Gun show prices ,back to pre-election levels?

The prices of firearms have cratered. You can buy a brand new S&W Shield for $225. What the OP is seeing is guys who bought guns for top dollar pre-election and they still think they can sell them for those inflated prices. What they paid 8 months ago is irrelevant now.

PBR Streetgang said:

Is it me or are gun prices at the gunshows going back to pre-election prices? I'm seeing used guns priced out for more than I can buy the same thing new

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Some mentioned panic buying before the election and people wanting their purchase price back. I think it is more that prices on new guns are temporarily artificially low. Before the election pretty much everyone "knew" that Hillary was going to win. In order to avoid shortages, many ammo companies and gun manufacturers really ramped up production and had a large inventory built up. When Hillary lost, the expected demand surge didn't happen, and many people actually slowed down in their buying instead of accelerating it making the situation worse. So, now we are seeing some of the best prices in guns and ammo we have seen in about a decade (I just recently bought a brand new S&W M&P40c online for $350, about the same price the same seller had used S&W M&P). I think people are asking what used guns normally would be worth (and will be again in 6mo to a year when the excess new inventory is sold off and prices recover to their more natural levels). So right now we have a window where buying new is often cheaper than buying used, and if you have used guns you want to sell, you'll probably be best off waiting a year.

hdwhit said:

At least in the Metrocrest suburbs, the pawn shops seem to count on generalized ignorance of what guns are worth and price (high) accordingly

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The MD pawn shops seem to do the same thing.

I've become very -bored- with gun shows over the past 5 years or so. To the point where last months will probably be the last one I attend.

With the Internet, it's easier to price check and fairly convenient. If you buy enough ammo you can usually avoid the shipping charge.

But it seems like it's more and more like a flea market filled with junk mil-surp guns. Not even nice stuff, but bottom of the barrel, I wouldn't trust to shoot stuff.

I appreciate the sweet old lady with the pork rinds (Those Sugar Cinnamon ones were the best). But the purse and sunglass vendors need to get lost. The only deals you seem to find are FTF transactions.

Sometimes I'll hope to see something to wrap my hands around and feel out, but usually I can't find anything I'm really interested in. The one I went to last month, I didn't touch a single gun and I was there for two hours.

Gun shows are on their way out, unless the Internet becomes to restrictive. Facebook groups were fantastic, but now it's like dealing with back alley abortions every time you try to start one up as a 'Discussion Group'. Eventually some ass will list or say a price and you get shut down.

I do often buy ammo at 'em, though. Typically, for what I buy, the prices are around what I'd pay online with shipping.

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Boy we couldn't be more different here, I only buy ammo at gun shows if its significantly cheaper than I can buy on-line with shipping, otherwise I prefer to let the USP guy do the heavy lifting of carrying it to my front door

PBR Streetgang said:

Is it me or are gun prices at the gunshows going back to pre-election prices? I'm seeing used guns priced out for more than I can buy the same thing new .It's not like there are availability issues to drive the used prices up higher. It wasn't just a few dealers but a majority .

Is anyone else seeing this in their areas? btw SW FL here.

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Not pre-election prices, but close to it. AR15's is where the deals are at, everything else is same as before.

Central FL here and I go to my local shows every few months (going to one this weekend in Daytona)

Atla said:

I've become very -bored- with gun shows over the past 5 years or so. To the point where last months will probably be the last one I attend.

With the Internet, it's easier to price check and fairly convenient. If you buy enough ammo you can usually avoid the shipping charge.

But it seems like it's more and more like a flea market filled with junk mil-surp guns. Not even nice stuff, but bottom of the barrel, I wouldn't trust to shoot stuff.

I appreciate the sweet old lady with the pork rinds (Those Sugar Cinnamon ones were the best). But the purse and sunglass vendors need to get lost. The only deals you seem to find are FTF transactions.

Sometimes I'll hope to see something to wrap my hands around and feel out, but usually I can't find anything I'm really interested in. The one I went to last month, I didn't touch a single gun and I was there for two hours.

