How do you feel about buying from Gun Shows?

[txhighlander]

I don't know if I have to turn in my Texas residency for admitting this but I've never been to a gun show....

Several comments can be made here, but the only thing to say is you just need the experience at least once.

[Scott in Houston]

I don't know if I have to turn in my Texas residency for admitting this but I've never been to a gun show....

"Get a rope."

[ffemt300]

I don't know if I have to turn in my Texas residency for admitting this but I've never been to a gun show....

"Get a rope."

Or at least put a hold on his "man card"!

[alvins]

if you want a glock the best place to go is the gun show.most everything they have is glocks and more glocks.

[RPB]

if you want a glock the best place to go is the gun show.most everything they have is glocks and more glocks.

It's funny, but around Kingsland area gun shows it's near impossible to find a Glock to buy or sell.
they don't seem to want plastic guns, took forever to find a keltec parkerized (which I'll sell now) and my Glocks, about 20 of them, I sold to a guy stayed with sellers for years before they had any buyers; but those nickle plated sissy pistols sell well. I lucked into finding my Stainless XD45; but in 5 years, I've never seen a Glock 26 for sale around here at a show and only some Gen 1 Glocks (the ones I sold I now wish I hadn't, but did) So now, I pay to go to gun shows, and say hi to people and look for Glock 26 or Glock 19, then I go home empty.... been like that for 4 or 5 years now and I keep getting tempted to do the 5 or 6 hour drives when y'all post one in Houston or Dallas,m but .... it's a drive... I'm used to 2 to 13 miles a month since I retired instead of 120 miles a day round trip to my office .

[recaffeination]

Forum rules prohibit full disclosure of my feelings about shows that post 30.06 sighs, but suffice it to say the sentiment also applies to the horse they rode in on.

I bought a few guns at Academy for decent prices. I buy my ammo and accessories online.

[x007x]

The gun show near me in Pasadena does not charge parking. I did not know that other gun shows would be charge for parking. That is lame. say you gotta pay to park.

You have to pay to park for shows at GRB or Reliant. I haven't been to Pasadena or Conroe, so I may try that next time...

Pasadena is at the convention center aross the street from San Jacinto Central College. I have only been to Pasadena. If I can get money saved up I'll try the other places.

[C-dub]

Forum rules prohibit full disclosure of my feelings about shows that post 30.06 sighs, but suffice it to say the sentiment also applies to the horse they rode in on.

If I ever win the lottery, I'll be challenging that in the courts. However, it is more likely to be cleared up legislatively before I win the lottery.

[77346]

I don't know if I have to turn in my Texas residency for admitting this but I've never been to a gun show....

[Blindref757]

Forum rules prohibit full disclosure of my feelings about shows that post 30.06 sighs, but suffice it to say the sentiment also applies to the horse they rode in on.

I bought a few guns at Academy for decent prices. I buy my ammo and accessories online.

I love the sign on the door at Academy! Paraphrased "We welcome those who are legally licensed to carry concealed..."

[Steve133]

IMO, The key to a show is to know what you want and to have researched the new and used costs. You can find some great deals amongst the masses of price jacked guns- but if you aren't an informed consumer, you have a better chance of losing a few bucks.

This.

I have a process I follow once I've decided that I'm interested in buying a certain item. I'll look at the "buy now" or auaction-ending prices on Gunbroker to get a feel for current market value, then check that against what local retailers are selling said item for. I might check a couple of local pawn shops as well, if I'm resigned to buying used. I make a list of prices, draw enough cash to cover the lowest price listed, and then go to a gun show. More often than not, I've been able to find what I was looking for at a price that edges out the local brick and mortar stores (even though most of the sellers have brick and mortar stores themselves, but whatever), and, if not better than online prices plus shipping and FFL fees, then close enough for me to call the difference a reasonable convenience fee. If I don't find a better deal, I have the cash on-hand to head the the retailer that had the best price (or back to the bank to re-deposit for an on-line order).

Doesn't always work out, and for every decent deal I find, I run across 3-4 items at obvious mark-ups. The odds aren't good enough for me to go to one and just browse without having done my homework first. But, I've happened to luck out enough times to at least check a smaller show before buying elsewhere.

Tying gun purchases to semi-rare events also is a useful way for us single guys to keep the gun budget under control....

[alvins]

Forum rules prohibit full disclosure of my feelings about shows that post 30.06 sighs, but suffice it to say the sentiment also applies to the horse they rode in on.

I bought a few guns at Academy for decent prices. I buy my ammo and accessories online.

I love the sign on the door at Academy! Paraphrased "We welcome those who are legally licensed to carry concealed..."

Dont they still escort you out when you buy a gun?

[PostShooter]

I'm a big fan of the Pasadena show. No parking fees, and I make up the $8 entrance fee in most anything I pick up. Most recently, my Dad walked away with a Walther PK380 for $30 cheaper than the Academy price and, if I had the money sitting around doing nothing, I was tempted to get a Ruger LC9 for $309, before tax. The guy had a stack of about 20 of them. Both vendors were Dallas area gun stores. So I feel I'm still supporting the "local gun shop." I have a new gun shop about 3 minutes from the house and he's marking up his stock to heights that make me dizzy.

[SSAllen63]

I've been to a few gun shows in the last 3 months. I've yet to find any Glocks for sale cheaper than The Academy.

[tiviti]

Forum rules prohibit full disclosure of my feelings about shows that post 30.06 sighs, but suffice it to say the sentiment also applies to the horse they rode in on.

I bought a few guns at Academy for decent prices. I buy my ammo and accessories online.

I love the sign on the door at Academy! Paraphrased "We welcome those who are legally licensed to carry concealed..."

Sorry if this is a stupid/obvious question, but doesn't the line before that state something about checking in your firearm? Is that referring to all firearms (including those legally concealed) or does the second line (we welcome concealed according to state laws) mean that concealed is fine and everybody else has to check in?