Oaks Gunshow 12/15,16,17 2017

[ForeverPA]

Crab cakes? Have I been overlooking those the past few times I've been there?

Crab and cake somehow don't go together in my world.

[ScotsGuards]

I never thought to ask a vendor. How do you feel about the variety at the Oaks shows?

To get right to it; I don't REALLY mind most of the trinket vendors. Do I prefer a pure and unadulterated gun show? Sure. However gun shows have evolved from what they were when I started attending them in the mid-70s and setting up as a vendor in the mid-80s. It's just a fact that the show promoters have had to open the table sales to non-firearms related vendors. Some sell some very interesting items which could be construed as properly fitting into a gun show (military surplus, knifes and sharpeners, tactical gear, etc); but some of the dreck is appallingly inappropriate. One of the many reasons these non-firearms people get in is the sad fact that there are just not as many arms dealers/small private sellers with a table or two as there used to be. If a show is to be maintained at any size where the public isn't complaining about "How small the show is" the promoters have to open the show to others. That and having a few quality non-gun vendors makes the show a bit more enjoyable and entertaining for some of the spouses and children who are attending with their husbands/boyfriends and parents.

What it boils down to for me is the idea of quality vendors and merchandise. I don't mind the jewelry and flashlights and jerky if the quality of the vendor and their wares is someone such as Jennuinly Jenni and her fine creations or Dave the flashlight guy or Holsingers Meats for example. Their stuff is first rate and they are fine, honest people to deal with. What I mostly object to are the fly-by-night hucksters with shoddy junk, annoying bug-zapper stun guns and even worse nasty attitudes and dishonest business practices. The home remodelers and other such need to go as well.

One last thought. Someone mentioned locating all like vendors in one area. It's been tried at a few shows. it was universally hated by both vendor and attending public. It was tried at the old PGCA and OGCA shows and a few others years ago as a way to "Simplify the table layout and streamline the dealer placement". EVERYONE hated it to the point where if the practice continued dealers informed the PTBs that they would no longer be attending until the shows returned to the prior dealer layout. They did and the subject hasn't been brought-up since. Except by a few younger folks who weren't around then and didn't know about the history of that bad idea.

[clodzilla]

What are the chances I can find a nice M-65 surplus jacket at this show ? Are there surplus clothing vendors ?

[abner13]

What are the chances I can find a nice M-65 surplus jacket at this show ? Are there surplus clothing vendors ?

In every solid color and camo pattern imaginable.

[borekfk]

I'll be helping out a few guys at a table. I guess if you like sorta pricey old Colts, then we might have what you want even though I don't know what we'll have.

[clodzilla]

In every solid color and camo pattern imaginable.

Sweet. Thank you.

[pa350z]

My Christmas wish is to pick up either a new Henry All Weather Lever Action Rifle in .357 or a new Colt Cobra, 38 special. What is the chance of some of these newer firearms being at the show?

[ItchyTick]

I'm looking for a Rossi lever in .454 casull. Hard to find at the moment.

[ForeverPA]

Will stop by tomorow. Want to pick up a red dot sight of some sort.

ps

This thread is usually into its 5th page by now.

[Zeros]

Will stop by tomorow. Want to pick up a red dot sight of some sort.

ps

This thread is usually into its 5th page by now.

I hope you don't stop by tomorrrow. The show is next weekend.