Word on the Street

[Reasonable Rascal]

I have been very busy lately sorting, packing, unpacking, garage sale selling, gun show shopping, repacking, inventorying and more. Several reasons, including the fact that I haven't managed the total knee replacement that was supposed to happened last month. Then we have the unrest across the country, the coming elections, and life in general. You get the idea. I won't even get into the mess that COVID has made of things.

Any way, as a part of all that I have been going through a wealth of medical goods that are surplus to our needs and otherwise left over from my on-line sales days of over a decade back. Some have not survived storage and were tossed, others repacked, more set aside, and much more going up for sale. Plaster cast rollers, instruments, suture practice kits, a tactical medical vest - loaded (that one is now en route to Australia) - small car/home bags packed up with various goodies, syringes, needles, odd-ball items, etc.

I met a surplus dealer at one of the gun shows who does medical as part f his inventory and noticed he was really, really low on instruments. Learned he was going to be at a show near Omaha the following week and arranged to meet him with stuff for sale. Long story short I unloaded about 7 boxes of stuff on him as well as a gym bag of instruments. Took all the cash he had and gave him everything to clear the living room a bit. He only hesitated about a few things and in the end I just gave over all because we needed the space in the house. Really trying to clear out that storage unit so a lot has been temporarily relocated.

Any way, to get to the topic, we got to chatting. He has docs who are looking for 'alternative' sources for stuff for themselves because they don't care to rely on the clinic/hospital having what they need, and they don't relish the idea of same knowing what they themselves might have stashed away. We discussed a few particular items and overall the docs are looking for things you and I would like as well. One doc wanted Insulin and wasn't aware he could go in to any Wal-Mart and buy Regular Insulin OTC. It is considered a critical medication and has been released from prescription. It isn't perfect but it is affordable compared to the long-acting modern stuff.

That tactical medical vest I mentioned? It's on its way to a doc Down Under. Shipping alone was over $80 on a slow boat. But he was keen to get it. Must have been the hemostatic dressings, tourniquet, combat gauze and decompression needle and such.

I saw similar panic buying leading up to Y2K when I had a regular on-line sales site. I had docs contacting me after Christmas asking for overnight shipping on cases of IV fluids alone, never mind instruments, etc. that they personally did not have at home.

RR

[Jerry D Young]

I suspect this situation has more than just doctors looking at their chosen profession and what they might need in order to practice when things get worse. It is probably the worst with those in the medical field, but many others may just be looking for equipment and supplies that would allow them to continue their work if it comes to the point where their regular supply chain is slow or nonexistent.


Good report Rascal. Confirms things I have heard, and suspected would occur during an event like this.


Thanks.


Stay safe.


Just my opinion.

[Reasonable Rascal]

Here is a report I did for another forum on the January 1-3 show in Des Moines. I walked around - when I could leave my tables - with a Spiral pocket notebook and took notes so the figures are accurate, though I grossly underestimated attendance as I found out later.

RR

Hy-Vee Hall Show

Okay folks, thanks for being patient. Have been out of town shopping for the business (sort of) the past 2 days and we didn’t get home until nearly 11 PM Sunday. Packing and repacking for the next one and need to see already about getting more tables than what I have booked for upcoming shows. It is like pre-Y2K out there right now.

As I said the crowd was bordering on huge. 35-40 minute wait to get in Friday. Even though we were in easy site of the entry doors I couldn’t keep track of all the traffic. People would come in and be gone in 15-20 minutes, with sacks and boxes.

Lots of families, i.e. dad and kid(s), dad and mom and kids, couples, even mom alone with a kid or two. Not so many of the older fellows with money and hobbies. I already made mention in my opening for this thread how things were going Friday and there was even more of interest.

Down the wall from us were a couple of guys selling among other things 80% receivers and frames. Every single 80% AR receiver walked out Friday. He would only say it was between 10 and 20 when I asked. He still had some 80% 1911 frames but that was all. No AR jigs left either.

I kept asking the promoter every day but couldn’t get a count or an estimate. MY personal estimate for Friday would be in excess of 600 easy. There were 250-300 in line before the opening bell. I would claim closer to 1,100 total for Saturday, with as many as 350-400 at a time. The line for opening was shorter but still, around 130 at 15 minutes before opening. The crowd didn’t start thinning any until 1 PM and still remained fairly strong until after 4. Even with wide aisles of 15 feet or so it was crowded. It was a manageable crowd by 2:30 with maybe 200 people roaming the aisles.

Sunday saw perhaps 35-40 people in line at 8:50 AM. By 9:15 there were about 60-70 inside the hall. By 12:15 there were about 150-180 roaming around. More families Sunday as a percentage of attendees.
A couple of fellows from the area came Friday, saw the crowd and activity, and promptly rented 4 tables for Saturday immediately to our left. This was their first show ever. Previously they did only on-line ammo sales, no brick and mortar location.

The same dealer sold ammo by the case, one or 20 boxes at a time. Their tables went from full front to back to open areas between the front and nothing in the back. I seriously believe quite firmly that if they had been there Friday they would have sold out completely. The only thing that saved them was the most serious buyers had already visited and had no reason to believe fresh stock would show up.

The best price I saw on either .223 or 5.56 was $17/box for Frontier 55 gr 5.56 by the guys next to us. The worst was $1,965 for 1K rounds of American Eagle 5.56. Let me do the math for you, that’s $1.96.5 per round.

On Friday people came and spent 15-20 minutes grabbing ammo and left. They were there for one thing only. That was only those I saw enter and exit both.

AMMO PRICES

6.5 Grendel

Baggie Reloads - $85/100 rds

7.62 x 39:

Not a lot present to report on. Pretty much limited to one dealer by the time I got around.

Red Army Standard - $600/1k

Brown Bear Subsonic - $389/500 rds

Wood Crate, NOS - $799/1,260 rds

Maxxtech - $569/1K rds

PPU - $220/160 rds

I really did not see much in the way of small packages of this caliber.

Wolf 20 rd package - $14.00

7.62 x 51

Federal - $65/40 rds

Winchester-Western .308 Hunting - $27.50/20 rds

CBC Ball $145/50 rds (have never heard of this but there it was)

Baggie Reloads - $150/100 rds of 150 gr

.30-06

Baggie Reloads - $75/60 rds

.30 M2 AP – missed that price, sorry

5.45 x 39

$299/1,080 rds (corrosive)

Sellier & Bellot - $25/20 rds

.223

Geco Target 55 gr. - $90/50 rds

Blackhawk - $90/50 rds

Tula - $769/1K rds

Baggie Reloads - $250/300 rds

Baggie Reloads - $300/250 rds - different table

5.56

Winchester White Box - $40/20 rds

PMC X-Tac - $37/20 rds

Winchester M855 - $400/200 rds

American Eagle - $1,965/1k rds

Baggie Reloads - $329/250 rds

Frontier - $17/20 rds

Frontier - $500/500 rds (different dealer)  This was the guy who sold 60-70% of his stock Friday evening. He had 2 cases of Frontier 5.56 left.

