Is anyone going to Allentown this weekend?

[Underdog 1,593]

I am planning on going up on Saturday morning.

[moparman426 5]

ill be there Saturday morning too. looking forward to it.

[Ray Ray 3,566]

How many tables?

[Underdog 1,593]

How many tables?

 

 

840

 

It is $7.00 admission and I think the doors open at 9:00.

[Ray Ray 3,566]

Damn, it's mommies weekend. That won't go over well.

[BarkNBite 15]

Could never buy anything there.........went with 1K in cash and came home with nothin'.....everything seemed overpriced....even the admission.

[johnp 45]

Could never buy anything there.........went with 1K in cash and came home with nothin'.....everything seemed overpriced....even the admission.

 

Was this a one time thing or multiple times? I've been looking to go to a gun show for awhile.

[BarkNBite 15]

Oh..........you should definately go for the experience...........great stuff there.......just bring MONEY.

[Melgamatic 66]

Was this a one time thing or multiple times? I've been looking to go to a gun show for awhile.

 

As I posted in a similar thread, I've been to this particular show three times, and I'm not sure why I bothered the second two times. This is not a great show if you are not into curios and relics and nazi flags. If you are looking for parts for a 100-year old rifle, it's a great show. If you need more swastikas for your Shicklgruber Shrine, it's a great show. If you're just a normal gun guy, almost any other show would be more productive.

 

Usually only one ammo table, very expensive.

[NJScott 15]

I really don't understand the hate for this show on here. Being from NJ I relish the chance at going to ANY show that offers at least the potential for uncovering some new long gun, some decently-priced accessories, or a deal on ammo. All of the "historical" stuff at the Forks show is something I look at as a learning experience. Just talking to some of the dealers is an opportunity to pick up some knowledge.

 

But that's just me: a relative noob...or, I should say, a returning-to-the-activity gun aficionado after not being an active shooter/gun enthusiast for a couple of decades. I'll go because I like the interesting array of curios and relics; it's part of our history and I give these dealers credit for maintaining these firearms and adjunct materiel. I also like the idea that I when I'm done there I can breeze across the street into the Farmers Market and grab some terrific jerky; some Amish baked goods and great Amish fried chicken, topped off by a decent cigar from the tobacco shop. If I'm not in the mood for that, I can drive ten minutes east of A-town and hit the casino in Bethlehem and finish the trip off by doing an hour at the Heritage Guild range in Easton.

 

So if you are looking for deals on a wide array of modern weapons and the latest accessories, then this show probably isn't for you. If you are satisfied with just being in the company of fellow gun owners and 2A proponents, and can enjoy what else the area offers, then why not make the trip?

[Melgamatic 66]

I really don't understand the hate for this show on here. Being from NJ I relish the chance at going to ANY show that offers at least the potential for uncovering some new long gun, some decently-priced accessories, or a deal on ammo.

 

You don't need to go to "any" show, there are a dozen every month in PA, and at least a few close to NJ every month. Check here:

 

http://www.gunshows-usa.com/penn.shtml

 

The problem with this show is that you aren't going to meet your goals! You are not going to get a deal on ammo, and you certainly aren't going to find any cool "new" long guns. You might find a cool older long gun, but you're not going to find new guns. All the other shows nearby in PA are going to be better for accessories, too.

 

I was also very excited about this show at first. It's very large, and close by. That's probably why I gave it three chances! But, I've discovered there are many other shows, some closer, that have more stuff I want, and less Nazi flag waving.

 

I harp on the Nazi stuff, I know. I know that people want to "collect" it for "historic collection" purposes, but I don't know.

 

I do know that I took a Jewish friend who was gun-curious to a show like this, and the Nazi crap all over the place so turned him off that he's really quite anti-gun, and it's my fault. Any time I talk about shooting clubs, gun shows, etc, he'll say (in a semi-joking, semi-not joking way) "like all those guys with the Nazi stuff, right?" Don't bring Jewish non-gun people here, they might not get it.

 

-Dave

[NJScott 15]

Dave: It's funny, but I guess gun shows mean different things to different people. One of the first shows I attended when getting back into gun ownership and shooting was the Forks show in Allentown. It just so happens that my very-Jewish next door neighbor was the one who prodded me into going with him. I think you've got to take things like the WW2 memorabilia in context. I never got the idea or feeling that the vendors--or even the customers for that stuff--were closet Nazis who couldn't wait to get home with their purchases and do their Heinrich Himmler imitations in their mirrors, LOL. There are tons of Japanese WW2 relics usually available, too, along with the U.S. and Allied forces memorabilia/milsurp; I don't see anything inherently evil or weird about folks having an interest in the stuff.

