How to splain Gun Shows?

[Greyman50]

By chance I want to look at a S&W I may buy I always ask if they will remove tie wrap, zip tie and if I can check the action/ operation. Open and close cylinder checking crane to frame space, operate extractor, spin cylinder watching ejector rod for run out.
Then cock hammer and see if it pushes off cock, then slowly pull trigger feeling double action, then cock trigger holding hammer back with thumb and pull trigger to check lock of bolt in cylinder. I always thank them if I don’t buy and tell them, “ nice piece”.
By chance the seller says no, walk away as don’t need any problems

 

[JimSupica]

Thanks to all for the responses - helpful & interesting!

I'm starting another post asking which gun shows are most worth attending. Any suggestions there would be most appreciated. -- Jim

 

[rockquarry]

I seem to recall those who spout off "cash money" in hopes of getting the "best" price seldom if ever buy anything but they enjoy the horse trading ritual...

 

[Truckman]

I could write my own article on gun shows from either side of the table, but most of what I would write has been covered here...There is a third angle, that of the show promoters, and the onsite security and cleanup crew, but we won't see much input there...Jim, I'm looking forward to reading the 5th edition soon......Ben

 

[Bald1]

Funny thing I notice in these type of thread is, people complain about crazy high asking prices and sellers trying to rip you off. Yet when people are able to “steal” a gun at unbelievable price from unknowning seller it’s ok. It’s a “gun show find”…….. to me it’s the same. Someone got taken advantage of.

 

[Slufstuff]

In SC, the only worthwhile gun shows are put on by the South Carolina Arms Collectors Association in Greenville and Columbia.

There are a handful of "commercial promoter" type shows, but they are very overpriced, few vendors, with a LOT of non-firearm related flea market material.

 

[LVSteve]

By chance I want to look at a S&W I may buy I always ask if they will remove tie wrap, zip tie and if I can check the action/ operation. Open and close cylinder checking crane to frame space, operate extractor, spin cylinder watching ejector rod for run out.
Then cock hammer and see if it pushes off cock, then slowly pull trigger feeling double action, then cock trigger holding hammer back with thumb and pull trigger to check lock of bolt in cylinder. I always thank them if I don’t buy and tell them, “ nice piece”.
By chance the seller says no, walk away as don’t need any problems

That's great in theory, but many gunshows have a "zip tied at all times" policy these days because of the insurance liabilities.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Current gun shows make me happy that I was able to complete most of my accumulation in the 1990 to 2015 time frame.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Too bad Lucille Ball is gone. She would have a few tips for you...

 

[rockquarry]

That's great in theory, but many gunshows have a "zip tied at all times" policy these days because of the insurance liabilities.

All the gun shows I've done for the last thirty years or so years have required ties on all guns at all times except for brief inspections.

 

[dave1918a2]

Gun show etiquette.
1. Always ask permission to pick up a gun or look at one closely.
2. Keep Your children behind You, or keep their hands in their pockets, or leave them at home.
3. Keep Your opinions to Yourself. Trying to show how much You know really shows how stupid You are.
4. If You wish to inspect a gun further, like removing grips, slide, ETC. Ask the vendor to do it for You.
5. Leave Your cell phone in Your pocket. Ask to take a picture. If You have to answer, go outside. Nothing worse than an important person standing in front of a table yakking on a phone.

My top 5.

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

Hi Jim

Just a suggestion, but would you consider adding in a section on how to inspect a used S&W? (Sort of relates to Gun Shows).

"Dummies Guide to Inspecting a Used Revolver"

revolver_checkout.pdf - Google Drive

This is an example of an idea that I wish I had thought of. We've (probably) all seen You-Tube videos, what to look for when buying a used revolver, some are useful some...meh. A S&W specific chapter on this topic in the Standard Catalog would be much appreciated IMO.

 

[Bullet Bob]

"4. When I shop used handguns, I carry a tool kit. If I can't do a thorough inspection, I'm not buying."
_________________________________________________

I guess I might let you check out one of my guns, as long as your Driver's License reads "P.O. Ackley".

