Gun Show Musings

[Buford57]

In an effort to divest myself of a lot of accumulated grips, holsters and other gun stuff I took a table at what used to be one of the more busy shows in our area. I knew attendance had fallen off, but at almost any time today vendors outnumbered attendees. Needless to say I had a lot of time to wool gather. Some of my thoughts were stimulated by my surroundings, others just took advantage of an idle mind.

1) It looks like the only money changing hands is at the concession stand and the VFW's Buddy Poppy booth (God bless them).

2) Crop tops and pot bellies are not a good combination.

3) Before the Internet I never would have guessed how many thousands of Navy Seals, Green Berets, Marine Scout Snipers and covert operators there are under the age of forty.

4) Weird has no age, race or sex. (Make that gender...there's lots of weird sex out there...genders, too for that matter)

5) The first 2.5 hours covered the table and half my gas. I may break even.

6) Sunny days in May don't draw crowds to gun shows.

7) Maybe we should call these "mostly gun related stuff" shows.

8) Which table has the loopholes?

9) All around the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasel...

10) Folding chairs are harder than they were 20 years ago.

11) My aisle would make a great bowling alley

12) Why are there hedge shears on that table?

13) Where's the jerky vendor when you need him?

14) What kind of novelty item could I make and sell at these shows as an "Official Gun Show Loophole".

15) When did women stop using shampoo?

16) My sons' entire generation is absent from this show.

17) Broke even on the table and gas, got a poppy. Maybe tomorrow will be better.


The only S&W revolvers I saw for sale were a decent Terrier for $650 and a similarly decent 17-3 at $925. There was also a fair 39-2 for $625. And an RG 22 LR marked down from $150 to $125!

 

[Spurdann]

Sounds quit similar to one I had a table at three weeks ago.
I am probably done with getting a table for now. I have better things to do on a given weekend.

 

[Buford57]

Sounds quit similar to one I had a table at three weeks ago.
I am probably done with getting a table for now. I have better things to do on a given weekend.

I hadn't taken a table in over 20 years. I was mainly trying to avoid shipping costs. I.will probably have the remaining items listed in the classifieds once I can get pictures taken.

 

[Rudi]

I only hit 2-3 shows a year now. Old Smiths are rare and pricy. Have not seen a Luger for a while.

 

[soFlaNative]

I am curious about #12, maybe correlates to #9?

 

[Telecaster]

You could cut some rope into 2’ lengths and tie them in bowlines, and sell them as loopholes. “No background check required, only $9.99!”

 

[Retired W4]

The Atlanta Expo show had a large crowd until about 3:30 when when every body disappeared. Then at about 20 minutes before closing I saw my buddy, retired ATL cop working security, stop an obvious gang banger as he was exiting the building. He had been caught on video stealing a gun. My friend was quickly joined by another security type and they escorted him back to the victim vendor's table. Everything went quietly until the perp tried to make a run for it. He was tackled near Classic Firearm's tables where about 6 guys assisted in the take down. Lots of "I can't breathe" screams happened. My show neighbor went over and she yelled at him "If you can scream you can breathe!" An announcement on the PA system declared the show was over and ordered all customers to leave. I know he was not the only thief in there, just the only one caught.

Maybe I will sell something today.

 

[Valmet]

Yep, gun shows def aren’t what they used to be. And haven’t been for a long time. The few shows I’ll attend are Louisville, Tulsa, etc but that isn’t often these days.

 

[smitholdtimer]

I believe you are right!

Being a "Once Upon A time" gun show junkie my contention is that we have been overserved, a gun show every weekend is just too much. Before you flame me, I'm speaking from a consumer's point of view not from a vendor's prospective. A large majority of vendors depend on an income from the shows and a large majority of consumers follow the same vendors to all the shows hoping that they will find something the haven't seen at the other shows. Eventually consumers learn that they are looking over most things the have already seen so all they are doing is keeping the show producers paid by their attendance.
Oh yes, I know there those that attend every show and would not miss one but if they are truthful they will admit that it's the same merchandise for sale at a different location.
More recently I only attend our collectors show and the local in town show and seem to look forward to them more since I don't attend a show every weekend now. And yes, I always look forward to the S&W CA Gatherings!
Understand that this is my opinion only and I respect that your opinion may be different.

 

[smitholdtimer]

I believe you are right!

