Went to a show today with my best friend, was looking forward to selling an old Winchester and seeing what would come up for sale. I suppose it's kinda like fishing, you never know when you're gonna get a good deal or find the perfect holster or parts (etc) that you needed.

Had enough money on me to buy a decent Smith if one turned up and was kinda keeping my eyes open for another Model 36 or whatever came up that I just had to have.

Attendance was waaaaay down to start. Ok, not necessarily a bad thing, it's kinda nice to be able to walk down an aisle while not being sideways.

Get a few steps in, sure enough, there's a few blue cardboard boxes floating around. Good sign. I stop and ask a gentlemen what he has for sale, it's a Model 36...great! What are ya looking for? $700.00. Wow. Ok. Next.

It really surprised me, there were so many people that had tables that were selling a bunch of homemade stuff. I mean, literally, one guy had sauces, beef jerky, etc. Next table had poorly handmade holsters (to be fair they weren't expensive though). Next guy has 4 tables...get this...of wool socks. Are you kidding me? This is a gun show right?

I'm gonna guess and say another 10 tables were arts and crafts. And not interesting to say the least--one guy was selling deer toes for $ 0.50 a piece. Yep. That's right, I said deer toes. Wow. What in the world would ya do with that.

Ok, i'm trying to have fun (and am enjoying spending time with my long-time hunting buddy) and we get to about another 8 tables that were all air soft guns. This guy must have spent 6-8 hours setting up all these things. Wow...

Eh, i'd guess a half dozen or so tables of 'fantasy swords', i'll call them. Like what Conan the Barbarian would carry.

Sorry for what could be possibly my longest post, but come on. I was looking forward to enjoying the show and all I could think of was this was more of an Arts & Crafts show than a gun show. As an aside, this show was put on by a promoter and regularly holds shows all year round. It had been 90% firearm related and slowly up to 10% arts & crafts, etc. Unreal. This was more like 50% firearm related and 40% arts and crafts and 10% miracle cures and who knows what insurance or home gadgets.

Not sure what to do when it seems these were the last spots to find a decent price on a firearm or parts. An anomaly? Or the new norm?

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Rather be outdoors

We see the same thing here.Too many promotors putting on too many shows and they need to sell those tables.

You are seeing the end of gun shows as we once knew them. The very device that you typed your post with is one of the nails in the gun show's coffin. The internet allows sellers get the maximum $$ with the least effort and the largest crowd.

Afraid it's the norm these days. To make matters worse, there are very few deals to be found. What really tickles me are the dealers that bring rifles, shotguns and handguns tagged "Not For Sale." Guess they're playing the "I've got one and you don't" game. That, and they don't mind lugging that stuff back & forth from the show and back home.

Donn,

That's funny you mentioned that. I told my buddy the same thing. Here this guy has a few M1 Garands that were pretty decent. Ok, sounds good. Guy in front of me goes to him, say, how much are you asking for the M1's. The guy running the table goes, aw nah, those aren't for sale, they are just there for display......I joked to my friend that someday they will just have pictures of guns at gun shows......

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Rather be outdoors

The same thing happening to gun shows happened to a lot of old flea markets and other things around here. Replaced with tables of true JUNK coupled with arts and crafts. The joy of the hunt is pretty much ruined.

TheHobbyist, sounds like you were at the Oshkosh show?

Was just at the good show in Charleston today.

People still gouging on ammo...not that I care, buy mine online.

People still gouging on firearms, and don't want to negotiate much. One guy got upset with me because I pointed out that I could get the same AR online, delivered, pay FFL fee, don't pay sales tax for more than $200 less than his "lowest" price. Told me that people like me are "screwing over the gun shops".

Well, then get your "gun shop prices" under control. Not my problem, sorry.

Crud like that continues to drive me further and further away from even trying to do business locally.

The ones around here turned into a Flea Market atmosphere years ago right about the time they started charging $10 to get in which was up from $3. That's when I stopped going. Nothing but overpriced stuff.

That's why I don't even bother anymore. Good post.

One show that I formerly would set up at is slowly dying.
It was(still is) a small show. But was attracting fewer and fewer customers.

