Gun Shows a Joke Anymore

[Moonman]

People that were around when Registered Magnums were $60 are facing larger problems now, the clock is almost finished winding down.

 

[Evil Dog]

Quit going to the local shows years ago.... have enough beef jerkey and camo t-shirts to last.

 

[chadwimc]

You guys are all living in the distant past. Wake up, and think about it.

Back in '74, you were driving a car that used fuel that cost you $.39 a gallon. Today fuel costs you 10 times as much. And maybe that new car cost you $3500, while today the better ones are at $35,000 or higher. You paid $2-3.00 to get inside, and today you get a bargain at only 3-5 times as much, not 10x.

And now you're complaining the gun you paid $159.95 for is prices at less than 10x, only 7-8 times as much. But its not a bargain because your scale is broken. It should be $1600.

And you could buy a coke for a dime, but now it costs you over a dollar in the vending machine. Except my son bought one outside the gunshow today in Louisville for $3.25! at the vending machine. That one even shocked me, but I realize its to prevent people from saving money and buying the machine bottles instead of the fountain cokes inside.

We can play this game on just about everything. Inflation has been going on for decades, and the prices (and your wages) have just played along. Sometimes the prices get a little ahead, sometimes (but we don't remember when) your wages come out in front.

Well put. I don't view gunshows as a shopping opportunity, but as a way to kill a Sunday afternoon. Finding a gun at a price I'm willing to pay is all gravy...

 

[johnsonl]

I guess it depends on the show. I spend an hour or two wandering the small tables. The older gents have the treasures. I found my 1927 .32 Regulation Police w/ matching box & papers for $500. I would rate it as unfired, 99%. After a good scrubbing, it has become my favorite shooter and is quite accurate.

 

[rburg]

I've been preaching (I've almost worn out this set of lips) for a long time. We all go for different reasons. Many of you just go so you have something to complain about. My partner Joe finally became a true believer. He now accepts the idea you've got to go to 10 gun shows before you score a killer deal. This was his tenth... So he bought the factory new .32-20 he's been looking for. Now his problem will be bringing himself to shoot a safe queen. He says he's got an M&P he's been trying to hatch for years, and he says its in better condition. Maybe he's just blowing smoke, but I bet he's been comparing them already tonight.

I've wandered into a lot of gun shops. Its a rare shop with even a single great S&W on sale. Today's show had literally hundreds of them. Yes the prices varied all over the map. Just like in gun shops. The only difference being you had so many guns to compare at the show. I realize I'm spoiled because I live in the middle of heaven, with a bunch of great shows within easy driving distance.

Part of the discussion here is based on different shows with vastly different numbers of vendors. Another part is based on our individual expectations. And some is related to peoples enjoyment of grumbling.

 

[ColColt]

Which show, ColColt? Knoxville? There are old men who come to the Nashville show who still have a lot of the same guns displayed on their table they had when I was a kid!

Yep-the one at the Expo Center. No deals to be found at all I didn't think. There was but two tables that sold reloading components and one didn't even have primers. I've used CCI primers since 1969 and not a single one has failed to go bang so, that's what I looked for. Only one table had them.

And now you're complaining the gun you paid $159.95 for is prices at less than 10x, only 7-8 times as much. But its not a bargain because your scale is broken. It should be $1600.

No, I'm not complaining just remembering some precious memories. Gas and cigarettes have gone up astronomically compared to firearms. You or anyone else can pay $1600+ for a 1911 but it ain't going to be me. As for S&W 1911's I think I saw less than half a dozen-mostly what you saw were Glocks and SA.

The main reason I go to the shows is to pick up components I can't find around town and don't have to pay some silly hazmat fee. I can't get Starline brass here nor can I get CCI primers and most powders I use like HS-6 and Universal. I have to drive 20 miles from here to get either but you'll find no Starline brass around.