How about a chance to buy more than a dozen MI carbines, several GI 1911s and A1s? Or old Colt and SW wheelers, or EBRs by the dozen -- all in one place? And that isn't the half of it. Some 500 guns -- most of them interesting -- go on the block in nine days.
It's as good an excuse as you'll ever have to visit Arcadia, Iowa.
The link gives you an overview and will take you to each individual weapon. There's also a portal to internet bidding, just in case you somehow omitted putting Arcadia on your bucket list.
Be alert to the 10 per cent internet buyer premium and the transfer fees. Also, if I were you I wouldn't put a lot of trust in the net bids listed so far being actual bids.
I'd like to attend, but probably won't. A full weekend in that kind of crowd is beyond my tolerance limit. Besides, I could probably spend my entire net worth in the first two hours, and I doubt Ben will print up three of four pounds of new C-notes just for me.
Showing posts with label Gimme some guns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gimme some guns. Show all posts
Jan 12, 2012
Dec 5, 2011
Monday Gun Pron: Mystery Marlin
BIG WHOLE-POST EDIT: It's a Mystery Mossberg, RM7 variant or something close to it.
If you ever need a persistent friend trying to set you straight, I recommend a GMA guy named John. :) See comments.
--------
Even before you note the Micro
Groove rifling, you ID it as Marlin. The utilitarian -- okay, clunky -- stock is characteristic of the fine old firm's bolt-action line. At least it's walnut.
Then there's the Marlin penchant for adding gizmos here and there. The button on the left side is a smoothly working bolt release. The one in the middle of the receiver cut retracts a cartridge feeder guide. The safety has three positions. One of the "safe" positions lets you cycle the action. The other "safe" locks the bolt closed.
Marlin has long loved Herculean locking systems. But four, count-'em, four lugs?
The mystery is the precise Marlin identity. Several net searches yield a sort of Ron Paul-in-the-MSM result. There ain't no such animal. Even searching under the private Western Auto label -- "Revelation, Model R 270 A ___ Cal. 30-06 Sprg." yields nothing beyond another guy who has one, lost his bolt, and is looking for a replacement. (Rotsa ruck, Pardner.) None of the crossover lists mentions it.
EDIT: Also note the fluted bolt.
The vendor's story is that it was a "prototype," and Marlin decided to call it a "Revelation" to protect the marque if it flopped. I love gun show stories.
Now would be the time to own one of those high-price, limited-edition company history books so detailed as to specify the number of moles on John Marlin's back.
Meanwhile, I'm pleased to own it as a workaday rifle. The condition is superb. It's in the most noble of calibers, the one we used back when we could win wars with a certain dispatch. On a snowy Saturday, mainly checking for bangability, we kept several rounds within a minute of hillside at an estimated 400 yards.
It will make a nice place to store the old Weaver K4 and one of those nice 1903-style leather slings I've been hoarding.
I don't suppose it's necessary to mention it was loopholed quite economically -- about what desperate dealers were asking for their NIB Hi-Points.
If you ever need a persistent friend trying to set you straight, I recommend a GMA guy named John. :) See comments.
--------
Even before you note the Micro
Groove rifling, you ID it as Marlin. The utilitarian -- okay, clunky -- stock is characteristic of the fine old firm's bolt-action line. At least it's walnut.
Then there's the Marlin penchant for adding gizmos here and there. The button on the left side is a smoothly working bolt release. The one in the middle of the receiver cut retracts a cartridge feeder guide. The safety has three positions. One of the "safe" positions lets you cycle the action. The other "safe" locks the bolt closed.
Marlin has long loved Herculean locking systems. But four, count-'em, four lugs?
The mystery is the precise Marlin identity. Several net searches yield a sort of Ron Paul-in-the-MSM result. There ain't no such animal. Even searching under the private Western Auto label -- "Revelation, Model R 270 A ___ Cal. 30-06 Sprg." yields nothing beyond another guy who has one, lost his bolt, and is looking for a replacement. (Rotsa ruck, Pardner.) None of the crossover lists mentions it.
EDIT: Also note the fluted bolt.
The vendor's story is that it was a "prototype," and Marlin decided to call it a "Revelation" to protect the marque if it flopped. I love gun show stories.
Now would be the time to own one of those high-price, limited-edition company history books so detailed as to specify the number of moles on John Marlin's back.
