Gun Shows

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

I just went to my last gun show this past weekend. I couldn't believe the price gouging that was going on. I understand the rules of supply and demand, but really!

To be fair, there were a few dealers who were legitimately honest. When I left the show, however, I was a bit annoyed and disgusted at what I had seen.

 

[danweasel]

I never see any great deals. I have seen some good one. I have seen more bad ones though.

 

[plateshooter]

Hit and miss around my area. Shows are so crowded, there is hardly any oxygen left to breath. I went both days this past weekend. The highly overpriced handguns that were there Saturday morning, were still on the tables on Sunday afternoon. If a vendor has some items on the table and several thousand people walk by and look at them, yet no one buys, I would think they are a collector, or not really interested in selling. Once in a while, I find the golden egg for a fair (IMO) price, and I bring cash to pay for it. When I bring something to sell, it is usually sold in the first 15 minutes I am in the show, or sometimes while waiting in line to get in. Still, I rarely miss a show, and there are usually 2 or 3 per month in my area. There are 2 next weekend, I will probably go to both

 

[usp9]

I attended a gun show last weekend. It was crowded and many people were buying. Prices were normal...I didn't see anything outlandish. There were many more women than normal and they were looking to buy, not following Hubby and looking bored.

Ammo was moving fast too. Prices are still high IMO.

Thought I'd found a nice deal but passed because the gun had a broken ejector. Now I'm thinking I should have gone ahead and fixed it...a Kahr CW45 for $350. What's a ejector cost?

 

[MMCSRET]

As a rule, I don't go to the shows to look for guns. I spend most of my time looking at the small stuff that doesn't see daylight in the gun shops and second hand stores. Like the Redfield receiver sight that the guy had forgotten about, but I found in the box of "junk" on his table, or the folding leaf rear sight that never got installed on the old M94 cause the ole' guy died and the estate didn't want to pay for it. Thats why I go to the shows.

 

[Marcus L.]

For me, it's been much more miss than hit in the last 5 or so years. A lot of shows are turning into garage sales instead of gun shows and the good stuff just isn't to be found much anymore.

I think now days with Gunbroker and the internet overall most of the good stuff has already traded hands online and there's nothing worthwhile left by the time the shows come around. As far as new firearms go, I don't see good deals at the shows anymore. I can get much better deals from dealers and I don't have to pay an admission fee. Unfortunately, I think the days of guns shows are coming to an end because of the internet and increased political pressure.

 

[psyopspec]

I couldn't believe the price gouging that was going on.

To get a good deal at a gun show, you have to be in into collecting beanie babies, used paperbacks, or Bubba's beef jerky.

I voted hit and miss. It's not gauging to me if a price is too high; I just don't buy it and move on. One would be ill-advised to not comparison shop in the current market.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Why is this in Handguns?

I voted. Shows blow.

 

[capttom]

I've had good luck over the years at shows in the Houston area. The only time I buy, though, is when I have a certain piece I'm looking for at a certain price. I don't come down from my price, either and I only look for one gun at a time. Otherwise, I'm too easily tempted. At the Houston Reliant show, I skipped a nice PPK in a box at a good price to but my Woodsman. I've bought three pistols at shows in the past eight months, a Woodsman vintage 1933, a LNIB S&W 908, and a NIB CZ 100. Yeah, I know on that last one! Each one was what I wanted and each seller came down a bit on his price to make the sale. (As a gauge, I've bought three pistols from guys met on various forums, a Smith 642 Airweight, a Glock 26, and a Smith 38 Bodyguard. All were nice people to do business with.)

 

[punkndisorderly]

At my local gun show, I found that there were good deals to be had but you really had to look.

For new pistols, there were two dealers in particular that had prices that were right at, or just below, the best price I could find online when you included shipping and $20 for transfer fees.

Generally I don't go for deals. I go for browsing. No where else can you see and handle almost any new firearm out there in one place. When I was trying to decided between the Glock 34 and 17L, I couldn't find one gun store that stocked either, let alone both. There were several at the gun show. Same with trying to narrow down exactly which Smith .357 revolver I wanted. I could handle nearly every non-custom one they make side by side.

Hwever, I think gouging is going on like crazy now thanks to Obamania. Anyone selling anything high capacity (AR's, AK's, SKS's M1A's, pistols that hold more than 10 rounds, full capacity magazines, etc) is either sold out (or sells out within minutes) or is gouging like crazy.

I missed the last Houston show, but heard that there was a line around the block to get in, you had to elbow people out of the way to get even close to a table, and that items metioned above were selling as fast as they could put them on the tables.

 

[Lonest@r]

We had a show last weekend, I decided not to go based on previous experiences and from what I have heard on here about recent shows, my father went and was disappointed...

Guess it depends on whether you are looking for 'good deals' or something specific... If you are looking for something specific, your probably better off not going to a show, unless possibly it is vintage, surplus or collector item...

 

[walker944]

I picked up a pristine condition Beretta 92FS for $380 (no tax). Been watching them at shows for a while and on GunBroker. Knew I'd find a good deal eventually. Just had to hold out. Yes, I'm fully aware it was a steal.

Otherwise, gun shows are generally hit and miss. I love nosing in on some guy trying to sell his handgun to a dealer and watching disappointedly when the dealer offers him little to nothing for it. I then offer the guy a reasonable amount more than the dealer and next thing you know...I'm walking away with a very good deal. My most recent deal like that was a "like-new" Kel-Tek P3AT for $140. The guy was happy and now my wife is too....nice little carry gun for her. In fact, she's the one that saw the guy selling it and asked him how much the vendor had offered him. She had done her homework on it, and was confident she had a good deal in the works. I showed up just in time to dish over the money.

