Satisfied My Curiosity

[USMC 1975]

I finally attended a gun show. Yes I am a late bloomer and probably should have attended one years ago, but better late then never I guess. Myself and two buddies drove down to the Tampa Gun Show on Sunday and spent the entire morning looking at every table in there.

So my impressions ?

I am damn disappointed. Every box of ammo I seen was more expensive then what I can get it locally. The only cheap deal I seen on ammo was reloads of unknown quality and that deal turned out to be just 2 bucks cheaper then buying a box of good quality name brand ammo.

In regards to the guns ? I had my eye open for a 9 mm but every gun price I seen was more expensive then what I can buy it for at the local gun shops in my area. I didn't see one that represented a deal.

Overall, I was very disappointed. I was thinking I would at least come away with a good deal on some ammo, but it never happened. The gun prices were crazy and a few were priced out of this world.

Still, it was fun checking out all the latest and greatest and seeing so many different gun types and equipment. After attending this show, I believe I am better off saving my money and buying locally. Between the entrance fee, gas, parking charge, etc. I am ahead of the game by applying that money to a gun I looked at down the road from me at the dealers.

Chris

 

[Glockman17366]

Yeah, not many good deals at gun shows anymore. But I do enjoy wandering around them! Same applies to computer shows...you used to get some great deals...not in the last everal years though.

 

[CBS220]

Some gun shows are great, some not.

The trick is to learn to haggle, and to show up early. I got an RCBS 505 scale for $30 at the last show I attended!

 

[Sans Authoritas]

Aye, a lack of good deals (on guns and ammo, at least) has been my impression of gun shows, too. You'll get lucky every once in a while, but for the most part, you have professionals who have firearms and "priceless war relics" bearing yellowed, greasy tags that haven't been altered since the day they were put on the firearms in 1989. And there's a reason they still have them. Show after show after show.

Then again, I know a local shop dealer who put a $350 price tag on an SKS a few years back. I thought he was nuts. Now I think both he and the sucker who bought it are nuts. : )

-Sans Authoritas

 

[gbran]

We have a gunshow come to town about 6 times a year. I never miss it. the vast majority of stuff there is usually overpriced, but there are always some good tables. We have a few gun sellers with reasonable prices and and one big ammo seller that is well stocked with great prices.

 

[tkendrick]

I have pretty much quite going to gun shows.

I might go back one of these days, if I ever find myself in need of a:

Pakistani made knife with iridescent scales

or a cheap fanny pack

or a t-shirt with my dog on it

or a brand new regulation original reproduction Nazi flag

or....well, I think you get the picture.

One table of gun related "stuff", five tables of cheap junk.

And the ticket price here has gone up 400% in the past five years.

 

[hksw]

Depends on where you are. The gun shows around my area are either better or at most as expensive as the local shops (excluding non-shop FFL dealers). Ammo has always been at least equal or more than on-line. Small and/or inexpensive (under a couple hundred dollars or so) parts, tools, and accessories (except mags) are usually cheaper when you factor in shipping from on-line sellers.

 

[tntwatt]

Went to a show 6 months ago and a dealer had an entire stack of police trade in glocks for $300 each. Good deal. next table over the guy had actual reatail prices on all his guns. Sometimes the shows are great sometimes they aren't.
Just fun to go somewhere to see all the different stuff. Consider it money spent on an entertaining few hours.

 

[xjchief]

Yeah but if you went to a regular gun/sporting/bigbox store you wouldn't have to PAY to get in. What fun would that be?

 

[mgregg85]

I try to show up early and try to make deals or if that doesn't work come back 2 hours before close on the last day.

Always try to haggle it out a bit with them, if they don't want to deal just move on.

I do remember one time I saw a guy selling a CZ-52 as a "WWII bring back" for $350. It wasn't in very good condition and I questioned him as to the year it was brought back. He said his father brought it back from the war himself in 1945(kinda funny since those pistols weren't even made until 1952). I pointed it out to him and he told me I was full of **** and to move on.

 

[jnyork]

At least, now you know where to go for homemade fudge, beanie babies and jerky!!

 

[USMC 1975]

At least, now you know where to go for homemade fudge, beanie babies and jerky!

I had to laugh over that one. Yes they did have a jerky vendor and I thought even his prices were sky high.

I am glad I went so I can at least I attended one of these shows. But it appears that what everyone I have talked to said, the good ole days of getting great deals at shows on guns and ammo are over.

In defense of the vendors, I have seen this happen to other shows ( non gun related ). The people putting on the shows raise the table prices to the point that the vendors can barely make a profit any more so the vendors end up having to raise their prices as well.

Chris

 

[akodo]

around here, the organization that hosts most gun shows put a strict limit on the number of 'non-firearms' tables that are allowed to be set up.

 

[ColinthePilot]

I still like going to the shows because it is a much lower pressure environment than the local shops, I don't need to waste a salesman's time looking at something then not buying, and I have found good deals. A friend pointed out the other day that gun shows are like repo'd car auctions. you have to know what you're looking at, how much it is worth, and then you can get a decent deal, but if you open the hood and say "yup, its got an engine n stuff," you're gonna get screwed.

 

[jhco]

not trying to riffle any feathers here but i get so tired of people downing gun shows because there arnt any "deals" there but i dont go to gunshows looking for a great deal i go for the opportunity to find guns that are maybe no longer made and i cant find else where thats why i go to gun shows atleast, it seems longer gone are the days when you find great deals at gun shows

 

[P95loser]

Seems the best way to get "deals" is to go right when it starts on the first day, or a couple of hours before it stops on the last day. Last gun show I went to I bought a like new taurus pt111 9mm for $250 from a dealer a couple of hours after the starting.

