Trade fair report with videos from the IWA 2024: With new products from Derya, Fausti, GLOCK, Noblex, RWS, Pedersoli, Ramfelt

Committed to the spirit of the times and tradition: anyone who has been following the IWA OutdoorClassics, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024, will notice how the distribution of the individual subject areas changes slightly almost every year. There are tried-and-tested gun concepts that are over a century old, such as the break action of the Merkel K5 rifle developed in 1906 or John M. Browning's Colt 1911, which continues to be used both for LE/military purposes and as a competition pistol and is being revamped with variants in caliber or with modern materials. New "gimmicks" that were still exotic a few years ago, such as laser rangefinders in binoculars and riflescopes, are now often standard. Firearms are becoming smaller and lighter, and start-up companies are now able to cover gaps in the market by manufacturing mini-series and combining common components, while the industry giants have to put enormous effort into their presentation at trade fairs in order to launch a world premiere. And the airsoft wave from Asia has long since reached Europe, as evidenced by the increase in suppliers and importers (there are hardly any European, only Asian manufacturers) as well as the airsoft test booths organised at IWA. Half a hall occupied only by knife manufacturers? No problem for the IWA exhibition management.

All of this makes up the mix of IWA OutdoorClassics, which is riding the above-mentioned trend waves with new conceptual approaches such as the Enforce Tac, which has been spun off and extended to 3 days, without forgetting the classic exhibitors. The arguments in favour of partially opening up as an end consumer fair have not been refuted, but neither have those in favour of a pure order fair so that specialist retailers can talk to manufacturers or wholesalers in peace and quiet. The mix has not changed: two thirds of the exhibitors come from abroad and have no reason to cater for European end consumers. A different third of the exhibitors are wholesalers who want to negotiate with their specialist dealers from different countries first; they don't really need contact with end customers either. Finally, the number of international end consumers who would travel to the IWA if it were open to the public is also unlikely to be large. The bottom line is that trade fairs such as the IWA and consumer fairs with shopping opportunities such as the hunting fairs or the exhibitions organised around the championships of various sports associations are currently complementary. So there is no reason to decide in favour of just one or the other.

From theory to editorial practice: here follows a further batch of new products, and at the bottom of the text further links to the reports and videos from the previous days, as well as to our additional individual reports from IWA 2024.

From IWA 2024: GLOCK with the new G49 MOS 9mm pistol – the G17 slide meets the G19 frame

© GLOCK G.m.b.H. - Austria 2023
A G17 slide on a G19 frame: the new GLOCK G49.

In the latest model from GLOCK, the G49 Gen5 MOS, the Austrian pistol manufacturer presents an innovative combination of the proven elements of its product line. The fusion of the G19 frame with the G17 slide results in a gun that is ideal for concealed carry thanks to its less tall design. Despite the more compact design, the G49 offers a longer sight radius and a longer barrel thanks to the adopted G17 slide, which in turn results in increased accuracy at longer distances and an increased muzzle velocity. However, the frame s means that the magazine capacity of the GLOCK G49 is limited to 15 cartridges – two cartridges less than the G17 standard magazine. The Modular Optics System (MOS) of the new model also enables easy mounting of different optics, which further increases the versatility of this pistol and makes it interesting for a wide range of applications. More information on the complete GLOCK line-up and the new G49 can be found on the manufacturer's website.

Kathrin Glock announces in a statement that Urs Breitmeier is the new Managing Director at GLOCK GmbH – and that it was one of Gaston Glock's last decisions

© RUAG
Urs Breitmeier, former CEO of RUAG Holding, is now strengthening the management of GLOCK as Managing Director.

As we have learned from well-informed sources, Urs Breitmeier, CEO of Bern-based RUAG Holding until the beginning of 2020, has been entered in the commercial register as Managing Director/CEO of GLOCK GmbH in a managerial capacity since March 1, 2024. A warm welcome from the team at all4shooters.com!

Here is an official statement from Kathrin Glock, GLOCK Group Spokesperson: "My husband Gaston Glock had the foresight to ensure the continuation and stability of his company. His life's work will continue in his spirit in the future." Kathrin Glock adds: "The position of an additional Managing Director at GLOCK GmbH had been advertised for some time. Last year, my husband Gaston Glock clearly opted for Mr. Breitmeier in the selection process." Since March 1, 2024, the Swiss native has strengthened the management team around Kathrin Glock, Chair of the Supervisory Board at GLOCK GmbH.

Video from IWA 2024: Derya MK-12 IPSC – the new variant of the semi-automatic shotgun for dynamic shooting sports

The MK-12 semi-automatic shotgun series from Derya has been on the market for some time. Now, as part of the IWA 2024, a model completely trimmed for IPSC sports has been added, which is consequently called the Derya MK-12 IPSC. The 12-gauge semi-auto shotgun with box magazine comes with a long carbon fibre forend, a new compensator for reduced recoil and muzzle flip, and a buffer tube optimised for less recoil. The buttstock is adjustable and the pistol grip comes with an eye-catching palm rest. The MK-12 IPCS also has an adjustable trigger. As with the previous models, the shooter can also swap the charging lever to the left or right of the gun, depending on preference. A particularly large jet funnel ensures fast and smooth reloading. Prices and availability are not yet known. More information can be found on the Derya website.

