Another disappointing gun show

[rgm36]

Gun shows are not what they used to be, for sure. Aside from all the non gun related items for sale, I find that Smith & Wessons rarely show up at the door for sale anymore. I dont buy from dealers because they are all overpriced. I suppose the supply and demand theory is at work here.
I used to be able to view 6 to 8 nice N frames coming through the door at any gun show years ago, but now I have to go to 6 to 8 shows before I see even one.
I believe the internet has destroyed the gun shows because all the nice guns are going there instead. There is no shortage of foolish buyers on the internet willing to overpay for what they want which raises prices for everyone and takes the guns away from the shows.
If a person does get lucky enough to find a nice Smith at a show he must be willing to pay up for it, or hope the seller doesnt know what he has. They aint getting any cheaper.
I had stopped going to shows but realized that I'm not going to find any that way. So I spend a lot of gas money driving 2 hours each way most weekends doing the hunt just to be disappointed most trips.
Its not much fun anymore but if you dont go you wont ever find the one that happens to show up.

 

[BE Mike]

No doubt that most small local gun shows are not what they once were. It used to be a good place to buy ammo and reloading components. The guns offered aren't interesting, for the most part and good deals are few and far between. That being said, I find them cheap entertainment and once in a blue moon I find a gun that I'm interested in. Other rare times, I sell something. This is the last thing that I stumbled upon:

 

[Gutshot1]

About 15 years ago I made the trek to Tulsa for the Wanamaker show. I almost started to cry when I walked in, 11 acres of nothing but guns, old, new, common and rare. Trinkets are not allowed at that show only guns and gun related products. I encourage all that have not been to make the effort to go.
Jeff

 

[MT99]

The "good" local gun shows are the ones that have some private sellers with tables, and they are getting rarer ever year.

I think if I were running the gun show, I would let any non-dealer with guns only, have free tables. The revenue from tables is small compared to the gate fee. Guys don't want to spend $60-100 on a table when they might not sell anything. You really need the private guys selling off part of a collection to have a great show. I can't think of a better way to get them in.

 

[gunbarrel]

I've gone to various gun shows in Pennsylvania and have seen good ones and bad ones. I attended one close to home for over 20 years and only ever bought one gun on my wish list. The entry fee was reasonable and it helps support the local fire company. While on winter retreat in Florida I went to Dade City, Lakeland and Tampa gun shows. The first two were great with a lot of S&W guns considered Collectables. Tampa is $15 to get in and $10 to park to look at a bunch of black guns. Great if that's what you like but $25 in the hole before you walk in the door is ridiculous.

Cougar015, I hope that the Lakeland Gun Show you attended is our Club's (the Lakeland Rifle & Pistol Club). We are always appreciative of positive feedback, since it is all done by Club members who volunteer to work it, and believe me, we put a lot of work into it. After we pay off all our expenses, any profits from the Show go to the Club for improvements to our facilities.

We have strict rules to keep out beef jerky and flea-market junk sellers. While it used to be larger when we held it at the more spacious Lakeland Civic Center, local city government politics made it very hard to it there. In the end, it worked out better, because the City's parking fees kept going up for our shows (we got none of that money) and at the present location, we offer free parking. We have three shows per year: January, Spring (lately in May) and September. The Spring show is the smallest one. Hope to see you the next time you come down. Thank you for your patronage!

Lakeland Arms Show

 

[Dave Haynes]

When you could buy sell and trade and walk out the door gun shows were great. We would go to the Vallejo show and spend all day. Drink a dozen beers and get in your car and drive home. No cops waiting outside with their game of GOTCHA! The Hells Angels buyers were there picking up cheap pistols and selling their hot pieces. There would be guys like the Carbine man who would have dozens to sell and lots of cool military stuff from Mare Island. One year he had an inert sea mine to sell. There were so many interesting things to see that it was like a museum. Books, parts, anything. Not a lot of ammo as it was available everywhere and cheap. Now there is mostly ammo sellers pushing oddball stuff out the door: "Got any .38 SPL ?" "Sure, 130 gr FMJ target loads" that's it. Foreign companies' overpriced 9mm and 45 ACP. Try to find a round of 25-35...Some things never change, there are still Grandpa and Grandma sitting there asleep in front of a few items that are priced so high they will never sell. Or a half dozen Western Auto .22 automatics that Grandpa had as a kid. Otherwise he/she are just sitting there waiting to die. Over and over, week after week never selling a thing. Calif has done everything in their power to stop all of this activity. Who wants to buy a gun when they have to hand a total stranger $1000 and cross your fingers that the same fellow will show up 10 days later with his firearm? Who wants to buy a firearm made from a piece of crappy plastic and bent sheet metal that has all the appeal of a piece of Tupper Ware? Nobody hunts anymore and lawyers have made sure that there is no place to shoot anymore, no ranges ever, nothing. I hate the people who have destroyed the state, and they hate us. Calif citizens should be building safe, clean well run ranges open to the public so people can shoot their plastic 9mm and learn safety, or shoot trap instead of ducks, but that ain't happening. Now we can look at beads, jerky and knives from the guys who've become felons. The gun show.....

