Went to a gun show today looking for a model 10, maybe a model 64, allso took my ruger blackhawk rated at 98 percent, .357. I was thinking I could make an even trade, not even close. There was one model 64 with sights, 490.00, one stainless model 10, 480.00 (not even cleaned) and a blued model 10, with lanyard loop on butt, 500.00. One guy would give me 250.00 for my blackhawk on trade for the model 64 or stainless model 10. A local person has a 5" model 10-5 he would trade even up, a little rust speckled and cylinder holes are plenty dirty, have to think on that one a bit. I am thinking I would be better off trading for a new 10 or 64 ? I was offered 320.00 for the blackhawk by a couple people, so my gun is not a clunker. Are these guns this high in your area? thanks, chuck
High price at gun show
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.357magger
Member
The listed models are not high in my area but...imo, you are attempting to get value for your trade in the wrong place. You'll do MUCH better to sell your BH outright, webbased, take the cash, then bargain for the model you seek.
The days of "getting what you have into it" out of a gunshow seem to have passed us all by. They are no longer the bargain shoppers dreams they once were. Not saying you can't find real nice "finds" there, or super bargains, but at least in my area, it seems that gunshows have become a tool to fleece the impatient, the unknowing, or the gullible out of their cash.
Just my .02.
The days of "getting what you have into it" out of a gunshow seem to have passed us all by. They are no longer the bargain shoppers dreams they once were. Not saying you can't find real nice "finds" there, or super bargains, but at least in my area, it seems that gunshows have become a tool to fleece the impatient, the unknowing, or the gullible out of their cash.
Just my .02.
Welcome to your first gun show... they are called gun "shows" cause with the high prices you typically see, the dealers are just "showing" what they have - and you see the same stuff on the same tables...
If you haven't bought a lot of guns from a dealer and established a relationship you wiill hardly ever get a square deal on a trade. The dealer that knows you as a good customer will give you a better deal then ones you never met. This is because they know you buy a lot of guns and want you to come back often. I traded a S&W Moodel 66 with all the goodies for a mint Model 28-2 4 inch with out the goodies at my last show for my gun plus $50. I felt that was a fair deal for both of us and it was a dealer that I bought 7 S&W's from him in the past 2 years and we know each other well.
I agree the best way for you is to sell your blackhawk yourself and get decent money for it and then buy what you are looking for because then you have cash and most dealers will try to close the deal and deal a little.
There are also a lot of dealers at the gun show hoping to find the un-informed and sell their guns at high asking prices and they also often trade guns with other dealers. You will see the same guns at shows moving from dealer to dealer and I just laugh. I think they go around telling their buddies who are also dealers how the got the best of the deal when they traded with another dealer.
I agree the best way for you is to sell your blackhawk yourself and get decent money for it and then buy what you are looking for because then you have cash and most dealers will try to close the deal and deal a little.
There are also a lot of dealers at the gun show hoping to find the un-informed and sell their guns at high asking prices and they also often trade guns with other dealers. You will see the same guns at shows moving from dealer to dealer and I just laugh. I think they go around telling their buddies who are also dealers how the got the best of the deal when they traded with another dealer.
Hi:
There is something wrong in your parts of the world when you can't trade a 98% Ruger Blackhawk .357 even for a Smith and Wesson Model 10 .38spl.
I would trade with you in a heartbeat!
P.S. I am not a dealer and I don't have a Model 10 however I would be getting the best end of that trade. (IMHO)
Jimmy
There is something wrong in your parts of the world when you can't trade a 98% Ruger Blackhawk .357 even for a Smith and Wesson Model 10 .38spl.
I would trade with you in a heartbeat!
