I'm done with gun shows!

[goodfellow]

I used to love going to gun shows when they were in town. It was always fun to find new items and technologies that moved the needle further to the right in terms of capabilities and function. I used to go for basic hunting rifle and defensive pistol information, and there were many good vendors that catered to my interests.

Fast forward to today and the landscape has drastically changed. The shows don't seem to cater to traditional sportsman anymore, because the bulk of advertising and marketing I saw this week catered to tactical para-military/prepper types. I can't recall how many attendees and vendors were talking about the new 300AAC Blackout (7.62x35mm) ammunition and new AR-15 rifles designed to shoot that round; it was everywhere. In general, the AR-15 and AK platforms seemed to dominate the entire venue. There were only a few tables at the show that actually had any traditional "wood furniture" hunting rifles for display and sale -- not good!

Whether is was AR/AK style rifles, AR-styled pistol caliber carbines, tactical accessories, bulk SHTF/WORL ammo, food, water, storage solutions; EMERGENCY preparedness seemed to dominate the whole show. Which begs the question -- what freakin' EMERGENCY are we preparing for? Life is good -- we heard yesterday that we have a 3.2% GDP growth rate, we have a 2nd Amendment friendly administration, and we have an unemployment rate so low that we have to go back to the 1960s to find similar low numbers. Given all that, the vibe of the show seemed to suggest that we have to prepare for the worst -- arm, stockpile, train, hoard, and develop "action" plans (whatever that means).

I can't figure it out! Maybe it's the news media and the Democrat/Republican political divide, or maybe it's the new socialist/progressive movement that's currently dominating the news. Whatever it is, the gun shows have mostly become a waste of time for traditional sportsmen. What I did see a lot of was "operator" types with caps, beards and tattoos walking the floor. I doubt that there are that many "genuine" current/former special forces guys out walking the gun show floors, and if they are, odds are that they wouldn't be dressed in their field "operator" BDUs.

I'm over it -- no more of this nonsense for this old guy!

[gtermini]

Ditto to all said, although I have entered the world of scary black guns.

My problem with shows is, besides the new stuff at 110% of MSRP, there is usually nothing but beat-up, shot out junk at 95% of new price. Between the insanity on gunbroker and insane gunshow sellers, I've been buying new at lower prices and got exactly what I wanted.

The one thing I like to go to the shows for is potential deal on reloading supplies. There is often one guy with a table of new pounds of powder for $10 ea.

Greyson

[bmwrd0]

I think it is more the nature of how people become familiar with weapons, along with the Lefts push for control of said. If most people only come across firearms in the military, that is what they are going to be familiar with. We (I have pretty similar tastes to you) learned shooting at grandpa's side, we are going to be more familiar with that aspect of things.

Its like cars in a way. If you grew up with American iron, that is what you will generally gravitate towards, similar with Japanese stuff. And now you see much of the young guys going with Asian tuning, as that is what is common for them, what they can find to modify.

A big part of this is the continuing move from being a rural culture to an urban one.

[goodfellow]

Ditto to all said, although I have entered the world of scary black guns.

My problem with shows is, besides the new stuff at 110% of MSRP, there is usually nothing but beat-up, shot out junk at 95% of new price. Between the insanity on gunbroker and insane gunshow sellers, I've been buying new at lower prices and got exactly what I wanted.

The one thing I like to go to the shows for is potential deal on reloading supplies. There is often one guy with a table of new pounds of powder for $10 ea.

Greyson

Good point on reloading supplies Greyson -- you can get deals, but if you factor in the cost of entry and maybe the gas to get there; the savings are often a wash. I'm all for AR-15 rifles. I have a few and shoot them regularly, but that's it -- I'm not preparing for war or revolution.

Prices are all over the place, but you're right. I can get a complete rifle kit, or upper/lower, or a complete rifle cheaper at PSA than I can at any gun show. There are very few bargains (if any) to be had.

[goodfellow]

.......A big part of this is the continuing move from being a rural culture to an urban one.

I guess that's an astute observation. I have a young friend that works at a gun store part-time and he says that the sale of Glocks and AR-15 rifles spike tremendously every time a John Wick movie is released. I guess in our day, it was western TV shows and movies that drove sales of Winchesters lever guns and Colt SAs. I recall in the early 70s that the Dirty Harry movies drove sales of S&W Model 29 44 Mag. revolvers through the roof. You couldn't get one, even many years afterward, because the gun had become so popular.

