Is it safe to buy a gun from gun shows?

Z

zauer

New member
I mentioned in an earlier thread that I'm actively shopping around for a Sig 226. I just found out that there's a show coming to town next week end and I always hear different things about shows. Some pro's are that you can get a good price and bargain. Some Con's are that some dealers are shady (i.e friend of mine bought a "new" Glock assembled from different parts from old Glocks and no matching serial #'s.) I'd appreciate any input insight on the subject like experiences or names of reputable gun show dealers. Thanks.
 
I would find out where the dealer was from and what their return policy was before I laid down the cash. Also, if you are buying a new pistol, you will get the factory warranty with it. I bought a used 22 High standard at a show a few years ago and when it didn't shoot once I got it home, I took it back and the dealer gave me a hard time about giving me my money back until I had about 50 people looking at us while I told it like it was! I would beware of a used pistol at a show unless you know they will stand behind the deal and where they are located.Good Luck with your search.
 
Dealers are going to sell their guns for as much as they can get for them. They'll make you a deal only if they really have to sell something or are trying to get rid of it--just the same as if you walk into their stores. You pay top dollar but get a guaranteed new gun you can bring back if there is a problem--usually just to get the problem fixed. The real deals at gunshows are from people just like you, private citizens who come in with a gun to sell. Maybe it's one they're tired of and want to sell so they can get something else. Maybe it recoils too much for them. Maybe it was a husband's and he's died or divorced. Generally these people don't know much about guns or their values so you can sometimes get a good deal by making an offer. You have to know what you're looking at as far as price and quality are concerned to find the good deals and avoid the bad ones. That only comes from spending some time looking into guns and shooting. All guns "break" or have problems of one type or another sooner or later, including brand new ones. It's important to learn what problems are likely to come up with a gun you might buy and how to correct them. Guns are not that complicated and can usually be made operable by any reasonably mechanically able person. Give yourself plenty of time at the show. It will be an education and if you take time to look at a lot of guns, you'll see wide price variances and different conditions. Try to pay attention to detail, and be hesitant to believe what you are told about a gun unless you hear the same thing from several different sources. Good luck!

[This message has been edited by BlackJack (edited September 24, 2000).]
 
if you dont trust the guy dont buy it! Is there a profit in stripping and reassembling guns from Different parts? I dont see any reason for doing this.
 
My Uncle is a FFL dealer and uses the shows as a retail store,He also Manufactures ammo,I travel with him and help out several times a year,I get a lot of free ammo that way :D
But
Before you go to a show and lay down your hard earned $$$$$$ you need to do your homework.
How often does the show come to your Area? It is a regular thing?
If so go to the promoter of the event,and ask them who(dealers) attend regularly. The Gun show dealers who attend regularly are a small community of generaly honest people and have shops somewhere locally or within driving distance, Where you can get into trouble is with weekend dealers,just like a yard sale. If you interested in a firearm and want to buy from a DEALER ask to see his Bonafides Ask to look at his FFL By law He HAS TO HAVE IT AND SHOW IT if asked. So you can then copy the licence number if you feel you need the Insurance. If the promter will not assist you then maybe it is a Yard sale. Also know what your buying,don't try and get your education on (favorite gun) the day of the show, Then your at the mercy of a dealer,and they will sell you what you asked for which might not be what you want. Sorry I drug this out,I'm sensitive to the Gun Show Issue
 
With new pistols, there is no difference in quality, but usually quite a difference in price, at least in Texas. We have several dealers that have store fronts, but sell at the shows at a substantial discount. There are a couple that sell at 10% plus tax. They sell a tremndous number of weapons at every show. Others really like their weapons a great deal and do not work with you until just prior to going home. I figure these folks do not want to work as hard or are doing it for other reasons than profit. On used weapons, their are some great bargains if you look for them. Usually, I won't buy unless he is willing to trade personal info and write a receipt.
 
Even if you don't buy at a gunshow, they're great places to see all the latest hardware. I frequently wander around and check out what's new, and then order it through a local dealer. I buy ammo and reloading supplies at gunshows, because it's cheaper and no shipping.
 
