Just made my last trip to any gunshow

[TNDave]

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.

 

[Arik]

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

 

[jeeps]

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.

 

[andyo5]

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.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

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.

 

[Arik]

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

 

[Jinglebob]

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.

 

[Kevin58]

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.

 

[David LaPell]

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.

 

[moosedog]

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.

 

[Lonestar57]

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.

 

[opoefc]

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.

 

[gutterman]

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

 

[jackvs1]

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!

 

[silentflyer]

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.

 

[Biggfoot44]

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 ).

 

[gjamison]

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.

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....

 

[Arik]

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 ).

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

 

[boatboy]

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

 

[ankona]

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.