How much are guns and ammo usually marked down from store prices at gun shows, is it 10 - 20 percent? Im just wondering, i know gunshows usually have better prices. And i was going to wait to buy a few cases of Double A winchesters at the show. I see them in the store for about 5 dollars a box. so would a box at a gun show usually be around 3 dollars? I know there probly isnt a set markdown at gun shows, its whatever the guy feels like putting it on sale for.
Gunshow question
- Thread starter Slimjim
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rayra
member
Seconded. Do all your price-shopping BEFORE going to the gunshow. Only way to know if a particular item is a 'bargain', or not.
Lennyjoe
Member
Thats usually what I do too. If Im interested in a certain gun I go shopping on the net to get an idea of what the going rate is and then write that down. Use it as a refrence.
Ammo is a different story. Reloads are cheap and some factory ammo can be had at decent prices. Just got to know what the local rate is.
Only difference with gunshows is it gives you a little room to haggle the price down if they are willing anyway.
Ammo is a different story. Reloads are cheap and some factory ammo can be had at decent prices. Just got to know what the local rate is.
Only difference with gunshows is it gives you a little room to haggle the price down if they are willing anyway.
Zach S
Member
Agreed.
Most of the prices on the table are about the same as my FFL's for what intrest me. To be perfectly honest, the biggest thing I shopped for were fullcap mags, and the prices were rarely better, and sometimes two or three times more than I could find online.
I review the prices on the web, and the flyers from Centerfire, SOG, AIM, Century, and then mentally tack on shipping and FFL transfer fee (if it's a gun) etc.
Then I judge what a fair price is from there.
Needless to say, I haven't bought anything at a gunshow for some time. After attending several here in WI in the past few months helping the WCCA out, they seem to all be geared twoards the same buyer:
The one who never picks up Shotgun News, Gun List, or knows what the Internet is.
I often do see OK prices on pistols though. I suppose that's because they have to be to make buyers want to overcome the difficulties the 2 business day handgun wait WI places on a gunshow purchase, especialy if the dealer and buyer live on different ends of the state.
Then I judge what a fair price is from there.
Needless to say, I haven't bought anything at a gunshow for some time. After attending several here in WI in the past few months helping the WCCA out, they seem to all be geared twoards the same buyer:
The one who never picks up Shotgun News, Gun List, or knows what the Internet is.
I often do see OK prices on pistols though. I suppose that's because they have to be to make buyers want to overcome the difficulties the 2 business day handgun wait WI places on a gunshow purchase, especialy if the dealer and buyer live on different ends of the state.
Down here in EVERYONES favorite Carolina (North!) The prices at gunshows have gone up in the last few years...Last year in Greensboro's gunshow the prices were considerably higher than at the local gunshop or in SGN...I usually go to look at the new models before I decide to buy them at the local gunshop anyway but it does bug me that they think all gunbuyers are "impulse" buyers.
this year is probably going to be the first one that I have a table at a LARGE gunshow so hopefully I wont kick up my prices to much
this year is probably going to be the first one that I have a table at a LARGE gunshow so hopefully I wont kick up my prices to much
Prices at Gunshows vary all over the place but in my experience the prices are equivalent or in many cases higher than GunShops. Rarely are they lower.
For example in OKC I can pick up an SKS unfired for $149. At the last gunshow I went to the prices ranged from $179 to $249.
I saw (for the first time ever) Hi-points at a gunshow. The .380 ACP was the cheapest and it went from $89 to $114 at the show. I saw the same gun at a pawn shop the other day NIB for $129. At the gunshow the Hi-Point .45 ACP was going for between $129 and $149. I saw the same weapon yesterday at a gunshop for $229 (those guys are ripoff artists I go there just to look and give'm a hard time - I'm surprised they haven't banned me). So GS Hi-Points are the exception to the GS prices rule.
I saw Saiga Rifles at the GS for $259. They can be purchased for $239 at one of the gunshops I go to.
