What kind of guns do you want to see at gunshows.
- Thread starter Stoney
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doc2rn
Member
Oh yeah I almost forgot spare magazines for what you have on the table.
Magazines from the OEM at good prices, not knockoff mags that will break in a week. Smith and Wesson semiautos at good prices and good used Glocks and Walthers. Fairly priced ammo, as prices on all the accessories are often cheaper online, so going to shows is becoming less and less helpful in getting deals.
This is a good question
Seriously. I think it is smart that you find out what your potential customers are looking for. I think I have some good answers for you. While we would all love the super high end work of art type guns, most people can't afford them. What most of us want are affordable reliable guns. For the most part 1911's are expensive and most people buy them knowing they are gonna sink money into them. If someone wants a semi auto they are most likely looking for a home defense/carry gun. Obviously, this a generalization but I would bet that for that it fits about 80% of the people looking for a semi-auto. I would think that these would be the most popular:
Glock 19
Glock 23
Springfield XD9
Sprinfield XD40
S&W MP40
I think that 9 and 40 are the most popular calibers right now. Some die hards will want 45's but they tend to be on the large side and ammo is more expensive. To appeal to those guys and the 1911 crowd I might offer the
Taurus PT1911
Revolvers- I think you are gonna have people looking for three types of revolvers.
The hunting crowd: Basically these guys are gonna want rugged reliable guns in hunting capable calibers like 357 and 44 mag.
Ruger RedHawks
Smith 686
Smith 629
I would stick with stainless for these guy but some guys willl inevitably want a blued gun.
The Target shooting Crowd- Smith 686 Ruger Gp 100
Self defense/Backup- small revolvers
Ruger SP101
Smith 36, 640 etc.
Taurus 85 etc.
If you have a lot of Cowboy action shooting in the Are get smoe ruger Vaqueros and stick with the 357 for starters. They are the most popular.
Seriously. I think it is smart that you find out what your potential customers are looking for. I think I have some good answers for you. While we would all love the super high end work of art type guns, most people can't afford them. What most of us want are affordable reliable guns. For the most part 1911's are expensive and most people buy them knowing they are gonna sink money into them. If someone wants a semi auto they are most likely looking for a home defense/carry gun. Obviously, this a generalization but I would bet that for that it fits about 80% of the people looking for a semi-auto. I would think that these would be the most popular:
Glock 19
Glock 23
Springfield XD9
Sprinfield XD40
S&W MP40
I think that 9 and 40 are the most popular calibers right now. Some die hards will want 45's but they tend to be on the large side and ammo is more expensive. To appeal to those guys and the 1911 crowd I might offer the
Taurus PT1911
Revolvers- I think you are gonna have people looking for three types of revolvers.
The hunting crowd: Basically these guys are gonna want rugged reliable guns in hunting capable calibers like 357 and 44 mag.
Ruger RedHawks
Smith 686
Smith 629
I would stick with stainless for these guy but some guys willl inevitably want a blued gun.
The Target shooting Crowd- Smith 686 Ruger Gp 100
Self defense/Backup- small revolvers
Ruger SP101
Smith 36, 640 etc.
Taurus 85 etc.
If you have a lot of Cowboy action shooting in the Are get smoe ruger Vaqueros and stick with the 357 for starters. They are the most popular.
statelineblues
Member
If I was selling firearms at a show, the top five I'd like to have would be:
Older Ruger revolvers (Security Six, Service Six, Blackhawks)
1911's (.45, .38, 9mm) in the $400 - $600's (Maybe some RIA/Armscor for $350)
simple but reliable bolt rifles in .22, .270, .308, 30-06.
some mil-surp bolt rifles (Lee-Enfield, Mos-Nagant, reasonably priced 1903s)
Some EBR/AK types
I'm usually looking for:
older S&W revolvers (blue steel)
1903 Springfields/1914 Enfields
older Colt autos (1903, 1908)
semi-auto .22 rifles
Gun parts
Older Ruger revolvers (Security Six, Service Six, Blackhawks)
1911's (.45, .38, 9mm) in the $400 - $600's (Maybe some RIA/Armscor for $350)
simple but reliable bolt rifles in .22, .270, .308, 30-06.
