[sonny]

What has your experience been at gunshows as far as product by product "great deals"?
Any can't miss stuff?......ammo?....used 870's?......scopes?...etc.
Is their any sort of pattern? or has it been hit or miss for you personally.
I have not been to a show in about 10 yrs and I have heard alot of negative stuff about present day shows.
I plan on going to the show in mount kisco new york on sunday and wonder what's in store.

[Schuey2002]

Beef jerky ! :)

[AZTOY]

I agree, the Beef jerky !

The last 2 show i was at were pretty sad:fire:

[Tamara]

I picked up a short-lever .577-450 Martini-Henry for $250 and the prettiest Kraggie Jorgie I've ever seen for four-and-change at the last show I went to...

[deputy tom]

Even the Beef Jerky was bad at the last show I attended!tom.

[GoldenLoki]

Ammo is usually a deal because you can buy in bulk and eliminate shipping.

Good prices on guns are rare, but do happen once in awhile.

Best part of a gunshow is seeing up close such a variety of guns and accessories.

The worst gun show I ever went to was still better than a good day at work. If it is really bad, just bail early and go shooting : )

The jerky, beanie baby, and neo nazis are annoying, I just ignore 'em.

GL

[WhoKnowsWho]

The last show I was at had great deals on new and reloaded ammo. Most of the new ammo was cheaper than I could get online before the shipping costs. Too bad they were all sold out when I went back the second day to buy more.

Most other stuff is hit and miss. If you are looking for something in particular, you might see it and it might be a good price. As I was looking for a Makarov, a new in box Bulgarian for 169 was what I found while the only other option there was a nice used one for 215. Otherwise most prices were about the same I could get from a dealer or two that are located here. It was just really nice to see such a wide variety and handle a lot of guns that are usually not instock, only specially ordered, or not really available all over the place.

Also, another bonus is Glockmeister comes to the shows here, I can just stand there, handle all the different Glocks, or just drool in a bucket.

And there were some good flavored almonds, too expensive though. And I don't remember seeing any beef Jerky.

[Kahr carrier]

Fudge and Beef Jerky.:neener:

[Jack19]

I was at a show yesterday, ammo prices seem to be the best deal there. Probably because there's some immediate competition. I saved on both Port. surplus 7.62x51 and SA .223 battlepacks over what I can find it for online....which is usually pretty good.

Picked up a bunch of HK G3 mags for $6 each in New condition. Nice to not have to pay shipping.

Almost burned my face off sampling the jalepeno peanuts. It's amazing how far away the concession stand is when you're on fire. hahaha

My vote for most annoying was the guy who was trying to push a wide double stroller through the aisles that were PACKED with people. :rolleyes:

[ladder15]

I picked up a strip of BBQ flavored beef jerky at the last show. Great deal!

(Sorry I had to do it, I am just tired of all the "other" vendors at these shows)

[David Scott]

I agree that bulk ammo is the most consistent bargain at gun shows. The point about saving shipping costs is important, since the stuff is heavy.

I have found good holster and magazine deals buit you have to prowl the tables for them. Ditto knives; I got my Columbia River folder for $20 from a guy who was disposing of a closed store's inventory.

Prices on new guns don't seem any less than at local shops.

[Ebbtide]

I have noticed that the last few shows I've gone to (over the past year or so) seem to have some deals on popular inexpensive handguns. Such as; High-Point, Llama, Charles Daley, Kel-Tec, Tauras, and on the high end, Kimbers. If I could warm up to Kimber I would own some that I have seen $$ :D .

When I say "deals", I mean that they are cheaper than I can find local retail, but a few dollars more that interent sales. But, that difference means I get to actually see what i am buying first hand.

[mike45]

As far as handguns and rifles I can usually get as good or better deal from my local firearms dealer.

Gun Shows are great for the ammo and the occasional table set up by some guys who just want to have fun and get rid of some junk they had setting around.

mike

[Selfdfenz]

The show deal for me is finding stuff the locals don't carry.
When I'm shopping for other stuff I do an online run the night before and see what the best deal is then see if I can beat it at the show the next day. I play of the shipping against the local 8.25% sales tax.

