Gunshows on the other hand are a money trap from parking to entrance fees . You know it from previous experiences but out of curiosity you keep going back. Its nice to go and see one every two years at least. Just to keep up with what s out there.
Are Gun Shows really worth attending?
- Thread starter NOMI WASP
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Lucky Derby
Member
IME, if you are looking for new guns or common ammo, they are a waste of time.
If you are looking for older, rare guns or parts, or ammo that isn't to common anymore, like .300 Savage or .38-40 a GOOD show is hard to beat.
Of course some shows are better than others.
If you are looking for older, rare guns or parts, or ammo that isn't to common anymore, like .300 Savage or .38-40 a GOOD show is hard to beat.
Of course some shows are better than others.
steelbird
Member
It depends on what you're looking for.
Deals? Not likely, but possible. Sometimes, you find nice surprises. I'm there to get a general look at guns I might be intetested in, but not available at my LGS. Most of the time, they're out on a table, and one can pick them up and look them over without having to wait for a counter clerk to pull one out from behind the counter - unless the seller has a notice to not touch without permission. The downside is that the actions are usually tied up. However, dealers may sometimes cut the ties if you show a real intention to buy ( they usually have extras ties to re-tie ).
The other big reason to get there is for supplies. Even before the insanity, smokeless powder was hard to come by in my area. Oft times, the only place to find it without having to pay the heavy HazMat fees is at a gunshow - unless you're buying a large amount, which I usually do not.
Deals? Not likely, but possible. Sometimes, you find nice surprises. I'm there to get a general look at guns I might be intetested in, but not available at my LGS. Most of the time, they're out on a table, and one can pick them up and look them over without having to wait for a counter clerk to pull one out from behind the counter - unless the seller has a notice to not touch without permission. The downside is that the actions are usually tied up. However, dealers may sometimes cut the ties if you show a real intention to buy ( they usually have extras ties to re-tie ).
The other big reason to get there is for supplies. Even before the insanity, smokeless powder was hard to come by in my area. Oft times, the only place to find it without having to pay the heavy HazMat fees is at a gunshow - unless you're buying a large amount, which I usually do not.
cat_IT_guy
Member
Not worth it in my experience. I like the idea of them, but usually walk out disappointed after an hour or two.
rodinal220
Member
For the most part no. I like many see the same folks with the same stuff trying to sell at insane prices. I haven't been to a gun show in years.The only one I still go to is the Knob Creek shoot,I still like to look for parts and widgets.
bannockburn
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"...same folks with the same stuff trying to sell at insane prices"
Yeah, that pretty much sums up most gun shows I have been to over the years.
Yeah, that pretty much sums up most gun shows I have been to over the years.
Amusingly, I just told my son to remind me to never waste my time going to a gun show again. Of course, I'm in Washington state, so there probably won't be a chance to be tempted in the future...
Last Saturday, I drove to Yakima, paid the $7 entrance fee and wandered in... There, I was lied too ("oh, absolutely, that's a 100% gen-u-ine GI stock on that M1 carbine") and told that $525 for a Gen 1 Glock-17 with one 10-round mag was a great price and my attempt to negotiate down was ridiculous.
Last Saturday, I drove to Yakima, paid the $7 entrance fee and wandered in... There, I was lied too ("oh, absolutely, that's a 100% gen-u-ine GI stock on that M1 carbine") and told that $525 for a Gen 1 Glock-17 with one 10-round mag was a great price and my attempt to negotiate down was ridiculous.
Internet>gun show
I find no reason to attend anymore.
Parts...internet.
Ammo...roll my own and get supplies at my LGS or internet.
New guns...LGS or Internet
Used guns...Gunbroker or friends/family that know I am a gun guy...also Forums and Facebook gun pages.
I will keep my people watching to Walmart, Cedar Point and street fairs.
I find no reason to attend anymore.
Parts...internet.
Ammo...roll my own and get supplies at my LGS or internet.
