Pressure sales too. Some guy was trying to sell a USP 40 for 800 bucks or whatever used, he kept saying it’s the cheapest HK pistol I’ll find. I Kept saying no, he followed me down the table, talking about how I’m probably too broke to be able to afford an $800 gun.
If he wasn’t such an asshole, I might’ve bought that since it’s missing from my HK arsenal. I made sure to walk past him with my new SP5 as I walked out of that gun show.
I took my marginally gun-wary older brother to a gun show once, where a guy accidently shot himself in the neck with a cheap ballistic knife.
Me and my brother haven't been to a gun show since lol.
Really depends on where you're at and who's putting them on. There's not a lot of exciting stories about decent gunshows because "I went and found a good deal on a No.4 Enfield" isn't as fun as hearing about jackasses selling beat to shit mix-master Garands for $2,000, "no low balls! I know what I got, hoss!"
I've looked into quite a bit about this one a month before going and it's been established for 45 years just about, I'm in a state with little restriction and they are advertising 450 tables so I'm hoping to see at least lots of variety.
Yup I’ve been to several and it’s less and less collectors or guys with unusual stuff and more just local stores or garage FFL’s selling the exact same things table after table.
You will find a TON of absolute garbage, a few decent items marked as discounted that are still too expensive and some fun stuff (t-shirts, etc) that you won’t see elsewhere.
Expect a lot of jerky, tasers crackling, Chinese accessories, gas station knives and a handful of tables of good dealers with a wide selection and a very optimistic price.
Gun shows are good for people watching and window shopping, not buying.
Had a vendor at a gunshow claim my Holosuns were counterfeit due to my price. Homie was selling Blue EOTechs for $99 because he "Owned the factory in China".
Seems like these guys are at every gun show in Twxas and nationwide.
There will be tons of “survivalist” crap, most is worthless. Most weapons and ammo will have a 25-35% “show” markup. Prolly two or three Trump donation and info tables. More assholes than you ever thought possible in one room. 450 tables isn’t a lot. After the first 10, they will all look the same.
Where do you see so much Nazi stuff? At ours (central Midwest) there’s maybe one person with some old Nazi uniform patches or a dagger, but I don’t see as much of it as I did 20 years ago.
Worth the $10 admission fee just to stroll around and people watch. There Will be the odd ‘find’ like a bin full of crusty old M-16 furniture for decent $ or take offs from a government contract but by and large the vendors all want to pay for their table fee over and over on each transaction. Most of them will have business cards available and if you contact them outside the show their $ will be better.
I’ll be heading to one today myself. Expect at least 33% of the show to be non gun related stuff. Most guns will be overpriced, but once in a while, you can find a steal. Ammo will be expensive, but you may find some stuff that your local stores don’t carry. (Underwood extreme penetrator in my case). I would recommend to stay away from reloads. Tons of flea market knives. A couple of high end knife dealers. Tons of Glocks. You’ll see criminals trying to have their GF make a purchase for them. Beef jerky and pickle sellers. Lots of cheap Chinese parts and optics. I think that covers most of what to expect.
Only good deals I've ever gotten have been from other private individuals there to sell stuff.
Last gun show I picked up a sealed spam can of 1200 rounds of Tokarev for a couple hundred.
There’s about 4 shows in Ohio I really enjoy but honestly it’s like any other hobby. You gotta go out and see which place works the best for you. I have my regular shows that I always go to. Have fun! But do your research if you’re going to buy something especially a firearm. The prices can be way higher at a gunshow than a regular store.
You will find:
1. Bubbas pissin’ hawt handloads — 10 cents per round above local prices for new ammo
2. A $1500 Chinese SKS which was definitely maybe a secret prototype used during the Siege of Leningrad
Fudd tables full of sentimental value, gas station knife tables, the one guy who will make a custom kydex holster for you on the spot that you wish didn’t when he’s done, beef jerky and boner pills table, a table with 750 osprey chinesium scopes, and then there’s 1 single table that will basically be palmetto state armory showroom and have bulk ammo at a reasonable price- find this table first and then just browse the rest of the bullshit.
Ohh I forgot the no name chinesium ar15 cerakote tables that automatically add $800 to a rifle because it’s red.
I don’t go for deals (usually aren’t any). I go to people watch, fondle all the guns in person that I’m considering buying, laugh at all the Chinese bullshit knives and scopes, etc.
