Shivdaddy
Member
Going to a gun show for the first time this weekend! What should I look for while I am there? Are there actual good deals at these things or are they more just for fun?
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
What to look for at a gun show?
- Thread starter Shivdaddy
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
BillyJack2012
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2011
- Messages
- 895
- Reaction score
- 376
Mostly cheap Chinese knock off junk. I'd suggest researching what you want and then look around for deals. Sometimes there are good ammo deals but not much or accessories or guns. Your experience might be different. It's definitely a good time if you've never been before.
Snake Plissken
Member
Hold on to your wallet, things are usually a alot more expensive. That doesnt mean you can't find deals, just look carefully.
pineappleshooter
US Veteran
Beef jerky!
Don't forget cheap knives, coins and chinese scopes.
BillyMagg
Member
Look for the tables with real Smith and Wesson N Frames etc, they will be overpriced so look em over real close, Colts might be okay buy I never owned one, [well, I owned 6, but just have 3 good-uns left. There will NOT be any bargains except of polymer pistols, of which there will be hundreds all around the same price, [and all on the homely side, they might grow on you, but they sure won't on me]. If you really do intend to buy, take a gun wrench with you, there are lots of "projects" for sale."Caveat Emptor", thats french for somethin with snails in it I think? Billy
Its like gambling, which I NEVER do but, don't take more money than you could stand to throw away! and have fun, if you really want to have fun, carry an empty gun box with you, and when they ask you, Whats in the box, say "NUTHIN". Oh and DON'T take your wifes gun, I did that ONCE!
Gunzilla
Member
I'll be setting up a table with some 1-off custom knives and some nice factory made knives as well as some hand crafted Tomahawks at the big gun show here in Phoenix this weekend, NOT looking forward to competing against the cheapass Chinese stuff out there. Their stuff is half the cost of what I carry....and so is their quality.
I have to rely on people that know what they're looking at to make a sale....and they are few are far between.
OP, go to the show looking for the bare necessities only, I find that I can usually find a better deals on-line for almost everything I need.....including ammo.
Kai Winters
Member
I've only been to several, the Syracuse NY show, one in Clayton NY and one in MA several years ago...my experience isn't broad...
Syracuse is insane...you can barely see anything because of all the people...tables full of stuff...better know what you want, have some knowledge about what you want and some skill separating the good from the bad...I saw a lot of junk that carried high prices.
Any WWII stuff is priced out of sight other than low cost rifles that may or may not fire...actually for around $100 or a bit more/less you can get some pretty cool looking rifles for that "man cave" etc.
I too thought most of the stuff was quite overpriced.
If you want something specific I suggest knowing exactly what you want, what the going prices are and how to tell good quality from bad to get a fair deal.
I enjoyed looking at everything but was overwhelmed and bought very little.
The show in Clayton and MA were much, much smaller. There was far less but I felt the prices were better and you could spend more time talking to the people selling the stuff. I had a great time talking to the old timers about the stuff they had for sale. Seemed to me they were having a great time just talking to people.
Have a great time and fill us in when you get back.
Syracuse is insane...you can barely see anything because of all the people...tables full of stuff...better know what you want, have some knowledge about what you want and some skill separating the good from the bad...I saw a lot of junk that carried high prices.
Any WWII stuff is priced out of sight other than low cost rifles that may or may not fire...actually for around $100 or a bit more/less you can get some pretty cool looking rifles for that "man cave" etc.
I too thought most of the stuff was quite overpriced.
If you want something specific I suggest knowing exactly what you want, what the going prices are and how to tell good quality from bad to get a fair deal.
I enjoyed looking at everything but was overwhelmed and bought very little.
The show in Clayton and MA were much, much smaller. There was far less but I felt the prices were better and you could spend more time talking to the people selling the stuff. I had a great time talking to the old timers about the stuff they had for sale. Seemed to me they were having a great time just talking to people.
Have a great time and fill us in when you get back.
I do not go to gun shows looking for a particular item.
I go to help the folks running the show stay in business. I figure my entrance fee(s) can't hurt.
Then I walk every aisle; look at anything that grabs my eye; talk to people about..whatever; have a coffee and donut....and occasionally buy a gun.
Last show I bought a Winchester Model 62A. I've been looking for one of those that wasn't grossly overprice (in my opinion) for 20 years! Finally found one. Went home happy.
I go to help the folks running the show stay in business. I figure my entrance fee(s) can't hurt.
Then I walk every aisle; look at anything that grabs my eye; talk to people about..whatever; have a coffee and donut....and occasionally buy a gun.
Last show I bought a Winchester Model 62A. I've been looking for one of those that wasn't grossly overprice (in my opinion) for 20 years! Finally found one. Went home happy.
I'll be setting up a table with some 1-off custom knives and some nice factory made knives as well as some hand crafted Tomahawks at the big gun show here in Phoenix this weekend, NOT looking forward to competing against the cheapass Chinese stuff out there. Their stuff is half the cost of what I carry....and so is their quality.
I have to rely on people that know what they're looking at to make a sale....and they are few are far between.
OP, go to the show looking for the bare necessities only, I find that I can usually find a better deals on-line for almost everything I need.....including ammo.
