Recent Gun Show Experience

Went to the Saxet gun show here in town today around 11. I was highly disappointed to say the least. I will give credit where it's due, $5 admission with free parking is very, very fair, especially compared to what I've seen others post. But as to the rest...

It seems like these shows are becoming more and more about scentsy candles, jewelry, and arts and crafts than guns. I went looking for M2 Ball and .30 carbine. Found allot, but the prices were enough to make me laugh out loud to myself and walk off. The first table had a bandolier of '76 Lake city M2 for $40 which I picked up as I left just to make the trip worth sometbing.
I saw other tables with 240rd HXP spam cans for $275!! I was amazed. Cans of loose 200rd HXP from CMP had stickers for $190!
I mean I know these guys have to make a profit, but that's insane. The best was 2 20rd boxes of Lake City for $35 each that were so corroded you couldn't tell the bullet from the casing. Lastly were a few loaded enbloc clips for $15 each and 200rd machine gun belts for $400. All the ammo I saw minus the bando I bought were still there as I left the show.

Is this typical at other shows?


On a sidenote, it amazes me how badly sellers will try to scam an 18 year old kid like myself. Had one guy try to tell me CMP was out of ammo and no longer selling so that's why he had prices so high. Another guy tried to tell me that the 200rd loose cans were "bring back" ammo from a vet which is why it was so much more expensive. The best was the guy who heard I was interested in Garands, and tried to sell me an "all matching numbers, all original bring back".... With a commercial stock, refinished parts, and a criterion barrel.
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Yeah...........sounds pretty typical...........unfortunately.

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Is this typical at other shows?

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Ammo price gouging is still pretty common in the Houston area. But prices are starting to come down. People are just not paying those crazy prices now.

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On a sidenote, it amazes me how badly sellers will try to scam an 18 year old kid like myself.

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Better get used it. There are people like that everywhere.


Gun shows are where you go to negotiate. You take that knowledge you have and you use it. It's like buying a used car... only fools pay the sticker price. You always offer less than you would pay and go from there. Be polite, but firm.

Bottom line is don't go to a gun show expecting to just find a good deal. Sometimes you can make a good deal. Sometimes you can't. Same as buying a car or a house. You get what you negotiate.

I had a bad experience myself yesterday. I went to a large show near Philly that I've gone to in the past and am familiar with. I am not actively looking for any rifles at the moment which I know is unusual but my funds are tapped out and I need a GEW98 which is not going to be cheap. But I had hopes to pick up some small accessory items and ammo.

I was in a pretty good mood, enjoying the day and came across a guy with M1 Carbine and Garand parts. I spotted half a dozen Garand tools in his case and ask him how much they were. He responded that it depended which I wanted as they were all expensive and prices were different as they were different manufacturers. No price offered. So I told him it didn't matter to me which manufacturer as I didn't consider it important. His response was "Then go buy some Chinese crap". Now I'm ****ed but I kept cool and said I have no interest in Chinese crap, what is his least expensive. Finally got a price out of him which I considered ridiculous but I politely thanked him and said "That's all I needed to know" and walked away.

I was then left in a bad mood for the rest of the show. I've seen this guy three times with the same stuff, same cases, same spot, etc. Doesn't look like he ever sells anything and I can tell why.

Ammo isn't too bad in PA anymore but I didn't find what I was looking for. Wanted to get more Privi Garand ammo as they were selling that for $12 a box and it worked great. I bought some at the last show I went too.

All I bought was a stick of sweet bologna and a Garand double ended plastic cleaning/oil bottle with brush and pull through. Didn't find anyone else with a tool.

I did find two GEW98's but the first was out of my price range on a good day and the second had something very bizarre done to the end of the barrel. It did not look cut but it was actually belled out slightly all the way around, the muzzle looked sanded or ground and it looked like someone made a 1/4 assed attempt to counter bore it. If he knocked $200 off it for that I might have considered it. He claimed he didn't notice it before which is possible. He said he was selling it for a friend.

