Is It Worth It to Go to Local Gun Shows ?

[CZ223]

I read all the replies to this post

so I will expand on my answer a little more. It cost me $16 for my daughter and I to get into the show and probably $10 to get there and back, so $26 dollars in all. The first table that I came to had the 1000 primers that I paid $25 dollars for along with 2 pounds of unopened 4227 powder which I bought for another $25, totaling $50 spent and $40 saved. I paid for my trip and my admission and a little more with the savings that I got in the first 10 minutes. I later bought a pound of Bullseye for $23 and 100 bullets for the 500 S&W for $60. I saw those same bullets on line for $28/50 from Midway but they are now out of stock and I would have had to pay shipping, so I am ahead a few bucks there. Did I see any really good deals on guns? Yes, but I didn't buy any. I would really like an AR pistol and I saw a few for around $600. I was hoping to find an AR pistol upper for a lower that I already have but I didn't find one. Oh, the one complaint that I do have is that the guy who sells the home made smoked sausage wasn't there.

 

[Elkins45]

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.

Yep, all of the above.

At the January show in Lexington I sold the rifle I brought with me before I made it 20 steps out of the parking lot. A guy asked me what I was carrying-it turns out he was an FFL who came to the show to see if he could pick up some stock for his gun shop. It certainly made going back to the car to get the box very convenient.

If you go to a show looking for a specific item you are likely to be disappointed, but if you go just to see if something catches your eye then you might just hit the jackpot.

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

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.

You have a point, it is fun to go to a gun show with a car load of friends and goof around. But going to a gun show alone wandering around among strangers gets old quick. You have a bunch of vendors that are angry because they cannot sell their guns for over 50% over MSRP. But it is the same at the LGS who cannot buy guns for MSRP. They have ammo in boxes that has been there for 10 years of more...The box is two generations old. The last ammo I bought locally was a box 7.62x54r 180gr sp for $40.

 

[gonefishin1]

I don't like to go anymore. All I see at them is the 22 lr bulk ammo marked up $50-$75 from where they bought it at walmart and other places. The last one I went to made me understand why I couldn't find it anywhere. Gun prices are ok for the most part around here. I even bought a brand new stainless ruger single six for next to nothing. It just aggravates me to no end to see table after table of 22 lr and 22 wmr marked up to triple or even more from the store prices. The sad thing is people were actually buying it.

 

[HankB]

All I see at them is the 22 lr bulk ammo marked up $50-$75 from where they bought it at walmart and other places. The last one I went to made me understand why I couldn't find it anywhere.

After talking to clerks at various stores (Walmart, Academy, Cabela's, etc.) about the lack of .22 ammo, I'm actually convinced that some of these gun show guys have an "in" with the distribution chain somewhere and are intercepting it before it ever hits the retail level.

Otherwise, other than - rarely! - actual guns, at local gun shows I find it difficult to find ANYTHING I'm interested in that I can't find for less on the Internet.

 

[Gun Master]

Local Gun Shows

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?).

Ignition Override:
I'm afraid my jogging days are over, but, yes it is nice and scenic. I'm not "really" at the WR Bottoms. Just connected to the area where I used to go plinking years ago.

I like your choice of Germanesque (&/or military ?) type guns, and others. Sounds like "you done good", so to speak.

I also understand having to account to the "Admin. Officer". She has been telling me, "You've got too many of those things (guns)", and I'm beginning to believe her.

 

[gonefishin1]

Actually I was at academy last week and a guy came in and bought 3 cases of 22 shorts, 2 cases of 22 wmr bulk packs, and him and his wife bought their limits of bulk pack 22 lr (2 each). I was behind them in line so i missed out on 22 wmr. I also recognized him as a vendor from the local gun show. I am normally pretty calm guy, but it took everything i had bot to say something about it.

 

[Reloadron]

I can't speak for other areas but for me in NE Ohio's Cleveland suburbs I enjoy the shows. They do vary in how good they are and that is normally a function of size. The Berea Show at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds is a show I like, generally 3 large buildings with about 1,000 tables. The Medina, Ohio show is generally another large show. Each of those shows has a different promoter and each does a very good job. The Akron Summit County Fairgrounds show is fair and a smaller show, I forget the table count. I enjoy looking at assorted parts and always look to see what folks are dragging into the shows looking to sell. I find the shows around me fair at around a $7.00 Admission and free parking.

Anyway. I guess in a nutshell the better shows are the larger shows and it really depends on what the shopper is looking for in a show.

Ron

 

[Thermactor]

Primers are cheaper at the gun show than at any local store, and online stores cost the same but charge $20 hazmat fees on top of shipping.
Other than that, unless you want to get an overpriced gun FTF from one of the guys walking around with them in holsters, it's just a place to go shoot the breeze and immerse yourself in the atmosphere.

