Are gun shows LESS fun for you nowadays or are they just as good as they used to be?

[GSPTOPDOG]

I used to love going to guns shows years ago. I used to find all types of cheap surplus ammo and cheap ammo in general and I used to find some really awesome and unique knives, machetes, swords, etc...etc... However, something seems to have change over the past few years. Above and beyond the scarcity and insane jump in ammo prices at shows, every aspect of the show has gotten worse; the large increase in table cost, entry cost, parking cost etc... To me the shows in my state just don't have the old "hobby" sellers that used to make up the bulk of tables at the shows. It is almost as you are paying $5 to park and then $15 just to go inside a retail gun store.

In the recent past I would go to gun shows mainly looking for knives...maybe a tomahawk or other type of axe. Now everything with an edge is from China or Pakistan. ... Yes, for me the shows have changed. I sure have not bought much ammo at a gun show for a long time... ... Maybe, I am now just a grumpy old fart ... but I just don't enjoy them anymore... ...

How about this question... are gun shows LESS fun for you nowadays, or are they just as good as they used to be? Every state is different, and there may be great shows all over the country and I am just missing out on them.

If, they aren't as good, the other question is: Has Gun Broker and Ebay helped to ruin the gun show?

[OLDE CUTLER]

Gunshows in my area are still going great. They like everything else have changed over time. The most important thing to me is at gunshows there are a lot of old guns and accessories. The retail gun shops rarely have anything but new, with an occasional old gun traded in or collection purchased that may have some antiques. The gunshow here in Sioux Falls sponsored by the Dakota Territory Gun Collectors Assn has been increasing every year and last March's show had over 1200 tables. There are also a lot of knife tables here at gunshows. Anyone in our area should come to the DTGCA show. Check their website for show dates.

[Gunsil]

Many gun shows by me have become what we call "beef jerky shows". Fewer guns and knives and beef jerky, pickles, t-shirts, and cheap dental tools for sale. Yes, ebay has severely hurt knife sales at gun shows, antique shows, and flea markets. Some of the big antique arms shows still have quality displays and stuff for sale but the "promoter shows" are going to the dogs.

[RobesonsRme.com]

The Alabama Gun Collectors Association shows are not what they once were.

There used to be some fabulous displays of antique and vintage firearms.

Now, it is AR’s everywhere.

I love a nice AR, but I miss the displays.

[robpa]

I mentioned on another thread the shows around here are mostly Ok. lots of AR stuff but plenty of interesting handguns and long guns. Brother sold several good guns last winter at shows. No really big shows. But I began attending regularly when I discovered the quantity and quality of knives. I generally pick up 2-4 Queen made knives per show. At a show in yankee Lake Ohio a vendor friend sold out, 3 tables of knives, most good stuff. 1 buyer took 95% of them.roughly $12,000 worth. Brother sold several good guns last show season as soon as he got in the door.
No parking fees, 6$ entry, 35$ per table for 2 days.

[Jeepergeo]

Gun shows have certainly changed over the last 20 years especially here in California.

These days, my presence at gun shows is usually as a volunteer at a Second Amendment protection organization's booth. Of course, during breaks and lunch, I'll wander through the aisles to see what there is to see. The last thing I recall buying was some roasted nuts!

I see a lot of knives...mostly cheap, made in China, modern fixed blades. I see very few, if any, knives that interest me these days, such as made in the USA folders or fixed blades.

The shows get a lot of people coming through, with the most interest being ammo, magazines, and some used firearms. The 2A organization is lucky if it gets 6 new members over two days. But we see a lot of members and it's great to talk with them and update them on what the organization is doing.

Id love to see more knife vendors show up, but I understand what they are facing.

[knifegnome]

The gun shows here in Central Florida have changed a lot, mostly new guns and AR style , all the knives are new and mostly Pakistan/china made. Leather goods ,t shirts , beef jerky, bumper stickers. The last one I went to had about 200 tables and I didn't see a vintage knife anywhere.