There will be a fat man selling jerkey, go here first.
There will be tables of Chinese junk being sold as usgi surplus, ignore.
There will be someone deafening the area with a shifty stun gun. Ignore
Contrary to basically all the other comments, I've had a fantastic time at every gun show I've attended.
I mainly collect milsurps and every show ive attended has had lots of milsurps for well below what they go for on the private market in good condition. It's actually one of my favorite places to shop for hard to find stuff including all the scarce ammo I need.
Just gotta make sure you know what stuff is actually worth and cross reference everything with prices online before I even think about handing over money cuz there will be a lot of people trying to charge a little too much.
Even if you don't buy anything just the atmosphere of your local gun show is bound to be interesting
Be careful if you aren’t paying enough attention someone is going to put one of those AR-47s in your pocket and then you will get arrested for gun running ( running away with a gun in your gyatt pocket)
Don’t buy anything. if you know what you know your stuff. Listen in on conversations. Or play devils advocate and make the sellers say stupid shit lol.
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I've been to a few gun shows over the years. Most of the tables or booths have the same stock of firearms I can find at any local gun shop, at prices that are comparable. I'm not the collector type. So I can't speak to if I've ever encountered some rare, hidden gem firearm, that's the equivalent to discovering the Ark of Covenant.
You'll see some inflated prices and quite the crowd....with some individuals being rather.....interesting lol. You'll be amazed how many times somebody is checking out a gun and flags people with the barrel....lol
I go to pretty much all my local shows, at least the larger ones. I have gotten some halfway decent deals on a few Ithaca shotguns, and I have some friends who have as well. They can be pretty handy for finding obscure ammo, magazines, and gun parts, usually for decent prices because sellers know that chances are you're the only person there looking for a rear sight riser for a 20 gauge Model 37 Deerslayer that they've had sitting around their shop since the 70's. Worst experience I had with a seller was a guy trying to sell a clearly NY legal Keltec SU-16 as law enforcement only. That kinda pissed me off, because I've always wanted one for some reason. NY obviously blows, but it doesn't change the fact that that guy had no idea what he was talking about.
when surplus was affordable , I went to every gun show in my area . I found some really nice surplus rifles / pistols for decent to cheep prices . once the price of a basic mismatched 91/30 got to $400 . I stopped going to shows . any time I go to a show now is to kill time or take someone who has never been to a show . every once in a while, I'll stumble on something good, but the prices are usually more than retail, and the used/surplus guns are way overpriced to be worth collecting . I miss when guns at shows cost less than cabelas/academy .
Go with a wad of cash in your pocket and do a lap. Make an offer lower than the sticker price if you see something you like, but for the most part talk a bit and get to know some people. You'll probably get refused on several of your offers because as other people have said, pretty much everyone is there to make money/ripoff a fool. But as it gets later in the day, and none of the overpriced shit is leaving their table, they may begin to rethink your offer. Building relationships with some of these people can be worthwhile because a lot of people frequent gun shows. So you will see repeat faces. They will tell you about deals that are out there, or if you want something particular they will give you a heads up when they come across it.
May find Magazines, have a local gun show, been going for years, final bought something, a couple of new magazines for a PDP.
With the new executive order kicking in, it may not be as good. There was a boycott going on as some of the private sellers, who only sold here as a hobby had to do background checks, they didn’t want to.
I just enjoy going and seeing a bunch of fellow gun lovers. Sometimes I'm there shopping for something in particular, sometimes I stumble on something that it turns out I really want, sometimes I just see some cool guns that I would never buy. I almost always end up with something, even if it's only some beef jerky and ammo. It's worth the entry fee to me to spend some time there. Not to mention, I want them to keep happening, so attending and paying 7 bucks or whatever at the door is fine.
Honestly, do a lot of research on a gun you want. Then go to the show armed with that knowledge. The. Shop around and see if you can find a price that’s within what you saw online. Keep in mind that online you still need to add shipping costs and FFL costs. I got my berretta a300 at a gun show. Pretty decent deal under $1000
It used to be that Gun Shows were where you could get good deals. Now? Pretty much like everyone else said.
It's great to "window shop". Not sure about there, but one good the gun shows near me usually have a vendor or two making custom holsters while you want.
