Trade Show
Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show
The Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show is a regional firearms, knives, and outdoor sportsman trade show organized by C & E Gun Shows and held at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex in Winston-Salem, North Carolina…
Directory listing reviewed June 2026
About Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show
Overview
The Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show is a regional firearms, knives, and outdoor sportsman trade show organized by C & E Gun Shows and held at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It brings together licensed dealers, specialty knife makers, accessories vendors, and private collectors for a weekend of buying, selling, and trading firearms, ammunition, knives, tactical gear, and related products under a regulated, indoor show environment.
What to Expect
The Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show is part of the multi-city calendar operated by C & E Gun Shows, Inc., which lists Winston-Salem dates on August 8–9, November 28–29, and December 19–20, 2026. For the August edition, attendees can expect a traditional regional gun show experience in an indoor, climate-controlled hall at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex, configured with rows of exhibitor tables and retail booths. Visitors typically encounter licensed firearm dealers (FFLs) offering new and used handguns, rifles, and shotguns, along with specialty vendors focusing on collectible and antique arms, military surplus, and historical pieces. Knife exhibitors showcase production and custom blades, everyday carry knives, hunting and skinning tools, and multi-tools suitable for outdoor and tactical use. Supporting product categories usually include optics and scopes, magazines, slings, cases, holsters, cleaning supplies, ammunition, body armor, and personal defense accessories. Shows promoted by C & E Gun Shows commonly emphasize compliance with federal and state firearms regulations, including background checks on applicable firearm transfers handled by FFLs. Attendees should therefore plan for normal purchasing procedures: valid ID, completion of required forms, and potential wait times depending on transaction volume. Many exhibitors welcome questions from new buyers and first-time gun owners, providing informal guidance on selection, safety, and maintenance. Beyond direct retail, the Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show also functions as a networking and information hub for local shooting ranges, training instructors, hunting outfitters, gun clubs, and related organizations, which often maintain a presence through tables, flyers, and sign-up sheets. This makes the event a convenient one-stop setting for exploring training options, range memberships, and community activities connected to responsible firearms ownership and use.
Who Should Attend
The Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show is appropriate for a broad range of participants whose interests align with firearms, knives, and outdoor and tactical equipment. Core attendees include sport shooters and hunters looking for new firearms, ammunition, optics, and field gear suitable for range use or hunting seasons. Collectors of historical firearms, military memorabilia, and custom knives will find opportunities to inspect rare or unique items in person, negotiate trades, and connect with specialist dealers who focus on particular periods, manufacturers, or styles. The show also serves self-defense and personal protection consumers who want to evaluate carry options, including handguns, holsters, concealment clothing, and non-lethal defense tools, alongside expert advice from experienced vendors. Outdoor enthusiasts—such as campers, hikers, and preparedness-minded buyers—may benefit from the broad selection of survival gear, multi-tools, knives, lighting, and storage solutions typically offered across the vendor floor. Licensed firearms dealers, gunsmiths, and small retailers can use the event to source inventory, meet new supply partners, and gauge customer preferences in the regional market. Trainers, range operators, and shooting sports organizations may attend to promote services and programs and to stay visible within the local community. While families sometimes attend together, all visitors should be aware that show rules and state law govern who may handle or purchase firearms and ammunition, which normally requires adult supervision for minors and legal eligibility for any buyer. Prospective attendees who are new to gun shows and simply want to learn more about firearms, safety, or collecting may also find the environment useful, as many exhibitors are willing to answer questions and offer practical guidance.
Why It Matters
The Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show is significant within the regional firearms and outdoor market because it concentrates multiple segments of the industry—dealers, collectors, accessories vendors, and service providers—into a single, time-bounded marketplace. For consumers, this creates an opportunity to compare products directly across many tables, assess fit and function in person, and negotiate pricing, which can be difficult to match through online-only channels. As part of the C & E Gun Shows network, the event contributes to an established circuit that helps sustain small firearms businesses, custom knife makers, and niche accessory suppliers who rely on show revenue and face-to-face contact with their customer base. This recurring schedule in Winston-Salem reinforces continuity for returning exhibitors and attendees, fostering longer-term relationships, repeat business, and word-of-mouth recommendations. The show also plays a role in information and safety culture around firearms. By bringing together licensed dealers, instructors, and experienced enthusiasts, it offers informal education on safe handling, storage, legal requirements, and suitable equipment for different use cases—from hunting to sport shooting to home defense. Such exposure can assist new owners in making responsible, informed choices about firearms and related gear. For the local economy, events at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex draw visiting buyers and sellers, generating ancillary spending on lodging, food, fuel, and other services. The show date pattern across the year (including the August, November, and December 2026 editions) helps distribute this impact seasonally. From a directory and discovery standpoint, listing the Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show with accurate dates, organizer and venue details, and clearly framed audience information aids both regular gun show attendees and first-time visitors in planning travel and purchases. Because C & E Gun Shows manages exhibitor registration centrally and keeps dates current on its site, the event can be treated as a reliable entry within the broader landscape of U.S. gun and knife trade shows.
Venue & directions
Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex
Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Winston-Salem, USA
Frequently Asked Questions
The Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show is scheduled for August 8–9, 2026. Show hours, per C & E Gun Shows, are typically Saturday 9:00 am–5:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am–5:00 pm, though visitors should verify times on the organizer’s site before traveling.
The show is held at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The fairgrounds complex provides an indoor exhibition hall setup suitable for firearms and knife trade shows. Visitors should confirm the exact building and gate information on the organizer’s website or show flyer before arrival.
Public information from C & E Gun Shows indicates a general admission fee of around $12 per adult, with children 12 and under admitted free at their North Carolina shows. Tickets are normally sold at the door during show hours, and some events may offer printable coupons or promotions through the organizer’s website. Always check the official event page for current admission price, accepted payment methods, and any discount offers.
The show is organized by C & E Gun Shows, Inc., a long-running gun show promoter operating events across multiple states. Their official website provides show dates, exhibitor registration details, coupons, and contact information for vendors and attendees. Any changes to dates, status, or venue will be posted by C & E Gun Shows on their site, so directory users should treat that as the authoritative source.
Exhibitor setup, table pricing, and registration for the Winston-Salem Gun & Knife Show are managed centrally by C & E Gun Shows through their Exhibitor Registration portal. New vendors are required to submit a deposit per table, and standard gun show rules apply, including compliance with federal and state firearms laws, display requirements, and insurance expectations. Prospective exhibitors should consult the exhibitor registration page or contact the organizer directly for current table fees, deadlines, and regulations.
Attendees can expect a show floor featuring modern and collectible firearms, ammunition, knives and edged tools, optics, holsters, magazines, tactical gear, survival and preparedness supplies, and related accessories. Many shows of this type also include gunsmith services, parts and components, and educational conversations with experienced dealers and collectors. All sales and transfers are conducted according to federal and state law, and background checks are required where applicable, typically handled by licensed FFL dealers on-site.
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