What to expect at Calgary’s Gun show!!??

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WWW226

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What to expect at Calgary’s Gun show!!??

Dear fellows CGNs

It will be my first gun show and don’t know what to expect.
I’m looking to buy my first handgun and mainly looking into a P226.

Do we get good discount at gun show or it nothing but a “show”....

Thanks for your sharing.
Bob
 
WWW226 said:
Dear fellows CGNs

It will be my first gun show and don’t know what to expect.
I’m looking to buy my first handgun and mainly looking into a P226.

Do we get good discount at gun show or it nothing but a “show”....

Thanks for your sharing.
Bob
Click to expand...

If your Military you get free access.
Long line ups for slices of pizza 73.....nice and greasy.
Rows and rows of tables with assorted goodies.
You can hear the buzz and noise as soon as you get your feet inside the BMO building.
Lots of bumping into others as you move from table to table.
It's a good idea to start either end of the building and then work your way up and down the rows.
 
Have a good idea of what is a good price for what you want before you go, or have web access to check while looking. You'll find lots of interesting items to look at that you may not know pricing for.

The more time you have and the earlier you get there, the better.

Cheers,
GMC
 
sprbloggins said:
If your Military you get free access.
Long line ups for slices of pizza 73.....nice and greasy.
Rows and rows of tables with assorted goodies.
You can hear the buzz and noise as soon as you get your feet inside the BMO building.
Lots of bumping into others as you move from table to table.
It's a good idea to start either end of the building and then work your way up and down the rows.
Click to expand...

Lol, good to know !! Will bring sandwich ???!!
Yes, I imagine it will be full of people.
But do we get deals at gun shows?
No,?I’m just a civilian, will pay $15 for the 2 days entrench.
 
Yes, I’ve been looking for 6 month while reading a lot of books and YouTube’s and CHN posts.
I feel I’m comfortable to make the move.
I’m not sure about buying my first pistol used from a CHN manner, so most likely to buy a BNIB

So need all the discount I can get.... this hobby is expensive.....
 
If it's your first gun show, I would almost recommend not buying anything.

There will be some good deals there, but there will be a lot more "meh" and outright gouging, as a lot of vendors try and cash in on gun show hype and sell things for above retail or above the going secondary market rates. Until you get to know the market better, you're more likely to get burned than you are to come out ahead.

Pack a snack and a water bottle. Lining up for overpriced Stampede catering crap food is a muggins game.

Also, for the love of your fellow man, wear deodorant.

Other than that, it's actually a really good time. You'll see guns there you've only ever read about and seen in pictures. Lots of friendly people who are happy to show off their kit, even to the obvious tire kickers. Set aside the day for it. It's a huge show, the biggest in Canada, IIRC, and there's lots to see.
 
Deals are few and far between. Buying a hand gun here I generally would not recommend. Handle them em, and then come back to CGN to find the cheapest dealer.
 
Thanks guys!!!
That sets my expectation.
Just a “show” thing.
Not the real deal that manufacture or gun shops would put on and gain new customers.

Will wear and bring a bottle of deodorant !! Hahah

Thank you again for your valuable sharings!!!
 
There are always interesting displays of collections to examine as well. Wear comfy shoes. Standing for hours on concrete sucks.

Auggie D.
 
You will probably see some Daniel Bone types,wearing lots of fur and leather.
You'll also see an interesting mix of Operators, Mall Ninjas, Commando's, Snipers, & Preppers.
Others wear hunter orange though it's not hunting season.
Yes, some folks like to dress up. It's harmless fun.
Bring some Vicks Vapo Rub for your upper lip. Not everyone feels they should bath, and put on something fresh before leaving the house.
 
Most (new) people get burned paying too much at gun shows. Please do not become one of these people. Almost everything I see is overpriced, and it's the same items at each show.

Just trying to warn a new guy.
 
Have a short list of things that you're interested and get a an idea of a fair price.

If you find things on your short list and you're happy with the price then go for it. Note though that unless its rare, there's a good chance you'll find it somewhere else on the floor.

For things you're excited about but are not sure about a fair price: your phone is your friend and make sure to check the EE.

This is a pretty big show! I normally take 2-4 hours (sometimes longer) to see everything. My strategy: I enter somewhere in the middle of the floor. I note the seller on the end of that row and I mark that as row number 1. I then work each row up and down in either a leftward or rightward direction. When I get to the far end of the floor I go back to row number 1 and do the same in the opposite direction. For stuff that I find where there's a good possibility that I'll find it somewhere else: I use my phone to note the row I'm on and where I found it. For example: 38-55 dies, row 12, right-side, midway...

Sellers get more flexible on price towards the end of the day.

That's about it...have fun!
 
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Its usually the same crap as the year(s) before, only on a different dealers table at an inflated price:) This year I expect to see a lot of inventory blown out by Wholesale Sports in their close-out, now being sold at regular or above retail. The buyer needs to be price saavy and do some research before the get drawn into the fray. There are some deals to be had, but you need to know your stuff..
dB
 
Calgary gun show, the biggest and best in Canada, by far.
More rare stuff than anywhere else. You need to know what stuff is worth to you.
Yup, some stuff is expensive. If it is unobtainable otherwise, you decide.
There are always bargains and not so good deals. Still, I defy you to find more gun stuff in any one place in Canada.
 
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