Gun Show today. Waste of time?

[Elkins45]

For the $10 entry fee I can see more guns in two hours than if I spent $30 in gas and all day driving. With the exception of the 6 months following Sandy Hook (when there was a three hour line just to get to the door) I attend almost every show in Lexington or Louisville. Some days I leave with nothing, some days I leave with a like new S&W 1076 for $425.

There may only be one thing at the show you want, but if you find that one thing then it was a good show.

 

[hso]

I am wondering if it's worth the time and gas to even go to these shows?

Most of us wonder the same thing and then we hit that surprising show where there's not only one but two or three things we've never seen before.

The other value to the gun show is that you see a lot at one time instead of driving all over town to this shop that focuses on this category and that shop that focuses on another and a third that focuses on yet a different category.

I think our expectations of gun shows are off. If you're just going to a show thinking you're headed to the flea market to get bargain prices you're going to be disappointed.

 

[SunnySlopes]

I used to love gun shows. But now the biggest gun show on earth is gunbroker.com. I buy most of my guns there.

This weekend is our wanamacher 4,000 table show. I just choose not walking around for 8 hours, looking at seriously overpriced merchandise, and still having to contend with isles and isles of beany babies, jerky and junk.

I'm surprised the internet hasn't killed gun shows.

 

[wally]

Going to a gun show these days, especially in the interest of acquiring a firearm below MSRP, is like going to the hospital to bandage a scraped knee - lots of people there with what you want, never at the price you're looking for.

At least in Houston at the larger shows I disagree. The largest dealers in the state are there and competing head-to-head. Its pretty rare I can't beat on-line prices at gun shows even ignoring shipping and transfer fees. If I can I buy on-line Competition is good!

I sure haven't seen any $400 Shields or $599 M&P CORE models in stock on-line. MSRP on the CORE was $729 when I looked at them on S&W web site.

 

[AlexanderA]

I traveled down to Richmond for the Raceway gun show this weekend (a 100 mile trip for me) and, yeah, I have to agree it was a waste of time. The closest I came to finding anything of interest was a badly sporterized No. 4 Enfield for $150, that had potential for being restored. But in the end I passed on that. Everything else was overpriced or non-germane. I'm waiting for the Nation's Gun Show in Chantilly, Va., on the 22nd. That one usually is worthwhile, and it's right around the corner from me.

 

[Hangingrock]

I’ve stopped going to gun shows haven’t been to one in several years. One panic after another has become a bit much to the point of being nettlesome. Then there is the sleaze factor it seems to be more prevalent or maybe I’ve just noticed it more thus taking exception to it.

I’m past the midpoint of my sixth decade having been involved in firearms starting with Boy Scouts, thru military service, and competitive shooting. Enough already, I now have a very narrow focus thus no longer enthusiastic about the latest and greatest.

 

[dagger dog]

I'll hit the "National Gun Day" show that sets up every 6 months in Louisville KY every couple years, some times it runs with a military show and used to be joined in one large showroom. I guess they got greedy they run them separate now so if you wan to do both its a $20 bill.

Pre panic show pricing was what you made it, I sold quite a few there. I like the fact that it's all there, books, leather, parts, reloading, ammo.

 

[anothernewb]

I've found a few deals here and there at gun shows. Yep, there's overpriced stuff, and there's junk. but there's gems there too. I generally find that the prices are high and you have to work them down. It's just like any other marketing I guess I've seen. Some people like haggling, some don't. For others it's a fine art and i find it interesting to watch 2 good people go at it. sometimes it seems like they're not even talking about the item for sale.

Then again, I go to the gun shows just to see what's there. Yep, there's always the same couple of dealers with the same overpriced guns that you've seen for the past 3 years, but there's new ones ones out there too.

 

[rodinal220]

Archie #4 nailed it.

 

[solman]

Now that I have rested and thought about it some more I suppose I did see a few things of interest. I also learned to lower my expectations if I go to a show next time.
Many of you did raise some good points about the shows being what they are today.

 

[Speedo66]

I haven't found anything of interest at a reasonable price in years. $10-12 to get in so I can see the same unsellable stuff. Too large a percentage of tables selling non gun related items.

