In the March/April 2005 issue of SSR, Associate Editor Oliver Shapiro reported on the availability to civilian use of thermal imaging optics, suggesting that, someday, such technology would be ready for hunters and for home defense. In that piece, Shapiro reported on the ELCAN SpecterIR (infrared) SP50B thermal optic. If you wanted to buy one – assuming commercial availability at the time – a single unit would cost around $25K, a bit high for targeting a desert coyote on a summer night in Arizona.
Now comes Trijicon, the company that has equipped probably more Middle East deployed military with its innovative riflescopes than any other, which introduced a thermal imaging scope on an AR at SHOT. A company rep explained the effects – indeed, the special effects – that we’ve never before seen.Certainly, the user can plainly see not just a white hot thermal image of a target human, but a near positive “black hot” image, as well, with the push of a button. More intriguing, however, is when our Trijicon host walked out of the booth and put his hand on a glass wall of a neighboring booth. Sure, we could see the hand thermally, but then he removed his hand and told us to keep looking. There it was! His hand print remained on the glass long after he stepped away due to retained heat reflection on the glass. Shades of CSI-Miami!
The good – or better – news is that the price has dropped to a level somewhere between $10K and $20K. I paused for the inevitable “But Wait!” offer, but it never emerged. Darn.
A pair of related companies, Texas Hunt Co. and Spec.-Ops landed in Orlando with an array of tactical gear designed to be all things modular. Based on web belts favored by the military, one literally starts with a two part belt-over-belt waist belt and then adapts a variety of add-ons such as mag pouches, cell phone pouches, cartridge holders, thigh rigs, back packs, slings, sheaths and assorted organizer necessities for tactical or hunting missions. Old West cowboys used a gun belt, not to hold up their pants, but to accommodate holsters, cartridges and gun. Easy on, easy off was the rule. Spec.-Ops’ gun belt is designed for just that and, as accessories are added, there’s no worry about weight pulling one’s pants well below the “crack” line. Whew. That’s a relief.Spec.Ops has also considered hunters who carry lots of small gear – cell phone, iPod, calls, scents, flashlight, license, etc. – to and from a hunting area with the Blind Buddy, a clamshell design that secures all those accessories into a quiet compartmented accessory.
Day 2: Sapp On the show floor, I’m overwhelmed by binoculars. New companies are elbowing their way into the already crowded field.
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Former US Marine Mike Fowler, who refers to himself as the “Multi-Tasking Manager,” says this is Vixen’s first year at SHOT. The OEM company, which formerly made Celestron optics, offers a full line of field binoculars, but is perhaps most proud of its astronomy models, which change the flat image perspective to one with a 3D feel. What power sells best in the US? “Probably the best-all-around is eight-power,” he says. “It combines magnification and wide field of view without eye strain.
Speaking of Celestron, Ed McDonough says there is nothing new in the 2009 binocular line. Their VistaPix 8x22 digital camera/binoculars are a steal, however, at $250: flip-up LCD screen, FM radio receiver through earphones, three-megapixel camera, SD card slot, three-minute video and removable 8x lens for close-up photos.
Kruger manufactures REI and Columbia Sportswear-branded optics, says general manager Eric Ye, who reflects that Columbia’s position is lower middle for price and quality. When president Mark Thomas and sales rep Dan Callen join the conversation, however, the marketing estimation rises to medium-high. Callen compares Kruger glass to that in Leupold and Bushnell. “At MAP,” Callen says, “a retailer can make 50 percent on our roof prism 10x42s.”
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Vortex has expanded its inexpensive Diamondback binocular line. These glasses have a large field of view, fully multi-coated optics, phase-corrected high-index prisms and improved anti-reflective coatings to increase light transmission, says Adam Vrotsos. The rubber-armored bodies have an aggressive diamond pattern for gripping. Waterproof, fog-proof and O-ring-sealed, Diamondbacks are purged with argon gas.
HD series binoculars from Carson have upgraded lens coatings, says national sales manager Tim Faust, a five-year Carson veteran. A model like the XM-042HD, a full-sized 10x42 binocular combines phase coated prisms with a new optical coating for bright, sharp images. The rubberized coating makes it harder to drop as one glasses for turkeys on foggy mornings, too. The body is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed for water- and fog-proofing.
About new Storm EX Barska's, salesman Harry Bajwa says, “We cater to price-conscious consumers, maybe in the lower Bushnell range, but Barska offers a lot of value for the money.”
