There is one show a year in Denver that is worthwhile,the rest are just junk shows.

How about $700 for a USED stainless steel CHARTER ARMS 44. Special Bulldog?? That typified the kind of prices I saw at the last gunshow I went to around here.

Problem was, I found (and bought) a great old late '40's K frame .38 Special with a 2" barrel at a reasonable price at that show. That's the thing - the only way to find the 2% that are deals or the items you want is to wade through the 49% trash and the 49% highway robbery items. That's the way it is around here, anyway.

I can honestly say that I think I'm done with gun shows.

They go to the gun show to "fondle" the goods, then go home and order online...

I got to a gun show about two or three times a year just to remind myself why I don't go to gun shows any longer.

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Centennial Every Day

Seems like anybody that's been going to gun shows long enough has a "...this is a rare prototype..." story.

I still go to gun shows not for the guns, but every now and then somebody has a nice deco phone or something on the table and it's usually a bargain

Too bad they don't have the odd or occasional gun on the table at the camera or pen show.

/c

Like the Shotgun News, gunshows are not for "business" any more. Pure entertainment, with the morphologically challenged, the wild hyperbolic firearm yarns, you can't help but leave with a great feeling of gratitude for the life you lead. Even if you didn't buy a gun. Ain't a darn thing wrong with paying $20 in gas, $10 admission and a $10 lunch, folding your cash and putting it back in your pocket . Show me a shrink that will spend a few hours with you on a Saturday and make you feel better for $40. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I enjoy the bigger shows here in SC and have purchased some fine Smiths there over the years. We all grumble about some of them but I hope they never go away. We still have about 14 shows for the rest of the year scattered around SC. Big & small wish I could make them all.

Have concern about retirement.......May not have the jingle I have now...and have to be satisfied with my current bounty.

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S&W Accumulator

I agree with the OP that when I go to gun shows, I rarely see anything worth getting the cash out of my pocket. I mostly go because I usually see old friends or fellow gun lovers out seeing if anything interesting has been brought. But once in a blue moon, the stars align and you get lucky. I went to a show in Pensacola around 3-4 weeks ago expecting nothing & I found a S&W Model 27-5 with a 5 inch barrel. Had the original box, some paperwork, & the tool kit. Gun did not look like it had been fired or if it had, it was not very much. The guy was asking $625. I offered $600 cash and walked out with what I think was a bargain. I don't know about everyone else, but that's why I still go to gun shows.

Gun Shows:
"Cheaper than hookers!"

I agree with Navarre. I go for other reasons, including to see old friends, and because once in a great while I do find a bargain...

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Run Fast, Bite Hard!

At our local shows the vendors will walk around and try to buy guns from the folks trying to sell a gun. As they dicker for price they will say hey you aren't leaving me any room....

See items like a nickle plated model 28 with the hammer and trigger coated in nickle with a sign saying RARE nickle version $800...LOL

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The American dream is alive

The gun shows around western PA used to be decent events to attend. Dealers brought boxes of dusty old accessories, gun parts, reloading equipment, and lots of odd stock firearms from their stores. Big ammo dealers had pallets full at great prices. Case and holster dealers had all their stuff at wholesale.

Nowadays all the old accessories they bring are also on the Internet auction with the dealers unwilling to sell at a reasonable price because some idiot on the net might just bid $200 for his Save 340 magazine worth $40. The odd stock fireams are priced at $100 over the highest price they saw on Gunbroker for their "like condition" item. The only ammo deals are on mil spec bulk 223, .40 and 9MM, and the cases and holsters are all at full retail list.

Every other table is gutter guard, foundation sealing companies, retractable awnings, sun room contractors and of course beef jerky.