Gov Range Day
Welcome to SHOT 2026, I’ll start with perhaps the most famous gear brands from whom I don’t yet own a single product – @bluealpha gear.
They’re not launching anything but since they sponsor various high profile outlets online I felt I’d be remiss in not getting eyes/hands on, asking a couple of questions and reporting what I found.
Before mentioning the kit, it’s important these days to talk about manufacture. Because SOME big names in the nylon business will never show you a factory tour, on account that they don’t have one. Their OEMs are either a mystery or entirely accessible. The brands I personally highly recommend have proven manufacturing capacity, hire western citizens and look after those employees. Glad to say BA is in that same camp, because for me that’s the first hurdle in a purchase decisions.
Shown here is their 1.75″ battle belt lite, and it sure is light. They use the thickest curv on the market for the internal stiffening and vertically it’s absolutely solid but nice and flexible as is goes around your body; no rigid hula hoop. Semi-custom with many buckle, colour and sizig options. They’re weirdly also available in AMCU, amongst many more popular colourways. Are there fancier micro-PALS belts available? Yes more than I can ever recall, but this is an option that you could pick with confidence.
The pouches, to me, look good, well made in exactly the ways you expect in the current year. As I say I don’t own any of this stuff, so how much faith you place in my ability to just eyeball a nylon product is entirely up to you. There’s lots of thorough reviews out there.
I wish I could tell you more about the @surefire_llc ICAR but the range was busy as hell and even louder than that. Might be coming in 556.. either that or the one I fired was a real smooth kitten in 6ARC.
Evidently quality throughout with all the modern features you’d expect. I don’t quite think that any top military brass view this new wave of rounds that sit in between 556 and 762 as something seriously worth pursuing. Juice not worth the squeeze unfortunately.
The RC4 however is nice and quiet, light and does well in the handling department. I think the venerable RC2 has a firmly established lineage/continuation here. Obviously I was firing in the day but they say flash elimination is superb (which is what sneaky guys want) and frankly given the shape of the front end, with a recessed integral hider, I’d be stunned if that wasn’t the case.
All the buzz right now: the @sonsoflibertygw Mk1.
What I was told:
-Proprietary muzzle thread pitch produces better accuracy when rifle is fired heavily in a short space of time
-Polygonal rifled barrel is around 1MOA or below (stainless even better)
-Truly optimised gas system
-Large titanium barrel nut is thoroughly vented
-Lowered forward assist also pushed forward
-A5 buffer combined with NP3 BCG will keep going through a lot of filth and adversity
Ergonomically this thing is a heavy hitter I’ll say that. Laser textured handguard is a winner, enlarged ambi controls are genuinely well done, trigger hits just the right spot between performance and rugged characteristics. Top pic rail space has been absolutely, 100% maxed out now and the channel for cables is beautifully cut. I only fired a handful of rounds but it was a very, very pleasant handful of rounds.
I’ll never try to tell you all that a 556 AR is changing the world because it isn’t, but if you want a min-maxxed 555 AR this seems like a strong contender.
@vangcomp 870s are the type of thing you’d get used to. You’d become accustomed to some proper, full power 00 feeling like an AR-10. You’d be lulled in to a false sense. The you’d shoot your mate’s pump after a yes or two and go ‘wtf??’.
Just a few rounds through the @coltfirearms M5 IAR.
She’s an odd duck, obviously, but the guns at these events are getting hammered by a continuous stream of people and always in auto where available. The heatsink/handguard was just about warm to the touch with around 3 hours of heavy usage.
Where do you think this thing fits in with the categories of assault rifle, auto rifle, light support weapon and light machine gun?
Just a bunch of @maximdefense quality.
Left to right:
-Blowback (yet surprisingly gentle) 9mm
-556 PDW
-556 Duty AR
-6.5 Creed DMR
It’s easy to be spoiled in the current era, but this is all such well made stuff. Ergonomic, soft shooting, sturdily built.
I know from talking to various people that Maxim products see a good bit more use than they get widespread credit for.
