SHOT Show 2019

The SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) Show takes place annually, in the last week of January or the week before. The event used to be held in different locations each year, but in 2010 it was permanently relocated to the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Despite enormous capacity of the venue, it is not big enough to fit all exhibitors interested in participation. Many of them have to wait on the reserve list and they can actively partake in the event only after some other business resigns.

The 41^st edition attracted 58 thousand representatives of the industry from 111 countries, while 2.4 thousand companies held an exhibition during the event, which are record-breaking numbers. The New Product Center alone, a space designed specifically for the purpose of exhibiting products that are new on the market, featured booths of over 400 companies. The combined area of all exhibitions was 64.3 thousand square meters and the event (which took place between January 22^nd and 25^th) brought the city of Las Vegas an income of 90 million dollars.

The NSSF estimates that the firearms business in the United States engages 312 thousand people, almost half of which work directly in manufacturing, while 63 thousand are subcontractors. Yearly wages combined equal 15.7 billion dollars, and the economic impact of the sector is estimated at 52 billion, which brings the state 654 million in taxes.

Gun sales numbers are assessed by the NSSF based on the number of the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) procedures revealed by the FBI. In 2016 gun sales were record-high, reaching 15.7 millions of individual weapons sold. However, this number dropped to 14 million in 2017, and in consecutive year it declined even further by 6.1 per cent, stopping at 13.1 million. The last two years have brought the gun sales a combined drop of 16.5 per cent.

It is worth noting that from 1945 until 2001 yearly numbers of individual gun sales fluctuated between 3 and 6 million; the September 11 attacks spurred the massive increase of the number of handguns, carbines (especially the AR and AK clones), rifles and shotguns sold each year. The sales were also affected by multiple declarations coming from the Democrats and concerning possible gun ownership restrictions. It is only now that the market started to stabilize, as the drop in sales is probably related to the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. During his campaign, Trump voiced his support of the Second Amendment, which appeased the conservatives advocating for free gun ownership. The current administration does not intend to introduce any new restrictions, although, following 2017 Las Vegas shooting, they decided to ban bump-stock guns which imitate the firing motion of fully automatic weapons.

During the SHOT Show, Brownells presented the BRN-180 rifle, a hybrid of 5.56mm ArmaLite AR-180 and AR-15. The weapon features AR-180’s mechanism and upper receiver and AR-15’s lower receiver. Gas piston operation of AR-180 remains unchanged. The original stamped steel upper receiver was substituted with an aluminum one. It was also shortened, along with the bolt carrier and the return mechanism. Such change was necessary in order to retain the length compatible with AR-15’s lower receiver. Because of AR-180’s return mechanism design, the stock of BRN-180 folds to the left. The weapon is equipped with a free-floating barrel and an aluminum octagonal handguard. Top of the handguard is covered in a long Picatinny rail extended by another piece on the upper receiver. All other sides of the rail are outfitted with Magpul M-LOK standard mounting holes. According to the manufacturer’s information, the weapon is already in production and is going to be distributed in the United States. American market price is 799 USD.

Patriot Ordinance Factory USA showed two new carbines that already hit the market in 2019. They are caller Wonder (using .233 Remington/5.56x45mm ammunition) and Renegade+ (using .224 Valkyrie/5.6x41mm ammunition). The latter is equipped with a 20 in/508 mm barrel and has particularly high accuracy with 75 gr/4.86 g and 88 gr/5.7 g cartridges. It weighs 3.46kg and costs 2029 USD.

The Wonder model comes with an aesthetically interesting finish, which the manufacturer calls Blue Titanium. It was equipped with an ambidextrous Strike Eagle charging handle, rubber ERGO grip and a Micro B single port muzzle brake. In the lower receiver there is a single-stage mechanism with a flat trigger with 1.6 kg pull. The weapon’s weight is 2.8 kg, while the MSRP (Manufacturer suggested retail price) is supposed to be 1599 USD.

New products from Kel-Tec presented at the SHOT Show include KS7 bullpup shotgun – a modification of KSG model. KS7 shotgun has an almost identical build; it features, however, not two but only one magazine with the capacity of seven 12 GA . The manufacturer is planning to introduce three-round magazine extensions and hence longer barrels. Apart from smaller width, Kel-Tec KS7 is also distinguishable by its carrying handle attached to the rail and equipped with a fiber optic sight. It can be dismounted and substituted with any other type of sights – iron or optic. The frontal part of the handle and the rear part of the fore-end are equipped with Magpul M-LOK mounting holes, which allows mounting of additional accessories.

