Gun Show Observations
 

Went to a gun show in central PA today. Didn't need anything, just wasting time and getting out of the house with some buddies. Thought I'd share some of our thoughts.

Prices were through the roof, for just about everything.

Nobody was selling bulk ammo. Saw no large quantities of .223 or .308. Two guys had quite a bit of 7.62 x 39, but he cheaper of the two wanted $4.75 per box for Wolf (and not the Wolf military). As far as I know, he still has it.

There was very little for sale in as far as AR's, AK's, SKS's and the like. One guy had 3 SOCOM III's for sale, sweet guns, but not many guys in this area are going to drop $1900 at a gun show. I did see 2 M1 Carbines and a few Garands, but they were all pretty beat up. The carbines were both blue sky imports, and marked at over a grand each...no thanks.

There were tables full of .303 British Enfields and various Mausers and the like. Almost too much, I was wondering where it all came from and where the usual variety was.

The busiest guy there was selling hi-cap magazines. Had boxes full of new composite magazines, and told me he had gone through several cases already. I grabbed 5 30's for the AR and 5 30's for the AK. I figure you can never have enough, I know they work well in my guns, and soon they may be drying up again. Didn't go looking for them, but couldn't keep my hand out of that box...


That's about it in a nutshell. High prices, low inventory, and hi-cap magazines running out the door.

Actual highlight of the trip??? The FD auxillary was selling some absolute killer pie from the kitchen as a fund raiser! I was happy to donate my share! Thanks, ladies! :emotions16:

Re: Gun Show Observations
 

Thanks for the report. Here's mine from the Houston area show over the weekend:

Quite crowded when I got there, plenty of folks buying what they want while they can get it. There were plenty of AK's, SKS's, AR's, and too many handguns. I don't recall seeing any FAL's, but I was keeping an eye out for the M1A's. One dealer had a nice selection of them. They had SOCOMII's for around $1550. Looking through the ammo, 308 was barely there in quantity. The usual two overpriced silver/gold dealers were there, and they did seem to be doing a little business at least. I was only there to observe the crazies and sold my last gun to a local dealer, as per GIM tradition. :smokin:

Re: Gun Show Observations
 

Yes who needs guns or ammo? After those two ounces of silver sold nothing to protect.

Re: Gun Show Observations
 

Sounds a lot like my observations from National Gun Day that I posted in the "get them before they're gone" thread. Hi cap mags and ammo seemed to be selling like crazy. Very few good deals to be found and lots of people talking about '08. I've actually thought about hoarding some high cap mags and AK rebuild kits. A fella might just make a FRN or two if he were to have a few of those lying around a few years from now...

Re: Gun Show Observations
 

Some, (not quite long) time lurker, first post, and so Hi guys.

03-03-07 Wichita KS Gun show:
Tons of hand guns, lots of shotguns, good amount of bolt long guns.
There didn't seem to me, to be enough ak - ar type rifles. That is just how it felt to me, based on previous gun shows. I only saw one FAL.
Ammo was through the roof, 1000 rds. .223 wolf fmj, $215ish, we called Cabalas to compare and they have the same 1000 rds. for $175ish. I bought 16 20 rd boxes of wolf 7.62 x 39. He had $4.25 on them, said he would let them go for $4 if I bought them all, and sold them for $60 they were the last that he had, and they had said closing in 5 min.

As for people, I was about to snap 10 minutes into the show, there was standing room only, and you had to fight your way to the tables. Talking to a couple of vendors they said that this was the best show in 5 years lots of people sold out of ammo before the end of the day.

I went to the show looking for a Kal-tec sub-2000 in 9mm. I didn’t find a single kal-tec long gun at the show, So none for me. That really bummed me out, I was excited for days before the show because I was going to be getting one of these.

I did pick up a gun that was on my maybe list. A Romanian ak-47 with 5 30 rd. Mags, and sight adjust tool. A guy was walking around with it and wanted $200, but did not have a sign or anything so I must have been the first to ask.. I thought that was a good deal for the day. I am having some problems with it, and am brand new to them but that is for a different thread.

Re: Gun Show Observations
 

Welcome to GIM Ctrl-z,

Here's a good site on Romanian AK's:

http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/whyromanian.htm

At $200 you can't go wrong. It's probably an SAR-1, which is usually pretty good.

I remember how gun show business picked up in the early Clinton years. I guess the masses know something is strage and seriously wrong with the world today, even if they don't know the cause.

Re: Gun Show Observations
 

I still have the items I picked up just prior to the 1st assault weapon ban.