Promoter no longer able to fill the tables. One third of the room is EMPTY!
Three of the 12-15 table dealers no longer set up. I no longer buy my one table.
IF there are not enough buying customers the dealers go elsewhere.
In my case I just stay home and avoid all the work or loading/unloading truck and setting up/taking down the table stuff.

Bekeart

That sounds more like the Flea Market we have at our fairgrounds.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Gunshows would be a lot better if we had a good economy. It should start getting better in a little over two years from now.

There was a similar thread earlier this year. Point was made that if these miscellaneous non-gun tables were not there, the shows would probably close.

This month, in my bailiwick, TWO big shows on the same weekend Dec 20-21 at opposite ends of the valley. Wonder which will win out, if either.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

You must not have been to a show in years. This is not a new trend.

This is just me, but "show and tell" is one of my favorite parts of any gun show, watch show, or whatever other type of trade/collectible show one might attend. It's also a time honored tradition. Just last week at the Lexington show, we were all oohing and aahing over the boxed, near new prewar 38 M&P target model that Rburg brought just for this purpose.

It seems to happen to me more so at watch shows than at gun shows, but I tend to bring a lot of show and tell items. Most aren't out on the table, but under the table to show to specific people, or anyone else that I may get into a conversation with about a particular item.

Nothing annoys me worse than when I'm showing an item to a friend and someone else has to nose in and start pestering me for a price on an item. I never mind someone nosing in to learn more about something(in fact I love it when that happens)-I mind them nosing in and then trying to buy something that I've made perfectly clear is not for sale. Many of these type of folks don't realize(and don't care to learn) the significance of the piece I'm showing off and wouldn't even been interested in buying it for anything close to fair price.

I would say it's analogous to: its a recession when someone you know loses their job; but it's a depression when you lose your job. Never seen so much non-firearm related stuff at a gun show before in this area.

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Rather be outdoors

Hey Ben, that's fair enough. I understand where you are coming from and truly appreciate the history and study of our shared hobby. I agree with what your saying.

But, selling deer toes? Four tables of socks? Eh, not my cup of tea.

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Rather be outdoors

I've been set up at the combined Crossroads SAR show here for the past 2 days and I'll be back at it tomorrow. I bought/sold several guns and the crowds have been huge. There is a great selection of merchandise at this show although items are somewhat pricy. The ammo business appears to be back to normal with no huge lines anymore. I guess this is an execption anymore!
Jim

When I still resided in Denver, we had a gun show once a month and it went that same direction. I would say 75% gun stuff, 25% other stuff, like artsy crafty things and food items. Here I am in South Dakota now and we have a show once a year and it's 95% gun stuff. Prices are a bit on the high side but if one pays attention some good deals can be found.

For example, the last one I was able to find some Remington 9mm for $10 for a box of 50, half what anyone else was getting. 22 was going for $50 a brick and up. Crazy!!

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NRA Life member

I've never been to a good gun show in CA. Well, I went to one while in junior college and I found a great old Gerber Sportsman folding knife that has been a main folder of mine for 15 years now. Wow!

I saw a very nice Winchester model 54 in '06, so that was cool to learn about that model. I was looking for my first pre-'64 model 70 Featherweight in '06 at the and found one and my local shop a few months later.

What was quite a disappointment was when I moved to WA and went to my first show in Spokane. I thought it was going to be epic; it was not. Well, it was great as I got to meet Richard Bachman from Old West Reproductions and bout a nice carved flap holster he made for a 5'' 1911. Still got to call him for a belt and mag pouches.

There were a lot of Punisher grips, Tannerite, barbarian swords, Pakistani knives, white patent leather fanny packs, and guns way overpriced. Lot's of prepper/hoarder weirdos too.

I went back a few more times and saw nothing special. I've always heard the WAC shows on the west side have been great and still are; DougM or A10 would know more.

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

So ... how many deer toes did you buy?

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I'm with the banned ...

The last couple of shows I attended were a bust. Some were dealers form out of town selling new guns for 10% over retail. Some jerky peddlers & a few dooms dayers selling out dated field rations. Was disapointed to say the least but another one coming up soon so I will pay my 5 bucks & take my chances.

jerky peddlers LOL

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

I just went to a gun show at Jefferson County Fairgrounds (southern WI). A few less guns for sale than the same show a year ago. No deer toes at least. The 22 ammo resellers irk me and I would rather not shoot than reward them for hoarding.

