Hampton, VA Gun Show

[Mr. X v3]

Hello all...

Just wanted to get the consensus of opinions for you Hampton Roads guys about the gun shows here... Not that any gun show is really BAD, but are there any larger shows in the area (such as the Richmond shows)? Like I said, seems to be a lot of nice people at the Hampton/Norfolk/Va Bch shows, but a lot of space occupied and not a whole lot of variety offered, unless you are looking for purses, jerky, AMSOIL, and belt buckles.

Anyone have person experience with some of the Richmond dealers? Green Top seems interesting... Thanks,

X

 

[rc109a]

I went to that show today. A lot of stuff, but no deals. Guns were expensive and no reloading supplies. The show in richmond at the showplace is much better. If I have read the flyers right, hampton is the largest in southern VA. Richmond is about the same size, but they appear to have a greater selection. If you want more info about the dealers in Richmond, PM or email me..

 

[Tribal]

I like the one in Norfolk. As for prices, Dark Sun usually seems to have the best deals. I picked up a Double Star complete lower (w/stock) for $230. They had some Kahr K9 test pistols for $309 and I saw an M1 Carbine with a slightly chipped stock go for about $370. They also seem to be among the better places to go for trades. Trader Jerry's is very hit-or-miss; at Richmond I thought his stuff was exorbitantly expensive but today it seemed to be largely in line.

The thing that gets me is that there's always some guy trying to sell P-3ATs for $350. I wonder how that works out for him.

I'm planning on going back Sunday, as there's a certain gun there which, if still available, is about $100 less than I've seen anywhere else.

 

[PowderKeg]

Va gunshows

It's been a few years since I moved from SE VA, but I always thought the VA Beach show was the poorest of the lot, the Hampton Coluseum show a little better at just barely worth the hour+ trip, and the Richmond Showplace show the best. T&T Reloading was usually at the Showplace with some of the best prices and best selection - spent a fair amount of $$$ with them over the years I lived in VA. There was also a show at the Richmond Fairgrounds/Raceway, but that ranked between the VA Beach and Hampton shows.

GreenTop has always been a must-stop after the Richmond area shows or on travels up and back I-95 visiting family in MD. Love stopping there to drool over those racks of long guns - been almost 2 years since I've been in there. Last time there I picked up a barrel for my 1300 Winchester alot cheaper than any gunshow had a used one for.

There's another gunshop that I can't remember the name of in Mechanicsville just south of 295. Not near as big as GreenTop, but worth a stop when in the immediate area.

If you're up for a road trip, the Nations Gunshow takes place up in Chantilly above Manassas. Only been to it once or twice, but got a few good deals there - size is almost overwhelming.

 

[Mr. X v3]

Thanks to all... The one in Norfolk is nice and close for me, as well as the one in the Va Bch Convention Center. For that, I should not complain. I will definitely have to check out the Richmond Showplace event and take a look at Green Top next time I am on the way to DC. I plan on going to the Chantilly show this year.

Tribal, Dark Sun is always swamped (didn't see him today) when I stop by his table.... I have had the same experience with Trader Jerry's... Call me difficult, but I refuse to pay full price for a gun that is in large supply.

 

[Tribal]

It turns out that I have a prior commitment and can't make the purchase today I wanted to: if you go back today, Rabbit Ridge has an SU-16C for $399. I'm almost positive it's new, and if so, that's an amazing price.

I was talking to Bob down in Norfolk and he said he only does the Norfolk show: not because of distance but because he says the Hampton and Virginia Beach promoters (SGK) aren't very pro-gun.

Also, a dealer at the Richmond show mentioned an independent Class III dealer near Williamsburg named "George the Greek" who sells out of his garage. Has anyone ever heard of this guy?

 

[Apple a Day]

No great deals that I saw. I did handle the new Ruger Charger pistol (the cut-down 10-22). Dark Sun had it for ~$275 and one of the other dealers had it for $340 with a scope mounted on it. I think I'll wait for a while.
Tribal, I've heard somebody mention a class III vendor in Williamsburg named Something Christy... something along those lines. I'd check the phone book. Good luck.

 

[rc109a]

I never heard of him. I am in that area and my best friend is a officer in that area. He knows all the dealers(yes both types), so I will ask him. I thought the Norfolk shows are really small. It just seemed there was more clothing and shoes for sale along with jewlery. I did not like that. Trader Jerry's (a friend of mine works for him) and he told me to stay away since he was expensive. I am trying to put together another AR and it seemed like the Hampton show was just swamped with UTG parts. Not what I am looking for...

 

[graybeard321]

My wife ad I have been to VA run shows from Roanoke/Salem VA to the Nations gun show in Chantilly VA with Hamption, Richmond, Winchester and Dale city thrown, I or my wife have at one time or another purchased a firearm from all the vendors Listed in this article and several others. Trader Jerry's maybe a little expensive but he always has the best selection. The bigger the show(number of vendors selling firearms not number of tables) the better the prices. I have ordered catalogs for all the Major brands. I spend time on auction sites trying to determine the value of the firearms I am looking for. The most important thing is talk to the vendor, do you trust him or is he a used car saleman trying to tell you what you want or scare you by telling you lies like "this is the last of this model gun because they are no longer being imported into USA or made".

 

[Eric F]

I went yeaterday and as usual ssdd......over priced very few good deals and the usual sound of stun guns in the air every 30 seconds.

The good deals I did see m1 carbines 4 of them for 350 each
one guy has 7 hk p7 psp for 500 each with 3 mags gone in the first 20 minutes of the show
and a remington 81 in 30 rem for 450 thats about it

usual complaints 50% of the dealers were not gun or knife related at all....amsoil??? give me a brake

 

[Mr. X v3]

Gents, that was my general opinion as well. I am going to check out the Dulles and Richmond shows next time they are held... Too bad I missed the P7s. I would have grabbed another one.

I tire of the super tactical stun gun bandits proving that their hand held Tesla coils can arc and spark louder than the next guys... zap, pop pop pop pop. Sweet. Awesome.

X

 

[ATF3goodthings]

G & L Arms
Mooretown Rd
Williamsburg, VA 23188
George Christy is george the greek in williamsburg you were looking for
Phone: (757) 565-2820

I have not been there in a while but I enjoyed the conversation- good folks, small place.