Gun Show Report
 

First, thanks again to everyone who gave input on my Mini-30 question last night.

No, I didn't get rid of it, but I did get some decent feedback from a couple of dealers on what I could expect for it (around $475 - $500). They said it was worth about that, but they naturally wouldn't give me that price because they have to make some profit. I would have gone lower if they'd had anything I wanted, but no luck. They recommended I hit the next show earlier on both Sat. and Sun. (I got there late) and just walk around with it, and I'd probably unload it for that in a private sale. I got a nibble at $475, but the guy didn't bite. At least I know where I stand with it.

Otherwise, I picked up a 30 rd. MP-5 mag for my HK SP-89 for $50, which is what I've seen them for online. I also got some ammo from Georgia Arms http://www.georgia-arms.com/ . I got 500 rds of their Canned Heat brand .223 in 55 gr. FMJ (with ammo can) for $165. I also picked up three 50 rd. packs of .308 Match Grade 168 gr. boattail HPs for $31.50 each, along with three 50 rd. packs of .40 S&W 165 gr. JHP for $12.75 apiece. Other notes:

1) Very small show - about 150 tables. No PMs at all....

2) I asked the Georgia Arms folks about 7.62 x 39. They said they sold everything they had the first day. In fact, they were already out of .308 softpoint ammo, and I got the last three packs of the BTHP. Ammo from other vendors was priced similarly to what you find at ammoman.com - and he ships free. So no real bargains there.

3) Very few AKs for sale. The ones they had were way overpriced (i.e, a $450 WASR-10). I also found one Romanian Draco with the "Made in Romania - Cugir" marking. Again, overpriced at $599, and the guy wouldn't budge. Also saw a couple of SKS that were pretty well worn out, priced at or over $300.

4) If you were in the market for an AR-15 type weapon, you were in luck. Prices were pretty reasonable from what I could tell.

That's about it, FWIW. The next show in my area is in Fort Walton Beach next month - I have no idea if this one is any bigger than the one I went to today. I'm going to try to make it out there and see.

Re: Gun Show Report
 

I was out at our monthly show in Monroe, Wa Saturday. There was a plane towing a big Ron Paul banner over the fairgrounds. I nabbed 500 rounds of wolf and 40 rounds of tracers for my sks/ak.

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I guess the days when you could go to a gun show and buy a new SKS,
still wrapped in paper, for $99 are long gone... so much for inflation :confused_ma:

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[QUOTE=Lars Ragnarsson;962417]
4) If you were in the market for an AR-15 type weapon, you were in luck. Prices were pretty reasonable from what I could tell.

QUOTE]

What kind of prices were you seeing for the AR's?

Re: Gun Show Report
 

I like the Lakeland shows the best :D

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Attended a local gun show and picked up an SKS. :wink:

Ron Paul & Huckabee booths present.

There were 2 PM dealers......although 1 is really a makeshift coin dude.
All-in-all is was very, very crowded.

Re: Gun Show Report
 

I went to the Tanner show here in Denver two weekends ago. I arrived about 10 am Sunday. It was literally packed. You couldn't walk down ANY isles without being bumped into by someone. I kept my wallet in an inside snapped pocket of my vest.

Prices were high. Ammo was scarce. I did find a newer dealer I was unaware of. 5280 Armory. His website is www.AK-47man.com and he's only open to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm.

So I went over there on Saturday. His shop was probably 60 x 100 feet in size on the main floor. It was packed for the two hours I was there. Lots of people buying LOTS of firearms, ammo and accessories, including TONS of mags being sold.

I've now talked to most of my gun shop buddies here in Denver. It appears that sales are now through the roof and supplies are STARTING to get scarce even at the distributor level and above.

I've spoken with Centerfire Systems, SOG, J&G Sales and Century Arms International. They ALL said sales are off the charts.

I stand by what I've been saying. GET IT NOW. Beg or borrow the necessary money to get what it is you feel you MUST have. This reminds me of 1999, pre-Y2K. Firearms and ammo sales were through the roof.

I'll give you my normal prediction. REGARDLESS of who gets elected this coming November, we gun owners are about to be screwed. So get it now. You WON'T be able to get it a year from now. If it IS available, it WILL COST YOU AN ARM AND A LEG.

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Depended on the make and model. Rock River M4 types were going for $1050 - $1100, not including tax. My FFL got me out the door last year with one at right around $925. Considering there's been a shortage of barrels, those prices seemed reasonable for here and now.

