Info on Columbus OH Pro Gun show?

[poppy]

I have attended several Pro Gun shows in Wilmington, OH and was interested to know more about the Columbus show.

Is it better, same, bigger, etc. than the Wilmington show? Is it worth an 85 mile drive?

I am mostly a handgun guy and mostly pistols, mostly modern. I don't need any more sources for new guns, but am always looking for that good deal on a good used autoloader. Lots of private sellers would be good.

Any help out there? poppy

 

[Atticus]

Is it better, same, bigger, etc. than the Wilmington show? Is it worth an 85 mile drive?

It's not too bad, but not worth the 85 mile drive. It's crammed into a nearly out-of-business mall, it's small, crowded, and the prices are not that great. I don't even like driving across town to go.

 

[Daniel964]

The pro gun show here is a bit more grittier than down their. It's in an old JCPenney store at Westland Mall. I have seen some private sales at tables as well as people walking around selling. Seen some deals that I can't remember the details of, but if the finances had been willing I would have bought.

I've only been to Wilmington Pro once and though it was a nice setup I prefer the one here. However I may come on down for the other shows this season anyway.

After rereading this I haven't really said yes or no have I.

If travel expenses aren't tight and you like gun shows then I think it would be worth the trip.


Even if you don't like it. A bad day at a gunshow beats a good day at work anytime.

I plan on going Sunday since I have to work Saturday.

 

[Cousin Mike]

I've never been to a gun show before, so I was thinking about making this upcoming gun show my first one. So far, it sounds like it's worth a drive across town to check out.

 

[Molon Labe]

I recall going to a PRO Gun Show somewhere around Columbus. It was in two or three buildings, and quite muddy.

 

[CAS700850]

poppy,

Does Bill Goodman's Gun and Knife Show still put on a mothly show at Hera Arena in Dayton? Back when I was in Dayton (91-94), they put on a large monthly show, and you could find some deals along the way if you took the time to walk the whole show. Used to buy ammo especially.

Chris

 

[Don Worsham]

Does Bill Goodman's Gun and Knife Show still put on a mothly show at Hera Arena in Dayton?

Yes. http://www.gunshows-usa.com/ohio_gun_shows.htm

 

[poppy]

chris, Don already answered your question about the Goodman shows at the Hara Arena. The Dayton shows are not as big as they used to be, but still not too bad. They also do some in Sharonville, which are really small.

I was trying to find an excuse to get out of the house this Saturday. poppy

 

[field70]

I recall going to a PRO Gun Show somewhere around Columbus. It was in two or three buildings, and quite muddy.

That would be the Franklin County Fairgrounds. They used to do them there.

 

[hksw]

Yeah, I remember that Franklin County PRO show. Pretty much like the Berea shows up here run out of livestock buildings. Did by an unissued M48A from Mauser Man.

 

[poppy]

bumping just to see if some more Ohio guys out there that know about this show. poppy

 

[gp911]

I went to one not long ago and like the others said it's in Westland mall which is just about out of business. Once you drive around back to get in you'll find it's run-of-the-mill for a gun show. A couple deals, most stuff going for typical sale prices, some absolute junk, etc. along with guys walking around with guns for sale on their backs. At the one I went to maybe a month or two ago there were a couple guys walking around with guns to sell and several booths with few bargains to be had. If you get lucky you'll see what you've been looking for with a few bucks knocked off the price. Myself, I saw nothing I wanted. I was looking for NEF shotugns in 10 guage, saw none. Also wanted a Hi-Point carbine in .40 S&W and saw none for less than typical retail. One guy had some good FALs but they were all priced accordingly, no bargains. There were tons of pistols, so there may have been deals available on those. Similarly there were several variations of shotguns and old military where there may have been deals possible. If anything it was worse than when I went to the show at the fairgrounds a couple years ago. I left disappointed, but every show is a little different.


gp911

 

[Molon Labe]

Poppy:

Check you PM.

 

[eagle45]

I've been to a couple of the Pro Gun shows in Wilmington, never in Columbus. I don't consider the drive to Wilmington to be worth it from where I live. Dayton is much closer for me, and while the Wilmington shows were in a nicer building than the Hara Arena building in Dayton, the items being offered for sale were about the same. I go to the Dayton show pretty regularly and know some of the vendors there. If you are shopping for new, Loveland Shooters Supply is hard to beat, their prices are almost always lower item for item. If you are looking for private sellers, just wait by the door. I sold a Ruger Blackhawk there once and literally did not even make it to the first vendor's table before someone bought it from me.

 

[redneck]

I've been to one in columbus. Its not a place to go if you're really wanting to buy something. More of a place to just browse and BS. There were alot of fair prices, alot of over priced stuff, and a few decent deals mixed in here and there if you really looked. I wouldn't go to one counting on picking up something specific and getting a fair price on it though.
The building is overcrowded and unevenly lit making it tough to really judge the condition of the gun in some areas. I bought a winchester 1300 and was a surprised with a few things I noticed once I got outside in the daylight. Spot of rust starting in one spot, discolored spot on the buttstock etc. Just cosmetic stuff where if I'd seen it inside I might have gotten him to knock a few more bucks off. Still was a fair deal.
There was also a lot of interesting stuff just to look at, be easy to spend 3-4 hours there if you really look around.. I make knives and got to talk to a few knifemakers there who had tables set up, which was fun, and theres a lot of interesting[/] people walking around too spreading their "wisdom"