Many travel to Las Vegas for vacation, gambling, and all types of escapes from the reality of life that it offers. Then there's the other side of Vegas, the side of people who travel there for business. Or perhaps you’re a hybrid. Either way, my team and I headed back to Vegas for the SHOT Show, the go-to event for business-to-business (B2B) work, the newest releases from the tinkering minds who engineer the products and media. Media teams and influencers travel there to see the latest and greatest.

We went and covered both firearms and optics. Optics companies included RITON, Night Fision, XS Sights, and Gideon Optics. All these optics companies offer similar yet different products in their own specific ways. We visited Rost Martin, a Dallas, Texas-based firearms manufacturer specializing in American-made, high-quality, and innovative firearms. Their flagship product, the RM1C, is a 9mm striker-fired compact pistol featuring a 4-inch hammer-forged barrel, ambidextrous controls, and an optic-ready design (Visit our YouTube Channel to see their Coverage).

After the Rost Martin visit, we headed to RITON, a company of shooters and hunters. This is a plus for me as I enjoy companies that employ or are founded based on people who live the lifestyle. Though I am not a hunter, I plan on navigating the hunting lifestyle this decade (My 40s). They also offer tactical solutions with their red dots, but the one we featured was their enclosed series, the 3 Tactix EED. It is rugged and has a nice, solid feel to it. If I had to list a few specifics about this item and its advantages, I’d say it offers improved durability and protection since it is enclosed. It presumably enhances its durability and ability to be used in weather conditions. 

Though it doesn't need to be said, Ill say it: all SHOT show attendees see a mixed bag of firearms, optics, and accessories. My team and I visited almost equally many firearms and optics companies. So yeah, I will highlight companies like XS Sights, who, as far as I know, are popular for their lollipop tritium, but I also became a fan of Night Fision. Night Fision introduced optic-mounted plates to provide better co-witnessing that is compatible with their sights and various platforms.

Against my gut instinct, I used the word innovation in the title of this blog. Why? Well because there was one company I stumbled upon that actually had something innovative. I’m sure there was a lot of ‘innovation’ at SHOT but this one took the cake. I want to introduce to you Bilson Arms. A small company based out of Louisiana with two game-changing upgrades for AR-style rifles: the Forward Charging Handle and the Return-to-Center Stock.

Traditional rear-mounted charging handles can be awkward, especially in high-pressure situations. Bilson Arms has reimagined this essential component by moving it to the front of the rifle. This forward placement allows shooters to chamber rounds, clear malfunctions, and manipulate their firearm without breaking their firing stance.

Another standout innovation is the Return-to-Center Stock, designed for dynamic shooting scenarios. Unlike conventional stocks, this patented design pivots to provide an optimal cheek weld when switching between optics or backup iron sights. Whether engaging targets at different distances or adapting to unexpected situations, this stock ensures rapid sight transitions while maintaining comfort and accuracy.

SHOT Show once again proved to be a hub for 2A space, bringing together some of the best minds in firearms, optics, and accessories. From cutting-edge red dots to high-quality American-made firearms, the event showcased the industry's continuous evolution. As we navigated the show floor, it was clear that companies are pushing boundaries to enhance durability, performance, and user experience. Whether you're in the industry for business, personal interest, or both, SHOT Show remains the place to see what’s next. Stay tuned for more coverage, and be sure to check out our YouTube channel for in-depth looks at the latest gear!