Opinion: Shot Show 2011

[dreever]

Well, I've looked at all the shot show reports from as many websites as I could find, including youtube and I've come to the conclusion that it's pretty much turned into the Tactical/Military show. Most all the rifles are of the Tactical Space Gun type, and it seems the move in optics is to the FFP, ranging reticle type of optics. It's nice to see that Nightforce is finally going to put the high speed adjustments on the 8-32 and 12-42 NXS scopes, but disappointing to see that the zero stop will only be offered on the 8-32. Also are we going to have to wait till they sell all of the non high speed scopes out there untill we can get one of the new ones? I e-mailed Nightforce with this question but recieved no reply as yet. Another disappointment is that the BR models remain unchanged. Nightforce, we still want the NXS type knobs on the BR. Hello, anybody home?........ Guess not.
I like the Tactical stuff as much as the next guy, but would have liked to have seen more geared to the rest of the shooting sports.

Danny

 

[1000yardstare]

I stopped buying some of the monthly gun magazines because of their covers showing a repeated display of Buck Rogers black ray guns covered in Picatinny rails. Once a year is enough.

 

[shortgrass]

Face it guys! They gotta' keep all those 'snipers' supplied! I wouldn't expect any replies from suppliers until late next week, or the week after. They're all at the show and their 'in boxes' are getting fuller all the time.

 

[15Tango]

I hear you guys loud and clear. I can't stand the mall ninjas that can't build a rifle without octo-picatinny rail forearms and lasers all over it so they can pretend they're operators. I love ARs (hell, I've got 4 of them) for how easy they are to work on and how modular they are but I keep things realistic - all mine are setup for specific shooting disciplines, not black pajama 'tactical' BS. If they want to fantasize that much about military type setups they need to Ranger up and go enlist.

Everything's 'tactical' and everybody with a bolt action rifle thinks he's a sniper because he put a $200 Barska with mildots on it.

I think Lapua's the only company that actually pays attention to people like us.

Wayne

 

[jonbearman]

Tactical is just a sales pitch and in reality these people just want accurate rifles out of the box.The tactical industry has brought about many aesthetic changes drawing more people to shoot and play rambo.LOL However it has forced the gun makers to male real changes and multiple offerings they never would have allowed in the first place.It used to be the status qou,now the skys the limit.I am glad this has happened as now the new offered products are exciting and you dont always go to your local gunshop and see the same old stuff.Now you have a multitude of choices.It is a good thing and we need to quit complaining and astick together whatever discipline you shoot.Just my 2 cents.

 

[shot410]

Tactical? Pretty soon you'll be able to by a "Tactical" cheeseburger at McDonald's... The container will be black Styrofoam with finger slots.

 

[rwh38238]

Well I agree but it is sad to say that this is where the sport is headed. The tactical/field course type matches is what everyone is getting in to. Why? because most of these shoots are highly advertised and include some type of payback. At our local club for instance we have a 600 yard bencrest averaging around 10-12 shooters we have a tactical/f-class that averages 20-25 shooters each month. I attended the IBS 600 yard Nationals and Jerry put on one of the best matches in a while. There was not one vendor or represenative from any of the 3 major bullet/reloading suppliers that were less than 100 miles away. I love the long range benchrest and f-class game but in less we get more support and look in the direction of money/prize shoots its going to decline.

 

[15Tango]

Tactical" cheeseburger at McDonald's... The container will be black Styrofoam with finger slots.

Man, as funny as that is I can totally see somebody doing it. I wonder if the styrofoam would have a picatinny rail?

You can already buy tactical bacon.

I hear what you're saying, RWH. I've got nothing against the guys with what we would on this board consider to be a tactical bolt rifle - something with tolerances a bit looser and very reliable for the purpose of feeding and ejecting rounds from a magazine while engaging targets in a sniper type match. The people that fall for this tactical marketing aren't the ones participating in those matches however, they're the ones sitting at home watching future weapons with their $599 off the shelf M4 with $800 ACOG thinking they're an operator because they've read a few Tom Clancy books.

Wayne

 

[jonbearman]

Everyone has fantasys and so do the rest of us.Lets give it a rest and keep our eye on the ball.That ball is sales and new shooters coming into our great sport.We need to band together and all join the NRA and other affiliated organizations. Lets be positive. We cant afford to be snobbish so to speak.I went through this with the fight between the traditional archers and the high tech archers,it boils down to we are all archers and gun nuts in the end.Lets us sit back and enjoy.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

I was at the show and can vouch for the fact that there was a lot of CAMO in the joint. Along with the MILLIONS of people. Damn, glad I went, but for sure, once was enough. Being from Montana I normally don't see that many people in a year!!

 

[dreever]

jonbearman

If you sit back and don't voice your opinion then soon the shot show AND the offerings from manufacturers will be all geared toward the Quasi military offerings.
For example more and more optics manufacturers are jumping on the FFP (first focal plane) reticle bandwagon. SFP reticles are by far better for target shooting. Who wants to stare at logs for cross wires at 42 power? Not me, but that's the way it's going. Did you see the new Nightforce reticle offerings? All are ranging or CCB reticles. Evidently the only ones voicing thier opinions are the Tactical guys.
So no, I don't just want to sit back and enjoy.

