There are some events you love to see remain unchanged. The Tulsa, Oklahoma gun show—the largest in the world, boasting over 4,200 exhibitor tables—is one of them.
Let’s be clear: here, a gun show is truly a gun show. Between 90% and 95% of the tables feature firearms, accessories, and ammunition for sale or display. Conversations revolve around guns, mechanics, history, and ballistics; in fact, many visitors—after presenting their unloaded firearms to security—walk around carrying them, in full compliance with local regulations. You even run into enthusiasts wearing sandwich-board signs advertising what they have for sale... inside their bags!
The show spans three days, with the first reserved exclusively for industry professionals. Attendance is high, yet the atmosphere remains relaxed and friendly. Security concerns seem a world away on this side of the Atlantic: at many booths, exhibitors even leave their tables unattended, displaying only a mobile phone number so they can be reached.
As you wander the aisles, you find an incredible array of firearms: collector’s pieces, hunting and target guns, and self-defense weapons, alongside all manner of accessories—standard or custom magazines, reloading equipment, and ammunition in every caliber.
One of the fascinating aspects of major American gun shows is their educational dimension. Certain tables—often in prime locations—are dedicated to themed displays focusing on a specific model, brand, or historical period. This year, the stars of the show were the Colt Python and Browning firearms. The exhibitors also include major American auction houses, which come to showcase a preview of prestigious pieces from their upcoming sales—enough to whet the appetites of even the most discerning collectors.
The fair winds down around noon on Sunday, even though the official closing time is set for mid-afternoon. Many exhibitors have a long drive home, and the majority of transactions are finalized on Saturday.
This unmissable event takes place twice a year, and needless to say, we will do our utmost not to miss the next edition.