What are gun shows good for?
- Thread starter elcaminoariba
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fallingbird
Member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2009
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- 54
First gun show I ever went to (35 yrs ago) I bought a US marked Cavalry SAA for $375.
Been hooked ever since, hoping for another home run.
Been hooked ever since, hoping for another home run.
oneounceload
member
The ONLY I go is to look for something specific - and NOT something mainstream like everyone's AR, 1911, Glock, etc....... - there won't be deals on that stuff - but go looking for a nice Euro SxS, possibly a collector Luger, or something else, and there is usually a few, even at reasonable prices.
sm
member
Beef Jerky.
ChileRelleno
Member
I go to Gun Shows for...
Looking at guns.
Fondling guns.
Talking guns.
Laughing at the incredible amount of bull**** I hear thrown about.
Catching the rare good deal.
Looking at the mountains of misc crud.
Fondling random pieces of whatever catches my eye.
Haggling price on whatever misc what-not catches my eye.
People watching... I love crowds for this purpose.
Running into people I haven't seen in awhile.
The food, surprisingly, the folks who run the concession at our local gun shows put out some good eats.
Raffles.
Looking at guns.
Fondling guns.
Talking guns.
Laughing at the incredible amount of bull**** I hear thrown about.
Catching the rare good deal.
Looking at the mountains of misc crud.
Fondling random pieces of whatever catches my eye.
Haggling price on whatever misc what-not catches my eye.
People watching... I love crowds for this purpose.
Running into people I haven't seen in awhile.
The food, surprisingly, the folks who run the concession at our local gun shows put out some good eats.
Raffles.
For me gun shows are mostly good for entertainment. I rarely tire of looking @ guns and there's always the posibility that I'll find something interesting to buy. If nothing else I'll usually bring home some ammo or an extra mag or some cleaning supplies.
The shows I attend all have free parking and the price of admission is generally less than a movie ticket.
The shows I attend all have free parking and the price of admission is generally less than a movie ticket.
Amb
Member
Loopholes.
Can't find better ones than at the gun show.
In fact, now that i think about it, I need to go to the next gun show that's coming to town to pick up a box or two.
Can't find better ones than at the gun show.
In fact, now that i think about it, I need to go to the next gun show that's coming to town to pick up a box or two.
thefamcnaj
Member
The last gun show I attended was a huge let down and it was my sons first and I thought he'd be blown away. He was by the sniper rifles but that was it. Everything there he's seen in box stores and the local gun shop. I found a good holster and that was it. There was a huge knife booth across the auditorium that caught my eye but when I got to it, it was a "made in China" supestore of 5 dollar knives.
The high point of the day was fondling a S&W E series 1911 that wasnt for sale
The high point of the day was fondling a S&W E series 1911 that wasnt for sale
bubbiesdad
Member
kettle korn, aluminum siding
Texas Gun Person
Member
Lousy selection?
You just need bigger gun shows in your area.
You just need bigger gun shows in your area.
Arkansas Paul
Member
I've been guilty of griping about gun shows as well, but I've had positive experiences the last few times. Got a lot of reloading gear last year for a good price. Went to one a couple weeks ago with a shotgun to sell. Didn't have any luck getting rid of it, but I saw some good deals on things I liked. Unfortunately, I would have had to sell the shotty to take advantage of them. That's not the show's fault though. The deals were there, you just had to wade through a little BS to get to them.
Ignition Override
Member
They can be a meeting place for buddies who live about 45 min. away, who are otherwise seldom seen.
Some sellers have no social skills, but others will surprise you when they are (also) addressed in a civil manner.
Despite the small shows in this area, at a show you can handle a gun which is seldom or never seen in shops here, especially many milsurp types from WW1-1960s.
Many people prefer to trust what are often insufficient photos and very brief or deceptive descriptions on 'GB'. This is surprising. Lots of shoppers don't seem to be aware of shipping and FFL costs.
The guys who drink late on Friday or Saturday and appear at gun shows in the afternoon have milsurps which can be in really good condition.
A slight problem is that one buddy who often rents a table has an extremely practiced and highly-developed power of observation, goes outside for a 'puff' and spots the better deals first, before they make it past the door.
Some sellers have no social skills, but others will surprise you when they are (also) addressed in a civil manner.
Despite the small shows in this area, at a show you can handle a gun which is seldom or never seen in shops here, especially many milsurp types from WW1-1960s.
Many people prefer to trust what are often insufficient photos and very brief or deceptive descriptions on 'GB'. This is surprising. Lots of shoppers don't seem to be aware of shipping and FFL costs.
The guys who drink late on Friday or Saturday and appear at gun shows in the afternoon have milsurps which can be in really good condition.
A slight problem is that one buddy who often rents a table has an extremely practiced and highly-developed power of observation, goes outside for a 'puff' and spots the better deals first, before they make it past the door.
Last edited:
wacki
Member
elcaminoariba said:
True, but the Indy1500 is huge. I'm happy to pay for the window shopping rights.
Sometimes yes, but I've found some of the best deals at gun shows.
Complain much?
Better than any of the gun shops I know of.
I bought a 10/22, AR15, SP101 3" & FNP40 at a gun show and had no problems finding one.
??????
What gun show do you go to?
Cheaper than my local skeet & trap range.
I returned a AR15 upper. Guy just inspected it (to make sure it was never shot) and allowed me to swap out a M4 for a mid-length. I did it 6 months after purchasing it too.
Alligator and buffalo jerky..... yummy.
They don't have a cafeteria at your gun show? Well then just get stamped and sit in your car.
