Prices are getting stupid

[oysterer]

I was at a show 2 weeks ago and saw a 629-1 4'', a bit dirty, but apparently one of those things where no more than 25 rounds of lead 44 specials were fired, maybe less, no flame cutting, no sign of wear anywhere and spend the last 35 years in the safe. Wood grips lost and a set of Pachs (I know...) on it. Asking 700 on Friday, I offered 600 and didn't get it. Went back Saturday and another guy behind the table said you want it...$500. My pants caught fire as I pulled the wallet. Set of grips on order as she is waiting on hold. A very very nice 1960s K38 masterpiece 6'' had a few tiny surface rust spots but nothing that can't be cured for $350. I general I feel the market is turning a bit softer than it was. Plus one can get lucky...and one should from time to time.

 

[gunnails]

I was at a show 2 weeks ago and saw a 629-1 4'', a bit dirty, but apparently one of those things where no more than 25 rounds of lead 44 specials were fired, maybe less, no flame cutting, no sign of wear anywhere and spend the last 35 years in the safe. Wood grips lost and a set of Pachs (I know...) on it. Asking 700 on Friday, I offered 600 and didn't get it. Went back Saturday and another guy behind the table said you want it...$500. My pants caught fire as I pulled the wallet. Set of grips on order as she is waiting on hold. A very very nice 1960s K38 masterpiece 6'' had a few tiny surface rust spots but nothing that can't be cured for $350. I general I feel the market is turning a bit softer than it was. Plus one can get lucky...and one should from time to time.

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What did decide on for grips?

 

[oysterer]

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What did decide on for grips?

some sort of tulipwood closeout at Altamont. I will see how that is. I am not looking forward to finding a factory N frame north of $150 for now but one day I stumble upon one someplace. I wish the Hogue Tamer would fit but that's only for round buts.

 

[ameridaddy]

...Finish looks to be 80-85% with a lot of pitting. I'd be scared of what I'd find under the Pacs considering the overall condition of the rest of it. Cylinder had a LOT of end shake and the blast shield looked very rough. .

Used to be a truck gun was something adequate power-wise that wasn't too pretty, showing signs of honest use and care, and could be depended upon for whatever purpose the owner intended for it.
It looks like "truck gun" nowadays means the seller tied it to his truck's bumper with a length of cord and dragged it to the show to give it patina, yannow?.
But it's P&R, so Collector Grade, right suckers?
Stuff like your experience is why I haven't been to a show in about two years.

 

[Tubbsy]

Seems in my area the price on S&Ws, P&R era has peeked. They aren't coming down but they aren't selling either. The bottom is creeping up and I see guns of low shooter bracket $700-$900. Same show you will find same model 85% shooters in same price range. Neither one are selling big. I do think it is young buyers having not much interest in revolvers or
classics like m70s, m12s, Ithaca 37s ect. The guys that have low condition
S&Ws and classics are trolling for suckers or they don't know what they are doing. I think they all buy a book and don't read the section on condition and go for top dollar price listed. Truth is we are dying off and the new generation wants the latest wicked looking firearms. The ones they see on the vidio games they play.

There are still a few of us young guys that appreciate walnut and blued steel more than plastic....

 

[vipermd]

I have come to hate gun shows. There used to be an excitement, of new & old guns at fair prices. I was able to go and enjoy the people, the stories, the energy, which seems to have gone away. The internet is a double edged sword, there may be some "good deals", but they have also become an excuse for someone to buy online because it is $5.00 cheaper??? The vendors seem to have increased prices to keep up with the costs of doing a show. Tables used to be $10-15, now it's $50-75 per table, hotel room, food,gas, time, and in many areas there maybe a show every weekend in a 50-70 mile radius, so people decide to wait till next week!! I wanted to open my shop, with a potbellied wood stove, free good coffee always brewing, a couch, chair to discuss guns, hunting, and related stories. Back then early 1990's you had Kmart, Sears, no internet, now you have Walmart, Gander, bass pro, etc, which are great to some extent, ( one stop shopping) but it has hurt the little store. I can not compete with Walmart ammo prices, so I do offer the benefit of knowledge, customer care, and free education. So I miss the old gun stores and gun shows and end up drinking coffee by myself. It is what it is, will it get better? who knows and better than what? Memories... Be Safe,

 

[TTSH]

I spotted this 27-2 at the same gun show where I picked up my pre-war .38 M&P today. Finish looks to be 80-85% with a lot of pitting. I'd be scared of what I'd find under the Pacs considering the overall condition of the rest of it. Cylinder had a LOT of end shake and the blast shield looked very rough. In my estimation, this would barely be a $450-$500 gun. I was floored when the guy said he was asking $950!

