SC gun show

[LiquidTension]

I went to the gun show at Jamil Temple yesterday (Columbia, SC). All of you SC guys - is it just me, or have all of the shows in Columbia gone down hill over the past few years? Prices keep going up at shows even though the same items are NOT going up in SGN or online sources.

Some of the more outrageous things I saw:
Blued Delta Elite - looked used, tag said it was new - $1000
USED Sig 228 - $750
Case of Wolf 7.62x39 - $105
Top Folding stock for 12ga shotguns - $75
SKS stripper clips - $1 each
Guy selling 1911 grips for $45. Bushings and screws extra, at $15 and $10, respectively. Oh, but if you buy the grips, you get a $5 discount These are the same type of grips I got from Natchez for $38 including screws and bushings.

Naturally all of the ARs were about $2-300 more than they should have been.

Interesting things that I saw:
Engraved HK P7 - no price tag, but neat to look at. I wouldn't buy it anyway
AR15 chambered in .50 Beowulf
Magnum Research Mountain Eagle .22lr pistol. Only the second one I've ever seen.

The only thing approaching a deal I saw was a used (95%) Sig 228 with 4 non-castrated mags and a Bianchi holster for $725.

Now, I understand that things will be more expensive at gun shows so the dealer can make a profit. But do they not realize that lower prices = more sales? I would have bought 2 Wilson mags for my 1911 if they had been $25 each. Since they were $32 each, I bought none. Dealer price is about 20, so the guy could have made $10 profit. Instead he made zero. Most of the time I walk out of shows with nothing, then go and give my gunsmith buddy $25 to transfer things for me. I'm willing to support local guys and dealers at shows, but their prices more often than not make me laugh.

What is up with gun shows?

 

[Arkady]

Look on the bright side... you got to hold an MG-42.

The P228 for $750 was the same one that guy tried to sell me last August--$750 with 2 factory postbans and 1 Eagle 17 round preban. A local shop sold me my P228 (also used) for $450 with two factory prebans 4 hours after i saw that particular gem

The P228 with four factory prebans, night sights, and the Bianchi holster was nice... i could always use one for my left hand, you know.

 

[JW2]

I didn't even bother to go. I've about had it up to here with the outrageous prices that the dealers think they can charge. I guess they are selling to somebody though, or they wouldn't have the gunshows.

 

[Al Thompson]

It's pretty grim. I think it's due to the fact that we're a captive audience. JPoe and I walked around and it's always the same old folks.

I've about decided that I'm going to start driving to Charlotte for the shows. Should be more competition, so better prices.

Locally, Lawmans is fine for used guns and Palmetto has a new manager (Jim) who is trying hard. Lots more in Palmetto than there used to be.

The Carolina Trader is usually a good resource if you know your prices. Those used 870 Expresses for $300 make me .

 

[outfieldjack]

I was there Sunday...

I agree..... same old people..... However, my brother did pickup a p-32 for $209. And I saw another p-32 (new) for $199. Both prices were better than what I paid for mine at Lawman's just a few weeks ago. I did pick up some ammo while I was there, but thats it.

I think the gun show is more for "just looking" than anything else.... unless you really see a deal.

The Jamil show is better than the one at the Fairgrounds...... but thats not saying much!

 

[hawk0484]

Haven't been, but don't plan to go. I went to one this fall here in Spartanburg and it was a joke. Everything was over-priced and the vendors acted like they were doing you a favor to let you look at everything.

 

[COHIBA]

HAWK, i did that show and was very polite to everyone. plus i had some screaming deals.
the SC shows are for crap. charlotte is the 19th and while its a big show you have a hard time finding anything small due to the size. we call the charlotte show the AR show for reasons obvious to anyone who has ever attended.
i think the main problem w/ shows is this. table clerks are not salesmen. a real salesman knows how to treat people and wants contact w/ as many people as possible to be positive. walk in my store and see. i take care of my customers. i dont just display the product and wait for you to walk up to the counter. i want to be involved in your purchase at the base level. i want to help you find whats right for you. the gun show table clerks stand there yaking w/ each other and if you ask a question they smartass you. i became so irate at the last charlotte show i actually cursed a vendor out. VERY out of character for me.
remember 90% of these guys are selling out of thier trunk. they have no salesmanship skills or reputation to fall back on.
kellet stephens
Public Safety Equip.
359 whitney rd suite 14
spartanburg SC 29303
864 573 8877
[email protected]

 

[VaughnT]

When's the next charlotte show? The ones here in Greenville suck and I'm either going to have to drive to Charlotte or Atlanta to see some nice stuff and do my shopping.

 

[CZ 75 BD]

My experience

around here is similar. There is a gun collectors assoc. that promotes a great show twice a year.

remember 90% of these guys are selling out of thier trunk. they have no salesmanship skills or reputation to fall back on.

I can tell by the promoter if I want to go or not. Thankfully, I travel for my job and can sample these shows all over the south. Just retutned from Tulsa show, will return to that one many times I hope!

 

[rebbryan]

holy crap people from SC!! i thought i was the only one down here who knew how to use the internet

i haven't been to any gun shows but have been to palmetto and lawmen's, they had some okay prices.

BTW, are there any ranges to rent guns in SC? i'm really wantin to test out some pistols before i become 21 so i can figure out what i wanna buy. if not, where's the closest one?