When I'm looking for guns I have 2-3 dealers I KNOW will have a deal if there is one to be had. And they recognize me as Have Checkbook, Will Travel.
Then there are the small timers that have a few guns and may have something in surplus I might be interested in like a CZ 70 or Systemas. Its not too hard to find a decent deal on a CZ at most shows. With a bit of looking there is always at least one dealer with good to excellent prices on Rugers. Between online and Walmart I can beat gunshow ammo prices 95% of the time but just by a dollar or five.
I stay clear of the feeding frenzy at the Glocks-by-the-yard tables, tables with every model of S&Weasel and the ones with tons of AKs.

Shows run about $6 here and parking is free. Most are big enough to be pretty entertaining even if I buy nothing.
S-

[Weimadog]

:cuss: I bought some Elk Stiks (tm) at the last gun show I went to. When I got home, I read the ingredients, and found that the elk meat was "cut" with beef !!

That trashy meat snack was little better than a Slim Jim!

Weimadog:mad:

[hansolo]

At Phoenix's Crossroads of the West(a few shows each year), I avoid the $5.00 hot dogs and Nazi-boys, but have gotten some fun-stuff: A pretty cool folder for $3.50--it still ain't broke; the usual catalogues from the Fringe-People(Vomit pills, home made full-auto doo-dads); but the best is a box that looks identical to the "Hamburger Helper" box: on closer inspection, the stuff in the photo is like chili with beaks, broken bones, guts...it's called "Roadkill Helper". And a lot of Bubbas walkin' around with
Camo-Painted "tactical" J.C. Higgens .22s, etc.:rolleyes:

[BenW]

I haven't purchased a gun at a gunshow in over 15 years. Partially because of the stupid Calif waiting period and partially because there just aren't the deals there used to be.

I'm always buying ammo, mostly because you can buy assembled ammo for not much more than unprimed brass costs. I plink the ammo and then have new brass for reloading. I also usually find good prices on powder and primers. Slightly more than catalog prices, but still cheaper because I don't pay the hazmat shipping fee. I'll also buy the cheap full cover nylon holsters just because they make a handy storage container and keep my sidearms from getting scratched up in my range bag. They're also a good way to store a pistol next to you in a tent when camping without worrying about getting dirt on and in your gun.

[mike45]

I got back from a gun show a few months ago and my wife asked me how it was... I said just like I thought it was going to be, pretty small. She then asked me why I went if I thought it was going to be a small show.

I told her gun shows were like womens breasts, even the small ones are fun.

:D

She just gave me that look-- :rolleyes:

[firestar]

Ammo is the one thing that I almost allways buy. Last time nobody had 9mm cheaper than I can get it at Walmart so I just ordered some from Natchez.

Sometimes surplus stuff is a good deal. 30rd all steel AK mag sell for about $12 new or $8-10 used.

If you want a good deal on a gun, try to find a guy walking around with what you want. Dealer NEVER give you a bargin!

[Wildalaska]

Shows in Alaska are bunk...thats becasue there are only a limited number of dealers and its always "same stuff" different table..

That being said, I have picked up on some good collectible stuff since the # of dealers are so small, individuals bring their guns and stuff..of course, the dealers glom on all that stuff before the show opens..

Butfor collectors of the bizzzare and unusual there are some deals that are pretty good for crap shows..For example, the last few shows had a vet bring back Nazi 98, all matching and mint for $250, stock was broken but that could be restored...thats a $1000 deal. A Japanese soldiers diary was $5 (until my wife translated it for the owner, turns out it was owned by an officer at Guadalcanal) then the owner took it off the table :D ... I bought a Luger mag (repro) for $5, Colt barrels for about $2 each, grips for a $1, a Burris scope, A leopold scope for $35...

How about a pre war service Colt ACE, 100%?

I also recently scored a SIG 228 factory Hi Cap, A grizzly LAR mag and a Glock 21 Hi Cap, of course I dont own any of these guns so guess will sell them at the next show or put em on the web or something...

