Sig Sauer P320 .45 ACP

NRA Convention 2015

First, I'd like to apologize for my two year "hiatus" from my gun blog. Talk about distractions! I just can't help myself. Eventually, I always get back into researching the latest advances in portable weaponry and writing about it here.

Checked out this year's NRA Convention in Nashville's massive Music City Center in my own back yard and it did not disappoint. For a list of exhibitors and descriptions, download the NRA Annual Meeting mobile app on your Apple or Android device. Here are some shots and thoughts from the weekend....

Colt

Israel Military Industries

Snow Camo

Kurt himself, with wish list item.....

Browning shotgun

Some Browning offerings...

Barrett sniper

Magnum Lite rimfire rifles

HK UMP45

E.R. Shaw, Inc. custom barrels

Interarms AK with custom Herrett stocks

Mr. Herrett himself, custom stock maker, with Yours Truly

High Standard-Interarms underfolder AK-47

Now that's a safe!

NRA Harley giveaway

My favorite 1911 at the show...

Sig MPX

Sig 556 - takes AK Mags

IMI Jericho

Packed!

Gatling Gun 1873

Ted Cruz made an appearance

Colt Ford and Hank Williams Jr.

Colt Ford

Bocephus 

R. Lee Ermey

Live at The Stage

High Standard looked to be doing some exciting things, reviving their renowned .22 target pistol selection from the 60's and 70's, as well as showcasing the offerings from their partners, Herrett Custom Stocks , Interarms and AMT of Automag fame, bringing back AMT's legendary stainless .22 magnum auto pistol, as well as introducing some impressive looking AK-47 and AR-15 type rifle models, courtesy of Interarms. It was unclear to me, whether AMT has improved on the frame alloy of the original .22 Mag pistol, which had galling problems with their original offering.

Other notable products that made an impression in my few hours touring the massive Music City Center included the following:

My Case Builder at www.mycasebuilder.com. This company offers custom foam gun cases designed to perfectly fit your weapon.

Secret Compartment Furniture. Featuring Amish-made custom wood furniture with secret compartments to hide guns and other valuables for quick access. www.secretcompartmentfurniture.com.

For those of you that prefer air guns, or have no legal access to gunpowder-powered weapons, Pyramid Air had some quality rifles and pistols on display. Check out their catalog at www.pyramidair.com.

Meggar Gun Magazines had a few salesmen and an entire booth-display of their awesome magazines present, and did claim that they could get me magazines for out of production pistols, including a magazine for my old MKII Ruger .22 if I went online and ordered. Check out their offerings at  www.mec-gar.com.

Rock Island Armory was there, with their famously affordable quality classic reproduction firearms selection, including the 1911 in several iterations, as well as their .22 magnum XT 1911,the M200 .38 special revolver, their MAPP 9mm automatic pistol and their usual impressive rifle, shotgun and ammo products (see Armscor). www.rockislandarmory.com

Mig 22 Rifle

$399.99

The Mig 22LR is like no other rifle in the world. Only aircraft grade billet aluminum and billet machined steel parts are used. No plastic. No die cast aluminum parts. It’s built to last and performs like a match-grade rifle right out of the box. It can shoot .500” groups at 50 yards and has an ultrasmooth 2-pound trigger.-armscorusa.com

 An economical shooting, military style 22LR rifle built from high quality materials of aluminum and steel. 

 Specs:

• Caliber: .22 Long Rifle (High Velocity)

• Action: Semi-automatic Blow Back

• Capacity: 15rd magazine std.

• Barrel Length: 18" Heavy Barrel

• Weight Empty: 8 lbs.

• Overall Length: 35"

• Accuracy: .500 at 50 Meters

• Trigger Weight: 2 lbs. Short Travel

(Cannot be sold to residents of California.)

Features:

• One-piece billet machined 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum mono-receiver with
• Unique captured recoil system for easy dis-assembly and cleaning.
• Free floated match grade barrel guaranteed to shoot .700 at 50 meters.
• Take down style barrel and buttstock assemblies for quick breakdown of the rifle.
• Performance designed wire cut tool steel internals for a match style trigger right out of the box.

So far, I have been unable to find any useable articles to share with you regarding the MIG-22 in the gun magazines, but the specs are impressive and accuracy reports have been stellar.

This item is super-hot and the only place I have found that even hints that they may have it available is Legendary Guns out of Phoenix, AZ, 602-242-1195, at $595.00 as seen on Gunbroker.com.

Update, November 12, 2013: Spotted on Cheaperthandirt.com for $325.00!!!

Don't get discouraged though. There are a number of excellent tactical .22s that have flooded the marketplace lately. I always knew they'd find a way to bring the cost of .22 rifles to $500.00 and above and, gosh dammit, that day is here!

2015 July update: MIG 22 now starting at $540 mint on Gunbroker!

Here is a list with links to more info:

• Ruger SR-22 $625.00
• Remington 597 VTR $465.00
• SIG Sauer 522 Classic $572.00
• ATI GSG-522 $599.00
• HK 416 D145RS $599.00