Maggie’s Gun Show Wisdom

[168BTHPM]

I went to a small local gun show this past weekend and was treated to some first class information and tall tales.

The first guy I met had a Remington 1903A3, it was not a very nice rifle but it was in a nice pre-war finger groove stock. The seller started in on his story about it being a mint unfired rifle just released from the arsenal. Every metal piece was parkerized in a very light gray color, it had milled 03 bands, a pre-war smooth buttplate, a Smith Corona trigger guard, and a CC replacement bolt. I didn't bother to discuss the rifle because the asking price was $1100.

The next guy I talked to had a table full of odd military surplus crap and several spam cans of Greek .30-06 ammo. He informed me this was the only true match .30-06 ammo available because Lake City wore out their machinery and couldn't make match ammo anymore. He also said his Greek ammo was capable of half MOA at 500 yards. I asked him what an MOA was, his response was "If I didn't know he didn't have the time to explain it to me."

Then I met the brain surgeon of the show. He proceeded to tell me the used but complete and excellent condition in the box Leupold Vari-X III E.F.R. 6.5-20 I was carrying was outdated because the VX-III scopes are much better, but he could give me $200 for it, he also offered me $150 for the Remington 540-XR I had. I told him I promised the guy on the last row I would trade him the 540-XR for a Glenfield 60 if I didn't sell it and if the scope was worth $200 I did really well because an old lady sold it to me for $50 out in the parking lot on my way in. I don't know if he figured out I was just throwing it back in his face to fuck with him.

 

[CommAV8OR]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

After my last gun show experience in about June in Indianapolis; (the 300, or 400 or whatever!?) when a vendor shot himself though his hand, while me any my honey were in the audience, I again swore off gun shows forever.

 

[WVgunsmith]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

Some gunshows are not to bad. I went to one last week here in WV. Not a bad show for once. Alot of high end Model 12's that most people around here couldnt afford. Some decent military surplus rifles. But I know the kinda guys you all talk about. The gun world needs purged from time to time.

Scott

 

[High Binder]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

I'm just impressed you managed to find a gun show with guns. I've gone to less than 10 shows in my life, mostly begrudgingly, because all I ever see is numbchucks and butterfly knives. The last one I was dragged to I spent the whole time joking around with the two cops guarding the front. Gun shows are a complete waste of time/money in my book.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm just impressed you managed to find a gun show with guns. I've gone to less than 10 shows in my life, mostly begrudgingly, because all I ever see is numbchucks and butterfly knives. The last one I was dragged to I spent the whole time joking around with the two cops guarding the front. Gun shows are a complete waste of time/money in my book. </div></div>

We have a good one in Northern Virginia about 4 times a year, <span style="text-decoration: underline"> The Nations Gun Show</span> Right beside of Dulles International Airport. Lots of good stuff there if your ever in the area.

 

[memyselfi]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

The last show I went to had 1K tables,( about 200 too many for the building) of which there were people selling home made fudge brownies, scented candles, and what ever the hell those small stuffed animals are. As far as the dealer being full of crap, well maybe the candles weren't such a bad thing after all.
There are several up coming shows, and personaly speaking if the weathers nice the only place I'm driving to is the range. One of the good things about some of the local shows is the same dealers,are in the same location about everytime, and you can get some good deals on bulk powder and primers and save on the hazmat.

 

[texasmotor]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

I went to a small local gun show this past weekend and was treated to some first class information and tall
The first guy I met had a Remington 1903A3, it was not a very nice rifle but it was in a nice pre-war finger groove stock. The seller started in on his story about it being a mint unfired rifle just released from the arsenal. Every metal piece was parkerized in a very light gray color, it had milled 03 bands, a pre-war smooth buttplate, a Smith Corona trigger guard, and a CC replacement bolt. I didn't bother to discuss the rifle because the asking price was $1100.



I have seen that guy, except it was Audie Murphy's gun that he used to personally kill Hitler.

 

[bohem]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

I don't go any more.

The last one I went to was in June 2009; a dealer was trying to peddle off a Broomhandle Red 9 replica as a "real,unfired Red 9"

Price tag was suspiciously low. About $12k or about 20-25% of the going rate for a true, unfired, original Red 9.

The dead give away was the missing cartouche on the front of the mag well. He let me touch the thing without white gloves. I called him out on it and the buyer walked.

Scumbags abound in the world. I sometimes feel bad for the people who don't get it enough to protect themselves from it.

Only sometimes though.

 

[rocky_lange]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

I love gun shows. It is like Peolpleofwalmart.com only in real life! They sure do bring out America's best and brightest, don't they.

