Checked out the Miami gun show today to see if there was anything interesting, was surprised that there was very , very little ,as far as classic guns.
Then I come upon a vendor, he has about 10 tables, mostly used holsters ,knives ,etc, and a few used handguns in a glass covered case. So I walk over to the case and only thing of interest was a snubnose, so I ask if it's a model 10.
Not saying a word, he just opens the case and pulls out and hands me the gun.
Well, I might be interested, so I open the cylinder , look at the model# and eyeball the forcing cone for about two seconds, then carefully close it and started to check the lock up when he all of a sudden snatches the gun from my hand, telling me how revolvers are built like tanks and I am an idiot for how I am pushing and pulling and wiggling the cylinder. Guy got very loud, enough the crowd started looking to see what's going on.
Now literary, I had the gun in my hand for no more than 30 to 40 seconds, hadn't even a chance to make any remark about the gun as I didn't even get to feel the lock up before he snatched it from my hand.
Mind you. This was just a shooter grade m10, $400 gun at best with the external wear. Heck, I didn't even get to flip it over and check the screws to see if they were buggered up or not.
Anyway, I pretty much told him either he was an idiot, or a crook for not allowing a buyer to indpect a used gun.

Good grief. How the devil does a man get thataway

Sounds like a lousy con man, cons always act nice to a mark... Maybe he didn’t make you for a mark, so, thats a win for you

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Halfway and one more step

If that's your first run in with an idiot at a gun show count yourself lucky.
Idiots are everywhere.

"My stuff is gold, yours is ****". Lots of morons. So, you have your $$ for a good deal later.

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No baby we aint

Rude behavior should not be tolerated. Spend your cash with someone who cares.

I've had similar experiences at gun stores and other vendors. My usual response is, "Sorry to bother you." Then walk away. There are other guns/things in the world.

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Freedom isn't free.

He has the right to be rude, but you have the right to walk on by. Maybe he is in a bad spot and did not really want to sell that gun. Eh.

Gun Shows are full of crooks too. Just as test, I took my Singer 1911A1 to a show and showed it to several dealers. The best offer I got was $300 because it was a military M1911 and only commercial M1911s have any value! The rest of the offers were less because there we so many of them made, they just aren't valuable. I was very polite and thanked each one and walked away.

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Bill

I've been setting up at National Gunday shows for 20 years and I could write a book about idiots on both sides of the aisle. If I didn't like the chase so much I'd quit.

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God spelled backwards is dog.

I guess I'm the opposite. I just finished the Crossroads show and sold over half the guns I brought. I encourage prospective buyers to check a gun out thoroughly before purchase and I readily cut the cable tie off so they can do so. I also price my guns well below high retail. I should also add I get a lot of repeat customers and I've been doing these shows for around 20 years.
Jim

Where I live the saying is:

"I buy junk and sell antiques"

Crazy to me is a "non dealer dealer" dropping the hammer on a 1911 sending a 230 gr slug skittering along the floor, clipping a couple folks down low. Being less than 100 ft away I did the "pop flop. "Joe

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Behavior Creates Destiny

I was told that something similar happened at the Reno show the day before I got there. Nobody hurt but scared a bunch.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That would have been my dad. I give my best Cheshire Cat grin and say, "Sorry you've wasted my time".

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Release the Kraken

Besides having mostly plastic guns, and not being interested in beef jerky or jewelry, that's another one of the reasons I stopped going to the Miami Show.

If he had the gun in his hand I would have just walked away

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Retired Career Security Guard

About half a life ago, when I really starting to get into this hobby, I had a completely different experience at a show. I was examining what I recall being a 2.5" M66. I did the hammer back/pull the trigger lock up check thing and the seller said 'Hey, I'm glad to see someone actually doing that'. We ended up chatting for quite some time and the guy was thrilled to pass on some knowledge - all correct - to a relative newbie. Haven't seen a guy like that for quite some time.

Yes-there are idiots on both sides of the table. Years ago when the MAK 90's first came out I had a NIB one on my table. This moron came up and field stripped it before I could even say anything. Not to mention the guy that inspected a NIB Mossberg 590 with a jewelers loop.

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SSG Ret.
TN & TX ARNG 66-06

"I'm just getting into S&W collecting..."

Say that and listen to the nonsense that comes your way.

