Gun show questions

[bad4dr]

Hello all,

First, if this is not the correct forum for this topic, mods feel free to move to a more appropriate location. Okay, on to the questions!

I'll be attending a gun show next weekend in FL with two guns for sale; a rifle and a shotgun (I am not a vendor, just a private seller). It's been 20 years at LEAST since my last gun show, and I've never sold anything. I've been told that I can carry the guns over my shoulder - unloaded of course - with "for sale" flags in the barrels. To those who have done this before, is this the correct procedure? Does carrying unloaded guns for sale constitute OC? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regarding the guns I'll be selling, I've done a bit of research, but I'm a little cloudy on fair market value. Here's what I'm selling and how much I'm asking:

Savage 110 left-handed rifle (walnut Monte Carlo stock, rosewood grip cap and pistol end) in 7mm Rem Mag w/ Simmons AETEC 2.8-10x44 scope. $400 w/scope, $350 w/o scope

Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 ga left-handed shotgun, shot barrel and slug barrel, chambered for 2 3/4" shells (NOT 3" shells). $275

Both guns belonged to my father, both are late '60s/early '70s vintage, have been stored in my closet in cases, and have not been shot in over 10 years. Are these fair prices? I don't wanna get rich off of these guns, but I don't wanna give them away either.

Any feedback is very much appreciated.

bad4dr

 

[Armed 24/7]

Those seem like very good prices to me. Usually left handed firearms command a premium. Although if it were me, I would keep them as keepsakes of your father, maybe pass them on to your kids/grandkids later...

 

[bad4dr]

Armed,

I've thought about keeping them, but I honestly have no use for them. The bolt on the rifle is right in my face, and the comb on the backside of the Monte Carlo stock lies right on my jawline; not comfortable for shooting. The shotgun ejects shells right across the bridge of my nose, so that's no fun to shoot either. Regarding keepsakes, I have his Harley that I'm rebuilding, and I have the '56 Chevy we built together. I'd rather see these fine guns in the hands of someone who can enjoy them rather than having them collect dust in my collection.

 

[Boba Fett]

You could always put them up for sale here on the forum:

http://thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=38

I'll be attending a gun show next weekend in FL with two guns for sale; a rifle and a shotgun (I am not a vendor, just a private seller). It's been 20 years at LEAST since my last gun show, and I've never sold anything. I've been told that I can carry the guns over my shoulder - unloaded of course - with "for sale" flags in the barrels. To those who have done this before, is this the correct procedure? Does carrying unloaded guns for sale constitute OC? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

As for the gun show, I can't say about how it works in FL or the laws there, but at the Texas gun shows that's pretty much how they sell them and I've never heard of any issues nor experienced any myself. I mean, there are police at the door and they check all the firearms, ziptie them for security, and in to the show you go.


You could contact the NRA-ILA. They've answered my questions fairly promptly in the past:

https://secure.nraila.org/Contact.aspx


Or contact your local authority and ask them.

 

[NG VI]

I think for it to be open carry you have to be carrying strictly to carry, so things like shooting at an appropriate venue or carrying guns to sell in a selling event don't really count as OC.

 

[bad4dr]

Thanks for the input. If they don't sell at the gun show, they'll soon be on the "for sale" forum here at THR!

 

[Dravur]

here are some hints.... Dealers will ask you waht you want for them. When they do this, they know that that is your High price and will try and zap it by half at least. They will use the fact that they are left handed to try and convince ou of how little value they have...etc. If you have to deal with one.. ask him what he is willing to pay... Never tell him what you want for it.

When they do, just say No thanks and walk away. You will have more luck walking around and selling them to another person walking around.

Whatever you do, Don't let the dealer zap your deal. Those prices seem fair.

 

[Keauxbi]

I've thought about taking a couple of revolvers to a show this weekend to sale/barter. What's the best approach to take with those if I do?

 

[bad4dr]

Thanks, Dravur! I'll definitely keep that in mind. Stinkin' dealers...

This sounds a lot like an automotive swap meet. Go up to any table, pick up a random widget, and ask, "Will this fit a '69 Chevelle?" Of course, the answer will be "Yes." The trick is to ask them "What does this fit?" Gotta outsmart the conmen!

 

[wishin]

Both of those have a good rep. I think you're minimizing your market at a gun show given the low percentage of lefties in our population, never mind L/H shooters. In any event, hang a sign of sorts on the muzzle stating it's a left handed model.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I've made signs out of white paper stapled to a sheet of cardboard to give it stiffness, punched holes in the corners through which I ran a length of string, and hung the sign around my neck over my chest. It worked for both some .380 ammo and a rifle; I had both sold within 15 minutes of entering the show. If such a sale is legal in your state to start with, that works about as well as any method.

