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What to buy at the gun show...

37K views 33 replies 23 participants last post by  Carbine Cory  
#1 ·
Wife put me on a $500 budget for the gun show next saturday. I'm thinking, this won't buy much in the way of guns..

What would you buy? I need ideas!

Thanks!
 
#3 ·
You can definitely have fun at a gun show w/ $500! First you need to assess your needs, start brainstorming on here and get some opinions from members based on those needs.
Are you going for firearms? Handgun? Shottie? Rifle?
-All can be accomplished w/i $500 for a quality firearm
What calibers do you have? What calibers do you need? Have you consolidated your current firearms to select few calibers?
-Caliber will certainly effect your bottom line, but again I am not aware of your needs...
Are you set on firearms and in need of accessories or ammo?
-For $500 you can leave with a great goody bag of accessories etc...

I love brainstorming this stuff...post some of your needs or, what you currently own and we can take it from there.
 
#6 ·
As posted before, what are your needs? As far as self defense are you all set up? What weapons do you have, do you have what you need/want, magazines, accessories, spare parts that might need replaced, holsters? Identify your shortages and put them on a list. I like to watch ebay for accessories and get an idea on prices as well. If you have all of that squared away, are there any other shortages on your gear that you might get lucky and find at the show?

If all of that is gtg, then i recommend buying more ammo. Often times at shows you find the best deals on ammo, and the sales tax is included. Ammo is the next best thing to a PM investment. Just buy common calibers like 556, 7.62, 9mm, 40, 45, .22lr, & 12ga.


-Nate
 
#13 ·
I have no idea what your in need of, so I'll suggest what I would look for with $500 at the Gun Show.

I've been interested in revolvers lately, so the Ruger SP 101 in .357 has been on my mind.

This one has a 2.25" barrel with an exposed hammer, stainless steel, fixed sights.

You may have to do a little haggling in order to get it out the door for $500, but I'd bet that if you have cash, you could do it. Good Luck

http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html
 

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#14 ·
Don't be afraid to bargain. Americans have a crushing aversion to bartering and end up paying way to much. This also goes for sellers who get uptight when someone dares to ask a lower price. I've been to a few foreign countries where bargaining is expected, and people who pay full price are suckers. Some things are worth the stated price but many things aren't.
 
#22 ·
I tell everyone to try to haggle at the shows too. Most dealers expect it though, and of course are priced extra high to factor it in.

Personally, I'm one of those who despise it on ethical grounds. The "sucker" aspect is just one of several reasons. So I run fixed pricing. But I'm not offended when someone tries to haggle. If anything, they're usually the one offended when I refuse. I set my prices at what I would have haggled down to anyway.
 
#15 ·
Ive been doing some thinking and I think I got my wife to let me go with $600 instead of $500. I volunteered to work today and it will put an extra bit of money on my check.

I carry a glock 23 and already put the trijicon sights on it a few weeks back but I am thinking of a few things I'd like to get.

I'd like one of those plugs where the magazine goes in. I cant stand that hole there.

I'm thinking, with as much as I shoot this thing, reloading could be cost effective. Might look into reloading, never done it so not sure what to get there.

A new holster, I have an inside the pants holster now but I'm thinking if Texas ever allows open carry, a new holster would be nice.

A good knife. I don't have a good one... yet.

Silver american eagles, if they will sell them. Last gun show, the guy was buying- not selling.

Maybe get an ice cold coke and a nacho boat from the concession stand? Yummy! Get cheesy fingerprints all over my new stuff.

Seriously, Im thinking of a reloading machine. If I reload my ammo, you think it would be wise to get an aftermarket barrel for the glock? I keep hearing how glock barrels suck for reloaded ammo because they are not full support barrels.
 
#18 ·
I suggest not buying anything at the gun show because it would probably be a snap-judgement 'impulse' purchase, and might be way overpriced, which seems to be par for the course at gun shows lately..! Buy some more ammo and magazines for your Glock, and get more actual range time and practice.

OR

Look into a 20-gauge dual-barrel shotgun combination like a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 that includes 18" and 26" or 28" barrels, and won't break the bank, and so your wife would also be capable of properly defending herself.
 
#20 ·
I suggest not buying anything at the gun show because it would probably be a snap-judgement 'impulse' purchase, and might be way overpriced, which seems to be par for the course at gun shows lately..!
This too. I have found online prices to be better than gun show prices.
You might be able to get projectiles, powder and primers for cheaper than online(and not have to pay haz-mat) at the gun show.
 
#19 ·
Thanks, now I got somthing to work with.

Been loading 9mm for my glock for about 10 years and have not had a problem. I use a Lee press with the auto disc set up for pistols only and have a separate press for rifles.

Dies= $20-25
Lee turret press=$100
Lee auto disc:$35
Scale= $30
Priming tool=$25
powder=$25
Primers=$30/1000
projectiles=$25/250
Calipers= $25


I listed all Lee products because they are, for the most part, less expensive than other manufacturers and are good for beginners.(IMHO)

So for about $350, give or take, you have a reloading set up to get you started.

This is about all you would need, besides a book called the ABC's of reloading or another good reloading manual.

If you reload for pistols I'd also suggest you get bullet molds($20 or so) and cast your own bullets. A lot of tire shops will sell you the old wheel weights for cheap or give them to you.

If you shoot cast bullets out of a glock you would need to get an after market barrel.
 
#26 ·
At the last gun show I went to I made it a point not to buy anything that I could find on the internet. Why buy something from a show when any number of online vendors will ship it to your door.

For me gun shows are about finding rare items and good deals.

Examples...Found a boyonet for my FR-8. Also picked up a pistol grip for my shotgun with hardware for five bucks!!

My 2 cents