What would a good gun show look like to you?

Eliminating "non gun" related stuff simply means that those sellers are gone and there's less tables overall. There's still the same amount of gun sellers. It's not like the tables fill up with the other sellers and the gun sellers are not allowed to rent space.

Those non gun sellers would, theoretically, allow the promoter to amortize his costs quicker and/or charge less per table. If you have 20 gun sellers to split the costs of renting a room vs 20 gun sellers and 10 non gun sellers, the 20+10 should drive the cost of tables down. The more those gun sellers have to pay to be there, the more they have to charge to sell their stuff.

I don't look at black powder or ARs or Glocks, as they don't interest me. If I don't want to look at dolls or cellphones, I don't look at them.

Even gun stores have a lot of stuff I'm not interested in.


Sgt Lumpy
 
Friendly folks, 95%+ guns. None of the grumpy folks, inflated prices, and tons of non-gun-related stuff I've seen the last three I have been to.
 
Years back when I set-up at some shows there was one that had over 700 tables.
These tables were filled with guns, reloading supplies, gun cases, scopes and mounts, holsters, slings, gun cleaning equipment, gun parts, just about anything you could want that was gun related.

This show had isles that were about five feet wide and they were full of people, shoulder to shoulder.

Then the yard sale, flea market, home show vendors started purchasing tables which cut out some of the gun related vendors and the crowds of people decreased.
The last time I attended that show the non gun related vendors took up half the tables at that show.
I had many gun show attendees stop by my tables and say how they felt cheated because they paid to see guns and gun related items.

That was the last time I set up at a gun show.

I did attend a gun show last year and 90% of the show was what I would expect to see at a farm, home, or sports show, about 10% guns and gun related items.

I attend a large flea market that takes place twice a year and actually see more guns and gun related items there then I have at what is now advertised as gun shows and the flea markets do not charge an admission fee, go figure.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
My guess is that around here the shows are3/4 gun and related - 1/4 non gun related. I know that there are gun vendors who want to get in to the Denver show but can't get tables.
There are a lot of shows in this market as there are 2 promoters. It seems like there are shows in Loveland CO every other week of late.
 
and I'll prolly catch flack for this, I see no need to bring infants, particularly in strollers.
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Let me say, I have brought an infant to a gun show - didn't use a stroler, but had her strapped to my chest, so I wasn't in anyone's way. It was a little weird, but it was either that or NO GUN SHOW FOR ME. Y'all baby haters (not being serious here) just need to just put up with it - they are our future 2nd Amendment advocates:D
 
Lots of moms at shows there to meet class instructors and select a proper weapon. I have no problem with that at all. Truth is - the children are usually way more well behaved than those I see at a mall or box store.
 
At this point I can't stand gun shows. Too tightly packed, too slow moving, and always smell "funny." To even have me consider going back:

1) Substantial room between tables. I'm not going to stand being jostled and herded like cattle.

2) Put some air freshener or something in there. Seriously.

3) I don't like most of the nonfirearm stuff. It doesn't bother me much except for the political nonsense which feels distasteful and gives the shooting public a bad name.
 
Accomodating !!!

and I'll prolly catch flack for this, I see no need to bring infants, particularly in strollers.
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Then how do you feel about the guys in wheelchairs or the guy on crutches with his butt sticking halfway out in the aisle. They take up more room than a stroller. Can't really exclude either and with little effort, you can just walk around. .... :)

If I had to pick one thing that turns me off about gun show participants, it's the politicians. However one thing that I do like, is the presence of the NRA guys. Go figure ??

Accept and;
Be Safe !!!
 
Here are my keys to gun show success.

1) Create a safe load/unload spot at the entrance. It should be well marked.

2) Encourage gunsmiths to show their work. Maybe free tables if they bring 5 or more custom guns to show.

3) Eliminate the jewelry, airsoft and toys.

4) Encourage quality holster makers.

5) Develop your vendor pool. Rate your vendor displays. Good ratings lower table cost bad ratings increase it. Low quality vendors should see their rates go up until they disappear. High quality ones should see good rates.

6) Have monitors. That is people to ghost shop the show. When they see customers/vendors out of line, empower them to resolve the issues. Especially guns pointed at people.

7) Work to balance out vendors. Your vendor pool communicates how well the promoter communicates the shows message.

8) Encourage vendors to sell merchandise. So often I see vendors priced so high, they would be lucky to sell one gun. That model 12 isn't worth $1000, not for 20 more years!

This is all done to create a pleasant environment for customers. Around here, I find myself paying $6-$8 to get in to see mostly stuff I wouldn't buy if I won the lottery. It is because the promoters aren't weeding out the jewelry and crap. Really, a giant table of knock off knives? I thought that was illegal.

I do suppose, the politics should be there, but in balance as we live under a government which no longer represents most Americans well.
 
If I had to pick one thing that turns me off about gun show participants, it's the politicians.
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:confused:

I really don't understand this. I am VERY pleased to see gun-loving politicians at gun shows. I always make it a point to stop by their table and thank them for supporting firearms rights - they usually get my vote if they are in my district. Sometimes, I'll even throw a little money their way to show my appreciation.
 
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and I'll prolly catch flack for this, I see no need to bring infants, particularly in strollers.


Then how do you feel about the guys in wheelchairs or the guy on crutches with his butt sticking halfway out in the aisle. They take up more room than a stroller
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How I feel is that the guys in the wheelchairs or on crutches have a reason to be there. They may buy or sell a gun. A 1 year old isn't.

Like I said, I'll prolly catch flack from those who think that their little bundle of joy is something we all want to love and cuddle. Some might. I don't.

Back to guns.