My main complaint is a couple of the vendors who are S&W enthusiasts who snap up any "deals" on Smiths before the the public gets in. I have seen one guy at about 4 shows recently in my area and I suppose I will have to branch out to other regions of WI to see what might be.

Gunbroker has clearly influenced the pricing. But if I was selling I would want the most I could get too I suppose. And if I was a seller I too would take advantage of being able to look over what is there before the paying slobs get in. Must stop whining now.

I travel to out of the way, vfw type , shows. Some times 3 hours. Usually small stores, local guys. kind of like it use to be. You cant really compete with the exposure of Gunbroker, so promoter will fills the tables with whats available.. Hey have to take the bad with the good. You never know when the DEAL will come up.

Around here gun shows are an excuse for friends from different towns to meet for breakfast before the show and catch up on events.
We always run into other folks we don't see anywhere else too.

The stuff at shows are pretty much the same old same old, but the visit with friends is sure worth the price of admission.

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Eccentric old coot

Iggy,

Great point....regardless of the turn out or **** for sale...my father and I have great time meeting for breakfast and shooting the breeze while we walk the shows....One day I hope to do that with my son.

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Smith's:
457, 4046tsw, 5906

Gun Show's around the year 2000 were fun and always a deal to be had..$3 admission..
I think that with the explosion of the internet since then and all the information that is out there = no real deals..Most sellers already have a primo price in mind, that they have determined by researching on the internet..
I haven't been to a GS in 5 years or so..Man I miss some of the exotic jerky..

If you want to get a new gun then the shows might be a good place to go. The more common stuff can be bargained for. The dealers can be competitive.

Sometimes good stuff can show up, generally on private party tables. I used to get a table sometimes just for fun and to sell a few items. Way too expensive now.

The time of year also makes a difference. The holidays can slow things down as people need money for different things.

$5 to get in!!In Fl we pay $12.....same deal as to gun shows going downhill.I used to set up at 2 shows & sell Kukri's & other knives.....not worth the time anymore.Used to love setting up in Tampa....guys from Mcdill would drop by buy say hi or Jim....can you get me this special blade.Spent time with friends & my brother.Quit going when it stopped being fun.
Jim

lots of shows lots of junk like u said beef jerky, toys, ladys clothes and hand bags, how bout the guy selling Hawyian shirts for conceal carry and proud of it, not even made in U.S.A. and yes all the knives and swords and stuff that looks like it came from star trek oh and the many T- shirt booths thought i was in Key West

I went to Big Town in the Dallas area yesterday. WIN 296 $29 --WIN primers $27--Tula primers $105 a case. Lots of people & guns. Lots of buying & selling. Used pistol scopes were high in demand as well as older 1911s. It was a very good show. We were looking for a model 25-2 45acp but all were LC. $800-$850 were the selling prices on a clean one for this area. Then we spent a while at Red Lobster.

While I share your frustration, we still need LGSs. At least in my case, I don't mind paying a bit more for the service and relationships developed. I pick and choose what and where I buy my stuff. Cost is only part of the equation.

I'd hate to see the day I wake up and see a nail salon in the space that used to be a gun shop.

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paws for friendship

To each his own, Ben. I figured that's how some dealers stayed fit, lugging their inventory to and from shows. I still attend shows on a regular basis, so I'm familiar and in some cases, acquainted with several dealers. I've been looking at the same rifles, display and on sale, for the last 3-4 years! Seems to me if it ain't moving or it's display only, why go thru the trouble of bringing it. MHO you understand.

Went to a show Friday evening and while it wasn't the best it was productive.

Came home with a 300 lumen Duracell flashlight that a co-worker asked me to pick up for him when he saw the one I keep in my office. For 10 bucks they are a good buy and are well made in China. BTW, I'm also a big fan of anything Streamlight but their prices do pinch a bit so for knockarounds the Duracell's are just perfect.

