Aimpoint: New CompM4 and Micro T1
Comp M4 holds AA batteries for ease of compatibility and epic run times. The lil micro buddy is great for shotguns and pistols. A great compromise for size and viewspace.
<www.aimpoint.com>
Baker Bat Shield: Level IIIa unique duty shield
Saw this while browsing the showfloor, got to see a demo and was impressed how well thought out it was. Comes with a bag that can be used for more compact / discreet carry or just in your vehicle for added protection. From the bag the shield can quickly be deployed out and into full form. The shield is light enough to quickly sling over to one's back when both hands are needed. A weapon slot is standard and front LED light options are available. Shield comes in 2 sizes of 9lb compact and 12lb full. Be sure and check out his site for plenty more intel and quality videos.
<www.bakerbatshield.com>
Command Arms Accessories: Some fancy buttstocks
CAA has a lot of goods for rifles, but their stocks took my eye. Their m4 style stock is a nice affordable option for a 6 position stock with battery room and rails for addons such as check pieces. Their sniper line stocks are pricey, but have a rad quick setup monopod in which you can quickly turn and drop it down. Once deployed the user can then twist for fine adjustments.
<www.commandarms.com>
Cutting Edge Tactical: High Speed tactical breaching and ladder systems
CET specializes in heavy duty gear for the more "rough" tasks of tactical operations. Starting off with the door rams, they look simple offhand, but work great with rollers on the handles. This allows for the classic door busting movements to be performed as easy as possible. 3 sizes are available and it appeared all could have extra weight added through a bolt hole. Most of the ladder systems consist of a simple, but effective joint cover system and range from double pole to single with steps. Not shown was an awesome hook and pole ladder that broke out into a cargo style ladder. I hope to have a video demo later. Also available were almost all the classic manual breaching tools in collapsible form. Using a heavy duty spring lever, the tools can be deployed from compact 17" to 28" extended with gravity. Tolerances are loose to keep smooth operations in harsh environments. I'm keeping things a little vague here since I have 2 great video demos available:
<DEMO 1 BREACHING TOOLS>
<DEMO 2 LADDER SYSTEMS>
<www.cuttingedgetactical.com>
Colt: New M5 gas piston rifles
Sorry my pics aren't so great on this set, but just some quick shots of the M5 and other LE models they had sporting.
<www.colt.com>
Crye Precision: New Combat clothing and Multicam Madness
Crye had some interesting updates to their already innovative products. The new combat pants and shirt have been slimmed down for weight, but kept their main features such as integrated pads. The pants had some interesting stretch panels I had not seen before and shirt will now be made with Drifire for the main torso area which is great wicking / anti-flame material. I couldn't take pictures, but the revised Crye plate carrier was on display. They toned down all the hardware, so it looks more like a current plate carrier, however is still has most of the previous features. The stock locks are gone, and the plates are inserted by more traditional means. Also shown were a couple of items for examples of Multicam water transfer printing. Enough of my blabbn' check out the video demo:
<CRYE PANT/SHIRT DEMO>
<www.cryeprecision.com>
Combined Tactical Systems: Less Lethal Specialists
Gave these guys a media bugging right at the end of shotshow while they were packing up. I was foolish not to take pics of their 40mm launchers. As you can see they carry a vast range of less lethal products and their training counterparts. One thing I had not seen before was the mini-bang. They have the same qualities as a full flashbang, however smaller and 30% lighter. Fits in 40mm shell loops and some double mag pouches.
<www.less-lethal.com>
Damascus: Protective Gear
I don't know much about these guys, but their products looked pretty nice. They didn't have any monkey sized gloves around, so I wasn't able to try them out. Their web site will likely be much more informative than I.
<www.damascusgear.com>
Diamond Back Tactical: Tactical Gear
Dropped in on these guys to man handle some of their gear. Looked like quality stuff and most their items brought something original to the tactical gear table. I show here the CAT Fast Attack Carrier with Fast Attack Rack and RBV Predator vest. The CAT working well as a lightweight carrier and the Predator a more full sized vest that is Paraclete RAV inspired with some design improvements.
