MA Gun Show Report

[TTSH]

First MA Gun Show of the fall season is happening this weekend. I made some S&W magazine scores but that was all. Just as well since I am totally broke until I sell a few more guns from the collection/accumulation.

But as usual, folks probably want to know what 3rd Gens were there and what they were asking for them... so here goes:

In no particular order...

1) 3913LS - Very nice condition - $650.00

2) 457 Two-tone - Been around a while - $539.00

3) 4516 (Didn't check revision) - Very nice condition - $750.00

4) 4516 (No dash) - Definitely used - $425.00

5) 4690 - As-new - $715.00

6) 910 - Average used condition - $525.00

7) 915 - Rust spots, otherwise as-new - $425.00

8) 410 - Average used condition - $425.00

9) CS45 - Black, very used - Damn, forgot to write down the tagged price.

Missing from the show was a totally trashed 4506-1 that had appeared at previous shows (and I had made an offer on it), so I assume it sold over the summer.

[BAM-BAM]

910 for$100 more than a 915....what is the world coming too????

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by BAM-BAM

910 for$100 more than a 915....what is the world coming too????

Different dealers... different prices.

The rust on that 915 was not pretty. Sad, because otherwise it was an "as-new" gun. When I first saw it at the last show I was ready to buy it... ... but then, RUST!

[N4KVE]

Can anyone actually go to this show, buy a gun, & take it home, or is there a 6 month wait. GARY

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by N4KVE

Can anyone actually go to this show, buy a gun, & take it home, or is there a 6 month wait. GARY

Oh yes, plenty of people buying. I had my eye on a 1980-something Browning Hi-Power (very rare in MA since they are not a listed gun) at $799. I swear... if I had that much money to spend (I don't), it would have come home with me.

You need to understand that you can only legally buy/own a gun in Massachusetts if you have a license, so there would be little point in having a waiting period too.

[mauser9]

Thanks for report TTSH. About what I figured for gun show prices. Those 3913s seem to be solid investments. Love to know what the price of that CS-45 would have been in mint condition. May cause erratic heart beats!! Although the 9s are bringing big asking bucks if really decent shape.

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by mauser9

Thanks for report TTSH. About what I figured for gun show prices. Those 3913s seem to be solid investments. Love to know what the price of that CS-45 would have been in mint condition. May cause erratic heart beats!! Although the 9s are bringing big asking bucks if really decent shape.

I should have added a disclaimer. "MA gun show prices are only indicative of one thing: MA gun show prices"!

That "used & abused" blued CS45 was somewhere in the $400 & change price range. I just neglected to write down the exact tagged price.

The one that interested me most was the transitional 4690 at $715+Tax. I don't own a transitional yet and it was in awfully nice shape for a blued gun. Would have got him down to $700 (No Tax) for certain... but would have needed a lot lower than that to make it work in my disastrous budget.

[solomon]

Originally Posted by TTSH

... but would have needed a lot lower than that to make it work in my disastrous budget.

Ya know, what TTSH needs is a peer-lending site for gun purchases.... this is a dangerous concept! []

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by solomon

Ya know, what TTSH needs is a peer-lending site for gun purchases.... this is a dangerous concept! []

Ha!!! Nobody in their right mind should ever lend dirt poor retired old me one thin dime for gun purchases or anything else!

You'd have a better chance of getting it back if you sent it to Bernie Madoff!

[BAM-BAM]

Originally Posted by TTSH

Ha!!!
You'd have a better chance of getting it back if you sent it to Bernie Madoff!

Add glasses......anybody else see a resemblance to TTSH's avatar??


Na.....just my imagination...

Isn't there a large Federal Penitentiary in Mass...... TTSH has had a couple of threads/posts about doing time in the "Big House"......probably just a coincidence......................................

[N4KVE]

So then if one has the required paperwork, one could purchase a handgun in Ma, & take it home that same day? Just curious, as I live in Florida & take that stuff for granted. If we have a CCW here, it comes home that day. If not, it's 3, or 5 days depending on the county. People come to my booth at the gun show, & ask what's needed to buy a gun. I answer them "a pulse". But I can assume private FTF sales are not allowed in Ma at the show? GARY

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by BAM-BAM

Add glasses......anybody else see a resemblance to TTSH's avatar??