Meanwhile, I'm pleased to own it as a workaday rifle. The condition is superb. It's in the most noble of calibers, the one we used back when we could win wars with a certain dispatch. On a snowy Saturday, mainly checking for bangability, we kept several rounds within a minute of hillside at an estimated 400 yards.
It will make a nice place to store the old Weaver K4 and one of those nice 1903-style leather slings I've been hoarding.
I don't suppose it's necessary to mention it was loopholed quite economically -- about what desperate dealers were asking for their NIB Hi-Points.
Dec 3, 2011
Saturday guns, Saturday politicians
(Being a partial compendium of what's important to me today.)
Iowa Caucuses: The quick are Gingrich, Paul, and Romney. The dead are everyone else. An Iowa Poll to be released this evening should reflect that hunch, but it won't say much about where Cain people are going. I judge they'll scatter, keeping the Newt-Ron-Mitt lineup intact.
---
Iowa guns: Thanks to the nice little Jackson loophole, K. and I may augment the state's arsenal at the expense of Minnesota's. The small trading windfall of last weekend left a supply of mad money in the Bat Belt. It seeks blue steel shooting things old, heavy, and slow, not unlike your author.
Christmas is a time for materialistic dreaming, so I am permitted to fantasize about finding a quality 1911 frame or two -- a place to put those extra slides and barrels.
(Note to self: Also watch for .30 M1 Carbine bullets in honor of the new set of dies for same. Time to heat that old girl up a little.)
We're taking nothing to trade, still standing on our "never-sell-a-gun" principles. The Model 88 was a rare exception, purchased strictly for rapid turnover.
---
The first measurable snow of the season is to occur today, statistically a little late. It's been a gorgeous autumn, and I am grateful for the localized global warming.
Iowa Caucuses: The quick are Gingrich, Paul, and Romney. The dead are everyone else. An Iowa Poll to be released this evening should reflect that hunch, but it won't say much about where Cain people are going. I judge they'll scatter, keeping the Newt-Ron-Mitt lineup intact.
---
Iowa guns: Thanks to the nice little Jackson loophole, K. and I may augment the state's arsenal at the expense of Minnesota's. The small trading windfall of last weekend left a supply of mad money in the Bat Belt. It seeks blue steel shooting things old, heavy, and slow, not unlike your author.
Christmas is a time for materialistic dreaming, so I am permitted to fantasize about finding a quality 1911 frame or two -- a place to put those extra slides and barrels.
(Note to self: Also watch for .30 M1 Carbine bullets in honor of the new set of dies for same. Time to heat that old girl up a little.)
We're taking nothing to trade, still standing on our "never-sell-a-gun" principles. The Model 88 was a rare exception, purchased strictly for rapid turnover.
---
The first measurable snow of the season is to occur today, statistically a little late. It's been a gorgeous autumn, and I am grateful for the localized global warming.
Nov 25, 2011
Over the river and through the loophole to...
I await arrival of the house-sitter and her irritable German shepherd.
The pile of shootie stuff is stowed in the camper. It will be my first gun show presence as a "vendor" in quite a while.
The quotation marks around "vendor" are used advisedly. More accurately stated it is an enthusiast who let things get out of hand and desires to clear out a few more-or-less "parts" rifles, trade one dandy Winchester 88 in .284 for more militant types of iron, and, most importantly, shed about three cubic feet of goodies. Things like vintage taxidermy supplies, a Flaubert lock, A Winchester '06 bolt, dies for calibers I've permanently abandoned, an old Herter's press.
If you're a pack-rat gunny, you'll understand. You acquire and acquire when prices are right. Or when you've taken temporary leave of your senses. Every few years you reach a decision point. You either put up a Morton building or peddle stuff.
Of course, there's always the danger of further acquisition at any loophole, regardless of what side of the table you're on. A man of strong resolve and sterling character can resist. I'll let you know how I do.
---
Note to self: Don't forget the black Sharpie.
The pile of shootie stuff is stowed in the camper. It will be my first gun show presence as a "vendor" in quite a while.
The quotation marks around "vendor" are used advisedly. More accurately stated it is an enthusiast who let things get out of hand and desires to clear out a few more-or-less "parts" rifles, trade one dandy Winchester 88 in .284 for more militant types of iron, and, most importantly, shed about three cubic feet of goodies. Things like vintage taxidermy supplies, a Flaubert lock, A Winchester '06 bolt, dies for calibers I've permanently abandoned, an old Herter's press.
