Let's Unpack This Part 1... (2019 Great American Outdoor Show)

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js8588

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Since I don't work in the industry, I don't have an "in" to go to SHOT Show. Whether this is unfortunate or a blessing is debatable, but like most POTG, I've always wanted to attend. Much to my delight, I discovered the NRA Sponsored (I know, I know...) "Great American Outdoor Show" in Harrisburg, PA had a number of the big name firearm manufacturers displaying their wares.

My wife and I took the opportunity to attend on Monday.

I had a mental checklist of the products I'd like to see: Among others, the Mossberg MC1sc, the FN 509 lineup, the Bond Arms Bullpup, and whether the hype (and price tag) of Nighthawk/Korth was deserved.

How'd it go? In the words of my wife after sitting down to a rejuvenating snack of $8 fries, "Let's unpack this".

First stop was the Heckler and Koch booth. No backwards-loaded magazines in sight, but sadly for me, neither was a Mk23. I'm still trying to convince myself I don't need one
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Just down the line from there was the Boyd's gun stocks display. I've often found myself perusing their website, but never "pulled the trigger" (pun intended) because something might look good on paper...erm... pixels, but until you actually try it on...it's like shopping for a new mattress online. Some things require testing it out in person.

I shouldered their latest offering, the At-One thumbhole stock. Nope, not for me. The cheek-weld just doesn't fit my preferences. Still, the young lady working Boyd's booth showed my wife and I several other products. If the woman attending to us was any indication, the folks at Boyd's did a better job of having knowledgable and engaging staff than a good number of other big names managed to do.
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Next I found myself at the Henry Repeating Arms station. Of the guns they had on display, I was most interested in the Long Ranger. I was pleased to see it had the trademark slickness of all well-made Henry products with a much-better-than-a-BLR trigger. The rifle also had a nice weight towards the rear balance that my wife commented would likely make her feel less fatigued when shooting it.

I commented to one of the gentlemen working the booth that I'd love to see them come out with a single-shot in 6.5 Grendel. The following exchange ensued:

Henry Employee- "A single shot 6.5 Creedmoor?"

Me- "I said a 6.5 Grendel, but a 6.5 Creedmoor would be interesting too."

Henry Employee- (apparently having no idea what a 6.5 Grendel is) "You know we just came out with a Long Ranger in 6.5 Creedmoor."

Me- (ever the troglodyte) "Yes, but that is only offered without iron sights."

Henry Employee- "Huh, I didn't know that..."

Me- "Yes, well, I expect most people would rather scope that caliber. Have a nice show."
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Moving on...

The Mossberg booth had the first "new for 2019" firearm on my list to lay hands on. The MC1sc seemed well made, though the clear magazine felt cheap to me. I have remarkably average sized hands and it was too small for my grip. It was fine with the extended base plate, but that sort of defeats the purpose of a pocket 9.

I asked my wife, who has smallish hands, for her opinion. She also found the grip less than preferable.

I did like the execution of the crossbolt safety model and the trigger felt better than a stock Glock, though that may have been due to the flat faced profile.
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No pictures from it, but next, we swung by Smith and Wesson's impressive station. I'm a Ruger guy, but after handling Smith's various offerings, I finally get what all the fuss is about when it comes to their triggers, especially in single action. The guy behind their gun display was very friendly and knew his stuff. Hillary hole or no, I may finally end up with a Smith and Wesson revolver on my list.

Yeah, everyone loves to hate on Taurus, but a Rossi Circuit Judge carbine was one of my first gun purchases when I started in the hobby. It went on down the river when money was tight a few years back, but I'm glad to see they're back on the market. A new one will eventually find its way into my collection. I asked the guys working the Rossi booth if their 92 clone would be offered in 454 Casull again any time soon and was told for now, they would only be offered in 44 and 357 magnum. Hope springs eternal...
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Let me preface my experience with the Sig Sauer station by saying I've never liked Sig handguns. Any of them. They don't balance well for me, I don't like that the M17 tests were never completed, civilians should not have had to be beta testers to discover P320s weren't bump-safe let alone drop-safe, and they're violating SB Tactical's patent.

