Crazy Gun Show Prices

[A10]

Now I know that prices are a bit high right now. That being said, at a gun show in a small town near me some guy with a table full of firearms priced a Glock 17 at $999. Same guy had a polished up Model 60 no dash for the same amount!

Are these ridiculous, or am I just old and out of touch? Those two statements may not be mutually exclusive...

 

[murphydog]

They might have been able to get away with those asking prices a year ago, with more money around and less inflation, but I doubt it now.

 

[Valmet]

$999 for a Glock 17? Was it a Gen1?

 

[PeteC]

Now I know that prices are a bit high right now. That being said,....Same guy had a polished up Model 60 no dash for the same amount! ...

If that happened to be one of the very small number of original Model 60 batch which came polished from the factory, that price would be a bargain. Judging by the Glock, most likely NOT!

 

[dmar]

When I see prices like that, I always think that these guys are literally looking to "show" their guns, not 'sell' their guns.

And yes, it's rare these days to find a good deal, most of what I see from individual sellers at gun shows are at very high prices. This wasn't the case years ago, but seems like it's been that way for a while now. Of course, some guys will chime in with some great deal they found, but I haven't seen it in a long time..

 

[LVSteve]

I was watching a couple of online estate/gun auctions yesterday, and I was left with impression that there is still a lot of crazy money chasing guns out there. The joke is that prices of new stuff have softened quite a bit, especially on polymer pistols and ARs.

 

[Drm50]

I was at gun show couple weeks ago. Me and Bro had mostly S&W revolvers priced reasonable, not low. Ours were under most bu 20%-30%.
Dealers crying they weren't selling anything. There is high prices and there is ridiculous prices. Once again these guys were short stroked when learning the trade, they skipped over chapter on condition.

 

[diyj98]

Dealers crying they weren't selling anything.

I hear some of the gun show scammers here saying that. "Ain't nobody buying nut'in". They can't seem to figure out that their inflated prices are the problem.

 

[mauser9]

Nope A-10 you are not old and out of touch. Asking prices at those shows border on insane or ridiculous I have noticed. Cannot believe the prices often paid at auctions or gun shows. Willing to bet many sellers pack up most of their stuff and haul it back home or back to their shop at the end of the day. Gun sites and auction houses attract "bidding wars" on guns from what I have seen. Even milsurps attracting crazy money that are questionable to begin with.

 

[ken158]

The only thing that sells at my local guns shows is plastic frame guns at under retail prices. The guys that price the older S&W's usually take them back home at the end of the show. "I don't have to feed it" and such silly comments like that are made when an honest offer is made. Everyone is looking for a sucker.

 

[Drm50]

The Gun Shows started sliding down hill in about 1985. ATF changed laws allowing FFLs to display and take orders. Before this they were restricted to business address. Shortly it was changed that FFLs could sell at shows following regular laws.
This is when they started dragging their shop inventory to shows. I say most were jacking prices for the show. On heels of this promoters started selling tables to Fleamarkateers and other charlatans who use guns shows as a way to make a living.
Nothing irrates me more than being swarmed by "dealers" when I'm trying to set up.Reminds me of people jumping onto garbage trucks at dumps to get 1st dibs on the goodies, in war torn countries. I have a few verbals with those who actually get into your boxes before you do. I guess that's what tasers are made for.

 

[dmar]

I was watching a couple of online estate/gun auctions yesterday, and I was left with impression that there is still a lot of crazy money chasing guns out there. The joke is that prices of new stuff have softened quite a bit, especially on polymer pistols and ARs.

Yup, seeing a lot of new guns discounted/on sale now, and the shelves are full…

 

[A10]

$999 for a Glock 17? Was it a Gen1?

Brand new gun, gen 4.

 

[max503]

H&R 22 revolvers are priced at $399 around here. Used ones.

 

[A10]

Nope A-10 you are not old and out of touch. Asking prices at those shows border on insane or ridiculous I have noticed. Cannot believe the prices often paid at auctions or gun shows. Willing to bet many sellers pack up most of their stuff and haul it back home or back to their shop at the end of the day. Gun sites and auction houses attract "bidding wars" on guns from what I have seen. Even milsurps attracting crazy money that are questionable to begin with.

There was a Carcano there in fair shape and they were asking a grand for it. Shaking my head remembering when you could buy one out of a magazine for around 40 bucks...

 

[DWalt]

After attending the last two local gun shows I have decided that I need no more guns - or gun shows. And I am NOT kidding even a little.

 

[stansdds]

I quit going to gun shows years ago. Around here, they became more arts & crafts, prepper stuff, foods, jewelry, and junk shows. The firearms, ammo, and related accessories were priced high enough that I could either buy them from a local shop or save money and order online.

 

[FortyFiveACP]

I went to the local gun show last weekend. Usually, I'll check their prices on common things like new Glocks to give me a sense for their price competitiveness in general. New Glocks were priced higher than at the local gun stores so it left me scratching my head. As somebody else noted, it feels like a sucker market so I didn't stay long.

This last show had significantly lower attendance than the other shows at this same venue over the last 9 months. I found that noteworthy but not sure if it's economy/inflation or combination of that and the gun run cooling off.

 

[Bald1]

The worst guys are the ammo guys. Same old dusty displays and no sales. I made a guy a good offer on 4 boxes of ammo. After he scoffed at me I asked if he ever gets tired of hauling ammo around and not selling any. He said it doesn't cost me anything to take it back home. I said gas is $4 a gallon and you paid for this table. It cost you plenty to take it home.
Who's paying $49 for a box of 30/30 Core Lokts?????? Even crazy Gunbroker prices are cheaper with shipping.

 

[mauser9]

There was a Carcano there in fair shape and they were asking a grand for it. Shaking my head remembering when you could buy one out of a magazine for around 40 bucks...

Yep not anymore. Often told the story about my buddy that bought the Type 99 Japanese rifle for $25 back in 1972. our LGS had a wooden box filled with guns that had seen better days along with milsurps. Boy have times changed! 98k Mausers are often through the roof in prices.