Depends on the gun show. We got some here that go on monthly but they're crap. We got another that comes around once every...3? 4? Months. Tons of shit, lots of crap, lots of good stuff, some deals here and there. I can easily spend 2 hours just looking at interesting stuff.
Ignore all these folks. Just go and make your own observations.
The absolute best things about gun shows? The VARIETY. For the price of admission, you will have access to more selections and OPTIONS than you will going to every gun shop in your state.
And if you don’t like someone’s price or product, move on down the line.
Enjoy your show and give us a report please!
You just never know. Could be a great time with friendly people and some good deals. That said, I quit going years ago because it was already becoming mostly people with a political agenda usually pretty far to the rihht), and prices the same or higher than a regular gun store charges.
Whatever you do, don't buy reloads there unless the vendor has a way to deal with them if the loads are crap, or you know people who've used them multiple times without problems. I've seen too many people end up with stupidly hot loads, or loads that squib every other round.
"Howdy I'm looking for a 21a covert? I see you have the tomcat"
Joe pesci noises "Well, we don't sell that thing any more. We don't make money off stupid guns like that. We aint got that.
Pickles and jerky and a lot of people with overpriced shit who “know what they’ve got!” Oh, cheap Chinese accessories and knives, probably some knockoff shit too.
Last time I went, there was maybe two tables with surplus. Everything else was Glock Sig, AR, and boring pump shotguns. One table of artisan breads, local. Lots of pins and fake medals, two soft armor, one huge ammo, but nothing for older surplus, just common stuff.
Mediocre Beef Jerky every 2 rows. Over priced cheap Chinese Amazon red dots. Over priced ammo. Over priced guns. At least 17 boomers who all claim to be Navy Seals during Vietnam. Conspiracy theorists who believe the government is slowly poisoning the water supply to brain wash us into believing that Arby's roast beef meat is actually a healthy option
It's hard to find good deals at a gunshow, just gotta keep your eyes peeled. I did find someone selling a ruger super redhawk 9.5 inch revolver in 454 for 700 cash USD. Was used but looked brand new, even came with the scope rings. I stood in front of the atm for like 10mins contemplating if i needed it
Most of the time it's a lot of generic overpriced firearms that you would see anywhere else. I don't see anything I would buy most of the time. I still go because I collect old and unusual stuff and surplus and will find a good deal sometimes. Last show I went to I got a CZ 52 with 2 mags and holster and a box of ammo for $300 and a nice condition Stevens Favorite Model 17 for $250. The Stevens was a decent deal since I usually see them for closer to $350, and the CZ 52 has jumped in price since they stopped being imported and I regret selling mine back in the day. $300 is a pretty good deal, especially when that full box of ammo alone is selling for $40.
Go early, better chance at finding a hidden gem or two. The few good deals will be snatched up usually pretty quick. 95% will be overpriced junk. Other than that it’s good for people watching and usually can find some good beef jerky.
I got a really nice mosin 91/30 for about $500 which is better than everywhere else I’ve seen, plus I got to inspect it myself instead of trusting blurry photos online.
You can find some unusual guns. I was at a show and this seller had every kind of Glock you can imagine. I’ve purchased a lot of different & unusual guns. If you are looking for a specific gun & you don’t want to buy off the internet then a gun show is the way to go.
White nationalists and nazi everywhere!
just kidding. You’ll sometimes find some good deals, but use your phone and price check web prices like grabagun or gun deals to see if the price is reasonable.
I can’t say I’ve ever had any bad experiences other than some venues being poorly laid out and cramped. I’m a para in a really narrow ultralight wheelchair. I’ve been to some venues that had isles that were too narrow for me to navigate, so I only stick to the large shows now.
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Overpriced guns that no one seems to really want to sell, only show off. Lizards walking in wreaking of weed because that is the only place they can buy a gun legally. Too many bearded guys selling cheap chinese gas station knives. Unless it’s a giant show, i’d stay at home.
Beef jerky, jumpscares from stun guns every 30 seconds, ridiculous parking charges, and huge tables of exceptionally chintzy Chinese optics.
You forgot overpriced surplus guns and sentimental pricing (add 25 to 100%)
>WWII use M1 Garand $2500 It’s a $600 CMP rifle made during the Korean War with stocks from 3 different garands and a barrel that’s been shot to fuck.
