Gun show etiquette

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9MMare

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I plan to go to my first gun show this weekend. Mostly just to look (famous last words).

I would like to take my 9mm with me, in case I want to try holsters, purses, etc. I do have my CPL but do not feel ready to 'carry' yet, as I am a new shooter.

What's the best way for me to take the gun to the show with me? Or should I not? I'm thinking gun in purse, mag separate.

And any other advice for gun shows? What not to fall for? (I wont be buying another gun yet. Period. heh heh)
 
Definitely use the original carrying case if you have it. Check in with the people running the show first thing. They will probably allow you to take your gun in but it will have to be tagged somehow to show it is personal property. You can probably leave an empty magazine in the gun. Don't even think about taking the gun and live ammo into the show. CC is not allowed at our local guns shows.

The shows around haven't had any bargains on new guns or accessories since the election. Still fun to go see (and handle) guns that might end up in your collection at a future date.
 
Even if you don't have the original box or a case. Put it in a box protected by foam, a dish towel, something and check the gun in at the door.

Safety and etiquette says, carry it in the box, with the slide locked open and empty mag. Never point the gun at anybody, even if you are stuffing it into a possible new holster.

If you conceal carry, do it with one you DON't plan on looking for a holster for. In other words, don't scare the hell out of somebody drawing a concealed loaded gun. Somebody turns you in for that and you lose you CC permit.
 
If you take your gun make sure it's unloaded, they'll be checking and zip tieing it for safety, you can take it in a holster or gun carrier, or your purse if you don't have either.

Always ask before handling the merchandise.

Use good gunhandling at all times, don't sweep people with the muzzle, keep your finger out of the triggerguard, to check sights point up or down.

If you see something you like and the price seems unreasonable ask whats the bottom dollar they'll take, a lot of people will raise their prices cause they expect to be talked down.

Don't forget your deodorant, you'll notice a lot of smelly people there :D

Have fun.
 
Wow, great advice. And I never would have thought to bring it in the case, but I can and will.

Thanks very much.

And what's with the smelly people? Insider gun joke?
 
And what's with the smelly people? Insider gun joke?
Click to expand...

No. These are low budget events put on by non-profit clubs.:)
That means often in the summer it is hot and stuffy in there as they don't want a big air conditioning bill on top of the rent.;)

Of course there are a few that are just smelly anyway.:D
 
Now, if you do want to shop for holsters and the like, you may want to bring (or ask for) extra zip ties. It's really hard to check fit with a ziptie from muzzle to chanber.

The people who are good at selling holsters and carry gear will gernerally be able to help you. (The guy with eleventeen tables of generic nylon, maybe not so much.)

Wear good shoes for walking. If it's a big shoe, wearing shoes that protect your toes is a very good idea (I always wear steel toes to shows at Reliant in Houston). I usually go to the back ,furthest from the door, and work back to the exit. Which keeps you from having to lug stuff all the way from the back out the door when you are done (the things a person can learn at AstroHall shows <g>).
 
+1 for good walking shoes. I had a biotech conference before my first one so I went in suit pants and dress shoes because I didn't want to go all the way home just to change. Mistake! Aside from not fitting in, my feet were about to bleed from walking around all night. Women especially, wear a nice pair of tennis shoes instead of heels or even flats.
 
Yes, last couple of gun shows I went to the firearms were very overpriced. I did find good deals on ammo though.

Go up and make an offer, they can say no, but they could say yes.
 
Generally you'll have to have any firearms going in zip-tied, so carrying a handful of brightly-colored zip-ties may be a good idea, as they tend to break when you try out holsters.
(I've never seen a panic over a broken zip-tie, just replace as needed if they get in the way trying out holsters)

Take CASH, not many sellers are going to handle cards, the ones that do may add a fee, and there's no such thing as a credit card discount ... but in the gun-show the concept of "cash price" is alive and well. Also, it helps to have that cash in multiple pockets for haggling, there's no need to tell a haggling vendor how much you have or what your budget can take, so feel free to get the lowest price you can. Summary: you'll never pay more with cash than you would have with a card or check.
(Are there still checks? Do gun-show vendors take checks?)

