Jump to:
- Introduction
- Sightron Optics
- Barska Optics
- Surgeon Rifle Actions
- A Real Light Rifle
- Bushmaster's .338 Lapua AR
- Bushmaster Piston Retrofit Kit
- Carbon-15
- Bushmaster .50 BMG
- ACR Released!
- Leupold Vendetta
- ACR Electronics
- Taser International
- Taser X3 Multiple Shot ECD
- STABILicers
- Mega Machine Shop
- Cars, Trucks, and Foundation movers
- Lenco Amored Vehicles
- Hyskore
- Discuss this coverage in our forums
The first day of SHOT 2010 began at 8:30 AM, but we hit the convvention center early in order to resolve a minor issue with Miso-Beno's press pass that would otherwise have left him sniffling outside in the cold Las Vegas rain. Yes, it's raining in Las Vegas.
Fortunately, we spent the day inside, and mostly on the first floor. This floor's exhibitors specialize mainly in accessories and gear, so this first update is relatively light on complete firearms and heavy on their paraphernalia. This will no doubt be rectified over the next couple days. (It's hard to avoid guns at SHOT.)
Less expensive sights often don't get the attention they should. Everyone wants to wax rhapsodic about the big-ticket items, but it's hard to find out if the more modestly priced alternatives will do the job. And sometimes the smaller companies are the ones doing the most interesting things.
This was definitely the case for Sightron. We were very impressed by the clarity of the Japanese glass used in their optics. Additionally, the light weight and great eye relief made their SII 4x32 optic very attractive. I have to admit to not really understanding the point of a fixed-power optic, but a simple, durable scope that comes in under 10 ounces is hard to argue with.
9.7 ounces of 4X fixed-power
A lot of scope makers at SHOT were showing new low-power variable optics, and this included Sightron. They had a very nice 1.25-5X variable with generous eye relief and a bright picture. The power adjustment ring turned smoothly and easily.
1.25-5X at only 10.2 ounces
Every optic maker has a reflex sight nowadays, but Sightron's are particularly interesting. The two models we looked at both had similar external form factors, but came with different usability options. One allowed choosing between four different reticle types:
This sight had manual brightness adjustments.
However, Sightron also had another version that provided nightvision brightness options along with automatically-adjusting brightness levels.
Looks pretty much the same.
Barska also demonstrated some innovative designs. What caught our attention was their Point Black series of tactical rifle scopes--specifically, the variable bullet-drop compensators. For those unfamiliar with BDC dials, they work by inscribing distances on a scope's elevation dial; these distances are marked to corresond to bullet drop at a given range, allowing fast elevation adjustments if the range to the target is known. The problem with bullet-drop compensators is that they're a one-size-fits-all solution that can be rendered inaccurate by differing muzzle velocities and/or bullet weights.
Barska has taken a step toward reducing the error factor by offering BDC values for three different .223 bullet weights: 50, 55, and 62 grains. This makes for a busy, but flexible bullet drop compensator dial.
Glass-wise, we found the 6-24X version of the Point Black to be a little dark for its objective size, but the 3-9X was very bright and crisp.
Surgeon Rifle actions aren't new to precision shooters, who know them as one of the very top-tier options for long-range rifles. For us, though, this was our first chance to photograph Surgeon Actions close-up.
These receivers are fitted with Remington 700 triggers and Accuracy International magazines. Shown are a short-action receiver with its much-larger .338 Lapua Magnum counterpart.
Not shown in the photos is the smoothness of the bolt, particularly during lock-up. Pushing the bolt down requires effort, but is butter-smooth. Examining the front of the receiver's locking shoulders showed the finish barely worn off to match the bolt lugs; there was no front-to-back play in the bolt at all when locked.
Larsen is displaying several of their “laser biathlon” rifles at the KVar booth this year. Though the rifles drew little attention from show goers (overshadowed by Arsenal’s spectacular line of AK pattern rifles) they mark a significant shift in shooting sports.
The Biathlon was never about shooting; instead the biathlon forces the competitor to shift from high intensity physical activity to precise and very delicate activities with no option to cool down. As more nations restrict firearms possession and use the ability of athletes to train and compete in Olympic shooting sports becomes diminished. Some could even argue that this is a more “fair” or accurate way of having competitors compete as it reduces the possibility for error in ammunition or mechanics.
