First gun show ever, advice?

[speeder]

I’m holed-up in northern Wisconsin, (preferred hiding place of everyone from John Dillinger to you name him), and I noticed on a sojourn into town last week that there’s a gun show this weekend. I’ve always wanted to go to one but never have, believe it or not.

Any advice from the experts on what I should look for? I have no idea what a good deal is on a 1911 or what a good hunting rifle is. I really want a deer rifle w a scope, this is deer country up here and there should be tons of them. What’s the best one for the $$?

I’ll be checking back on this thread on my phone, please be long-winded. TIA!

[Mad Max]

I am from Central Wisconsin and moved south due to many reasons. Great place to hang out though.

I have attended many gun shows and rarely buy firearms manly due to not finding the particular firearm wanted. If you find a rifle you like, use gunbroker.com to check for current pricing and use it to negotiate a deal. I personally only purchase from a local guy so that if there is a problem you can get it resolved. Good Luck,

[speeder]

Thanks! I may have a problem because I only have a couple hundred dollars in cash on me and not sure where to get more up here. I can’t imagine that they take plastic unless it’s a dealer.

[rfuerst911sc]

First off be ready for it to be crowded . Next don't be surprised by the amount of knuckle draggers and mouth breathers . Once you get past that enjoy the show . All the vendors will be knowledgeable . Go around to each table/vendor and to each building if there are more than one .

Don't rule out used , I would think in your neck of the woods a standard wood stock 30-06 or .308 are a dime a dozen . But if you want an AR style there will be tons of those there . I try to buy from local vendors if possible . You will see enough ammo and knives to make your head spin .

Nothing says you HAVE to buy that day , if you are overwhelmed or confused then back off . You have to be comfortable and confident in the purchase and use of the rifle . Sundays can sometimes yield some additional discounts as they would rather sell then take back to the store . But demand is high so bargains is a loose term . Have fun and report back .

[craigster59]

If it's anything like the shows at Ventura Fairgrounds or Orange County you'll have a good time. Lots to see, a lot of "black rifle" accessories and some nice older guns.

It depends on where you plan on hunting, 30-06 is good in Cal and other western states where it's wide open, some places up north prefer "brush guns", 30-30 lever actions and the like.

Get a feel for pricing and what's out there. Vendors LOVE to talk, get some input from them on what's best. Have fun!

[RedBaron]

I think its illegal for you to buy a pistol if you are out of a different state. Can’t really comment on rifles. Following with interest. Let us know if “the gun show loophole” still exists. .

[pwd72s]

Be careful Denis...should you become a gun owner you might start thinking about not voting for politicians who want to remove your right to own it...

Scoped deer rifle? For practical use? Hard to beat an old Ruger 77 bolt action in 30-06 topped with a nice Leupold variable scope. I'd go 2X7 for brushy country, 3X9 if more open country. Why 30-06? Common caliber with ammo to be found in small country stores...

Rugers not the prettiest rifles out there, but they are well designed and shoot damned well.

[KFC911]

I attend a gun show a few years back... both of them... my first and last .

I was looking for an older pump shotgun btw...nada.

Lots of crap, ammo, and people I didn't want to be around....

You actually need a scope? Nuthin' wrong with a lever .30-30 out to say 150 yds using iron sights imo.

Good luck!

[ckcarr]

"Show" is kind of a misnomer. It's really a flea market of salesmen...

Twenty to twenty five years ago (maybe longer) I went to just about every gun show in Denver, and other parts of Colorado. They were big events back then, held at the Merchandise Mart every couple weeks. My brother and I would go, and it got to be a very expensive "one upper" hobby as to what we could acquire.

The good thing is most of those acquisitions are worth a heck of a lot more than what I paid back then. The ones that aren't were the drunken purchases of "plastic" semi auto handguns that I would never touch today, although those are the better shooters. They just don't go up in value, whether Glock, Sig-Sauer, Ruger, Smith & Wesson...

So you are going for either a cheap junker, good reliable shooter, or collectability. I'm still mad I never bought any Colt Peacemakers back then (thought they were too expensive, or they were for me)...

What I would seek out, were the older men that were funding their retirements, and selling off their collections of old Brownings, Colts, and Winchesters. No paperwork, cash on the barrelhead.
Colts were my choice, new in box, .22 caliber mainly. Many absolutely pristine items purchased back in the day.

Guns, and learning what the quality guns are - even within the same manufacturer are a skill that takes a while to develop. Serial numbers mean something. Lots of books out there on the subject.

Simple rules are: Don't pick up a gun without asking the seller first. Some won't care, but some will. If you don't know how it works, ask and they will be happy to show you. Cash is good, but won't really get you a better deal, it's just convenient.

It's been so long I don't even know what the laws are these days. I know that both gun sales and bicycle sales are surging right now for no good reason.

A good deer rifle in Wisconson with all the forest and trees may be the simple Winchester model 94 30-30 lever action. Or a Marlin. Hunting there versus out west, with long shots and scopes is different.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by speeder

Thanks! I may have a problem because I only have a couple hundred dollars in cash on me and not sure where to get more up here. I can’t imagine that they take plastic unless it’s a dealer.

I'm pretty sure there will be an ATM at the show...

[speeder]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Be careful Denis...should you become a gun owner you might start thinking about not voting for politicians who want to remove your right to own it...

