First gun show
- Thread starter gunNoob
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Yes, do your RESEARCH! If you have something you know you want, be sure to arm yourself with what a fair price for it is. If you see something you really want on the first day but don't know what it's worth, see if you can slip the guy a $20 or something to hold it for you to the next day. You can go home and google away to see if the price is fair. Print that info out and bargain if you need to...make sure the money you gave him to hold it goes towards the purchase price. You may find some good deals, but they are few and far between. Take cash if you can because sometimes you can get a cash price for less than when using a CC. Not all vendors will take CC, also. Haggle with them as they usually know their stuff is over priced. Oh, and enjoy all the extra "fluff" of jerky, beanie babies, indian jewelry, cheap knives, airguns, tools, toys, etc. LOTS of non gun stuff has become the norm at these shows.
CountGlockula
Member
Wheel and deal my friend, wheel and deal.
John G
Member
Write down a list. Heck, even better, read Xavier's Rules for Gun Shows: http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2005/10/xaviers-gun-show-rules.html
Check out the crowd for some amusement. Lots of weird people frequent gunshows. Everyone from bubbas to bangers to ninja wannabes. Sometimes you'll even see a smokin' hot hick wife/girlfriend. 
Be sure to look for the 400+ lb ex Seal/Ranger/Special Forces, etc types who are experts on every firearm on the planet, too. 
Be sure to look for the 400+ lb ex Seal/Ranger/Special Forces, etc types who are experts on every firearm on the planet, too. Brian Dale
Member
If you buy anything, the first thing you'll hear afterward is that you paid too much. Don't worry about that. It'll even out over time.
Buy the gun, not the story.
Clear any firearm as soon as you pick it up or it's handed to you. Many or most shows nowadays will have all guns zip-tied, but look it over anyway.
If you want to take a shotgun apart, field strip a pistol or the like, ask the seller to do it for you.
Don't drop the slide, bolt, etc. on an autoloading firearm without slowing its travel with your hand. Ask first before doing this at all.
If you're in the market for revolvers, you can print out Jim March' Revolver Checkout thread: Click Here!
Carry cash.
Four Rules, always.gunNoob said:
Buy the gun, not the story.
Clear any firearm as soon as you pick it up or it's handed to you. Many or most shows nowadays will have all guns zip-tied, but look it over anyway.
If you want to take a shotgun apart, field strip a pistol or the like, ask the seller to do it for you.
Don't drop the slide, bolt, etc. on an autoloading firearm without slowing its travel with your hand. Ask first before doing this at all.
If you're in the market for revolvers, you can print out Jim March' Revolver Checkout thread: Click Here!
Carry cash.
Brian Dale
Member
Thanks.
I absolutely agree.bladecp said:
Tribal
Member
If you have snap caps for a caliber you're looking at, definitely bring those.
Find out if there's free WiFi anywhere nearby and bring your computer or iPhone with you to check prices. Heck, have the phone number of dealers in your area and if you think you see a good deal on a new gun, call them up and ask them how much it would cost to order that gun (figure you get one question per dealer).
Ignore any Nazi paraphernalia dealers.
Don't sell to anyone standing outside of the convention center (or wherever it's being held); DO be willing to buy/sell from individuals inside the show.
Trading gets you better deals than buying; cash gets you more than credit.
Find out if there's free WiFi anywhere nearby and bring your computer or iPhone with you to check prices. Heck, have the phone number of dealers in your area and if you think you see a good deal on a new gun, call them up and ask them how much it would cost to order that gun (figure you get one question per dealer).
Ignore any Nazi paraphernalia dealers.
Don't sell to anyone standing outside of the convention center (or wherever it's being held); DO be willing to buy/sell from individuals inside the show.
Trading gets you better deals than buying; cash gets you more than credit.
Don't forget to check out the bubba trucks in the parking lot for amusement. Look for any NASCAR number, especially #3 and "May he live forever" and how #24/Jeff Gordon blows. Calvin pissing on anything and everything. Fake nutz hanging off trailer hitches (no kidding!). Bullet hole stickers across the tailgate. The requisite K&N filter sticker. Any number of NRA/gun stickers. Air horns on the roof. Confederate flags/The South shall rise again stickers. Git-R-Dun and anything Larry the Cable Guy. The list goes on and on!
Look but don't touch without asking permission first, don't buy anything you don't know the value of, inspect before you buy, and buy the gun not the story.
Also, tell us where you're at and chances are somebody here is also going, and you can get somebody to tag along with you for a second opinion.
Also, tell us where you're at and chances are somebody here is also going, and you can get somebody to tag along with you for a second opinion.
SASS#23149
Member
Don't go ezpecting a zillion hot deals,ur luck if you come acrosse ONE.
Don't interrupt a seller who is dealing with a customer,it ain't polite ya know.
Don't interrupt a seller who is dealing with a customer,it ain't polite ya know.
ingram
Member
My first gun show was a BLAST.
If heaven exists I think it is something like a good gunshow.
If heaven exists I think it is something like a good gunshow.
What did you not understand about me buying from dealers that were LOCAL to the area? These guys ARE from established stores. Sometimes they run "gunshow" specials. If I had a problem, I could always easily go back to the store later. YOU try finding a NIB PM9 with night sights for under $500 when the "normal" store price was well over $600 and get back to me when/if you ever do.
I'm never going to say I wouldn't buy a gun from a gunshow...
But, hey...if you want to overpay for the exact same thing, be my guest.
2nd 41 said:
I'm never going to say I wouldn't buy a gun from a gunshow...
2nd 41 said:
But, hey...if you want to overpay for the exact same thing, be my guest.
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