Hit the big gun show in Novi, Michigan today. It's billed as a 600 table show and I would estimate that about 80% of the available tables were in use.
As typical some of that space was taken up by dealers selling edged implements that may have looked good in a Mad Max movie but have no practical use beyond that. Frankly I don't understand the appeal or how these dealers can stay in business but I guess someone buy's this stuff because they seem to be at every show I've attended.
Also in attendance were those dealers specializing in Kosmoline Specials from just about every Armory on the planet, Mosin's, Caracal's, Mauser's, and just about any other ex military Bolt action or AK variant you could dream of. Some at prices I would consider reasonable but one dealer was asking 269.00 for Mosin's that looked like they had been stored under a pile of truck or tank parts in some Armory the stocks were so beat up.
Then there were the major Michigan dealers who specialize in the gun shows for probably 80% of their sales and these guys know what sells and how to turn a dollar without squeezing it 3 times. So, there were relatively good bargains on some rather nice new firearms. What keeps tempting me is a Ruger New Vaquero in 357 Magnum but I've so far managed to fight that temptation. What I was hoping to stumble on is a Marlin 1894 CP in 357 Magnum but that didn't happen at this show. So, I'll just keep on looking and some day may find one.
On the Reloading component front lots and lots of semi auto, 308, and 223 components on hand including once fired brass. However, the only once fired revolver brass on hand was for 38 special, so those looking for any other revolver caliber best keep on waiting for Starline to run some of what they need. Primers and bullets were also on hand in abundance as long as it's not a revolver caliber with a bore larger or smaller than .357. As for powders, lots of rifle powders on hand but the only handgun powders on hand were Magnum powders. Go figure, not a thing as far as cases or bullets for 357 or 44 Magnum but lots of Lil Gun, Accurate #9, Win 296, H110, 4227, and 5744. I picked up 1 lbs. of Lil Gun for a Co-Worker for his 45 Raptor loads, 2 lbs. of #9 for myself, and 1 lbs. of Longshot for my 40 caliber screamers.
