js8588
Member
I scheduled a much needed day off work yesterday for the girlfriend and myself to go down to the Philadelphia Expo Center to the Eagle Arms Gun Show. Here are my various and sundry takeaways.
1.) I was surprised to find so many Saigas at relatively reasonable prices. X39s as well as 12s were available for $800 and under. Panic buying has not yet set in even after the ban on imports. I guess I shouldn't have been quite so surprised. I found a nice Mak90 for $700. Damn side nicer than the N-PAPs and C39s.
2.) I absolutely understand why people love FALs. It was the first time I ever got to handle one. Ergos are better than an M1. Wow. Still going with a PTR91F but I now get where FAL fanboys are coming from.
3.) The Zastava M77 308 is one of the most underpriced rifles on the market today. I picked one up and even with the factory import furniture, it fit and felt rock solid. Adjustable gas system and AK reliability at less than 6 bills? Hell yes!
4.) Gun people are (mostly) friendly people. Most had no problem letting us check out their stuff, handle it, etc. There were one or 2 vendors who were unfriendly but I also was up front about this being a "just looking" sojourn. I explained that I literally just paid for a CZ 452 17hmr Training Rifle and put a Vepr 12 on Layaway so my gun money for the month was already spent. More than a few told me it was money well spent. The only pushy salesfolk were the knife and crafts people.
5.) There are still good deals at these shows. Of course, being able to haggle helps.
6.) ALWAYS check something out hands on before you buy. I was sure I wanted a Romanian RPK. I fondled one today. No thanks. Hated the ergos. Same with the UTS Bullpup shotties. The way they fit me, I'd get kicked in the jaw.
7.) The loss of the Vepr 12 to the US market is really sad. The quality of the Catamount Fury isn't even close to the same. Even the Saiga 12s don't compare. Here's hoping Zastava steps up their game and comes out with a viable replacement for US gunnutz. I will be getting a Fury II since the price point is so low and will use it more than the Vepr. Going to baby the expensive one a bit...
8.) Bring non gun aficionados with you next time you go to the fun show. They'll find something they like. My girlfriend is now dead set on getting a Jap Arisaka. Who am I to say no?
1.) I was surprised to find so many Saigas at relatively reasonable prices. X39s as well as 12s were available for $800 and under. Panic buying has not yet set in even after the ban on imports. I guess I shouldn't have been quite so surprised. I found a nice Mak90 for $700. Damn side nicer than the N-PAPs and C39s.
2.) I absolutely understand why people love FALs. It was the first time I ever got to handle one. Ergos are better than an M1. Wow. Still going with a PTR91F but I now get where FAL fanboys are coming from.
3.) The Zastava M77 308 is one of the most underpriced rifles on the market today. I picked one up and even with the factory import furniture, it fit and felt rock solid. Adjustable gas system and AK reliability at less than 6 bills? Hell yes!
4.) Gun people are (mostly) friendly people. Most had no problem letting us check out their stuff, handle it, etc. There were one or 2 vendors who were unfriendly but I also was up front about this being a "just looking" sojourn. I explained that I literally just paid for a CZ 452 17hmr Training Rifle and put a Vepr 12 on Layaway so my gun money for the month was already spent. More than a few told me it was money well spent. The only pushy salesfolk were the knife and crafts people.
5.) There are still good deals at these shows. Of course, being able to haggle helps.
6.) ALWAYS check something out hands on before you buy. I was sure I wanted a Romanian RPK. I fondled one today. No thanks. Hated the ergos. Same with the UTS Bullpup shotties. The way they fit me, I'd get kicked in the jaw.
7.) The loss of the Vepr 12 to the US market is really sad. The quality of the Catamount Fury isn't even close to the same. Even the Saiga 12s don't compare. Here's hoping Zastava steps up their game and comes out with a viable replacement for US gunnutz. I will be getting a Fury II since the price point is so low and will use it more than the Vepr. Going to baby the expensive one a bit...
8.) Bring non gun aficionados with you next time you go to the fun show. They'll find something they like. My girlfriend is now dead set on getting a Jap Arisaka. Who am I to say no?