I've gone to the Indy1500 probably 20 times and I spot something I never knew existed every time I go. Last time it was a heavy duty magnesium fire starter (which I bought), time before that it was a 12 gauge shotgun shell drum for the AK47/Saiga. Time before that it was Busse knives. Time before that it was high performance upgrades and stocks for my Ruger 10/22. Time before that it was explosive bullets (which are apparently legal in Indiana). I can go on and on and on....
marv
Member
I've been going to gun shows since I got home from the Army in '55.Still go to 5-6 a year. Sometimes all I buy is a bad hamburger, sometimes I find the gun I just can't live without. I figure I've spent enough on admission thru the years to pay for a pretty decent car.
sell guns, consignment fees around ther run about 20%. and more than once guns left on consigment got back with somethng broken. once fireing pin, once slide cracked, anothing time bent magizine lip. And the final straw left gun and 2500 rounds of 223 ammo. 350 rounds were stolen. Not always same gun shop.
HammerheadSSN663
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- Jan 21, 2009
- Messages
- 317
Its where I go to buy all my lamps made of sea shells, medieval broadsword replicates, confederate themed bumber stickers, stale hotdog, nazi helmets, fake Colt .45 mags, and 5-10% over retail handguns.
He even told me they were new and I could SEE the powder residue on the follower! Came home and ordered one for $25 that night from Midway! There were some real Daisy Duke type cuties there though. I was somewhat surprised the wife didn't hear my neck muscles stretching. I'm still somewhat confused by one guy I met though. He had a bunch of Isreali built guns on his table. I picked up one that looked like a CZ, i'm thinking it was a Jericho. He didn't want to sell it too bad I guess. Told me how the Isrealis only make junk. Strange sales technique isn't it?
Should I have bought some beef (turkey/chicken/deer/alligator/raccoon/possum/veggie) jerky?
RichBMW
Member
Gun shows in Tampa are a waste of time. Crowded, no bargains, $6 parking, $8 admission. Ammo is cheaper at Walmart.
I'd rather stay home and mow the lawn.
I'd rather stay home and mow the lawn.
I hear a lot of talk about how bad gunshows are but I've always had a lot of luck in my area. I usually save $20-$40 on a gun by buying it at the show instead of a LGS. There's the chance to handle a lot of guns that I wouldn't normally think about and the NRA is usually there so I can sign up with a $10 discount and a free ticket for the show.
Yes, there's a lot of crap, beef jerkey and hokey stuff sold at the show but if you know what you want beforehand there are deals to be found.
I still deal with all of the LGS but I'll be honest. Most have really irked me with lousy customer service and destroyed a lot of the loyalty that I would have for a local business. I guess I buy half of my guns at the gunshows and I've gotten decent deals on ammo there.
I guess there's a huge difference in the shows depending on your area.
Yes, there's a lot of crap, beef jerkey and hokey stuff sold at the show but if you know what you want beforehand there are deals to be found.
I still deal with all of the LGS but I'll be honest. Most have really irked me with lousy customer service and destroyed a lot of the loyalty that I would have for a local business. I guess I buy half of my guns at the gunshows and I've gotten decent deals on ammo there.
I guess there's a huge difference in the shows depending on your area.
FourTeeFive
Member
I think I need to take a trip to Mobile for a gun show!
Did he have any of the "junk" Galil rifles to sell? You do meet some strange people at gun shows...
rugerman
Member
Used to enjoy them, now I rarely go unless I need reloading supplies (local supply is way over priced and usually out). But the last time I went there was too much BS for my taste and there were very few reloading supplies and the ones there were as high as the lgs or higher, and they were selling wall hangers for the price of rare collectable guns. I may go again but it will be a while.
They have gun shows in the Tampa Bay area it seems every other moth. I guess a lot of vendors are hung with tons of AR parts and are trying to move them at these shows! I guess AR sales have been severely down the past year and they have all these accessories and parts and no one to buy them. I walk right past those tables.
I go for a few reasons.
1. I like soft pretzels with lots of salt..and they have them
2. I pick up some reloading supplies at a reduced price. For example,,,I buy a box of CCI LP primers for $28 instead of $38 that the local guy is selling them for. Lead bullets for a box of 500 cost $35 at the show..and $56 locally. There are several examples of these price differences on reloading equipment and supplies.
3. I pick up targets, cleaning brushes and an occasional ammo can pretty cheaply. OOHH...I picked up a metallic S&W garagr sign one time.
That's about it! Gun prices are too high at the show..and I'd rather buy a gun from a local dealer if I can. 9 out of 10 times, I have bought locally at a lower price than Buds or Gun Broker.
I did go to a show last month where I paid $8 to park..$8 to get in...that kind of tweaked me a little. Kind of took away from the savings I had on my supplies!
I go to them in the hopes and dreams, that I MAY be wowed by a deal. It has not happened yet..but i dream!
I go for a few reasons.
1. I like soft pretzels with lots of salt..and they have them
2. I pick up some reloading supplies at a reduced price. For example,,,I buy a box of CCI LP primers for $28 instead of $38 that the local guy is selling them for. Lead bullets for a box of 500 cost $35 at the show..and $56 locally. There are several examples of these price differences on reloading equipment and supplies.
3. I pick up targets, cleaning brushes and an occasional ammo can pretty cheaply. OOHH...I picked up a metallic S&W garagr sign one time.
That's about it! Gun prices are too high at the show..and I'd rather buy a gun from a local dealer if I can. 9 out of 10 times, I have bought locally at a lower price than Buds or Gun Broker.
I did go to a show last month where I paid $8 to park..$8 to get in...that kind of tweaked me a little. Kind of took away from the savings I had on my supplies!
I go to them in the hopes and dreams, that I MAY be wowed by a deal. It has not happened yet..but i dream!
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