P.S. I am not a dealer and I don't have a Model 10 however I would be getting the best end of that trade. (IMHO)
Jimmy
I expect the dealer to make money on me, that's what it's all about, but from what I have seen today, I don't want to give him my gun and pay full used price on the gun I want. I allso tried the cash approach on the stainless model 10, he came down to 460.00. I just said I will think about it. I am not one to insult the seller with what I have to offer, unless his offer is close to what I am thinking, but when we are around 200.00 off, on a 350.00 gun?????? I can be kind of picky when I look at a used gun, I will allso keep it to myself, like not mention this gun has not been cleaned, as in the model 10 stainless, not sure I want to buy a gun that has not been cleaned for a high price. I will keep searching, maybe get a price on a new model 10 and 64. chuck
ever watch the show "Pawn Stars"? some dealers operate the same way. they have zero shame making lowball offers.
i shouldn't complain too much. i purchased a 3" 66-4 from the original owner that had brought it to a gun show to sell. none of the dealers would give him what he asked for it..$450..they were either too greedy for profit, or ignorant of what it could sell for. i had no problem giving him the money.
i shouldn't complain too much. i purchased a 3" 66-4 from the original owner that had brought it to a gun show to sell. none of the dealers would give him what he asked for it..$450..they were either too greedy for profit, or ignorant of what it could sell for. i had no problem giving him the money.
That's why I attempt to "wheel & deal" in the aisles...I've sold & bought that way for decades, very educational where each party is trying to gain the advantage...
fyimo always seems to hit the nail on the head.
And at gun shows, cash is king. The guns you are interested in are out there, sometimes sending a message to the seller who has one advertised on the net is a good way to go. I have sold guns on the net (not auction sites) where a guy is interested, but not at the price I have listed. We dicker, and the next thing you know, a deal is struck and we are both happy. I can't tell you how many of the same guns I see sitting on the same tables year after year at the gun shows. Obviously these dealers don't much care to sell them. Anyways I ramble...keep up the search, that is part of the fun.
Cap
bamabiker
Member
Since no one else has said it, a model 10 should not be stainless steel.
Shooting4life
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I pretty much gave up on gun shows. I was tired of the AR's and beef jerky and knives. I then took my wifes cousin to a show since he starting to get into guns. Went mid day on Sunday thought it would be the same old same old since anything worth buying would be snatched up.
Unexpectedly I ran across a 627pc blood work. Serial number 7 of the first run with a marked price of 1300. So sometimes it is worth it because their are people out there that still don't use the Internet.
Unexpectedly I ran across a 627pc blood work. Serial number 7 of the first run with a marked price of 1300. So sometimes it is worth it because their are people out there that still don't use the Internet.
nogoodnamesleft
Member
I'm always dissapointed at gun shows. AK's going for $500usd, and the biggest laugh was a BG380 going for $550usd. You can even point out the fact there's a firearm at the next table that is $380usd, and the guy will just chew on his beef jerky and look at you like you're an ***.
I still keep going to them, however...... I just like lookin' at all the stuff!!
I still keep going to them, however...... I just like lookin' at all the stuff!!
I see on S+W web site they show a model 64 without adj. site. Maybe a mistake? Maybe I had a senior moment when looking at (what I thought) the stainless model 10, could have sworn it said 10-7, doesn't really matter now. At one table the guys just laughed at me when I told them what I was looking for, they are the ones who offered me 250.00 for my blackhawk. chuck
gkitch
Member
There seems to be a new breed of "uninformed" too. Once, it was a guy who brought in a gun and had no idea what it was really worth....delighted that a dealer presented him with $200 for the heavy old 357 revolver his father carried as an FBI agent in the 30s' ("..by the way, do you want the holster and the box with that? I got 'em in the truck?").
Now, the "uninformed" seem to be personified by, say a gentleman who owns an 80's era police trade-in model 19 4" and goes on gunbroker and sees someone "selling" a NIB 3" 19 for $8K (with no buyers/bidders). He thinks the man who offers him a generous $400 is trying to rob him blind!
The dealers who seem to make the most money in the long run are those who treat people right and fair. Like a good mechanic or contractor, his reputation keeps him in business for the long haul.
Will Carry
Member
A guy went in to the gun shop I frequent, (Fuquay Gun and Gold) and asked, "Do you give Gun Show prices?" The owner replied "We can jack the prices up $30 if you want us to."
Model 64 with sights?
I've never seen a 64 with sights. That would be a model 65 When you add the shipping costs and FFL transfer fees to an auction purchase $75+/- the gun show prices don't seem too high to me And at a show you can really look the piece over.
