Funny Things Heard at Gun Shows

[bowfin]

Okay, I'll start out:

My brother owns a .35 Whelen and Contender in .356 Winchester. I cruise by a table and the guy sitting there has 8 boxes of .358" 250 grain bullets. I call him over, as he is with my uncle and other brother.

He asks the vendor how much for all of them, and the guy starts his sales spiel:

"These are Speer Hot-Cor bullets, new in the box...they all appear to be unfired...":p

[Hardcast416taylor]

Over heard at a show by a table full of miltary rifles. "These French LaBel rifles are unfired and only been dropped once"!Robert

[Guesser]

"Never fired at night and never carried fast over rough terrain". The Winchester Model 67 boys rifle sold immediately for the asking price!!

[1Shirt]

"25% less than retail!" Yep, that's what he said!
1Shirt!:coffeecom

[NoZombies]

"Sure, you can shoot 22 hornet in your 10-22, it'll give it a lot more zip, too"

"This is genuine natural polymer Ivory"

"9mm largo was originally used by police officers in the Florida keys. Specifically key largo, why did you think they named it that?"

"No, that colt single action isn't a real antique. Look at it, there are no notches in the wood."

"This High-point is the same gun the police use"

[ErikO]

"These guns are only available here at the show; the buddy I am selling them for only sells at shows" in a state where interpersonal sales are basically unregulated. Guess his buddy doesn't know the markup this guy was doing...

[Bent Ramrod]

Table owner: "You should have been to the Cow Palace show last week. I had a rare Star-Gauged Arisaka rifle for sale."

Attendee: "That's OK. I already have a rare National Match Arisaka in my collection."

[Love Life]

Table owner: " This is the mossberg 500 with synthetic stock. These are rare as I haven't seen many of them"

Clueless person looking at buying: "Wow. Are they really that rare? I guess $600.00 isn't a bad price."

Yours truly: "I just looked on gunbroker with my blackberry and you can get new ones for $200.00 less. That one is used. Here I'll show you."

Table owner: "Get out of here"

Yours Truly " Scam artist"

It spiraled out of control at that point. I understand that people are trying to make money, but wow.

[Kraschenbirn]

Recently overheard offer by a gunshow dealer to a shooting buddy looking to trade a NIB Winchester Big Bore .444 for pistol-caliber levergun.

"Well, because it's unfired and you've got the factory box, I'll allow you $300 against any Marlin on the table."

Needless to say, my buddy passed on the deal 'cause I'd already offered $400 for gun...which is more than he paid for it!! (but that's another story).

Bill

[btroj]

This is why I don't go to many gun shows. Not many deals, lots of high prices, and way too much BS.

Nope, I can get what I need elsewhere and they can keep the manure.

[bowfin]

This is why I don't go to many gun shows. Not many deals, lots of high prices, and way too much BS.

btroj, I have had fair to middling luck at the one here in Columbus. Some shows I don't buy a thing, and at some I can carry out a bushel basket full of stuff.

[Trey45]

"If you can find it cheaper somewhere else, buy it"

Ok, I will. Thanks for your permission jackson.

[Bullet Caster]

Not overheard at a gun show, but overheard in Vietnam. ARVIN M-16 for sale. Never been fired and only dropped once. BC

[Love Life]

Big Reno Gun SHow was a really good show. You had a few of the sellers who thought their guns were made of solid gold, but for the most part thre were decent prices and some dang good deals.

[badbob454]

ditto on the Reno big show... i heard this one from miwall sales person at a local reloading store guy said i don't know anything about reloading and i need some help, sales guy set him up with some 308 bullets for his 270 winchester i said those are too big for that caliber the sales guy said no, they will squeeze down .. i just said i dont think so ,and walked away i figured he wouldnt be able to chamber them even if he could reload them ,some dumb people wish i raised more of a fuss now , but live and and learn

[frkelly74]

Misinformation & disinformation abounding , very little information. ah for the wisdom to sort it out.

[btroj]

btroj, I have had fair to middling luck at the one here in Columbus. Some shows I don't buy a thing, and at some I can carry out a bushel basket full of stuff.

Columbus is just far enough away from Bellevue to make me not want to go. I would probably go if I knew there was a guy with decent princes on powder or primers. I have never bought a gun at a gun show and am generally not looking to so I don't go to many.

[Matt_G]

If I go to the Tanner show down in Denver, its only to look for boolit moulds.
I haven't found anything worth buying there in quite some time.
I've pretty much stopped going all together.

[shdwlkr]

I went to a gun show sometime in the past just cause it was there and I was looking for a winchester mdl 94. Well found one at the show guy wanted $700 for it I passed and guess what I picked up one that looked just like that one at the show for $350. I really hate it when people don't know the value of what they have, some thing because it is a model no longer made it is worth its weight in gold and then there are others that realize with 6 million of them out there the value is just not there unless they are unique.

I did get to hold a original winchester mdl 94 never fired from the early 1900's with a 26 inch barrel even and I liked so much that I spent two years finding me one with a long barrel and paid about 1/10th of what they wanted for the unfired one.

Gun shows I go to now are for powder, bullets and primers sometimes cleaning stuff or just to see what is out there to buy. I have seen way to many firearms over priced, abused and just not represented right. Case in point picked up a ruger bolt action rifle that the tag said it was a 22 hornet and looking it over noticed the barrel said it was a 22 khornet the dealer said it was just a miss stamp on the barrel. Come to find out it was neither is was a some other caliber that someone had cut the barrel down. How do I know this the original owner had come down to see what the dealer was selling it for on consignment no less and seems there was a vast difference in what the dealer said he could sell it for and what he was asking. The owner picked his rifle up and started out and before he got to the door someone had bought it from him and knew the correct caliber.
What bothers me at gun shows is how they have turned into more of food, canning, tent selling bizarre then a gun show.

[jcwit]

Table owner: " This is the mossberg 500 with synthetic stock. These are rare as I haven't seen many of them"

Clueless person looking at buying: "Wow. Are they really that rare? I guess $600.00 isn't a bad price."

Yours truly: "I just looked on gunbroker with my blackberry and you can get new ones for $200.00 less. That one is used. Here I'll show you."

Table owner: "Get out of here"

Yours Truly " Scam artist"

It spiraled out of control at that point. I understand that people are trying to make money, but wow.

My wife spent 20 years in the flea market retail business and listened to remarks similar to this till we switched modes and got into hand made craft items.

I heard all kinds of impolite remarks for years when I joined her after work, even to the point of a customer accusing the both of us as living in our van.

I only have a question, would you go to a classy jewerly store and say the same line to a complete stranger shopping for a diamond necklace, or even to your local big box grocery and start announcing the price of eggs were cheaper 2 doors down and across the street?

Just saying, and the rule is, let the buyer beware.

[Alvarez Kelly]

Just saying, and the rule is, let the buyer beware.

That is the rule, but it doesn't mean we have to watch as someone takes a screwing. In his example, a used gun was being sold for $200 more than a new one? It sure sounds like the dealer was trying to cheat someone to me.

Now, if the price is a little high, I just walk by. If it is obvious the dealer is a cheat, I will advise a potential buyer of the facts as I see them.

There may be plenty of good dealers at gun shows. The problem is most buyers won't know which ones they are unless they go often and regularly...

[jcwit]

I have no argument with that Alvarez, if in fact that is the case!

[Blammer]

most entertaining thing now days at a gunshow is to watch everyone peruse the table while surfing the net, they are looking up the "net" prices of the items on the table. :) Sure you have to figure shipping and FFL xfer on a firearm but still.

