SHOT Show Archives

When we stopped at the Benelli SHOT Show booth, three guns caught our eye – the Benelli ETHOS shotgun, the Franchi 3 1/2” Intensity shotgun and the Uberti 1873 Lever-Action Competition rifle, a trio of exceptional guns from the Benelli family of companies.The heart of the ETHOS shotgun is Benelli’s Inertia Driven System. Proven in nearly half a century of use in the most demanding competition and field applications, this simple but extremely effective system provides the operator with a number of benefits. There are only three primary parts – the bolt body, inertia spring, and rotating bolt head. Simplicity translates to reliability. It never needs adjusting and can handle a variety of loads from 3 ½” magnums to light field loads. The low mass of the moving parts makes for a fast cycle time, giving you quicker follow-up shots. And the locked bolt keeps powder residue in the barrel for a cleaner action. The AA-Grade walnut stock was not only gorgeous, it also housed a recoil reduction system. The ETHOS wore a light weight carbon fiber vent rib incorporating an interchangeable front sight so you can use the best color for the day’s hunt. Red, green and yellow fiber-optics are included. Take a look at this fast-loading, fast-shooting and beautiful-to-behold example of the gun maker’s art.

The Pro-Custom 18.9 isn’t your typical 1911. It might look like its ancestors, but it has a distinct difference. The double-stack magazine holds 18 rounds of 9mm. While I’m hesitant to call that an advantage, it does have its benefits. If you’re looking for a fast race gun, you won’t have nearly as many reloads with the 18.9 as you would with a .45 ACP 1911 (even one that’s a double-stack). And because it is a 9mm, you can still get a decent grip on the gun.

After four days drooling over the smorgasbord of guns at SHOT Show, it occurred to me that it might be a good idea to look at some bigger gun safes! I found just what the doctor ordered at the Liberty Safe booth. I’m telling you, if it has to do with shooting, chances are it’s here. Wish you could walk around the show with us to take it all in, and that’s why we do these videos – to share as much as we can with you. For the sake of full disclosure, you should know that I already have a smaller Liberty safe at home. It probably makes me biased, but at least it’s based on years of personal experience. Liberty makes great safes at a fair price, and the customer service is excellent. The safe we videoed is the Liberty Fatboy 64, the number one selling safe in America. In addition to the great paint job, this safe is set up to hold 64 guns. The tops of the middle shelves can be lifted to store more long guns or left in place to store handguns, valuables, important documents and so forth. You won’t have to worry about thieves walking out the door with it either. It weighs 915 pounds. Liberty has an optional Safe Alert security device which monitors your safe when you’re away. It will send an alert directly to you if anyone tampers with it. And get this – the monitoring service is free! Liberty sells 25,000 Fatboys a year because it’s not only a great safe, it’s a great value. Check it out.

Noreen Firearms has a new AR patterned rifle. A new AR. Right. We’ve heard that a lot at SHOT show. You don’t even have to be here in Vegas to hear someone yammering on about a new AR. But Noreen’s guns are a little bit different. It’s an AR all right, but not a 15 or a 10. An AR 10 isn’t a big enough platform for this big boy. We are talking a true long-action AR. One big enough for 30-06.

Steel targets are usually not all that exciting. You lug them to the range, set them up and make them ring, but that is about it. Enter Action Targets. They have a number of targets that bring more action to your range time. From their flip-around Dueling Tree to the Rimfire Spinning Jack, Action Targets provide for more interactive reactive targets. But they have upped the game with what might be the coolest Action Target to date.

Perazzi knows how to make a hell of a good shotgun and brought a plethora of them to SHOT show this year. The most exciting one for most of us is the new MXS series of scatterguns. These are Perazzi’s new, more “affordable” line of sporting shotguns. Affordable is subjective. In order to keep the costs down, Perazzi isn’t using the fanciest wood or including the beautiful engraving we usually expect from a Perazzi. That’s not to say that the wood or the finish is lacking. The MXS is most certainly nicer than you would find on your standard run-of-the-mill shotgun (if you don’t mind the large “MXS” carved on the side of the receiver).

There are countless 1911 fans who love their single action carry guns but want just a bit more versatility from the design. Lights. Lasers, maybe. Many companies have answered the call and bolt rails into their frames. But what about the rest of us, the ones who own traditional 1911s? Recover Tactical has the answer. The Grip and Rail system is a great option for people wanting to hang gadgets off their 1911: a set of grips that extend out under the trigger guard to make a rail under the long end of the frame.