If I had to pick one surface level feature that excels it would be their PDW stock. Looks like it could be all loosey-goosey but most certainly is not. Whips right out, retracts quickly and easily, punches above it’s weight.
You’ll hate me for this but everyone was agreeing. The @glockinc Gen 6 still just delivers a pistol bullet, maybe you think they should change more, but what they have changed was simply done right.
I buy size S Pig gloves so I thought I’d hate the new frame shaping, but it’s genuinely spot on, it makes you want to bash your head against a wall for having to put up with gripping a 2×4 for so many long years.
Trigger has springy creep still as it always, but you have to try the new shoe to get it. Your finger just feels far more connected and in control of that most important control. Safety in the design? Unchanged.
Gas pedal? Good. Beaver tail? Another improvement you’d have loved to have gotten so long ago.
Again I’m sorry to have to sing the praises of changes that people see as so incremental and overly playing safe, but I what I won’t apologise for is saying these remain the undisputed go-to if you just need something in your holster that JUST WORKS
Redemption arc.
I’ve fired a rental range Auto MP7 before and it was a juddery, shaky, rock-rollin’ disappointment frankly. No push back in to the shoulder or vertical climb, just an unpredictable rattle in all directions like nothing else I’ve ever pulled the trigger on. The M3 Grease was honestly far better; of all things.
That example was probably wrecked however because this one was sooo much nicer. Feels like CoD guns or BF6 loadouts with every accessory setup to provide the most steady sight picture possible.
Be sure to tip your armourer today!
484 yard 2nd round hit with a strong wind blowing perpendicular through the desert valley outside of Vegas. I’ve also never used a tri-pod in my life before today and while they’re obviously loved by the pros, they’re simply not the same as regular shooting. Whatever you’re meant to do.. I wasn’t 
@americandefensemfg with the @maztech_industries laser range finder making perfect range estimation quite literally as easy as the push of a button. Aim at what you like, click, read screen, read optic stadia, send it. Someone who actually knows what they’re doing and shoots more than once a year (i.e. not me) could get great results out of this.
The show floor in the Venetian Expo Centre, posted in chronological order:
@massifgear is actually the brand that people think LEAF is – expensive, but truly the top end of materials, basically everything is FR and multicam for actual military applications with layering options for any and all climates.
The new Combat Sleeve ATAK is a half-jacket with EUDs very specifically in mind, already available. They’ve also got over-whites and an FR hand warmer now that’s basically the same as their famous element clothing.
I probably found the swaggiest garment of the show already with their FR arctic parka with coyote fur hood.
Also got lucky to stumble upon what looks to be the sweet new @edgarshermandesign chest rig, but no info on it (yet, that will change).
Finally able to get hands on with with the Reptilia handguards, changing handle and selector I covered at DSEI. Definitely all the premium quality you would expect, though now I’ve handled the Mk1 I’m feeling like slick, anodised MLOK maybe isn’t as shiny and impressive as it used to be.
As I said last year though, the direct attachment permanent optics mounts are cool and I love to see it.
@spiritussystems are, somehow, continuing to smash it and despite having a superb line-up already there’s many new/incoming products on show. I’ll have to do multiple posts and even still only give the briefest details there’s just that much.
-Mk6 does just what I’d want it to, adding Tubes options and swappable top hardware to the Mk5.
-Breacher Flap holds 2 full reels of nonel plus PALS for the inititiators on the front
-Assault Flap is the first fixed format enclosed offering. It offers adjustable ordnance storage depth and quick withdrawal by pulling the flap.
-ESC single mag pouch and egg carton triple 40mm have the same feature.
-Improved Shoulder Covers (pads) now include some memory foam type cushioning and a curv panel, great config.
-New 556/9mm inserts for the JSTA have excellent retention without bungee and offer seamless re-insertion.
-Flashbang Flap inserts do the same thing as the Egg Carton for the Flashbang Flap on the Assault back panel.