If you're a pack-rat gunny, you'll understand. You acquire and acquire when prices are right. Or when you've taken temporary leave of your senses. Every few years you reach a decision point. You either put up a Morton building or peddle stuff.
Of course, there's always the danger of further acquisition at any loophole, regardless of what side of the table you're on. A man of strong resolve and sterling character can resist. I'll let you know how I do.
---
Note to self: Don't forget the black Sharpie.
Oct 16, 2011
The S&W 645 makes me feel so tactical
I almost wish I lived close to a mall so I could dress up ninja and impress some girls wearing tattoos and chewing gum.
The SW is home, admired, and tested.
I expected one magazine and got four -- plus one of those high-fashion black nylon pouches that holds two spares back and forth instead of up and down. Tacticool.
I already had the tactically-tooled leather holster -- made it decades ago to a "speed scabbard" pattern for GI .45s. . It holds the Smith nicely but will benefit from a small sight cutout. I needed to do that anyway for the GI here that carries adjustable Micros.
The field test:
-- Functioning was perfect with everything I tried, including semi-wadcutters. (The 645 is said to be a garbage disposal unit -- if your junk ammo won't work in anything else, shoot it in the Smith.)
--Excuse-wise, this gun hasn't been shot enough to wear off the proprietary Smith and Wesson burrs. It's rough, especially the DA trigger. The SA pull is nothing to brag about either.
--I am pleased no one witnessed this tryout session.
-- I consider the hood of a pickup a bench rest analogue. So lean across, get a good two-hand hold, squeeze off factory loads carefully. Gotta see where the gun shoots, don't we?
--In my hands, all over the damned place, that's where. At 50 feet a string of five scattered low left over a good seven inches. I can fix the impact point. I can't even identify yet how to fix myself. Flinch? Jerk? Total cognitive breakdown? Motor skills eloped with O'Reilley's daughter?
--Repeating the hoody position with a load of home made 200-grain SWCs at a peppy 850 fps or so, the results were better by about half an inch. It isn't the gun, nor the ammunition.
--Switching to the combat mode, I moved in to 30 feet, took a Weaverish stance and banged off eight as quickly as I could reacquire the target -- a sheet of typing paper. Three in the kill zone, two possibles, two that would have made him mad, and one clean miss. A couple of repeat strings had similar results.
Excuses: New gun. Very windy (the flimsy target holder moved a little). Distracted by cows mooing in the nearby pasture. Libby emphasizing that I was making entirely too much noise. Lost concentration worrying about CERN failure to find Higgs Boson.
Proper reaction to excuses: Bull Roar, James. Go practice.
The SW is home, admired, and tested.
I expected one magazine and got four -- plus one of those high-fashion black nylon pouches that holds two spares back and forth instead of up and down. Tacticool.
I already had the tactically-tooled leather holster -- made it decades ago to a "speed scabbard" pattern for GI .45s. . It holds the Smith nicely but will benefit from a small sight cutout. I needed to do that anyway for the GI here that carries adjustable Micros.
The field test:
-- Functioning was perfect with everything I tried, including semi-wadcutters. (The 645 is said to be a garbage disposal unit -- if your junk ammo won't work in anything else, shoot it in the Smith.)
--Excuse-wise, this gun hasn't been shot enough to wear off the proprietary Smith and Wesson burrs. It's rough, especially the DA trigger. The SA pull is nothing to brag about either.
--I am pleased no one witnessed this tryout session.
-- I consider the hood of a pickup a bench rest analogue. So lean across, get a good two-hand hold, squeeze off factory loads carefully. Gotta see where the gun shoots, don't we?
--In my hands, all over the damned place, that's where. At 50 feet a string of five scattered low left over a good seven inches. I can fix the impact point. I can't even identify yet how to fix myself. Flinch? Jerk? Total cognitive breakdown? Motor skills eloped with O'Reilley's daughter?
--Repeating the hoody position with a load of home made 200-grain SWCs at a peppy 850 fps or so, the results were better by about half an inch. It isn't the gun, nor the ammunition.
--Switching to the combat mode, I moved in to 30 feet, took a Weaverish stance and banged off eight as quickly as I could reacquire the target -- a sheet of typing paper. Three in the kill zone, two possibles, two that would have made him mad, and one clean miss. A couple of repeat strings had similar results.
