NRA convention 2018

General General Discussion
1

I just got back from the NRA annual convention in Dallas. It was pretty big, almost every vendor and manufacture you can think of was there. I got there just as soon as President Trump started his speech. Trumps speech was good. Vice President Pence speech was good as well. I didn’t stay long enough to see Senator Cornyn, Cruz or Governor Abbott speak. The place was crowded and I was surprised that there wasn’t any security. No metal detectors, no bag checks, nothing!

I was impressed on the size and showcase of some of these manufactures booths, Seekings, H&K, Colt, Sig, Magpul, Nightforce, FN, Daniel Defense, Surefire, Bushmaster, 5.11, IWI, Barrett, Aimpoint, Trijicon, Aimpoint, EoTech, SilencerCo, Winchester, Beretta, Blackhawk had really nice interactive set ups with lots of products. However, I was a little surprised to see some of the large manufactures in tiny booths at the back like KAC, Gemtech, AAC, Geissele, TNVC, Vortex, Faxon, LWRC and BCM. If you didn’t know who they were, the size of there booths would leave you to believe they were a small company. But overall, each booth was set up nice, even the small ones at the back.

I got to talk one on one with Trey Knight from Knights Armament for 45 minutes or so, I also got some face to face time with guys at Surefire, Barrett, Daniel Defense, Nightforce, Precision Reflex and Magpul. These were fun guys to talk to and I like that they take time to talk to customers. A lot of free swag from most booths in the form of Velcro patches, stickers, key chains etc. I loaded up on free swag.

I think you can see just about everything in about 4 hours. There is a lot of smaller business there that are selling holsters, slings, knifes, reloading equipment, storage, cleaning etc. but a majority of the large, name brand manufactures are grouped together. I think there was a total of 5 protesters when I got there and only 1 when I left.

2

Appreciate the report.

I was unable to attend today but caught POTUS speech live streamed. I was impressed.

Good to know you wrapped up the floor in 4 hours, I was wondering how long it would take to walk it. I’m a little surprised there was not more protesters.

Meathead (Rob Reiner) is in town to lead a protest. I surmise they will have more numbers out on Saturday and or Sunday. There was a projection beamed at the convention center last night equating the NRA to domestic terrorists and a local eatery printed on the receipts that proceeds over the weekend would be going to organizations for “common sense” gun control.

Projection and billboard:
https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2018/05/protesters-welcome-nra-to-town/

Restaurant receipt:
http://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/during-nra-convention-in-dallas-west-end-restaurant-ellens-leaves-a-message-for-nra-attendees-10655786

3

Missed this one but made the one in Nashville in 2015. I was pretty impressed. This one sounded pretty good.

4

I’ve been to several NRA conventions, and I’m flabbergasted that you did the whole floor in 4 hours. Last time I went, we did 2 days, and I still felt slightly rushed. Next time I go, I want to do 3 days so I can proceed at a more leisurely pace, and take in some of the seminars.

Did LMT have a booth, finally?

5

Thinking of going tomorrow. Was there a 30.06 sign?

6

I only went to the booths that I was interested in. I’m sure you could spend 2 whole days there.
Some of the manufactures that were NOT there:

Glock
Noveke
LMT
Vltor
Troy
Kimber
Taurus

  • I never even saw them on the app.

The biggest booths were:

DPMS/Panther
5.11
Sig
H&K
Barrett
CZ
Beretta
Winchester
Remington/Marlin
Mossberg
Benelli
Browning
Federal Ammunition
Nightforce
Trijicon
EoTech
Blackhawk
Brownells
Fiocchi
Air Force air guns
Anderson
Aero Precision
Bushnell
-and they were all kind of right there in the middle.

I guess if you went booth to booth it would take you a couple of days but I jest mainly went to the things that I was familiar with and stopped by the occasional little guy to look at there products.

Some highlights from this show was:

Donald Trump was there

Mike Pence was there

Both my senators were there

Hell, even my governor was there

huge LEO presence but not for security, all were in there dress uniforms, Police, Sheriffs, Rangers, Marshalls, Border Patrol, Homeland Security etc- all were extremely nice.

Nightforce is releasing a sweet 1-8x32 tactical scope with 2 reticles soon, its pretty small and light weight for its size.

Knights Armament is releasing a brand new “rail of all rails” but Trey wouldn’t discuss it.

Barrett is releasing a new .416 heavy short-barreled (18") rifle that weighs less than 14 pounds- comes with a dedicated Nightforce 6x35

Just about every AR manufacture is going to 6.5 or offering a standard 6.5 and moving away from .308

Armalite has some new AR-15’s that are worth looking into

Blue Force has some new slings that are worth looking into

oh, most of the gun bunnies I follow on IG are dumb as shit.

that’s about it for me

7

If you think the NRA convention is big, you must not have been to a SHOT show. It’s at least 2 1/2 times larger.

