gun show

[alabama]

y'all need to move to texas. we have good gun shows here still. new, non-reload ammo is still cheap and guns are reasonably priced. sometimes you have to look around some but the good shows have plenty of dealers. You can find just about anything you are looking for.

[ExSniper]

Wannemacher Gun Show at Tulsa Fair Grounds Mar 30 - Apr 1st is one of the best gun shows in the country. It is huge. Plan on spending a minimum of one day and then it will take ALL DAY to walk around and look. If you are within 500 miles it is worth the drive!

[joetheguru]

The gun shows in Tulsa are pretty good, I got a new XD with all the accesories for 480 out the door and then came back the next day and bought 1000 rds of aguilla ammo for 230, I was pretty pleased, I wanted to wait to see what kind of deals were going to be at the Wannemacher but I had to have it when I saw the xd for 480. The same guy will also be there selling ammo at the Wannemacher and he also sells on gun broker. This show has the potential to have some really good deals but you have to do the leg work of walking up and down every aisle to find the best prices but it's fun cause theres a lot of other neat stuff to look at, I'll be there!!!

[Dibs50]

My experience is that gun shows vary. I'm in NH and there's a show coming up in a few weeks. There's usually a guy from NY who MUST buy ammo by the shipping container. He always has good prices. The "popular" stuff (.223, 7.62x39, 9mm, etc) tends to go fairly fast. Therefore, it's better to get there first thing on Saturday morning. If it's not as popular (.303 British, 7.62x54R, etc), you can sleep a little later. Sometimes, it's better to go on a Sunday afternoon about an hour before they start to pack up. These guys would rather cut a little bit of a deal than to lug all of their stuff back home.

There's always a rush for Saturday morning. Sometimes, I wait for people to leave during the lunch/post lunch lull. There's usually more room in the aisles.

The most important thing is to know what you are looking for and what it's going for (approximately). I've seen guys selling pistols at full rip-roaring retail figuring that people will want it so bad (i.e. an emotional purchase), they'll pay extra money to take it home that day. (There's no waiting period in the "Live Free or Die" state)

One thing you could do is check out the prices at the show, find the lowest and either buy it their or take a business card. Then, I'd speak to your local gun shop (the one who said he'd match the best price). Unless this shop consistently overcharges people, I'd do business with them. It's good to develop a relationship with your local shop (If they are a fair, reputable business). If you are a regular customer, you are more likely to get the inside scoop on things that are coming in to the shop and, perhaps, they'll set it aside for you. If the shop can't match it, you still have the business card of the guy at the show.

I tend to do more window shopping at Gun Shows. If I want something, I research the crap out of it, surf the net for best prices/review, ask people on forums such as this and THEN buy from my local dealer. If it's a smaller item or something that I know my shop doesn't carry, I'll buy it there.

My local dealer was able to locate my recently purchased XD 45 Tactical within a week's time. In some places, these are hard to come by.

Enjoy the gun show but go in with realistic expectations. Just remember...Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware)

[Dr. Matt]

I've been to several gun shows here in Houston, and the firearms are almost always cheaper at the show compared to dealers. For example, I bought my XD .45ACP service model for $449.95 (local dealer wanted $575). I also picked up a Walther P22 for $249.99 (they list around $300).

The ammo isn't generally cheaper, but the accessories usually are cheaper as well. I highly recommend visiting a gun show before purchasing; just be sure to do your homework as far as prices.

[andyg]

Recently I went to the Crossroads of the West Gun show, and man was I dissapointed I don't know if it's the state I live in but most of the crap there was just old world war II and airsoft junk.

[astral]

The last gunshow I went to had both overpriced things and some good deals. I picked up enough new parts to build an AR less the stripped lower for $520.

[Wheelgunner]

Originally Posted by 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.

"Is ammo cheaper at gunshows?" It can be, do your research before you go and bring notes with you with prices from gun stores and internet. If comparing prices from internet don't forget to factor in shipping. In San Francisco Bay Area gun show there is a reputable ammunition and reloading supplier MiWall, their stuff usually goes fast, the popular stuff sells withing the first few hours of opening day.

I usually get to the show just when they open the doors, go straight to the ammunition and reloading dealers. Purchase all my stuff that is on my shopping list. Put it all in the truck. Then spend the rest of the day wandering the sales booths. Sometimes something will catch my eye and I'll buy it

"I would like to get a magazine or two." There are alot of new items still in the box, depending on what you are looking for. I prefer to stay with name brand reputable magazines such as Colt, Ruger, or reputable manufacturer such as MecGar. Stay away from ProMag or U.S.A. mags. Bring notes, take notes, call buddies on the phone to check out stuff out for you.

Never forget, let the buyer beware.

Holsters, If its not N.I.B. ask for dummy hand gun and check fit. Sometimes the dummy handguns are available and you can sometimes borrow one from another vender if you are very polite.

I personally like checking out the gun shows, sometimes you can find some good deals. There is usually some cool stuff around even if your not going to buy it, its cool to check it out.

Plus there is usually someone there selling some overpriced beef jerky, but its really tasty and I always buy some

[joetheguru]

well I went t the show today and covered the whole thing ther were some decent buys but everyone seemed to be a little proud of the xd's. but I did manage to get a tlr-2 there is a guy there that has them for 239 and ther there was someone else with them for 399 but that company is notorious for having outrageous prices. the place that had it for 239 was called practical to tactical and they were on the southwest end on the upper level. there was also a guy there with xd 13 rd mags for 21 bucks he was also on the upper level. that was the price for the 45 and 40 cal. I saw the black walther p22 for 239 for the black and 305 for the carbon fiber, I believe that place was called metcalf arms or something similar they were on one of the ends though.

[Heathen-Yak]

It all depends. I go to as many as possible in case i see a gun i want at a real good price. my dad got a CW9 for 400 at one gun show new.