My wife gets lots of beaded stuff...:)

[MountainPeak]

I try to hit 6-10 shows a year. I haven't found any one item that is a great buy. Depends on the show and the sellers. I know a lot of people are down on shows, but I still find great buys on firearms. I can't tell you how many times I've been told, you're kidding, you couldn't have got IT that cheap! The good buys are there, you just need to look. Of course many shows I don't buy any guns. Most good buys come from the private sellers. I'm not afraid to make an offer and get turned down. Even if I don't buy anything I'm happy. I love looking at various firearms, listening in on conversations and being amongst the best people in the world-gun owners! Thought I would add, it is also fun figuring out who the ATF guys are!!:D They usually are hanging around the "black assault weapons" area trying to act uninterested!:cool:

[redneck2]

a 4x16x56 AO B&L scope for $275. Usually maybe $600-700

gotta remember, it's just like going to dozens or hundreds of dealers under one roof. Some are gonna be low buck, some are gonna be high

and also remember...just because it's a gun show doesn't mean the dealer paid any less

I've worked with my local dealer at shows. Actually, they're a pain. Lots of thieves so you have to watch inventory, hard to get everything priced, and it's a LOT of work to load the stuff without beating it up, unload, get it displayed, try to run a register with everybody on top of you, then load 90% of it back up to take it to the store, then unload, carry it in, and restock the shelves

[444]

Shotgun Shells loaded with carpet tacks.

[Monkeyleg]

Like many have said, ammo's usually priced cheap. So is powder ($85 for an eight-pound jug of 231). Every so often there's a deal on a gun, but that's usually when I'm broke (which is most of the time). :(

Around here, a lot of the dealers in high-end guns have stopped doing the shows, so you're left with pretty much the same under-$1000 hardware.

[DMK]

I'd have to agree with Selfdfenz. Cheap, non C&R, import guns like Makarovs, FEGs, CZ-70s, and Romanian Trainers are the best deals I've picked up at gunshows. I picked up a Polish trainer on a whim for about the same price as I've found on the 'net before shipping and FFL fees. It turned out to be one of the best .22s I have.

The cost of guns like these are low enough to give second thought to interstate FFL transfers, but not many of my local shops carry stuff like this and if they do, they are way over priced.

Other than that, small parts, cleaning supplies, sometimes mags and holsters. If you have a long list of wants, you will have better odds of finding something that will make both you and a vendor happy. If you are looking for something specific, chance says you'll be dissapointed.

[jsalcedo]

$44 dollar turkish mausers and & $115 dollar yugo SKS (bought 2)
Ugly non tactical guns are the best deals. Reloading supplies are about 40% cheaper at my gun show so I stock up and make about 8 trips to my car.

They also have some good chili mix.

[sm]

Beef Jerkey, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Fresh out of the garden herbs...I bought Sage...then

I went Fiocchi nuts last time I attended one...$3.00 a box for 9mm and $5.00 a box for 45ACP I bought the whole lot, reeled out the green and his kid wheeled to and loaded up the truck. His first cutomer of the day,he needed to get his money back out the stuff for an emergency he had--lucky me being first with cash .

Came home with 10 cases of 45ACP and 7 cases 9mm I was low on brass...or something like that.

I'm afraid to attend another one...:p

[Malone LaVeigh]

Good reloaded handgun ammunition by the 500 or 1000 count. I haven't been to one since I got into rifles this year, but I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Majic]

The only thing I really look for is out-of-production guns. It's alwasy a hit or miss affair. I've found a few deals over the last few years, but then there are the ones who require an arm and a leg to get something off their table. Like one dealer who had a very nice case of Colts DA revolvers, but nothin in his case was under $1000 (only a few were really worth it).