[GSPTOPDOG]

I mentioned on another thread the shows around here are mostly Ok... Brother sold several good guns last show season as soon as he got in the door.
No parking fees, 6$ entry, 35$ per table for 2 days.

At 35$ per table for 2 days I would set up because I would need two tables and $70 is not so much to risk with the possibility of getting skunked. If you are just a small-time hobby guy... YOU CAN GET SKUNKED Out where I am the cost has gone WAY up and it is expensive to set up at a show. The local bigger gun shows around here are $120 per 8-foot table... I have sold a few times at these shows and the one 8-foot table won't get the job done, too small for me. At $120 per table, it cost $240 just to enough room to set up. There is a big show north of here once a year and their tables are $160-$180 ... that's a lot for ONE table and you have to PAY $9 everyday to park as a seller That is absurd!!!

So, I don't pay $120 for a table to sell at guns shows and won't even go anymore to walk around. I found that at the shows near me there was way too much of the "Beef Jerky" type tables. Too many sellers selling the same stuff, too many sellers selling the same "import" knives and 51% of the other tables with just AR products.

I don't pay the $15-$18 entry/door admission fee and $5-$9 to park. I stay home or go to a local shop that specializes in used guns. In fact, there are actually CHEAPER prices at that local shop in my town... it has become a joke with some regulars that shop there; "Did you go to the gun show?" ... "No, I went to the gun shop instead."

[steve99f]

There a couple of shows here in eastern PA that can be worthwhile, the one at the Allentown Fairgrounds is still good, the Leesport show is usually good and one or two in the Poconos. Can occasionally find older knives, can usually find some coins. They are still fun for me. Think how it would be without.

[tvic]

The last two gun shows I’ve been to here in NC have been a bust for knives - unless you’re into the cheapo stuff.

[edgy46]

The only show I go to is the OGCA ( Ohio gun collectors association). I only look for old knives, and it is hit or miss. Sometimes I hit, mostly I miss, but it is only 35 miles. Parking and entry is free, but you have to be a member to get in. Six shows a year, and a very nice crowd.

[GSPTOPDOG]

The only show I go to is the OGCA ( Ohio gun collectors association). I only look for old knives, and it is hit or miss. Sometimes I hit, mostly I miss, but it is only 35 miles. Parking and entry is free, but you have to be a member to get in. Six shows a year, and a very nice crowd.

That sounds like a pretty good deal I would rather join as a member and go to a show under those circumstances.

[Scale Military]

Don't have too many gun show up here in Canada, probably better before covid/ ammo shortage hit, could find some deals on ammo and the odd deal on rifles.
Now My Dad and me buy mostly online and at a couple "local" gun shops.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Don't have too many gun show up here in Canada, probably better before covid/ ammo shortage hit, could find some deals on ammo and the odd deal on rifles.
Now My Dad and me buy mostly online and at a couple "local" gun shops.

I think the online market has really hurt the local gun show. It seems to inflate a lot of asking prices and at the same time deflate a lot of sales from small time hobbyist ... The crazy fluctuations in ammo prices/scarcity/availability have also not made guns shows any more fun with sellers asking $25-$45 for a 35-year-old 20 rnd. box of .30-06 (missing 2 rounds of course) that used to sell for $5.00 before all this madness ...

[Papa Bones]

I think the online market has really hurt the local gun show. It seems to inflate a lot of asking prices and at the same time deflate a lot of sales from small time hobbyist ... The crazy fluctuations in ammo prices/scarcity/availability have also not made guns shows any more fun with sellers asking $25-$45 for a 35-year-old 20 rnd. box of .30-06 (missing 2 rounds of course) that used to sell for $5.00 before all this madness ...

I agree, and prices have gotten insane. But.....makes you smile knowing what you got stashed.

[GSPTOPDOG]

I agree, and prices have gotten insane. But.....makes you smile knowing what you got stashed.

.... ... ... ... ....or DON'T ...