The Larsen laser biathlon rifle is a clear attempt to adapt a traditional shooting sport to accommodate world sentiments. While it remains to be seen what impact the “rifle” has on the shooting community, it is a clear sign of the changing times.
There is definitely a liberal application of vinyl decals, but no reference to the projected unit pricing.
Taste the rainbow.
Everybody expected Bushmaster to shake up the firearms community by debuting the ACR. What we didn’t expect was the AR based .338 Lapua a few steps to the left. It was pretty obvious that the ACR’s buzz is currently at its peak as almost everything else in the Bushmaster booth was completely neglected by members of the media and general public.
We attempted to get more information about the rifle beyond obvious facts like it is a left handed and top charging, gas impingement, ACI magazine fed, semiautomatic, .338 Lapua magnum rifle. Even the staff of the Bushmaster booth explained to us that the rifle is so fresh off of the presses that none of the supplemental press information had caught up with it.
That bolt’s extractor is no tyrannosaurus rex arm.
What appears to be an Accuracy International .338 LAP magazine
A considerable bend in the gas tube.
Bushmaster Piston Retrofit Kit
Bushmaster’s show team was very generous with their weapons this year. We were allowed extensive hands on time with their piston retrofit kit, and we definitely took advantage of it. The kit is designed to work off of AR-15s that use HBAR or M4 profile barrels and will accommodate any “In spec” carbine gas system.
MSRP is set at $399 making it one of the most affordable piston options on the market. The kit is made under license from Ares and was claimed to be one of the easiest installing retrofit kits on the market.
It's worth noting that the Ares / Bushmaster piston system has a proper bushing that aligns the op-rod with the upper receiver (by indexing off of the barrel nut). This bushing prevents the piston from wallowing out the AR-15 upper receiver and increases the weapon’s reliability by guiding the op-rod into the op-rod key.
Note the solid “op-rod key.”
The op-rod bushing.
The gas piston seated in the gas chamber. Note the gas port adapter and the barrel clamp.
The gas piston and op-rod retracted slightly from the gas chamber to show how it seats.
Note the lack of gas rings.
Weighing in at less than 6 pounds (5.7lbs for the 9m version, less for the fluted 5.56 version) the Carbon 15 pushes the limits of practical AR-15 construction. Both the lower and upper receiver are almost completely made out of plastic (The model shown had an aluminum top rail, and all of them had a small steel insert for the charging handle) which pushes the weight of the gun considerably.
The Carbon-15 comes in a wide variety of flavors including 9mm, pistols, and a ‘utilitarian’ configuration to suit every lightweight rifle enthusiast’s tastes.
Bushmaster thought it was fitting to show off something a little larger than .338 Lapua. Just a little field artillery to mix things up.
Bushmaster C-15 Type 21S pistol
The ACR was there too.
We stopped by Leupold and got an overview of one of their newest items to market, choosing to bypass coverage on the scopes (thats tomorrow) we asked them what was new. They showed us their new bow mounted rangefinder called the Vendetta.
The Vendetta offers the bow hunter that ability to successfully range out his target with the bow itself. Leupold makes the argument that using a separate rangefinder in one hand, putting that down, picking up the bow, notching the arrow, remembering the range, drawing and releasing...all without your quarry noticing you is somewhat difficult. Cannot say that I disagree with that.
Enter the Vendetta, mounted directly on the bow with an ergonomic trigger system which calculates the distance and laughs at incline/decline measurements.
Mount it on your bow, then mount the deer above the fireplace.
Led output of the range.
The entire system, the trigger is the black button halfway down the rifle.
Another view of the entire system. It is not obtrusive to the bow by any means.
We've all seen the tragic end to some lives when people hike far far off the trail, or climb way up to the tops of mountains. People get lost, Search and Rescue teams are dispatched, and often the world and news stations await the sad outcome. Technology answered with the evolution of GPS tools for both the hikers and the search and rescue teams. One of those tools is the SarLink from ACR Electronics which broadcasts a registered distress signal, tracks your GPS location, and emits a strobe light. Lots of features for peace of mind. But it doesn't end there, you can also program the unit with up to 5 email address or 5 text messages and send out an 'I'm OK' message to those contacts with a preset custom message and your current location.
And if the worst comes to worst, you use the other features which link to overhead GEOSAR satellites and inform SAR teams who you are, where you are, and what medical needs you may have. The latter are things you have on file, the former two are on the fly.