7.62 x 54R

Russian made spam can of 440 rds - $500

7 mm Remington Magnum

$30/20 rds

.450 Bushmaster

None observed

.300 Blackout

None present until Saturday. I didn’t price it, only heard about it later.

.22 LR

CCI CB Short - $20/100

American Eagle - $110/400 rds

Winchester Super X - $30/100 rds

CCI Stinger - $20/50 rds

Federal White Box - $10/50 rds

Federal White Box - $40/325 count

CCI CB Short - $15/100 (different table)

CCI .22 Long CB - $15/100 rds

9 mm

Winchester White Box - $250/200 rds 115 FMJ

Maxxtech - $800/1K rds

Speer - $240/350 rd can

.45 ACP

$45/50 rds

Speer Gold Dot 185 gr HP - $40/50 rds

Fiocchi - $37.50/50 rds

.380

Fiocchi - $75/50 rds

Baggie (reloads) - $100/100 rds

PPU Defense - $50/50 rds

PPU - $50/50 rds

.38 Special

Hornaday Critical Defense - $35/20 rds

.40 S&W

PMC Bronze - $35/50 rds

Winchester White Box - $30/50 rds

.38 S&W

$50/50 rds

$25/30 rds

9 mm

Ammo Inc Plastic Can - $175/200 rds

Winchester White Box - $90/100 rds

10 mm

Baggie (reloads) - $60/100

PPU - $40/50 rds

.30 Carbine

Tula - $22/50 rds

12 ga

Winchester slugs - $20/15 shells

Hornaday Slugs - $16/5 shells

Remington Buck - $10/5 shells

Fiocchi Rubber Baton rounds - $20/10 shells

PRIMERS Winchester and Federal

Large Rifle - $200/1K

Large Pistol - $200/1K

NO small rifle or small pistol

NO shotgun primers

The firearms mix was eclectic. I saw close to a dozen Arisakas alone on one table, including a trainer and a Last Ditch model.

Lever actions and atypical .22’s such as classic semis and bolts were attracting a lot of attention and selling exceptionally well.

I saw 2 Mas 49/56’s leave the show with separate buyers.

Across from us was a 16 gun standing rack filled with legacy rifles and shotguns, nothing tactical. By the end of the show there were 5 pieces left. Another dealer had 2 such racks, including a few Arisakas. Both racks were gone and down before the show ended. Some sold, others filled empty places on his other tables.

RIFLES

Lots, and I do mean a lot, of battle rifles. Models going back to the later 1800’s. The only Kar 98 I saw was a sniper version (no scope, just mounts). No Swiss K31s this time, nor Schmidt-Rubins.

No FALs.

No AR7’s, darn few 10/22’s.

ARs

Ruger AR556 - $899

Radical Firearms 7.5 or 10” barrels - $799

Rock River Arms CAR-A4 Gas Block - $999

Windham AR - $900

Del-Ton - $550

Adam Arms Piston model - $903 “firm”

Colt AR15A3, Used - $1,500

Armalite 3 Gun Competition Model - $1,200


Rock River Arms Complete Upper - $449

Odds and Sods

JRC 9 mm AR Carbine with Nikko sight - $760

Marlin Camp 9 Carbine - $979

Century Trooper - $900

Ruger PC 9 mm Carbine - $600

10/22 ATI remodel - $475

H&R Handi-Rifles

Handi-Rifle .243 - $300

Handi-Rifle 45-70 - $500

H&K Pattern

ATI HK-93 clone - $1,299

AKs

Pioneer AK Pistol AR (7.62 x 39) - $799

Century Micro Draco - $899

Zastava Zap 85 Pistol (.223) - $600

Century Draco 9 mm w/o brace - $759

Milled (purported to be American made) with Bayo and cheap, plywood-looking buttstock and foregrip - $4,500

SKS

Russian - $800

Norinco - $650

Polystocked - $600

“Matching Numbers” - $750

Mosin 91/30’s

Rack grade Russian - $375

“SA-marked” - $450

M53 - $425

COMPONETS

Anderson Lower Parts Kits – 2 seen, priced at $70 and $75 respectively

Anderson Stripped Lowers - $105 and $99.95 Total of two seen

Rock River Arms Complete Upper - $449

No Name Cast Auminum Lower - $99.95

Bolt Carrier Groups - $175 and up

Complete Uppers – Prices varied widely by caliber and muzzle brake, etc.

9 mm - $420, or $360 without a BCG

16: 1:7 twist 5.56 Nato - $475

.300 Blackout Kit, sans receiver - $550

Nato Sharpshooter’s Kit, 20” barrel – sold out

Match 5.56 16” 1:7 twist - $549

$299 kits – long sold out since December show (see Altoona report)

KE Firearms Complete Lower - $215

Nameless Stripped Lower - $145

Economy Lower (forget the brand but my son bought one) - $160 two available

Stealth Arms 80% 1911 Receivers - $175 couple left

Blank Stripped Uppers - $80-90

SHOTGUNS

H&R Youth Pardner Shotgun, 20 ga - $200

Other H&R Single Shot Shotguns - $200

JTS Model M12AK TI - $525

Rock Island – VR60 - $450

M12 AR - $660

Typhoon X12 - $670

PISTOLS

Ruger LCP9 with holster - $269

SDS Imports 1911 Model - $449  ALL SOLD OUT

Canik 20 rd 9 mm with holster - $549

SCCY 9 mm - $249

Girsan 1911 pattern .45 - $539

Girsan 9 mm - $575

Ruger EC9S - $350

Springield NDE 9 mm - $425

S&W Shield EZ .380 - $375 (very darned few seen)

FIE Titan .25 ACP - $200

MAGAZINES

I didn’t pay a lot of attention to magazines since I didn’t have time for leisurely strolls but did note the one table that had more than a just a few PMAG.s There were other brands elsewhere but I didn’t write them down.

PMAG Window 30 rd - $20

PMAG Gen 2 30 rd - $18 very few

PMAG Gen 3 20 rd - $15

Very few drums of any sort or caliber

There is a large vendor I shan’t name (Sieh Guns) - who always does 12 tables and only at larger shows just because they need the room - who stated quite plainly that they didn’t know how or when they would be able to replace sold stock. They had 5.56, etc. at fair (for present day) prices last month in Waterloo, but I saw virtually none on their tables here. Either I got over there too late or they never had it this show.

Gaps in their long arms and handgun offerings, growing manure visible as the show progressed.

I believe I can say with a fair degree of certainty that I saw more long arms leaving in boxes then I have ever seen. IOW new in the box stuff, not bulk or used arms. Surplus was easy to spot unless they also bought a new sleeve or case – no few of those went out also that were not empty.

Now, as far as the non-firearms stuff what was selling is indicative also.

We sold off our two tables Israeli gas masks, a spare filter, Airsoft masks, half-face respirators, a hardhat, a used weapon light/laser combo, infrared thermometers, every combat tourniquet I had (10), a couple SWAT TQs and a pair of knock-offs (cheap buyer), Israeli dressings, skin staplers, Steri-Strips, a no-name plate carrier vest, a kid’s tactical vest, pulse oximeters and more.

