I love a gun show, I like to laugh at some of the ridiculous prices, if they are decent I buy. Pretty simple really. A couple hucksters actually had the nerve to put a $900 price tag on a Norinco SKS. I actually laughed out loud on that one.
I'm tired of gun shows...
- Thread starter Redlg155
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we are not amused
Member
If you don't like to go to gun shows... Then DON'T!
I get tired of stupid whiney people always going on about how bad gun shows are, but still keep going to them.:banghead:
I personally like them. I often don't buy anything, but it gives me a chance to see a large variety of guns and supplies that no single gun dealer could possibly have, and there are quite often good deals to have, especially in the less commonly desired guns.
If, the next time you go to a gun show, and are disappointed by it, instead of whining about it, just don't go to the next one.
Many of us like them, and will patronize them, even if we choose to exercise discretion about what we buy. Yes, they can be a bit of a circus, but that is part of the fun.
I repeat- No one is forcing you to go! If you don't like them, then feel free to not attend. The last thing we need is a bunch of angry, disgruntled people showing up with a bad attitude.
I get tired of stupid whiney people always going on about how bad gun shows are, but still keep going to them.:banghead:
I personally like them. I often don't buy anything, but it gives me a chance to see a large variety of guns and supplies that no single gun dealer could possibly have, and there are quite often good deals to have, especially in the less commonly desired guns.
If, the next time you go to a gun show, and are disappointed by it, instead of whining about it, just don't go to the next one.
Many of us like them, and will patronize them, even if we choose to exercise discretion about what we buy. Yes, they can be a bit of a circus, but that is part of the fun.
I repeat- No one is forcing you to go! If you don't like them, then feel free to not attend. The last thing we need is a bunch of angry, disgruntled people showing up with a bad attitude.
Ignition Override
Member
$500 for an all-matching, excellent laminated Russian SKS (star & year on bolt cover) with a beautiful bore did not seem bad at yesterday's Nashville show. Even a year ago, this would not have been bad, for a gun show. For this winter, that's pretty good.
In the last few weeks, many bid or listing prices for the SKS on GB also were not bad.
As for handguns, at yesterday's show a guy who stayed near the entrance had an excellent Bersa Thunder .380 ($275) and CZ 83 for fair prices. They were in excellent condition. Another visitor offered his Sig 230 for $475.
It was a lot more fun than driving south to the mall from the interstate junction (440) in bumper-to-bumper traffic to pick up my wife.
Many of the guys in Nashville who claim that they dislike gun shows might really enjoy that mall, instead...
In the last few weeks, many bid or listing prices for the SKS on GB also were not bad.
As for handguns, at yesterday's show a guy who stayed near the entrance had an excellent Bersa Thunder .380 ($275) and CZ 83 for fair prices. They were in excellent condition. Another visitor offered his Sig 230 for $475.
It was a lot more fun than driving south to the mall from the interstate junction (440) in bumper-to-bumper traffic to pick up my wife.
Many of the guys in Nashville who claim that they dislike gun shows might really enjoy that mall, instead...
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pharmer
Member
Went to a show in Dec., got a 3" S&W 36 and a 2" 34-1 for $700. Wanted the 34. Went to a show in Jan, dropped the 36 for $400 (making the 34 sweeter for $300), 2 other guns and a scope for a grand total, walking out money just short of $1700. Without shows and "private sales", that ain't happening. Keep America free, even if it cost $11 to get in. Joe
nwilliams
Member
I stopped going to gun shows about eight years ago. I got tired of paying money to get into a gun show just to see overpriced stuff.
7mmstalker
Member
I love going to a couple of shows a year, at least.
Too many guys seem to expect "flea market" deals when they go looking to buy.
There are a lot more sellers trying to make a lot more profit than 20 years ago, but they are running a business of sorts, capitalism requires profit to be successful and attractive.
