Gun Writer’s Event Held at NRA Whittington Center

The 6th annual Optics Ballistic Summit was once again held at the NRA Whittington Center near Raton, New Mexico for 2024. This event is intended to give the outdoor/shooting media a front row seat to current and next generation products in the firearms and shooting world with the opportunity to go hands on with some of these products.

Lucid Optics, the sponsor of the Summit is based in Riverton, Wyoming and has become known for quality optics and related accessories at an affordable price as their motto “On Target, Under Budget” proclaims. Jason Wilson, founder and CEO of Lucid Optics rounds up numerous manufacturers associated with the shooting industry and organizes their stay at the annual event.

Lucid again showed off their E7 Reflex Sight at this year’s event. The E7 is one of the newer products from Lucid and is ideal for pistol, carbine or shotgun applications. This sight is the first and only reflex sight on the market with a blue colored reticle. Sporting a high efficiency LED emitter that provides a sharp M5 Reticle, has proven to be 30% faster to target than a standard dot. The E7 optic is currently available and retails for around $300.

Lucid E7 Optic with Blue Reticle

Other Lucid optics that provide a blue reticle include the P8 prismatic optic and the L7 1-6x scope. Lucid Optics is the only company I am aware of using the color blue in many of their reticles.

You will find many other accessories such as magnifiers, scope rings, targets, quick release mounts, tripods and much more at lucidoptics.com.

Bishop Firearms

If you’re looking for something a bit unique and different in a big bore rifle, Bishop Ammunition is the place you want to turn to. Specializing in AR-10, bolt and lever guns that shoot some heavy stuff, Bishop Arms either has it or can manufacture it.

Bishop’s Tactical Lever Gun in 458 SOCOM

Based out of Pocatello, Idaho this company builds cartridges like the .475 Bishop Short Magnum, and the .458 SOCOM, not to mention rifles that can handle these heavy hitters.

Bishops model 1895 lever gun in .458 SOCOM was recognized as Tactical Lever Gun of SHOT Show 2024. This lever gun is also offered in a more traditional western style platform (1895 GBL) and is certainly viable as a heavy brush gun in bear country.

Shooting the .475 Bishop Short Magnum in an AR-10 platform at the Lucid event was an eye-opening experience, but not as bad as one might expect. This cartridge and the rifle leans towards the novelty category but certainly could be used in the hunting field for say buffalo or elephant!

Bishop offers a variety of unique firearms to include:

  • Bishop 458 Socom Hunter, a magazine fed, 18-inch barrel, bolt action rifle in .458 Socom (this little bolt gun ran flawlessly)
  • AR475, semi-automatic AR-10 Rifle Chambered in 475 Bishop Short Magnum
  • Bishop Exodus ARTC, brings the best of the AR15 and Thompson submachine gun together, available in 45ACP, 10mm, 40 S&W, and 9mm (this gun was a blast to shoot in the 10mm)
  • 458 Socom 1895 GBL, Lever Action in 458 SOCOM
  • Bishop M16A1S, a semiauto M16 clone built to match level quality

Bishop Firearms and Ammunition is truly a unique company, check them out at bishopammunition.com for these and other offerings. 

Opal Ammo

Opal Ammunition is a family owned and operated business based in Opal, Wyoming where they are currently producing about 1.5 million rounds per month. They have an expansion in the works to get their production up to well over double that number.

Opal Ammunition

Their goal is simple, “to provide premium quality ammunition at an affordable cost”. Using high quality American made components in their ammunition while striving to make sure your last shot is as consistent as your first is what they do!

Currently 18 different calibers are available through Opal ammo mostly packaged in their own heavy duty bulk ammo cans. I have personally fired several hundred rounds of Opal 9mm and 5.56 and have yet to experience a failure.

Check them out at opalammo.com

Tactacam

Looking for a security camera system in a remote area where Wi-Fi is impossible for maybe your cabin, private hunting area or ranch? Tactacam/Defend may be just what the doctor ordered.

This camera system is devoted exclusively to security and is based on cellular not Wi-Fi that will also switch to satellite if the cellular system is down. The Defend camera can be set to pick up specific objects such as vehicles, animals or people.

Defend Camera by Tactacam

Created to be placed higher than a game camera, the Defend camera comes with either a rechargeable lithium battery pack or a solar battery pack and is weatherproof along with providing low glow infrared capability.  

Any alerts can be viewed via your cell phone with the correct app. With a detection range of 100 feet at high resolution the Tactacam Defend camera system is well worth a look if your remote security needs demand it.

Take a look this and other products at tactacam.com/defend.

 

10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company

Many an outdoors person enjoys a smooth Bourbon, Brandy or Whiskey at the end of a long day’s hunt or outdoor excursion. Why not support a company whose name precedes them?

The 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company is named after the well-known and highly respected 10th Mountain Division of the US Army. They were again on hand at this year’s Ballistic Summit to allow all attendees a taste of their spirits…after range times of course.

On the company’s website you will find the following statement: “The patriotic men of the 10th brought diversity, courage, and hope to the Rocky Mountains when they arrived in the 1940s to train just a few miles south of what is now Vail, Colorado. They were part of the greatest generation of men, wanting to make each day count and each day better than the last. The mentality they had was strong after being shaped from the rigors of mountain warfare, their egos humble.”

10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company

A profound and well-earned statement about the 10th Mountain Division indeed!

Check them out at 10thwhiskey.com.

Well, that’s all folks, an overview of products offered at the 2024 Lucid Optics Ballistic Summit held at the NRA Whittington Center of northern New Mexico. Consider supporting these and other gun industry companies from across the nation. It is critical for helping to keep shooting sports, and 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.

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