During the Las Vegas exhibition, Daniel Defense introduced the first repeating precision rifle, Delta 5. The receiver and the barrel were installed in a carbon fiber chassis with adjustable length of pull. The height of the cheek support can also be altered. Delta 5 features a bolt action mechanism with four locking lugs spaced at 60 degrees. The charging handle is threaded and can be substituted with a different one, according to the shooter’s preferences. The rifle uses AICS standard magazines and features a cold hammer forged barrel mounted by a nut, which allows for quick changes of the caliber. Timney Elite Hunter single-stage trigger can be adjusted from 0.7 to 1.8 kg. On top of the receiver, a Picatinny rail with a 20 MOA/5.8 MRAD cant was installed. Five Magpul M-LOK standard mounting holes are located on the frontal part of the handguard: two on each side and one at the bottom. Delta 5 uses following types of ammunition: .308 Winchester, 6,5 mm Creedmoor and 7mm- 08 Remington.

MK1 PRO is a family of carbines introduced by Primary Weapons System (PWS). The weapons’ design is based on AR-15 and they are considerably less expensive than other models offered so far. M116 and (stockless) M111 rifles feature a two-part long-stroke piston mechanism and a three-setting adjustable gas system which enables the use of a muzzle when heavily fouled, and paired with sound suppressors. The receivers have a different design and are made of a cheaper aluminum alloy 6061-T6. MK1 PRO does not have any ambidextrous manipulators, except for the Radian Raptor charging handle. Each carbine, except for the pistol versions, comes with an inexpensive A2 birdcage type flash-hider, Bravo Company USA grips and stocks and Lancer magazines. The fore-ends were equipped with Magpul M-LOK mounting holes. The prices are 995 USD for the whole firearms and 650 USD for the receiver only.

Krebs Custom AK-9 is a prototype of 9 mm x 39 carbine, presented at the booth of Wolf Performance Ammunition. This type of rounds is used by Russian special models VSS Vintorez and AS Val. The weapon is equipped with a Magpul MOE grip and a Tailhook PSB stabilizing brace (in accordance to the local law limiting access to short-barreled firearms). For their AK-9, Krebs Custom designed a 30-round aluminum magazine. The weapon’s handguard is also made of aluminum and features two Picatinny rails: the longer top one and the shorter bottom one. The weapon has an OD finish and the barrel was equipped with a device suitable for mounting of suppressor – this does not surprise as the 9 mm x 39 is subsonic by principle.

Geiselle Automatics’ first semi-automatic carbine also debuted during the SHOT Show. There are two types of rifles: Super Duty and Super Duty LE (Law Enforcement). The first one is marketed  as aimed for civilians, while the second – exclusively for law enforcement. Super Duty comes in black or flat dark earth color and is equipped with well-known Geiselle Automatics accessories: a  handguard with M-LOK mounting holes, a trigger guard, an SSA Lightning Bow trigger mechanism and fixed or folding iron sights. Super Duty LE carbines are black and their handguard does not feature the accessory rail; Picatinny rails can be mounted on the M-LOK mounting holes instead. The front-end is distinguishable by characteristic blue lines, which are supposed to underline the weapons’ purpose. Super Duty LE also features ALG trigger group. The price of the civilian model is estimated at 1700 USD, while the slightly worse-equipped police model will cost 750 USD.

Another SHOT Show debut was Steyr Arms A2 MF (Modular Frame) semi-automatic 9 mm x 19 pistol. It is a modified variety of M9-A1 and L9-A1. A2 MF pistol, similarly to many new designs, was equipped with a serialized frame with a trigger mechanism paired with a pulymer grip-frame. The inlet of the magazine well was additionally profiled in order to facilitate the insertion of a new magazine. A2 MF has an enhanced grip texture and exchangeable inserts on sides and  back , which enables for a better fitment of the weapon to the shooter’s hand. Steyr is planning to introduce new grips, barrels and slides that can help customize the pistol according to the shooter’s needs. The pistol’s price is 675 USD.

At the Show Colt’s Manufacturing announced that .357 Magnum King Cobra revolver will return to the market. The weapon underwent slight changes: a new trigger guard shape was introduced, along with a rubber-coated Hogue grip. King Cobra revolver is chiefly made of stainless steel and its cylinder accommodates six rounds. Its sights consist of a groove on top of the frame and a front sight with a brass insert. The revolver features a SA/DA trigger mechanism.

Zev Technologies introduced their OZ9 9 mm x 19 pistol – it is the first firearm designed entirely by this company. The characteristic feature of the weapon is its two-part frame, consisting of an insert comprised of an accessory rail, slide rails, locking block and trigger mechanism, and a polymer grip with exchangeable panels. OZ9’s slide is fit for mounting of MRDS and it was equipped with a set of fiber optic iron sights. Front and back of the slide was outfitted with wide grooves for easier charging and press-checks. Slide porting, located on the frontal part of the slide – on top and on each side – decrease its weight. OZ9 is supplied with Glock 17’s 17-round magazines. ZEV Technologies’ new firearm is also compatible with the Austrian company’s slides and barrels. The pistol comes with a PRO Plus magwell and two PMAG 17 GL9 magazines in a polymer SKB case.

