First gun show... any advice/pointers?
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Glockfan.45
member
The only gun show I have ever been to comes to town twice a year. I never found a deal on a gun there that was any better than anywhere else. Honestly gun shows give us shooters a bad image. The one in my area seems to have no shortage of idiots selling a bunch of white power garbage 
. Sometimes you do find neat stuff at a good price from people selling their own stuff, I just never found a gun at a price worth buying there.
. Sometimes you do find neat stuff at a good price from people selling their own stuff, I just never found a gun at a price worth buying there.Bullet Bob
Member
Take it easy, it's only a gun show.
When dickering, don't use the line "I can get it cheaper on the internet". They already know that, and don't care. Flash some cash, and get a deal you're happy with, or walk away.
Do point out flaws in the gun you're looking at, in a doubtful voice.
A point of etiquette - if another customer is holding an item you're interested in, don't start bargaining with the dealer; the holder has right of first refusal. Also a good point if you're interested in something, and see a beady-eyed competitor heading for it - pick it up (with permission); you now have control of the item. It's also considered poor form to offer a customer more than a dealer is when the customer is trying to sell a gun to the dealer. However, if they're trying to really rip off some poor widow, screw 'em, you have my permission.
Don't go when hungry; the food sucks and it's expensive.
Most of all, enjoy the people watching on both sides of the aisle, it's usually the best part of the show.
When dickering, don't use the line "I can get it cheaper on the internet". They already know that, and don't care. Flash some cash, and get a deal you're happy with, or walk away.
Do point out flaws in the gun you're looking at, in a doubtful voice.
A point of etiquette - if another customer is holding an item you're interested in, don't start bargaining with the dealer; the holder has right of first refusal. Also a good point if you're interested in something, and see a beady-eyed competitor heading for it - pick it up (with permission); you now have control of the item. It's also considered poor form to offer a customer more than a dealer is when the customer is trying to sell a gun to the dealer. However, if they're trying to really rip off some poor widow, screw 'em, you have my permission.
Don't go when hungry; the food sucks and it's expensive.
Most of all, enjoy the people watching on both sides of the aisle, it's usually the best part of the show.
Ditchtiger
Member
deals
I burn through the show to get deals on over stock or oddball stuff I need, get it when you see it, if it's cheaper than normal grab it! Then go back through and look for the larger stocked items.
I burn through the show to get deals on over stock or oddball stuff I need, get it when you see it, if it's cheaper than normal grab it! Then go back through and look for the larger stocked items.
I find that you tend to get the best deals on the last day of the show. Many dealers are looking to get some cash in the box to take home and pay for the trip. Also the traded in stuff from the previous day is on the table. I always find my best deals / finds on the last day. Be very careful of the non dealer cash buyers and sellers. The only gun that I ever had the Feds to ask about was one sold FTF at a show. Apparently it ended up at a crime scene a few months after I sold it. If you don't have a very good feeling about a buyer or seller, walk on. If a guy is to quick / eager to produce cash and buy, beware.
Make a shopping list in order of priority of everything you are looking for then research the items on the internet. If you have a C&R license, don't even bother buying C&R guns at a gun show. They are much cheaper ordering them yourself. You can also find ammo much cheaper on the internet.
Look through the whole show before you buy anything expensive. If you have reservations about the price or condition then pass on it. Especially if it is an easy to find item. There will always be another gun show or gun shop to look for what you want. Patience usually pays off and you can put the money you didn't spend back into your gun fund.
On the other hand, if you know the average price of something you really want and find a very good deal you aren't likely to find again, then don't hesitate to buy it. You can use the money you put back into your gun fund to buy it.
Look through the whole show before you buy anything expensive. If you have reservations about the price or condition then pass on it. Especially if it is an easy to find item. There will always be another gun show or gun shop to look for what you want. Patience usually pays off and you can put the money you didn't spend back into your gun fund.
On the other hand, if you know the average price of something you really want and find a very good deal you aren't likely to find again, then don't hesitate to buy it. You can use the money you put back into your gun fund to buy it.
scout26
Member
Go for the Jerky, stay for the Freak Show.
(Unless you're one of the freaks.)
(Unless you're one of the freaks.)
Manedwolf
member
Folding luggage carrier. Please. People can steer those better, and I get tired of getting whacked in the shins by people pushing a little wagon around a crowded event hall, or tripping over one when they've helpfully parked it right at the end of an aisle turn while browsing.
AirForceShooter
Member
learn the prices.
