Monday Morning Carry: SHOT Show Virgin

This morning's EDC rundown comes courtesy of RECOIL contributor Tom Marshall, who has finally made it to his first SHOT Show. A quick dump of his Wranglers (not in his wranglers) gives us a look at the following:

Knife. Emerson CQC-7B. Ironically, carrying a gun is out of the question at SHOT. But among the thousands of people opening boxes, taping down extension cords and performing other routine show-floor tasks, the Emerson's heavy tanto point goes mostly unnoticed. The 3-plus-inch blade is thick and formidible…not unlike many of the women in town for this year's AVN awards.

Light. Boker Plus FC-1. The boker is a sub-$50 single cell unit that produces 100 lumens and includes a strike bezel. Its single-mode clicky button is simple enough that most of our writers can still figure it out, even two drinks in at those 1AM after parties

Pen. Bic Metal Barrel. This pen was plucked off the rack at the big box office supply store almost as an afterthought. Almost. The metal body and narrow taper make it a pretty decent impromptu stabbing weapon. And the package came with two, so dual-wielding is totally an option.

Notebook. Another sale special at Office Warehouse, the author transformed this notebook from zero to hero with a few strips of self-adhesive Velcro and the most tacticool patches he could muster.

Wallet. All-et wallet. Made of rip-stop nylon the Allet is a basic billfold that holds everything from hotel key cards to business-related receipts that we swear are legitimate expenses.

Chapstick. Because the desert is dry and nobody wants to risk chapped lips on an impromptu photo op.

Protein Bar. Because, seriously, who has time for breakfast? Or lunch.

Why you can trust RECOIL

---

Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. 

Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. 

At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. 

Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products.

NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOIL

For years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included).

Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.

You want this. Trust Us.