Hello from SHOT Show 2023. So far, I have continued to log miles on my feet. This year’s show has not been without interesting events. We did manage to have sushi at my favorite place in Vegas, which is right across the street from our hotel.
I clocked an average of 9.5 miles of walking each day to and from the show, and on the show floor.
This article appeared in the March/April issue of OFFICER Magazine. Click Here to subscribe to OFFICER Magazine.
It started with a mystery
On the way to the range this year, we noticed a series of wires sticking up from the ground in the center dividers of the roads leading to the range. They were all lined up, as if someone had started some construction, and left in the middle of the job.
After a few minutes of driving, we realized that these were sign frames, similar to campaign signs for the lawn. Most of the signs had blown off. Only a small percentage of them still had signs attached. Some were blowing around in people’s lawns. I had to stop and see what the signs said.
Apparently, this was some kind of campaign in favor of gun control. Hundreds of these non-biodegradable signs had been blown in the wind, and scattered all over the place in Boulder City, leaving just the wire frames stuck in the ground. I can’t imagine how much litter had accumulated around the city. The people in Boulder City are always accommodating to our venue, so I feel sorry that the citizens will end up cleaning up this mess. Since many wire frames were near an elementary school, I hope this did not create any hazards to the kids
Boulder City isn’t just accommodating. It has cool places to visit, really friendly residents, and lots of unique restaurants.
Firearms trends
There are three trends that stood out at SHOT Show that were relevant to law enforcement. One was the growing number of modern lever action firearms that have added accessories like optics and side saddles. Perhaps these companies read our Editorial Director Frank Borelli’s article on Lever Actions for LE article (officer.com/21209225), or, more likely, hunters have discovered the utility of using a lever gun as a large bore repeater.
Regardless, there were plenty of “tactical” lever guns out there. Patriot Ordinance Factory produced a 9mm version, called the Tombstone, which had a box magazine, and a 16.5” free floated barrel. Bond Arms, the company that makes the two shot derringers, revealed a prototype lever action lower that mates with an AR-15 upper.
My pick (of course) was the Henry Big Boy Lever Action Carbine (henryusa.com). I shot the .38-.357 model, complete with optics, side saddle, and a suppressor. It was accurate, quiet, and easy to handle. I was able to smoothly engage mid-range targets, transition from one to the other without taking my cheek from the stock.
Don’t dismiss the .38-.357 pistol caliber concept in a carbine. While most .357 handguns launch bullets around the 1200-1400 fps level, the lever action carbine can send a 125 grain bullet to 2000-2100 fps.
Henry Rifles also released their 9mm semi auto Homesteader. Looking down the road, I think this product has a lot of potential in the patrol car, with a few simple accessories. The Homesteader looks like a traditional hunting carbine, reminiscent of the popular “woods rifles” of the 50s, like the Remington 740. The Homesteader, however, takes detachable magazines, and is a pistol caliber carbine (PCC). They have their own magazine design, but the magwell is modular, so the user can use popular magazines, like Glock mags. The barrel comes threaded, making it available for attachments like suppressors.
The Homesteader has an ambidextrous bolt release, magazine release, and safety. It looks like it is drilled and tapped for rails. It is only a matter of time when aftermarket parts, or a follow up model comes out that makes it a serious duty carbine.
I shot the DiamondBack DBX 5.7 pistol (diamondbackfirearms.com). I actually went to DiamondBack’s range to shoot their pocket sized handguns. Their DB380 GEN4 released this year is a pocket sized 6+1 round 380 that weighs 8.8 oz unloaded. I have shot the DB9, which only slightly larger, and it is smaller than any 9mm I own. The DBX 57 has been out for a couple of years now, and it shoots a 5.7x28mm cartridge. It shoots it rather well, I must admit.
The second trend was the industry’s huge field of different less lethal products, for both the civilian and LE market. Foremost in this lineup is Byrna Technologies Inc. (byrna.com) acquiring Tippman, and producing the Mission 4 and Byrna TCR. I tried the Mission 4, which uses 88g CO2 cylinders, which will launch 50-60 rounds. It has a 100 ft effective range. Maybe you heard that there were 30mph gusts on Range Day at SHOT. It was then when I pointed this tool on 50 and 100ft targets. Even in a strong 3/4 wind, I never missed. I did not shoot the Mission4, but our photo guy Gene Whisenand did. Since it will launch several effective less lethal projectiles.
