SHOT Show 2025 Overview

By now, hopefully, most of you who went to SHOT have recovered from whatever infected them. I, your humble editor, am an overachiever, so I’m still dealing with whatever crud I had before the show. But it’s a dry cough.

So, what was interesting about SHOT 2025 from a law enforcement and training perspective?

5.11 Tactical

As always, they have released (or will be releasing) several items, including clothing, footwear, and load carriage. They are very proud of their collaborations with Las Vegas Metro PD for a new duty uniform and with Sig for range bags. They are also working with Beyond Clothing for extreme cold-environment clothing.

I have been wearing some of their new shoes and other clothing items, and so far, so good.

Blade-Tech

This western Washington company has announced a duty holster with retention for law enforcement and related uses. They told me these will be available with level 2 or 3 retention. There will be versions for Glock, Sig, and Smith & Wesson pistols. Happily, they had a left-hand model in the booth and said those models would be released when the right-hand models come to the market.

Chisel Machining & Kick-Eez

The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup of the shotgun world is the collaboration between Chisel Machining and Kick-Eez. Chisel makes excellent aftermarket stocks for shotguns and lever guns. I have used their fixed and folding stocks on Remington 870s as well as Beretta’s 1301 and A300 Ultima Patrol models. Kick-Eez makes the recoil pads on those stocks, along with aftermarket models for other firearms.

At SHOT, they showed the upgraded folding stock for some shotguns. I cannot say enough good things about the offerings from both companies. They are just good people!

Fiocchi Ammunition

They talked with us about two promising new lines that are producing. The first, Covert X, is designed for the concealed carry market. Rather than going monolithic construction or light for caliber, the Covert X line is a traditionally constructed bullet with a heavier jacket. The petals at the hollow point’s mouth are pre-cut before it is finished. In their testing, the .380 load is getting full expansion with 15” of penetration.

Their SBR line was developed for short-barreled rifles. To meet their performance goals, they took existing projectiles with proven track records and paired them with specific primers and powders. For example, in 5.56mm, they are using the Mk262’a77 grain Sierra Match King built for a 10.5” barrel. They also have an SBR hunting load that utilizes Barnes‘ TTSX bullet.

Garmont Tactical

Garmont has produced a women’s tactical boot, the Athena. For years, I have had nothing but positive experiences with their footwear for on- and off-duty usage. I look forward to getting a woman’s perspective on these.

Gideon Optics

They debuted an enclosed emitter optic, the Mini Valor, which bolts down into the slide, unlike most open emitter optics. It has roughly the same external dimensions as the EPS Carry, with a reportedly larger window. The Mini Valor has been quite popular, with the first batch selling out during SHOT.

Hornady Security

Unfortunately, given the state of the world we live in – having unsecured firearms in your home is no longer an option.

Hornady has had its security line for a few years now. An interesting part of it are the 8, 12, and 18 gun gun cabinets. While not fire-rated, they can be easily installed in a bedroom or hall closet for quicker access. Depending on the model, these have both key and keypad access. As with many things, MSRP is higher than what I see them going for at retail.

Holosun

They are continuing to produce products that end users want, and I acknowledge the concerns many have. In addition to their optics, they have released new long gun lights (the RAID) and their IRIS line—infrared designators with both visible and IR lasers and illuminators. Word is they will continue to evolve the RAID, refining the reflector as they go forward.

Palmetto State Armory

Last year, I mentioned PSA’s 570 shotgun project. The guns are in pre-production now and are expected to hit the market this fall. Because of the design, the word is they will take many aftermarket 870 accessories.

Additionally, and more interesting, they now have a semi-automatic version that works on the same receiver. One platform, two operating systems.

Staccato HD P4 & P4.5

This pistol generated tremendous interest in the lead-up to and during SHOT. It wasn’t until Thursday that I was able to get into their booth long enough to handle the HD-4. We shot a video on it – HERE.

I am intrigued by two aspects of it: First, the CEO has talked at length about end-user requests for a more ambidextrous design, which came from both military and law enforcement organizations. Second, the removal of the grip safety. The left-hander-friendly upgrades include an ambi slide release and a reversible magazine release. Having carried, competed, and trained with, etc. 1911 pistols for over twenty years as a cop, I have been amazed at the number of 2011 et al. users who complain about and disable the grip safety.
I look forward to seeing how this works out.

I’m seeing plenty of positive feedback on the HD P4—both from friends who had time on it before SHOT and from acquaintances who are getting their hands on it now. As for myself, I’m waiting for the 4.5” version.

 

Closing

This year’s show seemed evolutionary rather than revolutionary product-wise. We hope to take a more in-depth look at most, if not all, of the items mentioned over the coming year.

I am curious – what did you see or hear about at SHOT that you are interested in? Please let us know by leaving a comment on the Facebook and Instagram pages or dropping us an e-mail via [email protected]