My first gun show tomorrow - what to expect?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I don’t even bother going to most gun shows these days. Antique and militaria shows are much more interesting for me and tend to have more private sellers.
 
I went to my first one about 7 years ago, right before they became a TOTAL waste of time. I don't bother with them anymore. Why spend 15 bucks to walk into a place and not buy something?
 
FL-NC said:
Be prepared for vendors of jerky and jewelry, stickers and t shirts, hawkers of raffle tickets, dealers of the finest edged weapons from pakistan, and lots of gimicky slings and holsters guaranteed to be the "next new thing"- if not already issued to SEALS and Special Forces, and maybe a few guns and parts. But seriously, you never know when you will fall in on that deal of a lifetime, or that one item you have been searching for forever for next to nothing, or whatever. Some of my greatest scores have been at small gun shows. For the past couple of years, I look at gun shows as just that- shows. A chance to look at some stuff and burn a few hours on a weekend. If I find something useful, bonus.
Click to expand...
WELL SAID!!
 
When I bring a gun to a gun show for sale or trade I expect to be offered an almost insulting price for my gun while the gun I'm looking to buy/trade is a gun maker's perfection even it's a second hand gun priced way too high. I just smile and move on. Several times I have been followed by the seller with a "one time offer". Look close at this Yugoslavian 59/66 SKS. One dealer said I was too low at $600.00 and another said I was too high and the gun was only worth $500.00 or less. Get my drift? IMG_0693.JPG
 
There will be guns, junk, guns, ammo, junk, parts, beef jerky, more junk, and cleaning supplies. If you are lucky, a local group will do a historical display. I got lucky at the last one and got to see a whole bunch of WW I rifles and gear along with a Garand display!

The main thing is to have a larger selection of guns available to inspect and buy.

I quickly walk up and down each aisle scanning for whatever it is I am looking for. I note the location but do not stop. Then I go back and check things out. You will likely find one or two decent deals for something not available in local shops.
 
thunderbyrd said:
Do you find good buys at gun shows? Am I likely to find primers?
Click to expand...

Hahahahahaha! No. Shotshell primers maybe.

I normally go to stock up on reloading consumables. Last show I went was last year, after being cancelled the prior year (first year of plague theater). There were almost no primers. I did see one guy selling small rifle primers by the 100 round tray, who talked about his experience substuting SRP for SPP.

I want to buy a 38 super, a Ruger sp101, a .327. and other things I can't remember until I see them.

Am I a sheep going to the shearing?
Click to expand...

Have a good idea of the value of stuff. Be prepared to jump on a sale. And be prepared to walk away from something without regrets. Enjoy the parade of characters.
 
Terry G said:
When I bring a gun to a gun show for sale or trade I expect to be offered an almost insulting price for my gun while the gun I'm looking to buy/trade is a gun maker's perfection even it's a second hand gun priced way too high. I just smile and move on. Several times I have been followed by the seller with a "one time offer". Look close at this Yugoslavian 59/66 SKS. One dealer said I was too low at $600.00 and another said I was too high and the gun was only worth $500.00 or less. Get my drift?View attachment 1067116
Click to expand...


I was looking at a Model 10. Will worn, but solid, nothing special. No price on it. I picked up, close inspection. Seller (dealer) starts in with "finest target revolver Smith ever made. On longer on production. All hand fitted and fine tuned" I am about to bust out laughing. I ask the price? $1100
Now, I am laughing. Looking around, under and behind the table.
He asked what I was looking for?
I said, "the other M-10, that price must be for a matched pair. This is a $450 gun, MAX"
 
tomrkba said:
I quickly walk up and down each aisle scanning for whatever it is I am looking for. I note the location but do not stop. Then I go back and check things out. You will likely find one or two decent deals for something not available in local shops
Click to expand...
Not a bad technique for smaller shows in the 150-200 table range.
Lets you look at the banners and the people for recognizable names or faces.

For shows with more than 500 tables, the issue winds up being that if there is just one of something that's a good deal, it will be gone by the time you get back around to it.

For those shows I have a different modus operandi. I go as far to the "back" (whatever direction is "away from the exit door--if a half-n-half, I go to the side wall with the most salt candles and the like). Then, I wind my way to the front. That way, when you are done, you are at the exit. (Which is an important issue in huge venues like the AstroHall or Dallas Market Hall--I used to make sure to stop at the shoeshine stands in AstroHall just to get to sit down a bit, and get a good shine, too.)

