Tip of the Day: Treat SHOT Show like a mission, not a wandering safari of cool gear. Before you walk in, pick your top five booths, top three goals, and one must-get contact. Wear the most comfortable shoes you own, bring a charger, and keep a notes app open after every meaningful conversation so details do not vanish into the chaos. Take photos of products, booth numbers, and business cards together to save yourself future detective work. The real win at SHOT Show is not seeing everything. It is leaving with solid relationships, clear follow-ups, and fewer regrets than your feet will have.

Sponsored By C.O.P.S. Gunshop

Let's Chat About Our Current Specials

YOUR TRUSTED PROVIDER OF QUALITY FIREARMS, ACCESSORIES, AND KNOWLEDGE FOR A SAFER, SMARTER GUN OWNER

The massive trade event known as SHOT Show is one of the biggest annual gatherings in the firearms, hunting, and outdoor industry, but many people do not know that its name is actually an acronym. What does SHOT stand for, and which major industry organization owns and operates the show that brings manufacturers, dealers, media, and professionals together each year?

_{Answer at the bottom of the newsletter}

SHOT Show 2026 concluded in Las Vegas after drawing more than 53,000 industry professionals from all 50 states and 126 countries. The event featured 2,744 exhibitors across more than 834,500 net square feet, showcasing firearms, hunting, outdoor recreation, personal defense, and law enforcement products. NSSF described the show as a major hub for innovation, commerce, and relationship-building, with companies praising the quality of connections and strategic value. The article also emphasizes that SHOT Show revenue funds NSSF initiatives supporting advocacy, education, secure storage, suicide prevention, compliance efforts, and broader programs aimed at strengthening the industry and improving community safety nationwide.

Read More…

At SHOT Show 2026 Range Day, the article compares two very different firearms built around reliability and performance. The Glock GEN6 impressed with improved grip texture, palm swells, extended beavertail, shorter-feeling trigger, and optic-ready cuts, all while preserving compatibility with many existing holsters and accessories. The author felt it pointed faster and handled like a refined duty-ready upgrade. Franklin Armory’s Prevail rifle stood out for its modular precision-oriented system, tool-less bolt disassembly, user-changeable barrel, and Total Round Control action, which blends push-feed and controlled-feed benefits. Together, both platforms highlight innovation aimed at dependable performance under real-world pressure.

Read More…

SHOT Show reminds you of a simple truth: opportunity does not just sit in the booth display case — it shakes hands, asks good questions, and follows up before the week is over.

SHOT Show is the only place where “I’m just here to look” is the biggest lie told by people wearing backpacks and collecting their twentieth brochure.

Secret Little Hack: Take a photo of every product tag or display card right after you photograph the firearm or gear. At SHOT Show, everything starts blending together by booth thirty-seven. Pairing the item photo with its name, model, and booth info saves you from the classic “this thing was awesome... but what the heck was it?” problem later. Bonus move: snap the rep’s business card in the same sequence so your follow-up game looks sharp instead of sounding like you met them in a fever dream.

SHOT stands for Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show, and it is owned and operated by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

Austin Warfield - Owner of C.O.P.S. Gun Shop - as a retired police officer, Austin has been involved in numerous community events over the years.  His firm beliefs in the 2nd Amendment and the fundamentals that all citizens have the right to bear arms to not only hunt to provide for their family, but for defense either against their property and lives, but be able to prevent the overreach of government within our rights.  he wants to share his joy of gun ownership with all safely and responsibly.

Chris Pine - Chris is a dedicated father and husband who also serves in the Oklahoma National Guard.  He understands the sacrifices that 1st responders and the military make to protect our communities and rights for the greater good.  He has a long-time love of firearms and competitive shooting.  He is always looking for ways to share his knowledge with both new and experienced firearm enthusiasts.

In the heart of a small, close-knit community where every face was familiar, Sam Wood learned life's most valuable lessons. His upbringing wasn't easy; he faced his share of hardships and adversities that tested his resolve. Yet, it was these very challenges that shaped his tenacity and belief in the power of perseverance. Sam often shares stories of the mentors and community figures who saw potential in him when he couldn't see it in himself, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community that raised him.

Sam's entrepreneurial spirit was kindled in his early twenties, leading him from a daring venture into a thriving business. His success as a business owner is a testament to his grit, but Sam is quick to point out that his journey was peppered with failures as much as triumphs. It's in discussing these moments of vulnerability that Sam truly connects with his readers, reminding them that every setback is just a setup for a comeback.

Though guns and advocacy have been his mainstay, Sam's life is rich with passions that paint the full picture of who he is. An avid outdoorsman, he finds peace and solace in the wilderness, often sharing tales of his expeditions hunting, fishing, and exploring. These adventures are more than hobbies; they're a return to his roots and a way to connect with the earth and himself.

Sam's commitment to making a positive impact is evident in his volunteer work, especially in educating young people about gun safety and responsible ownership. He believes in empowerment through knowledge, a value instilled in him by the mentors of his youth.

Family and friendships anchor Sam's world. He speaks fondly of family dinners that could easily pass for debates, where lively discussions on politics, history, and philosophy were the norm. These gatherings not only deepened his understanding of the world but also his convictions about gun ownership and personal freedom.

Sam's friends describe him as a man of integrity, grounded by the core values of freedom, responsibility, and respect. Yet, they're quick to point out his lighter side—his quick wit, love for practical jokes, and an uncanny ability to find humor in the mundane. It's this blend of depth and light-heartedness that makes his writing so compelling.

Despite not following a traditional educational path, Sam's knowledge and insights command respect. His writing, marked by a first-person conversational tone, wit, and humor, makes complex gun issues accessible and engaging. But more than that, it's a reflection of the man himself—complex, nuanced, and profoundly human.

Sam Wood may have started as a small-town boy, but through his resilience, he's become a beacon of inspiration and a voice for responsible gun ownership. Residing now in Comfort, Texas, he continues to advocate, educate, and connect with people through his stories and experiences. In every piece he writes, Sam aims not just to inform but to remind us of our shared humanity and the values that unite us.