<www.diamondbacktactical.com>
Embo-Optics: Medical Light Gear
These guys graciously hooked me up with a letter so I could finally do some video at shot show. I spent DAYS calling people pre show and no one would write me a friggn' letter. Enough bitching, Embo-Optics brings some unique medical products for performing aid tasks when light discipline is critical. These are a little harder to explain in a short paragraph so please view the video demo:
<EMBO-OPTICS DEMO>
<www.embo-optics.com>
Gemtech: Suppressors
It was great to meet up with Kel at the booth and get a solid demo. As you will see, Gemtech makes some extremely well thought out suppressors and also started to produce some solid looking tactical lanyards. Be sure and check out the demo link:
<GEMTECH DEMO>
<www.gem-tech.com>
Gerber: Usually mostly knives, but now hydration too
Gerber is known for knives and multitool products, but I found their new hydration unit interesting. Rather than being the typical crappy bag, their container is a flexible hard shell to improve upon durability and ease to clean. Doesn't hold taste and is even dishwasher safe.
<www.gerbergear.com>
Glock: New 21SF
So yea I'm a chump and forgot to take more pictures. Luckily for you guys, Dave Sevigny shows a breakdown on the 21SF and even some bonus pistol grip techniques on my demo video. It seems Glock is still finalizing the 21SF, however things that made the model stand out seemed to be picatinny rail, Ambi mag release, and the slide release is recessed by frame surrounding the area.
<GLOCK DEMO>
<www.glock.com>
HK: Lots of Pics
Not a whole lot new here, but made sure to get a pic of the 45 tactical and the 416/417 rifles. They were busy, but I managed to get a quick demo of the 416 and 417.
<HK 416 / 417 DEMO>
<www.hecklerkoch-usa.com>
ITW Nexus: Military Hardware
I haven't had a chance to photo my samples yet, but be sure and check out this demo for some of their latest products. They also had a couple more great MIL specific products on display I can't talk about yet.
<ITW NEXUS DEMO>
<www.itwnexus.com>
Knights Armament: Lots of Steel and KAC 6x35mm PDW
As always, Knights has a nice batch of rifles and rails, but they also had the more unique KAC PDW on display.
<www.knightarmco.com>
Lewis Machine Tool Company: More guns and rails
I didn't get a chance to hassle the booth much for what was the latest stuff, but did get some decent pics.
<www.lewismachine.net>
MagLula Ltd: Magazine Loaders/Unloaders
My thumb hurt quite fierce my last range visit, so I was rather pleased to see this line of loaders. Ranging from rifle to pistol loaders, the Lula line looks like it makes gun life quite a bit easier. The UpLula is particularly magical in which it is a universal pistol magazine loader doing 9mm, 40, and 45 in single and double stack. The booth guy graciously tossed one my way so I will be sure and review with pics.:
<MAGLULA DEMO>
<www.maglula.com>
Magpul Industries: Masada unveiled
Although Magpul is known for many great rifle accessories, they really made a rukus this year at shotshow revealing their full rifle project, Masada. A bit like the combination of a G36 and a SCAR, the Masada looks like a well thought out piece. Ambi everything possible except ejection port, slide release near trigger, quick change capable barrel, adjustable and foldable stock, and much more. Be sure and check out the video demo on this one:
<MASADA DEMO>
<www.magpul.com>
Mako Tactical: Unique rifle accessories
Came across these guys while browsing and thought their flashlight grip was pretty cool. For those more on a budget, you can get a G2 or similar flashlight and their flashlight grip for around $100. Surefire's package light grip is way up there around $400. The Mako grip has simple and dependable functionality for a trigger to depress the light tail cap and a safety switch.
