Gun show fever: disposing of disposable income in a good way

Guns Magazine, Feb, 2005 by Mike Venturino

It is a genuine affliction, and can be a darn expensive one. I know because I've had it for nigh on 30 years now. When there are no gun shows scheduled within reasonable distance it is easy to be brave and say things like, "There's not a single thing I need or want so I'm not going to this next gun show." Then when the time draws near that bug inside you starts working and you get antsy. You begin looking through your assortment of guns for "trading stock," but you have to be very careful at that point. Gun show fever has been known to make people do irrational things like trade oft something cherished for something they truly don't have any use for.

The surest symptom of gun show fever is when the exhibition will be held over 100 miles away, and you start prepping your wife. You say things like, "I know you have been wanting to do some shopping in (name any city), and wouldn't you know; there's going to be a gun show there this weekend. You could drop me off at it and then have all day to shop." Of course wives see right through that ploy, but their own fevers will take over and the fellow with gun show sickness can often get his way.

Gun show lever is curable. Some people have beaten the disease. They are the ones who will tell you this, "Gun shows are a waste: dealers are crooked and so greedy that you can buy the same guns at a store for less money !'" They have some valid points. You do have to watch some dealers. Some are not only greedy but definitely not members of the cognitive elite. Just a few months ago I was looking at a S&W Model 57.41 Magnum on one dealer's table when he told me it was priced so high because it was made back in the 1950s. "That's odd," I replied, "the .41 Magnum cartridge wasn't introduced until 1964." He then muttered something and retreated to the other end of his table.

However, it is a well known fact that those who have defeated gun show fever don't have as many good guns in their vaults as those seriously afflicted with it. Are you likely to find something like a 1902-vintage Winchester Model 1894 saddle ring carbine in .32-40 caliber in the run of the mill gun store? What about an original Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle in .44-77 caliber? At one gun show some years back a seriously demented fellow walked up to me packing a target sighted S&W Triple Lock .44 Special and said, "Would you give $500 for this?" Yes I would and yes I did. It and the Winchester and the Sharps are all still with me.

But, be forewarned. Gun show fever can also cause delusions. The first symptoms of delusion are grandiose statements. The last time that happened to me, I had been at the show for a mere hour when I told everyone who would listen, "Well, my money is safe here!" Afterwards I walked out of that gun show packing a very ugly Webley Mark VI .455.

At times after a bout of gun show fever there is a recovery period of great depression called "buyer's remorse." That's when the fever wears off and you realize that you have just spent your hard earned money on something you don't even like, can't use, or is defective. The last time I suffered "buyer's remorse" was with the above mentioned Webley. My thoughts were that at the least l could use it in a magazine article titled something like "Reloading The .455 Webley." Then I discovered that in my ignorance I had bought a Webley Mark V| that had been converted to fire .45 ACP rounds in half moon clips or .45 Auto-Rim cartridges. But, there is always consolation in the thought, "There has to be someone dumber than me around."

One positive benefit of gun show fever is that it will quicken your reflexes. For instance, once at a Las Vegas gun show I stopped in an aisle to look over a very nice Winchester Model 1885 Winder Musket in .22 LR caliber. Suddenly, I saw a fellow coming in the opposite direction with eyes focused on that very same rifle. With absolutely no hesitation and with my hands being a blur of movement I grabbed that Winchester, because as everyone suffering from gun show fever knows; he who holds the gun gets first chance to buy.

Gun show fever may be hazardous to your wallet, but it is certainly a sickness with which you can be happy while suffering.