Chantilly VA Gun Show Sept. 26, 27, 28

[Bill Murphy]

I'm headed out for the Chantilly Show. Open to the public 1 PM to 8 PM Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM Sunday. John Allgood, Tom McCormack, and I will be in our normal locations.

[Bill Murphy]

We did not see anything of note at this show, except what was on our tables, and that was not of much note either. This show is becoming a total black gun, camo and ammo show.

[Brian Dudley]

Rubber tomahawks?

[George Lander]

Bill, That seems to be the trend nationwide (black guns & ammo) and the ones down here in South Carolina are always packed. I believe that folks are scared of what our government might do to gun ownership.

Best Regards, George

[Patrick Butler]

I live in and was born, many years ago, in N. California, which ranks just behind NYC in gun regulation.

It was a great party that too many people have attended, no offense to my many newcomer friends. Yes, we have a lot of gun laws that I oppose, but I just fill out the paperwork and enjoy living here.

To the point (sort of) a friend of mine drove down from Tahoe a month or so back and he wanted to shoot some old Winchester lever actions-I tried to get him to a sporting clays range, but a guest's requests are to be respected.

I cased two very high condition original Winchesters, a 1892 38-40 and an 1894 32-40 and off we drove. As we approached the firing line of a local range I first noticed that most everyone was shooting assault-type rifles, many with scopes. There was only one bolt action there, and this was just before several sections of the state opened up for deer, etc.

No one took a second look at these two very rare rifles that were such a part of our US history.

I personally support your right to purchase any type of gun, up to a full auto, I just have no need for one. It's too bad some of these guys do not get into the skill of long range bolt or SS rifles, or perhaps hunting something besides an imaginary enemy.

Patrick

[Bruce Day]

The NRA has become an assault weapons organization, called by them modern sporting rifles. If you have any doubt, attend, as I have, a national convention and meeting.

At the last one in 2013 in Houston we set up a large Parker display of about 44 nice guns. Although many enjoyed looking at the old guns and asking if they could still be used, the main attractions were black guns.

Close to us was a simulated hunting scene involving a 15-20 foot screen and a front railing with several M 15 clones shooting lasers. The idea was to hit a running bear, deer or elk as it ran the length of the back screen. Of course the shooters sprayed laser bullets all over. No need for marksmanship, trigger control, focus, concentrated breathing, anything else that we teach. Just point and pull and keep pulling.

So these old fashioned Winchesters that can hold 8 or so cartridges and have a lever feed that cycles only at the rate of hand and wrist movement are hopelessly antiquated. The modern shooter needs 15 rounds at least and a cycle rate as fast as the trigger can be pulled and released.

[Dave Noreen]

For shame!! You guys are at a "Black Gun" show rather than being at the Vintage Cup this weekend!! For shame!! You've eaten enough of Ray's appetizers and booze over the years!! You owe him to attend!!

[Charlie]

A couple of years ago my grandson wanted to go deer hunting but needed a rifle. I had several left over from years of collecting so I picked a 1955 vintage Winchester Model 70 30/06 and put a good scope on it. We went to a nearby club with a good bench rest range with 8 benches. Only one bench was open, the rest were taken with black rifles. After we set up the 70 and shot a few rounds one guy with an AR15 came over and asked "isn't that a model 70?" He wanted to look at it and told grandson that he had an "awesome" rifle. Made my day. Charlie Price

[KCordell]

I agree with the points above. Seems to be the same here in the east, you rarely find anything other then black guns and junk, nuts, t-shirts. Saying that, I am glad for the black gun enthusiasts as they help significantly with the NRA and preserving our rights. I'll keep going to the sxs events when I can... more my speed, more people with shared interest.. really great items to see, learn and buy.

[Eldon Goddard]

WOW! You guys have guns and ammo at your guns shows. The last two I have gone to were nothing but vendors selling knife sharpeners, jerky, eye glass cleaner, necklesses and earings, water filters, politicians running for office, tasers that make an annoying sound about every 30 secs, etc. You occasionally find a box of 22s for 80 dollars and when the planets align you might come across a Parker usually a VH or GH for 3 times what it is worth and all looking about like my old beater VH. The seller having no clue what a Parker is and gets nervous when you ask if you can break the gun down or measure the barrels. Last gun show I went to I am pretty sure I owned more guns then what was for sale. Worst $10 I have ever spent I was there a whole 3 minutes. All I can say is thank the good lord for the antiques arms show here in town.

[Bill Murphy]

The Side by Side Shoots have become the place to go to replace the gun shows of the past. Winter Vegas and a few other regional shows are still worth attending, but are getting more scarce all the time.

