Anyone go to the Mid Cities gun show? Anything good?

My interest in going to gun shows dropped significantly after watching this YouTube video.

Secret #6 is the most significant IMO.

So, People running a business are trying to make a profit? HOW DARE THEY!!

Let's just say it's that unless you're a dealer or ghost dealer who is there before the doors open, your chances of getting a good and fair deal at a gun show are not that great. IMHO, you're far better off routinely checking the more popular online sources for both new and used guns, which I'm sure many of the gun show dealers are now doing as well.

Seems like all the vendors know who has what. Years ago I went to find a Python. When I asked a vendor if he had seen one at the show, he said “tables 39, 61, and 85”. Same when I went looking for a Colt Diamondback in 22.

Already picking his boogers before making it to the scentsy table

not like they used to be, unless you like black guns, that explains that I am an old fart that likes wood, oh yea so does my wife

Now that there is funny Brother in law!

I strive to make my gun sales fair & equitable for the buyer whether at my dinner table or my gun show table. I provide a reasonable product at a reasonable price.

I had just bought a Remington Model 8 on Gunbroker -- it was in transit -- when I went to the Abilene show Dec. 3, and darn if there wasn't a guy with two of them, one in .30 Rem. and the other in .32 priced very reasonably.
I had blown my Model 8 budget, but did come home with a Winchester Model 12, 20 gauge, modified made in 1946. The gun shows a lot of use, no abuse and mint bore. Guy wanted $325 and I gave him $300. He looked like he was there with his brother or cousin or maybe a pal. They had thrown a white sheet over the table and only had four or five guns to sell. Obviously not jaded gun show regulars.

If you know what you are doing you can get really good deals at the shows . You just have to know more that the seller [ unlike the guy who made the video ] . I do not know how many $1000.00 + rifles I have bought for a fraction of their real value .

Haven’t been in years.

I used to love going w my dad back in the 80s.

Yours is the first report I've seen from someone who got a good deal at a gun show. I've known lots of guys who got good deals at pawn shops. When the pawn shop only gives the seller 50% (at best) of average retail value, it leaves a lot of room for negotiation.

A lot of what I buy is so rare there is no retail value for them to look up . They just do not know what they have . Like the Colt automatic pistol with Serial # 67 for $200 . The guy did not even think is was a real colt .

Makes sense. Seems much like the person who buys rare artwork from someone who knows nothing about the artist.

Over the years I have gotten quite a few great deals on used guns at the shows. One new priced at $4000+ rifle In almost new shape for $1750 a custom 44 Mag boltaction carbine for $500 that the parts were worth more than that not counting the gunsmithing on it. Those are a couple of the better deals. But overall well ahead on gunshow purchases. Then again if I wasn't on the good end of a deal walk on. Oh one traded a gun I paid <200 for a TC Contender 7-30 Waters pistol with a TC red pad butstck, matching forearm and 21 inch barrel in the same. A few good deals.

Those were all 15 or more years ago. Last couple I have been to wasn't really worth the price of admission

There were more scented candles and bins of cheap Chinese tools at the Abilene show than I would have preferred. Lots of empty tables, too. Guessing there are one or two shows a year here that are considered really good ones. The Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club, which I joined when I moved here, puts on a show at the Rattlesnake Roundup in March that is supposed to be very good. I look forward to it.

you need to watch a video to tell you this ?

I've had much better luck selling in the aisles than buying. I bought an Old Model Single Six at a show once. It was cheap but needed some parts and TLC. Can't remember buying much more than that one.

You can get good deals at gun shows, just not on firearms. This year, at the Llano & Kingsland gun shows I bought a Sheridan air rifle for $50, a RCBS Rockchucker Supreme for $50 & 2 old Redfield scopes for $45/both.

> I sold the air rifle later for $200.
> I cleaned up the RC press & replaced my RCBS Jr press with it. (I sold the Jr for $80.)
> I sent both scopes off for refurbish. I ended up with 2 fantastic scopes with duplex reticles for a net of about $125 each.

...and for the price of admission I had fun looking & talking to a lot of gun & shooter enthusiasts!