Coverage opens at the Fostech booth, where the hosts introduce part two of their SHOT Show Day One tour by handling an extremely lightweight Fostech handguard. David from Fostech explains that the rail is built from a magnesium–aluminum alloy that matches or slightly exceeds the strength of 6061 billet while saving roughly 33% in weight. Fully assembled with hardware, the rail comes in at just over 3 to about 3.5 ounces. Ben steps in to praise Fostech as a company that is straightforward to work with and highlights the Echo Trigger system, which fires on both the pull and the release. David details the internal “governor” that mechanically locks the trigger until the carrier is fully forward and in battery, preventing outrunning the trigger. The booth is consistently crowded as attendees are surprised by how light the rifles feel, with Katie dramatically demonstrating the weight by holding a complete rifle up with a single finger.
The discussion briefly turns to the Fostech Origin shotgun, described as one of the fastest cycling shotguns available. Its gas system taps high-pressure gas early, right at the end of the chamber, and diverts it forward to drive the carrier faster, prompting joking questions about a full-auto version. The focus then shifts to Desert Tech’s Quattro 15 lower receiver and the Quad Mag 53 magazine. The Quad Mag 53 is a quad-stack, 53-round polymer magazine that maintains the overall height of a 30-round PMAG. It uses a single spring, single follower, and carefully engineered internal ribs to promote reliable feeding and shed debris. The Quattro 15 lower uses a proprietary magazine catch and bolt catch to interface with the quad-stack, but otherwise accepts standard AR-15 components. It includes an ambidextrous bolt release/bolt catch and ships with an adapter that allows use of standard PMAGs while keeping the rifle’s weight similar to a conventional AR until the larger magazine is loaded.
Desert Tech’s Trek 22 is introduced as a clamshell polymer bullpup stock for the Ruger 10/22, designed to shorten overall length and improve balance. The Trek 22 retains all factory Ruger controls but uses a linkage system that can actually reduce trigger pull weight compared to the original configuration. It offers in-stock storage for 10-round rotary magazines, a free-floated barrel channel, a full-length top Picatinny rail, and M-LOK slots for accessories, making it attractive as a compact backpack or survival rifle, especially for younger shooters. The conversation then moves to Desert Tech’s involvement in the NGSW program. The company originally worked with PCP polymer-cased ammunition and planned a 50-round quad-stack magazine concept. Although they were not down-selected in the program, the quad-stack magazine work was repurposed into the commercial Quad Mag 53 and Quattro 15 AR-platform products, bringing high-capacity, compact magazines to the civilian market.
Attention shifts to Daniel Defense and the new DD5 12.5-inch SPR, a compact .308/7.62 rifle optimized specifically around that caliber. The DD5 features a DLC-coated bolt carrier group with an internal buffer or dead-blow system that reduces firing pin drop and mitigates the risk of accidental discharges. Daniel Defense notes that the DD5 is not offered as a pistol configuration due to ATF concerns, but it does include a two-position gas block for suppressed and unsuppressed operation and fully ambidextrous controls for the bolt catch and magazine release, compatible with earlier DD5 models. The segment then transitions to the Delta 5 Pro precision rifles, shown in 16-inch .308 and 18-inch 6.5 Creedmoor configurations. Built on the original Delta 5 action and barrel, they are housed in a more rigid Pro chassis with an integrated Arca-Swiss rail, a robust barricade stop that avoids magazine binding, an ambidextrous magazine release, and a movable thumb rest tailored for false-grip precision shooters.
Daniel Defense continues with the DD4/M4A1 equipped with the new RIS III rail. This M-LOK, two-piece rail is a backwards-compatible evolution of the original RIS II, still allowing a free-floated M203 grenade launcher while using the same bolt-up plate. Users can swap from RIS II to RIS III without removing the barrel or losing zero. The new ambidextrous lower features mirrored bolt catch and magazine release controls, plus receiver grooves that make bolt catch changes easier. Daniel Defense expects to ship these rifles in volume around April, avoiding the frustration of tiny, sporadic dealer allocations. The video then moves to LWRCI, showcasing a California-compliant ICDI direct-impingement rifle. It uses an oversized rear takedown/release pin that quickly breaks and re-closes the action while preserving a standard AR aesthetic. LWRCI highlights in-house Cerakote work, including tungsten gray and an RSR-exclusive burnt bronze, along with other dealer-exclusive colors. Finally, LWRCI discusses its SMG platform, noting that 9mm production is ramping up for 2022 with output around 200–250 units per month, while additional calibers like 10mm are under consideration depending on production capacity.
The tour stops at the Staccato booth, where representatives explain the rebranding from STI to Staccato and a strategic shift from pure competition guns to duty and defensive pistols for law enforcement and civilian protectors. The Staccato P is highlighted as a 4.45-inch steel-frame duty pistol, now also available with an aluminum frame, with threaded barrel options and mostly optic-ready configurations. Mounting plates support optics such as Leupold, Aimpoint Acro, and Holosun, while iron-sight-only setups remain available. Additional models include the Staccato C with a 3.9-inch barrel, XC-style cocking serrations and lightning cuts, and XL-style black barrel options. A new Dawson Precision compensator threads onto a P with lightning cuts and uses a toolless guide rod, expanding consumer customization. The video then transitions to Grand Power’s Stribog SP9 A3G, a 2022 roller-delayed blowback 9mm variant that accepts Glock-style, Glock-compatible PMAG magazines. It offers about 10% less recoil and reduced weight compared to earlier Stribog models, and a shorter SP9 A3S with a 5-inch barrel is shown, retaining the roller-delayed system in a very compact package.