Hudson Manufacturing company, which produced 9-mm semi-automatic H9 pistols, did not show up in Las Vegas, despite their earlier announcements of forthcoming premieres of their products. The company declared bankruptcy linked to the marketing mistake – the far too-early announcement of the alloy-frame model. This step caused a massive drop in sales of the original all-steel H9 pistol in anticipation for the lighter, more concealed-carry friendly variant. The loss of income caused Hudson to be unable to further produce the H9 and fulfill the warranty claims. As of now the KE Arms Company (one of the former parts suppliers) is in possession of a large number of spare parts and can provide the service for the damaged H9s.

Magpul Industries’ SHOT Show presentation included SL line polymer handguards and lower receivers with pistol grips with upgraded ergonomics and thumb safety for Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns. Inside of the grip, there are small compartments that can accommodate batteries or cleaning sets. Safety leaves were located on both sides. The grips come in two sizes: standard and large. The fore-ends designs vary, so that they can fit both full-scale MP5 models and shorter MP5Ks. In the first case, there are three Magpul M-LOK mounting holes at the bottom and on each side of the weapon; MP5K variety has only one such mounting hole on each side.

Unity Tactical premiered two products: Hot Button tactical tape switch and atypical FAST mounts for red dot sights and magnifiers. Hot Button is fitted to work with flashlights and laser target designators and is mounted using M-LOK standard mounting holes. The activation button was positioned at 45-degree angle, which provides for better ergonomics and enables accessing it with support hand’s thumb. FAST mounting base is a bit taller than the standard one because of the mechanism enabling the magnifier to move vertically from the lone of sight. This solution is supposed to prevent the device from getting stuck on any elements of the environment and to facilitate using the weapon while wearing a gasmask. The base of the red dot sight was equipped with an iron sight which eliminated the necessity of mounting another device on the accessory rail. The base is fit for any device with Aimpoint Micro T-1 hole spacing standard.

Surefire’s flashlights XR1 and XR2 also made their debut during the SHOT Show. They are more powerful varieties of XC1/XC2 flashlights, suited for mounting on everyday carry weapons. As opposed to their antecedents, the devices are powered from a built-in battery. XR1 and XR2 were equipped with dual-head LEDs with MaxVision Beam reflectors, delivering luminous flux of 600 lm out to 80 meters. The internal power supply can be replenished with a magnetic charger – just like some of the Olight flashlight models. XR2 was additionally equipped with a laser. The devices have anodized aluminum bodies and weigh 63 g. They are mounted with two parallel screws which lock the rail mount onto the accessory rail. The dimensions of the devices deviate from XC1/XC2 very slightly.

Surefire have also presented a multifunctional device XVL2 which combines the functions of a flashlight, a laser illuminator and a target designator – both in infrared and visual spectrum. The project was in development for a couple of years and had been commissioned by the special forces. Its prototypes were exhibited during the last couple editions of the show. XVL2 is two times larger than standard pistol-mounted flashlights. The device’s switches remained identical as in X300 series flashlights; on the left side of the case there is an additional switch enabling to select the preferred function. The flashlight generates a luminous flux of 400 lm, while the red illuminator’s power is 300 mW. There are two models of XVL2 – the less powerful is marketed for the civilians, and the more powerful is aimed at the uniformed services. The power limitations concern the infrared modules. XVL2 is supplied by a single CR123 battery that can be changed after disassembling the head of the flashlight/illuminator . The device’s operation time is estimated at 1.5 hours.

During SHOT Show, Steiner company introduced the DRS 1X (Defendu Reflex Sight) red dot sight. It is dedicated for the military and uniformed services for intuitive close combat. DRS 1X is an optical sight with three different C2 dots: 2 MOA dot, a dot with two auxiliary lines and a similar cross-shaped mark with an additional 13,64 MOA dot below. The device uses two AA batteries, it can, however, operate with only one. Steiner state that their product can operate for at least 2000 hours with two batteries. After 13 consecutive hours of continued operation, the sight turns itself off automatically. The brightness of the grid can be adjusted with four daylight settings and three night settings. The case is made from magnesium alloy and the control buttons were located on top of it. The water resistant battery slots were placed in the frontal part of the device. In the bottom part of the device, there is a Picatinny rail mount. USA retail price is estimated at 749 USD.

Article previously published on MILMAG 02/2019