View Full Version : What I heard at the Gunshow today.
I was at a gunshow today and picked up an AR15 upper just to look at it. The old timer behind the table said , and I quote " Yeah thats just like a Colt only its a Double Star. Okay :confused: Didn't someone once say you can't fix stupid. Anyways that comment kind of made my day so I thought I would share it.
theblackknight
01-09-10, 22:04
the culture of the gun show is fascinating. its worth someone with good intentions doing at artsy documentary about
It's just like a Ferrari only it's a Fiero.
thopkins22
01-10-10, 02:38
Somebody has to quote the movie Jarhead now....
Nathan_Bell
01-10-10, 09:45
Was at a gunshow a few weeks ago and heard an old timer talking to another, in a rather pleased tone, how he had saved somebody from making a big mistake buying a SIG 556 due to its 1/7 twist and how "you can't shoot anything lighter than 62 gr through that".
If you are in a mellow mood and can handle hearing a HUGE amount of ignorance spewed go walk around a gunshow. It will make you shake your head.
It's just like a Ferrari only it's a Fiero.
Hey now, I got my first speeding ticket in a Fiero. :D They were cool at the time though. :cool:
GlockCop525
01-10-10, 10:24
funny part about a gun show is how everything you go to pick up is "special forces issue" even though it looks like the country it came out of couldnt even make toilet paper right
MarshallDodge
01-10-10, 10:29
I went to a gunshow for the first time in a long while yesterday. I wasn't planning on going but a friend invited me. This was a "collectors show" which meant about half of the guns were for sale and the other half were for show. There were some really nice gun collections and one guy had a really neat collection of Hobo knives.
Speaking of "the same as," there was a guy selling Chinese Aimpoint knockoffs. They even had Aimpoint stamped on them. :rolleyes:
On a positive note, I did get a good deal on some dies- brand new RCBS 25-06 for $15 and small base 308 for $25. It was nice to see that they were limiting this to a guns only crowd. There were no beef jerky, indian jewelry, or $3 knife tables.
Speaking of Aimpoints @ gunshows. I got ripped off three years ago on a aimpoint m2 knock off. Most realistic one I had ever seen plus this was before I got really big into red dot sights and I didn't really know what I was looking at. It even came with a a.r.m.s cantilevered scope mount knockoff. I didn't pay him money. I traded him straight up for a surefire light worth about $300. Three years ago and I'm still pissed off about that. Never saw the guy again @ any of the other gun shows but every year I take that aimpoint with me just in case I run into him.
On a positive note, I did get a good deal on some dies- brand new RCBS 25-06 for $15 and small base 308 for $25. It was nice to see that they were limiting this to a guns only crowd. There were no beef jerky, indian jewelry, or $3 knife tables.
Which show was there and where?
geminidglocker
01-10-10, 11:58
I go to our local show simply for the "Gunshow Antics" When I actually need stuff I order it or get it from our local dealers. I'm always in line before the show opens, so that if there is anything special I can snatch it up. I go back on the second day to find deals, guys figure that if they did'nt sell the first day, they might not sell it on the second. See, I live in a tiny state, and our show is a once a year thing. the good part is there are over 200 tables and if it slings lead you will see it there. But then there are also a few tables with Beef jerky and Emu jerky. The Hot Dogs they serve at the concession table are delicious, and the Buns are steamed. Last year was the first year I brought my 8 year old Son to the show. His favorite food now is "Gunshow Hotdogs" They also serve Pizza, but it's Cafeteria grade. I also taught my son how it's important we visit one of the four Mens rooms before heading back to the tables, to insure we have cleaned out hands well enough to handle other folks firearms. For six years I hosted three of the tables, before the war, that was my job. I know what it is like to be on both sides of the table. Goodtimes are had by all, and there are no pat downs or metal detectors, so if you wanted to CCW, go right ahead. Around here, there are no backwards hats or beltless trousers at our Gunshow. That's a bonus.
I highly recommend the February, Barre, Vermont Gunshow.
