Went to a Gun Show Yesterday

[Barmcd]

In Waco. There were lots of vendors (very few not gun related), lots of guns, lots of people, and a full parking lot.

Only a handful of vendors were selling reloading supplies, but one had LRPs for $129 a brick. Expensive, but hard to find at any price anywhere else. Commonly available primers were $79-$99 a brick so not a bad price. I needed magnum LPPs and none were available.

Hogdon powders were $35 a lb. and many varieties were available. One vendor had Alliant powder too.

I saw very little brass for sale and no bullets. Lots of ammo at slightly reduced prices though.

Overall, it was a pleasant experience.

 

[bigpower491]

Yea those LRPs are quite scarce up in this vicity as well. Can't remember the last time I seen any

 

[Ks5shooter]

I use gunshows as a winter browsing experience on a cold day,if I see a deal Ill buy.It doesnt happen often though. Fun shows I call them now.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I use gunshows as a winter browsing experience on a cold day,if I see a deal Ill buy.It doesnt happen often though. Fun shows I call them now.

Same here. Haven’t purchased a firearm at one in years. Mostly accessories and cheap ammo cans is all I usually bring home from them.

 

[Charlie98]

There were lots of vendors (very few not gun related)

I was pretty disappointed the past few Dallas area shows I went to... the ratio of 'firearms' and related tables was about 3:2 to those hawking candles, beef jerky, joolry, cup doilies, and what have you.

My brother will be up from San Antonio in a few weeks... we will prolly go to the Mesquite show... he wants to look at some bolt guns... so I guess I'll see first hand.

 

[Barmcd]

I was pretty disappointed the past few Dallas area shows I went to... the ratio of 'firearms' and related tables was about 3:2 to those hawking candles, beef jerky, joolry, cup doilies, and what have you.

My brother will be up from San Antonio in a few weeks... we will prolly go to the Mesquite show... he wants to look at some bolt guns... so I guess I'll see first hand.

That has been my experience in the past so I was happy and surprised to only see a few vendors selling beef jerky, candles and such. There was one guy selling top soil, road base and mulch! I don't use LRP, but now I'm beginning to wish I'd brought a couple bricks just because.

 

[CapnMac]

That's the Premiere show over at Extraco Center, yes?
Used to be decent shows up in Waco (at least the ones not run by Saxtet or Lone Star).

 

[CapnMac]

we will prolly go to the Mesquite show

That's a better show now that it's in the Convention center (just remember to follow the free parking advise on Premiere's web page). The venue is more expensive, so the admission is US$20 (but so much better than the run-down FedMart building).
Not that far from the Mesquite BBQ, either.

Local shows will be lean until the Rodeo is finished over in FW.

 

[KKJ13]

I was pretty disappointed the past few Dallas area shows I went to... the ratio of 'firearms' and related tables was about 3:2 to those hawking candles, beef jerky, joolry, cup doilies, and what have you.

My brother will be up from San Antonio in a few weeks... we will prolly go to the Mesquite show... he wants to look at some bolt guns... so I guess I'll see first hand.

Are you talking about Mesquite, NV? I just got back from there last week. If not, sorry, LOL

 

[Charlie98]

Local shows will be lean until the Rodeo is finished over in FW.

Yea, I don't go anywhere near Fort Worth during the rodeo... too many drunk cowboys.

Are you talking about Mesquite, NV? I just got back from there last week. If not, sorry, LOL

No, Mesquite, TX, on the east side of Dallas. FWIW, I'm headed out to NV this week... but I will be going south... to Laughlin.

 

[Barmcd]

That's the Premiere show over at Extraco Center, yes?
Used to be decent shows up in Waco (at least the ones not run by Saxtet or Lone Star).

That's it. They came very close to filling the event center with vendors. Lots of attendees too.

 

[CQB45ACP]

How many vendors/tables? Just to compare to ours, not thinking about making the drive.

 

[Barmcd]

How many vendors/tables? Just to compare to ours, not thinking about making the drive.

Hard to say, its a big place. They advertised over 600 tables, but some vendors had four or more. I'd say at least 100 different ones.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Ours advertises 1300 and years ago it was packed with great vendors, but like @Charlie98 said, more and more jerky, joolry, coins, knives, even pickles.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Ours advertises 1300 and years ago it was packed with great vendors, but like @Charlie98 said, more and more jerky, joolry, coins, knives, even pickles.

So what you’re saying is, they haven’t changed much in the last 20 years.

 

[CQB45ACP]

So what you’re saying is, they haven’t changed much in the last 20 years.

No sushi yet though!

 

[Pottimus]

selling tables keeps the doors open, my wife bought a table as a Realtor once, to show hunting land opportunities, with me by her side. Yeah, I thought it was out of place and more than a few hundred snickers as the camo drifted by. All in all though, it was a nice weekend. That one event brought more referrals than 5 home shows.

 

[CQB45ACP]

selling tables keeps the doors open, my wife bought a table as a Realtor once, to show hunting land opportunities, with me by her side. Yeah, I thought it was out of place and more than a few hundred snickers as the camo drifted by. All in all though, it was a nice weekend. That one event brought more referrals than 5 home shows.

I'd love to have a table to sell some unused reloading stuff, but the tables cost more than my proceeds would be.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Food courts were usually good and a good thing.But it seems they just want to rent tables,jerky etc.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Food courts were usually good and a good thing.But it seems they just want to rent tables,jerky etc.

Yeah homemade soft pretzels (made in someone’s home in China).

 

[Highland Lofts]

Our small gun shows are mostly gun and reloading tables. This past weekend there was two knife vendors that held six tables combined.
These was two tables of fecal food and two tables for airport guns.
I generally take $50 to $100 for buying stuff I might need mostly reloading stuff.
I do not need any guns so I generally don't even look at them other then to see where the prices are for certain models that I'm thinking of selling.
I have probably thirty-five to forty to sell and funnel that cash into other aspects of shooting.
I go to the Facon gun shows, generally most of the stuff is priced OK.
The Big Top gun shows are mostly vendors selling way over priced new guns.
Lots of knife tables. I'm surprised they get any attendance at all. I would attend any of their show if you paid me.

I just attended the Falcon gun show this past weekend and will be meeting some friends on February 3rd for breakfast then over to the next Falcon gun show.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

No sushi yet though!

Well THAT is disappointing! I haven’t had a good case of ptomaine poisoning in years.

 

[CapnMac]

They came very close to filling the event center

Premiere seems to attract and keep good vendors, many who seem to 'follow' their shows around.

Typically, the table count is the maximum number the venue holds--the vendors then determine how many they need for their wares, which can be any number they a can afford, as the rental is "per table." Looked like they were charging US$67 per table, so ten was $670 per day.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Yea, I don't go anywhere near Fort Worth during the rodeo... too many drunk cowboys.



No, Mesquite, TX, on the east side of Dallas. FWIW, I'm headed out to NV this week... but I will be going south... to Laughlin.

Laughlin is pretty neat. Waaaay more laid back than that Vegas place. Have fun.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I was pretty disappointed the past few Dallas area shows I went to... the ratio of 'firearms' and related tables was about 3:2 to those hawking candles, beef jerky, joolry, cup doilies, and what have you.

My brother will be up from San Antonio in a few weeks... we will prolly go to the Mesquite show... he wants to look at some bolt guns... so I guess I'll see first hand.

The promoter we go to shows with started charging like double the standard price for vendors that aren't selling guns or ammo or firearm accessories.