High GunShow Prices

[GunHo]

From what I remember last year, the first and last gunshow I went to in Vallejo left me disappointed with prices. Now I’m a notorious bargain hunter and I can tell you this much; gunshows are a scam. There was not one thing, and let me repeat, “one thing”, there that I could not get cheaper elsewhere. To top it off, they charge $10 admission and $5 parking. Along with about $10 for gas and $5 toll bridge just to get there; I feel swindled for $30.00 bucks.

[h0use]

only bargin at the show is ammo if you buy in bulk.i go to the delmar show pool in with friends. maybe buy around 10k rounds of diffrent ammo.

[JaeOne3345]

Gun shows are a joke. Now and then you see something decent..but typically? Buncha tacticool CRAP. Lots of garbage product.

Only time it is beneficial is to buy reloading supplies and avoid shipping/hazmat because that can easily exceed the entry/parking fee.

[P.Charm]

I was holding out til the del mar show to buy my pistol, I might as well not wait anymore.

[GunHo]

only bargin at the show is ammo if you buy in bulk.i go to the delmar show pool in with friends. maybe buy around 10k rounds of diffrent ammo.

Tru dat... I do recall seeing some decent ammo prices. But I can still beat it with some online prices.

[PanaDP]

Don't bother with them in CA. None of the good big shows come here, anyway, because it's such a pain in the *** for them. Our stupid 10 day wait nullifies 90% of the point of a gun show anyway.

Sometimes I go to the Glendale gun show if I want an afternoon out, but I rarely buy anything. The NRA is usually soliciting memberships for free show admission. I just show them my membership card and give the NRA people a donation and they give me a free admission voucher. Better my money go to the NRA than to a bad gun show.

I love when I can go to the big crossroads show at my Dad's place in Salt Lake. That's a good gun show.

[GunHo]

I also heard the Vegas gun show is worth goin to. But then again anything in Vegas is worth going to.

[thai562]

Ditto. Went to my first guns show last year, it was my last. I was looking for some reloading supplies. There was no deal to be found.
There is no reason to go to a CA guns show anymore. Sad.

[dctex99]

I find the best bargains at Pawn shops still if it is what you want!!! I saved about $500 on the last Revolver, but had to put $200 into it, but is like new now....sometimes the best way!!!!

[FamilyofShooters]

I have a nice gun store close by here in La Mesa. I am a big believer in keeping my $$ local if at all possible. I would rather pay a few bucks more there and know if anything goes wrong I know where they are and that they'll make it right for me. Take the Del Mar Gun Show for instance. How many of the vendors there are local? Bet you could count them on one hand.

[DVSmith]

I go to the OC gunshow on occasion, but I have the same problem. Overpriced junk in most cases. Good for finding little parts for older rifles, cleaning tools and cheap (and cheaply made) gun rugs. I bought a safe once. It was damaged, so they had it marked down. Seemed like a good deal and I didn't care about the scratches in the paint.

[P.Charm]

I have a nice gun store close by here in La Mesa. I am a big believer in keeping my $$ local if at all possible. I would rather pay a few bucks more there and know if anything goes wrong I know where they are and that they'll make it right for me. Take the Del Mar Gun Show for instance. How many of the vendors there are local? Bet you could count them on one hand.

what store is that? I might check them out tomorrow.

[1911Luvr]

Gun shows are a joke. Now and then you see something decent..but typically? Buncha tacticool CRAP. Lots of garbage product.

Only time it is beneficial is to buy reloading supplies and avoid shipping/hazmat because that can easily exceed the entry/parking fee.

How can you say that? Gun shows are THE place for jerky, overpriced food, and replacement magazines that are more expensive than online! What part of that doesn't sound like a great time?

[Javi]

I need to go to the Crossroads show to exchange some Miwall ammo that's overpressured. Aside from not having this upcoming weekend off, I really don't want to pay $15 just to exchange the ammo =/

[compulsivegunbuyer]

Used to be able to find good deals and obsolete parts. Now it's $15 to get in so I can pay 30% over retail for everything. Lets not forget $50 in gas to get there and back. And every table has the same tactical crap. No great deals on ammo that can't be matched online or by Walmart. Walmart has free admission by the way. Most of the vendors require a long drive to pick up a gun 10 days later. I can get whatever at my local Turners for cheaper, and anything else I can order online for cheaper, even with shipping, and again, no admission fee. Of course there's the jerky and taser guns, but I can get those cheaper too. Lets not for get the gunshow vendor attitude. You get to pay more and get treated like ****. The California gunshow is dead as far as I'm concerned.