[WILCO]

Two things I heard at a gun show were:"You know casting lead bullets is dangerous?" "You know those military rifles have deep rifling that won't handle lead!"

[WILCO]

in a state where interpersonal sales are basically unregulated.

And this is a bad thing???

[WILCO]

I heard all kinds of impolite remarks for years when I joined her after work.

Folks want something for nothing. They don't care to learn how business works, what the costs are, how much needs to be earned to cover all that's been invested. It's sheer ignorance. Just like these 99tards running amuck. You don't like the prices, service? Vote with your wallet. Move on.

[evan price]

The old saying was "Did you just buy that fabulous antique or are you looking to sell that old rusty junker?"

[Love Life]

My wife spent 20 years in the flea market retail business and listened to remarks similar to this till we switched modes and got into hand made craft items.

I heard all kinds of impolite remarks for years when I joined her after work, even to the point of a customer accusing the both of us as living in our van.

I only have a question, would you go to a classy jewerly store and say the same line to a complete stranger shopping for a diamond necklace, or even to your local big box grocery and start announcing the price of eggs were cheaper 2 doors down and across the street?

Just saying, and the rule is, let the buyer beware.

Absolutely. I will not stand by and let some guuy get suckered. That is what is wrong with gunshows and gun prices. A seller screws a guy, and the guy overpays for his weapon of choice. Next thing you know everybody is selling them overpriced.

If more people stood up to these kind of people, then things would be much better. As Recluse says you fight that kind of price jacking with your wallet. Don't buy from them and let them price themselves out of the market.

So would you have sold the guy the used Mossberg 500 for $600.00?

[jcwit]

No, I have more crediability to do that, but after me and my wife running our own retail business for 20 years and starting in the retail business at the age of 13 back in the 1950's Ive learned long ago to let a seller and customer alone in their dealings. I would no more have butted into that dealing than stop in at a used car dealer and informed his customer to go down the road and make a better buy.

This holds true for me no matter what the venue is, grocery store to flea market, it called minding my own business.

[Love Life]

Awesome jcwit.

You could tell the guy was trying to make a quick buck off of somebody who wasn't knowledgable. I wouldn't call that man a retailer. I would call him a predator. It was one of those you had to be there situations. You could tell he was trying to screw the guy. I understand people have to make money on the retail market, but not that way. You may be honorable, but not everybody else is.

[jcwit]

This is also why I get into semi heated discussions regarding boose and driving, cell phone usage and driving ect., ect.

Like I say, I stay out of it, think about it would you allow yourself get into a confrontation when your almost 70 yrs old, 5'4", weighing 200 lbs, with a heart condition, and crippled?

I'll bet most here would stay silent also! Seems to be the prudent thing to do.

Puts a slightly different light on things, NO?

[williamwaco]

Well here's mine:

Overheard at the ticket table at the Original Fort Worth Gun Show today.

I had just bought my ticket and was getting my hand stamped when I heard a man behind me at the ticket table pay for his ticket then ask the ticket lady "Can you direct me directly to the "Red Jacket Firearms" booth?

Not to be defeated, the ticket sales lady / gun show promoter replied, "Oh I am sorry this is new years eve, they are not here but be sure to come back to our next show they will be here for sure next time.




.

[jcwit]

Back to the funny/strange things heard at a gun show.

Was looking at some ARMSCOR 45's and the dealer informed me they were made on Colts CNC machinery left in the Philippines after WW2.

Didn't realize we had CNC machinery in the latter 1940's.

[shovel80]

I think LoveLife did the right thing!...sometimes we all need help to not hurt ourselves..when it is that easy to help someone....Why not help???

Just my opinion!
Terry....;-)

[jcwit]

Well I guess we do have a difference of opinion.

[Slam'n Salmon]

I think LoveLife did the right thing!...sometimes we all need help to not hurt ourselves..when it is that easy to help someone....Why not help???

Just my opinion!
Terry....;-)

It's social ism. seems alot of people like it.

[Harter66]

"I've got cleaning kits for all my guns,do I need a special kit for my new sks?"

"Do you have other rifle kits?"

"Just 1 for my 308 and another for my 30-30."

"I think you could get by w/an 8mm brush for the 30-30 kit,"

I really don't know if the fellow was that confused or if he was trolling the sales guy at Wal-Mart.

[bbs70]

There are a lot of honest dealers out there.
But the bad ones make everyone else look like a crook.

[jcwit]

And there are alot of jerks out there posing as customers. Don't believe it, rent a table and try it yourself.

But I did make a bunch of money off them.

Man, the stories I could tell.

[DODGEM250]

I've only been to 2 gun shows here in the Maryland / Virginia area and the Fredericksburg, VA show is this weekend. I went back to the VA show yesterday looking for some things and I have learned one thing about gun shows, I can buy the same gun cheaper at retail store, I mean $150-250.00 cheaper for the same brand new gun.

I was shopping for large pistol primers yesterday and I stopped at one table and was looking over a box of 1000 for $30.00, the sales guy says, "Grab two boxes, cheapest price here at this show, and I have only 4 boxes left" I replied, "Thanks, but, the table over there has them for $22.00 box and the unopened case box here on your table is... full."

[cbrick]

There are a lot of honest dealers out there. But the bad ones make everyone else look like a crook.

Bingo! Only takes a few thieves to make them all look like crooks. The crooks are looking for the guy that has no clue to make a killing off of.

I've all but stopped going to gun shows, around here they have turned into mostly knives & junk jewelry and few firearms. The ones I do go to are to look for molds but it's been a few years since I found any at a price I would buy at. The last one I tried to buy was an RCBS in a bullet design that is still made and the guy wanted $100.00 for it. I asked him why $100? He says because it's his and he likes that mold. Really? Then you really should keep it because I can buy that exact same mold brand new for $50.00. He was one of those that only want customers that have no clue, if you do have any knowledge of the subject they have no more time to talk with you.

Shame what's happened to gun shows in last several years. Around these parts most of them are not worth the price of admission.

Rick

[Love Life]

It's social ism. seems alot of people like it.

I'm a socialist now? Wrong.

It is called being a Man and standing up for what is right and standing against what is wrong. If more people would stand up and raise the BS flag instead if standing idly by while someone gets screwed than this country would be much better off.

Same thing happens with laws and regulations. If more people called, wrote, or stood up aginst retarded legislations things would be different.

There have been entirely way too many gun dealers at gunshows who mark up things entirely way to much. I understand retail, but I am not going to let somebody get screwed so I don't offend somebody. I'm offended when retailers try to screw people. I know people will say "Well he should have dones his research." He didn't and oh well. The retailer should try to educate the person and help him get the item of his choice for a reasonable price. Not by screwing somebody who didn't know where to look for the info in the first place.

I talked to the guy afterwards and it was his first gun. He was buying it for home defense because he had been the victim of a robbery and assault. I guess I should have let him get screwed so he would be sour against the whole gun industy for the rest of his life.

Rant Off.

[btroj]

I can easily other sides on this issue.
I would be mighty upset as a seller with someone else butting in and taking money from me.
I also don't like shysters. Not as a buyer or as a seller.

Maybe this just explains why I don't go to n shows very often. Too much garbage on, behind, and in front of the tales.

[williamwaco]

Bingo! Only takes a few thieves to make them all look like crooks. The crooks are looking for the guy that has no clue to make a killing off of.


Shame what's happened to gun shows in last several years. Around these parts most of them are not worth the price of admission.

Rick

I have been going to gun shows since about 1965.

I went to one yesterday.