Bushmasters were going for under a grand - around the low $900s. Saw a couple of Olympic Arms A2 versions in the high $600s. Like I said, the prices were fairly close to what you'd find online.

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(Hope I'm not going too far off topic...)

WALLEW, I've owned some Saigas in 7.62x39, but never any surplus AKs. I'm thinking about picking up a couple. What is the best value on the market right now? Which ones are most reliable, which ones should I avoid? I don't mind chunky wood furniture.

Thanks.

Re: Gun Show Report
 

SLV,
The LEAST expensive would be SKS's. Not an AK for sure, but fairly reliable.

As far as brands go, I tend to shy away from Yugoslavian built weapons. I've got a buddy of mine in Germany now and he's carried a Yugo AKM in 'The Sand'. He dumped it for a Hungarian AMD65. He swears by them.

Having said that, also be aware that a LOT of the AK's on the market today are kit guns assembled by numerous companies here in the USA.

While Century Arms International is a good company who stands behind their product, SOME of their 'built up kit guns' have literally been horrible.

My AMD65's came from Atlantic Firearms and were built by 'Red Jacket' or Vector and Atlantic does give a five year warranty and does stand behind what they sell. I've purchased items from Centerfire Systems as well and they have an excellent reputation for ALSO standing behind their products.

There are SEVERAL AK sites on the web, the one I hang out on the most is http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/forumd...p?s&forumid=77 and they have GREAT folks over there with lots of information and are willing to answer questions without beating you up for asking.

I own some stocked AK's, mainly Chinese. I own the AMD65's which are side folders made in Hungary. I'm in the process of TRYING to purchase an AK pistol made in Romania called Draco, at the Cugir factory. I've heard NOTHING but good reports on this particular pistol and I'm hoping to complete my purchase shortly.

The only other advice I can give is two things.

LOTS AND LOTS OF MAGAZINES. I like 20 rounders but also have a ton of 30 rounders and several 75 round drums. But I bought most of my stuff more than three years ago when I started seeing all this stuff coming at us.

AS MUCH AMMO AS YOU CAN AFFORD. Trust me when I say fairly soon, it will be difficult if NOT IMPOSSIBLE to purchase ammo. If it's still available, I've seen legislation where they want to put a 10,000% tax PER ROUND on ammunition. EVEN COMPONENTS so you won't be able to afford even reloading.

Get it soon or FORGET IT.

Oh, one other little tid bit from my buddy. Whatever you purchase, if you can, buy ONE parts kit that is the same as the weapon you purchase. That way you have a complete set of parts (minus the receiver) in case something breaks.

Hope that helps.

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Check out J&G Sales out of Prescott, AZ...they have good prices on Bulgarian stamped receiver AKs...like new with storage marks for $579...Bulgarians are some of the best AKs currently available, IMO.

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info....oducts_id/1787

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SC,
Thank you. I should have included J&G Sales as well. They are also an excellent company.

I'm gettin old and worn out I guess.

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Also, you can checkout Classic Arms........they sell 'shooters packages' as well all ready to go. :wink:

http://www.classicarms.us/

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Classic Arms is another good source...

Romanians (2001 and later SAR-1) are quite serviceable, however the lower end WASR-10s are "iffy"--they are converted from single stack models by Century Arms--no receiver dimples, mags can wobble quite a bit on some because the mag well was opened up too much, and front sight posts are sometimes crooked. I would inspect one closely before I would buy it.

I do have plans for one of the Polish Tantals in 5.45x39...:wink:

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Thanks, everyone. So Bulgarian are the "best" (most reliable/accurate) on the market right now?

Re: Gun Show Report
 

Arsenal (Bulgarian)--I own 2--top quality, pricey now--over $800 new, when you can find one.

Lancaster Consulting--held a few--look real clean, heard good things--lifetime factory warranty.

Vector--ditto above--stamped or milled receiver, milled is heavier and not chrome-lined, (-1 in my book) although they tend to shoot a little better due to rigidity. Only a 5-year warranty.

The Bulgarian AK-47 SSR85C from J&G Sales still have a little cosmoline, according to one review, so some clean-up is in order. Slant brake is spot welded--easy to remove if you want to replace it with something else. For $579 I would give it a hard look.

I plan to drive over to Prescott in the next few weeks to check 'em out.

A quality AK will have chrome-lined barrels, clean controls, clean fit and finish, straight sights, quality built 1.6 mil "dimpled" receivers (1.0 mil are fine, too)...IMO any of the above would be a fine example.