DAY 2
Epic, if there is one word I could use to describe Day 2 of TACCOM, it would be Epic!
I will start with my main personal highlight but really there were several. It turns out that my idea to focus on booths instead of covering the seminars was a good one. Indeed, many of the coolest things I saw were from re-visiting booths that I had already been to.
As you all may know, I am a big John Wick fan so it should come as no surprise that my favourite part of today is JW related, specifically meeting The Tracker from JW4!
I only found out he was coming about an hour or two beforehand and thank you to the team at Gagnon Sports for making it happen!
It was great to chat about the Wick universe in general and his custom build in particular. In an extreme coincidence, I had already started ordering the parts to match his movie gun a couple of weeks ago!!
With Justin from Gagnon Sports
After a few quick words on stage, he met with fans for some pictures, including Fred, organizer of TACCOM
Steve from Crusader Arms
Show attendees
I wanted to do a Tracker themed pic with his signature lever action and dog. As luck would have it, Ian from O’Dell Engineering was walking by and graciously accepted my request to borrow a Wrangler Blackout. BTW, the gun is definitely Tracker approved as he liked it a lot! Baden K-9 was equally generous with the German Sheppard Twins. Thankfully Tracker did not issue a “nuts” command!
Thanks again to Ian
And to Baden K-9. This pic is especially fitting considering my Magnum P.I. shirt as it reminded me of his canine co-stars Zeus and Apollo.
So glad Baden K-9 came back this year. Their dog-bite demo was definitely a highlight last year (even though I ended up “reconsidering” my participation lol).
My first stop of the day was actually another visit to the Chiappa booth to handle the Tmodel, the Terminator lever action gun shown here with my Terminator glasses and Arnie watch.
Yes, I held it one handed, no, I did not do the Terminator flip lol
Next a visit to Tactical Imports to have a look at the Extrema Ratio Glauca G1, the GSG9 version of that folder. But first, the guns.
Several variants of the Type 81
Axor Arms TR-410 non-restricted compact revolver shotgun and Serengeti S Tactical
The Auslof that I covered in detail last year
HK G36, used by the GSG9 (hmmm I am sensing a theme)
Big selection of Extrema Ratio knives
As I mentioned, I was most interested in the Glauca G1. This variation of the Glauca has features specifically for the GSG9 counter terrorism unit of the Bundespolizei, such as a rear glass breaker in tungsten carbide and a stainless steel spike for untying knots as well as a rescue tool for making quick emergency cuts to free the potentially injured or to use as a belt cutter.
With the spike deployed
In forward grip
In reverse grip
Shown with my Sinn UX EZM2B GSG9 Edition
GSG9 starter kit, complete with their official knife, watch, gun, and authentic made in Germany Addidas GSG9 boots!
Canadian Tier 1 Operators might prefer something in the Mike from Canmore camo offered by Rugged Textile from “The Redacted Group” of companies, which also includes S&J Hardware (shotgun/firearm mods), and Aratech Research (body armor).
Especially when paired with a matching holster from Gray Fox Strategic and Pit Vipers
Complete with essential Canadian gear
Rugged Textiles can make any pattern
They also make duty belts
Such as the new Balteus Max Tactical Belt System, that will be sold exclusively at Urban Tactical. Designed with input from Law Enforcement and Military professionals, it is made of Berry compliant Brookwood Squadron* and Milliken Tegris® and offers exceptional abrasion resistance and durability.
Some examples of its well thought out features include: An end opening for padding insertion to reduce bulk and pressure points on wearer’s back and hips, the use of 3D spacer mesh that is FR treated for breathability and antimicrobial protection made of Squadron, a stiffener panel made with 12 layer Tegris® to allow the belt to self-support for wearer comfort. You can read more on Urban Tactical’s website.
Modified shotguns from S&J Hardware including their latest MCS build
The MCS in pistol grip configuration
In this configuration, it is intended to be carried on the weak side for quick transition/deployment when you need to do some breaching or your main firearm goes down, as demonstrated by Simon
Being a “modular combat shotgun” you can easily add different stocks
I also really liked S&J’s new folding Serbu style forend grip, shown here by Simon
Body armor from the Aratech Research side of the business group
So I did go back to Perroz Designs and I was right, it was a groin plate!
