It's that time of year again for the GAT Guns Annual Factory Shoot!
I got there early Saturday and was among the first to get in line (well, in the parking lot anyway), it was pissing with rain so I stayed in the car until 5 or so minutes before the doors opened.
What is the factory shoot? Well, to steal from last years post, The factory shoot is essentially GAT's largest event of the year. Reps from many gun manufacturers come out with their guns and you can test shoot them for a small ammo fee. (yes, 2009 was even more expensive than last year!)
Saturday was extremely crowded. I've NEVER seen it so busy, and I've been going to the factory shoot on and off since 1994! At times the wait to test fire guns was at least 30-45 minutes!!
Sadly, while the larger crowd certainly played a part, this was not the 'fine tuned machine' it was last year. The delays at the front of the test fire line were mostly due to not being properly prepared. They had no Price List and didn't know how much to charge for the ammo. (at the start anyway)
Here's what I shot this year...
Saturday
1. Smith & Wesson Model 619 in .357 Magnum
As I was with Barry and he wanted to experience the shock and awe of the .50AE Desert Eagle, and since he's still a new shooter, I decided it would be best for him to fire a .357 Magnum first. (to warm up, ya know?)
Standard S&W Quality, but I still like my 686+ better! Next it was on to the .44 Mag...
2. Smith & Wesson Model 629 Classic in .44 Magnum
I keep telling myself that I will eventually buy this gun. I've shot a 629 probably a dozen times over the years. Sadly, I only seem to get my annual .44 Mag fix at the factory shoot.
3. Magnum Research Desert Eagle .50AE
So how many times have a shot a Desert Eagle? I don't know for sure but I know it's over 10. I have a love/hate thing going on with this gun. I LOVE to shoot a big gun! But I HATE that it's $1500 and ammo is like $1 a round! I will only own this gun if I win the lottery! :(
4. Magnum Research BFR in .500 Smith & Wesson
I was SOOOOOO excited when I was told we could shoot this gun! .500 S&W IS THE MOST POWERFUL HANDGUN CARTRIDGE IN THE WORLD. (currently) Dirty Harry, eat your heart out because the .500 S&W kicks .44 Mag's ass! While waiting in line to test shoot it, my excitement was growing. GAT's current range limit on shootable calibers tops out with the .50AE cartridge. When I was told we could shoot the .500, I assumed maybe they allowed the more powerful cartridge just for the factory shoot. I was disappointed when we got to the counter and I looked closer at the .500 ammo. It was .500 Special, not the full powered .500 S&W Magnum. I didn't even know .500 special existed. Oh well, not the big BOOM I wanted but still a boom nonetheless. And at the very least it added a few extra casings of an oddball caliber to my instructor kit. :)
Lines were absurd at this point. My goal of shooting the Ruger LCP slipped away as the wait for that gun and the lines for the test shooting were way to long. At 11:30am I headed home.
Sunday
Sunday is usually less crowded and if you get there early, and know what you want to shoot, you can get a few test shoots in before the line begins. I got there early again, and waited (more rain) in the car until the doors opened. Once they did, I went immediately to the Ruger table to shoot the LCP.
5. Ruger LCP in .380 Auto
The normal test shoot limit is 30 rounds but since I was first, they let me shoot 40 round through it. It is the perfect "Pocket Gun"! It shoots well for its designed purpose. You're not going to win a Bullseye match with it! It's #1 on my wish list and the next gun I will be buying. I talked to the Galco rep and he showed me to different holsters they make for carry inside the pocket. That will work well for me.
6. Ruger LCR in .38 Special
While at the Ruger table, Mike (the rep) showed me the brand new LCR. He encouraged me to shoot it. I shot 20 rounds of .38 special through it. This gun is super light and you can feel that when you shoot it. It's a perfect backup gun but not something you'd want to shoot 100 rounds a time in. After 20 rounds my hand hurt. Imagine when you put +P ammo into it! Overall opinion, great gun!
7. Beretta CX4 Storm Carbine in 9mm
After the LCR, I started looking around. No one was at the Beretta booth. They had a Px4, 92FS, Ninetytwo, all of which I've shot before, but the Cx4 caught my eye as I knew it was a pistol caliber carbine and I've never shot it. It was a ton of fun. I sent the target all the way back to the range's 75 foot backstop. With iron sights, I was able to easily shoot all 30 rounds in the black. Imagine how well I could do after 1000+ round through it! Love the carbine, hate the price.
8. Springfield Armory TRP in .45 ACP
After the Cx4, I headed to Springfield Armory. I asked which was their highest end 1911. As my collection is STILL lacking a 1911, I shoot a 1911 every chance I can get. And shooting a higher end one like the TRP can certainly spoil me! MSRP around $1,500!
9. Excel arms Accelerator Rifle in .22 WMR
At the HK table a rifle caught my eye. I asked if it was shootable here. The rep indicated that it was .22 Magnum so, yes, I could shoot it. And that I'd be the first to do so during this show since no one bothered to touch it on Saturday. It had a green dot sight on it. Simply put, it was a super fun shooter! With the affordable street price on this rifle, I'd buy it if I were able to shoot a .22 Mag rifle at Pine Tree. But alas, I can not. :(
So I tested a total of 9 guns this year. Down from last years 13 guns. Again, there was some scary shit going on as far as muzzle control and gun handling from shooters there, but I expect nothing less at GAT. Their range isn't exactly known for proper gun safety/handling.
No real gun deals this year, nothing that got my attention anyway so I didn't buy a gun like I did last year.
I look forward to their 22nd Annual Factory Shoot next year, hopefully, they have their shit together and are better organized by then!
Back in July, after having my 3G for a few days (and my 1st gen for 10 months) I made a list of things I wanted in the iPhone but didn't get with the 2.0 update. Let's see how things will stand after 3.0 arrives this summer...
