Gun show prices/availability

[Rockchucker]

I went to a gun show yesterday in Dothan, Al. to get supplies and was real surprised at the attendance. Place was packed out with the line to get inside about 100 yards long and two wide. After walking around some I settled in to the reloading section, They had an eight lb kegs of Unique for 110.00 and 1 lb bottle on H4198 for 19.95, Primers were 29.00 per thousand and had everything but large rifle in stock. I was glad to see supplies on the shelf, so I bought the powders and 3 thousand primers. They had zero casting supplies though.

Ron

[armyrat1970]

I went to a gun show yesterday in Dothan, Al. to get supplies and was real surprised at the attendance. Place was packed out with the line to get inside about 100 yards long and two wide. After walking around some I settled in to the reloading section, They had an eight lb keg of Unique for 110.00 and 1 lb bottle on H4198 for 19.95, Primers were 29.00 per thousand and had everything but large rifle in stock. I was glad to see supplies on the shelf, so I bought the powders and 3 thousand primers. They had zero casting supplies though.

Ron

That's good to hear. My local gunshow is coming next weekend and I will attend to buy primers and powder. I was thinking they would not have anything to offer but your post is giving me a little hope. The downside is I have to work on Saturday and can only go on Sunday. Hope everything isn't sold out by then. I got a feelin' I'll be a day late and a dollar short though.

[Baron von Trollwhack]

Yesterday, the Richmond Va. show had a line longer than any I have ever seen, and that's in a long time of going.

The two powder and powder suppliers had about a 40% range of what they carried in better times, limits on primer purchases @ 2K, and a greatly reduced level and kind of powder stock.

I believe a lot of the slow to think were coming out of the hills, as I heard several say things like "What's a good powder and primers for muh 270. That's what I hunt with"

Small amounts of case lots of common pistol ammo, none of things like 380, common Wolf rifle @ three times august prices, Aguila 22 bricks , now by the box at $4.50, bricks @ $40.

Lots of AR accessories, mostly red chinese, I'm not sure about the boxes of likely knock-off tactical scopes of duboius provenance. Most of the fantasy knife crap is gone replaced by opportunistic sellers of gun fluffery for noobs, Good older guns very high in price by the regular gougers.

It is clear a large part of the local gun economy is prospering at least temporarily, especially the "good guys" who have been reliable over the years.

BvT

[monadnock#5]

It seems that most of the times I've been to gun shows, I've gone there looking for something in particular. As a result I go home empty handed more often than not. That's OK by me, as sometimes I get to feeling kind of lonely, and get to wondering if I'm some sort of disturbed personality type because many of those in my immediate orbit aren't addicted to shooting, reloading and especially casting.

When I go to a gun show and have to wait in line for half an hour, and then get through the door to find wall to wall buyers, sellers and goods of all types, I just can't express in words how happy that makes me.

[Bret4207]

I'm a bit confused with all the talk that the Nation is on it's knees begging for scraps of food, yet the malls and gun shows are packed. Could it be maybe we aren't as bad off as we're told and that it really is only 5% of the people and only in certain parts of the country that're suffering from the burst bubble?

[Baron von Trollwhack]

Part of the obaba plan is to pump up the problems in order to drive quicker responses, and be a bigger savior. The media helps of course as does all the special intrest groups and the crooks and charlatans and a great many others who use the confusion to profit. Personally, I see in the election a very good means to understanding how hitler came to power in the crises in post-war Germany and what the next steps into the future may be.

[bbs70]

It seems that most of the times I've been to gun shows, I've gone there looking for something in particular. As a result I go home empty handed more often than not. That's OK by me, as sometimes I get to feeling kind of lonely, and get to wondering if I'm some sort of disturbed personality type because many of those in my immediate orbit aren't addicted to shooting, reloading and especially casting.

When I go to a gun show and have to wait in line for half an hour, and then get through the door to find wall to wall buyers, sellers and goods of all types, I just can't express in words how happy that makes me.

I know exactly what you're saying.:drinks:

When I go to a gun show I usually do a fast walk through to see what sellers have.
Then I do a slow casual walk through to look at everything and to enjoy being around others who have the same interest in guns I have.

I've been know to spend several hours walking around looking and talking to others at the shows, heck sometimes I even buy stuff.
Its close to that warm and fuzzy feeling that I've heard about.:)

I'm not into CAS, but lately I find myself going to some of their events just to watch and see what types of guns they have, and to talk to them.
Its always nice to be around people who share your interests.

