Gun Show Blues

[Hawg Rider]

Okay Central Florida Forum members, where the heck are all of the gun show dealers that buy and sell vintage S&W N-frames? I routinely go to the Orlando Fairgrounds show, Melbourne show, and today I went to Ft. Pierce. Nada...except for a couple of Model 28 Highway Patrolmen and a 629. Most tables are just selling black rifles and new semi-auto pistols and revolvers. There used to be at least a few dealers at every show that displayed their N-frames (.38/44s, 25s, 27s, 28s, 29s, 57s, etc.).

I've been searching for a Model 29-2 ("Dirty Harry"- blued and 6-1/2" bbl, of course) to add to my modest N-frame collection, and there are none to be seen. The Lakeland Rifle and Pistol Club sponsors their big collector shows 3 times a year, but other than that, I'm lost. Any suggestions for shows within a 2-hour drive? Thanks.

 

[celticfisherman]

Shhh.... I want all these guys buying ARs and zombie guns!!! Then the prices on real weapons will go down. Like a 66 4"!!!

 

[Ga Johnny]

the gun shows are were they buy the vintage guns.....the internet is where they sell 'em,

 

[SASABERANGER]

Hawg Rider,
Not much in the way of S&Ws at the Florida shows for the last 1.5+ years.
The best bet still seems to be the Lakeland Club Shows.
When I still lived down there I ran the entire circuit from Miami to Jacksonville. I left in 2000 but have been back for a few shows since. Less and less each time.
Once the economy picks up (if ever) I suspect things may improve.
A couple of the local promoters in Florida are a direct cause of the shows going down the drain. They are more concerned with the tables being filled than with what they are filled with, and as a result Bill Pierce has turned his show circuit into a traveling flea market instead of a gun show. The folks that do the Orlando Fairgrounds and Lakeland/Tampa Commercial Shows are other prime examples.
There are still some goodies out there and they are available, just harder to find right now.
If you want to find some interesting pieces come to the Wyoming Collector Show over Memorial Day Weekend in Riverton, WY. More like one of the old shows.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474

 

[wantmoresmiths]

Why not post a WTB ad here on the S&W forum. I would think you would find several 29-2's to choose from.

 

[pharmer]

HR, just keep going to the shows. Wanting a 29-2 with a 6 1/2" tube is very specific. One will turn up say every 15 shows. So you gotta go to every one so you don't miss it. If you make the show itself the "goal", you get better entertainment than a matinee. Make sure to ask everyone with a paper bag/zippercase "whatyagothowmuchyoutryintogetferit". The dealers like pix of B Franklin, and having them (firmly clenched) in hand does seem to have "aphrodisiac" qualities regarding a deal. See you in 4 weeks at the fairgrounds, and don't miss the $4 "chilicheese" fries. Joe

 

[sqhead]

i still think hitting the gun and pawn shops on a regular basis is the way to find that good buy that we all look for.gun shows seem to be kinda overpriced,but it's possible to get lucky there too every now and then.

 

[Sportsterguy]

I hear ya on the lack of S&W's and all of the black guns. Main reason I go to them anymore is for ammo. Haven't seen a great deal in the Tidewater area of Va. on a S&W for a long time. By the time I fill up the F-150, pay the admission fee, then eat lunch I've already shelled out a C note. Buy almost all of my guns here on the forum. Trustworthy folks who won't rip ya off and a pleasure doing business with them.

I can remember gettting some great deals down in the Tampa area's gun shows years ago. Last time I went to the one in Clearwater I did find a nice model 57 with a 4" barrel. Was 90% and the guy would not budge from $700.00. Man I do miss the good old days. Hear of folks on here getting some great deals but have not ben as lucky.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I don't know what is listed more often as a desired gun, the Dirty Harry 29 or a 4" or shorter 29. And the fact that it's a P/R gun will make it that much more difficult to find. I agree with the above post to start a WTB ad here or just keep crossing your fingers. On a side note, I think I have found my best deals on guns I didn't know I couldn't live without just by walking into LGS's on a regular.

 

[mod22shooter]

I find my best deals just stopping in at the local gunshops. I enjoyed the gunshows in southerned California when I lived there (85-95) and Texas from (95-2000). I've been in Minnesota since 2000 and most of the shows I've been to in the twin cities are a waste of time. My main purchase's at a gun shows are reloading componets. When I lived in Austin Texas the shows had dealers selling new guns at prices quite a bit below the local shops prices and I bought a few back then. Now days I would not expect to buy a gun when attending a gun show. I just go to look around and don't expect to buy anything and normally don't.