What is going on with gun shows?

[Bubbles]

I'll still go to gun shows to pick up ammo or reloading components, since the cost of shipping that stuff is higher than admission + sales taxes.

 

[Tinker2]

I go to gun shows in the Dakota Territory. Not real big shows and more
junk now then before. More things that I don’t have much interest in
now but I still find things that I am looking for and willing to pay the
price for. I will go to all the ones I can.

I also think if you don’t know what you are doing, buy from someone who
does. Someone that will fix it and or take it back and their shop is close
enough to you to make that practical.


Many friends of mine are dealer at some gun shows. That how I met most
of them. One of them, that lives in the same town I do and owns the
local gunshop, said that the tables that he rents at the gunshows cost
him $50 to $100. each and he sets up 7 tables at a time. He has to deal
to sell enough to make just the cost of going and setting up.


Tinker2

 

[Wishoot]

We just had some fun at a local show in Fond Du Lac Wisconsin when some bonehead had a negligent discharge. Apparently, he managed to get around the "security" at the front door with a loaded gun.



I think I'm done with gun shows for a long time.

 

[DCR]

Guess it depends on what tickles your fancy. I like certain shows in the Northwest because of the abundance of walnut and blued steel and limited tacticool/ebr, but someone with differing tastes might think the shows were boring and overpriced.

You can't get away from the "antiques" and beanie babies at any show. Really, all you can do is hope for decent jerky and a little bit of camaraderie - finding what you want at a price you're willing to pay is icing.

 

[TexasGunbie]

Bad economy, everyone holding on their cash real tight.

I've been trying to sell my guns lately and people only offer crap trade. Half a year ago, I would have a lot of people offering good cash for a fair price, now no one offer cash anymore.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

Last couple times I went to the Valley Forge gun show, one guy had decent prices on new hundguns. Everybody else was pretty far off even for local gun store prices. That one guy was selling guns hand over fist.

The gun savvy guys aren't going for it.
+1 to the economy sucks. I got lucky and just sold one of my shotguns to a guy that was looking for just the one I happen to own. I have 2 handguns I can't give away. People are being very selective instead of impulse buying.

I have never seen anyone walk out of a gun show with any of the old milsurp rifles you see at the show. They must buy them because they are there every show.

 

[potmetal]

Shows here are $9 to get in, thankfully parking is still free. Also, we still allow private sales at the show. That was the only worthwhile deal I found at the last show I was at. Too many sellers are trying to make a killing on each deal and everytime I talk to them I'm reminded more and more of used car dealers.
I've had guys quote me prices off Gunbroker as if they are all selling at those prices when I can look on there and see the ads and there are no bids on these guns. I met a guy who had doubled the price of a Rossi single shot rifle in .45Colt/410 because "they don't make them anymore". And I've seen alot of guns lately that look abused, but they want a new gun price for them.
The economy isn't just tough for buyers, it's tough for sellers. There may be deals out there, but you have to work harder for them. Like at the used car lot, kick the tires, point out the problems, and make an offer. If they won't take it, walk away.

 

[Russ Jackson]

The dealers sell stuff higher than I can buy it from my local shop. Reloads are more expensive than new. Best deals are found from people walking around with guns and stuff. Stop looking at tables and look at the patrons....Russ

 

[frankge]

I lucked out and went to a gun show in Atlanta by the airport. I'm from Tampa and was just buring time. Found some good deals that I just dont see at the suncoast gun show. Picked up 500 rounds og Brown Bear for my AK. Reloading poweders and primers were reasonable. Wish they'd come by me because the local ones are rip offs.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

problem with gun shows are those damn capitalists

 

[Hanzo581]

Gun shows around where I live are hit or miss. I did get my wife a P22 last time we went, but after you add the cost of the tickets to get in and sales tax, it wasn't that great of a deal.