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Last one I went to had good prices on riflescopes at a couple of tables; another guy had a scope mount that I'd ben looking for for a couple of years for a low-priority project. Gobs of Garand and AR parts, as usual...mostly somewhat overpriced for what they were. I did buy a new Comp-Tac holster just because I could compare it to others at he booth next to it. Seems like there was a preponderence of jerkey/craft/candle/junk Chinese knife vendors, though. The biggest chuckle I got was from a mismatched SAA on an old codgernaut's table that he had priced at $3500., along with assorted rusty odds and ends that looked like he'd dug up using his metal detector from an old farmstead...that and M44's and 98's that looked like they were dug up from trenches for upwards of $200-300.

More than anything else it ends up being a social occasion where I see folks I haven't seen in awhile.

Last time I saw anything truly unique was years ago when I ran across a Danish Remington falling block rifle in pristine condition for $200. with a bayonet and a couple of Browning BDA's with 3 digit s/n's that were trials guns during the period when they were talking about phasing out the 1911.

Regards,
Rabbit.

[telewinz]

Surplus ammo (no shipping or tax), butane lighters, book selections, restrooms (only 25 cents!):banghead:

[50 Freak]

I got had really good luck and really bad luck at one show.

The Good Luck; saw a guy selling a Glock33, asked him how much and he said $300. "WOW, why are you selling it????" I asked. Turns out the guy got busted on a felony charge and has to sell his Glock. I opened it up and it looked as it was fired maybe once or twice and never cleaned. I paid for it and we did all the paperwork.

The Bad Luck: flush from my recent score. I saw another guy with a glock case. Can lightening strike twice???? I walked very quickly towards him, but some dealer got to him before I did and I watched in horror as the guy sold his Glock21 with two high caps for $375..... :cuss: :banghead: :cuss: Funny thing is the next show, I see the same dealer trying to sell a used Glock21 for $600 and two high caps for $125 each. God bless America

[GD]

I collect C&R and have found good luck at many gun shows in the Kansas - Oklahoma area. In the past 2 years I have found the following good deals at gunshows:

1) Finn M28/30 for $90
2) Finn M28 for $150
3) Finn M27 for $150
4) Finn Sako M39 for $80
5) Russian 1945 M44 for $50
6) Pristine SSA British Enfield #1 Mk3 for $95

And of course the ammo. I generally pay under 10 cents per round for 7.62x54, 7.62x39, and 8 mm at these shows. Occasionally I will find 30-06 in AP and tracer for about 30 cents per round.

But best of all I get a lesson in history and human nature at gunshows!

[carp killer]

Cheap ammo is pretty common at gunshows and you don't have to pay shipping. About $75 a case for 7.62x39, $99 a case for .223 and $20 for a 120 battle pack of .308. I am not expecting to buy any guns for a good deal because the dealers buy those up before the show opens. But once in a while a good buy will show up on a table. You just have to be patient and have the cash ready.

[bogie]

neo nazis are annoying, I just ignore 'em

Don't ignore 'em.

Confront 'em.

If I see someone selling nazi stuff (and they obviously aren't a collectible dealer - those _do_ exist, and I'm fine with that...), or klucker stuff, or trash like the Turner Diaries books, I'll confront 'em.

And I've been known to go find the show promoter, and tell 'em just how much this crap could be used to show on TV that "gun people is bad."

[Tamara]

$250 for a five-screw M&P in great condition with the gold & blue box at a recent show.

At the last show, the same guy had an ultra-rare factory-nickel 4" Model 58 w/box for (Classified. Really good price.), but I didn't buy it as I promised myself no more new ones until I sold off some of the ones I had. Hopefully he'll still have it at the next show. :uhoh:

[jthuang]

Sorry, nothing really "can't miss" at a gunshow around here. I go mainly for the accessories that are too much of a PITA to order via mail (e.g. AR15 A2 front sight tool). Sometimes you can find a deal on magazines, but not always a winner.

