Joined
·
4,215 Posts
I just got back from the Allen, Tx. Gun Show put on by Premier Shows. I have been to a number of gun shows and I have gleaned a couple of things about gun shows in general; First, most people INCLUDING the dealers/retailers/vendors at the show are virtually CLUELESS about firearms. I am really amazed at the lack of knowledge they have. We (us, TA.net collectively) had MUCH more firearm knowledge than anyone I met at the show. As I mentioned in another post, I was interested in a cheapo Zamak special truck gun like a Phoenix, Jimenez, or Jennings, etc. I was looking at Phoenix HP22 that was stickered at $165 and asked why it was so expensive when it was a 'Zamak' gun. The vendor replied "It's Zamak steel." I politely informed him that Zamak was a zinc/aluminum alloy potmetal and got a blank stare until he responded "Oh yeah, potmetal steel!" I chuckled and moved on.
About pricing.. all Phoenixes, Jimenezes, and the Jennings' (not many of them there) we all waaaay overpriced. I say a HP22 stickered at $165! NIB online is $124. Now I know when you buy online you have to pay shipping but $165 is still way out of line. I saw a Jimenez .380 USED for $159!! When I questioned the vendor about the price I got the usual "Well we can't buy volume" and "I'll throw in the FFL paperwork for free.." line. When I said that a used Jimenez .380 was selling for $75-$100 online I got the nasty "Well then go buy it from them!" retort. I replied that I could get 2 online for the price he was selling them at (loud enough for other folks to hear btw).
I just don't get what the allure of gunshows is. Other than seeing all the doodads, wigetswhizbanger gazintas, beef jerky and other 'food product' vendors, I don't get the gun show allure. Oh, and whats up wth the complete idiot that waves a SS Dirty Harry 12" revolver around, finger ON trigger, with the anti-theft cable flapping everywhere and blabbing "OH YEAH, that's what I'M talkin' 'bout!!" Even saw a guy with cross bandoleros on with 2 gold plated 1911's (4 total) hanging on them over each shoulder. Classic gun show clownery. Woulda' got a picture but photography is not allowed on the show floor.
And no, I didn't buy anything. Even got in free for donating a pint of blood at the bloodmobile outside the entrance.
About pricing.. all Phoenixes, Jimenezes, and the Jennings' (not many of them there) we all waaaay overpriced. I say a HP22 stickered at $165! NIB online is $124. Now I know when you buy online you have to pay shipping but $165 is still way out of line. I saw a Jimenez .380 USED for $159!! When I questioned the vendor about the price I got the usual "Well we can't buy volume" and "I'll throw in the FFL paperwork for free.." line. When I said that a used Jimenez .380 was selling for $75-$100 online I got the nasty "Well then go buy it from them!" retort. I replied that I could get 2 online for the price he was selling them at (loud enough for other folks to hear btw).
I just don't get what the allure of gunshows is. Other than seeing all the doodads, wigetswhizbanger gazintas, beef jerky and other 'food product' vendors, I don't get the gun show allure. Oh, and whats up wth the complete idiot that waves a SS Dirty Harry 12" revolver around, finger ON trigger, with the anti-theft cable flapping everywhere and blabbing "OH YEAH, that's what I'M talkin' 'bout!!" Even saw a guy with cross bandoleros on with 2 gold plated 1911's (4 total) hanging on them over each shoulder. Classic gun show clownery. Woulda' got a picture but photography is not allowed on the show floor.
And no, I didn't buy anything. Even got in free for donating a pint of blood at the bloodmobile outside the entrance.