I've found that if I shop around, I can usually find deals just as good as most gun show deals. But one has to have an idea of how low something can go for. I find really good deals on ammo and accessories. Gun shows are great for comparing prices and models. There might be thousands of different things one can examine while a shop may have a very limited selection. Most shops can order just about anything, but it's good to be able to actually see and handle the various things available. And, deals can be found at the shows. The vast majority of sales are through regular FFL dealers who have set up tables. I have examined things and asked for a business card. Most dealers I've come across who had something I was interested in said they would sell for the same price in their shop if I was interested later.

Something I have NOT seen at the shows is all the "children" and criminals we hear about getting all those handguns, assault weapons, machine guns, missles, etc. "no questions asked" that Klinton, Gore, Feinstein, Brady, and others keep telling us about.
 
Sure why not? If you know what your looking for you should not have a problem. I have purchased several guns over the past at gun shows. You have to know what your local market is so you don't overpay. Most of the ones I have purchased were new. I have bought used and have had no problems.
There are several dealers that I have bought from and those are the ones I check out first. There are a few that in my opinion have junk and everytime I see them they still have most of the same junk.
If you know guns and their prices you should have no problems ;)

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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
 
I generally have good results buying at gun shows, but I have nearly 50 years experience in knowing what I am looking at. I agree with most of what was said above, but will note that you should never field strip a gun without asking permission, which will usually NOT be given. Too many folks take a gun apart, lose pieces, crowd out other potential buyers while asking questions, then walk away without buying. You may know what you are doing, but the dealer has no way to know that.

Jim
 
I have purchased many guns at gun shows and only got nailed one time and that was many years ago.First you have to be able to check the condition of the firearm.If you dodn't have the knowledge to do this bring someone along who does.Second know what the prices are on firearms before you go to the show.Check shotgun news and gunlist.This stops you from overpaying.Most people at gun shows are dealers and have a rep to uphold.They are not going to cheat you.The rest of the people selling?Most are honest.I have set up at a number of local show myself and I know most of the people.They might take advantage of your lack of knowledge on prices but they will not sell you junk.But rememder there is allways excemptons to ever rule.Those you have to watch out for.
Good luck at the show


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Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
 
If you do buy at a gun show or any place for that matter, get your local PD to run the numbers through NCIC to ensure that its not hot. In my state, a hot gun a a class C Felony, its called buying and concealing stolen property, you may get out of it after you pay a lawyer and a bail bondsman to get you out of jail, but avoid the hassles and check it out first. This is one Cops opinion, take it for what its worth... ;)

7th

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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE, KEEP THEM INDEPENDENT.

[This message has been edited by 7th Fleet (edited September 26, 2000).]
 
I've bought several at the gun shows. My advice (similar to Coolray's) is stick to the dealers who are regulars. Most of my deals were very fair, with two exceptions. Both times someone sold me used merchandise which they claimed was new.

I bought 2 Glock 23 mags from a dealer who goes to the shows fairly often. Fortunately, he reluctantly agreed to exchange the used mags for new ones when confronted in front of a bunch of other customers.

The other guy I wasn't so lucky with. My AR-15 (which I love regardless) which I bought for 900 bucks (which was still an excellent deal) was claimed to be new, but was (I believe) slightly used. Never saw him again. Also, never saw the box and paperwork he promised to send me for the extra 7 bucks I gave him for shipping.

Just make sure you know what you're buying, and if they say it's new, make sure it's new.
 
Another thing about gun shows, it's always nice to have at least one gun (or two) paid cash, no names, no paperwork, no nothin.

- gabe
 
About %70 of my guns in general and all three of my Sigs have come from gunshows.
All were in original factory serial #erd boxes with factory targets.
 
Buying used is a gamble unless you really know what your doing whether at a gunshow or not. I've found that dealers in new guns at the shows are usually gunshop owners from around the state and are reputable and will give you a receipt. If things go bad they will/should make it right and are not too far away from you to make it too inconvenient.

In Texas there is usally a gunshow every weekend somewhere in the state and they usually have one once a month in my town.

I've purchased most of my guns at these shows because of the better deals that can be found there but I also try to support my favorite local shop by purchasing from them periodicaly even if I have to pay a little more.


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Rick


[This message has been edited by Bandit (edited September 28, 2000).]
 
By the way, the Sig P226 is a fine weapon. Good choice.

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"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm."...George Orwell
 
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