Gun show...

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

SilentStalker

Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2006
Messages
1,588
Location
Somewhere in the U.S., London, or Australia
So, I just got back from one of the local gun shows and I do not know how it is in your neck of the woods but the one here was not worth the dinero to get in. I mean I did get some .50 cal ammo boxes in excellent shape for like $5 each but other than that, nothing.

I was surprised to see hardly any AK's or any surplus stuff. There was very little ammo and even less tacticool stuff which was surprising. Most of the stuff there was some very overpriced relics. Even the handguns were really overpriced. I was at least hoping to find a Gen2 Glock 19 to replace mine that I sold and nothing. They had every other model there but no G19's, no mosin-nagants, nothing like that unless I somehow missed them. I was surprised to see lots and lots of handguns but at ridiculous prices. For example, a Springfield XD 9mm for like $579 with two mags. I can get them new all day long for $379-$399. They did have some complete Bushmaster Carbines for like $600 even which probably was not too bad, but yeah for the most part I did not feel like it was worth it especially with some very rude people there. Anyways it looks like the surplus stuff is drying up around here so just be aware that when you go do not expect it to be like it used to be. Good luck. Oh, and ammo prices were not too bad, not anything stellar, probably $10-$15 cheaper than I can get online...
 
Well, I also went to gun show over in Columbus today. Another disappointment. I lugged around my M1 trying to sell, no interest. No bulk ammo for sale, run of the mill items, almost all vendors were dealers, no one was interested in trading. Picked up a couple of speedloaders for my new 27 Smith. Other than that, a waste of my time. My buddy bought a bucket of 5.56 brass for $20, tho. Saw very little purchases going on, so maybe the economy is still hurting this venue also. But, I will go to the one in Perry next month, it'll be a different group, so I haven't given up. Seems middle Ga. on up has the most going on.
 
Glad I didn't go to the one in B'ham then. Was thinking about trying to sell my FAL there, but decided it probably wasn't worth the trouble given how the last couple of shows have been. Its kinda sad, even 3 or 4 years ago I could still find a decent deal every once in a while at a gun show down here. But the last couple of shows have just been terrible.
 
Its funny. A couple of other sights I go to have post about how the shows are packed to the gill and stuff is flying off the tables?

WB
 
It's all relative, some areas are doing great, some are going down hill. Just how it goes. Areas with lots of veteran gunnies are probably going downhill because the customer base it smarter and more discreet (I prefer private sales for great condition used guns over new overpriced guns). Plus many of us veteran gunnies know where the good deals are and just skip over gunshows (heck you can sell your gun used for a lot more on armslist than you can on gunbroker or a gunshow for that matter). I only go to gunshows to see if I can pick up a straggling private gun seller and get a good deal, and to also buy some beef jerky, and feel up guns with no remorse because you never know when you might find something you like.

Those areas where you have a fresh batch of gunnies is probably on the upswing because folks don't know better and like buying car, they probably don't realize enough to ignore the sticker price. Plus they might have a "need" to buy a gun and don't mind paying a little extra.

There's also the inverse action that occurs as people get more desperate I've noticed. In 2008 I could get used guns cheap as anything. Heck I bought a Taurus PT99, AR-15, and few hundred rounds of ammo for $800 off one guy. He had too many guns and his wife wanted a new car. Bought an FAL with a bunch of magazines (still haven't cleaned the cosmoline off a few) off one guy for $600 cash, he needed to make a car payment.

But now I get stories of woe and people won't even price an item 40% below blue book. And they'll go on about how much a gun store will give them (they are either lying or completely mistaken). I don't need anymore guns, but a deal is a deal is a deal when you find one.

Seems the more desperate folks get, the more valuable their guns become. I had a gentleman not too long ago try to sell me a used Rock Island 1911 for $450. I l laughed and he told me that's roughly what he paid for it. And i politely reminded him that guns like cars, lose no less than 30% of their value when they leave the lot. And oh I could get a new one cheaper online. If the gun isn't cheaper than 40% new, it's not worth buying used.

If you have enough guns, just settle in, hold onto your cash, and take up reloading. This will all work itself out in time, and when it does there'll be lots of good deals out there for us.
 