My experience has been satisfying whether buying or selling, and have done a bit of trading as well. Where else can a guy go and see so much variety on display at one location?
Don't go to a show expecting to beat your local shop's deals, though you might get lucky. Don't bring your goods and expect a guy who rents space and drags all of his goods to and from each venue to pay you top retail price.
Think of it as a big car lot, your free to look and don't have to buy. If your trading or selling, realize that the other guy would like to make a buck.
Most dealers or collectors are into guns as a hobby, into gun shows to support the hobby!
Too many guys seem to expect "flea market" deals when they go looking to buy.
There are a lot more sellers trying to make a lot more profit than 20 years ago, but they are running a business of sorts, capitalism requires profit to be successful and attractive.
My experience has been satisfying whether buying or selling, and have done a bit of trading as well. Where else can a guy go and see so much variety on display at one location?
Don't go to a show expecting to beat your local shop's deals, though you might get lucky. Don't bring your goods and expect a guy who rents space and drags all of his goods to and from each venue to pay you top retail price.
Think of it as a big car lot, your free to look and don't have to buy. If your trading or selling, realize that the other guy would like to make a buck.
Most dealers or collectors are into guns as a hobby, into gun shows to support the hobby!
justice06rr
Member
The thing with gunshows is, you need to go there for the cheap things like holsters, slings, knives, etc, and not firearms.
You will be hard-pressed to find a good deal with a gun, unless you get lucky. for the most part gun prices are the same with your LGS or pawnshop. Ammo is usually overpriced as well.
I still go every few months to buy accessories and magazines, but never to buy guns.
You will be hard-pressed to find a good deal with a gun, unless you get lucky. for the most part gun prices are the same with your LGS or pawnshop. Ammo is usually overpriced as well.
I still go every few months to buy accessories and magazines, but never to buy guns.
CajunBass
Member
I enjoy going to gun shows. I don't plan on buying anything except a hot dog and a coke, and I might not buy those, but I haven't been going lately. My wife likes to go to them too, but she has to use a wheelchair and the shows are just too crowded to move around these days. When things calm down a bit, we'll go back.
AethelstanAegen
Member
I'd say that's generally true. I've gotten pretty good deals on small things I needed that would have been more expensive online because of shipping fees. That said, you can find good deals on guns sometimes, especially if you're looking to buy something that's not real popular at the moment. For instance, I got a decent deal on a S&W Safety Hammerless. I found it off one side of a booth selling modern pistols and it was being overlooked by everyone else who was there to buy modern pistols. If I'd found it at a table selling antique firearms, it would likely have been more expensive.
silicosys4
Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2012
- Messages
- 3,664
I'll go to gunshows, and I've gotten some good deals. I don't pay attention to the LGS tables, or the out of town guy who follows the shows with overpriced goods. I look for the local guy who has excess that threw up a table and wants to get rid of some extra guns, the private seller. Sometimes there is one or two of those guys in the small-town gunshow I attend. Usually I'm there to trade though. I will take a few guns that I've acquired for a great price that I'm no longer interested in, and see if there is some trade fodder.
For instance, last show 6 months ago I traded a R.I. G.I. 1911, a taurus pt111, and a Ruger P89, for a RRA coyote carbine.
Total investment in the pistols was about $800.
The rifle is worth at least double what I had into the pistols at this point.
As far as going to spend money on new guns, gunshows are a waste of time to me.
For instance, last show 6 months ago I traded a R.I. G.I. 1911, a taurus pt111, and a Ruger P89, for a RRA coyote carbine.
Total investment in the pistols was about $800.
The rifle is worth at least double what I had into the pistols at this point.
As far as going to spend money on new guns, gunshows are a waste of time to me.
