Gun shows nowadays
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820 Posts
yes, going to gun shows is kind of like a form of "Therapy" it helps to go out and mingle with other firearms enthusiasts , to get a first hand look at the latest gear, models, accessories ,even if you dont buy anything instead of online or forums, kind of like a cheap form of a mini Shot Show for the general public.
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2,913 Posts
We have Bob and Rocco Gun shows up here in Wisconsin.
i attend most in the Milwaukee area. admission is $6-7 (some are a bit smaller so they charge accordingly).
You know it seems to be the same stuff every time. Are things expensive? yes, although i have seen some prices going down. It is supply and demand.
But, i do not go to the shows to find a good deal i go to meet up with my friend of over 40 years (he now live 2 hrs away) we walk the aisles poke around sometimes find a little treasure, sometimes a big treasure. Often running into other shooting buddies. after the show we go have lunch and discuss Faith, politics, family, and other passions.
we have become friends with many of the vendors so it is like just going for a visit. We go with no expectations of finding "good deals" but sometimes we do.
If i am looking for a new gun i go to the LGS or one of the Vendors i know at the show. and yes you can get better deals on Gunbroker.com
i find Gun Shows to be more of a social outlet not a place for good deals although they can be found without warning so have cash.
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4,507 Posts
I haven’t been to a gun show in 15 years. It got to the point where I saw the same junk time after time, on somebody else’s table, priced $25.00 higher than the last time I saw it. Prices are non- competitive, to say the least, and can be bested by just about any local dealer, or on the internet.
Too, as others have pointed out, most of the tables have flea market junk instead of guns, and I’m just not interested in paying $10.00 to look at it.
Too, as others have pointed out, most of the tables have flea market junk instead of guns, and I’m just not interested in paying $10.00 to look at it.
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9,980 Posts
I see what you did there. :couch:
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1,557 Posts
That makes perfect sense. May just well be a good excuse for dad and I to hang out for a day.
Back in the late 80 to late 90’s I used to go to gun shows with my father and a couple buddies every weekend, some were 3.5 hour drive…one-way. Some of the best shows I remember were Winchester, VA National Guard Armory, small…couple hundred tables, but that show was incredible! Pikesville, MD, Harrisburg, PA farm complex, Harrisonburg, VA, King of Prussia, PA, York, PA and Frederick, MD to name a few. With the internet today the deals are gone and will probably never return…hell can really save on powder and primers at a show anymore, as most all of the on-line dealers have a special no haz-mat weekend couple times a year. Plus if you get together with some other reloading buddies you can either split the fee or if you purchase enough they usually waive it. I got some amazing deals in the PAST all during “the ban”… $400 Bushmaster CAR-15 with 20 Colt 30 round mags, $300 Ruger Mini-14 with 4 stocks, 15 factory 30 round mags, $450 USP 40 with 6 13 round mags, $500 Winchester 101 in MINT condition, $125 Beta CMag…I actually felt bad about this one, guy knew what is was worth, but needed money BAD. As mentioned, those days are gone and not likely to return.
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16,885 Posts
Last gun show purchase I made was the rare pearl in the hog pen, a capture 1926 Mosin dragoon with Finnish marks, restamped 1939, 115 bucks out the door. The guy had a bench full of crap Mosins, most M44's and everything was priced the same, 100 bucks plus tax. After 20 minutes of digging came across that one, which then went on GB and sold for 600.
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2,913 Posts
Just got back from the G show. kind of in the market for a judge public defender. but my friend the vendor could not come to the price i was willing to pay $400 OTD he is not what i would call expensive but i know i can do better. but i had a good time walking around talking to friends havin lunch....Hey even saw the guy selling bamboo pillows.... i talked my friend into getting a couple.... if you have not tried them you might want to look into them ... they are incredible most comfortable pillow i ever used.... and they were not expensive (as pillows go) :kilt:
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35 Posts
Around here the prices on the guns during an Expo isn't bad at all. Quite cheap tbh. The only thing is that it's like a thrift shop in there (and smells like one too). The biggest problem I see is that all the guns laying around are all banged up and scratched beyond. There's simply too many people mishandling the firearms
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6,861 Posts
In all my years I’ve never been to one. They have one in Charlotte & Raleigh every year. Perhaps I’ve missed some deals over the years but I’ve heard chatter from the LGS owners here about how they love the shows because they can price their items higher at the shows. It seems for some reason these shows bring out the “impulse “ buyers and sellers know it. I also don’t have the patience to dig through all the junk to try to find a pearl.
