Attending First Gun Show! Questions!

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Tearlachblair

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I'll be attending my first gun show hopefully next month, so I have some questions for all you "old-timers" here ;-).

1. What is some proper etiquette I should know and remember when I go to a gun show

2. What sort of ID do I need to have if people ask for it?

And, of course, anything else you guys think I should know, even if it doesn't pertain to the two above questions, will be very appreciated.
 
I am not really an "old timer" but I have been to my share of gunshows. I know that a lot of the tables at the Suncoast Gun Shows in Tampa are rude if they don't think you are there to buy.

My advice is that I would only ask a question if you need something answered. They are there to run a business and unfortunately customer service is not a strong point.

On the other hand, there will be many people who are happy to tell you what you want to hear, and they may even start up a conversation with you if they think it will net them some dough.

I don't mean to be jaded, but when I go to gun shows the only "people" I want to talk to are SIG, CZ, S&W, and the others.

Don't bite on impulse buys either. If you are looking for a gun find one you like BEFORE hand and do some research on it (Model, Price, etc.).

Good luck and have fun!
 
Take everything you hear with a grain of salt. There are a lot of gunshow commandos that like to spout off incorrect info. There are also some very smart people but they aren't as prevalent.
1. Ask the seller before picking up or handling his firearms. Remember the 4 rules and practice them. It seems like every time I go to a show I get swept with the muzzle at least a dozen times, sometimes a gun pointed right at me, finger on the trigger. Yeah they are probably unloaded but there have been times that's not the case and I still don't like it, nobody does.
2. A driver's license should be fine, or a CCW permit if you have one. You'll need your DL if you are going to puchase a gun, and IIRC some states allow you to skip the background check if you have a CCW permit.
 
Bring cash. Cash, not credit cards. Most dealers at gun shows won't/can't handle a credit card exchange. Also, cash is needed if you see someone walking around with a gun you want (private individual).

I can often talk a dealer down $10-$20 just by saying "I'll be paying in cash".
 
+1 on remembering the four rules.

Also, most gun shows I've been to disallow CCW, so pay attention for that. Course, thats not really an issue in Missouri, is it?
 
If you are going with the intention of purchasing a particular firearm, scope, etc, have a price range in mind ahead of time. You will see differences of hundreds of dollars from table to table for the same gun. One guy may be selling a used Glock for $550 while the same gun can be purchsed new at a couple of tables over for $485. Look around and have fun, if a dealer is rude, move on.
 
Some people are there to sell.
Some people are there to buy.
Some people are there to trade.
Some people (most?) are there to look.
Know which category you are and who you're going to be interacting with.

Have cash (as stated before)

Know what you want (if you're there to buy)

Walk the aisles once looking at tables that interest you. Note items of interest, dealer, price, condition. Compare with others similar if time allows. Go back for specific items once you've seen it all (caveat... some things are worth buying RIGHT NOW! if the price is right)

I always ask permission to touch/pick up. I avoid leaving fingerprints on metal.

I always ask (if I'm there to buy) "How much you gotta have?" as I fumble with some cash (like I'm counting how much I have in that pocket... I never put all my cash in one pocket...)

I'm always ready to walk away, politely.

As others have stated... 4 rules of safety.

Have as much fun as possible. The people, the toys, the atmosphere... it's all (usually) good.
 
1. Bring enough basket to carry at least four pounds of beef jerky.
2. They do sell swords but I don't often see scabbards, so you might want to bring one of those.
3. Don't be fooled by those SKS/AK accessories that look like cheap plastic. They really are extremely tactical and worth twice what the guy at the table is asking.

Seriously, though, cash cash cash. If you have something in mind that you want ahead of time, try to find market value on it before hand so you know what's fair. A little politeness and courtesy goes a long way, but don't think you have to sit there and humor the guy behind the table trying to offer too little money for your gun.

jm
 
It could just be a VA thing, but the last large gunshow I went to required two forms of ID with a CURRENT ADDRESS on both to purchase a firearm. My friend from MD wanted an AK but he only had his drivers license and they wouldn't take it.

Yes, bring cash. Their ATM's run out of money quick.

Impulse buys are actually pretty fun. I had never seen a HiPoint carbine before, and I just bought one because it looked cool. Turns out to be one of my favorites. But yes...many of the 'deals' are actually not at all.

Bring a friend. Poking around by yourself sucks.

Sometimes you can find really good deals on ammo.

