The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Rastus on December 07, 2008, 09:31:20 AM

Title: Big Gun Show Slowdown----Activity Observation
Post by: Rastus on December 07, 2008, 09:31:20 AM
I was at the Grand Nationals here in Tulsa yesterday, just a month after the big 11 acre Wannamacher's show.  It was downright pleasant...ailses were open, the crowd was light to medium.  It was evident that the immediate buying binge is over for now.  If you haven't had a gun show in your area, your next one may be crowded, but they are frequent around here so there's an "outlet" for the concern every few weeks and it is clear initial demand was satiated and is on the way down for now.  I expect we'll have another run before BHO is sworn (what a joke) in.

Ammo prices were outrageous and firm.  Though there were mostly high priced tags on the EBR's, some were actually going for slightly above pre-BHO prices if you asked and were prepared to walk away.  Non-EBR rifles aren't moving too well.  Pistols are flying out and prices are high and firm.  Lot's of AR's still there and we know the factories are working overtime to turn out more.  If I add another it will be right after Christmas before New Year's...I am speculating that will be a bottom in activity and pricing.

Magazines...really hard to find.  I was surprised there were no real mag dealers there...there are always several big purveyors of magazines...but I know the big ones have internet store fronts so I surmise that's the big reason why they were absent.  The big reloader supplier we always see was there and they had a pretty fair amount of activity for the number of people at the show.  The reloading supply price was in line with mail order...tax included...so it was a bargain over shipping price at a minimum.

The "junk" dealers were heavily discounting...that would be the few tables with plastic toys, airsoft, etc.  In fact, some of the junk dealers were being a real pain this time like some kind of "hawker"...they must be really hurting. 



Title: Re: Big Gun Show Slowdown----Activity Observation
Post by: runstowin on December 07, 2008, 10:50:42 PM
Went to the Tanner Gun Show Saturday the 6th in Denver. I got there 50 mins. before it opened, only a few people, by 9 there was a tremendous line. After a few minutes the place was very crowded, saw no good deals on rifles or ammo, a waste of time. When I left at 10:30 They were only allowing more people in as people left, and there was a line with hundreds of people waiting to get in.
Title: Re: Big Gun Show Slowdown----Activity Observation
Post by: Rastus on December 08, 2008, 06:05:31 AM
Went to the Tanner Gun Show Saturday the 6th in Denver. I got there 50 mins. before it opened, only a few people, by 9 there was a tremendous line. After a few minutes the place was very crowded, saw no good deals on rifles or ammo, a waste of time. When I left at 10:30 They were only allowing more people in as people left, and there was a line with hundreds of people waiting to get in.

Was that the first show in the area since BHO became president elect?
Title: Re: Big Gun Show Slowdown----Activity Observation
Post by: kmitch200 on December 08, 2008, 10:51:17 AM
Crossroads of the West/Small Arms Review gunshow this weekend was JAMMED!!
I went on Friday and there were as many people there as most weekend days of other shows.

There were still deals to be had on mags, found one AR that had a reasonable price on it. (didn't buy it, don't need it)
Most of the so called 'assault weapons' were ridiculously priced. SKS's were more than what an AK was going for 2 months ago.
Ammo was being carted out on hand trucks - literally dozens of them!
Title: Re: Big Gun Show Slowdown----Activity Observation
Post by: runstowin on December 08, 2008, 06:13:28 PM
Was that the first show in the area since BHO became president elect?
Yes as far as Tanner goes, their previous show was Nov. 1 and 2.
Title: Re: Big Gun Show Slowdown----Activity Observation
Post by: Rastus on December 09, 2008, 06:21:46 AM
Crossroads of the West/Small Arms Review gunshow this weekend was JAMMED!!
I went on Friday and there were as many people there as most weekend days of other shows.

There were still deals to be had on mags, found one AR that had a reasonable price on it. (didn't buy it, don't need it)
Most of the so called 'assault weapons' were ridiculously priced. SKS's were more than what an AK was going for 2 months ago.
Ammo was being carted out on hand trucks - literally dozens of them!


Kmitch, was that the first show in your area since BHO became president elect?  I'm trying to gauge the depth of the buying frenzy.

Thanks,
Ken
Title: Re: Big Gun Show Slowdown----Activity Observation
Post by: mx451 on December 09, 2008, 07:34:34 PM
The first gun show in my area since march is comming up this weekend.  Im guessing it is going to be a zoo.  I dont even want to go but I feel like I have to just to see if I can get a deal on ammo.  I will give a report of the carnage.