In one of the biggest surprises of the SHOT Show, Colt has updated the Gold Cup 1911. Fully updated for 2017, the Gold Cup Tropy is going to make 1911 fans very happy. The gun is beautiful in the stainless steel finish we shot. It looks absolutely gorgeous. The sights are a Bo-Mar rear, with a Novak fiber optic front. Every model comes with a national match barrel, and from the factory is available in 9mm or .45 ACP.

STI is most known for their competition-ready pistols, but this year they have reached out into the tactical market with the STI DVC.

Thompson/Center (T/C) has a long tradition of catering to the outdoor and sporting markets with its innovative and affordable firearms and gear. New this year is an addition to the popular Compass line in 6.5 Creedmoor. The Compass has made a name for itself by offering guaranteed MOA performance at a $399 MSRP. The bolt-action rifle is light and handy and well-designed. And, now it is tapping into the popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor long-range cartridge.

In a time when most companies have outsourced a name brand for accessories, often with less than desirable results, Beretta has always managed to turn out high-quality clothing.

Odin Works has a long history of innovation, and specializes mostly in AR parts upgrades. Handguards to triggers, they do everything. They also were early adopters of 6.5, and have been making a complete Grendel upper for years. This year had some smaller parts in the offerings, but ones you are definitely going to want.

The P3500 is sure to be a hit with the bargain-minded hunters in states with snow geese. The new gun retails for $399 and comes with a 5-year warranty.

This year Nighthawk has teamed up with Doug Turnbull, to add some of his custom finish work to a Nighthawk/Turnbull mash up in the VIP 1 pistol. It wasn’t tactical grey; not even close. Doug Turnbull is legendary for restoring older firearms, and offering a finish to guns like that seen 150 years ago.

Burris makes great riflescopes. That’s not news to anyone. What I’m really excited about is that the XTR II is now available in flat dark earth. The color change is a welcome addition. If you are hunting or in the tactical business, a scope all in black is a pretty big object that sticks out. Painting one is always nerve racking, no matter how well you taped it off. At least with a rifle, if you screw up, you can scrape the paint out of the trigger group.

I am much relieved this year at SHOT Show to find out we can all stop dressing in 5.11 pants and carrying bag packs that look like they came off the set of 24. It’s still tactical, but casual like I’m an off duty ninja. Makes sense, right? Innovation from the tactical companies has been all shit that looked tactical, so if you wanted to fly incognito, you bought your stuff at REI. Vertx has been the first to step up and fix this problem, starting with a new line of bags this year.