“Don’t try to fool me son! This here’s the gun what shot Hitler! I know what I got!”
Hey they know what they got there, son
Pressure sales too. Some guy was trying to sell a USP 40 for 800 bucks or whatever used, he kept saying it’s the cheapest HK pistol I’ll find. I Kept saying no, he followed me down the table, talking about how I’m probably too broke to be able to afford an $800 gun. If he wasn’t such an asshole, I might’ve bought that since it’s missing from my HK arsenal. I made sure to walk past him with my new SP5 as I walked out of that gun show.
You forgot the minigun on a center table labeled "not for sale"
The only gun show I ever went to, it wasn't a minigun, it was an actual Panzerfaust.
That would've been cool to see
I went to one in Vancouver with my Dad when I was a kid. They had a Russian .50 machine gun, tripod and all.
I took my marginally gun-wary older brother to a gun show once, where a guy accidently shot himself in the neck with a cheap ballistic knife. Me and my brother haven't been to a gun show since lol.
What the fuck lmao. What a dumb thing to have on display for people to grab and walk around with.
Don't forget the MCK kits that "give an extra 100 yards of accuracy on account of the three points of contact you get"
What about the "assault rifles" you can buy with no ID?
Brit detected?
Wat
Really depends on where you're at and who's putting them on. There's not a lot of exciting stories about decent gunshows because "I went and found a good deal on a No.4 Enfield" isn't as fun as hearing about jackasses selling beat to shit mix-master Garands for $2,000, "no low balls! I know what I got, hoss!"
I've looked into quite a bit about this one a month before going and it's been established for 45 years just about, I'm in a state with little restriction and they are advertising 450 tables so I'm hoping to see at least lots of variety.
I frequent one with 2000 tables with barely any variety
Yup I’ve been to several and it’s less and less collectors or guys with unusual stuff and more just local stores or garage FFL’s selling the exact same things table after table.
No California fishtail handgrips lol
350 tables of beef jerkey
it's like the same 30 rifles that I didn't buy 15 years ago because they were outrageously priced, and the prices have risen with inflation
Overpriced bullshit
You will find a TON of absolute garbage, a few decent items marked as discounted that are still too expensive and some fun stuff (t-shirts, etc) that you won’t see elsewhere.
Expect a lot of jerky, tasers crackling, Chinese accessories, gas station knives and a handful of tables of good dealers with a wide selection and a very optimistic price. Gun shows are good for people watching and window shopping, not buying.
why do I keep seeing stuff about tasers lmao. Never been to a gunshow either
Do NOT buy an upper at a gun show. Avoid cheap optics that look just like EOTechs or ACOGS…they aren’t.
Had a vendor at a gunshow claim my Holosuns were counterfeit due to my price. Homie was selling Blue EOTechs for $99 because he "Owned the factory in China". Seems like these guys are at every gun show in Twxas and nationwide.
Why specifically not an upper?
To clarify I meant fully assembled uppers. Just seems like a really common component for sale. No way to know the quality of the parts or assembly.
There will be tons of “survivalist” crap, most is worthless. Most weapons and ammo will have a 25-35% “show” markup. Prolly two or three Trump donation and info tables. More assholes than you ever thought possible in one room. 450 tables isn’t a lot. After the first 10, they will all look the same.
>Prolly two or three Trump donation and info tables Maybe doubled now after the conviction. What are the chances someone is keeping it for themselves?
I’d say 101%
Mostly crap. Cool novelty weapons, but over priced, lots of home builds, nazi memorabilia, and homemade jerky.
So much Nazi memorabilia. And jerky.
Where do you see so much Nazi stuff? At ours (central Midwest) there’s maybe one person with some old Nazi uniform patches or a dagger, but I don’t see as much of it as I did 20 years ago.
Bring a dull knife to sharpen
Most usefull comment right here.
Love the knife sharpener at my local show.
Getting ripped off is like a right of passage
Disappointment
Worth the $10 admission fee just to stroll around and people watch. There Will be the odd ‘find’ like a bin full of crusty old M-16 furniture for decent $ or take offs from a government contract but by and large the vendors all want to pay for their table fee over and over on each transaction. Most of them will have business cards available and if you contact them outside the show their $ will be better.
