Gotta Have Glass From The 2015 NRA Annual Meeting

Apr 17 • News • 10879

While I’m not even going to try to list out all the reasons why people attend the NRA Annual Meeting, it’s safe to assume that majority of the freedom loving individuals do so to check out all of the cool guns and gear. Maybe it’s just me but this year at the NRA show, there was a peculiar amount of optic manufacturers launching new products at this event as opposed to the expected SHOT show release. So while many flocked to booths like Glock, Springfield and Remington, I was on this new glass like white on rice.

So what did I come up with?

 

Trijicon TR25 AccuPoint 1-6×24

This was probably the most talked about scope launch at the show and for good reason. Many of you, myself included, have a great affinity for the previous TR24 Accupoint 1-4×24 riflescope. All of those same features we came to love on that scope like the awesome glass, fiber/tritium illumination, freaky fast triangle reticle are swapped over to this new model but here’s the best part, you get two more levels of magnification. One thing you’ll notice right away though is the kind of strange looking fiber optic illumination adjustment which reps from Trijicon were cleverly calling the “oreo”. Why change it from the previous version? They wanted to keep the riflescope roughly the same famed dimensions (weight, length) as the TR24 and in an effort to squeeze more glass in the main tube, the “oreo” was born. Another thing worth noting is not only is the price in that same low $1200ish range, but they’ve also added different reticle optics to help with holdovers.

 

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24

Before you open up that fresh can of haterade on me in the comments, yes I know this is another 1-6 riflescope and yes I know this came out at SHOT Show 2015. This was the first time the general public got to get their hands on it and why I went with another 1-6 is they’re the ideal choice for those of us that want to hit targets out to 5/600 yards and then bring it in and shoot up close stuff quickly. Now that I got all of that out of the way….. IF this scope carries with it the same quality we’ve come to know and love from them, it will literally turn the 1-6 riflescope market upside down. With an oh so sweet illuminated BDC reticle, capped turrets, 17.6 ounce weight and all of that for a retail price of $429-Boom ShakaLaka.

 

 

 

Sig Sauer Electro-Optics Romeo 3 Red Dot Sight

Another sweet piece of glass that was released at SHOT, I got to mess around with this mounted on everything from a pistol slide to their MPX 9mm carbine. I have to say this is one great option for those of you in the market for a miniature reflex sight. The Romeo 3 has the buttons and the battery compartment in the right place, an auto shut-off feature that instantly turns back on via the internal motion sensor, and a lightweight magnesium housing. What more could you ask for?

 

Leupold D-EVO

A little on the expensive side sure but it’s truly in a class of its own in quickness and overall ingenuity. If you didn’t already know, the D-EVO with the use of mirrors and technology way over my paygrade, allows you to have a constant fixed six power optic with a BDC reticle in the bottom field of view and when paired with a red dot you can look up and engage targets up close rapidly. It takes a bit of getting used to but once you have it figured out, it’s considerably faster than offset iron sights or a cattail on your magnification ring.

 

This NRA Annual Meeting in Nashville was a blast and had over 75,000 like-minded folks fondling new guns and gear, it’s just a shame we didn’t see more checking out these optics because they are truly going to be the hottest optics of the year.

 

Think I missed a cool new riflescope or red dot? Let me know what tickled your fancy at the show below! As always guys, shoot em straight and be safe.

Jeremy L • 1 Comment on Gotta Have Glass From The 2015 NRA Annual Meeting

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5 Guns Anyone Can Afford from NRA Annual Meeting 2015

Apr 16 • News • 22860

Anyone that’s ever step foot in a gun show or hell even breezed through the pages of Recoil Magazine has at some point been caught like a deer in headlights by a new gun. But the world being as it is, money is a real thing and these goosebump spawning guns are the farthest from cheap. Seeing as how this happens to me on a daily basis, I feel your pain-trust me. So instead of tracking down guns that fit more in Donald Trump’s budget (He was at the show too, see how I did that?) I scowered nearly every one of the 390,000 square feet of the 2015 NRA Annual Meeting for guns that my burger flipping brethren can afford.

