Back from SHOT, New Episodes on the Way

[Lowlight]

Guys,

Got back from SHOT Last night, I have some great stuff to post.

We interviewed Paul Philips and his Team talking about the 6000-yard shot

I did a nice interview with Chris and Zach from Team Recon Sniper, talking about the Recon / Sniper Foundation Shooting Team and the awesome work they do.

The highlight of the week will be the Bryan Litz and Emil Praslick Interview, this is sure to be an Instant Classic, the knowledge dropped is awesome.

Stand by great new Casts are on the way

 

[Basher]

Gawl dang, about freakin' time, you lazy mother effer!







Just kidding! Hopefully the rest of your week went better than how it started with the drama you talked about in the last episode, hard to believe there are still folks out there trying that hard to bring you down. Thanks for your hard work, Frank!

 

[Lowlight]

Dude, you have no clue,


I am gonna go on blast, Here was the deal about the Drama,

I fly into Vegas go straight to the Tilted Kilt with the guys from Alaska to watch the games. Bunch of drinks, and after the game, MHSA says they are at the Yardbird in Venetian for dinner, cool, I hit dinner. After dinner, we are leaving and I see Jim and the guys from Prime at the Circle Bar. Few drinks, few laughs, talking about the Alaskan Bush Company cause someone in our small (4 people) group has a connection there. Jim asks me about the Zero Compromise and I give him my No Bullshit response. While this is going on, the Haters are Eavesdropping and record me talking to Jim, of course, you can barely hear anything over the noise, but they take that recording and send it to a different company.

Tuesday Morning at 7:45 AM I get the word the recording was made and sent out, so I go to discuss it, all good because I can put the conversation into context, but still.

The guys' people are holding up as Stellar Ambassadors of the Sport are not what they portray themselves to be.

I always imply stuff that people say doesn't happen in this sport, this is definitive proof of their underhanded actions. I never try to be specific just like I am doing now, but once I reach a certain point, I am putting them blast and some of the better people in this clique may take friendly fire. I am sorry but if you condone this type of behavior, you deserve the public fallout I am gonna bring.

I have a long history with a lot of people in this sport, and I always say, when you are in that School Circle with your friends plotting against me, someone in that group is laughing with you on one hand and telling me with the next. Also it's pretty easy to look at Facebook and see who was there that night, or just as good, you talk to someone on, oh, say Wednesday, who tells me who was at the same Bar on Sunday, which as I said, I already saw the selfies, this is just another layer.

In my mind, it was a Bridge too far, we can have a personal difference of opinion. I get it, my rants hurt a lot of feelings, but we should be able to have a difference of opinion without it being taken to this level.

 

[leftyk82]

via Imgflip Meme Generator

 

[Basher]

I'm right there with you on your last statement. I think having a difference of opinion is a lost art these days. If you disagree with someone, even if it's amicable, then they feel you've attacked them. Being able to disagree and yet still treat each other like adults and with respect is something that seems entirely lost on people these days. We're polarized about everything, and that's stupid. We've lost the ability to listen to dissenting viewpoints and challenge our own beliefs, and that's making society as a whole very isolated and closed off. Sad crap to see.

You don't strike me as the type to back down or beat around the bush, though. I'm sure whatever needs to come to light to resolve these issues will be taken appropriately by those who matter and/or can handle constructive criticism where needed. Nobody really LIKES to be called out, but if it means improvements or changes for the better, most welcome it with the right mindset.

 

[Threadcutter308]

Dox'd in a sense huh ? Well, isn't that just shitty.......I'm looking forward to them being outed so I can make sure they don't get any of my hard earned dollars. I can be very patient.

What a dik move.

 

[Lowlight]

This is part a perception thing, we can have a difference of opinion, like the interview with Bryan and Emil.

Bryan does stellar work, but I don't agree with everything, okay, that doesn't mean I don't respect the guy and can't have a great conversation with him. Emil and I joke all the time about Coriolis and cant walk by each other without laughing about it. When you hear the podcast you'll get it.

Our differences are small, say 10%, whether it be competition shooting, prize tables, software, fundamentals, etc. My opinions are formed over a lot of years. Hell, I went to Sniper School in 1986, I have been in this game a Long, Long ass time. Yes, I am vocal, yes I am passionate, the difference versus these guys today is, I will stand in front of you and engage. When the second person came into the MHSA booth and said I was in trouble, I STORMED off an immediately went and spoke to the people involved. In fact, they were like, "where did Frank go" ?

They can't handle the criticism, so they tried to shank me. Anybody who has been on this site for any period of time knows I am not afraid to go to war, now that I know what the rules are, I am happy to bring out my big guns. They brought an Ice pick and missed, I am bringing a Battleship and if I happen to lob a shell in the middle in order to get one guy, fuck em, shit happens. Out exactly which guys did it, and I'll focus. I have a great idea of which group, and people pulled me aside to inform me a bit, I am just separating the personal agendas vs the facts. These douchebags who think they know don't realize I was a private investigator before this all shit. Sure It;s easier to target the group vs the individual, but at this point, I don't care.

