Cow Palace Gun Show

[0321jarhead]

I'm just venting. In my opinion this so called "Gun Show" at the Cow palace sucked. I don't know about others but I do my homework before buying when it comes to our interests. Guns. The majority of things that I saw were black guns and knives. I saw one arsonal refinished SKS with a price tag of $750.00. That was something. Go on www.gunbroker.com you can find them at $350.00 to around $500.00 or so. There were no others to be foundI was looking for a 17" SKS cleaning rod. Not one to be found. Then I was also looking for a Front Sight Hood for my Springfield 1903. Found one. The vendor, SOG, wanted $25.00. It was a fake. The markings were laser etched. If the gun shows at the Cow Palace were to be shut down, it won't be a big loss. Just a big loss for those that are green. Ten plus years ago was fun to go their as a collector. Now $8.00 for parking and $9.00 (with a buck off coupon) is a just paying for a let down. Big Reno Gun Show...I will be there again. Free parking, $10.00 admission and most anything if not everything is available there. See yah later Cow Palace.

[Centurion_D]

I agree with you that most of the prices are high. If you factor in the price of gas, bridge toll, parking, and admission to me it's just not worth it.

[trashman]

Yeah - the show was weaker than the last 4-5 I've been to there. Lots of uppers (that's good) and lots of black rifle stuff -- not much in the way of vintage/consigned handguns, and not much in the way of interesting C&R shotguns or rifles. (I shouldn't complain too much as I scored a sought-after S&W Model 24-3 snubbie on my first pass around the show. But it was literally the only interesting S&W at the show.)

I spent my formative gun-hobby years in Virginia, where the gun shows (just a couple of hours outside of DC) were just mind-blowingly awesome - even when I didn't understand how badly they sucked elsewhere.

The important thing about the Cow Palace show is that there was still a long line to get in at 9am -- and that's really important: keeping the culture and hobby alive in the Bay Area. (Calguns had two tables this time -- with lots of curious folks stopping by to chat.) That's reason enough for me to keep going.

--Neill

[Nor-Cal]

When's the reno show? When's the next one?

[battleship]

If Trashman can find somthing like that, then there should be no complaining about the gun show.

[GrayWolf09]

Powder was cheap at the Miwall reloading booth and ammo was relatively cheap at their ammo booth. Great Calguns booth -- well personned and usually busy. Plus I just like walking among all the gun stuff.

[PIRATE14]

I always have a good time at the Palace......pretty good crowd on SAT.....

Sundays are always slower.......got a nice S&W pistol....

[chickenfried]

Nice score on the only interesting s&w! I didn't find any. But it was an okay show. I renewed my nra membership, got primers/powder, and brass polish. A little surprising that I couldn't find a 10/22 buffer, a good pistol case, or 25 yard sight in targets.


what'd you score pirate?

(I shouldn't complain too much as I scored a sought-after S&W Model 24-3 snubbie on my first pass around the show. But it was literally the only interesting S&W at the show.)

[2Cute2Shoot]

Powder was cheap at the Miwall reloading booth and ammo was relatively cheap at their ammo booth. Great Calguns booth -- well personned and usually busy. Plus I just like walking among all the gun stuff.

I agree. We went last year and I think what we saved on ammo made it worth it. We just had fun looking at guns and the other stuff...didn't really go there to buy, but more like going to a car show, just to see!

[ugimports]

I'm just venting. In my opinion this so called "Gun Show" at the Cow palace sucked. I don't know about others but I do my homework before buying when it comes to our interests. Guns. The majority of things that I saw were black guns and knives. I saw one arsonal refinished SKS with a price tag of $750.00. That was something. Go on www.gunbroker.com you can find them at $350.00 to around $500.00 or so. There were no others to be foundI was looking for a 17" SKS cleaning rod. Not one to be found. Then I was also looking for a Front Sight Hood for my Springfield 1903. Found one. The vendor, SOG, wanted $25.00. It was a fake. The markings were laser etched. If the gun shows at the Cow Palace were to be shut down, it won't be a big loss. Just a big loss for those that are green. Ten plus years ago was fun to go their as a collector. Now $8.00 for parking and $9.00 (with a buck off coupon) is a just paying for a let down. Big Reno Gun Show...I will be there again. Free parking, $10.00 admission and most anything if not everything is available there. See yah later Cow Palace.