Excuses: New gun. Very windy (the flimsy target holder moved a little). Distracted by cows mooing in the nearby pasture. Libby emphasizing that I was making entirely too much noise. Lost concentration worrying about CERN failure to find Higgs Boson.
Proper reaction to excuses: Bull Roar, James. Go practice.
Oct 14, 2011
Because the judge said I can, that's why (with gun porn)
A district court judge has cleared me to own a pistol.
Naaah. I'm not in the system. His Honor is overseeing an estate and has yes/no authority over the selling price of an adequate little pest control device made by Smith and Wesson in the 80s. I petitioned for a 10 per cent reduction in the reasonable asking price, and a writ of acceptance was issued.
It's the minty stainless steel spawn of the Model 59 concept, and after inspecting it I conclude Dan Wesson's descendants learned something about making DA semi-autos (only) after issuing the 59.
Besides, it's in a more noble caliber. Besides again, the magazine holds just eight rounds, so maybe Senator Boxer will start returning my calls.
(Sister ship pictured. I collect my 645 tomorrow.)
Naaah. I'm not in the system. His Honor is overseeing an estate and has yes/no authority over the selling price of an adequate little pest control device made by Smith and Wesson in the 80s. I petitioned for a 10 per cent reduction in the reasonable asking price, and a writ of acceptance was issued.
It's the minty stainless steel spawn of the Model 59 concept, and after inspecting it I conclude Dan Wesson's descendants learned something about making DA semi-autos (only) after issuing the 59.
Besides, it's in a more noble caliber. Besides again, the magazine holds just eight rounds, so maybe Senator Boxer will start returning my calls.
(Sister ship pictured. I collect my 645 tomorrow.)
Sep 12, 2011
Slam fire
Blessings on thee, Mr. Browning. This morning I'm grateful for your most elegant shotgun, the Ithaca 37, particularly the one which took up residence in the Camp J arms vault yesterday afternoon. The 37 is alleged to have the fewest moving parts of any pump shotgun.
The old girl suffers from a mild case of patina, and her walnut benefited from severe scrubbing and a couple of coats of brown MinWax. While her debutante glow is irretrievable history, she still pleases me in the wake of her cleanup -- something like a dowager who never missed her day at the gym, beginning about the time of the Tet offensive.
I've owned a couple-three of these things but never tried the slam-fire function which made her desirable to certain police forces. It will be a way of getting rid of a handful of loose 12-gauge orphans in a delightfully noisy manner.
---
The adoption fee was quite reasonable. The lady who brought her around "just wanted the thing out of my closet." The perfectly functional Stevens 84D came mostly as lagniappe. (Bonus knowledge, new to me: Remington .22 rifle magazines from the middle of the 20th Century work fine in at least some of the same-era Stevens.)
---
The same source will be bringing around a SW 27, about unfired, in the factory wooden box. Pant. Drool.
The old girl suffers from a mild case of patina, and her walnut benefited from severe scrubbing and a couple of coats of brown MinWax. While her debutante glow is irretrievable history, she still pleases me in the wake of her cleanup -- something like a dowager who never missed her day at the gym, beginning about the time of the Tet offensive.
I've owned a couple-three of these things but never tried the slam-fire function which made her desirable to certain police forces. It will be a way of getting rid of a handful of loose 12-gauge orphans in a delightfully noisy manner.
---
The adoption fee was quite reasonable. The lady who brought her around "just wanted the thing out of my closet." The perfectly functional Stevens 84D came mostly as lagniappe. (Bonus knowledge, new to me: Remington .22 rifle magazines from the middle of the 20th Century work fine in at least some of the same-era Stevens.)
---
The same source will be bringing around a SW 27, about unfired, in the factory wooden box. Pant. Drool.
Aug 27, 2011
Come, Let Us Loophole Together
The disbursing officer has delivered a small wad. The motor pool has assigned transportation. G2 reports sortie conditions favorable. Over the top, Lads! Westward, Ho!
---
Statistically, the commanding officer of Camp J is more likely to return better armed from the Sioux Falls loophole than from any other. It doesn't always happen, but the urge is exceptionally strong this morning. He is already working on his rationalizations.
