In partnership with

Shot Show 2025 Roundup

Elvis, ARs and Glocks Galore -- Viva Las Vegas, Baby!  

by Richard Baimbridge

Unless you’ve been living under a rock without YouTube, you probably already know that the Shot Show 2025 conference took place in Las Vegas last week. The largest firearms trade show in the country, it’s one of the city’s most popular annual conventions overall – which is saying a lot, considering how many events Vegas hosts each year.

Shot Show has been on a steady, exponential growth trajectory ever since it made Vegas its permanent home back in 2010. And this year was no exception, with more than 2,800 exhibitors and over 60,000 attendees – a testament to both the strength of the US firearms industry and the enthusiasm of the gun community.

Imagine the movie The Hangover combined with an area equivalent to three city blocks jam-packed with the latest innovations in firearms, tactical gear and gadgets, plus events like outdoor shooting ranges and after-hours parties. Like going on an Alaskan cruise or visiting the Statue of Liberty, it’s something that should be on everyone’s bucket list -- probably the closest thing to being a kid in a candy store that you’ll ever experience.

One thing you can say about Shot Show is that (much like Vegas, itself) it’s exhausting and overwhelming – there’s no way to take it all in. All together, there’s over 14 miles of aisles spread across two venues. What’s interesting is to compare notes with other folks and see what stood out to them, as there’s just way too much for one person to digest.

Despite some complaints that it’s an overhyped Glock-fest, I think there really is something for everyone at Shot Show, whether you geek out on pistols, hunting rifles, AR platforms, handloading, optics or the latest tech gear.  

Our main take-away is that there’s a palpable sense of excitement of having a pro-gun administration in the White House. The firearms industry has never felt more robust and optimistic. And it seems we’re reaching a tipping point in technology in terms of design, ergonomics, and especially modularity that’s nearly unprecedented.  

Yet there’s also a nostalgia that’s apparent in modernized updates of old favorites like snubnosed revolvers, Welrods, and lever-action rifles.    

I’ll put the rest of my thoughts into bullet-points to keep it short and simple. If you attended the show and think we missed something important or particularly interesting, and want to see more of it, please reach out and let us know!

Shot Show 2025 Top Highlights:

High Speed Swaps -- ultra-fast barrel/caliber swap systems with little-to-no tools, performed in just seconds. The Desert Tech SRS M2 is a prime example – sleek bullpup with super smooth 60-second caliber and barrel changes using a single 5mm hex torque wrench. A sign of an industry-wide shift towards increased versatility and modularity.  

Charter Arms “Double Dog” -- cross-caliber compatibility through interchangeable cylinders, allowing easy switch between .357 Magnum, .38 Special and 9mm cartridges. Double Dog is an offspring of the Pit Bull and Mag Pug models, tapping into the hot trend of convertible revolvers using rounds like 9mm more common in semi-autos.

Glock Optics Combo -- Aimpoint COA optics combo featuring the new A-CUT that allows direct mounting of a red dot onto Glocks without the need for adapter plates – because what’s a Glock these days without a red dot? 

Savage 21 Sharp Rimfires – one of the most overlooked new cartridges of 2024 is Winchester’s 21 Sharp rimfire. Savage has added this new chambering to many of its existing rimfire rifles, including three in the Mark III and one in the B Series. One of the first major improvements on the.22LR in years.

MDT LSS Gen 3 Chassis System -- fully modular platform offering an insane amount of versatility. This system debuted at Shot Show 2025, and it’s almost hard to believe how many configurations are possible. The choices are endless – competition rifle, tactical weapon, and a wide range of hunting set-ups.  

SIM X Ammo – possible game-changer for 9mm ammunition? Innovative lightweight, lead-free design brings rifle-level velocity (2250 FPS) to handguns, with mind-blowing (no pun intended) levels of expansion. If you’re looking for a good self-defense round, this could be a real show-stopper.    

Hornady Handloader Innovation -- High Speed 3‑in‑1 Power Case Trimmer. Allows reloaders to trim, chamfer, and deburr in one quick step. Features click‑adjustable micrometer for precise and consistent trimming. Works with cases from 22-30 cal, and lengths from 1.450" to 3.5".

KelTec PR57 -- ultra-lightweight 5.7x28mm pistol, weighing in at just under 14 ounces, with a top-loading clip instead of a mag. Compact pistol featuring a rotary barrel and 20-round capacity. Surprisingly low recoil for its size, which is less than an inch wide.

Best Snacks – big shout out to Greg from Tactical Snacks for the healthy and delicious fruit-flavored gummies. These things are addictive! Looking forward to the release in 2025!

Muzzleloaders -- NitroBolt just went next-level with a 24" chromoly steel fluted and tapered barrel, rifled with a 1:24" twist rate delivering greater accuracy for modern conical muzzleloading bullets. Three-position safety, cocking indicator and 3 locking lugs.

Look for more in-depth articles about our favorite new products in the weeks to come. Suffice to say, Shot Show 2025 didn’t disappoint and there’s still plenty to talk about. As the King said, Viva Las Vegas, baby! 

Receive Honest News Today

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Sign up today!

Want to share your Shot Shot experience? Click here to become a part of our community! 

We’re looking for people who love Elvis, hunting, archery, gear and firearms to write for us! Share your stories, tips, reviews, hip shaking and advice with our community of subscribers. Contact us today to find out more!