Small Town Gun Shows

Retired W4

Retired W4

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We used to set up at just about any show within in an hour and a half of Atlanta for the last 20 years. Now I'm down to three. Today I'm headed up to Habersham Co. Fairgrounds (1+20 from here) to look around. Those little N. Georgia shows have a completely different bunch of people in attendance with some interesting gems coming through. Will report.
 
Small shows have about disappeared in my part of the world. From a potential buyer /traders point of view here is why. Dealers prices were extremely high almost universally, selection was usually mediocre at best for these overpriced articles. No one seemed interested in bargaining or trying to deal in a fair manner. The admission fees were high and if you happen to go to the concession stand you need a second mortgage.
When you can shop online and beat nearly any deal like a rented mule why go to a gun show.
I try to shop local but when it cost hundreds of dollars to do so the average guy has to pass.
 
There’s still a few small town shows around here. IMO these are where you find the most interesting stuff. Lots of used, personal firearms for sale and interesting collectibles.

We have one very big show every couple of months but the only vendors allowed have to be licensed dealers. This really cuts down interesting used equipment and results in a flood of new black plastic and AR accessories. I have stopped attending.
 
While haven't gone to any gun shows for several years, used to find some good deals, interesting items and interesting people at the smaller shows. Up here the small shows had very few "dealers", and were mostly social functions with people just moving their personal possessions on. Selections weren't huge, but were reasonable. The larger shows had more selection and higher prices. May start going again this year.

And "small town" may be relative. Am living in the largest city in our county at pop 2400.
 
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I like the small town shows. I almost always find a bargain on something I need. We’re having our Two Guys show here in Port Charlotte this weekend and I plan on attending. I always see a few friends there, and who knows, I may find a bargain on something I really want.
 
"And "small town" may be relative. Am living in the largest city in our county at pop 2400." zeke
This is one reason I'd like to live out that way. BUT, from listening to the weather from out that part of the country, especially now, no thanks. I'm old, kinda. Most of PA, besides the 4 corners, seems like a beautiful state. Maybe I should pay more attention to shows in these other parts of the state. Seems like the popular one here is in Monroeville, PGH area. I suppose I should hit it a few times before I decide. I suppose some of local members here can help me out. It's been a long time for me.
Port Charlotte. That's where I went to see my little sister breathe her last. Nice area, but I won't ever be back. Sorry; I was thinking out loud again. Nice area, though.
 
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Last weekend, attended small town Show At Moriarty, NM.
Some jewelry, jerky, but a fair amount of guns.
In a couple of hours, Going to one here in town.
Since our Governor has prevented the use of State property, the Promoters have scrambled to find locations.
This time it’s a Shriners.
Down near the Base in the War Zone!
I’m going to the Commissary anyway, so might as well drop in.
Best nearby location still available is the Rio Rancho Events Center.
That a large arena with 40 + acres of parking.
 
I'm shocked at what these people think their stuff is worth. I can buy new, online, and after the shipping and transfer fed be under what these guys are selling used. I'm in a city in NE WY, not exactly a lot of people here.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
 
jeffrefrig said:
Port Charlotte. That's where I went to see my little sister breathe her last. Nice area, but I won't ever be back. Sorry; I was thinking out loud again. Nice area, though.
Click to expand...

Jeff, I’m so sorry about your sister. My condolences sir.

It is a nice area, but now growing too fast for my tastes. We’re starting to think about looking for a quieter, more laid back area.

We got chased out of Miami and then Orlando by the growth and diversity. It’s been a pretty good 25 year run down here in SW FL.
 
Traveling to any small town shows is the issue here in Nevada. The nearest small town is 40 miles away and is unlikely to have shows because of its population, and the next is 60+ miles away. After that everything else is 100+ miles away and/or in another state. You need to get a heck of a deal to cover gas and shipping fees when visiting out of state shows.
 
Our "regular" shows at the convention center have about 450 tables. Lots of good stuff, a few decent prices and a few high prices.

Several other small shows are 20-30 miles away and maybe have 40 tables. Lots of junk and unreasonable prices.

I don't go to small shows any more.
 
