And so it begins…
As you read this, I am either sitting in an airport, flying in a plane, or riding in a taxi – all in an effort to get to the 2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Â During the coming week, the guys at GunsHolstersAndGear will be with me as we hit the range and prowl the aisles of the show floor. Â We will be looking for all of the new guns and bits of kit that companies will introduce this year.
“The next generation of submachine gun is here,” states a SIG Sauer video demonstrating the all new SIG MPX. Â The SIG MPX is a new submachine gun that the company is expected to show off at next week’s SHOT Show.
There are a number of features that really set this gun apart from others in this category. Â First, according to the video, the SIG MPX is the world’s first submachine gun to work with a fully closed and locked rotating bolt system. Â The gun uses the SIG Sauer short stroke gas piston system that the company has used on their other rifles. Â There is a last round hold open.
Mere days ahead of the 2013 SHOT Show, we get out first glimpse at the Ruger Guide Gun. Â The new series of rifles are rugged, compact rifles weighing between 8 to 8.12 pounds. The guns are chambered in serious calibers: Â .30-06, .300 Win Mag, .338 Win Mag, .375 Ruger, .300 RCM and .338 RCM. Â When the .30-06 is pretty much the starting point, you know you’ve got a major boom stick.
The gun has classic lines, but is an eye-catcher due to its combination of stainless steel finish and a Green Mountain laminate stock. Â The stock is supposed to be resistant to changes through various environmental changes. Â Sitting in a rack of guns at the local shop, every shooter will notice this gun. Â Love it or hate it, it will get noticed.
One of the most visually striking things about the new guide gun is the use of a radical-port muzzle brake. Â It is the single thing on the rifle that looks a little out of place. Â It looks a little “modern” for a gun with pretty classic styling. Â However, a good muzzle brake can really ratchet down felt recoil. Â Ask any .50 BMG shooter. Â But, muzzle brakes make shooting the gun much louder. Â Ask the guy next to the .50 BMG shooter.
HK announced the introduction of the HK45 Tactical to the civilian market. Â It looks like you will be able to get them in all sorts of tactical colors and with a threaded barrel.
Probably the oddest thing about this product announcement is that the HK45 Tactical is shown in a photograph with a “dummy” sound suppressor and is captioned “depiction of suppressor does not constitute endorsement.” Â Huh? Â Do they not endorse the use of eye protection either?
As mentioned in a previous report of SHOT Show rumors, Winchester Repeating Arms is re-introducing the classic Model 1873 short rifle in 2013. Â Considered by some as “the gun that won the west,” the new version of the classic lever action rifle will be chambered for the .357 Magnum and will also short the mild .38 Special cartridge.
The model 1873 has an oil-finished walnut stock with a straight grip.  The stock has a true-to-the-original crescent butt plate.  The metal is all blued steel. The Winchester 1873 has a 20″ round barrel and a full length tubular magazine.  The magazine will hold 11 .38 Special or 10 .357 Magnum cartridges.