I didn't want to hijack the thread about staying away from gun shows.
At the Big E show this past weekend, I kept looking at another dealers table full of Smith's. He sold about 6 or 7 nice guns at reasonable prices. Two revolvers kept drawing attention, but no sales. Sunday afternoon I asked him if I could look at the two revolvers that everyone was looking at but didn't buy. They were both 4 screw K Frames, 6 inch blue. One had Target sights, both had diamond stocks. They were Model 53's. Neither one had the original box, but they did have the inserts. I asked if he would accept a package deal of $1300.00. I know have two more Model 53's in my collection. I also found a tapered swab at another dealers table for $1.00. So, remind me why do you stay away from shows?
This is a poor picture taken with my cell phone.

Attached Images

Twin 53's.jpg (5.4 KB, 404 views)

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Don Mundell

Hmmmm. I wonder why no one else was interested in 2 revolvers that chamber the 22 Jet? Do you actually shoot yours?

I went to one Sun morning and was disappointed once again. Everything was over priced. I was looking for a blue wheel gun and didn't see a single one. 3 stainless and 1 dirty and scratched nickel in 38 spc. everything else was semi auto.

Because people go expecting it to be a swap meet with 1960s prices. And when that doesn't happen they feel personally insulted.

I have never been to a bad gun show. Even during the great panic I found good deals. My interests are broad so there is always something to find.

The smaller shows in my area are more like a knife and junk/Nazi flag show than a "gun show"

Do to some of NYS more dumb laws a lot of common guns in other locals are not shown.(nuff said on that subject)

Most all handgun shown are plastic bottom feeders, trying to find new revolvers you might find a few. Trying to find older non lock, pinned and counter-bored things like you did GOOD LUCK!

Its getting to the point that going to a smaller gun show is just a waste of time for me, the good part for me about those little shows is they have so few vendors now that the aisle are wide and fewer people there that you can walk and look real easy

We do have a large show a couple time a year in downtown Albany, that show has a lot more vendors, guns and people going.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I have a dozen "Jets", yes I shoot most of them. I actually carried one when I was a police officer. I have inserts for all of them, but don't use them. Why shoot .22LR's in it when you can use a Model 17.

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Don Mundell

Nice finds, there was a really nice model 53 , and it had the spare ,proper ( correct) 22 LR cylinder and it was priced at $1100 and NO ONE bought it, was the past OGCA display show, and I had even asked, told a few other S&W folks there, but NO interest, so go figure............I was looking, had no spare cash, was working the displays only. So never say never......................

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

Dan
Had I been there it would have a new home right now. You don't remember which dealer had it do you? If you do, please pm me. I'll make it right by you.

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Don Mundell

I'm sure there's significant regional variance, but many report today's gun shows to be largely populated with premium-priced dealer tables featuring all the new firearms you can get anywhere, whereas the mom-and-pop, second-hand, and collector type tables -- where the stuff we're really looking for is usually found -- are drying up of stock, getting peripheralized to near extinction, or moving their sales to online auction.

It is good to have money. That said, not that I don't enjoy going to gun shows of all sizes but many folks don't have the funds to spend. I shoot what I buy and collecting, while I understand the appeal has never been part of the mix for me. I never went to gun shows back in the "good old days" if there was such a thing. So, I don't recall "bargain" prices but I can understand how the Internet sales have changed things as far as pricing goes.

Been avoiding gun shows this year mostly because I have what I want and really don't want to tempt myself. There was this 4 inch model 17 that I saw......

Glad you found what you like and the fella selling the fine old Smiths is glad you stopped by too.

I seldom buy guns at gun shows as the seller often seems to think they are gold plated and priced accordingly. Mostly I guy supplies and knick-knacks. Once in a while though I do find something that goes bang that I want at a reasonable price. Besides, gun shows are FUN.

Where else can you get a couple hours of entertainment for $5?

I'm glad you enjoy shooting them as that is why Smith & Wesson built them.
I've always been curious about the 53, but haven't found one locally.
Do you have issues with the cases backing out and stopping the cylinder?

Yes, but, I keep a wood mallet with me. you also have to make sure the cylinders are completely dry.

