February 2007 News from Defensive Edge SLR15 Rifles

2007 Orlando SHOT Show
A few thoughts from Sully...

I was fortunate to attend the 2007 ShowShow in Orlando for all four days. It took three days just to walk through the entire thing between meetings and appointments.

The aisles were long and the show was spread out. I was told by show staff that if you walked each aisle once from start to finish, that you would walk a total of thirteen miles, and if you tried to stop at every booth, it would take all four days and you could only spend about 65 seconds at each booth.

There were numerous exhibitors from the firearms manufacturers, ammunition makers, reloading components, hunting gear, clothing, knife and cutlery makers, flashlight makers, gear makers, and of course the law enforcement section, which took an entire day to see in itself.

There were many gun manufacturers. Smith & Wesson unveiled several new revolvers, with a couple of new additions, and a remake of the 1917. The M&P pistol line-up has grown to add several options like built-up beaver tails, different colored frames, and several new sizes of slides and frames.

Glock had their new G21SF on display, which I was able to fondle. The G21SF has a reduction of approximately 1/8 of an inch to the grip on the frame which makes it fit other hands easier. It also sports an ambidextrous magazine release that can be pushed from the right or left side of the frame. The ambidextrous magazine release also requires a special magazine that has a notch on the upper front of the body, and I was told that there is a possibility of all G21 magazines being made with both the traditional side notch, and the new ambidextrous notch.

Heckler & Koch had the pistol versions of the AR15, and the new USP pistols. The new USP45’s have a much smaller and more ergonomical grip that will make it more user friendly. It gripped the hand well and gave the pistol a better feel (in my humble opinion) to more of an improved 1911 profile.

Fabrique National was showing off their 45 caliber line. These were well made and are a great addition to their current line up.

Keltec has outdone themselves and have a rifle that I think is among the most impressive things I came across at the show. They have developed a .308 bullpup design. It uses FAL magazines with no modification, and are usually easily obtained. The bullpup is ambidextrous in design and the only one I have ever come across of its kind. The charging handle can be quickly and easily removed with no tools, and then placed on the other side for operator preference. The bullpup ejects its empty casings out the front end just above the barrel, so nothing comes back into the shooter's face, and allows for field transitions from shoulder to shoulder when properly using cover.

For those of you who haven't had the experience of attending SHOT, be prepared: It's an intense and exciting time. Looking forward to seeing you there next year! Sully