 

[bad4dr]

Haranguer, that type of sale IS legal here. Did you also have the items with you, or were you just wearing the sign? I plan to sling the guns over my shoulder, but a sign makes a lot of sense too.

 

[oneounceload]

A small sign with brief description on both sides taped to a small dowel inserted in the barrel works well and lets folks see your sign above the average head

 

[TedP]

I have seen examples of all of these sign methods at gun shows here in FL. At one point, I bought a used 10/22 and I had people approaching me asking if I was selling it, even though I had no sign.

Good luck!

 

[Patriotme]

There is a lot of politics regarding gun shows in my state (VA). A lot of politicians are trying to ban private sales at gun shows and I actually saw a notice at one show this year banning private sales on the premises. That was a first. If there's no sign at the entrance stating that private sales are banned then you should be GTG walking around with your gun over your shoulder and a sign on the weapon.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Did you also have the items with you, or were you just wearing the sign? I plan to sling the guns over my shoulder, but a sign makes a lot of sense too.

Light items like a gun or small amounts of ammo that I can carry for several hours, yes. The 100 lbs. of lead ingots, no. The personnel will always check your gun in, have you "show clear" and run a zip tie through the action.

 

[hobbeeman]

I find that I can get a better value if I can find a trade, instead of a sale. And yes, I am one of the EVIL gun show vendors, but I still like to go to sales in which I do not have a table, putting me on both sides of the issue.

 

[Vonderek]

Don't know where you are going in Florida or if the following is a county law or state law. In Broward county private sales at gun shows are illegal. You can bring your guns as you mentioned but if you sell them it has to be to a dealer.

 

[Charshooter]

I was selling at gun shows for about 15 years, as one of those guys with two or three tables. The idea is to buy your guns and sell then to some else for a hearty profit. One sale covers your table expense, another your motel room and gas, once upon a time.

Here is what I would never tell then, but no loss now. You ask a few men at big rifle tables (many guns) what they will offer, the prices will be low because they like to sell it at the same show, if possible. You take that price and add 50% to that and that is what they will ask for the gun. If you see one like yours that has a much higher price, and ask them why they are asking so much more, you get a line of bull about the guns condition. Sure, we do clean them up often, but sold at the same show, they are in the same condition.

After you get the price, begin asking others if they are interested. Sometimes a fella will be standing right there watching you make a deal. It is all too often they might be interested, but not willing to ask you for a sale. You have to ask them. The table guys have the advantage and for some reason many think it is better to buy one from a table guy, but that is nonsense.

As to the left handed issue, the above poster is right, yet these table guys will tell you they cannot sell left hand guns easy and they do not want to keep them in stock, which is also true. Nevertheless, if you find a left handed buyer, you will get more, as per supply and demand. You have to be assertive to get them sold.

 

[bad4dr]

Thanks, Charshooter! That's some good advice.

I'm looking forward to just wandering around at the gun show, even if I don't sell these guns. It's been too long since I attended one, and I could go for some beef jerky right about now

 

[Elvishead]

bad4dr

Thanks for the input. If they don't sell at the gun show, they'll soon be on the "for sale" forum here at THR!

Or you could put them in the local paper. But I see you have just joined so I don't know if you get any bit's on this board.

 

[bad4dr]

Thanks to all who gave advice in this thread. Today I successfully sold both guns at the NW FL gun show. I wandered around for about an hour before an older gentleman inquired about the 870 for his son. We agreed on a price, and we walked out to my truck to get the 30" barrel. On the way, he told me about how they hunt doves, and how this gun would make a fine dove hunter. I was glad to hear that my dad's gun (which has taken many deer and upland game) was going to a fellow hunter to be used in the field rather than to a dealer who would mark it up to turn a profit. On the way back to the show, he asked about the rifle. He looked it over, made me a fair offer, and I accepted. We had some laughs, he told me his recipe for BBQ dove, he bought some fine guns with good hunting pedigrees, and we both left happy.

And to top it off, as I wandered around the gun show later, I found a $5 bill on the ground! A good day indeed.

 

[Boba Fett]

Congrats! Glad to hear that all went well and you made a good sale. And it's always good to know that your good sale was also a good buy for someone else.

I enjoy the little camaraderie that you get at a gun show as you buy, sell, and look around with the other folks. You meet some good people there, have a good time seeing all the firearms and paraphernalia, and can stay the whole day. For an $8 entry fee, it's hard to beat that sort of quality fun.