Sgt Lumpy
 
Like I said, I'll prolly catch flack from those who think that their little bundle of joy is something we all want to love and cuddle.
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Ehhhh, I don't think anyone is looking to have their kid "loved and cuddled" by gunshow attendees. The bottom line is this - guy in wheelchair must bring wheelchair with him to attend gunshow. Guy with baby must bring baby along to attend gunshow. If guy with baby leaves baby at home with wife who had plans to sip mint juleps while chit-chatting with girlfriends, then guy with baby won't have wife, baby, car, house or money to buy guns anymore. Baby takes up no more room than a Garand strapped to someone's shoulder. And, Baby's cries are more pleasing to the ears than the constant KACKKACKKACKKACK of the stun gun vendors.:D:D:D
 
SgtLumpy said:
I'll prolly catch flack from those who think that their little bundle of joy is something we all want to love and cuddle.
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As Skans wrote, no one is asking you to love or cuddle anyone.

What you're basically saying is that if a woman with a small child wants to buy (or sell) a gun and can't find a babysitter -- tough luck. Babysitters can be expensive, if you can find one at all, and single mothers, in particular, often don't have much disposable income.

Suck it up and deal with the wee little darlings. ;)
 
How about dogs ??

I'll prolly catch flack from those who think that their little bundle of joy is something we all want to love and cuddle.
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Most if not all of the strollers I have seen, are being pushed by Dad's and obviously giving mom a need break. I think it's great !!! .. :)

Okay, how about the folks who want to share their dogs with you, at gun shows. Now, before you throw me onto the "flack" stack, I'm not talking about trained, assist dogs. I'll take the strollers any day !!!

Be Safe !!!
 
Vanya said:
As Skans wrote, no one is asking you to love or cuddle anyone.

What you're basically saying is that if a woman with a small child wants to buy (or sell) a gun and can't find a babysitter -- tough luck. Babysitters can be expensive, if you can find one at all, and single mothers, in particular, often don't have much disposable income.

Suck it up and deal with the wee little darlings. ;)
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I agree. I don't like kids and I think it's very inappropriate when one is brought to a fancy restaurant or movie, but a large public gathering like a fair or gun show? There are obviously going to be kids. As long as they're well behaved and supervised I have no right to not want them to be there.
 
I don't get the dogs either. Not the assistant dogs - those I understand and should be there for crowd training but the regular house dogs. I don't understand them being taken into Home Depot either.

Political - I think they totally belong at gun shows and - as Skans said - I'll stop by and show some appreciation. I don't usually see the actual politician though - but there are supporters and those promoting organizations such as NRA - RMGO and the like. My first exposure to the recall efforts was at gun shows.

Guns Only - well then there has to be a separate Personal Defense Show for everything else. Should the promoters of a PD show allow firearm sellers? Maybe. But then it would turn into a Gun Show with PD and Bob and Pete2 would have to avoid it ;)
There is the Collector and Antique show once a year which is gun only but also excludes firearms that are newer so that makes it fairly selective.

Hygiene - this is unfamiliar to me here in Colorado. Might be more of a humid climate thing.

Strollers / Wheelchairs - IME it's the guys in the electric scooters who have little regard for those around them. Stroller people - IME - are pretty polite about it.

This intrigued me...
FWIW, I feel the same way about ham fests and any other hobby meet-greet-swap. They're generally more of a social event than they are a place to find bargains.
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Hamfests are a model for what you don't want to happen to a hobby. I sold at them in the 80's and early 90's. I've been to them off and on since. Talk about people dragging the same stuff to every show year in and year out..."If I bring one more thing home my wife will kill me" "I had one of those it's....." I'd be surprised if $1,000 changed hands in total at an entire show and all they did was serve to show new people that this was a dying avocation.
 
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One thing came to mind about what I really don't want to see at the next gun show I attend: The same guns I've been seeing at the same show for several years now. No, not just the same kindS of guns....THE SAME GUNS!

For example, there is one dealer who sets up right by the entrance of the show I usually attend - always has the same way-over-priced weird/antique and/or unpopular guns, same stuff. I don't think the guy actually leaves when the show is over - he and his table of stuff must just freeze and thaw out from show to show. In fact, there are about 3-4 tables just like his.

Another guy has a net over all of his NFA items - does he just love lugging these things around from show to show, month after month, year after year? SAME GUNS!

Then there's the old revolver guy - same old S&W 1930 - 1970 something 70% condition revolvers crammed in a case. No prices on any of them, so you have to ask - and then, you wish you didn't ask. Come on, buddy - lower your prices and update your inventory!!! Or liquidate them on Gunbroker. Last time I caught myself murmuring "There's Big Ben....House of Parliament..."
 
Guns, ammo, gear, emergency supplies, preparedness stuff. Maybe the occasional gold/silver coin guy. Native American stuff would be fine too.

Having said that, having some of the "other stuff" keeps Mama and the kids happy and wanting to go to the next show, which allows ME to attend more shows than I would otherwise.

I do find the best bargains (as well as the most outrageous prices) from folks walking the floor with guns in a bag/holster or slung over their shoulders. I've done lots of good trades and buys that way.

Our shows are free to park, but parking anywhere near the place is hard. Tables go for $110, up from $100 last year for an 8-footer(normally 600 tables at the bigger show, 400 at the smaller one) Admission is what has shocked me recently - 16 bucks! Guess that makes up for the "free" parking!

I haven't paid admission for years though as I have good friends who get me in on their Vendor badges.
 
Free admission of course and maybe a drawing for a free gun each day of the show... I like seeing the custom knife guys and the knife sellers in general at gun shows. I have bought more than a couple knives at shows, guns too.
 
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