Gun Show Reflection

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went today... will be the last

I was somewhat disgusted seeing a vendor trying to sell NC star "tactical" rifle cases for $48, the same one could be found at other tables for under $25 and even $18 shipped on Amazon.

Not to mention the cost of Firearms were higher than what I could get walking into a local store any day of the week.
 
Gun Shows: I go to see, touch, feel, ask questions, yak with like-minded people I meet, concoct trades, root out range and hunting opportunities, sample jerky, maybe pick up bargain tools, a holster, a few primers or some powder...regardless, I know the price I'll pay for all of it, and if it's too high, I don't buy. Most dealers won't even haggle over the numbers anymore.

I won't go more than 30 miles or so to attend, and I don't plan the weekend around them.
 
One show definitely worth going to is the one associated with the twice-yearly shoots at Knob Creek Range (Louisville, KY). That is, if you have the slightest interest in military and NFA stuff. There are things there that you won't find anywhere else. It's a day-and-a-half drive for me, so I won't go every time, but once in a while, yes.

For antiques, the Maryland Arms Collectors show at the Timonium Fairgrounds is a must. For Civil War stuff, in particular, the show connected with the North-South Skirmish Association's spring and fall nationals is worthwhle. I would also recommend the Nation's Gun Show in Chantilly, Virginia.

Don't forget the concept of "arbitrage," that is, taking advantage of different prices in different markets. You can sometimes find underpriced or overlooked gun stuff in other venues, such as military vehicle shows, reenactments, estate sales, or rural flea markets. Don't think only about the guns themselves, but also about parts, accessories, ammo, etc.
 
So nobody has anything good to say about shows anymore? That is sad. Best gunshow I went to was with my dad in AL around '85-'86.
Its funny ... even back in the 70's you would hear people saying "Gunshows aren't what they used to be" ...

(shortened ....)
I don't know what kind of business can survive on a 10% markup (except maybe internet-based businesses who have almost zero overhead). If you believe businesses that claim they only mark up by 10%, you probably also believe those car dealers who claim to sell their cars for "$50 over invoice".

Take it from an old "show pro": from a vendor's point of view, attendees at gun shows are notorious cheapskates.
As mentioned above big box / high volume stores have some items that are 5 to 10% over cost, but many more items that are 100%+ over cost.

Small businesses like gunstores can't survive on 10% profit ... There is too much overhead not to mention the risk. Why should any business owner work his ass off for 5-10% markup? Hell he can invest his money in lots of things and get that kind of a return.

I'm not a dealer and I find deals at gunshows all the time ... the first thing is you have to know what a deal is ... then buy it, not wait and go back after you've looked at every table. Too many times over the last 30+ years have I heard someone say they should have bought it when they saw it and sometimes they are saying it to me because I'm buying it.

I enjoy going to shows, maybe its the culture and other than seeing old friends I don't have any expectations. I look at it this way ... I'll spend more going to a movie than I will to get in a gun show ... and usually not have as much fun.
 
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Pricing has been out of control since the chosen one was elected. :rolleyes:

Remember the panic buying prices and the resulting ammo shortage ? :mad:

Well round two is right around the corner. :uhoh:

Better stock up whilst you can. ;)
 
Same thing here in FL

There were a few good deals, a few nice guns...

But mostly, jewelry and jerky... And over priced AKs, SKSs, Mossys for well above the local gun store fare.

And what is the deal with the Road blockers and rolling thunders? Does anyone actually like these models?
 
Same situation in NM, however one of our local fun shops just went tango uniform, don't know why other than it was located wrong (off the main road and hidden behind another business) shop was clean, fair prices, decent selection of guns and knives, just couldn't make it in this economy i guess. Sad, but happening all over. Best place to buy i've seen recently was at at auction, fair prices and HUGE selection. I go every time, two auctions a year, i buy sometimes.
 
stumpers said:
I went to my last gunshow about a year ago in Eau Claire WI. Prices were far too high for anything I was interested in, many higher than MSRP.

I'm guessing you're talking about the Bob and Rocco show at the indoor sports center. They've been like that for years. I usually go because, even if the prices are high, there will sometimes be things you can't find in stores in the area.

The guys that put on the show make any firearm transfer go through a background check, even private, non-ffl sellers.
 