The stuff that really annoys me at the shows are those folks selling overpriced survivalist prepper long-term food, talk-show endorsed water filters for $300, the jewelry sellers (no comment needed), and those guys demonstrating cattle prod batons with their extremely loud crackle that could jar you from across the hall.

 

[Twiki357]

I always enjoy the local shows in my area. Always like chatting with like minded people and sometimes I even find a bargain. Local shows are usually only $6 to $8 admission and there’s usually 4 or 5 a year that are only a few blocks from my house.

I gave up on the big shows in Phoenix a number of years ago. They’re too far, too crowded and between admission, parking, and gas it costs me $50+/- just to walk in the door. Then the sellers always want to high of prices. Just not worth it.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

My answer is an unqualified YES! For all practical purposes we only have two a year, and here in Outer Montana that's all that's necessary. I have found some incredible values at the shows over the years. The thing is, you have to both know the market and what you're looking at. If you don't, you can get stung.

900F

 

[stonecutter2]

I love gun shows. The prices can be frustrating, as can the salesman techniques used by some dealers. However...

I enjoy being among other gun enthusiastists, talking about collections or various firearms, seeing what's around, checking out some surplus items, or just walking around looking at a TON of guns.

If you go there expecting a deal, well would YOU pay for a table and then put stuff out at a deep discount? Of course not, it's like a swap meet. There's a price - if you're really interested, make an offer. Let them counter. If you don't meet up, wish 'em well and move on. Simple as that.

 

[stonecutter2]

Primers are cheaper at the gun show than at any local store, and online stores cost the same but charge $20 hazmat fees on top of shipping.
Other than that, unless you want to get an overpriced gun FTF from one of the guys walking around with them in holsters, it's just a place to go shoot the breeze and immerse yourself in the atmosphere.

The stuff that really annoys me at the shows are those folks selling overpriced survivalist prepper long-term food, talk-show endorsed water filters for $300, the jewelry sellers (no comment needed), and those guys demonstrating cattle prod batons with their extremely loud crackle that could jar you from across the hall.

The cattle prod/shocking brass knuckles really do get annoying. The jewelry/candles/aromatherapy - i guess it makes the place smell better than fried food and cosmoline. Wait, what am I saying!!!

 

[stchman]

I go to gun shows to see what the other patrons are selling. The vendors normally want way too much, but I have found a few things walking around the show.

 

[we are not amused]

You have a point, it is fun to go to a gun show with a car load of friends and goof around. But going to a gun show alone wandering around among strangers gets old quick. You have a bunch of vendors that are angry because they cannot sell their guns for over 50% over MSRP. But it is the same at the LGS who cannot buy guns for MSRP. They have ammo in boxes that has been there for 10 years of more...The box is two generations old. The last ammo I bought locally was a box 7.62x54r 180gr sp for $40.

Actually I usually go alone, and meet friends and acquaintances there. If I end up there by myself, still no problem, as I am among many friends that I have yet to get to know.

By the way, I am not all that gregarious, but I am serious about being among people that I like and have common interest with.

Besides, in my opinion, most of the gun dealers tend to put on a better public personality at gun shows, than they do in their private retail shops, simply because if they ignore you or act their usual surly self, the guy in the next booth will get my custom.

To put it bluntly, they tend to be on their better behavior when they have to directly compete with gun dealers that are normally safely removed across town or the state.

 

[slumlord44]

I have two friends that I usually go with depending on our personal schedules. We go to most shows within a 90 minute drive. To me it is a great social thing. I know vendors and regular customers at all the shows. Don't buy a lot of guns because most of what I buy is older C&R stuff. Find one occasionally. Sell one occasionally. Lots of over priced stuff but the occasional deal is out there. Went to nearby show last Sunday by myself. Sold 4 semi collectable boxes of 16 Gauge shells that a friend gave me several years ago for $30. Bought a really nice Benjamin 312 .22 caliber pellet rifle for $200. Been looking for a nice one for a while and an airgun guy that is always at this show finally had one that I was satisfied with. Home by 1 or 1:30 after lunch at my local pup. Much better morning that sitting at home with the wife watching TV. Gunshows are well worth it to me. If we all quit going, there will be no more.

 

[Pyzon]

Last weekend's little show in Hilliard OH was a disappointment in terms of tables sold and high priced ammo and guns. Gotta question how quick prices rise in a crisis and how slow they fall when the crisis seems to be over. Golden Bullet .22 for .15/round is an insult now.

Retail plus 25% guns results in lots of lookers, few folks sitting down filling out paperwork.

 

[sawdeanz]

Ammo seems to be the only thing cheaper at the gun show than at the stores, sometimes close to online prices. I'm one of those who likes to oogle at guns so I enjoy it for that. Unfortunately my county has waiting periods on handguns and longguns, so actually buying guns there makes little sense.