There was a gun show in Great Falls Montana this week end. It specializes in antiques, guns and western related. I had a bunch of ammunition that I have collected over the last 50+ years, some I bought new back in the 50's, some I picked up in pawn shops, second hand stores, dusty shelves in isolated country stores, some dated back before WWII. All was in OEM packaging and all had been stored properly. Did my research on the auction sites, so I had a feel for what I wanted. The first table I stopped at wasn't anywhere in line and he wasn't selling anything that he had. Next table paid my asking and wanted more. I came away satisfied, looking back I think I probably made about 500% on my investment. I enjoyed the collecting over the years but I'm out of room and I'm getting old enough that it is time to liquidate. I didn't even have to take and post pics or pay a fee. Good show!!!!!
 
The gun shows around here lately have had lines to get in, and people buying guns faster than the dealers can restock them. The collectable market seems to be rather soft, and I have seen some very good buys on M1's, Krags, and older sporting arms. Prices remain high on AR's, AK's, and modern pistols, but they seem to be moving.
 
"I can get them new all day long for $379-$399."


===================
278186522
Springfield XD9301SP06 XD 9mm 4" 10rd Stainless;
1
0
$512.21
8h 22m +

---------------------------

278186523
Springfield XD9401HCSP06 XD Tac 9mm 5" 16rd Black
1
0
$504.67
8h 22m +
--------------------------

278186537 Springfield XD9411HCSP06 XD Tac 9mm 5" 16rd Black
1
0
$582.16
8h 22m +


----------------------------
278193010 Springfield XD 9mm, 4 Inch, 2 tone, 2006 package,
1
0
$504.00
9h 43m +
--------------------------
277926344, Springfield XD subcompact 9mm w/XD gear system NIB
1
0
$440.00
9h 56m +

------------------------
278195255, Springfield XD 9mm, 3 Inch, 2 tone, 2006 package,
1
0
$501.00
10h 33m +

----------------------

278195591, Springfield XD 9mm, 3 Inch, Black, 2006 package, H
1
0
$525.00
10h 36m +
----------------------
278196014 Springfield XD xd9101hc 9mm 4in 15rd Black
1
0
$415.00
10h 43m +

-------------------

And I could list another dozen or more; I looked at more than 50 auctions. Those I found marked w/in the price range you said you can buy them all day long for also had a Reserve Price. The RP implys to me that price is gonna end up higher than the starting bid.

Two Rethorical questions:

1) Before you left for the gun show, did you 'actually' go to a gun shop and check prices then fig'r in sales tax?

2) If you could find one at the price you are suggesting why didn't you buy one then, why wait for a gun show... !!!!


Who would'a ever thunk that 30-30 ammo which I used to buy at $3-$6 a box would be at the price it is now...$15-$25 a box...

AFTER 40+ YRS OF GUNSHOW: Sure there are good shows, there are bad shows, shows in the Eastern half of my state for the most part SUCK, gun shows in the Western half of my state are definitely worth the drive! Even at $4 for a gallon gas. BUT the COMMON THREAD CONNECTING ALL gun shows is a buyers -90 PER CENT- pure ignorance of PRICES. While the heart beat of any gun show is one's ability to DICKER....and WOW has this become a lost art

You'd laugh if I told you the number of time's I have come home from a gun show, stammering, cussing, kicking the dog, complaining about a price of this or the cost of that and as I cool down and the fog of disgust disappates...and the sun light shows thru...I had such tunnel vision and a mind-set, set in stone that while dickering over the cost of Win M70 Stainless, New Haven[NW] productin at $1,000, he would not go to $825.... I failed to notice the the 300 win mag ammo he had priced at $20 a box... Mind you 'he was out dickering me' and that I could not deal with!

So all reason shut down...what a sad human trait: Pride.

I should'a bought the rifle, I should'a bought the ammo, I should'a asked for a package deal....!!!!! Should'a...............omama, I hate the sound of that word...SHOULD'A!

A few yrs from now what will have more real market value a NH Model 70 or a FN model 70....duh.... A NO FREEKING brainer...and I blew it...

