:

[aardwolf]

No big loss.

Gun shows today are a pale shadow of the Astrohall shows I enjoyed as a kid 20 years ago, when the mom & pop FFLs brought some amazing deals to the table.

Now, most new guns are available at the same price somwhere else. Sometimes cheaper.

Ammunition and accessories are almost always cheaper online, sometimes much cheaper if you buy a case at a time. Ammunition is also cheaper at Walmart than many gun show "specials" if you only want 1 or 2 boxes.

If you prefer used guns, online forums and auctions provide better prices and variety than a gun show, without having to pay overpriced parking fees.

Like I said. No big loss.

[fulano]

No big loss.

Gun shows today are a pale shadow of the Astrohall shows I enjoyed as a kid 20 years ago, when the mom & pop FFLs brought some amazing deals to the table.

I agree. The Astrodome was boss too. I bought my first "gun show" gun at the Astrohall in 1992. It was a Baby Browning. I still have it. I bought several guns at the Astrohall shows from individuals. The Pasadena show was big then too; you had to go there to buy ammo as the rules of the Astrohall forbid the sell of ammo.

I've not been to a Houston area show in several years; road trip.....

[rmr1923]

i went to the gun show back in january at GRB and wasn't impressed at all. i was expecting to see some good deals but most of what i was looking at was priced about the same as what Tomball Pawn sells their merchandise for every day. my dad and i do plan on going to the HGCA gun show again, that one was a lot of fun. we both collect WWI and WWII memorabilia, that's the main reason we went. this last show we even got to meet one of Doolittle's Tokyo Raiders (none other than Doolittle's copilot) and get his autograph. i also went to that show considering buying an AK but nobody seemed willing to deal, so i just held onto my cash and put it to better use.

[Katygunnut]

I have been to two gun shows in recent years. One in January 2009, and one last September. Like others have said, I really don't see the attraction. You can get the same guns, ammo, etc., other places at the same prices. I really don't see enough of a draw to warrant the admission and parking fees, time investment, and the need to give up your RKBA.

[phrogg]

most of what i was looking at was priced about the same as what Tomball Pawn sells their merchandise for every day.

Though I do enjoy going to the shows a couple times a year, I will agree that Tomball Pawn has equal or better prices on their guns every day. If you are looking to get the best selection and price in town (or near town) then just go to Tomball Pawn.

[Cobra Medic]

I really don't see enough of a draw to warrant the admission and parking fees, time investment, and the need to give up your RKBA.

Why pay extra to have your rights infringed?

[rm9792]

Dont go for the new guns, you wont save much if anything. Go for the used guns and ftf deals, I have saved a lot that way and found some real gems from owners who didnt know (or care) what they had.

[03Lightningrocks]

Each of us must decide when to take a stand, but you should understand why shows are posted.

To rent a venue, the promoter must purchase insurance. The insurance requires the 30.06 posting.

Without the insurance and the required posting, there would be no gun shows.

When TSRA held gun shows in conjunction with their annual meetings, to obtain insurance, even the TSRA was required to post their show.

Not only that but if one wants to take a stand like that in the DFW area, they won't be attending any gun shows I know of. I am 98% certain every show I have been to in this area has been posted for at least the last several years.

I am more irritated by the ammo bottle at the front door. They make you throw your ammo in that bottle and then the first booth you go to, there is someone selling the same thing you just had to throw in the bottle. Makes no sense to me at all. I can't bring ammo in because I might load up the magazine of the gun they just zip tied open? I guess the ammo they sell in the gun show is trained not to be loaded in the building.

[03Lightningrocks]

Dont go for the new guns, you wont save much if anything. Go for the used guns and ftf deals, I have saved a lot that way and found some real gems from owners who didnt know (or care) what they had.

I saved 20 bucks here and there on new guns but once you figure in the cost of admission, you have not gotten ahead by much. Based on what most gun dealers claim, the markup on new guns is so low, there is not much room to get lower. I have been told gun dealers are lucky to make 25-30 bucks on a Glock, for instance. Maybe they are all putting up a front, but I don't think so.

