Gun Shows

[M2 Carbine]

Good prices on bullets, primers, powder, ammo and sometimes good buys on guns and accessories.

At the last show I spent a half hour trying to talk a guy out of selling me his M1 Carbine because he was selling it too low.
Then after I bought it he pulled out a Carbine bayonet and 2 30 round magazines and handed them to me.

The gun shows aren't what they were 20 years ago, but what is.

 

[Isaman2000]

Well my first gun show i guess was a success. I purchased 1000rds of Golden Tiger 7.62 X 39 FMJBT for $125. Anybody know if i got a good deal?

 

[BIG SW 99]

Big sw 99

Gun shows are tuff, it seens the Guns that i want are the Guns that they dont have, and if you do find one its not in good condition, or to much money GO figure.

 

[Mizzle187]

Well my first gun show i guess was a success. I purchased 1000rds of Golden Tiger 7.62 X 39 FMJBT for $125. Anybody know if i got a good deal?

Thats about normal pricing! The cool thing is you actually found some! There was a major shortage of that caliber in the last 4 or so months! Maybe thats a sign of everthing going back to normal or that person had a stash left!

 

[Ala Dan]

Laughing Loudly

as a gunshow in Birmingham, AL is currently on going (Jan 7th & 8th-2006).
Had a customer come into our shop yesterday (the 7th) and said he had
been to the gun show, and it was a "waste". He explained that it wasn't
what he expected, "just a few old men with high dollar guns, sitting 'round
eating crackers"~!

 

[Werewolf]

I only go to gunshows 2 or 3 times a year here in Oklahoma City. The only thing I've ever bought at one was some jewelry my wife eyeballed and just had to have and a pewter dragon for my eldest daughter who is an RPG'r.

All in all depending on the size of the show visiting one is a fun way to kill a half to a full day.

• I like watching the people and you get all kinds.
• I like eyeballing the wares and checking the prices against what I know the same thing sells for in the various gun stores in OKC.
• I like the knife displays.
• And sometimes there's even stuff I've never seen before.

I like hassling the NAZI's - not the guys selling memorabilia but the NAZI dealers hawking their anti-USA BS conspiracy crap, bomb making manuals etc.

At some point I take an active role just for kicks.

Invariably there's a table or two that's selling SKS' and Mosins for $300+. After eyeballing them and inquiring as to why they are priced so high considering their condition and annoying the dealer I go to work. I wait for someone to come by who handles the wares and looks genuinely interested. It's easy to pick out the knowledgeable from the new guys. If a new guy is seriously considering a purchase I'll sidle up to him and ask if he's thinking about buying the rifle. If he says yes I'll tell him - loud enough for the dealer to hear - that he can buy the same gun in as good or better condition at <name two gun shops> for about half of what this guy wants. I love it when they thank me for the information and walk away. I love it even more when the dealer tries to get in my face and make me leave. I don't - leave that is. Some try threats, some whine and cry, even had one offer me $20 to go away once (I took it).

Why do I spend a half to a full hour doing that. I hate those guys ripping off the public. Besides it's a real hoot for a guy like me that thrives on confrontation. Gotta use your free time somehow - might as well enjoy it.

 

[GEM]

Buffalo - one of my old home towns close to my heart. Went to UB and married a local gal. Never went to a gun show there, however.

A serious answer: In TX, what I find at the gun show are standard model new guns at prices significantly lower than MSRP and most of the gun stores.

Thus, if I wanted a Glock, SW, Ruger, etc. I would check the MSRP and scout out a well know and stocked local store. That would give me a price break.

On ammo, the discount sports stores here are the same or better.

Used guns - it depends. Caveat Emptor. I've bought some from a dealer I know but it can be a crap shoot.

Eat Beef on Weck for me!

 

[AirForceShooter]

I also hang out in the parking lot.
You can do some awesome deals there.

AFS

 

[GD]

Definitely good values on ammunition. Shipping is what kills the price. I paid less than 5 cents per round on Greek 8mm and less than 8 cents per round on 7.62x54 yesterday. $8 per 20 rounds for Wolf K31 ammo. Can't order anything that cheap.
Also, occasionally find a rare firearm cheap.
If you know your vendors, you can occasionally get good advice.
For me, the $6 entrance fee is worth it.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Yesterday at the gun show I got a Kel Tec PLR-16 for $430.
A nice used Redding reloading press for $20.
Two new GI AR 15 twenty round mags for $10.
1,000 rounds of Brown Bear .380 for $110.
And some other stuff.

And best of all I met and got a signed autographed book from James Megellas, the 82nd Airborne's most decorated officer in WWII.
"All The Way To Berlin"

I also was very proud to meet and listened to a wheel chair bound Vietnam vet that had been a "guest" of the Hanoi Hilton.

Two very humbling experiences.

 

[Isaman2000]

Is there any National Gun shows? If so, where and when?

 

[gm]

back in the day

Im surprised nobody mentioned "the gunshow hotdog"...or gutbusters as they were called at a time.they could make a better profit off these and give a packet of tums to go with each purchase.The jerky really wasnt that bad,I spent more on that than the admission price.

A bunch of us crammed into my honda and headed up to a big show up north,after a few hours of entertainment,we got hungry and ate at the small break area.needless to say,the drive home was miserable-we got some odd looks driving down the interstate with the windows down in 32 degree weather.nobody bought anything but what the heck,better than going to a craft show with a bunch of hens and pretending to be having a great time.


yup,fantasy daggers,windchimes,watches,velvet elvis pictures,gi joe toys,kids toys,flea bitten old military clothing,reading for the entire family,free glasses cleaning,little glass thingamajigs that hang on your widows..and other "stuff" that they just cant sell anywhere else,cause nobody wants it

 

[Jam]

new york laws

well i can speak for westchester county thats 20 mins from manhattan the laws here are disgusting ccw is a bad work unless you hit lotto and you can prove there are threats on your life. After 5 guns the county police have to see your safe and house and all entrances. when you buy a gun you have to leave it with the dealer until you fill out a amendment form and it gets signed by the judge that can take from a week to 12 weeks min the only licence you can get is a target licence all guns have to have trigger locks in the safe all ammo has to be in a differnt place and i know the clinton ban was lifted and the same day pataki signed the same ban for new york NEW YOK LAWS S--- thats all i can say

 

[Isaman2000]

Anybody ever see any quality parts for SAR ak's at shows?

 

[YellowLab]

Last year at the Harrisburg PA gun show I met Gen. Tibbets... the pilot of 'Enola Gay'... first man ever to drop a nuke in combat. Very nice guy.

Most gunshows are AR related.
Then SKS.
Then K98s.
Then crap.

Go for the small parts that you hold off buying cause shipping is $5 for a $1 part. I get a lot of 1911 parts, mags etc. I rarely buy a weapon because thier prices are really, really, crappy and they generally don't haggle.

Ex an M4 may be say $600 on the net, yet dealers will not budge less than $750. I even took in a printout to try and bolster my position.. no sale. Ended up building an XM16E1 on a Stag lower for $500.

Garand prices are CRAZY.

I picked up 8lbs of H4895 for $112, not that great but saved shipping ($20+$20 hazmat).