Byrna had two other products worth mentioning. They have a handheld launcher that several agencies have adopted. It is magazine fed and launches .68 caliber projectiles. They also had a 12-gauge kinetic less-lethal round that fires a soft, torpedo-like structure. Byrna was definitely one of the most interesting ranges that day.
On the SHOT Show floor, I came across PAVASHOT (pavashotinc. com) and their NPDD (non-pyro diversionary device). This is a distraction device that uses a gas canister to deliver a payload of PAVA, or the agency’s choice of chemical tool. The action part of the device is reusable, and it has a 177 decibel noise distraction to go with it. Since it uses gas instead of something line a primer and powder, it is something that can actually be used in a lab, or similar, environment.
The third trend was one I predicted a few years ago. I guess I was a little ahead of the game. Many manufacturers have responded to the consumer demand for better triggers. Even Glock (us.glock.com) came out with a lightened, flatter faced, trigger for 2023.
I shot a Matrix Arms (matrixarms.com) MX19, which is a GEN 3 Glock based lower made of 7075 billet. It looks a lot like a Glock, except it has a 1911 grip angle. It had an exceptionally crisp trigger, which was a marked improvement over many other EDC guns.
I stepped onto the Walther (waltherarmsusa.com) range and tried out their PDP. This is a model that has been around a while. I’ve only shot Walther guns a couple of times, but the couple of PDPs on the range I shot could run circles around many other guns I have tested. I’m a fan of Gabby Franco, and now I can say, “No wonder Gabby runs Walthers.” The Walther models I tested had some of the best ergonomics on the range.
Ambi Carbines
Leapers is offering an Ambidextrous Stripped AR-15 Receiver, and I got to put rounds on steel with one. This receiver has “melted” edges and a shortened magazine well, that more readily accepts drum magazines.
Leapers got the worst shooting position on the range. After the earlier deluge, the water on the roof pooled, and dripped right on the shooter testing the gun. Cheerful marketing guy Hansen Do are expanding their lines to US manufacture. Second, most of them have responded to the new improvements in steel, and the consumer preoccupation with better steel products. There is a growing contingent of well educated knife lovers who know their steels and manufacturing process
Case knives introduced the Westline, a spring assist trapezoidal bladed EDC knife. It has stainless liners, anodized scales, and a little backbone jimping on the S35VN blade.
Spyderco always surprises us. First, they are expanding their U.S. manufacturing facility, where some of my favorite knives are made. Second, they launched some designs with CPM15V steel, with the Big Brown Bear logo, representing Shawn Houston. Now that you have heard this, either ask a knife person about the Big Brown Bear, or view his videos and custom knives.
Ammunition
Everyone had new sporting ammo, including entire lines for sporting shotgunners. However, the one thing that almost everyone produced over the past year and a half has been 10mm ammo. Remington released their 180 grain JHP Golden Saber round mid last year. Federal has a new 10mm Train + Protect round.
The ammo that intrigued me was the non-hollow-point Black Hills Ammunition Honey Badger 10mm. This is a 115 grain load that screams out of the barrel at 1600fps.
If you think all the 10mm new releases were anomalies, several handgun manufacturers, like FN (FN510 Tactical) and Hi Point (JXP 10), and Alpha Foxtrot’s AF 1911, have also released new 10mm handguns. Coincidence? I think not.
Everyone was excited about the 30 Super Carry, including me. I still am, and it looks like Federal knew I would be excited about their 100 grain HST. The 30 SC is a very efficient design, capable of outperforming the 9mm in several areas. The 30 SC HST delivers 347 ft lbs and penetrates 15.5” in bare gelatin. The personal defense version is the Federal Punch, a 103 grain cartridge.
I have been waiting for a Critical Defense 30 SC, and Hornady delivered. This is a 100 grain cartridge with the FTX bullet.
Whenever anyone asks me how the show was, I tell them it should be a month long. I looked at less than half the products I planned to see, and crammed it all into long days. Las Vegas has one unique feature. The restaurants are fantastic. I could write a book about where to eat in Vegas.
About the Author
Lindsey Bertomen, a retired police officer and military small arms trainer, has taught shooting techniques for over a decade, in addition to teaching criminal justice at Hartnell College in Salinas, California. Off the clock he enjoys competing in shooting sports, running and cycle events. He welcomes comments at [email protected].
This article appeared in the March/April issue of OFFICER Magazine.
