Top 11 SHOT Show Statistics

by
posted on December 1, 2014
shot-show.jpg

A mid-winter excursion to Sin City sounds like the ultimate vacation, but figures provided by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)-the organization that hosts the annual event-paint a different picture. The math is simple: Take the available number of minutes, divided by the number of exhibitors and that's exactly how much time you can spend with each company eager to learn about its products. This year it comes to 1 minute and 16 seconds. Naturally, that assumes no press conferences, a catheter to forgo bathroom breaks, blinders to slide past booth babes and daytime fasting.

The pace reflects the unparalleled growth of the firearms and ammunition business. According to NSSF, it was a $6 billion industry in 2012, but by 2013, it had grown to $8 billion.

Here are a few more startling figures from NSSF.

13-number of acres covered by the show, roughly the same area as the New Orleans Superdome

12.5-miles of aisles

630,000-square feet of exhibitor space

1,600-companies/organizations exhibiting

70,000-attended the 2014 show, and they're expecting more

$73.1 million-the show's impact on the Las Vegas economy

$38 billion-industry impact on the U.S. economy in 2012

245,000-jobs supported by the industry in 2012

2,400-reporters who will cover the event

1979-year of the first show, which was held in St. Louis, MO

1-the number of minutes it takes for the coffee and Danish to disappear in the press room (in all fairness, decaf usually languishes for 20 or 30)

Latest

Smith & Wesson CSX E Series pistols on tailgate of truck
Smith & Wesson CSX E Series pistols on tailgate of truck

New For 2025: Smith & Wesson CSX E-Series

Smith & Wesson has updated its hammer-fired CSX with new E-Series models, featuring enhancements to its trigger, optics-mounting system and additional texturing. A model with an extended barrel is also available, too.

Preview: Offical U.S. Army Pistol Training Manual

The Official U.S. Army Pistol Training Manual as published by the Dept. of the Army and now made available by Lyons Press.

Twisted Sisters: The PX4 G-SD From Beretta & Langdon Tactical Technology

Beretta's PX4 Storm never caught the full attention of the American shooting public, but with recent updates, along with Langdon Tactical Technology's work on the platform, this DA/SA semi-automatic is worth a second look.

Preview: Ultradyne Orbit Ballhead

In recent times, tripods have proven to be an effective foundation for delivering long shots on target, which is where Ultradyne’s Orbit Ballhead comes into play.

Gun Of The Week: Springfield Armory 1911 TRP 4.25" CC

Follow us on the range this week with Springfield Armory’s latest rendition of its TRP 1911. This is the 1911 TRP 4.25” CC with Coyote Brown Cerakote, and it’s one of the first carry-sized models in the Springfield TRP lineup.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 7, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.