One of the many reasons I focus mostly on K-frame collecting is because N-frame prices are too often just plain nutty. So-so condition ones are typically over-priced and really, really nice ones are often crazy money. Thank God I'm not a big Magnum guy. I do just fine with my more reasonably priced J, K and L-frames.

As for the shows... Gun shows in my loony moonbat state are smaller and very different from gun shows in the free states. Private party sales are almost non-existent. The guns brought to the shows by the dealers are the same guns found in the dealer's shops. It is not a dumping ground for over-priced junk as I sometimes hear said about shows in the free states. Overall, I've done quite well at our MA shows. I certainly don't score big at every show... hardly! But I score often enough to keep going back. And even when I don't score, it's still an interesting day out.

 

[CH4]

Gun shows are places you take the stuff you want to get rid of.

If you want to "get rid of" stuff, PM me for my address.

 

[Erocksmash]

I have come to hate gun shows. There used to be an excitement, of new & old guns at fair prices. I was able to go and enjoy the people, the stories, the energy, which seems to have gone away. The internet is a double edged sword, there may be some "good deals", but they have also become an excuse for someone to buy online because it is $5.00 cheaper??? The vendors seem to have increased prices to keep up with the costs of doing a show. Tables used to be $10-15, now it's $50-75 per table, hotel room, food,gas, time, and in many areas there maybe a show every weekend in a 50-70 mile radius, so people decide to wait till next week!! I wanted to open my shop, with a potbellied wood stove, free good coffee always brewing, a couch, chair to discuss guns, hunting, and related stories. Back then early 1990's you had Kmart, Sears, no internet, now you have Walmart, Gander, bass pro, etc, which are great to some extent, ( one stop shopping) but it has hurt the little store. I can not compete with Walmart ammo prices, so I do offer the benefit of knowledge, customer care, and free education. So I miss the old gun stores and gun shows and end up drinking coffee by myself. It is what it is, will it get better? who knows and better than what? Memories... Be Safe,

I would have to agree sir ... one of my local shows has a big company that "sponsors" the show... this past weekend as in a week ago they were telling people "no private sales!"... come to find out they want everyone to go threw them buy low sell high all whilst being rude and telling you what you selling is junk... it's a shame because I'll no longer attend that show. It's really sad. We are the last of a dying breed

 

[TeamPB]

Well, in the last two months I have violated my pledge not to attend any shows, but the Colorado Gun Collectors Show and I was pleasantly surprised. Not by the firearms for sale, but by how well attended and busy the shows were. The wheel guns and classics I was interested were low grade and high priced as many of you have noted. I know prices are high out there, but as someone still building his (modest) collection I will carefully pay a high-ish price for high shooter grade firearms. I think I may be part of the problem!

 

[Bushytale]

I would have to agree sir ... one of my local shows has a big company that "sponsors" the show... this past weekend as in a week ago they were telling people "no private sales!"... come to find out they want everyone to go threw them buy low sell high all whilst being rude and telling you what you selling is junk... it's a shame because I'll no longer attend that show. It's really sad. We are the last of a dying breed

You must be talking about the shows put on by Shoot Straight? They put on some of the shows in the Miami Dade and Broward area. I live in south Broward and the only decent show for me is in West Palm Beach at the Fair Grounds by a different promoter . It is about 55 miles from me, but worth the extra drive.
The best show in Florida is the Lakeland Rifle and Pistol Club show put on 3 times a year. They have them in January, April and September. The January date is the best of the 3. Long drive for me at about 225 miles.

