By Michael A. Black | Contributing Writer
When I first walked down the hallway of the Venetian Expo Center on Tuesday, Jan. 16 for the start of the 2023 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show the crowd ahead of me looked much larger than last year.
After the show being cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic, and bouncing back in 2022, this year’s show seemed to be off to a very good start. From what I heard the attendance had substantially increased this time. The week-long event was once again held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Preshow publicity boasted of an expanded array of exhibits in the multi-level sections in the Venetian Expo Center and the adjacent exhibit area in Caesar’s Forum across the street. The customary yellow tags were on all of the guns at the show indicating that they had been inspected and tagged to assure that none had a firing pin.
The SHOT Show is hosted by the National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF) and offers an array of all sorts of new weapons, products, and the latest developments in the gun industry. It’s always a gun enthusiast’s dream convention.
Although there seemed to be a plethora of attendees, a closer look did show some thin spots in the show’s over-all fabric. The size of the SHOT DAILY magazines, for one thing, was reduced to standard magazine size, cut down from the usual expanded size. This may seem like a small thing, but it was echoed over and over again as I stopped by booth after booth and found a scarcity of printed material. Even some of the industry’s big guns, like Smith & Wesson and Safariland, didn’t have catalogues available, citing cost concerns. Although many exhibitors did their best to provide websites and QR codes for specifics on their products, it added to the feeling of the belts being tightened. I noticed some significant absences, too. Sig Sauer didn’t have an exhibit at the show at all, and neither were they at the Industry Day at the Range, although it was rumored that they hosted a range session at the Clark County Shooting Range.
Industry Day at the Range, which is always held on the Monday prior to the first day of the show, was held at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club near Boulder City. It offers a unique opportunity for industry professionals and the media to spend some time on the various firing stations shooting some of the newest weapons as well as a lot of old favorites. The loud staccato blasts of some full-auto shooting greeted us as we were dropped off at the entrance gate where some most welcome complimentary eye and Peltor ear protection was handed out, courtesy of 3M. In keeping with the cost-cutting theme, however, I must mention that in years past they also handed out free lunch coupons, but this year those were conspicuously missing.
The outdoor range had 27 shooting stations set up along the expansive facility. The early morning weather report predicted wind and rain, and as the shuttle bus left the convention center we rode from sunshiny Las Vegas toward the overhanging array of dark clouds in the southeastern sky. The rain held off for the most part, but the wind was harsh and severe. It made walking and shooting a bit challenging. (At least that was my standard excuse for any misses I experienced on the range.)
We passed by the Less-Lethal section where Canadian Company, Para Ops (www.para-ops.com) had several targets set up to allow participants to fire their special plastic bullet rounds. These plastic bullets are filled with various substances such as pepper powder, colored powder, or used for blunt impact. The shotgun shell-like casings contain special rifling, much like that of a pistol barrel, and give the plastic rounds more accuracy and velocity. They can be fired from two different types of weapons. The PRO-1 is a tube-like device that resembles a big flashlight. Added this year is the PAR-5, which resembles a truncated revolver. Both have a high-lumen LEDs and laser sights. Prices range from $290 to $379, with the bullets costing $100.
The Shoot Like a Girl (www.shootlikeagirl.com) trailer was also present, offering an indoor computerized range with their all-female staff of instructors showcasing laser-fitted weapons, featuring both handguns and rifles, and archery instruction. At the non-shooting pavilion we stopped by the Mantis Laser Academy and dry-fired a pistol with the Mantis 10 Elite device and an AR-15 equipped with the Blackbeard X. These special laser training cartridges that automatically re-charge the weapon after each trigger pull and project a diagnostic analysis onto an iPad or smart phone. The MSRP for the Mantis digital training devices range from $249.99 for the Mantis 10 Elite to $319 to $349, depending on the type of laser. (www.MANTISX.COM)
Also there was the Decibullz ear-protection booth (www.decibullz.com) where the staff members explained the intricacies of their custom fit earplugs. These earplugs are specially made to mold to your individual ear canal after being immersed in boiling water. They can also be remolded simply by repeating the boiling water immersion a second time. Ducibullz also offers specially designed earplugs called their “Surveillance Model’ which block out loud decibel sounds while still allowing ambient noises to pass through. These earplugs also have awareness tube adapters that allow the wearer to hear radio transmissions of the kind utilized by police, security teams, and the military. The MSRP is $29.99.
