Went to a gun show yesterday.......

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

captainmarko

Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
53
....... and I was impressed by how polite almost everyone was to each other. This place was very, very crowded. You couldn't walk anywhere without bumping into somone, or being bumped into yourself. Yet, almost without fail, everytime I was lightly jostled or knocked around, it was immediately followed by a cheerful, "Excuse me!", or "Sorry!"

Overall, just a very polite and respectful atmosphere.
A friend of mine and I took our sons (can you really make a kid any happier than by giving him a $2 machete that he can spray paint and immediately destroy? I don't think so) and it was just good for the boys, 10 and 13, to see first hand a large community of adults behaving in very civil manner.

I guess it's true: "An armed society is a polite society." Robert Heilein
 
Of course, it's as much a social event as a firearm market, just guys gathering with a similar interest.
 
For central/northern California, Oregon and Nevada gun shows I have attended, that's essentially the case. Most of the vendors and attendees are polite and helpful.

Surprisingly, I see the most politeness coming from the teeange/20's crowd. Who would have thought. They are very eager to learn and seek out information.
 
My only issues with gunshows are getting muzzle swept about a 1000 times, and finding prices higher than NIB in the gunstore.
 
And I feel I am with my People. Firearms make the strangest bedfellows--I love the variety of people I see/meet and the fact that we all have a love of guns in common. It's sort of like a relgion--we get called Gun Nuts--right! I need to go soon!
 
Higher than NIB

You're right.

A probably pre-owned if not used Mossberg Cruiser (7-shot pistol grip only) I think it was missing its original forend but came with two after-markets. Marked down from $400 they wew asking $350. New with a stock they are less than $300. I was volunteering at the show but was gonna offer $250 OTD at last hour of of second day -- but they'd sold it to some idiot! I mean, other than me...

Al
 
I went to my first gun show about 2 weeks ago and im now 39 years old.
I didn't mind the $7 fee to get in, But didn't much care to have to remove my ccw before entering. That wouldn't have been bad but it was held in a not so very good section of Columbus, Ohio.

I bought 2 box's of 50 round .22lr ammo thats hard to find and a $3 red laser shaped like a gun for my mom to play with the cats.

I hope they expect you to haggle them down as all the prices were way higher than id expect, At least 25% higher than normal local prices.

People were polite and helpful when they could be.
 
The gun shows around me are like this, absolutely packed to the max. They have been this way as long as I can remember, long before the '08-'09 gun run. Some times it can take you quite a while just to get out of the building when you're done as you have to wade through the crowded (see: shoulder to shoulder) isle ways to the exits. I'm not complaining though!

A couple years ago some thug was fool enough to rob someone in the parking lot of the show (show is held at the county fair grounds). I guess he didn't realize the event happening that day. Mr. Thug had half a dozen muzzles pointed in his direction within seconds not to mention the state police were all over him almost as fast.
 
If it weren't for the admission fee, I'd go to every show in the surrounding area!:D
Click to expand...

Parking fees too (if applicable). Precisely why I've never attended a gun show. I just don't want to pay parking & admission to get in on the futility that I've read all too much about. I could spend that same money on ammo and just go shoot the guns I have.:)

Someday I'll go to one, but I'm in no hurry to waste my time and money right now.
 
I agree about the politeness factor; I've never met a nicer bunch of folks than I meet at the gun shows. At the last show I attended the BATFE had a booth set up just inside the front door giving out literature and answering questions. The two agents at the table were two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. I stopped and chatted for 10 or 15 minutes, asking a slew of questions, and the agent I spoke with really knew his stuff and was incredibly helpful.

The prices are usually higher than normal store prices, but most dealers expect to haggle. I have noticed a ton of private sellers at the last few I've attended - not guys with booths, but guys walking around carrying a gun to sell or trade - almost always long guns. With the economy in the crapper, right now seems to be a buyer's market, around here anyway.

I've picked up good deals on 4 guns at the last two shows I've attended. I have a friend that works for the state police, and I always get him to run the serial numbers against the stolen guns database for me. In 20 years of gun show buying and trading - probably 500 guns in my lifetime - I've never picked up a weapon that had been reported as stolen.

Another friend likes to go to the "unofficial" gun swaps at some of the local flea markets and stock yards. He has never had any trouble, but the BATFE and state police have repeatedly hit these, rounding up private sellers who run tables with more than fifty guns to sell. These guys are giving us and our shows a black eye, selling a ton of guns, almost exclusively AR lowers and cheap pistols at inflated prices, without a FFL, and to anyone who has the cash. A lot of ex-cons have been pinched buying at the flea markets and stock yards.

So far the local gunshow promoters have done a good job of keeping this kind of activity out of our shows, and consequently police presence has been minimal and friendly.

KR
 
I just don't want to pay parking & admission to get in on the futility that I've read all too much about. I could spend that same money on ammo and just go shoot the guns I have.
Click to expand...

I see your point. One of the things I like about the shows is that in Kentucky there are always booths devoted to reloading supplies, and I can buy my powder and primers for just a little more than I'd pay online and dodge the haz-mat fees. It doesn't take long for the haz-mat shipping surcharge to completely eat away any savings you get by buying online. The only time I buy powder or primers online is when a group of us has gone in together on an order so we can split up the fees.

The same is true of buying guns at the show. If I'm paying 10% over online prices, I have to buy a gun valued higher than $500.00 to break even with the shipping and transfer fees. If I buy two guns at 10% over, I'm money ahead to find it at the show.

KR
 
i went to a GS on sat. and my experience was similar to yours. + 1 to the awsome gun enthusiasts attending the show, my dad and i had a blast. and i am 40 yrs old.!!!:neener: best deal, i found was a Glock 19 @ $485 cash...:what:
 
Always wanted to go to one, but never have. Have some friends that go to the Bill Goodman Gun and Knife show. Might have to tag along. :D
 
Gun shows are part of my routine, do about one a month. The admission prices are annoying but less than a movie ticket and lots more entertaining.

I've never had an instance of someone being rude or impolite at a show. The key, learned slowly but surely, is to show politeness and respect to others.

Gun prices at the shows are all over the place, but I wouldn't agree that they're always higher than retail stores. Gotta shop around. I've found a handful of awesome bargains, but always prepared to walk away if it's not a terrific deal.

Lately I've noticed most of the gun buyers at the shows are women. Typically the guy's sitting there looking a little bored while wifey/girlfriend fills out the 4473. Whatever, more gun owners is always a good thing.
 
Parking fees bug me for shows. But when they are held at a place that routinely charge for parking, I can understand (but not like it). There is only a couple shows that I have attended in the last couple of years that I had to pay for parking. You often pay at the large shows (>1000 tables) based on what I have seen.

I love gun shows. It is certainly an interesting crowd of folks and it good entertainment. Been trying to reduce the number of shows I attend to essentially keep the candy from being in front of the baby.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top