Fort Worth gun show. June 29th…

[Model29-26.5]

Since the Murfreesboro gun show was cancelled and would have been my first Gun show ever, and since I'll be in Ft Worth that weekend, I'll be going.
It'll be a fun time, pick up some ammo hopefully cheap and maybe an item if it's better than I can do on GB.
Over 1200 table in this one.

 

[Truckman]

The Premiere shows are ordinarily heavily attended as Michelle spends freely on advertising, so it should be a good one...I've never been to that one as it's a mileage stretch for me, but maybe someday...They once had a parking issue at that venue charging an extra $12 to park but I think that was resolved with parking now free for attendees...If you plan to be there both days (probably a good idea with 1200 tables) I suggest buying the weekend entry pass and save $5 over paying each day...Don't expect every table to be loaded with gun stuff; some of those 1200 tables will be hawking homemade jams, beef jerky and offering to "clean your glasses sir, it's free!"......Ben

 

[22hipower]

Parking remains an issue, usually enough of it but you will pay $12.00.

If you like knives from Pakistan, jerky, "genuine" turquoise jewelry, and pickled quail eggs it is very enjoyable. If you're interested in collectible S&Ws, perhaps not so much. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[CH4]

Since the Murfreesboro gun show was cancelled and would have been my first Gun show ever, and since I'll be in Ft Worth that weekend, I'll be going.
It'll be a fun time, pick up some ammo hopefully cheap and maybe an item if it's better than I can do on GB.
Over 1200 table in this one.

If you haven't been to the Lebanon show, it's worth checking out.

 

[Retired W4]

I was based at NAS Dallas in the mid-90's and back then it seemed like gun show heaven. From Mesquite to Ft. Worth, with the Dallas Convention Center in the middle it seemed like there was always something happening. Then there were the two dozen of so Cash America pawn shops in the Metroplex. Watch for the Texas Militia guy and Branch Davidians, and the hoards of under cover ATF agents (it was the Clinton years after all).

If you were into music, there were two major guitar shows in the DFW each year, but that's for another thread.

 

[22hipower]

I was based at NAS Dallas in the mid-90's and back then it seemed like gun show heaven. From Mesquite to Ft. Worth, with the Dallas Convention Center in the middle it seemed like there was always something happening. Then there were the two dozen of so Cash America pawn shops in the Metroplex. Watch for the Texas Militia guy and Branch Davidians, and the hoards of under cover ATF agents (it was the Clinton years after all).

If you were into music, there were two major guitar shows in the DFW each year, but that's for another thread.

Yes, I was here then too. The Dallas Arms Collectors show at the Market Hall was routinely the best show for decades. Now that it has moved to Southfork Ranch in Parker it is much smaller and appeals to many interests other than collectible firearms. Few of the gun shows now, in my opinion, are worth the time to attend if you're looking for quality collectible S&Ws.

The last time I took my grandson to a Ft. Worth show he asked "why do they call this a gun show?" It was a fair question as the many tables of cheap knives, jerky, candy, and general junk far outnumbered the tables with firearms of interest. But, if you don't look you don't find so I still go occasionally and once in a while something of interest does turn up.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[HJBM&P22Custom]

The Premiere shows are ordinarily heavily attended as Michelle spends freely on advertising, so it should be a good one...I've never been to that one as it's a mileage stretch for me, but maybe someday...They once had a parking issue at that venue charging an extra $12 to park but I think that was resolved with parking now free for attendees...If you plan to be there both days (probably a good idea with 1200 tables) I suggest buying the weekend entry pass and save $5 over paying each day...Don't expect every table to be loaded with gun stuff; some of those 1200 tables will be hawking homemade jams, beef jerky and offering to "clean your glasses sir, it's free!"......Ben

If parking is free for attendees now, why would you save $5 by buying multi-day parking ?

 

[22hipower]

If parking is free for attendees now, why would you save $5 by buying multi-day parking ?

It's not free; $12 or more per day. The $5 saving, or whatever it is, is for two days of show entry, not parking.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Truckman]

It's not free; $12 or more per day.

Thanks for the clarification, Jeff...I was misinformed......Ben

 

[moralem]

It's more like a swap meet and not really for collectors. If you want to find the collectible you have to rummage long and hard. And then there are no deals…..I can assure you, you won't find any cheap ammo. And parking is not free, hasn't been. I go on occasion because I keep thinking it will turn up something I just got to have or I will be the one of thousands that will find that bargain…..silly me.

