gun shows-sheeeshhhhh!

[tark]

I love the ones who try to sell obvious fakes, declaring them to be real. The worst I ever saw was some idiot who claimed to have "M-1 Garand serial # 25" It was, of course, a total fake. It had a Winchester Receiver, for starters, along with a Winchester gas cylinder. What interested me the most was the fact that all of the original markings on the receiver had been ground off and replaced with obvious Laser etchings. At least he was smart enough to know that Model Shop #25 would have been a Springfield Armory gun.

I asked him what he wanted, and he said it wasn't for sale, but he proudly announced that he had been offered $4000 for it. I told him that $4000 wouldn't even begin to pay his bail if he were caught. He told me to go to hell. I told him I would probably go to the ATF instead. I reminded him that sometimes an agent will attend a show, just to see what illegalities they might find.

Five minutes later the gun had been removed.

 

[Rockrivr1]

The whole don't touch thing doesn't bother me all that much. If there's something I want to look at I'll ask. The part I always find interesting is the folks who look hurt and get pissed off when I ask if the price on the tag is the best price. As many have mentioned Gun Shows seem to have a number of vendors jacking up their prices. So if someone has something I'm interested in I'll do a little haggling. If you're at a gun show you should expect haggling as a given and not get your shorts into a bunch when someone asks.

I'll be the first to admit that I enjoy haggling for the best price. I knew a vendor that would up his price just so he could haggle with customers. I did a half hour haggle fest with him one time and at the end we agreed on a price. It was fun and we both finished the deal happy. Those that get all pissed off over it should really take a look at the price they set knowing there are better prices for the same thing outside the gun show doors.

 

[AlexanderA]

The part I always find interesting is the folks who look hurt and get pissed off when I ask if the price on the tag is the best price.

On the other hand, some sellers -- maybe most sellers -- expect their marked asking price to be haggled down. Sometimes they carry this expectation to extremes. Last year, at the Baltimore Antique Gun Show, I had an interesting thing happen. I was looking to buy 3 original Civil War socket bayonets. I found one seller that had a bunch for sale. I picked out 2 that satisfied my condition standards, and made the seller an offer for the 2 that was less than his asking price. He accepted this deal (which in my mind established a reasonable benchmark price). Still looking for 1 more bayonet, I found one at another dealer, marked at the benchmark price I had just paid for the others. I actually had my money out when the dealer, out of the blue, said he would give me an additional 25% discount. Um, OK, I could live with that...

The moral of this story is to always haggle at gun shows.

 

[C0untZer0]

Yes

Even on the spicy pickles and Kangaroo Jerky.

I never haggle on the Alpaca jerky - it just doesn't do any good - list rice is always THE price.

 

[stchman]

When I go to gun shows, I just walk around and see what the patrons are selling. The vendors at gun shows still seem to think it's January 2013 with their prices.

 

[Ignition Override]

Maybe prices at the Tulsa Wanenmacher's show in November will be pretty high. It will be my first and probably only large show. But after my money for gas, food, two nights in a Hampton Inn, I won't quibble over a bit higher, after some negotiation. Vendors also pay this (plus--).

As in our local shows, some might rent tables just to show off to their buddies and strangers what they own, with no intention to list a competitive price?

But there will be more gun varieties than all shows in west TN/nw MS put together.

My question is whether it ...Could...be possible to do one trigger dry fire (!) if a gun really interests me.

 

[forward observer]

Ignition Override,

I'm going to the Tulsa show also. I went to my first one last May and was simply awestruck by the shear magnitude and assortment of firearms and related products. It was the best and most complete show, I've been to in maybe 30 years. I was so impressed that I vowed to go back this November. If you can't find it at the the Wannenmacher show then it either doesn't exist, or it does and it costs way too much.
I'm mostly interested in quality vintage Winchesters and Colt and I saw more at that one Tulsa show than I've seen in all of the crappy small local shows I've been to over that same 30 year period. However, there's plenty of latest and not so latest firearms goodies of all kinds. I think you'll be suitably impressed.


I booked my room week before last at a fairly new Super 8 about 7 miles away in Oswego. I live in Little Rock so the drive is maybe 4 and a half hours. It's all interstate except for for the divided highway where one cuts off of I-40 up to Tulsa. That's an Oklahoma toll highway. I think it was a $1.30 to get on and the same to get off.

Just take some good walking shoes, pace yourself, and take a few breaks. It's easy to just do oneself in the first day. I almost did.

Cheers

 

[george29]

I don't go to gun shows anymore, last one was Wanamaker in Tulsa a few years ago, second time there. I bought two really good hand made leather belts and nothing else. Just a waste of time for me but because it bothers the Anti's I think they're important.

 

[horseman1]

I guess you could say that I only attend the show for the entertainment value. It's kind of like going to the circus or fair, but they have guns on display instead of exotic animals. In this case though, the trained dancing bear is for sale. I suspect one could find Mr. Barnum himself if one were to look long enough and locating the clowns is certainly no problem. Sometimes, the audience at this circus is as fun to watch as the acts inside the rings. I really had no idea how many weapons experts came to these shows, as they seem to be everywhere.

I always feel somewhat patriotic walking in, joining up with the other members of our town who believe in exercising our second amendment rights (and probably the local BATF representatives in plain clothes as well). I enjoy speaking with the people that are knowledgeable and interesting as well as some folks that seem to be newer to guns. I kind of like the BS by the aforementioned weapons experts or the table huckster (its like they are trying to get me to play a game on the midway). The hucksters are not usually selling gun related products, but somehow can tell that I am in need of a new roof or furnace. Going to the show once in a while is a way to kind of gauge the current state of our hobby as well. The good, bad and ugly.

I would never handle a gun that I would not actually consider purchasing. When looking/gawking (and not touching) I try not to slobber on the nicer ones. Also, I respect the seller and their wares enough to not waste their time. All told, I usually end up with some slightly overpriced treasures, some new friends and a case of gastrointestinal disturbance from the vendors cuisine. All in all, its well worth the price of admission. If I happen to find a deal on some firearm, reloading or casting equipment, it is entirely by accident.