SHOT show provides look at new products
Dennis L. Clay
This is the last of a two-part series about the 2013 SHOT show.
The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT) is owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. It's the most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries. Members of the military services are also present at the show.
This is the world's premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics and related products and services. The SHOT Show attracts buyers from all 50 states and more than 100 countries, and is open only to manufactures, buyers and qualified media.
The buzz at the show was the fact firearms were flying off retail shelves and keeping up with backorders was difficult. Several ammunition manufactures told me their 2013 orders were full, meaning they couldn't make ammunition fast enough, although their factories were in production 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Of course, with such a shortage, the price of firearms and ammunition is sure to increase because of the supply and demand economic principal.
Concealed carry purses
There is nothing new with the idea of a woman carrying a concealed weapon. However, these days, more women are packing and manufactures are taking care to accommodate their needs.
Take, for example, the Gun tote'n Mammas concealed carry purses. The manufacture states this is a company who offers an affordable line of conceal carry handbags inspired and developed by women for women.
The company website show many different bags; big bags for women who like to take half the content of the house with them and smaller ones called night or evening bags for those going to a semi-formal style dinner party.
All are capable of housing a firearm of a different size. The larger bag will hold a 1911-type .45 and the evening bag will hold a small .380 or .25.
Most of these bags are designed to not only hold the firearm securely, but to allow the owner of the bag to fire through the purse.
Anyone who is going to fire a pistol inside a bag of any type must be aware of the type of firearm they are handling.
An automatic pistol will most likely hang up after the first round is fired because of the confines of the purse. The same goes with a pistol with a hammer. However, with a hammerless pistol, the shooter can fire all rounds without a problem.
.410 defense ammunition
The old standby .410 shotgun shell has made quite a splash in recent years with the handgun known as the "Judge." This pistol has a long cylinder to hold five .410 shells. Next the ammunition manufactures jumped in to make a round to better protect his or her self.
Hornady has the 410 Critical Defense, 2 and a half inch round with two 35 caliber round balls topped with one non-jacketed slug. A year or so ago Winchester introduced the PDX1.410 Defender round. This round has 12 pellets of plated BB shot and three plated Defense Disc projectiles.
A new, long-gun version of this firearm, resembling a rifle, but with the pistol cylinder in the middle has made an impression on the shooting public. Both of these firearms can be used for defense, of course, but also for varmint control.
We have touched on only a few of the hundreds of products shown at the SHOT Show. Not mentioned were the ground blinds, scopes, binoculars, tripods, wildlife calls and a few hundred more.
The Outdoor Channel party
The Outdoor Channel has a special party during the last evening of the show featuring The Golden Moose Awards. This is similar to the Academy Awards, but for the shows appearing on the channel.
The evening begins with a fancy dinner, buffet style. Diners are seated at large tables, so you don't know who you may be visiting with during the meal; a firearm dealer from Texas or a show host who hunts in Africa.
Next we are directed to the large theater and seated in the section above the area where the stars sit. But they need to pass by us to reach their spot for the evening.
Ted Nugent passed by and said hello, as did the Duck Commander and other celebrities. At the end of the awards ceremony, was the Big and Rich concert. These two showmen played for two hours and what a hoot it was. Besides their music and onstage antics, Cowboy Troy joined them for half the concert. Plus Ted Nugent came on stage to play "Cat Scratch Fever."
We caught a cab at midnight and returned to the our hotel, the Stratosphere, after a most enjoyable evening.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
