The $8.00 fee to get in and/or parking fees negate savings on small things like mags or ammo. I laugh at the ammo prices at these shows. I can pick up SD ammo online cheaper all day long. Factor in gas, time, an entrance fee and the difference adds up.
Gun shows nowadays
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.
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.
101 - 120 of 136 Posts
I suspect that some are might just be leaving themselves some room for haggling. If the firearm has been listed for awhile and still not sold, then it's open to a bit of negotiation. Of course, it's also possible that some people are wanting to buy FTF and are willing to pay a bit more for there being no paper trail.I do that and most of the private sellers are asking way more than what a used gun is worth. I understand that they may have spent more adding sights, trigger job, grips, etc. but those modifications may not suit me. IMHO, while they may add value, they don't necessarily translate to a higher price.
I used to really like the gun shows at the Gibraltar Trade Center in Taylor, back in the early 2000's.Even a few of the Silverdome shows were okay.
Till they became thug conventions.I used to really like the gun shows at the Gibraltar Trade Center in Taylor, back in the early 2000's.
Yep. I moved from Detroit in 2005. I just moved back in December of 2016.Till they became thug conventions.
NavyVet1959 has a point! Seriously, I don't have to concern myself as I have a CCW, but some of the folks..........
I concur with most everyone, gun shows are no longer what we used to enjoy and occasionally spend our money in. I took a friend this weekend who had never experienced the cultural phenomenon .. Watching his reaction was worth the one block walk from the end of the parking lot and 8 bucks at the door. About the same cost as a movie but eminently more entertaining. Posted "No loaded firearms", local Leos zip tying carry guns with "thanks" and a smile at the door.
Gun prices are still a small percentage less than on line prices (subtract shipping) but the selection is dominated by table after table of black plastic "tacticool" rifles. The old lady's salted cashews booth was still there but her grand daughter was running it.
Most popular booths 1. Make a kydex holster your choice of logos while you wait ($20.) 2. High powered magnet to hang your gun under the dash of your car ($30.) A puppy rescue place even had a booth.
The guy with Bullseye Powder had a sticker price of $27. a pound... I told him he was 6 bucks a pound higher than on-line and he shot back with a glare, "I'm not charging you the Hazmat fee". Seems like everybody is selling combo flashlights/ stun guns... the place sounded like there were bug zappers everywhere.
Only one guy walking around hawking a gun for sale, a "Bubbaded" Japanese rifle with freshly varnished stock.
But the highlight of the day was some girl's pet Coatimundi (Mexican Raccoon) picked the lock on its cage and made a break for the front door. After a brief bout of running, screaming and diving under tables was over the little bugger was back where he belonged. I was thinking it was probably good they took everybody's carry pieces and zip tied them shut at the door. As I said, shows aint' what they used to be.
Gun prices are still a small percentage less than on line prices (subtract shipping) but the selection is dominated by table after table of black plastic "tacticool" rifles. The old lady's salted cashews booth was still there but her grand daughter was running it.
Most popular booths 1. Make a kydex holster your choice of logos while you wait ($20.) 2. High powered magnet to hang your gun under the dash of your car ($30.) A puppy rescue place even had a booth.
The guy with Bullseye Powder had a sticker price of $27. a pound... I told him he was 6 bucks a pound higher than on-line and he shot back with a glare, "I'm not charging you the Hazmat fee". Seems like everybody is selling combo flashlights/ stun guns... the place sounded like there were bug zappers everywhere.
Only one guy walking around hawking a gun for sale, a "Bubbaded" Japanese rifle with freshly varnished stock.
But the highlight of the day was some girl's pet Coatimundi (Mexican Raccoon) picked the lock on its cage and made a break for the front door. After a brief bout of running, screaming and diving under tables was over the little bugger was back where he belonged. I was thinking it was probably good they took everybody's carry pieces and zip tied them shut at the door. As I said, shows aint' what they used to be.
I partially agree. Last weekend i went to the Fort Myers Fl. Gun show. Nothing like a good Florida gun show. Used to charge “ i believe” free to park and maybe $3 to $4 entree fee. Now $5 to park and VA card discount of $1 down from $11 to $10. I have bought many many firearms, holsters, ammo, tee shirts, stickers, you name it, even ice cream BUT its not worth the cost any longer. The good is, a Florida gun show is some of the best I've ever seen but the cost of going will have me passing on many starting this weekend.
Only show I go to and its a must see if you get the chance.
http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com/frames.html
http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com/frames.html
Do you realize at 4200 tables, if you spent 8 hours you would only have about 7 seconds per table?Only show I go to and its a must see if you get the chance.
http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com/frames.html
It is a huge show.
I still hit the small local shows in search of small items. I have had luck with some retro AR stuff that some guys still think is obsolete. They don’t realize it has turned to gold in the past few years.
4200 tables! Wooow!!Do you realize at 4200 tables, if you spent 8 hours you would only have about 7 seconds per table?
It is a huge show.
Of what though? How many are actual guns?
I went on Armslist today for the first time. I wasn't impressed.Ditto on most all of the previous posters. Also, Armslist is kind of going the same way. New gun pricing, very few real deals.
Not much to choose from and some of the weapons weren't represented very well. Maybe I need to keep trying for a bit
Scoose, quit a bit of them. 11 acres under on roof. I believe it is the largest show in the country. I’ve been a few times. If you don’t buy it when you see it, you better take good notes as to its location or you will never find it again. Honestly, it is probably too big.
That sounds like its worth the trip!!Scoose, quit a bit of them. 11 acres under on roof. I believe it is the largest show in the country. I’ve been a few times. If you don’t buy it when you see it, you better take good notes as to its location or you will never find it again. Honestly, it is probably too big.
I will speak to Lyell Kent W. my relative, as I think this is the one he is shoving me into.......He said to bring lots of cashOnly show I go to and its a must see if you get the chance.
http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com/frames.html
Some people even with CCWs prefer not to have an official paper trail. Their philosophy is probably, "what the government doesn't know about, can't hurt you".NavyVet1959 has a point! Seriously, I don't have to concern myself as I have a CCW, but some of the folks..........
I personally don't go anymore, better price deals and selection on the internet.
That's the best way to look at it.You go with a bunch of your shooting buddies. Have breakfast on the way out,
pick up a little bit of ca ca at the show, and have lunch on the way home. After
you come home you feel like you went somewhere.
Zeke
Been going to shows for quite some time and for me it's a social occasion. I get to see some old friends and scan the tables for that elusive Unicorn. Or I could sit at home in front of a computer alone and listen to my wife telling me all the things I could be doing around the house. I choose the gunshow.
Been going to shows for quite some time and for me it's a social occasion. I get to see some old friends and scan the tables for that elusive Unicorn. Or I could sit at home in front of a computer alone and listen to my wife telling me all the things I could be doing around the house. I choose the gunshow.
101 - 120 of 136 Posts
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