Shot Show 2022

Overview by Simon West of the Gun Trade Association

ALTHOUGH what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas, may I take the opportunity to tell a few tales? To say it was gun rich would be an understatement. There were three major gun shows in town that attracted the gun trade from across the world.

The largest was the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show, known to you all as SHOT. It is run by the US gun trade association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Despite the pandemic, and a definite reduction in the numbers visiting (probably 25% down on the usual 60,000), the show had actually expanded on its 2019 footprint, with almost 2,500 exhibitors. It is very much a trade-only show and is the key USA business-to-business venue. International companies also form a good part of the exhibitors, so it contin- ues to be a global opportunity to engage. Almost all the big names were there but its size reflects the huge number of smaller suppliers covering every aspect of firearms, ammunition and equipment manufacture.

While it is oriented to the US market, with pistols and AR derivatives forming much of the core product list, given its size, there is something for everyone. Most of the British companies present were there as buyers, but our British exhibitors were benefiting from healthy interest. Amongst others, the Accuracy International stand was inevitably busy with the big military, law enforcement and civilian buyer communities. Eley, with their huge US rimfire market, are another key UK exporter. And one couldn’t even get near the Spartan Precision stand for customers. This year some of our traditional ex- hibitors held back because of the travel uncertainties, but I firmly believe that it is a wonderful opportunity for British manufacturers to expand their markets. You only have to get 1% of 1% of the US market and you will have profited!

Down the road was the Safari Club International 50th Convention. More of a members’ gathering (8,000 plus!) it featured lots of meetings and lectures on international hunting issues. But, alongside, it featured a retail show of guns and hunting venues in typical American quantity.

I was delighted to see Messrs John Rigby, Charles Lancaster, John Dickson, Westley Richards and Carl Russell there, exploiting the keen interest in our British reputation for producing the best sporting firearms in the world.

And then in the other direction, the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show. I have never seen so many Purdey, Holland & Holland, William Evans and Greener guns in one place. There, in the middle of the show, for their fifteenth visit from UK, were Wendy and Peter Dyson, the go-to providers of specialist heritage arms parts. It’s quite a show.

I was able to chat to two dozen British companies present at the various shows, and also some of our military and police visitors. I got a lot of business done and was able to develop some ideas of how the British trade can engage with that marketplace. If you see international trade as being an opportunity, the US could be a good place to start. Whether visiting or exhibiting, drop me a line. Perhaps Vegas 2023 could work for you.” GTN

7 Amazing products that stole the limelight at SHOT Show

The Bosumbuddy

We’re all familiar with the concept of the ‘overshoulder boulder holster’, but this smart device takes the concept one stage further. It retails at $80 and surely begs the question, “Are you loaded or just pleased to see me?” Its inventor describes it thus: “The Bosumbuddy Bullet is a small soft holster that takes advantage of a piece of clothing women wear everyday—their bra. The straps over your shoulders and the band around your torso are the perfect foundation for your safety, concealment, comfort and accessibility of your holster and firearm.“

Fair enough. Of course using one for real would be illegal in this country, but we can’t help feeling there are enough ‘romantics’ in the gun trade that would want to snap one up for their beloved.

■ CONTACT: bosumbuddy.com

Caliber Colors™ – Caliber Identification System

Quickly and easily direct customers to guns in the calibre they are looking for—by using these colour -coded Caliber Bands. Eliminates guesswork, confusion and time searching for the right gun. Caliber Bands wrap around gun barrels, stocks, trigger guards or price tags. There are 32 different colours with the calibre clearly marked on each one. Colourcoordinated calibre chart included with every order to help employees and customers find guns fast. Inexpensive colour-coded bands wrap around and are self-adhesive together. Sold in colour-coordinated assortments for each dealer’s needs—rifles, shotguns, pistols and black powder. They can be bought for as little as 15 cents each.

■ CONTACT: rackemdisplays.com

Firebird Targets 65BIO Reactive Targets

Exploding targets? Yes please. Following on from the success of the popular Firebird 50BIO Reactive Targets introduced at the 2020 SHOT Show, Firebird 65 BIO Targets are an upcoming biodegradable detonating target. 65 BIO Targets are self-contained, pyrotechnic reactive targets that are legal, safe and easy to transport.

Firebird 65 BIO Targets require no mixing. Firebirds 65 BIOs are designed to be used at short, medium and longer ranges with handguns, rifles, shotguns, and archery.

They can be used as static targets or on a moving trajectory—such as a clay pigeon.

The new 65mm size target will be easier to hit at long range, offering a 2.6in diameter target that is perfect for long-range shooting or use on a clay target. RRP $15 for 10

■ CONTACT: firebirdtargets.com

Pro-Shooter Smart Target System

This handgun training system has been in development for over two years, holds Australian and US patents and trademarks, and was at SHOT Show looking for distributors. The stand drew a lot of attention every day.

The targets are wifi-based and use a base station to connect up to 15 targets that can work simultaneously. The feedback from the target is instantly recorded onto the free Pro-shooter app. Round capacity can be set to your own requirements and once the targets have recorded those shots the phone will prompt you to reload. Once your shoot is complete you can look at the shot placement of each target.

Regular updates will be available with new shooting modes, features and support for additional target types and technologies. The target system can be used with:

• Pro-Shooter Series 1/2 Pro-Shooter Dry-Fire Trainers

• Pro-Shooter Vibration activated laser

• Laser bullets in regular firearms

■ CONTACT: pro-shooter.com

Under Armour Scent Control Armourfleece

Under Armour’s new scent elimination clothing is designed to eradicate your smell in two ways: 1) It traps human odour by using synthetic zeolites. 2) It suppresses bacterial growth that causes odour by utilising a silver antimicrobial system. What exactly is a zeolite? According to Under Armour, it’s a synthetic lava that’s superior to carbon. The clothes recharge their scent-eliminating abilities when washed.

■ CONTACT: underarmour.co.uk

Wee 1 Tacticals’ JR-15 .22LR

A compact rifle designed for kids? Only in the US, you might proclaim, but this smart piece of kit was the most ‘scanned’ item on day three as hordes of interested customers asked for more details. “Our goal was to develop a shooting platform that was not only sized correctly, and safe, but also looks, feels, and operates just like mom and dad’s gun,” explain Wee 1’s inventors of their child-sized (16in) .22 rifle. “Safety was so much at the forefront of our thought process that we developed and patented a tamper-resistant safety that puts the adult in control of the firearms safety switch. The Schmid Tool Team brought their collective 40-plus years of experience in the firearms business, specifically the AR platform, to the table to help launch the Wee 1 Tactical JR-15.

■ CONTACT: wee1tactical.com

SIG SAUER K320 AXG Knives

Another item that was drawing the crowds at this year’s SHOT show was this great-looking knife. While the P320 stands as a leader in Sig Sauer’s premier pistol line, the K320 duly embodies the same precision manufacturing standards, prevailing as the pistol’s trustworthy companion.

Designed by Jim Bruhns, Master Tool Maker and President of Hogue Knives, the K320 AXG is comprised of a 3.5in CPM S30V stainless steel blade and an anodized aluminum frame. Models will be available in button lock automatic and ABLE lock manual configurations, as well as a wide range of variations to match specific pistols within the SIG P320 AXG line, including Nitron, Scorpion, and Classic models. RRP: $239.95

■ CONTACT: hogueinc.com/knives