some mil-surp bolt rifles (Lee-Enfield, Mos-Nagant, reasonably priced 1903s)
Some EBR/AK types
I'm usually looking for:
older S&W revolvers (blue steel)
1903 Springfields/1914 Enfields
older Colt autos (1903, 1908)
semi-auto .22 rifles
Gun parts
wundudnee
Member
I like good used firearms, not new boxed up stuff that I can order through your store. Personally I look for early S&Ws and pre 64 Winchester .22s, or about any early .22 boy's rifles. Anyone with a table should bring a box of "stuff" for us to dig through. Grips, mags, leather, etc. I also encourage anyone to carry in their personal firearms to sell. If you want the dealers to notice you, just carry a SAA, pre model S&W or a slide action Winchester .22, those guys are eagle eyed. 
Aaryq
Member
Commie surplus guns and ammo...and lots of it.
NGIB
Member
Anything that isn't priced above retail. I have yet to see anything reasonable at the Atlanta area shows. I go just to pick up some Georgia-Arms ammo for the most part...
thebaldguy
Member
7.62 NATO Ishapore Enfields - I've only seen one at our local shows in the last 8 years! I think these would be a great rifle at a reasonable price.
Lightweight snub nose .38 Special revolvers/lightweight subcompact semiautos - I don't see very many, but they are usually pricey.
Lightweight snub nose .38 Special revolvers/lightweight subcompact semiautos - I don't see very many, but they are usually pricey.
1911 guy
Member
Top five.
Handguns:
1) all things 1911, from budget to stratospheric cost.
2) Small (CCW) revolvers chambered in .3-something to .4-something.
3) .22 target/plinking guns, revo and auto
4) Classic handguns, like old N-frames, SAA, etc.
5) New release stuff, auto or revolver, any caliber from any maker.
Longarms:
1) bolt guns chambered hunting calibers, .223 through .30-06
2) shotguns directed toward hunting, any and all action types.
3) Expensive variations on Nrs. 1 and 2.
4) Classics, like Win. 70 or Rem 700 Classic
5) All the new stuff, any caliber, action type or manufacturer
Other stuff:
1) parts and mags for what you're selling
2) acessories such as slings, grips, heck, maybe even heat shields for that Mossberg 500
3) ammo. Nr. 4 should read "more ammo"
4) Oddball cool stuff that floats in from E. Europe now and again.
5) ammo
Handguns:
1) all things 1911, from budget to stratospheric cost.
2) Small (CCW) revolvers chambered in .3-something to .4-something.
3) .22 target/plinking guns, revo and auto
4) Classic handguns, like old N-frames, SAA, etc.
5) New release stuff, auto or revolver, any caliber from any maker.
Longarms:
1) bolt guns chambered hunting calibers, .223 through .30-06
2) shotguns directed toward hunting, any and all action types.
3) Expensive variations on Nrs. 1 and 2.
4) Classics, like Win. 70 or Rem 700 Classic
5) All the new stuff, any caliber, action type or manufacturer
Other stuff:
1) parts and mags for what you're selling
2) acessories such as slings, grips, heck, maybe even heat shields for that Mossberg 500
3) ammo. Nr. 4 should read "more ammo"
4) Oddball cool stuff that floats in from E. Europe now and again.
5) ammo
The Giant Skunk
Member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2005
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S&W Models 547, 17 and 18.
Colt 3d gen Det. Special.
Colt Python.
Nice grips for K frame revolvers, square and round butt. Nothing beats seeing them in person for the best wood grain.
More left handed bolt action rifles.
Reasonably priced ammo, both practice and self defense.
A gunsmith on hand to do simple jobs like install the nights sights on a semi-auto I purchased at the show regardless whether I purchased the firearm or sights from him or not.
Colt 3d gen Det. Special.
Colt Python.
Nice grips for K frame revolvers, square and round butt. Nothing beats seeing them in person for the best wood grain.