<www.makosecurity.com>
Maxpedition Hard Use Gear: Tactical / Quality gear
One of my fave gear manufactures for their quality and innovation. I have plans to have their future products reviewed on my site, but for now check out their video demo to see some of their current products:
<MAXPEDITION DEMO>
<www.maxpedition.com>
Insight Technology: Super small thermal sights
Got to look through some of these and was super impressed in their handsized thermal sight. They also had a dot sight with auto aligned visible laser. I hope I have the right company name since there is no mention of these sights on their www site.
<www.insightlights.com>
Ops-Core: Improved MICH strap and rail system
Remembering how crappy the PASGT strap was, I was happy to upgrade to the MICH setup. Ops-Core showed us not to settle and went even further to improve upon the MICH strap. Using custom hardware and sound tension concepts, their strap greatly improves the ease of adjustment and snug fit of the helmet which is crucial for airborne operations or when donning NVG. They have also developed a rail system to attach various equipment or even picatinny rail. Don't let the wings distract you too much, the booth girls were just having fun. I took home one of the MICH straps so I will be sure and have a review coming. Be sure and check out the demo for more intel:
<OPS CORE DEMO>
<www.ops-core.com>
Peltor: Hearing Protection
I missed getting some pics of their latest military active protection line, but took some quick picks of their soft goods.
<www.peltormilitary.com/>
Protective Products: Armor
Took some quick shots of these ballistic shin gaurds since you don't see those everyday and thought the bullet hole car panel was interesting for damage reference. Sorry fellas, I didn't get a chance to document their booth babes.
<www.body-armor.com>
Remington: Rifles and Shotguns
They had a tough looking set of their sniper rifles on display, but my favorite has to be the 870 MCS (Modular Combat Shotgun). The full kit allows one to go from classic stocked shotgun to shorty breaching weapon and then even to a M4 "master key". Stocks and barrels are able to be changed quickly and with no tools.
<www.remingtonmilitary.com>
Revision: Ballistic Eyewear
My buddy Matt introduced me to these guys and I enjoyed looking at their take on military eyewear. Ranging from standard glasses to full military goggles they have something for everyone. All the lenses offer ANSI and MIL spec protection and from what I saw are easier to change lenses out than most. Prescription inserts are also available on most of the products. Also on display was a prototype helmet goggle strap system, a paintball mask, and Canadian helmet lense setup. I took home some Desert Locust goggles and I'll be sure and keep you guys updated.
<www.revisioneyewear.com>
Springfield Armory: Firearms
Not a whole lot new here, I just had to take some pics of the m14 SOCOM kit. The XD series pistol was also looking pretty good, very glock like.
<www.springfield-armory.com>
Safety Systems Corporation: Safety/Tactical gear, Drifire, and more
Maker of the Drifire line, this new wicking flame resistant fabric is rapidly making its way in the use of cutting edge gear. Shown here is the latest Crye combat shirt incorporating Drifire body and Nomex sleeves. Another cool gadget is the "Light Saver" which is a tailcap for popular tactical flashlights that adds a disorienting strobe ability. Check out the video for a quick demonstration.
<LIGHT SAVER DEMO>
<www.safetysystemscorp.com>
Smith and Wesson: Firearms
Mostly sporting their M&P line I dug their tactical pistols a lot. Good grip, easy mag and slide release. Hope to get to shoot someday soon.
<www.smith-wesson.com>
Surefire: Tactical Lights and Suppressors
Didn't have time to take pictures, but did get 2 great demo videos:
<SUREFIRE LIGHT DEMO>
<SUREFIRE SUPPRESSOR DEMO>
<www.surefire.com>
Tactical Assault Gear: Tactical Gear
Wanted to take more pics, but I ran out of time. They declined the video demo, guess I looked too much like a chump. I think they have solid gear none the less.
<www.tacticalassaultgear.com>
Walther: Firearms
Just some pics of the P99 and some interesting target pistols.
<www.waltheramerica.com>
Best Swag Award: Butt Out
Sadly I am not the owner of Butt-Out, however my friend Matt scored it in his swag bag. I made sure to document it next to the glamourous hotel toaster. Read the directions on image 2 to further understand Butt-Out's POWER.
Quick Contact: monkey at milspecmonkey.com
