Well Went to a local gun show today looking for a 5906 or 6906 not one to be found, the show had lots of tables set up but most of the items were new with very high price tags after talking to a few people found out most all were dealers thus the new items and prices , I miss the old days when you could go to a show and deal with a NON FFL guess those days are gone , how sad, did find a very nice S&W 915 with 2 mags no box or papers he was a private guy with just a few guns on his table ,he did come down to 350 from the 400 he was asking ,to me that was still high but I wanted the pistol so did pay the 350 because I was not happy with what I saw there and knew this would be my last time going to a show I was shocked not to see any older S&W pistols there , maybe Iam just old fashion .
No More Gun Shows
- Thread starter stumpie
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
italiansport
Member
I think a lot of us feel this way. I went thru the transistion from when gun show sellers were largely privite individuals/collectors to the point now where a show for the most part is a mobile retail gunshop.
I doubt if there's much that can be done about it as all the promoters care about is selling tables and making a buck. A lot of the enjoyment has gone out of this hobby in the past 20 years
Jim
I doubt if there's much that can be done about it as all the promoters care about is selling tables and making a buck. A lot of the enjoyment has gone out of this hobby in the past 20 years
Jim
I Agree , What I forgot to mention was how rude some of those guys were stopped at 2 tables and the guys were to busy talking to there fiends never asking me if they could help me, hate to say this but you get much better attention from Gander Mt.
I only started going to gun shows within the last couple of years. I still find some folks who are private sellers but I have noticed the pricing they are at least starting out with is from what they are seeing on gunbroker auctions. And the higher prices that some ask for and get once in a while versus the lower prices that often sells the gun.
My biggest complaint (from envy mostly) are the Smith enthusiasts who are private sellers too who get a few tables. They sell their wares for premium prices but get first dibs on anything "good" that shows up before the show opens to the public. But it is still fun to wander for me at this point and see what might be there.
In so many posts on this forum I am amazed at the local gun stores or pawn shops that have nice finds. Not the case at all near me in southern WI. Oh well, whine cry...LOL...at least I have plenty of cheese to go with my whine!
My biggest complaint (from envy mostly) are the Smith enthusiasts who are private sellers too who get a few tables. They sell their wares for premium prices but get first dibs on anything "good" that shows up before the show opens to the public. But it is still fun to wander for me at this point and see what might be there.
In so many posts on this forum I am amazed at the local gun stores or pawn shops that have nice finds. Not the case at all near me in southern WI. Oh well, whine cry...LOL...at least I have plenty of cheese to go with my whine!
Last edited:
I've noticed that the FFL world has been taken over by money-grubbing charlatans who are in it strictly for the money, not out of a love of guns.
I see a lot of them who think it's ok to screw customers out of as much money as possible.
Doing business in good faith is rare, these days.
After paying $8-$12 just to get in, and finding Gunbroker prices on everything, gun shows just aren't worth my time anymore.
I see a lot of them who think it's ok to screw customers out of as much money as possible.
Doing business in good faith is rare, these days.
After paying $8-$12 just to get in, and finding Gunbroker prices on everything, gun shows just aren't worth my time anymore.
Last edited:
Yep. I was pretty excited to move from a state without gunshows to one that had them. Paid my $8, had a grand in my pocket looking to buy some neat ****. Everything was horribly overpriced, nobody would haggle, and the amount of bull**** (political or otherwise) being spewed or advertised was super grating. Now I just check out our local armslist or other for sale forums to save the headache.
I never look for bargains at gun show. Usually I only look for small parts and accessories. Although the last one I went to I did find a 3" Model 64 at what I consider a really good price.
That's three good deals on guns in 10 years. I don't know if that's average or not.
That's three good deals on guns in 10 years. I don't know if that's average or not.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Gunshows are not like the old days!
You got to look close, and when you see one you like, try to make a deal.
The black autos have just about taken over.
Us revolver guys have to have patience.
If you go to a show looking for a specific gun, it had better be a really big show.
You got to look close, and when you see one you like, try to make a deal.
The black autos have just about taken over.
Us revolver guys have to have patience.
If you go to a show looking for a specific gun, it had better be a really big show.
gmiller0737
Member
20 or so years a go I went to every Local Gun Show Lately I may go to 1 or 2 a year & usualy leave empty handed,Non Gun items should not be allowed at all so tired of Beef Jerky & Jewelery they have no place @ a Gun Show
OldK22
Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2013
- Messages
- 622
- Reaction score
- 1,500
Gun Shows are like life they are what you make of them. Went to a very small militaria show (40 tables) this morning. Bought several things that really had nothing to do with "militaria". Full box of Remington 32 Short Rimfire for $40. Two Factory Sig 229 hi cap mags for $10 each. Five factory Beretta 96 hi cap mags for $4 each. One Walther PPKs mag for $10 and three new factory Colt AR 30 round mags for $20 total. Lets not forget the hotdog for $1.