I've come to the conclusion that 95%+ of what I see at gun shows depends on the "cash burning a hole in my pocket" factor. Most of the stuff I've run into would sit for years at a LGS at the prices asked. Most of the FFLs won't budge much on price, even near the end of the day on a Sunday. Their loss.

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Psalm 27:2

I think some folks buy their table for $100 at a gun show, giving them all day access and early opportunities to see the sellers and their stuff. These guys tell their wife, “I will try to sell a bunch of guns this weekend.”
The they put astronomical prices on their mundane stuff knowing it will not sell, all the while buying great stuff from actual sellers in the minutes before the doors open.
“Honey I tried to sell guns all weekend but you know how people are”

Last few gunshows I went to, the tables were closer to $800; at those prices, it is no wonder why sellers price things so high. Adding insult to injury are the promoters charging up to $12 to get in the door and another $8 for parking. Add in gas to and from, and I am out $50+ just to walk around; unless a show is noted for something I am interested in like older revolvers or ANYTHING non-black plastic, it isn't worth my time.

Just a guess from a suspicious retired cop but my bet is the vendor was trying to hide something and you were about to find it out.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I think we have a winner.

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No school like the old school.

The gun had a MAJOR fault that the dealer knew of. He realized you were smart enuf to pick up on it and he went off.

Your lucky day, you didn't deal with a crooked dealer!

Another thought: You may want to contact the organization responsible for this show and relate your experience. Most of the people who put these shows on do not want a crooked dealer as part of this or any event.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

They are Indeed Central Florida women spills a full 7/11 big gulp ice soda and all down my shirt in July. This place was packed , all over vendors cases too . This women didnt say a word to me or vendor. I was done

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Spin The Wheel

Shouldn't we actually know that he is crooked before reporting him

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Retired Career Security Guard

Last show I was at was 2-3 years ago. Table's were $25.00, $6.00 to get in and parking was free. I'm sure the show was much smaller than the one's you go to.

Always 2 sides to every story. Perhaps the seller was having a bad day or being inundated with tire-kickers. And, perhaps, something you said ticked him off or maybe the guy before you did. Perhaps, you were not in your sunniest of moods. We don't know.

No matter what show I go to, I almost always get invited behind the table once the seller realizes I am serious and that I'd like to further examine the gun, e.g. remove grips or examine with high power magnification.

Be the better man. Let it go. Don't make a Federal case out of it.

Who among us have not had a bad day ?

Let he is without sin ...

Sal

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Good point, I should have worded it better. Report the experience and allow the event producers to draw their own conclusions.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Similar experience at a table with several M1 Garands all 1.5 to 3 million serial numbered. I asked to inspect one and asked to see the barrel. Rifle was snatched away while the vendor was saying that would put 'EXTRA' wear in the rifle.
Now I know no one that would buy a 70 plus year old military rifle without at least looking at the barrel.

Well said Sal, well said. All my best, Joe.

If eyeballing causes extra wear, how do pretty girls avoid premature aging?

That's what it's all about, the organizers are making serious bank.

Thanks for the great idea. Now I have to do some serious thinking about which shows to go to......

I went to sell a gun at a show not too long ago. S&W 686 with 4" tube. Said hello to the regulars both customers and dealers and a new table holder, asked to see it. I said sure, no issue. He looks it over and says because it is stainless and only a 4" the best he could do was $ 250.00. I told him--seriously, with a straight face--that is mighty generous of you, but I was thinking more along the lines of $ 200.00. He got out his wallet and pulled out $200.00 (as I am leaving and walking past), I laughed, and he goes I thought we had a deal. I understand and respect a deal, but if he couldn't see past my 'mile high' sarcasm, well, I don't know what to say. I normally don't engage or answer people at a show who are this ridiculous, but I couldn't help myself to say that.

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Rather be outdoors

No one seems to understand the art of negotiating any more.

I found a used .22 rifle online with a cheapo scope, asking price $260. I can buy a new one for 260 plus shipping and FFL fee and Amazon had the scope for $30, so I offered something like $220. A normal person would either counter with $240 or accept my offer. But no, he wrote back wanting me to justify my price.

I wrote back with the above info and said if he’s firm in his price I’m sorry to have wasted his time.