A lot of the people that come to the Cow Palace Gun Show don't surf Calguns, they don't have a store near them (or don't like it), and they don't buy firearms online. Either because they don't want to or they don't know how to. Many of the transfers I've done at the Cow Palace were either 1st time gun owners or older folks that haven't purchased a gun since before 1990.

You're right the prices are not bargain basement. However, the vendors at the show do service people that come. The people that come are willing to pay a little more for perhaps hard to find parts. As with anything, you mentioned that you did your homework so knew what was a good deal and what wasn't. That's great so you make an informed buying decision. The others buying at the show are not like you, but are still being served by the Cow Palace Gun Show existing. Until CA becomes a more firearm friendly state I do not think we'll see anything like Gun Shows that occur in other states.

[taperxz]

The last time i went there i walked out with a Vietnamese SKS. Legally! This gun show is nothing more than a bad flea market. CALGUN guys were cool, but there weren't that many people going up to the booth. I don't think this is a CALGUNS problem as it seems that the people at the show seem to not know whats what with all the other non gun stuff for sale. Pretty bad show!! My last at the cow palace until laws change. Keep up the good work CG

[0321jarhead]

Basically I as said before, it sucks. You get some "greenhorn" customer there that is interested in perhaps purchasing a rifle or pistol. $ months later he or she discovers at a gun store the same thing that is $30.00 less. Yes they had a lot of nice uppers but, as I go through the pages of Shot Gun News I see the at more reasonable price. As for the vendors, not all but quite a few act like they there s*** don't stink. Attitudes need to be adjusted. Again, not all. As for the "Big Reno Gun Show," it will be April 16-17-18, 2010. www.bigrenoshow.com More venders and a wider variety of toys to choose from. For those that like going to the Cow Palace go for it. This is just one of the GREAT things I like about Caguns forums. Freedom to express OUR views in a mature way. We are a free nation that respects OUR FREEDOM. Thanks Guys.

[bruceflinch]

I was told today, the was a ND at the Cow Palace on Sat. Supposedly, a cart wheel ran over a loose piece of Ammo is "the Story".

[Philthy]

If you don't like it, don't go.

Once upon a time, before the internet, that was the place to go. Sure, it's watered down now, but I'd rather have a Cow Palace show than no show at all. A neutered show is better than no show at all in my book. I also don't have time to drive to Reno much any more. Between gas and the time involved, it just isn't worth it to me to save a few bucks.

Also, comparing a Reno show to a California show is apples and oranges - of course the Reno show will be better. Anyone who makes the assertion that they are on the same level is insane. Besides, with the Crossroads shows, it's all the same vendors at the CP as Reno minus the guys selling nothing but black rifles and high caps. I've even seen the same vendors in both places, they just leave the EBR stuff off the table at the CP. People at a CP show won't refuse to sell something completely legal to you just because you have a CA ID either. That has happened to me at a Reno show.

I like browsing and shooting the "stuff" with people who share a common interest. Sure, we communicate here but it's not the same thing as actual human interaction. It's at the gun shows that you see actual faces and realize that this whole thing transcends race, class, sex and age. It's also nice to meet fellow calgunners at the table and put faces to screen names.

The way I gauge a successful show is if I get one good buy or find something I've been looking for high and low regardless of price. I collect vinyl, so digging through bins to find that one deal is what I find enjoyable. If I want to save pennies, then internet shopping is the place for that. I'd also be willing to pay slightly more for something I can a) inspect with my own hands before buying and b) walk out with that day. What you're looking at in shows is usually retail prices, so of course they are higher.

And just because a tag lists a price, that doesn't mean you can't make an offer. Lots of the dealers bought during the craze, so their prices reflect the money locked up in the guns sitting on the tables. The worst that will happen is the guy will say "no" and you can move on to the next table.

[Vinz]

The fun will depend on what you like, what you want and if you know where to look. Deals can be had.

I go to hang out and see old friends. But mainly to support the cause.



vinz