expvideo
Member
I have nothing better to do.
Gun Shows...This is not a gun show bashing thread
- Thread starter deerhunter61
- Start date
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I have not been to a gun show in over 10 years. I plan to go soon just to see what is on the market. Sure you can look at photos on the web. But that is not as good as actually seeing the real thing, as possibly holding the item in your hand.
Kind of Blued
Member
I've never bought anything but accessories at a gun show, but I may go soon looking to satisfy my newfound love for Pre-Lock S&W revolvers.
I'm not sure how it'll go. A lot of guys are probably looking for the same things as I.
I'm not sure how it'll go. A lot of guys are probably looking for the same things as I.
I'm new to handguns so I went to my first gunshow a couple of weeks ago. Having done extensive research on the net, I knew that there weren't any "bargains" there, but I also know the differnce between "out of stock" and "take it home now"! Considering that the guns were in fact available to buy, I did not feel the prices were out of line when you start adding up shipping, FFL fees, etc. I did not go planning to purchase. I went to have the ability to hold and experience firsthand different makes and models. It made for an enjoyable morning. I did go to buy ammo. Here in SLC WalMart's shelves are basically empty. I found 4 boxes of .38 specials to take home. I was able to ask questions about specific models while actually holding them.
I look forward to our next gun show. I had an enjoyable experience.
Randy
I look forward to our next gun show. I had an enjoyable experience.
Randy
Tyler Texas gunshow
I'm going to the gun show in Tyler Texas on the 24th/25th. It is the first one I have ever attended and am curious if anyone here has any experience with this particular show. I'm a recent college grad and finally have the money to upgrade from my home defense pistol.
I'm going to the gun show in Tyler Texas on the 24th/25th. It is the first one I have ever attended and am curious if anyone here has any experience with this particular show. I'm a recent college grad and finally have the money to upgrade from my home defense pistol.
KINGMAX
Member
Entertainment
Just to look around, try to find a great bargin.
Just to look around, try to find a great bargin.
tradja
Member
...except the Fudds who gave me the stinkeye last spring when I was walking around with my new-to-me AK.Rush said:
Kragax
Member
Going Saturday, first gun show here in a long time. Looking for brass, molds, a sizer, or if I could find a good used .308 I'd take it home. Mostly just for a fun guys day.
moooose102
Member
i usually go with the intent of buying SOMETHING. otherwise, what ti the point. but i go a lot less often now because to many of the vendors are simply price gouging. it seems that they really dont even care if they sell a gun or not, as long as they can sell a few at rediculous prices. there must be more money in price gouging a few, than selling more items at reasonable prices. i dont mean they need to give stuff away, but when you can leave the gun show, go to a regular retail store 15 miles away, and buy the same item for $60.00 less. that is gouging.
moooose102
Member
i usually go with the intent of buying SOMETHING. otherwise, what is the point. but i go a lot less often now because to many of the vendors are simply price gouging. it seems that they really dont even care if they sell a gun or not, as long as they can sell a few at rediculous prices. there must be more money in price gouging a few, than selling more items at reasonable prices. i dont mean they need to give stuff away, but when you can leave the gun show, go to a regular retail store 15 miles away, and buy the same item for $60.00 less. that is gouging.
OP
OP
deerhunter61
Member
I must say I have been surprised that there have been this many people who actually enjoy going to the gunshows...
Most of the threads I have read are about what a ripoff they are.
I have always understood that there are folks there that overprice their stuff but I still enjoy going for all the reasons you all have mentioned!
Most of the threads I have read are about what a ripoff they are.
I have always understood that there are folks there that overprice their stuff but I still enjoy going for all the reasons you all have mentioned!
I enjoy everything about any firearms.
They are a vital part of human history.
When I see real people that fought in WW2 talking about their experiences and on the table next to them is the weapons they used and on the next table is the weapons the enemy used.
It all gets very real.
And I get to mix with people that all have an interest in firearms.
I'm very realistic about the deals I might get there,realizing that there is no coming back after I buy what I buy.
Plus you get to know about gun stores in your area you might have never heard of and talk to the people that run them.
And all the new guns are usually out there too,in one place.
But it's just a great experience for me and I enjoy everyone I go too.
They are a vital part of human history.
When I see real people that fought in WW2 talking about their experiences and on the table next to them is the weapons they used and on the next table is the weapons the enemy used.
It all gets very real.
And I get to mix with people that all have an interest in firearms.
I'm very realistic about the deals I might get there,realizing that there is no coming back after I buy what I buy.
Plus you get to know about gun stores in your area you might have never heard of and talk to the people that run them.
And all the new guns are usually out there too,in one place.
But it's just a great experience for me and I enjoy everyone I go too.
I go mostly to look for handguns that are no longer made - pre-lock Smiths, double action Colts, Woodmans, etc.
I really don't have much hope of getting a deal from one of the vendors but rather from the guys walking around that are selling the guns they brought from home.
There's a local one this weekend I believe but the admission price has gone up to $7. I think I'll go hunting instead.
I really don't have much hope of getting a deal from one of the vendors but rather from the guys walking around that are selling the guns they brought from home.
There's a local one this weekend I believe but the admission price has gone up to $7. I think I'll go hunting instead.
OP
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deerhunter61
Member
When is the next gun show in your area?
Someone said something earlier about the cost of buying online. Can someone tell what the benefit is to buying online? I have seen a handful of rifles I liked at Gunsamerica but by the time I add shipping and the cost to pay another dealer to receive it for me it just has never been that good a deal. So do some of you buy online rather than gunshows because of price?
