[elkins45]

I have made some fantastic deals at gun shows over the years. I have also left some without spending a dime. It's a gamble whether you're going to find a bargain, but it's for certain that if you don't go you will never have the chance. The shotgun that I SBS'd is a Remington 870 that cost me the princely sum of $150 at a gun show. I have a model 10 S&W that was $140 and a nice commercial FN Mauser that was $200. And all of these are deals from the last 7-8 years.

Even the smallest show gives me a chance to see more guns than a visit to the largest FFL in the state, and most of the guns available are private sales with no 4473. That's a win-win for me.

 

[NavyVet1959]

and most of the guns available are private sales with no 4473. That's a win-win for me.

That's not the case in any of the gun shows that I've been to. Sure, there's a few people carrying around guns that want to sell them, but the ones at the tables seem to always be from FFL holders and they are selling the ones on their books, not any in their personal collection. Just the way it is around here, I guess.

 

[Riverkilt]

I've found bargain pricing at gun shows...but felt a bit off buying from a dealer with little overhead compared to my local brick and mortar LGS.

I still struggle with the insanity of having to disarm myself to attend a gun show. The very people who rant about the second amendment tell me I can't come see their stuff without leaving my own weapon in my car....just baffles my pea brain.

 

[Sgt. Jinx]

Sh

Thanks fellas. I am asking because there is a show coming to north Atlanta ( Eastman ) on the 17th. I guess it’s still more of the same.

I can’t imagine why people would continue to go to these things if prices aren’t competitive.

Should be cheaper now. With President Trump in the White House and not Killary. Prices should drop. Just look at the prices of ARs around 400 for a decent one

 

[Thomas Betress]

I like the gun shows. I go to the ones Just outside Philadelphia at the Expo Center. One this weekend has over 1,000 tables.
I look at it this way, it is like going to a movie, except cheaper.
I like to see any new models that are out and be able to get the feel of them.
As for the non-gun tables, some of them are good. The plus to that is my wife will come along sometimes. (no comments . . . )
I have gotten some good deals at the show and purchased many guns there.
They aren't like they used to be, but they are still interesting, and as I said, it is like going to a movie to me. Get to see something new, have a good time, and sometimes the women are really good looking too

 

[Trench Sweeper]

Your location is vague, but it must be around here.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have been to gun shows all over the country and those people are at every one of them.

 

[gene814]

I think most people go to be able to pick up many guns without asking someone. But the prices are usually high compared go my LGS. I was looking for a particular old gun. Found it and was able to negotiate it for $350. Later stopped in at one of my LGS and saw the very same old gun for $299.

 

[First shot]

Cut my teeth on gun shows in the mid-late 70's in Austin Texas. Pre-polymer days I guess. Still have a few firearms from then...... Here in Va., I've only been to Fishersville shows. I think it was $8......Plenty of stuff available. Price tags don't mean much to me, other than a starting point for the fun...... Once you start peeling out the C-notes, many sellers will deal....... The LGS owner I know, who used to set up a table, told me that many sellers see too many people that just want to handle the firearm, with no intention at all of a purchase......... Gets up their sleeves after a while..... When they see that you're seriously interested, they'll deal. You have to know what a good price is. My two cents.

 

[Will Rudy]

Agree there are few if any bargains any more. And I don't get why there are so many knife sellers. I almost never see anyone buying a knife, much less even looking.

Some years ago I scored an old Savage .22 rifle that was in rough shape cosmetically. The show was about to close and the seller had it marked for 200 bucks. I offered 100 and he took it in a NY minute. I had the stock refinished for 20 bucks and it looked brand new and shot perfectly. One of the best buys I ever made.

 

[boohoo]

My experience mirrors others here. Gun show in my area have really gone down hill in recent years.
Tables full of non firearm related junk. Entrance fees keep going up and some even charge for parking.

Update: Went to a gun show yesterday 2/11/18. Show was fair at best. Prices were not good and it cost $10. to get in.
Probably will be my last one.

 

[billorights]

Been the same experience for me, been going since the early 70s. There were good deals to be had on everything. Now a bargain is hard to impossible to find. Higher fees to get in and no good deals inside have kept me away for several years. One I went to even charges for parking. I did go with my brother to the last one a couple of months ago, and we bought nothing. I didn't see much going out the door either, I wonder sometimes if it's even worth it for most sellers. I know some people go to get a look and feel something they are interested in, so they can buy it elsewhere.

 

[Davers]

Thanks fellas. I am asking because there is a show coming to north Atlanta ( Eastman ) on the 17th. I guess it’s still more of the same.

I can’t imagine why people would continue to go to these things if prices aren’t competitive.

I feel ya.

I have not been to a show in 6-7 years , I could not see the 'Wisdom' in really buying anything there (as it could be had cheaper elsewhere).

I miss the one in Marietta GA all the time, want to go to see if I can find a Nice G-32. I could find one online or rarely locally but I want to see the gun in person before buying.

Going the these Shows & Others I like are like going to a Casino "I never have enough Money".