Video from IWA 2024: Noblex e-optics expands the NZ6 riflescope series with a compact 1.7-10x42, especially for attachments

The NZ6 series from Noblex e-optics is characterised by a sixfold zoom factor, and now a new model has been added: the Noblex NZ6 1.7-10x42 is a very compact riflescope weighing just 530 grams, which is particularly well suited to the trend towards attachments. Thanks to its short length, you can still reach the controls of an attachment at the front when aiming, and the compact scope design is also practical for a secondary optic at the back of the eyepiece: the parallax adjustment can then also be used. With a field of view of 20.1 m at 100 m, the new NZ6 covers most hunting applications and, according to Noblex, will be available in stores from around June 2024 with a recommended retail price of 875 euros. Information can be found on the Noblex website.

Video from IWA 2024: field report by Kai-Uwe Kühl on the lead-free bullets RWS EVO GREEN, HIT + DRIVEN HUNT

At the RWS booth, Kai-Uwe Kühl from K&K Premiumjagd talked about his last season's experiences with lead-free ammunition from RWS. Specifically, he talked about the lead-free RWS EVO Green, HIT and DRIVEN HUNT loads. The debate as to whether lead-free ammunition works has been over for Kühl since last season. He explains how the various lead-free bullets have worked for him and what practical impressions he has gained. For him, for example, the RWS EVO Green and RWS HIT are interchangeable without any further problems, which makes it easy to adapt them to the respective hunting situation. There are also other interesting announcements in the video. More information on the products can also be found on the RWS website.

Video from IWA 2024: Pedersoli 86/71 Droptine Classic – a new lever-action rifle in .30/30 Winchester

The Pedersoli 86/71 Droptine lever-action rifle presented last year has now grown into an entire family of firearms from Davide Pedersoli. The model in question offered modern features such as a polymer stock with height-adjustable cheek piece and a long Picatinny rail. The Pedersoli 86/71 Droptine Classic is the latest version of this lever-action rifle family in .30/30 Winchester and represents a return to classic aesthetics in response to many requests from shooters and Western fans. At the Davide Pedersoli booth at IWA 2024, we were able to compare the new Droptine Classic model with its predecessor. Pedersoli presents the Droptine in its new "old" guise with an oil-finished walnut stock and color case hardened receiver. With the PMG barrel (Pedersoli Match Grade) measuring 483 millimetres (19 inches) in length with muzzle thread and the option of attaching a Picatinny rail, which is still available, the features of the modern version have also been adopted. In contrast to the sights of its predecessor, the Pedersoli 86/71 Droptine Classic offers classic spring steel sights with a ladder-type rear sight and an "Old West" style brass bead front sight. We have to admit: with the ergonomically shaped and oversized lever of the Pedersoli 86/71 Droptine Classic, there is not only a high level of operating comfort but also a certain fun factor when reloading. As with its predecessor, the safety level of the new Pedersoli Droptine model remains very high thanks to the flying firing pin, the hammer half-cock notch and the slide safety that acts by locking the hammer. You can find more information on the Italian lever-action rifles on the Davide Pedersoli website.

Video from IWA 2024: Ramfelt brand barrel cleaning felts and Ramfelt Rope System are now joined by felts for the 8 mm, 6.5 mm and 9.3 mm calibers

Ramfelt is a brand of Röders AG, a long-established German company with more than 150 years of experience in the processing of virgin wool and felt production. However, the Soltau-based company has only been active in the field of gun cleaning since 2023. According to the manufacturer, the Ramfelt cleaning felts differ from those of the competition in that they use different, very high-quality virgin wool fibres. This not only gives the felt used for the Ramfelt barrel cleaners a somewhat coarser, rougher and therefore larger surface. In addition, the Ramfelt cleaners should also remain more elastic and be able to absorb more technical liquids, i.e. more cleaning agents or oil, thanks to the addition of other types of wool. New products on show at the IWA 2024 included felts for the 8 mm hunting caliber and for the 6.5 mm caliber family, both of which will be available from mid-March 2024. The felts in 7 mm, .270 Winchester and 9.3 mm will probably follow a little later this year. To ensure that sport shooters and hunters always have the right cleaning tool for the felts with them, the manufacturer also has a suitable and compact cleaning tool in the Ramfelt Rope System. You can find out more about the Ramfelt Rope System and what is special about the packaging of this brand's felts in our video or on the RAMFELT brand homepage.

Follow-up 2 of IWA 2024: hunting and sport shooting short and long guns, smart optics and lead-free ammunition