Another Gun show rant.

[jsalcedo]

I must have some kind of memory loss problem or an masochistic tendencies
because I still go to the monthly gun show.

It's not funny anymore maybe it would be if it was my worst enemy instead of me.

Row 1

Beat up ruger mkII looks like it has been dragged behind a pickup through a granite quarry. $250 Remington police shotguns used really really used
all finish gone off action and stock $280 each. Guy selling old gun magazines
from 2003 woot! they sucked 2 years ago and they don't age like wine either.

Row 2 Dremel bits, military clothing marked up about 3x from the surplus store
which is marked up 3x from cheaperthandirt.com and some guy with a bunch of old colt SAA (if they are real).

I ask the guy how much for the 44.40?
"Moren you got boy"

I tell him "you don't know how much I got old man".

Row 3 about 1500 non descript bolt action rifles lined up with no one tending the tables. If anyone wants one "TFB" buddy.

Row 4 Some jerk face selling badly reblued junk guns for about 200% more than I can buy them new. When I offer a reasonable price for one the one passable examples they roll their eyes and move on to the next customer without countering my offer.

Row 5 some 1911 accessories that I might want to try out for fun.
when I ask if they have a certain item the guy looks at me and says with a surly sarcastic tone "gee I don't know there only seems to be 20 on the table"

I reply "and it looks like I won't be buying any of them"

Then there is crooked ammo man.
Reproduction military .45acp boxes filled with Amerc ammo on sale for $15 a box Hi. do you have any 7.62x25. Oh yeah here you go only $12 dollars a box
"but sir all these are green and blue with cracked necks"
"Thats not my problem I'm just watching the table for someone"

Row 6 military surplus man. about 759 cosmoline soaked bayonets
Got one for a SMLE MKIII I ask? Yeah its $175 Which one is it? staring at the
gooey crate full of battered pig stickers. I don't know you'll have to dig for it.
he says.

Nazi man with nazi clothes books, coins and autographed pics of himmler.
Guy looks like Michael Moore with a weight problem and worse facial hair.

Cleaning supplies priced about 50% higher than the sporting goods store.
Bore snakes for 34.95 What a bargain!!!!

Row 7 Got to go to the bathroom. All stalls are filled with vey big very stinky people. Green methane gas clouds my vision I resist the urge to turn puke and run but don't quite succeed.

Candles rocks, log art, some guy selling his autographed books about being a Texas ranger.I would stop and chat with the Ranger but the scented candles already gave me a migraine. If they weren't 15 bucks each I would take one into the bathroom and blow that place sky high.

Snack bar, Next to the bathroom dear god no. I'm going to go buy a $9 bottle of hoppes to get the smell out of my clothes.

Decent ammo table finally but the SOB won't get off his cell phone so I can buy from him. Is he talking business? Nooooo. He is talking about how stupid his customers are and how much he hates dealing with the morons at the gun show... Know what? I agree Buh Bye This moron won't be buying the 3 cases of .308.

Last table some guy trying to peddle beat up Garands for $1200 each cause they are rare tanker models ( I can see the crappy welds and it looks like they modified the stock with a rusty spoon)

I've got a grand burning a hole in my pocket so I buy some candy almonds from the girl leaning over with her blouse open. Come to think of it at this point I'm not sure if it was a girl with cleavage or a guy bending over who needed a belt.

By this time the exit is looking real good and I SWEAR I'm never ever going to gome back to this cess hole of a home for displaced stinky nazi's and con men.

Until I forget again.

 

[boofus]

"Does that got da switch?"

 

[f4t9r]

Our shows are bad but not as bad as yours
Its really getting harder to find good deals anymore, you can save the trouble and get as good or better on line, But like you I get sucked in to the local gun show!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JohnBT]

"I still go to the monthly gun show"

Me too and it's better exercise than paying to sit through a movie. Gun shows are endlessly entertaining if you like your humor on the level of the Simpsons. I don't even take much money with me anymore. If I ever decide I have to have a $2000 or $3000 gun from a gun show I'll just have to charge it or put a deposit on it and go get the money.

John

 

[Guido]

I would have to agree most are going down hill. I've worked a table for a buddy a couple of times and it seems like most of the "dealers" care more about impressing you with their arrogance, I mean ignorance, I mean knowledge - than selling.

 

[TABING]

I quit going to gun shows years ago. It seems it was always the same old dusty people selling the same old dusty crap, usually way overpriced.

 

[HD]

i won't even bother with the horror stories from the CCCP ...

kali=

 

[jashobeam]

I had the same experience!

Members of this forum often write that they can't wait to go to the next gun show, where they will purchase their next firearm.

So, I assumed that gun shows are somewhere to find great guns at good prices and get to meet representatives from the firearms manufacturers.

