Hot SHOT Show Products
Bring-Backs From The Avalanche!
In the movie “Amadeus” the king accuses Mozart’s music of having “Too many notes!” and wants him to “…cut some out.” We feel Mozart’s pain when it comes to picking out highlights from the recent 2019 SHOT Show. With thousands of new and classic products on display just how do you pick some favorites? It’s not easy but if you keep saying to yourself, “Is this really better than the ordinary?” — it gets easier. So … in no particular order of importance, here are some extra-ordinary finds!
Al Mar Knives
I had the pleasure of visiting with Gary Fadden and John Anthon of Al Mar Knives and they both beamed as they handed me this brand new model. It’s essentially a classic “Ultralight” design but featuring a titanium body and liner lock. Breaking tradition, it also features a “flipper” and ball-bearing pivot allowing the smoothest opening I’ve ever felt on any folder — period. The pocket clip is ambi, offering point-up carry — my favorite. At 3.4 oz. it’s light, and that AUS-8 blade and Rc 57-59 holds an edge forever! That’s a .30-06 in the pic for size.https://www.almarknives.com
SIG Sauer
SIG’s new Cooperhead MPX in 9mm already proven model line-up. It’s got a 3.5″ barrel, Integrated Pistol Stabilizing Brace, Picatinny rail, ambi-bolt release, mag release and charging handle, standard AR style controls, a short stroke gas system and fully enclosed and locked rotating bolt — among a zillion other features! At 4.5 lbs., it’s ultra-compact and lightweight. A sort of “uber” short barrel carbine if you will. MSRP is $1,835 but that gets you SIG performance, quality and engineering.
https://www.sigsauer.com
S&W Shield
S&W introduced the much-anticipated M&P9 Shield Ported M2.0 with a ported slide and barrel, all from the Performance Center. With a 3.1″ barrel and 7 and 8 round magazines, you also get a very cool and complete sort of “mini” cleaning/maintenance kit and fiber optic sights. The one we saw had an external safety and the slightly extended mag felt great in the hand. The MSRP is $539 and the model comes with a long history of reliability and solid performance in the field. https://www.smith-wesson.com
Stoeger Industries
A new polymer-framed pistol in 9mm? You may be wondering “so what” but a close look at the new Stoeger STR-9 reveals a lot of gun for a little money. Packing in 15+1 rounds, the striker-fired pistol has a replaceable backstrap system as well as a reversible magazine release and very aggressive slide serrations both fore and aft. And, it has all this for a starting MSRP of only $329. https://www.stoegerindustries.com
Steyr Arms
Steyr has updated and modernized its pistol series in the A2 MF — standing for “Modular Frame” by the way. The pistol sports a re-contoured grip and modular grip panels as well as a new, aggressive texture. Most interestingly, the MF frame is designed to give shooters the ability to swap between differently sized grip modules as well as slide assemblies. It all comes with the innovation and quality Steyr is famous for delivering in spades! https://www.steyr-arms.com
