Thoughts on NRA Houston 2026…AWESOME! My Partner and I spent ALL day Saturday in the exhibit hall, and could have gone thru again today, but, turning into geezers, one day was enough.
Thoughts on NRA Houston from an airgunner’s perspective—Mewh, ok. I guess I expected better representation from more companies, but I also have to keep in mind that it’s not Shot Show, and we are still very fringe to most of the powder-burners.
Aside from accessories, i.e., bipods, optics, suppressors, etc, only four companies had displays:
Umarex had a unique booth and had a nice showing of their new products, including the Outpost, the Notos 2, and the dual power Komplete in .25;
Hatsan had a booth, displaying everything from the Jet to the Blitz; and,
JTS was showing their Airacuda, as well as pellets, compressors and other accessories.
The reps in each of these booths were all very friendly, knowledgeable and eager to discuss their products and the guys from JTS even gave me a nice pellet assortment (Thank you very much) that I’m going to try as soon as I finish this.
The fourth, Stoeger, had one rack in the Beneli/Franchi booth (their parent company), displaying the XM-1. The rep was friendly enough, but not particularly knowledgeable about their airgun line, essentially telling me I could get all my questions answered on the Stoeger website.
I’ve been bouncing the idea of buying a new toy, and upside of the convention was that I was able to put hands on the three I was considering, and these are my thoughts:
The Umarex Notos 2, is a nice offering, 15 shots, and suppressed, however, the conversion from carbine to pistol requires the removal of screws, and seems more trouble than it’s worth, plus, it’s only available in .22. The big negative, was it just didn’t shoulder well…I’m only 5’10 but the Notos 2 just felt small.
The Stoeger XM-1, conversely, REALLY shouldered nice, good hand feel and the optic right where it needed to be. Available in .25 (the rep didn’t know), and I thought I had a winner…until the cheap plastic thingy that covers the barrel and houses the suppressor, started coming off in my hand—not even attached at the receiver end, just snaps over the barrel and moves to the touch. Nope.
The Hatsan Jet 2 was my favorite. In carbine form, it too was on the small side, but shouldered better than the Notos 2, the on-board sites are highly visible and easily usable and an optic will site well. The carbine to pistol conversion is simply push a button, and in pistol configuration looks like it’s going to be fun. I did find the stock section a bit flimsy, but it’s not a battle rifle, so I think I can live with it. And, it’s in .25.
So, there’s my day at the circus, now to go play.
Thoughts on NRA Houston from an airgunner’s perspective—Mewh, ok. I guess I expected better representation from more companies, but I also have to keep in mind that it’s not Shot Show, and we are still very fringe to most of the powder-burners.
Aside from accessories, i.e., bipods, optics, suppressors, etc, only four companies had displays:
Umarex had a unique booth and had a nice showing of their new products, including the Outpost, the Notos 2, and the dual power Komplete in .25;
Hatsan had a booth, displaying everything from the Jet to the Blitz; and,
JTS was showing their Airacuda, as well as pellets, compressors and other accessories.
The reps in each of these booths were all very friendly, knowledgeable and eager to discuss their products and the guys from JTS even gave me a nice pellet assortment (Thank you very much) that I’m going to try as soon as I finish this.
The fourth, Stoeger, had one rack in the Beneli/Franchi booth (their parent company), displaying the XM-1. The rep was friendly enough, but not particularly knowledgeable about their airgun line, essentially telling me I could get all my questions answered on the Stoeger website.
I’ve been bouncing the idea of buying a new toy, and upside of the convention was that I was able to put hands on the three I was considering, and these are my thoughts:
The Umarex Notos 2, is a nice offering, 15 shots, and suppressed, however, the conversion from carbine to pistol requires the removal of screws, and seems more trouble than it’s worth, plus, it’s only available in .22. The big negative, was it just didn’t shoulder well…I’m only 5’10 but the Notos 2 just felt small.
The Stoeger XM-1, conversely, REALLY shouldered nice, good hand feel and the optic right where it needed to be. Available in .25 (the rep didn’t know), and I thought I had a winner…until the cheap plastic thingy that covers the barrel and houses the suppressor, started coming off in my hand—not even attached at the receiver end, just snaps over the barrel and moves to the touch. Nope.
The Hatsan Jet 2 was my favorite. In carbine form, it too was on the small side, but shouldered better than the Notos 2, the on-board sites are highly visible and easily usable and an optic will site well. The carbine to pistol conversion is simply push a button, and in pistol configuration looks like it’s going to be fun. I did find the stock section a bit flimsy, but it’s not a battle rifle, so I think I can live with it. And, it’s in .25.
So, there’s my day at the circus, now to go play.
