Austin,TX Gunshow RANT

[TheDutchman]

Its was another wonderful weekend in Austin,TX and Saxet collectors Gun Show was in town. It was about as bad as it was last month, collectors posing as dealers, high prices,and the normal attitudes. My biggest RANT is the collectors, wow where are these people from the third moon on the far side of Mars. Talk to one collector had this nice FN Hi Power MarkII for sale asking price $700, I politely told him he was smoking crack and walk on.Then saw a nice Browning Hi power Silver chrome for for $650 including Tax, tax I say, are you a dealer, no a collector ,they what does tax have to due with the purchase, well it included in the price, again are you a dealer,no, then thanks for your time and I walked away.Did not see any chrome AK's with da switch, there was a nice Colt New service .45 long colt for $1300 and the Guy who changes furniture on he Century Arms Fal every show and asking $1100. There where a bunch of nice Colt GM and commanders for two hundred more then what they are worth. Please GOD PLEASE LET THERE BE ONE GOOD GUN SHOW IN MY LIFE TIME

 

[Tharg]

Only ever managed to be at one gun show ever... it was in Longview Tx, can't say i saw much of a bargain anywhere... Rekon those people are there to make money too =)

J/Tharg!

 

[DJW]

Dutchman
the idea of the Saxet show in austin is just to be around lots of firearms. it is not a good place to buy as you can go to Mc Bride's and pay less and have good conversation to boot. it is a lousy place to sell as the "regulars" there will offer you next to nothing for your stuff. the other way to look at is is just think of how smart you are for having purchased what you now own for whatever you paid for it as the prices posted on the same things are way higher than what you paid for them.(forget about getting those prices at the show as you will be sadly disappointed.) I go regularly with friends as it is a good excuse to eat a greasy breakfast at Fran's(around the corner)and visit with buddies while being surrounded by guns and lots of junk from china masquerading as "product." take it for what it is and enjoy it.
DJW

 

[alamo]

I see some decent deals there on common new pistols like Glocks, Kel-Tecs, etc. Usually get ammo, accessories, etc. there but never a pistol.

DJW, you might check out "Cost + 10%" on Burnet LANE (not Road). It's behind the old Academy store that was closed down. His prices make McBrides seem laughable. Small shop and selection but Jim can order for you what he doesn't have in stock. I only look at McBrides these days.

 

[DJW]

Alamo;
you are right, there are fair prices on new popular pistols at the show and the ammo is not too bad either. Jim is fun but so opinionated that unless I am really in a good mood he grates on my nerves. thanks for the positive input though.
DJW

 

[wingman]

I have seen gun deals at the Austin gun show but it was years ago and now what is left to say the least is a poor excuse for a "gun show". Many
good dealers have dropped out. What stock is there now grows old
gathering dust and they continue to hold or raise prices on the same junk.

I do attend the san antonio gun show from time to time, it is "somewhat"
better.

 

[alamo]

DJW - you're right that he's opinionated! I can tolerate that for a great deal though.


I remember a dealer at the Saxet show that used to be there often. Guy with a beard towards the back. He always had a beat up overpriced Makarov & some other old pistols. If you showed the slightest interest, he would immediately ask if you had a permit so he could sell it to you right away and would then knock 10%+ off the price without prompting. Still too much.

I haven't been to the show in a number of months. Some kitchen knives need sharpening so that's a good excuse to go. I assume the knife sharpening guy is still there.

 

[DJW]

Wingman is right that san antonio is somewhat better. I think that is because it is a much more down to earth town with many less yuppies.

Alamo, you can find the knife sharpening guy on north Burnett 1/2 block south of the omlet tree restaurant. by the way, the AA lawnmower shop just north of the sharpening guy has been real straight and honest with me for the last 12 years.

See, I can say nice things about people!
DJW

 

[Standing Wolf]

Gun shows seem to have gone the way of E-mail: it's mostly spam.

 

[Art Eatman]

I've not thought highly of the Saxet shows in Austin, but the one I went to in SanTone some four years back was a lot better. More parts and pieces at reasonable prices, and good prices on ammo.

The days before the Austin Inmates outlawed using the city's old colluseum down on Town Lake saw some really good shows...

I've had tables at the Odessa shows; seemed like fairer prices, overall, than good ol' Austintatious.

Shows in New Mexico were generally in the "fair price" category, except for old, rusty Winchester lever actions and similar "used up" Colt SAAs. Las Cruces; Deming...

There's a small show in February at Wickenburg, AZ, which has a lot more non-EBR stuff and a bunch of collector/hunting rifles. Prices were about average, I'd guess.

Art

 

[drannor]

Definitely agree that the saxet show is more about seeing product then buying. I do buy ammo, jerky, and the occasional magazine from the dedicated dealer. Since I started shopping for smiths I've at least had the chance to handle older models that I can't find in local stores.

Everytime I see an Austin thread I think we need to have a get together.....

 

[alamo]

Alamo, you can find the knife sharpening guy on north Burnett 1/2 block south of the omlet tree restaurant. by the way, the AA lawnmower shop just north of the sharpening guy has been real straight and honest with me for the last 12 years.

