I am planning on making a trip to the Dallas Market Hall Gun Show this Saturday. It's is a long drive and I was wondering if it will be worth it. Can anyone that's been to it tell me what to expect when I get there? How many tables? Is it full of candles, jewelry and over priced junk like the shows near here? I hate to drive that far and go home with nothing but a headache.
Dallas Market Hall Gun Show
- Thread starter Bigreno
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I went to the last 2 and I was disappointed with both. They seemed small to me and most of the guns were pretty over priced. Alos, ammo was more expensive than buying it online and shipping it to your door. I wont bother attending the next few and I live pretty close. Just my $.02
I went to the last one (November/Decemberish) - not terrible, not great. A half-dozen or more 'real dealers,' a lot of smaller guys selling stuff I wasn't interested in. Dallas Reloading Service has good prices if you want to get reloaded ammo.
I'll go to have a look around. Beats working around the house.
I'll go to have a look around. Beats working around the house.
ezypikns
Member
I went to the last one.
Most of the people selling used guns are morons. At least their prices are moronic. Sky high. Whatever you're looking for, do your price comparisons BEFORE going to the show. Look at local prices and on line also. You're probably not going to find any real deals.
Having said that, do visit the businesses with tables selling NEW weapons. I've found some prices there that were fairly reasonable. If you've never been before, I think you'll enjoy it. Just don't have too high expectations
Most of the people selling used guns are morons. At least their prices are moronic. Sky high. Whatever you're looking for, do your price comparisons BEFORE going to the show. Look at local prices and on line also. You're probably not going to find any real deals.
Having said that, do visit the businesses with tables selling NEW weapons. I've found some prices there that were fairly reasonable. If you've never been before, I think you'll enjoy it. Just don't have too high expectations
rbernie
Contributing Member
My standards must be lower than y'alls. 
The pre-Christmas Market Hall show was actually better than most that they've held in the last couple of years - the blowgun and trinket vendors pushed further into the back and more tables up front for firearms stuff. I'd estimate that there were over one hundred and twenty vendors/tables, with about seventy five of those holding reasonably firearms-related stuff.
As usual, the used guns tend to be overpriced but you can still find occasional deals if you look. For example, at the last show there were two used L1A1s in decent shape for $500, a 90% Marlin 336RC (pre-safety) in 35 Remington for $200, a couple of Norinco milled sporter AKs for less than $400, and LNIB PolyTech M14 for under $800. Schramms and Bachmans (sp?) still sell new pistols at Market Hall for less than I can get them online from Buds. Heck, MGS sold me a brand new CETME (unground bolt, .009" bolt gap) for $450; can't beat that with a stick... I'll be there this weekend, looking for more bargain M&P pistol sales.
PS: Long time, no see, Bigreno. Maybe I'll see ya there.
The pre-Christmas Market Hall show was actually better than most that they've held in the last couple of years - the blowgun and trinket vendors pushed further into the back and more tables up front for firearms stuff. I'd estimate that there were over one hundred and twenty vendors/tables, with about seventy five of those holding reasonably firearms-related stuff.
As usual, the used guns tend to be overpriced but you can still find occasional deals if you look. For example, at the last show there were two used L1A1s in decent shape for $500, a 90% Marlin 336RC (pre-safety) in 35 Remington for $200, a couple of Norinco milled sporter AKs for less than $400, and LNIB PolyTech M14 for under $800. Schramms and Bachmans (sp?) still sell new pistols at Market Hall for less than I can get them online from Buds. Heck, MGS sold me a brand new CETME (unground bolt, .009" bolt gap) for $450; can't beat that with a stick... I'll be there this weekend, looking for more bargain M&P pistol sales.
PS: Long time, no see, Bigreno. Maybe I'll see ya there.
seeker_two
Member
After the first time I went, I've been kinda disappointed with the Market Hall gun show. If I decided to drive up to that area, I'd rather spend my time going to Military Gun Supply, Winchester Gallery, and Cheaper Than Dirt. You can find the same stuff cheaper and not have to fight your way through the candle/jerky/fakeNazi booths....
For used guns, I like the shows in smaller cities and towns. There's a gun show in Tyler this weekend I might stop by...it's usually pretty good. I don't know where you're driving from, but you might want to stop there...
For used guns, I like the shows in smaller cities and towns. There's a gun show in Tyler this weekend I might stop by...it's usually pretty good. I don't know where you're driving from, but you might want to stop there...
ready4shtf
Member
NIB 3rd gen Glocks have been pretty good at the fun shows lately. Pretty much EVERY dealer has EVERY model priced at $449. I think thats pretty fair. Esp since I see USED ones with $500+ price tags on them, 
Where is Military Gun Supply? I went trying to find Noble Firearms before Christmas and it said that's where they relocated. Somewhere on 820 but I forgot where.
I'll second that. I'm going first and foremost to check out Schramm's revolver selection, they were a little light at the Tarrant County show. (Everybody at shows has Taurus now - not so many S&Ws or Rugers)
Thanks for the input everyone. How many tables are we talking about at this show? 500+? Our local shows are really becoming a disgrace. 100-200 tables. Maybe a third have guns. Same "dealers" with the same guns with the same price tag that they couldn't sell at the previous show. If I didn't get in for free, I wouldn't go at all.
