N-Frame Collectors in Florida
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bk43
Member
Welcome. If there are any collector shows or meetings in Florida I've never heard of them. If you're new to the state, the shows here tend to be fair, at best. Most would probably call the one at the Lakeland Center, put on by the gun club, the top one for collectable guns.
I like N frames also but the plain old .44 special variety. Don't see very many in these parts, sadly.
Bob
I like N frames also but the plain old .44 special variety. Don't see very many in these parts, sadly.
Bob
I have to agree with BK43...the Central Florida gun shows are pretty lame if you're a collector. Orlando, Melbourne, Port St. Lucie, etc. are largely "new gun" shows, especially AR-15 stuff, cheap knives, and beef jerky. A few dealers have WWII guns, some overpriced old Winchesters, lots of shotguns and older hunting rifles. However, in saying that, I did pick up a really nice blued 6" Model 29-2, 6" bbl, 98%, for $500 last weekend. Even a blind hog finds an acorn every so often. Lakeland is probably one of the best shows and worth the drive...good hunting!
The last Lakeland Gun Club Show find...27-2 Nickel 4" 
It's THE ONE to go to..
It's THE ONE to go to..
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PackN
Member
shawplat1
Where are you at in the Sunshine State ?? I got a couple on N Frames but none in .44 Magnum though! Welcome to the Forum! N-Frameitis is VERY contagious!!
PackN
Where are you at in the Sunshine State ?? I got a couple on N Frames but none in .44 Magnum though! Welcome to the Forum! N-Frameitis is VERY contagious!!
PackN
Thanks for the reply, I am near Merritt Island. I'm somewhat surprised to hear that there isn't much in the way of resources for the collector in this state. I moved here from MN, and was expecting to see much more in the way of collectible guns being the fact that Fl is such a populated state and in general is gun-friendly. I have been to the Melbourne show and I literally would not waste the money to ever go back. As was mentioned, its mostly all new overpriced "black guns", tactical paraphernalia, and beef jerky. Furthermore, there are hardly any private sellers that aren't ffl's. The Orlando show was a little better mainly because it was bigger, but I couldn't believe the lack of collectible guns of any kind. Back home, there are many private sellers at local gun shows and there are usually alot of lever action Winchesters, collectible Colts and Smiths, and usually nice military stuff to look at. I noticed that the Lakeland show is put on by Suncoast Gunshows, and they also put on shows in ft. lauderdale, Tampa, Ft. Myers etc. Would you say that these shows are as good as Lakeland....or is that show unique?
diamonback68
US Veteran
Not so fast here shawplat1! I picked this up at the last Melbourne show two weeks ago, a post war pre-17 S/N K156XX from 1947 for $425 from a Ma and Pa table. You gotta look real close.
Next is an M&P 4th change from 1915 that I got last weekend at the Ft. Pierce show. $279 OTD from a FFL DEALER!
The Lakeland show they are referring to is not the Suncoast shows, but the three times a year Lakeland Rifle and Pistal Club show, the next one is in January. This show is 600 tables and have a lot of collectors showing there.
You also gotta remember that a lot of us have been collecting for number of years and a lot of real nice guns are quietly resting in gunsafes, but good guns and good bargains are always still out there and patience and persistence is the answer. There are still a lot of nice N-frames still out there too. Happy hunting!
BTW, we do have a bunch of guys from around the Orlando area that get together on an Ad Hoc basis and we would be glad to have you join us on the next one. Send me your E-mail address and I'll let you know when the next one is.
Regards.
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Welcome to Florida, I moved here 5 years ago from VA. I attend 2-3 gun shows a month in a 150 mile radius of home in NW Florida. Most of the guns are black guns or beaters. I collect pre-war N-frames and I average about 3 or 4 guns a year. The best show is the AL Collecters Show in Birmingham. I have heard that the Jacksonville, FL collecters show is a good one, but I haven't made it yet. A lot of the really Small shows have mom & pop items that show up from time to time. The key is persistance and knowing what you want. I have attended the shows that you mentioned and I agree that theres not much and the competition is really intense for good Smiths. The Lakeland Show is a good one, but again PERSISTANCE counts. Enjoy the sun!
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