[Bob79]

I've never been to a gun show before. Are they worth going to as long as you know what you're looking at and don't get taken to the cleaners? Things to look out for, or not to do to make me look dumb?

Also where can I get a list of some quality gunshows? Is there a good website, is there a magazine to buy with them listed, etc?

Thanks.

[RJ357]

Gun shows are good for a lot of things.
It's a good place to compare various models. Also a good place to find older models (used or like new). Usually there's lot's of parts, grips, cleaning supplies, targets, etc.
Sometimes real good french fries. Seriously.

You do have to watch out for the less than honest dealer, as with anything else. Most are reputable, though, in my experience.

Prices have ranged from the lowest I've ever seen to the highest.

Even for overly priced stuff, it's still a good place to check out things that you might not see first hand otherwise.

Also ask before handling any guns.

[RJ357]

There is at least one schedule published. Unfortunately, the only place I've ever seen them is at a gun show. A range or gun store should be able to give you information about shows in the area. Once at a show, you can get schedules for future shows.

[joab]

I look at the shows as a good wy to handle C&Rs a buy if the deal is good. Which is the case aloy of the time if you don't have a C&R license. When you factor in shipping it may only cost you about $25 more to buy a gun you get to handle instead of mail order luck of the draw.

As far as current production. I rarely see a better deal than I will get at a local shop. And I would rather support my neighbors than out of towners. Anf then there's the 3 day wait on handguns we have here. Where do you go to pick the thing up?

They're also good for pieces part, reloading supplies, cheapo knives and curio accessories.

If you go in condition red as far as getting taken you should do alright just be familiar with whatever you are thinking of buying

[41mag]

www.shotgunnews.com (http://www.shotgunnews.com)
Click on the "gunshow"link.Looks like there are three in Wi this month.

[OneFreeTexan]

Do a 'teoma' or 'google' search for 'Gun and Knife Show Calender'. It's a quarterly that list just about all the shows.

[mcmoyer]

Don't worry about looking dumb at a gun show...you'd really have to go all out to achieve that. :D

Gun shows are a great place to watch people, see a lot of neat guns, talk to some very knowledgable folks and generally have a good time.

[Standing Wolf]

Don't worry about looking dumb at a gun show...you'd really have to go all out to achieve that.

If you're bright enough to read and write, you're significantly more intelligent than some of the individuals. I refer to the dealers who ask full list and more for guns that are obviously scrap iron, as well as the buyers who snap them up.

[WilderBill]

Gun shows are fun. You get to see and/or handle more guns in one place than anywhere else.
If you aren't sure of yourself, there is no harm in spending the day looking.
Sometimes you discover that there was a varient of a gun you thought you knew about. Sometimes you find yourself face to face with some model you thought you would only see in a museum. Sometimes you may find the latest gee whiz, whiz bang, whatzit.

Mostly, you'll find a bunch of guys trying to make a buck.

Oh yeah, often they have great beef jerky to chew on while you walk around. :p

[antsi]

My impression is that the quality of gun shows and the "savings margin" has decreased in the era of internet sales and gunbroker etc. This is especially true of the smaller, local gun shows.

Gun shows can still be a great place to buy gun-related items especially those that are hard to find locally, expensive to ship, etc. Reloading components are an example. Also, you can often find good deals on ammo.

If you go in thinking you have a wide range of things you are interested in looking at, with an open mind to jump on a good deal if you happen to see one - and won't be disappointed if you don't - then you will probably enjoy your trip and wind up glad you went.

If you go specifically determined to find a particular item, then you are very likely to wind up frustrated - and probably miss what good deals there are.

One other thing - unless you really know what you're doing, don't buy anything at a gun show for its historical value or perceived high demand. There will always be some moron trying to sell you "Hitler's personal PPK," or inflating their price on Chinese shotguns because "you can't get them anymore - the Special Forces are buying them all up!" or a Romanian AK for $1500 "cause they're illegal now and you can't get them any more," or some such nonsense.

[Browns Fan]

You can still get good deals at gun shows, you just have to be patient and look around, granted, though the good deals are not as easy to find as they used to be.

[Partisan Ranger]

I believe it is important for the pro-gun community to go to gun shows and support these wholesome activities, which are all-too-frequently maligned by the terminally ignorant and/or brain dead.

But, as far as gun prices go, I often don't see anything better than at my local gun shop, and sometimes worse.

I find the best place to actually buy a firearm is usually online via gunbroker.com or the like.

But the shows are nice to handle lots of different types of guns.

[browneu]

I usually go to gunshows to see what other individuals have to sell as well. Here is where you can find a good deal. Often they want more than what the dealer is willing to pay and less than the dealer is willing to sell.

[Majic]

If for no other reason you get to hang out in a large room full of people with the same hobby and passion as you. Even though I might not buy anything I still have a good time.

[Weimadog]

Avoid the "Elk Jerky"!

