Went to a gun show yesterday
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:23 pm
In Alabama they are always packed. This one was no exception on day one of two. At 1:30 in the afternoon there must have been at least a couple thousand people. Big building and lots of dealers and people elbow to elbow.
I did my usual browse of all the stuff just to see what was there in the milsurp line. Noticed lots of Nagants...as expected 91/30's and 44's. Most didn't look like the refurb "excellent" models either. The 91/30's didn't come with a bayonet or other accouterments. The 91/30's were mostly $109 to $119 and more often the higher price. The M44's were the same but tended to be more often at the $109 price than the $119. Now the point is ..you can buy either with a C&R in as good a condition as they come for $70 any day and even adding the shipping would offset the tax these gun show rifles would require that the C&R buy wouldn't. But I got all I need of these anyway.
Saw more than few M1 Carbines. Conditions were various of war time manufacture. Prices went from $799 to $999. The Universal copies were running right at $500 each. Garands were all over the place on price. $700 to $2000.
Noticed the "black" rifles. Genuine Colt AR's that you can get from places on the internet for $1300 were listed cheapest at the show for $1895 and going up to about a $1000 more than that.. The crap pile of AR's started about $700 for what you could get for about $500 elsewhere, if that is what you want.
Saw a few Enfiields of run of the mill quality running around $250.
Saw a surprising number of MAS 49/56. Most about fair condition and none above Good. The going price was as surprising $450. But the "deal" was one in fair condtion offered with a "case" of ammo and 8 magazines for $475. The case was a small one and probably held no more than a couple hundred rounds. But I passed. Butt ugly rifle to me on the one hand and I remember when I could have bought one for $200 a few years ago in better condition. Just surprised to see several of them.
The Mausers were not as much in sight this time. And many were M48's being sold as K98's and other such.
Not much excitment in a gun show any more. At least not buying excitment. It's more like going to a circus or side show. But it's still fun to go anyway.
I did my usual browse of all the stuff just to see what was there in the milsurp line. Noticed lots of Nagants...as expected 91/30's and 44's. Most didn't look like the refurb "excellent" models either. The 91/30's didn't come with a bayonet or other accouterments. The 91/30's were mostly $109 to $119 and more often the higher price. The M44's were the same but tended to be more often at the $109 price than the $119. Now the point is ..you can buy either with a C&R in as good a condition as they come for $70 any day and even adding the shipping would offset the tax these gun show rifles would require that the C&R buy wouldn't. But I got all I need of these anyway.
Saw more than few M1 Carbines. Conditions were various of war time manufacture. Prices went from $799 to $999. The Universal copies were running right at $500 each. Garands were all over the place on price. $700 to $2000.
Noticed the "black" rifles. Genuine Colt AR's that you can get from places on the internet for $1300 were listed cheapest at the show for $1895 and going up to about a $1000 more than that.. The crap pile of AR's started about $700 for what you could get for about $500 elsewhere, if that is what you want.
Saw a few Enfiields of run of the mill quality running around $250.
Saw a surprising number of MAS 49/56. Most about fair condition and none above Good. The going price was as surprising $450. But the "deal" was one in fair condtion offered with a "case" of ammo and 8 magazines for $475. The case was a small one and probably held no more than a couple hundred rounds. But I passed. Butt ugly rifle to me on the one hand and I remember when I could have bought one for $200 a few years ago in better condition. Just surprised to see several of them.
The Mausers were not as much in sight this time. And many were M48's being sold as K98's and other such.
Not much excitment in a gun show any more. At least not buying excitment. It's more like going to a circus or side show. But it's still fun to go anyway.
