Photos & Story
by Phil W. Johnston
Handgun Editor

It seems like yesterday when I first stepped into a Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, but the one that just took place in Las Vegas, NV, marked the 26th SHOT Show and it appears that it just gets bigger each year. This year's show took place Feb. 12-15 in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Typical of events held in Las Vegas, the mood was upbeat to say the least. I think the numbers will suggest that this year marks another record for attendance, too. We'll see.

As has become standard fare, the show usually starts a day or two early for many in the business. Cindy and I hit Vegas on the 10th and the work started on the 11th. (Not real work, you understand!) Shortly after we arrived at the Desert Sportsman's Shooting range west of Vegas, I got the chance to wrap my fingers around a new Glock 37 semi-auto chambered for the .45 Glock Auto Pistol (GAP) cartridge.

It doesn't seem possible that every one is excited about another semi-auto that launches a .45-caliber slug at 900 feet-per-second (fps) or so, but that's simply not the case. The new GAP cartridge is fully capable of generating .45 ACP ballistics out of a case that measures within .001 inches of a 9mm case. Before you think that the GAP was introduced to sell ammo and firearms, think of a .45 that can be safely chambered in an arm that was designed for the 9mm and you get the picture.

In addition, the industry is quickly learning that indeed, anything that a .45 ACP can do, the .45 GAP cartridge can duplicate or exceed. As you might expect, all bets are off when +P ammo is considered, however. Within 6 months, I expect every ammo company to be in the GAP business. The Winchester Ammunition Division teamed up with Browning firearms and Browning Sports Optics to put on the event at the Desert Sportsman's Range and it has to be graded with an A+. We wish we could have stayed all morning, but we had to move on.

Para-Ordnance
Over the course of the 4-day show, Cindy and I walked at least 17.7 miles (as measured by Cindy's pedometer). As usual, I tried to take a look at new things that might make life easier or more fun. Rather than arranging things in any way, I'll just mention things that look like a great idea to me. On to the great SHOT Show.

One of the first visits took place in the booth of Para-Ordnance. Famous these days for a great 1911 semi-auto that has the LDA double-action trigger that has to be tried to be believed, they're not sitting around doing nothing, it appears. Para-Ordnance (980 Tapscott Rd., Dept. GWK, Toronto, ON, Canada M1X 1C3; phone: 416-297-7855; on-line: paraord.com) now has a new two part extractor for 1911 semi-autos that should pull almost anything out of a chamber.

In fact, Kerby Smith said that they tried the new system with a case that wouldn't pull out regardless of the system used and the new Power Extractor pulled half the rim off of the stuck case! I'm sold. I'll ship my special carry .45 to them for the new extractor soon.

If you're into digital photography, don't miss the new weatherproof Optio 33 WR camera from Pentax USA Inc. (600 12th St., Suite 300, Dept. GWK, Golden, CO 80401; phone: 800-877-0155; on-line: www.pentaxusa.com). This little gem caught my eye at the Pentax booth, being displayed in two tanks of water! Measuring 81.5x76x30.5mm, it's small enough to fit in a shirt pocket while being capable of taking 3.2 megapixel photos.

It has a zoom lens that runs from 37 to 104mm (35mm format) and has a 1.6 by 1.6-inch color LCD display. The shutter automatically operates from 1/2000th of a second to 4 seconds. Naturally there's a self-timer plus all of the other bells and whistles. Carrying a suggested retail price of less than $400, you'll start seeing photos taken with this gem in these pages down the road.

Kowa Digital
Or how about the new TD-1 from Kowa Optimed Inc. (20001 S. Vermont Ave., Dept. GWK, Torrance, CA, 90502; phone: 800-966-5692; on-line: www.kowascope or www.kowa-europe.com/scopes)? It's a 3.1 megapixel camera combined with a 450-1350 zoom lens. Serving as a spotting scope as well as a camera, this should make wildlife photography much easier. This should be available by mid summer and will carry a suggested retail price around $2,500.

If the .45 ACP or GAP doesn't tickle your fancy, how about a 1911 semi-auto that launches a 300-grain, 1/2-inch slug at 700 fps or more, outclassing any .45-caliber load out of a similar machine! We'll look at the .50-caliber Model No. 1 from Guncrafter Industries LLC (171 Madison 1510, Dept. GWK, Huntsville, AR 72740; on-line: www.guncrafterindustries.com) here this year, too.