8

None. There was an older couple who were in cowboy/cowgirl outfits each open carrying a pair of 6 shooters. :smiley: Went this afternoon for just 3 hours. Will probably go again tomorrow. First convention I’ve ever been to. I was like a kid at Willy Wonka’s. Elephant, I stopped by Glock (shooting team was there signing autographs), Troy and Kimber.

9

Nice! Too bad they’ll never do one of these in Seattle, just to piss off the Whiny Little Bitchflakes…

10

Shit! I looked all over for Glock, I found Salient Arms, Zev Tactical, Agency Arms but never could find Glock. Shame! Troy wasn’t in the app map so I figured they did not show. I did see a couple nerds dressed up as colonial soldiers, rough riders/cowboys carrying antique weapons but I didn’t see anyone walking around carrying a modern firearm.

I don’t know how big this show was but I’m gonna make a guess and say 5-8 acres under roof?

Oh, I found out through talking to most of these manufactures that they are desperate for dealers. I don’t know if that is a sign, like a good thing or bad thing, but Trey Knight said I could become a KAC dealer for $10k minimum first purchase (like 3 guns) plus $30k/year in orders and that the dealers get 25-30% discount. I spoke to Barrett, Nightforce, Inforce, LWRC, Surefire and others who are looking for dealers. I could get something good going for as little as $80k and have a nice inventory. $200k and I could call myself a legitimate online dealer. My mind has been in overdrive the last few hours, I have always wanted to get my gun dealers license and I found a perfect cheap metal building just 45 minutes north of Dallas that is 150’x300’ which is perfect for a indoor rifle/pistol range.

Ive never been to shot show, and this was the first big gun event I have ever been to. I had a good time and wish I could of spent the entire day there.

11

If you go again tomorrow or Sunday…

http://s15.a2zinc.net/clients/nra/nraam2018/public/Exhibitors.aspx?&ID=1495&sortMenu=104001

12

According to the website…

FIREARMS POLICY FOR THE NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS & EXHIBITS
During the 2018 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, lawfully carried firearms will be permitted in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and the Omni Dallas Hotel in accordance with Texas law. When carrying your firearm remember to follow all federal, state, and local laws.

https://www.nraam.org/attend/firearms-policy/

GLOCK is in booth #7802.
IIRC Noveske does not do trade shows.
LMT is in booth #11033.
Vltor I did not see listed on the website.
Troy is in booth #11542.
Kimber is in booth #8345.
Taurus is in booth #6011.
http://s15.a2zinc.net/clients/NRA/nraam2018/public/EventMap.aspx?shMode=E&ID=2202&sortMenu=105003

The NRA app pulls up the vendor list and the floor plan on my phone and notebook.

Somewhere when I was planning my visit I read on the NRA’s convention website that exhibits take up 15 acres.

13

According to the NRA thing, BCM isn’t there as an exhibitor. They’re probably there with Brownell’s, though.

14

The best way to make a small fortune in the gun business is to start with a large fortune… I have a buddy who just found that out.

Be cautious my friend.

15

Go stroke the APC308 @ the B&T booth for me, and Karson wants swag…all of it.

16

Bucket list! They used to alternate between Vegas and FL, and I planned to make it when it came back to FL, but it never did. I hate Vegas, but will have to bite the bullet (pun intended!) and attend in Vegas. Should set up a M4c team.

17

Really enjoyed the convention when it was in ATL last year. It was both larger and more fun than I thought. Thought hard about going this year.

Was able to chat with folks in the booths, etc. Some big guys had small booths and vice versa.

Most enjoyable- Bill Alexander at the AA booth, which was just before he went to HK R&D.

Also Geissle had a great display and many deals.

Only one I was disappointed in was DD. The booth staff were borderline jerks, had largely checked out. It was the end of the day before closing, but they were pretty full of themselves. Low level guys, but were more interested in telling dirty jokes than answering questions.

Still want to revisit SHOT again, used to go back in the early 80s.

18

Went to one in Houston many years ago…was about 5 acres iirc…walked our asses off the entire weekend and still didnt see it all. Was awesome indeed.

19

Agreed! Did you hear about the millionaire that owns the gun store?

Wait for it …

… he used to be a multi-millionaire!

20

Say what now?..
Bill Alexander (the 6.5 Grendel/50 Beowulf guy) is doing research and development at Heckler & Koch?