Day four of SHOT Show continues as the crew shakes off fatigue and heads to the Allen Arms Tactical booth to meet with Josh from AAC. They dive into AAC’s new Ranger 5 RVP reduced‑back‑pressure suppressor, developed to answer the growing demand for gas‑mitigating, flow‑style designs. Josh explains that the core is a traditional baffle stack inspired by the classic M4‑2000, chosen to preserve the familiar sound performance, but that stack is surrounded by a double helix gas system. Diamond‑shaped ports at 90 degrees on the outside of each baffle feed gas into channels between the tube and the baffle stack. Those channels drive gas forward, then a counter‑clockwise spiral in the last inch to inch and a half of the can spins the gas back and forces it through speed holes, dramatically cutting back pressure while keeping tone and suppression in line with legacy models. The suppressor is 3D‑printed from Haynes 282 for strength and corrosion resistance and finished with an Alphatech coating sourced from the UK, chosen specifically for its very low infrared signature under night vision. Josh, an avid hog hunter, emphasizes how critical IR management is when running thermals or night‑vision gear, and the hosts note that many companies still overlook this. AAC includes the IR‑reducing finish at no added cost to the customer. The can is rated for high round counts on hard‑use hosts like short‑barreled carbines, and it interfaces with popular open‑hub mounting systems. To keep the price competitive, it ships without a direct‑thread adapter, letting users choose their preferred mount. MSRP is set at $899 through dealers such as Allen Arms Tactical. The video then transitions to the Bushmaster booth, where Lero walks through the reintroduced BA50 .50 BMG rifle. The BA50 features a left‑hand bolt, a 29‑inch barrel with a three‑port brake, a GG&G tripod, an adjustable Magpul stock, AR‑15‑style controls, and a two‑stage trigger. The rifle is positioned as a serious long‑range and anti‑materiel option with familiar ergonomics, and the retail price is listed at $6,878.
The crew spends more time at the Bushmaster booth, where the BA50’s left‑hand bolt is demonstrated to show how smoothly it cycles despite the massive .50 BMG cartridge. The controls—pistol grip, safety, and two‑stage trigger—mirror standard AR‑15 layouts, helping shooters feel at home on the big‑bore platform. Attention then shifts to a new Bushmaster pistol built on the Bravo Zulu pattern. It wears a BFI handguard, Magpul furniture, and a compact rear support system, and is chambered in 300 Blackout with 5.56 and .223 variants planned. The pistol is shown as a suppressed host optimized for subsonic ammunition, running Bushmaster’s new 30‑caliber M2 suppressor in a rapid‑fire configuration. From there, the hosts look at the Varminter Eradicator series, a line of .223 Wylde rifles with 18‑, 20‑, and 24‑inch fluted barrels, BFI handguards, and Bushmaster‑branded suppressors in multiple calibers. The discussion turns to 22 ARC, which the team praises for its flat trajectory, accuracy, and strong terminal performance on coyotes at 500–600 yards. A 22 ARC pistol concept is floated as a compact truck gun for predator control. Bushmaster staff emphasize the company’s renewed commitment to quality and domestic production, highlighting manufacturing in Carson City, 100% USA‑made components, and a full lifetime repair‑or‑replace warranty as part of rebuilding the brand’s identity as “America’s rifle.”
After some playful banter with James Reeves about late‑night antics and channel rivalries, the crew heads to the Colt booth. Camille introduces new optic‑ready 1911 competition pistols in 9mm and .45 ACP. These pistols ship with a cover plate that uses a Glock‑style dovetail rear sight, and Colt offers optional plates for popular footprints such as DeltaPoint Pro, RMR, and RMSc. The idea is to let shooters choose only the plate they need instead of paying for a box full of unused hardware. Colt also unveils revolver optic plates for the Anaconda and Python. These plates reuse the existing rear sight screw holes and support RMSc/Shield RMSc and Holosun 507K footprints, giving wheel‑gun shooters a clean way to mount micro red dots. Pricing is broken down clearly: the optic‑ready 1911 with cover plate lists at $3,399, pistol optic plate kits are $99, and the revolver plate is $79. Colt explains that selling plates separately helps keep the base pistol price lower. The crew then visits Scalarworks, where Phil shows the ultra‑light Fuse 1 riser with an extension that allows stacking red dots, magnifiers, or lasers in a compact footprint. He also introduces the Fuse 2 and Fuse 3 bolt‑on scope mounts in 30 mm and 34 mm. These mounts are narrower and lighter than the company’s ClickDrive quick‑detach offerings, and they add integrated piggyback red‑dot mounting capability while coming in at a more approachable price point.
