SD9ve was $369.99 & $379.99
Paid $20.00 for the 2 of us to walk around & look at one over priced thing after another.
Ammo was 1 1/2 times the going price.
& from looking around I did not see many people buying.
,
Just wondering if anyone else has gone to one lately & what they thought of it ?

I go to them all the time. I hardly ever buy anything but I do make some good trades.

They are what you make of them....

Randy

i go when there's one here...you can find an odd deal from time to time...but for the most part most of the stuff is priced too high and noone wants to deal. I go just for something to do more than anything else...

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

I could care less what is on the tables or the prices. I only deal with guys walking around with goodies. That's were the deals are.

I might go to one once a year,then I swear them off again.If it wasn't for the auction sites,I wouldn't buy guns.

All of this time I thought it was just me. Everytime I go I walk away disappointed. I get that people need to make money but cmon.

I'm going to One on Friday. Last time I did ok on ammo $32 for 44 special/ $12 for 9mm/ $33 for 44mag all factory ammo. The guns for the most part are high & never saw anything special that was reasonably priced. I'm going mostly for ammo & just to look but by the time I'm in the door I'm out $11.

The last couple of gun shows in our area seem to have been pretty decent with some worthwhile deals to be had. Of course there were those that were still out of line!
To me they are something to do on a ****** day!

I see what you are talking about but I still enjoy going. I have seen a few revolvers that tempted me but no "bargains" per se. I only started going to gun shows last year so I never saw the good old days before everyone knew what guns were selling for in the Internet.

But it is still interesting for me to look around. I tend to just look at revolvers by Smith and Wesson so slim pickens is an understatement. But then again I saw a 17-6 in 4 inch. And lately I have developed an interest in CZ USA .22 rifles so I take a look for any of those to fondle.

The going price around me is $5-$7 with no cost for parking. Kind of like the model train shows I went to in the 80's and 90's with my dad. Then they started charging more and added parking fees so that was the end of that. If that happens to the gun show world I too will stop but for now I go to a few but not all that take place around me.

I wish it was easier to buy in other States. I think it would be fun to go to shows outside of Wisconsin and see some "new" guns. Yea, I know it can be done but I have never done a transfer and really don't want the extra headache and cost.

I go all the time, however I spend all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday at them. It may be the shows in this area, but I find deals all the time. This past weekend found 2 excellent buys on non Smith's, looked at a Triple Lock and spoke with a gentleman who was selling a RM.

The one I went to this weekend in Las Vegas sucked - I was told it sucked before I went but I was in town so we killed an 1 1/2 there. I will always go to these because you never know what you may find as some may know I found a Baby Chief, half moon sight with red box at a garage sale price.

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Baby Chief Admirer
SWCA 2870

I went to the Bill Goodman show and it keeps shrinking. Once in a while, I will bump into a parking lot deal. I just have to be patient and not get my hopes up.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I usually go and will be going to one in Charlotte in April. I never have bought anything though and usually just go to look at anything I may be thinking about buying. As others have said the new guns are over priced and I really haven't found a good deal. As far as ammo NO deals at any show I have been at. Even with shipping I can do better online. But hey, where can you get 3 or 4 hours of entertainment for $7.00 today.

I go to a show nearly every month. I must just be lucky but I frequently find good stuff at a fair price. I think a lot has to do with your own attitude. There are some real "turkey" table renters or dealers but there are also a lot of great, honest & fair folks occupying those tables. JMHO.

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Randy
Provenance nerd

I've pretty much stopped going to gun shows. The prices are through the roof for rusted junk. The shows nearest me are also heavy with militaria. When I was a teenager I was fascinated by anything wearing a swastika. Now, I could care less. Also, as NY has weird gun laws, you rarely see any handguns for sale unless they're cap-and-ball types.

Maybe six years ago, I picked up a really clean Marlin 336, pre-safety, pre-Remington, in .35 REM from another visitor. I think the phrase is to "buy a walk-around."

I gave up on gun shows ages ago for all of the same reasons as in Post 1.

I went to a local show last Friday because entry to the show is free on Friday's. Parking cost me a grand total of 2 dollars.