Na.....just my imagination...

Isn't there a large Federal Penitentiary in Mass...... TTSH has had a couple of threads/posts about doing time in the "Big House"... probably just a coincidence ......................................

Forget it Bam! Yes, just a coincidence!

Only Federal prison facility here in MA is FMC Devens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federa...Center,_Devens

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by N4KVE

So then if one has the required paperwork, one could purchase a handgun in Ma, & take it home that same day? Just curious, as I live in Florida & take that stuff for granted. If we have a CCW here, it comes home that day. If not, it's 3, or 5 days depending on the county. People come to my booth at the gun show, & ask what's needed to buy a gun. I answer them "a pulse". But I can assume private FTF sales are not allowed in Ma at the show? GARY

Well, again, the only way you legally buy/own a gun in Massachusetts is with a license. Without the license, you are S-O-L. That applies whether it is a dealer sale or F-T-F with another license holder.

F-T-F sales are still allowed, but you must do it through the new real-time Interwebs-based MA firearms transfer/registration portal. It's a new thing as of this year.

Because of the real-time transfer reporting requirement, it is highly unlikely that you could do that at a show. Best you could do is agree to purchase a gun F-T-F from another license holder at some later time or later date... or possibly have a dealer at the show do the transfer for you (kind of unlikely, but technically/legally possible). Theoretically, the real time transfer report could be done through a web-connected smartphone, but I wouldn't want to try to do it that way.

The new real-time portal is actually kind of slick once you get past the infringement of 2A rights thing (which it 100% is). The portal includes a valid license pre-verification step which assures that you are selling to a legit, qualified individual. It makes meeting someone to do the F-T-F sale about as safe as it can possibly get as you will know ahead of time exactly who you are dealing with and that they hold a valid license (meaning they are whistle-clean, legally speaking).

[N4KVE]

Thanks for the explanation. Glad I live in Florida. Oh, & I hope you have less snow than last year. GARY

[TTSH]

Thanks! I hope so too!!!

[GaryS]

Devens is one of two federal prisons where they "treat" sex offenders. Think of it as Jared Fogle's new home.

I'll have some more pertinent comments when I get back from my bike ride.

Originally Posted by TTSH

Forget it Bam! Yes, just a coincidence!

Only Federal prison facility here in MA is FMC Devens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federa...Center,_Devens

[GaryS]

This would be the shop I mentioned in my post about the "club" show last weekend. They had that 4590 and there can't be that many of those out there. That's assuming that all of those 3rd Gens were at the one shop.

I don't know if that's who you got the magazines from, but the ones I saw were at the upper end of the price range.

I didn't talk to the guy because I thought the prices were beyond the range where I could negotiate down into a reasonable range.

Gun shows are still fun because you can see a lot of stuff in one location. Usually worth the price of admission just for the entertainment value.

Originally Posted by TTSH

First MA Gun Show of the fall season is happening this weekend. I made some S&W magazine scores but that was all. Just as well since I am totally broke until I sell a few more guns from the collection/accumulation.

But as usual, folks probably want to know what 3rd Gens were there and what they were asking for them... so here goes:

In no particular order...

1) 3913LS - Very nice condition - $650.00

2) 457 Two-tone - Been around a while - $539.00

3) 4516 (Didn't check revision) - Very nice condition - $750.00

4) 4516 (No dash) - Definitely used - $425.00

5) 4690 - As-new - $715.00

6) 910 - Average used condition - $525.00

7) 915 - Rust spots, otherwise as-new - $425.00

8) 410 - Average used condition - $425.00

9) CS45 - Black, very used - Damn, forgot to write down the tagged price.

Missing from the show was a totally trashed 4506-1 that had appeared at previous shows (and I had made an offer on it), so I assume it sold over the summer.

