Gun shows - anyone find them of value?

[rwsmith]

If not looking for gun deals.....

Sometimes I find components that aren't at my LGS and don't have to order them off the web with shipping and all that.

 

[iibgdi]

I just started going to gunshows in the last 6 months. I always find something.

I bought 2 AR's at the last 2 gunshows I went to and got a better deal than I found on the internet anywhere, particularly when you figure the FFL fee into it. The taxes pretty much offset that.

I have found AR magazines much less expensive. You have to look around but the last 2 I was at I found 1 guy selling Magpul 30 rd mags for $11. They ran out of the ones with the clear view on it or I would have bought A BUNCH. As it is, I think I bought 10 mags the last 2 shows

I haven't really found ammo to be a good deal.

One of the biggest benefits for me, as a new person to this world,is that I can see and handle virtually every single make and model of weapon there is. To me, that is a big deal. I took my wife once and it really helped her as well from that standpoiint

I have learned a few things at them by talking to dealers though. So there are some benefits at times IMO

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I never go to a gun show looking for guns, I look for grips/stocks, vintage holsters, gun parts and militaria. For example, I found my Grizwald case (WWII US Paratrooper M1 Garand jump case) that a dealer was using to haul around used shotgun barrels in! You never know what you find poking around the nooks and crannys.

 

[RJJ 1971]

I like going to look. But I never find deals at them.

 

[LVSteve]

I treat gunshows as a day/afternoon out. If I buy something at a reasonable price, it's a bonus.

 

[jessebogan]

I have been going since I was a kid. Used to go with my Ol Man, and as I got older enjoyed running into him at shows... I got out of the habit some years back. In the last year I have decided to start attending again. I have found good ammo prices at some shows, sold a couple shotguns at pretty near my asking price, learned a few things, and in general done fairly well. Lately I will make a list of wants , from ammo, components, and parts, and see what I can come up with. I know I could get 90% on line, but then I pay shipping and have to wait. (Gotta love instant gratification, right?). I get a day out among like minded folk, and who knows, at the next show I might get the buy of a lifetime... Right? Just another fun aspect of the gun hobby.

 

[roadrunnerh]

I like going to the local gun shows in my area. They come up every three or four months. Recently, I purchased a used M4 USGI carry handle for $25. Internet? Yeah, I could have bought a Chinese *** for that price - or more.

 

[model70hunter]

I have had so many nice buys I can say I loved shopping there. Now there were times when I was hunting a specific model 24 for example and made a quick run through just looking for that. If not there I would pick out my #2,3, etc and make another circle.

Of course I never sold anything there, heck no, I thought we wuz only suppozd to buy......

They are not as good as the dark ages but I went to a small show several weeks ago and found several good buys. The difference I now see is folks don't want to take long guns in trade for handguns and many are getting out of the long guns entirely. Packing, unloading etc is what a few told me.

I've never gone to one expecting to find what I want, but have. Like several said junk boxes or old coots like us with a box or small amount of trinkets, grips and stuff can be a treasure trove for cheap.

 

[kozmic]

I've purchased a long gun, pistols, revolvers, knives, various supplies and trinkets. I don't go with the intention of buying anything, but usually do.

If nothing else, it's a good way to keep a thumb on what's going on locally as far as availability and pricing, etc.

 

[wbraswell]

One of the worst feelings I have at a gun show, is finding something you really like on the first row. You know there may not be another one at the whole show, but there may be something else you want on the next aisle, or the last aisle. I went to one at Big Town in Mesquite last year, and saw a really sweet I frame .32 snubbie, with the half moon front sight on the first table I passed by, just after walking in the door. I looked at it, I wanted it, but come on, the first table in a 1000 table show? Of course it wasn't there by the time I came back to that table. I didn't buy anything that day. Ya snooze, ya lose.