It's not a perfect strategy, as really huge shows, like Tulsa, will defeat it handily.

A good shoulder bag or (comfortable) backpack can be your friend, too.
 
Most of the deals will be from individuals walking around.
HOWEVER, I did go to a show a couple of years ago and was thoroughly disappointed until I came to the last aisle. Halfway down I spotted a 1949 Win 94 in 32 Special in mint condition. It had $700 on it but after talking to the seller a minute he told me things had been really slow and he would take $600 for it.
I told him I really didn’t need it and I had 6 Win 94s sitting at home that I rarely shoot.
I offered him $500 and he took it.
So, you just never know.
 
There is always a chance you could find an old wingmaster or nice old colt or something for a reasonable price. That would be my only reason for going, to try to hunt down an older, out of production gem like an old 870 or Ruger M77 boat paddle or something kind of under the radar. The last show I went to that I actually bought something was over a decade ago and I wound up with a beautiful Ruger Mini-30 Stainless/Walnut and it came with 8 assorted mags for $450 otd and it was during BHO if I remember correctly.

My uncle walked out with a Colt Cobra for $185 on a handshake and I once got a used ruger 10/22 blued/walnut for $150. Deals could be had back then at least and I loved going but I think I'd be bummed now. I may go to the next one that comes local if for no other reason than to poke around for the under the radar stuff that's not in high demand, all the high demand stuff I ever needed I have and bought at sane prices....

You never know, you might find something you didn't even know you needed, or a nice blued Det Spec may just be glinting away in the distance, catching you're eye just right, priced somewhere in the realm of sane and you'll go home with a new buddy.....
 
. Rarely have I found gun shows, even big ones, to have "gotta have" guns at reasonable prices. Still, it's fun browsing and the beef jerky is always good.
Funny thing about gun shows though, on several occasions where I've decided not to go, I've turned up some excellent used finds/buys in local shops. My guess is that folks come in and sell/consign unused guns prior to the show so they have shopping money. Works for me!
 
Tacoma said:
the beef jerky is always good
Click to expand...
So is the bison jerky, and at the last gun show we attended, my wife bought a little pewter statue called "The Gunfighter" for $25.00. When we got home, my wife got on the internet and found out pewter statues like that are going for about $50.00. So if we add up the costs ($25.00 for the statue, $20.00 for entry fees, and $20.00 for gas), and then sold the statue (which my wife won't do) we would only lose about $15.00 on that little pewter statue. At least we didn't buy any jerky - we just tried the samples.;)
 
thunderbyrd said:
Am I a sheep going to the shearing?
Click to expand...
No, not at all, more like a lamb going to the slaughter.

Seriously there are some good deals to be had at gun shows. However, that applies to the savvy buyer who knows how to shop and what things should cost. Anyone here who frequents gun shows can tell you how things work. Primers for example. You will see primers and most will be well overpriced. Primers are beginning to show up again on the commercial market place. Albeit, slowly but they are showing up. The same is true of guns and ammunition. While not at the prices of 3 years ago things are returning to normal or as close to normal as we can hope to see.

Just keep in mind how bad do you want a certain gun or reloading component? Get a handle on what things can be had for and walk the full show before buying anything.

Ron
 
Every self-respecting gun owner should attend at minimum one gun show in their lifetime. I go to as many as I can and have gotten really decent deals in the past year. I'm also not shopping for reloading components or the hottest, newest thing out, though.

If you're on the fence about something, a gun show can offer an opportunity to peep multiple firearms in a couple hours whereas you may spend weeks hitting the LGS scene to see the same stuff.

If you're looking for a 38 Super, you likely won't see many-if any. But you ain't gonna be tripping over people trying to get to it first. Go with limits and an open mind, remind yourself it's a new experience, and beware that most sellers are trying to tap in to the market for all they can.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Is a 327 worth my time
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
dickydalton
dickydalton
K
  • Locked
Buying at a gun show vs local dealer
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
inkhead
I
T
  • Locked
What Am I Missing in My Collection???
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
crebralfix
C
M
  • Locked
What's the probability of this trade???
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Onward Allusion
O
D
  • Locked
Input on Concealed Carry Weapon
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
Drgong
D
Back
Top