New Electronics at SHOT

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January 23, 2019

Wednesday of SHOT Show 2019 has turned into “electronics” day for this writer, because many of the things I have on tap are technology-related.

Today’s first stop was the “New Product Center”, where I saw several new models of wireless/cellular trail cams. There is a burgeoning market for cellular-capable remote cameras, so new ones are entering the fray this year. These can also crossover into the property security/surveillance arena, so hunting isn’t the only application for this technology.

I also checked in with with Bushnell because they have a new and improved wireless trail cam model called the Impulse. According to the rep there are now TWO processors so that the cam can upload images and continue to take pictures all at the same time. (The previous model could do one or the other at any given moment, but not both). Bushnell has improved the antenna, and upgraded the modem to 4G LTE, so this might solve some of the issues I had with the previous model.

In addition to the above, I checked with an outfit called CuddleLink, which has cameras which communicate with each other. There is one “home” camera which transmits the images and keeps the card, but it collects and sends images from its own network of up to 15 cameras. If you have a very large property, that would definitely cut down on the card-pulling and camera checking.

I visited with Peltor this morning and got a chance to try their Tactical 500 electronic muffs, which are Bluetooth compatible. I tried them in the sound booth on the show floor at Peltor, and even the recorded .50 cal and full auto AK noises didn’t bother me. I could feel the concussion in my chest, but it did not affect my ears. The electronic suppression was great. They will be sending me a set to try in the real world, so stay tuned.

On the same pass on the show floor, I ran into AXIL (the SportEar people) where I got fitted for custom hearing aid-quality earplugs for hunting – for when wearing muffs around in the woods is not the best option. I will be writing up my impressions of those as well. This company also makes hearing aids, so they know exactly what they’re doing with enhancement and suppression. I can’t afford to lose ANY of my hearing – I need to be able to use a stethoscope for at least ten more years. I’d also like to not have my shooting and hunting habits impact my ability to hear the beautiful high frequencies of eventual grandchildren. Both of the above products should go a long way in that regard.

I’ll keep the updates coming.

Women at SHOT Represent the DC Project

By

Dr LateBloomer

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January 23, 2019

Not everyone at SHOT Show is in town to sell a product or write about a new widget. There are some women present for the event who want to sell an IDEA.

The idea is that women have the right to defend themselves with firearms. The people these women want to sell to are their legislators in Washington DC.

Started almost four years ago by champion shooter and former police officer Dianna Mueller and the A Girl and A Gun women’s shooting organization, the DC Project organizes a group of fifty women (one for each state) to descend on The District of Columbia for a long weekend in order for the female firearms owners to meet with their individual Congress critters.

The ongoing plan is to meet with and enlighten Congress – one member at a time – in order to put a female face on the firearms issues that these legislators are often ignorant of. The non-partisan, grassroots, Pro-Second Amendment movement will sponsor its fourth trip to Washington D.C. this summer.

While at SHOT, the women of the DC Project are hoping to gain continued support to help defray the travel costs for the 50 women who participate yearly. To that end, there is a gun raffle and also a Team Match match fundraiser for the project.

Here is a powerful video of the “faces” of the DC Project, and why they do what they do.

A Visit with Aero Precision and Clint Smith

By

Dr LateBloomer

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January 22, 2019

I started off my first official day of SHOT Show 2019 with quite the metaphorical bang. I had a GREAT visit with Aero Precision and Ballistic Advantage.

I have been so impressed with the finish and performance of my Aero AR pistol for the past few months, that I’m now interested in learning how to build my OWN rifle in a hunting caliber. I went to the Aero booth with the intent of looking over the possibilities.

So no kidding, there I was, minding my own business looking over the wall display of completed rifles, when who should address me and offer to help, but Clint Smith! (Yes – Thunder Ranch’s Clint Smith!)

I told him what I was interested in doing, and that I was considering the AR-10/M5/.308 platform for hunting (among others). Well didn’t THE Clint Smith proceed to take me under his wing, offer his own advice about weight and barrel length, and then guide me to the barrel guys across the booth at Ballistic Advantage and ask them which .308 barrel would suit this young lady’s needs best.

