For my first contribution to this blog I thought I’d tell you a little about the annual trade show held in Las Vegas where new items related to the airgun industry are showcased. Each January for 4 days, the National Shooting Sports Foundation sponsors a huge trade show known as the SHOT Show. Over 60,000 exhibitors/vendors, buyers and media from around the world gather to celebrate all things related to the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades. When I say “all things” I am not kidding. We are talking everything from Anti-tank weapons (military sales only…) to Zippo (they own Case knives) and everything in between; including such diverse items as hiking boots, hunting dog training gear, ATVs and jerky spices/game processing supplies. If you’ve seen it in a sporting goods or gun store, it can be ordered in quantity at this show. Being a trade show it is not open to the public and no cash & carry sales happen on the show floor.
Manufacturers use this forum to introduce their newest creations that we consumers see on the store shelves later in the year. All the major players (with the exception of Daisy) come to Vegas to show off their latest-and-greatest wares. AofA exhibits every year and it is great to catch up with Robert and the gang.
As the biggest show of its type held in North America, literally thousands of firearms are on display and they must be rendered inoperable. No live ammunition is allowed in the convention center and even though there is a large section of the show dedicated to law enforcement equipment, LEOs in attendance may not be armed. Of course, there is a huge presence of local police and private security. Even lowly pellets are not exempt from the rules. My friend Dick over at Predator International wanted to display an open tin of his Polymags and the only way the promoters would allow it was if he poured a clear epoxy over the tin to turn the pellets into a solid mass.
Sometimes the products on display are so new that attendees are handling prototypes. It is always interesting to see how the prototypes changed between SHOT and the store shelves. Also, seeing the innovations taking place across every segment of the industry each year is amazing.
It is an exciting place to be in an exciting venue and I feel fortunate to be able to participate in it. After a whole day of touching everything gun-related, and seeing what the manufacturing world has to offer in the way of things connected to this hobby/passion you can hang out at the casinos and win your fortune! So far it hasn’t happened to me – but there is always next year!
Alright, so I’ll stick with a good thing and just concentrate on walking the million+ square foot show floor visiting as many of the 1600+ exhibitors as possible. Look for a follow up blog after I return from the show for a sneak preview of what is on the airgunning horizon.
Remember to exercise and protect your freedoms or risk losing them…
Hi everyone
Greetings !
I love to go to this Show, would you please let me know what I need to do, do I need to pay something ? I am from Los Angeles, California, Vegas is only 4 hours away from me, I drive to visit your store often so driving to Vegas is nothing for me, may I have the address of the show please ?
Thank you very much.
Hi Marco, my apologies for the late reply and also for not making it clear that SHOT is not open to the public. It is an industry trade show that has been held at the Sands Convention Center for several years and is scheduled to be there for the next few years as well. The closest thing to it that you can attend is the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits. The upcoming NRA event will be held in Nashville this year beginning on 10-April.
Welcome. Glad the blog is going to carry on.
Looking forward to reading your posts.
Chris
Many thanks Chris!
I can’t wait for the scoop/info on the new FX Indy Arrow…it’s still unclear to me whether it will be a convertible with your choice of caliber for pellets, sort of like the FX Verminator MKII EXTREME, or whether it is strictly and arrow gun.
Hi Jim, this model was not on display at the show but I’m sure we’ll be able to get info for you before too long. Stay tuned…