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JANUARY 12, 2023

We will not be distributing wires on Monday, January 16 in observance of the MLK holiday. Additionally, next week we will be publishing our combined editions of the Outdoor, Shooting and Tactical Wires. Instead of individual services next week, subscribers will receive daily SHOT Show Special Editions that combine these services. News received after our deadline today will be included in the SHOT Show editions beginning on Tuesday, January 17.
Fernandez Holdings, Inc. formally announced the acquisition of KASH CA, which includes the well-known brands of Freedom Munitions, Ammo Load Worldwide, X-Treme Bullets, as well as LAX Ammunition retail locations.
Vortex is hitting the road to join thousands of hunting and shooting fans this spring, bringing prizes, new gear, and unique experiences for conference goers at every stop.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program has released its Travel Games schedule for 2023. Recognized as staple CMP events scattered around the United States throughout the year, the Games are centered around recreation-oriented activities, filled with rifle and pistol matches designed for experienced competitors as well as those completely new to the sport
The Elite Combo Holster was designed to either clip onto the pants, or be threaded onto a belt. This holster with mag pouch is built to last - constructed of 1000 denier padded nylon for maximum durability.
The Hornady RAPiD Safe Compact Ready Vault with WIFI has been selected as the 2023 NRA Women Accessory of the Year as part of the National Rifle Association Publications Golden Bullseye Awards.

Kimber, Mfg., Inc. announces Chris Klope as the new Chief Operating Officer. Chris Klope will succeed outgoing COO Dennis Dougherty who is transitioning to Kimber’s board.
NSSF announced that VFW, Geissele Automatics Inc., Glock Inc., The Independence Fund, Active Manufacturing and Norma Precision Inc. have signed on to sponsor the 8th Annual NSSF/HAVA Golf Classic at the Bronze level.
MidwayUSA is pleased to announce Rio Outdoors as one of the latest additions to their ammunition offering.

EOTECH has recently announced a sale of 1,000 of its sighting systems to the Indonesian Armed Forces. Known as the Tentara Nasional Indonesia, the Indonesian Military selected EOTECH’s Holographic Weapon Sight and magnifier.
Creedmoor Sports, a manufacturer and supplier of premium precision shooting equipment, has promoted Brent Books to Director of Merchandising.
MasterPiece Arms (MPA), manufacturer of DS Series Pistols, BA Rifles and Chassis Systems, is proud to announce its addition of Professional Shooter, Jake Vibbert, as a Brand Ambassador.

Wholesale customers will find new ways to help grow their businesses during the Crow Shooting Supply E-Show January 9th through 31st.
Springfield Armory® is proud to announce that the Hellion™ 5.56mm bullpup has been chosen as NRA Publications’ American Rifleman 2023 Golden Bullseye Tactical Gun of the Year.
The Second Amendment Foundation filed amicus briefs in two cases challenging the authority of a federal district court in California to impose a ban on firearm possession as a condition of pretrial release.

ZeroTech Optics has expanded its long-range precision shooting line of optics with the release of their new 20-60x80mm First Focal Plane spotting scope. It features their Optimized Spotting Reticle to the American market.
Rossi is back in the US revolver market with three new guns: the RP63 6-shot 357, the RM66, a 6” 357 with adjustable sights and the RM64, a four-inch medium frame revolver.
Mossberg introduces the newest member of the family: the Patriot LR (Long Range) Tactical bolt-action rifle. Housed in an adjustable, customizable chassis system and fed from AICS-style magazine, this Patriot rifle is designed to enhance your long-range performance and accuracy.

Elite Survival Systems' new Advanced Ankle Holster has a wide, elastic ankle band with a hook and loop adjustment and an opening for an extra magazine or knife
DeSantis Gunhide introduces its latest new product, the 1 ½” Reversible CCW Belt. The #B54, 1 ½” Reversible CCW belt is built from 2 thick bands of premium saddle leather, cemented, and stitched together with proprietary nylon cord.
MasterPiece Arms, manufacturer of DS Series Pistols, BA Rifles and Chassis Systems, announced its addition of The Matrix Air Professional Chassis.
HeadHunters NW, an executive recruiting firm focused exclusively on talent acquisition for the shooting, hunting, and outdoor industry, announces the launch of its new podcast, HeadHunters NW Podcast.
The Second Amendment Foundation announces the addition of J. Pierce Shields, a seasoned tax attorney, banker, and national-scale fundraiser, has joined SAF as National Director of Advancement.
SAR announced that they are gearing up to attend the SHOT Show in Las Vegas. This year, SAR will showcase their newest state-of-the-art firearms and accessories, including the new concealed-carry SAR9 Subcompact, and the combat-ready SOCOM 9mm pistol.
Everest.com, an online, customer-centric, multi-merchant marketplace for the outdoor recreation community is hosting meetings in-person for manufacturers and retailers during the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas January 17-20, 2023.
Gearfire will be exhibiting at the 2023 SHOT Show (booth #11255), taking place January 17-20 at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV.
Firearms Legal Protection will be attending the Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trades from January 17-20, 2023, with partner Coreware, LLC, exhibiting in booth #72627 in Caesar's Forum.
Luth-AR will attend the 2023 SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range on Jan 16th, 2023 held at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club, Nevada.
Hornady will be attending the SHOT Show, January 17-20, 2023, at the Venetian Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Springfield Armory is honored to host both special forces veteran and instructor Tu Lam and eight-time world champion shooter Rob Leatham for a meet and greet at SHOT Show 2023.
Allen will be featuring Breakthrough Clean Technologies, maker of firearm and outdoor gear cleaning products, as a prominent part of the Allen® portfolio at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The entire assortment of Breakthrough Clean Technologies® products will be in Booth 13021.
DeSantis Gunhide invites you to attend their booth at the 2023 SHOT Show. DeSantis will be present to show their new products to be delivered this year as well as the existing product line.
Traditions Performance Firearms will be exhibiting at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas January 17-20. Traditions will be displaying their 2023 line of products in booth number 14638.
SA Consumer Products is proud to announce that they will be showcasing their all-new line of Remington Safes at the 45th annual 2023 Shot Show, January 17-20th , in Las Vegas - Caesars Forum - Booth # 72339.
Umarex USA will be exhibiting at the 2023 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The Umarex booth will include products from Umarex Airguns, Axeon Optics, Elite Force Airsoft, T4E, P2P, REKT and many licensed brands.
Franklin Armory announced that Earl Griffith, former Chief of the Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, will be available at SHOT Show 2023 to answer questions regarding the legal and compliance status for a variety of Franklin Armory’s products.
Celerant Technology is exhibiting at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Celerant will debut its new mobile shopping and range apps, and demonstrate how dealers can manage their entire business, in-store and online, and ATF compliance in a single system.
With SHOT Show 2023 just around the corner, Primary Arms Optics has revealed many of the new optics to be featured at their booth (Booth #70455). Primary Arms Optics recently made waves with the release of Odyssey 2023, a digital reveal event that included the release of the Primary Arms Optics 2023 catalog.
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc., will be exhibiting at the 2023 SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas. See the lineup, including the Model 82A1, M107A1, Model 99, Model 95, MRAD, MRAD SMR and MK22.
SAR announced that they are the official SHOT Show bag sponsor of the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas. The official show bag can be picked up while entering the show.
Federal Ammunition announced new shotshell ammunition options for 2023. Several all-new products and line extensions will be showcased and on display at the 2023 SHOT Show, including new offerings in the High Over All, Black Cloud, HEVI-Bismuth, Hi-Bird, and Premium Buckshot product lines, plus more.
Allen will be showcasing a variety of new products at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, including the innovative Eliminator Range Bag Portable Shooting System.
Check the Lyman/Mark 7 Booth #13054 at 11:00am PST on January 17, the opening day of SHOT Show 2023. The company will unveil two new loading systems that will change the way ammunition is produced by both individuals and manufacturers.
FALCO Holsters, will introduce a collection of new-for-2023 holster innovations and everyday carry gear during the NSSF SHOT Show. Categories include new Level 2 retention holsters, a multi-fit line specifically for dealers, EDC bags, and the first 3D-printed holsters.
Alien Gear Holsters invite dealers, media, and influencers to visit booth 10174 on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, for an in-booth product launch party during SHOT Show 2023.
FightLite Industries announces that it is this year’s “First Shot” Sponsor for Industry Day at the Range 2023. The one-day event is being held on January 16, 2023 at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club range facility.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation welcomes the introduction of H.R. 52, the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act. The legislation would end the ability of corkage entities to profit from taxpayer-funded federal contracts while discriminating against a Constitutionally-protected industry.
 