People are building IFAKs galore and not afraid to admit to it. A Des Moines cop told me that C.A.T. 7’s were the only thing they (DSMPD personnel) buy because of carrier pouch fits, so stock up on more. Because they ARE carrying TQs these days. Less and less a ‘maybe I’ll add to my belt’ thing.

I will be doing a 2-day small show this coming week-end. Maybe 80 tables. Not sure what to expect because it is usually farmers and such there, but the times being what they are and the next closest large show happening to be 200 miles away we’ll see. There is a 50 table show an hour away but I doubt it will draw much away. Same 2-day schedule as this one coming. 

[Reasonable Rascal]

The previous post to this was for the show in Des Moines, area population around 800K including the 'burbs.

The following week we did the town of Harlan, population just under 5K now I believe. Much smaller show and I found out recently the final count was 903 people over 2 days. Yet our sales were still 4 figures and within $100 of what we did the week before.

Here's the report I did following that show.

RR

Harlan Show January 9-10

Another week another show, our 2nd this year. And boy did it exceed expectations. Somewhere around 80 tables in all. No beef jerky to be had, and knives occupied about 5 feet total unless you counted the custom sheath stuff with bone handles, etc. Closer to true legacy mountain man stuff than commercial.  No candles, no insurance, or big-breasted blondes pushing questionable accessories and reusable warming thingies and the like. The promoters are keeping it clean so to speak for guns and directly related.

Saturday attendance was right at 650 give or take a pair or so. There was no line waiting but people were in their cars and they started admissions close to 15 minutes early. Lots of families, and I mean a lot. Fathers, daughters, moms and sons. Adult kids with their parents, including an adult daughter and a 50’s-60’s father who bought 3 shotguns between them, took them out and then returned for other things. Kids barely old enough to walk who quickly grew tired and reached for parental arms (the fleshy kind), and a few strollers as well. These were all present at other shows to a degree but this is small town Iowa and it much more prevalent here. Buncha bitter clingers if you ask me. Ahem.

Prices overall were decent for the times, though there were a few gougers, albeit almost exclusively firearms rather than ammo. I was able to make multiple turns through the show while the wife tended the table and did a little more in depth searching. Always something new.

To begin with there was nary a single AK in any pattern there save for a 12 ga model I believe. I saw 2 separate SKS’s. ARs were spotty, and only a single complete upper assembly in .350 Legend.

AMMO PRICES

.17 HMR

V-Max $9.14/50 eds

.22

CCI Shorts - $17/50

Aguila - $60/brick of 500

CCI Stinger - $175/brick of 500

Federal Red Box, Brick/500 - $50

Federal Ultramatch, brick/500 - $100

Aguila - $6/50 rds

Winchester Super X LR  - $10.59/50 rds

Winchester #12 shot - $10.59/50 rds

Winchester Wildcat - $60/brick (one available)

5.56

Frontier 55 gr - $18.99/20 rds

.223

Federal White - $18.99/20 rds

Silver Bear - $15/20 rds

Barnaul - $15/20 rds ($375/ case of 500) Was priced at $350/case on Saturday

7.62 x 39

Brown Bear - $10/20 rds

Tula - $12.99/20 rds

Wolf - $10/20 rds

7.62 x 54R

NOS - $35/20 rds

Brown Bear (private sale to me directly) - $15/20 rds

Czech surplus - $16/20 rds

.308

NOS - $8/10 rds

Tula - $14/20 rds

7mm – 08

Hornaday - $22.93/20 rds

6.5 Creedmor

Hornaday - $29.31/20 rds

.25 Auto

Remington - $23.09/50 rds

.32 Auto

Winchester $32.99/rds

9 mm

Browning - $35/50 rds - dealer had one case on the table

Blazer Brass - $24.99/50 rds

Fiocchi 124 gr - $19.99/50 rds

Hornaday Critical Defense - $27.99/20 rds

Great Lakes, 115 gr - $45/50 rds

Tula - $30/50 rds

Armscor - $25/50 rds

Federal Aluminum - $25/50 rds

.38 Special/.357

Blazer Aluminum - $25/50 rds – 1 box only

Reloads, 158 gr - $25/50 rds

.357 Reloads  - $35/50 rds

12 GA

Activ 3” Slug - $5/5 shells

RIFLES

.22’s

Glenfield Model 25 Bolt - $185

Savage Model 24 .22 Magnum O/U - $450

Rossi Semi - $146

Browning BLR - $622

10/22 - $285

Remington Nylon 66 Mohawk - sold

ARs

Great Lakes Firearms - $899.99

M&P - $899.99

Delton - $799.99

Ruger AR-556 - $899.99

Mossberg MSR - $940

DPMS - $950

M&P w/1 mag - $825 “or offer”

Mosin-Nagant 91/30 - $335 good condition

AK’s

None. Period.

SKS

Folding Poly Stock$450

Wood Stock, NOS – 2 appeared on a table Sunday

SHOTGUNS

Stevens Model 58 20 ga bolt action - $195

GForce Arms AR12 - $636.99+

Mossberg Cruiser - $485.99+

HANDGUNS

Pistols

Colt Mark IV Series 80 Nickel - $1,300

Colt M1991 A1 - $825

Ranger .45 - $450

Para-Ordnance 1911 - $665

Bond Arms Derringer:

“ “ “ .45 ACP - $265

“ “ “ .45 Long Colt - $289

Colt Government Series 70 - $1,395

Colt Government Mark IV Series 70  -$1,200

Ruger Mk II Stainless - $699

Taurus Spectrum .380 - $293

Taurus GS5 9 mm - $333

Browning Buckmark - $325

CZ 370 .32 Auto - $325

Revolvers

Heritage Arms Rough Rider, .22 LR - $140

“ “ “ .22 Magnum - $175

Colt Officer’s Model, .22, 1952 manufacture - $850

Colt Officer’s Model Target, .30 Special, 1930 manufacture  - $850

Freedom Arms .454 Casull Stainless - $2,800

S&W , 3” - $759 new

COMPONENTS

FDE Pistol Braces for ARs - $126.99 (not selling very fast, if at all)

Uppers

.350 Legend 10” MLOK 1:16 - $550

Lowers

Anderson stripped - $85

Incomplete Upper/Lower Combo by 2A Armament, Multi-Caliber - =$699.99

Yankee Hill Machine stripped - $224.25

New Frontier - $150 stripped

Cast aluminum 80% Lowers - $65 - All 25 sold before close. 1 customer bought 2 each day

2 generic lower parts kits left Sunday close

BCGs

AR15 - $129.99

AR10 - $199.99

ODDS AND SODS

NEF Handi-Rifle .223 - $300

Noreen Firearms promises a forthcoming AR-pattern in 30.06 with a projected price of $2,254 “soon”

Twist Barrel Percussion - $500

Thompson Center .50 Percussion - $350

Ashburg Kentucky Rifle - $350

Pedersoli 45-120 - $1,800

Eddystone 30.06, sporterized - $250

No 45 Mk I .303 - $750 good/v. good

Ruger PC9 Carbine - $599.99+

Adult Red Ryder BB - $50

Taurus Stainless Thunderbolt Lever in .45 Colt - $835

Ruger Mini-30 - $1,039

Spanish Mauser, 7 mm, sporterized - $225

Winchester Model 94 30-30 - $650 used, good to v. good

Hi-Point .40 S&W Carbine - $398

RELOADING

POWDERS

Alliant Blue Dot - $22.47/lb

Winchester 231 Ball - $25/40/lb

Hodgdon Trail Boss - $18.40/9 oz.

