Are there still bargains to be found at gun shows?
I've not been to one for many years. At that time you could beat brick and mortar gun store prices considerably.

My interest in guns waxes and wanes, right now I'm at a fever pitch.

Usually the prices at the shows around me are fairly high. However I have gotten some great deals on guns people have brought in to sell.

Went to a gunshow this past weekend. Seemed like the internet in a microcosm. all the latest tactical gear, ars, overpriced aks... Bargains can be found, but everything seemed to be priced the same as any LGS. As for revolvers, with my recent interest in them that's all I was paying attention to, it seemed as if every single revolver short of taurus and rossi were overpriced by at least $150. Cheaper to get something off the forums here or gunbroker even with a ffl fee. eh... I'll keep going to the shows though, there are deals to be found, time before last I got a near new ruger mk1 for 200 bucks...

The table sellers at gun shows tend to know what they are selling and price their items accordingly. Also, many sellers bargain before the show opens and snatch up a lot of the good deals. I occasionally go to them but have low expectations of finding any deals, but they can be a good source for a hard-to-find item.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I go to a lot of gun shows and have yet to see a "bargain" from the dealers. Pawn shops are where I find the best deals.

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Cliff

Its been at least 25 years since I went to a gun show. I recall my neighbor bought a Colt 1911 that appeared to have never been fired without a scratch on the Parkerized finish. I don't recall the exact amount he paid but I do recall thinking he had a real bargain.
At the same show I bought a NIB Buck 120 knife (long since discontinued) for less than $30.
Those are a couple of my memories of gun shows.
Here in Texas Academy Sports has at least one handgun per week on sale at really good prices. Maybe I'll wait for something I want to come up there.

I would probably agree that a Pawn Shop may be a better place to find a real bargain. Being a dealer myself (which means I occupy tables and buy/sell at shows), I just need to make sure that everybody knows a seller does not simply go into the show and have a seat. Those tables cost money and there is a lot of work involved in setting-up and breaking down....etc. Most table-sitters have (or are required to) a FFL and there is a lot of baggage associated with that as well. So....the dealer has some embedded cost. They will sell a gun for whatever the market will bear Some will deal....some won't.

The best way to find a deal is get out in the parking lot near the entrance and run-down the passers-by that have a gun in their hand. This is going to make all of us that pay $75 each for those tables aggravated, but it's the best way to get a deal.....if you have good eyes, want to bother everybody walking buy with a box in his/her hand and don't mind standing around in the parking lot in the rain, or high heat, or freezing cold until you find what you want. And....most of those people think their gun is worth a LOT more than it really is.

Many dealers go to gun shows and wind-up buying more than they sell. Then I get back home and do most of my selling.

It's fun guys....come on down to the show!

+1 snubbiefan!

I have been to several shows in the last year.

There are different kinds of dealers or 'deals';
1. LGS sets up tables - same high prices as their store. MAY trade, but won't give you anything for your trade. Biggest part of any show. These tables are great for checking out guns.
2. Guy thinning his collection - type1- typically think their guns are worth more than they are. - usually will NOT TRADE.
3. Guy thinning his collection - type2 - this guy is SERIOUS about thinning his collection - will deal with you but won't trade - he's a seller, not a buyer.
4. Junk dealers - surplus grenades, gear, ammo cans, reloading eqpt, etc. You will NOT find this stuff in any store. Fun stuff guys!
5. 'Specialty' dealers - WWII memorabilia, etc - ...just strange to me, no interest.

Finally...FINALLY, there's the people that snubbiefan mentions above - they guys walking around with a couple of guns to sell or trade. This is what, IMHO, makes the shows fun! Grab your trading material - guns, grips, magazines, or whatever you've got and come on down!

Face it, gun people are unique AND you cannot 'talk guns' with non-gun people without them thinking you're nuts - they just don't get it. It's like trying to find a place where you can smoke a cigar indoors - it's a darn rare opportunity.

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But then, what do I know?

I've found most gun shows have "asking" prices that are on the high end, similar to many local gun shops.

The key to buying at a bargain price for me has always been to know what I want, what it's real value is, and most important what is it worth to me.

Carry cash and when you find a gun you want let the seller know right up front that you will buy the gun if a fair price can be agreed upon. The high asking prices seem to melt away when the seller knows you have cash and are a true buyer.

Good Luck...

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Go NRA

I go to several gun shows a year around here and usually wind up coming home empty handed.

All the vendors usually have the price jacked up so high that even if you can bargain with them it would be still to high.

If you are fortunate to find someone who has brought something to sell or trade that you may be interested in then maybe you might buy something. I always like to go and look anyway.

James

When I lived in the DFW area I would make the rounds of the many Cash Americas and First Cash. Texas is a great state for pawn shops.