@spiritussystems part 2 – back panels
Assault Panel Mk2 is similar to the LV-119 offering (which makes sense) but brought in to line with newer manufacturing methods and now part of the Spiritus/Ferro UCAS for brand interchangeability. This is something the US military is now asking for so I could see it taking off. Hope so anyway!
The old MOLLE PALS panel is again updated in a similar way. See my DSEI coverage for more details, but it’s been refined and iterated a bit since then.
I really like the new turtle pack style panel, had a tool sleeve like the MOLLE and enough room for a full resi plus spare canisters. Or if you’re not going to a near-peer war zone, maybe some clothing, ammo and/or water.
I’m not a comms guy by any stretch of the imagination, but the whole thing with radios inside the cummerbund either side of your front plate always looked hard to deal with to me.
The new @spiritussystems comm wing takes advantage of the metal grommets and stiffening in the rear of the LV-120 to move radios round to the back if so desired. Get that bulk out of your stomach and the antennas out of your face.
Obviously if you need control access and don’t have remote options on a fancy PTT this won’t be your thing, but for a certain set of people it’s been a hit.
I really didn’t think @spiritussystems would get in to apparel but the Mission Rugby Shirt just released today and there’s been a lot of attention on it for very good reason.
Quite literally pyjamas comfort with this material, touch one and I promise you’ll agree with me.
Super quick drying and I’ve just learnt they’ve got silver built in for bacteria control – a well established method used in high end garments.
This shirt is fully FR on top of all the above, which is huge for such a comfortable and lightweight garment that’s ideal for hot weather use. All for $90 for the short sleeve (just slightly more for long sleeve I believe), so I doubt they’ll be able to make these anywhere close to fast enough despite expanding capacity for it specifically.
It’s not easy to give the VelSys a run for it’s money.
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New combat cut apparel from a Chinese conglomerate that you plebs won’t be able to buy in dangerous assault-camouflage.
Alas no news from Drifire or Wild Things, but I always drop in regardless just to look at the MARPAT G3s. Makes me sad and I miss my babies (the NYCO ones) back home. Don’t worry babies I’ll be back with you real soon.
Sadly the one really new thing at @rainetactical (MOST slept on gear brand) wasn’t ready for public viewing yet. They have something very nice coming for the chest area of your PC that’s all I can say. But as always it’ll be top quality, fully berry compliant and it’s going to blow up it’s main competitor in terms of value.
Also, if you ever liked the idea of shingle mag pouches but found the ones from back in the 1000D gear era sucked, you have to check out their Multi-mag placard (shown here). Takes 556 and 545 mags without any adjustments or extra parts required. The design has been nicely refined now and if your priority is a triple mag option you literally slap on to your rig and go then this is the one for my money.
No surprise that it didn’t take long to see drone stuff this year. SHOT has a commercial lean, but definitely encapsulates the military side of things as well.
The UAS on the table breaks down and fits in to the bag on the right. As you can see the bag on the left also has caddies for a pair of smaller drones (though still bigger than the typical type you see used in Ukraine against infantry).
I guess it’s rugby year here in a country that plays the wrong type of football.
The Agilite SFT seems just fine. Not as comfy to the skin as Spiritus, generally not going to be as nice as VelSys, major lack of any collar and the loop field will limit the gov customer base. Lack of FR will compound that issue. BIG IF it could be cheaper, didn’t get a price, but that would make it an option for non-explosive training and recreation. If the PCs are anything to go by however it’ll just be a sign saying ‘I’ll flag you at the range with my battle worn paintjob sub-$500 AR’.
I’ll admit however that the TSP wraps for the pincers do look good.
There’s no free lunch when it comes to waterproofing and breathability in a garment, so @ottegear are doing physical permanently open vent holes in the upcoming Recce hardshell jacket. Only 250 so I’m guessing not US made but for any non military application this could have potential.
The upcoming overwhite smock in an arctic iteration of M90 is appropriately over sized with a nice slanted 1/4 zip and another for gear access where it needs to be.
Unfortunately I failed to get a shot of their new v2 helmet bag, but it’s bigger than before, with removable internal divider (unlike before) and an included NVG pouch that’s thoroughly padded.