Ischia
I've never seen a 64 with sights. That would be a model 65 When you add the shipping costs and FFL transfer fees to an auction purchase $75+/- the gun show prices don't seem too high to me And at a show you can really look the piece over.
Ischia
I was at the local show yesterday. Lots of very nice nickel and blue 10's for $350. A model 13 with 4" and a couple 15's for $400. Not a one had a box but all were 95%, the 13 and one 15 were 99%. The same guns on dealers tables were $150 more. When you're walking around a show, you can't be bashful about asking "Whatyagotandhowmuch?" Joe
Joe in SC
US Veteran
One of the larger shows I attend have the same dealers clustered around the entrance every single show. They have the same old stuff (some of it actually very nice but priced through the roof) on their tables and in their racks, show after show. They sit around and talk to the good ole boys and act like you're dumb as hell if you ask a question or ask to see a gun. It pisses them off to have to get up off their fat butts to deal with the public.
Let some one come along with a nice older long gun, pistol or revolver and you'd think they had been raised from the dead. There's even a guy or two allowed to float around the entrance waiting for un-informed seller to come through the portal. Not unlike a vulture circling.
I've stood and listened to the fat cat dealers do their price haggling on a Python or model 16 or something similar and they can be very convincing to a neophyte. Gun shows are a mere shadow of what they were back in the late sixties/early seventies, when I started attending.
Having said that, there are still some good dealers and reasonable deals to be had at gun shows. You've just got to wade through the fat cats and vultures gathered around the front door to get to them. You've also got to be an informed buyer to know the difference.
Let some one come along with a nice older long gun, pistol or revolver and you'd think they had been raised from the dead. There's even a guy or two allowed to float around the entrance waiting for un-informed seller to come through the portal. Not unlike a vulture circling.
I've stood and listened to the fat cat dealers do their price haggling on a Python or model 16 or something similar and they can be very convincing to a neophyte. Gun shows are a mere shadow of what they were back in the late sixties/early seventies, when I started attending.
Having said that, there are still some good dealers and reasonable deals to be had at gun shows. You've just got to wade through the fat cats and vultures gathered around the front door to get to them. You've also got to be an informed buyer to know the difference.
.357magger
Member
Mr. Hammerhead, meet Mr. Nail.
Badkarma 1
US Veteran
Had a similar experience at the local shop I frequent!
I went I'm to look at some snub model 64s that were police trade ins, and they were almost perfect with the exception of a few scuffs and scratches. So I offered my similar like new 4516-2 as trade and I was told by the manager that he had to "check his numbers" and disappeared in the back.
When he came out he offered me $375 for the .45 and wanted $450 for the 64!! Needless to say I still own the 4516-2 and pretty much am searching for a new place to spend my money!
As for the gun shows in my area; yeah we have the same crowd, but if you look carefully and shop around you can find a deal, like the 19-5 that I got for $350 and Colt 1991A1 for $600. Dale
I went I'm to look at some snub model 64s that were police trade ins, and they were almost perfect with the exception of a few scuffs and scratches. So I offered my similar like new 4516-2 as trade and I was told by the manager that he had to "check his numbers" and disappeared in the back.
When he came out he offered me $375 for the .45 and wanted $450 for the 64!! Needless to say I still own the 4516-2 and pretty much am searching for a new place to spend my money!
As for the gun shows in my area; yeah we have the same crowd, but if you look carefully and shop around you can find a deal, like the 19-5 that I got for $350 and Colt 1991A1 for $600. Dale
I stopped supporting gun shows a little more than a year ago...Here in okc they're now 12 to 15 dollars to get in,to enter a half full building that is strewn with garage sale grade **** for about 20% above store prices and Ammo that looks like surplus from WW2....I'm sure that if you frequent enough of them you might find a deal once upon a time,but at the prices they're charging here lately,I'll pass...I now either use gunbroker with great success,or buy new if that's what it calls for at the time...just my .02....