Scoped deer rifle? For practical use? Hard to beat an old Ruger 77 bolt action in 30-06 topped with a nice Leupold variable scope. I'd go 2X7 for brushy country, 3X9 if more open country. Why 30-06? Common caliber with ammo to be found in small country stores...

Rugers not the prettiest rifles out there, but they are well designed and shoot damned well.

Paul, I’ve been a gun owner for about 50 years now, since my grandmother gave me a 20g shotgun that she won in a raffle. There have been plenty of others over the years. I’ve never been without a small collection in my adult life. I’ve just never been a hunter and don’t know much about rifles, so I appreciate the rest of your post. Thanks.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

"Show" is kind of a misnomer. It's really a flea market of salesmen...

Twenty to twenty five years ago (maybe longer) I went to just about every gun show in Denver, and other parts of Colorado. They were big events back then, held at the Merchandise Mart every couple weeks. My brother and I would go, and it got to be a very expensive "one upper" hobby as to what we could acquire.

The good thing is most of those acquisitions are worth a heck of a lot more than what I paid back then. The ones that aren't were the drunken purchases of "plastic" semi auto handguns that I would never touch today, although those are the better shooters. They just don't go up in value, whether Glock, Sig-Sauer, Ruger, Smith & Wesson...

So you are going for either a cheap junker, good reliable shooter, or collectability. I'm still mad I never bought any Colt Peacemakers back then (thought they were too expensive, or they were for me)...

What I would seek out, were the older men that were funding their retirements, and selling off their collections of old Brownings, Colts, and Winchesters. No paperwork, cash on the barrelhead.
Colts were my choice, new in box, .22 caliber mainly. Many absolutely pristine items purchased back in the day.

Guns, and learning what the quality guns are - even within the same manufacturer are a skill that takes a while to develop. Serial numbers mean something. Lots of books out there on the subject.

Simple rules are: Don't pick up a gun without asking the seller first. Some won't care, but some will. If you don't know how it works, ask and they will be happy to show you. Cash is good, but won't really get you a better deal, it's just convenient.

It's been so long I don't even know what the laws are these days. I know that both gun sales and bicycle sales are surging right now for no good reason.

A good deer rifle in Wisconson with all the forest and trees may be the simple Winchester model 94 30-30 lever action. Or a Marlin. Hunting there versus out west, with long shots and scopes is different.

Are you kidding me, or have you been asleep Van Winkle... Guns stores have been cleaned out since the CV hit with the MASSIVE Paper currency printing regime. and now with the Civil Unrest..

You wana talk inflation..it is in da spoons...

[tabs]

Originally Posted by speeder

Paul, I’ve been a gun owner for about 50 years now, since my grandmother gave me a 20g shotgun that she won in a raffle. There have been plenty of others over the years. I’ve never been without a small collection in my adult life. I’ve just never been a hunter and don’t know much about rifles, so I appreciate the rest of your post. Thanks.

The quickest way to get screwed is to not know what it is that you are buying.

Go look, and have some fun checking out the spoons..

[RWebb]

carry a big knife

[speeder]

Originally Posted by tabs

The quickest way to get screwed is to not know what it is that you are buying.

Go look, and have some fun checking out the spoons..

Thanks and you are absolutely right. I was definitely thinking used on the rifle, the problem is that I don’t know how to look at one like I do a used car or chainsaw. I’ll just go and look around, maybe get a deal on some ammo for pistols(?) Can I at least count on that or are the prices just normal?

[Paul K]

Don’t expect to find any bargains. Sure, it happens, but in my experience (limited to maybe a dozen gun shows), many of the guys do it as a hobby & have their stuff priced way high. The ‘gun show loop hole’ can work, but depending on your state’s laws, that could be a bit naughty. Don’t be afraid to haggle & hold out a wad of cash, but as has been mentioned, do your research first. Good luck!

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Paul K

Don’t expect to find any bargains. Sure, it happens, but in my experience (limited to maybe a dozen gun shows), many of the guys do it as a hobby & have their stuff priced way high. The ‘gun show loop hole’ can work, but depending on your state’s laws, that could be a bit naughty. Don’t be afraid to haggle & hold out a wad of cash, but as has been mentioned, do your research first. Good luck!

Thanks, Paul. As I mentioned before, I unfortunately do not have a wad of cash and I’m far from my banks. A couple of weeks ago, I would have had a couple grand in Benjamins but I handed it all out.

[craigster59]

Sometimes you'll see people walking around selling a gun private party. I've picked up a few bargains that way. I think what you're looking for might be plentiful. Not many people looking for a 30-06, 270 or 30-30 as home protection.

Winchesters are always good as are Ruger and Browning. I've never been much into Remingtons. I think by the end of the show and talking with people you'll get a pretty good idea on your own of what to buy that works for you.

[Seahawk]

Denis, I have a "Sporterized" 1903 Springfield I bought from another PP guy many years ago. One of the greats here, btw.

With scope. The rifle, not Dave

Pay for shipping and it is yours.

Do a few searches...30.06.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Denis, I have a "Sporterized" 1903 Springfield I bought from another PP guy many years ago. One of the greats here, btw.

With scope. The rifle, not Dave

Pay for shipping and it is yours.

Do a few searches...30.06.

That’s extremely generous, I’ll take it! Thank you.