At the Rex Defense booth, the Delta Gen 2 9mm pistols are introduced as highly modular handguns with ambidextrous controls. The system supports three frame and slide size combinations—L, M, and X—allowing users to tailor grip and slide length. A tactical model is optics-ready and suppressor-ready, featuring a threaded barrel and suppressor-height sights. The Rex 02S aluminum-frame DA/SA 9mm pistol is also showcased, with a slimmer, aggressively checkered grip and ambidextrous features aimed at shooters who prefer a traditional double-action/single-action system. The coverage then moves to POF USA’s Phoenix 9mm PCC, a very compact, lightweight pistol-caliber carbine. The Phoenix uses a billet lower and a monolithic upper with a reversible, non-reciprocating charging handle that can be folded to avoid interference with thumb-over-bore grips. POF designed a proprietary 35-round magazine specifically for the Phoenix to maximize compactness and reliability instead of relying on Glock or aftermarket magazines, and the weighted blowback operating system is tuned for controllable recoil and good balance, even for shooters with smaller hands.
The Battle Arms booth highlights the company’s renewed focus on lightweight rifles and classic models. Jay explains that production is ramping up and that Battle Arms is bringing back its well-known lightweight receivers and rifles, including a new generation of the OIP (Ounces Is Pounds) and the Silent Professional, both updated with various improvements. The company is also developing 6mm ARC platforms with 16-inch, 14.5-inch, and potentially 12.5-inch barrels. Testing from a 16-inch barrel at roughly 2,400 feet elevation shows average velocities around 2,585 fps and easy hits on a 6-inch gong at 850 meters, with recoil described as very mild compared to a standard 5.56 M4 carbine. A Cerakote finish tailored to the hunting and predator/varmint market is showcased, and there is discussion of offering 6mm ARC as an upper conversion kit that includes a bolt and a chambered, headspaced barrel rather than only as complete rifles, appealing to coyote, varmint, and predator hunters.
The focus shifts to Streamlight’s new weapon and utility lights. First, the TLR-6 and TLR-7 Sub additions are covered: a TLR-6 light/laser combo tailored for the Taurus GX4 and a TLR-7 Sub variant designed for the Springfield Hellcat, expanding support for popular micro-compact pistols. Streamlight then presents the Sidewinder Stalk, a versatile helmet- and MOLLE-mountable light with a flexible boom. It houses multiple built-in LED colors, an IR mode, and an IR beacon, plus a lockout function to prevent accidental activation. The Sidewinder Stalk is compatible with CR123, AA, and AAA batteries and is offered in three configurations depending on included mounts and accessories. Finally, the BearTrap work light is shown, featuring both flood (up to 2,000 lumens) and spot (up to 1,500 lumens) modes with low, medium, and high outputs. A spring-loaded clamp, rotating head, hang hook, and integrated magnets allow mounting on vehicles, boats, and other metal surfaces, making it a flexible work and scene light.
A compact Streamlight helmet light is briefly demonstrated, with its brightness emphasized even in a well-lit environment. The tour then moves to Cadex Defense, starting with the CDX50 line. These rifles are offered in .50 BMG and 416 Barrett with barrel options including 32-inch, 29-inch, and a 20-inch tactical trimmer configuration. The tactical trimmer .50 features a 50-degree bolt throw that mimics the feel of a short action, making it smoother and more practical for law-enforcement use from vehicles like Bearcats. A Stormtrooper white CDX50 finish is highlighted as particularly popular. Cadex also showcases CDX40 Shadow rifles chambered in .408 and .375 CheyTac, with mention of a 375 Enabler option and a Stealth Shadow Vortex color scheme that closely matches a Vortex scope. The segment concludes with an introduction to the new Strike Pro chassis and R7 action, built on a Remington 700 footprint with a Remington-style safety and redesigned, user-serviceable skeletonized buttstock featuring quick-throw levers for length-of-pull and cheek-weld adjustments.
The Strike Pro precision chassis is explored in depth, focusing on ergonomics and tunability. Despite its adjustability, the stock maintains a weight similar to a traditional fixed stock. Quick-throw levers control both length of pull and cheek height, and user-serviceable shrouds allow fine-tuning of fit and tolerances. From the pistol grip backstrap to the trigger guard, the interface can be shifted forward or back via two screws to better match different hand sizes, and ambidextrous thumb rests are built in. The straight trigger shoe rides on a dovetail and can be moved or reversed for a customized reach. An Arca Elite rail is integrated into the forend, enabling direct attachment of an Arca Elite bipod, and a barricade stop is included for positional shooting. The open-top chassis design, inspired by a sponsored shooter, simplifies barrel and barreled-action swaps, with an optional top rail available for clip-on night vision or other accessories. Additional rear and front weight accessories allow up to about a pound and a half in the rear and multiple weights up front to tune overall balance.
The final portion of the video moves to the Invaris booth, where a VR training system is demonstrated. Katie is placed in a virtual bar scenario where all characters are designated as threats. Using a VR weapons platform, she engages targets that provide immediate visual feedback—green indicators for hits and red for misses—along with audio cues like screams to confirm successful shots. The system supports detailed post-action incident review, logging every shot, hit, and miss so trainees and instructors can analyze performance. The representative emphasizes that, despite the entertainment value, the core training goal is de-escalation, communication, and resolving situations peacefully whenever possible. Scenarios are trainer-led and non-scripted, dynamically changing based on the trainee’s dialogue, tactics, and decisions, creating a fluid, roller-coaster-like progression rather than a fixed outcome. Success depends heavily on how well the trainee uses verbal skills, tactics, and the environment, and failures require restarting and adapting. The hosts close by praising Katie’s performance and thanking George for the in-depth demonstration.
Loading...