Confessions of a First‑Time Gun Show Vendor

I swore I’d just rent one table. By noon on Saturday, I’d learned more about humans—and hex keys—than in a year of YouTube.

Prep: You will forget tape

Pack lists lie. You need tablecloth clamps, price tags, pens, chargers, a cash box with small bills, business cards, and a mirror for inspecting bores. Also water.

Sticker, but expect stories

Everyone wants a deal; everyone has a tale. Set a floor, then trade up: throw in a sling, discount a scuffed mag, or bundle a holster. People remember kindness.

The cast of characters

The Historian who knows more about Enfields than your search history. The New Dad who needs a first safe. The Haggler who checks every table then returns just before pack‑out.

Pitfalls I met so you don’t have to

Under‑labeling. Not knowing exact parts compatibility. Forgetting a receipt pad. And not eating until 3 PM. Don’t do any of those.

The wins

A kid grinning at a vintage .22, an older vet telling the origin story of his bayonet, and a couple who left with their first range day queued up.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely. And next time, I’ll use the alert system to pick a higher‑traffic weekend.