I attended this weekend's Portland Oregon Gun Show here are a few observations:
1. It was the first time since Obama's election that lines were short. Overall the amount of people attending the show was about average, maybe even lower than pre Obama levels.
2. Ammo vendors had plenty of inventory from military "surplus" to ample supply of U.S. manufactured ammo; 9mm, .40 .45, 7.62X39, .223, 308, etc. Only shortage I noted was 380. The last few shows vendors sold out of ammo on Friday; that was not the case this time... No mad rush to buy ammo.
3. Prices on bulk ammo has come down (significantly); it's almost back to where it was before Nov'08. Example you could get 1,000 rds of 762x39 for $235.00. At the last show it was selling for close to $400.00 and they was no supply.
3. Plenty of inventory on hardware (except for the Ruger LCP 380); best I could tell vendors had stock on all models of semi-auto handguns and semi-auto rifles. For the most part prices for both (handguns & rifles) are back to pre-Dec'08 even on ARs... In fact two of the major gun dealers were having SALES on ARs. You could get Bushmasters, S&W M&P for under $1,000.00 (Bushmaster for under $900). One vendor had an awesome price on Stag Arms Model 2T (tactical) it was selling for $1,050!!! The same rifle at the last show (May) was going for $1,400.00 and they only had one. Only noted exception was AK they're still priced through the roof, prices ranged from $500-$700!
4. Overall sales were slow... both ammo and guns.
1. It was the first time since Obama's election that lines were short. Overall the amount of people attending the show was about average, maybe even lower than pre Obama levels.
2. Ammo vendors had plenty of inventory from military "surplus" to ample supply of U.S. manufactured ammo; 9mm, .40 .45, 7.62X39, .223, 308, etc. Only shortage I noted was 380. The last few shows vendors sold out of ammo on Friday; that was not the case this time... No mad rush to buy ammo.
3. Prices on bulk ammo has come down (significantly); it's almost back to where it was before Nov'08. Example you could get 1,000 rds of 762x39 for $235.00. At the last show it was selling for close to $400.00 and they was no supply.
3. Plenty of inventory on hardware (except for the Ruger LCP 380); best I could tell vendors had stock on all models of semi-auto handguns and semi-auto rifles. For the most part prices for both (handguns & rifles) are back to pre-Dec'08 even on ARs... In fact two of the major gun dealers were having SALES on ARs. You could get Bushmasters, S&W M&P for under $1,000.00 (Bushmaster for under $900). One vendor had an awesome price on Stag Arms Model 2T (tactical) it was selling for $1,050!!! The same rifle at the last show (May) was going for $1,400.00 and they only had one. Only noted exception was AK they're still priced through the roof, prices ranged from $500-$700!
4. Overall sales were slow... both ammo and guns.