There’s a couple of apparel makers that sprung up in the last few years I didn’t know the background to; @forgelinesolutions being one.
Their origins lie with Patagonia Lost Arrow Project, but a few years back the gents who were specifically part of Lost Arrow had the opportunity to separate and make their own private company. Very smart move I’d say.
Their technical layering system in MC is very, very impressive with tons of interesting garment options; far too numerous to cover here. But alas it’s never slated to be offered commercially. C’est la vie.
They are going to do a waxed canvas jacket and trousers for commercial sale however (first image) and the jacket looks very smart and like something a normal human would actually wear in public (unlike ThruDark). They have a dry wax spray instead of having to rub in wax and heat it up old school which does add to the appeal.
I always get super lucky and manage to find the man himself. Some would say the myth. Some would say the legend. Some just say @milspecmonkeyactual
I’ve mentioned my MSM CYOA pack (left) many times and I’ll mention it again. It makes my SHOT shows happen.
New Airlink pads incoming from @cryeofficial
These are, and I quote “you know crocs? These are basically made out of crocs foam”.
In a major departure, the combat knee pad is now all one piece. You lose some puncture resistance, but the level of padding is reportedly much greater. As you can see the usual 3 options will be available with a release date within the next couple of months and apparently cheaper than the Airflex impact line.
My only point of pause is that usually my knees often come to rest on the lower non-capped area of all the previous combat knee pads, which is conspicuously absent now. I’ll have to try these out at some point though for sure.
@cryeofficial shorts are real and official at long last.
As you can see, these cut down G3.5 combat pants in terms of cut, but the fabric is the same as the G4 All Weathers. Comes in 5″, 7″ and 9″ inseam.
They don’t just ‘do’ a new piece of apparel for the commercial market (that I can think of), so I’d be very interested to know about which entity is potentially asking for these to be issued.
Edit: Requested by Bragg.
New cryeofficial replacement for the MBAV vest: the LPV.
Comes in Tactical or Slick variants as shown, various cummerbunds accessories will be immediately available and then more to come in future. Slated for commercial release within the next few months I’m told.
Crye are also making a specific IIIA insert set for these, which is the most anatomically conforming armour panel I have personally seen.
Peep the mags mounted internally under the slick version.
Crye also displayed a waterproof ensemble but I didn’t snag any details I’m afraid.
I am really liking this incoming chest rig from @firstspear
Back when I posted the AVS Detachable I said it was a cool design but constructed in ways that are no longer efficient enough for the modern gear industry. Here we have a modern, laser cut laminate chest rig that’s hard sewn yet in the classic layout that’s been popular ever since the LBT 1961.
4 double 556 mag pouches with a really tight retention setup for single mags. Plenty of GP space either side. Mesh pouches for the PRC-163. Articulating back straps and a lightly meshed shoulder harness. Most importantly of course, optimised for both EUD mount AND quick-doff at the side time with offset Tubes on the chest and the abdomen area.
Couldn’t get more info yet unfortunately but this is coming to the commercial market I know that for sure.
Oh and don’t forget one of the undisputed king daddy armour vests of all armour vests: the V3 Strandhรถgg.
@wilcoxindustries – Finally a powered rail that looks and feels like it’s ready for prime time.
This M-LOK handguard system feels exactly like your current freefloat tube and mounts to any normal AR with the included barrel nut. With power contacts all along the length going from 3 o’clock over around to 9 o’clock.
2xCR123s in the optic base provide the juice and lift up the red dot to where you would have it anyway. Not locked in to a legacy optic? Their full-send option moves the IR emitters back in to their own optic’s body. Multi-button switch to control it all locks on wherever you want it to.
If you can’t change handgaurd, the BOSS is another red dot option that integrates IR emitters with a long lead remote switch included.
The @_opscore AMP arms finally have a hover setting like the old 3M peltor arms (it’s not just a badly poorly setup dummy head). Seriously compelling option for ear pro mounting, even more so than before.
You can go to @axladvanced for adapters to attach your other headsets to these arms.