Bollé Safety Standard Issue (www.bolle-safey.com/tactical.html) showed us their slick and fashionable line of protective eyewear. All of their tint-based models are highly stylized and have lenses that are polarized and specially treated to not only protect, but also to be scratch-resistant and anti-fogging. When it comes to protecting your eyes, a good pair of safety glasses is essential gear. You only get one pair of eyes. The men at the booth showed us several sharp looking glasses including the Silex ultra wrap-around copper tinted glasses, which have a MSRP of $29.99.
One exhibitor I was really looking forward to was at SCCY Arms (www.sccy.com) which has earned a reputation with their CPX series of 9mm and .380 ACP pistols. A big plus for me was that all their firearms are made in the USA and are designed to offer comfort and accuracy at an affordable price. Their DVG-1 is a striker-fired 9mm subcompact polymer pistol with a light-weight trigger pull. With a 10 +1 capacity, and it weighs 15 ounces. The gun fired like a dream, although my female companion felt the recoil of the 9mm model a bit fatiguing. The .380 model proved easier for the distaff shooter. SCCY weapons are a big favorite with the concealed-carry crowd due to their low cost and being easy to conceal.
The SHOT Show officially kicked off on Tuesday at the Venetian Expo Center with the additional block of exhibits across the street at Caesar’s Forum. There’s a bridge between the two buildings that allows easy access. At the Venetian there were the usual three levels with 2,400 companies taking part in the exhibiting. The NSSF offered a special app for your cell phone to help locate the various booths by name or booth number. There were also numerous other auxiliary events including networking sessions, welcoming receptions, and an all-star jam concert featuring performers including Don Barnes, Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery, and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top.
SHOT Show University offered class sessions each day on various subjects including such subjects as “Know that Old Gun or Lose Money,” “Masterful Marketing to Engage the Firearms Consumer,” and “All Things ATF Compliant.” The Law Enforcement Education Program had a variety of classes as well dealing with close-quarter combat techniques, red dot sights on pistols, shooting range maintenance, and the culture war on cops.
On Wednesday the NSSF hosted its second Governor’s Forum, featuring seven governors from Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Wyoming discussing such important issues as creating a pro-business climate for the gun industry to safeguarding the Second Amendment. The NSSF not only sponsors the SHOT Show, but promotes gun safety at their booth where they give out information on their Project Childsafe and suicide prevention programs.
One of the high points for me was running into Second Amendment Foundation Founder and Vice President, Alan Gottlieb in the Press Room. Our meeting was brief due to him having a pending meeting, but I congratulated Alan on all the fine work the SAF has been doing for gun rights in these turbulent times, including in my own home state of Illinois. Another of the apparent unfortunate cost-cutting measures taken regarding the SHOT Show was discontinuance of the free booths for non-profit organizations like the Second Amendment Foundation.
Right outside the Press Room we saw the Rapid Stop booth where AERO Healthcare representative, Jim Page, demonstrated the Rapid Stop Tourniquet. This nylon belt looks something like a dog leash, but can be applied as a life-saving tourniquet in seconds, either by a first responder or the injured person. It was developed by two M.I.T. graduates who were at the Boston Marathon Bombing years ago. Since hemorrhagic bleeding is the second leading cause of injury-related deaths in the U.S., its MRSP is a real life-saving value at $39.99. (aerohealthcare.us.com)
I’d hoped that American Precision Firearms (www.americanprecisonfirearms.com) would be at the range on Industry Day so I could have checked out the AF2011-A1 Second Century, aka the “Twenty Eleven,” but no such luck. This double-barreled handgun is based on the design of the classic 1911 and features two barrels set side-by-side on a single frame. The ejection ports are on opposite sides of the connected double slides. In other words, the slide on the left has an ejection port that is on the left side of the slide. The one on the right is in the same position as the standard 1911 slide ejection port. It’s chambered in .38 Superauto and .45 ACP. The pistol has double hammers and a single trigger pull fires both barrels simultaneously. Hand-made in Italy, the gun was featured in the James Bond movie, Spectre. Maybe they’ll be at Boulder Range next year. In the meantime, with a MSRP of $6300 to $6800, I’ll just have to watch Daniel Craig shoot it.
Our next stop was at Chiappa firearms (www.chiappafirearms.com) booth. They missed the show last year, but this time heavily advertised their “soon to be available” new survival rifle, Little Badger TD, in the SHOT Daily magazines. The two-piece, folding .22 rifle fits into a lightweight (2 .9 lbs) water-resistant tube that floats. A simple knob is used to fold or straighten the two pieces into a functional gun. The MSRP is projected to be $280.
