gun show yesterday?

[xd40lover]

i went to our hometown gun show yesterday. i enjoyed  seeing the old and the new (the black guns they were tempting to a old shooter thats never owned one) BUT is it just me thinking i have never been able to get a good deal at a gun show. I have tried to buy / trade/ sell.  no luck.  the time i was there i never saw one gun sold.  i can get a better deal at one of our self owned gun shop. i am starting to think these guys don't want to part from these toys. if i am wrong tell me!!!  xd40!! 

[Hazcat]

xd,

I have heard that by the time they pay for the tabel and other stuff that there is really no room to negotiate on guns.

Some times you can find ammo or brass, bullets, etc. at a reasonable price at shows but guns are better from your local shop or second hand at the local range.

Any way I like to keep the locals in business.  He'll be there when I need him.

[hodman]

I have almost stopped going to Gun Shows It seems to be more trouble than it is worth. At one time I would load the kids up a make a day of it. The only show that seems to be worth going to is the big Tulsa show I only will go to that once every couple of years.
Jon

[2HOW]

Seems like most firearms at shows are more expensive than if you order on line even with shipping, the only Thing I have found is ammo sometimes or the odd piece you dont see anywhere else. The best buys are from indivduals who bring their guns to sell or trade.

[Walter45Auto]

I've seen and gotten a few good deals at gun shows, but not many lately. Prices on everything have gone up.  The individuals really are the way to go to get good prices, or if you know one of the dealers real well, you might get a good one.

[Sponsor]

[Rastus]

I have almost stopped going to Gun Shows It seems to be more trouble than it is worth. At one time I would load the kids up a make a day of it. The only show that seems to be worth going to is the bug Tulsa show I only will go to that once every couple of years.
Jon

You might want to plan on going this fall.  The Tulsa mayor, Kathy "Nagin"-Taylor has annexed the fairgrounds and it is no longer Tulsa County property.  Kathy "Nagin"-Taylor is one of Bloomberg's anal dwelling butt monkeys so we could soon be see some kind of grandstanding that could end the biggest public gun show on the planet if she throws a temper tantrum.  She's a rich kid married to a rich guy and she flys from her estate in Florida intoTulsa on her private jet each week to dispense wisdom to Tulsa....some people call her Hillary's mini-me.

[Walter45Auto]

I've seen and gotten a few good deals at gun shows, but not many lately. Prices on everything have gone up.  The individuals really are the way to go to get good prices, or if you know one of the dealers real well, you might get a good one.

That said, I STILL enjoy going and spending a day there. I'm not one of these guys who only goes if I am looking for something. Unfortunately I don't have a chance to go very often anymore.

[m25operator]

To tell you the truth, I love gun shows, I admit there not what they used to be. In the old days people would actually show up to  SHOW THEIR GUNS, see my collection of Rugers, Smiths, 1903a3's, Garands etc.. and then came the buy, sell or trade. Now here in Texas it is much more commercial, but we have so many, ( 2-3 a month ) that it is very competitive, especially new stuff. I think Texas has always been 10% below retail ever since I started going. I own every thing I'll ever need unless I get to go to Africa for cape buffalo. So when I go, I look for deals, on anything, ammo, guns, holsters, slings, optics, memorabilia, etc... And I have a very good eye. I'm an oldtimer, used to have an FFL, for 9 years and I know what things should sell for. I rarely look for something in particular, but pay attention to every table and every person I see, with something for sale. Right now winchester 94's are something to look for, used to be you could find them all day for 150.00 to 200.00 now they've jumped to 400 + since winchester went nipples up. I'm somewhat of a Smith and Wesson afficianado, love wheel guns, so I'm always on the hunt. pre model number guns, or N frames of different calibers, but if I find a model 10 for a hundred bucks, it's coming home with me. Older rifles with good reputations, especially remington model 788's. I set myself a personal limit for guns like this. I bought my first one brand new at Gibson's if anyone remembers that store for  178.00, in 7mm08, it shot great from day one and is still in my possession, I currently have 3, but I told myself, I will not spend over 300.00 for one. When I decided I wanted a model 41 Smith and Wesson, I said the same thing, ( this was many moons ago) and it took me a year and a half to find one for 295.00. My advice, when your buying quality fireams, take your time and set your price. Don't overpay, there are times when you need it now, and so do what you got to do. Always inspect every thing you buy regardless of what it is, I've been burned a few times, but I'm a Smith, and can usually correct the defects. Sometimes thats what lowers the price, but they don't know I've got the parts at home to  correct it. I once helped a friend get a 10mm Glock for about a 100.00 off because  it was misassembled. And thats what makes it fun. Also I usually meet 9-10 of my friends as I go down the aisles.

On another note, I work one show every other month for Tac pro shooting range, and get to play the other side of the table. It's interesting both ways, I put out a few of my wares and look at what you guys are walking around with to sell. When your behind the table you get to see a lot of cool stuff, not that you want to buy it, but hey, a genuine ppsh, a primo winchester 1886, etc... and you say ( hello Sir, can I look at that? ).

I've been to some small town shows that were unbelievably out of touch with todays prices. LOL.

HAVE FUN GUYS AND GALS.

[xd40lover]

hey 25o.  thanks for the wisdom. sure would love to go to a Texas gun show, especially with a ex FFL man. probably never happen. to old/ to many miles on this end.