This year’s NRA Annual meeting took place in Dallas, Texas, a location that offered a plethora of sights and experiences to visit. You can’t beat a tradeshow in a fun place to explore… or any show that DOESN’T take place in Las Vegas. My favorite exhibit was the “running bulls” as you entered the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. It felt like Texas to me, at least like this Pacific Northwesterner’s iteration in her mind.
The show itself is always a strong exhibition of the 2nd amendment. People came out of the woodwork to watch speakers talk about legislation around gun regulation and the changes that the NRA advocates for. Aside from political speakers, there were also many celebrities walking the halls; from famed shooters such as Jerry Miculek and Michelle Viscusi to highly followed YouTube channels such as 704 Tactical and Hickok 45 and even UFC champion Chuck Liddell, recognizable faces were all over.
The show itself was your average everyday gun enthusiast’s Disneyland. You could touch and hold every level of firearm and accessory, with an option to buy (or at least order for delivery to your local FFL) almost anything on the floor. I couldn’t resist the coffee mugs and “Don’t Tread on Me” gear that Black Rain Ordnance offered while my husband set his sights on the Wolfman from Dead Air. Our budgets got a little unbalanced.
On that topic, one notable thing is that the wait time for suppressors is way down, AND there is actual competition in the market against Silencer Central. New “deliver to your door” options have hit the market. Capitol Armory came to the show strong, with a call to action at their booth, offering direct-to-your-door shipping in most states. Silencer Central remained relevant and kept their booth hopping with an order today and pay later deal that allowed showgoers to make payments on their suppressor through the wait time, making the purchase slightly less painful on the pocketbook. In the end, Capitol Armory won our business as they had the Wolfman in stock when everyone else seemed to be at a loss for where to find inventory. While patience is sometimes a virtue, it isn’t something my husband or I possess.
The one event we had as a must-see was the Apache launch at Watchtower Firearms. They unveiled not only the new product but also their partnership marketing video, which was done with Matt Carriker from Demolition Ranch. His channels are regulars on our television here at home, so it was great to be there for that event, get a close-up of the Apache PewView, and hear some of the backstories.
The cherry on top of our trip was our final dinner at Crown Block, on the top of Reunion Tower. Their food was AMAZING!!! Their twist on traditional Texas steakhouse charm was just what the doctor ordered to wrap this trip up. Cheers, Dallas—until next time!
