If you buy ammo in bulk you can save on shipping costs but other than that it's people watching with a side of halfway decent jerky and the slightest smell of ozone from all the bug zappers/stun guns being fired off every 5 seconds. 
What are gun shows good for?
- Thread starter elcaminoariba
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Deltaboy1984
Member
Spending time with my daughter.
Getting some hard to sharpen SS knives back Razor sharp.
Getting a good deal on a knife, ammo or goodie.
Once ever 2-5 years getting a great deal on a gun.
Getting some hard to sharpen SS knives back Razor sharp.
Getting a good deal on a knife, ammo or goodie.
Once ever 2-5 years getting a great deal on a gun.
mortablunt
Member
What I like about gunshows:
#1: Gun people. Lots and lots of gun people. Nobody's going to freak out if you discuss carry options with them. Now that I'm about to go off to MD for college with a ton of NJ, NY, New England, and CA antigun people, I'm going to really value the shows I can attend.
#2: Guns. Come on, admit it, the main lure of the shows is that you get to be around a lot of firearms.
#3: You can handle firearms that aren't yours. At shows, there isn't the same pressure to buy that you get when you ask to handle at a store. I would not have found my favorite guns if I just went online or to shops. Also, you get to check the quality yourself and you know just what you're buying before you put money down. If you look around and don't just go for the first guy's price you see, you can get some pretty nice deals; I got a $550 SVT-40.
#4: There are a ton of accessories and paraphernalia there. You can get some pretty nice functional tough clothes for cheap. There are also books and other things around. Did I mention the militaria?
#1: Gun people. Lots and lots of gun people. Nobody's going to freak out if you discuss carry options with them. Now that I'm about to go off to MD for college with a ton of NJ, NY, New England, and CA antigun people, I'm going to really value the shows I can attend.
#2: Guns. Come on, admit it, the main lure of the shows is that you get to be around a lot of firearms.
#3: You can handle firearms that aren't yours. At shows, there isn't the same pressure to buy that you get when you ask to handle at a store. I would not have found my favorite guns if I just went online or to shops. Also, you get to check the quality yourself and you know just what you're buying before you put money down. If you look around and don't just go for the first guy's price you see, you can get some pretty nice deals; I got a $550 SVT-40.
#4: There are a ton of accessories and paraphernalia there. You can get some pretty nice functional tough clothes for cheap. There are also books and other things around. Did I mention the militaria?
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Rail Driver
Member
I like the beef jerky, the free knife sharpening (for the cheap knife you just bought at the table two rows over), and the amusing stories overheard being told by sellers of "George Washington's personal 1911" and at least 3 people trying to sell "brand new WWII .45 pistols" that are rollmarked series 80
bluetopper
Member
Gunbroker.com is my 24/7 gun show.
Daveboone
Member
It was six dollars last fall to get into the local gun show in CNY. Certainly reasonable. If your worried about sitting, stay at the computer. I like the opportunity to compare prices (I have never had problems finding good deals on what I wanted, after shopping around- sure, some dealers are more expensive- its capitalism in action. dont buy from them). I enjoy looking at the antique and collectable arms, and the surplus arms on the market.
parsimonious_instead
Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2010
- Messages
- 791
Sometimes my experiences with guns are as much about atmosphere as they are about substance.
Gun shows are about a 90/10 mix of that for me.
Nothing wrong with 'em, and even in lower NY State I often find ammo at decent deals, sometimes...
Gun shows are about a 90/10 mix of that for me.
Nothing wrong with 'em, and even in lower NY State I often find ammo at decent deals, sometimes...
SimplyChad
Member
Maybe I just missed it
Practicing you 2nd amendment right with other like minds while you still can. Anyone?
Practicing you 2nd amendment right with other like minds while you still can. Anyone?
SimplyChad
Member
O and raffles friend picked up a new XD for a dollar ticket
friend picked up a new XD for a dollar ticketorionengnr
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- Jan 3, 2005
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- 5,713
Geeze, in all my years I've never been to a bad gun show...CT, FL, TN, CA, IL, TX. Some are better than others...
These days, I view the $7 entry fee as cheap compared to a movie I didn't want to see anyway. And giving that $10 to Hollywood so they can continue to spout anti-2A values? No thank you.
At a gun show I am among people of a like mind (for the most part). Some of the vendors are crooks, but most are merely optimists.
Recently, there are very few times when I walk out empty handed, although it's been a while since I bought a gun at a gun show. That is not necessarily a function of no deals...mostly a fuction of limited funds on my part.
I spend my money on primers, powder, gun parts/accessories, reloading accesories, occasionally loaded ammo...
I have two on the schedule for the next two weekends.
These days, I view the $7 entry fee as cheap compared to a movie I didn't want to see anyway. And giving that $10 to Hollywood so they can continue to spout anti-2A values? No thank you.