[blysmelter]

I'm a bit confused with all the talk that the Nation is on it's knees begging for scraps of food, yet the malls and gun shows are packed. Could it be maybe we aren't as bad off as we're told and that it really is only 5% of the people and only in certain parts of the country that're suffering from the burst bubble?


Much the same here in Norway also, media and politicans trying to convince people the world is at the brink.

[Heavy lead]

Yes and to further convince us that we are in peril flying into the sun, Nancy and Harry are now pro gun, when Schumer announces he is now pro 2nd amendment that is the seventh sign for sure, I think Nostradamus wrote such!:kidding:

[Echo]

Made our gun show yesterday. Fairly fast walk through, looking for a good buy on a Marlin, didn't find any, but bought a few K primers @ $22 per. Surprised to find them that cheap. May go back today and buy more.
No powder, though...

[joeb33050]

I'm a bit confused with all the talk that the Nation is on it's knees begging for scraps of food, yet the malls and gun shows are packed. Could it be maybe we aren't as bad off as we're told and that it really is only 5% of the people and only in certain parts of the country that're suffering from the burst bubble?
Yes, there are still 92% of the workers working, we still buy and make a lot of stuff, and the recession varies by location. Here in the keys the wealthy seem to be doing OK, however the help wanted section in the local paper, "Keynoter", has shrunk to almost nothing. Repair garages and NAPA doing well-not great; new car dealerships are dead.
It's always like this, the variation, in recessions. Let's hope that the president's various plans will get us out of this quickly.
I don't understand the opposition's opposition to attempting to fix the economy. It seems like time to get together on the economic front. (there were those 700 Ohio folks applying for one janitorial job.)
joe b.

[rockrat]

Pretty good price on the Unique. PV has it for $96, then theres shipping/hazmat, so you did well on it. Our local show is in three weeks. See how it goes and how fast the powder/primers go off my table.

[Tom Herman]

I've seen very good traffic at the local show, nothing out of the ordinary. Lots of plastic guns, older stuff outlandishly priced, and the usual flotsam and jetsam that it seems no one ever buys.
I can't remember ever seeing primers for sale locally at the show, and I've been going to it for six plus years.
The power guy (who is a real a$$), has been strangely absent for the last several shows. No great loss... Maybe someone else will fill the market void.

I'm seeing a small selection of primers for sale in the big stores (Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse), practically no brass or powder.
The strange thing is that the local stores have a good supply of CCI primers (better than nothing, I prefer Federal) and a LOT of powder (except, of course, for the Unique that I'm looking for).

So, stuff is out there...

Happy Shootin'! -Tom

[rhead]

Much the same here in Norway also, media and politicans trying to convince people the world is at the brink.

Blysmelter: Maybe they are begining to realize that their world IS on the brink. They are becoming irrelivent and do not like it. They are hoping if they sell what is left their souls the polititcos will help them. Most of the workers will just keep on getting by. It will certanly be painful for some.

[Mark Daiute]

I'm glad you folks are doing OK!

I'm a self employed Land surveyor and 15 months ago business went off a cliff and it's pretty much the same for my colleagues in the area.

Hasn't stopped me from haunting gun shows tho but this has impacted my ability to buy food for the family let alone firearms!

glad it's not so bad for the rest of you.

Here's to good shooting!

Mark

[Shiloh]

Made our gun show yesterday. Fairly fast walk through, looking for a good buy on a Marlin, didn't find any, but bought a few K primers @ $22 per. Surprised to find them that cheap. May go back today and buy more.
No powder, though...

Great Price!! Bummer about no powder. Been a couple of years since primers were $22 here.

Shiloh

[crazy mark]

Gun show here in Albany Oregon yesterday and today. yesterday there was long lines, lots of guns being bought, not much powder or primers. I helped the economy. 1 marlin 36-A in 32 spl and a 3 screw RBH in 30 carbine. My buddy bought an Arisaka. Instant check was running 38-60 minutes if at all. Some dealers stopped trying to sell any more guns until they got the backed up paperwork done. Went back this morning and things were quieter. Picked up some brass and gun rugs. Another gun show in 2 weeks so it will be interesting to see what they still have for sale. Lots of Marlins in the $300 - $500 range. a 336 a in 30/30 for $425 and a 35 rem for $385. A 336 32 spl not as nice as the one I got for $385. I paid $350 and it didn't bother me one bit as it is about 90+%. Mark

[Bret4207]

Yes, there are still 92% of the workers working, we still buy and make a lot of stuff, and the recession varies by location. Here in the keys the wealthy seem to be doing OK, however the help wanted section in the local paper, "Keynoter", has shrunk to almost nothing. Repair garages and NAPA doing well-not great; new car dealerships are dead.
It's always like this, the variation, in recessions. Let's hope that the president's various plans will get us out of this quickly.
I don't understand the opposition's opposition to attempting to fix the economy. It seems like time to get together on the economic front. (there were those 700 Ohio folks applying for one janitorial job.)
joe b.