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I work both sides of the table. So let me give the table holders perspective as I see it. I am an enthusiast, got some nice pieces, take some of them to the gunshow. I really don't care if you buy one or not. I was happy to buy them and happy to take them home. A table costs $60 - $75 ... per table. I also buy/sell/collect old pocket watches and most of these shows are out of town, 500 miles or more away. I gotta get there, a room for 2 or 3 nights, gas, food, tables, association fees ... I usually spend $500 - $700 just on expenses. The only way to BREAK EVEN is to sell at a higher price than you paid. Some gun dealers are in the same boat, traveling hundreds of miles to the show. We gotta buy these things you know and we're buying from the same sources you are for the most part.
When someone brings a gun to my table, I estimate what I can sell it for - say $700 - and I offer $500. If you paid $850 for it, that's not my problem. If I were making $50 per gun sale, I'd sit home on my *** and be hundreds of dollars ahead.
Why do I go? To see some nice stuff and try to buy some of it. You can buy cheaper on the dealer side of the table. Everybody knows there are some expenses involved, but some think a dealer who makes more than $50 on a trade is a crook. So you spend a life time looking and learning, invest $50k in inventory, made $50 a trade and let me know how it works out.
Charlie
When someone brings a gun to my table, I estimate what I can sell it for - say $700 - and I offer $500. If you paid $850 for it, that's not my problem. If I were making $50 per gun sale, I'd sit home on my *** and be hundreds of dollars ahead.
Why do I go? To see some nice stuff and try to buy some of it. You can buy cheaper on the dealer side of the table. Everybody knows there are some expenses involved, but some think a dealer who makes more than $50 on a trade is a crook. So you spend a life time looking and learning, invest $50k in inventory, made $50 a trade and let me know how it works out.
Charlie
gr7070
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I go to a gun show once every year or so. After about that long I forget how bad the prices are and that many people are even worse. I swear off gun shows and then about a year later the memory has faded enough to try one again.
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Bullseye Smith
Member
My Friend and me would set-up at Dayton, OH all the time and what you have said is 100% true. We had to buy cheap and sell high or move alot of inventory. If we would sale alot on Sat. then we would cut prices for Sunday. Most of the time we went home with $500 to a $1000 on a good weekend. A bad would be us breaking even.
BobR1
Member
My last gunshow I purchased 3 each 50 cal ammo cans, and a Gerber splitting maul. The one before that some wood Midway loading blocks, and a couple thousand 38 special cases.
We had a show in Springfield this last weekend. My brother and I thought about going. Well $45 fuel, Probably $10 each to get in. Another $3 for a soda or water at the show. Another $10 for dinner after leaving. We decided to stay home and save our money.
We have hauled an as New 4586 with 4 Mags, Factory grips, and Hogue grips, box and papers to 3 shows. Dealers offer around $400 for it. I would guarantee it would be priced at $600 to $650 the next show.
If you ever find a bargain on a gun it will be someone carrying one around, not on a table.
I remember gunshows back in the 1980's where everyone was wheeling and dealing. No so today. Now days I do not really care if I go or not. I can buy guns cheaper on Gun Broker.
We had a show in Springfield this last weekend. My brother and I thought about going. Well $45 fuel, Probably $10 each to get in. Another $3 for a soda or water at the show. Another $10 for dinner after leaving. We decided to stay home and save our money.
We have hauled an as New 4586 with 4 Mags, Factory grips, and Hogue grips, box and papers to 3 shows. Dealers offer around $400 for it. I would guarantee it would be priced at $600 to $650 the next show.
If you ever find a bargain on a gun it will be someone carrying one around, not on a table.
I remember gunshows back in the 1980's where everyone was wheeling and dealing. No so today. Now days I do not really care if I go or not. I can buy guns cheaper on Gun Broker.
whoisavner
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in CA it's a bit different, since we cannot buy guns on the internet due to our marxist state regime. we have to buy them in state from the few dealers we have left in business here. so that jacks prices up tremendously here and the dealers all know it. all our gun stores are out of control expensive, especially for Smiths, the most expensive guns in the case except for H&K's and exotic stuff like that. the gun shows can thus be useful if you look and spend the time to compare and ask questions. and they usually have tons of good quality ammo if you need it right then and thus are willing to pay the state sales tax.
all of the guidance on this thread about the gun shows and what to look for is great - very helpful.
