Here in Atlanta there has always been a Gun Show that only visits the area 4 times a year. I have always made it a point to attend at least twice mainly due to the more collectable items that appear. I missed the last 3 shows due to other obligations but went this weekend. Here are some of my observations
The vendor area was much smaller that usual.
The flea market items had seemed to vanish
The once popular AR tables had almost disappeared by 80%
But what did catch my eye was the greater amount of S&W used revolvers that were represented on vendors tables. The prices seemed high but the vendors were saying the market in shows had greatly slowed. While I didn't pick up anything of interest My buddy picked up a great 1903 colt hammerless Type one That was offered at $925 for $700.
Good to see so much more estate type stuff appearing on the tables rather that the plastic stuff
Makes me wonder if the revolver market is making a come back

Would be nice to see. It didn't take long to get tired of seeing all the 'plastic' stuff. They just have no style-- I mean come-on, can plastic beat this?? Oh yeah, stocks are Ivory- what else.



If some people would learn to shoot, there wouldnt be any need to 'spray and pray' JMHO

I think a lot of estate pieces are coming on the market as the beginning wave of the Baby Boom is having people passing on and what were classic guns are being sold rather than inherited. My brother and I have been picking up some High Standard .22 target pistols that have come out of estates that the deceased prior owners probably acquired in the 1960s and 1970s. I found one at the Gettysburg gun show that had been set up for optical sights but didn't have an optical sight on it. I bought it and when I determined that I couldn't focus on the front sight anymore I just put a Bushnell optical sight on the gun and kept on shooting.

I think you have a valid point there. I haven't had the opportunity to observe that myself, simply because "gun shows" around here have morphed into objects of humor and derision...full of black pistols and rifles and beat up revolvers that a hock shop would probably pass up.

Oh I'd MUCH rather have a nice M&P40, or a Shiel....aww, heck, I can't even TYPE that with a straight face!
(Nice '29)

The last two gun shows I attended, I too notice the absence of the ARs. However the black pistols were still there. Central Virginia not many revolvers of any brand. However over in the valley a couple of private vendors had a respectable showing of older S&W`s. A bit pricey but they were in decent but not great shape.

IMO The AR market is tapped out at this time. Everyone who wanted one apparently bought during the scare years of recent times. They are virtually indestructible so I don't see a large replacement market developing in the forseable future either. This of course, could change if conditions in our Country undergo a radical change as well!
Jim

Yeah, one has to wonder just how high prices can go. Skys the limit I guess. A local shop has a MDL 10 heavy barrel, 4" in the '70's box and the asking price is $700.00 -- worth it? Well to someone, sooner or later. Hard to believe. Even the new offerings from Ruger are over $600.00 for a single action. Again, just hard to believe.

hey watch who you call baby boomer everything still works LOL

I'm an old S&W revolver guy. The new plastic stuff does not interest me at all. Last gun show I went to had lots of plastic stuff but only a couple revolvers. Both Colts & really beat up. Came home emptied handed.