Yup, the show seriously sucked. Picked up some odds and ends (a weasel ball for use in a predator hunting decoy), some powder, etc.
The show only took up half the hall. Seems to get smaller and smaller every year. I don't think the lower parking lot even filled up.
What I don't get is why the f**k do exhibitors come from who-knows-where to lay out a huge collection of safe queens but they aren't for sale? I'd rather see more jerky huts in place of the APCs and other such junk. At least they can sell me something.
Prices on guns that were there were all pretty much out of line. Model '94s in .45 colt were listing at $450 for "slightly used." Hell, my local shop tags them new for $295. Hell, come to think of it, I don't think I saw a single gun there that was new that didn't have a price less than MSRP. I made one guy an offer of $600 for a new Springfield Compact "Loaded" (what I'm planning on ordering one for in a couple weeks) and he moaned about how that was less than his cost and MSRP is $700-something. I told him he was full of shit as dealer cost runs around $550 for that gun.
If I want to get ripped off I'll go to American Shooters.
Reloading components were at decent prices from a couple vendors. Except for tools and presses. One fool was selling used Lee dies for more than I've ever seen them list for new. Actually, that seemed to be the practice for most of the reloading hardware. And what's with the bullshit stories about how they have to get at least x for it because their cost was y once I point out the same product--but new--lists for half their price in the Midway catalog. Oh and to see vendor's faces turn red when the $35 20 round AR-15 ProMags they are selling are currently $12 new in CTDs catalog.
More sunglasses and knives than last year's show. Seemed like less jerky huts though. Admission was up to $12. I'm thinking that this will be the last Claude Hall show I'll be attending. I think it's time to make plans for a Phoenix Crossroads show I hear so much about.