Trade fair report with new products from the IWA 2024: Day 1 - with GPO, Merkel, Puma, Pulsar, HIKMICRO

The typical saying of the "veterans" at this IWA: "Well, how many years is it for you?". It all started in 1974 as the "Federal Association Day of German Gunsmiths and Gun Dealers" with 114 exhibitors. Today, exhibitors and visitors fill nine exhibition halls, and the total number of visitors of one million from almost every country in the world has also already been exceeded. The abbreviation IWA from earlier years actually stood for "Internationale Waffen Ausstellung" ("International Weapons Exhibition"), which never really applied to an order fair that was only open to trade visitors. After a few subtle name changes, NürnbergMesse as the organiser has now stuck with "IWA OutdoorClassics", and the first days of March are also firmly marked in the international firearms industry calendar. The half-century of IWA will of course be celebrated with a big party on Saturday, but until then the exhibitors in particular are looking forward to many interested visitors and hopefully full order lists, even if it's all digital these days.

We at all4shooters.com and all4hunters.com (depending on which target group the product is aimed at) will be providing you with a colourful mix of topics over the next few days, which is also due to the fact that the teams are completing their visits one after the other. Hopefully it will remain exciting every day, enjoy reading and watching the videos!

Video from IWA 2024: Merkel K5 – The break-action rifle gets a 600-mm barrel length for .270 Winchester and 6.5x55 SE calibers

The K5 is one of Merkel's best-selling firearms. The break-action rifle is sleek, easy to handle and, above all, light. This is particularly noticeable when stalking or in alpine terrain. Now, according to Merkel, there has been repeated feedback regarding the rifle: a longer barrel in .270 Winchester caliber. This is necessary to be able to exploit the full energy of the cartridge. Distributors and customers also wanted the 6.5x55 SE option. Merkel has now responded to both requests and offers the rifle with 600-mm barrels in .270 Winchester and 6.5x55 SE. If you would like to find out more about the rifle, take a look at our video from the IWA. Further information on Merkel rifles and a complete barrel and calibre overview of the K5 can be found on the manufacturer's website.

Video from IWA 2024: German Precision Optics showcases the very compact all-round Spectra 8x 1.6-13x44 G4i Fiber riflescope

German Precision Optics has several new optics in store this year. The all-rounder Spectra 8x 1.6-13x44 G4i Fiber riflescope, of which GPO is particularly proud, marks the start: it is characterized by its versatility for a wide variety of hunting situations, not least thanks to its very compact size. With a very short length, it is predestined for attaching thermal imaging clip-ons. But eyepiece clip-ons are also available with a compact design of just under 300 millimeters and a parallax adjustment down to 10 meters. The robustness of the Spectra 8x 1.6-13×44 G4i Fiber should by no means suffer from its compact dimensions and light weight of 700 grams, however: even when used with silencers or powerful calibers, the riflescope ensures uncompromising shooting stability. Optically, there is nothing to complain about either: with 8x zoom from 1.6x with a field of view of 25.6 meters up to 13x magnification, driven hunts, stalking, sitting game and even long ranges on mountain hunts are covered. The optional fast reticle adjustment with zero-stop and ballistic rings up to 500 meters is particularly recommended there, which in combination with the very long adjustment range of 320 cm is a game changer. Further optical plus points are the very wide eye relief (95 mm), the particularly large exit pupil (8.5 mm at 1.6x) and an HD lens system, which deliver bright images with a continuously dimmable GPO fiber reticle.

The price is also very competitive given the scope performance and features: the GPO Spectra 8x 1.6-13x44 G4i Fiber riflescope will be available from June/July 2024 for an RRP of €1,099. The quick reticle adjustment comes for 89 euros. All further information can be found on the GPO website.

