By: George Perry

The 2026 SHOT Show roared to life with a flawless start as clear blue skies and warm desert sunshine welcomed industry professionals to Industry Day at the Range, the highly anticipated opening event that set the tone for one of the biggest weeks in the shooting, hunting, tactical, and outdoor industries. Held just outside Las Vegas, this hands-on experience once again proved why SHOT Show remains the most influential trade gathering of its kind.

From live-fire demonstrations to groundbreaking product debuts, the opening day delivered energy, innovation, and momentum that carried straight into the opening of the SHOT Show exhibit floor.

Industry Day at the Range: Where It All Begins

Industry Day at the Range has become a signature kickoff for SHOT Show, offering qualified media, buyers, and industry professionals the chance to experience products in the environment they were designed for — the range itself. Against the scenic backdrop of the Nevada desert, attendees moved from bay to bay, engaging directly with manufacturers and testing the latest gear under real-world conditions.

Unlike traditional trade show displays, this outdoor event allows firearms, optics, ammunition, and tactical equipment to be evaluated hands-on. Attendees could feel recoil, assess ergonomics, test optics clarity, and evaluate performance immediately — making Industry Day a critical proving ground for new releases.

The event followed a structured format, with early access reserved for media and influencers, ensuring focused coverage and in-depth content creation, while the afternoon welcomed retailers, distributors, and invited industry guests. Shuttle transportation ensured seamless movement between Las Vegas and the range, keeping the experience efficient and accessible.

Gear Takes Center Stage

The heart of Industry Day at the Range is innovation, and 2026 delivered on every level. Firearms manufacturers showcased new platforms, refined triggers, and updated materials aimed at improving reliability and performance. Ammunition brands demonstrated advancements in consistency, ballistics, and specialized loads designed for both tactical and sporting applications.

Optics manufacturers drew steady crowds, offering hands-on demonstrations of enhanced reticles, advanced illumination systems, and improved durability. Attendees tested scopes and red dots across various distances, gaining firsthand impressions of clarity and responsiveness.

Tactical gear and accessories also played a major role, with brands unveiling new holster designs, body-worn equipment, protective gear, and modular systems built for adaptability and comfort. Outdoor and hunting companies highlighted lightweight materials, weather-resistant apparel, and equipment designed to withstand rugged environments.

The hands-on nature of the event allowed for real conversations between designers, engineers, and end users — a rare and valuable exchange that often shapes final production refinements.

Early Buzz and Industry Momentum

Industry Day at the Range is more than a demo event — it’s a launchpad. Many of the products tested here would dominate conversations throughout the week. Early impressions gathered on the range often guide buyer interest, media coverage, and retailer decisions long before orders are placed.

Brands leveraged the opportunity to tell their stories directly, explaining design choices, performance upgrades, and the real-world problems their products solve. For attendees, this access created a deeper understanding of the gear beyond spec sheets and brochures.

The atmosphere was energetic yet focused, with professionals moving efficiently between exhibits, cameras rolling, notebooks filling, and deals beginning to take shape.

The SHOT Show Floor Opens

Following the excitement of Industry Day, the action shifted indoors as the SHOT Show exhibit floor officially opened in Las Vegas. Spanning multiple venues, the show floor transformed into a massive marketplace of innovation, featuring thousands of exhibitors across hundreds of thousands of square feet.

Walking the floor felt like stepping into the future of the industry. Booths ranged from towering, high-tech displays by established manufacturers to compact, detail-driven setups from emerging brands. Every aisle revealed something new — from cutting-edge firearm designs to next-generation accessories and apparel.

Dedicated sections highlighted archery, hunting retail, tactical solutions, and supply chain services, making navigation easier while still encouraging discovery. The scale of the event reinforced SHOT Show’s role as the central meeting point for the global shooting and outdoor industries.

Day One Highlights Beyond the Booths

The first day of SHOT Show extended well beyond the exhibit floor. Industry networking events created space for meaningful connections, informal discussions, and relationship building. From welcome receptions to after-hours mixers, attendees had opportunities to connect in relaxed settings after a full day on their feet.

Special showcases highlighted suppliers and service providers essential to the industry’s backbone, while charitable initiatives emphasized safety education and youth shooting programs. These moments added purpose to the show, reminding attendees that the industry’s impact extends beyond commerce.

A celebratory tone marked the opening day, blending business with pride in craftsmanship, innovation, and community.

A Strong Start to an Unforgettable Week

The combination of a sun-drenched Industry Day at the Range and a high-energy opening on the SHOT Show floor made it clear that 2026 was off to a powerful start. Attendees left Day One energized, informed, and ready for the days ahead.

From hands-on testing in the desert to the expansive exhibits in Las Vegas, the opening of the 2026 SHOT Show showcased the industry at its best — forward-thinking, collaborative, and driven by innovation. As conversations continued and discoveries unfolded, one thing was certain: the momentum built on Day One would carry through the entire week and beyond.

For official updates, schedules, and highlights from the opening day of the 2026 SHOT Show, visit the SHOT Show website and explore the Day 1 highlights section. https://shotshow.org/