This spring The Lone Star State will host thousands of Second Amendment enthusiasts at the 147th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits. On Thursday, May 3, at 5:00 p.m. in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, the National NRA Foundation Banquet will kick off the weekend of events in Dallas, Texas. Join more than 2,000 freedom-loving men and women to celebrate the Second Amendment while raising money for the future of shooting sports!
Premier sponsors of the banquet include Century Arms, Henry Repeating Arms and Kimber. Each sponsor will be attending and speaking about their company’s involvement in preserving American shooting traditions and investing in firearms education and training for youth, women, veterans and more. Their support is critical to the mission of The NRA Foundation, allowing it to continue to “Teach Freedom” as the country’s leading charitable organization in support of the shooting sports.
Attendees of the banquet will have the opportunity to play games sponsored by some of the largest firearms manufacturers in the country, including Colt, Lauer Custom Weaponry, Taurus and many others. Guests will also have their chance to bid in the live and silent auctions, which feature one-of-a-kind firearms, merchandise and gear.
The Polaris® Ranger® 570 Full Size, which features seating and comfort for three, best-in-class power and towing, 44 HP and a massive 1,5000 lbs. payload, will be auctioned off at the National NRA Foundation Banquet on May 3.
This year’s featured auction items are a Patriot 20mm Rifle and Shooting Experience from Big Shot Ranch and a Polaris® Ranger® 570 Full Size utility rec vehicle donated by Hoffpauir Polaris. The Big Shot Ranch Patriot 20mm Rifle and Shooting Experience features the largest rifle in the world plus the chance to shoot the "Super Seven" firearms at the Big Shot Ranch 67-acre property just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. The 8-foot-long Patriot 20mm Rifle boasts a three-mile effective range and comes with a Leupold Mark 5 scope and custom embellishment of patriotic flair. Don't miss this opportunity to have the ultimate unique firearms experience and make an unmatchable addition to your firearms collection. The Big Shot Ranch Rifle and Shooting Experience auction on GUNBROKER.comends May 3, so be sure to place your bid today!
Check out some of the other live auction items that will be featured at this year's highly-anticipated event*:
LCW15 DuraChrome™ 5.56 NATO Donated by Lauer Custom Weaponry
This LCW15 manufactured by Lauer Custom Weaponry is coated in their revolutionary product DuraChrome™. The coating creates the illusion of hard chrome through a two-step process that results in a mirror-like finish and a firearm that will surely be the most eye catching one at the range! This rifle is custom made for the 2018 NRA Annual Meetings.
Henry 20th Anniversary Edition Big Boy .44 Mag Donated by Henry Repeating Arms
An icon in the firearms industry, Henry Repeating Arms is proudly celebrating 20 years of American manufacturing. In observance of this anniversary, Henry Repeating Arms has created a special edition of its highly popular Big Boy .44 Magnum lever action rifle. The Anniversary Edition Big Boy features highly-detailed, hand-chased engraving on the brass receiver, hand-selected AAA Presentation-grade American Walnut, and special “One of Twenty” serial numbers.
Fox A Grade 20 Ga. Donated by Savage Arms
This iconic side-by-side is a replica of the original Fox A Grade sold by Savage in 1929, with additional features and components that ensure peak performance for today’s hunter. It handles gracefully, points naturally and hits hard, with the same style that has made all Fox shotguns the envy of collectors and serious shooters. The Chromox steel barrels topped with a solid game rib and brass bead sight are built for generations of hard use and elegant beauty that will last.
Daniel Defense M4A1 Deep Woods 5.56 NATO Donated by Daniel Defense
The Daniel Defense M4A1 features the M4A1 Rail Interface System (RIS) II, used by U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for the SOPMOD II Weapons System since 2005. This highly maneuverable rifle is built around a 14.5-inch cold hammer forged M4 profile barrel with a permanently attached pinned-and-welded Daniel Defense flash suppressor to reduce flash signature. The carbine-length gas system provides smooth and reliable cycling under any conditions. The M4A1 RIS II handguard has room for multiple accessories, including optics and lights, and soft Santoprene rail panels protect your hands from heat up to 300° F. The rifle is finished off with the rugged and comfortable Daniel Defense buttstock and pistol grip and is coated with a protective Cerakote finish in Daniel Defense® DEEP WOODS™.
SKB Shotguns Model 685 20 Ga. Donated by SKB Shotguns
Featured on the cover of the September 1992 issue of American Rifleman, this prototype for the Model 685 was manufactured in January of that year. A 24-karat gold-plated scene with roller-engraved arabesque scroll on the receiver, hand-etched pivots, and an engraved forend lever enhance this unique over-under shotgun.
FN M249S® PARA FDE 5.56 NATO Donated by FN America
Own the newest addition to the military collector series: the FN M249S® PARA, a semi-auto version of the currently contracted FN M249 PARA. The PARA was designed for airborne, armored infantry and close quarters combat operations with a shorter barrel and collapsible buttstock. It retains all of the features of the FN M249 SAW and can be field-converted back to the standard model configuration in just 30 seconds. The FN 249S platform uses a chrome-lined, cold hammer-forged barrel and makes the most of potential accuracy by incorporating closed-bolt firing, a robust gas system, and intelligent stock design.