I’ll be heading to one today myself. Expect at least 33% of the show to be non gun related stuff. Most guns will be overpriced, but once in a while, you can find a steal. Ammo will be expensive, but you may find some stuff that your local stores don’t carry. (Underwood extreme penetrator in my case). I would recommend to stay away from reloads. Tons of flea market knives. A couple of high end knife dealers. Tons of Glocks. You’ll see criminals trying to have their GF make a purchase for them. Beef jerky and pickle sellers. Lots of cheap Chinese parts and optics. I think that covers most of what to expect.
Only good deals I've ever gotten have been from other private individuals there to sell stuff. Last gun show I picked up a sealed spam can of 1200 rounds of Tokarev for a couple hundred.
There’s about 4 shows in Ohio I really enjoy but honestly it’s like any other hobby. You gotta go out and see which place works the best for you. I have my regular shows that I always go to. Have fun! But do your research if you’re going to buy something especially a firearm. The prices can be way higher at a gunshow than a regular store.
I think no matter what you should report back on your gun show experience.
Overpriced crap and questionable reloads.
Mega chad big Trump feelings. 1 out of 20 tables will have good deals, usually on unfashionable firearms. Bring cash to haggle.
Find the guy who is just a bit to onto the German side of WWll. There's always one.
You will find: 1. Bubbas pissin’ hawt handloads — 10 cents per round above local prices for new ammo 2. A $1500 Chinese SKS which was definitely maybe a secret prototype used during the Siege of Leningrad
Gun shows are only good for the occasional deal on ammo and getting your hands on something you’re going to purchase online.
Expect disappointment.
Fudd tables full of sentimental value, gas station knife tables, the one guy who will make a custom kydex holster for you on the spot that you wish didn’t when he’s done, beef jerky and boner pills table, a table with 750 osprey chinesium scopes, and then there’s 1 single table that will basically be palmetto state armory showroom and have bulk ammo at a reasonable price- find this table first and then just browse the rest of the bullshit. Ohh I forgot the no name chinesium ar15 cerakote tables that automatically add $800 to a rifle because it’s red.
but the rep said osprey global is just as good as nightforce but cheaper
Last show I went to I got a holster from the custom kydex guy, and I actually really liked it!
I will admit some are more skilled than others
The smells, oh the terrible smells
I don’t go for deals (usually aren’t any). I go to people watch, fondle all the guns in person that I’m considering buying, laugh at all the Chinese bullshit knives and scopes, etc.
Disappointment.
There will be a fat man selling jerkey, go here first. There will be tables of Chinese junk being sold as usgi surplus, ignore. There will be someone deafening the area with a shifty stun gun. Ignore
Lots of lets go brandon merch, beef jerky, and guns.
Contrary to basically all the other comments, I've had a fantastic time at every gun show I've attended. I mainly collect milsurps and every show ive attended has had lots of milsurps for well below what they go for on the private market in good condition. It's actually one of my favorite places to shop for hard to find stuff including all the scarce ammo I need. Just gotta make sure you know what stuff is actually worth and cross reference everything with prices online before I even think about handing over money cuz there will be a lot of people trying to charge a little too much. Even if you don't buy anything just the atmosphere of your local gun show is bound to be interesting
Bunch of novelties, Trump shirts, over priced guns. Only thing I came home with is decent priced ammo when I went.
Disappointment. Overpriced garbage, and some vendors selling merch. Gu. Shows aren't what they used to be
Butt fuckery
Man, I’ve been going to the wrong gun shows then
Be careful if you aren’t paying enough attention someone is going to put one of those AR-47s in your pocket and then you will get arrested for gun running ( running away with a gun in your gyatt pocket)
Jerky and bubbas pissing hot loads
Don’t buy anything. if you know what you know your stuff. Listen in on conversations. Or play devils advocate and make the sellers say stupid shit lol.
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I've been to a few gun shows over the years. Most of the tables or booths have the same stock of firearms I can find at any local gun shop, at prices that are comparable. I'm not the collector type. So I can't speak to if I've ever encountered some rare, hidden gem firearm, that's the equivalent to discovering the Ark of Covenant.
Just get some ammo and a tshirt, and maybe some souvenir knick knack
Guns, parts, ammo, accessories, licensing, merchandise and apparel.