WRONG!! Not in Santa Clara, CA. There were no reps. There was little there that I wouldn't describe as junk. Sure, there were coins and medals and bumper stickers and t-shirts. The ammo looked like it was salvaged from a fire-damaged pawn shop. There was only one table with new handguns. I felt duped. I was beginning to wonder if all these THR members who love the gun shows must live out in the sticks and have never been inside of a real, well-stocked gun shop. There were, however, some pretty cool knives that I would probably never see in any store.

But, nevertheless, I can honestly say that I will never forget NOT to attend another gun show--I don't care who puts it on.

 

[20cows]

The last one I went to I did find two nice, older Savage/Stevens 311's I got for $525 together (from separate dealers). Three dealers tried to buy them from me before I got out the door.

 

[Lonestar.45]

I know what you mean. But I always find myself going back. I like seeing the guys come back show after show with the same beat up overpriced guns. How do they ever make any money when I know most of their guns have been to the show with them 6 months in a row? $450 for a WASR? $250 for a beat up Yugo SKS, and they want $25 for the "accessory kit" consisting of crusted leather and rusty tools? No thanks.

Lately I limit my buying to some ammo cans for storage, maybe some ammo, and that's about it. I did buy a very nice Mosin M-38 for $85 a while back, an arsenal refinish that was in perfect shape. Every other table had them for $125 on up and most were junk, this one table had 5 that were pristine. I took the one with the best bore. As far as new pistols and rifles, the prices aren't any better at the show than they are at many of the local shops. But hey, if you're in the market for scented candles, jerky, dremel tools, and fake Nazi "militaria", it's definitely the place to be one weekend a month.

 

[Camp David]

I assumed that gun shows are somewhere to find great guns at good prices and get to meet representatives from the firearms manufacturers..

My experience is just the reverse; perhaps I have just gone to some very bad gun shows. In any event, I would never consider buying a gun, or a hotdog, at any gun show. Why? A few reasons...

Guns being sold are as is; no representation is made beyond "BUYER BEWARE" and once you leave dealer table you're on your own; you'll never see dealer/salesman again...

Opportunity exists at gun shows for wild claims with no recourse; my experience is many of these folks have never fired a gun.

If I have insulted good dealers and honest gun show salesman my apologies; but I have been lied to, swindled, and taken advantage of too many times to give these "shows" any more attention...

I patronize reputable gun dealers who wish to stay in business, have a stake in return business, and live by their reputation. Like car dealers, gun shows have a bad rep in my book...

My guess is that I just attended the wrong shows and I am sure there are good dealers out their that go to these shows; I just never met any...

I think more people should just patronize their local Gun Store and these "shows" would just disappear...

 

[wundudnee]

I guess I'm the exception. I love gun shows. I get a little irritated with the junk tables, however I've done quite well finding decent firearms. This week I got a S&W pre 27 .357 magnum 3 1/2" for $400.00 and a like new S&W model 17-4 for $360.00. I have done better on some prices at different times. Even if I don't find anything I want, I can usually find someone with like interests that likes to visit. Besides I like the smell of a combination of Hoppe's # 9, beef jerky and musty cammies.


Here are this weeks new toys.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I was verry disapointed in this years Tulsa gun show, I would say that 75%+ of the firearms there were rusty non firing wall hanger relics. The prices were through the roof, I couldn't find a single Mosin Nagant for less than $120 one table had some M38 and M44 priced to sell at $400 norinco SKS rifles were 300 dollars! I went through the entire show today and exactly 1 vendor actually tried to sell me something most sat in ther chairs stuffin their faces. I bought one $3.00 box of 7.62x39 ammo in the show.
I won't be wasting another trip I'll go to Dong's reloading store in tulsa and skip the show, service, selection and prices are better and admission is free.
The tulsa gunshow is supposed to be the worlds largest at 11 acres. This years show was a 2 acre gunshow scattered amongst a 9 acre flea market. If I ran the show If it didn't go on or in a gun, or a gun didn't go on or in it I wouldn't allow the vendors to push it. I cannot figure out how wood carvings and indian jewlery realte to firearms

 

[Old Dog]

Apparently, we're very lucky up in the Evergreen State. The Washington Arms Collectors is not only a fine (and active) group, they put on the best gun show in the West ... I've made a number of excellent trades and even purchased some great used guns (we still see a lot of nice S&W revolvers up here) as well as bought a new gun or too from a dealer's table ... It's not even so much the guns at these shows, though, it's the chance to get together with a lot of like-minded folks (and also be somewhat awed by the sheer numbers of gun folks in attendence).

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I gotta agree with most on the local gun shows. I only go to the one here if I need reloading components AND I figure I can save the $5.00 admission fee. I've seen the same overpriced guns for at least three years.

But..., there are exceptions:

The Phoenix show, around Thanksgiving, is huge and excellent.

The New Mexico Gun Collectors show in Albuquerque in the fall is a good one.

