So, todays gun show kind of sucked for me.

timothydgordon

timothydgordon

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So, I would have posted about the Hamilton Military Collectors Society gun show in Hamilton if I knew about it more in advance but it wasn't advertised or promoted at all, I knew about it only late last night. In fact, I was surprised at the number of people that were there. So, I went with cash in my pocket, I only had a few hours sleep working night shift before but it didn't matter, I was so excited to see my first gun show ever. I was going to buy a new duty belt, get some mags, maybe buy a nice synthetic stock for someones stocking on Christmas morning and at least come home with as much ammo as I could cart home.

Boy, was I wrong. First off cheaper ammunition than I normally buy was at least $3 more a box than the expensive stuff I buy that I buy at Al Simmons. There was some really neat WWII and even some WWI era stuff but frankly, I don't really need a classic gas mask or a big fury Russian cap. There were a few dealers there charging top dollar for new pistols and rifles, the used prices weren't bad but nothing I was interested in. So, what did I come home with a Smith & Wesson "S.W.A.T." knife. Oh well, if anyone has any info on other events, let me know.

Tim.
 
Dude, every gun show I've ever been to follows this same recipe:

#1. Sellers try to sell used junk for new, or more than new prices.

I really think that gun shows are just a way for old men to see each other. They pay the $ for a table and bring stuff that they really don't think will sell, than they price it so high that it won't sell just so that it's an excuse to get out of the house and hang out with their buddies.

Basically, gun shows aren't a place to buy stuff, it's kind of an old school "Facebook" for seniors, but in person.
 
Yeah it is always like that.

Might find a little something your looking for if that is cheap knock off loupolds or chinese made "tactical" crap, but your still going to pay for it, and pay for it you will.

Missed the show, but were the 4 or 5 smelly farmers who don't shower there to stink it up?
 
Hmmm... I have gotten some great deals at gun shows over the years and as recent as the last one I attended 6 months ago. Yes the majority of the stuff is over priced but good deals are possible, and in my experience many sellers have been open to negotiate down on the price. Too bad there are not as many as there used to be.
 
And don't forget the stinky guy; every gun show has a BO monster. The only deals you will get are from guys like you and me who buy a table to sell off some of our not needed items, like others have said most of the junk is overpriced and has been around the circuit many times.
 
Too bad about gun shows hosted by the 'historical societies'....I quit going to them about 15 years ago. Learned first hand it's too easy to get hosed if you buy on impulse. Caveat emptor...
 
Aah But Then

timothydgordon said:
So, I would have posted about the Hamilton Military Collectors Society gun show in Hamilton if I knew about it more in advance but it wasn't advertised or promoted at all, I knew about it only late last night. In fact, I was surprised at the number of people that were there. So, I went with cash in my pocket, I only had a few hours sleep working night shift before but it didn't matter, I was so excited to see my first gun show ever. I was going to buy a new duty belt, get some mags, maybe buy a nice synthetic stock for someones stocking on Christmas morning and at least come home with as much ammo as I could cart home.

Boy, was I wrong. First off cheaper ammunition than I normally buy was at least $3 more a box than the expensive stuff I buy that I buy at Al Simmons. There was some really neat WWII and even some WWI era stuff but frankly, I don't really need a classic gas mask or a big fury Russian cap. There were a few dealers there charging top dollar for new pistols and rifles, the used prices weren't bad but nothing I was interested in. So, what did I come home with a Smith & Wesson "S.W.A.T." knife. Oh well, if anyone has any info on other events, let me know.

Tim.
Click to expand...

Today my buddy scored a very rare firearm - brand new at a very fair price !
I got IVI .308 for 600 a thousand - lots cheaper than 800 plus tax and shipping for south african !
It all depends on what your after at the show -- :D
 
Certainly the Ontario shows aren't nearly as much fun as the one's in the States. Yes, it's mostly a bunch of old guys that trade the same old krap amongst themselves. And it is really annoying that many of them gotta pack up at 10, to get home in time for a nap or whatever. BUT, it's still worthwhile going once in awhile. There ARE a couple of people who have taken the hint from American shows and are there selling new stuff like cleaning supplies, hunting clothing and cast bullets. So it's good for people who just simply can't maintain a storefront. Also, in some tiny, minuscule way, having gunshows show the non-gun public that there ARE harmless (though possibly old and/or smelly and/or fashion-challenged) law-abiding gun enthusiasts out there.
 
Gunshow

Hi,
I am sending you the schedule of shows in 2009,
Re the show,Ithink your expectations were too high,since
it was your first show
However I have been to quite a few,and I must say that was
not a very good one.Alot of empty tables,belive me rhere
better ones.
I mainly go to see all the different guns,so I don't know
about prices etc.
jOHN

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/BUMUKAS/?action=view&current=gunshow.jpg>

Ps
I HOPE THIS WORKS
 
Gunshows are hit and miss, if you take the time to look at everything, there are usually some good deals to be had, but probably 99 percent is crap. But think of the bright side, you get to be in a big room full of guns!
 
