Recent Gun Show Experience

[CINDERS]

Its a case of the following;
A) They have it and know it.
B)You want it for a reasonable price, steals are hard to find but they are there.
C)Be polite and do not put them offside by offering a crap price do your homework stick to your budget and do not be sucked in by "Its rare" or "Its my last one" probably has a case full of it under the table.
D)If they are unreasonable rude and give attitude to you over your offer or your counter offer, be ever so polite and say "If crap was electricity bloke, you would be a walking power house....." then leave.

I do not suffer arrogant sellers and have been brought up with respect and humility but that does not mean they can jerk my chain and disrespect me.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

While we are on the subject does anyone know how to tell you spend to much time at gunshows?

[Mikesm44]

I was at that show too. I had some pretty good luck. Take a look at the pics. Star Modelo Super and Helwan pistol. I wasn't looking for ammo though. But other than that, that show was terrible. And it kind of usually is. It was also kind of empty vendor wise. Maybe they expected a smaller crowd since that guy accidentally shot someone last time?

[Aragorn243]

You had a guy shoot someone down in Texas? That happened here in PA last month. Idiot salesman shot one of his female customers in the thigh while demonstrating whatever it was he was selling.

Hooked......When you suffer withdrawal on a Saturday you don't go?

Last evening I ordered the Garand tool that I was looking at at the gun show. His price $75 for his cheapest. My price $29.95 for a PK which is the most common or "cheapest". Oh, and shipping was another $3 so I paid $33 for it.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Hooked......When you suffer withdrawal on a Saturday you don't go?

That is correct but I think I have it worse.

When the vendors ask you to watch their tables while they go eat lunch.

Yes it happened. Don't know if I feel more flattered or ashamed.

[Aragorn243]

I think you should be flattered. They obviously trust you.

Gun shows here aren't in the same place so there are different vendors at all of them. Obviously, some travel to each or most or some but for the most part, it's hard to get to know individual sellers although I recognize a few now. They had three big ones on the same weekend within 40 miles of one another which was really stupid as it diluted both the vendors and the buyers at each. Usually, it's one per weekend in my geographical area and they aren't every weekend.

I typically go to shows in York, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, and Philly. I quit going to the one in Allentown as everyone there seems to jack up their prices by 40%. I've been to a few others but they are all small in comparison and generally don't have much in milsurps.

I helped out a couple that I bought a rifle from last year with a bayonet they had mis-marked. I correctly I'd it for them and told them their price was about $20 too low. Helping them got me out of my ****ed off mood from the other guy.

[Mikesm44]

You had a guy shoot someone down in Texas? That happened here in PA last month. Idiot salesman shot one of his female customers in the thigh while demonstrating whatever it was he was selling.

No, some one in their car I guess was checking their ccw and they had an accidental discharge. They were the passenger and the round went into the driver. As I understand they were parked in the lot for the show at the time.

[catman]

back in the 60's-70's and 80's, I used to go to every show in a 60 mile radius. I stopped going for many of the said reasons and when I caught the "men in black" taping all the cars tags in the parking lot, that was the last straw.
My biggest enjoyment was going to a show and acting like a dumb a** and asking stupid questions, just to hear their sales pitch answers. (but I really don't have to "act" like a D/A, it comes natural)
My buddy is a dealer and I hear all the stories he tells me every week about the other dealers. Oh yeah, my buddy has the same things for sale too for the past 3 years, cause his also are all too high priced.
Our current prices down here, are approx, $ 8- $10 to park and $10- $12 to get in. Another good reason, not to go.
Many years ago, at a show, an elderly man walked in and had a fairly large rifle live round, not knowing what it was and cambered it in someones rifle, it went off, in the wrong caliber gun and just missed my Dads head by 3 feet. Shot a hole thru the roof of the building and about destroyed the gun.
Chuck

[WarPig1976]

When the vendors ask you to watch their tables while they go eat lunch.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I can drive an hour or so and see a few different vendors but mostly the same ones with mostly the same inventory I saw two weekends ago. Lately we have multiple shows on the same weekend within reasonable driving distance which splits the vendors basicly in half. Walkins seem to be the saving grace as vendors offer them "pawn stars" prices which are not to hard to beat. Do have some friendly competition from local folks with the same milsurps intrest. You have to keep on your toes. Have never seen the "men in black" but have no doubt they are around.