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March 6, 2011
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Any reports on the show? I have been many times, but it has been 15 years. So many of the guys I know who were table holders have died, don’t travel, or are unhealthy, I wonder how long shows like this can last. I am sure it was still good, not sure about the future. My friend went last year, looked around, and said the majority of the table holders will most likely not be around in 10 years. New guys to replace the long time old guys? I doubt it from what I see. It takes a certain person to sit on a folding chair behind a table for 8-9 hours for days trying to sell antique/collectible guns. Exhibitors are mostly senior citizens, and younger guys are a different breed in interests from what I see.
In addition, in Nevada we now have a private party transfer law. Even between private party Nevada residents, every sale of a post 1898 firearm has to be processed through a dealer. 4473 & a background check. Sometimes the background checks (through the state here) take days to process.
March 31, 2009
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There were some empty tables in the big room but there were a lot more in the WACA area. I did not go in the third room. So in my opinion the turnout was great.
I came home with a rifle, 3 boxes of ammo, a box of brass and 2 books. I made some contacts for possible future expenditures.
There were 3 days and 2 nights of lying, drinking, dinning and good times with good friends.
April 15, 2005
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Chuck said
There were 3 days and 2 nights of lying, drinking, dinning and good times with good friends.
Aahhh … now the real truth comes out 
I really miss those days 
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 31, 2009
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Bert H. said
Chuck said
There were 3 days and 2 nights of lying, drinking, dinning and good times with good friends.
Aahhh … now the real truth comes out I really miss those days
Bert
Yes, and one of the best reasons to go to the shows. I’ve never had a bad show even if I only bought a book. Many times I have come home with a book and the memories. 
March 6, 2011
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This is just a discussion that comes up with my friends. We have been going to gun shows since the 1960s. We still go to small local shows (and look at all of the ARs and Glocks) but do not travel to the big shows- long drives, hotel rooms, restaurant food, my wife and cat at home.
If in the future these shows decrease in size and are not profitable for promotors they will end. At the Vegas show, in the past someone had to die to get a table, there was a long waiting list. Same with other popular shows. Now my friends say there are open tables, and people are told to “spread out”. They even have display tables this year at greatly reduced cost, which means they did not sell all of the tables available. A change in the future of gun shows could change the antique/collector gun hobby.
There are auctions, but as I said on another thread here, there are very negative drawbacks. Then there is the internet. But for sellers those sites take some skill to sell on, there are seller fees, shipping costs (important for buyers), FFLs for post-98 guns and having to give inspection periods. For buyers, big risk. Even from from some reputable sellers, I have been disappointed.
A liberal government in place, new state and federal laws, could also impact buying and selling. Oh well, I think I have seen the of best times for collecting guns, but I wish future collectors well.
March 31, 2009
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wolfbait said
This is just a discussion that comes up with my friends. We have been going to gun shows since the 1960s. We still go to small local shows (and look at all of the ARs and Glocks) but do not travel to the big shows- long drives, hotel rooms, restaurant food, my wife and cat at home.
If in the future these shows decrease in size and are not profitable for promotors they will end. At the Vegas show, in the past someone had to die to get a table, there was a long waiting list. Same with other popular shows. Now my friends say there are open tables, and people are told to “spread out”. They even have display tables this year at greatly reduced cost, which means they did not sell all of the tables available. A change in the future of gun shows could change the antique/collector gun hobby.
There are auctions, but as I said on another thread here, there are very negative drawbacks. Then there is the internet. But for sellers those sites take some skill to sell on, there are seller fees, shipping costs (important for buyers), FFLs for post-98 guns and having to give inspection periods. For buyers, big risk. Even from from some reputable sellers, I have been disappointed.
A liberal government in place, new state and federal laws, could also impact buying and selling. Oh well, I think I have seen the of best times for collecting guns, but I wish future collectors well.
