What to look for at a gun show?

If you go to a variety of shows, you will find that some are better than others, for whatever your interest is. Small shows are often better than big ones, as you are likely to find individuals who are parting with their own stuff rather than dealers. On a table full of nice Winchesters and a few Marlins at the last local show, I found a very nice Stevens 425. They are pretty much an orphan; Savage killed them when they bought Stevens, and there may have been no more than five thousand made. My long gun interest is Savage 1899's and 99's, but the Stevens was a welcome addition. If your tastes run counter to the latest fad, or a long running enthusiasm (such as S&W), you can sometimes find things of interest.

Part of the joy of going to a show for me on a Saturday is the alternative is going grocery shopping and running errands with my wife. Why in the world would a retired couple go grocery shopping on the weekend?
 
welldoya said:
If you have that Sentinel priced decently, I'm betting you don't make it inside the front door with it. Seems that everybody is looking for a reasonably priced .22 revolver these days. I've got one I paid $88 for back in the 80s. It's my river fishing gun. (use for cottonmouths)
I'm betting yours is a 9 shot though as is mine.
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Of course it's 9 shot. Don't know what I was thinking. Or, even if I was thinking at all! We'll see. My R100 is cosmetically challenged but it's a sweet shooter. And with the way cool plastic stag grips. I like it but would love to find an old H&R top break 22.
 
If it's your first gun show, bring very little money. Just enough to buy some jerky or maybe some ammo. Walk around, observe, eat some jerky, try to ignore the tazer going off constantly, try to listen to the gun peddlers rip people off and make ludicrous claims about inferior hi-points and keltek's.

And try to soak in the whole experience, chances are there wont be any real deals.
 
Just my opinion, not an indisputable fact: a first timer at a gun show should be extra careful. Gunshows thrive off of impulse buys and the uninformed. They are a good place to sell a gun, just walk around and somebody who wants no paper trail will try to buy it. I live near Tulsa, which has a HUGE gun show. I haven't gone in years. Unless you are looking for something made of unobtainium I would shop the net.
 
CrazyFingers said:
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...:D
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My sentiments exactly!
 
I've always felt there's at least a half dozen really good deals at each show--whether or not you are aware of them.

Just have to be observant. It's an education like any other and takes time, attention, and focus. Sometimes just plain luck.

I'd advocate having an idea on several categories of items you are interested in; and determine the order of importance. I.e., need a shot gun for hunting; therefore, first time through the aisles i'm focused on this (or other, while keeping an eye open for a "good deal").

Good luck to you and be patient in your search.
 
nipster said:
If it's your first gun show, bring very little money. Just enough to buy some jerky or maybe some ammo. Walk around, observe, eat some jerky, try to ignore the tazer going off constantly, try to listen to the gun peddlers rip people off and make ludicrous claims about inferior hi-points and keltek's.

And try to soak in the whole experience, chances are there wont be any real deals.
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TheHobbyist said:
I've always felt there's at least a half dozen really good deals at each show--whether or not you are aware of them.

Just have to be observant. It's an education like any other and takes time, attention, and focus. Sometimes just plain luck.

I'd advocate having an idea on several categories of items you are interested in; and determine the order of importance. I.e., need a shot gun for hunting; therefore, first time through the aisles i'm focused on this (or other, while keeping an eye open for a "good deal").

Good luck to you and be patient in your search.
Click to expand...


Well there you have it folks. Chances are there won't be any deals, except there are at least half a dozen.

Certainly the guy who doesn't go isn't going to find a deal. "Those grapes were probably sour, anyway." And to be honest, I really don't remember the last time I saw beanie babies at a gun show. If they're there, I don't see them because I'm not looking for them. I'm looking at the guns - stuff that doesn't interest me just doesn't register.

But like I said, you guys just stay home. More for me. :)
 
Guns shows out here in So. Calif. are a bit of a laugh. Over the PA booms someone welcoming all to the show and to stand and remove your hats for the pledge of allegiance, some other super pro America stuff, and then you turn your attention to what is approx 90% chinese junk, sold by groups of vendors selling the same junk in each hall or room! They should be boycotted and run out of the shows!

TRY YOUR HARDEST TO BUY FROM THE US!
 
