What are Gun Shows like in your area?

Thanks Everybody!

I learned a lot in this thread. Like I said in the opening post, I'd be a bit upset if they shutdown GS. But I see now that is not a universal feeling across all shooters, everywhere. I've been to a few GS that were such a circus that I could see it being fuel for the anti-gunners.

The almighty dollar always wins, but I wish GS were really just what they are called!

...bug;)
 
They are pretty bad in my area, but people are always lined up at the door to get in. I go once a year just to join the NRA and get in free.
 
I've been going to GSs here in Utah for 20 years. They haven't changed much. There's always the overpriced dealers, the private "horse traders" and the collectors. Sure, there's the Tupperware lady and the R/C helicopters and the "Egyptian cotton" sheets but the majority are guns and gun-related items. Range bags, holsters, reloading stuff, ammo and the like. Plenty of surplus gear and some prepper stuff(freeze-dried food, water purification etc)There's coin guys/gold and silver dealers as well.

I haven't paid admission for years. Usually have a friend with a table that can get me in. Since September I've had my own private-seller tables and have done well but it's hard to walk around and see what's there when you've got to tend a table. Having a table allows me to better trade with folks that bring guns to sell though and that's nice - you never know what treasure some guy will pull out of his backpack, zippered gun rug or other. I enjoy talking with people, swapping stories and trading/selling. Great way to spend a Saturday!

I do know that admission has steadily climbed from 6 to 8 bucks, then 10 and now 12! Folks are still lining up like it's the last helicopter out of Saigon, though it was a bit calmer at the one 2 weekends ago(April 13-14?).
 
The last one I went to was a little over a year ago. Best thing there was the barbecue, and I can get that somewhere else without paying admission. The rest was High Points and Jiminez. When you saw a decent pistol, it was priced well over MSRP. Pffft.
 
Around here prices are the same or a little higher than at the retail stores.

The real advantage IMO is to be able to handle many different types of guns all in the same place without asking the guys behind the counter 500 times about t.
 
Went to a hunting/fishing show here in ct a few months ago. They had like 2 guns that I'm pretty sure were 400 years old. The rest was fishing. Very misleading.
 
Last gun show I was at was just before thanksgiving, I got myself my black friday special that is 38 spl. :) I have not been too one since then, I have an itch to go but I am so broke I just keep spending my pay checks on gun stuff here at my lgs. End of summer I will check one out. Before the panic everything was mostly normal and sometimes cheaper than lgs's. Example Glocks at gunshows will sell low as $499.99 depending on model, while others want $550 or $589.99.. ? :-s

I will take a run through a show to find the gun/item I want, then check everyone else see who has lowest then check (if it's an item) amazon to find it cheaper lol.
 
The HGCA shows at Reliant Center in Houston are usually pretty good. I haven't been to one yet this year, but two years ago I picked up a DPMS AR for $550 NIB from a dealer, and last year my sister-in-law bought a Glock 27 for $500 from a private seller. The only downside to this show is the $10 to park fee, which is on top of the admission fee.

Going to the NRA convention this weekend. :D
 
Over priced banged together rifles that have been hauled around from show to show with price tags older than me.

But you can buy a bowl of heartburn,pay 6 bucks to get talked to like your an idiot by dealers who think they have the only guns in the state and your lucky they let you in the door.

Back in the day(early 90's for me) you could get Chinese Ak's for 200 bucks and a 1200 rnd case of ammo for around the same.

Now it's like others have said.....more like a flea market with people selling toys and non gun related items.

I walk out most times saying I won't go back but I have the sickness and seem to go expecting things to change but it doesn't.
 
SKG Virginia Beach Gunshow yesterday... DESERTED. A buddy and I arrived at 1030 and there was nobody in line. Best guess puts 200ppl at most inside. I was there 2.5hrs and didn't see a single gun sold, and the crowd got smaller if anything.

All tables looked to be back to normal stock. I even saw a Keltec Sub2000 NIB ($650), which were scarce before Newtown. Plenty of DMPS and Bushmaster low-end AR15's for $750-$800, and Glocks going for $550.

Several tables full of reloading supplies with only about 10% markups.

PLENTY OF AMMO... .223/.45acp@.75rd (absurd, but plenty of it).

Mountains of Tapco AK/AR15 mags for normal prices. Lancers for $15. PMAGS for $20. GI type steel/aluminum for $12-$15. Glock OEM $25 (still a bit much).

The only .22lr ammo was private tables with Walmart bulk-packs at 5x retail.

AGAIN... nobody was buying anything.
 
Last time I went to a local gun show was over 25 years ago. Rhode Island pretty much closed them down about than.:mad: So, I can go to CT or Mass, but I can't buy any firearms unless the dealer would be willing to ship to my local FFL. Other than that, the last show I went to in Mass. was over crowded, loud, overpriced and no real bargains to be found. I did envy some of you guys until TSHTF and prices started to climb.
 
I still like to go to the local shows in Northern Nevada to see what the prices are doing, and to see how big the holes are at the ammo dealers, but, a couple weeks ago I went to the Big Reno Show at the Grand Sierra Casino and actually had a pretty good time. The three day tickets went up from $16 to $18 and I had $60, so I got my ticket friday night and looked around for an hour. I did find a little AR-7 22 I wanted and the guy said he would trade for some 22 ammo so I went back saturday and sold him 15 bulk pack(500, 525 & 550ct) boxes for the rifle and $550 cash. I picked up some steel targets for $100 and came back sunday and walked out with a Model 90 Winchester pump in 22lr and still had my $40 left over. Decent deals all around and everybody was happy. BTW, He sold all the ammo in about an hour for $60+ a box. I hate being broke, but I did check two guns off my Bucket list and still have half my 22 ammo left over. I'll re-stock when things settle down.
P.S. I did pick up a little info on the 22 shortage at the show from one of the ammo dealers. He told me that the 4 main manufacturers contracted out 55% of their production to Europe over a year ago when they were only selling 45% domestically and there are 2 years left on the contracts so it may be in short supply for a while longer.
 
Here in FL its either a large gun show in a big warehouse-like building, or there are smaller shows held in smaller buildings. Most shows are just firearms related, some knives and accesories as well.

I have been a regular to gunshows in my area for the last couple of years. Whats good about that is you get to know the local dealers who offer you great products and prices, and you also know who to stay away from.
 
Looks like I'll find out for myself on the 18th of this month @ the Central Florida Fairgrounds Gun Show! Hope I'm not disappointed, looking to find a CZ P09 Duty, :D even though I'm still waiting :rolleyes: for a Glock 17 I ordered, should have it soon I hope!:)
 
The Greater Philadelphia Gun Show is this weekend over the river in PA. I think I'll pass. I don't need any sheets or kitchen knives and smoke my own jerky.
 
More than just a GS

Over here we don't have gunshows as such. We have game fairs that are part of countryside groups. There are a few during the year spread around the country. There can be some good deals to be had and generally they don't want to take stock home so things get thrown into the bargain. sometimes they try their luck and make out it is a good deal but with Wi-fi it doesn't take too long to know where you stand on a deal, or you deserve to get suckered.

There are rifles, shotguns and air rifles for those starting up. Archery is not unusual as is dogs doing some picking up and all things tweed and green. don't forget the beer tent with a good selection of our real ales and cider.

One of two things can always be garunteed. It will either be a swamped out field or you will get sunburn, but that is the joy of our weather.

Must look at going to another soon.

Shippers
 
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