Image did not come through. But the schedule is easy to remember, the second sunday of every second month, starting in February.



Bumukas said:
Hi,
I am sending you the schedule of shows in 2009,
Re the show,Ithink your expectations were too high,since
it was your first show
However I have been to quite a few,and I must say that was
not a very good one.Alot of empty tables,belive me rhere
better ones.
I mainly go to see all the different guns,so I don't know
about prices etc.
jOHN

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/BUMUKAS/?action=view&current=gunshow.jpg>

Ps
I HOPE THIS WORKS
Click to expand...
 
targettarget said:
Dude, every gun show I've ever been to follows this same recipe:

#1. Sellers try to sell used junk for new, or more than new prices.

I really think that gun shows are just a way for old men to see each other. They pay the $ for a table and bring stuff that they really don't think will sell, than they price it so high that it won't sell just so that it's an excuse to get out of the house and hang out with their buddies.

Basically, gun shows aren't a place to buy stuff, it's kind of an old school "Facebook" for seniors, but in person.
Click to expand...

Oh man, that made my day. :D
Thanks for a good laugh on this crappy start of the day.
 
Gun shows, gun auctions and even the EE on this board are excellent places for stupid and ill-informed people to be parted from their money.

But if you know your prices and have done some research they can be decent places to find out-of-production guns or unusual items that aren't carried in most stores. Often prices are too high but cash talks and sellers are willing to negotiate but be prepared to walk away from any gun if you don't like the price or condition.
 
Claybuster said:
Gun shows, gun auctions and even the EE on this board are excellent places for stupid and ill-informed people to be parted from their money.

But if you know your prices and have done some research they can be decent places to find out-of-production guns or unusual items that aren't carried in most stores. Often prices are too high but cash talks and sellers are willing to negotiate but be prepared to walk away from any gun if you don't like the price or condition.
Click to expand...

Well Said!!
 
targettarget said:
Dude, every gun show I've ever been to follows this same recipe:

#1. Sellers try to sell used junk for new, or more than new prices.

I really think that gun shows are just a way for old men to see each other. They pay the $ for a table and bring stuff that they really don't think will sell, than they price it so high that it won't sell just so that it's an excuse to get out of the house and hang out with their buddies.

Basically, gun shows aren't a place to buy stuff, it's kind of an old school "Facebook" for seniors, but in person.
Click to expand...

haha!!!! Best post ever!!
 
I think the best shows left in Ontario are Orangeville and Ancaster, I do not bother to go to the other ones anymore.
 
Thanks for the "Facebook" thing - brings some hilarious images to mind! :)

I've given up going to any of the Vancouver Island shows except the big one (beginning of November this year in Saanichton) because I don't want to see the same Reader's Digest WWII books month after month and leave after 10 minutes because I've seen it all before. Used to enjoy buying a copy of Canadian Access to Firearms at the door, but that doesn't always happen.

Vendors selling reloading components can do well, as no shipping/hazmat fees. Also, some of the older guys don't want to have to load hundreds of pounds of cast bullets to take back to the shop, so you can get deals later in the show. Otherwise the good deals are done before the punters get in the door.

And don't you just love the adult "Pigpen" characters surrounded by visible waves of B.O.?
 
pontcanna said:
Thanks for the "Facebook" thing - brings some hilarious images to mind! :)

I've given up going to any of the Vancouver Island shows except the big one (beginning of November this year in Saanichton) because I don't want to see the same Reader's Digest WWII books month after month and leave after 10 minutes because I've seen it all before. Used to enjoy buying a copy of Canadian Access to Firearms at the door, but that doesn't always happen.

Vendors selling reloading components can do well, as no shipping/hazmat fees. Also, some of the older guys don't want to have to load hundreds of pounds of cast bullets to take back to the shop, so you can get deals later in the show. Otherwise the good deals are done before the punters get in the door.

And don't you just love the adult "Pigpen" characters surrounded by visible waves of B.O.?
Click to expand...

That's why I always book a table at the big 2 day show.... gets you in on Fri afternoon/nite for "set-up" and before opening on Sat.... that's when most of the real deals happen.... More than a few times I've bought up "lots" of stuff before opening, kept what I wanted for myself, sold off the rest during the show and ended up with all the stuff for myself "gratis" and the table rental paid for.... :cool:
 
Step Right Up! Git Yer Gun Deals Here!

NAA said:
I've bought up "lots" of stuff before opening, kept what I wanted for myself, sold off the rest during the show and ended up with all the stuff for myself "gratis" and the table rental paid for.... :cool:
Click to expand...
Maybe you could host a little three card monte at your table and offer free cruises, Nigerian investment opportunities...someone ought to report you to the proper...oh never mind :)
 
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