I've read several tales of frustrating transactions at the gun shows on this board and others. I've never attempted to buy anything other than trinkets at gun shows but was hoping to break my cherry at the show this weekend in Jackson. I have a Kimber crimson carry and a Ruger SR9c on my list of must haves. I will be bringing cash, have done the research, and know what I should pay. Is this a waste of time? I'm determined to be plinking with these new toys on Sunday afternoon somehow someway, but I will not be ripped off just because I'm at a show. Don't want to head into this thing with a bad attitude, I kinda figured with cash I could end up getting decent deals since the economy is in the tank. Whaddya think, to the show, or just head to the store?
New gunshow buyer
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Don't have a bad attitude toward the shows. You will find some "deals" but they may not be on what you're looking for. Most of the deals I find are when I'm just walking around with some cash wanting to buy something (and I mean "nothing in particular"). You may run up on these guns for a reasonable price and then you might not. The odds of someone cutting you a very deep discount for buying the pair is slim even in this economy. Most of the guys that will cut deals are not likely to have these two particular items that you're looking for. I don't know how far you have to drive to get there or what sort of gas mileage your vehicle gets, but if you've found them at a store close to you for a good price, that's probably your best bet especially after you take the cost of your gun show trip out of it. If you just want to go to browse and see what transpires then you've lost nothing (but the cost of the trip).pathman said:
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Just my opinion/experience, your mileage may vary:
If you have a good relationship with your local gun shop, you can usually buy new for the same price or less, if you're looking for something that is usually in stock.
That being said, sometimes you never know what you'll find at a gun show that your local dealer doesn't stock.
Sometimes deals can be had on the last day of the show if someone is trying to dump inventory rather than haul it back.
Your attitude can go a long way in making a deal. Lots of gun shows are saturated with mall ninjas (google "mall ninja" if ya don't know).
All that being said, I love going to shows to look around. Reminds me of going to tractor auctions when I was in that business.
If you have a good relationship with your local gun shop, you can usually buy new for the same price or less, if you're looking for something that is usually in stock.
That being said, sometimes you never know what you'll find at a gun show that your local dealer doesn't stock.
Sometimes deals can be had on the last day of the show if someone is trying to dump inventory rather than haul it back.
Your attitude can go a long way in making a deal. Lots of gun shows are saturated with mall ninjas (google "mall ninja" if ya don't know).
All that being said, I love going to shows to look around. Reminds me of going to tractor auctions when I was in that business.
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I'll "Second" the above. If you're on a "Mission" and just HAVE to have a CERTAIN thing at a CERTAIN price...you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Gun shows are about the entertainment, the opportunity to see some different things, and the CHANCE at stumbling upon a screaming deal on something you want. It is NOT the most efficient way to buy a specific firearm, unless it's something extremely common, say a S & W 442. That purpose is better served by a good local dealer or the internet.
I like gun shows, have been to every one in the past year. I've gotten several bargains...but I wasn't looking for anything too specific, and nothing that I just HAD to have. If you have the right mindset, they can fun...and rewarding.
I like gun shows, have been to every one in the past year. I've gotten several bargains...but I wasn't looking for anything too specific, and nothing that I just HAD to have. If you have the right mindset, they can fun...and rewarding.
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At the Southaven show, NRA had a booth outside. You could renew/join there and get into the show for free! My NRA membership was due anyway so it worked out for me. I also got an NRA hat that won't fit around my enormous head.
Inside the show, I did find a basic, inexpensive 1911 for less than my dealer would sell it. Here's the irony....it was my dealer at the show who had the 1911. He was just trying to move something on the last day. I got the 1911 for $25 less than out of his store. 2 other lurkers bought guns when I made a big deal about how cheap he was selling stuff, so he's going to cut me some slack on the next purchase.
I tried to figure out a way to convince my wife that I needed that lever action rifle and revolver that were both in 45LC, but alas, I didn't pull the trigger on those.
Like Shoe says, if you go in there for the entertainment value, you'll have fun. If you go in there on a mission.......not so much.
Inside the show, I did find a basic, inexpensive 1911 for less than my dealer would sell it. Here's the irony....it was my dealer at the show who had the 1911. He was just trying to move something on the last day. I got the 1911 for $25 less than out of his store. 2 other lurkers bought guns when I made a big deal about how cheap he was selling stuff, so he's going to cut me some slack on the next purchase.
I tried to figure out a way to convince my wife that I needed that lever action rifle and revolver that were both in 45LC, but alas, I didn't pull the trigger on those.
Like Shoe says, if you go in there for the entertainment value, you'll have fun. If you go in there on a mission.......not so much.
I agree with what has already been said. I have seen a certain rifle at the past two or three shows. I really want the rifle and have the money to buy it but the guy wants about a hundred dollars more for it than I want to pay. It is a Marlin 1894 .357 lever gun and I've been looking for one for awhile now. I'm probably going to the show sunday and if I do I'll be looking for one of these guns. I will not pay more than I think a guns worth just because it's sitting on the table and if I can't reach a deal it's not going to hurt my feelings. I'll wait until I find the gun I want for the price I want to give. I'm not going to get mad at the guy because after all it's his gun. Even if I go and don't see a thing I'm interested in buying I'll probably still think I got my monies worth just looking at all the neat stuff that will be there.
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Gunshows for me have always been about used guns. You're more likely find a good clean used gun at a good price than you are to find a new gun at a better price than your local dealer. Sometimes you will, most of the time you don't. I have only bought one new gun at a gunshow in the last 20yrs, I have bought alot of used ones at gunshows.
But don't let anything we say stop you from going you might find exactly what you're looking for at a killer price.
Go, look around, have fun hanging out with 200-300 other gun nuts in one place.
But don't let anything we say stop you from going you might find exactly what you're looking for at a killer price.
Go, look around, have fun hanging out with 200-300 other gun nuts in one place.
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I agree with what everyone has stated. If you go looking to get a particular item, more than likely you will be disappointed. I've only purchased two guns at gunshows, but they were both good deals. Go to look around and enjoy the show. I bought a U.S. Army WWII helmet last year for a really good price. Never know what you will find. :thinking:
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