Gun Show Doldrums Report

[bulldog75]

Some of these guys at the gun show were very condescending and shady.

[texcaliber]

I went to one 6 months ago and will not go back. They had 440 rounds of 7.62X54R ammo for $150. I can order it by myself for $89 and most of the guns I could go to my local gunstore and pick up at 100 to 200 cheaper. No thanks I will stay loyalty to my gun shop.

The reason for the higher prices is simple, those dealers have to pay for the tables which ave. $75-125. The mark up is simple and in most cases the dealer shop prices are lower or can be negotiated. It is also the reason to horse trade or haggle at gun shows early or late not when they are going crazy with sales. The plain and simple truth is the dealer is already invested. You are not. I know some one will argue this to some degree with admission but, as I can only speak for MA shows, the dealer has to pay for admission also. No kidding. We do not even get a discount on parking(when applicable) anymore buying the pass in advance(security charge or some other BS). If you are ever going to find a gunshow worth admission it is going to be the smaller gun-club-show where most sellers are not big FFL dealers.

[Badgersmilk]

I've had gun store employee's whisper to me at show's.  "Here's our card.  Come by the shop Monday and we can work with you a little on the price.  It's costing us to be here, so the prices are firm."

Exactly what goes through people heads when they list their used guns for exactly the same price as the same model brand new???  I see it in every show and gun shop I've been to!     At best, they knock off 10 bucks if the stock is looks like a bobcat's been using it for a scratching post.   

[TAB]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Gun shows are like strip clubs.  You get to see alot, touch a little, but nothing ever comes home with you.

[rich642z]

I quit going to gun shows last year.   And,I agree with others, you can go to your nearest gunshop to find better prices and not have to pay for entry fees.   And you see the same guns at the gunstores like at the gunshows.   rich642z

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[seeker_two]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Gun shows are like strip clubs.  You get to see alot, touch a little, but nothing ever comes home with you.

Agreed....I go to gun shows to see the different types out there....when I get ready to buy, I go to the local gun store....

[ellis4538]

I guess I'm lucky.  GS's here in NEOhio are pretty good.  AR's abound at good prices (sorry, I don't know much about AK's).  AR Mags are plentiful and at good prices (both new and used).  Like everywhere, .380 ammo and reloading equipment/components are still high (except brass which is reasonable).  All types of ammo are starting to show up with the prices down on non-PD ammo.  Most once fired brass is plentyful and a little cheaper than it has been.  Jacketed bullets are still too high.  HG and long guns/shotguns are reasonable but most dealers aren't getting or able to get newer stuff.

FWIW

Richard

[garand4life]

Ar's were plentiful but still wwwwwaaaaaaaayyyyy more than their worth. S&W M+P 15t, it's a ligit AR at less than a thousand bucks, but $1200-$1400???

If $1400 was all they were asking for a M&P15T that's not bad since they list for about $2000. Full length free floated Troy Industries quadrail with Troy flip-up sights on top of an awesome "Stag Arms" AR isn't too bad since it cost me about as mush to accomplish the same basic machine by my own means.