Did anyone else go to the Pennsylvania Gun Collectors Assn. (PGCA) show in Butler Pa

[les.b]

I have belonged to the PGCA since the 1980s, and used to go to every show in Pittsburgh and suburbs, (for a long time mostly in Monroevill). It was always a great show, and then they started moving it around to vacant mall sites all around Pittsburgh. I tried to keep up, and although I still keep my membership current, I sort of got burned out keeping up with the "change of venues".

Today a friend and I decided to run up. This time it was held in Butler, north of Pittsburgh, so for me that's about a two hour drive each way. I think it was in an old Shop and Save grocery store.

Did any other forum or SWCA members attend? I looked around, but didn't recognize anyone, or see any badges. Was wondering if any one else was there and if so, what did you think??

Best Regards, Les

 

[BAM-BAM]

Not me..... I gave up trying to keep up.

For awhile it was only about 10-15 min away at Pittsburgh Mills.... another failing Mall...... but seemed full of over priced Smiths..... jerky and junk. So I stopped going....................

If I'd known you were going ...... it's only about 30 minutes north of me.

 

[les.b]

Well, I'm still trying to remember the old days, it seemed to me that there were fewer tables now than in the past, and attendance seemed down. Certainly there was no trouble getting around. I was there from about 10 until noon, and two hours was plenty time to see pretty much everything. Found a copy of Jim Carmichel's "Book of the Rifle" that I had been looking for, long out of print, nice copy for $10.00, which I think was a bargain. Bought a couple boxes of cartridges, and looked at a fair number of S&Ws, some seemed to be decent deals, some a little on the high side, but overall the show just seemed a shadow of its former self.

But that may just be a faulty perception. I'll wait til I get the report on table sales and attendance later to judge.

I wish the group well, as I do all firearms organizations during this troubling time when we are all being unreasonably attacked n so many fronts. So I will continue to remain a member, and try to attend more shows in the future.

Brad, I thought about letting you know I was planning on going up, but I didn't decide for sure until this morning. Dan, who you met at the NE Ohio Bunching, went along to keep me company.

Best Regards, Les

 

[ACORN]

I didn’t make the Butler show. We’re moving my daughter back home from college this weekend.
The old Monroeville Convention Center used to be a good show the new venue not so much. As much jerky, smoked sausage, purses etc as guns it seems.
Les, the Washington County show should be closer to you and is generally a good one. 3 buildings. I don’t know if you’re familiar with it but it’s at The Washington County Fairgrounds near The Meadows Casino & race track. The next show is June 23-24th.

 

[paplinker]

I have been wanting to check out a show or two on the western side of the state. Curious if prices and S&W wheel guns offered are better or worse.

I find on the eastern side the fall to winter shows are much better than the summer shows. At least as far as junk tables to gun tables go.

The collector show in Allentown has a much more interesting vibe than the Oaks show, even though Oaks is larger in tables.

 

[BAM-BAM]

My old contact was Bud Savage who owned Braverman's a large LGS in the Burgh. He's been off the Board for I'd guess a decade or more.... passed 2-3 years ago.

I got tired of fighting the crowds in Monroville and traffic parking was tough ....... Pittsburgh Mills the parking was better........haven't been up to Butler.

 

[gsn]

The shows here in New England have also gone into the crapper big time just isn't worth the time and exposure to who knows what-can't afford to get sick.

The Mrs. and I have decided to save the cash we would spend on attending shows for another long weekend to the Ronks area-the girls hit the quilt/fabric shops the boys head to Mountoursville to drool over the guns/glass-all get back together in plenty of time to over eat at either the Good N Plenty/Millers or the Shady Maple.

Don't understand why we always see the Jerky people but have yet to see Fenix flashlights at any show.

 

[paplinker]

The shows here in New England have also gone into the crapper big time just isn't worth the time and exposure to who knows what-can't afford to get sick.

The Mrs. and I have decided to save the cash we would spend on attending shows for another long weekend to the Ronks area-the girls hit the quilt/fabric shops the boys head to Mountoursville to drool over the guns/glass-all get back together in plenty of time to over eat at either the Good N Plenty/Millers or the Shady Maple.

Don't understand why we always see the Jerky people but have yet to see Fenix flashlights at any show.

Do you mean Mountoursville PA? I didn't know there was a gun shop worth visiting around there. Its not far from where I grew up.

 

[les.b]

Despite the somewhat dismal gun show, and the rain in the afternoon, yesterday was a pretty good day. At the show , my buddy found a 4" bbl for an Army Special very reasonable, which we had been looking for. On the way back, we stopped in Washington at Red Robin for lunch, then to a nice little gun store a couple of blocks away, "Ace Sporting Goods", then over to Cabela's, where Dan actually found a gun he was looking for in the Libray, and at a decent price. I also stopped at the Kate Spade outlet to get a gift card for my office manager who is graduating law school next Friday.....I know, that is probably a cliché.

So a pretty good day running around.

Best Regards, Les

 

[gsn]

yes-EuroOptic in Mountoursville, PA; I didn't pay attention to the guns, an awful lot were on display, detoured on the way back home to look at scopes I was interested in but never was able to handle/look through.

They had every single scope I ever wanted to see and a few huge dollar pieces that I wish I never looked through-yes the cost of the multi thousand dollar scopes can be justified.

Great place, great people and yes I walked out with a Steiner I had been looking to look at.. Something that did surprise me was the Brands that I thought would have been stamped as made in the US were labeled as being from Japan and the Steiner I bought, P4XI, was labeled as being made in the US using German glass.

I benefit in no way from EuoOptic sales or business traffic-simply a very impressed and satisfied customer who cannot wait to get there again.

 

[les.b]

I didn’t make the Butler show. We’re moving my daughter back home from college this weekend.
The old Monroeville Convention Center used to be a good show the new venue not so much. As much jerky, smoked sausage, purses etc as guns it seems.
Les, the Washington County show should be closer to you and is generally a good one. 3 buildings. I don’t know if you’re familiar with it but it’s at The Washington County Fairgrounds near The Meadows Casino & race track. The next show is June 23-24th.

ACORN:

Just this year I attended my first Washington gun show, and I agree, it is pretty good. About an hour drive for me, but well worth it. I now have up it saved in my favorites in my GPS. I'll be there in June for sure!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[bummer]

Not like the old ones in greensburg and monroville. I like the Washington show, different variety of venders must be the area