Attending my first gun show...

[Paperchasin]

Theres a gun show next month that I plan on attending and I will probably be buying some ammo and possibly another pistol. Can you guys tell me what the selection will be like? I am in the market for an off-roster pistol, will there be any consignment guns at the show? I assume most of the vendors are somewhere in SoCal and was wondering what the dros process was like at the shows. Should I bring all of my documentation with me? Or do I put down a deposit or some sort then work it out at the vendors storefront?

[G60]

They're more like cheap Chinese AR parts and reloads shows than gun shows. I still go whenever I can though.

[supermanuf]

Yeah, gunshows sure have changed since I was a kid. I went to the Crossroads of the West one in Costa Mesa last weekend, first one I've been to in about 10 years, and first one I've been to in Cali since I left Florida. I was surprised to see how it was basically all that AR crap, ammo, and old C&R guns, but really nothing in between. If you took away all the AR stuff, I'd say honestly 3/4 of the tables would be empty. I've been toying with the idea of getting an M1A, I don't think I saw even one to wrap my hands around.

[Paperchasin]

Thanks for the responses. Sucks to hear about the handgun selection. I guess I will have to just go and find out for myself. Was really hoping to see a nice selection of pistols though.

[paul0660]

You will regret your parking and entry fee.

But then you will be an expert, like the rest of us.

[IntoForever]

Plenty of beef jerky and extremely poorly made chinese parts.

[beatstanfurd]

Went to the crossroads of the west at the cow palace a couple of weekends ago. The selection was poor and a lot of the prices I was quoted was more expensive than what you can find on the Internet. I did buy some misc at parts, but I do not plan on making the effort next time.

[h0use]

somthing to do on the weekend. much better stuff on the fourms here. its still cool to go.

[Paperchasin]

Man, I was really looking forward to going too! Im bummed now.

[beretta929mm]

Just like them Shot Shows in Las Vegas, all ARs, AKs, 1911s, all of them with rails and lights. If you would take away the forementioned THREE, not much to see anyway.

[cmichini]

Man, I was really looking forward to going too! Im bummed now.

You should still go. You never know, there may be the ammo you're looking for but gun shows these days for guns themselves are about windowshopping only. Prices are pretty much a butt rape without lube.

[Javi]

I went to my first gunshow(Crossroads of the West-Ontario) with my cousin months ago and loved it. What people say about them is true: Lot of miscellaneous junk, bad prices on guns/accessories, etc. but I enjoyed my time there. I bought 500 rounds of 9mm reloads and 4 boxes of 6.5x55 Swede at a great price, purchased my voucher for a self-defense handgun course which is a great value, got to try Frog Lube(salesman was a nice guy, from the forums here), looked at some awesome C&R's, AK's, AR's, revolvers and the like. I couldn't find the booth but I was looking for LED lights from a Calgunner for my safe. I think Ammo Bros had some good prices on their handguns that I was looking at. They had an M&P9c that I hadn't seen in shops in a whileee and it wasn't an inflated price, you may want to check their booth assuming your going to the Ontario one. Go shoot the **** with your pal/pals/family/whoever your going with there. I loved spending time with my cousin who I don't see as often anymore. He's like a brother so it was cool to combine guns and hanging out

[BoJackUSMC]

I stopped going there because of high price and limited gun selection.

[Munk]

Go there and get some quality beef jerky. there's always a good vendor. If you like black rifles and glocks, you'll be in luck. Don't forget to visit the WWII Nazi memorabilia guy, there's always one.

Ammo prices can be pretty freaking sweet for reloads, and you usually get a plastic ammo can out of it (sometimes metal for an extra fee).

Selection is impossible to predict when it comes to other guns, you're better off going to an out of state gun show than to a CA one if you want to see a significant variety.

There's a massive TON of horrible parts that are better suited for airsoft (and were probably built for it in truth). However, if you crawl the tables carefully, you'll probably find the part you're looking for somewhere.

If you find something you like that isn't a gun, make note of it, and keep walking. Odds are, someone else has it cheaper (especially true of magazines).

Don't be suckered into over paying for primers or powder. They love their markups sometimes.

[LoadedM333]

I went to last gun show in San Diego, like other have said, more like flea market than gun show. I did buy defense ammo but could have got them cheaper from online.