Gun Show Basics

kantuck · Apr 24, 2015

I'm considering an in-state gunshow this weekend in Louisville,KY. It's ~ 280 RT trip so considerable time and money invested, thus, I'm prospecting here & now, for what to expect? Fact is, that prior to the "1968 Gun Control Act", I did collect, was single and burned through some hefty paychecks too! My interest chilled over time as family, $$$ priorities and other hobbies took over.
I emailed the RK Shows folks and know there is a full show-they say 50 firearms dealers plus other stuff.
I'm no longer a true collector, as such and only interested in a certain couple of handguns at the moment. Also, at age 71, I'm in leaning out mode, not loading up on stuff! I do like looking at guns that I'll never buy and know and like some that are no longer within my paygrade! Items like old Winchester levers were much of my fancy back in the day and given that my .22 single shot bolt rifles are now worth the price(and more) I used to pay for a very nice Winchester- and no, I'm not just talking pre/post 64 rifles folks.
I've been watching lots of Gunbroker/Armslist pistols in the S&W Model 39 "related series" and wishing I had a fairly reasonable expectation for what's to be expected at that show? I really wouldn't want to burn my day to see, say, two pistols of interest to me and maybe I sneak up on one maybe they're overpriced too-like many up for auction and listed here & there.
I suppose it's hard to say overall what pops up but thought I'd try for a feel here? It's 2 months now until another show is closer & ~120RT away.
If your a gun show person-share your thoughts please? Thanks!

m1gunner · Apr 24, 2015

When I go to gunshows, it is for the entertainment value only. If I expected to find a deal, or a long sought after keeper, I would be disappointed every time.

You will spend well over $250 in direct and indirect expenses traveling that far.

Watch the classifieds here and learn how to set up directed searches on GB, and you will find what you want soon enough. That $250 is bett3r spent on what you really want, unless you want to see a bunch of jerky, Native American repo jewlery, and over price 22lr ammo.

Arik · Apr 24, 2015

Collects said:
Be prepared for some famous gunshow lines:

"This was my dad's gun (or grandfather's gun)."

or

"This gun shoots great; I just shot it yesterday,"

"This gun is NIB."

Take those comments with a grain of salt.

"This is what the police/SWAT/SEALS/Delta uses"

Ben_hutcherson · Apr 24, 2015

Call it my sour opinion, but I'd skip the RK show in Louisville.

You're already out almost $20 to get in($8 to park at the fairgrounds and another $10 or so to get in the door) and it's just not that great of a show. I like Kenny Woods, but his Louisville show is not one of the better ones.

If you're going to spend the time going to a Louisville show, wait for National Gun Day. No one likes Ron Dixon, but it's a much bigger and better show with much more interesting stuff.

For an RK show, wait for a Lexington show. I haven't checked the date, but there's usually one sometime in June. It should be closer for you than Louisville. The parking is generally free unless there's something big going on at Rupp. It's about as big as the Louisville RK shows, but IMO the prices are generally better, you're more likely to find something interesting that gets drug out of the hills, and it's just an overall more friendly and laid back show. Rburg, Joe Ruby, and I are usually camped out at the last table(furthest from the entrance) across the front row of tables.

italiansport · Apr 24, 2015

Apparently many here have a very crass outlook on gunshows. As a longtime vendor I do take exception with some of the comments.
I go out of my way to point out any problems with the guns I sell as I appreciate repeat customers.
If I tell a customer I've shot the gun they're interested in they can take that to the bank. I test fire each and every gun I take in for functionality.
Granted not all dealers and perhaps many dealers don't operate this way but word get around quickly if one is pulling fast deals.
Jim

Ben_hutcherson · Apr 24, 2015

italiansport said:
Apparently many here have a very crass outlook on gunshows.

