Gun shows are becoming a big disappointment for me

SubNine · July 28th, 2007, 05:25 PM

Today and tomorrow is the 35th Annual Alaska Gun Collectors Association gun show, and I decided I would go to see what they had. I paid $7 to get in the door, and made my way around the tables. I found most of the tables consisted of accessories, and cheaply made knives. There were some tables with pistols, rifles, and shotguns, but none of them really caught my eye, except for a few 1911s. I really did like a 1911 I found made by S&W, and I liked the Taurus PT1911. I'm really thinking about eventually adding an extended thumb safety, and beavertail grip safety to my Springfield, because the beavertail really does feel better. I was hoping to score some 7.62x39 ammo for my AK47, but no luck there. I walked out with some 230 gr. reloaded ball ammo for my Springfield. This guy there was selling a wide variety of reloaded ammo, that he made himself, I guess it's his business. He was the only one there selling ammo, and all of it was reloaded, so I hope I don't regret buying someone else's reloads.

Anyway, overall the gun show was a big disappointment for me, as the one last year was too. Is it just me or are gun shows starting to suck?

JD · July 28th, 2007, 05:29 PM

They are, mostly it's all AKs and ARs, and some MILSURP stuff, the prices on ammo aren't all that great compared to what you can find on-line or from a good local supplier.

All the really good stuff is drying up, It's been a while since I've been to a gun show and saw somehthing that really caught my eye.

Plan B · July 28th, 2007, 05:52 PM

I went to a gun show late last year (the last one I have been to) in St. Charles, MO and was stunned at what I saw. While most of the stuff there was as some have previously described - Milsurp, AKs, M-16s, lower end knives, etc., there was a very big contingent of white supremicists on hand. While they weren't vocal about their beliefs or prejudices (as percieied by me), their merchandise spoke volumes about their personal beliefs. For example, nazi flags, military uniforms, badges and whatnot. I suppose that from a historical perspective this stuff has some value, but it struck me wrong. It might just be me. In any event, since then I've stuck to smaller gun shops where I actually know the owners.

Has anyone else noticed that type of thing in addition to just lower-end merchandise at these shows?

cw

Redneck Repairs · July 28th, 2007, 06:01 PM

only since the 70s clint. I just ignore them , the beanie baby or what ever tables , and the jerky salesmen lol .

P95Carry · July 28th, 2007, 06:16 PM

I have stopped going much now because of the trend towards crap and not many good guns.

I think perhaps THE gun show of them all that remains is the Wanenmacher show ... Tulsa twice a year.

At least last year when I went it was not only huge but - well served with gun dealers and not just mil surps either. Of course there will be exceptions I expect with smaller shows where things could still be like old days but the downhill trend seems ongoing.

goawayfarm · July 28th, 2007, 06:27 PM

I look at gunshows as a social event more than a place to find great deals.

It gives me the ability to pick up & feel things I've read about or heard about. I also can price compare before going & know what may be a good deal.

I get some reloading supplies & DON'T have to pay shipping!

I also come across good deals occasionally....the last show I got a Springfield TRP for $900........good price for a like new gun!

Deals may not be as easy to come by as they used to be, but again look at them for the enjoyment of looking around. I'm not a social person (anybody notice my screen name?).......but I feel like I'm in my element at a gun show. Where else will find so many like-minded people?........it sure isn't going to be the mall.

Besides, where else are you going to get that entertainment for $6-$7?

Captain Crunch · July 28th, 2007, 06:38 PM

I used to rent a table at the at the AGCA show when I had my own gun shop in Anchorage in the 70s. Always did well, usually always carried less out of the show on the last day than what I carried in on the first day.

Back then, gun shows weren't the glorified flea markets they are now. This is a direct result of the stigma that the liberals have placed on them. You know, the so-called "Gun Show Loophole".

I went to a gun show in Kalispell today, as a matter of fact. Went in with cash in my pocket, left with cash in my pocket, same amount. Did get some free literature from an IRS protest group, tho.....

SIGguy229 · July 28th, 2007, 07:00 PM

I hear what you are saying...the Nazi/white suprememicist crap really drives me nuts and although I understand the organizer's need to sell table space, from a 2A perspective, it makes us look bad (i.e. lumped in with them).

Plan B · July 28th, 2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redneck Repairs

only since the 70s clint. I just ignore them , the beanie baby or what ever tables , and the jerky salesmen lol .

LOL - I guess I need to get out more, huh?

jualdeaux · July 29th, 2007, 10:23 AM

To be fair, there is a rather large collectors market out there. Some people collect the WWII stuff like uniforms, rifles, bayonets, patches and what not from Germany, Russia and allied countries. Others are starting to get into the Vietnam era now. They are no different than people who collect Colts.

I know of more than one person who collects nagants. One has well over 50 of them from many countries and in many variations. Heck, the US even made some for certain countries. He likes the history aspect of them. finding out where they were made, who used them, who they went to next, etc. He doesn't get into the uniforms and others items though. Other people are the opposite. They'd rather collect the clothes than the weapons.

Not everyone who sells that stuff is a Nazi/white supremacist.