PRIMERS

CCI Large Pistol - $100/1K

Large Pistol and Large Magnum Pistol appeared Sunday at $10/tray of 100

MAGAZINES

Pmag Gen3’s - $17.95

ProMag AK Drum 50 rd - $89

Glock G17/G19 Drum 50 rd - $89

AR 65 rd drum - $89 SOLD OUT

US-made 30 rd polymer AK mags - $15

Hi-Point Carbine, 9 mm and .45 ACP - $28 ea

Glock Factory OEM –

“ “ “ G21/4 13 rd - $25

“ “ “ G19 15 rd - $25

“ “ “ G17 17 rd - $25

S&W M&P Shield - $27

HKS Speedloaders –

“ “ .38 Special - $12

“ “ .22 - $11

“ “ .44 Special - $12

SIGHTS

Romeo 4T - $450

Crimson Trace handgun - $130

One couple in their 20’s looked like first-time buyers, with him handling 9’s and .380’s from what I could tell, and later .38’s. He pretended to know what he was doing. She tended to cling close. Did not see them buy anything within my sight.

Two guys – looked like a father and son – came in with a pair of M1 carbines each. Promoter said they were asking between $2-3K each. They also left with them. There were a couple of carbines on tables for very much less. Both were purchased by others.

The dealer who had the 5.56 he increased the price on was limiting his ammo to 2 boxes per caliber per customer. Very low by Sunday close, though the case was still there but shy a couple of boxes I believe.

One within sight has baggies of .223 (and 5.56) that you had to count because he had just tossed it in baggies as was. Sold at 75 cents a round. I bought the baggie of PPU green tip 5.56, only one on the table. The other stuff was .223 he’d bought from some guy who just used whatever. Older fellow. Sold the majority of what he had, all on Sunday.

Pheasant guns were selling very well, witness the father/daughter dual, as well as others.

Promoter said this was the largest turnout for this location ever. I never heard what the count was Sunday but would not doubt it was at least 300. So close to 1,000 for the 2 days in a town of 5,000. People drove down from Omaha an hour away.

[willc453]

Thanks for what's happening at gun shows and wonder how things will be when the guns of the west gun show does it thing here. Saw insane prices on guns/ammo at a gun show in mid Florida about a month ago and from time to time, watch one from a guy in Anchorage.

The other day was searching different web sites, with some guy wanting 20 cents a round for Remington's 1,400 rounds of 22LR bucket of bullets. And remember the 555 and 333 round boxes of 22lr? Nothing on the web. Checked Freedom Munitions and their .23 is going for AT LEAST 85 cents a round. Bought 500 back in Dec. 2012 for $200 and that included shipping. 

From Youtube, the first two videos are by the CEO of Remington about the ammo shortage, the last one being from Hornady. And apparently, there's no shortage or price gouging on 30 round magazines for AR's.

With the left having done its thing in Portland/Seattle for so long, people started getting nervous. Then comes the virus with its great tp and other things shortage. Then add the riots from perceived/actual police brutality, what happened in DC and now it looks like the left is going to start up again. Gun sales are thru the roof, which makes me kind of laugh when I think about the number of anti-gun people now wanting one, especially those in California. Watched a video a few months ago where a guy bought a pistol, but couldn't buy any ammo for it because he didn't have the required permit. Will be going to Cabela's within the next week or so and will report what I saw....or didn't see.

Dec. 18, 2021----4.55 minutes long

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIgvoJKovIg&t=52s

Jan. 21, 2021---5.23 minutes long

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5zNNk130V0

Dec. 18, 2021---1.16 minutes long

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCgQ2DV0n6Q

[owldancer]

I have seen the prices about 5 times the price of what I paid the last time I bought some.
It way over what I can afford now and I think that may be what some people want.

Want several more guns and more ammo but will wait until prices come back down. (Hopefully it will)

[willc453]

Since I already got a lot of ammo, while at the reservation Walmart about a week ago, forgot to check its ammo section. But went to Lemmon Valley Walmart yesterday for odds & ends. First thing I did was check for ammo/guns. How about NO ammo but some 20 gauge. Price for it seemed reasonable.....$9.50 for 50 rounds? And only 3 rifles, which I think were all 22's? Brother got himself a Garand last year and was looking for some 30-06 and not finding any. However, he's always buying/trading guns, so he turned in some ammo he didn't have a gun for and some other stuff. Which got me to thinking about online ammo, specifically, .223/5.56. Wolf's steel ammo is 90 cents a round?!  But did find this web site with .22LR at 16 cents a round. Yeah, a bit high, but if someone needs it...... And now, Pew Pew Joe is talking of "common sense" gun laws....

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/22lr

[Reasonable Rascal]

Here is another one for you. It'll allow you to gauge things a bit. Surprises around every corner. This was from this week-end immediately past.

RR

Fort Dodge Gun Show

Time for yet another show report, this time from an entirely new venue which I have never previously visited, much less exhibited at.

This week-end’s show was held at the county fairgrounds and was sponsored by the Rifle and Pistol Club. This was the 49th annual show, and believe me when I say we felt welcome, like we were old friends though we had never been there before.

Owing to a situation at home (cat ran out the door while we were loading the truck and we spent 40 fruitless minutes trying to find her, and I was already running late) we didn’t get there in time to set up as it was already 8:30. We were staying 5 minutes away so no problem getting there on time in the morning to set up.

First, there was a line at the start. How long I do not know but heard it went down the length of the building and I could see it out the window near us. I asked at the end of the show about attendance and was told the estimate was a round 1K attendees on Saturday only. This for a show that is about 150 tables in a town of about 25K.

The display floor is split between 2 halves of the building. I wasn’t aware of the split until later when I sought out the restrooms and the concession stand. Our side was the busier though, because the entry came in on that side. Same area both sides.

Crowd was very mixed, very few gangsta types present even though Fort Dodge has a pretty fair racial mix and a higher-than-average crime rate. I only saw one black I might have associated with the ‘hood owing to dress alone. One group of mixed ethnicity college-age kids – one white female, a black male, an Asian male and a male Hispanic that bought an AR pattern across the aisle from us that the wife saw and reported while I was busy. When she pointed them out a few minutes later at the end of the aisles they didn’t have the rifle any more. Otherwise the usual mix of families and kids. Strollers of course, though the aisles were rather narrow.

