SHOT Show 2005 Reports?

BearFlag · 01-29-2005, 01:56

I just got back from the first day of SHOT SHOW, my brother, his friend, and I managed to cover about 2/3rds of the convention on the first day. But we found a few jewels.

Crye Precision stuff rocks as does the new Blackwater gear. Specifically, they have a x-harness that is brilliant. It has several features like zippers and straps in innovative locations that make you think.... how come nobody has done this before???? It can fold up down sideways etc, and even accepts a ballistic plate up front or soft armor on the sides. I suggest you check it out if you are at the shot, it is not on BW's website yet but it should be up in the coming weeks. Crye's bodyarmor is awesome, you have to see it for yourself, all their equipment is really impressive.

RCBS/LeMas bullets are even more amazing than I thought. They were having major technical issues as a result of a Virus installed on their computer by Bill gates, but they still had a few good things to look at.

We stopped by the Kifaru suite at the Hilton International, and talked w/ Mel and got to try on all the various packs, and he introduced a new pack, called the "Express" it looks like one of the best packs designed by Kifaru yet, it is just about the right size to be a serious use pack (and can grow rapidly w/ the addition of a few addon pouches.) but it is extremely well contoured to your body, and Mel said that he specifically designed it to be a suitable pack for medium length missions and lots of doorstomping. I'll try to get pictures if I can.

More to follow,

So far we have bookmarked a few items for purchase, so we might be comming home w/ orders for HSPrecision rifle, SA XD pistols, Rob Arms carbine, a Kifaru pack and some other toys.

If any of you guys are at the SHOT feel free to contact my brother and Ion my cell at 805-907-8898, ask for Jay.

**Razor** · 01-29-2005, 13:22

All right, damn it. I KNOW there are a bunch of PS.com members attending; put down your beer, fire up the laptop and start posting some AARs!

**Kyobanim** · 01-29-2005, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

put down your beer

You sound like my wife

Sacamuelas · 01-29-2005, 17:05

I officially HATE you.

Nice report... thanks. Anyone else?

Smokin Joe · 01-29-2005, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sacamuelas

I officially HATE you.

Nice report... thanks. Anyone else?

You couldn't go either uh Sacamuelas?

Now I don't feel so bad. Misery is better with company

**Roguish Lawyer** · 01-29-2005, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

All right, damn it. I KNOW there are a bunch of PS.com members attending; put down your beer, fire up the laptop and start posting some AARs!

Yeah!

**Kyobanim** · 01-29-2005, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sacamuelas

I officially HATE you.

Anyone else?

I hate him, too.

BearFlag · 01-30-2005, 03:18

ITT has a new binocular/monocular night vision, it weighs about 65% of the weight of the PVS 7s, but each optic is independent and can be detached to be its own optic. It is about half of the size of the PVS 7s w/ both of them together, and about 2/3rds the size of the 14s. They wouldn't let me take pictures.

The new AR that FN is supposedly supposed to be making for the SF units in the US was notably absent, but Robinson Arms XCR looked superior IMO anyway, different strokes for different folks. The new Barret 25mm is also MIA.

We are heading back tomorrow for a few hours then are hooking up w/ an FFL and buying some pistols to go shooting, hopefully I get some photos.

Smokin Joe · 01-30-2005, 06:08

Two Words:

Camera Bag

But then you would be violating the SHOT show policy.

On second thought better not.

rubberneck · 01-30-2005, 13:01

I am hoping to get a review of this:

http://www.robarm.com/xcrtm_modular_weapon_system.htm

DanUCSB · 01-30-2005, 19:39

Just finished my first day (had to miss the first two to work)--as a matter of fact, they have internet kiosks in the hall, from which I am typing just this moment. The show is quite a bit larger than I would have imagined... just about everything you could ever want. The only problem is that walking around makes you wish you had quite a bit more money.

Met AmbushMaster and Mr. Harsey, as well as Air.177. Mr. Harsey's just as big as you think he'd be, and has hands that could probably crush your skull; AM made me jump when I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned, looking like he was about to blast a couple into me. And Air... well, I didn't see any evidence of a Sock Monkey, but it could have just been hidden somewhere.

The other part I love about Vegas? Good cheap restaurants.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 01-30-2005, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanUCSB

as a matter of fact, they have internet kiosks in the hall, from which I am typing just this moment.

Huey14 · 01-30-2005, 20:04

I hate all of you. Especially those who went to this show.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 01-31-2005, 19:34

Well, today is the last day. Add a day or two for hangover recov, errrrrrrrrr, TRAVEL, and maybe we'll be seeing some reports.

DanUCSB · 02-01-2005, 12:21

Sadly, in my case, it actually was travel, rather than RL's more pleasant implication.

Got home last night, after fighting traffic up the 101. The day at the show was a good one: got up late, had a nice steak-and-eggs breakfast, and took a leisurely stroll to the show. Did some more exploring (you can't see it all in one day). I'm not much of a hunter, so I spent more time in the guns/ammo/gear concourse; the LEO/tactical section was quite interesting, if smaller than I would have imagined. All of the firearms companies had a booth or two: the main one, large and pavilion-style, with all of their product line on stands for touching/handling, and some with smaller side booths in a different section (typically the LEO section) for their more specialized offerings. Needless to say, a beautiful thing for a guy who spends most of his time in an area conspicuously without well-stocked gun stores--sometimes you just have to find out how something is going to feel in your hand.

Some of my favorite booths ended up being Chris Reeve Knives (the Yarborough is a fine knife indeed), Stan Bulmer's LeMas booth (relegated to a back corner of the LEO section, which I half-jokingly suspected was due to the fact that they had a monitor running a continuous loop of video that included footage of the wound channel/cavity in a hog as a result of a shot from a .308 LeMas round), and the Blackwater area, in which they had a man handing out cups of beer. I also enjoyed the HK, Para, and Taurus areas (I have a soft spot in my heart for Taurus revolvers, except for that crazy duty-sized .454 Casull). Honorable mention to the lady handing out the beef jerky.

Met some more folks, as well. Talked to AM for a while longer, who introduced me to the Team Sergeant. Spoke with them for a while, during which Air.177 snuck up on us (well, me, at least: apparently TS's peripheral vision is nigh-invincible). I was also introduced to The Reaper, with whom I chatted for a few moments. I finished the day by going back to say goodbye to AM and Mr. Harsey and Mr. Reeve before I left. I am pleased to say that all of the folks I met from here are very nice, gracious men, and I am honored to have met them; I will admit, it is a bit odd to have Mr. Harsey call me 'sir,' but then, that's just further evidence that his parents raised him up right.

In all, a great time. The only problem with the show is that it's so big that everything eventually seems to blur together; simple sensory overload. But there's so much great stuff and so many great people there that I would recommend it to anyone interested in such things; the expense is trivial compared to the experience. I'll be there next year, that's for sure.