In general, I have decent experiences at these shows. There's one guy that wanders around always with something I like but his prices are about 40% too high and I've learned to not bother asking because he starts insulting you if you don't buy it and heaven forbid you tell him he's too expensive or you just bought the same bayonet for half the price on ebay. Ebay isn't real you know. What's the internet.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

I had a bad experience myself yesterday. I went to a large show near Philly that I've gone to in the past and am familiar with. I am not actively looking for any rifles at the moment which I know is unusual but my funds are tapped out and I need a GEW98 which is not going to be cheap. But I had hopes to pick up some small accessory items and ammo.

I was in a pretty good mood, enjoying the day and came across a guy with M1 Carbine and Garand parts. I spotted half a dozen Garand tools in his case and ask him how much they were. He responded that it depended which I wanted as they were all expensive and prices were different as they were different manufacturers. No price offered. So I told him it didn't matter to me which manufacturer as I didn't consider it important. His response was "Then go buy some Chinese crap". Now I'm ****ed but I kept cool and said I have no interest in Chinese crap, what is his least expensive. Finally got a price out of him which I considered ridiculous but I politely thanked him and said "That's all I needed to know" and walked away.

I was then left in a bad mood for the rest of the show. I've seen this guy three times with the same stuff, same cases, same spot, etc. Doesn't look like he ever sells anything and I can tell why.

Ammo isn't too bad in PA anymore but I didn't find what I was looking for. Wanted to get more Privi Garand ammo as they were selling that for $12 a box and it worked great. I bought some at the last show I went too.

All I bought was a stick of sweet bologna and a Garand double ended plastic cleaning/oil bottle with brush and pull through. Didn't find anyone else with a tool.

I did find two GEW98's but the first was out of my price range on a good day and the second had something very bizarre done to the end of the barrel. It did not look cut but it was actually belled out slightly all the way around, the muzzle looked sanded or ground and it looked like someone made a 1/4 assed attempt to counter bore it. If he knocked $200 off it for that I might have considered it. He claimed he didn't notice it before which is possible. He said he was selling it for a friend.

In general, I have decent experiences at these shows. There's one guy that wanders around always with something I like but his prices are about 40% too high and I've learned to not bother asking because he starts insulting you if you don't buy it and heaven forbid you tell him he's too expensive or you just bought the same bayonet for half the price on ebay. Ebay isn't real you know. What's the internet.

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This post sounds exactly like our recent shows. Except the seller isn't a jerk, just ignorant. There's an older guy, probably early to mid eighties, who has a table with Garands and Carbines. He was the one asking $190 for loose HXP. And he too refuses to accept that things can be found almost a 1/3 cheaper online. Now I will give him credit on one thing: the moment you approach and take interest, he gives you full permission to handle anything on the table, and strip it down to check parts, condition, etc. Due to his prices though, I have watched his stuff sit for the past 3 years. His M1D put together for $4,000 has been there for 4 years. But oh well. I do enjoy looking them over every show, and chatting with the guy.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

I went to a large show near Philly

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I was there too, picked up a crate of Romanian 8MM. Guy wanted $420 for 680rds, whipped out the iPad showed him I could get it for $375 shipped...iPads rock!!!

Apparently gun shows are the same to some degree everywhere as the decriptions here could be mine other than the fact that I cannot remember being insulted. CMP resellers and the exagerated prices on lots of things seems to be the norm. Bargins can be found with paticence,perserverince,knowledge and a heathy measure of good luck. I find the Standard Catalog of Military Firearms to be a handy resource to establish at least a ballpark estimate of value and it also helps fill a void in knowlege if you encounter somthing you are not familiar with.
I have also met some very nice folks at local shows both vendors and regular attendees.

Ditto on all the candles, jewelry, etc.
I spend practically EVERY weekend at gun shows, so I know just about every dealer at every show, and they in turn know that I know my stuff. Research, research, and did I mention research anything that you might be going there for. Most of those guys are like cheap used car salesmen, and they almost blow a gasket when they run into someone that they can't take advantage of. Know your stuff!