Palmetto State Armory (www.palmettostatearmory.com) of Columbia, S.C. has admittedly come a long way from its humble beginnings as an ammunition and magazine company best known for AR parts. In 2020 they developed the Dagger, which was based on the expired patent design of the Glock 19 pistol. The enhanced slide advancements of their third version, the PSA Dagger, makes the compact one smooth firing 9mm. It’s striker-fired with a 13-round mag capacity. The barrel is stainless steel, as is the slide, and it’s set upon a polymer frame. The MSRP is an incredibly reasonable $300.
Our old friend, Jim Keays of Caracal USA (www.caracalusa.com), out of Nampa, Idaho was on hand. The company originally started out doing business in only eight western states, but has since gone nation-wide. Although they haven’t come out with any new products this year, their 9mm array of handguns in their Enhanced F series is always interesting.
Caracal has patented the unique, “Quick Sight” feature. Instead of the rear sight being mounted on the chamber end of the slide, the sight was moved forward to the front edge of the ejection port which allows for quick target acquisition. A removable barrel thread protector allows a silencer to be attached to the threaded end, and the ergonomically designed grip makes it easy to hold. This polymer, striker-fired pistol weighs only 1 pound, 12 ounces, and has a short double-action trigger. The magazine capacity is 18 + 1 on the larger frame model. As stated previously, the Enhanced F suppression-ready model comes with a threaded barrel and suppressor-high sights. It goes for $699.00.
Speaking of pistols and reasonable prices, American Tactical (www.americantactical.us) was spotlighting its latest pistol, the GSG-9. This massive 7.5 inch 9mm 19 3/16 inch gun is 8 5/15 inches high and weighs 4.4 lbs with an unloaded magazine. It has a high-precision hammer-forged barrel. It sports an M-LOK rail an ambidextrous charging handle and controls. The receiver is aluminum, which contributes to the lighter weight of this mean-looking gun. It has an optional sliding and folding stock, and with special adapters can use mags from the Glock 9mm and the Sig Sauer P320. Amazingly, the price is only $699.
From the reasonably priced to the more expensive models, one of the most impressive new guns on the market is the Staccato. Staccato (www.staccato2011.com) is based in Georgetown, Tex., they specialize in producing cutting edge handguns that are duty-ready. The company prides itself on delivering handguns with “shootability, accuracy, and speed” with a “right out of the box” consistency and reliability. To achieve this they have invested in research and design along with a precision in the art of gunsmithing. The steel-frame Staccato XC is the current jewel in their crown.
Weighing in with a 2 ½ pound trigger pull, racking of the slide back has a “ballbearing” smoothness to it and the gun is purported to have “no recoil.” It comes with a single or double stack magazine and has a single-action trigger. The front sight is fixed onto the barrel and does not cycle back with the slide, allowing for the shooter to maintain better target acquisition. Vents along the sides of the front portion of the slide and directly behind the front sight provide a more diverse dispersion of gases when the weapon is fired, allowing the shooter to stay on target. It’s been adopted as the official gun of the Texas Rangers and the U.S. Marshals. The MSRP is $4000.
I stopped by Smith & Wesson (www.smith-wesson.com) to check out the “Equalizer,” the latest in their popular EZ line of handguns in the micro-high-capacity category. This tough looking, all-metal semi-auto has increased the round capacity and optic compatibility while retaining the easy-to-use slide and the low recoil impulse featured in the original EZ pistols. These guns are popular with shooters who have weaker and/or compromised hand strength or dexterity due to age or injury. This 9MM Equalizer offers 10, 13, and 15-round magazines and has a single-action trigger that allows for a fast reset for quick follow-up shots. The slide operates using an “easy-to-rack” technology and the frame includes a Picatinny-style rail for mounting lights or lasers. The new optic cut pattern allows the shooter to utilize a red dot sighting system. The barrel is 3.675 inches and provides a longer sight radius for increased iron sight precision. Most appealing too, is the textured non-slip grip design which gives you more control when firing. The MSRP fir this baby is $599.00.
