First time at a gun show, any suggestions?

M

Murrdock

New member
Well, not techniquely the first time, but first time looking to buy something.

I went to my first gun show in May this year with my grandfather who was on a firearm buying spree and also trying to sell his pre-civil war musket and he wanted me there to make sure he wasn't going to get screwed over. He ended up buying 5 cases of .32 acp ammo at an awesome price, but that was about it.

Well, that was just a puny gun show (maybe 80 tables) and now I'm going to one this weekend in my state's capital (Augusta) with 250 tables and I wanna make sure I know proper gun show protocol.

1. I'm looking at buying an older american SxS shotgun for $250 or under that has good bores and functions well, but other than that can be beat up a bit. Think these will be hard to find?

2. What prices can I expect for ammunition? Will dealers keep their prices about at what they have them in a gun shop, or signifigantly lower? I've been holding out buying online waiting for this show.

3. Do you try to heckle with used firearms? Is it like a yard sale where he has it for $300, I offer $220 and we go from there or is what's on the tag the price?

Thanks for any help, just not used to the gun show atmosphere, mostly used to smaller backwoods gunshops with outrageously expensive prices on everything. :D
 
I'm looking at buying an older american SxS shotgun for $250 or under that has good bores and functions well, but other than that can be beat up a bit. Think these will be hard to find?
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You're serious? If you can find such a gun under $250, get two for me.

Do you try to heckle with used firearms?
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Yes, I heckle with guns all the time. I take them to the games and heckle the other team.

Or, do you mean haggle? I always haggle. But I've noticed that gun show vendors are priced so high, any reasonable offer is construed by them as an insult.

These days I shop from my sofa on the net.
 
The ONLY way to get a good deal at a gun show is to buy one off one of the visitors - not off the tables. If you are allowed to, take a folding chair and sit outside. Whenever someone walks up carrying a gun that looks interesting, ask "what are you selling?".

If they wont' let you sit outside, take up a standing vantage point just inside the door.
 
1. I'm looking at buying an older american SxS shotgun for $250 or under that has good bores and functions well, but other than that can be beat up a bit. Think these will be hard to find?

2. What prices can I expect for ammunition? Will dealers keep their prices about at what they have them in a gun shop, or signifigantly lower? I've been holding out buying online waiting for this show.

3. Do you try to heckle with used firearms? Is it like a yard sale where he has it for $300, I offer $220 and we go from there or is what's on the tag the price?
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1. Your target price is too low if you want something you can shoot (or collect). Closer to double that.

2. You can find some deals on ammo but you need to know the prices going in. Make notes of your needed calibers by going on-line to CheaperThanDirt.com and Georgia Arms (including shipping). On the west coast there are a few ammo sellers that only do shows (i.e., MiWall) have have good pricing so I always stock up with them. But....ALL of the good priced ammo will be gone in the first 2 hours of opening day so get there early if this is important. The other time to get ammo prices is the last 2 hours of the final day when vendors are sometimes happy to off-load the weight.

3. Absolutely haggle. Asking prices any more tend to be ridiculous, often exceeding full retail across the street. So, again, know the prices or have a smart phone where you can check on line. I've bought a few hand guns at shows at good prices, but it takes some work and knowledge. Best deals tend to be the same times as for ammo. And the comment about buying from visitors rather than vendors is spot on. You'll find a number of visitors carrying gun cases or sometimes long guns over their shoulder looking to sell. The vendors will offer them wholesale or less, so you've the opportunity to buy these for between wholesale and retail. Last month I picked up a fantastic Kimber 1911 this way and just about got a Ruger Blackhawk .357Mag.

Bring Cash, no one is interested in checks or CCs (the few who accept CCs charge a premium).
 
To me, the best facet of a big gun show is being able to handle and check the detailing, fit, and balance of dozens of guns that I've already researched on the net. If I'm familiar with online average prices (like from places like Bud's and Gunbroker, for instance) I won't get ripped off and MIGHT find a price good enough to get me a take-home... which is a nice feature. If not, I can always order one and wait. Anyhow, they're kinda fun and interesting.
 
I don't go to gun shows expecting bargains. I go hoping to find things I can't find elsewhere.

I try and come prepared with a list of specific guns or ammo I want, and look for those items specifically.

Everything else is just gravy.
 
If you have the money heckle away! If you have done your research and arrived at a realistic price all they can do is say no. Or you might be suprised and get a good value for your money.

Plus you never know what private sellers may have at a gun show.

My wife bought me a nice Rolex watch years ago at some local retail jeweler. She walked in there got a price then went to the next guy and said can you beat that. She paid way less than the retail price after getting the dealers in a price war.

If you walk in and dont say anything they will be glad to sell it to you for the marked price. Cash money sometimes gets you a discount because the goal is to move merchandise and make some profit. That gun might have been setting on the shelf for a while not making the dealer any money plus tying his money up.

There is no charge for asking.....
 