Inteliscope has an interesting product here at SHOT show 2014: a smart phone holder that is designed to mount to a rail on your rifle or pistol. The newest version is the Inteliscope Pro, a universal mount that will hold most smart phones. At this time, the apps are available for iPhone and Android. While we were initially skeptical about mounting a phone on the top of a rifle, we had to see it for ourselves. And we were converted. We’ve seen the light.

If the popularity of the 101-year-old Browning-designed Model 1911 pistol tells us anything, it’s that great guns get even better through the application of modern technology. Remington took a page out of that playbook in the design of its newest pistol, the 9mm R51. What today is a beautiful sub-compact concealed carry gun started in 1917 as the Remington Model 51, designed by John Pederson. Pederson was a contemporary of John Browning, who called him “the greatest gun designer in the world.” Remington based its new gun on the Pederson design, resulting in a pistol with a crisp trigger, reliable action and a low bore to reduce felt recoil.

Daniel Defense makes guns that are well known for their great shooting barrels. The new V9 series of M4 rifles in 5.56 feature three barrel profiles, allowing buyers to select the barrel that best meets their needs. There are a number of features which make the Daniel Defense barrels so good. The first is that they’re cold hammer forged. This process hydraulically hammers the barrel blanks around a mandrel that forms the chamber, lands and grooves. The forging process relieves the strain normally found in a barrel blank while delivering exceptional consistency in chamber size. Both contribute to improved accuracy. The barrels are then externally treated using a Melonite treatment, named for the Melonite salt used. This Nitrocarburizing process results in a smooth, slick surface that improves the surface hardness of the barrel while increasing resistance to corrosion and carbon adhesion. The three barrel profiles available in the V9 series include the16” government profile barrel, 16” lightweight profile and the 18” strength-to-weight (S2W) barrel.

As someone who reviews firearms for a living, I can sometimes mistake going to the range for actual work. I’ve got cameras to line up, lighting to consider. When I get down to shooting, I’ve got a lot on my mind, much more than I used to when I went shooting with friends and isn’t always fun. Slide Fire is here to remind me of the good times, when shooting made smile. They brought out a mess of guns to the Range at SHOT Show 2014: AKs, ARs, even some tricked out Ruger 1022s. They also brought out cases of ammo and a full crew to keep the magazines full. The result was the most fun I’ve had at the range in a long, long time.

The popular IWI US Tavor SAR won this year’s NRA Golden Bullseye Award presented for the best products in the shooting sports. IWI is building on that popularity and customer demand by introducing a complete kit to convert your Tavor from 5.56 to 9mm. If you’ve ever fired a 5.56 gun indoors without ear protection, such as in a home defense situation, you can appreciate just how loud it is. The same platform in 9mm would produce a lower level of sound with the added benefit of less recoil. The 9mm is also easier to quiet with a sound suppressor and less expensive for training. The kit comes complete with a 17” cold hammer-forged barrel, complete blowback recoil assembly including the bolt and carrier, 9 mm magazine magwell adapter, 9mm deflector, 32-round steel magazine and a barrel removal wrench. All you have to add is the ammo.

CZ-USA’s Western Series 550 Sonoran bolt action rifle is highly accurate and extremely tough. These aren’t run-of-the mill production guns. CZ-USA takes Czech actions and custom builds the rifles to give you a rifle you can depend on when the chips are down. Each and every rifle is ferritic nitrocarbonized inside and out. That brings the surface hardness up to Rockwell 72, making the gun nearly impervious to wear and corrosion. It also improves lubricity, meaning you can use less lubricant for a cleaner-running action. As an added bonus, it doubles barrel life. The Sonorran wears the industry’s first all carbon fiber stock and sports such features as a fluted barrel, adjustable trigger and guaranteed accuracy of 1 minute of angle or better. It’s available in four models: .270 and 30-06 with a 24” barrel and .300 Win. Mag and 7mm Mag with a 26” barrel. MSRP is $3199.

Traditions is well known in the black powder community as a manufacturer of superior firearms. The company produces old-fashioned-style flintlocks, but it also makes some of the most advanced black powder muzzle loaders available. The Strikefire rifles use a primer to ignite the main charge. The primers are ignited by an internal hammer. A simple slide of the lock button is all that’s needed to cock the hammer. Should you wish to de-cock it without firing, simply move the same lock switch to the rear, or break the action. You can see it more clearly in the video. A two-stage competition-style trigger with a break force of two pounds means that when you’re on target, you won’t upset your sight picture by firing the gun. The Strikefire system also improves lock time further improving accuracy. Safety wasn’t an afterthought, either. The Vortex Strikefire rifles incorporate not only a trigger block safety but are also equipped with an internal striker block safety. An alloy frame reduces weight, and a Ceracoat finish ensures corrosion resistance. The Ceracoat also makes cleaning a lot easier. To facilitate cleaning the barrel, simply remove the screw-in breech plug, giving you unobstructed access. The end result of the application of modern technology is a fast-loading, consistent-firing and accurate shooting rifle. With an MSRP in the mid $500s, it won’t break the bank either.