...Good to hear from you again rbernie. How's that 7mm-08 working out for you?
...Good to hear from you again rbernie. How's that 7mm-08 working out for you?
rbernie
Contributing Member
I figure that there's probably space for 400, maybe 500 tables. But since many vendors take up multiple tables, you wind up with about 125-150 total vendors, of which 75-100 will have real firearms or useful accesories (ammo, optics) and the rest will have bric-a-brac.
<lol> Long gone. Me and da Encore just didn't get along as well as I'd have liked, and I sold the platform to help pay for an AR-10.
You still have that Springer?
Noble Arms bought them out, but I haven't heard that they've physically relocated from their original position; the above map is from their retail website at http://www.mgsdfw.com
One vendor I really like at Market Hall is Blue Star. They have a huge inventory of brass and bullets. Blue Star used to come to every show - now they don't and I don't know their schedule. But I did email the Dallas Arms Collectors that put on the show and they said Blue Star is going to be at this one.
I don't go and buy 1,000 cases/bullets at Blue Star, but they are good for smaller quantities, test samples, etc.
Paul
I don't go and buy 1,000 cases/bullets at Blue Star, but they are good for smaller quantities, test samples, etc.
Paul
justatexasboy
Member
Look up Shramms weapons and ammo. He is a huge new gun dealer. I have purchased just about every gun I won from him. His inventory is huge and his prices are fantastic!.
saltydog452
Member
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I enjoy going, but its mostly for the books and stuff like that.
What I do think that the Dallas Arms Collectors Assn needs to do is to somehow stop the gents who stand/sit out of sight of the main entrance and ask the folks heading for the entrance 'Whatcha got in the rifle case ?'. 'What do you want for it?'.
The last time I was there, some DACA member had a 1911A1 Norinco, well used, who seemed down right indignant when I snickered at the 500 dollar price tag he had on the Nork. In his defense, he did have a box that was included in the price. Expensive box. They trade in boxes also. Make of that what you will.
From what little that I've seen, it seems to be largely a 'meet and greet' sesssion of the members of the DACA. They do a lot of swaping amongst themselves.
I do enjoy the 'show'.
salty.
What I do think that the Dallas Arms Collectors Assn needs to do is to somehow stop the gents who stand/sit out of sight of the main entrance and ask the folks heading for the entrance 'Whatcha got in the rifle case ?'. 'What do you want for it?'.
The last time I was there, some DACA member had a 1911A1 Norinco, well used, who seemed down right indignant when I snickered at the 500 dollar price tag he had on the Nork. In his defense, he did have a box that was included in the price. Expensive box. They trade in boxes also. Make of that what you will.
From what little that I've seen, it seems to be largely a 'meet and greet' sesssion of the members of the DACA. They do a lot of swaping amongst themselves.
I do enjoy the 'show'.
salty.
If you're into knives, there's one custom maker who builds his knives out of oddball materials (old frying pan handles, many things I don't remember). Looked like good quality and very reasonable prices.
Didn't catch a name but I'll be looking for him this weekend.
Didn't catch a name but I'll be looking for him this weekend.
Hawk
Member
It's probably been 5 years since I've hit a gun show - maybe I'm due.
Without the Market Hall gun shows of the past I would've never known what a sugar-glider was, or known of the staggering array of cheap watches and preserved meats available.
I did note that AR magazine "green followers" were $3.00 near the front and gradually reduced to around 25 cents towards the airsoft and bird perch areas - it pays to keep walking.
One of these days, I'll score a P9S in .45 or a Benelli B76 for a good price...
Without the Market Hall gun shows of the past I would've never known what a sugar-glider was, or known of the staggering array of cheap watches and preserved meats available.
I did note that AR magazine "green followers" were $3.00 near the front and gradually reduced to around 25 cents towards the airsoft and bird perch areas - it pays to keep walking.
One of these days, I'll score a P9S in .45 or a Benelli B76 for a good price...
rbernie
Contributing Member
That alone makes you recognizable in the crowd...
Well I decided to make the drive. Lawdog and I will be there bright and early Saturday morning. If you see us, feel free to stop and say hello. It's always fun to meet the folks from THR. You can't miss me. I'll be the one looking like a bear wearing a blue plaid shirt and cammo Winchester cap.
I am sorry to hear that you and the Encore didn't get along. It didn't like me either. It does sound like it contributed to a fine rifle so I guess it worked out in the long run.
I am sorry to hear that you and the Encore didn't get along. It didn't like me either. It does sound like it contributed to a fine rifle so I guess it worked out in the long run.
Sylvilagus Aquaticus
Member
Remember, the Big Town show in Mesquite is the 13-14th, too.
Regards,
Rabbit.
Regards,
Rabbit.
rbernie
Contributing Member
I'll be there Saturday AM, probably in a blaze camo baseball cap. Maybe I'll see ya there.
Hawk
Member
I wasn't going to go, but that tips it over, for sure.
The other guy... red hair with a Wile E. Coyote shirt?
I'm bringin' my autograph book - this is gonna be better than when I met Gracie Slick... well, maybe not, but close, anyway.
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