Great American Shows?

[Guest Broomhead]

Anyone been to the Great American Gun Shows in Clarksville at the Nat'l Guard Armory? Worth the drive from Nashville?

I'm jonesing for a good gun show, need some time away from the wife and kids.

[TMF]

Never heard of this. When is it going on?

[sschrick]

went to a Great American show they had in Clinton, TN (basically Knoxville) last fall at the Natl Guard Armory.

very disappointed as compared to the much larger RK Shows.

[Guest Broomhead]

March 10th-11th.

http://www.gunshows-usa.com/tennesee.htm

First listing.

[TMF]

Yeah. I googled it after I saw the thread. I'll be checking it out Saturday afternoon.

[DWARREN123]

A small show and like most not a lot of deals. I do go to watch the folks who show up.

[Grunt67]

The ones I've been to were not so "Great". Unless you live close by & nothing else to do, I'd skip it.

[Guest Frank37820]

I went to the one at the Maryville armory a few weeks ago. It was a joke. Only cost 8 bucks to get in but even at that it was a rip off. It was mostly dealers of new guns, and their prices were as high or higher than any gun store in the area. I would wait for one of the better ones at the expo center or jacobs building before wasting time and fuel to come here from Nashville. My two cents

[dlm37015]

the last time i went to one i told them if they wanted to see me again they better take a picture

[Guest Broomhead]

I'll stay away then. Thanks for the heads up!

[dlm37015]

if you are looking for a good gunshow go to knoxville this weekend it will be a circus

[Guest Broomhead]

if you are looking for a good gunshow go to knoxville this weekend it will be a circus

That's too far. Way too far.

[Guest PapaB]

I've been to a couple of their shows at different locations. The people that have made negative comments in this thread have been far too kind imho. If they're within walking distance and they'll pay you $20 to spend 30 minutes there, I might consider it, otherwise, run away.

[JAB]

I actually like going to the 'Great American' shows better than the RK shows on ONE condition. That condition is that one, particular dealer shows up. This dealer apparently has a brick and mortar store but brings stuff to the shows that he doesn't want to stock in his stores. Generally, that means 'beater' or 'shooter' guns at fair 'beater' or 'shooter' gun prices. I like beater and shooter guns and I like fair prices so I like going to the 'Great American' shows when he attends them. When he doesn't, they are pretty much a waste of time (but then I think the RK shows are generally a waste of time, too, unless I am looking for a hard to find magazine or something specific like that.) This dealer told me that he used to go to the RK shows, sometimes, but decided he doesn't want to fool with them, anymore. I have never seen anything approaching what he sells at RK shows.

At various times and different shows, I have bought all of the following guns from him - all for less than $100 each (well, before tax and TICS, anyhow):

H&R 930 9 shot .22LR revolver

After a little Flitz and some elbow grease:

An old Stevens single shot 20 gauge and a Sears bolt action 20 gauge (two round internal mag.) The bolt gun has an 'accu-choke' which seems to actually work, at least to some extent.

And a Winchester 190:

The only one that needed anything was the Winchester 190. The spring in the inner mag tube assembly had gotten weak/sprung so it wouldn't load the last round in the mag. Ordered a new inner mag tube assembly from Numrich and it works great, now.

Edited March 9, 2012 by JAB

[Guest HankRearden]

Lots of people at the show. Not much in the line of deals, most everything was extremely overpriced. A very used S&W 327 PC for 1k, very used USP .45 for $750.00 (same model used in better shape at Guns and Leather for $595.00)

I did manage to sell my M&P at a very reasonable price though!