I miss gun shows in this time of virus

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I know it is fashionable to bad mouth gun shows and gun magazines these days. But I miss going to the gun shows here in Springfield, MO since the nasty bug invaded us. Crowded, noisy, overpriced mostly, but I love them.

The RK Gunshows (I have no connection to the enterprise at all) are held about every two or three months at the Ozark Empire Fair Grounds. Both rooms in the huge exhibition building are full. Hard for me to estimate numbers, but easily a couple hundred tables and maybe 800 folks in there on Saturday morning. It's crowded! There is a fellow who brings vintage Smith and Wesson revolvers for sale. When he sees me he smiles and when I see him I smile because we both know something is going to happen. I love bumping into friends unexpectedly and seeing what they have bought. We are lucky here in flyover country to still have gun shows with guns for sale. At least 6 of the guns I presently own were purchased at a gun show.

An acquaintance recently moved to Springfield from Southern California. He was amazed at the first gun show he visited in Springfield. Nothing like California, he said. Missouri shows may not be as big as the Wanenmacher Show in Tulsa, OK, but they are big enough for me. My feet hurt after walking all the aisles at our local shows.

To blazes with the dang virus, bring me a gun show! Yeah, I would wear a mask if they require it; bring it on.
 
It's going to be interesting to see under what conditions gun shows could return. It goes without saying that face masks would be required. And tables would have to be spaced wider apart (meaning that the aisles would be much wider). The number of attendees would have to be limited, based on the square footage of the venue. When that number is reached, no more people would be allowed in until enough people leave. The main problem, in terms of the virus, is simply that gun shows are typically overcrowded. The people are too close together.

These changes would undoubtedly make the experience more pleasant for the attendees. But could the shows remain economically viable with a lower attendance?

ETA: I might add that (in terms of social distancing) a weak point was the long lines of people waiting to buy tickets and to get in. This could be remedied by pre-selling the tickets exclusively over the Internet. It would be first come, first served as far as capacity and entrance times. You would print out a ticket that had an entrance time on it. This would space out the arrivals. And, no money would be changing hands at the door.
 
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At least people now have less of a reason to feel offended.
And they are no longer “forced” to pay for bldg. entrance and sometimes parking.
This must be a feeling of liberation!

I was disappointed almost every time over the last 5-7 years or so with the lack of both foreign-made, and somewhat modern handguns and the various milsurps.

But though I’m fairly Dim, it was clear that most countries Never Had gun shows except for retail dealers and govt. agencies.
 
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Yep. I miss the shows too!

I rarely buy anything new, other than ammo or reloading components, it's the used stuff that I look for.

But, just at the moment I want to pick up more powder and primers.
 
Yeah I kind of miss the old weekend gun shows too. Usually went on Sunday morning with a couple of buddies of mine and we always had a good time, even if we didn't buy anything. Just nice to get out after a long boring winter to check out the same guns with the same high prices at the same tables, just as it was before!
 
Every time I drive to Fort Worth on I-30 where there is a billboard advertising a FW gun show in March, which reminds me, every time, that the last trip was Right at Valentine's Day.

Gun Shows are all unique, each one is a little bit different than the next, and in the next State over , a completely different experience. I like the "Original FW Gun Show" (which is Premiere, IIRC). Don't always come home with goodies, but, I make the trip anyway. Market Hall is not bad, just a longer drive. And, my buddy José doesn't go to Market Hall to sell hand-rolled cigars.
 
As a new gun owner looking forward to them when they come back. Just wish I had a CWP so I could take home that day from the dealers.
 