 

[Big Daddy K]

You can get some good/fair deals from others attending selling their personal stuff.

I like to look at all the mall ninjas and old men with dyed jet black hair, beards, sunglasses and mean looking cowboy hats. Something about these Buffalo Bill look alikes rub me the wrong way.

I see some of the same people at various flea markets and gun shows.

I dont see how some of these venders make a dime being the butts they are.

Then there are some really nice people who seem to be for real. I look for different kinds of ammo. ie I bought some 105 gn LAUPA in 243. Also some 55 gn 223 LAUPAs. Cant find those at any local shops I know of.

Once I found some ice cold bottle Dr. Peppers made from the original formula using real suger etc. 8 bucks a six pack but man that is the necter of the gods. Good Stuff I tell ya.

 

[Mauserguy]

I like the gun shows for the accessories. I used to buy mil-surps at them, but the prices have gotten badly out of whack. At least I still have a place to buy knife sheaths and flashlight batteries. Oh, and I always stock up on Beanie Babies at the shows.
Mauserguy

 

[jamesb]

I don't go to gunshows to purchase new guns or ammo, both can be found cheaper on the internet or at a local dealer. Guns shows are good for making some contacts and searching for used guns. I like looking at guns and seeing interesting pieces. In my area we have a few really big ones and a few collector run shows. The collector show I think are the best because they set up displays for informational purposes not just for selling. Last one I was at a gentleman had a display of drillings. The last big show I got lucky and found the same model of 16ga SxS I was looking at on gunbroker, was able to get it for about 60 dollars cheaper and didn't have to wait.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

Yup, gunshows have changed. Just like the society we live in, and the people who frequent the shows. I went to the Crossroads show on Saturday and only saw three old friends who are vendors. Cost $7 to park, $11 per person to get in, and food is priced crazy. The show and the state make all the money.

But--------we found all the accessories we were looking for and my buddy found two guns he would have had to pay more for elsewhere.

Best part------------watching my stepson's reaction to people like me coming up and respectfully thanking him for being in the Army and willingly serving our country. Makes an old war dog like me warm inside to see the difference from how we were treated.

 

[TEDDY]

gun shows

I went 4/19 and was very disapointed.I wanted powder and there was none.
more knifes and jewelry.the same knifes I can get from Bud K at 1/4 the price.brownings which I dont need. very few parts and most carbine or M1.
bayonets over priced at 3 times.garand cart belt at $90.I just bought a new rep for $17 in SN.
left and stopped in flee market down the rd.M16 mags 3 for $20(30rd)
I was used to the northern shows one 1500 tables in antigun Mass.seems like everything is over priced.some so much I dont think they want to sell.not a reloading tool in the place.I just will go to look from now on.at least the price was $7 to get in and no parking fee.I wouldnot go to one I had to pay parking fee.and I go out and eat.not in there.:banghead:

 

[btg3]

There's plenty of complaining from the other side of the table as well. One fellow I know, who has been running his dad's business for over 10 years now and has one of the larger displays, says that's it's pretty much a waste of his time to haul everything to the show, set it up, sit 2 days, pack it up, and haul it home with very little return to justify his effort. Of course he knows his dad's old buddies and the other regulars and they twist his arm to keep coming. Otherwise, he'd be doing something else.

In addtion to higher table rates, some sellers are also having to contend with more theft.

So, is there a solution or would we all be happier if we just write-off gun shows? Well apparently there are some good shows to attend, but ...


-- how can you know in advance which shows to seek out and which to avoid?
-- what makes them worthwile for both sides of the table?
-- can undesirable shows learn how to become desirable?
-- do undesirable shows have a significant impact on RKBA?
-- is there really a problem or just a bunch of whining?

 

[JCMAG]

I've found that the best part of gun shows is the people.

They sure are a curious lot, gun owners.

Generally, gun show quality isn't really a matter of the state of gun ownership or the market, but the culture of the country at large. Look around you, turn on the television--how is the culture perceived? What are their values?

Just something to keep in mind... To answer BTG3's questions based on my own perceptions:

1. Not all gun shows are created equal. That said, it's pretty hard to tell the good from the bad without the opinion of an experienced and trustworthy soul whose done the reconnaissance for you.
2. Trade, buying, and selling make it worthwhile. Naturally, the table folks take what they think will sell. If the beanie babies sell... well, it ain't their fault they need to make a living too! That said, somebody needs to mandate that gun shows only sell firearms related stuff... I mean, jeez...
3. I have no idea. Is there a feedback system other than boots on the floor? And then do they merely stop doing the show due to a lack of interest or do they devise a means of correcting themselves? That will certainly depend on the business savvy of the organizers...
4. Undesirable shows can be a significant issue, but not directly to RKBA. Shows with dubious salesmen can give gun shows a bad name. That said, those same dubious salesmen will sell dubiously elsewhere, giving private transactions a bad name. But I do think it is helpful to interest in the gun culture for gun shows to be a pleasurable gathering place for those new and old to the glory that is gun ownership.
5. The problem is perception, as perceived by the table folk and the folk coming in the door. Who leaves feeling cheated will depend on how they did. *shrug* Nothing I can do about it, I'll still be going and looking for good shows to attend.

Eye-candy online is second in joy to eye-candy at gun shows. You can touch the guns there!

 

[USMC 1975]

Best part------------watching my stepson's reaction to people like me coming up and respectfully thanking him for being in the Army and willingly serving our country. Makes an old war dog like me warm inside to see the difference from how we were treated.

Funny you mention that. I wore my Marine Corps T Shirt and hat Sunday and I had an older vendor shake my hand and thank me for my service.

That's the first time that has ever happened to me out in public. It was very humbling as I can remember the responses I used to get back in the 70's.

Chris