The tool in question that I was asking about I can get for 60% less on the internet. Not ebay but a standard milsurp site and it's legit, not Chinese crap.

I have been going to the shows since the 60's and I have experienced all of the above at one time or another. I think some people like being cantankerous and just being a pain in the arse. After awhile you learn which dealers are reasonable folks and which ones are not worth even slowing for down as you cruise past their table. But overall most are fun to talk and deal with. I have a hard time with sticker shock with todays ridiculous prices and the idea that "a Colt just like this just sold for 20000 at auction so mine has got to be worth the same (even though it sat in a wet basement for 100 years and has "minor pitting!".) Salt Flat

Its a case of the following;
A) They have it and know it.
B)You want it for a reasonable price, steals are hard to find but they are there.
C)Be polite and do not put them offside by offering a crap price do your homework stick to your budget and do not be sucked in by "Its rare" or "Its my last one" probably has a case full of it under the table.
D)If they are unreasonable rude and give attitude to you over your offer or your counter offer, be ever so polite and say "If crap was electricity bloke, you would be a walking power house....." then leave.

I do not suffer arrogant sellers and have been brought up with respect and humility but that does not mean they can jerk my chain and disrespect me. :mad:

While we are on the subject does anyone know how to tell you spend to much time at gunshows?

I was at that show too. I had some pretty good luck. Take a look at the pics. Star Modelo Super and Helwan pistol. I wasn't looking for ammo though. But other than that, that show was terrible. And it kind of usually is. It was also kind of empty vendor wise. Maybe they expected a smaller crowd since that guy accidentally shot someone last time?

You had a guy shoot someone down in Texas? That happened here in PA last month. Idiot salesman shot one of his female customers in the thigh while demonstrating whatever it was he was selling.

Hooked......When you suffer withdrawal on a Saturday you don't go?

Last evening I ordered the Garand tool that I was looking at at the gun show. His price $75 for his cheapest. My price $29.95 for a PK which is the most common or "cheapest". Oh, and shipping was another $3 so I paid $33 for it.

Hooked......When you suffer withdrawal on a Saturday you don't go?

That is correct but I think I have it worse.

When the vendors ask you to watch their tables while they go eat lunch.

Yes it happened. Don't know if I feel more flattered or ashamed.

I think you should be flattered. They obviously trust you.

Gun shows here aren't in the same place so there are different vendors at all of them. Obviously, some travel to each or most or some but for the most part, it's hard to get to know individual sellers although I recognize a few now. They had three big ones on the same weekend within 40 miles of one another which was really stupid as it diluted both the vendors and the buyers at each. Usually, it's one per weekend in my geographical area and they aren't every weekend.

I typically go to shows in York, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, and Philly. I quit going to the one in Allentown as everyone there seems to jack up their prices by 40%. I've been to a few others but they are all small in comparison and generally don't have much in milsurps.

I helped out a couple that I bought a rifle from last year with a bayonet they had mis-marked. I correctly I'd it for them and told them their price was about $20 too low. Helping them got me out of my ****ed off mood from the other guy.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

You had a guy shoot someone down in Texas? That happened here in PA last month. Idiot salesman shot one of his female customers in the thigh while demonstrating whatever it was he was selling.

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No, some one in their car I guess was checking their ccw and they had an accidental discharge. They were the passenger and the round went into the driver. As I understand they were parked in the lot for the show at the time.

back in the 60's-70's and 80's, I used to go to every show in a 60 mile radius. I stopped going for many of the said reasons and when I caught the "men in black" taping all the cars tags in the parking lot, that was the last straw.
My biggest enjoyment was going to a show and acting like a dumb a** and asking stupid questions, just to hear their sales pitch answers. (but I really don't have to "act" like a D/A, it comes natural)
My buddy is a dealer and I hear all the stories he tells me every week about the other dealers. Oh yeah, my buddy has the same things for sale too for the past 3 years, cause his also are all too high priced.
Our current prices down here, are approx, $ 8- $10 to park and $10- $12 to get in. Another good reason, not to go.
Many years ago, at a show, an elderly man walked in and had a fairly large rifle live round, not knowing what it was and cambered it in someones rifle, it went off, in the wrong caliber gun and just missed my Dads head by 3 feet. Shot a hole thru the roof of the building and about destroyed the gun.
Chuck

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Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

When the vendors ask you to watch their tables while they go eat lunch.

