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Author Topic: Gun Show Report  (Read 3564 times)

Pathfinder

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Gun Show Report
« on: March 07, 2009, 01:58:22 PM »
I just returned from a gun show in Grand Forks. Interesting experience.

First, a reminder - I'm in North Dakota, so your experiences may vary.

Lots of tables, maybe 30 double rows (long, O-shaped setups) of tables at the Alerus Center in GF - sports, conventions and shows like this. Each O was maybe 50 (6 tables lengthwise) feet long and 12-15 feet wide (2 tables).

Packed, lots of people, and I was there 45 minutes after they opened. Quite a few EBRs, ranging in price from 900 for a nice Bushmaster or DPMS, to 1500 for the same thing at another table. A surprising number of Colt and Armalite ARs too, including some in original looking configurations, one was stated as being from 1977, another from 1968. A number of AKs as well, including a bullpup variant as well as a number with folding stocks. SKS' too, nice selection. One Johnson from 1943 for "only" $3500.

Tons of bolt-actions - that no one was looking at. Shotguns got a bit of interest, but most were on the tables.

A lot of gear as well - gun cases, bags, etc. lots of digital camo too.

Almost no ammo, except in odd calibers. I did manage to score some Wolf military AK ammo for $5.75 a box - far better than the local cheapest store wanting $12 for Golden Bear. Very very little reloading stuff other than lots of dies. I think I saw one retailer selling brass. Bullets? fuggetaboutit.

And I managed to find a nice used Sig clip magazine for only $30. I bought that from a guy advertising himself - Haz, this is for you! - "Clips 'B' Us" - I am not joking. In fact, everyone selling clips - er - magazines were calling them just that - clips. Did I mention that most of the attendees appeared to be FUDDS.

Oh, yeah, the ATF had a booth there as well. I had never seen that before. Apparently they were invited to set up, interesting idea.

Back to you, Chet . . .
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CJS3

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Re: Gun Show Report
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2009, 04:47:43 PM »
Quote from: Pathfinder on March 07, 2009, 01:58:22 PM
Oh, yeah, the ATF had a booth there as well. I had never seen that before. Apparently they were invited to set up, interesting idea.

What were they selling, video equipment? (Here let me demonstrate. Just stand over there and hold up that numbered card.)
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tombogan03884

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Re: Gun Show Report
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2009, 04:51:46 PM »
Lucky you :( I went to the Dry cleaner to see about a new zipper for my sleeping bag, to add insult to injury they were closed.
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twyacht

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Re: Gun Show Report
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2009, 04:53:12 PM »
Quote from: CJS3 on March 07, 2009, 04:47:43 PM
What were they selling, video equipment? (Here let me demonstrate. Just stand over there and hold up that numbered card.)

Never saw the ATF at any of the gun shows I have attended, I hope it's not a new trend,....

The ATF set up video prior to the show and everyone in attendance is now in a video library for further use,...in the future,........
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Thomas Jefferson: The strongest reason for the people to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against the tyranny of government. That is why our masters in Washington are so anxious to disarm us. They are not afraid of criminals. They are afraid of a populace which cannot be subdued by tyrants."
Col. Jeff Cooper.

PegLeg45

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Re: Gun Show Report
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2009, 05:00:22 PM »
Have not been to a gun show in years. Only ones we get around here are a joke. Dealing with the vendors is like shooting pool with a rope.


Quote from: tombogan03884 on March 07, 2009, 04:51:46 PM
Lucky you :( I went to the Dry cleaner to see about a new zipper for my sleeping bag, to add insult to injury they were closed.


Went to a nice restaurant last night. When I asked for a 'doggie bag', they said to just sit facing the wall.   :o

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"I expect perdition, I always have. I keep this building at my back, and several guns handy, in case perdition arrives in a form that's susceptible to bullets. I expect it will come in the disease form, though. I'm susceptible to diseases, and you can't shoot a damned disease." ~ Judge Roy Bean, Streets of Laredo

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"When it comes to the enemy, just because they ain't pullin' a trigger, doesn't mean they ain't totin' ammo for those that are."~PegLeg

Sponsor

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Re: Gun Show Report
« Reply #5 on: Today at 04:20:43 AM »
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tombogan03884

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Re: Gun Show Report
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2009, 05:03:50 PM »
"Went to a nice restaurant last night. When I asked for a 'doggie bag', they said to just sit facing the wall."

Sounds like MY kind of place  ;D
"
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Green Mountain Gringo

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Re: Gun Show Report
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2009, 07:41:44 PM »
Wife and I have been to three shows in the past 4 weeks or so.  The first was in Barre, Vermont....I could not get over the number of vendors and patrons there.  It was shoulder to shoulder....hundreds of people.  I picked up the Walther PPK (Interarms version) and my Rossi .357 that is shown in my avatar.

A couple of weeks ago there were two shows running simutaniously.  One on the Vermont side of the Connecticut river in White River Junction and the other on the New Hampshire side (hi Tom) in West Lebanon.

The White River show was small...with only a few dozen tables....moderate business.  We jumped over to the NH side of the river...12 bux later we're in their show.  Lots more tables but I couldn't buy there anyway as it's out of state for us.

We went back to the Vermont side of the river and I picked up my first Glock.  A 17 that feels just right in both my hand and my lady's.

The state of the local Gun Show in New England is sound.   The new administration is seeing to that.

Check out the two of us shooting at thin air and a few bowling pins. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMxfrBCtMc0
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Hazcat

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Re: Gun Show Report
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2009, 08:45:38 PM »
Nice guns but what is that white stuff all over the place?

Oh, also Tell Laura I love her.... ;D
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blackwolfe

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Re: Gun Show Report
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2009, 10:29:51 PM »
Went to a 475 table gun show last weekend in Grand Rapids MI.  The show started at 9:00 and I got there about 10:30 and waited in line for about an hour to get in.  When I got into the show the line was still about as long as when I first got in it.  It was so crowded that it was almost pointless to try to look at anything.  Finally about 1:30 to 2:00 it started to thin out enough to get a better look at things.  A variety of about everything seemed to be available with prices from about normal to stupid and a few deals on some non tactical stuff.   Not a lot of ammo in .223 or .308 but some, but no deals.  Even though this is Michigan and the hard times have hit us for longer than the rest of the country people were buying if the price was right.
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Wolfe

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Re: Gun Show Report
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2009, 05:19:01 PM »
Quote from: Hazcat on March 07, 2009, 08:45:38 PM
Oh, also Tell Laura I love her.... ;D


Laura says "Right back at ya" and thanks you for the nod to Ricky Nelson.


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