Would you buy your first shotgun at a gun show?

R

rhinonewshooter

New member
I'm thinking of going to my first gun show to pick up my first shotgun. As indicated in another thread, I"m looking for a Beretta or Benelli semi-auto. I'll likely be buying pre-owned.

With that little bit of knowledge, would you consider buying at a gun show, or would you try to buy face to face from a private seller?
 
The first thing I would do is research prices on those shotguns. At least try some haggling with the vendors. If its a slow day at the show you might get a good price.

I would also check out prices at local shops.

I prefer to buy from a local shop who is competitve on thier prices because this shop stands behind what it sells and will assist me If I have problems with a gun purchased from them.
 
In a word, no.

Not unless I had someone along who knew the design I was looking at very well and who could evaluate specific examples to be sure they were fully functional and priced reasonably. I'd make sure to get the seller's contact information in case there was an undiscovered problem as well, and find out what the terms of the sale were before making the deal. Some local dealers set up at gun shows, I'd look to them before talking to private sellers.

If I were on my own, I'd go looking at a reliable local gun shop rather than making a deal with a stranger at a gun show - even if I had to pay more for the make/model I was looking for.

jmho, ymmv-

lpl
 
If i could save some money and it looked to be well taken care of, yes i would. I have only bought one gun at a gun show, but like anything, there are good honest sellers and then there are those that just want money.
 
Why not? Keep in mind you will probably never see the dealer again. You must know what you are doing. And, like others have mentioned, know your prices. If it is not a bargain, why bother?
I bought my 870 at a gun show with a trade, got a good deal and years later it is still in use with no complaints.
OTOH, I once bought a Marlin lever gun from a local dealer and it never worked right.
Buyer beware.
 
it depends what you want it for. Myself, an auto or pump for hunting, but a higher quality O/U for targets. For HD, I suggest a good quality 357 magnum!! :rolleyes:
 
If I knew exactly what I was shopping for and the appropriate values, sure. If I was just looking for something, probably not.

Given the gun shows around here, probably not- the STL area has pretty pathetic gun shows; I wouldn't expect to find a good used shotgun like that there. If you know folks associated with a shotgun club, you might have better luck; most clubs will have some kind of "for sale" bulletin board, so you can pick up a gently used and well cared for gun for a good price.
 
Technosavant + 1,

If I knew exactly what I was shopping for and the appropriate values, sure.
Click to expand...
I guess I'm not really sure what your concerns might be. If it's about getting burned with a bad gun, it happens but not too often. Another point is to "try" and work with a dealer that you or someone you know, is familiar with. .. ;)



Be Safe !!!
 
sorry, I misread your post! :o

I've been finding some super deals on good pre-owned guns at legitimate gun shops. The economy has driven prices to all time lows. I just like dealing with reputable shops, but that's me...
 
Sure, why not - providing you know what you're looking at.

A lot of the dealers / tables at the shows are knowledgeable folks - and know what they have / what its worth - and are looking to sell. But almost 100% of the time, when you're looking at a used gun the sale is "as is" - and whether its from a show or a bricks and mortar retailer ...doesn't really matter.

Gun Shows are not necessarily less expensive than local retail shops dealing in used guns ...and every used gun shop is different / and so are sellers at the shows. Some shops clean and inspect guns prior to sale - many don't / some guys at shows clean and make sure guns are in great shape / some are just flipping and reselling inventory and don't clean or do anything ...

If you're expecting to save money by going to a gunshow ....you're probably in for a shock. Many of us / if we have high quality guns to sell / will put them on consignment at a shop we trust or sell them privately. I like going to gun shows / but I'd never rent a table to sell stuff / especially a higher end gun where 99% of the guys are just lookers and fondlers ...vs buyers ...
 
Well depending on what gun show you go to good luck. Well unless your looking for tacticool. I was at the Nations Gun Show a few months back and they only had a couple of shotguns that weren't all tricked out for home defense. Almost all of them had extended tubes.

Nothing wrong with going to a gun show, there are lots of dealers that have new stuff. Worth a look though
 
If you know how to strip the gun to check for potential problems and know the models in question - why not? I have bought everything from pre-war Belgian doubles to NIB SKB O/U at gun shows - but I had done my homework and knew what I was looking at
 
I have never bought anything new at a gun show,,,

I have purchased a few new accessories and used guns, yes,,,
But I've never seen a real bargain on a new gun of any type at a gun show.

I know several dealers who set up tables at gun shows,,,
Each of them admits to pricing at MSRP or above.

One can still find that occasional "deal" at a gun show,,,
As a matter of course though, it's not the venue for bargains on new guns.

Gun shows are more for a pleasant afternoon sniffing Hoppes and gun oil,,,
And occasionally finding that rarity you have been looking for.

My main reason though is not because of non-competative prices,,,
It's because I want a brick and mortar store I can go back to if the gun is a lemon.

Aarond
 
I have purchased both new and used shotguns and handguns at gunshows...and been very happy / but I really make sure I know what I'm buying and am intimately familiar with the make and model that I'm buying...
 
Sure. I buy guns all the time at gunshows. In fact, I've gotten some fantastic deals over the years at various shows. You just have to know what you're doing in terms of condition, prices, etc.
 
Go and take a look.

What I look for first is the wear pattern on the boltface. If it doesn't have a ring pattern, it likely hasn't been shot much and is likely in very good condition.
 
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