Thanks, seems like that's the place I went a few years back. Will check them out if I don't make the next gunshow.

 

[TheDutchman]

Maybe is should only go to the Killeen,Tx gun show heard it a lot better then the poor excuse here in Austin.

How about some of us Austin HighRoaders meet at a range ands shoot a little

 

[HankB]

Take a look at my recent thread "Gun Show Follies" for a bit more on the Austin Saxet show. (Anyone else notice what "Saxet" spells if you reverse the letters?)

The days before the Austin Inmates outlawed using the city's old colluseum down on Town Lake saw some really good shows

I remember those shows . . . they ended, what, four or five years ago? I liked 'em.

How about some of us Austin HighRoaders meet at a range ands shoot a little

That actually sounds like a good idea . . . Hmmm . . .

 

[Trigger]

Come over to Illinois to see some real trashy shows. LOL.

Tables filled with rusted parts which were rolling around in the trunk for the last two years. When I say parts I mean rust screw drivers, hammers, wrenches, occasional broken extractors, dental tool. Then you have the guy selling cammo that is moldy, dry rot, faded, and stored under a flooded basement while he had his half dressed kid in diapers hocking equal quality matchbox cars....all for a premium price..."Like New."

Oh we got some great ones here.... LOL

 

[jason10mm]

I go to the San Antonio show just to buy ammo (reloaded stuff that my guns like), some books, and rarely anyhting else. I like to check out the C&R stuff so I can see what the condition is like before I order on my C&R FFL. The mark-up on those mil-surp rifles is ludicrous, but you gotta pay for the table somehow. I know a guy who has had great luck finding rare stuff like P7s in all sorts of odd calibers, but you have to be very selective and patient.

 

[R.H. Lee]

There haven't been any decent gunshows in California since the '70's.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Shows around here aren't too bad. I go to the show for several reasons:

- To get my glasses cleaned for free with the latest miracle product for smearing greasy fingerprints on the lenses.

- To eat some stale trail mix or chocolate covered peanut samples.

- To buy a pair of knockoff sunglasses for full price.

- To get all my friends that "special" Christmas gift - the camo walking cane with the bull scrotum handle.

- To buy a photocopy of a survivalist guide in the custom Office Max brand three ring binder with the hand printed cover insert (written in Magic Marker on blue construction paper, no less).

- To wait patiently behind a guy who's twice my size and 10 times my smell as he slowly fondles every gun on the table. He probably comes to your show as well. He's the guy with the ratty "Gone Fishin'" cap, a shirt with only a couple of buttons, and a butt crack big enough to conceal a howitzer. Let me know if you've ever seen him buy anything, because I haven't.

and last but not least....

To find that ever-elusive treasure of all treasures, the chrome plated AK with "da switch".

Seriously, our local shows are about as much of a joke as everywhere else. About the only thing I find on a regular basis are a few decent deals on plinking ammo.

Brad

 

[Cosmoline]

The good gun show is still around, it's just moved on-line.

 

[JesusCow]

I've been to the Saxet show here in Austin a bunch of times. Usually nothing stands out and there are not excellent deals.

I recently went to the Saxet show in San Antonio. The building was nicer, bigger and more spread out. Most all the booths were held by guys I recognized from the Austin shows. I didn't see Heritage, I dunno if they go to San Antonio.

Generally, the guys are opinionated ???????s. And, I try to be nice, but I always get the "Keep moving pal." look.

 

[geojap]

I never go to the Austin Saxet show. No reason to. I won't buy any of that crap. Prices are rediculous. I am allergic to BS too so I hate getting an earful of it there.

I have a C&R license so I order my older rifles of which I am fond from wholesalers. I order ammo from ammoman, AIM, and the ammunition store in bulk so I don't buy it there. If I do need to buy a firearm and do the background check, I order it and send it through Sam at Action Pawn in Cedar Park ($15 transfer fee).

I would like to get together for a shoot. I'm going to Red's in Oak Hill tonight with a buddy. I've got a Remington 1903A3 and SIG 229 that I haven't shot yet and they need some love.

 

[Daniel T]

Huh. I've gotten plenty of good deals at the Austin Saxet show. Of course, I've gotten them all from the same person: Mel at the General Firearms table. He always has nice C&Rs to browse through and buy.

I did find a pristine Mossberg Maverick 88 for $130. Also, my brother-in-law and I got a pair of excellent condition Yugo SKSs for $139 each.

I guess I've had pretty good luck there.

BTW, I also highly recommend Jim at Cost+10%. He can talk your ear off and he hates Kimbers, but he's a good guy and has great prices.

 

[mons meg]

Texans, show your faith and make the pilgrimage sometime to Tulsa, OK during Wannemacher's...all other shows weep with envy. The next one's in October if memory serves...right after the AWB falls down.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I'll second the motion for Wannemacher';s show in Tulsa.Red Castle Gun Club always had a booth there and club members who worked the booth got free passes to the show.It is an amazing experiance to walk into the expo and see all the vendors etc..

 

[JohnKSa]

Gun shows=great deals!



...at the local shops during the show.

No kidding, I've made some great deals by going to local shops when there's a big gun show in town.