1992 Ad

Shooting Industry, March, 1992 by Scott Farrell

Shooting Industry's Writers Speak Out On The 1992 SHOT Show

In order to avoid accusations that Shooting Industry magazine features only the viewpoint of its big-mouth editor, I spoke to several of SI's regular contributors before the 1992 SHOT Show in New Orleans and said, "Tell me what catches your attention at the show."

With the request foremost in their minds, the writers toured the show looking for the new products that they thought were going to make a big splash this year. I didn't prompt any of them or give them any restrictions -- although I did have to pull Cameron Hopkins away from the biggest plate of barbecued shrimp I'd ever seen, hunt down Jon Sundra in one of the finest wine shops in New Orleans, kick Frank James out of a delicious jazz brunch in the French Quarter and roust Jerry Lee from a sing-alone at a nearby Irish tavern. (Oh, the things I do to get a good article for this magazines!)

Nevertheless, everyone finally completed their rounds at the SHOT Show and got their reports back to me. None of them collaborated with one another or hand a chance to change their minds once they found out what the others had picked. Let's see what they had to say.

"Frank James, What Caught Your Eye?"

Four different products stood out at the 1992 Shot Show. The first was the new Ruger Mark II Heavy Barrel Varmint Rifle. The main feature of this new rifle is the stainless steel barrel that is hammer forged on new machinery at Ruger's factory. The hammer forging of rifle barrels is the state-of-the-art method for superior rifle barrels and this is a rifle that was expressly designed for the varmint shooter.

The stock has a wide flat fore-end that will work well with a sand bag rest and a hard rubber butt pad is standard. The Mark II M77 Varmint has a steel trigger guard and a flush mounted floorplate latch to prevent accidental contact with the trigger finger. It comes with scope rings and no metal sights.

The MkII M77 Varmint from Sturm, Ruger & Co. is a good looking new varmint rifle and will come with all the extras that many experienced varmint hunters have learned to appreciate. The initial offering will be available in .223 Rem, .22/250 Rem, .220 Swift, .243 Win and .308 Win.

There were fewer "new" handguns to found among the aisles of the 1992 Shot Show as opposed to recent years, but two handguns stand out. While not a "new" product, one has had a profound influence upon handguns shooting in the United States and the world for over 15 years. It is the CZ-75.

This pistol is not new as it had its debut in 1975, but that was back in the days of the Evil Empire and the frigid winds of the cold war. Among the first to establish business ties with Czechoslovakia in the current thawing of relations was Action Arms Ltd. This former importer of the UZI semi-auto carbine is the authorized representative to sell and market the CZ-75, and the follow-on CZ-85 9mm pistols in the United States. Other items in the Action Arms product line-up include the CZ-83 .380 pistol and the well-made Brno bolt action rifles.

The other handguns that felt a lasting impression from this year's show was the new Dan Wesson Model 738P small-frame, five-shot .38 Special revolver. Dan Wesson revolvers have always been noted for robust construction and innovative design. This new little revolver will surely carry on that tradition, but with the added benefit of a reasonable price as it has a recommended retail price of $270.

The last item of note would have to be the Gerber Multi-Plier tool. This handy little tool is truly an innovative, yet extremely practical device that any shooter or outdoorsman will appreciate. With stainless steel construction and multiple tool heads located within its handles, this is a tool that almost anyone can use and appreciate.

"Jerry Lee, What Did You Like?"

I was quite impressed with the new Taurus Model 431 .44 Special double-action revolver. It's an all stainless five-shooter on a medium frame. Made in Brazil, it comes in a choice of a 3-inch or 4-inch barrel with fixed sights, or a 6-inch model with adjustable sights.

This classic cartridge hasn't been available in a domestic double-action revolver since Smith & Wesson's short run of Model 624s a few years back and the demise of the Charter Arms Bulldog. Many revolver fans consider the .44 Special to be an ideal self defense round and while it can be fired in any .44 Magnum, a more compact gun especially chambered for the smaller cartridge should get some immediate consumer attention.

The ClassicMark is a fine looking new rifle that got a lot of attention at the Weatherby booth. The real story here is that after all these years the company has finally decided that the original Weatherby stock design was a little dated after all.

As the name implies, the ClassicMark is the basic Weatherby Mark V action mounted in a stock with classic lines that is best described by what it doesn't have: a high-gloss finish, Monte Carlo, white diamonds, or sharp-angled grip or forend. The ClassicMark has an oil-finished hand-selected American Claro walnut stock with 18 lpi checkering and a rounded forend.