By Michael A. Black | Contributing Writer
The 45th annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show at the Venetian Expo Center and Caesar’s Forum in Las Vegas, Nevada was purportedly the largest event in the show’s history.
The event is sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
This massive event brought together every segment of the firearms industry, with more than 2,500 exhibitors and allowed for industry professionals to network and see the latest products and developments in the field. New this year was the Archery Business Pavilion, which featured exhibits from the leading manufacturers and suppliers of the archery industry. There are also numerous classes and seminars in both the business side of firearms as well as educational programs for both business owners and law enforcement. The SHOT Show offered over 13.9 miles of aisles lined with exhibits where attendees can handle the latest firearms and other equipment and talk with professionals in the firearms industry.
For safety purposes, every firearm in the event is inspected and tagged to ensure that no weapons have firing pins. For gun enthusiasts and law enforcement professionals, it’s the closest thing to paradise you’re likely to attend, but it is not open to the public.
SHOT Show University had an outstanding array of classes each day in business management and law enforcement. Some of these in the business section were “Ten Actions to Improve Profits in 2024,” “The Art of Maximizing Your Business,” and “Creating Content for Your Brand.” The Law Enforcement Education Program had a variety of classes as well including, “Body Armor Basics,” “Ready Position & Better Outcomes,” and “Low Light and Cops—What Are We Teaching?”
The NSSF which sponsors the SHOT Show, also promotes gun safety at their booth where they give out information on their Project Childsafe and suicide prevention programs. This year the SLG2, Inc’s founder, Karen Butler, presented its Safe LivinG Excellence Award to NSSF President Joe Bartozzi, during Project ChildSafe’s annual Women of the Gun event.
I also caught a glimpse of Second Amendment Foundation Founder and Vice President, Alan Gottlieb in conversation with someone. Alan is the leader in the fine work the SAF does in ensuring our Second Amendment rights.
Although the show officially opened on Tuesday, industry professionals and members of the media and other special guests were invited to a special day of shooting on Monday, Jan. 20 at Boulder Range. Various firing stations were set up along the huge range so invitees could take turns shooting some of the newest weapons as well as a lot of old stand-bys.
Industry Day at the Range is always held on the Monday prior to the first day of the SHOT Show. A series of buses began leaving the Venetian for Boulder City, which is about a 45 minute drive from the Venetian. The temperature hovered around 50 degree with occasional patches of light rain. The range is completely outdoors with four separate sections and a demo area. It requires a lot of walking if you want to go from the rifle range area to the shorter ranges where the handguns were stationed.
Upon arrival each person was given a courtesy set of new impact resistant ANSI Sport Glasses with high-grade polycarbonate lenses and a set of ear plugs. Attendees were then free to roam the facility stopping at any of the many shooting stations that piqued their interest.
One of the first things I noticed was a man in a Big Foot costume passing out small packages of Jack Link Beef Jerky. These tasty snacks proved to be a most welcome treat, although free lunch tickets were also provided.
Our first stop was at Halo Ammunition (www.HaloAmmunition.com) where they showed us their new Halo 9mm bullet. The 107-grain bullet has a high velocity of 1,350 FPS and contains no lead. Its gelatin penetration is over 18 inches, and the unique design allows for over 6 inches of expansion for resulting in an unmatched deep wound cavity. The match grade brass, primer, and propellant make for low recoil, which Halo hopes will be encouraging to female shooters. We fired several rounds using a Glock 19 and a SIG Sauer P226. (This was a unique experience for me because SIG has not been at Industry Range Day or the SHOT Show for the past few years.)
From there we moved to several of the other firing stations and my companion, Shauna Washington, received some comprehensive firing instruction at the Glock section. This was her first time firing a sidearm with a Red Dot optic, which is much different than using iron sights. They generously let us fire off a couple of magazines.
We also took some time to visit the Demo Area where numerous booths had gun accessories, knives, and other equipment on display. Decibullz (www.decibullz.com) had their custom hearing protection ear plugs available. They’re placed in boiling water and then shaped for a custom fit. MSRP is $29.99. Another impressive item was a quick magazine loading device, RAM-IT, from www.FASTLODERS.com, which allows you to load 15 rounds into an AR-15 magazine with the push of a lever. The prices are $300 for a case of 12 and $600 for a case of 24.
Due to the combination of low temperature and misty rain, we opted to catch an early shuttle bus back to the Strip to get ready for the start of the show the next day.
