Issue #39: 2010 SHOT Show report

I attend the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade) Show every year. It was held in Las Vegas this year, and it was the most exciting show to-date. I can't tell you about everything I saw...it took me 4 days to see just the airgun booths! The show is not open to the public. This is where dealers, manufacturers, vendors, suppliers, importers and exporters show their new wares and make their deals for the coming year.

At the Crosman booth, I saw a whole lot more guns that'll have their new Nitro Piston insert. I'm a big fan of the gas spring and believe it'll increase sales of Crosman breakbarrel rifles. The Crosman-branded NPSS guns are now branded as Remington, and a new line of Benjamin NP guns have been added. Crosman also has some PCP pistols coming out, including the Benjamin Marauder and the Crosman Silhouette. Lastly, they're bringing out a Crosman Premier .25 cal pellet...probably because they now have a .25 cal. Marauder rifle.

At the Gamo booth, I saw their new SOCOM Extreme breakbarrel rifle, and it delivers 1600 fps! Gamo also has 3 new .25 cal. pellets. I guess everyone's getting into the .25 cal. groove this year. It's a great hunting caliber, so I expect these guns to go over well. One of the highlights of this year's show was at the Gamo booth. That's where I saw their ND3 and ND5 lasers. These are incredible accessories. They look like flashlights with adjustable beam widths, but they're green lasers. The ND3 can be mounted on a gun...any gun, including powerful spring-piston rifles. I can hardly wait to get my hands on one of these!

Umarex's booth had a number of interesting items, including their new Steel Storm--a CO2 BB submachine gun that might give the IZH Drozd a run for its money. They also have a number of new airguns and airsoft guns they're bringing out. I'll test as many as I'm able.

This month's reader question is about pellet head size and 10-meter shooting. Stay tuned to hear this discussion.

Download February 2010 MP3 file

Issue #38: New stuff!

In honor of the new year, here are some new things you'll like.

First, H&N pellets. They've been hard to get this year, but the shortage is over. We no longer have to depend on Beeman to import their branded H&N pellets, as Pyramyd Air is now importing them directly from the German factory. There are millions of H&N pellets in Pyramyd Air's warehouse, ready to fill your orders.

A new gun I believe will be a big hit is the Air Venturi Bronco. This is an air rifle I've wanted to bring to market for quite some time. Basically, it's an affordable Beeman R7. Priced at less than $130, it's everything I want from an airgun...accurate, easy to cock, Western styling, compact. While I designed the gun with younger shooters in mind, I know that adults will want to shoot it, too. It's smooth shooting characteristics make it a dead ringer for being the hit of 2010. Find out more about the Bronco in this month's podcast.

I suppose 2010 may become known as the year that 10-meter came into its own. There are already millions of 10-meter shooters of all skill levels, but I think the number of shooters will grow exponentially with the introduction of new guns. In 2009, Crosman introduced the Challenger, which runs on only 2000 psi of air or CO2. The end of December, AirForce Airguns' Edge rifle hit the shelves after a long wait. The wait was worth it, as this new gun takes the shooting world by storm. Listen in as I tell you more about these new rifles.

Download January 2010 MP3 file

Issue #37: What new airgunners need to know

Are you new to airgunning and overwhelmed by the choices? You're not alone, so Tom tells you what you need to know about the different powerplants and what to expect from each one. Tune in as Tom helps you get your footing.

Download December 2009 MP3 file

Issue #36: Walther Lever Action, R1 History + Q&A

The Walther Lever Action CO2 rifle is a dead-ringer for the Winchester 30/30 (1894 model). Tom takes you on a tour of the airgun, which looks and feels so much like the firearm that you'll be hard-pressed to tell the difference.

If you've never read Tom's Beeman R1 book, then you may not know the history of the R1 Supermagnum air rifle. Tom takes a trip down memory lane as he recounts how the gun was developed.

The Q&A segment has a couple questions about scopes. Sighting-in a scope can be an easy, cheap & quick process...if you know how to do it. Tom leads you through the steps and shows you how to do it in 5-10 minutes. Another listener asks about scopes and spring guns. Years ago, a spring gun would break almost any scope mounted on it. Times have changed, and Tom tells you a bit more about that.

Download November 2009 MP3 file

Issue #35: Action air pistols + Q&A

Sometimes, you just want to shoot to have fun. No keeping score. No trying to take out pests. That's what this month's podcast is about...air pistols that are just pure shootin' fun.

Tom handles two questions in the Q&A. First, a mom asks if the Challenger 2009 is a suitable rifle for her son to compete in the NRA Sporter Class competition. The second question is one that we commonly hear on the blog: Do the barrels of breakbarrel guns bend? Listen in and expand your horizons!

Download October 2009 MP3 file

Issue #34: Scope basics & scope terms + Q&A

Scopes are the single most popular accessory that airgunners buy, so it's time for a refresher course on optics. In this issue, Tom reviews reticles, parallax, adjustable objectives and more.

In the Q&A section, a listener asks about the apparent unavailability of .22 caliber pellets in local stores. Tom reveals the reason for that and where you can buy all the .22 pellets you need. Another listener has two young children who want to learn to shoot. He asks for suggestions to teach them proper gun handling and the right gun to start out younger kids. Listen along as Tom helps him with a sure-fire gun that'll keep the kids on the right path.

Download September 2009 MP3 file

Issue #33: Some of Tom's favorite affordable 10-meter target pistols + Q&A

Tom has been shooting 10-meter pistol for quite some time, and he'd like to share some of his favorite affordable target pistols with you. Unless you're a nationally ranked 10-meter pistol shooter, the guns he recommends will serve you well because they're accurate yet not very expensive: Gamo Compact, IZH 46M and Daisy 747.

In the Q&A section, one listener has asked about the right gun to use for introducing her 12-year-old and 14-year-old children to the shooting sports. If you've got kids who want to learn to shoot, this is for you. Another listener wants to gunsmith his airsoft guns and asks if there are any airsoft gunsmithing courses available.

Download August 2009 MP3 file