Wasted morning at a gunshow

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The gun show's around Colorado Springs are pretty good, prices are pretty much in-line with dealers and on-line retailers.

I've even seen Sig 320 pistols for $485.

Lots of powder and primers, reasonable prices.
 
With the cost of gas having returned to pre-Obama levels, it's not as bad going to a gun show, but even then, if you're driving more than an hour and paying a cover, it's not worth it imo.

The first show I went to was 2 years ago and I thought it was cool, they had .22 Winchester for $30 for a box of 333. This was back when we were in the midst of the great ammo shortage of the early 2010's. As time went on and I went to more shows, I just saw the same stuff for the same price. I did like the variety of ammo I could buy, because my local stores are limited in what they stock and high in price, but now that the online stores seem to have stocked up and manufacturers are producing ammo like it's WW2, I don't see the need to go to a show to get a variety of ammo.

My time with gun shows is over, at least in New Hampshire.
 
I went to a local gun show today, and at least half of the vendors were severely overpriced. I know that the vendors are in business and have to make a profit , but I saw a USED Keltec P3at priced at the bargain price of $369.99! ( they sell new locally for $225 )
I did buy a couple of army surplus ammo cans and got a chance to handle a concealed carry holster that I was interested in.
 
The larger shows around here are worth going to, but the ones that charge parking on top of the admission irritates me to the point of not going. But you never know what you might find, sometimes a deal, or something a friend is looking for. Also, I love people watching, so it's entertaining for me. I've sold guns, bought guns, ammo and edged weapons. And I get to look at (and sometimes even handle) guns that aren't commonly in the local gun sources.
 
Having worked the gun show circuit in a couple of States I can say the No. 1 rule for attending gun shows is - never eat any of the food there. :what:
 
The local fairgrounds has at least 2 gunshows per year and I try to make at least one of them.
For the last 10 years, I have kept an Excel spreadsheet with the ammos I look for (5 types), the product code number (to be sure I'm looking at identical items), and the prices at the local stores (W-M, a regional discount chain Rural King, Gander Mt., & 3 LGSs).
For the last 5 years, there has been little difference between the 3 LGSs, Gander, and the gunshows. Walmart is usually a little lower IF they have ammo, but most of theirs is FMJ/target ammo, not the SD/HD desired.
Occassionally, one of the various stores (not W-M) will have a sale that makes it worthwhile, but not very often.
Now I'm more in the market for certain reloading components that are hard to find at "reasonable" prices, but I keep checking.

But just going to look at the parts, what's out there, their prices, and being around like-minded people, is still a good way to kill 2-3 hours, esp. in the cold of winter! :D
 
Since I'm a gun nut I like to go to gun shows. I can always find something that interests me even though the same dealers are there with the same stuff time after time.
Just for kicks try walking around with an m1 carbine on your shoulder and let the games begin:neener:
 
The last gun show I attended actually had some decent prices. I bought a Beretta 92 mag for $25. That was the cheapest I had found them anywhere. On the flip side there are a lot of dealers charging way too much. There was an EAA 10mm witness poly frame used for $600.:eek: There are good deals from time to time you just have to look.
 
I figure a bad gun show is likely much better than sitting on the couch at home. Then again, range time or hunting rules them all.
 
JTHunter said:
The local fairgrounds has at least 2 gunshows per year and I try to make at least one of them.
For the last 10 years, I have kept an Excel spreadsheet with the ammos I look for (5 types), the product code number (to be sure I'm looking at identical items), and the prices at the local stores (W-M, a regional discount chain Rural King, Gander Mt., & 3 LGSs).
For the last 5 years, there has been little difference between the 3 LGSs, Gander, and the gunshows. Walmart is usually a little lower IF they have ammo, but most of theirs is FMJ/target ammo, not the SD/HD desired.
Occassionally, one of the various stores (not W-M) will have a sale that makes it worthwhile, but not very often.
Now I'm more in the market for certain reloading components that are hard to find at "reasonable" prices, but I keep checking.

But just going to look at the parts, what's out there, their prices, and being around like-minded people, is still a good way to kill 2-3 hours, esp. in the cold of winter! :D
Click to expand...
You really have the process down, don't you? :D

I find Walmart is usually the cheapest ammo with my local stores too, except for when Dick's runs an occasional sale for buy one, get one 20% off or their Black Friday sale of buy one, get one 50% off.

Then, I'll compare all those prices to stores online, usually ones that offer a free shipping for X dollars spent, and if you get the free shipping you're looking at a decent savings over local stores normal prices. I prefer online to stores anyway because I'm more likely to find what I want anyway.
 
I quit.

I used to get 3 or 4 tables at our local club show. No more. The only thing that sold was cheap handguns and an occasional cheap rifle and they had to be used. The younger generation would take out a phone and check online to see what a new one cost thru sites like Bud's Guns. I can do much better selling online.
 
