:
:
 : : : : :















Law Enforcement And Tactical Gear Boosts Traffic!
 
John DeLuca, Troy Industries executive V.P. and general manager, holds the
M14 MCS (Modular Chassis System), which updates the veteran M14 rifle.
Below, Colt’s family of ARs receive attention.
 
Law Enforcement and Tactical Gear played a significant role in boosting SHOT Show 2008 to new levels in the records books. NSSF officials report the event in early February set records in every category possible as the industry gathered for the 30th annual trade show. There were impressive increases in the number of attendees, the number of exhibitors and the amount of square feet the show covered in and out of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The greatest growth in recent SHOT Shows has been within the Law Enforcement and Tactical Gear section. The section has grown so large, NSSF officials consider it to be a “show within the show.”

“The law enforcement and tactical exhibitors now occupy such a large part of SHOT Show that if they were gathered together for a separate show, it would be the second largest such event in the United States,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president.
 

Nonstop Traffic

“Traffic was non-stop at both our law enforcement and hunting booths. In fact, it was so busy that it was tough for anyone working the booths to even take a break,” said Steven Giordano, Aimpoint director of commercial sales.

Giordano captures the overall state of the show, as dealers, distributors and other buyers swarmed the convention center, especially the L.E./Tactical sections.

Beretta USA drew large crowds at its law enforcement booth, as the company rides a wave of recent L.E. contracts, most centered around the growing Storm family of weapons. The company’s L.E. efforts also extend to Benelli tactical shotguns and Sako and Tikka sniper rifles.

The Storm Px4 full-size pistol and its subcompact variant offer changeable grip inserts to fit different hand sizes, as well as different frames and barrel lengths for all uniformed and plainclothes duties. Teamed with Cx4 carbines and Rx4 rifles, they have been adopted by a number of L.E. agencies.

Matteo Recanatini, marketing manager for the L.E./DOD Division, pointed out the goal of Beretta’s Total Solution approach, which brings together a broad array of firearms, less-lethal systems, training programs, armorer courses and “more to meet all L.E. agencies’ needs.” He also reaffirmed Beretta’s sponsorship of Project Allegiance, which provides at no cost a $10,000 line-of-duty death benefit for peace officers who purchase or are issued a Px4 Storm pistol.

“We are absolutely committed to our L.E. dealers and customers,” Recanatini said. “And, we’re actively seeking new dealers across the country.”

Visit www.berettausa.com.

At the Mossberg booth, Paul Hahn, owner of Shooting Specialties LLC in Kalispell, Mont., praised the company’s tactical shotguns for their versatility.

“And it seems that regardless of which versions I order and receive, I can’t keep them on the racks in my shop. They sell out that fast,” Hahn said.

Hahn, a retired police officer, has a significant customer base of cops, concealed-carry and self-defense citizens, and he reports that Mossberg’s tactical shotguns, virtually all in 12-gauge, are a staple of his business.

“They are an excellent buy for the money,” Hahn said. “And Mossberg is always coming up with new accessories and options,” like breacher muzzles, which also make formidable impact weapons, and rails for mounting optics, lights and lasers.

“If you’re not carrying them, you’re missing out, and if you haven’t looked at what Mossberg offers in a while, you owe it to yourself to check them out,” Hahn advised.

Visit www.mossberg.com and click
“Special Purpose.”


Sig Sauer’s booth was thick with dealers eager to handle the new SIG .556 SWAT rifle. Feature heavy, the rifle has a 16" military-grade, cold hammer-forged barrel, quad rail, flip-up combat front and rear sight system and a MAGPUL CTR Carbine Buttstock.

The new Sig Sauer P250 also received a lot of fingerprint time. The modular pistol’s design permits changing caliber (9mm, .357 SIG, .40 S&W and .45 ACP) and size (subcompact, compact and full).

Visit www.sigsauer.com.

Smith & Wesson has captured numerous L.E. contracts during the past year, a number of them for the M&P45.

“The M&P line of polymer pistols has been widely accepted in numerous police agencies across the globe. To date, 276 domestic law enforcement agencies have purchased, approved for purchase or approved for on-duty carry our M&P polymer pistols,” said Leland Nichols, Smith & Wesson president.

At the SHOT Show, Smith debuted a midsize version of the M&P .45. It has a 4" barrel and is available with or without a frame-mounted ambidextrous thumb safety.

Visit www.smith-wesson.com.

Remington Law Enforcement continues to improve the 870P Police shotgun line. The new 870P MAX tactical shotgun has a Parkerized 18" barrel, Davis Speedfeed IV-s 13" LOP full pistol grip buttstock, Wilson Combat/Scattergun Ghost Ring sight system and SureFire Tactical forend flashlight.