@tnvc_inc x @palmettostatearmoryofficial x @wilcoxindustries collab build at the TNVC booth. Sic af CQB-R vibes.
I did not know this but TNVC has carried new production Wilcox mounts for this for some time now.
@tracertactical has been smashing it with The Burro and they can’t make ’em fast enough.
There’s seemingly a lot going on in this picture but it’s not as crazy as it seems. The Burro is ‘just’ a box end of the day, it’s basically the placard of backpacks, which I would say is the reason for it’s popularity. You can attach different pack frames, fit different internals, and of course mount tons of different PALS pouches on the back and sides.
On the left we have the first type of setup that was envisioned with a folding-stock bolt-action. In the middle, an all out sUAS carrier with the clamshell caddy shown just right of centre fitted inside, then more smaller drones and control/support accessories in the external pouches. On the right, a more simplistic mortar carrier. Though this is also a good example of the opportunities for carrying ammo in a very sturdy fashion as the Burro can also hold 2xH84s (400 rounds 762×51 link) or 4 loaded up 200rnd boxes for the Minimi.
Frame options include ALICE, Eberlestock and a new made option from Tracer that’s something like a new production ALICE using all modern tac gear fabrics.
New mounts from @unitytactical
First up.. one I can’t remember the name of but it’s a whole picatinny platform for MAGs. Moves the optic up and back so it’s nicely clear of the barrel with your top cover open, even when hinged all the way to the stop. Side wing of course moves your laser further back and away from the hot barrel.
RMR ring mount for the VCOG sadly isn’t going to be commercial for now at least. Though I have a suspicion not that many people will mind.
Lastly the Kickr for the newer, compact Vudus was a USMC request and it sets the optic at 1.54 and is meant to be a good bit tougher and more steady than the stock mount.
Fellas I had my mind blown at the @shawconcepts booth. Spent about an hour there just looking at different platforms and it took me most of that time to begin to grasp how much new stuff they’re working on. I’ll start with just the ARC Lite PC.
The ARC V2 is of course a full-caffeine, heavily-featured and uber modular armour vest, not just a light PC. The lite is not a giant departure but essentially has gone on a diet, it’s kept the most important features but trimmed down on material a bit. Lighter, slimmer, should be a bit cheaper.
You retain the spider system for different size and shape plates and the internal pontoons, but rather than full on plate bags the front and back are more like plate wraps and the armour will be slightly exposed as shown.
Unfortunately I simply didn’t have time to dig in to details of cummerbund options, shoulder modularity etc etc but the company will have their own media coming to deep dive.
Top end fabrics and construction as always and I would expect absolutely nothing less.
Does exist in a specialist maritime version using Matbock fabric, but those aren’t going to be commercially available.
SLOK (Shaw LOK) is essentially a system of pass-through hardware that allows various chest rigs, harnesses and plate bags to interact and attach/detach in just a couple of seconds without tools. I know for years they’ve wanted something that was optimised for tabbing and parachuting, which both of course necessitate having a big bulky bag on your back for a period of time before you (hopefully) have a brief transition period in to a fighting-ready stance.
This curv based harness facilitates that by using very simple (but custom made) pass-through hardware that can have the ARC V2 rear plate bag attached to the exterior of the back in just a few seconds. Keeping your back clear of almost all bulk until the time comes when you want a rear plate and plate carrier pack/panel.
Even the front plate bag is removable if so desired and simply slaps inside of the bib/placard via velcro.
The setup here in CB shows the harness without any of the armour, where the Multicam loaded for bear.
I’m told that the @shawconcepts helmet covers are very close now and yes anyone can buy them in woodland and desert MARPAT. Cordura sides with a stretch fabric mohawk for best coverage. Looks sooo good.
There’s also a mini version of the RAID pouch V3 in the pipeline. Roughly half the height, won’t take an armour panel but otherwise similar features. I’m liking this size option a lot compared to most danglers. Will depend on how much you need to carry though of course.
