reloading prices at gun shows!!???

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I used to do gunshows a little over a decade ago with a buddy of mine. I quit doing them, but he still works them. When we started, a table cost us $25.00 apiece to rent for a day, so fifty bucks a show. Today, that same table costs $100.00 a day, four times as much. So the dealer of today has to sell and spend his first $200.00 profit (not including getting back the money he paid for stuff) paying for his tables. Hard to do when you're selling gun accessories at $5.00 to $10.00 apiece.

Not to mention the prices of the guns, etc. Online prices are very close to wholesale. Most stuff is shipped from a warehouse or warehouse like facility as big as a wholesaler's. Look at midwayusa's facility for an example. So they can maintain levels of inventory as big or bigger than a manufacturer and sell it on the internet with no sales tax involved. Your small local gun dealer can't compete with that. If he tried, he'd go out of business and many of them have.

This situation exists in the electronic industry as well, brick and mortar stores are going out of business, unable to compete with the online stores, where the inventory can be much larger, the buying power better and no need for customer service people, cash registers, nice lighting, etc. Which is why Best Buy, a once very competitive company, is in trouble and may go out of business. Same thing with big video stores. And have you seen any mom and pop video stores lately? I think not.

Just how things are changing. But if you want firearms, you need to have someplace to ship them so you can pick them up. I suggest supporting your local gun dealer, even if his prices are high. Otherwise, you might well not be able to pick up guns from him in the future, because he'll be closed.

Just my .02,

 

[bonza]

What gets me at most of the gunshows I go to are the sellers/dealers who sit behind their tables with a sour puss & refusing to make eye contact with anyone walking by or looking at stuff on the table. Is there any wonder they don't sell anything?! As far as going for the social aspect, I can believe that to a certain extent, we have a group of maybe 4-5 guys who share an end-cap of tables at every show, they have the same crap 'for sale' all the time, & they spend the entire show with their chairs in a circle, facing inwards, talking BS to each other & ignoring any potential customers.

 

[CraigC]

I think the gunshow deal is largely a thing of the past. With the internet and particularly online auctions, most folks know what they have and want top dollar for it. IMHO, sellers usually fall into one of four categories.

They know what they have and want a fair price for it.

They know what they have and want top dollar for it.

They know what they have and are waiting for a sucker to pay an exhorbitant price for it.

They know just enough to get into trouble and the thing they're trying to sell is worth about half what they think it is. See it all the time with Old Model Rugers and Colt's.

However, I always get good deals on components. Buy most my bullets, primers and powder from shows.

 

[cardinalfan]

Only reason I go to gun shows now is to stock up on reloading supplies. Everyone seems to want retail + for guns/magazines.
I have been able to pickup CCI primers for $24/1000 all day long, and NO HAZMAT fees. Okay, so it cost $8 to get into the show, but still quite a bit cheaper than $25 and still better prices on primers/powder than just about anywhere.

 

[Sniper66]

In my experience every gun show is different, some exciting, some not very interesting, but for me, any gun show beats sitting at home watching football. Gun shows provide a wealth of information and if you don't pay attention, misinformation too. The granddaddy of gun shows is in Tulsa twice a year. I drive 5 hours to get there, spend 2 nights in a motel, and pay to get in twice. Money well spent for me....But everyone has to make up their own minds. I have encountered the same things some of you mention...prices that are just plain silly, so I thank them and move on. I have found some bargains on ammo, like a brick of 500 Hornady 17 HMR for $87.50; you will never find it cheaper. The same guy was selling bricks of Winchester standard velocity .22 rimfire for $18.50. I bought a lot of what he had and was mad at myself for not buying all of it. Another guy was selling Fiocchi .223 Extrema 40 gr for $15 per 50 with no tax!! I found all of these bargains at one show last year. I had never seen it before and haven't seen it since. I found a really, really, really nice Winchester '94 with a long hexagonal barrel made in 1926 at a decent price, but I had spent all my money and chose to pass it up. This was a one of a kind and suited me perfectly...I'm still kicking myself for not borrowing the money to buy it. The issue here is that you can find items at guns shows that you cannot find anywhere else. See ya in Tulsa. Tom

 

[REL1203]

I go to big local gun shows just to pick up Powder and Primers for cheap. I get powder for $18-$22/lb, and primers for around $27/1000

 

[Otto]

Last time I went to a so-called gun show in Austin I almost asked for my money back.
Lots of non-gun crap . . . jewelry, jerky, trinkets, ornaments, MRE's.
There was a line of tables FULL of books covering every conspiracy from Nazis to Illuminati to fluoridated drinking water.
Some of the sellers didn't even have prices on their guns.
Very little if any reloading components, no presses of any kind.
A table or two selling reloaded ammo of unknown origin.
Cheap Chinese knifes galore. It seemed there were more gun sales going down in the parking lot than inside the show.

Hopefully the Houston show isn't as pathetic.

 

[Sniper66]

Me again....The Tulsa show limits non-gun crap...still some junk arrives anyway, but very little. Other shows allow everthing from junk jewelry to Precious Moments dolls (shudder). I can go to Flea Markets without paying!! WHEN THAT HAPPENS I EMAIL THE ORGANIZER AND TELL THEM I WON'T BE BACK.

 

[mikeadams]

WANENMACHER'S is the big one in Tulsa. This year it's Mar 31 - Apr 1. Counting the days!

http://www.tulsaarmsshow.com/frames.html

Mike

 

[thorn-]

I used to find reasonable prices on components at Ohio shows, but Florida has been disappointing. 2 Weeks ago at a local show: CCI small pistol primers ~ $45/K.

thorn

 

[rfwobbly]

There are some dealers who frequent local shows who bring a few thousand primers as "loss leaders". If I can get in when the doors first open I'll go and buy up those, but otherwise, I stay at home these days.

