reloading prices at gun shows!!???

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I was at a local gunshow about 6 months ago, needing some powder. I walked about 1/2 way around the place, all the old locals that are there every month, still have prices jacked so high, you almost break your neck lookin' up! I noticed one table, all new signage, and a crowd that hell wouldn't have. This guy was opening a new shop, had powder up the wazoo, all new stock, and was $5.00 a .lb. cheaper than anyone in the joint. I picked up 3 lbs. of one powder and 4 lbs. of another. I was wishing I'd have brought more monies, I'd have bought 8 lb. kegs!
 
I don't mind paying a few dollars more to keep my local dealers alive. They have to make enough profit to cover table rental($60 a table at our local shows). Buy themselves some lunch. So if I want t a item specific, I'll pay an extra $5 or so and keep the local guy afloat.
 
Last gun show, Market Hall, Dallas, TX,

RCBS 45 ACP Carbide sizer/4 die set, the set included a seater t/c and a t/c only die, $20.00, Dillon 38ACP Super carbide full length sizer die, $5.00, Three RCBS Mold handles $45.00, 1 for $10.00 and two for $25.00. 257 Roberts L.E. Wilson case gage $5.00, then the 2 items I did not do all that good with, two RCBS bullet puller collets for 6MM/.243 and 270, $5.00 each.

F. Guffey
 
I long ago gave up on gun shows,I see same merchandise time after time with ever higher prices not worth the effort I will say at one time some years ago there were some fair bargains but no longer I simply order everything.
 
Shows

This is my first post and I have been roaming around the forum . This particular post is one I think people should take a good hard look at. I went with a freind of my to the Maumee valley gun show up here in Nw. Ohio paid to park , paid to get in, and what did i find ? nothing has changed . Now this isn't my first rodeo , but it's the first time I have been back to one in a few years ( the only reason going to this one was my buddy wanted to buy a new holster for his glock , then the guy didn't show up this year ). Like many of you have said , your buying old worn out crappy hand guns and reloading equipment these dealer people see as being antiques and are worth there weight in gold. I think it's time that local gun clubs and it's members stop supporting these functions till it drives done the prices to more realistic levels . However this will never happen people are people and all they really seem to like to do is bitch moan and groan about things that remain the same. Now don't get me wrong this is not an accusation about the people on this site , but about the reality of how we handle problems from government regulations to over priced gun shows. Love the forum btw.:banghead:
 
I quit going to gunshows last year. My observations have been that I can find reloading components cheaper almost anywhere. The prices on used guns are way to high, I can buy new cheaper and do.

The only bargain I see at the shows here is to not pay and stand outside. There are a lot of people selling guns that walk around hoping for someone to make an offer.
 
I usually enjoy going to the Original Fort Worth Gun Show. To me it is entertainment: you get to see a lot of things you enjoy looking at. Much cheaper than a movie. I haven't enjoyed one of those since John Wayne died.:D
Occasionally I even find a bargain, or something I have been looking for.

S&W 617-4
1K CCI 300 primers $100 last year (1994 old stock)
200 new Starline .357 brass for $20

Last one I went to CCI 500 primers were $123, down from over $150.

Sales tax about swaps out with shipping.
 
My father-in-law was a big flea market/gun show vendor. One thing that I learned from him, and that may also be the case with other gun show vendors, is that they price their stuff high so as NOT TO SELL IT.

Heck, this is an event for these guys. Eating, drinking, BS'ing with a bunch of buddies. My FIL said if he actually sold the stuff, he wouldn't have any reason to go to the shows and would be stuck at home with my MIL so he priced it high enough to cover his trouble of having to go out and replace it.
 
I don't mind paying a few dollars more to keep my local dealers alive.
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I'm a laid off, full time student with a family. I'm more worried about trying to keep myself alive. So when I have a little extra cash on hand to spend on gun related items, I have to go with the lowest prices. Maybe when I'm done with school and can afford to, I'll agree. I'm not talking about a dollar or two, I don't mind that. But if they're trying to get new prices for used items and won't budge, I'm not willing too help them that much.
 
fguffey said:
Last gun show, Market Hall, Dallas, TX,

RCBS 45 ACP Carbide sizer/4 die set, the set included a seater t/c and a t/c only die, $20.00, Dillon 38ACP Super carbide full length sizer die, $5.00, Three RCBS Mold handles $45.00, 1 for $10.00 and two for $25.00. 257 Roberts L.E. Wilson case gage $5.00, then the 2 items I did not do all that good with, two RCBS bullet puller collets for 6MM/.243 and 270, $5.00 each.

F. Guffey
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I might have to go to the next one. I live in FTW and ours doesn't allow powder / primers so not even an option. Always on the lookout for inexpensive reloading gear though.
 
