Written by: Greg Ellifritz
If you have been vacationing off the planet, you may not realize that the world’s largest trade show for shooting enthusiasts was held in Las Vegas last week. The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades (SHOT) show is the second largest trade show in Las Vegas every year. 70,000+ shooting industry professionals attend the show where every major hunting and shooting company has booths and displays. There are so many booths that it ends up being somewhere around 15 total miles of aisle space every year. It generally takes me at least three days just to see all the booths. The show is absolutely massive.
I attended the show every year for about seven years straight, but haven’t attended for the past few years. I like seeing all the new gear and meeting my friends from around the country, but I’ve lost a little of the excitement I once had for new gadgets. It’s truly mindset, skill, and tactics that will get help you win the fight. The gun you carry doesn’t matter all that much. I like cool new guns and gear, just like everyone else, but I don’t care for them so much that I need to spend thousands of dollars flying to Vegas every year to see their inaugural debuts. I’ll buy the new guns I like when all the bugs are worked out of them at least a year after their SHOT Show introduction.
With that said, I still like seeing all the new innovations. The new items reported below from a variety of reporters on the ground at SHOT are the introductions that I am most excited about. Keep your eyes on these innovative new products in the coming year….
Hudson H9: Striker Fired 1911
It’s rare that we see any true innovation in the new gun market. This pistol might break that trend. It’s a striker fired, 15-shot, 9mm 1911. If it runs well, it could be a game changer for the competitive and defensive pistol market.
Even better, the owner of the company who developed it is a former student of mine. I wish Hudson Manufacturing the best of luck with this unique pistol design.
Wilkinson Tactical CR-12 Shotgun
A 12 gauge semi auto shotgun on an AR-10 lower? One with an upper that can be replaced with a standard AR-10 upper to shoot .308? If it works, it will be awesome!
A Six Barrel, Twin-Shot Carry Gun? The Standard MFG S333 Volleyfire
How about a six shot pepperbox style pistol that fires two rounds with every trigger pull? Don’t know how practical it is, but certainly an innovative idea.
Mossberg 590 Shockwave
Another gun with questionable utility, but this one is likely to cause some waves in the scattergun industry. Like the Sig “arm braces” that allowed AR-15 “pistols” to circumvent the NFA, this pistol grip stock allows a shotgun to have a shorter barrel without breaking the law. I predict a bunch of other manufacturers will be using the same stock soon.
This configuration is virtually useless for all but the closest confrontations, but I’m sure it well sell extremely well.
Gabe Suarez shares some thoughts about how to use this type of pistol gripped shotgun HERE.
Concealment Coffee Table
I own several of the Tactical Walls “hidden in plain sight” products. I’ve been universally impressed with their designs and build quality. I think this table will be a hit. I have an SBS Remington 870 that is looking for a home like this.
SIG P210
I’m not the world’s biggest SIG fan. They are fine guns, but a few of their design features drive me crazy. I don’t own a single Sig, but I’ve always liked the looks and reputation of the P210. If it’s successful, I’ll probably pick one up. Read the rest of Michael Bane’s assessment of the SHOT show as well at the link.
A Vent Rib Red Dot? Aimpoint’s New Micro S-1
This may be a game changer for all you bird hunters and clay pigeon slayers who have aging eyes.
FX® 9003 Head Protector
This looks like the best option out there for face protection during force on force training.
Baton Q3
I really like the utility of a Kubaton or palm stick as a defensive weapon. SOG just came out with a multi-tool that folds up into a hand-held striking implement.
New Federal Premium .38 Special For Snubbies
If this round expands as well as the photo shows, it will be a nice option for snub revolvers.
Off The Wall
And as a final gift, check out Mike Rowe’s response on Facebook when he was criticized for going to SHOT by an anti-gun fan. I think you’ll enjoy it.
As always with SHOT show, the release dates on these items are NEVER what the manufacturer promises. Add at least six months to the publicized estimates for when these things actually arrive on the market.
Keep an eye on these new items. I predict they will be big hits in 2017!
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