[italiansport]

When I read a thread such as this I am eternally thankful, as I grew up in Massachusetts, that I moved to Arizona over 20 years ago.
Jim

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by GaryS

This would be the shop I mentioned in my post about the "club" show last weekend. They had that 4590 and there can't be that many of those out there. That's assuming that all of those 3rd Gens were at the one shop.

I don't know if that's who you got the magazines from, but the ones I saw were at the upper end of the price range.

I didn't talk to the guy because I thought the prices were beyond the range where I could negotiate down into a reasonable range.

Gun shows are still fun because you can see a lot of stuff in one location. Usually worth the price of admission just for the entertainment value.

Oh, no, no, no, no, NO!!!

Sorry Gary! I should have pointed out for your benefit: I didn't include in my list anything offered up by that crazy expensive collector guy from the South Shore!!! That's a whole 'nother list a mile and a half long that never changes because his prices are out of this world high!

The list I presented were from the serious dealers... the other dealers... not the crazy expensive guy. Sorry!!!

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by GaryS

I don't know if that's who you got the magazines from, but the ones I saw were at the upper end of the price range.

I think I did really well. I got two CS45 magazines (good ones with proper secondary indents) for $25 each from the PA parts guy. Too bad that I still don't own a CS45 yet.

I also scored one Sigma/SD9 17-round pre-ban from a dealer from Western MA... for just $25.

Last, but not least, I bought two 1006 10mm magazines for $30 each. And, of course, I don't own a 1006 or any other 10mm 3rd Gen yet and probably never will. But I can dream, can't I?

[GaryS]

Those are good prices for magazines. The shop I was thinking of had a 781 area code, but I don't know where he's located. He had 1006 magazines for $45.00 and $50.00 depending on the color of the follower.

I have to see if there is a Wilmington show this fall. I like that show, I've got some decent deals there.

Originally Posted by TTSH

I think I did really well. I got two CS45 magazines (good ones with proper secondary indents) for $25 each from the PA parts guy. Too bad that I still don't own a CS45 yet.

I also scored one Sigma/SD9 17-round pre-ban from a dealer from Western MA... for just $25.

Last, but not least, I bought two 1006 10mm magazines for $30 each. And, of course, I don't own a 1006 or any other 10mm 3rd Gen yet and probably never will. But I can dream, can't I?

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by GaryS

Those are good prices for magazines. The shop I was thinking of had a 781 area code, but I don't know where he's located. He had 1006 magazines for $45.00 and $50.00 depending on the color of the follower.

I have to see if there is a Wilmington show this fall. I like that show, I've got some decent deals there.

The 1006 magazines are brand new with white follower. The guy had a 3rd brand new one still in its original package for $40, but I turned it down. Why pay $10 extra for a package I'll just throw away?

October shows are West Springfield and Plymouth, neither of which I'll be attending. Wilmington is mid-November.

[GaryS]

I'll be around for both Plymouth and Wilmington, I'll try to make at least one. W. Springfield is a bit of a ride for me, so I doubt I'll make that one.

There's supposed to be one in Foxboro early next year.

Sadly, I'm going to miss both the Mobile and Robertsdale gun shows this year. Won't miss them by much, but I will miss them.

Originally Posted by TTSH

The 1006 magazines are brand new with white follower. The guy had a 3rd brand new one still in its original package for $40, but I turned it down. Why pay $10 extra for a package I'll just throw away?

October shows are West Springfield and Plymouth, neither of which I'll be attending. Wilmington is mid-November.

[mauser9]

Hmmm Foxboro. have to keep an eye on that one. Maybe kill two birds with one stone and visit Bass Pro at the same time.

[solomon]

Originally Posted by TTSH

Last, but not least, I bought two 1006 10mm magazines for $30 each. And, of course, I don't own a 1006 or any other 10mm 3rd Gen yet and probably never will. But I can dream, can't I?

That's a killer deal on 10mm mags!

Dreams can become reality - I can ask my FFL if he'll ship into MA if you want.... He ships into CA so I suspect the answer will be "Sure thing!"

I've got a "spare" 1006 I'd be happy to send your way.