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:rofl:

I can drive an hour or so and see a few different vendors but mostly the same ones with mostly the same inventory I saw two weekends ago. Lately we have multiple shows on the same weekend within reasonable driving distance which splits the vendors basicly in half. Walkins seem to be the saving grace as vendors offer them "pawn stars" prices which are not to hard to beat. Do have some friendly competition from local folks with the same milsurps intrest. You have to keep on your toes. Have never seen the "men in black" but have no doubt they are around.

Our shows have free parking and are between $7-$10 to get in. Most have a $1 off coupon on the internet if you look for it and print it out.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

Our shows have free parking and are between $7-$10 to get in. Most have a $1 off coupon on the internet if you look for it and print it out.

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Same here.

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Originally Posted by catman

Many years ago, at a show, an elderly man walked in and had a fairly large rifle live round, not knowing what it was and cambered it in someones rifle

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I can't imagine what would possess anyone to do this...why on earth?

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I can't imagine what would possess anyone to do this...why on earth?

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I think (old) age and pride, might have something to do with it. He seemed bashful about asking someone for help, so he took it upon himself to "find" a rifle that fit the bullet. That almost cost my Dads life.
Needless to say, now days all guns must have plastic ties thru the action, etc.. to help prevent this type of accident. (at least in our area)
Chuck

Around here too, or a trigger lock...they're mandatory.

I stopped going to Gun Shows even that SAR Show in Phoenix about 7 years ago because of all the things mentioned in previous posts. The Show charges $12 for parking now iirc and $19 to get in. Prices are outrageous even for rifles like Carcano's, M95's and even MN 91's and M44's from the reports I am getting from friend the went last weekend. Ammo, powder and primer prices were off the wall. I do MUCH better buying on line.

I go specifically for powder or ammo or primer deals, but get few. Up here, shows are an average of $5 to enter and parking is usually included. Yes, prices have stepped up on many things, I just don't buy if they're retarded...

I gave up the show circuit here in SC in 2007 when the SC Arms Collectors turned themselves into a big, money making corporation at the expense of gun collecting in general. I was on the board for 10 years and they used to discuss everything under the sun at the meetings except gun collecting! I've had many good and bad experiences on both sides of the table in 20+ years of regular attendance at shows in FL, GA, AL, NC, SC, TN, MD, PA, AZ and NV. Some vendors cop an attitude because the patrons treat them like dirt too so I'll stay in the middle of the road on this thread. There are jerks everywhere, not just behind the tables at shows. As an example, a friend was helping me last October at Knob Creek. He's well to do and already has a 1914 Lewis gun but wound up buying mine half way through the show after watching countless idiots stick their fingers in the barrel, pick it up and heft it, take pictures without asking, etc. I could go on and on but we thought about buying a jar of Vaseline and leaving it next to the gun with the lid off just to see what they'd think of next. The sad part is that it's a $!8,000 gun and the way I was brought up is that if you don't have the money to buy it in your pocket, you have absolutely no business touching it but I digress. I had to calm him down when one guy went to pick it up and he almost lunged over the table to scold him! He's such a calm and collected soul I was quite surprised to say the least. Anyhow, I've seen it all I think and I try not to get too excited anymore! The moral of the story is be courteous and respectful of other people and their goods regardless of the mood they're in. Things may not always be as they seem.

