Caracal USA®, Cimarron Firearms, Hydra Weaponry, Retay USA, and Tasmanian Tiger® all report a successful start of the year at SHOT Show® 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Saint Augustine, Fla. (February 2025) Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM), public relations and marketing communications for the law enforcement, public safety, military, outdoor, shooting sports, hunting, and forensic communities, is pleased to report LBM clients experienced a highly positive SHOT Show® 2025, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jan. 21 – 24, 2025. This year’s show saw strong attendance and renewed enthusiasm across the industry, with many exhibitors and attendees expressing optimism about a resurgence in spending for the coming year.
“The energy on the floor this year was undeniable,” said Ashley Burgess Gall, President of Laura Burgess Marketing. “People told us it felt busier than last year, and there was a real sense of optimism in the air. Many of the people we spoke with are expecting an upswing in spending for 2025 compared to 2024. Last year felt a bit flat for some, but this year, there’s a buzz that things are turning around. It was great to see so many familiar faces and hear such positive feedback from our clients.”
LBM reached out to its exhibiting clients to gauge their experiences and perspectives on the state of the industry following SHOT Show 2025.
Caracal USA®, a leading US-based manufacturer of small arms for the law enforcement and defense markets, made a powerful impression at SHOT Show 2025, with a bustling booth that welcomed dealers, industry writers, and supporters of all kinds. The event was further highlighted by a special visit from Idaho Governor Brad Little, who stopped by to show his support for local Idaho businesses, including Caracal USA. Its booth was a hub for new product discussions, dealer engagements, and valuable media coverage, setting the stage for another successful year.
Jeffrey Spalding, President and CEO of Caracal USA, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s an honor to represent Idaho on such a global stage. SHOT Show provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with our dealers, writers, and the broader firearms community. We are excited to continue forging strong relationships that help us serve the industry while remaining committed to innovation and excellence.”
For those looking for something different, Cimarron Firearms offered a step back in time. Attendees entering the booth were transported to another era, surrounded by finely crafted replicas of America’s Old West firearms. Featuring an impressive selection of rifles and pistols, Cimarron continues to captivate new customers with firearms that combine historical authenticity with modern performance.
“SHOT Show is always a great opportunity to reconnect with industry friends and see what’s on the horizon for the coming year,” said Mike Harvey, founder and CEO of Cimarron Firearms. “Lever-action rifles continue to be in high demand, and we’re excited to introduce two new models to our lineup: the 1873 John Russell and the Nueces™ ’73 rifles.”
For Hydra Weaponry, Maine’s largest firearm employer and the designers and manufacturers of the truly modular MARCK-15® Hydra Weapon System, SHOT Show 2025 was a substantial improvement over the previous year, with booth traffic increasing fivefold. “The atmosphere was far more positive, and we saw significant interest from international markets, particularly in South America,” said Mack Gwinn, President of Hydra Weaponry.
The company’s new 10mm Vipera pistol and M1 carbine model were standout attractions. While media engagement was slightly lower than last year, the quality of distributor and dealer contacts was markedly higher, suggesting a strong sales outlook for the year ahead.
RETAY USA, the North American sales and distribution for RETAY ARMS, had an exciting SHOT Show. Michael Narus, VP of Marketing for RETAY USA, reported an increase in floor and booth traffic compared to previous years. “Traffic was great. While there was a noticeable rise in media and influencer presence, the primary interest in RETAY’s booth came from distributors and dealers, with the most attention directed toward our new Air Control Extreme (ACE) and ACE TYPE R Shotguns, RXP22 Pistol, and .22LR rifles.”
Tasmanian Tiger USA, a European tactical gear manufacturer that has grown in popularity within the American market, has found a very successful footing among dealers, distributors, agencies, EMT units, and civilians in the past few years. Consistently rolling out mission-specific gear made to withstand battlefield conditions, Tasmanian Tiger’s packs, backpacks, medic gear, and accessories have achieved a strong following stateside. Tasmanian Tiger USA said it was one of its best shows in recent years.
“Our new 2025 TT Catalog was well received, and booth traffic was primarily dealers – both domestic and international – which is exactly what we wanted,” said Richard Lewis, President and CEO of Proforce Equipment, Inc. “The TT Medic Packs and Bags remained a strong draw, with the new red colorway generating particular interest.”
As SHOT Show 2025 concluded, the consensus among LBM clients was one of optimism. While the industry has faced challenges over the past few years, this year’s event signaled a turning point, with strong booth traffic, heightened interest in innovative products, and a belief that 2025 will bring an increase in spending and market growth.
Find out how Laura Burgess Marketing can help your company get noticed at www.lauraburgess.com, or visit us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter to see what our clients are up to.
About Laura Burgess Marketing:
Laura Burgess Marketing provides public relations and marketing communications to companies within law enforcement, public safety, military, outdoor, shooting sports, hunting, and forensic communities. Laura Burgess, an industry veteran, and Ashley Gall have over 40 years of combined experience in PR, marketing, social media, and content development. Laura Burgess Marketing’s current client list includes Adept Armor, Big Horn Armory, Bodi.Me, Caracal USA®, Cimarron Firearms Company, GALLS®, Hydra Weaponry, Masterpiece Arms, Shell Shock Technologies, Tasmanian Tiger®, and U.S. Patriot. Laura Burgess Marketing is headquartered in Saint Augustine, Florida.
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