Got there about 0900 and couldn’t find parking… Ended up parking down by Wally World and hoping we didn’t get towed. Line was around the front of the building, and 2/3 the way down the side. Now it was 31 degrees and WINDY, wind chill was in the 20s (I know, I know that ain’t cold)…
We did see one idjit (must have been from Minnesota) out there in shorts and a t-shirt; and he was turning interesting colors…
Finally got inside, and it was PACKED… There were actually some EBRs (stupid high), and lots of folks ‘trying’ to find deals. One of my co-workers was looking for a suppressor for a 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser and actually FOUND one (actually the old boy had three)… And he also had 10 of the wooden training rounds!
The usual suspects were there, and the only thing they seem to know how to do is raise prices… Colt Pythons $4200-$5000, one well used 4″ was ‘only’ $2700!!!
A case full of 1911A1s were anywhere from $2500 to $5000 for a Remington Rand in about 80% condition. There were three M-16A2s for sale, $20,000 each, and an SR-25 Mod 11 for $12,000 (used).
Ammo- Now THAT was a cluster… I found 3 boxes of Eley Match at a single table for $6 each, jumped on those and bought a brick of Western Super X match (the old yellow box stuff) for $60.
Prices were all over the place for damn near anything, CCI .22 from $7.95 to $13.50 per 100, I saw one guy trying to sell bricks of Federal Ultra Match for $199!!! 5.56 green tip from $1/round to over $2/round for 855. 9mm/.45/.40/38 was between $29 and $45 per box of 50. Saw a can (600 rounds) of 30 carbine for $799.
The other co-worker did find some 8mm Mauser and got a holster done for his M&P by SharkTac while we were wondering around. They do nice work in Kydex and he got an exact mold to his gun.
We left about 1130, and the line was STILL a block long, and it was one out, one in to the show, so the building was full. And lots of folks were plunking down $$!!!
Best thing I saw all day was a dad with two daughters 10-11ish walking out with TWO Crickets 🙂 And each daughter giving him a hug and then asking if they could carry the rifle boxes themselves…
That alone gives me hope!
See? Men DO like shopping.
Has the world gone nuts….the prices are ridiculous. Then again, I can’t find a case of twenty-two to save my life.
Yeah, ridiculous prices, but still good to see Americans resisting the urges of The Collective.
Opus- Only CERTAIN kinds of shopping… Guns, power tools…LOL
Stephen- Pretty much!
Rev- They were, trust me!
I really like that last paragraph….
I’m old and stupid, what is a cricket besides being a bug?
Carteach- Mee tooo…
Ev- A Crickett is a little .22 single shot rifle http://www.crickett.com/
Us Minnesotans are a hardy bunch. 30s is definitely shorts and t-shirt weather. There’s a show at my nearby Armory next weekend. I can’t wait to see the turnout and prices.
Suppressors for a Swedish Mauser?!?
Who?
Where?
Pls. tell me you have contact info.
Man, those prices are batshit CRAZY!
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot on those prices? I’d love me a Python, but for the price of a car? Bought a little (used) pickup in the ’90s for that. Got 100,000 miles out of it.
That was a while back, but still.
Jason- Actually I think he really was from MN! And I hope your prices are better up there!
Stretch- This was the surpressor that shredded the wooden bullets, not a ‘real’ supressor… And I don’t have any contact info, sorry…
drjim- Yep, no question!!!
BP- it’s just nuts… period…
We can’t find .22 either. Senior looked in South Carolina and nothing. : (
I guess its time to bust out the Red Ryder BB gun for practicing with. I just hope I don’t put an eye out. : )
My favorites are the yankees who come to Florida thinking that as soon as you cross the state line its always sunny and in the 80s.. They are a hoot!
You are a braver man than me. Don’t do lines and crowds.
JUGM- Yeah, snowbirds are ‘such’ fun!!! 🙂 And shoot it good!
WSF- Normally I don’t either, but got roped into this one.
The regional (TX Panhandle) Goose Berg has .22. They were selling 3/customer limit, but the manager said forget it, take all you want, because there are a lot of bad rounds. Sounds like the failures are low on powder.
LittleRed1
LR1- I hadn’t heard about that… Interesting…