If there's ever another deluge of surplus arms I'd consider going, but not now.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

When I lived in SE Michigan, I went to the Gibralter Trade Center gun shows, but only on Friday night as it was free. Idea was, possibly not all the vendors were yet there, so it wasn't right to charge. MY idea was that I was going only to look and keep up with current entries into the market, but I was NOT going to pay the exhorbitant prices that seem to be the norm at today's gun shows. Not buying and free = win win, and I have a nice night out looking at merchandise I love. Oh, and if a screaming deal DOES appear and I happen to be there, well.....
For the most part, in this area, the great deals from vendors with NIB stuff ended with the demise of Goodman's show from the Light Guard Armory.

Where I live now, the gun shows are smaller, free, and extremely friendly. Mostly used stuff, and some hard to find stuff. Last one I was at cost me $150. There goes my nice nights out.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

There used to be this lady who sold powder at reasonable prices and she had a good selection. I've found deals on reloading components, but as far as deals on guns and ammo, not so much. On occasion it's interesting just to pay the admission fee and look at the overpriced guns and ammo. My lgs loves gunshows as they always get guns that were bought at the show that need fixing.

 

[George Dickel]

I don't go to gun shows very often but they are great for letting me hold in my hand something I may be considering to buy. Most LGS just can't stock every firearm sold today but some of the gun shows have a great selection and that lets me fondle the ones I'm interested in. I will then go to my favorite LGS and have him order what I want. I feel no obligation to buy something at a gun that I know my LGS will sell cheaper.

 

[TennJed]

I love going but can't remember the last time I bought anything. It is worth $5 just too see so many guns in one spot. I always end up seeing a new model that I have been reading about but haven't gotten a chance to hold or maybe a used gun I have never seen in person.

It helps me sort and compare for my next purchase.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Is it worth it?

Depends.

If you're going there to find bargains on guns and much of the related stuff...probably not. I've been years away (a couple decades plus) from any such bargains, now.

Other odds and ends? Sure. I'm always looking for little tools and stuff on the cheap, and you can find lots of that there.

Ammunition? If Georgia Arms is there, or some such organization which sells bulk, then you'll do pretty well. If not, then you'll do no better than the LGS.

Maybe you'll find that rare firearm you've been looking for that price isn't much of an object to you for because of what it is or how long you've been looking for it.

But if you look at it as a couple hours or more of entertainment where you get to walk around and look at TONS of stuff, shoot the breeze with some pretty interesting people, and stuff like that, then you'll have a great time. $5 or so isn't a bad deal for an afternoon's entertainment, really.

Then if you find something you like for a price you like...bonus!

 

[medalguy]

This thread got me to discussing shows with a friend yesterday. When I lived in Houston, back in the 70's there was THE gun show in town-- the Houston Gun Collectors semiannual show. It was over 2,000 tables and everyone saved up their money for THE show.

Then, fast forward a few years, and a lot of people figured out there was money to be made in putting ON gun shows. Today we figured there are about 65 gun shows PER YEAR in the Houston area. That includes towns within an hour's drive, which is about across town for many guys. So no one saves their money for a show any more. It's a matter of two guys getting together and thinking, let's go to a gun show this weekend. Which one is closest? The result, of course, is much lower traffic through the doors of the shows and much less money being spent at each show. I think the last Houston show was down to about 800 tables.

This is just one reason the quality of the shows has declined in the past few years. Expenses have gone through the roof for dealers coming in from out of town (few do any more, sadly) and they have to sell more and more to meet the expenses. Do you know that a single table at many shows these days costs upward of $100? Just for the pleasure of listening to guys gripe about the prices and quality of guns. Then add in the cost of gasoline, meals, hotel for 2-3 nights, and table helpers if you are a sizable table holder. It isn't cheap, and the internet doesn't help at all as zoogster said earlier.

 

[119er]

I still find deals at the big ones in Houston. It is getting harder though. I have to go with a specific item in mind. Then I get there early and make a sweep of all the table for that particular item while the crowd shuffles in. I may have second and third items that I take note of in case the primary is item is not to be purchased. I skip ammo, jerky, and most small sellers to scout the large volume dealers first. Once items are located I go to the table with the lowest price and buy immediately. Last one was a Sig P938 for $100 cheaper than I could find on the net. I couldn't believe it! If I go late or on Sunday the deals are long gone.