The BEST though, is here: http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com Eleven acres, 3800+ tables. I believe Joe Wannenmacher limits non-gun tables to 2% of the show.

Joe Wanenmacher travels all over the country to find the best exhibitors with the nicest displays. Most exhibitors bring their best and unusual merchandise to Tulsa because it sells.

sm and I went last April. Steve talked to at least one dealer and asked him which other shows they go to. He said: "We only come to Tulsa, this is where the buyers are".

 

[WarMachine]

I don't why, but for some reason the mere mention of a firearm can turn some people into total ***holes.

Even the cut-throat used car industry isn't nearly as bad as some of the stuff I have encountered. It's almost like they don't want you to buy their worthless crap.

 

[R.W.Dale]

The BEST though, is here: http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com Eleven acres, 3800+ tables. I believe Joe Wannenmacher limits non-gun tables to 2% of the show.

That is a complete load, More like 72% That became quite evident to me after walking only 2 or 3 rows.

 

[dracphelan]

I didn't know there was a gun show at Big Town this past weekend. :banghead:

 

[Fu-man Shoe]

There certainly is a lot of people airing out thier overpriced
junky old crap at gun shows, but occasionaly you find a good
deal. The last show I was at in Norfolk, VA had a few good
deals, and a lot of fairly reasonable deals.

Yugo SKS - $110 (several, still in cosmo, fair cond.)

Rossi .38 revolvers - $100 (several, varying cond.)

SA "standard" M1A synthetic stock - $1000 (just one, excellent cond.)

Mosin-Nagant M44 - $85 (several, good cond.)

The only thing I bought at that show was some ammo, some
ammo cans, and a Colt Mustang .380 in excellent condition
for $450. I felt positive about that one. I'd been looking for one
for a long time, and even on the online auction sites they always
go for more than that.

But as always, and especially when dealing with gunshows, YMMV.

Fu-man Shoe

 

[scout26]

Hmmmm..


I must go to different Gun Shows. No KKK or Nazi stuff ("Nazi's ?!?!?, I hate Illinois Nazi's" ) other then a few pieces of obvious WWII bring back stuff with the rest of the militaria.

To me it's like one big garage sale (only with guns), and sure there's a lot of overpriced junk, but there's also some deals to be had. And you'll see the same things month after month for the same price. But occasionally you find that rare gem and maybe you can haggle over price. It's the ultimate free market activity (and there are guns!!). If you don't like the price, haggle, if the seller doesn't want to haggle, then don't. It's a free country, he can load it back up into his truck and bring it back to find another sucker/buyer next month.

I've gone to shows and spent several hundred dollars because I found something(s) that struck my fancy and I've gone and spent nothing. I guess it's because I have no expectations and have the attitude: "If I find something great, if not, then I spent a couple of hours walking around looking at guns and gun stuff." I can think of much worse ways to spend a couple of hours.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

walking only 2 or 3 rows

Umm, OK.

 

[RaggedClaws]

When I offer a reasonable price for one the one passable examples they roll their eyes and move on to the next customer without countering my offer.

I hate when merchants won't haggle, or even just say the price is firm. Once I was in a flea market in Manhattan, I wanted to buy this cracked wooden statue. I asked the guy how much and he said 30 bucks. So I said, will you take 20 bucks? And looks me square in the eye and says, 40 bucks.



Sorry to hear your show sucked so bad.

 

[Daniel964]

I went to the gun show here in Columbus this saturday and had a good time.

I picked up a nice Turkish mauser for $70 and a MN 91/30 hex reciever Tula aresenal for $80. They had round reciver ones for $70.

Case of 7.62X54 880 rounds for $59.

2,000 rounds of 7.62X39 for $250. That was a little pricy but no one else had any.

Can't wait till the next show.

 

[thereisnospoon]

Gun Show Blues

Yes, I too have the gunshow blues...

I walked around the AGCA this wekkend in B'Ham in 20 minutes. Ussually there are 250+ tables, lots of pesentation tables, etc. This weekend it was all junk and way overpriced and if there was 175 tables they were lucky, and some of those were empty.

The only thing I bought was some ammo Wolf .308 (wanted to buy a few boxes before I buy a whole case or more) and reloading dies for my Dillon, whixh the guy charges the same as the Blue Press.

Traded one gun for two, but beyond that, everything else was, for the most part, the same old stuff the dealers have been draggin around for the last 6 months, still overpriced.

I have decided that the internet is the best place to buy/sell...please refer to my current for sale items...(shameless plug!).

Here's the question,m though. IF gunshows go the way of the DODO, what happens when the Gov't gets control of the old internet?

Paranoid?

 

[GlenJ]

What I love is how if your selling the dealer will break out the book and tell you your gun isn't worth what you want while he's selling used 10/22s for $250 plus. Ever since my local shop let me swap out a P3AT instead of sending it back I try to give them my business when I can. They also give free range memberships for 1 year with firearm purchase new or used.