I was then treated to an explanation of the various lengths and flutings etc, the advantages/disadvantages of stainless vs chromoly, and other details. I freely admitted that I am not a subject matter expert in the rifle-building department and I am currently quite low on the learning curve. But nobody batted an eye or made me feel as if they shouldn’t be bothering with me. They actually cater to the home builder’s market.

In fact, it was pointed out to me that Aero Precision has a whole YouTube channel “Builder Series” which I could take advantage of during my learning process! I’m actually quite excited about this prospect now. I’m hoping that this process is so-easy-a-pediatrician-can-do-it. Maybe not quite “easy”, but I’m optimistic about “do-able”.

Between Aero Precision and Ballistic Advantage, they’ve got upper receivers, lower receivers, barrels, and Magpul components – a large chunk of what I would need for a build-it-myself gun. As I thanked the rep and started to walk away, Clint Smith called me back to make sure that I had gotten my questions answered. I was impressed that such a fellow was genuinely interested that someone like me had gotten what I needed.

If Aero’s customer service is anything like the service I received in the booth, then this should be an enjoyable process, and I would recommend them to anyone.

CMC and Troy Media Event

By

Dr LateBloomer

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January 22, 2019

SHOT Show Range Day 2019 was not the only shooting opportunity in Vegas Yesterday. CMC and Troy held their own media event at the popular Las Vegas indoor shooting venue called The Range 702.

CMC, a Texas-based company, manufactures drop-in AR trigger groups. CMC offers a wide selection – including Flat bow and curved bow, single stage and two stage, in pull weights from 3.5 to 6.5 pounds. There are even some color choices for those looking for fun color-coordination of their firearm. CMC also offers AK47 triggers and Glock triggers.

I personally installed a CMC trigger in my S&W AR a few years ago, and have gotten hours of fun and increased accuracy out of it, because of not having to man-handle (woman-handle?) the original trigger weight.

Troy Industries, founded by namesake Steve Troy, offers a wide variety of firearms accessories – from rails, to muzzle breaks, to magazines and everything in between – all made in the USA. Many industry-leading firearms manufacturers trust Troy components for their new product lines.

Media had the opportunity to test-shoot several such firearms utilizing Troy components. My personal favorite was a suppressed .300 BLK. Hmmmm…. I AM looking for a new build…

SHOT Show Range Day 2019 First Impressions

By

Dr LateBloomer

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January 22, 2019

SHOT RANGE DAY is the day we wait for every year – the day that those of us who type for a living get to fondle and test shoot the new toys for the year – on someone else’s dime. Here is a quick overview of my very windy day on the range.

First impressions on what I got to shoot:

Colt King Cobra – my first impression is that this gun is a fairly easy shooter for a .357. I often shoot a revolver in IDPA, so six-shooters are not unfamiliar to me. The King Cobra had a nice trigger pull, and was a pretty smooth operator. I was impressed.

Mossberg’s new MC1 pistol – was small, concealable, handled nicely and pointed naturally for me. I was able to hit the reactive paddle on the steel silhouette easily and repeatedly, and the clear 9 mm magazine made an interesting addition.

Welcome to the IOS: The Interchangeable Optic System from Nighthawk Custom

By

Keith Finch

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January 22, 2019

Everything you want in an optic solution. The IOS is adaptable to your needs and allows for a low profile RMR mount with the versatility to switch rear sight in a matter of seconds. With the dovetail cut in the slide each plate can be removed and still return to zero, allowing for quick and easy switching of rear sight without sacrificing aesthetic or function.

IOS OPTION FEATURES:
     -Plate returns to zero
     -Rear sight alignment between plates
     -Fully machined from prehard material
     -Standard Novak sight cut
     -Low profile
     -Quick and easy plate removal
     -Standard Hight front sight for either iron sight or red dot use

Nighthawk Custom has always been known for their craftsmanship and with the release of our optics system we craft our optics mount with the same attention to detail. Without sacrificing any fit or function, we are able to give your 1911 sight options that you can change. Our goal was to create a system that is adaptable, diverse, easy, reliable, and blended seamlessly with the gun. As if it always belonged there. With all this in mind, Nighthawk Custom has created the most revolutionary sighting system ever conceived; the Interchangeable Optic System, or Nighthawk IOS for short.

The Firehawk, The New Compensated 1911 from Nighthawk Custom

By

Keith Finch

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January 22, 2019

BERRYVILLE, AR, JAN 22, 2019 — Nighthawk Custom, manufacturer of the world’s finest custom made 1911’s, is proud to introduce the newest model in their lineup, the Firehawk.

