Walked out the door and met with miserable grey rainy weather. Had to go back and change into pants and a hoodie. Doc wanted to give Lakeland a try since it's been 2 years for me and 3 for him. It's still a "real" gunshow although it ain't "big" any more. Same hangar, tables turned 90* from the usual layout.
1) Many S&W revolvers, some "private sale" cash-and-carry. 17-3 and 18-3 were $1400. Model 14-3 same $1400 although a walk-in had one for $1200. Model 36 for $795 and a well used 19-3 for $1095.
2) Same guys with the same guns, seems like the 40 years I been going to it. One regular graduated to a Jazzy with an annoying loud horn.
3) Seemed like I saw more Lugers on more tables than ever. I have no idea what they're worth and I certainly don't need one. Hard to tell junk from jewels anyway.
4) Regulars from Khaled's "Florida Gun Shows" circuit wound up here. I always wonder what happened to them.
5) The Regular O-Show was also today, I'm glad Doc wanted to go to Lakeland for a change even though I drove the almost 200 miles.
6) I stopped at the SWCA table but John was not there, Jerry was very polite though. There was a 3 table display with an "Ohio Gun Collectors Assn" cloth but I didn't stop and say Hi.
I'm beat and bought exactly 1 Ruger SR 22 mag as a present for Doc as they ain't taking plastic at this show. "Cash only" signe at just about every table even though 2/3 of them had no prices on anything. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I don't even bother to go here in the Ocala area anymore. I have been to the one in Daytona a few times in the past and it is better than the local ones here but still nothing great. Sounds like the Lakeland show is some better but the prices sound about the same.

Out of touch certainly describes gun shows and me, and I gave up on them years ago. I can’t see the current prices. I guess one could say, well, you wouldn’t look at it that way if you didn’t have what you have and paid the prices you paid, but I wonder about that. Somehow $1400 for an ordinary K-frame target revolver just doesn’t compute.

Add to the price quandary the fact that most of the recent times that I attended local shows only a couple of the vendors felt compelled to extend even the slightest ordinary courtesy to me. The whole mess just was unattractive/undesirable. I miss the old gun shows where the sellers felt like they could afford to say hello, smile, and try to be friendly, and many of them actually had some useful knowledge to share.

The last gun show I attended I remember very clearly the most rude, arrogant vendor I spoke with was a “gentleman” about my own age. That encounter pretty much clued me in to the notion that probably there would never again be the type of local gun show that I used to enjoy. The older fellows that were fun (or at least bearable ) to be around were no longer there, and the rude, know-it-all types were suffering along begrudgingly to deal with us know-nothings. Enough.

I still go the Pasadena, Texas show 2 or 3 times a year. Been finding something to buy at least once a year. Just enough to keep me coming back. I enjoy rolling my eyes at the prices where the seller can see me doing it. Occasionally I laugh out loud and walk away shaking my head. Good fun.

The very observant Doc opined: "It looks like a social event, everybody bull******** with each other, paying no attention to us. " I didn't find a Maglula I was after. One guy had 1 and 2 piece SW boxes. I was interested in a 1 piece 4" 19-5 box with a "227KXXXX" serial (mine is Alpha-numeric) Had a sign "Small boxes $20, $25 large." I asked "Is this one $20?" Real PO'd he snatched it out of my hand, said "These are $20 (generic plastic boxes I have a dozen of), that one is $65!" Have a nice day even though it seems you have other plans. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

When I see something I might be interested in, and the price is so high to even make an offer knowing the distance is far apart, I just keep going.

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Sure you did

Last and only time I was at the Lakeland show was just before covid went crazy. It was in Jan, 2020 and we were in 2 hangars. Pretty good show as I recall.

My son took me to one a few years back. Being an old S&W man I started looking for older ones. I found just one, a really beat up 38 M&P. Only $395. Haven't been back.

Did you try to leave the house without pants again?

