Each year the IWA Show is held in Nurnberg, Germany to give manufacturers and distributors of shooting related goods a chance to display what's new and exciting to the European market. Second in size only to the Shot Show in America it fills four extremely large halls in Nurnberg's Messezentrum (Exhibition Centre).
This year I made the pilgrimage to this huge event with two fellow Aussies. It was the first time outside of Australasia for all of us, and certainly an experience to remember. The following is a summary of all that was new and of interest to us, primarily as UIT shooters, but also anything unusual that caught our eye.
After an extensive rebuild of their rimfire ammunition plant Aguila have come up with some innovative new products that had me intrigued. Their 22 SSS can be fired from any 22LR chambered firearm but includes a 60 grain projectile in a shortened case. With an advertised 960fps it may not be fast, but it packs a wallop, having a bullet 50% heavier than a conventional load.
Joining the Stinger in the hyper velocity stakes is their 22 Super Magnum, firing a 30 grain bullet at around 1750fps. And at the other end of the scale is the 22 Colibri, similar to a 22 Long, but with only a 20 grain bullet and no gunpowder. The priming charge propels it at about 450fps, making it suitable for indoor use.
Not only was I surprised to see that Drulov is still alive and kicking after all these years, they are making efforts to update their pistols for markets they had never considered in the past. The Drulov 97 series pistols are designed primarily for minor metallic silhouette. Both a production and unlimited version are available with the welcome addition of an extended bolt handle.
Not much to report about Britain's most successful target ammunition company except their 22 Rapid Fire shorts. Apparently they have spent a lot of time and effort refining this ammunition, which they now assure me is the best in the world.
Trendy Queenslanders rejoice! After years of staid and boring guns FWB have finally made the plunge in anodising some colour into their range. In Queensland State colours, no less. By far the classiest was the maroon and silver P30. There may have been other innovations, but nobody on their stand could tell me (they didn't speak English).
The most notable happening in Fiocchi's lineup is not an addition, but a deletion. Normale 22 short, the most affordable and reliable rapid training ammo available to us, has been discontinued. "Poor sales" was the verdict from their sales staff. Which makes it hard to fathom why they would keep producing the much more expensive Match and Super Match shorts, but that's what will happen.
Also on display was their standard pistol, quite a neat looking nickled item that reminds us a lot of Benelli and Pardini. And swap the badges with a Morini and you wouldn't pick the difference, but more on that later.
This confused me somewhat I must admit. A triangular front sight (giving three different widths when rotated) made out of coloured plastic (either red or yellow). I don't know if this is a good idea for UIT shooting, but I guess I'll have to order one for my GSP Walther and give it a try.
This is a seldom seen brand of 22 target ammo that has been well received here in Australia. Unfortunately they have had a parting of the ways with their manufacturer (SK) so any future ammo with this label will be an unknown quality.
Never heard of it? Neither had I. A Finnish straight pull centrefire rifle in two basic versions, hunter and target (although the hunting rifle has either walnut or laminated stock). Calibres include 222, 6.5x55, 308, 30-06 and 6mmPPC.
Pardon me if I've come in late here, but this auto revolver firing through the bottom cylinder looks to be quite innovative. Very well finished for an Italian handgun, and packed with potential for both service and UIT shooters. A little pricey at around A$2000, but you'd be the only kid on the block with one.
It seems that Morini have abandoned their very complex standard pistol, the CM102E. In its place is a new clone of the Fiocchi standard gun, not far removed from the Benelli. Which leads us to suspect that one particular gun designer in northern Italy does an excellent job marketing his ideas. Also on show was a 32 S&W Long WC version for UIT centre fire.
For those with a patriotic streak there were air cylinders for the 162 air pistol sporting a beautifully rippling national flag for most of Central Europe's larger countries. No sign of an Aussie or Kiwi flag. Shame.
A new Free Pistol destined for a September launch. Made from either stainless or nickled, it had a lean mean look.
A Belgian airgun manufacturer I had never heard of. Quite unique in that they make a model called the Airstar, possibly the ultimate for lazy shooters. Simply push a button and a motor inside the stock compresses the spring. In all fairness it would be handy for disabled shooters.
Another innovative model called the Winstar features a "double effect" cocking system. Pushing the underlever down and forward half compresses the spring, while the return journey completes the job. Virtually effortless for very good velocities (320m/s).
I thought I was seeing things when I saw a tin of bright green air pellets. Greenstar are teflon coated - mainly as a lead protection coating, but also because the teflon makes them perform better (less friction in the barrel).
A new version of their popular TAU7 CO2 match air pistol is on the drawing board. It features a hammer forged barrel, an ultra trick looking compensator and a much improved trigger. Should be very competitive.
I mention this mainly because it was so strange to see kilted Scotsmen at a German trade show. They make a beautiful custom grade bolt action rifle that I'd have to sell my car to make a deposit on.
Pre-moulded black powder charges to suit different calibre revolvers. A great idea again for the terminally lazy, but I don't know if they will take off.
Apparently this idea has been around since last year's IWA - to add a long barrel to your GSP plus a rifle butt. Instant semi auto plinker rifle. It's a brilliant idea, although Walther's stainless barrel with compensator looked a mite expensive. Pity they'd be illegal here in Oz.