It would change Everybodys mind about Gunshows, if they went to this one. Anybody wanna' help me bring a reality T.V. Show to life??? If they could make as many episodes of that crap called "Lock N' Load" On Showtime. You could make SIXTY out of two days of film. If You have the funds,I have the Gunshow for you.
My favorite memories of gunshows are before FOPA 86 when it was only private sellers/collectors because FFLs could only sell at the licensed premise. You saw some truly interesting things and lots of trading going on.
I was in Junior High and I'd bring of list of the doubles/traders I had in the car and a good idea of the stuff I was looking for. That was back when a 12 year old could buy or trade for a rifle. Only time anyone ever told me to go get my Dad was when I was buying a handgun.
And sure there was some misrepresentation going on, I later had to re research everything I had been told about various purchases as I simply accepted the sellers word. Thankfully most of it proved to be reliable. And a lot of those guys were pretty good to me actually, of course when a 12 year old presents himself to you and knows what he is looking for and knows a few things about it, most collectors appreciate that and give him some consideration.
Now I cringe when I hear the things being said by sellers at gunshows. Thankfully I grew up in a better time, they would line up to take advantage of a 12 year old collector today.
MarshallDodge
01-10-10, 14:55
Which show was there and where?
Utah Gun Collectors Association
http://www.ugca.org/
Speaking of Aimpoints @ gunshows. I got ripped off three years ago on a aimpoint m2 knock off. Most realistic one I had ever seen plus this was before I got really big into red dot sights and I didn't really know what I was looking at. It even came with a a.r.m.s cantilevered scope mount knockoff. I didn't pay him money. I traded him straight up for a surefire light worth about $300. Three years ago and I'm still pissed off about that. Never saw the guy again @ any of the other gun shows but every year I take that aimpoint with me just in case I run into him.
That really sucks, thanks for the warning.
I wonder how much of the stuff sold at the shows are actually Chinese fakes..
Utah Gun Collectors Association
http://www.ugca.org/
Ok, that is what I thought but I could not remember the name. I used to get their solicitations to buy a table back when I was doing shows.
Interesting they would schedule it for the same weekend a Crossroads gunshow is on.
I went to one of our local small town shows Saturday. Yes, there was cinnamon popcorn, beef jerky, indian jewelry, and Dish Network there. For once, no cheap knives.
No uniforms other than US, either.
All the years I went, the rule I was taught and passed on to my kids, Look, don't touch, and always ask.
I wade through the crowd to the BlackrifleLLC section and some guy is telling us to pick up the rifles! CMMG $599 specials, their must be 30-45 of them, and he's all about Go Ahead Guys - then turns his back to talk to somebody at the other corner.
So, we all were. Got our $8 of touchy feely right there, tried a A1 grip, A2 grip, and a Tango Down side by side, had my boy do the same. We searched the whole place, not one TD grip on a table, black or FG. Dry hole.
Never heard "pick up the rifles and try them" before and may never again. But I will remember the show just for that.
MarshallDodge
01-10-10, 20:36
Interesting they would schedule it for the same weekend a Crossroads gunshow is on.
When my friend first asked me to go I thought he meant Crossroads as well. The last time I went to this one was about three years ago and the attendance was much higher this time around.
the culture of the gun show is fascinating.
Indeed it is. Went to one in Richmond on Saturday, to nab ammo and enjoy the freakshow. If one is like me and enjoys people watching at the airport, the only way to get a more entertaining environment is to hit the Wal-Mart Supercenter in someplace like Martinsburg, WV @ 0230.
Darwins hot tub.
Gunshow in my area runs 700 tables. Alot of local and out of state dealers . The chinese knock offs are prevalant. There are no deals . In fact prices are inflated. Ammo prices are down right rediculous. I get better deals on the internet and can trust what I am buying is as advertised from vendors.
The last show I was at, I saw 3 sellers with Eotech copies (marked as per the Eotech website for frauds), 2-3 guys selling "custom" uppers with the best of the middle of the road parts and asking prices that were higher than my noveske upper cost, and a guy selling some injection molded stuff that he touted as "made in the USA", but no country of origin on any item or on any of the packaging, as well as no brand.
then of course the beef jerky people, the knife row, knock off shamwows, and some guy with a potato peeler and spices he was selling.
