Gun show passion besides S&W - Herrett grips

[Grimjaws]

So I go to the big gun show here twice a year and sometimes make the trip to Syracuse for that show. I've also hit some smaller shows

I'm lucky since all I look for is S&W revolvers so can skim through most displays with the plastic stuff

I've only had one awesome gun deal a few years back for a 19-3 with Jordan Trooper grips for $350 - lots of bluing loss but tight as a drum.

That started my addiction to Herrett grips or just wood grips in general.

Now I glance at the S&W revolvers when I come across them and have not found a deal but my passion is digging around the bargain bins for Herrett shooting star or Jordan troopers

Today was the Hamburg gun show and I scored some Mustang grips for $5 for a round butt j frame. Not too bad.

I did find several sets of Herrett including one NIB!!!!

But all for Colt or Ruger. :-(

So what is the item you look for at the various gun shows?

 

[quikdraw67]

Jerky and Beanie Babies.

No, it's been a long time since I've been to any guns shows.

Syracuse back in the mid-1990's was AWSOME. I saw stuff there I never saw before, or again.

And I wish I had the money then that I have now, because I would have bought some of those guns that are now made from unobtainium.

Syracuse show had cool guns, sold beer, and had good food.

As my buddy said, if they had strippers it would have been paradise

 

[Bald1]

Just returned home from Hamburg gun show. Worst one yet. I went there with a pocket full of money and came home with same. It was the usual crazy prices and lots of plastic. The one thing that's seems to be getting worse is people bringing kids. I mean little kids. Kids in strollers. It's shoulder to shoulder and I've got some guy with 2 kids in front of me blocking a vendors entire display table. Also people are just not cognizant of their surroundings. Bumping into people going against flow etc.
I saw 2 interesting S&Ws a 8 3/8" 14-3 Nickel which when I inquired about price he said he just bought it. And I saw a 681 no dash that was in rough shape. Lots of pitting and discoloration. I think I'm done with the shows for awhile.

 

[Grimjaws]

Yep

if i was into Colts there were a few .38 special 4" blue ones for around $550-600.

saw a small 22/32 kit gun (in box$ lots of blue wear with Herrett grips along with original grips. I'm thinking SCORE! then the vendor said the price $1295

I saw the 681 and it did look rough
also saw a 8" .44 in Nickel but no price and not my cup of tea

Did see some nice target grips for $50 but they had lots of chips

Pickle guy was there
Cheap Africa leather holster guy
belt slide style but meh

And yes it got crowded pretty fast so table to table was a slow pace at times
I can zip around since I only stop for revolvers or grips

Bald1 next show is September
If you can show up early I'll treat for breakfast at Pegasus
(I'm an enabler)

 

[Tom S.]

So what is the item you look for at the various gun shows?

The rest room.

 

[paplinker]

My methods at gun shows are quite the same as yours.

I peruse the first round very quickly looking at smiths only and the very familiar look of Roper grips.

After the first round I slow it down some and am looking at grips very closely. On and off guns and getting permission to search any boxes that look promising.

I recently found out that Herrett trooper grips with the enclosed back strap are very comfortable for me so they are on my look for list.

Also I am finding Farrent grips are showing up a bit with really nice prices on occasion. Seems most do not know what they are anymore. I buy these when I can and sell or trade them.

Even great service grips pop up when you look hard enough.
I found this set last gun show wrapped in a sandwich baggie under glass in the corner. Got a great price on them and were marked K frame when they were N

I think the key is to be there as soon as the doors open.

 

[Golddollar]

I've been going to gun shows ever since my dad took me to them when I was a little boy. I'm still going to them as a retiree. It's part social and part adventure in seeing what has come out of the woodwork. Some of the vendors now know me and I usually run into someone from one of my clubs. One of the ladies at the admission table of one show always likes to see me come in because she trades out for the Golden Dollars I pay my admission fee with. And it's amazing how times something comes home with me that I didn't know that I needed.

 

[WardenRoss]

Great thread!

You deserve a blow-up!

 

[turnerriver]

Holsters. I found the Kit Gun at a show as well.

Regards,

 

[WardenRoss]

I've scored a few good grabs over the years.

In addition to gun shows, I go to pawn/gun shops when traveling or just on a Saturday errand run. They often have grab baskets with grips, holsters and so on.

My best finds have been...

Safari land - break-front, leather competition holster from 1970's

Bianchi - pancake holster

Galco - FBI type paddle holster

All these were like new, got them for a song. I'm not even mentioning AR stuff. Used AR stuff is, like, almost free.

Once, checking out the pistols as I went into an old wood framed, small town, paw shop in south Georgia, I saw a 3" model 66. It was LNIB. In fact I thought it was new. I made a lowball offer and walked out with it.

You never know what you'll find.