Gun Show Evolution

[Sourdough]

I Just completed a long weekend manning my three tables at the Largest Alaska Gun show this last weekend.

I have been doing the Gun shows as a vendor/exhibitor for about 40 years, and it is interesting how they have evolved.

40 years ago it was about classic hunting rifles, like Pre-64' Blued Winchester Model 70 with a walnut stock. The blued steel changed to stainless steel, and the walnut stocks changed to composit stocks. The military stuff was 1917 Enfields that were $14.95 and now it's the newest AR-15 or AR-10 rifles.(Some topping $2,000.-)

There were a lot of vendors at this show selling MRE's and Mountain House Freeze Dried Foods.

The Gun Shows are a interesting evolution.

[Rick]

I'll bet 40 years ago you didn't have stocks and scopes in rainbow colors either.

[trax]

The military stuff was 1917 Enfields that were $14.95 and now it's the newest AR-15 or AR-10 and the aluminum .50 Cal. BAR rifles.(Some topping $2,000.-)The Gun Shows are a interesting evolution.

I've got a 1940's Enfield hopeak. The first large caliber weapon I ever owned was an Enfield that I bought at a pawnshop for $10. They're still as good I'll ever need for moose, deer etc.

[Sourdough]

RICK, Or scopes that took batteries, or scopes that took photographs, calculated distance, cross wind correction, etc.

[Rick]

You bet. Times have changed. My father told me when they went into towns during WWII they would collect all the weapons and place them in a pile and the guys could have their pick and send them home. Civilian and Military. He sent a C96 Mauser complete with shoulder harness, repair kit and extra mag home that he took off an artillery officer. All were serial numbered together. A few years after I started work, I walked into a WWII vets house and hanging on the wall was the Thompson he had carried throughout the war.

I doubt many 9mm, SAWs or M4s will be going home with the guys and gals these days.:rolleyes:

[Beowulf65]

They will piece by piece:D

[Rick]

Funny! It'd be my luck to ship all the pieces home for an M249 only to forget the firing pin.:D

Gun Smith: "Can I help you?"
Me: "Yea, I need to order a firing pin."
Gun Smith Taking Out Order Form: "Sure. What for?"
Me: "An M249."
Gun Smith looks up from his order form and stares at me over rim of glasses.
Me (clears throat): "I've always wanted to own one."

[canid]

hahahaha. that would make for a nice one of those mastercard 'priceless' commercials.

[Rick]

There you go...

Sending an M249 home piece by piece: $247.00 on postage
Cost of legal counsel: $4650.00
Having the parts confiscated and serving 1 year and 1 day. Priceless

[Shaman]

The military stuff was 1917 Enfields that were $14.95 and now it's the newest AR-15 or AR-10 rifles.(Some topping $2,000.-)

The Gun Shows are a interesting evolution.

Went to a show a couple towns away last weekend just to look....;)

Ended up with a really nice Springfield M1A National match in 308 with a 10 round mag following me home....:D

Not an old one, but she sure is in sweet shape.

[trax]

Went to a show a couple towns away last weekend just to look....;)

Ended up with a really nice Springfield M1A National match in 308 with a 10 round mag following me home....:D

Not an old one, but she sure is in sweet shape.

Yep, that's as good as it gets, nice rifles

[Sourdough]

Went to a show a couple towns away last weekend just to look....;)

Ended up with a really nice Springfield M1A National match in 308 with a 10 round mag following me home....:D

Not an old one, but she sure is in sweet shape.

Shaman, pick up a lot of bulk ammo, for plinking. I just got 1,000 rounds of .308 bulk ball ammo for $550.-

[marberry]

remember when you could just walk into a gun show and buy as many rifles/pistols as you wanted without any paperwork , even in canada... well i dont cause i wasnt evn born yet but i sure wish i was.

[trax]

I honestly don't remember those days for handguns in Canada, they just weren't around when I was a kid so I guess they weren't available, but rifles yeah. I bought my first two rifles at a pawnshop (a Cooey .22 and an Enfield .303) and I was way too young to have a driver's license when I bought them

[Sourdough]

remember when you could just walk into a gun show and buy as many rifles/pistols as you wanted without any paperwork , even in canada... well i dont cause i wasnt evn born yet but i sure wish i was.

Marcraft, Quit school and join the military, they have lots of guns you can play with.

[trax]

Marcraft, Quit school and join the military, they have lots of guns you can play with.

Uh yeah hopeak? ...Let's not be encouraging that thinking, ok? This is the first Canadian I've ever heard from that makes me think all of those restrictions my country has on guns might be a good thing:eek:

[Sourdough]

Uh yeah hopeak? ...Let's not be encouraging that thinking, ok? This is the first Canadian I've ever heard from that makes me think all of those restrictions my country has on guns might be a good thing:eek:

Why, It looks like a "WIN/WIN" to me, He gets to play with guns, He gets sent to the Middle East, He get killed or paralyzed, in which case he spends the next 50 years, repeating, "Be careful what you wish for, It might come true".............:(

[Rick]

Perhaps he should join this army:

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/05/30/machete_wideweb__470x333,0.jpg

[trax]

Maybe he was the one taking the picture, you know first day there... "Ohhhh, a welcoming committee just for me!!"

[Ken]

There you go...

Sending an M249 home piece by piece: $247.00 on postage
Cost of legal counsel: $4650.00
Having the parts confiscated and serving 1 year and 1 day. Priceless

Sending an M249 home piece by piece: $247.00 on postage
Man, have the postal rates gone up.

Cost of legal counsel: $4650.00
Damn, that's too cheap - especially in Federal Court (Starting at $25,000.00)

Having the parts confiscated and serving 1 year and 1 day.
Not if you have good legal counsel - Starting at $25,000.00:D

[Rick]

Let me guess? Who would be good counsel for that price? Hmmmm. I wonder who....


(Ken in background waving hand, "Oooh, Oooh, Pick me! Pick me!)