Round Two
It looks to be a little bit busier today, at Day 2 of the NRA Annual Meeting…but still not as packed as I would expect (or hope) for a Saturday. I did notice that during his address to the Meeting of Members, NRA EVP Doug Hamlin said that he hoped to reach 70,000 attendees for the weekend. That would be great, but still way off from numbers like the 86,000 we saw in shows past.
But let me jump back to yesterday for a moment. After I posted yesterday’s update, I had a very enlightening conversation with a representative from Sig Sauer about the controversy surrounding their P320 pistol, stemming from accounts of it simply going off in the holster, supposedly without the trigger being manipulated in any way. Turns out that 100% of the cases reported to Sig involve pistols with a weapon-mounted light, in a light-bearing holster. The design of these holsters incorporates a wider opening, to accommodate the light, but which also tend to allow other objects into the holster in a way that can activate the trigger. This is something I was unaware of, and which makes a big difference in opinion. As the rep pointed out, “not one P320 has gone off in a safe.” So while I don’t know 100% the details of every case, let’s just say I’m more skeptical than ever of the “gun just went off” claims.
Next, let’s talk about the rifle in the above picture. I’m sure you’re probably thinking, “Dave, that’s just another AR!” Well, yes and no. The cool thing is that this AR is a Hi-Point…that’s right, a Hi-Point. I was told they’d be shipping in June, with a rifle version in 5.56, and a pistol version in both 5.56 and in 300 Blackout. They are 100% standard AR parts compatible, and while MSRP isn’t set yet, it should come in under $500, with Hi-Point’s lifetime warranty. I know, I know…the AR market is beyond saturated, but not with sub-$500 rifles from a reputable brand like Hi-Point.
Next up is the Ruger RXM, Ruger’s pistol collaboration with Magpul. It isn’t just a Glock clone. As one observer at the Ruger booth commented, “It’s what Glock should have done.” I tend to agree. Improved ergonomics aside, it combines three of the most popular handgun features into one pistol. Like the polymer Sigs, it has a removable fire control unit, allowing for nearly endless customization. In fact, the Ruger rep told me that a G17 grip frame is due out this summer, with a G26 sized unit not far behind. The RXM also has a near-universal optics mounting system, much like the Springfield Armory Echelon, which will fit RMR, Delta Point Pro, and RMSc footprint optics to be mounted without an adapter plate. Third, and maybe the most important feature is that it uses Glock magazines, which are everywhere. I think this is Ruger’s best offering to date in the defensive pistol market, and at a street price of $399, it’s going to be hard to beat.
An as long as we’re talking about Magpul, I was really fascinated by their venture into the knife world. It looks like a pretty ordinary folding clip knife, but there’s nothing ordinary about it…it’s MIM. MIM, or metal injection molding, has been used in the manufacture of gun parts for years. It also has a reputation (deserved or otherwise) for being prone to poor quality and/or failure. But the Magpul reps I spoke to said that they have developed a process in which the binders are essentially baked out of the molded blank, resulting in a blade with properties found in premium knives…at a much lower cost. Magpul says the knives will be available beginning in July 2025, and I’m eager to see how they turn out. The pre-production prototypes I saw seem very promising.
That’s about a wrap for me and the 2025 NRA Annual Meeting. I’ve got a six and a half hour drive home tomorrow, and I want to get an early start. But I’ll leave you with this: While the NRA has been down the last few years, and still is to a degree, I believe it is on the way back. I think EVP Doug Hamlin and the newly-installed team of reform-minded directors are the best chance we’ve got to make the NRA the 800-pound gorilla in the room again, and get back to doing the work that the members expect and deserve. Will I see you in Houston for NRAAM 2026? I hope so!