It was about 30% ARs and SKSs, 20% sporting arms and 50% junk.
Except for the black rifles, I can't tell that anything has changed.


.

[Casting Timmy]

I got a star really cheap at a gun show and most of the vendors and people there had no idea what it was or what it did. There are some really good deals and some really bad deals out there.

The gun prices at the shows I've gone to are fairly in line with the retail stores. I do admit though that I really don;t get my hopes up for anything at the gun shows......except the collector's show here in town. Even if you don't find something to buy they have some stuff just being displayed, last time I got some good photos of a very old Lyman powder measure and some other reloading items.

My last gun show find was a Lee Loader for a 12ga, missing one piece. I paid $6 for it because that's what the box had marked from when his friend bought it. Figured I couldn't go wrong at that price.

[Matt_G]

Shame what's happened to gun shows in last several years. Around these parts most of them are not worth the price of admission.


That's the way the Denver show is also.
Eight bucks to get in the door, and 2 gallons of gas round trip.
Not even close to worth it any more.

[danski26]

Went to the Green Bay gun show yesterday. Everything i found intersting enough to take a closer look, I had to take a step back when i saw the price! Hardly any reloading gear that wasn't junk and almost no casting gear. I did overhear one "customer" say to his buddy as he pointed to a Sharps rifle "thats one of those cap and ball rifles." It made me smile.

[Blammer]

well there's a gunshow this weekend the 7th, so I'll hopefully come back with some interesting quotes. :)

[9.3X62AL]

I'm another fan of the Reno Gun Show, but few others. The Reno Show has enough decent to good deals to make it worth the drive (325 miles) at least once yearly. And enough of the NCBS Crew shows up to make it a good time, even if I don't buy a thing.

All free-wheeling retailing seems to attract BS artists, on both sides of the tables. Caveat emptor, AT ALL TIMES. While I admire Love Life's motives, I avoid interrupting the dealings of others--they are none of my business. Just stare at the BSer, saying nothing--he'll likely flinch or crawfish. If not, walk away shaking your head. Same message, delivered silently.

[jcwit]

I'm another fan of the Reno Gun Show, but few others. The Reno Show has enough decent to good deals to make it worth the drive (325 miles) at least once yearly. And enough of the NCBS Crew shows up to make it a good time, even if I don't buy a thing.

All free-wheeling retailing seems to attract BS artists, on both sides of the tables. Caveat emptor, AT ALL TIMES. While I admire Love Life's motives, I avoid interrupting the dealings of others--they are none of my business. Just stare at the BSer, saying nothing--he'll likely flinch or crawfish. If not, walk away shaking your head. Same message, delivered silently.

And that is perfectly acceptable.

[danski26]

I guess it boils down to whether or not you think that way overpricing an item in an attempt to get more money from someone who is uneducated on the subject is "wrong."

It's a moral discussion. There are arguments on both sides and in the end it may just come down to a degree of overpricing or some other type of balance on the subject.

Personaly....If I am about to step in a pile of dog poo I hope the guy next to me warns me of the impending poo foot. I will also return that favor for anyone, no matter how uneducated a person is about the smell of that poo. Furthermore, I have little to no regard for the dog who left the poo.

I call it moral courage. Doing the right thing even when you can just "walk away."

There is a balance though. I understand retail and buyer beware. There reaches a point though, when my sense morality kicks in. It is subjective and dependant on the totality of the circumstances.

[Love Life]

I'll be glad to hit the next Big Reno Gunshow. I am sure more model 28s and primers are waiting to come home with me.

[bravokilo]

I'll make it worse. It seems we have a difference of opinion about stepping in when we see a person being robbed. Love Life saw a person about to be taken by an unscrupulous dealer and stepped in. Now he is getting flak for interfering in somebody else's business.

For the critics, I have a few questions.

If you were walking down the street and saw somebody being mugged and you were in a position to interfere would you keep walking? Tell yourself "It's none of my business". "The fool should have learned to protect himself".

You stop at a gun store that you have never been in before. While you are browsing a poorly dressed elderly lady comes in. She walks in and lays down 2 pistols on the counter. She explains that her husband passed away several months ago and she needs money to pay for funeral expenses. She would like to sell the pistols. The owner offers $100 a piece. YOU know the pistols are worth $2000 a piece, minimum. It's none of your business, right?? The stupid old lady should have done her research, right??

We don't know the financial situation of the man Love Life helped. $200 might have been pocket change, it might have meant his kids didn't get new shoes for another month. I really don't think he was a "gun" person. I don't think he had any idea of where to begin any "research". He just wanted a gun for protection. Does that make it okay to screw him out of his money?

Those that think so should get a copy of the book "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. To quote Jacob: "Business!!??, mankind was my business!!" Way too many people forget that looking after our fellow man is also our "business". That is what allows these people to to keep screwing people.

I find it refreshing that somebody had the stones to stand up to a a$$---- dealer. Love Life, I applaud your actions. I find it sad that anybody on this site would find your actions to somehow be wrong.


Now, back to the original topic. I spotted a Steyr 95 at a gun show. I read the tag. It said "Schmidt Rubin K-31, 7.5X55". ??? Apparently there are more variations of the SR than I thought. LOL!!
\
BK

[jcwit]

I find it refreshing that somebody had the stones to stand up to a a$$---- dealer. Love Life, I applaud your actions. I find it sad that anybody on this site would find your actions to somehow be wrong.

Those that feel this way maybe should stand on the other side of the tables for a few showes. And get a real feel as to what actually goes on.

[Harter66]

I think we've probably at least offered someone less than asking or bought well under market. Then flipped whatever at market value. While I agree that the event sited was blatant gouging a product is only worth what you'll pay for it. The best option might have been subtlety.

Well played Love Life.

[jcwit]

I'll ask one more time, would anyone here stop at their local used car dealer and start to inform a customer in front of the dealer who he was selling the car for to much?

Just wondering.

Actually I've watched customers escorted from a gun show causing a public disturbance with a dealer, not real sure what the disturbance was, but it was possible it was as mentioned here. Not a pleasant experience to have happen in public with everyone watching.

As I've said, I find it to my advantage to mind my own business, much the same as I wish the same. Someone elses comments made to me by an unknown person are unwanted, if I wish an opinion I'd ask. For all I know the person knows little or even less than nothing.

Is he telling me to buy it 5 tables down for $200 less so as he can make a deal himself just to get rid of me? Could be. How am I to know.

[Love Life]

Ok so let me make sure I have this clear. I have a solid moral compass now, but if I were to work the tables a couple times I would degrade to a no good, scamming, rip-off gun buyer and dealer? That is just plain ignorant. A turd stinks no matter what side of the table they stand on.

Your argument about the car dealer holds no merit to me. Would I stop in to tell of a better deal? No. Obviously I already have a vehicle and I am just driving by. However, If I were there looking at deals and saw someone getting raked across the coals I would absolutely let the person getting cornholed know so he could save his hard earned money.

You earned your money right jcwit?

As for the escorted from gun show part. I was escorted from that gunshow, and so was the dealer once the story was explained about what was happening when I stepped in.

All I can say is to each their own. I will stand up when I see someone getting screwed, and you will let it happen. Now I know what side of the table we both stand on.

[Alvarez Kelly]

Those that feel this way maybe should stand on the other side of the tables for a few showes. And get a real feel as to what actually goes on.

I HAVE stood on the selling side of the table dozens of times. I had a few people question a few prices, or try to negotiate a better deal. Nothing out of the ordinary to me, and to be expected. But then, I wasn't dependent on sales to buy my gas back home, so I wasn't trying to rip anyone off either.