The @shawconcepts chest rig is very nearly back from the dead. I own two of the original version because I like it that much and this one is even more refined. Very happy in particular that they’ve added elastic to the back strap.
Also coming quite soon is the V2 of the Plate Carrier Pack. I’m told the overall capacity is just slightly higher and the 2 outboard pockets are redesigned and are simply far more functional and accessible now. Every LCE platform I’ve posted from the show can mount this pack nicely.
Further out and as yet unnamed there’s an assaulter’s back panel, zip-on and of course fully compatible with the new UCAS zip standard championed by Spiritus. It has a tool sleeve, GP space and is a bit like a half-depth PCP V2 except the upper outboard pouch takes inserts exactly like your front placard (image 5). PALS zip adapters included rather than zips being added to the PC offerings.
The current ARC/MSR cummerbund inventory is going to be gradually run down and the replaced with this new type (image 6). Comes in 5″ or 3″ heights for the forward portions with native size adjustment based on the Usurper belt; no locking piece like the LV-120. There’s also a new pad which is 3×5″ so will attach inside of both types. Very structured of course, looking to be a great design.
500 Headshots.
@wearpropper were an original contractor back in ‘nam for bomber jackets and they told me they’ve restarted production and got them available now (green and black).
They’ve also FR base layers which do feel pretty comfy and one layer that I know is all-star favorite over here, in the form of the waffle grid fleece shirt.
They didn’t have prices at the booth but I’d usually expect them to be very affordable.
@arktis have had a lot of interest in their new thermal cloak. They even attached a heat pack to the dummy and had a thermal available in the booth so I can say for a fact that it works. Fabric is not like anything else I’ve touched, has a lot of loft but isn’t filled.
The new hot weather uniform is very light and thoroughly vented. Comprising a shirt, pants, light jacket, UBACS and boonie. Unfortunately I couldn’t get the exact fabric name but it’s a nylon as you would imagine.
There’s also a full arctic layering system which goes down to some stupidly low temp when wearing all the various layers. Surprisingly light though.
Sadly none of the above is currently slated for commercial release, but what is coming is the plate carrier (after a few more tweaks) and to my surprise it’s a sub-$300 price tag. The US sales side of the business is ramping back up in the next couple of months so I’d expect to see this available both sides of the pond.
I was very pleased to see @jayjaysbrecon with their first ever booth at SHOT. Bringing great webbing kits over the ocean.
This new iteration is full Multicam laminate construction. Different thicknesses of foam inside to fit the waist properly. The extra webbing strap is to fit a large radio in to one of the pouches vs using the lid. The buckle closures are exactly how I’d configure them myself. Not going to be cheap but is beautifully made.
@jayjaysbrecon has lots more coming.
This assault pack has standard #10 zips for Virtus mounting, standard pack straps, an expandable beavertail for your lid and more pockets and other little features than I could possibly cover here.
I’ve only shown 4 here but there’s 5 whole day pack designs incoming in various sizes to suit all tastes and uses, even a munro flap for the nostalgia fans.
The gen 5 harness is mesh both inside and out with perforated foam but still strong with the edging tape. Looks like the most comfy webbing yoke I’ve ever seen.
They’ve also got Apocalypse-based jungle uniforms, a gucci smock (with a new version coming), belay jacket and perhaps the lightest and most packable puffy jacket I’ve ever seen.
Check their site for more info!
I’m really pleased to see @altamaboots coming up with a competitor to XA Pros.
Low and mid height, tan and black. Coming in around 3 months time I’m told.
Just being able to say the words “the SA80 is in the USA” felt like a dream scenario forever. All the props to @murdochandco and I’m so happy I finally got my hands on this.
The A3 is still a little way off yet and there are things to change, but the cerakote colour (in person) is at least 99% spot on to the real ones – honestly within tolerances of the slight variances in the application process.
If you’re at SHOT and haven’t checked these out for some reason then you’re wrong, simply!