Also came home with 2 lbs. of Alliant 2400. If I had the need and more cash with me I could have come home with 8 lbs. kegs of Titegroup, and 1 pound bottles of Varget, HS-6, Bullseye, and Power Pistol. Last months show yielded Accurate #7 and #9. Hint to reloaders, Gun and Knife shows can be an excellent resource for finding powder. Yeah, prices tend to run around 28 buck per pound but add in Hazmat shipping and you'll likely pay that much. Powder in the locker sure beats the stuffing out of lower prices in the Net for powder that is out of stock.

As for the knife part, lately cheap knives and fantasy swords seem to be taking up too much table space. However, I do see tables dedicated to quality brands such as Case, Buck, Benchmade, Spyderco, and others. So, not a total waste on the knife side of things.

On the gun side of things the choice many times is either old junk or new firearms.

However, hiding in that old junk you'll occasionally find some gems like a really decent 30-40 Krag underpriced at 450 bucks (sort of wish I had bought it) an occasional Garand, and a boat load of Mosin Nagants for 169.00 still in cosmoline. In addition there is my 1892 Winchester that dates to 1904 that was totally refinished with A grade Fancy Walnut and re-barreled in 357 Magnum using a Winchester made octagon barrel. Yeah, the re-finish and re-caliber killed the collector value but it's a real sweet shooter and only cost me 600 bucks.

As for highly collectable handguns, those have almost totally disappeared. Fact is I don't believe that any of these Gun and Knife shows ever featured highly collectable items at bargain prices other than by someone completely ignorant about what they were selling. If you are looking for something special I would recommend you start attending Estate Sales and Auctions, because the odds of a big find are much much better at these venues.

If you are looking for a run of the mill older revolver or semi at inflated prices these shows are just the ticket. Because dealers who are overly fond of their stock do attend these shows.

As for the dealers in new guns, the prices at these dealers tend to be lower than what you will find at any of the Big Box stores carrying the same item. My first SR1911 only cost me 624.99 at a show dealer when all the local shops were charging 699.00. Also picked up a Rossi M92 at a recent show for 499.00, which is pretty much 100 bucks less than what Dicks charges for the same rifle. BTW, about 1/2 hour work cleaned up the action of that Rossi to Winchester smoothness and some wet sanding and Tung oil on the stock has it showing a very nice satin finish.

Now, the odd thing is that I happen to like beef jerky and like to try out some specialty beef jerky from time to time. Why I do not know but the Beef Jerky vendors seem to have vanished from the Gun & Knife shows in my area and I for one actually miss them. About 2 1/2 years ago I got some Habenero Chilli Beef Jerky from one of these vendors and thought it was just great and would really like to get more. Unfortunately it's been Zip, Nadda, Nothing since then. So, to the gun show organizers could you please just say NO to one of the cheap fantasy knife vendors and replace him with a good old Gun & Knife show cliche, the Beef Jerky vendor with all that mouth watering smoked variety.

I don't mind a food stand here and there. Hunting guns makes me hungry.
I would think that if the dealers set their price and added the equivalent shipping amount it would work to everyone's favor.
The dealer would make a little more and the buyer wouldn't mind since they'd have to pay that for shipping if buying online.
Prices have to be reasonable though. You can't ask 25%+ more for something and expect to make many sales.
You have to be competitive.
I think the demand would be there if people wouldn't price themselves out of business. Gun buying folks would rather handle the guns and I, myself, would be happy to fork over the equivalent cost of shipping to be able to.
That being said, I think sales would tend to increase driving out the "tables-o-garbage" making room for more gun tables.
That's my take on it at least. YMMV

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“Look life in its iron face”

As others have said, more "show", less "gun". Bargains? Not likely. But, I'm shocked that they still allow them here in Massachusetts. I still attend them, but for a different reason. Entertainment. Sure, it would be great to find the diamond in the rough, but, the odds are lousy. People watching however, is in unlimited supply. Perfect the art of haggling, since it is a good skill to have. Ever watch the clientele at a gun show? These are my "peeps". That having been said, I still go to them, look at all the firearms related tables, and watch and listen to this marketplace in action. You get a lot of entertainment value for your dollar. I'm just thankful that they still happen at all.

