Opinion by Randy Wakeman

This year's SHOT Show in Las Vegas was well-attended in most respects, although several major firearm companies no longer exhibit at SHOT. With soft sales over the last year, many companies are doing significant belt-tightening. Dramatic declines in sales and profits have spread across the gun industry.

The “Day at the Range” event was poorly attended by exhibitors and attendees alike, with some major brands like Browning and Winchester no longer participating. It was a windy day, as you can see on this ClayCopter video: https://youtu.be/y5krZG6mbnY .

Several “new for 2025” firearms were already out before the SHOT Show: I've already reviewed the Citori 825 https://www.chuckhawks.com/browning825Field12ga.html and an example of the X-Bolt II is already here for review. Weatherby did not exhibit at SHOT, but I already have a pair of their new “Element II” shotguns to review which will follow here soon. I've already done an initial video on the Element II's: https://youtu.be/yfm7xG5fBqY .

Remington, Federal, and Winchester all have new loads, including new loads for the 400 Legend. Federal's new 7mm Backcountry generated the most interest in big game hunting cartridges. There is significant consolidation going on in the firearms industry: Remington Ammunition, Federal, CCI, Speer, and Hevi-Shot are the same company, known as Kinetic Group. See https://www.thekineticgroup.com/ .

Ithaca no longer makes shotguns, “RemArms” isn't long for this world: perhaps Hong Kong wants their money back? It s a sad situation: https://courts.delaware.gov/Opinions/Download.aspx?id=353230 .

Drug-addled Benelli continues to tout their Advanced Ignorance barrels where the shot mysteriously ignores rudimentary physics after it leaves the barrel, offering 50% greater penetration. Sadly, all Benelli's would have to be banned from trap and skeet ranges for the obvious safety reasons. True believers can now hunt grizzly bear with their quail loads. When the police examine the human remains, they will find Benelli AI barrels nearby. See https://youtu.be/aBB3BB_ugxo . Benelli and Retay (“over 20% more pellets on target”) have left the carnival, going for the smarmy con-job of not trying to bag birds when you can bamboozle and bag hunters instead. Fifty-one former intelligence officials have found that Benelli and Retay bear the marks of fishing lure salesman.

On a more interesting note, Fabarm has announced a dedicated sporting clay 12 gauge side x side, the Infinite RS Sporting. This one looks like a lot of fun. Some of the other details are:

• 8 lbs. 4 oz. (average weight)

• Right handed, left handed stock option available

• 22mm micro-cell recoil pad, can be swapped with other pads as needed without the need for a gunsmith

• Expected delivery is Q3 of this year, with limited quantities available for the initial release

Here's wishing everyone a happy, safe, and productive 2025. Next up in the review department is the Browning X-Bolt 2, the Weatherby Element II in 12 and 20 gauge, and the Browning A5 20 gauge. Beyond that, the reviews are in the order received.