And now, the conclusion of our three-part review of the new Girsan short-barrel MC P35 PI Hi Power. Range day for the “Private Investigator.” This is the exciting part of testing a new gun, revealing its reliability and accuracy – the two most interesting characteristics of any firearm. Plus, you discover how the pistol “feels” in action. And, sometimes you get to experience that “gut feeling” that says, “This is a good pistol.”

Reliability

Reliability is the first test for a new firearm. A clean, freshly oiled gun with quality ammunition and magazines should function. (Factory recommended “break-in” periods and such do not apply.). To test reliability I gather all my “trash” ammo - various rounds that were picked up off the range, emptying out the dusty cardboard box full of unknown ammo in the shop and the questionable stuff laying on the floorboard of my truck. I stir it all up, and load magazines. After all, a defensive pistol shouldn’t be finicky. There might be times when your “favorite” ammunition isn’t available.

The Private Investigator passes the “trash-ammo” test with flying colors. It ate everything that was jammed into the magazines with no malfunctions. It also displayed very consistent extraction and ejection. The empty cases landed into a one-foot square area about seven to eight-feet from the shooter at 4 o’clock. Perfect.

Accuracy

Reliability is mandatory. Accuracy is subjective. An accurate defensive pistol might not be up to firing tiny groups during a bulls-eye competition. Under stress, with both you and the threat moving, accuracy is about placing hits in the proper locations of the threat’s body. Defensive accuracy is more about what you can do as opposed to how tight a group your pistol will shoot.

To test accuracy fresh factory ball ammo was used. If a pistol will group well with ball ammunition, you can usually expect improved precision with quality, defensive rounds. At seven yards, slow fire, the Girsan grouped well – minus one shot I called “bad” because of my trigger press. The group size was better than I normally get with more expensive pistols. And, like all Hi Powers, it’s a pleasure to shoot. The P.I. actually seemed to recoil less than a full-length barreled Hi power.

At seventy-five yards I had to aim about a foot low, and slightly left to hit the torso target. Most people never fire at these distances. But there are enough documented situations that required long-distance pistol shots to solve the problem that it’s a good idea to determine the difference between the pistol’s point of impact compared to point of aim. The P.I.’s long-distance accuracy is up to that task, if you are. Eventually I’ll adjust the sights to my eyes and shooting style, much like zeroing a rifle.

How can Girsan “improve” the P.I.? The user manual for the P.I. contains a hint of what is to come. It lists the spec’s and parts of the P.I., but also has spec’s and breakdown on a P.I. “Match” and “OPS” versions. These models are based on full-size Hi Powers Girsan offers. The dreaded magazine-disconnect has been removed, they come with a flatter trigger than the original style and fiber optic front sights. The frames have a beavertail on the grip, which positions the hand lower, eliminating the hammer and slide “bite” that’s common with the Hi Power, especially with larger size hands. The “OPS” model has a section of rail on the frame for attaching a light/laser.

The P.I. is the first Girsan pistol I’ve handled. After inspecting it inside and out and spending time with it on the range, I can safely say it’s not going to be the last. They’re good pistols, with the right features at an affordable price. And, if you’re thinking about a pistol build, the Girsan is a great platform for modifying – more on that later.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. www.shootrite.org or visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.

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