Gun shows

[Jake]

I just got back from a gun show down here in Orlando and after walking around this place for 2 hours it leads you to ask the question " What are some of these people thinking." I went to the show to look for a Sar-1 having decided I needed something new to take to the range. So I'm walking around looking at all the different tables and the thing that leads me to question some peoples sanity is the price differences. I look at one table and they have Sar-1's for $325 and the guy right next to him is selling the exact same thing for $410. Then there's the guy 3 tables down selling them for $520. What are these people thinking and do people actually pay $520 instead of walking 30 feet?
Then there is the smaller stuff. After picking up my new rifle(yes the $325 one) I go to look for some mags and ammo. And what do I find? Yep more craziness. I got one guy selling 30 round mags for $22 and the guy 30 feet away selling the same thing for $10. And the ammo was even better. One guy selling it for $5 for a box of 20 rounds of Wolf and the guy at the next table for $2. And don't even get me started on the $300 Mosin Nagants.

 

[AZTOY]

This is the same reason, i walk around the hole show first.

 

[Ukraine Train]

For $300 I sure hope those Mosins were original snipers.

 

[Jake]

Yeah right. Try plain jane 91/30's that looked like the had been rode hard and put away wet.

 

[BryanP]

I went to the one in Smyrna TN this morning. I know what you mean. I did see a SAR-1 for $350 and across the room another for $435. One guy had some beautiful Mosin Nagant rifles for $125 but he wanted $225 for an unfired Yugo SKS? I thought those were selling for $180? I stopped to look at another SKS that some guy thought should cost me $350? What are you, nuts?

The only thing I actually bought was a copy of The AR-15 Complete Assembly Guide to go with my copy of The AR-15 Complete Owner's Guide ( http://www.fulton-armory.com/Books.htm#AR15 ) in hopes that I might actually get started putting the pile of parts I have to good use.

But yeah, I do walk around at shows and see asking prices and think "Huh? I could buy it for that much from the local shop." But hey, it's their merchandise. They can ask whatever they want for it. Doesn't mean you have to buy it.

 

[Akurat]

Yeah theres alot of that. I just shake my head and move along.

But at least you found something, I went to a gunshow today and all they had was JUNK. Zero good deals...and not one ammo wholesaler...I will NEVER again go to an 'Arizona Arms Association' show. Crossroads of the West or Termark is a different story

 

[Sunray]

Free market systems just suck. You should see the shows up here. Very small to start with. Maybe 40 tables. Usually 8 to noon every other month on Sunday morning and not a whole lot to see or buy, if you have the permits. In Toronto, there's 3.5 million people. The only gun show is 8-12 every other month.
Lots of books, which is good. Lots of over priced junk and crappola. The only shows I've been to recently has a guy selling farm raised game meat. This is decidedly not a complaint. It's great meat at not unreasonable prices and I'm happy he's there. Great steaks and pepperettes. Elk or was it buffalo? And the leather.
Except for the plug with tools and another guy with a really crappy Garand asking $795Cdn, it's a waste of time. But the guy with the meat and the fact that that's all there is....

 

[TexasVet]

One guy had some beautiful Mosin Nagant rifles for $125 but he wanted $225 for an unfired Yugo SKS? I thought those were selling for $180?

You question that 25% markup for the SKS (remember the guy also paid shipping costs, so it's more like a 20% markup, very low for most dealers) but not the 46% markup on the $79 (with all accessories) 91/30s?
I've said it here before, you buy guns via Shotgun News or the internet and a C&R license (or your neighborhood FFL for new ones). Gunshows are for antiques and small stuff, like slings, parts, bayos, etc where the shipping is as much as the item.

 

[Redlg155]

I walk the show at least twice unless I find a price on something that I cannot pass up. It also gives me the chance to check out the private sales. I especially pay attention to the small tables. That's where your real bargains can be found.

Ammo can definitely wait until I get ready to leave.

Good Shooting
Red

 

[standingbear]

generally,i wont go to a show unless its a last resort.the prices are ridiculous-id rather look it up on the web,travel to that ffl in my state and get exactly what i want rather than drive an hour or so, pay 5 bucks to get in &a buck to park -only to see absolutly nothing that gets my interest or if it does its overpriced.one may get a fair deal at the shows but these days seems everyone just wants to gouge the crap out of something they cant sell in their shops or dump a junker on a unsuspecting buyer.still,there may be a good deal there.its weeding through the watches,velvet pictures,toys and unscrupleous sellers.theyre there,just very hard to find.

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

I go to all the BIG gunshows at the fairgrounds...

But I never purchase a gun. It wasn't very long ago that I could go to one of these shows and find a NIB pistol I liked, haggle a little, and pull the "up front whip-out" money and walk out with the gun. It was nice. Now, everytime I see a gun I like, I also see the yellow forms and the phone line hook-up for the NICS check. Plus, I can buy every gun I see at a lower price from Tilford's! (Louisville) If I'm going to have to fill out a form anyway, I'll just get the firearm I want from my local dealer.
The only things I buy at these big shows anymore are accessories, grips, knives, flashlights, cleaning stuff, etc... WHY should I pay MORE if I STILL have to fill out the stupid form?

BAH!
KR

 

[Valkman]

The last gun show I went to here (2 months ago) in Sacramento was very disappointing. When I used to go in '94 and '95 they were in 2 huge buildings, each with two floors and guns galore. Now it's in one much smaller place - and no guns! Well there was two vendors that I saw with new guns, and the prices were not good. $510 for a SA Mil-Spec, which I then went and bought at a store for $399. Most of the vendors sold craft crap or Nazi stuff or whatever, but not guns.

Now I'm moving to Vegas and they have a big gun show every 1-2 months. I'm thinking these HAVE to better than the one I went to!

 

[Cosmoline]

This is why I've stopped going to gun shows. Around Anchorage they're full of the same overpriced garbage time after time. Often you can't open the action or look down the bore. Do they expect some fool to buy a rifle without inspecting the bore?! The items are either direct from Gun Runner's or Ammo King's stock or they're some old guy's personal collection which (apparently) he really doesn't want to sell so he prices it high.

The good gun show is ON LINE, on Gunbroker and Gunsamerica.

 

[Majic]

There are a few tricks that can happen at shows too. I know a grip salesman because we have spent time talking about grips he can and can't get. He also sells some firearms and mags. While shopping for grips for my Ruger Bisley I found out he to liked .41mags. The next show he called me over and pulled from behind the counter a very nice 3-screw Blackhawk in .41. It went home with me. I also told him of my problem in finding a Kimber Pro Carry SLE. 3 shows later, approximately 18 months, he waved for me to come over and he had one LNIB for me.
These dealers get around, so if you find a buddy they can help you with searches on hard to find specimens.