Kalifornia Gun Shows, Why Go!?

[capitol]

The gun shows in kali are so pathetic I don’t even know why people show up. After paying for gas, parking, entrance fees and sales tax why even bother?

If your just looking for something to do then go shooting for crying out loud.

I beg for someone to give me one item at the Cow Palace gun/beef jerkey/jewelry,junk show I cant find on the net for cheaper. Don’t forget to add all the fees( gas,parking,entrance,sales tax) you paid for the privilege too.

With that said, I will be going to the Reno Big Show tomorrow :D

[6172crew]

My FFL makes a show and trys to bring Fal receivers, R22's, and other goodies to show folks it can be had. Im not sure of his prices though.:cool:

Ammo is always worth picking up but I dont know why the beef jerky, beenie babies are in there?:rolleyes:

[ocabj]

Costa Mesa only charges entry. That's where I go to get powder, primers, and occasionally bullets. But mainly hazmat items.

[Mike Searson]

I go to hang with my friends...see what's out there...and support our hobby.

If you don't support the shows or your local shops you'll be left with only Big 5 to sell you stuff in the near future, guys.

[zatoh]

Every once in while you'll find something like the vz52 rifle w/accessories and ammo that I picked up a the Glendale show. Those rifles are getting harder and harder to find especially in the shape that I got mine. Funny thing was that I wasn't even looking for a rifle at the time. I also found my IJ70 Mak w/accessories and ammo at a show as well. Of course I wasn't "looking" for anything that time either.

Yes, it's frustrating especially if you've been to a show out of state or even a gun shop out of state but what else can you do?:(

[m1371]

I go to hang with my friends...see what's out there...and support our hobby.

If you don't support the shows or your local shops you'll be left with only Big 5 to sell you stuff in the near future, guys.

Too true.

I usually make a point to hit the Crossroads of the West gunshow when it comes to Costa Mesa, regardless whether I need anything or not. You can usually stumble across something you want or can justify a need for.

[saki302]

Every once in while you'll find something like the vz52 rifle w/accessories and ammo that I picked up a the Glendale show.

Did you get the original one in 7.62x45 cal? And how much did you score it for? :)

I picked up a VZ-52/57 awhile back, but haven't fired it yet.. Ammo's cheap too :D

-Dave

[delloro]

it's better than a movie, and keeps our friends in business.

[DULLYJAY]

it's better than a movie, and keeps our friends in business.
+1. You can't touch on line. I like to touch:p . Might see a used gun for a cool price.

[MrTenX]

Costa Mesa only charges entry. That's where I go to get powder, primers, and occasionally bullets. But mainly hazmat items.

Yup. Thats about the only reason I go nowdays.

ocabj- check your PM

[50ae]

When I moved to SoCal in 98 after getting out of the Navy I was quite depressed by how cheesy the gun show was at Costa Mesa. O, I went but it was nowhere as good as the ones in VA. In the years since it got worse and worse each year. The last one I went to was about a year ago and it wasn't worth the price unless I was a paint ball or bb gun guy. I just moved to the Dallas, TX area and can't wait to go to one of these gun shows out here where they actually have good stuff for sale!!!:D

[Mike Searson]

The shows in California will never be as good as the rest of the country.

Fact is the selection of guns allowed to California residents is limited because of the illegal semiautomatic rifle ban, your restriction to limited capacity magazines, and the ill advised handgun safety certification.

Add to that the state law which mandates all transfers must go through an FFL. As far as I know California and NY are the only 2 states with that follishness.

When you consider what is available to you...the gun shows aren't that bad.
In order for the promoter to turn a profit he needs to sell tables...unfortunately there's less gun related folk buying tables and you get the jerky, chocolates, jewlery, craptastic knife like objects from China, and Militaria.

If word on the street is that nobody goes to shows or buys anything...you'll end up with less and less gun stuff at the shows. Eventually you'll end up with no shows.

Once the shows are gone, the antburners in sacramento will set their magnifying glasses on brick and mortar FFL's.

As time goes by there will be less FFL's to transfer guns to you guys. The gunshops are already feeling the heat from people buying off the net, etc.

While it's great to save money...show some support for your local FFL's and the gun shows...like it or not, they are vital if our hobby is going to survive in your state.

[jnojr]

Who wants to go to the shows for free? :D

We're arranging tables and free passes with various show promoters for the RKBA initiative. Go, get in for free, and swap time between sitting at the table handing out flyers / gathering signatures and wandering the show!

http://www.reformcagunlaws.com/GunShows.html

If interested, contact me or Dave at rkba@sonic.net

[maxicon]

I go to every show I can, for a bunch of reasons:

- I like being able to look at and handle stuff. The 'net's great, and I buy a bunch of stuff online, but there's just no substitute for fondling things.

- Supporting vendors and the show. We're down to 2 SF Bay Area shows now, and I don't want them to go away.

- I like gun stuff, and there's a bigger assortment even at our lame shows than under any one or two roofs anywhere in the Bay Area.

- The gun junk. Yep, I'm a junk junkie. I like cheap, cool, interesting stuff, and there's always somebody selling weird cheap stuff. I even make a little money on it sometimes, when someone has something obscure and undervalued that I spot. I got some nice aged ivory grips for a S&W last show for $15 that I'm prettly pleased with.

- The people. I'm also a people-watcher, and the gun show is a great place for it, plus I run into people I know. There are always some old guys who love to talk, UN flag-stompers, gang-bangers, old farts, young studs, you name it.

- Then there's the practical stuff - cheap ammo, mag loaders, zipper cases, whatever.

- The only thing I don't buy at gun shows is guns, because many of the prices are high (I'm a cheapskate) and the 10 day wait is an extra-big pain with shows. Still, I've been tempted a few times, and I may get something one day.

max

[dadoody]

I'm going to the gunshow in Costa Mesa next week because I want to check out ammo and accessories. If you guys spot a little squirrelly asian guy with over sized glasses, just wave :)

[Scarman]

I went to the Fresno show once. No bullets, no powder, a bunch of over priced guns I wasn't interested in. I did buy some primers at a good price but the cost of getting into the show ate up anything I saved buying the primers at the show. Poor (and very small) selection of guns and almost no reloading supplies makes it hard to justify going to a show for me personally.

[chickenfried]

I go to pick up hot chicks.

[capitol]

I go to pick up hot chicks.

Yea, there are some real hotties roaming those shows and some of them even have most of there teeth :eek:

[zatoh]

Did you get the original one in 7.62x45 cal? And how much did you score it for?

I picked up a VZ-52/57 awhile back, but haven't fired it yet.. Ammo's cheap too

-Dave

The rifle is in 7.62X45. It's in really nice shape, not a Century beater in a cracked black krinkle paint stock. It even has the sight hood and thread protector still as well as original cleaning kit and 2 mags. Bore is shiney. Buttstock in in great shape too. I ended paying $3 bills.

If and when I pick it up I'll post pictures.:(

[stealthmode]

i go to renew my nra membership for 10 dollars less, get in for free, and get a free hat. thats why i go. that and to buy ammo.