Glad I went back too as this time they had the guns out (my previous visit was before show opening so the guns were locked away)
Can’t go wrong with an MP7!
I also learned that Perroz was acquired by Movie Armament Group! Initially a one-man shop, Perroz found it challenging to meet the huge demand for his great designs but with MAG’s acquisition they were able to ramp up production. MAG also brought some movie guns to display such as these from The Boys series that I binge watched recently lol.
From Arnie’s Fubar series
including his Pink Lady
Hmmm gold guns seem to be a theme at this TACCOM lol
Ok on to Hera Industries to see the new H6!
The innovative H6 rifle features a side feeding AR-15 magwell to allow you to shoot and reload easily in prone or any other shooting position. At under 6 lbs. it is incredibly light, as is the trigger action (made by RECKNAGEL) at only 2.2 lbs. It will fire with the stock folded but still meets the minimum 26” length requirement.
You may have seen these two gents in Youtube videos
Two new product introductions from Sterling this year, including the R18 MK3 and the R9, a new PCC, which accepts proprietary MP5 style mags. These mags are more of a straight design compared to the angled Glock style mags.
There have been quite a lot of modifications to the internals moving from the R18 M2 to the MK3. The bottom line is that it is now much lighter and should be reduced in cost.
As one of the main distributors in Canada, North Sylva covers a wide array of brands including CZ, IWI, FN, Kriss, Remington, Black Creek Labs, Chiappa, Aimpoint, Sordin, etc. etc. etc.
I have always loved the FN PS90
Another one of my favourites, the Skorpion
I liked the Canadian flag finish on this BCL
More Canadian flags
Gravel, another top distributor, also had a booth with a small sampling of the vast number of brands they carry (God I hope they bring Noveske back if the Conservatives overturn this OIC nonsense).
I liked the tricked out Remington shotgun with Cadex and Magpul parts
They are also a distributor for Boker knives
I tried the Mantis training system at a previous TACCOM and it was one of my favourite booths of that show. I was hoping to see their new system mounted to a Steiner laser but it is not available in Canada yet.
They did bring their new AK-47 system though, and this one was autographed by famous Youtuber and founder of The AK Guy Inc, Brandon Herrera (reminding me of Chris Costa autographing my Raven Concealment holster at a previous TACCOM)
The whole kit
Cromag makes loading your mags a breeze
I really liked the look and feel of 416 Tactical’s booth with the Ghillie suit and camo netting, not to mention the great gear. A store visit is definitely in order.
Spyderco, Cold Steel, and SOG knives
Hmmm weapon light cleaner…I should get some of that.
Armorum also had a great selection of tactical gear.
I liked the knife sheaths from Gray Fox strategic.
And the shirts in multi-camo black
Veteran owned and operated, Mad Hatter Industries
I knew we would find a hat to match the Mike from Canmore plate carrier
Speaking of clothing, I ran into someone with a similar shirt (mine is Retro Rifle, I believe his is Savage Tacticians)
And another wearing Retro Rifle, the Rule #1 from Fight Club also from their Pop Culture series like my Perched from Magnum P.I.
Knives etc. from The Pocket Blade
Last but certainly not least, Vortex!
Including the Impact 4000 Ballistic Rail-Mounted Laser Rangefinder that I covered in a lot of detail in my Toronto Sportsmen’s Show 2024 review.
And that concludes my coverage for this year. While this is a lot fewer pics than I normally post for TACCOM, don’t interpret that as this being a smaller show. I didn’t cover every booth but more significantly, I didn’t cover ANY of the presentations/seminars. As I mentioned, I opted to re-visit several booths multiple times. As a show-goer this was a better experience for me as I got to see things that I missed the first time. I also didn’t go back for Day 3. I know that I would have spent a lot more time (and money lol) at 416 Tactical and Armorum if I did lol.
My overall thought is that TACCOM continues to feel like its major American counterpart gun shows with elements like new product introductions, having brands and industry reps in from all around the world, celebrity appearances, BCL’s display of guns mounted to an offroad vehicle, items autographed by industry celebs, on the spot collaborations like getting a tricked out lever action and service dogs together for a cool pic etc. These are the types of things that happen at major shows like SHOT. Hopefully next year will bring in a political climate a lot friendlier to gun owners and that will only help make TACCOM bigger and bigger.
RL
Links to Parts 1 and 2
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