I just returned from an exhausting visit to the 2010 “SHOT” Show in Las Vegas, NV.  “SHOT” means Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade. The “SHOT” Show is the world’s largest firearm, hunting & outdoor trade show, featuring thousands of vendors and exhibitors.   This year’s show was held at the Sand’s Expo & Convention Center and this year’s attendance was in excess of 58,000 attendees.  This is almost a record, coming close to the 2008 show, which brought in a staggering 59,000+ attendees.

The show features world-wide vendors and manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, outdoor and tactical optics, camping, apparel, cutlery, law enforcement and related products and services.  The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry’s trade association, (NSSF),  owns and sponsors the “SHOT” Show.

From the moment the beginning bell rang, until it sounded 4 days later at the show’s close, I knew this was going to be a hugely successful show for both buyers and sellers.  Many vendors and exhibitors were offering excellent show specials to buyers and many buyers were ready to purchase, so it was a good marriage this year.  With the economy being in such a slump, many smart vendors had deep discounts, as much as 30% off regular wholesale prices.  Ready buyers were able to take advantage of this year’s buying opportunity to re-stock their retail shelves.  This, of course, will provide considerable savings to the retail consumer who is struggling to maintain tight budgets and still purchase products that many have been holding off on purchasing.

Every name brand you can think of was exhibiting at the SHOT Show like, Winchester, Remington, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Benelli, Browning, Sig Sauer, Glock, H&K, Colt, Springfield Armory, Mossberg, Rock River Arms, Bushmaster, Beretta, Kimber and many, many more.  There are just too many to name.  To be exact, there were 1,633 exhibitors this year.

In addition to the products and services offered the “SHOT” Show offered many educational seminars for firearm retails and special training classes for law enforcement personnel.  This show is the complete package for anyone who is in the in shooting, hunting or outdoor trade industry.  One cannot come back from this show without a better knowledge, understanding or insight into one of America’s oldest industries and have a finer appreciation of the U.S. Constitution’s 2^nd Amendment:  The Right To Bear Arms.

Next year’s SHOT Show is slated for January 18-21, 2011, at the Sands Expo & Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Perry Lewin, President, Decatur Jewelry & Pawn