On Tuesday morning we joined the flow of people flowing into the Venetian Convention Center for the official show opening. The vast array of exhibits was spread over five levels in the Venetian and a separate section in Caesar’s Forum across the street. The crowd seemed about as heavily populated as last year, but the show itself seemed a bit less robust than in past years. The smaller size of the SHOT DAILY magazines and a lack of the usual refreshments in the Press Room were evident, but all in all it was still fabulous with was so much to see. Also noticeable were the lack of press kits and printed catalogs from many of the manufacturers, although QR codes and digital press kits were available.
Negotiating through the packed aisles to find a specific exhibit has always been challenging. Maps were provided as well as an app that could be downloaded to your smart phone. Armed with this information, we began our long trek.
A lot of attention of late in law enforcement has focused on the “Less Lethal” weapons. One such booth featured a video of a man getting sprayed in the face with a milky-white substance and being rendered incapacitated. The non-flammable, non-explosive product is called SOK (www.SOKDEF.COM). This all-plant-based substance is an eye irritant, but it doesn’t affect the breathing. Thus, it can be used to single-out the one trouble-maker in a crowded setting and make him compliant without any collateral effects to others nearby. It lasts for 2-6 minutes and cleans up with water. The canisters come in three sizes, with prices ranging from $17 to $56 for the small, medium, and large types.
Along similar lines was the SALT mini-booth (www.saltsupply.com), which featured a CO2 gas gun with a front-loading magazine that holds up to six round pellets. These pellets carry a 5% powdered pepper spray and/or tear gas substances that break upon contact causing the usual temporary blindness and respiratory distress. The impact is severe, causing a bruise. Also available are nylon glass-breaking pellets and training pellets. The MSRP is $295.
Another innovative law enforcement product was the LiteStick Tactical from Quiqlite Inc. (www.quiqlite.com). This pen-sized flashlight can be clipped into your pocket to provide hands-free illumination when doing a street or traffic stop. The LiteStick is USB rechargeable and gives off 20 to 200 Lumens of light with the push of a button. It has 3 independent programmable LEDs with memory allowing you to choose your desired lumens and retain that setting for your next use. The settings are LED #1 Red, which is set at 45 degrees and designed to keep your night vision intact. LED #2 White has a setting of 90 degrees, and LED #3 White is set at 140 degrees for normal use. Additionally, there’s a Safety Strobe in case of emergencies, with an illumination visible up to a mile away for a situation in which you want to be seen or found. The interchangeable battery lasts up to 15 hours on a single charge and the LiteStick itself is made of ultra-tough aircraft aluminum. The MSRP is only $54.95.
I also looked at the new ballistic shields from the Safariland Group (www.safariland.com), the Protech Assault II and III. These relatively light shields offer pistol and rifle protection as well as maneuverability. The Assault Shields feature a triangular viewport that allows for increased vertical visibility on the part of the operator. The Assault II weighs just 14.8 lbs. MSRP is $2199.99.
The Mantis Laser Academy allowed shooters to safely and expediently practice dry firing inside and was crowded throughout the show. It’s a great way to perfect your target acquisition and trigger squeeze without using up a lot of expensive ammo.
The Blackbeard and Blackbeard X laser training cartridges can be inserted into an AR-15 to automatically reset the trigger each time. The Mantis 10 Elite device allows a pistol to be dry-fired in similar manner. The MSRP for the Mantis digital training devices range from $249.99 for the Mantis 10 Elite to $319.00 to $349.00, depending on the type of laser (www.MANTISX.COM). Another company, DryFireMag offering a similar dry fire pistol reset device, was also on hand. Their special magazines are compatible with pistols from Glock, SIG Saur, the Palmento State Armory Dagger, the Smith& Wesson M&P, and the Springfield XD (DRYFIREMAG.COM). MSRP is $98.99.
One of my first stops this year was at American Precision Firearms (americanprecisonfirearms.com) to get a look at the AF2011-A1 Second Century, aka the “Twenty Eleven,” which was featured in the James Bond movie, Spectre. This double-barreled handgun is based on the design of the classic 1911 and features two barrels in separate slides set side-by-side on a single frame, with ejection ports on opposite sides of the connected double slides. It’s chambered in .38 Superauto and .45 ACP, with double hammers and a single trigger so both barrels fire simultaneously. Hand-made in Italy, with a MSRP of $6,300 to $6,800, the heavy weapon is purported to have quite a kick.
