SHOT SHOW 2016, PART I

It’s that time of year again, the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) Show. It is here that firearms and accessory managers introduce more new products than any other time of the year.

For part of it, I’ll be commenting, and for part of it, I’ll be channeling posts from my good friend Jeff Chudwin.  A champion shooter and master instructor, Jeff is one of the world’s foremost experts on tactical police use of weapons, so don’t be surprised if his observations trend more to “protection of life” stuff than “sporting” stuff.

I’ve just gotten done putting beaucoup bullets through the Walther PPS M2 9mm pistol, a more ergonomic upgrade of one of the most successful sub-compact, small frame, full power semiautomatic handguns.  Definite thumbs up. Something I haven’t handled yet is Kimber’s announced first revolver, an all-steel 23-ounce pocket size .357 Magnum with a six-round cylinder. I hope to have an opportunity to test one before long.

Rifles? Colt has announced an economy-grade version of their AR15, which many still consider the gold standard for the breed.  It’s good to see that company paying more attention to the civilian market. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some new .17 caliber offerings across the board for varmint eradication.

Shotguns? The biggest “new thing” I see there so far is a new 12-gauge slug from OATH, which promises shallower but wider and more devastating wound effect. Apparently geared more toward anti-personnel work, which will make it of interest for farm and ranch defense for example, if it works out I can see it as having an application in the hunting fields. There are lots of places where deer hunters are restricted to shotguns; where the deer don’t run terribly large; and where hunting pressure is so intense that if your quarry runs over the top of the hill before it dies, another hunter might claim what should have been YOUR venison. Doesn’t sound like the right wound profile for Alaskan grizzlies, though. Time and testing will prove its worth.

More to come. Any new stuff all y’all are particularly interested in?

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