Many years ago, I attended one of the largest German air shows, in charge of a motor glider on display in one of the exhibition halls. After a while, I noticed that visitors in our hall kept trying to turn the prop. So I disconnected the magnetos. Then I did the rounds and found that most displayed aircraft had some fuel in their tanks and that the mags were all connected. No one had thought of the possible consequences.

Would that ever have been picturesque...running at full throttle down the flats. The end fireball would have been biblical as well.

Motorcycle owner I know takes the bulb off his horn at shows, so many people keep trying to honk it.

I have run into some really ignorant sellers at shows and can't understand their attitude but it takes all kinds. A few years ago I spent a weekend on the other side of the table and was shocked at the lousy manners of some buyers(not really buyers, just ask endless stupid questions and make insulting offers to buy) so it works both ways. I had a NO.4 LEE ENFIELD on my table and after the third guy asked WHAT CALIBRE IT WAS!! I replied, "It is a .22/250." No one even questioned the reply. I guess if you are stupid enough to have to ask what calibre a Lee Enfield service rifle is, one chambered in .22/250 would not seem unusual.

I've said it before. I've used my smart phone to wheel and deal. Last was on a crate of 8mm mauser. Now, if a guy is ignorant and just doesn't want to do business I move on. I realize he has to eat but so do I. The cranky old farts with inflated prices because they think they have some rare whatever or don't know about the Internet world, I just move on no wheeling and dealing. Fun shows are no different then a flea market in my mind. You either want to sell it or not, but money talks B.S walks.

I spotted an add for an 1889 Swiss a couple of weeks ago. Asking price $700. I thought the guy was a bit HIGH but didn't say anything. Last Friday he lowered the price to $500 or best offer. Seemed a bit closer to me so I sent a reply saying I was interested but my sources put it closer to the $400 mark and that depended on condition. I could see a photo and it looked to be in average condition. He agreed that sentimental value didn't mean much and my price was one he could live with. He sent more photos that showed more but were all a bit fuzzy. Condition wasn't the best. The bolt knob was broken, the stock appeared to have been sanded with a large gouge and the bolt handle and charging ring was rusty and pitted. My price dropped to $300 with that condition level and he passed. This was a rifle that's "been in the family for 50+ years" etc.

Lightning struck twice and I spotted the 1889 at the gun show the next morning. Granted it had the clipped firing pin but otherwise the condition was much better, stock in good shape, bore bright, and no pitting. Some wear to the finish but all in all a nice looking rifle. His price $375. So everyone has their own idea of what something is worse. As a buyer, I'm obviously going to try to get the best deal and so is the seller. I do always try to make reasonable offers and if they say no, that's fine.

At the same show, I was trying to find a box of 45 Long Colt. First guy had them for $45 a box and I'm thinking what am I getting myself into. But 5 more dealers with prices all over the place I found a box for $25. Just have to watch what you are doing/

Several months ago as I stood in line to get into a show I frequent often I was talking to several of those surrounding me I asked if anyone remembered when we used to come to shows to find a deal. I suppose some of the prices I see are a deal for the times but still anywhere from 30 to 50% marked up from where they were prior to those people in Washington that are presently there. I have come to a few conclusions over the years.
Rudeness comes from both sides of the table.
Some people have over inflated prices because they don't want to sell (Gee honey I don't know why no one wants to buy it I have a good price on it)
Everyone wants to get every cent they can.

I once looked at a leather holster for a 1911 that was so dried up that it was curling up and when I asked the price he said $85. I said thank you and walked away. Every month for the next year that same holster was there on his table for the same price and every month it curled a bit more. For months I was looking for either a mini 14 or a Keltec and the only ones for sale were way over priced until that fateful day. For months I looked for a lever action 357 carbine and the prices for a used one was up in the $700 to $800 dollar range until that fateful day when I walked around the corner and a young man had what I was looking for and I gave him $375 in heart beat. When it comes to shows and over inflated prices remember the words of Michael Valentine Smith "Waiting is." You will find what you want eventually for a price you can live with.
One last incident. Several years ago I went to the North Store at Camp Perry and purchased my Carbine and an 03A3 but lacking one piece of paperwork needed I had to return the following Friday. At that time I saw a Ford 1 ton dually with the bumper sagging toward the road being loaded. Crates of Carbines and 03's and M1's and cans of ammo, that was when a can of loose HXP was $78 and a spam can of clipped 06 was $82. The next day at the gun show I saw the same guy with that truck load of $500 rifles and they were marked up from $900 to $1200 and those cans of ammo were marked up to $140 a can.