I don't generally have a crass outlook on gun shows, I just have a crass outlook on the specific show the OP is talking about going to

. I base that on actually having been to it.

jack the toad · Apr 24, 2015

Like most anything, there are decent g-show vendors and there's some that aren't.
For the most part, they're in sales. So unless I know them to be otherwise, Caveat Emptor
ETA:
italiansport, sounds like you're a standup guy. I know dealers that are on different sides of the fence and you're right, word gets around.

Mule Packer · Apr 24, 2015

In my experience, it seems that gun shows are no longer a place to find good deals, as they were several years ago.

It used to be that you could find used, quality firearms at reasonable prices. No longer the case. Most firearms are way over priced with the dealer trying to make you believe that he's giving you a heckuva deal.

It also seems, at least in my experience, that you are finding fewer vendors dealing in firearms and more vendors dealing in jerky, knock-off Texas Ranger badges, war surplus web belts, and knives made in Pakistan.

Of course, things may have changed in the last few years because I quit going to so-called "gun shows" about four years ago. But, realistically, your chances of finding a nice S&W Model 39 at a reasonable price is about the same as a snowball's chance in the sunshine.

cowart · Apr 24, 2015

Ben_hutcherson said:
For an RK show, wait for a Lexington show. I haven't checked the date, but there's usually one sometime in June.

Jun 20th - 21st, 2015

doublesharp · Apr 24, 2015

I used to set up at RK shows and have had some good ones but I tend to agree with Ben that the Louisville show is hit or miss. The $20 ante keeps me away from the front door. If I think I'm going to go I rent a table put a few lines in the water. Billy is the show mgr and he's a good one but the crowd is more black gun than an old codger like me cares about. I'd wait for National GunDay in June or hit RK in Lex.

I'm a big fan of national guard armory shows and tend to search them out.

Grayfox · Apr 24, 2015

Gun shows are hit and miss. What you find depends entirely on what people decided to bring this time. You'll see a lot of brand new plastic and a few nice older guns. Most everything will be over priced.
Do pay attention to what folks are walking around with. Some of them bring some nice stuff to try and sell. But again, expect them to want top dollar for it.
Like M1 Gunner said, go for the entertianment.
I go to about 5 or 6 gun shows each year. Most of the time all I buy is a Dr. Pepper.
But I keep going because every once in a while I do get lucky.

islamoradamark · Apr 24, 2015

sometimes the show might be a little slow for not finding the right firearm , but i have found some hard to find parts and accessories . To me it is a day out with the boys range ,lunch among other stuff

the ringo kid · Apr 24, 2015

Gun shows here are easy and most already know who to avoid. At the Robstown show here--I know four or five to ignore.One guy sells WWII German militaria for to high a price and is a jerk to boot. This guy is out of San Antonio. I think his ""name"' is something like Panzer division Garza or soemething as idiotic.

Another stay away fromguy ere-is the one who owns three auto parts stores and is the one ive griped about who guts Garands then inserts carp parts in them.

A third to stay away fromis a guy who costme--because I lost the saleI had for my tunic and caps--cost me the twenty eight hundred I neeeded and counted on.

Another is another who sells WWII German mil--but also shows off his original STG fourty four. The guy flat out lies to your face and thinks hes a know-it-all.

Then there is one of the ammo-scalpers. He has a survivalist store in town.Lousy as hek prices on ammo--but surprisingly--good priceson guns. Thisguy brags about having over one hundred and fifty thousand rounds of twenty two--in his garage.Also brags having about one hundred K rounds of MM,and at least fifty K each of: fourty,fourty five,and two twenty three. If he ever has a fire in his garage? the neighborhood is toast.

I forgot to mention the Russian. This guy is a work of bad art to say the least.Everybody else at the show id deal with depending on what I wanted or could afford.

wheelgunguy · Apr 24, 2015

italiansport said:
Apparently many here have a very crass outlook on gunshows. As a longtime vendor I do take exception with some of the comments.
I go out of my way to point out any problems with the guns I sell as I appreciate repeat customers.
If I tell a customer I've shot the gun they're interested in they can take that to the bank. I test fire each and every gun I take in for functionality.
Granted not all dealers and perhaps many dealers don't operate this way but word get around quickly if one is pulling fast deals.
Jim

Don't take it personally. You work in an industry with many well documented shenanigans. The fact that you are a straight shooter makes this actually work in your favor in the long run.

