Once again, Outdoor News America sponsored another fantastic gun industry writer conference at the Texas Gun Experience indoor range in Grapevine, Texas. This two-day event in October of this year, provided an opportunity for outdoor writers and gun industry companies to rub elbows and put to the test great products that are both old and new.
Texas Gun Experience provides a 35,000 square foot facility and has lots to offer with their fully stocked firearms merchandise showroom, training classrooms and numerous indoor ranges. Want to shoot a full auto machine gun? They offer 200 different makes and models to choose from, including a Minigun!
What products and companies were on hand at this year’s event? Take a look below at a very brief overview of gun industry companies at this year’s Outdoor News America Gun Writers Conference:
Bond Arms
Bond Arms has been around for 27 years now and is a well know name when it comes to a quality derringer style handgun. Based in Granbury, Texas they are known for building the “Smallest, most powerful personal protection you can carry”.
Aside from quality, when you add in the ability to quickly change barrels (thereby adding more calibers), coupled with aesthetic appeal and affordability that all Bond Arms handguns offer means you have a winning combination.
The Bond Arms Cyclops
New offerings for 2023 are:
- The Honey B Derringer in 22 Magnum
Absolutely a great pocket pistol for easy everyday carry. MSRP $320
- The single barrel Cyclops style derringer in 45-70 (also available in 44 magnum)
I shot this gun and it was much more controllable than you might think…with the right loads! MSRP $699
- Lever B…a lever action, .223/5.56 caliber, magazine fed (AR magazines) carbine! MSRP $1599
We ran this lever carbine hard at the writer’s event and were impressed. The 2023 SHOT Show Gun of the year, the Lever B is big news from Bond Arms and will soon be released.
Go to bondarms.com for more information.
Skinner Sights
Andy Larsson has owned and operated Skinner Sights based in St. Ignatius, Montana since 2010. Skinner Sights are the tip of the spear when it comes to quality peep sights. Why? For one they are machined from solid steel, stainless steel or bar stock. No aluminum except on picatinny rails and the sights are designed to enhance the aesthetics of the rifle.
Skinner Sights also offers a variety of really cool shooting related products:
- HTF Garment Bag
This bag is looks like nothing more than your everyday hanging garment bag. However, upon closer inspection you will find that is designed to hold up to a 40” long gun, two handguns, additional magazines, plus pockets for additional survival gear. The garment bag can also be folded in half, buckled, and carried like a regular gun style case. Very covert! MSRP $189
- Folding Take Down Gun Cases
Very rugged cases that are perfect for any take down or folding firearm system you may have and are very discreet. MSRP $59
- Cartridge Pockets
These cartridges carriers are designed to hold four rounds of rifle ammo in your pocket in individual sleeves. Keeps your extra cartridges from clinking together in your pocket while hunting. I carried one of these in my front pocket this year while on safari in Africa. A simple but practical idea! MSRP $12
- Biothane Super Sling
This “leather look alike” material normally used for horseman’s tack but looks like leather, feels like leather, wears like iron, won’t crack, fade, peel, stretch, and will not absorb moisture or rot. MSRP $45
Skinner Sights offers much more including the Skinner 1×6 scope, picatinny rails with a peep sight integral to the rail, flashlight mounts, and Bush Pilot Survival Kits that includes a takedown carbine.
For more information on Skinner Sights, please visit skinnersights.com.
American Tactical
American Tactical was on hand again this year and as always showcasing many new innovative products on hand.
Just a few of the currently available but newer firearms from American Tactical:
- FXH – 45DSC pistol
A 2011 style double stack and a super value at under $500
- Road Agent side by side double barrel
Two models in both 12 & 20 gauge with and Old West appeal, MSRP $599
- Alpha Maxx 410 Pistol
The only 410 pistol in the US in an AR platform, MSRP $499
- TRX Bronco folding stock, bolt action hunting rifle
Will be available in 6.5 Creedmoor. .223 Wilde, .308 Win, .300 BLK, and 7.62×39, MSRP $1500
- S Beam 12 Gauge Shotgun
All parts are Rem 870 compatible and a great value for just over $200
- Alpha Maxx AR-15 in 5.56
New and upgraded version of the original Alpha AR-15, MSRP $469
American Tactical also produces parts for a wide variety of firearms, ammunition, magazines, gear bags and so much more!
Check out American Tactical guns & gear at americantactical.us.
ATI Milsport 410 Pistol AR
Mitchell Defense
Mitchell Defense is a veteran owned and operated manufacturer in Glenside PA. Specializing in the AR platform they make rifles in the AR10, AR15, AR9 platform and every rifle is designed to be accurate, reliable and durable with sub-MOA accuracy right out of the box.
Three lines of AR platforms include:
- The “DOC”
Five models of the DOC are available in calibers ranging from .223 Wylde, 6 ARC, .300 BLK and are carefully crafted to ensure unwavering reliability and unparalleled accuracy.
MSRP $1850-$2810
- The “Pipe Hitter”
Four models of the Pipe Hitter are available in calibers ranging from .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .300 BLK with accuracy, durability and reliability being the core of this line.
