First gun show

[Chris]

The first time I went to a gun show with actual buying intentions, I figured I'd leave with a new firearm, an empty wallet or both but neither happened. Instead, I spent most of the day handling guns and comparing things I had only seen online before. I probably picked up forty different firearms, some felt great while some looked great until I actually held them. A few crossed themselves right off my list the second they hit my hand and that alone was worth the price of admission.

What surprised me even more were the conversations. I spent time talking with dealers, listening to what people were looking at and hearing the same questions come up over and over. You learn a lot just by paying attention. The best part of the day came when I ended up talking to a competitor who'd been shooting matches longer than I'd been paying attention to them. What started as a quick question turned into a half-hour conversation full of tips, mistakes he'd made and things he wished he'd learned sooner.

I drove home without buying a thing and it felt like a successful trip.

 

[Havasu]

In the old days, Gun Shows were the place to buy anything gun related. Now, it is a trap. A way to separate you from your money. Good choice walking away empty handed!

 

[Javbike]

Which show did you go to ?

 

[NorCal Flyer]

In the SF Bay Area we had good gun shows back in the day called "Crossroads of the West Gun Shows" at the Cow Palace, San Mateo County Fairgrounds, and Santa Clara. Now we really have nothing worth going to here anymore. The only one on the Peninsula was a small one down in San Jose last year, it was held in a small (VOF as I recall) hall, and a lot of the stuff for sale had nothing to do with guns and ammo. Very disappointing, as I actually went there looking with the intention to buy, and just wasted fuel and an entry fee. I was out of there in about 30 minutes, even after a second round. At the old shows, I would spend hours looking through items of interest.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

I'm a Crossroads at the Cow Palace also, NorCal Flyer...those were the days...after they moved to the San Jose Fairground, but I never went there.

 

[Javbike]

I have to be honest I been to a show ever

 

[NorCal Flyer]

I have to be honest I been to a show ever

And unfortunately you will never see one like we used to have here in Calif. People used to go in and buy ammo by the cases, most suppliers would loan you their handcart (leave your drivers license) and people would walk out with five to ten cases of ammo.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

And unfortunately you will never see one like we used to have here in Calif. People used to go in and buy ammo by the cases, most suppliers would loan you their handcart (leave your drivers license) and people would walk out with five to ten cases of ammo.

The legislators always said you could buy guns without going through a background check, but I have never seen anything like that...but the ammo is why the state shut them down. I was early to adopt reloading into my life, so never fretted over ammo, but it was a full on war against the CA legislators.

If I never have to use a bullet button again it will be too soon.

 

[Javbike]

And unfortunately you will never see one like we used to have here in Calif. People used to go in and buy ammo by the cases, most suppliers would loan you their handcart (leave your drivers license) and people would walk out with five to ten cases of ammo.

That sounds like lots of fun

 

[RNFURTON]

In the SF Bay Area we had good gun shows back in the day called "Crossroads of the West Gun Shows" at the Cow Palace, San Mateo County Fairgrounds, and Santa Clara. Now we really have nothing worth going to here anymore. The only one on the Peninsula was a small one down in San Jose last year, it was held in a small (VOF as I recall) hall, and a lot of the stuff for sale had nothing to do with guns and ammo. Very disappointing, as I actually went there looking with the intention to buy, and just wasted fuel and an entry fee. I was out of there in about 30 minutes, even after a second round. At the old shows, I would spend hours looking through items of interest.

"Crossroads of the West Gun Shows" are now held at the The Solano County Fairgrounds & Event Center venue located at 900 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo, CA 94589. The next one is 9/18-19 https://scfair.org/upcoming-events/

 

[NorCal Flyer]

"Crossroads of the West Gun Shows" are now held at the The Solano County Fairgrounds & Event Center venue located at 900 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo, CA 94589. The next one is 9/18-19 https://scfair.org/upcoming-events/

I understand they are small in comparison to that of years ago? Never been to that one.

 

[RNFURTON]

I understand they are small in comparison to that of years ago? Never been to that one.

It wasn't as large as the COW PALACE, as that was both a huge event center and a huge draw. The last time I went last year was probably about 1/3 - 1/2 the size facility that I recall the COW PALACE was. It was/is larger than when they were at the San Pantyjose fairgrounds back in the `90's though.