Have you ever not bought a gun at a gunshow, even when you had the cash and just spent it on supplies for firearms you own? When i try to do this, i always end up with something at a gunshow. But this time im going to try to just buy supplies. ammo, loading stuff, and books.
Anyone end up Not buying a gun at a gunshow?
- Thread starter Slimjim
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geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
Yeah. Sometimes I just don't see anything I want.
Cacique500
Member
Happens to me all the time...I mainly go to gunshows now for ammo.
It is nice to have a C&R though...if I really get a hankerin' I swing by one of the milsurp dealers and for about $150 can walk out with another SKS to stuff under the bed for a rainy day!
It is nice to have a C&R though...if I really get a hankerin' I swing by one of the milsurp dealers and for about $150 can walk out with another SKS to stuff under the bed for a rainy day!
used to be you could count on gunshows to have some good deals.
anymore, they are just a place for dealers to mark their stuff up because they know many folks came there to buy something, and they aren't leaving w/o something...
so, yeah, i haven't bought a gun at a show in about 6 or 7 years.
anymore, they are just a place for dealers to mark their stuff up because they know many folks came there to buy something, and they aren't leaving w/o something...
so, yeah, i haven't bought a gun at a show in about 6 or 7 years.
Working Man
Member
Every once in a while... just nothing good.
Once (after 2 shows in a row of nothing to buy) I found a gun I really
really wanted but came up short on the money side. I ended up buying a
.44 out of frustration.
I don't regret it, good gun.
Once (after 2 shows in a row of nothing to buy) I found a gun I really
really wanted but came up short on the money side. I ended up buying a
.44 out of frustration.
I don't regret it, good gun.M2 Carbine
member
I've passed up a few good deals even though I had the money.
Still kick myself years later.
Now I'll usually buy it even if I have several at home.
A couple months ago I had to use a lot of will power to keep from bringing a second AK pistol home.
The gun shows aren't nearly as big as they once were but there's usually a couple bargains to be had.
Still kick myself years later.
Now I'll usually buy it even if I have several at home.
A couple months ago I had to use a lot of will power to keep from bringing a second AK pistol home.
The gun shows aren't nearly as big as they once were but there's usually a couple bargains to be had.
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DMK
Member
I usually just go for ammo or accessories, but most of the time I do come across a good deal I can't pass on. I will always walk the whole show before going back just to make sure I'm not just making an impulse buy.
This one here is one of my favorite. An almost perfect .22LR Polish wz48 Mosin Nagant trainer. I saw it in a rack, looked it over good, quized the owner and it was clear he didn't know what he had, but I put it back and moved on. Just before leaving, I went back and asked him if he'd go any lower on "that single shot twenty two". I bought some other accessories from him so he knocked about $50 off and I got it for around $80. It's a really fun plinker and a great addition to my Mosin Nagant collection.
This one here is one of my favorite. An almost perfect .22LR Polish wz48 Mosin Nagant trainer. I saw it in a rack, looked it over good, quized the owner and it was clear he didn't know what he had, but I put it back and moved on. Just before leaving, I went back and asked him if he'd go any lower on "that single shot twenty two". I bought some other accessories from him so he knocked about $50 off and I got it for around $80. It's a really fun plinker and a great addition to my Mosin Nagant collection.
MountainPeak
Member
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- Dec 27, 2002
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- 784
I'm a gun show junkie, that laughs at the "you can't find good deals anymore folks"! Yes you can, if you go to more than one or two a year!!!! Please stay away.
Please stay away. jefnvk
Member
Yep, I've only bought two guns at shows. One pretty Swede Mauser for $175, and a Hi-Point carbine for either $70 or $80
Stauble
Member
i only go to 1 or 2 a year and have never bought anythin.
but with the new C&R FFL that will all change
next time ill probably look into a nice S&W .357. not a c&r, but have wanted one for a while.
but with the new C&R FFL that will all change
next time ill probably look into a nice S&W .357. not a c&r, but have wanted one for a while.
Usually I have only bought ammo, accessories, and reloading supplies at gun shows.
Gun shows are often the best deal going for powder and primers because they are cheaper than the local retail stores, and unlike mail order, you do not have to pay a HazMat shipping fee.
I have only bought one gun at a gun show ever.
It does seem to me that some of the smaller gun shows are getting increasingly lame. At the big ones, there is still some competition between different sellers to keep the prices in line and the selection attractive.
Gun shows are often the best deal going for powder and primers because they are cheaper than the local retail stores, and unlike mail order, you do not have to pay a HazMat shipping fee.
I have only bought one gun at a gun show ever.
It does seem to me that some of the smaller gun shows are getting increasingly lame. At the big ones, there is still some competition between different sellers to keep the prices in line and the selection attractive.
mbs357
Member
I never have money, so anytime I go to any store it's to look.
Even grocery stores. ;_;
Even grocery stores. ;_;
jeff-10
Member
I buy all my supplies at Outdoor World and all my ammo online. I pretty much go to gunshows just for guns.
Mulliga
Member
Depends on the size.
A small gun show here in Gainesville will probably not have very many deals, and the local G'ville gun shops bring out their overpriced stuff.
Larger gun shows in big cities (Orlando, in my case) draw patrons and dealers from all over the place, so you have more competition and much better prices.
