What do you guys buy at gun shows?

[mustangman95gt]

Just curious. Never been to a gun show besides an antique one out here in Colorado. What do you guys buy at gun shows? Any good deals on guns? Anyone reload 7.62x54r ammo or can I buy surplus there?

Let me know whatever you can on nice purchases you've made in the past, is the Birch Run a good show? (only on close to me of my knowledge) and so on. They can't be as bad as people say.

[TomE]

edit

[TAC]

Pepsi! :pepsi:

[dentkimterry]

I bought two belts and a wallet. There was more junk than guns.

[hopeitsfast]

Nothing

[jmanz6]

I buy ammo from a couple select vendors that have it at good prices when you buy in bulk. Buddy bought a XDm that was a pretty good deal once. Haven't been in a while, but there are usually a couple good deals, just have to look for them. Rest is overpriced crap.

[mustangman95gt]

Seems to be the concensus is :bs:

[screagles]

Gun shows are not what they used to be. If youre not really looking for a deal then you can find all sorts of nifty toys there. Ammo always was overpriced when i went.

[dramey82]

I'm not going to buy anything, I'm going to sell sell sell!

[ductileiron98]

A couple months back I purchased a first edition Colt All American 2000 alloy. Great price with all paperwork. I love what others hate !

[RPMO6]

It's been 2 or 3 years, but IMHO, the Gilbralter in Mt. Clemens was a complete waste of time.

This last winter I went up to Birtch Run for the 1st time, saw and picked up many things...almost bought new .410...prices were mostly high for everything...you had to look hard, know what you wanted and what you were willing to pay.

I've not been to Novi yet, but someday perhaps. YMMV.

[musashi]

I only go when I need to buy powder from Kurt.

[MrBi11]

beef jerky and eye glass cleaner

[Ruger]

I bought a big damn bag of flannel cleaning patch's once back in the 70's,

I still have half the bag! And yeah I bought the eye glass cleaner conditioner also! ;)

[pkuptruck]

beef jerky and eye glass cleaner


used to get the deep fried peanuts as well..... the guys not there
no more...:gavel:

[XDM 40 cal]

Well If i need NOS 1911 Mag i'll hit up the Gun show at GT in taylor.

Now my buddy got a Great deal on 2 rugers...Lc9 and Sr9c..

At this point i have passed on alot of the stuff there, Yea way over price ammo..

[chadrick85]

Think anyone will be there with .30 Carbine surplus this weekend at BR? I need to get some.

[Mongo]

It's almost useless to go to a show with a specific purchase in mind. They won't have it, or it will be priced way too high. However, I have had some great luck at the Gibralter Mount Clemens shows recently just browsing for "deals". Plus, there are a few vendors there who I always buy from and trust.

My collection is diverse enough that I can just look around and find what looks like a great deal. I have several projects going at once, and have a list going of many different things I need.

Last show I went to I got M&P mags, new in package, current revision followers at 5 for $100. I also got a great deal on a large lot of .45 Long Colt ammo. Picked up a nice Hogue stock for my 10/22 for $15 less than I've seen online.

You just have to look around with no expectations.

[Heat Treater]

Personally gun shows have not been as good as they were before Columbine happened.

[swaker3333]

FAL mags.....and T-shirts from Juggernaut!

[Billetproof]

Smoked sausage from Nowicki's. It's the best!!!!

[2571]

Elvis plates. LOL


Please let me know if you find any reloading brass. I can't find it. You should be able to find surplus Ivan ammo at a gun show.

[Ricebrnr]

Usually just the tickets to get in.

But I did get a PT1911 for a very good price at Birch Run last November.

Of all the shows in SE MI, I think Birch Run is the biggest and nicest.

Yes Gibraltar Taylor sucks.

[Imshootin]

13751 13752


It's the only place I can find it and it's the best. Yum, yum. :gobble:

[joelansing]

For the most part I don't find any good gun deals at gun shows. I did pick up an AK WSAR10 once for $319 or so long ago. I buy knives, gun socks, stripper clips, speed loaders, and bumper stickers. Sometimes I buy cheap 7.62x39 ammo if I can't find anything else to buy. Mostly I get small stuff that isn't worth mail ordering because of shipping. Sight adjustment tools come to mind also. Lots of cheap knives. Handcuffs for the old lady :)
- Joe

[bunk]

Stuff from Kurt.