[WILCO]

It's social ism. seems alot of people like it.

Yep. Things are really screwed up because of it.

[Southern Son]

I don't generally listen to what is being said at any gunshow I might get to, I am too scared that I will hear "this isn't just any Hitler Youth Knife, this was issued to an elite special forces sniper unit in the Hitler Youth" or some such rubbish. I stopped listening when I heard one bloke trying to explain why on a German Officers Knife, written in english was "Stainless Steel, 440C."

On the subject of stepping in to stop someone getting ripped off, I look at it this way. If my missus decided to surprise me with a widget and she went to a gunshow looking for it, how would I feel if she got badly ripped off on it? How do I stop her from feeling bad if she finds out that she got ripped off while trying to get me that widget? I am with Lovelife on this. I don't care what side of the table you are standing on, if you are a theif, then I hate you. And as a Copper, if I got called to the gunshow to "remove" someone, there had better be a reason for it, and "he stopped me from ripping that bloke off" ain't going to be that reason.

[archmaker]

"Buyer Beware" does not mean "if you don't know then tough luck". If you don't know the truth then don't make the deal. Once you know then it is no longer something to "beware".

In my other community that I associate with it is someone standing up on a stage saying "this is true" and thousands of others asking questions, tearing it apart, and determining if it IS true. The same goes for here, as we all put forth our opinions or conclusions on something and let others comment or provide input. 45-45-10 works because one person came up with it and tons of us have tried it and found it works as stated.

I would rather step up to table with 100 people that are willing to question what the value of something is then do it alone. Or the 1,000's of individuals on this board that provide a honest opinion of something.

I understand that they need to make a profit, that the $200 gun on Broker they are selling for $260-275 at the gun show, I will pay the price (figure in FFL fee, shipping and the convenience factor for me, that is reasonable). Much above that and I know I two things, #1 the person doesn't know what they are doing, or #2 they know and they are just a crook.

I can tolerate #1 if they are willing to listen, #2 I could care less about and don't care to see them make a sale off the sheeple, if I can help it.

[gew98]

The last NGD show in louisville a couple weeks ago I took an old retired army buddy. He was apethetic at the high retail prices on EVERYTHING and got pissed when some dealers standing around were complaining nobody was buying...he let them know what he felt of their price structures in plain old school army speak.
He had one dealer hot for his WW2 german red cross feldmutze... guy had a red cross belt buckle on the table for $190 , yet would not offer more than $150 for minty original german cap !!. Boy did he give that dealer a dirty look and words and walked off. He won't ever go to a gunshow again...he saw enough to make him sick of how 'dealers' operate too close up.
He and I can buy/trade guns locally and through friends at nowhere near the sticker shcok these delaers at area shows want one to pay.
And since old Ron DICK-son has finally managed to sever his operations from the OVMS the NGD/SOS combination show will end after the next one in february... end of an era over greed and ego. Neither show is hardly worth the trip by themselves to go into Louisville and the $12 door fee and $8 parking.

[jcwit]

All I can say is to each their own. I will stand up when I see someone getting screwed, and you will let it happen. Now I know what side of the table we both stand on.

That we do, and will NOT butt myself into others business, unless asked.


A turd stinks no matter what side of the table they stand on.

You nailed that one for sure. And for sure have meet many that were standing in the isle. But 95 % of the customers are very polite.


I have a solid moral compass now, but if I were to work the tables a couple times I would degrade to a no good, scamming, rip-off gun buyer and dealer?

Didn't mean that at all, was meaning you might understand some of the frustration and smart a$$ remarks dealers hear that would never happen in their place of business. I could write a book about, but there isn't room here and its doubtful you would understand with your moral attidude.

I seriously believe we need to agree to disagree.

[Four-Sixty]

"A fool and his money are soon parted"

With the Internet, we have access to so much free info anymore. While I don't like people who'd take advantage of the uninformed, I would argue that we have the chance, given a little time, to learn for ourselves what a good deal is.

If a person will not invest the time to their own betterment (get educated) they can expect to pay the price.

[jcwit]

Here we are again, beginning of a new year and learning how bad dealers and gun shoes are in general. Another site has the same type of thread going about how useless the NRA is.

Man, can't you folks just move on and enjoy live and live your own?

[Love Life]

Here we are again, beginning of a new year and learning how bad dealers and gun shoes are in general. Another site has the same type of thread going about how useless the NRA is.

Man, can't you folks just move on and enjoy live and live your own?

You are aware that you posted something at 0854 this morning right?

Moving on and I am done on the whole subject. We have hijacked this thread for about 2 pages.

A funny thing I heard:

"These newly manufactured S&W revolvers are head and shoulders above the older ones. With new manufacturing techniques these revolvers are made with precision!"

I almost spit soda all over the table. He did have a nice meat cleaver I took home with me.

[Pigslayer]

I was at a gun show here in MD & observed something that really angered me. I watched a dealer selling an underage young man a case of 9MM ammo. He just kept telling the kid to look straight ahead & not to look nervous. It's dealers like that that give gun shows a bad name. Probably should have turned him in but I walked away.
On the other side of the coin I do love gun shows. I get my powder & primers a whole lot cheaper than GM!. I needed a set of .44mag. dies & got a used set of RCBS for $20.00. I always find once fired brass cheap. The gun shows around here get pretty large & sometimes have over 100 tables. I'm planning on going t o one next week in Frederick, MD. They have them down in Prince George's Cty., MD at the showplace arena. It's a very large equestrian center . . . huge actually. Sure I go to find good deals but I also go just to get out & have fun. Talk to people I never met before and get a "Pit Beef Sandwich" at one of the stands. It costs about $8.00 to get in but it's always worth it to me.

[montana_charlie]

$12 door fee and $8 parking.
Shoo fly!
I would never go with that kind of 'tariff' imposed ...
CM

[jcwit]

You are aware that you posted something at 0854 this morning right?

Are you implying the new year is no longer. Its only day 2 guy!

[jcwit]

I was at a gun show here in MD & observed something that really angered me. I watched a dealer selling an underage young man a case of 9MM ammo. He just kept telling the kid to look straight ahead & not to look nervous. It's dealers like that that give gun shows a bad name. Probably should have turned him in but I walked away.

And that was just plain wrong, yes you probably should have reported it.

I watched a dealer tell a Hispanic what boxes to check on the federal form "don't off hand know the form number", and yes I should have reported that also, but didn't.

[sagamore-one]

Overheard at the local bait shop. " can I buy ramrods for my muzzle loader by the dozen at a reduced cost ? bait shop owner asks why. " After you shoot them a couple times they get real ragged, buying one at a time gets expensive".

[Wayne Smith]

OTH, I was at the Norfolk show a few months ago and had the opportunity to inform a young man that the Herter's bolt action rifle in 257 Roberts he picked up for about $350 was made by FN, stocked by Herter's, and probably worth a little more than he paid, since it had Weaver scope on it. I was also able to explain to him just what the 257 Roberts cartridge was, it's capabilities, and convinced him to buy the Lyman Reloading manual on another table since his uncle reloaded and he wanted to. I told him he had a built in mentor but needed his own information.

I don't go often but each time I've gone I've had a similar conversation with someone. I confess I am an inveterate teacher.

[omgb]

I only have a question, would you go to a classy jewerly store and say the same line to a complete stranger shopping for a diamond necklace, or even to your local big box grocery and start announcing the price of eggs were cheaper 2 doors down and across the street?

