Are Gun shows going down hill?
After I posted about the Indy 1500 Show http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=228934 I thought I would start this as a separate topic.
The Fort Wayne show last weekend was crap. [V] If I could have gotten my $10 ($4 parking & $6 for the show) back the moment I walked 2 feet in the door after seeing how few tables they had I would have. Midwest Gun Exchange from Mishawaka, they have had the green tables, was not there. They didn't have anyone with any kind of quantity of reloading stuff. I was wanting to get primers and when I buy them I like to buy 5000 or so at a time. I was looking for a RRA's AR-15. I only found 5 or 6 AR's and only 1 was a RRA and it was used and old.
I wanted some ammo cans and all they had where 4 old beat-up ones.
I don't think I'll be going back again. [:(!] [V]
I think that the Internet may be the reason that the shows have been going down hill over the past years. It used to be that if you wanted to find stuff you had to go a Gun Show if your local shop didn't have it. Now you can find stuff at auctions and on-line stores.
The Fort Wayne show last weekend was crap. [V] If I could have gotten my $10 ($4 parking & $6 for the show) back the moment I walked 2 feet in the door after seeing how few tables they had I would have. Midwest Gun Exchange from Mishawaka, they have had the green tables, was not there. They didn't have anyone with any kind of quantity of reloading stuff. I was wanting to get primers and when I buy them I like to buy 5000 or so at a time. I was looking for a RRA's AR-15. I only found 5 or 6 AR's and only 1 was a RRA and it was used and old.
I wanted some ammo cans and all they had where 4 old beat-up ones.
I don't think I'll be going back again. [:(!] [V]
I think that the Internet may be the reason that the shows have been going down hill over the past years. It used to be that if you wanted to find stuff you had to go a Gun Show if your local shop didn't have it. Now you can find stuff at auctions and on-line stores.
0
-
I went to a gun show at the AZ Fairgrounds last February and wasn't all that impressed. It resembled more of an overblown flea market that was overburdened with non-gun "kitsch", i.e. novelty items of no real value or interest.
The dealers WITH guns were sandwiched in-between "mom & pop" tables featuring plastic ammo boxes, wallets, cell phone covers, cheap imported knives, ratty-looking military surplus, cop paraphernalia, T-shirts, clothing, etc.
Those few gun tables were so crowded that it was more than difficult to get close enough to see what they had, let alone pick it up or talk to the dealer about it.
It was my first gun show and for the little money it cost, it's probably not my last.0 -
Yup, ain't what they used to be. Cheap knives/swords, jerky, overpriced "tactical" gear, and virtually no good deals.
Back over 20 years ago my dad would give me a list, money, and articles to trade/sell. He would tell me that any money I had left over was mine. Talk about wheel and deal!!!! And I was only 15 at the time.
For example. I've been wanting my own Ithica 20 ga Featherlite for years. At a show last year a fella had one that was used hard but serviceable. He had it tagged for $350!!!! I offered $250 cash for it and he acted like I molested his Momma. 3 shows later and he still has the gun.
The prices just aren't there. I can buy from my favorite dealers in town for the same or less and keep my money local.0 -
I'll just continue dealing with my local gun shop. Great prices, friendly service, nice selection, and location, location, location. You can't beat an old milk barn. 0 -
Crossroads runs most of the gun shows here in AZ. And, the AZ Fairgrounds are extremely easy to get to and park at, even with a big draw. There are multiple buildings on-site that are used for each show. I wonder why they don't do a better job of positioning the actual bona fide gun dealers versus the schlockmeisters selling all of the novelty junk.
In my opinion, guns, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, holsters (not cell phone cases or wallets) and gun cleaning items should be highlighted in the show at better-located tables and not buried among a cacophony of T-shirt vendors, militaria dealers, flea marketers, stainless steel cookware vendors (yes, there are), water filtration dealers (yes there are), the "I saw it on TV" sellers and demonstrators, luggage dealers, etc.0 -
Jamil Temple Saturday and Sunday Columbia, SC 0 -
Perhaps it's more of a regional thing.