Beyond that, I had been toying with the idea of purchasing a particular gun (S&W 642/442), and as I walked around the last Mt Clemens show, I found at least 4 that were priced within what I could have bought the gun from Buds +shipping+3%CC fee+Transfer fee. The deals are there.

[dpgperftest]

Gun shows are not what they used to be. If youre not really looking for a deal then you can find all sorts of nifty toys there. Ammo always was overpriced when i went.
+1 on deals harder to find in the last 25 years

[ka64]

Goin to the Birch Run one this weekend, I'll let you know.

[mustangman95gt]

Goin to the Birch Run one this weekend, I'll let you know.

Please do. I doubt I'll want to be in a car on Sunday to go anywhere. Driving 20 hours straight thru back home to MI this weekend. If it's halfway decent I might go in September.

[7.62 Nato]

Grease gun mags and, oh yeah, a Fox Carbine.
http://www.foxcarbine.com/

[rusaty59]

Not guns thats for sure. Like everbody else states they want way too much and if you don't know what you are doing you'll get robbed. I go to see and hold the new items out there and check them out. You have plenty in one place. Otherwise just odds and ends I'm looking for. Here in WMi. we call them social events.

[Budget]

I got a couple AR mags, wanted to try those milsurp ones too see how they function. Last summer I picked up a used Remington 870 for $200. There is always a bunch of Nazi paraphernalia if you're into that sort of thing.

[Big_Jim]

Smoked sausage from Nowicki's. It's the best!!!!



Ain't that the truth, its the only reason I go anymore. Although I havn't been in a while, is Nowicki's still there?

[slowstang93]

personally I go to them for some entertainment. who knows what you will find. I have walked out with some decent deals on both firearms and ammo. I dont purchase something everytime but you wont find a deal if you dont go.


Plus its fun to low ball the guys asking more for a fire arm than my local gun shop hahaha, I always tell them I am looking for a deal of a life time!!! I walked out one show with a new built AR for 500 bucks. The guy said he was losing money on it. all my friends get pissed at me for finding the deals but you will never know if you dont ask! worse case they tell you no.

Oh and bring cash, the kalamazoo show has an ATM but it isnt always working. I seen so many people walk up to it and kick it when they realized they had to leave and come back for money.

[ka64]

Please do. I doubt I'll want to be in a car on Sunday to go anywhere. Driving 20 hours straight thru back home to MI this weekend. If it's halfway decent I might go in September.

Went yesterday, one of the nicer shows.
My Nephew bought a 1942Colt 1911A1 - 1,650.00.

[chadrick85]

Went yesterday, one of the nicer shows.
My Nephew bought a 1942Colt 1911A1 - 1,650.00.

Saw the guy had a case-full of WW2 1911A1. I ended up getting a good deal on two M1 Carbine Mag Pouches, original 1943. But that was all. Was going to pick up a .30 ammo can -empty, but was cash empty at that point.

[Sixfootse7en]

Not much, usually because of high prices and limited selection.

[DRSpaulding]

Ammo cans! They are hard to come by in my area and would cost more if I ordered them.

[topcide]

IMHO online shopping has pretty much killed the need for a gun show. It used to be all about finding acessories / parts for 1911's, 10/22's bulk ammo or what have you, but now it's guys trying to jack people who don't know any better.

I went to the gibralter show this past year and there was literally a table where a guy was selling meth lab stuff, and pill holder key chains. That will be the last time for me

[DRSpaulding]

I went to the gibralter show this past year and there was literally a table where a guy was selling meth lab stuff, and pill holder key chains. That will be the last time for me
That guy was DEA! Go buy from him.:tsk:

[Made_in_Michigan]

I buy a new fully automatic assault rifle with at least 12 high capacity clips. I of course buy them with no background check for $14 and change.

[JohnJak]

Use to buy Dee's Nuts(those almond's covered in cinnamon). She went overboard with her pricing.

