SHOT Show 2020 Range Day Recap
International Sportsman attended the SHOT Show 2020 range day. Below are some of the products we found exciting and our thoughts after spending some time with them on the range. We will have a recap video later in the week and more extensive coverage.
Maxim Defense MDX 508
At 21.75″ long, the MDX 508 from Maxim Defense is the next step up from the PDX. We shot the 7.62×39 version of the MDX, and it ran flawlessly. You would expect the recoil of such a small platform to be harsher than it was. The stock, although small, didn’t create any issues when shouldering. Overall we were impressed with the small form factor and the performance. There was also a version with the CGS Hyperion suppressor, and it was very quiet even with the 8.5″ barrel of the MDX.
Franklin Armory 10/22 Binary Trigger
The latest from Franklin Armory was the new binary trigger for the Ruger 10/22 and clones. There is a three-position switch to toggle between safe, semi, and binary modes. If you haven’t shot a binary trigger, it fires with one pull of the trigger but also fires on the release of the trigger. This allows you to achieve something close to full auto rates of fire with some practice.
We shot the binary triggers for the AK variants, HK style firearms, and the 10/22 trigger. Overall the AK trigger was great and made it feel like an AR trigger instead of an AK trigger. The MP5 trigger caught the eye of one of our editors and will soon find its way into his personal firearm. The 10/22 trigger seemed a bit lacking from what you expect based on the other triggers from Franklin Armory. It did allow us to fire the 10/22 very quickly, which was a lot of fun, but the trigger seems a little mushy and not as polished as the others. This could have been a pre-production trigger, so until they are in the wild, we are holding our final decision.
Glock 44
Glock’s first .22 LR handgun is remarkable not only for the fact that it features a hybrid polymer-steel slide. Perhaps more so than any other rimfire handgun, this one truly replicates the feel of operating a centerfire pistol. Yes, the gun is lighter, but the trigger feels identical to the ones found on full-fat Glock handguns. Moreover, because the pistol is significantly lighter than a Glock 19, recoil is a bit more noticeable than other .22 LR handguns. Overall, this is a superb option for those who regularly carry a Glock 19 or 23 and want something for even more affordable practice.
Mossberg MC2C
Mossberg hasn’t been in the pistol world for all that long, but the MC2C felt and performed very well. The single-stack 9mm frame is comfortable to hold and offers enough real estate for most peoples’ pinkies. International Sportsman editor Nathan felt that the MC2C was less comfortable to shoot than expected and noted that the recoil of the firearm seemed to dump into the web of his palm, making it less pleasant to shoot.
RUGER-57
Ruger’s new 57 is as slim and as light as you’d hope from a 5.7x28mm handgun. For such a light pistol, the 57 feels solid with no discernable flex when squeezed or twisted. This was Nathan’s first time behind a 5.7mm firearm of any sort, and that might be the case for a lot of Ruger-57 purchasers who view it as an affordable way to get into shooting the caliber. The light, fast 5.7mm round out of a handgun, somewhat splits the difference in overall feel between a .22 Magnum and a 9mm. It has more punch than the rimfire but cycles faster than the 9mm. The Ruger-57 wasn’t the only 5.7x28mm firearm on the range, and it’s clear this cartridge is gaining traction.
Umarex AirJavelin
While air bows are not new, they are gaining popularity, and there were two new additions to the category from Umarex, the AirJavelin, and the AirSaber. We have a video coming on both of these air bows. The AirJavlin is the entry-level version and very affordable at $169.99 MSRP. It is powered by one 88g CO2 cartridge and can deliver 170gr arrows at velocities of up to 300+ feet per second and 34+ fpe. Not only was it fun to shot, but you can also change the tips of the arrows to broadheads and use it for hunting. It weighed in a little over three pounds without any accessories.
It was very quiet and had virtually no recoil. We were shooting bullseyes at 30 yards offhand without issue. The Umarex rep told us he used it on a hog hunt and ethically shot animals up to 40 yards away.
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