How to Save Money At The Gun Show

I knew better than to go, but I went to a Six Shooters Show in Pittsboro about a year ago... I ran into somebody I know, and he said, "Hey Jessie, whatcha doing?". I said, "Wasting Seven Dollars!", loud enough for everyone to hear. I got several laughs.

The whole show was so small that I looked at every table and was done in 20min. I kept telling myself to slow down... That didn't help.

I'm done with Six Shooters Shows. They are definitely a waste of $7.
 
DrScaryGuy said:
@cubrock is gonna be to the left with a few really interesting things tossed into the selection, the cool guns are priced fairly but still out of my fun budget.

on the other hand, i start sweating every time i walk into midsouth.
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I'm really hurt that I don't make you sweat....
 
cubrock said:
I'm really hurt that I don't make you sweat....
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well i think i'm running about 50% at buying something when i stop by your table... and the only time i did't buy one of your trade-in glocks was because i found s solid deal on a fairly rare gun at the one dude's table.
so you definitely make me nervous
 
I just left the 6shooters show about ten minutes ago. Bummed I didnt see @cubrock

It was $7 to enter, but if you showed a coupon (from their website) it knocked it down to 6.
-Only one booth had anything food/drink related, they had bbq sauces and such.

-While there was at least one booth with stun guns/tasers, I didnt hear one CLACK CLACK CLACK the entire 45 minutes I was there

-Every booth had 'relevant' items at it, it seemed. Though some were more relevant than others. Example being this one booth near the front that had some small personal defense items (tasers, hidden knives...cheap ass 'gun show' knives etc), but then also had little random keychains and stickers like Jeep themed ones, anime and so on

-Almost every booth keeper was polite and greeted in a friendly way. Only a few said nothing at all when walking up and looking over their wares.

-As I stated earlier, this was my first gun show in a few years. I was actually mentioning this to my wife - my last one was either Greensboro or Burlington 6shooters, cant recall which, but 2020 or 2021 at the latest.

Ok, so I enjoy shooting and you guys are great (minus ONE of you...you know who you are...), but it's not my life and I dont shoot as often as I wish I did.
Im saying that to say this - Im out of the loop. Ive not bought ammo in about 1.5 years, I dont know current rates for stuff.

So lets talk some prices
-keltec 2000, glock mag - 600 bucks (that's the 'sale' price from 660 on the tag)
-case of 12ga winchester - 50 bucks (this is for the whitebox stuff, 100 rounds total), looks like Academy sells it for 37 bucks. 2019 price was 22ish at WM.
-SP5k was 3400 bucks, which seems about on par with current market
-zenith mp5 clone was 2k (or maybe it was 1800, I forget, sorry)
-SKS were about 650
-leatherman free T2 was 45. Looked in good shape, but wasnt new, new ones are 50. So not terrible there.
That's all I got for you on pricing, sorry.

So I also took some pictures.
Need a knife like the bad guy from COBRA with Stallone? They got you.

hSHqoMd.jpg







@NCLivingBrit , I was having vibes of your style

vDaLKOQ.jpg



evmbKPD.jpg








saw a cute pupper.

vBT3YM2.jpg









And this guy has some really cool concealment items like photo frames
Yeah, Im terrible, only took a pic of his information (so i could remember for later)
He told me that his prices are quite a bit higher online vs his gunshow pricing


PndCFP5.jpg







Was it worth it? Yeah. 6 bucks for 45 minutes of entertainment and such, worth my money even if I didnt buy anything.
 
HMP said:
I just left the 6shooters show about ten minutes ago. Bummed I didnt see @cubrock

It was $7 to enter, but if you showed a coupon (from their website) it knocked it down to 6.
-Only one booth had anything food/drink related, they had bbq sauces and such.

-While there was at least one booth with stun guns/tasers, I didnt hear one CLACK CLACK CLACK the entire 45 minutes I was there

-Every booth had 'relevant' items at it, it seemed. Though some were more relevant than others. Example being this one booth near the front that had some small personal defense items (tasers, hidden knives...cheap ass 'gun show' knives etc), but then also had little random keychains and stickers like Jeep themed ones, anime and so on

-Almost every booth keeper was polite and greeted in a friendly way. Only a few said nothing at all when walking up and looking over their wares.

-As I stated earlier, this was my first gun show in a few years. I was actually mentioning this to my wife - my last one was either Greensboro or Burlington 6shooters, cant recall which, but 2020 or 2021 at the latest.

Ok, so I enjoy shooting and you guys are great (minus ONE of you...you know who you are...), but it's not my life and I dont shoot as often as I wish I did.
Im saying that to say this - Im out of the loop. Ive not bought ammo in about 1.5 years, I dont know current rates for stuff.

So lets talk some prices
-keltec 2000, glock mag - 600 bucks (that's the 'sale' price from 660 on the tag)
-case of 12ga winchester - 50 bucks (this is for the whitebox stuff, 100 rounds total), looks like Academy sells it for 37 bucks. 2019 price was 22ish at WM.
-SP5k was 3400 bucks, which seems about on par with current market
-zenith mp5 clone was 2k (or maybe it was 1800, I forget, sorry)
-SKS were about 650
-leatherman free T2 was 45. Looked in good shape, but wasnt new, new ones are 50. So not terrible there.
That's all I got for you on pricing, sorry.

So I also took some pictures.
Need a knife like the bad guy from COBRA with Stallone? They got you.

hSHqoMd.jpg







@NCLivingBrit , I was having vibes of your style

vDaLKOQ.jpg



evmbKPD.jpg








saw a cute pupper.

vBT3YM2.jpg









And this guy has some really cool concealment items like photo frames
Yeah, Im terrible, only took a pic of his information (so i could remember for later)
He told me that his prices are quite a bit higher online vs his gunshow pricing


PndCFP5.jpg







Was it worth it? Yeah. 6 bucks for 45 minutes of entertainment and such, worth my money even if I didnt buy anything.
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How much were those primers?
 
HMP said:
No idea pal




Also, one vendor had the 4 pack of plastic ammo cans with the tray, like what was at Costco (or Sams) recently for 20 bucks. Their price - FIFTY.
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I’ve see a lot of vendors with those at shows the last month or so. I’ve wondered if they came from Costco.
 
I haven't been to a gun show in several years, and really don't anticipate ever going to another one - with one exception: The Old North State Antique Gun and Military Collectors show at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. That show may not have as many guns or vendors as something like the Dixie Classic, but what it does have is the older stuff that is within my niche interests. Also, I don't ever recall there being any jerky tables, stun guns, scented candles or purse vendors there. When you walk around, it is like visiting a military history museum, just with higher prices. Occasionally though, there will be that guy with a table selling off their personal collections or random parts and 'extras' bin contents. THAT is where you might find a hidden gem or a bargain on something you want, need or otherwise can't find. And either before you go in, or when you leave, you can take a few minutes to dig around the Flea Market and sometimes find something interesting.
 
East of Here said:
I haven't been to a gun show in several years, and really don't anticipate ever going to another one - with one exception: The Old North State Antique Gun and Military Collectors show at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. That show may not have as many guns or vendors as something like the Dixie Classic, but what it does have is the older stuff that is within my niche interests. Also, I don't ever recall there being any jerky tables, stun guns, scented candles or purse vendors there. When you walk around, it is like visiting a military history museum, just with higher prices. Occasionally though, there will be that guy with a table selling off their personal collections or random parts and 'extras' bin contents. THAT is where you might find a hidden gem or a bargain on something you want, need or otherwise can't find. And either before you go in, or when you leave, you can take a few minutes to dig around the Flea Market and sometimes find something interesting.
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That is a great show.
 
cubrock said:
That is a great show.
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I agree. Having gotten older, and now having amassed a collection beyond my capability to fully enjoy, I am not really a "buyer" anymore. Thus, my ambivalence to the "big" shows. But at the ONSAF&MC show, you can get an amazing interactive history lesson for just $10 and taking the time to talk to folks.
 