A friend went to a country auction last week in S Pa. Bunch of guns. He called to ask about a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem. Had a cracked stock. I told him to buy it if it didn't go high. He doesn't want it just letting me know. I sent him 80 dollars for it...daughter picked it up today. There ARE bargains to be had still. When I lived back east in Md I went to shows and auctions all over S Pa. Even Md had a good show or 2. Here in Wyoming it is getting hard to find a bargain on rifles..oh and S&W Chiefs. We have some 2 Bit Cowboy here that buys all the Chiefs.
 
Went to a small gun show last weekend here in WI. The friend I was with and I have over 100 years collecting, buying, trading. Could not believe the prices. First table in the door had a Remington 760 for $1100 and 7400s priced higher. The whole show was that way. As we talked with other attendees the conclusion was most were 3 to 4 hundred over reasonable market.
 
two-bit cowboy said:
Small town gun shows? Hmmm. That's all we have in Wyo.

At 65,000 folks Cheyenne is getting almost big, but it still has terrific shows.

And an hour and 20 minute drive -- that's just down the street, here.

Enjoy the show. Best of luck finding something you can't resist.
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We went to a Cheyenne show about ten years ago. It wasn't very large compared to the shows I usually attend but I did find a few things. We were on the way to a wedding in Denver and made the detour to go to the show. That's the only time I've ever been to Wyoming. It's a long way from S. Mississippi. It was in May and still cold. I kept seeing these bleacher looking things along the highway and wondered what they were. Someone told me they were to manage snow drifts. We got trees for that if we ever have a snow drift.
 
jeffrefrig said:
"And "small town" may be relative. Am living in the largest city in our county at pop 2400." zeke
This is one reason I'd like to live out that way. BUT, from listening to the weather from out that part of the country, especially now, no thanks. I'm old, kinda. Most of PA, besides the 4 corners, seems like a beautiful state. Maybe I should pay more attention to shows in these other parts of the state. Seems like the popular one here is in Monroeville, PGH area. I suppose I should hit it a few times before I decide. I suppose some of local members here can help me out. It's been a long time for me.
Port Charlotte. That's where I went to see my little sister breathe her last. Nice area, but I won't ever be back. Sorry; I was thinking out loud again. Nice area, though.
Click to expand...

Am sorry for the loss of your sister. Still dreaming of moving to West Virginia, which is now including some area south of Pittsburg. The cold up here now hurts. Course ya could move up to the slimey pebble area? Was born in Bellefonte, grew up in Hbg area. Taxes are main deterrent to moving back
 
jeffrefrig said:
"And "small town" may be relative. Am living in the largest city in our county at pop 2400." zeke
This is one reason I'd like to live out that way. BUT, from listening to the weather from out that part of the country, especially now, no thanks. I'm old, kinda. Most of PA, besides the 4 corners, seems like a beautiful state. Maybe I should pay more attention to shows in these other parts of the state. Seems like the popular one here is in Monroeville, PGH area. I suppose I should hit it a few times before I decide. I suppose some of local members here can help me out. It's been a long time for me.
Port Charlotte. That's where I went to see my little sister breathe her last. Nice area, but I won't ever be back. Sorry; I was thinking out loud again. Nice area, though.
Click to expand...

The show in Monroeville used to be amazing, some 25 or more years ago. You could not see it all in one day. Now it's much , much smaller.
 
charlie sherrill said:
We went to a Cheyenne show about ten years ago. It wasn't very large compared to the shows I usually attend but I did find a few things. We were on the way to a wedding in Denver and made the detour to go to the show. That's the only time I've ever been to Wyoming. It's a long way from S. Mississippi. It was in May and still cold. I kept seeing these bleacher looking things along the highway and wondered what they were. Someone told me they were to manage snow drifts. We got trees for that if we ever have a snow drift.
Click to expand...

Charlie, you missed the best Wyo has to offer. Yes, we call those "bleachers" snow fences. They work mighty well.

We have a bit more than double your square miles, but you probably have a lot more than double our number of trees.

Cold? In May?

Hmmm. That's shirt sleeve weather. Short sleeves.

'mon back sometime. I'll show you some of the best parts of the state. Bring a jacket.
 
Small time gun shows and yard sales are the best I have pick some of my best and rarest guns from there.
 
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