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2012
- Messages
- 3,349
- Reaction score
- 5,578
I found a 19-3 at one a few years back, only because someone was selling it at a table at the exact minute I walked up. I generally don't go unless it's on my way to something else that day and I need to kill some time.
About the only things I look for at fun shows anymore are out-of-print ammo, and parts.
I get much better deals on guns at Ed's Pawn and Elite Pawn.
Especially used guns.
I see too many well-used guns with new gun prices at the fun shows.
That, and every flavor of AR and Combat Tupperware available (Again, better prices at Ed's and Elite).
Oh, also reloading components and equipment.
I often find these at shows where I don't find them available anywhere else, depending on exactly what I seek.
I get much better deals on guns at Ed's Pawn and Elite Pawn.
Especially used guns.
I see too many well-used guns with new gun prices at the fun shows.
That, and every flavor of AR and Combat Tupperware available (Again, better prices at Ed's and Elite).
Oh, also reloading components and equipment.
I often find these at shows where I don't find them available anywhere else, depending on exactly what I seek.
nocents
Member
I went to the traveling fun show this afternoon and the same thing here....AR's and a lot of acc. for same...and new polymer guns.....the first table I always go to is the mag seller from Michigan and and he has yet to disappoint .....2 4506 mags w/black followers...20 bucks a pop....no third gens. that I could find......and nice wheel guns can't be found with a search warrant...
gdnagle
US Veteran
Well since the internet the good deals have gone. Everyone knows that selling online will bring top dollar and more. Gun shows are getting to be overpriced dealers who think they are doing you a favor setting up their tables with merchandise that they try to sell for over MSRP, and trinkets and jerky. Like stumpie stated the dealers are too busy talking to their friends to talk to you. Seem like they want you to kiss their you know what to discuses anything because they are doing you a favor.
Last one I went to they were selling firearms for more then what GM was selling them for and you know GM isn't cheap and they were in the same complex so you could walk there and compare prices.
Last one I went to they were selling firearms for more then what GM was selling them for and you know GM isn't cheap and they were in the same complex so you could walk there and compare prices.
LVSteve
Member
I treat gunshows as an afternoon out and an excuse to (maybe) buy more ammo. It's not often I buy a gun, and when I do it's invariably a milsurp rifle.
I can see......
I can see dealers every day if I want if I look in the yellow pages or the internet or drive by their store. What I want to see are collectors and individuals like me that have something to offer in used guns.
I can see dealers every day if I want if I look in the yellow pages or the internet or drive by their store. What I want to see are collectors and individuals like me that have something to offer in used guns.
gunshow dealers sell what the majority of the public wants. if you want collector guns, then go to a collector show and pay the price. as stated, with the internet that we all know and love, news travels fast. the problem seems to be the prices. if you were selling a nice collectable gun, wouldn't you want the best price you could get?
Whether it is "collectable" or not I would indeed want to sell it for the best price that I could get. I don't blame anyone for trying to get the best price for their wares...I just have to decide where my price is as a buyer and walk away if we can't come to an agreement. But that ain't so easy sometimes.
AveragEd
Member
Gun shows have been taken over by the black gun crowd. Here in central Pennsylvania, more and more of them are promoted by Eagle Arms, a black gun dealer between Reading and Allentown - actually near Foglesville, if I'm correct. Anyway, when I see a show is an Eagle Arms production, I don't go. All you see are ARs, plastic handguns and wanna-be military types walking the aisles.
But there are two places that hold two shows each every year about a week apart each time, a local fire company and a small gun club. There I find exactly what all of you seem to prefer as well - guys like you and me selling their unwanteds or duplicates. I've bought some great pieces at those two shows and it is to the point that they are the only four shows I attend any more. If you're selective in the shows you attend, you will still find it worthwhile.
A dealer I know will not set up at a Pennsylvania gun show. He instead travels to Maryland, Virginia or West Virginia almost every weekend because, according to him, we Pennsylvania folks won't pay his asking prices. Good for us, I say!
Ed
But there are two places that hold two shows each every year about a week apart each time, a local fire company and a small gun club. There I find exactly what all of you seem to prefer as well - guys like you and me selling their unwanteds or duplicates. I've bought some great pieces at those two shows and it is to the point that they are the only four shows I attend any more. If you're selective in the shows you attend, you will still find it worthwhile.
A dealer I know will not set up at a Pennsylvania gun show. He instead travels to Maryland, Virginia or West Virginia almost every weekend because, according to him, we Pennsylvania folks won't pay his asking prices. Good for us, I say!
Ed
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
-
-
FINLAND - The Winter War 1939 -> NATO member 2023 - general matter about Finland- Latest: S&WshooterFIN
-
-
-
-
