Timonium, MD Gun Show Report

[Norton]

I went up to Timonium with the full intention of just picking up a case of ammo for the SKS and heading for the hills, but since it was raining and I couldn't do my work around the house (darn )I decided to take a walk around see what there was to see.

This was by far the best (though not biggest) show that I've been to. There were actually LOTS of guns for sale, a couple of safe dealers and very few of the non-gun related booths (jerky, etc).

There were several dealers that I haven't seen at the Silverado shows. There was a table half full with M1 carbines that needed some work, but were reasonably priced. I saw a ton of every surplus rifle known to man as well as a full table of what looked like police trade-in Remington 870s for $100.

One table was completely Class 3 items (MP5, BAR, Thompson and some other stuff that I forget) and there was actually a water-cooled machine gun for the low, low price of around $15,000

Handgun selection was the usual vendors for the most part, but there was alot of stuff to look at.

Ended up getting away with only buying 500 rounds of 7.62 X 39, some stripper clips and an SKS manual.

 

[cwalker3]

Thanks for the report. I'm going tomorrow and hope that table of M1 carbines is still there.

 

[JeepDriver]

I was going to skip this show (trying not to spend money) But those Police trade in 870 sound to good to pass up

 

[Norton]

JeepDriver,

Just to be forewarned: Those shotguns had all seen better days. I'm by far no expert, but my casual lookover revealed some rust, lots of scratches and in fact one stock painted bright blue.

 

[anapex]

Anyone happen to notice if they had any shooter Lugers there?

 

[Norton]

I didn't notice any old handguns there.....but I wasn't really looking either so I may have overlooked them.

 

[JeepDriver]

Just to be forewarned: Those shotguns had all seen better days. I'm by far no expert, but my casual lookover revealed some rust, lots of scratches and in fact one stock painted bright blue.

Thanks for the warning.

I'd like to pick up a 870 shooter just to see what the fuss is all about. I'm a Mossy 500 guy myself.

 

[chaim]

I got online right after shabbos (the sabbath) ends and I see this post. Man, I haven't been paying close enough attention. I didn't realize there was a gunshow this weekend. I was just about to go onto GunBroker to see if there were any decent deals on M1 Carbines, Mini-14s, CZ bolt rifles (preferably the "Lux" in 6.5x55 or .243), Howa rifles (same caliber preference), or Swedish Mausers to bid on. I'll have to get to the show tomorrow morning or afternoon before Yom Kippur begins (sundown) and see if there is anything worth picking up. I'll have to especially check out the M1s, look for Minis and look at the used shotguns (the situation Thurs night/Fri morning convinced me I have to hurry up on a .223 carbine, M1 Carbine or shotgun for HD). Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Norton]

Chaim,

There were lots of ARs there, though not at the same prices as a couple of months ago in Frederick. I saw lots of Mausers, though not sure of the origin. No sign of any CZ rifles, but then again I wasn't seeking them out.

There were lots of SKSs and most had even been cleaned and refinished as opposed to just being a vehicle for the transportation of the cosmoline display

 

[Mike Irwin]

Glad you had a good gunshow.

The one in Dale City, Virginia, was not a good show.

That one is, quite frankly, a dying show I think.

There wasn't the HUGE amount of dealers selling totally non-gun-related crap, but there were a few.

What really shocked me was that when we got there, around 11:15 yesterday morning, there were parking spots in the lot close to the building (a lot of them) and it was obvious that attendances was WAY down. You could actually move in the aisles.

I'm really, really disappointed that Northern Virginia just can't seem to get and keep a decent gun show.

 

[Norton]

Mike,

Say it isn't so! What will I have to look forward to when I escape the miserable state of MD! Are there any good shows at all in VA? That would be the ultimate in irony: Get out of MD back to VA and not be able to get to any good shows

 

[greyhound]

Anapex-

I did see some pretty good Lugers there but darn if I can remember exactly where. Might be a moot point since its over at 3:00 (1:00 now).

I have to decide wether to dash over and pick up a $99 Mosin-Nagant M44.
I was 100% sure I was, then took a look at what projects I have to pay for/do to put my house up for sale, and I think that might just be more important than a new toy and all the accompanying stuff I would buy. Gotta decide quick!

