Austin Gun Show

[Lonestar.45]

Well, went to the Austin gun show this past weekend looking for a Springfield G.I. .45. No luck, didn't spot even one. Generally poor selection of auto-pistols all around. Is it just me, or has this show been taken over in recent years by junk dealers? This was my first time to go in a long while, I was amazed at the lack of quality stuff.

Oh, one thing I did really enjoy, was seeing the sign at one of the mag peddler's tables that said "Pre-Ban mags 20% off".

 

[CentralTexas]

See the FOX 7 news story?

They ran the story, angle- "rush to buy assault weapons" on their Sunday 5 & 9 broadcast. They were denied admission to the show and tried to talk to folks in the parking lot. I must say that they very trying very hard for accuracy by saying the weapons weren't banned and explained only the folding stocks other parts were. They showed the Gov't charts showing a decrease in handgun violence and virtually no change in other firearm violence. Then the asst police chief comes on and lies about the impact about it all and says NOBODY uses Ar-15's etc. for recreation or hunting & that they have one purpose- to kill humans....
CT

 

[SADshooter]

Austin really is a pretty crappy show. I picked up a couple of USGI 30 rd AR mags, a Lula loader, and some ammo to celebrate in a small way. They have a few reliable vendors, and a LOT of junk.

I did spend some time talking to the reps from Comp-Tac Holsters who were there, and after a lot of deliberation, I will buy a holster(s) from them as soon as I have the cash.

Gerald Swank from GDS Enterprises is also very knowledgeable (if a bit blustery) about all things EBR and has some very neat stuff at his tables.

All in all, San Antonio is a better show.

 

[alamo]

I guess if I were buying a new Glock, Kel-Tec or Taurus it would be OK, fair number of dealers to choose from. I get ammo / accessories / manuals there but that's about it.

 

[KFD147]

My family and I were leaving out the front door when I noticed the news cameras. As soon as the camera man noticed my wife, my 4y/o son and me pushing my 11m/o daughter in a stroller, he quickly started to focus away from the front and onto another part of the building. I walked right passed them going to my vehicle. The female reporter seemed to not want to pick us for an interview, and a few seconds later she was confronted by a SAXET gun show rep. and was told to quit taping. I think that she was told that they were tresspassing. I could not hear what they were talking about since I was trying to get the family in the car. Austin is an island of liberal ideals in a sea of conservatives and most of the news station reflect that.

On the other hand it is a good thing that they were not allowed into the show. It would have shown the poor selection, high prices, and the same collectors trying to buy and sell firearms like they were dealers. There was a time when you could find a deal or two at the Austin show, but that time is long gone.

Oh, By the way. Did anybody notice that the man in the middle of the room selling books just happend to be Randy Weaver?

Jason

 

[cerberus]

The Gun shows

I have noticed the quality or lack of going down hill over the past years. Around here they have a show at local fair grounds about every two months and they get $10 to get in. I have not seen any really great deals and most local dealers have about the same items in their stores. Also there is just so much non gun junk taking up space just like when the fair is in town. 20 years ago you found some really great displays of guns and the tables were full of great buys for reloaders and people needing Mags and other gun items. But that was years ago. Now it's just become a suckers pit. I think the Internet has really helped people get firearms and related items without the need to get ripped off at a local gun show. So unless I just feel the need to waste my money and walk till my feet hurt I will just keep skipping the local gun shows.

I found this on the FiringLine Forum.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152438

 

[Daniel T]

I must be going to a different Austin show than the rest of you, because I find good deals there all the time.

Of course, I patiently look all over the place. I also don't generally go there looking for a specific item to get a good deal on. That will just lead to dissapointment most of the time.

I could live without the moron dealers there that are selling Saigas for $600 and DSA SA58s for $1475. How do they do any business? Other people at the same freaking show had Saigas going for $250-$320. You can buy them online for $199-$240. Why bring the same overpriced crap that no one is going to buy? Come on, you've brought the exact same rilfe to the show every month for a year now. You think that maybe the reason it isn't selling is because you have the price jacked way, way too high?

 

[Drizzt]

I was there Saturday myself. I could have sworn I saw a couple of Springfield GI .45s, though..... maybe not. Saw some 13-round mags for my USP, but didn't want to pay $60 per. Saw the one fellow with the Confederate pistol, that looked like it was rusted solid, for only $16k.

All in all, the best thing I found there, and the only thing I bought, were the roasted almonds from those ladies out front.

 

[Deavis]

Now that I have been to the Austin show a couple times, I have to say that it is really crummy. The only reason I even go is to pick up reloading supplies from Collins Cartridge since I did business with him while I was in Houston. There was a good selection of cleaning supplies from a booth in the middle but I couldn't find a single stack of decent targets for sale anywhere. I asked if anyone sold target and one guy replied, "Try the far back corner. Some guy has 20 tables of junk back there."

The mag people were still selling mags at ridiculous prices. I told them I could get HK mags for $25 online and they said they weren't ready to lower their prices yet. Talk about ridiculous. IF you wanted a prostitute license from Big Nose Kate, or a front-yard quiet silencer from the guy right across the way you were good to go.

The only worthwhile thing was getting to check out the trigger on the P2000. I was the last of my friends to handle it and now it looks like I've got 5 people in for a group buy for them in the next month or so. I'm going to try to time it with the Houston gun show so I can pick up the HKs from my Gunsmith in Houston and hit the show to find that target guy who is normally at the GRB.

Oh well, Houston isn't that far away Of course those ladies selling those nuts at the front door rule.