 

[Potatohead]

Hell, I'd just like to find a show. Never been to one.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I went to a Saxet gun show on Saturday. I'd spent a long three weeks sending out applications and resumes without hearing anything but "we have accepted your application", and I needed a morale boost.
I got one.
I got away from the computer.
I got to talk to a bunch of like-minded folks and handle some interesting hardware.
I also picked up a nice (but cosmoline-coated) 1895 Steyr stutzen for $75.00.
So I went to a show with $100 in my pocket and came home with a project, $20, and the will to keep plugging along until I land another job.

-And the 1895 Steyr cleaned up real nice!

 

[Mauserguy]

Wow, such negativity about the firearms community's biggest social event.

A gun show is an opportunity to rub elbows with a wide cross section of like minded people, such as the disgruntled engineer whos son is dropping out of college to marry his pregnant girlfriend or the four hundred pound special forces opperator just back from a secret mission raiding Taliban in Antarctica.

Regarding high asking prices, that's just an invitation to haggle. Gun shows are a lot of fun. You never know who you will meet, what gem you will discover, or what deal you may strike. Have an open mind, folks.
Mauserguy

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Wow, such negativity about the firearms community's biggest social event.

A gun show is an opportunity to rub elbows with a wide cross section of like minded people, such as the disgruntled engineer whos son is dropping out of college to marry his pregnant girlfriend or the four hundred pound special forces opperator just back from a secret mission raiding Taliban in Antarctica.

Regarding high asking prices, that's just an invitation to haggle. Gun shows are a lot of fun. You never know who you will meet, what gem you will discover, or what deal you may strike. Have an open mind, folks.
Mauserguy

I agree with the social aspect.

However, the "haggling" just ain't there in my experience. Perhaps others have better luck at this.

An example I can think of was a guy that had several boxes of .22 WMR at a show I attended a few years back. He was selling them for just a bit more than I could get at just about any store. I asked him if he was willing to come down on his price if I offered to buy his entire stock (around a couple dozen boxes or so). His answer? "No, I have to make a living, too."

Well, I agree...a man has to make a living and who am I to argue with what constitutes making a living for any person?

I tried, though...if he would have come down even a dollar a box, I'd have had him bag up every box he had. I figured I'd save about fifty cents a box over the stores and he would have had well over a hundred bucks in his pocket for the effort. (.22 WMR was a bit cheaper then...it'd be quite a bit more than that now)

*sigh*

Gave him another go near closing. He hadn't sold a single box and still wouldn't come down.


I love the "show" part of "gun show". But the deals are difficult to come by.

Ah, well.

 

[ball3006]

I hit a local flea market this past weekend and was surprised there were many more guns than in the past. Mostly commercial rifles, shotguns, and pistols. I saw two nice Savage/Stevens 311 16 ga double shotguns for 235 and 325. I am a fan of 16 ga shotguns but now that I no longer hunt nor have any extra money, I had to pass. I have plenty of shotguns for hunting should the opportunity arise. Prices were average. Last weekend I went to the Fort Worth show. First gun show since my surgery. I was not looking for anything in particular but enjoyed the show. 50 bucks for a brick of 22lr was a bit more than I can handle. The guy had lots of it though. SWMBO says if I want another gun, sell one of yours first......chris3

 

[justice06rr]

Evidently these guys haven't gotten the memo that the shortages are ending. Also, they may have paid too much and are still hoping to get their money back. Greater fool theory.

You said it.

Stupid gun show vendors looking to fool stupid buyers. Not surprising...

I went to check out a small local show last weekend myself, and after paying $6 fee and circling the small building, I walked out with a $11 flashlight mount for one of my defensive rifles. It was quite lame to see many vendors still charging $20/box of 9mm, and $60 for a brick of 22's.

 

[skoro]

I've just flat given up on gun shows. Probably too old and cranky and maybe it's just me. But the last few I attended were more of a pain in the butt than a pleasure, so I'm done.

Parking fee followed by an entrance fee. Once inside, the place is overflowing with cheap artsy-craftsy dreamcatchers, velvet Elvis paintings, and glass bead "jewelry." Lots of Nazi paraphernalia. Lots of rusty overpriced milsurps. Not so many interesting firearms, and those few are WAY overpriced.

Hope the ones in your area are better.