Well there is another gun show and maybe I can regain some of my self esteem at the next gun show....
 
Last edited:
Here is SE KS, the past few gun shows I've been to have been packed, both vendors and customers. One of the dealers that I've purchased from sold 125K worth of guns just two weeks ago at the show that was at the Colosseum.

There was some high priced junk on the used stuff, and some higher priced nice stuff in the used area. There were two surplus ammo dealers there with good pricing and by Sunday both were almost completely out of stock.

I bought a M&P15 300 whisper from one of the retail dealers for 900.00. That was a buck higher than another dealer had a M&P sport. That's kinda how prices were throughout the place.
 
"I can get them new all day long for $379-$399."

And I could list another dozen or more; I looked at more than 50 auctions. Those I found marked w/in the price range you said you can buy them all day long for also had a Reserve Price. The RP implys to me that price is gonna end up higher than the starting bid.

Two Rethorical questions:

1) Before you left for the gun you did you 'actually' go to a gun shop and check prices then fig'r in sales tax?

2) If you could find one at the price you are suggesting why didn't you buy one then, why wait for a gun show...is your expectation based on down-to-earth knowledge !!!!


Who would'a ever thunk that 30-30 ammo which I used to buy at $3-$6 a box would be at the price it is now...$15-$25 a box...
Click to expand...

Originally Posted by Mike Sr.

Yes, I can literally get them all day long for that price. There is a local dealer that religiously runs sales on them almost bi-weekly for $379-$399 depending on his inventory. I do not know how he sales them so cheap but he does all of the time. The reason I have no bought one is because I do not want one. If you had read my post I was looking for a Glock 19, not an XD. I wish I had been looking for an XD as there were tons of those but no Glock 19's whatsoever. I was also looking for a CZ SP-01 and could not find any of those either so there must be something said about that...
 
""If you had read my post I was looking for a Glock 19, not an XD. I wish I had been looking for an XD as there were tons of those but no Glock 19's whatsoever. I was also looking for a CZ SP-01 and could not find any of those either so there must be something said about that... ""

=================

The basic thought of my post: real consumer awarness, tunnel vision, mind-set and the lost art of dickering were not tunneled to 'just' an XD. The issue you presented is at the top of the Jeapordy List of complaints about gun shows...

AND I 'ABSOLUTELY' MEANT NO DIS-RESPECT TO YOU OR THE IDEA IN IN YOUR POST....and if that is the perception please accept my sincere apology. Let me know and I can 'DELETE....
 
Last edited:
Mike, I did not take any offense at all my man. I was just saying that they can be found cheaper and that I can get them for that price all of the time. And while I did kind of down the gun show that was not really my intention. I mean it was a let down for me but it may be another mans treasure. I just wanted people to know what their gun show may be like up front so thst they can make a more informed decision about putting down their hard earned cash to get in. That was all. Again, no offense taken but I do appreciate your follow up post. It shows excellent character. God bless. You have a good one guys. Thanks for making this board what it is, a group of nice respectable men and women who can come together and share their knowledge to perpetuate what we hold so dearly. This is what it is all about.
 
I noticed at the last show I set up at off brand AR-15's were a lot cheaper then I thought they would be.I brought my Colt H-Bar right before the AWB and paid a grand for it.They sure have been many copies of it since then.Seems like the gun everybody has to have.
 
I've had mixed experiences with gun-shows here in New England. Found some sweet J.P. Sauer & Sohn SAA-clones for a steal of a price, at my first gun show. I went there with the sole-intent of finding a nickel SAA in .45lc, well I found that and it's twin in .22lr!!! that was awesome.

My second gun-show I went there with the sole-intent of hoping to find a nice DA .357 mag. I was originally hoping for a S&W, but I found a GP-100 made in 1989, I checked and the serial # checked out for that year, and I could tell they were actually very cool and honest guys and FFL dealers. The coolest one was wearing over-alls :D This Gp-100 showed absolutely NO signs of ever having been used. Not only that but the trigger is BETTER than my S&W 629, I swear it must have had a trigger-job, then just sat as a safe-queen. The chambers were absolutely spotless, the whole gun was, every nook and cranny, with no scratches or surface-wear of any kind. I don't know why my luck was so good that day, but I also managed to buy that GP-100 for >$100 less than the average online auction/"discount" website price! It is so accurate and so smooth, I will never sell that gun!

