2026 Shot Show, Las Vegas, NV, Last Day
The Show is officially over for yet another year!
Traffic was light today, because many attendees, and more than a few vendor staff-members, departed last night and early this morning in an effort to get home ahead of the storm that is affecting most of the Country right now.
In fact, Vicki and I will likely delay our departure (originally scheduled for tomorrow morning) for the same reason!
The frantic effort to dismantle everything is going-on right now and will continue throughout the evening and early morning.
Of interest today:
IWI’s 9mm Glock-like Masada fits right-into our criterion for a suitable serious carry-pistol. Retail is $550.00. The “slim-line” version is $850.00. Given the choice, I’d want the later. IWI enjoys a good reputation.
S&W’s Ethos revolver is a J-frame 38Spl (five shot). It features a bobbed hammer (instead of the shrouded hammer found on the 642), and a small grip that appeals to those with small hands. All steel, $1k/copy
I handled the novel Genesis shotgun for the first time today! It’s a recoil-operated (no gas-block), box-magazine fed (single-stack, five or ten rounds) 12ga shotgun that resembles (and has controls in all the same places) an M4. It is slick and smooth, American-made, and designed to be well-suited for serious purposes, but starting at $3k/copy, I probably won’t have one any time soon!
DSM, makers of brightly-colored banners emblazoned with “Police,” “Sheriff,” et al, also makes a version that says “Armed Citizen.” Banners are designed to be discreetly kept on the body, but are quickly deployable when necessary. Another version is designed to attach to rifle/shotgun slings. I have a copy on all my travel-rifles (all of which are equipped with Vickers slings from Blue Force Gear). Every LEO needs this product when not in uniform and needs to deploy it before inserting himself into dangerous situations.
Many knife-makers were represented, with whom some I’m familiar. I particularly like Brian Hoffner’s folders, as they can be discretely carried, yet instantly deployed, one-handed. My grand-children all have copies!
Two ammunition-makers I failed to mention yesterday are Black Hills and Supervel. Both were represented, and both make serious +p 9mm ammunition that is to my liking.
When you come to the SHOT Show, be prepared to walk and talk! All vendors are congenial and anxious to talk with you.
As in past years, I failed to get through all vendor areas, and I’m sure I did not see, nor take notice of, any number of good and serious products with which I should be familiar.
Yet, I love the opportunity to make (and/or re-establish) personal contact with important vendors, and re-connect with a host of old friends.
I wouldn’t miss it!
/John