This cutting edge offering from Nighthawk Custom offers the latest advancements in the company’s long line of purpose-built innovation. Nighthawk Custom has utilized a recoil-taming single port compensator, a Bull Barrel and a full-length guide rod that adds weight to the front of the pistol to reduce muzzle rise. In addition, the Firehawk has a modified government length slide that has been shortened from 5” to 3.9”. A newly designed commander length spring and reverse plug system maintains the standard recoil impulse of a 5-inch 1911 for reliability.

“We set out to create a compensated pistol model, starting with the idea that we could use innovative engineering to build a 1911 that fit the profile of a standard government model but would benefit from the effects of a compensator,” stated Mark Stone, Owner and CEO. “We decided the traditional methods weren’t enough and built the entire compensator system from scratch.”

As part of its functional design, the Firehawk features a full Nighthawk Custom prep that incorporates a French Border to showcase the craftsmanship involved in blending the compensator and slide together. The closed front end of the compensator has been bull nosed for an easy draw and a custom touch. Nighthawk Custom has built a stunning custom pistol that has the functional benefits of a compensator, allowing for minimal movement of the front sight while shooting and allows for much faster follow up shots, while maintaining a classic appearance that will impress classic 1911 aficionados.

The Firehawk has an MSRP of $4199.00 and is available with a nitride or stainless-steel finish in 9mm and .45 ACP.

For more details, visit www.nighthawkcustom.com to see the Firehawk, or you can call a Nighthawk Custom Account Manager at 877-268-4867 to place your order today.

Follow us on Facebook Instagram and YouTube for social media and corporate news.

The Troy GAU-5 SHOT 2019

By

Travis Pike

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January 22, 2019

To say the M16’s history isn’t storied would be an absolute lie. We all know the teething issues and most of us know the M16 and M4 family. In between the M16 and M4 is a long line of very interesting, rarely ever mass produced, carbines. One is the GAU-5/A , or for brevity’s sake the GAU-5.

The GAU-5 is a by-product of the Colt Commando and the XM177E2 series of carbines. This particular model was adopted by the Air Force and this is where it earned its odd name. GAU stands for Gun, Aircraft, Unit. Like the M4 the design was intended to be a smaller and lighter variant of the M16. The weapon was quite successful and would serve on the famed Son Tay prison camp in the hands of 45 out of 56 Special Forces commandos.

The Troy GAU-5

The Troy GAU-5 is as faithful of a replica as you can get without being an NFA weapon. Obviously, it’s not a full auto weapon, it’s also not a short barreled rifle. The original GAU-5 rifle had a 10-inch barrel with a 4.2-inch moderator. That would make it a few inches too short to be a non-NFA weapon. Additionally, the Moderator was found to be a sound suppressor, even though it contained no baffles.

So this system is entirely NFA free and the closest you can get to the original GAU-5. Today was the first time I’d ever fired and handled one of the Troy GAU-5 rifles. Immediately my first thought was how light this damn rifle was. We’ve attached so much lightweight garbage to rifles these days that the weight gets away from us. The GAU-5 is easily one of the lightest rifles I’ve ever handled. Lighter than most AR 15 pistols.

The flash and noise are quite substantial. It is still a round designed for a 20-inch barrel in a much shorter platform. It’s loud but fun. The sights bring me back to my iron sight M16A2 days. Of course, this is an odd school rifle. We aren’t strapping M-LOK handguards and ACOGs to it.

The Service Rifle Collection

The Service Rifle collection is one of my favorite line of AR 15 rifles. They are realistic and retro in a day and age where I can basically get an MP5 sized AR 15 slammed down with lasers, lights, and optics until my face is blue. Something about these old rifles makes them absolutely gorgeous. To me, they are on par with rifles like the M1 Garand, the 1903 Springfield, and even the classic 1911.

The AR 15 clone market is massive, but to get legitimate markings and designs you had to use an 80% lower. This allows you to avoid all that.

These are a fascinating, if small, piece of American service rifle history and the fact you can own a well-priced, and well made piece of history is an amazing feat of capitalism.

