I just got back. Man this show use to be a great place to go find deals, swap and sell.
I bought 1k bullets from J&K. It would have been cheaper over all to order them online. The drive while only 80 miles or so round trip was not bad. Wife and I make it every day for work. Then the gate fee and having to put up with the NRA barkers> (shutter)
I met some friends outside. we stood around and noticed not many folks coming out with nice purchases. I've seen it in years past where folks are carrying arm loads of weapons and goody's.
As soon as we were inside we saw why. Stuff was priced through the roof! Yeah there were some good deals to be found. I pasted on two 27-2's with 8+" barrels in presentation boxes. Nice clean old Smith's. The dealer did want to move them. Some of the local shops were at the show. And we all felt like they jacked up there prices for the show. I looked for a set of Mep. sights for my M&P .45 only set I found the yahoo wanted $125. I offered him $80 for them. He acted like I tried to kill his puppy. There $80 plus tax at a lock shop.
With M&P FS .45 on the brain I spooked around andsaw what dealers had them priced at. I saw $530 to $580 each. Out of curiosity when I left the show I stopped by the local dealer I bought my M&P at. Yep they were still $500 each. Mine was $500 OTD because it was late 2007 production.
There did look to be some deals on .50 BMG's. All the .50 BMG ammo I found was only so so price wise. No real deals to be found. I checked around for some 30-60 and 308 for friends in Arkansas. I had to call and tell them to stand down. They could get the same ammo found at the show cheaper out the back door of the mom and pop local gun dealer. A lot of old collector stuff out there. Some seemed on the fair side. But must way way over priced. I saw two Python 6" engraved for a whopping $3K each. I don't care if they were the only two ever made and engraved with the finger of God. They were no where near worth that much.
The only true deal I got was a case dirty and worn .50 BMG round for $2.00. I can clean it up, fondle and look at it when such time comes that I can purchase the weapon that fires it and start reloading the .50 BMG.
I spoke with several folks I ran into at the show that I know through work and other contacts. All said this will be the first time they have ever left empty handed. The bullet seller agree'd that stuff was way to high and while his sales were good. Others were grumbling about slow sales. Bullet man said "I bet it will be better next April".
I bought 1k bullets from J&K. It would have been cheaper over all to order them online. The drive while only 80 miles or so round trip was not bad. Wife and I make it every day for work. Then the gate fee and having to put up with the NRA barkers> (shutter)
I met some friends outside. we stood around and noticed not many folks coming out with nice purchases. I've seen it in years past where folks are carrying arm loads of weapons and goody's.
As soon as we were inside we saw why. Stuff was priced through the roof! Yeah there were some good deals to be found. I pasted on two 27-2's with 8+" barrels in presentation boxes. Nice clean old Smith's. The dealer did want to move them. Some of the local shops were at the show. And we all felt like they jacked up there prices for the show. I looked for a set of Mep. sights for my M&P .45 only set I found the yahoo wanted $125. I offered him $80 for them. He acted like I tried to kill his puppy. There $80 plus tax at a lock shop.
With M&P FS .45 on the brain I spooked around andsaw what dealers had them priced at. I saw $530 to $580 each. Out of curiosity when I left the show I stopped by the local dealer I bought my M&P at. Yep they were still $500 each. Mine was $500 OTD because it was late 2007 production. There did look to be some deals on .50 BMG's. All the .50 BMG ammo I found was only so so price wise. No real deals to be found. I checked around for some 30-60 and 308 for friends in Arkansas. I had to call and tell them to stand down. They could get the same ammo found at the show cheaper out the back door of the mom and pop local gun dealer. A lot of old collector stuff out there. Some seemed on the fair side. But must way way over priced. I saw two Python 6" engraved for a whopping $3K each. I don't care if they were the only two ever made and engraved with the finger of God. They were no where near worth that much.
The only true deal I got was a case dirty and worn .50 BMG round for $2.00. I can clean it up, fondle and look at it when such time comes that I can purchase the weapon that fires it and start reloading the .50 BMG.
I spoke with several folks I ran into at the show that I know through work and other contacts. All said this will be the first time they have ever left empty handed. The bullet seller agree'd that stuff was way to high and while his sales were good. Others were grumbling about slow sales. Bullet man said "I bet it will be better next April".
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