 

[Joatmon]

Like a lot of other things, gun shows are not what they used to be. I still go to several a year however. The search for that elusive gadget, book, gun ..... All it takes is one score once in while and it keeps me coming back. I have to admit that the pickings are a lot skimpier than they used to be. Anyway it beats doing some home improvement project on a saturday.

 

[carbuncle]

Hummm....I'd rather cut my lawn.

Or paint a room, or hang out with my family.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk

 

[jenrob]

Any more the local stores are the same way. I purchased a pistol online for $180 ($130 after shipping and transfer) cheaper than I could get it local and the same time also bought a rifle $400 ($350 after shipping and transfer) cheaper online I went to 4 different dealers and told them that if they would come within $50 of the price I would purchase from them to keep the money local. None of them cared.

 

[El Viejo]

I think the gunshow deal is largely a thing of the past. With the internet and particularly online auctions, most folks know what they have and want top dollar for it. IMHO, sellers usually fall into one of four categories.

They know what they have and want a fair price for it.

They know what they have and want top dollar for it.

They know what they have and are waiting for a sucker to pay an exhorbitant price for it.

They know just enough to get into trouble and the thing they're trying to sell is worth about half what they think it is. See it all the time with Old Model Rugers and Colt's.

However, I always get good deals on components. Buy most my bullets, primers and powder from shows.

CraigC, I know what you mean about gun shows becoming a thing of the past. Years ago I used to go to camera shows to sell & buy. With the proliferation of the internet & eBay, buyers got wise to the high prices at these shows & simply made their purchases elsewhere. The internet also brought more sellers and buyers together than ever before. Instead of having to go to the show to find that rare Leica camera, you could find it easier (and usually cheaper) online. I fear the gun show will face the same fate. Too bad. I enjoy going to them and seing some of the unique treasures to be found. I've found a few good deals at gun shows, but like the rest, I've seen some ridiculous prices.

 

[HOWARD J]

Probably 15 years since I have been to one--$5 or $10 to get in---$10 to park.
In a gun shop around here you can get everything that they sell at these shows & get better prices--I don't waste my time.

 

[BBDartCA]

Its a crap shoot at guns shows.

Got an incredibly good deal on Nosler partitions (75% less % than new), Speer 38 gold dots, Nosler and Sierra match 308 bullets and a bunch of virgin brass at a show recently. Plus some great surplus ball ammo. The deals are always from guys "cleaning out his garage."

Out here, there is always one guy with a massive booth at every show who sells most reloading components for as good as the better pricing you will find on the internet. I always have a list for him. Takes credit cards with no fee.

But the overwhelming majority of "gun show professionals" price new and used stuff way out of line with what the things goes for at the local stores. Sometimes its almost laughable. And they almost never negotiate. Who knows what goes through their minds - must be thinking people will make an impulse buy or something. Come on, 35 bucks for a pound of Winchester 748, when a store one exit down the street from the show has it for 22.99 dollars (not on sale).

 

[BBDartCA]

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 was at the same show. All you say is true except the flatulence part. They now have the show in a brand new building which is an improvement. But everything else is the same. But the crabby cantankerous old farts are good entertainment value.

Since the last show was cancelled due to the snow, it will be a mad house at the next one since it will be almost a 2 month gap between shows ... prices will be even higher.

The Centralia show is next week. The lady their from Roy selling powder for 40% more than The Marksman is a piece of work. She must be doing the show to get away from her old man or score dates. Ungodly expensive her stuff is.

 

[GuysModel94]

I noticed that a couple of guys slammed California gun shows. Not my experience at all. The stores that setup booths almost all offer a show special gun that is a good, if not a great buy. The ammo prices are far better than the stores. I purchased a Model 94 Saddle Carbine (1906,with ring) for $400.- is in very good shape. Makes me wonder if they really go at all.

 

[sage5907]

I go to the big spring gun show in Tulsa about every year. This year its on March 31 - April 1. I never go expecting to buy anything, but like most men I know exactly what I want to buy before I walk in the door. I can look at a table in 5 seconds and tell if there's something I'm interested in buying, and I'm always excited when I find a good deal on an item I want. BW

 

[bubbacrabb]

I just get disgusted at gun shows. Ordering from powder valley and others is better for me. Even with hazmat I get primers 12 dollars a thousand. I just make big purchases. 25k at a time. I've always had a buddy that had an ffl that done transfers for me. The way I look at it business is business. You have to be able to sell a quality product at a price e cheaper than everyone else.

 

[FROGO207]

I have a list of parts N pieces that I am looking for to fix up my latest finds. That's what I go for. Least that's what I tell the GF. IF I find a good deal on something I will snatch it up also. And the cute eye candy running around is always a bonus. The deal is a gun show is what you make it----I want an adventure when I go there. I will support them as well just to keep them a viable resource that is available. BTW around here it's free parking and $6 if you are a NRA member. Now that is a cheap days entertainment for me.

 

[au_prospector]

And the cute eye candy running around is always a bonus.

I've never seen eye candy at a gun show,
at a beach ~ yes, gun show? ~ hardly. Fella, you gotta get out more!

 

[.338-06]

You beat those retail guys by online-ordering a bunch of the stuff with friends, and split the shipping and hazmat fees.

This is exactly how to do this. I'm in a group buy right now, buying 8lb of Win 231. The per pound price shipped is $17/lb and I'm in Alaska!

 

[4895]

Quote:
And the cute eye candy running around is always a bonus.

I've never seen eye candy at a gun show,
at a beach ~ yes, gun show? ~ hardly. Fella, you gotta get out more!


lol