Clay Martin

Syntech Ammunition was launched a few years back, specially designed as a high-quality training round. It keeps a lead core, but the jacket is polymer. The bullet is encased to keep any lead on steel contact from inside the gun, eliminating aerosolized lead and overall making a cleaner to shoot round. The construction also reduces splash back from steel targets.

Smith & Wesson has dominated the revolver sports as long as I can remember, so it is no shock the Performance Center 686 Plus has every feature a growing boy needs.

Geisselle is best known for a suite of AR triggers, suitable for every platform and style. They have become a force to be reckoned with, and are featured as standard equipment in more premium rifles than any other brand. In addition, they have slowly but surely created fantastic tools, hand guards, and a variety of other products. This year at SHOT Show, they pulled several rabbits out of the hat.

Sure Shot uses a different style of architecture in how a call is built, going back to the companies first patent, for a double reed call held together by rivets. Starting in 1959, they won pretty much every calling contest in the world for a decade straight. Since that first duck call, they have expanded into many styles of predator calls, and continue to be used by hunters around the world today.

Stag Arms is a company we know for high-quality products, especially if you are left-handed. The leader and often only choice for the devil handed, everything they make is available in either left or right pattern. Well, good news friends. They have jumped on the Valkyrie train. At SHOT 2018 we stopped by and checked out the new Stag 15 Valkryie.

Daniel Defense is no stranger to the AR platforms, they are among the leaders in the field. Arguably, they make the best rifles on the market today. From competition grade 7.62 all the way to the 5.56 upper of choice for SOCOM, they do AR’s right. But what about the pistol market?

I am not generally a fan of bullpup designs, it is just not my flavor. I understand many people are, and for a variety of reasons. Some just like that they are different. Some like the full-length barrel in a compact package, also a valid point. Some like the concept of a rifle that handles like an SBR, without the need for tax stamps. I get that too. The soldier in me just can’t get behind it though. I see bullpups as a novelty, but not a replacement for rifles. I don’t care if the Brits carry them, they also sip tea. I’ll take tactical advice from the Redcoats the day I am wearing a toe tag.

NEMO Arms is synonymous with serious innovation, as they consistently deliver premium solutions in arena’s others dare not tread. Most iconic is the NEMO Omen, a semiauto .300 Winchester Magnum powerhouse, a weapon that screams “ let slip the dogs of war!”

H&K had some small announcements for SHOT Show 2018, as well as a big one. First things, first — let’s talk about the rifle.