What to expect from orangeville gun show.

Dclarenc

Dclarenc

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Burlington, Ontario
I am planning to go to the gun & military show in orangeville this weekend. Just wondering what to expect. I have never been to a gun show before. Is it mostly private vendors / individuals looking to sell used guns & accessories? Are manufacturers there representing new products? I noticed that urban tactical from Brantford is planning to be there.
In regards to purchases, do most sellers take cash only, or is debit / credit cards options. If not, are ATMs on site, or do I need to plan my budget ahead.
Am I kidding myself that it will be a good place for a new shooter to find a nice first gun or two? I'm going to go for the experience regardless. Just like knowing what to expect.
Thanks.
 
Lots of overpriced stuff.......

Get there at 8am if you want to find a deal, otherwise forget it. It's a busy show, and everything gets scooped up in the first half hour.

I don't bother anymore.....

Oh, and cash is the only way to go, and I don't believe there is an ATM.

In the end the EE here has far better deals then you will likely find at the show.

It's like these old fudds have never heard of the internet, and you will find most things overpriced, and many who will not entertain lower offers.

Just frustrating.......
 
im going to check it out too. looking to get cheap accessories more than anything. this is my first gun show in canada. hopefully they are at least somewhere near where the regional shows are like in the US (which i have been to many).

so there really isnt an ATM there? wtf? and who hasnt heard of the cell operated credit/debit machines. they arent exactly expensive.
 
Margucci said:
im going to check it out too. looking to get cheap accessories more than anything. this is my first gun show in canada. hopefully they are at least somewhere near where the regional shows are like in the US (which i have been to many).

so there really isnt an ATM there? wtf? and who hasnt heard of the cell operated credit/debit machines. they arent exactly expensive.
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No paper trail when you find out that your perchase has a bent barrel, missing part or otherwise needs to be returned to seller. No receipt providing sellers info, just your defective product and a sense of shame.
 
Whether you enjoy a gun show depends on your expectations. If you are looking for something specific or you expect a wide selection of new and modern guns at unforgettable prices you will be disappointed. If you are interested in out-of-production guns, rare parts, interesting books, things you won't find at Le Barons and don't mind haggling you are more likely to enjoy a gun show.

Like the EE good deals don't last long. Avoiding the bad deals and finding the good ones depends on your own firearms knowledge and ability to rate a gun's condition and serviceability after a quick examination. Be able to tell whether a bore is shot out, if a gun's been re-blued, a shotgun is off the face or a revolver is out of time or go with someone who does. Work the action, try the trigger, check that the safety works, look for cracks in the metal or wood and for signs of previous repairs or alterations. Don't be crushed if you find something wrong with a gun you've purchased at a show. BTW, I've had that happen with an EE purchase that resulted in a WTF moment when I took it apart. Consider it a learning experience.

I don't recall if the Orangeville hall has an ATM. But even if there is based on other gun shows I do know that any ATM in the facility is often emptied out early.

Get your cash in advance, know your stuff or go with someone who does, be prepared to haggle and to walk away if the deal doesn't feel right. Gun shows are not commercial events for the most part but are shooting-related community events.
 
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yea i wouldnt buy a gun from there. i dont have much interest in classics and i would want to know its history and have some accountability. honestly, im hoping to get some good deals on cases, ammo can, cleaning stuff, etc.
 
"...manufacturers there representing new products..." Nope. Usually private sales only, but some dealers show up by times.
"...somewhere near where the regional shows..." No way. No how.
Canadian gun shows can be just like American gun shows. Flea markets with a lot of non-firearm related junk or they can be strictly firearm related stuff. Depends on the club sponsoring it. They aren't commercial enterprises like they are Stateside. At any of 'em, in either country, you have to know what stuff assorted is worth, retail.
 
There is an ATM just inside the door. Also one in the other half of the facility that usually has something going on as well.IIRC it only dispenses $200 at a time. Refuse to pay tax if cash is all they take.
 
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This place gets packed quickly. Sometimes u can barely move. It makes it difficult to look at and ask questions about the firearms. There are a couple of store reps there that sell new firearms but mostly private. Occasion deal to be found.
 
