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What can I expect? Any advice? Tips? Is it better to buy there rather than dealer or pawn shop? The show is in Aug in SC and I'm rather excited 
Going to my first gun show soon...
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6,630 Posts
always make a trip around the show before buying, you might save a lot of money on the weapon or ammo you are buying by seeing someone else who has it cheaper
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633 Posts
Are you goin to look or are you goin to buy? If your looking to buy do your research before you go on the particular weapon, the variations, and the price ranges and youll do fine!
-Nate
-Nate
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6,205 Posts
Give youself plenty of time at the show. You'll need more you than think because the sellers often like to chat your ear off. If they have shoppers at their tables it makes it appear that there's something worth looking at at their tables and more people spend time at their tables as a result. The guys especially like to chat up women shoppers. A lot of the sellers are bored and just enjoy the entertainment of conversations.
If you're going to buy a firearm that requires paperwork and background check, get started on the process at least 45 minutes prior to the show closing for the day. Make sure your paperwork and receipts are correct and that you have your credit card or I.D. back before walking away from a seller. Don't be afraid to ask questions because you can tell a lot about someone by how they handle it.
If you're going to buy a firearm that requires paperwork and background check, get started on the process at least 45 minutes prior to the show closing for the day. Make sure your paperwork and receipts are correct and that you have your credit card or I.D. back before walking away from a seller. Don't be afraid to ask questions because you can tell a lot about someone by how they handle it.
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23,960 Posts
Gun shows are great for looking and talking.
You can buy firearms from dealers there, or you can buy from private citizens at a show.
Either way, have fun
You can buy firearms from dealers there, or you can buy from private citizens at a show.
Either way, have fun
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7,198 Posts
I love gun shows! I suggest having a plan before you enter and resist impulse purchases!
...Easy to say, hard to do,,,at least for me anyway
If you plan on buying a gun, do your homework and do some price shopping beforehand so that you'll be better prepared if you see something you like.
If you do plan on buying, make sure and bring any ID or other documents that are required by state law.
Have fun :thumb:
...Easy to say, hard to do,,,at least for me anyway
If you plan on buying a gun, do your homework and do some price shopping beforehand so that you'll be better prepared if you see something you like.
If you do plan on buying, make sure and bring any ID or other documents that are required by state law.
Have fun :thumb:
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939 Posts
I love going to gun shows, but almost everything is always over priced.
I buy hard to find things or bulk items. I have found really good handmade bush knives and other goodies you can't get online.
try to know what you are looking for before you go and get a good feel for fair market prices.
bring cash, and only bring as much as you are willing/can spend because a card is dangerous to your savings account.
walk around the whole show first before you buy anything.
don't waist money on he gimmicky stuff like the flint steel strikers, beef jerky, and sham wows. only buy unique hard to find stuff.
I buy hard to find things or bulk items. I have found really good handmade bush knives and other goodies you can't get online.
try to know what you are looking for before you go and get a good feel for fair market prices.
bring cash, and only bring as much as you are willing/can spend because a card is dangerous to your savings account.
walk around the whole show first before you buy anything.
don't waist money on he gimmicky stuff like the flint steel strikers, beef jerky, and sham wows. only buy unique hard to find stuff.
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43 Posts
no Shamwows??
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43 Posts
So other than guns, what do they usually have? Is this going to be a veritable orgy of all things survival in which I'll just fall down at the door in sheer happiness?
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2,845 Posts
Most of your local dealers will have a table there. Whether you buy at the show or off their counter makes no difference, other than some may run 'specials'.
As others have said, take your time, know what youre looking for and do your research BEFORE going in.
My first (and only so far) show I went in partially blind- first mistake, and I took my 12 yr old gun nut ADD son- second mistake, which together lead to my third mistake.
I went in the door knowing what I wanted and roughly what a good deal would be. Found several in varying degrees from brand new to well used, but couldnt find EXACTLY what I wanted. After 3 hours of strolling from table to table I was starting to second guess myself and my son was getting impatient. Finally I found it... Sort of. I wanted a XD40 but I wanted either the OD, Desert Tan, or the black and stainless. Sure, I found all those in 9mm but that wasnt what I wanted. Found an all black .40 but that wasnt what I wanted. Finally after another hour of pestering from my son I bought the all black XD40 and it turned out to be from a dealer I had sworn NOT to buy from. Didnt realize this until AFTER they had my card and I was filling out paper work.