 

I wouldn't blame myself for your friend's antipathy towards firearms or the firearms community. Sounds like he would have been a tough sell to convert to pro-2A, anyway.

 

As for my "goals" at this, or any, gun show: as I stated previously, I enjoy just being in the company of other gun enthusiasts, and I find it enjoyable to rummage through tables, talk to some of the more eccentric dealers, etc. If I score cheap ammo or accessories, it's a bonus. When I want to purchase long guns I'll wait for Eagle Arms show, also in Allentown. Or I'll utilize one of the vendors on this site.

 

Sure, there are many other shows being run in Pennsy throughout the year, but I prefer attending ones no more than a couple of hours from me in Jersey, due to the discomfort of being in a car for a long stretch of time. Oaks shows are great, but the sheer volume of attendees makes it an unpleasant experience for me to try and navigate (I'm currently using a cane, or crutches when things get real painful), or to wait on the enormous lines to get in. I don't have that same problem with the Forks show, especially if I go a little later in the day on Saturday.

 

Regards,

Scott

[RecessedFilter 222]

I've been to this show a handful of times and still have yet to see any good deals, on ammo or guns. I mostly look out for shotguns and rifles, and of course ammo, but stopped going after the repeated experiences. Not saying my experience was bad, it's fun to walk around a gun show and ooh and ahh and whatnot, but having to pay gas round trip and the admission and lunch, it's not worth it to me anymore.

 

I'd save the trip and your money and go to a different show if you're not into Nazi stuff or mostly old guns and old gun parts.

[johnp 45]

Anyone think there will be any reloading stuff at this show?

[bry@n 195]

I was at this show last year. Other than ammo cans at a good price and ammo by the case at decent deals that I can get closer to home, it was a bust for me. I'll pass.

[halbautomatisch 60]

Anyone think there will be any reloading stuff at this show?

 

Very little, they're not allowed to sell powder in the building where it's held. You might find some primers for sale, but if you're looking to stock up on reloading supplies, this is not the show for you.

 

This show, as other have said, is heavy on antiques and and C&R stuff. If that's what you're into, this will be a good show to go to, if you're looking for mostly modern stuff don't waste your time. There are a fair amount of dealers that have been bringing the same overpriced guns to this show for years without selling them, so don't be shocked by some of the prices you see, those dealers are dreaming. If you look around you can sometimes find some deals.

[johnp 45]

Thanks

 

My buddy and I are gonna go, just to go. I figure I'll look for some ammo cans, and some deals on ammo.

[Melgamatic 66]

Anyone think there will be any reloading stuff at this show?

 

TNT Reloading, one of the main reloading vendors for eastern PA shows, isn't going. You may find some used random reloading equipment here or there, but nothing to speak of.

[johnp 45]

Can anyone verify the address for me?

 

17th Street & Chew Street

Allentown, PA 18104

 

Is this it?

[Melgamatic 66]

Can anyone verify the address for me?

 

17th Street & Chew Street

Allentown, PA 18104

 

Is this it?

 

Yes. http://www.allentownfairpa.org/index.php/general-info/directions

 

Enjoy the curios.

[johnp 45]

Well I went this morning. As others said there was ALOT of old military rifles(not really my niche, so I can't even really say what I saw), also alot of WW2, Nazi/Jap collectibles.

 

I really feared this would be a waste of time, but to my surprise. There was a decent amount of modern guns, a bunch of ARs, and AR parts. One table was filled with Magpul-handguards, magazines, etc. I saw one Saiga 223. Lots of modern shotguns. I didn't find any deals on ammo.

 

I picked up a Hi-point 9mm carbine, 2-50cal. ammo cans, and a knockoff grip-pod. Overall, for my first gun show it was a pretty good time, and I can't wait to go to one of the 'good' gun shows.

[mipafox 438]

I missed this! I was there yesterday, I would have met up with you guys had I known.

[Fishpaw 17]

I like this show, but then again I like historical stuff. The Nazi stuff is a bit of a turnoff, and im sure its more than just a hobby for some of those guys. I once took a friend of mine to this show. He is from Ireland, about 6'6" and has big ol mutton chops and a pompadour, and can be a bit of a badass....he was so bothered by this show that he said he wanted to leave early and did not want to go back. I guess we all have different level of pain....... Another time they had these WW2 German reinactors, all dressed up and a display table with tons of guns & accessories. This old guy goes up to one of them and starts to speak German to one of them...turns out the kid doesnt even speak German, and the old dude goes off on him..."if ya gonna dress like that, ya better damn well be able to speak German!"....