In any business, the industry’s major annual trade show gives you a chance to put a finger on the pulse and see how the whole organism is doing. The Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show is no exception.

The unnatural buying frenzy that followed the election of President Obama is waning in terms of guns, but is still absolutely in effect insofar as ammunition. While the ammo shortage has let up a little, I don’t see it getting a whole lot better any time soon.

Overall, the attitude of the buyers – the retailers who make up most of the attendees – was optimistic. Most of the vendors I spoke with were very happy with the volume of orders they wrote at the show.

The currents that drive markets are sometimes as obvious as the post-2008-election purchasing panic, and sometimes more subtle. An example: tons of folks bought their first AR15s or similar rifles during that period. Now we’re seeing a smaller but very real second wave of purchasing. The guy who bought his first AR last year takes his buddy, his brother-in-law, or his next door neighbor to the range with him when he goes to shoot it…and the guest realizes this is a pretty neat gun, and decides to buy one, too. We’re also seeing a generation of War On Terror vets coming back proud and confident of the skills they’ve developed with the M16 and M4, and want a similar semiautomatic version, the AR15, for reasons that include protecting their family. Hence, this year’s SHOT Show theme of “AR = America’s Rifle.”

I first heard the “America’s Rifle” term from my colleague, Chris Christian, who used it in one of the many articles he has written for the publications of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which sponsors the SHOT Show. Everyone was fed up with the assumption that “AR” stood for “assault rifle,” a much demonized term in the American mainstream media. Actually, my understanding is that “AR”originally stood for Armalite, the company AR15 inventor Eugene Stoner originally formed to manufacture this rifle before Colt bought in to the concept and gave it some very long legs. Once it became the standard rifle of US armed forces, of course, “AR” was locked into firearms terminology forever.  Back in the day, my good friend Rich Davis proposed that the AR15 be called a “Home Defense Rifle.” Unfortunately, that didn’t catch on. Some suggested calling it a Sports Utility Rifle; I guess if you had one in a large caliber and lived in the hills of California, you could call it a “Big SUR.” That didn’t catch on, either.  Maybe “America’s Rifle” WILL grow legs. I hope so. Thank you, Chris Christian.

The day after the Show, I wound down at a Glock match at the Las Vegas Metro Police range. Met a lot of great people, many of them cops, and was delighted to see how many LVMPD officers had volunteered to run the range the department opened to this largely private citizen event. After all, law enforcement and law-abiding armed citizens are natural allies. It was a great match (check out the format at www.gssfonline.com; there’s probably one within striking distance of you if you want to give it a try), with lots of fine people attending.

I can’t think of a better way to wrap up an intense week in the world of the gun.

Remington’s introduction of their R-15 has done much to “legitimize” the AR15 as a hunting and sporting rifle in the US.

Arrow points to ejected spent casing as this young gun brother shoots the Glock match at the Las Vegas Metro Police range the day after the close of the Show. It was a great way to wrap up a week in “the world of gundom.”

Chris Christian, the gun writer and firearms expert who, to the best of Mas’ knowledge, coined the term “AR stands for America’s Rifle.”

1 COMMENT

  1. Hi Mas,
    Did you hear anything regarding future gun control initiatives we should be on the look out for?
    I’m not looking for trouble, just thought I’d see if you’d heard anything.
    Great post as usual.

  2. …Rich Davis proposed that the AR15 be called a “Home Defense Rifle.” Unfortunately, that didn’t catch on. Some suggested calling it a Sports Utility Rifle…

    For what it’s worth, I usually just say “light carbines”. Most non-gunnies don’t understand that these eeeee-vil “assault weapons” are substantially less powerful that your average deer rifle, so it seems useful to use a term that implies both their handiness and their intermediate power level.

  3. Matthew, I’m afraid that’s never gonna end. NRA and Second Amendment Foundation websites are your best source for staying current.
    best,
    Mas

  4. “Remington’s introduction of their R-15 has done much to “legitimize” the AR15 as a hunting and sporting rifle in the US.”

    Absolutely what I saw in the R-15 series from the day Remington announced them.