It was NOT a cheap outing, because one dealer had an 8 lbs. keg of CFE223. That set me back 180 bucks and some might consider that a bit high. However, when you add a 37.50 HAZMAT shipping charge to what Powder Valley wants for an 8 lbs. keg of this powder it was less expensive than trying to purchase it on the Net. In addition, it was IN STOCK. I'd call this a WIN.

As for the prices for ammunition, they are still high. One way I beat that is by loading my own. Thus the reason I am so pleased about scoring that CFE223. At 27 grains per load of 223 Remington that 8 lbs will allow me to build a bit more than 2000 rounds of ammunition.

Was at the OGCA show 3 weeks ago. I sold 13 guns and 2 of the guys that also had tables near me sold 12. There were people buying and selling all weekend.

Prices are what they are, deals are out there.

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George Jamison

I went to one when we first returned to this state. Got an Ex-Military discount. Table prices were indeed high. I did sell two High-school (1949-50 or earlier) rifles to guys in the aisles. Wish I had them back.

The difference between a good show and a bad show is one good deal. Some shows are a bust but sometimes you score. That is part of the allure of going. I will say the prices are high a lot of times and the last few shows I have been to I have seen very little money changing hands.

Nope. Never been disappointed in gunshows. Always found something. Not long ago I found 45acp for $35 / 100 rounds (2 boxes of estate 45 fmj). Same show had P mags for $ 9ea. Before that I found surplus AK mags for $5ea. Found a Daniel Defense AR for $900. Before that it was something else. If you have a wide range of firearm interest you'll always find something

Gun shows are dead and overpriced junk. You can make more money on good guns auction or online. And all so buy better too. Soon they will go under.

Haven't been to one in awhile. I won't pay more than $5 to attend a gun show. I do enjoy looking. Bought a few guns years ago at shows. Got burned once. It is risky because alot of damaged guns or ones that have issues get blown off at gun shows. You have no ability to test the gun and leverage to get your money back.

I go to see a couple of friends that are most likely to be there. Didn't really find but one to buy, but had a problem with it when the light hit it. I like being around guns and accessories, and like-minded people, and guns.

I find gun stores to be about the same. People trade in defective guns

I used to go regularly but I haven't been to a gun show in nearly two years. I visit the local pawn shops but they are getting overpriced also.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

I go to the movies and I pay around $10 bucks to get in. I go to the gun show and pay $6.00 and am just as entertained. I get to spend the whole day browsing and handling guns. Some that I may not get to see anywhere else. I also take a list of things I may need or want with the retail prices of each noted. If I find a real bargain I buy it. I found a guy selling a smokeless powder that I use often or $19.99 a pound. I never see it for less than $26.00 a pound elsewhere IF I see it at all. Another table had brand new Lee mounting plates for reloading presses for $29.00. I can find them online for $22.00 but with shipping they come in over $30+ so I bought one. I get at least half a days entertainment out of just going and sometimes I find a few bargains. If you are going expecting to score every time then yeah... stop going. It will make the lines to get in much shorter for me.

I have been to one gun show in the last couple of years and other than a surprisingly good deal on .22 long rifle ammo I didn't get anything. I kept noticing that there are less guns and more knives and useless stuff I can really do without. So I really don't bother much anymore since the nearest show from me is about an hour drive each way. It's just not worth wasting the gas and the cost of admission.

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Vaya con Dios

I go to as many as I can, big and small. Sometimes good and most times not but I do make friends and connections that pay off in the long run.

Yeah, I go from time to time. Mainly for comic relief. Now with that said I have to get into the right mood and attitude before I go. Sometimes I take something from my collection just to walk around and show it off a little but I'm fully ready to be insulted and hear from the "gun experts" that my gun's not worth very much for a variety of reasons and all of their stuff on the table is highly collectable and almost priceless. It's hilarious what some of those guys will tell you but I guess sad also. It's not like they use to be when I was a kid with my Dad. Like above posters have said I find more deals walking the floor than on the tables. However, I have found that most guns shows have excellent hot dogs vendors....... Good luck, good hunting.