Mark - looks like it, always busy when I'm there. I asked them to put me on the rifle range to shoot my .357 & .45 last Fri because the pistol range was packed and they winked/nodded and let me go in there alone to have some "peaceful" shooting time. They are great guys but some are giving them hell (if you look on their FB page) for trying to be reasonable through all this nonsense. I try to give them as much business as possible and have purchased 2 guns from them recently - great prices and they actually had that which I had been seeking for months.
milehighjc
Member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2013
- Messages
- 11
Compared to those of you posting here, Im sure I am a complete newbie. I have owned a shotgun for clays for 3 years now, and had been considering a handgun for quite a while, but never got serious about it until recently.
After visiting quite a few gun shops with empty shelves, I finally visited a large gun show two weeks ago. For me, it was time well spent. I was able to compare a WIDE variety of handguns, far more than I had been able to see in all the gun shops combined. I wound up finding a CZ P-01 that I really liked. Im was not sure at the time if it was a great price or not (I didnt have the perspective that day to know), but since I went with a good friend who did have some perspective, I wound up buying it. In retrospect, I have seen lower advertised prices, but with no availability. I have seen higher prices as well with some but not a lot of availability, so in the end attending the show was a good experience for me.
Will I go to more? Who knows. When I need something specific (ammo, holster... ...) perhaps. But the first visit was well worth my time.
After visiting quite a few gun shops with empty shelves, I finally visited a large gun show two weeks ago. For me, it was time well spent. I was able to compare a WIDE variety of handguns, far more than I had been able to see in all the gun shops combined. I wound up finding a CZ P-01 that I really liked. Im was not sure at the time if it was a great price or not (I didnt have the perspective that day to know), but since I went with a good friend who did have some perspective, I wound up buying it. In retrospect, I have seen lower advertised prices, but with no availability. I have seen higher prices as well with some but not a lot of availability, so in the end attending the show was a good experience for me.
Will I go to more? Who knows. When I need something specific (ammo, holster... ...) perhaps. But the first visit was well worth my time.
22-rimfire
Member
How "tired" of gun shows relates mostly to my finances. I see no point in going to a gun show without at least $1000 in my pocket. That $1000 has been tough to keep there lately. Hence, I haven't been to a show in a good year.
Milehighjc, gun shows have historically been the place to go to find a wide assortment of firearms for sale. Glad you found what you were looking for. Yes, I think they're fun. I just have not been allowing the candy to be dangled in front of me lately. There is always another one I would like to have.
Milehighjc, gun shows have historically been the place to go to find a wide assortment of firearms for sale. Glad you found what you were looking for. Yes, I think they're fun. I just have not been allowing the candy to be dangled in front of me lately. There is always another one I would like to have.
18 years ago gun shows were pretty good. No internet so you had to buy Shotgun News or some other publication to find out what the market was. But you could find ammo, components, mags, once in a while guns, that were a good value. Like 500 rounds of Remington Golden Sabre 147gr 9mm for $85. 50 rounds of .30 Carbine for $8, primers $11 per thousand.
wkumatt
Member
No one has mentioned my favorite part, the parking lot. I never went in the last show I was at. I hung a sign around my neck and got my asking price for the two pistols I was selling before I got to the building. Then bought a S&W from a guy in line. The line was looking like it was going to take a half hour to get in so I went home, all in all, a good day. I've been hanging a sign on my neck for what I wanted to buy or what I am selling for a long time, hasn't failed me yet.
digsigs226
Member
I can relate, I got tired of paying an $8.00 cover charge so I can have access to abused, rusted, low quality firearms and overpriced ammunition. I'm sure other people have had positive experiences, but as for me, I have regretted it every time I have gone.
I will stick to the local gun stores.
Ignition Override
Member
Of my 13 guns, all of which are rifles, there are records (if still kept) for only two of them.
Shows always have what our local stores never have-an interesting variety of milsurps.
The intention later this year is to drive to the very large Dallas show, with some cash saved up.
But gun shows aren't any fun, right?
Shows always have what our local stores never have-an interesting variety of milsurps.
The intention later this year is to drive to the very large Dallas show, with some cash saved up.
