Tulsa Gunshow attendance down?

[Farmer17]

A friend went to the Tulsa Gunshow last weekend and said there were fewer people there than he had ever seen and said it didn't look like people were buying much either. Did anyone go to the show get this impression? I'm an hour drive away but I usually don't go to the show any more because it is too crowded and hectic.

 

[heckinohio]

Never been to Tulsa, but all shows here, about 10, are way down in attendance......and....no young people. Are youth & newbies priced out.????

PJH

 

[John Fugate]

It seemed like a huge crowd to me, especially Saturday morning. Elbow to Elbow. I saw lots of young people at the show, one little feller in stroller I bet wasn't even 4 years old yet, anyway he had on a cap that said WTB nice triple lock. I ask him if he was interested in a nice target,, he said if it's honest, no cold blue and no stars. I knew at that point he was the real deal. He had that old school guntrader look in his eye. You can just tell right away who's serious and who's not, you know what I'm talking about.

 

[Farmer17]

That's a pretty sharp 4 year old that really knows old Smiths.

 

[John Fugate]

He had an " Elmer Keith Rules " bumper sticker on his stroller,,,,

 

[opoefc]

Same for the annual Las Vegas Antique Arms shows each January. Attendance is way down as well as table sales, compared to the many years gone by. No young people hardly at all. It's a reflection of times to come, I'm afraid. No kids in strollers, but lots of power chairs with gray haired pilots. Ed.

 

[forindooruseonly]

I was there Saturday morning, crowd was down and not a lot of buying or selling happening. Looked pretty slow, considering what it was a couple of years ago.

Saw some good deals, but prices were mostly high and the market is clearly weak at the moment. One of the few times I've walked away from Tulsa without buying anything.

 

[italiansport]

All it will take to change this is one good anti "gun confiscation" scare!!
Jim

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Since the craze died down the Wanenmacher Show has had less vendors (big vendors) each year & the aisles have slowly gotten wider (not a bad thing).

Saturday was pretty full by noon. I made it thru the top floor in 3.5hrs & called it a day. Came back Sunday to go thru the bottom & back thru the top floor. Sunday is always slower & some vendors leave early Sunday or never show up at all.

Still a good crowd but less than in the past. I came away empty handed too. My son bought some beef jerky.

On the local news they interviewed someone from the show's management & he said there was more interest this show because of the recent change to permitless carry in Okla.

It's always fun though.

.

 

[rubiranch]

I've never been to a gun show.
If I ever do attend one it will be the one in Tulsa.

 

[df06]

Have not been to Tulsa show in a few years.
Not surprised if attendance is down-
Weak demand
Ridiculous prices in some cases
And you can buy most things off the internet

 

[wundudnee]

We started on the lower level Saturday. I felt it was a little less crowded than normal. However, by noon it got busy and stayed that way for the rest of the day. Sunday was slow and the dealers were getting out starting about noon.
I have gone to the Tulsa show generally spring and fall for about twenty years. Only rarely do I get out without finding something I have to have.

One of my main interests is Winchester .22s and I have had very good luck finding quality collector vintage ones there. I get a lot of fun meeting some of the dealers that have my same interest.

Locally here in NE Kansas we have small mediocre shows with very few older walnut and wood older rifles. I figure that Tulsa, Denver and the Missouri Valley shows are part of my recreation and worth the trips.