oddshooter
Member
Well, it's Monday morning and SAR was a great way to spend a couple of days.
The crowds were manageable. Meaning you could walk down an aisle without being a Sardine (or is that SARdine). The over flow building was empty. All the other buildings were full. It took two days for me to walk the aisles.
The show is made up of FFL dealers and private citizens selling their goods side by side. Thank you lord for the free state of Arizona !
Many attendees also just walking around with signs listing a few items.
I started with these guys in the parking lot before they opened the gates.
It looked like there was some business being done. Most dealers were smiling. Lots of cash exchanging hands. 4473's were taking 10 to 15 minutes to get done. I did have one table where I negotiated for a 32 H&R mag Charter Arms, but then saw my ID was 7th place in line. I just can't stand waiting an hour and a half for BS so I asked for my ID back and moved on. No big loss.
My favorite part of SAR is definitely the people. Everyone I stopped and spoke with was interesting and communicative. There are so many AZ cowboy characters that it's easy to step back into the past. You see most folks on a mission of some type. They walk briskly past the tables scanning for some unknown must-have new toy. Maybe it's just the old senior-itis in me, but I think you need to stop and smell the roses.
I am a revolver guy and I was right at home. There were quite a few to enjoy. There were quite a few sw 28's going for $550 to $850. The 29's seem to have gotten a boost and were $1,000 to $2,000. The Colt Troopers were the biggest surprise asking for the same money as a 29. One to two grand.
Semi-autos everywhere which most folks are looking for, but I'm the wrong guy for that review.
There were SAA's going from $3,000 to $30,000. I fell in love with a 1st Gen Colt in nice shape with a 7 1/2" barrel. It was in my favorite 32-20 caliber, but the private dealer was a big fan of the 32-20 as well and had it marked at $4,250 and wouldn't budge. I don't believe he really wanted to sell his favorite. I saw a lot of that at the show from the private sellers.
My Navy son and Seal Team One brother in law both headed for the SAR building to see the military displays. A row of older machine guns was right at the entrance. Lots of war time memorabilia and new tactical gear. Stuff you just don't see at most gun shows. The sellers are mostly serious collectors. Spare parts bins are everywhere. My BIL bought a rusted up Mauser barrel for $8. He has the kit already for a rebuild. He was in 7th Heaven with more P38's on display than I have ever seen.
I picked up a 1915 Colt Army Special in very nice condition for $699. The private seller was frozen at $700, but I explained I had to get a discount to help explain things when I got home. I offered 699 and got the dealer laughing. I had some handloaded 32-20 with me and so we shot it on Sunday out in the desert along Hovatter Rd. Wow ! 1" groups at 25 yards !!! Yea, I'm kinda happy with that.
I also got a new Ruger Single Seven with Bisley in 327 Federal Magnum. I had sworn never to buy another new Ruger after two bad experiences, but the caliber has me by the family jewels currently. We shot it on Sunday as well, but it locked up after the first shot. And I still haven't gotten the case to extract. Full analysis and review for today.
My general feeling about the show was I enjoyed it. I am however feeling kind of jaded. I like my current shooters better than what I saw at the show. I have chosen my handguns slowly and carefully for many years. I look for specific items in the configuration I want and get the best quality I can. Example: I saw NO 357 Maximums. I saw one 327. I saw one .455 Webley and it was 2 grand. Didn't see any loose T/C barrels.
If you like NEW semi-autos, they were lots.
The first day SWForum Gettogether was one hour after opening so no big surprise no one showed up but me. The Saturday Gettogether was a No show as well. You guys really disappointed me.
I made two trips around the AG Building, but could not find LEO's table with a SW cloth.
Prescut
This was my first outing after enduring a year of AFIB attacks. It was nice to get out again with like minded loonies.
The crowds were manageable. Meaning you could walk down an aisle without being a Sardine (or is that SARdine). The over flow building was empty. All the other buildings were full. It took two days for me to walk the aisles.
The show is made up of FFL dealers and private citizens selling their goods side by side. Thank you lord for the free state of Arizona !
Many attendees also just walking around with signs listing a few items.
I started with these guys in the parking lot before they opened the gates.
It looked like there was some business being done. Most dealers were smiling. Lots of cash exchanging hands. 4473's were taking 10 to 15 minutes to get done. I did have one table where I negotiated for a 32 H&R mag Charter Arms, but then saw my ID was 7th place in line. I just can't stand waiting an hour and a half for BS so I asked for my ID back and moved on. No big loss.
My favorite part of SAR is definitely the people. Everyone I stopped and spoke with was interesting and communicative. There are so many AZ cowboy characters that it's easy to step back into the past. You see most folks on a mission of some type. They walk briskly past the tables scanning for some unknown must-have new toy. Maybe it's just the old senior-itis in me, but I think you need to stop and smell the roses.
I am a revolver guy and I was right at home. There were quite a few to enjoy. There were quite a few sw 28's going for $550 to $850. The 29's seem to have gotten a boost and were $1,000 to $2,000. The Colt Troopers were the biggest surprise asking for the same money as a 29. One to two grand.
Semi-autos everywhere which most folks are looking for, but I'm the wrong guy for that review.
There were SAA's going from $3,000 to $30,000. I fell in love with a 1st Gen Colt in nice shape with a 7 1/2" barrel. It was in my favorite 32-20 caliber, but the private dealer was a big fan of the 32-20 as well and had it marked at $4,250 and wouldn't budge. I don't believe he really wanted to sell his favorite. I saw a lot of that at the show from the private sellers.
My Navy son and Seal Team One brother in law both headed for the SAR building to see the military displays. A row of older machine guns was right at the entrance. Lots of war time memorabilia and new tactical gear. Stuff you just don't see at most gun shows. The sellers are mostly serious collectors. Spare parts bins are everywhere. My BIL bought a rusted up Mauser barrel for $8. He has the kit already for a rebuild. He was in 7th Heaven with more P38's on display than I have ever seen.
I picked up a 1915 Colt Army Special in very nice condition for $699. The private seller was frozen at $700, but I explained I had to get a discount to help explain things when I got home. I offered 699 and got the dealer laughing. I had some handloaded 32-20 with me and so we shot it on Sunday out in the desert along Hovatter Rd. Wow ! 1" groups at 25 yards !!! Yea, I'm kinda happy with that.
I also got a new Ruger Single Seven with Bisley in 327 Federal Magnum. I had sworn never to buy another new Ruger after two bad experiences, but the caliber has me by the family jewels currently. We shot it on Sunday as well, but it locked up after the first shot. And I still haven't gotten the case to extract. Full analysis and review for today.
My general feeling about the show was I enjoyed it. I am however feeling kind of jaded. I like my current shooters better than what I saw at the show. I have chosen my handguns slowly and carefully for many years. I look for specific items in the configuration I want and get the best quality I can. Example: I saw NO 357 Maximums. I saw one 327. I saw one .455 Webley and it was 2 grand. Didn't see any loose T/C barrels.
If you like NEW semi-autos, they were lots.
The first day SWForum Gettogether was one hour after opening so no big surprise no one showed up but me. The Saturday Gettogether was a No show as well. You guys really disappointed me.
I made two trips around the AG Building, but could not find LEO's table with a SW cloth.
Prescut
This was my first outing after enduring a year of AFIB attacks. It was nice to get out again with like minded loonies.