But gun shows aren't any fun, right?
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Russ Jackson
member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2009
- Messages
- 564
They keep raising the prices to enter. Its gone from $7 to $9 in the past 6 months and its always the same crap. Best deals in Ohio are from people walking around. Ammo is a JOKE.
Crowds are bad, prices are high, but if I have nothing better to do that day I may waste the entry fee. Once every other time I find a bargain on accessories, but not guns or ammo anymore.
Lots of diabetic knee socks, therapeutic magnets, airsoft toys, and other non-gun crap.
And I have to agree with the deodorant comment. And be prepared to wander into non-moving traffic jams with crop-dusted clouds of flatulence taking your breath away, especially in the morning.
Some complaints I do have though is people bringing kids in strollers, and face to face buyers and sellers totally blocking progress in the middle of the already too narrow aisles. I'm all for face to face, but I wish they would create a separate area for that so you are not caught in crowds going nowhere all day. And being constantly swept by long guns and handguns being carried with fingers on triggers keeps me weaving and bobbing.
Lots of diabetic knee socks, therapeutic magnets, airsoft toys, and other non-gun crap.
And I have to agree with the deodorant comment. And be prepared to wander into non-moving traffic jams with crop-dusted clouds of flatulence taking your breath away, especially in the morning.
Some complaints I do have though is people bringing kids in strollers, and face to face buyers and sellers totally blocking progress in the middle of the already too narrow aisles. I'm all for face to face, but I wish they would create a separate area for that so you are not caught in crowds going nowhere all day. And being constantly swept by long guns and handguns being carried with fingers on triggers keeps me weaving and bobbing.
mgmorden
Member
Maybe I'm just too accustomed to other types of events, but to me a "gun show" was never much of a "show". Its a giant room where I'm standing in line and paying to shop.
If admission were free then sure, I'd go shop, but if I pay to get in I'm expecting a little more in the way of, well, a show. I attend a ton of other events related to other interests of mine that are like that. You pay to get in, and there might be a vendors area where you can buy stuff, but they also have scheduled seminars and presentations and other such events that make you feel like you're getting something for your money.
If they let the public in, I'd pay to go to SHOT Show for example (if they let the public in), as its a little more like that and is what I'd actually consider a gun show. The local group of tables down at the local flea market though? Nah. I'd rather do my shopping online where I don't have to pay for admission.
If they honestly want me to attend they need to have some demonstrations. Have an auditorium where they explain the process of buying a suppressor. Or how to obtain a C&R. Or tips on self-defense. Bring in some guest speakers. Sure have the shopping area, but make me feel like its something worth paying to get into.
If admission were free then sure, I'd go shop, but if I pay to get in I'm expecting a little more in the way of, well, a show. I attend a ton of other events related to other interests of mine that are like that. You pay to get in, and there might be a vendors area where you can buy stuff, but they also have scheduled seminars and presentations and other such events that make you feel like you're getting something for your money.
If they let the public in, I'd pay to go to SHOT Show for example (if they let the public in), as its a little more like that and is what I'd actually consider a gun show. The local group of tables down at the local flea market though? Nah. I'd rather do my shopping online where I don't have to pay for admission.
If they honestly want me to attend they need to have some demonstrations. Have an auditorium where they explain the process of buying a suppressor. Or how to obtain a C&R. Or tips on self-defense. Bring in some guest speakers. Sure have the shopping area, but make me feel like its something worth paying to get into.
OilyPablo
Member
I don't see why you guys pay money for your shows. Aren't they club run? Just join the club and go, no charge.
I think you'd be happier if you went to a bigger and more legit show. In Orlando, the big dealer is shoot straight. They're always running sales at the shows, and I've gotten great deals with them.
Ammo vendors are typically reasonable when/where I go. But the true hallmark of a good gun show is the food!
Ammo vendors are typically reasonable when/where I go. But the true hallmark of a good gun show is the food!
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