Gun show yesterday...

[eskimo36]

I went to a small gun show yesterday, my first in a couple of years.  It was a very good reminder why i don't go to the smaller ones. $7 dollars for a bunch of crap with a few $1000-$3000 dollar guns mixed in.   Not to mention all the BS that is spread over what a gun is worth, ballistics, and what is the best gun ever.  I saw several H&R/NEF's there. I was looking for a very old slim profile 410 and saw none but saw some very crazy things.  A used 500 S&W handi in pallet wood marked 295 and a sportster in 17 HMR in synthetic stocks with a $20 scope marked $259.  In my mind that is not even a starting place to negotiate.  I had gone to my favorite gun shop before i went which had a like new pallet wood 280 and 223  for $189.  He also had a used 17 HMR with a $50 scope for $125.  Lots of new handi's on the rack in 500, 44, and the usual cast of calibers.   The local guys who take care of you are the way to go in book.  I will still go to Wanamaker's in Tulsa on occasion but I am not going to waste my money on the little shows.
Thanks for letting me vent...

[shaner]

iam with ya i stopped goin  yrs ago myself, i really hate to  pay 7bucks to be reminded my local dealer can order me a new one  for less then a used one at a show , and that in about anything cept maybe something your lookin for as a special , hard to find item,  as i always tell people support your local FFL cause if you dont he will become wally world fodder

[nomosendero]

Is the 7 bucks the admission charge? It is $3.00 in these parts.
I have seen the same thing with the Handi's at shows & other guns as well. Used ones are priced about like a new one in certain gun shops & new ones are silly. I have not bought a gun at a gun show in many years, but I do get accessories. I do get to visit some with friends that I seldom see elsewhere. The term "Gun Show" may be accurate as the guns are priced for "show" & not "go" in my view.
I saw a gun at a resent Mtn. Home AR. show I wanted, a M700VS in 308 & made note of it. Last Friday, I dropped by his shop (about 40 miles from the show) & traded for it. He was in a trading mood then.

[Mac11700]

Same goes around here...Most of them have a lot of good guns...but are commanding too high of prices on them..and a-lot of their ammo is very questionable..I normally won't waste my time with them anymore.

Mac

[quickdtoo]

The last gun show I went to was in the early 90's, cost then was $3 plus another $3 to park. 

Tim

[eskimo36]

The $7 was for admission....that was about a $1 a gun for the ones I was even remotely interested in.