 

[MikeCTx]

I assisted a friend at the Temple show, Not a bad show not a whole lot of dealers. My friend was a late addition and only had one table. All handguns and 2 Garands (mine). He is disposing of a lifetime accumulation of guns for a 91 year old gentleman headed for assisted living . Larry said he is not giving them away but setting reasonable prices. We were swamped all day Saturday and pretty busy Sunday. He guesstimated he moved 60 handguns, I sold my Garands (only two in the show). I was surprised at how many 1 and 2 table Mom & Pop exhibitors there were. We sold Probably half the guns before and during the show to other vendors. I've been pretty happy with the quality of gunshows in Central Texas/
SWCA 892
PS, I bought a mint Colt police positive in 32 new police for around $300. I don't collect Colts but it was too cute to pass up.

My experience as well. Last year I decided the 'BIG' show in Fort Worth is no longer worth going to any longer and found a smallish show in Waxahachie that was almost like the shows of old. Many more Mom & Pop tables and a lot of the fluff tables were in the hall between the rooms with firearms. Found a S&W mode 30-1 in near mint condition at a nice price and took it home.

 

[burneyr]

It's so bad here the beef jerky and beanie baby sellers have quit...

 

[madmikeb]

I used to frequent gunshows, got burned at one so I'll go sometimes and just look around for something to do. Last gunshow gun I bought, a mint 16-4, from a dealer, turned out to be stolen so I had to turn it in with no compensation. When I contacted the dealer I bought it from he told me to pound sand. Just established brick and mortar stores for me now.

Seems like everything at shows is priced like it's gold plated if you do find something besides plastic.

 

[Sawguy]

Well, I said I wouldn't do it again but I ended up going to a local gun show on Sunday morning. I don't really have any Wish List guns on my radar right now, and the local shows rarely have anything that I'm interested in buying anyway. But it was a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride and I decided to stop by and take a look around. I paid my $8 at the door and walked in with a positive attitude and anticipation of a great find. I started my first pass around the venue, and much to my chagrin I was greeted by several tables of jewelry with sales ladies biding their time with their knitting! Then came the black rifle tables and the plastic pistol tables, and table after table of cheap knives (it seems that the karambit is the latest knife craze). Then there was a huge display of modern air rifles complete with suppressors, and tables full of cheap imported optics. I did find a couple of tables with a few minty vintage Colts (mostly $3K+ Pythons) and a couple of pricey vintage S&W revolvers...but I think that they were there more for show than for sale. The show was rounded out by beef jerky, a few beat up military surplus rifles, some worn out shotguns and hunting rifles, bluetooth stereo speakers, and several tables of body armor, t-shirts and hats. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I didn't even make a second pass around. I'm all for supporting the local shows and local businesses, and 2nd Amendment sales, but some of these shows are just a waste of time for me. Very disappointing.

Seems that's the way they all are now. Don't forget the refurbished DeWalt tools!

 

[moparclan]

Used to frequent the Crossroads gun show in Phoenix, 180-mile one way drive. Had get in free tickets from some local FFL dealers and Parking was $4. Get your hand stamped and get in free the next day. Been a while as primers were $12.50 per 1000 and got several matched number Lugers for $400 and P-38's for $300 or less. One year they even had beer vendors.
Tried a few local shows a few years ago but the prices were above MSRP and ridicules for used guns. Found better buys at the local swap meet. Lots of High Standards for $250 or less.

 

[cougar015]

Cougar015, I hope that the Lakeland Gun Show you attended is our Club's (the Lakeland Rifle & Pistol Club). We are always appreciative of positive feedback, since it is all done by Club members who volunteer to work it, and believe me, we put a lot of work into it. After we pay off all our expenses, any profits from the Show go to the Club for improvements to our facilities.

We have strict rules to keep out beef jerky and flea-market junk sellers. While it used to be larger when we held it at the more spacious Lakeland Civic Center, local city government politics made it very hard to it there. In the end, it worked out better, because the City's parking fees kept going up for our shows (we got none of that money) and at the present location, we offer free parking. We have three shows per year: January, Spring (lately in May) and September. The Spring show is the smallest one. Hope to see you the next time you come down. Thank you for your patronage!

Lakeland Arms Show

Gun Barrel, it was your show and I really enjoy it. I have several SWCA friends who regularly set up sales tables there.

