Valley Forge Gun Show

[Dave Markowitz]

After the kids went down for their afternoon naps this afternoon, I snuck out to the Valley Forge Convention Center, where a fun, err, gun show was being held.

The last show I attended was a week or two after the Assault Weapons Ban sunset, and I noticed a lot more rifles with all the evil features (flash hiders, folding stocks, etc.) there today. Some vendors are still smoking dope when it comes to prices, though. For example, I saw a stainless Mini-14 GB with a $975 price tag, and another selling beat-to-hell Colt AR-15 20 round mags for $25.

I limited my purchases to some accessories:

* A pair of 1945-dated GI shoulder strap pads for my musette bag. I don't think they are repros even though they look new. They don't smell new, if you know what I mean. I wish I'd had these when I was using a musette bag as my book bag in grade school, because the unpadded straps are not too comfortable.

* A pair of GI M1965 trigger finger mitten shells. They should be nice and toasty this winter (I already have liners).

* A pair of GI 20-round M-16 mag pouches; they hold 3 each and I currently have 6 20 round M-16/AR-15 mags.

* Two NHTMG AR-15 mags dated 9/04, right after the sunset. NHTMG is the company which OEMs AR-15 mags for Colt. They were $16 each.

* Two boxes of American Eagle .45 ACP ball.

I was tempted by some $85 Mosins but kept my desire for more new/old rifles under control.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Did I tell you about the $975 Ruger SS Mini 14 that I saw, too? (Right by the front, wasn't it?)

That's the same one I referred to. That vendor is usually there and his prices are through the roof, and then some.

The way I look at it is that one needs to be knowledgeable or you run the risk of being hosed. It's also a good idea to not necessarily buy something at the first vendor you see. Rather, take in the whole show and see if somebody else has it cheaper.

By shopping around you can often find good deals.

Sux about the homies with the Rossi, though.

 

[AK103K]

And then I went straight to the BR, where I sawed through the plastic that I so willingly let them put on my piece and then loaded up and went to the car.

Why'd you even tell them you had it on?

I went through today and it was still pretty crowded and they had pretty decent show. First one I've been to in awhile. Some of the prices varied quite a bit from tables on different sides of the show on the same guns and I saw a number of Bushmasters for $50 less than my local dealer usually sells them for, and he's usually pretty good on price. I think this is the first time I've been to a show where some of the dealers had better prices than the people walking around. I always drool over at the "Dennis Todd" table, but those toys have been steadily running way out of my wallets range. Still fun to look though. They had a couple of decent Class III dealers there. I almost bought one of those Russian BB machine pistols. The boy was "dry firing" it and it sounds just like a suppressed SMG. He said they yell at him if he does it to much.

 

[Walt Rauch]

" walked around the corner, bought a knife, and walked out through the entrance to the desk where they challenge everyone for weapons, where I gave them a ripe earful and a description of said posse. And then I went straight to the BR, where I sawed through the plastic that I so willingly let them put on my piece and then loaded up and went to the car."

"ripe earful" eh? Most shows that are madated by their event insurance policy, have "gun checkers" who ask the vistors "any guns coming in?"

Now if a member of the "baggy pants" crowd chooses not to declare his or her gun(AKA a criminal) while the others(AKA law abiding citizens) comply what do you suggest be done to correct this? Walk though metal detectors? Hand seaches?

I'm sure this gun show promoter, or all the others for that matter would be quite appreciative to have THE solution. You might even get whole crime ridden communties using your suggestions.

 

[Walt Rauch]

Thanks.

I must admit I never considered setting up a TSA airline boarding requirement for a gun show. I'm certainly showing my age.

The thought of having such an arrangement at a gun show boggles my mind!
(I've never gone to a "concert" where I was subjected to a metal search. I know, I live in an alternative universe.)

If such a proceedure were to be set up, I wonder how many gun people would bother to come to the show. Also the details of administering it...more mind boggle!

In an ideal world, the show dealers and fellow attendees would bring charges against the offender rather than "the whole class being punished for the one who threw the spitball "so to speak."

I know that when someone points a gun at me, I remedy it myself(and no, I don't care that he has a gun and I don't but then again I've lived a full life.)

 

[MAUSER88]

I was there on Saturday. By 11:00 the place was mobbed. Being from NJ there were less semi-auto type rifles for me to by as most were all now in "no-ban" configuration. Most of the accessories I looked at I could get cheaper from Midway. Bought a box of Sierra 168 Grain HPBT bullets to reload for my 700PSS for 21.50. When I got home I checked Midway and there were $18.50. :banghead:

 

[armabill]

MAUSER88:
Bought a box of Sierra 168 Grain HPBT bullets to reload for my 700PSS for 21.50. When I got home I checked Midway and there were $18.50

Don't forget to count the Midway shipping charges.

 

[MAUSER88]

Armabill, Thanks for your concern about the shipping charges from Midway but when I order from them I just don't buy one box of bullets!