Anyone going to the gun show this weekend?

[Guest Len]

Hey everyone:

A bunch of shooting buddies and I will be visiting the gun show at the TN State Fairgrounds in Nashville on Saturday -around 11am according to the plan. Anyone else out there thinking about going? This will be my first show, and I am interested in seeing what all the hoolpa is about. I have heard good things and bad thingsabout gun shows, so I guess I will go with mind open and mouth shut and just take it all in.

-Len

[shaftbass]

Well don't expect a deal..

[Guest GlocKingTN]

Maybe if I didnt live so far away!

[tnroadrunner]

Maybe on Sunday. Shooting IDPA at Maury County Gun Club on Saturday.

[TGO David]

I've heard that the fairgrounds show isn't all it is cracked up to be. Too bad so many firearms owners feel that they have to dress like militia when they go to these things. I wish they'd just dress like normal people so that the anti-rights crowd would have one less stone to throw.

[Guest GlocKingTN]

I've heard that the fairgrounds show isn't all it is cracked up to be. Too bad so many firearms owners feel that they have to dress like militia when they go to these things. I wish they'd just dress like normal people so that the anti-rights crowd would have one less stone to throw.

Your kidding about the dress right?

[SkWaShDeM]

Your kidding about the dress right?

If they're anything like the fairgrounds show out here, they're not kidding. I figure 60% of the crowd at the last show I went to at the Appalachian Fairgrounds was in BDUs or Wal-Mart style camo outfits. And at least 50-60% of those had a weapon slung over their shoulder that they were trying to sell. The shows around here have more good old boys trying to sell off a gun or two than dealers with tables usually.

[Guest GlocKingTN]

If they're anything like the fairgrounds show out here, they're not kidding. I figure 60% of the crowd at the last show I went to at the Appalachian Fairgrounds was in BDUs or Wal-Mart style camo outfits. And at least 50-60% of those had a weapon slung over their shoulder that they were trying to sell. The shows around here have more good old boys trying to sell off a gun or two than dealers with tables usually.

Sounds like my kinda show!

[Guest Fuel]

Yeah, lots of para-military wannabes there. I haven't been to the Bill Goodman thing in several years. I bought my pistol there 3 or 4 years ago. As Reef said, don't expect any deals.

[Guest RobTN]

I'll be there. The only 'deals' I've found lately have been from the occassional show patron who has something to sell privately. The dealers all seem to be charging top dollar for their wares.

[shaftbass]

Don't forget the Civil War wannabes.

[SkWaShDeM]

Don't forget the Civil War wannabes.

Civil War Enthusiasts Reef, not wannabes.

[Guest Len]

Should be interesting for people watching then, even if no bargains.

I have a camo t-shirt around here somewhere...

[Guest db99wj]

Should be interesting for people watching then, even if no bargains.

I have a camo t-shirt around here somewhere...

One of the best parts is the people watching.

[Guest Archimedes]

Should be interesting for people watching then, even if no bargains.

I have a camo t-shirt around here somewhere...

I have one that says "Hot Lips" in pink.

http://us.imdb.com/gallery/scrapbook/48/Sbk/48/1000600_2_8.jpg.html?path=pgallery&path_key=Swit,%20Loretta

~Archi

[Guest Len]

Well, I came, I saw, I spent $30.00.

Some observations on my first show experience:

1) Lots of pretty, shiny toys that caught my eye. Good thing I left the credit card at home. Fell in love with a nice AR15 carbine.

2) Interesting crowd of people to say the least. You want gun-nut stereotypes? We got gun-nut stereotypes! Also, lots and lots of average everyday people, mostly an older, male crowd. Some dad/son combos, that was nice to see.

3) I'd really prefer that customers handling firearms would not point them in my direction and pull the trigger. Is this just me, or are these people not using their full allotment of brain cells? (Yes, the dealer "knows" its not loaded, you supposedly "know" its not loaded, but I dont know its not loaded!")

4) Favorite t-shirt spotted for sale: black with huge gold badge on front that says "Official Member, Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy" Almost bought one.

5) Least favorite t-shirt spotted for sale: virtually every other one.

6) Bargains? Not so much. Seemed like most dealers there just brought their merch from the store and set it up at the show. No sale prices on guns or ammo. In fact, I saw some rip-off ammo prices.

7) Best deal I found: a set of three of those old can openers that were issued to WWII GIs -they are tiny and very useful, 3 for $1.00 including tax.

See you next time!

[Guest GlocKingTN]

Sounds like we didnt miss much!

[shaftbass]

Did you wind up buying a CCW badge at the show?

[Guest GlocKingTN]

Did you wind up buying a CCW badge at the show?

Thats a good one reef!

[TGO David]

Did you wind up buying a CCW badge at the show?

I was selling them.

[Guest Len]

Funny guys!

Actually, I did see them for sale -$29.50 plus another 8 bucks if you wanted the leather badge holder. The guy was selling all sorts of badges and they looked pretty real to me. I was tempted to buy one for sticking on my bulletin board at home and for some giggles, but thinking back on the thread about these things made me keep my wallet in my pocket.

Maybe I should have bought one to use as a template for a "TGO badge."

("Halt! I'm a member of TGO and I have a badge!")

-Len

[TGO David]

HAHAH... we had spies following you around, Len. If you had bought one, there would have been pictures posted here of money changing hands and of you giving furtive glances around as you quickly put the badge in your pocket.