The SABER M700 Precision Rifle is designed for recreational rifle shooters, hunters and rifle sports competitors that require the form, fit and functionality of an AR with the proven dependability and accuracy of the legendary Remington Model 700 bolt action rifle. Accurate, dependable and entirely reconfigurable, the new SABER M700 Precision Rifle is proudly made in the USA. It features the highly accurate Remington Model 700 ACC-SD barreled action and X-Mark Pro trigger, along with a new composite sporter forend. The lightweight, low-maintenance Asbury MRCS-AR modular rifle chassis needs no epoxy bedding to provide great accuracy in this precision-engineered rifle platform.
Trijicon Collector’s Edition ACOG Donated by Trijicon
In 2017 Trijicon celebrated the production of its one millionth 4x32 ACOG scope. The Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight gained popularity with the armed forces beginning with Operation Desert Storm, and it has been deployed on the Marine Corp Infantry rifle ever since. Today, you will find Trijicon’s ACOG on the rifles of many professional fighting forces around the world. To commemorate this great milestone, Trijicon created 100 collector's edition ACOGs with serial numbers 1,000,000 through 1,000,099, and it is donating one of these unique scopes to The NRA Foundation to help raise money to continue to educate and fight for hunting rights.
Flags of Valor Thin Blue Line flag signed by Sheriff David Clark Donated by Flags of Valor
The “Thin Blue Line” is a continuation of Flags of Valor’s tribute to first responders. Its name comes from the distinct heritage of the law enforcement family. These brave men and women serve honorably all over our nation and this flag combines our nation’s heritage with law enforcement’s history of the “long blue line” of service that preceded them. This flag has been signed by Sheriff David Clarke Jr.
7 Day Sable Hunt in Limpopo, South Africa Donated by Authentic African Adventures
Hunting Sable in the Limpopo bushveld is one of the finest hunting experiences South Africa has to offer, and Authentic African Adventures focuses on making your whole hunting trip a true African adventure. Owner Hanno van Rensburg has a special passion for people, nature and the African Bush and has given over 1000 clients and unforgettable experience in Africa. Be the next one to discover the majesty and excitement that awaits on 30,000 acers of some of South Africa’s most picturesque landscape filled with abundant wildlife. Available 2018-2020.
3 Day Texas Hog Hunt for 2 Donated by Independence Ranch/Texas Hog Hunts
Independence Ranch has been in operation for more than 15 years, offering world-class hog hunting adventures in south and central Texas. The main lodge ranch has been in continuous operation by the same family since 2002. It is their goal to provide a comfortable and safe environment for all of their hunters. Get deep in the heart of Texas as you experience the unique thrills of hog hunting. Available May 2018-May 2019.
2 Day Duck and Goose Hunt for 2 in Louisiana Donated by ShellShocked Guide Service
In the heart of duck hunting country you will find ShellShocked Guide Service and Lodge. They offer fully guided waterfowl hunts in Central Louisiana including Catahoula Lake and Louisiana Delta Plantation. Enjoy the newly renovated loge with meals prepared by their in-house chef. Available 2018-2019 season.
10 Day Namibia Hunt Donated by Bergzicht Game Lodge
Experience a beautiful Namibian hunting ranch with unspoiled desert landscapes and unconfined wild spaces containing 22 different species of African plains game. During your exclusive African adventure you will have the camp to yourself and even have the opportunity to see rhinos and feed domesticated cheetahs! Your host and professional hunter Hannes du Plessis has been a professional hunter for more than 16 years and lived on Bergzicht for more than 30, allowing him to lead you on a successful, safe, and unforgettable hunt. Available March-November 2018.
3 Day Whitetail Hunt for 2 in Illinois Donated by Muddy Creek Whitetails
Muddy Creek Whitetails lies in the top three counties in Illinois for trophy whitetail deer. Year after year they have hit the top three for Boone & Crocket bucks—the largest buck taken on this farm during the 2016-2017 season was a 177-inch whitetail. Experience some of the best private land hunting in Central IL on just under 1,000 acres of prime habitat. Muddy Creek is a small Outfitter that focuses on quality hunts, not quantity, so this late season muzzleloader hunt is sure to be one to remember. Available 2018 muzzleloader season.
7 Day Nyala Hunt for 2 in Limpopo, South Africa Donated by Numzaan Safaris
With more than 400,000 acres, Numzaan Safaris is one of the leading outfitters in South Africa. Numzaan has an absolute commitment to quality and offers exceptional trophies and service in a picture perfect setting. This family run operation has an exceptional love and passion for nature, conservation, and hunting. This guided hunt is guaranteed to make you want to come back for more! Includes trophy fees for one Nyala for each hunter. Available March-October 2018-2019.
NRA Annual Meetings is May 4-6 in Dallas, Texas. Join The NRA Foundation in The Long Star State and buy your tickets today for the National NRA Foundation Banquet!