Now I go there just to shake Al's dirty hands.

PS. I do stop by(I do purchase things on occasion) and say hi to Kurt but he just doesn't know me.

[noob5,000,000]

I made the mistake of buying 2 AK magazines when I was new to the platform and unfamiliar with reality-based pricing. $40 I'll never get back...

[Thomas]

Gave up on gun shows a while ago. Everythings always over priced. I'm looking for GOOD stuff when I go. AR stuff. 1911's. HK, GLOCK's, ammo...

The gun show guys just can't touch Wal-Mart's prices on ammo and I can't remember the last time Wal-Mart around here was out of ANYTHING. They are pretty well stocked now days.

Gun stuff, well it's all cheaper online and half the dealers have free shipping.

Like today for example. I decided I wanted a new 1911. I logged on to Budsgunshop.com, picked out a new COLT 1911, added it to the cart and proceeded to pay for it. I figured OK, after I do this, I'll call my favorite FFL and get him to fax his paperwork over to Buds... Nope, didn't even have to do that. Buds has him listed as a preferred FFL, ON FILE. The gun shipped 2 hours after I paid for it and it will be here tomorrow.

Even with the overnight express AND FFL fee's it was $231.00 dollars CHEAPER then the only dealer I found with one in-stock.

God I love the internet.

[il Padrino]

Beanie-babies, :)
it never fails, there always seems to be a table or two selling non gun or firearm related stuff at every show I've been to.

[the_tenth007]

The last show in Birch Run there was a table selling NIB 3rd Gen Glocks for $471.70 + tax.

That was a pretty good deal, much better if there was no tax but it beats my local shops...Williams and Guns Galore.

I was very tempted to buy but I am still searching for an OD Green one, and besides the guy seemed like he wasn't much interested in helping me aka making any money.

BTW does anyone know the table/business who had this for sale? Had their business card but tossed it when we left.

-Joe

[mustangman95gt]

sounds like i wont be going to one soon

[mechredd]

I tend to buy a parking space and admission, and nothing else.

[xd-40]

found a few deals at the GR show. usually I buy a few munchies, and the occasional magazine I'm short. I've bought a couple guns over the years, but NEVER from the dealers. it's always from the local guys who're set up and don't realize they're allowed to rape people just because it's called a "gun show".

[KusarigamaRogue]

guns, mostly...


Just curious. Never been to a gun show besides an antique one out here in Colorado. What do you guys buy at gun shows? Any good deals on guns? Anyone reload 7.62x54r ammo or can I buy surplus there?

Let me know whatever you can on nice purchases you've made in the past, is the Birch Run a good show? (only on close to me of my knowledge) and so on. They can't be as bad as people say.

[mustangman95gt]

apparently this turned out to be a good thread

[mopedman]

Holsters from NTAC.

[agent2360]

If your lucky you might find some odds and ends parts to finish up with some projects. Deals usually aren't something I would go there for, handle some guns and buy some jerky.... still a good way to spend a day.

[Batman]

Mostly indegistion and the sence that I've been had.

[Yance]

If your lucky you might find some odds and ends parts to finish up with some projects. Deals usually aren't something I would go there for, handle some guns and buy some jerky.... still a good way to spend a day.


sounds like a good day to me!

[eightbit]

Where else can you go to see and touch the variety they have there?

Just know what your buying, if you get ripped off on an impulse purchase its no ones fault but your own. I've seen reasonable prices and to me it's worth the price of admission, the GR show has free parking.

[mbnatt]

At Gilbralter trade center, Amish Cheese and first aid supplies!

[AbsoluteCPL]

In a lot of cases I agree that gun shows are not what they used to be. These guys are not normally selling guns at a great price. I do go to the Burchrun Show each time it comes. I always make a point to go see the set up by Accurate Firearms. I've bought several guns from these guys. They have a great selection. The other thing about the Burchrun Show is that there is always a good selection of odds and ends stuff. The Novi show is also a really good show, but each venue is different because of the venders that come.