 

[pharmer]

The best reason for going: IT'S A GUN SHOW! We all grouse about "The way they used to be..." but someday they will be no more, period. I have friends back in NJ and other "constricted" locales and they don't even have anything remotely resembling our local "Travelling Shoot Straight Stores Inventory Reduction Every Six Week Goat Rope and Jerky Hidey Room Show." In NJ it takes a month or more to secure a handgun from an "authorized dealer" and your papers better be in order. $12 to spend a day amongst the "like minded" instead of plopped in "stadium seating" to view the latest "Fast and Furious XLVIII" is a true value, best bang for your buck, entertainment event. Joe

 

[22hipower]

$12 to spend a day amongst the "like minded" instead of plopped in "stadium seating" to view the latest "Fast and Furious XLVIII" is a true value, best bang for your buck, entertainment event. Joe

Probably less expensive than some other forms of entertainment but $12 is just to park, at the Ft. Worth show anyway. Plus $10 each to get through the door; was $10, might be more now. Of course if you go early and then have lunch at Lucille's it is indeed an enjoyable trip.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Model29-26.5]

Hmm. Sounds like I'm just better off looking for and finding exactly what I want on GB.
I can get candy. Jerky and turquoise anywhere.

 

[rct269]

All gun shows are good, and some are better than others------some even have guns hidden here and there nowadays, but we keep going.

You reckon this is symptomatic of some sort of incurable disease?

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Model29-26.5]

I was based at NAS Dallas in the mid-90's and back then it seemed like gun show heaven. From Mesquite to Ft. Worth, with the Dallas Convention Center in the middle it seemed like there was always something happening. Then there were the two dozen of so Cash America pawn shops in the Metroplex. Watch for the Texas Militia guy and Branch Davidians, and the hoards of under cover ATF agents (it was the Clinton years after all).

If you were into music, there were two major guitar shows in the DFW each year, but that's for another thread.

I'm actually in TX to perform in Dallas and Cleburne. I haven't done either guitar show but I probably should.
I figured I might check out the gun show while I'm in town as it's probably the only one I'll get to this year except for one in TN just before Christmas.
I figure a couple of shows will tell me all I need to know about how they generally work.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Here in Central Florida one of the best shows IMO is the Lakeland Rifle and Pistol Club gun show, held 3 times a year. Although not an exclusive "collector's show", it's pretty darn close. Many of their members have beautiful and extensive collections and are willing to sell...for a price of course! But there are deals to be had, and I've found a few. This show was held for years at the Lakeland Convention Center and had reasonable entry and parking fees. Then, the Center was taken over by RP Funding, and the fees increased dramatically. I think that so many people complained about prices for tables and fees that LRPC moved their shows to the Sun & Fun Expo. Lakeland is an 1-1/2 hour drive for me, and the Sun & Fun Expo is even further west and adds another 20 minutes to the drive. I don't go as often as I used to since gas prices have soared and 4 hours of driving on I-4 can be pretty exhausting. But this show is always entertaining and informative and a fun way to spend a day.

 

[22hipower]

I'm actually in TX to perform in Dallas and Cleburne. I haven't done either guitar show but I probably should.
I figured I might check out the gun show while I'm in town as it's probably the only one I'll get to this year except for one in TN just before Christmas.
I figure a couple of shows will tell me all I need to know about how they generally work.

Since you're here, and want to see some nice collectible firearms, the week to do it is this week. There will be thousands sold here Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can handle them all on Thursday. The Big Gorilla gave me a gentle nudge the last time I mentioned the actual venue so I won't but if you'll PM me I'll tell you more.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Model29-26.5]

Since you're here, and want to see some nice collectible firearms, the week to do it is this week. There will be thousands sold here Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can handle them all on Thursday. The Big Gorilla gave me a gentle nudge the last time I mentioned the actual venue so I won't but if you'll PM me I'll tell you more.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Hey Jeff,
Unfortunately I won't be in town until 26th

 

[Retired W4]

I'm actually in TX to perform in Dallas and Cleburne. I haven't done either guitar show but I probably should.
I figured I might check out the gun show while I'm in town as it's probably the only one I'll get to this year except for one in TN just before Christmas.
I figure a couple of shows will tell me all I need to know about how they generally work.

This year at the Greater Southwest guitar show Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top brought a couple of his cars and guitars. He might have had a couple guns stashed somewhere.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Billy probably arrived in some cold blue steel, wearing some cheap sunglasses, and showing some gun love! He was always a sharp dressed man. The show wasn't held in La Grange, was it?

Sorry, just couldn't help it! ZZ Top is one of my all time favorite bands. RIP Dusty.

 

[Retired W4]

He was wearing cheap sunglasses and looked pretty sharp. He was promoting the Blues Museum (can you say King Biscuit Flour Hour?). He had the fuzzy white axes from the video on display plus other guitars and one of his hot rods (Deuce Coupe, I believe). The only problem was the crowd around him was 8 deep so I did not get an autograph. The guy in the middle of the photo above is Dave Hussong of Fretware Guitars. RIP. Dave wrote for Guitar Player magazine and had a weekly blues radio show on WYSO, Yellow Springs, OH. All three of those hoodlums can be seen below in this much earlier photo taken in the aftermath of a concert in Dayton, OH. No worries, the statute of limitations has already run out.

ZZ top was one of my all time favorite as well. Saw them at the University of Houston in 1973.