The Vintage Cup at Hopkins a couple of years ago may have been good for the shooters, but the show of vendors was less than any in the past. I don't know what can be done about that except to lower the table fees. The PGCA meeting was at the Hopkins Vintage Cup and they don't even have that in 2024. The website has a vendor list that probably includes vendors who have not made their plans yet. The list is probably from previous years.

Bill is right about the Vendor list. The Lefever Arms Collectors Association is listed. We have not yet committed to the new venue. We are waiting to see what the response is and how many plan to show up.

I enjoyed the year we had the PGCA annual meeting at Hopkins. To me, the best thing is seeing folks in person and getting to visit

Harry is right in that there should be some reach out to an accessible mid-west/east of the Mississippi with a multi-day event like the Southern or Northeast (Haussman's). You need more than one day to attract vendors who hope to sell something or collectors associatios with a display or manufacturers competition. The far Upper Peninsula shoots are too far away to justify traveling for a 1 day expo.

Sorry Harry, I'm not buying it. "New Blood" isn't going to pay $10K for a double gun. Any new blood that would attend would be looking to spend less on guns than "regulars" seen at the current multi-day shoots. Most of the "shoppers" would pretty much be curious as to what any vendors may have for sale and when they see most of the price tags they won't be back. You'll still have the usual cast of shooters that are into competition, but guys that are not serious competitors and have to travel quite a ways will pass.

I know Terry Reckart of LCSCA "fame" is putting together a two day shoot in OH this year. I can't comment on whether he's planning on vendors or if it's a shooting event only. I think he's in August?

I would definitely travel to Ohio for a 3-day event.





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Harry and I agree that the vendor price is outrageous. The Vintagers should buy bigger tents and charge less for a booth. That is how to get people who honestly have things to sell to come and exhibit. The "Widow Lady" may bring her late husband's Parkers to the Vintage Cup if she didn't have to pay $500 for a couple of tables. I know The Lovely Linda won't come to the Vintagers with my Parkers and Foxes if she has to pay a fortune for a couple of tables.

I think the days of attracting vendors to outdoor gun exhibits are behind us, three reasons, travel expense, vintage gun auctions and the internet marketplace. The main reason to attend in present times is to shoot and visit with friends. However, if Guyette and Deeter scheduled a gun auction on the same weekend as a Vintagers event at Pintail that would be a big success in my opinion. Dealers could set-up in the auction parking lot or tables sold at the auction facility. This is the formula G&D has used for their decoy auctions for years.