Why I Like Gun Shows.

[GreenStormCloud]

Prices tend to run about 20% lower than in gun stores.

Greater selectionthan in a gun store. If I want a particular gun that is in current manufacture, a gun show will likely have it. A gun store, because of the cost of the inventory, carries a limited selection of the most popular guns. But a gun show has many different dealers and so the inventory is much greater.

Lots of accessory stuff. Books, knives, supplies, camping gear, etc. Usually there will be some crafts tables set up for leather that my wife like to look at. The last one we went to have a gem and mineral display across the hall. It had some awesome fossils.

BTW. I went to my first gun show in 1974. At that one, and at all gun shows since, I have never seen a Nazi table, never seen a KKK table, nor anything of the like. The only Nazi stuff I have ever seen is at a WWII memorabilia tables, which also included Japanese, British, Russian, and American stuff. Usually, there may be an NRA recruiting table.

[Treo]

1. Lots of accessory stuff.

Don't forget the jerky and the Sham-WOW :bounce:
EDIT Added reference to Shaw-wow

[Renew Deal]

2. Do you go to learn or to purchase?

And are you an impulse shopper at gun shows?

[GreenStormCloud]

4. Depends on the size of the impulse.

At one gun show, there was a table of homemade jellies in flavors that the supermarkets don't have. We impulse bought several jars. And one had home honey from Texas Bluebonnets - impulse bought again.

Wife needed a new purse and the leather table had a one she loved.

Those were small enough to be allowable for impulse buys.

A gun is expensive enough - for us - that it is never an impulse buy. Those are always researched and planned as to the type of gun. Then off to a gun show, (One every weekend in the DFW area) to find the actual gun.

And I do learn some about what is happening among gunheads by observing what is being sold. In the last few months I have seen a LOT of M-16 pattern rifles, and lots of the new flattop upper recievers for M=16 patterns being sold.

And there are odd items, such as the specialty 12ga shells.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

3. We have really crappy gun shows in San Jose Ca.

Mostly just old used crap along with the obligatory Tea Bag T shirt and bumper sticker booth.

I'd love to see a really good gun show.

[benEzra]

8. That may be because so many enthusiast guns are banned in California.

I have gotten the impression from a few Californians on gun forums that California gun shows are the lamest in the nation.

[jeepnstein]

5. I've never seen a good deal at one.

I used to go to shows all the time. It was always the same stuff just on a different day.

Since I have all the guns I'll likely ever need I really don't have much desire to shop for more. I buy my ammo online or from a couple of local sources.

My curse lately is a phenomenon know as the "Guitar Show." You really want to spend money fast? Go to one.

[GreenStormCloud]

6. I understand. Unless I have a specific reason...

I go to one about once a year, and I have been know to miss some years.

[Irreverend IX]

7. The Internet is better than gun shows for deals.

Even taking into account FFL transfer fees for firearms, websites like Gunbroker are getting to be the best place to shop. Of course, you don't get to see or inspect the item and gun shows help you find out about products you might not have actively searched for, but overall the Net is the future of the gun market.

[Hoopla Phil]

9. Don't forget the boxes of used holsters. Now there's where you can get great deals!

Just do your research before hand and know what model of what brand you are looking for - because the vendor sure wont know what you need.

[aikoaiko]

10. My biggest gripe is that the gun shows that come through my town are very monotonous

Same thing every time.

Decent selection of the popular guns (service revolvers, low cost shotguns, ARs, AK types, etc)., but its hard to find things just a little off the usual choice. I gave up on finding a Para 14.45 LDA stainless at my gunshows and ordered it.

Even though I am less satisfied each time I go, I still go.

There are deals to be had, but you have to be ready to pounce on unexpected things as opposed to attending a gun show looking for a deal on a specific gun. I still wish I bought the Thunder 5 revolver .410 shotgun with the extra 44-70 cylinder for 400 bucks.

[NewMoonTherian]

11. I always go to the Wanenmacher gun show

with my dad, and we'll randomly hit some of the other ones(they come an average of once a month in Tulsa). The smaller shows are kind of unimpressive, but the Wanenmacher has always wowed me(and I don't mean sham-wow) with its size and variety. They do have several WWII booths with Nazi materials, though I never bothered to examine whether they were "objective" in their wares. I occasionally see a fellow with lots of confederate memorobilia, and he even had a Cherokee Braves license plate which now rides on my front bumper(I have an ancestor who fought with the braves, among other rebel precursors). I've never heard the gent espousing any hateful sentiments, but that's a topic for another thread in another category. At any rate, the overall experience is a blast, and something that shouldn't be missed by a gun enthusiast on account of preconceived notions. Give it a chance guys. Worst case scenario, you'll have something to legitimately bitch about.

