COW PALACE , San Francisco gun show

[enrico]

Wow, what a bust, to sum it up, no new pistols, mostly AR uppers, old rifles, lots of soft goods and optics, some cleaning stuff. But lots of ammo, hand creams, beef jerky and Salami (no, not a misprint). Better off going to Bass Pro more to see and you don't have to pay $14 entrance plus $10 for an empty parking lot. Cali gun shows are getting to be a junk yard vs cool stuff. I know the new 2017 laws put a crimp on things, but, what junk. Save your money.

[Lonestargrizzly]

They allowed a gun show in SF?
And you expected there to be guns there?

[Merc1138]

What you saw isn't even a 2017 issue, that's how CA gun shows have been for a while. Ammo, uppers of questionable origins, chinese optics, beanie babies, and jerky.

[Varg Vikernes]

Technically Daly City

[JDub]

Handy place to buy reloading supplies. Other than that, not much reason to go.

[enrico]

Last year you could hold guns and rifles and willing to spend some cash, but this year its sad. I know Cali gun shows are not like Tulsa, OK......(and yes Daly City, I referenced SF for the southern boys).

[Jimi Jah]

That's a big hall, was it roped off in a corner? I remember doing a Stevie Wonder concert there back on the 1980 Hotter Than July tour.

[omega]

it's still better than no gun show at all, plus it's convenient

cheap entertainment / therapy

[nedro]

Was there powder for sale?

[calif 15-22]

it's still better than no gun show at all, plus it's convenient

cheap entertainment / therapy

Yeah I've been going for the last 4 years. It's gotten smaller and smaller and the crowds are iffy at best.

I've been now 4 times and have bought:
1 soda as I was thirsty
1 Gear Bag of unknown origin ($12)
1 cool US Flag pin ($8)

If you are need of Chinese LED Flashlights, fake Civil War gear, knock-off apparel, random misc mags, flags, jerky, Chinese knives and wallets, backpacks, and $4,000 swords . . . then this is the place for you!

Now if you are into people watching THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!
Nothing against you dudes, but some of the people there crack me up. Guys walking around in full on Camo and tactical getup. Saw guys wearing shemagh scarves, etc. Then there are the guys with wagons and rolling baskets thinking they are saving on ammo, when you factor in the entrance and parking are paying more than Midway with shipping.
But the killer for me was last year saw a guy in full on tactical gear including a pouched vest. I hope he bought that vest there and just decided to wear it rather than carry it!

[enrico]

No rope this year, but more hand cream and Salami tables
Saw two double long full tables of gun powder sales
The so called old guns looked like knock offs, but who knows these days

[dyson]

you mean the Crossroads of the West swap meet? been like that for years

[Zac911]

Now if you are into people watching THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!
Nothing against you dudes, but some of the people there crack me up. Guys walking around in full on Camo and tactical getup. Saw guys wearing shemagh scarves, etc. Then there are the guys with wagons and rolling baskets thinking they are saving on ammo, when you factor in the entrance and parking are paying more than Midway with shipping.
But the killer for me was last year saw a guy in full on tactical gear including a pouched vest. I hope he bought that vest there and just decided to wear it rather than carry it!

People watching in general at most gun stores or events like this- WOW. Real eye opener. When I see many of these types... I am never more convinced of my need to exercise my 2a rights.

[Philthy]

As stated above, the Cow Palace is in Daly City, but I think it's technically State property. Uncle Leland tried to pass some laws to get rid of the shows because there's this belief that illegal guns are bought there and then brought across Geneva to Sunnydale. Of course, if you've ever been, you know this is BS.

It's been garbage for years, but I like browsing the tables. But then again, I collect vinyl and milsurp stuff, so digging through dusty bins is kinda my idea of fun. Plus, it's how I get my $14 worth, otherwise you'd walk through the place in 10 minutes. I treat it like a garage sale, and go through the junk tables. I once found two boxes of vintage .25-35, which is what my grandpa's 1894 is chambered in. Guy had no idea what it was so he charged me 20 bucks for both (they weren't manufacturing it at the time and no, I don't reload). That was quite a score for me. I've only bought one gun, and that was late 08 during the scare. Give it time, vendors will adjust, there's lots of uncertainty at this point.

I like it because it's like a star trek convention where you get to see and rub elbows with all the nerds and freaks. Apparently body armor will be banned, so I need to buy some. And because it's better than nothing, not to mention that it's an FU to the BOS because they can't do anything about it! If you want to double down, go to the Mickey D's afterwards and order a Happy Meal with a toy.

Protip: park for free on Geneva. Protip 2: try not to park on the North side of Geneva, and DEFINITELY not off of Geneva because Sunnydale is right there. They're not THE worst projects in the City, but they're close.

[kevman0154]

Been there a few time. ITs worth it if you live in the area and can park on the street, i always try to come away with somthing just to justify the entrance fee but whatever it is what it is. like the other guy said..A Gun show is better then NO Gun Show...