Good Gun Shows

[bloodandgutsmurphy]

The valparaiso gun show is a hoot. I always have a good time there

 

[Basher]

Problem is that most shows die down the during the summer months and won't be starting up again until September/October.

That’s perfect, actually. I’ll be busiest at work during the summer months anyway, so that gives me time to get well settled in to work and home before venturing off for day trips to neighboring “funshows.”

 

[JamesV]

The shows at Crown Point, Lake County Fairgrounds, is a good one. Next show is May 28-29, free parking and $5 entry.

 

[akrylov]

Sorry, I was being a jerk. The days of the “good gun show” are gone I fear. Sometimes you can find deals but for the most part Gun shows are full of guys trying to sell used guns for more than you can buy a new one for and guys flipping ammo for double the price. Don’t forget all the flea market items and tons of Chinese AR parts. I still go to a few and try to find odd ball parts or ammo though. I must admit the last two 1500s I bought new pistols as cheap or cheaper than I could order them for. I also go for the entertainment purposes, always something to see.
There is a show at Stout Field this weekend. It used to be my favorite show but it’s changed a lot. It was the first show I went to almost 40 years ago.

I agree, I went on one of them this Saturday for the first time and was kinda disappointed, initially, I thought I miss something as a guy was trying to sell me a used Glock for 800$ (???), but then I read this forum and see I am not the only one, what shows would you recommend to attend?

 

[Kirk Freeman]

You get out of the shows what you put in. The more knowledge the better the gun show will be.

The trinkets and jerky is there because it sells. The tourists come to shows with the expectation of free stuff (I mean they paid for parking and entrance thus they are entitled) so they buy fans, fidget spinners, jerky as totems of their presence at the show.

1. Get educated on the market.
2. If low, buy, if high, don't.
3. Have a list of needs, stick to the needs.
4. Have resources for targets of opportunity.
5. Have faith in the power of NO.

Here is the March 1500 experience, note what I spent and what I have there on the table, knowledge is power, entitlement is b.s.

The 1500 Is it worth it?

Re KellyinAvon. Time for another gun show tidbit. I was looking at a gun kit (some kind of belt fed) an arm came around and picked up a part of it. The arm had really nice jewelry and rings. Perfect nail polish. The arm was hooked to the nicest perfume ever (Island Gardenia-pretty sure). Made me...

www.indianagunowners.com

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Remember, most people go to gun shows as tourists with $400, minus gas and beer money. They go with their Affliction shirst, backward caps and sunglasses, to look, which is cool. The apex predators of the shows are: 1) guy who looks like that he has just come off the night shift and has 3/4" of calluses on his hands (because he is likely high-end skilled trade knows what he wants and he has cash money on him) and will go directly to what he wants, 2) the doctor, CPA, or lawyer in the khakis, nice causal shirt and half glasses (as he understands at least the basics of economics, has the power of NO and has resources, there or he can summon them) who will circle, taking notes.

But to have a good show, you need to study to be educated and to be prepared. Have a basic understanding of economics and how markets work and why. E.g., now, buy mags, not ammo. The market is coming down on lowers, wait for the August, when prices hit the nadir, show then buy.

Today's lesson, marginal utility: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marginalutility.asp

 

[drillsgt]

Remember, most people go to gun shows as tourists with $400, minus gas and beer money. They go with their Affliction shirst, backward caps and sunglasses, to look, which is cool. The apex predators of the shows are: 1) guy who looks like that he has just come off the night shift and has 3/4" of calluses on his hands (because he is likely high-end skilled trade knows what he wants and he has cash money on him) and will go directly to what he wants, 2) the doctor, CPA, or lawyer in the khakis, nice causal shirt and half glasses (as he understands at least the basics of economics, has the power of NO and has resources, there or he can summon them) who will circle, taking notes.

But to have a good show, you need to study to be educated and to be prepared. Have a basic understanding of economics and how markets work and why. E.g., now, buy mags, not ammo. The market is coming down on lowers, wait for the August, when prices hit the nadir, show then buy.

Today's lesson, marginal utility: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marginalutility.asp

Looks can be deceiving, I remember years ago when working at a shop the lazy owners son passed on a couple guys because they looked dirty, turns out they were pretty successful farmers and he lost the commission on two Weatherby rifles, high end optics, mounts and ammo lol.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I agree, I went on one of them this Saturday for the first time and was kinda disappointed, initially, I thought I miss something as a guy was trying to sell me a used Glock for 800$ (???), but then I read this forum and see I am not the only one, what shows would you recommend to attend?

I am a big fan of the Crown Point show. Aisles are wider, whole show takes 3ish hours, food trucks, clean bathrooms, plenty to do after show in Lake County (we hit Griffith, sometimes Crown Point).

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Looks can be deceiving, I remember years ago when working at a shop the lazy owners son passed on a couple guys because they looked dirty, turns out they were pretty successful farmers and he lost the commission on two Weatherby rifles, high end optics, mounts and ammo lol.

Very true. No disagreement.

The gun writer, Tamara Keel, has a story about having super jack to spend on a gun, but guys at shop let her stand there while they discussed bass boats.

 

[drillsgt]

Very true. No disagreement.

The gun writer, Tamara Keel, has a story about having super jack to spend on a gun, but guys at shop let her stand there while they discussed bass boats.

I could see that, when females came into the shop I always went to help them because they were there for a reason not to just stop in and shoot the bull.

 

[akrylov]

I am a big fan of the Crown Point show. Aisles are wider, whole show takes 3ish hours, food trucks, clean bathrooms, plenty to do after show in Lake County (we hit Griffith, sometimes Crown Point).

What about prices, usually shows have alot of "guys" who bought their S&W for 26 cents in 1976 and now selling for 600$

 

[Kirk Freeman]

What about prices, usually shows have alot of "guys" who bought their S&W for 26 cents in 1976 and now selling for 600$

Prices? Price is nothing but information. Part of your homework before you go. You should know the market. If it is too high, say NO. It is is too low, buy. If Jasper makes .09% over inflation, I don't care, none of my business. Not the Pricing Police and I am not the jealous type.

Be informed, be with resources, be able to walk away.