Video from IWA 2024: Puma Saubart and Hunter's Pal, hunting knives "Made in Solingen"

The Saubart hunting knife manufactured by Solingen-based Puma of is named after the typical hair tuft that adorns Tyrolean hats. The Saubart was awarded best hunting knife at the "Jagd & Hund" fair held in Dortmund, Germany, earlier this year. The Saubart presents itself as a compact and sturdy tool thanks to its full tang construction of 14C28N stainless steel from Sandrin, hardened to 60-62 HRC – a rather high value. Blade length is 100 mm, with a 3-mm thickness. Since this is a knife intended for demanding use, the handle is generously sized, with layered pakawood scales and a thick nickel silver bolster. The semi-anatomical handle makes the Puma Saubart's handle extremely stable and comfortable, which benefits safety. The Puma Saubart comes with a black leather sheath and costs about 330 euros. For lovers of more Central European aesthetics, a version with staghorn scales is also available.

Also of interest is the Hunter's Pal, a hunting knife that is light and handy, but not limited in even heavy use on the hunting ground. Available in several handle material options, the Hunter's Pal has a 100-mm long, 4-mm thick blade made of 1.4116 steel hardened to 55-57 HRC, making it very easy to resharpen in the field.
The full-tang construction makes it especially robust. The weight is about 130 grams. The scales of the Puma Hunter's Pal can be staghorn, white G10, black G10 or olive wood; the crossguard is polished brass. The price, depending on the scales material, ranges from 139 to 145 euros.

Video from IWA 2024: Hikmicro Habrok 4K thermal imaging binoculars, for universal day and night use

The new Habrok 4K thermal imaging device from Hikmicro is deliberately intended as a universal all-in-one solution. According to the company's definition, these are "products that can compete with traditional optics not only at night, but also during the day – and with many amazing additional digital functions". The new device combines multiple functions into a single device that serves as full-color 5.5-22x60 binoculars, thermal imaging monocular and laser rangefinder. HIKMICRO's dual camera technology uses thermal imaging for optimized search and a CMOS sensor to view details precisely. The ability to zoom in on the subject without sacrificing image quality allows hunters to target game at distances of at least 150 meters. With a 4K UHD image resolution, the Habrok 4K is designed to deliver vivid and detailed images. The 60-mm lens in combination with the 5.5-22x magnification offers a wide range of observation options, from viewing wide landscapes to observing the smallest details. You can already find a detailed introduction here at all4hunters.com.

Videos from IWA 2024: Pulsar Telos LRF XL50 – Premiere of the flagship monocular, plus the Axion 2 XQ35 Pro

Pulsar already presented the XQ35 and XG50 thermal imaging monoculars at the SHOT Show 2024. Now the flagship follows at IWA 2024: the Telos LRF XL50. With this, Pulsar wants to complete its line of HD thermal imaging devices. In addition to the riflescope and binoculars, the monocular is now also available. Thanks to the HD sensor, the user can rely on a sharp image even when zooming in. Like all devices in the series, the Telos XL50 will also be available with and without a laser range finder. It is expected to be launched for customers in June 2024. If you don't want to wait that long, no problem: thanks to the modularity of the series, customers can buy the XP50 today, for example, and then simply purchase and install the new sensor when it becomes available.

There is also a new addition to the Pulsar Axion series, the successor to the Axion XM30F: the Pulsar Axion 2 XQ35 Pro. In terms of size, the device fits easily into a jacket pocket and still comes with a wide range of features. Inside is a 384x288px sensor with a sensitivity of less than 25 mK. The price is not yet known. For more information on the two new devices from Pulsar, take a look at the videos above or visit the Pulsar website.

Further important links relating to IWA OutdoorClassics 2024

IWA OutdoorClassics will take place from February 29 to March 3, 2024, in Nuremberg, Germany.

Here you can find the digital IWA trade fair guide in PDF format.

IWA website with all information for visitors, exhibitors and the trade press

ACCESS FOR TRADE PUBLIC ONLY: all information on how to obtain tickets and what access restrictions apply.

Trade fair report from IWA OutdoorClassics 2024: many new products and highlights for the anniversary of the firearms fair