The Friday morning crowds were a very welcome sight to both exhibiting companies and the NRA. Photo by P. Erhardt

And…we’re back.

It didn’t take long after doors opened Friday morning to know that the NRA Show was back to its old form. This was obvious to all the exhibitors I spoke to, and especially those conducting retail sales on the floor.

What many people don’t realize about the NRA Show is that it is actually not just a consumer expo but a real selling show. Obviously not for firearms or ammunition, but just about everything else that isn’t regulated or restricted is being sold, and most often at show special pricing.

Several exhibitors that had retail operations in their booths were slammed with customers during the opening hours of the show. Some of those I spoke to, SureFire, Spyderco, Voodoo Tactical, Daniel Defense, Bowden Tactical and MTR Custom Holsters, were all pleased with the pace of sales as attendees were quick to take advantage of their show specials.

But perhaps nothing compared to the frenzy at the Silencer Central booth where they were helping customers prepare and submit their ATF eForms for suppressor purchases. Customers were backed up into the booth as they waited their turn at the two banks of laptops and digital fingerprint scanners used to process paperwork which is now taking on average 270 days for the ATF to process.

The Silencer Central booth was swamped, and one staff member told me they expect to process the paperwork for anywhere from 500 to 700 suppressors. Photo by P. Erhardt

The only place you’d find a longer line, and was more popular than shopping the show floor, was outside the auditorium where the prospect of seeing several potential presidential candidates speak drew a massive crowd.

Some 3,000-plus attendees lined up as early at 8:00am when the doors to the convention center opened. They stood in line for more than three hours for the chance to see speakers like former Vice President Mike Pence, Governors Asa Hutchinson, Eric Holcomb, Ron DeSantis, Kristi Noem, Chris Sununu, Ambassador Nikki Haley, Senators Tim Scott and Mike Braun and Representative Jim Jordan.

Of course, most were there bright and early so as to get a front row seat to see the main draw, former President Donald J. Trump who was scheduled to speak at 4:30pm. That makes for a very long day but one not many will soon forget.

Thousands lined up and waited for hours to see what could be our next President speak live and in person. Photo by P. Erhardt

But it was inside on the show floor where all the gear was on full display. Bond Arms announced their new LVRB lever action .223 during SHOT. What was meant to be a very low-key soft intro turned into a huge buzz. And that same buzz carried over here at the NRA Show.

Despite only having prototypes at this point, with production and release planned for the end of the year, Gordon Bond held court in his booth for his enthusiastic future LVRB customers. Photo by P. Erhardt

Speaking of new, an all new brand was making its debut at the show. Gideon Optics, out of Pittsburgh, Pa., was showcasing their line of affordable red dot sights, offering five models for three different footprints.

Ranging in MSRP from $239 to $259 (and being offered at show special pricing, naturally) the Gideon red dot line has three models for the RMR footprint, one of the Shield and one for the Acro footprint. These will be live and available for sale on their website starting April 22nd.

The red dot market just got a little more crowded with the entry of Gideon Optics who are coming out of the gate hot with five different models to choose from. Photo by P. Erhardt

Bouncing over to the booth of one of the hottest optic brands on the market, attendees were circling like sharks around the new (but to be released at year’s end) thermal and night vision products from Holosun.

Hat tip to my buddy Jeremiah Polacek of Wolfe Publishing for calling out the new Holosun products and sending me their way. When I walked into an already busy booth it was clear which kiosk had the thermal and night vision samples. I had to wait my turn to try one lest I lose an arm in reaching ahead of another attendee.

Ranging in price from approximately $1,000 for the night vision model and $1,600 to $2,300 for the two thermal units, I’ll be very interested to see how these new products expand Holosun’s share of the optics market.

It seemed like everybody wanted to try the new thermal and night vision optics from Holosun, whose staff were non-stop answering questions. Photo by P. Erhardt

One particular booth that was high up on my list to visit was that of The Headrest Safe Company. You’ve seen their press releases here in the wires but I for one had yet to see one live in the wild. And this is one of those products where seeing it up close ‘helps close the deal’ if you’re considering one.

As the name implies, the safe resides in a headrest unit for your car. It runs on two AAA batteries and has a biometric lock with keypad. Unlocking in 1.5 seconds without having to take your eyes off the threat, it provides ready access to a government-sized 1911 or smaller firearm. It deserves serious consideration for those of you carrying in your vehicle.

Introduced in November at the SEMA show, the Headrest Safe was a huge hit and one of the top products at that show. Booth staff confirmed that here in Indy the response was equally strong. Photo by P. Erhardt

Of course not everybody was there for the just the products. The line forming up at the Mossberg booth was for a meet and greet with celebrity shooter Lena Miculek, and her father, Jerry, who has also won a competition or two.

Most of the major brands hosted in-booth autograph signings or product demos. I spotted Maggie Reese in the Ruger booth doing an interview. Jessie Harrison and K.C. Eusebio were chatting with customers in the Taurus both. And Daniel Horner and Max Michel were doing the same in the Sig booth (when Lena was busy elsewhere, that is).

For the Miculeks, signing autographs and posing for pictures is as natural (and common) as winning titles. Photo by P. Erhardt

And finally for the aspirational. Who doesn’t want a double rifle? Especially one chambered in .375 H&H. Well, apparently everybody wants one because in the Chapuis booth, with their 21 rifle and shotgun offerings, it’s their Iphisi side by-side double rifle with its triple-A grade walnut furniture that steals the show.

Need a good double? Tom Leoni has just what you need. For a cool ten grand you can get a Chapuis Iphisi in any caliber, as long as it’s .375 H&H. Photo by P. Erhardt

Why you might ask? Well, as my new best friend Tom Leoni of Chapuis explained, at an MSRP of $9,999 (yes, $10K) the Iphisi from France is an incredibly affordable double rifle. And that’s not a joke. A comparable double rifle might start at twice that and rocket up from there, which explains why the Iphisi is their best seller.

The final attendance numbers have not yet been released (as I’m writing this) but trust me, you don’t need them. This was what you expect an NRA Show to be. Thousands of people walking the aisles and filling booths, and all of them quick to grab their wallets to make a purchase.

After a lackluster Memorial Day weekend in Houston last year, and missing out altogether in 2021 and 2020, it felt good to be back to form.

Ending this on a wholesome note. Sure, there are a lot of older NRA members and attendees at the show, but Saturdays and Sundays bring out the families. Photo by P. Erhardt

Next year’s show takes us back to Dallas, which should be a great show. And, it will give me and Jim another opportunity to hit a favorite eating joint we frequented the last time the NRA visited Dallas.

– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network