Matthew748
Member
I have never bought a gun at a gunshow. The Illinois waiting period always screws things up. Of course, that is all going to change in a few days once I finish establishing residence in Indiana.
Anyone end up Not buying a gun at a gunshow?
- Thread starter Slimjim
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CAS700850
Member
Back when I was a poor law student, a bunch of us would scrape up $10. $5 for the entrance fee at the Bill Goodman Gun and Knife Show at Hera Arena in Dayton, another $5 for a drink and pretzel for lunch. When money was more available, it usually went for ammo, grips, holsters, knives, magazines, etc. On one occassion, I picked up a Taurus 85, reached for my wallet, thought it over, and set the gun down. Saved the money for the Smith 586 I bought a few months later (and still have).
Let me tell you, talking to gun people and handling a wide variety of firearms was very educational.
Let me tell you, talking to gun people and handling a wide variety of firearms was very educational.
Rickstir
Member
No. But then again, I have never been to a gun show. 
I got to look for accessories...
stripper clips for my SKS or Mosin-Nagant
En-blocs for the US Rifle Cal .30 M1
Bandoliers or ammo cans
Ammo
last time, I got the Poly-coated Wolf for $50/500 in 7.62x39
One table had a bunch of M1's, but they started at $900. I saw in International Harvester M1 for $1200, guy said it was an 'extremely rare' variant, but it looked like it had been used to plow the fields...I mean it was really beat beyond Hades and back...twice.
I don't buy a gun at a gun show, but I do like to look.
stripper clips for my SKS or Mosin-Nagant
En-blocs for the US Rifle Cal .30 M1
Bandoliers or ammo cans
Ammo
last time, I got the Poly-coated Wolf for $50/500 in 7.62x39
One table had a bunch of M1's, but they started at $900. I saw in International Harvester M1 for $1200, guy said it was an 'extremely rare' variant, but it looked like it had been used to plow the fields...I mean it was really beat beyond Hades and back...twice.
I don't buy a gun at a gun show, but I do like to look.
honkeoki
Member
Usually not, but...
I bought my first gun, a police trade 5904, at a gun show.
Since then, I just go to drool. Especially since I found out by talking to a couple of candid shop owners they actually RAISE prices at the gun show!
And there's a really nice guy who sells good beef jerky... I always buy some of that.
I bought my first gun, a police trade 5904, at a gun show.
Since then, I just go to drool. Especially since I found out by talking to a couple of candid shop owners they actually RAISE prices at the gun show!
And there's a really nice guy who sells good beef jerky... I always buy some of that.
lee n. field
Member
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Only ever bought one gun at a gun show, and that was an impulse purchase of a Russian M-N on my way out the door.
AirForceShooter
Member
I usually come home empty handed.
almost forgot. My best deals ever have been done in the parking lot, not inside.
AFS
almost forgot. My best deals ever have been done in the parking lot, not inside.
AFS
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Shootcraps
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I've been going to gun shows for over 20 years, so yes I've gone to a few where I didn't buy a gun. I've also gone to a few where I did buy a gun. I love the shows in Virginia. They are truly awesome. Great prices (for the most part) and you can meet some neat folks.
I'm going to the show a week from tomorrow. Gotta buy lots of bullets and if I find a good deal on an M4, I'll bring that home too.
I'm going to the show a week from tomorrow. Gotta buy lots of bullets and if I find a good deal on an M4, I'll bring that home too.
Byron Quick
Moderator In Memoriam
I've sold some of my collection and added to my collection at the occasional gun show.
I've seen stuff way overpriced and I've seen some screaming deals.
The International Harvester M1 Garand IS going for around 1200 bucks. In very good condition. Some guys just can't seem to understand: condition, condition, condition.
I've seen stuff way overpriced and I've seen some screaming deals.
The International Harvester M1 Garand IS going for around 1200 bucks. In very good condition. Some guys just can't seem to understand: condition, condition, condition.
I have been to lots of guns show, probably more shows than the number of guns I own so ofcourse, the answer is yes I have been to shows and not bought guns. I have also been to gun shows and bought absolutely nothing. I go to gun shows to look for: bargains on guns or, a special gun for me type thing that catches my eye or, accessories, or ammo. I often buy just ammo as it seems many accessories are just not there and most guns have sky high prices.
Sometimes on those days I buy nothing it is beccause I am fed up with looking at tables loaded down with: knives (no I am not talking about a gun & knife show but a straight gun show), non-gun related videos such as old Disney movies, tables full of beef jerky, tables full of Soviet military knockoff memorabilia, and tables full of books advocating whacko extremist views on how to overthrow government and kill everyone who essentially is not a white, right wing, government hating, fanatical Christian. I especially loathe gun shows wherein people openly hand out literature asking you to join the KKK (Phoenix, Arizona or, a suburb of Phoenix, last year).