  5. Mas
    been reading your blog for a while and like it a lot. I’m an immigrant to this great country (got my citizenship in 2006) and love to shoot and reenact the Revolutionary War. Anyway, from what I understand the “AR 15” stands (or rather stood) for “Armalite Rifle, Model 15”. Apparently this version was their 15th try and they finally got all the details the Military wanted.
    Keep up the good work and keep your powder dry!!

    Kyle

  7. MA is gearing up to add some new ridiculous gun regulations, despite being the least firearm-friendly state in the country. It never ends here, where the Revolution began but some degree of freedom keeps being eroded. The Minutemen must be rolling over in their graves.

    Steve

  8. Mas,
    Thanks for another outstanding “hands-on” evaluation. As an active participant in the war games in South-East Asia from from 1965 to 1968, I had the opportunity to use both the M-14 and M-16 in combat situations. The M-14 (M1A civilian) in 7.62 NATO or .308 WIN, is far superior as a battle rifle, In my opinion. Now, after almost 35 years in civilian LE, I have been arguing with city counsels, sheriffs, citizen community boards et al, that the same weapon is a better for LE than the 5.56 (.223) AR-15. Why? I have seen many times a bad guy take muliple 5.56 rounds and keep fighting. The 7.62 is very effective at knock-down, stay-down. I feel the larger caliber round is safer for the public as well…less lead being thrown down range. Now I preach “shot placement” just a strongly as you, Brother, but like the argument 9MM vs .45 ACP, why slap ’em when you can punch punch ’em.

  9. AR could also mean “Ayoob’s Rifle” too! Personally I prefer the Galil in .308 or FN-FAL, but the AR-15 in 6.8 SPC or .223 with soft point ammo would be an adequate home defense weapon.

  10. “Thanks for another outstanding “hands-on” evaluation. As an active participant in the war games in South-East Asia from from 1965 to 1968, I had the opportunity to use both the M-14 and M-16 in combat situations. The M-14 (M1A civilian) in 7.62 NATO or .308 WIN, is far superior as a battle rifle, In my opinion. Now, after almost 35 years in civilian LE, I have been arguing with city counsels, sheriffs, citizen community boards et al, that the same weapon is a better for LE than the 5.56 (.223) AR-15. Why? I have seen many times a bad guy take muliple 5.56 rounds and keep fighting. The 7.62 is very effective at knock-down, stay-down.”

    Proven in the Battle of Mogadishu (Somalia) – where multiple 5.56mm hits in nonsurvivable areas to khat-high Somalis had NIL stopping power.
    I’d also add that – for the assault-rifle format, with its lighter weight in a shorter package – the AK-47 in 7.62x39mm delivers far more stopping power and penetrating power. Also ultimate in reliability – unlike ARs.

  11. I don’t have much experience with the civilian ok AR 15, but I like the new name of America’s Rifle.
    I certainly cannot speak to compare the reliability and accuracy, except to say that it certainly is the choice of a number of veterans who have returned to civilian status.
    We are in really bad times right now. I have heard our present administration demonize returning veterans, demonize supporters of the constitution, and demonize those of us who choose to exercise our right of self defense. If someone wishes to choose the American Rifle to protect his/her family and home, more power to them!
    However, we do have options.
    I would like to point out that the original magazine fed repeater was/is the venerable levergun. The leverguns of today come chambered for some very useful cartridges, capable of self defense and putting food on the table. If one needs to carry something handy and useful, there are worse choices.

  12. “I would like to point out that the original magazine fed repeater was/is the venerable levergun. The leverguns of today come chambered for some very useful cartridges, capable of self defense and putting food on the table. If one needs to carry something handy and useful, there are worse choices.”

    Additional thoughts here:

    1) .30-30 ammo is available EVERYWHERE; if a place carries any centerfire rifle ammo, it sells it – from Wal-Mart to hardware stores.
    2) Marlin 336 sells for less (used) than half what an AR-15 does – and less even than an AK-47 does.
    3) Marlin 336 and (some) Winchester 94 variants well-supported in aftermarket with user-installable ghost-ring sights etc.

  13. Mas,
    The NSSF held a press conference at the Shot Show at which it introduced yet another new label for the AR-style rifles: Modern Sporting Rifle. The NSSF has an elaborate page on its web site explaining this rebranding campaign and the history of military rifles making the transition to civilian hunting rifles. It would be of interest to both gun enthusiasts and history buffs.
    Best,
    Paul Barrett