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  • seeker_two

    My posts don't count....
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    1   0   0
    Jul 1, 2008
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    That place east of Waco....
    I gave up on big-city gun shows a long time ago. The shows in medium-to-small cities like Tyler, Waco, & Bryan tend to have better selections and prices. Plus, the people tend to be nicer at the smaller shows.

    Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
     

    Renegade

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    Mar 5, 2008
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    Sep/Nov are the best MH shows.

    It will take a Dem and threat of AWB to fill MH hall. Maybe if Lupe gets elected in Nov, the Nov show will be packed.

    Nov/2008 show when Obama was elected was insane, as was the Jan/2013 show after Sandy Hook.
     

    RevolverGuy

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    Aug 8, 2013
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    Gun shows have been declining since ATF clamped down on home -based FFLs.

    Actually it’s the exact opposite.

    The FOPA passed in the 80s permits dealers to make transfers away from their licensed premises. This allowed dealers and more importantly, distributors, to sell at shows.

    Distributors began competing directly with their LGS customers, whom they can undercut. I remember not long after the law passed, I’d walk in to a show and see table after table of new guns.

    This has driven LGS to the brink of extinction.

    Now the internet has cut in to the gun show’s business. Why bother going to a show when you can find exactly what you want online, probably for less money?

    I was an FFL operating out of my home from 1987 to 1996, when Slick Willy jacked up the renewal fees 2000% and started requiring fingerprints. However, there’s still plenty of home-based FFLs who seem to do alright by doing little more than transfers on internet sales.

    It would be nice if there were “non-dealer” shows, more of a swap meet.

    But I, for one, would not care to be standing behind a table when the TV news crew shows up and declares on camera that I’m an unlicensed dealer selling unlicensed guns and exploiting the “gun show loophole” and selling guns and cop-killer bullets to criminals and kids and crazy people and, uh, criminals kids...

    RIP, gun shows.
     
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    45Jim

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    Sep 10, 2014
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    I have been going to Market Hall since the 70's. You guys are right M.H. is going down and fast. I am a WWII C&R axis pistol collector and there is not much there anymore. Back in the 70's it was great. Now just AR stuff and plastic framed pistols along with the jingle bobs and doo dads. It seems that the dealers are way over priced and are looking for that ONE sale by fleecing the unaware buyer. Not much fun anymore. It is not just Market Hall either....it is all the gun shows!
     
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    Moonpie

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    Gunz are icky.
    One of the problems is prices on milsurp.
    Back in the day milsurp cost peanuts compared to new.
    I’m 59. I can remember 1903A3’s new in the wrap for $200 when a new Remchester 7000 was $400. Ww2 1911’s for $300 and a new 1911 Colt was $500.
    Nowadays its flipped.
    New stuff is still affordable but old milsurp, especially US milsurp, is nucking futs.
    Just the other day I saw a British Enfield No.4 marked $900. NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS. Hory Clap!
    Young folks can’t even afford to look at the things.
     

    deemus

    my mama says I'm special
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    One of the problems is prices on milsurp.
    Back in the day milsurp cost peanuts compared to new.
    I’m 59. I can remember 1903A3’s new in the wrap for $200 when a new Remchester 7000 was $400. Ww2 1911’s for $300 and a new 1911 Colt was $500.
    Nowadays its flipped.
    New stuff is still affordable but old milsurp, especially US milsurp, is nucking futs.
    Just the other day I saw a British Enfield No.4 marked $900. NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS. Hory Clap!
    Young folks can’t even afford to look at the things.

    Right on. I'm shocked those $60 SKS rifles are now $600. $99 Mosin Nagants are $400.
     

    majormadmax

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    Aug 27, 2009
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    San Antonio!
    The decline in gun shows has been obvious, and I don't go nearly as much as I used to but there is still always the possibility of that rare deal on something that I just can't live without! It doesn't happen often but on occasion I stumble across that one item that makes it all worth while!

    Here in S.A. it was decent for a while when Premier was still doing their show; but since they left and we are basically left with SAXET (same stuff every time) and a few other smaller shows that are simply not worth the time, cost or effort, I am down to going to one or two shows a year. Yes, online sales probably took the biggest bite out of gun show's ass but I still contend it is more desirable to be able to see, smell and hold a firearm before buying it. Dealers also know that once you have it in your hands your more likely to buy it. Plus, you don't have to deal with the time and costs of transferring it.

