Big Bang Gun Show 2022

With today being National Range Day, there are shooting events across the country intended to introduce our sport to new shooters.

I was fortunate to attend Big Bang Gun Show, a multi-format show with shooting, archery, axe/knife throwing, and vendors! As someone who attends A LOT of such events, I can definitely say that Big Bang is one of those “can’t miss” events…certainly one of the top Canadian events like TACCOM and Wolverine Days.

The day started off with a safety briefing to the army of volunteers

And a few words from host Code of Arms

Before getting to the activities, I have to say it was great running into familiar faces and meeting new ones.

Sig rep Tim and Mossberg rep Gilles

Gilles again, this time with Ian from O’Dell

I always appreciate when fellow gunnies say hi.

The Aimbot Target crew

Ok let’s start with shooting….

some of the handguns on the line

Sig P320 X5 Legion with its Tungsten infused grip (I was most anxious to shoot this one)

Sig P320 AXG Pro

The Desert Eagle needs to introduction

The mighty S&W 500

Skorpion

Canuck 1911 and Springfield XD

Springfield 1911

A selection of Glocks

Such as the G19X

Long-guns

Including Mossberg shotguns

Love the retrograde

GSG

More shotguns

And the Crusader Arms 9

a fitting start to Big Bang, babygoespewpew with the S&W500

I went for the X5 Legion right away…it did not disappoint

I love 1911s and have been on the list for a Springfield FBI gun for several years…now I may never get one if the new laws go through ☹

Also tried the Springfield XD with red-dot

Tom also tried (and liked) the X5 Legion

He has shot my John Wick 2 Taran G34…now he opted to try a stock G34

Our steel targets

vs. bowling pins at the range next to ours

where they also had a Legion on the line

by now a decent crowd was forming

so we moved to the trap/skeet range, accompanied by CCFR Gunnie Girl and Canuck Pro Staffer, Barb!

Great shooting Barb!

All done shooting, we moved to some of the other activites. I was super excited about the axe/knife/spear throwing as I have always wanted to try that. In fact, I even had custom throwing knives made by Bullseye Blades in the pattern of the Beck WSK Tracker I have on order (going on 4 years now lol)

Since this was my first time throwing, I started with a production knife first.

And it stuck on my first throw!!

Now for my custom…I was so scared of throwing it in the forest that I babied it on the first throw and it bounced off the board. The instructor told me to throw harder and it stuck the second time! Boy did it ever..took some effort to pull it out of the board lol

I didn’t dare try the spears but here is Sam showing how it is done

They also had some knives on display…I was happy to see the Condor Golok Machete as I am very interested in FMA and Silat

Another Indonesian design, the Parang

More knives on display from CRKT

Including my favourite, the Provoke “morphing” karambit designed by Joe Caswell

Meanwhile Barb, an experienced archer, shot some recurve bow

Last but certainly not least, the vendor showcase!

Some of my favourite brands at this booth….including Wiley X eyewear (I have the CQC, SG-1, and Saber)

The Spear goggles (compared to my Revision Exoshield that you can see in the mirror)

I am a bit obsessed with goggles lol

I also like the Klein, safety rated aviators

I LOVE Surefire!

Yes I need a UBR Dominator

Another great brand, Trijicon

AXIL hearing protection…coincidentally I just picked up a GS 2.0 Extreme last night in anticipation of this show…didn’t know they would have Axil available…I think I need to try it with the smaller foam plugs next time