And the beef jerky, of course. The problem is that the local Valley Forge shows restrict food dealers due to their agreements with the in-house vendors. So the only good jerky is found at the 2x/year Harrisburg MAAC shows. They also have funnel cakes. :)

Justin

[mguffey]

Observations on a mid July gun show north of Atlanta:
Gun Show Editorial (http://thearmedcitizen.com/editorial/)

[Navy joe]

One local guy has every spare ever made for AR-15s, M-1s, M-14s etc. If you know what to look for his prices are good. Georgia Arms ammo is always a good hit, especially when they slide you a discount for being an exhibitor.

Anybody ever get really hacked off by the paranoia hypers? You know, the ones that stick a post-ban Bushie on a table, slap something tactical looking on it and a $1200 price tag too. The companion sign usually "Says get yours now before it's too late!"
Then there is the body armor mongers who put out the same sign. Same "about to be outlawed" sign for six years now with prices 150 bucks too high. Next time I go I'm going to have every state and federal law on armor in my pocket. I'll wait until they are deep into several marks, then I'll wear 'em out.

[another okie]

At the shows around here there are often good deals on used bolt actions in deer-type calibers, 30.06 or .270, or Winchester 94s in 30-30. Lots of older guys who are giving up hunting or don't have a place to hunt anymore, or can't take the cold mornings anymore. Often these are already set up with a good quality scope and have only been fired a few times a year.

I sometimes also find some excellent holster deals.

[rick_reno]

Free parking is a good deal at a gunshow.

I usually do volunteer work at the local gun show here in town. I sit at the table and check in the guns coming thru the door to make sure they aren't loaded and put one of those plastic tie gizmos on them. I get to see everything before any of the dealers at the tables get to see it, and you can find some great bargins there. I'd recommend you folks that want good deals at shows sign up to do some volunteer work.

[Bullet Bob]

Sylvilagus - Mark Twain said that someone else has said something, and said it well, steal their words! I hereby steal the word codgernaut from you.

[JohnBT]

I once bought a gun at a gun show - a barely used S&W 442 for $310. I've been going to them for years, decades really, and they don't ever have what I want and what I might buy for the heck of it is way overpriced. Still, it's an enjoyable way to spend a few hours every month or two. Cheaper than a movie and better exercise, too.

Among the stuff I've picked up recently: habanero beef jerky, salsa, lots of Georgia Arms ammo, throwaway bait knives, a Sebenza, a camp saw, a sharpening system, cleaning stuff, books and a big gun safe - delivered.

John

[JeFF D]

.50 cal ammo cans!

Can never have too many, and if you order online after shipping its way cheaper to buy at gunshows.

[Majic]

Observations on a mid July gun show north of Atlanta:

The author writes of low attendance and low vendor particpation, but posts a picture of the show with people almost a@@hole to elbow.
I wonder what he puts in his pipe to smoke? :uhoh:

[MountainPeak]

I picked up several good buys on used S&W's when the boycott was going on. Most shows nothing, but I like going to lots of them and still find the "gem in the rough". I don't mind low balling, I feel they can always tell me to bug off(or worse). I have thick skin and once in a while they say o.k.. I've made a small fortune over the years buying used hunting rifles and selling scopes and guns seperately. Often, the scopes are worth more than the gun. Ya just have to know what you are looking for and be patient on the re-sale. I LOVE GUN SHOWS!

[Horsesense]

Hang out at the entrance and scoop up all the good deals before they get in the building.
The best deals are usually had about an hour before closing, on the last day.
I've noticed that lots of privet buyers/sellers will approach you if you are already lugging a gun, bring a gun that you wouldn't mind parting with.

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Bullet Bob, feel free and use it in good health. I come up with them all the time.


Codgernaut (noun) An older, crusty male of indeterminate old age, rough, weatherbeaten appearance, who knows everything, has seen everything, been everywhere and will by God tell you so, you little whippersnapper now go away.


Regards,
Rabbit.

[t driver]

I try to buy my primers and powder at gun shows. They beat store prices by a few bucks and by the time I'm done, I save about $15 - $20 per time. I did get a great deal on some new AR-15 mags at the last show. The seller is a reservist and was trying to clear out his inventory. Also got some Ranger SXT ammo from him at a decent price. Talked to his dad about a week ago and he is doing well.