Is It Worth It to Go to Local Gun Shows ?

[Gun Master]

I used to enjoy going to local gun shows.....a lot, but not lately!
Here are some of the reasons, since my last gun show :
1. Didn't have what I wanted.
2. Got tired of standing and walking around, for hours, for nothing.
3. Wasted my time and money (admission price). They used to be "free".
4. Heard dealers say, "This is the worst gun show, ever! I'm never coming back".
5. Everything was waaaay overpriced.
6. Just a general waste of time (see #1.-5. above).
7. Everything you want is online.

Please share your info as to cost (time, money, etc.) in yor area, and any other comments you care to make.

 

[Ignition Override]

But we can't handle the online guns while comparing, or use a bore light to see the insides. The prices often are ludicrous (not always). But don't worry. The mayor of Southaven MS solved part of our problem by shutting them down. Those shows won't bother us any more. One day this could happen in Germantown. Enough pressure following a tragic 'event' (one day again) from many of the Left/East Coast/Chicago elite sophisticates in Germantown and that show could vanish.

We could then only attend the Bridal Show, which was the highlight of the Agricenter today. Guys, shall we shop for Pink, Fuchsia or Lavender?
Today's Non-bridal (gun) show was $10. For the underfed, the hot dogs, cheeseburgers and Mt. Dew were not bad. We can't handle GI bringback K-98s, Vz-58s, Polish AKs, authentic Walther PP (7,65) types, mint Polish MN 44s or Czech Vz 24 Mausers, Polish P-64s, Hung. FEGs or WW2 Browning handguns in local shops, but maybe I missed them.

Imagine how many trips in the car we need to spot these plus many other exotics under one roof, at the same time?

 

[dab102999]

My father started taking me to gun shows in the 70's...my wife and I went to gun shows in the 90's...I take my children to gun shows today. Probably been to 100 or better over the years. Have only bought two or three guns...do find some old hard to find ammo..Nick nacks and such..

What I gain is fellowship with fellow gun people. Seeing people once a year or two from different areas of the country and they know you by name. They remember when I was small and now I bring the next generation. Kids get to see patriotism at its best. So every dime I spend to get in which in some cases with my wife, three kids, two kids girlfriends, and one grand child on occasions would pay for a decent 22 p linker is worth every penny.

Sort of like online sales vs local store. If you don't go to a gun show they will go away. If you don't spend some money at a brick and mortar they will go away. When the only way you can buy guns and ammo online then it will be very easy to control that and it will go away also.

 

[Candyman87]

In my experience there are very few deals to be had. But if you're looking for something out of the norm, or just seeing what memorabilia is out there.

I go to walk around and pick up a few pounds of powder and some primers. Mostly for reloading components to avoid hazmat fees. I'll look around while I'm there though.

 

[Iggy]

What dab102999 said.

 

[George Dickel]

The gun shows in my area have become a waste of time. Because of the interest in CCW there are usually all kinds of handguns but a good variety of long guns hasn't been available for a long time. Used to be that a gun show was a great place to find parts for out of production firearms but at the last show I went to there weren't any vendors to be found.

If you have an interest in a certain handgun you will usually find it at a show and can fondle it all you want and compare to alternative choices. Most gun shops in smaller towns don't have that kind of inventory.

I've not seen anything any where close to a deal or bargain price. Most of the prices I see are full MSRP.

If you want to buy cheap nylon holsters, all kinds of ball caps, and way over priced ammo, a gun show is the place to go.

 

[bobinoregon]

I like local shows, if you don't know what you are buying it isnt the sellers fault. I've found great deals and I've found even better deals from fellow attendees.

 

[threefeathers]

Yes, I've found some great deals at many that I've gone to in AZ.

 

[Gun Master]

But we can't handle the online guns while comparing, or use a bore light to see the insides. The prices often are ludicrous (not always). But don't worry. The mayor of Southaven MS solved part of our problem by shutting them down. Those shows won't bother us any more. One day this could happen in Germantown. Enough pressure following a tragic 'event' (one day again) from many of the Left/East Coast/Chicago elite sophisticates in Germantown and that show could vanish.