Old Dog's thoughts on gun shows is similar to mine. I love gun shows, especially the Tulsa Gun Show. Parking is free and it costs $10 to get in. Costs me a lot more because I drive 5 hours and spend 2 nights in hotels and eat out all my meals; still a bargain in my mind. Over the years I have accumulated many fond memories and a number of firearms I would not have otherwise found. With those guns I have hunted and had many more good times. I've been able to find powder, bullets and primers for reloading and a case trimmer that I couldn't find elsewhere. Sure, I've gone to a number of smaller venues and walked away empty-handed. But, for me, a few hours spent at even a small gun show beats the best Super Bowl Party. Frankly, I can't say enough good things about gun shows. Their very existence is a reflection of our freedom and not available in any other country. Every time the Tulsa Gun Show rolls around I can't wait to go, hate to leave, and I start planning for the next show. Part of what operates in the far reaches of my anxious mind is the fear that this show could be the last one I get to attend.
 
I've generally stopped going to them, too. When I do go, it's mostly table after table of black plastic pistols at near-MSRP, lower-end AR's, a bunch of Judge/Governor and J-frame revolvers, some old pump-action shotguns, piles of cheap nylon holsters, and NcStar China-made "optics."
 
I go to a big one about an hour away in Orlando mostly to kill time. Typically its over priced stuff but every now and then I find good deals. Last time I found some spikes logo uppers for $55 each with the parts installed. Typically I buy unmarked ones for near the same cost. He also had other ones as low as $35 but they had a large and IMO ugly bomb logo on them.

Usually a guy who sharpens knives for $2. He does a good job also.

I stopped going to a local gun show because of the stupidity. Its all overpriced fear mongering. I hate when people try to justify a $650 used Gen3 Glock as rare or "get it before Obama bans them".

One guy had a $900 Norinco SKS he called a "rare and collectible Vietnamese sniper rifle".
 
I always go. I find myself surrounded by "gun people" and the folks who sell gun stuff. I rarely find any bargains but wandering the aisles looking at guns and accessories just makes me happy. I couldn't care less about the size of the show. One of my favorites is a relatively small show near my home. Everybody knows everybody. It's like a family reunion.
 
Last gun show I went to I decided to take my M1941 Johnson out for some air. When I walked into the show with that over my shoulder I was almost instantly the center of attention by all the dealers. Had perple trailing me and every table was asked if it was for sale. Couldn't resist playing dumb country hick, "I got this here old army gun my uncle left me when he died. I don't know nuthin about it." You could see the dollar signs twinkle around their heads. Had offers of $1000.00 and anything on his table. Another gut said he double what ever that guy offered. Finally sat down at snack bar for coffee and a guy said all the dealers figured I was just taking it out for a walk. It was a fun day.
 
My gun club puts on two large gunshows a year. One in the Spring and one in the Fall.

The thing I enjoy most is I get to see and handle different types of firearms I have read or heard about all under one roof. I rarely go to local gun stores so the gunshow lets me see and handle a lot of guns in one place.

One item I always buy at the gunshows is cast lead bullets. There is a dealer close by the exit door. I buy the bullets and have him store them under the table until I am really to leave. It saves me $$$ by not having them shipped to me. The cost of shipping covers any entrance fee.

Last Fall show was unusual for me. I went in with my usual list of oddball items. I had a stripped AR lower on my list and brought one for $45.00. Kept wandering around finding nothing else to buy so I went and brought another lower from the same dealer.

Now I have a entirely new reason to go to gun shows. I can look and handle AR uppers to help decide what I like or don't like. Likely there will be several dealers with AR uppers so it will be worthwhile trip for me.
 
J1

Went to a few many years ago. Guess I had a little too much money. Do not think that I ever bought anything. No longer go.
 
my experience exactly when i do go to them. i usually use them more as opportunities to look around/handle a variety of guns, and less as opportunities to spend money. the real treasure is often in the parking lot outside, those are the guys who need to sell their guns and will have better prices.
 
They have a main gun show in Missoula once a year. Used to go all the time, it was in the college gym and it covered the whole floor plus some upper deck areas; it was a pretty good show. Now it's in another place, and has atrophied down to a fraction of its former size. I figured online sales must be killing them. I won't go again to that, or the teeny show they do here in Hamilton, they just don't have anything.

Used to buy American Eagle .223 ammo for like $3.49 box of 20. Also I'd pick up cast lead bullets too.

About 20 years ago I did go to a gun show at the Houston Astro Hall. Holy balls that was awesome. Coulda spent a week in there.
 
AlexanderA said:
It's a mistake to go to gun shows thinking that you're going to get bargain prices. The reason to go is to find things that aren't available at local gun shops, or to do a hands-on inspection of collector guns.

I don't see how I could pursue my collecting hobby without gun shows.
Click to expand...

This fits my reasoning for going to gun shows.

Local gun stores just do not carry the stuff I am looking for

Most, maybe all, of the gun shows in my parts are places for retailers to peddle their products. Lots and lots of self defense stuff. An occasional new release fire arm.

There are a few private sellers that have gems.

There have been powder/primer vendors that seem to always have something to buy to keep my inventory up. These guys tend to price at the market but at least there is some inventory to buy.

I look at the entry fee as an entertainment expense.

Gun shows do not seem to be what they used to be but I blame the relaxing of mail order sales restrictions as one of the reasons. It is tough for the little guy to compete with the big on line shooting emporiums.
 
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