Currently $12 to $15 at most Vegas shows; $10 more for parking at the convention center. Other than the weekly VFW swap meet, I haven't seen a show in Pahrump in a few years.
Worst Gun Show Ever
- Thread starter max
- Start date
Currently $12 to $15 at most Vegas shows; $10 more for parking at the convention center. Other than the weekly VFW swap meet, I haven't seen a show in Pahrump in a few years.
scott024
Member
The Wanenmacher's show in Tulsa is still a very good show. It's not quite as good as back in the day of eastern bloc imports, but you can still find lots of interesting/odd items. It's probably the best place to find older guns and parts. There are lots of ridiculous prices, but there are also good deals being brought into the show by individuals that it's almost worth going to see what people are carrying around for sale. I'll be there April 1&2.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,576
- Reaction score
- 6,348
I missed the Kankakee show this past weekend due to prior commitments. It has been declining into craft show territory for several years and I doubt I missed much. The Princeton show was always much bigger and is scheduled for the last weekend of the month. I'll be looking for parts, leather and loopholes.
Last edited:
31FordA
Member
I used to drive all over attending gun shows, now I primarily just go to the Oaks, Pa show. Yes, the admission fee is getting high, there are few deals to be found, and the selection of old guns ain't what it used to be. However I primarily go because I enjoy the trip. Several current and former co-workers go to the show with me, so we get to hang out, look at guns, watch the kaleidoscope of humanity at the show, and stop on the way home for a good dinner. I usually run into a bunch of guys from my club, and a bunch of my Dad's old co-workers. It's also a chance to see what neat old S&W's Jeff from Highland Arm's might have.
I started attending gun shows in high school, going with friends from school and my Dad. The first gun show I went to was in Downingtown, Pa at the old Mickey Rooney Tabas Hotel. Lot's of different shows have come and gone over the years, and in general the shows aren't as good as they were in the 90's. In all those shows I think I've only bought guns from maybe five dealers, but I bought a bunch from those dealers over the years. Deals still turn up if you look carefully and are lucky.
I started attending gun shows in high school, going with friends from school and my Dad. The first gun show I went to was in Downingtown, Pa at the old Mickey Rooney Tabas Hotel. Lot's of different shows have come and gone over the years, and in general the shows aren't as good as they were in the 90's. In all those shows I think I've only bought guns from maybe five dealers, but I bought a bunch from those dealers over the years. Deals still turn up if you look carefully and are lucky.
Ranger514
Member
Rummage sales have overtaken what were once gun shows.
charlie sherrill
Member
Computers have ruined most of the shows. The vendors look at asking prices on the web and then price their stuff accordingly in an attempt to cover their overpriced table prices. LOOK AT COMPLETED AUCTIONS if you want to try and get a value on something. If the folks who put the shows on would lower the prices of the tables I think the prices would come down some resulting in more people attending the shows. I know how to find cheaper stuff and it ain't at the gun shows.
Years ago I used to make regular pilgrimages to the Bill Goodman's shows in Dayton and Sharonville. They continued shrinking over the years and when I finally figured out how to make my own box fan jerky I felt less compulsion to go.
What's the difference between paying admission to a bad gun show or admission to a bad movie? Gun show promoters and sellers can't do it for free; however, paying for parking chaps my hide.
For me it's still cheap entertainment. And like any treasure hunt, you won't discover anything good sitting on the couch.
Last edited:
I've been going to gun shows for years. Laid off because old age is creeping up on me. So my son took me to one a few years back. Jerky, golf balls, belly wash, etc. was there. I saw one S&W 32-20 in rough shape for $ 350. No more for this old guy.
Your history sounds a lot like mine. I was going to gun shows when I was in elementary school. Between the shows in York, Gettysburg and Frederick, MD I usually run into someone from one of my clubs and see the vendors who know me. Maybe the shows aren't as we remember them, but if it weren't for a gun show I wouldn't have found my 1895 Russian Nagant revolver with the Finnish capture marks, something that means a lot to me.
But hey, deals are where you find them. If some good soul hadn't posted about those Sig Sauer .45 LE trade-ins, I wouldn't have my nice P220 and we wouldn't have run into each other.