I cannot remember the last time I saw an engraver working on a gun at a gun show. I cannot remember the last time I was to a show when they actually had more tables of guns than of other junk. I cannot remember a recent show (within at least 5 years) where someone who was inspecting a firearm has not pointed it at me and, in that same time frame I cannot remember a vendor saying anything to the jerks who pointed the guns at people. I also cannot remember finding a good buy on an item from an individual who brought just one or two guns to sell - some laws truly suck. Gun shows are not what they once were when they were actually GUN SHOWS!
All the best,
Glenn B
Sometimes on those days I buy nothing it is beccause I am fed up with looking at tables loaded down with: knives (no I am not talking about a gun & knife show but a straight gun show), non-gun related videos such as old Disney movies, tables full of beef jerky, tables full of Soviet military knockoff memorabilia, and tables full of books advocating whacko extremist views on how to overthrow government and kill everyone who essentially is not a white, right wing, government hating, fanatical Christian. I especially loathe gun shows wherein people openly hand out literature asking you to join the KKK (Phoenix, Arizona or, a suburb of Phoenix, last year).
I cannot remember the last time I saw an engraver working on a gun at a gun show. I cannot remember the last time I was to a show when they actually had more tables of guns than of other junk. I cannot remember a recent show (within at least 5 years) where someone who was inspecting a firearm has not pointed it at me and, in that same time frame I cannot remember a vendor saying anything to the jerks who pointed the guns at people. I also cannot remember finding a good buy on an item from an individual who brought just one or two guns to sell - some laws truly suck. Gun shows are not what they once were when they were actually GUN SHOWS!
All the best,
Glenn B
afasano
Member
the last time I went to a gunshow someone was there who looked like he was wearing all of his great-grandpap's captured WW2 medals.
Sometimes I drive over to my parent's place, pick up my dad to go 'window shopping' which makes mom roll her eyes... she knows our shopping trips can be expensive.
But many times we come home empty handed.
Nothing wrong with 'just looking.'
But many times we come home empty handed.
Nothing wrong with 'just looking.'
joab
Member
I typically don't buy from gunshows, I find that better deals are made at pawnshops for used and no better deal is made at a show for new than at a storefront
I've bought 5 guns in my life from a show 3 were bought as junk wall hangers one from a private sale and one shooter grade Mosin from a gunshow dealer for $75 that I should have passed on.
I just go for the jerky and hamburgers now
I've bought 5 guns in my life from a show 3 were bought as junk wall hangers one from a private sale and one shooter grade Mosin from a gunshow dealer for $75 that I should have passed on.
I just go for the jerky and hamburgers now
Shootcraps
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And you couldn't even say Hi to me?
afasano
Member
I was looking for a P-38,
Smokey Joe
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Gun Show Experience
Just came home this evening from a gun show. It's kind of a local, small, show, and many of the dealers are regulars. So I'm getting to know them. Also, my wife sells cast concrete pieces at art shows, so I can sympathize with their having to haul in tons of guns, bullets, and other bulky stuff.
Hob-nobbed with several dealers; learnt a couple valuable things. (And a couple merely historical things. And listened to a couple of rants. Pretty normal stuff.) There were many more tables there with guns and/or gun related stuff than there were tables with Eskimo ivory carvings, fur things, or just knives and sheathes. A couple of collector organizations had displays just for looking. (Machine guns, bazookas, and Civil War cannon.) It being Fri. eve. of a 3-day show, there were a few tables that weren't occupied--I suppose those people will be in on Sat. but I won't.
Had in mind a couple of firearm books I might like, but the usual 2 gun-book sellers were not in attendance.
Bought some empty once-fired cases, some target bullets, and a shell holder for my press. The cases were a good deal, and the bullets weren't but they were high quality. Had at least 4 hours' entertainment for my $5 entry fee.
The dealers I asked all said things were a little slow but that that isn't surprising on Fri. eve. and that they expected more of a crowd on Sat. Made me glad I came early.
Anyhow, a jolly time was had by all, and in my neck of the woods, the gun show is far from dead.
Just came home this evening from a gun show. It's kind of a local, small, show, and many of the dealers are regulars. So I'm getting to know them. Also, my wife sells cast concrete pieces at art shows, so I can sympathize with their having to haul in tons of guns, bullets, and other bulky stuff.
Hob-nobbed with several dealers; learnt a couple valuable things. (And a couple merely historical things. And listened to a couple of rants. Pretty normal stuff.) There were many more tables there with guns and/or gun related stuff than there were tables with Eskimo ivory carvings, fur things, or just knives and sheathes. A couple of collector organizations had displays just for looking. (Machine guns, bazookas, and Civil War cannon.) It being Fri. eve. of a 3-day show, there were a few tables that weren't occupied--I suppose those people will be in on Sat. but I won't.
