field reports from the NRA convention

[stoneypete]

Hmmmmm...Ross??? Can I borrow your 10/22??

If you do, the rent will go up. Clause 14F in the rental agreement.

And I thought you two loved me.

 

[Acme.Armament]

And I thought you two loved me.

Yes, but the guns are in the will.

 

[Blitz1]

 

[Blitz1]

No pics of the nudie bars?

 

[Blitz1]

Is that supposed to be like a pin in a hand grenade?

 

[vellnueve]

Don't suppose they have the Beretta ARX-160 there?

 

[Coyote33]

Nice writeup, Nicole. Thanks.

Seems like with the Ithaca, there is yet another 1911. Any other new compact 9mm's to run against the Kahr PM9, Ruger SR9 and LC9, and Kel-Tec PF9? Is SCCY there? Is Remsport (NES vendor) there by any chance?

 

[PaulD]

Of course it was also at that time that we started passing signs for "gentlemen's" clubs every 500 feet. When we turned off the main highway we started passing the clubs themselves..Adam and I aren't sure how they can actually support that many of them! We did notice a high concentration of dollar stores too...they apparently have a thing against large bills in that region. I don't know what the proliferation of clubs is a sign of, other than that I've found the perfect home for Blitz.

The strippers get paid in dollar bills and that begets dollar stores for the strippers to shop at. Basic economics.

 

[Dr_Scholl]

Is that supposed to be like a pin in a hand grenade?

You just reminded me of a GIF I saw a while back. On Saving Private Ryan when they were attacking the German radar installation, instead of throwing hand grenades at each other, the soldiers were throwing Glocks.

I wish I could find it.

 

[Nicole]

Day 2 of the Convention...

No sign of SCCY or Remsport, but we did see Andy Langolis!

And look who else we wandered across

We asked Beretta about the ARX-160 but they said they don't let mere mortals see the selective fire stuff.

When Adam and I left the building, we found 5 people outside protesting the end of the world. Really. Apparently we all die on the 21st.

Then they disappeared. And we heard chanting in the distance. The anti-gunners were arriving. We took pictures and waved. The people on the convention center's observation deck waved. We told people exiting the building what was happening and they either laughed or pulled out their cameras. The shuttle bus drivers were PISSED at the traffic complication.

Inside was more amusing. We found a shirt for the operators..

Or the real McCoy at Colt

The NRA makes a foray into gun manufacturing with an all-state compliant handgun.

There were displays from collecting societies. Some movie guns...

And various groups. This one had dioramas and a fun ambiance.

A rotary gun safe

Adam found a giant tactical flashlight

The FirePad. It's a fire-resistant storage option.

We met Dick Heller and he taught Adam the secret pro-gun gang sign

One row of the outfitters' booths

Adam tries to steal the BLACKHAWK! Tactical Man's sidearm but is defeated by the advanced Serpa technology.

SOG had some interesting things. We went home with a tshirt and 40mm salt and pepper shakers. They had AR pistol grips with adjustable backstraps.

And dust covers that would be perfect for anyone's zombie lower (the O is a biohazard sign, sorry for the crappy photo).

We tried to visit the Kimber booth for gun porn pics but it was packed to the gills.

We were amused by the green guns at the green laser booth

PDX ammo

Zombie targets. I figured this might remind someone on here of an ex or two.

Gun porn section:

We'll start with Sig, as a personal favor to Blitz1.

First off....this....Sig+Apple? Sig is making black turtlenecks with concealed carry pockets? Help me out here..

Do you love it Kevin?

A little 9 mm as requested:

Browning had .22 versions of the 1911 and the M9

Colt

Armalite

See-through gun:

Winchesters

Chiappa Rhino

Safety Harbor

Charter Arms (aka the skittles guns)

Some special Charters on display:

Revolvers

Stuff from ATI

DPMS

Remington:

FNH:

A reproduction Gatling gun:

A mini hand-crank Gatling

And guys, I'm sorry. This is as close as it got to booth babes. Seriously.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Post removed.

 

[Gak44]

Great pics!!! Thanks Guys!!!

 

[Palladin]

Great pics! Thanks Nicole & Adam !!

 

[Dressed to Kill]

Thanks for sharing the pics , looks like you guys had fun.

 

[Blitz1]

Thanks for Sharing!! Awesome Posts.

 

[skimonster]

Great job Nicole and Adam!! The FN AR is all cleaned waiting for me to heal an out to the range to play! Thanks again Adam! Great Shop!!

 

[wahsben]

Thank you very much Nicole & Adam for taking the time to send us the information & photos!

 

[Nicole]

Day 3

First of all. The Goliath Safe. We went back to the Superior Safe/Champion Safe booth this morning and the owner of the company Ray Crosby was kind enough to speak to us on camera and confirm while that particular safe on the show floor is primarily for display purposes, the Goliath is an actual honest-to-God model. We have a sales flyer we can scan in later this week if anyone still doesn't believe us, but here's Ray, in his own words.



Sorry the video is sideways. I'm a dope. If you know how to fix that, I'd love to know too.

Last night we attended the "Freedom Experience" - a concert followed by a Jeff Foxworthy performance and some well-known speakers. Michael Regan and the Sheriff from Arizona were good.

This morning we also ran across an engraver whose work was beautiful, if a bit more ornate than our usual tastes.

He's even done one Jim might care for.

After talking to Mr. Crosby this morning, we attended a seminar on the history of the 1911. A guy from American Rifleman TV talked about why the armed forces were looking for a .45 to replace the .38. Another gentleman discussed the history of the trials themselves. We got to see video of someone firing the Savage .45 which was competing against the Browning design. Then a historian took the podium and started telling stories about the combat history of the M1911. While he was an excellent storyteller and the info was riveting, Adam and I had physically had enough somewhere past the two hour mark and took our leave and headed out of Pittsburgh. The historian had brought two special guests who we got to listen to. Dr. Sidney Philips - a Marine on Guadalcanal who wrote "You'll be Sor-ree" and Don Burgett of the 101st Airborne.

Don even brought the M1911 he carried in WWII to show us. Fascinating stories and exceptional men.

Some final entertainment for you. The Springfield "Operator"

And we finally found a booth babe!!

 

[dwarven1]

Hmmmmm...Ross??? Can I borrow your 10/22??

Um... you can... but that's "Sting". The nickeled Model 19 is the Precious.

Thanks for the pic-heavy report - it's almost as good as being there!

 

[wolf223]

that manikin is hot.

 

[finest]

Thanks for all the updates

 

[Nicole]

Um... you can... but that's "Sting". The nickeled Model 19 is the Precious.

Thanks for the pic-heavy report - it's almost as good as being there!

Exactly. If there's a golum lurking in my safe I need Sting no?

 

[FreeWillie]

that manikin is hot.

I'd hit it

 

[Rob Boudrie]

How would you compare the NRA Show to the Shot Show?

 

[Nicole]

How would you compare the NRA Show to the Shot Show?

We've never been to SHOT so we can't offer a comparison. We spent a solid two days on the convention floor if that helps you.

 

[Dirtypacman]

I really appreciate you taking out the time to share your experience with the forum.

 

[wacky_doug]

I think the SHOT Show floor is quite a bit larger, at least if the exhibitor list is any indication. It would be fun to be a dealer long enough to get to attend SHOT.

On the plus side, the NRA show allowed CCW this year. This is prohibited for the SHOT Show (http://www.shotshow.org/en/SHOT-Show-Policies/).

Thanks for the pics Nicole!