 

What did I come up with?

 

 

Canik TP9SA FDE

Yes this is by no means a “brand new” gun but for the attendees of the NRA Annual Meeting that weren’t able to be at SHOT Show in Vegas, this was the first time they got to set their eyes and hands on it for real . I had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with the all black version of this pistola and beside the slide mounted decocker, it’s worth more than the $350ish street price. The best way to describe the TP9SA is that it has all the best features of guns like a Glock, Walther, and H&k but 2/3 the price.  Oh did I mention you get a ton of free stuff with it?

 

Magpul Hunter X-22

Days before the show, Magpul did what they do best and that’s break the internet with another sweet product launch. This time around we were graced by an ultra cool “Chassis” aka stock for the ever so popular Ruger 10/22. Ok so by now you probably figured out this isn’t exactly a turn key firearm but with a little bit of searching you’re easily able to find Ruger 10/22’s in the $225-$250 range. And with a more than likely street price of $120,the Magpul X-22 Stock turns a run of the mill rimfire rifle into your new reason to hoard copious amounts of 22lr. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never been a fan of 22’s but now with this Hunter X-22,  you can bet that’s changed.

 

 

Smith and Wesson M&P Shield Kryptek

Another case of a solid handgun but with a twist, this M&P Shield with Kryptek Typhon camo is one heck of a custom gun for the money. I’m told that for a hair over the $400 mark, you’ll be able to have this TALO exclusive in your safe. The only problem now is how much it’s going to cost to outfit your closet and gear in this uberly awesome Kryptek Typhon pattern.

 

 

Remington R51 Gen 2

Yeah yeah yeah, I know what you’re thinking, “not this ticking time bomb of a pistol again”. And while you wont be seeing me with my hand up to try out the first ones off the assembly line, I really think Remington worked out all of the kinks with this second generation of the R51. How do I know that? Well for starters a member of their pro staff walked me through each previous poorly thought out part by part and what they did this time to correct it. I’m pulling for big green with the R51 and if they hit shelves at their estimated sub $400 price and it’s reliable- it’ll be a knockout for the money. Fingers Crossed.

 

H&K P30SK

I am by no means a HK fanboy but oh baby did I get inebriated by the H&K Kool-Aid with the P30SK. Why? I know this is a topic of dispute but there’s a lot to be said about a pistol that just feels finger licking GOOD in your hand and wouldn’t you know it, this sub compact checks that box. I’ll be perfectly honest why I don’t usually venture into all things Heckler and Koch, their guns are scarily expensive. Luckily this isn’t the case with the P30SK with an inevitable street price of low $600’s. Ok now before you bust out the torches and pitchforks, hear me out. Yes, six Benjamins isn’t exactly chump change and yes almost all of the other firearms on this list are practically half the price but it doesn’t get much easier or affordable to get behind the wheel of a high quality German engineered H&K pistol than with the P30SK.

 

 What do I really think?

Money comes and goes and for every fortunate few that get to spend Boo Koo bucks on a gun whenever they feel like it, there’s a line that stretches exponentially longer of us gun budget challenged folks that have to carefully select our one gun a year. For the latter many, I give you my word it’d be very difficult to find new guns at this price range that’d make you happier than the five on this list.

 

Still can’t make up your mind which on this list deserves to make its way into your home, post your questions and comments below! As always guys, shoot em straight and be safe.

Jeremy L • 12 Comments on 5 Guns Anyone Can Afford from NRA Annual Meeting 2015

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The Ultimate Guide to Sunglasses

Apr 14 • News • 10926

So you’re in the market for a pair of sunglasses but you’re not exactly sure what to look for? If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that question, well I’d have a lot of nickels that’s for sure. Whether you’re looking for sunglasses for biking, golf, general outdoor activities, hunting or even fishing, there’s a specific frame and lens tint to match.