Like the other poster said. Bulk powder and primers is why I go. Occasionally, you will see a good buy. More often than not, the best buys can be made from some customer just walking in the door and you snagging their gun before a dealer sees what they have.

 

[Esselbach]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

I've stopped going to gun shows. I see the same overpriced stuff EVERY time I go.

 

[bjdm151]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

The one that comes to town a couple times a year used to be decent. It took up the whole convention hall and then some. Lately its only a quarter of the hall and the only people I would buy from are local dealers that still show up. So naturally I just visit them at their shops and avoid thepeopleofgunshows.com.

 

[Gildoom]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BFMF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've stopped going to gun shows. I see the same overpriced stuff EVERY time I go. </div></div>

This.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

i hafta keep going, i mean its cheaper to pick up wicker baskets and potpourri at a gunshow than at hobby lobby. The Beef jerky is usually cheaper as well. And here in Missouri I dont have ANY other places to find quality, hand made, AUTHENTIC torqoise jewelry. So I deal with the weirdos to do my shopping for native american treasures

 

[benchmstr]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

i go if my friends go....but not to buy anything....its more of a http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/ type of reason i go lol

 

[desertrat1979]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

Gunshows are just one of those places where you go there if you either got a free or discounted ticket. Bring some cash, wonder around, see if you stumble across anything. I get sick of the guys who use sensationalized propaganda to get me to buy a bullet proof vest, or the guy with the blown out Mosin Nagant trying to pawn of Vasily Zeitsef's (sp) sniper rifle for $1100.
I do like to go there and get deals with carry ammo. Some tables have good stuff at decent prices. I just like to ignore the salesman that tells me to buy more since the feds are outlawing JHPs to the civilian market.

 

[Cleanmiss]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

Oh man you guys should see our gun shows out here in ca! Our roadrunner gun shows are an absolute joke I thought it was just because of our gun laws, but it sounds like all of them are filled with a bunch of jack asses. I had a guy try to sell me a zip lock bag of hand made "sniper match grade" .308 rounds that were the worst reloads Ive ever seen. Almost all of the primers were pressed in crooked, the brass was dirty and dented and to top it off they looked like 150gr ball that was pressed in way too deep. He wanted 35$ for the bag. To top it off it was 18$ just to get in! Its been about 5years and I refuse to go back...

 

[168BTHPM]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cleanmiss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Oh man you guys should see our gun shows out here in ca! Our roadrunner gun shows are an absolute joke I thought it was just because of our gun laws, but it sounds like all of them are filled with a bunch of jack asses. </div></div>

When I lived in northern CA I really liked the gun shows, especially the small ones like Santa Rosa, Placerville and Antioch. The big shows like the Cow Palace, Sacramento and San Jose were always a mix of guns and flea market crap, and like you say, very expensive to get into.

 

[tomcatfan]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

I think guns shows are really useful. Where else can you go to find an FFL dealer to transfer the guns you buy online for hundreds of dollars less than they are selling them for.

 

[mackdrvr]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

I only go if I need something. I've gone to the same show for so long I know who the dickheads are, and just blow them off.

 

[Brawny]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

Last "Gun show" I went to down here was probably 10% old busted junk and 90% airsoft shit. Can't believe I even had to pay to get in it was such a joke.

 

[krw]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

You've never been to a gun show until you go to Tulsa to a gun show!

 

[krw]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Zwhetz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Last "Gun show" I went to down here was probably 10% old busted junk and 90% airsoft shit. Can't believe I even had to pay to get in it was such a joke. </div></div>
You live in Freakin California! What do you expect? If they had guns you couldn't buy em. What did you go for? Hello?

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

last gunshow I went to had a counter sniper scope dealer!!! singing the praises of high quality German glass in scope build in NY, I left his table laughing after that.

 

[Emilio]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

You're wrong about California gun shows. Well all the ones around now are crap but we use to have the Great Western gun show three times a year in the LA county fair grounds. Lots of powder, lots of surplus, lots of guns. The magazine ban and the "evils" of gunshow propagand killed it here.

 

[Bivey]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

Its always the same, no matter where you are. The same old people trying to sell the same old crap for too much money. Gun shows suck, especially compared to 20 years ago...

 

[andrews1958]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

I went to the Tulsa show a few years ago. It is supose to be the bigest gun show. I have to agree. It was packed with both cheap and high $ rifles and shotguns.No jewlery, candles and junk. If you ever have a chance, go. You will not be disapointed. Plan on two to three days of walking to look at everything

http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com/

 

[FALex]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

I didn't want to diss my home state's shows, but they suck too! We have the butterfly knife guy who also sells tasers and jerky. That dude kicks all types of ass!

