Planning a trip to St. Louis for the NRA Show

View · by **Tomh** on Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:24 pm

I'm planning a trip to the NRA convention in Apr. It's in St. Louis this year and that's where my Sister lives so I can stay for free. I've never ever been to a NRA deal and so I don't know what to expect. Anybody ever done a NRA Annual convention before and like to offer some thoughts. Thanks, Tom

View · by **DeanC** on Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:36 pm

i hear nothing but good things from people who have gone.

View · by **rugersol** on Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:06 pm

View · by **gyrfalcon** on Sun Jan 29, 2012 10:25 pm

Tomh wrote:... It's in St. Louis this year and that's where my Sister lives....

My condolences to your sister.

View · by **Pezhead** on Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:52 am

I did the one In MPLS when it was here. I enjoyed it. I'd like to again. Make sure you stop at Ted Drewes.

View · by **DeanC** on Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:53 am

rugersol wrote::shock:

View · by **Tomh** on Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:32 pm

gyrfalcon wrote:
Tomh wrote:... It's in St. Louis this year and that's where my Sister lives....

My condolences to your sister.

I know, thank goodness her husband wants to come along.

View · by **Beretta Dave** on Wed Feb 01, 2012 4:41 pm

I’m going too. I have a brother-in-law that lives down there that got into guns and shoot this past year. He calls me his mentor. My wife and I invited ourselves to stay with him, but he is also looking forward to going to the biggest gun show on earth.

He told me to bring my guns and we will have a “shootout”, a little friendly target competition. He must think he’s a good shoot for only having a few hundred rounds under his belt. We will see.

View · by **JoeH** on Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:38 pm

I'll be there.

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View · by **walt501** on Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:05 am

I've been to two NRA conventions, the one way back in Minneapolis and the one two years ago in North Carolina. Be aware that if you go they will hit you up to increase your NRA membership level when you register. Actually, they usually have some really good deals if you do decide to up your level. As for the show, in my mind it is the greatest display of firearms and firearms related equipment you will find anywhere, and you'll not be staring at items through glass. You can pick up and handle everything on display, including dry firing if you like. Try a local gun shop and see if they'll let you pick up a new Colt single action army and dry fire it a few times. Unless you look like a really serious buyer, I doubt it's going to happen. But at the NRA convention, you can pick up every firearm Colt makes. Rack that slide, pull that trigger. No problem. Every manufacturer will be there along with several small outfits you never even heard of. If there is a handgun or rifle you've been thinking about but no one locally carries it, you'll be able to thoroughly examine it at the show. If you spend enough time at a particular booth, eventually one of the manufacturers representatives will be over to discuss all the salient details with you.

If you're really into all things firearms, plan on spending at least one full day. You'll be on your feet a lot, so dress appropriately. Also, there will be very large crowds. So if it's just to busy, plan on coming back to that booth later. All the major firearms manufacturers will have their name displayed prominently on a very high post or hanging overhead, so even though the convention is very large you'll be able to find your favorite manufacturers just by looking up.

Lastly, one of the best reasons to go is the annual meeting itself. There you'll be able to hear some of the top names in conservative politics speak. And if you're lucky (or make a big contribution) you may even get your picture taken with the next president of the United States!