News and Noteables from SHOT Show 2017

March 15, 2017
A few takeaways from the miles walked by our Editorial Director and Managing Editor

Each year thousands in the law enforcement industry gather in Las Vegas to learn, network and view new products and technology at the one and only SHOT Show. And each year we leave the show with more news and product launches than we can fit on our desks. We gathered as much information as we could and put together a list of news and noteables from this year’s show.

The Hudson 9mm Handgun, touted as using a 1911 Government Model style frame mated with a striker-fired upper (i.e. Glock, M&P, etc.), was highly anticipated. During Industry Day at the range we had the opportunity to handle a couple of prototypes and fire one working model. Hudson is creating a unique handgun, that’s for sure. However, the “1911 style frame” is in profile only; no grip safety, no slide lock/thumb safety. And since it’s a double-stack 9mm, it’s not slim and comfortable like a 1911 style frame either. I am withholding judgment until the final model is in production. It has promise if executed properly.

Alien Gear Holsters, a company that is known for (and developed its entire reputation on) very comfortable in-waist-band (IWB) holsters, announced no less than 11 new holster models. In actuality, it’s one holster model with multiple mounting platforms. While some of the models/platforms are still in final development stages, the mere announcement that Alien Gear is moving away from strictly IWB holsters is major. Their past proven performance and creative engineering concepts have provided them an excellent foundation to grow on and I expect to see all these new holsters/platforms come to fruition in a timely fashion.

SOG Knives released their new “Q” series of multi-tools. With four variations from the Q1, which is TSA compliant, to the Q4, with its accompanying pouch of ratchet bits, the Q series is a new take on an old idea: the multi-tool. To add to that, SOG also released their belt-buckle multi-tool variant. With it, there’s no longer a need to have a pouch on your belt for your multi-tool; it’s there—it’s your belt buckle.

SigArms 320 modular handgun was selected by the Army. This was a big announcement. After having used the Government Model 1911 for 75 years and then moving to the Beretta M9 for just over 30, the Army announced its selection of the Sig 320 Pistol as its choice for the modular handgun weapon system.

CRKT released a series of knives with their new “field strip” technology as the platform. Anyone who has regularly carried and depended on a folding lockblade knife has known the challenge of taking it apart to clean it. All too often specialty tools are necessary and even if the knife is built using common hardware, you still need a tool. With CRKT’s new field strip platform, no tools are required. You can strip the knife to blade and grip slabs and put it back together after you’ve cleaned and performed your maintenance on it. Look for interchangeable blades and kits next year. (CRKT didn’t say so, but it has to be the next logical step.)

• In 1997 Mike Noell founded Blackhawk and grew it (with some excellent employees and friends) into Blackhawk Industries and then Blackhawk Products Group before selling it to ATK. One of his VPs at Blackhawk, a gentleman named Terry Naughton, bought a company called Scope Coat a short while back. This year, Noell came out of the shadows and made it public knowledge that he’s a partner in Scope Coat—which has been renamed Sentry Products Group. When the founder of Blackhawk re-enters the industry with such a bold move, the only thing we can do is stand by. Sentry Products Group will surely grow and became a major player in the industry. Look for big things from this company.

IWOM (Inner Warmth Outer Mobility) came out with their Tactical XT that allows environment protection by encapsulating the officer fully yet has integrated massive access points with easy-to-use zippers. Oh, and there’s a few pockets, too. It packs itself into a light carry bag, rolls out first to a parka/jacket, and then into the full length weatherproof system you see in the photo. Officers can also use it for a layout pad. Right now the XT is only available in black, but IWOM says it is working on a multi-camo version.

• Last fall, 5.11 launched its XPRT uniform and we finally got hands-on for a closer look and the story. They began from first responders on European rooftops dealing with the steep pitch. Bracing themselves as best they could, knees ended up wearing through much too quickly. As quoted in their release, “For almost two years, 5.11 consulted with hundreds of special operators from around the world to develop the XPRT Uniform,” said David Hein, 5.11’s professional division vice president. “They wanted more range of motion, utility, strength and comfort.” Made out of new fabric called NYCO Tactical, it’s a 60 percent cotton and 40 percent cordura blend for a no-melt and no-drip fire protection. The uniform includes a padded waist band on the back, reinforced belt loops, adjustable waist clip system, magnetic closers, D30 kneepads in the pant, lower leg pocket, breathable stretch back, a Kevlar-lined crotch for durability and built-in ortholite shoulder pads to keep straps from digging into an officer’s shoulder. They’re even dimpled to aid breathability. There’s a wide range of men’s and women’s sizes and in traditional 5.11 colors: black, dark navy and multicam.

• Scheduled for an official release this May, Tru-Spec took what they knew about law enforcement apparel and made their new 24/7 Xpedition pant. Created more for the “high speed” first responder, it integrates a durable double weave fabric on strategic places to increase your officer’s mobility. Patches are at the front thighs, on the back across the hips, the back of the knees and up through the gusset. There’s a bit of stretch but it won’t exactly help with breathability. That comes from two new zippered vents on the side, one at thigh level, another down by the calf. This lower vent uses a special zipper to let officers zip up or down depending on need.

Safariland’s Soteria Armor SoterX glove line uses a patented material—no Kevlar, no Dyneema, no glass. The demo had you don the highest level glove. The material was thicker than typical, my dexterity was slightly limited (emphasis on the slightly). Once my hand was out flat, they then lit the torch up to temperature. The best way I can describe it is that the glove turned what should be a third degree burn to feeling like holding your hand over a birthday cake. Now think of using your hand to clear a window of broken glass, gripping the hot rifle barrel, or avoiding rope burn. Safariland has this scheduled to launch Summer 2017.

• It can be tough to be a rifle case and grab people’s attention, but Eastern Beacon Industries seems to have done just that. And that attention comes from a lump on the end—it allows your officers to carry their helmet all in one case. The rest seems pretty straight forward: space enough for two long rifles, baton holder, magazine holders, as well as zipper and VELCRO closures. It runs 46 inches total length, the helmet carrier (which is detachable), two 10 inch by 12 inch pockets, and one 9 by 12 inch pocket with an insignia patch on the outside. To top it off, there’s even straps for officers to wear it like a backpack. The ex-LAPD officer who developed the Tactical Deployment Pack – Double Rifle Case wanted to create a true rapid response bag for the individual officer, a “go-bag for law enforcement,” if you will. From what this editor sees, it looks like he did. All that’s left is a place for a hard ballistic shield insert.

• If we asked readers to name a way to bring a speeding vehicle to a stop, our bet is the majority of answers would mention a vehicle maneuver or a spike strip. So, how would one bring a speeding boat under control? That’s where Maritime Arresting Technologies came out with their MK 4 Launcher. The near-genius-in-its-simplicity design basically floats a drag system on the water. The suspected boat drives over the 40 yard line weighted by a pair of parachute-like drags called sea anchors that fill and bring the boat to a stop. You would think the line would slide underneath and tangle the prop but it doesn’t, and only hooks onto the lower unit of the boat. The launcher is the multitool here. The company makes a number of payloads, such as a net that does tangle the prop, a rescue life line, and Cavitators to disable jet-driven watercraft. Its high pressure tank is charged from a SCUBA tank and can be fired three times in less than a minute.

For more show coverage, check out Lindsey Bertomen's Firearms Tactics here.

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