Gunfighter

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 859 Location: Warrior Nirvana

Flying into Las Vegas

Sunrise over Vegas

Had a great day at shot yesterday. Time to hit the gym, the fitness center at the Aria is outstanding, and race to the Shot Show...much to do.

SHOT SHOW REPORT 2011
Another Shot Show touting record breaking attendance is in the record books. Every year one of my top priorities is to visit with the many colleagues that I have known, trained with, and worked with for twenty or thirty years. These are people that have influenced the world firearms and more importantly the operator with the ability to win and it is life richening to have them as friends.

In the same regard it was important to have in attendance at the Shot Show Hoffner Warriors John Crawford, Robert Dunlap, Rudy Zaruba, David Blakeley, and Bob Vaught.

I will not bore you with details of the entire show; instead I will highlight what I found important. High on my priority list was to decide on an American company to provide the Hoffner folding knife. Finding a company that understands the Hoffner system, and is provides knives that fit it, quickly thins the herd. So many companies are manufacturing to the fad market primarily by including assisted opening which automatically eliminates the knife from the Hoffner Defensive Knife System.

Tops Knives have always provided quality blades and, like Hoffners, they are a small company willing to work with others to provide an answer. I am happy to report that I will be working with Tops to design the Hoffner defensive folding knife. Until that knife is ready we will be able to using the Tops CQT Thunderhawk as the interim Hoffner primary knife. With a hardened stainless blade, in drop point or tanto configuration, the Thunderhawk operates with a titanium liner lock and an axis end clip. The knife is slim and lightweight with a good ergonomic feel. It retails for $219 but we will be able to provide it at a lower price through Hoffners once we engrave the Hoffner logo on the blade. The knife should be available in March directly from Hoffners.

Though most major knife companies have fallen for the fad market, there are a couple of blades still out there that fit the Hoffner system. For those of you looking for a higher end price point Benchmade still makes one single knife with a liner lock and no assist…for now. The Benchmade model 760 uses M4 hardened steel that helps the blade hold it edge. Though this knife operationally fits the system the steel handles are smooth surfaced and could use some checkering if you have your file handy. The Benchmade 760 retails for $270.

On the low end of the price range OKC, Ontario Knife Company, has the Utilitac II which is a nice blade with Hoffner features that is made in Taiwan thus allowing the retail price of approximately $75. This knife is a liner lock void of the secondary blade locks, that I do not think much of.

Next on my priority list was to find a go bag/IFAK combination that I envision. It doesn’t exist so I may be creating it myself this year. Although 511 is manufactured in China, booooo, I did find that they are working hard to fill a void and I may resort to using their bags until I am able to provide my vision of what is needed through Hoffners. John Crawford and I met with 511’s bag designer David Rhoden as he spent an extensive amount of time showing and explaining his designs to us. The Covrt 18 Pack (no, I didn’t misspell it) is an operators pack that looks like your standard urban/hiking backpack. It has the pockets and pouches available for your laptop to your armor plate and pistol without looking like you are about to open a pack of whoop ass. I was most impressed with the 511 Tier System of molle packs specifically the Moab 6 (go bag size) and the Moab 10 (pack size). These bags available black or khaki are smartly designed to accommodate a host of equipment and needs and are ambidextrous at the crucial pockets like the pistol carry. I may be incorporating the Moab bags into my Go/IFAK system until the Hoffners Bags are available.

David also showed us 511’s ZAP Zone Assault Pack which is looking pretty cool though it is still in the works and won’t be available until fall at the earliest.

Guns, guns, guns, too much to see even a fraction of them all at the Shot Show. There was, of course, a near infinite display of M4 configurations and after market supply. Bottom line, you know what you like and what works for you so you’re on your own with your M4.

I find that people seem to be most interested in carrying a bigger caliber in a smaller package. My Friends Karl and Eric Rohrbaugh are still turning out, in my opinion, the best gun to fit that bill, the Rohrbaugh R9. I love that little gun. It is the size of a tiny .380 but smoothly shoots the now respected 9mm. I heard rumors that Rohrbaugh was coming out with their little gun in a .45ACP. Karl confirmed the story and told me all about it. I am looking forward to it.

Though I have not yet shot it, I was happy to hold Ruger’s LC9 in my hand. Though not quite as small as the Rohrbaugh R9, the LC9 is smooth, rounded, and small. It has a double action only trigger which I prefer over the trigger of the Taurus 709 Slim 9mm which sports a trigger with a double strike capability which goes against what we build reactively. I will be anxious to shoot the Ruger LC9. Ruger says it will be available under $300 which is nice as well.