Gun shows are on their way out, unless the Internet becomes to restrictive. Facebook groups were fantastic, but now it's like dealing with back alley abortions every time you try to start one up as a 'Discussion Group'. Eventually some ass will list or say a price and you get shut down.

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Sorry to hear that. It may just be your area.

I've been going to shows at least once a year and usually find decent deals. You just have to know the right vendors and find the good deals sold by private sellers.

Ironically I've never bought a firearm online. I feel that the shipping and transfer fees negate any discounts you get. That, and you can't inspect multiple firearms before buying.

MedWheeler said:

I do often buy ammo at 'em, though. Typically, for what I buy, the prices are around what I'd pay online with shipping.

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Ditto--and I've already driven there, so no real shipping costs added in.

We had a show here last week. I could not believe the prices on 90% of the stuff. There were a couple of dealers who had their guns priced about right, but the majority were ridiculously high. I saw a Kimber 84 Hunter priced at $950. Our LGS has them for $745 and I can get them wholesale for around $650. Our local shops love the shows. People go to the show, see the high prices and then go to the local shops to buy. One shop owner told me that sales went way up when the show was in town.

The last gunshow I went to was abysmal. I spent $10 to get in, spent 10 minutes looking at tables, and then left for my LGS. Rows and rows of tables of the past were replaced with long, continuous tables setup in like a maze, with tape to "lead" you around.90% were AR's and other new guns I see all the time else where, and the military surplus, what there was of it, the owners must have all been watching Classic Firearms videos before coming, prices for run of the mill Mosin Nagant 91/30 was $400, Enfields reaching upwards to $700. It was very bad.

PBR Streetgang said:

Is it me or are gun prices at the gunshows going back to pre-election prices? I'm seeing used guns priced out for more than I can buy the same thing new .It's not like there are availability issues to drive the used prices up higher. It wasn't just a few dealers but a majority .

Is anyone else seeing this in their areas? btw SW FL here.

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I was at the local gun show in my area and the same old vendors selling the same old overpriced stuff. I like to go to gun shows, but I see what the patrons are walking around trying to sell and pretty much ignore the vendors.

I'm guessing new gun prices will remain fairly stable, that is, fairly low, until the next round of panic buying preceding the next presidential election. Same for ammo. So maybe a 3 year window, but who knows, maybe not.

Now's the right time to buy, guns and ammo. Hard to go wrong with everyone selling $9 boxes of brass 9mm ammo, brass .223 under $6, and lowers under $40. Buy what you can afford, it won't go bad. In three years you'll be referring to this period as the good old days.

I haven't been to a gun show in 2 years, they can't touch on-line prices. For example:

1) Ruger SR40 = $325 out the door from Bud's gun shop
2) K&K P30 40 cal = $525 out the door from sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore
3) FNS-40 = $400 out the door from PSA
4) M&P 40c = $360 out the door, minus a $75 rebate from S&W, sportsmansguide.
5) Ruger 9-E = $315 out the door from sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore

You'll pay at least an extra $100 for all these guns at a gun shop.

I just got back from a show and saw some decent prices, Norinco SKS in very nice shape for $319, a few British Enfields in the low $400 range, and decent discounts on some pistols. On the other hand, I saw a couple of rough looking M-1 Carbines at two different tables, one for $1250, another for $1400 range, I considered both high, but I'm no expert.

They comped me at the door when I pulled out my wallet to pay the $10 and they saw my retirement shield, so the things I bought, a bore brush, patches, and a small Lyman screwdriver set, were basically free. When I was working I wouldn't take anything for free, felt like they were trying to buy my favor. Now that I'm retired, there's nothing I can do for anybody.

I tried to be polite when I saw someone close with a revolver to sell had it pointed right at me, not sure if I succeeded. lol

Unsure of the rest of the Country, but for Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming; shows are NOT the place to buy a currently produced firearm. Go to your LGS or online for that.

