I usually go to the 1500 because sometimes I don't know I want something until I've had a chance to hold one. It starts the wheels turning and while I almost certainly will not buy at a gun show, it is nice to start shopping there sometimes. Other than that, they can be fun.
Plainfield Shooting Supply has a table (or 20) at the 1500 and the prices they ask at the show are no different than their store prices, which are usually very competitive. The malted milk balls sold by the chocolate guy are great too. I more often end up coming home with a box or two of bullets for reloading as well as more plastic cases to put the reloads into. Sometimes I find something that would make reloading a bit easier and often I don't know I need it until I see it.
I have found a few deals at the 1500, but they are not obvious. I picked up a really nice Finnish Mosin Nagant for $150 a couple of years ago. You have to ferret out the deals that are there, but they are usually to be found somewhere. Most of the vendors are asking way over the normal price for a gun and even that can be entertaining. You'll see a Bersa 380 on one table for $269 and then the same gun for $425 two tables over. An then every now and then, I'll find something I've been wanting and it will be at a decent price, so I'll bring it home. That does not happen too often though, as I think I've sold as many guns at the 1500 as I've bought, with the proceeds going into reloading supplies.
Plainfield Shooting Supply has a table (or 20) at the 1500 and the prices they ask at the show are no different than their store prices, which are usually very competitive. The malted milk balls sold by the chocolate guy are great too. I more often end up coming home with a box or two of bullets for reloading as well as more plastic cases to put the reloads into. Sometimes I find something that would make reloading a bit easier and often I don't know I need it until I see it.
I have found a few deals at the 1500, but they are not obvious. I picked up a really nice Finnish Mosin Nagant for $150 a couple of years ago. You have to ferret out the deals that are there, but they are usually to be found somewhere. Most of the vendors are asking way over the normal price for a gun and even that can be entertaining. You'll see a Bersa 380 on one table for $269 and then the same gun for $425 two tables over. An then every now and then, I'll find something I've been wanting and it will be at a decent price, so I'll bring it home. That does not happen too often though, as I think I've sold as many guns at the 1500 as I've bought, with the proceeds going into reloading supplies.
