I'm tired of gun shows...

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I quit going to gun shows a long time ago for several reasons. Inflated prices being the major one....Mall ninjas and annoying old guys who complain about the government are a few more. Then there's all the other crap that has nothing to do with guns....Crowds, traffic, admission fees and parking. All that equals no reason to go.
 
I don't see why you guys pay money for your shows. Aren't they club run? Just join the club and go, no charge.
The best gun show in my area is a fundraiser for the local high school hockey team (and it's held in the school gymnasium and cafeteria). So, even if I don't actually find something to buy, I consider my admission fee a donation to the team.

Go Warriors!
 
One solution can be to enter a show at 1:00-2:00 PM.

The crowds are thinner and by then there was almost no line at both the recent Memphis and Nashville shows.
And by about 1:00 the guys who stayed up late drinking the night before finally wander in with interesting WW2-Korean vintage rifles slung on their shoulders.

Those shopping malls and Home Depot need your cash, and charge nothing to enter. What fun!:cool:
 
I am starting to get burnt on some the bigger shows in my area (ECA shows), but I really enjoy the New Berlin show, even though it's the smallest show I go to (~200 tables) and 1 1/2 hours away, it's my favorite. It's hosted by the local rifle association so it's mostly private sellers from the area. I've bought a couple rifles there and a few other things. Plus, free parking, $3 to get in, and no candles or chocolate-covered cherries etc. Every table is firearms related.
 
I don't plan on going to anymore gun shows until things get (semi) back to normal. $8-20 for parking and another $8 per ticket just to get in. That's too much money to walk in, say "yep its a gun show" find some empty tables where ARs should be, junk everywhere else. And leave.
 
I plan to go again this weekend. Mostly window shopping and it is fun to look over some of the old timer guns and the antiques.
I also hope to use ti to bring a few other friends into the gun ownership circle. Gun shows can be a good way to see a large variety of just about anything.
And yes I have seen some very good deals every once in a while. Still kicking myself for not jumping on one last month!
As top prices. Know what you are looking for and what a decent online price for it actually is. I have seen way over priced stuff and then competitive priced items. And the occasional good deal.
At least the parking is free! And the WAC does run a good show.
 
Frankly, depending on what you're thinking about buying, sometimes it's worth paying the $10 entry fee just to be able to see a variety of guns and compare them first hand for size, weight, feel in the hand, etc. I often find myself interested in guns that my LGSs don't have in which case I have to have them order it or buy it online. Either way, I do rather run the risk of finding out I don't like it when it gets in and then I'm already committed to the purchase. So even if you don't buy at a show, it can be worth the price of admission to get a feel for the options and every once in a while you'll find a good deal.
 
I still like them. I like the buzz and seeing a bunch of people I know. Plus, *knock on wood* I've always found something worth picking up. We have another one coming up in March, hopefully it will be good.
 
I cant stand gun shows. I stopped going after I left Alaska. I really dont like LGS either. Ususally I find them to be rude, condescinding, and not very well run. You can multiply that by 10 at gun shows.
 
Home and done. Bought a QD swivel, a sealed 1911 GI mag AND some .357Sig ammo for 9mm prices. $20/box 50. Bought it all up. Surplus Arms & Ammo does have some 10mm and .357Sig for $25 box!! (Bulk 9mm for $30/box!!) I NEVER thought I would see the day.
 
Get a table at a show once a year or so and sell your guns and stuff for cheap prices -- best way to counter the trend of high GS prices.
 
I've only been to several in my life and that was what kept me from going back year after year. The place is generally such a mob-scene that there isn't even elbow room. Everyone is standing around to the point where you need to say "excuse me" about a thousand times in two hours, finally working my way to the door to get into the quiet of my car and be glad I'm "outta-there!"

I have never seen any real 'deals' at these shows. What brass I did buy once was mostly trash that was polished and baggied-up to look pretty.
 
I stopped caring for gun shows nearly ten years ago, and went to a few more just to browse and not buy. I've also found that they're:

1) Crowded
2) Overpriced
3) Full of morons

One of my friends went to the Tanner show here in Colorado today. He wasn't impressed, and said that most everything was grossly overpriced.
 
