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NRA convention featured quality and quantity firearms
It could be years before such a hunting exhibition returns to area
By DOUG PIKE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
The National Rifle Association has left the building — and the city — but Houstonians who toured its exhibit hall won't soon forget the thousands of firearms and shooters' accessories in the George R. Brown Convention Center this past weekend.
On display were more items for hunters and target shooters than were gathered here since the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show visited Houston in the early 1980s.
That annual, international exhibition, held in Las Vegas the past several years, is an industry event and not open to the public. The NRA's exhibit welcomed members (who entered free) and non-members (who paid a $10 admission fee).
Gun makers always are eager to visit Houston because they know they'll get informed feedback.
Remington's Al Russo said that Texans are valuable to the industry because they are exceptionally knowledgeable. Texas has long hunting seasons and an even longer shooting season — essentially year-round — and that extra time in the field translates to greater experience with guns, binoculars and related products.
Texans account for significant portions of most major outdoors companies' revenues.
If an item gets good review here, representatives for the NRA exhibit said, its maker can expect favorable reception nationally.
Joe Doggett and I toured the hall daily and came across some noteworthy products.
Trends in shotguns at the show generally were toward durability. Prices have increased accordingly, well beyond $1,000 for some field-grade pumps and semi-autoloading models, but the waterfowl and upland shotguns available now are built ruggedly enough to justify their higher costs.
Sturm, Ruger & Company introduced its Gold Label side-by-side shotgun, a boxlock 12-gauge touted as the only side-by-side made in the United States.
With five Briley chokes, it retails around $2,000.
Beretta's Silver Pigeon V over/under in 28-gauge is a gentleman's quail gun, and its case-colored receiver features gold inlays of flushing bobwhites.
"It has a true, scaled-down 28-gauge action, making it light and quick," said Beretta's Steve Shepard. "It's got an upgraded walnut stock and five screw-in choke tubes, and it's got two interchangeable butt pads so you can change the length of pull."
That one retails for $3,295.
You can still buy into waterfowling for much less, a few hundred dollars, and entry-level shotguns are quite good. Much the same as in fishing tackle and electronics, yesterday's technology remains valid, but its value diminishes as "newer and better" reaches the marketplace.
New finishes on barrels (including elaborate camouflage patterns) and high-tech, synthetic stocks provide added protection against the harsh environment of coastal waterfowl hunting.
Some of these shotguns aren't exactly "pretty" as firearms go, but maintenance after the hunt is not much different than for 4-wheelers or Labrador retrievers — a hose and a towel.
Fancy and functional
Rifles also are moving toward fancy and more functional. Remington's new 700 XCR (for: eXtreme Conditions Rifle) was named "NRA Rifle of the Year" by the organization.
It's available in 12 calibers and earned top marks for its scratch- and weather-resistant barrel and double-molded synthetic stock.
Weatherby shined a spotlight on its "SUB-MOA" Vanguards.
"When each Vanguard comes from our factory, it is test-fired," said representative Aaron Smith. "We check each target and hand-pick the ones with the tightest groups. We guarantee that with suitable premium factory ammunition these rifles will group three shoots inside one inch at 100 yards."
With a composite stock, Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad and adjustable trigger, these rifles sell for $799.
There remains a place for rich walnut stocks and hand engraving on receivers, but that place increasingly is becoming gun safe. Hunters and target shooters show willingness today to pay premiums for rugged durability.
Zoom in on binoculars
Two optics giants, Zeiss and Leupold, also had new products.
Zeiss' Victory FL binoculars minimize "color fringing" along edges, which is a great feature either for birders or for deer hunters who have reason to score antlers before pulling the trigger. In 10x42, the Victory FL sells for $1,599.
Leupold counters with its Golden Ring binoculars.
"They feature the same Index Matched Lens System as our top rifle scopes," said Pat Mundy, senior marketing specialist. "A different coating is used on each separate lens surface, and that transmits more light. (They're) ideal for low-light hunting situations."
Retail on the Golden Rings is a buck short of $1,000.
Leupold also introduced its Alumina scope filter system, which are sets of colored, screw-in lens covers that enhance vision much the same as shooting glasses. Cost is around $100, and the filters will fit any Leupold scope made in the past three years.
It may be years before a shooting and hunting exhibition so large returns here.
Fortunately for Houstonians who enjoy hunting ducks and deer or who shoot silhouettes and sporting clays, none of us lives far from a sporting goods store or shooting range.