Good morning
Haggle for everything ! Till I see a price written in stone everything for sale is negotionable.
Take two fired shotshell with you. Cut the plastic portion off. Now you have two snap caps to try on the weapon. Fill the firing pin dimple on the primer with expoxy. Most sellers are acommidating & will let you chamber snapcaps to proove the safty & hammer /main spring function.
Mike in Peru
 
SAFTY FIRST

If you are looking for a SXS shotgun at a good price make dam sure it is not Damascus barrel that is Black Powder ONLY. If you don't know if it is Damascus or not don't buy it. Modern ammo in a Damascus steel gun will ruin your day when the gun goes boom.
Mace
 
The last time I was at a gun show - I bought a hat.:rolleyes:

I have over the years purchased a gun or two. Likewise, I've purchased ammo. I've never been able to sell anything with the exception of some unwanted brass. I go to gun shows to look at guns which I'm interested in but the vendors don't haggle so I go elsewhere to buy.
 
I've been doing my research on which older SxS can and cannot handle modern loads. I would typically use this gun for grouse and turkey so it has to handle about 200 rounds of High Brass per year. Preferably looking for a Savage/Stevens 311, because if I find an Ithica for that price it's probably been rode hard and put away wet.

I can't get to the show til the afternoon because my buddy gets out of work at noon and it's an hour drive (50 minutes for me) so I hope I can still get some good ammo deals. I figure not alot of people are looking for .30 carbine, and I'm looking at buying a few hundred rounds if I can find it for the right price.

All I'm bringing is cash, because I'm pretty sure that's the only form of payment, right?
 
Well, first time at a gun show went great, so there will be many more in my future.

Picked up a hardly fired 1960's Stevens 311A for a cool $240 with the tag price being $325. Guess it helps that it was the last hour of the show because day 2 was cancelled due to that tropical storm. Also, the guy was a descent fellow and it was one of his personal firearms that he bought brand new in the 60's.

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Also picked up 3 boxes of .30 carbine at a screamin deal of $20 for 50 soft nose rounds and some soft point .243 for my girlfriend's gun for $14

Quite happy with the whole expirences, but man, some of them guys had outrageous prices. One had a beat up 311 from the 80's and wanted $250 tag price. Lowest he would go was $225, so I went and handed the other vendor my money immediately.

I checked every gun I was remotely interested in and every box of ammo's price multiple times.
 
Congrats on your find, and on not listening to the nay-sayers. :)

I've been going to gun shows for over 30 years, and still enjoy it. Went to one last Saturday and another today. Didn't buy much today, but saw a few things I might have bought, if my budget were a bit more accommodating.

I found a Springfield SxS 16 ga. at a local gun show a couple years ago that looks like a twin to your Stevens. Finish isn't as nice, but I paid $100 for it. :)
 
:) I am moving to Maine. That is a great deal on a 311. Gunshow prices in Tennesse are sky high. It's as bad as buying from a gun store. I have to do all my buying from individuals or on the net. I bought a new shot gun today and saved $85 from the local gun store price.

I guess you are hooked on gun shows. I think you did real good for your first gun show buying experience. Don
 
When u know what u want and values as well as guns themselves, shows are convenient. Haggling is great when there's a reason to do it. Otherwise, just asking if that;s the best they can do is worth the breath, but just.
 
Hi. You need to know the retail prices for everything when going to gun shows. Especially used firearms. Some dealers are looking for people who just don't know 'em. Cash talks loud if you see something you like within your budget. Haggling isn't a bad thing either. Just be prepared to walk if the guy doesn't want to play.
"...some soft point .243 for..." Isn't much use if her rifle doesn't like it. Cheap doesn't always mean good.
 
Hello, Murrdock. Looks like you did ok. You asked for suggestions? Don't buy the first one you see! Years ago, I was at a G.S. Interested in British militaria at the time. Just walked down first aisle, & fellow had a British .577 Snider on table. Had the usual dings & scratches in both wood & metal. Bore kinda dark. Asked if he could do better on price? He very loudly snapped back..that was his price..if I wanted a nicer example, I would have to pay lots more...like the one over there..I hadn't even checked out the other tables yet..I turned around and directly in back of me was a magnificent example..100% bright case colors on lock & breech block. 100% dark blue on brl., bands & buttplate. Wood was excellent with clear sharp cartouche, & black stripes running thru stock. The bore was bright and shiny Plus, it had it's original bayonet & scabbard! I spoke with the old fellow who had it for quite awhile..discussing British history and the things this old girl must have seen. He said..I see your genuinly interested in this rifle, and not just looking to sell for a fast buck..The result was he let me have it for less money than the other guys rifle! As I turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of his face...Man, if looks could kill!
 
Know your prices. I collect Finnish rifles and only buy one when it is way below value. Over the years, I have found about 30 of these rifles at gunshows. M28 for $80, M28/30 for $85, and numerous other similarly price rifles. I can buy ammo for the same price as online prices but do not pay the shipping. Keeping an eye on walkins will often yield a great price. Never pay asking price on a firearm unless it is already very low.
 
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