Just saying, and the rule is, let the buyer beware.

jcwit.....I sure would. A ripoff is a ripoff. I am honor bound to protect the innocent if I see a wolf about to eat them. That seller was a crook, a cheat and the kind of "Adam Henry" that does a discredit to the shooting world. A 200% markup and a bogus line about rareity to a novice buyer is completely over the top. The man was a bum and exposed as such. He got what he deserved.

R J Talley

[leadman]

Went to a gun show here in Phoenix recently. $16 to get in and $7 to park.

[jcwit]

jcwit.....I sure would. A ripoff is a ripoff. I am honor bound to protect the innocent if I see a wolf about to eat them. That seller was a crook, a cheat and the kind of "Adam Henry" that does a discredit to the shooting world. A 200% markup and a bogus line about rareity to a novice buyer is completely over the top. The man was a bum and exposed as such. He got what he deserved.

R J Talley

So who sets you up as the pricing brigade?

[Love Life]

So who sets you up as the pricing brigade?

The market and knowledge of current sales prices.

Seriously though. The Big Reno Gunshow is worth every penny of the $10 entrance fee. I will be there again this year and get me one of those belts I should have bought last year. I'm still kicking my self in the butt over that one.

[jcwit]

The market and knowledge of current sales prices.


No, You are taking it into your own hands and not minding your own business when not asked. I realize from this discussion thats hard for you to understand.:groner:[smilie=b:

[Love Life]

No reason to get ugly jcwit. One of my new years resolutions was to not get in trouble with the mods this year.

Moving on. The next Big Reno Gun show is in April.

[fishhawk]

Come on do i really need to start out the new year with a squabble already? :killingpc

[jcwit]

Then here's a quote from my post #63


I seriously believe we need to agree to disagree.

[AndyC]

Looking at it from the other side of the table - would we tell a dealer that the WWII 1911 pistol he's selling for $1,000 is actually a rare Singer-made model worth many, many times that? Or would we keep mum and snap it up, then brag about the AWESOME score we just made?

Fairness works both ways.... and while I prefer to see both folks getting a straight deal, fair ain't always happening in business.

[Trey45]

Funny things heard at the gunshop. How about funny things I read at the gunshop?

I drove out to Mackey's Landing this morning, one of the largest gunshops on the east coast, a sign behind the cash register said:

If you don't know what kind of gun you have, return it to the person you stole it from.

[omgb]

Who sets me up as the pricing brigade? My conscience. I do what I feel is right. Some may not like that but their concerns don't interest me when I believe it's a matter of right vs. wrong. Looks like we are going to disagree. Fair enough.

[merlin101]

I'll ask one more time, would anyone here stop at their local used car dealer and start to inform a customer in front of the dealer who he was selling the car for to much?

Just wondering.

.


YEP!! Done just that! there's a differance in someone getting stung at a flea market for $2.00 and getting burned for $200.00

Lets rephrase that question, would you step in and warn a buyer that the gun there looking at is unsafe to fire or is it buyer beware??:shock:

[Love Life]

jcwit- You started the whole thread hijack by NOT MINDING YOUR BUSINESS!!!!

I posted a funny thing I heard, and you got the bit in your teeth and ran with it. You went on to tell us that you are a retailer in the retail business doing retail. You mentioned this several times.

The more I responded to you the more you reminded us all that you are a retailer in the retail business doing retail. I believe you are mad at me because you are the one who would have sold the shotgun to the guy. You wouldn't happen to work at gun shows in Jacksonville, NC would you?

Happy new year!!!!

[fishhawk]

One of my new years resolutions was to not get in trouble with the mods this year.........that resolution may be in jeopardy for a couple members here. steve k

[jcwit]

jcwit- You started the whole thread hijack by NOT MINDING YOUR BUSINESS!!!!

I posted a funny thing I heard, and you got the bit in your teeth and ran with it. You went on to tell us that you are a retailer in the retail business doing retail. You mentioned this several times.

The more I responded to you the more you reminded us all that you are a retailer in the retail business doing retail. I believe you are mad at me because you are the one who would have sold the shotgun to the guy. You wouldn't happen to work at gun shows in Jacksonville, NC would you?

Happy new year!!!!

Wrong, again.

Been retired for over a decade. Only ever worked one gun show in my life years and years ago, probably 20 years ago. It was a very profitable 2 days, and no I didn't overcharg anyone IMO. Had a ball.

Never been to Jacksonville, NC

Best Wishes for the New Year Health and Prosperity

[Love Life]

Bowfin- I sincerely apologize that my post caused your thread to be hi-jacked to the highest proportions.

[Pigslayer]

Funny things heard at the gunshop. How about funny things I read at the gunshop?

I drove out to Mackey's Landing this morning, one of the largest gunshops on the east coast, a sign behind the cash register said:

If you don't know what kind of gun you have, return it to the person you stole it from.

THAT! . . . is too funny!!![smilie=w:

[onceabull]

I spent all the salad days of my life (and a couple decades more) on the buy side of gun show tables.. with the growth of internet gun sales,the universe of opportunities really expanded..for the same reason,the sell sides chances of really sticking it to rank amateurs was seriously diminished...here locally we trade in an insular market where 80% of the buy side crowd are the same people you saw at 2 out the last 3 shows wthin 60 miles of ground zero in the state of Ada. Sellers expecting to get within $10 of Cabela's,Dick's,and/or Sportmans Warehouse latest ad price for a Remmie 870 Express will be carrying their goods for nearly forever...It will nearly wear you down trying to explain the diff.betwixt an 870 Express,and a Five Diamond stocked 870 BDL from 1954,in defense of asking a whole $185 for one of those in 16 G..!!! I try to show NO firearms that I expect to see more than one other at our largest shows...Not interested in paying table rents to find the lowest common denominator buyers.. fwiw, Onceabull

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

jcwit,

people like you are the basic problem at gun shows...

Bargains and gunshows stopped being mentioned in the same story once they let FFL dealers set up their stores at them. Ask a dealer what goes on on Friday nights.

[deltaenterprizes]

Back to the funny/strange things heard at a gun show.


Didn't realize we had CNC machinery in the latter 1940's.

NC which stands for Numerical Control has been around since the forties and used paper tape for the program.

Inexpensive computer equipment allowed the NC to become a CNC, Computer Numerical Control.

[deltaenterprizes]

Those that feel this way maybe should stand on the other side of the tables for a few showes. And get a real feel as to what actually goes on.

I did shows for many years and I heard some of the BS customers would tell my wife when I was away from the table and BS the dealers told the customers.
It flows both ways but when the dealer is lying to get money from a customer it is a crime called "fraud", like Bernie Maddoff buy on a smaller scale.

[MtGun44]

Love Life,
You made a comment about somebody saying "New S&Ws are well made" or similar, and
implied that you thought only an idiot would think this. If I over heard someone making
a statement like that, I'd agree with them.

Actually, I have a good friend who is a tool and die maker for a living, has built dozens of
match grade S&Ws, done every kind of gunsmithing on them including making match
barrels from blanks, and has repaired S&Ws for decades tell me that the new S&W guns
are the most consistently well fitted and properly made that he has worked on. The old
guns were often well made, but the internal parts were quite inconsistently made and were
difficult to interchange without significant work. New parts are much more precisely made
and consistent from one gun to the next. He is a big fan of the MIM parts, says it is much
easier to get a really fine match trigger job on a gun with MIM parts.

He also has a room full of trophies from pistol shooting all around the midwest.

External polish is not the same as in the 30s, he readily points out, but as far as the
consistency of tolerances and fit of parts, he says it is not even close. Newer is better.

It is very popular to sit around and say that "the good old days of hand fitted parts" was
the best, but hand fitted means you are dependent on the individual skill of the smith
fitting them. Some were great, others not so great. He is very impressed with consistent
good fit of the current internal parts.

