Photos taken by Ken Lunde (lunde@adobe.com) using a Nikon D200 digital SLR with Nikkor 17-55mm DX Zoom lens.
The 2007 SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade Show) was held in Orlando, Florida, from January 11th through the 14th.
UPDATE: Ken Lunde's 2008 SHOT Show Photos & Report
Click on a photo to view a higher-resolution version.
Last updated on December 31st, 2007.
I arrived in Orlando in the evening of the 11th, meaning that I necessarily missed the first day of the show. My father also attended. Our first SHOT Show was in 2004, and I have made it a yearly tradition, for both of us, ever since. The first batch of photos below were taken on the second day of the show, specifically on January 12th.
Although HK did not have the new P30 available for fondling, due to circumstances beyond their control, the HK45, in both fullsize and compact forms, was shown. Below are the fullsize photos:
The texturing on the HK45 grip felt very, very good. It was a lot like grip tape that some people use. They had two HK45s on display. One had an older texturing, which didn't feel nearly as good as what you see photographed above.
And, here is the Compact, with OD frame and threaded barrel (note that it uses HK USP45 Compact magazines, meaning eight-round capacity):
Also note that its frame contour and texturing is similar to that of the P2000, not the HK45. Production versions will remain this way. Hopefully they'll be available in all-black.
Glock had their latest offering, the G21SF (Glock 21 Short-Frame), on display, which has a Picatinny rail, slightly different frame contouring (the difference between it and a standard G21 felt very subtle to my hands), and ambidextrous magazine release:
For the first 1.5 days of the show, the G21SF that Glock had on display didn't have an honest-to-goodness Picatinny rail, but rather had a standard Glock accessory rail. Gaston Glock, who was present, apparently gave his people the "green light" to unveil the version with the Picatinny rail. Unlike my previous SHOT Shows, this time I managed to get a glimpse of Gaston Glock while at the Glock booth.
Beretta had the Px4 Storm Compact (D and F versions in 9mm were on display), and the fullsize in .45 Auto. Here is the Compact D pistol:
I took more photos of the Px4 Storm Compact the next day, and its photos are shown later in this report.
Here is the .45 Auto version, first with a Dark Earth frame, and then a closeup of the ejection port of an all-black one:
The Px4 Storm in .45 Auto didn't feel that much larger, in terms of grip circumference, than the Px4 Storm in 9mm and .40 Auto. In fact, if felt really nice in the hand. Given that it includes three different backstraps, grip size should not be an issue for this .45 Auto pistol. I am a big fan of the Px4 Storm, so I am looking forward to getting one of these.
Laser fans will like the new LaserGrips from Crimson Trace for the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol:
Finally, a quick, behind-glass, photo of the Masada rifle:
Here is a photo of the mythical "Camera Patrol" on duty at the SHOT Show:
Interestingly, when I took that photo, using a flash, neither of them even bothered to turn around. I wasn't worried, though, because I hold a Press Pass.
Cooper Arms held a reception on the evening of the 12th at the Rosen Centre, which is adjacent to where the 2007 SHOT Show was being held. Cooper Arms' reception is the highlight of the SHOT Show for my father. Unfortunately, poor weather at the Salt Lake City Airport prevented the usual suspects from Cooper Arms to attend, such as Rob Behr, Dan Pickett, and Laura Kelly. But, Dan Cooper was able to hold down the proverbial fort. Dieter Anschutz (the "Anschutz" of Anschutz) and his son made an appearance at the reception, and we were able to chat with them for a few minutes. We also had a chance to spend time with Tony and John from the Varmint Hunters Association. Sadly, I neglected to bring my camera to this event.
The highlight of my second day, Saturday, January 13th, was to meet R. Lee Ermey (aka, "The Gunny") at the Glock booth. While he did give me his autograph, when he learned that I served in the Army and not in the Marines, he latched onto my throat, and told me to show him my "war face," which I clearly need to work on a bit:
Seriously, though, he is a great person, and it was an honor and a pleasure to meet him face to face, and to exchange a few words. He spent a lot of time with everyone in line, as their turn came up. He told me to be sure to come to the 2008 SHOT Show, with an 8x10 print of the first of the two photos above, so that he can autograph it for me.
Smith & Wesson had the new M&P45 on display, and I managed to get a couple of snapshots of one:
They also had a "Dark Earth" version on display that had an ambidextrous manual safety. The slide can be manipulated with the safety engaged, like an HK USP45.
By special request, I took a photo of the Sig-Sauer P220R Carry Elite, which is one of SIGARMS' latest offerings:
The Sig-Sauer Elite pistols have the short-reset trigger, which feel very nice. It feels a lot like my P226 X-5 trigger, in terms of the trigger reset distance. The Elites also have a generous beavertail.
Here is another shot of the Beretta Px4 Storm chambered in .45 Auto:
And, here are some more shots of the Px4 Storm Compact, this one being the "F" (decock+safety) version:
When chambered in 9mm, its capacity is 13 rounds. Also note the magazine floorplate. The forward edge has a hinged portion that is spring-loaded with a detent. The detent holds the extension in a "flat" orientation, for maximum concealment. When the pistol is grasped, the spring-loaded mechanism assists in releasing the extension, which then provides greater shooting comfort. Like its big brother, the Compact version has three sizes of backstraps available, to tailor the grip ergonomics to the individual shooter.
Note that its barrel is not of a rotating design, like its big brother. Instead, it utilizes the more conventional tilting/cam barrel. And, it has a bull barrel. Its controls (slide stop lever, safety/decocker, and magazine release) are identical to those of its big brother. The sights are the same, too.
Of all the new compact handguns being debuted at the 2007 SHOT Show, the Beretta Px4 Storm Compact was, by far, my favorite.
Hogue introduced their new aluminum grips for Sig-Sauer pistols. Below are photos of P226 grips with an OD finish:
And, if the sky's the limit for your P226 grip fund, below are their polished (genuine) titanium grips:
Here is a photo of me (left) and "parabellum" (Owner/Administrator of SIGforum.com):
It was a pleasure to finally meet him in person. We have spoken on the phone several times, and have exchanged dozens of email messages.
Because I used January 14th to fly back to California, I did not attend the last day of the show.
Before the 2007 SHOT Show opened on January 12th, we (my dad, two friends who live in Florida, and myself) ventured over to Randall Made Knives. There I snapped a few photos. One is of my dad (shown on the right) speaking with Jason Randall (on the left), the grandson of Bo Randall, who is holding a knife.
Lastly, I'd like to extend special thanks to my close friend, Wade Woodward, and his friend, Roger Dill, for their company during our visit to Orlando. Although we all went our separate ways during the show, we met up for breakfasts and dinners, and had a fantastic time.
The latest word is that the SHOT Show will be held in Las Vegas for the next eight years. Oh joy...
That is all.