Self-Defense

From Magnum Research this year, we have a mixed bag of new finishes and new firearms. Good news if you are a collector, the case hardened line has been extended. The 50 AE, 44 Magnum, and 357 Magnum models are all shipping now.

Over the years I’ve learned exactly how to find all the cool stuff at SHOT Show. Level One is where most of the new companies get space, so it’s where you find all the latest new inventions, guns, and gear. When the bell rings on opening Tuesday, I head straight there, where I spend the entire day wandering the aisles of the basement. Yes, it takes a whole day because the show as a whole is the same size as the Pyramid at Giza and you’ll walk over 12 miles just passing by every booth. Here are some of the cool things I ran across at SHOT Show 2018.

At this time of year, many of us are taking to the field for hunting. Unfortunately, hungry predators are also gearing up for winter, which always leads us to a discussion of bear and mountain lion guns. Archery hunting is fun and all, but a bow is not what anyone wants to be holding when we find ourselves between a momma and cubs. The problem with most guns of caliber big enough to stop a bear is that they are heavy and unwieldy.  Smith and Wesson, always innovating in revolver design, has stepped in to fix that with the Combat Magnum Model 69.

Tactical pens have made it into my other top five lists as additions to everyday carry gear or less-lethal self-defense tools. They are a favorite tool of mine and the one I try to persuade everyone to carry.

With over 1,600 exhibitors in attendance showing 7 million pounds of gear, there are a lot of new products for legally armed citizens at the Shooting, Hunting, And Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show. If you choose to carry concealed, you might be interested in some of the new concealed carry gear we found this year. Here are a few items that peaked our interest.

This week, we are taking a look at gun belts for your everyday wear. The obvious question here, why should you buy a gun specific belt for concealed carry?

The 58-year-old fired, hitting Gales in “the back of the head,” the police told the Chicago Tribune. 

“If something happens in the meantime, this is a Second Amendment opportunity to protect myself that I simply don’t have,” said Perkio.

Last month, I was handed the new SIG Sauer Virtus rifle for review, my first test item in the MCX family. Though initially, I was skeptical, the Virtus turned out to be very impressive weapon system. It uses a unique operating system, an entirely new piston driven action developed in-house by SIG Sauer.