With that out of the way, everyone kept telling me I need to handle a P365 & I would want one immediately...

My wife knows how I feel about Sig. The only gun they've ever made that I liked was the 556xi (yes, I know. The damn thing fit me perfectly...reliability/accuracy issues kept me from ever buying one). When she saw their logo emblazoned banners she said "please tell me we aren't going over there". I told her we were. I needed to get hands on a P365 and an M17.

I walked up to the brace of P365s on display, held one, and immediately put it down. The grip is too thin for my liking and it had the same top/nose heavy imbalance I've noted in every non-1911 style Sig pistol I've ever picked up.

Out of a bit of mischievous curiosity, I asked the Sig rep if they had resolved "some of the issues" that had been reported with the P365. He indignantly replied the only issue was a problem with the strikers which "was a problem with the supplier" and had been resolved the same day it was discovered. Y'know what? After that response, I'm good never owning a Sig Sauer product. I have no problem with a manufacturer going through teething problems with a new, truly revolutionary design, but own up to your mistakes! The P365 is a gun they intend people to carry and trust their lives to every single day. A lack of acknowledgement of a problem should scare anyone out of owning one.

I did paw over an M17, but historical significance with adoption by the US Military aside, the balance still sucked in my opinion, which is worth exactly what you're paying for it.

Springfield Armory had a presence and I love 10mm about as much as I hate selling out gun owner rights to cover your own posterior. The 4.25 inch XD(M) 10mm handled and pointed beautifully, the 5 inch version was nice, but didn't handle as well as the shorter version. Odd since I have a particular affinity for long slides. Speaking of, their 1911 TRP felt like the slide was gliding on greased glass. Might be time to forgive (but not forget) Springfield's apostasy. I really love best millimeter.

Oh, Magpul was at the show with some of their MP5 swag.
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Magpul is the Rearden Metal of firearm accessories. It's good. No more need be said.

I was momentarily surprised when I saw IWI would be at the show until I remembered they're actually based out of Harrisburg. A Galil ACE 308 with a 20 inch barrel is still on my wishlist, but no word yet if/when they will be available. The priority right now seems to be to get the 12 Gauge and 308 Tavors online. I asked their rep what happened to the Masada pistol much-hyped last year. Apparently they're ready, just waiting for a shipment to be sent from Israel. So, yes, the Masada is still a thing. The guys at the booth were very nice and I almost feel bad for getting this dude in a picture during an awkward moment of enjoying his Monster energy drink. He was pre-warned this would appear online...
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At SHOT, Bond Arms came out with their Bullpup Long-Slide & an aluminum framed 9mm derringer. My wife has wanted a Bond Derringer for awhile now & this may prove to be just the one...unfortunately the Great American Outdoor Show wasn't "great" enough to bring the cool new widgets. Still, we got hands-on time with the original Bullpup. I liked the second-strike capability of the action. She liked how easy it was to rack the slide. We both liked the smoothness of the trigger. Their rep confirmed other calibers are (eventually) in the works.
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Sometimes quality customer service can overcome any preconceived notions one may hold. Walking up to the Colt booth I joked "they're still in business?" The gentleman who attended us is exactly the kind of personality Colt needs to revive their brand. He even tipped off a new Python is "on their radar". I'll admit, I saw the new King Cobra Colt released this year and thought "it looks more like a bulldog". It handles considerably better. Nice, consistent trigger with excellent fit and finish in a pretty compact package.
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As I have evidently reached the photo limit for this thread, and have probably been long-winded enough for one forum OP, stay tuned for Part 2...

Part 2.
 
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That’s a great outdoor show. It’s always my birthday week. I love going to it . Likely not going to happen this year. I have gotten some awesome deals on accessories like a ground blind. There is also a vendor there who does
Really cool laser artwork on your rifle or shotgun stocks or other wood.0
 
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