I just joined the S&W collectors assn.

[Allen-frame]

Greetings all ,I hope this message finds you and yours happy and well .

Having just joined the S&W collectors association ,my only question is ; Why did I wait so long?

For the price of a nice dinner for two, $60, I recieve the journal ,get to ask Mr. Jinks for a shipping date on my prized revolvers, have tapped into a wealth of knowledge and fellowship I've not imagined and get to learn the secret handshake!

You do not need to be a big time collector, the only requirement is a passion for anything Smith and Wesson.

The work done by the association goes far beyond what is seen ,or what most of us realize. They also make contributions to the Smith and Wesson Historical foundation ,which is going to be the key ,in the future of preserving the history and records of the company.

My vacation is already planned around the S&WCA meeting next year in Tucson.

Consider joining, and if you were dragging your feet like I was ,let this be a pebble in your shoe ,, JOIN! you won't regret it for one minute.

Will you other members please post your experiences with your membership, and the benefits you've received ? Thanks!

Regards ,, Allen #2276

 

[45Wheelgun]

I am a new member as well. I joined prior to this year's annual meeting. Lucky for me. The Troy meeting's theme this year was "The Registered Magnum".

It is hard to describe how cool the annual meeting was. Lots of great people, sharing their knowledge, along with friendship. The auction was a blast, lots of very cool one of a kind things were auctioned.

The display room was amazing. The size of a county fairgrounds gunshow, filled with nothing but S&W's! In this case, more Registered Magnums in a single place, then ever before. Tons of unique and professionally done displays.

Guns, boxes, parts and literature all available for your viewing and buying pleasure.

It was worth the trip just to see Roy Jink's amazing display, of the history of a single RM. From the initial letter requesting information, to a copy of the receipt from the post office when it shipped.

Can you tell I had a good time?

Met a bunch of interesting people, and formed relationships and contact I could not have otherwise.

Well worth the price of admission. (Plus you get a cool icon next to your name here!)

Dave
SWCA Member #2230

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

Welcome to the Association, just joined a few months back my self.

 

[max]

Looking forward to seeing you in Tucson. We will be in Orlando the following year.

 

[handejector]

I've been a member..........a few years.
I would encourage anyone with an interest in older guns, company history, and/or evolutionary development to join. It really is a great group of people. The shows are simply incomparable, as is the journal.

Some people have somehow formed the idea that it is an elitist association. I don't believe you will find a friendlier, more open bunch.

We do have a lot of data that we don't want exploited, and we have the membership data that we like to keep from being exploited. So, we do seek members of good character with some kind of real interest in S&W's.
Do not think that interest has to be limited to antiques, 5 screws, Reg Mags, or any category of age or value. Some of our most interesting displays have been on M&P's, modern autos, airweights of all ages, stainless guns, etc, etc.
I have always actually loved the history of the plain Jane M&P's- the lowly model that policed the world and payed the light bill for a century!

Seek out the members, and chat with them about joining. If I have dealt with you on collectible guns, chances are we have mentioned it. I can't imagine why some of you are not members.

 

[bmhiii]

.... So, we do seek members of good character with some kind of real interest in S&W's.
.....

Hmm, wonder how I got in? I'm quite a character but.....

Seriously, like handejector said, you don't have to have a collection like Bill, Chuck, and some of the others. You just have to have a penchant for Smith & Wesson.

It's a good thing....

 

[yourang?]

swca is a microcosm of this list

a fine bunch of people, who are brothers/sisters, without ever
having met them!

of course, with a common tie that binds!

actually, a sickness......(unto death!)

welcome aboard

 

[Old Corp]

Allen-frame - we must be twins seperated at birth! Your words echo my unwritten ones - AND - my number is #2275.
I too, look forward to meeting folks who will perhaps indulge some of my ignorance.

I am just a wee bit perturbed to see that no gatherings, shows, meetings or SWCA-related galas seem to occur on the East Coast however....


- Lynn

 

[Mr Sola]

It's a great organization filled with good people and loads of knowledge. Welcome aboard.

 

[max]

Old Corp, last years meeting was at the factory in Springfield and the year before that was in Richmond. I would consider those East Coast.The organization tries to go to gun friendly states.

 

[Old Corp]

max - I stand corrected and spoke without real knowledge. Thank you for letting me know. I look forward to making it to a meeting..........

 

[DCWilson]

I joined in January and have not had a moment's regret. The privileges of membership are wonderful and the give and take of information affords a great educational experience.

Thanks to forum member Kobold_27 not only for sponsoring me, but also for twisting my arm about joining the SWCA in the first place. He also prodded me mercilessly about getting my C&R license and California COE. Michael is a true S&W friend.

Family circumstances mostly keep me close to home, but I hope to make it to Tucson next year for at least a couple of days. I look forward to meeting a lot of my S&W friends at that time.

 

[MKT]

I joined up about the same time David did, January this year. I'd pretty much always been a S&W fan, thought I knew a bunch too. Found this forum in 2005 and found out I didn't know much at all. My knowledge grew exponentially as did my collection, while the room in my safe dwindled. I noted that a number of posters had this SWCA # in their signature line, slowly I learned what that meant. Eventually, through this forum I became acquainted with Bob Bettis, who answered my questions and sponsored my application. I should have acted sooner, another instance of hindsight being 20/20.

I had so hoped to make the Tucson Meeting next July, but unfortunately I have a scheduling conflict with a large pistol match. Maybe I'll get lucky and they have to shift a week earlier or later.

 

[kennyb]

i agree with all of the above...great organization...i just THOUGHT i knew a lot about S&W...and a public thanks to mike (ladder13) for being so kind as to sponser me...!