Day 3 Part 3 opens with the hosts joking about sore feet and the endless aisles of SHOT Show 2024 before heading straight to the Nightforce booth. Eric introduces the Configurable Field Spotting Scope, a 6–36x optic built for both wide, low-power observation and precise high-magnification work. It uses first focal plane reticles—Mil-XTS, MOA-XTS, and Tremor 4—designed to match Nightforce rifle scope reticles. The reticle is offset so the top of the field of view stays clear, making it easier to see bullet trace and impacts. A mission-configurable accessory cage surrounds the body, offering M-LOK slots, 20 MOA attachment surfaces, and an integrated RRS-standard dovetail. Users can mount red dots, thermals, or recording devices without bulky add-ons. Despite robust construction and impact testing, the scope weighs about 33.7 ounces and measures roughly 14 inches, staying under 50 ounces even when fully kitted with accessories.
The discussion wraps up the Nightforce optic by emphasizing its sub-50-ounce weight with attachments and compact 14-inch length, then shifts to the Barrett booth. Barrett unveils the MRAD ELR, described as the big brother to the MRAD and purpose-built for extreme long-range shooting with large cartridges. The rifle keeps the MRAD’s modular ergonomics, including adjustable length of pull, butt pad, and cheek rest. It is offered in 416 Barrett and supports a barrel maker kit that lets shooters swap to 375 CheyTac or 375 EnABELR in about five minutes. Barrett staff recount using the 416 Barrett MRAD ELR to take second place at the King of Two Mile competition, stressing the difficulty of 2-mile shots, long bullet flight times, and invisible targets. They note that over 300 shooters at range day made hits at 1,100 yards with the same platform, underscoring its consistency and accessibility for non-elite shooters.
Competitors continue discussing King of 2 Miles results, highlighting that more than 80 shooters participated and that simply getting an impact at 2 miles was a major accomplishment. They point out that three of the top 17 finalist teams ran new Barrett MRAD rifles, likely the only true production rifles in a field dominated by custom builds, reinforcing Barrett’s design credibility. The video then transitions to Beretta USA, where Olympian Vincent Hancock is introduced as a multi-time Olympic gold medalist in skeet. Hancock walks through his progression from the Beretta DT10 to the DT11 and DT11 Black, noting Steelium Pro barrels and a carbon fiber rib. He explains how the new SL2 advances the platform further. A key feature he emphasizes is the DT11’s detachable trigger group, which allows rapid repair or part swaps while preserving identical trigger feel, a critical factor at the highest levels of competition.
The Beretta segment continues with a closer look at the SL2’s competition-focused engineering. The shotgun uses an S682/DT10-style receiver with a boss mid-locking mechanism that feels exceptionally solid when closing. Beretta developed a new barrel system using 4D technology to map shot strings and patterns, then refined choke geometry and lengthened forcing cones to tighten and even out patterns. The speakers highlight Beretta’s heavy investment in competition shotguns, noting the SL2’s light weight and built-in recoil mitigation that still delivers soft felt recoil. They jokingly imagine a Team Beretta versus Team Classic showdown featuring Kim Rhode and Vincent Hancock. Attention then shifts to the Beretta GTS pistol, which features a frame-mounted decocker and twin sear technology that shortens the double-action pull when decocked. Built on a 92-series feature set, it shows excellent accuracy on steel, offers wood grips or an all-black configuration, and comes with a slide pre-cut for red dot optics.
After brief closing remarks on the GTS pistol’s wood grips, all-black option, and optic-ready slide, the focus moves to the Beretta BRX1 straight-pull rifle. The hosts highlight how the straight-pull action lets shooters keep their head down on the gun for faster follow-up shots. The rifle sports a bright orange bolt handle that is easy to see and manipulate, and Beretta notes its proven accuracy in harsh field conditions. The BRX1 uses a single-stage trigger adjustable from roughly 2 to 4 pounds, and its barrel is pre-threaded for brakes or suppressors. A three-position safety is accessible for both right- and left-handed shooters, and standard capacity is 5+1. A magwell adapter boosts capacity to 20 rounds, ideal for thermal hog hunting. The rifle is truly ambidextrous, allowing the bolt to be switched from right- to left-hand operation in about a minute without extra parts, with a carbon barrel model specifically mentioned.
At the KRISS USA booth, Mitchell outlines the 2024 KRISS Vector Gen 3 changes. The carbine receives a new shroud design with M-LOK slots, a shortened charging handle, and a reversible magazine release. The bolt catch gets cosmetic updates, and a new trigger pack refines the firing feel. An interchangeable pistol grip now accepts standard AR-15 grips, while the rear receiver incorporates Picatinny slots for flexible stock options. The redesigned stock offers full adjustment and folds to either side, with models available in 9mm, .45 ACP, 10mm, and .40 S&W. The host praises the Vector’s recoil system, describing the machine gun variant as extremely smooth, like a sewing machine or a pack of hornets, enabling very fast, controllable bursts in .45 ACP. The scene then shifts to EOTech, where the more affordable Vudu X line is introduced, including 1-6x and 2-12x second focal plane scopes with capped windage, 30mm tubes, illuminated reticles with off positions between brightness settings, and MSRPs starting around $799.
