SHOT Show 2017

The .380, otherwise known as the 9mm Kurtz, will always be a popular cartridge for concealed carry. Guns are just less snappy than with the 9mm, and a less powerful gun that you will shoot and will carry is always better than a more powerful gun that you won’t shoot and carry. That was the thinking with the new SCCY doublestack .380. They already make a small doublestack 9mm that has gained a decent name for itself, especially when you factor in cost. So it was a natural addition to add the lower powered, and less intimidating .380 to the line.

Crazy that someone would think that they could walk into SHOT Show and steal. But, criminals aren’t typically the sharpest tools in the shed.

I don’t think anyone has yet improved over the reliability of Benelli shotguns, including Benelli. So unfortunately, we didn’t see some crazy new operating system this year that would make even the impressive and capable Inertia Driven system look stone age by comparison. There is always next year, though. We did see some serious improvements on the comfort side of the house though, with the new Super Black Eagle 3.

Thompson/Center has long been synonymous with muzzle loading firearms. Last month at a Smith and Wesson event, we got to go hands-on with all the new options from Thompson/Center. In fact, I pulled the trigger on my first ever muzzleloader at that event. At SHOT Show 2017, we got chance to spend some more time with them and get the latest scoop. Some of the big stories this year are the Strike, the Impact, and the T/C color scheme updates.

Bipods are a very important part of precision rifle, and I wouldn’t dream of running a sniper rifle without them. The average consumer or sportsman might not appreciate that, but they make life a lot easier when you are talking about long range shooting. I have been running they same brand and style since about 2005, but I am always on the look out for better. Accu-Tac may finally be able to deliver that.

The Dieback Thigh Rig minimalist hunting pack is for when your pockets aren’t big enough — and a fanny pack isn’t happening.

By far the most exciting product from Burris is the new spotting scope. The most interesting features include modular eyepieces and the integrated mount for a red dot. Burris will offer different eyepieces that are marked for MIL, MOA and with Burris’ SCR competition reticle.

Falkor Defense has come out swinging with a couple of different products this year. Falkor is most famous for magnum cartridge AR-style rifles, notably in .300 Winchester Magnum. That is a lot of cartidge to get in semi auto, but apparently Falkor fears no challenge.

When you make great stuff that everyone loves, eventually you have to decide to make some new and different stuff. I think that is the case with Coonan Inc., makers of the famous .357 Magnum 1911. It may seem like a digression to move from a truly novel product to a very common product, a regular old .45ACP 1911, but why not? T