COW PALACE , San Francisco gun show

[Divehobo]

Oh boy, location talk again... Decent pricing for reloading supplies and misc gun paraphernalia. Questionable origin even on the brand name stuff for certain. I still like going as is is less crowded than bay area ranges these days. WTF? Miss you Chabot.

[baffomet]

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.

It always amazes me that people people complain about parking fees when you can easily just park outside and walk 5-10 minutes (tops).Oh, but I have a lot of stuff....take a wagon OR have someone wait by the entrance, drive and load up.

[kalibeltfeeder]

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.

I like old rifles, and old shotguns, just picked up an old savage 94 for $80 at a gun show, same guy had an old .22 Montgomery wards for $80, gun shows can have some cool stuff still.

[jeffsunzeri]

Things I found at the show, and past shows at the C.P.:
- Powder and primers at better than Midway prices, and no HAZMAT fee, nor shipping fee.
- Some bullets at good prices, no shipping fees.
- New mag release system that I could touch and feel, and not rely on an online photo or YouTube video prior to purchase.
- Some various 1911 building hardware, at good prices, that I can touch and feel to evaluate quality.
- One or two vendors have knowledge to share that is valuable.
- Literature that you can be hands-on with before purchase.
- Some items like old AR hardware gives inspiration for the next AR build.
- There were at least 2 vendors selling AR Featureless stocks at reasonable prices. They sold out quickly, but I was able to touch and feel them so that I now know I want/need one rather than relying on an online photo.

And the salami is good!

[MrChubbs]

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!

I would definitely go to a gunshow/cosplay mashup! I'm sure it would confuse a lot of news outlets as well.

My experience with Del Mar's Crossroads of the West is similar to what others have said. One time I did get a nice vented M14 handguard so I guess it was worth it?

[Blade Gunner]

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.

Del Mar is almost as bad. By the time you pay for parking and admittance, there are no "deals".

[MontClaire]

Was miwall jacking up the price on ammo as usual?

[sealocan]

I do know they are mostly lame, here in California, but we will miss them when they're all gone.

[omega]

Ive found stuff like a Taiwanese military M1 Garand bayonet with scabbard for $25

and a WW2 M3 Fighting knife with scabbard for $25 , these usually sell for around $200

[Bansh88]

Been going to Gun Shows since '98. Unless you have something specific in mind to look for, it's an overwhelming heap of crap. This is not isolated to CA either. I hear the same complaints on other gun forums.
The deals and treasures are there. But it's a needle in a haystack.

[calif 15-22]

I would definitely go to a gunshow/cosplay mashup! I'm sure it would confuse a lot of news outlets as well.

My experience with Del Mar's Crossroads of the West is similar to what others have said. One time I did get a nice vented M14 handguard so I guess it was worth it?

Interestingly enough last year (or was it the year before) there was ABC Channel 7 News crew out front of the exit at the Cow Palace, interviewing people on why and what they were there to find. My son and I stopped to listen for bit and I asked the guy when would it air. He said that night on the 11 pm News. Never aired. Must not have gotten the responses that promoted their agenda.

[sigstroker]

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

Cow Palace shows used to be awesome. Except for the missing Class III stuff, it had more black rifle stuff, by density, than any other shows I've been to, short of the Soldier of Fortune shows.

[sigstroker]

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.

Buying from Midway leaves a paper trail. The way SF/Kali passes new laws every ten minutes, the less they know, the better.

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.

There's room for what, 6 cars there? Unless you don't mind walking a half mile or more?

[calif 15-22]

Buying from Midway leaves a paper trail. The way SF/Kali passes new laws every ten minutes, the less they know, the better.

Paper Trail from Midway? I'd be more worried about what we post here on Calguns then any CC receipt from Midway.

Besides I'm sure Ole Gavin has face recognition software at the front door of the Cow Palace watching Billy Bob roll out with his wagon of .223 and has the license plate of his truck as well.

[Hoop]

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.

Background checks are killing them.

Instead of being able to take a gun there and sell it to someone else you have to wait 10 days etc...and then here come the bull**** ammo laws.

Fun = against the law in Cali.