Law Enforcement Range Day - 2026

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It has been about three decades since I first attended SHOT – Shooting, Hunting, & Outdoor Trade Show. Back then, there was little, if any, emphasis on the tactical/military/law enforcement side of things. Over the years, I have visited as an attendee, an exhibitor working in a booth for a company, and as a writer back in the 00s for SWAT magazine and the last few years for AmericanCop.com.

So, for Day 0 – Range Day – I was out at the law enforcement/military range day, which the Las Vegas Metro Police Department again hosted after a one-year hiatus. There are several range day events, most on the Monday before SHOT. At least one, Beretta USA, is on the Sunday before.

BeyondTactical’s cold weather clothing system.

Clothing

The night before, I went to 5.11 Tactical’s media event. They are continuing to partner with Beyond Tactical, which is producing a complete line of environmental protective clothing. It runs from base layers and sun hoodies to wind- and rain-resistant designs, and then to extreme cold-weather items.

So, what did I see at the range that was of interest?

Handguns

I had the opportunity to shoot three new – to me at least – handguns.

First up was the metal-framed M&P Competitor. About the third metal-frame gun of theirs, I have shot. It came with an extended magazine release. Alas, it ejected the magazine with the initial shot. No doubt because of being a left-hander. The good news is that the magazine release is reversible.

Next was a Gen 6 Glock model 45. For me, the best-fitting Glock frame to date. And I have been shooting them since the early 90s. Small enough for my paws, grippy enough. A less noticeable angle when presenting to the target.

Staccato’s new HD-C4X pistol.

Finally, there was the new Staccato HD C4X – a M&P Compact or G19-sized Staccato with an integral compensator. From what has been released and shared, it was designed for concealed carry, whether in an on- or off-duty role. The slide is optics-ready and will use the same mounting spacers as the previous HD-P models. None of those I saw had a mag well on them, the absence of which does aid in concealment.

Polymer encased pistol rounds from HOP Ammunition.

Ammunition

Also at the event was HOP Ammunition. They make a training load specific to use on steel targets. The load I fired used a 147-grain flat-point projectile. Their projectile consists of a shell encased in a compressed polymer. Their representative told me they have shot steel plates at 5 yards and rated them accordingly. While they do not recommend it, they claim contact shots with it can cause damage to the shooter, gun, or steel.

Hopefully, I will get some to check out soon.

Kahles’ new sporting scope with an integrating image stabilization system.

Spotting Scope

I ran into Jeremy from the Nevada Highway Patrol at the Kahles Optics booth. He was enthusiastic about a new spotting scope of theirs. It is an 18-45x model and can be had with either an angled or straight ocular lens design. The best part? An integral stabilization system that is user-activated. Once set, inadvertent and intentional contacts with the setup did not knock it off- target.

Alas, they do not have any binoculars with that capability.

Staff from Surefire answering questions about their newest suppressor.

Surefire had its newest suppressor on site. All the feedback I overheard was positive. However, I did not get the opportunity to shoot it.

An out-of-service Cadillac-Gage V100 armored car. Your editor used to drive one of these at work.

The Range

The Las Vegas Metro PD’s range is a multi-agency facility. Tenants include the FBI and other local agencies. It was nice to see a couple of old armored vehicles on static display, especially since I had been assigned (by my old office) to drive one of the models they had on display.

Vang Comp System’s branded and weighted dummy rounds.

Shotguns

Vang Comp was there with both Mossberg and Remington twelve-gauge shotguns. I watched numerous attendees come by and shoot them. No stoppages, not even shells binding in the chamber, were seen. Nicely done, gents.

They did show their branded and weighted dummy rounds.

LVMPD Explorer Scouts were on hand to get all of the waivers signed.

Support

A lot of effort is required to facilitate an event like this. LVMPD explorers handled getting the waivers signed. Numerous LVMPD firearm instructors were acting as chauffeurs. And there are the people from each business.

Just loading magazines can tie up several people. All of which should be very much appreciated by the attendees.