With all the publicity that Staccato (staccato2011.com) has been getting recently, I’d hoped to be able to fire the pistol at the Range. However, the Texas-based gun manufacturer instead set up its own firing day at the Prairie Fire Range in Pahrump, Nev. Apparently the event drew over 650 people and featured a free lunch as well. Over 1,400 law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Rangers, have adopted the Staccato as their duty weapon.
There’s no denying the smooth, ball-bearing feel as you rack the slide. The Staccato XC is a handsome, steel-frame S/A 9mm with a 2.5 lb trigger pull. It offers a 17+1 round capacity and a front sight that’s fixed onto the barrel, so it doesn’t cycle back with the slide. This allows for the shooter to maintain better target acquisition with less recoil and muzzle rise. The MSRP is $4,000. Staccato will be introducing their new Staccato C by this summer. That gun is advertised as “small enough to conceal, but big enough for duty or home defense.” It will offer a 16+1 round capacity and weigh-in at 26 oz due to its aluminum frame. The MSRP is $2,599.
From the plains of Texas to the European Continent, we next stopped at the Girsan (www.girsan.com) booth. This Turkish arms manufacturer produces pistols and shotguns in accordance with the NATO standards, and exports to the United States, South America, and middle Eastern and Asians countries. They had on display the Girsan MC14T Tip-Up. The innovative design of this 9mm pistol allows it to be reloaded and a round to be chambered without the slide being locked back. The specially designed tip-up barrel has a release lever that may be engaged. This causes the rear portion of the barrel to pop up, allowing for a new round to be chambered without racking back the slide. The MSRP is $498.
I stopped by the Smith & Wesson (www.smith-wesson.com) exhibit to check out the 9mm “Equalizer.” This all-metal semiautomatic comes with magazines with 10, 13, and 15 round capacities, and has a single-action trigger with a 5.5 lb pull and that allows for a fast reset. The slide has an “easy-to-rack” technology, and the polymer frame includes a picatinny-style rail for mounting accessories. It has a stainless-steel slide and a textured non-slip grip. The MSRP for the Equalizer is $599.
Smith & Wesson also offers the all-metal CSX Micro-9 semiautomatic pistol. It has a flat-faced trigger that ensures consistent trigger-finger placement allowing for accuracy and repeatability. I perused some of their revolvers, hoping to get a chance to check out the new 7X7 .357 Revolver, the latest from the 3-5-7 Magnum series. The L-frame revolver has an unusual seven-inch barrel length that gives the shooter nine long inches of sighting ability. The large, non-fluted cylinder holds 7 rounds. Unfortunately, they didn’t have on hand, but the listed MSRP is $1009.00. I still got to take a couple of pictures with the “Dirty Harry” .44 Magnum and a few other big revolvers and asked myself the question, “Do I feel lucky?”
I felt lucky when we stopped by Colt (www.colt.com) to check out the three snakes, the King Cobra, the Python and the Anaconda and appreciated the ultra-smooth trigger pull of each one: Also on display were the fine array of M5 Carbines and M5 Sub-Compact rifles. The M5 300 is 25.1 inches with the stock retracted (28.35 inches with stock extended) and weighs just 5.87 lbs. This air-cooled, gas-operated sub-machinegun has a 30 round mag and full-auto capabilities. The rate of fire is 700-950 RPM. (MSRPs for the King Cobra is $899.00, for the Python it is $1499.00, and for the Anaconda: $1499.00.)
From there we went to Glock to see the G42 pocket-sized model which is the ultimate choice for concealed carry. This .380 semiauto has the standard Glock design and is the company’s smallest model, but it’s advertised to “behave like a full-size pistol.” It’s 5.94 inches in length and 4.13 inches in height, with a trigger distance of 2.40 inches. The weight is only 13.76 ounces. The ammo capacity is 6+1 rounds. MSRP is $459.00. Glock also offers five models in the .40 S&W array. Some favorites of law enforcement are the G22 through G27 Gen 5 Models, offering a .40 punch with efficient size and impressive power. The MSRPs for these models range from $499.00 to $599.00. As noted earlier, we fired a Glock 19 model at the range in Boulder City. With its combination of reliability, stopping power, and affordability, Glock has practically become the customary choice of law enforcement.
Another 9mm that’s growing in popularity with the concealed carry crowd is the Taurus GX4XL T.O.R.O, which was Guns and Ammo magazine’s 2022 Handgun of the Year. This striker-fired pistol can hold either 11+1 rounds or 13+1, depending on which magazine you have. The stainless-steel barrel is 3.71 inches, and the weapon has an overall length of 6.43 inches, with a height of 4.4 inches and 1.08 inch width. The weight is only 1 lb, 4 ounces. This is the company’s first micro compact, and the price is very affordable with a MSRP of $469.00.