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

So I'm not the only one?...In company lies hope......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

I go to the Ft Myers show a couple of times a year. There are more commercial vendors of new guns than independents with used gun and parts. Also tons of build your own assault rifle tables. Last show I only found one table with some quality used guns and real world prices. I also found out from him that all vendors at the show now have to be licensed dealers so everything is sales tax and background checks. This probably keeps the smaller guys out?

I miss the old old days when you could find lots of parts and projects.

Didn't Florida pass a 100% background check on all sales and transfers a while back?

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Release the Kraken

I haven't been to a gun show in 20 years, and have zero desire to go to one again.

Seller's stuff is gold, your stuff to trade is junk.

Too many stinky people. Are jerky and beanie baby sellers still a thing at gun shows?

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Nailed it. That sounds like the last three gun shows I went to in Knoxville.

Sorry I missed you, Pharmer, I tried to stay close to our tables but wasn’t always successful.
I sold a bunch of stuff and bought one $5 dump pouch because it could be a Seventrees pouch, I didn’t find anything else I wanted.
The usual suspects, as Doc said a lot of socializing going on, especially after the morning rush died down.
I’ve been going to this show since it started in 1968 and I still enjoy it. There are boneheaded dealers like any show but also a lot of good ones. See you in May hopefully.
Regards,

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turnerriver

I looked through that 'ol boy's $5 bin. I was tempted to buy one of those "dump pouches" as they were mostly all quality makes. But I know it would go into the 3rd drawer of my file cabinet where all things leather go, just below the 2nd drawer where all things nylon go. I'm not a collector but at gun shows sometimes........Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

No. Still do face to face. Follow Federal law.

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Reg. Magnum wants/Rossi wallet

Lakeland is a 2 1/2 hour drive from here. Was a great show when it was downtown. Now at the airport not so good. We went twice after the move and have not been since. Have a gun show that is three miles from the my house at the local fairgrounds. It is billed as 220 tables.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I appreciate the show up there. I wait all year for it, the first time I went it was awesome 2 years ago, has gone downhill since, problem is nobody had prices on there stuffs, they wanna talk see if they can get one over on you... had a couple try but I walked away...

Ill never go to one of Khaled's shows again a little over a year ago we had words because I gave a deal to a private sale VS his buying low and selling stupid high, his crew escorted me out, which is fine, mostly new stuff I have no interest in. He only cares about the dollar...

Wish there was a way to figure out how big the show is gonna be, would be nice to figure the worth of the 2 hr ride

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This is the way....

Too bad about the quality of the show.

My Jazzy will have train horns.

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- Post No Bills -

Another reason to display guns without prices is the avoidance of appearing to be in business...Those who are in the business of buying, selling and trading guns attract the attention of the BATFE, who will in turn ask that you obtain one of their various licenses...Collectors who are not present at shows for the purpose of profit may choose to display collections with no price sticker present...

I take tables at only one regular show at which my guns are on display under glass with no assigned values visible...When people ask, I'm happy to look up a number for them telling how I value the item...Admittedly the values I place on my property are purposely above the numbers people might see elsewhere; this is because I like my collection, and I'm in no hurry to return home missing any part of it...On occasion one of my guns is re-homed (usually to my later regret), and if so all state and federal laws are complied with...

When I go home from a show still in possession of everything I brought, and perhaps a few more, my purpose was accomplished...If others own guns for other reasons, I'm not there to compete, and have no problem with those who disagree with my values...I'm not there to "get one over" on anyone......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

Private sales are still legal without background checks but you cannot knowingly sell to anyone that is prohibited from owning one. FFLs must conduct background checks.

I’ve even come across some private sale pistols at flea market tables and garage sales. No checks required. In one case, three pistols were tied to a table leg with a piece of string to prevent theft! Gotta have good security ya know.

It use to be the January show at the downtown location was the big show, about 600 or so tables. The April and Sept shows were about 400 tables. The first show I went to at the airport was two hangers and not to bad. The next show I went to there was just one hanger and not worth a 2 1/2 hour drive one way. So we stopped going. We find enough stuff to purchase here between the LGS, local gun shows and folks at the local range selling stuff.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.