Covering SHOT Show 2020 a few weeks ago was a lot of fun although I left with some sadness knowing some of those great products will never make it to Canada.

No need to worry about that with the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association (CSAAA) 2020 National Trade Show as it is dedicated to showcasing the newest firearms, archery, ammunition and shooting accessories hitting the Canadian market this year.

By way of background, the CSAAA supports and promotes hunting and sport shooting both as socially beneficial sporting activities and as business contributors to our economy. Ultimately, they promote and protect the legal rights of manufacturers, importers, resellers and stakeholders in the Canadian shooting sports industry. You may have seen their foundational research last year on the economic impact of the shooting industry.

The CSAAA also hosts two trade shows annually, one in Calgary and one in Toronto. As trade shows, these events are not open to the public but I was fortunate to obtain a media pass. Thank you again to CSAAA.

Ok on to the show…some aerial shots

my first stop was to check in with my good friend Gilles at Mossberg.

I am pleased to report that the Jerry Miculek / Lena Miculek re-designed 940 Pro will be coming to Canada. The new model is a considerable re-design and intended for 3 gun competition right out of the box. For example, based on Lena’s input, both the forened and magwell have been completely redesigned to allow for quad reloads. The semi-auto shotgun also now has an adjustable length of pull and a cleaner running gas recoil management system that can go 1500 rounds before cleaning.

This is the previous generation model for comparison.

I also like the 500 with the ATI Tactical kit including 6 position adjustable stock, Halo free floating heatshield, and the Add-a-Shell system side saddle.

Love the Kuiu Camo on the 590 Thunder Ranch…btw, that “tri-rail” will be replaced with M-lock.

The Flex has a quick change system to easily swap out the stock

Removable panel reveals Velcro to attach a pressure switch

The 590A1 Retrograde is a real beauty

Shockwave with corn on the cob forend

Lots of novelties at Trigger Wholesale including Lithgow black powder rifles

And .22lr precision rifles

More variations of the mag fed Typhon F12 (I think there are now 40 colour options!)

As well as the bullpup FD2

The Benelli M4 clone is now available in an elite package with two stocks and extra chokes

This shotgun uses Saiga mags! (limited to 5 rounds). I would buy it for that alone lol

Trigger Wholesale is also expanding into archery with Martin bows.

Precision .22LR, mag fed, and bullpup shotguns were also the theme at O’Dell Engineering….including the incredibly popular Derya.

The Spectre..i remember seeing the prototype of this at the first TACCOM show in 2018

Bergera

Including the new .22

North Sylva’s display focused on non-restricteds such as the Kriss Vector (which is indeed coming to Canada in .22lr), the BCL, now in burnt bronze, M+M, CZ Skorpion EVO

The new Charles Daly bullpup shotgun

And my personal favourite, the Tavor, including the 7

For those who prefer the more traditional, the FN competition bolt action gun, Norinco tranch gun, Chiappa mare’s leg, and a North Sylva exclusive Marlin.

Two new versions of the Ruger PC-9 have arrived at Big Rock, one with floating handguard and a second that also has an adjustable stock

Shown here next to the Hi-Point PCC…the Hi-Point is much lighter but limited to 5 round mags.

Another beauty at Big Rock, the 125th Anniversary Savage Model 110

As I reported in my SHOT Show review, Cadex has A LOT of new introductions including an R7 for hunting, new finishes, new two stage trigger, new bi-pod, new shotgun accessories etc. etc. As a Canadian company, it should be no surprise that all of these will be available locally.

New CDX-R7 SPTR

Compared to the R7 Sheepdog

And next to the chassis systems for which Cadex is so well known

New finishes such as Robin’s egg blue

The Bell outdoors booth

Their new airguns immediately caught my eye…fyi, these are over the 450 fps limit so they do require a PAL

Hatsan Shotguns

The SD12 mag fed…comes with a complete kit including mags, extra chokes, etc.

New at the Stoger booth, the Benelli Lupo (Italian for wolf), the first bolt-action from the company. The design focuses on ergonomics and recoil reduction and features seven exclusive Benelli patents.

Also new from Benelli, the B.E.S.T. surface treatment, a new proprietary finishing technology developed by Benelli to coat and protect steel with a tough, impenetrable armor that stops rust and corrosion.

The latest swag

Canik TP8SFX with lightening cuts on slide to reduce muzzle rise

The Elite Combat variant with a threaded barrel designed by Salient Arms International

Next some great optics at the Vortex booth

Binoculars…the second from the left is the top of the line Razor UHD

Monoculars

Laser range finders, the top of which is now capable of ranging out to 4000 yards

And of course scopes

Including the new Razor HD Gen III 1-10×24 FFP…a first focal plane with an illuminated red dot at 1X that turns into a reticle at higher magnifications

Also at the Vortex booth, Kershaw knives

including the Natrix copper

The Kershaw Emerson CQC-11k based on the Emerson Rendezvous

And my favourite knife of the show, the Kershaw Emerson cqc-6k in small (3.25” blade) and large (3.9”)

Dividend with composite blade made of CPM D2 and Bohler N690

Camp knife

More knives from Ruko…

Now available with an ultra robust coating…in custom patterns or text

Ruko’s own camo pattern

Ruko also imports Muela from Spain

Hydra-X Outdoor Adventure set with exchangeable blade system

Back to guns…lightweight hunters seemed to be the theme…such as this very fine Weatherby Mark V Ti, which uses titanium to keep it below the 5 pound mark!

Available with three stock designs (two of which are shown here…the third has more adjustability)

The 3D HEX reoil reducing stock was designed by a former NASA engineer who works at the company

There are many built in safety features such as the gas venting ports in the bolt and the shroud on the back of the action that were developed 50 years ago!

More fine guns from Weatherby…note the Vanguard First Lite camo one in the front…it is used by the hosts of a popular hunting TV show.

Winchester is my favourite ammo maker…I especially like their Ranger and Defender lines. Now they have introduced the USA Ready series, every box of which includes a lot number that allows you to look up your ballistics data online, including velocity, pressure and accuracy ratings — all related to your box’s lot.

I would like to meet the gun that fits that round!

Not only do you have to feed guns, you need to keep them clean too and for that, Gunzilla is a great option. This organic cleaner is safe to use on all guns and based on testimonials, has dramatically reduced weapon malfunctions in theatre, especially in desert / sandy conditions.

And to feed yourself, Code of Arms Coffee!

Last but not least, AmChar, where I ran into Adam, who you all know formerly from FOC and TACCOM.

AmChar is the top distributor for Glock pistols

And gear

AmChar is also the distributor for American Tactical Omni polymer AR15s…these are lined with steel and fully compatible with AR15 uppers and parts.

As well as Mossberg

So to recap, the main themes around new firearms were lightweight hunters as well as mag fed and bullpup shotguns.

I should point out that there was lots of archery equipment again but I did not really cover those booths simply because I don’t know much about archery…although I would like to learn!

Ultimately as a trade show, it was great to connect with members of the firearms industry. I had long conversations about the current political climate and I am happy to report that retailers are enthusiastic. I know of a few store and product line expansions (some have already been made public), showing that the industry is optimistic….and so am I!

RL