Which MD gun shows are worth going to?

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  • mmacro

    Member
    Jul 19, 2016
    32
    Calvert County
    When I got back in June from 3 years in Korea I went to a gun show near my father in N.C. and was very disappointed.
    I get that we are all in a supply shortage... but it really was a shell of what I was used to seeing at N.C. shows.
    Which of the shows in MD are traditionally worth going to? I’m looking for anything T/C Encore and reloading related.
     

    temccoy

    Active Member
    Nov 13, 2020
    102
    My answer would be none. I went to the show in Chantilly, Va before Covid and the ammo shortage. Once life starts to open up, I will go back there. Pennsylvania also has some good shows, but with everything in short supply, I don't see much point in trying.
     

    Docster

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 19, 2010
    9,768
    I agree with temccoy. There's no gun shows in Maryland I go to anymore. My favorite shows are York and Gettysburg, PA.
    Gettysburg is this upcoming weekend
     

    joppaj

    Sheepdog
    Staff member
    Moderator
    Apr 11, 2008
    46,447
    MD
    The MD Shows weren't worth going to before the shortages...
     

    Brickman301

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 23, 2015
    2,530
    FREDERICK, MD
    If your into antique firearms the show put on by The Maryland arms collectors is awesome!

    Unfortunately I don’t think it’s taking place this year again due to COVID.

    Most of the other shows aren’t great, but I go to them just to keep them in business. Bad shows are better than no shows.
     

    Darkemp

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 18, 2009
    7,808
    Marylandistan
    When I got back in June from 3 years in Korea I went to a gun show near my father in N.C. and was very disappointed.
    I get that we are all in a supply shortage... but it really was a shell of what I was used to seeing at N.C. shows.
    Which of the shows in MD are traditionally worth going to? I’m looking for anything T/C Encore and reloading related.

    From Calvert it’s a bit of a haul to the PA or VA shows but really they are the worthwhile ones normally. The shortages and high prices are everywhere now though.
     

    RCH

    Will work for ammo.
    Mar 18, 2007
    1,927
    PG County
    This thread has me feeling sad for the good old days. We used to have great gun shows at places like the Greenbelt Armory, Equestrian Center, Timonium, and HoCo fairgrounds. Our liberal overlords really ruined it for us in the last 30 years. One by one, these places were slowly shutdown.
     

    Bullfrog

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 8, 2009
    15,152
    Carroll County
    Silverado is no longer in business. Can’t remember the name of the new promoter

    Appalachian does Timonium, Howard Co, Frederick, and York, PA.

    http://www.thegunshows.com/

    Eagle Arms does Gettysburg PA, Morgantown PA, and the big Oaks show (which was cancelled this year and downsized into the Morgantown venue).

    http://www.eagleshows.com/

    Just my opinion, but Frederick has been the better of the 3 MD shows I listed.

    Gettysburg is better than Frederick (again, my opinion), and York is about 2x the size of either of them, so more to choose from there.
     

    Bullfrog

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 8, 2009
    15,152
    Carroll County
    Poking around on the web page, I noticed the relative sizes of upcoming shows:


    York Fairgrounds (Memorial Hall) – Feb 20 & 21 (1000 tables)
    Frederick Fairgrounds – April 10&11 (300 tables)
    Timonium Fairgrounds – April 17&18 (600 tables)
    Howard County Fairgrounds – May 15&16 (500 tables)

    It was not my impression that the last Timonium show I went to was that big. It seemed smaller than Frederick, and I think Frederick used to be listed as 500 tables... so either the Frederick show is downsizing in April (maybe to 1 building?), or they are optimistic that the Timonium show will be growing... or both.
     

    calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    This thread has me feeling sad for the good old days. We used to have great gun shows at places like the Greenbelt Armory, Equestrian Center, Timonium, and HoCo fairgrounds. Our liberal overlords really ruined it for us in the last 30 years. One by one, these places were slowly shutdown.

    But we are a lot safer and the economy is a lot better, right? :rolleyes:
     

    Scrounger

    Active Member
    Jul 16, 2018
    357
    Southern Maryland
    Silverado, as has been posted is no longer in business. The two remaining venues, Howard and Frederick County Fairgrounds, that they held shows at have been taken by Appalachian Promotions.

    On a side note. The Silverado Shows declined for several years before Silverado finally closed up shop. Appalachian Promotions was able to get the two aforementioned venues starting in 2020. Then we all know what happened last year. Hopefully with the public’s support they will be able to revive the shows at the Howard and Frederick County Fairgrounds. Given the shortage of products for the gun shops and vendors it unfortunately will take some time. Hopefully, the public will recognize this and will come out to support the shows.
     

    alucard0822

    For great Justice
    Oct 29, 2007
    17,643
    PA
    York, usually more MD tags than PA in the parking lot. A few vendors can do MD transfers for regulated stuff there or handle at their MD location, vast majority will transfer long guns, best place for mags. Last week they still had most things, a little less ammo, and the prices were stupid, but that is expected. Also not a single F- is given if you wear a mask, if nothing else it's nice to look around and feel like 2019 "normal" for a couple hours.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,725
    Socialist State of Maryland
    When I got back in June from 3 years in Korea I went to a gun show near my father in N.C. and was very disappointed.
    I get that we are all in a supply shortage... but it really was a shell of what I was used to seeing at N.C. shows.
    Which of the shows in MD are traditionally worth going to? I’m looking for anything T/C Encore and reloading related.

    You are better off ordering Encore barrels on line.
     

    IronDuck

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 11, 2021
    488
    Frederick ish MD
    My two cents, the MD shows have declined significantly in the last 2 years. However, I still attend as many of them as possible. I want to support the shows, so we still have shows, with the intent that sooner or later they will return to the good ole days... I am a dreamer....
    I attended my first Gettysburg show this year 2021, number of tables, selection and prices were much better than any of the MD shows I have attended since last August 2020.
    I wanted to attend York Pa show, I was informed it was 2 fold better than Gettysburg, at least in volume. I was not able to attend so cant say.
    The best shows, that I have attended in the last 2 years were all, "Nations Gun Show" at Dulles Expo Center, 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20151, HOWEVER, this show has been canceled, at the last minute, 3 or 4 times in a row by the VA POS Governor. It is currently scheduled for MARCH 12, 13 & 14, 2021. If you are looking for a good show and it hasn't been canceled, I recommend it.
     

    Cochise

    Ultimate Member
    Sep 5, 2008
    1,383
    Rockville
    the two I try to always make are the Antique Arms MACA show in Timonium in March (Cancelled this and last year) and the show in Easton that happens at the same time as the Waterfowl Festival in November.
    I also like the Virginia Arms Collectors show in Manassas, usually late March
    I like old cool and odd stuff so lots of black plastic and beef jerky doesn't rock my boat much, that said if I have the time and inclination I will go to the others just to see what's there, sometimes you find something awesome
     

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