Avoiding SHOT Plague

By

Dr LateBloomer

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January 21, 2019

It happens to people every year. It starts to attack usually on the second or third day of SHOT Show. It fells hundreds, leaving discomfort and misery in its wake.

I’m speaking of course of the scourge of Las Vegas known as “SHOT Plague”.

Shot Plague isn’t really a single disease entity. We just call it that because a bunch of people get sick all at the same time. It’s not a phenomenon that is limited to SHOT Show either. This actually occurs any time large numbers of people from varying areas of the country and the world all gather in the same place, shake hands, touch the same objects, and share the same air space.

What happens is that people who are already sick, or who are incubating a virus from home, develop symptoms once they arrive in Vegas, and then proceed to spread their home viruses to people all over Las Vegas. The incubation period for the average cold virus is 24-72 hours. Thus, you can catch, incubate, and get sick all within the period of SHOT week.

You may “never” get sick at home, because you have some immunity to what’s circulating around your hometown. But there are other strains that come to Vegas from other people’s hometowns that your body hasn’t seen before and doesn’t already have immunity to. If someone coughs into their hand, and then touches the escalator handrail, they transfer the virus to the handrail. When you touch the same handrail thirty seconds later and then rub your nose, you have introduced a new virus into your body. The virus could be from Paducah or Cairo.

DRY-FIRE PRACTICE: ESSENTIAL TRAINING

By

A Girl and a Gun

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January 19, 2019

Dry-fire practice is an essential part of your training. Training and practice with your firearm should be priority number one as a firearms owner. We practice being safe, accurate, and knowledgeable with these tools we use as a means of self-defense and to enjoy recreationally. When done correctly, dry-fire practice reinforces safe gun handling habits as well as a convenient and inexpensive way to build your skills using repetition without having to be at the range.

Dry-Fire Practice

Dryfiring is the practice of “firing” a firearm without live ammunition present, while practicing the manipulation of a firearm with an inert training platform such as a SIRT training firearm or other tools that measure performance like the MantisX. It does not only mean pulling the trigger, it can also be used for practicing drawing from the holster, loading/reloading, sight picture and many other skills. A lot can be accomplished with dry fire practice, it is a valuable part of training that often gets missed!

Benefits of Dry-Fire

Dry-Fire practice will develop shooting-related motor skills and help you be in “auto pilot” mode when using your firearm. Dryfire does require time and dedication to train your muscles in proper shooting techniques using repetition, just like when exercising at the gym. You do not need to spend a long period of time in a dry fire session, it can be as short as five minutes three times a week working specific skills each day. It can also be a longer session as a warm up before live fire, working all five steps of marksmanship, learning how to move and be efficient at target transitions, or getting comfortable with your every day carry set up. Dryfire practice is excellent at identifying and fixing bad habits such as flinching, eye blinking, and lack of follow-through.

Here are 6 benefits from our friend Mike Ox at Dryfire Cards and why he says dry fire practice is so important for you:

Learn how to grip your gun so that the sights AUTOMATICALLY come into alignment—without conscious thought—every time you draw.
With the right grip, your sights will automatically come back into perfect alignment after each shot so you can shoot fast, accurate follow-up shots.
Vision drills and tips that will allow you to aim faster and easier, even if you are cross-eye dominant or have trouble seeing your front sight clearly.
Learn a single technique that will allow you to confidently hit targets from 10 feet to 100 yards (or more).
You’ll learn how to train SMARTER so that you can improve 10x as much using 1/10th the time and money as shooters who only do “traditional” training.
You’ll learn specific ways to practice so that your skill level won’t fall off a cliff under high stress.

It is possible to shoot 2x faster and 2x tighter groups in only 21 days using techniques that cost less than a single trip to the range!

To the Victor go the Spoils: Springfield Armory adds 3 More Saints

By

Keith Finch

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January 18, 2019

NEVER A VICTIM. ALWAYS THE VICTOR.

The SAINT™ Victor Rifle delivers a lightweight and agile rifle solution while maintaining effectiveness at extended engagement distances. This versatile, flat-shooting build is the workhorse of the SAINT Victor line up and comes packed with enhanced components selected for rugged reliability.

The SAINT™ Victor Pistol is engineered for premium CQB performance in a potent, compact package. This ultralight pistol build is available in 5.56 and .300 Blackout and offers outstanding mobility and fast-handling characteristics required in close quarters.

