Gun Show Question

[ktfiend]

What are the pros/cons of gun shows? What to avoid, must see, etc.

I'm trying to decide if I'm going to GRB this weekend.

[Jusme]

What are the pros/cons of gun shows? What to avoid, must see, etc.

I'm trying to decide if I'm going to GRB this weekend.

Like everything else, have a plan/idea of what you want to buy/shop for. Do your homework, to get an idea of prices for things in which you are interested. If you have never been, it is a smorgasbord of guns, accessories, etc.
I have only been to Ft. Worth and once to Dallas so I can't speak about any others.

They can be a good place to buy, but you can also overspend. JMHO

[cmgee67]

Gun shows are pretty fun to just go even if you don't plan on spending any money which almost never happens lol. But like Jusme said, do your homework on what you want and compare prices before you go. I have noticed an increase in prices at gun shows that are stupidly high compared to what I can find online or even at academy. Although you can still find good deals if your willing to sift through it all. But my dad and I like to go as just an outing together and a lot of times we may just walk out with a box of bullets we found cheap or nothing at all. I like the Dallas market hall gun show.

[twjones]

Ditto to doing your homework.

Where I grew up (Midwest), gun shows were the place to get excellent deals on just about everything. Now days, in my opinion, the deals are few and far between.

I've been to the show that's at NRG and Pasadena (HC, never been to Premier but thought about going this weekend). In regards to handguns (at the time I was looking at a G43), I thought the prices at Pasadena were fair; however, I knew I could do better.

Mostly depends on if you want to now or if you can be patient and do some shopping.

[ktfiend]

Thanks. I am pretty good at research.

I think what appeals to me is having a variety of weapons in one place so I can see what I may want to purchase next. I'm also hoping to see additional cc options for women.

[Jusme]

Thanks. I am pretty good at research.

I think what appeals to me is having a variety of weapons in one place so I can see what I may want to purchase next. I'm also hoping to see additional cc options for women.

I went to Ft. Worth last week and I did notice a large increase in guns and accessories targeted towards women.

There are several women working the booths, so you should be able to get honest opinions on carry options.
Good luck and if nothing else, just enjoy people watching. You will see just about everything.

[ktfiend]

People watching is one of my favorite hobbies. It makes crowds so much more tolerable!

[WTR]

I have never found a "bargin" at a gun show. I have found variety. My friend bought a box that said it contained a cheap tasco scope for around 10 bucks. Came from an estate sale. When he opened the box he had a hard to find WWll M4 sniper scope.

[tbrown]

If you're going to showroom guns and accessories, that's the place to do it. After all, you pay admission (and at some shows, parking) so you shouldn't feel guilty about browsing at the show and buying cheaper somewhere else.

[ktfiend]

I attend comicons every year and rarely will I purchase things I can buy elsewhere. The prices are usually much higher at the conventions.

I'll go and browse and most likely buy later.

[MechAg94]

There is a gun shop near me that goes to all the local Houston gun shows. They discount their cash only prices an extra 10% of the regular store price at the minimum. If I am looking for something they have, I have found it is better to wait for a gun show to get it unless I am trading something in.

If there is sufficient competition for what you want, you can find deals at gun shows. Just general shopping can be good if it is decent sized. On the other hand, I don't see much surplus stuff and some dealers seem to charge more for some stuff than you can find in a gun store or sporting goods store nearby. That is often the case with ammo. Sometimes someone has good prices, sometimes no one does.

I have found Ammunition Depot online has good ammo prices on what I used to go to shows for. ~$30 or less for 50 round boxes of Federal HST pistol ammo and Speer Gold Dot. A dealer used to come to the local shows with prices like that, but he stopped.

[C-dub]

Sometimes a "cash" price can be lower than other places.

[ktfiend]

Good info on the cash price deals. I'll keep an eye out. But I don't typically make large purchases without plenty of research.

[twomillenium]

If you are looking for firearms, there will be many dealers and very good if not some of the best prices. As far as accessories or hard to find firearms, there will be many but that is where you need to know your pricing. Look at all the dealers before you buy anything. Lots of fun if it ain't too crowded. When I go, I go to Pasadena, free parking. Pasadena is a smaller show (bigger than most shows in Texas), has everything GRB has but not as many of it.

[EastTexasRancher]

Remember to add in your parking and entry fee to the price you are paying.