Gun Show

I went to the Orlando show yesterday.
Expensive guns, stupid money expensive.
Wildly expensive ammo, pallets of it. 500 rds PMI 55gr .223 for $550, 9mm 115 gr ball 500 rds/ $450.
Everything was selling at these rates, the show's owner/ largest dealer had 30-40 folks in the "4473 area." Joe

The two gun shows (pre-covid) I've been to were a waste more or less. They were a few good deals, but mostly junk and too prideful of prices. One funny thing was a guy selling oil filter suppressors for like 70 bucks. He showed how to use it and told us that we need a stamp to buy it...but then said he would still sell it to us without one.. I didn't buy one.

I guess the big question is are these prices really stupid high, or will we look back with regret at not buying what we could? Only time will tell.

We haven't had a show here since the virus hit. Other towns about an hour away have but, I've had to work when they did. All the reports I've heard have been similar, high priced guns, higher priced ammo, but the jerky was still pretty good.

Two of my nicest handguns were found at the gun show that comes here twice a year, including the one about three weeks ago. Prices have gone up quite a bit, but I've been able to bargain a little, just have to know what you're looking for and what makes it worth what's being asked for it (or not). The ammo sellers, I only quickly glimpsed what they had, but I never buy ammo at a gun show. What I did look for was reloading supplies, but it was no better than online or the LGS's around here. Seemed to be a lot of .223/5.56, and some of the more popular hunting calibers (30-06, .308, .270, .243) but 9mm was definitely scarce. I thought the ammo prices were ridiculous when I looked, in some cases over $2 per round. Lots of tactical gear and AR stuff, not as much leather holsters, but a crapton of Kydex and ballistic nylon.

Has the internet finally replaced the gun shows as a place to look for ones ideal firearm. For decades it was a collection of LGS’s, collectors and private FFL’s to show case and sell guns from junk to new to treasures. Accouterments of all types, Ammo and hand loading supplies, dies, bullet molds, tools just about anything fun related and stuff not even.
Thru the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s most of the stuff I bought came from shows in New England.
When wife and I got a winter home in South West Florida the shows in Fort Meyers and up and down the coast were a high light of the winter months.
Now all my stuff comes thru the internet. The sad demise of an American tradition, sure hope not.

whughett said:

Has the internet finally replaced the gun shows as a place to look for ones ideal firearm. For decades it was a collection of LGS’s, collectors and private FFL’s to show case and sell guns from junk to new to treasures. Accouterments of all types, Ammo and hand loading supplies, dies, bullet molds, tools just about anything fun related and stuff not even.
Thru the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s most of the stuff I bought came from shows in New England.
When wife and I got a winter home in South West Florida the shows in Fort Meyers and up and down the coast were a high light of the winter months.
Now all my stuff comes thru the internet. The sad demise of an American tradition, sure hope not.

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I hope not. I still live walking through the gun shows. They are anything from entertaining, history, or occasionally a good deal on an old gun I couldn't buy new.
I'm out on buying from the internet. It's kind of like Walmart. Killing what I like about small towns.

I could have made a few shows since the virus, but have chosen to save my 6 bucks.

Honestly just don't feel like paying to look at a bunch of opportunists tables filled with ammo and components
at vastly inflated prices from either their basement or fresh from the nearest big box store.

If I feel a need to see folks at their worst, I can just watch a reality show instead.

JT

whughett said:

Has the internet finally replaced the gun shows as a place to look for ones ideal firearm.

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You know that is really a good question. More than not I go to shows looking for things I do not know about then rush to look them up on the Internet. One time I actually purchased a gun on the internet at the show where I learned about it.

Do not know if that is bad or good...

BAD.. It hurts the Local gun shops because they have a pay to keep the doors open.. and I used those doors to learn about something I wanted.

BAD .. For the Gun Show Seller.. So I do not spend money with them. And they take time and money to set up.

GOOD for me, I get a item I wanted at a better price.. Like hitting several hundred (thousand) gun shows at a hit of a button..

Now the real rub... alot of those Gun Shops & Local sellers are selling on the Internet.. So that makes a blur of things.

