SHOT Show 2009, Media Day at the Range

Here is our quick review of our first day of SHOT Show 2009, Media Day at the Range Click on pics to see them larger
Traveling to SHOT Show 2009
	We stopped over for a calm hour layover in Houston, TX
We flew on 767 400 series	The 767 is the largest plane our crew has flown in so far	We arrived to rain, cold, clouds...
and remodeling and crowds..	And a few messages welcoming SHOT show attendees	Orlando International is a large airport
Setting up SHOT Show 2009
We stopped to see how the SHOT show setup was doing, this year is our first SHOT show in Orlando	The Orange County Convention Center is big.. and has many features that should make this years SHOT show a great success. we are impressed so far	We are told the Orange County Convention Center is the largest convention center.. until they finish rebuilding the Las Vegas Convention Center
There is a lot of work going into making the 2009 SHOT show better than ever	Turning this LARGE empty space into a place for almost 2000 exhibitors to display their shooting and hunting related products and services	Crews will be working around the clock to bring the 2009 SHOT show to life
Media Day at the Range
Our travel agent gave us the opportunity to use the shuttle busses provided by Bass Pro for media day at the range. We saw some wild turkey and deer, and had some interesting conversations with other media guys and gals on our way to the range to shoot and see some of the newest guns and gear	The Orange County Sheriff's Shooting Range was the venue this year again. This was our first visit to the range and we were more than impressed. this is a great shooting facility	Banners and media information packets were available. oh and we were able to shoot MANY firearms . We couldn't have asked for better weather. We enjoyed a pleasent Florida day in the outdoors
After another smooth registration (like our first media shoot last year) we were on our way		The shoot required a map to see it all and with three of our crew in attendance, we almost didn't get to see it all. But we did manage to see and shoot many of the firearms we were interested in, and many we had been asked to check out
4H youth shooting sports.. as last year was a great help for this event	A few people from the Central Florida Rife & Pistol club were on hand as well as 4H and other volunteers
A training tower is one of many interesting facilities at the police range		An obstacle course at the entrance to the range
The rifle ranges	Vehicles used to train (we didn't get to shoot in or around these..)
		the Deputy Grady T. Braddock Memorial Pistol Range
	We were each given a set of Champion ear buds which worked well and were soft and comfortable. however when shooting a short barreled full auto 5.56x45 Sig 556.. well I would have rather had my electronic ears (that were left at home)
	Law enforcement	Many media attend from small publications, to large television shows


Steyr / Saber Defense AUG
	Steyr AUG / A3 manufactured by Saber Defense	This one has a Leupold Mark 4 CQ/T 3x14mm optic
	Shooting theSteyr AUG with an Trijicon ACOG
	We each took a turn shooting this interesting bullpup rifle

XS Sights had a new AR15 rear sight developed by Paul Howe we found this as easy to shoot as Paul has demonstrated. A clever idea that can upgrade any standard AR rear sight. This example is set in a LaRue Tactical BUIS (Back Up Iron Sight) base
		XS also was showing off an updated rifle rail which uses existing scope mount holes in the receiver and the rear sight dove tail
Aimpoint
Aimpoint brought a few new items to the media event including a new Ruger 10/22 mount and a Glock mount	The Aimpoint in an annodized black on a Ruger 10/22 with an aimpoint mount

The new Aimpoint mount for the Glock		The Aimpoint Glock mount fits into the rear sight dovetail
Shooting the Glock with Aimpoint optic	The optic is solid and does not alter manipulations much since the mount and optic can handle most any abuse	Shooting the new handgun optic does not affect operation of the pistol at all
Aimpoints new mount for the Ruger .22 pistols and the H1 optic.. a very nice combo

Black Powder

Colt
	Colt Sub-Compact Weapon (SCW)	The smaller receiver extension allows the stock to be folded

	Shooting the Colt SCW with Aimpoint T1 optic

	Colt also had some new pistols. A railed 1911 and a new version of the 10mm Delta Elite

Sig Sauer
The Sig 556 Full Auto Military / Police short carbine		A very easy to control small full auto.. To bad many will never get a chance to own or even shoot this one

A semi-auto version of the Sig 556 with new handguards and a folding stock
A close up of the folding stock of the Sig556
Crimson Trace
	The new Crimson Trace laser for the Glock
		Shooting the Crimson Trace Glock laser in daylight with just a bit of shade is no problem at all
Babes with Bullets
	A very popular booth for both gals and guys. Babes with Bullets offers female only firearms training all over the country.	"Every woman in America should shoot a gun� says Debbie Ferns
BabesWithBullets.com
When you hear me make that statement, along with the title of the book, it gives you a hint I�m pro-gun. What it doesn�t tell you is that *I shot a gun for the first time on my 45^th birthday. I admit to being scared in the beginning, but I was determined to find a new adventure to share with my husband. What I didn�t realize when I started shooting was just how much more* than a new adventure I would find!
We filmed an interview with Debbie Ferns (also from Tucson)		Stay Tuned for a lot more information on this great organization BabesWithBullets.com
Beretta

Beretta plans to offer their full size .45acp in a Dark Earth color option soon		Another view of the Dark Earth Beretta in full sunlight

Shotguns at Media Day

	A bay set up to shoot flying clay pigeons was a great illustration of the firearms and the clay throwers
Civilian Marksmanship Program

Crossman

Long Range Shooting - media Day at the Range

The long range area had steel targets set up at great distance to challenge the shooters and gear	The optics used here to see targets was a great test of the optics as well as the firearms
Bushmaster
	Bushmaster 50 cal
Lever Actions
Lever actions were well represented	Shooting lever action rifles of various types	The covered shooting ranges made for a comfortable environment for our day at the range
	pump shotguns like this Remington scoped shotgun
DPMS
DPMS rifles ready to be shot		There were a lot of guns to shoot here and we did not have a chance to shoot all of them
Dynamic Research
Dynamic Research demonstrated their ammo		There were a few displays set up to demonstrate the effectiveness of the ammo
A few other things worth mentioning
Tritronics Dog Training gear from Tucson, AZ.. Stay tuned for a lot more information on this interesting company with high quality dog training gear	European American Armory has an interesting new item on the way (we hope) stay tuned
Heading back to the Hotel
Carrying the heavy cameras, and support gear needed to document an event like SHOT show is a lot lighter after a day at the range like today	We learned Armadillos live in Florida.. We watched a pair have a great time exploring one of the grassy fields at the range	We all had a great time and friends were made. While the bus ride to the range was fairly quiet. the ride back to town was full of conversation and anticipation of the next four days http://www.gunshowreview.com/SHOT_2009

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