Even though the 2014 SHOT Show ended over a month ago, there were a lot of things there that we released and displayed for the first time. Although I am finding that the industry is going away from launching at SHOT or NRA so their products are not buried along with [Read More…]
Walther Arms introduced the PPQ M2 pistol at SHOT Show this year. This pistol is striker-fired with a polymer frame that Walther has directed at keeping pace with similar competitor offerings. The PPQ M2 has similarities to the recent Walther P99 and PPX, but [Read More…]
Springfield Armory introduced the new XDs 4.0 to the Media Range day this year. The XDs 4.0 is an extended barrel version of the striker fired XDs 9mm released at last year’s SHOT Show. Still marketed towards the concealed carry audience, the XDs 4.0 has several [Read More…]
While perusing the “New Products” section at the SHOT Show looking for ideas, I happened across a complete AR-15 with the all new Magpul gray furniture (hand guard, grip, stock). Gray seemed to be a new move this year, as 5.11 had a full line of “tactical [Read More…]
Rock River Arms is a company more well known for their AR-platform rifles, but at SHOT Show this year the company was showing off their polymer-framed 1911 pistol again. First displayed 2 years ago as a concept pistol, and possibly to determine market interest, it [Read More…]
Arsenal Firearms (officially: Arsenal Firearms Group of Companies) is expecting approval from the ATF this year, of the AF-1 Strike One pistol. However, this doesn’t mean it will be available on the US market in 2014. The lucky honor will first go to Italy, where [Read More…]
Last May TFB reported the Magpul 1911 grips were coming, and thought they are on the market now, I’d yet to handle them. So I took the time to check them out at SHOT Show. I like the look of them, though not in love with the tiny Magpul logos as texture, but [Read More…]
The Belgian company RDIH was present at SHOT Show with a lightweight polymer stock for the paratrooper variants of the FAL and LAR’s. While a rifle with the stock installed was not available – we were able to handle the stock itself. The construction appears [Read More…]
Browning has introduced the AB3 to their rifle at the 2014 SHOT Show. The AB3 is described by Browning as a “value-packaged” rifle. Despite its lower price point the AB3 is designed to be a contender for accuracy, features, style, and comfort. This is not what [Read More…]
We spent several hours out in the Las Vegas desert at the Metropolitan Police Dept’s range testing the new Wilcox Raptar. The Raptar is a unique device that incorporates both visible and IR aiming lasers, an IR illuminator, and a laser range-finder. The integral [Read More…]
The ACR has had its ups and downs. From stylish beginnings as the Magpul Masada, the path through manufacturers and military buyers has been a convoluted one. But I was nice to see a legitimately new ACR offering on display at the Bushmaster booth this year as they [Read More…]
I compete in the following 3 different shooting disciplines long Range Bulls-eye, 3 Gun and Tactical Rifle. This requires a ton of ammunition which means I load most of it. The pistol ammo and 223 can be made with a progressive press. But even with that it can take a [Read More…]
Kel Tec is revealing two new bullpups at Shot Show this year with their RDB and M43. Scaling down from their successful RFB .308 rifle, the RDB and M43 are both .223 bullpup rifles using downward brass ejection system rather than the forward system of the RFB. The RDB [Read More…]
I was disappointed last year when an ARX160 or a semiauto variant wasn’t on display. Hype had been that it was coming soon. This year the rifles rested atop a folding table, with the wind blowing the tablecloth over them; ignored wile the crowd was magnetized to [Read More…]
FLIR’s been making thermal sights for as long as people have been using the technology, but historically they have always been for governments, and always exorbitantly priced. The R-series of thermal weapon sights are the latest offering from FLIR Personal Vision [Read More…]
New for 2014, Kimber is now making sound suppressor ready versions of the Custom TLE II and Custom TLE/RL II pistols. The new guns are available in both 9mm and .45 ACP, and they share many of the same features as the original, non-suppressor ready versions. Both new [Read More…]