Because you have to look beyond the headlines Joe. These guys, and I include Bush, in the past year have spent or promised what? 4-6 TRILLION dollars to banks, companies, States, even to Hamas! Yeah, nearly a billion dollars in assistance to The Palestinians, ie-Hamas!. None of the latest rounds of spending are going to do much. Only 15% or so of the "Stimulus" is going to be spent in the next 18 months. The rest will hit the country just before the Mid-Term Elections.Does that seem a mite suspicious Joe? Yeah, our beloved politicians, who brought us this mess, are going tto use our money to by our votes with.

Like I said, look beyond the headlines.

[FN in MT]

I'll pass on the Political discussion here but can comment on the Gun Show situation a bit. Shows here in MT were always popular, attended by everyone from the average hunter and shooter to the Mall Ninja and Mtn Man/Survivalist crowd. But since the Fall of 08 attendence is surely UP. Last big show in mid December saw a marked run on primers and powder no matter the price.

The Bozeman show comes up this next weekend. Going to be interesting to see if the three component sellers have anything left to sell. And if we have more average guys carrying around guns to sell.

Mid April we are taking the annual pilgimage to the Reno Show at the old Hilton. I fear it's going to be packed considering the population areas within easy driving distance. The group I go with is looking for older Colt/S&W pistols, Winchester rifles as well as anything that appeals to each of our personal interests. I'm always looking for casting stuff, another likes Militaria, etc.

FN in MT

[Nate1778]

Next gun show worth attending here is late spring. Last time I was there they had Primers in the $33 per thousand and tons of powder at very reasonable prices. The actual reloading equipment was high IMO but hey if they have it. I know their Lee Dies were roughly $10 over Midway. I am going to pick up primers and powder, everything else I'll get from online......

[1Shirt]

Gun show attendance shows me that the gun owning population fears what is coming down the pike with the current administration regarding gun laws. Am not so sure that there will soon be folks waterproofing weapons and putting them underground for safety. Sure hope I am wrong, and that we have enough in congress to support the 2nd. Ammendment.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[atr]

I'm a self employed Land surveyor and 15 months ago business went off a cliff and it's pretty much tI'm a self employed Land surveyor and 15 months ago business went off a cliff and it's pretty much the same for my colleagues in the area


hey Mark,,,,well same here....I am also self employed and my business has dropped by 30%....not to mention almost no back-log of work.....

[Heavy lead]

Support of the second ammendment or at least not attacking it directly is one thing, driving the gun industry out of business is what they are/will do/ing. Fact is Pelosi and Reid have come off their anti-gun agenda because they see what is happening, sure Ruger and Smith stock prices are up, that is temporary, fact is we have lost tons of ability to manufacture firearms here, look at how many arms are now made overseas, not to mention primers and powder. "They" can support the second ammendment out of one side of their mouth and shut it down out of the other. Now if this economic decline continues out remaining American gun companies will be gone, with the environmental wacko's, commerce dept. and batf running things could you imagine how difficult it would be to start a new Sturm Ruger type of business in a garage, ha, never happen not now. We are in trouble here on this second ammendment thing once they shut the imports down.
I hope I'm wrong here, but IMO the USA is f'd up mainly because of the inability to start a business unless you have big money behind you, and jump through years and years of governmental controls especially on the environmental front. I hope socialism falls before the rest of our industries do, or we are in for a real rough time.

[7x57]

There was a small local show here a couple of weeks ago. It was PACKED! there was barely enough room to walk down the aisle. Ammo prices were jacked up and selling like hotcakes. So many people there it was not any fun. I bought a couple of magazines and got out of there.

Me and my dad kind of got caught flat-footed during the last primer shortage. So, we made sure that wouldn't happen again. What has suprised me is the run on powder and bullets! Jacketed bullets, especially pistol bullets, are getting scarce and expensive. That has turned me back to doing more casting again.