Austin Gun Show, August

[HankB]

Well, here are a few highlights and lowlights of the Austin gun show this month . . . attendance was up from last month.

1. Garands. Bought some M1 clips for 75 cents each - they look OK. The guy had a bunch of M1s starting at $650 and going on up to $10,000 for a gas-trap version. He had an Eddystone Enfield and a Springfield, too, and a few minor accessories. (CMP guns?)

Another guy had two M1s, one for $995, the other for $795. The latter carried a tag that it was rather "special" as it included parts from all four makers of military M1 rifles . . . WOW, a MULTIPLE COLLECTOR'S ITEM!

2. Garand ammo. Saw some PMC ball in Garand clips - $4. Considering the clips go for less than a buck, the ammo wasn't exactly a bargain. Saw some Korean "KA" ammo, which has a controversial reputation, and is likely to be "slightly" corrosive. Best(?) was some "Military Ball" ammo in M1 clips . . . interesting that it had a SUPER-X headstamp.

3. FAL build on an Imbel/CAI receiver. Carried a flash hider. Hmmm . . . some question about it being compliant. Saw another FAL that was plated (or painted?) entirely SILVER except for green stock. Appearance was . . . unique.

4. The clip people had reduced the price of preban FML Glock 17 mags from $130 last month to $100 this month . . . still trying to squeeze in some last-minute profits from suckers before Sept 14.

5. Lots of RRA AR15 clones. Didn't look too bad. Mid-$800 range for M4-like rifles. Best to wait a few weeks and get the ones with telescoping stocks and such.

6. Comp-Tac was there with their Kydex holsters. Bought an IWB tuckable for my Glock. Looks nice - $75, tax included.

7. The people with homemade jerky and sausage had an exceptionally odiferous display. I feel sorry for the folks at nearby tables who will have to suffer the stench all weekend.

8. The guy with two folding-stock AK clones still wanted $1150 and $1200 for them, so I guess he's likely to keep them for a while.

9. One table with nazi and anti-semitic literature. Happy to say that for the couple of minutes I watched them, everyone that passed by looked at what they had, made a face or frowned, and moved on.

10. Guy in the back corner had a bunch of GI stuff - pouches, duffle bags, etc. It smelled like it had been put away wet for a month or three.

11. Guy with tactical gear - web gear, chest pouches for mags, etc., - had a mannequin decked out like a real Mall Ninja . . . it was wearing so much tactical gear it would put our own Skunkabilly to shame.

12. Lots of individuals without tables looking to sell their own stuff.

 

[auschip]

To be fair, the pepper jack cheese is really good. Did it seem like tables had a lot more "Not for sale" stuff this time?

More good:
$575 Citori O/U 12. I still wish I bought that one.

Decent priced Win 97s. Bluing was probably 40% but it looked to be in good shape otherwise. He wanted $270 for it.

More Bad:
The same guy who had the folding AK clones also had a couple Preban ARs that he wanted somewhere around $1400 each.

I did manage to pass on the gold plated Dessert Eagle in 44 mag. He only wanted $2000 for it.

$350 SKS that was missing the bayonet (had the lug).

 

[drannor]

Saw a S&W M19-3 with box, minty condition for $425. Offered a trade on my 9mm FN HP, and brought it back to show dealer. Dealer didn't know who FN was, and decided that since Browning wasn't ON the gun, he wasn't interested.

:banghead:

I did find some moon clips for my M625, so not a total waste. I'm munching on some buck sticks now, and I loved their turkey! Did smell a bit though.

 

[TheDutchman]

I hate the Austin gunshow but is still go, its a good laugh dealing with those people. The jerky is good buy some from the ladies Hank. You should not do business with the clip pirates

 

[drannor]

Actually the clip pirates DIDN'T have moon clips, they guy selling random gun parts and cleaning supplies next to them did.

I did notice that the crowd was a good deal more diverse than usual, which I take as a good sign. Prices, as usual, were laugh inducing.

 

[geojap]

Thanks for the report.

I haven't been there in three years. I've had an itch to go recently though, so maybe I'll have to check it out again so I can refresh my memory about why I haven't been in the last three years.

I'd like to go whenever the guys from Military Gun Supply in Ft. Worth come down. They just moved a new location in Ft Worth so I'm sure they weren't there this time.

 

[cpileri]

schedule

Anywhere a guy can get a listig of upcoming shows near aurtin and up through, say, waco?
I tried to ggogle for "gun show austin" and "gun show texas" but not too many specifics.
C-

 

[Daniel T]

1. Garands. Bought some M1 clips for 75 cents each - they look OK. The guy had a bunch of M1s starting at $650 and going on up to $10,000 for a gas-trap version. He had an Eddystone Enfield and a Springfield, too, and a few minor accessories. (CMP guns?)

I've talked to that guy a few times. He claims that $10k gas-trap M1 has all authentic parts, down to the screws. He told me that he paid $200 for just a couple of the screws...so who knows.

Did he have his BAR out? He loves showing that thing off.

...

cpileri,

You can get a listing of all the Saxet shows from http://saxetshows.com/

 

[HankB]

Anywhere a guy can get a listig of upcoming shows near aurtin and up through, say, waco?

The American Rifleman has a listing of shows in your region (presumably Texas ) in each issue.

 

[mcmoyer]

I didn't go to the Austin show this month as I went down to San Antonio a couple of weeks ago. The SA show was the first I've been to & there are a lot of different folks/retailers than go to the Austin show. I wouldn't mind going to more of them.

I usually wind up walking out of the Austin show with some ammo cans anyway. Haven't gotten up the nerve to try the jerky yet.

The high dollar mags will probably stay high due to their "pre-ban" status and thus become collectors items.

I enjoy going to look at the people, if nothing else!! Next month (Sept 25) is the Dallas Market Hall show...haven't been to that one in awhile and am looking forward to it.

 

[Jim Washburn]

That jerky reeked to high heaven! You could use it for stink bombs. P.U. Didn't see any guns I wanted, either.

j.

 

[Deavis]

Crap, I missed it. Last month (my first month is Austin) I was too busy picking up powder that I didn't really have much time to look around. Well, ok enough time to buy a CX4 storm for more than I should have but I couldn't help myself! I'll have to make sure I'm there next month, maybe the guy with the MP5-SD will be there again and tell me about the front-yard quiet silencers I keep meaning to get one for my P22!