Wow, if you would have handed me a Singer 1911, you would have quickly grabbed it back. I would have been drooling all over it. I would have been trying to get a selfie while holding it just so I could have proof that it wasn’t a dream. I have convinced myself that the closest I will ever come to a Singer will be at a museum behind two inches or bullet proof glass.

I buy my rifles and pistols to shoot cast bullets in. And since I colletc mil surps maybe one of then will get a cast bullet diet. dealer had a ratty slobbered all over with varnish. British #1MKIII a standard english military arm from WWI. $350 price tag. asked how much $350, Can I take off the wire ties and I have spares to replace the ties. No, can I check the barrel, NO. Seems all he as interested in talking to his buddies and not selling guns, thanked him for his time. Frank

As a lad it took me some time to figure out that for the crusty old gaffers I had to endure at gun shows, the event was more a social occasion than a business venture.

To be fair he made and offer and you accepted. I don't think he was the jerk in this equation

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Retired Career Security Guard

I go to gunshows...but not as often as I used to.
I've run into more than one experience like this...been called a few names, too.
Everytime I got to one, there is always the one seller who wants to sell you the exact AR-15 Davy Crockett used to fight off the German army at the Battle Of The Alamo. Or the guy selling the RG .38 revolver and saying "These were THE top of the line years ago, far better than any Colt." (Yes, and he did it with a straight and serious face.)
The bargain that used to be found at such venues aren't like they used to be. I've seen brand-new firearms that I could go to the local Academy Sports and Outdoors and get for a couple hundred cheaper.

I look at them more on the lines of a flea market with firearms. Bargains can still be found...if you look, know what you're looking at, knowing what you want, and IF YOU'RE CAREFUL.

The old addage applies "LET THE BUYER BEWARE!"

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The Last Standing Knight

[ I was very polite and thanked each one and walked away.]

I believe the offer was refused, wasn’t it? ( to be fair) so what’s the “jerk inference” about?

Sheesh....

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Halfway and one more step

Just as a comic "aside" to this story, at our club gunshow in January, a guy my own age was oogling (in a good way) my Walther's OSP.

We bickered a bit on the price because he came by with a friend dealer I knew. As we are just about to make the deal he said he was going to have the gun drilled and tapped for a scope.

I REACHED ACROSS THE TABLE AND TOOK THE GUN FROM HIS HAND ... and said ... "over my dead body, now you can't buy it no matter how much you pay".

Some of us are emotionally attached to a few of our finer pieces, thus, protect them as if they were our own children.

It would be comparable to painting a Groucho Marx mustache on the Mona Lisa.

True story ! Sal Raimondi

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Maybe I misread the original post. But I am almost positive that before he edited that post that he said that somebody offered him $250 and he said oh I was only thinking to sell it for $200 and when the guy pulled out the money he walked away.

Now if I read that wrong or I quoted the wrong post I apologize but if I was right that was a jerk move

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Retired Career Security Guard

Huh ? You do realize a Singer is at least a 5 figure pistol.

I have info on Singer serial # S800383, that sold on 3/11/2018 @ 9:23 Pm on GB for $85,025.00.

First I want to say that the original post was edited so I may have read it wrong.

Regardless of the actuall value of the pistol the post I read indicated that an (extremely low ball) offer was made and the Poster indicated acceptance, even though he had no intention of selling the pistol at that price. To me, that's a jerk move.

I've said it before but I don't trifle with people and I don't play grab ***. I don't take 5 figure guns to gun shows just to jerk people's chains.

If you do that's on you.

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Retired Career Security Guard

You have a 1911A1 made by Singer?

Pics or it didn't happen!

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Freedom isn't free.

with all due respect and deep appreciation for serving our Country ... this story is just a might bit far fetched no matter if you were at a show in no mans land or a major city of hustlers.

if a REAL Singer 1911 every walked by my table with a seller that needed cash, of course I'd try for the best deal it could be (I wouldn't pay a high auction retail price) but i would feel him out being ready to go up to the low 5 figures, at minimum, or, to see where it went from there.

Then again, there are many doctored 1911s to make it appear as though a Singer. I'd need some irrefutable confirmation on that because .... seriously ... did it EVER happen before that someone, unknowing what he had, walked in to a gun show to sell a authentic Singer 1911.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425