The Good: Picked up the Doc, the "Commandante" and his boy on the way to the show. Whilst getting ready to roll out in front of doc's house Commandante's son says pops wants to trade his old gun for a Ruger .380. I bought said gun in the driveway on the promise to purchase said LCP at the show. Pix to follow. Lively discussion 75% Spanish, the rest unintelligible. Commandante is one of my favorites of doc's entourage. He was "somebody" in a Caribbean island army way back. Doesn't speak a word of English but passed the background check in 3 minutes. 40 years ago the CIA musta had him on the payroll.
The bad: Going into the show I noticed very few "toters." Then noticed the sign: "Absolutely no private sales at this show. If you want to sell it must be to a dealer. If you are caught not going through background check you are out and banned from future shows." I shortened it a bit. I saw zero $$$ change hands except for the hundred or so folks taking the CWP course as was Commandante's boy. A (non-FFL) tableholder and a customer were basically arguing over a deal. "Walker" was trying to trade a 8 3/8" SW 629 even for a 2 1/2" 66. Ol boy say "Can't do it!" Walker says "Lets walk out in the parking lot." 'Ol boy says "Not doing that." We kept going,negative waves. After all that we had to go to Khaled's shop in Apopka (brilliant marketing) for him to pop off his 3 rounds to complete today's part of the process. I did remark that the store had the exact same items at the exact same prices but we didn't pay $11/ea to go through the door.
The ugly: Rain blitz set in early. Driving down from Apopka was like being on a big skim board. Roads with 6 inches of water everywhere. After a prolonged dry spell the "black ice" was unforgiving to the overconfident.
About the guns: Many nice S&W revolvers at reasonable prices. New 642 and 638's for $319 which is under $350 OTD. 8 3/8 629 with the "scope notches" in the barrel $750. One guy had a Kimber Solo 9mm with laser for $459, smoking deal. I didn't get anything at the show but Commandante was thrilled with the new $206 OTD Ruger .380. I got his old gun, missing the ejector rod knob, refinished (I think) and grips cracked in 2 places repaired with Elmers. Win some, lose some. I'm still thirsty from the chili-cheese-fries. Joe
The bad: Going into the show I noticed very few "toters." Then noticed the sign: "Absolutely no private sales at this show. If you want to sell it must be to a dealer. If you are caught not going through background check you are out and banned from future shows." I shortened it a bit. I saw zero $$$ change hands except for the hundred or so folks taking the CWP course as was Commandante's boy. A (non-FFL) tableholder and a customer were basically arguing over a deal. "Walker" was trying to trade a 8 3/8" SW 629 even for a 2 1/2" 66. Ol boy say "Can't do it!" Walker says "Lets walk out in the parking lot." 'Ol boy says "Not doing that." We kept going,negative waves. After all that we had to go to Khaled's shop in Apopka (brilliant marketing) for him to pop off his 3 rounds to complete today's part of the process. I did remark that the store had the exact same items at the exact same prices but we didn't pay $11/ea to go through the door.
The ugly: Rain blitz set in early. Driving down from Apopka was like being on a big skim board. Roads with 6 inches of water everywhere. After a prolonged dry spell the "black ice" was unforgiving to the overconfident.
About the guns: Many nice S&W revolvers at reasonable prices. New 642 and 638's for $319 which is under $350 OTD. 8 3/8 629 with the "scope notches" in the barrel $750. One guy had a Kimber Solo 9mm with laser for $459, smoking deal. I didn't get anything at the show but Commandante was thrilled with the new $206 OTD Ruger .380. I got his old gun, missing the ejector rod knob, refinished (I think) and grips cracked in 2 places repaired with Elmers. Win some, lose some. I'm still thirsty from the chili-cheese-fries. Joe
