doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Gun Show Follies

I just got home from the Crossroads Gun Show in Phoenix and have a few observations I think might be of interest:
This show opened to the public at 9:00am and the line to get into the show was still very long at 11:00am which was the last time I looked. I don't remember seeing a feeding frenzy like was occurring at the ammo vendors ever before. You would never know we're in a recession if you were standing by one on the ammo vendors tables. Price gouging is rampart and ,for example, a box of 1000 large pistol primers was going for $80.00! The last time I bought these I paid under $20.00 per box. Price gouging on anything ammo related was across the board but I think this gives you the idea.
The was a nice selection of doubles including several Parkers Elsies,Foxes etc. I was sorely tempted to buy a decent Lefever I found priced under $300 that had a poor,but easily fixable, stock repair. The sporting gun dealers I talked to said business was slow. IMO;and for whatever it's worth, now is an opportune time to start hitting the shows and looking for doubles as I expect to see continued price softening as the tactical gun buying mania continues.
I'll be glad to answer any questions.
Jim

The gun and ammo manufacturers have just announced their Salesman of the Year: Barack Obama.

Jolly

That's almost exactly what the market was in Tulsa this spring.

I went to Crossroads this morning, too. The lines and crowds were horrendous, and the only things selling were black rifles and ammo. Saw some nice vintage things and may return tomorrow.

I've seen lots of the same in Alaska but, I've sold more guns in the last month than I had in the last 18 months. All were at least 70 years old. I don't understand it but I do like it.

I have been seeing this in OH and PA for the last few months. Ammo and black guns are the only things selling. At one show I had a nice Nitro I was walking around with for sale at a modest $425.00. I had a lot of inquiries but no buyer. I was outside having a smoke with a friend and he suggested I lower my price. I said "OK watch this". The next two people that inquired I responded that I wanted $100.00! Neither of them reached for their wallets. It's very strange out there right now. Nice doubles at bargain prices are just sitting there waiting for new homes.

Ever been on the business end of a double 12? Seemed pretty "tactical" to me!

Just did the big antique gun show in Novi, MI this past weekend. I had a table full of various old gun related "stuff" plus a couple guns and I did real well selling. Well meaning to the tune of about $500, part of which I turned into ammo at good prices. Found 12 boxes of short 10 gauge paper shells, some trap loads, and some 16 gauge hunting loads all for fair prices.

Couple other guys I know that had tables did alright as well, and I know a friend moved a Colt double at a good price. This weekend there's another little show nearby that I'll probably attend. This is mostly a black guns and pistol ammo type deal but I've got a lead on some 10 gauge ammo from a guy there so I'll go pay my $4 door fee to check it out.


Destry

The last time I paid $4 to get in a gun show was 1980 sumpin!!

I went to this one a couple months back and that's how much it was. Did seem cheap but it's not much of a show, if it was more than $5 I'd probably pass.

DLH