[Club Gun Fan]

Originally Posted by TTSH

Well, again, the only way you legally buy/own a gun in Massachusetts is with a license. Without the license, you are S-O-L. That applies whether it is a dealer sale or F-T-F with another license holder.

F-T-F sales are still allowed, but you must do it through the new real-time Interwebs-based MA firearms transfer/registration portal. It's a new thing as of this year.

Because of the real-time transfer reporting requirement, it is highly unlikely that you could do that at a show. Best you could do is agree to purchase a gun F-T-F from another license holder at some later time or later date... or possibly have a dealer at the show do the transfer for you (kind of unlikely, but technically/legally possible). Theoretically, the real time transfer report could be done through a web-connected smartphone, but I wouldn't want to try to do it that way.

The new real-time portal is actually kind of slick once you get past the infringement of 2A rights thing (which it 100% is). The portal includes a valid license pre-verification step which assures that you are selling to a legit, qualified individual. It makes meeting someone to do the F-T-F sale about as safe as it can possibly get as you will know ahead of time exactly who you are dealing with and that they hold a valid license (meaning they are whistle-clean, legally speaking).

People complain about the gun laws in Massachusetts. I can walk into a store and buy any Mass compliant gun, and walk out with it the same day. If you have a C&R license, again, you can walk out with it. There is no waiting period. As far as a FTF transfer at a show, almost every dealer will do the transfer for you for a $25.00 fee. I sold a Smith & Wesson revolver to a Ct resident. My Mass dealer transferred to a Ct dealer at the show. The Ct resident had to go the CT dealers store. I don't know if the OP is talking about the Marlboro show this past weekend. I can't remember the last show I was at where there were so many S & W revolvers. I saw 4 Model 29's, a Model 57, 6 Model 19's, including two nickel 2.5 inch and a blued one. Two Triple Locks, two .44 2nd Models and two Registered Magnums. There were a number of Model 10's and 2 two inch Model 15's. All at very fair prices.

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

As far as a FTF transfer at a show, almost every dealer will do the transfer for you for a $25.00 fee.

Correct. But I think Gary was asking about a private, non-dealer F-T-F transfer without any fee involved. That would take a web-connected laptop for the new real-time portal... or someone really good with doing forms on a smartphone. It's not something I'd want to try to do while in the show.

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

I don't know if the OP is talking about the Marlboro show this past weekend. I can't remember the last show I was at where there were so many S&W revolvers.

It was a good show IMHO (Marlboro always is), but I'll bet that many if not most of the S&W revolvers you're referring to were from that one very high-end, show-only dealer that we in MA all know and love.

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by solomon

That's a killer deal on 10mm mags!

Dreams can become reality - I can ask my FFL if he'll ship into MA if you want.... He ships into CA so I suspect the answer will be "Sure thing!"

I've got a "spare" 1006 I'd be happy to send your way.

Sure wish I had a few "spare" 10mm 3rd Gens!

But cost issues aside, I don't know of even one MA FFL that would risk the transfer into MA (for a MA license holder) of a non-list/pre-list handgun that doesn't have the required MA pedigree. That is a criminal offense.

I am constantly being told that they are out there, but I don't know of any. The big joke is that I must look like an investigator from the MA AG's office 'cause no MA FFL has ever been willing to do anything for me that is not 100% by the book.

[solomon]

Originally Posted by TTSH

I don't know of even one MA FFL that would risk the transfer into MA (for a MA license holder) of a non-list/pre-list handgun that doesn't have the required MA pedigree. That is a criminal offense.

I thought from other threads that you just needed pre-1994? S&W confirmed mine are from 1990 - what documentation do you need? or did I completely miss something?

[Club Gun Fan]

Originally Posted by TTSH

It was a good show IMHO (Marlboro always is), but I'll bet that many if not most of the S&W revolvers you're referring to were from that one very high-end, show-only dealer that we in MA all know and love.

No. The 19's were at three different location, all three were about the same money.