Happy Shooting

[Marcus]

I have gone to two gun shows. The first one (last year) I brought home a Winchester Model 70 .300 mag w/sling & cheap Tasco scope for $325. The second one (two weeks ago) I brought home a nib 10/22 stainless w/a 25 rd clip bonus for $295 all taxes included. This better then online + FFL prices.

There is a dude who sells nice falcon-type leather Holsters for around 60 bucks, and I bought a thick leather belt for $30. This is cheaper the China-made crap at meijers.

[Wolvee]

Popcorn and sometimes Jerky. not much else to buy very often.

[JohnnieBravo]

I go to the Novi show and the only thing ive bought is the walleye lunch that tastes like cod, at 8 bucks its a far stretch. Going to the Birch Run show Thanksgiving weekend , hoping to find some deals on ak mags and maybe a new Glock.

[Roddypipper]

My one question is at the Gibraltor show there is always some guy selling glass viles and stuff for chemistry sets? what is all this stuff used for?

[Marcus]

My one question is at the Gibraltor show there is always some guy selling glass viles and stuff for chemistry sets? what is all this stuff used for?

Cooking Meth.

[XDM 40 cal]

Cooking Meth.:twak:

Nope, But now you did it...now your going to have a bunch of tweekers running around the show....:silly:

[jasonalun]

My one question is at the Gibraltor show there is always some guy selling glass viles and stuff for chemistry sets? what is all this stuff used for?

I always wondered that too...:confused:

[JohnnieBravo]

My one question is at the Gibraltor show there is always some guy selling glass viles and stuff for chemistry sets? what is all this stuff used for?
he was at the Novi show a few months ago i was thinking damn weird science, he looked sooo outta place.

[chefben4]

I generally go to all the Novi and Birch Run shows. Sometimes I walk out of there with bags of stuff other times, nothing. Kind of a shot in a dark but its an excuse to go out with the deer hunting buds.

When I do purchase, its mostly reloading supplies. But before you go, make sure you understand prices of what you are looking for. The shows produce the lowest powder prices I can find.

Last gun show in Novi, was the first time I bought a gun at one in a few years. Came out of it with a great deal.

To each his own! :cheers:

[JGant]

for the most part....it's arrogant dealers with way overpriced stuff.....
and then there are the billies with pure junk.....
but other billies must buy that stuff...
what do I buy.... nothing....kill time....buy a funnel cake and just kill some time...

[michiganfan]

A web belt.

[mustangman95gt]

didnt know this thread was going to be a hit! after all this im not too sure if a gun show is in my near future.

[gigx]

Lately, not much. Use to be you went to a gun show to see variety (and not just the people) but the past few years it has just been the same set of guns at every counter. If i see one more Glock I just might puke. Nothing against Glocks but you have seen one you have seen them all. Dealers use to compete. Now I think they all work together. Everyone has the same price cause they all sell the same thing. I go for that off chance of finding that old guy who rented a table as he is starting to sell off his collection.

OK. Off my soap box. I have to get ready for the show in Grand Rapids in a couple of weeks.

[JohnJak]

I enjoy when they get mad and after you make them a reasonable offer to buy.

[jmilch]

I enjoy when they get mad and after you make them a reasonable offer to buy.

I had a guy walk away from me when I offered him $50 less than his $35 over MSRP he was asking for a used gun.

I was really interested in the model, it was semi hard to find at the time...

But I didn't think it was worth $50 OVER msrp and it was used.

The guy actually walked away. I laughed my arse off. Hilarious.

[I-LOVE-MY-KIMBER]

If you go looking for specifics you will be disapointed most the time. I look at lots and if I see a deal I snatch it up as you can always unload it at your gun club....last great buy, Birch Run...Marlin 30-30 for $170 in excellent condition and a Marlin .270 Rem for $275 in excellent condition. Gonna keep the 30-30 for the kids and trade up the .270 or sell it, I know I can get at least $325 at the Gun Club.

[Kevets]

Get what you find that you need.
That's about it. At the last Mason show I found ONE of what I was looking for, at a decent price even. But we found a bunch of others that we've researched since then and are looking forward to the next show.

Moral:
Expecting a deal on a 2003 Glock with blue-glow sights and turbo porting = disappointment.
Open-minded about a smallish 9mm carry gun = fun day.

