There are almost as many reasons to visit the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits as there are visitors. Whether you're there because you're shopping for something specific, wanting to learn a new skillset at a seminar, or just hoping to feast your eyes on some of the most amazing firearms in the world, we have something for you here in Atlanta, Georgia. In fact, there are whole categories and sub-categories of "amazing." For example, there are multiple places to view (or even order for purchase!) the Colt handguns you didn't know existed outside of dreams.
Naturally, the first place to start is the official Colt booth.
Of course, the company is showcasing all of their latest and greatest additions to the market, as well as tried-and-true standbys. But if you head over to the corner, you may notice a gentleman who's actually doing custom engraving on Colts right there in the booth. You can watch him work, and ask questions if you like; another thing you can do is order a custom Colt from the company's custom shop.
Or, you can simply stand there in awe and look at just how jewelry, metalwork, engraving, and art come together into a 1911 or a revolver. Twenty-four karat gold-chased inlays, gemstones, engraved cattle brands ... "the sky's the limit."
Next, head over to the Collectors area.
There, you'll find several dozen booths that include preservation societies and vendors alike. There, you can check out museum-quality vintage firearms as well as customized guns. It is the customized guns that the Colt enthusiast should seek out, because as it turns out, customizing Colts is a cottage industry all its own! (Of course, most of these bespoke-Colt creators also work with other firearms manufacturers, but that's another article.)
Altamont Company has some truly fascinating customized guns on hand, and there's a real sense of humor on display along with the firearms. For example, after having heard that "the 1911 is a dinosaur," the company created what they call the "Dinosaur-Meteorite" Colt, a 1911 engraved with fantastic detail of dinosaur bones and ancient earth.
Then there's Custom & Collectable, which has an entire Colt Collection, featuring custom engraving and grips on Colt Pythons, Anacondas, and 1911s. Our favorite from the ones on display was the Colt 1911 "Gator," which features a slide and grip that's wrapped in real alligator leather, and diamond sights. (Yes, we mean diamonds as in the gemstones, not some innovative new peep-sight arrangement.)
The NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits runs through Sunday, April 26 at 5 p.m., so there's plenty of time left to come check out these, and all of the 14 acres of guns and gear on display. We hope to see you here!
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