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Don Mundell

I've said it before when someone complains about gunshows and pawn shops and their prices and availability of collector firearms. It is like the lottery, if you don't play you don't win. People tell me I'm the luckiest guy on gun finds at pawnshops and gunshows and I tell them I attend a lot of shows and shop a lot of pawnshops. You have to play to win.

SWCA 892

I've pretty much quit going to gun shows. The main reason is that my LGSs and pawn shops seem to always have something that I want and going to a gun show without a thick wad of Franklins is no fun. I'm also not a big fan of all the macho military/swat team 20 somethings, long lines to get in, parking/admission fees and huge numbers of tables filled with unrelated "stuff". Sure, I probably miss some good opportunities, but that's ok, I like spending locally. And my locals do a great job of depleting my gun budget. And finally these are just my opinions and if you like gun shows and find them rewarding then I think that's great.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

I stay away from the large shows as they cost $20.00 to get in. I only go, if I'm in the market for something specific that I think I might find. The small shows only charge $6.00, so I'm more inclined to go when I have the time and inclination.

THE deal for shows here in MT seems to be the non Dealers who have tables. The enthusiast who gets a table a few times a year to peddle stuff he accumulated over the year. Or the folks selling Dad or Grandpa's guns after they passed.

Seems that so many of the Dealer tables are nothing but a waste of time. Silly high prices on used guns, overpriced old reloading supplies or ammo.

As previously mentioned...You have to play the game to win. To find a deal you have to attend.

As with many others who go to a lot of shows or constantly visit their LGS's.....Occasionally ,it's most amazing the stuff you can come up with.

After a long dry spell with Shows I attended a local show and within ten minutes of entering I find a beautiful set of old Fuzzy Farrant J frame grips, for a SQ J fame. Marked $20. I have a few for round butt's but have been searching for some SQ frame Farrant's for my shooter Kit Gun. I'll take a set of Farrants that should be $100+ for $20 all day long.

Two years back at Reno, mid day of the first day of the Show I find a very early four inch, blued Combat Magnum on an estate sale table. 95% or better shape, barely fired. Unfortunately without proper stocks...but $450. Lettered it and it was originally given to the West Coast sales Rep for S&W. To show off the then new Combat Magnums.

Three times I have found folks selling Smith boxes for ridiculously low prices. in the $5-$10 each range. Again....I'll buy tough to find Gold boxes for $5 a pop all day long.




FN in MT

most of the gun shows in NE Fla are a joke....maybe 120 tables and half of those are knives, survival gear, tasers and all kinds of other stuff - not guns. Most of the guns there are new from dealers and I can buy most any of them from a big shop here in town for less...without paying admission and parking. It's rare to find any old gun that you might want and if you do they're might proud of them. I see all kinds of people offering S&W and Colts for sky-high prices....but seldom a buyer. Actually, I can go to a couple regular gun shops in town and see a bigger and better variety of guns than at almost any gun show and I don't have to pay admission or pay through the nose for them.

I hit a lot of the shows and can usually find a good deal or two. They are usually not what I am looking for, but good deals none the less.Most times I pick up old knives and flip them on the Internet to help fund my gun habit.

I go occasionally - they're fun, I usually can stock up on ammunition at reasonable prices, and sometimes a gun follows me home. Not so much as in years past, however - so many guns, as noted above, are now gold plated!

Holsters and stocks have been known to follow me home, too!

The last Denver Tanner Show I attended was very fruitful- A 90% 10-8 w/ magna grips for $325 and a 90% 39-2 for $400 w/ extra mag. Not screaming deals, but resonable for hard to find in the flesh guns (not GB).

So, remind me why do you stay away from shows?


Because you are local to me and have already scooped up the good deals

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

There were plenty of nice Smiths floating around the show this weekend. Good to see.

I'm sure everyone has at least one gun show find - here's mine. I generally have to work weekends and worse yet live in central coastal SoCal. I had a Saturday off that corresponded to a small gun show at the local fairgrounds.
A lot of AR stuff, plastic guns, WWII stuff, and beef jerky. I ran into an old friend and chatted while he looked at some Nazi stuff. I happened to glance into the dealers show case and there in the very back was a stainless S&W. I asked to see it - 657 3" with original Combats in LNIB! I tried to contain my excitement. He wanted $900. I whipped out 8 one hundred dollar bills and the deal was sealed. Better yet, it was my 66th birthday!

