No More Gun Shows

I feel I see the same results as Ringo1597 and Big Shrek; the further one gets from Metropolis the better priced items are.

My job took me to the STL Metro area and I lived there for the better part of 20 years. I loved to go to all the shows, I do own a couple of black guns but they are for specific functions and are not tied to my passions.

Early on I made many nice purchases. Met lots of nice folks. The last few years before I retired and moved away I pretty much went to the LARGE shows, but without expectations. Occasionally one would find ammo, magazines or some other gun related items priced right.

At the large shows ones best purchases came from folks wandering around with something in their hand or in a bag. Then there is the proverbial large FOR SALE banner on a wooden dowel sticking out of a rifle or shot gun BBL. Most of the time the prices were delusional.

The best shows were the smaller ones out of the metro area. Did very well at these.

I did retire to the sticks. I am hours from the nearest gun show. Sigh.
I live so far out in the boondocks that my chickens are 1/2 hoot owl.

I have not been to a gun show in 2 years. Heck I'd pony up 10 bucks to get in a bad one right now.
 
THE PILGRIM said:
Gunshows are not like the old days!
You got to look close, and when you see one you like, try to make a deal.
The black autos have just about taken over.
Us revolver guys have to have patience.
If you go to a show looking for a specific gun, it had better be a really big show.
Click to expand...

I agree! I decided not to attend two, small local shows this past weekend; however, after receiving a phone call and pics from a buddy who attended, I couldn't get to the show fast enough. Fortunately, at the request of my buddy, the elderly gentleman set three pristine Smiths away until my arrival. I ended up
Snagging three pristine smiths, all appear unfired - showing only the slightest hint of turn lines. Also, all have serial #s with "N" prefix and all have target hammers and triggers.

27-2 6" factory magnas $550

25-2 6.5" target factory football target grips, 4 - 5 moon clips (appear unused) $600

27-2 8 3/8 factory football target grips, presentation case and tool kit $550

I flipped the 27-2 8 3/8 while completing the dros.
 
My recent experience at a big gun show in my area was that S&W revolvers were not quite as rare as hen's teeth but close and the ones I saw were all mostly pretty nice guns at TOP DOLLAR prices. Maybe even more than top dollar when you think about it; premium prices. The sellers were mighty proud of them so I went home with some ammunition and that was that. Ammo is what I usually get; guns that I care about are rare.

When I was picking up milsurps and such I did bring home some nice guns (now mostly all liquidated) and when I was buying cowboy action guns I did okay, too. Then that sport grew HUGE and the guns got really expensive. I have mine and actually had two sets of everything but I whittled it down to one set of excellent guns so I can get back to playing again so I'm out of that market. Way too expensive at gun shows these days.

***GRJ***
 
No question that it is harder to find "deals" at gun shows these days. But they are there, you just have to scratch a little harder to find them.

In general, I buy my Colts from S&W specialists, and I buy my S&W's from Colt specialists. And I check out anything in blued steel that retail FFL might have for sale at a show....but the reality is that any reasonably smart person with 3 hours to spend at a computer will figure out, very very quickly, the nuances in the S&W market(s) - which models are rare, which variants are rare, etc. Things that used to take decades to learn are now quickly ascertainable by anybody with an interest and a few hours to "burn & learn."

--Neill
 
Was a gun show guy for years back in the 90's, as a fanatical M1 Carbine collector, and I could move through an acre-sized show at a Agricultural Hall at a near jog and spot every Carbine in there in half an hour. Got to where I could recognize the other collectors, the dealers and, even, sometimes, individual carbines.

I concur with the value of the smaller shows (Vol Fire stations FTW) over big shows and, likewise, with the takeover by the entrepreneurs and opportunists lately. The only solace I have when I think of how they wrecked the gun show scene is that these people all seem to be, universally, some of the least happy people ever. At least they are being punished.

