And I agree that the new AR craze is probably going to cause the anti-gunners out there to have more fits, but I think they’ll complain no matter what types of guns we use.

I can’t wait to see the upcoming reviews, Phillip.

I didn’t know you owned a gun store. Very cool! I’d love to own an archery shop (and I know exactly where I’d put it, here in Sacramento, a metropolitan area of over 1 million with no archery shop near the main urban centers).

I, too, am interested in the .22 platforms. You make a good point.

Interesting points, and valid I think. For the most part, I think you’re dead on about the AR platform’s audience as it pertains to the centerfires. I’m curious though to see how the marketing of the .22LR versions plays out. I also think we’re going to see more and more of these rifles entering the field at much lower cost (e.g. the Ruger Ranch and Mini-14).

I absolutely agree with the recommendation of a decent pump shotgun for home defense, although I’d go with something bigger than #6 shot. A stiff load of #4 will provide better oomph and penetration if the shot is more than a couple of feet (at a couple of feet, a skeet load will do the trick). But the sound of a pump action being worked is usually sufficient that no actual shooting is required.

When we owned the gun store back east, it was a regular thing to have guys come in to buy a defense gun for their wives or girlfriends. The first thing they’d always gravitate to was the little semi-auto, like the Beretta .25 or .380. I always tried to help them see the benefit of a shotgun instead, and failing that, I’d at least recommend a revolver over the tiny semi-auto. Less moving parts, better ease of use… but this whole thing is a discussion unto itself.

And yeah, it was a tough week (actually it was extremely exhausting). If not for all the toys, cool people, and interesting ideas on the show floor, I’d have burnt out after the first day.

Of course, the grown-up in me knows that these guns are being marketed to two particularly spendy niche groups right now, those folks who think it’s the end of America now that Obama is President, and those in the 40-50 year-old range (wink, wink). Gun sales definitely bucked the recession trend last year (which is why I was pretty confident your low turnout numbers on shooting day would not bear out during the week). Yeah, young people like to shoot, but what they really like to shoot is Dad’s gun, whatever that is. If they like/need to get their own gun, they are huge fans of cheap + reliable, hence the 870 and 500. The AR platforms, to me, just look like another mid-life crisis crutch, which is fine – it’s better than cheating. I don’t mean any of this as derogatory, just as what I think is happening in the market. I’ll keep whether or not I think it’s a good thing to myself.

For new folks who may read your blog, I’d like to recommend, if they are looking for a home defense weapon, a 20 gauge pump-action with no. 6 shot or smaller. Little kick, a ton of power for the 10 or 20 feet you’ll need to shoot, lethality at that range and not farther (so if the bad guys are that far away, you aren’t really going to kill them, which is probably good for your trial at that point), and the clack-clack of the pump is the threat that should send ‘em packing.

And Philip, thanks for all your sacrifices in getting out to the SHOT show and playing with all those toys. You are a real pal!
; )