I'm sure we have all seen the horror stories from gun shows

Went to a small show in Allentown PA yesterday. Nice little show for Milsurps although I came home empty handed. Couple of interesting exchanges. One was for a "cowboy" holster and belt. I've been looking for one of these for a while and prices for new ones aren't worth it to me so $30 for one on the table looked great. I did the usual "can you do any better" and the price was $25. I was just getting ready to make the exchange when I figured I'd best see if it fit. 8 inches too small. Fellow was quick to say that the belt could be lengthened which it could, but then the underlying support leather would be digging into my side. Lesson learned. Don't buy a belt without trying it on first.

The "crook" of the day was a fellow selling slings. He had a couple of Swiss slings and I picked one up to look at the stamp and he was quick to say that it was a Swiss sling. I told him I needed an older one and he went on how this was good for all the Swiss rifles (It was a K31 sling) and I replied that I needed an older one, prior to WWI. Quick comeback was to point out a modern production MAS French sling in that ugly yellow brown and say that was the same sling the Swiss used back then. I passed.

If you're ever in the Allentown area, make a quick detour to Exeter and go to Sarco. They had a pile of milsurps. They are an importer, mostly had Yugo 24/47's but had some Swiss, some Swede, Brazilian, Peruvian, one K98 and some other things. They had all three of the rifles I was looking for yesterday, a Swiss Vetterli, a Dutch Beaumont and a GEW 98 but all were either missing parts or in bad shape. This place sells parts out of Gun Digest I believe. Used to have a shop in NJ but moved across the river into PA to avoid NJ gun laws. They still have a warehouse for parts in NJ.

If you want to have some fun at a gun show try to come up with something somewhat rare and expensive to carry in. I brought in a 41 Johnson in pristine condition. Act like dumb farm boy, (I got this here army rifle my uncle left me. He was a Marine and loved this rifle.) Let the BS begin and the dealers make silly offers and you can see the dollar signs racing around their heads. "Gee, that's a really old rifle and not to easy to sell. I'll give you $500.00 cash" On and On, but it was fun anyway.:dancingbanana:

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Originally Posted by joem

41 Johnson

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I saw something like that very recently actually. It wasn't even a gun show...

A buddy I've shared tables with for years really knew his 1903's and he had many of them. He was retired and pretty well off, and I think he did shows as recreation more than anything.

He always brought several guns to shows and he priced them reasonable.

He also brought one gun to all shows as a conversation piece of sorts. It was a very old early 1903 made up from ridiculous incorrect parts and accessories and he had a marked price of $10,000 on the rifle.

He never intended to sell it of course, but you wouldn't believe the conversations he got into from the high priced gun. One buyer even told us that he was an expert on 1903's and the asking price was a little high, but he knew how rare it was!!! :eek:

I've been going to gun shows for about 20 years and have seen them change quite a bit in my area. In the 90's they seemed to have a lot of anti-government books, etc. and people walking around in nazi uniforms. Today, it's the jewelry, beef jerky, etc. That's okay, if they can sell their wares - why not? I've been one of those idiot buyers, not knowing what I saw, asking dumb questions, etc. I've had patient sellers really take time and straighten me out and I've had them blow me off or tell me off. It's probably just as frustrating for the sellers dealing with the wide variety of buyers as it is for us with some of the dealers. I have a friend who is a dealer and has tables at all of the shows in my area. He's confirmed what I always suspicioned in that the dealers scour the show for deals before the doors open. Most of the good bargains are gone before we get in the door, but I'm not complaining, I understand it. I go to the shows because I enjoy checking everything out and I'm looking for enough parts and other guns to fill the holes in my collection that I find a few treasures now and again. I've also met more good people than jerks and have returned to buy over and over from some of them.

