Savannah, GA Gun Show

[Narragansett]

Having grown up in RI and being bordered by Massachusetts and Connecticut gun shows are pretty much non existent. So now, being in Georgia, I was pretty much looking forward to the show in the Savannah Convention Center.

So I went there this morning, and was thoroughly disappointed. I do not think that there were a dozen S&W revolvers in the whole place of any flavor.

What was there was many tables of AR's and AR platform parts, anodized in every color you can imagine. Lots of second rate guns, pink guns, Chinese junk knives, over priced ammo, components, and army surplus junk.

Only one table had jerky, and no fudge. Could not get a coffee till 11AM.

Without trying to make a political statement, suffice it to say there was a lot of propaganda all over the place.

Well they got 15.00 entry, 10.00 for 4 bullet key chains and 3.21 for a coffee. So 28.21 all together.

I hope I can find some shows where small individual collectors participate. I am done with what I experienced today

 

[444 Magnum]

Good luck. I'm a Georgia native and resident. I haven't been to a gun show in years because of these very reasons. Neither Atlanta or Columbus are any better.

Retired W4 may tell you otherwise. He seems to be finding treasures.

There is an auction house about 130 miles from you in Montrose down I16. They get some interesting items occasionally. I'll let you an Retired W4 fight over them.

 

[Retired W4]

Never been to the Savannah show. I started bidding at Montrose in 2010, when it was in-person only. Years ago I set up from Cartersville down to the ATL Expo. Now I just do Gwinnett Co. Fairgrounds, Jim Miller Park, Union Hall and of course, the Expo. I've been told I have the best S&W selection around, but KenL might dispute that claim. He is my next door neighbor at Expo and he does have a lot of good stuff.

This is from a few months ago.

 

[Dave.357]

I have been to good ones and not so
good ones . I still set up a couple times
A year. I end up buying more than I would
If I just walked around.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Another reason to live here, even the lousy gun shows are good. The prices likely start high, but if you have done business before the dealers learn what you like and flag you down most often offering a decent discount or asking for an offer to bring things back to earth. I have a crowded safe to prove it. I always see something that I want. yesterday, one of my pushers saw me waking and called me over and showed me a pristine Model 3906. So little money so many good guns. Also found some OEM 4006 magazines still in the package.

 

[Greyman50]

Seems that most well known larger shows have “ shrunk” and mostly have plastic guns and AR’s. A few smaller shows have more variety. Our show( NFACA) is considerately smaller than 6-7 years ago. Thanks to so many on line sites and covid. All our show have quite many S&W’s, Colts and other older name revolvers and semi autos. Sure we have ARs and plastic but not covered up in them. Last year a buddy and went down to the big Tampa show. $10?to park and $12? entry. What a Big disappointment. Huge hall that could easily hold 1500 tables but Wide isles and maybe 700-800 tables Full of ARs and plastic pistols. Only saw 2 older guys ( my age) with older military rifles, 1 guy with so called military surplus, cleaning kits ECT but no real collectable items. Do not recall seeing but 1 or 2 S&W revolvers, no Colts even 1911s. I no longer collect US militaria and sold off remainder of collection few months ago but still look.

 

[AJ]

If you are looking for a decent show this should do you. Lakeland Arms Show Spend the weekend and see some sights too.

 

[Retired W4]

We have our share of junk in the ATL shows but RK Shows has a collector section, so to speak with lots of good stuff.

If you look at one small case you will see a Glock 10mm. I found a real nice EAA Witness 10mm I had been looking for so the Glock got sold that day.

 

[S&W Fan]

Now that in Colorado we have a 72hr wait from submitting the NCIC until pick up (even though the ffl knows almost immediately if the buyer passed or not) there's no reason to go to any of the shows here unless the search is for accessories. Too much of a pain to figure out how to pick up a purchase. The only buyers that are exempt are ffl holders and they look to buy things cheap to make a profit-which I understand completely.

 

[AJ]

Now that in Colorado we have a 72hr wait from submitting the NCIC until pick up (even though the ffl knows almost immediately if the buyer passed or not) there's no reason to go to any of the shows here unless the search is for accessories. Too much of a pain to figure out how to pick up a purchase. The only buyers that are exempt are ffl holders and they look to buy things cheap to make a profit-which I understand completely.

No private sales? Have them here in Fl. so far. Also if through a dealer and you have a CCW for Fl. you can take possession immediately.

 

[BKLooney]

The only show I even like attending anymore is the RK Shows at the convention center in Knoxville. Always a pretty good show, more than their share of plastic but always some great old guns as well.

