Pawn Stars

[lizziedog1]

Does anyone here watch this show? I know it isn't a gun show, but on many epsiodes guns are brought in to thier pawn shop. They have had some interesting firearms. I like when Rick sees a gun and says he just has to have it. I also like the fact they will usually try shooting guns they purchase.

What do you all think of the show's approach to guns?




Mod note - As long as we can stay focused on the firearms and the attitude about them in the show this thread should be fine, but if the focus starts to drift onto characters/personalities and other non-firearms issues there won't be much reason to keep it open. Please avoid that if you want the thread to stay open.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Yeah, he "just has to have it" until somebody with more $$ than he has in it walks in the door.

 

[x_wrench]

they are ok i guess. i would have a really hard time selling some of the stuff they get in there though. i would probably go broke buying stuff, and stashing it instead of looking at every single peice, no matter what, as more money. at least they don't treat people who bring in guns like criminals! as for trying out the guns they get in, i would have to also. only i think my trials would last for years!

 

[danprkr]

Love it. But then again I'm a capitalist pig and proud of it. I to love every gun I buy until someone wants it enough to part me with it. Best part of it. I then get to buy a new gun to love. Since I got this way I realized that I have shot more different stuff that I ever would have just buying for my collection and holding.

Oh sure some stuff sticks, I just bought what I think is going to be a very nifty carry piece, but mostly I play with it until the new wears off, and move on.

But get back on track I love pawn stars, and I normally HATE reality TV. A large part of that is the historic guns, and the way guns in general are portrayed. Occasionally in the back ground you catch glimpses of people open carrying. I love that they don't fuzz or cut that out. It's just there. I think those guys are security, and it's not featured, but neither is it glossed over.

 

[hso]

I appreciate that they call in outside "experts" to evaluate interesting collectable firearms and cutlery instead of just acting out of ignorance.

From an RKBA advocate's perspective it depicts firearms in a positive light as valuable collectable items instead of just the Anti's view of guns are only made for killing people.

 

[mcdonl]

I am going to vegas for some training next month, and I want to go there just to check out the guns.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I DVR the show and watch it nearly religiously. 1000 times better than the knockoff 'Hardcore Pawn' which just stinks. I've learned a few interesting facts from watching the show, but what irritates me are the people who walk in with a family heirloom, firearms related or not, and try to sell it.

 

[tyeo098]

I like to watch ChumLee shoot a bullseye without looking down the sights
And with a muzzle-loader that hasnt been fired in 200 years no less
He's got mad skill.

 

[RimfireChris]

I keep up with it on OnDemand, really enjoy it. From what I can tell it seems like Rick knows a good bit about guns, most importantly, when he's in over his head. I just can't believe some of the stuff that comes in, the really old stuff that is. I think one time even the expert was like "I didn't think there were any of these around still."

 

[PX15]

Pawn Stars?

I like the program.. I like the way the employees interact with the customers, and I really appreciate it when an expert is called in to appraise something being offered for sale, but the pawn shop folks have no clue as to it's worth.

Any pawn shop is a business, and a business depends on profit to stay open. I also like the fact that, (at least from what we see on the tv) these guys don't try to say they are in the "helping people" business (as with the "other" pawn shop in Detroit by Mr. "Gold" and his off-spring.

The "Pawn Stars" are helping,

wait for it......

THE profits of the PAWN SHOP...

Plus the folks themselves are all "characters", and it's fun to see them buying and selling and "testing" the stuff they buy. Particularly firearms.

Jesse

 

[22-rimfire]

I get a kick out of Rick because he just lights up when he sees a nice firearm that walks into his shop. Having the "experts" inspect them makes the show much more interesting and educational. It is also good advertising for the folks that come in and look at stuff on the pawn shop's behalf. I wonder if the pawn shop pays anything to these folks?

One of my favorite buys on that show is that $38,000 hot air balloon and the helicopter restoration. Some of the really nice collector stuff ends up not being pawned or sold.

They sure must keep a lot of cash on hand there. But that IS the business as most of the known buyers of gun collections know. As I recall, Jeff Faintich told me he normally carried about $20,000 cash or so to gun shows for things that might walk in the door. These days, that number is probably double that, but there are more electonic options available now as compared to 1990.

The prices offered and accepted make for interesting human behavior observation on both the customer (seller) and buyer. It also shows what is a reasonable expectation from a pawn shop or even a FFL dealer as to offers to buy. On guns, Rick's eyes just seem to light up sometimes and that is really cool.

 

[VegasAR15]

I love the show. They get some really cool stuff. Some of the people that sell family heirlooms for a hundred dollars and then say they are going to go gamble it just blow my mind.

I am not sure, because I have not been to the shop, but I think that they only sell antique firemarms. I have never seen any modern guns on the show and Bargain Pawn in town here advertises themselves as the only pawn shop in town that buys and sells guns of all types.

I actually briefly met Rick a few months ago. He was at a local burger joint eating lunch with his other son, who is about eight. His kid forgot his karate belt in the booth next to me and I ran it out to him. I should have kept it, then gone down and tried to pawn in to see what he said.