[michreject]

12. The best deals are in the parking lot

I got my Springfield SAR 4800 FN-FAL for 700.00. These are 2,000.00 on Gunbrokers.

[Tim01]

13. I hate you. nt

[michreject]

14. Guy was just walking around the parking lot

with a flag sticking out of the barrel. :)

[Tim01]

22. Now you are just being mean. nt

[AtheistCrusader]

15. Washington Arms Collectors gun shows are very clean.

No nazi propaganda shit, no 'how to convert your AR into an automatic can opener with optional pinball machine parts' books, none of that crap.

You might see WWII and WWI german material like knives, firearms, canteens or helmets, but it's all 'war trophy' type stuff.


I get ammo at the shows. Normally cheaper, better selection, current conditions notwithstanding. Holsters, bags, magazines. I've never actually purchased a firearm at the shows.

[Treo]

16. I've purchased a couple

Of firearms at gunshows and got good deals on them. My dad told me once that people don't sell guns they like and use a lot they sell safe queens that they want to get rid of. Haven't decided yet if it's true or not

[AtheistCrusader]

17. My current shopping list is pretty short.

I want a good quality Garand, and some en-bloc clips. Scope rings for my US M1917, which I am currently accurizing. A slug barrel for my Mossberg 835 ulti-mag. And an AR-10, mags, and a good quantity of .308, as I have none.

All stuff that can be found at the shows, except perhaps the scope rings. Especially since I am not in a hurry for any of it.

[Treo]

18. Mine's real short

I want an M1A and a CZ97B neither of which I'm likely to find at a gun show. Beyond that I'm pretty happy W/ my "arsenal".

[AtheistCrusader]

19. That's my backup plan.

If I can't get a good AR-10 for a reasonable price, the M1A is my second choice. Might simplify my cleaning process too, since it's functionally similar to my mini-14, just a different caliber brush. (Garand breech/block design)

Agree, you're not likely to find that pistol at any shows. Might as well order it, or watch out for some kind of promotion. Maybe you can get it with night sights for free or something.

[Treo]

20. I can buy one new

At the local gun store (this place is like a gun WalMart) but then I'm stuck W/ the NICS and the 4473 and i'd really like to keep all my guns off paper. Of course, since I have a CHP it's a moot point so I may just do it anyway

[Xela]

21. I'm partial to pawnshops myself

Once in a while you get amazing deals.

Althought most of the times it's truly absurd and expensive.

In any case, that's the fun of hunting for goodies :)

Xela

[SteveM]

23. The SAXET Gun show in Austin ain't bad; very diverse crowd...

blacks, Mexicans, women, gays who don't mind revealing it; I pointedly wear a tie-dye or "Eeyore's" T-shirt. I got a VG Stevens 311D .12 ga. SxS for $240, and a VG Ruger Police Service-Six in .357. For hunting rifles, there is one pawn shop in N. Austin which has a few guns from which I purchased a nearly-new Rem. 700 in .270 (w/ scope!) for $310. I am eying a VG Savage 99 in .243 with Tasco scope for $399 -- he'll come down on the price. These Savage levers are skyrocketing in price, so that may be a good deal.

[Xela]

24. Don't get me wrong...

I don't brush off gun shows completely. As I do have a lot of fun when I attend.

The one I normally go to is Classic Gun Shows in Big Town. There's actually one this weekend I would like to attend.
http://www.classicshows.com/

As pawn shops go...It's just that for some darn reason, I find it more exhilarating when I find a nice unwanted jewel in a pawn shop at a great price.

Xela

[GreenStormCloud]

25. High Caliber Gun and Knife Show next weekend at...

the Will Rodgers Center in Ft. Worth. Have you been to one of theirs? Are they better or worse than average?

[Xela]

26. Sorry, haven't been to that one.

But I heard sometime ago it wasn't bad.

For me is just kinda far.

Others here may give you a better perspective. Maybe derby378 has been to that one.

Xela

[Unrepentant Fenian]

27. I thought you were going to say Beanie Babies and Beef Jerky

[TxRider]

28. I'll always remember my first gun show

I bought a replica army revolver and started walking away and was filmed for a documentary on guns in America by a German film crew, stopped and asked for an interview and answered their questions..

The pistol was a cimarron from Italy, and turned out to be a POS I destroyed.

[rrneck]

29. POS I destroyed

What's that? Thanks.

[rrneck]

30. Never mind, the lights just came on. Duh. nt