I rarely buy anything at gunshows. I go because of all the cool stuff there to look at. It's also kinda fun talkin' to the guys at the tables (about 1/3 of 'em actually know what they're talking about - the other 2/3 are either full of crap or just say what they think you want to hear - then there's the total a'holes one wonders why they even rented space because they sit around shoot'n the breeze with each other and then act put out when a customer asks them a question :banghead: )
In general gunshows are fun places to browse around and if you're a collector maybe pick up that old antique what ever you've been looking for. They are a fun place to go and shoot the breeze at and scope out the wide variety of gun type people out there (the last one I went to I saw everything from Biker Babe's to a Priest). If I didn't get in free because I'm a vet I probably wouldn't even go.
For example in OKC I can pick up an SKS unfired for $149. At the last gunshow I went to the prices ranged from $179 to $249.
I saw (for the first time ever) Hi-points at a gunshow. The .380 ACP was the cheapest and it went from $89 to $114 at the show. I saw the same gun at a pawn shop the other day NIB for $129. At the gunshow the Hi-Point .45 ACP was going for between $129 and $149. I saw the same weapon yesterday at a gunshop for $229 (those guys are ripoff artists I go there just to look and give'm a hard time - I'm surprised they haven't banned me
). So GS Hi-Points are the exception to the GS prices rule.I saw Saiga Rifles at the GS for $259. They can be purchased for $239 at one of the gunshops I go to.
I rarely buy anything at gunshows. I go because of all the cool stuff there to look at. It's also kinda fun talkin' to the guys at the tables (about 1/3 of 'em actually know what they're talking about - the other 2/3 are either full of crap or just say what they think you want to hear - then there's the total a'holes one wonders why they even rented space because they sit around shoot'n the breeze with each other and then act put out when a customer asks them a question :banghead: )
In general gunshows are fun places to browse around and if you're a collector maybe pick up that old antique what ever you've been looking for. They are a fun place to go and shoot the breeze at and scope out the wide variety of gun type people out there (the last one I went to I saw everything from Biker Babe's to a Priest). If I didn't get in free because I'm a vet I probably wouldn't even go.
ElToro
Member
several types of vendors at gun shows. this is intended to be serious and not thet "gun show people" joke you see on the 'net
the guy who has a regular retail shop and sends several of his staff or maybe closes for the weekend to go try and unload some stuff to several hundred people who would normally never step in his shop. can also sell for cash and maybe doesnt collect sales tax. probly has decent prices
the guy who has a FFL and a regular day job but can get guns and tries to make an extra buck.. this guys problem is he doesnt have the capital of the regular shop guy to buy in bulk so his prices suck and the stuff he carries is usually 2nd or 3rd tier name brand (Lorcin, etc)
the guy who goes to gun shows up and down the state every weekend with his wife and dog and they specialize in one thing - gun books, name brand ammo, t-shirts, gun rugs, knives, magazines BDUS and other uniform stuff mostly non-firearm guys.
then there are the jerky, beanie baby, cheap jewlery and coin vendors. usually around the perimeter walls of the paviliion hall.
the assorted political movements. GOA, NRA, John Birchers and guys who think aliens shot Kennedy. lumped in here are guys pimping wilderness unlimited and other camping-hunting "timeshares"
then there are the occasional randoms who maybe go in with a buddy or 3 and rent a table and try to sell all their "crap" lumped in here is the 3 vendors who have plastic boxes filled to the hilt with Garand /AR / AK internals and accruetrements and variosu stock sets for these rifles. where these guys get these springs and pins etc., i dont know.
and of course, the guy who has a display case full of 100 year old SAA colts all NIB and wants 15k for each one and wont even let you look at them because your not a serious buyer.
of course most of this junk at this gun show has been hauled to all the same gun shows for the last few years.. i know i've seen it ! same prices ! and vendors wonder why nothings moving.
pricing ? its a crap shoot. know the value of what you want before you go. Gun shows can often be the only place to get out of print old books. although a quick search of amazon may get you what you want. a guy with no overhead may be working on razor thin margins to begin with so he may not bargain. but if the old lady is bustin his nuts about the junk in the spare bedroom, he may be willing to move at a low cash price.