I've been to two gun shows (newb) and bought one gun at each, first my 66-7 for $595 which in Southern CA is about as good as you're going to do on a 4" Smith .357 bnib, and then at the second show I got a beautiful 1967 Ruger 10/22 with a walnut stock and pre-warning barrel in near mint condition for $220. I called that a good deal (in CA), even with the $18 cost of entry/parking and the mileage.
I always get a burger on the way there and eat in the parking lot before going in, I avoid their overpriced undercooked food vendors.
the comment about all the AR's and jerky made me LOL, so true. but I do feel very at home at the gun show, that is one reason I like going. being a conservative in SoCal is not easy, there are so many Leftists who hate us, so it's nice to be amongst my own people, even if some of them are selling donkey jerky and camo nighties and huge bowie knives no one ever uses.
I'm going to hit the OC gun show next weekend in Costa Mesa just for the heck of it. my next purchase will be some kind of HD shotgun.
all of the guidance on this thread about the gun shows and what to look for is great - very helpful.
I've been to two gun shows (newb) and bought one gun at each, first my 66-7 for $595 which in Southern CA is about as good as you're going to do on a 4" Smith .357 bnib, and then at the second show I got a beautiful 1967 Ruger 10/22 with a walnut stock and pre-warning barrel in near mint condition for $220. I called that a good deal (in CA), even with the $18 cost of entry/parking and the mileage.
I always get a burger on the way there and eat in the parking lot before going in, I avoid their overpriced undercooked food vendors.
the comment about all the AR's and jerky made me LOL, so true. but I do feel very at home at the gun show, that is one reason I like going. being a conservative in SoCal is not easy, there are so many Leftists who hate us, so it's nice to be amongst my own people, even if some of them are selling donkey jerky and camo nighties and huge bowie knives no one ever uses.
I'm going to hit the OC gun show next weekend in Costa Mesa just for the heck of it. my next purchase will be some kind of HD shotgun.
Allen-frame
Member
Gun shows are just like life. You pass on the idiots and gravitate toward
the informed gentlemen.
I spend the day,all day at the show. It is often tiring and tedious,
but the 'deal of the day' often makes up for it.
When you see me display some newfound treasure from a show I've
been to understand that represents 8 hours of work. Some difficult,
some fun.
I know a lot of people. i've been going for a long time now.
The only way to not be treated like a stranger is not to be one.
today was my first dealing with an antiques dealer I had never met before.
He saw just how much I appreciated the 44 Military we were discussing.
he had it marked at $850.,,which i thought was fair.
I simply asked for his bottom line price and he did some figuring as to what he had into the gun.
He came back with $700. and I bought it.
Mind you, I had looked at every gun in the whole damn show by that
time. Twice.
I also found a dealer selling off his ammo stock. Bought a case
of mag tech 38 jacketed for $180. that's $9. a box.
There is a deal a day out there for you. Whether show or pawn shop
or yard sale.
Your mission Mr. Phelps, should you choose to accept it,
is to have the patience to hunt down that deal and make it.
Regards
Allen Frame
the informed gentlemen.
I spend the day,all day at the show. It is often tiring and tedious,
but the 'deal of the day' often makes up for it.
When you see me display some newfound treasure from a show I've
been to understand that represents 8 hours of work. Some difficult,
some fun.
I know a lot of people. i've been going for a long time now.
The only way to not be treated like a stranger is not to be one.
today was my first dealing with an antiques dealer I had never met before.
He saw just how much I appreciated the 44 Military we were discussing.
he had it marked at $850.,,which i thought was fair.
I simply asked for his bottom line price and he did some figuring as to what he had into the gun.
He came back with $700. and I bought it.
Mind you, I had looked at every gun in the whole damn show by that
time. Twice.
I also found a dealer selling off his ammo stock. Bought a case
of mag tech 38 jacketed for $180. that's $9. a box.
There is a deal a day out there for you. Whether show or pawn shop
or yard sale.
Your mission Mr. Phelps, should you choose to accept it,
is to have the patience to hunt down that deal and make it.
Regards
Allen Frame
I agree with all of the above posters. Where I live there are maybe less than 5 good deals at any one gun show. You have to swim upstream through a lot of BS..to find that one or two. Yes there are a lot of games going on.