I have seen where the old saying goes,"cash talks and BS walks",worked well at the Big Reno gun show in the past and have made some spectacular deals. I bought 7 S&W's at the last show I did and last year bought a few M52 Winchesters at very good prices. Near mint pre 10 in numbered box for $350, a 2" pre 10 Excl.+ for $375, and a near mint 2nd month production M48 no dash for $625. I would call that a deal. Got it from a walk in. The pre 10's were dealers. A M63 for $450, pretty good compared with internet prices.Also purchased a M617 6" no dash, N.I.B. for $575 from a dealer. Last year, from a walk in, I bought a scarce Winchester M52-B heavy bbl. target rifle with special order stock, in 98%++ condition for $900. It had a mint $250 WW2 leather sling on it too. If one knows his field of collecting as well as having a broad knowledge of firearms in general, he can really make out at most gun shows.Back when I collected Springfields, I bought a M1922 cal. 30 target rifle for $650 from a sellers table at the old Great Western. I sold it for $10,000 a few months later. Thousands of people passed by that rifle and didn't have a clue what it was.Yep, I love gun shows. Big Larry

Want a "deal" at a gun show?
Cruise the parking lot.

There's nothing inside of interest except accessories and ammo. Maybe.

AFS

Some shows are better than others, and experiences vary, but I set up a table at the Greenville SC gunshow last weekend. Nothing inside of interest?

I had a 1958 Grade III browning 22 auto wheel site in the case, a 98% LC smith 410, and a 696 smith on my table ... along with $15k worth of pocket watches. I saw three 3 1/2" mod 27's , one a pre 27. There was an unfired 22 short browning belgium new in the box from 1962. The dealer behind me bought a like new 2 1/2" python and a det spl for a package deal of $1300 (I cried, but he would not sell the python). There was a nickel pre 34 kit gun, a blued pre 34 like new, and a 4 digit K22 in the box like new(under the table, and he decided to take it home). I missed the 2 1/2 inch python deal, but I did buy a $3k pocket watch for about half price.

Where else are you gonna see these things ... not at the mall.


Charlie

Just a few comments on gun shows -

First, don't expect to find great prices, although that sometimes happens. I go expecting that I will see a much larger variety of firearms than can be found by visiting gun shops. The internet probably has as much variety, but you can't actually handle what you are looking to purchase.

Second, as has been mentioned, cash talks. Bring enough to cover what you would expect to buy at a fair price. "What is your rock-bottom-cash-on-the-barrelhead-out-the-door price?" will usually shave off plenty of bucks, particularly at the end of a show when folks are packing up. By the same token, getting to a show early on the first day pays dividends in that most of the stuff has not been picked over or competitively priced.

At most tables, the owner usually has a fair idea of what his stuff is worth. Over the years, I've seen some notable exceptions; mostly people who are just selling a deceased relative's gun and who haven't taken the trouble to do due diligent research.

I hardly ever do trades. I'm particularly leery of doing that with a dealer, who will never give you what your gun is worth; he has to make a profit and will typically only allow 1/2 to 2/3 of what the gun could bring on the market. I will sometimes sell or trade to individuals with a gun in my collection that's a duplicate of a better example.

To me, gun shows are a form of entertainment and enlightenment. Being able to find something you like amongst a great variety is the icing on the cake.

A lot of people spend a great deal of money on golf and attending sporting events. I don't knock that, but to me it seems that all one would have after such indulgence would be a lightened wallet and nothing to show for it. I much prefer gun shows - if you buy something and do it intelligently, it can be like money in the bank in the future. I think gold and guns represent the best investments in these uncertain times.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

In my neck of the woods, not unusual to see local brick & mortar shops with tables at the show; prices 10% higher than at their shop! I go to browse, buy bulk powder/primers and on occasion get a good deal on some accessories. I did buy a 1911 at a show once, about 8 years ago, paid a decent price too, but that's the only time I actually found a good enough deal to plunk down the cash.
I view it as a fun activity two or three times a year.

That last good deal I got at a gun show was in 2007. I think the internet has made gun shows a thing of the past (at least for buying guns).

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Centennial Every Day

Things were better in the far distant past. It was nice back in the day when you could go to a show with several guns, and trade or sell everyone you brought, and come home with a different selection.
I think the internet auctions have really messed up gun show bargains. Now everyone does a check, and then thinks that they should get high end retail prices on their stuff also.

Then we have dealers who really low ball you on trades or sales. An example by brother had a new unfired 4586 DAO S&W in the box with I believe 4 spare NEW magazines, besides the ones that came with it. He got it when he was in the Air Force, then picked up a Wilson Combat 1911 before he fired it. He was wanting a 4" GP100.

Dealers would want to give you Beater Police Trade in wholesale for it. And it had $100 worth of new spare magazines. He finally traded it to an individual wanting a 45 auto for a house gun, who had a new 6" GP100 in Blue. Back to the gunshows with a Blued 6" GP100 new in the box. Would you believe the GP100 was now worth about $350 since it was pre owned. That was up about $75 from the 4586 anyway. He ended up selling to a friend, and ordered a new Willy Clapp GP100.

In the last 5 years I have only purchased 1 gun at a gun show. It was my 310 Night Guard. I had a ball park idea what it was worth. I paid $770 for it, which was in the ball park with GunBroker pricing. Well guess what, I found a dealer with some 310 and 325 Night Guards the next week for $600. That is how my luck normally runs. I did end up with a Great carry gun that I will probably keep forever.

