WishList for Shot Show 2012!

Once again it is one of my favorite times of the year, Shot Show! The magical time when we get to see what the firearms, accessory, and knife industries think we need, want, or will buy. So what do I want to see this year?

A domestic semi-auto pistol carbine that is better than a kel-tec, but not as overpriced as a Beretta Storm Carbine. Should take available pistol magazines! At least one version in 9mm. Would be extra sweet if it was very short and around 5lbs or less.

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard semi-auto up-scaled and chambered for 9x19mm. Maybe my biggest want for this year. Because I'll most likely get one for my wife who needs a CCW piece.

Crimson Trace Lightguard for revolvers like the GP-100 or the S&W j-frames.

A good looking carbon steel bowie style knife over 9inches in size but under $100.

Smith & Wesson 6rd J-frame + revolver. Taurus has one that will fit in my 638 holster, but I like S&W better. GIMME.

Mossberg semi-auto shotgun done up like a 590a1 so it can take a bayonet and has all that lovely extra metal! That would rock so hard.

A surefire-like LED shotgun forearm light system. Surefire's are stupidly expensive. Fenix or Streamlight could do this with no problems and still be just as good as a surefire.

Modern pump action .357 or 44mag rifle.

Apex Tactical trigger kits for Sig-Sauer's like the 2022.

Subhilt defensive, fighting, and EDC knives!

I could come up with more, and I might still, but this is enough for now.

Friday Wishlist: Clean out the Ruger p345

I've looked around a lot of .45 acp handguns. One that I have considered often is the inexpensive Ruger p345. It's a solid polymer framed single stack 45 featuring a very conventional DA/SA trigger. The p345 is pretty slim, has a great feel on the grip, and is neither too heavy nor too light. However, the safety systems are the main problem here. It features a magazine safety, a weird external safety lever, piles of warnings, loaded chamber indicator, and a locking system. The magazine safety actually is so poorly designed that dry firing can shatter the firing pin. I've heard a lot of good things about this gun. And even more after the mag safety is removed. I'd like to see a version that might not sell in CA or Mass, but will make us shooters in the more gun-friendly states start buying these boys up fast. Ruger try taking out the mag safety, redesign the safety or remove it entirely, and take some of the other PC garbage off your otherwise solid design!

Friday Wishlist: Cold Steel Mini-tac Spear Point

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I love my mini-tac tanto. The subhilt design makes drawing and retaining so easy. The jimping is great and the g10 grips are comfortable yet maintain a firm grip in the worst oily slime. However, I am not a huge fan of the American Tanto shape. I'd rather have a curve instead of the unnecessary 2nd point. However, I'd like even more to see this with my favorite blade style, the Spear Point. Spear points are just a very symetrical style of drop point. They feature some of the best tip control, excellent penetration, yet solid cutting power. C'mon Cold Steel. Give me an excuse to buy a 3rd mini-tac!

BTW: Anyone know anyone that can re-profile an AUS8 blade into a more traditional curved Tanto that doesn't like like a 3 year old did it(which is how it would look if I did)?

Late-Friday Wishlist: Modern .7.62x25mm Handgun

We got some tiny weirdo micro rifle/pistol hybrids these days like the 5.7 FN and that uber tiny 4.6mm H&K, but the good ol 7.62x25mm Tokarov is still a speedy powerful round that can still defeat some modern soft armor through velocity alone. Plus with modern ammunition this .30 cal gets a boost in effectiveness and still has a lot of weight in comparison to the sub-rifle rounds. So lets see a modern double stack polymer frame handgun in 7.62 Tok. Even if its not necessarily practical, I think that the this old school fire-breather would be just AWESOME to shoot!

Friday Wishlist: USA-made Kalishnakov Bayonets

There are a lot of AK clones in circulation in the USA 7 years since the Evil Looking Guns ban sunset, many of those now have their bayonet lugs. Bayonets are popular collector's items, but rarely fixed in the field. Older bayonets were not useful in both camp tasks and defensive use. Dedicated knives like Kabars and Bowies are still heavily used by military personnel. Recently for the AR/m16/m4 platforms, new bayonets have been starting to crop up. Makers like Zero-Tolerance and Ontario are starting to make bayonets that are actually more useful off the end of a rifle. I have to wonder then, why not new ones for the AK pattern rifles too? Low end Romanian builds aside, folks are putting down serious bucks for good Bulgarian, Yugoslavian, and Hungarian builds. Not to mention the many Saiga rifles and shotguns being converted. Some of these high end builds cost just as much as a lower to mid range AR-15. If I had the money or know how to put into this, I would. AK bayonets make some better sense to me as the ring goes where the finger guard would be on a normal blade. This would allow for a thumb to go up on some spinal jimping and add to control in normal tasks. I think it would be simple and not terribly expensive to get some of the bayonet mounting parts from eastern europe and create the blades themselves there. I am thinking about cracking open my Romanian bayonet to see how feasible this sort of transplant could be.