[Hawkeye73]

At the gun show in GR I usually get some good deals on ammo. I walked out with 1000 .223 for $280 and 1000 9mm for $190. Both cash out the door. The weapons there are usually overpriced though. You just have to know what you're looking for and what the price should be. The vendors are always willing to haggle.

:flag:

[MikeL1984]

AR and AK mags, also somewhat decent prices on ammo. you just have to know what your looking for and what you wanna pay. PLUS it pays off to go the last day where the vendors are trying to sell all the things they dont wanna take back. And that includes ammo! found some 30 rd GI steel mags from a vendor at the GR show, $9.99 each picked up what he had left and he knocked a nice chunk off the final price. Had no feed problems with them as of yet. Gotta be prepared for the end of the world and the zombies.

Keyword on gun shows: KNOW HOW TO HAGGLE! AND if your not happy with the price of the item WALK AWAY!

[persicko]

I just went to the GR.gun show today. Just to say it on place to get a deal on a gun. Most of the new guns are over priced by a $100. The ammo prices are very high also. The best way to get a deal at a gun show is finding someone who is selling one by themselfs. A lot of junk on the tables also. Stuff they can't ride of anyplace else.

[persicko]

[QUOTE=persicko]I just went to the GR.gun show today. Just to say it on place to get a deal on a gun. Most of the new guns are over priced by a $100. The ammo prices are very high also. The best way to get a deal at a gun show is finding someone who is selling one by themselfs. A lot of junk on the tables also. Stuff they can't ride of anyplace else.../QUOTE]

[jwink]

Like most of the other comments, you really have an idea of what you want and are willing to pay.

I picked up some .40 ammo (I think Federal) for $14/box about a year ago and no tax! But a deal like that is few and far between. Believe it or not some of the large volume dealers have "reasonable" prices on new guns, they're just bringing their store to you. As someone else said they all have the same price. If it's a slow sales maybe you can convice one to throw in some ammo or an extra mag for free. Mfgrs like Glock have minimum prices they can't go under to keep their selling agreement. (See thread under Dealers for a group Glock buy)

"Mr. Science Lab" yeah he has some interesting stuff, I like the small dental picks and tools he also has. Granted I'm not into "meth" but I suppose you could set up a still and make your own moonshine with some of his rigs (you'll need to ferment mash first.).

I haven't found Novi worth the parking ($5) and admission ($6 unless you print off the organizer's $1 off coupon) lately. It's hard to recoup that but they have 150+ vendors and you can usually find something. (I bought a jackalope mount for $5 once, go figure).

Lately I've been going to Mt. Clemens Gibraltar on the Friday of the show weekend. They have them once a month (as does Taylor); you pay $2 for parking and on Fridays there is no admission fee. It's hard not to feel "ripped off" for just $2 plus your time and gas. Not all vendors show up Friday but I would say 90% of them do. It's also much, much smaller with about 50-60 vendors, most have multiple tables.

Not any real super ammo bargains, someone earlier was asking about brass, and there are people there who do sell brass (I don't know the specific calibers because I've never looked at it) but they do have reloading supplies. There are knives there. And things you'd find in an Army-Navy store like ammo cans, MREs/survival food, survival tools; holsters, some who make them on the spot; mags/clips for just about any gun you could want; and lots of long-guns; a few hand gun dealers.

It seems to be more about accessories for the "gun enthusiast lifestyle" than about guns but as I said you can't go wrong at Gibraltar with just paying for parking if you go on Friday; I usually go after work. Other than Gibraltar just about all of the big gun shows in the state are put on by the same organizers, so whether you go to Birch Run or Novi a lot of the same vendors will be there; info here: http://www.migunshows.com/

Just my two cent's happy searching! Link for Gibraltar: http://www.gibraltartrade.com/combined.php

[The Smoking Gun]

Never been to birch run show. I bought a nice shotgun right after someone sold it to the dealer. Quick pick,unexpected. You might find somethin rare. Do your research first. Other than that check Randys guns. Hes at gibralter alot. Big turnover dealer. Competitive prices. Good luck!! VIN

[spartans8989]

I'm taking the CCW class soon and will be interested in hiting up a couple shows. After reading the posts in this thread I'm wondering if it would be worth my time? I haven't been to one since I was a little kid, probably 25 years ago. I would really like to find a deal on a .22 handgun, or AR-15 type .223, or even an AK. Are there deals on these at the shows? New or used, doesn't matter. Really want a .22 to plink with and for the price of ammo. thanks

[JohnJak]

There are plenty of deals here on MGO.