Nathan_Bell
01-11-10, 10:26
The last show I was at, I saw 3 sellers with Eotech copies (marked as per the Eotech website for frauds), 2-3 guys selling "custom" uppers with the best of the middle of the road parts and asking prices that were higher than my noveske upper cost, and a guy selling some injection molded stuff that he touted as "made in the USA", but no country of origin on any item or on any of the packaging, as well as no brand.
then of course the beef jerky people, the knife row, knock off shamwows, and some guy with a potato peeler and spices he was selling.
One local shop used to host a show and they would ask you what you would be selling to keep the beefjerky/chinese knockoff/ronco dealers out of the show. THey quit hosting the show as they couldn't get enough interest from 'real' gun dealers to make any $ on it.
Evil Colt 6920
01-11-10, 10:58
I was just at the Eastmans gunshow in Savannah, Ga yesterday. I heard a lot of garbage and it really annoyed me, most of it coming from the mouths of the wannabe gangster crowd that seems to know nothing about anything. And a lot of these vendors will say anything to make a sale. And I forget who said it, and too lazy to go back and quote it, but the vendors saying "Special Forces" about half the stuff on their tables was so true yesterday. I've had my eye on an Emerson Super Commander pocket knife for about 2 months now. I asked for it for my birthday(next month) and have been looking online for the best deal. The lowest price I could find was on Ebay for $200+shipping. I found one at the show for $180 and snatched it up :) I also found some good deals on magpul and glock magazines. So all in all in was a good experience, worth rubbing elbows with the wannabe gangster idiots. :D
Our shows are pretty sad. They do have a good surefire/aimpoint/knife table. One guy does it all, ans he is fair on price and service. We also tend to have more indian jewelery than you can shake a stick at, and all the real guns are marked up to a sad ammount. Like $1000 DPMS m4. Used to be a good show, I remember about 10 years ago walking in and seeing 1 person selling jerky and we got kinda excited, I mean jerky and guns! Now you got to waid thru the crap knives and full auto rubber band guns to find the table with Rossi pistols and "tactical" nylon universal holsters. Lets make a deal is gone too. was looking to trade a USP40 and the guy said that he would only knock $200 of the $800 for the S&W 629 i wanted cause "H&K was not that good. Hell all the SEALs switched to glocks." Yeah, keep you gun buddy.
Since the presidential election, we've been having a show every month or two at 4-5 different venues, some bigger than others. They're mostly hunting gun, cheap handgun (lots of Taurus and Bersa, some Hi Point), and Glock shows, though. Good luck if you're looking for anything else, and if you do find something, it's likely overpriced. Most "tactical" stuff you might run across is made by UTG.
Lots of folks around here horse trade, so there's a lot of private sellers, which can be a good thing. And we don't have a bit of jerky or Indian jewelry. There's very little that's off topic.
Last one I went to had a lot of ammo too, some at decent prices. Many were selling WWB .380 for $60 a hundred. Ouch.
My local gunshow, the Indy 1500 in Indianapolis, Indiana, is really not too bad. You can usually find some half decent prices on new guns there, or atleast better than you would be able to find in a small local shop. Ammo, however, is rediculously priced. Im talking $17 for a box of UMC 9mm, and the stupid part is that it sells like hotcakes. Alot of the tables are taken up by dealers, and some of them will offer a small discount or "show price". There are also the usual cheapo knife stands, however there is a guy who makes his own fixed blade knives out of damascus steel or something and they are really nice. We have the jerkey, the chocolate fudge, the BBQ sauce, and the tables with blow dart nerf guns and toys with little flashing lights. My favorite thing is the people, particularly the people who have something to sell or want to buy from me, because i always carry something down there with me just for the hell of it. The funniest thing is the common belief that a gun with a scope is always worth atleast $100 more than the same gun without a scope. "Sir you do know that that is a Tasco right?"-"Ya, it's the nicest one they make, thats what the employee at Wal Mart told me"
I went to one of our local small town shows Saturday. Yes, there was cinnamon popcorn, beef jerky, indian jewelry, and Dish Network there. For once, no cheap knives.