Most times, I preferred to purchase from other gun show attendees. As a long gun guy in Pa, it was legal and entirely enjoyable to buy a Garand off some guy walking around with one on his shoulder.
Once, while walking into a show, I spotted a guy in line who had a Garand tied to his shoulder with some laundry cord as a sling, and it was a 5 digit sn Springfield DCM'er from the 60's, bought it from him for $300! I miss the early 90's sometimes. ;)
 
Gun shows aren't what they used to be but the difference between a bogus show and a great show is one good deal. You never know............
 
AveragEd said:
Gun shows have been taken over by the black gun crowd. Here in central Pennsylvania, more and more of them are promoted by Eagle Arms, a black gun dealer between Reading and Allentown - actually near Foglesville, if I'm correct. Anyway, when I see a show is an Eagle Arms production, I don't go. All you see are ARs, plastic handguns and wanna-be military types walking the aisles.

Ed
Click to expand...

Not sure about all that. I go to their shows often. They are the promoter, they don't dictate what one can and can't sell. However, what products you see is based on the vendor and what they sell. Eagle Arms has shows in SE Pa as well and I see everything from old lever actions and Springfield trap doors to tables full of Garands and of course modern "black guns". Eagle Arms is actually a surplus dealer. Their tables are usually full of Mosin Nagants, Mausers, CZ, Tokarev, Walthers, and police trades and they have the ARs, AKs as well. You should go to their store, it's nothing but surplus stuff.

I've been to a few fire hall shows and felt like I needed a tetanus shot when I left. Just old stuff. Nothing special, old rusty hunting rifles.

Gun shows are what you make of them. I'm never disappointed but I'm never hunting for the one gottahavit gun. If a dealer is asking too much for something I like that's his problem not mine. I'm just as happy not to spend money. Just keep walking without giving it a second thought.
 
The original poster stated that he went to the local gun show looking for two specific pistols, neither of which have been made in 15 years. Gun show vendors are like any other business they stock and put on their table what they can seel to get their table rent back and make a buck. The number of people looking for a 5906 or a 6906 and any gun show will be very small and if you have a nice example it will get picked up and played with so much that it will go from 98% in the box to 90% in a show or two. Then when the guy walks up that is actually looking for that specific pistol he wants it for nothing.
 
I went to the big Tulsa show this weekend and didn't spend any money. I agree there was a lot of rude dealers and overpriced ammo and guns. If you made an offer it was a condescending attitude and no sense of humor on the seller's part. I never thought I would say this but other than the holster dealers the gun shows of late are pretty much a bust. I have went over the last 30 years and enjoyed just talking to folks and seeing what was new. I can think of several places I could spend $10 to get in and not have to put up with a lot of the nonsense I saw yesterday. I unfortunately agree with the previous posters, the internet has finally taken over and I am afraid the gun shows days are numbered. It is a very sad day indeed.
 
stumpie said:
Well Went to a local gun show today looking for a 5906 or 6906 not one to be found, the show had lots of tables set up but most of the items were new with very high price tags after talking to a few people found out most all were dealers thus the new items and prices , I miss the old days when you could go to a show and deal with a NON FFL guess those days are gone , how sad, did find a very nice S&W 915 with 2 mags no box or papers he was a private guy with just a few guns on his table ,he did come down to 350 from the 400 he was asking ,to me that was still high but I wanted the pistol so did pay the 350 because I was not happy with what I saw there and knew this would be my last time going to a show I was shocked not to see any older S&W pistols there , maybe Iam just old fashion .
Click to expand...
Consider your self lucky to have gun shows here in The Peoples Republic of New Jersey they are banned. I drive about 75 miles to PA to see a show
 
OldK22 said:
The original poster stated that he went to the local gun show looking for two specific pistols, neither of which have been made in 15 years. Gun show vendors are like any other business they stock and put on their table what they can seel to get their table rent back and make a buck. The number of people looking for a 5906 or a 6906 and any gun show will be very small and if you have a nice example it will get picked up and played with so much that it will go from 98% in the box to 90% in a show or two. Then when the guy walks up that is actually looking for that specific pistol he wants it for nothing.
Click to expand...
I did enjoy reading this post ,but IMHO to me it has a ring to it as a past or current FFL Holder or someone who is very close to one. LOL
 
Shows here in Oregun have problems. In our state they have instant background check to buy any gun at a show. Nothing done by government is "instant". I have seen it take over an hour on the phone to do a check. Even private sales have to go rough this at gunshows. Plus they keep wanting to raise the fee.