 

[Narragansett]

Went to a show last week and saw at least four 28-2s

Most like new and one with light muzzle wear. Couple had boxes
Prices were $499 to $900.

All over the spectrum on them. It was nice to see quality condition guns still around.

Reasonable. 900 might be a stretch, but a like new 499 should be yours

 

[Erocksmash]

You must be talking about the shows put on by Shoot Straight? They put on some of the shows in the Miami Dade and Broward area. I live in south Broward and the only decent show for me is in West Palm Beach at the Fair Grounds by a different promoter . It is about 55 miles from me, but worth the extra drive.
The best show in Florida is the Lakeland Rifle and Pistol Club show put on 3 times a year. They have them in January, April and September. The January date is the best of the 3. Long drive for me at about 225 miles.

Yep exactly who I'm talking about ... never herd of that Lakeland show ... I think I'll attend that one here in January

 

[NYlakesider]

Most gun shows I go to you see very few revolvers. Only a couple quality S&Ws both new and used and a a few single actions with most of then being Rugers.

You definitely can find more revolvers at some of the better brick & mortar LGS in the area.

 

[Mrnurse]

I Bought a 28-2 4 inch with about 70% finish, no pitting, ...without question a Police issue at 1 time..carried a bunch, shot little, paid $450.00 on GB.. Pack Rubber stock...I LOVE it because I shoot it Like 100 Rds a Month... I quit the safe queen stuff...now all shooters. I figure shooting 38 Spls in it should last another 50 years.... LOVE those N frames.... Built like a Tank.

 

[target tech]

The little gun show around here is hit or miss. Mostly miss, but last Sunday I was looking at a 2" model 10 no dash from a guy I've delt with in the past, and a very late 6" pre-model 10. Both guns were very nice condition, no boxes or anything, but clean. Prices on both of them weren't that crazy far off.

But as luck would have it, a friend from work showed up with the 631 kit gun that I made an offer for a year and a half ago. He had finally caved in and I wasn't missing that chance. So neither of the 10s went home with me, my gun budget isn't deep enough for two guns from one show.

So some times you just never know what might end up at a show.

 

[tlawler]

You must be talking about the shows put on by Shoot Straight? They put on some of the shows in the Miami Dade and Broward area. I live in south Broward and the only decent show for me is in West Palm Beach at the Fair Grounds by a different promoter . It is about 55 miles from me, but worth the extra drive.
The best show in Florida is the Lakeland Rifle and Pistol Club show put on 3 times a year. They have them in January, April and September. The January date is the best of the 3. Long drive for me at about 225 miles.

I refer to them as Khalid's Three Ring Circus. I avoid shoot straight shows and usually go to the Two Guys and Patriot Production shows. Fort Myers has the Fort Myers Gun, Knife, Civil War & Militaria Show that comes up periodically at the Araba Temple Shrine and is usually pretty good. This past weekends show was the first Florida Gun Expo show I went to. I haven't been to the Lakeland show in a while, but a while back, I brought up the idea that it would be a good place to meet up with fellow Floridians like the Ohio bunch does. If anybody else is up for it, we could plan on meeting at the big show in January.

 

[Erocksmash]

I refer to them as Khalid's Three Ring Circus. I avoid shoot straight shows and usually go to the Two Guys and Patriot Production shows. Fort Myers has the Fort Myers Gun, Knife, Civil War & Militaria Show that comes up periodically at the Araba Temple Shrine and is usually pretty good. This past weekends show was the first Florida Gun Expo show I went to. I haven't been to the Lakeland show in a while, but a while back, I brought up the idea that it would be a good place to meet up with fellow Floridians like the Ohio bunch does. If anybody else is up for it, we could plan on meeting at the big show in January.

That sound great I would be up for that

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. Erock, I live in Boca and agree with you completely. This promoter comes from a middle east banking family and has deep pockets. He is not a gun guy. I avoid his shows. I feel like he has his hands in my pockets.

 

[Erocksmash]

Mr. Erock, I live in Boca and agree with you completely. This promoter comes from a middle east banking family and has deep pockets. He is not a gun guy. I avoid his shows. I feel like he has his hands in my pockets.

They are done getting my business that's forsure