It's diluted with beef, and has enough wierd chemicals in it that my eyes started itching after two bites. :scrutiny:

[WhoKnowsWho]

Avoid the "Elk Jerky"!

Eww, I knew there is a reason I always walk away from the free samples... :scrutiny:

[Mixlesplick]

If I am looking for a gun I usually get business cards and write the price on the back. Sometimes the dealers will be from my area and I didn't know it (kitchen table FFL).

I always keep my eyes open for accessories. There are usually one or two things worth buying that would otherwise be difficult to find.

Things to look out for, or not to do to make me look dumb?
O yeah, don't ask anyone if the AK variant has "da switch." (Sorry, I love the Gun Show post with "da switch"):neener:

[MountainPeak]

I go to 8-12 shows a year, so obviously I like them. I still find the occasional great deal.

[Rimmer]

As mentioned, if your on the net your more enlightened than half of the people sellin at the show.
It's fun to go informed on what items I'm lookin for. Check Gunbroker and Auctionarms for an idea on pricing and ask questions here. I've actually gone on to shows with my laptop and compared pricing while I was eating some fries. (the reason they are so good is they don't change the grease from one year to the next)

[SOT_II]

Gun shows are neat to go to, if for no other reason then to see the people....
but seriously you can check stuff out that you might not see otherwise...

There's a lot of junk at some gunshows...and then there are some real finds.

[MountainPeak]

I personally see more people at gun shows, that are in the KNOW(enlightened), than at some internet gun sites. I go to both. Just one man's opinion.

[another okie]

In addition to the shotgun news website, the nra website has a listing. Your local newspapers may also have ads in the classifieds or sports sections. Or ask at the range.

[entropy]

www.americasgunshows.com . It doesn't list all of the them, some of the smaller show don't get on there. But as posted already, ya get to one, there'll tons of flyers for the next 10 or so...;)
A good gunshow will have some good deals. The bad ones are....entertaining.:D

[cls12vg30]

I love going to the big gun show here in Raleigh, called the Dixie Gun & Knife Classic, and held about every 3 months or so at the NC State Fairgrounds (indoors, in one of the large buildings). I went just this past Saturday. I would agree that for new guns you won't find much of a bargain. But if you're looking for older stuff or milsurp they are great. My main mission this time out was Makarov-hunting, and I was not disappointed. Even the best online prices for an excellent condition Bulgarian Mak are no less than $135-150, add $30-50 for FFL transfer and shipping, and you're pushing $200, which is what the local gun shops list for the few that they get in once in awhile. And buying online you buy the gun sight unseen. At the show, I was able to compare all the Maks available from various vendors, ranging from $149 to $235 (idiots). Not surprisingly, the dealer I bought from (Classic Arms, $149) not only had the best price but the best condition and the best selection to choose from. (I've dealt with this dealer before, bought my CZ-52 from them last year). So for $149 plus tax over-the-counter I walked out with the object of my desire, having been able to see it, hold it, work it, and compare it before purchasing.
A lot of the shows feature as many knives as guns, this one had a truly staggering amount of knives available of all types, not to mention stun guns, batons, AirSoft and BB guns (including a very realistic-looking BB P90), a smattering of cool ninja-type stuff such as nunchuks, blowguns and throwing stars, decorative and collectible (yet fully functional) swords, reloading supplies, brass, practically anything you can think of.

I was also able to do cool stuff like:
- hold a Sig P239 in one hand and a Jennings .25 in the other and compare for myself art with junk.
- hoist to my shoulder an M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, and M1 Thompson.
- Feel for myself that the new titanium revolvers really do feel about as heavy as a Kel-Tec P32.

In short, gun shows are a blast, whether you're buying or not. This one was well worth the $6 admission price.

[bubbygator]

If you do your research ahead of time, you will have the advantage of most sellers - particularly private sellers. However, that doesn't mean you can't goof-up. I bought a custom 1911 one time for about $500 that I was sure was worth at least $800. Well, it would have been if the customizing hadn't been screwed up. Cost me $300 for another upper & smithing just to get a reliable gun worth $500 - I sold it because it had too many bad vibes. Lesson learned: if you're buying customizing, shoot the gun first; best to stick to plain vanilla stock stuff.

[dairycreek]

but there are one or two regular dealers (with real gun stores) who frequent our local gun shows. There is a tendency for these dealers to sell at the gun shows for a somewhat lower price than in the store itself. That is, of course, not true for all the guns they sell so you have to know what you are looking for an what its regular price might be. However, some of those who operate tables at local gun shows are really less than honest and that is to be expected. If you study hard and know what you are doing good deals are sometimes available. You cannot get "taken"if you won't get "taken" - and that's all up to you and how you prepare. Other than that gun shows are often a real study in human nature and behavior and, for that alone, are IMHO are often worth the price of admission. Remember always caveat emptor and you'll do okay and even have some fun. Good shooting;)