The 8x Storm EX roof prism has a 42mm objective lens and is built in an “open bridge” style which means that except for the forward balance, the tubes are only connected at the focusing wheel. Storm series optics are fully multi-coated, waterproof and fog-proof with black rubber-armor coating and detachable lens covers.
At Leica, Jan Greenwood and I talk dogs and sailboats before sailing into their optics. What, no binoculars? Leica has introduced new HD Geovid Binocular Rangefinders with 42mm (8x or 10x) and 56mm (8x or 15x) objective lenses and enhanced ranging capability out to 1,400 meters. All Leica glass is fully multi-coated with fluoride for total color neutrality: waterproof, fog-proof and shock resistant.
Try using Night Owl optics during daylight hours…and there’s going to be a problem. Sandra Vargas, their 2 ½-year marketing manager, explains night vision principles: three-volt lithium batteries and infrared illuminators.
But here is the Fausti Stefano shotgun booth and three gorgeous shooting sisters from Brescia, Italy, Elena, Giovanna and Barbara. Barbara hands me literature, tells me she is “always the one with the gun,” and suddenly my wrap-around dragon itches like mad. I gotta get out of here….
I’d recently written a story about the “controversial” use of Tasers and how there’s still much misunderstanding in the general public about the practice. Also, I wanted to boast about my experience of being tased during the course of my research. Hey, how many people can say they’ve been tased and then not arrested?
Hilary Gibeaut, Taser’s Public Relations Manager was duly impressed though she told me she was tased for a full five seconds as a part of their training. (I only got tased for maybe one and a half seconds). Nonetheless, I was impressed with the company’s new MP3 holster, which houses both an MP3 player and a Taser Model C2. Pretty nifty idea: Attach the holster to your belt so you can listen to tunes while jogging and if necessary, instantly pop out your Taser in case of attack! “It’s great for hiking or for carrying in public places (like open-air restaurants) where you cannot shoot your gun,” said Gibeaut.
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Not being a CCW holder means—unfortunately for me—never having to buy or try on any holsters. As such, I was completely unaware that 99 percent of holsters are made to fit a man. Thankfully, Bill King at the Galco Leather booth set me straight and, I got to try on the ambidextrous, body-hugging UnderWraps, Galco’s updated version of the traditional bellyband. Quite nice.“Clothing is the first sacrifice women have to make if they want to discretely carry a concealed weapon,” said King, Customer Service Supervisor for the Phoenix-based company. Simply put, men typically wear looser fitting clothing than women, affording them a much easier time of hiding their weapons. Naturally, the first thing to conspicuously show on a woman is the muzzle of a gun jutting out on her hips. The UnderWraps allows the wearer to carry multiple weapons and accessories around the midsection “in an infinite variety of configurations,” according to Galco. Also, it can be worn low on the waistline, partially under the beltline or just above it, or worn around the solar plexus area. If all that sounds too complicated, King said that at the end of the day, a woman’s breast cleavage “is perfect for concealing a weapon.”Wow … how can I top a statement like that? Easily: by stopping (accidentally, mind you) at the San Diego-based Triple K booth. (I must have felt homesick after only two days.) First thing out of owner Kurt Krasne’s mouth after staring at my badge was, “I just read two of your stories in Shooting Sports Retailer magazine on the plane.” One was the Taser story and the other was my column on the concealed carry controversy in Orange County, Calif. Good to know we’re being read!
Among the numerous concealed carry accessories available from Triple K (belts, purses, holsters, etc.), I was immediately drawn to the Pepper Gun: a small, pink gun-shaped device that shoots pepper spray in a 25-foot stream. Perfect “if you’re a woman and don’t want to carry a gun,” said representative, Rex Lowery. Of course, the company is renowned for its well-made and sharp looking leather goods, which are all manufactured in San Diego. I liked the Pistol Purses (3 models); all ambidextrous, all accommodating full-sized semi-auto pistols and selling for about $72 each.Day 2: Hausman Visiting the CorBon ammunition display, I found that Barnes Bullets’ copper bullet technology is so highly thought of that CorBon has now incorporated them into their DPX line and the CorBon DPX line is now a California non-lead certified ammunition.
CorBon has also incorporated Barnes Bullets’ single copper TSX ringed bullet into its line as it was found to provide significantly greater velocities, lower pressures and less fouling, without requiring an external coating. The TSX bullet also delivers a triple impact effect – one when it first strikes game, another as the bullet begins opening, and a third impact when the specially-engineered nose cavity fully expands to deliver extra shock with maximum transferred energy.
