Without ShotShow reports from Gunblast.....

by TL in OR, Central Oregon, Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 21:01 (2060 days ago) @ Otony

Tony, there's quite a bit of info on www.thefirearmblog dot com. I spent most of the week roaming the aisles at SHOT, but find it increasingly difficult to find things that interest me personally. Have to stay on top of things for the shop, but what I like and what sells isn't always the same.

Although pricey, I was intrigued by the new Martini rifles being made here in Oregon - sounds like other calibers and custom orders are possible, and they indicated that they'll probably offer just the action for those that want to do their own thing. Also very impressed by the Standard Mfg. single-actions - they appear to rival if not surpass the USFA's in execution. Colt SAA's will still be in very short supply according to someone at the Colt booth.

Friday afternoon I took some time to walk through the antique arms show which happened to overlap SHOT - now we're talking. Steel and walnut in abundance with very little polymer and nary a picatinny rail to be seen. Tables full of the stuff they don't make anymore, engravers and their work, some custom 'smiths - John Powers of Powers Metal Works was there and had a nice chat with him. A display from one of the big auction houses with a sampling of items from an upcoming auction - like going through a museum. Average age of the show-goer (and exhibitors) seemed much higher here than at SHOT. Not sure what that means for 20yrs down the road.

Had a good time, but was glad to exit Las Vegas and get back home.

Tom