#SH200576
This is the second part of our overview of what caught AmericanCop’s eye during the 2024 SHOT Show.
Holosun
Holosun’s IR laser designator and illuminator – the IRIS.
Holosun is a very active and interesting manufacturer. Numerous agencies have adopted or approved their optics. As a result of listening to their customer base, the company is quite innovative. If only more companies would do that and sooner.
They were displaying a thermal pistol sight that pairs an enclosed emitter optic with a pistol light that has a thermal sensor in it. We don’t have one of those coming; however, we are planning on reviewing a rifle-mounted IR illuminator and laser.
Mossberg
Mossberg has made tremendous progress over my time in law enforcement and teaching the shotgun. Linda Powell, Jeremy Stafford, and their crew are doing very solid work over there, and it shows in their products.
They have updated their Thunder Ranch models, both the pump action 590 and semi-auto 940. I interviewed Linda about these two guns for the videos we were doing. Unfortunately, we had technical difficulties that rendered the interview unusable.
The Mossberg & Thunder Ranch collaborations on the 590 and 940 shotguns.
I spoke with Stafford about their Pro series, which includes the 590 and the 940. An improved ambidextrous thumb safety, a bantam (shorter) stock, optics cut, and a beveled and radiused loading port. A lot of those features end users had to do after buying the gun. Now, they are coming from the factory that way.
It is nice to see a company make use of experienced subject matter experts in the design process.
Palmetto State Armory
I know their Dagger pistols are attracting attention, but that isn’t what interested me. You may have seen our pictures and video on their Model 570 ambidextrous, 12 gauge, pump-action shotgun. What they showed at SHOT were pre-pre-production versions.
Just one of the needed details on the Palmetto State Armory Model 570 shotgun.
Even if a friend had not been involved in the design process, I would still be very intrigued with this gun. From an individual and organizational perspective, there is a lot to like about it.
Primary Weapons Systems
PWS has a multi-caliber, multi-magazine rifle on the way. It debuted at SHOT. One of our interviews with a PWS representative about this rifle was lost in a software crash. Most everything on it is user-swappable and in a very short time frame, too. They were adamant that a) the rifle would come to market and b) the conversion kits would be readily available. The initially identified calibers are .223, .300BlackOut, and .308Winchester. Retail is posted on their website as being $2,650.
SO Tech
Jim Cragg’s company is celebrating 25 years in the tactical nylon business. I interviewed him for one of the first articles I wrote in ’02 or ’03. And I deployed to Iraq wearing one of his chest rigs.
The SpringNose taser holster from Special Operations Technology, aka – SO Tech.
They released a molded Taser holster called the Springnose. If you are required to call a Taser in uniform, look at it and see if it meets your needs.
Trijicon
Trijicon’s RMR-HD and RCR pistol optics – look for a review of the RCR in the next few months.
Since last year’s Show, they have come out with at least three new optics with applications in the police world. For our handguns, there are the RMR-HD and the RCR. The RMR-HD is a beefed, redesigned version of what was the first pistol optic for a lot of people. It appears more robust, has a top-mounted battery compartment, and can change reticles.
The RCR is the company’s enclosed emitter offering. AmericasnCop will have one this spring for review.
Finally, there is the 1-10×28 Credo rifle optic. The user can select between either red and green reticles with the scope on the rifle.
Team Wendy
For law enforcement, the helmet people at Team Wendy have several new products. They now have an actual rifle-rated ballistic helmet. I handled and donned it. It may be the suspension system, but it felt as comfortable as a helmet could. There was no perceived weight penalty for that reported level of protection. Previous rifled-rated helmets have relied on heavier applique pieces.
Also in the booth were laser-protective face shields that attach to one’s ballistic helmet. Those shields are tinted to match a given laser’s output. The mounting points have been beefed up as well. There is also a rubber seal between the top of the shield and the front of the helmet. These are all good things for crowd control and riot responses.
One of Team Wendy’s helmets with their new modular respirator.
Finally, and I am very much looking forward to trying this out – they have a half-face respirator. It can interface with one’s helmet or be worn without it. Given what we are seeing in terms of hazardous material exposures, especially in the confines of a shoot-house, this is a good thing. If worn with a helmet, they have goggles that will also attach and seal – offering the user a greater level of protection.
US Duty Gear
In addition to their Safety Retention Hood (rotating bale) and Safety Retention System (thumb lever) duty holster designs, they are now producing an inside-the-waistband holster for concealed carry, whether on or off-duty.
Final Thoughts
PointBlank Armor’s Storm Trooper and your editor.
This wraps up our initial coverage of the products we saw at the 2024 SHOT Show. Along with American Handgunner and GUNS magazines, we will continue to cover these and other products in greater depth and detail over the coming year.
