SHOT Show is here again, and 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for cutting-edge gear and tech aimed squarely at law enforcement. Whether you’re looking to improve officer safety, boost efficiency, or simply get hands-on with the latest innovations, this year’s lineup won’t disappoint. Here’s a quick preview of what you’ll want to see on the show floor this year.
Sim-X Ammunition
I got an email from Sim-X Ammunition and immediately assumed from the name that they were another training ammo manufacturer like Simunition and UTM.
While Sim-X does sell training ammunition, there is nothing simulated about the Sim-X cartridges. Rather, SIM-X tells us its lead-free, ultra-high velocity ammunition offers low recoil and lower weight resulting in more shots on target. Bullets travel at velocities twice that of traditional pistol rounds through increased efficiency of the propellant/projectile combination. This is done without increased recoil or additional pressures like those found in +P loads.
In addition to range ammo, the company offers JHP defensive rounds that leave permanent wound cavities — something previously thought to be unattainable with pistol ammunition. And with muzzle velocities reaching 1,000 feet per second beyond that of standard pistol calibers (up to 3,000 feet per second in a pistol caliber carbine), a point-blank range of 100 yards becomes reality. Visit them at SHOT Show in Venetian L1, booth 43348.
Busch PROtective AMP-1X ballistic helmet
Unlike body armor, there are no USA Level II and Level IIIa ballistic standards for helmets published by the NIJ. So, while manufacturers may say their helmets meet these standards, it just means that modified soft armor protocols were followed when shooting bullets at them.
Most ballistic helmets are designed for military applications, which means protection from lightweight projectiles, fragments, and IEDs. They are not designed for blunt trauma or stopping handgun rounds — or to be carried in a hot trunk for weeks at a time before they are used. With that background, let’s look at the Busch PROtective AMP-1X ballistic helmet system.
Busch PROtective tells us its AMP-1X ballistic helmet, specifically designed for law enforcement, has been independently tested against the basic NIJ IIIA+ test (which is penetration only), as well as the 2019 and revised 2024 DEA-FBI Ballistic Helmet Protocol, and is certified to the standard by the FBI’s ballistic research facility at Redstone arsenal. The protocol and associated documents can be downloaded from this page on the SAM.gov website. Scroll down to the Attachments/Links section.
The predecessor to the AMP-1X, the AMP-TP helmet, is in use by hundreds of agencies in all 50 states and multiple federal agencies. The AMP-1X, released in late 2024, already is in use by more than a dozen agencies.
The main differences between the previous AMP-1TP and the newest generation AMP-1X are that it weighs half a pound less at 3.2 pounds fully kitted and through the use of a proprietary adjustment and pad system, offers a one-size-fits-all solution so agencies only need to stock one shell.
Dozens of accessories, such as ballistic visors and mandibles, ear protection mounts and helmet covers are available. Agencies that have deployed the AMP-1TP can move their accessories to their new helmets.
A major benefit is that all parts and accessories, except for the NVG mount by Unity Tactical, are built in-house either in Germany or the United States. Final assembly, kitting and distribution happen in the United States as orders are received.
Since Busch PROtective specializes in law enforcement and public safety solutions, agencies don’t need to wait behind huge military orders for delivery.Average delivery takes less than 30 days.
Orders are placed through Safariland dealers, and pricing starts at $1,200. For more information contact Scott Wyatt by email at inquiries@buschprousa.com or by calling 949/409-6007. Visit them at SHOT Show in Venetian 2, booth 20227.
DryFireMag
As the name suggests, the DryFireMag is used for dry fire practice. Using levers and springs, it simulates trigger pulls without use of the hammer or striker. After checking that your firearm is unloaded, you insert the DryFireMag into the magwell and start practicing. On some models, the length of the trigger pull and weight are adjustable. I’ve been using the Glock-compatible DryFireMag with my students since it was released around 2017.
In my 2019 SHOT Show coverage, I wrote, “…it doesn’t yet work with many laser cartridges, but DryFireMag is working with a handful of companies to get that resolved.” I suggested that they talk to Laser Ammo and voilà!
The joint DryFireMag/Laser Ammo product was announced at SHOT Show 2023 — called Smart DryFireMag by DryFireMag and SureStrikeMAG by Laser Ammo. This is a battery-powered DryFireMag that triggers a Laser Ammo Surestrike cartridge with an optic back cap. You can buy the components (magazine, laser and back cap) separately or in a kit.
Current production DryFireMags and SureStrikeMAGs come with a MantisX performance tracker compatible rail on the bottom. If you have an older version, you can use this MantisX universal adaptor.
Even though I also train with green gas blowback firearms, nothing beats using your own firearm to build the neural pathways to get your sights or RDS on target every time, and the DryFireMag is one way to make this happen.