I went to the last 6 Shooters show in Cedar Point and was more than disappointed. A gun show should have more than four vendors. 45 minute drive….21 bucks for myself, my wife and a buddy to get in only to be done in about 5 minutes.

6 Shooters should be ashamed of themselves calling this a “gun show”.

I thought the S&D shows had gotten bad, but this one just made me angry.
 
august1410 said:
I went to the last 6 Shooters show in Cedar Point and was more than disappointed. A gun show should have more than four vendors. 45 minute drive….21 bucks for myself, my wife and a buddy to get in only to be done in about 5 minutes.

6 Shooters should be ashamed of themselves calling this a “gun show”.

I thought the S&D shows had gotten bad, but this one just made me angry.
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I think go to the right Gun Show is like going to a R rated movie,

You see lots of things you can not unsee, good or bad.

You see lots of things you really like but can not tell the better half.

You hear lot of language you enjoy hearing.

You will hopefully leave with a smile and better understanding of life.

Best of all you can if you like you can leave with great souvenirs from the show
 
HMP said:
It was $7 to enter, but if you showed a coupon (from their website) it knocked it down to 6.
-Only one booth had anything food/drink related, they had bbq sauces and such.

-While there was at least one booth with stun guns/tasers, I didnt hear one CLACK CLACK CLACK the entire 45 minutes I was there

-Every booth had 'relevant' items at it, it seemed. Though some were more relevant than others. Example being this one booth near the front that had some small personal defense items (tasers, hidden knives...cheap ass 'gun show' knives etc), but then also had little random keychains and stickers like Jeep themed ones, anime and so on

-Almost every booth keeper was polite and greeted in a friendly way. Only a few said nothing at all when walking up and looking over their wares.
Click to expand...

That was very similar to my experience at the Six Shooters show in Edenton around 2 years ago. Sure it was small, but there wasn't a load of space wasted on Pampered Chef and beef jerky either. The SGK shows near me cost $12 to get in, so half the price ain't so bad at all. Seemed like a great use of an hour to me.
 
august1410 said:
I went to the last 6 Shooters show in Cedar Point and was more than disappointed. A gun show should have more than four vendors. 45 minute drive….21 bucks for myself, my wife and a buddy to get in only to be done in about 5 minutes.

6 Shooters should be ashamed of themselves calling this a “gun show”.

I thought the S&D shows had gotten bad, but this one just made me angry.
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holy cow, FOUR?!???!
 
GoWolfpack said:
That was very similar to my experience at the Six Shooters show in Edenton around 2 years ago. Sure it was small, but there wasn't a load of space wasted on Pampered Chef and beef jerky either. The SGK shows near me cost $12 to get in, so half the price ain't so bad at all. Seemed like a great use of an hour to me.
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Wait, there are gun shows with Pampered Chef there?

I can spend me some money on Pampered Chef stuff!
 
I go looking for older stuff mainly. Last 4 or 5 guns I've bought at a gunshow have been from people in the aisle or in the parking lot. Last show I went to I lucked up on someone walking across the parking lot to go into the show with an SKS slung on his shoulder. Asked to see it, $500 later it was mine, is an all matching yugo, so at todays prices I think I got a decent deal there. There's deals to be found but they're few and far in between.

I've got a few guns I wanted in my childhood I'm still looking to aquire, still looking for a decent gyrojet, remington nylon bolt action pistol, still want to pick up a nice little gallery .22 that hasn't been shot out. Things like that are either gunbroker or a show, you're not going to walk into a shop and find them. So shows are mainly treasure hunts for me, that and just an excuse to walk around looking at guns for a few hours and visiting my favorite restaurant near the venue.
 
myst173 said:
I go looking for older stuff mainly. Last 4 or 5 guns I've bought at a gunshow have been from people in the aisle or in the parking lot. Last show I went to I lucked up on someone walking across the parking lot to go into the show with an SKS slung on his shoulder. Asked to see it, $500 later it was mine, is an all matching yugo, so at todays prices I think I got a decent deal there. There's deals to be found but they're few and far in between.