I still go to every close Gun Show that I can. I buy cleaning media, ammo cans, flash lights, batteries, a Gerber wood splitting mall, brass, cast bullets, etc. You can find some bargains now and again. Just not a lot of gun bargains.

I have bought several guns in the last few years. Most from or through my local pawn shop/gun store. If I make an internet purchase I go through him. If I sell something I again go through him. I bought a 1950 Commander Ser. LW 54# a while back off my local dealer. Did a little digging on the history. A local Korean War Jet Jockey bought it new. A few pictures on the Colt Forum, and my local dealer sent it off for me to a new owners FFL. I made a few bucks on the sale. My local dealer made a profit off my original sale, I believe he transfered this one for me free. If he gets a nice Smith & Wesson, Colt or Ruger in he will normally tell me about it.
He has a nice old Pre 64 Winchester 94 in 32 Win Special at the moment for about $600. I need to get my brother into town to look at it. I have an old 1899 Savage from around 1911 or so in 303 Savage I hunt with now and again. My little brother has decided he could use a good lever gun also. That old 94 is about as good as a lever gun gets.

I go to gun shows, but if I am looking for something, the computer auctions, or the For Sale section of the Gun Forums are a better place to shop.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

I love to go to gun shows for the people watching---it is almost as much fun as Wal-Mart late at night.
Parking lot sales CAN be good--my experience that all who come in for trading think that thier gun should be an even trade item.
Since i rarely trade a gun in, I don't know what trade-ins go for.
Last show that I perused the parking lot looking for a deal. i found an ol boy that had a 686--it was good shape and he wanted $800 for it.
Nope--I don't go to em anymore to but---and it is getting to the point where it is too expensive to people watch.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

I went to gunshows this year and made a trade for a 98% Model 28-2 with 4 inch barrel and S serial number that was fair to both of us. At the same show I passed on a Model 14-3 that was a 98% revolver for $425 and I think I could have bought for $400 cash. I passed on that one and at another guns how two weeks later bought a 14-3 that was as nice for $425 out the door. I also met a dealer that's 80 miles from me and went to his shop a few months later and bought a 17-1 4 screw in great shooter condition and a 17-4 that was also very nice nice.

Deals can be had but they aren't plentiful and you need to know what you want and have the cash if you find one as the $100 bill talks when you pull out a handful of them.

You can see more good guns at a gunshow than in a lifetime of small gun shops. I give you National Gun Day in Louisville, or the Wannamacher show in Tulsa as examples. Of course your feet aren't up to walking the entire show, at least in one day. And you can even meet the people who post here, but we don't wear name tags. Its maybe the only place where you can actually look and see the items. The internet is fine for browsing, but even the threads here with photos are no match for looking with your own two eyes. Or you can finger the guns, if the seller will allow it.

At the OGCA shows, its not uncommon to have a couple of vendors with literally hundreds of collectible S&Ws. There'll be one in two weeks and a normal show has thousands of tables, no beef jerky even if you like it. You can actually pack a lifetime of hick town gun shops into one weekend. If you are up to the strain! Lee, aka the big monkey, sometimes even brings out some stuff, but he's never near his tables.

If you're going to find one brand new plastic wondergun, there are no guarantees. If you really think the asking prices are too high, rethink your point of view. You may be right, because you did actually see that same make and model revolver back in 1974, and there is just no way the price could double in the intervening years! If you saw a price two years ago, its out of date now, just like a gallon of gas.

At the show in Lexington, KY a few weeks ago a friend drug in an ancient M&P. It had really ugly grips on it, and way too new. So he asked what it came with, and I told him probably gold medallion service grips (it was a good guess, besides I had 3 sets that look brand new). He asked how much and I got generous and said $40. He told me that was too cheap and paid me $50. See what a set of those will cost you on ebay. If you don't know how to identify guns, and don't know rare from common, you've got no business making statements about things being to high.

If you're hesitant, indecisive, or just slow on the uptake, you may see but not understand a deal when it smacks you in the forehead. People come in off the street carrying all sorts of stuff. Your job is to know the sweet stuff from the garbage, and sometimes its not all that easy. But there is no place else in existence where you even see the variety of good stuff.

I even like the tiny shows. Those are where some dumb hillbilly comes in dragging a gun out of grandpa's dresser drawer. He sent it along to sell so he has an extra $100 or so. And it turns out to be so rare almost no one knows what it is. Except you and a few others. And with any luck, you found it first!! I find about 2 or 3 of those deals a year, covering at least a dozen shows. The odds aren't all that good, but I have fun at the other ones, too.

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Dick Burg

See ya in Feb. Dick. (if we don't get iced out)

Every now and then I go to gun shows, but it's mainly for the experience. I get my self a tall one and wander around the aisles, looking at all the guns I could never afford, or more to the point, be in too much trouble for buying. It's kind of like going to a museum.