We could then only attend the Bridal Show, which was the highlight of the Agricenter today. Guys, shall we shop for Pink, Fuchsia or Lavender?
Today's Non-bridal (gun) show was $10. For the underfed, the hot dogs, cheeseburgers and Mt. Dew were not bad. We can't handle GI bringback K-98s, Vz-58s, Polish AKs, authentic Walther PP (7,65) types, mint Polish MN 44s or Czech Vz 24 Mausers, Polish P-64s, Hung. FEGs or WW2 Browning handguns in local shops, but maybe I missed them.

Imagine how many trips in the car we need to spot these plus many other exotics under one roof, at the same time?

So the Agri-Center show was only $10 ? Sounds like a decent price.

Maybe I'll catch the next one ?

 

[Gun Master]

My father started taking me to gun shows in the 70's...my wife and I went to gun shows in the 90's...I take my children to gun shows today. Probably been to 100 or better over the years. Have only bought two or three guns...do find some old hard to find ammo..Nick nacks and such..

What I gain is fellowship with fellow gun people. Seeing people once a year or two from different areas of the country and they know you by name. They remember when I was small and now I bring the next generation. Kids get to see patriotism at its best. So every dime I spend to get in which in some cases with my wife, three kids, two kids girlfriends, and one grand child on occasions would pay for a decent 22 p linker is worth every penny.

Sort of like online sales vs local store. If you don't go to a gun show they will go away. If you don't spend some money at a brick and mortar they will go away. When the only way you can buy guns and ammo online then it will be very easy to control that and it will go away also.

Good attitude. Glad you still like them. I think it usually depends on what town or area the show is in.

 

[AlexanderA]

I went to a small local gun show today. I was looking for 3 things: (1) Austrian surplus FAL magazines, (2) Beretta 92 magazines with aluminum floorplates, and (3) M1911 parts, specifically a recoil spring plug and a grip safety. Of these, all I found were the M1911 parts. Still, the trip was worth it to me. These are things I don't like to buy without personal inspection. Admission was $7, the drive wasn't too far, and the show was small enough that I didn't get tired walking up and down the aisles. I covered the whole show in about an hour. When I go to the Nation's Gun Show in Chantilly, Virginia, I end up spending the whole day there.

 

[hso]

Dunno where you are, but the local gun shows (plural) are worth the effort if you have the money to buy from the guys walking around looking to sell or you're looking for some specific item you're only going to find on the interwebs.

 

[Ignition Override]

Gun Master:
And as a reward for visiting the gun show at the Agricenter, you can go for a walk or jog on many long wooded trails less than two miles away, as you're already in Shelby Farms.

Wrote down the phone number of a seller with a near-mint West German PPK (no Inter, S&W, Manu.). The problem now is justifying the cash to my "Admin. Officer", having recently bought a Sig 232 and Mauser Hsc. The gun show prices sometimes seem reasonable ($650 listed for an exc. PPK?).

 

[alexander45]

We can't handle GI bringback K-98s, Vz-58s, Polish AKs, authentic Walther PP (7,65) types, mint Polish MN 44s or Czech Vz 24 Mausers, Polish P-64s, Hung. FEGs or WW2 Browning handguns in local shops,

can't say iv seen any of these things or any thing really other than piles of ar platforms and AKs at the gun shows

 

[sauer1911]

Unfortunately the local gun shows are few and far between in So. Cal., Los Angeles county.

The few that are in the area seem to be the same ol junk foods for sale, A majority of the main tables are nothing more than a flood of Chinese optics and more junk.

Ammo sellers who have been stockpiling between shows are there to sell "bargain bins of stuff"

So not worth it. Very sad.

be safe

 

[RugerBob]

I like the local shows. Usually $6-$8 admission. I see friends there. Socialize. May find something, may not. Support your local LGS.
Some of the bigger shows dealers have to buy each 8' table. Not buy as in take home.
They have to travel, set up and eat. Not free.
Hall or where ever its held needs to be rented. Security (police) isn't free.
Also insurance for the show. Ain't free.
Support your local gun shops.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

I still go to shows (although I don't travel as far as I used that often) for one simple reason.
You never can predict what you will find.

I spend a good deal of my time watching fellow patrons for what they are lugging around.
And will politely quiz the guys with backpacks/pistol rugs.
Again, you never know.

I always get a kick out of number 7 in the OPs list.

A long time dealer once told me;
'If the show promoter brings in a good crowd, he has done his part.
If no one is buying from me, either I didn't bring what they want or have it priced too high.
Simple as that, but not selling does not mean it was a bad show.'