often i go with my dad because its a place where we can go and talk for a few hours and for 8 bucks, i cant do that in a movie theater. also get to have good laughs at the prices offered and lament no money to buy the deals. or maybe handle a gun i'd never buy or could afford to buy
the guy who has a regular retail shop and sends several of his staff or maybe closes for the weekend to go try and unload some stuff to several hundred people who would normally never step in his shop. can also sell for cash and maybe doesnt collect sales tax. probly has decent prices
the guy who has a FFL and a regular day job but can get guns and tries to make an extra buck.. this guys problem is he doesnt have the capital of the regular shop guy to buy in bulk so his prices suck and the stuff he carries is usually 2nd or 3rd tier name brand (Lorcin, etc)
the guy who goes to gun shows up and down the state every weekend with his wife and dog and they specialize in one thing - gun books, name brand ammo, t-shirts, gun rugs, knives, magazines BDUS and other uniform stuff mostly non-firearm guys.
then there are the jerky, beanie baby, cheap jewlery and coin vendors. usually around the perimeter walls of the paviliion hall.
the assorted political movements. GOA, NRA, John Birchers and guys who think aliens shot Kennedy. lumped in here are guys pimping wilderness unlimited and other camping-hunting "timeshares"
then there are the occasional randoms who maybe go in with a buddy or 3 and rent a table and try to sell all their "crap" lumped in here is the 3 vendors who have plastic boxes filled to the hilt with Garand /AR / AK internals and accruetrements and variosu stock sets for these rifles. where these guys get these springs and pins etc., i dont know.
and of course, the guy who has a display case full of 100 year old SAA colts all NIB and wants 15k for each one and wont even let you look at them because your not a serious buyer.
of course most of this junk at this gun show has been hauled to all the same gun shows for the last few years.. i know i've seen it ! same prices ! and vendors wonder why nothings moving.
pricing ? its a crap shoot. know the value of what you want before you go. Gun shows can often be the only place to get out of print old books. although a quick search of amazon may get you what you want. a guy with no overhead may be working on razor thin margins to begin with so he may not bargain. but if the old lady is bustin his nuts about the junk in the spare bedroom, he may be willing to move at a low cash price.
often i go with my dad because its a place where we can go and talk for a few hours and for 8 bucks, i cant do that in a movie theater. also get to have good laughs at the prices offered and lament no money to buy the deals. or maybe handle a gun i'd never buy or could afford to buy
greyhound
Member
ElToro-
Good summary!
At least out here I see a lot of military surplus as well. The GF and I had a conversation about how all the Nazi surplus we see makes us a little sqeumish, doesn't show gun nuts in the best light. At the same time, as a history buff I realize just because someone is selling/displaying Nazi surplus doesn't mean they agree with the politics.
Good summary!
At least out here I see a lot of military surplus as well. The GF and I had a conversation about how all the Nazi surplus we see makes us a little sqeumish, doesn't show gun nuts in the best light. At the same time, as a history buff I realize just because someone is selling/displaying Nazi surplus doesn't mean they agree with the politics.
Daniel T
Member
Prices on guns are almost always higher at a gun show than at a shop or online. Like the guy at the Saxet show in Austin that always tries to sell EAA Saigas in .223, 7.62x39, and .308 for $599. No, I'm not kidding. I guess he figures that if he can get just one sucker, it'll be a good month.
wingnutx
Member
I see a similar amount of old Soviet gear.
The few scumbags that sell brand new nazi flags and the like really disgust me, though.
Sunray
Member
There are lots of legit Nazi/Warsaw pact collectors but as many or more re-pro sellers pretending their stuff is real. Nothing wrong with the real collector guys, but the re-pro guys are thieves.
Up here, gun shows are a joke. Toronto and area has a population of nearly 4 million people. Much bigger than most major cities Stateside. The only gun show local to TO, runs every other month from 0800 to 1200 on a Sunday. Prices are a joke too. One guy at a local show, near London(it's west of TO) has a beat up, nearly black stocked, Garand he thinks is worth $795Cdn. And you have to comply with all our BS registry rules. Nope.