I look at something on the table and ask myself if it's worth an hour wait.
 
Past Week-End Gun Show

Hello Stumpie,

Would you mind sharing the location where the show in your reference is located? I also attended a show that was a little disappointing but for different reasons.

"Our" shows seem to have become an entertainment feature for folks looking for something to do, the promoters are charging the "Vendors" for table space and the "Show Goers" to get in with the only sure money going to the Promoter! Of course if less people attend his (Promoter) income is diminished also.

Sorry you had a bad experience but I am noticing a major decline in attendance in just the last year or so! Not sure what the future will hold but do hope things change. I will say that there are way too many shows held in this area which takes the anticipation for attending away, in my opinion!
 
smitholdtimer said:
Hello Stumpie,

Would you mind sharing the location where the show in your reference is located? I also attended a show that was a little disappointing but for different reasons.

"Our" shows seem to have become an entertainment feature for folks looking for something to do, the promoters are charging the "Vendors" for table space and the "Show Goers" to get in with the only sure money going to the Promoter! Of course if less people attend his (Promoter) income is diminished also.

Sorry you had a bad experience but I am noticing a major decline in attendance in just the last year or so! Not sure what the future will hold but do hope things change. I will say that there are way too many shows held in this area which takes the anticipation for attending away, in my opinion!
Click to expand...
The show was in Maumee Ohio at the Recreation Center, Sponsored by the Maumee Valley Gun Collector Association
 
The online sellers, auction sites and forums like this have pretty much done away with the need or effectiveness of gun shows. Occasional finds can be had, but you'll usually be more successful on line. The one exception might be for reloading, ammo and accessories due to high shipping costs and hazmat fees on smaller quantities.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
stumpie said:
Well Went to a local gun show today looking for a 5906 or 6906 not one to be found, the show had lots of tables set up but most of the items were new with very high price tags after talking to a few people found out most all were dealers thus the new items and prices , I miss the old days when you could go to a show and deal with a NON FFL guess those days are gone , how sad, did find a very nice S&W 915 with 2 mags no box or papers he was a private guy with just a few guns on his table ,he did come down to 350 from the 400 he was asking ,to me that was still high but I wanted the pistol so did pay the 350 because I was not happy with what I saw there and knew this would be my last time going to a show I was shocked not to see any older S&W pistols there , maybe Iam just old fashion .
Click to expand...
I was at the Maumee show Sunday myself. Was not looking too hard, as my financial status was not too strong. Prices were high for the most part. Not many patrons toting guns for sale either. My consolation prize... Bought a 500 ct. 148gr. BBWC bullets. Bob
 
bananaman said:
I was at the Maumee show Sunday myself. Was not looking too hard, as my financial status was not too strong. Prices were high for the most part. Not many patrons toting guns for sale either. My consolation prize... Bought a 500 ct. 148gr. BBWC bullets. Bob
Click to expand...
Hi Bob, What was your take on the show ? I totally agree with you on the prices , now that you mentioned it I only seen 1 guy carrying a handgun for sale no rifles at all , but it was a Sunday and early, I got there just as they were opening stayed about 3 hours or so , like I posted that will be my last time there , I may go to Fremont or Montplier shows there a lot smaller but maybe the dealers took those shows over to .
 
Well:
The biggest show of the year will be coming up here in Phoenix the 1st weekend in December. This is the Combined Crossroads Show(1500 + tables) and the SAR(Full auto) show which is around 300 tables. This show is usually very well attended as there's truly something for everybody. I will be set up in the main building in the Crossroads Show. I'm NOT a dealer but use this as an opportunity to trade/sell items I have and buy others that I want. It's usually a good show for me as I price everything right around wholesale as I bring this stuff to sell not put it on display.
Jim
 
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just jim said:
Shows here in Oregun have problems. In our state they have instant background check to buy any gun at a show. Nothing done by government is "instant". I have seen it take over an hour on the phone to do a check. Even private sales have to go rough this at gunshows. Plus they keep wanting to raise the fee.