[Brian Dudley]

Is Tulsa and Baltimore still good for old guns?

[KCordell]

we've had a table at the Maryland show for years. there plenty of old guns there however, don't expect any deals.

[ForrestArmstrong]

Tulsa, Vegas Beinfield, Louisville, Dallas Market Hall are still good shows, probably some others too. But of course you never know what will turn up at small regional or local shows. For many years I had tables at the Houston Astrohall show. Something everyone looked forward to, you saved your money all year, and always had several things on your list, and the show was so big you could usually find it. Now it is mostly combat stuff, jewelry, beef jerky, etc. Best stuff seems to be at auction.

[Bill Zachow]

This year's Syracuse show was suprisingly good from what I had come to expect. While there were a fair amount of black guns and military surplus items, a large number of classic Winchester rifles were scattered throughout the show. I have recently gone back to one of my earlier collecting interests--Winchester .22 from the late 1800 to 1963. Suprisingly, there were a number of 1890s, 62s, 63s, 67s and 69s there. Not cheap but there and in nice condition. There were more than a few Parkers, also. The best deal of the show was a miss-labeled steel barreled PH that was tagged as a Trojan for $1,100. Just as I spotted it, a dealer picked it up and said he would take it without quibbleing about the price. The gun had a lot of finish and was easily worth $2500 or more. After the deal was done, I asked the seller how he had arrived at his price. He said he used the internet and $1,100 was an average selling price for Trojans. I told him he was probably right for Trojan pricing but his gun was 2 grades above a Trojan. Wish I had got to the table a minute earlier.

[Bill Murphy]

There are many shows that are worth attending if you are within 100 miles of the show. Most of us are counting those shows on fewer fingers. From my house, I include Baltimore, only one time a year and 49 miles, or Allentown, maybe four times a year and 180 miles. Nothing to the South and only mountains and trees to the West until you get to Ohio Gun Collectors. It's the Side by Side shoots or nothing for me.

[Kevin McCormack]

I can only second all of the above comments. Returning from a week of duck shooting in Quebec, I stopped by The Vintagers last Saturday to deliver some cases I had repaired to an individual. Lots of very nice guns, especially SxSs, the usual turnout of loyal people, honest dealers, and LOTS of shooters.

While a smaller event than most of us came to know over the years from Addieville, Sandanona, and Pintail Point, it is still a premier buy-and-sell show of quality SxSs. The new venue, Dover Furnace Shooting Grounds (a Beretta Facility), is a remote location but has plenty of room for everything - people, dogs, guns, RVs and especially vendors. The nearby locations of Poughkeepsie, Peekskill, and Fishkill, about 35 minutes from the place depending on where you stay, offer thousands of hotel rooms, now all pretty much linked by Priceline, Hotwire, and other discount online vendors. I paid $72 for a room for one night in Fishkill which was actually a small suite with kitchen and hide a bed, and the basic amenities (but no proper wine glasses!).

With fewer and fewer high-end guns to sell as an individual, I think The Vintagers, Baltimore, Southern SxS, NE SxS, are the places to invest in a booth or table. More money for sure than our local shows, but at the very least you are not exposed to the scary 'Velcro Commandos' with their full-coverage tattoos, spit bottles, backpacks and rude manners.

[Bill Murphy]

"Rude manners". I thought you said "Nude manners" recalling the fully tattooed young female neighbor of ours at the Chantilly Show who graciously removed pretty much everything to show off her artwork. This event happened before the public was admitted to the show, but was appreciated by the vendor population.

[Dean Romig]

....and Murphy continues to tell us about interesting stuff but again - where are the pictures? :crying:

[John Mazza]

If I'm in a hurry to get through a big show, I'll just scan the rows & look for the older gentlemen in the crowd. More often than not - that's where I'll find something that interests me.

Of course, I'm gettin' to be pretty old myself...

I just love it when nostalgia is embodied in walnut & steel.

[Bill Murphy]

Dean, the young lady has not been at the "across the aisle" machine gun dealer's tables for some time. If she ever reappears, I will get pictures. The fellows she worked with aren't the kind of guys who you would want to ask about her whereabouts.

[Dean Romig]

Dean, the fellows she worked with aren't the kind of guys who you would want to ask about her whereabouts.


:shock:
:whistle:
:duck:

[James J. Roberts]

I have a table at the Chantilly gun show and it's not a problem for me because I not there to sell anything.Just there to talk to people about my gun engraving and gun restoration business ,also glad I don't have to lug a lot stuff.J.J.Roberts