My Experience at the 20-21 Aug Gun Show

[Wysiwyg101]

OK, let me preface this by saying I am still a complete newbie (n00b) to the world of firearm ownership. Indeed, I still haven't bought my first gun yet (still working on it as I had some financial setbacks), but I haven't ceased my research into all the things that go into making a firearms purchase, prices, CHL, caliber, how they feel, etc. Also, let me just say that I am interested in just a few guns as being in my initial price range and quite frankly, I think I like them more than the more expensive guns anyway. For reference, the guns I was looking at were in this order: XD(m)9C, XD(m)40C, XD9SC, XD40SC, Ruger SR9C (black), Ruger SR40C (black, which I didn't see at the show), Kel-Tec PF9, Ruger LP9 and the Kahr CM9 (which I don't recall seeing many Kahr's at the show either). I did also pick up some black guns just to get the feel as well as some Ruger Mini 14's and 10/22's because I hope to add them to my collection once I do finally get my start. I'm actually thinking about going with the Ruger SR9C first instead of the XD9SC or the XD(m)9C. It's cheaper and just about everybody that has one absolutely loves it as their primary. I need to take some time and go down and shoot it to see if I like it.

Now, the way I notice that this particular gun show works is that most folks funnel to the far right aisle and start there and just go up and down similar to grocery shopping. You would think that the cheaper gun offers would be over against the opposite wall. Mainly because those sellers would feel that since people were funneling thru on the right side that they would find what they were looking for sooner and they would leave after that and never make it to them. But, I think I found the best deals right there in that first pass down that first aisle on the right. Shoot, at the first table offering handguns I found a couple of the best deals.

I first saw an XD9SC for a mere $379 brand new with the full essentials kit. Then I saw an XD(m)9C for $525 which is pretty dang good also. The little Kel-Tec PF9 was $275 at a later table. I did find another table that had an XD(m)9 for $514 which, in my research, is AWESOME. The lowest I found the Ruger SR9C was $379 which is just ok I think. The rest of the pistols I was looking at were pretty average as far as prices were concerned.

What surprised me were the prices at the other, what I would think would be the more desperate, side. I saw an XD(m)9C going for $705. I wondered what he would say if I told him that I saw one for a mere $514 on the other side. That's quite a big savings. And no, there wasn't anything on the tag about night sights, or added lasers or flash lights. In one aisle on one table there was a Ruger SR9C for $389 on one table and right across from it on another table was one for $399. I wondered what he would say if I told him his competitor was $10 cheaper. Would he let me have it for his competitors price? Or would he go down even more as incentive? Or, would he stick to his guns (pun intended...lol)? I saw a few more going for $410 and $415 and one for $450. I wanted to go up to them and say, "Really? A little high ain't ya?" Then, on that opposite wall I was absolutely floored by one price. $705 for an XD(m)9C. Can you believe it? That's gotta be MSRP or more. At a gun show. I think if I were selling guns at a gun show I would go and see what my competitors were selling the same guns for and I would at the very least try and match the average.

This time I was able to get my wife to go and I think she had an OK time. She's one of those wives who don't really want a gun in the house. She is resigned to the fact that I'm gonna get one (or more....lol), but not happy about it. We saw quite a few different types of people there from rural folks, to suburbanites like us, to sophisticated types. Caucasian, African-American, Asian, Hispanic, and probably a few other races thrown in as well. Beautiful people (saw a few gals who should be models or something) and flat out ugly people (I felt at home with them...lol). Young and old it didn't matter. One thing brought that great mixture of people together. The right to keep and bear arms. Well, that and guns. Lots and lots guns. And uhmm, gun accessories. Ammo. Knives. Ok, so maybe why everybody showed up was because of the beef jerky and the beef sticks as well as the nuts sold by the nut lady in the back...lol. No, I think it was guns.

Maybe I should get me a cool tagline signature right here. I notice that some guys have what different guns they own. Mine would say something like:

Wysiwyg101
Ruger SR9C (soon, but not yet)
XD9SC (also soon but not yet)
XD(m)9C (soon but not yet)
CHL (well, also not yet....but workin on it)
TX DL (Oh yeah...that I got)

[Rex B]

The reason you may be seeing the best prices at the first few tables is because those sellers are the most aggressive. You don't get those tables by luck of the draw, you have to reserve them way ahead of time, every show. those sellers take selling seriously. If they don't sell guns every day, they are wasting time and money.
those guys at the back are less serious, willing to take the sales the aggressive guys miss. But I've found that often the best deals on used are at the back of the room.

as well as the nuts sold by the nut lady in the back..

Those are the "gun nuts" you hear about in the news media

[Beiruty]

Well, It does not hurt if you make an offer. Hey,how about that SIG rifle for $950 "Outa Z Door"?
At Gun Shows, sellers are expected to hear about offers. They are willing to sell as long as they make a profit.

[Wysiwyg101]

Gun nuts....lol. If only that were true. Lest I be misunderstood, I had a great time both days at the Gun Show. It's my fourth gun show so far and my second there at Market Hall. I can easily see why once you get "the bug" it's hard to want to stop. I initially only wanted a handgun to carry for protection purposes. Now I want a whole slew of other guns as well for different purposes.

Here's a question for y'all. Are gun stores willing to negotiate any? Or are they absolutely firm on the price? How about this, are they willing to price match to other stores? Or to the internet?