For those who might not know, I’ve spent 8 years of my career doing small arms maintenance in the actual armouries (most of the overarching job is aircraft weapons work/explosive safety). Also spent further time with SA80s on deployment, exercises, guard duty etc. Ever since I found out @murdochandco were actually exhibiting at the show this year I’ve been itching to try out the drills and strip one down and I can finally say I was able to do just that.
In the hand, yes that familiar feeling is exactly there. Same for carrying out the field strip. My muscle memory from doing it a few thousand times before worked a treat – with the only slight exception of the parts all being tightly and precisely fit together with no rattle or wobble, that was slightly strange at first.
Moving the safety catch is more positive than the original, the action of cocking the weapon feels identical, and the trigger looks the exact same but seems to (miraculously) be a single stage and it’s a bloody nice one at that.
There is some time still before the collector edition A2s go to production so I know they’re working hard at some final tweaks and rushed to get these guns ready for the show. That said, tweaks is all that’s really needed. The real structure of the weapon is there and it’s solid.
In particular the gas plug looks and feels exactly like the original Enfield/HK rifles. The bolt carrier fits on the recoil rod much more precisely than originals, it’s also smoother.
These are far from cheap there’s no denying that but the fact they exist at all in the US is a testament to some serious effort put in by the company. Hell of an achievement.
The @outdoorresearch Ironsight glove is finally getting a version 2 update! Light, regular and FR versions in the 4 standard solid colours.
Unfortunately I couldn’t talk to someone to ask for details but I have faith. Though some of my love for OR has been lost, as I thought they were fairly committed to US production but a lot of their clothing is now made in Vietnam and Bangladesh. Doesn’t make it bad, because everything not Berry/for military use these days is made in Asia including lots of quality brands, but it doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.
@ptssyndicate is one of the very few airsoft companies that represents the antithesis of AliExpress knock-off bs. Every replica is licensed by the real original manufacturer. Everything built from materials that are similar to the originals (obviously with airsoft budgets still in mind). Authentic feeling, correct markings, with relevant safety considerations always in mind.
So, what’s happening with the MAWL? They’ve been made, they exist, they’re all sat in warehouse in these lovely kits with the AXON switches and RAXIS mounts. The problem is they’re waiting on the FDA to do their testing and tick the safety approved box. Surprise, surprise the government bureaucracy is slow as hell and these are still a good way off yet. Shame, but if this example unit in the booth was anything to go by they will be fully worth the wait.
The upcoming Q Honey Badger is actually going to be TM NGRS internals/system. So if you’ve got recoil mags, you’re on to a winner (but there’s a quick adapter for normal AEG mags).
I know the Flux raiders are all the rage in the gun world and the upcoming PTS version for the VFC P320s will make for a very fun build no doubt.
PTS had way more other products on show than I could possibly cover. There’s some stunning suppressors, optic mounts, remote switches, their world famous mags and all sorts of other goodies. Check their site and socials for more info.
You get a lot of space on the M250 for (as shown here) accessories that need to be joined together.
The fella from Sig told me the Army might just change from their current version with semi-fixed barrel over to this one with the quick change barrel.
Top to bottom of Sig Spears:
-New M7 carbine
-M7 as adopted
-DMR config
-Sniper/sniper support config
The capabilities of the full power military round are extensive that much we know. However I’ve handled probably 150-200 different guns of alllll kinds the past few days, and I’m afraid I have to say these were the heaviest for their size, and in particular the most noticably front heavy. All there is at the back is a nice, light and empty AR buffer tube with a nice, light Magpul stock on it. But in front of the pistol grip you have a seriously beefy BCG, barrel and gas system to handle the massive pressure in the system which deliver that terminal performance.
The carbine is objectively lighter of course and that’s a step in the right direction. I do see why a lot of the soldier feedback has focused on the weight though.
Just in time for all the plate carriers out there to have REALLY nailed the cable routing thing, @waverelay introduce an add-on (box on the right side with the blue sticker) for the MPU-5 that makes it wi-fi. As you can you see, EUD on the right has been unplugged but had live maps (I watched the gentleman scrolling) via the radio. Just don’t think of it as a radio, because it’s purely digital and is basically a hardened, high tech internet router.
