Yep, Great Falls is havin’ a gun show this week, and I’ve taken a keen interest to see what the market’s done since the AWB expired. Prices seem relatively the same, if not on par exactly from six months ago.
While I caveat my opinion with the fact that these are local dealers and aren’t exactly a statistical match with the national market, something bugs me that prices haven’t changed all that much. Honestly, I figured prices would drop at least 15-20% on AR-15s. But then again, I saw a pre-ban rifles going for post-ban prices.
Weird, eh? I’m going to head back and pick up some ammo and a really nice WWII radio operators box (as a mememto keeper). Anyone want me to look out for anything or notice what something costs?
Tripler
It’s now 1231 local. You have me here until 1400.
Well, I admit that what I saw there was a complete anomaly. 10-round magazines going for $25? C’mon. . . I can go to any gun store and pick up two for $10-15.
Tripler
But then again, these are local dealers, not exactly a perfect market sample.
Gun shows can vary a lot and not all vendors are savvy to the market. Same is true of many customers who will pay such asking prices. I went to a gun show in Phoenix the weekend before the ban lifted and some dealers were already marking down high capacity Uzi and H&K magazines to reasonable levels.
I like gun shows because for some reason they attract coin collectors. I’m also always in the market for a new knife. There are a lot of knife-makers here who use moose, caribou, ivory, baleen, etc. for the handle work.
I’ve always noticed that aside from a few things, like cheap bulk ammo, brick’n’mortar gun shops generally have a better handle on the market, and consequently better prices a lot of the time. Yeah, you may not be able to pick up a .50 BMG at your local gun shop, but you ain’t gonna get a bargain on it at a gun show.
Yeah, I did a post-ban gun show. No changes, yet.
I sell swords and knives, no changes there.
Ho hum.
Been there, done that.
Business as usual during alterations.