Houston gun show this weekend

[MW surveyor]

Well, the Houston Gun Collectors is having their tri-annual gun show this weekend. I'm going on Sunday morning to see what they have. This is probably the best gun show that will be held in the Houston area for the remainder of the year. Went last year without a clue as to what was going to be available. Man, I was impressed with just about everything at the show.

Will try to pick up some reloading supplies, mainly primers in SP and LP if I can get them for a good price. Also looking for a better holster for my 3" SP101. Found one last year but while it is OK, it is not that good.

There is also a guy that sells knife and hand gun scales. I'll probably pick up something from him again. Got some good stuff last year for two revolver grips. This year I'm going to see about getting something sort of exotic for the 1911. Although I've gotten some real nice comments regarding the zebra wood grips that I made for it.

Only drawback for this show is the $8 parking and $8 admission. Oh well, it is cheap entertainment at that price and if I can save on hazmat shipping, even better.

[mr surveyor]

$8.00 for parking?????

I certainly couldn't afford Houston.

[MW surveyor]

Yeah, it kinda suxs. Thing is it is in the old Astrodome area so Houston has to make some money off of it.

[Barth]

It's $5 or $8 to park and $8 to get in here.
We have them every other month at the fairgrounds.
They are super popular thought. And I have about an hour from opening time
to flash through and see what they have before it crowds up and I have to leave.
I'm semi-claustrophobic and don't like it when I can't move around freely.

Had to go Sat/and Sun this time.
Grabbed my beloved, new to me 640-1, Sat.
Went back Sun for the usual misc accessory stuff (ammo, holsters...).

I went for 10 years with no new guns.
Just this year -
Sig Sauer - P239/357 Sig
Kahr MK40 Elite/40
Glock EXO G27/40
S&W 640-1/357 Mag

It's been a big year!
And I've got a big smile.

[MW surveyor]

Went to the show early this morning.

Looked at the wood and plastic stuff for maybe some really exotic stuff for grips on the 1911. Guy had nothing any less expensive and a majority a lot more expensive than I can get it at my usual place.

Did see some really cool mammoth ivory grips at a different seller. But for $600, no way gun didn't cost that much.

Only two guys selling reloading stuff. Primers the same cost as my local establishment. Powder $50.00 more per 8 lb jug.

Grip and holster lady wasn't there. Bummer. Nobody seemed to have a holster for the 3" SP 101.

So nothing to show for it. Not only that, parking went up to $10 :mad:

So mad I didn't even buy and beef jerky!

Not sure of where all the cool stuff from last year went.

[Bawanna]

Well I just got back from our Puyallup gunshow, it's the same group that has one in Monroe every month but about 5 times bigger. Lots of stuff to look at. I dealt a little on a 1917 Enfield. Extremely nice shape but I left it behind. Nearly went for a H&R 999 break top 22 that was new in box, unfired. Beautiful perfect shape but I left it behind too.

Neither was on the list. I was trying to take the lessons from here and maintain focus but it grew from 1 to 2 and now it's at about 5 guns on the want list. I think I'm unsaveable.

About an 1 1/2 hour drive but it was fun. Free parking, free entry for members so just the cost of fuel.

[JFootin]

Good self control there, Bawanna!

[jocko]

gun shows in my areas years ago used to be where to go to get bargains, not any more tALKING TO DEALERS THEY SAY TABLE RENTS ARE WAY UP. IF IT IS A 2 DAY SHOW, THEN motel expenses and food etc and hire dhelp to watch your table etc. Lots of hidden expenses that kinda dictate NO MORE BARGAINS.. The Indy 1500 is a massive gun show, will take at leat two days to get through it prperly and it runs 3 days. dealers there sure don't have bargains on the tables anymore. Seems like the only people doing any business are the parking attendants and of course the food vendors at the shows. I use dto go all the time but now it is a 200 mile round trip, gas, food and entry and parking eats up 75 bucks real fast and I find myself rushing throgh the show due to lack of time. and well if the show starts on a friday and u don'tgo until sunday EXPECT NO BARGAINS LEFT ON THETABLES.

[Bawanna]

Yeah, one definitely wants to do his homework and have a plan at gunshows which is why I left my two wants (not on the list) behind. I did some homework a bit ago and I did good leaving the H&R unfired 22. It was 425 and books for about 300, course it was mint unfired which is worth alot since they quit being made in 1985 I think.
I blew it on the 17 Enfield. I booked it at about 700 and the guy was willing to take 450 for it. It was extremely clean and nice but he was a private guy and I just didn't have the cash. Thought my son had alot of cash but he had less than me. A check would have worked I guess but would have got me a beating when I got home and she's getting pretty good at not leaving marks.

I did get a bit of a chubby on a Mares leg which was on the LIST. But it turned out to be a 22 which might not be too bad really but I got my heart set on a 45 Colt. I did get to hold the 22 though and figured out how I could shoot the thing. Been wondering if you just hold it like a pistol or two hands like a rifle. Either will work but a rifle like hold sans the buttstock will be pretty steady. I did find a scabbard to chair mount the Mares leg but left it behind to. My day will come.

[MW surveyor]

There were Mares legs all over the Houston show. Not sure of what caliber they were but they were bigger than a 22.

Only picked up one gun the entire show. Had to have a lot of restraint as I've reached my gun quota for the year. Not only that but the damned 1911 has spoiled me from wanting to shoot anything else. Good thing I did not get one when I was broke in my earlier years. I'd still be broke but I'd have a whole bunch of 45s. :)

[Bawanna]

I guess I forgot a significant observation at our gun show, there was a table half filled with brand new Kahrs. Black PM45's, 40's, 9's. I think they were pretty well all represented. It was almost like looking at 10kahrs kitchen table except even more.

Kind of nice.

[OldLincoln]

Watched a video a couple days ago showing shooting foo paws. Several were those pistol grip shotguns without a butt stock. Surprised at how many of them got wacked real hard in the face from recoil. Don't think I'd want one even it they were legal in CA.