 

[Truckman]

Gun show etiquette.
1. Always ask permission to pick up a gun or look at one closely.
2. Keep Your children behind You, or keep their hands in their pockets, or leave them at home.
3. Keep Your opinions to Yourself. Trying to show how much You know really shows how stupid You are.
4. If You wish to inspect a gun further, like removing grips, slide, ETC. Ask the vendor to do it for You.
5. Leave Your cell phone in Your pocket. Ask to take a picture. If You have to answer, go outside. Nothing worse than an important person standing in front of a table yakking on a phone.

My top 5.

Mine too...The vendor, whether there to make a living or a casual hobbyist, is also a human being like you...Treat the person behind the table as you would want to be treated...If you ask to examine the action on a gun, tell the vendor you do not intend to dry fire it...If he does not want to cut the tie, accept his decision......Ben

 

[Hair Trigger]

I'm starting another post asking which gun shows are most worth attending. Any suggestions there would be most appreciated. -- Jim

C&E Gun Shows are what comes to my area. They are centered in Blacksburg, VA. Never seen a problem at any of the locations I've been to, and they make a frequent circuit of their locations.

 

[oldman10mm]

I've been to a few C&E shows, never been to one that was so good that I'd want to go back for a future date. Don't get me wrong, they're not bad shows (well some of them are, a complete waste of time and gas).

 

[lkabug]

You got up early, filled up the gas tank, had breakfast out, paid to get in.
You saw a gun you wanted but the asking price was still a bit too high after haggling for several minutes. $100 difference, really? Don't be that guy that gets half way home and says 'I should've, would've, could've". Buy it! It won't be there tomorrow.

 

[rockquarry]

You got up early, filled up the gas tank, had breakfast out, paid to get in.
You saw a gun you wanted but the asking price was still a bit too high after haggling for several minutes. $100 difference, really? Don't be that guy that gets half way home and says 'I should've, would've, could've". Buy it! It won't be there tomorrow.

Did this a number of times but finally learned and haven't done it since. If you really want something, especially a gun not easy to find, and you do find it, buy it! A mere hundred dollars, or maybe more, depending on many factors, is virtually nothing as we look down the road a ways.

Don't let cheapness win out.

 

[Tom K]

I'll start off by saying that I don't go to gun shows to socialize. I don't like talking to people (much), even if it's a topic I'm interested in. I certainly don't want to talk to strangers any more than I have to. That probably puts me at a disadvantage but so be it.

After 40+ years of gun buying I've realized that 98% of the stuff at gun shows generally falls into three categories for me:

1. Stuff I'm not interested in. I don't really need to look at a table full of Glocks and ARs. Over and under shotguns do nothing for me. I don't care for nickel or stainless guns, although I do have a few of each. That said, my interests do change over time. Ten years ago I turned up my nose at most lever actions. Now I have a dozen or so.

2. Stuff I already have. I've wound up with too many duplicates of guns just because they were "a good deal". But I don't consider having Model 27s with 3.5, 4, 5, 6, and 8-3/8 inch barrels as "duplicates".

3. Stuff I can't afford. That's pretty self-explanatory.

Once in a while I come across stuff that falls out of these three categories, about 1% - I'm interested in it, I don't have it, and I can afford it. Jackpot! That's one of the reasons I keep going back to gun shows.

There is another category that covers the remaining 1%, and it's also a reason that I keep going to gun shows.

4. Stuff that I didn't know I needed until I saw it. Here are a few examples.

Model 3 converted to .22LR single shot.

Powell Knife Pistol, .38 Special

USFA Omni-Target Six Shooter, .45 Colt

 

[upcountry]

I'd support a section on gun shows, including etiquette, etc.
The best presentation might be similar to the guidelines on "how to buy a used revolver".
What to look out for, what questions to ask, etc.
There are some pretty slick dealers out there.
Like the dealer who sold a private sale revolver to an older gentleman, and then charged him a tax.