A rare occurrence at the outdoor industry’s biggest show is when a product turns the head of nearly everyone who passes by. At the Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade(SHOT) Show, the topics of conversation are often about a new rifle, handgun or optic. This year, it was about a dress made of spent shell casings.
The show is held each year in Las Vegas and is the eighth-largest trade show in the United States. This year, more than 2,600companies exhibited their products and services in more than 821,000 net square feet. It attracted attendees from 117 countries and all 50 states.
It’s not a consumer show for the general public, though. It’s a business show for the outdoor industry. Here are some highlights from this year’s 46th SHOT Show and some products that will be available soon.
Unique Cartridge Dress
SHOT Show never is without a handful of head-turning moments, and a dressmade of leather and spent shell casings topped the list. It is the work of Miona Badžević Anđelković. She is from Serbia, and is a competitive shooter, media personality, “Let Her” brand entrepreneur and artist. She partnered with Zastava Arms, presenting her eye-catching dress at the company’s show booth.
Christensen Arms
The new Evoke rifles are designed for beginner and veteran hunters, with features including a 416R stainless steel contour precision barrel with Cerakote finish,60-degree bolt throw on a three-lug bolt, and Christensen Arms’ proprietary precision action. They are suppressor-ready and include a premium RFR muzzle brake, detachable box magazine, integrated Picatinny rail, cheek riser adjustability and integrated ARCA rail on select models. They’remade in the United States with an MSRP of$898.99.
Sitka Equinox Guard
Everyone hates ticks, which can transmit diseases and create terrible health problems. Sitka’s new Equinox Guard line of clothing uses a fine-gauge material that prevents ticks and biting insects, such as mosquitoes, gnats and black flies, from penetrating. They combine this thin, tough and breathable material with Insect Shield, an infused permethrin treatment that lasts up to 75 washings. Wearing these in Florida in 2023 chasing Osceola gobblers, mosquitoes and ticks crawled around my arms and legs but never penetrated.
Heckler & Koch
New products are in the works from Heckler & Koch for 2024, kicked off with Magapalooza special for those purchasing new VP, P2000 or full-size P30 models. Through March 31, anyone who purchased one of these and completes the rebate redemption by April 30 will receive $200for use in the H&K web shop for magazines or other items.
ATN Thermal Optics
Hunters who love getting out at night should take a look at the new ATN Gen 5Thor 5 XD, X-Sight 5 and Thor 5 thermal optic scopes. These optics (depending on model) include a host of features such as high definition sensors, built-in rangefinder, ballistic calculator, high-def videorecording, dual-stream video, recoil-activated video, night vision and more.
Ruger 75th Celebration
Sturm, Ruger & Co. celebrates its 75thanniversary this year. Along with various promotions, Ruger has a variety of new products including its LC Carbine in.45 Auto, Mini-14 with side-folding stock, Sixth Edition Ruger Collector’s Series 10/22(its 60th anniversary model), the solid and all-around Ruger American Gen 2 rifle, and Marlin Dark Series Model 1985 lever-action. The latter is a souped-up lever rifle with adjustable stock, M-LOK accessories capabilities, optics rail and more.
Smith & Wesson 1854 Series
Smith & Wesson honors its 170-year-oldVolcanic lever rifle, its first of that style, with the new 1854 Series lever-action rifle. The new model has a modern take, replete with M-LOK accessory mount, removable magazine tube so you don’t have to continuously work the action to empty it, and other nice features.
Walkers Recon
Hearing protection at the range, while hunting or during field work is simply smart. Walkers’ new Recon muffs include Bluetooth5.0 connectivity and sound-activated compression. The latter instantly blocks harmful decibel levels, such as from a firearm, while boosting low-level sounds like those from an instructor on the range, turkeys chattering away or a deer walking through the woods.
Umarex AirJavelin FishR
Unusual? Yes, but definitely interesting. That’s the take on the new Umarex AirJavelin FishR for bowfishing. It’s built on the AirJavelin Pro frame but has saltwater-grade fittings and a reel seat, both designed for the rigors of bowfishing. The FishR’s 9.5 cubic inch tank fills to 4,500 psi and is good for up to 65 full-power shots. An 800 psi regulator helps ensure 100 fps shots with each trigger press. You’ll also get a rugged, 1,248-grainfiberglass arrow tipped with an Innerloc Pro-Point fishing broadhead. The reel seat accepts traditional reels and dedicated bowfishing bottle-style reels.