The SAINT™ Victor SBR brings practical performance down to size in a professional-grade short barreled rifle configuration. Designed for uncompromising shooters this compact build features an 11.5″ barrel, enhanced components and is available for both LE and civilian use.

Primo Victoria

The People’s Protein

By

Dr LateBloomer

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January 18, 2019

I had a new revelation about “privilege” today.

It started because I was thinking about my lack of hunting success this year. Granted, I’m still a novice, and most folks don’t bring home a turkey or a buck their first few seasons. But I started thinking that maybe my sights were set too high, and maybe I ought to look for somewhat easier and more abundant game in hopes of some success and positive reinforcement for myself.

The season tables said that squirrels and other small game were still “in” until the end of February. So I’m thinking I’d like to try squirrel hunting.

Squirrel hunting isn’t “sexy”, I know. Squirrels don’t have big racks or dramatic fans to show off on Instagram. But they are legitimate game and legitimate protein. With tons of recipes out there, I’ve even heard it called “Chicken of the Trees”.

I’ve eaten squirrel as a child, but not since then. When people outside of traditional hunting circles hear about eating squirrel they suddenly get all judgey and start making redneck jokes. That’s on top of the usual anti-hunter crowd who happily eat their organic free range chicken from TrendyMart but protest hunting every chance they get. Then there are the vegan sort who depend upon commercial soy agriculture for their sources of dietary protein. Talk about privilege.

In casting about for a way to describe this attitude I came up with the term “Protein Privilege”. This is demonstrated by people who can afford to eat whatever they want condemning others for how they fulfill their nutritional needs.

This is city people and their organic arugula and Kobe beef looking down on rural people for foraging wild dandelion greens and organic squirrel and rabbit meat. Hypocrites much? Sounds like prejudice and bigotry to me. From city liberals? Imagine that.

To counter all that, maybe a way to attract new hunters would be promoting small game like squirrel and rabbit as the “People’s Protein”. Kinda catchy, don’t you think? They should add that term to NSSF’s hunter recruitment programs.

Small game hunting doesn’t require a big investment in a dog or specialized gear or blinds or stands or big trips to Alaska. Even the gun choice wouldn’t have to be wildly expensive. I’m planning on using a 20 ga Youth model Mossberg 500 that I found at a pawnshop the other year.

Promoting small game hunting as a cheap entry-level way for we lowly deplorables to earn our organic meat seems like a great idea to me. I’m gonna give it a whirl. It sounds like a great way to show anti-hunters their own prejudice and privilege. Hail the People’s Protein!

And they have cute little tails, too.

Magpul Takes on The Scorpion

By

Keith Finch

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January 18, 2019

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 has made a hell of a good impression in the PCC market space.

But like all good items, there were things that could be changed to better suit market wants.

Magpul is giving us three.

Magpul® MOE®-EVO Grip – CZ Scorpion EVO® 3

The Magpul MOE-EVO Grip is an optimized drop-in upgrade to the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 family of pistols and carbines. Featuring an enhanced grip angle and Magpul’s proprietary TSP texture on contact surfaces, the MOE-EVO Grip gives users unsurpassed comfort, control, and durability. This lightweight and ergonomic grip builds on the legacy of Magpul’s MOE AR and AK grips to provide CZ Scorpion EVO 3 users positive control in all conditions, with or without gloves.

Meopta USA Sport Optics Introduces Optika HD Binoculars

By

Keith Finch

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January 18, 2019

TAMPA, FL, January 17, 2019 – Meopta USA Sport Optics is pleased to introduce the new Optika HD binocular line. Available in 8×42 HD and 10×42 HD, these lightweight, rugged, magnesium-alloy binoculars are encased in a newly designed shock-proof, rubber-armored exterior for a modern look and feel. The advanced HD lenses, combined with phase-correction and dielectric coatings, deliver incredible brightness, superior color fidelity, edge-to-edge sharpness and increased contrast, allowing hunters to see better in low light.

The twist-up eyecups on the Optika HD binoculars are metal with a soft rubber exterior, making them extremely durable and comfortable while eliminating the risk of breakage in the field. Like all Meopta binoculars, the Optika HD series is nitrogen purged and fully sealed for fogproof and waterproof performance in the most demanding conditions.