 

[Birdhunter6]

I attend a show at the local fairgrounds twice a year, more to see friends than to shop. These days I buy mostly uncommon ammunition, brass etc.

10 years ago it was a much better show. Lots of Chinese pocket knives now and imported "tactical gear". I'm always the designated shopper for 2 or 3 friends. There are still bargains available if you're looking for something basic, a utility grade pump 20, bolt action .308 or lever action .22 etc. Friends know I'll pay the gate and hit every table. If I see something that fills someone's need I text them a description and a table number. I'm a happy enabler.

There are still 2 or 3 venders that show up every time with multiple older Smith and Colt revolvers. I spend time with them. Like me they enjoy having someone that to talk to that appreciates their stuff and speaks their language. Sadly, the things I lack are generally priced out of my range. My offers aren't usually accepted but I've hit a time or 2.

I notice the venders are smarter than me. When they pass on one of my offers, it's a good sign they will sell it for their asking price before the end of the day. Yes folks, I'm THAT GUY. Stuff can't possibly be worth more than twice what it was in the 90s, right???

 

[S&W Fan]

No private sales? Have them here in Fl. so far. Also if through a dealer and you have a CCW for Fl. you can take possession immediately.

In 2013 our idiot legislators made it so even private sales have to go through an ffl-we've never had the exemption with a ccw permit. Now with our new law if one finds something from a private seller at a show we have to find a local ffl (evidently there are some at the shows) that will process the sale and then arrange for pickup at the end of the 72 hr waiting period.

With my schedule it's just easier to either just buy from one of my favorite shops or arrange the transfer at them. The last gun I bought was in November at my range/shop. They have convenient hours so after work on the third day I was able to drop by, resign/certify the 4473 and take it home.

 

[Retired W4]

I do have quite a collection of friends who congregate around and behind my tables. Some come from as far away as Dalton. People are directed to the right place when they come in with a S&W. A good time is had by all.

 

[GypsmJim]

I live in NY. Yeah, yeah, I know. Restrictions, draconian gun laws, permit reuirements, etc.

Nevertheless, we have the best gun shows around. Three local counties have their Pistol Permit Departments and computers on hand. You could conceivably buy a dozen handguns and have them registered and take them home with you. No waiting periods. There are NICS chek table set up and on computer, no problem.

Prices? Well, that's another story. But they are no higher than at the LGS. If you can't afford one you like, there is a casino next door so you can go and win whatever you need (hahaha).

I can't count the number of guns I've bought at one of the local shows.

 

[45Smashemflat]

I’m below Macon. Haven’t been to a show since COVID. Last one went to was not that great. I used to go mainly for bulk ammo purchase, and to stop by Mr Broome’s table. But he quit coming out years ago. He always had nice old S&Ws, Colts, etc.

 

[rwsmith]

Are there ANY....

...good gun shows any more? We have a big one at the fairground but it's mostly local vendors, set up with what they sell every day in the store. The usual tables of trinkets, beef jerkey and some knives. There's a pretty stiff entrance fee so unless you find something that you really like or need, you are paying them to shop.

 

[Retired W4]

I’m below Macon. Haven’t been to a show since COVID. Last one went to was not that great. I used to go mainly for bulk ammo purchase, and to stop by Mr Broome’s table. But he quit coming out years ago. He always had nice old S&Ws, Colts, etc.

Harvey is an old buddy. We did a lot of buying and selling, especially at the old North Atlanta Trade Center. That was a GOOD show. Ah, the good old days.

 

[Golddollar]

...good gun shows any more? We have a big one at the fairground but it's mostly local vendors, set up with they they sell every day in the store. The usual tables of trinkets, beef jerkey and some knives. There's a pretty stiff entrance fee so unless you find something that you really like or need, you are paying them to shop.

I have 3 pretty good gun shows within reasonable distance of me. One is at the Frederick (MD) County Fairgrounds, and the other two are in PA in Gettysburg and York. The PA shows are better for me since I'm a PA resident. All of them have enough guns to be of interest to me and I've bought enough stuff at them to make it worthwhile to pay the price of admission and keep going to them.

 

[KEN L]

Never been to the Savannah show. I started bidding at Montrose in 2010, when it was in-person only. Years ago I set up from Cartersville down to the ATL Expo. Now I just do Gwinnett Co. Fairgrounds, Jim Miller Park, Union Hall and of course, the Expo. I've been told I have the best S&W selection around, but KenL might dispute that claim. He is my next door neighbor at Expo and he does have a lot of good stuff.

This is from a few months ago.

I DO dispute that! However I will yield to you in having nicer keepers!
I was going to suggest the OP visit our shows. I've heard the Savanah shows ain't all that.