I have worked in sales of some sort for most of my adult life. Some of those industries also had many well documented shenanigans. As I am sure you already know, the first sale to a person is always the hardest. But once they realize you will be honest and up front with them. Quite often they will turn into a customer that will buy many items from you and send their friends and family members too.

I know some times it's hard not to take offense. But always remember the biggest skeptic is your best opportunity to obtain one of your best long term customers. Ultimately the skepticism created by "wrong doers" can be the straight shooter's best friend. Embrace it all the way to the bank and all the while making your customers very happy.

wheelgunguy · Apr 24, 2015

kantuck said:
I really wouldn't want to burn my day to see, say, two pistols of interest to me and maybe I sneak up on one maybe they're overpriced too-like many up for auction and listed here & there.
I suppose it's hard to say overall what pops up but thought I'd try for a feel here? It's 2 months now until another show is closer & ~120RT away.
If your a gun show person-share your thoughts please? Thanks!

Go with someone you enjoy spending time with and make sure to enjoy their company. That way your day won't be burnt and anything you find at the show will be gravy.

Arik · Apr 24, 2015

Wow so much negativity. I suppose if you are bothered easily then do yourself a favor and don't go. Me, if I like the price I'll buy it, if not then it's no skin of my back. I can have 22lr just as easily as I can live without them. Same goes for anything else

italiansport · Apr 24, 2015

I've been attending gun shows as a buyer and seller for 40 years and there has been a tremendous change in that time. When I 1st started most of the sellers were private individual - collectors setting up to sell off items they no longer wanted in their collections in order to buy other items. Today the vast majority of sellers are professional dealers some of whom are out to make a buck any way they can.
Deals at gun shows are for sure not what they used to be but ONE of the primary factors for this is knowledge regarding firearms values is a lot more readily available today.
However deals can still be had and here's something I picked up at a very reasonable price last weekend. It's a circa 1935 Webley air pistol in excellent condition in it's original box circa. I had never seen one with the box before and even though it's an air pistol I wanted it for my own collection. It also still shoots well and is a very accurate weapon.
Jim

Rustyt1953 · Apr 24, 2015

Arik said:
Wow so much negativity. I suppose if you are bothered easily then do yourself a favor and don't go. Me, if I like the price I'll buy it, if not then it's no skin of my back. I can have 22lr just as easily as I can live without them. Same goes for anything else

[ame]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0AEj3LA2vSo[/ame]

Wyatt Burp · Apr 24, 2015

When I go to a gun show which is hardly ever now, and I'm carrying a gun to sell or trade, I wear either a cowboy hat or an NRA hat. If you wear some other kind of cap you give the impression of not being a "gun guy" and people will waste your time trying to low ball you to death. Really. I saw a young guy in a ball cap and tennis shoes showing a 94 Winchester to a vendor. I could see it was a take down rifle but the kid didn't know it, and of course the potential buyer didn't mention it. This hat business might sound ridiculous, but it's true.

S&W Fan · Apr 24, 2015

I stopped going regularly a few years ago to the Tanner show that comes to the Denver mulitple times a year. I went a few months ago and actually found my 686 2.5" Lew Horton (w/original box) there. Not a steal but I was satisfied enough with the price we settled on to take it home.

Mostly I go to look around, usually get in for free through a vendor I know. If I can find a nice deal on ammo I'll get it.

The nicer Smiths I come across are priced pretty steep and the sellers don't like to negotiate. The above mentioned 686 was an exception-the dealer that had it got it from another dealer that had it for a number of years and couldn't sell it.

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