Up here, gun shows are a joke. Toronto and area has a population of nearly 4 million people. Much bigger than most major cities Stateside. The only gun show local to TO, runs every other month from 0800 to 1200 on a Sunday. Prices are a joke too. One guy at a local show, near London(it's west of TO) has a beat up, nearly black stocked, Garand he thinks is worth $795Cdn. And you have to comply with all our BS registry rules. Nope.
mtnbkr
Member
The best part about a gunshow isn't the prices, but the selection. I see guns, ammo, and accessories that I never see at my local shops. You can still find deals too. I bought my GP100 at a show for $50 less than shops were selling it at the time. For a while, you could get Star BM's for about the same price as AIM after shipping. You just gotta know what you're looking at and what it's worth to you and retail-wise...
Chris
Chris
son of a gun
member
I usually get good deals because you have so many sellers competing with each other for your business. The big thing is do your home work and educate your self on the current market prices.
gunshow
I always wait until the last day of the show and a few hours before the show closes. I have found $500 guns being bought for $350 and other guns saving well over $100 on each. As closing nears, I am always told that the price shown is not the real price and I can get it alot cheaper. You would think they would tell you that earlier in the show and sell more guns.
I always wait until the last day of the show and a few hours before the show closes. I have found $500 guns being bought for $350 and other guns saving well over $100 on each. As closing nears, I am always told that the price shown is not the real price and I can get it alot cheaper. You would think they would tell you that earlier in the show and sell more guns.
Adam
Member
Sorry maybe stupid question, but there are some pleces where gun-shows are organized at regular intervals? I'm interested in Indiana/ Kentucky "area"?
Shop patiently, prudently, and critically
Yes, the depth and breadth of goods at a large gun show is a sight to behold. So is a showroom that is crowded with new Ferraris. If the goods are beyonds your means, though, or you make a rational economic choice to forgo what you believe to be an overpriced commodity, "selection" becomes quite irrevelant.
Gun shows are not museums. I don't pay $12.00 in parking and admission fees just to look around. I go there to negotiate the vending of desired goods. A large variety of products is useful if they are priced at or near market.
STORMIN29's habit of waiting until the show's end to make an offer does work on occasion. I've used this methodology myself, with mixed results. Your mileage may vary.
TM
That's valid only to the extent that a majority of the "selection" is reasonably priced. It seems to me that the thesis of this thread, and others like it, is that gun show prices are equal to if not higher than the average brick and mortar vendor. That's certainly the conclusion I've drawn from my own experiences at these events.
Yes, the depth and breadth of goods at a large gun show is a sight to behold. So is a showroom that is crowded with new Ferraris. If the goods are beyonds your means, though, or you make a rational economic choice to forgo what you believe to be an overpriced commodity, "selection" becomes quite irrevelant.
Gun shows are not museums. I don't pay $12.00 in parking and admission fees just to look around. I go there to negotiate the vending of desired goods. A large variety of products is useful if they are priced at or near market.
STORMIN29's habit of waiting until the show's end to make an offer does work on occasion. I've used this methodology myself, with mixed results. Your mileage may vary.
TM
JoeWang
Member
I thought shows were great until I found a local retailer with 7,000 guns in stock with better prices than I ever found at a show. Plus they love showing them to you.
I just went to a show on Sunday, south of here and it was marginal. It took me $7 to walk around a bunch of tables for 30 min. and not get excited about a single thing.
I agree about the repro Nazi crap, get it out of there. I don't need it or paintings of General Lee either, thanks. I don't care if you like that [stuff] in your own home, but gun owners in general don't need to be associated with that [stuff]. I'd rather look at yet another table of hunting dog sweatshirts instead.
I just went to a show on Sunday, south of here and it was marginal. It took me $7 to walk around a bunch of tables for 30 min. and not get excited about a single thing.