July 28th, 2007, 05:25 PM	#1
SubNine Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 971	Gun shows are becoming a big disappointment for me Today and tomorrow is the 35th Annual Alaska Gun Collectors Association gun show, and I decided I would go to see what they had. I paid $7 to get in the door, and made my way around the tables. I found most of the tables consisted of accessories, and cheaply made knives. There were some tables with pistols, rifles, and shotguns, but none of them really caught my eye, except for a few 1911s. I really did like a 1911 I found made by S&W, and I liked the Taurus PT1911. I'm really thinking about eventually adding an extended thumb safety, and beavertail grip safety to my Springfield, because the beavertail really does feel better. I was hoping to score some 7.62x39 ammo for my AK47, but no luck there. I walked out with some 230 gr. reloaded ball ammo for my Springfield. This guy there was selling a wide variety of reloaded ammo, that he made himself, I guess it's his business. He was the only one there selling ammo, and all of it was reloaded, so I hope I don't regret buying someone else's reloads. Anyway, overall the gun show was a big disappointment for me, as the one last year was too. Is it just me or are gun shows starting to suck? __________________ USMC rule # 23 of gunfighting: Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

July 28th, 2007, 05:29 PM	#2
JD Senior Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bedford County Virginia Posts: 8,890	They are, mostly it's all AKs and ARs, and some MILSURP stuff, the prices on ammo aren't all that great compared to what you can find on-line or from a good local supplier. All the really good stuff is drying up, It's been a while since I've been to a gun show and saw somehthing that really caught my eye. __________________ Looking for something else to read? Check out the DefensiveCarry.com Blog Section Forum Customs & Courtesies Forum Usage: Tips and Tricks

July 28th, 2007, 05:52 PM	#3
Plan B Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 146	Guns shows I went to a gun show late last year (the last one I have been to) in St. Charles, MO and was stunned at what I saw. While most of the stuff there was as some have previously described - Milsurp, AKs, M-16s, lower end knives, etc., there was a very big contingent of white supremicists on hand. While they weren't vocal about their beliefs or prejudices (as percieied by me), their merchandise spoke volumes about their personal beliefs. For example, nazi flags, military uniforms, badges and whatnot. I suppose that from a historical perspective this stuff has some value, but it struck me wrong. It might just be me. In any event, since then I've stuck to smaller gun shops where I actually know the owners. Has anyone else noticed that type of thing in addition to just lower-end merchandise at these shows? cw

July 28th, 2007, 06:16 PM	#5
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	I have stopped going much now because of the trend towards crap and not many good guns. I think perhaps THE gun show of them all that remains is the Wanenmacher show ... Tulsa twice a year. At least last year when I went it was not only huge but - well served with gun dealers and not just mil surps either. Of course there will be exceptions I expect with smaller shows where things could still be like old days but the downhill trend seems ongoing. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

July 28th, 2007, 06:27 PM	#6
goawayfarm Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fork Union, Virginia Posts: 1,987	I look at gunshows as a social event more than a place to find great deals. It gives me the ability to pick up & feel things I've read about or heard about. I also can price compare before going & know what may be a good deal. I get some reloading supplies & DON'T have to pay shipping! I also come across good deals occasionally....the last show I got a Springfield TRP for $900........good price for a like new gun! Deals may not be as easy to come by as they used to be, but again look at them for the enjoyment of looking around. I'm not a social person (anybody notice my screen name?).......but I feel like I'm in my element at a gun show. Where else will find so many like-minded people?........it sure isn't going to be the mall. Besides, where else are you going to get that entertainment for $6-$7? __________________ Quemadmoeum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est. "If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. If I have a gun, what do I have to be paranoid about?" -Clint Smith "An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -Jeff Cooper

July 28th, 2007, 06:01 PM	#4
Redneck Repairs VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,141	only since the 70s clint. I just ignore them , the beanie baby or what ever tables , and the jerky salesmen lol .

July 28th, 2007, 06:38 PM	#7
Captain Crunch Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Montana, The Treasure State Posts: 6,653	I used to rent a table at the at the AGCA show when I had my own gun shop in Anchorage in the 70s. Always did well, usually always carried less out of the show on the last day than what I carried in on the first day. Back then, gun shows weren't the glorified flea markets they are now. This is a direct result of the stigma that the liberals have placed on them. You know, the so-called "Gun Show Loophole". I went to a gun show in Kalispell today, as a matter of fact. Went in with cash in my pocket, left with cash in my pocket, same amount. Did get some free literature from an IRS protest group, tho..... __________________ *"Just be nice...or I'LL SHOOT"!* Terry

July 28th, 2007, 07:00 PM	#8
SIGguy229 Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,986	I hear what you are saying...the Nazi/white suprememicist crap really drives me nuts and although I understand the organizer's need to sell table space, from a 2A perspective, it makes us look bad (i.e. lumped in with them).

July 29th, 2007, 10:23 AM	#10
jualdeaux Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Waponi Woo Posts: 721	To be fair, there is a rather large collectors market out there. Some people collect the WWII stuff like uniforms, rifles, bayonets, patches and what not from Germany, Russia and allied countries. Others are starting to get into the Vietnam era now. They are no different than people who collect Colts. I know of more than one person who collects nagants. One has well over 50 of them from many countries and in many variations. Heck, the US even made some for certain countries. He likes the history aspect of them. finding out where they were made, who used them, who they went to next, etc. He doesn't get into the uniforms and others items though. Other people are the opposite. They'd rather collect the clothes than the weapons. Not everyone who sells that stuff is a Nazi/white supremacist.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode