2015 SHOT Show afterthoughts

1. The return to normal and companies adjust to it.

At 2014 SHOT Show, many companies had plenty of interesting designs to present. But this year many opted to show redressed variants of pre-existing models. Innovation in firearm industry is not going to be spectacular every single year and this year can best be described as the year companies adjust back to the normal.

We've been spoiled by last 10 years where an innovation was followed by another, year after year. With market settling down due to over supply and decrease in demand, companies are focusing on solidifying their positions rather than invest in new product development.

It's unclear how long this trend will last and how it will play out. There were some companied that brought out some interesting products, but overall it seemed like companies were playing safe.


2. AKs are coming, AKs are coming

One of the most noticable trend was resurgence of AK. Starting with Magpul's AK furnitures, there were several companies offering AK variants or platforms that accept AK magazine.

Several reasons that would have pushed manufacturers in this direction are,
1) Saturation of AR market - AR market benefited the most from innovation in last 10 years. Accessories, quality, innovation, and market demands were all focused on AR platform. Now that the market is saturated, manufacturers seem to look for under developed market, the AK market

2) Increase in demand for AK - With two Great Runs and last year's sanction on Russia, which affected Kalashnikov Concern, AKs were the hot topic and it translated to more sales. Price has been decreasing for sometime and people who waited for the right time to buy are trickling in.

According to several reports, Kalashnikov is looking to build AK in US, thus bypassing the sanction. Radom is on the record saying they will import Polish AKs, with 922(r) compliance. The market seems to be ready to see improvements in AK platform

3. Rifle caliber pistols are everywhere

This trend has been going on for some time, but it is in full swing. Just about any AR manufacturer known has some sort of pistol version available. CZ USA is importing CZ Scorpion EVO. IWI is bringing Galil pistols. The popularity of such guns has been gaining traction and it seems to be pass the critical point for acceptance.

There has been more supporting parts, and it is easier for foreign manufacturers to import. It would be interesting how things go from here. Recent ATF's letter on Sig Brace might have put some damper on the market but it doesn't seem to be a critical punch.

4. 1911s are everywhere too

Almost any company that makes pistol seems to be adding 1911s. This year CZ USA jumped in to the market with their own brand, not via Dan Wesson. Lesser known are Taurus and Caracal. 1911s are labor-intensive product, but no company seems to resist the freely available blue print and almost non-existent development cost.

Zenith Firearms/MKE

ZQI/MKE from Turkey is importing their HK rifle clones. There are various clones, from 9mm versions to 5.56, 7.62 versions.

Expected prices are(subject to change, these are estimates)
MP5 clone (Z41): $1599
MP5K clone(Z5k pistol) $1849
Z5RS: $1899
Z5P: $1899

Z41(7.62) rifle: $1649
Z43 pistol(5.56 pistol): $1699
Z43 rifle(5.56): $1599

Overall the worksmanship is ok and it will be interesting how these hold up. Turkey has been making clones of HK rifles for sometime so they have the technical skills.

Trijicon

Trijicon had RMRs for the new Glock MOS lines and Nighthawk 1911

Taurus

Curve has been a bit of a laughing stock since the news came out so it had to be mentioned. Here you can see the left side of the gun. Very simple and magazine is not drop-free, and there are no magazine releases. You have to grab both sides of the magazine at the bottom and pull it out.

Right hand side has clip for holstering. You can see the light button near the front.

The Curve definitely lives up to its name with this vewi from back. The grip really doesn't feel that bad in either hand. However there is no telling how this will feel like when you actually shoot the gun

SureFire

P2X Fury with Intellibeam is the new product that adjusts its brightness depending on the distance. There is a small tube-like sensor in the lens. This is a rather intelligent dsign to counter problems with high lumens causing flooding in close quarters environment.

Titan Plus is a small light you can put on your key ring. And it emits whopping 300 lumens. Its brother Titan emits 125 lumens and only runs 30 minutes on high, but can be a great alternative too. Price is at $59.95.

XC1 is the newest weapon mounted light from Surefire and is competing with some other products aleady on the market aimed at reducing weight and volume. It is way lighter than X200, 300 or 400, and seems like a great addition to pistols. It uses push buttons like X-series, but to have it on constant on, you have to push the toggle switch on side.

Smith & Wesson

S&W decided to add some flavors to its M&P line and FDE colors are available. But what is even more interesting(or WTF-reaction inducing) one is carbon fiber finish. It looks really tacky, but the grip actually feels a bit more grippier than the standard polymer frame. There no excuses for the ugliness, but it is better than factory polymer frame and doesn't get too grippy.

There is also M&P .22 Compact

and ported M&P 9L

SilencerCo

Silencer Co had a nice enclosed booth and if you look at the picture there is an interesting gun. The second from left is Crye Precision's gun from last year except that it is shortened and according to some other reports, it is a proof-of-concept for integrating Salvo 12 to a short barreled shotgun. The gun itself is just a plastic print out but who know what the future will hold.