Gun Shows

[Doc B]

The big show here in Springfield Mo is held roughly every three months at the fairgrounds but even having regular shows the attendance is still incredible. It is so packed you can barely move, but all your other observations hold exactly here too. There are so many people carrying guns in it looks like a militia muster. There are probably 20% or more non-gun tables,especially cheap knives. Trades seem to be the common thread as well. I myself traded a used Taylors single action .45 for two new H&R single shots at the last show,one .30-30 and a .45-70. The dealer said he was trying to get something on his table people would pay cash for. Of course here in Springfield most dealers are asking more than the local dealers, there is just more selection. Most of the good deals are the private sales.

 

[CajunBass]

My wife and I attended, what to me anyway, was a pretty big show in Richmond a week or so ago.

When we got there the parking lot was packed, the police were directing traffic out front. Even with handicapped tags we had to park a ways from the building. When we got to the front, there was a long line stretching down the front of the building. Someone saw me pushing her in her wheelchair, and held the door open for me and we went right inside.

Not wanting to cut into the line, we went over the NRA booth, and renewed our NRA membership, and got free passes to the show, and went on in.

I wasn't planning to buy anything, but did have some cash in my pocket. I saw a number of Smith & Wessons at what I thought were good prices, but then I'm not really up on what's good and what's not. Let's just say they weren't high enough to make me say "no way." Nothing I couldn't live without though.

Lots of black rifles and plastic wunderguns. The usual knife, fake NAZI junk (hidden way back in the back I noticed), and beef jerky dealers. I don't remember seeing but one ammo dealer with a lot of inventory, but I wasn't really looking for it. I did buy a couple bags of 38's from him.

I bought my wife a necklace she wanted.

Good show I thought. We enjoyed it.

 

[Timberpigeon]

here in Iowa I'm pretty much seeing what Mc5AW is seeing. lots of trinkets mixed with tables full of semi-auto pistols and varment rifles. Seems like a pretty even split amongst the dealers between true pros and carney-folk. I'm only seeing a handful of pre-1980 SW revolvers and they are usually over priced.

 

[stantheman86]

Gun shows here in PA are very crowded, still a lot of fun but there seems to be a lot of people who just go for recreation or to get out of the house. I see the same dealers with the same overpriced guns on the table, sometimes the same ones they have had for years.

I have gotten a few good deals, it's still worth it for me to go and a good way to kill a Saturday afternoon. There's sometimes a few decent shooter grade Smiths and Rugers but they aren't as numerous as they were in 2000 or so.

 

[thedane]

I still attend gun shows in the greater Northern Va/Richmond Area. In the past several years I have noted that there are rarely any nice collector guns (Colt, S&W, WWII Military and a few others) at a reasonable price. I think most dealers either sell their pieces on the internet or try to sell them at a premium at gun shows.

If you want to buy a new gun you can usually pick up what you want. But not necessarily any cheaper than on the internet.

Savvy dealers know what they have and their prices reflect the going rate on the internet.

IMO the days of walking into a gun show and finding some great deals are over. At least, around here.

 

[stantheman86]

I know one thing, if you walk into a gun show looking to pay less than retail, you're gonna walk out with nothing.......

The days of $100 PD trade Model 10's and 64's are over, because dealers see them sell on GunBroker for $250.

 

[jrdameron3]

Gun Show Dates

Does anyone know a good website to find gun shows in the northeast mainly NY, NJ, Conn?????

 

[luangtom]

Shows in the NE GA and Atlanta perimeter areas seem to be hit or miss. Some have more than others. I see very few S&W products that are what I have in mind. Most are the lower-end J-frames or the black-guns in both handgun or rifles. Nothing I need or want. The few used K or L frames that I see are over-priced and generally not alot to choose from. I do see lotsa the same revolvers from one show to the next.

There seem to be more and more trinkets vendors with doo-dads, purses, candles and whatever that I thought I would never see at gun-shows. I go to have something to do and so the lack of anything desirable is not a big problem.

A couple of ammo-vendors seem to be doing okay at the last few shows. I find what I am looking for. Prices were not too outta line.

Crowd-wise, it, too, varies. Some have folks waiting to get in and then elbow to elbow throughout and others have just a few folks. Depends on the weather and the location, I guess. There are also folks that have a favorite or not-so-favorite show promoter that either brings in the paying public or keeps them away.