Ed Brown Products started life as a machine shop producing parts to consistently close tolerances. This experience greatly influenced the company’s manufacturing as it evolved into a custom 1911 manufacturer. Ed Brown Products is here at Shot Show 2014 showcasing a collection of beautiful guns. If you’re looking for a special 1911, you have to check out the unique pieces coming out of this shop. Because every part of the 1911s is produced in-house, you have a wide selection of components, finishes, and engraving from which to choose. There are four series of guns– the Classic series, Executive, Kobra, and Special Forces. Each has its own unique features and checkering patterns. There is also an in-house master engraver to provide whatever look you desire. Whether you’re looking for a full-size 1911 Commander in stainless steel with black Generation III coating or a Special Forces gun, Ed Brown can help you make it uniquely your own.

Connecticut Shotgun is here at SHOT Show this year with a nice selection of even nicer shotguns. As the name of the company implies, these shotguns are made in New Britain, Connecticut—right here in the good old USA. Just about every gun maker in the country used to make a side-by-side shotgun, but that era is long gone. Connecticut claims to be the only American shotgun company making side-by-sides here now, and I can’t prove them wrong. Will the company be able to hold its own with the foreign competition that dominates the high-end market?

Crye Precision, a company known for tactical gear popular with law enforcement and active duty military personnel, has made a gun unlike anything we have seen at the SHOT Show this year. Actually, it’s not like anything we’ve ever seen before. The Six12 is a bullpup revolving shotgun. The gun holds six rounds of 12 gauge (get it) in a revolving cylinder. The Six12s are designed to mount to AR platform rails, and make an AR look even much more aggressive. And it looks like it is going to be popular. We had to fight through an excited crowd to get you these pictures.

Navy Arms https://www.navyarms.com/ Navy Arms is back, although it didn’t really go away; it has just been a long time since it has sold firearms. The company has entered into collaboration with Winchester and Turnbull to create a remarkably well-built and beautiful 1873 Winchester lever action. The guns are manufactured in Japan by Winchester and [...]

We’re fans of a good pistol caliber carbine. Every year we see more options for those who want a gun that offers increased accuracy and better ergonomics. Yet it is hard to beat some of the old-fashioned workhorses of the past. The M1 Carbine, with its rich pugilistic lineage, can be a serious tool for home protection, and a fun gun too. But .30 carbine isn’t easy to find these days, and it isn’t as cheap as it should be, either. 9mm, on the other hand, is back on the shelves just about everywhere. Why not chamber an M1 in 9mm? Citadel has done just that.

Cabot Guns https://cabotgun.com/ Cabot Guns makes 1911s with aerospace precision.  Their pistols are tighter than tight. They guarantee that the slide to frame fit is 0.001 of an inch or less.  Cabot has made what is a one-of-a-kind Damascus 1911.  President and CEO Robert Bianchin said it might be the toughest task they have taken on [...]

Kel-Tec introduced not one, but two new bullpup rifles—the RDB outfitted in tactical attire and the M43 with beautiful wood furniture for you traditionalists. Both guns are in 5.56, feature an adjustable gas piston operating system and are ambidextrous. One of the problems with trying to build an ambidextrous bullpup, of course, is that side-ejecting spent casings come out in your ear if you’re firing left-handed, and front-ejecting guns are complex. Kel-Tec solves this problem with an ingeniously simple downward ejection behind the mag well. The RDB sports a tactical picatinny rail and polymer stock, and it comes suppressor-ready. The M43 features folding iron sights and a wood handguard, pistol grip and stock embellishment. These are both accurate, soft-firing guns for close quarters or long-distance work. You get a full 17.4” barrel in a compact package with an overall length of just over 26”. Production guns are expected to hit the dealer pipeline sometime in the fourth quarter of this year. MSRP will be in the $1,900 – 2,000 range. Watch the video for a first look at these two innovative rifles.

