rlauferblog

Once again Firearms Outlet Canada sets the standard for events in the firearms industry. Seriously the closest thing I have experienced to the Project UNUM VIP Launch Party was the launch party for the Lamborghini Huracan!

Just to recap, Project UNUM is the first in FOC’s new Signature Series. The intention is to bring together Canadian brands into a limited production (10 in this case) collaboration. Project UNUM features a Glock 19 with slide/framework and stipling by Red Tower Armoury, parts by Rehlm, custom holster and mag carriers by Grey Fox Strategic, a customized Glock knife, and a fantastic Nanuk case with custom cut foam insert.

A total of 300 VIP guests were invited to the event and were randomly drawn for a chance to purchase one of the 9 UNUMs for sale with the serial number of their choice.

First, let’s have a look at the gun itself! FOC graciously gave The Shmoo and I early access (much appreciated!) and we were among the first people to ever handle this beauty! BTW, the purple lighting looked great in person but made pics a bit challenging.

I have to say that the custom stipling and Rehlm baseplate made a HUGE difference in the feel of the G19. I have shot a conventional G19 and found it to be too small for my hands but this one felt great!

While we were ogling the UNUM, the FOC team was setting up the event outside. Check out this cool Glock ice sculpture (with Jello shots lol)

Oyster bar

And cheese platters…you know you are among friends when the Chef is using a Spyderco!

Bar (each VIP got 2 drink tickets)

And DJ!

An idea of the well-dressed crowd.

Where I ran into Farmboy and Houlie Precision.

And my good friends from Nanuk and Code of Arms

Nanuk and Grey Fox Strategic

Of course the store and warehouse were open during the event and I will get to those in a minute but first the draws for the UNUM!

The design team take a bow, Nanuk, Rehlm, Grey Fox, FOC, Red Tower Armory

Opening words from FOC

The magic drum

As the crowd anxiously awaits

And the first winner!

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

Congrats to all the winners!

Ok on to shopping!

The gun on the tripod is the latest chassis from Rehlm, this one on a .22-250 action.

Some of the usual great selection at FOC.

This time I wanted to do some comparison pics so I started with two military SIGs, the M11-A1 and M17.

As I suspected, the M11-A1 was too small for my hands (at least without the mag inserted). Still a nice gun though.

Next I wanted to get another look at the TRP, especially compared to another of my “shortlist” 1911s, the Colt M45A1. Hmmm, really tough choice!

Continuing with comparisons, the FN 509 and Five-Seven.

The 509 felt GREAT in the hand! I really want to shoot one. I have shot a Five-Seven before but I didn’t remember it being so big! (or at least thick)

As usual, The Shmoo is great at spotting limited editions across the room although ironically you would think this CZ Shadow 2 Maria Gushchina is visible from Mars lol. I think I found something to match all my bling!

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this gun was the weight! Noticeably heavier than a standard Shadow.

The Shmoo also spotted the Wilson Combat Beretta. I shot the standard one (under supervision of Ernest Langdon!) at SHOT show but FOC had both the full size and compact.

Not sure if it shows in the pics but there is quite a difference in the in-hand feel between the two…the full size is definitely beefier. The compact also comes with a fiber optic front sight.

I preferred the compact, The Shmoo preferred the full size.

Last but not least in terms of guns, the Colt SA15.7…these come off the same line as the C7!

More great gear at FOC…Nanuk cases

And once again, my good friend Dan from Nanuk

Calibre magazine with Project UNUM on the cover!

Oh but wait, we are not done yet! I also popped into FOC’s warehouse

I didn’t buy any guns although I did get a Rehlm baseplate, which the company President was kind enough to install personally!

I am happy to report that it works with my gun so I may get some more.

So I am beginning to sound like a broken record in my FOC reviews, but what else can I say other than phenomenal job! Especially in our current political climate, it is so rewarding to see such a Canadian effort. I cant wait to see the next gun in the Signature series and I sure plan to be at the launch party!

RL

Last year’s Range Day was a fantastic event and pretty hard to beat but with 75 guns on the line and a new venue for 2018 (Oxford Fish and Game Association), I think Select managed to do it! Once again I had a phenomenal time and it was super helpful to be able to comparison shoot so many guns.

Given that I am looking to get into precision rifles, I headed straight for the rifle range.

Thankfully Select put out a list of firearms before the event so I knew there would be a great selection to try and I stuck with my plan of starting with the Tikkas. First up the T3X TAC A1 with the BLK LBL forend featuring an integrated bipod and mounted with the fantastic Vortex Razor AMG 6-24X50 FFP MOA scope. Dave and I were both impressed with the glass.

