The “Big Reno Show”

old bear

old bear

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The “Big Reno Show” is being held in early April of next year. I’ve only attended regional shows, never a “Big” gun show. As I’ve got nothing but free time on my hands, I’m thinking about biting the bullet (pun intended) and attending. So, I would love to hear the good, bad, and the ugly from anyone who has attended this show.

Understand, this would require a cross country flight, three nights hotel and assorted expenses. All of these costs would be in addition to any purchases I may make at the show.

Again, let’s hear your real thoughts and suggestions, please.
 
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Fred,
I can't help but i will be following this thread
as i would also like to go to a "big" show.
Now that i am retired and have the free time.
Maybe we can meet up in Reno and i'll buy
you a cup of coffee.

Chuck
 
Yes - please update when you go.
Biggest show I ever went to was at Indiana State Fairgrounds (maybe 15 or so yrs ago).
 
OB, I absolutely enjoy gunshows over most other events. But I don't go more than Lakeland which is about 130 miles round trip. You are more likely to "gather up a treasure" going to your local show regularly rather than going cross country "in search of." That is unless there are casinos in the hidden agenda. Joe
 
RJJ 1971 said:
Yes - please update when you go.
Biggest show I ever went to was at Indiana State Fairgrounds (maybe 15 or so yrs ago).
Click to expand...

Same here my friend.
The Indy 1500 show 4 times a year. Been lots of times.
But it's not really a big National show.
I've always wanted to go to Reno or Tulsa like Fred
to see dealers from all over the US.


Chuck
 
I have attended the "Big Reno Show" four times in the past five years always as a vendor. I have to do 'well' to pay for the out of town expenses and I have. There is a lot of discretionary income walking around that show. It is very well managed and security is IMHO "just right". Given its 'Old West' theme there are lots of collectible firearms associated with the old west as well as the usual horde of black tacticool stuff. It is a big show but the fit person can see it all in one day. A locator grid is established so you can always find your way back to a gun that you want to give a second look. There are FFL dealers that provide shipping services to your home FFL for anything you out of staters might wish to purchase. The hotel/casino is very nice and gives a reduced rate to 'well in advance' reservations for the nights of the show. It is also a short hop from the Reno International Airport. For some reason I have done better selling at the fall show (just over) than the spring show, but that is not germane to your interests. The venue is a Casino so naturally there are several bars set up at the edges of the showrooms. I'm not in real favor of that, but "when in Rome, do as the Romans do." ......

If that would be your first trip to the Reno Area, don't miss taking a rental car and go up the hill to Lake Tahoe. Take a good camera! Reno is first most a tourist town, so take a good look at all the 'interest brochures' that every hotel has in the lobby for things of your interest. Beware of the Reno City vehicle traffic. I drive in what I regard as the US's worst qualified driver area that I have ever experienced, but my last trip to Reno was a shocker as to how the quality of drivers has deteriorated. It's bumper cars out there in a town that does not regard good street signing necessary! I went to College and worked in Reno for five years. Of course the freeway systems are all new and unfamiliar to me. If my wife could stand to see 'snow' in her driveway once in a while I would be living there now. ........ :-)

Virginia City is about an hour drive from the hotel and is worth at least one visit, I guess. It is mainly a "T-Shirt" shop town now, but the geography has not changed from the time Mark Twain was the town's newspaper Editor.

The weather should be cool and nice in April, but be prepared for the rare spring rain. Five years ago, April, I went up for the show and it was just after a late season snow storm. There was still snow piled up here and there although the streets were dry. ............ Enjoy yourselves......
 
Big Cholla, thank you. Yours was the type of information I had hoped to receive.

Any other "heavy hitters" out there with thoughts about the show.
 
There is Gaming, floor shows and adult entertainment in Reno plus lots of great places to eat five star meals that you will not normally get in most places.
Top chiefs and fresh sea food and prime meats along with pastries are just a few of the things offered in Reno for a fun trip.
There is also Lake Tahoe or Virginia City that might be on your bucket list or a 15-20 pound cutthroat at Pyramid lake, just thirty miles north of town.

The Reno gun show has lots of ammo, guns and odds and ends to keep you busy and prices that are not too far out of line and some a steal, now that things are getting better for the buyers.

We also have a Cabela's, Scheels and Sportsmans whse if you don't find any thing at the show....................

Two Basque restaurants to try if you have the nerve to try a "Pecon Punch" , a native drink that some aquire a taste for,
along with a family style dinner with other people that are seated at a table with you.

Have fun.
 
I'm in... Was talking to a friend about going 4 or 5 days ago. Doing the Cody Show next weekend! Not big but a good one.
 
I've attended the Big Show in Reno 5 or 6 times. Big CHolla nailed it being primarily an 'old west' theme event with a black gun section. I've bought a couple nice curio/collectables while there.
Know your stuff and make deals.

Bottom line, it's worth the short three day vacation out west. Go for it.
 
I've attended the Spring or Fall shows probably half a dozen times the last ten years or so. The August show only once. Attended the show last weekend as a matter of fact.

My two cents...Stay at the GSR the host hotel. Clean, secure and very gun friendly. The dining opportunities there are more than adequate. There's everything from a Rocket burger down by the pool to high end dining upstairs. With a few cafes and a buffet in between.

Show opens to the public on Friday morning, with long lines for tickets as well as entry. Go to the Big Reno Show site and get your tickets online, before the show. Saves time.

The show seems to ebb and change from year to year. Just a few years back we found MULTIPLE desirable Smith revolvers to tempt us each show. I think our record was six or seven Smiths purchased between three of us in one show. Then it seems to dry up and a decent deal is rare. I have never been skunked though. I always find a bargain.

Last weeks show was the driest in memory. Anything of interest was WAY overpriced. Not only MY opinion but the colt/winchester guys I went with agreed. yet I ended up with a LNIB 2" M-34 Kit Gun for $450 OTD.

I think the April show is the best one. Only did an August show once and it was lightly attended. November seems to be up and down. But April always seems to be a good one.

YMMV.

FN in MT
 
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As a matter of fact...Heres one of my posts from a very good Reno show visit.....

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/182867-pre-29-reno-show-find.html

I think I paid $1100 for the pre 29 shown and $1050 for the second one I bought the next day.

Reno is also where I got my very early Combat Magnum a few years back for under $600 by the time I replaced the wrong stocks with period correct Targets.

Reno has been good to me.
 
"Stay at the GSR the host hotel."

Frank, I've stayed there before, years ago. Before there the change of ownership and a new, to me, name. I think Del Webb's company owned it the last time I was there. It is the only casino, I’ve ever won any real money at. Filled a straight-flush with $5.00 in at a dollar slot…
I was planning on staying there if I could get a decent room, that was not an arm and a leg.
 
old bear said:
"Stay at the GSR the host hotel."

Frank, I've stayed there before, years ago. Before there the change of ownership and a new, to me, name. I think Del Webb's company owned it the last time I was there. It is the only casino, I’ve ever won any real money at. Filled a straight-flush with $5.00 in at a dollar slot…
I was planning on staying there if I could get a decent room, that was not an arm and a leg.
Click to expand...

Let them know you are there for the Show when you call for a room...I think they give a bit of a Show discount.
It's months away, but we should meet up. Always nice to visit with a fellow S&W addict.

FN in MT
 
I guess bring lotsa money is something to consider when going to one of these shows. I've been to a few big shows in Huston and if I ever do so again I'm renting one of those electric wheel chairs. I never covered all of the tables. Just an old fart with a backpack full of goodies. Frank
 
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