The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT) is the largest trade show of its kind in the world. And last weeks three-day show had the largest attendance of any past shows. There were more than 61,000 gun dealers and buyers from 50 states and 100 countries in attendance at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Vegas. Some 1,600 exhibitors debuted or displayed their latest offerings be it guns, ammo, clothing, tree stands or a myriad of other gear including that for law enforcement domestically and internationally.
So what’s hot for 2012? Here’s a very small sampling of some interestingly new guns and gear for the upcoming hunting season and home security.
LONG GUNS: While every long-gun maker had a new model or enhancements to existing models, Mossberg (Mossberg.com) probably had the most interesting. Their Flex TLS 12-gauge pump shotgun is modular in that by releasing three tool-less locking connectors, the stocks, forends and recoil pads can be changed in seconds for a variety of shooting applications. And that includes being configurable for everything from goose hunting to tactical shotgun applications.
Mossberg also showed their bolt-action, Varmint MVP Series rifle with a 24-inch bull barrel. What’s unique about it is that it’s the first bolt-action rifle designed for use with AR-15 style magazines. So, if you own an AR, you can use those magazines in this rifle as semi-automatic centerfire rifles are illegal to use for hunting in Pennsylvania. The MVP is currently chambered for 5.56mm NATO/.223 Rem, but predator configurations are coming soon says Linda Powell, Mossberg public relations director.
HANDGUNS: While Glock debuted more Gen4 models and Springfield Armory showcased their small XD-M .45 model autoloader, Sig Sauer introduced their P224, a 6.7-inch long subcompact all metal autoloader in 9mm (12 round capacity), or, 11 round .357SIG and 40S&W calibers (Sigsauer.com).
AMMO: There were loads of new offerings here but the most promising, especially for those deer hunting in our Special Regulation Areas, was Federal’s (federalpremium.com) Trophy Copper 12-gauge sabot slugs that are capable of being effective out to 150 yards. Federal was able to accomplish this by re-programming its trajectory and bullet design while the sabot uses a metal pusher plate on the back instead of plastic, the latter of which has a tendency to fail at high velocity.
HANDGUN SAFE: Wish I had known about Titan Gun Safe’s before I bought two GunVaults as Christmas gifts for my son and son-in-law. Titan uses sensible and easy to install steel mounting plates whereby the safe itself merely locks onto them via a quick release lock arm in the safe. The GunVaults I bought took two hours to install (after much sweating and swearing) since the screws have to be screwed-in from inside the small safe. Imagine trying to hold wood screws and a socket or box wrench within a four-inch high blind opening. Then too, the GunVaults battery pack that is used for an interior light and powering the automatic opening door, was just as bad to access and reinstall. The Titan doesn’t need batteries to activate the door after entering a five-digit touch code on the safe. There are over 2200 possible combinations and its design makes it the fastest gun-deploying safe. Included is a removable holster that can hold revolvers or pistols up to 10 inches in length. And when the Titan’s door springs open, the handgun automatically pops up a few inches for easy gripping. The Titan can be mounted in a home, on a bed frame, vehicle or hotel room as it comes with a steel cable and lock to secure to a bed frame.
GUN CLEANING: Otis’ Zombie gun cleaning system (otisgun.com) is a must-have for sportsmen, particularly those who do a bit of traveling to their hunting site. This circular, pocket-sized foam-lined pack holds a variety of bore brushes, jags, optics cloth and gun cleaning tools that can also be used for handguns. If hunting in Potter County, Canada, out West or Africa, you don’t want to take a box of cleaning gear. The Otis system solves that problem and is usable as a primary gun cleaning kit. It will be available at Cabela’s in Hamburg.
FLASHLIGHTS: A buddy lost a nice buck this past bow season because he shot it near dusk then couldn’t find it until the next day due to darkness. While he got the rack, all the meat was spoiled due to the warm weather we had then. Had he had a Bright Strike (brite-strike.com) blue lens tactical flashlight (designed by two police officers), he probably could have picked up the blood trail and salvaged the deer. Bright Strike lights are machine milled from a single billet of high-grade aerospace aluminum, and their unique tri-sided body allows for a better grip. They’re shock and waterproof and carry a lifetime warranty. And the blue (forensic) lens amplifies a blood trail. They’re offered in five models, all with crenellated front and rear crowns that can be used for striking for personal protection. The lights come in either single or two-cell lithium battery power and have an output of up to a blinding 220 lumens on certain models.
CELL PHONE MUFF: Smartphone using sportsmen who just have to text while sitting in a tree stand or goose blind during cold days, need a TextPac (textpac.com). The Pac is actually a novel hand warming muff that has a covered, protected window pocket in the middle to hold a phone, iPod or GPS device for easy access and use. Its maker says it can also extend battery life by keeping it out of extreme cold. It’s available in three models and in Realtree AP, Mossy Oak Break Up and black color.
Since I ran out of space there’s lots more to cover, which we’ll do, in a future column.
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