There is a dearth of guns and ammunition. Firearms - notably handguns - have been under heavy sales for the past year and a half. Ammunition for those firearms are equally sought, obviously. Without question any number of folks are 'hoarding' what they can, both arms and ammunition. I must confess I had more primers (various sizes) than I realized. I sold them to a colleague who commercially reloads ammunition; not at panic prices, but not scalper prices, either.
Then one sees other pressures. Many non-firearms people (associated loosely with specific political views) have decided to obtain a firearm for home defense. And one sees some panic regarding the election of anti-gun politicians.
The COVID panic hasn't done much good, either. Industries (arms, ammunition) are suffering from lower employee counts due to illness.

And the INTERNET. I live in the Central U. S. I recently bought a rifle from a gentleman out of state via the Internet as I cannot get to Florida on a day trip. No doubt this affects others.

Are gun shows dying? Perhaps, there are some indicators. I never thought Sears, Roebuck & co. would close retail outlets, either. However, collector guns, bits of surplus items, the odd holster and so on are conveniently located for comparison and purchase without driving all over to find them.

I do not buy 'new' firearms as a rule. Last rifle I bought was a BRNO '98 commercial rifle in .257 Roberts. From a 'guy', not a vendor, at a gun show.

I like gun shows. They appeal to my tastes.

The general "vendor and private sellers" at the tables have steadily decreased in quality over the years as far a pricing is concerned. Lots of "fishing" going on to see if they get bites on them. Thats typical. There are still diamonds in the rough out there, and lots of collections waiting to be passed on to the next generation in one way or another.
EXAMPLE: Got a new in box S&W 29 (1975) box, papers, 99% Nickel. 750$ walked in the door, and that was the asking price. I walked into the show with every doubt in the world.
Personally, Armslist has beem my biggest go-to the last decade, but now im not sure about it anymore either, havnt given it much thought since it requires the fee

Tampa, Florida one is this weekend. Debating if I should go. Only been to one years ago and that was to look at knives. Im on the hunt for a Beretta 96A1

How were the prices for beanie babies, beef jerky, and dog-eared romance novels?

If'n it's a "Florida Gun Shows" event, just go to the nearest Shoot Straight store and see all the firearms accoutrements without paying $12. You will miss the jerky, eyeglass cleaners, $6 knives, hidden room builders, T shirts, bumper stickers, keychains, flashlights, woodcrafts, etc. Joe

Our last couple of shows were cancelled because of the Couf.
Maybe in late January... .

I try to use my LGS as much as possible. Yes, prices are higher but so is their overhead. Saving $50 is not worth letting a LGS go out of business. Once the Mom and Pop gunstores are gone we will be left with the big names who won’t dicker, won’t respect your trade and have a take it or leave it mentality.


Kevin

pharmer said:

If'n it's a "Florida Gun Shows" event, just go to the nearest Shoot Straight store and see all the firearms accoutrements without paying $12. You will miss the jerky, eyeglass cleaners, $6 knives, hidden room builders, T shirts, bumper stickers, keychains, flashlights, woodcrafts, etc. Joe

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You know I am not going to argue with you.. Because to a large degree you are right about some of the Gun Shows that are held in Florida..

But I would say that the Gun Shows that are held in some of the large cities, especially on the Left cost are very similar. The shows also from certain promoters are more same then not. But there are alot of shows in some of the smaller area that are very different.

One more thought, people throw around the term Gun Show.. "I went to the Gun Show and it stank" or "There was nothing at this gun show at all". That is not the really helpful.. Because you really need to tell what you saw and what you were looking for.. IE.. If one goes to a show looking for older guns it would be wrong to say this show had nothing if it was full of newer guns and ARs. Like wise someone looking for newer guns would feel there was nothing if it was full of older collectors guns. So some details would help alot.

Dad and I had two tables at the Aledo Illinois gun show from the late fifties til he passed in '79. Bargains, fun, deals, no problems. Now, overpriced junk, old ammo, and tacktikool bubbas abound. I haven't gone to a show in five years.
Getting ready to get rid of about fifty items I don't have time to enjoy and don't want to bother my widow with disposal. Show, no. Local network, you bet.

whughett said:

Has the internet finally replaced the gun shows

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What will replace the internet?

