Buy at Gun Shows???

[kaybur]

I plan on going to the Valley Forge gun show in June.

Is a gun show a better place to buy a handgun than at a dealer??
Or is a gun show just a good place to see guns and equipment??

ken

[fingers80002]

Good luck finding any deals at shows.

[MichaelJ]

I plan on going to the Valley Forge gun show in June.

Is a gun show a better place to buy a handgun than at a dealer??
Or is a gun show just a good place to see guns and equipment??

ken

If you build a relationship with a good shop, you will find that your prices drop over time. I consider it a long term investment. Over the long haul, I end up spending less, and have access to a wider range of equipment.

I consider gun shows a decent showcase for things that I might not get to see, but have yet to find shows to be the rock bottom price.

[DCChris]

I've bought a couple guns at shows, prices were about average. The advantage was the gun was right in front of me, no book, no ordering, pick it up and check it out.

[Arcana71]

Shows aren't really a venue for prices.
Where they really excel is in selection.

Think of it more like "scouring 100 gun shops in one day" and less like "hardcore bargain hunting."
You may find the occasional deal, but don't go expecting to clean up at a deep discount.

[Willie D]

Shows aren't really a venue for prices.
Where they really excel is in selection.

I'll disagree slightly:

In my experience, the selection really isn't that great. When I was in the market for a CZ I went to at least 6 shows before I even saw one (and it was beat). You see the same handguns over and over, but for common models I can usually find someone selling gun XX for less than any of my local shops.

Rifles seem to vary more from show to show.

[tlgpa]

Some of the used guns have decent prices.
I've seen comparable and sometimes cheaper new gun prices than in gun shops.
Probably a lot to do with inventory and availability. If it's a gun that flys off the shelf as soon as they get it (and thats happening a lot!) you're not gonna get a good deal cause someone else will come along and pay top dollar.

Definately a good place to touch, feel, compare.

[str8shooter]

It's a great place to buy if you know what you want or can spot a good deal on the spot. I also agree that it's a great way to have dealers come to you instead of you scouring the internet or driving around to look for something special.

The key to scoring at a gun show is know what you want, know what differentiates a good one from a bad one, and know what the going prices are. Use www.gunbroker.com or www.gunsamerica.com to get some round numbers, and set your sights on what you think is a reasonable figure and walk into the show ready to deal.

If you're looking for a common gun that's on several tables, flat out play one dealer against the other. They usually know who's selling what at the other tables and will meet or beat another dealer's price. Bluffing has worked for me in the past, but you risk either being called, or having to fold and walk away.

Another way to get a lower than marked price is if the dealer has consignment guns. They have the target price marked, but also a rock bottom price the owner is willing to take. One warning, if you put an offer on the table and the dealers accepts it, unless you find out something about the gun you don't like before the deal is done, you really should follow through with the purchase.

And remember, if you don't find it at the gun show, the stores and dotcoms will still be there on Monday.

[Kodiak]

You can easily handle hundreds of fireamrs at the shows.....and like most of the guys said....you can find a few deals at a show but take a look around at other dealers.....ive found prices can vary somewhat if you pay attention.

[bert]

Figure what the Dealer has to pay for the table, travel, time etc. Some dealers mark up prices, then if your interested they might knock off $10. I look for the dealers selling magazines, incidentals, reloading supplies hand them the cash before they charge you the state tax. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. After paying the admission price that usually cancels any savings. I usually leave wondering why I went in the first place. But today Gun Shop inventories are fairly lean. Unless you buy mail order it's hard to find some items. you may find them at a Gun Show? Buyer Beware!