 

[dawico]

The show is a good eye opener to people that may want to sell or pawn a gun. If you need the cash now and have to sell or pawn it, you are going to get run through the ringer, but atleast Rick is honest about it. He will tell you that it is a business, and he has to make a profit off of it. I appreciate that attitude, compared to the "I am doing you a favor" attitude. I like the show in general, and watch it whenever I can.

I really like being able to see some of the older guns that come into the shop, and sometimes the guns get fired. That is what guns are for, not sitting in a safe.

Being that the viewers know what the store pays for some of the guns, I wonder how bad that is for business? It would give us more power to haggle, but also open a lot of advertising for the store. I guess in the long run maybe it is a win win for everyone.

 

[jerkface11]

Being that the viewers know what the store pays for some of the guns, I wonder how bad that is for business?

It takes months from the time they shoot an episode till it airs. As busy as their pawnshop is most of the stuff is gone by the time you see it. Except the bowling ball mortar.

 

[Jim Watson]

A friend was in LV for a convention and went to the shop.
He says it is not as big as it looks on tv but is always as full of people as shown with a large staff.

I wonder that they show most items being brought in for sale instead of pawn.
From shops here, I doubt that is the case in their overall business. Maybe they don't get much interesting stuff on pawn. Or maybe they would not look like the good guys dealing with a pawn customer.

 

[healing]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the idea that some of those sales might be fake. You know acting. I am not saying every sale but come on "some" of those sales guns or others are a little over the top. All they have to do is pick a person grab an item and say "act" like this is yours and you'll be on T.V. Think about...... What if it really is not a family heirloom? It sure would be easier to let go right? I'm just saying....

 

[merlinfire]

Its a fun show, for sure. The guys seem cool too

 

[propex]

Have you ever noticed the employee sitting at the door wearing a gun?

 

[potmetal]

I've seen the show a few times and have never seen anything but older guns being sold. Do they deal in modern guns? Maybe they just don't think that will be as interesting for the show. I guess a French coach gun from the 1700's would be more interesting to appraise then some guy trying to sell a Jennings, even if Chumlee could get it to shoot more then one shot.

 

[DPris]

The place is smaller than it looks.
The guy at the door regulates inflow, there's usually a line out on the sidewalk you don't see. Certain amount allowed in as a certain amount of people leave. When taping inside, the crowd's kept outside.
Very few guns are on display. Been there twice & don't recall even seeing a handgun under glass. The rifles both times were limited to about six in one small section under glass.

As far as shooting the old stuff goes, not necessarily a good thing to do.
Denis

 

[sarge83]

Pawn Stars?

I like the program.. I like the way the employees interact with the customers, and I really appreciate it when an expert is called in to appraise something being offered for sale, but the pawn shop folks have no clue as to it's worth.

Any pawn shop is a business, and a business depends on profit to stay open. I also like the fact that, (at least from what we see on the tv) these guys don't try to say they are in the "helping people" business (as with the "other" pawn shop in Detroit by Mr. "Gold" and his off-spring.

The "Pawn Stars" are helping,

wait for it......

THE profits of the PAWN SHOP...

Plus the folks themselves are all "characters", and it's fun to see them buying and selling and "testing" the stuff they buy. Particularly firearms.

-Yeah the Detroit gang kill me, here to help the people? They are picking Detroit like buzzards over the only dead carcass for 500 miles and that is what they are in business for, to make money, but "helping people", just a bit disingenuous. Just come out and say it, they are there to make as much money as they possibly can.

Some of the people that come in there need to neutered to keep from breeding and passing on their stupidity genes. Here I need to pawn my kids video game so I can go to the casino and gamble? Another pawns her jewelry because she lost the money at the casino that her husband gave her to pay bills with and when asked she is taking the money for her jewelry not to pay bills but to go back to the casino, just idiocy.

No wonder this country is broke.

 

[stonecutter2]

I've always been surprised they fire those old weapons - though it's cool to see it.

Would it really be safe? Is it really necessary to fire them (Rick sometimes says they have to make sure it actually works, then the deal is good, but why?).

I would imagine it affects an old, collectible firearm's overall value to shoot it, yes?

If we were talking about a 50 year old gun, then whatever - but some of what they see (and shoot) is very old.

I do like the show, though. Some of it's become theatrical, but still some good TV watching.

 

[InkEd]

It's a good show and I like the antique firearms they present. IMHO they should have given the "antique weapons guy" a spin-off show instead of the "restoration guy." It probably would have lasted more than 3 episodes as a mid-season replacement.

 

[W.E.G.]

Firearm tester of the new millennium

 

[tyeo098]

I've always been surprised they fire those old weapons - though it's cool to see it.

Would it really be safe? Is it really necessary to fire them (Rick sometimes says they have to make sure it actually works, then the deal is good, but why?).

I would imagine it affects an old, collectible firearm's overall value to shoot it, yes?

If it works and is not a wall-hanger? I think not