Gun show coming to my area in early march. It will be my first.

Bring cash? checks? credit card?

What are the pros to buying from a gun show? any cons?

What is the impact on legality of the gun (if any)?



Thanks for the help guys - one day I wont be such a "noob".

Guys with booths that aren't dealers like cash and your not required to do the federal paperwork at those folks booths. Booths with licensed dealers will usually take checks or plastic if their set up for it and you'll do the federal paperwork involved in buying, selling or trading guns. Personally I always take cash.

dealing in guns at gun shows is a place where you can bargain and cash is the one of the best way to bargain. It's still legal to buy, sell and trade guns or there wouldn't be folks doing the gun shows. I also like to take some trading material even if I don't do any trades, it gets you into lots of conversations with folks wanting to deal and you never know what you might find.

Buy from a gun shop at the show. Their prices might be higher, but you might have some recourse if the gun is defective or broken in some way. This isn't common, but it has happened. Until you gain some experience and know what to look for, stick to the major dealers. Once you get your feet wet at a few shows, you'll know what to look for. I would also suggest taking a book of gun values along to find out what might be a good deal, or one to pass on for a better price.

Look around, and talk to the dealers, most of them are nice people with good stories, some are pricks, but don't be rude to any of them. Karma pays back with these guys.

Last one I went to, what I was looking for was generally overpriced. Now, I was looking for Single-Action revolvers, and they were few and far between. However, I ran across an original SW Russian. Way overpriced for the condition. Just do your research before you go to know what the prices are, retail, for what you're looking for, so you don't get caught up in the moment.

I have found that I have gotten some of my best gun show deals on the last day close to closing time. Go early and find what you want. If it hasn't sold toward the end, make em offer.

Bring cash.It's easier to bargain with.
Be aware that every show has one shyster dealer,at least.He may be the guy who you are talking to.Ask lots of questions;honest dealers,if they feel that you are really interested,will gladly answer them.
Good luck
Frank

Do plenty of home work on anything you are looking for before you go. Condition?? Price New or Used???

Always bring CASH, it can save you money and gives you plenty of bargaining power.

Scan all tables. First day pay particular attention to the private sales. That is where you may find the deal you are looking for. The licensed dealers hit the private sales guys early. They are always looking for deals.

Usually the gun shows last three days. SO be there on the first and definitely come back the last after 12:00 noon. Most shut down around 5:00 and many sellers get more flexible with their prices then.

And lastly it is a great place to learn about guns in general. Most of the sellers I've met are very friendly and enjoy talking to people. Just relax and it. I do even if I don't buy or trade something.

The gun shows in the Denver area require the paperwork and background check for ALL transactions at the show even transactions between private individuals. If I recall correctly it is a Colorado requirement and transactions initiated at the show and completed outside are prohibited. Transactions between private individuals not at a gun show -defined by the number of guns for sale and number of people present - do not require the background check and paperwork. The background checks for purchases from licensed dealers are handled by the dealer at no charge, but the background checks for purchases from private individuals at the show are handled by a special desk that charges a fee (the last time I made a private purchase at a show over a year ago, the fee was $8).

I worked several gun shows with a local dealer who discounted everything & would deal on guns .He made an offer to anyone who worked for him he'd sell them weapons at his cost plus DROS & Tax we took him up on that offer.I went to Crossroads of The West Gun Shows www.crossroadsgunshows.com (http://www.crossroadsgunshows.com) where you could buy powder,ammo & primers at www.buyammo.com (http://www.buyammo.com) same place my dealer bought primers.

There was a show here last weekend, And it amazes me how stupid some of the sellers think people are. I ran across a table where the guy had a few boxes of BTB 405g .459 bullets. I asked him how much for a parcial box, I think it only had like 12 bullets in it, and he came back with "how about 20 bucks?" I couldn't contain my laughter. I did get an RCBS powder measure for $20 though so it wasn't all bad.

For the past 25 years I've had tables at gun shows and have attended many others. Not all shows are the same. Here in Florida we have a couple of gun show promotors, that for lack of a better term, I classify their shows as an "entourage" - same dealers - same stuff - week-end after week-end - in different cities. I don't attend those shows anymore.

Perhaps the lowest-end type of shows are those that have a lot of flea market stuff, trinkets, cheap jewlery, T shirts, beef jerjky, bumper stickers...you might as well turn around and walk out.

The best shows are those put on by a local collector's group, or a gun range. For example, the Lakeland Rifle and Pistol Club sponsors three 600+ table shows per year. These shows have a good mixture of small dealers, individual owners, and collectors.

Then there are the large speciality shows that are usually held annually in a major city to attract a particular group of people, virtually from all over the country. The SHOT show is an example, another is the Baltimore Antique Arms Show, which I like to attend.

Cash is best, although some individuals will take a check, especially once they get to know you. Take along a copy of "the Blue Book of Gun Values" or make this your first purchase at the show, as you will usually find some book dealers at gun shows. Know your local gun laws and the Federal requirements. Usually, if you are a resident of the state in which the show is held you can purchase directly from an individual. However, make sure that your purchase is legal. I've known people and dealers to be arrested.