I agree about the repro Nazi crap, get it out of there. I don't need it or paintings of General Lee either, thanks. I don't care if you like that [stuff] in your own home, but gun owners in general don't need to be associated with that [stuff]. I'd rather look at yet another table of hunting dog sweatshirts instead.
Dont say the jerky dealers deal crap, i love jerky. Anyway, eltoro listed most of them, the guys with the misc parts for ar-15's and revolvers and such are around, a few knife dealers usually. and the military surplus guy. But then theres more tables of guns and reloading stuff.
I also go alot for the accessories you cant find anywhere else.
Anyway, eltoro listed most of them, the guys with the misc parts for ar-15's and revolvers and such are around, a few knife dealers usually. and the military surplus guy. But then theres more tables of guns and reloading stuff.I also go alot for the accessories you cant find anywhere else.
JohnBT
Member
I see the same people at the gun stores after the shows. One manager told me he puts on extra staff on gun show days because people are more willing to spend money after they see the gun show prices.
I love gun shows. Better entertainment for the money than a movie and better exercise. And they don't toss you out after 90 minutes either. The food is better at the movies though (with the exception of the jerky - habanero jerky. Yum.)
John
I love gun shows. Better entertainment for the money than a movie and better exercise. And they don't toss you out after 90 minutes either. The food is better at the movies though (with the exception of the jerky - habanero jerky. Yum.)
John
Texasbagman
Member
Well, I guess I'll have to post an opposing opinion. I find the best prices for guns at guns shows. Maybe it is the area I'm in, Houston TX, but you will always get the cheapest price at the gun show. Granted, you have to look around and not buy the first gun you see.
Prime example. Before Christmas I was looking for a XD-9 subcompact for my wife. The best price I could find locally was $419 + Tax. I went to the High Caliber show and picked one up for $369 + Tax.
Prime example. Before Christmas I was looking for a XD-9 subcompact for my wife. The best price I could find locally was $419 + Tax. I went to the High Caliber show and picked one up for $369 + Tax.
Last minute shopping at gunshows can sometime net a good buy, but being there when it opens on the first day is when you get the chance at the prime examples. Alot of guns disappear off the tables in the first 15 minutes of the show on day one. Those highly sought after models usually won't lay around long. Last minute shopping usually gets you examples that nobody in particular wants, be it a not to desirable model or a highly overpriced model.
If you are looking for highly sought after models then you best be there when the doors open. Even then they may be gone as some dealers are shopping too and have put them away for themselves.
If nothin else you get to spend the day with people with a common bond, see things not normally found anywhere else, and can tap into a wealth of knowledge if you just ask. About the most fun you can have for a few dollars if you don't go in to just work at finding the perfect deal. Take your time and relax, I run into alot of shooters I have met in the past and it's good to see them again.
If you are looking for highly sought after models then you best be there when the doors open. Even then they may be gone as some dealers are shopping too and have put them away for themselves.
If nothin else you get to spend the day with people with a common bond, see things not normally found anywhere else, and can tap into a wealth of knowledge if you just ask. About the most fun you can have for a few dollars if you don't go in to just work at finding the perfect deal. Take your time and relax, I run into alot of shooters I have met in the past and it's good to see them again.
Billmanweh
Member
the prices here are better at shows than shops. even the same dealers seem to ask less at the shows.
and there is no haggling. of course the prices are probably already about $10-15 above cost. but the dealer with the s&w 1911 priced at $630 at 4:59 on sunday afternoon won't take $628.
and there is no haggling. of course the prices are probably already about $10-15 above cost. but the dealer with the s&w 1911 priced at $630 at 4:59 on sunday afternoon won't take $628.
El Toro
Bravo!
Your post should go in the THR library since it's so spot on.
One catagory left out though was the show and tell buyer. The guy with a table full of expensive stuff that has no intention of selling anything. He's just there trolling for sellers.
Bravo!
Your post should go in the THR library since it's so spot on.
One catagory left out though was the show and tell buyer. The guy with a table full of expensive stuff that has no intention of selling anything. He's just there trolling for sellers.
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