As SHOT Show 2018 rolled toward its inevitable conclusion, new products and corporate announcements offered a look at what’s happening now likely what’s ahead for the rest of 2018 and beyond.
At first, the announcement that Weatherby was relocating to Wyoming caught plenty of people- me included- by surprise. But the climate in California, fires, floods, droughts and mother nature withstanding, isn’t really conducive to the health and well being of any firearms-related company. Even an established California company like Weatherby isn’t immune to the feeling that enough is, simply stated, enough. The big question I heard: will their highly skilled employees and managers will be moving to the wide open spaces?
Interesting question, but other companies with deep California roots- like Apex Tactical- have found the majority of their employees willing to relocate. Differences in political climate, tax structure and cost of living make it hard to make a case for staying in an area where those who control the state’s political power obviously don’t want you. California is still blessed with wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities, but from the inability to bring your own ammunition there to hunt to regulations on fishing tackle make it an increasingly difficult sell.
If I had to summarize SHOT 2018 in a single word, I think it would be opportunity. There are initiatives across the industry to bring in more participants, more innovation and invention than in the past 3-4 years, and a general sense of cautious optimism.
Conversations with industry observers and corporate executives reaffirmed that sense, and the fact there seemed to be more people concerned with writing business than showing product indicates good things ahead.
But there were plenty of innovative products we’ll be talking about more in the future. One category that showed plenty of innovation was safes. There were all kinds, sizes and prices on display - and the fact that secure storage is a hot topic infers there are many more people getting into shooting -and concerned about safely storing their guns.
Another area that seemed to be “full to overflowing” was camouflage apparel. As one observer said “2018 will be the year to separate the designers from the commodity producers of camouflage.”
All the signs of this year’s SHOT Show pointed toward a more businesslike approach for the year. Consumers are looking for innovation, but they’re also going to be focused on value and functionality. Manufacturers are looking at the slowdown in the nearly-crazy pace of AR-style rifle sales and realizing there are still significant sales opportunities-many of which lie in the refreshment or rethinking of their existing lines. Think detachable-magazine pump shotguns, new calibers in lever-action and bolt action rifles- and spaces on older designs for newer innovations such as lights, lasers and accessories.
Good things all...and that points toward a very positive high-level outlook for the industry.
At this point, I’m turning the feature slot over to Rich Grassi and his look at the Tactical/Competition side of SHOT.
The big talk at the SHOT Show was not, as it always seems to be, new products. That’s not because there’s no innovation, there’s plenty. It’s because the big news is the state of the industry.
Discussions with those in the trenches left me with the realization that 2017 was a year of reordering, restructuring and adjusting to a new reality. That reality predictably leads to the potential for increasing military spending as well as law enforcement – federal, state and local – spending on gear. Personal defense and concealed carry are the lion’s share of the activity outside of the public sector but the industry is already adjusting to the likelihood that the increased numbers of gun owners and shooters will be diversifying their shooting interests into recreational firearms activities.
Outfits trying to find a better way, the next best ‘mouse trap,’ are all over. Some are smaller companies, innovators trying to make their way while older line companies are finding research and development of attractive products is critical to staying in the game.
For example, Todd Jarrett took me aside when I passed the BLACKHAWK! booth to show me his new sling. A fan of Kyle Lamb’s sling but always looking for a faster way to adjust it for tension, he jerry-rigged a quick adjust tab. Now BLACKHAWK! has taken it a step farther, making the Multipoint Sling a two-point sling configurable to a single point by use of a push-button cup QD sling mounting element. The Rapid Adjustment Slider Buckle is a large polymer loop – that many will consider a snag hazard as they show you their rifle that bristles with snag points.
It’s not the gear, it’s wisely using the gear. If you can’t quickly adjust it, you have serious problems. And, yes, you need to be able to shoot that gun off either shoulder, but that’s a tale for another time.
Todd also had a training gun – a molded model – in one of their TECGRIP holsters stuck in his waistband. On the other side there was a magazine in a TECGRIP magazine pouch, something I’d not seen before. Handy to tuck in your waist, but as good for pocket carry of the spare magazine, the TECGRIP material stays behind as you draw the magazine, as it does with the gun. This could be very handy.
Tim Tang showed me the Entity low-profile carry solutions from Maxpedition. They sought a “non-tactical tactical” carry system. Made in gray fabric -- 500D Kodra fabric with polyurethane coating – there are two backpacks and a sling bag. A visible ‘grayscale’ interior helps you sort through your gear visually. There are tuckable wings with magnets for speed closure and ‘drawbridge straps’ keep the front from flopping open, dumping your gear.
Samson Manufacturing showed their magazine well and magazine extension for the S&W Shield line of pistols. The mag well works only with S&W 8-round magazines or with the Samson 1-round extended base pad. Machined from aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum, I have a sample to try and will report on it in the wires.
Also shown was the Pocket Comp for S&W’s 9mm Shield. Made to fit on the threaded barrel from SilencerCo or Lone Wolf Distributing, the Pocket Comp lengthens the gun, but tames the +P 9mm as well as protects the muzzle’s threads.
Freddie Blish, the boss at Robar Guns, showed me his new ArmorLube finish on a bolt carrier group. It features a natural lubricity slightly less than NP3. It’s also extremely hard, harder than can be measured on the Rockwell scale. Keep an eye on their website for news of pricing and availability.
Galco displayed their Extreme Tuk – a hybrid IWB cut in such a way to prevent the curl-over of the sweat guard, featuring a superior belt clip solution. Streamlight was there with their increased “lumens” and an interesting USB rechargeable battery – as well as their great ‘multi-fuel’ lights.
Lyman has an aluminum 5-shot 38 speed loader, as well as improved Tac-Star Sidesaddles and a carbon-fiber magazine extension for shotguns. Crimson Trace showed a new long gun light/laser – that can be used as a handheld light.
Finally, I had a meeting with Ernest and Aimee Langdon. Langdon Tactical Technology is doing a limited edition Beretta PX4 Full-Size, PX4 Carry 9mm handgun. His take on the gun includes AmeriGlo Night Sights, Talon Grips, Beretta Competition Trigger Group, Stealth Levers, Extended Mag Button, Reduced Weight Hammer Spring, and Sniper Gray Cerakote Slide. The gun ships with a pair of 17-round magazines and a 20 round magazine.
It’s going to be quite a year in the industry – and we’ll be here to keep you posted.