Worlds largest Gun Show, What To Buy?

[Glocked N Loaded]

Whats up High Road brothers? I am trying to attend the worlds largest gun show this weekend in tulsa, ok. I was wondering if any of yall are gonna try to attend? What should I expect? Also, I am going to be looking for a new Ar15 platform rifle. Do yall have any suggestions, Keeping in mind that I'm on a bit of a budget.

Keep em pointed down range.

 

[InkEd]

You can expect a lot of beef jerky.

 

[dogtown tom]

InkEd You can expect a lot of beef jerky.

You've never been to this show so you don't know Joe's rules:
http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com/frames.html

When you come to a Wanenmacher's Gun Show, you see a gun show full of guns, knives, ammo and some military artifacts. You WON'T see lots of non-gun related stuff or flea market garbage. Not that they don't want to come, We won't let them. Our show could be 5 times bigger than it is if we let in all the exhibitors who really don't belong in a gun show. (candy dealers, spa salesmen, car dealers, etc...) We limit non-related items to just 2% of the entire show. The building is still packed - both levels - with top quality gun show merchandise. Many of the best antique dealers come to Tulsa, bringing excellent, hard to find antique firearms. (once again, not antique furniture or magazines, but antique guns and related items.) Our antique section is getting bigger every year....

....All non-gun tables must be approved by Joe Wanenmacher (Very few non-gun tables are accepted. Absolutely No toys, no candy, no food items, no drinks, no nutritional items, no handbags, no makeup, no hair products or accessories, no candles, no wickless candles, no clothes, no non-gun antiques, no t-shirts, no bumper stickers, no patches, no license plates, no tables to promote non-gun businesses, no flowers or flea market junk. No political campaigns, no travel agents, no raffles and no tables for any type of organization or charity asking for donations)

 

[surjimmy]

I can tell you this, you will need more then one day to walk through all of it. There are deals to be had, but you will have to really look. From my experience everyone raises their prices at this show, same dealer at another show same gun will be $75 less. All in All a great show.

 

[forindooruseonly]

I'll be there on Saturday. You can make it through in one very long day, if you aren't the type to stop at every table. I know what I'm looking for, or what characteristics I'm looking for, so I don't even bother with most if there is nothing that catches my eye. If you start price shopping between tables on common stuff, you probably won't make it halfway.

I am taking two guys with me who have never been, so we'll see if they are up to the marathon.

Prices are high, but deals can be made. Don't expect any real bargains from dealers, there are too many people and too much cash floating around to work it hard. Your best bet is to find individuals. That being said, if you are looking for something old, rare or specific, this show is your best shot outside of the online auction sites.

 

[coloradokevin]

That looks like fun! I'll have to add this show to my list of things to do if I ever end up in Tulsa.

 

[dieselgeek]

All I can say is be careful. I was at the one in Ft Worth last weekend. My BRAND NEW rifle came with a bolt carrier that looked like it had a few 1000 rounds down it. I bought it from SOG armory, but Daniel Defense is making good on it. SOG tried to blame it on "test firing" and was condescending towards me in the email exchange.

No more gun shows for me :/ DD got a customer for life SOG lost one.



New guy.

 

[harmonic]

You can expect a lot of beef jerky.

False. You've never been to Wanamacher's and shouldn't talk about things you know nothing about.

Ditto to the post that says you need more than one day to browse. I've done it in a single day, but it's a chore.

 

[hso]

Expect to be overwhelmed by the quantity of firearms and firearms related material.

You should drop in to the the Rifle forum and check there with the AR fans if you want guidance on what to get.

Here's a rule of thumb. Research what you want and what price is "good" before you go. Buy the first really good priced version of what you've settled on when you see it instead of saying to yourself "I bet someone else here has that at a better price". If not you'll end up with nothing because some other guy decided to not risk coming out empty handed.

 

[InkEd]

Don't get your undies twisted. EVERY person that has been to a gun show got the JOKE.
Most people probably could only I in their wildest dres imagine a gun show wothout beef jerky. It's a humorous cliche.

It sounds like alot of dealers selling a LGS prices. Still could be fun. Go check it out and let us know. Hope you find a good deal on something you need for the hobby.

 

[2RCO]

Although I won't be selling any guns I know a guy that will have some fair deals on Magazines --got a bunch of them in a buyout and I'm a grip guy not a mag guy. Say hi at the 2R tables in row 30.

