I was making my way to another appointment at SHOT when the Mako Group/FAB Defense booth caught my eye.  The first thing I checked out was their new “Scorpus” line of holsters, made of glass-reinforced polymer.  These are a retention holster that indexes on the triggerguard, but release button/finger channel keeps your finger indexed in a safe location along the slide or the frame when you draw.  These are available now for the 1911, SIG 226, Glock (9mm/.40/.45), Jericho 941, Makarov, and the S&W M&P (enough ampersands?).  There are also magazine pouches in the Scorpus line.  All holsters/pouches are available in black, tan, or green.

• 
• Can easily be adjusted for cant and belt width
• 
• Finger is properly indexed on the slide upon the draw

Next, I checked out some of their new grips, including a VZ58 grip that was very comfortable.  The grip I was most intrigued about, however, was a Makarov grip that has an extended beavertail and converts the pistol from a heel magazine release to a more user-friendly grip mounted magazine release.  It is also easy to convert the side of the release, or make it ambidextrous!  Also seen was a prototype for a “Podium” bipod for AR15 SBRs, much like their Tavor TAR Podium, that helps keep things compact and the fore-end clear from clutter.

• The FAB PM-G Makarov grip
• Pen for scale next to the Makarov Grip
• The cutout at the top of the grip for changing the side of the release button
• Close-up of release button (darn trade show lighting…)
• It is a very thin grip
• VZ58 grip
• Grip/bipod “Podium” prototype for AR15 SBRs
• Bottom of the podium

I also got to see their new M4R10/22 Stock, which is a complete drop-in side-folder stock for standard or bull-barreled 10/22s, in use by the IDF.  The stock can accept any M4-style buttstock on the tube if one wishes to change out the buttstock.  The hinge was super strong and locked into place very well, and it was a very comfortable stock.

• note the QD hole forward of the stock hinge
• 10/22 in the stock
• 

Lastly, they had 2 new Ultimag magazines, and a cool top cover call the PDC for the AK47 that has tensioners both front and rear for a better zero.  The rear tensioner is adjustable, and works by being cranked tighter to the top cover/recoil spring release button when attached.  The new magazines were a polymer magazine for the VZ58, and the new Ultimag Smart Load.  The Smart Load works by pulling out a machine timing belt that is attached to the follower, which retracts the follower to the bottom of the magazine.  The follower is held down by ratchet tension, and one can just drop rounds into the mag.  Then, one pushes a button on the bottom of the magazine, and the timing belt retracts and spring tension is reapplied to the follower.  Also seen was their GL and GK-MAG stocks, for ARs and AKs respectively, that hold a 10 round magazine in the stock for backup.

• VZ58 Ultimag
• Ultimag AKR30 with a pull tab attached to the bottom for extraction from chest rigs
• Spine of the VZ58 Ultimag
• Ultimag “Smart Load”, note the green timing belt
• AK fitted with the PDC top cover
• 
• 
• front tensioner of the cover
• Rear tensioner/drum of the top cover

Thanks to everyone at FAB Defense/The Mako Group for their time!