Paul
I am surprised at your response. If you looked around the show, you would have seen a Model 60 for $400.00, a .45 1937 Brazilian import for $525.00, a stunning .38 1905 Second Change for $500.00, a 38/44 Heavy Duty for $600.00. Do you want me to continue? By the way, I didn't buy any of them. I only buy Club Guns, Model 53's and an occasional Presentation gun. The two Model 53's are the first S&W's I've bought in 16 months, and in that time frame I've set up, or attended a dozen shows or more. How many "good deals" have you picked up in that same time frame? Just an FYI, the Model 53's that I bought were from my buddy Jim Martin.

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Don Mundell

Out of 5 or 6 a year local gun shows, I think I’ve only missed 1 or 2 in the last 5+ years. Free parking and $7 or $8 admission for an afternoon of gawking, talking and I almost always bring something home, even if it’s just a bag of fired brass.

I like looking at the big shows down in Phoenix, but haven’t been for at least 4 or 5 years. It’s just too expensive. Between admission, parking and gas, it’s $50+/- just to walk in the door and bargains are almost nonexistent.

I go to quite a few Local Gun Shows mostly to buy Reloading Supplys,I am less than impressed with the amount of non gun related stuff they allow,I don't go to a Gun Show for Beef Jerkey or Junk Jewelery!

I know what you mean. Promoters don't care what you put on your table or where they put you. At some of the shows I attend, I've seen tables full of high end Winchesters right beside beef jerky and hot sauce. I used to go to a show in PA years ago where they set up the show in two parts, Antique on one side and Modern on the other. I guess those days are long gone.

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Don Mundell

Precisely! And still,the cost of a Model 53 doubles when the box and inserts are included.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

I use to go to gun shows a lot and I made some really good buys at them but my collection is as large as I want it to be so I don't go anymore. The last gun I bought at a gun show was a mint 14-3 for $400 about 6 years ago and I was stunned that it was at that price. I saw it and walked away only to go back 10 minutes later and buy it.

I go to shows fairly often. Sometimes I find good deals, sometimes not. Sometimes I even see/find hard to find guns that interest me (at last months show I saw not one but THREE S&W M52s, which are on my bucket list), other times nothing but new guns and junk.

No matter, something always follows me home. Parts, accessories, brass, SOMETHING. Plus, the venue has really, REALLY good hot dogs, lol.

Either way, it's a fine way to waste a Saturday. $6 is little to pay to be around like minded people and amongst things I enjoy. Sometimes I'll spend an hour or more just shooting the bull with someone there, usually an old timer, and it's always entertaining and usually educational.

I've done it all my life, I guess it's just my thing.

TRE

I went to the Springfield show on Saturday. Always fun seeing what is there and visiting with Don, Paul, and others.

I saw a lot of tempting Smiths and also some nice Colts but was saving my dollars for a pending deal from another forum member.

Small GS this weekend at Plymouth (home of the small rock). I'll probably take a ride. Small, lots of surplus and accessories. But last time a dealer selling all black guns had a nice nickel 27-2 consignment gun almost hidden at the back of his display.

The show before that, another dealer had a pre 28 5 screw 4".

Each one was $650 or less. Not a steal, but not bad for here. Glad I went to those little shows.

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Mike SWCA 2865 NRA Benefactor

I don't go to as many shows as I did at one time. Yes, many dealers' guns are overpriced...however, the possibility of a good deal always exists and I have gotten many good/great deals over the years, some recently. Plus, you occasionally see items at gun shows that you wouldn't see, or would rarely see, anywhere else just due to the number of guns brought in. I certainly don't count on gun shows for what I want...but I don't discount them either.

I don't travel to as many shows as I used to, but at a sort of small show, maybe 300 tables, a couple weeks ago I found not 1 but 2 like new original magazines for my 1910 FN Browning .380. Took to the range last night and both feed JHP's reliably. Price wasn't bad either. My buddy picked up a supply of the new powder coated bullets to load up. I'm getting to really like these.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244