 

[168BTHPM]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bivey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Its always the same, no matter where you are. The same old people trying to sell the same old crap for too much money. </div></div>

That for the most part is true, most of the shows are the same guys with the same stuff and what they have is made out of gold and what ever I am carrying is junk, especially if they are trying to buy it.

I keep going because every once in a while I find something really nice or a really good deal. Last year at the Roanoke gun show I bought 3 M-14 parts kits, complete less receivers and wood for $150, and that was on a Sunday afternoon, after they sat on the table for a day and a half. The same show two rows over I bought a 20X Unertl 1.5" target scope for $300.

 

[Jaxdialation]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

Gun shows are getting beat up by the internet I'm sure.

I like to support local gun stores. But a fair share of
my purchases, (especially reloading stuff) is internet ordered.
I found some nice Pistol rugs at a show, but that's it

 

[T2CH]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

Never been to the one in Roanoke but the ones in Fishersville and Richmond suck. It's hard to believe they can fill those buildings with so much worthless junk.
I like seeing the people dressed from head to toe in camo, do they think they can hunt there?

 

[168BTHPM]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: T2CH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Never been to the one in Roanoke but the ones in Fishersville and Richmond suck. It's hard to believe they can fill those buildings with so much worthless junk.
I like seeing the people dressed from head to toe in camo, do they think they can hunt there? </div></div>

What does camo have to do with hunting in the Shenandoah Valley? Some people here wear camo to church.

The Fishersville and Harrisonburg shows are hit or miss, both shows have been getting better since the new promoter took them over. The Fishersville show gets a few more local sellers with stuff from their personal collections. No telling what you will find at the Harrisonburg show, sometimes it's okay, other times it isn't, but it only takes one seller with the right item at a good price to make it a good show.

 

[Brawny]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krw</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Zwhetz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Last "Gun show" I went to down here was probably 10% old busted junk and 90% airsoft shit. Can't believe I even had to pay to get in it was such a joke. </div></div>
You live in Freakin California! What do you expect? If they had guns you couldn't buy em. What did you go for? Hello? </div></div>

Well I didn't realize that expecting there to be real guns at a "gun" show was such a crazy thing to do . But now, I see your point... California sucks.

 

[T2CH]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 168BTHPM</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: T2CH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Never been to the one in Roanoke but the ones in Fishersville and Richmond suck. It's hard to believe they can fill those buildings with so much worthless junk.
I like seeing the people dressed from head to toe in camo, do they think they can hunt there? </div></div>

What does camo have to do with hunting in the Shenandoah Valley? Some people here wear camo to church.

The Fishersville and Harrisonburg shows are hit or miss, both shows have been getting better since the new promoter took them over. The Fishersville show gets a few more local sellers with stuff from their personal collections. No telling what you will find at the Harrisonburg show, sometimes it's okay, other times it isn't, but it only takes one seller with the right item at a good price to make it a good show. </div></div>

I guess I could try them again if a new promoter took over. Your right about the one item for the right price. I found a early 80's model BAR in .308 at Fishersville from a private individual. Excellent condition and a great price. That is the only thing I have ever bought from a gun show.

I would like to check out the one in DC sometime. There is one this weekend but of course I have to go to PA for my wifes family.

 

[PLeighton]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

Haven't been to a show in about 5 years now...

The only reasons I can see to go are:
- You have plenty of time to spare and like to hunt for that diamond in the rough.
(More likely to be found on another Patron of the show than a Vendor.)
- I'm looking for ammo cans that aren't of the standard M2A1 or M19A1 variety.
- I'm looking for very hard to find gun parts.
(There is usually at least one guy there that deals in nothing but buying junk guns and parting them out.)
- Bulk ammo purchase and want to save on shipping.
(If you haggle with the Vendor, it is possible to get the same price that you can get it online.)
- Last but definitely not least, great deals on rim fire ammo.
(For whatever reason, I have always found deals on bulk Aguila & old CCI Green Tag.)

The trick though is that you have to be able to offset your time, entry fee, and damage to your self esteem after coming to the realization that the general public sees the gun show crowd as the average gun owner .

 

[skinz0021]

Re: Gun Show Wisdom

try wannemacher in tulsa, ok. they will walk through the show and if they see a vendor who does not have enough "gun" stuff they will be escorted out and not refunded. not much junk at this show..