Y'see, with the end-times hurricane about to wipe out everything from Nags Head to Kennebunkport, his Federal Reserve Cartoons probably won't be worth anything Monday morning. Might as well swap them for small machinery designed to make loud noises and irritate teachers' unions.
---
Maybe something cowboyish? I have a new Stetson, and a fresh complementary firearm seems a splendid idea. Something in .44-40? That would let me pretend I've just dropped off a herd in Abilene as I swagger on over to Kate's Palace.
But I also have a new Ron Paul gimme cap, so maybe I'll try to loophole an Oozie.
AAR in due course.
---
Statistically, the commanding officer of Camp J is more likely to return better armed from the Sioux Falls loophole than from any other. It doesn't always happen, but the urge is exceptionally strong this morning. He is already working on his rationalizations.
Y'see, with the end-times hurricane about to wipe out everything from Nags Head to Kennebunkport, his Federal Reserve Cartoons probably won't be worth anything Monday morning. Might as well swap them for small machinery designed to make loud noises and irritate teachers' unions.
---
Maybe something cowboyish? I have a new Stetson, and a fresh complementary firearm seems a splendid idea. Something in .44-40? That would let me pretend I've just dropped off a herd in Abilene as I swagger on over to Kate's Palace.
But I also have a new Ron Paul gimme cap, so maybe I'll try to loophole an Oozie.
AAR in due course.
Aug 21, 2011
Going Nuts in Burt, Iowa
It will pass, but for about 16 hours I've had the feeling that I am too smart for this world and should spend the day knocking off a few IQ points by watching television.
The hubris results from a huge gun auction in thriving Burt yesterday. When typical opening bids are at retail and escalate from there, you feel pretty damned brilliant for the simple act of keeping your hands in your pockets.
For instance: Kimber .45 Pro Carry, MSRP $888 NIB, hammers down at $1,050. This happened early, letting us know we were in the wrong place.
The feeling was confirmed. A rattle-trap Winchester 1897, haphazardly polished and reblued, stock varnished, generic butt plate, brought $625. Other sells followed suit.
But, well, you don't drive 175 miles and come home empty handed. That would be against nature. So I laid in 12 new magazines for a Mini-14 -- $73.42 with the tax, or about six bucks per. The details, just in case Congresswoman Pelosi is keeping track: Four 20s from Ruger, still bubbled, and eight after-markets, including three more 20s, three 30s and, yum-yum, two 40s. Vive la revolucion!
'course, my pardner Jeff the gunsmith had to go and ruin even that by grinning, "What's it going to cost you to fill those up?" The answer, if you go by the price of .223 sold at the same time and place, is about 65 cents a bang.
Ahh, the gun game. Maybe all of us who play it are the real dummies.
... (pause to ponder) ... No, come to think of it. Ths kind of thing may actually reflect the popular view that the Federal Reserve Cartoons we trade for shootin' arn would be worth more if they were soft enough to wipe with.
The hubris results from a huge gun auction in thriving Burt yesterday. When typical opening bids are at retail and escalate from there, you feel pretty damned brilliant for the simple act of keeping your hands in your pockets.
For instance: Kimber .45 Pro Carry, MSRP $888 NIB, hammers down at $1,050. This happened early, letting us know we were in the wrong place.
The feeling was confirmed. A rattle-trap Winchester 1897, haphazardly polished and reblued, stock varnished, generic butt plate, brought $625. Other sells followed suit.
But, well, you don't drive 175 miles and come home empty handed. That would be against nature. So I laid in 12 new magazines for a Mini-14 -- $73.42 with the tax, or about six bucks per. The details, just in case Congresswoman Pelosi is keeping track: Four 20s from Ruger, still bubbled, and eight after-markets, including three more 20s, three 30s and, yum-yum, two 40s. Vive la revolucion!
'course, my pardner Jeff the gunsmith had to go and ruin even that by grinning, "What's it going to cost you to fill those up?" The answer, if you go by the price of .223 sold at the same time and place, is about 65 cents a bang.
Ahh, the gun game. Maybe all of us who play it are the real dummies.
... (pause to ponder) ... No, come to think of it. Ths kind of thing may actually reflect the popular view that the Federal Reserve Cartoons we trade for shootin' arn would be worth more if they were soft enough to wipe with.
Aug 20, 2011
Party time on the prairie
I was suuuch a good boy yesterday.
