This past Gun Show in Charlotte

James Morrow

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Is it me, or is the Gunshow getting Smaller? Looks like they are losing dealers. I could be wrong. I bought a New Gun Bag
 
We are going to Charleston this weekend. Good weather forecasted. Hopefully a big crowd with lots of tax money. The Myrtle Beach Show was the biggest there in several years. I think part of the crowd was there to see us guys from CFF. Hopefully they weren't disappointed although @BatteryOaksBilly didn't show in his speedo.
 
It is getting smaller...this past show there was a break in and 11 guns stolen...one before that firearms stolen during show hours...one before that a dealers trailer was stolen. It’s not in the best part of town. I always enjoy going to a Dixie Show but that one is getting smaller. Many gun dealers were not there and it’s too much of a hassle to sell face-to-face across state lines. It requires a transfer to an in-state dealer and they do the paperwork for you.
 
The shows are getting smaller. I've been working shows for almost 25 years. What I see is there are no young people taking up the mantle and carrying on. A wild guess is around 30% of the people I started working around in the mid 90's have passed on or because of health issues can't travel anymore. There are many reasons, this is just one.
 
The shows are getting smaller. I've been working shows for almost 25 years. What I see is there are no young people taking up the mantle and carrying on. A wild guess is around 30% of the people I started working around in the mid 90's have passed on or because of health issues can't travel anymore. There are many reasons, this is just one.

There is this, and younger guys like me have less and less time to visit gun shows that more often than not are just multiple tables offering the same things that can be found at most gun stores, or ordered online (often for cheaper).
 
gun shows are not the value they used to be in my opinion, you got a pay for gas to get there, pay for parking, pay to get in, then buy a gun. Or you could sit home look on your computer find one cheap and have it shipped to your LGS and pay a transfer fee and come out saving enough to go buy yourself a very nice steak.
 
rel-a-tive: adj, considered in comparison or relation to something else

Compared to the young bucks with no kids or family to take up their time, or them old timers who have nothing better to do than chew cud and talk about how things were back in the day...for example
 
Gun shows are weird now. Occasionally you find a really good deal on something and wonder why... and the rest of the time it's all retail + 10%. Most everything modern is cheaper at a variety of the LGSs, so unless you normally shop at a big box store and are paying MSRP, it's not worth the hassle of going if you're trying to buy something common. Everyone, even myself, has their story about the "awesome deal" they found one time... which is why I guess we keep going back.
 
I have pretty much stopped going to gun shows for a number of reasons. 6/7 years ago I noticed a sizable number of "less than desirable types" frequenting the shows in packs and decided that I needed to be somewhere else. Prices were beginning to spike and the dealers had adopted a real smart ass mouth when talking to people almost like they didn't care if they sold you anything or not.
I also grew tired of having to pay for everything, parking, entry fees, etc. only to pay retail + once inside at a vendor. The crowds and then the maroon with the double wide stroller and the super king size wheelchairs kind of put me off about going so I just quit, going......
And before I go, the old guys that always set up together, have the same crap they have had for the past 15 shows, at the same price and sit and bitch at each other about not selling anything. There but for the grace of God go I...... If you ever see me among them please wake me up when it's time to go home...
 
I go to feel, taste, and see what the product is actually like. But like many I will do a product price check with an expectation they are there to sell on volume with better pricing. If that is not the case I keep moving. I have never bought a gun at one. I have bought Gun accessories, snacks, targets, belts, even jewelry.

The old coots attitudes behind tables- big turn off. The Asians with their massive tables of overseas junk even a bigger turn off. So many mouth breathers huffing on your neck still thinking Remington is a quality gun is maddening. It’s not all bad as I have actually met some nice people with like interest who have skills I used in business needs.
 
"the old guys that always set up together, have the same crap they have had for the past 15 shows,............"


I know exactly who you're talking about.

.
 
It is getting smaller...this past show there was a break in and 11 guns stolen...one before that firearms stolen during show hours...one before that a dealers trailer was stolen. It’s not in the best part of town. I always enjoy going to a Dixie Show but that one is getting smaller. Many gun dealers were not there and it’s too much of a hassle to sell face-to-face across state lines. It requires a transfer to an in-state dealer and they do the paperwork for you.
I did not know about the break ins and theft. This is a sad thing.
 
Been to few shows. Most of them a waste of time. Got a Mosin Nagant at my first gun show back in college and nothing since.

I only get to hear the tales of “the days when Gun shows were the Black Friday of guns”...definitely not anymore.

I do want to give it another shot here in NC. With all guns not being legal and a surprisingly low (to me anyway) density of gun stores it at least draws numerous vendors to single place and therefore single drive for me.
 
For me it is a chance to handle different guns and buy reloading supplies. Folks like Blue Collar Reloading have great selections of powder and primers and I don't pay hazmat. Every now and then you find a good deal. Picked up a Maverick 88 for $175 out the door price and I bought my Mosin and SKS from the Mosin Man
 
I meet a friend (Charlotte is halfway for both) we walk and talk, see a few dealers we've done business with in the pass.
We go to lunch trying new places and then go back and walk and talk some more.
We've found a few good deals over the years, but it's more a chance for us to get together.
 
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