a pair of surprises today at the San Francisco gun show

[northslope]

It drives the local Progressives nuts, but yes, there are gun shows in San Francisco. (Technically the venue is Daly City, but it's so close to the border of San Francisco that the northwest edge of the parking lot is, in fact, in San Francisco county.) Since the venue is owned by the State of CA, local legislators can't shut it down.

The show has been resurgent in the last five years thanks to a number of factors. But a couple of the longtime vendors (namely Contra Costa Collectibles and High Bridge Arms) are no longer in business and so there are usually just one or two vendors who might have consignment or used S&Ws.

I have gotten lucky a handful of times -- found a model 547 a couple years ago, and then a nice Lew Horton 24-3 sometime thereafter. But the last few visits have been unproductive.

But not today! I found a seller with a table of older S&W's, and immediately spotted the two that I needed:

-a model 17-4, 8 3/8" barrel, NIB with box, papers, tools. Semi-target hammer and target trigger. The serial number is 215K***; it's a 1982 vintage. I now can't remember if the barrel is pinned or not (or if a trigger stop was present).

-a model 29-2, 4" barrel, in presentation case with tools (with blue flocking in OK shape), VG+/EXC- condition, with football target grips. Serial is N602***.

...but the REAL surprise was the price: $500 each.

I'll post pictures when I get them out of 10-day jail.

--Neill

[hsguy]

Neill, good for you, sounds like an excellent price anywhere and a steal for California.

[Gunhacker]

A find like that is a real rarity for that show which is normally monopolized by "factory" ammo sellers, beef jerky and black rifle stuff.

Congrats on your good furtune!

[ltdave]

actually the real surprise is that there is a gun show in san fran...

i used to go to the one at the Cal Expo on Exposition Way in sacramento back when i was stationed at Beale AFB up marysville way...

[XTrooper]

What's wrong with beef jerky?!

[tekarra]

Congrats, you did well. Look forward to the pics.

[rock doc]

Great finds!! I too am surprised that there was a gun show in the San Fran area. Please post the pics when you get them out of jail.

[Lefkiguy]

I haven't been to the Cow Palace show for many years, but maybe I'll get back there next time. The street outside the Cow Palace is the border between San Francisco and San Mateo counties, and as stated, the Cow Palace is on state of California property, so neither the cities of San Francisco or Daly City can interfere with the gun shows there, although they keep trying. San Francisco has only 1 gun shop left, High Bridge Arms.

[northslope]

Originally Posted by Lefkiguy

San Francisco has only 1 gun shop left, High Bridge Arms.

And in fact, they're closed at the moment, but (despite some noisy but minimal resistance from the neighborhood) the SFPD did renew their permit and they will be reopening at some point.

--Neill

[zoom6zoom]

That whole waiting period thing is sort of stupid if you already own other guns, but logic never affected most legislation.

[PetersCustomLeather]

WOW! I need to stay off Gun Broken then and hit more shows! ha ha

GREAT Scores!! I'm so jealous of that 29! That's the exact gun I want (NEED!)

[northslope]

Originally Posted by PetersCustomLeather

WOW! I need to stay off Gun Broken then and hit more shows! ha ha

I recently did a quick analysis of my purchases over the last decade+....and, despite the fact that I've spent A LOT of hours on the auction sites, I've found most of my 'interesting' S&W's from either gunshows or local gun shops.

Not what I expected, but - the numbers don't lie...

--Neill

[scout II]

Great score.I have not been to that show for a few years,got tired of seeing the same old stuff with the prices higher each time I go.But I am glad to see there is still hope for a good deal now and then.Looking forward to your pictures.

[ElToro]

its a shame about contra costa. he had a nice selection of pre loved guns.

im in the east bay. want to make a tidy proft on that 29 ?
ive been hunting a 4 inch 29 for many moons in this area...

i havent been to a cow palace or san jose gun show in a long time. after the parking and entrance and gas, it better be a real deal to get even. and the last few times i went there was nothing interesting to speak of

[millbilly]

WOW I thought Illinois was bad....we have to wait 3 days on a handgun..........BUT I ventured over to Indy to the Indy 1500 gun show this weekend and GUESS WHAT I bought a 29-2 4" nickel very nice with some ****** grips for $450..........I didn't need it BUT I'm sure all you guys know it's not about NEED.......NO it's not for sale......

[28Shooter]

Both great buys but that 17 sounds like a real sweetie. Congratulations!

[4thUSMC]

You can buy guns in California ??????

[Shooting4life]

I am surprised you missed this one, found it around noon on Sunday at the same show. Just did the paperwork today
627 Bloodwork

[northslope]

Originally Posted by Shooting4life

I am surprised you missed this one, found it around noon on Sunday at the same show. Just did the paperwork today
627 Bloodwork

Holy cow -- just getting back to this thead - AWESOME find!!!

Who did you buy it from?

--Neill

[Shooting4life]

An ammo manufacture that was selling a couple of guns for his friend. Got the friends phone number cause I did not have all the cash on me. Meet the guy and did the transfer. Will Pick it up on Saturday after 2:00

[northslope]

Originally Posted by Shooting4life

An ammo manufacture that was selling a couple of guns for his friend. Got the friends phone number cause I did not have all the cash on me. Meet the guy and did the transfer. Will Pick it up on Saturday after 2:00

Wow - that is amazing - I'd never even seen one in person until I bought one of the new re-issued ones recently. It seemed like there was otherwise a dearth of S&W's at the show.

I just picked up my 29 and K22 from the dealer today; the 17 was mintier than I remember, and the 29 is in very good shape although a prior owner polished the blueing off the face of the cylinder....sigh....anyway, looking forward to shooting them both.

--Neill

[Shooting4life]

That was a good deal on the 29-2. I have been wanting one For awhile now. I usually don't have this kind of luck, to was the first gun that I actually bought at a show as most is ar stuff, cheap knives and beef jerky.

I never saw one in person either. Always wanted one but came to terms that I would not find one in ca for the ppt and if I did I could not afford it. I wonder what it would be worth here in ca? I am sure the premium for this piece would be much more than the 100-200 plus compared to out of state like most guns.

[northslope]

OK, had a chance to take both guns to the range this morning and they are both peaches to shoot:

[northslope]

...continued:









..all told, the K22 is pretty much the "favorite buy" of this half-decade. The 29-2 is awesome, although I did not notice (when I bought it) that the a previous owner had used a buffing wheel or something to remove all the powder fouling from the cylinder face. Along with, ahem, the blueing. Sigh...otherwise the gun in still in very shape.

[northslope]

Also, just to note a couple of corrections:

-the 29-2 has a target hammer and "semi-target" trigger

-the K22 has a "semi-target" hammer and service trigger; it also has a trigger stop.

--Neill

[Shooting4life]

Really like that 29-2 with the 4 inch. A very nice pair.

[scout II]

Hey northslope,those are great looking guns.I guess I need to hit those gun shows again and pay attention.