Last November, we had a 22-year-old gal kidnapped from our Mall in Grand Forks, ND. We haven't found the young lady yet, but the low life scum is probably behind bars as we speak. The Spitfire Ltd. (8868 Research Blvd., Suite 203, Dept. GWK, Austin, TX 78758; phone: 800-774-8347; on-line: www.spitfire.com) system could have saved her. Small enough to fit on a key chain, this system automatically aims where your clinched hand points-in front of you, behind you, or anywhere else. We tried it and it hit the target regardless of our position.

Capable of launching eight shots of police-strength pepper spray (heat rating of 2 million SHU) out to 8 feet, the effect from this should last at least 30 minutes. That should get anyone out of trouble long enough to summon help. I'm getting half a dozen of these for my gals. Carrying a suggested retail price of $14.95, they're a bargain at any price. It just might have saved a life!

17 Mach 2
If you've been waiting to launch 17-grain, .17-caliber slugs, we're getting another rimfire cartridge that'll soon do the trick! How about a .22 long rifle rimfire necked down to do so? That's right, later on this year we'll be able to re-barrel a Ruger 10/22 or Mark II for instance and away we go. Dubbed the 17 Mach 2, this little round should take off like wild fire, I think. Capable of generating 2,100 fps or more out of a typical rifle barrel this round should add up to a bunch of fun. As we speak, Eley is setting up to load ammo and we should see this load by fall.

Typically, each fall I tend to elevate myself 20 feet or so into the wild blue while in search of a couple of bucks. The wares of Gorilla Treestands™ (PO Box 378, Dept. GWK, Flushing, MI 48433; phone: 877-685-7817; on-line: www.gorillatreestands.com) caught my eye. Featuring bullet proof construction and selling for reasonable prices, the stand should be as safe as possible while being easy to set up.

How about a .40-caliber semi-auto that measures 5.3 inches long, standing 4 inches high, measuring less than 1-inch wide? It's Kahr Arm's (PO Box 220, Dept. GWK, Blauvelt, NY 10913; phone: 845-735-4500; on-line: www.kahr.com) new PM9.

I don't often look at rifles but Walther's (2100 Roosevelt Ave., Dept. GWK, Springfield, MA 01104; phone: 800-372-6454; on-line: www.waltheramerica.com) new G22 bullpup .22 rimfire looks like fun, standing still. While the barrel is 20 inches in length, the entire overall length of this little gem is but 28.5 inches! I'm hoping to look one of these over later on this year and will report on my findings. Walther firearms are distributed by Smith & Wesson.

Porta Target
I also got the chance to visit with Paul Scholem, president of Porta Target (PO Box 148, Dept. GWK, Grant, FL 32949; phone: 321-725-9911; on-line: www.portatarget.com) systems. Catching my eye (I was probably drooling some, too) was his lightweight Bianchi Plate system that weighs 260 pounds, sets up in minutes anywhere, and features half a dozen 8-inch plates to tip over. When they're down, simply pull a rope to reset things. Selling for about a grand, this system should be within range of most clubs in the US. I'd love to have one in the back yard (now you can drool, too).

Amy Armstrong set up a great tour for us at the Smith & Wesson (S&W-2100 Roosevelt Ave., Dept. GWK, Springfield, MA 01104; phone: 800-331-0852; on-line: www.smith-wesson.com) booth, too. Herb Belin had a new Model 500 4-inch rig strapped to his waist. Funny, I didn't think of a snub-barreled .500 S&W magnum! Belin said that this one is about enough! I didn't ask for one to wring out, either. If you want a .500, have at it but leave me out. Belin said that he's got about 1,500 rounds under his belt. Wow!

S&W also has a new 1911 semi-auto from the Performance Center. I looked at several samples and they are as tight as a drum and should shoot just as well. Sub 2-inch 50-yard groups can be expected with the very best ammo. S&W also has a new 952, a stainless steel 9mm that should shoot with the above 1911. New also is a 351PD .22 WMR revolver that just begs to slip in the backpack. We may see this in "kit gun" form with adjustable sights down the road. Featuring a 1-7/8-inch barrel and weighing just shy of 11 ounces, what a neat little package.