No uniforms other than US, either.
All the years I went, the rule I was taught and passed on to my kids, Look, don't touch, and always ask.
I wade through the crowd to the BlackrifleLLC section and some guy is telling us to pick up the rifles! CMMG $599 specials, their must be 30-45 of them, and he's all about Go Ahead Guys - then turns his back to talk to somebody at the other corner.
So, we all were. Got our $8 of touchy feely right there, tried a A1 grip, A2 grip, and a Tango Down side by side, had my boy do the same. We searched the whole place, not one TD grip on a table, black or FG. Dry hole.
Never heard "pick up the rifles and try them" before and may never again. But I will remember the show just for that.
Sure sounds like the Joplin show. What's with the ATV tires & rims? Same guy was at Springfield last month.
Bit disappointed with the new "AR specialist" in town - the Black Rain Ord stuff looked nice, but the guy working the booth sure was pushing the UTG junk.
The Wanamacher shows in Tulsa are worth the drive, but only twice a year.
FlyAndFight
01-12-10, 09:29
What's with all of the beef jerky hate?...
Even if I end up not buying anything firearm related, I always come out with a bag of jerky. :D
Gun show is coming to town this weekend. I remember some good handgun deals available at the last show. I'm curious to see how low the pricing will be this time around.
Absolutely. Since the price of gas went up I don't travel to Tulsa, but it's an excuse to not spend $$$ I can't afford. Lot's of fun in the days of being a Reservist and "working" the recruiting booth at those shows.
As for the ATV tires, OK, it's actually a better connection for hunters than SW native American jewelry - but anodized billet rims? WT*? I sell auto parts, steelies get the job done, fancy billet rims are street show crap. On a ATV? Grinding rocks off road? Give me a break.
The American consumer is slowly being seduced by non-essential 1% solutions to questions nobody even asks. Case in point, anti-rotation pins.
Guns shows are a great place to hear myths - but for real deep BS, I went to a local knife shop on the south side and got to hear "Them .45's will clean blow a man off his feet!" and other such stuff. I just had to look away and stifle it.
It helps to keep in touch with the ignorati just so you can exercise self discipline. :D
For us californians sometimes a doublestar is the only thing available to us. Well, not uppers...but you get the drift. At the gunshows it is expected that most people sometimes aren't as knowledgeable, with myself being the most guilty of that. If the old timer would have said....Yeah...just like a Colt but 500 dollars cheaper...then Hmmmmmmm........might have considered it........
I was at a gunshow today and picked up an AR15 upper just to look at it. The old timer behind the table said , and I quote " Yeah thats just like a Colt only its a Double Star. Okay :confused: Didn't someone once say you can't fix stupid. Anyways that comment kind of made my day so I thought I would share it.
For us californians sometimes a doublestar is the only thing available to us. Well, not uppers...but you get the drift. At the gunshows it is expected that most people sometimes aren't as knowledgeable, with myself being the most guilty of that. If the old timer would have said....Yeah...just like a Colt but 500 dollars cheaper...then Hmmmmmmm........might have considered it........
It is expected that some are not as knowledgeable, but only by the people that know better... I have no issue with someone who is willing to explain to me that Product A isnt B, and tell me what the $500 is buying, but dont tell me its the same thing.
I took my youngest and his roommate toa gunshow at the Orange County fair grounds( soon to be gone, Thanks Arnold).
They were looking at off list lowers for an AR, we went to big seller and looked at all their lowers, I pointed out the differences in finish. Color, removal of flash, rounding off all the sharp edges and such. They decided to buy from this guy and did so right there.
As we were leaving I heard the guy use some of the same lines I told my sonon his next lookie lu.
Maybe I increased his knowledge or maybe my BS sounded good to him, I don't know but I heard less crap from them after that.
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