I feel your pain. I’ve only been going to guns show since the early 90’s. I am not a seller. We and our guns are a dying breed. Just as the flintlock and caplock guns of of the older collectors when I started. Same with our cars. Younger generations just don’t collect what we do. I’ve never had much luck at the smaller shows but have had better luck at the major shows. I just bought a rifle in Vegas. We negotiated a price, I handed him the cash and off I went. All legal and nobody else gets involved. We travel together and share the costs. If not I couldn’t make some of the trips.
July 3, 2020
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My wife joined me again this year. She enjoys a break from the winter cold as much as I do. We also decided we wanted a “quieter” stay, so we went off-site to the Westgate Flamingo Resort. It’s 3 miles away from the show near China Town which has great restaurants. Got a 600 sq. ft. “villa” with a full kitchen, jacuzzi, etc. for less than the Westgate Casino. We had a great lunch with JWA & Elliot and their spouses before going to set up at 5pm. Honestly, getting in at 5pm on Wednesday at Las Vegas is a must. Set up time is when the best buys are (we all know this). Overall, I thought the attendance was light. But the regular Winchester people were there… Vinnie could be heard loud and clear around the club area. 🙂 As Chuck said, there were alot of empty tables. I quit counting them after I hit 75… had to wonder if they weren’t sold or were no-shows? I picked up a nice 4 1/2″ 2nd model Colt Woodsman, a Walther OSP and a S&W 41 5″ field… C&R’s do come in handy. I also spotted a G&H “windage” scope mount with a Hensoldt & Wetzler 4x for $300…. upon closer inspection, the 26mm scope was Nazi marked & in great shape. I paid the asking price and giggled all the way back to my table. I found several other nice scopes to buy too. Also bought the new Sharps book… it’s a wonderful addition to my library. I only sold a few “small” items the first two days, nothing expensive. Russ Day & his brother had some amazing rifles on their tables. The displays, M1 Carbine, Bullard rifles, Remington pistols and many others were outstanding. Saturday came and the crowd was smaller (yikes!) I had no sales until noon, when another dealer piled up all my Unertl target scopes and we came to a mutually agreed upon price. We were both happy. We packed up and headed to the airport pretty soon after that. I sent my Pelican case (loaded heavy) with Scott Tarbell as his show in Durrant, Ok. in February is next on my calendar.
March 31, 2009
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Ben said
My wife joined me again this year. She enjoys a break from the winter cold as much as I do. We also decided we wanted a “quieter” stay, so we went off-site to the Westgate Flamingo Resort. It’s 3 miles away from the show near China Town which has great restaurants. Got a 600 sq. ft. “villa” with a full kitchen, jacuzzi, etc. for less than the Westgate Casino. We had a great lunch with JWA & Elliot and their spouses before going to set up at 5pm. Honestly, getting in at 5pm on Wednesday at Las Vegas is a must. Set up time is when the best buys are (we all know this). Overall, I thought the attendance was light. But the regular Winchester people were there… Vinnie could be heard loud and clear around the club area. 🙂 As Chuck said, there were alot of empty tables. I quit counting them after I hit 75… had to wonder if they weren’t sold or were no-shows? I picked up a nice 4 1/2″ 2nd model Colt Woodsman, a Walther OSP and a S&W 41 5″ field… C&R’s do come in handy. I also spotted a G&H “windage” scope mount with a Hensoldt & Wetzler 4x for $300…. upon closer inspection, the 26mm scope was Nazi marked & in great shape. I paid the asking price and giggled all the way back to my table. I found several other nice scopes to buy too. Also bought the new Sharps book… it’s a wonderful addition to my library. I only sold a few “small” items the first two days, nothing expensive. Russ Day & his brother had some amazing rifles on their tables. The displays, M1 Carbine, Bullard rifles, Remington pistols and many others were outstanding. Saturday came and the crowd was smaller (yikes!) I had no sales until noon, when another dealer piled up all my Unertl target scopes and we came to a mutually agreed upon price. We were both happy. We packed up and headed to the airport pretty soon after that. I sent my Pelican case (loaded heavy) with Scott Tarbell as his show in Durrant, Ok. in February is next on my calendar.
I didn’t count the empty tables but this show is still bigger than Cody or Greeley. If the WACA guys would go back into the big room there would be a lot less empty tables. I never went into the 3rd room. Actually there is another 4th room between the one the WACA tables are and the main room.
