How I failed to get into my first gun show (Del Mar, CA)

Late last year we had a gun show in a rented retail store which they have been doing every month since it brought so many people. The one I went to I got there early, way early and ended up the second person through the door.
The show was for crap. Hardly anything there, NO powder, loaded ammo was on the other side of the moon and most of the guns were garage sell guns.
I did pick up a large number of targets.
When I left one hour later the line outside was 3 people wide and over 100 yards long and it was less than 30 degrees outside.
 
You owe it to yourself to check out a gunshow. As mentioned, it gives you a chance to check out and handle many firearms and accessories. In the last several years many of the prices have been crazy, but there is the occasional bargin to be found, but it's much rarer than it used to be.

I have been to several gun shows in E.TN that restricted entrance due to fire code occupancy limits. In the past several years, the number of women and families attending gunshows has been on the rise here. Many of them no longer look like the stereotypical "gun nut". Personally, I welcome new shooters and interested parties to the fold, even if it drives prices up some.

Locally, admission price is $10 and parking for the show is always free even when the show shares a parking lot with the local pay-to-park zoo. Even if I'm not looking for anything, I still enjoy looking around, and consider it a cheap day's entertainment, and if I luck into a bargain, it's just a bonus.

Hopefully, you'll be able to get in the door and enjoy your first gunshow.

Good luck!
 
I really enjoy the gunshows around here. It never takes more than a few minutes to get in and there are many interesting things. I have been going to them for years and it is mostly the same vendors; including a guy who always has his stuff prices about 10% under the rest of the show. He had a great looking S&W 29 with some holster wear (but still a nice blue finish) last time I was there for like $750. I bought my mossy 500 from him at a good price (slightly below retail value.)
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Some of the vendors charge normal prices and a few charge MSRP. They must sell though because they keep coming back.

Plus it is always an interesting experiance. I'm actually going to one this weekend seeking powder and 8MM bullets which my local cabelas ran out of. (Cabelas only had some very expensive Nosler last time I went so I just grabbed some factory S&B.) I know there is a huge table at the show that always has all the stuff you need to reload.

Oh and there is a guy who sells magazines for 5-10% under retail.
 
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I often find that early in the shows there are plenty of criminals (usually dragging their girlfriends to fill out paperwork) willing to pay the full asking price.

Hmmm. I've never noticed anyone wearing an "I'M A FELON" sign at a gun show.
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It's something you develop a 6th sense for. At the Crossroads show in Phoenix, it's not too hard to pick up the skill.
 
I was literally there all day today, did you manage to go? Picked up some reloading stuff and a magazine for my USP.
 
Well today was the complete opposite of the last time. Traffic on the way to the Del Mar Fairground was light, there was no queue to get into the parking lot, no problem finding a convenient spot and there was no line to get in the building. What a pleasant surprise!

I was there for about three hours, until my feet couldn't take it any more. I've never see so many guns and so much gun-related stuff under one roof (well, two) - definitely worth the visit. I didn't buy any ammo, the prices seemed a bit steep, e.g. $80 for 500 22LR - or was I being cheap? The vintage rifles and handguns were particularly interesting. I'm thinking about it.

Also I learned about a range that just opened not far from where I live - that really topped off the day nicely.
 
Ya, there is always lots of good C&R stuff there. I think the only reason you had such a hard time getting in last time was because it was right after the Sandy Hook shooting, so people were freaking out a little.

Yes, the 22 ammo prices were steep there, but I found some pretty sweet deals on 45acp and an HK USP 45 FS magazine. My wife bought herself a P238 on the cheap too.

Also, if you aren't in CA permanently, that gun show is nothing compared to a lot of the ones I've been to out of state. There is also a Crossroads of the West gun show that happens in Orange county quarterly and it is significantly bigger than the one in Del Mar. That may be too far of a drive for you though.
 
she3pdog, if you were asking me, no. I generally don't go to gun shows anymore and Phoenix is too far of a drive anyway.
 
Lately at any gun show I've been to you have to have a background check just like if you went to a LGS. At a couple of show any transaction even between individuals must a background check to get that firearm out the door. The dealer would give a slip of paper stating that the check was done. At one they even announced that there was a BATF agent and state troopers there so everybody knew to keep everything lawful. They did this so the show wouldn't get shutdown for unlawful transactions. I called it CYA for the organizers.
 
The only deals to be had are on used guns.
I dont even bother looking at tables with new guns. Private sales of used guns are about the only way to get anywhere
 
Unfortunately, a lot of the private sellers and collectors around here have been scared off by tales of somebody's uncle's cousin's roommate getting hauled off to jail for selling a gun to the wrong person at a show. I think thats too bad, I like to buy, sell and trade with those type of folks and I hate it when they wind up doing exactly what the opposition wants them to do simply by putting the doubt and fear into their minds from constant bombardment.
 
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