 

[nevadacal]

I've been doing gun shows since I was 9, I'm 70. West Coast is not good.Ca is just a waste to go to. I,m private & do not hold an FFL. I've sold in Cow Palace , SF. to SD. People complain about buyers who set up. Go travel rent the table & listen to all the experts. I live in North Carolina now & love it.If you have CCW, Pistol Permit issued in your county or a Badge, You can buy From private party, no worries. Resident , no felony of course. I went to the above mention Military shoe in Raleigh last weekend. First time I did not bother to set up. 4 hr drive & guns are not moving . I meet with a young man that I sold a Garand too. He could not be happier. I ,ve sold a lot of guns and all I sold to have been happy. What many do not understand, things change. AR's were selling for $1500 now $400 to $1200, Ak's were $1500 & up for com block, now nobody's buying. Ammo is worse, it's dirt cheap here in NC other then AK ammo. M1 Garands are still going up, M1 carbines may have peaked. Early Colt Pythons still hold value, but the new production has had an effect on lower grade. I sold a early post war S&W 45 acp comercial ,1946 or 1947 to a good guy for $900. It was worth $1200, but I don't care. People like me who have good stuff ,just don't need to set up when the market is slow. Next year it will be better, money is still tight. Promoters have to sell tables to the jerky guys to keep it going. The bad promoters are the ones that just have to many shows. Thats what killed it in Reno & other places. If you cannot enjoy a gun show, stay home, we don't want you there. Whine to your wife or cry on the internet.

 

[NDAR15MAN]

I don’t see how these guys that have tables at gun show make enough to even pay for there tables. I have never seen a table for under $50.00 now. This for Dealer or a private seller that is selling his guns because to old to shoot any more. Last year I went to 3 different gun shows and talked to a lot of table owners and all said they had not made one sale.
Truth be told I bet 90% of the table sellers do not cover expenses. Don’t see why they are not out fishing or hunting on these weekend gun shows.

 

[silicosys4]

The last gun show I went to felt like a honey trap.
I'm in Wa and there were a few vendors selling AR uppers, lowers, parts kits, AK variants, etc. All illegal in the state of Wa. Apparently someone found a dimwitted State Patrol employee that didn't know which guns were banned and was allowing transfers of just about anything.

 

[judgecrater]

I went to the NRA National in Atlanta. Wonderful. Every manufacturer and supplier alive was there. 14 acres in one room.

 

[cougar015]

I went to the NRA National in Atlanta. Wonderful. Every manufacturer and supplier alive was there. 14 acres in one room.

Great show but you can't buy any guns there let alone older collectables.

 

[Golddollar]

I've been going to gun shows for 60+ years, starting as a young boy going with my dad (and occasionally helping him with a table). After I grew up if there was a gun show within a 4 hour drive I was probably there.

Over the years I got to be friendly with a bunch of the vendors. And that has paid off, like when one vendors pulled out a Nagant revolver with Finnish capture marks on it and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Another a long time vendor always lets me know when he gets magazines for Lahti pistols, and another made sure he had .455 Webley shells with him for sale (until I bought his total allotment for the year according to him).

I'm not disputing anything anybody says here. I've encountered a lot of it myself. I don't make the trips to the shows near as often as I used to because of reduced income and lowered acquisition interests. But the good results I've had over the years more than justify making the trips to the gun shows within about 40 miles.

 

[jbltwin1]

The shows here in Illinoisy are horrible. I haven't been for a while and unless something changes, may not start again. Used to have a pretty good show at the fairgrounds in Belleville. Haven't even SEEN a show advertised there lately. Last time I went, pretty much a wash. Fun to look but the same crap I saw 5 years ago. NO ammo unless you want to pay through the nose. Maybe now that the hysteria has died down, prices will get back to normal. Last time I saw primers at a show, $100.00 a thou. No thanks.

 

[VincentW]

Well, I said I wouldn't do it again but I ended up going to a local gun show on Sunday morning. I don't really have any Wish List guns on my radar right now, and the local shows rarely have anything that I'm interested in buying anyway. But it was a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride and I decided to stop by and take a look around. I paid my $8 at the door and walked in with a positive attitude and anticipation of a great find. I started my first pass around the venue, and much to my chagrin I was greeted by several tables of jewelry with sales ladies biding their time with their knitting! Then came the black rifle tables and the plastic pistol tables, and table after table of cheap knives (it seems that the karambit is the latest knife craze). Then there was a huge display of modern air rifles complete with suppressors, and tables full of cheap imported optics. I did find a couple of tables with a few minty vintage Colts (mostly $3K+ Pythons) and a couple of pricey vintage S&W revolvers...but I think that they were there more for show than for sale. The show was rounded out by beef jerky, a few beat up military surplus rifles, some worn out shotguns and hunting rifles, bluetooth stereo speakers, and several tables of body armor, t-shirts and hats. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I didn't even make a second pass around. I'm all for supporting the local shows and local businesses, and 2nd Amendment sales, but some of these shows are just a waste of time for me. Very disappointing.

I tend to take my time. I usually make one slow lap just browsing, then circle back for a second look. By the third round, I start chatting with the vendors. More often than not, that’s when I stumble across a hidden gem… usually right around the $100 mark.