 

[CajunBass]

Does anyone know a good website to find gun shows in the northeast mainly NY, NJ, Conn?????

Just go to your search engine and type in "gun shows, ny, ny, conn" You migh want to spell the states out, but you probably don't need to. You'll find what you're looking for.

 

[Green Frog]

I started "doing" gunshows here in VA back in the early '70s. I went through a couple of stretches "behind the table" and continue to keep my contacts in the trade. Over the years I have collected or accumulated first, early High Standards, then single shot rifles (Winchester, Ballard, etc) and now am drifting into S&Ws, always with the idea of buying things that I would enjoy owning and shooting but which would maintain their value (or increase.) It is safe to say that the days of dealers going town to town with their large stocks of fine but cheap arms are over (if they ever existed.) Surpisingly, one of he big problems is the promoters... they try to have as many shows and wring as much money out of dealers and customers as possible. Tables that were once $5-10 are now approaching or even exceeding $100, admission is now uniformly more than the former table rent and so it goes.

But I keep going to gun shows because there are occasional sleepers, unusual items other people may not be interested in, and the opportunity to actually examine the merchandise and deal with the seller face-to-face. So, I'll see you at the next show!

Froggie

 

[rburg]

I read all these threads on gun shows. They're interesting to me for a number of reasons, but mainly because other people see things so differently from me. I figure the "lack of bargains" is because they really don't know what the current selling price of thing is today. You can use silver dollars (or quarters) as a benchmark. Over the years I've bought a fair number of them. At the last show, they were selling (not asking) for about $30 each. It wasn't long ago when I couldn't get $10 each. And the lookers were always commenting on how I was trying to gouge them. So buy your stuff from the next guy. Except he's not budging, either.

Its the same thing on used but good condition guns. When I try to get $450 for a nice M12, the folks think I'm trying to ream them. I've even heard they can buy them brand new for less. OK, try it and let me know how it works out for you. I think much of it is folks who don't get out much remembering what prices were 30 years ago. Or wishing they had the money to buy anything.

So I'm going to shock you folks. Prices have been going up. And some of the quality sure hasn't gone the same direction. If you want a gun built 30 years ago, its not going to sell for less like your old Buick or Vega. Prices are what they are. If anyone has a display with 1980 prices on their goods, the other dealers will swarm him during set up and leave the metal parts of the table. If that.

The big disconnect is between what all the vendors see for prices, and what the uninformed customers think is a fair price. If the vendors are wrong, they bring their guns home, or maybe adjust the prices a little for the next show. The customers just won't be buying any guns. And at the next shows, those prices often stay the same or go up even more.

I know, the like new K22 Outdoorsman's you could pick up for under $100 in the 1950s don't cost that much. 5 years ago you could buy them for $500 or so. Now the prices are over $1000 for the less than perfect guns, and going north. The days of the $500 examples and $100 box are now long gone. A good set will run $2000. If you gasp and make a rude comment, you're the fool, not the seller.

The values you used to know just don't hold true anymore. Guns sell for more today than they did just last year. If you don't believe it, sell me some of your best guns for the prices that were current back in 1995.

 

[m1gunner]

I have never been to a gunshow where I didn't see at least one smokin-hot deal, and this is still true these days. It may not be something I want, but I stay up enough on values to recognize a bargain when I see them.

And, yes, quality guns are going up in dollar value, and will increase in price more rapidly in the next few years due to economic conditions. When translated to gold or silver value, the gun prices will remain rather flat, though.

The way I figure it, if I have $1500 I want to shelter from inflation, I can buy an oz of gold, or several nice S&Ws. The gold is easier to store, but you can't shoot it.

edit to add: 30 bucks for a silver dollar is a good buy!

 

[k22fan]

Mr. Burg,

First, reread your excelent post on another gun show thread yeasterday or the day before, then try to view things from the perspective of a visitor who has the attitude you recomended. A vistor at the show for enjoyment, to talk with old friends, and without the demand that they find exactly what they want or a great deal to go home happy. It's unlikely I'll find a gun off my short list, so I walk around picking up interesting guns. I might just buy one on a whim but there's no reason not to shop the whole show first, just in case there is one on my short list or I spot the mythical under priced deal or another vendor's gun bites my fancy. I'm not there to dissapoint you personally, but it's also not my responsibility to make your business venture profitable or your hobby free. You're correct that it's unlikely I'll be expert on the current price of a gun I wasn't shopping for. Just to avoid making the table holder unhappy I often walk on without offering the price that would tempt me into buying the gun on a whim. Do you prefer that I say "nice" gun, set it down and walk on or make the offer?

