Gun Shows

[Zach S]

I havent been to a gun show in a long time. Unless I'm looking for something collectable (which I dont, to be honest I'd ruin the value), there isnt much offered that I cant get from my preferred dealer or online at a better price.

I don't collect beanie babies or Nazi memorabilia either.

Then you figure 6 bucks to get in, after paying 5 to park, then its more hassle than its worth IMO.

Besides, I hate crowds, and my wife normally takes care of my disposable income (and then some).

 

[Kevin108]

There's always great deals on Nazi memorabilia and velvet Elvises but the gun prices are hit and miss. Usually I don't bother with gun shows because of the above.

 

[P90shooter]

I go to the Ft. Worth gun show all the time. I sometimes find great deals but its not hard to find people overcharging for nothing more than crap

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

The last gun show I went too, out here in Colorado Springs, left me annoyed and disgusted. Like others have mentioned, it was so crowded, I could barely breathe, it was miserable. Second, the pistols were blatantly overpriced, XD's were running $559+. XD-M's were going for $700, again overpriced. I can find XD's at local dealers for $489 and XD-M's for $619. There were Wolf 7.62x39 cases of 1000 for $259, no way am I paying that price. All in all, I thought it was a joke, its getting to the point of not even being worth going.

 

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

I have read through the posts here and I have to say that I find it humorous, considering I have seen some of the same things.........lots of beef jerky, ridiculously overpriced NAZI memorabilia, silly looking knives with grips that are made for a giant's hand, as well as thousand round boxes of 7.62x39 ammo going for $260.

However, I guess I shouldn't complain too much. In my city, they don't charge us to park. Well, it looks like I found a deal after all.

 

[Furncliff]

I live in the boondocks. The nearest gun show takes place twice a year in a town 30 miles away. I like the local show, even though I'm new to the area I can see that it's a social event for the shooters in the area. It's small, but there's a bit of everything. What I go for is to see and fondle guns I would not have the opportunity to encounter. Last spring I bought a Savage 29 made in 1929. I don't have a desire to attend the BIG shows.

 

[krs]

I only go to local or in state shows where it's still possible to trade amongst other users, where it's at least in some part a gathering of FTF buyers and sellers.

Locals pay $15. for a table and put out their excesses.

Sometimes I find very good deals this way, and on top of that I've met some guys who I don't mind seeing next time to say hey and shoot th breeze a little, even if there's no dealing going to happen between us that day.

Over the years it's gotten better as some of the people I've met this way know what kind of thing I like and collect and they'll bring me something to consider.

Much like the old days now.

I don't go to the big organized shows much, and I won't go to out of state ones at all.

 

[bikerdoc]

I go with the intent it is a social and educational day, if I find a bargain and I usually do, it is a bonus.
You got to spend some time digging and talking but it is fun. last one the wife got a used pink spyderco ( she is a breast cancer survivor) out of a big box of "stuff" real cheap, took me about an hour to get shaving sharp and she loves it.

 

[Mikerbike]

I've found good buys in handguns at gun shows, but you have to have an idea of what things are really worth and not be afraid to ask for a reduced price. You will also find some really overpriced junk. As always, doing the homework pays.

No matter what, I have a good time at the shows, watching the people as well as looking at goods my local shops don't have laying around. I've also met some fine folks and some that are just entertaining.

Beats painting the family room!

 

[orchidhunter]

Gunshows now are just a place all the cheats and beats gather at to prey upon the walk-in crowd. orchidhunter

 

[PRM]

I used to love the gun shows back in the 70s, 80s, even up in the early 90s, you could pretty well count on finding some good buys. Seems the last few years most vendors are retail cost to retail plus in their pricing. Not saying some great deals are not there - just not as frequent and harder to find. I don't mind someone making money on a deal, that is why they are in business - just some vendors think that next months mortgage needs to come off of a single sale, and the customer is too dumb to see through it.

Guess my funniest memory of recent years was a kid who could not have been over 21, 22, at the most (just a guess since he was packing - didn't look like he had ever shaved), was working his dad's table, and was trying to sell me a revolver that had been really abused (shot loose) - all kinds of play in places that should have locked up tight. Aside from acting like I had just rode in on the short bus licking the windows, he gave me this comment "I've shot lots of guns in my day that did not lock up tight, that's not a problem." Apart from the BS, I have t-shirts older than he was (Now I am rambling again).

Most of the great deals I have came across in the last few years have been off of the sites such as Gun Broker or Auction Arms. Even then you have to be cautious.

 

[jaysouth]

Good deals are not going to smack you in the face. You have to seek them out. Most will be walking around and not laying on a table.

Price gouging dealers? If you have not cultivated a local dealer for transfer and know all the good sites, you will pay high prices from dealers. Most of the regular vendors are idiots chasing easy money. We all know there ain't no such thing. Don't feed the trolls with impulse purchases.

However, at the last show I attended, I picked up an FN MKIII hipower in good shape for $450 from a dealer.

I carry a lot of cash and know how to work it.

 

[Eightball]

Most of the shows around here are utterly worthless. Went to one with 2 coworkers looking to sell some optics, and both of those were sold within 10 minutes because it seemed the people coming in after us knew that there weren't going to be any deals had inside.

However, VERY occasionally you can find an oddball item at a decent deal. More often, when I go to shows, I look for a particular accessory or magazine for cheaper than retail, or stock up on reloading supplies (in order to avoid shipping and HAZMAT fees).

Other than the reloading stuff, the biggest gun show of the year is about 30% 18th century crap, 15% Nazi crap, 10% "original/mint/collector" crap, and about 40% just overpriced random firearms; it's the remaining percentage where the weird, wonderful, fun, or deals come into play.

 

[GEM]

TX shows can be decent. You can get good prices on new standard items. Save about $30 compared to the best big box stores.

There is gouging now - but if fools want to panic - it's their bad luck. I saw one guy being talked into the rare ParaOrdance Special Forces 1911 which luckily only this dealer had for $2500!

However, wait awhile - pretty soon - if the economy continues to stink - some folks with expensive panic guns will be at the show selling them and get a surprise how much they are worth.

I still kick myself - there was a guy selling a nice SW 66 snubbie and the dealer was lowballing him. The seller was a big macho looking guy but reduced to sniveling by the dealer's karma. I was a table away and was going to leap across it like Indiana Jones to get the gun but the deal was done before I could act.

 

[smilin-buddha]

Went to the local Gun show in Wpb Yesterday. Guns were priced rather high. But did get a small pistol case for 5 dollars. And a almost new set of Hogues for the J frame for 8 bucks.

 

[22lr]

Its all in how you look. I find amazing deals all the time but you have to be able to take advantage of them. Right now bolt actions are selling rather cheap up my way, or people are willing to comedown quite a bit in price. I already have a really nice 30-06 so im not in the market for another bolt, but deals are to be had you just cant expect to find a good deal on something that everyone else wants.

 

[whited]

.

I have been to a grand total of one 'gun show' in my life. It was one too
many. The legend that is the "Tanner" show in Denver was utterly, utterly
shambolic. Never again. What a waste of time.