Tulsa, here I come!

wbraswell · #1 03-21-2012, 12:14 PM

I am finally going to get to the Tulsa Gun Show. I made my reservation today. I would like to meet some of you folks, and join SWCA, if that's possible. I'm driving up Friday morning. Any tips?

Xfuzz · #2 03-21-2012, 12:29 PM

I would love to go to that show but afraid I would become a felon.

DGT · #3 03-21-2012, 12:38 PM

I've made that trip up the Turnpike from OKC twice a year for the last 10 years. You're gunna see guns for sale that you usually only see in museums. As for tips: 1. Wear comfortable shoes. I read that, if you walk the entire show, its like 5 miles. 2. Take lots of cash. 3. Wear elbow pads cause it will be crowded.

handejector · #4 03-21-2012, 01:44 PM

Come by the monkey cage.

arch stanton · #5 03-21-2012, 08:49 PM

Eat plenty of beans the night before to help keep people out of your personal space. See ya there!

wundudnee · #6 03-21-2012, 09:22 PM

By 8:00am Saturday the line to get in will be over 1/4 mile long and 4 wide. People start lining up by 6:00. There are some of the lady employees going down the line selling tickets, but only if you have correct change. $10.00. The ticket booth is really limited for space.

Start looking at one end or the other and bring a notebook and pen. Because if you see something you want to come back to you'll never find it again without directions. The aisles are numbered and each table is lettered. It will be impossible to see both sides of the aisle in one trip. Very crowded with many knotheads pushing carts loaded with firearms, baby strollers and handicap scooters and wheelchairs. The only ones that bother me are the pushcart peddlers.

If you can make the whole show in one day you're a better man than me.
You'll have a good time and be totally gunshow overloaded. Like everybody says, wear comfortable shoes and clothes and bring lots of money. I've been going to this show for several years and have never got away without buying something.

If you haven't already, look up Wanamacher's web site and look at some of the last years photos. It will give you kind of a glimpse of the scope of the thing.

jbull380 · #7 03-21-2012, 09:24 PM

Ill be around in and out working security. I will take some time to walk it out though.

jack the toad · #8 03-21-2012, 10:22 PM

Like it or not, everyone needs to go to the big Tulsa (Wannamachers)show at least once.
In addition to lots of guns, I've seen or met numerous celebraties, dignitaries, and other well-known people (even though that's not why i go). Some of the gun guys I've met there... Jim Supica, Wayne LaPierre and others I remember but can't recall their names.
I imagine the NRA will be there as usual selling annual memberships, which also gets you admisson to the show if purchased that day. I've also seen GOA (Gun Owners of America) there.
As mentioned, be prepared for lotsa walking and crowds. If you browse like I prefer to do, plan on all day both days.
If you bring an RV, they have an area for those. While walking through the parking lots, I've seen chartered buses and car tags from numerous states. IMO, Tulsa is a big show.

cmore · #9 03-22-2012, 04:49 PM

How about attending the SWCA meeting Sat. nite?
its at the airport best western.
well worth your time.

bigchuck83 · #10 03-22-2012, 07:51 PM

i live only a couple miles from where the show will be and have taken the weekend off work so i can go look at guns, maybe buy or trade a few.
there are lots of good places to eat in Tulsa as well. Learned a couple years ago be prepared to get lowballed on anything you may take into the show. or buy there. i'm just a young guy but i always like all the S&W guns covering tables there. And yes you should wear comfortable shoes that place is a lot of walking.

truckemup97 · #11 03-22-2012, 08:13 PM

If you want to renew your NRA membership for next year, at a discount, you can go directly in the doors to their table (on the right side of the lobby). Renew and they give you a ticket to get in. I used to be paid up for several years, but I've missed several shows lately.

I don't know if I'll be in town yet, but if I am, I'd be proud to meet ya. As for famous people, the only ones I've met were Jim Supica (before he went to the museum) and the big Gorilla (before he bought this board). Maybe I'm too busy looking at the table tops and not the faces.

wbraswell · #12 03-23-2012, 10:29 AM

I'm very interested in the SWCA meeting, and I want to join. I'm always interested in good local dining.

truckemup97 · #13 03-23-2012, 12:31 PM

I sent a PM about the SWCA meeting. As for dining, what do you like and where are you staying? We have good burgers, BBQ, Mexican, etc. all within a mile or two of the fairgrounds.

wbraswell · #14 03-23-2012, 02:40 PM

I may take a shuttle from my Hotel, so I will eat close by. But in the evening I will be ready to chow down, and I like almost anything, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Seafood, Steak. But, I am kind of cheap, since I spend money at gun shows, and gas stations.

Smith357 · #15 03-23-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbraswell

Any tips?

1. Leave Thursday.

2. Visit Lee and the gang, we will be on the upper level, right near the railing looking down on the lower level. We can take you to the SWCA table about 3 isles over and get you signed up and invited to the BBQ.

3. We seem to eat a lot of steak in Tulsa, I hope you like steak.

Xfuzz · #16 03-23-2012, 04:24 PM

Do they have any vendors set up to do FFL tranfers ?
Love to go with a big wad of cash.

Smith357 · #17 03-23-2012, 04:55 PM

There were not any FFls there specifically for doing transfers, but there were OK dealers who would do them. There seems to be a market for it and an enterprising OK FFL holder could make quite a profit in a weekend just doing nothing but transfers and would not need to haul around inventory.

wbraswell · #18 03-25-2012, 11:21 AM

Smith 357. Here in Texas, we've been known to eat a cow or two. Do y'all have taters up there? We tend to eat taters with our cow.

charlie sherrill · #19 03-25-2012, 12:54 PM

Anyone who likes guns should see this show at least once in their lifetime. I have been several times, the last time being last year. You can get through it in one day if you have a jazzy or some roller skates. Be careful on the ramp between levels though. It's better to take two or three days and take your time. I also found that the $14 cheezeburger is probably easier and cheaper in the long run than trying to go out and come back in. I seem to be able to buy more stuff at the smaller local shows and with the price of gas (I always drive the several hundred miles to Tulsa) the odds are smaller that I will be coming back to Tulsa.