Opinion
2024 SHOT Show, First Day:
This year’s SHOT Show surely seems well attended to me!
All display areas are filled. I’m trying to get through the whole thing.
Of interest:
Lone Wolf is making a complete serious pistol, the DUSK19. Very much like a G19, and the same price! An “Elite Version” features an integral “compensator” that vents gas upward. Very much not recommended, as it will be a hindrance when the gun is fired while being held close to the body.
S&W’s M&P 12 is a compact 12ga pump shotgun, featuring two, parallel, six-shot magazine tubes. Tubes do not automatically “switch” when one is exhausted. They must be switched manually.
Global Ordnance’s AREX Delta L is another G19-like pistol, coming-in at $500.00.
Caracal pistols, now manufactured in Boise, ID (after a less-than-happy start several years ago) are now producing yet another very credible G19-like pistol. Their “Quick-Sight” system (iron sights) puts the rear sight ahead of the ejection port. Very fast, but not as precise as is the case with a longer sight radius.
FN’s flagship 509 pistol (9mm) has been joined by the “510″ (10mm) and the “545″ (45ACP). FN is also making the “Reflex Pistol,” a small pistol along the lines of Springfield Armory’s Hellcat. Again, FN makes upward-venting “compensators” available, and again highly not recommended for the reasons stated above.
Springfield Armory’s “Echelon Pistol” is now their flagship serious handgun, replacing the XD and XD/M series. G17-sized, it features a removable trigger-control group, much like the SIG’s 320. Frames and slides can be mixed and matched. This feature will be attractive to institutional buyers.
Daniel Defense is getting into the serious pistol business! Their first entry is the Daniel Defense DANIEL H9 Pistol, No polymer! Aluminum frame and steel slide, so it’s on the heavy side. At $1,300.00, its also on the pricy side! The H9 will doubtless joined by a compact version, and maybe others.
Lipsey Group is enhancing S&W’s 642 into the 642UC for “Ultra Carry” Improved sights. Nice system tuning. At $600.00, when you want a nice snubby in 38Spl or 32 H&R Mag, this is a nice way to go
Lots more to see.
More tomorrow!
2024 SHOT Show, Second Day
Of interest today:
Kimber’s K6xS light, snubby revolver is very nicely done. The hammer is completely enclosed. Nice rubber grips. Designed for use w/speed-loaders. When you like snubbies, this one makes a good choice!
I can’t keep track of all the companies making M4s, but one, called the “MFR” (for “Modern Fighting Rifle”) by a company called Dark Storm is very nicely done. At $1,500.00/copy it should be. Interestingly, the bolt-face features two spring-loaded ejector plungers. What I don’t like is this obsession with ambidexterity! Charging-handle has two wings, and all other controls are duplicated on both sides of the rifle.
When I’m carrying the rifle, I don’t want vital controls facing to the outside!
I realize that “universal ambidexterity” is currently all the rage, but for one, I don’t think it is a good idea, as I don’t want important controls in places where I don’t want them.
Kahr’s new polymer-framed “X9″ Pistol is similar in size to the SA Hellcat It uses its own magazines, or SIG 365 magazines, or SA Hellcat magazines! Designed for comfortable concealed carry, this new pistol is destined for immense popularity.
Turkish-made Canik pistols, imported by Century Arms, enjoy an excellent reputation among American consumers, and it is well-deserved. The one you want is the TP9SF, the “basic model.” An “elite” version is available with an integral “compensator” Not recommended, for reasons mentioned above. They’re soon to be manufactured in the USA (FL).
PTR, makers of the wonderful PTR91 (roller-delayed blowback) rifles are now marketing the G17-sized ARCHON Pistol.
I met Cor-Bon’s new owners, and they are currently producing and shipping Cor-Bon’s famous 115gr all-copper +p DPX pistol round (9mm). Also Power Ball, along with their standard line of “cup-and-core” offerings.
DPX is what I recommend for serious purposes. Underwood’s version is the +p Tac-Xp. Defiant’s version is the +p TCX. Supervel’s is the +p SCHP.
Black Arch is the holster company who made the kydex holster that I use to carry my Mossberg MC2. I could not find anyone else who made one for that gun. It has been excellent, and I use it to this day.
Navy Arms, who used to make reproduction black-powder percussion revolvers, no longer does, but they are marketing the SRM 12/16, a compact, 12-ga autoloading (blow-back) shotgun that features four, four-round, parallel magazine tubes. Pricy at $2,225.00.
I mentioned that I had the chance to handle Henry’s short “Lever-Action Supreme” rifle in 5.56×45, which uses M4 magazines. Today, I handled Bond Arms’ version of the same thing. Both feature an M4 bolt.
Serious lever-action rifles might be appealing to people living in certain jurisdictions with heavy restrictions and where standard M4s are not legal to own (at least for mere peons).
M+M’s Kalashnikov-like MIOX+ rifle, manufactured in CO, in 7.62×39 (Soviet) is now shipping. Featuring Western-style controls, this is an excellent rifle for serious purposes. $2,000.00/copy.
Finally, O-light’s “Warrior” compact tube-light features 2,500 lumens of output. The brightest little flashlight I’ve seen.
More tomorrow!
John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor, John Farnam will urge you, based on your beliefs, to make up your mind about what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to ensure that its students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
