While the SHOT Show hasn’t officially started yet, the ITS Crew spent today covering the Bass Pro Media Day at the Range and the Aimpoint MIL/LEO Range Day.
Both events offered a tremendous opportunity to not only get hands on with some of the newest weapons available, but to also fire them. Below is a selection of the best of what we saw today and a collection of all our images.
As a reminder, be sure to follow our tweets on Twitter for the most timely updates from the SHOT Show this week (there are photos we’ll attach there too) as well as Facebook and right here at ITS Tactical!
Media Day Highlights
While the Bass Pro Media Day at the Range was mostly comprised of weapons manufacturers that were offering a chance to shoot their wares, there were also a handful of other companies showing their wares.
While standing in line to check in and get our badges, we looked up and saw the plane in the photo above dragging a welcome message banner and couldn’t help from laughing at the misspelled message. As if the attending media isn’t going to mention that one… pretty humorous!
BAE Systems
One of the first stops we made was by the BAE Systems booth where we were really drawn to their new ECMPV (Enhanced Concealable Military Protective Vest)
What we really liked about the ECMPV was the elastic cummerbund with eight integrated pouches which can be used to mags, comms and other items as well. The cummerbund is also interchangeable with others in their Eclipse lineup.
XS Sight Systems
XS had a nice offshoot from their Paul Howe developed GAT (Glass Assault Tool) designed to fit the bezel of the Surefire X300/400 Weapon Light called the WL GAT.
It’s still in development currently and will only be available for Military and Law Enforcement.
Justin from XS recently added some commentary on our Facebook page for the WL GAT that contains some great insight into the product.
H&K
The MR556 is the civilian version of the 416 and now shipping to dealers this week. We were able to get some trigger time with the MR556 and definitely liked how it shot, which was just as smooth as the 416.
Some notable features were the self-retaining extractor pin and how cool to the touch the bolt was after immediately removing at firing multiple rounds.
ATI
American Tactical Imports had a new compact .45 called the Fat Boy that utilized a double stack magazine that held 12 rounds and was a joy to shoot.
They had just received it back from the ATF who had reassuringly put it through the ringer. Their .410 AR upper was also really cool!
Other Highlights
Some other highlights included Bryan getting choked out by The Gunny, seeing Rachel Dratch from SNL shoot a gun for the first time at the Aimpoint booth (surrounded by her entourage with no less than three high-end video cameras running) and of course getting some great SHOT Show swag for upcoming giveaways on ITS Tactical!
Aimpoint Range Day
Out of respect to the organizers of the Aimpoint MIL/LEO Range Day there won’t be much in the way of photos and coverage from that event, but we will say that if it becomes a regular annual event we’d highly suggest attending!
A special thank you to a Texas company that’s near to our hearts; LaRue Tactical was there providing free food, drinks and their famous Dillo Dust. We had a great time shooting some weapons we don’t normally get the chance to fire everyday like the Mk43 and an M203 Grenade Launcher from LMT.
Thanks for checking out our Media Day coverage and be sure to head back tomorrow for the first day of the 2011 SHOT Show!!
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add oneDiscuss in our Forum }
Why was Rachel Dratch there? Am I the only one with the bad feeling she was there for some kind of spoof that is going to make us look like Star Wars fans looked during the Triumph the insult comic dog video?
No, you’re not! I was wondering the same thing! I think she was there to make some kind of a video. I don’t think that she was there by accident. I wonder if someone hired her as a joke.
Again just wanted to say it was cool to meet you guys at the Aimpoint range day. Most ppl left but we got to run the nvg’s and night optics later after the sun went down… long day but cool stuff out there. See ya when I see ya
It was awesome meeting you too ryno!
Bryan came in in the top 25 of a group of military shooters at the Aimpoint/RSKTKR/Peters Custom Holster/Ares Gear Cold Qual Contest. The winner was a Cop and LF out of Colorado.
Shooting a red dot on a pistol is not as easy and intuitive as it sounds especially for us Sig shooters trying it on a Glock.
Good times, and it was good to see Bryan and Mike out at the range.
Yeah, it was great meeting you Doc and you’re not kidding when talking about how hard that red dot was! Thanks for the tips and next time I’ll run the Cold Qual!
sir are you ever going to have any decal at a shot show please let me know thanks kelly out