Next up, this beautiful custom build, a Tikka Tactical with PSE Composites E-Tac 4 stock, Vortex Razor HD 5-20X50 FFP MRAD scope …in retrospect I should have spent some time adjusting the stock as I was not as fast getting back on target with this one as the BLK LBL

My buddy Dave also shot the BLK LBL as well as this custom, a Tikka CTR with PSE Composites E-Lite stock, Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24X50 FFP MRAD. Dave was particularly interested in this one because that scope would be perfect for his gun…great glass at a very economical price.

There was a little competition where you win free swag if you hit the 4 steel gongs…sadly I only got 3 out of 4 with both guns. Fortunately, my buddy Dave was a better sniper and won a hat with both and generously gave one to me..thanks bro!

There were also some other Tikkas on the line

All supplied by and equipped with Vortex optics…it was great to talk to the Vortex reps, so helpful!

Our next target was the Bergera in 6.5 Creedmore since neither of us had ever shot that caliber before. This time Dave went first

Perhaps I am not experienced enough with precision rifles but truthfully I didn’t notice any real difference from the .308s and I preferred the Tikkas.

Dave recently bought a Savage although he has not had a chance to shoot it yet and the Stealth was on my list…I gotta say it is a beautiful looking gun!

I did like the Accu-trigger and the action however I didn’t like the tubular stock..i found it awkward for my support hand and it wasn’t as easy to run the bolt and stay on target as it was with the more conventional stocks on the Tikka…again, this is why I love being able to do side by side comparisons at such events! Now I have a better sense of what kind of stocks I need.

Dave also shot the Stealth

As well as the 10TR in .22 with its 10 round rotary mag and a dedicated Bushnell rimfire optic

All done with precision rifles, we moved on to other long guns. I shot the F1 AR15 at another show and loved it so wanted to try it again. Last time I shot it sitting down so this time I wanted to try standing. I liked it so much that I used two of my tickets on it lol…gotta get one of these!

Dave liked it as well…both of us found it to be so light and well balanced.

Dave is looking for a mag fed shotgun so he gave the Derya a whirl..and bought quite a few tickets for the one Select was raffling off lol

Ok, on to the handgun range…

Where we were greeted by the Sig display

Including the new Mauser M-18…what a beautiful looking gun and less than $900!

Once I again, I followed my plan and headed straight for the Glocks….

I had already tried the G19X at SHOT show but wanted to shoot it side by side with the Canadian edition G19

And what a difference!! The grip on the G19 is a lot smaller and was hard to hold on to…the gun seemed to move around in my hand.

Dave wanted to shoot something in a larger caliber and opted for the FN FNX 45 Tactical, which he ended up preferring to the Glocks

Our good friends at North Sylva also brought an X95 in 9mm that was high on my list to try…not surprisingly it was one of my favourites of the day.

That was it for our shooting but here is a sense of some other guns on the line…Sig

Smith & Wesson

Beretta

Canuck

CZ Skorpion Evo

Apart from the Derya, we didn’t shoot any shotguns although there were plenty of those! The setup was for trap and skeet and there were huge lines during the day (my pics were taken before show opening)

Speaking of huge lineups, as you can see in some of my pics, it was SUPER busy all day but things moved quickly as there were a staggering number of RSOs…I believe 73, one for every gun!

Including my good friend, the legendary Stormbringer!!

Glad to see Canadian Historical Arms Museum back at Select Range Day. Last year I took a pic with their M60 and joked about a Rambo pose…well joke was on me because I found out that the M60 in my pic was one of two used on the Rambo set!!!! WOW!

This time I took a pic with the Stinger…one of only a handful made by converting an aircraft gun into a handheld!

Check out this anti tank rifle!

More goodness from CHAM

Nice to see the gun orgs promoting our sport…CSSA

I didn’t get a pic of the CCFR booth but did run unto Gun Goddess Tracey Wilson

Black Rifle Coffee Canada, that’s right the US brand, known to be veteran owned and operated, is now available in Canada with local ingredients.

I bought a bag of their Little Warriors brew, the proceeds of which go to help child victims of sexual abuse.

Before heading out, we stopped to get some t-shirts and give our thanks to the great crew at Select for doing such a great job on the event

Of course you cant go to such an event without stopping by the actual Select Shooting Supplies store so off we went to our next stop….

First up, a closer look at the Tikka T3X BLK LBL

Oddly enough, my first time seeing a 590A1 with the bayonet installed…being a knife guy, I had to some shots of this one..i like it!

Also being Hungarian, I was quite drawn to this FEG (on consignment)

The S&W RR8 has always been one of my favourite revolvers of all time

Based on my earlier comments, the stock on this Savage might work better for me

Great selection of Bladetch…I got a competition belt, holster, and double mag pouch.

Finally, per Dean’s great recommendation, The Q BBQ Public House. Dave had the ribs and brisket, I had the Hillbilly Philly, a phillysteak made with brisket and one of the best phillysteaks I have ever had!

My swag for the day

See you next year!

RL