Del Mar show-Worth it??

[Noraku81]

Can anyone tell me if its worth it to wake up at the crack of dawn and wait in line like its IPOD release day to pick up primers and powder?

[XDRoX]

Not for me it's not. I use to like to go to the gun shows but no longer. The price of parking and admission is ridiculous. Last one I went to was about a year ago and I told myself never again.
If you just want to go for fun to check stuff out and make a day of it that's one thing. But to go there to try to get a deal on something, I think you'll end up disappointed.
Can you really get primers cheaper there than online? I've never seen it. I order primers by the 5K minimum online and I have no trouble getting good deals.

To me gun shows are for people that don't know how to use the internet.

Of course, YMMV.

[Revoman]

I too have not been in over a year, not because of powder and primer, I buy online, but because of the parking fee.

Although we are considering going just to make a day of it this upcoming date. It's always good for a laugh at some of the prices if nothing else.

[ireload]

The gas and parking cost pretty much killed it for me several years back.

[MaxPower]

It seems like the one in Del Mar has a lot of gizmos, pepper spray, etc. There are guns and gun accessories, but I was surprised by the amount of other "crap." Also, the line at the ammo hut was 5 deep around the entire permimeter for the whole time I was there. I did not get there first thing in the morning though.

If you go, throw a few bucks in the Calguns donation can. I look at it as paying back for all the information I get on this website.

[PatriotnMore]

Not last year, it wasn't.

[powaybob]

I look at it as entertainment. I get out of the house for a few hours and see things and people that I don't normally see. It's a lot cheaper than going to a Padre's game considering the ticket price, parking and snacks, even if the Padre's have a decent team so far this year.

The last time I went I stood in the primer line for an hour and when I got to the front I found they did not have what I wanted, so I bought some of what they had because I felt obligated.

I also bought some ammo cans at a good price, some buckshot rounds, some .308 ammo, and some .357 reloads. I walked the aisles and looked at the gizmos and gadgets, and at the firearms that were for sale. I set out to enjoy the experience and I did. I still long for the days when there would be guns at a show that I really wanted to buy and did buy. But like California's robust economy, that is a thing of the past, legislated out of existence by politicians in Sacramento.

I like the Del Mar show. I just don't get my expectations up too high to actually get anything I really want or need. I suppose I am easily amused, but I generally go if I am in town.

[Corbin Dallas]

Can anyone tell me if its worth it to wake up at the crack of dawn and wait in line like its IPOD release day to pick up primers and powder?

No. Make a weekend trip to Phoenix and see a real gun show in the land of the free.

Buy all the toys you want legally. (Just don't buy anything you can get in trouble for bringing it back to CA)

BTW, parking near the show is only $5, but the show usually costs $14/ea for both days.

Make it a weekend.

[twang35]

I pretty much agree with everyone here. I stay clear from the Del Mar show now. Most of what the vendors are selling in there is junk to me. It's more like a swap meet than a gun show. Parking is $7-$9 and admission fees get higher and higher every year. You'll also need to wake up at sunrise to get there and be line for 2 hours before they open to have a chance at getting ammo. It's complete chaos at the milwal booth.

[zoid52]

Junk, Smucks and beef jerky. No deals and the price to park sucks. I used to go and I used to get good deals. Save your cash and buy online.

[22popnsplat]

Not for me it's not. I use to like to go to the gun shows but no longer. The price of parking and admission is ridiculous. Last one I went to was about a year ago and I told myself never again.
If you just want to go for fun to check stuff out and make a day of it that's one thing. But to go there to try to get a deal on something, I think you'll end up disappointed.
Can you really get primers cheaper there than online? I've never seen it. I order primers by the 5K minimum online and I have no trouble getting good deals.

To me gun shows are for people that don't know how to use the internet.

Of course, YMMV.

+1.

[franco802]

I agree with the others. Once you pay for parking, 2 tickets(wife and I), your into it for about $30.00 I think, not to mention the gas. And they don't have **** I need, all the ammo is usually gone anyway.

I am going to go to the Phoenix gun show one day. A buddy of mine went last year, he said it was like a toy store for gun nuts!

[CRACKERJACK]

I always just park right when I get off the freeway then walk the half mile there. Don't see a reason to pay 9 bucks to be three blocks closer. I just go every 6 months or so to check stuff out and support the scene.

[mswanson223]

Dont forget the Sham-wows

[shonc99]

No. Make a weekend trip to Phoenix and see a real gun show in the land of the free.

Two words: SAR SHOW

While going to Phoenix may not be feasible for some, getting ripped off at the Del-Mar Gun swap-meet is like going to a shady strip club. I'm always enticed to go, and when I do I end up dissapointed and out monies. I used to go just to check prices bet even then I still end up buying from Midway, Powder Valley, Grafs, Brownells, etc, etc. Add to that you can also return items from most online vendors if you realize that part or acessory didn't work.

I'd like to buy local but between even higher prices and sometimes mediocore service kills that. Just remember that you will also pay sales tax so add that into your calculations as well.

Shop online.