haha
the big show here is quarterly, and probably has 6 to 8 major dealers. Multiple ammo sellers, lots of smaller collector types with limited numbers of used pistols, and more of a focus on long guns, especially older war era ones.
But there are LOTS of guns being bought. I typically buy from Trader Jerry, who comes up to these shows from Southern Va., so he's probably 5 or 6 hours away. He'll always have the most tables, and the most handguns at any show I've seen him at. And you have to fight to get to the table, and the FFL paperwork is flowing back and forth nonstop. When I've bought from him, it seems there are 5 to 10 applications in the process at all times. Meaning as one is completed there is usually another just getting filled out and turned in. The other dealers are not as busy as he is, in my estimation, but he is also usually the lowest price on most of the guns he sells. He is sometimes undersold, not by much, and rarely on everything another vendor has. Usually it's a specific line or model.
Sounds like the NW needs better shows
No boats or food vendors, the places the shows are held have food areas in them already, there's usually a vendor with a lot of airsoft stuff, there's usually a Nazi table, never quite got that one, there will actually be a LOT of WWII based tables. Some have weapons, many are old trinkets and such for history collectors. There are always a few ammo vendors, and holster vendors, some magazine only vendors, at the National show, there's a Glock armorer who comes down from PA and will drop in new triggers, mag releases, sights, etc., in a couple minutes. There are always a few vendors of things like scopes and flashlights and knifes. Can't say there are any tables NOT firearm or war collecting related. Sounds like your shows are outdoorsman shows, not Gun shows
come on out to Chantilly sometime and check out the National Gun show
My buddy is from Missouri, and has been to that big show in Oklahoma or Kansas, somewhere out there that's suppose to be the biggest gun show in the country. He complains that it's only long guns, it's almost impossible to find a good hand gun vendor. Guess that's a sign of the different views and needs of different parts of the country