I want to the WAC show in Monroe a couple of weeks ago, first time in a couple of years: crowded with crabby people, stunk like flatulence and cosmoline and the prices were, literally, ridiculous (I was laughing as I pushed my way through the crowd). Ancient presses for above retail, rusty dies for more than retail, beat-down guns for...wait for it...more than retail: never again. It was raging busy, so someone enjoys them, but I'll pass.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk
 
I've been having more fun at gun shows lately, not because the shows have gotten better, but because I've changed my way of thinking about them. Everything there can't be screaming good deals. If it was like that, they would sell out in an hour and everyone would go home. The fun is looking through the delusional prices and finding the gems that are few and far between. On the good side, you do get to look at a lot of cool stuff between finding them. Don't go in with high expectations. I've started having better experiences since I started looking at them this way and have found some good deals too.
 
kennedy said:
a day at a gun show is better than a day at work or cutting the lawn
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I'd rather go to the dentist than a gun show anymore. I really enjoyed it when a was (much) younger.......By the time you pay for parking and admission you really don't save that much unless you come into several screaming deals.
 
By the time you pay for parking and admission you really don't save that much unless you come into several screaming deals.
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It's different here. I've never paid to park at one and admission is $7-$8. That's cheaper than a movie ticket, and I'd much rather spend a half a day fondling guns than watching some dumba$$ chick flick with the wife. :)
 
The retailers (including gun-show types) know EXACTLY how much it costs you to buy a pound of powder, or a brick of primers from an online source.

That's why they charge you over-the-counter prices that are just barely better than what you would pay if you ordered the stuff and paid all the hazmat and shipping fees.

Do you blame them?

You beat those retail guys by online-ordering a bunch of the stuff with friends, and split the shipping and hazmat fees.
 
When i go to the gun shows and find an item that is way over priced, I usually just look at the vendor shrug and say that the one my neighbor wants to sell me isn't all that bad after all. Then I thank the vendor because now I can probably talk my neighbor into selling his to me. The vendor will usually ask how much the neighbor wanted. If you have done your homework and checked online what the going rate is you can quote that rate and see what the vendor does. It works quite often for me. I'm for the vendor making money but I don't want to pay his mortgage for this month either. Try it next time and see what happens. It can't hurt.
 
doing my first show since moving south--this weekend in savannah ga. i am used to attending shows in ct and ma. they really got sucky-waste of time, gas and money. so, this weekend will tell.:confused:
 
You can find a deal if you look long and hard. Sadly, that deal is not typically in the reloading areas. I did pick up some boxes of M72 National Match 3006 for $6 a box. I avoid the dealers and seek out individuals walking around selling stuff.
 
...that the one my neighbor wants to sell me isn't all that bad after all. ...
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??? Why not just be direct & say "I 'd be willing to pay $X - will you take that?"

I doubt the guy cares one way or another what your neighbor might or might not sell you. You have a max price you will pay & he has a min price he'll accept. All the shrugs and make believe stories don't change that.

I like the "they don't want to sell anything - they just go to hang out" theory. I worked a few with some friends selling accessories & stuff & we were there to make money. But there were people at other tables that seemed more interested in socializing and seeing friends as they came buy than actually selling stuff.

I felt bad for one friend who was a Class 3 dealer. He had one of the busiest tables & never got a break. Never sold a thing except maybe enough ammo or other small stuff to cover the cost of the table, but people oooohed & aaaahed all over his stuff & drove him batty playing 20 questions. He didn't mind & said he made good contacts. And people got to go home & say they played with an MP5SD or Uzi or M-60
 
The show's around here have good deals on primmers, powder and can find few other things too. If you spend some money they will cut you a deal on the price and cash out the door. You will not get a deal on a 1lb can but get 2 or 3 8lb jugs you should. I keep buying reloading components from the same guy so that may help? His Dillion or LnL press is the same price that is online so one could save shipping cost and have then. Yes most of the guns are over priced but you have people selling at good prices. As for me it is the same as going to a movie I enjoy just looking at the guns!
 
Just because bullets look like they are made of gold doesn't make it so but the vendors think they have gold. Things have been bad at the shows for quite a few years now. Rarely can you save enough to even cover your gas and entrance fee. (Northeast PA)
 
One of the last gun shows I went to, a vendor had a Taurus Judge for sale @ $599.00. It was the EXACT same model, finish, barrel, chamber size, etc. as the one on sale at local Sportsman's Warehouse (Gander Mountain, but better) for $399.00. That's right, a $200 mark up. I just shook my head and walked away.

On a good note, I did pick up an older (80's) OHAUS powder measure that works great for $40.

Then I found another vendor selling powder. I asked for a lb. of H-110 and she had $27.99 scratched on the lid. Lucky for me it was on "special" for $23.99.

A buddy thought he found a good deal, .30-06 brass "once-fired" claimed the vendor, $30/350 pieces. I went to load 100 rounds of it for him, and found the primers would barely stay in the pocket. I told him to shoot the brass once and save it for scrap metal.

Getting to be a waste of time.
 
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