[mustangman95gt]

Went to my first gun show finally and HOLY CRAP. They should have paid me $5 to get in, not the other way around. Waste of time...overpriced guns.

[XDM 40 cal]

Went to my first gun show finally and HOLY CRAP. They should have paid me $5 to get in, not the other way around. Waste of time...overpriced guns.


LOL, yea the Gun shows are not what they use to be.

[Revtro]

Yep. Sometimes you find some decent deals, but mostly I only go there for ammo to save on shipping. It's cheaper than buying it at gun shops. Is it just me or do gun shows seem to be getting smaller too? I went there last weekend hoping to find a few odds and ends for my Glocks and couldn't find anything I needed. And yeah, what's up with those prices? Really? MSRP at a show? Skip that. I'd rather buy from someone here or from Bud's or something. So far other than ammo, gun shows haven't been worth it for me.

Gotsta keep that in mind about Fridays at Gibralter. I didn't know you could get in for free on Fridays of the show. Nice.

[will.s]

I found a deal about 5 years ago on 5.45 ak mags. I use to go every chance I'd get. Now, I avoid them. High prices, and too many bubba's, in my opinion.

[mopedman]

I go just to get holsters from NTAC. Other then that, it is a waist of time.

[DEVIL DOG]

I take a list of stuff I need/want with the best prices I can find. Be surprised how those guys will satisfy you if they know you're serious about buying. Last time at Gibralter, I got eveything on my list & actually saved a few bucks.

[dpgperftest]

just food from the snack bar

[kjm_rebuild]

I went to Birch Run yesturday, I won't be back.

[Dsully]

I went and usually I wouldn't buy anything but I found a better price on a RIA 1911 then on Buds. It was a good find for me. It was busy as heck but I had a good time. I went to one last year in Mt. Clemens and it left a bad taste in my mouth so I was skeptical about Birch Run but I'm glad I went

[SMUDGE]

Usually look for parts or magazines. I figure if I am paying 5 dollars for shipping the same as admission and the price is the same online as a vendor I might as well support local business.

[eightbit]

It will be interesting to see what will happen in GR this year with 2 organizers doing gun shows. Will vendors do both or will there be less vendors at both shows? Will that push prices up or down?

It will be interesting to see if the one that doesn't require you to disarm does better than the one that does.

[EcksFactor]

just bought some Mosin stripper clips the last time i went to one. Also, i wanted to walk up to the dude selling those PowerBand bracelets and say that he was the biggest scammer in the show (which was saying a lot looking at ammo prices!).

[smooth40]

I usually by ammo from a trusted vendor. Then after that it's just entertainment.

[Cedmonds]

I take a list of stuff I need/want with the best prices I can find. Be surprised how those guys will satisfy you if they know you're serious about buying. Last time at Gibralter, I got eveything on my list & actually saved a few bucks.



+1 when I went to Gibraltar last was in the height of my m1 garand building phase. I brought a piece of paper with the parts that my dupage kits were missing and what the going rates of those parts listed online were. Their was a table with a large display of m1 garand parts and that guy made me a deal on a rather sizable lot, I handed him the piece of paper and he put it together for me... I saved 75$ :-D

[Veteran]

I usually go Mt. Clemens Gibraltor show on Fridays. You can get a coupon to park free in the Macomb Daily or Warren weekly. And the show is free on Fridays. Usually find something I want 50% of the time. Have found some good deals, but you have to know what you are doing.

[will.s]

I also got tired of swating barrels out of my face.:bfg2:

[diesel3500]

Ive had good and bads experience at gun shows. Sometimes the prices just seem rediculous but then the same show later in the year Ive found good deals. Mostly on parts or ammo