Vendors were mostly agreeable and very friendly but also no nonsense. The following is a sign displayed fairly prominently within our sight from one larger vendor across the aisle, who also happened to be the one that sold the just-mentioned AR platform:

Cash Only

No Returns

WE REQUIRE A PHOTO ID

And we make a copy of your permit to buy or your CC permit for all firearms purchases.

I had the impression they were trying to scare off the fools who believe the off-record stuff about gun shows. The way the sign read it would apply to long arms also, which of course do not require purchase permits in Iowa.

There was a fair bit of buying from what I could see. Immediately behind us were a couple of brothers sharing tables that were to our backs. One had a pair of German drillings, one of which he sold for a nice penny. The other had a Swiss B&T .45 carbine for sale. Nice looking subgun-like piece, with a price tag of $2,475. Magazines were reported to run in excess of $150 though. He also had 3 M1 carbines, priced below, one of which sold Saturday.

Club members were identified by a tag and they roamed freely. When time came to roll the show up they really rolled it up. Tables and chairs were gathered as fast as the vendor vacated them. A couple of members even helped us carry our stuff and out saved us an extra trip with the trolly.

The concession was okay. Fry bread tacos in a couple of variations, taco salads and nachos, with meat, without, etc. Coffee was free all day and not s short cup either. Breakfast was available starting at 8:00 AM until 10:30, including omelets and biscuits and gravy. The concession was staffed by an outside vendor also. Nice to not have to pay $7 for a soda I can tell you ($1 for all drinks other than coffee).

Vendors overall were very nice folks. One couple we saw at Sioux Falls was here also. They had the Dewat BAR, which they very obligingly allowed young bucks to pose with while their pics were taken. The guy immediately to our right was on his way to Alaska in 2 days. He had MREs (Americqual brand, with included heaters) for $8 each, among other wares. The only stinkpot I met was the guy who ramrods another small town show scheduled for about 3 weeks from now who immediately dismissed me when I was asking about getting tables at their show, which he was amenable to until he learned we sold medical goods. “People come expecting to see guns” was his excuse. You’ve have thought I said we sold jewelry, which one vendor’s wife was doing down the aisle from us.

Prices were, well, you’ll see. Highs and lows is all I can say. I could both choke and smile depending on which table I was standing in front of. I didn’t even find the low prices of the show until Sunday afternoon and I was sitting cross-corner from them.

AMMO PRICES

RIFLE

.17 HMR

$10/50 rds

.22

Ely Target - $10/50 rds

CCI LR - $65/300 rds

Remington Golden Bullet Bucket - $200/1,400 rds

Aguila LR - $6.99/50 rds Limit 2

Aguila Brick - $69.99 Limit 1

CCI LR - $25/100 rds

Fiocchi LR - $95/brick

Remington Golden Bullet - $40/225 count


5.56/.223

Tula .223 - $12.99 Limit 2

Frontier 5.56 - $22.99/20 Limit 2

Remington UMC Yellow Box .223 - $20/20 rds

WB 5.56 - $20/20 rds   5 boxes available

American Eagle .223 - $250/300 rds baggie

Tula .223 - $10/20 rds

WRA .223 - $10/20 rds

Independence 5.56 - $65/100 rds

PMC 62 gr 5.56 - $15/20 rds

American Eagle .223 - $15/20 rds

Can, loose, unspecified brand - $400


7.62 x 39

Barnaul - $10/20 rds

.300 Blackout

Range (brand) $30/20 rds

PNW Arms - $30/20 rds

American Eagle - $15 one box


.308/7.62 x 51

Wolf Military Classic 7.62 x 51 - $16.99/20 rds  Limit 2

ZQ - $30/20 rds

Nosler .308 - $45.99


.30-06

Reloads - $35/50 rds


7 mm Remington Magnum

Fusion $33.99/20 rds


8 mm Mauser (7.92 mm)

Federal Classic – 2 boxes priced at $45 for both


PISTOL

9 MM

Magtech - $45/50 rds

Wolf Military Classic - $40/50 rds

Aguila - $28.99 Limit 1

WWB - $60/100 rds


.380

PPU Defensive - $60/50 rds

PMC - $40/50 rds


.38 SPECIAL

American Eagle - $50/50 rds


.357 MAG

Magtech - $60/50 rds


10 MM

Black Talon - $60/20 3 boxes


.45 ACP

Blazer Brass - $40/50 rds


.460 S & W Mag

Winchester $65.99/20 rds


SHOTGUN

Federal .410 - $35

Remington .410 - $30


RIFLES

AK and SKS

Arsenal Co. Bulgarian AK, poly stock, very nice - $1,850

Yugo SKS - $625

AK Hunter - $1,300


AR

Anderson-lower .300 Blackout - $1,600

Anderson .223 - $1,500

Diamondback 9mm - $800

Ruger Precision 6mm Creedmor - $1,300

Ruger AR556 - $750

RRA Heavy Barrel .223 with scope - $1,550

ARX 160 .22 - $400

FMH Firearms 7.62 x 39 - $800


OTHERS

Ruger #1 .22-250 - $1,325

M1 Carbine - $2,100 (3 available)

Winchester Model 1904 S/S Bolt .22 - $375

Karabiner 98k with Nazi markings (stated) - $1,595

Ruger Mini-14 with synthetic folder, rails - $1,200

Turkish (marked with ?) Mauser - $350

Brazil 1908 Mauser - $640

Winchester Model 1895 .30 Government 30-40 Krag - $1,999

La Caruna 1958 8 mm Mauser - $399.99

Karabiner K31 7.5 x 55 Swiss - $675.99

Soviet SVT - $1,800

Mini-14 with Rings only - $1,325

Ishapore .308 - $455

Arisaka Type 99 with matching numbers - $375

FR8 - $600

Argentine Mauser Model 1895 7.65 Argentine, 1897n manufacture, all matching - $650

Carcano M1891 6.5 mm - $800

Carcano Carbine - $275

MAS 45 .22 - $500

Marlin Model 1893 .30-30 manufactured 1896, new wood - $1,350

Winchester Model 1894 .30-30 - $925

Winchester Model 1895 .30 US/30-40 Krag - $2,165


PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS

Ruger Blackhawk with vent rib, NIB, 1975 manufacture, 44 Mag - $850

Springfield EMP .40 - $1.150

Kimber Pro CDP II with box, .45 ACP - $1,050

Kimber Micro .380 - $675

Armscor 1911 model 9 mm - $425

Armscor 1911 .45 - $510

S&W M & P .45 with 2 mags - $625

Taurus PT 1911 .45 - $645

RIA 5” .45 - $550

Winchester M-100 .308 with scope - $550

Glock 43 X 9 mm - $650

Taurus PT 738 (pink) .380 - $300

Ruger LCP with Laser - $620

Ruger LCR .38 Spl +P, with CTC Laser and 2 holsters, 1 box ammo - $850 used

Kel-Tec CP33 .22 LR - $485


SHOTGUNS

Vezir AR-style 12 ga - $625

Interarms AK style 12 ga - $825


LOWERS AND UPPERS AND 80% BLANKS

KP-15 Complete Lower - $250

Anderson Lower - $170 private sale items

.350 Legend Upper - $550


PRIMERS

CCI Small Rifle - $200/brick

Winchester Small Rifle - $250/brick

Small Pistol (Federal, Tulammo, CCI) - $20/tray

Fiocchi Shotgun - $50/brick


MAGAZINES


PMAG Gen 3 Window 30 rd - $26

PMAG AK 30 rd Gen 3 - $25.99

PMAG Gen 3 20 rd - $14.99

PMAG Gen 3 30 rd - $14.99


ODDS AND SODS

Drillings, German, 16 ga S/S over unknown rifle barrel - $1,800 and $2,000 respectively per condition

