Gun show prices I saw today

[raljr1]

Went to a small local show today. Only 30 or 40 tables. One table had numerous nice Smith & Wessons on display and several well worn, probably police trade ins. I thought his prices were about $2-400 high. Thought I'd chare some of the prices I remember for comment.
These guns were all high 90% finish with boxes

19-3 nickel 6" $1599

29-2 Nickel 4: $1999

520 Blued $1799

29-2 Blued 6" $2499

32-1 blued $699 (I thought this was ok)

10-8 nickel 4" $895

The following were the police trade ins (my guess, based on several of each type and condition)

66-1 $995 several, all with multiple nicks, scratches

64 3" $995, again several as above--these did not have grips on them

I didn't buy any thing, nor did I make offers on anything.

 

[max503]

Thanks. I appreciate when people post prices so I'll know a good deal if one comes along.

 

[Valmet]

I can't remember a show in the past 5 years or so where anything collectible (milsurp, pre-ban, vintage S&W, pre-64 Win, etc) wasn't extremely overpriced.

 

[murphydog]

Since I (generally) know what guns are worth, and don't feel like haggling, I rarely go to gun shows except to gawk, and occasionally chuckle.

 

[Model5]

I've only been going to gun shows for the past 5 years or so now. But from what I've seen and learned is gunshots are best for sourcing parts and reloading components. First one I went to I had just purchased my m1 carbine and needed a new bolt and found one in great shape complete for $40. The last gun show I went to walking around seeing all the $1 a round 9mm and $1.50 it makes a quicker visit but I walked out with 900 pieces of 30 carbine brass+500 were primed walk down a little further I picked up 200 bullets to load with. As well as a couple 30 round magazines from a throw bin of old junk magazines all told I spent around $150 for all that. It really depends what your after as to how happy you will be with a visit to the gun show.

 

[ladder13]

Check every nook and cranny cause you never know. I don't smoke or drink so what's 8 bucks to get in?

 

[Green Frog]

When I started going to gun shows in the early 1970s it was the Wild West compared to now! by the late '70s I was "setting up" at tables and selling for myself. I haven't set up a table since pre-Covid, but I plan to do so this Spring, so I'm looking at prices I'm seeing here and elsewhere in hopes of getting some good work done. Looks like all of my old stock has gotten more valuable!

Froggie

 

[robertrwalsh]

I rarely buy guns at gun shows since everybody selling seems to believe his item is both extremely rare and gold plated, and priced accordingly. I do go to look, and to buy supplies and odds-and-ends.

 

[stansdds]

Gun shows in the Richmond, VA area used to be really good. Lots of ammo, guns, parts, and supplies at good prices. Those days seem to have disappeared somewhere around 10-12 years ago. Bargains became fewer and further between and more art dealers, memorabilia dealers, and more food vendors became the norm. I went to two or three shows shortly before the pandemic and they just were not worth the drive, much less the admission fee.

 

[Green Frog]

Did you ever go to the old Arena (skating rink) near the Baseball Stadium for one of those shows? I set up at a couple of them about 1977 or '78 as I recall. Those were fun shows but they tore it down to enlarge the parking lot, IIRC.

Froggie

 

[mauser9]

I would have walked away too at those prices. Plan on going to a show in Feb. myself. have not been in 7 years. Will post prices just hope they do not cause a coronary. Money still don't grow on any trees that I know of.

 

[pantannojack]

I know a regular circuit of LGS's where the stavs are friendly, appreciative, and helpful; And when at them I normally make some purchase to help with the lighting bill. When I cough the entrance fee at so called "gun showz" I smell the guilt emanating from beneath their Right Guard protection. I don't owe nuthin' to the table mountain sharks. "Snakes. Why did it have to be Snakes?"

 

[stansdds]

Did you ever go to the old Arena (skating rink) near the Baseball Stadium for one of those shows? I set up at a couple of them about 1977 or '78 as I recall. Those were fun shows but they tore it down to enlarge the parking lot, IIRC.

Froggie

Nope, when I started going to shows they were held at the State Fairgrounds, now Richmond Raceway, and The Showplace, which is now a Roses department store. That would have been in the late 1980's and I went regularly until shows were banned, reportedly due to an accidental discharge at a show at the raceway.

When shows resumed, using the old Kmart in Midlothian, I went a couple times and was not impressed. Then I went to a couple at the raceway when those shows resumed. It was better, but I just could not find any real bargains. Have not been to one since the pandemic started.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I've been going to gun shows since sometime in the early 70's and every time I go I tell my wife "same old stuff, just higher prices." One thing though, high quality vintage classics aren't growing in numbers.