I've got a few guns I wanted in my childhood I'm still looking to aquire, still looking for a decent gyrojet, remington nylon bolt action pistol, still want to pick up a nice little gallery .22 that hasn't been shot out. Things like that are either gunbroker or a show, you're not going to walk into a shop and find them. So shows are mainly treasure hunts for me, that and just an excuse to walk around looking at guns for a few hours and visiting my favorite restaurant near the venue.
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Visit Midsouth Guns. You’ll spend a hour looking at the 22 Gallery guns. If you look at everything, you will spend hours. A treasure hunt in one building and fantastic fried chicken next door. Or yoy can join us at the Myrtle Beach Show. If nothing else, great company and French fries
 
Haven't been to a gun show in probably 10 years . Lived in NY and used to go to one across the border in PA to get stuff we couldn't buy in NY
 
I’ve found that walking around gun shows w/ friends and like minded folks is generally worth the price of admission, especially considering there is always a chance at finding something that’s worth bringing home. Don’t go to all of them, but on occasion is certainly a worthy venture, for me at least
 
RetiredUSNChief said:
Wait, there are gun shows with Pampered Chef there?

I can spend me some money on Pampered Chef stuff!
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I need me a new slap chop... The one I bought 15 years ago is falling apart (but I still use it several times a week).

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Alabamacoastie said:
I need me a new slap chop... The one I bought 15 years ago is falling apart (but I still use it several times a week).
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Some of my favorites from Pamepred Chef are the stoneware baking sheets. If I could get away with it, I'd toss all the metal ones in the house.
 
DrScaryGuy said:
I say we all chip in to fund @NCLivingBrit to make stupid guns full time, just so he can sit at a table and try to sell them. the pictures alone would be worth it.
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I feel as though he could make a pretty penny with a YouTube channel devoted to his creations.
 
Alabamacoastie said:
I need me a new slap chop... The one I bought 15 years ago is falling apart (but I still use it several times a week).

View attachment 676485
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Wife just bought another after a nice quiet year without one. Now my after work wind down is once again accompanied by the sound of her wailing on that thing.

I was quite content with the ASMR stimuli of a kitchen knife slicing through veggies.
 
My wife's problem with the last chopper we had was the fact that she wouldn't clean it out when done. Not much of an issue, really, since I have no problems with rinsing things out and washing them anyway.

But her laziness lead her to one day simply store the chopped up onions in the fridge in the chopper container. And guess what the soft rubber bottom of the container smelled like FOREVER afterwards, no matter how much I cleaned it, soaked it, or left it in the sun to deodorize?

If you guessed onions...

Don't do that, folks...just dump your chopped stuff into separate containers.
 
Pogue said:
I feel as though he could make a pretty penny with a YouTube channel devoted to his creations.
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And that's just the ones that I think I can pull off with junk tools. The stuff I don't even try needs lathes and mills and such.

But maybe, although my ham fisted fumbling done with the wrong tools mostly while sitting in an office chair or on my bed are less than the usual fancy workshop youtubers setup lol

I think people would watch waiting for me to kaboom myself honestly
 
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NCLivingBrit said:
And that's just the ones that I think I can pull off with junk tools. The stuff I don't even try needs lathes and mills and such.

But maybe, although my ham fisted fumbling done with the wrong tools mostly while sitting in an office chair or on my bed are less than the usual fancy workshop youtubers setup lol

I think people would watch waiting for me to kaboom myself honestly
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Doesn’t matter why they watch as long as they do. $$$

Add in the British accent and now you’ve got the female 2a crowd boosting your numbers. 😀
 
Pogue said:
Doesn’t matter why they watch as long as they do. $$$

Add in the British accent and now you’ve got the female 2a crowd boosting your numbers. 😀
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I'm a fat old geezer with a hobo beard and a lot of grump. The accent can only do so much.
 
HMP said:
Ive not been to one since COVID first hit.
6Shooters is in WS this weekend. I havent been to one in a few years, but Im temped to pop over to it. Used to be 5 bucks entry, not sure if it still is.
Sort of like @RetiredUSNChief said, it's worth it for the entertainment.
We'll see.
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You spend more than that for a burger fries and drink at Mickey D's
 
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