 

[JTH]

Online sites have had a lot to do with the down turn because prices are somewhat more reasonable. You take a chance ordering from online sites but there seem to several good site and word of mouth helps a lot. Big Metroplex shows are a rip mainly due to parking prices. I have pretty much what I need until, I leave this earth and ready for if the SHTF!! The further away from large metro areas the better, the more rural the better!
JT

 

[whalerman]

The biggest one up here is in Syracuse, but now it has more security than visitors. You get proofed going in, walking around, buying, selling, walking out. I've never seen so many unsmiling faces with dark glasses and uniforms. The smaller shows are still a bit friendly. But forget the big ones.

 

[Average Joe]

Most of the guns are overpriced, and a lot of non gun stuff for sale, I can get better prices online.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

The ones in Fort Worth TX are nice so far but 3/4 of the stuff is way over priced. I have seen beater Marlin 60 22 going for $125 at the last show. I got mine in great shape for $60 at my local shop.

 

[jeepguy]

i try to go to gun shows whenever i get the chance. its a fairly cheep way to spend an afternoon $6 & free parking. i have been going long enough that i know which dealers to look at first, but i do look at them all. i usually don't look to see what the people walking around are selling. if i have one it seems someone every 10yds or so will ask if your selling & what you have. i do agree that i see what to me is alot of junk firearms. which to me is weird becuse if i was only going to have one handgun i would make sure it was the best i could afford being that my family's safty is at stake. i even hear dealers giving someone a bill of goods on these firearms. this bothers me as i just want to tell them what i think of the firearm in queston and point them to some more reliable choices. i don't though thinking it isn't my place, unless they ask me directly or i can give a postive response on something i own & am happy with.

 

[Hatterasguy]

Its the economy, boat shows are suffering the same way. Its hard to sell stuff these days, last time I tried to sell my FN49 I just got some lame trade offers, no one wants to part with any cash.

 

[staggerlee213]

I went to a couple hoping to find some more unique stuff than they sell at every gun shop-- but all I ever saw was tables of the same glocks, sigs, and other common stuff along with ar/aks and their clones.

I think the most interesting thing about it was the RA RA AMERICA dudes selling SS memorabilia.

 

[OcelotZ3]

Our local show is $5 and I often find something there.

But they aren't like they used to be.

 

[cougfan]

There are 2 large shows in western Washington state (Seattle-Tacoma area) that are run by the same company. You must become a member of their club at $35/year to actually purchase guns there. You can get in and buy accessories for $8 as well as sell stuff off the hip. The prices on guns are steep, but last time I came away with ammo and reloading supplies dirt cheap and talked to a couple of nice guys. I really wanted to find a Ruger Police Service/Security/Speed six (a dirt cheap, crappy condition project gun that I would get duracoated ideally) but I didn't see a single one for less than about $400.

 

[Patrick R]

I have been going to gun shows in NE Ohio for 25 years.

When I look back some deals were fantastic.

Todays shows I always find something to buy. Good deals wise.

I can't complain of todays gun shows I attend.

 

[quietman]

Many dealers hiked their prices up during the "Obama scare" after he took office. Prices are coming down every where else, but the dealers at shows seem to be behind the curve on what's going on with sale prices. Add the fact that less people are buying and more people are selling, they are really being stupid.

Last year, it was next to impossible to find a used 30-30 where I live for less than $350. Different story now. I've seen 5 in the last month listed locally for around $250. Two of them at that price with at least 2 boxes of ammo included.

Shows will continue to get smaller until the dealers wake up on the market trend.

 

[gambrinus97223]

This past weekend was the first time I went to a gun show to try and find a gun to buy. I was just looking for a cheap .22LR and all I found was a Remington 522 Viper I didn't want to take a change with and an overpriced Ruger 10/22 (very worn barrel) that the dealer wouldn't negotiate on. Like others have mentioned you can find better prices at your local gun store.

My main reason for going is for affordable practice ammo. For example 7.62x54R for $5 to $6 per box versus $14 at the local store.

The other thing bad about the shows is the $8 parking and $9 admission. Not worth going if you're not ready to spend.

 

[EddieNFL]

Better selection at lower prices

I would have thrown a "significantly" in there.

LGSs have better prices than the GS. We have at least 10 shows annually within a short drive. These days I average less than one yearly.