Since it was coming from a dealer guess what- 3 day wait. If it had come from a private individual I couldve walked out the door with it. I had had a bad experience from this particular dealer in their store, hence not wanting to give them my money, but I wasnt going to make a scene and insist they stop the sale (guess Im just a nice guy). Besides, I shouldve paid more attention. Dropped $650 on the gun, told them I would see them in their store in 3 days for pick-up and headed for the door. To pour salt in and already throbbing wound, just before reaching the door I found 2 of my 3 choices sitting on the table for $400 each in almost brand new condition.
LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES!!!
As others have said, take your time, know what youre looking for and do your research BEFORE going in.
My first (and only so far) show I went in partially blind- first mistake, and I took my 12 yr old gun nut ADD son- second mistake, which together lead to my third mistake.
I went in the door knowing what I wanted and roughly what a good deal would be. Found several in varying degrees from brand new to well used, but couldnt find EXACTLY what I wanted. After 3 hours of strolling from table to table I was starting to second guess myself and my son was getting impatient. Finally I found it... Sort of. I wanted a XD40 but I wanted either the OD, Desert Tan, or the black and stainless. Sure, I found all those in 9mm but that wasnt what I wanted. Found an all black .40 but that wasnt what I wanted. Finally after another hour of pestering from my son I bought the all black XD40 and it turned out to be from a dealer I had sworn NOT to buy from. Didnt realize this until AFTER they had my card and I was filling out paper work.
Since it was coming from a dealer guess what- 3 day wait. If it had come from a private individual I couldve walked out the door with it. I had had a bad experience from this particular dealer in their store, hence not wanting to give them my money, but I wasnt going to make a scene and insist they stop the sale (guess Im just a nice guy). Besides, I shouldve paid more attention. Dropped $650 on the gun, told them I would see them in their store in 3 days for pick-up and headed for the door. To pour salt in and already throbbing wound, just before reaching the door I found 2 of my 3 choices sitting on the table for $400 each in almost brand new condition.
LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES!!!
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939 Posts
with your avatar and screen name, I would avoid using words like (tactical, survival, and orgy) in the same sentence.
you are going to get creepy tactical/survival stalkers following you around the site. check out the recent visitors section of your profile page.
anyways, have fun at the show. :thumb:
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SHHHHH!! Youre ruining it for us!!
And she was just starting to like me. She really was!!
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4,937 Posts
I see that you are from NC.... sweeeeet!
Bring cash to the show and know what you want before hand.
There will be many private sellers wishing to sell their toys, and you must have the hondos in hand to make the transaction.
This is not illegal. It is completely legal to do so in your state to this.
It is the preferred way of purchasing a firearm.
But if you are not ready to buy something--go and look and touch and squeeze.
Ooooh!!
Learn all you can.
But you see some dunce who is hard up for cash--with an AK... go for it.
You won't be sorry.
But frankly you won't find may deals anymore at gunshows.
I mainly go to find parts and other schmenkies I cannot normally get online--or do not wish to be seen purchasing online (wink-wink, nod, nod).
The only deals you will possibly find are from the private party sellers wishing to unload.... and in this bad economy you will find lots of them.
Have fun.
And don't go to the dark side and start "reinacting" WWII soldiers, etc.
So other than guns, what do they usually have? Is this going to be a veritable orgy of all things survival in which I'll just fall down at the door in sheer happiness?
There will be lots of "girl stuff" also to be had at a gunshow.
And also don't go to the "dark side" by purchasing a "pink" Glock--okay forget this... go for it!
ST
Bring cash to the show and know what you want before hand.
There will be many private sellers wishing to sell their toys, and you must have the hondos in hand to make the transaction.
This is not illegal. It is completely legal to do so in your state to this.
It is the preferred way of purchasing a firearm.
But if you are not ready to buy something--go and look and touch and squeeze.
Ooooh!!
Learn all you can.
But you see some dunce who is hard up for cash--with an AK... go for it.
You won't be sorry.
But frankly you won't find may deals anymore at gunshows.
I mainly go to find parts and other schmenkies I cannot normally get online--or do not wish to be seen purchasing online (wink-wink, nod, nod).
The only deals you will possibly find are from the private party sellers wishing to unload.... and in this bad economy you will find lots of them.
Have fun.
And don't go to the dark side and start "reinacting" WWII soldiers, etc.
So other than guns, what do they usually have? Is this going to be a veritable orgy of all things survival in which I'll just fall down at the door in sheer happiness?
There will be lots of "girl stuff" also to be had at a gunshow.
And also don't go to the "dark side" by purchasing a "pink" Glock--okay forget this... go for it!
ST
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I was very wise to leave out tactical from my sentence
And are women really such an oddity here?