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Moving over to the impressive Magtech Ammunition booth, I discovered their CleanRange line of lead-free ammunition. Designed to capitalize on the trend of indoor ranges to require the use of lead free ammunition, the line is an economically priced offering. Featuring lead-free primers and fully encapsulated bullets, the two features work to eliminate the shooter’s exposure to lead and other heavy metals. An additional benefit of using CleanRange is less firearm fouling, meaning your customers can spend less time cleaning their guns and more time shooting – which means more sales for you, the retailer.
I next walked into the Remington area and noted that their Premier Green Centerfire Rifle Ammunition features solid copper lead-free hunting bullets. Remington has teamed up with a worldwide leader in non-toxic bullet technology – Lapua, to offer the American shooter the Naturalis® Copper bullet, loaded in Remington’s premium rifle cases. The end result is ammunition that offers outstanding on-game performance while meeting all requirements for lead-free hunting ammunition. By the way, the move to lead-free ammunition is particularly strong in Europe and as a major European producer, Lapua is certainly on top of trends in lead-free ammo development.
The Naturalis bullet has the following noteworthy features: polymer tip to eliminate in-magazine cartridge tip deformation; an expansion chamber behind the tip to initiate controlled expansion to twice the bullet’s original diameter with deep penetration and near 100% weight retention. Remington’s Green cartridges are available in .243 Win., 7mm Rem. Mag., .30-06 Spfld. and .308 Win.
New for 2009 are Fiocchi’s introduction of Tundra™, non-toxic technology to its shotshell line. Carlo Fiocchi, vice president sales and marketing, said Tundra shells utilize a tungsten compound. The material is not brittle, so it will not deform or break apart while traveling down the barrel, and, unlike steel shot, Tundra shells can be fired in any standard choke and barrel that shoots lead shot. Tundra is available in both waterfowl and pheasant shell offerings.
The Tundra concept is also applied to two new 12 gauge slug products. Fiocchi’s EMB non-toxic slugs are composed of copper with a Tundra composite insert. In the planning stage are EMB rounds in .243 Win., .270 Win., and .30-30 Win.
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Fiocchi’s Frangible Non-Toxic line, introduced last year, has become a favorite with users of indoor ranges. This ammunition line uses the copper/tin composite SinterFire™ bullet. These projectiles, which contain no jacket or plating, literally crumble to dust upon impact with hard surfaces.
A must-have these days for shooters utilizing indoor ranges, Remington’s UMC LeadLess cartridge line virtually eliminates lead exposure at the firing line. T he bullet’s specially-designed Flat Nose Enclosed Base (FNEB) actually prevents the vaporization of lead from the bullet’s base upon firing. These cartridges also have a lead-free primer. Available in standard bullet weights to duplicate the firing characteristics of conventional loads, the UMC label ensures the cartridges are an exceptional value for your customers.
Remington’s UMC LeadLess cartridges are available in .38 Spl., .38 Spl. +P, 9mm, .357 Mag., .40 S&W, .45 ACP and .380 ACP.
My first stop was at the Jackson Safety, exhibit. This firm has a full line of superior eye and ear protection. And they are the primary manufacturers of such products for Smith&Wesson, Winchester and Silencio. Everything from foam ear plugs to earmuffs, as well as several different types of shooting glasses can all be found in this firm’s product line.
Not too far away, Radians, had a booth that offers an extensive line of both protective eyewear and several models of electronic earmuffs. As well, several standard earmuffs, soft gel plugs with internal sound dampeners and simple foam plug are all part of the lineup. Likewise, a diverse line of protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses in a wide range of styles and options are all available.
Walker’s Game Ear products allow the hunter to hear distant sound, while at the same time providing complete hearing protection. New for this year, the Archer’s Ear has been optimized for bow hunters. And the new Jim Shockey Signature Game ear delivers both hearing enhancement and protection. Made to fit the precise contours of the ear, both full ear shell and ear canal models are available. This firm has it all, including two different models of protective eyewear. Walker’s is a trusted name in the shooting industry and that’s saying a whole lot.
It just wouldn’t be a show without E.A.R./Insta-Model company. While this firm’s molded-on-the-spot hearing protection is well known, brand new is their revolutionary NYX “Sports Vision System.” These glasses feature Chrysalis Photochromic lenses that change tint automatically and are polarized to eliminate glare. NYX Sport glasses are available in a wide range of lens colors and frame styles, including a model that features interchangeable lenses.
