Puyallup Gun Show

[Wacenturion]

Is it worth going to?  Good selection, lots of vendor?  Wanted to check before the upcoming one the end of January.  Primarily looking for rifles.

Thanks

[wraithen]

This is only word of mouth so to speak but from what I've heard, when you add up the WAC fees there aren't a lot of great deals in there for firearms themselves. There are some, but not in the traditional gun show abundance.

[mazama]

You have to be a member to buy.

[JimmyHoffa]

I've gone to a few.  It's better to get the WAC fees done ahead of time.  Then you get a break at the door (I think active duty did too...don't remember).  But the biggest was NOT having to wait in line to get the WAC membership.  Seriously the line was like an hour long wait. 
I don't recall seeing much in the way of hunting rifles/shotguns.  There were some, but mostly it was mil-surp/survivalist/tactical stuff.  Things like AKs, Mosins, a few ARs, and some of the newer things like HK/steyr clones.  The hunting rifles I did see were things like 15 year old 7 mm mags or .30-06s.  Though I did get there kind of late...so for all I know they sold out of all the brand new hunting rifles marked down to half price.

[Wacenturion]

I realize you have to be a member.  I believe it's like $35, which is about what one would pay to bring in a gun from out of state, so that's not a major deterrent. 

[Wacenturion]

Thanks....looking primarily for an older Remington 700 Mountain rifle in 257 Roberts or maybe 7x57.

[JohnVH]

I realize you have to be a member.  I believe it's like $35, which is about what one would pay to bring in a gun from out of state, so that's not a major deterrent.

Thats why I dont go, nor anyone else I know up here.

[Secret Squirrel]

Gun shows are always fun!  Even with junk dealers.  you can find a lot of cool stuff and never take the first price they give you.

[Wacenturion]

Already have a CCP, so that makes it easier to sign up I guess.  Forgot to ask....any comment on the show in Centralia?  Went years ago, fairly small.  Changed?

[JimmyHoffa]

Trying to remember...kind of fuzzy...but seem to recall that they didn't allow anyone to carry their own concealed carry in there.  One of the reasons I stopped going.  Only guns that could be allowed were the ones for the event.  I don't think cameras were allowed either.  This was at puyallup.

[Killercolin]

Puyallup Gun show is worth going and taking a look at. You never know what youll find and there are a lot of good deals that can be found there. But yes, you need to be a member and once a member you get in free with one guest. (not positive, my dads a member so him and my mom just walk on in)

Centralia guns show... yeah... Waste of time, waste of admission money. There never is anything good there and most all the guns are just old, beat up, and over priced.

[Special T]

I used to find that many great "deals"came at the gun show. With the advent of Cheaper than dirt and other online sources, even inexpensive reloads are easier to get online if you buy in bulk... Buying in bulk with 3-5 friends if you want some ammo in bulk, or buying 30-06 rounds via the CMP is the only way to go... I used to go to find good ammo prices but by the time drive, buy a member ship or addddmission, I could just order online and be the same or cheaper. 

[netcoyote]

I go to most of the Puyallup shows and have attended them for many years. You have to attend with the right expectation. This is a flea-market format. Every table is an independent vendor. Every show is different. You can't expect every sale to be a "screamin'deal". Every sale has a story, some are small businesses like gun shops but most are set up by guys that just like to buy and sell and be around guns and gun people. I have seen everything from $30,000 shotguns to $100 wall hangers...and everything in between. I can't imagine a category of gun that isn't represented at one time or another.
If you have a specific gun in mind that you want to buy, you HAVE to do your own research. Understand what the gun is worth on the market, what it's worth to you and what to look for if it's a used gun. If you find one you like, you have a decision to make. Negotiate a price and buy it or pass on it and wait till you've looked around the whole show hopefully finding a better deal. I've done both and got some good deals and some not so good. That's what makes it interesting.
I think a gun show is one of the most uniquely "American" activities that I can think of. Like Ted Nugent says, "You won't see that in France!"

[coriantonk]

I go to the show almost every time.  I have a personal rule that I never buy a gun on the first walk through.  It has saved me alot of money more than once.  As for the "great deals" it all depends on what you are looking for and what it is worth to you.  2 years ago I picked up a little single shot break action 20ga. that is the best shootin shotgun I have ever used, and I only paid 90 bucks for it.  The deals are there just dont expect to buy a 5000 dollar gun for 500 bucks.

[Wacenturion]

I know what guns shows are like, as I've been to my share of them.  Just haven't been to the Puyallup one is all.  I know what to expect as a general rule, and what a good deal is and is not.  Looking for a specific used rifle and willing to pay more or less than it's worth depending on condition.  I just wanted to see if the show was big enough to have a reasonable chance of seeing a fair number of used guns, that might have the one I'm looking for among them.
Appreciate the comments.

[ANDERWAGON]

Wacenturion, the show is good size and well worth going to. It will take you most of a day to see all the guns, tends to be very crowded. 

[carpsniperg2]

The portland shows are always big. Lots of guns and lots of gear. SO good buys if you know what to look for. Rose city gun shows and collectors west are the ones who put them on. There is one pretty much every month.

[Jim the Plumber]

I've been a WAC member for 20 some odd years, I've had tables at the Puyallup and also gone to just browse. It is one of the largest shows in the PNW.
  One thing not noted in this thread is the fact that WAC is also politically active and has saved the collective butts of All of WA shooters/ firearms owners more than a few times.
So while you might think $35.00 is too much for a years membership, or the entry fee is too much, remember the WAC is on your side and fighting the anti gunners in Olympia on your behalf.
Jim

[ANDERWAGON]

  One thing not noted in this thread is the fact that WAC is also politically active and has saved the collective butts of All of WA shooters/ firearms owners more than a few times.
So while you might think $35.00 is too much for a years membership, or the entry fee is too much, remember the WAC is on your side and fighting the anti gunners in Olympia on your behalf.
Jim

 +1    Very good point.   

[Wacenturion]

Wacenturion, the show is good size and well worth going to. It will take you most of a day to see all the guns, tends to be very crowded. 

That's what I was looking for.  Been to the Portland show a few years ago.  I realize Puyallup isn't as big, but at least big enough from the sounds of it, to keep one busy looking for several hours.

Again....appreciate all the comments.  

[sticky]

I've been to the Puyallup show 3 or 4 times in the last couple years and while I like the amount of vendors and guns, I can't really say I have seen a lot of great deals to be had there.  It amazes me how many tables have a used Model 700 or A bolt 7 mag and they have it marked for $25 less than I can buy it new online.  The same thing for random boxes of ammo - a four year old box of 9mm  for $2 more than what it costs at Walmart.

I have found some pretty good deals on reloaded ammo from the boys down in Washougal.