phx shows - crossroads any good
- Thread starter Feal
- Start date
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Suck My Glock
Member
The gun shows are still the same crap shoot they've been for some years now. I don't go there expecting to find deals on the tables, although sometimes there are. The real reason to go there is to observe the dudes walking around with stuff they're trying to dispose of. And now, as the economy begins to unravel again, it might indeed be good hunting ground for stuff.
But unfortunately, gun shows are no longer like they were a couple decades ago. And with the new envigoration of the war on guns, I expect there might be a whole new population of ATF agents and Bloomberg agents prowling around.
But unfortunately, gun shows are no longer like they were a couple decades ago. And with the new envigoration of the war on guns, I expect there might be a whole new population of ATF agents and Bloomberg agents prowling around.
kenpoprofessor
Member
Feal said:
Older guns? What styles, types, and calibers?? RJ will be having a show in a few months, best to wait and save your money if you're into milsurps and old stuff.
Have a great, gun carryin', Kenpo day
Clyde
kenpoprofessor
Member
Suck My Glock said:
Yep, the good ole days of gunshows is gone, most likely forever. I found some great deals on guns, mags, ammo, and all other sorts of accessories, online for half of what they get at the shows. Pawn shops have been very good to me over the last few years, until Covid, got weird, still weird market, but not like it was.
Have a great, gun carryin', Kenpo day
Clyde
i like the deep purple of the charcoal blueing - prelock smiths, also like the steel target guns. would really like to get my hands on a smith 952.
whats the big deal with the bloomberg/atf agents? are private sales not a thing anymore?
Where can i find more info on the RJ show?
whats the big deal with the bloomberg/atf agents? are private sales not a thing anymore?
Where can i find more info on the RJ show?
Suck My Glock
Member
Feal said:
Private sales are still legal,...for now.
The Bloomberg agents are prowling around with hidden cameras trying to record anything that helps their agenda of portraying gun ownership as bad. They look for anything questionable to report. They try to engage in conversations that would play well when twisted and edited. Basically doing the same thing Veritas does, but without ethical character. As for ATF, well...now that they have a green light under Biden pull their shenanigans, they need examples of why free access to guns is bad, so they are looking for examples. They prowl the gun shows hoping to find people dealing without an FFL or otherwise supplying the underworld. If they played by the rules, that wouldn't be such a big deal. But weaponizing of the FBI has shown breaking the rules is ok. So I expect the ATF to soon start acting even more rogue than they are already known for.
I'll tell you, THIS is the show to attend so that you can see for yourself. It's usually nice in the center 'ice-rink' area....and anywhere from tolerable to downright swampy inside the rooms at the north and south ends. Quick access to real restrooms, and generally there are places to sit that can be found.
So i stopped by today and have mixed feelings - 10$ for parking and 18$ to get in the door? I was there at ~ 10 -12:30. I was surprised to see so many people at that price. Inside it was busy but not too crowded. There was only one table with transferables and a handful with the guns that i like - older smiths etc.... but they were very proud of them -
saw an excellent condition hk p7 private party that was 1850 which isnt a great deal but not too bad. I ended up seeing 2 browning hi power competitions that i ended picking up. I think i overpaid just because i havent seen anything interesting in a while. Actually i know i over paid because the "unfired" one that i bought had aftermarket grips and the magazine disconnect removed already - oh well another life lessons.
saw an excellent condition hk p7 private party that was 1850 which isnt a great deal but not too bad. I ended up seeing 2 browning hi power competitions that i ended picking up. I think i overpaid just because i havent seen anything interesting in a while. Actually i know i over paid because the "unfired" one that i bought had aftermarket grips and the magazine disconnect removed already - oh well another life lessons.
Pretty meh show. Got 3 P225 mags for $60, that was my big score.
So few private sellers walking around anymore. Not sure I will bother with any more ice house shows. At least for the bigger shows that are partially outdoors, you can buy an overpriced beer and burrito and people watch. That at least makes it a decent excuse to hang out with a friend or two.
So few private sellers walking around anymore. Not sure I will bother with any more ice house shows. At least for the bigger shows that are partially outdoors, you can buy an overpriced beer and burrito and people watch. That at least makes it a decent excuse to hang out with a friend or two.
rick lee
Member
I went on a whim yesterday, happened by a road sign reminding me it was going on and had a $1 off coupon in my wallet from having picked up some ammo the day before. I hadn't been to one in about five yrs. I really enjoyed it, went with the attitude that I was spending $27 to see a lot of cool stuff, maybe get some ideas for future AR or Poly80 builds, etc. I came home with one nice auto knife and some good gun porn memories. I think it was money well spent.
I like to go to every show and hunt for Ak goodies. I always have a great time even if I just find a stock. I usually score a gun or two at every other show. December is sar show and hands effin down best show of the year. Everyone who bitches about the shows are correct about it all. Still worth if you weren’t able to buy surplus when the gettin was good. End of the day just depends on if you wanna sit inside and Google stuff or go out and look at it while dealing with dip shits and stanky and people.
Used to be, I'd go to the show, and buy powder and primers. I forget the dealer's name, MIAWOL ???
Price was just good enough that if you bought 5000 primers and a few pounds of powder it offset the outrageous fees to get in.
If there is a primer/powder dealer there, I will likely go to the SAR show. If you see anything interesting, I call that a bonus.
Price was just good enough that if you bought 5000 primers and a few pounds of powder it offset the outrageous fees to get in.
If there is a primer/powder dealer there, I will likely go to the SAR show. If you see anything interesting, I call that a bonus.
Feal said:
If you lower your expectations to the very bottom rung on the ladder most gun shows will be good. In my opinion there are a couple of reasons why gun shows in the Valley are kinda on the “suckish” side of the meter and they have nothing to do with Gubment agents or Covid.
One reason is the internet. Prior to the internet good deals were MUCH easier to encounter because a lotta folks didn’t what they had or what it was worth. Thanx to the digital age dang near everybody knows what they have and what to ask for. Plus back in the day there wasn’t any Gunbroker or other on line auction venues to sell that stuff on. So how did you sell things. At gun shows, gun shops, or an ad in the Arizona Republic. Of the three gun shows were the most viable option.
The other reason in my opinion is The Crossroads of the West operation. Before they became a monopoly in the valley that dominated the market there were a number of gun shows: Ter-Mark, Roadrunner (Glendale Civic Center), Arizona Arms Association (Centennial Hall), and some small VFW shows (like the one at 44th street and Thomas). Everybody knew at the time that Crossroads had a really good show with not much junk and Ter-Mark had an “OK” show WITH a lotta junk. When Crossroads bought out Ter-Mark they became the 10,000 pound gorilla among the gun shows in the valley and it wasn’t long before all the other gun show promoters skedaddled. Once crossroad became that the number one gun show promoter guess what? Their shows began to look just like the junkie old Ter-Mark shows: Turkey jerky/dolls/crystals/women’s purses and all that crap. The one exception being the gun show in early December.
Now people don’t like to remember this or they’ve arrived in Arizona long after it happened so they don’t know. But 40 plus years there was only one gun show in Phoenix. Period. And that didn’t happen but every 4-5 months. It was held in Gerard High School and it only had circa 200 tables (and if’n you don’t know where it was without having to do a Google search you’re just another FNG). Oh yeah, and there was literally only one guy (Tom Loftus), who had one table (occasionally two), that sold anything to do with AR-15’s AR-180s etc. because nobody else back then wanted anything to do with that stuff nor was there any interest . So when people keep bitching and whining about how bad gun shows are now do you wanna go back to the good all days when they weren’t hardly any at all in the valley?
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