Doug Pike covers the outdoors for the Chronicle and hosts Inside the Outdoors from 7-10 a.m. Saturdays on 790 AM.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/outdoors/3145860
It could be years before such a hunting exhibition returns to area
By DOUG PIKE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
The National Rifle Association has left the building — and the city — but Houstonians who toured its exhibit hall won't soon forget the thousands of firearms and shooters' accessories in the George R. Brown Convention Center this past weekend.
On display were more items for hunters and target shooters than were gathered here since the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show visited Houston in the early 1980s.
That annual, international exhibition, held in Las Vegas the past several years, is an industry event and not open to the public. The NRA's exhibit welcomed members (who entered free) and non-members (who paid a $10 admission fee).
Gun makers always are eager to visit Houston because they know they'll get informed feedback.
Remington's Al Russo said that Texans are valuable to the industry because they are exceptionally knowledgeable. Texas has long hunting seasons and an even longer shooting season — essentially year-round — and that extra time in the field translates to greater experience with guns, binoculars and related products.
Texans account for significant portions of most major outdoors companies' revenues.
If an item gets good review here, representatives for the NRA exhibit said, its maker can expect favorable reception nationally.
Joe Doggett and I toured the hall daily and came across some noteworthy products.
Trends in shotguns at the show generally were toward durability. Prices have increased accordingly, well beyond $1,000 for some field-grade pumps and semi-autoloading models, but the waterfowl and upland shotguns available now are built ruggedly enough to justify their higher costs.
Sturm, Ruger & Company introduced its Gold Label side-by-side shotgun, a boxlock 12-gauge touted as the only side-by-side made in the United States.
With five Briley chokes, it retails around $2,000.
Beretta's Silver Pigeon V over/under in 28-gauge is a gentleman's quail gun, and its case-colored receiver features gold inlays of flushing bobwhites.
"It has a true, scaled-down 28-gauge action, making it light and quick," said Beretta's Steve Shepard. "It's got an upgraded walnut stock and five screw-in choke tubes, and it's got two interchangeable butt pads so you can change the length of pull."
That one retails for $3,295.
You can still buy into waterfowling for much less, a few hundred dollars, and entry-level shotguns are quite good. Much the same as in fishing tackle and electronics, yesterday's technology remains valid, but its value diminishes as "newer and better" reaches the marketplace.
New finishes on barrels (including elaborate camouflage patterns) and high-tech, synthetic stocks provide added protection against the harsh environment of coastal waterfowl hunting.
Some of these shotguns aren't exactly "pretty" as firearms go, but maintenance after the hunt is not much different than for 4-wheelers or Labrador retrievers — a hose and a towel.
Fancy and functional
Rifles also are moving toward fancy and more functional. Remington's new 700 XCR (for: eXtreme Conditions Rifle) was named "NRA Rifle of the Year" by the organization.
It's available in 12 calibers and earned top marks for its scratch- and weather-resistant barrel and double-molded synthetic stock.
Weatherby shined a spotlight on its "SUB-MOA" Vanguards.
"When each Vanguard comes from our factory, it is test-fired," said representative Aaron Smith. "We check each target and hand-pick the ones with the tightest groups. We guarantee that with suitable premium factory ammunition these rifles will group three shoots inside one inch at 100 yards."
With a composite stock, Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad and adjustable trigger, these rifles sell for $799.
There remains a place for rich walnut stocks and hand engraving on receivers, but that place increasingly is becoming gun safe. Hunters and target shooters show willingness today to pay premiums for rugged durability.
Zoom in on binoculars
Two optics giants, Zeiss and Leupold, also had new products.
Zeiss' Victory FL binoculars minimize "color fringing" along edges, which is a great feature either for birders or for deer hunters who have reason to score antlers before pulling the trigger. In 10x42, the Victory FL sells for $1,599.
Leupold counters with its Golden Ring binoculars.
"They feature the same Index Matched Lens System as our top rifle scopes," said Pat Mundy, senior marketing specialist. "A different coating is used on each separate lens surface, and that transmits more light. (They're) ideal for low-light hunting situations."
Retail on the Golden Rings is a buck short of $1,000.
Leupold also introduced its Alumina scope filter system, which are sets of colored, screw-in lens covers that enhance vision much the same as shooting glasses. Cost is around $100, and the filters will fit any Leupold scope made in the past three years.
It may be years before a shooting and hunting exhibition so large returns here.
Fortunately for Houstonians who enjoy hunting ducks and deer or who shoot silhouettes and sporting clays, none of us lives far from a sporting goods store or shooting range.
Doug Pike covers the outdoors for the Chronicle and hosts Inside the Outdoors from 7-10 a.m. Saturdays on 790 AM.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/outdoors/3145860
