Gun Show Weekend!

Woo-Hoo!  Went to “The Nation’s Gun Show” in Northern Virginia this weekend.  It was, as always HUGE!  I love gun shows.  So many lovely things to ooo and ahhh over, I always run into lots of folks I know (this show prohibits photos or I would show you a few familiar faces).  Fun accessories (a speed loader in pink!), holsters, ammo…

This time I went with the intention of picking up a Ruger LCP if I could find one with a decent price.  I know, I’m not a huge fan of the pocket pistols, they aren’t what I call “fun to shoot”, but they serve a purpose.  And, I have enough students who really want to try one, so I caved, and decided to get a new LCP. 

I found one, and this is where the story differs from the norm.  When I told the gentleman behind the table that I wanted the LCP he asked if I had seen another Ruger in .380.  My response was, “Oh, the new LC380?  I saw it at Shot Show in Jan.”.  That got his attention.  He was prepared to ensure I understood the challenges of shooting a tiny gun and wanted to ensure I knew there were options.  I stayed around long enough to recognize that the tips were not gender based.  These folks really wanted the customer to not only buy a gun, but to buy the right gun.  I filled out the state required paperwork and watched my documents go into the queue to be entered.  As I was waiting, I spotted a new Mossberg 12 guage.  I started looking at it.  Another employee came over to help, and I told him that I had the pistol grip 12 guage and was looking at another.  I explained that my goal is to go on my first hunt next year.  He told me about a Mossberg Rifle they had, didn’t have on display because they only brought a couple, and started talking fast about the virtues of this 308 rifle.  Well, I decided to look at it, it was polymer so it was lighter, has a nice recoil pad, mounted bi-pod and nice scope.  For those who know, it is a Mossberg Night Train 2.  (Got some serious gun envy looks walking out!)  Ok, I’m a pistol girl, it has been a long time since I felt out of my element, I didn’t understand everything he said, but I’m learning fast.  This looked like the perfect rifle for hunting.  I decided to get it, and they even gave me a little off because I was buying two!

As I was checking out, the owner opened each box, walked me through the contents, encouraged me to clean the gun before shooting it, with chemicals specifically made for guns, not something from the auto parts store.  He emphasized the owner’s manual, and asked if I had any questions.  Ok, I wasn’t surprised that this man was doing this, because I had seen him do it for the previous customer, who was a man.  But I was surprised in that NO ONE had ever done that for me when I bought a new gun!  This was so smart, I had to tell him that while I already knew quite a bit about firearms, I was so impressed that he took the time, and that I really appreciated it.  This should be the norm, not a surprise. 

Every person associated with this company was professional, knowledgeable, and helpful!  I have to give them a Blog Out, and encourage you to visit their Facebook Page to give them a like.  They were great!  Thank you to SWV Firearms!  You all set the bar pretty high!