Had in mind a couple of firearm books I might like, but the usual 2 gun-book sellers were not in attendance.
Bought some empty once-fired cases, some target bullets, and a shell holder for my press. The cases were a good deal, and the bullets weren't but they were high quality. Had at least 4 hours' entertainment for my $5 entry fee.
The dealers I asked all said things were a little slow but that that isn't surprising on Fri. eve. and that they expected more of a crowd on Sat. Made me glad I came early.
Anyhow, a jolly time was had by all, and in my neck of the woods, the gun show is far from dead.
cracked butt
Member
I've only bought one gun ever at a gun show. most of the the gun show guns in my area are crap, their either a 'rare rooshin rifle' for $500, a Danish M1 garand for $850, or a 1970s era remchested lovingly 'upgraded' with Tru-oil 
for the same price as a new rifle.
for the same price as a new rifle. 
Mannlicher
Member
all the time. Gun Shows are not what they were even 10 years ago. Hard now to find 'collectable' guns, most tables are full of Glocks and other trash.
22-rimfire
Member
I have been to many gun shows and not purchased any firearms. Think of gun shows as just a big store..... you don't always buy something in a store (just lookin), so why would a gun show be any different?
That said... out of the last five guns I purchased: four were at gun shows.
That said... out of the last five guns I purchased: four were at gun shows.
I usually don't buy a end up buying a gun at a show.
WarMachine
Member
Most of the time I don't buy anything. Just go there to look. I was going to buy a holster from a guy one time, but I didn't like him or his jokes about my race. I'd rather give my money to Walmart than that idiot, and Lord knows how much I despise that place.
Sylvilagus Aquaticus
Member
Most of the smaller gunshows I used to go to frequently- east Texas and north Louisiana- were as much social occasions as anything. I'd see the same old 'gang of thieves' as we joked about ourselves, swap lies and a few odds and ends among ourselves, and generally catch up on what had transpired since the last time.
Used to be, I'd always come home with either a new (to me) H&R 999 .22 pistol or a Hi Power or something. I did buy a really nice byf Walther P38 once, only to find that a couple of shipping containers of them came in about 4 months later...making mine instantly worth about half of what I'd paid for it. I picked up my .30 Carbine Blackhawk at a show from a friend, and paid a fair price for it. I bought a really cherry M44 M-N about a year ago and overpaid a little, because I liked the guy selling it although I just met him. I have an acquaintance I buy Comp-Tac holsters from whenever I see him...seems I keep buying pistols and never have a holster for the latest one. I'm always looking for the odd and unusual bayonet or militaria trinket for Garands and such. I pick up bulk milsurp ammo sometimes...hey, somebody has to help get rid of it, right? I'm always eyeballing old SIGs and BHP's for some reason. I love old European .22 single shots. I keep an eye out for old holsters and leather from the late 1800's to the 1950's. I bought a pair of PT111's from Doc Walther about 5 years ago. I have made friends with a guy who sells pretty decent optics exclusively at the shows and he makes a good deal to me while still showing a profit.
So yeah, I guess I buy stuff. Not always a gun, but often enough that I feel like I'm doing my part to keep them justifying coming back next time.
Regards,
Rabbit.
Used to be, I'd always come home with either a new (to me) H&R 999 .22 pistol or a Hi Power or something. I did buy a really nice byf Walther P38 once, only to find that a couple of shipping containers of them came in about 4 months later...making mine instantly worth about half of what I'd paid for it. I picked up my .30 Carbine Blackhawk at a show from a friend, and paid a fair price for it. I bought a really cherry M44 M-N about a year ago and overpaid a little, because I liked the guy selling it although I just met him. I have an acquaintance I buy Comp-Tac holsters from whenever I see him...seems I keep buying pistols and never have a holster for the latest one. I'm always looking for the odd and unusual bayonet or militaria trinket for Garands and such. I pick up bulk milsurp ammo sometimes...hey, somebody has to help get rid of it, right? I'm always eyeballing old SIGs and BHP's for some reason. I love old European .22 single shots. I keep an eye out for old holsters and leather from the late 1800's to the 1950's. I bought a pair of PT111's from Doc Walther about 5 years ago. I have made friends with a guy who sells pretty decent optics exclusively at the shows and he makes a good deal to me while still showing a profit.
So yeah, I guess I buy stuff. Not always a gun, but often enough that I feel like I'm doing my part to keep them justifying coming back next time.
Regards,
Rabbit.
Yes, yesterday. Worst show I've ever been at. First table had .45 ACP bullets, LRN 230 gr at decent price, didn't want to carry them around with me, as I left I stopped at that table, he was sold out. He said only had 300 to sell. There were some good buys on black powder firearms but not much else.
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