Someone asked how many of the 4200 tables at the wanenmacher in Tulsa were actually guns.I would say probably 2700 or 2800 would be guns.Lots of knives,holster and belt makers too.I have found some deals from the people walking around and so have friends.I once bought a LNIB ruger red label 20 gauge for 625.There are hundreds of people walking around looking to sell their guns so they can get something different.I make the 3&1/2 hour drive at least once a year and if a person has the cash I have never seen a time there weren't deals.
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13,657 Posts
They were pretty good here in CT and MA back in the '80s and early '90s. I used to hunt around for Webleys and Walthers and there were some pretty nice pieces to be had. I went to a couple in eastern PA back in the late '90s which were also good. I also picked up some good condition, hard to find gun books back then.
More than once I wandered into one with my girlfriend after church on a Sunday and being the only guy in the entire place in slacks, a sport coat and dress shoes, invariably several dealers were concerned I was with the BATF.
But I've lost interest now. As others have pointed out, now it's the same old tired common used guns that are overpriced. And a ton of non-gun crap. Couple that with admission and parking costs? Forget it.
More than once I wandered into one with my girlfriend after church on a Sunday and being the only guy in the entire place in slacks, a sport coat and dress shoes, invariably several dealers were concerned I was with the BATF.
But I've lost interest now. As others have pointed out, now it's the same old tired common used guns that are overpriced. And a ton of non-gun crap. Couple that with admission and parking costs? Forget it.
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6,022 Posts
Indy 1500 isn't Tulsa, and it has some quartly shows better than others (depending upon which building it is in, it varies in quality), but when a few of the major gun stores from outlying cities (South Bend, Mishawaka, etc.) show up, you can occasionally find a gun deal. I was seeking a G34 MOS when they were brand new, and failing to find one, but found several NIB there, at the same prices I was seeing online. It isn't a gold mine, but you can find things. Prior to buying a sight pusher, I would buy night sights there, because they would install them for free in a few seconds.
Yes, sometimes the smell of nuts cooking in sugar on my clothes is all I leave with, and sometimes you wade through lots of junk... But I will admit my last $30 purchase was fun! I bought a burning blue laser. I don't need one, but it is pretty cool...
The automatic OTF knives were better (and cheaper than online, Bear OPS and Benchmade), but as a science geek, I think this blue laser has the potential to be fun! It came with glasses (that I am unwilling to trust!), and I invested in real lab optical safety gear as this thing is serious, and can damage an eye FAST. It is amazing to be able to set paper on fire from a distance...
so gun shows ARE good for something, right?
(photos from online ads, not mine...)
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Yes, sometimes the smell of nuts cooking in sugar on my clothes is all I leave with, and sometimes you wade through lots of junk... But I will admit my last $30 purchase was fun! I bought a burning blue laser. I don't need one, but it is pretty cool...
The automatic OTF knives were better (and cheaper than online, Bear OPS and Benchmade), but as a science geek, I think this blue laser has the potential to be fun! It came with glasses (that I am unwilling to trust!), and I invested in real lab optical safety gear as this thing is serious, and can damage an eye FAST. It is amazing to be able to set paper on fire from a distance...
so gun shows ARE good for something, right?
(photos from online ads, not mine...)
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42 Posts
Went to the local Gun Show this past weekend. Was hoping to get to hold some different and more rare things. Was extremely disappointed. Seems everyone was carrying the same things, Glocks, Sigs, M&Ps, holsters, gear bags...etc. Really wanted to hold some bullpups, CZ scorpion, Tavor, Scars or something more rare. Didn't see any of what I was looking for. There were close to 100+ vendors. I walked the table twice. My brother and I ended up going to all the local gun stores around and actually got to hold most of what we wanted to see, even a P365. When talking with the LGS owners they all commented the same thing, they are done with the Gun Shows. Prices are all stiff and sometimes more at the Gun Shows, more of a hassle for no real benefit. They all said the same thing, they would beat any price at the gun show. I'm done with gun shows and will only support my LGS and maybe look for the more rare items online for cheaper if possible.
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