Question? Gun Show etiquette

I would say it really depends on the firearm as well. If I were looking at a WWII vintage 1911, an old Colt SAA, or an early Winchester lever action, I would definitely be sure to ask first before each move. "May I take a look at this?" "Is it OK for me to open the action?" Etc.

Now, if it was just a Glock or a police trade in revolver of some sort I would first ask for permission to look at it but after that I probably wouldn't think to ask about opening the slide or swinging the cylinder open for a look around.

Not to point things back at you (since I wasn't there and I really don't know you) but perhaps you were handling something you shouldn't have been handling or handling it in an inappropriate way.

If you are a ligit buyer ask the owner to look at it. Have them take off the cable tie and be available to answer your questions. At a good show the seller does not have time to screw around. Know what you are looking at.
If you are just there to going finger F%$# it leave it lay.

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Originally Posted by SideShow Bob

Your first point exactly, where is the OP going to a Gun Show where they are not displayed with the action zip tied ?

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SSBob is right.
It is extremely rare to be at a gun show and see ANY untied weapons. Even muzzle loaders are expected to be tied and at the Wannenmacher TULSA gun show and other gun shows, even the handguns in glass cases are expected to be tied.
There are occasions when someone will hand back the firearm after giving it a close look and the table holder has to quickly get it tied back up again. If the "interested" potential buyer just lays it back on the table, the table holder is a few yards away and someone picks it up before the table holder can get it re-tied, then there could be a problem. There are some real nuts out there who would not hesitate to insert a live cartridge in the firearm just with the intention of getting the gun shows closed down. I believe they caught someone doing that at a Tanner show eight or ten years ago. Don't know if the offender was ever prosecuted but certainly should have been made to pay the penalty.

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Originally Posted by bigun1962

If you are a ligit buyer ask the owner to look at it.
If you are just there to going finger F%$# it leave it lay.

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Right. It's very damn discouraging for the table holders to have people screw around with the firearms when they have absolutely no intention of buying or trading for it.[Rant1]

I always ask to touch or handle and I always check if it's loaded.

The rule is: It is loaded until that person confirms in not to be AND you confirm it not to be so

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Originally Posted by SpikeMike

The rule is: It is loaded until that person confirms in not to be AND you confirm it not to be so

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But you don't need to confirm it to be so if you're not handling the weapon. IMO, it's not yours so ask before touching anything even when on display.

Always ask. I want the attention of the dealer before I handle his/her merchandise, and given the number of people at the dealers table, want to make sure they know I am not trying to shop lift.

Just common courtesy, ask.

as said in previous posts, if you are just there to look at different guns and have no intention of buying, leave it alone. if you are a potential buyer, ALWAYS ask before picking up something that doesnt belong to you. common courtesy.

this reminds me of selling on forums. people ask for photos when they have NO interest in buying. i have better things to do than post pictures so people can satisfy their curiosity. sellers at shows have better things to do than let everyone pickup their stuff just to look at it and walk on.

It's a gun show!! If someone doesn't want their guns to be touched, they should post signs stating so. What's the point of selling/displaying your guns if you don't want them to be handled by people? I for one will not purchase a firearm that I can't check for proper function/wear.