Gun show enthusiasm waning

[grimjaw]

I liked going to the WAC shows in Washington, but it was difficult to get over to that side of the state often. Occasionally there were good ammo deals, and it was usually free to park. Better than a day spent working.

I'd go here if I didn't work every weekend from now until the end of time . . .

jm

 

[lonegunman]

I'm pretty sick of going to them around here. Occasionally I like to go to a small one in the outlying towns. They even have one in a high school gym over in Idaho. Sometimes you can find some neat stuff some old guy is parting with.

At the bigger shows they have overpriced ammo retards and some fairly rude dweebs selling guns for retail plus 20%. It has been ages since I bought anything I would call a major purchase. It is all but depressing.

One gunshow odd story. One of my retired friends had ammo for sale on 10 round strippers in bandoleers for about 1/2 of boxed ammo. In two days only one person did the math correctly and realized it was a smoking deal. He bought most of it on Sunday afternoon. The other folks all stopped and looked, tried to figure out the per box cost, failed and went across the aisle and paid to much.

 

[doc2rn]

I have been going just to find the Unicorn (Ruger .22 Mag 9-shot magazine) for my my 77/22. I had a couple of them give up the ghost. So far I have been dissappointed. I should just pick one up on my way to Virginia.

 

[Flame Red]

I don't know why I go either, but I still do. Usually if I am looking for something specific, I can't find it. Most stuff way over priced. However, occassionally there is a deal to be had, usually from the private sellers or people with tables for other purposes that are selling something for a friend as a favor.

But with Obamanation heading our way I think they gun show's days are numbered. Or at least they will just be 'FFL' only shows soon.

Here is Orlando the isles are so crowded I cannot believe that the fire marshall does not shut it down. I come early so I can make the rounds before the isles are impassable.

 

[gte217e]

I didn't think gun show prices were all that overpriced until I stumbled onto a Wilson Combat ADP (polymer frame pistol). I know there are a LOT of people that hate this gun but I discovered it at a gun show and I really liked it.

They were asking $750.00. When I asked to handle the gun, the guy handling the gun before me got nervous and agreed to pay the $750.00

He quickly snatched the gun from my hands and purchased it. I saw that they had a second one in the display; called my friend who looked up that the retail price on the gun is $575.00

I then went home and in a few clicks I purchased it online for $490 and with shipping and the transfer... $520.00

I feel sorry for the guy who bought it at the gun show (not really).

 

[Kingcreek]

The "good ol days" of gunshows are over, done. I still go once and awhile and pick up a few reloading supplies or cleaning stuff.
back in the days before everyone had the bloody internet, I could actually find the occaisional bargain firearm. like the 4" Colt Diamondback for $250 or the Remington 700 stainless .300 winmag NIB for $300.

 

[Walkalong]

I used to pick up cast bullets etc at gun shows because it was cheaper. Those days seem to be gone.

 

[10X]

Gun shows definitely are not what they used to be.

The gun show are a good place to sell, but not to buy unless it is from another attendee in the isles or an estate sale table. I don't even bother with the regular dealer tables there.

I go to find specialty parts, just look or to talk guns with some knowledgeable people.

I keep my eyes open for what others are carrying in the isles.

 

[XDKingslayer]

Yep. I go to one specific local gun show because it's the only one I've seen in the last few years that actually upholds what a gun show should be. It's local dealers, with reduced prices, minimal extra crap and they don't ram you on parking fees then at the door. It's a tad expensive but you get a ticket for a 1911, usually a Springfield "loaded" model.

All other shows are avoided.

 

[Geno]

The last show I attended, was over an hour drive each way, followed by parking and entrance fees, and sorting between mountains of take-it-priced-or-leave-it-junk, and the rare well-priced object. Greek ammo was marked up literally 100% over the CMP price. Haven't been back since. The CMP, and an occasional on-line purchase, can provide everything I need.

 

[lee n. field]

$7 to park, $12 per person to get in. Good grief.

Ouch. That's a gouge.

One small show, held twice a year, within reasonable driving distance from me. On county fairgrounds, free to park, $4 to get in. Small, less worth going than it has been, but it's fun to browse, and I've gotten a few deals. No beef jerky, no abusive petitioners, no pretend ninjas or SEALs. I'll keep going.

 

[ScottyT]

Used to go for surplus ammo and odds and ends, but I can now get it cheaper from a local shop or online. So sad...

 

[357chevy]

I've only been to 1 show. I was only looking at new. My friend told me about it, so I went to check it out. He told me its like a barder system. I found waht I wanted. They were selling about $125 under MSRP. I checked online. I talked them down another $50. And that was all when S&W was having there $50 off and get 2 extra clips sale. I think I did alright for my first. But the venders and the show out here are the gun shops, stores, ranges, ect.