A half-cord of logs became cut to firewood length, and a little of it even became split. (Yeah, I have a prosaic earwig this morning, thinking of the frontier editors who referred to the corpse on the saloon floor as a man who became shot. The ultimate in objective journalism.)
Anyway, a man of my age who has been so diligent deserves a reward. So, by golly, I am going to go here. (PDF Alert.)
Lots of pretty playthings for libertarian terrorists, eh?
A half-cord of logs became cut to firewood length, and a little of it even became split. (Yeah, I have a prosaic earwig this morning, thinking of the frontier editors who referred to the corpse on the saloon floor as a man who became shot. The ultimate in objective journalism.)
Anyway, a man of my age who has been so diligent deserves a reward. So, by golly, I am going to go here. (PDF Alert.)
Lots of pretty playthings for libertarian terrorists, eh?
Aug 5, 2011
Gun Porn, and they're for sale
Oh my. It's a spat between my sterling work ethic and my raw desire. Too much actual work staring me in the face to justify the trip, but sometimes a guy's just gotta trust his lust. See. Palpate. Maybe even buy.
Mar 25, 2011
Flowers, get your flowers here...
Another (sigh) project, and I'm in the market now for a stock with furniture and a couple of bolt parts. Or for a Jap collector lusting for an unground mum.
The moral of the story is: Check your friendly village junk shop every time you run into town for coffee.
Mar 11, 2011
Hey kids, it's back to school time.
In beautiful downtown Wells, Minnesota, there is a large consolidated school, a funky old place slapped together in the early 20th Century and added to over the decades in that haphazard manner which eventually produces a lovely ugliness.
This weekend it will house thousands upon thousands or guns and knives and hordes of scary individuals looking for a loophole.
It's one of the better gun shows in our part of the Plains, and we'll make the trip, a tradition for an unmentionable number of years. It's another of the kind of show I like. The professional dealers with their boring NIB stuff will be leavened with scores of hobbyists trying to sell or swap good stuff they're just tired of.
We used to do a lot of trading in Wells, but my shooting friends have in the past few years adopted the "never-get-rid-of-a-gun" stance, so we'll be armed only with the greenish paper now passing for money. It's been weeks and weeks since any of us have been able to augment our veritable arsenals. Wish us luck.
---
This is the show which brought Wells to a certain fame about ten years ago. A West Coast mother and her daughter moved to the little rural town, and Mommie evacuated a brick when she heard "guns" "in" and "school" in the same sentence. So she did what all good mommies do when their child is faced with an immediate and lethal threat. She called the teevee stations who were pleased to send their satellite trucks to the school parking lot. There, they found out that the locals and gun show attendees wouldn't talk to them, just grinned a friendly prairie grin and waved. Of course Mommie talked into the mikes but was quickly declared boring and, by more than a few, stupid. The show went on, and the profits were given to the school, as usual.
It surely makes a man wonder why there isn't much lethal mayhem committed in Wells.
This weekend it will house thousands upon thousands or guns and knives and hordes of scary individuals looking for a loophole.
It's one of the better gun shows in our part of the Plains, and we'll make the trip, a tradition for an unmentionable number of years. It's another of the kind of show I like. The professional dealers with their boring NIB stuff will be leavened with scores of hobbyists trying to sell or swap good stuff they're just tired of.
We used to do a lot of trading in Wells, but my shooting friends have in the past few years adopted the "never-get-rid-of-a-gun" stance, so we'll be armed only with the greenish paper now passing for money. It's been weeks and weeks since any of us have been able to augment our veritable arsenals. Wish us luck.
---
This is the show which brought Wells to a certain fame about ten years ago. A West Coast mother and her daughter moved to the little rural town, and Mommie evacuated a brick when she heard "guns" "in" and "school" in the same sentence. So she did what all good mommies do when their child is faced with an immediate and lethal threat. She called the teevee stations who were pleased to send their satellite trucks to the school parking lot. There, they found out that the locals and gun show attendees wouldn't talk to them, just grinned a friendly prairie grin and waved. Of course Mommie talked into the mikes but was quickly declared boring and, by more than a few, stupid. The show went on, and the profits were given to the school, as usual.
It surely makes a man wonder why there isn't much lethal mayhem committed in Wells.
Feb 13, 2011
Sioux Fall AAR
We walked into the show with respectable rolls of Benjamins safety-pinned to our skivvies. The two pals and I left with a total expenditure of less than $20. (Mine added up to $8 -- a factory extended magazine for the SW 59 and a sheath for the Camillus air crew "survival" knife.)
