Pre-29 Letter

[Vettepartz]

I received the letter on my 5 screw pre-29 44 Magnum. See the picture. I wonder if this was sent to a distribution center for Army/Air Force PX's and BX's, or just to one PX. Seems like a large number in the order if all went to just one place, especially since they had just been made available for 5-6 months. If anyone is keeping a list of pre-29's by serial number, please feel free to add this one to your list.

 

[6518John]

Oh to go back in time! “I will take all 24 at $83 a pop!”

 

[JP@AK]

I wonder if this was sent to a distribution center for Army/Air Force PX's and BX's, or just to one PX.

I can just about guarantee it was for multiple locations. It could have ended up just about anywhere in the U.S.

 

[DWalt]

My guess is that address was an AAFES distribution center. AAFES stores operate much like a WalMart or Target store, except they are located on Army and Air Force bases and can generally sell only to military personnel, their immediate families, and military retirees (not to civilian employees or retirees). They are stocked from various AAFES distribution points, but exactly how that works I do not know. Technically, they are not part of the military organization and operating expenses are funded by their markups (can't be called profit). The Military Commissary Service works in much the same way, but is a separate organization from AAFES.

 

[Muley Gil]

I don't know about firearms sales, but military retirees can indeed buy articles at PXs, BXs, the commissary, etc. I was a military dependent of a retired sailor and I shopped at the exchanges and the commissary as well, until age 22.

 

[Narragansett]

I received the letter on my 5 screw pre-29 44 Magnum. See the picture. I wonder if this was sent to a distribution center for Army/Air Force PX's and BX's, or just to one PX. Seems like a large number in the order if all went to just one place, especially since they had just been made available for 5-6 months. If anyone is keeping a list of pre-29's by serial number, please feel free to add this one to your list.

Wholesale 83.00. Well, when I had my FFL a long time ago, the dealer got 40% for profit and bargaining. So around 115.00 retail.
Not to hijack the post, but to tell a quick remembered story, in 1971 I negotiated a price for a brand new Browning Hi Power for 94.00. at the same time the full coverage hand engraved Renaissance model was 295.00 list, so you probably could have gotten it for near 250.00 ( a lot of money). Man I wish I had about 25 of those. Guess i will look to see if I can find one for sale out of curiosity

Edit: Quick check, 4K and up

 

[Retired W4]

My guess is that address was an AAFES distribution center. AAFES stores operate much like a WalMart or Target store, except they are located on Army and Air Force bases and can generally sell only to military personnel, their immediate families, and military retirees (not to civilian employees or retirees). They are stocked from various AAFES distribution points, but exactly how that works I do not know. Technically, they are not part of the military organization and operating expenses are funded by their markups (can't be called profit). The Military Commissary Service works in much the same way, but is a separate organization from AAFES.

There was/is an AAFES distribution center in Waco TX. I have flown some of their people into Waco when I was on AD.

 

[larryofcc]

I don't know about firearms sales, but military retirees can indeed buy articles at PXs, BXs, the commissary, etc. I was a military dependent of a retired sailor and I shopped at the exchanges and the commissary as well, until age 22.

Funny Muley. I was a dependent of my Dad, a Marine Master Sgt. around the early 50's. I was about 12 years old, and was not even allowed to go in the Commissary at Camp Pendleton, even with my Mother. I had to stay outside with my little Sister in the car. Can you imagine that today? Also, as a Marine Reservist, I had no PX or Commissary privileges. I had to be on active duty. Big Larry

 

[DWalt]

Civilian DoD employees on TDY orders to another base can get BX/PX privileges. I did it a few times, but not many. Before I retired I traveled frequently to USAF (and sometimes Naval and Army) bases all over the country.

 

[29-1]

Military retirees and dependents with a dependent ID card can buy firearms at Military PX/BXs world wide. The only problem is in todays military, not all post/base exchanges carry firearms.
Chuck

 

[Muley Gil]

Funny Muley. I was a dependent of my Dad, a Marine Master Sgt. around the early 50's. I was about 12 years old, and was not even allowed to go in the Commissary at Camp Pendleton, even with my Mother. I had to stay outside with my little Sister in the car. Can you imagine that today? Also, as a Marine Reservist, I had no PX or Commissary privileges. I had to be on active duty. Big Larry

My dad retired from the Navy in 1966. Later that year, I got my first pair of glasses at the Naval Academy hospital. That was on my 12th birthday.

When I was at Auburn University in the early '70s, I would drive to Fort Benning GA and shop in the PX and the commissary, using my dependent's ID card.

 

[quinn]

Just a guess, but that one may have gone to the BX/PD in Alaska where the 44 Mag was an important advancement. When I worked in the Artic Circle in 1965, civilian contractors had Model 29's available fore checkout when working outdoors.