Tommy Gun, non-firing replica with drum mag, top-side bolt handle, etc - $350

There were several raffles, one for the Marine Corps League, another for DU, still another I am not sure yet who for but they were 20 feet from us and had a grid board each for a G-Force BR99 ASR pattern 12 ga and a Springfield Armory 1911 .45. There were 50 chances for each so I imagine the tickets were a few bux, but they were darn near full when we closed.

One vendor’s wife as I mentioned was selling her jewelry (hand-made stuff) and the guys behind us with the drillings, etc. were also selling cast iron fry pans, and they were going, too. That is a big thing in this state it seems. One guy has an entire booth of cast iron cookware and accessories and does a brisk business selling the better quality stuff like Lodge, etc. I see him at the bigger shows.

I did make out like a bandit in one regard. As I was wandering with notebook in hand one older fellow asked me if I had a VCR, to which I responded in the affirmative. He gave me gratis 5 American Rifleman tapes. No way was I going to turn that offer down.

Now, I am not bragging here but only offering this so you can gauge the mood out there. We had our best show ever as far as sales. I even sold an 8-victim active shooter bag. Field surgery kits, wound closure items like Steri-Strips and staplers, some sutures and skin glue. But people want filled trauma kits and hemostatic agents and tourniquets. Things like thermometers and oximeters were after-thoughts. They are gearing up for trauma. I could have sold more kits but had to tear down a couple smaller ones to fill a larger bag I had along for sale empty. I think it was the pink trim oak leaf camo pattern that attracted the lady. Only later did I recall I had extra items in a bin stuffed under the table, or I could have finished the build while keeping those bags available.

Oh, and before I forget, people are also prepping with an eye towards the family pooch. I am thinking I need to find bags to make K9 kits, too. We had a customer at our 2nd show come to the 3rd show and report they had already used the skin stapler on Fido within that week in between. Guess Fido was lucky they were thinking ahead.

We always have some personal draw-down items on the table as well, stuff we’d offer in a garage sale if the weather allowed. A paracord rifle sling, some Frog Toggs rain jackets, a bicycle helmet, various holsters I don’t want or need – all of that was selling and making table rent but the focus was on anything trauma related. Still wish I could fit those Coleman lanterns in though, but the truck was packed as it was. I need at least 10 of them gone. And 5 or 6 camp stoves.

No one had anything positive to say about events in the country. Conspiracy theories behind the ammo shortages were proffered, like the government buying it all up to keep it out of our hands. The guy with the Federal factory rumor was there but I didn’t get a chance to follow up with him.

The Club buys wholesale for their members and one fellow was saying how he’d bought umpteen bricks of primers just to get the quantity up to a large case. And since then he has new best friends approaching him once things dawned on them.

There were a lot of happy reunions amongst acquaintances, some of whom hadn’t seen each other for several years.

I could have spent a lot more than what I did without buying any arms at all, but the parts sitting across the aisle from us were really attractive.   Things that could keep pieces running that are getting long in the tooth. Alas, I had as always the Chairperson with me keeping a hand on my wallet. Though she did allow me some ammo to flip. She just doesn’t know about the extra I got because he lowered the price even more after I told him I wanted 10 boxes, so I squeezed in 3 extra boxes for keeps while staying within my budget. $8/box for Wolf Military Classic.

So, a good show, a friendly show and unfortunately they only do it once a year.

FINAL THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

7.62 X 39 was on only 1 table that I saw, and I should have bought every round he had for the prices. He might have even gone lower like he did with the .223.

PMAGs and such were scarce. No boxes of mags, only what was on the tables. Granted, I didn’t even get to the other hall until Saturday afternoon so have no clue what was there before, but there will zilch on our side.

Even with prices what they were on reloading stuff like primers the one guy that had more than a solitary brick was selling them at $200/brick in single trays. He allowed that sales were “very good.” The cheap shotgun primers, BTW, were for older pattern slightly smaller primer cup shells. He was very up front about that. They would have been a good buy for someone with older shells in the closet and a press.

I really did not see much in the way of panic buying, but I wasn’t even aware of the other until later and of course couldn’t keep track of the crowd and doings over there. No one carried in AR or AK pattern rifles for private sale/trade this show. I only saw sporting arms being offered.

[willc453]

Thanks for the show review, especially since I've only been to two of them, both in Nevada and that was YEARS ago. Used to drive truck and from time to time, I'd haul a set of trailers to Vegas and spend a few days down there when one of the drivers that would normally met me in Tonopah would have to sub for one of the drivers down there so that other driver could have time off, whether it was jury duty or vacation time. No problem bob tailing (driving just the truck) to the show, with my gps telling me how to get there. The other show was Gun Show of the West here in Reno and didn't go until Sunday afternoon. Bought another soft gun case for $15 with seller wanting $25 for it? He figured better to make something or break even on it than taking it home. Also bought a set of binoculars which has a life time guarantee. Period.

As to Coleman stoves/lanterns, had to laugh at that one. Wanted to get back into camping and no interest in the propane ones as the gas ones were the type we used when I was a kid. Tried bidding on one of each via Evilbay and kept losing?! I said to myself, okay you sob's, by God I'm going to win the next bid......and I proceeded to make MULTIPLE bids on stoves/lanterns. Which is why I ended up with NINE stoves and SEVEN  lanterns?! When I got 'em, made sure they ALL worked, which they did. Gave one of each to my nephew who keeps talking of going camping, but as far as I know, he hasn't. Also stocked up on oil lamps via Walmart and was at cousins place a few weeks ago when I saw she had 2 nice, glass oil lamps on her front porch. Asked what she was going to do with them and tells me I could have 'em?! Oh yeah! Replaced the wicks and they work just fine.