I hate when real life issues clash with the gun hobby!

 

[Mike Irwin]

Norton,

Unfortunately, to get to a decent show anymore, you have to drive. Richmond still puts on some good shows and Bealton is OK.

MTNBRK was talking about the Harrisonburg, VA, show yesterday as if it was an OK one, but it's the better part of 2 to 3 hours from me in Fairfax.

 

[mtnbkr]

The Harrisonburg show was a good one nearly 5 years ago, the last time I went. Heck, back then, Dale City was decent, Bealton was great, and Leesburg still had a show. The Roanoke and Salem shows aren't bad, but are 4 hours from NoVa. Richmond was like Nirvana when I was last there, but it's been at least 3 years for that too.

Next time there's a Richmond show that I can attend, I'm going.

Chris

 

[Mike Irwin]

I didn't realize that you were talking about the show as it was 5 years ago.

That certainly makes a difference.

The first Bealton gunshow I was to, probably 1991, when I was still living in DC, was the equal of anything that I had been to in Pennsylvania, and we had some killer shows in PA back then.

 

[anapex]

Greyhound, thanks for letting me know it'll give me a reason to get up to one now. and if you happen to remember any of the shops selling one let me know.

 

[greyhound]

Anapex-

Sorry, I was thinking so much about that Moisin-Nagant that there was no room for other info! But, someone did say it seemed as if the handgun sellers were "the usual suspects".

Here's the upcoming shows (are they all now 'cause of hunting season?)

10/11 - 12 Frederick Fairgrounds (sponsor unknown)

11/1-2 Pikesville Armory (sponsor Camrod Hunting Club)

11/29-30 Pikesville Armory (sponsor Baltimore Antique Arms Collectors Assoc, Japanese Sword Society of MD, Militaria Collectors Society of MD)

12/13-14 Parkville, MD (sponsor Camrod Hunting Club)

1/10-11 Westminster, MD Ag Center (sponsor Camrod Hunting Club)

The 11/29 sounds cool - lots of expensive stuff I'd have to take out a 2nd mortgage to buy, but nonetheless fun to look at!

 

[chaim]

I ended up not buying anything. Almost bought the LNIB, unissued (or nearly so) condition Nagant M91/30 with bayonette, sling, and ammo pouches for $99 but decided against it (don't get to the rifle range often enough to justify another rifle right now). I was also tempted by some nice Swedish Mausers for $200-250 but I decided against them for the same reason. There was a Mini-14 for $340 but I didn't find it particularly impressive. I didn't even buy any ammo. There were several .357 and .44mag lever carbines but the prices weren't very good ($400 or more for even used Puma/Rossi copies). It wasn't a bad show but I didn't get there until 2PM so I only had one hour to check everything out- that kept me from getting too tempted.

 

[mtnbkr]

I didn't realize that you were talking about the show as it was 5 years ago.

Sorry, thought I had mentioned that. I have no reason to suspect it has declined as much as the NoVa shows. The Roanoke shows haven't declined in the same time period. Wonder if the problem is a NoVa one...

Chris

 

[greyhound]

Chaim-

Any idea what the difference was between the $99 M-N 91/30s (which I mistakenly remembered were M44s) and the $150 M-Ns? One ready to go, one packed in cosmoline maybe? I couldn't figure that one out!

 

[Calanctus]

I thought I was going to get away without losing too much of the cash in my pocket. I'd only spent $20 on some back issues of Gun Digest, when I spotted an Ithaca x-15 Lightning .22 while waiting for a friend to fill out paperwork for his purchase. Looks like a keeper, though, and I needed a 22....

 

[chaim]

Any idea what the difference was between the $99 M-N 91/30s (which I mistakenly remembered were M44s) and the $150 M-Ns? One ready to go, one packed in cosmoline maybe? I couldn't figure that one out!

Shooter's Discount's $99 91/30s seemed to be cleaned up by either the store owner or the distributer (though I don't know if there was any in the action). Some of the other Nagants other dealers had for prices from $100-150 seemed to, for the most part, be in much worse shape (a lot of people at this show seemed to be looking for suckers, but there were a lot of good dealers there too). The more expensive M44s he had (I forget the price) had laminated stocks and the action and barrels were in great condition.