Went to the DACA Gun Show at South Fork today

[CapnMac]

Dallas Arms Collector Association used to have shows at Dallas Market Hall. Which was a nice large venue, if with sub-ideal parking. For a number of reasons, DACA and DMH split the blanket.

So, they are now out at the South Fork Ranch out on the edge of Parker, Texas.
Parking is pretty good, if out on the grass. They have a ground guide to help prevent willy-nilly "gun show parking."

Not a bad venue, either. Chow looked better than most. Not a big show, though, nowhere near the Market Hall number of vendors.

The "back room" seemed to have more selection than the front. A decent selection of "parts" vendors was present. Rather a lot of wood and steel long arms for sale. An entire table of PSA pistols--but a hefty markup over just ordering those yourself. A couple of nice tables with Garands, if all at full retail. A surprising (to me) number of German War memorabilia vendors. I don't remember seeing any jerky or salsa for sale, if a couple of tables of jewelry.

Was a vendor with a bunch of still in original packaging Colt pistol magazines, and at preices decent enough to catch my eye. But, none left with me.

Will I make the 100 mile round trip again? I flat out don't know.

Premier is having shows in North Richland Hills (16miles) next week, and FW Will Rogers (20 miles) the week after that, which will invite many comparisons.

 

[Charlie98]

I wondered why they moved out to South Fork... I guess that explains that. Not that I cared for DMH, anyway.

My favorite is still Will Rogers, however.... it seems like everyone shows up for that.

I actually don't remember the last gun show I went to... maybe I need to fix that.

 

[FlSwampRat]

I remember when gun shows had mostly used guns, a good amount of related things like pins, patches, t-shirts, etc.
Now it's mostly brand new guns, and black ones at that, which don't interest me after carrying an M-16 for so long.

 

[dogtown tom]

I wondered why they moved out to South Fork... I guess that explains that. Not that I cared for DMH, anyway.

IMO.......mismanagement by amateur's.
Dallas Arms Collector Association (DACA) elects the board member responsible for running their shows. They managed to elect several over the last decade that didn't have a clue about running a successful show.
Bringing doughnuts and coffee for vendors on Sunday morning was the most creative thing they ever did.

Fudds vs Tacticool Bros vs collectors vs licensed dealers.....every gun show fights the battle to appeal to all those groups.....DACA just doesn't care.

The profit motivated Premier Gun Shows running multiple shows in the Dallas Ft Worth metroplex, often on the same weekend and DACA was at the short end of the stick.
Michelle and Premier actually buys TV and radio advertising.

DACA is killing itself. Good luck finding out how to join on their website.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Just wait folks! Boomers are thinning there collection because lack of interest from children or just need to money. As I predicted 2 years ago about the prices of guns going back to pre-plandemic. My next Prediction—— some of the best collection for all walks of life will be available SOON! Save up your $$$$ deals are coming!

 

[Charlie98]

IMO.......mismanagement by amateur's.
Dallas Arms Collector Association (DACA) elects the board member responsible for running their shows. They managed to elect several over the last decade that didn't have a clue about running a successful show.
Bringing doughnuts and coffee for vendors on Sunday morning was the most creative thing they ever did.

Tom... I'm not following you. I understand mismanagement, but that doesn't explain their move away from DMH.

 

[jag22]

I'm sure Tom will reply but I remember the last few shows the number of vendors was steadily declining. I think they were just out hustled by Premier and likely the pandemic may have been a factor.

 

[dogtown tom]

Tom... I'm not following you. I understand mismanagement, but that doesn't explain their move away from DMH.

They moved from Market Hall because show attendance was dropping every show. The venue was too expensive to continue to rent.
It's a Catch 22......low attendance means few dealers find the show worthwhile. Fewer dealers means less people wanting to spend $10 to walk a half empty hall.

The last show I had tables at Market Hall was January 2020.......the Main Hall was about 2/3ds full......that was before the pandemic.

Michelle & Premier came in and took over Market Hall and the March 2021 show had a gangbanger shootout in the back parking lot (unrelated to the gun show). Market Hall ownership said no more gun shows.

 

[Charlie98]

I hadn't heard about the shoot out.... although it doesn't surprise me.

 

[CapnMac]

Michelle and Premier actually buys TV and radio advertising.

In the crowded media market, exploitation is pretty critical.
North Richland Hills this weekend in the de-iced hockey rink. Parking is terrible for that show, but, it's not a horrible venue, if a tad odd if a person is a Brahmas Hockey Fan
Plenty of nice chow around NyTex Arena, too.

And "The Original FW Gunshow" is Saturday after Next. Parking can be a pain, but, for $12 it's better than Market Hall parking ever was.
And, if a person can't find interesting chow around University & West 7th, they probably need better mapping software.
Not exactly horrible that Defender Outdoors is just a few blocks up University from Will Rogers if a person has a treasure wanting a "test drive."

 

[orionengnr]

Thanks for the update. I was a regular at Dallas Market Hall Gun Shows pre-pandemic--favorite gun show in the DFW area. Especially the Saturday after Thanksgiving--bought a number of items (guns, reloading supplies, etc.) at those shows.
Big Town Mesquite was a distant second place (also a long drive for me).
Went to Will Rogers a bunch of times but it was still third best (IMHO). Plus they used to charge for parking, which added insult to injury.
Been a good while since I've been to a show. I don't reckon I will go out to SFR, but good to know anyway.

 

[wally]

Funny the same thing seems to have happened to the HGCA and their large shows at Reliant, now all they have are small shows at some venue in the "Heights" north of downtown.

 

[CapnMac]

favorite gun show in the DFW area. Especially the Saturday after Thanksgiving

Mine too, we probably passed each other more than once at that venue.

Now that I live in Arlington, Will Rogers is closer, and has become my go-to favorite, at least for the Premier shows (Lone Star, not so much).

 

[CapnMac]

same thing seems to have happened to the HGCA and their large shows at Reliant

I had heard, through the grapevine that the City leaned hard on the venues to not "allow" gun shows.

The George R Brown shows pretty much self-destructed between the NDs indoors and in the parking lot (and that was a curst dark parking lot in the winter).

HGCA peaked with AstroHall, the Reliant shows just did not compare well at all.