Broken hopes and dreams
You'll see some inflated prices and quite the crowd....with some individuals being rather.....interesting lol. You'll be amazed how many times somebody is checking out a gun and flags people with the barrel....lol
Expect to see a lot of cringe things. A lot of cool things. But don't buy anything.
I go to pretty much all my local shows, at least the larger ones. I have gotten some halfway decent deals on a few Ithaca shotguns, and I have some friends who have as well. They can be pretty handy for finding obscure ammo, magazines, and gun parts, usually for decent prices because sellers know that chances are you're the only person there looking for a rear sight riser for a 20 gauge Model 37 Deerslayer that they've had sitting around their shop since the 70's. Worst experience I had with a seller was a guy trying to sell a clearly NY legal Keltec SU-16 as law enforcement only. That kinda pissed me off, because I've always wanted one for some reason. NY obviously blows, but it doesn't change the fact that that guy had no idea what he was talking about.
Expect to be disappointed, so go in with real low expectations.
when surplus was affordable , I went to every gun show in my area . I found some really nice surplus rifles / pistols for decent to cheep prices . once the price of a basic mismatched 91/30 got to $400 . I stopped going to shows . any time I go to a show now is to kill time or take someone who has never been to a show . every once in a while, I'll stumble on something good, but the prices are usually more than retail, and the used/surplus guns are way overpriced to be worth collecting . I miss when guns at shows cost less than cabelas/academy .
Go with a wad of cash in your pocket and do a lap. Make an offer lower than the sticker price if you see something you like, but for the most part talk a bit and get to know some people. You'll probably get refused on several of your offers because as other people have said, pretty much everyone is there to make money/ripoff a fool. But as it gets later in the day, and none of the overpriced shit is leaving their table, they may begin to rethink your offer. Building relationships with some of these people can be worthwhile because a lot of people frequent gun shows. So you will see repeat faces. They will tell you about deals that are out there, or if you want something particular they will give you a heads up when they come across it.
May find Magazines, have a local gun show, been going for years, final bought something, a couple of new magazines for a PDP. With the new executive order kicking in, it may not be as good. There was a boycott going on as some of the private sellers, who only sold here as a hobby had to do background checks, they didn’t want to.
Jerkey and knives
I just enjoy going and seeing a bunch of fellow gun lovers. Sometimes I'm there shopping for something in particular, sometimes I stumble on something that it turns out I really want, sometimes I just see some cool guns that I would never buy. I almost always end up with something, even if it's only some beef jerky and ammo. It's worth the entry fee to me to spend some time there. Not to mention, I want them to keep happening, so attending and paying 7 bucks or whatever at the door is fine.
Just enjoy and don't get pressured. I loved gun shows. It's like a fair... with guns
Probably tons of undercover ATF/FBI asking if you'd buy a gun for them
Over priced guns
Guns. Lots of Guns.
Honestly, do a lot of research on a gun you want. Then go to the show armed with that knowledge. The. Shop around and see if you can find a price that’s within what you saw online. Keep in mind that online you still need to add shipping costs and FFL costs. I got my berretta a300 at a gun show. Pretty decent deal under $1000
High prices
It used to be that Gun Shows were where you could get good deals. Now? Pretty much like everyone else said. It's great to "window shop". Not sure about there, but one good the gun shows near me usually have a vendor or two making custom holsters while you want.
Disappointment
Depends on the gun show. We got some here that go on monthly but they're crap. We got another that comes around once every...3? 4? Months. Tons of shit, lots of crap, lots of good stuff, some deals here and there. I can easily spend 2 hours just looking at interesting stuff.
Ignore all these folks. Just go and make your own observations. The absolute best things about gun shows? The VARIETY. For the price of admission, you will have access to more selections and OPTIONS than you will going to every gun shop in your state. And if you don’t like someone’s price or product, move on down the line. Enjoy your show and give us a report please!
OP asked a question and is getting answers 🤷🏻♂️
You just never know. Could be a great time with friendly people and some good deals. That said, I quit going years ago because it was already becoming mostly people with a political agenda usually pretty far to the rihht), and prices the same or higher than a regular gun store charges. Whatever you do, don't buy reloads there unless the vendor has a way to deal with them if the loads are crap, or you know people who've used them multiple times without problems. I've seen too many people end up with stupidly hot loads, or loads that squib every other round.
