Remember SHOTGUN NEWS?

KeithK said:

Shotgun news was one of the catalysts to my obsession with WW2 firearms, My buddy and I took turns buying the newest edition and then hunt every page for the best deal on surplus rifles. This led to accounts with Century, Samco, J&G and more. We would get a 5 rifle deal for low cost and then keep two of the best of the five and sell the others to finance our next purchase. Those were the days, good memories. Haven't bought a SGN in a long time, I might just have to go get one to see the changes.

Keith

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Sadly last ones have been a real disappointment. Without the sarco parts ads i will pass on them. FWIW I have a "collection" of SN copies dating back to early 1980s. Might be offering them on EBAY as collectors items. Gawd i'm old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next to SNs I really miss the dealers catalogs and sometime daily phone calls from Century Arms. Bought a dozen "3 fer" GEW 98's from them via phone. 10 were super rare Karab 98b's!!!! Tried to order more just after they arrived but someone swooped in and cleaned rest out. All but one are gone now but just one in a series of deals of a lifetime. May add some of the " UFIXEM" deals were astounding with complete milsurps for as little as $5.87. Most with free shipping ( or $2 each). Now you cannot even ship stuff for under $25-$50.. Century "pallet sales" are just too painful to discuss.

Old Sac Armory was one of the first to advertise Milsurps when they first started to arrive. They would lure buyers by the dozens to their J street store with goodies. Think they had the better part of Brazils old armory contents for sale. The bayonets and rifles were stacked high during back lot sales. 71/84 bayonets (from parades) sold at $2 w scabbard. Most like new.

They also had Russian Captured Lugers for under $300. They would bring them out a dozen at a time, all chained together like a necklace. Buyers lined up to buy them quickly and another Luger necklace would appear just as fast. Same place would offer Unadvertised "behind the counter" lot deals to known buyers (like us). Old Ammo crates full of 1900, 1902 Mil and Sporting and 1903 pocket Colt .38 ACPs fresh from Mexican federales. Often grips were silver, inlaid with old pesos. a C note apiece, all you could carry.

Lastly the sights baskets of SKS parts and pieces stick in my mind as does Finn 28-30s lying all over the floor. Used to step over them on my way to the $20 broomhandles.


The Kimber modified M96s Ad gives me a headache.

Once saw what seemed like a ware house full of M96 Swede stocks stacked like firewood. Next to them were 55 gallon drums of cut off bolt handles. All were from sporterized rifles from kimber and others. The lowest i ever saw complete 96s back then was around $48 whole sale with 59.95 at retail. Those same rifles now bring 600+ unsported. Duh.

Encoreman said:

What is the song? Those were the days my friend we thought they'd never end.

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I knew it wouldn't last the minute it began. Prices were way too low and stock came in way too fast. Importers were forced to dump stock to cover costs and needed to make a quick profit. The supply was always limited plus saturation was quick maybe 2000?, Those who could carry the inventory for 15- 20 years are now raking it in. Current regime is doing nothing but driving demand and profit out of sight with stupid laws. Makes one think they are in on it?

scaatylobo said:

I missed the "good old days" of Shotgun News too.

But I love the Firearms News for the GREAT storys about so many different firearms from all walks of life.

Old surplus guns,newest stuff coning down before it hit the market.

And they still have the Sarco stuff,as well as a few pages of surplus rifles.

Keeps me dreaming and drooling.

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Think Sarco plans to pull all paper ads. Check website for details. They also seriously recommend downloading their last paper ads as there may be no more. Might be the end of the LIST as well.. Just think of all the trees we can save ( and sell to China).