Tanner Gun Show

[RARGUNS]

I went to the Tanner gun show today. I was sickened by what some of these people are charging. I did manage to get 500 rds. of XM193 for $145. with a ammo can. I also found some individual lower parts I needed for some builds I'm doing.

After looking at what these guys are charging for basic ARs, I have decided to get a table next month and try to set a new standard. I think it's great to make a profit, but not all the profit has to come from one sale.

[jscwerve]

Ya, I was going to head up there tomorrow for a few things, but have since decided against it due to remembering how it was when I went in September. I am patient and can wait for shipping with better deals online.

[RARGUNS]

I should have mentioned that there are still some good guys there like the gentleman from Mount-N-Slot. They have some really cool stuff. Also there are some guys from Castle Rock which specialize in the 57. They also have nice stuff for the price. They are from Douglas County Firearms.

[AR_ART]

I went yesterday too. Same gunshow as ever as far as firearm prices. I no longer go for the firearms but the "accessories". The prices seem to lag behind what is online. I talked to one vendor who had some SIG 556s and was still asking 1600.00. He says when he bought it from the distributor they were far more than than the 999.99 that you see today. So, he is reluctant to drop his prices below what he paid. At least I understand where he's coming from, but I don't see how hanging on to it at that price can benefit him in any way...

There are some good deals to be had. I found range bags, back packs to be an excellent price, a guy selling authentic football jerseys (great for xmas presents) at a steal of a price.

Some interesting things like the guy selling the magnesium and flint fire starter. Great idea. Never thought about using magnesium which burns hot and is a great thing to have here in CO.

[RARGUNS]

My wife bought me one of those yesterday.

[hurley842002]

Went yesterday as well. My Father came along, it was his first time to this particular show. He has a niche for older rifles/handguns and hunting type rifles. He laughed more yesterday than i've ever seen him laugh (at the prices). I've noticed some of the New handgun prices are reasonable, when compared with local gun store prices, obviously online is always cheaper.

There is a gentleman that sells a lot of Military surplus and survival type stuff, that has very reasonable prices, I almost bought a few items from him, but just didn't see anything that I couldn't live without. Wish I would have seen the Magnesium fire starters, most certainly would have picked up a couple of those.

I would say the guy selling the bags and back packs, is probably one of THE best deals at the show. I bought one of his JUMBO body bag sized duffel bags (my GF can actually fit in it,lol), a few months ago, and that thing holds ALL of my camping gear, minus the cooler. Its built very well, and has been drug around the camp, with zero damage. He also sells those huge backpacking type bags for a mere 35 bucks, I need to quit talking about it, and just buy one. GF bought one of his bright orange small sized duffles, and packed it full of Medical supplies, works perfect.

There was a gentleman selling old Military books, who was a complete d-bag. Dad was thumbing through (very carefully) one of his WWII era books, that happened to be right on the front of the table, and he got snippy with my Father. I don't usually say much to the ass holes, but couldn't help it with him, I had to give him a piece of my mind.

It had been awhile since I attended the Tanner show, The last time I was there, was the time of the shooting. Not much has changed, to include the prices. Most of these guys remind me of my uncle, he can pay $300 for a rifle, and once he owns it, it automatically doubles in price. Many of these guys have been attending gun shows for years and years together, they are all buds, and I think a lot of them just enjoy hanging out, displaying their junk. They don't really have a ton of motivation to sell, but have that mindset of "everythings for sale, for the right price", with the hope that some schmuck will come along and overpay for their old hunting rifle. I will continue to go every couple months, for 8 bucks it's worth browsing around seeing what people have, and handling some handguns that I would normally have to deal with a gun shop commando in order to handle. If I find a good deal, then so be it, otherwise it's nice being in the presence of other like minded folk. Was kind of a nice Post Liberal election fix for me.

[bczandm]

Many prices way high, some about right and on rare occasions low. I tend to buy more off the wall stuff than guns or related. Yesterday I bought 5 blaze orange hats for $1 each and two magnisium fire starters. I was also able to score some Holland and Holland ammo at the last show for $30 a box, best price online was $70 or so.
Some of the guns I see are about right, but so many are 20% to 40% above what I can buy on the net that I've all but given up looking at guns. I find extra humor in the refinished vintage guns that are priced and described "as new". I watched a Colt pocket model for several years that was clearly refinished, quite a bit of pitting and much of the logo was gone. The guy told me on several occassions that it was like that from the factory....a $350 or $400 gun for way over $1000. It disappeared and I wondered if it actually sold anywhere near that. If so, someone was really treated unfairly.
So, while I still go, I am generally disappointed with whats there. The exception is the collectors show in the spring/early summer.

[lebru]

I picked up my XD9 there last month. Talked the guy down from 500 to 450. That was about what they were running online, you can find some good deals.

[BlasterBob]

As I have said many times, yes it may be cheaper to buy on line but there's nothing like seeing the actual article close up/ first hand, then being able to take it home with you. Also, instead of some FFL charging $20 - $40 for making a transfer when buying on line, the dealer handling the transfers at the gun show can not, by Colorado law, charge in excess of $10. OK, I'm going back to sleep now.

[BlasterBob]

Forgot to mention that there is always the "possibility" of no sales tax being charged for an item bought at some gun shows.