Personally, I have bought quite a few new and old S&Ws over the years, and some of the
old ones are peaches, and some were sent down the road. All the new ones have throat
diameters and groove diameters that are just right, and all shoot very well. Personally, I
do not like the mold lines on some of the MIM parts at all. But I have built up one .38 Spl
K frame from scratch - bare frame and bought parts from various sources and I can verify
that there is a lot of hand fitting required with old parts.

Bill

[ammohead]

I picked up a rcbs 2 cavity .375 round ball mould with handles sitting all alone on a table at the big reno show. Guy behind the table asks me "Do you know what that is"? I said "yes". "Do you know what it's for", I said "yes". "Well in that case you can have it for ten bucks". He had no clue what he just sold.

[GT27]

For me its like looking at the freak show exhibits at a circus,same feeling,same result!:bigsmyl2:

[jcwit]

jcwit,

people like you are the basic problem at gun shows...

Bargains and gunshows stopped being mentioned in the same story once they let FFL dealers set up their stores at them. Ask a dealer what goes on on Friday nights.

Was going to let this drop but it seems you're implying I am/was an FFL dealer, Nope, not now and never was.

Sorry
Best

[jcwit]

NC which stands for Numerical Control has been around since the forties and used paper tape for the program.

Inexpensive computer equipment allowed the NC to become a CNC, Computer Numerical Control.

I said CNC not NC. I ment CNC.

Best

[Love Life]

Love Life,
You made a comment about somebody saying "New S&Ws are well made" or similar, and
implied that you thought only an idiot would think this. If I over heard someone making
a statement like that, I'd agree with them.

Actually, I have a good friend who is a tool and die maker for a living, has built dozens of
match grade S&Ws, done every kind of gunsmithing on them including making match
barrels from blanks, and has repaired S&Ws for decades tell me that the new S&W guns
are the most consistently well fitted and properly made that he has worked on. The old
guns were often well made, but the internal parts were quite inconsistently made and were
difficult to interchange without significant work. New parts are much more precisely made
and consistent from one gun to the next. He is a big fan of the MIM parts, says it is much
easier to get a really fine match trigger job on a gun with MIM parts.

He also has a room full of trophies from pistol shooting all around the midwest.

External polish is not the same as in the 30s, he readily points out, but as far as the
consistency of tolerances and fit of parts, he says it is not even close. Newer is better.

It is very popular to sit around and say that "the good old days of hand fitted parts" was
the best, but hand fitted means you are dependent on the individual skill of the smith
fitting them. Some were great, others not so great. He is very impressed with consistent
good fit of the current internal parts.

Personally, I have bought quite a few new and old S&Ws over the years, and some of the
old ones are peaches, and some were sent down the road. All the new ones have throat
diameters and groove diameters that are just right, and all shoot very well. Personally, I
do not like the mold lines on some of the MIM parts at all. But I have built up one .38 Spl
K frame from scratch - bare frame and bought parts from various sources and I can verify
that there is a lot of hand fitting required with old parts.

Bill

You got me there Bill. I laughed because of issues myself and few friends have had with current production revolvers, but you are right. The majority of them are well made. Now buying a new S&W is a buyer beware thing.

I am prejudiced against new S&W revolvers, but I would still get one if the price is right or it was one of those must haves.

[krag35]

I almost never attend gun shows since they are mostly jerky, key chain, ninja knife, **** shows anymore. the last one I did go to, I took my wife (her first "gun" show). NO bargins, priced at above retail.

One Gentelman had a sign on his table "prices are like sights, they are adjustable" . I tried to dicker on a revolver he had at about $100.00 over retail, his negotiating style was "NO".

I saw a young feller ( 30ish) with 3 young boys with him. I heard him tell them "put your hands in your pockets and leave them there" reminded me of my Dad.

I asked a seller if I could handle one of his rifles for sale. He looked at me shocked and told me I was the first one to ask first before handling, this was at about 11:00 in the morning.

I won't go to another.

[ammohead]

I think the biggest reason I still go to gun shows is to see what the asking prices are for the model 71 winchester I bought for $600, or the Savage model R I bought for $250, or Winchester 94 xtr ae in 7-30 waters I ordered from a dealer when they came out, (ain't seen one yet). None of these and many other good buys were made at gun shows. But there is nothing as satisfying as seeing what the table monsters are asking for the firearms I own.

"Actually all that pitting on that mauser broomhandle means it had blood on it and makes it more valuable".

Another reason I still attend is to find the oddball. Last Big Reno show I picked up a Norwegian Krag made in Steyr Germany with the barrel set back and rebored to 300 Savage. Now beat that for $250.00

ammohead

[Love Life]

April is just around the corner. I hope they still have remington primers for $19.95 at the Big Reno. Plus I need a new belt, maybe a holster, WWI and WWII memorabilia, powder, bullets, brass, and who know what else.

[dk17hmr]

Table guy: Young man let me show you how this knife sharpening system works
Me: OK
Table guy: I see you have a pocket knife let put a good edge on it.
Me: I actually just sharpened it yesterday
Table guy: Let me just touch it up for you.
Me: Alright but its pretty...... (as table guy flips it open and runs his thumb over it)
Table guy: Damn thats sharp
Me: Yea I know..... Do you have something I can clean the blood off it with.

I really enjoy going to gun shows not that I ever get great deals on anything but I do get some good laughs cheaper than going to the movies.

[btroj]

Doug, that was too funny. Just goes to show that sometimes when a guy says his knife is sharp he means it.

[Haggway]

Oh yeah this Universal is a WW2 carbine. I bought this from a vets estate. I walked away.

[onceabull]

While "dealing"at the far edge of our gunshow range.Nov/11, a gent pays $5.00 at the next table for a 60's era w/w factory box with 8 live rounds,250 gr Silvertip 358, stopped to ogle some of my goods,so bought the live rounds for $5.00,as he wanted just the box &card dividers that would fit a belt leather cartridge carrier inherited from Grandpa.. right place/right time for both of us...The Stevens md.425 in 25 Remmie did not make it till noon the first day....gone at first asking... Onceabull

[runfiverun]

ammohead: nib= 900.00
down to about 550.00.
i regret not grabbing the one i seen for 450.00, but i wanted the model 92 in 25-20 worse.

[Harter66]

I bought an Arisaka about a year ago w/a story about hierloom pick up. Since it was cost effective it doesn't matter really.

I was in a retail store looking at a pair of 870 WingMasters at $189 the clerk scans them and they showed at $410 or there about. Seems the shelf was marked for Express . The funny part was the clerk arguing w/her manager about advertised prices vs scan. The manager finely gave in and tells my buddy he could have them for $375 OTD . My says "well we could hold you to the shelf price cause the law is on our side,but throw in a couple cases of shells and it's a deal" . The funny part was that he went for it ,case of 12s and a case of 20s ...........for a pair of 12s.

[omgb]

ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

. What does the Greek translate to?

[thehouseproduct]

By and large I will let dealers an customers conduct their business. I think there is some confusion about the lines being crossed. Would I let a guy buy a bone stock synthetic mossberg 500 for $600? Yes. Would I step in if I hear the dealer LYING and telling the guy it was a 590 or something? No. High prices are one thing. Lying and dishonesty get what they deserve. I can respect the guy who just hangs out with way high prices but is at least honest.

[dk17hmr]

What does the Greek translate to?

Come and get them

[2wheelDuke]

Oh yeah this Universal is a WW2 carbine. I bought this from a vets estate. I walked away.

It wasn't at a gun show, but I had a similar moment when I was putting a M1 carbine into property for safekeeping. The guy was saying how his dad carried it in 'Nam and handed it down to him.

I looked it over, and noticed "HIALEAH, FL" stamped on the receiver. I hated to be the one to point it out to him, but I felt he needed to know.

[2wheelDuke]

What does the Greek translate to?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Come_and_take_them

[LUBEDUDE]

For 30 yrs I never missed a gun show. And I always spent a lot of money.

Did I butt in if a dealer was lying or trying to rape someone on pricing? You better believe I did!

Before "Mr Retail" jumps in and talks about "the other side of the table", I WAS "Mr Retail" for 13 years and Worked many shows. I knew how to SELL. I did not need to lie or cheat anyone!

Guys, this country isn't going to get any better unless we stand up and do the right thing, day to day.


p.s.
I don't go to gun shows anymore as others have noted.

[jcwit]

Are you referring to me as MR. Retail?

Just asking

[LUBEDUDE]

Are you referring to me as MR. Retail?

Just asking


Yes I was.

I was not being derogatory, just too lazy to find your post/avatar/name.

[Gray Fox]

About 10 or so years ago a friend of mine used to get a couple tables at one of the bigger gun shows on Atlanta's north side and he usually would call and ask if I wanted to come help and that if I had anything to sell to bring the stuff along. My wife usually went, too, since there were folks we knew she'd have a chance to talk to.

It never failed that someone would come by the tables and tell me that I just had to go look at some treasure across the hall, and I'd leave the wife to watch our stuff. When I'd return she'd have sold almost everything of ours and for the best price we thought we get per item. She new her stuff, and no one seemed to want to dicker with a woman who did. These days, though, it would probably be a waste of time for all of the reasons that have been discussed above.

[fatelk]

I enjoy going to gunshows when they're in the area, but my expectations are perhaps a little different. I look at the old odd-ball stuff and inevitably run into someone I know. Some of the dealers are greedy, lying jerks, of course (you find them everywhere), but many of them are good, friendly folks too, glad to talk to you if you have common interests. I like talking to some of the old timers and hearing their stories.

I've heard plenty of wacky things, from people on both sides of the table, but most of it is from pure ignorance. Some of the stuff you hear guys telling their buddies while looking at guns is absolutely hilarious. I wish I could remember some of it.

I walk past the tables full of new guns, ignoring them completely. I look through the tables of odds and ends and junk. If I walk out with a big box of old loading gear, assorted brass or off brand bullets, it's a successful show.

I once found a Schmidt-Rubin magazine in a box of random mags, and asked the guy if he knew which model it fit. He insisted it was for a Savage. I knew it was a Schmidt-Rubin mag, but he got downright rude when I said it wasn't for a Savage; "It fits a Savage, ten bucks, take it or leave it."

I felt a little bad after I bought it, and walked past his last table to see a Schmidt Rubin sitting there without the magazine. I thought about doing the right thing- pointing out how it fit the rifle he had for sale and offering it back to him, but as rude as he had been I didn't feel the obligation. Looking back, I should have just to see what he had to say.

I usually go with the idea in mind that I can't buy another gun. Sometimes that's a mistake. A couple months ago I passed up a nice old Winchester 670 30-06 for $225. I was two rows over when I decided I should go back for another look, but it was gone. The last show I went to I passed up an NAA mini-revolver for $125. I've always kind of wanted one, but when I came back later of course it was gone. No regrets really; I really don't need another gun but they were good deals. I usually justify buying guns to my wife by explaining that if the time come where we really need the money I could sell it for more than I paid.

I did take one last walk around the show and bought an old Remington Sportsman 48 for $125.:)

I know I shouldn't contribute to the thread-drift here, but I have seen plenty of instances over the years of unethical behavior at gun shows, both insane prices and lying. I used to occasionally help out a dealer friend at shows when he was short-handed.

There's one guy at the shows around here that has a lot of guns and a huge amount of reloading stuff. His stuff is all insanely over priced- as in over retail for 30 year old components. He's obviously trolling for suckers, but seems to have plenty of business because he has several tables and a lot of stuff. I don't say anything, just walk by and put his tables on my mental ignore list.

I'm not going to fault someone for speaking up when they see someone getting taken, but personally I wouldn't step in unless it was someone I knew or it was egregious.

I only did it once a long time ago, and it wasn't good. I was looking at something on a table next to another guy that was looking at buying a gun. The dealer was giving him some bad info (I think he just didn't know). I politely volunteered the correct info but it make the dealer look bad because he was badly over-priced. I didn't mean to cross him but he sure gave me the evil eye, so I went on my way. He remembered me the next few shows after that. I once stopped to ask about something on his table and he refused to talk to me, pretended he was deaf!

[ammohead]

runfiverun: Do you know where I can find a nib for $900 I'll take it.

I assume you are talking about the 7-30 waters. Mine has taken quite a few mule deer with 139 gr flat point hornadys so it is not nib any more. But it does have a beautifully figured butt stock on it. Luck of the draw as I ordered it sight unseen. All of the ones I have seen have the 20" bbl and uncheckered wood.

[lead-1]

I was rummaging thru the stuff of an older gentleman and his wife at a show in northern Ohio. They have set up at that show for as long as I can remember but I have never bought from them, nothing I couldn't live without. One week after doing some reloading I told the wife about the couple and a show that weekend coming up and I was going to see what they had again.
I spotted several items at fair prices but was stuck at an as new ten round mag for my Glock 21, I asked the guy how much and he said rather quickly 20 bucks so I just laid it down where I got it and started moving to the other end of the table. He thought I was leaving and said "I didn't hear an offer" and I said that I wasn't going to say something and sound rude or anything but (at the time) I could buy new ten rounders for 12 bucks and just as quick as the first answer he said "give me 8 bucks".
Talk about a rare experience with and vender and deal, I bought about 40 dollars worth of things off his table, to me a little good attitude goes a long ways.

I guess this wasn't something funny as it was odd because of the way a lot of venders treat people the last several years.

[dale2242]

Just how many posts do I have to read through to get one funny thing heard at gun shows?
You people have seriuosly hijacked this mans thread with your squabbling.
Let`s back to the threads original intent.....dale

[Trey45]

dale, the squabbling ended 2 pages ago......Everyone was able to let it go. Perhaps you should too.

[bbs70]

A sign I saw at last weeks gun show.

If wife is happy.
Life is good.

[ErikO]

Funniest thing I heard was on the way to the gun show. My wife told me that she never wants me to go to a show by myself; she likes to shop, too! :D

Have I mentioned that I am a lucky guy?

[Love Life]

A sign I saw on a table full of old Single shot rifles:

"Your wife just called. She said buy whatever you want."

[MtGun44]

Now, THAT's funny! The guy at the table has a good sense of humor.

Bill

[jpatm2]

A sign I saw on a table full of old Single shot rifles:

"Your wife just called. She said buy whatever you want."


The guy at that table would get me shot!

[bowfin]

It is called being a Man and standing up for what is right and standing against what is wrong. If more people would stand up and raise the BS flag instead if standing idly by while someone gets screwed than this country would be much better off.

THIS...

You can't do good business with bad people. That goes for the guy at the gun show as well as the guy in the White House. Ripping someone off because you can is the same if done by a punk with a broken beer bottle or a cheat at a gun show. If the guy could sell a gun above retail because he had a silver tongue, so be it. But the guy was flat out lying, and that shouldn't go unchallenged by anyone who knows better. Because what's his next B.S. line going to be?

