Hi All
Was it just me or is the enthusiasm/ attendance for the gun show down?
I, as always got there well before the gates were opened, paid for myself and the managing partner,( She won't let me go alone), stood in line, A kind of abbreviated line, until we were let in.
Once inside it was kind of apparent that that the crowd was not as I have seen before. The place was not packed.
Perhaps it is time to hit the refresh button on this event.
What I saw was more of the same old stuff, except for what was sold last time was not there. Very little collector stuff, I am a collector, C&R.
Hate to say it,but after doing the round of all the tables once, it was time to go. Other things to do.
Did not feel the need to go back and look at anything a second time, and spent no money.
Thoughts?
Aloha

I was in and out of there in less than 30 minutes.  I primarily went there to look at AK's but only saw a few.  I was kind of rushing because I was supposed to be working and took a long break.

Who wants to pay $6 for parking and $6 to enter? 

Who wants to pay $6 for parking and $6 to enter?

I'm guessing nobody but most things in life that are free are kinda shitty.  I paid it hoping to find my dream AK but came up short, I'm sure others were more successful.

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The biggest problem is guys went nuts during the craze of 2013 trying to make a profit of potential sales, and it came back to bite them when the legislation didn't pass.

As such, lots of vendors are still trying to sell their stock from 2 years ago just to break even, but no one is having it. People go to the gun shows in an attempt to score deals and save money, not pay full price unless there is something they absolutely need.

I saw this happening in the Las Vegas shows as well; guys showing up with absolute crap and wanting an arm and leg. I remember I came across a guy that wanted 700 for a pistol worth 150 


The most important thing that needs to happen is greater for firearms in general. Next, vendors need to do some research about what is hot on the market prior to the show and fulfill the needs of their potential buyers, not just try and sell the same old crap over and over at every new gunshow.

They not only need to research what is hot on the market but also prices as well I seen used guns priced at or above new prices      I agree with Q in his assessment

Today at opening time was not crowded as in some past years.   Line at SEC died down by the time I was leaving before lunchtime.
There were some good prices here and there, especially getting brass at Prime Sports.   
Cost of mags may not have been real low but were competitive to online buys without paying for shipping.

Speaking of mags - I saw a cowboy giving a vendor a hard time for selling pmags because they were larger than 10 rounds. It turns out the cowboy was Phil Rapozo (pres of Hawaii historic arms assn.) When the vendor questioned this, Rapozo went and grabbed two HPD guys who came over and were pretty heavy handed in the way they handled it. I was disturbed by watching and even more so once I found out who the cowboy was. Many others were selling them as well, but I didn't see him harass them.

If that's how the organizers of the event treat their vendors, I don't need to support anything like that. That's the last gun show I'll be attending.

Speaking of mags - I saw a cowboy giving a vendor a hard time for selling pmags because they were larger than 10 rounds. It turns out the cowboy was Phil Rapozo (pres of Hawaii historic arms assn.) When the vendor questioned this, Rapozo went and grabbed two HPD guys who came over and were pretty heavy handed in the way they handled it. I was disturbed by watching and even more so once I found out who the cowboy was. Many others were selling them as well, but I didn't see him harass them.

If that's how the organizers of the event treat their vendors, I don't need to support anything like that. That's the last gun show I'll be attending.

You didn't say what the outcome was after the "heavy handed" way HPD handled it.  What was so heavy handed about their handling?

Just curious.   

well, i totally forgot the show was even coming up to be honest.  but then again, i have friends visiting this weekend, sometimes things take precedence over things that only entertain ME.

i guess i'll hit the next one.

I would have gone to the gun show, but I am at Front Sight in Nevada having too much fun. All the employees here are carrying handguns and two extra mags, even the maintenance man.

Speaking of mags - I saw a cowboy giving a vendor a hard time for selling pmags because they were larger than 10 rounds. It turns out the cowboy was Phil Rapozo (pres of Hawaii historic arms assn.) When the vendor questioned this, Rapozo went and grabbed two HPD guys who came over and were pretty heavy handed in the way they handled it. I was disturbed by watching and even more so once I found out who the cowboy was. Many others were selling them as well, but I didn't see him harass them.

If that's how the organizers of the event treat their vendors, I don't need to support anything like that. That's the last gun show I'll be attending.

I heard this incident bring discussed with one of the larger local gun shops and they said the magazine (more than 10 round magazines that will fit a handgun including the AR-15) is on the "Prohibited Items" list in the gun show rules. I didn't see how the situation was handled, but I looked it up and it is a written rule for gun show participants.

