PMCI - June 2019

Once again this year, the event drew over 46,000 trade visitors to
Nuremberg.
Basically for the week of IWA (and the allied Mil/LE EnforceTac
show) Nuremberg plays host to everyone who is anyone in the
European shooting sports family, and to many that come from far
further afield! IWA is where tactical and airsoft writers like me
can stand toe to toe with manufacturers from around the globe,
discuss their plans, check out all their latest products, and provide
feedback to them from the community. Whilst nobody at PMCI
would deem themself a “voice of the community” we are of
course involved with many groups, and make note of any genuine
problems we see; we also see and test a large number of firearms
and a huge pile of gear every year, so amongst the contributors
to the magazine we have a pretty good overview of what has
worked and where problems exist.
I all too often see the comment that “Brand X” has “not
responded to my messages or emails”, but of course not all the
manufacturers speak English, so sometimes it’s hard for them to
appreciate what is an honest plea for help (let’s face it, online
etiquette, or the lack of it doesn’t help either!). Standing face
to face with them however, at a show where they will have a
translator on hand if needed and this means that we can speak to
them directly about any concerns that need to be raised, and I’m
pleased to report there are a couple of companies that we will be
working with directly to try and help overcome “issues”.
I know that many of you have a good laugh at us when the
topic of any show comes up, but let me assure you… it’s bloody
hard work! Yes, we do get first look at all the new “shiny things”,
but the schedule is brutal! 0300 get-ups to catch planes and trains
to and from the show are the norm. Seventeen-plus hour days are
standard from start to finish, as just as much work gets done after
the show as in it. Someone this year actually tracked their footfall
in the show this year and it came in at over nine miles a day, and
that’s just inside the show itself! When you see a picture of your
favourite blogger or vlogger cracking a cold brewski at the end of
the day, believe me, they have bloody earned that, and so has
everyone that’s been on stands all day long!
Suffice to say that we pack in as much as possible to the days
we are at the show, because this is our chance to be with all the
manufacturers and distributors of tactical goodness in person, and
the opportunity must be embraced in full so we can continue to
bring you the stories you want to read all year round.
RECOGNISING THE GOOD GEAR
I’m lucky that after working for so many years in the outdoor
performance market with some of the big names in climbing,
mountaineering, and general outdoor pursuits I have a bit of a
“head start” when it comes to looking at the ideas and technologies
that are at last filtering through to the tactical gear market!
Over the past few years I’ve witnessed some really HUGE steps
forward by the tactical clothing, footwear and gear companies,
and some of them have really embraced the latest and greatest
developments in performance fabrics, technologies and materials.
Not only are some of them really using the best materials that
are available, but they’re also thinking “way outside the box” in
terms of design for functionality.
Whilst for many a “10 buck pair” of surplus combat trousers
will suffice for a one-off range day every couple of months (and
there’s nothing wrong with that at all!) more and more of us are
searching for that ideal pair of trousers, that super comfortable
pack, or that properly waterproof pair of lightweight boots. Many
will call this “elitist” in some way, but when it comes down to
IWA 2019
pmcimagazine.com