I look at a gun show as a great big toy store and just get a kick out of looking. Sometimes I get lucky and a good deal on a used rifle or handgun presents itself.

[jmra]

I don't know why people wonder why gun shows are posted. The reason they are posted is because most people are stupid (substitute ignorant) when it comes to guns. And "stupid" is not a CHL disqualifier.

I have been going to gun shows in the DFW area for only the last couple of years (maybe a dozen shows). During that time I have witnessed 1 ND and just missed another. Both involved CHL's. After the one I witnessed had been addressed a small time FFL laughed and said "that makes 17". I said 17 what? He said "17 guns shows I've been at where I've heard an AD".

Unrelated ... Want to have fun at the next gun show you go to? Spend a few hours watching and count how many people you see pick up a gun and at least attempt to pull the trigger. There's just no cure for stupid.

[EyeToEye]

So are there as many vendors at the High Caliber gun show in Conroe as there are usually at the GRB?

[92f-fan]

I often see people post here that they can get new guns for better prices than at Gun Shows. I dont know where / how

The shows here are $8 to get in.
Ive purchased a number of guns at shows, the prices are better than Ive ever seen in a bricks and mortar store. Even the Vendors that have local stores offer better prices at the show.
Internet prices include FFL fees and shipping and Ive never seen an internet price that was $50 less than gun shows that would make me want to bother with the trouble of going through an FFL

Ive NEVER seen a store with the selection that is available in a show. I also like being able to touch the guns without having to put up with the idiocy you run into at places like academy.

I do enjoy watching people renting tables to "sell" guns with no prices on them or better yet some rusty old guns at huge prices. I guess they just like renting a table to hang with their buddies.

The people watching is usually entertaining enough to cover the $8 fee...

[Mike1951]

So are there as many vendors at the High Caliber gun show in Conroe as there are usually at the GRB?

There hasn't been one yet.

But the Lone Star Center is only a fraction of the size of GRB.

[XinTX]

The shows here are $8 to get in.
Ive purchased a number of guns at shows, the prices are better than Ive ever seen in a bricks and mortar store. Even the Vendors that have local stores offer better prices at the show.
Internet prices include FFL fees and shipping and Ive never seen an internet price that was $50 less than gun shows that would make me want to bother with the trouble of going through an FFL

Ive NEVER seen a store with the selection that is available in a show. I also like being able to touch the guns without having to put up with the idiocy you run into at places like academy.

The people watching is usually entertaining enough to cover the $8 fee...

+1. Most brick and mortar stores down my way are not too friendly on prices. And a decent (as in not "The Real Gun Show") show will have a good selection that you can look at, fondle, and compare prices. I've also sold a couple guns at shows as well just walking around. If there was a decent brick and mortar store that was local I'd do business there. But those close to me seem to be on the pricey side.

And the 'people watching' fun factor is priceless.

[TexasFlash]

I often see people post here that they can get new guns for better prices than at Gun Shows. I dont know where / how

The shows here are $8 to get in.
Ive purchased a number of guns at shows, the prices are better than Ive ever seen in a bricks and mortar store. Even the Vendors that have local stores offer better prices at the show.
Internet prices include FFL fees and shipping and Ive never seen an internet price that was $50 less than gun shows that would make me want to bother with the trouble of going through an FFL

Ive NEVER seen a store with the selection that is available in a show. I also like being able to touch the guns without having to put up with the idiocy you run into at places like academy.

I do enjoy watching people renting tables to "sell" guns with no prices on them or better yet some rusty old guns at huge prices. I guess they just like renting a table to hang with their buddies.

The people watching is usually entertaining enough to cover the $8 fee...

Exactly. I've bought 5 of my last 6 pistols at gun shows; much better prices and selection...whatever it is you're looking for (at least at the Saxet shows here in S.A). No, I can't carry, but I get over it... especially if a new addition comes home with me. My money is being spent with small businesses and vendors (primarily Texan!) so I figure it's all good. BUT, I definitely don't want to convince anybody else to change their ways as there are a few deals from the last show I let get away (which I plan to rectify at the next one!) and I don't need the competition
FWIW
Dave