Gun show Probability

[Mikef262]

You guys ever get what you really want from a gun show?? I mean being dead set on a certain gun, and leaving with it? Only has ever happened once to me. I either walk out empty handed, or with something else I've wanted, but not that big ticket item. Here of late I've been wanting a S&W model 14 or 15. Haven't quite decided which comes first, but I want them. I have a Remington R1 with a bunch of accessories I am considering trying to trade for one or both of those guns. But again, I barley ever walk out of a gun show with what I had in mind. The only time I did I went in wanting a Colt 357, and walked out with a Colt Lawman MKIII.

[Old Stony]

I went to one last weekend hoping to find a 5" M&P Pro 9mm. I walked out with some smelly candle stuff my wife wanted and a recipe for strawberry cake. Those shows can be disappointing...

[Prof Young]

Went to local show just yesterday. I went in the afternoon of the second day so the crowds had thinned out. Only about half the vendors actually had guns for sale. I talked to almost all the gun vendors and handled everything that looked even vaguely interesting. I didn't buy anything, but learned a bit more about guns in general and M1 carbines specifically. The admit price was five bucks and I got my money's worth out of the time.

Live well, be safe
Prof Young

[pete2]

I've had pretty good luck when I went after something I wanted even at the smaller shows. The show at Market Hall in Dallas usually has some of everything.

[Pahoo]

You guys ever get what you really want from a gun show??

Almost all the time but I usually have more than one item that I'm looking for. As far as other gun and knife stuff, I usually find what I'm looking for. I try and keep an open mind. I don't usually run into many SideLocks and they always catch my eye ....

Be Safe !!!

[jonnyc]

I've only ever gotten two guns at shows. One I was not expecting that was brought for me by a friend. The other time I was specifically looking for a Browning Buckmark and I brought along a Taurus PT22 to trade. I came home with the Buck and minus the Taurus. I always go with a specific "short list" in mind, and almost always come home without a gun. I do better with local and on-line deals.

[shastaboat]

Why would anyone even think they can get a good deal at a gun show now days. There are numerous S&W Mod 14 and 15's for sale on Gunbroker.com that will go for reasonable prices.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=349218099

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=349357899

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=348934439

[jag2]

I agree in general, but I've kind of lowered my expectations when going to a gun show so I'm not to disappointed. I also go to the market hall show in Dallas but don't see too much I like in older collector type guns and its been quite a while since I found any reloading components. I suggest you look into getting your C&R and spend some time on Gunbroker. I'm guessing I got my last ten guns online somewhere and most of my reloading stuff. If you want to go to heaven then try to make it to the big show in Tulsa. I'm pretty sure they have at least one of everything.

[buck460XVR]

I've yet to go to a gun show with something specific in mind and come home with it. My LGS is better at doin' that for me than most gun shows. Most times I come home with something else. I generally go with an open mind just to see what they have and to find a good deal. I've not fallen for the "smelly candle stuff" yet tho...........

[kilimanjaro]

The key to gun show happiness is to have a flexible list of what you want. Works for me, anyway.

[Kreyzhorse]

I don't usually have any thing in mind. The one time I went in looking a specific gun, a Walther PPK, I found a couple of examples but they were way over priced and I didn't even entertain buying them.

Gun shows, while there are a few deals around, are generally a place where you won't find a deal on a specific gun. Keep your list fluid and you'll eventually find a deal or two and walk out happy.

[Old Stony]

The Market Hall show can be a good one...I'll second that. Some honest competition is always good thing. I would sure like to see some of the dealers realize that their used guns aren't worth as much or more than a current new one though.

[easyliven88]

I agree with Shastaboat. My first time to a gun show I didn't really know what kind of prices to expect, was right after Sandy Hook. Prices for AR's and the like were easily $1400 or more, and that is what I was wanting to buy. I ended up with a beautiful Yugo SKS that I bullpuped and is now my shtf go to. Now before I buy anywhere I'm checking Gunbroker, way better deals, you just have to wait for your purchase to be shipped.

[Mikef262]

Anyone gone recently? Have you checked prices on revolvers? If so, what's the running price on a model 14 or model 15? Just trying to get a general idea of what to expect. There's a decent sized one coming up in my area around July 21 I may attend.

