Gun shows?

[QB]

Well I agree with nemesis......big time!!!!

The major gun dealers at the Big Town and Market Hall shows are considerably less than the local "storefront" dealers such as Rays or Bullet Trap. That goes for guns from $3500 to $250 (at least the ones I priced). And the selection among the various dealers for the most common models is great. They may not have a bunch of hard to find/rare or high end guns but sometimes they do have a few.

Ammo? Got some .380 ammo at the show for around $10 per 50. My range sells the SAME ammo for $19.50 (I know because I had a friend with me one day and she brought a .380 to shoot with "no ammo". I only had 9mm and .45 ACP with me so I went out and asked for a box of .380. I didn't ask the price because I thought it would be within a few dollars of what I paid at the gunshow.....well I sure got a surprise when I checked out, that's for sure).

And yes, the vendors with accessories are great to deal with .....it's nice to be able to try my gun in the holster, even put it on my belt and see how it feels. Same thing with cases or other items. And to have so much of a selection is fabulous.

I've been to a show when the vendors were setting up and it was no picnic. Lots of work to load and unload....and those that have to travel have lots of expenses.

I've learned who the "good" vendors are and which ones are lousy. And I try to reward the good vendors by purchasing from them if they have the product I need. No different than with "storefront" vendors.

I give a BIG THUMBS UP to most of the gunshow vendors.....it's a tough business and then you have to deal with "problem customers" (had to be polite and not get banned but you know the kind I'm talking about).

[jimlongley]

My experience with gun shows has been generally positive.

I make myself aware of the "right" prices for anything I might be looking for and stick to them. Over time I have gotten a "bargain" 1911, which I wanted to work up as a night fighter, and a couple of other things.

My wife got her PPKS at about 10% less than I would have expected her to pay.

I have never failed to get a deal on ammo.

I have sold a couple of guns for more than I expected to get.

[RPBrown]

Most of my weapons have been bought at a gun show. I have found prices to be a little less than a storefront in most cases. Bachman is a prime example. I got a S&W 1911 for $650.00 a couple of years ago and the next day at their store it was $700.00. Same way wit AJ's and my 625.

Some are higher but may come down in negotiations.

[QB]

Yep, Bachman's is about $50 higher on the gun if purchased from their store rather than the gunshow. I was in their store one day and found what I was looking for. I asked if they would sell it at the gunshow price since the gunshow was that very weekend (and I knew the gunshow price was cheaper). They flat out said NO. So I went to the gunshow and sure enough they had the gun there and it was $50 cheaper than in the storefront. I then went to Jeff Schramm and he matched the price and out the door I went with my new gun. The guys at Bachman know me and they KNEW I go to lots of the gunshows. Were they so stupid to think that I'd go to the gunshow and buy from them???? Obviously so!!!! By making me HAVE to go to the gunshow that weekend, they lost a sale and now they're the last dealer I'll buy from unless no one else has the gun in stock. It's not like the gun was a model that they only sold at their storefront!!!!!!

[Renegade]

Bachman runs it as two different businesses. The retail store has higher costs, so it charges more. I think it is a dumb idea, for the reasons you point out, but that was the explanation I was given.

[KBCraig]

George Washington's AR-15

sorry folks, you won't be seeing this on the market anytime soon. I bought it about a month ago and it's locked up tight in my safe next to the Taurus that Armstrong wore on the moon mission.

Of course, the upper has been replaced 7 times, and this is the third lower, but it's still GW's rifle...

[grim-bob]

So I'm thinking of going to my first gun show this up coming weekend in Fort Worth. Any comments on this show. Worth my time?

[Wildscar]

So I'm thinking of going to my first gun show this up coming weekend in Fort Worth. Any comments on this show. Worth my time?

All depends on what you are looking for. Some good deals can be found there. You just have to keep an open eye out. Does not hurt to go look around.

[HankB]

Other than some uncommon ammo (like Winchester Ranger 230 grain +P .45 ACP) it's been a while since I bought anything at the Saxet show in Austin. If you want something very ordinary and common - like a Glock 17 or 19 - you can probably find it at a reasonable price . . . but something a bit out of the ordinary or more sought after? Not impossible, but not likely, either. Private party sales are usually junky guns or absurdly overpriced, and the regulars - some of them - are real characters.

Like the guy with all the M1 Garands and accessories . . . did you know he has two gages for measuring throat and muzzle wear, one if he's selling and one if he's buying?

Or the guys selling identical PS90s . . . one for $1500, one for $2000.

Not to mention the guys selling genuine Klingon daggers.

And another guy asking $800 or $900 dollars for a badly worn Garand that was a special collector's item, because it had parts from all four of the M1's manufacturers . . .

Hmmm . . . I suppose it's about time for the non-922(r) compliant genuine Israeli FAL to show up again . . .

