SHOT Show: My Highlights

Hilton covered Raven Concealment’s new Eidolon, but it deserves another mention here. In a world where most simply imitate, Raven Concealment continues to innovate and turn new ideas into great products. The Eidolon is an ambitious new design and concept, and we look forward to running this new holster.

Over the past week or so, Hilton has done a great job covering most of the notable new items that had relevance in our world. As he mentioned, over the years we have learned that this annual congregation of the shooting industry is far more about maintaining and developing relationships with great people rather than obsessing over the coolest new swag being passed around.

But still, this blog is about equipment. So in addition to what Hilton posted, here are a few products that also deserve mention, in no particular order:

MagPul Magazines: 60 round drum and new polymer construction

Magpul’s new 60-round drum magazine along with the Gen M3 magazine made of a new, stronger polymer that can survive multiple drops on concrete right onto the feed lips, while fully loaded.

As described in the caption, MagPul Industries has developed a new 60-round drum magazine for the M16/AR15/M4 platform. Expect the same reliability and durability for which Magpul products are known. In the background are a few of the Gen M3 magazines constructed of a new polymer that is stronger than Magpul has ever used. The natural color of the polymer is a light sand color, but it can be dyed in limitless colors and patterns as seen in the photo. Expect the new polymer to make it into Magpul’s polymer magazine line very soon.

Magpul Precision Hunter Remington 700 Stock

Another exciting new offering from the folks at Magpul, the Precision Hunter stock system. Designed to be a drop in stock system offering adjustable cheek risers, length of pull, and an ergonomic profile, the stock also has an aluminum bedding block that will accept the short action Remington 700. For a few extra dollars, the Bolt Action Magazine Well can be added which includes a 5-round Magpul detachable magazine and makes the rifle compatible with AICS type magazines. Retail price for the stock is only $260.

Next Level Training LE SIRT

NLT’s LE model SIRT offers the durable, CNC machined slide, green/red indicators, and a red frame for immediate recognition of an inert pistol when holstered. These were specified by a federal contract and is available for purchase for LE customers.

As mentioned in the caption, Next Level Training is offering their SIRT 110 in the same format as specified by a contract with specific requirements for use by recruits. This model features the CNC machined steel slide, green and red laser indicators, Glock factory sights, a red frame, and a red magazine baseplate (not pictured here). The red colored frame and magazine base pad allows for immediate identification of the inert training pistol while it is holstered.

For anyone who is not familiar with the SIRT pistol, we are huge proponents. For an overview, check out Hilton’s SIRT Intro FAQ

10-8 Performance Glock Magazine Base Plate in FDE

Last Monday, Hilton released the popular Glock Magazine Base Pad in Flat Dark Earth. With all the same features as the 10-8 Magazine Base Pads (scallop cuts on sides and front for removal of stuck magazines, low profile design that does not excessively protrude in either direction, super tough composition to survive drops onto concrete,) the pad is now available in a matching color with the factory FDE. The only caveat is that there is quite a bit of variability in Glock’s FDE, and any two pistols in FDE may or may not exactly match. But regardless, they look great.

SIG P320

While not new for 2015, this was the first time I had given this pistol any attention.

The Sig P320 is certainly not new for 2015, but this was the first time I had given the pistol a second look. This striker fired pistol from SIG combines the classic features associated with the Swiss gun company with a modern striker fired design. The trigger itself is quite light and crisp with a nice, distinct reset. Its modular design allows the end user to switch frame sizes for a fairly nominal cost. This is possible because the trigger group is the serialized item, not the frame. The bore line is still somewhat high, but the beavertail geometry does appear to mitigate it somewhat, but live fire will have to bear that out. I intend to get one for some range impressions at some point. Look for an evaluation here once I do.

And in the WTF Category….

Not sure who asked for this, but Korth produced a pistol with a 1911 bottom end mated to a specially designed roller-delayed blowback top end.

So in the bizarre category, German gun manufacturer Korth, showed off their PRS, a roller-delayed blowback (think H&K P9S or MP5) pistol with a 1911 bottom end. I had a chance to look at the cutaway pistol at their booth. In typical German fashion, this was an engineering masterpiece, and the interior looked like a Swiss watch. I guess the upside over the original recoil operation design is that you get a fixed barrel which theoretically can give you excellent accuracy. The slide to frame interface is traditional in the rear but also has a CZ75 style reverse rail setup in the front where the slide mates with the full length dustcover. The small parts in the frame are all standard 1911 style parts and Korth advises they are sourced from the aftermarket. Asking price is $3,000.