The brand new Meostar 1-6×24 RD is the first in the new R2 line. Light transmission is one of the most important factors in the performance of any optic, and this series knocks it out of the park with an incredible 99.8% light transmission per glass. The result is clear, bright, sharp images that make acquiring your target faster and easier. In the faster and easier category, you have to also include the two reticles that are available, both with an illuminated red dot in the center. In 1 power, you see a clear, edge-to-edge image with both eyes open for quick target acquisition in fast moving scenarios. But you also have the option to go all the way out to 6 power for those long shots. The eyepiece is a fast-focus design allowing you to quickly zoom in or out for the best solution on your target. The red dot illumination system is also new from Meopta. It’s bright enough to see in the brightest daylight yet can be dimmed enough for low light situations, like at the end of the day when the animals are coming out to feed. We’ll be doing a full review soon. In the meantime, check out this video of the latest offering in compact yet high performance and rugged riflescopes. MSRP is $1,595 for a high quality scope that may be all you’ll need to get the most from your rifle.

EOTech holographic sights have earned worldwide popularity in law enforcement, military and civilian markets. In fact, there are a half million Model 512 and 552 sights in circulation. EOTech’s newest product, the Model 552 Laser Battery cap, adds to the capability of these popular sights by adding a pair of lasers. Available as an option on a new Model 552, or as an upgrade for sights already in the field, the Laser Battery Cap simply replaces the existing battery cap. On one side is a red visible laser. On the other side is an infrared laser for use with night vision devices. The addition of an optional remote pressure switch lets you turn them on or off as your needs dictate while keeping both hands on the weapon.

Crimson Trace is at the forefront of laser design, so it comes as no surprise that they work hand-in-hand with gun manufacturers. Case in point – when Remington announced their new R51 sub-compact pistol, Crimson Trace already had a laser sight for it. It may not be a marriage made in heaven, but it was made in the USA, and it’s a perfect match. The new Crimson Trace LG-494 mounts on the front of the R51 trigger guard and looks like part of the gun. Lasers that are hung on picatinny rails tend to look like an afterthought. Trigger guard lasers blend in with the shape of the gun and look like they belong. The LG 494 is no exception. The CT trigger guard laser sight includes an extension that covers the lower part of the trigger guard and incorporates a pressure switch which falls naturally beneath the shooter’s fingers when gripping the weapon. Grip the gun to fire and the laser comes on from the pressure of your fingers. You don’t have to even think about it.

Whether you are looking for modern polymer frame pistols or the enduring Model 1911, Kahr has you covered. When it comes to a self-defense carry gun, you have to find a balance between concealability and function. Kahr has done a remarkable job with their slim, lightweight CT45 and CT40. These two guns achieve excellent concealability through the use of a single stack magazine, narrow frame and clean, snag-free design. However, Kahr didn’t do it at the expense of shootability. Both guns feature 4” barrels, and a full length grip holding seven rounds of either .40 S&W or .45 acp. With the stopping power of these two calibers and the accuracy of a 4” barrel, eight rounds should be enough to win the fight. A polymer frame, stainless steel barrel & slide assembly and an MSRP of $449 makes for a winning combination.

Fausti has been a staple of Italian shotguns since 1948. In 2009, the company established Fausti USA to better service the American market. It makes both over-and-under and side-by-side shotguns in a variety of decorative styles. These are some absolutely beautiful shotguns. They are the type of firearm that is so well-made, engraved and inlayed that they become works of art . Most models come in 12, 16, 20 and 28 gauges and .410 as well. The USA line features laser engraving on coin or case-hardened finished actions. The Caledon model is the introductory gun and starts around $2,000. There is also the Fausti Boutique line of custom shotguns. These offer hand engraving and are made to fit the buyer. These shotguns are classy yet incredibly functional. They are made to look beautiful and to bust clays or knock birds from the sky.

Palmetto State Armory has two new exciting products at this year’s SHOT show. First is their take on the AR-10 platform. Details are still a little vague on the exact configuration for the rifle at this time, but we know it’s in .308. The demonstration model at SHOT is a pretty straight-forward AR-style rifle. The company is also planning to release a 1911 or two this quarter as well. The two examples they have here at SHOT are very impressive. The fit and finish is superb.

MOJO Outdoors has been a leader in the motion hunting decoys for a number of years. This year they have upped the game for the aggressive turkey hunter. The Scoot and Shoot is a full bird decoy that works as a sort of hide or blind for the hunter. It is based on their Boss Gobbler decoy line but incorporates a ground stake and handle. The idea is to be able to creep and crawl up to a Tom or flock and then hide behind this decoy. When a Tom sees another male bird closing in on his lady friends, he will get aggressive. Once the protector of Jenny and the hens closes on the hunter/decoy, it is time for a close-in kill shot. The video below is from MOJO TV and shows the Scoot and Shoot in action. This is aggressive and exciting turkey hunting at its finest.