doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com State of Gun Collector Shows

Happened on a flyer in an antique store which led to the unexpected privilege yesterday of attending the semiannual show of the Missouri Arms Collectors. I’ve quit going to “gun shows” after the last big one in the Denver area, gun wise, was 95% black rifles and plastic pistols. (Nothing wrong with them and lots of folks were there for that reason just not of interest to me.). There was lots of other “stuff” for sale.

This show was largely arms with a nice mix of knives, ammo, reloading, and related gun parts. There were a handful of AR’s and some scattered modern pistols and revolvers. I didn’t see any jerky or junk. I talked with various vendors to get an idea of the direction their shows were going and it wasn’t encouraging. One Illinois based dealer had been forced out of business and is liquidating and planning a “move across the river.” I.e. to Missouri. Another old timer who goes back to the founding of the Missouri group said the shows have stabilized at about 200 tables but it seems attendance is declining while average age is increasing. I saw about a dozen and a half SxS’s. One nice DHE at $5500 and a couple of basic Elsies around $1400. I was looking for powder and there wasn’t much. I saw one jar of shotgun powder - Longshot - at $30.

The Kansas City side of the state used to have a large annual show hosted by the Missouri Valley men. Perhaps one of KC guys here can weigh in on the health of that show.

It’s been years since I’ve gone to the incredible national gun shows in northern Virginia. I wonder how that multi-building show is faring. And I’ve read here that the Las Vegas show has slipped a lot.

What’s the story in your area?

Gun shows have been legislated out of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Feel free to read that again-they are forbidden. Even if a facility that was paid for with everybody’s tax dollars wanted to host one, it is no longer permitted.

Couple little shows on the perimeter of the cities, but, that is it. The big Weapons Collector club shows take place in St. Cloud, Rochester, Mankato, etc.

Best,
Ted

here in the ne, the annual Baltimore show in March, is about it these days...

damn shame...

Great shows in Amarillo, Texas
About one every three months

My son and I had tables at the Vegas show in January. Last year there were fewer good exhibits than the year before, and this year was markedly worse. Also, there were few spectators. Some dealers did business, but overall I'd say it's a dying institution. Las Vegas may be one factor. It's hard to enjoy a stay where a cup of coffee or a beer costs $8. We had "dinner" one night in the sports bar in the Westgate. Two beers, a Philly sandwich, and a plate of nachos came to $62. We don't plan to return, and that's too bad; we've enjoyed it now for nearly thirty years.
t

The "Nations Gun Show" in Chantilly, Virginia is over 1000 tables of black guns, fudge, jerky, and I don't really know what else. Our group gave up our tables about two years ago. I would go to look, but admission is very unfriendly.

See you in May at the best little collectors show West of the Mississippi Randy

However if you like to see lots of tats and China made knives its a great show. It was lots better in the old days as Eightbore remembers.

Saw this beautiful double for sale over the weekend. Perfect bores, great wood

I know what you guys are saying...... The only decent shows around me anymore are The National Gun Day Gun Show in Louisville- And I also go to an organization's shows that I belong to near me. They both have a few Model 21 style guns. And they usually have 1950s-1970s type guns also. No t-shirts, jewelery or junk like that. It is hard to keep away from stores and shows that have assault type guns because that is what most people want now days- new carry conceal and assault weapons. Stores have to supply what is popular. I understand that. That's why it is so hard to find decent side by sides.