Gun Shows...

[Shooters Plus]

What ever happened to the "good/cheap" gun shows?
Used to could go to a gun show and find a few deals laying around. The past 4 or 5 i have been to have been a complete waste of time. Lots of stuff to look at but geeze the prices are higher than what you could go to your local dealer and buy. Not to mention how much cheaper you can get it online.
A few examples I saw this past weekend at our local show:

XM193 Lot #'s 22 thru 78 500rd cases - $179.
NIB DPMS complete bolt carriers - $139.
NIB Bushmaster 16" A3M4 - $1295.
Severely used 50cal. ammo cans - $8.00
NIB CCI Blazer Brass .40 50rd box - $14.50
NIB Glock 23 - $590.
EoTech 512's - $399.

What was so disappointing was that people were actually buying this stuff. If it hadn't been for the 4 or 5 scantly clad dressed gals I saw wondering around I would have felt like the $5.00 entry fee was a rip off. :freak:

[switch625]

Died with the '94 ban. Things change, goods only increase in price.

[GeorgiaGlockMan]

I agree most of the vendors' stuff is over priced. It is amazing that they sell much.

I don't enjoy them like I used to.

I have found a few deals at a couple in the last year when I was on a project in FL.

[JellyBelly]

Originally posted by switch625
Died with the '94 ban. Things change, goods only increase in price.

It's one thing to raise the price according to inflation it's something else entirely when the gun show dealers sell stuff for 10% higher than the shops in the community.

[jonathon]

I go just to look mostly..

Whats funny is if you go often to the same show.. you will see dealers(mostly small timers) that have stuff that is getting beat up from packing it to and from shows.

Ammo deals are good around here though.. have Outdoor Marksman and the NWAmmo guy..

last show, XM193 was freaking $140/500 :shocked:

I think someone found a stash of it somewhere and is selling it.. I wouldn't buy it though, not with the new Wolf M193 out there for a lot less.

[Skintop911]

Gunshows are goldmines, if you're looking for handy-blenders, junk chicom import knives, rubber band guns, quilts, assclown mall ninjas in BDUs, and petitions to sign.

[Shooters Plus]

Originally posted by Skintop911
Gunshows are goldmines, if you're looking for handy-blenders, junk chicom import knives, rubber band guns, quilts, assclown mall ninjas in BDUs, and petitions to sign.
You forgot the scented candles :)

[Skintop911]

Originally posted by uncle z
You forgot the scented candles :)

Hmmm, not at my show. I feel cheated.

[demusn79]

And beef jerkey.:)

[ShootCraps]

It must be your states. We have awesome shows in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Always a great deal on some guns and the ammo prices are sweet too.

Don't know how good the jerkey is, not real fond of it. ;)

And it costs $7 to get in. Well worth it.

[The-Fly]

for guns, the gunshows in Colorado suck unless you find a private party sale. However, for bulk ammo and sometimes accessories you can find really good deals. Virtually all the 9mm and half the 223 ammo i have are gun show buys. Last show i was at, i was getting 124gr 9mm FMJ for $95/1000. 223 was $150/1000 for 55gr, and its hot ammo too, i chronoed it at 3200fps outta my 16".

[crodeo]

Our gun shows have over priced used deer rifles, shotguns, revolvers and the occasional way overpriced AR's. Very rare to find ammo at decent prices. Mostly the same crap at walmart only more money.

[Sierra]

Local gunshows around Portland have been steadily decreasing in tables, decreasing product variety and increasing outlandish prices. However, there has been an upsurge in Airsoft, Beanie Babies, knives, jerky, overpriced food, jewelry, worn out body armor and glasses cleaning supplies.

Its better to stick to the internet.

[Gmountain]

Stripped AR lowers $100 or less out the door-that's pretty decent.

[Lumpy_3]

Originally posted by Skintop911
Gunshows are goldmines, if you're looking for handy-blenders, junk chicom import knives, rubber band guns, quilts, assclown mall ninjas in BDUs, and petitions to sign.

That, and bad black velvet Elvis paintings. I dont even acnoledge those peoples wright to exist in a gun show. If they dont change it soon its going to turn into a big flea market.

[ShootCraps]

Originally posted by Lumpy_3
If they dont change it soon its going to turn into a big flea market.


Then you need to talk to all the firearms dealers in your state and tell them to roger up and attend. The promoters can't force them.

[G19AR15]

Originally posted by ShootCraps
It must be your states. We have awesome shows in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Always a great deal on some guns and the ammo prices are sweet too.

Don't know how good the jerkey is, not real fond of it. ;)

And it costs $7 to get in. Well worth it.

I beg to differ. I went to the last show at Dulles...the "national gun show". It sucked. There wasn't a single deal in the building. Lots of vendors, but no deals. Gunshows are becoming a one-stop shopping convience, that's all.

[strack350]

same thing here with our "small" gunshows, everything is way overpriced, and the vendors seem bothered to even talk to you.:frown:

[Glockphobia]

i think i got a pretty good deal at my last gunshow.had been looking and researching ar-10's, found a NIB armalite ar-10 a4, 20"bbl, flattop,standard stock,1-20rnd mag. and the guy threw in 2-10rnd mags all for 1150.00 out the door.

[Leigh]

Originally posted by demusn79
And beef jerkey.:)

EXACTLY!

[Alchemy]

Originally posted by Sierra
Local gunshows around Portland have been steadily decreasing in tables, decreasing product variety and increasing outlandish prices. However, there has been an upsurge in Airsoft, Beanie Babies, knives, jerky, overpriced food, jewelry, worn out body armor and glasses cleaning supplies.

Its better to stick to the internet.

Sierra, It's good to see that I have'nt missed anything in the
last few years that I have missed the Expo shows. I usually go
for the ammo anyway...

Last August I went into Outdoor Marksman and left with 2 cases
of XM-193 for $179.95 a case. My how times have changed.

[breedbeyond]

I was just at the Portland one at the expo center last weekend, first gun show in 7 years! My how times have changed. Back then they were twice as big and there were deals to be found everywhere. Now it seems that it is nothing but a big flea market. Is there any hope for a good gun show in Oregon?

[matman]

My favorite thing is to have a GUN PERSON EVENT yet the door be posted NO LOADED FIREARMS OR AMMO BEYOND THIS POINT! Why do they think they are going to be booming if you are off limits to carry a gun there yet they are trying to sell you guns there!:soap:

Our last few shows have been interesting...
The firearms prices range from STEAL-to KILLING YOU!
Ammo is NON-Existing around here. The only dudes that had it had OLD 7.62X39 they had around for a while. One dealer said it came out of his stock pile. He only wanted $135.00 per 500...THIS IS WOLF AMMO I CAN get for 135 or less per 1000!

OK gunshows around here are mainly a place for the gun people to get together hang out and look at the goodies they enjoy most. It is fun but there are not many "DEALS" to be had at them that one couldn't get on the Internet!

[LTR]

Shows in my neck of the woods are large but have gone down hill over the years. The Wannemacher Show (4000+ tables) now gets $100 for a eight foot table. Get a dozen tables for the weekend and you have a lot of overhead to overcome. Dealers only bring the high$$$ stuff. It is amazing the money some folks spend at this shows when it is available locally for less. With that being said I did pick up some SA 7.62 battlepacks for $24 apeice. Nice used M14 mags for $20. Also a safequeen Oly Ultra Match for $600. Never been a Oly fan, but this thing is accurate.

LTR