Friday Wishlist: Bayonet Ready Mossberg 590a1 18.5 with 6rd tube

The excellent Mossberg 590a1 is a military issue pump action shotgun in use by the US military and various law enforcement agencies across the US. Despite the many versions with differing sights, finishes, stocks, and accessories offered, there are only two primary size/capacity versions available. The 20inch barrel version which features a 8rd magazine and the 18.5 inch barrel type with a 5 round magazine. The 20inch versions often feature a bayonet lug, while the 18.5 inch version's magazine is considerably shorter than the barrel making a bayonet attachment impossible. Shorter shotguns are easier to wield in close spaces. My 870 wears a 18.5 and a short stock and is only an inch over a yard long for that very reason! However, mine has a 6rd magazine tube that is virtually flush with the muzzle. Unfortunately, the design of the shorter 590a1 means that it is always limited to 5rds. No extension is possible. Also that eliminates something I'd also like on static defensive shotgun. 8inches of sharp steel. Good for a phalanx against goblins and rioting chavs during reload.

Mossberg. You make a very beloved shotgun. One that the infamous JayG loves for its stabbity goodness. However, I, and I'm certain lots of other people, would love to see a bayonet ready, 6rd magazine version of your 18.5 590a1. Guys, it would SELL. Remington would not be happy. I would not have an 870 right now. I'd have an 590a1.

Oh yeah, I'd have one of these sweet ass Ontario USMC bayonets on it. 8inches of carbon steel stabbolicious.

Friday Wishlist: S&W 6shot j-frame

Not too long ago, Taurus put out a new version of one of their better regarded products, the Taurus 85 j-frame size revolver. This new version, the 856 was available in a new weird but light magnesium frame and a classic steel frame, but the biggest difference was that it was a 6shooter instead of a 5. I had the opportunity to handle one and even briefly drop it into my own 638's Mika Pocket Holster. It fit perfectly despite being slightly larger. This was very tempting. It wasn't a concealed or bobbed hammer design, but it still was an extra round for not much more weight and a virtually unnoticeable increase in size. Smith & Wesson... Why have you not done this? Offer this for about 100 to 150 more in alloy, scandium, and steel. If you did this with a concealed hammer, tritium sight, and perhaps a 20oz scandium frame, it would literally be the perfect CCW revolver. A 4inch version with longer grip, full steel frame, and a slicked up trigger would be a wonderful first gun for a lot of people with smaller hands. If you make it. They will buy!

Friday WishList: Ruger Redhawk .45 colt/.45 acp

In the last few years Ruger made a new 4inch version of their classic Redhawk large bore revolver in .44 magnum and .45 Colt. After seeing the new S&W Governor which is .410, 45colt, and cut for .45 acp moon clips, I am suddenly wondering why it wouldn't be good for Ruger to offer a version of the Redhawk .45 Colt thats cut for moonclips too. The Redhawk can take the powerful magnum level .45 colt +Ps and will both serve as a hunting revolver and a bear defense gun. For home defense, good loads for .45 colt are rare and expensive, but not so with .45 ACP! With piles of choices for plinking and defensive loads, .45acp is also generally available everywhere ammo is solid. The moon clips would make for faster reloads while administering 'social services'. You'd have me sold. I'm really considering a Governor for its excellent price point and extremely versatility of a gun in functional calibers. But a Redhawk can go full house magnum power, the S&W cannot. If you're reading this Ruger, please consider this!

Friday WishList: Listen Up CRKT!

I do not own many CRKT knives, but one I have very much enjoyed is Kit Carson's M16. Its a very classy and very popular series of liner lock folders that are known for their extra blade lock. While, mine had issues with the pocketclip that prevented its carry after I lost screws a second time, I am still in awe of the wonderful feeling grip, the flipper role as guard, and the solid spear point blade design. CRKT, I beg you to make a fixed blade version of this knife! I want the same ergos, but I want a full tang on this bad boy! Blade size is fine for me, but if you used a better steel(s30v etc), a version in 4-5inch would be pretty damn awesome for a mid-sized fixed EDC! As it stands the 3.5 is a great size and shape for a boot/belt/CCW knife. Toss in a decent sheath with some options for open and concealed carry and this thing will sell.