Are Gun Shows Worth It?

[jcabin]

My friend and I are looking into buying a couple AK's, would it really be cost efficient to travel out to one? Are the guns really that much cheaper? thanks for your time.

[billamj]

If you know what you are looking for and if you know what the prices are on them normally you can get a good deal. If you don't know what you're looking at and don't know what the price should be well.....

[RoyJackson]

They are fun to wander around!

If you know pretty much what you're looking for...and how much it's worth, there are deals (if you haggle).

But, never play Monday morning quarterback...and never ask if you got a good deal on a forum. No matter what, you paid what you paid, so why ask someone to rain on your parade?
Just enjoy!!!

[Seventy4Blazer]

i have been to 4 guns shows at the york fairgrounds since ihave been out here...

VERY very rare in my eyes to find a "good deal"

better than average deals and break even deals happen offten. but i have yet to see too many prices much better if any on anythig at the York shows...

[Warsaw Pact]

My friend and I are looking into buying a couple AK's,

I would be wary of finding a good deal. First, research prices online for WASRs and Yugo AKs (generally what you'll see). Factor in the price, the shipping cost, the FFL fee, etc. Then you can compare that with what you see at the show.

My experience at gun shows is I generally see guys trying to go for the "home run" when selling guns- meaning they are really hoping a sucker comes along who will make an impulse buy and overpay by $80.

So caveat emptor.

[bogey1]

im with warsw and 74blazer on that one. i havnt bought a gun at a show in years. but, i did get a good deal on 1100 rnds of 762x39 steel core on stripper clips for 150.00 last summer...the guy must of not gave a crap or didnt know what he had... go to gunbroker.com just check the feedback from the seller before you make a decision...

[PennsyPlinker]

I've gotten a couple of decent deals at a gunshow, but it has been with the help of Mrs. Plinker. I will see a gun I want, call her and have her check it out on the web to see if the price is a good one. But one way or another, you have to know what things cost before you go spending your money.

[Advocate]

5 or 6 years ago, YES

now... not so much, you'll find the odd deal.... but nothing like it was pre '00


...like others, i mainly go to window shop.

[omnibus]

i went to one in harrisburg last year.

i was not impressed. prices were actually HIGHER than at retailers. plus....there was a lot of junk and too much non firearms related stuff.

i wont be going to another one anytime soon.

[bogey1]

Originally Posted by omnibus

i went to one in harrisburg last year.

i was not impressed. prices were actually HIGHER than at retailers. plus....there was a lot of junk and too much non firearms related stuff.

i wont be going to another one anytime soon.

i think the one in valley forge you cant sell beef jerky anymore, people were complaining that there is too much unrelated stuff being sold...