Taser is again raising the bar. This year we previewed two of their newest items to market. The first is the AXON On-Officer video and Evidence management system which brings the power of incident video to every officer. This type of video can assist police departments in avoiding situations where an officer's interaction or the accusation of an officers interaction could be rise for litigation. Though the mainstay of the system is not just for administrative or department protection, but as a valuable tool for the officer to use in his/her daily duties.
The system is comprised of a three components, a Headcam, a Communication Hub, and a Tactical computer.
The Headset: Made up of a behind the head strap, which front holds a wide angle camera and a microphone. It is fairly lightweight and no heavier that a set of music headphones.
The Com hub: Links the HeadCam, Radio, and the ATC unit. It can be patched into the officers current radio system, PTT systems and controls the start/stop functions as well as a privacy function.
The ATC unit: 12 hour use (battery life), Linux based system that manages Video Compression and Storge all on a LCD screen.
The officer can use the ATC unit to review data, playback sections for writing up a report or an end of shift report, refresh or go over recorded dialog and events. The only thing he/she cannot do is alter, edit or delete the data on the machine. Instead it is uploaded at the end of the shift to the Evidence.com access and analytics system via the Taser Synapse ETM (Evidence Transfer Manager) system ensuring that evidence is secured in transit and untainted. The entire system features secure data transfer and secure storage with the ability to share that information instantly with other departments who are using the system.
A Taser on Steroids. This unit allows an office to engage multiple subjects with the move to force and compliance. The officer can deploy a second or third cartridge immediately after the first and it can simultaneously incapacitate up to three subjects from the single unit. Prior to the escalation of force the officer can display Warning Arcs from the unit to the subject to promote compliance.
The unit is also capable of being hooked into the Synapse ETM system which will allow the unit to report data or receive software updates.
Side Profile:
Front view and Cartridges:
At the very top of the unit (facing you) are dual range adjusted laser sights, and at the bottom a flashlight.
Rear view:
Color graphic interface.
Top view:
The selector switch
The unit also adds in accountability. Each cartridge is bar coded and serialized and upon deployment disperses confetti like ID tags on the scene.
Honestly, I can't really say more about this product past the picture and their own tagline: Studdest Snow Tires For Your Feet.
GENIUS.
We hung out at their booth for a solid 30 minutes chatting, talking about the product, and getting to know the owners and staff. Top notch people all around. We were extremely impressed with the additional information we got from them today, meeting the design team, and speaking about their move to expand into the Firearms market based on their extensive experience in other industries....ok we're blushing, onto the photos.
The monolithic Pistol upper and monolithic Quad rail upper.
I should also add the uppers are extremely lightweight, the Quad upper for example is 22 ounces. Insane.
Mega Single Stage Trigger
Mega Single Stage Trigger
On this last image, the guys at mega installed a little green plunger at the base of the AR so that people could test the trigger system out. The plunger avoided that slapping click and managed to let you concentrate on the trigger rather than the snap of the hammer slapping forward. It was a nice touch and worth mentioning.
Base of the pistol upper, The Pistol upper also leaves the option open for the user who wants to add a secondary short 3-inch or 4-inch rail system for use of a laser or light.
Prior to seeing Mega Machine Shop at the 2010 SHOT show, we did get the chance to preview and drop the news on their monolithic system. For more backgrond information on the company and more images check these threads.
Industry Interviews: Mega Machine Shop - Mike Miller
Remember those Mega Monolithic uppers
Cars, Trucks, and Foundation movers
Dillon Aero SUV
The A-TEAM as envisioned by the ASRV Armorworks Team:
Bearcat Armored Truck: Based on a Ford 550 Truck. 7.62AP / .50 Cal BMG Protection. Small arms combat fire, Mortar Frag and IED Protection. GET OFF MY LAWN and OUT OF MY WAY ON SHARED AVENUEs ability.
Tow hooks and winch. Beneath this is a front receiver hitch.
Bearcat is not lugging around....
Interior shot. The benches house the A/C unit as well as provide for extra storage.
Drivers console.
Note the stored battering ram and hatch.
Dead-Eye Managed Recoil Varmint & Tactical Shooting Rest
Spring and Compression Damper system
Sling and mounting system.
Over and Out Tactical Hearing Protection with Led Lighting.
Front
Rear
Over and Out Tactical Hearing Protection with Led Lighting headset style (NEW)
Front
Rear
We don't think your're a hick. We think your're awesome!
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