gun shows

[SPQR70AD]

There was a time when going to a gun show was a great time, meeting new people, seeing all sorts of firearms, and having a great time. I remember it being fun, unique, filled with nice, friendly wholesome people.

I only go sporadically anymore…Once or twice a year…I see the exact same people, selling the exact same stuff, and possessing the exact same surly attitude. And each time I go, I ask myself, “Now why did I come to this?”

Maybe if I went to a different state…see what they have…

I usually get the ole feelings walking traders row at a rondy.

yes it has been like that for 20 years and I dont know where these guys here are finding deals at gun shows

 

[Mark Herman]

Come on over to Marietta today or tomorrow. Antique arms show, 45th annual, plenty of guns available, not all 2-3K.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Do you typically find interesting, collectible or rare muzzleloading guns and accessories at your local gun shows?

Only if it's a "big" show. The Nation's Gun Show when it's in Dulles VA has both collectables, modern stuff, and some black powder. The Silverado Gun Show tends to be smaller, and a lot more folks just getting rid of closet queens, rarely anything ML.

Of course going to a Muzzle Loading show like The Fort Frederick Market Fair, OR to Kalamazoo Michigan's show, THAT will have lots of stuff.

LD

 

[Coot]

Do you typically find interesting, collectible or rare muzzleloading guns and accessories at your local gun shows?

Most of the shows are what an antique gun dealer friend calls "ammo camo" shows. I have bought far more books (and for that matter, coot decoys) at shows than guns.

 

[Eutycus]

Lots of lookers but not really that many buyers, but I can kind of see why. I really don't see the attraction that automatics and camouflage have on some people.

 

[gustrolland]

Do you typically find interesting, collectible or rare muzzleloading guns and accessories at your local gun shows?

Here in Oregon, we have at least three gun show that have most everything you need or want if you look. Albany gun club has a good show, Roseburg gun club can be Really good and the Willamette Valley Arms Collectors Associateion has a good one. The W.V.A.C.A. show also has some displays by members and had the Ft. UMPQUA black powder club up other stage selling and showing .

 

[Old Hawkeye]

Another thread that has turned into a litany of whining about how everything is terrible & the world is coming to an end. Seems to be the norm here anymore. No wonder are hobby can't attract new members.

 

[SDSmlf]

It was quite a few years ago I figured out most, if not all of the gun shows within at least 150 miles of where I live were run by the same promoter. Other than a handful of local vendors at each location, always the same core group with the same stuff on their tables at each regional show. I know the vendors are in business to make money, but to have stuff priced at the very high end or more of retail, it’s easy to see how they can go from show to show, year after without having to restock. But it is hard to see how they make money; which one would think is primary in their business plan, not moving the same inventory from show to show.

Back to the OP.

Do you typically find interesting, collectible or rare muzzleloading guns and accessories at your local gun shows?

Unfortunately, no, except for a little modern inline stuff, but even that is rare. In addition to the black ops and modern stuff, I do see plenty of food and novelty item vendors, almost as many as seen at Home and Garden or Christmas shows. You have got to assume they are all making money, or at least making contacts that leads to future sales. Ugly truth of it seems to be that there are more folks interested in and money to be made selling something like soft pretzels than traditional muzzleloaders and accessories at most gun shows, at least from my perspective. Really wish I was wrong.

 

[rickystl]

"prior to 1968, could get nice minty surplus pistols for $20/, no paperwork; remember you could have things sent to your house from Hunter's Lodge...Lugers, $39. bucks!"

I remember those days. The back, inside cover of the American Rifleman magazine was a regularly run ad offering German Lugers for $49.00 and P-38's for $39.00. LOL

 

[doubleset]

Only if it's a "big" show.

I haven't been to one of the "big" shows (e.g., Dixie Gun & Knife, etc.) in years. Mostly because I don't do that much buying/swapping guns any longer. But also because it's a pain to go to, usually a huge crowd, unreasonably high (to my mind) "admission" fee, and then not much there of interest to me. I may try again within the next year, but just as an experiment.

In the past two years, some small organization has been holding a gun show in the local state ag building. I went to the first one and it was a joke. 90% of the guns were "black rifles". Not all "assault" rifles -- just black plastic in various forms (a couple of which were pretty neat as ranch or utility guns). Otherwise, nothing of interest. Really expensive ammo, of course. No BP, or BP guns, etc.

For the most recent one, I posted to the announcement page on Facebook (of course ) and asked for a list of vendors. Not only did I get no response, but within a few hours my post was deleted. So there you go.

 

[rickystl]

My experience has been that a lot of ML and BPC guns (original and replicas) never make it to the local gun shows. They end up on GunB or one of the many auction house websites. With the Internet, instead of attracting prospects from a 50 mile radius, you can potentially get interested prospects from all over the U.S. This method often produces the highest price available at that moment.