[Tallinthesaddle]

Good job on getting your wife to go. There are usually a few craft or jewelry dealers at a show and I give my wife some cash and I tell her to look around while I get down to business.
As for your gun purchase and having it in the house, I would continue to sell her on the idea of how you are going to keep it locked up and secured.

[Adraper]

The last gun show I went to was in Houston. I didn't notice the same situation. Good prices seemed to mixed through out but you would have high and low sellers sometimes close by one another. I saw about a $300 difference on one particular kimber model. The high sellers just had more room to work on the price if they wanted to sell.

[74novaman]

as well as the nuts sold by the nut lady in the back..

Those are the "gun nuts" you hear about in the news media

[Fisherman74]

Here's a question for y'all. Are gun stores willing to negotiate any? Or are they absolutely firm on the price? How about this, are they willing to price match to other stores? Or to the internet?

Simply put, some will deal with you, some will not. It does not hurt to ask, some will come off a few dollars, some will not. Some will act offended.

I'll just say this, there are some good dealers, but they are few and far between and not what they used to be.

[punkndisorderly]

I've pretty much written off gun shows. On common guns, I buy online and have them delivered to my local dealer. If the dealer price is close, I buy from them. For harder to find stuff, i drive up to collectors firearms. They charge too much, but they have stuff no one else is likely to have.

I don't like the crowds. I don't like the people that block off whatever I want to look at to jabber a bunch of usually false crap at their buddy. I don't like paying for the privaledge of browsing. I don't like paying to park for those that charge. I don't like paying extra to use my card. I don't like buying something that's been pawed over by hundreds of people. I don't like sweaty dudes that didn't shower recently rubbing up against me.

About the only time I go nowis to handle something no one local has that i'm pretty sure I like already.

Gun shows are kind of the mens version of black friday or tax free weekend. Or shopping at walmart. A lot of people dig them. Me, not so much.

[punkndisorderly]

One other thing i've noticed. Most of the cheap tables specialize in the mid range, high volume guns. They normally don't have the oddball things I buy. For example, good luck finding a blued Smith service revolver or higher end 1911, or Glock 17L or 20C. The have some of that, but usually not what I'm looking for when i'm looking for it.

I tend to have tastes that are a little different. I also know exactly what i'm looking for. I'd rather order exactly what I want, than buy what they happen to have.

There are guys that have that stuff, but usually at or around what you'd pay elsewhere.

Now if you want a kimber or a S&W snubbie or a glock 26 or XD, and want to pay cash, you won't get one cheaper elsewhere probably.

[SwimFan85]

What surprised me were the prices at the other, what I would think would be the more desperate, side.

Most people I know browse the whole show before buying, unless they find a rare collectible item far below book price.

[Salty1]

The bottom line is that if a dealer is going to buy $250k at one time they will get a really agressive discount that most dealers will not have the funds or line of credit to qualify for. I have seen dealers selling certain handguns cheaper than my cost (I do not sell at gun shows). One thing to be cautious of is that I have seen "blemished" guns being sold as well. Personally I would not have an issue with a cosmetic flaw as long as the price was adjusted accordingly and was told up front, bottom line is to fully inspect any firearm you are looking to purchase. Some dealers make their money by selling quantity, others by hoping that the shopper is not fully educated and has only price shopped at Bass Pro or Cabellas where they command a premium price, and others by providing superior service and will be there for you after the sale with a slightly higher price. I guess it all depends on what type of person and shopper you are and what creates a value to you.......

[Wysiwyg101]

Some good comments here. I like to do plenty of research on certain things before I jump in with both feet. It has kept me out of trouble on more than one occasion. So far I have only shot one of the guns I am interested in and it was in a .40 caliber. But, I've picked up and help many guns since then. I really like the way the Springfield XD and XD(m) lines feel. With that said, I am also very interested in the Ruger SR9C and/or possibly the SR40C. For you Glock lovers out there, I just don't like the way those finger-grips fit my hand.

I understand why some folks would choose to not go to a gun show. But for me, I like them. My feet and legs hurt at the end of the day, but I thoroughly enjoy myself when I'm there. I learn something new all the time. I heard this guy talking to his girlfriend/wife that she should go with a .45 1911 cause they were the best. Then I heard him say that she should bypass the Glocks and the Springfields because they didn't have a good reputation. Right then and there I knew he hadn't done his research and didn't have a clue. From what I can tell, those two brands are like Chevy and Ford pick-up trucks. The most basic dependable trucks on the highways and byways of the Great State of Texas.

This time I wanted to do my best to see what prices were available on a variety of handguns and I did. I am also hoping that I can shoot a few hundred rounds a month down range so I am interested in the whole reloading experience. So, I checked into some pricing on brass, powder, primers, reloaders, and bullets. I checked out the crowd paying a little bit of attention to what others were buying. And, my wife and step-daughter wanted to stop at every single booth that had memorabilia and knives. My step-daughter got one of those cheap $10 Sheffield hard to open pocket knives "because it looked cool and pretty"....lol.

All in all we had a great time. I'm glad we went and I plan on going to the next one when it comes back. Hopefully by then I will have finally purchased my first firearm, ammo, and the safe I am gonna need to keep in in the house. I'm looking forward to it.