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by solomon

I thought from other threads that you just needed pre-1994? S&W confirmed mine are from 1990 - what documentation do you need? or did I completely miss something?

Pre-1994 would have meant pre-Federal AWB (and continued to this day by MA). That's only an issue in regard to Hi-Cap magazines, which must be "pre-bans" to be legal here in MA.

Our worst crazy laws & regulations in regard to handguns came into effect in 1998. That's when the EOPS list came into effect followed closely behind by the infamous AG's Regs... a.k.a., the unpublished "top secret" list. To be sold or transferred in MA by a MA FFL, a new handgun must be on the EOPS list and meet the AG's Regs (i.e., be on the "top secret" list too) for sale or transfer to civilians.

Used handguns must also be on the EOPS list to be sold or transferred by a MA FFL... except if they have a verified MA pedigree (meaning they were legally owned in MA before 1998). The AG's Regs also apply but the rules are a little different for pre-1998 guns and they are often ignored for used guns by many (but not all) MA FFL's. All these laws and rules apply to MA FFL's. They do not apply to F-T-F sales between license holders.

While the AG's Regs represent something of a gray area for at least some dealers, the EOPS list is not to be messed with as violations are criminal offenses, not just civil offenses. C&R license holders (03 FFL) in MA can apparently get around many of the rules for C&R qualifying guns... but that's another topic for another time.

I'm not sure what I said to suggest that I could legally import a Model 1006 into MA but I'll just say this: If there were an easy, straightforward, legal way for me to do it, I'd have done it already!

[N4KVE]

Originally Posted by TTSH

Correct. But I think Gary was asking about a private, non-dealer F-T-F transfer without any fee involved.

I was. Here if a private seller is walking around a gun show with something to sell, & someone says, "I want that", he hands him the cash, & he hands him the gun. That's all that is required. For safety's sake each will write up a quick bill of sale, & write each other's Florida DL # on the bill, & that's it. The last one I did was when I saw a nice S&W 645 online & the seller & I lived 20 miles apart. We met at a local turnpike plaza to do the exchange, & paperwork. 5 minutes was all it took. Beautiful gun by the way. GARY

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by N4KVE

I was. Here if a private seller is walking around a gun show with something to sell, & someone says, "I want that", he hands him the cash, & he hands him the gun. That's all that is required. For safety's sake each will write up a quick bill of sale, & write each other's Florida DL # on the bill, & that's it. The last one I did was when I saw a nice S&W 645 online & the seller & I lived 20 miles apart. We met at a local turnpike plaza to do the exchange, & paperwork. 5 minutes was all it took. Beautiful gun by the way. GARY

Yep, a whole lot simpler down there... ... but not impossible here in the People's Republic. The real-time portal requirement makes it a bit more difficult (especially for the Interwebs-challenged), but F-T-F *is* still allowed up here.

[solomon]

Originally Posted by TTSH

I'm not sure what I said to suggest that I could legally import a Model 1006 into MA but I'll just say this: If there were an easy, straightforward, legal way for me to do it, I'd have done it already!

My bad, probably just me listening with half-an-ear No part of this thread was intended to suggest anything not in full compliance with applicable laws - just my misunderstanding as to what yours were.


I think you've mentioned before the irony of a gun MADE in MA which can't come back into MA.

Random thought - could you put a 16" barrel and a stock on a pistol and bring it into MA and revert it? (Per BATF's "First a pistol, always revertable to pistol" doctrine)

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by solomon

My bad, probably just me listening with half-an-ear No part of this thread was intended to suggest anything not in full compliance with applicable laws - just my misunderstanding as to what yours were.

I think you've mentioned before the irony of a gun MADE in MA which can't come back into MA.

Random thought - could you put a 16" barrel and a stock on a pistol and bring it into MA and revert it? (Per BATF's "First a pistol, always revertable to pistol" doctrine)

No worries. And I'm not saying that import of a pre-list or non-listed 3rd Gen is impossible. If I do, another person will PM me and tell me that I'm just not trying hard enough or I'm not being creative enough or I just haven't found the right dealer yet... and you know what? They may be right.