Spirit of the gun show is more than guns
By Dave Bates
For the Observer-Reporter
Walking into a gun show, especially the ones at the Washington County Fairgrounds complex, can be a bit overwhelming. For the unbaptized, the moniker “gun show” might not accurately sum up all that lies within. Sure there are guns … lots and lots of guns. New guns, used guns, antique guns, novelty guns, period-dated guns, collectors pieces, niche guns. Shall I go on? Hunting guns, guns for self-defense purposes, guns for plinking, guns so pretty that all we can do with them is gaze upon them, dare we risk marring their beauty.
If you’ve never attended a gun show, it might be best to start by oversimplifying, according to new versus used. New guns are available in a multitude of forms, generally from dealers. The cool part about this can be the opportunity to compare and consider potential purchases side by side. If you are looking for a new piece, gun shows might have the purchase that is in your sights (pun intended) in dozens of offerings. One can compare prices, features, availability, and condition before surrendering hard-earned cash. We might even be surprised how much one can save in purchasing a new firearm when locating the right dealer.
Conversely, if a used weapon is being considered, one might go a long way in saving precious pennies, albeit at the risk of some unknowns lying beneath the surface. Therein lies the devil. From the get go, I will state that I am an unequivocal fan of the used variety. That stated, there are inherent risks. While it is rare to shoot out a barrel on a common caliber deer rifle, one might find it to be exactly the case on a varmint rifle of a wild cat variety. I’ll offer you a used shotgun scenario as example: Recently, an old friend picked up a used Fox Sterlingworth 12-gauge side-by-side that was labeled inoperable. He purchased it at an estate sale and not in what I’d call pristine condition. It had a $100 price tag on it and was scooped up on a whim. The trigger guard had sprung from the receiver. Too good to be true? I took it to my pal, Mario, and had the gun given the requisite once over. Following a quick safety check and repairing a loose trigger guard, the old girl was deemed shootable. My friend is over the moon because he has always wanted to own a quality American made classic double but could never justify the expense. Voila. Could he have lost his shirt or at least $100 out of pocket? Sure. But, today, he is one happy camper at a fraction of the price plus repairs.
Often in the realm of the used gun, we simply tire of a gun and go in search of something new, different, exotic or something that appeals uniquely to our discriminating tastes. The gun show is the perfect venue to pair A with B. My personal favorite is watching individuals walk the floor with their treasured shooter slung over their shoulder. They have an idea of what they’d like to get out of their trade bait and it is usually congruent with fair asking price. This is where I tend to do my best work. Sometimes they are willing to trade. Mostly, cash is king. Sunday late in the day is better for dealing than 9 a.m. on Saturday as the show opens. Also, as Christmas debt begins to seep into the mailbox, the sportsperson who has saved their cash might do well in a market that is sluggish following the holidays.
Enough with the guns. What else lies within the walls of the gun show? Maybe you are an AR enthusiast and can’t wait to purchase that latest, greatest addition to the platform? There will be all things AR at the show.
Holsters abound. There will likely be holstermakers cutting kydex on site. Leather holster offerings abound. A variety of used holsters will occupy the “thrift store” discards bin, all at bargain prices.
Need a new suitcase for an upcoming trip? This is a great place to start. Find what you don’t want in a suitcase or roller bag before making the wrong purchase. Packs of varying shapes and sizes will be present and the beauty of it is, you can lay your hands on said items without wondering if it’s right for you.
Have an older rifle in need of a replacement stock because of a crack or ding? Before buying a brand new one, check out some quality used offerings. Stocks are available by the dozens, even hundreds. Sometimes a classic wood stock is right in front of you at a fraction of the price.
Want to learn more about the latest/greatest cleaning and lubrication products available? There will be vendors to demo their products right before your eyes. I’ve always been a Hoppes #9 guy as well as a Rem Oil aficionado. Every once in a while the old dog discovers a new trail.
Need a spare magazine for your carry weapon? Looking for a replacement for the old .22 that mom and dad bought for you years ago? Check out the magazine booth. If you are a fan of knives then say no more. There are tables upon tables full of knives. How about a tin of gun powder to replace that dwindling supply? I’m a sucker for a novelty cigar box every time. Grab a hot sausage from the concession stand, it benefits the local VFD. If you’re looking for a ticket of chance, you’ll find plenty.
The next Washington County Gun Show is next weekend, Jan. 10-11. Future dates are March 28-29, May 16-17, and September (dates TBA) Here are some things to know if you’re planning to attend:
Doors open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.
Admission is $10. Children 12 and under are free.
When making an offer don’t insult the seller with lowballs. It’s offensive and creates discord among the fraternity. Protect the goodwill.
Most long arms can be sold person to person, individually (no transfer required but know the law before purchasing.) Handguns require FFL transfer and are available on site.
Guns being walked through the show need to be tagged and secured upon entry.
Practice safe handling skills with all weapons.
Knowledge is paramount. Many of the folks manning the booths are experts in their own right. Pay attention to what they know and soon, you’ll know too. There are a lot of good folks in the room. Get to know them.
The instance that best sums up the spirit of the gun show, to my mind, occurred a few years back and might be most accurately recalled under the “treasures” category. I was perusing some odds and ends that included an ancient wooden 28/20-gauge cleaning rod complete with brass fittings. A mother and son operating their booth noticed I had spent an eternity perusing this low-budget treasure. In truth, it was to be a replacement for the one I had received from an older gentleman years prior and had succumbed to much use; certainly not a valuable item but dripping, nonetheless, with sentiment. When I assembled several items at check out, Mom left the rod out of the mix. Having noticed a single tear running down my cheek as I cradled the relic in my arms, checking it for straightness, she said, “He must have been very special?” She smiled and offered, “That’s on us.”
I was able to use the new piece to replace the broken one and preserve my old cleaning rod. Therein lies the spirit of the gun show.
Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions@gmail.com