That is what I was thinking, its more just for fun than anything. Would bulk ammo be the most likely thing that I could actually get a good deal on? I know close to nothing so I will not be able to spot a good deal unless I see .223/5.56 ammo for under 32 cents a bullet or a 9mm that comes in close to the lowest price on slick guns. Online has such an advantage (at least for now) with most places not having to charge sales tax.
aguablanco
Member
Having been to the Crossroads December show in Phoenix, AZ, some say one of the biggest in the country, several times, the best thing to look for is the exit. Actually, these shows serve the greater good by allowing you to get hands on experience for products that you will later buy at either your local stores or the internet. Both options will most likely get you better pricing. Think of this as the auto show, lots to look at, little to buy, without the beautiful models. I still like to support my local shops when their prices are not way out of line with internet prices.
RichH
RichH
OldEagleEars
Member
There is one by the same promoter almost every month in Overland Park, Kansas, and like almost every other gun show/flea market in the world it can suck your pocket faster than a turbocharged Hoover! That said, I picked up some magazines at competitive prices, some pins and patches to further burden my vests, some dang good beef jerky, and a cleaning rod for my Type 99 Arisaka (something it has been missing since 1945). Other than slings and two types of scopes (low quality and high price), it was zippo for anything I would want for my 15-22. They are a lot of fun and also quite informative if you find a vendor who likes to tell people about his collectible guns (I learned a lot about trapdoor Springfields at that table). My favorite LGS had a big display and I had a chance to examine a particular 1911 variant closely enough that I went to the store the next day and bought it! Like I said; a turbocharged Hoover in your pocket!
Usually, if I go looking for "something", I never find it. Its when I just go to see what I can find, that's when "it" finds me. Usually after I just bought something else I didn't really need and now don't have quite enough to swing the deal that's now facing me. It's a crapshoot, but that's what I love about gun shows! Kinda like a box of chocolates.......you know the rest! 
Arik
Member
I just go and usually i find something i need at a good price. Like 8mm ammo for $5 a box or mags. Always something and almost never a firearm but sometimes one does jump out
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
Gunzilla
Member
It's not to say there are 'no deals' at a gun show, you can find ammo and accessories at reasonable prices.....it's just not the first place I would go to get a great deal. After the 2008 election my brother almost got in a fight because some jack-wagon kept pushing him while he was waiting to get helped at an ammo booth....it can get crazy.
Then there are the items that you can't buy at a store or on the 'net', handcrafted goods like holsters and other goods from the individual makers. I also sell a video camera mount that you mount to your tactical rails at the shows (and on fleabay) and it's not available in stores....so there are some things that make going to the gun show worth the time and energy.
One thing I truly enjoy is walking around and drooling over the Lugers and the old Colt 1903s, there are a few guys that come to the shows here that bring some awesome collections of historically significant pistols......some are not even for sale.
Go, keep your wallet closed until you know what you want and you should be OK.
CrazyFingers
Member
The exit.
The gunshows in my area (put on by RK Shows) are a mixture of grossly overpriced guns, cheap Chinese knockoff garbage, and paranoid conspiracy nutball paraphernalia. Whether I'm just shopping around or actually looking to make a purchase, I've found reputable online stores to be much more reasonably priced, stocked with genuine items, and devoid of Sovereign-Citizen/Unabomber pamphlets.
Unless that's what you're after...
kamloops67
Member
where i live ,in kamloops bc, the annual gunshow put on by our club is the one time each year that i get to see a real selection of smith wesson revolvers .i always try to put away some spendolies for the show, and yes the prices might be a little high, but you make an offer and see what happens...i volunteer for set up and take down so it allows me a chance to preview the selection or at least know where to look first on sat. morning.
Things to look for
Good low cost AR lowers
Ammo Boxes
low cost ammo
Pre ban magazines if you live in a nanny state
Hi-Point Carbines (Let the Flames Begin I don't care they are fun and reliable.)
Holsters are good because you can try your pistol in them.
Deals to join local gun clubs
Good low cost AR lowers
Ammo Boxes
low cost ammo
Pre ban magazines if you live in a nanny state
Hi-Point Carbines (Let the Flames Begin I don't care they are fun and reliable.)
Holsters are good because you can try your pistol in them.
Deals to join local gun clubs
Gunzilla
Member
Good point, if one does not find prices they like they should make an offer....most of the dealers I know...and have dealt with are reasonable and will consider offers. I've even had guys reduce their prices before I asked.
Remember, this is a flea market / swap meet, nothing is written in stone.
I can tell you from personal experience as a dealer that when I don't sell much at a gun show I stop paying for tables at them....SUPPORT YOUR GUN SHOW DEALERS, or there may be a time when there will be no more gun shows because people refuse to buy anything at them.
GJH77
Member
Lots of interesting stuff to look at, and you will find the occasional good deal. I found a set of grips for my Colt Trooper and a mag for my S&W 422 this past weekend, for about half of what I would have had to pay on the internet when they could be found.
As mentioned, do look for the private sellers walking around, and also on the tables the occasional used gun with some cosmetic issues that you can bargain over. Those are the ones that the sellers do not seem to have a real attraction to. Look at their function, and in most cases you will probaly find that they are perfectly good shooting guns, just looking for a nice home at a great price.
Have fun.
As mentioned, do look for the private sellers walking around, and also on the tables the occasional used gun with some cosmetic issues that you can bargain over. Those are the ones that the sellers do not seem to have a real attraction to. Look at their function, and in most cases you will probaly find that they are perfectly good shooting guns, just looking for a nice home at a great price.
Have fun.
