Very Quiet Gun Show

[george burns]

Wow a normally packed show in Ft Pierce FL, was dead today, and it's been almost a year since the last one in this venue.
The place was literally empty. The vendors I do business with for years said this was the worse one yet, and things have been slowing down over the past year. The guys from Shoot Straight, which is probably the single largest dealer in FL with several stores and ranges, said they probably would not return.
I wonder if this is happening everyware or just one of those things?
They were dropping prices to new lows on just about every gun.
A 2 tone kimber Pro with Green laser grips that usually sells for around $1250 he let go for $1000.00, which is what a used one usually costs. I have to check on some of the prices and go back tomorrow, the Sig 1911's were priced in the 800 range on most well known high end models like the nightmare. The PPQ was under $549.00. All prices might have some wiggle room when it's time to buy or leave, but they pretty much stick to the numbers.

 

[BigG]

Sounds like time to buy, George!

 

[WhoMe?]

The last show I went to still had near panic level prices. When I politely asked about the price the answers I got were either "that's what I've got in it" or "that's what they are going for". Being a free market, I passed. When another show came around recently I decided it wasn't worth my time. Perhaps others are having a similar experience.

Good to hear there were some good deals at that show.

 

[Gik-tal]

gun show attendence

Last two shows I went to were lame, dealers had prices way out of line, cheaper to buy at the LGS than at the show, and very limited selections. Ammo was thru the roof, although it seems to be coming down a little, and reloading supplies were sparse and limited. They now charge you almost $10.00 just to get in, and once you do its not like it used to be where deals abound, now most dealers seem like they agree on a price and stick to it, so going from table to table there is little difference. Once in a while you might find a deal but not like the old days.

 

[JN01]

The attendance was way down at the shows I have attended the past couple of months. Seems to be fewer dealers as well. Ammo is a bit more available, but prices haven't come down much, even though the big box stores have most calibers (except .22 rimfire) readily available at half way decent prices.

 

[BSA1]

It is quickly becoming a buyers market. Assuming Republicans pick up enough seats in the Senate to block Obama the next couple years will be a great time to buy (and bad time to sell).

 

[greenlion]

I've quit going to gun shows. The prices are still outrageous for no good reason. Everything at the shows is "end of the world" this, and "Prepper" that. Surplus rifles and ammo have dried up. You can't get a decent deal on used firearms, and the new guns they are selling are cheaper at my local gun store.

Shooting was a whole lot more fun before everybody and his brother started buying tricked-out Ar15's, prepping for Zombieland, and hoarding ammo...

 

[MedWheeler]

I've quit going to gun shows. The prices are still outrageous for no good reason. Everything at the shows is "end of the world" this, and "Prepper" that. Surplus rifles and ammo have dried up. You can't get a decent deal on used firearms, and the new guns they are selling are cheaper at my local gun store.

Amen.

I live in the county, and didn't even know about it. There was another maybe two or three weeks ago in the next county to the north as well.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Posts 3and 4 mirror my experiences lately. I think a lot of folks panic bought and now have no funds for new stuff.

Personally I spent more than I should have this year. No more big expenses until next summer for me.

 

[MagnunJoe]

Buy everything u can righ now (guns & ammo) when HRC gets to the WH in 2 years it will be a sellers market again: for 8 years!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I pulled out of last weekends show.

Mostly due to table inconveniences but went to get a couple sumpins on saturday and to visit with a friend.

Yikes! Glad I didn't set up. What a wasteland. One thing I went for was a particular ammo and was nearly assaulted by the bored sales staff at "Wholesale Ammo".

9:30 Saturday morning and you coulda driven a truck down the aisles.

Of course, we have Small Arms Review in just over a month, so there's that. Also, Crossroads of the West has this area absolutely swamped with shows... well, what they call gun shows anyhow.

 

[rcmodel]

I about stopped going to the big gun-shows 3-4-5 years ago.

They had turned into a bunch of teen-age idiots dueling with fake Samurai swords in the crowded aisles.

Gawkers & gabbers standing three deep in front of all the tables with no intention of buying anything.

And more beef jerky, T-shirt, and Pakistan knife venders then I cared to navigate around anymore.

The little local shows are much more productive.
As some of those old geezers still dig some pretty nice old guns out from under the bed on occasion.

rc

 

[H&R Glock]

Gun show in Cadillac, MI. today was not advertised. The parking lot was bulging! There was more stuff here than ever before. I got 17 HMR for $11.99/box and a pound of Unique was $30. Steep on the powder, but when yer' out of Scglitz yer' out of beer! Buy ir or convert my pistols to propane! One seller had about 1 million rounds of 22 rimfire, but it was still $50/carton. You either had to pay for it or stop shooting. This show left me feeling happier for a change about the quality of shows.

 

[Onmilo]

Ours is first weekend in November.
I gotta pay my range dues. About the only reason I'm going...