November 2, 2009
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Used to go to Vegas on a fairly regular basis. Always enjoyed the comradery and nice evening dinners with friends. Unfortunately, some have passed away now and I’ve lost interest. It’s just not the same. I spent 29 years going to the Denver show at the Merchandise Mart and loved every minute of it. Bought and sold great Winchesters and also the many friendships that came from that gathering. Again, some of those friends are gone now and when that happens, it changes the dynamic considerably. Then there was Colo. Springs. To put it bluntly, I didn’t care for it at all. Then came Greeley. Although CGCA has given it their best shot, the last couple of years have been very disappointing for me. As others have stated, the climate just isn’t the same. I’m 76 now and the long distant travel is taking it’s toll and frankly, I like being home. Cody is close and I’ve been doing that show for over 45 years. Great friends, great guns and easier to buy and sell. I love Cody and hope to visit with many of you again this summer. I’ve collected guns and boxed ammunition since I was 15 years old. I can remember and was part of the “good old days”. Unfortunately, it will never come back or be the same. But, I have those wonderful memories and will never stop looking at old guns and stuff.
December 9, 2002
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I have to pretty much agree with you also, as I’m kinda in the same boat, and haven’t been back to the Vegas shows in a few years now. Life changes as we do also, so I’m still trying to make it back to Cody as it’s been too long!
Anthony
May 11, 2016
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Beth and I got back from the Vegas show on Monday afternoon.
We had a great time, and won one of the NRA awards for our International Match rifle display. If you were there, thanks for stopping by.
One of the high points was visiting with Davide Pedersoli (the reproduction arms manufacturer from Italy). He and his son took some pictures of my rifle and said that they may be interested in making a reproduction 1885 rifle that incorporates the 30-06 rimless extractor. Now, that would be cool, especially if it involves me traveling to Italy for them to inspect and copy the action.
Oh, and we went to see “The Wizard of Oz” at the Sphere. Awesome experience!
December 9, 2002
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Roger,
I was able to view you’re amazing S.S. rifle at the September OGCA show, as you must have been on a bathroom break, but I did enjoy looking at it!
I hope that works out for you, and you’re able to go to Italy, and visit with the Pedersoli’s, and take advantage of a possible Golden opportunity. We’ll be looking forward to more pictures!
Anthony
March 31, 2009
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win4575 said
Used to go to Vegas on a fairly regular basis. Always enjoyed the comradery and nice evening dinners with friends. Unfortunately, some have passed away now and I’ve lost interest. It’s just not the same. I spent 29 years going to the Denver show at the Merchandise Mart and loved every minute of it. Bought and sold great Winchesters and also the many friendships that came from that gathering. Again, some of those friends are gone now and when that happens, it changes the dynamic considerably. Then there was Colo. Springs. To put it bluntly, I didn’t care for it at all. Then came Greeley. Although CGCA has given it their best shot, the last couple of years have been very disappointing for me. As others have stated, the climate just isn’t the same. I’m 76 now and the long distant travel is taking it’s toll and frankly, I like being home. Cody is close and I’ve been doing that show for over 45 years. Great friends, great guns and easier to buy and sell. I love Cody and hope to visit with many of you again this summer. I’ve collected guns and boxed ammunition since I was 15 years old. I can remember and was part of the “good old days”. Unfortunately, it will never come back or be the same. But, I have those wonderful memories and will never stop looking at old guns and stuff.
I’m in the same boat, 75 and lost a lot of friends and my traveling partners. Flying is a pain and I have been thinking about going back to driving. Denver was the biggest and my most favorite show of all the collector shows. I used to go to over a dozen shows a year but now maybe 4. Change isn’t always easy to take.
March 31, 2009
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Here are a couple more cartridges I brought home from Vegas.
The 22 extra long now fills my 1873 cartridge collection. The picture shows it next to a 22 LR.
Bought the Game Getter in Cody, the 38 EX in Vegas and the 22 EX L in Wisconsin.