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Can I be a complete anachronism and reenact with a pink glock?
in all honesty, I can get "Girly stuff" anytime. Heck, I'm a pro at that. I'm going in with a glock in mind and possibly a knife or two. And maybe another small gun. And...
Ok, I think you're all correct. I need a game plan
Thanks for all the suggestions, folks!!
Oh, so just to make sure I'm not going to get thrown into the limey for this - it's ok to buy in sc and take back to NC, right? Do I need a ccw before hand?
I promise that's my last question. :/
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939 Posts
honestly... If your local gun store doesn't have what you want for the price you want it, I would find a local ffl and order your gun online.
you can get great deals online if you look hard enough and gun shows can be shady.
you can get great deals online if you look hard enough and gun shows can be shady.
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2,845 Posts
A CCW will get you out the door without a 3 day wait on handguns if you buy from a dealer. At least thats how it works in Florida. But its definitely not required.
If you buy from private individual its just like you going to that persons house and buying it, nothing illegal about it, just like buying anything else.
If you buy from a dealer then they are subject to the same laws at the gun show as at their store and thats only because thats required for them to hold their FFL.
Theres all kinds of goodies at gun shows. All kinds of military memorabilia, some survival gear (the one I attended was mostly gimmick stuff though), gun parts and ammo for nearly anything imaginable. A lot of gunsmith services, firearm coating specialists (for that pretty pink paint that wont flake off), and nearly as many knives as guns.
Im like a broke fat kid in a candy store at a gun store/ show, usually able to do nothing more than look, dream, and drool.
If you buy from private individual its just like you going to that persons house and buying it, nothing illegal about it, just like buying anything else.
If you buy from a dealer then they are subject to the same laws at the gun show as at their store and thats only because thats required for them to hold their FFL.
Theres all kinds of goodies at gun shows. All kinds of military memorabilia, some survival gear (the one I attended was mostly gimmick stuff though), gun parts and ammo for nearly anything imaginable. A lot of gunsmith services, firearm coating specialists (for that pretty pink paint that wont flake off), and nearly as many knives as guns.
Im like a broke fat kid in a candy store at a gun store/ show, usually able to do nothing more than look, dream, and drool.
If you ever get a chance go to the Tulsa gun show
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You will go crazy it is really huge. It will take 8 hours to see every booth and that's only if you keep walking and only stop at a few booths.
To see the show the right way it will take two days and you still won't see every thing.
When standing at one end you can not see the far end. Something to do with curves of the earth.... Lol
A Quote from their web site..
/quote
Something to think about:*** If all our tables (2800 8ft. and 1200 6ft.) were placed end to end they would stretch 5.7 miles!
You will go crazy it is really huge. It will take 8 hours to see every booth and that's only if you keep walking and only stop at a few booths.
To see the show the right way it will take two days and you still won't see every thing.
When standing at one end you can not see the far end. Something to do with curves of the earth.... Lol
A Quote from their web site..
/quote
Something to think about:*** If all our tables (2800 8ft. and 1200 6ft.) were placed end to end they would stretch 5.7 miles!
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Thats not a bad idea either, but make sure you find out how much the store charges for the FFL transfer. The store I was talking about in my other post charges an outrageous amount to transfer. By the time I pay them for the transfer I spend almost as much as if I had bought it through them.
Thats the only reason they charge that much and thats only one reason why I dont like doing business with them.
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329 Posts
I usually see a lot of books, novelty type knives and swords, all kinds of military surplus. The key is DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!
You need to know what something is actually worth, and whether you can get it for cheap someplace else (like gunbroker.com or something like that.) Also, ask if items are new or used and inspect them. Ask if they have a return policy so that if you take the gun to a range and hate it, or it malfunctions, you can get your money back, or exchange it.
It just depends on the show and the dealers who are there as to what they'll sell and if it's a good deal or not. I've seen some killer deals at gunshows, but I've also seen plenty of people charging WAY more than a gun is worth, and suckers just handing over their cash because they don't know any better.
Have fun and good luck!
You need to know what something is actually worth, and whether you can get it for cheap someplace else (like gunbroker.com or something like that.) Also, ask if items are new or used and inspect them. Ask if they have a return policy so that if you take the gun to a range and hate it, or it malfunctions, you can get your money back, or exchange it.
It just depends on the show and the dealers who are there as to what they'll sell and if it's a good deal or not. I've seen some killer deals at gunshows, but I've also seen plenty of people charging WAY more than a gun is worth, and suckers just handing over their cash because they don't know any better.
Have fun and good luck!
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