It would seem that the color pink is that latest fashion statement in almost everything, including hear protection. The folks at Pro Ears exhibited “Pro Ears in Pink” hearing protection. Offering several innovative features, like an internal electronic micro-processor, fully enclosed military grade circuit boards and DLSC™ technology that protects hearing and allows the wearer to hear softer sounds, these ear muffs offer both good-look and protection combined. Packed with innovative features and made in pink (pink camo also) just for the ladies, this is the smart choice in feminine hearing protection.
Health Enterprises offers in-the-ear hearing protection that caught my attention. Buried within a soft silicone ear insert in an aluminum barrel is a tiny diaphragm that reduces loud impulse noise while permitting normal sound. Marketed as “Impact Noise Reducers,” this type of protective device eliminates that “plugged up” feeling so common with any type of ear plug and allows the user to hear normal conversation. This product was so good, that it quickly went to the top of my “must have” list.
Day 2: Murdoc It’s hard to believe, but the second day in the tactical area is even more crowded than the first. Tactical has been hot and getting hotter for the past several years. Uncertainty about the new President and his possible plans for increased gun control (maybe even a new Assault Weapons Ban) has driven demand through the roof. Since I’m starting to sound like a broken record, I’ll just say the tactical show opened like a madhouse, it closed like a madhouse, and it didn’t let up for one minute in between.
Two civilian versions of Special Forces rifles that are soon going to be available are Heckler & Koch’s MR556 and MR762 rifles, semi-auto models of the piston-driven HK416/417 rifles used by some Delta Force units. The rifles will be assembled at HK’s new US plant in Newington, New Hampshire. Even H&Ks own marketing materials point out that these are “premium level” weapons, so you can be sure they won’t come cheap. But the top-notch H&K quality will be well worth it. One disappointing bit is the fact that Germany’s export regulations require that certain elements of the design have to be altered from the military weapons, meaning that the upper receivers won’t be compatible with standard AR lowers.
EOTAC Operator Grade Apparel burst onto the scene a few months back and they had their entire line of tactical and discreet clothing on display to check out. Among my favorites are the Operator Pant, based on the military-issue ACU but with improved cut and features, and the Zip-Up Long Sleeve Shirt, which hides a zipper closure behind standard-looking false buttons. Combined with hook and loop fasteners, this allows rapid access to gear under the shirt while maintaining a more fashionable, non-tactical look. The ladies at the booth were wearing prototypes of the new Women’s Lightweight Tactical Pant, which should be available soon and give tactical women an alternative to wearing guys' tac trousers all the time. Finally, the Field Jacket, based on a 1950s European military jacket, looks sharp and incorporates plenty of features. If you try one on, you’ll probably want one. I sure did when I first saw it.
As noted earlier, the raging popularity of the AR platform has given birth to black rifles in many calibers. On display at the Smith & Wesson booth is the new M&P 15-22, a dedicated black rifle in .22LR. The lightweight molded polymer lower receiver is not compatible with standard AR uppers, but the 15-22 incorporates many popular tactical rifle features, including flat top receiver with Picatinny rail, quad-rail forearm, 6-position collapsible stock, adjustable sights, and bolt hold-open on empty. It comes with a 25-round magazine and will have an MSRP of $499. Considering that most .22LR conversion kits for standard ARs retail for at least that much, this complete rifle is not a bad deal at all. It should be available in July.
The Magpul booth was constantly mobbed, but by the end of the day I couldn’t wait any longer and dove in. I spotted a familiar face and headed over for a rundown on the latest products out of the Boulder, Colorado, company that has risen to become one of the hottest players in a market filled with hot players. On display were some of the hottest new cool products, and the first that caught my eye were the improved PMAG Polymer Magazines for AR-style rifles. Already among the most sought-after magazines in the market, the new PMAGs incorporate some new features, including the capability to snap the covers onto the bottom of the magazine while the mag is in the weapon. In addition, a new EMAG (Export) that fits a number of international weapons, including the HK 416, SCAR, and IMI Tavor was on display. It remains compatible with standard AR15/M-16 weapons. The PMAG 20-LR is a new 20-round magazine for 7.62mm (.308) ammo and works with SR25-pattern rifles such as the M110 SASS, DPMS LR308, and LaRue Tactical Stealth OSR.