That is to say, the prices left us gasping.
M1 carbine prices seem to have stabilized at $750-$950, and that's the end of the good -- or non-horrifying, at least -- news.
There were dozens of 1911A1s. I didn't see one tagged at less than $2,000, and $3,000 would not have purchased the best Remington-Rand there.
The old Winchester lever guns and Colt SAAs were gold. Example: A fair-to-good Winchester 1892 in .25-20 at $6,500. It was easily possible to loophole a Peacemaker which appeared to be an outhouse dugup for $7,500.
If I were panicky about TEOTWAWKI I would go back today with every interesting old weapon I own and trade them for a few hundred Hi-Points.
On the other hand, domestic beer in Adrian is still just $3, but the ethanol subsidies may not yet have worked their way into that market yet.
That is to say, the prices left us gasping.
M1 carbine prices seem to have stabilized at $750-$950, and that's the end of the good -- or non-horrifying, at least -- news.
There were dozens of 1911A1s. I didn't see one tagged at less than $2,000, and $3,000 would not have purchased the best Remington-Rand there.
The old Winchester lever guns and Colt SAAs were gold. Example: A fair-to-good Winchester 1892 in .25-20 at $6,500. It was easily possible to loophole a Peacemaker which appeared to be an outhouse dugup for $7,500.
If I were panicky about TEOTWAWKI I would go back today with every interesting old weapon I own and trade them for a few hundred Hi-Points.
On the other hand, domestic beer in Adrian is still just $3, but the ethanol subsidies may not yet have worked their way into that market yet.
Feb 12, 2011
Head 'em up nd move 'em out
Westward, ho. This weekend's entertainment occurs in the prairie oasis of Sioux Falls. It a biggie, several hundred tables of delectable old stuff. Shake out your loopholes, buckaroos.
----
It will be interesting to see how new dog Libby gets along with the house sitter .
As in "Libbytarian." Get it? Huh? Huh? Get it?
:)
----
It will be interesting to see how new dog Libby gets along with the house sitter .
As in "Libbytarian." Get it? Huh? Huh? Get it?
:)
Feb 5, 2011
Man against nature
It is in the nature of man to wish to be at a small show about an hour east of here this morning. It is typically a hotbed of loopholes. This is the one where, last year, yours truly loopholed an excellent .30-06 and a pocket full of other shooty trinkets.
Unfortunately, Nature's nature is to subvert such lofty motives, just to keep us humble I suppose. A sliver of warm front is passing, and with the following clipper, that means all kinds of potential road misery. Light freezing mist and fog are with us now. It's 50-50 whether it will let up or get worse.
My decision is to gather the troops and give it a try. After all, there's a substantial little city about half way. It boasts good ambulance service and a well-equipped emergency room. Yes, it's something like "Here. Hold my beer and watch this," but cabin fever and the prospect of five days of unbroken Hell-freezing is a powerful motivator.
We solicit your magic vibes, not only for an uneventful drive, but for several loopholes we can't refuse.
Unfortunately, Nature's nature is to subvert such lofty motives, just to keep us humble I suppose. A sliver of warm front is passing, and with the following clipper, that means all kinds of potential road misery. Light freezing mist and fog are with us now. It's 50-50 whether it will let up or get worse.
My decision is to gather the troops and give it a try. After all, there's a substantial little city about half way. It boasts good ambulance service and a well-equipped emergency room. Yes, it's something like "Here. Hold my beer and watch this," but cabin fever and the prospect of five days of unbroken Hell-freezing is a powerful motivator.
We solicit your magic vibes, not only for an uneventful drive, but for several loopholes we can't refuse.
Jan 8, 2011
Hi Ho, HI Ho
Off to the first 2011 loophole, a little c. 100-table production in sovereign state of Minnesota. No big personal agenda for this one other than a bit of good-ol'-boy comradeship and junk-box snooping.
' course, I'll be strapping on the money belt. A fellow never knows when he'll run across another $850 Python.
Actually, I do need some small stuff -- pilots for the old Pacific trimmer, a magazine release mechanism for a Winchester 69, a better magazine spring for the Marlin 38. I can hear it now, "Rotsa ruck, Jim."