New guns...LGS or Internet
Used guns...Gunbroker or friends/family that know I am a gun guy...also Forums and Facebook gun pages.
I will keep my people watching to Walmart, Cedar Point and street fairs.
stonecutter2
Member
They're good for time away from home with friends, finding obscure parts possibly, or haggling for something you want.
I never go in expecting to buy. The admission is like a fee for a few hours of entertainment for me
Even if that entertainment is the price gouging.
I never go in expecting to buy. The admission is like a fee for a few hours of entertainment for me
Even if that entertainment is the price gouging.The last few local gun shows I went to (maybe 6-8 years ago) had no hand loading equipment or components of any kind and no military surplus. What was there at all of them was mostly local pawn shop guns, swords and knives, beef jerky, extremely low quality holsters and junk jewelry. There were one or two traditional gun vendors, but prices were no better than at any LGS I frequent and frankly I'd rather deal with a local established gun dealer.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Are GUN SHOWS really worth attending?
I guess it all depends on the show and what you are looking for. All gun shows have promoters and a good promoter throws a good show limiting all the flea market crap. A really good show with 1,000 plus tables can have plenty of good stuff including parts. Additionally some classic older guns can be found.
Average show admission around here for the better shows is in the $5 to $7 range and parking is free. The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds (Berea, Ohio) being one of the larger and better shows.
Overall I guess it just depends on what you are looking for.
Ron
I guess it all depends on the show and what you are looking for. All gun shows have promoters and a good promoter throws a good show limiting all the flea market crap. A really good show with 1,000 plus tables can have plenty of good stuff including parts. Additionally some classic older guns can be found.
Average show admission around here for the better shows is in the $5 to $7 range and parking is free. The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds (Berea, Ohio) being one of the larger and better shows.
Overall I guess it just depends on what you are looking for.
Ron
I've never attended a Gun Show that I didn't enjoy being at. Many times coming home with little or nothing, but sure a better way to pass time than watching TV.
I've bought plenty of guns and parts, and ammo. as well as other misc items at Gun Shows.
I will say that gun shows of the past were much better before the internet came along. A lot better, but those days are gone - like it or not.
I've bought plenty of guns and parts, and ammo. as well as other misc items at Gun Shows.
I will say that gun shows of the past were much better before the internet came along. A lot better, but those days are gone - like it or not.
guyfromohio
Member
Is my no-carry allowed experience unique to me or are others finding that they are prohibited from carrying at a show? If so, doesn't the hypocrisy bother you as they are happy to take your 2-A money but not really support 2-A?
F-111 John
Member
No, your experience is not unique. The Michigan gun shows put on by Sport Shows Productions require that all firearms, including CCW firearms, be unloaded and ammunition turned in to the desk at time of entry. They return the ammunition when you leave. You can keep your pistol in your holster, but they will zip tie the trigger.
All guns offered for sale at the show must also be zip tied.
I can understand the concept of not having any live ammunition around so many guns to prevent accidents, but then they sell ammunition at the show as well so it kind of defeats the purpose.
All guns offered for sale at the show must also be zip tied.
I can understand the concept of not having any live ammunition around so many guns to prevent accidents, but then they sell ammunition at the show as well so it kind of defeats the purpose.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Doesn't bother me in the least. I also don't see it as hypocrisy. I am not real enthusiastic about a loaded gun, any loaded gun at a gun show. Left the Medina, Ohio show with my wife and that evening heard all about the accidental discharge on the evening news an hour after we left the show. Stuff happens as they say. Earlier I mentioned that a really good show required a really good promoter and know that those promoters are, to some extent, required to carry insurance so the insurance companies dictate certain safety requirements. Liability insurance for gun show promoters isn't cheap and the insurance companies call the shots in many cases. I personally see no reason to carry when enjoying a gun show. While I can see where some may consider this sort of rule hypocritical I have no problem with it. Then too, just my opinion on the subject.
