Nations Gun Show - Absurdly Crowded

[wojownik]

I think the more fundamental issue here is that this show is now too big for the Dulles Expo Center, and the problem will get a hell of a lot worse when 50% or more of the available parking will be taken up by WalMart shoppers in the relatively near future. And the rest of the parking in the area is private offices and malls - I can see people getting ticketed and/or towed if the spillover gets bad.

But, I'm not sure there are too many options (or any at all) for another venue for the Nations Gun Show in northern VA. The Loudoun County fairgrounds is on the far side of Leesburg, which might be too far for the "beltway" crowd. And the Patriot Center is on a college campus, so that would be a no-go.

Just saying, the Nations Gun show is probably stuck between a rock and a hard place. Might eventually lead to the demise of that show if gets much uglier to try and attend .... and it likely will...

 

[Ignition Override]

TennJed hit the nail on the head about shows near Memphis/Southaven or Jackson TN.

He might have talked to two buddies who always have a table with a changing, colorful group of milsurp rifles, most of which are in excellent-mint condition (the blond Enfield #4/Mk2 etc).

I went to a smaller show yesterday in Rome, GA, but for the smaller space it consisted primarily of guns, militaria and not much else.

 

[Ignition Override]

wojownik:
Depending on the difficulty parking, I would rather have that experience than a day at work or weeks in Initial Tng. (now).

 

[Owen Sparks]

This is good news. The more modern firearms get into private hands the harder it will be to pass future anti-2A legislation. How many millions of AR's have been sold since the AW ban expired? How many tens of millions of high capacity magazines? I think the horse is out of the barn.

 

[Blackhawk30]

The Richmond shows suck.I went to the RIR show last weekend.Not so many guns a lot of junk.Showplace is one of the WORST venues.Old building, crappy lighting.Ever notice that 1/4 to 1/3 of the lights are burned out?Both shows are owned by the promoters of the Chantilly show.
I got what I wanted by showing up at opening.I had no problem finding a parking spot.On Friday I bought my ticket @2:30 and then went to the back of the line which stretched all the way to the back of the Expo center.I always buy a 3 day pass.On Sat I had to park on the north buildings lot.It was almost full.I got there at 9:15.When I left at 1pm there was a line of cars backed up Willard Rd over 28.Sun was not as bad.I hate it when it gets this crowded as it hard to see items on the tables.

 

[Sixguncowboy]

I went to the Silver Spur Gun & Knife Show last week It's the largest in west Texas and for the first time I had to stand in line to get in & that was at 10:30 on Saturday. It was so crowded you couldn't really get up to some of the tables.

One thing I wish promoters would do is ban baby strollers. Make parents either carry thei kids or leave em home with granny or Aunt Sue. They'd be a lot more happy & comfortable anyway.

 

[Tedzilla]

Yeah it was a complete pain that the Nations Gun Show in Chantilly Va. was so crowded. I only went (after waiting a good while in line) because I'd agreed in advance to come buy an item and didn't want to let the seller down. In 4 hours I really saw less than half the tables because many were so swamped with people you couldn't get near them.
I did get a bunch of stuff I needed and while it was inconvenient, I'm pleased and reassured that the the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is being exercised and supported on a truly massive scale...

 

[Franco2shoot]

I skipped this last one, but have been a regular over the years. The only real benefit that I have found is that you can handle a larger variety of whatever you are looking for. Ammo is only slightly discounted, and as someone else pointed out the internet is probably a cheaper route to go. As for the crowds, if you're looking to get in the door quickly, go early, or go later. IMHO, I don't believe you're gonna find any steals on the first day. As the show goes on, you might find something that the seller just doesn't want to drag back home. As for the crowds, the last GS was not that packed, but the one before was jambed. My guess is that this time folks had a little Tax refund jing in their pockets and that's why it was so crowded.


KKKKFL

 

[CajunBass]

I didn't read all the replies, so maybe it's been addressed, but let me see if I got this straight...Everybody else should stay home so YOU can go?"

Is that about right?

 

[Mike OTDP]

I usually go, but skipped this one. I'm in the market for high-end pistols, both in the Olympic disciplines and black powder, so it's not a big loss.

That being said, if a Wal-Mart opens, the show organizers are going to have to work out some sort of satellite parking & bus system.

 

[JohnBT]

"Everybody else should stay home so YOU can go?"

And us old folks should get to go to the front of the line. Age before beauty, etc. And free valet parking would be nice. And attractive shopping assistants to carry our purchases while we shop.

I don't want much, but the idea of an upscale gun show has certain merits.

 

[tinygnat219]

Should be even more interesting once Wal-Mart converts the other location to a Sam's Club. Went Friday, was not impressed. Unless you're in the market for flea market crap, or Taurus, this gun show simply sucks. It's hard to get to, has limited parking, and the costs to get in are WAY too high. Good luck trying to talk to the dealers as well. I can't tell you how many "I'm just lookings" I heard.

The Nations Gun Show is a Flea Market.

 

[JerseyChris]

Philly had its show this past weekend it was very crowded both days.

 

[ShawnC]

I went and the line was around the building at 9:30. When I left at 1:30 the line wasn't any shorter. I overheard a vendor saying he hasn't sold much because all the people made it hard to see the merchandise. It was shoulder to shoulder the whole time. I'll still go again in April, but next time I definately won't bring the kids.

 

[REL1203]

I went all 3 days, Friday was very busy with buyers, but buyers who knew what they wanted, went and got it and left. I picked up an M&P22 and aa S&W Bodyguard380 and got great deals from the dealers. Came back on Sat with the wife, got some ammo and she bought a new CRKT knife and a new pelican travel case. Went back late sunday, scored some accessories and other little stuff. Parking was bad all 3 days, but the dealers I talked to said they were selling stuff like crazy.

 

[MAKster]

To paraphrase Yogi - Nobody goes to gun shows anymore because they are too crowded.