Iowa based Volquartsen provides 1911 shooters with a .22 lower alternative

Las Vegas, Nevada - Hard charging firearm aficionados know the name Volquartsen. But for the rest of the public, they probably didn't know anything about them until Dustin Ellermann made his improbably golf ball shot with a Volquartsen .22 rifle on History Channel's top rated shooting show Top Shot. That's when the rest of you took notice.

Based in Carroll, Iowa, this basement based start-up rose from a custom bluing shop into one of the premier 10/22 manufacturers in the world. But they didn't stop there. They went on to make their mark on the rimfire, .22 pistol and .223 field as well. Recently, however, they decided to concentrate on the pistols.

More on the Volquartsen Custom pistols ...

Outdoor power, lighting and navigation supplier is Friends of NRA title sponsor

Las Vegas, Nevada - The Brunton Company was one of our first stops during day one of SHOT Show at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. Why there? Because they produce some of the finest hunting and outdoor accessories on the market today. A favorite being from their portable power line.

"Our portable power units (like the Resync) have some serious horsepower," said Brunton Outdoors President Erron Sorrenson. "You can charge your phone several times, your iPad several times, just about anything you need when you're out hunting, camping or even the office."

How's that for easing the pain usually associated with bringing tech into the field? And the best part is, it takes less then an hour to charge the Resync to full power.

"It might take you six hours if you're using solar," Sorrenson stated. "Where some companies are focused solely on solar, we see that as only one way of getting power to the battery. We're all about get power out into the field."

More on Brunton and their Friends of NRA connection ...

Brownells CEO opens Youth Ambassador lunch, Top Shot Franco finishes

Las Vegas, Nevada - A few perks come along with being CEO of one of America's top firearm accessories and supplies. Sure, there are the long hours, endless board meetings and the constant pressure to hit financial targets and goals. But on the other side, there's the opportunity to make an impression with the future of America's shooting sports.

For Pete Brownell, that's made possible by sponsoring the NRA's Youth Shooting Sports Ambassador's Program.

More on the Brownells/NRA National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadora ...

Las Vegas, Nevada - Morning came early today as the 2013 SHOT Show at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. Expected to shatter last year's recording setting attendance numbers, the 35th Annual Show promises to finish as one of the largest shows in Vegas.

More on the first images of SHOT Show...

Las Vegas, Nevada - The 2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada opens at 8:30 Pacific Standard Time.

Waiting in the wings are thousands of vendors, dealers, manufacturers, writers and more to see the latest from the shooting sports industry. Though there are rumors abound, both good and bad, no one can be sure what to expect until the doors are opened and the day is underway.

For the National Rifle Association, one of the biggest events of the day promises to be the launch of NRANews on the Sportsman Channel. Broadcasting live from the show floor from 5:00 to 6:00 Eastern Standard Time, sources tell us that NRA Executive Vice President will be the first guest. As if anyone else would do.

More on the opening of SHOT Show 2013 ...

NRAblog tries out the latest and greatest at SHOT Show's special press event

Las Vegas, Nevada - Even though it's the desert, you can't say Nevada is particularly warm in the middle of January. But a little cold air couldn't stop NRAblog and other members of the media from trying out some of the latest and greatest gear and gadgets in the shooting and outdoors industry at SHOT Show's Media Day at the Range. Everything featured at today's event can be seen on the expo floor this week but, unlike at the convention, vendor booths were set up for hands-on testing.

More from SHOT Show's Media Day at the Range ...

The people you meet on the plane, at the airport and in the hotel SHOT Show

Las Vegas, Nevada - 2,400 miles west of Washington, DC is the city of Las Vegas. The place where thousands from the shooting, hunting and outdoor trade are arriving this week for the 2013 SHOT Show. Most are coming out today. Others, like me, made the trip last night. And I'm glad I did.

More on first steps at the 2013 SHOT Show in Vegas ...

Putting things in place for the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

Fairfax, Virginia - The streets and hotels of Las Vegas, Nevada are currently filled with those attending CES — the International Consumer Electronic Show. Next week the focus will be SHOT — the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show. And that's where we're going to be too.

Friends and family usually ooh and aah after hearing I get to spend a week in Vegas. They shouldn't get too carried away. Here's the problem.

More on the 2013 SHOT Show ...

SHOT Show in Vegas starts Lars's Top Ten story list for 2012

As the calendar grows ever closer to 2013, thoughts of 2012 come flooding back. The places we've traveled, the things we've seen and the people we've met. Though too numerous to name everyone and all in a collection of articles, there were a few that stood out. And here's where we begin.

Over the next week or so, we'll share those stories, posts and pictures from our favorite moments captured right here on NRAblog.

Story #10 is the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada ...