Florida Gun Show, Tampa 1-29-2022

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fmflorida

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After not having been to a show in 6 or so years I decided to head in to check out the first show of 2022.

Highly disappointing to say the least.

Big box gun stores took the main stage while the smaller vendors really didnt have much to be desired.

Saw a total of 3, 3rd Gen Smith and Wessons in the whole place and not a single "older" (meaning no key lock hole) Smith and Wessons. The few 3rd gens I did see were marked up $400+ than a possibly reasonable price.

Smith 457 with chipped melonite finish, no box, 1 mag for $949....Which I thought was insane.

Decent crowd looking over the polymer wonder 9s and "new" stuff.

Went in hoping to buy at least something, left with just the stub for parking.

Ill give it another few months and head back. Maybe it will get better.
 
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Last show I went to in nearby Jackson, in December, was pretty much the same, although very likely much smaller than Tampa. I saw no 3rd generation S & Ws. No big box vendors there, but still mostly polymer. There was one decent Model 15 priced at $600.00 - but it was nowhere near mint - good shooter grade. I really felt the price I paid for admission was pretty much wasted. If I go to the local Academy I pretty much see polymer.
 
I love gun shows. My main reason is to find stuff that I already have, just to delight on how they have appreciated in value.

On occasion, I'll buy something that I don't have, if the price is reasonably reasonable.

After having a covid delay because they were all shut down, I went to my first show this month. I was appalled at the prices. I knew that some of my stuff wasn't really worth that much.

Nevertheless, it was a fun afternoon and the wife and I had a nice brunch on the way.
 
Last edited:
That's a Shoot Straight sponsored show. The owner keeps a right rein on who can sell, thus it's mainly big FFL's like himself and a lot of new guns for sale, not much in the way of vintage. Nothing against Khalid…he's a business man and you have to respect his business model, but I choose to attend the smaller shows and the big one in Lakeland when it comes around.
 
I ignore 99 44/100% of the stuff at gun shows. Every now and then I luck up on a decent gun or some kind of accessory but not as often as before. I hear vendors fussing about not selling stuff and I tell them they either paid too much for it to begin with or they're trying to hit a home run. Some of the uninformed pay the stupid prices, but not many.
 
Hold up a second. Was this a basic black 457? Or was it genuinely a melonite finished 457?
 
Sevens said:
Hold up a second. Was this a basic black 457? Or was it genuinely a melonite finished 457?
Click to expand...

I believe it was a melonite finish however after I saw the price and condition, I really didnt inquire further or give it much attention.
 
pharmer said:
It will be exactly the same, Maybe a couple vendors will quit and be replaced with bumper sticker, chinese knife or cleaning mat sellers. Joe
Click to expand...

tlawler said:
Or the shower stall guy:D
Click to expand...

ya know, now that you mention it, I did see a lot of t-shirt/cheap knives/tasers/pepper spray booths. Knock off "benchmade" auto knives and other garbage. Felt a lot like a flea market.
 
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