The Tulsa show is a must see. From my experience at the Tulsa show if you see something you like and the price is fair --buy it. If you don't someone else will or you'll not be able to find the seller again. With 4000+ tables it's hard to find your way back.

 

[harmonic]

With 4000+ tables it's hard to find your way back.

My first year I spent six hours walking the floor. I was glad to see that last row of tables. But when I got to that last row of tables I realized there was a whole second floor. I went home, beaten. I'd never been beaten by a gun show before.

EVERY person that has been to a gun show got the JOKE.

That was a joke? Usually, there's some type of humor attached to a JOKE. I guess in your case, not.

 

[Burris.357]

I am very new to this website and have never been to a gunshow, but am also VERY familiar with guns.. Lol, I was wondering what do you need to buy a gun at a gunshow? Sorry for such a stupid question..

 

[MikeJackmin]

IMO, the best thing about guns shows is that you get to actually handle all the different guns that might interest you, and you can see how they fit - how they balance, how the stocks and the grip angles feel in your hands, how the sights look to your eyes.

Some guns just feel wrong, and you can strike them from the list. Some guns will surprise you and feel perfect. There's no other way to know.

 

[InkEd]

Yeah, you're ABSOLUTELY correct. It wasn't the SLIGHTEST bit funny. Next time I won't use such an OBSCURE reference. (j/k)


(For those that have never attended a gun show, the reference was to the fact that most "GUN shows" have tons of tables selling tons of junk that has NOTHING to do with GUNS.)

Items such as homemade beef jerky, belt buckles, rebel flags, crappy knives, paintings of wolves, paintings of eagles, tacky silver jewelry, paintings of wolves AND eagles, bumper stickers, mesh-back baseball caps with silly phrases printed on them, and other high-quality trailer park essentials are very popular at these events. Sometimes (if you're lucky) those items can bought at HUGE savings over regular flea market prices!

Anyway, I am (honestly) very happy to hear some guns shows still focus on guns! Also, I will advice the OP to try and get there early because usually most of the better stuff is gone by second day. Have fun. Shoot safe. Good luck.

 

[InkEd]

To purchase a firearm at a gun show, you will need money (cash is usually preferred). If buying from a dealer rather than an individual, they will probably need to run a background check and fill-out the regular paperwork just like you would at their store.

 

[parsimonious_instead]

@Harmonic: c'mon - it's called a "one-liner." I got the joke immediately, and it's been years since I've been to a gun show.

 

[InkEd]

Well, they haven't changed much over the years. Nowadays they seem to have a little higher prices on lower quality stuff. You see more Soviet surplus guns than US surplus guns. IMHO the Internet auctions and online dealers have really hurt traditional gunshows.

 

[Jubjub]

I went a few years ago, and will return when funds and time off coincide. It's just comical when you walk in and see all those tables stretching off into the distance. Looks like the ending scene of Indiana Jones in the huge warehouse.

I left without buying any guns, just some ammo and bullets and such. Found a couple of boxes of .303 Savage for Grandpa's old rifle. My buddy was looking for a lever action .22, and didn't find any real bargains, but we did find an immaculate old Remington 572 for a great price, and he took it home.

Tulsa is a pretty nice town to spend a weekend. We ate very well, had a great time.

 

[hso]

The Tulsa show can't be lumped in with experiences with other shows.

This is an entirely different experience and one that will spoil you for "typical" gun shows.

Another exceptional show is the Lexington show.

 

[Hatterasguy]

Inked it was a good joke, they take themselves to seriously. I would have added Nazi stuff, and creepy mall ninja/knife guys dressed up in black trench coats, who I will refer to as "blade" from here on out.

Looks like a good show though, to bad we don't do stuff like that in CT. All our shows are lame, and full of guys named blade.

 

[Glocked N Loaded]

Thanks for all the info guys, Im still trying to get either sat or sunday off so that I can make the journey. I have seen pictures of it before and you are spot on with the analogie to that Indiana Jones scene. Hopefully I will be able to find some magic glowing skulls......Oh yeah, and some jerky.

 

[MrOldLude]

This topic has me craving some Jerky.

 

[millertyme]

Phoenix's Crossroads show in December has always been a good show, too. I took some friends from PA there and they couldn't believe how much stuff and the kind of stuff they saw. I went to the September show here in Topeka and was a little disappointed, especially since it was my wife's first gun show. Had I the time I'd pack the family up and head down to Tulsa. Looks like a blast.