Autumn

Autumn

Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Gang & The Gunshow

Just now home from church and fried chicken. Sweet Wife is happy. This is the third time in a month she's tricked me into attending a brick and mortar church.  I've been a good boy- didn't say a word during any of the services. I simply slipped my Kindle out and read, elbow or no elbow.

*****

Yesterday was fun. Our group gathered at a local gunshow. The cast of characters included, yours truly and my Sweet Wife. (At first she declined. Then she was informed our good friend, Jacked Up Glock Mom planned to escort her husband, Senior Chief, so Sweet Wife quickly changed her mind.) Along with our other best friends, Pirate Jim, and Rebel, we had a six pack.

Two of our group missed out - Duke, away on vacation, and Shooter Steve. Shooter Steve is a newly wed and has yet mastered the ability to check his email so missed out on a great gunshow and lunch. He's young and I'm sure in time he'll learn.

We gathered at the door of the venue at 0900, after of course, we disarmed. Ironic isn't it...one must first unload their concealed weapons to attend a gun show. So I walk inside with two full magazines attached to my belt.

The ladies went left, the guys right.

Gunshows smell good, at least to me. The scent of oil and wood and leather fills the air. I love the racks of old firearms and the bits and pieces of gear and spare parts, cleaning rods and brushes and countless AR grips. Old slings and trench knives with the odd sun bleached olive drab ammo pouches.


We took our time, ambled along. The prices were very high, almost ridiculous. I've attended many shows in my lifetime, more than I can count, and I've never seen prices reach such levels. Most, I dare say, high retail.  My expectations of a deal died quickly. My want list was small when I approached the door, it quickly shrank. The list included a lower, a few spare AR parts, perhaps some ammo along with .50 caliber ammo cans, and books.






I scored on three out of five. I did find a Ragnar Benson.





As you can see above, I also found a Spikes lower. I did find a few PMS lowers but the dealer was a pawn shop owner and was awful proud of his inventory, so I passed.

My good friend, Pirate Jim, stumbled across a nice M1. He's a collector of vintage military rifles. Its a fine disease. He paid and took his new baby home. Sweet Wife said of Pirate Jim, "He's so sweet. Look how he's holds his rifle. Just like a baby." I thought, 'Well heck yes, why shouldn't he.'

Above, Pirate Jim stands next to a display of gun culture themed books.

At one point Rebel and I came upon a display of private arms. I've noticed over the last few years dealers will proudly display 'private sale' signs on their booths. Loop holes be damned. I've also noticed their booths are knee deep in business. As we checked out this dealer's inventory Rebel spotted a nice little Revelation pump .410, the prefect little squirrel weapon. He and the dealer bickered a bit and Rebel walked away with a fine little Mossberg built shotgun. Pump .410's are fairly scarce. Revelation was a Western Auto store brand.




Above a display of .300 Blackout barrels and lowers. Local manufacturer. Senior Chief's next AR build.

At one point, as I filled out a 4473, Rebel walked over and asked if I wanted a piece of action in a bulk ammo can purchase. Said, yes. The dealer wanted ten dollars each. We checked each seal, stacked the cans, and smiled all afternoon. I walked away with five.





I'll take a step into dangerous territory - ready....never, ever, take your wives to a gunshow.  As I've said, I took my time to stroll up and down each aisle. I was happy...then, the women began to complain. They're hungry. Their backs hurt. Their feet were sore. I've yet to take in half the show. Guess what.





We ignored them. Above, Pirate Jim and his new baby. Displayed on the table, Rebel's .410.





Then, the women came back and slapped us. Above, my Sweet Wife. If you look closely you'll see she has a little AR-15 ink pen, a gift to me. She's clutches other secret booty. I've found it best to hold tight to my wallet.




And, above, my wallet next to a sack which holds a .22 conversion kit. Notice the price.

The women finally won. The gang followed Rebel's jeep to lunch. During lunch the rain's began to fall.







I'm rich with friends.