Being a "Once Upon A time" gun show junkie my contention is that we have been overserved, a gun show every weekend is just too much. Before you flame me, I'm speaking from a consumer's point of view not from a vendor's prospective. A large majority of vendors depend on an income from the shows and a large majority of consumers follow the same vendors to all the shows hoping that they will find something the haven't seen at the other shows. Eventually consumers learn that they are looking over most things the have already seen so all they are doing is keeping the show producers paid by their attendance.
Oh yes, I know there are those that attend every show and would not miss one but if they are truthful they will admit that it's the same merchandise for sale at a different location.
More recently I only attend our collectors show and the local in town show and seem to look forward to them more since I don't attend a show every weekend now. And yes, I always look forward to the S&W CA Gatherings!
Understand that this is my opinion only and I respect that your opinion may be different.

 

[TeamPB]

I am not in disagreement with any of the musings in this thread, but...

The Colorado Gun Collectors show rarely disappoints, and if it does, The Wyoming Weapons Collectors show is the following weekend. I am not a vendor, just a consumer and these are great shows for a consumer. The vendors at these shows are a huge part of the show. Their collective experience, knowledge, wit and "tradecraft" is almost frightening. For the second year in a row Honey and I have gone on Friday, paying extra for the privilege. It allows for greater access to both product and the vendor.
My two purchases were from good acquaintances. The late 60's Colt .22 conversion unit was from my LGS's table. It's floating chamber was seized, so it had a good price, and I teased "R" that it was probably $100 less in his shop, but I had never seen it. Soaked the chamber in Kroil and 14 hours later, voila, not seized anymore.
The 1943 Winchester receiver and barrel M1 carbine was part of a local chapter, of a national organization's table display. I kind of know both of the gentleman manning the table. Seven years ago "B" helped me inspect an Eddystone that I then purchased. We chatted, I looked over the non priced carbine and we moved on. The historical displays were as strong and as interesting as ever.
Hours later, we were back at B's table. Looked over the carbine again. Everything was good and tight, bore shiny, original finish on receiver and barrel(?), a milled trigger group(?) and a Springfield Armory replacement stock(?). I asked the question and passed over the cash.

I now have two Colt Conversion Units, three M1 Carbines and the first Winchester-ish in my collection.

Great Show:
$150 for Honey and I to get in.
$450 for Colt conversion unit.
$1000 for a good and honest shooter grade carbine.

$1600 total, it was a good show for me.

 

[Ματθιας]

I stopped going to gun shows because all the good deals are made between vendors/tables the day before the show.

Add the parking and entrance fees, not worth it.

 

[Walkin Horse]

The thing I see at shows are the guys sit behind the table looking at their phones completely ignoring a would be buyer. Or they have their own clique going on talking to buddies at adjoining tables while potential buyers stand there looking at the scratched dirty glass cases with the guns piled on top of each other with the price tags turned down and unreadable. Or they are engaged in a conversation with someone who’s ranting a government conspiracy or talking about he used to own a gun like that. They have no intention of buying anything but they’re blocking the aisle. The non firearm booths are generally on their feet hawking their wares and paying for the table.

 

[Fishinfool]

I have always liked gun shows. Thing is you have to be selective.

Here in PA, there are several large gun show promoters who hold shows almost every weekend. They can be decent, but you'll notice the same dealers pretty much attend every show, with the same inventory.

Better are the smaller, local Grange / VFW / FD shows. They seem to have less dealers, and more local folks with tables selling personal stuff. Some good deals can be found...

Larry

 

[Buford57]

One detriment to the survival of gun shows in this area is the state's attitude toward private sales. All transactions now require a NICS check and a 3 day "cooling off period" even though to even handle a firearm or ammunition requires a FOID card, which requires a clear criminal history. That effectively eliminated sales to anyone outside of easy driving distance, since a transaction cannot be completed within the 2 days of the show. A good place to shop a greater variety of reloading components, used and custom leathergoods and other accessories than most local shops offer? Absolutely. Deals on guns? Not so much.

Today was better attended and I moved a fair amount of leather and a shotgun barrel. Bought some 125gr. .357s for reloading and some bargain targets. Met a couple of decent guys, one of them local, from adjacent tables. May weed out the garage some more and try again in September. Penny for a spool of thread, penny for a needle...