EOTech continues by revisiting its OGL “hot box” unit. The restricted government and law enforcement version is now shipping, while a commercial model is targeted for mid-year release, pending FDA-related considerations. The OGL is praised for its compact, ergonomic form factor and a patented lever that adjusts illuminator beam divergence by feel in the dark, allowing users to tune their IR flood or spot without looking. The coverage then moves to Yankee Hill Machine’s booth for the 2024 “Bad Larry” .338 suppressor. This tubeless can uses 17-4 heat-treated stainless baffles with a Cobalt 6 blast baffle and is rated for .338 Lapua Magnum, .308, and 8.6 Blackout. It features a tri-port end cap, 1.75-inch diameter, weight of about 17 ounces, and an overall length under 7.5 inches. Sound performance is quoted at roughly 136 dB at the ear on magnum loads. It ships as a direct-thread unit but is HUB-compatible, with an MSRP of $929 and expected street price around $800.
At Holosun, the hosts examine new night vision and thermal optics whose prices have dropped significantly while maintaining quality. Night vision units are expected around $1,000, and thermal units near $1,600, down from earlier $1,800–$2,200 estimates. The showcased device uses two sensors—one for night vision and one for thermal—and digitally overlays the images. It runs on two 18350 batteries, supports USB-C charging, and offers built-in digital zoom up to 5x on thermal and 8x on night vision, eliminating the need for a separate magnifier. Real-world performance includes identifying 13 individual deer at roughly 340–400 yards. The presenter describes using the unit as a handheld tool to locate a lost family member with dementia on a large property and for deer hunting. The segment closes by introducing Holosun’s RAID flashlight and a compact IR system that combines an IR illuminator, IR laser, and invisible laser, now controlled by a more tactile slider switch that is easier to use with gloves than the older rear knob.
The updated Holosun IR laser/illuminator unit is shown in more detail. It replaces the previous rear knob with a tactile slider switch, allowing users to change modes without removing the support hand from the rifle. Rear connectors are lowered so cables can wrap cleanly around the unit, reducing the risk of pinched wires. A new, smaller crane-style remote switch replaces a bulkier earlier design, improving ergonomics. The unit is expected to ship in Q2 at about $800 and uses a Vixel IR illuminator that pushes near the top of the allowed civilian power spectrum while remaining very lightweight. Initially, it is offered in black. Attention then shifts to the RAID flashlight, which can be mounted on Picatinny rails or used as a handheld light. It features dual rear switch options, magnetic rear charging, and a removable longer-format rechargeable battery. Output is around 1,000 lumens with over 80,000 candela, positioning it as a strong value in its performance and price segment.
Holosun’s new light/laser unit is discussed with emphasis on its proprietary Picatinny footprint and planned M-LOK and other mounting options. The unit is very lightweight and offers dual activation methods via a rear button and a pressure pad, with a variant that combines both for redundancy. The conversation then turns to the Holosun DPS Thermal digital pistol sight concept. This prototype mounts a thermal camera on the pistol’s front rail and wirelessly transmits a thermal image into a rear optic, while still allowing the use of white light. Potential applications include woods carry with a 10mm pistol and possible future adaptation to night vision integration. The hosts underscore Holosun’s push into new technological frontiers while keeping pricing accessible compared to traditional military-grade systems. The segment closes as they move to the Cloud Defensive booth, where their collaboration history is mentioned and Mike introduces the MCH Duty handheld light, highlighting its replaceable lens and S7 tool steel head tough enough to drive nails.
Cloud Defensive’s handheld lineup is explored in depth. The MCH Duty is presented as a hard-use light with a replaceable lens and an S7 tool steel head robust enough to drive nails without damage. It delivers about 1,800 lumens and 50,000 candela. The standard MCH is described as a popular everyday carry option. The new MCH Micro is now programmable and dual-fuel, capable of running on a CR123 battery in a pinch, with output around 800 lumens and 60,000 candela. A very small 350-lumen light is highlighted as an ultra-low-profile EDC choice. Speakers emphasize the durability and construction quality of Cloud Defensive lights, noting they withstand use near muzzle devices and high round counts without bending or breaking, unlike some competing brands. The discussion then transitions to rifle-mounted options, introducing the Rain and Rain Micro weapon lights, with the micro model offering roughly 1,000 lumens and 95,000 candela for compact yet intense illumination.
The final segment focuses on Cloud Defensive’s updated light controls and weapon-light ecosystem. New switch designs feature improved integrated cable management, including a cut-out side plate that allows side-exit cables to route cleanly along the rail. Buttons are enlarged for easier actuation while remaining low profile and snag-free. The main announcement is a dual-lead switch that makes the Rain series fully IR compatible without requiring a legacy body. This setup allows full-output white light while simultaneously activating an IR device or visible laser with constant-on, and IR-only with momentary activation. A single-button IR-only switch is also mentioned. In total, four new low-profile switches are slated for release on March 1, while the MCH Micro handheld lights are expected in mid-February. The hosts praise Cloud Defensive products and discuss planned use on rifles like the Rattler LT and everyday carry setups, then wrap up Day 3 of SHOT Show 2024, thanking attendees and inviting suggestions for future company interviews.
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