At a gun show I am among people of a like mind (for the most part). Some of the vendors are crooks, but most are merely optimists.
Recently, there are very few times when I walk out empty handed, although it's been a while since I bought a gun at a gun show. That is not necessarily a function of no deals...mostly a fuction of limited funds on my part.
I spend my money on primers, powder, gun parts/accessories, reloading accesories, occasionally loaded ammo...
I have two on the schedule for the next two weekends.
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Jesse Heywood
Member
Most of my time at guns shows is spent talking to old friends. That, alone, is worth the price of admission. I have bought guns and accessories at shows, I have also gone home empty-handed and found what I was looking for on the net. I have also worked tables, many times I will help out a friend in exchange for a badge allowing me to get in free.
I look at it like this. The price of admission might seem high, but that is usually dictated by the price paid to rent the arena. The same for the table rental. If you don' t like it, use your feet. If you consider a gun price too high, use your feet. If you buy something, get a receipt or business card. You might have to wait for the next show for the dealer to make things right. If you don't want to do business that way, use your feet. And if you are simply trolling on an Internet forum to get people upset, use your feet and don't come back.
I look at it like this. The price of admission might seem high, but that is usually dictated by the price paid to rent the arena. The same for the table rental. If you don' t like it, use your feet. If you consider a gun price too high, use your feet. If you buy something, get a receipt or business card. You might have to wait for the next show for the dealer to make things right. If you don't want to do business that way, use your feet. And if you are simply trolling on an Internet forum to get people upset, use your feet and don't come back.
kimbershot
Member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2008
- Messages
- 340
last show i went to was almost 2 yrs. ago. total waste of time, money and gas as it was a replay of the 2-3 shows i had been to previously. best thing about going to these shows is that it gives me a chance to stop at a gun shop on the way home that is usually out of the way. i have made several purchases at the store, the first being a seecamp 32 that i bought at list (gun show wanted +$100!. i also found a "used", unfired dan wesson valor for 1k and bought it.
elcaminoariba
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- Oct 5, 2010
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- 149
"- Other gun people with interesting thoughts and opinions"
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and btw, THR is much moar efficient at this
I thoroughly enjoyed this one
and btw, THR is much moar efficient at this Krispy
Member
gun shows
Gun shows provide a valuable outlet to the general AMERICAN public.
As a older American I can remember when there was only the LGS and
K-mart to buy a firearm...Today's firearm selection is vastly superior to
what what available years ago .All firearms have elevated prices,but I
remember many years ago when the gun shows were invaded by a lot of cheap inports...The shows were filled with unsavory characters buying cheap handguns...The local press had a fieldday with people who
had purchased a handgun for less than a $100 bucks...Tayoday's GS do a
good job of providing quality products at a reasonable price to the
general AMERICAN public..Support your local gun show or it might
disappear..
PS....i'am neither a vendor ,seller or anyway connected to gunshows..
Gun shows provide a valuable outlet to the general AMERICAN public.
As a older American I can remember when there was only the LGS and
K-mart to buy a firearm...Today's firearm selection is vastly superior to
what what available years ago .All firearms have elevated prices,but I
remember many years ago when the gun shows were invaded by a lot of cheap inports...The shows were filled with unsavory characters buying cheap handguns...The local press had a fieldday with people who
had purchased a handgun for less than a $100 bucks...Tayoday's GS do a
good job of providing quality products at a reasonable price to the
general AMERICAN public..Support your local gun show or it might
disappear..
PS....i'am neither a vendor ,seller or anyway connected to gunshows..
I got this for $800 instead of $1200.
http://springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=8
http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?item=PX9152LP
http://springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=8
http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?item=PX9152LP
I was at one over the weekend and I saw a fun 4-point metal target that "jumps" when you shoot it (like a spinner, but it moves around).
I didn't buy it, but might at the next one. At the least I found out about a product that hadn't shown up on my radar (I like to visit the LGS and surf forums like this). I can buy it when I feel like it, and research it in the meantime.
Oh, and +1 on the male bonding, my nephew was in heaven!
I'd have to say though...those glass sculptures and fugly ceramics were way overpriced...I can find better targets for a lot less!
I didn't buy it, but might at the next one. At the least I found out about a product that hadn't shown up on my radar (I like to visit the LGS and surf forums like this). I can buy it when I feel like it, and research it in the meantime.
Oh, and +1 on the male bonding, my nephew was in heaven!
I'd have to say though...those glass sculptures and fugly ceramics were way overpriced...I can find better targets for a lot less!
Lex Luthier
Member
We have a couple of shows a year in the Twin Cities that are only a disappointment if you want them to be. Attitude is everything, and one always has the option of staying home.
