Gun Show in Maryville

[blizzard]

There is a gun show at the National Guard Armory in Maryville this weekend. Does anyone know anything about these shows? I have never been to one up there. Just wondering if they were worth going to. What's the size of the show? 

[frmus66]

If you have free time find something else to do with it. You can stand in the middle of building and see every thing on the tables.

[austin7.62]

If you have free time find something else to do with it. You can stand in the middle of building and see every thing on the tables.

What he said

[z90HD]

The armory shows are terrible. Very small and not many good deals to speak of.

[dubya3488]

Came here to ask the same question. Guess I'm just driving around to a few gun shops today!! Just out of curiosity, how much do they charge to get in?

[runco]

If you consider the number of tables vs. the entry fee, these small gun shows are the most expensive gun shows to attend or in other words the most less value for your money.  Example, the expo center I believe is 500 tables, entry fee is $10 w/o coupon, then the ratio is $0.02 (2 cents) per table to see, a pretty darn good value.  The Maryville show, I believe the entry fee is $8 (not sure), I think they may have 30 tables, so the cost to see each table is $0.27 (27 cents), which is 13x more expensive.  A terrible entry fee ratio.  

 

In a equal way of looking at it either show the expo center needs to charge $130 per entry fee to see their tables, or the Maryville show needs to charge $0.62 (62 cents).  That is a good view of the the rip off the Maryville and other small venue shows are charging based upon the entry fee vs. the tables.  This does not account for the flea market items that both have.  However, if you find that one item you have been looking for or needing, then nothing else matters.

[LI0NSFAN]

I stopped buy today just to see what a small show looks like. I was disappointed in the amount of people not selling guns. The price of ammo was ludicrous, even higher than some of the other sights online. I did score a couple of good deals and passed on a couple of great deals on good guns. If are in the market for a .40 or 357 sig there was some good buys. Everybody had super inflated prices but after a little pushing they came down to a reasonable price. A lot less junky old shotguns than I expected to see, I was eally hoping ot pick up a good project gun but could not find one worth my time. Paid 7 to get in and I was ok with that given the deals I got. I would not have been happy just to shop and pay 7.

[blizzard]

I heeded the advice of the others and stayed away. Probably a wise choice.

[gun sane]

I bought a CA .22 Pathfinder today at Farnsworth Firearms in Vonore.  Terrific deal and didn't pay to get in.

[JAB]

I actually like those shows, generally speaking.  Actually, there is one vendor who usually attends them whose selection I generally like.  He has a regular business (Hearthstone Guns, I think it is called) but a lot of what he brings to the show is 'lower tier' stuff.  Some things he brings need work, some have purely cosmetic issues while some are just not 'high end' guns.  Not bad guns, necessarily, but not high dollar stuff, either.  I can deal with something not being high dollar.  At these shows, on different occasions, I have bought from him:

 

An old Sears bolt action 20 gauge with adjustable choke for $89

An old Stevens single shot 20 gauge for $79

A Winchester 190 .22 semiauto rifle for $79

A Titan .25 (because my first handgun was a Titan .25 and it 'disappeared' from my mom's house a few years back) for $79

An H&R 9 shot .22 revolver for $99

 

Being that I already have all the guns I 'need', I like to find inexpensive guns mostly for fun or to fill some personal niche I have in mind.  Every, single gun I have bought from him worked as it was when purchased.  I did end up ordering a new inner tube mag assembly for the Winchester 190.  I can't imagine getting anywhere near those kinds of prices on ANY solid, working gun at the overblown, overpriced beef jerky shows at the Expo Center/Chilhowee.

 

Now, if that vendor isn't there then I agree that it isn't worth going.

Edited March 18, 2013 by JAB