Claybuster said:
Whether you enjoy a gun show depends on your expectations. If you are looking for something specific or you expect a wide selection of new and modern guns at unforgettable prices you will be disappointed. If you are interested in out-of-production guns, rare parts, interesting books, things you won't find at Le Barons and don't mind haggling you are more likely to enjoy a gun show.

Like the EE good deals don't last long. Avoiding the bad deals and finding the good ones depends on your own firearms knowledge and ability to rate a gun's condition and serviceability after a quick examination. Be able to tell whether a bore is shot out, if a gun's been re-blued, a shotgun is off the face or a revolver is out of time or go with someone who does. Work the action, try the trigger, check that the safety works, look for cracks in the metal or wood and for signs of previous repairs or alterations. Don't be crushed if you find something wrong with a gun you've purchased at a show. BTW, I've had that happen with an EE purchase that resulted in a WTF moment when I took it apart. Consider it a learning experience.

I don't recall if the Orangeville hall has an ATM. But even if there is based on other gun shows I do know that any ATM in the facility is often emptied out early.

Get your cash in advance, know your stuff or go with someone who does, be prepared to haggle and to walk away if the deal doesn't feel right. Gun shows are not commercial events for the most part but are shooting-related community events.
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^^Well said!

I always find it worthwhile going, it's one of few public gatherings that I can attend where I can mingle with people who share (for the most part) similar views on firearms ownership. It can be a fun experience shopping there (I don't get to negotiate/trade/haggle at LeBarons or Bass Pro, which is something that I find adds to the experience a little!). I feel as firearms owners we should make the effort to attend the shows in our area, because if we stop going, they just might stop having them.

My opinion might be a little biased though, as when I was leaving this morning I hugged my two year old daughter and said "I'll be back in a bit sweety, Daddy is going to the gun show". She then proceeded to follow me to the door saying "coming!, coming!".....made for an extra special outing having her there with me!
 
For me the experience was mostly crabby old men trying to hard sell anything you show a passing interest in. Then when you try and discuss pricing and compare prices to either online places (taking into account shipping) or any of the big name stores, they are offended and become even more rude
 
Never been to the orangeville one, but its in the same loop as the woodstock one. I've got good rifles/shotguns and deals and I've also bought rifles that ended up being garbage But overall I enjoy the time spent every time..
 
I find that show to be one of my favorites, like anywhere you have to know your prices. I bought some 22lr ammo for $25.00 a brick, 303 ammo for $19.00, and a Ruger 1022 thats 6months old with 3 mags and a scope mount for $200.00, and a 3x9 scope with rings for $100.00, Scope wasn't a great deal but I needed it. Overall I thought I did ok. Some guys seem to ask high price but its easy to just pass them by.
A guy was selling SKS's there for $230.00, $250.00, and $260.00 depending on laminate stock and finish. He still had them all by the end of the show. Theres also a fella there that sells them most times for $180.00 and he always sells out quickly.
 
I did end up going. I took some advice from folks on here and went with a family member who has been around firearms forever (He actually teaches the PAL course.) I was looking for an SKS and a deer hunting rifle. (Specifically a Marlin or Winchester 30/30) LeBaron's catalogue has a scoped Marlin for ~470 An acquaintance of my family member was selling and had a used Marlin on his table for 495. It looked to be in good shape. The seller did say he could do better on the price, but I didn't understand why a used non-scoped rifle would be more than a new one. Even if I was able to talk him down, I wouldn't be much off the cost of the new (scoped) one. I passed on it. (I will admit I didn't get there until 9:30ish... people on here did say that good deals are found at 8am... )
Regarding the SKS's I looked at the ones someone already mentioned on here. What concerned me was potential service. I have read reviews on sellers on EE who have been able to help out their buyers when there were issues. If I bought one at the show, I don't know if I would ever find the seller again. For the same amount of money (even with the addition of shipping costs) I think I will go with the piece of mind of being able to track down the seller easier.
Despite not buying anything, it was nice to be able to see stuff in person and handle some things. Someone had an uberti single action army.... A 'wish list' gun for later... Overall, I don't think I'll make it a habit of going... but an alright way to spend a few hours on a Sunday morning.
To the gentleman who found the 10/22 for 200$... Was that an 8am find?
 
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