Plethora of new firearms on display at trade show
WALKING through miles of aisles at the fifth largest trade show hosted annually in Las Vegas, one can hear people speaking languages representative of countries around the world and accents from regions across the United States. All are a testimony to the international nature of the shooting, hunting and outdoor recreation industry.
Moreover, those aisles at the 45th Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, taking place this week at
The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum, are teaming with people renewing old friendships and creating new business relationships. One cannot walk among them without thinking how the show has made a dramatic comeback after going virtual in 2021 during the COVID pandemic.
Though the 2022 edition of the SHOT Show was a successful in-person experience, there is a noticeable difference between that first POST-COVID show and the 2023 version. Perhaps it is the freedom people feel to associate one with one another without a face filter, shake hands and even embrace. Those simple things that create an air of hope and help us connect with those around us.
While walking the aisles on Day 1, I happened upon the Savage Arms display of rifles new for 2023. Among them was the A22 Takedown, a semi-automatic rimfire rifle designed to go anywhere you do. Modern designs and materials must be growing on me, because I found this rifle to have nice lines that draw the eye. Though I cannot help but wonder what it might look like with a beautiful walnut stock.
Of course, a wood stock would increase the weight of this firearm, counteracting its purpose. As its name implies, the A22 is chambered for .22 long rifle and breaks down so it can be easily transported, even in a backpack. With its synthetic stock the rifle weighs in at 6.3 pounds and breaks down into two pieces.
There are no levers or buttons to push, just lock the action open and twist the forend to the right. The barrel spins as one with the forend, and you can feel it separate from the action. The fit is snug but not overly tight. A lug on the action end guides the barrel in its journey both directions.
When you want to reassemble the rifle, all you have to do is line up that lug with a groove in the barrel, push the two halves together and twist to the left. The lug follows the groove and locks the barrel into place, maintaining your firearm’s zero. Then you are ready for a day in the field or on the range.
The 18-inch barrel is carbon steel with a matte black finish and a 1-in-16 rate of twist. Atop the receiver is a picatinny rail for optics, but it has a channel through the middle allowing use of the rifle’s iron sights. Looking through that groove to get the sight picture takes some getting used to but looking through it is really nothing more than looking through a lengthy rear sight.
The A22 has a 10-round rotary magazine that easily fits within a storage compartment beneath the adjustable cheekpiece on the buttstock. There is room for three. Additional storage is available in the pistol grip.
For those with a penchant for changing the trigger pull on your rifles, the A22 comes with a user adjustable Accutrigger. It provides an adjustment range from three to five pounds. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $479.
If you prefer something with a more radical design and a carbon fiber wrapped barrel, you might want to look at Savage’s new B22 series. You can see them at Savagarms.com.
Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His “In the Outdoors” column is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDOW. Any opinions he states in his column are his own. Find him on Facebook at @dougwritesoutdoors. He can be reached at intheoutdoorslv@gmail.com