Went to the gun show this weekend........

[doubleh]

There is only one small outfit that has put on a couple of shows a year for the past three years. Advertising is almost nil, just a couple of signs set at the main intersection of the little burg I live close to. I went to the last one only because my son showed up and asked me to go mainly to kill time on a Saturday afternoon. I was pleasantly surprise to find quite a few older firearms at decent prices although non of them were of particular interest to me. I did find a brand new, no longer made, 22 revolver at a reasonable but not earth shaking price and after a little haggling which I won it went home with me. It's the first gun I,e bought at a gunshow in a long, long time.

We used to get some fairly decent shows but they have all disappeared. It doesn't make sense as the area is booming.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I still go to local gun shows and enjoy them for a few hours of entertainment.
My 24 year old son normally accompanies me. We generally buy a gun store a show once every year or two.
I don't take my wife anymore...the last time I took her she ended up buying me an Ithaca 37 shotgun(12ga) and a 12ga semi shotgun for my son.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I don't know why I went to the last gunshow here, a spur of the moment thing I guess.

But I found two keepers, so I'm glad I did!

The Ruger was at one of the few private seller tables, the fella had maybe a dozen nice older revolvers and a couple of Milsurps. Those are the tables that I flock to anyway. Nice guy, good gun, fair price (IMO), done deal.
On the way out, noticed a CMMG box on a table mostly stocked with bowhunting supplies. The guy said he took it on trade for a bow and wasn't really interested in black rifles anyway, $350 all yours buddy. Inside was a NOS, unfired WASP piston upper, complete with Nickel Boron BCG, retail was about $700 before they discontinued them......

Well, all my money spent, I high-tailed it outta there. Was a good day at the gunshow.

 

[Rockrivr1]

If you want to see really sad gun shows come up here behind enemy lines in Mass. Less and less vendors selling the same overpriced guns. You can go to their shops and pay a lower price then what the tag says at the show. What I find funny is when they get mad when you counter offer on their price. The only place to get a deal is when you see something you want with one of the mom and pop tables that are getting fewer and fewer every year. As others have said I think these shows will go away in the near future. At least up here in the north east.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

I used to love to go to gunshows, but around here they by and large a huge disappointment. Mostly new guns, mil-surp inching up wards to a grand each, not even in good condition. Tazers going off everywhere (hate them) and about 10 bucks to get in. Sheesh, the last one I spent ten bucks for ten minutes looking around before heading to my lgs and getting a 1917 Enfield for $200. I really miss the ones from my youth though, fun times, fun times....

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Through the 1990's we lived in Tulsa so the Wannamacher gunshows were a regular event for us to go to. Joe would give out free passes at the FNRA dinner to all who attended and the gun club had a booth as well. Those shows were, and still are from what I hear , the biggest and best in the region.

 

[montanaoffroader]

I would love to get to the Wannamacher show in Tulsa. It's on my bucket list for sure.

I could spend days there........not to mention my life savings........

 

[Deanimator]

I went to the Cuyahoga County gun show yesterday.

When I originally scheduled vacation to go, I was thinking of getting the cheapest used Glock 23 I could find to try the 22lb. recoil spring trick which worked so well in my Glock 22. I bought a couple of studio strobe lights and multiple stands last week, so that plan went out the window. Still I had nothing else to do, so I went anyway.

I actually found a used 4th Gen G23 for $375. But since I'd spent the money and was looking for a 2nd Gen anyway, I passed.

There's unfortunately still nobody with a good selection of books to replace the vendors who no longer attend.

I ended up not buying anything, including anything from the food trucks.

 

[mm93]

We used to have 850-1400 table gun shows. Then the state changed the laws here to make all private sales at gun shows illegal. The description of a gun show was "anywhere that 25 or more guns were offered for sale or trade". So even one guy with a table full of guns, or 25 guys with one gun per table constituted a gun show.
It killed all the big gun shows, and the two groups who survived put on 200 table or less shows.
We have a non profit NRA affiliated collector gun club that I've been a member of for 30 years, and they do a monthly small 50 table show the 4th Sat. each month. With just 50 tables there's more good stuff there than the big shows, and parking if free, and entry for members is free. Non members pay $3, compared to $12 at the big shows, and $9 to park!
I look forward to the little collector show every month. Once a year we do a 2 day larger show that over 200 tables. It brings vendors from all over the US and they all love the quality of the show, and the way all the crap and junk is not allowed. Not a new gun dealer in the show either!

 

[SwampWolf]

I've attended hundreds of gun shows over the past fifty years or so and still enjoy going to them. Yeah, before the internet, gun shows were more relevant in terms of finding good deals but I get a kick out of seeing hard to find firearms "in person". I'm fortunate enough to be a member of the Ohio Gun Collectors Association and their gun shows are well worth the drive (parking is free).

 

[paulsj]

3 sites here 3 times a year.

On has $7 parking and admission.
One is more a jerkey, jewelry show
The other is OK but the furthest away.
Having been in 6 years.

There is no point in going to any gun shows in Va. Last good one was at route 17 skating rink near Warrenton. The promoter was out of Pa and it happened about 15 years ago.

 

[mm93]

I've attended hundreds of gun shows over the past fifty years or so and still enjoy going to them. Yeah, before the internet, gun shows were more relevant in terms of finding good deals but I get a kick out of seeing hard to find firearms "in person". I'm fortunate enough to be a member of the Ohio Gun Collectors Association and their gun shows are well worth the drive (parking is free).

The Ohio Gun Collectors show is certainly well above most shows around the country. The Colorado Gun Collectors show is another I love going to. The Big Reno Show was fantastic when Lou Fascio Sr. did it, but is not the same anymore since Jr. took over. Tulsa Wannamacher's Show is another unbelievable show at 3500 tables! Takes two days to get through it though!

 

[godale]

There is no point in going to any gun shows in Va. Last good one was at route 17 skating rink near Warrenton. The promoter was out of Pa and it happened about 15 years ago.

I still go a couple times a year to the niles show . Really just for targets and ammo. Maybe a pretzel . I just go to be with people who have the same interest as I do