When was the last time that you were interested in purchasing a firearm where the dealer in the shop said it was “OK” to take it out for a test firing to make sure it is want you hoped it would be? Have any of the big box stores allowed you to check out a firearm for the afternoon to fire a round or two at the nearby range — before you actually purchased it? If you are like most folks, being able to handle and fire a particular handgun, shotgun or rifle before you paid for it in full is something you’ve always wished was available, but knew better than to even ask about! Well, now you have just that opportunity!

WHAT: The 2019 Shooting Expo sponsored by National Sporting Goods and National Range & Armory. Free admission and free parking.

WHEN: Saturday, September 21 from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.

WHERE: At the Consolidated Sportsmen of Lycoming County, 6386 State Route 87, Williamsport, PA (north of Montoursville). Free admission and free parking.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: It truly is a once-a-year opportunity to have “hands on” and actually fire a variety of handguns, rifles and shotguns. Many manufacturers’ representatives will be in attendance to answer any of your questions and to explain the details and benefits of various models on hand. It is NOT a gun show! It is an all day live-fire event, where you get to do the firing! You pay only for the ammunition you shoot.

Firearms brands such as Benelli, Glock, Walther, Savage, Mossberg, Kimber, Ruger, Colt, Remington, Bushmaster, Blaser and Franchi, as well as others, will be there. Optics companies, including Zeiss and Vortex will have items on site, and there will be silencers and other accessories.

This is an all day event, so come early and stay late. If you get hungry, there will be food trucks on site serving pizza, wings and fries. There is no age limit, but anyone under 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult. Door prizes will be given out every 30 minutes and winners will be called/texted and must be present to win. Winners have 30 minutes to claim their prize, which may include hats, t-shirts, equipment, optics or a firearm!

When you register, don’t forget to pick up your Range Crawl punch card. As you visit the various manufacturers on the card, get it punched and then turn it in for a chance to win a $500 gift card or one of two $250 gift cards. By visiting the Glock booth, you will score your chance to win a Glock. While there, if you participate in the Glock G45 MOS Steel Challenge, you will have a second chance to win a standard Glock handgun of your choice. Don’t forget to get your Range Crawl card punched while you are there. If you visit the Mossberg Youth Shooting Area, you might win one of multiple guns from Whitetails Unlimited.

There will also be a long range challenge at the High Power Range, where you can take aim at targets over 500 yards away. And if all of that is not enough, several of the manufacturer participants will offer exciting deals to those in attendance.

All-in-all, it is a once-a-year opportunity that any serious hunter or shooter should not pass up. This all-day, hands-on live-fire event is unique and we are lucky to have it in our area — it is a rare offering that you should definitely take advantage of. Did I mention Free Admission and Free Parking? See you there!