Ron
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jcwit
member
Pretty well nailed it Ron.
Bingo ! More and more promotors are being forced to make the rules to comply with Insurance Company requirements. Often the requirement of insurance comes from the buildings owners, in other cases directly from the promotors.
In the event of injury from neligent discharge of a firearm (as well as any other injury) You can bet the promotor, and building owner, will be sued . Not just the person who caused the injury.
On An Island
Member
We do have a good selection of good quality shows around Houston, so I'll attend every so often generally just to look and occasionally Q&A about something I come across. I'll buy if I see something that 1) I want and 2) is reasonably priced (this doesn't happen too often).
sauer1911
Member
Stopped going over a year ago. I reload my own, now I buy either at my local range, or if they dont have it, I have another local gun store to rely on.
Last time I went to the local "GUN SHOW" after $10 parking, $12 to get in, I saw alot of food, survival MRE types, Rubes walking around with a rifle on their back for sale (that way they dont have to pay for a space or a table to sell their wares).
OH OH OH
if you want a plethora of Chinese made scopes and other poorly made rip off copies, this is the place for you!
Support local gun stores and businesses. My local indoor range holds a super ammo sale the same weekend that there is a local gun show. They sell massive amounts of ammo, at great prices, no parking or admission costs. They sell out every time and dont have to haul ammo to the "GUN SHOW" to sell it.
be safe
Last time I went to the local "GUN SHOW" after $10 parking, $12 to get in, I saw alot of food, survival MRE types, Rubes walking around with a rifle on their back for sale (that way they dont have to pay for a space or a table to sell their wares).
OH OH OH
if you want a plethora of Chinese made scopes and other poorly made rip off copies, this is the place for you!Support local gun stores and businesses. My local indoor range holds a super ammo sale the same weekend that there is a local gun show. They sell massive amounts of ammo, at great prices, no parking or admission costs. They sell out every time and dont have to haul ammo to the "GUN SHOW" to sell it.
be safe
ApacheCoTodd
member
Yes
Yes.
Are gun show rant riddled threads really worth reading?
If your particular shows in which you have experience are a waste of your time, by all means don't go.
It certainly doesn't warrant an indictment relating to all shows - or even most shows - as most posters would have one believe.
I regularly attend shows in nearly all the states west of the Mississippi. Some suck, most don't. Depends upon what one expects from the experience.
Go expecting to be; dissapointed, "gouged", ripped off and you'll most likely come away fulfilled in your expectations.
Yes.
Are gun show rant riddled threads really worth reading?
If your particular shows in which you have experience are a waste of your time, by all means don't go.
It certainly doesn't warrant an indictment relating to all shows - or even most shows - as most posters would have one believe.
I regularly attend shows in nearly all the states west of the Mississippi. Some suck, most don't. Depends upon what one expects from the experience.
Go expecting to be; dissapointed, "gouged", ripped off and you'll most likely come away fulfilled in your expectations.
Madcap_Magician
Member
The only ones that are any good in my area are the ones put on by the Minnesota Weapons Collectors Association, and the only really good one is their big annual show at the state fairgrounds (they do one a month in other places, but it is usually half the size or less).
However, they are always worth going to, either the big one at the fairgrounds or when they have a local show. Parking on the weekends in the public ramps in my city is actually free, and show entry is only $5. Even if you never buy anything, it's worth it to fondle the collections, jawjack with the usual suspects in your local gun community, and generally be surrounded by people with the same interests as you. My local shows have a lot of older guns that don't seem to sell much. A lot of the prices are inflated, or fair, but way over my head, but it's still cool to go see the collections of Winchesters, WWII surplus guns, S&W or Colt revolvers, etc.
Another thing is that people bring guns to the gun show to sell as well, so if you keep a sharp eye out for people walking into the gun show with guns, or watch the table where the staff are zip-tying actions, you just might snag a good deal- get a gun for less while giving the seller more than he will get from selling the gun to one of the dealers there.
