Gun show observations/gripe

[effinwhitey]

[oldsmoboat]

For me, gun shows died in the early 90s.
$10 for parking. $10 to get in. No deals to be found.
No thanks.

[TheBest]

I've never been to a show because parking fee and admission (and then sales tax) turned me off to the "low" prices.

It's not like internet sites don't have overhead either (warehouses, employees, web hosting, computers, utilities, customer service, etc.), but they can still have low prices including the shipping costs and still profit.

[Paper Boy]

I miss AZ gun shows and cash and carry.... I have not been to one in years because I never find any deals on what I want at the moment.

[Capybara]

I hear you and I mostly agree. The last one I went to a few weeks ago, I did buy a soft gun case ($7.00, it was an exceptional deal, these are about $30.00 at the gun store) and I bought 1,000 rounds of 9mm and 500 rounds of .45 ACP from Miwall (amazing prices), bought a cleaning kit for $9.00 for my shotgun. It wasn't a bad way to kill an afternoon and there were some really cool WWII era Garands and stuff to drool over. But there was a lot of non-gun junk there as well and yes, our industry has become homogenized with 70% of the industry marketed as Tacticool.

Dan

[OutlawStar]

Same gripes here: after going to the gun show in Ventura twice I don't need to go to another ever again. it was something like $9 for parking, and $14 just to get in. Ammo prices were on par with internet prices but they were charging tax too. Not to mention I had to maneuver around the children, baby strollers, and actually hunt for tables selling firearm related items. It seems they had an equal amount of beef jerky, flea market, and t-shirt items as they did firearms related tables. Always confusing.

I'm done with gun shows but I can tell most of the people there don't visit forums and look online for competing prices. It alright people watching but I can do that for free elsewhere.

[effinwhitey]

@OutlawStar, I agree the last gun show I went to was just like a flea market. All I needed to find was a crappy used bicycle and some tupperware. Check that; tactical bicycle and tactical tupperware.

[drifter2be]

After going to Ontario last weekend I have decided on never going to a gunshow again. Deals that are still 10-20% higher than internet prices even after the shipping costs, and all your real deals that you find being negated by the $23 you paid for parking and admission, plus dealing with crowds of inconsiderate apes. The only reason to go to a gunshow anymore is if you need some airsoft equipment, because thats what nearly half the stuff I saw was.

[bruce381]

heh it is an afternoon on NOT doing crap aroumd the house that She who must be obeyd says to do. Also yeah prices have gone up from shows 40 years ago I look at it as a aftenoon of window shoping with NO wife = priceless.

[jchen76@gmail.com]

Went to a real gunshow last weekend in Texas. Was I in for surprise. One dealer had more weapons than the entire floor at California show. I would go broke if I was resident.
Saw the brand new HK MR762-A1 for $3699, but owner was willing to sell OTD for $3500. A Steyr USR dyed black with Zeiss red dot for $2500. Only 1 jerky vendor and 1 ammo vendor whose selection was tiny. I wonder where Texans go to get bulk ammo, Walmart?

[wikioutdoor]

I still love going to the crossroads show - my dad and I actually get to hang out. Yeah there arent alot of great deals but there is usually alot to look at and some cool mil surp stuff there.

Also there are some good vendors like Rifle Gear that go and display there goods, ooohhh must touch REPR ftw!!!

Too many people ***** about it but there have been many times when I got great deals on bulk ammo, an extra katana and a fried hot dog on a stick + gas. Plus trailer T&A - did I mention getting to see the nerds all geared up? Seriously gun shows, any gun shows are merica baby!

You'll see me there next year selling camo cowboy hats and ammo boxes made of old kegs!

[Tarn_Helm]

Agreement here.

+1

CA gunshows are crap--for all the reasons you listed.

[effinwhitey]

Last time, I went to the gun show in Reno I realized the majority of the vendors were the same as at the California shows, which I should have anticipated given the close proximity to Sacramento.

There were a few vendors selling some unique antique firearms but at closer investigation the prices were astronomical! I mean, common, $2,500 for a Remington Rand 1911 without matching numbers... whomp whomp whomp.

The experience I enjoyed the most was walking through Scheels and Cabelas and they dont charge admission!

Wikioutdoor, I love seeing the "nerds" as you mentioned dressed up for Kmart kombat. My girlfriend had to get a picture with one, he didn't understand why (straight to Facebook).

[capitol]

played out and so tired not to mention nobody cares.

[theduece]

Lol....

I NEED that foregrip you mentioned. It makes coffee and will polish the truck???? Def must have for a am shoot.

I go to them anyways. Time spent with my boys. Yeah the mall ninja morons are out in force but.....