I thought it was easier to start a thread for the SHOT show instead of co-opting other threads.
I went to the show both days so far, and may go again tomorrow morning before I fly out for Houston. The place is crazy with booths to see, new products to drool over and people to talk to. If you come make up your mind who and what you want to see (if that is possible), as there is simply too much going on to wander around aimlessly and hope to see it all. I spent most of today in the Law Enforcment section, looking at tactical equipment and clothing (I'm talking everything from armored cars to mesh underware).
I stopped by the Badger Ord. Booth (in the heart of L.E. land) to chat with George Gardner of GA Precision. He wasn't in, but he has a SWEET looking Graphite McMillan HTG with a Graphite wrapped #7 or #8 taper .308 bull barrel - total weight less than 6.5 pounds. I would love that low weight for purposes of humping it in the bush, but she'll likely kick the crap out of you at that low weight.
I talked with people from Mike Rock, Kreiger , and Broughton barrels about becoming an exclusive supplier for the SC rifles (I had Mel's approval to make inquiries on his behalf). Plenty of information and insight was passed my way - (Mel I need to give you some of this over the phone it will be MUCH faster that way. PM me your phone number and I can scoop you)
I saw the newest equipment from HS precision, McMillan, DPMS Panther, Rock River, Colt, S&W, SIG, H&K, Beretta, Sako (sharing space inside the Beretta booth), Barrett, Dakota Arms (sharing space with their recent acquisition Neseka), and more names than I can remember at this moment. Plenty of clothing manufacturers, like Columbia. Rifle and spotter scope hard case manufacturers, like Starlight, Storm & Pelican (both owned by Hardig); and bullet manufacturers like Hornady, Sierra, Ranier (SP?), and tons that I had not heard of before seeing their signs.
Let me just say it this way, its your dream list of every company that you can think of. But this show is NOT for selling stuff to consumers - its not your local gun show. This is a trade show for dealer reps and retail reps to get together and make deals. There were a few people selling over the counter (Barsto pistol barrels for one), but generally not. Tickets are not too expensive (I think the exhibitors badge that I had cost something like $20.00 and is good for the entire trade show.
I had a great time talking to people like Tim North (owner of broughton barrels) about precision reloading and shooting. Tim recently won a 1,000 yard benchrest comp shooting one of his own barrels using a 6.5x284. Tim and I talked at length (about 45 minutes) about tactical versus F-Class and Benchrest barrel tapers, the accuracy differences between 416 stainless and chromoly barrels; Cut versus button rifling of precision barrels; stress relieving of barrels versus cryogeneic freezing; 3 versus 5 lands in 30 cal. and 6.5mm for long range use. I'm a true knowledge hound and info geek, but guys like Tim have forgotten more about making and shooting rifle barrels than I've ever heard at this point.
There are lots of people here that do NOT get a booth, they simply roam around meeting and talking to people - for example - Jered Joplin of Patriot Arms; Tim North from Broughton Barrels, the guys from Mike Rock Barrels. That being said, Mel you may want think about awhether a booth is your best use of $$$.
I was standing there shooting the bull with Jered, and he asked if I wanted tom meet Tim from Boughton - bingo one cell call later and there I was gabbing with Tim for 45 minutes.
JeffVN
Way too much to put into one post. If you have question, please ask and I'll do my best to answer them directly.
I went to the show both days so far, and may go again tomorrow morning before I fly out for Houston. The place is crazy with booths to see, new products to drool over and people to talk to. If you come make up your mind who and what you want to see (if that is possible), as there is simply too much going on to wander around aimlessly and hope to see it all. I spent most of today in the Law Enforcment section, looking at tactical equipment and clothing (I'm talking everything from armored cars to mesh underware).
I stopped by the Badger Ord. Booth (in the heart of L.E. land) to chat with George Gardner of GA Precision. He wasn't in, but he has a SWEET looking Graphite McMillan HTG with a Graphite wrapped #7 or #8 taper .308 bull barrel - total weight less than 6.5 pounds. I would love that low weight for purposes of humping it in the bush, but she'll likely kick the crap out of you at that low weight.
I talked with people from Mike Rock, Kreiger , and Broughton barrels about becoming an exclusive supplier for the SC rifles (I had Mel's approval to make inquiries on his behalf). Plenty of information and insight was passed my way - (Mel I need to give you some of this over the phone it will be MUCH faster that way. PM me your phone number and I can scoop you)
I saw the newest equipment from HS precision, McMillan, DPMS Panther, Rock River, Colt, S&W, SIG, H&K, Beretta, Sako (sharing space inside the Beretta booth), Barrett, Dakota Arms (sharing space with their recent acquisition Neseka), and more names than I can remember at this moment. Plenty of clothing manufacturers, like Columbia. Rifle and spotter scope hard case manufacturers, like Starlight, Storm & Pelican (both owned by Hardig); and bullet manufacturers like Hornady, Sierra, Ranier (SP?), and tons that I had not heard of before seeing their signs.
Let me just say it this way, its your dream list of every company that you can think of. But this show is NOT for selling stuff to consumers - its not your local gun show. This is a trade show for dealer reps and retail reps to get together and make deals. There were a few people selling over the counter (Barsto pistol barrels for one), but generally not. Tickets are not too expensive (I think the exhibitors badge that I had cost something like $20.00 and is good for the entire trade show.
I had a great time talking to people like Tim North (owner of broughton barrels) about precision reloading and shooting. Tim recently won a 1,000 yard benchrest comp shooting one of his own barrels using a 6.5x284. Tim and I talked at length (about 45 minutes) about tactical versus F-Class and Benchrest barrel tapers, the accuracy differences between 416 stainless and chromoly barrels; Cut versus button rifling of precision barrels; stress relieving of barrels versus cryogeneic freezing; 3 versus 5 lands in 30 cal. and 6.5mm for long range use. I'm a true knowledge hound and info geek, but guys like Tim have forgotten more about making and shooting rifle barrels than I've ever heard at this point.
There are lots of people here that do NOT get a booth, they simply roam around meeting and talking to people - for example - Jered Joplin of Patriot Arms; Tim North from Broughton Barrels, the guys from Mike Rock Barrels. That being said, Mel you may want think about awhether a booth is your best use of $$$.
I was standing there shooting the bull with Jered, and he asked if I wanted tom meet Tim from Boughton - bingo one cell call later and there I was gabbing with Tim for 45 minutes.
JeffVN
Way too much to put into one post. If you have question, please ask and I'll do my best to answer them directly.