Haven’t attended a gun show in 2020 or any in the North East for that matter in a number of years. But if the crowds at the Ft Meyer. Tampa, and other Florida locations in 2019 were any indication of popularity then despite criticism here they are still a draw for a large segment of the population.

PreCovid Tanner shows in Denver..Real advantage was vintage guns and rifles PLUS, altho not great prices, at least a bunch of dealers in one place to save ya driving all over hell and back, 'just looking'...

Went to one with a Taurus revolver to trade..looking for a G19...talked to 3-4 dealers, went back to one with a good trade in $ and good price for the G19..table with BGC, some ladies with laptops serving the whole show..easy.."Easy, convenient" is the gun show advantage. The dealer would have been a 90 minute drive of I went to his store.

Haven't been to one since Jan...

whughett said:

Has the internet finally replaced the gun shows as a place to look for ones ideal firearm. For decades it was a collection of LGS’s, collectors and private FFL’s to show case and sell guns from junk to new to treasures.

Click to expand...

JT-AR-MG42 said:

Honestly just don't feel like paying to look at a bunch of opportunists tables filled with ammo and components
at vastly inflated prices from either their basement or fresh from the nearest big box store.

Click to expand...

indy1919a4 said:

You know that is really a good question. More than not I go to shows looking for things I do not know about then rush to look them up on the Internet. One time I actually purchased a gun on the internet at the show where I learned about it.

Do not know if that is bad or good...

Click to expand...

I don't think the internet will ever replace gun shows, just as Carvana will never replace the automotive dealership. It depends on the buyer, as to what method of shopping they prefer, and the market will continue to provide as many options as possible to sell their products. I, for one, won't buy a gun sight unseen from the internet; pictures and descriptions are okay for some, but I won't buy if I can't handle and examine a firearm personally. Guns shows and LGS are the only way I can do that.

I don't think the shows hurt the local gun shop; heck, half or more of the vendors at a gun show ARE gun shop owners, just trying to broaden their customer base. I try to fully support my local shop; I like the owner, he is very knowledgeable and his new gun prices are as good as you'll find most anywhere else. But, he doesn't always have a great selection of used guns, which is what I mostly shop for, as I don't care for most of the new models on the market these days. I can ask, and he will try to find something specific I might be looking for, but if that item isn't on an advertised site or otherwise available to him, I have to keep looking; whenever a gun show rolls into town, it's another means to possibly find what I want without using an online market like GB or Armslist.

It's true, a gun show sometimes looks like somebody's gun safe garage sale, but you can also find some real diamonds in the pile of coal, if you shovel far enough into it. As for prices, it all depends on how you approach it sometimes and what you're willing to give up, either in chances or cash. I like to get to a show early on the first day, to see all the good stuff, which generally gets sold first and most expensively. Maybe I see something I really, really want, something I've looked for and can't find elsewhere. If I want it bad enough, and the seller won't bargain, maybe I'll bruise my wallet and get it then. Sometimes, though, I may wait until the last day of the show, go where I saw that hidden gem and see if it is still there; vendors will generally be more willing to deal, because it's one less thing they have to pack up, and also because they've seen that nobody will pay what they have been asking, and that the market for that item just isn't there. I bought my M57 no dash that way, and got it $200 less than the guy wanted at the start of the show, and wouldn't drop the price for then. Sure, he may have sold it before I got back to it later, but that's the chance I was willing to take.

I have been to 2 shows in NW Fl in the last month. My findings: 1- most guns seem to cost AT LEAST $100 more than they should, regardless of gun type. 2- most centerfire ammunition of any caliber/brand/design costs $1 or more to make a gun go bang. 3- the 500 round bricks of 22 LR that were about $20 at wally world last spring were $50 2 weeks ago, and $70 1 week ago.

Thank you to the OP and all who have posted input concerning gun shows. I haven't been able to attend one since pre-covid. There are gun shows here and there but not around my area. Was wondering what they were like; I pretty much figured the prices were up on everything due to external factors but it's nice to get some real world feedback from folks who were there.