Shortly after the SHOT Show, Remington announced a $1.7 million contract from the U.S. Army for 1,400 of the company’s Model 870 Modular Combat Shotgun systems.

Visit www.remingtonmilitary.com and www.remingtonle.com.

FNH USA drew crowds with an array of new and enhanced firearms, including the P90 Laser Visible (LV) models, which feature a front-mounted laser. For law enforcement and military customers only, the tactical carbines come in two models: the P90 Laser Visible and the P90 TR Laser Visible, which has three M1913 mounting rails.

FNH USA also promoted its 2008 Stocking Dealer Program. Qualifying dealers who purchase a package consisting of six guns will earn a free FN Five-eveN handgun. Dealers who purchase two or more packages will earn a free FN TPS (Tactical Police Shotgun).

Visit www.fnhusa.com.

Colt’s family of ARs receive attention.  
       
Retired police officer and dealer Paul Hahn (left) says Mossberg’s tactical shotguns are hard to keep in stock. Mark Kresser (right), Mossberg’s V.P. of sales and marketing, leads Hahn through a long series of different tactical configurations.  
       
Dealer and tactical instructor Ed Santos, left, takes position with First-Light’s president, Clyde Caceres.  
       

HAIX owner and CEO Ewald Haimerl, left, explains the construction of the company’s boots, designed for L.E., military and firefighters.
 
Gear & More
Matteo Recanatini, Beretta’s marketing manager for L.E. and Defense, is all smiles about the sales of the Storm family of weapons. He’s holding the new Px4 Storm subcompact.
Dealer Pat McGuire (left), of ProDefense, says PentagonLight products “fly off the shelves.” Pentagon’s Bruce Walker, director of business development, is happy to hear that.
 
TDI designs and manufactures advanced weapons systems for the global military and L.E. market, and their latest model is the KRISS Super V Vector submachine gun. The lightweight compact .45 ACP subgun’s patented action vectors recoil energy down and away from the shooter, virtually eliminating kickback and muzzle rise even in full-auto fire. Qualified L.E. dealers should contact TDI via www.kriss-tdi.com. A civilian-legal semiauto variant, the CRB/SO, is available exclusively through AcuSport.

Vahan Kelerchian, owner of AutoWeapons in Warminster, Pa., provides automatic and suppressed firearms to military and L.E. customers, and he strongly recommends products from AWC Systems Technology.

“I’ve been selling and using AWC suppressors and weapon systems since 1999 and I couldn’t be more pleased,” Kelerchian said. “My customers, governmental and private, are very demanding, and with AWC suppressors, the customer satisfaction rate has been 100 percent. Quality, effectiveness and precision fit are excellent. And rugged? An AWC suppressor is a lifetime unit.”

Kelerchian praised AWC’s rifle and subgun suppressors, which are used by all the military’s special warfare units.

“Their Amphibia, an integrally suppressed Ruger Mark III .22 pistol specially prepared for marine and marshland environments, is a best seller; nothing compares,” Kelerchian said.

Visit www.awcsystech.com.

For dealers looking for high-quality specialized ammo, Danny Garcia, manager of The Sharpshooter in Corpus Christi, Texas, told SI he recommends Extreme Shock Ammunition. Developed specifically for counter-terrorist operations, the ammo has proven to be a strong seller with his home-defense and concealed-carry customers.
“We do a lot of L.E. business and sales of Extreme Shock, especially their Air Freedom handgun rounds, have been great and growing steadily,” Garcia said.
Air Freedom’s slugs are made of compressed tungsten-Nytrilium composite, designed for maximum impact and wound channels, while minimizing over-penetration and ricochet.

“Relatively expensive, specialized rounds like these won’t sell themselves,” Garcia advised. “But all you have to do is explain their performance characteristics — including their safety factors — to concerned customers, and they sell very well.”

Visit www.extremeshockusa.com.

Lightfield Ammunition displayed seven less-lethal 12-gauge loads for use by police and correctional officers. Extended- and mid-range rubber solid slugs and buckshot are offered, as well as the new Super Star and StarLite impact projectiles, which can be used as close as 1 yard.

Visit www.lightfieldlesslethal.com.

Aimpoint’s National Sales Manager Mark Cockman demonstrated the new Concealed Engagement Unit (CEU), an optical device, which allows operators to shoot around corners and over barriers with minimal exposure. The CEU mounts behind the main optic and is compatible with all Aimpoint tactical red dot sights. Capable of pivoting 260 degrees, the CEU delivers an optical image rather than a digital display, at less than the cost of electronic video units.

Visit www.aimpoint.com.

BAE Systems, the global aerospace, military, law enforcement and security company, has grown greatly during the past decade. Its North American L.E. and tactical divisions alone have 11 major corporations.