There are lots of gunshows yearly here in Houston and lots and lots of rifles,shotguns,and pistols.
Unfortunately most items are over priced.
Case in point...I was at a show this past Dec. and there was a Rem.700 243 in synthetic that was a pre ISS bolt lock in .243 i was interested in.
The guy was actually asking $475.00 for it!!
He was willing to go down to 450.00.[V]
At that point i told him i could drive a mere two miles away to the local Academy store and buy one nib for $315.00.
He was in no mood to hear that.
I strongly doubt he sold that rifle.0 -
Gun shows here in the Kansas City area are eclectic. I went to one that had lots of good stuff, especially large quantities of ammo, magazines etc... but I didn't have the cash. A month later, same gunshow outfit, and none of the above. It seems like not as many handguns and their tables have been replaced by fantasy swords and otter jerky 0 -
I agree with HeDog
Even Disney land and all its shine loses its appeal if you go there every weekend.0 -
There are a lot of reasons Gun Shows are going down hill.
1. There are too many gun shows. Promoters have increased the number of shows. What was once a event you marked on the calender and anticipated is now common place.
2. The anti gunners have succeeded in passing enough laws and restrictions to ruin some shows. California's Hi cap laws local government ruined the Great Western Shows.
3. When the Great Westerns Shows moved from Pomona Ca to Las Vegas to Dallas there was a void. So promoters have moved shows to get market share. that has helped with the Crossroads December show in Phoenix but has caused multiple promoters promoting multiple shows in small areas.
4. Firearms profits suck! Geegaa item profits are much better. I have seen buyers pay parking, pay for a ticket to get in, fairgrounds prices for food (example $9.00 for a polish dog and medium coke) then barter like a Arab trader for shooting sports items. I have heard more than once sellers discuss if they will have enough gas to get home. I have also seen the geegaa sellers live high on the hog. The guys that lose money quit. The guys that make money come back to make more.
5. The supply of cheap foreign surplus is mostly dried up.0 -
I went to the kankakee IL gun show right before christmas it was by far the worst show I have ever seen there. There was less than 10 dealers but lots of jerky and beanie babies and 30 or more empty tables . They have a show there this weekend and I will miss this one. I want to go to indy but with the weather picture for around here as well as I 74 to indy I will most likley miss this one too. I have never been disappointed in a indy show at the fair grounds. I really would like to buy some things but maybe next show. 0 -
I have been selling at gunshows for about 20 years.Back then you could have a good time and sell a few guns and knives.It started going down hill slowly about 6 or 7 years ago.Prices on used guns went up until you could not buy them and sell for a profit.I knew at those prices people would be better off to buy new.Gun shows turned into a dread for me because there were better things I could be doing on the weekends.I quit going a couple of years ago and have no intent ever going to another one. 0 -
I love gunshows, the worst I ever attended was wonderful.[:o)] If I can't find what I want, I can usually find some interesting conversation with like minded people.
Las Saturdays buy at a local Kansas show. Model 72A Winchester, very minty.
Tulsa spring 2006 Winchester .22s Winder musket, Model 68, Model 57.
Tulsa gunshow.
http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com/frames.html
Kansas City gunshow.
http://www.mvacagunshow.com/
Gunshow list.
http://www.gunshows-usa.com/0 -
They ain't what they used to be, but I still like to go. 0 -
Another problem around here is that they have the shows during hunting season!!!! I was at one show where you could hear the crickets chirping. A dealer asked what was going on and I informed him that it was opening weekend of squirrel/rabbit and bow season and that the promoters couldn't have picked a worse weekend. 0 -
There are three gun shows put on by Crossroads of the West within range of me.
1. Del Mar, show is WAY down, entry price is too high & they charge $6.00 for parking including motorcycles.
2. Costa Mesa, this show was almost dead but has recoved quite a bit.
At least there is free parking.
3. There is a fairly new show at Ontario. I haven't been there yet
but I have been to an aircraft show there & there is a parking fee.
I should at least be able to find a place to park a motorcycle within walking distance. If anyone has been to this show I would like to know how it is doing.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
45 comments