"If your husband was alive, he'd know that Pedersen device on that '03 Springfield cut its resale value way down, because it's been altered."

"You can use this can of Bullseye in place of 4831, just add a little more because it's pistol powder."

"Your dad won't mind if you come back to my camper to check your Facebook page. You aren't the first fifteen year old girl who has gotten bored at a gun show."

Yes, all of those are over the top, but where do YOU draw the line at someone lying.?

[bowfin]

Back to the funny stuff:

I think I threw a real curve to a guy last gun show. He had a stainless steel Bearcat for the best price I had seen. He deals in mostly new Rugers.

"I want to buy that stainless steel Bearcat."

"Why?...Wait, what?"

"That's a good price, I'm not even going to haggle."

"Well, I can't really go any lower than...Oh yeah you DON'T want to haggle...well then... okay..."

I think I caught the dealer off guard, but it was a good deal and that guy always has good deals. I just thought it funny that he seemed to have a hard time believing he had such an easy sale.

[bowfin]

Here's another one that got a guy a dirty look and a punch from his wife for saying this to a mutual friend. I can only speculate on what he didn't get from her for the following:

"What do you have there?"

"Oh I got this youth 20 gauge and a couple boxes of shells for my wife."

"That's a pretty good trade. Honey, let's go over there to that guy and see if he will give me the same deal on you."

[jcwit]

Now here's a funny one, not long ago was at one of our local shows and spotted a Stainless Steel Springfield 1911 45 ACP Auto new in the box for sale for $350.00 at one of the larger dealers. I snatched it up right away and didn't tell him that Buds Guns had the same model (PB9151LP) at a discounted price of $653.00 and he should sell it for more money.

Nope, kept my mouth shut and mailed in the guarantee papers when I got home.

[bowfin]

Hmmmm....

[starmac]

I guess I have been lucky, or maybe have a different attitude about shows.
I mainly go for entertainment, and I guess I have never been to one that I didn't think was worth the admission price. I have never worried or cared what price a vendor wants to put on his property, if it is out of line I keep walking. I generally do more bs'ing with the vendors than buying anyway.

Almost any auction here, there is a few firearms and some ammo too, and they always bring more than retail, some much, much more. I just pass on them, but I have bought a lot of reloading equipment and components at the auctions at fair to even real cheap prices.

[onceabull]

Didn't realize how badly I "needed" one until I saw Ammoheads..By then ,no new ones in normal retail channels..SO+++++ ,2+ yrs ago,during one of those infamous Friday night setups, here's a rifle (NOT the carbine) , easily 95% condition, set to go at $425.. It was not there when the Saturday morning crowd came surging in..Have yet to see anything already tagged on Friday nites at that gents table(s)since..However,I can find you one quicktime for $899.90 ......... Onceabull

[MT Gianni]

A gun shop in Laramie Wyo. 15 years ago had the sign outside: Guns, Buy Sell, Trade, Lie, Cheat, Steal.

[Love Life]

A gun shop in Laramie Wyo. 15 years ago had the sign outside: Guns, Buy Sell, Trade, Lie, Cheat, Steal.

Now that is funny! My favorite are the good salesmen. This took place at the crimson trace table.

Salesman: "What kind of pistol do you carry?"
Me: "Glock 26"
Salesman: " How do you aim at night?"
Me: "Trijicon night sights."
Salesman: "Have you ever considered a laser?"
Me: "No. I am good."
Salesman: "Well what about your wife? Has she ever considered a laser?"
Mrs Love Life: " I have thought about it."

Lets just say my wallet was a little lighter after that. I couldn't fault the guy though. He knew his stuff, and the Crimson trace is pretty cool on her Glock 17.

[ammohead]

However,I can find you one quicktime for $899.90 ......... Onceabull

Bill:

If you still have that 7-30 in May bring it to NCBS. I would like to take a look at it. They aren't gonna go down in price they only made so many and some day people are going to find out what great shooters they are, cast or jacketed.

ammohead

[Matt_G]

A gun shop in Laramie Wyo. 15 years ago had the sign outside: Guns, Buy Sell, Trade, Lie, Cheat, Steal.

That reminds me of the sign on a bar called Chilkoot Charlies in Anchorage, Alaska.
Sign read:
"We cheat the other guy and pass the savings on to you"

[Norbrat]

Not really gun related, but a sign at a local secondhand store a few years ago:

"We buy Junk, we sell Antiques!"

[MtGun44]

Well, not a gun show - but. . . . .

Reminds me of the law firm that the Click and Clack Brothers use -

"Dewey, Cheatham & Howe"

I actually saw this firm name painted on an upstairs window in a storefront near
Harvard.

Bill

[Jamesconn]

I've been looking for some guns on my list not that I have the money and I saw the shotgun I wanted mossberg 590A1 for $725. The only deal I find at gunshows is the. Nachos I buy ammo cans for $12 and I think I bought a hatchet for $7

[John Ross]

Back in about 1985 I was standing with two friends, both gunwriters for national magazines. We were talking with a fourth friend, a dealer with a variety of good stuff at fair prices. A customer wandered by his table, looked down, and said "OMG, a SEECAMP!, I've never even SEEN one of those in person!" (Back then the waiting list was something like 2 years for one.)

My friend and I looked at each other and smiled, and our dealer friend burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" the guy asked, a puzzled look on his face.

"Let's put it this way," our dealer friend said with a big smile, "if you'll just threaten someone with great bodily injury right now, you can see three more."

[perotter]

About 15 years ago at a show I was looking at a Spencer.

The dealer said "This has been hanging on the wall in a bar in Texas since the 1920s. The bar owner had gotten then from an old cowboy".

I said "The cowboy maybe traded for a couple of shots of whiskey".

I moved on thru the rest of the show and just before leaving I stop back & look at the Spencer again. This time the dealer said "This has been hanging on the wall in a bar in Texas since the 1920s. The bar owner had gotten then from an old cowboy. The cowboy traded it for a couple shots of whiskey".

I bust out laughing & told him that I was the one that said made up the part about the cowboy trading it for the drink. He turned red.

That dealer always had a good story for all the guns he was selling. After the incident with the Spencer, I never believed any of them.

[arjacobson]

Sign seen at a gun show"if we can't agree on prices-bring your wife in and we will dicker")

[MBTcustom]

I was at a gun show last weekend and I picked up a rough looking arisaka barreled action without the bolt. I looked it over and noticed some rust and that the mum had been ground off, but it looked like it had pretty sharp innards. I asked the guy behind the counter about it, He replied " Thats a real nice action and you wont find another one for that price" I asked him how much?
He said "I'll take $165 for it". He said it with a strait face too. I dropped the thing back on his table and walked off. (I had just bought an entire arisaka rifle on gunbroker for $125 and it came with the optional stock, bolt and trigger group!
As I walked away I was thinking "Well, he's right about one thing, I'll never see another one with a price like that."
I did get a deal on a couple of cast iron dutch ovens though. 12" and a 8" and I gave $40 for both.

[Eddie O]

Hundreds of Ads on Gunbroker,
"In perfect operating condition, I'm not a Gunsmith and never fired it, excellent condition with dark Bore and deep pitting, make offer, starting price $399, buy it now $400.

Not a Gunshow Comment, but could'nt resist.
Eddie O

[Frank46]

Remember when the CMP was selling the H&R M12 22 target rifles for $300 with the palma rear sight and either the international or olympic front. Dealer had one listed at $700 with a bs story about how hard they were to get. I couldn't resist telling him I paid $300 with the sights. Did he ever get mad. Tilting at windmills that's me. Frank