“The amazing thing is that each one of their enterprises stays right on the cutting edge of technology and innovative design,” said Sean Conville, V.P. of Atlantic Tactical, which offers thousands of products from over 400 manufacturers.

“It would be almost impossible to pick the fastest moving, best-selling items from so many companies, so let’s just look at one: Safariland,” Conville said. “Their ALS holsters are a great illustration of materials science (referring to their “Safari-Laminate” thermal-molded construction), ergonomics and engineering — specifically, the Automatic Locking System. Making a holster that fast and intuitive, yet that secure is a real feat.”

Conville also rates high the Safariland RLS (Rapid Light System).

“Just one light that clips to your belt or pants, attaches and releases from your weapon in a flash, and it’s a first-rate hand-held flashlight, too. No special holster or holder is needed, and it gives 50 hours runtime on three AAA batteries,” Conville said.

Visit www.baesystems.com. Click “Businesses,” then “BAE Systems Product Group,” then “Divisions.”

At the Maxpedition Hard-Use Gear booth, Ed Head, Gunsite director of operations, pointed out the toughness of the company’s products.

“Maxpedition’s packs, bags and concealed-carry gearslingers are first-quality and really innovative designs. Whether it’s on the range or deployed on operations, we know our users can rely on Maxpedition products,” Head said.
The Gunsite pro shop carries Maxpedition Gear.

“When we think highly enough of a product to put our black raven logo on it, you can bet it has earned it,” Head said.

Visit www.maxpedition.com.

In the heart of the L.E. & Tactical Gear section, Mesa Tactical attracted attention with their “professional grade” tactical shotgun accessories. One buyer was Steve Barlow, a master gunsmith and owner of Barlow’s Custom Guns in West Valley, Utah.

“They’ve got a new, really impressive hydraulic recoil buffer (Enidine Shot Stock Hydraulic Buffer) that fits right into Mesa’s telescoping stock systems,” Barlow said, who specializes in building entry shotguns for L.E. agencies.

Mesa Tactical’s tactical shotgun stock adaptors accommodate a variety of alternative buttstocks, including mil-spec collapsibles and products by LMT, Magpul, Vltor and others.

Visit www.mesatactical.com.

At the Troy Industries booth, the company displayed its M14 Modular Chassis System (MCS), which vaults the 50-year-old M14 rifle into the new millennium. The M14 MCS permits mounting optics, IR illuminators and lasers, and collapsible buttstocks.

Troy’s quad-railed billet T6 aluminum chassis duplicates the ergonomics of the M16/M4 weapons family, while retaining consistency with original operating and fieldstripping procedures. The Army, Marine Corps and growing numbers of L.E. agencies have adopted the MCS. L.E. dealers are learning it has a place in their shops, also.

Visit www.troyind.com.

What Troy Industries has done for the M14, Sage International has accomplished for tactical users of Ruger’s Mini-14 and the M1 Garand. Precision machined multi-featured chassis systems are virtual drop-ins, requiring no permanent modifications or bedding to achieve greater accuracy and reduced felt recoil.

Visit www.sageinternationalltd.com.

At the Hoffners Holsters & Training booth, Jim Pruett, owner of Jim Pruett’s Guns & Ammo in Houston, Texas, singled out the Ultrux MinimalES Paddle holster as a best seller.

“We conduct concealed-carry training regularly in our 9,000-square-foot classroom and on the range, and we expose 60 students at a time to many choices in handguns and holsters. That experience has made Hoffners’ our number-one selling line for seven years,” Pruett said. “As for Hoffners’ Tactical Rifle, I have customers lined up to buy it sight unseen, based on its specifications and Hoffners’ reputation.”

“With those features at that price, it’s a lot of gun for the money,” Pruett said.

Visit www.hoffners.com.
 
Dave Merkay (left), of AcuSport, and Andrew Finn, of TDI-Kriss, are pleased with
dealers’ reaction to the innovative new Kriss Vector .45 ACP subgun.
Outfitting The Operator

At the Revision Military Eyewear booth, the makers of protective goggles and multi-lens systems for the armed forces and L.E. tactical units introduced the Hellfly. The new line of stylish, almost weightless wraparound ballistic sunglasses is designed for police officers and sportsmen. The Hellfly is offered in six lens variants and six frame colors, all meeting military requirements for impact resistance, optical clarity and UVA-B-C protection.

Visit www.revisionready.com.

BLACKHAWK! has expanded their Warrior Wear garment line with ITS — Integrated Tourniquet System — pants and shirts. Conceived by a military medical trauma physician, ITS garments may be able to prevent 10 percent of combat deaths, which are due to uncontrolled extremity bleeding. Currently 50 to 70 percent of all combat injuries are extremity wounds. Security contractors were taking a hard look at them.

Visit www.blackhawk.com.

A few years ago Atlanco Tru-Spec, a longtime supplier of uniforms to the military, made big news and bigger sales with the introduction of their TRUs — Tactical Response Uniforms. Now, Tru-Spec offers 24-7 pants, designed to cross the line between duty and casual wear. Styled to provide reinforced wear points and ample gear-carrying capacity without looking like a combat uniform, Atlanco expects 24-7s to be popular for everything from surveillance details and desk duties to social activities.

Visit www.truspec.com.

Bullet50 clothing, designed by police officers for TAG Tactical Assault Gear, fills a need for dedicated concealed-carry garments for plainclothes, undercover and off-duty wear, according to Colin Burgos, president of Combat Ready USA in San Clemente, Calif.

“In my retail store it’s (Ambush Jacket) a fast mover already. It has incredible features, the quality is excellent, and my customers appreciate the fact that all Bullet50 clothing is 100 percent made in the USA,” Burgos said.

Most of Burgos’ business is “theater-specific combat equipment,” but he says Bullet50 garments appeal to a wide range of users including concealed-carry citizens, contractors and private security personnel.

Visit www.tacticalassaultgear.com.

Haix, a high-end German footwear firm renowned in Europe for military, firefighting and L.E. specialty boots, has been rapidly expanding its North American presence.
Haix designed the boots worn by Germany’s famous GSG-9 counterterrorist unit, and various models contain features like Kevlar cut and puncture protection, Gore-Tex linings, a proprietary air circulating system and anti-static properties.

Visit www.haix.com.
 
Maxpedition CEO Tim Tang (left) meets with Ed Head, director of operations at
Gunsite training facility. Head rates Maxpedition as “innovative and first-quality.”
 
Bright Lights

SureFire always has a batch of new tactical flashlights for SHOT, and this year was no exception. The one getting the most attention when SI stopped by the SureFire booth was the G3 Nightrolon LED. The three-battery powerhouse has a tough polymer case and nine-hour runtime, with three spare CR123 batteries stored in a duty belt carrier.

Visit www.surefire.com.

At the Streamlight booth, dealers were handling new power-LED versions of eight key products featuring C4 technology (Controlled Collapse Chip Connection). The C4 provides brightness rivaling incandescents, with much longer runtimes. A new Super-Tac two-cell C4 LED tactical light delivers 135 lumens for 3.5 hours, and is compatible with Streamlight’s accessory rail mounts and remote switches for use as a weaponlight.

Visit www.streamlight.com.

SI staffers found a “treasure in the tents” at the Pila Torch booth, located in the Gold Hall across from the convention center. The company’s lineup of tactical lights feature LEDs at one end and powerful incandescents at the other. A unique accessory, the Codex module can be threaded into the body of most Pila models, which allows the user to preprogram their menu of brightness levels and strobe and signal functions, including SOS. Superior Cree components and lithium ion recharging units distinguish this emerging line.

Visit www.pilatorch.com.

At the First-Light booth, Ed Santos, author of “Rule the Night, Win the Fight,” heavily endorsed the Liberator, a hands-free, hand-held tactical light.

“It’s a fantastic light and a great seller, too,” said Santos, the owner of Center Target Sports, a premier gun shop, tactical training and range facility in Post Falls, Idaho. “Just acquaint the customer with its use and you’ve got a sale.”

How can a light be “hands-free” and “hand-held”? Visit www.first-light-usa.com.

Pat McGuire is the L.E. buyer and consultant for ProDefense L.E. and Personal Security Products in Webster, Texas. SI found him settling in for an ordering session at PentagonLight’s booth.

“PentagonLights have just flown off the shelves,” McGuire said. “Compared to their competition, the durability, ergonomics and power for their size can’t be beaten. Our customers love them and repeat sales are outstanding. Officers usually buy a handheld like the eX2 Xenon or the L2 LED, then come back to buy a weapon-mount unit like the MD2 Xenon LaserLight or the MD3 model. I expect the K2 Porcupine light, with its retractable crenellated bezel, will be a winner, too.”

Visit www.pentagonlight.com.

McGuire is also impressed with Zero Tolerance Knives, which he says have created “a real surprise” in sales.

“They are expensive — MSRPs run from $150 to $295 — but our buyers, mostly police officers, think they’re worth every penny and sales are growing. And they are truly zero-tolerance knives. People whose lives may depend on a knife for a backup can appreciate that kind of quality,” McGuire said.

Visit www.ztknives.com.

SHOT Show 2009

Next year’s SHOT Show will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 15-18. For hotel reservations and other information on the show, visit www.shotshow.org.
 

This Feature Article is sponsored by:

Shooters Ridge
http://www.shootersridge.com/
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FEATURES
Shooting Industry is a publication of FMG Publications and a registered Trademark of Publishers Development Corporation.
© 2007 Copyright by Publishers Development Corporation. All rights reserved.