Gun show prices - I don't think so

[Reverenddel]

Dark Sun, that group of guys who just sell pallets of canned Russian Ammo, and the "mag guys". There is also a table that sells QUALITY knives for BELOW book value, and I'm telling ya', that alone is worth it for $10+

But in truth? Gunshows don't market their wares according to the market. they're still running firearms 10-20% ABOVE LOCAL GUNSHOP PRICES!

And you can order, and have it delivered to a local guy for about the same price as the entry fee.

(Shrugs) Dunno. I enjoy working the gunshows, but I cannot see it viable in the future.

[Nevermore1]

I went to the show this weekend (first time going). My primary reason for going was to look at what they had and get "opinions" from the different vendors as to what would be a good small EDC for me when I dont want to carry my Glock 19. It was well worth the price if admission as I would have spent lots more on gas driving around to different shops to do the same thing. I don't think I would have gone if I wasn't looking for something specific. Now I need to decide whether or not to go back in July for a purchase (use my Dad's LE discount) or just hit up the shop down the street...

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[Mindflayer]

I would never ask a vendor at a gun show for advice on an EDC. I understand and appreciate the motive, but unless the guys at a gun shop know me and I them, I don't trust any advice I get. In fact, I've gotten unsolicited BAD advice from many of them.

The gun shows around here are pretty good, guys. I went to one in MI - it was right next to the bridal show, and my wife had enough of that and wanted to do something fun, so off to the gun show we went. It was every bit as expensive, and HORRIBLE. Lots of Nazi crap, and vendors wearing racially-offensive|politically-stupid shirts. Prices were thru the roof, and most of the guns were in those glass display and beat up.

Give me the more family feel of the gun shows here in the Old Dominion every day.

[Nevermore1]

I would never ask a vendor at a gun show for advice on an EDC. I understand and appreciate the motive, but unless the guys at a gun shop know me and I them, I don't trust any advice I get. In fact, I've gotten unsolicited BAD advice .

That's why I wanted to ask multiple vendors. There are no local shops in the area where the people know me. I am going to take their recommendations and research and rent them and base my purchase on how I like them. You can actually get a lot of helpful info and quickly figure out which ones are just pushing what they will make the most money off of and not what would suit your needs best.

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[TallEd]

I haven't seen the better prices people talk about at gun shows since the mid to late 90s. I like to go just to look around, but I agree that 13, or even 8 bucks can add up quickly for more than one person.

My background checks always come back delayed too, and on gun show days they might not come back until the next day. So I would have to buy a weekend ticket, or find out where the vendor would be Monday or Tuesday to go back and pick up any firearms I bought.

As far as gun prices go I usually pay 20-50% less from local dealers or ordering online. Surplus arms are usually on the 50% end. Either the vendors got greedy, or they don't know the best places to buy from.

I do like the beef jerky though. Anytime I do go I get a couple pounds. Haven't found a local source for that yet. Ordering online isn't an option because the shipping costs more than a pound of jerky or gun show admission.

[bikiboki]

I attended the Chantilly show on Friday...arriving around 1:30 with not much of a crowd in attendance. Primarily after ammunition, so I headed straight to the Georgia Arms booth. Alas, no .44 S&W Special available - that has been hard to find locally. Vendor said they were having problems with brass availability for the .44 Special. I did pick up some .357 and .44 Mag from them at a good price. Truthfully, Georgia Arms is the main reason I go to the show.

The entrance fee is high, but I bet the venue charges a real premium since it's in NOVA. If the ammunition I was seeking had been available...the entrance fee would surely have offset the shipping charge associated with on-line ordering. I think the next show is scheduled in July, so I'll go back and look again.

I was amazed at what other vendors were selling ammunition for...there was quite a bit of CCI .22LR available....IF you wanted to pay between 18 and 20 cents per round -- no thanks!!

Most firearms (handguns) were close to MSRP, although i did spot a few fair deals...and Trader Jerry's always seems to have the best prices on firearms.

Bill

[M1A4ME]

I've bought a couple of guns from Trader Jerry's. Good people, good prices. I used to buy from Dark Sun but the guy with glasses, tattoos and shaved head had his one opportunity to treat me like $hit a couple of years ago when I was trying to buy a rifle from him and I pass their tables by now. Between the way he treated me and the way I've seen him talk to the people that worked for him and other customers I don't care what their selection and pricing are, I'll pay someone else more for better service/treatment.