 

[_Windrider_]

This is part a perception thing, we can have a difference of opinion, like the interview with Bryan and Emil.

Bryan does stellar work, but I don't agree with everything, okay, that doesn't mean I don't respect the guy and can't have a great conversation with him. Emil and I joke all the time about Coriolis and cant walk by each other without laughing about it. When you hear the podcast you'll get it.

Our differences are small, say 10%, whether it be competition shooting, prize tables, software, fundamentals, etc. My opinions are formed over a lot of years. Hell, I went to Sniper School in 1986, I have been in this game a Long, Long ass time. Yes, I am vocal, yes I am passionate, the difference versus these guys today is, I will stand in front of you and engage. When the second person came into the MHSA booth and said I was in trouble, I STORMED off an immediately went and spoke to the people involved. In fact, they were like, "where did Frank go" ?

They can't handle the criticism, so they tried to shank me. Anybody who has been on this site for any period of time knows I am not afraid to go to war, now that I know what the rules are, I am happy to bring out my big guns. They brought an Ice pick and missed, I am bringing a Battleship and if I happen to lob a shell in the middle in order to get one guy, fuck em, shit happens. Out exactly which guys did it, and I'll focus. I have a great idea of which group, and people pulled me aside to inform me a bit, I am just separating the personal agendas vs the facts. These douchebags who think they know don't realize I was a private investigator before this all shit. Sure It;s easier to target the group vs the individual, but at this point, I don't care.

did you have a mustache and wear Hawaiian shirts?

 

[Lowlight]

Of course

 

[Basher]

What about a sweet chopper like's TC's in Magnum P.I.?!

 

[JMGlasgow]

What about a sweet chopper like's TC's in Magnum P.I.?!

How do you think he looks for bigfoot?

 

[ForgeValley]

They taped you talking to someone else? What kind of tenth grade teen drama is that? Just out them here. Pretty sure it is illegal to record a personal conversation without knowledge

 

[Ankeny]

In Nevada it is indeed illegal to record a "private" conversation. However, there is no expectation of privacy in a public setting, such as a bar. Still, it's a real bush league ass hat move.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

I kinda see LL as Higgins and not Magnum....

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[W54/XM-388]

So did you happen to say that the Zero Compromise scopes were good but probably are not the ultimate scope that ever has been and ever will be which enraged the devotees?

Also did you get a chance to look at the Leica 2800.com & see what you thought of it for a rangefinder in the $1k price range?

 

[BLKWLFK9]

did you have a mustache and wear Hawaiian shirts?

Now I can only picture Frank as Jonny Depp in Fear and Loathing in Las vegas. how appropriate as well given this was in vegas

 

[_Windrider_]

Now I can only picture Frank as Jonny Depp in Fear and Loathing in Las vegas. how appropriate as well given this was in vegas

Love that movie

 

[Kickin45]

Ummm, recording your voice without your consent is against the law.
Put that dude in cuffs Frank.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

In Nevada it is NOT against the law due to the "public location" clause:
To record an in-person conversation, one of the following two conditions must be met: (1) at least one party to the conversation must give consent to its recording, or (2) the conversation must not be a private conversation, meaning the parties to the conversation are in public or context determines that the conversation takes place where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.

But to secretly record someone and then use that recording in an attempt to undermine or bash that person is a fucked up "Look at me, I told you so" mentality.

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[_Windrider_]

Hi,

In Nevada it is NOT against the law due to the "public location" clause:
To record an in-person conversation, one of the following two conditions must be met: (1) at least one party to the conversation must give consent to its recording, or (2) the conversation must not be a private conversation, meaning the parties to the conversation are in public or context determines that the conversation takes place where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.

But to secretly record someone and then use that recording in an attempt to undermine or bash that person is a fucked up "Look at me, I told you so" mentality.

Sincerely,
Theis

What about using your cell phone in a casino?

 

[gebhardt02]

So did you happen to say that the Zero Compromise scopes were good but probably are not the ultimate scope that ever has been and ever will be which enraged the devotees?

I don't believe this is the case.

 

[M113A3]

I was listening to the podcast and my first reaction was that was BS... something a pussy would do.

 

[Mormegil87]

That's ridiculous.

 

[Mr Flannel]

@Lowlight - no school like the old school. Being a dinosaur, albeit one with table manners, isn’t a bad thing. In the face of the perpetually offended and insecure, don’t give way. People need to get over having alternate views and opinions presented to them. I don’t know when it happened that this fucked-up ‘you don’t agree with me so I don’t like you’ bullshit became ops normal - but it won’t end well if we all roll over.

 

[hkmp5s]

I don't get involved in the drama but seriously, recording someone behind their back is a serious bitch move. That's crazy ex-girlfriend shit.