Walther’s new PD380 is billed as “easy to rack, easy to carry, and easy to shoot.” From the feel of the pistol, I would tend to agree. The finger-grooved polymer grip allows for a comfortable and textured feel. The compact weapon has a 3.7 inch barrel and weighs only 22.8 ounces. It is 5.5 inches tall and 1.5 inches thick. The DA/SA hammer-fired pistol has a nice black finish with a the-dotted white sights and a fully adjustable rear sight. The ambidextrous safety has a firing pin block. The PD380 also has a tilt-barrel design reduces the felt recoil when fired. The MSRP is $449.00.
Seeing all of the smaller models and thinking about concealed carry brought us around to holsters and other ways to be discreet but safe.
We stopped by the Gun Tote’n Mamas (www.guntotenmamas.com) booth and looked at the fine selection of ladies purses on display. In the way of new products this year are the GTM-116 Sling Waist Pack, which can be worn on either side, and the GTM 51/LaV Town Tote, which looks like a typical, fashionable purse. In reality, its two hand-carry handles are embedded with an 11-ply steel cable making it slash-resistant. The main compartment also appears similar to a typical lady’s handbag, but has a holster that will house a number of handguns, including the Springfield Hellcat, the Glock 19 compact, and the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ.
All of these all-leather models have compartments for one’s money, credit cards, and women’s accessories but also have a special, secure compartment that can hold a lady’s piece.
Claudia Chisholm, the president of the company makes sure that all of the purses are well-made out of the finest leather available. Prices range from $200 to $300, depending on the size needed. A new online course in learning handgun skills and drawing and re-holstering skills. is offered through Point Blank Firearms Academy (POINTBLANKFIREARMS USA.TEACHABLE.COM/P/HOME) featuring Gun Tote’n Mama’s bags and purses. Their advice as we talked to them at the booth was sound: Start out with an empty gun and practice your draw over and over. Practice, practice, practice.
For a more traditional selection of holsters there was Galco (galcoholsters.com) which uses leather, Kydex, nylon, and injection molded plastic to produce its fine selection of holsters, belts, and accessories. In business since 1969, Galco proudly proclaims that all of its products are made in the U.S.A. One of their new products is their fancy waist-pack called the Cochella, which offers a way to carry a small-frame revolver with the utmost discretion. Decorated with a unique, inlaid gemstone centerpiece, the Cochella has a smaller zippered pocket that is positioned above and behind the main gun pocket. This gun pocket provides a fast draw as well as easy holstering with a full-firing grip. MSRP: $575.00.
And in an attempt to inject some alluring fashion that was guaranteed to pique the interest of both men and women into the show, Zastava Arms (zastavaarmsusa.com), Serbia’s premier maker of Kalashnikov-pattern rifles, made a unique effort to make their brand more recognizable. This year they partnered with Miona Badžević Anđelković, a Serbian entrepreneur, competitive shooter, fashionista, media personality, extreme sportswoman, and humanitarian to exhibit the attention grabbing bullet casing dresses. Zastava’s SHOT Show presentation featured some of Miona’s exquisite fashion handiwork from her “LET HER” brand, in the form of dresses made of leather and brass shell casings. Unfortunately, I couldn’t convince any of the ladies present to agree to do any live modeling. Maybe next year.
Keeping your weapons secure even when you’re not wearing them is another area of concern. GOSAFE technology (gosafenow.com) offers a unique solution of safety and also immediate access to a secured weapon with their “mobile safe magazine.” This magazine has a special key that locks it into the loading well in the grip of your semiautomatic. Although this magazine may be loaded, the weapon will not fire unless the key is used to unlock it first. There is also a non-functional magazine that may be inserted and locked to render your gun inoperable should you fear it might fall into the hands of a child. The loadable magazine has a 10 round capacity. Each key comes with an imprinted code tag in case you lose your key. Replacement takes only few days. At present the company only offers these magazines for the Glock 17 and 19 models, but they are currently developing mobile safe mags for SIG Sauers and the Smith & Wesson M&P line. MSRP is $115.00.
Despite the show going on for four full days, there were too few hours available to see everything we wanted to see. Things inexorably came to a halt on Friday afternoon leaving us wishing for the opportunity to examine just a couple more, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be.
So, as that old saying goes, let’s wait ’til next year.
Michael A. Black is the author of numerous books, including his newest Trackdown book, Devil’s Lair, A Steve Wolf Military Thriller.
