Question: Going to first gun show

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MrSpiffy

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I'm heading to my first gun show ever this weekend (Milwaukee Gun Show), and I'm wondering a couple things:

  1. I'm looking to pick up a nice .22LR rifle: a Savage MKII FV. Do you think they'll have anything like this at the gun show?
  2. Will I be able to find better prices at a gun show than at a gun shop? I stopped at a local shop and found this rifle (no scope) for around $200.

Thanks! Even if you don't have an answer for me, I appreciate all the help everyone's given me so far. :)
 
Gun shows are hit and miss on selection, but generally you can find common things. I am not sure I would call a Savage 22 Rifle something I have commonly seen at gun shows.

You will probably get as good a price or better at a gun store if you shop around.

Gun shows are fun, but I don't think they are particularly great places to buy guns.
 
If they had the rifle you liked at the shop for a reasonable price I would head back there and pick it up. The chances of (1) the show having your model AND (2) it being at a better price are quite slim IMHO.

Farmer
 
Thanks guys! What about something like ammo..? I also have a Mosin-Nagant that I'd want some ammo for. Would I still be better off going online or to a shop to find ammo?
 
Howdy! In my experience, gun shows are fascinating displays of gun and ammo related stuff, but not known for their great bargains. Yes, you can do well if you know more about someone's wares than they do, but there are also expensive lessons spread out on some of those tables, and the seller will be out of town come sundown.

By all means go and enjoy. Some gun shows are terrific, others little more than flea markets. If you see something that appeals to you, do your research before jumping on it. However, you may discover some things you never knew existed, some hardware that reminds you of your grandfather's barn gun, or a magazine for that old relic in the closet. Just do lots more looking and studying than buying. You may find something that delights you, but remember, these folks know their trade.
 
Well you've already done good by shopping around first. Goto the gun show, even if you don't find the rifle you want, its a fun experience. If they have it there cheaper then get it.

But also keep in mind, if problems arise with the gun, the gunshop will be alot more willing to help make it right, in my experience.

22 ammo probably won't be a good deal there. Walmart has the best prices, and keep a decent selection on plinking ammo. Or try sporting goods stores, they usually carry a decent selection of plinking and target ammo. Buying rimfire ammo online won't save you much money unless you buy alot.
 
You can normally get deals on ammo and components at gun shows, especially larger shows. The competitive nature of the dealers comes out.

Guns, not so much. I've done well a couple of times at the Tulsa show when I was looking for something specific. Fr'instance, a few years ago, I wanted a 28 ga 870, something you don't commonly see. I looked at at least eight or so in Tulsa, before settling on an early 70s mfg in pristine condition for $550. By pristine condition, I mean probably unfired.

Of course, sm was there with me, which helped a lot.
 
Your best bet will be private sellers looking to sell or trade their own guns. They will generally be in better condition and priced better than larger dealers (and tax-free!).

Last gun show I went to most dealers had extremely inflated prices. I wouldn't buy ammo there unless it's a rare caliber you can't get somewhere else.
 
I've had good luck at shows, but its because I decide what I'm going to look for before I go, research it pretty thoroughly, and go to the show informed. I research things like ballpark price for a few specific guns, things to look for on those guns (I know Mosins pretty well), ballpark price per round for a few calibers of ammo, and I'll sit right there at the table and calculate price per round of a display on my phone. I rarely find deals on ammo, but Mosins are always cheap, and I like my Mosins. I got a decent deal on my Sig P6 at a gun show, also.

If I stumble across something I haven't researched, I'll stand right there at the table and phone-a-friend to check it out for me.

I really like going to gun shows just to shop, though. There aren't many places you can handle just about any gun you want without wasting a salesman's time. Its a low-pressure buying experience. I'm the antithesis of the impulse buyer, so no one ever sells me anything. I like to make an informed decision, and part of that that I can't do from home is actually handling the gun.

Side by side comparisons of two specimens is nice too. Many gun shops don't have two or three stripped lowers that you can compare and hand pick the one you want. Shows do. I hand picked my lower after careful inspection of a few different ones.
 
Don't join any parties. Don't sign any petitions.

And if you're buying bulk ammo, don't park too far away from the door.
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I like how you think, sir! :D
 
I'm a very large gun show frequenter. I don't miss a single show that's within a two hour drive. There's one tomorrow morning that I'm going to. Here's what I've learned about attending gun shows. You can find deals on ammo, which people have already said. You can also find deals on guns, you just have to know where to look. Pay attention to the booths, often times you will find people that are not dealers at gun shops, but are just selling pieces of their own personal collection. I picked up a fabulous Mauser from a guy who had a table sat up and probably only had 5 guns. So it's unlikely you'll get any better of a deal at a gun show from people who own their own shop than you would if you just walked into their shop. Another thing that people often times forget to do is watch the people attending the gun show who have brought their own guns to sell or trade. My tactic at shows is to start at one very corner and go up and down every single isle all the way to the opposite side and look at everything on the tables. Then when I get to the other side, I do the same thing going the other way except instead of looking at tables, I only look at what the people attending are carrying. A lot of times you can find someone carrying around what you're looking for. And if you have cash, approach them and try to make a deal. These people are more likely to make a deal with you instead of a dealer who won't give them nearly as much as it's worth. It's a win for you and a win for the guy carrying the rifle.

