Went to a gun show today

[Rugerfan]

Prices were all over the place. Used Ruger M77s were priced from $600 to $1600. Nothing special about any of them. SKSs over $500. Saw 2 T Bolts. Both WELL used. None w/ maple stocks . Both over $600. Saw 2-3 Marlin 39As all were $400 and up. 336s and 94s were $850+. Same with Winchesters.

Ammo was overpriced. Blazer 9mm for $35. Academy has the same stuff for $14.99. Needless to say I didn’t buy anything.

[sakodude]

Those gun prices are pretty much the nature of the beast these days. The well used T-Bolts could have been old models originally introduced in the mid 60's I believe. Those are quite collectable these days.
Now the ammo, that is just someone hoping for a sucker.

[Kansashunter]

I haven't been to a gun show for a while, I don't mind going but I have never found a deal on a gun, sometimes some ammo but not since things got scarce a few years ago. Hopefully you had a good time even though you couldn't find a deal.

[Rugerfan]

My sons and I went, so I did get to spend some time with them.
Someone there had 3-4 Colt Bisley SAAs. Don’t see those often around here. They were priced $2500-3000.

There was a big display of scopes, RMRs, etc from Osprey Optics. I’ve never heard of them. Labels say they have a 100% money back guarantee. Prices were pretty good.

[Elk Creek]

A 400 dollar 39a would have been hard to walk away from!

[jbp-ohio]

A 400 dollar 39a would have been hard to walk away from!

Depending on condition but..... yep.

[Wambli Ska]

A 400 dollar 39a would have been hard to walk away from!

At that price point all I’d need is a good bore and it’d be in my house.

[Rugerfan]

There were one or two that judging by the exterior the barrel might have been iffy. I don’t want one that bad.

[Rugerfan]

I’m gonna buy a Henry .22 one day. My grandson’s name is Henry so I’m gonna have to get him one!!

[Diver43]

My sons and I went, so I did get to spend some time with them.
Someone there had 3-4 Colt Bisley SAAs. Don’t see those often around here. They were priced $2500-3000.

There was a big display of scopes, RMRs, etc from Osprey Optics. I’ve never heard of them. Labels say they have a 100% money back guarantee. Prices were pretty good.

I have looked at those also. Couldn't find much about their scopes and they seem to be heavy.

[Wambli Ska]

Well I’m pretty excited about the next gun show. It’s a big’un! I did pretty good in its counterpart in Phoenix and the Vegas one should be fun to walk around in, especially since my daughter and son-in-law will be with me.

They’re a jewels in just about every show I go to and folks remember that most of the folks, especially the dealers, price for the new gun owners that don’t know any better. So far I’ve found about 90% of them are willing to negotiate a price that is fair and in some cases exceptional, especially if they realize you know what you are talking about.

And ammo? While many folks are just looking to scalp the sheep I just met a commercial hand loader that will do custom loads and even had a batch of 25-20 ready to roll at a reasonable price.

The trick is not to go to these with a hard idea of what you need, you are better off looking for targets of opportunity and being friendly to the dealers does not hurt at all. Just walk away from the a-holes, plenty more tables to cover.

[Gene L]

I have to avoid gun shows or I'll wind up buying guns I can't afford.

[Freezer]

I'm with Wanbli, you have to enter with an open mind. What are you looking for and be willing on to pass then come back later. There are also folks who will be willing to negotiate with a knowledgeable person. The vendors I really like want to talk and educate, my favorite was at the Cow Place in SF. He was selling a number of Turkish rifles. Their design was so a person on a camel could fire it. I told the man I didn't have the funds or need for his firearms, but was interested and intrigued. He spent a half hour educating me. At the end of the day, I returned to two tables I had visited and bought my PA 63 and a great set of Stiener binoculars, that I still have.