I keep going to Gun Shows and swearing to never go back

[45tex]

Visited the Pasadena gun show this past weekend. Friend wanted to go but backed out. Went alone. Biggest change noted: Very few maybe no individual vendors. All business, jewelry, plastic tactical stuff and over priced ammo.
And I bought a gun. Only for instant gratification. It was the exact model I wanted for about the Buds price. All total including $9 admission I'm into the gun for around $15 more than Buds, if you include $25 for the transfer. And I got it now.
However it was so bound with pull ties that inspection was nearly impossible. Then They actually sold the display model which had been cycled many times. I can't prove it was shot but it was sure dirty and not with dust. Once cleaned and tested it was OK by me. But I should have expected this sort of thing from "gun show dealers." I will wait a few days for delivery next time.
So once again I claim that I have had it with gun shows. I must be in the minority though as the lots on both sides of the convention center were nearly full. 4473's were being filled out everywhere. But the ammo seemed to be just sitting there. And the AC quit working.

 

[BG1960]

My motto ; Gun Shows are for Groping, Bud's is for Buying.

 

[Anger]

which promoter was the past show @ Pasadena? High caliber?

 

[Acera]

Take your Midol and get back to us in a week.


I seriously doubt that any damage was done to your gun by people cycling it. Heck, we own a gun that was a display gun for 2 NRA and 2 SHOT shots, no issues with it. Zip ties, LOL probably had one on it.

 

[45tex]

Sorry shoddy business practices got your panties in a bunch. Gun show cronies are apparently thick as thieves. Pun intended. I stated the gun was OK by me.

 

[ROGER4314]

After more than two decades of attending Oklahoma and Texas guns shows, I quit going to gun shows three years ago. It's a shame what they have become. Any way that you look at them, they're not much fun any more.

Flash

 

[dustycorgill]

After more than two decades of attending Oklahoma and Texas guns shows, I quit going to gun shows three years ago. It's a shame what they have become. Any way that you look at them, they're not much fun any more.

Flash

Agreed. Went to our first one a couple of weeks ago after not going for almost a year........there was some ok stuff, and some ok prices...but nothing that couldnt be beat by a local LGS in the store or online.

 

[Moonpie]

Am the same as you OP.

Every time I walk out of one I swear I will never go again. For the 237th time. LMAO.

I never buy anything either.

 

[Mreed911]

Agreed. Went to our first one a couple of weeks ago after not going for almost a year........there was some ok stuff, and some ok prices...but nothing that couldnt be beat by a local LGS in the store or online.

Online has killed the margin on the local shop w.r.t. firearms, that's for sure. They live on accessory margin now, along with "I want it now, not three days from now!" sales.

Hell, my last two purchases (a carbine and a 'custom' upper) will both take 3-5 weeks to get to my FFL... and both were online (but at incredible prizes).

Every time I walk out of one I swear I will never go again. For the 237th time. LMAO.

I never buy anything either.

I go for the people. Can have some GREAT discussions there and hear GREAT stories, especially from the folks that used in combat some of the C&R weapons I typically look at.

 

[baboon]

After more than two decades of attending Oklahoma and Texas guns shows, I quit going to gun shows three years ago. It's a shame what they have become. Any way that you look at them, they're not much fun any more.

Flash

Demographics change & the internet have killed gun shows. I wouldn't go if someone bought my ticket & promised lunch or dinner afterwards.

After the move from Astro Arena to the Reliant whatever it's called is about the time they all started sucking bad. Never liked the GRB for anything.

 

[Mreed911]

Demographics change & the internet have killed gun shows. I wouldn't go if someone bought my ticket & promised lunch or dinner afterwards.

After the move from Astro Arena to the Reliant whatever it's called is about the time they all started sucking bad. Never liked the GRB for anything.

I've never been to the show at GRB but might have an opportunity. What's the browsing potential?

 

[Moonpie]

I've never been to the show at GRB but might have an opportunity. What's the browsing potential?

GRB shows usually suck. Same same as Pasadena vendor wise.

Reliant show = mo' betta.

 

[Mongo]

I use to work gun shows in the 90s and that pretty much cured me of wanting to attend them after that. That and the fact that the lack of variety has gone to shit. The older big Houston shows use to bring in vendors with great NFA stuff from all over the country. There were parts vendor with parts kits you have never seen before bit now days the NFA is pretty rare and the parts kits are dried up. Before the 94 AWB you could see all sorts of cool different semi AW at the shows, SIGs, Daewos, AUGs, FNCs, etc now its AR15s and just the same old guns you can get anywhere.

I have not been to a show in 10 years and it might be a lot longer before i will go to another one.

I guess there needs to be a song about the internet and AWB killing the gunshow.

BTW I know the AWB has lapsed but it pretty much killed all the black gun trade except for AR15s and AKs.

 

[Acera]

I use to work gun shows in the 90s and that pretty much cured me of wanting to attend them after that. That and the fact that the lack of variety has gone to shit. The older big Houston shows use to bring in vendors with great NFA stuff from all over the country. There were parts vendor with parts kits you have never seen before bit now days the NFA is pretty rare and the parts kits are dried up. Before the 94 AWB you could see all sorts of cool different semi AW at the shows, SIGs, Daewos, AUGs, FNCs, etc now its AR15s and just the same old guns you can get anywhere.