I look at something on the table and ask myself if it's worth an hour wait.
Click to expand...

In Florida if you have a CCW permit you fill out the 4473 & take the gun then.
They check it at their leisure, as CCW permit holders get to skip the Brady Wait
due to having been checked out from stem to stern by the FBI & BATF ;)
BATF now also has an online check which is pretty darn quick...
my latest out-of state purchase came back Good in about 15 minutes :)
Couldn't resist another Marlin rifle...hehehe

If anything pops up funny, they come get you at your house...
so it pays to remain clean as the proverbial whistle.

What I do like best lately about gun shows is being able to find magazines
that are WAY out of production...Erma Luger, Stoeger Luger, CS45,
once I get 5 of each, I'm happy ;)
 
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Well if I quit going to gun shows then where would I get five high quality knives for $5.00?
:)
 
Door Goalies

The area I live in is"depressed" , a lot of people out of work.
A promoter, no name mentioned, started shows in several
places that never had one. Usually in store building that went
under. At first we were happy to have new shows. Tables were
a little high compared to the bigger established shows, but we
figured it was just cost of renting buildings. Tables sold out. When we went to set up we had to take any unnecessary credit
cards out of our wallets so we could squeeze in behind our tables.
To make matters worse, promoter was bankrolling buyer at door
to grab any good cash deals before they made it inside. After word got around he couldn't sell tables. I hear he changed name
of operation and is still around Ohio Valley area.
 
The gun shows here in WA State should be called "Flea Markets"
The majority of the guns are black and you can always find some beef jerky to chew on!

However.......I must give credit to the latest WAC show in Puyallup, WA.......I had not been there in over 20 years and the only reason I went was to apply for the Oregon Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit.
Once done, I was about to walk out the door and decided to do a quick table scan. Low and behold I found the "Holy Grail", a late 1940's K-32 in very nice condition. And a PRIVATE SALE to boot!!!

But overall, I am not a gun show goer. Especially now that WA St. has passed the new communist initiative sponsored by Bloomberg, Gates, Allen and Balmer......I-594. God help us!
 
Big Shrek said:
In Florida if you have a CCW permit you fill out the 4473 & take the gun then.
They check it at their leisure, as CCW permit holders get to skip the Brady Wait
due to having been checked out from stem to stern by the FBI & BATF
Click to expand...

Nevada has the same system. I was in Reno this past Saturday visiting my ex-wife (both honorably retired LEOs) when we decided to patronize Cabelas. While there we spotted a couple clean 28-2 4". After completing negotiations, the salesman asked if she had a Nevada CCW so they could waive the $25 BG check. She told him that she didn't have a NV CCW, but she was an honorably retired LEO with credentials that authorizes her to CCW in all 50 states and 5 US Territories. Nope, not good enough, only NV CCW will work. Wife didn't want the 28-2 bad enough to pay the $25 for the a nonsensical BG check.
 
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I've bought rifles off private buyers at shows here in Nevada. Never tried to buy a handgun that way, and sometimes it depends on the show promoter and local law. What is OK in Nye county may not fly here in Vegas. That goes for stuff other than gunshows, too. ;)
 
THREEDFLYER said:
The gun shows here in WA State should be called "Flea Markets"
The majority of the guns are black and you can always find some beef jerky to chew on!

However.......I must give credit to the latest WAC show in Puyallup, WA.......I had not been there in over 20 years and the only reason I went was to apply for the Oregon Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit.
Once done, I was about to walk out the door and decided to do a quick table scan. Low and behold I found the "Holy Grail", a late 1940's K-32 in very nice condition. And a PRIVATE SALE to boot!!!

But overall, I am not a gun show goer. Especially now that WA St. has passed the new communist initiative sponsored by Bloomberg, Gates, Allen and Balmer......I-594. God help us!
Click to expand...

How long did you have to wait in that Oregon permit line? Late morning on Saturday it was huge, and not obviously moving very fast !
 
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