From John Farnum at SHOT; note last paragraph:
Begin forwarded message:
From:
JSFarnam@aol.com
Date: January 17, 2011 2:20:01 PM AKST
To:
dtiquips@clouds.com
Subject: [Dtiquips] 2011 SHOT Show, Range Day
17 Jan 11
2011 SHOT Show, Las Vegas, NV, Range Day:
We're here in Las Vegas, NV for the 2011 SHOT Show, starting tomorrow.
However, the live-fire Range Day was today at a local outdoor range complex.
Aimpoint, LaRue, Gemtech, US Ordinance, Hans Vang, and LMT all had their
wears on display and available for live-fire for those inclined.
My notes:
There are currently a number of attempts to combine optics suitable for
close-range shooting with long-range capabilities, creating a rifle with a
wide spectrum of capabilities. Most are bulky and require close eye-relief,
but there is clearly significant interest in such a system.
Leupold's HAMR (Highly Accurate, Multiple Range) optic combines a compact,
ruggedized four-times optic with a piggyback, zero magnification
mini-screen on top.
Their CQBSS Mark-8 is a 1-8 times optic with multiple functions.
LaRue combines a long-range scope with a piggybacked Aimpoint T1.
Aimpoint has a offset mount that permits the shooter to sight through his
scope on top of the rifle, but, with a slight move of his head, switch to a
T1 mounted at a forty-five degree angle on the right side.
Again, all are designed to allow a sniper to fight his way to a position,
engaging close targets on the way, then switch to effective long-range
shooting once he gets there. And again, the price one pays is bulk, weight, and
close eye-relief.
LaRue and LMT, both well-known for high quality and superb customer
service, had on display 308 rifles, on the Stoner System. LMT also chambers
theirs for 243, 260, 338 Fed, and 7mm/08 Rem.
US Ordinance, makers of heavy weapons for the military, had on display
their M2 (Browning 50cal HMG). It ran fine, but the days of tediously
adjusting head-space (using "go" and "no-go" feeler-gauges) when changing
barrels is over! Head-space is "set" at the factory, and a barrel change now
takes less than ten seconds! Quite an advance.
There upgrade of the troublesome M60 LMG, called the M60E4, has finally
turned a historically untrustworthy weapon into a reliable one. In Vietnam,
we could not keep M60s running, despite meticulous maintenance. Those days
are now over! The E4 runs well, and US Ordinance will be busy for the
next several years refurbishing all the old M60s, now found throughout the
world.
I talked this afternoon with Alex Robinson of Robinson Arms. He will be
down tomorrow with his XCR, now available in 308. I'll have my hands on it
shortly! So, those in need of a battle-rifle in 308 will now have yet
another excellent choice!
Show officially starts tomorrow morning.
More later!
/John
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