More left handed bolt action rifles.
Reasonably priced ammo, both practice and self defense.
A gunsmith on hand to do simple jobs like install the nights sights on a semi-auto I purchased at the show regardless whether I purchased the firearm or sights from him or not.
1911 guy
Member
stuff that should be excluded from shows, and why.
Nazi memorabilia.
It's mostly fake, the real stuff goes for high dollar among genuine collectors. And that doesn't happen at gunshows.
AR and AK kits and rifles.
They are readily available everywhere else and there are no good deals at shows. Sell parts, yes. The kits and rifles just waste table space.
"bubbas reloading emporium"
Like I'm gonna buy powder in a rusty can from some guy with three teeth. Show organizers should be chastized for even letting him bring that stuff on site.
The StunGun Guy.
We had a snowstorm yesterday, attendance was light. The StunGun Guy got there late. Everyone heard it when he fired it off the first time. Everyone laughed. Loudly. Everyone noticed he didn't do it again.
Beef jerky, beanie babies and books.
Yesterday I saw beef jerky, a concession stand, toys and non-firearm related books. Why is this allowed by organizers? I paid my money to see a gunshow, not junk bazaar.
Nazi memorabilia.
It's mostly fake, the real stuff goes for high dollar among genuine collectors. And that doesn't happen at gunshows.
AR and AK kits and rifles.
They are readily available everywhere else and there are no good deals at shows. Sell parts, yes. The kits and rifles just waste table space.
"bubbas reloading emporium"
Like I'm gonna buy powder in a rusty can from some guy with three teeth. Show organizers should be chastized for even letting him bring that stuff on site.
The StunGun Guy.
We had a snowstorm yesterday, attendance was light. The StunGun Guy got there late. Everyone heard it when he fired it off the first time. Everyone laughed. Loudly. Everyone noticed he didn't do it again.
Beef jerky, beanie babies and books.
Yesterday I saw beef jerky, a concession stand, toys and non-firearm related books. Why is this allowed by organizers? I paid my money to see a gunshow, not junk bazaar.
1911 guy.
At my last show, stun gun guy fired it off about twice an hour. You learn to ignore it.I've noticed how many people have said to keep extra magazines for the pistols you sell, we have not done that in the past, but that will change after reading all your request.
Thanks and keep the comments coming.
At my last show, stun gun guy fired it off about twice an hour. You learn to ignore it.I've noticed how many people have said to keep extra magazines for the pistols you sell, we have not done that in the past, but that will change after reading all your request.
Thanks and keep the comments coming.
FortyCalGlock
Member
If you are a dealer and haven't been offering extra mags, add ons,etc. (maybe even holsters) to every customer that buys, you've been leaving money on the table. Whether that extra mag is used to close the sale, or a tack on for a lay-down buyer, it still gives you the advantage in the sale.
With a little research into your sales you should be able to identify which guns will benefit from which accessories. Speed loaders for revolvers, maybe a railed light or laser for the home defense guy, IWB holsters for smaller concealable guns, and SLINGS. All of these can be sold with much better margins than guns (especially new). Plus, you don't necessarily need to display these items, just pull them out after you close it, or to help close it. If you make it convenient and not overpriced, you will do well and add some much needed profit.
Good luck.
PS I have many years of commissioned based sales under my belt, and many years, add ons added 10-15% to my income. This strategy works!!!
With a little research into your sales you should be able to identify which guns will benefit from which accessories. Speed loaders for revolvers, maybe a railed light or laser for the home defense guy, IWB holsters for smaller concealable guns, and SLINGS. All of these can be sold with much better margins than guns (especially new). Plus, you don't necessarily need to display these items, just pull them out after you close it, or to help close it. If you make it convenient and not overpriced, you will do well and add some much needed profit.
Good luck.
PS I have many years of commissioned based sales under my belt, and many years, add ons added 10-15% to my income. This strategy works!!!
Vicious-Peanut
Member
One thing I forgot is more mil-surp pistols. I saw plenty of Mosins and enfields, etc. but no CZ52's or Makarovs.
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