Army – Navy – Air Force – Marine Corps – Coast Guard

The 2010 SHOT Show kicks off tomorrow and will be bursting at the seams with product debuts and, of course, all sorts of gear goodies. For those not familiar with the annual trade show, SHOT stands for Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show. The four-day show is a must for gear lovers across the board, specifically those military equipment aficionados. This year show organizers expect more than 60,000 attendees from all over the United States as well as from 75 countries.

Not going to the SHOT Show? Follow all the action on its official Twitter site. Although the only tweets are counting down ’til the show’s launch, we hope to see some twitpics and other interesting tidbits.

1. EOTAC’s Emerson Knife Collaboration

EOTAC will be showing off its new knife produced by Ernest Emerson, the world-famous custom knifemaker. The knife boasts a custom blade 154CM premium Stainless Tool Steel hardened to 57 Rockwell with a partial serration, reports Soldier Systems. In addition to the knife, EOTAC will be showcasing all sorts of awesome things at booth #11456.

2. SHOT Show Survival Kit

We don’t even care what’s in this sucker. We just like the fact that it’s free (if you mention the ad in the SHOT Show’s tracker book) at Sports South’s booth #15931. But if you actually care, the kit includes a dice stress reliever, a travel mug, computer screen cleaner, a pull-apart key ring, a notepad, an ink pen, a first-aid kit and a water bottle. Do note that supplies are limited and you get one kit per retailer badge.

3. Colt Tactical

Also mentioned on Soldier Systems, military equipment manufacturer Colt will be launching its tactical line along with an interactive website that will eventually include an online store. According to a company release, its mission is to “provide the most sophisticated, reliable and capable tactical carbine packages available, period, to today’s most demanding tactical shooters.”

4. Blackhawk Packs

Blackhawk will be showing not one but five new backpacks at Booths #13760 and #13769 for its tactical nylon line. Four are built with military specifications and one is especially for off-duty time. The Sling Backpack ($109.99), pictured below, features a single ambidextrous padded sling with swivel buckle for easy removal, a MP-3 pocket, two-mesh storage pockets and a water bottle pocket.

5. Dennis Miller

Oh, how we love tactical celebrity appearances meant to heighten the excitement to OMG! levels. Scheduled on Tuesday evening as the comedic dessert after a filling industry cocktail reception, dinner and multimedia presentation, five-time Emmy award winner Dennis Miller takes the stage likely sending at least one SHOT Show attendee into an autograph-this-for-me, let-me-take-your-picture frenzy.

6. Remington ACR

Its promotional video was leaked earlier this month (via Gear Scout). So, to confirm this video was indeed meant for SHOT Show, check Remington’s ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle) in all its modular glory as it makes its debut at booth #14020. This brand new sniper is said to have “surgical precision” and be “designed by operators for operators.”

7. Bonnie

Trade shows (no matter the industry) are relentless at supplying not only exciting new products but also importing attractive females (or booth babes) to stand next to said products. Trade show models run the gamut from professional sales associates to bikini-clad babes, who typically garner more attention than the items they’re peddling. Pictured below, Bonnie will be at Booth #15744. We’re not sure what she’ll be standing next to, but if you show up early, you can get a free autographed poster. That’s incentive enough, right?

(Images via Wikimedia Commons and Soldier Systems)

Who needs all that tactical pant storage when you’re wearing a Maxpedition Sitka GearSlinger on your back? Tactical Gearhead recently demonstrated just how spacious it can be, especially when you’re carrying a mix of smaller and larger items.

This backpack-meets-sling made with a Teflon fabric retails for just under $130 and features a single-shoulder strap for easy access and speedy on-off time. To keep out thieving hands besides your own, there’s built-in theft protection around the zipper area, and a triple polyurethane coat will keep out that other unwanted element — water.

Its best feature, as demonstrated by Tactical Gearhead, is the ability to effortlessly swing the pack from the back of the body to the front, which of course allows you to quickly access all your tactical tools in those most critical moments.

While overall a mostly positive review, some criticisms Tactical Gearhead had were that the security feature near the zippers does not easily snap shut. Therefore, if you are trying to secure it in a rush, it could be difficult to lock and become an open target to pickpockets after all.

The reviewer also mentions that when you are putting the bag on over your jacket, it could make things bunch up a bit. “But that downside is offset by how easy it is just to get into the bag without having to set the bag down.”

The biggest upside to the Maxpedition Sitka GearSlinger? It doesn’t look like a purse, he says. And this non-purse is available in black, OD green, khaki, foliage green and khaki foliage.

Watch the full review below.