Every January, Skillset heads to Las Vegas to explore the latest offerings from the firearms industry at SHOT Show, an industry-only event that many of us eagerly anticipate all year. SHOT Show 2025 didn’t disappoint. With so many new and exciting innovations being released in the firearms industry, it is, without a doubt, “The Place to BE.”
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But why attend in person? Can’t I browse social media to see what my favorite influencers and “gunbunnies” are showcasing to find the coolest items to impress my friends during SHOT Show 2025?
Social media may be the only option for the general public. However, if you want helpful information about the guns and brands you should consider purchasing, setting Athlon Outdoors as your homepage in the weeks leading up to SHOT Show 2025 is smart.
The SHOT Show Floor
Get your walking shoes ready, bring a backup charger for your phone, and prepare to fuel up with plenty of caffeine. SHOT Show 2025 will require all of this to navigate the vast array of vendors and companies that will be present at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the week.
You’ll find everything imaginable in the firearms industry under one roof, from fully automatic gold-plated collectibles to helicopters and everyone’s favorite night vision gear. While we could go on about all the great things to see, let’s highlight a few of our top favorites instead.
The Guns
Do you really think we are going to talk about SHOT Show 2025 and not lead off with guns? There is always the super cool, but Skillset enjoys the wild headscratchers that make us smile: the Money gun from Hi-Point, the Barrett squad-support 30mm Grenade gun, and the cartoon-esque-themed shooter from IWI. And obviously, we are a fan of gold-plated GUCCI guns.
If you were tasked with counting all the scary black guns at SHOT, it would surely take you the entire week. Springfield, AERO Precision, POF-USA, Rise Armament—the list goes on and on. Every company’s booth has the latest and greatest guns and gear to show off, and we will happily listen to all the sales reps. tell us about them. We could go on and on with the list of rad firearms, that’s for sure.
The Gear
It’s no big secret that we love our gear here at Skillset, and when it comes to doing SHOT Show 2025 big, no company does that better than 511. The Founders Jacket is everyone’s favorite this year, and for good reason. The bailout bag is at the top of our list. Everyone should have a piece of kit readily available to grab and be ready for war—or at least to see what that noise was on the front lawn.
Front pockets, side pouches, internal divider, but what makes it our favorite? Think of it as a large fanny pack that holds all your necessities without rocking a piece of gear that’s so packed it’s encumbering. The bailout bag from 511 is just perfect for hanging on a chair, ready to grab at a moment’s notice.
The Rides
Every year, I look forward to all the tactical and LEO big-equipped rigs that show up on the expo floor. The ultra badass-looking Lenco and the ACP from Plan B of Utah never disappoint during SHOT Show 2025. Polaris, Can-am, and Tomcar also display their latest offerings. Hummers, off-road rigs, and plenty of overland-inspired builds round out the halls of the SHOT Show.
But what about something different? How about the Ford Mustang they completely destroyed in the John Wick films? Or how’s this for something I’m sure you didn’t know? Nascar being involved in the firearms industry? You betcha. The same Hendrick Motorsports that put cars out on the high-speed ovals weekly also brought out a trailer unit supporting the tactical operation. The STEED for Silent Tactica Energy Enhanced Dismount was created to help quickly get gear and first responders into position.
The People of SHOT Show 2025
Without the fantastic people working there, this industry and event would be nothing. They are some of the most knowledgeable and helpful people you could ever meet. From the people who man the booths all week to the toms of military instructors and media people who wander the floor, you will never encounter more informed firearms people anywhere on the planet.
Most of these people have spent a lifetime mastering their skills and training in this wonderful industry, which I am fortunate to be a part of. They’ve developed skill sets and talents that they generously share with anyone who is humble enough to listen and learn. With that, I thank everyone involved in making SHOT Show 2025 happen, and I was once again able to be a tourist in this fascinating world of guns, gear, and Badassery! Special Thanks to fellow Athlon Contributors Fred Mastison and Ursula Williams for sharing some photos with us.