Rick

 

[doubleset]

My experience has been that a lot of ML and BPC guns (original and replicas) never make it to the local gun shows. They end up on GunB or one of the many auction house websites. With the Internet, instead of attracting prospects from a 50 mile radius, you can potentially get interested prospects from all over the U.S. This method often produces the highest price available at that moment.

Rick

They also appear in both onsite and online auctions, though not in great numbers. Not specifically firearms auctions, but auctions of estates, people downsizing their property and possessions, etc. The online ones are good to watch, although it can be difficult to assess condition. I've bid on several genuine period pieces (18th-19th century), but been outbid in each case. On one or two I probably could have got the item, but they were in such a condition that I didn't want to sling that much money at them and also have to do a major restoration. That may have been a mistake. I have seen some reproduction BP rifles (like Lyman or CVA) go for VERY reasonable prices -- significantly lower than what I'm seeing on this site.

 

[Coinneach]

Right on, Bro. Today's gun shows are different than some years back. Prices are premium, bargains are few. So called "private sellers" are putting our right to these shows at risk. Some are big time dealers who never registered as dealers. They will, and do, sell anything to anyone. Some shows are theme specific. I attended one in Cincinnati that was very much Nazi/Hitler orientated. Most of the crowd and vendors were a disgusting bunch. Enuf said.

Is it me ?
I just don't get those Nazi reennactor types, every Gun show, Reenactor events I've attended they seem to be pseudo Alien types / Wierdos / Dysfunctional Wannabes and/or very Odd individuals.

Seriously why would anyone with at least 2 residual Brain cells be interested in dressing up in a WW2 Nazi uniform, let alone reenacting the Nazi SS ?

And please dont give me the "Waffen SS" cop out Bullshite.
They were all murdering despicable *******s and thats what our Fathers/ Grandfathers fought against.

 

[Coinneach]

Lots of lookers but not really that many buyers, but I can kind of see why. I really don't see the attraction that automatics and camouflage have on some people.

IMHO its all about Wannabes.

 

[Dave Fox]

According to tables, a 1967 dollar is worth the equivalent of $8.49 today.

 

[doc diel]

The Tulsa gunshow is amazing.... I've made the trip from Montana to Tulsa each April for most of the last 15 years....take good shoes, the anti inflammatory of your choice, get there first thing in the morning each day, bring a notebook to mark where you find stuff. Go with a list of things you want and be open to good deals. You can find a little of everything. I picked up a working original pepperbox for $100 one year.

 

[hrt4me]

I skipped Tulsa this weekend, I will make the trek in the Fall after I get some more of my ranch chores done

 

[sheriff john]

One basic problem with new attendees is thinking the "ticket price" on an item is the final price as they are in a big box store. Most sellers expect to haggle. Some won't, but it never hurts to ask. One thing I've found - both buying and selling at gun shows - a price tag is a place to start a conversation and possibly a trade or sale. Seller can go down, so if they price too high they'll lose sales.

The clerk at Wal-mart can't sell a ramrod marked $20 to you for $10, but a gunshow seller (like me) just might be glad to get that price. It's part of the fun. I see buyers who query searches on cellphones, go check other sellers, etc. then get disappointed when the guy watching us dicker over a few bucks lays down cash and walks away with the item.

My table has three signs - "Private Seller", Do Not Handle Without Permission", and "MAKE ME AN OFFER".

 

[Rock Home Isle]

According to tables, a 1967 dollar is worth the equivalent of $8.49 today.

Based on the dollar back in 1953, today’s dollar has the buying power of 3 pennies…we’re almost done…

 

[MedicMike3762]

Ahhhh the good old St Charles convention center! I myself feel the same way and have since stopped setting up at particular shows and am very leery at shows I do set up at. Any and all guns are strung together and I always have more than one set of eyes.

I rent one, sometimes two tables at gunshows - mostly St. Louis area. My focus is on divesting myself of a lifetime accumulation of things that I will never use, "projects" I'll never finish, and items my kids don't want. My goal is to go home with less than I carry in, not cheat folks.

Problem is not only have "gunshows" morphed into flea markets but also the arrival of easily-identifiable gang bangers and thugs. Last three shows - thief grabbed two pistols, ran for the door and tackled in the lobby. One bought an "AR", shot himself in the leg trying to load it in his car. Six got into a fist fight in the middle of the main show room. Stealing from tables has happened at each show and vendor's trailers were broken into overnight. I take no modern pistols nor "black rifles" any more - don't ever want something I've sold used in a crime or to hurt anyone.

1,800 paying attendees is normal for that show, so it's always a good one for my purpose. Several vendors have told me my prices are too cheap. I sell out and they're packing out what they brought in. Thugs don't stop at my table, but lots of "good ol' boys" do. Anyway ....