I frequent very few gun shows. If I'm just wanting to kill some time I might go browse around in one but most prices on items in gun shows are high. Sometimes you might score a good deal. If I do attend one, I'm usually looking for something hard to find such as a spare mag for my S&W 39-2.
If I want to buy a gun, I might get it off Gun Broker, CDNN or my local dealer. I know what the gun I'm buying cost in general before I buy too.
 
I go occasionally when I'm interested in checking out a specific type of gun I may be interested in aquiring. For instance, I'll go to the next show to see if I can find someone selling one of the Chipmunk pistols. If I decide I want one, I have a FFL friend that sells at $20.00 over wholesale + tax, but strictly by prepaid order. He also brokers private sales between his (very loyal) customers...
 
I go to every one I can. What's on the tables is nice, but what's walking around is the real "entertainment" (admission is the same as a lame Hollywood production). A couple weeks back this 1954 model was walking around for $600. $450 and it is mine. I'm almost marking off the days on the calendar till the "big" Lakeland show (only 4 weeks) Merry Christmas.
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One must also remember that gun dealers inside gun shows still have their regular overhead to pay for PLUS the cost of the table they are renting, gas, motel, etc..... that all gets added to the prices of what they sell
 
As far as the shows in general, you just have to have the mindset that you go there for fun, not for a good deal...The wife and I went to the same one the OP commented about and we had just a good time, meet some friends walk around a while, skip out to cracker barrel, go back walk around a little more....do some people watching. I don't go to see or get a good deal, but sometimes you do find good stuff. I got my Arasaka at the one before this and a nice little Nylon 66 at this one....you just have to have the right mindset when you go...we make a day of it and just have fun....if we find something then we do...if not we still have a good time.

Here is the little Nylon 66

IMG_6746.jpg
 
Gun shows are still good for:

1. Beef Jerky.

2. Surplus ammo (saves shipping).

3. Shamwow.
 
I went to a gun show yesterday and was quite pleased with the prices.
Ruger SR pistols nib for 385.
Glocks nib for 489, Exo Glocks 520.
Wsar AK,s 475.
Colt le6920 ar's for 975.
To name a few. I actually let a good deal on cpo sigs get by me.
First time in a while I've seen what I considered good prices.
 
I watch the newspaper classifieds for estate sales etc. Back in the day most gun shows were local guys with private sales who rented a table. Those days are gone.
I have had really good luck with estate sales.
 
Same in WA.

Oh yeah, also should mention that on a local forum here, one guy went to the show JUST to get some ammo from a dealer he frequented --said he wanted to check out the show, actually drove past the store to go there. When he found the table, they had the ammo but for way extra than the store price. When he asked if they would sell it to him for what the store sells, they said no way, they had to pay for the table and time to get there. Whatever. They were also getting way more traffic than they ever would at their out of the way, hidden behind Tactical Tailor shop in run down Tillicum WA. They lost a lot of customers over that and a couple of other problems, like selling junk ammo --"recalled" ammo, however you recall ammo. If you wonder where bad ammo goes, it goes to that store. Also sold AR bolts that broke after 500 rounds, said it was "common" for some to fail at that point, but that they'd be nice and replace it. I'm afraid to go there for safety's sake.

I roll my own ammo now, and I vet my shops. I won't deal with these stores that try to take advantage of others. There is one down the street, don't know how they stay in business, when you go in there there is just junk everywhere, just thrown around. The displays are screwed up. The weapons don't sell and dust is everywhere. They've had a Browning Rennaisance in there for five years and I can't get them to budge one cent. They are so greedy they've ran off their customers, but for some reason they stay in business and employ three people --who do not clean the store.


Sheesh.

I also saw that Surplus Ammo and Arms at a gun show. Drove past the store to get to the show, and saw significant mark ups on the ammo. The WAC shows in Puyallup were all overpriced and had nothing good.

I went to local show in Tucson this afternoon. Not much there, and it was all overpriced, or if not overpriced, not a good deal either. Lots of people selling jerky and trinkets, and more old ammo for sale than new stuff. A lot of people were selling their own reloads and various packaging. One vendor had their boxes open, and had a 50 rounds of 9mm in old dingy cases with cast bullets for 10$. Another vendor cursed at me for lifting the lid of an already opened box of surplus something. Several vendors were selling small lots of various brass and bullets, but nothing in bulk. There was only one that I considered buying from. Overall the show was a waste of $9 and an hour.
 