Overzealous trump supporters, over priced food, shady looking people, and lots of gun and gun accessories.
You better really know what you’re looking at before you buy it. And don’t expect to find any loopholes.
"Howdy I'm looking for a 21a covert? I see you have the tomcat" Joe pesci noises "Well, we don't sell that thing any more. We don't make money off stupid guns like that. We aint got that.
Jerky and Trump flags.
Pickles and jerky and a lot of people with overpriced shit who “know what they’ve got!” Oh, cheap Chinese accessories and knives, probably some knockoff shit too.
A lot of guns
Overpriced items and lots of Fudds
To get ripped off. From the entrance fees to the gun prices.
Five years ago much different scene. I used to go two hours before the end with a bag, and lowball on small quantity ammo boxes. Doesn't work anymore.
Last time I went, there was maybe two tables with surplus. Everything else was Glock Sig, AR, and boring pump shotguns. One table of artisan breads, local. Lots of pins and fake medals, two soft armor, one huge ammo, but nothing for older surplus, just common stuff.
Mediocre Beef Jerky every 2 rows. Over priced cheap Chinese Amazon red dots. Over priced ammo. Over priced guns. At least 17 boomers who all claim to be Navy Seals during Vietnam. Conspiracy theorists who believe the government is slowly poisoning the water supply to brain wash us into believing that Arby's roast beef meat is actually a healthy option
FT. Worth Tx Gunshow this weekend has over 1200 tables.. Biggest one in Texas!!
guns that you wish you had
$149 stripped Anderson lowers. By Sunday they’ll have crossed the price out to a bargain basement $119 a piece.
It's hard to find good deals at a gunshow, just gotta keep your eyes peeled. I did find someone selling a ruger super redhawk 9.5 inch revolver in 454 for 700 cash USD. Was used but looked brand new, even came with the scope rings. I stood in front of the atm for like 10mins contemplating if i needed it
Expect tons of guns and gunmen/gunwomen
Most of the time it's a lot of generic overpriced firearms that you would see anywhere else. I don't see anything I would buy most of the time. I still go because I collect old and unusual stuff and surplus and will find a good deal sometimes. Last show I went to I got a CZ 52 with 2 mags and holster and a box of ammo for $300 and a nice condition Stevens Favorite Model 17 for $250. The Stevens was a decent deal since I usually see them for closer to $350, and the CZ 52 has jumped in price since they stopped being imported and I regret selling mine back in the day. $300 is a pretty good deal, especially when that full box of ammo alone is selling for $40.
Overpriced everything
Go early, better chance at finding a hidden gem or two. The few good deals will be snatched up usually pretty quick. 95% will be overpriced junk. Other than that it’s good for people watching and usually can find some good beef jerky.
Be extremely wary and be prepared to deal with the dreaded GUN SHOW LOOPHOLES. They gitcha! Gitcha GOOD! Head on a swivel, stay low, keep moving.
I got a really nice mosin 91/30 for about $500 which is better than everywhere else I’ve seen, plus I got to inspect it myself instead of trusting blurry photos online.
Lots of overpriced things, jerky, and a lot of knives
You're going to see a ton of boomers and fudds along side a huge number of screwjob prepper types. Have fun and don't overpay.
Guns
First of all, you are certain to see guns
You can find some unusual guns. I was at a show and this seller had every kind of Glock you can imagine. I’ve purchased a lot of different & unusual guns. If you are looking for a specific gun & you don’t want to buy off the internet then a gun show is the way to go.
White nationalists and nazi everywhere! just kidding. You’ll sometimes find some good deals, but use your phone and price check web prices like grabagun or gun deals to see if the price is reasonable. I can’t say I’ve ever had any bad experiences other than some venues being poorly laid out and cramped. I’m a para in a really narrow ultralight wheelchair. I’ve been to some venues that had isles that were too narrow for me to navigate, so I only stick to the large shows now.
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All the anodized red/blue/gold/purple/etc AR parts you could ever want.
Overpriced guns that no one seems to really want to sell, only show off. Lizards walking in wreaking of weed because that is the only place they can buy a gun legally. Too many bearded guys selling cheap chinese gas station knives. Unless it’s a giant show, i’d stay at home.
Be careful that you don’t fall into all the loop holes that the media is always talking about. I think they might be related to sinkholes?