The big one in the fall at the state fairgrounds has so many vendors it almost takes both Saturday and Sunday to see it all. Often, there is an amazing array of German WW2 collectibles and other militaria. I found my D-Day paratrooper uniform at a show like that. I intend to take some stuff to trade to the next one, and maybe make some new friends.
For you guys who have blinders on for a bargain, stay online and make more room in the aisles for us who love to look and maybe make the right connection of man and metal.
The big one in the fall at the state fairgrounds has so many vendors it almost takes both Saturday and Sunday to see it all. Often, there is an amazing array of German WW2 collectibles and other militaria. I found my D-Day paratrooper uniform at a show like that. I intend to take some stuff to trade to the next one, and maybe make some new friends.
For you guys who have blinders on for a bargain, stay online and make more room in the aisles for us who love to look and maybe make the right connection of man and metal.
ZombieKiller57
Member
I find better deals at gun shows than I do locally. Most the time I don't know what I want until I see it. Then using Red Laser App on my iPhone I check competitive prices and then begin to negotiate. I don't think I have overpaid yet
Gunnerboy
Member
Gun shows are where i got several amazing deals like a remington berthier for $70 and a ww2 italian m38 carcano with 30rnds and 2 clips for $50 and both were in good to very good NRA.
Only been to about three, as I was unimpressed.
First one I spent more time looking at the old WWII German/Nazi stuff-kinda like a stroll down history lane.
Second one-can't remember a darn thing about it (so you know that was a bust).
Third one-only reason I went was a newbie shooter was looking for someone to go with him (and split gas expense)-best thing about it was the hot dogs (they always smell/taste better at events) and time spent chewing the fat ('bout guns/politics) around the table with some out-of-towners that were attending since the local NASCAR race was rained out.
I'm just funnin' a little bit-for some reason, at the last show just about every table I visited seemed to have a 'loss leader'? It was so prevalent, I was wonderin' if there was some organized communication urging vendors to have a good buy on at least ONE item!?
I remember buying some ZOOM Snap Caps, loaded up on the latest version 30-rd PMAGs ($11 each), and a few other trinkets the local gun shop tends not to carry-all at as good or better prices than I could get elsewhere, 'specially taking shipping into account for small items.
Fergot to mention-never much luck pricing modern guns, but we're blessed with a local 'no haggle' dealer that has the best prices I've seen.
Matter of fact, the newbie that dragged me to the last show was underwhelmed, and wanted to stop at the local shop on the way home. The local shopowner said he jest loves it when a show comes to the area, as his shop business really spikes!
First one I spent more time looking at the old WWII German/Nazi stuff-kinda like a stroll down history lane.
Second one-can't remember a darn thing about it (so you know that was a bust).
Third one-only reason I went was a newbie shooter was looking for someone to go with him (and split gas expense)-best thing about it was the hot dogs (they always smell/taste better at events) and time spent chewing the fat ('bout guns/politics) around the table with some out-of-towners that were attending since the local NASCAR race was rained out.
I'm just funnin' a little bit-for some reason, at the last show just about every table I visited seemed to have a 'loss leader'? It was so prevalent, I was wonderin' if there was some organized communication urging vendors to have a good buy on at least ONE item!?
I remember buying some ZOOM Snap Caps, loaded up on the latest version 30-rd PMAGs ($11 each), and a few other trinkets the local gun shop tends not to carry-all at as good or better prices than I could get elsewhere, 'specially taking shipping into account for small items.
Fergot to mention-never much luck pricing modern guns, but we're blessed with a local 'no haggle' dealer that has the best prices I've seen.
Matter of fact, the newbie that dragged me to the last show was underwhelmed, and wanted to stop at the local shop on the way home. The local shopowner said he jest loves it when a show comes to the area, as his shop business really spikes!
murdoc rose
Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2009
- Messages
- 582
I don't like the entry fees and it cost way too much to set up a table so I don't go unless its free entry and I have nothing better to do. As far as prices go its the same everywhere. Most guns may be overpriced but a lot of the time that's just sticker price.
FourTeeFive
Member
I seem to be missing all of these things at the Washington state gun shows. Do they really exist or am I so wrapped up in looking at the guns that I miss the other stuff?
CapnMac
Member
Back in my day (before poverty and foreclosure) shows were all about milsurp.
No other place would have tables of milsurp parts and people trying to sort out which trigger guard they wanted v. have.
You always, always, always wear good walking shoes to a show.
That being said, I have known enough dealers that I always seemed to wind up behind a table while they did all the things they couldn't trapped there.
Even been some shows where I wound up with a table for myself. Such is life.
No other place would have tables of milsurp parts and people trying to sort out which trigger guard they wanted v. have.
You always, always, always wear good walking shoes to a show.
That being said, I have known enough dealers that I always seemed to wind up behind a table while they did all the things they couldn't trapped there.
Even been some shows where I wound up with a table for myself. Such is life.
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