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Went to the "Fun" Show today.

Left without buying a single thing.

Is it just me?
Or are those dealers crazy what they want for decent clean USED handguns?

I've seen way better deals on the on-line gun auction sites!

I will not waste my time and money in Pasadena until I hear that something has changed substantially.

- Jim

I didn't know it was going on right now and i'm glad you posted about their prices there. Because i would have never known they were overpriced at that particular show.

As a rule, local dealers are overpriced on their used guns.

However, if you're looking to buy new, Bachman Pawn and AJC Sports always have excellent prices at Pasadena. One comparison that I made today, a particular pistol was $399 today and $410 last week at Conroe.

Still, GRB shows tend to be a little more competitive due to a couple more dealers thrown in the mix, like Schramms.

I wound up only buying a few pounds of powder today, but my buddy bought a nice 700 BDL in .375 H&H.

I scan and remember the prices of almost every gun I look at and am quick to spot a deal.

So I won't make blanket statements about a show because I'll be picking up good buys fairly often.

I went to the GCA show about a month ago and was shocked by the prices. I could buy nearly any gun there for a great deal less online.
Dealers had better start to be more competitive, or they will not be in business long.

I can hardly think of anything I buy that I can't buy for cheaper online these days.

Gotta love the internet. I can buy the gun for the cheapest possible price and send a quick email with the FFL info and it's on its way. Even with the 20 dollar FFL fee of my local guy it's still way, way cheaper.

Even worse than the gun prices were the ammo prices. For example, WWB FMJ 9mm for >$10/box, compared to ~$7 at Academy. Similar disparity on .45ACP...Couldn't find any less expensivve hand loads either...

ammo is always more expensive at the gun show for some reason

mkim1120 wrote:ammo is always more expensive at the gun show for some reason

I bought 1,000 rounds of brass 7.62x39 for 80 bukcs or so at a gun show.
I thought it was a good deal at the time. Given the cost now it was, but I wondered if I could have got it cheaper elsewhere.

mkim1120 wrote:ammo is always more expensive at the gun show for some reason

I just started going to gun shows again after probably 7 or 8 years away...in general was surprised how the new handgun prices are generally in line with what you find at the local storefronts, and ammo was higher than the stores. Not at all like they used to be...always used to be able to pick up 500 or 1000 rounds of 9mm FMJ for plinking at significantly less than WWB prices. Man, sure sounds like I'm getting old...

I went to that show for one reason, to come back with an RRA AR-15 lower and did that. Probably could have bought it $10-$20 cheaper online but shipping and FFL would have evened it out. I almost made it out the door but came across another dealer with one LPK that included the RRA 2 stage NM trigger. No bargain but I now have what I want to start my first build and what I paid is not that far out of line considering availability these days.

As far as guns and ammo goes I didn't see many good deals. Enjoyed the show but I enjoy most I go to whether there are deals or not. I just enjoy being amoung all those guns and gun people. Some of the people are a bit strange but I'm much more comfortable among them than those at Walmart or a mall.

This seems like a better place for this than starting a new thread, so.....

Regarding the Dec 1-2, Real show at Pasadena.

Schramms is here and that apparently sparked AJC to do some extra price cutting. Everything is not marked down, but some items I saw were:

Ruger 22/45, 4" bull, blue $208 (about $40 off)

Heritage Rough Rider SA, .22/.22 mag, $135 (about $20 off)

Taurus 85 Ultra-Lite, blue, $264 (about $20-30 off)

Taurus 605 .357, blue, $265 (about $40 off)

Beretta 92FS, matte blue, with 3-15rd mags, $389 (has been $398 at GRB and was $410 at Conroe)

I didn't see any reciprocal discounting at Schramms, but Schramms was selling new Beretta CX4's in .40 for $458, which is about $100 off. I didn't ask whether they were the Cougar or 96 platform.

And for my C&R appetite, I had to choose between two excellent Mausers, a 1908 Brazilian and a Swedish M96. As I have another M96, the Brazilian had to come home with me. I'm hoping the dealer will still have the M96 when I can afford it.

Just wanted to establish that good deals can be found at Pasadena and other small shows. It just takes looking.

Oh, I can't remember who was looking for the Henry .22, but they were $325.

Mike1951 wrote:This seems like a better place for this than starting a new thread, so.....

Regarding the Dec 1-2, Real show at Pasadena.

Schramms is here and that apparently sparked AJC to do some extra price cutting. Everything is not marked down, but some items I saw were:

Ruger 22/45, 4" bull, blue $208 (about $40 off)

Heritage Rough Rider SA, .22/.22 mag, $135 (about $20 off)

Taurus 85 Ultra-Lite, blue, $264 (about $20-30 off)

Taurus 605 .357, blue, $265 (about $40 off)

Beretta 92FS, matte blue, with 3-15rd mags, $389 (has been $398 at GRB and was $410 at Conroe)

I didn't see any reciprocal discounting at Schramms, but Schramms was selling new Beretta CX4's in .40 for $458, which is about $100 off. I didn't ask whether they were the Cougar or 96 platform.

And for my C&R appetite, I had to choose between two excellent Mausers, a 1908 Brazilian and a Swedish M96. As I have another M96, the Brazilian had to come home with me. I'm hoping the dealer will still have the M96 when I can afford it.

Just wanted to establish that good deals can be found at Pasadena and other small shows. It just takes looking.

Oh, I can't remember who was looking for the Henry .22, but they were $325.

Thanks for the scouting report...This show is kinda near another issue just around the corner from the convention center...Depending on the timing...

I went to the show this weekend also.
Went this time just to get a few bits and a little ammo.
Took my time and strolled thru the entire show.
Again I saw a bunch of WAY overpriced used handguns.
Saw the EXACT same gun that was there two weeks ago and it was marked $100 MORE!
Saw one decent deal on an old model S&W .38 M&P and I would of jumped on it had I had the funds.
I did see AJC had a WW1 1911 re-pro for $885(IIRC). Thats a good price for that particular Colt. Again I would of bought it if I had the funds.
Same gun on another table was $995.
A fair number of Mil-Surps. Some a tad high, others WAY too high.
Found all the bits and pieces I needed.
Ammo prices are way up but everybody already knows that.

Was there again this afternoon and heard another vendor ask Alan of AJC if he had accomplished what he intended.

I'm sure he was referring to hurting Schramm's, but what really happened was smaller dealers being hurt as they couldn't compete.

Alan said he had sold far more than he expected for far less profit.

My guess is prices going back up accordingly.