[bmwrd0]

Yeah, last time I was in a gun store, I was able to get a really nice revolver, that model 15, cheap. No one wants revolvers any more, which is too bad, as they are great guns for people who don't shoot much. Like my wife. Keep a .38 in the top drawer in the bedroom, and all she has to do is point at the center of mass and pull the trigger.

[ken w.]

I went to our local gun show today and noticed how many tables with Glocks and AR related stuff. I'm  a gun parts vendor of 22 cal and other sporting guns and I'm slowly getting to be obsolete as I'm not into the black guns. The younger folks don't know how to shoot open sights or what a reloading press is. Walnut stocks are getting to be a thing of the past.

[goodfellow]

I went to our local gun show today and noticed how many tables with Glocks and AR related stuff. I'm  a gun parts vendor of 22 cal and other sporting guns and I'm slowly getting to be obsolete as I'm not into the black guns. The younger folks don't know how to shoot open sights or what a reloading press is. Walnut stocks are getting to be a thing of the past.

I went to the NRA HQ range twice this week. I usually go in the mornings because it's more quiet and less crowded. Boy was I in for a surprise! I've been working on a nice Rem. 597 .22 cal tack driver for about two months and wanted to sight it in at 50yds. At around 11AM and 10AM respectively, the place was jammed with guys rocking their AR-15s, AR-10s, and AK variants. It was way too loud for me so I left early both days. Trying to sight in a small caliber rifle while the lanes to the left and right of you are blasting full on in .223/5.56, 308, and AK calibers is not easy -- the muzzle blast travels easily across the lane dividers and right into your face. Now these rifle drill scenarios seem to be quite common at the NRA range. 

Two years ago that scenario would be very rare -- usually the early morning shoots would be mostly handgun calibers and .22LR rifle shooters like myself.

[bonneyman]

Gun shows have gone through dramatic changes locally. I like to go and window shop (I'm too broke! lol) but my one buddy likes the company and offers to drive. So, what the heck. A good morning out and plenty of walking.
I help out on the parking, but seems like entry fees have gone up. Not as much fun to just drool at the current prices.

[slip knot]

I gave up on the gunshows 10 years ago. everything there was way more than retail. The last firearm I bought at a gunshow was a $99 SKS. The dealer was trying to sell us a 7 or 8 gun case for $500. kinda kicking myself for passing on that one.


I had a DA Ruger 44 many years ago. Wouldn't mind finding another one. That's one pistol I do regret selling.

[muddy]

I still enjoy the gun shows I usually walk right past the the AR stands. The mom and pop stores and the old veterans are the stands I go for.


My favorite shooting is still .22 lr no kick to handle and cheap fun.

Going to join the local gun club just to use their rainge. They have a steel plate setup that is pretty neat.




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[muddy]

I went to our local gun show today and noticed how many tables with Glocks and AR related stuff. I'm  a gun parts vendor of 22 cal and other sporting guns and I'm slowly getting to be obsolete as I'm not into the black guns. The younger folks don't know how to shoot open sights or what a reloading press is. Walnut stocks are getting to be a thing of the past.

Interesting, do you have a web site?

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[ken w.]

I sell a lot on ebay. My user name is kenn2120. I'm thinking of setting up at more shows in PA and OH. I prefer the more redneck gun shows the best. 

[highland512]

I haven't been to a gun show in years. The last one I went to was one month post sandy hook, it was a total display of dumbassery. The same mini 14 I had bought 6 months earlier was up $250-300, mags where up 50% and the dummy's where forking over their cash as fast as they could pull it out of their pockets. I had 3ea 30 round mags in my truck for the mini 14, I went out and got them and doubled my money. A year and a half later I replaced them........what a bunch of suckers.

I dont understand the bdu, beard, and patch wearing posers either. It's like they are still playing with GI joe but now with real guns. I happen to know a former Army Ranger and a Marine Recon, neither of them act like this or "dress the part". I guess since they are the real deal they dont have to play dress up.

[muddy]

I sell a lot on ebay. My user name is kenn2120. I'm thinking of setting up at more shows in PA and OH. I prefer the more redneck gun shows the best.

Youd probably be on the west side of PA. I'm on the east side.

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