Buy something for the missus. Usually there's a table or two manned by little old ladies selling cute beaded things. Revolver earrings don't count unless she's into that.

Bring cash.
 
Gun Show?

I've been to a few now, and I've found that there are good prices on . . . everything but guns.

Yes, there are exceptions. I found a Kel-tec SU-16 for $465, whereas it would cost me $490 at my local shop. Given that the shop backs things up with their own service and go to bat with the vendors for the customer, handle the shipping and stuff, I was willing to spend the extra bux to order it through them.

Magazines are typically substantially better priced than in stores. Ammo prices are usually quite good. I've seen some good -- even great -- prices on knives (careful though, some guys will sell stuff you can't legally carry). Holsters, carrying cases, lock boxes . . . all good.

I always find more stuff to buy than the money I brought.

But the guns themselves? I bought an M1 Carbine locally. Decent shape. Works. All original. Price was okay. Ran into a guy at the show selling one that seemed to be in decent shape, but had been modified, no longer all original. He was asking $300 more than I paid locally.

Know your prices before you go.

In Nevada, it's okay for a private party to purchase from a private party, and such transfers are not subject to the NCIS check. However, anyone selling to another private party at a show usually takes care to get all the driver's license info and records the sale -- can't be too careful -- if he sells to a private party and something bad happens, he needs documentation to show that there really was a transaction.

One thing that often has a good price is a bare AR15 lower receiver. These can be found for $200 and under (friend of mine picked one up, Stag Arms, for $198, another company locally makes one for about $210).

As the other guys have said, do your homework before you go.

If I run into anything unexpected while I'm there on Day One, I'll go home and research it and return on Day Two to transact if that's appropriate.

All of that having been said, remember to have fun.
 
Bring your DL and if you have to have a license to buy in your state, bring it too. I would also agree with the previous posters' urging to bring cash. There has been several occasions where I missed good deals because the dealer didn't take cards. And the limit on ATM withdrawls is usually 200$ or 300$ per day, so it can leave you short. And as for good deals, there are a few, but I go on the "if its meant to be" principle. If you see something you want, keep it in mind and keep looking. If its still there and you still want it when you make a full round of the show and get back to the table, then get it.
Know what you want before you go. There are always going to be impulse buys, but if you have an idea of what you want before you go, you are always better off.
As for behavior, I have two suggestions. First, do not dress like a damn militant. Fatigues are for a hunting trip or combat zone, not a gun show. If you do dress like that, be aware that PEOPLE ARE LAUGHING AT YOU!!! Second, if you want to look at something, even if its not cabled to the table, ask. They will usually say sure, but its my opinion that they like to be asked. It shows you respect their position as a seller and that may make them more willing to negotiate on the price.

Good luck and have a good time.

--Bear

ADDED: Go on day one if you can, you'll find better deals. Also go on the last day and some buyers will be more likely to haggle to get rid of some things.
 
One thing I forgot to mention; it's just a courtesy to the dealers I do, after I look at one of their firearms, I always replace the price tag right side up.
 
1. Bring Cash

2. know what you want to buy and know what the going price is

3. Check EVERY gun on EVERY table before you buy something, only way to stumble across the real good deals

4. Buying from a private seller is easier, no back ground check, no sales tax, and you can haggle more (at least in Texas)

5. Don't pay any attention to the weekend warriors that think they know more about guns than anyone else on the planet

6. Don't get upset if some of the sellers are rude

7. Always ask permission before handling a gun

8. Know how to inspect guns, if you look like you know what you are doing, you are likely to get a better deal

Thats all I can think of right now..
 
It could just be a VA thing, but the last large gunshow I went to required two forms of ID with a CURRENT ADDRESS on both to purchase a firearm.
Click to expand...
Oh I forgot, if you go to a gunshow in Richmond, VA and buy a gun, be polite to the ATF agents when they prone you out in the parking lot. :neener: lol sorry, couldn't resist.
 
Have a mental list in your head of what you really want to look at most and/or buy. Also on that mental list have all the research in your head of what the usual going rates are for what you want. DO YOUR RESEARCH beforehand.

The only times I've been "taken" at the funshow is when I impulse buy and didn't know the real value/going rates.

I have also found that by keeping my mouth shut and just listening, I learn a lot more about who knows their stuff and who doesn't. If I talk to a dealer that obviously does not know his own product, then I don't buy, because usually these types of dealers over-charge to be "on the safe side".

Also, bring a big dolly and/or some inlaws to carry your ammo purchases. :D
 
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