2008 Shot Show, Third Day

04 Feb 08

2008 SHOT Show, Las Vegas, NV, Third Day:

More items of note:

Aluma-Grips now makes thin, aluminum grip panels for the Browning Hi-Power, as well as for the 1911 Pistol. Aluma-Grips make the pistol thin and easy to carry concealed. I love them, and I surely wish they would expand their line to include other popular pistols!

Eric Rohrbaugh, of Rohrbaugh Pistols, examined my copy of the R9 and found it to be within factory specifications and eminently serviceable, after digesting 250 rounds of +P 9mm ammunition, mostly DPX and PowerBall. Although Rohrbaugh doesn't recommend +P ammunition for this pistol, I assured him that was ALL I ever shot in it! I am not concerned about shooting +P ammunition through my R9, not that I ever was! I consider it a very acceptable backup gun.

Tactical Design's "Professional" duty holster is making a comeback. The trend in duty holsters has been to load them up with multiple release-levers, to the point where a quick draw becomes all but impossible. It's the wrong direction! The molded nylon Professional holster has only one release button, and the pistol automatically re-secures itself instantly the moment it is reholstered.

My old friend, Brian Hoffner, is making the ingenious "Tac-Rail" system, where a tactical package (rifle magazines, shotgun ammunition, IBDs, smoke grenades, et al) can be instantly attached to a patrolman's duty belt, and detached just as fast. Excellent way to have emergency gear handy!

Fred Choate, of Choate Industries, now has magazine extensions for nearly every shotgun made. Also on display were folding/collapsible stocks for many rifles and shotguns. Everything Fred makes is top-drawer! His shotgun magazine extensions are among the few I would ever trust.

The Taurus 24/7, compact Version, makes a nice package! The trigger has a long, light take-up and a shallow, distinctive reset. It is basically a Glock with a two-position, manual safety, but ergonomics are wonderful.

Mossburg is now offering a clever, segmented stock on plastic-furnitured 12ga and 20ga pump shotguns. Segments can be added and removed in order to instantly alter the stock's length. Excellent way to correctly fit small-statured shooters!

John Ring, of Ring's Simulators, maker of the wonderful "Blue Guns" that we use all the time in Retention and Disarm training, is now offering a series of realistic-looking weapon props for force-on-force scenarios. He had on display several large pipe wrenches, crow bars, and hammers (made of rubber) that were so realistic looking I was astonished! Great stuff.

Dave Skinner, at STI, has a new, small, thin, 9mm, 1911 pistol, called the " Rogue." It is designed to compete directly with SA's excellent EMP. Again, the concealment market in America is hot!

At the DSA booth, on prominent display were the "Spartan" series of FAL's and AR-15s. Inspired by friend and colleague, John Krupa, Spartan rifles make liberal use of parts treated with Robbie Baarkman's incomparable NP3 coating. Light, short, and extremely reliable, even by DSA standards, these are excellent, fighting weapons. I love mine!

The AXR is an American-made AUG that takes AR-15 magazines. We all liked it. Very well put together. AUG fans now have a place to go!

Hi-Viz is now making a light-tube, AR-15 front sight. Light-gathering is exceptional, and it provides a front sight one can really see clearly, even through the small, rear peep.

A friend at Springfield Armory asked me if I thought poorly of their XD pistol. I asked whatever gave her that idea! As I've said on numerous occasions, we see many XDs in Classes, and they run fine. They have a fewsharp edges that need to be rounded, and the grip safety, when not depressed completely, prevents the slide from moving all the way back. Those are the pistol's only two real weak points, and the former is easily corrected. The lattercan be address in training. SA is a fine, American, gun company, and, like all America gun companies, I want to see them widely successful! Next time you see me, I may be carrying an XD!

Last day tomorrow!

/John