Notes While Heading to SHOT...

I wrote this while I was sitting in the airplane on the way to Las Vegas for my first visit to the NSSF-sponsored SHOT Show. I've talked to folks that have gone before, and the general consensus is that it is the proverbial "eating the elephant." It's two entire floors of the Sands Convention Center filled with anything and everything to do with anything even tangentially connected to the shooting sports, hunting, law enforcement, or outdoorsman activities.

Sounds like my kinda place...

There was a tempest-in-a-teapot shortly before the start of the show dealing with credentialed media and who certain folks thought should or shouldn't be invited to attend with media privileges. The manner in which it was delivered was brusque and off-putting, but there's an underlying kernel of truth to the rant. It's very easy to start a blog, put up a post about guns, and call oneself a gun blogger; whether that appellation fits, though, is where the problem lies.

Really, it boils down to the blogger behind the blog. Someone who knows little about firearms will quickly find themselves schooled should they talk above their knowledge base (says the guy who has been schooled himself by Tam on more than on occasion). Folks who get into the writing gig just to worm their way into free schwag are also easily spotted (and no, despite all appearances to the contrary, present company is excluded...) and given appropriate credence whether their reviews are sincere or not.

I've bought a number of items based on nothing more than the recommendations of my fellow bloggers; the Gearlslinger pack I brought here from Unc; the iPad I'm typing on now from Alan; there are tools in my gun toolbox based on recommendations from many folks around the gn blogosphere. Ditto some of the firearms in the armory. I know that when I review something, it's entirely possible that someone might part with their hard-earned cash based at least in part on my say-so. I try to keep that in mind and be as impartial as possible; I don't want my recommendations to make promises *any* product can't keep.

The next week promises to be full of new and exciting products from some of the leaders in the industry. Sure, there will be a lot of variations on a theme, with many offerings based on the 1911, the AR-15, and polymer-framed semi-automatic pistols; there will be numerous "zombie" themed items, pink hardware, and other industry standards. But we should also see some new items: a press release from SIG SAUER indicates their first sub-compact handgun addition to the full-size P226 and mid-size P229, among other things.

And even us "nobodies" can report on it...

That is all.