[Mindflayer]

M1A4ME, I had the same issue. Bought a Shield from Trader Jerry (IIRC), and as I was walking out, the same guy at Dark Sun starting yelling at me, asking if I would sell him the gun since he had customers asking for one. I told him that I was not interested, and he starts badmouthing me. Wut?!?

[Nevermore1]

:):)

M1A4ME, I had the same issue. Bought a Shield from Trader Jerry (IIRC), and as I was walking out, the same guy at Dark Sun starting yelling at me, asking if I would sell him the gun since he had customers asking for one. I told him that I was not interested, and he starts badmouthing me. Wut?!?

I'd sell it for 3 times what I just bought it for...

Now I know which vendor to avoid at the show!

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[UnderwaterMike]

Just saw this thread.

I volunteered at the VCDL table on FRI and the place was a ghost town. From what I heard, the rest of the weekend was pretty much the same. I think everyone's tapped out on spending for guns and ammo after the run-up over the last couple years. I know I am... but that didn't stop me from picking up a pair of SR1911's. I've been eyeballing that gun since it came out. Got a good, but not killer deal, so I figured I'd jump on it.

I usually pass by Trader Jerry's, Georgia Arms, Wild Bill's, and DK Firearms. Odds are I'll buy something from at least one of them at every show.

[dorminWS]

Just saw this thread.

I volunteered at the VCDL table on FRI and the place was a ghost town. From what I heard, the rest of the weekend was pretty much the same. I think everyone's tapped out on spending for guns and ammo after the run-up over the last couple years. I know I am... but that didn't stop me from picking up a pair of SR1911's. I've been eyeballing that gun since it came out. Got a good, but not killer deal, so I figured I'd jump on it.

I usually pass by Trader Jerry's, Georgia Arms, Wild Bill's, and DK Firearms. Odds are I'll buy something from at least one of them at every show.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Congrats on the brace of SR1911s. I've wanted a second one since I got the first so I'd have them to put in a double shoulder holster rig someday. Hard to beat the SR1911 for what you get for the money (or even a right smart MORE money), IMO.

[Reverenddel]

Dark Sun used to bother me, then I realized. The other dealers say, and kinda act the same way, but they HOLD it back until AFTER they make the sale!

Some of the crap I've heard come outta their mouths has me avoiding a few dealers, but I will not speak their names outta actual ETIQUETTE!

Bureaucrats, Politicians, and Anti-gunners/Progressive-Communists, I'll trash...

But i try my best to hold my tongue for those WITHIN the gun community.

[MarcSpaz]

Why? If someone is a screw-up, that's on them. If anything, I would want to make it know if someone was a jackass or an elitest. Don't want to deal with either of them.

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[0ne5hot]

Dark Sun used to bother me, then I realized. The other dealers say, and kinda act the same way, but they HOLD it back until AFTER they make the sale!

Some of the crap I've heard come outta their mouths has me avoiding a few dealers, but I will not speak their names outta actual ETIQUETTE!

That is one of the reasons that I'm getting a FFL. I know I look broke/poor (being an e-jew-kātid 20 something redneck) but I pay for all my gun purchases in cash so the only thing that might slow me up is a delay in the NICS. IMO there is no need EVER to talk crap about a customer even if they don't buy anything.

[dmharvey]

I went to that gun show...once...

[meadmkr]

Won't buy a firearm anymore thanks to chronic delays due to a common name as well as the VA SP system not handling UPIN. Shouldn't need to buy a 2-day ticket JUST to pick up the purchase or have to arrange for a transfer.

[Nevermore1]

Won't buy a firearm anymore thanks to chronic delays due to a common name as well as the VA SP system not handling UPIN. Shouldn't need to buy a 2-day ticket JUST to pick up the purchase or have to arrange for a transfer.

You would think that the vendors would be willing to have someone run it out of the building and complete the transaction so you wouldn't need a two day ticket if you had to go back. Or the venue could have a table set up right inside the door for this purpose. CC payments can be processed on phones now so that wouldn't be too difficult to do.

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