Just thought I would post a few things I saw at the convention and link a few pictures. First, the dang thing was huge. Bigger than I remember it several years ago when it was here before. Pretty much every gun manufacturer you ever heard of was there along with just about every maker of parts and accessories. It was easy to get around early after they opened, but by 1 PM it was so crowded it was hard to move around.
Anyway, I made a bee line for Kel-Tec's booth first. They had the PMR-30 pistols on display with KSG shotguns and RFB rifles. Judging by the response, the sales guy has probably been asked where to get one or when will they make more about 1000 times. He did say they were working to double KSG shotgun production.
The new gun they had was a .22 Mag Carbine RMR-30 that uses the same mags as the PMR-30. It was pretty small and light with a collaspable stock similar to an HK91. Very small.
I think the RFB has become the next rifle I want to get. It as a very good feel and the trigger release was pretty good. Very short and handy. Not going to look for an M1A SOCOM anymore.
Over at the Springfield booth, they had the XDS 9mm out on display. It was pretty much the same frame as the 45 with a 7+1 capacity. The S&W Defender was certainly slimmer. Here is a pic with the 45 and 9mm side by side.
The other booth that caught my attention was the IMI booth with the Israeli Tavor bullpup 223 rifle. It felt like a pretty solid rifle with a good trigger. I especailly liked the red dot sight they can supply with it. The iron sights were fold up sites built into the rail. They even mentioned they were either selling rifles for 5.45X39 or would sell conversions. The guy tore one down and it looked very easy. A pin pulled out and a stock piece out of the way and the bolt and piston pulled out the back of the butt stock. The trigger group also pulled out real easy. The bolt release was right behind the mag so it was simple to seat a mag and release the bolt almost in one motion. If the accuracy and operation are good, I can certainly see myself getting one at some point.
There was a lot of other stuff, but few caught in my mind. Savage had some bolt action rifles in 308 and 223 that took extended magazines and had rails installed.
http://resettargets.com/Flip_Shot_Targets.htmlMy Dad and I bought a couple of flip shot targets from these guys that looked interesting.
At least one of the Duck Dynasty guys was there. The American Guns cast was at the S&W booth along with Jerry Miculek. The daughter from American Guns looks better in person than I recall last time I saw the show.
My photo was too far away and blurry. Lots of attractive sales ladies all over along with local Texas ladies.
There was a VW Van fitted with a MiniGun mount out of the roof over near Magpul.
I bought a "Don't Tread on Me" T-shirt. That booth only sold them in Red and Yellow.
I will likely spend the next month going through the stack of catalogs I got. My bag got pretty heavy after 4 hours.
I believe they are open again Sunday if any of you are local to Houston. Parking was $30 within a few blocks of the convention center. Never saw it that high before.