I have not been to a show in 10 years and it might be a lot longer before i will go to another one.

I guess there needs to be a song about the internet and AWB killing the gunshow.

BTW I know the AWB has lapsed but it pretty much killed all the black gun trade except for AR15s and AKs.

You really are showing that you have not been to a gun show in 10 years, most of what you wrote is incorrect. I usually find the latest items first there as opposed to the local stores. I like the small parts vendors, they still around and helpful. The new Glocks were at the gun show tables long before the local stores had them. First Tavor I inspected was at a show. Same with a lot of the other new releases. The big vendors do a tremendous amount of sales at those shows and turn over inventory at such a rate they get better service from their distributors.

During the panics, the business was brisk, but like any other smart businessmen, they stocked and sold what was in demand.

There is no better place to stroll around and look, touch, and size up as many firearms at one time as a gun show. Most brick and mortar stores will bring one or two out of the showcase of the brands they carry, all the while the salesman is staring you down and giving you his 'expert' advice trying to sell you what he wants to sell you. At a gun show you are free to browse and inspect a lot greater number of guns in a much shorter time, asking advice as needed. This is usually on the bigger, commercial style tables as some of the smaller mom-n-pop places want you to ask before touching anything.


You can sell a gun at a show for greater return than you can to a gun store, and sometimes get a fair trade to the non-commercial vendors. But the biggest draw is selling/buying/trading with the other attendees, that is usually a good way to maximize your exposure and selling price. Another bonus is the guns on the tables will usually help you determine a fair price. I really have made out over the years buying from folks walking in the door (or before they buy their tickets) on some great guns.

NFA items are good at shows, you get a number of those vendors in a single spot to compare prices, products and costs.

In the Houston area, I see 3 tiers of gun shows all dependent on the promoter.

1st Tier is the Greater Houston Gun Collectors shows, usually 3 times a year at Reliant. That may drop to twice a year due to costs. The move the the arena has saved 1/2 of the $50,000 rental for the weekend over the convention center, maybe that will help.

2nd Tier are the 'High Caliber' and 'Premiere" promoted gun shows. Those are the ones that exhibit at Pasadena, Conroe, The Woodlands, the GRB, Stafford (occasionally) and other parts of Texas.

3rd Tier used to include 'The Real Gun Show', but they have abandoned the area, and those that are randomly held at the Conroe KOA, Humble Civic Center, Fort Bend Fairgrounds and other low rent places.





But hey, haters going to hate. Glad to see some don't go, makes it a more pleasant experience for those of us who do.

 

[ParkerBoy]

I can't speak to the shows in Texas, but up here in Minnesota and the Dakotas I still find them to be a very inexpensive way to spend a day. No, the shows aren't what they used to be in the 60s & 70s, when it seemed every table was packed with old Winchesters and Marlins. They are a good way to put your hands on both new and used guns that the local dealers just don't have. I've also found the prices are "negotiable" if you show some interest, but that varies with individual "dealers". I've never been particularly interested in the "black gun", but I have learned a lot about them at the shows, as the "enthusiasts" are very willing to share info. Now I think I may even buy one.....eventually. Gun Shows are an excellent place to find "accessories" and the prices are usually excellent.....and NO shipping.

I don't like the "flea market" vendors at some of the smaller shows, but if that's what it takes to keep the shows going, so be it. I can walk past those tables. If the promoters cant fill the tables, the Local gun show may become a thing of the past.....a poor show is better than NO show!

 

[jrbfishn]

The local gun shop I go to has 90-95% of their inventory in gun show stock. Sometimes at better prices too.

 

[XinTX]

The only LGS around my parts sells at OVER MSRP. So buying there is pretty much a no-go. They're the only one remotely close by that has any store stock to speak of. So if I'm looking for a new piece, it's the gun shows or buying off the web sight unseen. But I also look at a show as being a fairly cheap bit of entertainment. I get to look at a bunch of cool stuff I can't afford. But it gets me out of the house for a bit.

 

[Saltyag2010]

The only LGS around my parts sells at OVER MSRP. So buying there is pretty much a no-go. They're the only one remotely close by that has any store stock to speak of. So if I'm looking for a new piece, it's the gun shows or buying off the web sight unseen. But I also look at a show as being a fairly cheap bit of entertainment. I get to look at a bunch of cool stuff I can't afford. But it gets me out of the house for a bit.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

 

[Rebel]

The only LGS around my parts sells at OVER MSRP.

Dude, you just described every gun shop in California.

 

[dwsintxs]

Last one I went to was in lewisville, Tx. and the first thing I saw was a line stretching around the building for 3/4 of a mile and then on the sidewalk out front was a huge poster of Obama with a hitler moustache (I'm no liberal but that was beyond offensive) If you dislike our president, that's fine, it's your right as an American citizen, but to publicly characterize him like that is just classless. then inside it was too damn hot, and nut-to-butt with people, so crowded you go barely move at all.
Some vendor started screaming at a customer b/c the customer had some sort of 'liberal' t-shirt on. This vendor was so scary-crazy I thought he might pull a weapon and start shooting. . . .

Too many crazies. . . .too many people jammed up and jelly tight in one space, no AC, and vendors who act as if they are insulted if you don't put up with their particular brand of BS. . . .

no more gun shows for me. I'd sooner pay more for my equipment at a LGS, and there are plenty of those in the DFW area.