I set an excellent 696 back on a gun show table I was perusing that had a $400 price tag on it… Well, a guy standing behind me picked it up and said the magic words - “I’ll take it”. Tough lesson learned that has never been repeated.
Gun show advice
- Thread starter Wfevans4
- Start date
I set an excellent 696 back on a gun show table I was perusing that had a $400 price tag on it… Well, a guy standing behind me picked it up and said the magic words - “I’ll take it”. Tough lesson learned that has never been repeated.
VaTom
Member
Only have bought 2 guns at gun shows in past ten years since I started going.
1. Bought a new Model 15-22 when they were hard to get after first coming out. Bought from a regular firearms dealer. He had four at regular MSRP on the table and I said I would think about. He said they would be gone in an hour so I got one. He was right.
2. Was looking for a 1970s vintage nickel Model 10 4”. Found one listed @ $400. The dealer specialized in Colt and S&W revolvers. Asked him his best price. $350. Walked around thinking about it and came back shortly and he gave it to me for $300 cash.
3. Passed on first walk through on some red box Sig Sauers (Government trades - factory reconditioned .40). Went back about an hour later to get one and all six were gone.
Yes, sometimes waiting a bit helps but sometimes snoozing loses.
1. Bought a new Model 15-22 when they were hard to get after first coming out. Bought from a regular firearms dealer. He had four at regular MSRP on the table and I said I would think about. He said they would be gone in an hour so I got one. He was right.
2. Was looking for a 1970s vintage nickel Model 10 4”. Found one listed @ $400. The dealer specialized in Colt and S&W revolvers. Asked him his best price. $350. Walked around thinking about it and came back shortly and he gave it to me for $300 cash.
3. Passed on first walk through on some red box Sig Sauers (Government trades - factory reconditioned .40). Went back about an hour later to get one and all six were gone.
Yes, sometimes waiting a bit helps but sometimes snoozing loses.
Scoremaster
Member
If i was going to a gun show now one priority would be to get there as soon as it opens or a little sooner
The down side to that, is that the aisles are generally so crowded that you can't see a thing, that's my experience anyway.
dsf
Member
Sometimes not going to the gun show works out well ....
I headed out to the Reno show yesterday AM. A little bit of snow in the Sierras and typical CA drivers shut down Rte 80. It's snow. It's slippery = it isn't rocket science.
I hit a LGS instead and ended up with a 1967 made Colt Woodsman Match and a 1976 made Colt Python. Got to take the Woodsman with me -
The Python gets picked up December 24th, I guess that makes it a Christmas present to myself. And ANIB for under $2K.
I headed out to the Reno show yesterday AM. A little bit of snow in the Sierras and typical CA drivers shut down Rte 80. It's snow. It's slippery = it isn't rocket science.
I hit a LGS instead and ended up with a 1967 made Colt Woodsman Match and a 1976 made Colt Python. Got to take the Woodsman with me -
The Python gets picked up December 24th, I guess that makes it a Christmas present to myself. And ANIB for under $2K.
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I have one of those 4 inch 617s, just mine has the hillary hole - I think mine is 617-6 (but mine has the round butt, so I put the awesome round but combat stocks)...I have put more rounds through that revolver than any other one I own, probably 5-7K rounds in the last 3 years.
I have tried to match its performance with an earlier 617 (no dash) in 6 inch and a new 22 LR Colt King Cobra in 4.25", several model 17s (6 and 8 3/8) and even two 6 inch K-22s. The only other revolver that comes close in terms of shootability from a DA position is one of the K-22s...
Best $475 I spent about 5 years ago on a 'shooter' firearm.
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You have the technical pieces above. From a gunshow perspective, I have found that:
1) Best deals (rare finds, good deals, not necessarily the lowest price for the things others did not buy) are early on in the show - perhaps in the first 2 hours.
2) Most of the deals will come from dealers who have gotten somthing cheap and just do not know the rarity of it. Some private sellers may have not kept up with times as well, but most private sellers tend to be collectors, so they know their stuff
3) Cash is king, everything is negotiable.
4) If you see something that looks like a great dal, inspect well and if all looks good - buy it. If you do not, someone else will shortly after you. You just need to know the market well (for what you are looking for)
Hope the above was helpful!
bananaman
Member
My rule is......Don't walk in expecting miracles! Then IF you find a suitable item you will be surprised & happy!!! Bob