I miss gun shows as well. Things will return to normal when we achieve "herd immunity," which will take much longer than it should have since our illustrious leaders shut the economy down because a virus almost as lethal as THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN nearly killed everything with red blood on the entire planet. :scrutiny::uhoh:
 
I went to my first and possibly only gun show last summer in PHX. A bunch of overpriced and offbrand stuff to say the least. I felt like I was in Mexico buying a bad stilletto as a teenager. I left with almost nothing, except some targets that were too expensive, just cause I liked the guy. Deals on ammo? NOT! There was another show a few months later, that turns out to be THE show of the year. I had no idea until I saw people at the range with stuff and prices I had never seen. My instructor told me thats the show of the year. Gun shows seem slimey.
 
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Our local show is my main source for powder. Prices are internet low with no hazmat fees and just about every powder, including H4350, is available. My second choice is Sportsman’s Warehouse. Imagine my surprise this week when I stopped by my go to store only to discover the selves were bare.

As much as I miss going to the show and replenishing supplies, there’s no chance I’d visit during the virus outbreak. It’s just not worth the risk.
 
peeplwtchr said:
I went to my first and possibly only gun show last summer in PHX. A bunch of overpriced and offbrand stuff to say the least. I felt like I was in Mexico buying a bad stilletto as a teenager. I left with almost nothing, except some targets that were too expensive, just cause I liked the guy. Deals on ammo? NOT! There was another show a few months later, that turns out to be THE show of the year. I had no idea until I saw people at the range with stuff and prices I had never seen. My instructor told me thats the show of the year. Gun shows seem slimey.
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You went to one gun show and now you think you have them ALL figured out? Please attend some others run by different organizers. Sure, there are “slimey” dealers and “slimey” shows but please don’t condemn gun shows by one experience.
 
I have to consider myself lucky, there are (were) three excellent gun shows here in the Northeast Ohio area. Over the last four years my wife and I have attended routinely. Half of our handgun collection has come from private sales at the show. With all the competition we see fair prices, the opportunity to haggle, trade-ins and no paperwork. Primers, powder, projectiles, brass, tumbling media and ammunition. These shows are an enthusiasts dream come true. We have been to so many shows that we are on a first name basis with most of the vendors! Bring back the gun show.
 
Yeah, the gun shows in our area for the most part are crowded, deals are few and far between, and a miss going to them. It's one of the few times I "browse" Usually, if I'm looking for something, I know what I'm looking for, make sure the store has it, and then I'm in and out. At gun shows, I often find things I didn't know existed, and sometimes find things I never knew I needed. But that's beside the point. Some of the best entertainment at the gun show is over by the stand selling the $8 hot dogs and $12 pulled pork sandwiches. I've had some great conversations there, picked up some fantastic advice, a few cautionary tales...and more than a few ridiculous stories
 
I do not attend every gun shot, but periodically like to go to just get a feel of different guns rather than go to the LGS which most of the time are busy trying to make a living and just to do not have the time to pull guns out of the counter for someone that just wants to kick tires. I usually come back with something. Even if just a wire brush, hat, pocket knife and on and on. Yes they are enjoyable. Looks like no more "shaking hands with different firearms for a while".
 
It’s not the prices or the hardware, it’s the experience. It’s walking in to see that ancient guy with his O2 tank still has a table just to show off his Colt selection. It’s that little AR handle with Molon Labe printed on it that you bought on impulse. It’s everyone together of a common bond, relaxing in their element.
 
Yep. The camaraderie. The club I belong to hosts an annual gun show as a major source of income. It has had to be postponed for who knows how long. Good shows take upwards of six months to put together. I'm hoping the virus thing settles down before people start thinking about hunting season. Sight ins are the other source of revenue. And a lot fun!
 
A friend and I hit a bunch of shows in northern Idaho and Montana. I miss finding the unexpected items and seeing some of the guys I've known for years. The only upside is my wallet isn't losing weight.
 
It hasn't bother me a bit. The ones around here are small and bargains are like finding a hen's tooth plus it's mostly black and plastic fantastics that are offered and I can find those anywhere at as good or better prices. . I haven't attended one in over two years. The distance to a large show is just too far for me to find an interest in going anymore.
 
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