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