A small gun show here in Gainesville will probably not have very many deals, and the local G'ville gun shops bring out their overpriced stuff.
Larger gun shows in big cities (Orlando, in my case) draw patrons and dealers from all over the place, so you have more competition and much better prices.
Gun shows tend to be my least productive hunting grounds, partly tough because all sales in my area for the most part must go thru a FFL.
However I have got the occasional gem here and there. Ammo and cleaning stuff can be ok, knives tend to be a very good price, and I'm not there for beanie babies and coins.
In fact, with parking fees at some shows and up to $10 admission, it's becoming not worth it. But I'd rather spend $10 at the gun show for 2 hours entertainment than to see some dumb movie. I just like being surrounded by a lot of guns for sale I suppose.
However I have got the occasional gem here and there. Ammo and cleaning stuff can be ok, knives tend to be a very good price, and I'm not there for beanie babies and coins.
In fact, with parking fees at some shows and up to $10 admission, it's becoming not worth it. But I'd rather spend $10 at the gun show for 2 hours entertainment than to see some dumb movie. I just like being surrounded by a lot of guns for sale I suppose.
Moondoggie
Member
I've bought several guns, both new and used, at gunshows beginning about 25 yrs ago. I've never been unhappy with any of those purchases.
I'd still buy one if it was a screaming deal...but mostly now I'm just looking for knicknacks, reloading components, or milsurp ammo.
The smaller shows, 100 tables or so, I'm usually in and out in under an hour.
I'd still buy one if it was a screaming deal...but mostly now I'm just looking for knicknacks, reloading components, or milsurp ammo.
The smaller shows, 100 tables or so, I'm usually in and out in under an hour.
No_Brakes23
Member
Waiting periods and my own tinfoil Paranoia of BATFEed waiting to snare me in something I didn't know was illegal have soured me on the idea of buying at shows here in Cali.
I regret not buying this Norwegian 1911 I saw in Yuma when I was stationed there, but I couldn't really afford it, so oh well.
If Cali Shows were less restricted than the dealers I might be compelled to buy there, but most of what I want that is legal here can be had brand new.
I regret not buying this Norwegian 1911 I saw in Yuma when I was stationed there, but I couldn't really afford it, so oh well.
If Cali Shows were less restricted than the dealers I might be compelled to buy there, but most of what I want that is legal here can be had brand new.
HighVelocity
Member
The last gunshow I attended was last weekend. I went BOTH days and didn't buy a gun. I was bummed.
edit: Oh wait, I didn't buy a gun but I did trade for one. For a second there I lost my memory.
edit: Oh wait, I didn't buy a gun but I did trade for one. For a second there I lost my memory.
JCM298
Member
I've been going to gun shows for more than 40 years and during that time, I've only bought one gun. That gun is the "beast", my Smith 340SC. I'd been looking for one of the Sc/Ti's since they came out and the out-of-town dealer had the best price I'd ever seen.
Most of the time, I buy cleaning and reloading supplies. I ahve also bought grips from the Grip Lady, but she has not been at the last few shows,
John
Most of the time, I buy cleaning and reloading supplies. I ahve also bought grips from the Grip Lady, but she has not been at the last few shows,
John
Smokey Joe
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- 2,617
Gun Shows
I've bought and sold guns at gun shows. (Although I'm not a dealer.) I've bought reloading equipment and supplies, and other shooting related stuff. I've come away from some shows empty-handed.
You have to go to such an event knowing what you need, knowing what you want, and having done your homework on current prices.
But NEVER go with a shopping list that you have to come back with--some of the stuff will not be to be had, and some will not be a good deal. You'll just get frustrated.
I like the comment above re. considering the entry fee as an entertainment cost. Have certainly wasted the price of a movie and been less entertained!
I've bought and sold guns at gun shows. (Although I'm not a dealer.) I've bought reloading equipment and supplies, and other shooting related stuff. I've come away from some shows empty-handed.
You have to go to such an event knowing what you need, knowing what you want, and having done your homework on current prices.
But NEVER go with a shopping list that you have to come back with--some of the stuff will not be to be had, and some will not be a good deal. You'll just get frustrated.
I like the comment above re. considering the entry fee as an entertainment cost. Have certainly wasted the price of a movie and been less entertained!
rgoudy1975
Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2005
- Messages
- 21
Last gun show I went to was so disappointing I may not go back to one (yeah, right). It was stressful because I took my best friend shopping for his first gun. He was pretty clueless, so I was distracted. Maybe I need another chance...
Just seems like so many guys behind the table have an attitude sometimes, like they invented guns and I didn't see the sign telling me not to ask about them...
Just seems like so many guys behind the table have an attitude sometimes, like they invented guns and I didn't see the sign telling me not to ask about them...
Nope - I go hoping for a deal on a gun, but haven't bought firearm at a gunshow in over 15 years of haunting. Seems everyone has added on "museum quality pricing" for the occasion... so I do the museum thing and jsut look.
At least I can pick up some reloading components for a good price if the right guy is there and he's made a good quantity buy. Whithout him (and a few others like him) gun shows would not be a place I'd even bother to take money any more.
At least I can pick up some reloading components for a good price if the right guy is there and he's made a good quantity buy. Whithout him (and a few others like him) gun shows would not be a place I'd even bother to take money any more.
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