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Originally Posted by Rhpd201

I've also met more good people than jerks and have returned to buy over and over from some of them.

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Mostly the case here too, after all at least we're mostly like minded at a gunshow.

Same here Jim.... I've been to many gun shows and was a member of a local club that held 4 or 5 a year where I could get a table cheep. There are many people who are nice and we have a good time. I've learned more from some guys working at shows with me than about anyplace too. There ARE a few jerks, but they are few really.... When they come to our tables and raise heck, we laugh at them after they leave in a huff and go back to having fun.

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Originally Posted by Rhpd201

I've been going to gun shows for about 20 years and have seen them change quite a bit in my area. In the 90's they seemed to have a lot of anti-government books, etc. and people walking around in nazi uniforms. Today, it's the jewelry, beef jerky, etc. That's okay, if they can sell their wares - why not? I've been one of those idiot buyers, not knowing what I saw, asking dumb questions, etc. I've had patient sellers really take time and straighten me out and I've had them blow me off or tell me off. It's probably just as frustrating for the sellers dealing with the wide variety of buyers as it is for us with some of the dealers. I have a friend who is a dealer and has tables at all of the shows in my area. He's confirmed what I always suspicioned in that the dealers scour the show for deals before the doors open. Most of the good bargains are gone before we get in the door, but I'm not complaining, I understand it. I go to the shows because I enjoy checking everything out and I'm looking for enough parts and other guns to fill the holes in my collection that I find a few treasures now and again. I've also met more good people than jerks and have returned to buy over and over from some of them.

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Most of the folks with tables at gun shows ARE good people and it is just a hobby for them. They wheel and deal to finance their own habit(I'm one of them). And it is true that most smoking deals are gone by the time the doors open at a gun show. I know a few guys who get a table, throw some junk they drug out of the basement on it and browse through others sellers merchandise before the doors open. Those guys are mainly there to buy from other sellers or from the general public. Nothing wrong with that because it isn't hard to pick them out. Kinda like the guys who frequent yard sales, buy cheap and then resell at flea markets.
As an aside, up here in Canada anyone walking around in a Nazi uniform would be risking insults at least or maybe an invitation to step outside for a thrashing. I have no use for those people. Millions died to stop the Nazi ideology and those who glorify it should not be tolerated in my opinion. Others may disagree.

All true, and pretty much the same here all the way down here in Texas Mike...
(So it's probably the same in-between here and there)

Times have changed and we don't see Schutzstaffel officers walking around in black NAZI uniforms much anymore.
I even feel a little squeamish when I pass the tables/vendors that are full of NAZI Totenkopf ('Dead-Head') symbols and all the other SS artifacts ---
(You don't see as many of those vendors often here anymore either.)

Yes, there are probably a few vendors who do like you said, and only get tables to prowl in that hour before the show opens....
I didn't see it a lot at our shows, but I'm sure a few might by all the nearly worthless gun JUNK that have on their tables! ;)

I usually don't have time in that hour we get in early to walk around looking for 'deals', as we're usually straightening up our tables, putting away lunch, etc, etc --
I get my BEST trades/deals from other members by attending the membership meetings every month!

* Also the antique arms club who puts on great gun shows, never allowed any jewelry/jerky/ toys tables unless they have 75% or so guns too... They are simply turned down, and tables aren't rented to them. (Sadly, this is not the case at many other local 'gun' shows here too, and they're covered up with junky tables selling everything imaginable not even related to guns)

I don't mind as much the guys who are into the actually history of the Nazi period and deal in the artifacts. The ones who make me want to bring burning-at-the-stake back are the table-holders who sell all the new books about how poor, old Uncle Adolph was just misunderstood, new DVDs of Hitler's 'best' speeches, and how the Holocaust was just a myth.