I think understand your way thinking bisleyfan41.
However,, quite often displays ARE done around shooters, favorite guns, first guns, or other themes that are special to the displayer. Not all displays are of the rarer, one of a kind or hard to get guns.
But displaying those allows others to actually see such rare pieces w/o going to a museum.
Real life things.
All of us have them. Each & every one of us. But it's just one weekend. One you can plan for. It's a mini-vacation so to speak. Real life things will still be there after a weekend. All of us plan some type of weekend or even a week or more away from real life things. A display show is no different. Some plan events like this to where they actually extend their time away from home to vacation a bit as well.
The comment; "That's work, not fun."
Yes,, it can be a bit of work. But so is mowing the lawn, raking leaves, painting the garage, or any of the many things real life has for us. However,, it's not just Ohio,, we do have shows elsewhere. But the good thing is you have a year to plan to do one show. You can take a little spare time and design, build & figure out a display stretched out over a year. And if you plan it right,, the actual set up usually takes most of us less than an hour,, and take down even less time. I had all of my display taken down, transported to my truck, loaded in my truck and on the road in about 35-40 minutes Sunday. AND,,all that with me having a lot of back pain due to a sciatic nerve causing me pain all weekend. I was using a walking cane all weekend,, and had issues with bending or reaching. Oh, my pain was bad enough to where I asked for a little help in unloading my display when I arrived,, and others gladly jumped in & helped. And even with all that,, I had my display set up & ready in less than an hour. Gee,, a LITTLE bit of work,,, that is surely a LOT more fun than many of the "real life" work I could have stayed home to do.
Even with back nerve pain,, it was STILL very much FUN and in my mind,, NOT work. I didn't "dread it" nor do any of the other people who display. We enjoy sharing our passion for Rugers & having others attend the show to learn about them. That's NOT work to us.
Yes,, a lot of younger people are more excited about the "plastic fantastic" type of stuff. However,, MANY of them,, once introduced to guns like our Rugers do take an interest,, and realize there's more to guns than the plastic stuff. That's PART of why we do it.
And the comment; "Rugers are using guns, they ain't Colts." That's what was said about Colts as well even after they were "just" 70 years old. In another 50-100 years,, Rugers will be just as revered as Colts or Smiths of the early vintage are. BUT,, one big difference is that private collectors & such are saving as much history & items to where they will be greatly appreciated in the future. Your comments make it appear that owning Rugers is a "gloom & doom" prospect. That we all should just sell or get rid of all our Ruger stuff.
Lastly,, your comment; "BTW, scolding others for not doing what you do is kinda off-putting."
I'm sorry you feel that way. My posting was more about trying to get at least a few more people to actually try doing a display, not so much as scolding. I see so MANY different threads that much of the subject is "showing off their Ruger guns & such" that I feel disappointed in those very same people who think they can't do a display. Go to the "Gallery" here & scroll through & see all the different guns or such that members here have shared. They are proud of their Rugers. Yet,, the very same people don't even attempt a display.
You mis-understood my reasoning for posting. Just like I HOPE I mis-understood your posting that appears that you are too lazy to try a display. Your posting put forth a lot of the very same excuses I was trying to get people to stop & re-look at. To maybe realize it's not work, it fun. That it's rewarding. And that a little time spent doing a show is no different than any other activity we all do in real life.
You mis-understood my reasoning,, And I'm surely hoping I am mistaken about the way your post reads.