 

[pittpa]

I did not start shooting until 1989, in my 30's, courtesy of my girlfriend's Marine ex-BF who was threatening to kill me. Even left threats on my answering machine, duh. Turned out well, since I was invited to shoot on a Bullseye team, and got good at it. I was lucky enough to have a job on the road in SW Pa from about 1988 to 1998. I rarely drove by a gun store without stopping in to look around. And they paid my mileage!
I walk out of more shows empty-handed now, but there is a lot less on my buy list, and less that impresses me. I still find more interesting things in LGS, as time goes on. Always gravitated to the used guns, especially since I prefer to shoot them.
I spent some time in Vegas, was disappointed at the show I attended at a casino. Small, with very few used revolvers to look at. Same as the LGS told me there, they said used revolvers don't sit around long there. At least my ticket included a free drink.
One thing about SW PA, the shows have a whole lot of used guns of all types. And as was noted, it is cheaper than a movie. Still kicking myself for passing up the Ruger 10" MK ll last year at $400.

 

[Gray Dood]

Go to a major show, you won't be disappointed.

This.

Houston Gun Collectors Association show
twice a year, is worth the effort. Thousand plus tables, like a mini Tulsa.

I try to go once a year. Wannamakers in Tulsa is gun show Mecca. Everyone should go to that one at least once. But...go with a pocket full of moolah.

 

[loweryb221]

It has been a long time since I have been to a gun show. The last gun show I went to I was VERY disappointed. There were a lot of Knick knack tables...flea market type of items. I have been reading that a lot of this has been cleaned up.

But I think my biggest disappointment was paying $10 or $15 per person to get in and finding that everything in the show was VERY over priced. It was during the time that gun sales and prices were through the roof but I could have driven to an LGS just down the road and paid considerably less for the ammo and guns that were for sale.

So I am curious if all of this has changed or will it be more of the same?? I remember a day ( loooong time ago ) where you could go to a gun show and find deals on things you were looking for.

I've found the prices on ammo are considerably higher these days than when I went to shows 10 years ago, but then of course ammo prices have gone up everywhere since then but the shows used to be where you could go for deals on ammo, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. To me the greatest advantage of a show is getting to see/hold that many different models if you are unsure what you might want it helps to be able to get your hands on one and see if it fits you. Some of the FFL's I've run into had very competitive prices, just have to look around. Back in 2012 I ran into someone I hadn't seen in 20 years that I went to high school with who was a dealer at the show. We've reconnected and been good friends ever since.

 

[pittpa]

I have been to gun shows all over the country and those people are at every one of them.

Yup, I get that. I have wondered how the vendors at the tables next to the stun guns can stand it.
I zapped my hand with the electric fly swatter yesterday. GF laughed her butt off. Only my pride was hurt.

 

[PRE-K]

I'll go if I have nothing else going on... there is the occasional nice piece who's owner is there needing the cash.

Since vendors typically offer about $.05 on the dollar for guns, you can offer $.50, and sometimes the seller bites.

 

[Trench Sweeper]

Yup, I get that. I have wondered how the vendors at the tables next to the stun guns can stand it.
I zapped my hand with the electric fly swatter yesterday. GF laughed her butt off. Only my pride was hurt.
View attachment 384779

LOL I have one of those that I always go running for if a wasp gets into the house. My wife says that I am like a psycho with it.

 

[USMC03Grunt]

Sh

Should be cheaper now. With President Trump in the White House and not Killary. Prices should drop. Just look at the prices of ARs around 400 for a decent one

You're optimistic...that's adorable! :kidding: While one would think that's the way it "should" work, my experience has been that nothing changes anyways. The problem is you have speculators and profiteers that were spending inflated prices prior to the election banking on the idea that the butcher of Benghazi would win the election. Thankfully, the American people had other ideas!! Now they are stuck sitting on overpriced guns and ammo. You'd think they would sell them even if at a loss since bills still have to be paid but that's not their mentality.
After 2013 and Sandy Hook, panic buying was in full swing but even with prices and normality eventually returning, I still seen sellers thinking they could charge outrageous prices and people would still pay it. The same thing is still going on from those days or to the post PRESIDENT Trump (I still love saying that phrase) election and the failed profiteering attempts.
No, I think these people will still cling to their panic buying prices they paid and try to sell it at those prices even if I can get an identical item far cheaper online. Oh well, my money goes to where it reaches the farthest.

 

[blvdm50rider]

It has been a long time since I have been to a gun show. The last gun show I went to I was VERY disappointed. There were a lot of Knick knack tables...flea market type of items. I have been reading that a lot of this has been cleaned up.

But I think my biggest disappointment was paying $10 or $15 per person to get in and finding that everything in the show was VERY over priced. It was during the time that gun sales and prices were through the roof but I could have driven to an LGS just down the road and paid considerably less for the ammo and guns that were for sale.

So I am curious if all of this has changed or will it be more of the same?? I remember a day ( loooong time ago ) where you could go to a gun show and find deals on things you were looking for.

I agree with you 100%. I use to go to the Forks of the Del. shows in Pa. they had everything. I bought a "REAL", matching # Enfield #5 jungle carbine, a matching # late WW1 Enfield #3 rifle with original brass butt plate and ID disk on the stock. There were parts kits and gunsmiths, everything you could wish for. Last summer I drove out to Harrisburg Pa. for a large show. The majority of tables were venders. There were tons of AR's, Chinese made sights and ammo but very few private sellers and everything was super expensive.