Let's face it, MD gun shows for many years now could best be called 'Sock and Jerky' Shows. Long gone are the good deals and unique items that once brought people out to shows. Part of this could be blamed on the internet and current legislative environment, but I think a large part rest solely with the vendors. For the good of cause, I would like folks to offer up ideas that might make MD gun shows worth going to again. Here are a few in no particular order:
Gun Show Specials of Police Trade-ins or surplus guns. I have seen a few dealers who had the good sense to come to the show with a couple of cases of police trade-in 870s, surplus Mosin-Nagants, and Yugo SKS when you could get these for around $125 out the door. Give people a reason to buy.
Ammo by the case. This is sort of a no brainer but is seems that most of the good case deals are gone. Now we have lots of guys selling individual boxes of ancient ammo that they can't seem to get rid of.
Dummy suppressors. These seem to always sell. As do flare launchers, pyrotechnics supplies, and MAC flats. Just sayin'
Magazine repair kits - bodies, springs, followers, floor plates. These things don't last forever.
EBRs that you can still buy. HBARs, Sig 556R, centerfire Beretta AX160, MD legal Tavor. There is demand but most people are not the sort of 'gun enthusiasts' that are going to make a special trip to get their gun. They go to the gun show because they think they can buy a gun there. Give them something worth buying.
Books that you may not want to order through the mail (over the internet with credit card). Like say, the Uncle Fester series. You may not approve of the content but as far as I know the 1st Amendment is still in effect. Regardless, these books sell whether the buyer has intent to use it or not. Some folks just like to have that sort of knowledge in their possession.
Dial down the charities. The veteran charities really annoy me because I am a vet, I know lots of vets, some are combat wounded or dead, and my wife works at Building 62 in Bethesda (google it). A lot of these charities are two-guys-and-a-laptop trying to make a buck off of someone else's sacrifice. Save it. And, for the record, the next one of these guys that rings a bell at me is going to get an ear full from an actual combat veteran. See you at the next show!
Gun Show Specials of Police Trade-ins or surplus guns. I have seen a few dealers who had the good sense to come to the show with a couple of cases of police trade-in 870s, surplus Mosin-Nagants, and Yugo SKS when you could get these for around $125 out the door. Give people a reason to buy.
Ammo by the case. This is sort of a no brainer but is seems that most of the good case deals are gone. Now we have lots of guys selling individual boxes of ancient ammo that they can't seem to get rid of.
Dummy suppressors. These seem to always sell. As do flare launchers, pyrotechnics supplies, and MAC flats. Just sayin'
Magazine repair kits - bodies, springs, followers, floor plates. These things don't last forever.
EBRs that you can still buy. HBARs, Sig 556R, centerfire Beretta AX160, MD legal Tavor. There is demand but most people are not the sort of 'gun enthusiasts' that are going to make a special trip to get their gun. They go to the gun show because they think they can buy a gun there. Give them something worth buying.
Books that you may not want to order through the mail (over the internet with credit card). Like say, the Uncle Fester series. You may not approve of the content but as far as I know the 1st Amendment is still in effect. Regardless, these books sell whether the buyer has intent to use it or not. Some folks just like to have that sort of knowledge in their possession.
Dial down the charities. The veteran charities really annoy me because I am a vet, I know lots of vets, some are combat wounded or dead, and my wife works at Building 62 in Bethesda (google it). A lot of these charities are two-guys-and-a-laptop trying to make a buck off of someone else's sacrifice. Save it. And, for the record, the next one of these guys that rings a bell at me is going to get an ear full from an actual combat veteran. See you at the next show!
Every now and again a deal could be had, but still cheaper than most auctions. They have gone crazy.