I look at new cars and ask myself, what will be the next classic. It's not a Toyota Prius or Honda CRV for sure. Ok then what's going to be the next classic gun, Glock 17, Shield 2.0 or 442 S&W with a lock built in? I don't see many true classics. Perhaps the Colt Anaconda or Python possibly but I sure don't see any Tupperware gun anymore than I see a Yugo becoming a classic.

One thing for sure, whether we feel the prices are out of sight right now or not, any quality gun we buy today will be worth much more ten years from now. You can take that to the bank.

 

[Xfuzz]

Doing shows a long time.
Promoters simply have too many.
I could hit a show near every weekend if I choose to.

Long as vendors keep buying tables and the folks show
at the gate I suppose things will stay the same.

 

[ken158]

When I started going to gun shows in the early 1970s it was the Wild West compared to now! by the late '70s I was "setting up" at tables and selling for myself. I haven't set up a table since pre-Covid, but I plan to do so this Spring, so I'm looking at prices I'm seeing here and elsewhere in hopes of getting some good work done. Looks like all of my old stock has gotten more valuable!

Froggie

Value is determined by buyers - not sellers. In my area, gun show prices are sellers looking for suckers.

 

[Model5]

Speaking of gunshows in parking lots and abandoned buildings. About 10 years ago I went to a flea market in southern Indiana while visiting my wife's grandparents. It was a huge ordeal they did every Wednesday. Had stock auctions and other auctions of odds n ends as well as farm equipment. Then they had hundreds of vendors with tables of anything you could ask for. And the thing I had never before seen at the few flea markets I've been to in my home state of Tennessee, were the amount of tables full of guns. Antique guns to ar-15s. I always chuckle when the media references the gun show loophole. But in the back of my mind I ask "what about the obscure flea market loophole?". A little of topic but I figured it would fit nice here.

 

[dmar]

Value is determined by buyers - not sellers. In my area, gun show prices are sellers looking for suckers.

Couldn't agree more. Years ago most guys that had tables of used guns were pretty realistic with their prices, and then you always had a table or two with stupid prices. I always looked at those guys as the guys that just liked to display their nice guns, and hang out with their buddies. If a sucker came by that was willing to pay the stupid money that was on the gun, then great, he'd sell a gun and make a giant profit. God bless America!

For the last several years (last couple especially), most guys just put stupid prices on all of their used guns and there seems to be a lot more suckers!! I've said to a few of the guys with foolishly priced guns, "are you looking to sell that gun, or just have it for sale...?"

I understand the market is up, inflation is real, and I'll pay the freight for a good example of what I'm looking for. What gets me are the guys that price the junk guns, fair and poor condition guns, as much as the high condition guns. Are you kidding me!!

 

[smoothshooter]

Speaking of gunshows in parking lots and abandoned buildings. About 10 years ago I went to a flea market in southern Indiana while visiting my wife's grandparents. It was a huge ordeal they did every Wednesday. Had stock auctions and other auctions of odds n ends as well as farm equipment. Then they had hundreds of vendors with tables of anything you could ask for. And the thing I had never before seen at the few flea markets I've been to in my home state of Tennessee, were the amount of tables full of guns. Antique guns to ar-15s. I always chuckle when the media references the gun show loophole. But in the back of my mind I ask "what about the obscure flea market loophole?". A little of topic but I figured it would fit nice here.

I know the one you are talking about. Down the road a half-mile from the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association headquarters and shooting complex that owns 600 acres outside Friendship, Indiana. Been there since 1933.
While at the matches one year I had a couple of hours free time and wandered over to the flea market, not knowing to expect and not realizing the magnitude of the thing.
It was just as you said-everything imaginable for sale. Guns everywhere, some dating from the mid-to late 1700's. Would like to have spent a couple of days there, but simply didn't have the time. Was in a heavily wooded area so there was plenty of shade.

 

[Speedo2]

I actually saw what I think was a good deal at a gun show today. First GS that I've been to in several years. Or at least not too bad of a deal, and probably one that I should have jumped on.

Howz about a nickel M17-3, factory refinished with box & docs for $1450? Originally a blued gun, sent back to factory (didn't notice the date stamp), complete with star stamped under its barrel and boxed "RN" stamped on the left-side grip frame. Looked to be a real factory nickel re-finish to me; but not one of the Twelve Revolver nickel K-22's.

Upon reflection, I'm figuring that any good M17-3 LNIB is going for around $900 these days, and a factory nickel refinish is no longer possible, so add another $500 for maybe a top-o-the line nickel job from Fords, so it almost adds up to the asking price. Perhaps more so, if we add a premium for the factory provenance.

Did I make a mistake in passing it up? I am a bit of a recovering K22 addict, so it wouldn't take too much enabling to get me to go sneaking back there tomorrow. Way back in the 70's this would probably been around a $250 gun, but those days are long gone. I will not yet divulge the particular gun show venue where it may still reside, but some of yinz are surely astute enough to figure it out. What do you guys think? -S2