My gun show experience today
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Arkansas Paul
Member
There was one in Little Rock last weekend. I had a little gun money stuck back and almost went. But I figured it would be just like you said your experience was. So, I stayed home and smelted wheel weights. 
Glad I did.
Glad I did.
Skylerbone
Member
My gun show visit reminded me of why I haven't been in 3 years. Tables packed with dusty old ammo boxes stained with age and exposure to light. TripleK mags. being touted as better than factory. Mexican holsters selling for $90 a pop. And the guns...ha! Used model 70s & 700s for $750, ARs everywhere for $1,500+, stacks of PMAGS for $40. 3 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies is what I left with, they were the same price as last year.
Ignition Override
Member
Even though a visit to either the Wanamaker's Tulsa or Dallas Market Hall show was planned for Feb. or July, just to visit/enjoy a large gun show, it now makes no sense to go.
A shorter drive to the CMP will offer much more value for the dollars, and the organization can be counted on.
A shorter drive to the CMP will offer much more value for the dollars, and the organization can be counted on.
gunmn74
Member
Wichita gun show
There were alot of people streaming though the doors trying to cash in.
I saw a dozen used mini 14s for 1200.00. The cheapest AR new were 1300.00
I saw alot of 2000.00 plus ARs. I only found one guy with .22 ammo, 50 rnd CCI stingers 9.00 a box. I noticed crossed out prices and the new price was NOT lower.
I did have a good time with some old friends and found a few things worth buying.
There were alot of people streaming though the doors trying to cash in.
I saw a dozen used mini 14s for 1200.00. The cheapest AR new were 1300.00
I saw alot of 2000.00 plus ARs. I only found one guy with .22 ammo, 50 rnd CCI stingers 9.00 a box. I noticed crossed out prices and the new price was NOT lower.
I did have a good time with some old friends and found a few things worth buying.
I was at the Wichita show yesterday,it was a good show with lots of activity with people buying a lot and paying high prices for popular caliber. But like Ram ammo and other reputable gun dealers the prices were still reasonable but they sold out quickly. Seems there are more private sales that were taking advantage of people,I saw a lot of what appeared to be ammo ,and guns from Walmart and other discount retailers being sold for very high prices. I shoot and look for less popular calibers and was able to pick up a few deals. Mike
gunmn74
Member
In all fairness some of the brick and mortor stores that have a both were pretty fairly priced. I did see alot of AR mags for 20 bucks and some decent prices on AR parts. Ram ammunition was sold out of alot of handgun calibers at normal for the times prices. The really high prices were the guys with 6 or 8 guns on the table or from the people coming in trying to sell a single gun.
It was still fun to go we did buy a few things.
It was still fun to go we did buy a few things.
I find that kind of nonsense at every gun show I go to. Prices on mediocre stuff is outrageous. I get excited to go to them then walk out empty handed. If I'm looking for something ill look any usually find a better deal on something better elsewhere.
Skylerbone
Member
My biggest disappointment comes from the attitude of the newer vendors. I spent some quality time jawing with the old timers and most could have given P.T. Barnum a run for the money. Unfortunately some of the new commandos that have shown up simply don't have a clue.
The $40 PMAGS guy had them locked in a case and was removing one for sale. He tells the customer (whose shoulder I was looking over to check the price) "These things are worth their weight in gold". His next comment is they're locked up because young punks are (expletive deleted) stealing them. His foul language caused me to glance up and I see him staring at me! I shook my head and walked away before I said anything. Several vendors were overheard justifying ammo prices due to the Government buying up supplies and three young ladies scantily dressed selling autographed calendars highlighting loose gun control rounded out the day.
The $40 PMAGS guy had them locked in a case and was removing one for sale. He tells the customer (whose shoulder I was looking over to check the price) "These things are worth their weight in gold". His next comment is they're locked up because young punks are (expletive deleted) stealing them. His foul language caused me to glance up and I see him staring at me! I shook my head and walked away before I said anything. Several vendors were overheard justifying ammo prices due to the Government buying up supplies and three young ladies scantily dressed selling autographed calendars highlighting loose gun control rounded out the day.
It is the same here in Reno, gouging to the extreme, today Armslist 120.00 for 2000 CCi 300 LPP. But i get that if people will pay it sell it
What bothered me however at the last gun show I attended, and will be the last gun show I attend, is all of the local retailers I know, selling all the crap out of their garage for massive prices. 22.00 for Wolf 20round box of 7.62x39, 800.00 yugo SKS's all day long, 250.00 91/30s etc etc. My (former) lever action gunsmith was there, selling all of these old f'up'd magazines for pretty high prices. One guy walked up picked up an old worn 20 round mil surp magazine for an AR or M16, looked like 20 rounder from my angle, guy asked how much, my gunsmith said 40.00 I looked at him like ?? and walked away.
