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handguns at gunshows
- Thread starter SPUSCG
- Start date
hoghunting
New member
I've purchased quite a few handguns at gun shows. I bought pistols and revolvers, both new and used, at good prices. I'm always looking at shows.
Yeah there's a BlueBook for firearms, perform a search for it. Also check local stores for their prices of said model as well as web-based stores. You may do the latter by googling. This will give you a better idea than the BlueBook IMO. I've saved thousands by researching before purchasing.
Lately, most of the prices I've seen are, well, just plain crazy! I've had great luck buying from sites like gunbroker and auctionarms. Reasonable, or even great prices, and not a single "dud" yet. A couple of them were much better than advertised, being almost new, not just "in excellent condition". My last two weren't spectacular deals, but the guns themselves shoot great, just aren't quite as pretty as I had hoped they would be. My new to me Beretta 92 had the dirtiest barrel I have ever seen in a gun that wasn't a basket case.
I'm not really sure a blue book is going to help you much....
figure out what you are looking for way before going to the show... then search for that gun or those guns on the internet gun selling / auction sights and you'll get an idea of the asking price. My experience in the past is a private sale at a gun show you are usually going to pay about $50 more for the same gun from a local dealer. Location (where around the country) has a lot to do with price too.
figure out what you are looking for way before going to the show... then search for that gun or those guns on the internet gun selling / auction sights and you'll get an idea of the asking price. My experience in the past is a private sale at a gun show you are usually going to pay about $50 more for the same gun from a local dealer. Location (where around the country) has a lot to do with price too.
Gun shows are a great place to shop around. There, you can see many different makes and models and get to handle them to help make your decision.
Beware that prices will vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Do some research on a few guns that interest you and find out what they are selling for. As with any purchase, it's Buyer Beware.
Beware that prices will vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Do some research on a few guns that interest you and find out what they are selling for. As with any purchase, it's Buyer Beware.
i just need a good revolver for HD/occassional carry when im in a sketchy neighborhood. And shooting at the range.
It's hard to go wrong with the Taurus 85UL snubbie. It shoots 5 .38 spcl. +P, and only weighs about 13 ounces. It's plenty accurate for close PD work. I put a set of Wolff lite springs in mine and the trigger pull is sweet in both SA and DA. They're around $300-$350 NIB.
Yea you gotta be up a little bit on what you are buying. Otherwise there are plenty of bad deals waiting for a sucker to show up. Even those of us that know guns cannot always get away unbitten. Simply no way to find all the tiny flaws in a gun without alot of time to examine it and you sure can't take it apart there. Don't expect the sellers to tell you exactly what the problem is, they apparently expect you to know what it is from a cursory inspection and once you pay, it is yours for good. Now some dealers at shows might stand behind their guns and guarantee them to be OK like a store would, but you better get that checked before buying and make sure you get a business card if there is no receipt being a personal gun. I have had my share of unpleasant suprises over the years. From buying something that looked cool/bargain/irresistable but was just outside my area of expertise.
hasbro_fan
New member
I've had good success.
Know your price ranges by checking gunbroker or auction arms.
Read up on what to look for when checking a potential purchase - there threads in some of the forums.
Know your price ranges by checking gunbroker or auction arms.
Read up on what to look for when checking a potential purchase - there threads in some of the forums.
Then you will miss out on some of the best deals. A lot of folks bring their guns to gunshows hoping to sell them. Dealers aren't going to offer them very much for it. You can offer a fair price and get a quick buy. As always know what you are looking at, what to look for, and the current value.im not just going to ask random people if their selling guns
im not just going to ask random people if their selling guns
You should. My wife and I sold/traded 3 guns at a recent show by just this method. I sold a faulty Keltec P-40 for $250 and she traded two well-used Keltec P-32s for a NIB S&W 317. I walked in the door with a handgun case in my hand and within 30 seconds, 3 people had asked me, "Wha'tcha got? You selling it?" Look at the private sales on the tables, too. Lots of good stuff there, most times for less than the dealers want. Don't be afraid to dicker.
if someone offers ill check it out but im not going to stop every gun toting guy a see to see if hes selling
Snob. No one's gonna walk up to you and say, "Hey, wanna buy a gun?" You haven't been to many gun shows, have you? Think of it as a giant tactical flea market.