Are gun shows worth going to now?

[OldSchool]

Over the past year, I've noticed the disappointed reviews from those who have attended guns shows. We have gone to a couple of Pasadena shows (don't have the time to go to GRB anytime soon, but I've noticed the same comments from there), and were not impressed by the prices or quality (which didn't make us want to go to more than a couple). Could of been us, I suppose; we might (incorrectly) be comparing them to the old non-gun swap meets we are used to.

I also keep seeing comments that seem to expect good shows later (I'm paraphrasing).

So, should we expect better (prices and selection) from gun shows in the future, or pretty much write them off? (I'm sure I'm not the first to have asked this question....)

[jmorris]

I wouldn't miss one. Cinnamon-sugar coated nuts, jerky, sausage....mmm, makes me hungry just thinking about a gun show.

[shootthesheet]

No.

[USA1]

Been to a few and have never found anything cheaper than I can
get it from my gun guy so I would rather support a local (to me) business.

If you just want to see rare and unusual guns and you live around Houston, go to Collectors Firearms.
They have many more guns than most gun shows. There are guns dating back to the Pirate era, through
the Old West, all the Wars, and up to the latest and greatest. They don't have Nachos though.

[wninja]

Everyone's experience will vary. I don't like going to gun shows because I always manage to spend my money when I go.

I try to do a ton of research on what I want or need, grab a couple of prices online and then mosey on down to the gun show to see if I can't beat that price. A few things to consider. If you can find it online, is the total cost to have it in your hand (shipping and/or tax) cheaper than gas money, gun show ticket and/or parking (GRB).

I think gunshows are one of the better places to find trinkets/accessories. When I was shopping for AR accessories, I found the scope mounts I wanted for a fair price (sold out online) at GRB. I also purchased a Nikon ProStaff BDC 4-12x for $175 (that was the cash price with tax included in that number). Academy wants $169.99+tax for the 3-9x model.

Bigred90gt mentioned in another thread that he swiped a S&W M&P15 for $699 at the Pasadena gun show. Couple that with the S&W $100 rebate. Hard to beat a $599+tax AR15.

Every once in a while, a couple of dealers will get into a heated price slashing competition and the consumers get to benefit from it :)

And I guess you get to hold everything before you decide to buy at a gun show opposed to buying online. Some of the online deals are hard to beat though.

[cbr600]

They don't have Nachos though.

There's a Taco Cabana across the street but neither Collectors nor Taco-C sells ShamWow!

[chartreuse]

I wouldn't miss one. Cinnamon-sugar coated nuts, jerky, sausage....mmm, makes me hungry just thinking about a gun show.

You forgot to mention The Fudge Lady.

[OldSchool]

I wouldn't miss one. Cinnamon-sugar coated nuts, jerky, sausage....mmm, makes me hungry just thinking about a gun show.

You forgot to mention The Fudge Lady.

Thanks all for putting it into perspective!!

[NcongruNt]

I haven't been to a decent show since I bought my LCP in May of 2008. This includes the Austin and Pasdena shows. Every show I've been to since then has had a saturation of junk guns (Jimenez seems the most prevalent), poor selection of anything decent, and ammo well beyond anything I'd consider a reasonable price. With the fate of the Austin Saxet show, and the seemingly irregular schedule of the other Austin show (still showing online that the next show is Sept 18-19), I don't know if I'll get to a gun show again anytime soon.

[terryg]

I got a really good price on my SR9c - $385. I had not found it for less then about $450 anywhere locally. This was late August in Pasadena.

[terryg]

What about ammo? Is it cheaper than online prices, or no - not once you factor in taxes, gas, entry fee, etc?

[wninja]

I think ammo is cheaper online, but also more frequently sold out online. Gun shows have a good selection, but not as cheap, especially if you factor in the cost of the trip to actually going to the gunshow to pick up a couple of boxes only.

In my personal experience, boxed match ammo (.308) is cheaper at gun shows than paying for it at brick and mortar places. Got a box of Federal 168gr BTHP I think it was, for $24. Gander sells it for $35-$40.

I have never looked into or purchased FMJ ammo at gunshows that I can't get for cheap at Wal-mart. I don't buy reloads either.

[RECIT]

I think they are worth going to if you know what you are looking for and what you are willing to pay for it. O often go and browse some of the smaller dealers and vendors and try to pick up a deal on a used gun. The prices of new guns varies depending on the show and the vendor. Like stated earlier they get into price slashing wars sometimes and we benefit. Ammo I would buy online or wal-mart.

[OldCannon]

The internet has not been kind to the traditional gun dealer. Nowadays, if you want to run a gun store, your first profession better be "Webmaster"

I agree that gun shows seem to be declining in terms of usefulness. I haven't bought a gun from a gun show in many years now.

[RPB]

I traded at a few and came away better than I could have traded elsewhere.
Trades
Glock 27
Kahr CW40
AMT backup
several NAA pistols
several carbines I never used
and some others
bought a PF9 for about what I'd pay in a store, maybe saved 5 bucks, but all stores and online were "sold out" at that particular time (though I may trade it next time because I always just carry a Glock and a PT-709 as a BUG anyway, and I don't really need more guns just aging in the safe, then I'll have extra $$ if the Microtech Archangel MCP ever actually materializes on the market for a BUG)