 

[Al Thompson]

RB, tthere's Shooter's Choice here in Cola. I don't go there, so not sure what theyy have for rentals. Cohiba can clue you in for your area.

There's a bunch of us here from SC, BTW.

Eight or nine years ago, the shows were pretty good. I've noticed that we seem to get second rate vendors now.

 

[hawk0484]

Rebbyran, there's one near Rock Hill---Carolina Sportsman...about 1 hr & 15 min from Sptg. I also go to Rex's in Hendersonville, NC as it is closer. Email or pm me for directions to either.

Becky

 

[hawk0484]

Thanks for the info, Cohiba.

I should have qualified what I wrote to say MOST of the vendors...

 

[JPoe]

Another SC guy here...

I went to the Jamil show too. Enjoyed meeting you Al! As a newbie, it was interesting to walk around with someone who knows what they're talking about. I thought it was pretty cool to see all those guns and related "stuff" in one place like that - but then like I said - I'm a newbie. I didn't really have anything to compare it to. I didn't see any particularly great prices either. Found out I could have saved about $30 on my new XD-9 if I had waited and bought it there - but so what... I didn't want to wait two months for the show - and Shooter's Choice threw in $24 worth of range time with the sale too - so it's basically a wash. Already have 450 rounds through it now. I tried to find some extra mags for it at the show, but nobody had any. I did pick up some ammo from Georgia Arms though - and I'm anxious to go try some of it. Maybe I'll try one of the larger shows sometime.

 

[Owen]

I've been to a few of the Jamil temple shows and they are pretty bad. I usually get a kick out of the white supremacy/southern heritage or whatever they call themselves table

Between the crappy gun shows, and my company not allowing employees to buy guns direct from Ellet Bros anymore, my wallet has become very sad

 

[Al Thompson]

We all ought to get together for a range day at MCRC. Run a competition or just blast some ammo.

Owen, called twice, your line is busy... Must be here -

 

[Owen]

you got me Al

 

[m.i.sanders]

Glad I haven't made it down to the Columbia show yet. Sounds like it's the one here in Spartanburg, worthless, and I'd hate to drive that far for nothing. Where's lawman's located?

COHIBA, were exactly is your store? I work downtown here not to far from Whitney road.

 

[VaughnT]

Hawk, I went over to Rex's once and really liked the folks. It's not too far from work, but what I really liked is that they have just about every Benchmade knife in the line. It's a good, clean place with a nice selection of stuff...something to suit everybody.

If you like camping and the outdoors, don't miss the chance to visit DiamondBrand Outfitters just down the road in Naples. Their motto: If we don't have it, you don't need it.

They literally have everything, including royal robbins. Great selection of anything you might need or want if you're heading out into the woods (not hunting gear, but everything you can't get at wallyworld). It's two-frickin'-floors!

Mr. Thompson, I'm in. My schedule kinda sucks, but I'll be more than glad to schedule something in. Just let me know when and where.

 

[Al Thompson]

Not Mr. - Grin.......

I'm just Al. Lawmans is off of Broad River road. Take the St. Andrews road exit from I-26, turn east. Go about 1 mile, turn before you get to the Chinese Restaurant, it's next to Fat Buddy's Grill. In the same shopping center as Bi-Lo. If you go too far, you'll hit Broad River. Big intersection. In that case, take a left and then the next left into the shopping center. Lawmans is on your right.

Vaughn, what about Grady's in Anderson? I've been there a couple of times and really enjoyed it. We don't have any place like it here in Columbia.

 

[outfieldjack]

rebbryan

Actually I was at Shooters Choice tonight..... my brother (SportCat) and I were trying out hiw P-32 he got at the show. I have had mine for about 2 months..... Anyway..... I have a membership there and if my memory serves me, you CAN rent guns there. However, I believe you have to be 21 to shoot unless you are with a parent.

I think SportCat and I went thru 300 rounds tonight, between our 2 P-32's, a Browning .380 BDA, Gock 22, and his two Berettas.

The membership is $100 per year. Gets you unlimited range time which normally runs you $12 an hour.

Those of us from the Columbia or even SC area should try to get together sometime.....

 

[m.i.sanders]

Well, someone pick a time and place. I'll do my best to show.

 

[JW2]

I would also be interested if my work or class schedule doesn't conflict.

 

[ScottsGT]

Hey, don't forget me! I want to go shoot!
I missed the show this weekend, had a date with a bottle of Jack Daniels and a beach house on Holden Beach, NC. But from the previous shows, I know I didn't miss much! Was the same bozo there asking $2500 for a pair of Colt XSE's? I'm still trying to figure this guy out. I did miss out on getting some ammo from GA arms. But every now and then, you can get some good deals. I got a set of original Colt WWII grips for $10 for my .45 at one show. And at the fairgrounds show I found a set of McCormick slim grips and bushings for $25. Normally $40? + s&h. Now granted, your not going to find a NIB AR-15 for $350, or a Colt .45 for a steal, but keep your eyes open and off the expensive toys, and you would be suprised at what you can find. Now there were a couple of guys selling SKS acessories for TWICE the SGN prices!

 

[rebbryan]

wow there actually are a lotta people here from sc, i'm suprised.

if ya'll set up a date somewhere i'd try to be there but probably wouldn't b/c of school and tons of other time constraints. for people in spartanburg where do you shoot? i just got out to the dnr range in pauline

nice to meet everyone though