Someone said something earlier about the cost of buying online. Can someone tell what the benefit is to buying online? I have seen a handful of rifles I liked at Gunsamerica but by the time I add shipping and the cost to pay another dealer to receive it for me it just has never been that good a deal. So do some of you buy online rather than gunshows because of price?
bdickens
Member
I usually go to window-shop.
Boba Fett
Member
I go for the entertainment, the deals, the supplies, the fun, the trading possibilities, the people selling their guns, and the treasure hunting.
I was at a show a couple weekends back and found a NIB Ruger Mark II competition target model for $300. I was walking around the show considering buying it (I already have one, but hey...its a MK II...you can never go wrong by having another MK II like that) and by the time I got back to the table it was gone :banghead:
I was at a show a couple weekends back and found a NIB Ruger Mark II competition target model for $300. I was walking around the show considering buying it (I already have one, but hey...its a MK II...you can never go wrong by having another MK II like that) and by the time I got back to the table it was gone
:banghead:I have nothing but bashing to say about gun shows. I always leave with nothing and pissed off at how much I had to spend for parking and admission. I haven't seen one with more than half the merchandise being guns or ammo of any kind...and the rest of the guns are usually priced more than what they would be at the local shops.
The best deal I ever got was a bad box of .44 Mag ammo for $24. (+$8 parking and $9 admission)
The best deal I ever got was a bad box of .44 Mag ammo for $24. (+$8 parking and $9 admission)
OP
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deerhunter61
Member
BigBlock,
If you do not enjoy them why go? Do you feel like you will miss something if you do not go?
It always amazes me when guys go to the shows and respond with the cost of Admission and parking and then also complain about the cost of goods....the admission and parking would be no different than paying for shipping and FFL costs if you order online...actually I think the cost of parking and admission would be cheaper?
If you do not enjoy them why go? Do you feel like you will miss something if you do not go?
It always amazes me when guys go to the shows and respond with the cost of Admission and parking and then also complain about the cost of goods....the admission and parking would be no different than paying for shipping and FFL costs if you order online...actually I think the cost of parking and admission would be cheaper?
Lonestar.45
Member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2004
- Messages
- 1,077
The entertainment value alone is worth the $5 admission I pay.
I go to generally keep tabs on what the market is doing, what's out there, and to spot that too good to be true deal that comes every once in a long while. Also, if I start yearning for a new gun, I like to go to the show and fondle as many examples as possible and do my research before I buy. Gunbroker and Gunsamerica doesn't allow you to do that, and local shops are usually limited in what they carry.
The deals are out there if you look. I got a ton of new PMags last summer for $11 each.
99% of it is overpriced and there are tons of blowhards out there, but it's fun to find that one sweet deal or that one rare item that the local Wally world "sporting goods" counter or local funshop doesn't carry.
Plus, where else are you gonna get that sweet smell of cosmoline mixed with jerky and gun oil?
I go to generally keep tabs on what the market is doing, what's out there, and to spot that too good to be true deal that comes every once in a long while. Also, if I start yearning for a new gun, I like to go to the show and fondle as many examples as possible and do my research before I buy. Gunbroker and Gunsamerica doesn't allow you to do that, and local shops are usually limited in what they carry.
The deals are out there if you look. I got a ton of new PMags last summer for $11 each.
99% of it is overpriced and there are tons of blowhards out there, but it's fun to find that one sweet deal or that one rare item that the local Wally world "sporting goods" counter or local funshop doesn't carry.
Plus, where else are you gonna get that sweet smell of cosmoline mixed with jerky and gun oil?
MedWheeler
Member
Went to one today.. not for a gun, but saw more fairly-priced pieces than the typical show-bashing threads here would have led me to think I would. There were, however, some crack-smokers mixed in with the crowd, too. I just went for the idea that it is being held (today and tomorrow) in a brand-new civic center in my city, and I wanted to see how it was. I did end up walking out with some shotgun shells and a spare OEM magazine for my Bersa Thunder..
I went to one this morning for two reasons.
1. I wanted to see if someone wanted to buy my CZ-257
2. To see what my brass competition was charging for brass
What I found was most guns were over priced at the vendor tables with semi auto rifles very over priced, 1800.00 to 2500.00. The guys like me who had guns for sale to other individuals wanted to trade and bargain down, they didn't want to pay cash. (I didn't want that I wanted cash).
As far as reloading there was only one booth that had any brass for sale. His prices weren't bad but he didn't have a lot of it. He even want me to sell him my .223's but didn't want to pay me for the head stamp sorting or polishing I had done. he did have a good price on Frontier 180gn 40SW, I bought 2 100cnt bags of jacketed FN's for 25.00.
1. I wanted to see if someone wanted to buy my CZ-257
2. To see what my brass competition was charging for brass
What I found was most guns were over priced at the vendor tables with semi auto rifles very over priced, 1800.00 to 2500.00. The guys like me who had guns for sale to other individuals wanted to trade and bargain down, they didn't want to pay cash. (I didn't want that I wanted cash).
As far as reloading there was only one booth that had any brass for sale. His prices weren't bad but he didn't have a lot of it. He even want me to sell him my .223's but didn't want to pay me for the head stamp sorting or polishing I had done. he did have a good price on Frontier 180gn 40SW, I bought 2 100cnt bags of jacketed FN's for 25.00.
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