SET-UP DAY
TACCOM has moved to Hall 5 of the International Centre and the layout is more “grid-like” to ease movement down the aisles. Another big change is that multiple vendors will be selling guns and ammo. Guns will be “cash and carry” meaning you can pay and carry the gun out of the show. In order to keep the ammo separate from firearms, the ammo is kept in trucks out back as in past shows but now there is a “drive through” option so you can drive your car up and load out.
Upon entering the Hall, I was greeted by this armored vehicle, which I had seen recently at Aquino Tank Day. There will be a machine gun mounted to the turret tomorrow for photo ops.
While not quite as armored, Black Creek Labs showed us how to arrive at a gunshow in style.
Guns were arriving by the palette! Foc alone brought 4 skids (with huge discounts)
Quite the mix of guns too, how about this “dictator chic” gold gun at the FOC booth?
What’s better than one dictator gun? Why two of them, of course! These are actually for sale and there are two more with white furniture to be raffled off.
More great guns at FOC, Troy PAR and SPR
You know I love trainers
Our host Fred looks on
SFRC was one of the first booths to set up and I heard they were bringing surplus armor so that was my next stop.
They weren’t kidding about the surplus armor! This is just a part of it…Revision/Galvion helmets in all sizes including XL! Coincidentally I bought a Revision visor in anticipation of finding one of these helmets one day hmmmm
Or if you prefer new over surplus, my favourite brand of armor
Less than lethal option, the Byrna TCR Pro
Airsoft SIGs
One of the many contests at the show
Next stop, Amchar for another look at the SUB2000 Gen 3 that I just shot at O’Dell Day
KSGs in all sizes
and TROY PAR and SPR
Love the camo
So excited for Glock to be back and YES, they will be showing handguns!
Also great to see SIG back at TACCOM. They will have some new variations of the Cross
And for the first time at TACCOM and all the way from Germany, Hera arms! So looking forward to checking out the H6.
Another one high on my list, Opfor. Can’t wait to try that quad night vision
Ha caught the Tactical Imports booth being built last year too
That sampling should give you an idea of the show. Of course, there are lots more booths that are still being set up as I type this and I look forward to seeing them all tomorrow.
DAY 1
I have seen panoramic night vision on display but never got to try one so I was super excited to confirm that Opfor Night Solutions had a demo unit at the show. Needless to say, they were my first stop of the day. Turns out that was a good choice as I dare say they were my favourite booth of the show.
Static unit in black
The demo was FDE…I am ok either way!
I have to say they were even cooler than I expected! I tried to capture the experience (though wished TACCOM could turn out the lights for me)
Flipping them up changes the weight dynamic. I can see why people mount counterweights to the back of their helmet
The helmet is made by Opfor’s sister company, EON and features a custom 4D Tactical memory foam pad set
While I have seen night vision before, Opfor takes it the next step with their super cool mission recording devices. This one fits right over the tube to see things exactly from the operator’s perspective.
OMG I NEED one of these for my camera!!!
More cool gear from Opfor
Coincidentally, the theme of night vision came up at the next booth that I visited, my friends at The Patch Panel.
Great selection as usual
Love the display (I have two Avon masks as well, love them)
Next I went to visit Remington in the hopes of seeing a less-than-lethal orange variant of the 870…. we are in luck!
I would want a rear ghost-ring sight though
More fine shotguns from Remington
Ok I know everyone is excited that Glock is back at TACCOM and hopefully we can buy handguns again soon, so I headed there next to find a G34, G17, G19X, and the G45 in the exact setup being used by Ontario ETF.
Guess which one was my favuorite?
All the display guns had GoSafe lockable mags that require a key to be released and to unlock the trigger.
By now Chiappa had finished setting up so I headed there next, again with a very specific gun in mind, the Terminator lever action!
In luck again! I will have to come back tomorrow to handle it.
