Do Gun Shows really have deals?

[Blisstar]

I'm a new gunner, and was excited to see a gun show coming to my area later this month. Since I hadn't been to one (EVER) I was curious if there really are deals at shows like these? If so is it across the board from ammo to firearms? or are gun show deals just a myth to get people in the door?

Thanks for the help, and really enjoy the wealth of information on this site,

Jason

[blakdawg]

In my experience, gun shows aren't about cheap prices so much as they're about variety and the chance to handle/inspect things (especially accessories) you could probably otherwise only look at in catalogs.

[lear60man]

I went to my first gun show (ever) in Ventura last Sat. Great if you want beef jerky, collector plates and nazi flags. Seriously, if you havent searched the internet for deals, then prices will be a little lower than the brick and mortar stores. I got a fair deal on a specific cal of ammo (about 2 dollars less than Midway USA). Other than that I noticed a bunch of venders selling the same uppers and accessories. Some vendors selling C&R guns, pistols and a couple safes. I kind of got the feeling that most of the vendors selling uppers and accessories (aka non FFL's) were related. I looked at a set of Magpul MBS sights and they appeared to be knock off.

With that said, there were a few vendors with good tables filled with cool guns. I didnt check out prices as I didnt see the gun I wanted. I was kinda expecting to see racks of every type of weapon my wallet could handle. I hear the out of state shows are better. Ill go again if there is one closer or Im bored, but I had a good time none the less.

[Markus]

You just have to know what your looking for and how much they are worth. I always have fun when I go to the gun show even if I dont find anything to buy. Gun shows are a great place to get ammo and reloading components and I really like the selection of C&R rifles as well.

[spits55]

Not as good as on Calguns! but they are fun to browse around..

[lgm118icbm]

It depends on what you are looking for. New guns? Not so much. But you can find C&R guns or decent deals on ammo and accessories.

[Ford8N]

Usually, ammo is cheaper at the show, if you figure in sales tax and shipping and entrance fee. You can get in for free if you join the NRA, which you should do yearly anyway. At the Ventura show there was a couple of good deals on AR's, if that was the specific model you wanted. In the $875 range. Some of the dealers obviously do not want to sell anything, I've seen the same stuff on their tables for YEARS! Others will accept an offer. Others are real pricks and act like you are insulting them if you make a fair offer. I would skip the McMann/Roadrunner sponsored show at Ventura, it has a higher ratio of dolls, pottery, jewelry and of course Beef Jerky. Crossroads of the West at Ventura was much better. More AK parts, more gun related stuff, less girl crap.

[Uriah02]

Unless you are looking for C&R or FTF items, no. The ammo and vendor weapons seem to be retail price at most of the shows I've been to.

[DannyInSoCal]

Best deals on the last day - About an hour before the end.

Make offers on bulk ammo or the firearm you've been eyeing....

[HotRails]

Best deals on the last day - About an hour before the end.

Make offers on bulk ammo or the firearm you've been eyeing....

I've heard this works sometimes. After a long and tiring two days... do they really wanna carry that 50lb. case back with em?

[Jake71]

Magic "8 ball" says...



"No"

[BMartin1776]

You need to go and check prices. I was like you and got taken cpl times at a show. Prices vary drastically but you can find deals. For instance I bout a sight tool for 10 couldve got it for 7. Ive seen Magpul parts like BAD lever go for $26-50! You have to have an idea of what you want and shop. Sometimes Ill write down where I saw something and continue looking around making note where I see others and make a final decision b/c you can literally forget where you saw something. As far as ammo goes take a calculator with you and take the price multiply it by the tax then divide by # of rounds b/c sometimes its looks like a deal until you break it down per round. Ive seen mag rebuild kits for ARs range from $15-30.... yea another lesson I learned!

[bohoki]

deals can be had but not from dedicated sellers there is certain price points that they need to make and they are often over what people want to pay

you get lucky with people that have a bunch of old junk
other than that i would not expect them beating walmert or bag5

just look at marie callendars pies became to high priced to make and sell for what people will pay for a pie

they could keep selling their pies as loss leaders and make up for it in the restaurant but the writing was on the wall overhead increased and they had to stop the bleeding

[appagohm]

Good deals or not, guns shows are just plain fun!!

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

decent prices on ammo.

lots of UTG china AR stuff.

Lots of Over priced guns.. seriously 1300 for an m1 garand?