MSRP $2600-$3600
- The “Rat Dog” Pistol Caliber Carbine
Five models of this 9mm carbine are available and sets the new benchmark for reliability in the PCC market. MSRP $1750-$1860
Check out these quality-built AR platforms at mitchelldefense.com
Mitchell Defense Rat Dog Carbine
Wolf Premium Oils
Looking for a protective oil for all your outdoors gear? Wolf Premium Oils has it all including specific synthetic lubricants for firearms, fishing gear, archery, and knives. All of their products are designed to lubricate, clean, protect, and extend the life of your valued outdoor products that require a protective lubricant.
New this year in conjunction with Kinetic Concealment is the Tac Pack Cleaning Kit .
Take a look at wolfpremiumoil.com for these and related products.
Lionheart Industries
Lionheart is currently producing the VULCAN 9 pistol, a combat-ready and heirloom-quality firearm for self-defense. These pistols are made completely in-house Lionhearts manufacturing facility in Winder, Georgia.
These are quality made pistols that offer unique features such as, a Double Action Plus trigger system (allows for a 4.5 lb. trigger pull), a “J” trigger shoe, and a pronounced thumb rest to mention but a few enhancements this gun offers.
There are four models of VULCAN 9 pistols:
- VULCAN 9 Ember
- VULCAN 9 Shadow
- VULCAN 9 Combat
- VULCAN 9 Anode
All are optics ready and come with two 15 round flush fit magazines.
MSRP pricing ranges from $1299 to $1699.
Check out these awesome pistols at lionhearindustries.com
The Lionheart Vulcan 9mm
Additional gun industry vendors were on hand to showcase their products as well. These include:
SDS Imports is an importer of firearms from around the world to serve customers in the US. The company is based in Knoxville, Tennessee.
SDS is the importer of four firearms manufactures from Turkey that include:
- Tisas, Pistols
- Tokarev, Shotguns
- Spandau, Sporting and Hunting Over and Under Shotguns
- Military Armament Corp., Tactical style shotguns and a JSOC 1911 pistol
SDS Imports/Tisas Banton 1911
DeSantis Holsters provides holsters for everyday carry, concealment, hunters and law enforcement DeSantis does it all with top notch quality. Many new and quality holsters are on the list for 2023 including the Lifeguard and Persuader models.
AG Composites goal is to deliver the highest quality composite rifle stocks available at competitive prices with lead times measured in weeks not months.
Having these stocks in hand at the event proved to me just how lightweight and awesome the various hand painted camo patterns on these stocks are.
Hi-Point Firearms is a family owned and operated firearms manufacturer in the Midwest, Hi-Point with a 30-year history in the firearms industry. They provide a wide range of very affordable pistols and now are building pistol caliber carbines that include calibers ranging from .380 Auto to 10 MM.
Author Shooting the HiPoint 10mm Carbine
Also in conjunction with Hi-Point is MKS Supply that represents not only Hi-Point Firearms but also, Barnaul Ammo, Inland Manufacturing, and Full Forge Gear.
Cool Fire Trainer’s mission is to be the innovative world leader that provides a realistic, safe and cost-effective way to dry-fire using your own handgun anytime, anywhere. They market an awesome dry fire system for your existing handgun!
CoolFire Training Systems
Jacob Grey Firearms are made one at a time by a dedicated Gunsmith start to finish. The company provides superior craftsmanship and meticulous gunsmiths, who fit and test every gun, ensure each model is made to last a lifetime and outperform the competition. These firearms are built like a Swiss Watch!
Jacob Grey Firearms Wathog
iRAY USA is a Texas-based designer, manufacturer and distributor of premium thermal night vision devices. This company was established in 2020 to take advantage of more than 25 years of thermal sales, development, use and experience. Their thermal night vision is developed with the hunter in mind.
Taurus USA been around since 1982, and builds some of the most robust firearm’s brands currently available on the US Market. Taurus Holdings is owned by the Brazilian firm Taurus Armas. The company also includes two other well-known firearms brands:
Heritage Manufacturing, Inc. (Heritage)
Braztech International, LC (Rossi)
All three of these brands under Taurus Holdings are some of the best firearms on the market today.
Diamondback Firearms is a leading manufacturer of high-quality firearms for the civilian, military, and law enforcement markets. The company goal is to create quality and innovative products built by American hands and has quickly become known for its commitment customer service.
Diamondback provides a wide selection of firearms including AR-15 platforms, .22 Revolvers, 1911’s, striker fired pistols, and some awesome blades.
Diamondback Birdshead Revolver
Castle Tactical has developed a patent-pending modular panel system for displaying/storing your firearms and accessories is here. Whether you want a quick do it yourself gun rack on a wall, an entire gun room, or if you’re a gun shop owner wanting unmatched flexibility, the Armory System from Castle Tactical is the perfect solution.
Well, that’s all folks, an overview of all products offered at 2023 Outdoor News America Writers Conference. Please support them and other gun industry products across the nation. They and you are keeping the 2nd Amendment alive and strong!
About the Author:
TERRY NELSON – is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement with police and sheriff agencies, including SWAT and sniper roles, and has served as a state game warden. Nelson also served seven years with New Mexico State Guard. A lifelong hunter, guide, tracker and firearms enthusiast, Terry is sought for training in multiple disciplines by both civilian and police-serving agencies and companies. Nelson also holds a Basic Tac Med instructor certification from Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
