gunshow observations

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

CarpKiller Has a Good Point

Every time I see tables with Blue Haired Bingo Ladies selling stuff that's better sold @ Swap Meets, I feel disappointed that the promoters call it a "Gun Show". Like CarpKiller, I'd like to see different sections clearly laid out -- one for gun stuff and one for 'other'.

 

[R.H. Lee]

With the Internet, who needs gunshows?

 

[BluesBear]

With the Internet, who needs gunshows?

I DO!

I cannot get .45acp IMH (into my hands) for $6.50 per box over the internet.

I can't find a parkerized Metalform 1911 magazine on the internet, hold it in my hand, dertermine that it's never been in a gun and walk away with it for $10 IMH.

I don't get to select my own parts out of the parts box over the internet.

There is ALWAYS paperwork involved for EVERYTHING over the internet.

A trade is rather difficult over the internet.

I can't look the seller in the eye when I ask a question on the internet.

My questions get answered right away at the gunshow.

I don't need a 3 day inspection clause at the gunshow.

I can't turn it over and see the bad side on the internet.

I don't have to worry about the Post Office losing my payment or UPS/FedEx losing my package at the gunshow.

I don't have to worry if the other guys idea of 95% is the same as my 60% at the gunshow.

I get to see a lot of friendly faces at the gunshow.

I don't have be sitting at my monitor at 4am worrying if some jerk is going to snipe me out of it at the gunshow.

I don't have to make a decision based on a blurry out of focus camera phone photo.

I don't have to make a decision based on a Davidson's Gallery Of Guns photo.

But then I am very lucky to live in an area that has 22 real gunshows locally per year.

I realize that in many areas all you have are flea markets masquerading as gunshows. Or you only have a couple of real gunshows per year.

Just another reason I love life in the Pacific NorthWet.

 

[Lonestar.45]

"With the Internet, who needs gunshows"

I look at the gunshow as another research tool sometimes. Example, a while back I thought I wanted to get into milsurps. Got on the Internet and read up on all kinds of Mosins, SKS's, Mausers, etc. Saw some great prices, found out where to buy, etc. etc. Then, went to the gunshow to actually handle these guns. I'd never held an SKS in my hand before, and it's kinda hard to do over the internet. I had a feeling I might like them, but until I handled one, I really had no idea, and I wasn't going to spend money on a gun sight unseen that I've never even handled the type before.

I looked at all the milsurps at the show, got a good feel for what's out there, and then went back to the Internet and ordered myself a nice unissued Yugo SKS for probably 1/2 what I'd have paid at the gunshow for a junker. I consider the $5 gunshow admission I paid, part entertainment money, and part research money, well spent.

You can get on a forum and ask folks about X gun or Y gun all day long, but until you handle one, it's all kinda abstract. Gunshows are a cheap way to see a lot of different kind of guns (and accessories) in one place. Of course, I don't buy at a show unless I can get a good deal, that's what the Internet is for!