In the meantime, I got a pic with my Gargoyles 1984 Terminator glasses and Seiko Arnie watch
I was hoping the see the new Big Badger, essentially centre-fire versions of the Little Badger but no luck (I heard they were at the show so maybe I just missed them)
More Chiappas
Speaking of movie attire, I visited Clarington Airsoft’s shooting range in the hope of finding a revolver to recreate the “everyone be cool, this is a robbery scene” from Pulp Fiction. Yup!
Great selection of airsoft
There was a long lineup so I didn’t end up shooting this time but I tried it at last year’s TACCOM and it was a lot of fun.
At the opposite end of the spectrum to airsoft, some SERIOUS ammo from Fort Scott Munitions.
Their TUI is designed in such a way that it passes through solid material but tumbles when it encounters liquids or fluids. The results are pretty devastating as shown by this ballistic gel.
It is available in both rifle
And handgun calibers
Specs on their 9mm as an example
I was happy to see SIG back at TACCOM though their last visit turned out to be quite expensive for me as I ended up buying a Commemorative Edition M17. This time they were showing new variations of their popular Cross platform. The Magnum takes the Cross into larger calibers like .300 Win Magnum, 300 PRC, and 7 PRC and is available with carbon fiber and stainless steel barrels.
Next you have the standard (that camo is being discontinued) and TRAX with its lighter/simpler chassis.
SIG was also showcasing their expansive line of optics
My favourite of which were the stabilized binos
Next, a huge variety of precision rifles from Cadex, including full builds
As well as chassis
No .50BMG this year, the biggest gun they brought was .375Cheytac
Very cool though I would probably get a Kraken
There has been quite a lot of buzz about Crusader’s new Crypto semi—auto and its proprietary 5 round mag so that was my next stop.
And here it is!
Along with the actual gun used in their now famous 1000 round torture test video
It handles really well! Much lighter than their early designs.
A few variants
Including a prototype carbine length
Some of their previous designs
A solid match for FOC’s gold guns lol
Speaking of which, here are FOC’s raffle guns
vs. the sale versions I showed yesterday
This Derya wasn’t very subtle either
More of FOC’s selection
Incredible prices on Steiner binoculars
Sordin earpro
I was at O’Dell Range Day a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed shooting the new Wrangler lever action. They have been officially launched now and I wanted to see the final variations that went to market.
I think these are my favourite products ever from O’Dell
Two of the most popular guns at O’Dell Range day, the wood furniture Operator this year and the FD12 a couple of years ago.
Large variety from O’Dell with Canuck, Bergara, and Derya
Big Tony with Gilles from Mossberg
Phil O’dell with Fred from FOC and TACCOM organizer
Fred and I
With Ian photo-bombing
Not to worry Ian, you will get your usual comparison pic!
First timers at TACCOM, Tandemkross with an incredible line of upgrades for Ruger 10/22s and PCC
A few examples of their builds
This one, featuring their Manticore X Lower was my favourite. I urge you to check out their website for full details on the Manticore X as they are too extensive to list here. Basically it is a a pre-assembled housing ready to accept AR style accessories and includes upgrades to the trigger, safety, bolt keeper, etc etc.
PCC with a flared magwell and very extended mag release
I didn’t get to chat with the Perroz Designs crew but their gear looks very interesting
Chest rigs
Helmet mounting options
Gear carriers
Am I seeing this right? Is that a groin protection plate carrier with testicular tourniquet mount? Maybe I should talk too them tomorrow lol
MAB Impex is becoming a real staple at gunshows in Ontario, not just TACCOM. I was into knives long before guns. I am sure you can find something you like at their table.
Although I covered Amchar yesterday, I wanted to go back to get more pics of their guns from the side angle
Liam from Amchar and Ian from O’Dell
Kodiak Defence
Tamgha
I will close Day 1 with the best display method for guns I have seen at a Canadian show (reminds me of something you would see at SHOT Show), BCL
Originally I was planning to cover seminars tomorrow but I want to spend more time at the booths so we will see how it goes. In any case, expect another 200 pics lol.
RL
Links to Parts 1 and 2
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