JT

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

Dunno where you are, but the local gun shows (plural) are worth the effort if you have the money to buy from the guys walking around looking to sell or you're looking for some specific item you're only going to find on the interwebs.

Exactly how do yoi buy a gun from a an individual at a gun show? Do you stalk them? Do you walk up to everyone that has an attractive gun and ask is that for sale? Gun shows are like boat shows. You try to buy a boat at a boat show, the dealer wants 3x for the boat. Oh, yah the beef jerky someone has been hauling around for six months is attractive.

 

[Speedo66]

If the promoters held the venders to guns, related parts, and ammo, they'd be worth going to.

In reality, what I usually saw a much greater percentage of was bad jerky, what I call muggers supplies (novelty handcuffs, tear gas, bad crossbow pistols, cheap nylon holsters, poor quality Chinese knives, etc), milsurp clothing, extremist books and pamphlets, etc. I personally have no interest in any of those items, and certainly don't wish to pay to see them. The ratio of junk tables to gun tables seemed to be about 3 to 1.

When gun shows become primarily gun shows, I'll return to visiting them.

 

[rust collector]

gun shows are a link to the past

I enjoy seeing and learning about the older stuff, picking up odds n ends like stripper clips, slings and equipment, and just getting together with folks of similar interest. It isn't a place to find stuff crazy cheap (folks tend to know what they've got) but if you find something that makes you happy, you can often swap out something you don't enjoy as much as you thought you would.

I am surprised they are still held, but I'll support them as long as I can walk the aisles. They are part of a lifestyle that is vanishing before our eyes.

 

[TBH]

Exactly how do yoi buy a gun from a an individual at a gun show? Do you stalk them? Do you walk up to everyone that has an attractive gun and ask is that for sale? Gun shows are like boat shows. You try to buy a boat at a boat show, the dealer wants 3x for the boat. Oh, yah the beef jerky someone has been hauling around for six months is attractive.

In my state, there's usually a fairly long line waiting to get in to the gun show and people will have rifles on slings or signs on their back saying what they have and much they want for it. Many sales have been made outside of gunshows.
Some frown on this. I see it as a private sale.

 

[CZ223]

I went to my favorite local gun show yesterday

attendance was waaay down. But, so were prices. I saw so many AR-15's that had price tags that started with a 6 and even some that started with a 5 that I was thoroughly impressed. AK's were still on the high side, in my opinion, heck you could buy an AR as cheap as, if not cheaper than, most of the AK's that I saw. 22's were still about ten cents per round of cheap stuff but, it still hasn't come back in volume, that is to be expected. Reloading supplies are still in short supply but I was able to buy a thousand Gold Medal Match large rifle primers for $25. I also got some 50 cal. bullets, for a 500 S&W, and a few pounds of powder for good deals. Above all I had a good time and ran into a lot of friends. That was definitely worth the $16 for me and my daughter.

 

[we are not amused]

What kind of anti-social curmudgeon doesn't like a gun show?

You don't like people? Then don't go!

You don't like to be able to see and handle a great variety of guns and accessories? Then don't go!

The guns shows we have here in Kansas are generally well worth attending. While modern sporting rifles (Ar-15's) are well represented, so are bolt action rifles, pistols, revolvers, and old military guns of all stripes and in all conditions, from collector grade to beat up shooters. And you get to examine them personally, not just depend on the opinion of the online seller. Reloading supplies and ammunition are generally available, as are parts and magazines. All without paying shipping cost. Do the math! I have found some ammunition at shows that were cheaper than online if you figure in the cost of shipping.

I can't find any valid reason not to go to a gun show, unless you just don't like people.

 

[steelbird]

They can be, sometimes. They're useful for getting a "look-see" at guns you might be interested in, without having to wait for an LGS employee to retrieve them from under a glass counter. No hazmat fees for powder and primers. And it is generally better to actually handle a used gun in person than buying online without really knowing what it's like. But if you've got an online retailer you can trust, this is less of an issue.

 

[Manny]

I enjoy them, usually run into folks I know and get to see a huge variety of goods for sale that you might not normally see. It's a good place to sell a gun and handle new and interesting stuff your local guy may not have.

It's been awhile since I bought a gun at a show, but I frequently come home with some nicely priced ammo cans, a useful piece of paraphernalia that I had only seen on the Internet or maybe an interesting book. Well worth the $6 cost of admission IMHO.