It does not matter what any book says.  What is important is to learn the market value and then make your deals, selling or buying.  I live in the southwest too and I travel out of state to the gun shows I attend.  There are no collectable gun shows in California. (maybe Santa Barbara) I used to go to at least 12 shows a year.  Now I go to Reno in November, Denver in May and Las Vegas in January/February.  I have not been to Cody for several years now but I need to go more often.  I have not traveled to the midwest or east for quite awhile.