Gun shows dying?

[akmania]

you know its time to stop going when every 3 months its the same vendors and the same guns.
once i traveled out of state to go to one.....and go figure, it was the same vendors i just saw 300 miles away last weekend. these guys are gypsy's.

Yeah, I used to like to go.I hadn’t been to one in a year or so. It just got to be the same people at tables with the same over priced guns they haul for show to show, and if you did take something to carry around to sell they wanted it for nothing, or insulted you.I used to could find odd and end parts at decent prices , but not so much anymore.
A friend of mine goes to a lot of shows and sets up with some of his buddy’s, I tell him it’s like the circus going around.
Seems like you just have to be in the click.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Clique yes.

 

[southernbuck101]

I live about 30 minuets north of Metro Atlanta.
Other than Tulsa, Where in the Southeast within say 500 miles of Atlanta is there a show thats worth attending?

 

[Chas100]

Living in NE Ohio there is typically a rather close gun show every week ( excluding the summer months). I only go to about 2 a year as a customer. I have recently setup a table at 1 very local show as a vendor the last few times it’s been here . I retired almost 3 years ago and I needed to downsize.

It’s true that it’s hit or miss on the shows anymore as a customer . But I will say if you price your items REASONABLY you will move them. I mostly collect WW1 and WW2 firearms, field gear and bayonets. I know what I paid for my items and what they are going for currently. I’ve sold every firearm I’ve taken to a show to sell but again I priced my items reasonably and for what they are currently selling at. I also got a rude awakening on a lot of the vendors going around looking at items other vendors had for sale prior to the public being allowed in and trying to lowball you on items to purchase.

As a public vendor ( not an FFL holder) this is a very good way to downsize without having to deal with shipping. The buyer only needs to have an Ohio drivers license and be of age. I don’t know how long this will be available. As far as gun show deals they are out there but nothing like 10 plus years ago. IMO we are lucky to still have gun shows available to go to.

When I set up a table I want to move my items especially the firearms I take so they are priced accordingly and sold rather quickly for the most part. I setup my table to move what I’m selling, I’m not concerned about selling next week I’m just concerned on what firearms I want to move at the next local show.

 

[Yaworski]

And as mentioned, why is there a cover charge?

That's how the promoter makes his money.

 

[peachhead]

Smh at some of the attitude on this thread.
Just as a note, if you buy something from me at a gun show, generally I will give you your money back that you paid to get in.
It's a lot of work as a one-man shop to go to a show. At the end of the weekend I am exhausted. I have not done any this year. I will probably have to do some next year.
Yes, there are a lot of dealers. It ain't like it used to be. Some shows are great and some shows are not. Regardless I always try to talk to everyone that comes by my tables. Sometimes you get out of it what you put into it.

 

[Yaworski]

I worked the gun show circuit in Maryland back in the 90s. Lots of vendors selling interesting things. I sold rifles and shotguns that I had gotten a good deal on. Also sold a ton of mags. Made me enough money that my shooting didn't impact the family budget.

I don't know if I got burned out or it's because gun shows have changed or both but I don't enjoy gun shows anymore. As others have said, too much tacticool.

 

[RoninPA]

I live about 30 minuets north of Metro Atlanta.
Other than Tulsa, Where in the Southeast within say 500 miles of Atlanta is there a show thats worth attending?

Google - "casc gun shows" They do gun shows all through the south. I just don't know when they will publish their 2026 schedule. We (ROCS) are headed to the one in Huntsville, AL to display our Ruger collections at the show on 3/4 Jan 2026.

 

[flattop44]

The Alabama Gun Collectors Association (AGCA) has a good show in Hoover, AL, just south of Birmingham. Next show is in March. FT44

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Most in the East are south of the Mason Dixon line. Went to one in Virginia because I lived there a bit, and loved it. Now back home up north and would have to take too much time off. Will never see a gun show in NJ, but would sure like to go again. Maybe they will have one in northeast PA ( a lot more gun friendly there ) one day....

 

[bobski]

promoters make money on entry fees AND....TABLE FEES.

 

[bobski]

gun show clique.....yep.
they all know each other so well, they sell to each other the good deals BEFORE YOU even walk in the place.

 

[peachhead]

promoters make money on entry fees AND....TABLE FEES.

Yes, which is why I'm in the hole before I even get there. Makes for a good weekend to know I have to sell a certain number of guns just to break even.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Table fees pay the bills, entry fees for patrons provide the profit.

 

[Cholo]

I think for the older collectors who set up at gun shows, it's not so much what you sell; it's what you buy at really good prices. Still, I really don't think it covers the cost.

IOW: It's the chase.

 

[Jakeintexas]

Like everything else.

For a new gun many sources online and can ship for local transfer or some have pickup at the place (grab a gun does both).

For a private sale many on line resources and can set up a face to face.

They just don`t seem to offer what they once might have.

 

[blackhawkshooter]

Most in the East are south of the Mason Dixon line. Went to one in Virginia because I lived there a bit, and loved it. Now back home up north and would have to take too much time off. Will never see a gun show in NJ, but would sure like to go again. Maybe they will have one in northeast PA ( a lot more gun friendly there ) one day....

Bloomsburg Pa has several shows yearly !

 

[Randyzzz]

Gun show yesterday in Grants Pass yesterday. Took all of 15 minutes to walk through. Not one 3 screw Ruger there…several used newer 10/22’s that were from $275 and up. No goodies worth having in the goodie boxes, lots of overpriced ammo, some NM Ruger’s that were priced fairly but I have no interest in those. A few Henry’s and Winchester lever guns, priced fairly also but no smoking deals. I keep hoping but they never seem worth the $8 it costs to get in…

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

$8 to get in? I wasted $16 entrance fee at the last one I went to here in Nov. I'd been to that one a few times the last couple years and found some decent deals, but this time it was pretty poor; a number of empty tables, prices high, and very little that I was interested in. Went through 2 buildings in less than 30 minutes...