Best Regards
Gil

 

[snoopdawg45]

gun shows

Just the opposite here in eastern washington and oregon. Dealer count is up and customer count also. It has been on the rise for the last 6 mo. I deel in old collectable ammo and it is out of site. They are also spending money on guns and related items. They are buying the mid range stuff, no hi end items.

John #1844

 

[GF]

"... make the offer?"

k22fan

You know, that's something that hasn't been said yet. First off there's a lot of people that come to gunshows with no money. I guess that's why they're "shows" but for those that do bring enough to buy a gun ... make an offer.
If it says "$700" on the hang tag it's not gonna' get bought for 400 but five-and-a-half might get his attention and a comeback of "how 'bout 6?"
You've done your home work on Smiff and Western forum dot com and you know what the revolver your looking at is worth.

So what the worse that can happen... he's gonna' say no!?!

A bad offer is worth a hundred lookers to a dealer. (Even Burg.)

GF

 

[Art Doc]

Little Rock shows keep getting bigger and bigger despite there now being at least twice as many as a couple years ago. When the doors open you can count on at least 300 folks standing in line and the line won't be gone for at least two hours.

I ask the dealers and most say they are making sales. The panic ammo buying is over (I recall the 1st show after Obama was elected when I saw buyer after buyer leaving the big ammo dealer's table with cases and cases stacked on handtrucks) but even with high unemployment and generally abysmal economic trends the shows seem to be doing well around here.

 

[keith44spl]

"... make the offer?"

You know, that's something that hasn't been said yet. First off there's a lot of people that come to gunshows with no money. I guess that's why they're "shows" but for those that do bring enough to buy a gun ... make an offer.
If it says "$700" on the hang tag it's not gonna' get bought for 400 but five-and-a-half might get his attention and a comeback of "how 'bout 6?"
You've done your home work on Smiff and Western forum dot com and you know what the revolver your looking at is worth.

So what the worse that can happen... he's gonna' say no!?!

A bad offer is worth a hundred lookers to a dealer. (Even Burg.)

GF

GF,

Ya done went and let my cat outta the bag...I show up...All hat and no cow (money) make one or two offers, get money off'n sidekick and split with booty...Simple tactic.

Oh, always keep one eye on Dick Burg, or better yet, hire someone to keep him under constance surveilance for to bird dog all the good deals

Dave

 

[old bear]

I'm one of those who do not keep up with the MOST current prices; I don't have the time or the interest. I also remember my buying my first M-10 2" for $80.00 and an M-19 6" a year later for $125.00, so I'm in serious sticker shock when I see the prices dealers are expecting these days. In-fact these prices, IMHO, are so outlandish that I assume dealers are expecting a fair counter offer. The main problem I have is with sellers who object to some routine inspections of their product and sellers who become angry if I make what I believe is fair counter offer.
To many dealers don't understand that the customer may not always be right but is always the customer and in the long run the seller needs the buyer more than the buyer needs the seller.

 

[rburg]

GF,



Oh, always keep one eye on Dick Burg,

GF knows that one won't work. He tried mugging me at the end of a vacant aisle back in December. Some poor old destitute guy ran me down right there with GF watching, then forced me to buy his 44 Military from him. Family heirloom, too. Guess he just wanted it to go to a loving home, Ya know? GF's problem? He hesitates and dawdles whilst Dick is quick to the draw with the cash money.

And a few years ago some very misguided soul wanted to meet me. Instead of taking mercy on him and taking him out for a drink, Lee pointed our way. Then let the cat out of the bag. He told the guy I don't exist, The guy with my name tag on was just the guy they pay to stand in for me today. The next day it'd be somebody else!

At least thats the version of the story Lee tells. But you know you can't trust him. According to his version, he was at his own tables when it happened. Anyone who's ever seen Lee knows he's never anyplace near his own table.