Should YOU Join the S&W Collectors Association?

[murphydog]

I joined for several reasons a few years ago - to further my knowledge of S & W military revolvers and also to be a member of a CMP authorized collector's organization to be eligible to purchase guns from them. Unfortunately for my wallet that grew into something more than collecting and less than hoarding.

The paper benefits of membership as noted above are great, but the people you meet both here and in person, and the Annual Meetings/Symposia are truly what makes being in the SWCA special. If you have any interest in S & W products it will only broaden and deepen with participating in the SWCA.

 

[ol777gunnerz]

SW&CA

I joined about 3 yrs. ago, there is a lot more advanced knowledge on the association side of the forum, from well respected collectors, nationally known sellers, and especially Roy Jinks. I particularly like being able to receive the shipping dates for individual S&W handguns, answers for questions about them, as well as a discount for the History Letters done by Roy Jinks. I am also planning to attend the 50th Anniversary Symposium at Tulsa in June, hope to see you there!!!

 

[BRatliff]

I am surprised that this thread has not received more replies. Therefore I am hoping to prod some of those that might be "on the fence".

As I posted previously, I joined in 2014, just before the annual symposium in Columbus, Ohio.

I was completely unprepared for what lay before me and did not have a camera to capture the event.

I distinctly remember walking into the display hall. On my left was a display that ran the entire length of the room. If I remember correctly, it contained over 500 unique and pristine items.

Mental note to self, always bring a camera!!

 

[BRatliff]

The 2015 event was in Spokane. I remembered my camera this time. I also started a thread, "Greetings from Spokane" which has kind of become kind of an annual tradition.

 

[BRatliff]

A few more from Spokane.

 

[BRatliff]

The 2016 event was in Baton Rouge.

 

[BRatliff]

A few more.

 

[BRatliff]

The 2017 event was in Concorde, NC.

 

[BRatliff]

The 2017 event was my first display.

 

[NMPinNYC]

My application has been sent!

 

[BRatliff]

The 2018 event was in Reno, NV.

 

[BRatliff]

A few more.

 

[BRatliff]

Last years event was in Richardson, TX.

 

[BRatliff]

A few more.

 

[BRatliff]

If my photos have peaked your interest even slightly, you should strongly consider joining the S&WCA. What my photos can not show are the friendships I have made, which will last me a lifetime. Friends from all different walks of life, from all over this great country we all call home (and a few from other countries abroad as well)!! What all share in common is a passion for all things Smith & Wesson.

 

[hkcavalier]

If it comes back to Spokane that will be too easy!

 

[snake803]

I've been a member for 10+ years... I've been to every symposium since Really learned a lot and met some really outstanding folks... JOIN UP!!!!!!!
Jim.......................

 

[BRatliff]

If it comes back to Spokane that will be too easy!

Unfortunately, I do not see that happening. The current gun laws in Washington State are not too friendly to our organization as of now. Perhaps you might get the ball rolling to change that. I REALLY enjoyed my time in Spokane!!

Best regards, Bob.

 

[Doc44]

I strongly recommend a person interested in collecting S&Ws join the S&WCA and S&WHF. If I had not joined in the mid-80s, I would not have met Roy Jinks and my knowledge of the 44 Magnum would be about one-tenth of what it is today. Roy has helped me over the years more than I can say.

Bill Cross
S&WCA Life Member #530
S&WHF Founding Member #101

 

[kscharlie]

Well, most of what I have to say has already been said. And it's all true.

Do you have even a passing interest in S&W firearms? Are you, like myself and many others here, hungry for the history of firearms in general or S&W in particular? If you can say "Yes" to either question, you truly owe it to yourself to join the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association.

Don't let the word "Collectors" put you off, either. There are folks who own hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of S&W firearms. There are folks who own several thousands of dollars worth of S&W. There are folks who own two or three S&W firearms. The common thread here is S&W. No one in this excellent organization will ever give you the impression that in any way are they superior to you (or me). This was one of my fears when I attended my first Symposium last year in Richardson, Texas. I just knew that I would be out my league. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The folks who belong have a passion for S&W, have a passion for both sharing and finding information regarding all things S&W. Doesn't matter if they are male or female, they are all brothers and sisters.

Until you join SWCA, you really won't fully understand and appreciate the value of this organization and the people who make it this way.

BTW, not that it matters, but I am now 70 years old and I keep asking myself, "Why the heck did I not join years ago?" I was an annual member for two years. This year I sent in my 5-year membership.