[Big Calhoun]

I've generally gone to look at and handle firearms that I've been interested in. So far, I've found most prices to be higher than what I could obtain the same weapon for locally. The whole cash vs. credit things kills me -- I understand they're trying to cover costs but IMO, if you can't keep up with the costs of doing business, you shouldn't be in business. I stopped purchasing from a local dealer for the very same reason and pretty much use Bullet Trap and Bass Pro exclusively.

I have found decent deals on magazines. At times, I've found it easier to locate a particular magazine I'm looking for at a show rather than at a retail location. I've also gotten good deals on ammo. I'd estimate that I've ended up saving somewhere between 5 and 10 percent buying ammo from shows versus locally. I'll be at the Market Hall show on Sep 22-23 looking for .223 ammo and the summer sausage dude...he's got some tasty stuff.

[shootthesheet]

have bought a few new guns at gun shows. I paid about $20-$50 more than the guns were worth but I wanted them then. I have also bought accessories there that are 20% or more higher even with shipping. What I laugh at every show I go to is the used guns that are the price or more than new guns other places. I like looking but rarely find anything I would buy. I am sure they make their money from the first time buyer like most small gun shops. I am sad to say that I think these dealers hurt the cause when they do that. I can't imagine how many potential shooters have bought poor quality guns for outrageous prices only to have them fail to work properly. Yes, it is a buyers responsibility. I personally would rather get less profit if I thought it would encourage others to get into shooting and especially our 2A rights. But, I don't make my living off of gun sales either.

[Rex B]

That's a good question, what is the special gunshow price? I can tell you.

It's the $300 spent on tables, $150 for diesel fuel, $175 for hotels, $400 to $500 for wages and the lesser incidental expenses. That's without considering the cost of an inventory of more than 3000 holsters or the support equipment necessary to make it all work.

The gun show starts early on Friday when everything gets loaded into the trailer for a 350 mile trip and the day ends late in the evening setting up for the weekend. Saturday morning begins at the show at 7am to be sure to be ready for customers when the door opens at 9am. You can expect to be on your feet constantly until 6pm and then it's time to lock up the cabinets and cover the displays.

Sunday usually allows for a later start and we don't get to the show until 7:30 am and its the same format but the show closes at 5pm. Then its pack up, load up and drive 350 miles until we have to unload because you don't leave $250,000 of holsters sitting on the street overnight.

At each gun show we take part in, we bring about 3,000 holsters, including about 1,000 left handers; for customers to view, try and select from and you can't do that online.

Now, what's the special gun show price? My understanding is that a gun show is a place where customers can come and purchase guns and associated items all under one roof, for their enjoyment and convenience. We provide a wide selection of holsters to our customers but I am not aware of any special pricing policies to take part in a gun show.

I am often asked "what's your best price?". Well, our best price would be a lot higher so that we could go home with some serious money in our pockets. We're a business just like Academy or the local gas station. What do they say when you ask "what's your special price?"

I think the average gun show attendee expects that to be balanced against savings from not having to rent/buy, maintain, heat, cool, light, insure, and staff a physical address 6 or 7 days a week. I'd also suggest your gun show presence replaces other traditional marketing media, at a better cost per impression and a very well-targeted (gotta be a pun there somewhere) audience.

I have had several retail auto parts stores over the years. I'd have given my right (choose an extremity) for the option to work a few weekends a month with an inventory I could haul in one load. And I'd have given up several margin points for the privilege.

Obviously enough people are content with your pricing to buy your product, so it's all good.

[nemesis]

I think the average gun show attendee expects that to be balanced against savings from not having to rent/buy, maintain, heat, cool, light, insure, and staff a physical address 6 or 7 days a week. I'd also suggest your gun show presence replaces other traditional marketing media, at a better cost per impression and a very well-targeted (gotta be a pun there somewhere) audience.

Obviously enough people are content with your pricing to buy your product, so it's all good.

You will be pleased to know that we do operate a retail facility; maintained, heated, cooled, lit, insured and staffed; Monday through Friday every week. Our presence in gun shows does increase revenue but not to the extent that some of the folks think. We do provide a hands-on resource for people to actually handle a substantial inventory of product before buying.

My point is that I don't see why we need to reduce our slim margins because we are participating a gun show. Wouldn't a flea market be a more appropriate place to locate bargain-basement items?

[Rex B]

Perhaps many people view a gun show as a firearms flea market. That's probably how they started out.

[rm9792]

I go mainly to handle stuff for decision making and to buy from individuals walking around. I have gotten good deals both buying and selling that way. I bought an AK from a guy for 175 and not an hour later a guy approached me an offered 400 for it. Was a fluke but has happened. I also go to buy supplies and accesories you dont see at stores like uncommon mags, grips, sights etc.