 

Frame

 

Full Frame

-By and large, this style is going to be the most stylish of the three frame designs. Along with its good looks, a full frame also tends to be much more rigid than half rim and rimless offerings due to the increased structural material. What full frame sunglasses gain in strength and fashion, they lose in versatility because most on the market do not offer the ability to switch out lenses.  With that being said, you better make sure you like the lens tint that’s on the full frame sunglasses.

 

Half Rim

-This style tends to be the one that most people associate with military and law enforcement and for good reason. This is the choice for many MIL/LEO because of its robust protection from debris and huge selection of ANSI rated safety lenses, which is really important for the battlefield or during firearm use. However there are plenty of outdoor enthusiasts who swear by this style for its excellent field of view and protection from various conditions. One thing worth noting is that many if not all of half rim frames allow for interchangeable lenses of varied tints.

 

Rimless

-Characterized by a thicker lens where the temple frames snap/screw into each side of the lens. This style of sunglass is the go-to choice for cyclists and mountain bikers everywhere. Why? For one because there’s no frame on the top or bottom, you have an awesome field of view which is ideal for bikers that need to pay attention to the road in front and prepare for turns/obstacles ahead of them. Another excellent feature of this style is nearly every rimless sunglass lets you easily switch out different lenses to fit your exact lighting and or location conditions.

 

Lens Materials

 

CR39

–A fancy name for basic plastic, these lenses can be found in your cheap gas station sunglasses. I would avoid glasses with lenses made of CR39 because it lacks UV protection, anti-scratch coatings and has the potential to shatter.

Polycarbonate

–One of the most commonly used lenses on the market. The reason for this being its superb impact resistance, optical clarity, and resistance to temperature.

Glass

-By far the most expensive lens material. Glass lenses are considerably heavier than polycarbonate and C39 counterparts of the same shape and size. Often titled “Crystal” or “Mineral” lenses, a glass lens has the highest scratch resistance and overall optical clarity.

 

Coatings

 

Polarized

-This is the end all be all finish for defeating the glare of the sun, especially on or near water. Sunglasses with polarized coatings are the premier choice for fisherman, surfers and watersport aficionados.

 

Photochromic

-These miracle lenses darken according to the intensity of sunlight. Why go with a lens like this? When your sport or activity requires constant eye protection, these allow you to move seamlessly from shade to sunlight without the glare of the sun.

 

Mirror Coating

-When it comes to reflecting glare, a mirror coating excels at shielding your eyes from extremely bright conditions. Second only to polarized lenses, this coating provides high value glare deflection.

 

 

Tints

Colors:

Rose- Best uses are cycling, shooting, mountain biking

Yellow- Best uses are cycling, shooting

Brown- Best uses are cycling, driving, golf, baseball

Gray- Driving, cycling

 

 

I know this is a lot to take in but I promise you it’s the bare minimum of what’s needed to make an informed decision on you next pair of sunglasses. Not step back from your computer or smartphone, take a long deep breath and revel in the fact you’re now that much closer to giving your eyes the performance and protection they deserve.

 

Still lost when it comes to all things sunglass selection? Post your questions below!

 

Jeremy L • 4 Comments on The Ultimate Guide to Sunglasses

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Hunters: America’s Greatest Conservationists

Apr 9 • News • 5984

 

With Earth Day fast approaching, there’s no better time of the year to sit back and appreciate all the wonders of the incredible world in which we live. Many of you hunters and outdoorsmen and women can most likely call to mind vivid memories of majestic early morning sunrises, spring plants blossoming on rolling hillsides, and animals trekking down to their watering holes. However what’s hard to imagine is the fact that there was a time in this nation’s history where we came close to destroying many of these treasured memories. Booms in industry and population meant shrinking parks, forests and grasslands, pushing several species of wildlife to the brink of extinction. Thankfully a few brilliant and brave souls recognized this rapidly growing problem before it was too late, and to fend off pending doom for species such as whitetail deer, rocky mountain elk and ducks/waterfowl, called into action a group of individuals that can now be named as our nation’s greatest conservationists: American Hunters.