 

[TTSH]

One of the worst feelings I have at a gun show, is finding something you really like on the first row. You know there may not be another one at the whole show, but there may be something else you want on the next aisle, or the last aisle. I went to one at Big Town in Mesquite last year, and saw a really sweet I frame .32 snubbie, with the half moon front sight on the first table I passed by, just after walking in the door. I looked at it, I wanted it, but come on, the first table in a 1000 table show? Of course it wasn't there by the time I came back to that table. I didn't buy anything that day. Ya snooze, ya lose.

Don't feel so all alone. It happens to me too just about every other show.

 

[Joe Hohmann]

I went to my first one last week, which was a large Phila area show. I only bought a extra magazine for my S&W model 41. I compared prices on a Mossberg Maverick 88 pump shotgun, and found 3 new in box at different sellers for $239, $259, and $285...so shop the show before you buy. It was worth the entry price of $10. to spend a cold morning looking at stuff. I was disappointed that there was very little printed or video "reference/learning" material to buy.

 

[CH4]

No, you won't find many "deals" on the gun show tables, most of them are walking in the front door.
That being said, there are deals to be had if you pay attention. I also peruse the tables for accessories, ammo and the like.
It is a form of cheap entertainment that keeps me off the streets.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

This past weekend i sold two pistols while in line for the Carson City gun show; the month before I sold one pistol while waiting in line to enter a gun show in Fallon - got what I was asking for all three guns. Once inside, I didn't find any jerky, but I did find these items:

 

[brigeton]

From the responses it seems you really need to know guns to really benefit from the shows - which I don't.

I reload and shoot and learn what I can when I can (read a lot) - but am far from the knowledge many of you seem to have

I've never been to a gun show but I know fishing shows are the same. If you really know what you're looking at and prices you can find a deal sometimes but a lot of the prices are higher than you can get the stuff for at a store.

 

[Skeet 028]

I always find something at shows..Not always a gunut always something. Found a 629 3 inch with extras at the last show..and a nice RCBS electric trimmer in the box for 70 bucks...a new unused Lyman ingot mold for 5 bucks..a Couple Lee Target model loaders for 7 bucks 2 single cavity molds for a very cheap cost and I got a pound of Bullseye and a pound of BE 86 for 20 each. ..But you have to have eclectic tastes and keep yer eyes peeled. The show prior I got some small stuff but a beautiful Hollywood Senior press for under a 100 bucks. Another one coming up this weekend oh woe is me!! actually oh woe is my wallet!! And... always ask if the sellers will accept less. Prices are not always cast in stone as they say! I quite often buy dies partial boxes of bullets and other stuff just for trading stock...and sell some items for a profit on fleabay..but that can be a PITA

 

[pcgunner]

the first table in a 1000 table show?

Geez, shows around here are lucky to have 25 tables, I can't imagine a 1k setup.

No wonder you guys can find buys!

 

[ringo1597]

I still make lots of shows, and honestly I always find something.

Just returned from a very small show and what a show it was. Came home with three 27-2's and a 629-1 Lew Horton.

This does not happen at every show, but I would not have found them had I not gone.

 

[Skeet 028]

Geez, shows around here are lucky to have 25 tables, I can't imagine a 1k setup.

No wonder you guys can find buys!

25 tables?? Heck that ain't much bigger than a yard sale here in Wy/Mt. I do like the small shows though

 

[crazyphil]

We have had 2 negligent discharges at gunshows here in Boise in the past year or so. After the first one the admission price went through the roof no doubt to pay for increase in insurance. At the last one the show promoter shot someone through the leg and hit someone else. No fatalities, but no more gunshows either. I won't miss them. Better buys at my LGS.

 

[Step N. Mud]

Been a couple years since I'd gone to a gun show with kind of a bad taste in my mouth. Recently had a strong itch for a snub nose 44 mag and bid on several 629s on GB and got outbid in the last minutes. Started looking at Ruger Alaskans online and same thing on GB and outbid on my $800 max. So off to the weekly Houston area gun show. Found 3 Ruger
Alaskans with two .454 and one in 44mag. and came home with the 44 mag.
at $819.99. To bad I had to pay the Governor his share, but my itch has been scratched, only now need a new holster, speed strips and custom grips.