I go to every gun show I can squeeze into my schedule. Also have a table at several shows in CA. and AZ. I find deals all the time, both from people walking around with a For Sale sign hanging around their neck, and on tables where the seller has no clue as to the value of what he may have for sale, mostly in the C&R and antique category . The winter Las Vegas show at the Riviera casino, the Tulsa shows, the OGCA shows, The Denver CGC show, and a few others always have bargains IF YOU KNOW YOUR GUNS, because somebody has just bought a bunch of estate guns and doesn't know their values, or a walk around bought his gun in 1960 for $150 and is happy to get a grand from me for a two thousand + dollar pre 29 5 inch NIB. I always find some $100 S&W grips in junk boxes for $20, or so. Sure, 90% of the average shows are flea markets, but the cost of parking and admission are quickly recovered in the value of the items you find - at least for me it always does. At a big show like Tulsa, if you have a table, one can usually net 4 figures for what you buy early and resell. At least that's my experience, and I've been doing this for 70 yrs. now. Ed.

I go to the gunshows for comedy relief. The prices make me laugh.

For all of you are complaining about the gun shows - stop going, don't waste your time, stay home & do nothing!!! For the rest of us go, have fun, walk around, you never know something might just appear thats in your budget and you might want.

Again to the whiners, stay home!

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Baby Chief Admirer
SWCA 2870

If you are buying everything is over priced and if you are selling, everyone is a cheap skate...and yes ammo is more expensive, but it seems to be coming back down in price.

If your only intrest is newly mfg guns at below wholesale prices , you'll be disapointed.

I go with blank expectations , and usually find stuff that intrests me. Admittedly some of it is contrarian niche.

Don't go as often for two reasons : 1. Usually don't have any disposable $ , and hate to tease myself. 2. The one only 35min is no more ( the County decided to no longer rent their venue to evil gun shows ).

I completely disagree with your comments. You are from Ohio where there is a gun show almost every weekend. Auctions weather online or not are for people with money, willing to pay know matter what.

True collectors are always trying to un-earth whats been forgotten. To find that true gem or fill that hole in there collection. Anyone can accumulate firearms by surfing the web, I would rather find whats been lost. IMHO....

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George Jamison

This^ and just to add to it. It's not only for new mfg guns. Same goes if you're only looking for classic Smiths or Colts or any other niche

Seldom do you go and see new stuff at a good deal I am fortunate we have lots of good shops around here
But I find parts and pieces
I learn from the real gun guys they seem to display at the smaller shows . I often see one of the Mods here at small shows and he always had something very cool or a bit of knowledge that I am always Thankful for
We have a large one here in Birch Run MI If you are looking for a Chinese made Ninja sword not many better places
But even there you can find stuff
I know I am unique but I remember when I found a box of wax bullets IN 41 Mag I was really happy you will not find that everywhere (I am serious) Those are powered by a 209 primer kind of fun

Hank

Before the Obummer years i could go to a show and obtain reloading supplies (powder, primers) and avoid hazmat fees. Those days are gone; for the time being anyway. I also used to be able to find an occassional deal & peruse weapons I was contemplating purchasing. Lately insane prices on anything worth considering. Also most guns at local show had cables running through the works or zip tied making it impossible to work & check the action/function. I think I'll save my $8 entry fee and valuable time.

The problem here in Houston is that here is a gun show every weekend. Either in Houston, or two surrounding suburbs (Conroe and Pasadena) by the same organizer. Dealers have no incentive to make decent deals, as they'll just take them to the next weeks' show.

The twice-a-year HGCA (Houston Gun Collectors Assn) show is worth going to.

I love gun shows. I just enjoy looking at all the stuff and if you do talk to the owners of the tables you can sometimes get a good deal. Besides that where else can you hang out that has all the things that you enjoy.