Well I live in eastern Pa, we have people from both NY & NJ come to the shows let me tell you they are the rudest people you will see.
I was at a show in December and I was hit n the crotch by a fool carrying a 30/30 in one hand at waist high, I explained to him that it was an unsafe way to carry and he just coped an attitude. No on the positive side I went to a show this past Saturday and it was mush better, I think that the snow kept the crowd away.
 
My experience, after a "sheltered" lifetime spent in the Arctic, is limited to the Big Reno Show.

I am NEVER disappointed in that extravaganza! It's both educational and entertaining. Seeing everything in one day is virtually impossible, so I try to attend for at least two of the three days. Since I live 2.5 hours away. this makes a nice weekend excursion.

The admission price is reasonable and parking is free.

The range of firearms and accessories is awesome.

Over my limited times of attendance, I've found a MINT Danish-return Garand for $500, a Whitworth Mini-Mauser .223 as-new for $400, a NIB Remington 870 slug gun for $280... the list goes on.

Great show, great times....it even has two bars INSIDE the show. It is Reno, after all,,,,
 
mgmorden said:
Maybe I'm just too accustomed to other types of events, but to me a "gun show" was never much of a "show". Its a giant room where I'm standing in line and paying to shop.

If admission were free then sure, I'd go shop, but if I pay to get in I'm expecting a little more in the way of, well, a show. I attend a ton of other events related to other interests of mine that are like that. You pay to get in, and there might be a vendors area where you can buy stuff, but they also have scheduled seminars and presentations and other such events that make you feel like you're getting something for your money.

If they let the public in, I'd pay to go to SHOT Show for example (if they let the public in), as its a little more like that and is what I'd actually consider a gun show. The local group of tables down at the local flea market though? Nah. I'd rather do my shopping online where I don't have to pay for admission.

If they honestly want me to attend they need to have some demonstrations. Have an auditorium where they explain the process of buying a suppressor. Or how to obtain a C&R. Or tips on self-defense. Bring in some guest speakers. Sure have the shopping area, but make me feel like its something worth paying to get into.

You are kinda arguing semantics about the "show" part of gun show. Maybe you are referring more to a "meet" or flea-market type of gun show.

If you don't want to pay admission, then go to your LGS where they don't charge entry fees. Gun shows charge entry fees because it costs money to hold the event.

No, they do not want you to attend; it is your decision if you want to go or not.


If you don't like to go to gun shows... Then DON'T!

I get tired of stupid whiney people always going on about how bad gun shows are, but still keep going to them.

I personally like them. I often don't buy anything, but it gives me a chance to see a large variety of guns and supplies that no single gun dealer could possibly have, and there are quite often good deals to have, especially in the less commonly desired guns.

If, the next time you go to a gun show, and are disappointed by it, instead of whining about it, just don't go to the next one.

Many of us like them, and will patronize them, even if we choose to exercise discretion about what we buy. Yes, they can be a bit of a circus, but that is part of the fun.

I repeat- No one is forcing you to go! If you don't like them, then feel free to not attend. The last thing we need is a bunch of angry, disgruntled people showing up with a bad attitude.

^ This makes more sense.

Don't like gun shows? Don't go. many people have said they haven't gone to gun shows in years. If you have no reason to go, or if you hate large crowds and inflated prices, then it isn't the place for you.

I've gone to gun shows in my area for the last couple of years and have usually not been disappointed. I never go expecting to find a awesome deal on a firearm to begin with, but if you come across one then you grab it asap. Most of the time I will go to buy a few boxes of ammo and accesories (mags, holsters, range bags, knives, etc); those are the items you normally save on, not guns themselves.

I also go to support a couple of local small vendors that actually sell items at very reasonable prices without price gouging. They both sell Magpul accessories at cost and sometimes below cost, and also sights/holsters/slings very cheap. These are the guys I support when I go to gun shows.
 
I haven't been to a gunshow in six years because I just haven't. Now I'm hearing about all the silliness and have no desire to go. There are a couple LGS where the employees are nice guys, there is a good selection (even now) and prices are still okay. And like others have pointed out there is no entrance fee and the parking is free. I'm good.
 
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