Magpul’s newest series of accessories is the MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) line of low-cost weapons components. Despite the outstanding pricing, MOE accessories are designed to retain the features and quality that have made Magpul famous. Two of the best items in the line appear to be the MBUS Back-Up Sights for front and rear, available in a number of colors. They mount on standard rails and fold down when not in use. Another good-looking product in the line is the MOE Hand Guard, a simple carbine-length forearm with slots to mount rail sections if needed. Only mount the rails you need and save a little cost and weight over aluminum hand guards if these meet the requirements of your mission.
Day 2: Shapiro It Continues. Able to sleep in a bit, I get to the Convention Center at about 8:30 and begin my quest for more new and neato stuff, starting with white powder for muzzle loaders.
Nope, not kidding; White Hots from IMR Powder could change the name of this pastime altogether. Features touted are high energy, better accuracy, more convenient reloads due to pre-formed charges, fast and easy cleanup, and high-spectrum 209 primer compatibility.
Spyderco has made a knife or two in their time, and some new models here were well worth seeing. The BushCraft is a no-nonsense, fixed-blade unit designed for those jobs needing doing while out back, like slicing, chopping, whittling, and game processing, with a 4-inch blade, full tang, and high-carbon steel. Others include the Leaf Storm (folder, fits in the watch pocket of a pair of jeans, titanium handle, pivot screw, G10 overlay) and Khukuri (folder, distinctive blade with deep drop-point belly).
“Seriously,” remarked one of my acquaintances in the publishing biz, “Browning should change their name to the ‘Browning lights and knife company.’” Perhaps, but I sure hope they keep making guns. Yet my buddy’s point is well-taken as there are plenty of those things from the venerable manufacturer, and a rep showed me some of their new items. How about that Night Seeker Cap Light/Knife Combo? In one neat package you get the cap light (adjustable tilt, two white LED’s and one red, water resistant) and knife (folding, with 2.5-inch stainless steel blade, thumb stud, pocket clip). Or the Microblast, a pen light with curved fiber optic attachment as a bore light. And about a zillion others.
And back to black powder, this time over at the Blackpowder Products Inc. booth, where I am keen on the new CVA Apex.
Another example of what seems to be a one-gun-does-all trend, it “can be quickly and easily set up with a wide range of stainless steel, fluted, Bergara Barrels in 13 different calibers including muzzleloader, centerfire, and rimfire,” says the company. Add to that an adjustable trigger, ambidextrous stock, and a newly designed recoil pad; sign me up.
W.R. Case and Sons seems to be on the ball as well, with their new Dale Earnhardt line of products, a new brand name (Standard Knife Company), and a host of cool Case knives like the Humpback Stockman and Whittler, TrapperLock, and the Case Desk Knife. That last one caught my attention, ‘specially as I’m caught sitting on my behind, staring at a computer screen, much more than I’d like.
I found out that for 2009 Remington repositioned and rebranded their “Youth” guns into the “Compact” line and have added some different stock and camo pattern options. “We decided to rebrand our Youth guns into the Compact line to appeal not only to youth but to smaller men and women,” says Powell. “We don’t have any new firearms in that category but we are offering some different options in terms of stocks and camouflage patterns. For example, we’ve added a ‘wow’ factor for young ladies by offering the Model 870 Express Compact in Mossy Oak Pink Camo.”
My next visit was to Legacy Sports International where I discovered that they now offer two new youth shotgun options in its Escort line plus a new Howa/Hogue youth centerfire rifle.
The Escort Youth pump has a very short stroke so it is easier for someone with shorter arms to work and it is available with the King Desert Shadow camo pattern,” explained company spokesman Rick Homme. “The semi-auto is available in either a regular or deluxe walnut stock.”
Legacy also introduced the Howa/Hogue 2∙N∙1 Youth rifle, which features a 12 ½ inch length of pull, a milled receiver, 20 inch barrel, Hogue Overmolded™ stock, and a hollowed bolt handle to reduce weight for younger shooters. It is available in five calibers and weighs in at 6.8 pounds non-scoped and at 7.9 lbs if a customer opts for the combination package which includes a 3x9x42 Nikko-Sterling scope. It also comes with a free adult stock.
For 2009 Rossi Firearms is offering a new light weight single shot .410 that weighs in at a scant 3 pounds. The Tuffy buttstock holds five shells and features a visible shell capacity window. The gun also comes with a key lock safety system which prevents the gun from being fired.