Hastings, Nebraska Gun Show - Four Rivers Sportsmen's Club

[Archie]

We, (the club) will be hosting the semi annual (Fall) edition of our (Four Rivers) Gun Show. I am part of the club and a normal, recurring vendor. (Not a full time gun seller, mostly just for my hobby and getting rid of stuff I don't want anymore.)

I shall be helping set up the physical layout and maintaining order and efficient motion in the vendor's preparation. Expecting close to 400 tables in use and around one hundred vendors or so. This is the largest regularly scheduled Gun Show in Nebraska and I've never heard of a larger show as a one-off.

Vendors will range from collectors of specific items to muzzle loaders (and more primitive) to 'new' firearms. And at least one candy purveyor (good candy, not the cheap 'too much sugar' sort), normally a couple jewelry sales (not junk but pretty good stuff), and an assortment of various bits, pieces, and memorabilia. Some books.

As is typical of the current era, some ammunition and loading components that reflect current economic trends.

So I'm getting ready. The insanity level is slightly elevated and the occupied level is highly elevated.

Probably no real bargains on the latest item of which one read in the gun magazine. Possibly the item. Many same faces one knows. Numerous items one does not find in the local gun store.

Parking FREE (but on a gravel lot, very well kept and not subject to mud holes and such). There will be a snack bar which will NOT be free.

Show runs Saturday and Sunday, 1st and 2nd October; From 0900 (or 9:00AM) until 1800 (6:00 PM) on Saturday and 1000 (10:00 AM) until 1600 (4:00 PM) Sunday. Admission is $5.00 in green, hard, money. Under 12 with guardian (at least for the day) is free.

If one is reasonably within distance, this is worth a drive to see. Bring money.

 

[PapaG]

I sincerely hope your description becomes reality. You are in a great area of the country and may be safe from the gun show bubbas who have ruined the activity in many places.
We used to have some wonderful gun shows in Peoria and other towns in central IL but no longer.
I quit for good after one last year.
Best wishes and good luck. I miss the days of revolvers, shotguns and rifles that weren't all "tacti-cool" and dolls, dishes, and prices double retail.
BTW, I had tables at two shows for twenty years during the GS heyday.

 

[geo57]

I live just south of Hastings and attended this show for many years including the years it was held at the City Aud. It was a fabulous show. I echo many of PapaG's sentiments. Years ago, there were a lot more of single guy hobbiest / Mom & Pop tables and those made it both fun and often bargain finding affordable. I haven't been for several years due to the insanity prices but I may give it one last chance this year. For me personally, I can find firearms online on GB, both new & used, for much less $ even paying the shipping, the 1 % GB buyers fee & FFL transfer . The same goes for ammo @ sites such as SGammo, Ammunitionstore, et al.

I'd like to find a used, later production Gen 1 S&W M&P40.

Archie, the only show in Nebraska that I recall as possibly being as big or maybe even a bit bigger was when Lincoln had them in the Devaney Sports Complex indoor track room. I was there the day that the guy let a live round go off. That ended the show there for evermore. Best of luck with your show & club.

 

[Archie]

My time in Hastings starts AFTER the City Auditorium shows. I have heard of them.
I've missed all the Lincoln (city) Devaney Complex shows as well. Someone fired a shot? Ouch. Not good PR. Any idea if the miscreant was found?
I will be offering a S&W Shield in .40 S&W. Not sure if it's exactly what you want, but I'll be friendly. You'll recognize my mustache.

 

[geo57]

My time in Hastings starts AFTER the City Auditorium shows. I have heard of them.
I've missed all the Lincoln (city) Devaney Complex shows as well. Someone fired a shot? Ouch. Not good PR. Any idea if the miscreant was found?
I will be offering a S&W Shield in .40 S&W. Not sure if it's exactly what you want, but I'll be friendly. You'll recognize my mustache.

The guy that let it off was by a dealer's table and I don't know if he loaded a round or the firearm he picked up was loaded. It was an accident. Thanks for the offer but I'm looking for the full size 4.2" bbl model.

 

[Archie]

Interesting discharge. I am terribly suspicious of such occurrences. I always wonder if the person responsible was possibly an agent provocateur. But then, it could as well be some dimbulb.

I'm not 'up' on all the latest models, "late" being after S&W dropped the pin in the barrel and recesses in magnum calibers. But I'm pretty sure all the pistols of the ilk in my possession are short barreled types. Still, introduce yourself, I'm always interested in meeting people with whom I have some slight meeting. It's nice to put a person with the name.

 

[geo57]

If I make it up I will try to.