Scalarworks takes a deeper dive into its new two‑piece scope ring architecture designed for piggyback optics. The rings use countersunk screws from the bottom to maximize thread engagement and spread clamping force over a wider surface, while six top bolts increase strength and resistance to recoil without requiring extra adapter plates. Phil explains the patented LevelDrive system: the user fully tightens one side of the ring, then uses a set screw that indexes off the scope’s base to keep the reticle level as the opposite side is torqued down, greatly simplifying precise leveling. The initial offerings cover 30 mm and 34 mm tubes, with plans to bring LevelDrive to Leap 8 and Leap 9 mounts. Scalarworks also shows a new 2.26‑inch‑height mount with the familiar ClickDrive QD system. It is extremely light and features an extendable section that allows standard‑height flip‑to‑side magnifiers—such as the Leap 6, the upcoming Leap 16, or other STS/Aimpoint‑style mounts—to line up correctly. An open base lets shooters see iron sights through the mount. The video then transitions to Sonoran Desert Institute, an online college focused on firearms technology and gunsmithing. SDI representatives outline their Associate of Science degree and certificate programs, including a handgun specialist track. Students receive tools and parts shipped to their homes or local FFLs and complete hands‑on labs where they build, modify, and test hammer‑fired pistols, striker‑fired designs, and revolvers. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for independent gunsmithing work or positions with firearms manufacturers and related businesses.
SDI staff further explain how their firearms technology and gunsmithing courses function entirely online. Course materials include detailed rubrics, instructional videos, textbooks, and direct instructor support for troubleshooting projects. Students complete practical assignments using parts and tools shipped directly to them, with some components routed through local FFLs when required. The difference between an Associate of Science degree and a certificate is clarified: the degree adds general education courses that some employers and agencies prefer and that can transfer to other institutions, while certificates focus tightly on technical skills for those who want a faster, more specialized path. Graduates move into a wide range of roles, from content creation and product support with large retailers to home‑based repair shops and custom gunsmithing businesses. Prospective students are encouraged to start at sdi.edu to request information and speak with admissions. The scene then shifts to Inside Armory in Houston, Texas, where the team is developing a US‑made Dragunov‑style SVD rifle. The rifle uses a receiver machined from 4140 steel billet and was reverse‑engineered through extensive measurement and prototyping of original examples. The first production model features classic wood furniture and is chambered in 7.62x54R, with modern variants in .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor planned. These updated versions will have free‑floated barrels, match‑grade chambers, and a 1 MOA accuracy goal. Dealer availability is targeted for the fourth quarter, with pricing around $4,000—substantially below the $8,500–$9,000 often commanded by collectible originals.
Inside Armory notes that the relatively low‑$4,000 price point for its Dragunov‑style rifle reflects the cost of extensive R&D, tight tolerances, and a rigid receiver design rather than any attempt to be a budget clone. Planned calibers include 7.62x54R, .308, and 6.5 Creedmoor, with potential Magnum and shorter‑barrel variants under consideration. User feedback is already influencing details such as whether to use pins or screws in certain locations, how important a bayonet lug is to buyers, and what styles of laminated stocks and dye colors are most appealing. The coverage then moves to Lead & Steel optics. The LP‑1 V2 Promethean red dot receives several refinements, including an improved QD lever, a serial ID grid for easier tracking, reduced power consumption, and a patented hybrid motion‑activation system. In this design, the motion sensor controls only the 65 MOA ring, while the central dot remains continuously on, ensuring an aiming point even if the motion sensor fails. Lead & Steel also introduces the Pandora V2 pistol optic, which features a more streamlined housing with softer external fillets and an internal objective‑retaining plate that improves safety and simplifies assembly. Updated microelectronics and PCB layout provide more flexible programming and enhanced reliability. The Pandora Gen 2, housed in an Acro‑compatible body, uses a 45 MOA ring with a 3 MOA dot and shares the internalized objective plate and revised electronics. A key accessory is the Ghost adapter plate, which fits RMR‑cut slides and allows the Pandora PB3 Gen 2 to sit at a milled‑in height, avoiding tall stacks of plates while preserving robust side‑clamping similar to Acro‑style mounts. Lead & Steel also shows a 3D‑printed proof‑of‑concept optic inspired by the Russian OKP‑77, using a floating objective lens and shared internals with the PB3 to give AK enthusiasts an affordable, lore‑rich option with a distinctive look.
