gun show

[Jeff XD]

There is a gun show in my area next weekend that I am going to attend but I have never been to one before, so I have a few questions.
Is ammo cheaper at gun shows than stores? Is most of it reloads? If it is reloads should I pass on buying it? To avoid squibs and Kablams.
I would like to get an extra magazine or two. How would I tell if they are worn out.
Is there any other way to inspect holsters other than visually? Seems like a obvious question, but I figure it can't hurt to ask.

[c pierce]

In my personal experence gun shows are not the same as in years past. They are maned by pros selling at inflated prices. The same as the old swap meets.

[Alsworld]

Jeff XD,

I must disclose that I am very unfamiliar with gun shows except what I saw recently. When shopping for a new gun, my local XD dealer told me that they are pretty high priced (I told him I was going to the upcoming one). Although they asked that I give them a chance to match prices if I found a sweet deal.

Well I went to a local gun show that comes through every 3-4 months. I found a XD45ACP, but their "Blowout price" was what my dealer had as his normal price, and depending on caliper, my local dealer was lower. These guns I refer to were all advertised as "NEW" at the gunshow, whereas my local dealer I knew were new guns with all XD accessories in the container. I did not price ammunition.

I purchased locally for a better price than what I saw at the gun show.

I only state this experience to see if maybe others can chime in and see if mine was unique or the typical general gun show experience nowadays.

I will also say I was looking for a new XD only, and only browsed other weapons. If I was searching for a weapon I was more familiar with, results may have been different. I'm sure there are deals to be had. In my case, my local dealer was dead on accurate.

I enjoyed the gunshow, although my case was dissapointing in my quest. But, I must stress my ignorance in gunshows of today, and I'm sure they vary by locations considerably. Please don't take my ONE experience as gospel. I'm not trying to pretend to be an expert when I'm not.

Price shop some holsters and ammunition locally and internet, then go to the gun show and see what you find. At least you can price shop.

[alabama]

here in the Houston area the gun shows are the place to buy. Bought a new XD two weeks ago for $95 less than any store in area had it for sale. This was complete with all accessories etc in box. Gun shows here typically have lots of dealers and good competition for pricing. ammo cheaper at show as well especially if you want to buy in 500 or 1000 rd lots of manufacturers new ammo.

[buzzman_45011]

I think they are a rip off. First you pay $6 or $7 to get in. Then there are no really good deals. I always leave and go to Walmart for ammo. Right now Dicks has ammo on sale and you don't have to pay anything to get in.

[ExSniper]

Do not buy any reloaded ammo at a gun show. Don't know who made it, how it was made, quality control, or usually how to contact the reloader if there are any problems (and most post a disclaimer saying they are not responsible for "misuse").
If there is a big Wannemacher Show in your area you should go to that (still do not buy reloads). Wannemacher comes to Tulsa twice a year and it is well worth the trip if you are within a reasonable travel distance. You can easily spend four or five hours, walking fast, just glimpsing all the tables. Then you go back and check out items of interest in detail (take notes of table and aisles numbers!).
The smaller shows are more craft fairs and crap sales than gun shows.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Originally Posted by Alsworld

and depending on caliper,

Kinda off topic but

CALIPER:



CALIBER:

The term most often appears with respect to firearms, as a measure of the inside diameter of the barrel in inches or hundredths of an inch, or in millimetres.

Anyway the gun shows I've been to lately haven't had to much in the ammo dept. I can get it cheaper EVEN AFTER SHIPPING by getting it online. Even the gun selection has been sad. Only 3 or 4 tables had weapons and less than half that had accessories. Most were knife tables and 3 airsoft tables.

I hope yours are better than ours.

[derfel 83]

i'v been to many gun shows here in florida and i'd have to say the expieriance depends on what your there for, you can get some good prices on ammo but never buy reloads!

if your buying new dont expect a great deal but you can get good prices on suplus stuff and accesorys.

also selling a gun at a show sucks! because everyone is trying to get
somthing for nothing and seem to enjoy telling you how crappy whatever your selling is.

[BBunin]

Originally Posted by derfel 83

i'v been to many gun shows here in florida and i'd have to say the expieriance depends on what your there for, you can get some good prices on ammo but never buy reloads!

Baloney!
It all depends on WHICH reloads.
For your information, Miwall reloads are every bit as reliable and consistent as any name brand plinking ammo you care to name. I've shot well over 5000 of their reloads and never had a single problem with them.

http://www.outdoormarksman.com/index...acturers_id=70

[standerson]

I went to a Bill Goodman's gun and knife show, once.
Came home, took a very hot shower and immediately washed my clothes.