Hey I was thinking about going to the gun show in Calgary this weekend but I'm not sure what to expect. Im interested in finding deals on second hand guns and ammunition. Is there going to be lots of second hand items or is it going to be mostly bigger companies promoting there stores and new things to come? thank you in advance.
Gun show in Calgary???
- Thread starter joecamo
- Start date
I’d say there are more 2nd hand guns there then there are new guns....definitely worth going if you can...I can’t because I have to work this weekend(which is probly a good thing)!
- Location
- Carseland Ab
Cash in hand show your pal walk out the door with your purchase.... hand gun is no different than buying from a store you'll have to wait for the transfer to take place befor you get the firearm. Calgary is the biggest firearms show in Canada. Good luck!!!
Like half mile mentioned...bring Cash and your licence...I’m sure you will find more than something your looking for....
You could stay at home and contemplated what you might have found at the event.
Heading out and exploring what the event has to offer might yield your curiosity.
but, staying home certainly will not help matters.
Yes, I know five hours return is an expensive gamble.
Rob
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- High River, Alberta
Some do still sell powder but you are right that they can't bring it in the building.
I've bought some there but had to walk outside to the dealers car to pick it up. Not the smoothest system by a long shot!
I've bought some there but had to walk outside to the dealers car to pick it up. Not the smoothest system by a long shot!
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- High River, Alberta
Oops. Double tap.
You won't be disappointed, I would guess that 95% of firearms are second hand. I always attend the Calgary Gun Show, there is plenty to view and fun conversations with people who you know, or don't know. This year I "have" to attend, I'm picking-up my custom rifle from EM Precision who will have a booth, plus shotgun ammo from Clay at Prophet River Firearms.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
I wonder if the deals will be in the last few hours or the first hour. Hopefully lady luck will be on my side
Sounds like this is your first show so a little insight to prepare you...If you are looking for "that hard to find obsolete ammo" at a 'reasonable price" for some old gun such as 25-20 or the like you should be in the first wave of visitors...To be comfortably in that "wave you will need to be in the "front door line-up real early (like 8 am or so) otherwise the stuff you might want will be picked over for the bargains...you may still find some but it will be at "their price" which all the other bargain hunters have passed on.
The used, or new gun for that matter, deals can be had throughout the show both days...however you may be luckier on a deal in the last 3 hrs of Sunday as some (not all) vendors get a little lazy about carrying some items home again (or they bought something costly themselves and need some cash to "justify the trip to the missus") and can be a lot more "friendly" (I've been on both sides of the table for this)...just ask them, it wont hurt.
One more warning...don't expect to "do the whole show in a couple hrs, you will need a full days time to even see just "most of the stuff" guaranteed.
Great show. Worth the price of admission, even if you don't buy anything (a feat I've yet to be able to pull off).
You'll see guns you've only heard about, or seen pictures of.
The pricing tends to be slightly high, on average. But there are always deals to be had.
Best bet, if you want a deal, is if you know what you're looking for in advance, and know the going prices for that item. There will be a LOT of guns that are way overpriced, because the owner overvalues it, or doesn't actually want to sell it. This second bit is a bit of a thing, guys telling their wives that "honest hun, I tried to sell off some of the collection, but there just weren't any buyers this year." Almost a running gag.
It's a huge show. You really do need the better part of the day to see everything. The best deals can be found on the least organized, nondescript tables that most people just walk past. Those are the tables that you need to stop, look closely at everything on the table, and look at all the pricetags.
It's also a bit of a social thing. Always run into people I know there, chat with some of the dealers I've gotten to know over the years. Most of the forum sponsor retailers will have tables there. It's nice to put a face to some of the online retailers.
Also... Wear deodorant. I swear that there's a whole segment of the attendees, that this is the one trip they make to the "big city" a year, after crawling out of a cave innawoods, and haven't seen a bar of soap since WWII.
You'll see guns you've only heard about, or seen pictures of.
The pricing tends to be slightly high, on average. But there are always deals to be had.
Best bet, if you want a deal, is if you know what you're looking for in advance, and know the going prices for that item. There will be a LOT of guns that are way overpriced, because the owner overvalues it, or doesn't actually want to sell it. This second bit is a bit of a thing, guys telling their wives that "honest hun, I tried to sell off some of the collection, but there just weren't any buyers this year." Almost a running gag.
It's a huge show. You really do need the better part of the day to see everything. The best deals can be found on the least organized, nondescript tables that most people just walk past. Those are the tables that you need to stop, look closely at everything on the table, and look at all the pricetags.
It's also a bit of a social thing. Always run into people I know there, chat with some of the dealers I've gotten to know over the years. Most of the forum sponsor retailers will have tables there. It's nice to put a face to some of the online retailers.
Also... Wear deodorant. I swear that there's a whole segment of the attendees, that this is the one trip they make to the "big city" a year, after crawling out of a cave innawoods, and haven't seen a bar of soap since WWII.