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Yeah, I have good luck at getting what I want a gun shows. That being said, I don't look for rare or exotic firearms at the shows. I usually don't go looking for firearms at the shows as much as accessories..

[Justice06RR]

Yes, I've been able to catch some decent deals *sometimes* at gun shows.

Here are a few:
- AR15 stripped lower receiver for under $100
- 7.62x54R ammo for $6/box of 20
- Knives for less than $10
- 7.62x39 ammo for $7/box of 20

Gun themselves are a hit-or-miss. The best deal I have bought was a Glock19 for $360, but that was November of last year.

[Bluestarlizzard]

The firearms market has changed. My dad did gun shows in the 80's and early 90's and actually made out like a bandit sometimes. For him, it seemed to be guns stores for specifics and gun shows for whatever caught his eye. He'd scope it out on Saterday and then buy Sunday evening, right before the sellers where packing up to go, to make a deal.

These days, if you're looking for something specific, you've got better luck going online. Gunshows seem less about getting deals on guns and finding something rare and more about, well, people getting ripped off. :/ I think you can still find good deals and rare finds, but they seem to be fewer and further between.

[Doyle]

I think the tables are a waste of time. Browse the crowd. The best deals are made with people walking into the show bringing something they want to sell.

[jersurf101]

I got the exact upper reciever I wanted for my AR. The guy could tell I really wanted and took it off of a lower he was selling as a whole gun.

I know its not a complete rifle but that YHM upper made my day and completed my first AR rifle.

[thedudeabides]

I found an old Colt Commander circa 1968 for a good price. And it hadn't been tinkered with, either.

That was about 5 years ago.

Lately gun shows have been a disappointment. They've morphed into a giant flea-market of non-gun-related crap and ridiculously overpriced guns sold by morons who think their 10 year old hicap is worth the same it was when it's new. There are a few dealers selling NIB stuff for decent prices, but they get mobbed and sell out--often people just buy because they see a crowd forming and sometimes think they can turn around and sell for a profit.

I usually just go with my uncle because he likes them so much, but mostly I return empty-handed.

[Mikef262]

I know what you mean. Its all knives, jewelry, foreign currency, candles, scented wax, cheap nylon holster stands, and just about everything but guns. Those are the big shows though. They have little ones around me every so often that has old rifles and older handguns. Sadly there aren't any soon.

[Glenn Dee]

I go to gun show's off and on... We have one show here (suncoast) that a pretty big show. But always the same show as last time.... very little new stuff, vary few good deals. Then there are the the big dealers to dominate the new gun market. Many of the used dealers are just as much showing off their wares as they are trying to sell them. One military collector I know sets up his table not to sell, but to buy.

The smaller shows are a bit better but the big dealers are starting to show up at them as well. I'm more likely to buy a gun at a small local show. I had luck as one show... I paid my $5. Saluted the starts n stripes (it was in an American Leagion hall) and went in... made a left, stopped at the first table.... And theeeere it was! I had been looking for ever for it... and here it was for sale. A FN High Power Compact. I was at a reasonable price. $450. As is done at gun shows I asked the seller if he could do any better on the price. Sure he said $500. If it was any other gun I would have told the seller what I really thought about his liniage. But I forked over the $500. I'll never do business with this butthat again. Unless of course he comes up with another FN HP compact.

[jonnyc]

"- 7.62x39 ammo for $7/box of 20"
That's a deal???

"I was at a reasonable price. $450. As is done at gun shows I asked the seller if he could do any better on the price. Sure he said $500. If it was any other gun I would have told the seller what I really thought about his liniage. But I forked over the $500. I'll never do business with this butthat again."

He upped it $50 because you asked to deal.........and you paid the higher price???

[Glenn Dee]

Yeah Jon... I paid because I really wanted the gun... The gun community knows how he is, and most people wont deal with him.

[Mikef262]

Wow, I would have told him to go do something else with the gun, and waited for a other one. That's sad that people do that, and get away with it. If people would quit taking his abuse, and tell him off, he might lose the cocky attitude.