“The Meopta Optika HD binoculars offer hunters, shooters, and outdoor enthusiasts a high-performance, rugged, European binocular at an exceptional price point,” said Randy Garrison, Director of Meopta USA Sport Optics. “Images are incredibly bright and clear with true, vivid colors and increased contrast, making target acquisition easier in challenging lighting conditions.”

Retail Pricing:

Meopta Optika HD 8×42 $289.95

Meopta Optika HD 10×42 $299.95

Optika HD Binocular Specifications:

Model:	8×42	10×42
Magnification:	8x	10x
Objective Lens (mm):	42mm	42mm
Field of View (ft/1000 yds):	393 ft.	315 ft.
Close Focus (ft):	8.2 ft.	9.8 ft.
Twilight Factor:	18.3	20.5
Interpupillary Distance (in):	2.2 in. – 2.9 in.	2.2 in. – 2.9 in.
Diopter System:	Right diopter ring	Right diopter ring
Dioptric Correction (D):	± 4	± 4
Height (in):	5.43 in.	5.43 in.
Width (in):	5.00 in.	5.00 in.
Depth (in):	2.17 in.	2.17 in.
Weight (oz):	22.9 oz	22.9 oz
Lens/Prism Coatings:	Fully multi-coated	Fully multi-coated
Phase correction	Phase correction
Dielectric	Dielectric
Waterproof:	yes	yes
Nitrogen Purged:	yes	yes
Fogproof:	yes	yes
Shockproof:	yes	yes

About Meopta

Meopta has been producing high-end European optics for over 85 years. Meopta is a leading manufacturer & partner to many of the world’s finest optical brands. Meopta conceives, develops and manufactures precision optical and electro/optical systems for semiconductor, medical, aerospace and military industries as well as for consumer markets.

For more information regarding Meopta, please visit www.meoptasportsoptics.com.

BENEFITS OF PRIVATE INSTRUCTION

By

A Girl and a Gun

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January 17, 2019

There are many reasons why working with a Firearms Instructor in private training environment can be key to achieving your shooting goals. Whether they be self-defense based, competitive sports-driven or for just fun recreational time at the range, Here are six critical reasons why you should have a private session or two, or three, as well as the benefits that you are likely to achieve.

1. You Don’t Know Where to Start. Walking into the range for the first time or wanting to go shooting with your family can be a scary task. From choosing a gun and pairing it with the correct ammunition, to knowing the rules and etiquette, to understanding the 5 basics of marksmanship, there is a lot to know. Having a private lesson will give you an introduction to all these things and set you in the right direction to have a fun and safe time at the range.

2. You Have a Specific Illness, Injury, or Condition. It can be as simple as mastering cross-eye-dominate skills or learning how to see your sights again after Lasik. It might be a more complex physical limitation and you need options for how to make it work for you. It can even be an emotional road block or trauma you want to overcome. Working 1:1 with your instructor can be a very personal and private experience, so be ready to answer questions so they can better understand where you are starting from and help you make the proper adjustments.

3. You’re Not Seeing Results. Maybe you have taken a group class or had a family member teach you. At first everything was great, and you are satisfied with your target. Maybe you picked up a bad habit while working on new drills and don’t realize the mistakes you are making that are getting in the way of your progress. Having a tune-up is very valuable to get back on track or in some cases change course with a new gun, different ammo, change the holster, vision assessment, etc.

4. Help You Set Realistic Goals. Just like any task in life you must have a goal and plan to achieve it. If your intent is to get your carry permit or to participate in action shooting sports it can feel overwhelming to get started. Setting goals, especially attainable goals, will keep you on track. This will help you with training as well as purchasing the gear and equipment that you need and avoiding purchasing gear that you don’t need.

5. Fit Range Time Into Your Schedule. Sometimes fitting a group class or event into your schedule is not easy, especially if you work or have kid activities nights and weekends. Scheduling a lesson with a private instructor will give you the flexibility to choose a time that works best for you.

6. Help you develop a Personalized Training Plan. It may not be financially possible to have a private lesson on a weekly basis, even monthly. Your instructor can help you plan for the time you spend on your own and at AG & AG events, so that your range time and dry-fire practice is more meaningful. Use your Shooting Journal to track your progress and schedule a quarterly tune-up session with your instructor.