I got there early, around 8:20 to wait in line. I think I was #6 in the door when it opened at 9:00. Made a beeline for the far side to work my way back to the entrance, giving everything a quick once over, looking for primers mainly. Found some for $80/K and bought them all…3K spp and 5K lpp. I knew they wouldn’t have lasted much longer. I found a set of brand new RCBS .357 Sig dies for $20 and a fairly decent no name floral carved holster for $8. There were revolvers a plenty, mostly ridiculous priced. Some very nice ones that were probably fairly priced, but out of my range. Some examples: a Lew Horton 624 3 1/2” that looked unfired, but no box, $2K. A 629-1 6” in presentation case for $1250, a very low s/n (I think around 7490) M1917 that was all original and in pretty good shape for $900. In all, I think I saw at least 4 S&W 1917’s, including one that had been refinished, the lanyard hole welded closed, and the s/n buffed right off the butt for $600(wouldn’t touch THAT one). There was a Colt 1917 that had the barrel cut down and been “Fitzed” and re-Parked. It was actually a very good job. I saw a very nice triple lock target model with an asking price of $5400. Lots and lots of older revolvers; I think there are a lot of people breaking out their collections for sale now that they see where the prices are. A friend that was with me picked up a fairly decent SKS for $400. It was the same guy that had the triple lock and I think he was happy to talk to someone that knew what a triple lock was, though I don’t know that much about them. I stopped by the SWCA table and said Hi to Jim King.
One of my next stops right after I got the primers, the next table in fact, was my friend Gary. I’ve known Gary for years and he even sponsored me into his private gun club. I feel kind of bad that in all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never bought a gun from him. He always has a table at most of the local shows and goes up to Lakeland twice a year for the big show. Today he had a really nice 39-2 that caught my eye immediately. I didn’t want to commit to it right then, thinking I might find something I really want right after I spend what I budgeted. I told him I’d be back after walking around; the 39-2 just kept calling to me and I worked my way back over to him. Long story short, it was still there and i bought it. Serial number puts it right around 1978 manufacture date.
I’m happy, got the primers I was looking for, got a great deal on some dies and a pretty holster and picked up a nice example of a pistol I’ve always wanted, but kept putting off. Plus I got to help a friend out.
Other than that, the place was packed as usual. By 9:30, it was hard to make your way through the aisles. I saw a lot of money exchanging hands and prices are climbing fast from what I see.
One of my next stops right after I got the primers, the next table in fact, was my friend Gary. I’ve known Gary for years and he even sponsored me into his private gun club. I feel kind of bad that in all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never bought a gun from him. He always has a table at most of the local shows and goes up to Lakeland twice a year for the big show. Today he had a really nice 39-2 that caught my eye immediately. I didn’t want to commit to it right then, thinking I might find something I really want right after I spend what I budgeted. I told him I’d be back after walking around; the 39-2 just kept calling to me and I worked my way back over to him. Long story short, it was still there and i bought it. Serial number puts it right around 1978 manufacture date.
I’m happy, got the primers I was looking for, got a great deal on some dies and a pretty holster and picked up a nice example of a pistol I’ve always wanted, but kept putting off. Plus I got to help a friend out.
Other than that, the place was packed as usual. By 9:30, it was hard to make your way through the aisles. I saw a lot of money exchanging hands and prices are climbing fast from what I see.
