How to Spot Counterfeit Gear at a Gun Show

If you want to make sure you’re getting a great deal at a gun show, you need to know how to spot a counterfeit. Midwest Arms Collector Gun Shows are unique retail environments where independent vendors can rent table space to sell their goods and services. We are strong believers in the free market, but along with those freedoms comes a certain amount of risk. Here’s what you need to know about fake knives, guns, or counterfeit money and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Caveat Emptor

Buyer beware. It’s not just a warning but also an admonition: buyer, be aware. The goods and services at our shows are presented for sale by independent vendors who rent table space. While we do our best to make sure we’re renting those tables to honest people who share our values of fair dealing in the exchange of goods, it’s ultimately up to the customer who does business with them to make sure they know the deal they’re getting and to decide if that deal is worth it. That means doing your research, setting your boundaries, and making a calm, rational decision about your purchase before and during the transaction.

When Counterfeit Gear Isn’t Counterfeit

They go by a lot of names. Knock-offs, generics, no-names, look-alikes–you may not have spotted a counterfeit unless it’s being sold or advertised as the real deal. Intellectual property laws aren’t always cut and dry about when a similar product crosses the line to copyright infringement.  In some cases, the aspects being copied may not be patentable or able to be trademarked. 

Knock-Offs

Knock-off gear is designed to look like the original products, but they’re often offered far cheaper. Depending on the quality standards of the fake item’s manufacturer, you may get a deal that saves you money or a piece of junk. In gun terms, think about Norinco, the Chinese firearm manufacturer known in North America for their copies of, well, a lot of different guns. 

No one would say they represent the same value as an authentic AK-47, Sig, or whatever gun the Norinco in question is mentioning, but in general, they point, go boom, and results are repeatable. Each is also prominently stamped with Norinco markings. They are exactly what they are–low-cost copies or knock-offs–and they don’t claim otherwise. That’s why they aren’t counterfeits.

How to Spot Common Counterfeits 

Some counterfeits are easy to spot, while others appear almost legitimate. To complicate matters, many vendors may have unique finds or rare items that are unfamiliar to most buyers. While different products may have different warning signs that you need to pay close attention to, here are a few general red flags to keep in mind as you browse the sales floor:

• Vendor is Too Pushy – Every vendor wants to make a sale, but sometimes it can seem like they want you to take something off their hands a little too much. Phrases like “If you don’t buy it now, it’s gone.” or “Don’t wimp out on me.” could be attempts to generate the fear of missing out. This high-pressure tactic aims to convince you that if you don’t act now, then you may not ever be able to find the same product for the same deal.
• Price Doesn’t Make Sense – It’s just like your Pappy always said, “If it looks or sounds too good to be true, it usually is.” A too-good price doesn’t always mean you’re dealing with a counterfeit, but vendors rent tables to make money–usually as much as they can. If an item is unreasonably cheap, you may have spotted a counterfeit item, or the item could be defective. 
• Insists on Using “Weasel Words” – Words or phrases that are vague, misleading, dance around the point, or don’t quite answer the questions you’re asking may be trying to weasel the way around the truth when it comes to an item’s legitimacy. Rattling off the specifications of a knife when you ask a straightforward question about its manufacturer could mean you’re dealing with fake knives. The vendor could be hoping you’ll decide the info is “good enough” and forget your previous question.
• Unverifiable Products or Authority – Guns or knives with no manufacturer, coins that don’t seem to match up with any country’s issue, or service providers who don’t want to talk about certifications all point to an attempt to flummox you with their appearance when they’re no real substance behind them.

Counterfeit Guns

To spot a counterfeit gun, pay attention to the details. Counterfeits can look very similar from a few feet away, but up close, it’s the little things that start to stand out. Slide serrations may be uneven in height or depth. Print that is supposed to be etched may instead be stamped. Counterfeits frequently feature printing that’s unevenly spaced, has some letters deeper than others, or uses a font different from the official version of the product. They may also have “wrong” external parts, such as slide locks or safeties that just aren’t quite right.

Fake Knives

Knives are more commonly counterfeited than firearms because they are less regulated, take less effort to reproduce, and can be sold at a lower price point for more volume. A fake blade can put a real crimp on any knife collection. As an example of what to watch for, let’s take a look at one of the most copied and counterfeited knives in the world, the Buck 110 Folding Hunter and its smaller familial cousins. This lockback has been around for generations at this point, with the familiar ebony wood and brass hardware, clip point, and leather sheath. 

The first thing you want to verify is an appropriate maker’s mark, in this case, the word “Buck” stamped into the blade. Depending on whether it’s new, used, or antique, there may be a date code, USA, or the model number 110 (often with a plus sign). What you won’t see is the name of a foreign country, misspellings, or ink that is already wearing off. You may see different grip styles, but these should coincide with appropriate special issues.   

Counterfeit Money (Collectible Currency and Coins)

Money, coins, and bullion are common collectibles found at gun shows because they’re so popular with collectors. Due to their historical significance and high-value portability for trade in times of emergency, gun owners view them for their cultural and monetary value. With such a wide array of products issued by both current and defunct nations, it can be hard to spot counterfeit money. 

Your best bet is to stick with trusted professional dealers who have a legitimate online or brick-and-mortar presence that will still be around after the show. Watch for incongruities, like marks from the wrong mint for a given date or misspelled words. Use your smartphone to research an item at the table–wi-fi is available at most venues–and don’t let yourself be pressured into a deal. Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Service Providers

Gun shows can be great places to find instructors and businesses that offer firearms training, gunsmithing and finishing services, and guided hunts. These can be a great way to upgrade your shooting lifestyle, but make sure you know who you’re dealing with and what services you’re getting.

Ask about certifications and licensures for the business and instructors providing the training. Find out what benefits the classes have and if they meet any state guidelines or requirements. For gunsmiths and finishers, ask for references, certifications, or affiliations. Finally, when considering hunting lands, make sure you understand what is being provided, any guarantees that are offered, and what kind of access is available so you can ensure you can reach your contracted area. Likewise, guides should be able to tell you what services they’ll be providing in detail and provide you with a list of any certifications, registrations, or affiliations that establish they operate a legitimate guide business.

How to Avoid Counterfeits, Fakes, and Scams

• Do Your Research – Take the time before the gun show to research the goods or services you’re after so you’re better informed. Whether it’s suspect collectibles, fake knives, or a fly-by-night Cerakote shop, facts will help you spot the counterfeit offers.
• Be Prepared to Say “No!” – Don’t get roped in by false scarcity or the fear of missing out. Be ready to walk away from a deal if it feels off. There are very few once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that won’t come around again with a little time and negotiation.
• Ask Questions – Be curious, and be proud of it. Most counterfeit sellers’ stories will fall apart if you’re willing to ask questions and not get distracted by pressure.
• Browse – When you get to the show, don’t jump at the first table that has the product or service you’re looking for. Make a full circuit of the sales floor, browsing the tables, examining relevant offerings, and talking to vendors. This can give you concrete examples from multiple sources to help you spot a counterfeit, and it also gives you more information to use when you are negotiating to make a purchase.

Get Authentic Guns, Knives, and Accessories

While you need to know how to spot a counterfeit, we work hard to create a show where honest people–both vendors and attendees–can come together to do business and buy, sell, or trade guns, knives, and just about everything else. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest gun show news delivered to your inbox. There’s an event on our gun show calendar near you that’s coming up soon. Order your tickets online to your local MAC Shows Gun Show today.