So, I almost participated in the worst gun show ever thread in the Lounge sub-forum, but I have been to more good than bad gun shows in the past five years and have some good gun show news. I usually only attend association shows, but two weeks ago Mom was hospitalized in Tucson for a UTI, she is 90.5 years old and lives with my brother's family. We piled in the car and drove from CO. to AZ. Mom was out of the hospital and on the rebound when we arrived. Family from across the country had all come, we were all very grateful to be together with her.
With the spare time we had Honey and I visited our favorite shop in town, Frontier Firearms and Antiques, narrowly avoiding the purchase of a good looking Norinco 1897. I didn't make a move on it because there was a gun show at the fair grounds the next day and I had a "feeling".
Got to the show early so it was cool enough to leave the dogs in the car, $7.00 to park, $14.00 to get in, good attendance. In Colorado I have seen maybe one or two FAL type rifles for sale over the last 10 years and at the start of 2023 I said an FAL is what I will look for this year. Table #1, 10 feet inside the door, a brand new DSA 58 Rhodesian style, with baby poop paint. It was a good looking, solid feeling rifle, almost impressive, Honey kept me moving along. Literally at the next table, new DSA 50.63 para, didn't feel as good as the 50.00, don't know why, but I trust my hands. Ten or twelve tables later there is a great SMLE display (not for sale) with a gorgeous BSA 1930 commercial, the vendor and I are having a pleasant, fun, and informative exchange regarding all things SMLE. I look at the other end of his table and there is another DSA 50.63 on display. I inspect it and it not only feels and looks good, the vendor has a good story (I know, I know) to go with it. It is his personal shooter grade rifle, he built it, he has other collector grade FALs.....
He did not push the sale, he did not mention it was a forged receiver variant, it was. We discussed the purchase, he balked at my CO stench, magazine laws, finally relenting that if I found an FFL to do the background check he might do the sale. Honey and I spent the next hour walking the show and making small purchases. We went back to the car to get the dogs and take them for a walk around the fairgrounds. We all got to watch a very entertaining horse jumping competition and I came up with two ideas. 1) my brother could make the purchase, no violation, I would tell the vendor up front. 2) Eddy, my very well behaved brindle boxer mastiff mix and I would go in and tell him keep the magazines (2), hope he was a dog fan and do the deal. He was a dog fan! He was relived to keep the mags. He had found a friendly FFL and he would pay for the transfer. Hand shake! The stench CO followed me to the FFL, he had a CO transfer fail just a little while before me. We had a fun time talking during the transfer and he purchased a very good looking 1900-ish S&W pocket pistol for $75.00 from a show attendee while I was with him. Needless to say my transfer went through.
I had to wait five days until we retuned to CO to strip, clean, inspect and lube the new rifle. Did I over pay, maybe, but I don't really care at this point. It is a tight well made firearm. If it works, doesn't blow up and can hit the paper later today I won't have over payed by my 2023 standards. I'm kind of excited!
With the spare time we had Honey and I visited our favorite shop in town, Frontier Firearms and Antiques, narrowly avoiding the purchase of a good looking Norinco 1897. I didn't make a move on it because there was a gun show at the fair grounds the next day and I had a "feeling".
Got to the show early so it was cool enough to leave the dogs in the car, $7.00 to park, $14.00 to get in, good attendance. In Colorado I have seen maybe one or two FAL type rifles for sale over the last 10 years and at the start of 2023 I said an FAL is what I will look for this year. Table #1, 10 feet inside the door, a brand new DSA 58 Rhodesian style, with baby poop paint. It was a good looking, solid feeling rifle, almost impressive, Honey kept me moving along. Literally at the next table, new DSA 50.63 para, didn't feel as good as the 50.00, don't know why, but I trust my hands. Ten or twelve tables later there is a great SMLE display (not for sale) with a gorgeous BSA 1930 commercial, the vendor and I are having a pleasant, fun, and informative exchange regarding all things SMLE. I look at the other end of his table and there is another DSA 50.63 on display. I inspect it and it not only feels and looks good, the vendor has a good story (I know, I know) to go with it. It is his personal shooter grade rifle, he built it, he has other collector grade FALs.....
He did not push the sale, he did not mention it was a forged receiver variant, it was. We discussed the purchase, he balked at my CO stench, magazine laws, finally relenting that if I found an FFL to do the background check he might do the sale. Honey and I spent the next hour walking the show and making small purchases. We went back to the car to get the dogs and take them for a walk around the fairgrounds. We all got to watch a very entertaining horse jumping competition and I came up with two ideas. 1) my brother could make the purchase, no violation, I would tell the vendor up front. 2) Eddy, my very well behaved brindle boxer mastiff mix and I would go in and tell him keep the magazines (2), hope he was a dog fan and do the deal. He was a dog fan! He was relived to keep the mags. He had found a friendly FFL and he would pay for the transfer. Hand shake! The stench CO followed me to the FFL, he had a CO transfer fail just a little while before me. We had a fun time talking during the transfer and he purchased a very good looking 1900-ish S&W pocket pistol for $75.00 from a show attendee while I was with him. Needless to say my transfer went through.
I had to wait five days until we retuned to CO to strip, clean, inspect and lube the new rifle. Did I over pay, maybe, but I don't really care at this point. It is a tight well made firearm. If it works, doesn't blow up and can hit the paper later today I won't have over payed by my 2023 standards. I'm kind of excited!
we won't be making it to the range today, the anticipation continues.
