I went to a major gun show yesterday. It’s a standard show in our area held three times a year and always draws big crowds.
It was packed yesterday but only a short line formed to get tickets. It was nowhere near as crowded as 4 years ago when Obama was first Coronated.
It looked like almost all table spaces were occupied by sellers. There might have been room for another 10-12 tables maximum.
There were many private sellers in the parking lot, at the entrance, etc. - more than usual.
There were plenty of guns of most types for sale but prices on long rifles of all types were through the roof. Some types and models of rifles were nowhere to be found. There were plenty of “scary black assault rifles” at 2, 3, or even 4 times prices of a year or two ago.
I got the feeling many asking prices were set high just to see what people would pay.
Pistol prices seemed to be about the same as last year.
The tables for filling out forms were busy so it looked as if a lot of people were buying.
There are usually several big ammo sellers with pallets of bulk ammo at this show, but yesterday there were none. In fact, there was relatively little factory ammo available.
Some of the larger sellers might have had 6 - 10 boxes or 1 or 2 spam cans of some calibers but there was no one selling bulk ammo in quantity. Even non-military stuff like .38, .357, or 30-30 was in short supply.
All ammo prices were high. Shotgun shells were high and there were no bargains. Rifle and pistol ammo prices were outrageously high - even on the oddball old calibers.
Examples: .38 Special ammo was $30 to $50 a box.
Boxes of .22 ammo were priced the same at $30 - $50 per 500 rounds - the same boxes that were around $15 a few months ago.
It was a disappointing show because of the high prices and lack of ammo.
Gunowner pushback growing against the jihad on guns
January 21, 2013
From Bitter over at Snowflakes in Hell, or as it’s known today “Shall Not Be Infringed” Pagunblog.
The Free Publicity of a Boycott
They say that there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Unfortunately for the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show, I don’t think that’s the case for the news generated by their ban on modern rifles. All of the regional headlines about the show just a couple of weeks out are now about the volume of exhibitors who are pulling out of the show and leaving empty booth space behind. That is decidedly bad when it comes to convincing consumers that they should hand over $14 a day to browse empty tables.
After vendors pull out, gun owners question attending the outdoor show – ABC 27
Cabela’s pulls out of Harrisburg outdoors show over gun flap – The Patriot-News, The Mercury, The Tribune-Democrat
Third Lancaster County business withdraws from Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show over gun flap – Intelligencer Journal
Cabela’s drops out of Harrisburg gun show, cites assault weapons ban – York Daily Record
Lancaster County exhibitor pulls out Harrisburg gun show, cites assault weapons ban – York Daily Record
Another Lancaster County exhibitor backs out of popular outdoor show over assault-rifle ban – Intelligencer Journal, York Daily Record
Assault weapons ban at Harrisburg expo irks enthusiasts – Pocono Record
Expo organizer’s ban on assault weapons irks some – Daily Local News
Cabela’s pulls sponsorship from Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show – CBS 21
Assault weapons sale ban at large PA gun show draws fire – Philadelphia Inquirer
Cabela’s becomes latest vendor to bow out of outdoor show – ABC 27
http://www.gunssavelife.com/?p=5061
A couple of follow up questions to the gun show.
What was the location?
Was anyone selling magazines? Especially what about 30 rd AR-15 magazines. Were there any to be found and what was the price? Do you recall any other magazines (AR-10, M-14, etc) for sale?
How was the pace of selling - was it all sold out by mid morning or did it take longer?
What was the hottest item - sounds like ammunition so far.