Gun show Probability

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.
 
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.
 
"- 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???
 
Yeah Jon... I paid because I really wanted the gun... The gun community knows how he is, and most people wont deal with him.
 
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.
 
Yeah Jon buddy... but that was the first HP compact I've come across... and I aint seen one since. I just had to have it. It is basically a compact browning hi-power. 12 shot 9MM
 
One of my guns is an early serial# Springfield 1903, both barrel and receiver date 1911, that I inherited from my grandfather. I don't know if this is his service rifle from WW1 or not, but I tell everyone it is. ;)

So I started to gather up period correct accessories, utility belt, canteen, ammo pouches and the correct bayonet. Bayonet costs at the time were about $150 with the correct scabbard and I thought it was too much so I put it off. For too long. So I started the search again and guys were asking $300+ now, but after searching a few gun shows I found the correct bayonet, SA 1907 for $90 but no scabbard. A few weeks later my girlfriend drags me to an antique auction and guess what I found?!! A SA 1916 with the correct scabbard I'm missing. Scored that for $55.!! So I got the bayonet and scabbard I needed for $145.

Anybody need a SA 1916 bayonet?
 
I generally don't have the funds to buy guns often, so I usually don't have a specific item in mind when going to a gun show except for ammo (which I usually do get some of).

That being said, back when I was trying to find a decent condition s&w 36 with 3" barrel for a good price, I saw the perfect one at a booth and walked out with it about 30 minutes later. Great Day.

I'd really miss that revolver if I sold it to a stranger instead of a really good friend I know will take care of it (and let me borrow it whenever I get nostalgic :))
 
"- 7.62x39 ammo for $7/box of 20"
That's a deal???
Click to expand...

Um... yes. Have you been hiding under a rock the last 6 months?

You're lucky if you can even find ammo for anything less than $10/box of 20 -- for anything other than Mosin Nagant ammo. Even steel-cased AK ammo was $15-20/box during the panic.

$7/box of 7.62x39 is a good price right now. You'll be hard pressed to find anything better unless you buy bulk (which I usually don't, because i'm not a hoarder).
 
I can find lots of guns that I want at gun shows, but I am going to be paying way more than I should be for it.

Really I can find anything I want on the internet for at or below typical gun show prices around here.
 
"Um... yes. Have you been hiding under a rock the last 6 months?"

Um.....no, not a rock, just at Walmart buying it for $5 and change a box. You can also go on-line and find it cheaper than $7 a box. During the last 6 months I have bought a decent amount of ammo, at sane prices, by looking around a bit and being patient. Too many people paid "gouger" prices and perpetuated the foolishness.
 
I find out who the promoter for the show is. I have a pretty good idea which shows are going to have certain things, and which shows to avoid.
I've had pretty good luck finding what I am looking for if I stick to that plan. Although I rarely buy guns, more often it is accessories like mags, ammo, etc.
In fact I think I've only ever bought one gun at a show, a M1898 Krag rifle.
 
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