Shooting Illustrated joined manufacturers, writers and editors from all around the country and globe at the annual SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range, where we got our hands on the latest and greatest from firearms and accessories manufacturers for 2017. Here are five highlights fresh off the range:
The big buzz of SHOT Show 2017 is the new H9 pistol from the Texas-based Hudson Mfg. The pistol features a 1911-style trigger and grip angle melded with elements of modern striker-fired pistols. The example provided for shooters at Range Day featured the company's single-axis, straight-pull trigger with the integrated trigger safety. The large dust cover hides a lowered recoil spring that is intended to lower the pistol's bore axis. That, plus the 34-ounce weight makes it an easy shooter. MSRP on the new Hudson H9 is $1,147.
Another popular item at the Industry Range Day was the new Colt Cobra, the company's first double-action revolver in nearly two decades. The Cobra is chambered in .38 Spl. +P and features a six-round cylinder and a 2-inch barrel. The gun features a stainless-steel frame along with an improved trigger that is designed to avoid stacking, making for a smooth, consistent pull. An enlarged trigger guard and Hogue overmolded grips make it an easy fit for most shooters. The suggested retail price on the new Colt Cobra is $699.
A hidden gem we found at Range Day is this Mossberg 500 outfitted with a Shockwave Technologies Raptor Grip and a 14.5-inch barrel. According to representatives at the company, this particular model does not fall under the Any Other Weapon provision of the NFA, thus not requiring registration and a $5 tax stamp. How? Well, the birdshead grip is attached from the factory, meaning that a stock is never fitted to the gun. Since the ATF defines a shotgun as a firearm designed to be shoulder-fired, this, apparently, is not a shotgun. Thus, it doesn't have to meet the barrel requirements that stocked shotguns must meet. This model joins other short-barreled options in Mossberg's AOW Cruiser line.
Another gun to keep an eye on for this upcoming year is the new Walther Creed pistol. The Creed was designed by eliminating everything but the necessary and iconic qualities that Walther has come to be known for over the years. These features include a precocked, double-action trigger, the unmistakable Walther grip and front and rear slide serrations. The gun also features a durable Tenifer coating as well as an ambidextrous magazine release and a Picatinny accessory rail. All of these features come in a gun that sells for the suggested price of $399.
Finally, Shooting Illustrated got some range time with the new Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P 10 in 6.5 Creedmoor. This particular project has been in the works for some time now, and there's quite a bit to show for it. The rifle comes with a two-stage match trigger, a 15-inch free-float Troy Alpha Rail that is M-LOK compatible and a Magpul buttstock and pistol grip. The rifle also features a 20-inch barrel that is threaded for the use of muzzle devices or suppressors. This rifle will sell at a suggested retail price of $2,035.
The big buzz of SHOT Show 2017 is the new H9 pistol from the Texas-based Hudson Mfg. The pistol features a 1911-style trigger and grip angle melded with elements of modern striker-fired pistols. The example provided for shooters at Range Day featured the company's single-axis, straight-pull trigger with the integrated trigger safety. The large dust cover hides a lowered recoil spring that is intended to lower the pistol's bore axis. That, plus the 34-ounce weight makes it an easy shooter. MSRP on the new Hudson H9 is $1,147.
Another popular item at the Industry Range Day was the new Colt Cobra, the company's first double-action revolver in nearly two decades. The Cobra is chambered in .38 Spl. +P and features a six-round cylinder and a 2-inch barrel. The gun features a stainless-steel frame along with an improved trigger that is designed to avoid stacking, making for a smooth, consistent pull. An enlarged trigger guard and Hogue overmolded grips make it an easy fit for most shooters. The suggested retail price on the new Colt Cobra is $699.
A hidden gem we found at Range Day is this Mossberg 500 outfitted with a Shockwave Technologies Raptor Grip and a 14.5-inch barrel. According to representatives at the company, this particular model does not fall under the Any Other Weapon provision of the NFA, thus not requiring registration and a $5 tax stamp. How? Well, the birdshead grip is attached from the factory, meaning that a stock is never fitted to the gun. Since the ATF defines a shotgun as a firearm designed to be shoulder-fired, this, apparently, is not a shotgun. Thus, it doesn't have to meet the barrel requirements that stocked shotguns must meet. This model joins other short-barreled options in Mossberg's AOW Cruiser line.
Another gun to keep an eye on for this upcoming year is the new Walther Creed pistol. The Creed was designed by eliminating everything but the necessary and iconic qualities that Walther has come to be known for over the years. These features include a precocked, double-action trigger, the unmistakable Walther grip and front and rear slide serrations. The gun also features a durable Tenifer coating as well as an ambidextrous magazine release and a Picatinny accessory rail. All of these features come in a gun that sells for the suggested price of $399.
Finally, Shooting Illustrated got some range time with the new Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P 10 in 6.5 Creedmoor. This particular project has been in the works for some time now, and there's quite a bit to show for it. The rifle comes with a two-stage match trigger, a 15-inch free-float Troy Alpha Rail that is M-LOK compatible and a Magpul buttstock and pistol grip. The rifle also features a 20-inch barrel that is threaded for the use of muzzle devices or suppressors. This rifle will sell at a suggested retail price of $2,035.
