Crossroads Show

[blindman]

hey all, i'm thinking about checking out the show this weekend to pick up a few accessories and maybe some ammo. how are the prices at these shows? are they any better than internet prices? i've never been to one of these shows before so i don't know what to expect.

[Jeep67cj5]

You can get better deals online. I went to the OC gun show about a month ago and all I ended up leaving with were some stickers.....

Check out www.targetsportsusa.com

They always have free shipping when you order a case.

[ramtab]

^^^ I agree. Cheaper ammo can be found online.

[boomer135]

Cheaper ammo can be found online, but every now and again I'll score cheaper ammo at a show... Shows are sometimes worth it for reloading components, as buying online the hazmat fees cost you an additional $28.00

If you have nothing to do then waste some time, but don't count on finding a deal.

[Ronin2]

California gin shows are flea markets IMHO. You might want to go if;

- You have an FFL and like haggling /trading
- You are into cheesy knock off "kit"
- You are a collector always on the prowl for some hard to find item
- You are into garage sales and this is the closest thing left thanks to craigslist and ebay
- You have nothing better to do and like to pay $12 for a beer to walk around and people watch
- You don't have a computer that will find you better prices on products delivered to your door
- You have bought into the urban myth that "bulk ammo" sellers are cheaper than Walmart
- You have no problem forgetting about parking and entrance fees when figuring out what a great deal you got
- You Like doing business with and buying guns from "carnies"
- You are in the market for; cheap stun guns, jerky, crystal, random nazi crap, over priced ammo cans, kids toys, shooting schools with no creds, crap wall hanger samurai swords and over priced pocket knives....

[Oceanbob]

Gunshows

Pay for parking.

Stand in line and buy a ticket

Stand in line at over priced ammo reloaders.

Pay 8.2% sales tax.

Buy a beer for $14

Lug heavy ammo back to distant parking lot

Stop at Thai Massage to fix sore back.



Not worth it.

[Dano3467]

+1 on really no deals there, but can be a nice way to pass the afternoon IMO.

Keep in mind that all the good deals have already happened between dealers before you were even let in the door.

[Ronin2]

Keep in mind that all the good deals have already happened between dealers before you were even let in the door.

YUP! Gun shows are the modern version of PT Barnums 19th century operation...

[Ed_Hazard]

It's a sad testament, that the only reason I attend gunshows nowadays is to pick up stuff from my favorite custom knife maker.

[ja308]

I always enjoy gun shows. Often times people who are involved in the gun culture are there.Guns, Books,reloading equipment, artisans and all sorts of items are for sale.
Why not buy sheets,socks and other stuff at a gun show ? Prices are fair to low and you need the stuff anyway.

Its been a stated goal of gungrabbers to eliminate gun shows,which ties in nicely with some comments Ive read here .
When you see folks vehemently discourage your attendence at gun shows . Ask yourself who benefits if Gunshows are no longer being put on ?

[Dano3467]

No...gun shows are a fun way to blow an afternoon, & it's not the patrons who mess up gun shows, it's all the gouging, this will kill it absolutely the fastest.

And so far have done just that. Talk about cutting off you nose despite you face.

Miwall used to be a good reason to go, but they've blown that.

[wild_weasel]

Last show I found a box of x500 Federal 55gr 223's in the parking lot.

Cheers,
W-W

[I Swan]

Go and then come back and tell us how many bargains you got. For the majority of people it will be a waste of time and money but I do not want to see shows go away for various reasons. I will actually be there but only for the off chance I find hard to get rare off list guns and obscure parts and ammo. Don't buy mags from the mag vendor most are crap and most are overpriced.

Miwall isn't always that cheap I don't buy from them. Two of the older more established dealers of used guns no longer attend this show.

[CK_32]

What everyone else above said!


Pre 2008 gun shows are not today's gun shows. Everything is over priced or full MSRP. Hardly any old guns mostly modern AR gadgets and handguns. Tons of tactical gear. A few garage used gun sale stuff sprinkled in. But then when you find a deal worth something you find out the FFL is usually 4 hours away and only is open 1 sunday a year.

Most of not all mags there are usually scammed junk, my cousin thought he would teach me better for poo pooing the gun show and not going 2 years ago and bought a ton of "factory mags" for dirt cheap. Of 20, 3 worked, 8 were salvageable and the rest were complete junk and he literally had to throw them away they were so out of spec or just too far gone from him trying to fix them.

I see more rifles on guys backs walking around they are looking to show off or trade than ones worth buying.

Ammo is eh, during panic none is to be found. Non panic you better get there early cause most guys scavenge the ammo ASAP.

Some guys pop in and say well I found a good deal here or on the last day but the last 5 years Ive gone I've walked out empty handed and bored. Only thing that's stayed the same was the Tazer booth going off every 2 min.


The good ol' days man! Nothing's the same anymore

[I Swan]

I find I'm basically paying to see 5 vendors or so at most that I may actually find something worthwhile from. I'm not there for stinky candles or vibrating massage toys.