My Dad and I went to the NW Montana Arms Collectors show at the Kalispell Fairgrounds today, and it was actually a GUN SHOW. With GUNS. And people actually walking around having a good time and having to say "scuse me." Too much stuff to see all at once, actually, so we're going back in the morning.
Of course, the prices are the same as ever, rusted junk to pay for that first year of Harvard, but I actually saw some items worth dickering over.

The local gun show today was wonderful and encouraging. Sure, the crocheted bible covers and special SHARP knives were there, but it was a worthwhile adventure.

I found a decent old Williams peep sight for a reasonable price and TWO grips that fit my revolver habit. The nice wooden grips replace the very utilitarian Pachs that I have used for years.

I saw some established friends, met a few new ones and had a very good time on a few bucks. MUCH better than going to the movies.

Been to around 6 or 7 in this area in the last 15- 18 months .
Only good one is the murfeesboro show.
Bout the size of a football feild and a half.
Rest of em high school basketball court floor size.
I like going to em.
Last one I went to was a bill Goodman one at the fair grounds in nashville in dec 05.
Then nashville went commie and banned gunshows.

No foolin?

Thought that was a Kommiefornia thing in cities like San Fran and San Diego.

Down south now too, who'd a thunk it.

Geno

Good for you Dave, enjoy tomorrow.

I haven't been to many that are worth going back to on Sunday, unless there's something I'm really interested in and want to see if I can make a last minute deal before the vendor starts packing up.

Geno

Groids elected mayors.
Mayors banned em.

Nashville and memphrica one in the same.
Gunshows in memphrica/ germantown require background checks for all firearm sales.
Even resident to resident sales

Commie local govts get away with bullschitt.
None of the sheeple in those counties raise any concern or bring action about it.

Travis County (Austin) also went commie and banned gun shows.
I miss 'em

You make me miss the good old gunshow days!

Fun times!

Look at how much freedom we have lost since those days...

Get to the Allentown, Baltimore and Syracuse shows every year.

As much as I love a good gun show, I hate the shysters that are at every other table, trying to make a weeks wages off of one sale.

I love dealing with shysters! Beating them at their own game can be fullfilling.

Well, we went back. I saw something I should have attacked, but I couldn't find my checkbook before we went. But Dad brought his.

First up was a 220 Swift Model 70 (1953). Yes, he bought it, he never listens to me. So that was two grand plus. No bases or rings or scope. It is a nice Model 70 but I don't have that fetish, and it's Dad's first Model 70.

Then, a cherry Win 61 pump. I mean, cherry. Just a little wear from the corncob on nice dark blue, hardly any marks on the action, pristine safe queen. That was 1200. A neat little rifle, but again, not a rational buy. But it's another thing Dad lusted after during the Depression, so what the hell.

Did see a couple Mausers with potential and a sleeved XP100 turned into a short barrel (maybe 19) benchrester in 223. The tag said 1200 which I KNOW is absolutely ridiculous, I could have dickered that down to 700 without breaking a sweat. There was also a P-17 that had been "targetized" by somebody, had a nice Redfieild rear and a globe up front, only 350. Nice work, actually. close to a fair price.. I should have brought the checkbook -- I usually never bring cash and always make sure I've got a business card or some ID from the seller. But I could have dickered for both.

I like the gun show here at house the best, when I get home, I open all the gun safes and holler out, HELLO KIDS, DADDYS HOME!!!!!

St. George Crossroads gun show was held last weekend. Empty tables, mostly non-gun items. Really gone down hill the.last two years. Less than 10 sellers selling guns. Did get 3 and1/2 500 round boxes of Winchester Dynapoint .22s. Better and cheaper guns at the local shops here in St. George.

I haven’t been to one in years, too many people for me.

I like it!!


The people don't bother me - but the "new" stuff at inflated prices and the "old" stuff at "new" prices turn me off... I went to just ONE in the last five years, strolled through and was out of the place inside of five minutes... Last time for me..

There is still a few pretty good ones in the Birmingham area about 3-4 times a year. Atlanta has a decent big show and I have been to the one Murfreesboro many times. It is a good show.

The big Tulsa Gun Show is coming up this November 9-10 and when I say big, I'm talking an 11 acre building that is jammed with stuff we can all lust over. I'm not sure how many more years I'll set up at a table but its almost worth having a table just to escape the throngs of people in the aisles. I'm not sure of my accuracy but would estimate that over 30,000 people walk the aisles.

Dave Skinner: I hit about 20 gunshows a year nowadays (in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington) - nothing like what I used to do.
And I actually look for the positives at each show and enjoy them all in some way.
I have probably bought 12 to 15 "guns" and 10 or more scopes in the last 12 months at "gunshows"!
I have three coming up in short order soon, and am saving my scheckels for them - can't wait!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

JamesJr. Ignore them (the "shysters"!) they are not worth any amount of consternation let alone "hatred"!
Look for the deals and gather intel and leads on "good stuff".
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

There was a very nice four-digit Sako in .243 at that sale. Been kicking myself for a couple days now for passing on it.

That's good advice, VarmintGuy.

I went to the Kalispell show this weekend, it was decent for a change. I was hoping the cast bullet guys would be there, but nope . One table had a win 94 in 7-30 waters that was tempting for no real practical reason, but I held back so I afford some new fancy jeans

The Lewis and Clark show here in Nampa is going on this weekend coming up. They claim 400 tables. It's a pretty good show. I'll have a table or two with some good stuff. I enjoy it, and getting to talk guns with a lot of people.