Danny

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

If the quasi-military is the driving force in the industry, then the manufactureres will be building to meet that need and showing items at the SHOT SHOW to promote those items. It all boils dow to supply-and-demand. The all-mighty BUCK!!

 

[15Tango]

Everyone has fantasys and so do the rest of us.Lets give it a rest and keep our eye on the ball.That ball is sales and new shooters coming into our great sport.We need to band together and all join the NRA and other affiliated organizations. Lets be positive.

It's great they're selling stuff and perhaps the fantasy is attracting new people to the sport but if it's perpetuating a stigma and showing us in a bad light that also does damage to the cause. What do you think happens when somebody on the 2A fence sees some pseudo-soldier posting pictures on myspace of him in his garb with a bunch of silly operator gear? Does that paint the rest of us as well-meaning responsible adults or perhaps potential Jared Loughners? I'll skip the NRA, too.

I was at the show and can vouch for the fact that there was a lot of CAMO in the joint.

I take offense when I see these ninjas wearing camo. When a service member wears their uniform they're representing a lot and we know that and we have strict standards to uphold from the wear and appearance of that uniform to the way we conduct ourselves. We have that duty and honor and owe it to those who currently and have served and died wearing that uniform. The average citizen can't tell the difference between a real Soldier, Airman or Marine and somebody trying to play the role with knockoff ACUs; they're not good at spotting false valor, a thin line it's nearly crossing. When it comes down to wearing something that takes the form or appearance of the uniform, something these wannabes hasn't earned, I get angry because whether they know it or not, they're being disrespectful.

Wayne

 

[Taildrag15X]

15 Tango I think you nailed it in the head!

Back in the day when I was first mustered up for Uncle Sam's duty you could not wear your duty uniform (Fatiigues or Flight suits) off base, you had to be in Class 1's or Class A's, in my case we called them Blues as I was USAF. I remember seeing some guys stopped for gas or a burger that would get BUSTED with an Article 15 and a reduction in Rank (if they had any) or even a couple of weeks in the Steel Bar Hilton if they didn't get the picture the first time. Now how times has changed as you can't tell the Military from some High School kid, to me just not right.

I think Camo has it's place, on the Battle field where the Metal meets the meat and in hunting, but not at the Mall or McDonals.

It's ashame that Tactical is becoming so "cool" as I'm afraid it is the begining of another door for the anti-gunners to use against us.

Just my $.02,

 

[Rem06]

are they at least getting off the BDC crap.

forgive me for this, but some bad language so pass on it if you will be offended by it,here but somewhat of a modern day "newbie" but utube is playing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbnMws6973k&feature=related

 

[whiskey08]

Im glad to see this country leaning towards a "Warrior Nation". The opposite would be a 70's version, bunch of john lennon, jane fondas running around. Everybody wants to be special, so set back at enjoy the ride. If nothing else the gun market is employing lots of people and helping our economy.

I remember the days of no money for the military, sitting around painting rocks and buffing floors. Yelling at someone cuz they didnt have thier head gear on. I much prefer our current go to war mentality. I dont worry to much about your head gear as long as your weapon is clean, can shoot better than any soldier in the history of the US Military, know graduate level medicine and can talk across the ocean with 3 watts and a 1/2 wave antenna.

 

[15Tango]

Rem, hilarious. I love those xtranormal videos. There are some great ones. "I suppose getting some Air Jordan sneakers makes you a pro basketball player?" BDC, don't get me started.

If nothing else the gun market is employing lots of people and helping our economy.

That's a very good thing.

sitting around painting rocks and buffing floors. Yelling at someone cuz they didnt have thier head gear on

Sounds like AIT. Seriously, we buffed floors at least once a week and we had this big rock in front of the barracks they were always making us paint. Headgear, haha - couldn't go a day without yelling at somebody for that.

as long as your weapon is clean, can shoot better than any soldier in the history of the US Military,

I really wish they stressed weapons proficiency as hard as they stressed PT. I suppose PT is free to do though and they can't expect soldiers to go out and buy their own weapons and ammo and do it on their own though. Enemy shooting at you? No problem, I'll take out the threat with a display of my pushup abilities.

 

[Rustystud]

You guys have lost track of real world shooting.

Follow the Money.

Nat Lambeth

 

[15Tango]

You guys have lost track of real world shooting.

Follow the Money.

Follow the money is smart business no doubt.

I don't think real world shooting revolves around the zombie apocalypse, invading Russians, video game story lines or stocking up on ammo and MREs to fill up 'bug out bags' and tactical wheelbarrows for escaping to the mountains.

 

[jonbearman]

I cant believe how over opinionated we are getting.I cant believe that stopping at mcdonalds for a sandwich in camo after a hard morning of walking the woods has any impact whatsoever.Just go to any high fashion store and camo is in for the yuppies. We are supposed to be a free people and judging people for exercising the freedom of wearing fatigues or bdu's as you so aptly referred to them is disrepectful in anyway.I wear them when I hunt and drive home from a hunt,and if I have to go to the store to pick up some eggs in bdu's,so what.I happen to have total respect for the law and our service men and woman.I always greet them and shake their hands and thank them for there service. I think this thread is way off course,I am outta here.Thanks for the memories. I am an NRA Lifer and if you dont join that is your choice.If you think that joining puts you on a list,you are already on one.The NRA is the front line period.It is foolish and disrepectful to pass up joining all of us willing to spend money to save our rights.