From time to time, we'd lose power with no idea when it'd be back up. Brother was in a kind of a panic as the only light he had was a hand cranked flashlight. Came over to get a candle or two from me because he knew I was prepping. Quite shocked to find me using Moms oil lamp, then another shock when I gave him one I'd bought from Walmart, all ready to go. Youngest brother gave me a single burner Coleman stove when I visited him back when I drove truck across country. Was spending a week with him & Dad as I'd usually be on the road 2-3 months, unlike other drivers who expected to be home for 3-4 days once a month. First month he started driving he realized he couldn't afford to be eating at some truck stop and sandwiches get old REAL fast. Dug out his camping gear when he got home and after that, stock up on food at Walmart and cook everything on the catwalk which is that area behind the cab of the truck. He found a better job doing maintenance for a construction company, so he was home every night. And man, that stove of his cooked up more than one can of soup when I was hauling a trailer to Hayward 5 days a week. Hit the truck stop to park and heat up that soup in just a few minutes. Or when I'd be stuck on the west side of Donner because the road was closed or having a cup of hot tea. This was when I started stashing those small packages of honey to add to the tea, along with a lot of different condiments. Still do this, with getting extra honey/margarine from KFC, with the condiments going into small, zip lock bags.

For those looking to either buy a Coleman stove/lantern whether gas or propane, check out Craigslist and thrift store. Have added to my stash, getting some fantastic bargains.

[Jerry D Young]

Thank you, RR. It is interesting to see just how steady business is, so far without panic buying, apparently.


There is a local outfit here that does Pet Emergency/Evacuation kits. They have had some success due to the fires in the area, and they do good work.


I have met them, two women, and seen their kits. I believe they are trustworthy and might be willing to work with you to get more what you are needing in terms of medical. Though, you probably can fill that part of a multipurpose kit. They do have B2B section on their site.


Pet Evac Pak – Pet Emergency Preparedness


Just thought I would pass it along.


Thanks again.


Just my opinion.

[Reasonable Rascal]

Much appreciated, Jerry.

No, there is not a lot of panic buying yet as far as medical goes, but I have been having issues for months now finding some items like decompression needles and Celox Applicators. They could be found retail - sometimes - but even them retailers had them listed as on "Backorder" going back to November already.  One of my orders placed before Christmas finally arrived last week. Tempted to spend the money for more stock just to have it while I can get it.

RR

[Reasonable Rascal]

Oh where to start, where to start.

I have been doing shows at least twice a month, and would do more if they were A. closer, and B. not canceled after the latest mass shooting event. We were scheduled to do the Iowa Great Lakes show last month, which was promptly canceled by the venue - not the promoter - the day after the FL shooting. No explanation was given. Was seriously looking forward to that one as it is in 'we have money' territory, and thus would have offered insights into how the better healed (as they would see themselves) are thinking of late. Far enough away from the cities that it would have been an entirely new crowd.

Our last show was a week ago, across the river from Omaha. Crowd was not significant, sales were low for us. Here's the report I posted on another forum:

I'll do a report tomorrow but the number of folks seeking paperless guns was astonishing from what I was told. One dealer was set to sell 2 arms to a guy with a Nebraska permit until he refused to complete the buy when told he had to transfer through a Nebraska FFL. There is a pawn shop that does transfers for a fee and advises their pick-up schedule right up front, as well as the transfer fee. The 4473's were done and everything until that point. Being a turd or maybe the docs were fake? Dunno.

Okay folks, as promised. This show is different for various reasons, not the least of which is that it is split between 3 buildings of similar size. Needless to say it made it difficult to survey the crowd and get a good feel. Some folks gave one building more attention than others according to their tastes and interests and spent much of their time accordingly. Others tended to wander through and back after doing a total show survey. We were in the middle building, BTW.

We arrived late once more for the Friday open and the crowd we had after 6:30 PM was small. We sold not a single item. But other vendors described Friday as “dead” for them as well. One went to far as to allow that this was a smaller than typical turn-out for this time of year at that location.

Once again there were no ammo reloaders there, but surprise! Surprise! we had primers! Lots of them, comparatively, and none asking $250/brick. Prices are falling and some things are coming back out.

9 mm ammo was widely if not necessarily plentifully available. Cases of 500 and even 1K rds of 5.56 were had via several dealers but you are going to pay about $1/rd or even more. $1.10/rd was not uncommon.

I am sorry to say that this promoter allows a lot of non-firearms related goods in. Magic crystals, super power wristbands, dream catchers and CBD oil, etc. We had one knife vender sharing the row with us, and another across the aisle. The latter was Lebanese with a speel who we learned imported separate blades and handles to get around tariff fees, and then he and his 3 brothers assemble them and sell them at shows. Not prime steel for sure, but very attractive blades, especially in the historical patterns such as a Roman gladius or the Spartan sword, nevermind various Japanese styles.

The guy sharing the row with us is a custom bladesmith who does some very nice work. He is located in Des Moines, BTW. I am not an expert but I would lay out $600 for one of his blades long before I would $500 for the import stuff across the aisle. And he was selling blades. His art pieces were not my cup of tea but the skill exhibited was almost amazing. Had I the funds available I might consider commissioning him to do a one-off piece for me.

My prices/availability hunt was affected by the spread-out nature. Hard to wander between buildings and still keep an eye on your tables, and the wife refers all questions to me (darn her). For the record we also offer various and sundry slings, holsters, QD swivels, short rails, sights, web belts and anything else either firearms or outdoors related we think might help cover table fees.

AMMO

RIFLE

.22

CCI Shorts - $20/100 rds

Federal - $30/325 rds

.223

Wolf - $15/20 rds

Wolf - $700/1K rds

5.56

German MEN - $30/30 rds

X-TAC - $18/20 rds

Win M855 - $550/500 rds

.300 Blackout

A.E. - $30/20 rds

7.62 x 39

Wolf - $15/20 rds

7.62x51/.308

Federal Tracer - $40/20 rds

WWB .308 - $35/20 rds

HANDGUN

.380 Auto

Maxxtech - $60/50 rds

.38 Special

Tula - $50/50 rds

PMC - $60/50 rds

9 mm

Herter’s - $600/spam can

Winchester Active Duty - $100/100 rds

10 mm

PPU - $45/50 rds

.40 S&W

PMC - $60/50 rds.

.45 ACP

Remington UMC - $35/50 rds

Remington HP - $75/100 rds

Hornaday 230 gr XTP HP - $30/20 rds

SHOTGUN

.410
Winchester 7-1/2 shot - $25/25 shells

28 ga

Estate - $28/box

Fiocchi - $25/box, or 3 boxes for $70

RIFLES

HK91 - $2,900

AK/SKS

Romak AK Underfolder, 1970 model - $1,650

Polish Pioneer AK - $1,450 NIB

CAI AK - $1,100

RAK AK - $1,650

Norinco AK, Pre-Ban, NIB - $2,900


SHOTGUNS

Remington 870 Super Slug 3-1/2” 12 ga - $650

Remington 870 Marine - $1,500


UPPERS/LOWERS/PARTS KITS

KE Arms Billet Lower, Complete - $275

APF Complete Lower - $349

KE Arms Complete Lower - $240

Swedisk K Torch Cut Kit - $800

Black Rain Complete Upper - $650


ODDS AND SODS

CAA Micro Conversion Kits - $299

Anarchist’s Cookbook - $30.00

Night Vision Goggle, non-milspec, binocular style - $500


PRIMERS

Winchester Small Rifle (WSR) - $200/brick

CCI # 400 - $200/brick

Federal Large Rifle - $200/brick

CCI SR - $200

CCI SR - $165

CCI SR - $175

WSM - $175/brick


MAGAZINES

Glock .45 GAP 10 rd - $20.00


PEOPLE AND ODD VENDORS

The stroller count was well down for this show. By 10:30 Saturday we were at 2, one of which was carrying a dog and not a kid. There was no kid, period. The dog was not offered a sucker, BTW.