 

[Habituallinestepper]

Had an idea for an episode - I'm curious about what goes on at SHOT behind the scenes. Aside from everyone sprinting around taking video or pictures - whats the business aspect from different points of view? What does a magazine writer hope to do? What does the independant blogger try to achieve? What is a rep for Remington looking to accomplish?

 

[MarinePMI]

Had an idea for an episode - I'm curious about what goes on at SHOT behind the scenes. Aside from everyone sprinting around taking video or pictures - whats the business aspect from different points of view? What does a magazine writer hope to do? What does the independant blogger try to achieve? What is a rep for Remington looking to accomplish?

Short answer (from the vendor perspective): A crap load of coordinating shipments and their arrival, transfer through the marshalling yards, and onto the trade show floor (usually late), and some late nights getting the booth set up in time for the final carpet to be laid down and the union facilities' folks to come in for the final clean up the night before show opens.

Towards the end of set up, you can usually go past other vendor's booth's to take photos or videos, but remember, only exhibitors are allowed in before the show opens (no media).

From a media perspective (yes, I've worn that hat a few years in the past as well), it's all about appointments/meetings/interviews (coordinated ahead of time if at all possible). Adhoc interviews happen, but fortune favors the prepared if you're looking for a specific item to write an article/blog about. A Rep from any company is looking to get their corporate message out for what ever product they have. This is where the volume of readership comes into play, and gets a higher priority on the limited time that vendors have to spend with folks at SHOT. There's a reason Frank talks about how many hits, posts and downloads he gets; it drives his weight to get in with companies and talk, over others that, well, just want to talk (but don't have audience to broadly "share the word"). Frank's viewership means (to the companies) that whatever is discussed that is publicly shareable, will be shared, and to a LARGE audience and therefore justifies their time and effort to keep that relationship healthy and communications free flowing.

At least that has been my experience from both sides of the fence.

As to the shit drama that happened on Day 1...sounds like some of the same old shit I've seen before in this industry. Don't get me wrong, many (maybe even most) are good people, but there's always that dirtbag 10% (remember that year when the ATF came screaming in, arresting/handcuffing guys for illegal arms sales?). I hate to say it, but our industry is not immune to this type of underhanded crap...I've seen it happen several times (like a couple companies getting together to plot the destruction of a smaller company, or how one guy is going to bail on one company and the company they're going to is given information to cut the first company off at the knees). It happens, and a few seem to justify their behavior as "it's just business". Shrug...usually it ends up being a pretty short sighted method; as I think this incident with @Lowlight will also prove.

 

[Lowlight]

It's a ton of coordination, last minute appointments.

Because I go on an Exhibitor Badge I get to see what an Exhibitor does, and fun Fact the Rifles Only Booth is actually the Old Sniper's Hide booth, so I have played both exhibitor and media, as well as Influencer.

The companies begin this process around October, and then the week(s) before shot it's all packing and planning. For media, I am setting up meetings and you start to get appointments sent your way.

Depending on the company and year, I might get products due out at SHOT around Oct so I can "Leak" or video and it will drop on the day of SHOT. I usually know what is gonna happen at SHOT by December.

During the show, it's a race from one end to the other to make appointments, and they all go over in time. I averaged 725 calories burned from just walking on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Friday I leave early, 550cal. It used to be I could walk just the LE and Main Section, now they spread things out so I have to walk the entire show and you see very little. You are hoping you run into someone who informs you of the hidden gems or the stuff people didn't tell YOU about. It's then about Networking, what to see outside of your circle because you cannot see everything anymore.

For Exhibitors, they never see past their booth and what is on the way to the bathroom. If they are lucky they have to meet someone at their booth and they can actually get out and walk the floor a tiny bit. Depends on the company, some put out people to see what everyone is doing, others, are glued to the booth. Just getting lunch can be a pain in the ass.

It's not fun, and when the SHOT SHOW CRUD is running at full steam, 1/2 of the people are spreading the sickness. You hunt for hand cleaner, pop Vitamin C throughout the day and hope it doesn't hit you until you get home. Which the FAMILY LOVES because they think you are Vegas living the life for a week, meanwhile the reality is, each day you move closer and closer to your hotel because you have no appetite to leave. Drinking hard and working long days does not mix as well as it sounds. And everyone wants you to have a drink with them.

Bottom line, it's work, it just happens to be in the party capital of the world.

 

[MarinePMI]

Bottom line, it's work, it just happens to be in the party capital of the world.

This^^^^

 

[Lowlight]

Mike posted this before and after

Friday Morning (I left at 2PM)

Then Friday at 5 PM

 

[Habituallinestepper]

Appreciate you guys helping me look under the hood. Made me smile - the part about the family thinking every work trip is a boondoggle. How true...

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

Shot Show summed up in as few words as possible but displays the entire feeling of the show...

LOVE/HATE!!!!

Sincerely,
Theis