8-Round Wheelgun
S&W also has a new 21-ounce, scandium alloy-framed 8-round wheelgun on the market. Dubbed the 327, it should be perfect to carry, while probably being a handful during range sessions. The 325PD is a .45 ACP revolver that weighs but °-ounce more than the 327. Featuring a 2-1/2-inch barrel, this 6-shot revolver should complement any 1911 package, nicely.

S&W also has a new finish for their 22A semi-auto rimfire. Lay this one down in the woods for some reason and you might have trouble finding it! Coated with Mossy Oak Break Up®, it looks like it belongs in the woods to be sure.

S&W typically builds a few rigs just for large stocking dealers or distributors. When Belin handed me one of these, I thought fondly of a Model 66 with a 5-inch barrel. Nope, it's a 686 L frame with an abbreviated barrel underlug. Also aimed at this specialty market is a new Model 25 Mountain Gun chambered for one of my favorite cartridges-the .45 Colt. Sporting a round butt and great feeling Cocobolo grips, this one is a honey.

I've been a bowhunter all my adult life and have had some good luck along the way. Now that I've reached the ripe old age of 57, my shoulders seem to be wearing out and I'm beginning to think about using a crossbow during hunting season. TenPoint Crossbow Technologie's® (1325 Waterloo Rd., Dept. GWK, Suffield, OH 44260-9608; phone: 330-628-9245; on-line: www.tenpointcrossbows.com) QX-4™ package caught my eye, too. Capable of launching bolts at over 300 fps, featuring a 185-pound draw weight, and part of a complete kit, the QX-4 looks like a winner. Each of TenPoint's crossbows are available with either of a pair of cocking aids. If I can't pull my old Hoyt bow this fall, I may have to call TenPoint.

You've seen GM and Chrysler advertise a quick set-up tent for the back of your pickup on your television. Made by Napier Enterprises (2315 Whirlpool St., Suite 161, Dept. GWK, Niagara Falls, NY 14305; on-line: www.sportzbynapier.com), the Sportz II Camo Tent instantly turns your pickup bed into, well, a bed for lack of other words. Carrying a suggested retail price of $179.95, this is about half of the "factory" prices.

Deere ATV's
John Deere (on-line: www.johndeere.com/atv) is jumping into the ATV game with two new machines. Dubbed the Buck and Trail Buck; they're both powered with 4-stroke Rotax engines. (I fly with a Rotax engine, FYI.) Both versions feature 4-wheel drive and they ought to be winners. I made my living with John Deere equipment for quite some time. Move over Polaris, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha-here comes big green!

Savage (100 Springdale Rd., Dept GWK, Westfield, MA 01085; phone: 413-568-7001; on-line: www.savagearms.com) has a new Model 40, single-shot Varmint Series rifle aimed at those with a limited budget. Capable of gilt-edged accuracy, the new Model 40 should be available with the AccuTrigger™ later on this year.

What do you do with the boots when you come in from the hunting or fishing trip? We've tended to put 'em in a pile by the door! How about the Rack'em™ system from Horizon Manufacturing Inc. (PO Box 7174, Dept. GWK, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089; phone: 877-722-5369; on-line: www.rackems.com)? Reasonably priced, Horizon Manufacturing has a storage system for about anything you can think of.

Want to score that buck or bull, digitally? It's the Rackulator™ from Rackulator Inc. (PO Box 248, Dept. GWK, Golden Valley, ND 58541; phone: 888-791-4213; on-line: www.rackulator.com). Now all I've got to do is find a big enough buck to measure.

I rely on Garmin International Inc.'s (1200 East 151st St., Dept. GWK, Olathe, KS 66062; phone: 800-800-1020; on-line: www.garmin.com) 168 to navigate around the 14,000 islands of Lake of the Woods each summer. How about Garmin's StreetPilot 2610 or the 2650 that can keep navigating even when the GPS signal is interrupted! They'll even communicate with you as you're driving. About $1,000 from Garmin.

Of course this is but the tip of the iceberg. As I said, we walked over 17 miles during the Show and I know we missed a bunch of things. Over the next year I hope to tell you more about some of these wares. I tried to cover things that might tickle your fancy and some that are necessary just to do what we do. Next year the SHOT Show takes place again in Las Vegas and is set for Jan. 28-31. Don't miss it if you're part of this great Industry! We won't!