

UTAS-USA has one of the best looking guns at the SHOT Show. The UT-X is a AR patterned shotgun. This 12 gauge uses a lot of common AR parts. The best part, though, may be the magazine. The UT-X will feed standard rimmed shot shells, which will make this an easy gun to feed. And it is made in the USA, too.

When Savage set out to make a semi-auto 17 HMR, there weren’t many who thought the wicked rimfire cartridge would ever be tamed. Yet Savage has done it. The new A17 is a rimfire for those who are ready to move past the .22 LRs and into a gun with more range, and more velocity. And that’s not all Savage has brought to SHOT Show.

If you wear a plate carrier, you can pretty much carry as many extra mag pouches and extra gear as you want. This isn’t always practical, though–and is ludicrous for those who need extra gear and the ability to hide in plain sight. So how do you conceal a full load out? Blue Force Gear has a good solution.

It is getting much easier to find an AK-47 that is made in the United States, but few of them will offer the value and durability of a Century. Their two new offerings are traditional AKs, but come in at a price point that is going blow your mind. Milled or stamped, these guns should be selling for under $700. And they’re robust guns.

Taurus has some new products at SHOT Show 2015. The Curve will be shipping soon, the 85 revolver turns convertible and the TCP gets its wings. These are not just new guns, but some fascinating new designs that blend form and ergonomic function in unexpected ways.