iamkris
Member
UPDATED: NRA Annual Meeting show floor report - Day 1 and Day 2
Howdy. I'm at the NRA Convention and spent some of the morning on the show floor. The afternoon was spent manning the Air Gun Range teaching new and young shooters the fundamentals of marksmanship. I heard the NRA leadership say that they broke attendance and membership records...the show area is definitely larger than Milwaukee was. Also, Louisville will be next years venue.
Two big takeaways...1) everyone I talked to in the booths said business is going gangbusters. Can't build 'em fast enough. Lots of people are panic buying. 2) There were LOTS of SxS double shotguns. Here are some highlights:
The entry into the America's Center
Next I went to the DSA booth. I met Grayrider there (nice to meet you sir!) and had a great conversation with John and one of FAL 'smiths and whined about the status of my SA58 Para (I want it!!!). Hey guys...if you want to put anyone's rifle at the front of the line...pick mine! Pick mine!
Next it was over to the Thompson Collector's booth...something else to see all the early versions
Then to the Shiloh Sharps booth. You are not alive if you think these aren't pretty.
Lakeside Machine was showing their minature .22 LR machine guns...I'd like to mount one of those on a tiny little Barbie electric car...very fun
Then to the Kahr Arms booth to ogle at the Tommy Guns and new M1 Carbines
The Smith booth didn't have much new to show with the exception of their iBolt rifle. It is NOT a Thompson Center rifle...fit and finish didn't impress. Nice that it has a Picatinny rail for scope mounts though. I did play around more with an M&P40...I'll have to get one of those sometime. Also, their shotguns are really beautiful.
Colt had NOTHING new!! Their engraved SAAs were cerrtainly pretty, though.
Remington didn't have anything as big as their 105Ti from last year. They do seem to be keeping the CDL in their line up however. In general, it was a pretty uninspiring booth though. Their Parker shotgun...stunning.
I had the distinct pleasure of talking with the President of Knoxx Stocks...SUPER nice guy. Spent a lot of time with me. Their Axxiom rifle stock is really neat...I'd like to put together a precision rig together around it. He said they are moving toward putting in more and more features to support that.
Browning had some nice new high grade versions of their Citori and their SxS.
I will admit I went and played at the HK booth (small!). The USPs are surprisingly ergonomic...I had never really played with these before. I didn't get pix because they really aren't new...I did get some ogle time on the Merkels.
The CZ booth had Louise Mandrell there signing autographs...she looks really good for her age. Their CZ75 platform is really doing great things...I love the Practical. Also, their rifles are really expanding. Nice new tactical 550 line.
Over to the Taurus booth...they have a lot going on. The PT1911 is going stainless and Tactical...the railed version is coming out in the fall. Also, the 24/47 Pro Tactical really impressed me...tight, good trigger, ergonomic.
Here's the Rossi booth...they didn't have anything but I enjoyed talking to their spokesperson.
That's all for today. More tomorrow (maybe the next day?) after touring the second half of the show (in the afternoon...morning is back at the range)
Howdy. I'm at the NRA Convention and spent some of the morning on the show floor. The afternoon was spent manning the Air Gun Range teaching new and young shooters the fundamentals of marksmanship. I heard the NRA leadership say that they broke attendance and membership records...the show area is definitely larger than Milwaukee was. Also, Louisville will be next years venue.
Two big takeaways...1) everyone I talked to in the booths said business is going gangbusters. Can't build 'em fast enough. Lots of people are panic buying. 2) There were LOTS of SxS double shotguns. Here are some highlights:
The entry into the America's Center
Next I went to the DSA booth. I met Grayrider there (nice to meet you sir!) and had a great conversation with John and one of FAL 'smiths and whined about the status of my SA58 Para (I want it!!!). Hey guys...if you want to put anyone's rifle at the front of the line...pick mine! Pick mine!
Next it was over to the Thompson Collector's booth...something else to see all the early versions
Then to the Shiloh Sharps booth. You are not alive if you think these aren't pretty.
Lakeside Machine was showing their minature .22 LR machine guns...I'd like to mount one of those on a tiny little Barbie electric car...very fun
Then to the Kahr Arms booth to ogle at the Tommy Guns and new M1 Carbines
The Smith booth didn't have much new to show with the exception of their iBolt rifle. It is NOT a Thompson Center rifle...fit and finish didn't impress. Nice that it has a Picatinny rail for scope mounts though. I did play around more with an M&P40...I'll have to get one of those sometime. Also, their shotguns are really beautiful.
Colt had NOTHING new!! Their engraved SAAs were cerrtainly pretty, though.
Remington didn't have anything as big as their 105Ti from last year. They do seem to be keeping the CDL in their line up however. In general, it was a pretty uninspiring booth though. Their Parker shotgun...stunning.
I had the distinct pleasure of talking with the President of Knoxx Stocks...SUPER nice guy. Spent a lot of time with me. Their Axxiom rifle stock is really neat...I'd like to put together a precision rig together around it. He said they are moving toward putting in more and more features to support that.
Browning had some nice new high grade versions of their Citori and their SxS.
I will admit I went and played at the HK booth (small!). The USPs are surprisingly ergonomic...I had never really played with these before. I didn't get pix because they really aren't new...I did get some ogle time on the Merkels.
The CZ booth had Louise Mandrell there signing autographs...she looks really good for her age. Their CZ75 platform is really doing great things...I love the Practical. Also, their rifles are really expanding. Nice new tactical 550 line.
Over to the Taurus booth...they have a lot going on. The PT1911 is going stainless and Tactical...the railed version is coming out in the fall. Also, the 24/47 Pro Tactical really impressed me...tight, good trigger, ergonomic.
Here's the Rossi booth...they didn't have anything but I enjoyed talking to their spokesperson.
That's all for today. More tomorrow (maybe the next day?) after touring the second half of the show (in the afternoon...morning is back at the range)
Last edited: