Fergus Falls, MN, gun show prices

[phorvick]

I stopped at the show on the way back home from visiting at The Carry Depot (if you have not been there, you should!) and I felt the urge to check it out.

In the past few years, if I got there about 3pm on Saturday the crowds would be huge, parking near impossible. Today there were very few people attending, although there seemed to be more tables. I walked up and down the aisles, stopping mostly at handgun tables as I have just enough knowledge on pricing to know if a particular dealer is competitive with other sources. I also always look at lever action carbines...still looking for the Marlin 1894C (Old Dude has one and I like it!) As an aside, when our local Wal-Mart sold rifles, they had the best price on the 1894C and I should have ordered one then!

Now, in fairness, I saw a lot of prices that, if not great or good, were fair; and, if I were in the market for a particular model, it would not have been an error to that I would later regret if I purchased a specific gun. But, that being said...I saw...

- a used Glock 22, with night sights, $675
- lots of used 9mm and .40 Glocks in the $450 range
- some used Taurus 92's in the $400 range
- new XD9 for $529
-"unfired" Thompson semi-auto Tommy Gun, with stick and 50 round drum for $1250 (private seller...that was a decent deal with the drum and -0- tax)
- used Taurus 85, $295
- several Romanian AK's for $389

Actually, in the main, most of the dealers that I could see marked handgun prices were "fair".... nothing to open the checkbook for, but...if in the market...they were fair.

I saw nothing for ammo that got me interested...but, for sure lots of odd calibers.

What struck me odd is that not a single dealer asked to show me anything or struck up a conversation even in instances where I stared and looked for some time.

All in all, I thought it was better than years past.

I have seen a few really good deals at that show...but, in each case after I see it, pass it over and then come back to get it, they were sold. I guess the lesson is that if it is a good deal, and you want it...then buy it. A couple of years ago there was a new Glock 17, 2nd generation, looked absolutely pristine, claimed to be unfired (and looked it) for $350. I walked about ten feet, then out to the car to get checkbook, and then back inside. It was sold. Another was a new Ruger Single Six package, matched set of two, consecutive serial numbers, for $475. That time I came back about 30 minutes later and it was also sold. I am still waiting for the "great deal" ...maybe next year!

[JFettig]

I too went to that show, got there at about 10 AM, It was actually pretty full then, parking lot had a few spaces left but not many.

I too didn't have a lot of people saying much. I was carrying around a Ruger MKIII for sale, no label or anything, I had to ask 2 dealers if they were interested, 2 others asked what I had in the Ruger box.

I was hoping to find some reloading stuff, there was 1 or 2 tables with reloading stuff, mostly overpriced used dies(as high as new ones or higher) and a couple small bags of cases for way too much. I had some brass along hoping to unload it on someone but there wasn't much interest in that.

Paul, you probably saw that first table as you walked in, that guy owns the shop in Willmar (Zero Tolerance). His inventory has grown quite a bit from way back when. We use to call it "the fireworks stand", He probably had the largest setup there with the most guns.


Jon

[Medic468]

- a used Glock 22, with night sights, $675
- lots of used 9mm and .40 Glocks in the $450 range

At this rate I could grow my collection very quickly. Streichers has them for $300 for police trade in's, If they are selling for 450-600 that is a hell of a profit

What struck me odd is that not a single dealer asked to show me anything or struck up a conversation even in instances where I stared and looked for some time.

My guess is that the high prices may have something to do with this. In the recent Gun Shows that I have gone to this seems to be the norm. If the guys selling knew that striking up a conversation with a lot of the people coming up could result in more transactions, they might not charge as much for each individual gun, also resulting in more volume.

But what do I know. I'm just a consumer

[Aceq2jot]

- a used Glock 22, with night sights, $675
- lots of used 9mm and .40 Glocks in the $450 range

At this rate I could grow my collection very quickly. Streichers has them for $300 for police trade in's, If they are selling for 450-600 that is a hell of a profit

Abut as a EMT \ Emergency worker the Officer price is available to you for a brand new weapon from both Glock and S&W and i also believe Sig extends the offer to Emt's etc. You would be amazed by who can get officer price with night sights.

[Squib Joe]

In my experience, gun show prices are normally padded because they expect some haggling.

[BamBam]

In my experience, gun show prices are normally padded because they expect some haggling.

You mean I could have haggled with you when I bought my XD

[pesticidal]

I got there right at open-up, and walked around for a couple hours. The guy at the Zero Tolerance booth was pretty busy right away, but took time out to chat in between sales. The Tommy gun, with the 50 round mag, was enticing. I told the guy I have a friend that just got an old Tommy FA, and he snorted like he didn't believe me. (I'm in North Dakota, where civilians can get FA's)

I saw a KelTec PLR16 get sold for $650.00. Makes me think I should sell my NIB one I just got if they're getting that kind of money...

[phorvick]

I got there right at open-up, and walked around for a couple hours. The guy at the Zero Tolerance booth was pretty busy right away, but took time out to chat in between sales. The Tommy gun, with the 50 round mag, was enticing. I told the guy I have a friend that just got an old Tommy FA, and he snorted like he didn't believe me. (I'm in North Dakota, where civilians can get FA's)

I saw a KelTec PLR16 get sold for $650.00. Makes me think I should sell my NIB one I just got if they're getting that kind of money...

Pesty...MN'ers can also have an old Tommy Gun as it is a C&R (and we are a full auto C&R State).

Now, I have the semi-auto version, with drum etc., and yes, they are high on the fun factor. Very accurate also. Perhaps we need to get together to exercise it

[pesticidal]

Ah. Never knew that about the FA C&R. Cool.

[642rUS]

Go on Sunday afternoon. Have nice crisp new hundreds.

Always buy used. Most guns are not shot more than 100 rounds (including one or two "police trades" I've bought).

Lay down what YOU want to pay and say "Are you going to let those hundreds and their friends get away?" One in three will say "no" and take your low but fair offer. Dealers need cash to buy more guns not old inventory they've carried to and from six shows this year.