 

 

At the start of the 20^th century, many wildlife species in America were in serious trouble. The white tail deer population had dwindled to just 500,000, there were few duck/waterfowl left, and rocky mountain elk numbered just around 40,000. Needless to say, unless something was done, these animals could have easily been erased from our great land. Recognizing the need for more robust wildlife and conservation programs, the firearm industry took it upon themselves to enact a change to protect the land and animals they and their customers loved so much. This change came in the form of an 11% excise tax on firearm and ammunition sales. Manufacturers petitioned Congress, asking that this tax be allocated directly towards wildlife conservation programs – a bold first step in reinventing wildlife conservation in America.

 

 

 

 

Fast forward to 1937. Up until this point, the 11% excise tax on firearm and ammunition sales had been going into the United States Treasury, where it was then allocated and distributed to various conservation efforts. However Nevada Senator Key Pittman and Virginia Congressman Absalom Willis Robertson felt that these monies were not being allocated as effectively as they could be, so the pair sponsored a bill called the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, more commonly known today as the Pittman-Robertson Act. Signed by Franklin Roosevelt on September 2, 1937, this act went into effect on July 1^st of 1938. Now, all funds received from the excise tax on firearms and ammunition would be appropriated directly to individual States’ wildlife conservation efforts by the Secretary of the Interior. This change quickly led to more transparency and greater accountability across the 50 states, ensuring that the monies collected were spent in the most efficient manner possible. And with amendments to the law passed in the 1970s that added taxes from the sale of handguns and archery equipment into this pool as well, there are more resources than ever for conservation efforts across the country.

 

 

 

So, where has the money gone over these past 75 years? Well, each year nearly $200 million is collected through the Pittman-Robertson Act, and is distributed to the states based on various formulas that take into account, among other factors, the total area of the state and the number of licensed hunters that reside there. States then budget this funding for efforts ranging anywhere from the purchase, development and maintenance of wildlife management and refuges areas, wildlife and conservation research, hunter safety and education programs, and the construction and maintenance of shooting ranges for the public.

 

 

It’s easy to see that through purchases of the gear they need for the activity they love, America’s Hunters contribute more to wildlife conservation in this country than anyone else. A lot more.  Need additional proof besides the $9 billion that has been collected from hunters for conservation efforts thus far? Just look at the numbers. When firearm manufacturers first petitioned Congress in the early 1900’s, wildlife population was declining rapidly. Now, thanks to the conservation efforts funded by Pittman-Robertson, some of our nation’s wildlife species are reaching record numbers. The whitetail deer population has grown from 500,000 to 32 million, duck/waterfowl from just a few to 44 million, rocky mountain elk from 40,000 to over 1 million, and wild turkeys from 100,000 to 7 million. Clearly, these conservation efforts put into effect by hunters and the manufacturers of hunting equipment are doing wonders for some of the country’s most treasured wildlife.

 

 

 

 

Through these great conservation efforts, the future of hunting in America looks very promising. However it’s important to remember that our work is never done. If you would like your kids, grandkids, and their grandkids to experience and build their own memories of majestic early morning sunrises and watching animals wake to greet the day, we as the hunting community must continue to work hard towards wildlife conservation efforts. Because at the end of the day, the job to protect this great land falls on the shoulders of those who love it the most.

 

 

Want to learn more? Be sure to check out this fantastic infographic on hunting conversation from our friends at the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

 

 

What do you think about hunter conservation efforts in this country – are we doing enough to protect the land we love?

 

*Statistics courtesy of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

 

KellyB • No Comments on Hunters: America’s Greatest Conservationists

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