Action Target’s new booth was impressive. I have been teaching for Action Target for more than fifteen years and they never cease to amaze me with their initiative, energy, and support of the industry. I love their shooting ranges, shoot houses, and target systems. But what I like and respect about Action Target most; is the people of Action Target and how they sincerely care about people and doing what they can to keep good people alive. They understand that the only way to truly prepare the good guys to win is with the best equipment and training possible.

For years I have been pushing Action Target to provide re-sealable target technology and now that they are I am extremely excited to be working with them to create the world’s only Extreme CQB Training Target. This target will allow us all to train on one portable target using close quarter battle empty hand techniques, knife, live fire pistol & rifle, and combine them all to train for the real CQB fight just as it really happens. We will be unveiling the target at LETC (Advanced Law Enforcement Training Camp) September 12-16, 2011 in Provo Utah, details at www.actiontarget.com

When Safariland came out with the 6360 I asked how is Bill Rodgers going to top that great holster? What Bill has done is to provide a hoodless option with a roll forward lock. Just as fast and secure as the hooded 6360...but without the hood.

The invasion of cheap Chinese products in the shooting and tactical industry is no more apparent than in hand held flashlights but if you like American made, reliable, powerful true lumen output, like me, then you have to like what the folks at Streamlight are doing. There are several reasons why I like their products. First of all they have a limited number of great products. Surefire is overwhelming with so many different models, sizes, shapes, and lumens. If that’s your thing then you should be all over them. I’m a simple guy with simple needs and I like simple flashlights. As a holster maker I appreciate smooth bezels and shafts and that’s what you get with Streamlight. You just can’t build bezel down quick draw holsters for all the crazy shaped bezels of other makers. I also like Streamlight’s prices; you get a lot of value on your dollar. What’s new for Streamlight this year is the Polytac HP (high power) which has a larger bezel then the Polytac. The next generation of Supertac, Nightfighter, and Scorpion are more powerful at a screaming 200 lumens. The Knucklehead is a nice work light at 200 lumens. All good stuff from a good and friendly company.

John and I helped out with FrogLube who's booth was packed for four stright days. FrogLube speaks for itself, and now everybody that wants their equipment to work and keep working...wants it

Lastly, I have been pushing Benelli for many years to provide a shorter stock for the Benelli M1 & M2 and…they still haven’t done it. But the good folks at Mesa Tactical Have! Finally a shorter stock option, I can’t wait to get mine and get it on my gun!

All said and done the Shot Show was another indication of strong business for the industry.
So, lets gear up, get trained and lets kick butt in 2011-Hoff

Dinner with Hoffner Instructors John Crawford, David Blakeley, Rudy Zaruba, Myself, and warrior wife.

John and I discuss knives with Leo of Tops Knives

David Rhoden of 511 shows us the Covrt 18 Packs

with my good friend Dan Curtis, retired LE Firearm Instructor, now with Remington

My good friend Chad Burdette with Action Target

Gloating over the Benelli M1, M2 shortened stock with Mitch, President of Mesa Tactical

All smiles with L to R Dennis Tueller (Tueller Drill) and wife, myself and better half, John Crawford

Addison, co-founder of Action target, invites us to "the mansion" and cooks up and incredible dinner

Great food and even greater company. Chad, Addison and wife being served by Mike, Kyle, and my wife. I was busy eating.

Bobby Knight Hanging the Strealmlight Knucklehead

With my good friend Tony Gonzales, retired HPD SWAT now with Safariland

John and I with my buddy George Harris, Director, Sig Sauer Training Academy. George and I are pretty much made of the same mold. It ain't pretty bit it's tenacious

Talking Big Bullets in Little Guns with Karl Rohrbaugh

With Dave Douglas, my ol' editor at American Cop Magazine

This guys booth didnt see much action. But it was very busy at our friends SOG Houston's Booth

Hoffner Warriors enjoying a beer after a long day at Shot. John, David, Myself and beautiful wife, Robert, Bob, and Rudy

The Crew: Legendary Bank Miller, John Krupa, Hoff, Pete, John

with FMG Publications Scott McGregor and Roy Hunigton

To Winning!

Thumbs up to a great show!
www.hoffners.com