[Scale Military]

Don't have too many gun show up here in Canada, probably better before covid/ ammo shortage hit, could find some deals on ammo and the odd deal on rifles.
Now My Dad and me buy mostly online and at a couple "local" gun shops.

I think the online market has really hurt the local gun show. It seems to inflate a lot of asking prices and at the same time deflate a lot of sales from small time hobbyist ... The crazy fluctuations in ammo prices/scarcity/availability have also not made guns shows any more fun with sellers asking $25-$45 for a 35-year-old 20 rnd. box of .30-06 (missing 2 rounds of course) that used to sell for $5.00 before all this madness ...

Yeah, might be different down there since there's more sellers/shows? Up here, in SK maybe 4-5 gun show a year in the whole province. And mostly the same guys. Most of the good/better selection is in away from where I'm at. Even before the pandemic, sellers would be asking high. You could find some ammo that guys would barter on the price. I think most of the small guys whet online Lot easier to private list your guns, don't have to worry about careless guys handeleling and possibly damaging the rifle.

[Thomasg]

Most of the knifes at gun shows in my area here in Arkansas have a small selection of knifes offered for sale .A table or two of custom knifes made by local knife smiths , A table or two of knifes made in china or Pakistan .The gun guys sometimes may have a couple case knifes , oldtimer , buck laid out .A.G. Russell’s sometimes can be found .The problem with gun shows these days are the gun prices and ammo are at a all time high ! Not many bargains to be found .last show I went to I did find a 12 gauge mossberg pump to use for turkey hunting .Got it for 75 $ because it was chambered for 2 3/4 shells and most people like the 3-3 1/2 chambered these days because bigger is better .lol

[stockman]

I still enjoy the Wannamaker show at Tulsa. Usually lots of knives to see, something for every knife lover. If you’re looking for something special you have a good chance of finding it. Big crowd lots of walking. Harold

[kennedy knives]

I still enjoy the Wannamaker show at Tulsa. Usually lots of knives to see, something for every knife lover. If you’re looking for something special you have a good chance of finding it. Big crowd lots of walking. Harold

Yes Wannamaker is a bucket list show that if you get the chance go to it. 11acres under one roof and if you see it you had better buy it then as you may not find your way back. Lot of walking wear good shoes.

There's a good show in Greenville SC the South Carolina Arms Collectors Show which has about a 700 table show with all types of Guns and there is a number of knife dealers that sell USA Knives. Yes, you can still find the Chinese knives. I have usually 6 tables of just about anything with knives Randalls, Ruana, Gerbers, Al-Mar, Case, Schatt Morgan, Queen, Great Eastern Microtech Hubertus & Custom. I'm not the only one with good knives.
Gary

[dobro59]

Tulsa has the Wannamakers Gun show twice a year. Prices have gotten ridiculous, and 15 dollars to get in. You have to walk sideways to get down the aisles, so many people. Not near as many knives as in past. We have two smaller gun shows, RK and i forget the other, which although knives are less than before, you can get a deal once in awhile.

[stockman]

I don’t worry about the 15 bucks to get in or the crowd. I just have to make my way to a few tables and I know where they are. It is still fun for me. Went my first time in 1994 and have only missed a handful of times. I will go as often as I can. Harold

[peanut740]

Tulsa Arms show has more old knives than any other show,you just have to look for them.With 4200 tables you'll see lots of everything,and yes they're lots of people.If there wasn't you wouldn't have lot's of dealers.You want to grip about paying $15 to get in,you'll have 10 times the tables of shows that charge $10 to get into.

[Isuolympic]

The Wannemaker's Tulsa show is a show that I attend 2x yearly since the 80's. Never know what you might find, and I always find plenty.
If you have not attended you are missing out.

[GSPTOPDOG]

The Wannemaker's Tulsa show is a show that I attend 2x yearly since the 80's. Never know what you might find, and I always find plenty.
If you have not attended you are missing out.

Good to see there are still some good shows out there