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I love gun shows. Yes, they have some turds working there, lots of non-gun related junk, high prices on some items and parking and entrance fees that could be lower.

But they also have the smell of powder solvent, gun oil, popcorn, hot dogs and soft pretzels. They have an energy about them you can't find anywhere else. They have hidden bargains, hard to find items and plenty of friendly vendors.

And best of all, they are a reminder that we live in the greatest country this world has ever known and that we still have more freedom than 99% of the other inhabitants of this planet, in spite of the gun grabbers best efforts. Long live gun shows!!!!
 
I used to go to Indy show quite regularly.

About a year+ ago I went there for the last time.
- I could not find one guy who could sell me 1000 rounds
of AR-15 Ammo.
- plenty of hot souces\candies etc
- every other booth had all the ninja stuff you could
ever want
- the show was 1/2 half the size. It used to be in two
rooms, it was in one.

Seems like the show is dying slowly. Anyone gone there lately ?
 
I have read several threads like this all over the internet for years and was always struck by the commonality of them:

No matter where the location in the United States of America, unless it is a closed, private show like the O.G.C.A. (Ohio Gun Collectors Association), you will find that many are low class flea markets populated with the following-

Beef/Animal Meat Jerky Guy- often selling "custom" made jerky at twice the price of a Ruth's Criss Steakhouse Filet Mignon

Neo-Nazi/Military Surplus Guy- has several tables set up with new reproduction German WWII that is sold as genuine period pieces. Also has books, videos, dvd of Hitler and Nazism. Other, more current "Military Surplus" is Com Block junk.

Ammunition/Reloading Products Guy- Prices powder and primers as follows- Calls MidwayUSA, Grafs to get their prices and figures in the costs of Haz-Mat charges and shipping that the mail order places would bill into his gunshow table price, + 10% for his show expenses. Justifies obscene prices with talk of government conspiracy to restrict reloading to public.

Firearm Vendors- established gunshops that display at the shows jack up in store prices 15%-30% for the "Gun Show Special Pricing"

Gun Show Only Firearm Vendors that have a H&R M-1 Garand used my Audie Murphy in WWII for $2,500.00, or a Mossberg Model 72 bolt action .410 shotgun used by Annie Oakley or Herb Parsons (before Herb went to work for Winchester-Western).

Beanie Baby/Cabbage Patch/Scented Candle/other nick-nack Lady- Often the Wife or Girlfriend of a firearm seller. If the have enough junk left over from last weekends flea-market display, will actually buy their own table or two, if not, they use the end of their guys table, exponetially magnifing the clutter you have to look through to find that "Gun Show Bargin"

Ghetto Hood Rat looking for a "Glock For-Tay" and having his "woman" strawpurchase it.

Morbidly obese white guys with BDU pants and T-shirts that proclaim some sort of special military unit training or Militia slogans. Always fun to watch the interactions between the above 2 people.

I worked in a Gun/Bullet Casting/Ammunition store in my early years and attended many shows as a vendor. It is really sad to see how trashy they have become.

Regards,

Gregor
 
Once in awhile you can find particular old guns and parts, but gun shows are sure not what they used to be. My personal rant is that when I go to a gun show I want to see sporting arms. Now when you go to shows there is predominantly military crap, knives and peanut vendors. They should no longer be called gun shows.
 
Great place to go to look at things, maybe buy some cheap ammo (don't have to pay shipping) and look at some of the weidos that the gunshow draws, but other than that, don't expect to see good deals or hard to find items. They all sell on the internet now.
 
I love gun shows. I believe there worth there 6-10 dollars. I usually make a day out of it, get up there early, look around for stuff I'm looking for then go around the tables to see if that pistol fits me, whats that weird looking casing/live round/dummy round, or anything that interests me, talk to the dealers and the gun show goers, i like talking to the older folks who go to gun shows, especially when I'm around an old fox, cause I'll ask the man if i can tear it down, to see its overall shape, and they normally say yes and when I have the gun tore down in about 30 seconds, usually one older fella pipes off with, you've done that before haven't you. I've seen a lot of neat guns, expensive guns, and guns I'd like to have at a gun show, thats were i got my Fox Sterlingworth Nice barrel blue most of the case colors still in it, 28 inch barrels Mod/Full 500 bucks. most i ever paid for a firearm, and I'm glad i did.

Of coarse 95% of the tables are filled with junk, POS, PITA firearms that was someone elses trouble, but you got take the good with the bad and you get the facts of life. *breaks it down in song*

Well Thats my 2 cents.
 
mowing the lawn < gun show < shooting

If you know what you are looking for and can wade through the military crap, the big gun shows are usually pretty good. I don't waste my time with the handguns or rifles or the other stuff. I'm looking for good used doubles that I think I would like shooting. No doubles, I don't stop. Sometimes I'm out in 10 minutes, sometimes I come home with a nice double.
 
SKB 1900 said:
Is it worth $10.00 to pay admission to a gun show?
Well its more fun than going with her indoors to look at dress shops at the mall............ :?
Well, gun shows may not be what they used to but I couldn't agree more with SKB=1900... :lol: They are still fun to attend and for sure beats sitting at home after hunting season is over waiting for spring turkey season to arrive.
 
I enjoy gun shows.I usually get to a couple each year.There are some guys that I meet there that I do not see at an other time of the year.Always nice to talk and pick up some gun news or something that I have been looking for.
 
Good thought, southgadog. I started a new thread giving you credit for the thought. :p
 
I used to attend every gun show in Great Falls, MT when I lived there. Also went to the gun show down at Bozeman, MT once and actually traded for a gun there. It's the best rifle I ever owned.

At the little gun show here, I renewed my NRA membership and got $10 off because it was a special gun show deal.

I've bought small stuff like a brass tumbler, snap caps, and misc other stuff at gun shows for decent prices.

So yeah, I kind of like them even though I don't buy too many guns at them. I get to handle guns that I'm interested in and add to my general knowledge of shotguns.
 
What could possibly be any better than being in a giant room
full of firearms with a carnival like atmosphere where you can
see all types of people, from all walks of life looking for that
illusive once in a liftime deal on a gun.
I have purchased many a shogun from gunshows, and
never regretted a one. A favorite purchase of mine is a
Winchester 20ga pump/polychoke 98% 1973 Mfg. date
$100. Love that little pump-gun.
 
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