You can generally find what you're looking for if you follow those little tips. Also, if you see a dealer that has what you want and you make a reasonable offer and the dealer doesn't accept, walk around a little bit longer and come back and make the same offer again before walking out the door. Give the dealer some time to think. Then if the gun is something you really want, come back on the last day of the show and see if he still has it and make him a slightly better offer. I've found out that patience is the name of the gun show game. Unless you're looking for something rare or hard to find, there's a good chance that if the show is large enough then you'll find someone else who has the same thing.

Here in Kansas City, there are some really large gun shows. I'll spend 3 hours at one easily. But the problem I'm findind in this particular climate is that about 65% or more of the guns for sale are ARs and AKs with the prices extremely inflated! I don't know if it's the same elsewhere in the country. But good luck at the gun show...and wish me luck at the one I'm going to in the morning.
 
I've found that I gotten better deals(Prices)on the last day of all gun shows. If you are looking for a home defense shotgun they are in short supply, I advise, if you see one buy it because in most cases it won't last. I was lucky at a recent show and bought both the seller had. Sold one the next day for what I paid for both.
 
Eat well BEFORE you go, and avoid the jerky peddlers. Poor products and grossly overpriced. Wear comfy shoes.
 
Shows are a mixed bag, as mentioned. Sometimes you find dealers that are very reasonable to work with. I know of one in particular who almost always has something priced right. When the Springfield 1911 GI clone first came out, he had several stacks of them priced at $390 ea, easily $35 less than the 1 or 2 you could find on any other dealers tables. He planned to move them all, and I'll bet he did. The next show he had 1 or 2 at the going rate.

You never know what you're going to find.
 
I usually go to the one of two shows locally here every year, but haven't bought a single thing except for a hot dog or two. Over inflated prices are the norm not the exception. I still chuckle when I see guys selling beat up GI M16/AR15 mags for 50 bucks each.

The last one I went to had a OK deals on 7.62x54R and 8mm surplus ammo, but I have boxes of that stuff. More than I'll ever shoot and can't even sell here on THR.

For the Savage .22 - go to Walmart. My nephew got his there for like 120 bucks.
 
We usually go with some specifics in mind, I never go looking to buy a gun, just ammo and acceorssories. My friend has bought a few rifles at shows though and has been happy with them.
 
gun shows are kind of like strip clubs... you get to see alot, touch a little, but nothing ever comes home with you.
 
gun shows are kind of like strip clubs... you get to see alot, touch a little, but nothing ever comes home with you.
Click to expand...

OMG! Maybe that's been said somewhere before...but I've never heard it until now. That's hilarious! I might even use that as my sig line! Brilliant!
 
gun shows are kind of like strip clubs... you get to see alot, touch a little, but nothing ever comes home with you.
Click to expand...

...and what does will usually cost you more than you planned on :D
 
I realize you found what you were looking for, but here is my gun show stradegy.

I generally go with a few things in mind. Like if I were looking for a military surplus bolt action, I would expect to look for a Mauser, Enfield, or 1903. Going and expecting to find a 1943 Mauser Work 98k is not likely. IF you are hunting something specific, than go to many, and keep yours eyes open. Try not to act to excited if you find it, you'll never get a good deal if your drooling on it;). The most fun I have is having a set amount, say 250 and trying to get something fun that fits my collection or a newer gun thats a great deal, etc.
 
I love that quote comparing gun shows to strip clubs... absolutely brilliant! :D

As far as getting the rifle at Wal-Mart, it looks like all of them up here in Wisconsin (at least my area) do not sell firearms at all anymore.

In any case, I decided to hit the rifle range with my Mosin 91/30 instead. All the talk of how gun shows aren't all that great to buy guns kinda made me change my plans a little and I went to the range to just let a few rounds fly and have fun. I liked it (the Mosin)! My first time shooting it, too. Definitely needed padding, though. *rubs sore shoulder*
 
mljdeckard said:
Don't join any parties. Don't sign any petitions.
Click to expand...
I just pretend not to hear them and keep walking, the same thing I do with other panhandlers. ;)

And if you're buying bulk ammo, don't park too far away from the door.
Click to expand...
If you are going to buy very much bulk ammo, take a small dolly with you. (They even sell small folding ones at some gun shows.) Your arms will thank you. :)
 
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