indy1919a4
Member
I think next week they are having a big Gun show in Lakeland Florida.. Any good tips.??? Anything special to look for???
Thinking of going to the Central Florida Arms show in Lakeland FL any tips
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earlthegoat2
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Jerky and socks?
I always look for used optics and used reloading/casting gear. Interesting 44 cal bullets too. 444 Marlin ammo/brass. Interesting Marlin lever actions. Found and 1894 22 mag at one years ago. Also found a Remington 760 Carbine in .280. Paid $300 and they can get over $2000 at the right auction.
I’ve found if I go to gun shows not looking for guns, then I enjoy the show a lot more. They tend to not have what I am after which are older lever guns, pump action rifles, and pre lock Smiths. Nowadays all they have are brand new black plastic but mostly ARs and AR accessories.
What are you interested in?
I always look for used optics and used reloading/casting gear. Interesting 44 cal bullets too. 444 Marlin ammo/brass. Interesting Marlin lever actions. Found and 1894 22 mag at one years ago. Also found a Remington 760 Carbine in .280. Paid $300 and they can get over $2000 at the right auction.
I’ve found if I go to gun shows not looking for guns, then I enjoy the show a lot more. They tend to not have what I am after which are older lever guns, pump action rifles, and pre lock Smiths. Nowadays all they have are brand new black plastic but mostly ARs and AR accessories.
What are you interested in?
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indy1919a4
Member
Gee, you are honestly breaking my heart
That's horrible when something as wondrous as a gun show can cause such distress.. I am interested in seeing and maybe buying something cool.. Honestly if I knew what I was looking for I would just look for it online and buy it..
That used to be a really good show, when they only ran it twice a year, just the spring and fall. They opened a summer show and changed the venue. Now, it's not bad, but not as good as it once was. There does tend to be a higher percentage of private collections there, so if you're interested in older and/or rare finds, it's the show to go to. Last time I went, I found a Colt 1903 in very nice shape for under $600...probably should have picked it up. Less in the way of jerky and airsoft type vendors at this show compared to the Tampa show. You can find some decent milsurps, prices may not be stellar but they're there. Also saw a Rogak...awful gun, but interesting as an oddity.
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indy1919a4
Member
Cool, thanks I like older guns... You know.. is anything as good as it was????? Heck I know I am not
earlthegoat2
Member
Doesn’t stop me from going to them and I do still enjoy them.
Bring several hundred dollars since cash is king in negotiating price out the door.
Bring nothing smaller than $20s and have several $100 bills. Keep them all separated and segregated in $200 bundles (5x$20 + 1x$100) and keep two bundles in each pocket so you know where they are. This helps in keeping track of what you spent.
The guys at the tables have expenses to cover and may not be motivated to deal while the people lugging things around are generally interested in flipping what they have. Don't hesitate to ask someone what they are carrying and if they want to sell it.
If an old knife looks interesting don't be surprised if it turns out to be valuable. A lot of retirees have very nice collections they're liquidating.
Bring nothing smaller than $20s and have several $100 bills. Keep them all separated and segregated in $200 bundles (5x$20 + 1x$100) and keep two bundles in each pocket so you know where they are. This helps in keeping track of what you spent.
The guys at the tables have expenses to cover and may not be motivated to deal while the people lugging things around are generally interested in flipping what they have. Don't hesitate to ask someone what they are carrying and if they want to sell it.
If an old knife looks interesting don't be surprised if it turns out to be valuable. A lot of retirees have very nice collections they're liquidating.
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indy1919a4
Member
Hey want to thank you for that comment, I did not know of that gun.. Neat back story on it...
pharmer
Member
I have been going since the early 1980's. It's different from the "Traveling Shoot Straight stores" shows of late. Lots of obscure old gun parts, guns you have never seen. If you are looking for the latest plastic guns and gadgets this ain't it. Problem with this show is you never know what you'll get. Even at the old Lakeland Center venue you could go and have a packed house, lots of walk in traffic/deals. Other times a single room with lots of empty tables (a couple years back the PA came on and said: "Spread your stuff out on empty tables"). 20 years ago I'd go by myself and trade around the afternoon and leave with $300 more than I got there with, or a "free" gun. At least you can trade freely (for now), just be sure to ask to see Florida DL, there are "eyes" in the crowd. Enjoy, I'm going. Joe
Dunross
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I make it a point of never going there looking for anything specific. But, I have always found stuff that I am interested in and have never left one empty handed. The old and the used is what I'm looking for. Still one of the better shows in the state.
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indy1919a4
Member
Went to the Show Saturday, there were alot of real nice old guns,, Alot of Walkins. Many times you had to really be alert to actually see the walk in guns.. Many Sold quite quickly..
There were some real nice looking guns.. Picked up a pretty nice Volley Gun
There were some real nice looking guns.. Picked up a pretty nice Volley Gun
BlueHeelerFl
Member
Vero Beach, FL has a gun show next weekend, Sept 28th and 29th.
I don't have money for guns, but maybe some ammo or mags
I don't have money for guns, but maybe some ammo or mags
pharmer
Member
Yes, good crowd, lots of walk ins and the A/C was working. I didn't buy anything though, not for lack of availability. Worth the trip (150 mi R/T). Joe
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indy1919a4
Member
You know when you have a show like this with alot of unusually items, you do not really need to buy something, you get your horizons expanded and then you can start looking for those items... I hate when you see a new item, you do not have a clue of the price is good.. then years later you realize that the original price was best.. ha ha ha
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indy1919a4
Member
So you had me going on that Rogak.. So had followed this auction on Gunbroker ... It seems like it was a perfect example to get a price...
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/832018989
I know they had problems, but that is a pretty good price for a rarer gun.
I had never heard of one until I happened to see the video Forgotten Weapons did on it. Apparently the Styer GB that it is a clone of is a pretty good gun with an interesting gas delayed operating system, but the Rogak's manufacturing tolerances were such that they were not so much delayed, but more of a blowback 9mm. If I recall, the price I saw it for at the show was something like $600. The Gunbroker price seem a bit more inline with what it should be. Some guns are rare for a reason
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indy1919a4
Member
If I recall, the price I saw it for at the show was something like $600. The Gunbroker price seem a bit more inline with what it should be. Some guns are rare for a reason
Yeah, not that is a good point.. You see some high asking prices on GB also. But 200+ for a gun with design problems seems more in line.. I do want to thank yo for that heads up on this..
kBob
Member
Too bad we did not get together for lunch or something in Lakeland there seems to have been a number of THR folks there on Saturday!
And I looked at the Rogak there this time myself.
Saw a nice Spencer Rifle and two Spencer Carbines of ACW vintage on three different tables. A lot of interesting stuff.
How about those weird airplanes???? Everyone should have a jet seaplane fighter in their front yards!
-kBob
And I looked at the Rogak there this time myself.
Saw a nice Spencer Rifle and two Spencer Carbines of ACW vintage on three different tables. A lot of interesting stuff.
How about those weird airplanes???? Everyone should have a jet seaplane fighter in their front yards!
-kBob
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indy1919a4
Member
There is another show down the line
By the way the Tulsa Gun show is just next month...
By the way the Tulsa Gun show is just next month...
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