To each his own but I will not spend my money with guys who knowingly do this.
What bothered me however at the last gun show I attended, and will be the last gun show I attend, is all of the local retailers I know, selling all the crap out of their garage for massive prices. 22.00 for Wolf 20round box of 7.62x39, 800.00 yugo SKS's all day long, 250.00 91/30s etc etc. My (former) lever action gunsmith was there, selling all of these old f'up'd magazines for pretty high prices. One guy walked up picked up an old worn 20 round mil surp magazine for an AR or M16, looked like 20 rounder from my angle, guy asked how much, my gunsmith said 40.00 I looked at him like ?? and walked away.
To each his own but I will not spend my money with guys who knowingly do this.
I skip it also. But I did go to the one Dec 30-31, and came home with a NIB Ruger GSR .308 for $900 OTD (which included $70-80 in tax). That was a good price.
I may go to the one in Conway this coming weekend. Have never been to that one. But it is just as close to where I live, if not closer, than the "Little Rock" show (which as you know, is in Jacksonville now).
I think prices will have to begin coming back down soon. People are balking at paying the huge markups we've been seeing, so to move product, prices will have to drop. I'm more concerned, right now, about lack of supply -- in loaded ammo and reloading components -- than price. I'm not hurting, but I'm shooting more these days, so I'd like to replace what I'm using up.
Another thing from the show yesterday. I had a chat with a guy with reloading stuff, bullets mostly. His prices were really decent so we struck up a conversation on prices. He said he had to raise his prices a little, mainly due to other vendors buying up all his inventory before the doors opened, then turning around and selling that at the show for double. I can see his point, that would irritate me too. He said he wasn't in business to gouge people, just make a decent profit. Great guy.
I have been done with gun shows and big box stores for quite a while... my local LGS has actually PLENTY of .45ACP @ $44 / 100rds and .22LR Velocitors @ $7.99 for 50. Not a bargain but they also did not raise their prices to gun show level / Cabela's level after Newtown.
Went to Cabela's yesterday. nothing left except some odd calibers and .45 JHP.... yeah.... 25 golden sabre .45 JHP for $35 + tax. lol.
Went to Cabela's yesterday. nothing left except some odd calibers and .45 JHP.... yeah.... 25 golden sabre .45 JHP for $35 + tax. lol.
And clearly a lot of people have more money than sense...
Considering the fact that most vendors are reporting they are backordered for quite a while on ammunition, it's actually going to get worse before it gets better. I know some of you don't believe that, but the numbers are there to show this is not going to end any time soon...unless we see a massive influx of new ammo makers hitting the market, or all back orders are cancelled.
breakingcontact
Member
I liked going to gun shows but don't plan on going to many until things reach a new normal (this can't be it, can it?)
HorseSoldier
Member
At least there was some upside to the day . . .
Ever since B.O. was elected gun shows have been a wash of high-priced firearms. of the half dozen I've been to around the state of WI in the past few years the only thing I've ever walked out with has been some funny signs or tshirts. Also my wife found a lady selling really cool ice fishing depth finders at one that she still uses with pride.
steven58
Member
Well, I attended the gun show at Oaks, PA today and to me I see a bit of light (ok, a SMALL bit of light) at the end of the tunnel.
Specifically, While I did see some latest generation P Mags and Lancer magazines selling for $ 40.00 I also saw them priced by several vendors at $ 24.00.
Also, a friend of mine bought a new blued Colt's 1911-A1 "1999" version for $ 900.00 out the door.
While the prices on all EBRs are still twice what they should be the stock on the tables is beginning to pile up as everyone who was selling had plenty. I think that sooner rather than later the bubble will burst on this and prices will tumble.
While these are not the numbers from a year ago they are better than the last gun show at this venue just before Christmas when the counters were stripped bare and all available magazines were selling for 2 and 3 X MSRP.
Ammo prices were still high but again there was plenty of stock available at the end of the last day of the show.
Specifically, While I did see some latest generation P Mags and Lancer magazines selling for $ 40.00 I also saw them priced by several vendors at $ 24.00.
Also, a friend of mine bought a new blued Colt's 1911-A1 "1999" version for $ 900.00 out the door.
While the prices on all EBRs are still twice what they should be the stock on the tables is beginning to pile up as everyone who was selling had plenty. I think that sooner rather than later the bubble will burst on this and prices will tumble.
While these are not the numbers from a year ago they are better than the last gun show at this venue just before Christmas when the counters were stripped bare and all available magazines were selling for 2 and 3 X MSRP.
Ammo prices were still high but again there was plenty of stock available at the end of the last day of the show.
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