Speaking of mags - I saw a cowboy giving a vendor a hard time for selling pmags because they were larger than 10 rounds. It turns out the cowboy was Phil Rapozo (pres of Hawaii historic arms assn.) When the vendor questioned this, Rapozo went and grabbed two HPD guys who came over and were pretty heavy handed in the way they handled it. I was disturbed by watching and even more so once I found out who the cowboy was. Many others were selling them as well, but I didn't see him harass them.

If that's how the organizers of the event treat their vendors, I don't need to support anything like that. That's the last gun show I'll be attending.

...
Gun show organizers need to be strict about rules and regulations since the show is a HIGH PROFILE PUBLIC EVENT.
If anybody here does not understand that I would be glad to explain via private message.

Speaking of mags - I saw a cowboy giving a vendor a hard time for selling pmags because they were larger than 10 rounds. It turns out the cowboy was Phil Rapozo (pres of Hawaii historic arms assn.) When the vendor questioned this, Rapozo went and grabbed two HPD guys who came over and were pretty heavy handed in the way they handled it. I was disturbed by watching and even more so once I found out who the cowboy was. Many others were selling them as well, but I didn't see him harass them.

If that's how the organizers of the event treat their vendors, I don't need to support anything like that. That's the last gun show I'll be attending.

Technically, 30rd. Pmags aren't illegal, as long as they won't fit into a pistol.

Phil's generally a pretty cool guy, I think there's more to the story.

Speaking of mags - I saw a cowboy giving a vendor a hard time for selling pmags because they were larger than 10 rounds. It turns out the cowboy was Phil Rapozo (pres of Hawaii historic arms assn.) When the vendor questioned this, Rapozo went and grabbed two HPD guys who came over and were pretty heavy handed in the way they handled it. I was disturbed by watching and even more so once I found out who the cowboy was. Many others were selling them as well, but I didn't see him harass them.

If that's how the organizers of the event treat their vendors, I don't need to support anything like that. That's the last gun show I'll be attending.

Too bad cause it's the only show in town.   Gun rights supporters need to be unified on issues.   

there are better deals found here year round

Stopped going, deals are few and hard to find.  It would be nice if the vendors had a list of sale stuff rather than having to look at the price tag of every firearm, ammo box, etc.  List wouldn't even need to be comprehensive, maybe just top 5 deals or whatever.  Also variety seems to be lacking.  I recall going to look for a lever action and in the entire show I think there was 2.

there are better deals found here year round

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That is true.
But there is more to the gun show than searching for a good price. Spend some time educating yourself too.
The show is organized by the Hawaii Historic Arms Association as a public service to inform, educate and entertain the public...and maybe find a good deal too.
The work that goes into producing an event such as this is done by volunteers who love and appreciate the look and feel of a well crafted piece of machinery.
Some displays that have been produced by club members at past shows were incredibly detailed and educational.
Some club members have a breathtaking depth of knowledge and experience in their particular field of interest.
Take time to talk to the old guy behind the display. But be warned, you may actually learn something.
If anyone here thinks they can do a better job of running the event, then all you have to do is join HHAA and volunteer to help.
...
Now days, when I go to the show I don't need to find a great deal because I got too much junk at home already.
As a veteran of 30+ years of HHAA gun shows, I can tell you that it is also like having a reunion with old friends twice a year.
Many times in life you lose touch with friends as they get older, get married, have kids etc.
 What brings us back together is the common bond that we share.
Sadly, sometimes you never get to see that old friend whom you used to go shooting with.
I have lost quite a few fellow shooting buddies over the last few years. Some times the gun show is the last place I saw them.

I go to the Gun Show mainly to get together with friends I don't normally see.

This time I took photos of them because I don't have any.

For those of you into snubbies,

There was one nice looking S & W M10,  2 in NICKLE for $350

Well worth it if it is as good as it looks.

Good blue M10 are getting hard to find.

Nickeled are even more rare. 

I passed mainly because of the major humbug involved the acquisition process.

So it's still out there if any of you like snubbies.

In response to the people that asked questions about my previous post:
The mag in question was a 40 round mag. Gun show rules weren't being cited - the rationale given was state law about mags over 10 rounds that could be put in a pistol. If it was gun show rules, HPD would not have been called over. There were plenty others selling AR mags over 10 rounds and even a 25-round mag sitting right next to the 40 rounder. That one wasn't a problem, the others weren't - just the one 40 rounder. The vendor took it off the table and put in a box and that ended the situation. It appears to me to be a case of selective enforcement and I always question the motive when I see it going on, that's all.

Other than that, I'll echo what others have said about the show. I did see some good deals - mainly on ammo by the shops, but not much else worth looking at. Prices were closer to high-retail on most things.