I hit the first MA gun show of the fall season a little late today so it's hard to tell what, if anything, I missed... but here are the featured 3rd Gens at the show that weren't perpetual repeats:

1) Best in show was a very decent Model 4516-2 with factory box and 3 magazines for $525 tagged price. I didn't try to negotiate.

2) Another okay deal was an excellent condition Model 4006TSW (not CHP integrated rail) with 1 magazine and no box for $400 tagged price.

3) There was a very nice railed Model 4013TSW for $525 tagged price. No box, number of magazines not noted.

4) There were two Model 908 pistols, both fairly nice. One was tagged $400 and the other was $425.

5) Crazy price of the show was on a very nice Model 410S... wait for it... $599!

Beyond that it was all the usual grossly over-priced repeat appearance 3rd Gens. Why do they even bother?

I just picked up 4 S&W magazines and that was my day.

You saw more than I did, and have a better memory for prices than do I. I thought that 4006TSW was tagged around $600.00, but apparently was wrong.

I saw the higher priced 908, but not the lower one. There was also a 910, at the same vendor who had the crazy priced 410s. I didn't look at the tag.

And of course, the $532.00 plus tax Zander 457. I blame 18DAI for driving up the cost of 457's of all variations!

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Ha!!!!! Yes, we all blame poor old 18DAI for the high prices on .45 3rd Gens!!!

Actually, that Zander has been there for at least 4-5 years... way over-priced for its condition in my opinion.

There were multiple 4006TSW pistols. The super-high-priced one was at G&P... lower priced one was on the back wall nearer the jerky guy. He also had that $900 .40 PC carry piece.

Tons of magazines for sale at this show (more than ever I think) but sky high prices. I did okay but I could have done a whole lot better with more reasonable pricing.

I did see that 40 PC. Nice gun, but as you know I'm not a "40 caliber" guy. So, there was more than one 4006. Again, not being all that interested, I guess they're easy to miss.

I looked at the 4516-2, but an all stainless .45 compact is a bit heavy for my liking. Now, a pre rail 4513TSW...!

G&P and the other guy were close by each other, maybe separated by the sausage guy. Which would only add to my confusion.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Oh, I agree. Still, that 4516-2 was the "gun of the show", at least while I was there. Who knows how many good buys I might have missed by arriving so late.

In better times, I would have snagged that 4516-2 for sure. Who knows? I might win the lottery tonight and go back after it tomorrow!

All we can do is hope Wilmington is better...
At least price wise!

3rd Gen prices may be dropping elsewhere but they sure as heck aren't dropping anywhere in or around Massachusetts. They may be giving away plastic these days but nobody is budging on their 3rd Gens.

And did you see some of the prices on 1st & 2nd Gens? A few of them shocked me good.

Gun show prices are generally higher than gun shop prices. Even if it's the same shop. Go in to the shop and you might get them to negotiate a bit. I've only had one shop be willing to deal on a gun, and it was a stainless 10/22. Really nice gun, really nice price. Other than that, I've never had a seller at a show be willing to negotiate.

Wilmington is usually enjoyable, even if I don't end up buying. Some dealers will only do one or two shows, so you do get to seem some different things.

Then there are the vendors that seem to have their guns permanently mounted to the displays!

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Well we are the opposite. We are the largest FFL in the SE, doing about 45 weekend shows a year. Usually 85 tables a show. We also have 8 stores, all with ranges. We always price guns higher than we expect to sell them for, because people will always want to get a discount. Even if the tag showed a price of $20 below our cost. But if we give a great price at the show, & the customer says "I'll get it at the store during the week", we remind them it will be $25 more in the store. We also remind them the inventory at the show does not belong to the store, & we might not have that gun at the store. When you're in the store, we got you. But at the show, there are many other dealers within 50 feet, so our prices have to be better. Also our inventory is better at the show. 6000 people walk by our display at the show on the weekend, vs 500 on a weekend at the store. GARY

Someday before I die, I have got to do two things:

1) Go gun shopping with Arik in PA, and,
2) Attend a gun show in Florida!

Up here, you would be the exception, not the rule. Most FFLs have only one shop. They don't bring all that much inventory to shows, don't deal, and many of the larger dealers don't even come to shows.

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Can open, worms everywhere.