Do I hope too highly that there's an issue 1911 frame, preferably Colt? Those lonesome slides and barrels are starting to get on my nerves. Finding one would be the neatest brazen act of loopholism I can think of.
EDIT: Nada.
' course, I'll be strapping on the money belt. A fellow never knows when he'll run across another $850 Python.
Actually, I do need some small stuff -- pilots for the old Pacific trimmer, a magazine release mechanism for a Winchester 69, a better magazine spring for the Marlin 38. I can hear it now, "Rotsa ruck, Jim."
Do I hope too highly that there's an issue 1911 frame, preferably Colt? Those lonesome slides and barrels are starting to get on my nerves. Finding one would be the neatest brazen act of loopholism I can think of.
EDIT: Nada.
Dec 5, 2010
Loophole AAR
I shillied and shallied and came home only a few small-denomination Federal Reserve Promises lighter. The headline buy was a vintage Pacific case trimmer.
I know I mentioned wanting another .38/.357 shooter, but I got emotionally involved instead with a pretty $900 SW 25 in .45 Colt. I made no long-term commitment, though a return to re-fondle and re-consider is not totally out of the question.
(Is Providence telling me to quit fiddling with minor calibers? )
To make my fellow WW2 arms fans feel better -- if you bought yours long enough ago -- the offerings were limited to one so-so 1911A1, a Remington Rand at $2,200. No Garands. No Carbines.
Savage 99 prices caught my eye. There were several, about $800 to about $1,900, the latter for an 80 percenter in .250.
---
If I do go back, I'll try to come home with, at least, the ratty Mossberg 144LSA, one of the more underrated target .22s. The price is too high, $150, but maybe I can negotiate well enough to make a refurbishing worthwhile.
I know I mentioned wanting another .38/.357 shooter, but I got emotionally involved instead with a pretty $900 SW 25 in .45 Colt. I made no long-term commitment, though a return to re-fondle and re-consider is not totally out of the question.
(Is Providence telling me to quit fiddling with minor calibers? )
To make my fellow WW2 arms fans feel better -- if you bought yours long enough ago -- the offerings were limited to one so-so 1911A1, a Remington Rand at $2,200. No Garands. No Carbines.
Savage 99 prices caught my eye. There were several, about $800 to about $1,900, the latter for an 80 percenter in .250.
---
If I do go back, I'll try to come home with, at least, the ratty Mossberg 144LSA, one of the more underrated target .22s. The price is too high, $150, but maybe I can negotiate well enough to make a refurbishing worthwhile.
Sep 26, 2010
Potential
I transcribe with exactitude from the auction bill:
"Mauser ModelK98K 709 mm rifle."
That would be a biggy, well into the NFA no-no class, eh?
I'll hit the sale anyway, mainly to look at the 6.35 Ortgies and the Winchester 102.
The alternative is mowing the lawn.
EDIT: All junk. Let some other fool have the stuff. One of them returned my missing "s" in return for my not bidding it up. :)
That would be a biggy, well into the NFA no-no class, eh?
I'll hit the sale anyway, mainly to look at the 6.35 Ortgies and the Winchester 102.
The alternative is mowing the lawn.
EDIT: All junk. Let some other fool have the stuff. One of them returned my missing "s" in return for my not bidding it up. :)
Jul 23, 2010
Gun dream
Bet the farm that every serious gun enthusiast has a fantasy of walking into a thrift store or garage sale and finding a box of shooting goodies marked $5. Couple of 1911s, most of an artillery Luger, a Pederson device. The best that has happened to me in the past few years is a pretty good WW2 issue shoulder holster for the S&W Victory (Model 10) from a DAV shop over on the Mississippi River. Three bucks including a second non-descript holster.
So imagine the joy if the Goodwill employees had just put this stuff out, tagged at 10 cents on the buck. Instead, the spoilsports called the law.
Alphecca suggests that "safe disposal" meant the cops stashed them away in their personal closets. Probably.
---
I'm adding Jeff to the blog roll. Who can resist a Vermont libertarian gun writer?
So imagine the joy if the Goodwill employees had just put this stuff out, tagged at 10 cents on the buck. Instead, the spoilsports called the law.
Alphecca suggests that "safe disposal" meant the cops stashed them away in their personal closets. Probably.
---
I'm adding Jeff to the blog roll. Who can resist a Vermont libertarian gun writer?
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