Shot Show Review: Report # IV

© 2009 Albert A Rasch


Howdy All!

Well, I suppose all good things must come to an end!

It has been a pleasantly exhausting five days at the 2009 Shot Show here in Orlando. The quantity and quality of offerings are simply too many for one person to see, even if you have the full four days to walk the convention floor. I was told by my good friend, Phillip Loughlin of the Hog Blog, (See banner link on right hand column.) that if you walked every aisle you would cover something like nine miles! I must have walked them three or four times each day. It is real easy to get distracted and disoriented in that cavernous space, it was every bit of 715,ooo square feet!

I have been told that the number of attendees was less than usual. If that's the case, it must be wild when it is packed!


Correction,
I just received this a few moments ago:

"Though many trade shows have seen a decline in attendance, SHOT Show attendance remained strong this year, rising 3 percent when compared to its last visit to Orlando in 2007. According to preliminary figures, this year's show attracted 25,384 attendees, 22,098 exhibiting personnel and a record 1,425 members of the media for a total attendance of 48,907."

National Shooting Sports Foundation Online News Service

There were plenty of vendors too. And they were all very supportive of each others, as well as attentive to the attendees. I asked many of them how they had done, if the economic slow down was affecting them. Each and every one said that they got some business, took some orders, and made some deals. Some said it was less than the past years, that the foreign buyers were less and not as willing to purchase, but OK none-the-less. Even the African safari vendors said they were booking hunts. With the DoD pumping money into anything related to Homeland Defense, most of the "tactical" types said their business was booming.

Firing the Desert Tactical Arms Stealth Recon Scout

Sniper Weapon System in .308, at the 2009

Media Day at the Range.

Three shots, three hits at 500 yards!
Wait until you hear what the .338 Lapua version did...

Just to whet your appetite, here are a few things we will be covering in the coming weeks:

• I'll have information on some great new sporting firearms,
• Reviews on gun gear and equipment,
• Field tests with accessories from several makers,
• And a couple of interviews!

CZ's Safari Classics Magnum Express rifle in 500 Jeffery.

Unfortunately I was only able to fire some lightweight
medium rounds like the Ruger 416 and the Sako 370.

On a more personal note, I got a real life education. Of course the usual comedic disasters befell me, and if you don't hear it from me first, I'm dead sure Phillip will tell you. But the knowledge I gained from industry insiders, new friends, and regular folk attending the Shot Show, was invaluable. I am certain that it will help make The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles better, more informative, and of greater use to you.

Fondest Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Shot Show Review: Report # III

Hello Everyone!

Sorry I missed yesterday. I actually walked until closing without a break, and at that, I didn't realize what time it was when Phillip called me. It is that engrossing.

I did the tactical/homeland security/law enforcement section for the better part of the day. The upsurge in interest in anything related to the "tactical world" is nothing short of amazing. There are an untold number of vendors that specialize in clothing and body armor. You can't count the number of rig, pack, and sling manufacturers. I won't even get into the weapons systems that are being promoted by both major and minor armament dealers. I have seen, handled, and disassembled more suppressors today, than in my whole life previous to the Shot Show.

Among the new items on display, I had the opportunity to talk to the folks at CMMG out of Fayette, MO. They have a great 22 rimfire conversion for the AR15 platform, and they were gracious enough to give me one. I'll be running it through its paces this coming weeks and you can expect a full report on it. They also manufacture a replacement 30 round magazine with a twisted, ceramic coated wire spring. if it operates as well as it looks, it should be a winner.

On the clothing front, the fellows at Darn Tough gave me some beautiful socks. Made of 100% Merino wool, with a zero friction heel, and made here in the USA, they have a lifetime guarantee and feel real good on my feet. I'll let you all know how they fare!

There's lots more to tell, and I'll be sharing it all with you in the weeks ahead. There are knives, weapons systems, sporting arms, handguns, and accessories that we have to talk about! I'll need a couple of days to decompress, but expect the first installment of "What I Learned at the Shot Show," on Wednesday. In the meantime I'll be walking, talking, and learning more!

Regards,
Albert