Stephen

25 comments:

  1. Sounds like a GREAT day. You're a blessed man!

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    1. Thanks, Rev., yes indeed, the Good Lord has smiled upon me.

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  2. Looks like a hellofa good time. Five new ammo cans at 10 bucks each is a damned good deal as well.

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    1. That is a fact...online the cans (fifty cal) are normally twelve dollars each plus shipping. Thanks, my friend.

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  3. Stephen,

    You're Blessed My Friend!
    Enjoy your new finds and the rain :-)
    Give Sweet Wife a hug from Oklahoma for me.
    Have a wonderful Sunday evening.

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    1. Thanks, Sweet Sandy. I passed along the hug and she said thank you and returned it....notice how gently she hugs.

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  4. Looked like fun! Were y'all eatin' barbeque?

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    1. Yes we were, my friend...but, I had an omelet. Sure was good. Excellent iced tea, too. Thanks, Bubba.

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  5. "rich with friends" is rich indeed.

    Dad and I did get a little shooting in today. Nice to just drive down a dirt road and set up targets.

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    1. Isn't it though...I miss that freedom. I'd love to live where it'd be possible to walk out on my back porch,fire a few rounds and not one person would notice...or care.

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  6. It's a shame that church had to ruin a fantastic weekend, but you owed her big time. I drove 60 miles yesterday just to find a gun shop that sold EEZOX gun cleaner. Hard to find. And one day this week Christmas will arrive in my mailbox with my new Uncle Mike's holster.

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    1. In truth, I don't mind attending church...as long as the members leave me alone. I'm a quiet and reserved person by nature, and I really pull back when confronted by people I don't know, so it's kind of hard on me and I can get a bit snappy when bothered by folks asking me very personal questions. So, Sweet Wife stands by my elbow and wards off the hoople-heads for me. I do this for her. I tuck my little Browning on the small of my back and carry my Kindle...it works out well enough. Thanks, dear lady.

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  7. Yes my friend, i dont know what draws great patriotic law-abiding citizens to gun shows, it must be the smell of Hoppes #9? Best thing though is you can sneek up on people who are texting......

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    1. Indeed, Senior Chief, and you're bad about that sneaking up stuff...gonna get you shot one of these days...it was kinda funny, wasn't it. I felt all red-faced and stuff. Anyhow, I know it's the Hoppes, and the leather, and the firearms, but most importantly, its the last bastion of free thinking men and women. Thanks, my good friend. Tell Glock Mom hello, and give the boys a hug from me.

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  8. A man who is rich with friends, will always be weathly indeed!...I'm new to your blog but it is on my everyday must look at list. Thanks for your work. Joe.

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    1. You're more than welcome and thank you for the kind comment, Joe. Yes, the best treasures in life are family and good friends. Nice to have you aboard, Joe. Please, don't be a stranger.

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  9. I wanted to attend the Miami show a couple weekends ago. Haven't been to one since the Tulsa show a few years ago. The prices scare me though...

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    1. I understand. The prices are the very reason I attend with small items in mind. Thanks, my friend.

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  10. sounds like you all had a good time, I'm sure you didn't bad mouth me.

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    1. Of course we bad mouthed you, Ole Buddy mine....we did miss you. It was a good show..I'm leaving the girls home next show. I missed half of this one. Or, we could push them around in a baby carriage....

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  11. I understand, Bubba. We have many but the shame is I miss so many...hate to close my business to attend but I believe I shall attend more often. Thanks, my friend.

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  12. Sounds like a lovely day :) Wish we had gun shows here too - best I could do was a Ham Fest yesterday. You're very blessed to have gun shows, good friends and of course, your sweet wife :)

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    1. Julie, where in the world do you live...no gun shows. I'd pack and move. It was fun, and thank you, I am truly blessed. Sweet Wife is good to me, so I attend to her needs as best I am able.

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  13. sounds like you had an awesome time, dear sweet one! congrats on the ammo cans - steal!

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. kymber, thank you. Yes, the ammo cans were a bargain.

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