Well here in Louisiana gun shows are kind of a mixed bag. Beef jerkey, those funny candles that had the reputation for blowing up, hematite jewelry and the same old **** sold at the same old prices by the same old dealers who won't budge an inch on prices. Now that I got that outta my system. You can find occasional good firearms on their tables. I picked up a 98/29 Persian long rifle. I paid less from the dealer than I would have at Samco. Beautiful wood, finnish and bore. The bolt is probably the smoothest on of all my mausers. Since I have not been to a show in at least 6 months I would dare say that prior to and after the election prices on just about everything from ammo to guns has gone up. And you can get your colt M4 at wally world for $1097 before tax. Just checking prices on M4's anywhere from 1200 to 1500. Them good old dogrobbers gonna have a field day. But just for the heck of it I just might go to the last show of the year at Lafayette.
And your right about deals being done in the entrance and parking lot. A good buddy picked up a Munson Dan Wesson 357 in great shape an at a great price before walking in the door. Frank
 
Well, hit the Austin gun show today. Nice way to combine a motorcycle ride and peruse a ton o' guns. Lots of tactical stuff, every semi auto handgun known to mankind, and not that many revolvers.

I would like to trade up from my old High Standard R-100 revolver. I'm intrigued by an H&R top break. Talked to three guys who have them - at home. In the safe. Oh well, I'm happy enough with my old R-100. It's only increasing in value...slowly and incrementally.

Didn't buy anything. Looked at holsters for my Model 10 and SR9c - Tucker and El Paso Saddlery. Gorgeous leather and priced accordingly. Got to mess with a Ruger 10/22 Breakdown. Very nice little rifle.

All in all, pretty cheap entertainment for $8.

Oh, and sampled the jerky. Teriyaki is my favorite. :)
 
I always look for the Queen. If there is a group we vote to see who wins. Gun show Queens may have different criteria than regular beauty contests. I am not sure what they are, but I know it when I see it.
 
So:

1. Did the OP go?
2. Did the OP buy anything?

I would love to hear how it went

I had the opportunity to go to a gun show today, and I am glad I didnt, I found lots of deals at LGS's and pawn shops
 
Went to a local show today. After ignoring all the edibles, tactical stuff and knives. I managed to pickup two IWB holsters for my 5906. Don't know if I'm going to use them on a regular basis but for $24 total they were hard to pass up. First one is an Alessi Talon plus and the second one is a Mitch Rosen ARG. The Alsessi shows a little wear but the Rosen is pretty much as new. There are deals to be had at gun shows but not always what you are looking for. I was shopping for a 22 plinker.
 
Yes I went today. I had a chuckle every time I heard a stun gun, saw beef jerky, and saw all the cheap Chinese stuff. Just like you guys said. I did not end up purchasing anything, I had in my head there is always better deals online. One thing I liked was getting to see and hold a "baby eagle" 9mm. From just looking online at best9mmdotcom that was the handgun I liked best and I have never seem one in person. I guess its not very common, as my local Cabelas does not carry any.

It was fun holding a fn2000 I have to say. It was very annoying over hearing many people talk about how Obama was about to take this, do that, blah blah blah. I kept looking for people who brought in their own guns, as you guys said that would probably be the best deals in the place. I saw a couple but obviously I did not know if it was priced well or not. I saw one person buying a DPMS oracle for $674 which was priced as high as $800+ at other tables. I wanted to tell him its on sale at Cabelas for $599 or $579 with coupon from their homepage, but I figured I rather have that gun shop make some money.


I have the Troy AR on back order from Dicks from the black friday doorbuster last week. I walked around looking at all the ARs wondering which of them are comparable to my future gun and was really hoping one would be there. No luck. All in all I would not go back unless I brought something to sell or if I really improved my gun knowledge 10 fold.
 
I buy moar boolitz for my high capacity "clips"...

Wow that video...

Notice the next one heat seeking bullets!!!

Wow.
 
Shivdaddy said:
It was very annoying over hearing many people talk about how Obama was about to take this, do that, blah blah blah.
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Yea, that's getting old.

It's amazing how many stupid people take that at face value and are negatively impacting gun prices (for consumers, not for sellers/manufacturers :rolleyes:) and ammo prices and availability.

My local Dicks has put a "strict" 6 box limit on all ammo. This is after they gave out $20 off purchases of $100 recently. I go up to the cash register and this 16 year old chick gets lippy with me about having 7 boxes, and have her get her manager. he was smart enough to not make a big deal of it. But I overheard a clerk in "the lodge" spreading the "obama is going to ban AR's within 6 months" BS to some unsuspecting dude just to make the sale (it worked).
 
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