Categories
Second Amendment Issues

Reed Boycott Grows

The boycott of the Reed Exhibitions Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show has grown to more than 200 exhibitors according to MyNortheastOutdoors.com. This would amount to more than 17% of the total exhibitors having backed out of their commitment to display based on the ban on the display and sale certain type of legal firearms imposed by Reed Exhibitions.

Earlier this month, Reed Exhibitions announced they would not allow the display or sale of “…certain products that in the current climate may attract negative attention that would distract from the strong focus on hunting and fishing at this family-oriented event and possibly disrupt the broader positive experience of our guests.”  According to the NSSF and NRA, Reed Exhibitions was specifically banning Modern Sporting Rifles from the event.

Categories
Shotguns

Updated Mossberg SA-20 Autoloader Shotgun

Mossberg SA-20

The newly updated Mossberg SA-20 Field/Tactical autoloader is a 20 gauge shotgun with a 20″ barrel, synthetic stock and a variety of features that might make it a good home defense gun for you.  With the updated version shown at the 2013 SHOT Show, I immediately saw the gun’s home defense potential for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is reduced recoil.

The semi-auto action tends to absorb some of the recoil in the mechanical process of moving the bolt, extracting a spent shell and chambering a new one.  Combine that with the lower recoil of a 20 gauge compared to a 12 gauge, and one can see how this gun will likely be more tolerable to someone who is more recoil sensitive.  I’ve never had a problem training people of all sizes to shoot a 12 gauge, but a semi-auto 20 is simply easier for some people to control.

Categories
news

Crimson Trace CMR 203(G): Inexpensive Green Laser

Review of the Crimson Trace CM203 green laser

While at Media Day I stopped in and checked out the new offerings from Crimson Trace.  The CMR 203 (G – for green) immediately caught my eye for its ambidextrous controls, and ease of mount to a pistol or rifle rail.

UNIVERSAL MOUNT

Crimson Trace advises this laser system is designed to be universal to any M1913 Picatinny or Weaver Accessory rails, with (4) fit inserts included.  This laser can be mounted to pistols, rifles, or shotguns.  The CMR 203(G) easily mounts to the rail system and is secured by two retention screws.

Categories
Rifles

Stag 8T Tactical Piston Carbine

Stag 8T

Nothing earth-shattering from Stag at this year’s SHOT Show, but they did have the new Stag Model 8T – Tactical Piston Carbine.  Alright, before you get too excited, this is a Model 8 with the addition of the modular free-floating VRS-T hand guard.  Yep, that’s it!

Before I get too negative with Stag I have to admit that this is a pretty nice hand guard.  The VRS-T takes on a triangular shape with the base wider than the top.  This handguard is made by Diamondhead.  It mimics the original AR-15/M-16 hand guard in a way, but the VRS-T goes way beyond that.  The VRS-T is a modular hand guard that allows you to deck out your AR-15 to your wildest dreams.  Just add some rail sections to the pre-drilled holes and you’re ready to go tacti-cool!  Stag even offers VRS-T rail sections (3” for $15, and 6” for $22).

Categories
Optics and Sighting Systems

EOTech 300 BLACKOUT Whisper Review

Ed. Note: In 2013, EOTech introduced a number of new products including the new EOtech 300 Blackout optic. Aaron had a chance to shoot with one and spend time with the company engineers out in Las Vegas. This is his preliminary review of the 300 BLK optic.

Being a user of this company’s products, I was interested to see the new EOTech Model 300 Blackout Whisper at the 2013 SHOT Show.

EOTech XPS2-300 Optic Review