Watch this space as I’ll be heading to the DryFireMag booth to ask what other DryFireMag are in the pipeline and how the magic works.
DryFireMag is in Venetian L1, booth 10127. Laser Ammo is in Venetian L2, LE/mil booth 20012 and dealer booth 14042.
Virtual training systems
Several companies sell high-end, screen-based virtual training systems, costing from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Systems designed specifically for law enforcement support converted firearms that can be caused to jam or run out of ammo from a central console, advanced branching scenarios, and secure, auditable record-keeping functionality.
For consumers and smaller agencies, there are lower-cost systems that use readily available airsoft firearms fitted with lasers. While these systems don’t offer direct control of the firearms from a central console or secure record keeping, they have their place in the market and are worth looking at.
I have been playing, er, working with the Laser Ammo Smokeless Range for the last six months. Because I don’t have a 15-yard-long room, I opted for Laser Ammo’s short-throw system, which uses a camera optimized for short-throw projectors. This lets me position my Optoma Technology UHD35STx projector less than 4 feet from the Elite Screens yard master 2 screen set up in my living room. I can stand from 3 to 8 yards from the screen.
System settings let you set the screen size, the shooter’s distance from the screen and the target distance. These work together to scale the target images so they will appear to be the same size as if you are at the range. A setup screen will let you “zero” the laser to your sights. Finally, you must set your display to 1920x1080 or 1280x720, or bullseyes will look like ovals.
In the video below, I am using a Laser Ammo P320 blowback pistol to shoot a B-27 target. The Smokeless Range has a built-in shot timer with random start and looping.
The Smokeless Range comes with several built-in targets and games, and multiple expansion modules are available, each with a free 2-week trial. Expansion packs of note for LE are:
- Video scenario trainer with control station. This module plays real-life, shoot/no shoot video scenarios that can branch to different outcomes either by a trainer’s input or by the trainee hitting a designated zone on a character. A scenario editor lets you create custom scenarios using your own video files.
- M-Range 2.0, which allows trainers to build your own course of fire and train/qual up to four shooters at the same time.
A 2025 update is being released at SHOT Show, and you’ll have to stop by Venetian L2, LE/Mil Booth 20012 or dealer Booth 14042 to see it.
Although I’ve been sworn to secrecy, there are rumors that Mantis is entering the simulation training market with three new categories of products:a mobile, screen-based simulator, an augmented reality simulator and a virtual reality simulator.All three provide greater capability at a lower price point than anything on the market today. You can check them out at Venetian L2 Booth 11873. Mantis also is in Venetian L1 Booth 43102 and Caesars Forum Booth 70430.
Left to right, top to bottom: Sig Sauer P320 xCarry with Laser Ammo SureStrikeMAG and laser with safety tube sitting on top with an orange P365 SureStrikeMAG with Mantix X10 attached to it just underneath; Laser Ammo green gas recoil-enabled SigSauer P320; 5.11 belt with two Rapid Force QD belt slides used for the G-code dual mag pouches and a Blade-Tech signature P320 holster; Nexbelt inner 1.5" loop belt; G-Code operator’s belt with accessories.
Dry fire, live fire and EDC products to check out at SHOT Show
- Laser Ammo SureStrikeMAG, jointly developed with DryFireMag, for SIG P320 and P365 with Mantis attachment plate and IR laser.
- Laser Ammo Recoil Enabled Sig P320 xCarry with SIG AIR RDS and Glock G19, both with IR laser.
- Mantis X10 Elite data-driven training system.
- 5.11 Maverick D-ring battle belt and G-Code contact series operator’s belt. 5.11 is in Caesars Forum booth 72448 and G-Code is in Caesars Forum booth 55619.
- Alien Gear Rapid Force high-ride belt slide on the 5.11 belt, mid-ride belt slide on the G-Code belt, and Alien Gear Rapid Force quick disconnect system on both. Alien Gear is in Venetian L2 booth 10174. I mounted dual Rapid Force QDs on my 5.11 belt so that I can swap in different mag pouches and holsters.
- Blade-Tech Signature OWB Holster for P320 with Alien Gear Rapid Force multi-holster adapter. Blade Tech is in Venetian L2 booth 20109.
- Alien Gear Photon holster for P365 X-Macro with Alien Gear Rapid Force multi-holster adapter.
- G-Code Soft Shell Scorpion pistol mag carriers
- Nexbelt inner 1.5" loop belt which is used to hold the two battle belts in place. Venetian L1 booth 42255.
I’m planning to check out Civilian Warfighter (Venetian L2 booth 40008), HCI Environmental & Engineering range management (Venetian L1 booth 42037) and LiveFire Tactical Training (Venetian 1 booth 41942), and I have a few other surprises in store.
For more SHOT Show coverage from Police1, set a bookmark to https://www.police1.com/shot-show. See ya soon!
