Lakeland gun show report

tlawler

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I got to the show just before opening. No line at all for tickets. The line waiting for entry had about 150 people and went fast when the doors opened. Made a deal on a revolver in line on the way in...more on that later. I like to head for less crowded territory as the first aisle tends to get jammed up when the first hundred people in the door head down it at the same time. There was a lot of vintage iron there. Turnerriver is right about the show being more about collectibles and less plastic and jerky. Prices were pretty high, but seem to be leveling out a little...maybe? I was looking for a .357 lever gun and the only example I saw was a nice mid-70s that was going for $1200...ouch. I saw a lot of pistols that were pretty good deals, but after buying the pre-27 in line, my funds were limited and I'm trying not to spend the funds I have set aside for a lever gun. One I really liked was a very clean 4516-2 with three mags, box and papers for $699. I offered $550 to see if he'd bite, but he was firm. I was tempted even at that price, but I already have a 4516ND. I'm practicing my will power:D Ammo is still outrageously priced, though I don't follow the prices enough to tell if it is still going up or leveling. A few vendors had miscellaneous reloading components and tools. I picked up a new looking Lee .45AR die set for $20. Powder was averaging $50/lb and primers $200/1K. There was only one hanger open, and it was getting so packed, I really think they should have opened the second one and had everything a little more spread out. I'm all for young families exercising their second amendment rights and interest in firearms, for they are our future...but please leave the baby strollers at home! *rant over on that*

Anyway, back to my in-line purchase. A gentleman was showing someone in line a nice 681 and I happened to ask if he had any other S&Ws for sale. He had a very nice pre-27 3 1/2" Nickle that I just couldn't pass up at a good price. The deal was made and I could have gone home happy at that point. But it is almost 90 miles, so of course I had to check out the show. I stopped by the SWCA tables to say Hi, but Charlie and John were wandering around the show and I didn't get to meet them. I did talk to a couple of fellas there and one of them turned out to be the gentleman I purchased the pre-27 from. He is a SWCA member as well!

All in all a really good show. Glad I paid my $12 and stuck around. Although I admit I had to stop a few times and admire my new purchase.
 
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That sounds a lot better than the shows we have around Ocala and Gainesville. I need to get down to that show sometime just didn't want to make the drive and find a bunch of new plastic stuff like so many shows have, Also know everything is pretty high right now so I am trying to limit my buying for a while although it is not easy to do.
 
Haven't been to a show in quite awhile ,I miss the days when shows mostly were collector/ shooter types. My old buddies are too old or passed on now and don't enjoy going alone. Guess I am getting old as well.
 
It was a busy morning but thinned out a lot by early afternoon.
Our tables were a long way from the other S&W group and only one table had the SWCA table cover so it would be easy to miss.
Sorry we missed you, see you next time.
Regards,
 
It was a busy morning but thinned out a lot by early afternoon.
Our tables were a long way from the other S&W group and only one table had the SWCA table cover so it would be easy to miss.
Sorry we missed you, see you next time.
Regards,

I hadn't realized there were two groups. Once I saw the SWCA table cloths at the south end, I thought that was it.

No pictures, it didn't happen. :D

I took a quick picture of the pre-27 when I got in, but that was the only picture I took on the inside.
 

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