O’Dell Engineering’s 12^th Annual Range Day is a great showcase of the latest offerings from Canuck and Bergara and thanks to co-sponsor Magnus and Sons, TacSol and SBI as well!

For those who haven’t seen my past reviews, to recap, this “invitation only” (2 reps per retailer) industry range day is intended to give retailers first-hand familiarity with the latest offerings so they can better respond to customer inquiries and match the right firearms with their shooting needs.

Opening words from Ian and a round of Happy Birthday for Phil O’Dell’s milestone 65^th!

A few words from Phil to the audience of retailers, gun organizations and even some politicians!

Phil said it better than me “Its a great industry when you work with your friends.”

Wilson!

And Kelly!

The CCFR with Conservative MP Connie Cody and Doug Treleaven, Conservative candidate for the Kitchener Conestoga riding

Mike, aka “El Presidente”! Congrats on the promotion to President of the CSSA!

Jerrika in the Wild filming for season 3 of her show! Congrats for the new season!

Great to see Dean from Select Shooting Supplies, thanks for the custom patch!

Speaking of Select, I recently visited the store and picked up the Walker Razor in Dessert Camo you see me wearing today. This was my first time wearing them at the range and I LOVE them! Seriously, they exceeded my expectations. I have several pairs of Peltors (and Axil) electronic earpro and these feel “different.” You can tell they have the “Walkers Game Ear” lineage as you can hear conversations all around you, even quite far away  (as well as your “external” voice which is a bit freaky).

 While on the topic of gear, I have to say I was a bit disappointed by my ESS Crossbow. These are considered one of the best eyepro on the market. Indeed, they have been on the APEL (Authorized Protective Eyewear List) for the US Military for years and, as all my ESS, have the clearest lenses I have ever seen on protective eyewear. However, they COMPLETELY fogged up all day! Yes, I can use some anti-fog treatment next time but I expected that out of the box. I think this was my second time wearing them at the range.

Ok back to guns! The Recon 3 with its “Tommy” mag

The super cool Canuck Flex folding SEMI-AUTO shotgun. I have seen folding pumps but not too many semis. The final production version will have a heatshield as the barrel can get quite hot and you don’t want to grab that when you  are folding it. Also, note that this has a conventional gas system as opposed to the ARGO-like design on the Operator.

Yup, you can use it for Trap lol

Scott from Bullseye North!

With the Canuck Pioneer Pump Magnum

or if you prefer a semi, the Canuck H2 Magnum

The crew from FOC putting the Canuck Over Under Trap Combo through its paces

I think Fred likes it!

Now on to the rifle range where everyone was super excited to try the new O’Dell C22! To answer everyone’s first question, it uses proprietary mags BUT will accept 10/22 mags! Conversely, the proprietary mags will NOT work in a 10/22. It’s shoots fine but I couldn’t really do an accuracy test with my eyepro fogging issue lol.

I have shot TACSOL before and I love them! This is the Tacsol X-Ring VR Gen 2

Another awesome .22, the SBI Superlite 12 black, with Tom my co-photographer running it

Moving up in caliber from .22s, the Evolve in .38/.357. Quite a long, heavy trigger pull in double-action. Next time I would try single action (which is my preferred way to shoot revolvers but I thought of this more as a rifle than a handgun)

And now for a real flamethrower, the Recon 3 pump action shotgun!

Check out the flames in these vids

I don’t blame the guy behind it covering his ears, it was LOUD!

The Canuck Tacop Elite

Morgan and Fred from FOC showing us how it is done with a Match Saver reload

I shot the Canuck Wrangler at a previous range day and it is my favourite gun of the Canuck lineup

Moving on to precision rifles from Bergara, various BMRx

The .22LR

Not sure if this was .308 or 6.5

Dave Tree with his personal competition gun

Thanks for letting us try it

Bergara’s off the shelf Competition gun

Great to have some PRS shooters for some pro tips

Big crowd

We close off with prize draws

The last prize, a Bergara Canyon in 6.5CM will be featured on Jerrika in the Wild Season 3!

All done with the business of shooting, time for food and celebration! Lunch was catered by  the best ever, Lancaster Smokehouse!

with cupcakes for dessert

Continuing the celebration at Symposium

Phil opening his pile of gifts…starting with BBQ tongs

In multiple sizes

Now for something bigger

A salad mixer! I am sensing a theme here

Bourbon chocolates

And now for the main gift…

A stunning Damascus blade hunting knife by Loney Blades!

Now for a birthday toast to Phil

I chose Hennessey for this one

Cant have a birthday without cake! (I hope he wished for a Conservative government lol)

I’ll end by coming back to Phil’s quote ““Its a great industry when you work with your friends.” That’s so true. Sure it is fun to shoot guns at the range but I dare say I enjoyed sharing stories with Phil and my industry friends even more. The personal element really makes this event special. Thanks for having me be part of it.

RL