    The gun industry is also partially to blame, they've exploited every opportunity to jack prices up through fear tactics. For eight years we heard "Obama is going to take your guns away!" but alas it never happened. Every mass shooting is a chance to scare people into panic buys, then a few months later the buyers are back at the show trying to recoup their loss with little success. Despite claims to the contrary, the gun industry's biggest concern is how much money it can squeeze out of firearms enthusiasts no different than the NFL.

    Sorry for the tirade, I miss the days of exciting and enjoyable gun shows. I used to go to one or two a month, but these days I have found better things to do with my time. I occasionally get enticed by memories of those aforementioned rare deals, but in reality they are getting more and more rarer. It's pretty easy to turn off the alarm clock and enjoy a sleep in instead...
     

    Moonpie

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    Gunz are icky.
    I agree with you MMM.
    What amazes me is how stubborn some of those gun guys can be.
    I know of one gunshow dealer who has been toting the exact same pistol to the shows for YEARS. He absolutely will NOT come off the price. I’ve tried. Now I know he has all of about $100 in it but by God it WILL sell for $800.
    He has draggng that same gun to the shows for damn near ten years. The stupid of it is it is a $250 gun on a perfect day.
     

    MTA

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    Fannin
    Young folks can’t even afford to look at the things.

    This 100%. Tons of young shooters love history and want to own the guns that were used in WW1 and WW2 but they cant even get near them now. I have a C&R FFL and I have used it once in the past two years. I just got out of the military right before that POS shot up that school in Conn in 2012, and the prices of milsurps went through the roof.

    Yes, online sales probably took the biggest bite out of gun show's ass but I still contend it is more desirable to be able to see, smell and hold a firearm before buying it.

    Do you think if they pass all that crap to tax every online sale that gun shows will bounce back to what they use to be some? Or will the jackasses behind the table jack up the prices even more since more people would probably come out for the shows?
     

    majormadmax

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    Do you think if they pass all that crap to tax every online sale that gun shows will bounce back to what they use to be some? Or will the jackasses behind the table jack up the prices even more since more people would probably come out for the shows?

    I am sure the majority of gun show dealers will "pass the savings on to us!" as they did when .22 ammo was scarce, etc. :p

    As mentioned, some of these vendors would bite the hand that feeds them. I understand it takes a financial and time commitment to set up at these shows, and honestly I doubt it is very worthwhile for the vast majority of them; but those that don't realize the online competition (easily researched using the GunDeals app) gives the advantage to the buyer are usually the ones that complain that no one is buying anything!

    I for one will gladly pay a bit more for the opportunity to get to hold and inspect the firearms prior to purchase, and I also prefer to "invest" my money in local businesses; but when I can get the exact same weapon for over a hundred dollars cheaper online I no longer feel as charitable!

    That said, I have had great experiences with many gun show vendors. Mark Chernushin, Dreadnaught Industries and AJC Sports are a few that have taken great care of me in the past and with whom I gladly do business with. They are what makes going to the shows worth the effort, but unfortunately they are the exception and not the norm...
     

    MTA

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    I agree. There are a few vendors that I go to for the modern stuff but I cant remember their names, I just recognize their sign when I go.

    The only show I went to recently that was very good was the show in Mesquite. I saw a good amount of affordable milsurps. Also alot of Russian AKs priced right.
     

    Moonpie

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    Gunz are icky.
    I raffed as well.
    Just like I do when I see that beat to tatters box of .250 Savage ammo the silly vendor has been trying to sell for $73.76 since 1995.
    You would think they would get tired of dragging that junk around?
    How about those goofy prices on Python and Diamondback revolvers? Come on fella’s. They’re just six shot .38’s.
     

    Surplus Guy

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    Jul 21, 2017
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    Market Hall use to be the best when we had Obama in there. I took a friend from out of state about year ago. What a waste of time. The only good part is that there are still personal collections and sometimes you can pick up a used or surplus pistol at a good price. Not easy to find that deal, however.
     

    Stony

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    Jan 18, 2015
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    I went to Market Hall about months ago and vowed to stay away from them afterward. Lots of empty tables and ridiculous prices. It took me about 30 minutes to scan my through the whole show and I was out of there. You feel like an idiot when you stand there while someone on the other side of the table talks to you like you know nothing and tries to charge you a ridiculous price for something. The show can't even fill the tables on one side of the building anymore, when they used to fill up both sides.
     
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