Had a whale of a time at the @vltorweaponsystems booth with the M16A5 upper and the widest selection of CASVs ever seen (outside the company building of course).
In image 3, left column, I had an airsoft build with the 4th one down (OD green) about 15 years ago which I loved to bits and is one of the very few things I’ve sold and regret selling. If they run green again I might have to get a new M-LOK version.
Who else had/has a CASV?
My current bb build project is a from-scratch Geissele Super Duty MOD1 AEG, 16″ in 556.. well 556 markings anyway. So of course I had to do some on-site, original source research while here in Vegas.
Mine obviously won’t have the new -A suffix ambi controls and the pistol grip has to be different, but I’ve got all the parts in hand to make it just about as accurate to this real thing as is physically possible.
A high level candidate for a true does-it-all rifle right here.
I think these @bt_swiss@btusallc body kits for the original CZ Skorpion have been around, but nothing seems to come up on Google or on either the Swiss or US websites.
This stock is on the slim side but is still an immediate improvement over the original that had the downward slope to it. There are 2 M-LOK slots under the front for a grip (that’s sorely needed on these things) and obviously top rail is a bit limited by the 12 o’clock ejection, but there’s plenty of real estate for what you’d need on a super compact PDW.
It is a bit awkward to reach both cocking protrusions the way you need to cycle the action, but it’s certainly doable.
@hecklerandkoch full IAR setup. Heat.
It’s hefty but it’s surprisingly better than I expected. On paper the gas system, quad rail and heavy optic sound like a bad combo, but for a trained infantryman this is (as has been throughly shown already) quite manageable. Especially without the bipod.
New production suppressed WW2 sniper rifles and De Lisle carbines at the @navyarmsfirearms booth.
I couldn’t get any info but I’m sure it you contact them they’ll tell you plenty. Though I have a funny feeling you’ll have to brace your payment card.
French military airsoft training rifles.
The top image is from @thefirearmblog showing a replica HK416F. The bottom image is one I took at the @navyarmsfirearms booth with replicas of the FAMAS F1/G1 and an M92 variant (the one they used in service was called the PAMAS G1).
Both are AEGs, which for those who don’t known is short for Auto Electric Gun. Where you would have a bolt carrier group in a real weapon you instead have a gearbox containing gears, a spring, piston and cylinder that are all driven by an electric motor to provide air pressure in order to launch a plastic bb at low velocity.
These are very cheap to buy and essentially free to use (in a military context). Costing a fraction of a penny to charge the battery and again around half a penny or less per plastic projectile. They tend to weigh right around the same as the real thing, safety/selectors work in the same way as does inserting/removing a magazine.
The limitations are that there is zero recoil, hardly any noise, range is maybe 60-70m tops (depending on power) and accuracy is extremely poor overall. The cocking handle of the weapon is usually irrelevant to function and drills can’t be fully replicated.
What this means is that AEGs (as with all airsoft guns) have little training application beyond something to carry when out in the field. However in close indoor environments they can have some use and are extremely budget friendly.
I didn’t get a chance to ask Navy Arms, but perhaps France is liquidating their stock of these FAMAS trainers as the 416 rolls out. Not sure who would want one of these specificsllt in the US beside avid FAMAS fans but who knows?
Debated even posting this because the zipped-up fetishists will start having special fun to my content, but alright one final SHOT post.
If you are a UF fan you’ll definitely already know, but they were showing the Striker X Gen 2 in US Woodland.
To my eye the colouration didn’t quite seem 100% right, but it could just be down to the fact it was all unworn and unwashed, new production fabric under very bright booth lights. I’ve noticed the fabrics that are printed now seem to have just slightly different shading to 90s BDUs, especially in the tan colour (and I don’t think it’s entirely down to all the original BDUs around being heavily laundered)
If I were to choose a pair of their combat trousers today it would be the ULTs. They’re around 850g a pair (which is still a fair bit) whereas the Striker XT Gen3s are 1.22Kg – same size of course.
The following were taken for IG stories and are presented without context.
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