 

[george burns]

Do you think it's possible that states that recently enacted more lax carry laws are where the action is. In FL we already had over a million CCW holders plus I am sure millions who don't have a permit as it's really not necessary unless you want to walk around the streets with a handgun. Here as in many states after the 3 day wait you can pick up your gun, and keep it in your home, car, or place of business with no permit, thus most folks who wanted a gun, have one, or several.
You can also walk around your property with a holstered gun, as long as you own it.

 

[Murphj01]

With availability of pretty much anything at the local GS and how badly price gouging has occurred at the last few gun shows I went to I have not gone the the last 3 or 4 in my area. Friends who went reported prices are still high. I figure it is better to support the local GS.

 

[Panzerschwein]

The last several shows I've been to have been highly dissapointing, and some not worth the effort to go to. This includes going to every gun show within 120 or so miles of here.

It just seems to be table after table of either new guns at scalping prices, or old abused beater guns and ruined classics selling for well over what they should bring in mint condition.

And that's only about 50% of the tables.

The rest are full of Chinese toys, junk knives, poorly made "native American" crafts, T-shirts, jerky and salsa.... basically everything in the world EXCEPT what I came there for.

GUN AND AMMUNITION !!!

I still go to the shows, but it's more out of boredom and optimism. I've found that the range I'm willing to drive to the gun shows has lessened lately, due to the above mentioned experiences I've had. As of late I've been looking into different estate sales and stuff, looking for some old gem of a gun that needs a home.

Just today I went to an estate sale, no luck. I was hoping there would be a little old lady there to sell me an unfired Colt python for $200 or something awesome like that, but no... a bunch of old tools and other stuff. Nuts!

 

[Swing]

Gunshows are a complete waste of time. Sounds like more are figuring this out.

 

[commygun]

As many have noted, the prices are beyond ridiculous. And the same old farts sit behind the tables and bitch about how slow it is.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

And more beef jerky, T-shirt, and Pakistan knife venders then I cared to navigate around anymore.

You aren't kidding. It seems 25% of the tables are just filled with total crap. If I wanted a stupid samari sword I'd go to a knife show, not buy some piece of junk pot metal sword made in a third world country. And oh yeah, I don't want a samari sword.

Not to mention I had a nazi approach me at the last show I was at. It was unpleasant and left me.......surprised and disgusted.

I really do think the high prices are killing things though. I haven't bought a gun at a gun show since 2007. The sellers got spoiled during the panic, and are going to have to lower their prices if they want sales.

 

[Pilot]

It is the marketplace at work.

 

[ku4hx]

I stopped going to shows in my local area about ten years ago. Consistently, vendors were local shops who were simply displaying their shelf goods on tables with the same price tags attached. There were no hand loading supplies and components, no military surplus and few actual gun vendors. There were vendors selling costume jewelry, the cheapest floppy holsters you imagine and lots of knives and swords, and most of that junk could be found any weekend at local flea markets.

I just got tired of paying an entry fee to see local store and flea market inventory. When you can find good value deals on loading supplies, guns and other items on the internet, why waste time and the entry fee at a show? I certainly understand supporting local businesses and I do so when I can. The problem there is I also have to live on a fixed retirement income. So within certain personal rules concerning value and quality, the lowest price/highest value gets my money. And for a long time that's not been gun shows.

 

[frankiestoys]

local shows are hit or miss With average prices at best . My LGS has a 10% down 10 month LA plan and fairly priced new /used firearms. Its really a Pawn Shop but he seems to sell more guns then anything else .ive never seen him but i was told ,they even have a GS on the premise . I try not to go anymore ,Maybe its me but I think a hot dog should come with every entry ticket to a show I remember getting charged one time a parking ticket on top of the admission .

 

[CDW4ME]

Going to gun show involves gas, admission fee, time and there is no guarantee I will see what I want at a competitive price.

Alternatively, I could use the money I would have spent in gas and admission fee toward shipping to order online and my time can be used for other things.

 

[BADUNAME13]

Very rarely do I not find SOMETHING at a gunshow worth having (or sell/trade)

It's true that last time it meant I got a Rossi princess (knock off of a Smith Ladysmith, but in .22 LR rather than the original BP .22 for $150.
And a HI point C9 for $50 (hey, it was $50!)
But it was SOMETHING (and too cheap to pass up)

But others lately have been:
Late 1920's S&W M&P .38 with flawless hard rubber grips for $240
SIG 226 Blackened stainless with night sites and rail (box, mags, etc) for $450
Eddystone Enfield 1917 WITH sling and Bayonett (NICE one) for $450
Buncha SMITH's.....
Heck, even a 95+% 3rd gen Nickled Dick special for $225

Mostly it's people walking around, but it can be tables too....

Slow down, take some time, and look around.

I'd rather spend $8 on a gunshow than go to a movie.