Research what you want to buy, in the case of holsters, one molded to your specific pistol is best, and will command a higher price than a generic one. Look up the cost of custom and generic ones from online makers, and write the prices down.
(I use 3x5 cards, one for each thing I'm looking for)

If you have a tote or other sturdy folding bag to slip into your purse, take it. Ammo boxes tend to rip through cheap shopping bags being recycled by vendors.
(I learned that one the hard way, heavy boxes with pointy corners will not stay in a re-used Wal-Mart bag)
 
Second on BFD's recommendations.
One of the best things to get at the back of the big gian shows is a sturdy but cheap "possibles" bag to tote things in. You want one that will ride on and behind the hip , over just one shoulder, to get through the crowds.

I've used old M56 packs, and universal ammo pouches--but a $5 tote with a flap top has been better over all.
 
Watch out for the ubiquitous gun show gomer with the long gun swung over his shoulder. He's oblivious to everyone around him and he'll pop you in the head/face/mouth with that gun barrel if you don't give him lots of clearance.

And one from personal experience: if you buy a gun at a show, even a new in the box, make sure it actually works BEFORE you get home. If you can't work the action, trigger etc. inside because of the zip tie rule do so as soon as you get outside
 
One way to look at a gun show is thru the jaundiced eyes of an experienced fleamarketeer. There are things of interest and sometimes of value, some people insult easily and some are simply thick headed. Can be great fun, walk thru, then go get a coffee or soda and think about what you saw and want to see again. I take a small note book and keep track of what I see and where. Its fun!!!
 
And when you have your gun ziptied at the door, be prepared for a horde of guys to descend on you asking, "What ya got? What ya got? Want you want?" They're birddogging for the dealers and get a cut of any gun the dealer snags from you, the paying customer. Sort of like the little kids at a market in Mexico trying to steer you to a family vendor or food stand.

Ignore them. Bunch of pests. Not the kids, the guys at the front of the gun show. I like the kids.

John
 
More great advice! I'm thinking now that I wont even bring the gun. (Picked it up today, btw...only had 20 rounds to put thru it but it was great!)

I WILL NOT come home with a another gun. But will be going to mostly learn more, see what's out there, and get ideas on night sites, holsters, and purses. I saw one at the range shop today that I liked...more like a knapsack (over the shoulder) than purse. I hate carrying purses in general. :-(

Thanks and keep it comin'!
 
Lakeshore, I HATE that guy! He's at every show with some overpriced ratty-looking long-gun, right next to the guy checking out the sights on a pistol by pointing it down the aisle full of people.
And across the way from them is someone arguing about the difference between .38 super and .38 special, or 7.62x39mm and 7.62NATO.

Additional possibly useful advice:
Beware cheap knockoffs of name-brand or custom products.
Someone (I think on this forum) had an AD from his gun-show knockoff of a smartcarry/thunderwear product. Some are absolute junk (swiss army knife knockoffs come to mind) ... Some are acceptable cheap alternatives (generic holsters can be a starter kit for your own custom job)
Avoid politics, if you spend 5 minutes at every vendor talking about the current shortage, you are just in the way and wasting your time. It also detracts from your haggling ability to admit that whatever you are buying is getting hard to find.
 
OK, I went today. I think it was a pretty small one and it was hot as heck, as I was warned. It was interesting, nobody pointed anything at me and I didnt point anything at anyone. I was only there about an hr.

I came home with a small, intense flash light to keep with my nightstand gun.

Thanks for the advice!
 
If you want something popular, get there early Saturday. If you want a good deal, show up @ 4pm Sunday. The best deals are to be made when every table is facing the prospect of re-packing inventory.
 
9MMare: What gun show was on this weekend? The biggest shows in the Puget Sound area are usually the WAC ones. The next one in Puyallup isn't until October 24/25, but there will be one in Monroe on September 19/20. Puyallup show is far bigger than Monroe, but both are usually pretty decent.
 
It was in Mt. Vernon and it seemed pretty small, but I've never been to one before.

I may hit Puyallup in Oct, but I'll definitely do Monroe next month.
 
I've been to both WAC shows several times. I've never purchased a firearm at a show, and from the prices i've seen don't really intend to. Make sure you check out the WAC website you can get the schedule of shows.

It's fun to go and browse around. You usually see the same vendors at the same shows. What i've mostly purchased is accessories, bags, and gun parts.
 
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