I will be retiring

[amazingflapjack]

Maybe if enough of us "retire" from attending gun shows, things would change? The "anti gun" folks don't have to do anything to close the "gun show loophole," they can just sit back and let greed and bovine scathology do their work for them. I stopped going a number opf years ago after being confronted by a semi-circle of cold stares when, instesd of repeating their little mantra about not being armed, I responded that I was in compliance with their rule. I was saying that I didn't agree with their requirement, but I was defering to their request, in order to enter their ballroom of balistic blowhards. Oh, they didn't like/understand what I had said, and even after admitting me to the "show," still unsure of "what that meant" continued, with hands hovering at their hips, to follow me around the floor, where we repeated the same phrases back and forth, when finally I told them to leave me alone, or arrest me. which they could not, even if I was armed, because what they were doing constituted a request. What really confused them was when I asked them how their "no gun" thing would work if I was one of the sellers-lots of mumbling and staring at the floor, and these were LEO's-the city, not the county-really lame. And then aftyer paying way too much, There was nothing in there that Caj, or anyone else above would have taken home. Lots of folks with glued on smiles that were immediately threatened if you even seemed like you might know which end the bullet came out. That's why I like the forum or GB to buy or sell. It is real. Flapjack.

 

[wbraswell]

All y'all griping about gun shows, so tell me where are the cheap priced guns? I don't like paying twice what I was paying in 1978, but everything else is twice as high, too. Guess what? The old farts at the shows back then didn't care about the young long hairs coming in then. If the price is too high, then negotiate. If it's still too high, walk away, or buy early.

 

[CJ]

...........The gun shows that I like are the ones on the outskirts in the smaller towns..........

+1

With the small shows, say 50 to 100 tables, I'm probably batting .400 or better. Little shows out in the country, with free parking, $5 admission and few or preferably no FFL dealers in attendance. Those are the guys who swoop down on all the goodies on set up day before us mere mortals have a chance to buy. I find the small shows are almost always, if not fruitful, at least they are interesting. There's always a few interesting and friendly characters that I enjoy talking with.

I don't attend the larger shows unless I want to sell. With the big crowds, the odds are better that I'll get the price I want if I walk the isles for a few hours toting my items that are looking for new homes. Other than that, I find the big shows expensive and mostly unproductive.

 

[beach elvis]

Mr. Burg, I seriously envy you guys who get to be there before the joint opens. That's the "REAL" gun show and prob'ly the closest to the way things were for all of us once upon a time.

At least there are guys like you who can report it here for the rest of us to live vicariously through you.

Thanx, bud.

 

[GatorFarmer]

$700 is actually around what a current production Model 64 will sell for in a shop. Thus the used pricing get skewed.

 

[NKJ nut]

Funny, it is the opposite for me.

I find most gunshows to be a Happy Hunting Ground to pick off great deals from under educated sellers/dealers.

A lot of us dealers are very Young. It's easy to take advantage of our youth and inexperience

NKJnut,
too TOO Young

 

[Babalooie]

Caj, I was going to wish you a happy retirement and mention that the Great State of Louisiana was losing a great attorney and defender of justice. Oh, well .........

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Yep, my collection of revolvers I obtained when everyone wanted a wondernine, and would rarely pay over $150 for, now are approaching the 400+% level it seems.

I still like going to shows on occasion, and always be sure to take along some decent "trading stock". I have an old N-frame or two that likes to go look at some relatives now and then, and I might actually let one go if the tire kickers want to pony up my real and quite reasonable considering the show market price.

The real fun begins when you are asked, "Watcha sellin' there?" by some yokel dealer. And he'll invariably reach for some dog-eared old blue book from about 1998 and proceed to look up what you have. But the key is to pick up some "ANIB" item he has on the table and ask him to show you "the BOOK" price on his item first for you since you are very interested in a possible trade ------->>>>>screeeeeeeeechhhhh!!!!

Actually, with the honest dealers, I usually tell them I have it priced at someone looking to buy rather than selling it for what a dealer can offer. Most seem to respect that. And I have managed to accomplish some reasonable trades that way.

 

[rburg]

Actually, with the honest dealers,

Hold on there, Hoss. Did you mention "honest dealers" with a straight face? I thought I saw one once, but it was just a guy with a mirror carrying it past my table!

 

[VAdoublegunner]

.....but it was just a guy with a mirror carrying it past my table!

Then you *must* be an honest one...a lot of them won't cast a reflection in a mirror!

 

[cowart]

Can someone explain to me why 50 people would be standing in line to meet some guy who drives a tow truck?

Not sure if this was actually a serious question. If it was, see
Lizard Lick Towing (TV Series 2011– ) - IMDb

I have never seen an episode, but it didn't look very good in the previews.

 

[SMK]

Most gun shows aren't what they used to be, but there are some good ones still. The overinflated junk shows are the ones I like to go to when I want an easy sale on a gun that I just want gone. Put a reasonable price on a decent gun and it will more often than not be sold 10 feet inside the door. No emails, no shipping.

Scott