Just made my last trip to any gunshow

[jmace57]

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.

 

[mule69]

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.

 

[elderberry99]

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.

 

[micocyco]

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.
,
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

 

[nicky4968]

I own three revolvers and only have two hands.

Don't want political literature.

Not especially partial to jerky.

Haven't gone in years.

 

[MOONDAWG]

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.

 

[Jagrmaister]

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

 

[petemacmahon]

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.

 

[Ofc.JL]

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.

 

[micocyco]

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.

 

[Absalom]

Grumpy generalizations about all gun shows are pretty pointless. It all depends on who organizes them (some organizers run flea markets, others seem to be more discriminating as to keeping it gun-related), how gun-heavy your area is and how big the potential base of sellers and visitors. I've got the shows within an hour's drive or so pretty well pegged. There is one I never miss because it always has an unusually large number of collectibles that are at least tempting, there are a few that aren't worth the gas because they're too small, and there are a few that I may go to if I'm bored without expecting much if I have nothing better to do. Won't cost much more than going to a movie, and I'd rather spend a few hours ambling around handling various guns and chatting up people. I don't get people who think the world owes them great deals.

 

[dentkimterry]

I used to go to the local one here. There was a lady there that had a nice table full of wallets and leather belts. Nice stuff at a great price. Now she is gone. No overpriced ammo or reloading supplies for me!

 

[Rocket3]

Prices and insane crowds stopped me 6-7 years ago.
Gun Broker, Guns America & Texas Gun Trader is where I deal and have fun now.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Do me a favor, keep the guy that puts his wet beer cup on my Smith & Wesson cloth, home with you. Then he gets mad at me for asking him to remove it. I just bought a new .38 Bodyguard from a dealer at $75.00 below list. Your correct to stay home.

 

[Xfuzz]

The gun show bash. Love it.
A building where everyone in it thinks they are a
player and the top dog negotiator.
Everyone looking for a "deal"....when one is not easily
found the vendor's are scapler's.

If you can't find a bargin at a large/medium show your not
lookin hard enough.
Expand your search.....blades, vintage leather/ammo.
90% of the folks in the joint, vendors and customers alike
are lookin for a quick flip for $$$.

 

[micocyco]

Do me a favor, keep the guy that puts his wet beer cup on my Smith & Wesson cloth, home with you. Then he gets mad at me for asking him to remove it. I just bought a new .38 Bodyguard from a dealer at $75.00 below list. Your correct to stay home.

Where in the world are you that they sell beer by the cup at a gun show ?
If by list price you mean S&W price that is about what they go far anywhere .

 

[ou1954]

1911

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.
,
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

Here you go for a really classic 1911:

Tussey Custom - Custom pistols with distinctive appearance and innovative design!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Where in the world are you that they sell beer by the cup at a gun show ?
If by list price you mean S&W price that is about what they go far anywhere .

Unfortunately, there is a show that I set up at that has beer. Maybe you like paying full retail, but, some people don't.

 

[model70hunter]

I was a gung ho gun show. Fella. Fun starts at some before you get to the door. Over the years I've made some fantastic deals. But it has changed, I went to the big St. Charles one once a year with friends. We had a good time perusing. Sometimes looking at junk is good. Just scooted past the overpriced tables. I had gone to them for so long I knew most of the dealers by 1st name. That helps on some guns.

I loved finding a guy with his 1st table or 1/2 table. Even 2 years ago I made finds at these tables.

I love the smaller shows, many tables are not LGS owners. Guys who like to trade up or are looking for items in their field of interest.

I have not been to a gun show in 2 years since I retired. I for one do miss them.

I would love to find some smaller shows here in KS and go. Oh wait, I'm retired, building a house and out of funds. OK I'll pick one or 2 high dollar items and maybe do some trading.

I for one like them and will continue to go, even if I do not find a gun bargain I might find some Colt AR magazines for $5.00 each again, or something else to tickle my fancy. Someone mentioned junk boxes, man I have found some prizes there.

 

[frankmako]

back in the 70's, 80's and part of the 90's they were good i went to all i could. now they are not wort the time and money to go. prices are high and nothing but fools at the tables. lot of jerky, knifes, and socks for sale. back in the 70's you could get all the parts to build a 1911a1 at the shows. i did several back in the day. when they started charging to get in the shows went south.