The last gun-show I went to, I brought my Wildey in .45win-mag, trying to sell it towards more practical purchases. I had bought it when I was earning more, and now just wanted something that shoots more common ammo and a little extra cash on top. I must admit, the magazine-safety was having issues at the time... but this Wildey was in otherwise immaculate lightly-used but no visible-wear condition, had the lowest serial number of any that I have ever seen, and I am a Wildey-geek that has seen many. It also had a very nice Wildey-brand wood and velvet display case, and all the original papers and manuals, including a brochure, and additional ballistics data. I offered to trade it for a $1300 AR-based rifle, and we were halfway through the paperwork and had already agreed on the trade when the tradee basically 'threw a fit!' He waited that long to inspect and dry-fire it, and the trigger wouldn't pull for him. He came up with an excuse that he didn't feel comfortable selling the rifle to a resident of a different state, then he even grabbed a buddy to confirm that he shouldn't do that, and he retracted his offer after we had both happily agreed on the trade. I was a bit annoyed at the wasted time, when I could have been seizing other opportunities, but I took the high road and moved on. I didn't end up trading or selling the Wildey at that gun-show, BUT... remember how I just mentioned being willing to trade it for a $1300 rifle? Well I ended up trading it through another forum, for a NIB spotless, spanking-new but made in '89 S&W 629 "Mountain Revolver" 4" .44 magnum PLUS $800 cash! The trader and I have mainained communication and he is quite happy with it, he already reloaded for .45win-mag as he has a few LAR Grizzlys. That was my first S&W Da revolver, and I do NOT regret that trade at all, I just wish I could have kept it and bought the S&W. I am so glad that guy didn't trade me that rifle at the gun-show! I am no longer annoyed with his backing-out. OH YEAH almost forgot, the funny part was I had a renowned gunsmith fix the mag-safety before I ended up trading it, and he fixed it for $20, as it took only a few minutes for him. I immediately fired 50 rounds through it to make sure that it functioned fine! $20! LoL

I also really like seeing engravers engraving at gun-shows, and SO many awesome hand-made knives!!! All those stories aside, the best part of gun-shows is just looking at everything! But also, I don't think I've ever heard SO much BS , anywhere else! :rolleyes:
 
Columbia, SC show 3/17 and 3/18. I went Saturday 3/17. Crowds were thin, prices high (even for the beek jerky) and I saw many of the same beat up pistols I saw at the last three shows. Very few weapons walking out the door. Rumor has it that a group of urban thugs tried to "Take and Break" but were tackled by patrons. Other than that it was a very boring show. I go for cheap entertainment and to buy Georgia Arms bulk ammo without paying the shipping fee. The knife guy from Georgia and Georgia Arms are about the only vendors moving inventory when I go to these shows. I'm curious as to how the vendors stay in business.
 
The good and bad of gun shows

Like everything else, gun shows have good ones and not so good ones. I've been to shows that sold more "precious moments" figurines than guns. Had to resist the temptation to kick the table leg out from under the display at that one. But, have also been to the Tulsa show when my friends had to drag me out at the end of the second day! I have been to shows that had so many good deals that I couldn't decide which one to buy. I've had the experience one of you mentioned of being really pissed that I didn't buy a particular item...lots of "shoulda" experiences. I always talk to lots of dealers and private sellers. I learn a lot and share stories. I go with good friends who know 10 times more about guns than I do and we always come away with good stories and good memories. So, look for me at the Tulsa Show March 31st and April 1st. I am the gray-haired guy wearing the t-shirt that has a drawing of a squirrel on it and says, "Squirrel: It's what's for dinner". It is my official gun show shirt. See ya in Tulsa. Tom
 
These dealers have to rent thier tables, eat food. They gotta try and make a little profit. I don't mind paying a few dollars more on ammo or a little more on a gun as long as it helps my local dealers. And yes, I know most the local dealers in my area. I also try and bring people to the shows, new people. Could go on and on.....
Support your local FFL.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top