At the Knight’s Armament booth, the SR‑15 KS1 rifle is introduced as a 5.56 platform built around a 13.7‑inch heavy dimpled barrel, the Mod 2 gas system, a URX6 handguard, a fully ambidextrous lower, and the E3.2 bolt. The package is meant to blend durability, reliability, and modern ergonomics in a compact fighting rifle. The spotlight then shifts to Knight’s new 3D‑printed Inconel suppressor family. The lineup includes the compact MCQ‑1, the lighter CRS2 5.56 model, an updated QDSS NT4, and modernized M110‑style suppressors. These cans use purge technology to reduce first‑round flash and overall sound signature while maintaining reliable function on gas‑operated rifles. Knight’s also shows lightweight 7.62 QDC variants, one of which weighs around 15 ounces and trades a small amount of flash and sound performance for improved handling and reduced front‑end weight. The hosts touch on Knight’s long history of military and law‑enforcement contracts and its reputation for field‑proven gear, with a tease about a possible future tour of the factory and the Institute of Military Technology. The segment underscores how additive manufacturing and purge systems are reshaping suppressor performance for professional users and enthusiasts alike.
The focus then moves to Umarex and the evolution of the Javelin air‑powered arrow platform. The original version used 88‑gram CO2 cartridges, but those proved too sensitive to temperature swings, so the design migrated to pre‑charged pneumatic systems and ultimately to the Nitro Javelin, which uses 3,600 PSI pre‑charged nitrogen cylinders. Each cylinder delivers four regulated full‑power shots suitable for hunting. Umarex also shows a nitrogen‑powered pellet rifle that uses the same cylinders and provides roughly 42 regulated shots, effective to about 70–75 yards. Offered in .177 and .22 calibers, the rifle incorporates a quiet‑air system to keep report down. The representative explains why staying subsonic—around 850–920 feet per second—is important for both accuracy and noise control, recommending heavier pellets and careful ammunition selection to manage stability and sensitivity to environmental conditions. The segment then introduces the Fischer, also known as the Javelin MH spear gun, which launches a 1,460‑grain solid fiberglass arrow with barbs for bowfishing rough fish such as gar, carp, and stingray. Different reel options, including spinning and spincast setups, are discussed to handle line management and retrieval in demanding aquatic environments.
Continuing with the air‑powered spear system, the hosts and the Umarex representative talk through bowfishing technique and equipment. They stress the importance of proper reel management—keeping the bail or button correctly set—to avoid losing arrows or spears. A Picatinny rail on the platform allows mounting red dots or lasers, which helps shooters compensate for water refraction by aiming below the apparent position of the fish. Bright red dots or lasers are recommended for visibility in murky water and low‑light conditions. The video then moves to QuadTech Systems, which produces mounts that integrate FPV drone goggles—specifically DJI Goggles 2 and 3—into Wilcox‑style night‑vision helmet mounts. This setup lets SWAT teams, law‑enforcement officers, and search‑and‑rescue personnel fly FPV drones without removing their helmets, preserving communications gear and ballistic protection. Applications range from military and defensive operations to rescue missions and long‑range shooting matches where aerial observation is useful. QuadTech sells DJI Goggles 2 mounts directly for about $359, while Goggles 3 require in‑house modification at their New Hampshire facility. The segment concludes at the Leapers booth, where a new extended monolithic MP5 handguard is highlighted. Slim and modern, it adds generous attachment space, includes scalloping around the cocking tube to preserve the classic HK slap, and features a dedicated slot for compact illumination devices under roughly 1.44 inches in diameter.
