Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Sgt. Steve Odom. Steve’s bio is at the end of this article.
The SHOT show is the yearly “Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference”. This year the event was in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is designed to showcase every major weapons manufacturer and tactical equipment company. If you depend on weapons and equipment for your daily survival, this is the place to get informed on all of the newest developments and products.
This was my first year in attendance. My plan was to broaden my horizons and evaluate new products for the readers of Spartan Cops. The show is not open to the public. It is for venders and buyers only. The show is geared toward the people that make decisions about weapons and firearms equipment purchases such as gun shop owners, military and law enforcement personnel. The venders are not allowed to sell products at the show. If you are looking for a good deal on a new gun don’t come to the show. If you are considering 20 new entry weapons for your S.W.A.T. team, this is the place. My mission was to check out new weapons and equipment for all you “road dogs” and operators out there.
The Show itself was gigantic. In the two days I was in attendance I only able to see about half of the show. I mainly concentrated on police and tactical gear. I was able to check out various weapons and tactical equipment and formulate some opinions on what might be of interest. I was not able to test or evaluate these products in the field or on the range. So this is simply a brief over view of products that I think have potential and would like to evaluate further.
Patrol Rifle
The AR-15 / M-16 family of weapons were center stage for the Law Enforcement and Tactical aspect of the Show. The variants and accessories were mindboggling. I will try to narrow it down to a few select items that I thought were interesting or had potential.
Anglesight
The ANGLESIGHT by Elite Arms is a cube shaped device that mounts on a picatinny rail and works like a periscope, allowing you to aim and fire around corners or obstacles, while remaining behind cover. The device has dual path optics so the operator can fire the weapon around a corner or shoulder fire the weapon without having to touch the device. The ANGLESIGHT rotates 360° and allows the shooter to shoot from right or left side barricade, under or over cover, or at any angle needed. This device is a polymer, ruggedized 1x optic sight that works with red dot, holographic sights, magnified sights, laser designators, iron sights and is night vision compatible. The system will work with any caliber weapon (including less lethal or gas guns) that has a picatinny rail.
If you had a red dot or holographic sight on your weapon, along with a magnifier and this device, you could quickly change your weapon from general purpose, to long range weapon, or to covert search.
This system has potential. It is small, light weight and easy to use. It should be available in a few months and will sell for between $200-250.
Battle Ax CQB Stock
The Battle Ax CQB Stock by Troy Industries is a great piece of furniture for a patrol rifle. It looks and feels like a small fixed stock. It has clean lines and is snag free. The cheek weld was very comfortable. The great thing is the stock is adjustable and has a solid metal butt plate that opens to reveal storage capacity that is unmatched by any stock available. 
The storage compartment has a small compartment for batteries and a large compartment that could hold an Otis cleaning kit or several pressure dressings and some QUICKCLOT. The stock has quick detach swivel sockets at 9, 6 and 3 o’clock.
I loved this stock. I prefer a fixed stock with a short length of pull on my long guns because of the clean lines and cheek weld a fixed stock provides. With the Battle Ax I can have the fixed stock advantages, but with an adjustable length of pull and storage for a trauma kit right on my weapon. The Battle Ax looks and feels bomb proof. It is constructed of metal and advanced reinforced Polymer. This stock will be released in few months and will cost $125. It will be available in O.D green, black, and dark earth at www.troyind.com or (866) 788-6412
Troy Battlemag
The Troy Battlemag by Troy Industries was another nice piece of kit for your patrol rifle. Troy developed a proprietary military grade polymer for this magazine. It has clean lines, reinforced feed lips, and anti-tilt follower.
The base plate has a pull tab that can be run flush or extended depending on your preference. The spine has a tab to prevent over insertion. This magazine looks sleek, strong and ready to go. It will be released soon and will cost $15. It will be available in black, O.D. and Dark Earth.
B.A.D. Lever
The B.A.D. (Battery Assist Device) by MAGPUL is a great little device that allows the shooter to lock the bolt to the rear or release the bolt without breaking your firing grip. The device mounts to the original bolt catch and requires no gun smithing or permanent modification of the weapon. The device is ambidextrous and easy to install. The operator uses the trigger finger (outside of the trigger guard) to release or lock the bolt. The BAD Lever is $29.95 and is available at www.magpul.com or 1 (877) 462-4785.
Later this week
Shot Show 2010 Part 2: Duty Handguns and Revolvers
Shot Show 2010 Part 3: Slings and Range Equipment
About the Author: Sergeant Steve Odom
Sergeant Steve Odom is a former infantry Marine and sixteen year veteran of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department. Sergeant Odom is currently a Patrol Station Sergeant. He has been worked Bike Patrol, Boat Patrol, Dive Team, and S.W.A.T.( Entry Team Leader). He is the Senior Range Master for the Sheriff’s Department and Lead Firearms Instructor for the Allan Hancock Law Enforcement Academy. Sgt. Odom is P.O.S.T. certified to teach all Law Enforcement Weapons Systems, Arrest and Control, Less Lethal Munitions, and Impact Weapons.
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