The 2025 Shot Show Industry Day at the range was sunny, cool, and windy. The 20-30 mph wind combined with a temperature of 45-55 degrees made those who were not dressed for the weather uncomfortable. The wind was strong enough to put significant dust in the air.
The weather may have contributed to a somewhat smaller turnout this year than last. There were plenty of exhibitors in place, with many interesting items to see.
This correspondent was interested in the new Keltec PR57. The pistol is lightweight (less than 14 ounces! ) with an integral magazine capacity of 20 rounds of 5.7×28 cartridges. The Keltec employee helping at the bench said stoppages were very rare. Attempting to fire the pistol from a rest provided, the first shot resulted in a jam, easily cleared by racking the slide. The startled look on the Keltec employee’s face convinced this correspondent he was surprised. He wondered if the blowing wind and dust might have contributed. Another four rounds were fired with a standing, two-hand hold. The five-shot group at 10 yards was not centered because, it was said, the red dot sight had not been zeroed. The group was about two inches in diameter.
There were at least four silencer/gun muffler manufacturers among the exhibitors at the range. This correspondent fired a Glock 18 machine pistol through Silencer Centrals’ latest 9mm silencer/gun muffler, the Banish 9K. The terms silencer, gun muffler, and suppressor are used interchangeably. The Banish 9K is 3D printed of titanium. It is a small suppressor, and is so light it does not need a booster on the Glock. The Glock 18 with the Banish 9K worked well. In typical Glock 18 fashion, it tended to climb rapidly in full auto mode. The Banish 9k Only weighs 2.7 ounces. The lightweight is probably the reason no booster is needed.
One set of exhibitors for Shopware had a porch pirate steal their promotional materials and booth set up from an address in South Carolina. It left their booth at Industry Day at the Range will little to show. According to online sources, Shopware specializes in industrial software to aid companies in marketing online.
The three exhibitors seemed in good spirits in spite of the theft and windy weather.
There were at least three booths at the range showing less-than-lethal equipment. Byrna has been making a splash with its radio advertisements. Sabre has been in the deterrent spray business for a long time. They had CO2 and compressed air projectors on display. PepperBall claimed to have the best non-lethal option. Many self-defense scenarios can be handled without resorting to lethal means. It is always good to have a firearm to back up the non-lethal means. Police officers are taught to have firearms to back up less-than-lethal means of subduing suspects.
The exhibitors recognized the problems with CO2-powered projectors in cold temperatures. Keeping the projector close to the body or using compressed air instead of CO2 were offered as solutions. C02 was said to work in temperatures above zero. CO2 powered powered projectors lose considerable pressure in low temperatures. The pressure from a CO2 source at 0 degrees F is about 1/3 the available pressure from a CO2 source at 75 degrees F. More pressure on CO2 at lower temperatures turns gaseous CO2 into liquid CO2. This is why the pressure available from a CO2 source decreases with decreasing temperature.
On the way out to the range, John Petrolino urged this correspondent to work on a book putting together what has been learned about bears defense with pistols. Many others have done the same. Nothing was promised. It is a worthwhile idea.
Barrett Expands MRAD & MRADELR Offerings with New Barrel Conversion Kits & Caliber Options
SureFire Modernizes Suppressor Compatibility with the All-New Fast-Attach Hub
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
It can be cold on range days
Dean, I second Mr. Petrolino’s request and have said so in various posts to your articles here at Ammoland. I believe it would be an excellent coffee table book. I’m already in line waiting for an opportunity to buy an autographed first edition!
These conditions are an excellent way to see who maintains weapons and who don’t. Weapons are to be cleaned 3 consecutive days after last firing! Source: USMC School of Infantry, Camp San Onofre. Get busy AR lovers!
That Kel Tec doesn’t sound too promising.
Strange the rep didn’t even bother to zero the red dot.
Sloppy presentation on their part. But if they were so lazy as to not zero the red dot, maybe they were too lazy to de-grease a new gun before they put it out there to be shot as well.