SHOT Show starts with the media range morning, where media can get a sneak peek at the new gear and conduct interviews, etc. before the industry reps and dealers get there. This takes place in Boulder City, NV. I am really bummed I didn’t get a better picture of the sea of cars in the “parking lot” when we got there and when we left.

The TFB team!

Like I said, there are so many cars are there you take a shuttle to the entrance. It’s like the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory of guns mixed with Disney logistics.

Team loading up in the shuttle to the entrance.

The range layout.

Range Day is HUGE! View one way…

View the other way…

A view from the hill.

Media covering the 1000m rifle range.

Under the rifle range.

Rob Leatham doing some demo work for Springfield.

Rob Leatham doing some demo work for Springfield.

Beretta pistol range.

Reps cruise up and down the ranges to see what catches their eye, and then test it out. The next morning, SHOT Show at the convention center begins, and that rep can typically place wholesale orders for the guns he shot or saw the day before.

Industry and media reps queue up at each manufacturer’s mini-range until called up. Some people make appointments beforehand. Once you get up there, you run a mag through whatever product you are checking out, take some pics/video, and do a short interview, then on to the next one. I was there almost all day and only got to really check out about a dozen tents (i.e. speak to a rep, photo/video, shoot product).  This is the IWI booth.

The old and the new.

Naturally, all the manufacturers have a literal ton of ammo to blow through at each stall. As you may know, the typical rifle and pistol ammo used in the more popular guns run about a quarter to seventy-five cents a round, while the more obscure offerings can cost a few bucks a round. The manufacturers provide all of this at no charge. Think of the math on that. These are AK mags for the Galil ACE loaded with brass-cased 7.62x39mm.

Not all of the media are actually good at handling hardware. In addition to the pro gun-celebs, the ranges will have accomplished shooters helping out to make sure that a media rep doesn’t shoot a bad group and say that the gun is terrible in a knee-jerk article.

The UZI Pro is expected by 2Q 2015.

The Jericho is expected in 2Q 2015, in polymer and steel framed versions.

S&W’s threaded barrel models were there for testing.

Suppressed Tavor.

The flood of people at the Sands convention center for the first day of SHOT. SHOT is where you get another look at the new merch and get to place orders for it. I cannot impress upon you how huge this event is. I was only there for the first day, and I maybe saw a quarter of it at most. Pure pandemonium. We are talking miles and miles of aisles.

The media room.

One of the tables in the media room. All of us guys are trying to scoop the other, so it’s all about balance: You have to judge and collect the good material quickly, rush back to the media room, upload it in a format that will get attention, and do it again and again. Balance speed with quality.

They have these kiosks everywhere to help you find manufacturers, see demo times, etc. SHOT is that big. I was assigned to cover certain manufacturers that I didn’t even see the entire day I was there.

This is a swath of like 1% of SHOT. A manufacturer there had a platform that I asked to ascend so I could try to get a better view of the show.

More media stuff. It was hard to talk to reps for some manufacturers because when they weren’t taking orders, they were being interviewed.

Grenade launchers from LMT.

One of the big hits from the show: The SIG MCX.

Century’s booth girls.

Korth.

WOLVERIIIINNNEEESSS!

One of the hotter new releases from SIG (the MCX). SIG has gotten so big that they just host their own range day, so we had to split the team up the day before: One to cover SHOT official range day, and one to cover SIG range day.

SIG’s silencer division. Some of you may notice a gun quasi-celeb in here.

More Korth. That 1911 is probably made from real gold.

Your pick ~$3,000 each.

I have a weak spot for SBR FALs.

A Deagle rainbow.

The Troy M7A1 CQB: One of the best-looking guns at SHOT.

I was excited about Kahr’s booth this year because the Gen 2 model P-series pistols were on display. As a Kahr carrier, these upgrades are welcome.

Gatling gun.

Colt’s tournament rifle display.

Hazard4 tactical fanny pack.

Tactical raptor.

The CMMG Mutant Mk47.

EOTech thermal imaging.

Desert Tech MDR.

See you next year, SHOT!