A modernized MP5‑style build is shown wearing the new handguard, with extensive Picatinny and M‑LOK real estate, scalloping around the cocking tube, and carefully placed cutouts that keep the serial number visible while allowing lights and side‑mounted lasers to be pushed forward. At TDI Arms, Evgeny presents the X47 AK rail system, designed to fit roughly 90% of AK variants, including 105, 101, 74, Soviet, Bulgarian, and various US‑made rifles. The X47 can serve as a simple handguard, an optics mount, or a full rail system and maintains zero by clamping to the handguard area rather than relying on the dust cover, making it suitable for thermal optics. TDI also showcases AR‑15 builder parts like the whimsically named “mustard bustard” grip and M‑LOK panels with reversible barricade‑stop features, plus an optics‑holding AK dust cover that uses a patented rod‑based retention system to keep thermals and red dots stable. Additional accessories include an enhanced Russian Izhmash‑style grip, lower handguard mounts, and stock adapters. The scene then shifts to Strike Industries, where a PRS‑oriented x‑axis handguard for Sako S20‑type bolt rifles is introduced. It offers full‑length ARCA Swiss on the 6 o’clock, M‑LOK at multiple positions, a scallop to clear large high‑power variable optics, partial top Picatinny for clip‑on thermals, and a multi‑angle pistol grip adjustable from about 10 to 35 degrees. Strike also previews a full‑aluminum Ruger 10/22 chassis with 6 o’clock ARCA, M‑LOK all around, anti‑rotation QD points, integrated thumb rests, an ergonomic magazine release and guide area, and a buffer‑tube‑based stock interface using their Advanced Receiver Extension and a Matador‑style stock.
Strike Industries notes Ruger’s upcoming carbon‑fiber 10/22 barrels and imagines pairing them with the lightweight aluminum chassis to create a modular backpacker rifle with minimal added weight. The focus then turns to the CZ Scorpion 3+, where Strike outlines a 2025 parts lineup that includes an aluminum handguard adapted to the new barrel nut, a faux suppressor, multiple sizes of charging handles with UV‑reactive properties, a three‑position PDW‑style rear support, and extended controls. These additions are intended to provide full support across Scorpion S1–S3 and 3+ models. The conversation then moves to Sig P320 FCU chassis systems, starting with the SMC Alpha Mark I. This aluminum chassis features a raised optic mount, an integrated spare magazine holder, a flared magwell, a blast shield, and a frame‑mounted SMC Alpha compensator to improve control. A backstrap insert allows the chassis to convert back into a more traditional handgun‑style grip configuration when desired. The SMC Bravo is presented as a polymer, budget‑friendly P320 FCU chassis released in 2024, enabling PDW‑ or PCC‑style builds with options like spare mag holders, blast shields, and compensators. It is compatible with M17 and M18 models and leverages Sig’s 30‑round OEM magazines for high on‑board capacity, making it attractive for defensive or range‑focused builds.
Strike Industries explains that its SMC chassis family for the M17 and M18—including the Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie variants—uses a removable cutout to accommodate manual safeties, a modification that end users can perform at home with basic tools. The spotlight then moves to the Charlie SMC, a Halo 3: ODST‑inspired chassis that leans into sci‑fi aesthetics. It features an FSA dual‑folder rear assembly, a full‑length Picatinny top rail, a Hexian Tech Scout red dot sight, a pistol linear compensator, an extended trigger guard, and textured indexing surfaces. The design emphasizes fun and visual impact while retaining full P320 FCU compatibility. The video then covers the PS90 Strike chassis, which replaces the factory chassis but retains the original trigger pack, barrel, and receiver. It adds an AR‑style grip with a more comfortable angle and an aluminum M‑LOK handguard with top and bottom Picatinny rails. The overall length helps meet restrictive state requirements, such as those in California, without resorting to pinned faux suppressor extensions, while still looking proportionate with the OEM 16‑inch barrel. A shorter P90 chassis version is also shown for SBRs and factory FN variants, designed to pair neatly with suppressors or blast‑forwarding devices tucked inside the handguard. Visible yellow paracord hints at an internal cable‑management system for a future, still‑undisclosed P90‑related product. The segment wraps up with lighthearted behind‑the‑scenes banter from the crew as they close out the final day of the show.
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