Minorities were not well represented until Sunday. Very few if really any hood rats that I saw. Few Hispanics, no identifiable NA’s, few Asians. One older black fellow we engaged on conversation was a former Air Force hospital corpsman, and he spoke of wanting a “bug out” bag for the car with food and other gear. This guy had to be at least 75 if not his 80’s. Very obviously concerned for the future, spoke of what was coming, and I had no impression but that he would be a neighbor I’d be happy to live next to. He had one of those seated walkers and even at that bugging out was in his game plan.

Another friend we have made through the shows is a retired non-com and police officer. He is also black, and a very fine fellow all the way around, friendly as can be and not an adherent of the BLM mindset, unless the “B” stands for Blue. His former partner is white and stays with our friend when he is in town for gun shows (lives fairly well out of state). Can’t say I see him as a BLM sympathizer either.

There were some fellows pieces including assault rifles, and an accurized ‘sniper rifle’ (bolt action larger caliber hunting rifle, IOW). They had ammo they were selling, basement stuff they had plenty of. Just a way to get others to pay for a guy week-end. They sold a bunch of ammo any way. Later came over and bought bags, accessories and hemostatic gauze and tourniquets from us.

One dealer of long-standing reported that background checks lately have been delayed for up to 5 weeks. Granted after 3 days it is supposed to be free but cautious dealers are being wary and waiting. One fellow reported after 2 weeks he had 47 of 49 NICS checks finally passed, and 2 yet pending. One dealer was reporting incomplete checks even after 4-5 weeks, being told when he called to check on the status that they “hadn’t even gotten to that lot yet.”

I have already related that one dealer friend told of a fellow with a Nebraska permit that allowed him to purchase without NICS check who ended the transaction when told he’d have to transfer the arms across the river with a pre-arranged FFL. Either his frustration didn’t allow for a 24 hour wait, or perhaps his papers were not legit? How can you know these days?

Plenty of reports of people seeking unpapered firearms. On almost every instance once told paperwork would be required the inquirer walked away without comment. Dealers are more wary than ever of set-ups and fishing.

I must confess we did in fact sell a pair of matched .45’s without ID check, paperwork, etc. They were also named pieces, Ebony and Ivory. Saw the buyer showing them off down the aisle later. But Biden said we could. Bonus points to anyone who can illuminate the back story.

Granted my view was affected by the building we were in but I did not see many long arms leave at all. There were smaller boxes that could have held handguns or frames walking by infrequently. There were plenty of bags that seemed to obviously hold ammo or pickles (the Russians were there again).

I did notice 28 ga shot shells were strangely abundant. .410 shells were also making a comeback.

Plate carriers were Attracting attention and the dealer did re-arrange his table Sunday to fill in gaps. He ended up with an empty table if that says anything. I watched a gal in her late 20’s perhaps try on a carrier and overheard her ask about plates, which he showed her. No read on her, i.e prepper, public safety, Antifa-type, or just a fearful citizen.

I will say that people are buying holsters and slings and rethinking their carry. One follow bought a belly band with the optional spare mag carrier (a whopping $2 more) after his wife urged him to rethink things when he admitted he didn’t carry a spare but rather left it in the truck. The Belly Band Comfortac) has a spare mag slot, but the other is a detachable extra. Thus 2 spares or even 3 are possible. White, 50’s, tradesman.

Another guy (black, BTW) wanted to know if a Blackhawk molded mag holster would hold Springfield XD mags. As I didn’t know I let him to take it to another building to a dealer that carries a lot, including XDs, so he could fit test it. Came back and bought it. Obviously middle-class, had his son with him, asked what he could leave with me while he took it. I have no problem trusting someone like that and let him carry it off.

Now, for the oddball vendors part:

There was a gal we have run in to before. Claims to be an old Army nurse; claims she directed a nursing school for the Army, and also claims she is a respiratory therapist, AND she worked ICU for 27 years (I guess as a nurse?) She sells the magic wristbands and CBD oil, etc. Another dealer who is a retired nurse came to see us and saw her and wondered about her skin color. Argyria – look it up. She has her demo act down I can tell you. Being judgmental I admit but I am guessing she has tried too much of the alternative medicine stuff herself (hence Argyria, and maybe her claims).

Our next show is in 2 weeks back at the State Fairgrounds. Should anyone we know stop by we'll find a chair for them.

[willc453]

What's the date of the fairgrounds gun show? Tried Googling it, no luck. There's 2 coming up, starting in June.

[Reasonable Rascal]

Sorry I did not see this sooner. It was this past week-end. There are 4 more we will be doing before the end of June, in Mount Pleasant, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City and Council Bluffs.

You can find a list of shows across the country here:   https://gunshowtrader.com/gun-shows/

They don't have them all listed of course, because it is up to the promoter to list them, but they catch the majority.

This past week-end attendance was "light." We did okay, no issues there, but many more traditional vendors had trouble even covering expenses. But we have people now who come to see us expressly, and leave after adding to their medical preps. We had 2 such customers this week-end, both repeaters.

Few black rifles being bought, more handguns that I could see. Rugers were selling as well as Glocks.

5.56 is falling in price, and 7.62 x 39 could be had for as 'little' as $9.99/box of 20. 9 mm could be had for $35/50 from several vendors.

Primers are available once more. There was a couple selling some they had found at an estate sale, around 60K he said, of all manner. He offered that the "old guy must have been crazy" for everything he had. They were asking $125/brick.  I did see one small private seller asking only $80/ brick in trays of 100 each ($8). What was also new were French shotgun primers at a reloading products vendor.

From our experience people want to be able to address initial wound care and wound closure. Some worry about follow-on care but right now they are concentrating on tourniquets, combat gauze, sutures and staplers, skin adhesive, wound closure strips and anything related. What is sometimes implied but not stated is they are worried about what I'll call 'war wounds,' and otherwise homestead injuries.

RR

[Reasonable Rascal]

Further word as it were. From this last week-end's show.

Even the Amish are stocking up. Seriously. Couple of younger unmarried fellows (no beards) were seriously looking over MREs, and had bags of ammo in their hands.

From what I could see from our booth Ruger and S&W were the top selling AR models by a few.

Local EMS in-duty crew was there for a decent bit until they had to respond to a call. A physician was there in her scrubs.

At least 2 people who have never been to a gun show were present; one a young Chinese girl, the other a father in his 30's with son in tow.

 Lots, and I mean mean LOTS of anti-Biden, anti-Liberal, anti-ATF's current proposed rule changes, anti-China, anti-illegals sentiments expressed. verbally or via t-shirts.

RR