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USAF Retired/VN Vet

Going to a gun show can be a great experience if your expectations are not set to a high level. Going there to meet up with friends you only see at gun shows is always fun to do. You may find the pack of MRE's you were looking for to take on the fishing or hunting trip, or maybe that one special knife you could not find anywhere else.
I have stopped going to gun shows a little more then three years ago. I was going to the Dixie Gun and Knife Show in Raleigh NC a couple times a year until I quit. Like some say, the cost of getting there (1 and half hours travel and gas), the cost of entry $9, and then the trip back home was giving me enough savings to visit my local shop that is still cheaper then the shows, and he can get whatever I am looking for.
I enjoyed going to the shows, but got a little irritated when I saw a couple of the gun dealers I personally knew and knew of the prices they were asking in their shop were lower then in the show. When I asked why the prices were higher at the show, they both told me the same thing. "People that come to these shows will pay much higher prices because they don't do any research and are impulse buyers".
Needless to say I no longer frequent these shops any more. By the time you pay all the expense to get to the show itself, and then have to pay to enter the show just to pay an inflated price, it is no longer fun.
If you like going to the shows and paying the price, that's great. I hope you enjoy yourself. It's all subjective. I would rather take all the savings and spend it at my local shop for my needs, and know my dealer will back me up if I have a problem.

Thanks y'all , a lot of varying opinions , more than I would have thought.
The Wife & I started going just before the buying scare / panic
started, when she decided was not going to wait to be a victim
after our home was broke into. I think it was the fall of 2012.
Thats where / when I got my SD9ve for 299. She joined the NRA they had a big thing set up at the door, Glock had a big space & so did Ruger.
We could get good reloaded ammo for a good price from a company called North Georgia Reload.
I did not see any reloads at this one, in fact it looked to me like the whole thing was taken up by one retail dealer after another.
Only a few tables up against the wall had used stuff & mostly shotguns.
That said we stopped going when the buying panic hit big & all the ammo disappeared. We joined a range that has a gun shop & tried their best to keep ammo for members to shoot & with our little discount the gun prices match up close to internet prices + shipping.
We have been toying with the idea of getting a 1911 I was thinking I would look at some used ones ( did not see even one ) & Wifey wanted to look at some different carry bags.
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Maybe it was just this show if a bigger one comes close done by different people I may go take a look , but I think this summer I will spend my $20 on over priced red worms & go find a place to drown them

I own three revolvers and only have two hands.

Don't want political literature.

Not especially partial to jerky.

Haven't gone in years.

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and what his trumpet saith

The good ole gun show days have all but gone.

In our neck of the woods I'd venture to say only about 10% of them have a decent selection of vintage guns at reasonable prices.

If you want something "NEW" you get a better price at the big box stores...period.

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NULLI SECUNDUS

Hadn't attended one in probably 5 years. Decided to give a local one a whirl in February. Yep, not attending another...ever.

I go once every few years, but they make a good spot to meet folks with whom you've already cut a deal with online. I went to the one in Harrisburg, PA a couple weeks ago. My observations mirror those above. Most ammo was absurdly priced (especially 35 Remington ) ), but then again I picked up some hard to find 410 buckshot ammo.

As pertains to the prices of S&W revolvers, forget it. They are way over priced at the vendor tables. I picked up a M19 from a guy at the door. The very same gun was at one of the vendor tables for $280 more?! But I had a 627-0 "Model of 1989" that I was hawking for $1150 that the vendors just sneered at. I didn't budge because I know it would be $1500 if it were on their table.

There was plenty of TiteGroup to be had, but nary a pound of 2400. Can't find 2400 to save my life.

I still go, but very, very seldom purchase anything. Ever since we got O'bozo as our Clown in Chief, all the good Surplus just disappeared. As in used guns in general. Now it's a scalper's paradise, it seems. And all the un-knowing, un-aware, neophyte, soon to be gun owners pay the ridiculously high prices on guns and ammo, are just as happy as larks, not knowing that they got screwed. Sad. The old good gun shows are long gone.

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LEO, Instr, Armorer, Gov's 20

Hard to believe there are still people out there looking to buy a new gun that do not go on the interwebs & know with in a fews bucks what they should pay.
This Saturday I was looking at the low end 1911's ATI, Rock Island I knew right off they were close to a hundred high.