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Stand your ground, 1775

Don't forget the "secret room" couple. The shows have steadily gone downhill since the 80's (around when Class III guns became unobtanium). I go because I have a friend that insists, it's better than a movie, it's fun to listen to the stories and once in a great while something comes along that is worth buying. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Sounds a lot like the poor excuse for a gun show we have here. Been steadily going down hill for many years now. But that's what I hear from everywhere else too.
Got one coming up next weekend. I will go, I always do. I usually don't buy more than a Dr. Pepper. But once in a great while I do get lucky. Hope springs eternal.
Besides, it gets me out of the house for a few hours.

Yes, it's same thing every where. I'd rather spend my time developing a great relationship with the gang at my local gun shop. They see quite a bit of worthy Smith Revolvers (my interest) come across the counter and when they find a nice one, or know of a nice one - they give me a call.

With the money I save by not going to gun shows, I buy them lunch every now and then. There are really a great bunch of guys with common interests and it's always fun time.

We never run out of things to talk bout and I usually learn something interesting. Thanks for posting . Have a great Holiday,

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'I know nothing'.. Sgt. Shultz

I've about quit going to shows. They sure ain't what they used to be.

What happened to gun shows? The internet.
You can buy anything that available in the world from your couch.
I still go to a few gun shows, but they consist mostly of over priced military **** and as you noted, beef jerky, trinkets etc.

I've noticed a predominance of cowheads and "Dances with Wolves" motif women's purses and trinkets at the shows in North Alabama over the past ten years or so.

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MARK

I've bought tables at a couple of our local shows over the last year to liquidate the "stuff" from my dad's collection. Tons of holsters, gun books, speedloaders, stocks, magazines, etc. No guns, and the stuff is priced to sell, so I look a little like a garage sale. I've always felt a little guilty about being there, but the stuff is selling, and I've enjoyed reconnecting with many of dad's friends.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Gunshows still have the social aspects and there is always something to learn at them. Lots of informed collectors that can tell you things you don't know.

They are kinda like the "Lounge", some gun talk but a lot of BS too. Lol lol.

Next up.....bear thread!

Similar here in SE Pa too. I like the holster guys cause I hate ordering online. I like to see them first this was I have a comparison to what I already have. When you order and it comes in and you realize you overpaid for what it is or its not comfortable. .....yea I hate that.

Hot sauces, jerky, jewelry and duck calls I've learned to just ignore. Interesting that you mentioned stocks. I noticed a lot of these gun show complaints have to do with people who miss the old days when these shows were basically swap meets. Lots of parts, some guns and haggling. None of which I'm interested in.

I'm almost never disappointed and usually find a deal or two. My firearms interests are broad so there is usually something for me. Between AKs, ARs, FALs, Glocks, HK, Sig, S&W. ...and all their respective ammo and accessories. ..I find something. Like during the panic I managed to get $5 AK surplus mags and $6 boxes of ammo. How everyone else managed to miss this table in the middle of everything I don't know. On the other hand if you are looking for that one specific gun or gun part in excellent condition and great price. ...well you'll be looking for a while

I've had the same experience with model train shows. During the 60s, the shows were hosted by model train clubs and virtually all the tables were used merchandise being sold by hobbyists either modernizing or getting out of the hobby.

Gradually, dealers with resale certificates, working from their garages and car trunks, muscled out the old timers so that a train show now consists almost entirely of new merchandise at full retail price. Finding an old treasure is a rare treat indeed.

The so-called gun shows here on Long Island are nearly just as bad as the state adds a layer of its own bureaucracy to the event.

I try to go even if I just pay admission and walk around and look and talk.
If we don't support them...

Good post. Never know when a diamond-in-the-rough may surface like a loose slot machine! I bought my minty 640 from the "junker" table of a dealer, from whom I also bought my cased Arizona HP commemorative 66. One day, two unfired 642s on that table. Last show, I noticed a Colt Agent there, the Parkerized job from the 80s. Looked unfired. Just might pop on it. Only wonder which of the 2 shows on the same weekend that dealer might be at.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. Always pays to not be a stranger at the local LGS. We need these folks.