 

[Pilot]

With the rise of the internet, I stopped going to gunshows several years ago. I can buy on-line with a C&R or have a transfer done by a local FFL for $15. I've never been burnt and always get what I want.

 

[Rabid Rabbit]

Gun shows are suffering the same fate as computer shows. I stopped going to computer shows 5 years ago.

 

[ArmedBear]

If I go to a gun show, it costs me $8 in gas, $9 to get in, and $8 to park. I've spent $25 before I even buy anything.

When I get inside, the prices on guns are often higher than I'd pay in a store.

I go when I have a damn good reason, which I sometimes do. Finding some odd part might be worth it (though the odds are better on the 'net these days.) If it's just to browse around, I don't bother.

 

[Ske1etor]

I'm a 1911 guy so the gun show is good for small replacement parts and accessories that would otherwise have to be ordered off of the internet. I have a few parts in my gun case so I can still shoot my gun if something breaks. That is about the only reason I still go every once in a while.

 

[Thernlund]

That's bizzare, unless it also applied to credit cards. Retailers save money if their customers use debit cards as opposed to credit cards.

That's if they're set up to run transactions through the debit networks (ie. Star, Interlink, NYCE, Plus, ect.). Alot aren't. As such, even a debit card gets put through the credit card network (ie. Visa/Mastercard).

Simplest way to tell... PIN: debit. No PIN (sometimes a signature depended on the amount): credit.


-T.

(P.S. I used to work for Visa International.)

 

[XDKingslayer]

Everyone complains about the jerky dealers but that's the first table I hit. That way I have something to nibble on while I walk around...

 

[nwilliams]

When I was living in Prescott Arizona I used to love driving down to the Crossroads show when it came to Phoenix but I too was very disappointed last time I went.

Its way too expensive now to get in and most of the stuff being sold is overpriced. Once in a while you may stumble upon a good deal but its rare in my experience. Still Crossroads is better than some of the other gun shows I've been to in Arizona and other places.

Its hit or miss with most gun shows but I still enjoy going to them even if its just to browse and be among lots of fellow gun enthusiast.

 

[Gun Slinger]

I used to go pretty frequently, but given that 'deals' seem to be less frequently available than in the past with some dealers present asking ridiculous, if not outright insulting prices, for all sorts of things from ammo to guns, I have all but given up on them.

I now go once or twice a year, and the last time I went was offered a "brand new" Glock 17L (that definitely had seen much better days) for just shy of $800.00. The fellow attempting the sale even explained that it was a "rare" Limited Edition, hence the "L" on the slide and that there were to be no more being made ever again!

Less than an hour later, I was walking out of a small gunshop not 10 miles away with one of the current production (February 2008) NIB Glock 17L's purchased for $575.00 +tax.

I think that I am most likely finished with gunshows.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I've never bought a gun at a gun show. Knives, ammo, clips, mags, odds and ends, whatever.

No guns. They're usually over retail. I'm allergic to retail, and over-retail makes me break out in hives or something.

At least gun shows are cheap down here on the border. Five bucks to get in, no parking charge.

Hey, I usually go just to hang out and swap stories with other gun owners.

Kinda like what we do here.

 

[El Tejon]

Hey, didn't you guys see Lord of War? Selling guns is like selling vacuum cleaners--hard work.

It's hard work buying guns too. You have to make your rounds and see what is out there.

I've got some great deals at shows around here. Last year I scored a great deal on Baltic .308 but I had to buy all they had. I've purchased many off paper guns at the show and plead many a firearm price down. I've walked off with guns at half of what they go for, but you have to know your market.

You have to get aggressive and have no fear of rejection (they can only tell you "no", not take away your birthday)--sort of like a singles bar on Saturday night.

Have a list but be flexible. Take cash--they guys that bitch about the parking fee or the admission price also complain about the "poor shows"--hmmm, what does that tell you? Be aggressive, always offer to buy more. Bring friends who can buy more with you (ammo, and help you carry).

Have fun and quit walking around with a lip on and like the world owes you anything.

 

[tmajors]

Last gun show I went to the only table that wasn't 25% or more overpriced was some guys that radiated white separatist movement. Had good prices but yikes no thanks.

 

[jocko]

yup

even the big Indy 1500 gun show is now over rated. expensive for me to drive there 100 mile sone way, then entry fee, then get something to eat, then pay to park, and then walk around and every table seems to be selling only glocks, ammo is getting to be a thing of the past to even buy there let alone to maybe snag a sale. Probably the show people are paying dearly for table rentals, and the Indy 1500 show is 3 days, so that menas for the vendors, motels, food, yadda yadda.

No its a fun afternoon,but I ususally don't go to think I am going to find a bargain, that way I'm not dissapointed, but witht he price of gas and entry and parking it shoots $50 in the ass before I even enter the building.

Gun control at its best...