Redneck women..... So far, that's the best thing I've seen at gun shows. I'm a relative noob though, so I have no clue what I'm looking for or how much it's worth. But I'm good enough with people to know when they're blowin smoke up my butt. That's when it's lots of fun. I'll let him go on about how great this weapon is or that he shouldn't even sell this ammo cause it'll blow through body armour like a knife through butter. I get a sick thrill out of seeing how far a guy will go to make a sale. I mean, I love 1911's but I don't love em enough to plop down $1500 just because it says Colt on it. The best talkers though are the guys selling Glocks. "if they weren't the best, would more than half the police departments in the country use them?". I give em the expected, "cool" and move op to the next. I actually enjoy watching the people and seeing the odd or unique weapons there. I STILL haven't bought any beef jerky at one yet. Gonna have to try it out at the next show. Maybe see what I'm missing?
 
Tough luck, Buckaroo...

Hossfly68:
Redneck women..... So far, that's the best thing I've seen at gun shows.

'Good point. As long as you're happy just looking at Redneck women.

But if it's single (unattached) Redneck women you want to see (let alone meet), well, Pardner, that just ain't gonna happen at a gun show!
 
Same here in Ohio, usually see used guns (hardly ever shot!) for new prices. I go to see ammo prices, which are usually competitive, and to handle/look at guns that aren't readily available in local shops.
 
According to my astute gun show buddies, most items here are a bit over-priced. Unlike guns from the CMP, you Don't know what M-1 internal parts have been replaced or damaged, and you Never see a Garand priced anywhere near the CMP's Service Grades. Never.
We are only interested in several types of milsurp (1940s-1960s) rifles. The glamorous ARs and handguns have little appeal.

It seems that all buyers expect to find a really good deal-but when they bring something to sell, even to another gun show visitor, they seldom want to give the other person a good deal. It's too subjective to generalize.

A couple of regular sellers (who I like) tell me that despite selling little, they are there to socialize.
One of them noticed that a seller at the next table was very quiet, when asked about the safety of his Spanish 7mm Mauser's conversion to 7.62 NATO/.308.
The nice guy (a few feet away) who had been around Mausers for many years looked at me and shook his head....so I went over and thanked him for clarifying some concerns which I had.

My only reason for attending is to learn about guns and socialize. At about twenty shows, I've bought three guns: an over-priced Yugo Mauser 48A, ok priced Enfield #4 and an Enfield "Jungle" at a good price, plus a modest amount of ammo. Traded a 2-groove (nice bore) Longbranch Enfield #4 which "keyholed" really bad with BT bullets, for a 4 or 5-groove #4.
 
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I for one will pay a little more for something that I can touch. I HATE buying over the net. Sending a PO money order off to god knows where to who knows and then you hope to get the brown box on your door step all in good shape. It is worth (to me) even an extra $100 (that is not that much money any more) to actually touch the item you are actually looking at...see the numbers...see the barrel. I have little intrest in black rifles, but I looked for years to find a good Type 99 Arasaka, with all the swiss army goodies on it and an intact mum. Yes I did not get a deal on it but I did not get hurt on it and it rounded out my collection.

It is also nice to go and look at different things all in one spot, I wanted to see side by side the different 1911's by ruger, remmington....I could do that with no sales pressure.
 
I'm with you pharmer counting the days 'til Lakeland Collector's show.
I've been going to gunshows for twenty years. I'm convinced that the only people getting deals are the table nappers, (aka vendors). Price the stuff so high anyone that has a bit of knowledge walks on by. Or no price tag at all so after their naps they can price according to their moods.
Eleven dollars for a day of comedic entertainment, tall tales, and fabrications. Where are you going to get that all in one, well two, packed with stinky old guys, room(s)?
It beats the sugar out of driving from gun store to gun store to be mocked, ignored or abused. Cheaper too.
 
I'm with you pharmer counting the days 'til Lakeland Collector's show.
I've been going to gunshows for twenty years. I'm convinced that the only people getting deals are the table nappers, (aka vendors). Price the stuff so high anyone that has a bit of knowledge walks on by. Or no price tag at all so after their naps they can price according to their moods.
Eleven dollars for a day of comedic entertainment, tall tales, and fabrications. Where are you going to get that all in one, well two, packed with stinky old guys, room(s)?
It beats the sugar out of driving from gun store to gun store to be mocked, ignored or abused. Cheaper too.
"mocked, ignored or abused".....Sounds like myself (a 45+yr old, balding, white male) walking into a guitar store....That is an experence.
 
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