Published on March 24, 2023
It was nice to be back in Nuremberg. After a few years away, it’s definitely worth the trip all over again. And as a family business, you naturally go… with your family members.
Meeting old friends and business associates in a real “weapons environment.” So: chatter and gunfire. People getting in the way with their rolling suitcases (because they’re going to sit in their hotel rooms and read through all the brochures again :-). Exhibitors and visitors of all nationalities devouring hamburgers and bratwurst.
The firearms trade is no different from regular business... You have to know the right people and build a relationship with them. Do you think you can build a solid partnership just by sending emails? Unfortunately... You have to be able to look each other in the eye—only then do you know if it’s going to work out. And so you have to do that every year—and, if possible, visit your manufacturers later in the year.
The traditional firearms trade is made up of family-run businesses. And that works out well because: The same is true for the customers. Back in the day, all the boys in the neighborhood had a rifle or an air pistol. That’s become a bit less common now, but: There’s a good chance you’ll take up shooting if your father or mother does or did the same. Because shooting—and everything that goes with it—is a wonderful hobby for life. You can just keep doing it well into old age (ahem)...
Here’s a “action shot.” At the RTI Arms booth, where they were once again explaining some exciting new features and improvements. Of course, I’m standing right on top of it because… well, it’s just more convenient for people who are nearsighted and have suffered some significant hearing loss from years of shooting. The next generation stays a little further back because they can see and hear much better anyway :-).
The orders have been placed again (it’s a trade show), and we’ll go into more detail once they’re almost here. Otherwise, you’ll just end up forgetting about them. So, good news is coming from RTI Arms, Air Arms, Sightron (spectacular!), JSB, EDgun, Valiant, and Taipan.