Gun shows?

[wisconsinteacher]

I did not get a chance to go to the local gun show today. (I shoveled the roof) Tomorrow is the last day. Does a guy go right away or wait to the end and try to get a last minute deal? What is your approach?

 

[Rol_P]

I enjoy going to gun shows, especially with a friend. There are two trains of thought on gun shows, go early to catch the good stuff before it is sold, or go late the last day to cut a deal with merchants who do not want to pack merchandise and return it to inventory.. Can't tell which is best. Go and enjoy... Rol

 

[Elkman]

I used to go a lot with my dad, but after he passed I have not gone near as much. I really think going early is the best. If there any terrific deals when the doors are opened the you need to be there. If you are not they are gone. Many vendors may not stay the whole two or three days, so they are gone, earlier. In today's market there are fewer and fewer "deals" a good price won't last long.

 

[Elkman]

WT
I would still go if I was you, it beats looking at the snow.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Snow is a now on the list of bad 4 letter words. 5 hours to clean my roof off. One drift was 4 feet high.

 

[JD338]

No deals at gun shows these days, at least around here.
I'd go early and buy something before it is sold.

JD338

 

[1Shot]

I quit going to gun shows around my home area. If I need or want something I just wait until the same people that set up at the shows open their store on Monday and get what I want at a cheaper price than they had on it at the show. Also by the time you would pay for gas to get to the show plus paying average $8 to get in it is not worth it to me. Most shows have turned into flee markets with everything from baseball cards to beef jerky around my area.

 

[7mmJoe]

the last two I went to were not worth it. if your looking for antiques or harder to find items it might be worth it but as far as commercially available firearms, the gun shows were selling obviously used or banged up floor models at around $75-$100 over MSRP. This was FL the first time and SC a few weeks ago.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I usually go to shows early and cherry pick while there is picking to be done. Most dealers now do no even bother to come on Sunday and their used stuff is priced at new prices or higher!

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Well I just got back. 3 pounds of H4350 and 1 of 8208 XBR. I also grabbed 2 M1 clips and 2 small stone arrow heads for $1 each. A lot of lever actions and used bolt actions. If a guy was looking for a handgun, they had a lot of Glocks, Springfields, and Rugers to look at and compare feels. One guy had a lot of bullets and powder for $28 per pound. the bullets were in old boxes but with today's prices. Compared the local store, the powder is $2 less per pound and they do not have H4350. All in all, my goal of finding a 45-70, 35 Whelen or cheap Savage did not pan out.

 

[Elkman]

It sounds like a great day. I will bet it was far better than shoveling snow!!

 

[Charlie-NY]

I only go to the shows to avoid the winter doldrums. "Deals" on anything seem non-existent. Used guns @ new gun prices are common. Old components & out-dated ammo seem to be plentiful but rarely get sold. New powder was available for about $35 per lb. Selection was very limited. 22's were scarce but available for $70 a brick with one guy asking $90 for the few he had. Primers were going for 30% higher than they can found on line for.

This year I noticed many empty tables at the show and I was there at 9am on Saturday morning.
As much as I would love to justify the travel & cost to attend the shows buy getting a deal or by finding something unique that I couldn't find anywhere else, it rarely happens.

I just don't see how this works for the dealers or the attendees. But that's just the opinion of one guy. :roll:

 

[DrMike]

Can't speak for shows in the States, but it does seem that vendors at the shows here are pretty optimistic about the value of their goods. I've almost quit going to the shows.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

This was the first one I have been to in about 5 years. The only reason for going was to get out of the house. The $5 to get in goes to youth trap shooting so I am okay with that. I did see primers. Win RL for $36 per 1000. I am good on those so I passed. The only thing I really need to get by this summer was the H4350 but now I am good to go. Now it is time to warm up and hit the range.

 

[sask boy]

Well guys in this neck of the woods gun show pricing is retail or better. I have not gone to a show now for at least 2 years .
Most guys go now to meet friends & have a good chat :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DaveA37]

Early rather than late.

 

[JD338]

I went to the local show in Grand Rapids a couple years ago and was sticker shocked at the prices.
I also thought it was odd that they wouldn't allow concealed carry inside the show.

JD338

 

[big rifle man]

Went to a local gun show this past weekend for the first time in a long time as I was hoping to find some pistol powder which is almost non-existant. Stood in line behind roughly 50 people for about 15 minutes till the doors opened. I "quickly" went by tables to find the reloading area which is usually in the center of the auditorium and saw one table with six eight pound cans of powder. Two were Varget, two were CFE223, and two were IMR800X. I quickly picked up one of the IMR800X as it can be used in a variety of handgun calibers. Right behind me was another fellow who picked up the 2nd 8 pound can. I then walked the rest of the show and saw NO other cans of powder. A good friend of mine who runs a table said she's had powder on order for almost a "year". I'd really like to know what the heck is going on. At least for right now I'll be able to load and shoot.