This morning I went to my first ever gun show. I did not really know what to expect and had no shopping list other than some CCI Mini-Mags if any were to be had at a good price, perhaps a book or two. Arriving at ~9:45AM found the motel parking lot chock-a-block full. That appeared to be a good sign: lot's of cars means lots of people so it must be a good show. There were only a half-dozen ahead of me to pay the entry fee and I was in. Well, sort of in. The entry hallway was wall to wall people; nobody could move. Eventually got to the main hall to find the building probably had 200% occupancy - again almost impossible to move. The tables were far too close together so anyone stopping to look stopped the entire flow of traffic.

 

It took about an hour and a half to cruise the rows of vendors. There were several offering new handguns and long guns, most had older gear.

 

My impression is that the show attracts regulars who sell items back and forth to each other and hoping to net a stranger who may not know enough about what he is buying and/or what constitutes a 'good deal'. Any hams on here? This was reminiscent of Hamfests (my wife calls them Nerdfests) in the old days.

 

Are all gun shows like this? I have heard the Harrisburg (PA) show is a good one. Is it a larger version of the same?

 

I ended up with nothing, which was OK, as it was an experience.

Gun shows also have a certain smell about them, like a mix between old man and cosmoline.

I was going to say that but being a noob here I thought I would be politically correct!

Not all gun shows are that way. The one at the Philly convention center in Oaks is one of the more spacious ones ive ever been too, Valley Forge is pretty cramped.

This was reminiscent of Hamfests (my wife calls them Nerdfests) in the old days.

 

 

What do you think we are?????? We're nerds with firepower.

 

That show is especially small and always crowded. If they have the the shows over at the expo center (just on the other side of 309) again this year, you will find it to be much more spacious. Harrisburg is good when there aren't any other shows going on the same weekend, what sucks about it is the parking fees, the distance to walk to the entrance from the parking lot and it's a long drive out there. Oaks is becoming one of the better shows now that Eagle Arms is running it.

 

Matamoras show is this weekend too, but also small and was crowded this morning.

Are all gun shows like this? I have heard the Harrisburg (PA) show is a good one. Is it a larger version of the same?

This was my second gun show, and I was highly disappointed. This show was very small, and there wasn't much to speak of. I have attended the Valley Forge gun show, and that was much bigger and better.

This morning I went to my first ever gun show. I did not really know what to expect and had no shopping list other than some CCI Mini-Mags if any were to be had at a good price, perhaps a book or two.

 

You passed about 8 Walmarts just off of either 22 or 78 on your way there. They usually have CCI in stock. I rarely buy ammo at gun shows.

Thanks for the inputs. A gun show 'cherry' didn't know what to expect.

 

I will watch for one at Oaks. Harrisburg? Possible, but it's a long haul.

Thanks for the inputs. A gun show 'cheery' didn't know what to expect.

 

I will watch for one at Oaks. Harrisburg? Possible, but it's a long haul.

Valley Forge and Forks of the Delaware in Allentown usually have the best deals on ammo and are both better shows than the small cramped Rodeway show. Splitrock in the Poconos is also not bad in general.

Valley Forge and Forks of the Delaware in Allentown usually have the best deals on ammo and are both better shows than the small cramped Rodeway show. Splitrock in the Poconos is also not bad in general.

 

Finally going have to agree on Forks of the Delware.

 

I used to like it better. It's 3x as large. And 10x the garbage. Great for wasting a day in a gun show but shitty for buying stuff. Some people even have rifles piled on tables. Literally. Which shows what they think of their inventory. I always got better stuff at Rodeway or any Eagle Arms show but not this time.

 

Now I'm turning back to Forks. Some of the key people are missing at Rodeway now.

 

And, if you're buying ammo at a gun show, there are no "deals." Those days are long gone. At any show. I'm guessing you might feel that way if you are in NJ and can't get ammo through normal means for whatever reason.

Finally going have to agree on Forks of the Delware.

 

I used to like it better. It's 3x as large. And 10x the garbage. Great for wasting a day in a gun show but shitty for buying stuff. Some people even have rifles piled on tables. Literally. Which shows what they think of their inventory. I always got better stuff at Rodeway or any Eagle Arms show but not this time.

 

Now I'm turning back to Forks. Some of the key people are missing at Rodeway now.

 

And, if you're buying ammo at a gun show, there are no "deals." Those days are long gone. At any show. I'm guessing you might feel that way if you are in NJ and can't get ammo through normal means for whatever reason.

Every show is different, but at larger shows your more likely to find a "diamond in the rough". Will agree that the is A LOT of crap at Forks but I often still find some deal on something or other and the guy from NY sells ammo as cheep as the online guys if your just looking for decent go bang ammo.

 

I'm looking for milsurp or collectible stuff and I usually find something that is a good deal at bigger shows. I don't recall the Rodeway show ever really having many of the key players or a good variety of most items. The show at the PA expo center was really good a few years ago before it was stopped, it was back last year but not the same.

 

And yes, your right compared to NJ almost any show in PA is worlds better on selection and price than what we can find here.

I am the opposite and think Eric will agree. I prefer the smaller shows like roadway inn. Less inflated prices. Valley forge attracts a bunch of folks who just want to go to a show. Prices are always higher... and do you really need to look at Chinese made dollar store items?

I did my review of the show on another thread but overall small shows like Allentown's is good.

here is a sample what i saw as far of deals.

I saw a NIB Yugo M59 for $225, Finn 91/30 for $100(the seller didnt know what he had), few M39 for low $200's, a M28/30 and Mosin M27 for $225( both marked as M39's)

a k98 .22 trainer for $175, russian sks for $250 and the same(from the Lebanon gun show) NIB Arsenal Legion Saiga for $399(7x62x39).

Just take your time whan you are the show. The best deals can be found at the tables of small dealers/private people(Most of the dealers at the show will do the transfer for you for $15-$20) make sure you have extra copies of COE.