 

[bluemalibu]

My good buys have come from private individuals that bought a table to sell only one or two guns that they bought but found that they never used them. An example was a new Ruger Red Label O/U 12 ga. for $650... the guy was asking $1100 and sat there two days with the gun. At the close of the show, I let the guy know that I only had the 650 with me, but if he didn't want to take the gun home with him that I'd take it. He didn't, and I did.

 

[357sigRog]

I bought my first handgun at a local gun show. It was a Bersa Thunder 380 several years ago and it has turned out to be a great and reliable little gun. But other than that I have not been impressed with the shows in my area of upper east Tennessee. Most of the ammo they sale there looks like it is 30 years old and is about the same price as brand new ammo.

 

[Mad Magyar]

I couldn't believe the price gouging that was going on. I understand the rules of supply and demand, but really!

Personally, like blueMalibu mentioned; I've found the best deals with private vendors w/table, or the deals in the aisles of the gun shows...Many that walk-in with their handguns learn fast that dealers could care less about any sentimentality attached to their weapons. I've seen them pull-out the Blue Book and low-ball weapons all the time by the grading method. Since they have to mark-up the weapon for their profit; what they offer offends many pistoleros.
Anyway, I still think there are some bargains; just have to look for them...

 

[jdc1244]

It’s a great place to take your teenage sons for the afternoon; as noted you can see firearms in person that you’ve read/heard about.

They are a good place to buy power an primers to avoid hazmat fees incurred through shipping.

 

[6_gunner]

The deals are there if you look for them.

I went to one last Saturday, and there were a few bargains. My uncle picked up a beautiful nickel-plated S&W Model 10 with a 5" barrel, complete with original box for $300. I looked at a 6" barrel model 19 for $400!!! Why do I always find the best deals when I'm broke? I also saw a Luger for $850, which is way below what I've been seeing them priced at lately.

You just have to be willing to dig through some junk to get to the treasures.

I didn't pay much attention to what the AKs and ARs are going for. Shotguns and vintage six-shooters are what catch my eye.

 

[BigBlock]

I'm done going to gun shows. The ones around here are GOUGERS and that's it. Last time I went, (6 months ago?) I went to the biggest show in the state. My intention was to find a revolver, ANY revoler, ANY caliber, ANY condition for under $200. I couldn't find one. Nagant revolvers were priced at $150+, when they're all $89 online. And I saw more than one USED High Point pistol priced at over $200...they sell less than that new.

Also, all the ammo is only priced about $2/box less than regular local prices. And there are more tables filled with guys selling wood carvings and stupid novelties than there are gun sellers. Plus I had to pay $7 for parking and $8 to get in. :banghead:

 

[orionengnr]

I have seen a lot of good deals. If I brought $500-700 with me every time, I could spend a good bit of it. A number of times I have found something that I want, at a very attractive price, and didn't have the money in my pocket at the time. If I go get the money, it will be gone by the time I get back.

Recent examples (near misses):
S&W M-18, gorgeous shape, $375
Kahr P-9, like new, $300
S&W M-586, near 100%, $400 obo
Ruger stainless Mk II, $185
Ruger LCP, NIB, $300 (several months ago, when you couldn't find them)

Recent acquisitions:
S&W M-27, 6", gorgeous, $450
Remongton 870 Wingmaster, 18", very nice, $200

 

[KINGMAX]

My first gun show

When I went to my first gun show, (Raleigh NC Dixie Knife and Gun), about 4 years ago I picked up a great buy on my first Mosin-Nagant M-38 at $64.00. Now I am up to eight of them.

I look for something a little different at each one now. The last show I went to I spent a total of $17.00. $7.00 to get in, then $10.00 once inside. Two black GLOCK frizbees for my dog @ $5.00, and one medium sized pistol rug @ $5.00. That was all I saw that I considered a bargin. The ammo was all jacked up, it is still cheaper at wally-world.

 

[22-rimfire]

I also find the best pricing from private tables (non-dealer). They are usually there to sell what they brought not keep it for another year.

 

[Orange_Magnum]

I find the holster selection to be good at gun shows. There is always some one who sells ammo at a reasonable price.

What I find amusing is the used guns, selling for almost as much as new, though some of the used guns look like hell. Who buys that?

The best thing about gun shows is that I get to see a large variety and it serves as education. I get to handle them and look at the build quality. Once I bought a used, like new, Dan Wesson .357 mag.

I feel sad when I see macho types, some looking like criminals, who want to boost their ego from a new gun.

 

[Just Jim]

There is no difference between the dealer and the public when it comes to the value put on their stuff. Both have some who are high priced and both will sell for good deals.

Problem with gun owners is we are a cheap bunch and always look for a "good deal"

jj

 

[bredda]

I find great deals at gun shows since I'm particular about rubber band guns, 48 different flavors of beef jerky, cheap turquoise jewelry and ball caps with rattlesnake heads on them.

On a serious note, I've run across decent, not great deals on ammo (late afternoon of the last day). I haven't seen any "great" deal on any firearm in the last 20 years.

 

[rudy99]

So when you say there aren't any good deals, are you looking at certain types of guns (handguns vs hunting rifles vs AR-15 type stuff) or is it across the board. I missed the last show in DFW.