However, they are always worth going to, either the big one at the fairgrounds or when they have a local show. Parking on the weekends in the public ramps in my city is actually free, and show entry is only $5. Even if you never buy anything, it's worth it to fondle the collections, jawjack with the usual suspects in your local gun community, and generally be surrounded by people with the same interests as you. My local shows have a lot of older guns that don't seem to sell much. A lot of the prices are inflated, or fair, but way over my head, but it's still cool to go see the collections of Winchesters, WWII surplus guns, S&W or Colt revolvers, etc.
Another thing is that people bring guns to the gun show to sell as well, so if you keep a sharp eye out for people walking into the gun show with guns, or watch the table where the staff are zip-tying actions, you just might snag a good deal- get a gun for less while giving the seller more than he will get from selling the gun to one of the dealers there.
Zaydok Allen
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That's about the only reason to go anymore.
I find it funny too that the vendors then complain that they aren't selling anything.
X-Rap
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- Sep 23, 2006
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- 6,657
Many of the responses claim to enjoy the reloading, parts, being with like minded folks all of which is still true today but the real pleasure of the gun shows of old was the amount of non FFL participants that made the trading and selling of guns a big swap meet.
The death of the gun show is background checks and a proliferation of FFL's marking their guns up 10%+ over their shop prices.
The death of the gun show is background checks and a proliferation of FFL's marking their guns up 10%+ over their shop prices.
medalguy
Member
I enjoy going to shows, but I don't go with the expectation of finding real diamonds in the rough. With the internet, everyone knows what everything is really worth, and they usually price at that level. You need to learn how to haggle if you want to get any valuable stuff at decent prices. Unfortunately horse trading is becoming a thing of the past.
And yes I do have tables at several shows a year. I sell quite a bit of stuff, and when I decide to let a gun go from my collection I don't have much trouble selling it because I price it realistically. Yes there are guys who price things sky high and really don't want to sell them. These guys go for the company and camaraderie, not for the money they might make. You have to expect that at any show and look beyond it.
But if there's a show nearby I will usually go. I find scarce parts sometimes and loading components from time to time but honestly most of my buying is done online. And yes I find nice guns sometimes too but usually I have to haggle the price down to what I can reasonable expect to pay for that gun.
Show prices might be higher that internet prices, but you do get to look at and fondle the gun you're thinking of buying. For new guns, that might not be important, but if you are a collector, you sure what to look over that 200 year old rifle before dropping a grand on it. And remember the sellers have a lot of expenses they need to cover that internet sellers don't have. There's no free lunch. I smile when so many guys say to support your LGS but don't support gun show sellers. Really, they're the same thing. Keep going to shows. If everyone stops going, shows will cease, and everyone will wonder why they never see gun shows any more.
Just my .02.
And yes I do have tables at several shows a year. I sell quite a bit of stuff, and when I decide to let a gun go from my collection I don't have much trouble selling it because I price it realistically. Yes there are guys who price things sky high and really don't want to sell them. These guys go for the company and camaraderie, not for the money they might make. You have to expect that at any show and look beyond it.
But if there's a show nearby I will usually go. I find scarce parts sometimes and loading components from time to time but honestly most of my buying is done online. And yes I find nice guns sometimes too but usually I have to haggle the price down to what I can reasonable expect to pay for that gun.
Show prices might be higher that internet prices, but you do get to look at and fondle the gun you're thinking of buying. For new guns, that might not be important, but if you are a collector, you sure what to look over that 200 year old rifle before dropping a grand on it. And remember the sellers have a lot of expenses they need to cover that internet sellers don't have. There's no free lunch. I smile when so many guys say to support your LGS but don't support gun show sellers. Really, they're the same thing. Keep going to shows. If everyone stops going, shows will cease, and everyone will wonder why they never see gun shows any more.
Just my .02.
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