This week, Guns.com was on the ground in Northern Alabama for the annual Shooting Sports Showcase.
The Showcase is hosted by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers, the Professional Outdoor Media Association, and the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association. Held on the ranges of the massive CMP Marksmanship Park in Talladega, this year's event was the second of its kind, following up on last year's inaugural show.
The Showcase is hosted by POMA, SOPA, and the NASGW. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
While smaller than SHOT Show – or the NRA Annual Meetings or the Great American Outdoor Show for that matter – this year's Showcase has some big names that weren't in Las Vegas earlier this year, including Ruger and Sig Sauer.
Ruger
Ruger had its normal share of rifles, pistols, and revolvers on hand.
And was showing off its new Marin 1895.
As well as the new Birdshead gripped Wranglers.
Sig
Sig Sauer had the full line of beautiful guns on hand, including the new P320AXG PRO – the company's first full-sized pistol in the all-metal AXG family of P320 pistols.
Along with the P365-380, which had a different recoil impulse than the same gun in 9mm.
And the new Spectre Comp P320.
Century
Century Arms is bringing in more MKE-made AP5 or “Apparatus Pistol” roller-delayed blowbacks based and built off the original and historic MP5 design from the 1970s.
Along with more Dracos from Romania, with the gear to match.
I don't even have a Draco, but I low-key want one of these.
New at Century's booth was the BFT47 AK, so named due to its bulged/forged 4140 steel front trunnion.
The BFT47 is the new flagship rifle for Century and includes a carburized 4140 steel bolt, 1.5 mm heat-treated stamped 4130 steel receiver, manganese phosphate finish, and 16-inch 1:10 chrome-moly 4150 steel barrel.
SDS/Tokarev USA
SDS Imports was on the line between rainstorms with a whole variety of guns, including their new Zigana PX-9 Gen 3 Tacticals, which are suppressor-ready right out of the box.
Besides the Zigana, SDS is known for its line of Tisas 1911s.
One neat little standout from SDS was its new Fatih 13/B380, a super neat little .380 ACP modeled after the old Beretta 84. Hard to argue with a 13+1 pistol with classic lines that fits in the palm of your hand. Expect to see more on this in the near future!
And shotguns, including the Lynx-12, Duo-Sys, and Tac-12 in addition to the TX3 12HD pumps from Tokarev USA.
ATI
South Carolina-based American Tactical had their new range system on hand, which gives immediate feedback at under $1K.
ATI also had its new Moxie Commander, a polymer-framed M1911 railgun on hand.
As well as its affordable and popular AR line.
And the all-new Bison series bolt-action rifles. More on these to come as well.
Who doesn’t like the GSG-16 in .22 LR?
Taurus
There was a long line at the Taurus range, with folks lining up to get some trigger time.
The company's new GX4 series micro-compact 9mm pistols shot well.
Meanwhile, Heritage, a sister company of Taurus, had the new Rough Rider TC and Barkeep series on the range.
The more curious of the pair, the Rough Rider TC features a top Picatinny rail for those who want to put an optic on the wheel gun plinker. It also has an elevated front sight with a fiber-optic element to complement the rear notch that continues through the Pic rail. The 6.5-inch barrel is threaded. The neat .22 LR also accepts .22 WMR cylinders with a simple swap out.
Mythbusting
Mantis was in Tallegeda showing its fun and crowd-pleasing line of training products, showing that dry fire doesn't have to be boring.
Speaking of un-boring, the Trailblazer Firearms Pivot rifle was ringing steel, proving that it is not vaporware. Company head Aaron Voight seen here showing his war face.
We look forward to returning to Talladega for the Showcase next year!