Shows are for out of production guns and collector items, parts and small accessories. Reloading supplies, bullet molds, alloy, holsters, sights, knives, hunting gear, books etc. Small stuff.

I collect older S&W revolvers, but have a few other varied firearm interests as well. You attend shows for boxes, old catalogs, parts, stocks and other items, related to your collecting interests. Should You find a deal on a quality firearm...Icing on the cake.

You also attend to visit with friends who have tables, or other Collectors with similar interests to your own. To NETWORK.

This discussion comes up often. I liken gun shows to a sporting event....You have to play (attend) to make a goal......Meaning; actually find that occasional rare deal.

At a Reno Show a few years back. Found the 25th S&W Combat Magnum or pre M-19 to come out of the Factory in 1956.
Fairly rare gun, sent to their West Coast Rep. It was in high condition and MISMARKED as a M-15. I paid $450! An easy $2K gun and a wonderful addition to the collection. Was it worth attending THAT Show? I'd say so.

I always seem to find some stocks, sights, parts, boxes, etc on tables. Once checked a basket of assorted junk and found a pre war S&W Sight adjustment tool...or basically a small, screwdriver. Gave the guy .25 cents. A $200 screwdriver now.

Last local show, I found a set of circa 1990's Smith Combat stocks for a K frame, in a box of assorted junk. Bought the grips for $40. they are easily worth $200.

Same Show, but several years back. Bought an entire box of assorted holsters for $90 on the table from an Estate sale. Six of the holster were from Milt Sparks, three were Kramer's and the other three were from El Paso Saddlery. Any ONE was worth $90. Funny thing was it was UNDER the table. I asked the guy if ALL of his stuff was out? He produced the box.

Look past the tables of high priced black rifles and magazines. Look tables over carefully. Any items NOT on the table? Maybe stored in boxes under the table? Found a bargain Pre M-29, 5 screw .44 mag like that. Saw a black box similar to what the old, original .44's came in, before the wood presentation cases. Asked the guy what it was. He pulls out a 95% or better gun, in a box that is THE nicest , early Magnum case I have. Bought the gun, box and the enclosed proper screwdriver, for a grand. The box with tools TODAY is worth $500 or better.

LOOK around. Ask sellers..."Anything NOT out"? Look at what guys are carrying around to sell or trade. TALK to the guys at tables. Especially if they seem like a simple gun nut, not a Dealer. It's amazing what comes out of peoples garages and basements. Let the guy know YOUR interests.

We do Displays at many of the MT Shows. Was complimenting a guy on a beautiful display of Colt target revolvers. Mentioned I do Smith's ,but still enjoy the Colt's too. He pulls a nice Smith M-14 Single action Only gun out from under the table. I ended up with it for a very fair price. Be Personable. Be polite. TALK to people.

Yes, Shows CAN and DO suck at times. But look past the negatives and LOOK for the positives.

FN in MT

Sounds like my kind of gunshow, what they used to be like around here when I was younger.

Interesting hustle at the gun show yesterday. Of all things there was a large booth selling pickles, wild game sausage, and cheeses. Yes, pickles. lol

No prices on the sausage and cheeses. I ask the price of the Parmesan cheese, and the vendor responds by cutting off a small piece, weighing it where I can't see the scales, and announces that it's half price today only, states instead of $40, it's only $20 and starts to wrap it up.

He still hasn't told me the per pound price, has not told me the weight, and acts hurt when I tell him I don't want it. Based on experience, the piece he cut off was only 1/4-1/3 lb., so the price would have been $60-80 a lb. I tasted a sample, it was so so, and excellent Parmesan can be had for under $20 per lb.

I can see people feeling obligated to buy it once he cut, weighed, and wrapped it. I have no soft spot for what I consider a scam, of course the "half price today only" is always a giveaway. I'd recommend anybody coming across this booth at the show today to give it a wide berth.