I’m going to a gun show at the National Guard armory in Seymour, IN on the 29th. I’m going with a friend who knows a little bit more about guns than I do, although I do know a little bit. I haven’t fired a rifle in a while. I’m really just interested in long guns, not handguns.
I’ve never been to a gun show before. What kind of stuff will be available there? I’m really looking to get an SKS or an AK - are there lots of Eastern Bloc rifles around at gun shows? What kind of price am I looking at spending on a used SKS or AK - I’d like to keep it under 300. From what I’ve seen on Gunbroker, I might be able to find an SKS at that budget, but AKs tend to run between 500 and 700.
What kind of guys are the guys who sell guns at gun shows? I imagine there’d be a wide range. I have a perception from popular culture (which might be wrong) that there are sometimes guys at gun shows who use the opportunity to espouse conspiracy theories, bizarre ideologies and radical anti-government beliefs. I doubt that everyone there will be like that but I wouldn’t be surprised if I run into a few. In any case I’m pretty flexible in dealing with people, and when I run into people with extremist viewpoints I tend to just indulge them politely. When in Rome, you know. What am I going to do, argue with them?
I’m assuming that you can buy a rifle straight up at a gun show. This is Indiana, so our laws are pretty loose on firearms. Are handguns any different? I’m not interested in them, but I’m curious anyway.
Anyone here spend time at gun shows? Anything of interest that I might want to know? Thanks in advance.
There are usually both dealers and private individuals. A lot of people aren’t necessarily selling guns. Many will be selling paraphernalia like ammo, scopes, loading equipment, hunting clothes and so on, just anything they want to make a buck on or clear out of the basement. Some people sell books, which might be about self defense, shooting or right-wing conspiracy theories like you mentioned. The last time I went to a gun show I was a teenager and I found that stuff entertaining.
If it is anything like the ones I have visited (my dad is an avid gun collector) then you will have a nice sampling of conspiracy ideas and many fun, nutty people.
One guy came up to my dad’s booth and asked if he knew about the laser. My dad said he did not and this guy spent half an hour telling him about the laser the government has that they can shoot into your house and tell how much money you have. That’s why bills have that little strip in them don’t you know…it’s how the government’s laser can see how much money you have in your home.
Like someone else mentioned, there will be ammo, clothes, books, etc. Plenty of stuff to check out and some good deals to find.
I am clueless on prices now…when I hit about 14 I didn’t think it was so cool to go with my dad anymore and honestly some of the men there creeped me out with the leering and whatnot.
Generally, although your experience may vary, there’ll be a mob of people (men and even some attractive women, believe it or not) winding their way through many tables covered with everything from new custom built .50 caliber rifles to stuffed animals (used to be you could find great deals on Beanie Babies, don’t ask me why). Local shooting groups will probably be represented and they are frequently happy to talk to new people.
If you know exactly what kind of firearm you’re looking for, and know what it’s worth and how much it’s going for elsewhere, it is theoretically possible to get a good deal at a gun show. I’ve never seen this happen, but I knew a guy who had a cousin that did it once. Dealers have extra overhead to cover, so don’t expect any great discounts from them, and regular joe’s often have an inflated notion of what their gun is worth (I know I always do).
The nutjobs are usually easy to pick out and I’ve rarely been cornered by one. Of course, your definition of nutjob and mine might differ but I include the guys that think Jefferson was a good God fearin’ Baptist.
You might still have to pass a background check, I don’t know about Indiana but you do around here.
Bring cash for small neat purchases, and if possible, for any large purchases you think you might make. Lots of smaller dealers only take cash at shows, and even the larger ones are willing to haggle a bit more if you mention you’re paying with cash.
Keep an eye open for good deals on ammo. If you do buy some, and it’s any kind of surplus whatsoever, insist on spot checking the ammo you’re actually buying before giving them any money - there’s always some badly stored surplus floating around.
One thing that you should be prepared for, which made me extremely uncomfortable when I went to gun shows: People will check out the weapons, and they will point in random directions without even thinking, particularly amateurs. Now, you know and I know that the weapons are unloaded, but do you really know?
I hate being muzzle swept. Hate it hate it hate it. Expect it while you’re there. If you’re like me it will drive you absolutely nuts.
Other than that, it’s really no different from any other show. There are bargains to be had, and there are overpriced rip-offs. Before you go know what you want and have it priced, and walk away if it doesn’t meet either of those criteria.
Oh gods yes. :rolleyes: Wave them all over the damn place while people are ducking and dodging, yet someone shines a laser pointer anywhere but the ceiling and everyone jumps all over him (not me, some kid looking at an airsoft toy).
At 6 both my kids knew how to handle firearms better than the average gun show shopper. I like to believe that these people don’t act that way at the range or hunting, but I fear they do.
Jesus H. Christ, are you serious? That alone might be enough to put me off going there. Didn’t any of these guys learn proper gun handling skills?
When I was a kid I was browsing around in a gun store, picked up a giant bolt-action rifle, pointed it at the ground and pulled the trigger. Although it wasn’t loaded, it had been cocked, and the sound of the bolt clicking was deafening. The lady at the counter turned around, looked at me, and gave me a very stern, but helpful, lecture about how and how not to handle a gun. Since then, I go by “assume all guns are loaded, and don’t point it at anything unless you’re willing to shoot it.”
That’s not true. At the range, when everyone has hearing protection and people are shooting, waving is sometimes the best way to get someones attention.
Around here you get everything from local dealers and pawn shops setting up tables to traveling dealers who pretty much do nothing except gun shows. You can also look forward to tables loaded with gun components, display cases full of vintage knives and jewelry, private label jellies and preserves, clothing, medieval weapons, and just about anything else. What it really will amount to is a flea market where you can get guns too.
Strangest thing I saw for sale at a gun show was a tape of topless women firing automatic weapons. The display copy the guy was showing had text over the strategic areas but he assured me the for-sale copies were clear. I passed.
Don’t be surprised or overly freaked out to see some Nazi paraphernalia for sale as well. Some people are just history buffs and collectors, but I’m sure a few take it more seriously. At the gun shows I’ve been to with my father, there are “stars and bars” Confederate flags everywhere (along with the obligatory “Heritage, not hate!” signs to go with them), but then again, we live in Florida.
Oh, I’m pretty used to all that stuff. Here in Southern Indiana the Rebel Flag is pretty common. In high school everyone used to have it on their trucks and stuff. Their black friends would ride around with them in the lifted 4x4s with the rebel flags on the front like it was nothing. Nobody ever really cared about it. I’ve seen my share of Nazi stuff too.
I used to hang out at a military surplus store when I was a kid all the time, and the owner was a big Nazi fan (don’t know if he actually supported Nazism but he liked the old military collectibles.) He had tons of Nazi and Soviet stuff everywhere and he used to tell me all kinds of stories about its history. When that place closed down, I was really sad. First it was taken over by an anarchist bookstore (seriously) and now it’s a tattoo parlor.