AFS
AFS
Manedwolf
member
As to that last post, you forgot the craggy chain-smoking woman in her 40's or 50's with leathery wrinkles and a hacking cough from all that smoking...but who also horrifyingly and inappropriately dresses like a 16-year old, but in 1980's fashions.
There's ALWAYS one of those.
There's ALWAYS one of those.
pharmer
Member
1) Go, they are lots of fun. 2) Bring cash, everything else is considered a PITA. 3) Know prices. Believe it or not, the Blue Book is a great tool for knowing what to offer. 4) Don't be afraid to make a low offer. Don't be embarrassed by dealer response. You can always go up. I've had many balk at first and take it happily at the end of the day. Dealers hate it when you make an offer they accept and then you try to get them to take less. 5) If you buy a walk in, try to talk awhile. You will get a feeling if something isn't right. Try to get seller info and walk away from ANY deal that doesn't seem right. Joe
scout26
Member
Manedwolf,
That chain smoking "lady" would be:
That chain smoking "lady" would be:
scout26
Member
Was at the Kane County *ahem* Sportsmens Show this morning with my 5 year old son.
I was looking down at table that featured mostly ammo and reloading equipment. I was trying to find Remington STS 209 primers, a Lee Loader for .410 shells (heck, any kind of .410 reloader for that matter) and/or .32 Winchester Special dies for less then MSRP, and keep my son under control. (To his credit, he knows/doesn't touch anything on the tables unless he asks me and the owner first, but he's Five so he does bump into the tables/get run over by people walking the aisles.)
I did not see "BUBBA" when he came up and asked the gentleman at the table: "You got any dies for a .219 Zipper."
My brain instantly thought of Sisco's post. I did not look up.
My laugh/guffaw/snort was clearly audible.
I tried to cover it up with a cough.
When I tilted my head to look at at "BUBBA" and the owner of the table, they were both glareing at me.
I raised and waved my hands in apology and mumbled/chuckled :"Sorry, it's a long story."; and we moved along the next aisle.
I was looking down at table that featured mostly ammo and reloading equipment. I was trying to find Remington STS 209 primers, a Lee Loader for .410 shells (heck, any kind of .410 reloader for that matter) and/or .32 Winchester Special dies for less then MSRP, and keep my son under control. (To his credit, he knows/doesn't touch anything on the tables unless he asks me and the owner first, but he's Five so he does bump into the tables/get run over by people walking the aisles.)
I did not see "BUBBA" when he came up and asked the gentleman at the table: "You got any dies for a .219 Zipper."
My brain instantly thought of Sisco's post. I did not look up.
My laugh/guffaw/snort was clearly audible.
I tried to cover it up with a cough.
When I tilted my head to look at at "BUBBA" and the owner of the table, they were both glareing at me.
I raised and waved my hands in apology and mumbled/chuckled :"Sorry, it's a long story."; and we moved along the next aisle.
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Zen21Tao
Member
Talk to lots of other patrons at gunshow. It's been my experience that they are the best source of deals not the actual dealers at the show (who somehow think they can sell off their stock for same price as in their store). In fact many "dealers" buy their stuff from the same places we gun enthusiests get our goods year round (SOG, AIM, Century, KY Imports, Buds, etc.) then try to turn a profit by selling at a dealer booth.
At the last local gun show I had a friend that picked up an M1 carbine with tons of extra goodies for around $700 (See below) from a guy just looking to make some money to get a new computer. Again, this was from another gunshow visitor NOT a dealer.
It's a 1941 Inland M1A1 Carbine with 6 30rd mags, 24 15rd mags (5 still in their wrappers), 4 5rd mags, a mag loader, a spare M1A1 stock, 2 spare M1 stocks (including the original), a spare bolt, 2 spare stripped bolts, a bolt disassembly and reassembly tool, 2 spare hammers, a spare sear, 2 spare mainsprings, and a lot more stuff (pins, springs, muzzle devices) for $700
At the last local gun show I had a friend that picked up an M1 carbine with tons of extra goodies for around $700 (See below) from a guy just looking to make some money to get a new computer. Again, this was from another gunshow visitor NOT a dealer.
It's a 1941 Inland M1A1 Carbine with 6 30rd mags, 24 15rd mags (5 still in their wrappers), 4 5rd mags, a mag loader, a spare M1A1 stock, 2 spare M1 stocks (including the original), a spare bolt, 2 spare stripped bolts, a bolt disassembly and reassembly tool, 2 spare hammers, a spare sear, 2 spare mainsprings, and a lot more stuff (pins, springs, muzzle devices) for $700
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