Having had the chance to fire SCCY arm’s DVG-1 on the range, we wanted to stop by and check out their new “Glitter Gunz” slides which were not available out at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club. As I mentioned before, SCCY (www.sccy.com) offers a blend of quality and affordability and is incredibly popular with the concealed carry crowd with their CPX series of 9mm and .380 pistols. All of their firearms are made in the USA and are designed to offer comfort and accuracy at an affordable price. Their latest variance for their DVG-1 is the option of the “Glitter Gunz” series, which consists of a sparkling, non-slip coating on the slide and the bottom of the magazine that’s sure to appeal to the ladies. Their slogan is “Let freedom bling.” This coating comes in numerous colors and has a nice, textured feel to it. The MSRP is $395.95. I should note that I’ve used this weapon numerous times in my fiction books, most recently in Devil’s Reckoning, as a gun favored by my female characters.
And speaking of the ladies, over in the Caesar’s Pavilion section Premier Body Armor (www.premierbodyrmor.com) was showcasing their new ballistic vest specifically designed for females, the Female Concealable Armor Vest, Level III-A. This Kevlar vest is lightweight and comes in five sizes with an adjustable carrier composed of a moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial compression fabric. Most women in law enforcement and security will tell you that wearing one of the standard male vests is not very comfortable for a woman. This vest offers a curved and supportive chest design and a more even waist fit to prevent shifting. It has a six-point adjustability feature to ensure maximum comfort and protection and fits snugly over the shoulders. The MSRP is $770, which is a bit higher than the male vest, at $599, but protecting our female personnel is certainly worth it.
We also stopped by to chat with the group at the National African American Gun Association (www.naaga.co). This is a nation-wide group dedicated to supporting the Second Amendment. Robin Austin, one of the spokesman and firearms instructors of the NAAGA, reiterated the organization’s quest to promote responsible gun ownership and practices in the African American community. His background includes 26 years as a deputy sheriff in Charlotte, N.C. It should also be noted that statistics have shown that the most popular segment of new, first-time gun owners in our society is purported to be Black females.
Rounding out our trip, I chatted with some companies about their accessory non-firearms products. Elite Tactical Systems Group (www.etagroup.us) had some dandy speed loaders that make placing ammo in your magazine a breeze. Billed as “the world’s fastest speedloaders,” you can literally load a magazine in seconds, and without any painful “magthumb,” regardless of your age, strength, or dexterity. The device works with almost all pistol and rifle mags on the market today, including the MP-5, and is guaranteed not to cause any damage. You can load up to 10 rounds at a time with the push of a lever. MSRP $30.
Peerless Handcuff Company (www.peerless.net) had an impressive array of security handcuffs, including their newest High Security Cuffs with a massive triple lock. These handcuffs require a regular key to unlock. Even harry Houdini would have had trouble getting out of these babies. The MSRP is $100.
I also looked at one of the newer holsters from the Safariland Group (www.safariland.com) called “The Species.” It’s billed as “the next level in concealment” combining a time-tested design and a suede-lined interior that gives an enhanced fit while protecting the gun’s finish. An integrated tension device in the holster allows for a tailored fit. The Species also can be adjusted for the desired cant and vertical height. The holster is available for the Sig Sauer P365 and the P365X1, the Glock 43 and 43X, the Springfield Hellcat, and the Smith & Wesson Shield and Shield Plus. It fits on a 1.5 inch belt and has a MSRP of $44.95.
Alien Gear Holsters (www.aliengearholsters.com) was showcasing its latest product, the Photon Light-Bearing Holster. It’s an inside or outside the-pants rig with an optional sidecar for magazine storage that is very similar to their Shape Shift Appendix Carry Holster (MSRP $62.88). Both of these holsters feature high sights, ambidextrous, optic cut and are IWB and OWB compatible. The Photon was not yet ready for release so no MSRP was available.
Rounding out the holsters was 1791 Gunleather (www.1791gunleather.com) where they had their Ultra Custom Concealment Holster on display. This one comes with a kit and special plastic bag which, with the leather holster inside, can be immersed in water heated to 165 degrees. After eight minutes the holster can be removed from the bag and you can place your weapon into the holster to allow the leather to mold to the exact shape and contours of your gun. (They stressed safety in that you should first make sure your gun is unloaded.) Its pliability allows you to adjust the tightness of the fit with a shaping rail and then it will become “memory locked.” The weapon must stay in place for a 10 minute cool-down. If the resulting fit is not to your liking, you merely have to repeat the heated immersion and reshape it again. MSRP is $99.99.
As always, there were a lot more booths and products that I wanted to check out, but time, as always, continues to march to its own drummer. The show rolled to a close on Friday afternoon leaving me wishing for the opportunity to examine just one more, but it wasn’t meant to be.
So, as they say, wait until next year.
